bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of a Conical Plasma Jet with a Cloth-Covered Nozzle for Polymer Treatment
Authors: Kodaira Felipe Vicente de Paula , Almeida Ana Carla de Paula Leite , Tavares Thayna Fernandes , Quade Antje , Hein Luis Rogério de Oliveira , Kostov Konstantin Georgiev
Published: August 2023

Although atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) have been widely employed for materials modification, they have some drawbacks, such as the small treatment area (couple of cm2). To overcome this limitation, a funnel-like APPJ with a wide exit has been proposed. In this work, a gas-permeable cotton cloth covered the nozzle of the device to improve the gas flow dynamics and increase its range of operation. The funnel jet was flushed with Ar, and the plasma was ignited in a wide range of gas flow rates and the gap distances between the exit nozzle and the sample holder. The device characterization included electric measurements and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). To evaluate the size of the treatment and the degree of surface modification, large samples of high-density polyethylene (PE) were exposed to plasma for 5 min. Afterward, the samples were analyzed via water contact angle WCA measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that surface modification occurs simultaneously on the top and bottom faces of the samples. However, the treatment incorporated different functional groups on each side.
Innovations in the Design and Application of Stimuli-Responsive Restorative Dental Polymers
Authors: Fugolin Ana Paula P. , Huynh Bao , Rajasekaran Sivashankari P.
Published: August 2023

The field of dental materials is undergoing rapid advancements in the pursuit of an innovative generation of dental polymeric restorative materials. There is a growing interest in the development of a distinct category of dental polymers that transcend the conventional role of inertly filling prepared cavities. Instead, these materials possess the capacity to actively detect and respond to alterations within the host environment by undergoing dynamic and controlled molecular changes. Despite the well-established status of stimuli-responsive polymeric systems in other fields, their implementation in dentistry is still in its nascent stages, presenting a multitude of promising opportunities for advancement. These systems revolve around the fundamental concept of harnessing distinctive stimuli inherent in the oral environment to trigger precise, targeted, predictable, and demand-driven responses through molecular modifications within the polymeric network. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse categories of stimuli-responsive polymers, accentuating the critical aspects that must be considered during their design and development phases. Furthermore, it evaluates their current application in the dental field while exploring potential alternatives for future advancements.
Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
Authors: Rizzuto Carmen , Barberi Riccardo C. , Castriota Marco
Published: August 2023

In this work, the implementation of an electrochromic device (10 cm × 10 cm in size) for energy saving applications has been presented. As electrochromic system has been used with an electrochromic solution (ECsol) made by ethyl viologen diperchlorate [EV(ClO4)2], 1,1′-diethyl ferrocene (DEFc) and propylene carbonate (PC), as solvent. The final system has been obtained by mixing the ECsol, described above, with a polymeric system made by Bisphenol-A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BPA) and 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (Irgacure 651) in a weight percentage equal to 60:40% w/w, respectively. Lithography has been used to make a spacer pattern with a thickness of about 15–20 µm between the two substrates. Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the EV•+ as justified by the blue color of the electrochromic device in the ON state. Electrochemical and optical properties of the electrochromic device have been studied. The device shows reversible electrochromic behavior as confirmed by cyclic color variation due to the reduction and oxidation process of the EV2+/EV•+ couple. The electrochromic device shows a variation of the % transmittance in the visible region at 400 nm of 59.6% in the OFF state and 0.48% at 3.0 V. At 606 nm the transmittance in the bleached state is 84.58% in the OFF state and then decreases to 1.01% when it is fully colored at 3.0 V. In the NIR region at 890 nm, the device shows a transmittance of 74.3% in the OFF state and 23.7% at 3.0 V while at 1165 nm the values of the transmittance changed from 83.21% in the OFF state to 1.58% in the ON state at 3.0 V. The electrochromic device shows high values of CCR% and exhibits excellent values of CE in both visible and near-infrared regions when switched between OFF/ON states. In the NIR region at 890 nm, electrochromic devices can be used for the energy-saving of buildings with a promising CE of 120.9 cm2/C and 420.1 cm2/C at 1165 nm.
Incorporation of Bayberry Tannin into a Locust Bean Gum/Carboxycellulose Nanocrystals/ZnO Coating: Properties and Its Application in Banana Preservation
Authors: Chi Wenrui , Li Tingting , Wei Na , Pan Zijing , Wang Lijuan
Published: August 2023

The application of polysaccharide-based coatings to prolong the shelf-life of fruits has attracted increasing attention. This study aims to develop a fruit coating comprising locust bean gum/carboxycellulose nanocrystals/ZnO (LCZ) blended with bayberry tannins (BT). The results revealed a significant increase from 4.89% and 11.04% to 29.92% and 45.01% in the free radical scavenging rates of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazthiazoline sulfonate] with the percentage of BT increasing from 0% to 5%, respectively. At a 5% of BT, the antibacterial activity against both E.coli and S. aureus exceeded 90% while simultaneously achieving excellent UV shielding (transmittance of 380–200 nm ≤ 0.19%). After 3 days of storage, uncoated bananas showed signs of browning, and their titratable acid and vitamin C (Vc) contents decreased from 0.57% to 0.30% and from 7.37 mg/100 g to 4.77 mg/100 g, respectively. However, bananas coated with LCZ containing 3% BT not only exhibited a better appearance, but also possessed higher titratable acid (0.44%) and Vc content (5.31 mg/100 g). This study provides a sustainable and multifunctional coating for fruit preservation.
Role of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles with Trigonella foenum-graecum Seeds in Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Awad Manal A. , Virk Promy , Hendi Awatif A. , Ortashi Khalid Mustafa , AlMasoud Najla , Alomar Taghrid S.
Published: August 2023

As the human population continues to escalate, its requirement for clean water is also increasing. This has resulted in an increased dependency on wastewater effluent to maintain the base flow of urban streams, especially in water-stressed regions. The present study reports the synthesis of AgNPs with green credentials using an aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds. The observance of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with UV–Vis spectrophotometry confirmed the presence of spherical/oblong particles with a mean diameter of 43.8 nm and low polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.391 measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and DLS (dynamic light scattering) technique, respectively. The elemental map of AgNPs was demonstrated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and the constituent functional groups were identified by the FTIR spectra, which were similar to the bulk seed extract with a slight shift in the pattern. The emission spectrum of nanoparticles was recorded for the excitation wavelength of 349 using fluorescence microscopy and the crystalline structure was assessed using X-ray diffraction. The potential wastewater remedial efficacy of the synthesized AgNPs was evaluated based on the water quality parameters (pH, EC, BOD, COD) of the sewage effluent collected from a local Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Furthermore, the photo degradative efficacy was investigated using the degradation percentage of Crystal Violet (CV) dye, which was recorded as 94.5% after 20 min. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the NPs versus bulk seed extract was assessed against two bacterial strains, Escheria coli and Staphylococcus aureus, using the disc diffusion method. The AgNPs showed a profound modulatory effect on the water quality parameters, coupled with marked antimicrobial and photodegradative activity. Thus, the biogenically synthesized AgNPs offer a prospective potential for use in wastewater remediation strategies.
Removal of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics by Chitosan–Magnetite from Aqueous: Single and Binary Adsorption
Authors: Bui Quy M. , Vu Tung Q. , Vuong Xuan T. , Nguyen Vinh D. , Nguyen Linh T. N. , Le Ha T. , Nguyen Hoa T. H. , Nguyen Van Phuoc
Published: August 2023

In this research, chitosan–magnetite composites (CS-MNPs) were successfully synthesized using a rapid and easy technique. The materials were characterized by FTIR, XRD, EDX, TEM, VSM, and BET methods. The removal of the antibiotics ciprofloxacin (CFX) and levofloxacin (LFX) from aqueous solutions by CS-MNPs adsorbent was investigated. The influencing factors in a single adsorption system were studied, including pH (1–11), initial concentration (2.5–15.0 mg/L), contact time (0–120 min), and adsorbent dosage (5–50 mg/L). The experiment data were analyzed by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The adsorption isotherms were studied by fitting the experimental data to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. The results indicated that the adsorption of CFX and LFX antibiotics was consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, the Langmuir isotherm model. Binary adsorption systems (CFX: LFX) with concentration ratios of 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1.0, 1:1.5, and 1:2.0 were also studied. The antibiotics CFX and LFX were absorbed by CS-MNPs simultaneously in the aqueous solution. The presence of the second component in the solution reduced the first component’s ability to adsorb. The adsorption process in the binary system followed the Langmuir competition model. After four regenerations, CS-MNPS exhibited stability and was well reusable. Studies on actual samples showed that CS-MNPs could effectively remove FQs from those samples, with a treatment efficiency of above 98%.
Profile Phenolic Compounds in Spanish-Style and Traditional Brine Black Olives (‘Gemlik’ Cv.) Provided from Different Regions of Türkiye
Authors: Demir Cansu , Yildiz Elif , Gurbuz Ozan
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of growing regions and processing methods on the composition and the quantity of phenolic compounds in ‘Gemlik’ variety table olives. Two different processing methods, Spanish-style and traditional brine (naturally processed) olives, were used in the processing of ‘Gemlik’ table olives. According to the data obtained in this study, the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds were observed for 3-hydroxytyrosol (4.58–168.21 mg/kg), followed by 4-hydroxyphenyl (0.76–97.58 mg/kg), luteolin 7-glucoside (0.32–58.64 mg/kg), tyrosol (1.57–47.24 mg/kg), and luteolin (0.17–53.56 mg/kg) in overall samples. The highest quantity of phenolic compounds was determined in raw olives, and the lowest phenolic compound content was determined in Spanish-style processed olives. Table olives which are produced by the natural process were observed to contain higher concentrations of phenolic compounds compared with the olives, which are produced in the Spanish style. In this sense, statistical results showed that region and processing methods have significant impacts on the phenolic compounds of table olives.
The Politics of Belonging: A Study of Educated Jewish Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Women in Israel
Authors: Gado Tehila , Kook Rebecca , Harel Ayelet
Published: August 2023

The past few decades have witnessed significant increases in levels of education among women members of conservative religions. Contrary to the expectations of both researchers and policymakers, this trend has not been accompanied by decreases in levels of piety. The purpose of this article is to explore what it means to educated religious women to belong to conservative religious communities that embody values and practices that do not conform to the values of modernity associated with exposure to higher education. On the basis of a series of group interviews with educated Jewish Haredi women in Israel, we examined this very question. We found that the women we interviewed demonstrated a deep pride in their religious identity and an ongoing and strong commitment to their community. At the same time, they regarded membership in their community as a form of social capital enabling them to secure a wide array of benefits, which provided compensation for the demand to conform to conservative practices. We conclude that through a process of exchange (social capital against the price of conforming), the women challenge existing norms while maintaining strong religious identities, taking part in democratic processes, and, together, forging articulated bonds of membership and belonging.
Machine Learning Applied to a Dual-Polarized Sentinel-1 Image for Wind Retrieval of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Hu Yuyi , Shao Weizeng , Shen Wei , Zhou Yuhang , Jiang Xingwei
Published: August 2023

In this work, three types of machine learning algorithms are applied for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) wind retrieval in tropical cyclones (TCs), and the optimal method is confirmed. In total, 30 Sentinel-1 (S-1) images in dual-polarization (vertical–vertical [VV] and vertical–horizontal [VH] were collected during the period from 2016 to 2021, which were acquired in interferometric-wide and extra-wide modes with pixels of 10 m and 40 m, respectively. More than 100,000 sub-scenes with a spatial coverage of 3 km are extracted from these images. The dependences of variables estimated from sub-scenes, i.e., VV-polarized and VH-polarized normalized radar cross-section (NRCS), as well as the azimuthal wave cutoff wavelength, on wind speeds from the stepped-frequency microwave radiometer (SFMR) and the soil moisture active passive (SMAP) radiometer are studied, showing the linear relations between wind speed and these three parameters; however, the saturation of VV-polarized NRCS and the azimuthal wave cutoff wavelength is observed. This is the foundation of selecting input variables in machine learning algorithms. Two-thirds of the collocated dataset (20 images) are used for training the process using three machine learning algorithms, i.e., eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Multi-layer Perceptron, and K-Nearest Neighbor, and the coefficients are fitted after training completion through 20 images collocated with SFMR and SMAP data. Another 10 images are taken for validation up to 70 m/s, yielding a 2.53 m/s root mean square error (RMSE) with a 0.96 correlation and 0.12 scatter index (SI) using XGBoost. The result is better than the >5 m/s error achieved using the existing cross-polarized geophysical model function and the other two machine learning algorithms; moreover, the comparison between wind retrievals using XGBoost and Level-2 CyclObs products shows about 4 m/s RMSE and 0.18 SI. This suggests that the machine learning algorithm XGBoost is an effective method for inverting the TC wind field utilizing SAR measurements in dual-polarization.
Video Scene Detection Using Transformer Encoding Linker Network (TELNet)
Authors: Tseng Shu-Ming , Yeh Zhi-Ting , Wu Chia-Yang , Chang Jia-Bin , Norouzi Mehdi
Published: August 2023

This paper introduces a transformer encoding linker network (TELNet) for automatically identifying scene boundaries in videos without prior knowledge of their structure. Videos consist of sequences of semantically related shots or chapters, and recognizing scene boundaries is crucial for various video processing tasks, including video summarization. TELNet utilizes a rolling window to scan through video shots, encoding their features extracted from a fine-tuned 3D CNN model (transformer encoder). By establishing links between video shots based on these encoded features (linker), TELNet efficiently identifies scene boundaries where consecutive shots lack links. TELNet was trained on multiple video scene detection datasets and demonstrated results comparable to other state-of-the-art models in standard settings. Notably, in cross-dataset evaluations, TELNet demonstrated significantly improved results (F-score). Furthermore, TELNet’s computational complexity grows linearly with the number of shots, making it highly efficient in processing long videos.
Traffic Management in IoT Backbone Networks Using GNN and MAB with SDN Orchestration
Authors: Guo Yanmin , Wang Yu , Khan Faheem , Al-Atawi Abdullah A. , Abdulwahid Abdulwahid Al , Lee Youngmoon , Marapelli Bhaskar
Published: August 2023

Traffic management is a critical task in software-defined IoT networks (SDN-IoTs) to efficiently manage network resources and ensure Quality of Service (QoS) for end-users. However, traditional traffic management approaches based on queuing theory or static policies may not be effective due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of network traffic. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that leverages Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and multi-arm bandit algorithms to dynamically optimize traffic management policies based on real-time network traffic patterns. Specifically, our approach uses a GNN model to learn and predict network traffic patterns and a multi-arm bandit algorithm to optimize traffic management policies based on these predictions. We evaluate the proposed approach on three different datasets, including a simulated corporate network (KDD Cup 1999), a collection of network traffic traces (CAIDA), and a simulated network environment with both normal and malicious traffic (NSL-KDD). The results demonstrate that our approach outperforms other state-of-the-art traffic management methods, achieving higher throughput, lower packet loss, and lower delay, while effectively detecting anomalous traffic patterns. The proposed approach offers a promising solution to traffic management in SDNs, enabling efficient resource management and QoS assurance.
Analysis of Ordinal Populations from Judgment Post-Stratification
Authors: Alvandi Amirhossein , Hatefi Armin
Published: August 2023

In surveys requiring cost efficiency, such as medical research, measuring the variable of interest (e.g., disease status) is expensive and/or time-consuming; however, we often have access to easily obtainable characteristics about sampling units. These characteristics are not typically employed in the data collection process. Judgment post-stratification (JPS) sampling enables us to supplement the random samples from the population of interest with these characteristics as ranking information. This paper develops methods based on the JPS samples for estimating categorical ordinal populations. We develop various estimators from the JPS data even for situations where the JPS suffers from empty strata. We also propose the JPS estimators using multiple ranking resources. Through extensive numerical studies, we evaluate the performance of the methods in estimating the population. Finally, the developed estimation methods are applied to bone mineral data to estimate the bone disorder status of women aged 50 and older.
Photovoltaic Power Forecast Using Deep Learning Techniques with Hyperparameters Based on Bayesian Optimization: A Case Study in the Galapagos Islands
Authors: Guanoluisa Richard , Arcos-Aviles Diego , Flores-Calero Marco , Martinez Wilmar , Guinjoan Francesc
Published: August 2023

Hydropower systems are the basis of electricity power generation in Ecuador. However, some isolated areas in the Amazon and Galapagos Islands are not connected to the National Interconnected System. Therefore, isolated generation systems based on renewable energy sources (RES) emerge as a solution to increase electricity coverage in these areas. An extraordinary case occurs in the Galapagos Islands due to their biodiversity in flora and fauna, where the primary energy source comes from fossil fuels despite their significant amount of solar resources. Therefore, RES use, especially photovoltaic (PV) and wind power, is essential to cover the required load demand without negatively affecting the islands’ biodiversity. In this regard, the design and installation planning of PV systems require perfect knowledge of the amount of energy available at a given location, where power forecasting plays a fundamental role. Therefore, this paper presents the design and comparison of different deep learning techniques: long-short-term memory (LSTM), LSTM Projected, Bidirectional LSTM, Gated Recurrent Units, Convolutional Neural Networks, and hybrid models to forecast photovoltaic power generation in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The proposed approach uses an optimized hyperparameter-based Bayesian optimization algorithm to reduce the forecast error and training time. The results demonstrate the accurate performance of all the methods by achieving a low-error short-term prediction, an excellent correlation of over 99%, and minimizing the training time.
To Green or Not to Green: The E-Commerce-Delivery Question
Authors: Villa Rafael , Serrano Marta , García Tomás , González Gema
Published: August 2023

In an era in which e-commerce has become an integral facet of our lives, the delivery process has evolved into a vital part of online shopping. As the sole tangible interaction in an otherwise digital undertaking, it forms a decisive aspect of consumers’ e-commerce experience. In the face of the ever-growing prevalence of e-commerce, the ecological footprint left by delivery practices has emerged as a pressing concern. This focus is attributed not only to the environmental externalities resulting from e-commerce delivery but also due to the system’s inherent inefficiencies. As the primary beneficiaries of e-commerce, consumers form a pivotal force in driving sustainable delivery initiatives. This study embarks on an exploration of consumers’ attitudes toward environmentally friendly e-commerce-delivery practices. We aim to investigate whether consumers are willing to bear additional costs for assured green deliveries and identify which sustainable practices they perceive as most effective. A survey was conducted among e-commerce users to show their readiness to incur higher costs for green delivery and accept delayed deliveries if they supported sustainability. However, our findings reveal a conflicting scenario. While consumers display a readiness to opt for green deliveries, the price and speed of delivery emerged as more critical considerations. This study also uncovers significant discrepancies in attitudes towards green delivery based on demographic factors, such as gender and generation. Utilizing multivariate logistic regression, the study outlines the main factors that predict a willingness to pay for guaranteed green delivery. This study’s findings stress the need to balance the drive for speed and cost-effectiveness in e-commerce delivery with the urgency to adopt sustainable practices. It underscores the necessity for e-commerce platforms and logistics partners to take the lead in crafting and implementing innovative green delivery solutions while educating and incentivizing consumers to choose sustainable delivery options.
Performance Improvement Plan towards Energy-Efficient Naturally Ventilated Houses in Tropical Climate Regions
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , Ozaki Akihito , Choi Younhee , Arima Yusuke
Published: August 2023

The majority of the population in Indonesia lives in naturally ventilated and unconditioned residential buildings because they cannot afford energy services. This situation is common in many countries in tropical regions, negatively affecting the occupants’ health due to overheating. Therefore, housing types that can cool down indoor temperatures to the extent possible using a passive approach, rather than an active approach, should be developed. This study aims to improve naturally ventilated houses by considering the louver area and insulation of houses. First, we employ an on-site measurement for collecting data such as the indoor/outdoor temperature and relative humidity in an Indonesian city, Lhokseumawe. In addition, the experimental data are used to validate a numerical simulation model. Second, the numerical simulation is utilized to establish energy-efficient design solutions for houses in 14 Indonesian locations. The results show that, compared with the insulation cases, different louver areas insignificantly change indoor air conditions by approximately 0.3 to 1 °C. Additionally, the application of a combined performance improvement for both louver areas and building envelope insulation levels can reduce the indoor air temperature and relative humidity by 2.2 °C and 8%, respectively. Moreover, the daily cooling demand for the proposed improvement plan is reduced by 18.90% compared with that for the existing case. Furthermore, the annual cooling loads for the entire simulated regions are reduced by 46.63 GJ/year (23.09%). This study is a potential starting point for achieving zero-energy housing and occupants’ sufficient thermal comfort in unconditioned and naturally ventilated houses in Indonesia.
Manure Valorization Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Review of Current Systems, Production Characteristics, Utilized Feed Substrates, and Bioconversion and Nitrogen Conversion Efficiencies
Authors: Grassauer Florian , Ferdous Jannatul , Pelletier Nathan
Published: August 2023

The growing demand for animal products leads to mounting environmental impacts from the livestock sector. In light of the desired transition from linear to circular nutrient flows and an increasing number of formal commitments toward reducing environmental impacts from livestock production, manure valorization using insects (particularly black soldier fly larvae; BSFL) gains increasing importance. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, this paper identified 75 BSFL production systems utilizing various types of manure as feed substrates. The review highlights considerable differences in system design regarding the different production steps and their specific characteristics. These differences lead to a wide spectrum of rearing performances, which were measured by a suite of indicators, including dry matter reduction (DMR), waste reduction index (WRI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), bioconversion rate (BCR), and nitrogen reduction. The results further show that, to date, most manure-valorizing BSFL production systems operate at the micro-scale level. However, specific reduction targets for manure-related emissions will likely necessitate large-scale systems at the farm or industrial level, and further research should thus focus on the comprehensive assessment of potential environmental benefits of manure valorization using BSFL.
Regional Carbon Stock Response to Land Use Structure Change and Multi-Scenario Prediction: A Case Study of Hunan Province, China
Authors: Zhu Jiaji , Hu Xijun , Xu Wenzhuo , Shi Jianyu , Huang Yihe , Yan Bingwen
Published: August 2023

Modifications in land use patterns exert profound influences on the configuration, arrangement, and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, thereby inducing fluctuations in carbon sequestration. Consequently, precise ecological decision-making and an in-depth exploration of the interplay between land use alterations and carbon storage dynamics assume paramount importance in the pursuit of optimal regional land use configurations. In this investigation, we employed the InVEST model to analyze the spatiotemporal variations in land utilization and carbon storage in Hunan Province, based on comprehensive land use data spanning the period from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, the PLUS model was utilized to project the future spatial distribution of carbon storage in Hunan Province until 2040, encompassing diverse development scenarios. The findings of our study are as follows: (1) Land use changes instantaneously impact carbon storage within the study area. From 2000 to 2020, urban construction land witnessed an expansion of 3542 km2, which accounted for an increase from 1.13% to 2.78% of the total land area. Consequently, there was a decline in arable land, woodlands, and grasslands, resulting in a reduction of 3430.25 tons of carbon storage in Hunan Province. (2) The ecological protection scenario is projected to yield the most substantial increase in carbon storage, with an estimated magnitude of 7.02 × 10⁶ tons by the year 2040. According to the natural evolution scenario, the total amount of carbon storage is anticipated to remain similar to that of 2020, with a marginal increase of 2.81 × 10⁵ tons. Under the arable land protection scenario, carbon storage is predicted to decrease by 1.060 × 10⁷ tons. Conversely, the urban development scenario is expected to result in the most substantial reduction of 2.243 × 10⁷ tons of carbon storage. These findings underscore the efficacy of adopting ecological protection and natural development policies in curbing the decline in carbon storage. (3) The geographic distribution of carbon storage areas exhibits a strong correspondence with that of land use. Regions characterized by elevated carbon storage levels exhibit minimal urban construction land, an abundance of compact and contiguous ecological land, and a higher frequency of such land parcels. To enhance regional carbon storage levels and achieve sustainable development goals, future endeavors should prioritize the implementation of ecological protection and natural development policies.
Co-Incorporating Chinese Milk Vetch and Rice Straw Increases Rice Yield by Improving Nutrient Uptake during Rice Growth
Authors: Ma Tingting , Zhou Guopeng , Liu Jia , Chen Xiaofen , Li Guilong , Qin Wenjing , Chang Danna , Xiang Xingjia
Published: August 2023

In the past ten years, in paddy rice systems in southern China, the co-incorporation of Chinese milk vetch (MV) and rice straw (RS) has become a new and effective practice in which the advantages of the two species are combined to improve rice yields. However, more studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which rice productivity is improved through this practice. In this study, a pot experiment was performed to investigate the effects of different residue management treatments on rice productivity and soil properties. Five treatments were tested: (i) CK (no residue and no chemical fertilizer); (ii) CF (chemical fertilizer); (iii) FM (CF with MV returning); (iv) FR (CF with RS returning); and (v) FMR (CF with a mixture of MV and RS returning). The results showed that the application of MV and/or RS returning improved grain yields by between 13.7% and 31.5%, compared with CF treatment alone. In addition, the application of MV significantly improved rice yield relative to RS returning. However, co-incorporation of MV and RS resulted in the highest yield productivity of all. FMR treatment significantly increased shoot biomass and shoot N, P, and K uptake, compared with FR treatment, at all three growth stages, and compared with FM treatment at the jointing and maturity stages. Moreover, FMR treatment significantly improved grain N, P, and K uptake, relative to FM and FR treatments. These results clearly demonstrated that co-incorporation management promotes nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient uptake at jointing and maturity stages of the rice growth process, compared to application of single residues alone, resulting in higher rice yields. Because incorporation of MV and/or RS increases the available nutrients in the soil and enhances nutrient uptake by the crop, wide-scale adoption of the co-incorporation of residues would significantly increase rice yields and improve soil fertility.
Forecasting Renewable Energy Generation Based on a Novel Dynamic Accumulation Grey Seasonal Model
Authors: Zhou Weijie , Jiang Huimin , Chang Jiaxin
Published: August 2023

With the increasing proportion of electricity in global end-energy consumption, it has become a global consensus that there is a need to develop more environmentally efficient renewable energy generation methods to gradually replace traditional high-pollution fossil energy power generation. Renewable energy generation has become an important method of supplying power across the world. Therefore, the accurate prediction of renewable energy generation plays a vital role in maintaining the security of electricity supply in all countries. Based on this, in our study, a novel dynamic accumulation grey seasonal model is constructed, abbreviated to DPDGSTM(1,1), which is suitable for forecasting mid- to long-term renewable energy generation. Specifically, to overcome the over-accumulation and old information disturbance caused by traditional global accumulation, a dynamic accumulation generation operator is introduced based on a data-driven model, which can adaptively select the optimal partial accumulation number according to the intrinsic characteristics of a sequence. Subsequently, dummy variables and a time trend item are integrated into the model structure, significantly enhancing the adaptability of the new model to the sample sequence with different fluctuation trends. Finally, a series of benchmark models are used to predict renewable energy generation in China, wind power generation in the United States, and hydropower generation in India. The empirical results show that the new model performs better than other benchmark models and is an effective tool for the mid- to long-term prediction of renewable energy generation.
Odour Perception Using a Sniffing Team at a Municipal Solid Waste Treatment Plant: A Case Study
Authors: Konkol Izabela , Tylingo Robert , Mania Szymon , Cenian Adam
Published: August 2023

The monitoring of odour intensity, generated by a landfill area, is a difficult activity since it is a multi-source problem with discontinuous odour emissions. A modified sniffing team method is described here and applied to determine the main odour sources in a landfill located in Pomerania, Poland. Four consecutive test sessions were performed during the following months: August, December, April, and June. It was found that the main odour sources are as follows: a closed-chamber composting facility for leach storage; the site wherein technological operations associated with compost turn-over during open-air aeration processes are performed; and the landfill site. The results of the sniffing team method present the indicative values of sensory testing. The application of the presented method was limited by disturbances due to changing atmospheric conditions. The calculated odour intensities and concentrations correspond with real sensitive perceptions of the tested environment.
Sustainable Cities, Smart Investments: A Characterization of “A Thousand Days-San Miguel”, a Program for Vulnerable Early Childhood in Argentina
Authors: Gonzalez Maria Sol , Santos Maria Emma
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we provide a thorough description of the “Programa de Acompañamiento Familiar Mil Días” (A Thousand Days, Mil Días), introduced in 2015 in the Municipality of San Miguel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The program is targeted at pregnant women and mothers with children of up to two years of age who are in a situation of extreme social and health vulnerability. While the target relevant period is the first thousand days of life, from gestation to two years of age, the intended duration is about a year, or until entrance criteria are overcome. We combine statistical analysis of the program’s primary data with qualitative analysis from two in-depth interviews. Our evidence confirms that Mil Días-SM effectively reaches a highly vulnerable population that exhibits interlocking material and educational deprivations, frequently combined with conflict-home environments, and children experiencing health neglect. The one-on-one mentoring provided through the program, along with a battery of other interventions, brings knowledge and support to these families. Children start receiving appropriate stimuli, mothers become aware of the importance of health care for them and their children, and they start feeling more empowered to take command of their lives and families. While the program exhibits remarkable attributes, we identify three aspects in which it could be improved: extending the intended duration time, reducing its dropout rate devising tools to retain the most vulnerable cases, and scaling up its coverage. Current evidence suggests programs like Mil Días are smart investments that can simultaneously contribute to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals.
Is a Carbon-Neutral Pathway in Road Transport Possible? A Case Study from Slovakia
Authors: Horváth Ján , Szemesová Janka
Published: August 2023

Transformation of European transport belongs among the key challenges to achieve a reduction of 55% by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. This study focuses on GHG emissions in road transport in Slovakia, as it currently accounts for 19% of total GHG emissions (road transport emissions account for 99% of transport emissions). The main driver for this study was the preparation of Slovakia’s Climate Act and investigation of where are the limits of greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2050. With the aim of achieving maximum reduction in emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels, various scenarios were developed using the COPERT model to explore emission reduction strategies. The scenarios considered different subsectors of road transport, including passenger cars, light-commercial vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles (buses and trucks), and L-category vehicles and examined encompassed reduction of transport demand, improving energy efficiency, and utilizing advanced technologies with alternative fuels (hybrids, PHEV, CNG, LNG or LPG). However, the economic aspects of specific mitigation options were not considered in this analysis. The results show that there is a possibility of 77% GHG emission reduction by 2050 in comparison with the 2005 level. This reduction is accompanied by a shift in vehicle technologies to alternative fuels like electricity, hydrogen, and to a smaller extent biofuels and biomethane. This study shows that it will be possible to achieve 86.7% zero-emission cars and an additional 12.9% low emission and alternative fueled cars by 2050. By identifying and assessing these scenarios, policymakers and stakeholders can gain insights into the possibilities, challenges, and potential solutions for meeting the climate targets set by the European Union’s Fit for 55 climate package.
Complex-Variable Dynamic System of Layla and Majnun Model with Analytic Solutions
Authors: Aldawish Ibtisam , Ibrahim Rabha W.
Published: August 2023

A complex Layla and Majnun model system (CLMMS) is suggested in this study for a complex variable in the open-unit disk. Analytic solutions are discovered by using a technique of bounded turning functions. The set of necessary conditions is illustrated involving some special cases.
Langmuir Forcing and Collapsing Subsonic Density Cavitons via Random Modulations
Authors: Azzam Maged A. , Abdelwahed H. G. , El-Shewy Emad K. , Abdelrahman Mahmoud A. E.
Published: August 2023

Electrostatic nonlinear random Langmuir structures have been propagated in stochastic magnetospheres, clouds and solar wind. A theoretical description of Langmuir waves can be modeled by Schrödinger and Zakharov models with stochastic terms. It was explained that the stochastic parameter affects the forcing, collapsing in strongly density turbulence and density crystalline structures. The unified method has been implemented to provide new stochastic solutions for a Zakharov system in subsonic limit with noises via the Itô sense. This unified approach provides a variety of advantages, such as avoiding difficult calculations and explicitly providing pivotal solutions. It is easy to use, efficient, and precise. The induced generated energy during the collapsing of solar Langmuir wave bursts and clouds is determined by the solitonic formations. In addition, the collapsing strong turbulence or forcing density crystalline structures depend mainly on stochastic processes. Furthermore, electrostatic waves in clouds that may collapse are represented sometimes as dissipative shapes. So, the results of this investigation could be applicable to observations of energy seeding and collapsing in clouds. This energy is based on the electrostatic field and its related densities’ perturbation in subsonic limits. Finally, it has been explored how noise parameters in the Itô sense affect the solar wind Langmuir waves’ properties. So, the findings of this discussion may be applicable to real observations of energy collapsing and seeding in clouds.
Electromechanical Characterization of Commercial Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles
Authors: Chen Yu , Hart Jacob , Suh Minyoung , Mathur Kavita , Yin Rong
Published: August 2023

With the development of smart and multi-functional textiles, conductive yarns are widely used in textiles. Conductive yarns can be incorporated into fabrics with traditional textile techniques, such as weaving, knitting and sewing. The electromechanical properties of conductive yarns are very different from conventional yarns, and they also affect the processability during end-product manufacturing processes. However, systematic evaluation of the electromechanical properties of commercial conductive yarns is still elusive. Different conductive materials and production methods for making conductive yarns lead to diverse electromechanical properties. In this work, three types of conductive yarn with different conductive materials and yarn structures were selected for electromechanical characterization. A total of 15 different yarns were analyzed. In addition, the change of resistance with strain was tested to simulate and predict the possible changes in electrical properties of the yarn during weaving, knitting, sewing and other end uses. It was found that Metal-based yarns have good electrical properties but poor mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of Metal-coated yarns are similar to conventional yarns, but their electrical properties are relatively poor. The data shown in this research is instructive for the subsequent processing (weaving, knitting, sewing, etc.) of yarns.
Retrospective Analysis of Subsolid Nodules’ Frequency Using Chest Computed Tomography Detection in an Outpatient Population
Authors: Zanardo Ana Paula , Brentano Vicente Bohrer , Grando Rafael Domingos , Rambo Rafael Ramos , Hertz Felipe Teixeira , Anflor Junior Luis Carlos , Prietto Dos Santos Jonatas Favero , Galvao Gabriela Schneider , Andrade Cristiano Feijo
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The study was designed to evaluate the frequency of detection and the characteristics of subsolid nodules (SSNs) in outpatients’ chest computed tomography (CT) scans from a private hospital in Southern Brazil. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all chest CT scans was performed in adult patients from ambulatory care (non-lung cancer screening population) over a thirty-day period. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and lung-scanning protocols, including standard-dose high-resolution chest CT (HRCT), enhanced CT, CT angiography, and low-dose chest CT (LDCT). SSNs main features collected were mean diameter, number, density (pure or heterogenous ground glass nodules and part-solid), and localization. TheLungRADS system and the updated Fleischner Society’s pulmonary nodules recommendations were used for categorization only for study purposes, although not specifically fitting the population. The presence of emphysema, as well as calcified and solid nodules were also addressed. Statistical analysis was performed using R software, categorial variables are shown as absolute or relative frequencies, and continuous variables as mean and interquartile ranges. Results: Chest computed tomography were performed in 756 patients during the study period (September 2019), and 650 met the inclusion criteria. The IQR for age was 53/73 years; most participants were female (58.3%) and 10.6% had subsolid nodules detected. Conclusions: The frequency of SSNs detection in patients in daily clinical practice, not related to screening populations, is not negligible. Regardless of the final etiology, follow-up is often indicated, given the likelihood of malignancy for persistent lesions.
Rectal Administration of Leishmania Cells Elicits a Specific, Th1-Associated IgG2a Response in Mice: New Perspectives for Mucosal Vaccination against Leishmaniasis, after the Repurposing of a Study on an Anti-Viral Vaccine Candidate
Authors: Varotto-Boccazzi Ilaria , Epis Sara , Cattaneo Giulia Maria , Guerrini Noemi , Manenti Alessandro , Rubolini Diego , Gabrieli Paolo , Otranto Domenico , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Montomoli Emanuele , Bandi Claudio
Published: August 2023

The mucosal immune system plays a pivotal role in the control of infections, as it represents the first line of defense against most pathogens, from respiratory viruses to intestinal parasites. Mucosal vaccination is thus regarded as a promising strategy to protect animals, including humans, from infections that are acquired by ingestion, inhalation or through the urogenital system. In addition, antigens delivered at the mucosal level can also elicit systemic immune responses. Therefore, mucosal vaccination is potentially effective also against systemic infections acquired through non-mucosal routes, for example, through the bite of hematophagous insects, as in the case of leishmaniasis, a widespread disease that affects humans and dogs. Here, we explored the potential of antigen rectal administration for the generation of anti-Leishmania immunity. Mice were immunized through rectal administration of whole cells of the model parasite Leishmania tarentolae (using a clone engineered to express the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus generated in a previous study). A specific anti-Leishmania IgG antibody response was detected. In addition, the recorded IgG2a/IgG1 ratio was higher than that of animals injected subcutaneously; therefore, suggesting a shift to a Th1-biased immune response. Considering the importance of a Th1 polarization as a protective response against Leishmania infections, we suggest that further investigation should be focused on the development of novel types of vaccines against these parasites based on rectal immunization.