bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representation and Visualization Processes for a Sustainable Approach to Landscape/Heritage
Authors: Salerno Rossella
Published: October 2023

This paper intends to focus on the modes and forms of representation for a novel and sustainable approach to landscape/heritage, to those “tangible and intangible landscapes”, which are also called “emerging landscapes of heritage”. The long tradition of landscape description is grounded in visibility/objectivity terms as well as on nature/history. Nowadays, a sustainable approach to landscape/heritage should also carefully describe the participatory processes in recognizing, enhancing, and sharing meaningful values for a community. Starting with the Icomos recommendations about heritage modes of representation, this paper extends the research question to landscape/heritage where there are required methodologies that take into consideration both visible and objective aspects for depicting the interactions of people and territory, and its “becoming”. This contribution will therefore outline the main forms adopted today for the visualization and communication of the landscape that can monitor human and physical processes in progress and that, while being in continuity with the idea of landscape rooted in the West on the intangible aspect of “visibility”, they also need to be increasingly performative in describing the territorial and tangible complexity of dynamics and phenomena on a large scale.
The Effects of FC and CSR on Bilateral Quality Efforts of Agricultural Products Supply Chain
Authors: Qin Yanhong , Zhang Bing , Xiang Lin
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of fairness concern (FC) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the quality improvement of the agricultural product supply chain (APSC) composed of an agricultural product processor (processor) and an agricultural product supermarket (supermarket) so as to ensure the stable supply of high-quality agricultural products. This paper considered both FC and CSR, established four Stackelberg game models, and obtained the effects of FC and CSR on bilateral quality efforts in APSC through comparative analysis and numerical analysis. We prove that the supermarket’s FC can take the role of “profit distribution mechanism”, but it is not conducive to improving all bilateral quality efforts, the utility of the whole supply chain system, and consumer surplus. Additionally, APSC members sharing CSR can not only both improve the quality of agricultural products and promote the expansion of market demand, but they also can improve both the profit of all members and the supply chain. The CSR shared by both members has a greater impact on bilateral quality efforts than the supermarket’s FC, and thus the positive effect of CSR can overcome the negative effect of the supermarket’s FC.
Investigation and Optimization of Co-Combustion Efficiency of Food Waste Biochar and Coal
Authors: Jeong Yoonah , Kim Jae-Sung , Lee Ye-Eun , Shin Dong-Chul , Ahn Kwang-Ho , Jung Jinhong , Kim Kyeong-Ho , Ku Min-Jong , Kim Seung-Mo , Jeon Chung-Hwan , Kim I-Tae
Published: October 2023

Among the alternative recycling methods for food waste, its utilization as a renewable biomass resource has demonstrated great potential. This study presents empirical findings pertaining to the cofiring of solid biomass fuel and coal for power generation. Various co-combustion ratios involving food waste biochar (FWB) and coal (100:0, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5, and 0:100) were tested to optimize combustion efficiency, monitor the emissions of NOX, CO, and unburned carbon (UBC), assess ash deposition tendencies, and evaluate grindability. Two types of FWB and sewage sludge were selected as biomass fuels. The results demonstrated that co-combustion involving FWB reduced NOX and UBC emissions compared to coal combustion alone. In particular, the 10% FWB_A blend exhibited the best combustion efficiency. Notably, FWB demonstrated lower tendencies for ash deposition. The ash fusion characteristics were monitored via thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and the corresponding shrinkage levels were measured. Furthermore, FWB exhibited superior grindability compared to both coal and sewage sludge, reducing power consumption during fuel preparation. This study suggests that FWB is a valuable co-combustion resource in coal-fired power plants, thereby facilitating the efficient recycling of food waste while concurrently advancing clean energy generation. Nevertheless, further research is required to validate its practical applicability and promote its use as a renewable resource.
Vehicle Detection and Classification via YOLOv8 and Deep Belief Network over Aerial Image Sequences
Authors: Al Mudawi Naif , Qureshi Asifa Mehmood , Abdelhaq Maha , Alshahrani Abdullah , Alazeb Abdulwahab , Alonazi Mohammed , Algarni Asaad
Published: October 2023

Vehicle detection and classification are the most significant and challenging activities of an intelligent traffic monitoring system. Traditional methods are highly computationally expensive and also impose restrictions when the mode of data collection changes. This research proposes a new approach for vehicle detection and classification over aerial image sequences. The proposed model consists of five stages. All of the images are preprocessed in the first stage to reduce noise and raise the brightness level. The foreground items are then extracted from these images using segmentation. The segmented images are then passed onto the YOLOv8 algorithm to detect and locate vehicles in each image. The feature extraction phase is then applied to the detected vehicles. The extracted feature involves Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB), and KAZE features. For classification, we used the Deep Belief Network (DBN) classifier. Based on classification, the experimental results across the three datasets produced better outcomes; the proposed model attained an accuracy of 95.6% over Vehicle Detection in Aerial Imagery (VEDAI) and 94.6% over Vehicle Aerial Imagery from a Drone (VAID) dataset, respectively. To compare our model with the other standard techniques, we have also drawn a comparative analysis with the latest techniques in the research.
Experimental Investigations of the Thermal Safety of Methyl Ethyl Ketone Oxime Hydrochloride Based on the Flask Method, Thermal Analysis, and GC-MS
Authors: Zhou Dehong , Peng Shiyu , Xie Bin , Wang Lunping , Li Haochen
Published: October 2023

Chemical safety accidents caused by the thermal runaway of materials occur frequently around the world, seriously hindering the sustainable development of the chemical industry. Therefore, studies related to the thermal safety of materials are very important for chemical production. In order to ensure the safety of methyl tris (methyl ethyl ketone oxime) silane (MOS), the thermal safety of its accident-prone by-product, methyl ethyl ketone oxime hydrochloride (MEKOH), was analyzed in the study. Temperature changes of MEKOH dissolved in 5%, 10% and 15% deionized water were measured with the flask method. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were applied to comprehensively analyze the thermal stability of MEKOH in different reaction states. The thermal decomposition products of MEKOH were detected with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show that the temperature of MEKOH dissolved in deionized water at room temperature (28 °C) increases by about 5 °C, and finally stabilizes at 33 °C. MEKOH has good thermal safety during this process. When the temperature rises to 50 °C, MEKOH starts to decompose violently, and no longer exhibits significant weight loss at 145 °C. From 50 °C to 100 °C, MEKOH releases heat, ranging from 29.65 to 45.86 J/g, during thermal decomposition, generating a large amount of flammable substances. The thermal decomposition products were detected, including pyrrolidine, heptane, MEKO, and other substances, but no MEKOH was detected. Overall, the study provides a theoretical basis for preventing the thermal runaway of MEKOH.
How Could People and Communities Contribute to the Energy Transition? Conceptual Maps to Inform, Orient, and Inspire Design Actions and Education
Authors: Pillan Margherita , Costa Fiammetta , Caiola Valentina
Published: October 2023

Energy Transition (ET) is crucial for sustainable development, impacting inclusive prosperity and social justice. Knowledge development, innovative solutions, and awareness actions become crucial as energy systems transform. ET necessitates behavioural and cultural changes involving individuals in responsible decision making. The active engagement of all societal actors, including people and communities is essential. The article is authored by a university research team specializing in Design for Sustainability, Service Design, and Design for Experience, and it addresses two central research questions: (i) how can individuals and communities contribute to ET? and (ii) how can design theories, methods, and expertise contribute to generating knowledge and solutions for ET? The research employs a multidisciplinary literature review and case study analysis. It is structured into two main sections. The first section examines ET, drawing upon European Union (EU) official documents and academic literature to outline its values, objectives, actors, initiatives, and challenges, focusing on the role of citizens and communities. The second section explores the design’s contributions, summarizing relevant philosophies and solutions aligned with ET goals, challenges, and bottlenecks. Conceptual maps were created to address the knowledge gap on ET objectives and guidelines, providing design-oriented reference knowledge and principles. The purpose of the research is to define a conceptual framework made up of maps to guide researchers, designers, and design educators in understanding the complexity of ET and to inspire their intervention proposals.
The Effect of Plant and Row Configuration on the Growth and Yield of Multiple Cropping of Soybeans in Southern Xinjiang, China
Authors: Ran Xinyue , Zhou Jianguo , Mao Tingyong , Wu Shu , Wu Quanzhong , Chen Guodong , Zhai Yunlong
Published: October 2023

To study the optimal plant row configuration of the multiple cropping of soybeans that are suitable for planting in southern Xinjiang, a field experiment using soybean variety SN35 was carried out employing different plant row designs. Three row spacing treatments of 15 cm (H1), 30 cm (H2), and 45 cm (H3) and three density treatments of 52.56 million (M1), 55 million (M2), and 60 million (M3) plants per hectare were set up in this experiment to explore the effects of different plant row spacing configurations on agronomic traits, photosynthetic characteristics, dry matter accumulation, and the soybean yield of the multiple cropping of soybeans. The results showed that the soybeans’ plant height, diameter, main stem node number, leaf shape index, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), and pod dry matter distribution ratio increased gradually with the growth process. In contrast, the stem dry matter distribution ratio decreased gradually, and the leaf dry matter distribution ratio first increased and then decreased. The plant height of the soybeans treated with H2M3 was the highest, reaching 67.38 cm. The number of primary stem nodes of the soybeans treated with H1M3 was the highest, reaching 12.7 nodes. The stem diameter of the soybeans treated with H1M1 was the highest, reaching 0.64 cm. The leaf shape index of the soybeans treated with H3M1 was the highest, reaching 2.72. Intercellular CO2 concentration closely affects the final yield; the correlation coefficients with the pod number per plant, seed number per plant, and yield reached 0.75, 0.78, and 0.87, respectively. The theoretical maximum hundred-grain weights under the H1M1 and H2M1 treatments were higher, reaching 20.33 g and 17.98 g, respectively. The H3M3 treatment had the most significant one-hundred-grain weight, reaching 21.27 g. The soybean yield of each density treatment was M3 > M1 > M2. With the increase in row spacing, the average pod number per plant, grain number per plant, grain weight per plant, and yield of soybeans decreased gradually, and the hundred-grain weight increased gradually. The yield of the density treatment with 60 million plants per hectare under 15 cm row spacing was the highest, reaching 6155.8 kg·hm−2, followed by the density treatment with 60 million plants per hectare under 30 cm row spacing, reaching 5850.6 kg·hm−2.
Local Resistance Characteristics of T-Type Tee Based on Chamfering Treatment
Authors: Liu Tianxiang , Li Shitong , Jiang Chao , Zhang Xiao , Tan Zijing
Published: October 2023

The T-type tee is a crucial part of liquid distribution systems and is widely used in irrigation, drainage, water delivery, and agricultural fertilizer injection, among other areas. Confluence angle, pipe diameter ratio, and flow rate ratio have been the main focus of previous research. Research on the hydraulic characteristics and resistance optimization brought about by the main-side pipe intersection’s chamfering treatment is, nevertheless, incredibly rare. Optimizing the structure of the T-type tee could improve its sustainability in many aspects, such as its energy consumption, durability, and production process. In order to fill this void in the literature, the current investigation concentrated on the resistance reduction and flow properties of T-type tees by means of chamfering treatment. Using a newly proposed coefficient called the integrated local resistance coefficient, the integral flow characteristics and resistance reduction effects of T-type tees were addressed. Through the use of the verified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, the crossed effects of five chamfer ratios (R = 0D, 0.5D, 1D, 2D, and 3D), nine flow rate ratios (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9), and two pipe diameter ratios were examined. When the Reynolds number exceeded 3 × 105, the flow remained in the quadratic drag region, meaning that the local resistance coefficient of T-type tees was no longer dependent on the flow velocity. In both confluence and shunt conditions for equal tees, chamfering treatment was proven to be an efficient method for reducing local resistance under these conditions. For instance, following a 1D chamfering treatment on the T-type confluence tee, at a flow ratio of 0.5, the local resistance coefficients ζ1 and ζ2 dropped by 68% and 82%, respectively, in comparison to the 0D condition. The effects of resistance reduction were improved by a wider chamfer radius and a higher side pipe flow rate ratio. The highest overall performance was obtained by chamfering a T-type tee with a curvature radius of 1D, taking into account flow characteristics, sustainability, processing technology, economic cost, and promotion difficulties. The chamfering procedure produced a more noticeable reduction in resistance for unequal tees with comparable velocities in the main and side pipes when the pipe diameter ratio was greater than 0.5.
Investigating Student Satisfaction and Adoption of Technology-Enhanced Learning to Improve Educational Outcomes in Saudi Higher Education
Authors: Alyoussef Ibrahim Youssef , Omer Omer Musa Alhassan
Published: October 2023

The current tendency in education is to deliver high-quality instruction with the use of technology in order to increase students’ global competitiveness. Currently, few empirical studies in the literature examine the significance and implications of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in Saudi higher education. Therefore, the current study aims to develop a new model by examining the impact of a number of variables, including students’ perceived support, virtual social skills, subjective norms, information quality, subjective interest, and resource availability, on students’ self-efficacy and students’ perceived benefits of TEL enrolled in various public and private educational institutions in Saudi Arabia. The method is based on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A survey question on the idea of students’ self-efficacy and students’ perceived benefits of TEL was used as the main method of data collection, and 274 valid responses from undergraduate and graduate students at King Faisal University, particularly those who have been using TEL for at least a year, were obtained. The results of the student self-efficacy survey show that TEL adoption and student satisfaction are both positively impacted. The finding of this study was that all of the TEL characteristics were significantly and favorably mediated by perceptions of the TEL benefits. Student satisfaction is influenced by students’ perceptions of support, virtual social skills, subjective norms, informational quality, subjective interest, resource accessibility, and TEL uptake by students.
Sustainable Countermeasures for Skin Health Improvement for Green Consumers: The Utilization of Hsian-Tsao during Global Warming
Authors: Lee Jinkyung , Kwon Ki Han
Published: October 2023

Recently, the seriousness of global warming has become increasingly prominent worldwide. In this study, Hsian-tsao, a safe, heat-resistant ingredient that can be eaten and applied, and its extract products were examined for their potential applicability as a countermeasure for problems that may arise in the skin due to global warming. This includes being flexible and responsive to changes in consumer demand due to global warming. Furthermore, regarding global warming, the scientific community is considering ways to mitigate heat stress in humans and animals, and we hope to provide key data for future exploration. Although this review is a narrative review, we conducted a systematic review and searched sources such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar according to PRISMA flow chart guidelines and using a chain of search words such as “global warming”, “green industry”, “Hsian-tsao”, “heat resistance”, “skin health”, “cosmetics”, and “consumer”. Accordingly, we searched a total of 1231 studies and selected 107 studies in the final stage. Considering the sustainability and safeness of Hsian-tsao, further studies to help mitigate human heat stress caused by global warming and evaluate its impact on beauty and health should analyze its utilization and reflect consumer needs that can contribute to the green industry. Therefore, in a situation where the growth of the green industry is urgently needed due to the acceleration of global warming, additional research is necessary on inner-beauty materials and heat-resistant plants that lower the temperature in line with future preparations for continuous global warming. Accordingly, the science community and nutrition, inner beauty, and cosmetics industries seem likely to bring more interest to the green industry, and this trend will continue in the future. We hope that Hsian-tsao will be used in a variety of skin health strategies and nutritional approaches to global warming and heat resistance.
A Review of Effect of Mineral Admixtures on Appearance Quality of Fair-Faced Concrete and Techniques for Their Measurement
Authors: Mao Jiabing , He Zhihai , He Yifeng , Lu Jun , Li Jing
Published: October 2023

The appearance of fair-faced concrete is crucial, and it can be enhanced by incorporating an appropriate amount of mineral admixture. Different mineral admixtures have varying effects on the appearance quality of fair-faced concrete. For instance, the addition of fly ash helps control color differences and bubble formation on the concrete surface, while slag powder effectively controls its color and finish. In this review, the impact of using various mineral admixtures, such as silica fume, rice husk ash, limestone powder, and seashell powder, in fair-faced concrete on its appearance quality is examined. The effective combination of mineral admixtures made from industrial by-products or solid waste with fair-faced concrete can pave the way for new directions in the green and sustainable development of construction materials. This review also discusses the difficulties in objectively measuring the appearance quality of concrete and the various methods for the acquisition and evaluation of appearance images. New techniques for acquiring and evaluating information about concrete surfaces have been developed with advancements in image acquisition and processing technology. These techniques complement traditional manual inspection methods. The 3D Alicona system is advantageous for identifying air bubbles on concrete surfaces, the atomic-force microscope detects surface roughness, and the Orbital large-format scanner is ideal for use in large-scale engineering applications. Also, evaluation methods for different image processing software are presented in this article. This information offers a useful reference for future research and practical application.
Personal vs. Collective Nostalgia and Different Temporally Orientated Green Consumption
Authors: Zhang Han , Ruan Chenhan , Huang Lei , Peng Luluo , Guo Chuangxin
Published: October 2023

In the literature, there are discrepancies about how nostalgia affects green consumption. Both positive and negative relationships between nostalgia and green consumption are found, and most research treats all types of green consumption the same, neglecting the differences. This study tried to put the contradictory findings together by classifying green consumption into future vs. non-future green consumption and taking collective vs. personal nostalgia into account. As far as we know, this study is the first to propose this classification of green consumption, and different patterns are found, which might drive new research. This research tested our hypotheses across four randomized controlled trials with 921 valid respondents in total. Study 1 found a negative effect of personal nostalgia on future-oriented green consumption and revealed a positive relationship between collective nostalgia and non-future green consumption. The results confirmed both positive and negative effects of nostalgia on green consumption found in previous research. Study 2 revealed that the past orientation mediated personal nostalgia’s negative effect on future-oriented green consumption and collective efficacy mediated collective nostalgia’s positive effect on non-future-oriented green consumption. Study 3 tested the moderating effect of product newness on personal nostalgia and future green consumption, and a negative moderating effect was uncovered. Study 4 found a positive moderating effect of product identity on collective nostalgia and non-future-oriented green consumption.
Towards Sustainable Development: Investigating the Heterogeneity and Driving Factors of Green Total Factor Productivity in Coal Enterprises
Authors: Yang Qing , Qiao Jinbo , Zou Shaohui , Wang Delu , Hao Jiayi
Published: October 2023

Understanding the heterogeneity and driving factors of green total factor productivity (GTFP) in coal enterprises can provide guidance for policy design regarding the sustainable development of coal in the future. In contrast to previous research at the macro level, we adopt and extend the data envelopment analysis method to measure and quantitatively decompose the GTFP of coal enterprises, examine inter-enterprise heterogeneity at multiple levels, explain the effects of the key driving factors and moderating factors of GTFP in theory, and subsequently conduct empirical testing using data obtained from 639 coal enterprises in China. The results indicate that there is significant inter-enterprise heterogeneity in GTFP in terms of enterprise scale, enterprise growth stage, government–enterprise collusion (GEC), and regional differences. The enterprise scale and enterprise growth stage have significantly positive effects on GTFP, while GEC has a significantly negative effect on GTFP. Technological progress, scale efficiency, and pure technical efficiency have moderating effects on enterprise scale, enterprise growth stage, and GEC. The results have valuable policy implications; it is necessary for the government to allocate significant resources towards thoroughly examining the potential effects arising from the heterogeneity of GTFP among coal enterprises, to weaken control over the aggregate target, and to strengthen the use of market-oriented policy instruments.
Large Eddy Simulation of the Inlet Cross-Flow in the CiADS Heat Exchanger Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Sicheng , Wang Dawei , Fan Dajun , Gu Long
Published: October 2023

The liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is the coolant of the heat exchanger in China initiative Accelerator Driven System, which may have a risk of structural failure due to the washout of the coolant in the inlet of the heat exchanger. It is necessary to study the mechanical properties of the heat exchanger bundles of CiADS, especially the fatigue life of the bundle structure in the transverse flow of the LBE. The numerical simulation is the Lattice Boltzmann method combined with the large eddy simulation by Python codes. The velocity distribution of the flow field and the time domain characteristics of the heat exchanger bundles’ force are calculated, and the frequency domain characteristics of the heat exchanger bundles’ vibration are obtained by Fourier transform. The bundles vibrate at high cycle fatigue in turbulent flow at high Reynolds number. The transverse flow of LBE does not affect the fatigue life of the bundle. No structural failure occurs in the CiADS heat exchanger due to the transverse flow of LBE.
Joint Forecasting Method of Wind and Solar Outputs Considering Temporal and Spatial Correlation
Authors: Yuan Ziran , Zhang Pengli , Ming Bo , Zheng Xiaobo , Tian Lu
Published: October 2023

In response to the problem of low forecasting accuracy in wind and solar power outputs, this study proposes a joint forecasting method for wind and solar power outputs by using their spatiotemporal correlation. First, autocorrelation analysis and causal testing are used to screen the forecasting factors. Then, a convolutional neural network–long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) is constructed and trained to extract features effectively. Finally, the independent, ensemble, and joint forecasting effects are compared, using a certain clean energy base as the research object. Results show that the forecasting accuracy of the ensemble wind and solar power outputs is better than that of independent forecasting. The joint forecasting method can improve the forecasting accuracy of wind power by 20% but slightly affects the forecasting accuracy of solar power.
An Environmentally Friendly Dyeing Method for A Sustainable World: Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performance of Cotton/Wool Blend via Dyeing with Cinnamon
Authors: Ozdemir Huseyin
Published: October 2023

The world in which we live is changing at a much faster and more uncontrolled rate. This situation brings with it both negative and positive changes. The textile industry is also part of this rapid change. The growth of the world’s population and the alterations in consumer habits that this change has brought with it also affect the textile industry. In particular, polluting dyehouses and the synthetic dyes used in them are harming the world. This situation is unsustainable. For this reason, the use of natural dyes instead of synthetic dyes in the coloring of textile products is increasing rapidly. In this study, a blend of 80% cotton and 20% wool was dyed with cinnamon, and its fastness and mechanical performance were tested. In addition, the dyeing results were analyzed using a spectral method, FTIR, and SEM. In this study, natural fiber blends with two different chemical structures were dyed with cinnamon in one bath. The fastness values obtained as a result of the dyeing process were very good. The grey scale value of saliva fastness determined through evaluation was 5. The observed strength increase of approximately 24% in the yarn after dyeing was also remarkable. In conclusion, environmentally friendly dyeing was carried out in this study, and a contribution was made to a sustainable world.
The Heterogenous Effects of Carbon Emissions and Board Gender Diversity on a Firm’s Performance
Authors: Bouaddi Mohammed , Basuony Mohamed A. K. , Noureldin Neveen
Published: October 2023

This paper investigated the effects of carbon emissions and board gender diversity on firm performance using quantile regression. This approach explores the heterogeneity of the effect of carbon emissions on the performance of firms and overcomes some of the drawbacks of OLS regression. This research aimed to identify whether carbon emissions significantly impact firm performance using accounting- and market-based performance measures and how this impact varies according to a company’s size. Another objective was to determine how females on a board of directors could impact such a relationship. The data used were a sample of 1382 companies in emerging markets from 2008 to 2021. The findings show that carbon emissions negatively affect small-size companies consisting of both high-performing and low-performing companies; however, as the size of the companies increases, the effect of carbon emissions becomes positive regardless of whether they are high- or low-performing companies. The presence of females on a board has a minimally significant negative effect on a firm’s performance, irrespective of whether it is conditioned on size. This research contributes to the literature on the impact of carbon emissions on company performance, both conditional and unconditional on size. Furthermore, the results show that the relationship between carbon emissions and performance depends on size, as revealed using the novel econometrics model developed in this study. This study also shows the importance of the presence of females on a board of directors.
Soil Microbiome: Diversity, Benefits and Interactions with Plants
Authors: Chauhan Poonam , Sharma Neha , Tapwal Ashwani , Kumar Ajay , Verma Gaurav Swaroop , Meena Mukesh , Seth Chandra Shekhar , Swapnil Prashant
Published: October 2023

Plant roots aid the growth and functions of several kinds of microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, endophytic bacteria, actinomycetes, nematodes, protozoans which may impart significant impacts on plant health and growth. Plant soil–microbe interaction is an intricate, continuous, and dynamic process that occurs in a distinct zone known as the rhizosphere. Plants interact with these soil microbes in a variety of ways, including competitive, exploitative, neutral, commensal, and symbiotic relationships. Both plant and soil types were found to have an impact on the community diversity and structure of the rhizosphere, or vice versa. The diversity of microorganisms in soil is thought to be essential for the management of soil health and quality because it has different plant growth-promoting or biocontrol effects that could be very advantageous for the host plant and alter plant physiology and nutrition. The composition of microbial community is influenced by soil and plant type. Besides these beneficial microbes, the soil also harbors microorganisms that are detrimental to plants, competing for nutrients and space, and causing diseases. Numerous microorganisms have antagonistic activity and the ability to defend plants from soil-borne diseases. The study of the soil microbiome is essential for formulating strategies for transforming the rhizosphere to the benefit of the plants. This review pays special emphasis on the types of microbial populations in the soil and how they influence plant growth, nutrient acquisition, inter-relationships between soil microbes and plants, stress resistance, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation.
Reliability Estimation of the Compressive Concrete Strength Based on Non-Destructive Tests
Authors: Miano Andrea , Ebrahimian Hossein , Jalayer Fatemeh , Prota Andrea
Published: October 2023

The uncertainty in the concrete compressive strength is one of the most challenging issues in safety checking of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. The concrete compressive strength used in the assessment can highly influence the vulnerability results and thus the retrofit strategies. The need to use less expensive and less invasive in situ measurements such as the non-destructive tests should be balanced with a careful check of their structural reliability. The compressive concrete strength is characterized herein based on a large database of both in situ destructive and non-destructive results measured on the same structural members. The data are obtained from existing RC buildings mainly located in the Campania region, Southern Italy. Probabilistic linear and multilinear regression models are developed for calculating the compressive concrete strength based on non-destructive tests. Furthermore, the implementation of the concrete strength based on ultrasonic test results are investigated together with the relative measurement error through a fully probabilistic workflow. Accordingly, the relative weights of non-destructive data for calculating concrete compressive strength are estimated and compared with those recommended by the Italian national code. The results demonstrate that the effective weights of the non-destructive data are very close to the code-based recommendation.
On The Path towards Sustainable Construction—The Case of the United Arab Emirates: A Review
Authors: Saradara Shadeedha Mohamed , Khalfan Malik Mansoor Ali , Rauf Abdul , Qureshi Rubina
Published: October 2023

The construction sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expanding substantially due to many variables, including strong economic growth, a swiftly growing population, and continuous modernization endeavors. As a result, the development of the construction industry is leading to adverse impacts on energy consumption and environmental conditions. The UAE government and policymakers have implemented significant initiatives to advance sustainable infrastructure, promote clean energy utilization, effectively manage construction and demolition waste (CDW), and foster green building development. These measures follow the nation’s dedication to the Paris Agreement, which aims to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The article comprehensively examines the policies and practices implemented in this industrialized nation concerning sustainable construction. Moreover, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the UAE in comparison to other countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concerning their accomplishments in sustainability. Additionally, the study seeks to integrate insights from the global community regarding sustainability policies, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the effective management of CDW, and the implementation of green regulations that govern environmentally conscious construction practices. A comprehensive analysis of information sources from official websites, particularly those of the ministry and key government agencies, is conducted to better understand the current sustainability policies and treatment methods related to the management of CDW and green building regulations.
Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Concrete Incorporating Steel Slag Powder as Filler under the Combined Damage of Temperature and Moisture
Authors: Liu Shiquan , Zhang Zhipeng , Wang Ruiyang
Published: October 2023

Recycling steel slag into asphalt concrete is an important way to save natural resources and protect the environment. The high asphalt absorption and adsorption and the sensitivity of steel slag aggregate (SSA) to the combined damage of temperature and moisture (volume expansion and poor durability under freeze-thaw cycle damage) still pose risks for the use of SSA in asphalt concrete. It is urgent to develop new utilization methods of steel slag. With this in mind, the material properties of steel slag powder (SSP) and performance characteristics of asphalt concrete incorporating SSP filler were evaluated in this research. The SSP was prepared in the laboratory by grinding steel slag with a particle size of 2.36–4.75 mm. Firstly, the material properties of SSP including the specific surface area, particle gradation, apparent density, chemical compositions, and thermal stability were analyzed. Steel slag (2.36–4.75 mm) and common limestone powder (LP) filler were used as control groups. The grindability of steel slag and the advantages of using SSP as a filler in asphalt concrete were preliminarily analyzed based on the test results of material properties. Then, the Superpave method was used to design asphalt concrete incorporating SSP and LP. Considering that steel slag is sensitive to the combined damage of temperature and moisture, the main engineering performance of asphalt concrete after the combined damage of temperature and moisture was evaluated to further reveal the feasibility of using SSP as a filler. Two combined damage modes, namely hot water damage and freeze-thaw cycle damage, were applied. Results suggest that although the steel slag is more difficult to grind compared to limestone particles, grinding steel slag into SSP has improved the uniformity of its material properties. Good uniformity of material properties, high alkalinity, and excellent thermal stability of SSP give it some advantages in its application in asphalt concrete. Although the freeze-thaw cycle damage has a slightly more significant effect on the engineering performance of asphalt concrete than hot water damage, compared to the asphalt concrete with LP filler, even after freeze-thaw cycle damage for three cycles asphalt concrete incorporating SSP still possesses comparable or better volume stability, mechanical performance, high-temperature deformation resistance, low-temperature crack resistance, fatigue crack resistance, and fatigue durability.
Estimation of Multiple Breaks in Panel Data Models Based on a Modified Screening and Ranking Algorithm
Authors: Li Fuxiao , Xiao Yanting , Chen Zhanshou
Published: October 2023

Structural breaks are often encountered in empirical studies with large panels. This paper considers the estimation of multiple breaks in the mean of panel data model based on a modified screening and ranking algorithm. This algorithm satisfies symmetry and is suitable for both cases where the jump size of break points is positive and negative. The break points are first initially screened based on the adaptive Fisher’s statistic, followed by further screening of the break points using the threshold criterion, and finally the final break points are screened using the information criterion. Furthermore, the consistency of the break point estimators is proved. The Monte Carlo simulation results show that the proposed method performs well even if the error terms are serially correlated or cross-sectionally correlated. Finally, two empirical examples illustrate the use of this method.
A New Sine-Based Distributional Method with Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Natures: Control Chart with Industrial Implication
Authors: Alshanbari Huda M. , Rao Gadde Srinivasa , Seong Jin-Taek , Khosa Saima K.
Published: October 2023

Control charts are widely used in quality control and industrial sectors. Because of their important role, researchers are focusing on the development of new control charts. According to our study, there is no significant amount of published work on control charts using trigonometrically generated distribution methods. In this paper, we contribute to this interesting research gap by developing a new control chart using a sine-based distributional method. The proposed distributional method (or family of probability distributions) may be called a new modified sine-G family of distributions. Based on the new modified sine-G method, a novel modification of the Weibull distribution, namely, a new modified sine-Weibull distribution, is introduced. The new modified sine-Weibull distribution is flexible enough to capture symmetrical and asymmetrical behaviors of its density function. An industrial application is considered to show the importance and implacability of the proposed distribution in quality control. Based on the proposed model, an attribute control chart is developed under a truncated life test. The control chart limits (ARLs) are also computed for the proposed model. The ARLs of the proposed control chart are compared with the attribute control chart of the Weibull distribution. The results show that the developed chart is more efficient than the existing attribute control chart for the Weibull distribution.
Subject Embedding, Relationship Interaction, and Resource Integration: The Value Co-Creation Mechanism in Rural Communities
Authors: Wu Yingqiu , Xu Lu , Lin Jianwu , Ghani Muhammad Imran
Published: October 2023

Globalization and urbanization have reshaped the way that service ecosystem subjects interact with each other in rural communities, providing conditions and possibilities for realizing value co-creation in rural communities. Therefore, this study selected rural communities in Guiyang City, China, as research subjects and explored the value co-creation mechanism in rural communities from the perspective of service ecosystems. The authors construct a theoretical framework encompassing “value co-creation conditions, value co-creation processes, and value co-creation results”. The study found that the core mechanism in the process of value co-creation is “subject embedding, relationship interaction, and resource integration”. At the macro level, resource sharing is achieved through complex and heterogeneous interactions among multiple subjects, under the influence of institutions, policies, and cultures. At the meso level, organizations complement each other’s resources through the cooperation and empowerment of other actors horizontally, under the influence of structure, function, and rules. At the micro level, individuals optimize resources through cooperative and empowering interactions, under the influence of motivations and value preferences. Finally, the integration of individual, organizational, and overall values constitutes public values, under the joint cross-level action of institutional and cultural elements. This study provides a new theoretical perspective for exploring the value co-creation mechanism in rural communities and provides important practical insights for promoting the sustainable development of rural communities.
Redefining the Taxonomic Boundaries of Genus Xanthomonas
Authors: Bansal Kanika , Kumar Sanjeet , Singh Anu , Chaudhary Arushi , Patil Prabhu B.
Published: October 2023

The genus Xanthomonas primarily comprises phytopathogenic species. By carrying out deep phylo-taxonogenomics, we recently reported that the genera Xylella, Stenotrophomonas, and Pseudoxanthomonas are misclassified and belong to the genus Xanthomonas. Considering the importance of Xanthomonas/Xylella as plant pathogens and to further determine the taxonomic and phylogenetic breadth of this genus, we extended our earlier study by including all the reported genera and families in the order. This investigation revealed that at least four more genera belong to the genus Xanthomonas, with a notable case being Lysobacter, after which the family and order are named. Similarly, our investigation also allowed us to reveal the expanded taxonomic breadth of the related genus Rhodanobacter. This finding of a major related genus that lacks plant pathogenic species will allow for taxonomy-based comparative studies. The phylo-taxonogenomic revelations were further supported by complete 16S rRNA-based sequence boundaries proposed for genus delineation. Accordingly, we propose a taxonomic revision of these major and closely related genera along with their constituent families within the order Lysobacteraceae (Xanthomonadaceae). The identification of a major related genus lacking plant pathogenic species will be important in investigating the origin and success of pathogenic species/lineages in the genus Xanthomonas.
Serological and Molecular Epidemiology of Chikungunya Virus Infection in Vietnam, 2017–2019
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Vu , Ngwe Tun Mya Myat , Cao Minh Thang , Dao Huy Manh , Luong Chan Quang , Huynh Thi Kim Loan , Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuong , Hoang Thi Nhu Dao , Morita Kouichi , Le Thi Quynh Mai , Pham Quang Duy , Takamatsu Yuki , Hasebe Futoshi
Published: October 2023

Chikungunya fever is an acute febrile illness caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Since 1965, only a few studies with limited scope have been conducted on CHIKV in Vietnam. Thus, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of CHIKV infection among febrile patients in Vietnam from 2017 to 2019. A total of 1063 serum samples from 31 provinces were collected and tested for anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG ELISA. The 50% focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT50) was used to confirm CHIKV-neutralizing antibodies. Quantitative real-time RT–PCR (RT–qPCR) was performed to confirm the presence of the CHIKV genome. The results showed that 15.9% (169/1063) of the patients had anti-CHIKV IgM antibodies, 20.1% (214/1063) had anti-CHIKV IgG antibodies, 10.4% (111/1063) had CHIKV-neutralizing antibodies, and 27.7% (130/469) of the samples were positive in RT–qPCR analysis. The E1 CHIKV genome sequences were detected among the positive RT–qPCR samples. Our identified sequences belonged to the East/Central/South/African (ECSA) genotype, which has been prevalent in Vietnam previously, suggesting CHIKV has been maintained and is endemic in Vietnam. This study demonstrates a high prevalence of CHIKV infection in Vietnam and calls for an annual surveillance program to understand its impact.
Remdesivir or Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Therapy for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hematological Patients and Cell Therapy Recipients
Authors: Piñana José Luis , Heras Inmaculada , Aiello Tommaso Francesco , García-Cadenas Irene , Vazquez Lourdes , Lopez-Jimenez Javier , Chorão Pedro , Aroca Cristina , García-Vidal Carolina , Arroyo Ignacio , Soler-Espejo Eva , López-Corral Lucia , Avendaño-Pita Alejandro , Arrufat Anna , Garcia-Gutierrez Valentín , Arellano Elena , Hernández-Medina Lorena , González-Santillana Clara , Morell Julia , Hernández-Rivas José Ángel , Rodriguez-Galvez Paula , Mico-Cerdá Mireia , Guerreiro Manuel , Campos Diana , Navarro David , Cedillo Ángel , Martino Rodrigo , Solano Carlos
Published: October 2023

Background: Scarce data exist that analyze the outcomes of hematological patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron variant period who received treatment with remdesivir or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Methods: This study aims to address this issue by using a retrospective observational registry, created by the Spanish Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group, spanning from 27 December 2021 to 30 April 2023. Results: This study included 466 patients, 243 (52%) who were treated with remdesivir and 223 (48%) with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was primarily used for mild cases, resulting in a lower COVID-19-related mortality rate (1.3%), while remdesivir was preferred for moderate to severe cases (40%), exhibiting a higher mortality rate (9%). A multivariate analysis in the remdesivir cohort showed that male gender (odds ratio (OR) 0.35, p = 0.042) correlated with a lower mortality risk, while corticosteroid use (OR 9.4, p < 0.001) and co-infection (OR 2.8, p = 0.047) were linked to a higher mortality risk. Prolonged virus shedding was common, with 52% of patients shedding the virus for more than 25 days. In patients treated with remdesivir, factors associated with prolonged shedding included B-cell malignancy as well as underlying disease, severe disease, a later onset of and shorter duration of remdesivir treatment and a higher baseline viral load. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir demonstrated a comparable safety profile to remdesivir, despite a higher risk of drug interactions. Conclusions: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir proved to be a safe and effective option for treating mild cases in the outpatient setting, while remdesivir was preferred for severe cases, where corticosteroids and co-infection significantly predicted worse outcomes. Despite antiviral therapy, prolonged shedding remains a matter of concern.