bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Communication Security with 3DES and Spread Spectrum Technologies
Authors: Meng Tiantian , Gu Yunji , Yang Ran , Zong Jiang , Yang Yihuai
Published: September 2023

As society moves towards the digital age, data security has become an increasingly important issue in wireless communication. To address this problem, the use of encryption techniques has become crucial. In this we studied the Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) from theory to practical application, and proposes a wireless spread spectrum system utilizing Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology, Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation, and 3DES encryption/decryption for secure and reliable data transmission. The system is able to efficiently recover the received signal, even in the presence of interference and noise, as demonstrated by the significantly lower Bit Error Rate (BER) of the received signal compared to the original transmitted binary sequence. The effectiveness of the system is demonstrated through simulation results, indicating that it offers a promising solution for wireless communication applications where secure and reliable data transmission is essential.
Adaptive source localization for mobile robots based on Kriging prediction
Authors: Liu Weichao , Cao Kai , Chen Yangquan , Gao Song , Yang Fan , Ding Yufei
Published: September 2023

This paper addresses the source localization for mobile robots under the assumption of spatio-temporal invariance. Two kriging-based source localization methods, namely global traversal and adaptive gradient extremum, are proposed and implemented using limited sampling data. The global traversal method controls the robot to traverse the whole region according to a fixed trajectory, and finally fits the information distribution of the sources in the whole target region, so as to obtain the location and number of sources. The adaptive gradient extremum method initially controls the robot to collect data by traversing the target search area. Simultaneously, it uses the collected data to fit the source distribution across the entire region. Then, it utilizes gradient and extremum principles to determine the next target point iteratively, eventually reaching the positions of the sources. The simulation results show that the global traversal can obtain more field distribution information, and the adaptive gradient extremum method is more efficient.
Cloud computing resource load prediction based on improved VMD and attention mechanism
Authors: Zhang Modi , Fan Zhonglei , Miao Yuhao , Yang Liu
Published: September 2023

Dynamic adjustment of resource supply according to users’ resource load is one of the important technologies to achieve efficient management of cloud computing resources. In order to accurately obtain users’ demand for resource load in the future, based on quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO), a prediction model QVMD_AM_LSTM was proposed to optimize variational mode decomposition (VMD) and to add attention mechanism to AM_LSTM. A comparative experiment was conducted on the open-source dataset cluster-trace-v2018 from Alibaba Cloud. The outcomes show that compared with LSTM, AM-LSTM, GRU-LSTM, Refined-LSTM, Stacked-LSTM and other existing prediction models, the mean square error of the QVMD_AM_LSTM model proposed in this article decreases by 8-14, and the correlation coefficient rises by 6%-11%. QVMD_AM_LSTM model has higher prediction accuracy.
Research on Application Scenarios of Artificial Intelligence in New Power System
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhao Lili , Li Bingsen
Published: September 2023

Building a New Power System with new energy as the main body is the main theme of modern energy system construction and energy for a period of time in the future. It is an inevitable choice to promote the clean and low-carbon development of electric power. Through artificial intelligence technology, we can solve the problems of strong volatility and difficult regulation caused by the diversity of new energy sources, and promote the establishment of a green, efficient, flexible, interactive, safe and controllable New Power System. This paper sorts out the challenges and deficiencies faced by New Power System, summarizes the application characteristics of artificial intelligence in various industries, analyzes the development and characteristics of artificial intelligence applications, combines the application hotspots of artificial intelligence New Power System, studies the application scenarios of artificial intelligence in the construction, operation and maintenance of New Power System, and puts forward suggestions on the research direction.
Study of the Load Forecasting based on AKDC and LSTM algorithms
Authors: Ding Mingming , Wang Zhenshu , Zhou Xinhui , Wang Kang
Published: September 2023

As one of the traditional research subjects of power system, load forecasting has always been a hot research direction of related experts and scholars. This paper uses an extended algorithm combining the advantages of adaptive K-means algorithm and distributed clustering algorithm, improves the traditional K-means algorithm, and uses LSTM algorithm to build a load prediction model. LSTMS can learn the advantages of long distance time series dependence to recognize load patterns from the horizontal (time dimension). The simulation results show that the LSTM algorithm based on Adam optimizer improves the accuracy of load prediction, and the proposed algorithm is verified.
Distribution Network Mixed-harmonic Separation Method Based on Characteristic Vector
Authors: Xiao Linfu
Published: September 2023

The threat of harmonic pollution has become increasingly serious with the rapid increase in the scale and complexity of distribution networks. However, the harmonic source variety of distribution networks and the phenomena about harmonic characteristics become vague after harmonic mixture because harmonic governance and responsibility division cause much inconvenience. To address this point, a distribution network mixed-harmonic separation method based on characteristic vector is developed in this study. This method realizes the division of the current working state, harmonic emission levels, and harmonic governance responsibility of each harmonic source by equivalent analysis and reverse thinking. The results are verified through an experiment.
Flash drought fades away under the effect of accumulated water deficits: the persistence and transition to conventional drought
Authors: Liu Yi , Zhu Ye , Ren Liliang , Singh Vijay P , Yuan Shanshui
Published: September 2023

Flash drought typically refers to the rapid intensification process that would only persist for a certain amount of time. In spite of short duration, flash drought may cause destructive impacts on agricultural and ecological sectors due to the sustained drought severity during or after the rapid intensification period. Understanding the persistence of flash drought, its regional patterns, and to what extent a transition from rapid intensification to conventional drought occurs is beneficial for drought monitoring and drought management. Employing surface and root-zone soil moisture reanalysis datasets, the notion of accumulated water deficits over varying time scales (can be detected by the moving averages of daily soil moisture series from 1 to 300 d) was introduced to explore how the signal of flash drought fades away over China during the period of 1950–2021. Results show that the flash drought signal gradually attenuates under the increased time scales of water deficits. With significant spatial differences, more than 50% of flash drought on average would be lost at a 10 d time scale, and the attenuation ratio may reach 90% when the time scale increases to 100 d. Under the effects of accumulated water deficits, the majority of flash drought events may evolve into conventional drought before dissipating completely. Soil moisture memory has a finite effect on the attenuation of flash drought signal. Flash drought signal dissipates slowly in areas with strong soil moisture memory. As time scale increases, both flash drought signal and the memory of soil moisture decrease, and their correlation also weakens.
Co-regulation of water and energy in the spatial heterogeneity of drought resistance and resilience
Authors: Chen Juan , Liu Zhiyong , Mao Jiafu , Zhao Tongtiegang , Tu Tongbi , Cheng Linyin , Dong Chunyu
Published: September 2023

Vegetation resistance and resilience to drought are linked to the stability of terrestrial ecosystems under climate change. However, the factors driving the spatial heterogeneity in drought resistance and resilience remain poorly understood. In the study, we utilized multiple satellite-derived vegetation indices to calculate and analyze changes in drought resistance and resilience across various biomes worldwide. Results indicated that drought resistance showed a significant increase with the increase in water availability, but no significant relationship was observed between drought resistance and energy. In contrast, drought resilience exhibited a significant increase with an increase in energy rather than in water. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between drought resistance and resilience across different biomes worldwide, indicating a trade-off between resistance and resilience. However, the strength of the negative correlation varied based on water and energy conditions. These findings provide compelling evidence that water and energy co-regulated the spatial heterogeneity in drought resistance and resilience across the globe. The robust linear relationship between drought resistance and resilience and available water and energy demonstrated in our study is critical to accurately predicting and assessing the impact of climate change on vegetation growth and terrestrial carbon cycling in the future.
Encounter-based reaction-subdiffusion model II: partially absorbing traps and the occupation time propagator
Authors: Bressloff Paul C
Published: September 2023

In this paper we develop an encounter-based model of reaction-subdiffusion in a domain Ω with a partially absorbing interior trap

. We assume that the particle can freely enter and exit

, but is only absorbed within

. We take the probability of absorption to depend on the amount of time a particle spends within the trap, which is specified by a Brownian functional known as the occupation time A(t). The first passage time (FPT) for absorption is identified with the point at which the occupation time crosses a random threshold

A
ˆ

with probability density

ψ
(
a
)

. Non-Markovian models of absorption can then be incorporated by taking

ψ
(
a
)

to be non-exponential. The marginal probability density for particle position

X

(
t
)

prior to absorption depends on ψ and the joint probability density for the pair

(

X

(
t
)
,
A
(
t
)
)

, also known as the occupation time propagator. In the case of normal diffusion one can use a Feynman–Kac formula to derive an evolution equation for the propagator. However, care must be taken when combining fractional diffusion with chemical reactions in the same medium. Therefore, we derive the occupation time propagator equation from first principles by taking the continuum limit of a heavy-tailed continuous-time random walk. We then use the solution of the propagator equation to investigate conditions under which the mean FPT for absorption within a trap is finite. We show that this depends on the choice of threshold density

ψ
(
a
)

and the subdiffusivity. Hence, as previously found for evanescent reaction-subdiffusion models, the processes of subdiffusion and absorption are intermingled.
Geographic Information System (GIS) for Landfill site selection - A review
Authors: Muayad Mukhalad , Janna Hussein
Published: September 2023

There are many research studies concerned with selecting the best sanitary landfill sites using geographic information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), taking into account many environmental such as (River, Groundwater), geological such as (Slope, Soil) social, and economic such as (City center, Villages, Road, Land use, Gas pipeline, Power line, Railway) criteria. By analyzing the data and maps in the GIS software for each criterion and using the relevance indicator, a map of the appropriate landfill sites in the study area is produced. This research aims to know the most appropriate and most used methods for calculating the weights of the criteria in previous studies and literature for selecting the best landfill sites. (MCDM) consists of several methods, the most important of which are the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the simple supplemental weighting method (SAW), the fixed order sum method (SRS), and the ratio scale weight method (RSW). It was the best and most commonly used analytical hierarchy method (AHP).
A state-of-the-art review on reinforced concrete slabs strengthened by frp sheets under monotonic, impact and repeated loading
Authors: Mtashar Shahad H , Al-Azzawi Adel A
Published: September 2023

Composites made of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) have gained popularity as new high-performance material for concrete buildings in now days. The advantages of FRP composites include high strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. This paper’s primary objective is to assess the affect of FRP strips on the strengthening and repair of plain and reinforced concrete slabs. under the monotonic, impact, and repeated loading. According to studies’ observations, applying FRP strips to RC slabs significantly affects the final load and deflection. The number and positioning of FRP sheets improve the performance of slabs. The failure load magnitude of strengthened slabs would increase as slab thickness, concrete compressive strength, and sheet thickness increase. The ultimate load capacity was increased by (27-52%), depending on the FRP strengthening strategy used. GFRP sheets could be employed for improving or enhancing the impact strength of concrete structures. Externally attached GFRP sheets gave good resistance for reinforced concrete slabs against typical explosive blast.
Mechanical properties and flexural behaviour of green light weight concrete beams exposure to salty soils
Authors: Naser Fatimah H. , Naser Maryam H. , Hussein Mahdi J. , Almamoori Ali Hameed Naser
Published: September 2023

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties, durability and flexural behaviour of green concrete beam when subjected to harsh environments by using recycled building materials. Concrete resistance to external aggressive environmental condition is one of the most significant characteristics to maintain the concrete durability. The fundamental goal of this study is to understanding the performance of green lightweight concrete beam of (10×10×40 cm) under two different severe saline conditions; Ground Water Condition (GWC) and Severe Saline Clay Soil Condition (SSC) that contain chlorides and sulfates at concentrations like to those existing in groundwater and soil of the southern and middle parts of Iraq. In this research, in addition to normal concrete; three basic categories of green lightweight concrete are used: structural, non-structural and moderate strength using recycled of clay bricks and themestone blocks as coarse Light Weight Concrete (LWA) by a replacement ratio of (0, 50 and 100) % volume of natural coarse aggregate. All green Light Weight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) beams and related specimens for mechanical properties were subjected to GWC, SSC and Laboratory Air Condition (LAC) for till (3, 6 and 9 months) after twenty-eight days of curing by tap water. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and density were also studied. The results obtained offered that the GWC and SSC have impacted the performance of all concrete beam types negatively with exposure age. The decadence was more for non-structural green LWAC beam. It is found that the resistance of beams contains bricks aggregate to GWC and SSC was a better than the other types of the green LWAC, the percentage decreases in failure load were 15.47% and 13.31% at 9 months of exposure to GWC and SSC measured relative to concrete beam exposed to LAC, respectively. Under the effect of aggressive conditions till 3 months, the results clarified that the improvement rate in the mechanical properties of the green LWAC were increased with age in comparison with ordinary concrete. The percentage reduction in compressive, splitting tensile strength and density at 9 months were ranged between (8.70-17.05) %, (14.71-36.50) % and (0.11-3.98) %, respectively measured relative to the same specimens in LAC.
Effect of fire on concrete mechanical properties and concrete columns
Authors: Yasser Thayf , Shallal Muhaned A.
Published: September 2023

This study includes a review of prior investigations on the effects of exposure to fire and high temperatures on recycled concrete components and concrete columns. Although considerable information has been collected on both phenomena, there is still a need for a fuller knowledge of the performance of recycled concrete and the performance of concrete poles under increased temperatures. There is a scarcity of data from large-scale experiments on concrete buildings. In this study, the compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and stress of recycled materials in concrete, such as bricks and glass, are compared to the findings of regular concrete formed of natural coarse aggregate subjected to high temperatures. Also, it explored the variables that impact how resistant concrete columns are to fire and high temperatures, including the kind of aggregate, relative humidity, length of fire exposure, concrete permeability, concrete cover, and longitudinal reinforcing.
A Comparative Analysis of Methods for Calculating Stability of Benchmarks Used in the Russian Federation to Monitor Deformations of Engineering Structures to Ensure Sustainability
Authors: Al-dami H , Zheleznov M
Published: September 2023

Geodetic monitoring has become a mandatory procedure in the construction and operation of buildings and structures during their life cycles. This is due to the need to improve the safety and sustainability of the structures. This research presents the results of a comparative analysis of the methods of stability of benchmarks in the Russian Federation. The analysis process was carried out for the five most famous methods currently used in the study of the stability of benchmarks to monitor engineering structures of different types and compared them with previous studies that dealt with the comparison between two or more of the five methods known in the Russian Federation. The study showed that the simplest and most well-known method used in analyzing criteria is the method of Kostechel and Chernikov. But it should be noted that the two methods cannot guarantee the correct selection of the most stable benchmarks unless the rating values for each criterion in the network are calculated and taken into account.
Toward sustainable pavement: Surface Evaluation of Experimental Highway Section Containing Additives
Authors: Al-Mosawy Rusul F. SH. , Al-Obaedi Jalal T. S.
Published: September 2023

Highway pavements are usually subjected to many types of failures “distresses” since these pavements are exposed to traffic load and weather conditions. Therefore, many agents tried to enhance the asphalt mixes to reduce the possibility and severity of distresses by adding additives to replace small amount of binder (bitumen). SBS in one of the most used additives that been used in many states. In recent years, the SBS has been used in pavement of about 1.2km to be experimental sections within Basra-Baghdad expressway. This paper examines the pavement condition index (PCI) for the experimental section after about six years form been paved and exposed to traffic. So far, only minimal distresses including cracks and potholes were recorded without reducing the initial PCI value of 100. Further work will be followed to examine the mechanical properties of the layers such as the indirect tensile strength and rutting resistance.
Using Short Ultra-High Performance Concrete Link Slab as an Alternative to Steel Dowel Bars in Rigid Pavements
Authors: kinaine Alaa Faisal , Al-Jelawy Haider M.
Published: September 2023

To prevent problems from occurring at the joint region in bridge construction, link slab was introduced to hide the apparent expansion joint and retain its function. This research describes experimental tests that investigate the use of an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), for its high sustainability properties, as a short link slab instead of apparent expansion joints and their respective steel dowels in joint plain concrete pavement (JPCP) while maintaining the expansion joint’s proper function. Similar to dowelled joints, the proposed joint distributes load between adjoining slabs while allowing for contraction and expansion of the pavement due to temperature and moisture variations. Modified cantilever tests were conducted on JPCP slab segments with regular dowelled joints and UHPC link slab joints to investigate the load-deflection response and load transfer of both joints and make comparison. The experimental results showed that UHPC link slab specimens exhibited less deflection at the face of the joint and less relative deflection between the adjoining slabs than steel dowel bar specimens. The test outcomes also showed that joint width did not have a noticeable influence on the load-deflection behavior of the UHPC link slab specimens, but it obviously affected the dowelled joints. Also, UHPC link slab specimens showed an improvement in ultimate load capacity by 23.33% and 11% compared with dowelled joints. Furthermore, the UHPC link slab joints exhibited a better load transfer between slab segments than the dowelled joints. It was concluded that even a short link slab can be superior to standard dowelled joints
Regional Transportation’s Planning Implications for Large Cities
Authors: Abdulwahab A M , Aboud G M , Obaid I , Jaheed A K , Salah B
Published: September 2023

Internationally, the number of large cities and megacities is growing. The way major cities and megacities manage their unique advantages and hazards will either degrade or improve the quality of life for their residents. Lack of new transportation garages in the areas and suburbs of Baghdad Governorate that can accommodate foreign trips and redistribute them before entering the boundaries of Baghdad Municipality of, unplanned spatial distribution of existing transit garages, and no plans to define and separate external transport trips from internal trips, which are part of the management of the transport system. Due to heavy traffic flow between vehicles and pedestrians as well as between vehicles themselves, the area around public garage suffers, which has a severe impact on the city’s ability to breathe and its connections to other areas. The goals of the current study are to ascertain the impact of regional transportation on Baghdad transportation planning, specifically in terms of the location’s regional garages (Public Garage) and in terms of external-internal (and vice versa) trips came from outside of Baghdad administrative boundaries to regional garages locations. In order to accomplish these goals, a questionnaire form was created and 150 samples were given out to passengers, drivers of outside transportation vehicles, and garage operators. According to the survey’s findings, commercial travel accounts for the biggest percentage of regional visits (22-24%), followed by health travel (20%), with educational travel declining by 10% as a result of the current Corona pandemic. The majority of regional travel occurs in the relatively close-by provinces that surround Baghdad City, with Hilla entrances accounting for 40% of such travel, followed by Kirkuk entrances (16%). Factors that affect vehicle movement include traffic congestion (73%) and climatic conditions (21%), both of which have an immediate effect on drivers, passengers, and vehicles. The sustainable solutions may entail extending geographic and temporal frames of reference for long-range planning and expanding performance measures to capture appropriate planning inputs that evaluate planning effectiveness in accordance with desired outcomes for supraregional planning that involves multiple states and a cogent vision and standards for the national transportation system.
Investigation behavior of gypsum soil reinforced by geosynthetics supported square footing-an experimental study
Authors: Waleed Adil Abdulameer , Selçuk Murat Ergenekon , Mohsen Makki K.
Published: September 2023

Recently, an urban expansion prompted to construction of structures on weak or unsuitable ground soils. In a sustainable view, there is a need to investigate and improve such types of soils under consideration. Gypsum soil is one of the weak soils when exposed to wetness, especially the value of bearing capacity and Collapse. The main objective of this study is to carry out several model tests for gypsum soil at a relative density of 30% for dry and wet conditions under static vertical stress. The study involved evaluating the effectiveness of soil stabilization using geosynthetics reinforced (geotextile and E-glass fiber fabric) by using single, double, and triple layers placed at different locations. Soil with a gypsum content of 47% was used. Experimental tests were carried out on soil models for the dry and saturated conditions for a relative density of 30%. The ultimate bearing capacity was calculated, as well as the ratio of improvement BCR% according to the reinforcement layers. It was found that the ultimate bearing capacity increases 100% when using E-glass fiber fabric comparing used geotextile at reinforcement triple layers (0.25B+0.5B+1B) for dry state.
Microplastic distribution in Surface Water and Sediments of Way Belau River, Lampung, Indonesia
Authors: Alam F C , Sari N K , Anggraini R , Setiawan F R
Published: September 2023

Microplastic research in Lampung water body is becoming concern because of its strategic location towards the Sunda Strait. The Way Belau River in surface water and sediments are one of the places to identify the potential for microplastic deposition, and to estimate the distribution of microplastics from upstream to downstream. In the surface water, the abundance of microplastics are found about 36.76 ± 21,81 particles/500 ml, and in the sediments of the Way Belau River, it showed the abundance of microplastics are about 21.03 ± 11.92 particles/100 g of dry sediment. The dominant microplastic morphologies are fragments and fibers with a size range of 20-250 µm. The results of identification of polymer types using Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of polyethylene and polypropylene plastic types.
Bagasse and bamboo charcoal comparison: as adsorbents for waste water to comply with Indonesian environmental quality standards
Authors: Pramadika Havidh , Satiyawira Bayu , Hari Karyadi Oetomo R. , Anaugtuharesto Yosia , Sunjaya Rizky Satrio Putra , Alamsah Malunlana
Published: September 2023

Bagasse; which is sugar cane waste; and bamboo charcoal usually are disposed of right away. However, if both are further being processed, they would have had economic values; which one of them is as adsorbent for waste formation water from petroleum production operation, to comply with Indonesian environmental quality standard for waste water disposal. The aims and the objectives of this research are to obtain the adsorption ability of bagasse and bamboo charcoal, and the adsorption ratios of the two materials. First, it is necessary to activate carbon which presents in bagasse and bamboo charcoal waste, by grinding the materials. Then, there are five concentrations for each of the adsorbent in the waste water being used; 0.5 gr/cc, 1 gr/cc, 1.5 gr/cc, 2 gr/cc, and 2.5 gr/cc. This study indicates that the adsorbent from bagasse and bamboo charcoal does able to reduce the pH, salinity and TDS values according to the standard qualities set by the government. Bagasse adsorbent with concentrations of 1.5 gr/cc, 2 gr/cc, and 2.5 gr/cc would able to reduce pH value of waste water to meet government’s standard quality, while bamboo charcoal adsorbent with concentrations of 2 gr/cc and 2.5 gr/cc would able to reduce the pH value of standard value. The higher the concentration of bagasse and bamboo charcoal the lower the values of pH, salinity, and TDS. Comparing bagasse and bamboo charcoal; bagasse performance is better than bamboo charcoal.
Assessment of microplastic on tropical tidal lake waters in Medan (study cases-Siombak lake)
Authors: Hasibuan N H , Hutabarat L , Khair H , Suryati I , Anggia Y , Manalu S P
Published: September 2023

Siombak Lake is an artificial lake in Medan City. We investigated microplastic pollution in tropical tidal lake waters in the current research. Grab samples of water and sediments were taken by Indonesian standards. Organic digestion and density separation were used in the preparation of the sample. The categorization of the polymer was determined by Raman Spectrophotometry, and the quantity and shape, were determined by microscopy. The result indicated that the sediment and water in Siombak Lake were polluted with microplastic. Both water and sediments are dominated by fragment shapes. The concentration of microplastic in sediments water ranging from 91 to 126 particles for 100 ml water and 262 to 398 particles for one gram of dry sediment. Microplastic contains polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, and data analysis shows a strong correlation between the amount of microplastic in water and sediment.
A critical analysis of potential formation and health risk of disinfection by products in drinking water
Authors: Tazkiaturrizki T , Hartono D M , Moersidik S S
Published: September 2023

The reaction between chlorine and organic matter in water treatment processes formed a new product called disinfection by products (DBPs). Natural organic matter is the main precursor of the DBPs formation. Trihalomethanes as the most found DBPs in drinking water and N-Nitrosamine as one of kind DBPs from contaminated water. Those compounds are predicted to be carcinogenic for human being. This critical analysis goal is to investigate the potential formation of DBPs in water treatment and analysis the potential health risk to find the best strategies for reducing the DBPs formation. It presents a comprehensive literature review of research to understand the formation of DBPs especially Trihalomethanes and N-Nitrosamine in water treatment. Then investigation the health risk potential of trihalomethanes an N-Nitrosamine. Trihalomethanes always formed during the disinfection process. Trihalomethanes have the high can endanger human health because of the potential of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and lead to toxicity. N-Nitrosamine generally come in a lower concentration than Trihalomethanes but give higher health risk. Establish DBPs concentration limits is very important to protect the health of humans who consume water. Prevention of the formation of DBPs compounds by removing organic precursors in the water and adding advanced treatment after the disinfection process.
Stakeholders’ Interests and Negotiations in Design for Recycling Guideline Development for Plastic Packaging in Indonesia
Authors: Nurhadi Moh , Anggraini Maya V. , Putra Kristanto I. , Widianarko Budi
Published: September 2023

Packaging plays essential roles in product management, brand identity, and consumer protection. However, it is often conflicting with environmental sustainability issues. Plastic packaging is considered responsible for plastic waste leakage into the environment because it is not designed for recycling (D4R). This research explores D4R criteria for prioritised plastic packaging; developed by involving plastic producers, product manufacturers, consumers, waste collectors, waste recyclers, and relevant governmental ministries. Through Delphi method and stakeholder consultation, the stakeholders negotiate the D4R criteria to protect their interests. The D4R criteria are prioritised for three plastic packaging: (i) HDPE/ LDPE containers for personal and home care products; (ii) PET bottles for mineral water; and (iii) PP cups for food and beverage products. The criteria of eleven packaging components have been developed for each prioritised plastic packaging. Stakeholders mostly agree to the criteria, except for the size or volume of containers criterion. The product manufacturers tend to keep the container size small for reaching a wider market segment, while the waste collectors and recyclers insist on increasing the size to make it easy for collection. Moreover, additional standards and references are needed to define the D4R criteria for the ink, additive, barrier, and adhesive for non-food products.
Surfactant technology for improved hydrocarbon recovery in unconventional liquid reservoirs: a systematic literature review
Authors: Riswati S S , Irham S , Rendy  , Mardiana D A , Irvan R , Wijayanti P , Ratri P J , Faalih I S
Published: September 2023

An unconventional liquid reservoir (ULR) is a type of underground geological deposit containing liquid hydrocarbons, such as crude oil, natural gas liquids, or condensate, not found in traditional oil and gas reservoirs. These formations have distinct properties that make oil and gas production more difficult than in typical reservoirs. Surfactants can be added to the fracking fluid to aid in the release of hydrocarbons. By reducing the amount of water and chemicals used in the process, surfactants can assist to reduce some of the negative environmental implications associated with fracking. In the current study, a systematic literature review was used to analyze and identify existing literature on surfactant technology in unconventional liquid reservoirs from the previous five years. 12 papers out of the 500 papers collected showed that studies had been performed and proved that surfactants can potentially increase the recovery of unconventional liquid reservoirs. The mechanism behind the positive outcome was concluded to be the alteration of wettability of reservoir rock and interfacial tension. Based on the conducted review, evaluation of the environmental impact from the use of surfactant and assessment of economic feasibility of surfactant technology in ULR could be the future research topics.
Effects of water surplus on prevented planting in the US Corn Belt for corn and soybeans
Authors: Lee Seunghyun , Abatzoglou John T
Published: September 2023

Record-high prevented planting of staple crops such as corn and soybeans in the United States (US) Corn Belt due to heavy rainfall in recent years has spurred concern over crop production, as growing evidence suggests winter and spring precipitation extremes will occur more frequentlyin the coming decades. Using county-level data, we examine the effects of planting-season water surplus—precipitation minus evaporative demand—on prevented planting of corn and soybeans in the US Corn Belt. Using monthly water surplus data, we show significant impacts of excess moisture on preventing planting and suggest a 58%–177% increase in prevented planting during the months of April–June per standard deviation increase in water surplus. Downscaled climate change projections are used to estimate future changes in prevented planting during the mid-century (2036–2065) under the moderate emission scenario (RCP4.5). Our model predicts a decrease in prevented planting of approximately 111,000 acres (12%) for corn and 80,000 acres (16%) for soybeans in the US Corn Belt, relative to historical levels from 1950 to 2005. However, if we consider only precipitation and disregard evaporative demand, the alternative model indicates an increase of approximately 260,000 acres (30%) for corn and 86,000 acres (19%) for soybeans. Geographically, we find that prevented planting will slightly increase in some parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and generally decrease in the other parts of the US Corn Belt. This work collectively highlights the value of incorporating water surplus data in assessing prevented-planting impacts and is the first known study to examine changing risk of prevented planting under future climate scenarios that may help inform adaptation efforts to avoid losses.
The effect of plastic strain and temperature on the corrosion resistance of the Al-5.6Zn-2Mg powder metallurgy alloy during hot upsetting
Authors: Harikrishna Katika , Davidson M J , Rajmohan K S
Published: September 2023

Failure may be expedited or slowed down depending on the way the plastic strain interacts with the corrosive media. Therefore, in the present study, the Al-5.6Zn-2Mg alloy produced by the powder metallurgy process was subjected to hot deformation at different plastic strain levels and temperatures (300 °C–500 °C) on a hydraulic press, and then the impact on Corrosion susceptibility was studied using electrochemical corrosion tests in a 3.5% NaCl solution at room temperature. The results of potentiodynamic polarization showed that as deformation levels increased, the corrosion current density decreased and the pitting potential increased. The corrosion resistance of Al-5.6Zn-2Mg increased considerably with an increase in upsetting temperature, due to increasing grain size and a decrease in pore content. Icorr of 2.4982 (μA cm−2) and Epit −0.876 V have been found for the highly deformed preforms under 500 °C condition. EIS results showed a high contact resistance of 2659 Ohm.cm2 for the sample deformed under 500 °C. After the deformation process, densification behaviour is related to the electrochemical behaviour. Pitting corrosion occurred in all deformed samples, while intergranular corrosion was found only in the severely deformed samples.
Improving SOH estimation for lithium-ion batteries using TimeGAN
Authors: Seol Sujin , Lee Jungeun , Yoon Jaewoo , Kim Byeongwoo
Published: September 2023

Recently, the xEV market has been expanding by strengthening regulations on fossil fuel vehicles. It is essential to ensure the safety and reliability of batteries, one of the core components of xEVs. Furthermore, estimating the battery’s state of health (SOH) is critical. There are model-based and data-based methods for SOH estimation. Model-based methods have limitations in linearly modeling the nonlinear internal state changes of batteries. In data-based methods, high-quality datasets containing large quantities of data are crucial. Since obtaining battery datasets through measurement is difficult, this paper supplements insufficient battery datasets using time-series generative adversarial network and compares the improvement rate in SOH estimation accuracy through long short-term memory and gated recurrent unit based on recurrent neural networks. According to the results, the average root mean square error of battery SOH estimation improved by approximately 25%, and the learning stability improved by approximately 40%.
Cholinergic innervation topography in GBA-associated de novo Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Slingerland Sofie , van der Zee Sygrid , Carli Giulia , Slomp Anne C , Boertien Jeffrey M , d’Angremont Emile , Bohnen Nicolaas I , Albin Roger L , van Laar Teus
Published: September 2023

The most common genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s disease are GBA1 mutations, encoding the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Patients with GBA1 mutations (GBA-PD) exhibit earlier age of onset and faster disease progression with more severe cognitive impairments, postural instability and gait problems. These GBA-PD features suggest more severe cholinergic system pathologies. PET imaging with the vesicular acetylcholine transporter ligand 18F-F-fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol (18F-FEOBV PET) provides the opportunity to investigate cholinergic changes and their relationship to clinical features in GBA-PD.

The study investigated 123 newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve Parkinson’s disease subjects—with confirmed presynaptic dopaminergic deficits on PET imaging. Whole-gene GBA1 sequencing of saliva samples was performed to evaluate GBA1 variants. Patients underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment of all cognitive domains, motor evaluation with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, brain MRI, dopaminergic PET to measure striatal-to-occipital ratios of the putamen and 18F-FEOBV PET. We investigated differences in regional cholinergic innervation between GBA-PD carriers and non-GBA1 mutation carriers (non-GBA-PD), using voxel-wise and volume of interest-based approaches. The degree of overlap between t-maps from two-sample t-test models was quantified using the Dice similarity coefficient.

Seventeen (13.8%) subjects had a GBA1 mutation. No significant differences were found in clinical features and dopaminergic ratios between GBA-PD and non-GBA-PD at diagnosis. Lower 18F-FEOBV binding was found in both the GBA-PD and non-GBA-PD groups compared to controls. Dice (P < 0.05, cluster size 100) showed good overlap (0.7326) between the GBA-PD and non-GBA-PD maps. GBA-PD patients showed more widespread reduction in 18F-FEOBV binding than non-GBA-PD when compared to controls in occipital, parietal, temporal and frontal cortices (P < 0.05, FDR-corrected). In volume of interest analyses (Bonferroni corrected), the left parahippocampal gyrus was more affected in GBA-PD.

De novo GBA-PD show a distinct topography of regional cholinergic terminal ligand binding. Although the Parkinson’s disease groups were not distinguishable clinically, in comparison to healthy controls, GBA-PD showed more extensive cholinergic denervation compared to non-GBA-PD. A larger group is needed to validate these findings. Our results suggest that de novo GBA-PD and non-GBA-PD show differential patterns of cholinergic system changes before clinical phenotypic differences between carriers versus non-carrier groups are observable.
Delusional infestation: a retrospective cohort study of 49 patients over a 6-year period
Authors: Hutchison Eliza , Angus Janet , Davies Jo
Published: September 2023

Delusional infestation (DI) is the fixed false belief of pathogenic infestation of the skin or body despite no supporting medical evidence. It is a relatively rare condition with a reported prevalence of 1.48 per million people. Successful treatment can be challenging as patients are often reluctant to accept referral or involvement of psychiatric services. We report a retrospective cohort study of 49 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of DI, assessed in a regional psychodermatology service over a 6-year period. Low-dose antipsychotics (risperidone or olanzapine) were prescribed in 44 patients. We use our data to explore possible reasons why DI can be challenging to treat. Response to treatment and engagement with services is multifactorial. Our study emphasizes the importance of early assessment and supports the expansion of psychodermatology services in the UK.
Rapid and sustained response to tralokinumab in a patient with severe bullous pemphigoid and end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Maglie Roberto , Baffa Maria Efenesia , Senatore Stefano , Pipitò Carlo , Caproni Marzia , Solimani Farzan , Antiga Emiliano
Published: September 2023

Tralokinumab as a novel therapeutic approach for bullous pemphigoid.
Single-dose Effectiveness of Mpox Vaccine in Quebec, Canada: Test-negative Design With and Without Adjustment for Self-reported Exposure Risk
Authors: Brousseau Nicholas , Carazo Sara , Febriani Yossi , Padet Lauriane , Hegg-Deloye Sandrine , Cadieux Geneviève , Bergeron Geneviève , Fafard Judith , Charest Hugues , Lambert Gilles , Talbot Denis , Longtin Jean , Dumont-Blais Alexandre , Bastien Steve , Dalpé Virginie , Minot Pierre-Henri , De Serres Gaston , Skowronski Danuta M
Published: September 2023

Introduction

During the 2022 mpox outbreak, the province of Quebec, Canada, prioritized first doses for pre-exposure vaccination of people at high mpox risk, delaying second doses due to limited supply. We estimated single-dose mpox vaccine effectiveness (VE) adjusting for virus exposure risk based only on surrogate indicators available within administrative databases (eg, clinical record of sexually transmitted infections) or supplemented by self-reported risk factor information (eg, sexual contacts).

Methods

We conducted a test-negative case-control study between 19 June and 24 September 2022. Information from administrative databases was supplemented by questionnaire collection of self-reported risk factors specific to the 3-week period before testing. Two study populations were assessed: all within the administrative databases (All-Admin) and the subset completing the questionnaire (Sub-Quest). Logistic regression models adjusted for age, calendar-time and exposure-risk, the latter based on administrative indicators only (All-Admin and Sub-Quest) or with questionnaire supplementation (Sub-Quest).

Results

There were 532 All-Admin participants, of which 199 (37%) belonged to Sub-Quest. With exposure-risk adjustment based only on administrative indicators, single-dose VE estimates were similar among All-Admin and Sub-Quest populations at 35% (95% confidence interval [CI]:−2 to 59) and 30% (95% CI:−38 to 64), respectively. With adjustment supplemented by questionnaire information, the Sub-Quest VE estimate increased to 65% (95% CI:1–87), with overlapping confidence intervals.

Conclusions

Using only administrative data, we estimate one vaccine dose reduced the mpox risk by about one-third; whereas, additionally adjusting for self-reported risk factor information revealed greater vaccine benefit, with one dose instead estimated to reduce the mpox risk by about two-thirds. Inadequate exposure-risk adjustment may substantially under-estimate mpox VE.
A machine learning-based score for precise echocardiographic assessment of cardiac remodelling in hypertensive young adults
Authors: Alsharqi Maryam , Lapidaire Winok , Iturria-Medina Yasser , Xiong Zhaohan , Williamson Wilby , Mohamed Afifah , Tan Cheryl M J , Kitt Jamie , Burchert Holger , Fletcher Andrew , Whitworth Polly , Lewandowski Adam J , Leeson Paul
Published: September 2023

Aims

Accurate staging of hypertension-related cardiac changes, before the development of significant left ventricular hypertrophy, could help guide early prevention advice. We evaluated whether a novel semi-supervised machine learning approach could generate a clinically meaningful summary score of cardiac remodelling in hypertension.

Methods and results

A contrastive trajectories inference approach was applied to data collected from three UK studies of young adults. Low-dimensional variance was identified in 66 echocardiography variables from participants with hypertension (systolic ≥160 mmHg) relative to a normotensive group (systolic < 120 mmHg) using a contrasted principal component analysis. A minimum spanning tree was constructed to derive a normalized score for each individual reflecting extent of cardiac remodelling between zero (health) and one (disease). Model stability and clinical interpretability were evaluated as well as modifiability in response to a 16-week exercise intervention. A total of 411 young adults (29 ± 6 years) were included in the analysis, and, after contrastive dimensionality reduction, 21 variables characterized >80% of data variance. Repeated scores for an individual in cross-validation were stable (root mean squared deviation = 0.1 ± 0.002) with good differentiation of normotensive and hypertensive individuals (area under the receiver operating characteristics 0.98). The derived score followed expected hypertension-related patterns in individual cardiac parameters at baseline and reduced after exercise, proportional to intervention compliance (P = 0.04) and improvement in ventilatory threshold (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

A quantitative score that summarizes hypertension-related cardiac remodelling in young adults can be generated from a computational model. This score might allow more personalized early prevention advice, but further evaluation of clinical applicability is required.