bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and Epistemological Questions for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality in Catholic Italy on Nature, Well-Being, and Mystery
Authors: Palmisano Stefania
Published: December 2023

In this article I present the main findings of an empirical study about contemporary spirituality in Italy begun in 2017 by reasoning about the analysis of twelve case studies which are particularly eloquent concerning the different spiritual worlds emerging in Catholic Italy. I argue that three main narratives—the spirituality of nature, wellbeing, and mystery—are useful to synthesize the heterogeneousness of groups, communities, festivals, and organizations engaged in the Italian “holistic milieu”. In order to address this reflection, firstly I will trace the international sociological debate that has accompanied the concept of contemporary spirituality and the relationship between spirituality and religion, a couple which I have named “frenemies”. Then, I will extend the analysis to the concept of the secular, examining the intertwining of the spiritual, religious, and secular spheres. After illustrating the landscape of contemporary spirituality in Catholic Italy more broadly, I shall focus on the case studies taken as examples of the spirituality of nature, the spirituality of health and wellbeing, and the spirituality of mystery. In the Discussion and Conclusion, I shall raise some fundamental questions that the study of contemporary spirituality poses for the sociology of religion with reference to secularisation, one of its most classic and yet contested paradigms. I shall claim that future research paths could further contribute to strengthening the idea, raised in this article, that secularisation can also be understood not only as an antithetical force to religion but as the process in Western history that has led to the emergence of a secular social space in dialogue with the religious sphere.
Attitudes toward War and Peace in the Ukrainian Evangelical Context
Authors: Penner Peter
Published: December 2023

This article employs the LIM method, complemented by publications and interviews conducted during the ongoing war in Ukraine, to explore the shifts in attitudes toward war and peace within Ukrainian evangelical communities. This shift involves a transition from a pacifist mindset previously predominant among Ukrainian evangelicals to questions about their responsibility and involvement in Ukraine’s state and society amid the war that Russia has launched against Ukraine. Interviews with leaders and active church members hint at a possible alignment with Stassen’s alternative model of transformative initiatives that might provide potential guidance. While reconciliation initiatives amid the ongoing war may be premature, the article highlights the role of Christian communities in transformative peacebuilding within Ukraine. It is necessary to address tensions within Ukraine. This also entails aiding war-affected individuals, ensuring care for soldiers and civilians, and confronting power abuse and corruption. Ukraine’s unity, freedom, peace, and reconciliation must include diverse political and social groups. The article recommends that Ukrainian evangelicals embrace a contextual public theology that advocates for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Ukrainian evangelicals, while supporting soldiers engaged in active combat against Russian invaders, are also contemplating strategies for active participation in peacebuilding and post-war reconstruction.
John Milton and the English Women Prophets
Authors: Curbet Joan
Published: December 2023

The work of John Milton (both in poetry and prose) offered some striking theological and political innovations in the context of the seventeenth-century upheavals in England. This article aims to show that the work of the English women prophets active in England at the time offers a valid context in which to reassess and re-read Milton’s work. This observation has occasionally been made in relation to specific prophets, but it has not been pursued in any detail. This article examines the concept of “prophecy” itself as formulated by Milton, and establishes its connections to the activity of women prophets; it also explores its connotations in terms of gender and its consequent implications in terms of opening the public and religious space to the work of female authors. It subsequently examines the work of two specific women prophets (Mary Pope and Elizabeth Avery) alongside that of Milton during the years 1647–1649, as offering equally legitimate responses to the debate concerning monarchy at the time, and it ends by examining Milton’s final epic (Paradise Regain’d) as a poetic approach to the concept of female prophecy. The conclusion shows the renewed potential opened by this new research and considers its consequences for the seventeenth-century literary canon.
STPF-Net: Short-Term Precipitation Forecast Based on a Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Wang Jingnan , Wang Xiaodong , Guan Jiping , Zhang Lifeng , Zhang Fuhan , Chang Tao
Published: December 2023

Accurate and timely precipitation forecasts are critical in modern society, influencing both economic activity and daily life. While deep learning methods leveraging remotely sensed radar data have become prevalent for precipitation nowcasting, longer-term forecasting remains challenging. This is due to accumulated errors in deep learning models and insufficient information about precipitation systems over longer time horizons. To address these challenges, we introduce the Short-Term Precipitation Forecast Network (STPF-Net), a recurrent neural network designed for longer-term precipitation prediction. STPF-Net uses a multi-tier structure with varying temporal resolutions to mitigate the accumulated errors during longer forecasts. Additionally, its transformer-based module incorporates larger spatial contexts, providing more complete information about precipitation systems. We evaluated STPF-Net on radar data from southeastern China, training separate models for 6 and 12 h forecasts. Quantitative results demonstrate STPF-Net achieved superior accuracy and lower errors compared to benchmark deep learning and numerical weather prediction models. Visualized case studies indicate reasonably coherent 6 h predictions from STPF-Net versus other methods. For 12 h forecasts, while STPF-Net outperformed other models, it still struggled with storm initiation over longer forecasting time.
Improving Geological Remote Sensing Interpretation via Optimal Transport-Based Point–Surface Data Fusion
Authors: Wu Jiahao , Han Wei , Chen Jia , Wang Sheng
Published: December 2023

High-quality geological remote sensing interpretation (GRSI) products play a vital role in a wide range of fields, including the military, meteorology, agriculture, the environment, mapping, etc. Due to the importance of GRSI products, this research aimed to improve their accuracy. Although deep-learning (DL)-based GRSI has reduced dependence on manual interpretation, the limited accuracy of multiple geological element interpretation still poses a challenge. This issue can be attributed to small inter-class differences, the uneven distribution of geological elements, sensor limitations, and the complexity of the environment. Therefore, this paper proposes a point–surface data optimal fusion method (PSDOF) to improve the accuracy of GRSI products based on optimal transport (OT) theory. PSDOF combines geological survey data (which has spatial location and geological element information called point data) with a geological remote sensing DL interpretation product (which has limited accuracy and is called surface data) to improve the quality of the resulting output. The method performs several steps to enhance accuracy. First, it calculates the gray-scale correlation feature information for the pixels adjacent to the geological survey points. Next, it determines the distribution of the feature information for geological elements in the vicinity of the point data. Finally, it incorporates complementary information from the survey points into the geological elements’ interpretation boundary, as well as calculates the optimal energy loss for point–surface fusion, thus resulting in an optimal boundary. The experiments conducted in this study demonstrated the superiority of the proposed model in addressing the problem of the limited accuracy of GRSI products.
Effects of Potential Large-Scale Irrigation on Regional Precipitation in Northwest China
Authors: Huang Ya , Zhao Yong , Gong Boya , Yang Jing , Li Yanping
Published: December 2023

Understanding the impact of irrigation on the spatiotemporal characteristics of precipitation is important for the ecological stability of the arid region of Northwest China (NWC). In this study, the global climate model MPI-ESM-MR is utilized to provide the initial and lateral boundary conditions for the regional climate model RegCM4, enabling the simulation of the long-term climate of the arid NWC region under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The study focuses on analyzing the differences in the spatiotemporal distribution, intensity, and frequency of precipitation before and after irrigation. Furthermore, the study explores the primary factors influencing changes in the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of precipitation in the irrigation district and its downwind region. The results indicate that RegCM4 performs well in simulating the climatology and diurnal cycle of precipitation in the NWC, particularly excelling during the summer. Large-scale irrigation significantly impacts the structure of summer precipitation, leading to a notable increase in convective precipitation near the irrigation district and surrounding mountain ranges. Anomalous cyclonic circulation and enhanced vertical velocity enhancement provide dynamic conditions for increased precipitation in the irrigation district and surrounding mountainous regions. Furthermore, the evaporation of water vapor resulting from large-scale irrigation serves as an additional source of moisture, contributing to increased precipitation in the irrigation district and its downwind region. Due to the difference in climatic conditions between the western and eastern regions around the irrigated areas, the summer extreme precipitation in the west predominantly increases. At the same time, in the east, it predominantly decreases due to irrigation. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the physical mechanisms through which agricultural irrigation influences precipitation in the arid region of the NWC, thereby providing scientific evidence for the sustainable utilization of water resources in the region.
Developing and Testing New Domestic Abuse Questions and Approach for the Crime Survey for England and Wales
Authors: Hester Marianne , Walker Sarah-Jane , Fahmy Eldin , Myhill Andy
Published: December 2023

Previous research highlighted that a fundamental rethink of the measurement of domestic abuse was needed in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). The research reported here aimed to develop and test new questions on domestic abuse for the CSEW to improve the headline prevalence measure, including frequency of abuse, to develop a way of measuring controlling or coercive behavior within the overall prevalence measure, and to develop a measure of the impact of abuse. The research included focus groups and interviews with victims (n = 27) to assess a set of draft questions and cognitive testing of revised questions with victims and the general public (n = 42). A final set of 24 questions was developed for use with victims of both intimate partner and family abuse, with an additional question for family abuse. The new questions were found to echo victim experiences and were deemed acceptable and reliable measures by victims and the general public for domestic abuse, including controlling and/or coercive behavior and impact. An analytical approach was recommended to improve the headline prevalence measure of domestic abuse by establishing ‘high’ and ‘low’ abuse profiles using measures of both behavior and impact.
Complex Speciation and Distribution of Iron, Sulfur, and Trace Metals in Coal Mine Soils Reflect Grain- and Sub-Grain-Scale Heterogeneity during Pyrite Oxidative Dissolution
Authors: Chowdhury Md Abu Raihan , Singer David M.
Published: December 2023

Historical coal mining practices have caused various soil and water hazards, particularly through the dumping of mine waste. The primary environmental risk associated with this waste is the leaching of toxic metals from dumps of spoil or refuse into the subsurface soil or into nearby water resources. The extent of metal release is controlled via the oxidative dissolution of pyrite and potential re-sequestration through secondary Fe oxides. The characterization of the dominant Fe-bearing phase and the distribution of trace metals associated with these phases was determined via electron microscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray micro-fluorescence (μ-XRF) element and redox mapping from shallow mine soils from an impacted watershed in Appalachian Ohio. The dominant Fe-bearing phases were: (1) unweathered to partially weathered pyrite; (2) pseudomorphic replacement of pyrite with Fe(III) oxides; (3) fine-grained Fe oxide surface coatings; and (4) discrete Fe(III) oxide grains. Thicker secondary coatings and larger particles were sulfate rich, whereas smaller grains and thinner coatings were sulfate poor. The discrete Fe oxide grains exhibited the highest concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu, and sub-grain-scale concentration trends (Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu) were consistent with bulk soil properties. Predicting future metal transport requires an understanding of metal speciation and distribution from the sub-grain scale to the pedon scale.
Flood Risk and CO2 Mitigation: Analysis of Climate Change Response of Greening Vacant Houses in Old Downtown Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Kamata Yoko , Yoon Seonghwan , Lee Taecheol , Kang Jung Eun
Published: December 2023

While greening vacant houses is encouraged as a sustainable strategy, there is a paucity of quantitative research on its effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the flood risk and CO2 mitigation effects of greening neglected vacant houses and barren sites in densely built old downtown areas. To achieve this goal, an investigation was conducted of the actual conditions of vacant houses and barren sites in Ami-dong and Chojang-dong in Busan Metropolitan City. Subsequently, four scenarios for greening vacant houses and barren sites were developed, and rainfall runoff simulations were performed using the K-LIDM model. Furthermore, the annual CO2 fixation for greening with trees was calculated using established research formulas. This study found that 73% of vacant houses in the study area remain unoccupied for an extended period, and when demolished, 56% become concrete-paved barren sites. The runoff simulations indicated that greening with trees led to a 1.71% decrease in annual runoff volume in the long-term model, with peak runoff volume reductions of 3.06% and 2.38% during 2-year and 30-year rainfall events in the short-term model, respectively. Planting trees could accommodate 3058 trees, fixing 62,124 kg of CO2 annually. This study demonstrates the climate change response effects of greening vacant houses.
Spatial Distribution and Sources of Growth of Dairy Farming in the State of Pará, Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Amanda Mendonça , Santos Marcos Antônio Souza dos , Silva Jamile Andrea Rodrigues da , Santos Wânia Mendonça dos , Rodrigues Thomaz Cyro Guimarães de Carvalho , Silva Welligton Conceição da , Hamid Sheryle Santos , Lourenço-Júnior José de Brito
Published: December 2023

The characterization of dairy farming is fundamental for the sector, as the information obtained directs institutional and public policy actions, which contribute to the development of the milk production chain. The objective of this research was to highlight and analyze two points: identify the spatial concentration of production and investigate the existence of centers specializing in milk production; evaluate the sources of growth in dairy farming in micro-regions of Pará and verify their participation in the growth and productivity of the herd. Regarding specialization in milk production, in the initial year of the study, there were nine specialized micro-regions; however, in the final year, only six fell into this classification, being Parauapebas, Marabá, Tucuruí, Redenção, São Félix do Xingu, and Altamira. Southeastern Pará stands out as the main dairy hub in the state, which encompasses municipalities with a tradition in dairy farming, such as Água Azul do Norte, the largest state producer since 2012. The effective growth in milk production from the 1990s to 2020 showed an increase in state production of 3.23% per year, with a greater contribution to this growth in herd productivity gains than in relation to the expansion of the herd; however, ten micro-regions presented a negative average annual growth rate, being located in the Northeast of Pará, Marajó, and the Metropolitan Region of Belém, a result resulting from the reduction of the herd expansion effect, as the productivity effect of all micro-regions exhibited positive rates, with the exception of Cametá and Arari. The sharpest decline occurred in Arari, with a sharp drop in milk production, number of animals milked, and cow yield. The twelve micro-regions with positive annual rates are located in the mesoregions of Southeast Pará, Southwest Pará, and Baixo Amazonas, nine associated with intensive growth and three more linked to extensive growth. In general, the results show that the regions specialized in the activity are more articulated, presenting the highest percentages in terms of quantity produced, herd milked, and financial movement, compared to non-specialized locations. Through analyses, it is possible to obtain a better understanding of the regional growth process, with a focus on dairy activity, as the information and particularities of properties are fundamental to guide public and private institutions on the reality and existing problems, enabling readjustment and new policy formulations with the aim of alleviating producers’ limitations, as well as enhancing growth and reducing intra- and inter-regional imbalances.
A Review of Sustainable Supplier Selection with Decision-Making Methods from 2018 to 2022
Authors: Karakoç Ömer , Memiş Samet , Sennaroglu Bahar
Published: December 2023

Sustainable supplier selection (SSS) is an essential part of the decision-making process in sustainable supply chains. Numerous research studies have been conducted using various decision-making methods to attend to this research-worthy issue. This literature review presents a comprehensive SSS analysis focusing on social, economic, and environmental aspects. The present study spans five years (2018–2022) and considers 101 papers. It provides a detailed breakdown of the papers based on their dates of publication, the countries of the writers, application fields, and journals, and it categorizes them based on their approaches. In addition, this review examines the use of single- or hybrid-form methodologies in the papers reviewed. It also identifies that the TOPSIS, AHP, VIKOR, BWM, DEA, DEMATEL, and MULTIMOORA methods and their extensions are the most frequently used methods in SSS studies. It is concluded that hybrid approaches and their rough, grey, and fuzzy extensions are used to solve real-world problems. However, state-of-the-art mathematical tools, such as soft sets and their hybrid versions with fuzzy sets, have not been utilized in SSS studies. Therefore, this study inspires and encourages the use of such tools in SSS research.
Determinants of Small Mammals’ Body Condition in Eucalyptus Dominated Landscapes
Authors: Afonso Beatriz C. , Matias Gonçalo , Teixeira Daniela , Pereira Rita , Rosalino Luís M.
Published: December 2023

The timber industry has increased considerably in recent decades to meet human needs for wood. In Portugal, Eucalyptus plantations are the most common use of forested land, presenting the largest coverage of Eucalyptus globulus in Europe. Although it is established that this landscape can affect biodiversity patterns, it is not clear what its role in shaping small mammals’ body condition is. Here, we tested the effect of Eucalyptus plantations on small mammals’ body condition, together with vegetation structure, weather, predators/competitors’ abundance, and parasites’ prevalence, using the Scaled Mass Index (SMI) as a surrogate. Capture of small mammals took place in 11 study areas in central Portugal from 2019 to 2022. The drivers’ influence was tested using structural equation models (SEM). The response of body condition to Eucalyptus is species-specific, with Crocidura russula displaying better individual condition in native habitats (i.e., there was an indirect negative effect of Eucalyptus plantations). The overall model suggested that deer abundance, precipitation, and forest integrity promoted higher body condition levels, while wild boar abundance had an adverse effect. The management of these plantations must ensure the integrity of the remnants of native patches and control of highly abundant competitors (e.g., wild boar) to maintain a healthy and functional small mammal community.
Performance Study of Casing Piles in Expansive Soil Foundations: Model Testing and Analysis
Authors: Li Zuoyong , Chen Tianlei , Chai Qing , Shen Danyi , Wu Chuangzhou
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the critical behavioral characteristics of pile foundations in expansive soil foundations through a series of model tests, including settlement, axial force, and side frictional resistance. The experiment initially utilized sand, bentonite, and gypsum as the fundamental materials for the preparation and composition research of expansive soil simulant materials. Subsequently, the performance of different types of model piles under various loads and water immersion conditions was analyzed. The results indicate that non-cased piles exhibit typical friction pile behavior, while PVC-cased and steel-cased piles effectively reduce side frictional resistance, resulting in a more uniform distribution of axial force along the pile. After immersion, the model test materials experience expansion, with a faster initial expansion rate and a more gradual later expansion rate. Different types of model piles exhibit different displacement characteristics, and the presence of an outer casing can reduce the uplift of the inner pile. Furthermore, PVC casing demonstrates better performance in handling negative frictional effects. This study provides valuable insights for the design and construction of pile foundations in expansive soil foundations.
Past Trends and Future Directions in Green Human Resource Management and Green Innovation: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Faheem Asra , Nawaz Zubair , Ahmed Masood , Haddad Hossam , Al-Ramahi Nidal Mahmoud
Published: December 2023

Global environmental concerns have prompted organizations to adopt green human resource management practices that will eventually lead to green innovations. Given that understanding, this study aims to converge multidimensional research published on green human resource management (GHRM) and green innovation. In addition, it seeks to discuss the topic’s research trends in the context of what, how, when, where, and by whom. The data were retrieved from the Scopus database (until March 2023), and VOSviewer was used to investigate the research trends. A total of 312 documents were extracted from the Scopus database, and 46 published articles were finalized using the PRISMA flow approach. The results indicate that there has been an upward trend in terms of published articles on the topic, and the highest number of articles (15) were published in the current year, 2023. The co-occurrence results indicate that GHRM is strongly associated with environmental performance and green innovation. The journals Environmental Science and Pollution Research and Sustainability (Switzerland) stand out in this domain. The Abu Dhabi University of United Arab Emirates is the most cited institution, whereas Saudi Arabia has the highest co-authorship at the country level. Furthermore, this study summarizes the major developments in this research domain and suggests research gaps and possible future directions.
Promoting Subjective Well-Being and a Sustainable Lifestyle in Children and Youth by Strengthening Their Personal Psychological Resources
Authors: Voltmer Katharina , von Salisch Maria
Published: December 2023

Recent research confirms that climate change is having serious negative effects on children’s and adolescents’ mental health. Being aware of global warming, its dramatic consequences for individual and collective goals, and the urgent need for action to prevent further warming seems to be so overwhelming for young people that it may lead to paralyzing emotions like (future) anxiety, worries, shame, guilt, and reduced well-being overall. Many children and adolescents feel hopeless in view of the challenges posed by the transformations towards a sustainable future. Feeling powerless widens the gap between knowledge and action which in turn may exacerbate feelings of hopelessness. One of the tasks for parents, educators, and policymakers is therefore to empower young people to act against global warming, both individually and collectively. Psychological resources were identified as precursors of pro-environmental behavior. A theoretical model (and accompanying empirical research) is presented which elaborates on the links between self-efficacy, self-acceptance, mindfulness, capacity for pleasure, construction of meaning, and solidarity on the one hand, and subjective well-being and sustainable behavior on the other hand. This literature review suggests starting points for programs that aim to promote both psychological resources, subjective well-being, and individual and collective pro-environmental behaviors in young people.
Development of Geographic Information System Architecture Feature Analysis and Evolution Trend Research
Authors: Li Xiao , Yue Jianwei , Wang Shaohua , Luo Yifei , Su Cheng , Zhou Junyuan , Xu Dachuan , Lu Hao
Published: December 2023

A geographic information system (GIS) is a technical system which is supported by computer software and hardware systems. It focuses on the geographical information related to the whole or part of the earth’s surface. It is used for collecting, storing, managing, calculating, analyzing, displaying, and describing geographical information. It has inherent advantages in processing geographic data and plays an indispensable role in the sustainable detection of natural resources, natural disaster risk management, urban sustainable development planning, etc. With the continuous development of technology, the integration of GIS with emerging technologies such as big data, cloud services, and artificial intelligence creates new geographic information systems and entirely new development directions. The GIS architecture is of great value for the efficient execution of GIS systems. In this process, as the organizational form of GIS systems, the GIS architecture is also constantly evolving with the intersection and integration of GIS and other technologies. This research reviews a large amount of literature on component technologies, 3D technologies, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and so on, at home and abroad and analyzes and elaborates on the current development status and trends of GIS software architecture. It discusses in detail the characteristics and future development directions of different GIS software architectures in different periods and makes delicate descriptions of their hierarchical features. This study aims to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of architectures in different stages, the interactivity from the user’s perspective. On this basis, it studies the development trends of GIS integrated with big data and artificial intelligence, summarizes the laws and experience of the evolution of its system architecture, and analyzes the technological drivers of each evolution and their impact on GIS applications. Reviewing the evolution history of GIS frameworks is expected to provide guiding references for more efficient GIS system architecture research in the future.
An Infinite Slope Model Considering Unloading Joints for Spatial Evaluation of Coseismic Landslide Hazards Triggered by a Reverse Seismogenic Fault: A Case Study of the 2013 Lushan Earthquake
Authors: Li Gao , Zang Mingdong , Qi Shengwen , Bo Jingshan , Yang Guoxiang , Liu Tianhao
Published: December 2023

Coseismic landslides pose a significant threat to the sustainability of both the natural environment and the socioeconomic fabric of society. This escalation in earthquake frequency has driven a growing interest in regional-scale assessment techniques for these landslides. The widely adopted infinite slope model, introduced by Newmark, is commonly utilized to assess coseismic landslide hazards. However, this conventional model falls short of capturing the influence of rock mass structure on slope stability. A novel methodology was previously introduced, considering the roughness of potential slide surfaces on the inner slope, offering a fresh perspective on coseismic landslide hazard mapping. In this paper, the proposed method is recalibrated using new datasets from the 2013 Lushan earthquake. The datasets encompass geological units, peak ground acceleration (PGA), and a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM), rasterized at a grid spacing of 30 m. They are integrated within an infinite slope model, employing Newmark’s permanent deformation analysis. This integration enables the estimation of coseismic displacement in each grid area resulting from the 2013 Lushan earthquake. To validate the model, the simulated displacements are compared with the inventory of landslides triggered by the Lushan earthquake, allowing the derivation of a confidence level function that correlates predicted displacement with the spatial variation of coseismic landslides. Ultimately, a hazard map of coseismic landslides is generated based on the values of the certainty factor. The analysis of the area under the curve is utilized to illustrate the improved effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparative studies with the 2014 Ludian earthquake reveal that the coseismic landslides triggered by the 2013 Lushan earthquake predominantly manifest as shallow rock falls and slides. Brittle coseismic fractures are often associated with reverse seismogenic faults, while complaint coseismic fractures are more prevalent in strike–slip seismogenic faults. The mapping procedure stands as a valuable tool for predicting seismic hazard zones, providing essential insights for decision-making in infrastructure development and post-earthquake construction endeavors.
Neural Network Predictive Models for Alkali-Activated Concrete Carbon Emission Using Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Aydın Yaren , Cakiroglu Celal , Bekdaş Gebrail , Işıkdağ Ümit , Kim Sanghun , Hong Junhee , Geem Zong Woo
Published: December 2023

Due to environmental impacts and the need for energy efficiency, the cement industry aims to make more durable and sustainable materials with less energy requirements without compromising mechanical properties based on UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 11. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into the atmosphere is mostly the result of human-induced activities and causes dangerous environmental impacts by increasing the average temperature of the earth. Since the production of ordinary Portland cement (PC) is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, this study proposes alkali-activated binders as an alternative to reduce the environmental impact of ordinary Portland cement production. The dataset required for the training processes of these algorithms was created using Mendeley as a data-gathering instrument. Some of the most efficient state-of-the-art meta-heuristic optimization algorithms were applied to obtain the optimal neural network architecture with the highest performance. These neural network models were applied in the prediction of carbon emissions. The accuracy of these models was measured using statistical measures such as the mean squared error (MSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results show that carbon emissions associated with the production of alkali-activated concrete can be predicted with high accuracy using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques. In this study, in which the binders produced by the alkali activation method were evaluated for their usability as a binder material to replace Portland cement, it is concluded that the most successful hyperparameter optimization algorithm for this study is the genetic algorithm (GA) with accurate mean squared error (MSE = 161.17) and coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.90) values in the datasets.
Chiral Separation of Vildagliptin by Capillary Electrophoresis—The Study of Enantiomeric Complexation
Authors: Papp Lajos Attila , Hancu Gabriel , Szabó Zoltán István , Székely-Szentmiklósi Blanka , Gáti Tamás , Fiser Béla , Kraszni Márta , Tóth Gergő
Published: December 2023

Vildagliptin (VIL) is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus; in therapy, it is available as the enantiomerically pure S-VIL, the other enantiomer R-VIL being considered as an enantiomeric impurity. A systematic screening of 16 cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives as chiral selectors was performed at three pH levels using phosphate (pH 2.5, pH 7.0) and acetate (pH 4.5) buffers. Method optimization employed an experimental design approach, systematically investigating the effect of buffer and CD concentration, buffer pH, capillary temperature, and applied voltage on the chiral resolution and analysis time. The method’s analytical performance was thoroughly assessed and subsequently employed for determining the enantiomeric purity of VIL in a pharmaceutical formulation. The properties of the inclusion complexes, such as stoichiometry and atomic level intermolecular host–guest interactions were studied by NMR measurements and molecular modeling. Native α-CD at acidic pH has demonstrated its exceptional suitability for the separation of VIL enantiomers with a favorable migration order (R-VIL followed by S-VIL). The optimized analytical conditions (75 mM acetate buffer, pH 4.5, containing 50 mM α-CD, 18 kV applied voltage, and 15 °C capillary temperature) provided a baseline separation of VIL enantiomers within 9 min. The developed method represents a cost-effective alternative to the enantiomeric impurity control of VIL. Symmetry is often a fundamental aspect of molecular structures and interactions, and our detailed analysis of the chiral recognition process contributes to the understanding of symmetry-related aspects in molecular systems. This developed method not only offers a cost-effective alternative for the enantiomeric impurity control of VIL but also provides valuable information regarding the mechanism of the chiral recognition process, aligning with the broader themes of symmetry in molecular sciences.
Geometric Nature of Special Functions on Domain Enclosed by Nephroid and Leminscate Curve
Authors: Alzahrani Reem , Mondal Saiful R.
Published: December 2023

In this work, the geometric nature of solutions to two second-order differential equations, zy′′(z)+a(z)y′(z)+b(z)y(z)=0 and z2y′′(z)+a(z)y′(z)+b(z)y(z)=d(z), is studied. Here, a(z), b(z), and d(z) are analytic functions defined on the unit disc. Using differential subordination, we established that the normalized solution F(z) (with F(0) = 1) of above differential equations maps the unit disc to the domain bounded by the leminscate curve 1+z. We construct several examples by the judicious choice of a(z), b(z), and d(z). The examples include Bessel functions, Struve functions, the Bessel–Sturve kernel, confluent hypergeometric functions, and many other special functions. We also established a connection with the nephroid domain. Directly using subordination, we construct functions that are subordinated by a nephroid function. Two open problems are also suggested in the conclusion.
The Knowledge Spillover Effect of Multi-Scale Urban Innovation Networks on Industrial Development: Evidence from the Automobile Manufacturing Industry in China
Authors: Xiong Weiting , Li Jingang
Published: December 2023

Multi-scale urban innovation networks are important channels for intra- and inter-city knowledge spillovers and play an important role in urban industrial innovation and growth. However, there is a lack of direct evidence on the impact of multi-scale urban innovation networks on industrial development. Drawing upon the “buzz-and-pipeline” model, this paper analyzes the impact of multi-scale urban innovation networks on industrial development by taking the automobile manufacturing industry in China’s five urban agglomerations as an example. Firstly, based on the Form of Correlation between International Patent Classification and Industrial Classification for National Economic Activities (2018) and co-patents, we construct urban innovation networks on three different geographical scales, including intra-city innovation networks, inter-city innovation networks within urban agglomerations, and innovation networks between cities within and beyond urban agglomerations. Then, we employ the ordinary least squares model with fixed effects at the urban agglomeration level to explore the impact of urban multi-scale knowledge linkages on the development of the automobile manufacturing industry and the results showed that urban innovation networks at three different geographical scales have different impacts on industrial development. Specifically, intra-city innovation networks have a facilitating effect on industrial development, while both inter-city innovation networks within urban agglomerations and innovation networks between cities within and beyond urban agglomerations have an inverted U-shaped impact on industrial development. The interactions between urban innovation networks on three different geographical scales have a negative effect on industrial development. Simultaneously, the agglomeration level of urban industry plays a positive moderating role in the impacts of multi-scale urban innovation networks on industrial development.
Microplastic Removal in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) by Natural Coagulation: A Literature Review
Authors: Reza Taskeen , Mohamad Riza Zahratul Huda , Sheikh Abdullah Siti Rozaimah , Abu Hasan Hassimi , Ismail Nur ‘Izzati , Othman Ahmad Razi
Published: December 2023

Urban industrialization has caused a ubiquity of microplastics in the environment. A large percentage of plastic waste originated from Southeast Asian countries. Microplastics arising from the primary sources of personal care items and industrial uses and the fragmentation of larger plastics have recently garnered attention due to their ubiquity. Due to the rising level of plastic waste in the environment, the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of plastics threaten aquatic and human life. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are one of the major sources of these plastic fragments. WWTPs in Southeast Asia contribute largely to microplastic pollution in the marine environment, and thus, further technological improvements are required to ensure the complete and efficient removal of microplastics. Coagulation is a significant process in removing microplastics, and natural coagulants are far superior to their chemical equivalents due to their non-toxicity and cost-effectiveness. A focused literature search was conducted on journal repository platforms, mainly ScienceDirect and Elsevier, and on scientific databases such as Google Scholar using the keywords Wastewater Treatment Plant, Coagulation, Microplastics, Marine Environment and Southeast Asia. The contents and results of numerous papers and research articles were reviewed, and the relevant papers were selected. The relevant findings and research data are summarized in this paper. The paper reviews (1) natural coagulants for microplastic removal and their effectiveness in removing microplastics and (2) the potential use of natural coagulants in Southeast Asian wastewater treatment plants as the abundance of natural materials readily available in the region makes it a feasible option for microplastic removal.
Optimised Fermentation Production of Radiolabelled Ochratoxin A by Aspergillus ochraceus with Maximum 14C in the Pentaketide Moiety for Exploring Its Rat Renal Toxicology
Authors: Mantle Peter
Published: December 2023

In the context of the mysterious Balkan endemic nephropathy of the 1900s, and the discovery in the 1960s of the potent mycotoxin ochratoxin A, experimental research projects sought to explore any inter-relationship. Experimental lifetime administration of the toxin to male rats had revealed renal DNA adducts with the toxin, correlated with renal tumours, confirmation of which required molecular evidence. Consequently, production of 14C-ochratoxin A of a high specific radioactivity was required, practical biosynthetic detail of which had not previously been published. A fermentation study of Aspergillus ochraceous was carried out during 2002 for a European project, to select for the production of high-quality 14C-ochratoxin A, necessarily exploring for the maximum diversion of 14C-sodium acetate into the pentaketide portion of mycotoxin. Experimentation necessarily had to optimise the competitive context of fungal growth dynamics and addition of the biosynthetic precursor in the early days of shaken-flask fermentation before adding the radiolabelled precursor. From optimal fermentation, 50 mg of the 14C ochratoxin A was supplied within a European project for DNA adduct experimentation, but that proved negative as subsequently published. Experimental description of the radiolabelled ochratoxin A production was later made in a doctoral thesis, but is first publicised here. Further review of the literature reveals an explanation for the published failure to confirm rat DNA/ochratoxin A adduct formation, for which further experimentation is now recommended.
Immunoblotting Identification of Diagnostic Antigens of Paragonimus westermani Type 1 for the Detection of Human Pulmonary Paragonimiasis in North East India
Authors: Devi Kangjam Rekha , Deka Archana , Mukherjee Debdutta , Kaur Harpreet , Narain Kanwar
Published: December 2023

Human pulmonary paragonimiasis, an emerging concern in North East India, frequently masquerades as pulmonary tuberculosis due to clinical and radiological similarities, leading to diagnostic challenges. This research aimed to harness the immunoblotting technique to discern immunodiagnostic protein antigens from both adult worm and excretory–secretory (ES) extracts of the prevalent Paragonimus westermani type 1 in Arunachal Pradesh, North East India. We studied the time kinetics of immunoreactive patterns in relation to the duration of infection in rodent models. Immunoblot analyses were also conducted using sera from ELISA-positive patients confirmed with paragonimiasis, facilitating the selection of antigenic extracts with diagnostic potential. Further, ES protein antigens were subjected to 2D immunoblot analysis and immunoreactive protein spots identified using MALDI-TOF MS. The immunoreactivity patterns of ES antigens with sera of paragonimiasis-positive patients were detailed, and specific immunoreactive protein antigens were pinpointed using peptide mass fingerprinting (MALDI-TOF). This work underscores the enhanced diagnostic accuracy when combining ELISA with immunoblotting for pulmonary paragonimiasis in regions like North East India, marked by co-existing helminth infections.
Effective Isolation and Characterization of Mycobacteriophages with the Ability to Lyse Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis
Authors: Harman-McKenna Victoria K. , De Buck Jeroen
Published: December 2023

Johne’s disease (JD), a chronic infectious enteritis of ruminants, causes major economic losses in the dairy industry globally. This enteritis is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP). Currently there is no cure for JD and test-based culling has proved ineffective at preventing the spread. To isolate new mycobacteriophages (mbps) that can potentially be used to control JD transmission and infection on dairy farms, we optimized an isolation protocol by fecal spiking and the testing of different isolation solution compositions. Using this protocol, we successfully enhanced the yield of mbps from spiked fecal samples, elevating it from less than 1% to 59%. With this method, we isolated 14 mbps from 475 environmental samples collected from MAP-positive dairy farms, after in-sample enrichment with MAP and the fast-growing M. smegmatis. The sample sources included soil, manure pits, lactation barns, feces, milk, and drain water. After fingerprinting these mbps by restriction enzyme profiling, we concluded that 12 were distinct and novel. Further characterization of their host range revealed that eight were capable of lysing multiple MAP strains. We also studied the cross-resistance, lysogeny, the effect of pH and their antimycobacterial properties in milk replacer. Each novel mbp showed limited cross-resistance and prophage immunity and showed no reduction in the titer in a range of pHs after 4 h. The novel phages were also able to reduce the mycobacterial counts to zero after 8 h in milk replacer. In conclusion, these novel mbps could be considered to be used in the control strategies of JD on farms.
The Establishment of the ϕ6 Genome Packaging Assay
Authors: Gottlieb Paul , Alimova Aleksandra
Published: December 2023

This editorial describes the efforts to establish a genome packaging assay for the ϕ6 bacteriophage, which were performed in the laboratory of Leonard Mindich, Ph [...]
A Multiplex Nanopore Sequencing Approach for the Detection of Multiple Arboviral Species
Authors: Xavier Joilson , Fonseca Vagner , Adelino Talita , Iani Felipe C. M. , Pereira Glauco C. , Duarte Myrian M. , Lima Mauricio , Castro Emerson , Oliveira Carla , Fritsch Hegger , Guimarães Natalia , Lamounier Ludmila O. , Barreto Fernanda Khouri , Braga de Oliveira Camilo M. M. , Maymone Gonçalves Crhistinne C. , Malta Lima Danielle , de Oliveira Elaine C. , de Castro Lichs Gislene G. , Gomes Iago , Mazaro Janaina , Rodrigues Janete T. N. , Abrantes Jayra , Colares Jeová K. B. , Luz Kleber G. , Barbosa da Silva Luana , Demarchi Luiz , Câmara Magaly C. B. , Umaki Zardin Marina C. S. , Sabatini Mello Pinheiro Rafaela , Barbosa Souza Rutilene , Haddad Simone K. , Figueiredo da Silva Stephanni , Slavov Svetoslav N. , Rocha Themis , Morel Noelia , Chiparelli Hector , Burgueño Analía , Bórmida Victoria , Cortinas María N. , Martín Rosario S. , Pereira Allan C. , dos Santos Marcelo F. , André Júnior Walter , Mendez Rico Jairo , Franco Leticia , Rosewell Alexander , do Carmo Said Rodrigo F. , de Albuquerque Carlos F. C. , Noia Maciel Ethel L. , Santini de Oliveira Marília , Venâncio da Cunha Rivaldo , Vinhal Frutuoso Livia C. , de Filippis Ana M. B. , Giovanetti Marta , Carlos Junior Alcantara Luiz
Published: December 2023

The emergence and continued geographic expansion of arboviruses and the growing number of infected people have highlighted the need to develop and improve multiplex methods for rapid and specific detection of pathogens. Sequencing technologies are promising tools that can help in the laboratory diagnosis of conditions that share common symptoms, such as pathologies caused by emerging arboviruses. In this study, we integrated nanopore sequencing and the advantages of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to develop a multiplex RT-PCR protocol for the detection of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and several orthoflaviviruses (such as dengue (Orthoflavivirus dengue), Zika (Orthoflavivirus zikaense), yellow fever (Orthoflavivirus flavi), and West Nile (Orthoflavivirus nilense) viruses) in a single reaction, which provides data for sequence-based differentiation of arbovirus lineages.