bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles and Regulations of Acid Invertases in Plants: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives
Authors: Liu Jia , Cheng Yuan , Ruan Meiying , Ye Qingjing , Wang Rongqing , Yao Zhuping , Zhou Guozhi , Li Zhimiao , Liu Chenxu , Wan Hongjian
Published: January 2025

Acid invertases (Ac-Invs) are crucial enzymes in plant physiology, regulating sucrose metabolism and hydrolyzing sucrose into glucose and fructose. These sugars serve not only as energy sources and structural components but also as signaling molecules, influencing diverse developmental processes, including seed and fruit growth, flowering, and stress responses. Ac-Invs are classified into cell wall invertases (CWINs) and vacuolar invertases (VINs) based on their subcellular localization, with both playing distinct roles in sucrose unloading, osmotic regulation, and sugar accumulation. Recent studies have also highlighted their involvement in abiotic stress adaptation and hormonal regulation, emphasizing their central role in plant resilience and productivity. However, gaps remain in understanding their regulatory mechanisms, particularly their interactions with plant hormones, defective invertases, and responses to environmental stresses. This review summarizes the biochemical characteristics, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of Ac-Invs, providing insights into their evolutionary significance and potential applications in crop improvement. Future research directions are proposed to elucidate unresolved questions and leverage Ac-Invs for enhancing agricultural sustainability.
Reappraisal of the Genetic Diversity Patterns in Puya raimondii—The Queen of the Andes: Insights from Molecular Marker Analysis Reveal an Inbreeding Reproductive Strategy
Authors: Draga Samela , Sgorbati Sergio , Barcaccia Gianni
Published: January 2025

Puya raimondii Harms is a charismatic species discovered in the Cordillera Blanca (now Huascarán National Park, Peru) in 1867 by the great Italian-born Peruvian geographer and naturalist Antonio Raimondi. The importance of this plant is due to its imposing size, the rare and extreme ecosystem that depends on it, and the fact that it is linked to the name Antonio Raimondi. Four studies on its genetic diversity revealed a range of patterns, with a fixation index of 0.740 as weighted mean and gene flow as low as 0.02–0.03. In fact, the vast majority of the total genetic variation was documented between populations, with very low genetic variation found within populations (weighted mean genetic diversity as low as Hs = 0.072 and mean genetic similarity very high, ranging from 96% up to 99%). We hypothesize that the narrow genetic base of P. raimondii populations may be due to a combination of factors: (i) an inbreeding-based reproductive strategy (i.e., mating between individuals related by common ancestry), which leads to homozygosity and genomic uniformity; (ii) strong environmental selective pressure (e.g., day–night temperature excursion, long dry period, etc.), which favors only the highest fitness individual genotypes; and (iii) a long life cycle, which hampers recombination events and reduces genetic diversity. Overall, these factors suggest that P. raimondii is a genetically fragile, fragmented, and endangered species.
Application of the Biorefinery Concept in the Processing of Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) Seed Defatted Meal in a Pressurized Medium
Authors: da Silva Camila , Schmitz Jefferson Alessandro , Raspe Djéssica Tatiane , Stevanato Natália , Hoscheid Jaqueline , Gimenes Marcelino Luiz , Bolanho Barros Beatriz Cervejeira , Cardozo-Filho Lúcio
Published: January 2025

The valorization of byproducts such as defatted meal (DM) is essential for the implementation of a biorefinery structure and can be achieved through the application of emerging technologies, such as pressurized liquid extraction. This work aimed to apply pressurized liquid extraction to obtain products derived from the DM of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) seeds. The experiments investigated the effect of ethanol percentage in the hydroalcoholic solvent (25%, 50% and 75%, v/v) on the mass extract yield (MEY) and on the composition of the products obtained: phytochemical extract (PE) and processed flour (PF). The PE obtained using 25% ethanolic solvent had the highest MEY (23.48 wt%) and phenolic compounds, composed of caffeic, gallic and ferulic acids, which conferred activity against the fungus C. albicans. The solvents tested did not influence the content of soluble proteins. The solvent with 75% ethanol promoted the highest levels of glucosinolates (258.94 μmol/g) and tannins (8.80 mg/g) in the PE, reducing 96% and 98% of these contents in the PF produced. The PF obtained in the extraction with 75% ethanol contained phenolic compounds (~23 mg/100 g), dietary fibers (54.25 g/100 g) and soluble proteins (26.39 wt%), mainly composed of glutelin fraction. The PF also presented adequate functional properties, such as water solubility and absorption, which suggest potential use in pet food formulations.
Turning Discarded Oyster Shells into Sustainable Passive Radiative Cooling Films
Authors: Lee Junghwan , Kim Dae Kyom , Kwon Daeyul , Yu Jeehoon , Park Jeong Gyu , Yoo Youngjae
Published: January 2025

Inorganic materials used in passive radiative cooling have achieved a commendable level of performance through synthesis, yet they lack sustainability and environmental friendliness as they do not incorporate recycling. This study developed a novel passive radiative cooling (PRC) film utilizing calcium carbonate extracted from discarded oyster shells (D-CaCO3) and polyurethane (PU) as the matrix. This sustainable approach leverages the unique properties of CaCO3, such as high solar reflectance and strong infrared emissivity, to achieve significant cooling effects. The PU/D-CaCO3 film absorbs only 22% of total solar light and exhibits a high emissivity of 95% in the atmospheric window, achieving temperatures up to 7 °C lower than the surrounding environment under 650 W/m2 solar irradiance. Furthermore, field tests were conducted to verify the implementation of our optical strategy by analyzing the optical properties and FDTD simulations. Consequently, the PU/D-CaCO3 film outperformed conventional white paint and pure PU, demonstrating a maximum temperature difference of 7 °C. Additionally, the passive radiative cooling efficiency of the film was verified through theoretical calculations. The oyster-shell-derived CaCO3 utilizes waste and contributes to carbon sequestration, aligning with sustainable and eco-friendly goals. This research demonstrates the potential of using marine-derived materials in passive cooling technologies, offering a path to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in cooling applications. The findings highlight the commercial viability and environmental benefits of PU/D-CaCO3 films, marking significant progress in passive radiative cooling.
Devulcanization of Waste Tire Rubber via Microwave and Biological Methods: A Review
Authors: Vahdatbin Mostafa , Hajikarimi Pouria , Fini Ellie H.
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a thorough literature review on devulcanization methods applied to waste tire rubber: “microwave devulcanization” and “biological desulfurization”. To do so, 80 papers published from the year 1990 to 2024 in journals with subscription and open access status across 12 databases were reviewed. This paper compares the efficacy and reviews the basic concepts, advantages, processes, and variable parameters of these two methods. In microwave devulcanization, microwave energy breaks the sulfur crosslinks between polymer chains. The latter breakage is mainly enabled by the presence of carbon black in the tire, which is an excellent microwave absorbent. In biological desulfurization, bacteria or fungi convert the crosslinks to elemental sulfur substances or sulfate. In general, microwave devulcanization of rubber leads to a lower crosslink density and thus a higher degree of devulcanization. On the one hand, breaking the crosslinks requires a significantly shorter time than biological desulfurization. Crosslink scission occurs throughout the sample in microwave devulcanization but only on the sample surface in biological desulfurization. Microwave devulcanization is not sensitive to rubber additives and does not require detoxification before devulcanization. On the other hand, biological desulfurization requires detoxification before devulcanization since it involves living organisms that may not tolerate certain rubber additives.
Resilience and Emotional Intelligence in Spanish Army Personnel: The Impact of Marital Status
Authors: Soriano-Sánchez José Gabriel
Published: January 2025

Background: The relationship between resilience and emotional intelligence and its influence on military personnel has become the object of research in recent years, since today’s combatant faces significant physical and psychological challenges. Therefore, the general objective of this study was to analyze the psychological variables of resilience and emotional intelligence in military personnel in the Spanish Army and their relationship as a function of civilian status. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. The sample consisted of 739 military personnel (officers, non-commissioned officers, and troops), with a mean age of 33.29 years (SD = 7.48) (87.7% were men and 12.3% were women) who filled in the ad hoc questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, the Resilience Scale (RS), and the Emotional Intelligence Inventory (EQ-i-M20). Results: The results showed a positive relationship between resilience and emotional intelligence, although no association was found with age. No significant differences were observed in the levels of resilience and emotional intelligence based on gender. However, differences were found according to marital status, with military personnel in the Spanish Army who were widowed showing lower levels of resilience and emotional intelligence compared to those who were single, married, or divorced. The regression model indicated a direct effect of resilience on emotional intelligence. Conclusions: The most relevant contributions of this work are related to the role of resilience and EI in military personnel in promoting health and well-being, in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda Goals. In conclusion, it is considered necessary to design intervention programs aimed at strengthening resilience in widowed military personnel in order to improve their well-being and their ability to identify, understand, and manage both their own emotions and those of others. This could facilitate the achievement of institutional objectives and promote quality of life of personnel in the Spanish Army.
Making Maoshan Great Again: Religious Rhetoric and Popular Mobilisation from Late Qing to Republican China (1864–1937)
Authors: Zheng Qijun
Published: January 2025

This study investigates how religious rhetoric and popular mobilisation contributed to the preservation and propagation of Daoist traditions at the mountain Maoshan 茅山 from late Qing to Republican China (1864–1937), focusing particularly on the corpus of religious texts related to Maoshan and its tutelary gods, the Three Mao Lords 三茅真君. Through a detailed analysis of primary sources, including editions of the Maoshan Gazetteer, liturgical manuals such as the scripture (jing 經), litany (chan 懺), and performative texts such as the precious scroll (baojuan 寶卷) of the Three Mao Lords, this study identifies six key rhetoric strategies employed by Maoshan Daoists, using the acronym IMPACT: (1) Incorporation: Appending miracle tales (lingyan ji 靈驗記) and divine medicine (xianfang 仙方) to address immediate and practical needs of contemporary society; (2) Memory: Preserving doctrinal continuity while invoking cultural nostalgia to reinforce connections to traditional values and heritage; (3) Performance: Collaborating with professional storytellers to disseminate vernacularized texts through oral performances, thereby reaching broader audiences including the illiterate. (4) Abridgment: Condensing lengthy texts into concise and accessible formats; (5) Canonization: Elevating the divine status of deities through spirit-writing, thereby enhancing their religious authority; (6) Translation: Rendering classical texts into vernacular language for broader accessibility. Building upon J.L. Austin’s speech act theory, this study reconceptualizes these textual innovations as a form of “text acts”, arguing that Maoshan texts did not merely transmit religious doctrine but actively shaped pilgrimages and devotional practices through their illocutionary and perlocutionary force. Additionally, this study also highlights the crucial role of social networks, particularly the efforts of key individuals such as Zhang Hefeng 張鶴峰 (fl. 1860–1864), Long Zehou 龍澤厚 (1860–1945), Jiang Daomin 江導岷 (1867–1939), Wang Yiting 王一亭 (1867–1938) and Teng Ruizhi 滕瑞芝 (fl. 1920–1947) who facilitated the reconstruction, reprinting and dissemination of these texts. Furthermore, this study considers pilgrimages to Maoshan as a form of popular mobilisation and resistance to anti-clerical and anti-superstition campaigns, illustrating how, against all odds, Maoshan emerged as a site where religious devotion and economic activity coalesced to sustain the local communities. Ultimately, despite the challenges identified in applying speech act theory to textual practices, the findings conclude that the survival and revival of Daoist traditions at Maoshan was not only a result of textual retention and innovation but also a testament to how religious rhetoric, when coupled with strategic social engagement, can fuel popular mobilisation, reignite collective devotion, and reshape cultural landscapes in transformative ways.
ASS-CD: Adapting Segment Anything Model and Swin-Transformer for Change Detection in Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Wei Chenlong , Wu Xiaofeng , Wang Bin
Published: January 2025

Change detection (CD) is a critical task in analyzing the geographic information changes in remote sensing images (RSIs), yet it still faces challenges such as complex background interference, multi-scale varying objects, and class imbalance between positive and negative samples. Recently, with the development of pre-training and fine-tuning techniques, transferring the general knowledge embedded in large-scale pre-trained visual foundation models (PVFMs) to various downstream tasks has attracted significant attention. However, when directly applying these PVFMs to CD tasks in RSIs, the domain knowledge differences often result in unsatisfactory outcomes. To address the above issues, we propose a novel hierarchical adapter framework to efficiently adapt PVFMs like FastSAM and Swin-Transformer for CD task in RSIs, namely ASS-CD. The proposed method leverages lightweight adapter modules with a cross-attention mechanism, which not only preserves the general knowledge of PVFMs but also integrates global and local information, significantly enhancing CD accuracy. Further, the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) is adopted to reduce interference from complex backgrounds and focus on multi-scale objects, and the hierarchical deep supervision module (HDSM) is utilized to impose deep supervision on multi-scale feature maps and compute the Dice loss, addressing the issue of class imbalance in CD datasets. The experimental results on three widely used datasets demonstrate that our ASS-CD achieves the state-of-the-art performance, with an approximately 5% improvement on the LEVIR-CD dataset compared to the other CD methods.
Cellulose-Based Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Sheraz Muhammad , Sun Xiao-Feng , Siddiqui Adeena , Wang Yongke , Hu Sihai , Sun Ran
Published: January 2025

Among the most promising areas of research, cellulose-based electrochemical sensors stand out for their intrinsic properties such as abundance, biocompatibility, and versatility. This review is concerned with the integration and application of cellulose-derived materials in electrochemical sensors, pointing out improvements in sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and functionality for a wide variety of applications. The most relevant developments on cellulose-based sensors have been concentrated on nanocellulose composite synthesis, advanced cellulose modification, and the successful embedding in wearable technologies, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. Considering these, it is worth mentioning that significant challenges still need to be overcome regarding the scalability of production, selectivity improvement, and long-term stability under real operational conditions. Future research efforts will concern the union of cellulose-based sensors with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) toward wiser and more sustainable health and environmental solutions. Correspondingly, this work puts cellulose in the front line among the most perspective materials for enabling the development of eco-friendly and high-performance sensing technologies.
Deep Learning-Based Gain Estimation for Multi-User Software-Defined Radios in Aircraft Communications
Authors: Gajjar Viraj K. , Kosbar Kurt L.
Published: January 2025

It may be helpful to integrate multiple aircraft communication and navigation functions into a single software-defined radio (SDR) platform. To transmit these multiple signals, the SDR would first sum the baseband version of the signals. This outgoing composite signal would be passed through a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) before being up-converted and passed through a radio frequency (RF) amplifier. To prevent non-linear distortion in the RF amplifier, it is important to know the peak voltage of the composite. While this is reasonably straightforward when a single modulation is used, it is more challenging when working with composite signals. This paper describes a machine learning solution to this problem. We demonstrate that a generalized gamma distribution (GGD) is a good fit for the distribution of the instantaneous voltage of the composite waveform. A deep neural network was trained to estimate the GGD parameters based on the parameters of the modulators. This allows the SDR to accurately estimate the peak of the composite voltage and set the gain of the DAC and RF amplifier, without having to generate or directly observe the composite signal.
Evaluating Methane Emission Estimates from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Compared to Sentinel-Derived Air–Methane Data
Authors: Wójcik-Gront Elżbieta , Wnuk Agnieszka
Published: January 2025

This study compares the methane emission estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with satellite-based measurements from Sentinel-5P to assess trends in global methane emissions and concentrations. Focusing on the countries listed in Annex I of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the key sectors of Agriculture, Energy, industrial processes and product use, land use, land use change, forestry, and Waste, this analysis uses data from 1990 to 2021, evaluated through the Mann–Kendall trend test. The findings reveal a decline in methane emissions reported by the IPCC, particularly in the Energy and Waste sectors, driven by stricter environmental regulations and technological advancements in these regions. However, the satellite data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument for 2019–2024 indicate an increasing trend in atmospheric methane concentrations, suggesting that the reductions reported in the inventories may be insufficient to offset ongoing or previously accumulated emissions. The discrepancies between the IPCC inventories and the satellite observations highlight the challenges in methane source attribution and the limitations of relying solely on inventory-based methods. This study demonstrates the potential of integrating high-resolution satellite data with the traditional methodologies to improve the accuracy of methane emission estimates. Such an approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of methane dynamics, particularly in regions where natural and anthropogenic sources overlap. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of global methane emission trends and their implications for climate change. Integrating satellite observations into national inventories has practical applications for enhancing methane monitoring, improving emission reporting, and supporting global climate goals through the more effective and sustainable management of methane emissions.
Odorous Emissions During the Use of the Intermediate Fraction as an Additive to the Green Waste Composting Process
Authors: Szyłak-Szydłowski Mirosław , Kos Wojciech
Published: January 2025

Composting is a key component of sustainable development strategies, as it supports ecological waste management, minimises the impact of human activities on the environment, and promotes the efficient use of natural resources. Reducing the generation of additional waste—as “recirculation” of composted waste—is also an important indicator of sustainability processes. The intermediate fraction (IF) is the material within the 10 mm to 60–90 mm range. It can be incorporated into composting materials to enhance the composting process. Maintaining an appropriate proportion of this fraction in the compost mixture is crucial for its practical use. This research examined the impact of adding the IF to composting on reducing the release of odorous substances. Additionally, it aimed to optimise the composting process by effectively managing the fraction. Optimisation sought to achieve high-quality compost, minimise odour emissions, and enhance the overall efficiency of the process. The study enabled the selection of the optimal variant—adding 9% of IF with inoculum—considering both ammonia emissions and odour impact. This variant yielded 13% less ammonia and 37% less odour than the variant without additives. This included identifying the intermediate fraction’s ideal proportion and adding pre-composted waste to compost piles.
The Impact of Green Finance on Urban Carbon Emission Efficiency: Threshold Effects Based on the Stages of the Digital Economy in China
Authors: Wu Zhaoxia , Xu Xi , He Mai
Published: January 2025

As one of the effective ways to achieve “carbon neutrality”, examining the impact of green finance (GF) on carbon emission efficiency (CE) is of great significance for promoting low-carbon development in China. Moreover, the digital economy is a key catalyst in achieving China’s “dual-carbon” targets, as its “greening” characteristic is considered instrumental in promoting urban low-carbon development. However, the effects of the digital economy (Dig) stage on GF on urban CE have not been sufficiently studied. Using panel data from 276 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2021 and constructing a theoretical model based on the Cobb–Douglas production function, this paper analyzes the impact of GF on urban CE. The empirical results indicate that (1) GF can improve CE, and the two have a positive U-shaped relationship, which is still valid after robustness tests. (2) The heterogeneity results indicate that the impact of GF on CE is more significant in non-resource-based cities, low-carbon pilot cities, and cities with higher financial development levels. (3) GF significantly improves urban CE by driving green technology innovation (Gti) and energy efficiency improvement (Eei). (4) The effects of GF on CE have a dual-threshold effect based on the Dig. When the Dig level is excessively high, the positive effect of GF on urban CE will be weakened.
Optimizing Modular Vehicle Public Transportation Services with Short-Turning Strategy and Decoupling/Coupling Operations
Authors: Cao Honglu , Zhao Jiandong
Published: January 2025

In public transportation systems, the passenger demand during peak hours is characterized by over-saturation at intermediate stops and directional imbalances, and the traditional single scheduling strategy and fixed capacity cannot solve the contradiction between the demand and capacity mismatch. In order to accurately match demand and capacity, this paper proposes a method to optimize the service of a public transportation system by using a short-turning strategy combined with decoupled/coupled operation of modular vehicles (MVs). The short-turning strategy is used to alleviate the heavy passenger flow at intermediate stations, and the decoupling/coupling operations of MVs are employed to flexibly adjust the capacity levels in different directions. Considering urban space limitations, depots for storing modular units (MUs) are only set up at the starting and ending stations of bidirectional lines. MVs can not only adjust the departure capacity at the starting station but also consider whether to decouple/couple at turnaround stations for short-turning trips to achieve a more effective supply–demand match, with the decoupled/coupled MUs being deadheaded from or provided by the depot. We formulated this problem as an integer nonlinear programming (INLP) model, jointly optimizing the departure intervals of each trip, the capacity of MVs, the turnaround scheme for short-turning trips, and the decoupling/coupling scheme for MVs at turnaround stations, with the aim of minimizing passenger waiting time costs and vehicle operating costs. To facilitate a solution, we equivalently transformed some nonlinear terms in the model, which was then solved by the commercial solver Gurobi. The numerical study shows that, compared with the traditional full-length strategy combined with conventional buses, the model proposed in this paper can reduce the total system cost by about 19.59%. In particular, it can achieve precise matching between passenger demand and transport capacity, thereby reducing the passenger waiting time cost by about 29.99%. Compared with the full-length strategy combined with MVs, the total system cost is also reduced by about 14.65%. The research results contribute to enhancing the service quality and efficiency of public transportation systems, which is of great significance to the sustainable development of these systems.
The Effect of Digital Economy Development on Carbon Emission Reduction—An Empirical Analysis Based on 80 Countries of the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Zhang Xiaofan , Cheng Kai , Zou Zezhou , Wang Zhibin
Published: January 2025

Based on data from China and 80 countries belonging to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for the period 2010–2022, this study employs a benchmark panel regression model to thoroughly analyze the impact of digital economy development on carbon emission reduction in BRI countries. The research findings indicate that the development of the digital economy in BRI countries has facilitated carbon emission reduction. This effect exhibits heterogeneity. Compared to other regions, the impact is more pronounced in countries with higher levels of socio-economic development, located in Africa and Europe, and along the Land Silk Road, and BRI countries neighboring China. The mechanisms through which this effect operates include industrial structure adjustment, technological innovation, and changes in energy intensity. Based on these insights, specific and targeted development recommendations for BRI countries at different levels of development and geographical distributions are proposed. These suggestions focus on strengthening infrastructure construction to bridge the digital divide; enhancing technological capabilities and promoting the integration of the digital economy with the real economy to upgrade industrial structures; and implementing differentiated digital economy development strategies to reduce energy consumption, among other measures.
A Combined Multi-Criteria Decision-Making and Social Cost–Benefit Analysis Approach for Evaluating Sustainable City Logistics Initiatives
Authors: Veličković Marko , Stojanović Đurđica , Ilin Vladimir , Mirčetić Dejan
Published: January 2025

Decision making in city logistics (CL) is complex due to the numerous concepts and alternatives, as well as the intricate relationships between measures and effects. This study introduces a novel approach to evaluating urban freight transport (UFT) by combining multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) and social cost–benefit analysis (SCBA). This combination aims to improve decision making for sustainable CL concepts, particularly in reducing externalities in last-mile delivery. The model assesses various CL initiatives and urban consolidation center (UCC) concepts for their impact on UFT externalities. It uses the MCDM for ex ante scenarios assessment and prioritization. Input data were collected through a survey of experts from various sectors, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied in the case study of Novi Sad, Serbia. The prioritization highlighted the significance of implementing restrictive regulatory measures, alternative transport modes, and operational optimization within UCC concepts. By estimating capital, operational, and external costs, SCBA was applied to the prioritized UCC concepts, which were then further evaluated using the SCBA outputs. Sensitivity analysis was employed to assess the robustness of the proposed model. This paper offers valuable insights into the potential use of existing tools within a hybrid model to enhance decision making in CL.
Subfamilies of Bi-Univalent Functions Associated with the Imaginary Error Function and Subordinate to Jacobi Polynomials
Authors: Amourah Ala , Frasin Basem , Salah Jamal , Yousef Feras
Published: January 2025

Numerous researchers have extensively studied various subfamilies of the bi-univalent function family utilizing special functions. In this paper, we introduce and investigate a new subfamily of bi-univalent functions, which is defined on the symmetric domain. This subfamily is connected to the Jacobi polynomial through the imaginary error function. We derive the initial coefficients of the Maclaurin series for functions in this subfamily, and analyze the Fekete–Szegő inequality for these functions. Additionally, by specializing the parameters in our main results, we deduce several new and significant findings.
Research and Application of ROM Based on Res-PINNs Neural Network in Fluid System
Authors: Liu Yuhao , Hou Junjie , Wei Ping , Jin Jie , Zhang Renjie
Published: January 2025

In the design of fluid systems, rapid iteration and simulation verification are essential, and reduced-order modeling techniques can significantly improve computational efficiency and accuracy. However, traditional Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) often face challenges such as vanishing or exploding gradients when learning flow field characteristics, limiting their ability to capture complex fluid dynamics. This study presents an enhanced reduced-order model (ROM): Physics-Informed Neural Networks based on Residual Networks (Res-PINNs). By integrating a Residual Network (ResNet) module into the PINN architecture, the proposed model improves training stability while preserving physical constraints. Additionally, the model’s ability to capture and learn flow field states is further enhanced by the design of a symmetric parallel neural network structure. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Res-PINNs model, two classic fluid dynamics problems—flow around a cylinder and Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV)—were selected for comparative testing. The results demonstrate that the Res-PINNs model not only reconstructs flow field states with higher accuracy but also effectively addresses limitations of traditional PINN methods, such as vanishing gradients, exploding gradients, and insufficient learning capacity. Compared to existing approaches, the proposed Res-PINNs provide a more stable and efficient solution for deep learning-based reduced-order modeling in fluid system design.
Neurotoxicity and Mechanism in Zebrafish Embryo Induced by Tetrabromobisphenol A bis (2-Hydroxyethyl) Ether (TBBPA-DHEE) Exposure
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Guo Liguo , Luo Yiwen , Xu Xia , Han Ying , Chen Hui , Sun Haohao , Xue Yingang , Ji Guixiang
Published: January 2025

Tetrabromobisphenol A bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ether (TBBPA-DHEE), a derivative of TBBPA, has been frequently detected in the environment. In this study, the median lethal concentration (LC50) of TBBPA-DHEE at 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) was 1.573 mg/L. Based on the reported environmental concentrations, we investigated the effects of TBBPA-DHEE on the nervous system of zebrafish embryos following exposure to varying concentrations (0, 20, 100, and 500 μg/L) for 4 to 144 hpf. Our results indicated that exposure to 100 μg/L at 144 hpf led to behavioral abnormalities in zebrafish. Furthermore, exposure to TBBPA-DHEE inhibited the development of the central nervous system and motor neurons in zebrafish. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that exposure to TBBPA-DHEE significantly downregulated the expression levels of neurodevelopmental genes (shha, syn2a, elavl3, gfap, and gap43). Additionally, TBBPA-DHEE increased oxidative stress in zebrafish. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that exposure to TBBPA-DHEE affected the signaling pathways involved in neurodevelopment. Overall, this study demonstrated that TBBPA-DHEE may disrupt the early development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal motor behavior in zebrafish larvae, and provided novel insights into the potential mechanisms of TBBPA-DHEE neurotoxicity.
Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Urban Planning to Advance Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa: Barriers and Practical Solutions from the Case Study of Moundou, Chad
Authors: Haou Ernest , Allarané Ndonaye , Aholou Cyprien Coffi , Bondoro Ouya
Published: January 2025

The accelerating pace of urbanization, coupled with changes in land-use patterns and the exacerbation of extreme climatic events—marked by heightened unpredictability and severity, particularly in regions of the Global South—necessitates a thorough reevaluation of urban governance and management frameworks. In response to these challenges, it is essential for strategies to integrate local socio-economic specificities while navigating the inherent complexities of these issues, leveraging contextually appropriate resources within a sustainability paradigm. In this regard, contextualizing and incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into urban planning frameworks is crucial for advancing urban sustainability. However, significant obstacles hinder their effective integration at the urban scale, particularly in fast-evolving, resource-constrained settings. This study seeks to address this critical gap by systematically examining the barriers to SDG integration in urban planning within sub-Saharan Africa. For this purpose, Moundou, Chad, is used as a representative case study, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities of urban sustainability in the region. A hybrid methodology underpins this research, combining in-depth interviews with key development stakeholders, a detailed review of strategic documents aligned with the SDGs, and semi-structured questionnaires to capture diverse perspectives. The results reveal that the institutional dimension constitutes 38.46% of the barriers identified by stakeholders, with key challenges including limited capacity for long-term planning, a lack of expertise, and inadequate multisectoral coordination, among others. In addition, the economic and socio-cultural dimensions each represent 23.08% of the identified barriers, encompassing issues such as dependence on external funding, the high cost of green technologies, low public awareness, and resistance to change within communities. Finally, the data access dimension ranks last, accounting for 15.38%. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to implement mechanisms that strengthen institutional capacities, promote cross-sectoral collaboration, enhance public awareness, and cultivate a culture of adaptability and innovation within local communities. Furthermore, improving data accessibility and reinforcing financial mechanisms are vital to addressing these barriers comprehensively.
HTLV-1 Infection and Cervicovaginal Susceptibility to High-Risk HPV: Findings from Women Living with HTLV-1 in Salvador, Brazil
Authors: de Aquino Firmino Alisson , Filho Paulo Roberto Tavares Gomes , Siqueira Juliana Domett , Gois Luana Leandro , Costa Giselle Calasans de Souza , Martins Adenilda Lima Lopes , Drumond Mariana Lima , Soares Marcelo Alves , Galvão-Castro Bernardo , da Silva Carlos Gustavo Régis , Grassi Maria Fernanda Rios
Published: January 2025

Persistent oncogenic HPV infection is strongly associated with cervical cancer. Studies have suggested a higher prevalence of HPV in women living with HTLV-1. This study aimed to determine whether HTLV-1 infection is associated with cervicovaginal HPV infection and to characterize HPV types according to oncogenic risk. Vaginal fluid samples were subjected to HPV diagnosis via PCR, and positive samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing and massive sequencing. Papanicolaou smears were examined using light microscopy to identify cell abnormalities. Among the 155 women screened, 79 were HTLV-1-infected and 76 were uninfected. HPV PCR identified 23 positive samples (15/79 vs. 8/76; p = 0.13). Twenty-three HPV types were identified, of which only types 31, 54, and 58 were present in both groups. When the number of HPV58 infections in each group was compared, women with HTLV-1 had a higher prevalence (8/79 versus 1/76; p = 0.03). In total, 61.9% of HTLV-1-infected women had at least one high-risk or probable high-risk HPV type (p = 0.12). Cytopathological findings were not significantly different between the groups. Further research is needed to determine whether HTLV-1 infection affects HPV progression and cervical cancer development and to assess the potential benefits of vaccination for women living with HTLV-1.
Immunological Insights and Therapeutic Advances in COPD: Exploring Oral Bacterial Vaccines for Immune Modulation and Clinical Improvement
Authors: Lewicki Sławomir , Bałan Barbara Joanna , Stelmasiak Marta , Radomska-Leśniewska Dorota Magdalena , Szymański Łukasz , Rios-Turek Natalia , Bień-Kalinowska Justyna , Szarpak Łukasz , Hajduk Bogdan
Published: January 2025

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent chronic condition associated with substantial global morbidity and mortality. Primarily caused by prolonged exposure to harmful agents such as dust and gases, COPD is characterized by persistent airflow limitation, clinically manifesting as chronic cough, sputum production, and dyspnea. The disease course alternates between stable phases and exacerbations, with the latter often associated with pathogenic colonization of the respiratory tract. This review examines the immunological underpinnings of COPD, emphasizing the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in disease pathogenesis. Dysregulated immune responses to environmental factors perpetuate chronic inflammation, resulting in progressive pulmonary epithelial damage and connective tissue hyperplasia, which compromise gas exchange. Exacerbations further exacerbate respiratory failure, aggravating patient symptoms and accelerating disease progression. Despite advances in COPD management, effective therapeutic options remain limited. Current treatments primarily aim to alleviate symptoms, reduce immune activation, and manage infections, yet many patients experience suboptimal outcomes. This review highlights the potential of novel therapeutic approaches targeting immune system cells and pathways. In particular, it explores the promise of oral bacterial vaccines as immunomodulatory agents to enhance immune responses and improve clinical outcomes in COPD, addressing critical gaps in current treatment paradigms.
Geochemical Exploration Techniques with Deep Penetration: Implications for the Exploration of Concealed Potash Deposits in the Covered Area on the Southern Margin of the Kuqa Basin
Authors: Li Junyang , Zhou Yu , Liu Chengling , Zhang Songyuang , Yao Fujun , Yang Guoliang , Hou Wenbin
Published: January 2025

In recent years, deep–penetrating geochemical exploration techniques have played a crucial role in the detection of concealed minerals. These methods effectively detect deep−seated anomalies and have been tested in various landscape–covered areas, yielding remarkable results. This study focuses on the covered areas of the southern margin of the Kuqa Basin, utilizing deep–penetrating geochemical methods for systematic sampling to explore concealed potassium salt. This study examines the chemical composition of several underground brine samples, revealing salinity levels ranging from 9.41 to 26.16 g/L and potassium concentrations of between 0.04 and 0.22 g/L. The hydrochemical coefficients indicate a high nNa+/nCl− value, with low K+ × 103/Cl− values. The average nNa+/nCl− ratio is approximately 0.97, and the Br− × 103/C1− value is about 0.07. The brine samples fall within the halite phase region of the Quaternary system Na+, K+, Mg2+//C1−–H2O at 25 °C, concentrated at the high Na terminal, suggesting halite dissolution. In the metastable phase diagram of the Na+, K+, Mg2+//C1−, SO42−–H2O five−element water system, all the brine samples were cast in the glauberite phase area, which may indicate that the shallow underground brine is still in the initial stage of potassium salt deposition. The underground brine mainly dissolved and filtered the stone salt in the formation during the process of runoff underground and then was squeezed by the strong active structure and discharged to the surface along the formation fault or fissure channel. The deep–penetration geochemical survey of the fracture reveals that certain profile points show significantly higher potassium and other salt contents than others, indicating a potassium anomaly. This suggests the potential ascent and migration of potassium–rich brine along deep fracture segments, providing preliminary evidence of potassium richness in the Kuqa Basin’s depths and offering significant guidance for key exploration areas in potassium salt prospecting.
Use of Local Anesthetic Agents and Conscious Sedation in Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Altamimi Reem , Bin Salamah Rawan , Almajed Ebtesam , AlZabin Alya , Alzelfawi Lama , AlMutiri Wijdan , Alkinani Amer , Almusharaf Lamya
Published: January 2025

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective long-acting contraceptives. However, pain associated with insertion deters some women and impacts satisfaction. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of local anesthetics, misoprostol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and conscious sedation for managing pain associated with IUD insertion. A comprehensive database search including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest was conducted from inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs assessing interventions for IUD insertion pain were included. Case reports, non-randomized studies, and non-English papers were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data on pain outcomes and adverse effects. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. Thirty-nine RCTs (n = 12,345 women) met the inclusion criteria. Topical lidocaine effectively reduced pain on consistent findings across multiple high-quality RCTs. Misoprostol pretreatment facilitated easier insertions through cervical ripening. However, evidence for NSAIDs was inconclusive, with some RCTs finding no additional benefits versus placebo. Results also remained unclear for nitrous oxide conscious sedation due to variability in protocols. Nulliparity predicted higher reported pain consistently. Lidocaine and misoprostol show promise for minimizing IUD insertion pain and difficulty. Further optimization is required to standardize conscious sedation and fully evaluate NSAIDs. Improving pain management may increase favorable experiences and uptake of this reliable method.
The Impact of Good Citizenship Dimensions on Supply Chain Sustainability
Authors:   Managing Director, Urus Digital Sdn Bhd, Muhammad Muhammad Shukri Haji , Narayanan N. Sureshkumar PP ,   University of East London, London, England, Ghapar Farha ,   Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chew Li Lian ,   Binary Business School, Binary University, Selangor, Malaysia, Sundram Veera Pandiyan Kaliani ,   Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia, Muhammad Azlina ,   Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: January 2025

This study explored the relationship between good citizenship dimensions and supply chain sustainability in Malaysia. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the research examined six key dimensions: political participation, social capital, civic knowledge, ethical behavior, environmental stewardship and digital citizenship. Data were collected through an online survey, resulting in 100 responses. The findings revealed significant positive correlation between these citizenship behaviours and supply chain sustainability, suggesting that individuals, who displayed responsible civic behaviours, were more likely to support sustainable supply chain practices. The study underscores the importance of fostering good citizenship as the means to enhance the sustainability in supply chains, providing valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and educators. It also highlights the role of digital platforms in promoting transparency and engagement in sustainability initiatives. Despite its contributions, the study acknowledges limitations in sample diversity and geographic focus, calling for broader research to validate these findings across different contexts and industries. The study concludes that promoting responsible citizenship can promote sustainable business practices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.
Responsiveness to Patient Needs : Examining Its Role in Service Quality Perception in Corporate Health Care Settings
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram Chennai, India, Singh D. Anto Pravin , Prakash K. ,   Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram Chennai, India, Rohini V. ,   Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies, S.A. Engineering College, Chennai, India, Franklin M. ,   Assistant Professor, College of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India, Arul Krishnan S. ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, Chennai, India
Published: January 2025

This paper aims to determine the factors, influencing the level of service quality of corporate hospitals in South India, which were tested on the basis of data, from 180 respondents, collected through outpatient participants in five private hospitals through selective sampling. This paper adopted the structural equation modeling (SEM), to analyze the way in which the factors of service quality (Reliability, Assurance, Tangibility, Empathy and Responsiveness) affect the overall service quality. The findings revealed that all the variables did have significant positive relationship with service quality, which emphasized the importance of role of patients’ opinions. These findings suggest that these variables should be adequately addressed, to improve customer satisfaction. Unfortunately, because of the small sample size and the exclusive attention given to private institutions, the results could not be generalized. A later investigation could consider supplementary variables on service quality and an adequate sample could be taken from all the elements, to properly show the wider patients’ demographics, who were engaged in the clinical environment. The findings have practical ramifications for hospital management staff, who are keen on increasing the quality of care.