bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Diet and Exercise on Circadian Rhythm: Role of Gut Microbiota in Immune and Metabolic Systems
Authors: Cai Yidan , Liu Yanan , Wu Zufang , Wang Jing , Zhang Xin
Published: June 2023

A close relationship exists between the intestinal microbiota and the circadian rhythm, which is mainly regulated by the central-biological-clock system and the peripheral-biological-clock system. At the same time, the intestinal flora also reflects a certain rhythmic oscillation. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle will lead to immune and metabolic diseases. A large number of studies have shown that the human body can be influenced in its immune regulation, energy metabolism and expression of biological-clock genes through diet, including fasting, and exercise, with intestinal flora as the vector, thereby reducing the incidence rates of diseases. This article mainly discusses the effects of diet and exercise on the intestinal flora and the immune and metabolic systems from the perspective of the circadian rhythm, which provides a more effective way to prevent immune and metabolic diseases by modulating intestinal microbiota.
Hyperhalophilic Diatom Extract Protects against Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats and Human HepG2 and HEK293 Cells
Authors: Guermazi Wassim , Boukhris Saoussan , Annabi-Trabelsi Neila , Rebai Tarek , Sellami-Kamoun Alya , Aldahmash Waleed , Plavan Gabriel Ionut , Harrath Abdel Halim , Ayadi Habib
Published: June 2023

This work investigated the protective effects of microalga Halamphora sp. extract (HExt), a nutraceutical and pharmacological natural product, on human lead-intoxicated liver and kidney cells in vitro and in vivo in Wistar rats. The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293 were used for the in vitro study. The analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters in the extract was performed via GC/MS. The cells were pretreated with HExt at 100 µg mL−1, followed by treatment with different concentrations of lead acetate, ranging from 25 to 200 µM for 24 h. The cultures were incubated (5% CO, 37 °C) for 24 h. Four groups, each containing six rats, were used for the in vivo experiment. The rats were exposed to subchronic treatment with a low dose of lead acetate (5 mg kg−1 b.w. per day). Pretreating HepG2 and HEK293 cells with the extract (100 µg mL−1) significantly (p < 0.05) protected against the cytotoxicity induced by lead exposure. For the in vivo experiment, the biochemical parameters in serum—namely, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)—were measured in the organ homogenate supernatants. HExt was found to be rich in fatty acids, mainly palmitic and palmitoleic acids (29.464% and 42.066%, respectively). In both the in vitro and in vivo experiments, cotreatment with HExt protected the liver and kidney cell structures and significantly preserved the normal antioxidant and biochemical parameters in rats. This study discovered the possible protective effect of HExt, which could be beneficial for Pb-intoxicated cells.
Enhancement of Scaffold In Vivo Biodegradability for Bone Regeneration Using P28 Peptide Formulations
Authors: Azaman Farah Alwani , Brennan Fournet Margaret E. , Sheikh Ab Hamid Suzina , Zawawi Muhamad Syahrul Fitri , da Silva Junior Valdemiro Amaro , Devine Declan M.
Published: June 2023

The field of bone tissue engineering has shown a great variety of bone graft substitute materials under development to date, with the aim to reconstruct new bone tissue while maintaining characteristics close to the native bone. Currently, insufficient scaffold degradation remains the critical limitation for the success of tailoring the bone formation turnover rate. This study examines novel scaffold formulations to improve the degradation rate in vivo, utilising chitosan (CS), hydroxyapatite (HAp) and fluorapatite (FAp) at different ratios. Previously, the P28 peptide was reported to present similar, if not better performance in new bone production to its native protein, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), in promoting osteogenesis in vivo. Therefore, various P28 concentrations were incorporated into the CS/HAp/FAp scaffolds for implantation in vivo. H&E staining shows minimal scaffold traces in most of the defects induced after eight weeks, showing the enhanced biodegradability of the scaffolds in vivo. The HE stain highlighted the thickened periosteum indicating a new bone formation in the scaffolds, where CS/HAp/FAp/P28 75 µg and CS/HAp/FAp/P28 150 µg showed the cortical and trabecular thickening. CS/HAp/FAp 1:1 P28 150 µg scaffolds showed a higher intensity of calcein green label with the absence of xylenol orange label, which indicates that mineralisation and remodelling was not ongoing four days prior to sacrifice. Conversely, double labelling was observed in the CS/HAp/FAp 1:1 P28 25 µg and CS/HAp/FAp/P28 75 µg, which indicates continued mineralisation at days ten and four prior to sacrifice. Based on the HE and fluorochrome label, CS/HAp/FAp 1:1 with P28 peptides presented a consistent positive osteoinduction following the implantation in the femoral condyle defects. These results show the ability of this tailored formulation to improve the scaffold degradation for bone regeneration and present a cost-effective alternative to BMP-2.
The Reliability of PCL/Anti-VEGF Electrospun Scaffolds to Support Limbal Stem Cells for Corneal Repair
Authors: Zdraveva Emilija , Dolenec Tamara , Tominac Trcin Mirna , Govorčin Bajsić Emi , Holjevac Grgurić Tamara , Tomljenović Antoneta , Dekaris Iva , Jelić Josip , Mijovic Budimir
Published: June 2023

Since only few reported studies propose anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) delivery through electrospun scaffolds, this study greatly contributes to the potential prevention of patient’s vision loss, as it explores electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) coated with anti-VEGF for the blockage of abnormal cornea vascularization. In terms of physicochemical properties, the biological component increased the PCL scaffold fiber diameter (by ~24%) and pore area (by ~82%), while ut slightly reduced its total porosity as the anti-VEGF solution filled the voids of the microfibrous structure. The addition of the anti-VEGF increased the scaffold stiffness almost three-fold at both strains of 5 and 10%, as well as its biodegradation rate (~36% after 60 days) with a sustained release profile after Day 4 of phosphate buffered saline incubation. In terms of scaffold application function, the PCL/Anti-VEGF scaffold proved to be more favorable for the adhesion of cultured limbal stem cells (LSCs); this was confirmed by the SEM images, where the cells showed flat and elongated conformations. Further support of the LSC growth and proliferation was confirmed by the identified p63 and CK3 markers after cell staining. These results demonstrate the advantageous effect of the surface-adsorbed anti-VEGF to stop vision loss and help damaged corneal tissue repair.
In Situ Redox Synthesis of Highly Stable Au/Electroactive Polyimide Composite and Its Application on 4-Nitrophenol Reduction
Authors: Chen Yi-Sheng , Shi Wei-Zhong , Luo Kun-Hao , Yeh Jui-Ming , Tsai Mei-Hui
Published: June 2023

In this study, we developed a series of Au/electroactive polyimide (Au/EPI-5) composite for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) using NaBH4 as a reducing agent at room temperature. The electroactive polyimide (EPI-5) synthesis was performed by chemical imidization of its 4,4′-(4.4′-isopropylidene-diphenoxy) bis (phthalic anhydride) (BSAA) and amino-capped aniline pentamer (ACAP). In addition, prepare different concentrations of Au ions through the in-situ redox reaction of EPI-5 to obtain Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and anchored on the surface of EPI-5 to form series of Au/EPI-5 composite. Using SEM and HR-TEM confirm the particle size (23–113 nm) of the reduced AuNPs increases with the increase of the concentration. Based on CV studies, the redox capability of as-prepared electroactive materials was found to show an increase trend: 1Au/EPI-5 < 3Au/EPI-5 < 5Au/EPI-5. The series of Au/EPI-5 composites showed good stability and catalytic activity for the reaction of 4-NP to 4-AP. Especially, the 5Au/EPI-5 composite shows the highest catalytic activity when applied for the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP within 17 min. The rate constant and kinetic activity energy were calculated to be 1.1 × 10−3 s−1 and 38.9 kJ/mol, respectively. Following a reusability test repeated 10 times, the 5Au/EPI-5 composite maintained a conversion rate higher than 95%. Finally, this study elaborates the mechanism of the catalytic reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP.
Exploring Fully Biobased Adhesives: Sustainable Kraft Lignin and 5-HMF Adhesive for Particleboards
Authors: Dorn Liam , Thirion Arthur , Ghorbani Masoumeh , Olaechea Luis M. , Mayer Ingo
Published: June 2023

Most adhesives used in the wood-based panel (WBP) industry are petroleum-based and are associated with environmental impact and price fluctuations. Furthermore, most have potential adverse health impacts, such as formaldehyde emissions. This has led to interest from the WBP industry in developing adhesives with bio-based and/or non-hazardous components. This research focuses on the replacement of phenol-formaldehyde resins by Kraft lignin for phenol substitution and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) for formaldehyde substitution. Resin development and optimization was carried out regarding varying parameters such as molar ratio, temperature or pH. The adhesive properties were analyzed using a rheometer, gel timer and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The bonding performances were evaluated using an Automated Bonding Evaluation System (ABES). Particleboards were produced using a hot press, and their internal bond strength (IB) was evaluated according to SN EN 319. Hardening of the adhesive could be achieved at low temperatures by increasing or decreasing the pH. The most promising results were obtained at pH 13.7. The adhesive performances were improved by adding filler and extender (up to 28.6% based on dry resin) and several boards were produced reaching P1 requirements. A particleboard achieved a mean IB of 0.29 N/mm2, almost reaching almost P2 requirements. However, adhesive reactivity and strength must be improved for industrial use.
Hot Consolidation of Titanium Powders
Authors: Pribytkov Gennady A. , Firsina Irina A. , Baranovskiy Anton V. , Krivopalov Vladimir P.
Published: June 2023

A novel method of the hot consolidation metal powders with shear deformation is proposed. The powders were encapsulated into tight containers and compacted after short-term heating in a furnace preheated to 900 °C. The method prevents powder oxidation, peripheral spalling and ensures the removal of the oxide films from the powder surfaces. Commercial titanium powders of different dispersivities and impurity concentrations were hot-compacted. The microstructure, hardness and bending strength of the compacts were investigated. The compacts from fine PTOM-1 powder, containing 0.32% of hydrogen, reveal the greatest values of the hardness and bending strength. Additional annealing results in 60% increase in the bending strength.
Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey
Authors: Cowley-Court Tessa , Chenhall Richard , Sarris Jerome , Bouso José Carlos , Tófoli Luís Fernando , Opaleye Emérita Sátiro , Schubert Violeta , Perkins Daniel
Published: June 2023

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant medicine being explored for its potential therapeutic uses in Western contexts. Preliminary studies link ayahuasca use with improvements across a range of mental health indicators, but studies have not yet explored qualitative aspects of the post-treatment process known in the psychedelic literature as “integration”. This includes how participants make sense of their ayahuasca experiences and minimise harm/maximise benefits after ayahuasca use. A global online survey, conducted between 2017 and 2019, collected responses from 1630 ayahuasca drinkers (50.4% male, mean age = 43 years) to an open-ended question about their integration experiences after consuming ayahuasca. Inductive codebook thematic analysis was used to identify themes in participants’ integration experiences. Participants described integration experiences in three main ways. First, was an overall appraisal of the integration experience (e.g., as easy, challenging, or long-term/ongoing). Second, was describing beneficial tools which facilitated integration (e.g., connecting with a like-minded community and ongoing practice of yoga, meditation, journaling, etc.). Third, was describing integration challenges (e.g., feeling disconnected, going back to “old life” with new understandings, etc.). These findings suggest that integrating ayahuasca experiences can be challenging and take considerable time, though working through integration challenges may facilitate positive growth. Findings also challenge the role of individual psychotherapy as the primary integration tool in Western psychedelic therapy, suggesting that communal and somatic elements may also be useful. An expanded definition of psychedelic integration is proposed which includes working with integration challenges and adjusting to life changes.
Environmental and Volcanic Implications of Volatile Output in the Atmosphere of Vulcano Island Detected Using SO2 Plume (2021–23)
Authors: Vita Fabio , Schiavo Benedetto , Inguaggiato Claudio , Inguaggiato Salvatore , Mazot Agnes
Published: June 2023

The volatiles released by the volcanic structures of the world contribute to natural environmental pollution both during the passive and active degassing stages. The Island of Vulcano is characterized by solfataric degassing mainly localized in the summit part (Fossa crater) and in the peripheral part in the Levante Bay. The normal solfataric degassing (high-temperature fumarolic area of the summit and boiling fluids emitted in the Levante Bay area), established after the last explosive eruption of 1888–90, is periodically interrupted by geochemical crises characterized by anomalous degassing that are attributable to increased volcanic inputs, which determine a sharp increase in the degassing rate. In this work, we have used the data acquired from the INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) geochemical monitoring networks to identify, evaluate, and monitor the geochemical variations of the extensive parameters, such as the SO2 flux from the volcanic plume (solfataric cloud) and the CO2 flux from the soil in the summit area outside the fumaroles areas. The increase in the flux of volatiles started in June–July 2021 and reached its maximum in November of the same year. In particular, the mean monthly flux of SO2 plume of 22 tons day−1 (t d−1) and of CO2 from the soil of 1570 grams per square meter per day (g m2 d−1) increased during this event up to 89 t d−1 and 11,596 g m2 d−1, respectively, in November 2021. The average annual baseline value of SO2 output was estimated at 7700 t d−1 during normal solfataric activity. Instead, this outgassing increased to 18,000 and 24,000 t d−1 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, indicating that the system is still in an anomalous phase of outgassing and shows no signs of returning to the pre-crisis baseline values. In fact, in the first quarter of 2023, the SO2 output shows average values comparable to those emitted in 2022. Finally, the dispersion maps of SO2 on the island of Vulcano have been produced and have indicated that the areas close to the fumarolic source are characterized by concentrations of SO2 in the atmosphere higher than those permitted by European legislation (40 μg m−3 for 24 h of exposition) on human health.
Spatial-Temporal Characteristics and Driving Forces of Aboveground Biomass in Desert Steppes of Inner Mongolia, China in the Past 20 Years
Authors: Wu Nitu , Liu Guixiang , Wuyun Deji , Yi Bole , Du Wala , Han Guodong
Published: June 2023

The desert steppe serves as a transitional zone between grasslands and deserts, and long-term monitoring of aboveground biomass (AGB) in the desert steppe is essential for understanding grassland changes. While AGB observation techniques based on multisource remote-sensing data and machine-learning algorithms have been widely applied, research on monitoring methods specifically for the desert steppe remains limited. In this study, we focused on the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia, China, as the study area and used field sampling data, MODIS data, MODIS-based vegetation indices (VI), and environmental factors (topography, climate, and soil) to compare the performance of four commonly used machine-learning algorithms: multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least-squares regression (PLS), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) in AGB estimation. Based on the optimal model, the spatial–temporal characteristics of AGB from 2000 to 2020 were calculated, and the driving forces of climate change and human activities on AGB changes were quantitatively analyzed using the random forest algorithm. The results are as follows: (1) RF demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of prediction accuracy and model robustness, making it suitable for AGB estimation in the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia; (2) VI contributed the most to the model, and no significant difference was found between soil-adjusted VIs and traditional VIs. Elevation, slope, precipitation, and temperature all had positive effects on the model; (3) from 2000 to 2020, the multiyear average AGB in the study area was 58.34 g/m2, exhibiting a gradually increasing distribution pattern from the inner region to the outer region (from north to south); (4) from 2000 to 2020, the proportions of grassland with AGB slightly and significantly increasing trend in the study area were 87.08% and 5.13%, respectively, while the proportions of grassland with AGB slightly and significantly decreasing trend were 7.76% and 0.05%, respectively; and (5) over the past 20 years, climate change, particularly precipitation, has been the primary driving force behind AGB changes of the study area. This research holds reference value for improving desert steppe monitoring capabilities and the rational planning of grassland resources.
Mapping Water Levels across a Region of the Cuvette Centrale Peatland Complex
Authors: Georgiou Selena , Mitchard Edward T. A. , Crezee Bart , Dargie Greta C. , Young Dylan M. , Jovani-Sancho Antonio J. , Kitambo Benjamin , Papa Fabrice , Bocko Yannick E. , Bola Pierre , Crabtree Dafydd E. , Emba Ovide B. , Ewango Corneille E. N. , Girkin Nicholas T. , Ifo Suspense A. , Kanyama Joseph T. , Mampouya Yeto Emmanuel Wenina , Mbemba Mackline , Ndjango Jean-Bosco N. , Palmer Paul. I. , Sjögersten Sofie , Lewis Simon L.
Published: June 2023

Inundation dynamics are the primary control on greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands. Situated in the central Congo Basin, the Cuvette Centrale is the largest tropical peatland complex. However, our knowledge of the spatial and temporal variations in its water levels is limited. By addressing this gap, we can quantify the relationship between the Cuvette Centrale’s water levels and greenhouse gas emissions, and further provide a baseline from which deviations caused by climate or land-use change can be observed, and their impacts understood. We present here a novel approach that combines satellite-derived rainfall, evapotranspiration and L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to estimate spatial and temporal changes in water level across a sub-region of the Cuvette Centrale. Our key outputs are a map showing the spatial distribution of rainfed and flood-prone locations and a daily, 100 m resolution map of peatland water levels. This map is validated using satellite altimetry data and in situ water table data from water loggers. We determine that 50% of peatlands within our study area are largely rainfed, and a further 22.5% are somewhat rainfed, receiving hydrological input mostly from rainfall (directly and via surface/sub-surface inputs in sloped areas). The remaining 27.5% of peatlands are mainly situated in riverine floodplain areas to the east of the Congo River and between the Ubangui and Congo rivers. The mean amplitude of the water level across our study area and over a 20-month period is 22.8 ± 10.1 cm to 1 standard deviation. Maximum temporal variations in water levels occur in the riverine floodplain areas and in the inter-fluvial region between the Ubangui and Congo rivers. Our results show that spatial and temporal changes in water levels can be successfully mapped over tropical peatlands using the pattern of net water input (rainfall minus evapotranspiration, not accounting for run-off) and L-band SAR data.
YOLO-GW: Quickly and Accurately Detecting Pedestrians in a Foggy Traffic Environment
Authors: Liu Xinchao , Lin Yier
Published: June 2023

In practice, the object detection algorithm is limited by a complex detection environment, hardware costs, computing power, and chip running memory. The performance of the detector will be greatly reduced during operation. Determining how to realize real-time, fast, and high-precision pedestrian recognition in a foggy traffic environment is a very challenging problem. To solve this problem, the dark channel de-fogging algorithm is added to the basis of the YOLOv7 algorithm, which effectively improves the de-fogging efficiency of the dark channel through the methods of down-sampling and up-sampling. In order to further improve the accuracy of the YOLOv7 object detection algorithm, the ECA module and a detection head are added to the network to improve object classification and regression. Moreover, an 864 × 864 network input size is used for model training to improve the accuracy of the object detection algorithm for pedestrian recognition. Then the combined pruning strategy was used to improve the optimized YOLOv7 detection model, and finally, the optimization algorithm YOLO-GW was obtained. Compared with YOLOv7 object detection, YOLO-GW increased Frames Per Second (FPS) by 63.08%, mean Average Precision (mAP) increased by 9.06%, parameters decreased by 97.66%, and volume decreased by 96.36%. Smaller training parameters and model space make it possible for the YOLO-GW target detection algorithm to be deployed on the chip. Through analysis and comparison of experimental data, it is concluded that YOLO-GW is more suitable for pedestrian detection in a fog environment than YOLOv7.
Thrust Vectoring Control for Heavy UAVs, Employing a Redundant Communication System
Authors: Ale Isaac Mohammad Sadeq , Ragab Ahmed Refaat , Luna Marco Andrés , Ale Eshagh Khoeini Mohammad Mehdi , Campoy Pascual
Published: June 2023

Recently, various research studies have been developed to address communication sensors for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). In particular, when pondering control difficulties, communication is a crucial component. To this end, strengthening a control algorithm with redundant linking sensors ensures the overall system works accurately, even if some components fail. This paper proposes a novel approach to integrate several sensors and actuators for a heavy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Additionally, a cutting-edge Robust Thrust Vectoring Control (RTVC) technique is designed to control various communicative modules during a flying mission and converge the attitude system to stability. The results of the study demonstrate that even though RTVC is not frequently utilized, it works as well as cascade PID controllers, particularly for multi-rotors with mounted flaps, and could be perfectly functional in UAVs powered by thermal engines to increase the autonomy since the propellers cannot be used as controller surfaces.
Diagnosing Time-Varying Harmonics in Low-k Oxide Thin Film (SiOF) Deposition by Using HDP CVD
Authors: Park Yonggyun , Liu Pengzhan , Lee Seunghwan , Cho Jinill , Joo Eric , Kim Hyeong-U , Kim Taesung
Published: June 2023

This study identified time-varying harmonic characteristics in a high-density plasma (HDP) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber by depositing low-k oxide (SiOF). The characteristics of harmonics are caused by the nonlinear Lorentz force and the nonlinear nature of the sheath. In this study, a noninvasive directional coupler was used to collect harmonic power in the forward and reverse directions, which were low frequency (LF) and high bias radio frequency (RF). The intensity of the 2nd and 3rd harmonics responded to the LF power, pressure, and gas flow rate introduced for plasma generation. Meanwhile, the intensity of the 6th harmonic responded to the oxygen fraction in the transition step. The intensity of the 7th (forward) and 10th (in reverse) harmonic of the bias RF power depended on the underlying layers (silicon rich oxide (SRO) and undoped silicate glass (USG)) and the deposition of the SiOF layer. In particular, the 10th (reverse) harmonic of the bias RF power was identified using electrodynamics in a double capacitor model of the plasma sheath and the deposited dielectric material. The plasma-induced electronic charging effect on the deposited film resulted in the time-varying characteristic of the 10th harmonic (in reverse) of the bias RF power. The wafer-to-wafer consistency and stability of the time-varying characteristic were investigated. The findings of this study can be applied to in situ diagnosis of SiOF thin film deposition and optimization of the deposition process.
Estimation of Spatio-Temporal Parameters of Gait and Posture of Visually Impaired People Using Wearable Sensors
Authors: Reyes Leiva Karla Miriam , Gato Miguel Ángel Cuba , Olmedo José Javier Serrano
Published: June 2023

In rehabilitating orientation and mobility (O&M) for visually impaired people (VIP), the measurement of spatio-temporal gait and postural parameters is of specific interest for rehabilitators to assess performance and improvements in independent mobility. In the current practice of rehabilitation worldwide, this assessment is carried out in people with estimates made visually. The objective of this research was to propose a simple architecture based on the use of wearable inertial sensors for quantitative estimation of distance traveled, step detection, gait velocity, step length and postural stability. These parameters were calculated using absolute orientation angles. Two different sensing architectures were tested for gait according to a selected biomechanical model. The validation tests included five different walking tasks. There were nine visually impaired volunteers in real-time acquisitions, where the volunteers walked indoor and outdoor distances at different gait velocities in their residences. The ground truth gait characteristics of the volunteers in five walking tasks and an assessment of the natural posture during the walking tasks are also presented in this article. One of the proposed methods was selected for presenting the lowest absolute error of the calculated parameters in all of the traveling experimentations: 45 walking tasks between 7 and 45 m representing a total of 1039 m walked and 2068 steps; the step length measurement was 4.6 ± 6.7 cm with a mean of 56 cm (11.59 Std) and 1.5 ± 1.6 relative error in step count, which compromised the distance traveled and gait velocity measurements, presenting an absolute error of 1.78 ± 1.80 m and 7.1 ± 7.2 cm/s, respectively. The results suggest that the proposed method and its architecture could be used as a tool for assistive technology designed for O&M training to assess gait parameters and/or navigation, and that a sensor placed in the dorsal area is sufficient to detect noticeable postural changes that compromise heading, inclinations and balancing in walking tasks.
Experiential Learning: Conferences as a Tool to Develop Students’ Understanding of Community-Engaged Research
Authors: Zaharatos Maria , Meyer Carolyn Taylor , Hernandez-Webster Julian
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this paper of practice is to explore the use of a “Conference as Curriculum” model to develop student understanding of critical approaches and challenges and opportunities in the field of community-engaged research (CER). Two higher education institutions in California’s Monterey County sent 22 students to the “All-In: Co-Creating Knowledge for Justice” Conference in Santa Cruz, California USA in October 2022. The undergraduate and graduate students were funded through their academic institutions and accompanied by faculty and staff working on community-engaged research. Participation in the conference involved a pre- and post-conference convening to prepare students for the conference and then guide students through reflections on their learning and future work. The experiential learning activities offered in conjunction with the students’ conference attendance were designed to: (1) foster students’ connection to the community and each other; (2) develop students’ understanding of community-engaged research; and (3) build students’ professional acumen through attending a professional conference. Two authors of this article share their experience as student attendees at the conference. The student vignettes provide insight on the authors’ learning experiences and offer design implications for the use of cohort conference attendance as an experiential learning activity. The article presents a conference experiential learning model that could be replicated and modified by other higher education institutions. We also place the project within a greater inter-institutional initiative to build a model for community-driven collaborations that seeks to address challenges surrounding higher education engagement with local nonprofits and governments.
Spatial Distribution of Future Demand for Space Cooling Applications and Potential of Solar Thermal Cooling Systems
Authors: Strobel Michael , Jakob Uli , Streicher Wolfgang , Neyer Daniel
Published: June 2023

Demand for space cooling systems is growing worldwide. The main reasons are socioeconomic developments such as the growing world population and the rise of economic wealth, especially in developing countries. These developments run simultaneously with global warming effects, increasing the need for cooling. This study introduces the development of the Cooling Demand Market Index (CDMI), which indicates the demand for cooling appliances worldwide at a spatial resolution of 1 km. It is based on population density, Gross Domestic Product (GDP)/capita and Cooling Degree Days (CDD) per climate zone. The CDMI is calculated for 2020 and 2050 in four different future scenarios in accordance with the Spatial Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP). Further, the Solar Thermal Cooling Index (STCI) was developed to spatially estimate the worldwide potential to use solar thermal cooling systems based on solar availability and limitations due to maximum heat rejection temperature. Results of the CDMI show that the economic demand for cooling solutions is increasing, especially in developing countries, and that India will be by far the largest market by 2050. Countries such as Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo show the strongest national increases in CDMI. The STCI indicates that ammonia absorption chillers and zeolite adsorption chillers can serve the vast majority of the market thanks to their capability to run at high condenser temperatures.
Fiscal Policy, Oil Price, Foreign Direct Investment, and Renewable Energy—A Path to Sustainable Development in South Africa
Authors: Maarof Mamon Adam , Ahmed Dildar Haydar , Samour Ahmed
Published: June 2023

Since South Africa is in pursuit of accomplishing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, it has become pertinent to accelerate the desired energy transition. Against this background, this work aims to evaluate the effects of oil prices, fiscal policy, and foreign direct investment on renewable energy consumption in South Africa from 1979 to 2019. Using the novel Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach, this study finds that economic growth and taxation revenues positively promote renewable energy in South Africa. In contrast, the findings show that an increase in oil prices has a negative impact on renewable energy in both short and long periods. Likewise, the research shows that foreign direct investment was not found to enhance renewable energy. The findings from fully modified-OLS, dynamic ordinary least squares, and canonical cointegrating regression models corroborate the findings of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag method. For the Granger causality inference, the findings demonstrate that there is a one-way causal connection detected from economic growth to the consumption of renewable energy. Based on these outcomes, a policy framework has been offered to help South Africa to attain the sustainable development goals.
A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Explore Barriers to the Circular Economy Implementation in the Food Supply Chain
Authors: Lotfian Delouyi Fahime , Ranjbari Meisam , Shams Esfandabadi Zahra
Published: June 2023

This research aims to identify, categorize, and prioritize the barriers hindering the implementation of the circular economy (CE) within food supply chains. To do so, a hybrid multi-criteria decision analysis method, combining a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and the analytical network process (ANP), is used to analyze multiple determinants extracted from the target literature and the expert panel opinions. As a result, the key barriers to implementing the CE in the food sector were identified and ranked through the hybrid multi-criteria decision analysis. The practicality and validity of the model in the case of causal relationships that have hindered the CE transition in the food sector in Iran, as a developing country, are examined. A total of 15 barriers in six dimensions were analyzed. The “technical and technological capabilities”, “financial issues”, and “production issues” were distinguished as the most important dimensions. Moreover, “lack of circular design and innovative packaging to reduce food waste”, “high cost of CE implementation”, and “insufficient use of reusable, recyclable, and recoverable materials” were identified as the key barriers in the CE transition in food supply chains. The findings of this study revealed that “government policies”, “culture”, and “financial issues” were the most significant “cause” dimensions, which could leverage the elimination of “effect” dimensions, including “technical and technological capabilities”, “management and collaboration issues”, and “production issues”. The identified challenges and barriers pave the way for CE implementation and outline focal points for decision makers to mobilize their efforts in this regard. The findings can effectively contribute to the domain by providing insightful guidelines for the government and associated authorities, policymakers, and all stakeholders within the food supply chain to support the CE transition in the food sector.
Landscape Ecological Risk Assessment of Zhoushan Island Based on LULC Change
Authors: Li Sizheng , Wang Liuzhu , Zhao Sheng , Gui Feng , Le Qun
Published: June 2023

Owing to limited land resources and unique ecosystems, islands face more serious ecological risks under the interference of climate change and human activities. In this study, selecting Zhoushan Island as the study area, a landscape ecological risk index model was constructed based on LULC (land use/land cover) data and the landscape ecological risks for Zhoushan Island from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the proportion of forest land and grassland remained above 70%, built-up land expanded from 52.67 km2 to 123.52 km2, and the beach area and ocean on the north side of the island decreased by 23.24 km2 and 24.87 km2, respectively; this was mainly converted into built-up land. (2) The number of landscape patches in Zhoushan Island decreased as the landscape ecological risk index decreased. The landscape ecological risk showed distinct spatial autocorrelation, with lowest-risk and medium-risk areas collectively accounting for 80% and higher-risk and highest-risk areas showing a decline. (3) The landscape ecological risks exhibited distinct spatiotemporal differences. Before 2010, the higher-risk and highest-risk areas were mainly distributed in the mudflat and ocean areas on the northern coast. After 2010, the higher-risk and highest-risk areas are mainly distributed in the central region, which comprises woodland, grassland, and built-up land.
Potential Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Water Resources in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: El-Rawy Mustafa , Fathi Heba , Zijl Wouter , Alshehri Fahad , Almadani Sattam , Zaidi Faisal K. , Aldawsri Mofleh , Gabr Mohamed Elsayed
Published: June 2023

The water supply in Saudi Arabia is already depleted. Climate change will exacerbate the demand for these resources. This paper examines how climate change affects the water demands of Saudi Arabia’s most important food crops: wheat, clover, vegetables, and dates. To reduce the adverse climate change impacts on these crops’ productivity, as well as their irrigation water requirements (IWR), a number of adaptation techniques were investigated. The study was carried out for the Ar Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, with a cultivated area of 179,730 ha. In this study, five climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) for two Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs), SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, were used to forecast and investigate the potential impacts of climate change on agricultural water resources in the Al-Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia. To simulate IWRs under the present and projected climate change scenarios, CROPWAT8.0 was used. The results showed that the maximum increase ratio in 2100 under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively, will be 4.46% and 12.11% higher than in the current case (2020). The results showed that the projected maximum temperatures in 2100 will be increased by 4.46% and 12.11%, respectively, under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, compared to the current case (2020), supporting past research on the Arabian Peninsula that revealed that both short- and long-term temperature increases are anticipated to be considerable. Under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, the projected ETo was found to be increased by 2.18% and 6.35% in 2100, respectively. Given that evapotranspiration closely mirrors the temperature behavior in the study region from June to August, our data suggest that crop and irrigation demand may increase in the mid to long term. The findings indicate that Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital and commercial hub, will require more water to irrigate agricultural land because of the expanding ETo trend. Under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, the projected growth irrigation water requirement (GIWR) will be increased by 3.1% and 6.7% in 2100, respectively. Under SSP5-8.5, crop areas of wheat, clover, dates, maize, citrus, tomato, potato, and other vegetables in Ar Riyadh will decrease by 6.56%, 7.17%, 5.90%, 6.43%, 5.47%, 6.99%, 5.21%, and 5.5%, respectively, in 2100. Conversely, under SSP2-4.5, the crop areas will decrease by 3.10%, 3.67%, 2.35%, 3.83%, 2.32%, 4.18%, 1.72%, and 2.38% in 2100, respectively. This research could aid in clarifying the adverse climate change impacts on GIWR in Ar Riyad, as well as improving water resource management planning.
Using C2X to Explore the Uncertainty of In Situ Chlorophyll-a and Improve the Accuracy of Inversion Models
Authors: Li Wen , Zhou Yadong , Yang Fan , Liu Hui , Yang Xiaoqin , Fu Congju , He Baoyin
Published: June 2023

Quality water plays a huge role in human life. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in water bodies is a direct reflection of the population size of the primary productivity of various phytoplankton species in the water body and can provide critical information on the health of water ecosystems and the pollution status of water quality. Case 2 Regional CoastColour (C2RCC) is a networked atmospheric correction processor introduced by the Sentinel Application Platform for various remote sensing products. Among them, the Extreme Case-2 Waters (C2X) process has demonstrated advantages in inland complex waters, enabling the generation of band data, conc_chl product for Chl-a, and kd_z90max product for Secchi Depth (SD). Accurate in situ data are essential for the development of reliable Chl-a models, while in situ data measurement is limited by many factors. To explore and improve the uncertainties involved, we combined the C2X method with Sentinel-2 imagery and water quality data, taking lakes in Wuhan from 2018 to 2021 as a case. A Chl-a model was developed and validated using an empirical SD model and a neural network incorporating Trophic Level Index (TLI) to derive the predicted correction result, Chl-a_t. The results indicated that (1) the conc_chl product measured by C2X and in situ Chl-a exhibited consistent overall trends, with the highest correlation observed in the range of 2–10 μg/L. (2) The corrected Chl-a_t using the conc_chl product had a mean absolute error of approximately 10–15 μg/L and a root-mean-square error of approximately 8–10 μg/L, while using in situ Chl-a had a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of approximately 15 μg/L and a mean absolute error (MAE) of approximately 20 μg/L; both errors decreased by double after correction. (3) The correlation coefficient (R) between Chl-a_t and each data point in the Chl-a model results was lower than that of SD-a_t with each data point in the SD model results. Additionally, the difference in R-value between Chl-a_t and each data point (0.45–0.60) was larger than that of SD-a_t with each data point (0.35–0.5). (4) When using corrected Chl-a_t data to calculate the TLI estimation model, both RMSE and MAE decreased, which were 1μg/L lower than those derived from uncorrected data, while R increased, indicating an improvement in accuracy and reliability. These findings demonstrated the presence of in situ errors in Chl-a measurements, which must be acknowledged during research. This study holds practical significance as some of these errors can be effectively corrected through the use of C2X atmospheric correction on spectral bands.
An Analysis of Rural-Based Universities’ Faculty Members’ Satisfaction with E-Learning: The Case of Developing Countries
Authors: Mutambara David , Chibisa Admire
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about considerable detrimental effects on higher education, especially in developing countries. Ironically, it also contributed positively towards one sustainable development goal (SDG4) through advancement in technology, particularly the implementation and use of digital technology among academics and students. This study focused on the analysis of rural-based universities’ faculty members’ satisfaction with e-learning by seeking answers to two research questions: (1) what are the factors that influence faculty members’ satisfaction with e-learning, and (2) is there a significant difference between instructors’ and students’ satisfaction with e-learning? A combination of the expectation confirmation model (ECM) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) was employed to develop the users’ satisfaction model (USM). A survey design was used in which quantitative data were gathered using a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire. The data were analysed using partial least squares–structural equation modelling, with the help of SmartPLS3. The results showed that 81.9% of the variance in faculty members’ satisfaction with e-learning can be attributed to the seven factors of the model. Multigroup analysis also showed that the USM may be used to predict and explain faculty members’ subgroups’ satisfaction with e-learning.
Effect of Planting Geometry on Growth, Water Productivity, and Fruit Quality of Tomatoes under Different Soil Moisture Regimes
Authors: Ali Talpur Mir Moazzam , Shaghaleh Hiba , Ali Adam Hamad Amar , Chang Tingting , Zia-ur-Rehman Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Alhaj Hamoud Yousef
Published: June 2023

The present study investigated the impact of planting spacing on tomato crop growth, water productivity, and fruit quality under different water regimes. Thus, a field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement of treatments. The tomato plants were grown at three planting spacing patterns: 30 cm row-to-row planting spacing, 60 cm row-to-row planting spacing, and 90 cm row-to-row planting spacing, which were marked as (G1), (G2), and (G3), respectively. For each planting spacing pattern, irrigation regimes, namely (I1), (I2), and (I3), were established by setting the soil moisture content to 50%, 100%, and 150% of the reference evapotranspiration. The I3 × G2 combination resulted in the maximum values of plant height (68.2 cm), stem diameter (12.1 mm), and yield (41,269.9 kg/hm2), providing the highest contents of protein (1.93 mg/kg), fat (0.81%), fiber (3.94%), and lycopene (4.00 mg/kg) of the fresh fruit. Conversely, the I1 × G1 led to the minimum values of plant height (37.3 cm), stem diameter (5.65 mm), and yield (7814.7 kg/hm2), providing the lowest contents of protein (1.15 mg/kg), fat (0.50%), fiber (2.39%), and lycopene (2.15 mg/kg) of the fresh fruit. The I1 × G1 had the highest water productivity (25.06 kg/m3) value, while the lowest WP (10.23 kg/m3) value was achieved by I3 × G3. While the I1 × G3 treatment minimized the uniformity coefficient and distribution uniformity, the I3 × G3 treatment maximized their values, indicating more uniform water distribution. Our findings indicate that the I3 × G2 combination can increase tomato productivity, growth, and fruit quality. However, the I1 × G1 performed better in terms of water productivity. The results of this study can positively contribute to improving tomato production systems’ sustainability, productivity, and quality under the increasing problem of climate change.
Towards Key Principles for the Design and Implementation of Nature Prescription Programs
Authors: Foley Hope , Leach Matthew , Feng Xiaoqi , Astell-Burt Thomas , Brymer Eric
Published: June 2023

The health benefits of nature are well recognised. However, nature prescriptions (nature-based health interventions) are not routine in many health systems. We interviewed health stakeholders (n = 13) who prescribe and provide nature prescriptions, to identify enablers and barriers surrounding nature prescriptions in Australia. Participants emphasised the importance of collaboration between health disciplines, community, government and industry sectors, alongside appropriate infrastructure. Patient-centred, accessible care supporting behavioural change and social wellbeing was enabling. Participants identified a need for increased awareness, accessible local resources and responsiveness regarding climate change. The findings reveal key considerations to inform effective implementation of nature prescribing for enhanced community health.
Bergamottin Inhibits PRRSV Replication by Blocking Viral Non-Structural Proteins Expression and Viral RNA Synthesis
Authors: Zhu Zhenbang , Xu Yuqian , Chen Lulu , Zhang Meng , Li Xiangdong
Published: June 2023

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. However, current vaccines cannot provide effective protection against PRRSV, and PRRSV-specific treatments for infected herds are still unavailable. In this study, we found that bergamottin showed strong inhibitory effects against PRRSV replication. Bergamottin inhibited PRRSV at the stage of the replication cycle. Mechanically, bergamottin promoted the activation of IRF3 and NF-κB signaling, leading to the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and interferon, which inhibited viral replication to some extent. In addition, bergamottion could reduce the expression of the non-structural proteins (Nsps), leading to the interruption of replication and transcription complex (RTC) formation and viral dsRNA synthesis, ultimately restraining PRRSV replication. Our study identified that bergamottin possesses potential value as an antiviral agent against PRRSV in vitro.