bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Care of Hospitalized Children in Belgium: A Follow-Up Survey
Authors: Destoop Marlies , Vandenplas Yvan , Raes Marc , Hauser Bruno , De Greef Elisabeth , Huysentruyt Koen
Published: February 2025

Background: A 2014 survey showed nutritional management could be improved in Belgian pediatric departments. This follow-up survey aimed to: (1) list allied health resources/staffing in Belgian pediatric departments, (2) survey nutritional screening and follow-up, and (3) identify barriers. Methods: A nationwide survey (February–April 2021) via national and regional pediatric associations. Results: 61/90 (67.8%) of Belgian pediatric departments responded (80.1% of all Belgian pediatric hospital beds); 60.7% of the respondents were from larger centers (LCs, ≥20 beds). A dietitian was present in 80.3% of all responding units (LCs vs. smaller centers (SCs): p = 0.133), compared to 46.5% in the 2014 survey. Most dietitians seldom or never participate in ward rounds (86.9%) and participate only ad hoc to case discussions (72.1%). Systematic nutritional screening is implemented in 32.8% of pediatric departments. The screening tool STRONGkids is used in 30% of responding centers, compared to 21% in 2014. The most common barriers to conducting nutritional screening were lack of time (59.0%), a lack of knowledge (47.5%), and a lack of staff (42.6%). In French-speaking centers (FrCs), a positive screening result most often led to referral to a dietitian (86.7%), whereas in Dutch-speaking centers (DuCs), it more frequently resulted in a discussion with the pediatrician about nutritional management (54.3%) than referral to a dietitian (34.8%). Nutritional follow-up after discharge is most often conducted by a physician, with or without the involvement of a dietitian (95.1%), rather than a dietitian alone (3.3%). Malnutrition management barriers included “no barriers” (50.8%), a lack of knowledge (34.4%), a lack of reimbursement (24.6%), and a lack of time (24.6%). The barriers remain largely unchanged compared to 2014. Conclusions: The increasing availability of dietitians and the use of a screening tool in pediatric departments suggest an encouraging but limited improvement in nutritional care in Belgium. Persistent barriers that have remained unchanged since 2014 continue to hinder substantial advancements in nutritional care.
L-Theanine Mitigates Acute Alcoholic Intestinal Injury by Activating the HIF-1 Signaling Pathway to Regulate the TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α Axis in Mice
Authors: Tan Simin , Gu Jiayou , Yang Jiahao , Dang Xuhui , Liu Kehong , Gong Zhihua , Xiao Wenjun
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Acute alcohol consumption can cause intestinal dysfunction, whereas L-theanine (LTA) has shown the potential to support intestinal health. We explored L-theanine’s ability to protect against acute alcohol-induced injury. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were administered LTA for 28 d and then underwent acute alcohol intestinal injury modeling for 8 days. Results: The results revealed that LTA ameliorated alcohol-induced pathological damage in the duodenum and gut permeability, improved secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) content, and reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content in mice. Furthermore, LTA restored the composition of the intestinal flora, increasing the abundance of Alloprevotella, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Muribaculum, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001. Additionally, LTA increased beneficial metabolites, such as oxyglutaric acid and L-ascorbic acid, in the HIF-1 pathway within the enrichment pathway. Further investigation into the HIF-1 signaling pathway identified up-regulation of claudin-1, HIF-1α, occludin, and ZO-1, and down-regulation of TLR4, PHD2, p65 NF-κB, TNF-α, and IFN-γ mRNA and protein levels. Conclusions: These results suggest that LTA may enhance the intestinal barrier by activating the HIF-1 signaling pathway to regulate the TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α axis, thereby reducing acute alcoholic intestinal injury.
The Benefits of Caring Massage® for Patients and Nurses: A Delphi Study
Authors: Franchi Veronica , Fiorini Jacopo , Batino Martina , Sili Alessandro
Published: February 2025

Background: The Caring Massage® (CM) consists of nurse–patient physical and mental contact. It promotes empathetic presence and emotional closeness and strengthens trust and safety in the nurse–patient relationship. However, previous studies have underexplored and under-evaluated its effectiveness on different body areas. This study aimed to identify the body areas to be treated and assess CM’s influence on the nurses performing it and patients receiving it. Method: A Delphi study was conducted to gather expert opinions on Caring Massage®. A preliminary list of body areas and variables influenced by CM was developed from a literature review and submitted to panelists to identify outcomes, achieving an acceptable content validity rate. Patient and nurse variables as influenced by CM were categorized into “Bio-Physiological Outcomes” (BPOs), “Psychological Outcomes” (POs), and “Sociological Outcomes” (SOs). Two Delphi rounds were conducted between July and October 2024. Results: A total of 86 panelists were recruited, who identified 58 variables (7 body areas, 29 patient variables, and 22 nurse variables). Feet, legs, back, hands, shoulders, and arms were identified as key CM treatment areas. Patient outcomes identified as highly influenced by receiving CM were quality of sleep (BPO), emotional well-being (PO), and nurse–patient relationship (SO). Nurse outcomes highly influenced by performing CM were physical well-being (BPO), body respect (PO), and consideration of the patient as a person (SO). Conclusion: Caring Massage® influences multiple aspects concerning both the patients receiving it and nurses performing it. This study addressed the heterogeneity observed in the literature, providing a foundation for future studies and encouraging further investigations.
Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey
Authors: Kar Nilamadhab
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Despite an improved knowledgebase, effective intervention, and guidelines, many patients with depression do not receive adequate treatment and treatment discontinuation and non-response are common. It was intended to explore the challenges clinicians face while managing depression in their clinical practice and their suggestions for solutions. Methods: It was an online survey of 137 psychiatrists in 18 countries including both high and low economies, using a pre-designed questionnaire; with both quantitative and qualitative measures. Results: Antidepressant prescribing appeared close to the evidence-based guidelines. There was frequent use of other medications alongside antidepressants since treatment initiation. There were many challenges in managing depression, such as treatment non-response, resistance, and discontinuation; side effects, mostly sexual problems; inadequate psychological intervention; availability and affordability of treatment modalities; comorbidities, especially substance use and personality disorders; stigma; and lack of education and training. Suggested approaches for solutions included personalized treatment, quicker follow-up, psychoeducation, blending psychological intervention into routine clinical practice, improving continuity of care, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Support from governments for improving access, making interventions affordable, and providing socio-occupational support is essential. Training and development of professionals, public education providing information, and dealing with stigma are still relevant. Conclusions: The results indicated a need for reviewing current practices in managing depression, optimizing it with available resources, and preventing treatment discontinuation, and non-response. Making treatment available and affordable, public education fighting stigma to improve treatment acceptability, and research addressing gaps in interventions, especially for treatment resistance and psychotherapy are other approaches that may improve depression management.
Gas Desorption Characteristics of Different Coal Ranks
Authors: Xu Huigang , Qi Xuyao , Wang Haidong , Liang Zhongqiu , Yang Tao , Zou Yongming , Jiang Qi , Jin Lei
Published: February 2025

It is crucial to understand the desorption and diffusion characteristics of coal seam gas to prevent gas disasters in coal mines. This study conducted constant-temperature gas dispersion tests on lignite, fiery coal, and anthracite to uncover the complexities of gas diffusion in coal samples under the influence of coal metamorphism. The main focus was on determining their gas desorption and diffusion characteristics and analyzing the mathematical models of gas dispersion for coal samples with varying degrees of metamorphism over different durations. The results indicated that highly metamorphosed coal samples reached the desorption limit quickly, while low-rank lignite required more time to reach the limit. The gas desorption diffusion rate was notably sensitive to the level of coal metamorphism. In the first 10 min, the gas desorption rate remained stable for lignite and fiery coal, whereas anthracite exhibited a rapid desorption rate in the initial 4 min followed by stability in the subsequent 6 min. Additionally, the effective gas diffusion coefficient showed a strong negative linear correlation with the degree of metamorphism, indicating reduced gas diffusion ability with increased metamorphism. The empirical formulas applied to anthracite showed stable correlation indices, with Formula 3 considered more suitable for describing the gas desorption processes of lignite and fiery coal.
Semi-Active Vibration Control of Water-Conveying Pipeline Based on Magnetorheological Damper
Authors: Pang Sen , Zhang Xuesong , Jiang Zihang , Yang Haixu , Zhou Shengming , Zhao Qiang
Published: February 2025

In order to mitigate the vibration caused by fluid–structure interaction in water-conveying pipelines, a semi-active control method based on a magnetorheological (MR) damper is proposed. First, the partial differential equation governing the pipeline micro-element, which is simply supported at both ends, is formulated. This equation is then transformed into state-space expressions through non-dimensionalization and the Galerkin method. Based on passive dissipative control theory, a semi-active control law ensuring Lyapunov global asymptotic stability is derived based on the relative motion between the dynamic vibration-absorbing mass and the pipeline. Next, an on–off control algorithm is designed for the MR damper. The results of simulation and hardware-in-loop experiments demonstrate that the semi-active control law can significantly reduce the vibration of the pipeline system. The contribution of this research is to propose a new MR tuned mass damper (MR-TMD) to suppress vibration in water-conveying pipelines. The proposed MR-TMD scheme and its control method provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for the engineering application of semi-active vibration control in water-conveying pipelines.
Demulsification of Water-in-Oil Emulsion with Carbon Quantum Dot (CQD)-Enhanced Demulsifier
Authors: Gallego Jhon F. , Medina Oscar E. , Tengono Jose A. , Mazo Camilo , Maya Andres F. , Caro Cristina , Cortés Farid B. , Franco Camilo A.
Published: February 2025

This study aims to optimize the demulsification performance of a carbon quantum dot (CQD)-enhanced chemical demulsifier in industrial emulsions under thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical effects. Experiments were conducted to assess treatments like organic treatment (OT), zeta potential modifier aqueous solution (ZPMAS), and acid treatment (9.25 wt.% HCl) at varying dosages, along with CQD–chemical mixtures optimized through a simplex-centroid mixture design (SCMD) to minimize basic sediment and water (BSW). Under the thermomechanical scenario, a system with 500 mg∙L−1 CQDs and OT achieves 0.5% BSW and a droplet size of 63 nm, while an SCMD-optimized system (500 mg∙L−1 CQDs + 380 mg∙L−1 OT + 120 mg∙L−1 ZPMAS) achieves 0% BSW and larger droplets (>70 nm). CQDs enhance demulsifiers by destabilizing water-in-oil (W/O) Pickering emulsions, leveraging their nanometric size, high surface area, thermal conductivity, and amphiphilicity, thanks to their hydrophobic core and surface hydrophilic groups (-OH, NH2, -COOH). This research enhances the understanding of demulsification by employing green demulsifiers based on CQDs and provides a promising cost-efficient solution for breaking stable emulsions in the petroleum industry. It minimizes the use of complex and expensive active ingredients, achieving BSW values below 0.5%, the standard required for crude oil transport and sale, while also reducing separation equipment operation times, and improving overall process efficiency.
An Improved Scheduling Approach for Multi-Energy Microgrids Considering Scenario Insufficiency and Computational Complexity
Authors: Gao Song , Wang Yuqi , Zhou Yuzhou , Yu Haixia
Published: February 2025

With the increasing energy demands and concern for environmental protection, researching and optimizing multi-energy systems have become prominent issues in the energy field. To improve the overall performance of multi-energy systems, there are two main difficulties that must be overcome: the first is the issue regarding the coupling relationships between energy sources, and the second is the uncertainties related to multiple types of energy and loads. Particularly with regard to the second difficulty, it is necessary to generate a large number of effective scenarios, as many multi-energy systems have only been built recently, and operational data exhibit uncertainties. However, at the same time, the introduction of a large number of random scenarios can lead to computational difficulties, making it impossible for a model to solve this problem. To this end, in this paper, we propose an improved scheduling approach for multi-energy microgrids, balancing scenario insufficiency and computational complexity. Latin Hypercube sampling is creatively used to generate enough uncertain scenarios, and hierarchical clustering is employed to create representative scenarios to reduce the computational complexity. Then, based on these effective clustered scenarios, a multi-energy collaborative optimization method considering the coupling relationship between energy sources is proposed. The effectiveness of this method is verified through numerical tests and sensitivity analysis. The results show that the economic cost of this method is only 0.305% higher than that of the deterministic method and that it has a certain degree of robustness and a good economic performance, but it is limited by its computational efficiency. In summary, this study provides an effective solution for collaboratively optimizing the operation of multi-energy systems, aiming to provide valuable insights for research in the energy field.
Life Cycle Assessment of Concrete Recycling Solutions in Light of Their Technical Complexity
Authors: Barrau Enora , Aissani Lynda , Thiriet Pierre , Laforest Valérie , Tanguy Audrey
Published: February 2025

Waste management is a key step for addressing both the environmental impact and the growing demand for resources in the construction industry. To answer these challenges, various technologies are available, carrying different environmental impacts and sociotechnical implications. For concrete waste, recycling is the most common solution. Two main recycling roads were identified, leading to products that have low or high value and implying different technical developments and environmental impacts. This study first proposed to characterize recycling technologies by their technical degree, reflecting the complexity needed to process waste. It secondly compared their environmental impacts using LCA methodology to assess which technical complexity led to minor environmental consequences and under what conditions. The results revealed that the technologies with a low technical degree tended to have a lower environmental impact than the ones with a higher technical degree when only the generated impacts were considered. The reverse was observed when considering the aggregated impacts due to the environmental benefits provided by the potentially avoided products.
The Conceptualization of Jurisprudential Exegesis as the Intersection of Tafsir and Fiqh: A Critical Approach
Authors: Demircigil Bayram
Published: February 2025

This article comprehensively analyzes the conceptual and methodological differences between tafsīr and fiqh, two core disciplines in Islamic scholarship, emphasizing their respective relationships with the Qur’ān. The study employs a historical and comparative approach to explore key Islamic texts, highlighting the evolution of each discipline and their distinct approaches to Qur’ānic interpretation. The primary objective is to clarify the unique intellectual aims, methods, and outcomes of tafsīr and fiqh, despite both disciplines engaging with the Qur’ān as their foundational text. The research concludes that tafsīr, as an exegetical field, is dedicated to interpreting the Qur’ān’s verses by examining their original meaning within their historical, linguistic, and theological contexts. In contrast, fiqh focuses on deriving legal principles from the Qur’ān, addressing the pragmatic needs of the Muslim community through ijtihād. This foundational methodological divergence has led to the frequent merging of tafsīr and fiqh, especially in the formulation of fiqh-based tafsīr (tafsīr fiqhī), which the study contends distorts the independent scholarly character of tafsīr and obscures the distinct functions of both disciplines. This article contributes to the academic discourse by challenging contemporary interpretations of fiqh-based tafsīr, urging a more precise differentiation between tafsīr as an exegetical discipline and fiqh as a juridical field. The study advocates for a more thorough and methodical approach to Qur’ānic interpretation, stressing the importance of maintaining tafsīr’s independent role in understanding the Qur’ān in its original context, without the influence of the legal frameworks that often shape fiqh interpretations. Additionally, the article encourages further scholarly investigation into the historical progression of the Aḥkām al-Qur’ān literature, particularly about the influence of madhāhib (legal schools) on Qur’ānic exegesis. The study proposes that such future research would significantly enrich contemporary Islamic scholarship and offer a deeper understanding of tafsīr and fiqh’s roles in Qur’ānic interpretation.
Living in the New Creation: The Household Code in Ephesians as Theological Instruction
Authors: Montanaro Andrew
Published: February 2025

The epistle to the Ephesians, like other Christian texts, teaches that life in the new creation, although not yet fully manifest, is already powerfully and sufficiently available to the church. However, this epistle uniquely has the predominant description of this new life in terms of entering into the household, or family, of God. Ephesians 1–5 makes this evident in the specific use of family language, the clustering of certain word groups (such as terms associated with wrath and peace), and the connection between promise and inheritance. This paper focuses on the instructions to children and fathers (Eph 6:1–4), showing that the teaching on the church in familial terms as the locus of the new creation is intended to be the basis for the way children and fathers are commanded to live their new life in their families. The description of the church contrasts with that of those outside the church, indicating that Christians are adopted children of God the Father, while those outside are “sons of disobedience” (2:2) and “children of wrath” (2:3). The instructions for children to be obedient and for fathers not to provoke their children to anger are best understood in this context.
Insurers’ Loss Portfolio Similarity and Climate Risk Insurance Cost: A Spatial Analysis of US Homeowners Insurance Market
Authors: Sun Tao
Published: February 2025

This study examines the geographical spillover of the state-level average homeowners insurance cost for 48 US contiguous states. We estimate a panel spatial Durbin model with state and year fixed effect for data between 2001 and 2018. We found a significant positive spillover of average homeowners insurance cost as indicated by a large spatial autoregressive coefficient in the baseline model. We also found a positive relationship between underwriters’ loss portfolio similarity and the average homeowners insurance cost. We conduct several robustness tests and show that the baseline results are robust if against potential biases due to heterogenous state-level insurance regulation, an alternatively defined spatial weighting matrix, and the usage of average homeowners cost for the dominant policy form (the HO3 policy). We also adopt the generalized spatial two-step least squares to mitigate the bias due to endogenous explanatory variables and find that the results are consistent with these reported for the baseline model.
Deformation Mechanisms and Rainfall Lag Effects of Deep-Seated Ancient Landslides in High-Mountain Regions: A Case Study of the Zhongxinrong Landslide, Upper Jinsha River
Authors: Li Xue , Guo Changbao , Chen Wenkai , Wei Peng , Jin Feng , Yan Yiqiu , Liu Gui
Published: February 2025

In high-mountain canyon regions, many settlements are located on large, deep-seated ancient landslides. The deformation characteristics, triggering mechanisms, and long-term developmental trends of these landslides significantly impact the safety and stability of these communities. However, the deformation mechanism under the influence of human engineering activities remains unclear. SBAS-InSAR (Small Baseline Subset-Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology, UAV LiDAR, and field surveys were utilized in this study to identify a large ancient landslide in the upper Jinsha River Basin: the Zhongxinrong landslide. It extends approximately 1220 m in length, with a vertical displacement of around 552 m. The average thickness of the landslide mass ranges from 15.0 to 35.0 m, and the total volume is estimated to be between 1.48 × 107 m3 and 3.46 × 107 m3. The deformation of the Zhongxinrong landslide is primarily driven by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, leading to the formation of two distinct accumulation bodies, each exhibiting unique deformation characteristics. Accumulation Body II-1 is predominantly influenced by rainfall and road operation, resulting in significant deformation in the upper part of the landslide. In contrast, II-2 is mainly affected by rainfall and river erosion at the front edge, causing creeping tensile deformation at the toe. Detailed analysis reveals a marked acceleration in deformation following rainfall events when the cumulative rainfall over a 15-day period exceeds 120 mm. The lag time between peak rainfall and landslide displacement ranges from 2 to 28 days. Furthermore, deformation in the high-elevation accumulation area consistently exhibits a slower lag response compared to the tensile deformation area at lower zones. These findings highlight the importance of both natural and anthropogenic factors in landslide risk assessment and provide valuable insights for landslide prevention strategies, particularly in regions with similar geological and socio-environmental conditions.
Monitoring Fine-Scale Urban Shrinkage Space with NPP-VIIRS Imagery
Authors: Chen Shili , Cheng Cheng
Published: February 2025

Urban shrinkage is a significant challenge to sustainable urban development. To date, the existing research has yet to analyze urban shrinkage at a fine-scale level. This study addresses this gap by employing nighttime light (NTL) data, which, due to its strong correlation with human activity and high spatial–temporal resolution, offers a robust approach for micro-scale population estimation. This paper aims to explore the characteristics and formation mechanisms of urban shrinkage spaces in Guangzhou, using NTL data and applying ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models. The correlational analysis reveals a marked improvement in model fit with GWR (R2 = 0.91) compared with OLS (R2 = 0.63), confirming the predictive power of NTL-based GWR for population mapping and the spatial delineation of urban shrinkage. We demonstrate that urban shrinkage spaces in Guangzhou are predominantly distributed in the outer suburbs, while urban growth is concentrated within the urban core area and inner suburbs. The formation of urban shrinkage in Liwan District examined as a case study, is primarily influenced by market factors, government actions, and regulatory constraints—a constellation of factors likely generalizable with other contexts of urban shrinkage. A comprehensive understanding of urban shrinkage at a fine-scale level is imperative for policy makers to optimize urban land use planning and mitigate the factors contributing to shrinkage space, thereby promoting sustainable urban development.
Identifying Key Traits for Screening High-Yield Soybean Varieties by Combining UAV-Based and Field Phenotyping
Authors: Yang Chen , Yang Guijun , Wang Haorang , Li Simeng , Zhang Jiaoping , Pan Di , Ren Pengting , Feng Haikuan , Li Heli
Published: February 2025

The breeding of high-yield varieties is a core objective of soybean breeding programs, and phenotypic trait-based selection offers an effective pathway to achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to identify the key phenotypic traits of high-yield soybean varieties and to utilize these traits for screening high-yield soybean varieties. In this study, the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)- and field-based phenotypic data were collected from 1923 and 1015 soybean breeding plots at the Xuzhou experimental site in 2022 and 2023, respectively. First, the soybean varieties were grouped by using a self-organizing map and K-means clustering to investigate the relationships between various traits and soybean yield and to identify the key ones for selecting high-yield soybean varieties. It was shown that the duration of canopy coverage remaining above 90% (Tcc90) was a critical phenotypic trait for selecting high-yield varieties. Moreover, high-yield soybean varieties typically exhibited several key phenotypic traits such as rapid development of canopy coverage (Tcc90r, the time when canopy coverage first reached 90%), prolonged duration of high canopy coverage (Tcc90), a delayed decline in canopy coverage (Tcc90d, the time when canopy coverage began to decline below 90%), and moderate-to-high plant height (PH) and hundred-grain weight (HGW). Based on these findings, a method for screening high-yield soybean varieties was proposed, through which 87% and 72% of high-yield varieties (top 5%) in 2022 and 2023, respectively, were successfully selected. Additionally, about 9% (in 2022) and 10% (in 2023) of the low-yielding (bottom 60%) were misclassified as high-yielding. This study demonstrates the benefit of high-throughput phenotyping for soybean yield-related traits and variety screening and provides helpful insights into identifying high-yield soybean varieties in breeding programs.
GDPGO-SAM: An Unsupervised Fine Segmentation of Desert Vegetation Driven by Grounding DINO Prompt Generation and Optimization Segment Anything Model
Authors: Hua Shuzhen , Yang Biao , Zhang Xinchang , Qi Ji , Su Fengxi , Sun Jing , Ruan Yongjian
Published: February 2025

Desert encroachment significantly threatens the living and activity space of humanity, and undertaking human-directed vegetation restoration is one of the effective ways to prevent desert expansion. In the process of desert vegetation restoration, counting the number of tree saplings for rapidly assessing the survival rate of vegetation (such as Haloxylon ammodendron) is a critical task within the restoration process. However, traditional ground-based statistical methods are resource-intensive and time-consuming. This paper proposed a novel unsupervised fine segmentation framework driven by Grounding DINO prompt generation and optimization segment anything model, termed GDPGO-SAM, designed for the segmentation of desert vegetation from UAV-derived remote sensing imagery, thereby facilitating the rapid inventory of tree saplings counts. The framework combines the Grounding DINO object detector and the pre-trained visual model SAM, employing a task-prior-based prompt optimization mechanism to effectively capture the innate features of desert vegetation. This method achieves zero-sample instance segmentation of desert vegetation with an overall accuracy (OA) of 96.56%, a mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 81.50%, and a kappa coefficient (kappa) of 0.782, successfully overcoming the limitations of traditional supervised models that rely on passive memorization rather than true recognition. This research significantly enhances the precision of vegetation extraction and canopy depiction, providing strong support for the management of desert vegetation restoration and combating desert expansion.
Low-Profile Proximity-Coupled Cavity-Less Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna
Authors: Almegbel Khalid , Tong Kin-Fai
Published: February 2025

Magneto-electric dipole (ME-dipole) antennas offer several advantages, including wide impedance bandwidth, stable high gain, unidirectional radiation, and low back-lobe radiation patterns, making them suitable for modern wireless communication systems. However, the thickness of conventional ME-dipole antennas is typically about a quarter wavelength (0.25λo) at the center operating frequency, which may not be desirable for portable device applications. This work introduces a new feeding method that reduces the antenna profile and ground plane size while maintaining the same advantages. A suspended horizontal line is proposed to excite the cavity-less ME-dipole antenna through proximity coupling. The measured results demonstrate a wide impedance bandwidth of 45.3% (ranging from 2.05 GHz to 3.25 GHz) and an average in-band gain of 9 dBi with stable ±1 dBi in-band variation with a ground reflector of size about 0.89λo2. More importantly, the cavity-less design reduces the overall thickness of the antenna to 0.17λo at the center operating frequency.
Robust Beamfocusing for Secure NFC with Imperfect CSI
Authors: Chen Weijian , Wei Zhiqiang , Yang Zai
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we consider the issue of the physical layer security (PLS) problem between two nodes, i.e., transmitter (Alice) and receiver (Bob), in the presence of an eavesdropper (Eve) in a near-field communication (NFC) system. Notably, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) arrays significantly increase array aperture, thereby rendering the eavesdroppers more inclined to lurk near the transmission end. This situation necessitates using near-field channel models to more accurately describe channel characteristics. We consider two schemes with imperfect channel estimation information (CSI). The first scheme involves a conventional multiple-input multiple-output multiple-antenna eavesdropper (MIMOME) setup, where Alice simultaneously transmits information signal and artificial noise (AN). In the second scheme, Bob operates in a full-duplex (FD) mode, with Alice transmitting information signal while Bob emits AN. We then jointly design beamforming and AN vectors to degrade the reception signal quality at Eve, based on the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of each node. To tackle the power minimization problem, we propose an iterative algorithm that includes an additional constraint to ensure adherence to specified quality-of-service (QoS) metrics. Additionally, we decompose the robust optimization problem of the two schemes into two sub-problems, with one that can be solved using generalized Rayleigh quotient methods and the other that can be addressed through semi-definite programming (SDP). Finally, our simulation results confirm the viability of the proposed approach and demonstrate the effectiveness of the protection zone for NFC systems operating with CSI.
The Impact of Pedagogical Partnership on Students’ Professional Skills and Lives
Authors: Ourdyl Nessren , Cardamone Carie , Dwyer Heather
Published: February 2025

Pedagogical partnership experiences have been found to support students in developing professional skills, but there is little documentation on whether and how those skills are exercised later in the professional roles they might pursue. We were interested in this question, particularly given the potential for pedagogical partnership to contribute to social equity by prompting the development and eventual application of skills that are critical for professional success yet often not explicitly taught. At an R1 university, one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with alumni of a pedagogical partnership program to prompt reflection on skills they developed in their time in the program and how they might relate to their post-undergraduate endeavors, including academic and professional career contexts. Participants’ reflections suggested that involvement in pedagogical partnerships impacted their development and application of professional skills, such as relationship building, communication, ability to navigate power imbalances, pedagogical knowledge, and equity-related skills. It also contributed to the development of personal attributes such as self-confidence, resilience, and flexibility. Through this research, we uncovered ways in which pedagogical partnership programs can provide an opportunity for student partners, who often hold marginalized identities, to develop some of the tacit knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in their careers post-graduation.
Effect of Cattails (Typha angustifolia L.) Biochar on Soil Fertility and Okra Productivity as an Effective Eco-Friendly Soil Amendment
Authors: Munir Muntaha , Nazir Aisha , Khan Adam , Saleem Sidra , Ali Hamada E.
Published: February 2025

The conversion of aquatic biomass into biochar offers a sustainable strategy for improving soil fertility and mitigating ecological imbalances caused by its rapid proliferation. In this study, Typha angustifolia, a widely distributed aquatic weed, was utilized for biochar production. Three biochar types (TABC400, TABC500, and TABC600) were synthesized through pyrolysis at 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C temperature. It was hypothesized that Typha angustifolia biochar would positively influence the growth and development of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The results demonstrate that biochar yield subsequently decreases with increasing pyrolysis temperature, with the highest yield at 400 °C temperature (49.03%), followed by 500 °C (38.02%) and 600 °C temperature (32.01%). However, carbon content 67.01 to 83.12%, higher heating value (17.31 to 27.42 MJ/kg), and mineral contents (K, Mg, P, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn) increase significantly with higher pyrolysis temperature. However, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, bulk density, moisture contents, and volatile context exhibited an inverse relationship with pyrolysis temperature, highlighting biochar stability and its potential for soil amendment. Among the three synthesized biochar, the 4%TABC600 (600 °C) revealed the most substantial improvement in plant height (110.11 ± 4.12 cm), plant dry biomass (6.12 ± 0.41 gm), and chlorophyll contact (39.34 ± 3.33 SPAD values), whereas the 2% and 6% TABC600 demonstrated significant influence on fruit yield (9.11 ± 2.11 gm) and fruit weight (750.44 ± 7.83 g), and chlorophyll contact (32–38 SPAD values). Based on our results, we can conclude that Typha angustifolia biochar prepared at 600 °C (TABC600) has great potential as a biofertilizer, promoting soil fertility and growth and development of crops, particularly for vegetable cultivation such as okra.
Association Rules Between Urban Road Traffic Accidents and Violations Considering Temporal and Spatial Constraints: A Case Study of Beijing
Authors: Wang Hongxiao , Liang Guohua
Published: February 2025

Traffic violations are among the leading causes of accidents and significantly compromise urban road safety. This study analyzed traffic violation and incident data collected by automated enforcement systems in urban Beijing from 2019 to 2023, consisting of 3264 traffic accident records and 147,876 traffic violation records. Through a spatiotemporal data association method, 2126 violations directly associated with accidents were identified. The FP-growth algorithm was then applied to derive 18 robust association rules encompassing five categories of accidents and four categories of violations. The findings indicate that the correlation between traffic accidents and violations displays clear peak periods during the morning (8:00–9:00) and evening (17:00–18:00). Violations such as red light running, stopping beyond the stop line during a red light, and ignoring prohibitions strongly correlate with traffic accidents under specific spatiotemporal conditions. Illegally parked vehicles not only reduce road transport efficiency but also significantly elevate the risk of traffic accidents in the surrounding area. The association rules identified in this study can assist traffic managers in formulating more effective measures to mitigate traffic violations, tackle traffic accidents at their source, enhance urban traffic safety, and promote the long-term sustainability of urban transportation systems.
Study on Heat Transfer of Copper Foam Microstructure in Phase Change Materials
Authors: Zhou Guofeng , Qiao Yuxi
Published: February 2025

The foam metal, possessing a remarkable skeletal framework, exhibits outstanding specific strength and stiffness, in conjunction with excellent thermal conductivity. Its spatially continuous porous structure not only promotes the infiltration of phase change materials but also renders it an extraordinary enhancer of thermal conductivity within phase change energy storage systems. In order to comprehensively explore the influence of copper foam structure on the heat transfer characteristics of phase change materials, this study constructs a series of structural models of copper foam frames with diverse configurations. By leveraging the finite element analysis approach, it meticulously simulates the melting processes of five unique composite copper foam structures, namely Kelvin, Gyroid, IWP, Primitive, and Hollow hexahedral. Through a detailed analysis of thermal conductivity associated with each structural model, as well as the flux variation and average temperature under a constant flow, the study scrutinizes the heat transfer properties of these disparate structures. The obtained results will provide substantial theoretical support for the optimization design of heat transfer performance in phase change heat storage systems. The results indicate that the effective thermal conductivity of MFPCMs largely depends on the structural type and its unique configuration, rather than just the porosity of the structure. Under isothermal conditions, using the melting time of the Kelvin model as a baseline, the melting time of the PCM in the Gyroid structure was reduced by approximately 20.9%, the IWP structure by 3.8%, the Primitive structure by 28.6%, and the hollow hexahedral structure by 29.9%. Under constant heat flux conditions, the melting time of the phase change material does not depend on the type of metal foam structure. The heat transfer performance of the other structures is all superior to that of the Kelvin structure. At around 150 s, all structures had their PCM completely melted, at which point the highest temperature was observed in the MFPCM based on the primitive structure, and there may be potential for further temperature increase if further studies are conducted. Therefore, these new structures hold broad application prospects in phase change energy storage systems.
How Australia Will Meet Its 2030 Emissions Target—Mapping the Optimal Emissions Pathway
Authors: Wang Meng , Shen Licheng , Liao Haolan
Published: February 2025

Australia submitted its updated nationally determined contribution (NDC) in 2022 and increased the ambition of its 2030 target, committing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. A new set of policies was proposed in its NDC, but the potential effectiveness of these policies should be assessed. This research has applied an environmentally extended input–output analysis combined with linear programming and set six types of scenarios to assess the maximum GHG emission reductions in 2030. The six scenarios include “business as usual”, different levels of sector-differentiated growth, a low-carbon electricity mix, a reduction in the emissions intensity of the mining sector, an increase in the electricity efficiency of intermediate inputs, and the implementation of all measures. Results show that implementing all measures simultaneously can achieve Australia’s 2030 emission targets, with total emissions in 2030 being 317.62 Mt CO2-e, which is a 39.08% reduction compared to the BAU. This study contributes to understanding changes in scenarios for the development of carbon emissions to achieve Australian NDCs.
How Do Startups Drive Innovations Towards Sustainability?
Authors: Jung Jihee , Ko Haengjin , Kim Young Jun
Published: February 2025

Startups face significant challenges in balancing survival with sustainability, as approximately 90% of them fail. Sustainability is often perceived as a short-term cost, yet turbulent business environments—driven by climate change, environmental regulations, and evolving social expectations—are compelling startups to align their innovations with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. These efforts aim to attract investors, customers, and other stakeholders. Despite resource constraints and the liabilities of smallness and newness, understanding how startups leverage innovation to achieve sustainability performance is of both theoretical and practical importance, particularly within the framework of triple bottom line theory. This study empirically examines the roles of absorptive capacity, appropriability, and openness in mediating and moderating the relationship between innovation activities and sustainability performance in startups. Using data from the Korean Innovation Survey 2018—a structured tool aligned with global standards for tracking innovation activities—we analyze 278 young manufacturing firms. Regression analyses reveal that product innovation and organizational innovation are significantly associated with sustainability performance. Furthermore, absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between these types of innovation and sustainability performance. To explore the contingencies influencing these relationships, we test appropriability (measured by protection mechanisms) and openness (quantified by external partnerships). Moderated mediation analysis indicates that openness strengthens the direct relationship between product innovation and sustainability performance up to a threshold but weakens it beyond this point. Organizational innovation’s impact on sustainability performance is fully mediated by absorptive capacity, while appropriability moderates this mediation by enhancing absorptive capacity’s effectiveness when limited protection mechanisms are used. These findings contribute to sustainability research by highlighting that startups’ sustainability efforts are driven by innovation activities mediated by absorptive capacity and contingent upon specific factors such as appropriability and openness. The study confirms the paradox of openness in startup contexts pursuing triple bottom line objectives. Practically, this research provides actionable insights for corporate leaders and policymakers on fostering absorptive capacity through external knowledge acquisition while carefully managing appropriability mechanisms and collaboration strategies to enhance sustainability outcomes.
Comparative Analysis of Carbon Intensity Indicators Applicable to Harbor Tugboats
Authors: Jaramillo Janmanuel , Gutiérrez Joaquín , Masip Macia Yunesky
Published: February 2025

This study compares four carbon intensity indicators applicable to harbor tugboats to identify the most representative greenhouse gas emissions management. Using operational data from SAAM Towage’s fleet, the indicators evaluated traveled distance, operating time, energy consumption, and average engine load demand. Statistical analyses revealed that the energy consumption-based indicator exhibited lower variability and greater capacity to reflect the operational particularities of tugboats. In contrast, indicators based on average load presented high dispersion, limiting their applicability. These conclusions highlight the importance of considering vessel-specific characteristics when selecting indicators. This work provides tools to improve environmental monitoring and facilitates the implementation of sustainability strategies aligned with the maritime industry’s emission reduction objectives.
Current Status and Development Strategies of the Research on Half-Feed Peanut Combine Harvester
Authors: Gu Man , Shen Haiyang , Ling Jie , Yu Zhaoyang , Luo Weiwen , Wu Feng , Gu Fengwei , Hu Zhichao
Published: February 2025

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil and economic crop, widely cultivated across various regions, with China leading global peanut production. The mechanization of peanut harvesting plays a crucial role in advancing the entire peanut industry. Half-feed peanut combine harvesters, characterized by high operational integration, can complete the harvesting of mature peanuts in a single pass and are widely used in major production areas such as Henan and Shandong in China. This paper summarizes the development history of half-feed peanut combine harvesters in the context of current peanut-planting and harvesting models, outlining their main types and operational characteristics. It also reviews the information technologies applied to these machines, including autonomous driving, harvesting quality detection, and adaptive control of operational parameters, summarizing their main types and working principles. Based on the current demand for intelligent and automated operations, the paper analyzes the main issues and development strategies for half-feed peanut combine harvesters, providing a theoretical basis for their development and the advancement of the peanut industry.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Human Mobility in Greater Tokyo Area Using Hourly 500 m Mobile Spatial Statistics from 2019 to 2021
Authors: Yoongsomporn Thanakrit , Varquez Alvin Christopher Galang , Choi Sunkyung , Okumura Makoto , Hanaoka Shinya , Kanda Manabu
Published: February 2025

Spatiotemporal evaluation of human mobility is crucial to deepen and broaden the understanding of drivers and mechanisms behind urbanization. In this study, daytime human mobility was quantified based on the inflow and outflow of population in 500 × 500 m spatial grids using a processed version of the hourly DOCOMO Mobile Spatial Statistics (MSS) dataset. Using K-means clustering of the temporal mobility values over the Greater Tokyo Area, five typical diurnal patterns representing distinguishable intensities of diurnal human mobility over weekdays and weekends were identified. Mapping their spatiotemporal changes from the period of January 2019 to December 2021, a different perspective on regional human mobility was explored. These include the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on human mobility, the relationship between human mobility and locations of public infrastructures, and a large-scale human mobility across central and peripheral areas inside the large megacity.