bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive Associations between Women’s Employment at the Community-Level and Opportunities and Interpersonal Sharing within Recovery Homes
Authors: Jason Leonard A. , Bell Justin S. , Bobak Ted J.
Published: July 2024

The background of this study was an investigation of a sustainability issue involving how to deal with increasing deaths due to substance use as well as housing instability among those with substance use problems. Our study investigated the relationship between community-level women’s employment and two key variables within Oxford House recovery homes: levels of employment and the sharing of resources among residents. These variables are crucial for the sustainability of recovery homes as they contribute to maintaining an ecological balance in communities. For our methods, we gathered data from recovery homes located in three different regions of the United States. The focus was on examining how women’s employment rates in these communities correlate with the employment statuses of house residents and their resource-sharing behaviors. Regarding the results, we found a positive association between rates of employment among women in these communities and employment within the recovery housesand resource lending among residents. We conclude that women’s employment at the community-level appears to be a significant macro-level factor that promotes supportive social and environmental policies. These community-level policies enhance employment opportunities and encourage interpersonal sharing within recovery homes, contributing to ecological balance and sustainability in terms of environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
Exploring the Pathways of Achieving Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Targets in the Provinces of the Yellow River Basin of China
Authors: Jiang Jiaan , Chen Shulin
Published: July 2024

Achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality is an intrinsic requirement for sustainable development. The industrial structure primarily characterized by the chemical and energy industries poses a hindrance to the attainment of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in the provinces of the Yellow River Basin of China. Predicting the time of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and exploring the pathways of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality is an urgent issue for the government to address. The STIRPAT and InVEST models were used for the carbon emissions and carbon sequestration estimation in the nine provinces and regions of the Yellow River Basin from 2010 to 2060. The results show that the study area will realize carbon peaking in 2030 under the baseline scenario, with the carbon emission of 4146 million tons. Under the high-emission scenario, the study area will realize carbon peaking in 2035, with the carbon emission of 4372 million tons. Under the low-carbon energy-saving scenario, the study area will realize carbon peaking in 2025, with the carbon emission of 3909 million tons. The entire study area cannot achieve carbon neutrality in 2060 under the three scenarios. Under the baseline and high-emission scenarios, only Qinghai and Sichuan can realize carbon neutrality by 2060, and under the low-carbon energy-saving scenario, Sichuan, Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Gansu will achieve carbon neutrality on time. This research indicates that attaining carbon peaking and carbon neutrality can be accomplished by implementing strategies such as encouraging the growth of clean energy, managing energy usage, refining the industrial structure, and strengthening the ecosystem’s carbon sink.
Hydrologic Model Prediction Improvement in Karst Watersheds through Available Reservoir Capacity of Karst
Authors: Liao Lin , Rad Saeed , Dai Junfeng , Shahab Asfandyar , Xu Jingxuan , Xia Rui
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to enhance flood forecasting accuracy in the Liangfeng River basin, a small karst watershed in Southern China, by incorporating the Available Reservoir Capacity of Karst (ARCK) into the HEC-HMS model. This region is often threatened by floods during the rainy season, so an accurate flood forecast can help decision-makers better manage rivers. As a crucial influencing factor on karstic runoff, ARCK is often overlooked in hydrological models. The seasonal and volatile nature of ARCK makes the direct computation of its specific values challenging. In this study, a virtual reservoir for each sub-basin (total of 17) was introduced into the model to simulate the storage and release of ARCK-induced runoff phenomena. Simulations via the enhanced model for rainfall events with significant fluctuations in water levels during 2021–2022 revealed that the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE) of the average simulation accuracy was improved by more than 34%. Normally, rainfalls (even heavy precipitations) during the dry season either do not generate runoff or cause negligible fluctuations in flow rates due to long intervals. Conversely, relatively frequent rainfall events (even light ones) during the wet season result in substantial runoff. Based on this observation, three distinct types of karstic reservoirs with different retaining/releasing capacities were defined, reflecting variations in both the frequency and volume of runoff during both seasons. As a real-time environmental variable, ARCK exhibits higher and lower values during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively, and we can better avoid the risk of flooding according to its special effects.
Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Viticultural Production in Central European Conditions
Authors: Bača Petr , Mašán Vladimír , Vanýsek Petr , Burg Patrik , Binar Tomáš , Burgová Jana , Abrham Zdeněk
Published: July 2024

A number of factors will increasingly play a role in the sustainability of wine production in the coming period. The current situation suggests that the analysis of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will play a particularly important role. The so-called carbon footprint, expressed in CO2 equivalents, is used to express the sum of GHG emissions. This study presents an analysis of vine cultivation in a particular Central European region, with the main focus on quantifying the inputs, yield, fuel consumption, and GHG emissions. The emphasis was placed on conventional, integrated, and ecological production systems of growing, evaluated with the help of the developed AGROTEKIS version 5 software. A total of 30 wine-grower entities in the Morava wine-growing region, the subregion Velké Pavlovice, in the Czech Republic weather climate, were included in the input data survey. By analyzing the aggregated values, the real savings in energy and curbing of CO2 emissions of vineyards could be observed, relating to individual work procedures with lower energy demand used in the vineyard treatment as well as the amounts and doses of agrochemicals used. The average values of the total impacts did not show any statistically significant differences between the conventional (971 ± 78 kg CO2eq·ha−1·year−1) and integrated production systems (930 ± 62 kg CO2eq·ha−1·year−1), whereas the values for the ecological production system were significantly higher (1479 ± 40 kg CO2eq·ha−1·year−1). The results show that growing vines under ecological production conditions generates a higher proportion of the carbon footprint than under conventional production conditions. Overall, the best results can be achieved in an integrated production system.
Sustainable Thermal Comfort by Age Group in Shopping Malls: Multi-Year Winter Surveys in a Severely Cold Region
Authors: Si Xiaomeng , Zhang Jiuhong , Ma Mingxiao , An Jiang , Du Chen , Zhang Xiaoqian , Che Longxuan
Published: July 2024

The current Chinese standard utilizes a single thermal comfort index guide to regulate indoor parameters for public buildings. However, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings often do not align with the occupant’s needs. To address this, a 2-year winter field survey was conducted in four large-scale shopping malls across severely cold regions of China, considering the complex age structure of mall visitors. Physical environmental parameters were measured, and a subjective questionnaire yielded 1464 valid responses. Neutral temperatures for different age groups were 17.4 °C for children (0–12 years of age), 19.3 °C for early youth (13–24), 20.0 °C for mature youth (25–44), and 23.3 °C for middle-aged adults (45–59). The limit of the 80% acceptable temperature range for the children and early youth was lower than the current Chinese GB 50736 standard, suggesting that HVAC temperatures for the corresponding shopping malls can be appropriately reduced for the target consumer groups. Significant differences occurred between customers’ demand for thermal environments in shopping malls and various standards. These findings provide valuable insights into energy-efficient architectural design and operational management of shopping malls in the Shenyang area, promoting the sustainable development of human thermal comfort environments.
Integration of Steam Recovered from Molten Salts in a Solar Integrated Combined Cycle
Authors: Iglesias-Varela Paula , García-Regodeseves Pedro , de-la-Cruz-Fernández Juan , Meana-Fernández Andrés
Published: July 2024

In the current context of the energy transition, Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) power plants are an alternative that are able to reduce carbon emissions from combined cycle (CC) power plants. In addition, the coupling to an energy storage system based on molten salts benefits hybridization, allowing the energy surplus to be to stored to cover peaks in energy demand. Because it is a recent technology, the determination of the optimal injection points for the solar-generated steam into the combined cycle is a critical issue. In this work, a thermodynamic model of a hybrid natural gas and solar thermal CC power plant has been developed using Thermoflex to analyze the integration effects in terms of efficiency and power. For all the steam injection candidate positions, the effects of ‘power boosting’ and ‘fuel saving’ operation modes have been simulated, considering operation conditions that are compatible with the useful range of molten salts. The results show that injection of steam at the high-pressure line before the steam turbine increases the cycle’s gross efficiency with respect to the reference case, estimating a reduction of carbon emissions of 6696 kg/h in the ‘fuel saving’ mode and an increase in gross power of 14.4 MW in the ‘power boosting’ mode. Hence, adapting current combined cycles for hybridization with solar power is a viable solution in the transition period towards more sustainable energy sources.
Advancing Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Case Study of Controlled Source Audio-Frequency Magnetotellurics Applications in Qihe, Shandong
Authors: Zhang Hui , Nie Fajian
Published: July 2024

Geothermal energy is a key part of sustainable and renewable energy strategies, especially for clean heating in northern regions. This study focuses on Qihe County in Shandong Province, applying a controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) method to investigate deep karst geothermal reservoirs. This research addresses the complex geological conditions and electromagnetic interference in the region, aiming to improve sustainable geothermal resource development. The findings indicate that the geothermal reservoir in the study area primarily consists of Ordovician limestone, characterized by moderate burial depth, high water volume, and elevated water temperature. Integrating CSAMT with vertical electrical sounding (VES) and radiometric surveying has clearly defined the deep aquifer layers and major water-controlling fault structures. Drilling verification results demonstrate the significant effectiveness of the integrated geophysical methods employed, providing reliable technical support for deep geothermal exploration in similar regions. This study makes a significant contribution to the scientific and technical foundation necessary for the sustainable development and utilization of geothermal resources, supporting the broader goals of environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
Water Savings in Places of Worship: A Case Study for St Mary’s Mosque in Australia
Authors: Hurayra Mohammad Abu , Ahmed Ali , Alim Mohammad A. , Rahman Ataur
Published: July 2024

Water is used for various religious purposes, including ablution for billions of Muslims around the world. Water savings in ablution can make a positive contribution towards achieving the water-related sustainable development goals (SDGs). A survey-based study was conducted at St Mary’s Mosque in Sydney, Australia, to understand the water usage during ablution and how water can be saved by Muslims in mosques. It has been found that the participants of the survey use 4 to 8 L of water to perform one ablution. About 82% of the participants are careful about saving water in ablution. It has also been found that about 70% of the participants believe that wastage of water during ablution is ‘haram’ (unlawful). Some 95% of the participants believe that religious motivation can play a significant role in saving water during ablution, and Imams can make a notable positive difference by encouraging their followers to save water during ablution. It has also been found that 64% of the participants are willing to use harvested rainwater for ablution. The findings of this study will help Muslims in Australia and around the globe to save water and contribute to the circular economy, as saving potable water (by reducing water use during ablution and using harvested rainwater at the source of water collection) saves energy and encourages responsible consumption.
Utilizing Machine Learning Algorithms for the Development of Gully Erosion Susceptibility Maps: Evidence from the Chotanagpur Plateau Region, India
Authors: Hasanuzzaman Md , Shit Pravat , Alqadhi Saeed , Almohamad Hussein , Hasher Fahdah , Abdo Hazem , Mallick Javed
Published: July 2024

Gully erosion is a serious environmental threat, compromising soil health, damaging agricultural lands, and destroying vital infrastructure. Pinpointing regions prone to gully erosion demands careful selection of an appropriate machine learning algorithm. This choice is crucial, as the complex interplay of various environmental factors contributing to gully formation requires a nuanced analytical approach. To develop the most accurate Gully Erosion Susceptibility Map (GESM) for India’s Raiboni River basin, researchers harnessed the power of two cutting-edge machine learning algorithm: Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and Random Forest (RF). For a comprehensive analysis, this study integrated 24 potential control factors. We meticulously investigated a dataset of 200 samples, ensuring an even balance between non-gullied and gullied locations. To assess multicollinearity among the 24 variables, we employed two techniques: the Information Gain Ratio (IGR) test and Variance Inflation Factors (VIF). Elevation, land use, river proximity, and rainfall most influenced the basin’s GESM. Rigorous tests validated XGBoost and RF model performance. XGBoost surpassed RF (ROC 86% vs. 83.1%). Quantile classification yielded a GESM with five levels: very high to very low. Our findings reveal that roughly 12% of the basin area is severely affected by gully erosion. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions in these highly susceptible areas. Furthermore, our analysis of gully characteristics unveiled a predominance of V-shaped gullies, likely in an active developmental stage, supported by an average Shape Index (SI) value of 0.26 and a mean Erosivness Index (EI) of 0.33. This research demonstrates the potential of machine learning to pinpoint areas susceptible to gully erosion. By providing these valuable insights, policymakers can make informed decisions regarding sustainable land management practices.
Seed Priming with Rhizospheric Bacillus subtilis: A Smart Strategy for Reducing Fumonisin Contamination in Pre-Harvest Maize
Authors: Jannat Muhtarima , Auyon Shah Tasdika , Tushar Abu Sina Md. , Tonny Sadia Haque , Hasan Md. Hasibul , Shahi Mangal , Singha Uday Rana , Sultana Ayesha , Akter Sabera , Islam Md. Rashidul
Published: July 2024

Maize, one of the most important cereal crops in Bangladesh, is severely contaminated by fumonisin, a carcinogenic secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium including Fusarium proliferatum. Biocontrol with Bacillus strains is an effective approach to controlling this F. proliferatum as Bacillus has proven antagonistic properties against this fungus. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine how native Bacillus strains can reduce fumonisin in maize cultivated in Bangladesh, where BDISO76MR (Bacillus subtilis) strains showed the highest efficacy both in vitro in detached cob and in planta under field conditions. The BDISO76MR strain could reduce the fumonisin concentration in detached cob at 98.52% over untreated control, by inhibiting the conidia germination and spore formation of F. proliferatum at 61.56% and 77.01%, respectively in vitro. On the other hand, seed treatment with formulated BDISO76MR showed higher efficacy with a reduction of 97.27% fumonisin contamination compared to the in planta cob inoculation (95.45%) over untreated control. This implies that Bacillus-based formulation might be a potential approach in mitigating fumonisin contamination in maize to ensure safe food and feed.
The Generation of Attenuated Mutants of East Asian Passiflora Virus via Deletion and Mutation in the N-Terminal Region of the HC-Pro Gene for Control through Cross-Protection
Authors: Do Duy-Hung , Ngo Xuan-Tung , Yeh Shyi-Dong
Published: July 2024

East Asian Passiflora virus (EAPV) causes passionfruit woodiness disease, a major threat limiting passionfruit production in eastern Asia, including Taiwan and Vietnam. In this study, an infectious cDNA clone of a Taiwanese severe isolate EAPV-TW was tagged with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter to monitor the virus in plants. Nicotiana benthamiana and yellow passionfruit plants inoculated with the construct showed typical symptoms of EAPV-TW. Based on our previous studies on pathogenicity determinants of potyviral HC-Pros, a deletion of six amino acids (d6) alone and its association with a point mutation (F8I, simplified as I8) were conducted in the N-terminal region of the HC-Pro gene of EAPV-TW to generate mutants of EAPV-d6 and EAPV-d6I8, respectively. The mutant EAPV-d6I8 caused infection without conspicuous symptoms in N. benthamiana and yellow passionfruit plants, while EAPV-d6 still induced slight leaf mottling. EAPV-d6I8 was stable after six passages under greenhouse conditions and displayed a zigzag pattern of virus accumulation, typical of a beneficial protective virus. The cross-protection effectiveness of EAPV-d6I8 was evaluated in both N. benthamiana and yellow passionfruit plants under greenhouse conditions. EAPV-d6I8 conferred complete cross-protection (100%) against the wild-type EAPV-TW-GFP in both N. benthamiana and yellow passionfruit plants, as verified by no severe symptoms, no fluorescent signals, and PCR-negative status for GFP. Furthermore, EAPV-d6I8 also provided complete protection against Vietnam’s severe strain EAPV-GL1 in yellow passionfruit plants. Our results indicate that the attenuated mutant EAPV-d6I8 has great potential to control EAPV in Taiwan and Vietnam via cross-protection.
Runoff Simulation in Data-Scarce Alpine Regions: Comparative Analysis Based on LSTM and Physically Based Models
Authors: Yue Jiajia , Zhou Li , Du Juan , Zhou Chun , Nimai Silang , Wu Lingling , Ao Tianqi
Published: July 2024

Runoff simulation is essential for effective water resource management and plays a pivotal role in hydrological forecasting. Improving the quality of runoff simulation and forecasting continues to be a highly relevant research area. The complexity of the terrain and the scarcity of long-term runoff observation data have significantly limited the application of Physically Based Models (PBMs) in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). Recently, the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network has been found to be effective in learning the dynamic hydrological characteristics of watersheds and outperforming some traditional PBMs in runoff simulation. However, the extent to which the LSTM works in data-scarce alpine regions remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of LSTM in alpine basins in QTP, as well as the simulation performance of transfer-based LSTM (T-LSTM) in data-scarce alpine regions. The Lhasa River Basin (LRB) and Nyang River Basin (NRB) were the study areas, and the performance of the LSTM model was compared to that of PBMs by relying solely on the meteorological inputs. The results show that the average values of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE), and Relative Bias (RBias) for B-LSTM were 0.80, 0.85, and 4.21%, respectively, while the corresponding values for G-LSTM were 0.81, 0.84, and 3.19%. In comparison to a PBM- the Block-Wise use of TOPMEDEL (BTOP), LSTM has an average enhancement of 0.23, 0.36, and −18.36%, respectively. In both basins, LSTM significantly outperforms the BTOP model. Furthermore, the transfer learning-based LSTM model (T-LSTM) at the multi-watershed scale demonstrates that, when the input data are somewhat representative, even if the amount of data are limited, T-LSTM can obtain more accurate results than hydrological models specifically calibrated for individual watersheds. This result indicates that LSTM can effectively improve the runoff simulation performance in alpine regions and can be applied to runoff simulation in data-scarce regions.
Influence of a Meandering Channel on the Threshold of Sediment
Authors: Rismani Nasim , Afzalimehr Hossein , Asghari-Pari Seyed-Amin , Nazari-Sharabian Mohammad , Karakouzian Moses
Published: July 2024

River meanders and channel curvatures play a significant role in sediment motion, making it crucial to predict incipient sediment motion for effective river restoration projects. This study utilized an artificial intelligence method, multiple linear regression (MLR), to investigate the impact of channel curvature on sediment incipient motion at a 180-degree bend. We analyzed 42 velocity profiles for flow depths of 13, 15, and 17 cm in a laboratory flume. The results indicate that the velocity distribution was influenced by the sediment movement threshold conditions due to channel curvature, creating a distinct convex shape based on the bend’s position and flow characteristics. Reynolds stress distribution was concave in the upstream bend and convex in the downstream bend, underscoring the bend’s impact on incipient motion. Bed Reynolds stress was highest in the first half of the bend (0 to 90 degrees) and lowest in the second half (90 to 180 degrees). The critical Shields parameter at the bend was approximately 8–61% lower than the values suggested by the Shields diagram, decreasing from 0.042 at the beginning to 0.016 at the end of the bend. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the MLR method does not significantly enhance the understanding of sediment movement, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive physical rationale and an expanded dataset for studying sediment dynamics in curved channels.
The Influence of Groundwater Migration on Organic Matter Degradation and Biological Gas Production in the Central Depression of Qaidam Basin, China
Authors: Tian Jixian , He Qiufang , Shao Zeyu , Zhou Fei
Published: July 2024

For insight into the productive and storage mechanisms of biogas in the Qaidam Basin, efforts were made to investigate the groundwater recharge and the processes of hydrocarbon generation by CDOM-EEM (fluorescence excitation-emission matrix of Chromophoric dissolved organic matter) spectrum, hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, and geochemical characters in the central depression of the Qaidam Basin, China. The samples contain formation water from three gas fields (TN, SB, and YH) and surrounding surface water (fresh river and brine lake). The results indicate that modern precipitation significantly controls the salinity distribution and organic matter leaching in the groundwater system of the central depression of the Qaidam Basin. Higher salinity levels inhibit microbial activity, which leads to organic matter degradation and to gas generation efficiency being limited in the groundwater. The inhabitation effect is demonstrated by the notable negative correlation between the extent of organic matter degradation and its concentration with hydrogen and oxygen isotopes. The conclusion of this study indicated that modern precipitation emerges as a crucial factor affecting the biogas production and storage in the Qaidam Basin by influencing the ultimate salinity and organic matter concentration in the formation, which provides theoretical insight for the maintenance of modern gas production wells and the assessment of gas production potential.
Analysis of Influencing Factors on the Efficiency of Electrochemical Scaling Equipment
Authors: Zhang Saiwei , Wang Dongqiang , Li Gangsheng , Yu Hechun , Dong Xuewu , Jiang Haiqin
Published: July 2024

Electrochemical descaling devices have been widely used in the industrial field due to their broad applicability, convenience of operation, and cost-effectiveness. However, there are many factors that affect the descaling performance of electrochemical descaling devices, such as the selection of electrode materials, the shape and layout of the anode and cathode, the voltage and current of electrochemical equipment, the flow rate, temperature, and mineral content. Existing research has primarily focused on the influence of electrode materials and current density on descaling efficiency, while neglecting external factors such as water flow rate and temperature. In order to further explore the internal and external factors affecting the descaling performance of descaling machines, this study constructed an experimental platform for a descaling machine fouling device. Different voltages, currents, water flow rates, and temperatures were studied to assess the descaling efficiency of the descaling machine. The results indicated that under the conditions of a temperature of 30 °C, a flow rate of 0.35 m/s, a voltage of 24 V, and a current of 10 A, the fouling resistance effect of the electrochemical descaling device was optimal. This provides a new perspective for further improving the descaling efficiency of descaling machines and conducting parameter optimization.
A Comprehensive Review on Ecological Buffer Zone for Pollutants Removal
Authors: Wang Dongsheng , Gao Xing , Wu Suqing , Zhao Min , Zheng Xiangyong , Wang Zhiquan , Zhang Yejian , Fan Chunzhen
Published: July 2024

The issue of agricultural non-point source pollution has attracted global attention. A buffer zone is an effective, eco-friendly, and economically feasible remediation ecosystem to reduce the impact of agricultural non-point source pollution on water bodies. They can effectively remove pollutants in agricultural drainage through physical processes (infiltration, filtration, deposition, etc.), plant absorption and assimilation, and microbial processes, improving the water quality of water bodies. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current studies on using buffer zones to remediate agricultural non-point source pollution, with a focus on the key affecting factors for pollutant removal efficiencies. The main factors included buffer zone width, vegetation type, slope, seasonal variation, soil variation, and vegetation density. The influencing mechanisms of these factors on the pollutant removal efficiencies of buffer zones were also discussed. This review can serve as a reference for a deep understanding of buffer zones and help optimize their design and management in real ecological remediation projects.
Transformación digital en los emprendimientos de la economía popular y solidaria del cantón Machala, 2023
Authors: Camba Guamán Mishelle Estefanía , Aguilar Jiménez Elian Jazmany , León Serrano Lady Andrea , Dávila Herrera Jorge Santiago
Published: July 2024

Este estudio analiza la influencia de la transformación digital en los emprendimientos de la Economía Popular y Solidaria (EPS) en Machala, Ecuador, utilizando una metodología mixta, descriptiva y de corte transversal. Se emplearon un cuestionario estructurado y una ficha de registro mediante encuestas y observación. Los resultados muestran un creciente interés en la adopción de tecnologías digitales, aunque enfrentan barreras como la falta de recursos financieros y la resistencia al cambio. El 60% de los emprendimientos han iniciado la digitalización, pero solo el 25% ha integrado completamente soluciones digitales. La carencia de infraestructura tecnológica y competencias digitales son desafíos críticos. No obstante, hay un significativo interés en la formación y autoaprendizaje, sugiriendo una base prometedora para futuros programas de apoyo. La digitalización ha mejorado la colaboración y visibilidad de productos y servicios, reforzando los valores de la economía solidaria. Es esencial proporcionar recursos educativos, capacitación especializada y asesoramiento personalizado.
Modeling the Topographic Effect on Directional Anisotropies of Land Surface Temperature from Thermal Remote Sensing
Authors: Fan Tengyuan , Wen Jianguang , Jiao Zhonghu , Bian Zunjian , Zhong Shouyi , Zhu Wenzhe , Cao Biao , Li Hua , Du Yongming , Xiao Qing , Liu Qinhuo
Published: July 2024

In mountainous surfaces, land surface temperature (LST) plays a vital role in surface energy budget and vegetation–soil ecosystems. Despite advancements in retrieving LST from thermal infrared measurements at various spatial and temporal scales, accurately estimating LST for complex terrain remains challenging. This challenge arises from the conflict between the topographic effect and the assumption of flatten surface in many existing studies. In the absence of a simple and practical model for the topographic effect on the directional anisotropies of LST (LSTDA) over mountainous areas, the equivalent slope method is introduced to bridge the gap between studies conducted on flat surfaces and complex terrain. The proposed thermal equivalent slope kernel-driven (TESKD) model is validated using measurements and simulations from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system and a 3-dimensional raytracing model, respectively. Results indicate the following: (a) Under varying topographic conditions, vegetation cover, and solar zenith angles, there is a significant impact of topography on LSTDA. The average effect is greater than 0.5 K and can reach up to 1.5 K at the higher solar zenith angle (50°). (b) Based on UAV data, TESKD provides a better explanation and fitting effect for LSTDA in 3 typical mountainous surfaces including valley, peak, and solo-slope, with an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.27 K and an average coefficient of determinations of 0.628 of the 3 conditions, compared to a flat model (0.35 K and 0.335). (c) Based on simulations, TESKD exhibits more than a 30% improvement in accuracy, and for sparsely vegetated surfaces, the difference in RMSE can be up to 0.8 K when considering the topographic effect compared to not considering it. The new model can help to understand the radiative transfer process in heterogeneous mountainous surfaces and serves as a valuable tool for studies associated with water and carbon cycles.
Nanorobots to Treat
Candida albicans
Infection
Authors: Hu Yanling , Zeng Guisheng , Wang Yue , Yang Dongliang
Published: July 2024

Candida albicans
is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans. It causes a variety of infections ranging from superficial mucocutaneous conditions to severe systemic diseases that result in substantial morbidity and mortality. This pathogen frequently forms biofilms resistant to antifungal drugs and the host immune system, leading to treatment failures. Recent research has demonstrated the potential of nanorobots to penetrate biological barriers and disrupt fungal biofilms. In this perspective paper, we provide a brief overview of recent breakthroughs in nanorobots for candidiasis treatment and discuss current challenges and prospects.
Ethics and Accountability of Care Robots
Authors: Rajamäki Jyri , Helin Jaakko
Published: July 2024

The subject of this paper is ethical and responsibility issues relating to the development and acquisition of robotics in healthcare. The purpose of the paper is to study previous scientific publications and research related to the topic and to clarify which questions, aspects, and concerns are most relevant when considering ethics and responsibility issues related to care robots. In the second phase, ideas from different stakeholders regarding the viewpoints are studied, and those ideas are compared to the ones presented in previous publications. The aim of this study is to find solutions to the issues presented in scientific literature and, also, to find new issues for consideration and further studies. The study is qualitative, and a theme interview was utilized as the main method for acquiring knowledge. The study is a part of the SHAPES Horizon 2020 project. From the perspective of SHAPES, the aim of the study is to provide useful knowledge for the project, which would in part promote the goal of SHAPES, i.e., the development of an international healthcare ecosystem. Based on the results of the study, it can be argued that the issues presented in previous academic publications regarding the ethics and accountability of robots in practical healthcare work are not relevant. Both the legislation and the logic of the AI algorithms used by care robots prevent those situations presented in previous academic discussions in which robots would presumably be forced to make decisions demanding ethical consideration. The results also point toward the fact that current legislation does not limit the development of healthcare robots more than it limits healthcare work in general. Thus, the considerations of ethics regarding care robots should rather be focused on the threshold values used by robots, when making interpretations, as well as the data used for the purpose of machine learning. These were identified as potential subjects for further research.
A Framework for Auditing Multilevel Models using Explainability Methods
Authors: Bhaumik Debarati , Dey Diptish , Kayal Subhradeep
Published: July 2024

Multilevel models (MLMs) are increasingly deployed in industry across different functions. Applications usually result in binary classification within groups or hierarchies based on a set of input features. For transparent and ethical applications of such models, sound audit frameworks need to be developed. In this paper, an audit framework for technical assessment of regression MLMs is proposed. The focus is on three aspects: model, discrimination, and transparency & explainability. These aspects are subsequently divided into sub-aspects. Contributors, such as inter MLM-group fairness, feature contribution order, and aggregated feature contribution, are identified for each of these sub-aspects. To measure the performance of the contributors, the framework proposes a shortlist of KPIs, among others, intergroup individual fairness (DiffInd_MLM) across MLM-groups, probability unexplained (PUX) and percentage of incorrect feature signs (POIFS). A traffic light risk assessment method is furthermore coupled to these KPIs. For assessing transparency & explainability, different explainability methods (SHAP and LIME) are used, which are compared with a model intrinsic method using quantitative methods and machine learning modelling.
Using an open-source dataset, a model is trained and tested and the KPIs are computed.  It is demonstrated that popular explainability methods, such as SHAP and LIME, underperform in accuracy when interpreting these models. They fail to predict the order of feature importance, the magnitudes, and occasionally even the nature of the feature contribution (negative versus positive contribution on the outcome). For other contributors, such as group fairness and their associated KPIs, similar analysis and calculations have been performed with the aim of adding profundity to the proposed audit framework. The framework is expected to assist regulatory bodies in performing conformity assessments of AI systems using multilevel binomial classification models at businesses. It will also benefit providers, users, and assessment bodies, as defined in the European Commission’s proposed Regulation on Artificial Intelligence, when deploying AI-systems such as MLMs, to be future-proof and aligned with the regulation.
Challenges and Opportunities- The Case for New Technologies’ Implementation in Romania
Authors: Dumitrescu Decebal , Suciu Martha Cristin , Aceleanu Mirela
Published: July 2024

Purpose: This article intends to identify, understand and explore the challenges and critical success factors (“CSF”) arising from implementation of new technologies in Romanian companies. We conduct a cross-industry partially explanatory, partially exploratory research focusing on 3 business cases whereby innovative technologies such as automation software, industrial robots and continuous steel melting through the use of electrical cauldron have been implemented.
Research Methodology/Design:  We have used a case study approach. We’ve reviewed and mapped the existent academic literature on the subject matter, we have conducted interviews with business stakeholders, we have traced the identified challenges and CSF’ and measured their occurrence in relation to the case studies.
Findings:The results suggests that there are several pervasive challenges such as conflicts among the stakeholders, no management and/or employee buy-in, value misalignment and resistance to change that if appropriately mitigated can lead to successful outcomes. We’ve also identified a number recurring critical success factors that can ensure the effective implementation of the new technologies such as management buy in and understanding of value proposition.
Research limitations/implications:The current study further extends the existing research on challenges and CSF related to the implementation of technologies from the standpoint of innovation theory.
Practical Implications:The present article further expands on the exploration research performed so far on challenges and critical success factors related to the implementation of new technologies taking the scholarly research and validating the findings in the real business world.
Originality/value: The current research study provides practical evidence using cross-industry occurrence-based validation testing to indicate the challenges and critical success factors related to the implementation of new technologies in Romanian companies. It adds to the exploratory research on technology transformation as it pertains to jurisdictions that, more often than not, are outside the research radar.
Refugee Housing Accessibility with a Strategic Digital City Project
Authors: Al Lahham Nour Allah , Rezende Denis Alcides , Feijó Almeida Giovana Goretti
Published: July 2024

Adequate housing is pivotal for the refugee’s well-being, demanding strategic urban management to facilitate their integration. The research objective is to analyze housing access for adult refugees within the context of a strategic digital city, focusing on adult refugees and city strategies as a subproject of the strategic digital city project. The research methodology adopted is a case study in Curitiba, the research employs both qualitative and quantitative techniques, guided by a research protocol. Results suggest that addressing housing access challenges entails more than mere provision; it involves safeguarding rights, stability, integration, and participation in public policies and municipal strategies within the strategic digital city framework and the right to the city. These findings underscore the necessity for support services and robust collaboration among diverse stakeholders and public policies to tackle the multifaceted refugee issue, thereby fostering their integration and well-being in the host society. The conclusion emphasizes prioritizing concepts such as privacy and dignity in housing, highlighting the urgent need for effective policies catering to refugees' diverse needs.
Exploring The Metabolic Capabilities And Biotransformation Potential Of Environmental Lactococcus Strains
Authors:   , Román Naranjo Desirée ,   Munster Technological University
Published: July 2024

The aim of this thesis is to characterize environmental Lactococcus strains to identify different and diverse metabolic capabilities that could be applied to microbial biotransformation, defined as the conversion of a cheap/waste substrate into a value-added product. Due to the increased amounts of food processing waste generated worldwide and the impact of climate change, new sustainable approaches are necessary to contribute to waste valorization and the circular bioeconomy. We ask to what extent and in what ways environment isolated Lactococcus strains could contribute to food biotransformation by metabolizing a different range of substrates. We do so to further understand and identify the variable metabolic capabilities that environment isolated Lactococcus strains possess, since this species has mostly been isolated from and studied within the dairy environment. Using different screening, molecular, enzymatic and genomic methods, the capabilities of these isolates to metabolize esters, lignocellulose-derived sugars, cellulose and starch were analyzed. Moreover, their ability to biotransform a waste stream generated in the dairy industry, acid whey, into value-added products, was evaluated. We show that some environmental Lactococcus strains possess esterolytic activity and have the ability to ferment lignocellulose-derived sugars, cellulose and starch. We also show that they can biotransform the waste stream acid whey into value-added products such as amino acids and vitamins. The significance of this study is that it expands our understanding of the diverse metabolic capabilities these environmental Lactococcus strains have. It also provides a potential future application of these strains to contribute to waste biotransformation and valorization, helping to mitigate the effects of food waste and climate change.
THE CURRENT SURGICAL APPROACH TO PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA.
Authors: Cynthia Michelle Tipán Venegas , Jorge Lenin Álvarez Herrera , Daniela Stephanie Montenegro Salas
Published: July 2024

El feocromocitoma es un tumor raro que se origina en las células cromafines de la médula suprarrenal y se caracteriza por la secreción excesiva de catecolaminas, como adrenalina y noradrenalina, lo que puede causar hipertensión arterial severa y crisis hipertensivas potencialmente letales. Con una prevalencia estimada de 2-8 casos por millón de habitantes al año, este tumor suele presentarse entre la tercera y quinta década de vida, con una ligera predominancia en mujeres. El diagnóstico se basa en la medición de metanefrinas en plasma y orina, y en técnicas de imagen como la tomografía computarizada, la resonancia magnética y la gammagrafía con MIBG, que ayudan a localizar y caracterizar el tumor. El tratamiento de elección es la resección quirúrgica, para la cual el manejo preoperatorio incluye el bloqueo alfa con fenoxibenzamina y la adecuada hidratación para prevenir hipotensión postoperatoria. La cirugía puede ser realizada por vía laparoscópica, robótica o abierta, dependiendo del tamaño del tumor y la presencia de complicaciones o invasión local.
Inventory System Design Using the First In First Out Method
Authors: Putra M Riski , Prawiro Radius
Published: July 2024

The use of computers is growing rapidly in all fields according to the progress of the times, resulting in many changes in human life in dealing with every problem that occurs and is related to the development process as a whole. One of the developments in the business sector is the Inventory System. Businesses operating in the field of drug sales still use the method of stocking goods, where when one of the stocks of a drug runs low, it will be immediately stocked. The information system that will be created for drug supplies uses the First In First Out (FIFO) method. The FIFO method means that the company will first use old/first-in stock for sales. It is hoped that this research will help leaders and employees manage drug stock transaction data efficiently.
STUDY OF WEAR RESISTANCE OF COATINGS BASED ON IRON ALUMINIDES FORMED ON STEEL SURFACES
Authors: SHMORGUN V.G. ,   Volgograd State Technical University, SLAUTIN O.V. , KULEVICH V.P. , KUZNETSOV S.A. , ROMANENKO M.D. ,   Volgograd State Technical University,   Volgograd State Technical University,   Volgograd State Technical University,   Volgograd State Technical University
Published: July 2024

It has been shown that in FeAl/Fe3Al/Fe(Al) coatings formed on a steel base using explosion welding and subsequent heat treatment, the main failure mechanism is cohesive. Peeling and chipping of coatings occurs only under heavy loads or in case of weak adhesion. It has been established that the hardness of a layered FeAl/Fe3Al/Fe(Al) coating with a thickness of 440 μm increases from the substrate to the surface, reaches a maximum at a distance of 200 μm from the surface, and then decreases due to an increase in porosity. Its relative wear resistance is ~1.5 times higher than the St3 steel base.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF MELT CHEMICAL COMPOSITION ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CU-AL BIMETAL OBTAINED BY EXPLOSIVE WELDING NEAR THE LOWER LIMIT OF WELDABILITY
Authors: VU VAN A.N. ,   Volgograd State Technical University, KHARLAMOV V.O. , KOCHKALOV A.D. , KUZ'MIN S.V. , LYSAK V.I. ,   Volgograd State Technical University,   Volgograd State Technical University,   Volgograd State Technical University,   Volgograd State Technical University
Published: July 2024

In this work, using scanning electron microscopy, the joint zone of Cu-Al bimetal obtained by explosion welding near the lower limit of weldability was studied. Micro-X-ray spectral energy dispersive elemental analysis (EDS) of melts in the joint zone was carried out. It was revealed that the melts have a finely dispersed two-phase microstructure corresponding to the eutectic (Al) + θ. It was found that with an increase in the energy of plastic deformation W2 from 0.12 to 0.24 MJ/m2, the linear content of melts increases from 15 to 57%, and the ratio of Al/Cu elements changes from 80/20 to 50/50 At.%. In this case, the mechanical tear strength of bimetal layers with kinematic parameters corresponding to the intersection of the lower limit of weldability increases abruptly from zero to an equal strength value of 89 MPa.
STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPRESSION PRESSURE ON THE STRUCTURE AND THERMOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYIMIDE FILLED WITH BRONZE
Authors: KAZUROV A.V. ,   Volgograd State Technical University, ADAMENKO N.A. ,   Volgograd State Technical University
Published: July 2024

Comparative studies of the influence of explosive pressing pressure and subsequent sintering on the thermo-mechanical properties of polyimide filled with 10 and 30% bronze were carried out. The explosive compaction pressure in the shock front was 0.2-0.3 GPa and 0.4-0.5 GPa. A decrease in thermomechanical deformations and an increase in softening temperatures of filled polyimide with an increase in explosive pressing pressure and subsequent sintering in a closed volume have been established, which is associated with an increase in adhesive interaction.
ANALYSIS OF STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF LINKS OF SPHERICAL CONVERTING MECHANISM OF PISTON PUMP
Authors: POPOV A.V. ,   Volgograd State Technical University, NOTOV I.V. ,   Volgograd State Technical University
Published: July 2024

The article presents the design of a spherical converting mechanism used as a piston pump, made in the form of a 3D model. An analysis of the deformations of the links of the specified mechanism was carried out. The most loaded elements were determined and the force in areas with maximum stress was justified in order to determine the effect on the volumetric fluid supply.