bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight into the Interaction Mechanism of HSA with Aztreonam: A Multispectroscopic and Computational Approach
Authors: Sabour Amal A. , Khan Altaf , Alhuzani Mohammed R.
Published: November 2022

Aztreonam is a Gram-negative bacteria-targeting synthetic monobactam antibiotic. Human serum albumin (HSA) plays an important role in the transference of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and fatty acids, along with other compounds, determining their biodistribution and physiological fate. Using several biophysical and in silico approaches, we studied the interaction of aztreonam with HSA under physiological environments in this study. Results confirm the formation of HSA-aztreonam complex where aztreonam showed moderate affinity towards HSA. A static mode of quenching was confirmed from the steady state fluorescence data. FRET findings also showed that there was a significant feasibility of energy transfer between HSA and aztreonam. Site marker displacement experimental conclusion suggested the binding site of aztreonam was the sub-domain IB of HSA. Circular dichroic spectroscopic analysis suggested that aztreonam interaction decreases the α-helical content of HSA. Changes in microenvironment were studied through synchronous fluorescence data. According to molecular docking results, the HSA-aztreonam complex is mostly maintained by non-covalent forces, with a binding energy of 7.7 kcal mol−1. The presence of a hydrogen bond, van der Waal interaction, and pi-anion interaction in the binding process, as well as conformational changes in HSA after binding with aztreonam, are all confirmed by molecular dynamic simulation.
SNH Amidation of 5-Nitroisoquinoline: Access to Nitro- and Nitroso Derivatives of Amides and Ureas on the Basis of Isoquinoline
Authors: Avakyan Elena K. , Borovleva Anastasia A. , Pobedinskaya Diana Yu. , Demidov Oleg P. , Ermolenko Artem P. , Larin Alexander N. , Borovlev Ivan V.
Published: November 2022

For the first time, amides and ureas based on both 5-nitroisoquinoline and 5-nitrosoisoquinoline were obtained by direct nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen in the 5-nitroisoquinoline molecule. In the case of urea and monosubstituted ureas, only 5-nitrosoisoquinoline-6-amine is formed under anhydrous conditions.
Theoretical-Computational Modeling of Gas-State Thermodynamics in Flexible Molecular Systems: Ionic Liquids in the Gas Phase as a Case Study
Authors: Amadei Andrea , Ciccioli Andrea , Filippi Antonello , Fraschetti Caterina , Aschi Massimiliano
Published: November 2022

A theoretical-computational procedure based on the quasi-Gaussian entropy (QGE) theory and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is proposed for the calculation of thermodynamic properties for molecular and supra-molecular species in the gas phase. The peculiarity of the methodology reported in this study is its ability to construct an analytical model of all the most relevant thermodynamic properties, even within a wide temperature range, based on a practically automatic sampling of the entire conformational repertoire of highly flexible systems, thereby bypassing the need for an explicit search for all possible conformers/rotamers deemed relevant. In this respect, the reliability of the presented method mainly depends on the quality of the force field used in the MD simulations and on the ability to discriminate in a physically coherent way between semi-classical and quantum degrees of freedom. The method was tested on six model systems (n-butane, n-butane, n-octanol, octadecane, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic pairs), which, being experimentally characterized and already addressed by other theoretical-computational methods, were considered as particularly suitable to allow us to evaluate the method’s accuracy and efficiency, bringing out advantages and possible drawbacks. The results demonstrate that such a physically coherent yet relatively simple method can represent a further valid computational tool that is alternative and complementary to other extremely efficient computational methods, as it is particularly suited for addressing the thermodynamics of gaseous systems with a high conformational complexity over a large range of temperature.
Changes in Health-Promoting Behaviors and Their Association with Weight Loss, Retention, and Engagement on a Digital Program: Prospective Study
Authors: Behr Heather , Earl Sydney , Ho Annabell Suh , Lee Jihye , Mitchell Ellen Siobhan , McCallum Meaghan , May Christine N. , Michaelides Andreas
Published: November 2022

Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (e.g., as measured by the HPLP-II) are associated with reductions in lifestyle disease mortality, as well as improved well-being, mental health, and quality of life. However, it is unclear how a weight-management program relates to a broad range of these behaviors (i.e., health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management), especially a fully digital program on which individuals have to self-manage their own behaviors in their daily lives (with assistance from a virtual human coach). In the context of a digital setting, this study examined the changes in health-promoting behaviors over 12 months, as well as the associations between health-promoting behaviors and weight loss, retention, and engagement, among participants who self-enrolled in a mobile CBT-based nutritionally focused behavior change weight management program (n = 242). Participants lost a statistically significant amount of weight (M = 6.7 kg; SD = 12.7 kg; t(80) = 9.26, p < 0.001) and reported significantly improved overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (i.e., HPLP-II summary scores), as well as, specifically, health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, stress management, and interpersonal relations behaviors from baseline to 6 months and from 6 months to 12 months (all ps < 0.008). Health-promoting behaviors at 6 months (i.e., learned health-promoting behaviors) compared to baseline were better predictors of retention and program engagement. A fully digital, mobile weight management intervention can improve HPLP-II scores, which, in turn, has implications for improved retention, program engagement, and better understanding the comprehensive effects of weight management programs, particularly in a digital setting.
Chickpea Peptide: A Nutraceutical Molecule Corroborating Neurodegenerative and ACE-I Inhibition
Authors: Gupta Neha , Quazi Sameer , Jha Saurabh Kumar , Siddiqi Mohammad Khursheed , Verma Kanika , Sharma Swapnil , Khan Rizwan Hassan , Bhagyawant Sameer Suresh
Published: November 2022

Chickpea seeds are the source of proteins in human nutrition and attribute some nutraceutical properties. Herein, we report the effects of chickpea seed bioactive peptide on albumin, insulin, lactoglobulin and lysozyme amyloid fibril formation. Employing thioflavin T (ThT) assays and circular dichroism (CD), amyloid structural binding transition was experimented to analyze the inhibition of amyloid fibril formation. The purified active peptide with a molecular mass of 934.53 Da was evaluated in vitro for its ACE-I inhibitory, antibacterial, antifungal and antidiabetic activities. Further, in vivo animal studies were carried out in wistar rats for blood pressure lowering action. In hypertensive rats, chickpea peptide decreased 131 ± 3.57 mm of Hg for systolic blood pressure and 86 ± 1.5 mm of Hg for diastolic blood pressure after 8 h intraperitoneal administration. Additionally, the peptide suppressed the fibrillation of amyloid and destabilized the preformed mature fibrils. Data emphasize efficacy of chickpea peptide vis-a-vis ACE-Inhibitory, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic and anti-amyloidogenic activities, allowing us to propose this novel peptide as a suitable candidate for nutraceutical-based drugs and seems the first kind of its nature.
Suppressive Effect of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris YRC3780 on a Murine Model of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis
Authors: Uchida Kenji , Iida Kenichi , Fujioka Ikumi , Hachimura Satoshi , Kaminuma Osamu
Published: November 2022

Accumulating evidence suggests that Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris YRC3780 isolated from kefir has the potential to alleviate allergic responses. Herein, we investigated the effect of YRC3780 on a murine model of Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP). BALB/c mice immunized with cedar pollen extract (CPE) exhibited an increase in serum immunoglobulin E and developed nasal inflammatory responses including sneezing, nasal hyperresponsiveness, and nasal eosinophil accumulation upon intranasal allergen challenge. These responses were suppressed by the oral administration of YRC3780, although the effects on CPE-induced sneezing response and eosinophil infiltration were not statistically significant. Total fecal microbiota diversity was not affected by allergen immunization and challenge or by YRC3780 administration. However, the abundances of Bifidobacteriales, Veillonellaceae, Lactococcus, and Lactococcus lactis were larger and that of Bacteroides was smaller in YRC3780-treated mice compared with those in CPE-challenged and YRC3780-untreated mice. Our findings suggest the usefulness of YRC3780 for alleviating JCP.
3-Methoxy Carbazole Impedes the Growth of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Alanazi Jowaher , Unnisa Aziz , Alanazi Muteb , Alharby Tareq , Moin Afrasim , Rizvi Syed , Hussain Talib , Awadelkareem Amir , Elkhalifa AbdElmoneim , Faiyaz Syed , Khalid Mohammad , Gowda Devegowda
Published: November 2022

Breast cancer represents the most frequently occurring cancer globally among women. As per the recent report of the World Health Organization (WHO), it was documented that by the end of the year 2020, approximately 7.8 million females were positively diagnosed with breast cancer and in 2020 alone, 685,000 casualties were documented due to breast cancer. The use of standard chemotherapeutics includes the frontline treatment option for patients; however, the concomitant side effects represent a major obstacle for their usage. Carbazole alkaloids are one such group of naturally-occurring bioactive compounds belonging to the Rutaceae family. Among the various carbazole alkaloids, 3-Methoxy carbazole or C13H11NO (MHC) is obtained from Clausena heptaphylla as well as from Clausena indica. In this study, MHC was investigated for its anti-breast cancer activity based on molecular interactions with specific proteins related to breast cancer, where the MHC had predicted binding affinities for NF-κB with −8.3 kcal/mol. Furthermore, to evaluate the biological activity of MHC, we studied its in vitro cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells. This alkaloid showed significant inhibitory effects and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by enhanced caspase activities and the cellular generation of ROS. It was observed that a treatment with MHC inhibited the gene expression of NF-kB in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. These results suggest that MHC could be a promising medical plant for breast cancer treatment. Further studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the anticancer action of MHC.
Experimental Measurement of Diffusion Coefficient of Polyimide Film for Capacitive Humidity Sensors
Authors: Wu Jianyun , Zhou Wenhe , Wang Xiaowei , Li Shicheng
Published: November 2022

Polyimide (PI) film is widely used as the key component of the capacitive humidity sensor, whose diffusion coefficient has a significant impact on the sensor’s dynamic characteristics, but is rarely discussed. This paper provides a test method and processes for effective diffusion coefficients of water molecules in self-synthesis PI films. The films were formed by four ingredients (PMDA-ODA, BPDA-ODA and BPDA-BAPP, PMDA-BAPP) with PI acid concentrations of 23%, 20%, 17% and 15%, and tested in temperatures of 20 °C, 35 °C and 50 °C, respectively. The results indicated that BPDA-BAPP film was good as a moisture sensitive film, whose average effective diffusion coefficient was 2.709 × 10−14 m2/s. The temperature of the environment had a significant effect on the humidity-sensitive properties, but the PI acid concentration effect could be indirect.
Mechanical Response of Fiber-Filled Automotive Body Panels Manufactured with the Ku-FizzTM Microcellular Injection Molding Process
Authors: Simon Sara Andrea , Hain Jörg , Sracic Michael W. , Tewani Hridyesh R. , Prabhakar Pavana , Osswald Tim A.
Published: November 2022

To maximize the driving range and minimize the associated energy needs and, thus, the number of batteries of electric vehicles, OEMs have adopted lightweight materials, such as long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, and new processes, such as microcellular injection molding. These components must withstand specific loading conditions that occur during normal operation. Their mechanical response depends on the fiber and foam microstructures, which in turn are defined by the fabrication process. In this work, long fiber thermoplastic door panels were manufactured using the Ku-FizzTM microcellular injection molding process and were tested for their impact resistance, dynamic properties, and vibration response. Material constants were compared to the properties of unfoamed door panels. The changes in mechanical behavior were explained through the underlying differences in their respective microstructures. The specific storage modulus and specific elastic modulus of foamed components were within 10% of their unfoamed counterparts, while specific absorbed energy was 33% higher for the foamed panel by maintaining the panel’s mass/weight.
Development of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Device Using Four-Bore Tubing and Its Applications of In-Liquid Material Decomposition and Solution Plasma Polymerization
Authors: Bae Gyu Tae , Jang Hyo Jun , Jung Eun Young , Lee Ye Rin , Park Choon-Sang , Kim Jae Young , Tae Heung-Sik
Published: November 2022

In this study, we describe an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) device made of four-bore tubing operable in inhospitable humid environments and introduce two potential applications of liquid material processing: decomposition of aqueous phosphorus compounds and solution-plasma polymerization. A four-bore tube was used as the plasma transfer conduit and two diagonal bores contained metal wires. In the proposed APPJ device, the metal wires serving as electrodes are completely enclosed inside the holes of the multi-bore glass tube. This feature allows the APPJ device to operate both safely and reliably in humid environments or even underwater. Thus, we demonstrate that the proposed electrode-embedded APPJ device can effectively decompose aqueous phosphorus compounds into their phosphate form by directly processing the solution sample. As another application of the proposed APPJ device, we also present the successful synthesis of polypyrrole nanoparticles by solution plasma polymerization in liquid pyrrole.
Physically and Chemically Stable Anion Exchange Membranes with Hydrogen-Bond Induced Ion Conducting Channels
Authors: Wei Chengpeng , Yu Weisheng , Wu Liang , Ge Xiaolin , Xu Tongwen
Published: November 2022

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with desirable properties are the crucial components for numerous energy devices such as AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs), AEM water electrolyzers (AEMWEs), etc. However, the lack of suitable AEMs severely limits the performance of devices. Here, a series of physically and chemically stable AEMs have been prepared by the reaction between the alkyl bromine terminal ether-bond-free aryl backbone and the urea group-containing crosslinker. Morphology analyses confirm that the hydrogen bonding interaction between urea groups is capable of driving the ammonium cations to aggregate and further form continuous ion-conducting channels. Therefore, the resultant AEM demonstrates remarkable OH− conductivity (59.1 mS cm−1 at 30 °C and 122.9 mS cm−1 at 90 °C) despite a moderate IEC (1.77 mmol g−1). Simultaneously, due to the adoption of ether-bond-free aryl backbone and alkylene chain-modified trimethylammonium cation, the AEM possesses excellent alkaline stability (87.3% IEC retention after soaking in 1 M NaOH for 1080 h). Moreover, the prepared AEM shows desirable mechanical properties (tensile stress > 25 MPa) and dimensional stability (SR = 20.3% at 90 °C) contributed by the covalent-bond and hydrogen-bond crosslinking network structures. Moreover, the resulting AEM reaches a peak power density of 555 mW cm−2 in an alkaline H2/O2 single fuel cell at 70 °C without back pressure. This rational structural design presented here provides inspiration for the development of high-performance AEMs, which are crucial for membrane technologies.
Surface Modification of Electrospun Bioresorbable and Biostable Scaffolds by Pulsed DC Magnetron Sputtering of Titanium for Gingival Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Badaraev Arsalan , Sidelev Dmitrii , Kozelskaya Anna , Bolbasov Evgeny , Tran Tuan-Hoang , Nashchekin Alexey , Kostina Aleksandra , Malashicheva Anna , Rutkowski Sven , Tverdokhlebov Sergei
Published: November 2022

In this study, polymer scaffolds were fabricated from biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and from non-biodegradable vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene (VDF-TeFE) by electrospinning. These polymer scaffolds were subsequently surface-modified by sputtering titanium targets in an argon atmosphere. Direct current pulsed magnetron sputtering was applied to prevent a significant influence of discharge plasma on the morphology and mechanical properties of the nonwoven polymer scaffolds. The scaffolds with initially hydrophobic properties show higher hydrophilicity and absorbing properties after surface modification with titanium. The surface modification by titanium significantly increases the cell adhesion of both the biodegradable and the non-biodegradable scaffolds. Immunocytochemistry investigations of human gingival fibroblast cells on the surface-modified scaffolds indicate that a PLGA scaffold exhibits higher cell adhesion than a VDF-TeFE scaffold.
Measurement and Characterization of Yeast Cell Size Using a Digital Optical Microscope
Authors: Yoda Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2022

Yeast produces flavor components as by-products of fermentation. Such components, which account for considerable yeast quality value, may influence cell membrane fluidity and regulate cell size. In this study, yeast cell size was measured using various methods, and cell sizes were characterized for each strain of yeast. Herein, a method for measuring the cell size and automatically acquiring the cell area was proposed using inexpensive methylene blue staining and a versatile digital microscope to automatically acquire the cell area. To evaluate the efficiency, data on cell length and area were compared using the conventional and proposed methods. Additionally, the advantages of automated measurement and the ability to count cell numbers in the future are discussed through the acquisition of cell size data, which would be required for microfabrication and cell fabrication techniques. Although there are various candidate methods for evaluating the properties of each yeast strain, the present technique may be useful for evaluating the productivity of flavor components and selecting a yeast strain for producing food and drink products with high commodity values.
A Review on Application of Acoustic Emission in Coal—Analysis Based on CiteSpace Knowledge Network
Authors: Zhao Shankun , Chao Qian , Yang Liu , Qin Kai , Zuo Jianping
Published: November 2022

Based on CiteSpace software, this paper reviews and analyzes the application articles of acoustic emission in coal from 2010 to 2020. In this paper, CiteSpace software visualizes 453 articles collected in the Web of Science core database. The cooperation networks between different countries, institutions, and authors are used to determine the connection of knowledge in papers. The keyword co-occurrence, keyword co-occurrence time zone map, and keyword clustering are used to determine the hot topics in the field. The cited collaborative network analysis reveals the important literature and the contribution of prominent authors in this area. In the future, for the research of acoustic emission in coal mining, compression tests will still be the main test methods. In terms of time domain parameters of acoustic emission, the application of ring counting, energy, waveform, and signal strength are very mature. The principal problem of acoustic emission location operation will become a focus in the future. The most widely used patterns in the determination of ruptures are the signal intensity fractal dimension, the acoustic emission number, and the b-value. In practical engineering problems, there is little research on the deformation activity law of steeply inclined coal seams and surrounding rock. The mining of steeply inclined coal seams is still a difficult problem. There are immature technologies in coal mining, rockburst early warning, and coal and gas outburst. In terms of the intellectualization and accuracy based on experience, there is room for improvement in the future. Scholars will continue a deeper exploration on the application of the numerical simulation.
Flow Characteristics and Anti-Vortex in a Pump Station with Laterally Asymmetric Inflow
Authors: Luo Can , He Yufan , Shang Yinan , Cong Xiao , Ding Chao , Cheng Li , Lei Shuaihao
Published: November 2022

In a laterally asymmetric intake pumping station, the flow direction in the forebay is not consistent with flow in the intake channel. Thus, the adverse flow patterns, such as bias flow, large-scale vortex and asymmetric flow occur frequently in the forebay and sump. Based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation and the RNG k-ε turbulence model, a recent flow pattern in a laterally asymmetric intake pumping station was numerically simulated and analyzed, and effective vortex elimination measures were proposed. For the original scheme, seriously biased flow combined with large-scale vortices were observed in the forebay and several vortices occurred in the sump. To suppress the clash inflow in the south and north intake channel, the “straight diversion pier + curved wing wall” and “straight diversion pier + curved wing wall + V-shaped diversion pier” were installed separately. The” symmetrical 川-shaped diversion pier” and “symmetrical 川-shaped diversion pier + circular column” was utilized to eliminate the bias flow and large-scale vortices in the forebay. Finally, the “three- sectional diversion pier”, “three- sectional diversion pier + triangle column” and “three- sectional diversion pier + triangle column + straight back baffle” was applied to decrease the vortex and asymmetric flow near the suction pipe of the sump. By attaching the rectification measure schemes in the intake channel and the forebay, the bias flow and large-scale vortex in the forebay were suppressed to varying degrees. The schemes significantly reduced the recirculation coefficient and greatly reduced the recirculation volume. By utilizing the vortex elimination measures in the sump, the vortex and asymmetric flow basically disappeared, the velocity distribution tended to become more uniform, and the flow rate distinction of each pump was smaller. The outcome can be used to provide a reference and basis for the improvement of flow pattern in similar laterally asymmetric intake pump stations.
Classifying Insurance Reserve Period via Claim Frequency Domain Using Hawkes Process
Authors: Effendie Adhitya Ronnie , Kariyam  , Murti Aisya Nugrafitra , Angsari Marfelix Fernaldy , Gunardi
Published: November 2022

In this paper, the insurance reserve period will be classified according to the claim frequency domain, such as high- or low-frequency periods. We use the clustering method to create and group claims data according to their frequency period. Meanwhile, we use a risk process to mimic and predict the movement of the reserve from time to time in each group of claim period that is formed. The risk process model used here is the Hawkes process, which is a one-dimensional simple point process and a special type of self-exciting process. Based on this process, we will estimate the reserve at a certain date in the future and the average historical reserve for each group period.
Evolutionary Task Allocation and Cooperative Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Air Combat Applications
Authors: Wang Jing , Duan Shuai , Ju Shuang , Lu Shan , Jin Yaning
Published: November 2022

Autonomous air combat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a typical and difficult problem that must be studied in the field of military intelligence. The UAVs are required to work together to accomplish different tasks in the air combat. In this note, both task allocation and cooperative control of UAVs are studied for air combat applications. A two-layer framework of the air combat is established containing a task allocation upper layer and a cooperative control lower layer. In the task allocation upper layer, an evolutionary task allocation strategy is proposed for UAVs to allocate tasks by considering their cooperative behavior. After the task allocation, the UAVs, which are allocated for the same task, form the same group. In the cooperative control lower layer, a cooperative control approach is proposed for groups of UAVs to maintain a desired formation to accomplish the corresponding task. The evolutionary stable state and stabilization of the UAVs are achieved. Finally, both Software-in-the-Loop and Model-in-the-Loop simulations are conducted based on the RflySim platform to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and further display the multi-UAV air combat vision realistically.
The Sentinel 2 MSI Spectral Mixing Space
Authors: Small Christopher , Sousa Daniel
Published: November 2022

A composite spectral feature space is used to characterize the spectral mixing properties of Sentinel 2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) spectra over a wide diversity of landscapes. Characterizing the linearity of spectral mixing and identifying bounding spectral endmembers allows the Substrate Vegetation Dark (SVD) spectral mixture model previously developed for the Landsat and MODIS sensors to be extended to the Sentinel 2 MSI sensors. The utility of the SVD model is its ability to represent a wide variety of landscapes in terms of the areal abundance of their most spectrally and physically distinct components. Combining the benefits of location-specific spectral mixture models with standardized spectral indices, the physically based SVD model offers simplicity, consistency, inclusivity and applicability for a wide variety of land cover mapping applications. In this study, a set of 110 image tiles compiled from spectral diversity hotspots worldwide provide a basis for this characterization, and for identification of spectral endmembers that span the feature space. The resulting spectral mixing space of these 13,000,000,000 spectra is effectively 3D, with 99% of variance in 3 low order principal component dimensions. Four physically distinct spectral mixing continua are identified: Snow:Firn:Ice, Reef:Water, Evaporite:Water and Substrate:Vegetation:Dark (water or shadow). The first 3 continua exhibit complex nonlinearities, but the geographically dominant Substrate:Vegetation:Dark (SVD) continuum is conspicuous in the linearity of its spectral mixing. Bounding endmember spectra are identified for the SVD continuum. In a subset of 80 landscapes, excluding the 3 nonlinear mixing continua (reefs, evaporites, cryosphere), a 3 endmember (SVD) linear mixture model produces endmember fraction estimates that represent 99% of modeled spectra with <6% RMS misfit. Two sets of SVD endmembers are identified for the Sentinel 2 MSI sensors, allowing Sentinel 2 spectra to be unmixed globally and compared across time and space. In light of the apparent disparity between the 11D spectral feature space and the statistically 3D spectral mixing space, the relative contribution of 11 Sentinel 2 MSI spectral bands to the information content of this space is quantified using both parametric (Pearson Correlation) and nonparametric (Mutual Information) metrics. Comparison of linear (principal component) and nonlinear (Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection) projections of the SVD mixing space reveal both physically interpretable spectral mixing continua and geographically distinct spectral properties not resolved in the linear projection.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Light Pollution on the Tibetan Plateau over Three Decades at Multiple Scales: Implications for Conservation of Natural Habitats
Authors: Wang Yihang , Lv Caifeng , Pan Xinhao , Liu Ziwen , Xia Pei , Zhang Chunna , Liu Zhifeng
Published: November 2022

Light pollution (LP), induced by human activities, has become a crucial threat to biodiversity on the Tibetan plateau (TP), but few studies have explored its coverage and dynamics. In this study, we intended to measure the spatiotemporal patterns of LP on the TP from 1992 to 2018. First, we extracted the annual extent of LP from time-series nighttime light data. After that, we analyzed its spatiotemporal patterns at multiple scales and identified the natural habitats and the species habitats affected by LP. Finally, we discussed the main influencing factors of LP expansion on the TP. We found that the LP area increased exponentially from 1.2 thousand km2 to 82.8 thousand km2, an increase of nearly 70 times. In 2018, LP accounted for 3.2% of the total area of the TP, mainly concentrated in the eastern and southern areas. Several national key ecological function zones (e.g., the Gannan Yellow river key water supply ecological function zone) and national nature reserves (e.g., the Lalu Wetland National Nature Reserve) had a large extent of LP. The proportion of LP area on natural habitats increased from 79.6% to 91.4%. The number of endangered species with habitats affected by LP increased from 89 to 228, and more than a quarter of the habitats of 18 endangered species were affected by LP. We also discovered that roadways as well as settlements in both urban and rural areas were the main sources of LP. Thus, to lessen LP’s negative effects on biodiversity, effective measures should be taken during road construction and urbanization on the TP.
3D-SiamMask: Vision-Based Multi-Rotor Aerial-Vehicle Tracking for a Moving Object
Authors: Al Mdfaa Mohamad , Kulathunga Geesara , Klimchik Alexandr
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to develop a multi-rotor-based visual tracker for a specified moving object. Visual object-tracking algorithms for multi-rotors are challenging due to multiple issues such as occlusion, quick camera motion, and out-of-view scenarios. Hence, algorithmic changes are required for dealing with images or video sequences obtained by multi-rotors. Therefore, we propose two approaches: a generic object tracker and a class-specific tracker. Both tracking settings require the object bounding box to be selected in the first frame. As part of the later steps, the object tracker uses the updated template set and the calibrated RGBD sensor data as inputs to track the target object using a Siamese network and a machine-learning model for depth estimation. The class-specific tracker is quite similar to the generic object tracker but has an additional auxiliary object classifier. The experimental study and validation were carried out in a robot simulation environment. The simulation environment was designed to serve multiple case scenarios using Gazebo. According to the experiment results, the class-specific object tracker performed better than the generic object tracker in terms of stability and accuracy. Experiments show that the proposed generic tracker achieves promising results on three challenging datasets. Our tracker runs at approximately 36 fps on GPU.
Novel Airborne EM Image Appraisal Tool for Imperfect Forward Modeling
Authors: Deleersnyder Wouter , Dudal David , Hermans Thomas
Published: November 2022

Full 3D inversion of time-domain Airborne ElectroMagnetic (AEM) data requires specialists’ expertise and a tremendous amount of computational resources, not readily available to everyone. Consequently, quasi-2D/3D inversion methods are prevailing, using a much faster but approximate (1D) forward model. We propose an appraisal tool that indicates zones in the inversion model that are not in agreement with the multidimensional data and therefore, should not be interpreted quantitatively. The image appraisal relies on multidimensional forward modeling to compute a so-called normalized gradient. Large values in that gradient indicate model parameters that do not fit the true multidimensionality of the observed data well and should not be interpreted quantitatively. An alternative approach is proposed to account for imperfect forward modeling, such that the appraisal tool is computationally inexpensive. The method is demonstrated on an AEM survey in a salinization context, revealing possible problematic zones in the estimated fresh–saltwater interface.
Assessment of the Equilibrium Constants of Mixed Complexes of Rare Earth Elements with Acidic (Chelating) and Organophosphorus Ligands
Authors: Atanassova Maria
Published: November 2022

A survey of the experimental equilibrium constants in solution for the mixed complexes of 4f ions with acidic (chelating) and O-donor organophosphorus ligands published in the period between 1954 and 2022 is presented. These data are widely used in both analytical and solvent extraction chemistry. Important data evaluation criteria involved the specification of the essential reactions, process conditions and the correctness of techniques and calculations used, as well as appropriate equilibrium analysis of experimental data. Higher-quality data have been evaluated, compiled and presented herein, providing a synoptic view of the unifying theme in this area of research, i.e., synergism.
Maritime Transport in the Spanish Economy in the Decades of Consolidation of Democracy (1975–1995)
Authors: Zamarreño-Aramendia Gorka , Ruiz-Romero de la Cruz Elena
Published: November 2022

This research analyzes the traffic of goods through the ports managed by the Port Authorities of the Spanish port system from the beginning of democracy in Spain to the end of the 21st century; a period that shows the effects on maritime transport as a result of the political changes that have taken place and the new regulations that have been applied, highlighting the 1992 Port Law, which would facilitate the transition from the port as an integrated center for international trade to the port as a logistics platform. We have used primary sources from the Spanish State Port’s archives and have consulted statistical yearbooks, commercial reports and the yearbooks of the National Statistics Institute (INE). This research allows us, through the data of the traffic of goods by presentation and the GVA at market prices, to quantify the transformation of the group of state-owned ports and their impact on the Spanish economy. Until now, speculation has focused on the share of freight traffic and its value at this time of transition in the Spanish economy, as well as the actual contribution it made to inflation in the period under study.
Developments in Bioelectricity and Perspectives in Italy: An Analysis of Regional Production Patterns
Authors: Savio Andrea , Ferrari Giovanni , Marinello Francesco , Pezzuolo Andrea , Lavagnolo Maria Cristina , Guidolin Mariangela
Published: November 2022

Bioenergy is being increasingly used worldwide to generate energy from biogas, biomethane, and other biofuels, bringing significant environmental and economic benefits. In Italy, biogas can significantly contribute to the achievement of the renewable energy targets set at the national and European levels. The exploitation of this energy source in a particular area is determined by its environmental and anthropic properties, as well as by the incentive system and the political will of decision makers. This paper analyzes the socioeconomic drivers and natural conditions triggering bioelectricity production in Italian regions. The analysis proposed here was performed in two steps—first, by identifying groups of similar regions for some natural, social, and economic variables, and then by modeling the historical trajectory of bioelectricity production for each identified group with innovation diffusion models. As a general finding, regions pertaining to the same group in terms of natural and socioeconomic conditions revealed a similar production pattern for bioelectricity, as confirmed by the results of diffusion modeling. On the basis of the diffusion modeling procedure, some scenario simulations were performed, which suggested the set-up of suitable policy actions for each group of regions.
The Variation of UTCI with the Background of Climate Change and Its Implications for Tourism in a Complicated Climate Region in Western China
Authors: Wu Jinkui , Jin Tian , Wu Yancong , Ding Yongjian , Mu Yaqiong , Zeng Di
Published: November 2022

Tourism plays an important role in Kashgar’s socio-economic development. Climate change has a profound impact on the development of tourism. However, basic research on climate change and its impact on tourism remains insufficient in Kashgar. Using the atmospheric reanalysis data ERA5 and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) model, climate change and climate comfort were evaluated from 1979 to 2018. The annual mean UTCI was −2.3 °C, i.e., at the coolish level, with moderate cold stress, illustrating that Kashgar’s tourism climate was weak. The obvious increase in the annual mean air temperature led to an obviously increased UTCI and a lengthened comfortable period, which provides possibilities to exploit an attractive climate and the potential for tourism. The poor climate conditions imply that the development of Kashgar’s tourism should depend more on the diversification and uniqueness of tourism products and the quality of tourism services. Therefore, the development of increased tourism products and the expansion of tourism regions, in the context of improving climate conditions, were focused on. We expect this case study to provide a reference for consumer travel decision-making and a necessary scientific basis for the planning and implementation of a tourism-based national promotional strategy in western China.
Energy Business Initiatives for Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems: An Overview
Authors: Mukisa Nicholas , Zamora Ramon , Lie Tek Tjing
Published: November 2022

An overview of the adoption extent of the energy business models around the world was undertaken by considering both the developed and developing countries, with the emphasis on the customer-side renewable energy business models. The developed countries have widely adopted energy business initiatives to advance the distributed generation of electricity from renewable energy sources, while developing countries are struggling and/or have failed to record significant success. Additionally, developing countries are shifting from customer-owned energy business initiatives to the community-shared energy business initiatives to enhance prosumer-generated energy self-consumption. Furthermore, the existent billing schemes as well as the store-on grid scheme applicable to the energy business initiatives are discussed in this paper. The virtual net metering scheme category is the main billing scheme used for the community-shared energy business initiatives. In addition, this study depicts how the store-on grid scheme addresses the shortfalls of the existent billing schemes. Finally, the study gives policy recommendations that the decision makers in the developing countries could use as a foundation to foster the solar PV technology deployment through energy business models, especially by the adoption of the store-on grid scheme as the billing scheme.
Sustainable Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Binders: A Review on Compressive Strength and Microstructure Properties
Authors: Mishra Jyotirmoy , Nanda Bharadwaj , Patro Sanjaya Kumar , Krishna R. S.
Published: November 2022

As a result of global warming, the pursuance of low-carbon, sustainable building materials has been prioritized. The development of geopolymer/cement-less binders can be considered an innovative and green way forward to minimize carbon footprint and tackle industrial waste material utilization. However, the chemical composition and properties of industrial waste-derived geopolymer binders varies considerably based on the chemical compositions of the source materials. This review paper presents a comprehensive understanding of the role of different chemical compositions (namely SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O, and MgO) available in contemporary industrial wastes and the development of geopolymer binders. Subsequently, the compressive and microstructure properties of various FA-based geopolymer binders have been discussed to exhibit the feasibility of FA as a reliable source material. Significant findings and research gaps have been considered to aid future research works. Indeed, they provide guidelines for the commercial implementation of FA-based geopolymer binders as a low-carbon alternative to Portland cement.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Factors Driving Exploration of Industrial Carbon-Emission Intensity: A Case Study of Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Li Shoutiao , Xu Zhibang , Wang Haowei
Published: November 2022

Research on spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of industrial carbon emissions intensity is crucial to the efforts of reducing carbon emissions. This paper measures the industrial carbon emissions intensity (CI) by energy consumption in Guangdong from 2012 to 2020 and evaluates the regional differences of CI. In addition, we apply the extended STIRPAT (stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology) and GTWR (geographically and temporally weighted regression) models to reveal the influence of driving factors on CI from spatial–temporal perspectives, based on the economic panel data and night-time light (NTL) data of 21 cities in Guangdong. To show the robustness of the results, we introduce the ordinary least squares (OLS) model, geographically weighted regression (GWR) model and temporally weighted regression (TWR) model compared with the GTWR model and find that the GTWR model outperforms these models. The results are as follows: (1) CI shows an overall downward trend and presents a pattern of being low in the middle and being high on both sides in space. (2) The industrial carbon emission is mainly affected by six main factors: economic development level, population scale, energy intensity, urbanization level, industrial structure and energy consumption structure. Among them, energy intensity occupies a significant position and poses a positive impact on the CI of the industrial sector.
Spatiotemporal Differentiation of Ecosystem Service Value and Its Drivers in the Jiangsu Coastal Zone, Eastern China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Ji Jian
Published: November 2022

Analyzing the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service value (ESV) and the driving mechanisms of spatial differentiation are fundamental to exploring the sustainable development of regional ecosystems. This article selected a coastal region in southeastern China with rapid economic development as the study object. Based on the five land-use remote sensing data sets from 2000 to 2019, the benefit transfer method was used to evaluate the ESV in the coastal zone of Jiangsu Province, revealing the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of ESV more accurately. Meanwhile, using the panel data regression model delved into the driving mechanisms of ESV spatial heterogeneity. The results showed the following: (1) There was a marked change in land use types from 2000 to 2019, with significant reductions in cropland and water areas and continued urban land expansion. The overall ESV in the study area exhibited a downward trend (8.41%), with regulation and support services being its core functions. (2) The ESV distribution had a distinct spatial differentiation, with hotspots mainly located near the coastal zone and cold spots in towns and surrounding areas. (3) There were considerable differences in the degree of impact of each influencing factor on different types of ESVs. On the whole, land use intensity had the most significant impact and was the first driver, followed by climate change and socioeconomic factors. The findings indicate that future ecosystem management decision-making should involve the conservation and intensive use of land resources and guide human livelihood and production activities toward ESV preservation and appreciation.
Addressing Energy Poverty in the Energy Community: Assessment of Energy, Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits for an Italian Residential Case Study
Authors: Ceglia Francesca , Marrasso Elisa , Samanta Samiran , Sasso Maurizio
Published: November 2022

Although a clear definition of energy poverty has not been reported in the scientific literature or in general energy directives, this condition affects about 10% of European people. During the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the increase in energy bill costs due to energy conflicts has determined the increment of energy poverty. The Renewable Energy Directive, that defines a new legal entity named Renewable Energy Community as a new end-users’ organization, recognizes the chance for low-income households to benefit from being able to access affordable energy tariffs and energy efficiency measures thanks to these new entities. Thus, this paper analyses the energy, economic, and environmental performances of a renewable energy community composed of three residential users distributed in two buildings located in the south of Italy, and one of these buildings is equipped by a rooftop photovoltaic plant. The plants were modelled and simulated through HOMERPRO simulation software while the building energy loads are real and were imported from an energy distributor dataset and were processed in the MATLAB simulation interface. The analysis concerned the comparison of the energy performance achieved by one case in which no renewable plants were installed, and by another case in which the end-users took part in the renewable energy community by sharing the photovoltaic “produced” electricity. The investigation was conducted in terms of the quantity of electricity imported from the power grid and consumed on-site, the avoided emissions, and the operating costs. The business plan has been devoted to defining the advantages of the energy community for vulnerable end-users in a popular neighborhood council estate by evaluating the social energy poverty indexes. The results showed that through the renewable energy community, a mitigation of energy poverty is obtained within a range of 12–16%.
A Framework for Assessing Climate Adaptation Governance on the Caribbean Island of Curaçao
Authors: de Bruijn Esmé , Dieperink Carel
Published: November 2022

It is becoming increasingly clear that Caribbean islands are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, longer periods of droughts, loss of biodiversity, more extreme weather events (flooding and hurricanes), and increased freshwater demands. Addressing these issues encourages good climate change adaptation governance. So far, however, the literature has not discussed what good governance could mean in this context. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to address this knowledge gap by developing an assessment framework and showing its usefulness. The framework is based on a review of the literature and is applied in an assessment of adaptation practices in Curaçao. The assessment is based on a review of Curaçao policy documents and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. We found that the developed framework was useful for obtaining a better insight into the quality of adaptation governance on Caribbean islands, and that in the Curaçao practices, the good governance principles of transparency and inclusiveness are better elaborated in comparison to connectivity, accountability and government effectiveness. We conclude the paper with some reflections on the potential of the framework and some suggestions for further research.