bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Croco Eye Technique: Mucous Retention Cyst Excision with Immediate Open Sinus Lift—A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jadach Radosław , Osypko Karolina , Nelke Kamil , Nowicki Adam
Published: June 2024

Objectives: A mucous retention cyst is a common, asymptomatic lesion that may cause complications during or after the sinus lift procedure. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the Croco Eye Technique (CET), which allows simultaneous excision of the cyst and sinus floor elevation. Methods: The technique was thoroughly described in two versions, and the group of 33 patients was analyzed. Patients who qualified for this procedure had insufficient alveolar ridge height, and their CBCT showed radiological images typical for retention cysts. Analyzed parameters included the version of CET, demographic data, anatomical parameters, intraoperative complications, recurrence of the cyst, success rate of the sinus lift and implants, and the follow-up period. Results: Out of the 33 cases, 9 were of the primary version (27.27%) and 24 of the final version (72.73%). The average height of a retention cyst was 24.05 mm, with the average alveolar ridge height of 1.86 mm. In three cases (9.09%), implants were placed immediately. The prevalence of uncontrolled Schneiderian membrane perforation was reduced from 55.56% to 4.17% between the primary and final versions. The cyst’s recurrence rate was 3.13%. The implant survival rate was 100%. The mean follow-up period was 48.625 months (max 110 months). Conclusions: The Croco Eye Technique, despite the perforation of the Schneiderian membrane, enables successful sinus lift and implantation with a success rate of 100%. Excision of the retention cyst, which is the cause of perforation, allows for limiting the risk of the cyst’s recurrence.
Enhancing Guided Bone Regeneration with a Novel Carp Collagen Scaffold: Principles and Applications
Authors: Bujda Michele , Klíma Karel
Published: June 2024

Bone defects resulting from trauma, surgery, and congenital, infectious, or oncological diseases are a functional and aesthetic burden for patients. Bone regeneration is a demanding procedure, involving a spectrum of molecular processes and requiring the use of various scaffolds and substances, often yielding an unsatisfactory result. Recently, the new collagen sponge and its structural derivatives manufactured from European carp (Cyprinus carpio) were introduced and patented. Due to its fish origin, the novel scaffold poses no risk of allergic reactions or transfer of zoonoses and additionally shows superior biocompatibility, mechanical stability, adjustable degradation rate, and porosity. In this review, we focus on the basic principles of bone regeneration and describe the characteristics of an “ideal” bone scaffold focusing on guided bone regeneration. Moreover, we suggest several possible applications of this novel material in bone regeneration processes, thus opening new horizons for further research.
The Relationship between Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Cycling Performance: Insights from Hypoxia and Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up
Authors: Oliveira André Luiz Musmanno Branco , Rodrigues Gabriel Dias , Rohan Philippe de Azeredo , Gonçalves Thiago Rodrigues , Soares Pedro Paulo da Silva
Published: June 2024

Hypoxia increases inspiratory muscle work and consequently contributes to a reduction in exercise performance. We evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) on a 10 km cycling time trial in normoxia (NOR) and hypoxia (HYP). Eight cyclists performed four time trial sessions, two in HYP (FiO2: 0.145) and two in NOR (FiO2: 0.209), of which one was with IMW (set at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure—MIP) and the other was with the placebo effect (PLA: set at 15% MIP). Time trials were unchanged by IMW (NORIMW: 893.8 ± 31.5 vs. NORPLA: 925.5 ± 51.0 s; HYPIMW: 976.8 ± 34.2 vs. HYPPLA: 1008.3 ± 56.0 s; p > 0.05), while ventilation was higher in HYPIMW (107.7 ± 18.3) than HYPPLA (100.1 ± 18.9 L.min−1; p ≤ 0.05), and SpO2 was lower (HYPIMW: 73 ± 6 vs. HYPPLA: 76 ± 6%; p ≤ 0.05). A post-exercise-induced reduction in inspiratory strength was correlated with exercise elapsed time during IMW sessions (HYPIMW: r = −0.79; p ≤ 0.05; NORIMW: r = −0.70; p ≤ 0.05). IMW did not improve the 10 km time trial performance under normoxia and hypoxia.
Personality Traits and Family SES Moderate the Relationship between Media Multitasking and Reasoning Performance
Authors: Ma Yuning , Yin Jinrong , Xuan Hongzhou , Ren Xuezhu , He Jie , Wang Tengfei
Published: June 2024

The prevalence of media multitasking has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on cognitive abilities. Despite increasing attention given to this topic, there remains no consensus on how media multitasking is related to cognitive performance. This study aims to shed light on this issue by examining whether and how personality traits and family socioeconomic status (SES) moderate the relationship between media multitasking and reasoning performance. To this end, a large sample of university students (n = 777) completed a battery of measures, including the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices, the Media Multitasking Inventory, the Big Five Inventory, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Grit Scale, and the Family SES Questionnaire. Results revealed a negative correlation between media multitasking and reasoning performance. However, this relationship was substantially moderated by conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and family SES. Specifically, media multitasking was more detrimental to reasoning performance among individuals with lower levels of conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and family SES, whereas it was less detrimental to counterparts with higher levels of these personality traits and family SES. The proposed moderation model, for the first time, not only offers novel insights into the theoretical accounts regarding how media multitasking relates to cognitive abilities, but also identifies the protective factors that may buffer the negative impacts of media multitasking.
Multiphase-Thermal Flow Simulation in a Straight Vacuum-Insulated LH2 Pipe: Fuel Gas Supply System in a LH2-Fueled Ship
Authors: Seo Yong-Seok , Chung Soh-Myung , Park Jong-Chun
Published: June 2024

Hydrogen, stored as a liquid at cryogenic temperatures to enhance transport efficiency, is susceptible to boiling due to thermal fluctuations, underscoring the importance of investigating thermal insulation for liquid hydrogen piping. Evaluating their suitability and effectiveness for hydrogen ship piping remains critical. This study conducted numerical simulations to analyze insulation and phase-change impacts on the multiphase thermal flow of piping systems used for the Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) of hydrogen-fueled ships. The accuracy of the adopted phase-change model was validated against selected experimental cases of boiling phenomena, demonstrating agreement with experimental results. We applied the validated phase-change model to simulate multiphase thermal flow in an LH2 pipe and evaluated the thermal performance of insulation materials. The insulation material considered in this study is a composite insulation system with various filling materials. Specifically, we observed that the insulation performance was superior when utilizing a combination of vacuum insulation along with MLI Mylar nets. Additionally, we evaluated the safety within the pipe by comparing the amount of vapor generated inside with the Lower Flammability Limit (LFL). Our results indicate that a safety assessment of the insulation is necessary when no filling material is used. Quantitatively, we found that pipes with composite vacuum and MLI Mylar net insulation reduced vapor generation by 45% compared to vacuum-only insulation, highlighting the effectiveness of the proposed insulation method.
Fault Simulating Test Bed for Developing Diagnostic Algorithm of the Geared Rotating Machinery of Ships
Authors: Kim Dong Min , Kim Seong Hyeon , Song Hyun Min , Kim Sun Je
Published: June 2024

To prevent critical failure of the functional machinery of a ship, condition monitoring technologies have been much studied in recent times. In this respect, securing a fault database is a top priority in technology development. In this paper, we developed a test bed that simulates the LNG (liquefied natural gas) re-liquefaction system installed on LNG carriers to obtain data in various types of faults of ship machinery. To maintain rotor-dynamics characteristics, the structure was scaled based on the critical speed margin of the dynamic system. The developed test bed includes a gearbox and multiple shafts. It can simulate mass imbalance, misalignment, bearing fault, gear fault and impeller fault. To verify the validity of the vibration data obtained from the developed test bed, experiments were conducted on three fault modes: main shaft imbalance, pinion shaft imbalance, and gear fault. The time series data and FFT results were analyzed, and time domain features were extracted and statistically validated. Additionally, a simple diagnosis model was developed using the acquired data to evaluate its performance. The test data show distinct data with respect to fault conditions, and we can expect that the diagnosis algorithm can be developed using the test data. The developed test bed can provide not only for the fault data of a single component of the rotating machine but also for the combined fault data of the total system. In addition, we expect that it will solve the problem of securing fault data in the development of condition diagnosis technology if reliability is verified by identifying correlations by comparing data from the real system and data from the scaled test bed.
Comprehensive Analysis of Maritime Cybersecurity Landscape Based on the NIST CSF v2.0
Authors: Dimakopoulou Anastasia , Rantos Konstantinos
Published: June 2024

As technology advances and digitalization becomes more prevalent in the industry, the cyber threats to maritime systems and operations have significantly increased. The maritime sector relies heavily on interconnected networks, communication systems, and sophisticated technologies for its operations, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals, nation-states, and other threat actors. Safeguarding the maritime sector against cyber threats is crucial to ensuring the safety, integrity, and efficiency of maritime operations as well as for protecting sensitive information and global trade. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has played a significant role in addressing cybersecurity issues, leading to the implementation of regulations aimed at risk reduction. This paper delves into the realm of cybersecurity within the maritime industry, offering an in-depth analysis of its various aspects through an extensive literature review based on the latest Version 2.0 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) functional areas. The primary objective is to establish a connection between research and NIST’s functions and categories, thereby presenting a nascent perspective and identifying existing security research gaps. Through the adoption of this strategic approach, the present paper aims to cultivate a forward-looking and proactive state of maturity in anticipation of future developments within the maritime industry. The outcomes of this research can provide valuable reference points in academic discourse, potentially leading to new hypotheses, and fuel innovation in developing advanced cybersecurity measures within the maritime industry.
Multistep Forecasting Method for Offshore Wind Turbine Power Based on Multi-Timescale Input and Improved Transformer
Authors: Wan Anping , Gong Zhipeng , Wei Chao , AL-Bukhaiti Khalil , Ji Yunsong , Ma Shidong , Yao Fareng
Published: June 2024

Wind energy is highly volatile, and large-scale wind power grid integration significantly impacts grid stability. Accurate forecasting of wind turbine power can improve wind power consumption and ensure the economy of the power grid. This paper proposes a multistep forecasting method for offshore wind turbine power based on a multi-timescale input and an improved transformer. First, the wind speed sequence is decomposed by the VMD method to extract adequate timing information and remove the noise, after which the decomposition signals are merged with the rest of the timing features, and the dataset is split according to different timescales. A GRU receives the short-timescale inputs, and the Improved Transformer captures the timing relationship of the long-timescale inputs. Finally, a CNN is used to extract the information of each time point at the output of each branch, and the fully connected layer outputs multistep forecasting results. Experiments were conducted on operation data from four wind turbines located within the offshore wind farm but not near the edge. The results show that the proposed method achieved average errors of 0.0522 in MAE, 0.0084 in MSE, and 0.0907 in RMSE on a four-step forecast. This outperformed comparison methods LSTM, CNN-LSTM, LSTM-Attention, and Informer. The proposed method demonstrates superior forecasting performance and accuracy for multistep offshore wind turbine power forecasting.
Immediate Impact of the 2021 Harmful Algal Bloom in Southeast Hokkaido on the Rocky Intertidal Benthic Community and Its Spatial Variation
Authors: Yao Yuan , Noda Takashi
Published: June 2024

There has been a limited number of studies on the effects of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on natural rocky intertidal ecosystems. From mid-September to early November 2021, an unprecedented HAB caused by Karenia selliformis hit the Pacific coast of southeast Hokkaido, Japan, for the first time, causing massive mortalities among marine organisms. To clarify the immediate impacts of the HAB on the abundance of 10 rocky intertidal species in four functional groups (macroalgae, sessile invertebrates, molluscan grazers, and molluscan carnivores), we focused on two questions: (1) How did the HAB affect the abundance of each species differently at the regional scale? and (2) How did the impacts of the HAB on the abundance of each functional groups vary spatially, and was the spatial variation of the HAB impacts related to the spatial distribution of the cell density of HAB species? To study these issues, we compared census data for 17 years before the HAB and within one month after it for five shores on the southeast coast of Hokkaido. The results showed that two macroalgae species and all three molluscan grazer species declined significantly after the HAB. Moreover, the decrease in molluscan grazers was significantly correlated with cell density. These results suggest that the impacts of the HAB in southeast Hokkaido on the abundance of rocky intertidal organisms are highly variable depending on species and locality, presumably because of differences in species-specific tolerances to HAB toxins and the spatial variation in the density of the HAB organisms.
Optimizing Underwater Image Restoration and Depth Estimation with Light Field Images
Authors: Xiao Bo , Gao Xiujing , Huang Hongwu
Published: June 2024

Methods based on light field information have shown promising results in depth estimation and underwater image restoration. However, improvements are still needed in terms of depth estimation accuracy and image restoration quality. Previous work on underwater image restoration employed an image formation model (IFM) that overlooked the effects of light attenuation and scattering coefficients in underwater environments, leading to unavoidable color deviation and distortion in the restored images. Additionally, the high blurriness and associated distortions in underwater images make depth information extraction and estimation very challenging. In this paper, we refine the light propagation model and propose a method to estimate the attenuation and backscattering coefficients of the underwater IFM. We simplify these coefficients into distance-related functions and design a relationship between distance and the darkest channel to estimate the water coefficients, effectively suppressing color deviation and distortion in the restoration results. Furthermore, to increase the accuracy of depth estimation, we propose using blur cues to construct a cost for refocusing in the depth direction, reducing the impact of high signal-to-noise ratio environments on depth information extraction, and effectively enhancing the accuracy and robustness of depth estimation. Finally, experimental comparisons show that our method achieves more accurate depth estimation and image restoration closer to real scenes compared to state-of-the-art methods.
Numerical Study on the Performance of an OWC under Breaking and Non-Breaking Waves
Authors: Cannata Giovanni , Biondi Francesco , Simone Marco
Published: June 2024

A numerical model for the simulation of the performance of an oscillating water column (OWC) subjected to non-breaking and breaking waves is proposed in this paper. The numerical model consists of a hydrodynamic model specifically designed to simulate breaking waves and a pneumatic model that takes into account the air compressibility. The proposed numerical model was applied to evaluate the potential mean annual energy production from the waves of two coastal sites characterized by different hydrodynamic conditions: a deep-water condition, where the OWC interacts with non-breaking waves, and a shallow-water condition, where the OWC is subjected to breaking waves. The numerical results show that the effects of the air compressibility can be considered negligible only in numerical simulations of the performances of reduced-scale OWC devices, such as those used in laboratory experiments. We demonstrated that in real-scale simulations, the effect of the air compressibility within the OWC chamber significantly reduces its ability to extract energy from waves. The numerical results show that the effect of the air compressibility is even more significant in the case of a real-scale OWC located in the surf zone, where it interacts with breaking waves.
Revisiting the Serçe Limanı Sail Plan
Authors: Helfman Nathan , Rott Josef , Cvikel Deborah
Published: June 2024

The reconstruction of the Serçe Limanı ship proposed a double-masted rig consisting of two sails with a total combined area of 100 m2. That proposal considered provenance evidence and appraised hydrodynamic and hydrostatic conditions. The current paper proposes an alternative rig consisting of a single sail. By applying computational fluid analysis and hydrostatic stability software to evaluate hull resistance, sail propulsion, and heeling moments, it has been demonstrated that a sail of no less than 150 m2 was suited to propel the Serçe Limanı. One of the two suitable alternative sails tested has been selected.
Applicability of Variable-Geometry Turbocharger for Diesel Generators under High Exhaust Back Pressure
Authors: Chen Chien-Cheng , Jeng Yuan-Liang , Yen Shun-Chang
Published: June 2024

The exhaust back pressure of diesel engines is becoming increasingly higher nowadays. In order to keep discharging exhaust unhindered and operating smoothly under high exhaust back pressure, a large reduction in engine maximum brake output is often observed, as well as increased fuel consumption and lower combustion efficiency with heavy exhaust smokes. In our previous study, “Applicability of Reducing Valve Timing Overlap for Diesel Engines under High Exhaust Back Pressure”, a reduced valve timing overlap of 12 °CA partially improves the brake output and BSFC for a fixed-geometry turbocharged diesel engine under high exhaust back pressures. A potential solution for restoring the brake output under high exhaust back pressures could be the use of variable-geometry turbochargers. In this study, a variable-geometry turbocharger is applied to a diesel engine to study the engine performance characteristics and applicability, especially the further improvement of brake output and the brake-specific fuel consumption of the engine. Continuing with the results of our previous research, a basic setting of 12 °CA for the valve timing overlap is set up for the subsequent engine performance simulations in this study (using GT-Power SW). Via simulation, exhaust back pressures of 25 kPa, 45 kPa, and 65 kPa gauge are studied for a turbocharged diesel engine. The results for the engine parameters, including brake output, brake-specific fuel consumption, compressor outlet temperature, turbine inlet temperature, intake air mass flow rate, and exhaust mass flow rate are analyzed. The results of the variable-geometry turbocharger, including turbocharger speed, pressure ratios and efficiencies of compressor and turbine are also analyzed. The results indicate that the brake output and brake-specific fuel consumption are effectively improved under full-load operation with an adequate variable-geometry turbocharger rack position. Operable ranges of rack position are also set up for different back pressures.
USV Path Planning in a Hybrid Map Using a Genetic Algorithm with a Feedback Mechanism
Authors: Gao Hang , Zhang Tingting , Zuo Zheming , Guo Xuan , Long Yang , Qiu Da , Liu Song
Published: June 2024

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) often operate in real-world environments with long voyage distances and complex routes. The use of a single-grid map model presents challenges, such as the high computational costs for high-resolution maps and loss of environmental information for low-resolution maps. This article proposes an environmental modeling method using a hybrid map that combines topology units and grids. The approach involves calibrating key nodes based on the watershed skeleton line, constructing a topology map using these nodes, decomposing the original map into unit maps, converting each unit map into a grid map, and creating a hybrid map environment model that comprises topology maps, unit map sets, and grid map sets. Then, the article introduces an improved genetic algorithm, called Genetic Algorithm with Feedback (FGA), to address path planning in hybrid maps. Experimental results demonstrate that FGA has better computational efficiency than other algorithms in similar experimental environments. In hybrid maps, path planning with FGA reduces the path lengths and time consumption, and the paths are more logical, smooth, and continuous. These findings contribute to enhancing the quality of path planning and the practical value of USVs.
Titanium Dioxide-Based Nanoparticles to Enhance Radiation Therapy for Cancer: A Literature Review
Authors: Nakayama Masao , Akasaka Hiroaki , Sasaki Ryohei , Geso Moshi
Published: June 2024

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been investigated as one of the potential dose enhancement agents for radiation therapy. The role of TiO2 NPs as a photodynamic sensitiser has been well documented, but its sensitisation with X-rays is not highlighted. Unlike other metal NPs, such as gold NPs, the main challenge for TiO2 NPs as radiosensitisers is their low atomic number, resulting in a small cross-section for X-rays. This review summarises the results of current research in this area to explore the dose enhancement inflicted by TiO2 NPs, which could potentially be of great value in improving radiation therapy efficiency.
Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Carvacrol against Black Mold Disease Agent Alternaria alternata in Goji Berries
Authors: Wang Junjie , Zhou Yueli , Wang Peng , Zhao Lunaike , Zhang Huaiyu , Qu Huan , Xu Fei
Published: June 2024

Alternaria alternata, as a main decay fungus of goji berry, can produce mycotoxins such as alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA). Carvacrol (CVR) has exhibited a broad-spectrum antifungal activity in vitro. We assumed that CVR can also be applied to control Alternaria rot on goji berries and mycotoxins produced by the pathogens. To investigate whether CVR impacts the accumulation of mycotoxins and cell membrane damage of A. alternata, the antifungal activity of CVR on the fungal growth and mycotoxin production was evaluated in this study. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CVR against A. alternata was 0.12 µL/mL. Meanwhile, the destruction of plasma membrane integrity, cytoplasmic leakage, intracellular oxidative damage, and inhibitory effect in vivo were also observed in A. alternata treated with CVR. Moreover, CVR significantly reduced the accumulation of AOH, AME, and TeA. Transcriptomic profiling was performed by means of comparative RNA-Seq analysis to research the gene expression level of A. alternata, which attested to significant changes in nitrogen metabolism, carbon utilization, fatty acid oxidation, and antioxidant enzymes in CVR-treated A. alternata. This study suggests a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of response to CVR treatment in A. alternata, indicating that CVR is a novel antifungal agent with the potential to be applied to various fungi.
Robotic Bronchoscopy: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Bhandari Bharat Singh , Jain Akshita , Sharma Soumit , Rana Gunjan , Sabath Bruce Fernando
Published: June 2024

Lung cancer, a major global cause of cancer-related deaths, demands continual advancements in diagnostic methodologies. This review delves into the transformative role of Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy (RAB) in redefining lung cancer diagnostics. As lung cancer screenings intensify, leading to a surge in pulmonary nodule diagnoses, navigational bronchoscopy, notably electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB), faces persistent limitations. Examining key RAB platforms—Monarch™, Ion™ and the Galaxy System™—reveals their distinctive features, with RAB demonstrating superior diagnostic yields over traditional biopsy methods. However, challenges include CT-to-body divergence (CBCT) and divergent findings in diagnostic yield studies and a lack of head-to-head comparisons with non-RAB modalities. Future directions should explore RAB’s potential therapeutic applications, shaping the landscape of both diagnostics and therapeutics in lung cancer management.
The Characterization of Normal Male and Female Voice from Surface Electromyographic Parameters
Authors: Puig-Herreros Clara , Sanz José Luis , Barona-Lleó Luz , Forner Leopoldo , Rosell-Clari Vicent
Published: June 2024

Currently, there is no consensus on the characterization of the human voice. The objective of the present study is to describe the myoelectric behavior of the extrinsic musculature of the larynx in 146 people with normal voice (Spanish speakers), aged between 20 and 50 years old. Different vocal tasks were recorded using a surface electromyograph (SEMG). In all vocal tasks, it was observed that women had higher activation (µV) in the suprahyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles than men, while men had higher activation in the infrahyoid muscles. SEMG is a valid procedure to help define normal vocal characteristics in the studied population, providing reference values during clinical examination. However, it is necessary to adopt a universal system of assessment tasks and standardized measurement techniques to allow for comparisons with future studies.
Perspectives on Clinical Adoption Barriers to Blood-Based Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests across Stakeholders
Authors: Schroll Monica M. , Quinn Elissa , Pritchard Daryl , Chang Allina , Garner Amanti Kristen , Perez Omar , Agarwal Arushi , Gustavsen Gary
Published: June 2024

Current United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations include routine screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer; however, two out of every three cancer cases occur in other indications, leading to diagnoses in advanced stages of the disease and a higher likelihood of mortality. Blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests can impact cancer screening and early detection by monitoring for multiple different cancer types at once, including indications where screening is not performed routinely today. We conducted a survey amongst healthcare providers (HCPs), payers, and patients within the U.S. health system to understand the current utilization of cancer screening tests and the anticipated barriers to widespread adoption of blood-based MCED tests. The results indicated that the community favors the adoption of blood-based MCED tests and that there is broad agreement on the value proposition. Despite this recognition, the survey highlighted that there is limited use today due to the perceived lack of clinical accuracy and utility data, high out-of-pocket patient costs, and lack of payer coverage. To overcome the hurdles for future widespread adoption of blood-based MCED tests, increased investment in data generation, education, and implementation of logistical support for HCPs will be critical.
Public Law Liability of the Financial Market Supervisor
Authors: Janovec Michal , Kálmán János
Published: June 2024

This article deals with the liability of the supervisory authority of the financial market. It could be questioned whether the supervisory authority, as the public authority, is liable for the supervisory performance. If the answer is yes, then the question is what kind of liability could be found and if any special conditions (prerequisites) are needed. In general, there could be two lines of public liability found. One is systemic liability for the safe financial market—e.g., financial market stability. The other perspective is individual liability for damages caused by unlawful administrative procedure or maladministration, where unlimited strict liability is granted. This kind of liability might be widely questioned, especially when the central bank is the supervisory authority, like in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and other EU member states. This article aims to evaluate the liability of the supervisory authority in the Czech Republic and Hungary concerning the European level of such liability.
Botanic Gardens in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability: History, Contemporary Engagements, Decolonization Challenges, and Renewed Potential
Authors: Neves Katja Grötzner
Published: June 2024

Botanic gardens are increasingly important agents of plant research and conservation. A large number of botanic gardens have been established throughout the globe since the mid-20th century to pursue new socio-environmental missions. Others, with histories that span centuries, have also undergone a deep transformation in the context of growing attention to matters of sustainability. Bridging key aspects of the scholarly literature on the genesis of the botanical garden institution in Europe and its legacy, this article presents the re-invention of these gardens as institutions of conservation, sustainability, and social engagement as they renew their relevance in the contemporary world. This article proceeds by covering three focal points. First, it summarizes the scholarly literature on the emergence of botanical gardens in Europe and their association with the rise of modern science, the nation-state, colonialism, and empire-building. Second, it presents accounts of current scientific and biodiversity conservation endeavours as reflexive engagements with these historical legacies, decolonization initiatives, and new socio-environmental missions. Third, this article points beyond its focus on the historical transformation of the European botanical garden institution, by identifying a more widely encompassing body of scholarship that puts forth frameworks for understanding the current role of botanic gardens on a global scale.
The Delineation and Characterisation of Chinese Urbanised Areas Using Micro-Scale Population Census Data
Authors: Ye Yumin , Tang Yike , Wang Jiejing
Published: June 2024

The definition of cities from the physical view in China is lacking. Most research regarding Chinese cities relies on the definition from the administrative view, which is often inconsistent as there are serious discrepancies between the administrative boundaries and the physical extent of Chinese cities. This study aims to delineate Chinese urbanised areas using population census data at the township level and analyse the identified urbanised areas’ characteristics. The results show that the numbers of Chinese urbanised areas in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 758, 942, and 1058, respectively, indicating there are several ‘cities outside the system’ that meet the requirements of urban agglomeration but are constrained by the city designation system. The degree of population aggregation and the growth rate of urbanised areas are greater than those of administrative cities. This indicates that the geographical scopes of administrative cities cannot accurately reflect the ‘real’ urban areas. Additionally, the city-size distribution follows Zipf’s law, with the Zipf coefficient moving closer to one if we fit the Zipf model based on the urbanised areas. It is necessary to establish official urbanised areas and publish statistical data based on urbanised areas, which could have significant implications both for policymakers and researchers.
Ecosystem Services Supply from Peri-Urban Watersheds in Greece: Soil Conservation and Water Retention
Authors: Stefanidis Stefanos , Proutsos Nikolaos , Alexandridis Vasileios , Mallinis Giorgos
Published: June 2024

The main objective of this study is to investigate the supply of ecosystem services (ESs) within peri-urban watersheds (PUWs) across Greece, utilizing earth observation (EO) data and empirical models. To achieve these goals, several open-access geospatial datasets were utilized and processed within a GIS environment. Specifically, the supply of soil conservation and water retention services was assessed at the watershed scale. The results indicates that the supply soil conservation service withing the examined PUWs range from 44.41 t ha−1 y−1 to 441.33 t ha−1 y−1 with an average value of 161.99 t ha−1 y−1. Water retention services vary from 35.09 to 154.63 mm within the PUWs, with an average of 91.45 mm. Additionally, the variation in ES values across distinct altitudinal zones and ecosystem types provides useful insights for implementing protection and management measures. It is evident from the analysis that the soil conservation service gradually increases with elevation, with alpine and subalpine areas exhibiting the highest values. Moreover, mountainous and semi-mountainous regions demonstrate higher values compared to the estimated average soil conservation services of the entire study area. Furthermore, the provision of water retention services varies across different altitudinal zones. Specifically, the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas exhibit the highest values, followed by the subalpine and hilly regions, while lower values are observed in the lowland and alpine regions. The analysis also reveals distinct patterns in ecosystem services across various ecosystem types within the PUWs. Woodland and forest, along with heathland and shrubs, demonstrate higher values in terms of both soil conservation and water retention services. Our findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of ESs in PUWs, highlighting their significance for sustainable land management, and informing policy decisions aimed at preserving ecosystem health and resilience.
The Mechanism of Socio-Spatial Evolution in Rural Areas Driven by the Development of the Planting Industry—A Case Study of Yuezhuang Village in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Wang Liyao , Yang Guiqing
Published: June 2024

Rural industrialisation in China, which has historically been restricted by urban–rural dual development policies, has been largely encouraged since the Rural Revitalisation Strategy released in 2018. Industrialisation has deeply influenced socio-spatial evolution by providing job opportunities and promoting the construction of infrastructure and public services, accelerating the two-way flow of urban–rural factors in rural areas. However, this may lead to social and spatial issues, such as social inequalities and unsuitable living conditions, to some extent. This research aims to investigate how the socio-spatial evolution of rural areas was influenced by rural industrialisation and the two-way flow of urban–rural factors. The cherry planting industry and an active “industrial centre”, Yuezhuang Village, in Linqu County, Shandong Province, China, were selected for the empirical study. This research analysed the evolution of the cherry planting industry, the formulation of rural social networks, and the spatial adaptation of the two using mixed qualitative and quantitative methods, followed by a discussion on the current rural planning policies in China. The results show that the cherry industrial chain largely extended the planting areas, and the categories of land use generally increased in Yuezhuang Village over the 30 years studied. The average output value per mu (mu is unit of area measurement used in China, where it is officially standardised. It corresponds to 1/15 of a hectare, or about 666.67 m2). In 2021 was 25 times larger than that in 1996. The population involved in industrial activities increased to over 5000 people countrywide from the initial 17 households. The results also show that urban–rural factors, such as capital, population, techniques, and information, rapidly accelerated in the annual peak season of the cherry industry. This research indicates that small-scale, characteristic, and traditional agriculture could become one of the main driving forces in urban–rural integration and may contribute to sustainable and inclusive rural communities and urban–rural partnerships. This provides the theoretical mechanism of socio-spatial interaction in rural industrialisation in China based on the empirical case study.
Distribution and Variation of Soil Water and Salt before and after Autumn Irrigation
Authors: Zhang Yin , Miao Qingfeng , Li Ruiping , Sun Minghai , Yang Xinmin , Wang Wei , Huang Yongping , Feng Weiying
Published: June 2024

Autumn irrigation is a key measure for alleviating soil salinity and promoting sustainable agricultural development in the Hetao Irrigation district; however, only a part of farmland is irrigated in autumn during the non-growth period of crops, which leads to the redistribution of soil water and salt between autumn-irrigated land (AIL) and adjacent non-autumn-irrigated land (NAIL) after autumn irrigation. To explore the distribution and variation of soil water and salt in different positions of AIL and NAIL after local autumn irrigation and reveal the interaction range between AIL and NAIL, field experiments were carried out for two years in typical test areas. The results showed that compared with non-autumn irrigation, autumn irrigation improved the distribution uniformity of soil water and salt profiles in both horizontal and vertical directions; after autumn irrigation, the water content of the soil at the nearest sampling point to the boundary in the AIL increased the least, but the desalination rate was the greatest, while the water and salt contents of the soil within 45 m from the sampling points to the boundary in the NAIL both increased significantly. NAIL received the drainage of AIL and made the groundwater level after the rise in AIL fell quickly back, but unreasonable autumn irrigation caused the groundwater level of AIL to remain at a high level before freezing, exacerbating the risk of groundwater carrying salts to the surface soil during the freezing and thawing period, detrimental to the growth of crops in the next spring. The research results are of great significance to the rational use of farmland water resources and the improvement of soil salinization in cold and dry areas.
The Territorial Cohesion through Interisland Transport: An In-Depth Analysis of the Azores Autonomous Region
Authors: Castanho Rui Alexandre , Luis José Ángel Hernández , Pimentel Pedro , Couto Gualter
Published: June 2024

This study investigates inter-island accessibility in the Azores Islands (Portugal), a region marked by unique territorial fragmentation and significant distances between islands. Recognizing the pivotal role of sea and air transport in fostering the socioeconomic development of the archipelago by enhancing resident mobility and attracting tourism, we address the challenges posed by the region’s low demographic and economic influence and the pronounced imbalances among islands. The methodological approach involves the examination of various accessibility parameters, with a specific focus on hourly operations identified as presenting the most unfavorable ratios of time availability in the destinations. We analyze inter-island sea and air schedules during the winter season, emphasizing their relevance for residents engaged in travel for business, health, administration, and related purposes. We have mainly analyzed the air schedules since it was possible to make the round trip on the same day on only two maritime routes, although these have also been considered. Regarding the study outcomes, they reveal that despite positive efforts to implement air public service obligations (PSO), which mandate specific frequencies, seat allocations, and rate caps, among other examples, the limited attention given to adapting operating hours based on demand undermines the effectiveness of these measures. Contextually, this lack of adjustment results in substantial inconvenience for travelers, particularly those engaged in round-trip operations on the same day, a common scenario in inter-island mobility. In more than 70% of the operational routes, suitable travel times at the destination are significantly compromised.
Long-Term Response of Floodplain Meadow Normalized Difference Vegetation Index to Hydro-Climate and Grazing Pressure: Tamir River Plains, Mongolia
Authors: Nyamjav Lkhaakhuu , Nergui Soninkhishig , Gantumur Byambakhuu , Zorigt Munkhtsetseg , Jansson Roland
Published: June 2024

The greenery of floodplain meadows in arid regions, such as Mongolia, is influenced by climate, hydrology, and land use. In this study, we analyzed the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) of two floodplain meadows located along the South Tamir and Tamir Rivers using LANDSAT images. Our goal was to observe NDVI spatial changes, variations, and mean values in mid-August every six years from 1991 to 2015 and to identify the factors driving these differences. To achieve this, we conducted variance analysis to identify changes in NDVI and implemented Principal Component Analysis to determine the influence of hydro-meteorological factors and grazing intensity. Our findings indicate a significant decrease in greenness, as measured by pixel-scale NDVI, during the late summer period. This decrease was consistently observed, except for a series of harsh winters that followed relatively dry summers, resulting in a disastrous event called dzud, which led to the death of livestock. The decrease in NDVI was amplified by lower precipitation in June, higher temperatures and wind speed in July, and increased precipitation in August, along with a higher frequency of days with convective rain. Our findings have important implications for managing grazing in Mongolia’s grasslands, promoting sustainable land use, and mitigating sandstorms. The variance and average values of NDVI at the pixel level can serve as reliable markers of sustainable pasture management in areas where other vegetation measures are limited.
The Agricultural Economy of the Sanxingdui Culture (3700–3100 BP): Archaeological and Historical Evidence from the Chengdu Plain
Authors: Yang Yuanhe , Li Haiming , Lu Yong , Xia Rubing , James Nathaniel , Chen Hui , Zhao Yanping
Published: June 2024

Agriculture is a critical foundation for the development of large-scale complex and urban societies. Sanxingdui, located on the Chengdu Plain in western Sichuan and linked with the ancient Chinese Shu Kingdom, is one of the most distinctive archaeological sites in the world. However, despite its importance, the agricultural economy of the Sanxingdui culture and the Chengdu Plain remains poorly understood and heavily debated. This study synthesizes recent archaeological and historical evidence concerning the agricultural economy underpinning the increasing scale and social complexity at Sanxingdui and the greater Chengdu Plain prior to 2200 BP. Our analysis finds a mixed rice and dry-land millet farming economy, in conjunction with pig and chicken husbandry, during the Sanxingdui culture (3700–3100 BP). This integrated agricultural system likely began with the Baodun culture (4500–3700 BP), passing to the Sanxingdui culture (3700–3100 BP), Shierqiao culture (3100–2600 BP) and later, the Shu culture (2600–2300 BP). In addition, although gathering, hunting, and fishing accounted for relatively low proportions of the overall subsistence, the ancient peoples at Sanxingdui and across the Chengdu Plain continued these practices, supporting a diverse agricultural and food system. Understanding the subsistence at Sanxingdui offers key insights into the development of complex societies in southwest China, the contributions to Chinese culture, and the role of agriculture worldwide.
30-Second Chair Stand and 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Tests Are Interesting Tools for Assessing Disability and Ability to Ambulate among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Polidori Andrea , Malagoli Mattia , Giacalone Rosario , Brichetto Giampaolo , Monti Bragadin Margherita , Prada Valeria
Published: June 2024

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and chronic disease with variable neurological symptoms. There are different scales that score the level of disability, but only few papers have taken into consideration the 5-times sit-to-stand (5STS) test and the 30 s chair stand test (30CST), which are valid and easily obtainable indicators of other neurological diseases. The aim of our research is to verify the validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness of these tests. Patients afflicted with MS were enrolled in the AISM outpatient facility. The inclusion criterion was an EDSS score less than 6.5. We performed the 5STS, 30CST, and timed 25-foot walk (T25-FW) tests and recorded EDSS scores in the first evaluation. Then, we recorded the performance after 5 days (conducted by a second blind operator to ensure test–retest reproducibility), and the last evaluation was made after 12 sessions of physiotherapy. We recruited 38 patients diagnosed with MS. The results show significant data regarding validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness for both scales. The data argue in favor of adding these tests to the relevant clinical assessments. These two tests are simple, reliable, and easy to administer, and the data confirm that they can be included in the evaluation of patients with MS.