bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling and Analysis for the Municipal Solid-Waste Incineration of the Grate Furnace for Particulate-Matter Generation
Authors: Liang Yongqi , Tang Jian , Xia Heng , Aljerf Loai , Gao Bingyin , Akele Mulugeta Legesse
Published: August 2023

A 3D numerical model of the municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) process was constructed based on a grate furnace with a daily processing capacity of 800 tons. Fluent was used for analyzing key factors affecting the concentration and diffusion level of particulate matter (PM). According to the actual MSWI plant working condition, a 3D model of the incinerator and the waste heat boiler has been constructed under benchmarks. Key factors affecting PM generation were determined by combining mechanistic knowledge and experts’ experience. They were the combustion temperature of solid phase municipal solid waste (MSW), the wall’s PM collision mode, and the second baffle length. Subsequently, the process of resolving the 3D numerical model was delineated. Then, a univariate analysis of the aforementioned 3D model was conducted for the three pivotal factors mentioned above. Conclusively, the effect of the important factors on the number of particles at the outflow of the incinerator was analyzed via orthogonal experiments to obtain the optimal combination. PM concentration initially diminished and then rose with the increased combustion temperature of the solid-phase MSW. Furthermore, a noteworthy reduction in PM concentration was observed when the second baffle length was 12.45–12.95 m. The greatest influence on the PM concentration of the outlet was posed by the wall’s PM collision mode, followed by the second baffle length. The appropriate adjustment of the combustion temperature of the solid-phase MSW, selection of wall materials, and design of the second baffle length were beneficial for diminishing PM concentration and ensuring long-term stable operation of the MSWI process. The combinative optimality of the three key factors was acquired via orthogonal experiments, which proved the subsequent optimal control of PM concentration at the outlet.
High-Efficient Elimination of Spiramycin by Fe3O4/ZSM-5/Sch via Heterogeneous Photo-Fenton Oxidation at Neutral pH
Authors: Yi Jiali , Xu Junjun , Liu Jiatong , Zheng Yue , Wang Qiong
Published: August 2023

Spiramycin (SPM), a widely employed antibiotic in both clinical therapy and the livestock industry, poses significant challenges in terms of safe and efficacious management. A heterogeneous photo-Fenton system, devised using Schwertmannite (Sch), can effectively degrade contaminants. However, it is accompanied by a relatively low conversion efficiency of ≡Fe3+/≡Fe2+ and a significant iron loss. In this study, a catalyst featuring Fe3O4 and ZSM-5 molecular sieve-modified Sch (Fe3O4/ZSM-5/Sch) was devised to enhance the catalytic activity and stability. The findings revealed that Fe3O4/ZSM-5/Sch exhibited exceptional catalytic activity, with the reaction first-order kinetic exceeding that of pure Sch. The active species including ·OH, h+, e−, ·O2− and SO4·− were identified in the UV/Fe3O4/ZSM-5/Sch-H2O2 system. The enhanced catalytic activity of Fe3O4/ZSM-5/Sch could be ascribed to the effective conversion of ≡Fe3+/≡Fe2+. The photogenerated electrons within Fe3O4 were transported to Sch via ZSM-5, which effectually reduced ≡Fe3+/≡Fe2. Moreover, Fe3O4/ZSM-5/Sch demonstrated outstanding stability; even after six cycles, the degradation efficiency of SPM remained above 86.50%, and the leaching quantity of Fe remained below 0.24 mg/L. This research not only develops an excellent catalyst for the safe treatment of SPM but also proffers innovative perspectives for the future design of efficient iron-based catalysts.
Convergence Analysis of Inclusive Green Growth in China Based on the Spatial Correlation Network
Authors: Chen Minghua , Zhang Tengwen , Chu Qinru , Xie Linxiao , Liu Jianxu , Tansuchat Roengchai , Geng You
Published: August 2023

The purpose of the research is based on the spatial network correlation to explore the convergence path of inclusive green growth. Inclusive green growth is a sustainable development model that emphasizes the integration of economic, social, and ecological systems. Based on the three subsystems of economic growth, social inclusion, and green sustainability, this study structures the indicator system of China’s inclusive green growth and reveals the characteristics of China’s inclusive green growth network using the social network analysis (SNA) method. Then, from the perspective of system deconstruction, this work tests whether and how China’s inclusive green growth converges by constructing a spatial econometric model with different subsystems of spatial correlation networks as spatial weights. The results show that: (1) China’s inclusive green growth level is on the rise in general, showing a spatial distribution pattern of “high in East and West, low in the Central”. (2) China’s inclusive green growth network relationship is significant, and the network system is stable, but there is still room for improvement in network relevance. The spatial correlation of economic growth is relatively closer than other subsystems. (3) China’s inclusive green growth has a remarkable convergence trend in the spatial correlation scenario, and the spatial correlation of social inclusion has the most significant promoting effect on the convergence of the national inclusive green growth; there is a trend of club convergence in the East, Central, and West regions, and the speed of convergence is the fastest in the central region. The spatial correlation of economic growth has a strong promoting effect on the convergence of inclusive green growth in all regions.
Impacts of the Belt and Roads Initiative on Sustainability: Local Approaches to Spatial Restructuring in the Aras Special Economic Zones
Authors: Jafarzadeh Hamid , Yang Dongfeng
Published: August 2023

Spatial restructuring and regional economic development are closely associated with sustainability. Despite the considerable literature on urbanization’s impact on sustainable economic development and urban expansion, few studies have explored how FDI-led spatial restructuring affects the sustainability from a local people perspective. To fill this gap, in-depth interviews were conducted with 516 residents of Aras special economic zones in Iran to assess the impacts and responses to economic shifts and spatial restructuring resulting from the Belt and Road Initiative since 2013. Using the DPSIR framework and sustainability index as an evaluation tool, we assessed the degree of sustainability and viable uplift at the regional level. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) was also utilized to determine optimal values based on local approaches. Results indicate that regional heterogeneity, excessive state pressure, and development imbalances impact the study area. The findings enrich the theory of sustainability and can guide the formulation of spatial restructuring, decision-making, and policies at different stages of regional development. In addition to financial progress, people-centered development planning using local approaches should be a component of the development of special economic zones.
Plant Breeding to Mitigate Climate Change—Present Status and Opportunities with an Assessment of Winter Wheat Cultivation in Northern Europe as an Example
Authors: Johansson Eva , Muneer Faraz , Prade Thomas
Published: August 2023

Crop yield has been a major target of plant breeding, although resistance and quality have also been important. The current climate change is calling for breeding actions to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The present review focuses on opportunities from plant breeding to mitigate climate change while simultaneously securing yield and food requirements, as exemplified by winter wheat cultivation in Northern Europe. Therefore, we review the history of traditional plant breeding, the impact of climate change on crops and implications for plant breeding, opportunities to use plant breeding as a tool to mitigate climate change, and then we assess the estimated mitigation effects from plant breeding and discuss their impact on climate effects. Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) was indicated as the character with the highest potential to contribute to climate change mitigation, with positive effects also from increased straw length and stubble heights, while increased total biomass yield (root or above-ground) showed less effect. In addition to contributing to climate change mitigation, NUpE might increase profitability for growers and decrease nitrogen leakage from agricultural fields. An increase in NUpE by 15% through plant breeding has the potential to result in reduced GHG emissions corresponding to 30% of the fossil fuel use in agriculture in Sweden.
Reliability Analysis of Seismic Slope Incorporating Interactions among Multiple Sliding Blocks Using Imbalance Thrust Force Method in Primary Sliding Direction
Authors: Li Chunli , Yu Guangming , Li Liang , Yu Hongbiao , Fan Yanxiang , Lei Jun , Xu Zhen
Published: August 2023

This paper proposes a methodology for reliability analysis of seismic slope stability that incorporates interactions among multiple sliding blocks. The primary sliding direction is first determined using the vector sum method and then the imbalance thrust force along the primary sliding direction is calculated using the slice-wise strategy and, finally, the double integration strategy is adopted to calculate the accumulated sliding displacement within the earthquake duration. The interactions among multiple sliding blocks are incorporated by checking the potential of occurrence for each of the multiple sliding modes. The proposed method is applied to a soil slope with two sliding surfaces. The comparative studies demonstrate that the mean and standard deviation of the sliding displacement considering the interaction of multiple sliding blocks are approximately three times larger than that of a single sliding mode, and the COV (mean value divided by standard deviation) of the two are slightly different. For the single sliding mode, the mean and standard deviation of the sliding displacement calculated using the proposed method are about 1/2 of the traditional Newmark sliding block model, and the failure probability obtained by the proposed method is lower than that from the traditional Newmark sliding block model owing to the difference in the sliding direction. The Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) exhibits a significant effect on the statistics of 10,000 sliding displacements. The interactions among multiple sliding blocks and the PGA are required to be properly considered in seismic slope reliability analysis.
Research on the Rheological Properties and Anti-Aging Mechanism of Paper-Black-Liquor-Modified Bitumen
Authors: Tao Xiao , Yang Kai , Cai Meng , Luo Jianwei , Li Xiaolong , Wu Shujuan , Cheng Cheng
Published: August 2023

The production process of the traditional paper making process produces a large amount of waste water, known as paper black liquor. It is needed to explore new ways of reusing this waste and replacing part of the base bitumen to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, such as petroleum, thus obtaining better environmental, economic, and social benefits. This paper analyses the feasibility of using paper black liquor, which contains a large amount of lignin, as a modifier for bitumen in the paper industry. Samples of modified bitumen were prepared with 15%, 30%, and 45% of the base bitumen replaced by paper black liquor, and a control group of base bitumen was prepared for testing. The samples were subjected to an 85 min short-term ageing test, FTIR scanning test, thermogravimetric test, frequency scanning test, MSCR test, and LAS test. The analysis of the FTIR and thermogravimetric tests showed that the paper black liquor was mainly composed of lignin and some cellulose, and contained a small amount of salts with Na ions; based on the results of the frequency scan, the compatibility analysis of the vGP curve showed that the modified bitumen was more compatible in the high-temperature range after short-term ageing, thus inferring that the water content of the concentrate had an influence on the compatibility, making it necessary to further investigate different optimum water contents to achieve the best performance and benefit. The incorporation of paper black liquor improved the rutting resistance and fatigue resistance of the modified bitumen, and also gave the paper-black-liquor-modified bitumen a better ageing resistance than the base bitumen. While demonstrating the feasibility of using paper black liquor as an bitumen modifier, this study also helps to provide a basis for theoretical applications of biomass materials in the field of road engineering.
The Resource Potential and Zoning Evaluation for Deep Geothermal Resources of the Dongying Formation in Tianjin Binhai New Area
Authors: Liu Jiulong , Han Shuangbao , Xiang Hong , Yue Dongdong , Yang Fengtian
Published: August 2023

The Dongying geothermal resources are an important part of the deep geothermal resources in Tianjin Binhai New Area, and these resources will determine whether the demand target can be met. There is an urgent need to find favorable target areas for Dongying geothermal resources and to develop Dongying geothermal resources safely, stably and efficiently. The recoverable potential of the Dongying geothermal reservoir in different positions is calculated by simulating and predicting the water level, which is as an important index of zoning evaluation. By using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the comprehensive indexes of geothermal exploration and development regionalization are quantified. A grade-two evaluation system, which considers the development constraints, has been established for the delineation of deep geothermal resources’ exploration and development prospect target areas. The zoning evaluation results show that the excellent prospect target area of Dongying geothermal resources, for their exploration and development, is 314.33 km2, the general prospect target area is 745.77 km2, and the bad prospect target area is 879.31 km2. The quantitative zoning evaluation method can provide references for the optimization of the exploration and development target area of deep geothermal resources with low prospecting accuracy in key areas of China.
Protocol Proposal for Data Collection and Processing in Productivity Assessment of Earthworks Using Audio-Visual and Location-Sensing Technology
Authors: Šopić Martina , Vukomanović Mladen , Car-Pušić Diana
Published: August 2023

During earthworks, monitoring and controlling the actual productivity of construction machines enables insight into the progress of tasks, calculation of expected duration and costs, favorable use and allocation of machines, and the application of appropriate decisions and corrective measures, which is of great interest to contractors. Excavators and tipper trucks are primarily used in earthworks. Manual collection of data from the construction site to assess the actual productivity of machines is today considered an outdated, time-consuming, and subjective method. Therefore, audio–visual and sensing technology devices are replacing manual data collection. The paper aims to propose an innovative protocol for optimal recording/tracking of the work of excavators and tipper trucks using audio–visual (a video camera or smartphone) and location-sensing technology (GPS). The protocol proposal enables a precise statement of the time cycle of excavators and tipper trucks and an estimate of their actual productivity. The application of the protocol proposal on the construction site demonstrated its practicality and functionality.
Carbon Emission Efficiency and Reduction Potential Based on Three-Stage Slacks-Based Measure with Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist at the City Scale in Fujian Province, China
Authors: Wu Tingting , Chen Junjun , Shi Chengchun , Yang Guidi
Published: August 2023

Increased carbon emissions led to extreme weather, global warming, and other environmental problems. In order to control energy input and reduce carbon emissions, this study first combines a three-stage Slacks-Based Measure with Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) and uses the Malmquist index to quantify energy consumption at the city scale and the related carbon emission efficiency in Fujian Province for the period 2015–2020. Second, we explore the carbon reduction potential on the city scale from the perspective of improving carbon emission efficiency. Our results demonstrate that (i) the carbon emission efficiency of the nine cities increases overall in the first stage, when technical efficiency approaches the efficiency frontier state and efficiency shortage is mainly caused by the lack of pure technical efficiency. (ii) Regression by stochastic frontier analysis in the second stage reveals that the secondary industry correlates positively at 1% significance with fossil energy consumption and power consumption, indicating that the carbon emission efficiency decreases as the secondary industry increases. (iii) Putian and Xiamen reduced their carbon emission efficiency in the third stage due to (a) the input redundancy of fossil energy and social power consumption and (b) excessive undesirable output carbon emissions. (iv) There were improvements in carbon emission efficiency peaks in 2015, with Longyan, Ningde, and Sanming improving by about 50%. This improvement then decreased up to the year 2020, when the improvement in the carbon emission efficiency of Ningde and Zhangzhou was 6.02% and 9.50%, respectively, and that of all other cities was less than 1%. Therefore, we suggest that carbon emission reduction in the future can be further improved by improving technology, optimizing industrial structure, and various other ways to further improve carbon emission efficiency.
Evaluation System Creation and Application of “Zero-Pollution Village” Based on Combined FAHP-TOPSIS Method: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province
Authors: Xu Ying , Wang Meiyan , Xu Yicheng , Li Xin , Wu Yun , Chi Fang’ai
Published: August 2023

With the implementation of China’s rural revitalization strategy, the construction of low-pollution villages has become an urgent demand for rural residents to achieve an ecologically livable environment. This paper aims to construct a new evaluation system for a “zero-pollution village” inspired by the principle of CASBEE. A village is regarded as a relatively independent ecosystem, and the evaluation system is designed to improve the “internal environmental quality Q” of a village while reducing the “external environmental load L”. Thus, the evaluation system included two target strata (Q and L) and 3 layers comprising 6 criteria layers, 21 sub-criteria layers, and 76 indicators in the indicator layers. A new combined weight method based on FAHP-TOPSIS was presented to determine the weights of each layer of indicators. After verifying the evaluation system by applying it to 3 representative villages, 26 villages in Zhejiang Province were evaluated. These results indicate that the evaluation system was effective for evaluating the construction of a zero-pollution village. The current village environment in Zhejiang Province has been significantly improved; however, the vast majority of villages have not yet reached the zero-pollution standard.
An Environmental Impact Assessment of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Aquaculture in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Hou Haochen , Ren Anqi , Yu Lixingbo , Ma Zhen , Zhang Yun , Liu Ying
Published: August 2023

With the rapid increase in aquaculture production, its role in food safety and nutritional security has become increasingly important, but this has also given rise to environmental problems that cannot be ignored. The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) has become a widely cultivated and highly economic freshwater farmed species since it was introduced to China in 1983; however, the environmental impacts of its freshwater pond aquaculture process have not yet been elucidated. Here, life cycle assessment (LCA), a decision-making tool that can evaluate and identify environmental issues during production processes, was used to evaluate the environmental performance of the largemouth bass freshwater pond aquaculture process, and a large-scale, commercial company was selected as an example in Hangzhou, China. The results showed that the pond-farming stage and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MAETP) had the largest environmental impacts on the entire aquaculture process. An environmental contribution analysis indicated that electricity (48%) and emissions (23%) were two key factors in the seed-rearing stage, and electricity (60%) and feeds (26%) were two main impact contributors in the pond-farming stage. Improvement measures based on emerging technologies in aquaculture were discussed, namely, clean energies, industrial pond farming, and intelligent feeding strategies, to help with decision making for continuous improvement in the environmental performance of largemouth bass pond farming. Moreover, suggestions for further aquaculture LCA studies in China were summarized, as they will provide a useful reference for promoting the development of China’s aquaculture LCA research and the enrichment of the world’s aquaculture life cycle inventory databases.
Green Marketing in the Digital Age: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Alkhatib Sewar , Kecskés Petra , Keller Veronika
Published: August 2023

This research aims to analyze and synthesize the research articles published over the past ten years, from 2012 to 2022, that deal with green marketing and digital marketing. The objective is to track the evolution of research in the field and to understand the trends on which the area has been researched during that period. The paper is based on a database of 54 research articles published in the specified period. This paper is not limited to specific journals; only the topics and the period are specified. The database analysis describes the topic and perspective of the article, the methodology used, and the themes, in addition to other factors of the given research. The main finding of this research is the identification of five main themes or categories within the research area: strategies, challenges, promotion, consumers, and digital media. These themes provide valuable insights for practitioners and scholars and ultimately benefit the broader community by providing information on decision-making and promoting sustainability in digital marketing and green marketing. This paper will help researchers better understand the research trends in the field and acquire some up-to-date knowledge about the research related to digital marketing and green marketing.
Applications of Convolutional Neural Networks to Extracting Oracle Bone Inscriptions from Three-Dimensional Models
Authors: Guo An , Zhang Zhan , Gao Feng , Du Haichao , Liu Xiaokui , Li Bang
Published: August 2023

In recent years, high-fidelity three-dimensional (3D) oracle bone models (3D-OBMs) have received extensive attention from oracle bone experts due to their unparalleled reducibility to real oracle bone. In the research process of 3D-OBMs, the first procedure is to extract oracle bone inscriptions (OBIs) from the model to form individual oracle bone characters (OBCs). However, the manual extraction of OBIs is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task that relies heavily on oracle bone knowledge. To address these problems, we propose a texture-mapping-based OBI extractor (tm-OBIE), which leverages the symmetrical characteristics of the texture mapping process and is able to extract 3D-OBIs from 3D-OBMs saved as a wavefront file. The OBIs in the texture file were first located using a trained 2D object detector. After that, the 3D mesh area, where the OBIs are located, was obtained using an inverse texture mapping method. Thirdly, a specific 2D plane was fitted using the centroid of triangular faces in the flat regions of the mesh via a singular value decomposition (SVD) method. Finally, by measuring the distances between the triangle meshes and the fitted plane, the meshes of the 3D-OBIs were obtained. This paper verifies the feasibility of this method via experiments and analyzes the possibility of using the algorithm framework for extracting other ancient characters from their corresponding 3D models.
Novel q-Differentiable Inequalities
Authors: Zuo Xuewu , Butt Saad Ihsan , Umar Muhammad , Budak Hüseyin , Ali Muhammad Aamir
Published: August 2023

The striking goal of this study is to introduce a q-identity for a parameterized integral operator via differentiable function. First, we discover the parameterized lemma for the q-integral. After that, we provide several q-differentiable inequalities. By taking suitable choices, some interesting results are obtained. With all of these, we displayed the findings from the traditional analysis utilizing q→1−.
A New Statistical Technique to Enhance MCGINAR(1) Process Estimates under Symmetric and Asymmetric Data: Fuzzy Time Series Markov Chain and Its Characteristics
Authors: El-Menshawy Mohammed H. , Teamah Abd El-Moneim A. M. , Eliwa Mohamed S. , Al-Essa Laila A. , El-Morshedy Mahmoud , EL-Sagheer Rashad M.
Published: August 2023

Several models for time series with integer values have been published as a result of the substantial demand for the description of process stability having discrete marginal distributions. One of these models is the mixed count geometric integer autoregressive of order one (MCGINAR(1)), which is based on two thinning operators. This study examines how the estimates of the spectral density functions of the MCGINAR(1) model are affected by fuzzy time series Markov chain (FTSMC). Regarding this study’s context, the higher-order moments, central moments and spectral density functions of MCGINAR(1) are computed. The anticipated realizations of the generated realizations for this model are obtained based on FTSMC. In the case of generated and anticipated realizations, several lag windows are used to smooth the spectral density estimators. The generated realization estimates are compared with the anticipated realization estimates using the MSE to ascertain the FTSMC’s role in improving the estimation process.
Asymmetric Right-Skewed Size-Biased Bilal Distribution with Mathematical Properties, Reliability Analysis, Inference and Applications
Authors: Al-Omari Amer Ibrahim , Alsultan Rehab , Alomani Ghadah
Published: August 2023

Asymmetric distributions, as opposed to symmetric distributions, may be more resilient to extreme values or outliers. Furthermore, when data show substantial skewness, asymmetric distributions can shed light on the underlying processes or phenomena being investigated. In this direction, the size-biased Bilal distribution (SBBD) is suggested in this study as a generalization to the Bilal distribution. The length-biased and area-biased Bilal distributions are discussed in detail as two special cases. The main statistical properties of the distribution including the rth moment, coefficients of variation, skewness, kurtosis, moment generating function, incomplete moments, moments of residual life, harmonic mean, Fisher’s information, and the Rényi entropy as a measure of uncertainty are presented. Graphical representations of the cumulative distribution, probability density, odds, survival, hazard, reversed hazard rate, and cumulative hazard functions are presented for further explanation of the distribution behavior. In addition, the methods of moments and maximum likelihood estimates are taken into account for estimating the model parameters. A simulation study is carried out to see the efficiency of the maximum likelihood in terms of standard errors and bias. Real data sets of precipitation and myeloid leukemia patients are considered to show the practical significance of the suggested distributions as an alternative to some well-known distributions such as the Rama, Rani, Bilal, and exponential distributions. It is found that the size-biased Bilal distribution is right-skewed and has a superior fitting performance compared to the other distributions in this study.
Controlling Matter-Wave Smooth Positons in Bose–Einstein Condensates
Authors: Manikandan Kannan , Serikbayev Nurzhan , Vijayasree Shunmuganathan P. , Aravinthan Devarasu
Published: August 2023

In this investigation, we explore the existence and intriguing features of matter-wave smooth positons in a non-autonomous one-dimensional Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) system with attractive interatomic interactions. We focus on the Gross–Pitaevskii (GP) equation/nonlinear Schrödinger-type equation with time-modulated nonlinearity and trap potential, which govern nonlinear wave propagation in the BEC. Our approach involves constructing second- and third-order matter-wave smooth positons using a similarity transformation technique. We also identify the constraints on the time-modulated system parameters that give rise to these nonlinear localized profiles. This study considers three distinct forms of modulated nonlinearities: (i) kink-like, (ii) localized or sech-like, and (iii) periodic. By varying the parameters associated with the nonlinearity strengths, we observe a rich variety of captivating behaviors in the matter-wave smooth positon profiles. These behaviors include stretching, curving, oscillating, breathing, collapsing, amplification, and suppression. Our comprehensive studies shed light on the intricate density profile of matter-wave smooth positons in BECs, providing valuable insights into their controllable behavior and characteristics in the presence of time-modulated nonlinearity and trap potential effects.
Automatic Brain Tumor Detection and Volume Estimation in Multimodal MRI Scans via a Symmetry Analysis
Authors: Ficici Cansel , Erogul Osman , Telatar Ziya , Kocak Onur
Published: August 2023

In this study, an automated medical decision support system is presented to assist physicians with accurate and immediate brain tumor detection, segmentation, and volume estimation from MRI which is very important in the success of surgical operations and treatment of brain tumor patients. In the proposed approach, first, tumor regions on MR images are labeled by an expert radiologist. Then, an automated medical decision support system is developed to extract brain tumor boundaries and to calculate their volumes by using multimodal MR images. One advantage of this study is that it provides an automated brain tumor detection and volume estimation algorithm that does not require user interactions by determining threshold values adaptively. Another advantage is that, because of the unsupervised approach, the proposed study realized tumor detection, segmentation, and volume estimation without using very large labeled training data. A brain tumor detection and segmentation algorithm is introduced that is based on the fact that the brain consists of two symmetrical hemispheres. Two main analyses, i.e., histogram and symmetry, were performed to automatically estimate tumor volume. The threshold values used for skull stripping were computed adaptively by examining the histogram distances between T1- and T1C-weighted brain MR images. Then, a symmetry analysis between the left and right brain lobes on FLAIR images was performed for whole tumor detection. The experiments were conducted on two brain MRI datasets, i.e., TCIA and BRATS. The experimental results were compared with the labeled expert results, which is known as the gold standard, to demonstrate the efficacy of the presented method. The performance evaluation results achieved accuracy values of 89.7% and 99.0%, and a Dice similarity coefficient value of 93.0% for whole tumor detection, active core detection, and volume estimation, respectively.
A Method for Optimizing the Layout of Public Service Facilities Based on the Needs of Different Age Groups: An Analysis of Hongkou District, Shanghai
Authors: Chen Chen , Fu Shuning
Published: August 2023

This study focuses on the equity of spatial layout for public service facilities targeting different age groups and proposes a systematic analytical approach. The method mainly includes the following steps: (1) collecting spatial distribution data of population and various types of public service facilities for each age group; (2) establishing demand matrices for different groups regarding different types of public service facilities and calculating supply-demand density; (3) calculating the level of public service accessibility for different population groups at any spatial location; (4) introducing the Gini coefficient to assess the spatial equity of public service accessibility for different age groups; (5) evaluating whether the Gini coefficient meets the planning objectives and identifying areas with inadequate public service accessibility for optimization of facility layout. Choosing Hongkou District in Shanghai as a case study, the analysis process and results indicate the technical feasibility of the proposed method and its supportive role in public service facility planning. Furthermore, the article discusses the importance of a systematic analysis perspective, the applicability of the methodology in planning decisions, and the enhancement of facility supply levels in weak areas.
Tendency on the Application of Drill-Down Analysis in Scientific Studies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Silva-Blancas Victor Hugo , Álvarez-Alvarado José Manuel , Herrera-Navarro Ana Marcela , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Juvenal
Published: August 2023

With the fact that new server technologies are coming to market, it is necessary to update or create new methodologies for data analysis and exploitation. Applied methodologies go from decision tree categorization to artificial neural networks (ANN) usage, which implement artificial intelligence (AI) for decision making. One of the least used strategies is drill-down analysis (DD), belonging to the decision trees subcategory, which because of not having AI resources has lost interest among researchers. However, its easy implementation makes it a suitable tool for database processing systems. This research has developed a systematic review to understand the prospective of DD analysis on scientific literature in order to establish a knowledge platform and establish if it is convenient to drive it to integration with superior methodologies, as it would be those based on ANN, and produce a better diagnosis in future works. A total of 80 scientific articles were reviewed from 1997 to 2023, showing a high frequency in 2021 and experimental as the predominant methodology. From a total of 100 problems solved, 42% were using the experimental methodology, 34% descriptive, 17% comparative, and just 7% post facto. We detected 14 unsolved problems, from which 50% fall in the experimental area. At the same time, by study type, methodologies included correlation studies, processes, decision trees, plain queries, granularity, and labeling. It was observed that just one work focuses on mathematics, which reduces new knowledge production expectations. Additionally, just one work manifested ANN usage.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): A Comparison between TOPSIS- and PROMETHEE-Based Approaches for Indirect Eliciting of Category Weights
Authors: Lolli Francesco , Coruzzolo Antonio , Balugani Elia
Published: August 2023

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) has received a great deal of attention in recent years due to the relationship between worker comfort and productivity. Many academics have studied IEQ from both a building design and an IEQ assessment perspective. This latter line of research has mostly used direct eliciting to obtain weights assigned to IEQ categories such as thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustic comfort, and indoor air quality. We found only one application of indirect eliciting in the literature. Such indirect eliciting operates without the need for imprecise direct weighing and requires only comfort evaluations, which is in line with the Industry 5.0 paradigm of individual, dynamic, and integrated IEQ evaluation. In this paper, we use a case study to compare the only indirect eliciting model already applied to IEQ, based on TOPSIS, to an indirect eliciting method based on PROMETHEE and to a classical direct eliciting method (AHP). The results demonstrate the superiority of indirect eliciting in reconstructing individual preferences related to perceived global comfort.
Using a Battery of Bioassays to Assess the Toxicity of Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents in Industrial Parks
Authors: Yang Bin , Cui Haiyan , Gao Jie , Cao Jing , Klobučar Göran , Li Mei
Published: August 2023

Bioassays, as an addition to physico-chemical water quality evaluation, can provide information on the toxic effects of pollutants present in the water. In this study, a broad evaluation of environmental health risks from industrial wastewater along the Yangtze River, China, was conducted using a battery of bioassays. Toxicity tests showed that the wastewater treatment processes were effective at lowering acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, HepG2 cells’ cytotoxicity, the estrogenic effect in T47D-Kbluc cells, DNA damage of Euglena gracilis and the mutagenicity of Salmonella typhimurium in the analyzed wastewater samples. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified as potential major toxic chemicals of concern in the wastewater samples of W, J and T wastewater treatment plants; thus, the potential harm of PAHs to aquatic organisms has been investigated. Based on the health risk assessment model, the risk index of wastewater from the industrial parks along the Yangtze River was below one, indicating that the PAHs were less harmful to human health through skin contact or respiratory exposure. Overall, the biological toxicity tests used in this study provide a good basis for the health risk assessment of industrial wastewater and a scientific reference for the optimization and operation of the treatment process.
Deciphering the Hazardous Effects of AFB1 and T-2 Toxins: Unveiling Toxicity and Oxidative Stress Mechanisms in PK15 Cells and Mouse Kidneys
Authors: Xiao Shuai , Wu Yingxin , Gao Suisui , Zhou Mingxia , Liu Zhiwei , Xiong Qianbo , Jiang Lihuang , Yuan Guoxiang , Li Linfeng , Yang Lingchen
Published: August 2023

In China, animal feeds are frequently contaminated with a range of mycotoxins, with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and T-2 toxin (T-2) being two highly toxic mycotoxins. This study investigates the combined nephrotoxicity of AFB1 and T-2 on PK15 cells and murine renal tissues and their related oxidative stress mechanisms. PK15 cells were treated with the respective toxin concentrations for 24 h, and oxidative stress-related indicators were assessed. The results showed that the combination of AFB1 and T-2 led to more severe cellular damage and oxidative stress compared to exposure to the individual toxins (p < 0.05). In the in vivo study, pathological examination revealed that the kidney tissue of mice exposed to the combined toxins showed signs of glomerular atrophy. The contents of oxidative stress-related indicators were significantly increased in the kidney tissue (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the combined toxins cause significant oxidative damage to mouse kidneys. The study highlights the importance of considering the combined effects of mycotoxins in animal feed, particularly AFB1 and T-2, which can lead to severe nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in PK15 cells and mouse kidneys. The findings have important implications for animal feed safety and regulatory policy.
Trauma-Informed Care and Equity in Group Pregnancy Care for Women of Refugee Background: Reflections from the Workforce
Authors: Hearn Fran , Biggs Laura , Brown Stephanie J. , Krastev Ann , Szwarc Josef , Riggs Elisha
Published: August 2023

For women and families of refugee background having a baby in Australia, trauma-related experiences contribute to maternal and neonatal health inequities. Group Pregnancy Care for women of refugee background is a new model of care that was codesigned with communities of refugee background, to incorporate a trauma-informed approach to care. The aim of this paper is to explore how trauma-informed care is understood by Group Pregnancy Care professional staff. An exploratory descriptive qualitative study involving twenty-three semi-structured interviews with past and present professional staff was conducted. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The results reported in this paper include five themes: acknowledging the universal potential for trauma; accountability to community; practising in trauma-informed ways; how can we determine whether trauma-informed care is happening?; and understanding equity. The analysis showed that GPC staff aimed to practise in trauma-informed ways and understood that their ability to integrate trauma-informed care could improve over time. However, there were times when participants perceived organisation- or structural-level barriers that were incongruous with their understanding of health equity, which created tension and led to feelings for some of being in a ‘battle against the system’. Key individual- and organisation-level factors were identified that assisted with integrating trauma-informed care, including a safe and accessible space to hold the program, strategies to minimise the risk of retraumatisation and burnout, and adequate time to facilitate group processes and support staff to participate in team reflective practises. Understanding trauma-informed care and equity were seen to have important implications for workforce wellbeing and the promotion of refugee maternal and child health.
The Upcoming GAMMA-400 Experiment
Authors: Suchkov Sergey I. , Arkhangelskaja Irina V. , Arkhangelskiy Andrey I. , Bakaldin Aleksey V. , Chernysheva Irina V. , Galper Arkady M. , Dalkarov Oleg D. , Egorov Andrey E. , Kheymits Maxim D. , Korotkov Mikhail G. , Leonov Aleksey A. , Leonova Svetlana A. , Malinin Alexandr G. , Mikhailov Vladimir V. , Minaev Pavel Yu , Pappe Nikolay Yu. , Razumeyko Mikhail V. , Topchiev Nikolay P. , Yurkin Yuri T.
Published: August 2023

The upcoming GAMMA-400 experiment will be implemented aboard the Russian astrophysical space observatory, which will be operating in a highly elliptical orbit over a period of 7 years to provide new data on gamma-ray emissions and cosmic-ray electron + positron fluxes, mainly from the galactic plane, the Galactic Center, and the Sun. The main observation mode will be a continuous point-source mode, with a duration of up to ~100 days. The GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope will study high-energy gamma-ray emissions of up to several TeV and cosmic-ray electrons + positrons up to 20 TeV. The GAMMA-400 telescope will have a high angular resolution, high energy and time resolutions, and a very good separation efficiency for separating gamma rays from the cosmic-ray background and the electrons + positrons from protons. A distinctive feature of the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope is its wonderful angular resolution for energies of >30 GeV (0.01° for Eγ = 100 GeV), which exceeds the resolutions of space-based and ground-based gamma-ray telescopes by a factor of 5–10. GAMMA-400 studies can reveal gamma-ray emissions from dark matter particles’ annihilation or decay, identify many unassociated, discrete sources, explore the extended sources’ structures, and improve the cosmic-ray electron + positron spectra data for energies of >30 GeV.
Human Neutrophil Response to Pseudomonas Bacteriophage PAK_P1, a Therapeutic Candidate
Authors: Roach Dwayne R. , Noël Benoît , Chollet-Martin Sylvie , de Jode Mathieu , Granger Vanessa , Debarbieux Laurent , de Chaisemartin Luc
Published: August 2023

The immune system offers several mechanisms of response to harmful microbes that invade the human body. As a first line of defense, neutrophils can remove pathogens by phagocytosis, inactivate them by the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or immobilize them by neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Although recent studies have shown that bacteriophages (phages) make up a large portion of human microbiomes and are currently being explored as antibacterial therapeutics, neutrophilic responses to phages are still elusive. Here, we show that exposure of isolated human resting neutrophils to a high concentration of the Pseudomonas phage PAK_P1 led to a 2-fold increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion. Importantly, phage exposure did not induce neutrophil apoptosis or necrosis and did not further affect activation marker expression, oxidative burst, and NETs formation. Similarly, inflammatory stimuli-activated neutrophil effector responses were unaffected by phage exposure. Our work suggests that phages are unlikely to inadvertently cause excessive neutrophil responses that could damage tissues and worsen disease. Because IL-8 functions as a chemoattractant, directing immune cells to sites of infection and inflammation, phage-stimulated IL-8 production may modulate some host immune responses.
Predicting Factors of Plasma HIV RNA Undetectability after Switching to Co-Formulated Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide in Experienced HIV-1 Patients: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Basso Monica , Battagin Giuliana , Nicolè Stefano , Rossi Maria Cristina , Colombo Francesco , Pirola Nicole , Baratti Stefano , Storato Silvia , Giovagnorio Federico , Malagnino Vincenzo , Alessio Grazia , Vinci Antonio , Maurici Massimo , Sarmati Loredana , Parisi Saverio Giuseppe
Published: August 2023

Switching to bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) from other antiretroviral regimens is safe and effective for virologically suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH). The term virological suppression includes both low but detectable HIV viremia and undetectable HIV viremia, and the latter is possibly associated with a lower immune activation state. Herein, we describe a 24-month follow-up of experienced PLWH with plasma HIV RNA undetectable or detectable < 50 copies/ml switching to BIC/FTC/TAF. A previous 12-month monitoring was available, and the factors correlated with treatment efficacy. This retrospective multicenter study included PLWH who switched to BIC/FTC/TAF in the period of 2019–2022, and who were HBsAg and HCV RNA negative. The follow-up study times were 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 18 (T18), and 24 (T24) months after the switch (T0). Survival analysis with multiple-failure-per-subject design, Kaplan–Meier survival estimates, multivariate analysis of variance, multilevel linear regression, and a hierarchical ordered logistic model were applied. A total of 329 PLWH had plasma HIV RNA which was either undetectable or detectable at <50 copies/mL at T0, and 197 responded to all inclusion criteria: M/F 140/57; the median CD4+ cell count was 677 cells/mm3; and HIV RNA at T0 was undetectable in 108 patients. Most of the 197 patients (122, 61.9%) were on a previous INSTI-based regimen. HIV RNA undetectability was more frequent at each follow-up point in patients with HIV RNA that was undetectable at T0, and it showed a higher frequency throughout the follow-up period in patients with always-undetectable HIV RNA in the 12 months before the switch. A higher nadir CD4 cell count had a predictive role, and HBcAb positivity had no influence. In conclusion, the switch could be programmed and possibly delayed on a case-by-case basis in order to achieve persistent plasma HIV RNA undetectability. Undiagnosed loss of HBcAb has no detrimental consequences on the response to BIC/FTC/TAF.