bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual language of Three Religions in One — Artistic Analysis of the Lijiang Baisha Mural Shakyamuni Buddha Sea Meeting
Authors: Hu Xiyu , Chen Siliang , Hao Yunqi , Feng Haixia , Wang Shaohua
Published: October 2024

The Baisha Murals are a significant part of the world cultural heritage of Lijiang Ancient Town. Among these, the murals in Dabaoji Palace are the largest in scale, best preserved, and most exquisitely painted, integrating elements of Han Buddhism, Taoism, and Tibetan Buddhism, combining traditional painting techniques of the Chinese and the Tibetan, the Naxi and the Bai ethnic groups. They are valuable material for researching the ethnic history, art history, and the history of religions of the Naxi people. This paper focuses on the mural Shakyamuni Buddha Sea Meeting in Dabaoji Palace, analyzing the visual language of the mural based on its painting methods such as the composition of religious figures, scale and proportion, color and line features, and the synergy between murals and architectural space. Interpreting the historical and social context of Lijiang during the Ming Dynasty, this paper explores how the environmental, material, and spiritual dimensions of the Baisha Mural are interconnected to create a realm of mental experiences of Buddhism, elucidating the cultural connotations, aesthetic significance, and historical value of the murals represented through “three religions in one." It reveals the complex interaction between material and spiritual content, real-world and fictional settings in religious art, inspiring contemporary artists to draw inspiration from historical classics and explore the diverse values of cultural heritage.
Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Rice Germplasm Innovation and Genetic Improvement
Authors: Chen Jijin , Miao Zhening , Kong Deyan , Zhang Anning , Wang Feiming , Liu Guolan , Yu Xinqiao , Luo Lijun , Liu Yi
Published: October 2024

Improving the efficiency of germplasm innovation has always been the aim of rice breeders. Tra-ditional hybrid breeding methods for variety selection rarely meet the practical needs of rice pro-duction. The emergence of genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, provides a new approach to the genetic improvement of crops such as rice. The number of published scientific papers related to "gene editing" and "CRISPR/Cas9" retrievable in literature websites of China and other countries exhibited an increasing trend year by year from 2014 to 2023. The literature related to gene editing in rice accounts for 33.4% and 12.3% of all literature on crop gene editing published in China and other countries, respectively, much higher than those in maize and wheat. This article reviews the recent research on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in rice, especially the germplasm innovation and genetic improvement of commercially promoted varieties with im-proved traits such as disease and insect resistance, herbicide resistance, salt tolerance, quality, nu-trition, and safety. The aim is to provide a reference for the precise and efficient development of new rice cultivars that meet market demand.
Stochastic Models for Ontogenetic Growth
Authors: Hoang Chau , Phan Tuan Anh , Tian Jianjun Paul
Published: October 2024

Based on allometric theory and scaling laws, numerous mathematical models have been proposed to study ontogenetic growth patterns of animals. Although deterministic models have provided valuable insight into growth dynamics, animal growth often deviates from strict deterministic patterns due to stochastic factors such as genetic variation and environmental fluctuations. In this study, we extend a general model for ontogenetic growth proposed by West et al. to stochastic models for ontogenetic growth by incorporating stochasticity using white noise. According to data variance fitting for stochasticity, we propose two stochastic models for ontogenetic growth, one is for determinate growth and one is for indeterminate growth. To develop a universal stochastic process for ontogenetic growth across diverse species, we approximate stochastic trajectories of two stochastic models and apply random time change and obtain a geometric Brownian motion with a multiplier of an exponential time factor. We conduct detailed mathematical analysis and numerical analysis for our stochastic models. Our stochastic models predict well not only average growth, but also variations of growth within species. This stochastic framework may be extended to studies of other growth phenomena.
Introducing the Second-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Neural Ordinary Differential Equations. II: Illustrative Application to Heat and Energy Transfer in the Nordheim-Fuchs Phenomenological Model for Reactor Safety
Authors: Cacuci Dan Gabriel
Published: October 2024

This work presents an illustrative application of the newly developed “Second-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (2nd-FASAM-NODE)” methodology to determine most efficiently the exact expressions of the first- and second-order sensitivities of NODE-decoder responses to the neural net’s underlying parameters (weights and initial conditions). The application of the 2nd-FASAM-NODE methodology will be illustrated using the Nordheim-Fuchs phenomenological model for reactor safety, which describes a short-time self-limiting power transient in a nuclear reactor system having a negative temperature coefficient in which a large amount of reactivity is suddenly inserted. The representative model responses that will be analyzed in this work include the model’s the time-dependent total energy released, neutron flux, temperature and thermal conductivity. The 2nd-FASAM-NODE methodology yields the exact expressions of the first-order sensitivities of these decoder responses with respect to the underlying uncertain model parameters and initial conditions, requiring just a single large-scale computation per response. Furthermore, 2nd-FASAM-NODE methodology yields the exact expressions of the second-order sensitivities of a model response requiring as few large-scale computations as there are features/functions of model parameters, thereby demonstrating its unsurpassed efficiency for performing sensitivity analysis of NODE-nets.
Disordered Eating Behaviors and Weight Regain in Patients After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Lopes Karynne Grutter , Romagna Eline Coan , Mattos Diogo M.F. , Kraemer-Aguiar Luiz Guilherme
Published: October 2024

Background/objective: Weight regain after bariatric surgery has serious health consequences, and disordered eating behaviors (DEB) may be involved in it. We compared DEB symptoms after bariatric surgery between patients with low vs. high ratio of weight regain (RWR) and investigated associations between DEB symptoms with weight regain and time since surgery. Meth-od: Ninety-four patients who had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy and had not attended follow-up with the multidisciplinary healthcare team for at least one year were recruited. RWR was calculated with respect to maximal weight loss by the nadir weight achieved after surgery. They were allocated into two groups according to the RWR, defined as high RWR (≥20%) or low RWR (
The Influence of Divergent Culture Media on Physicochemical Properties, Yield of Fungi Strain Agrocybe Cylindracea
Authors: Mediatrice Hatungimana , Aimable Nsanzinshuti , Claude Irambona , Fallah Nyummah , Abdelkadel Menna-Allah E. , Biregeya Jules , Hu Yingping , Zhang Lili , Zhou Hengyu , Jing Li , Liu Penghu , Zhanxi Lin , Dongmei Lin
Published: October 2024

Agrocybe cylindracea is an important fungi mushroom, highly valued as a functional food for its nutritional and me-dicinal benefits. Many bioactive extracts from A. cylindracea have been found to exhibit antitumor and antioxidant activities. This research investigated the distinct substrates that affected the physicochemical properties and yield of A. cylindracea. The substrates used were 48% Giant Juncao Grass and 30% Dicraptoris Dicholoma grasses, 48% Wasted Tea Leaves and 30% Sawdust, and 78% Cottonseed Hulls, all supplemented with 20% Wheat Bran and 2% Lime. The findings indicated the cotton seed husk marked a significant in Agrocybe cylindricae yield, followed by the wasted tea leave+sawdust. Ash content peaked in the fruiting bodies grown on Giant Juncao Grass and Dicraptoris Dicholoma, while fat content was highest in those grown on Giant Juncao Grass and Dicraptoris Dicholoma, fol-lowed by Wasted Tea Leaves and Sawdust. Protein content was significantly higher in fruiting bodies cultivated on Wasted Tea Leaves and Sawdust, followed by Cottonseed Hulls. Carbon dioxide emissions varied across substrates, with the highest emissions observed during the maturity stage of the fruiting bodies grown on Giant Juncao Grass and Dicraptoris Dicholoma, and Wasted Tea Leaves and Sawdust. Emissions decreased sharply 110 days after cultiva-tion. Essential metabolites such as dopamine and caffeine were enriched in fruiting bodies grown on Wasted Tea Leaves, Sawdust, and Cottonseed Hulls. In contrast, tyramine and uracil were enriched in those grown on Cotton-seed Hulls.
Multisensor Analysis for Biostimulants Effect Detection in Sustainable Viticulture
Authors: Sassu Alberto , Deidda Alessandro , Mercenaro Luca , Virgillito Beatrice , Gambella Filippo
Published: October 2024

Biostimulants are organic agents employed for crop yield enhancement, quality improvement, and environmental stress mitigation, reducing, at the same time, reliance on inorganic inputs. With advancements in sustainable agriculture, data acquisition technologies have become crucial for monitoring the effects of such inputs. This study evaluates the impact of four biostimulant application rates on grapevines, using vegetation indices derived from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), proximal and manual sensing tools, and qualitative and quantitative production assessments. The research was conducted over two seasons in a Malvasia Bianca vineyard in Sardinia, Italy. Results indicated that UAS-derived vegetation indices, consistent with traditional ground-based measurements, effectively monitored vegetative growth over time but revealed no significant differences between treatments, suggesting either a lack of vegetative indices sensitivity or that the applied biostimulant rates were insufficient to elicit a measurable response in the cultivar. Among the tools employed, only the SPAD 502 meter demonstrated the sensitivity required to detect treatment differences, primarily reflected in grape production outcomes. Future research will focus on validating these technologies for precision viticulture, particularly on long-term benefits.
Exploring Diverse Biological Fertilizers (Micronutrients) for Sustainable Soil Fertility: A Review
Authors: Arfa Arfa , Akhtar Kalsoom , Yousaf Ruksana , Misbah Misbah , Shahzadi Namra , Iqbal Hira , Shahid Muhammad Usman
Published: October 2024

Attaining sustained soil fertility is essential for guaranteeing global food security and environmental well-being. Traditional farming methods that depend extensively on synthetic fertilizers have resulted in soil deterioration and environmental contamination. Biological fertilizers fortified with micronutrients have emerged as viable alternatives. This analysis examines many types of biological fertilizers and their contribution to improving soil fertility via micronutrient enhancement. Multiple sources of micronutrient-enriched biological fertilizers, such as microbial inoculants, compost, and organic amendments, are evaluated for their effectiveness in enhancing plant growth, increasing nutrient availability, and boosting soil health. Moreover, the effects of these fertilizers on agricultural productivity, soil microbial populations, and ecological sustainability are examined. Green manuring is a reasonable and ecofriendly scientific approach to enhancing robust and sustainable food production in agricultural systems. The integration of green manure improves soil quality by augmenting its chemical, physical, and biological properties, including the availability of organic matter, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, while also enhancing soil structure by reducing erosion and improving water retention capacity. Green manure serves as a natural fertilizer, releasing nutrients into the soil during decomposition, so enhancing nutrient content and fostering plant growth and development. The results highlight the potential of biological fertilizers as sustainable solutions for improving soil fertility and decreasing reliance on synthetic inputs, hence promoting long-term agricultural output and ecosystem resilience.
Suspended Soils Have Common Features Regardless of the Species of Epiphyte or the Place in Which They Were Formed
Authors: Eskov Alen K. , Elumeeva Tatiana G. , Viktorova Violetta A. , Prilepsky Nikolay G. , Nizamutdinov Timur , Kouzov Sergey. A. , Abakumov Evgeny V.
Published: October 2024

The Suspended soils (which are also called canopy soil), associated with epiphytic plants in tropical forest canopies, have a very special type of biological cycle, morphological organization and ecological functional role. To date, only some features of these soils have been described for certain sectors of the tropics, in particular Southeast Asia. It was studies out whether the chemical composition and hydrological parameters depend significantly on the genesis of suspended soil, or they represent a single soil phenomenon with a certain supposed ecosystem function. Suspended soils are characterized by average values of hygroscopic moisture comparable with mineral soils. At the same time the maximum water holding capacity and field moisture capacity reaches hundreds and even thousands of percent which cannot but lead to mesophilization of the microclimate of the near-stem environments. In any case suspended soils are characterized by 4-10 higher values of hydrologic properties than mineral terrestrial soils of the same landscapes. The carbon content in suspended soil materials varied widely and was comparable with that of tropical forest litter and boreal peatlands . At the same time, tropical suspended soils are characterized by very low nitrogen content, which is reflected in very high carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. Such a values are typical of peats and forest litter and indicates a very low degree of humification of organic matter. Soil pH values tends to the acidic, and more often very acidic range. This corresponds well to the low content of labile forms of calcium and magnesium and corresponds to the oligotrophy of the soils. The content of mobile forms of phosphorus, potassium and ammonium nitrogen is extremely high in suspended soils. The high content of nutrients in tropical suspended soils is enormously high compared to forest soils of other climatic zones and should be noted as their most important attributive characteristic. Taking into account the high accumulative-sorption capacity of suspended soils, the low content of heavy metals in them indicates the absence of modern aerotechnogenic pollution of all the studied ecosystems. Thus, we are talking about a certain deficiency of heavy metals in the eluvial ecosystem of the tropical rain forest. This once again confirms the hypothesis that the essence of epiphytic soil formation was and is that the biotic cycle breaks away from the ground and moves evolutionarily into the middle and upper tiers of the tropical rainforest ecosystem. Tree trunks in this context represent vertically and subhorizontally oriented phase interfaces, similar to parent materials, and epiphytic soils are analogues of peat accumulations with extremely high water-holding capacity, which is of extremely important environmental significance.
Unraveling Circular Conundrums with a Cheeky Twist: Proposal for a New Way of Measuring Circular Economy Efforts
Authors: Grimm Christine
Published: October 2024

This study addresses the challenge of evaluating circularity within the procurement-to-waste sys-tem boundaries, exemplified by single-use in-flight drinking cups provided on SWISS International Air Lines Ltd. flights. A comprehensive review of academic literature, market-based tools, and po-litical regulations highlights the absence of adequate methodologies for assessing circularity within these specific system boundaries. Existing approaches, primarily designed at the product level, are often either excessively complex or focused solely on waste management. To address this gap, the research proposes an extension to the Circularity Mass Utilisation Index (CMU), currently imple-mented at the European Union level. The traditional CMU does not account for circular inflow, thereby neglecting procurement decisions. In response, this study introduces an extended version of the CMU, expressed as: CMU Extended = (Circular Inflow + Circular Outflow) / (2 * Total Material Use). This modification enables a more holistic evaluation of circularity by incorporating both in-flows and outflows of materials in relation to total material use. Empirical testing demonstrated the applicability of this extended CMU in the context of SWISS, allowing for an efficient assessment of circularity for single-use in-flight drinking cups. From these initial results, we hypothesize that this ratio is expected to be broadly applicable beyond the airline industry, providing a valuable tool for businesses seeking to measure circularity within similar system boundaries.
A Study of Downlink Power-Domain NOMA Performance in Tactile Internet Employing Sensors and Actuators
Authors: Fanibhare Vaibhav , Sarkar Nurul , Al-anbuky Adnan
Published: October 2024

The tactile Internet (TI) characterises the transformative paradigm that aims to support real-time control and haptic communication between humans and machines, heavily relying on a dense network of sensors and actuators. Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising enabler of TI that enhances interactions between sensors and actuators, which are collectively considered as users, thus supports multiple users simultaneously in sharing the same resource block (RB), consequently offering remarkable improvements in spectral efficiency and latency. This article proposes a novel downlink power domain NOMA (PD-NOMA) communication scenario for TI by considering multiple users and a base station. The signal-to-interference noise ratio (SINR), sum rate, and fair power allocation (PA) coefficients are mathematically derived in the NOMA system model. The simulations are performed with two-user and three-user scenarios to evaluate the system performance in terms of bit error rate (BER), sum rate and latency between NOMA and traditional orthogonal multiple access (OMA) schemes. Moreover, outage probability is analysed with varying fixed power allocation (PA) coefficients in the NOMA scheme. Finally, we present the outage probability, sum rate and latency analyses for fixed and derived fair PA coefficients, thus promoting dynamic PA and user fairness by efficiently utilising the available spectrum.
Assessing the Impact of Decentralized Party Structures on Membership Stability in Nigeria: A Study of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC), 2015–2023
Authors: Nwobu Geoffrey , Onu Godwin , Nwanegbo Chukwuemeka
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the impact of decentralized organizational party structures on the membership stability of Nigeria's two leading political parties, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), between 2015 and 2023. Conducted from April to August 2024, the study focuses on how decentralized party frameworks influence membership retention, particularly in Nigeria's fragmented political landscape, where ethnic and regional divisions challenge political cohesion. A multi-stage sampling technique to select 400 respondents, including national and local party leaders, assembly members, and grassroots members from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A total of 384 valid responses were retrieved, yielding a 96% response rate. Data collection was facilitated through questionnaires administered via Google Forms, which were distributed through email and social media platforms, with a particular focus on WhatsApp for ease of access and engagement. Regression and correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between decentralization and membership stability. The findings reveal a strong positive correlation (r = 0.961) between decentralized structures and membership stability, with decentralization accounting for 92.4% of the variance in membership stability (R² = 0.924). This indicates that decentralization plays a crucial role in promoting party institutionalization, fostering greater engagement, loyalty, and retention among members. However, regional disparities in the effectiveness of decentralization present challenges to uniform implementation. These results underscore the importance of standardizing decentralization policies across various regions to ensure coherence and reduce membership volatility. The study recommends a harmonized framework that supports decentralized governance within political parties, enhancing internal democracy and reinforcing party unity. The research concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing exploration into the nuances of decentralization to further support Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. This study offers valuable insights for party leaders, policymakers, and researchers interested in the institutionalization of political organizations in emerging democracies.
Air Transport as Subsystem of Modern Communication Space. Analysis Based on Transfer Entropy Graphs
Authors: Valeev Sagit , Kondratyeva Natalya
Published: October 2024

The communication space allows for the exchange of information and ensures the movement of material flows and passenger flows. By communication space, we mean the movement of information and material flows of various natures based on transport systems, in this case, air transport systems. The direction and intensity of these flows to varying degrees reflect the main social and economic processes. Time series reflecting the intensity of passenger flows and cargo transportation over a given time horizon were selected as a source of information used for analysis. An information-theoretical measure based on the assessment of entropy transfer between time series elements is used as a research tool. Based on the obtained paired estimates of entropy transfer between the selected time series, an entropy transfer matrix is formed, which allows considering a set of time series as a communication system within the framework of system analysis. The resulting matrices are used to form entropy transfer graphs, which allow investigating the properties of time series based on directed graph analysis methods. The article examines examples of the analysis of the cognitive model of transportation, the analysis of the regional communication space, and the analysis of changes in the global communication field.
Study on the Radiation Resistance Performance of Al2O3 Composite Tritium-Permeation-Barrier and Zirconium-Based Tritium Absorbing Materials
Authors: Li Changzheng , Shu Rui , Li Yinghong , Wang Long , Fang Runjie , Nie Lihong , Ren Qisen , Liu Xiang , Hu Jing , Zhang Shaohong
Published: October 2024

The permeation of tritium from secondary neutron source rods in nuclear power plants presents a significant and unavoidable safety concern for both internal equipment and the external environment. This study primarily explores two feasible strategies for tritium permeation barriers: coating stainless steel surfaces with tritium-permeation-barrier (TPB) materials and utilizing materials with excellent tritium absorption properties. Through external ion irradiation tests, a comparative analysis was conducted on the tritium permeation performance, microstructure, and nano-hardness changes of two tritium-resistant designs, specifically Cr2O3/Al2O3 composite coatings, and a zirconium-based tritium-absorbing material under varying irradiation doses. The results indicate that both approaches exhibit exceptional radiation resistance, maintaining an effective tritium permeation reduction factor (PRF) even after irradiation.
Pathways to Rural Sustainability: Opportunities and Challenges in the Creation of an Agrotechnological District in Ingaí (MG), Brazil
Authors: Paiva Caroline Mendonça Nogueira , Quintino Derick David , Morais Thacyo Bruno Custódio de , Cozadi Elisa Guimarães , Costa Jaqueline Severino da , Leme Paulo Henrique Montagnana Vicente , Scolforo José Roberto Soares
Published: October 2024

An agrotechnological district (ATD) integrates sustainable agricultural practices and technologies, aiming to transform rural communities by stimulating socioeconomic development and addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ingaí, a dairy-producing municipality in Minas Gerais, Brazil, stands to benefit from the implementation of an ATD. This study aimed to identify the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of an ATD in the municipality, considering its socioeconomic characteristics, level of producers' technological adoption, connectivity infrastructure, support networks, rural and market management. Through an exploratory case study, using semi-structured group interviews with agricultural stakeholders, key challenges emerged: limited connectivity infrastructure; ineffective property management; rural family succession problems; barriers in accessing credit; resistance to the adoption of technologies; and dependence on the local government. Opportunities included strengthening of support networks among the agents of rural productive activity; promoting technology adoption by producers; and creating training and rural extension programs. The adoption of these initiatives can stimulate the Ingaí´s economic and social development, generate multiplier effects in its region of influence, and serve as a model for other initiatives in the state of Minas Gerais, the main dairy hub in the country, and one of the primary drivers of Brazilian agribusiness.
Symmetric Reverse N-Derivations on Ideals of Semiprime Rings
Authors: Ali Shakir , Hummdi Ali Yahya , Rafiquee Naira Noor , Varshney Vaishali , Wong Kok Bin
Published: October 2024

This paper focuses on examining a new type of n-additive maps called the symmetric reverse n-derivations. As implied by its name, it combines the ideas of n-additive maps and reverse derivations, with a 1-reverse derivation being the ordinary reverse derivation. We explore several findings that expand our knowledge of these maps, particularly their presence in semiprime rings and the way rings respond to specific functional identities involving elements of ideals. Also, we provide examples to help clarify the concept of symmetric reverse n-derivations. This study aims to deepen the understanding of these symmetric maps and their properties within mathematical structures.
Early Changes in Eating Behavior Patterns and Their Relationship with Weight Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Authors: da Silva Daniel Sant'Anna , da Silva Thiago Sant'Anna , Leal Paulo Roberto Falcão , Lopes Karynne Grutter , Kraemer-Aguiar Luiz Guilherme
Published: October 2024

Background/objective: Background: Eating behaviors (EB) correlate with weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS). Therefore, investigation of EB could guide interventions before the achievement of insufficient weight outcomes. Method: A prospective cohort of 85 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB, 84.7% female, mean age 44.7±9.3 years) was included. After six months from RYGB, EB patterns, including cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled (UE) and emotional eating (EE), were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R21 (TFEQ-R21). History, physical examination, and anthropometric assessment were collected pre- and 12 months postoperative. Patients were divided based on the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL<80% or ≥80%) and EB patterns were correlated with weight outcomes at 12 months. Results: The %EWL≥80% group demonstrated significantly higher scores in CR and EE compared to %EWL<80% (p<0.001 and p=0.01, respectively). UE scores were similar between groups (p=0.41). At 12 months postoperative, the %EWL≥80% group had negative correlations between CR and BMI and positive correlations between CR and EWL (rho=-0.33 and rho=0.29; p=0.04). Multiple logistic regression considering %EWL≥80% as the aim outcome revealed that CR had a significant influence (OR=1.037; p=0.058), while age (OR=0.962; p=0.145), sex (OR=2.984; p=0.135), UE (OR=0.995; p=0.736), and EE (OR=1.017; p=0.296) did not. Conclusion: EBs influence outcomes after BS, and a model using TFEQ-R21 predicted them. CR six months post-surgery was the strongest predictor of higher EWL at 12 months. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between restrictive EB and BS outcomes, possibly identifying strategies to prevent disordered EB in patients with higher scores.
Rice Husk as a Sustainable Amendment for Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils: A Pathway to Environmental Remediation
Authors: Cecire Riccardo , Diana Aleandro , Giacomino Agnese , Abollino Ornella , Inaudi Paolo , Favilli Laura , Bertinetti Stefano , Cavalera Simone , Celi Luisella , Malandrino Mery
Published: October 2024

Rice husk is a waste by-product of rice production. This material has a moderate cost and is readily available, representing 20-22% of the biomass produced by rice cultivation. This study focused on the properties of rice husk in remediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals. The effect of particle size, pH, and the presence of organic ligands on sorption efficiency was evaluated for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn). The continuous flow method was used to select suitable operative conditions and maximize the retention of heavy metals. Subsequently, pot experiments were carried out by growing two broadleaf plants, Lactuca sativa, and Spinacia oleracea, in aliquots of soil collected in a Piedmont (Northwest Italy) site heavily contaminated by Cu, chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni). Rice husk was added to the contaminated soil to evaluate its effectiveness in immobilizing heavy metals. The availability of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in soil was studied using Tessier's sequential extraction protocol. The content of the elements was also analyzed in plants and the uptake of heavy metals was evaluated in relation to the addition of rice husk. The growth of both plants resulted more efficient in the presence of rice husk due to its ability to reduce the mobility of heavy metals in the soil. The simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of its employment make the use of rice husk suitable for practical applications in soil remediation.
Investigating the Dynamic Impact of Socioeconomic Issues on Crimes: A Comparison of Newly Democratized Countries
Authors: Mkonza Zimisele Bonisiwe , Zungu Lindokuhle Talent
Published: October 2024

This study aims to investigate the dynamic impact of socio-economic issues such as youth unemployment and income inequality on crime by comparing the findings from newly democratized African countries (South Africa and Namibia) to those of recently democratized European countries (Lithuania and the Ukraine) and newly democratized Asian countries (Kyrgyzstan) from 1994 to 2019.
The study used the Bayesian vector autoregression approach with hierarchical priors. This model was chosen due to its ability to address the dynamics of several entities, such as the measurable defects where data quality is uncertain, or perhaps lacking as frequently happens. Prior selection in a Bayesian vector autoregression approach can help adjust for these flaws. According to the study's findings, an unexpected shock in unemployment and income inequality has a significant positive impact on crime; however, an unanticipated shock in government expenditure has a significant negative impact. The results are interesting, as we found that the impact of these socio-economic issues does not necessarily depend on the geographical area, as the results are similar for income inequality in both regions. This study serves as a wake-up call to the government that some policies (fiscal policy or income policy) are more appropriate for resolving concerns about inequality and unemployment than others. As a result, addressing these issues through policies that promote greater economic equality and ensure everyone has access to basic education, healthcare, and job training, could assist in reducing crime while promoting a more equal society.
Dioxin-Induced PAI-1 Expression: A Novel Pathway to Pancreatic β-Cell Failure in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Im Suyeol , Kang Sora , Son Woo Jung , Son Minuk , Oh Seung Jun , Yoon Hye Ji , Pak Youngmi Kim
Published: October 2024

Exposure to environment polluting chemicals (EPCs), which are ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study explores the mechanisms by which AhR ligands contribute to β-cell failure in T2D. Incubation of rat RINm5F pancreatic β-cells with low-dose 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), the most potent AhR ligand, inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). A single injection of TCDD in wild type mice reduced the size of Langerhans islets, but not in AhR liver knock-out mice (AhR-LKO). RNA-seq database analysis identified Serpine1, encoding for plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) as a TCDD-mediated secretory protein that are synthesized in an AhR-dependent manner in the liver. Elevated PAI-1 levels were shown to induce caspase 3/7-dependent apoptosis in RINm5F cells, suggesting a novel pathway through which EPCs exacerbate T2D. These findings support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to AhR ligands may directly inhibit GSIS in pan-creatic β-cells and indirectly induced β-cell apoptosis through increased PAI-1. This study provides new insights into the EPC-PAI-1 axis as a missing link between pancreatic β-cell failure and the progression of T2D and offers a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Comparison of High-Resolution Digital Elevation Models for Customizing Hydrological Analysis of Urban Basins: Considerations, Opportunities, and Implications for Stormwater System Design
Authors: Avila Walter , Salazar-Briones Carlos , Ruiz-Gibert José Mizael , Lomeli-Banda Marcelo A. , Saiz-Rodriguez Juan Alejandro
Published: October 2024

Understanding hydrological processes is vital for managing phenomena such as floods and droughts and incorporating them into planning processes, as urbanization and the consequent increase in impervious surfaces have reduced natural landscapes, negatively impacting water infiltration and increasing surface runoff, which has led to more frequent urban floods. Recent research highlights the growing need to develop hydrological solutions at increasingly specific urban scales, emphasizing the importance of data collection, modeling, and micro-basin delineation, which are crucial for analyzing runoff behavior, sediment transport, and water quality. Topographical data is fundamental for hydrological analysis and can be collected through on-site surveys using tools such as total stations and GPS. However, these methods can be costly and time-consuming. Alternatively, remote sensing techniques, such as Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), offer cost-effective and efficient ways to gather topographical information. DEMs, often combined with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), represent elevation data and are widely available for free from various global agencies. These tools are invaluable in hydrological studies, as they help to model basin morphology and surface runoff patterns accurately. However, although there are models with global coverage, their resolutions are only occasionally optimal for hydrographic analysis. Additionally, some countries have regulatory agencies and institutions that generate geographic information, including DEMs, from national to local scales.
Exploring the Potential of Anastatica hierochuntica-Integrated Nanofibers as a Promising Nanoplatform for Enhanced Biofilm Disruption and Accelerated wound Healing
Authors: Abdelhakeem Eman , Hashem Mona M. , Attia Heba , Abdel Khalek Mohamed A. , M. Badr-Eldin Shaimaa , M. Adel Islam
Published: October 2024

Natural components are sparking a lot of interest in the field of drug formulation and delivery. Anastatica hierochuntica is a small plant, extremely rich in its phytochemical content including flavonoids, phenolics, and several minerals. For that, it is widely used in folk medicine in a plethora of conditions such as headache, asthma, menstrual pain, and childbirth. The aim of this research is to investigate its potential antimicrobial effects when loaded onto nanofiber as field leading. The extract-loaded nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning. The prepared nanofibers were rod-shaped with nanometric size as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The loaded NFs showed increased hydrophilicity compared to the plain NFs as evidenced by reduced WCA and increased percent water uptake. Further, they exhibited adequate tensile properties compared to the plain NFs as evidenced by increased strain and stress. Based on the highest hydrophilicity (WCA 43.1±0.6º and % swelling 216.67±2.36% after 1 h) and the best mechanical properties (strain and stress of 67.6% and 0.0486 N/mm2, respectively), NF20 was selected for further investigations. The selected formulation (NF20) showed a bi-phasic, sustained drug release pattern (73.40±1.31% after 72 h). More importantly, testing the antimicrobial effects of the extract-loaded nanofibers highlighted significant reduction in MIC, MBC, and MFC values when compared with Silymarin standard against Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger. Finally, wound healing assay confirmed the accelerated wound closure and fibroblasts migration in case of the fabricated NF20, suggesting the potential of the bio- fabricated nanofiber as a novel promising wound dressing.
Insights into Catechin – Copper Complex Structure and Biologic Activity Modulation
Authors: Lungu Ionut Iulian , Cioanca Oana , Mircea Cornelia , Tuchiluş Cristina , Stefanache Alina , Huzum Riana , Hăncianu Monica
Published: October 2024

Compounds of natural origin found in varying quantities in plant-based products constitute a highly significant category, possessing structural significance as well as the capacity to regulate oxidative processes. The activity of these compounds may be modulated by the composition of the biological milieu in which they operate, the pH of the environment, or the presence of metal cations in plants or plant extracts. This work shows the synthetic methodology and the optimization process that took place to synthesize a catechin-copper complex which demonstrated antioxidant activity tested for iron chelation ability, hydroxyl radical test and inhibition of lipoxygenase (15-LOX) activity. Antidiabetic assay was performed by determination of the alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition assays and the antibacterial activity showed results against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The complex was characterized by FT-IR, UV-VIS and EDX techniques and the biological activity assays were tested in triplicate to fully confirm the activity.
The Discharge-Induced Polarity-Dependent Propagation Characteristics of a Strong Shock Wave
Authors: Markhotok Anna
Published: October 2024

The specifics of a shock wave propagation down a positive column of a dc discharge in molecular chemically inert gases has been investigated. It was shown that axial gradients caused by the imbalance in the charged particle momentum transfer to the gas molecules can be a reason for the shock velocity dependence on the electric field direction. In the pure nitrogen gas, the calculated shock velocity difference up to 13.5% is in good agreement with 12% value obtained in the experiment. A returning gas flow organizing in the discharge as a possible mechanism for an extended shock structure, and a number of kinetical factors capable of affecting the shock motion are discussed.
Analysis of Transient Characteristics and Fault Ride-through Control of Hybrid Grid-tied Converters with Grid-following and Grid-forming
Authors: Zhai Baoyu , Liang Shuchao , Xu Zhi , Deng Fengyi , Chen Junru , Wu Haiyang
Published: October 2024

When grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) converters are interconnected with the grid, they are mutually coupled through the grid impedance. During grid faults, the transient behavior of these converters becomes intricate due to the presence of coupling terms. Instabilities in one converter can propagate to the other, posing challenges to fault ride-through capability. Firstly, a mathematical model was presented for a hybrid grid-tied system comprising two converters, investigated the conditions for equilibrium points, and employed phase-plane analysis to elucidate the mutual influence mechanism during faults. Then, a method to adjust the power angle of GFM according to the voltage drop was proposed and used in GFL to improve its phase-locked loop. At the same time, considering the influence of GFL current injection, the fault current of GFM was limited, so as to realize the hybrid fault ride-through control. The proposed approach ensures that GFM converters contribute reactive current support to the grid during faults, while GFL converters adhere to grid guidelines for current injection, thereby preventing overcurrent and phase angle instability in both converters. Finally, simulation results validated the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
An Exogenous Auxiin Indol-3-Butiric Acid (Iba) Induced Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Cultivars Reactions
Authors: Zülkadir Gülay , çelik sadettin çelik , Beycioğlu Tahsim Beycioğlu
Published: October 2024

Bean is a remarkable crop widely used as food worldwide, underscoring the significance of scientific research conducted on this plant. Developing a strong root system in the early stages of growth, which can spread wider and deeper, along with the consequent development of the shoot system crucial for photosynthesis, enhances the plant's productivity and resistance to diseases and pests. In the current study, the reactions of cultivars Önceler-98 and Topçu beans to different concentrations of IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) during the seedling stage were investigated. Three different concentrations, namely 0 (Control), 50, 100, and 150 µM IBA, were applied, and their effects on root length (RL), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), number of nodules on roots (RNN), shoot length (SL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), and shoot dry weight (SDW) parameters were measured. The pattern of the experiment was a randomized complete block factorial design with four replications and, statistically significant (p≤0.05) and highly significant (p≤0.01) differences were observed among the means of root and shoot traits. As a result, it was found that the cultivar Önceler-98 generally exhibited better responses to IBA solutions, and the optimal concentration range for both varieties was between 50-100 µM, decreasing at 150 µM and higher concentrations, yet still yielding superior means compared to the control.
A Feed-Forward Back Propagation Neural Network Approach For Integration Of Ev Into Vehicle-To-Grid (V2g) To Predict State Of Charge Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Cervellieri Alice
Published: October 2024

The incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) offers the development of multi-energy microgrid (MMOs) models. However, MMOs have among their goals to decrease electricity costs by coordinating with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheduling. Controlling V2G models poses uncertainties about the voltages developed and creates the need for power generation disruptions. In this work, a Feed-Forward-Back-Propagation Network (FFBPN) is developed with Matlab software, based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm by varying the number of hidden neurons to realize better performance thanks to the value of the Maximum Coefficient of De-termination (R2) and the Minimum Mean Squared Error (MSE). In this article, the dataset from NASA PCoE has been used to make proper consideration of the model that best calculates the life cycle of the battery, demonstrating relevant implications for future development of this type of system based on FFBPN for the integration of EV into V2G. The proposed FFBPN demonstrates better performance than other methods taken from the literature. In conclusion, the comparison between the phases of training, validation and test are used to completely represent the validity of the proposed model and precisely to identify the characteristics curves of FFBPN for future ap-plications highlighting its performance to create profitability, efficiency, production, energy saving and minimum environmental impact.
Comprehensive Study of IoT Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures
Authors: Coston Ian , Plotnizky Eadan , Nojoumian Mehrdad
Published: October 2024

This comprehensive study provides an in-depth examination of the ‘Internet of’ technologies, focusing specifically on the Internet of Things (IoT), which is defined as the networked interconnection of multiple devices through various wireless protocols that facilitate data transfer and improve operational intelligence. The applications of IoT are widespread, including urban infrastructure, domestic settings, transportation systems, military operations, and agricultural practices. The study elucidates the complexities of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), systematically categorizing the vulnerabilities inherent in hardware, software, cloud, network, and sensor networks, and underscores the omnipresent security risks in networks and IoT devices, highlighting the need for robust mitigation strategies. The proposed trajectory of this study is the development of a comprehensive AI architecture that can discern and counteract a wide spectrum of vulnerabilities. This AI system, embedded in a Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano that is attached to IoT devices, will be supported by infrastructure hosted within a cloud environment, will continuously monitor the IoT device for anomalies, conduct self-initiated penetration tests to pinpoint weaknesses, and implement appropriate countermeasures to mitigate the identified vulnerabilities. The study also advocates the need for the exploration of postquantum cryptographic solutions in further research in this field to safeguard data on IoT devices, a proactive approach that is crucial in light of the potential vulnerability of contemporary cryptography to quantum computing breakthroughs.