bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liraglutide Attenuates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via the ILK/PI3K/AKT/PTEN Signaling Pathway in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Alobaid Shatha M. , Alshahrani Rahaf M. , Alonazi Asma S. , Alrasheed Nawal M. , Alamin Maha A. , Alshammari Tahani K. , Bin Dayel Anfal F. , Elnagar Doaa M. , Alotaibi Rana R. , Almuthnabi Lama A. , Almasud Dalia H. , Al-Ammar Shahad E. , Almadhi Shahad O. , Almalke Reema A. , Aldamri Nouf T. , Alghibiwi Hanan K. , Alkhelb Dalal A. , Alrasheed Nouf M.
Published: March 2024

One of the possible candidates for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy is liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonist. In this study, the impacts of liraglutide on the integrin-linked kinase (ILK)-related PI3K/AKT axis in rats with type 2 diabetes induced via streptozotocin were examined. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were distributed in four different groups, and a high-fat diet and streptozotocin were used to induce type 2 in two groups. Rats in the untreated control groups were administered 0.9% NaCl solution over a 6-week period, and those in the treatment groups were administered 0.9% NaCl for 3 weeks, followed by subcutaneous injection of liraglutide (150 μg/kg) for an additional 3 weeks. In the liraglutide-treated diabetic group, the heart-to-body weight ratio was significantly reduced, levels of cardiac biomarkers, troponin I and creatine-kinase-MB, were improved; activities of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, were increased; and levels of malondialdehyde were decreased. Western blotting and immunohistochemical studies revealed increased levels of ILK, P-PI3K, P-AKT, and BCL2, as well as those of caspase 3, BAX, and P-PTEN, indicating mitigation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Our results show that liraglutide, by targeting GLP1Rs, enhances the expression of proteins in the ILK/PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway and thereby exerts its cardioprotective effects in rats with DCM.
Combination of Betulinic Acid Fragments and Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors—A New Drug Targeting Approach
Authors: Bache Matthias , Heise Niels V. , Thiel Andreas , Funtan Anne , Seifert Franziska , Petrenko Marina , Güttler Antje , Brandt Sarah , Mueller Thomas , Vordermark Dirk , Thondorf Iris , Csuk René , Paschke Reinhard
Published: March 2024

Human carbonic anhydrase IX (hCA IX) is a zinc(II)-dependent metalloenzyme that plays a critical role in the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to protons and bicarbonate. It is a membrane-bound protein with an extracellular catalytic center that is predominantly overexpressed in solid hypoxic tumors. Sulfamates and sulfonamides, for example acetazolamide (AZA), have been used to inhibit hCA IX in order to improve the response to solid hypoxic tumors. In the present study, we propose a new drug targeting approach by attaching the natural cytotoxic substances betulin and betulinic acid (BA) via a linker to sulfonamides. The conjugate was designed with different spacer lengths to accumulate at the target site of hCA IX. Computational and cell biological studies suggest that the length of the linker may influence hCA IX inhibition. Cytotoxicity tests of the newly synthesized bifunctional conjugates 3, 5, and 9 show effective cytotoxicity in the range of 6.4 and 30.1 µM in 2D and 3D tumor models. The hCA IX inhibition constants of this conjugates, measured using an in vitro enzyme assay with p-nitrophenyl acetate, were determined in a low µM-range, and all compounds reveal a significant inhibition of hypoxia-induced CA activity in a cell-based assay using the Wilbur–Anderson method. In addition, the cells respond with G1 increase and apoptosis induction. Overall, the dual strategy to produce cytotoxic tumor therapeutics that inhibit tumor-associated hCA IX was successfully implemented.
Combined Delivery of miR-15/16 through Humanized Ferritin Nanocages for the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Liberati Francesca Romana , Di Russo Sara , Barolo Lorenzo , Peruzzi Giovanna , Farina Maria Vittoria , Spizzichino Sharon , Di Fonzo Federica , Quaglio Deborah , Pisano Luca , Botta Bruno , Giorgi Alessandra , Boffi Alberto , Cutruzzolà Francesca , Paone Alessio , Baiocco Paola
Published: March 2024

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a widespread type of leukemia that predominantly targets B lymphocytes, undermining the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. In healthy B cells, miR-15/16, a tandem of microRNAs, functions as a tumor suppressor, curbing the expression of the antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2). Conversely, in CLL patients, a recurring deletion on chromosome 13q14, home to the miR15-a and miR16-1 genes, results in Bcl-2 overexpression, thereby fostering the onset of the pathology. In the present research, a novel approach utilizing humanized ferritin-based nanoparticles was employed to successfully deliver miR15-a and miR-16-1 into MEG01 cells, a model characterized by the classic CLL deletion and overexpression of the human ferritin receptor (TfR1). The loaded miR15-a and miR16-1, housed within modified HumAfFt, were efficiently internalized via the MEG01 cells and properly directed into the cytoplasm. Impressively, the concurrent application of miR15-a and miR16-1 demonstrated a robust capacity to induce apoptosis through the reduction in Bcl-2 expression levels. This technology, employing RNA-loaded ferritin nanoparticles, hints at promising directions in the battle against CLL, bridging the substantial gap left by traditional transfection agents and indicating a pathway that may offer hope for more effective treatments.
Real-Time Cone-Growth Model for Determination of Pharmaceutical Powder Flow Properties
Authors: Farkas Gyula , Nagy Sándor , Dévay Attila , Széchenyi Aleksandar , Pál Szilárd
Published: March 2024

The flow properties of pellets or granules are crucial for further processing drug dosage forms. Optimal compression or filling of multiparticulate dosage forms into capsules is influenced by forces between discrete particles, which could be partially characterized by flow properties. Several techniques have been developed to examine flowability, including static and dynamic methods applying empirical studies and up-to-date chaos theory; however, the newest methods seem only to be powerful with the supplementation of empirical principles. Our experiments try to refine both the technique of analysis and the methods, by finding new, alternative ways. Our approach to the flowability measurements was to set up a dynamic time-dependent model that combined empirical observations and chaos theory on a geometrical basis, thus finding new characteristics regarding the flow properties of pellets and granules that could be relevant for drug developers. Our findings indicate that sphericity and particle size are the most significant factors influencing the flowability of pharmaceutical multiparticular preparations. Furthermore, this study confirms that integrating chaos theory and empirical observations in a time-dependent dynamic model provides a comprehensive understanding of particle flow behavior, pivotal for optimizing manufacturing processes.
Useful Role of a New Generation of Dexamethasone, Vitamin E and Human Serum Albumin Microparticles in the Prevention of Excitotoxicity Injury in Retinal Ocular Diseases
Authors: Rodríguez Villanueva Javier , de la Villa Pedro , Herrero-Vanrell Rocío , Bravo-Osuna Irene , Guzmán-Navarro Manuel
Published: March 2024

Excitotoxicity has been linked to the pathogenesis of several serious degenerative ocular diseases. Long-term overactivation of the NMDA receptor by glutamate in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) results in degeneration, apoptosis and loss of function leading to blindness. NMDA receptor antagonists have been proposed as a pharmacological blockage of glutamate excitotoxicity. However, an inhibition of the pathway activated by glutamate receptors has intolerable side effects. An interesting pharmacological alternative would be the use of antiapoptotic compounds as RGCs’ neuroprotective active substances. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain neuroprotection, including anti-inflammatory and scavenging activities. Here, the role of dexamethasone in neuroprotection was studied. For this purpose, original controlled release systems composed of microparticles containing dexamethasone with or without vitamin E and human serum albumin (HSA) were designed. The particles were prepared by the solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion–evaporation technique. After properly characterization of the particles, they were intravitreally injected into an rat model of acute ocular excitotoxicity injury. The functionality of the retina was determined by electroretinography and RGCs were counted after cell immunohistochemistry. These microparticulate systems showed the ability to maintain normal electroretinal activity and promoted significant protection of RGCs. Through this proof of concept, we demonstrated that dexamethasone could be a useful anti-inflammatory agent to avoid the progression of degenerative ocular diseases. Furthermore, when administered in controlled release systems that provide low concentrations during prolonged periods of time, not only can the patient’s comfort be increased but the cytotoxicity of the drugs can also be avoided.
Non-Destructive Near-Infrared Technology for Efficient Cannabinoid Analysis in Cannabis Inflorescences
Authors: Rafiq Hamza , Hartung Jens , Schober Torsten , Vogt Maximilian M. , Carrera Dániel Árpád , Ruckle Michael , Graeff-Hönninger Simone
Published: March 2024

In the evolving field of cannabis research, scholars are exploring innovative methods to quantify cannabinoids rapidly and non-destructively. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a hand-held near-infrared (NIR) device for quantifying total cannabidiol (total CBD), total delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (total THC), and total cannabigerol (total CBG) in whole cannabis inflorescences. Employing pre-processing techniques, including standard normal variate (SNV) and Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing, we aim to optimize the portable NIR technology for rapid and non-destructive cannabinoid analysis. A partial least-squares regression (PLSR) model was utilized to predict cannabinoid concentration based on NIR spectra. The results indicated that SNV pre-processing exhibited superior performance in predicting total CBD concentration, yielding the lowest root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 2.228 and the highest coefficient of determination for prediction (R2P) of 0.792. The ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) for total CBD was highest (2.195) with SNV. In contrast, raw data exhibited the least accurate predictions for total THC, with an R2P of 0.812, an RPD of 2.306, and an RMSEP of 1.651. Notably, total CBG prediction showed unique characteristics, with raw data yielding the highest R2P of 0.806. SNV pre-processing emerges as a robust method for precise total CBD quantification, offering valuable insights into the optimization of a hand-held NIR device for the rapid and non-destructive analysis of cannabinoid in whole inflorescence samples. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts in developing portable and efficient technologies for cannabinoid analysis, addressing the increasing demand for quick and accurate assessment methods in cannabis cultivation, pharmaceuticals, and regulatory compliance.
Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity, Antibacterial, Anti-Motility, and Anti-Biofilm Effects of Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw. Leaves and Stem Defatted Subfractions
Authors: Matotoka Mashilo Mash , Masoko Peter
Published: March 2024

The formation of biofilms underscores the challenge of treating bacterial infections. The study aimed to assess the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, anti-motility, and anti-biofilm effects of defatted fractions from Myrothamnus flabellifolius (resurrection plant). Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide assays. Cytotoxicity was screened using a brine shrimp lethality assay. Antibacterial activity was determined using the micro-dilution and growth curve assays. Antibiofilm potential was screened using the crystal violet and tetrazolium reduction assay. Liquid–liquid extraction of crude extracts concentrated polyphenols in the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions. Subsequently, these fractions had notable antioxidant activity and demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Mycobacterium smegmatis (MIC values < 630 μg/mL). Growth curves showed that the bacteriostatic inhibition by the ethyl acetate fractions was through the extension of the lag phase and/or suppression of the growth rate. The sub-inhibitory concentrations of the ethyl acetate fractions inhibited the swarming motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae by 100% and eradicated more than 50% of P. aeruginosa biofilm biomass. The polyphenolic content of M. flabellifolius plays an important role in its antibacterial, anti-motility, and antibiofilm activity, thus offering an additional strategy to treat biofilm-associated infections.
Optimization of a Lower Irrigation Limit for Lettuce Based on Comprehensive Evaluation: A Field Experiment
Authors: Hou Maomao , Zhang Houdong , Shaghaleh Hiba , Chen Jingnan , Zhong Fenglin , Alhaj Hamoud Yousef , Zhu Lin
Published: March 2024

When optimizing irrigation methods, much consideration is given to crop growth indicators while less attention has been paid to soil’s gaseous carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) emission indicators. Therefore, adopting an irrigation practice that can reduce emissions while maintaining crop yield and quality is of great interest. Thus, open-field experiments were conducted from September 2020 to January 2022 using a single-factor randomized block design with three replications. The lettuce plants (“Feiqiao Lettuce No.1”) were grown using four different irrigation methods established by setting the lower limit of drip irrigation to 75%, 65%, and 55% of soil water content at field capacity corresponding to DR1, DR2, and DR3, respectively. Furrow irrigation (FI) was used as a control. Crop growth indicators and soil gas emissions were observed. Results showed that the mean lettuce yield under DR1 (64,500 kg/ha) was the highest, and it was lower under DR3 and FI. The lettuces under DR3 showed greater concentrations of crude fiber, vitamin C, and soluble sugar, and a greater nitrate concentration. Compared with FI, the DR treatments were more conducive to improving the comprehensive quality of lettuce, including the measured appearance and nutritional quality. Among all the irrigation methods, FI had the maximum cracking rate of lettuce, reaching 25.3%, 24.6%, and 22.7%, respectively, for the three continuous seasons. The stem cracking rates under DR2 were the lowest—only 10.1%, 14.4%, and 8.2%, respectively, which were decreased to nearly half compared with FI. The entropy model detected that the weight coefficient evaluation value of DR2 was the greatest, reaching 0.93, indicating that the DR2 method has the optimal benefits under comprehensive consideration of water saving, yield increase, quality improvement, and emission reduction.
Numerical Analysis on the Dynamic Response of PVC Foam/Polyurea Composite Sandwich Panels under the Close Air Blast Loading
Authors: Dai Kaida , Jiang Tao , Zhao Meng , Xu Yuxin , Zhao Xiaosong , Bian Jiang
Published: March 2024

This paper explores a novel structure aimed at enhancing its blast resistance performance by adding a layer of polyurea coating to the steel-PVC foam-steel sandwich panel. The response of 13 different arrangements of sandwich panels under explosive loading was studied using numerical simulation. The response process can be divided into three deformation stages: (1) Fluid-structure interaction; (2) Compression of the sandwich panel; (3) Dynamic structural response. The dynamic responses of the various sandwich panels to close-range air blast loading were analyzed based on the deformation characteristics, deflection, effective plastic strain, energy absorption, and pressure of the shock wave. The study draws the following conclusions: Reasonably adding a layer of polyurea to the traditional PVC foam sandwich panel can enhance its resistance to shock wave absorption, with a maximum increase of 29.8%; the optimal arrangement for explosion resistance is steel plate-PVC foam-polyurea-steel plate when the polyurea is coated on the back; and the best quality ratio between polyurea and PVC foam is 1:7 when the polyurea is coated on the front.
Synthesis of Polyether, Poly(Ether Carbonate) and Poly(Ether Ester) Polyols Using Double Metal Cyanide Catalysts Bearing Organophosphorus Complexing Agents
Authors: Lee Eun-Gyeong , Tran Chinh-Hoang , Heo Ju-Yeong , Kim So-Young , Choi Ha-Kyung , Moon Byeong-Ryeol , Kim Il
Published: March 2024

We developed a series of Zn(II)-Co(III) double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts with exceptional activity for the ring-opening polymerization of various cyclic monomers by employing diverse organophosphorus compounds as complexing agents (CAs). The chemical structure and composition of DMC catalysts were investigated by commonly used analysis such as infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, and elemental analysis combining with in situ NMR analysis to determine the complexation types of organophosphorus compounds the catalyst framework. The resulting catalysts exhibited very high turnover frequencies (up to 631.4 min−1) in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of propylene oxide and good efficiency for the ROP of ε-caprolactone. The resultant polyester polyols are suitable to use as an macroinitiator to produce well-defined poly(ester ether) triblock copolymers of 1800–6600 g mol−1 and dispersity of 1.16–1.37. Additionally, the DMC catalysts bearing organophosphorus compounds CAs exhibited remarkable selectivity for the copolymerization of PO with CO2, yielding poly(ether carbonate) polyols with carbonate contents up to 34.5%. This study contributes to the development of efficient DMC catalytic systems that enable the synthesis of high-quality polyols for various applications.
Analysis of Polarization Angle on Holographic Recording Based on PQ/PMMA
Authors: He Wanxiang , Liu Defa , Chen Hang , Wang Jundi , Zhang Yaping , Zhang Bing
Published: March 2024

The polarization state of light waves significantly affects the quality of holographic recordings. This paper quantitatively analyzes the impact of different polarization states of signal and reference beams on the quality of holographic recordings in PQ/PMMA photopolymer systems during the holography process. By deriving the light field distribution of the interference between two light waves of different polarization states and introducing the interference fringe contrast and the modulation of the refractive index of the photopolymer, we established the relationship between the diffraction efficiency of PQ/PMMA photopolymer holographic gratings and the angle between polarization directions. Based on this relationship, simulations and experiments were conducted. The experimental results demonstrated that as the angle between the polarization directions increased, the diffraction efficiency of the material decreased, with the efficiency dropping to 24.69% of its original value when the angle increased from 0° to 50°. When the angle increased to 60°, the influence of polarization characteristics became gradually significant, and at 90°, it was entirely dominated by polarization characteristics. The photoinduced birefringence properties of the PQ/PMMA prepared in the measurement experiment were studied, and the polarization characteristics of the reconstructed light under polarization direction angles of 0°, 60°, and 90° were investigated. The results indicated that at a polarization direction angle of 60 degrees, the material exhibited a significant response to the polarization information of the signal light. Finally, holographic recordings of objects at different polarization direction angles were conducted, and the reconstructed images were used to visually reflect the impact of the polarization direction angle on the quality of holographic recordings.
Development and Characterization of Electrodes Coated with Plasma-Synthesized Polypyrrole Doped with Iodine, Implanted in the Rat Brain Subthalamic Nucleus
Authors: Ruiz-Diaz Daniel , Manjarrez-Marmolejo Joaquín , Diaz-Ruiz Araceli , Ríos Camilo , Olayo María G. , Olayo Roberto , Cruz Guillermo J. , Salgado-Ceballos Hermelinda , Mendez-Aramenta Marisela , Morales-Corona Juan
Published: March 2024

Biological treatments involve the application of metallic material coatings to enhance biocompatibility and properties. In invasive therapies, metallic electrodes are utilized, which are implanted in patients. One of these invasive therapeutic procedures is deep brain stimulation (DBS), an effective therapy for addressing the motor disorders observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This therapy involves the implantation of electrodes (IEs) into the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, there is still a need for the optimization of these electrodes. Plasma-synthesized polypyrrole doped with iodine (PPPy/I) has been reported as a biocompatible and anti-inflammatory biomaterial that promotes nervous system regeneration. Given this information, the objective of the present study was to develop and characterize a PPPy/I-coated electrode for implantation into the STN. The characterization results indicate a uniform coating along the electrode, and physical–chemical characterization studies were conducted on the polymer. Subsequently, the IEs, both coated and uncoated with PPPy/I, were implanted into the STN of male rats of the Wistar strain to conduct an electrographic recording (EG-R) study. The results demonstrate that the IE coated with PPPy/I exhibited superior power and frequency signals over time compared to the uncoated IE (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we conclude that an IE coated with PPPy/I has optimized functional performance, with enhanced integrity and superior signal quality compared to an uncoated IE. Therefore, we consider this a promising technological development that could significantly improve functional outcomes for patients undergoing invasive brain therapies.
Exceptional Lithography Sensitivity Boosted by Hexafluoroisopropanols in Photoresists
Authors: Liu Junjun , Wang Dong , Li Yitan , Wang Haihua , Chen Huan , Wang Qianqian , Kang Wenbing
Published: March 2024

Advanced lithography requires highly sensitive photoresists to improve the lithographic efficiency, and it is critical, yet challenging, to develop high-sensitivity photoresists and imaging strategies. Here, we report a novel strategy for ultra-high sensitivity using hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)-containing fluoropolymer photoresists. The incorporation of HFIP, with its strong electrophilic property and the electron-withdrawing effect of the fluorine atoms, significantly increases the acidity of the photoresist after exposure, enabling imaging without conventional photoacid generators (PAGs). The HFIP-containing photoresist has been evaluated by electron beam lithography to achieve a trench of ~40 nm at an extremely low dose of 3 μC/cm2, which shows a sensitivity enhancement of ~10 times compared to the commercial system involving PAGs, revealing its high sensitivity and high-resolution features. Our results demonstrate a new type of PAGs and a novel approach to higher-performance imaging beyond conventional photoresist performance tuning.
Life Cycle Assessment of Aviation Fuel Production from Steel-Industry Off-Gas
Authors: Guo Lin , Wang Xiao , Yang Weili , Lv Jing
Published: March 2024

The steel industry in China, the world’s largest, contributes to about 15% of the nation’s total carbon emissions. Instead of direct combustion, the technology of converting off-gas from the steel industry into liquid fuels not only enhances the added value of this byproduct but also helps alleviate carbon emissions. This study, for the first time, integrates the specific circumstances of China to evaluate the carbon emissions of Ethanol to Jet (ETJ) and Fischer–Tropsch to Jet (FTJ) fuel technologies utilizing Basic Oxygen Furnace Gas (BOFG) and Coke Oven Gas (COG) as feedstocks. Six cases were examined using Aspen Plus (V11) for mass and energy balance: Case 1: BOFG/ETJ, Case 2: BOFG/FTJ, Case 3: COG/ETJ, Case 4: COG/FTJ, Case 5: (COG + BOFG)/ETJ, and Case 6: (COG + BOFG)/FTJ. The analysis underscores that the FTJ pathway exhibits superior carbon reduction efficiency relative to ETJ. Compared to traditional petroleum-based aviation fuels (86.65 g CO2eq/MJ), the FTJ pathways utilizing COG or COG + BOFG as feedstocks exhibit significant advantages in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, with carbon emissions of 23.60 g CO2eq/MJ and 41.48 g CO2eq/MJ, respectively, representing reductions of 72.76% and 52.13%. Furthermore, employing uncertainty analysis based on the Monte Carlo method establishes the credibility of the findings. Finally, sensitivity analysis for parameter optimization and process improvements demonstrates the significant impact of the life cycle assessment (LCA) allocation method on computational results for exhaust gas feedstocks. Given the limited coverage of lifecycle assessments for Ethanol to Jet and Fischer–Tropsch to Jet pathways in China, this study could assist policymakers in determining the development trajectory of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in China.
Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning: Nexus of Resilience, Sustainability, and Equity
Authors: Byles Dahlia , Kuretich Patrick , Mohagheghi Salman
Published: March 2024

The problem of power grid capacity expansion focuses on adding or modernizing generation and transmission resources to respond to the rise in demand over a long-term planning period. Traditionally, the problem has been mainly viewed from technical and financial perspectives. However, with the rise in the frequency and severity of natural disasters and their dire impacts on society, it is paramount to consider the problem from a nexus of resilience, sustainability, and equity. This paper presents a novel multi-objective optimization framework to perform power grid capacity planning, while balancing the cost of operation and expansion with the life cycle impacts of various technologies. Further, to ensure equity in grid resilience, a social vulnerability metric is used to weigh the energy not served based on the capabilities (or lack thereof) of communities affected by long-duration power outages. A case study is developed for part of the bulk power system in the state of Colorado. The findings of the study show that, by considering life cycle impacts alongside cost, grid expansion solutions move towards greener alternatives because the benefits of decommissioning fossil-fuel-based generation outweigh the costs associated with deploying new generation resources. Furthermore, an equity-based approach ensures that socially vulnerable populations are less impacted by disaster-induced, long-duration power outages.
Automated Symbolic Processes for Dynamic Modeling of Redundant Manipulator Robots
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Saa Daniel , Kern John
Published: March 2024

In this study, groundbreaking software has been developed to automate the generation of equations of motion for manipulator robots with varying configurations and degrees of freedom (DoF). The implementation of three algorithms rooted in the Lagrange–Euler (L-E) formulation is achieved through the utilization of .m files in MATLAB R2020a software.This results in the derivation of a symbolic dynamic model for industrial manipulator robots. To comprehend the unique features and advantages of the developed software, dynamic simulations are conducted for two 6- and 9-DoF redundant manipulator robots as well as for a 3-DoF non-redundant manipulator robot equipped with prismatic and rotational joints, which is used to simplify the dynamic equations of the redundant prototypes. Notably, for the 6-DoF manipulator robot, model predictive control (MPC) is employed using insights gained from the dynamic model. This enables optimal control by predicting the future evolution of state variables: specifically, the values of the robot’s joint variables. The software is executed to model the dynamics of different types of robots, and the CPU time for a MacBook Pro with a 3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 processor is less than a minute. Ultimately, the theoretical findings are validated through response graphs and performance indicators of the MPC, affirming the accurate functionality of the developed software. The significance of this work lies in the automation of motion equation generation for manipulator robots, paving the way for enhanced control strategies and facilitating advancements in the field of robotics.
ASPP+-LANet: A Multi-Scale Context Extraction Network for Semantic Segmentation of High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Hu Lei , Zhou Xun , Ruan Jiachen , Li Supeng
Published: March 2024

Semantic segmentation of remote sensing (RS) images is a pivotal branch in the realm of RS image processing, which plays a significant role in urban planning, building extraction, vegetation extraction, etc. With the continuous advancement of remote sensing technology, the spatial resolution of remote sensing images is progressively improving. This escalation in resolution gives rise to challenges like imbalanced class distributions among ground objects in RS images, the significant variations of ground object scales, as well as the presence of redundant information and noise interference. In this paper, we propose a multi-scale context extraction network, ASPP+-LANet, based on the LANet for semantic segmentation of high-resolution RS images. Firstly, we design an ASPP+ module, expanding upon the ASPP module by incorporating an additional feature extraction channel, redesigning the dilation rates, and introducing the Coordinate Attention (CA) mechanism so that it can effectively improve the segmentation performance of ground object targets at different scales. Secondly, we introduce the Funnel ReLU (FReLU) activation function for enhancing the segmentation effect of slender ground object targets and refining the segmentation edges. The experimental results show that our network model demonstrates superior segmentation performance on both Potsdam and Vaihingen datasets, outperforming other state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods.
Optimal Space-Borne ISAR Imaging of Space Objects with Co-Maximization of Doppler Spread and Spacecraft Component Area
Authors: Gong Rui , Wang Ling , Wu Bin , Zhang Gong , Zhu Daiyin
Published: March 2024

The Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) has been proven to be an effective tool for space target sensing due to its capability of performing high-resolution imaging. Since the component information of the spacecraft is key to the identification of the target and diagnosis of its status, ISAR images with a clear and complete representation of the typical components are much desired. This requires a selection of the imaging time, during which a certain spacecraft component has a good projection on the ISAR image plane with the shape feature well conserved and a high resolution. In addition, a fully automated implementation with a high computational efficiency is also highly preferred for on-orbit operations so as to improve the intelligence level of the space-borne system. We propose a bicriterion-based automated optimal imaging time-selection method for the space-borne ISAR, which is seeking the slow time section of the data that result in the best image. A good image means a high azimuth resolution and the best presentation of the solar panels. One criterion is the Maximum Doppler Spread (MDS), which indicates the maximum Effective Rotational Velocity (ERV) leading to high image resolution, but it is influenced by the satellite attitude. of the spacecraft. The other is the Maximum Component Area (MCA), which is defined to indicate the completeness of the component considered. The radar echoes are processed sequentially by way of a sliding window. The interval with the co-maximization of the DS and CA is selected, and fine processing is performed further to obtain the best images. The results of the simulation experiments show that the proposed method can achieve spacecraft images with the solar panels presented the best. The computational complexity is low.
Glacier Mass Balance and Its Impact on Land Water Storage in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau Revealed by ICESat-2 and GRACE-FO
Authors: Tong Jinwei , Shi Zhen , Jiao Jiashuang , Yang Bing , Tian Zhen
Published: March 2024

The southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP), which hosts the most extensive marine glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), exhibits enhanced sensitivity to climatic fluctuations. Under global warming, persistent glacier mass depletion within the SETP poses a risk to water resource security and sustainability in adjacent nations and regions. This study deployed a high-precision ICESat-2 satellite altimetry technique to evaluate SETP glacier thickness changes from 2018 to 2022. Our results show that the average change rate in glacier thickness in the SETP is −0.91 ± 0.18 m/yr, and the corresponding glacier mass change is −7.61 ± 1.52 Gt/yr. In the SETP, the glacier mass loss obtained via ICESat-2 data is larger than the mass change in total land water storage observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment follow-on satellite (GRACE-FO), −5.13 ± 2.55 Gt/yr, which underscores the changes occurring in other land water components, including snow (−0.44 ± 0.09 Gt/yr), lakes (−0.06 ± 0.02 Gt/yr), soil moisture (1.88 ± 1.83 Gt/yr), and groundwater (1.45 ± 0.70 Gt/yr), with a closure error of −0.35 Gt/yr. This demonstrates that this dramatic glacier mass loss is the main reason for the decrease in total land water storage in the SETP. Generally, there are decreasing trends in solid water storage (glacier and snow) against stable or increasing trends in liquid water storage (lakes, soil moisture, and groundwater) in the SETP. This persistent decrease in solid water is linked to the enhanced melting induced by rising temperatures. Given the decreasing trend in summer precipitation, the surge in liquid water in the SETP should be principally ascribed to the increased melting of solid water.
Net Isotopic Signature of Atmospheric CO2 Sources and Sinks: No Change since the Little Ice Age
Authors: Koutsoyiannis Demetris
Published: March 2024

Recent studies have provided evidence, based on analyses of instrumental measurements of the last seven decades, for a unidirectional, potentially causal link between temperature as the cause and carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) as the effect. In the most recent study, this finding was supported by analysing the carbon cycle and showing that the natural [CO2] changes due to temperature rise are far larger (by a factor > 3) than human emissions, while the latter are no larger than 4% of the total. Here, we provide additional support for these findings by examining the signatures of the stable carbon isotopes, 12 and 13. Examining isotopic data in four important observation sites, we show that the standard metric δ13C is consistent with an input isotopic signature that is stable over the entire period of observations (>40 years), i.e., not affected by increases in human CO2 emissions. In addition, proxy data covering the period after 1500 AD also show stable behaviour. These findings confirm the major role of the biosphere in the carbon cycle and a non-discernible signature of humans.
An Exploratory Typology for Understanding Family-Relationship Issues in Kinship-Care Placements
Authors: Dorval Amilie , Hélie Sonia , Poirier Marie-Andrée
Published: March 2024

Family relationships are a distinctive feature of kinship-care placements, but very few studies have examined how the dynamics of these relationships affect the placement experience. This article does explore these dynamics and identifies some possible patterns, as experienced and reported by parents of children placed in kinship care. The findings presented here come from a qualitative study employing a life-story methodology, in which nine parents were interviewed on two occasions each. All of them had experienced the permanent placement of at least one of their children with a member of their extended family, under the direction of a government child-protection agency. Drawing from significant themes in parental narratives, particularly that of relationships, we analyzed and delineated three distinct profiles. In the first profile, a family solidarity was present between the parents and the kinship caregivers before the placement and was maintained during the placement. In the second, the parents struggled to keep their place in their children’s lives, thus experiencing conflicts both with the kinship caregivers and with the child-protection agency. In the third profile, the dynamics of the current relationship between both biological parents influenced the other family relationships of the parent who was interviewed.
Hierarchical Energy Management of DC Microgrid with Photovoltaic Power Generation and Energy Storage for 5G Base Station
Authors: Han Jingang , Lin Shiwei , Pu Boyu
Published: March 2024

For 5G base stations equipped with multiple energy sources, such as energy storage systems (ESSs) and photovoltaic (PV) power generation, energy management is crucial, directly influencing the operational cost. Hence, aiming at increasing the utilization rate of PV power generation and improving the lifetime of the battery, thereby reducing the operating cost of the base station, a hierarchical energy management strategy based on the improved dung beetle optimization (IDBO) algorithm is proposed in this paper. The first control layer provides bus voltage control to each power module. In the second control layer, a dynamic balance control strategy calculates the power of the ESSs using the proportional–integral (PI) controller and distributes power based on the state of charge (SOC) and virtual resistance. The third control layer uses the IDBO algorithm to solve the DC microgrid’s optimization model in order to achieve the minimum daily operational cost goal. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed IDBO algorithm reduces the daily cost in both scenarios by about 14.64% and 9.49% compared to the baseline method. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical energy management strategy are verified through experimental results.
Stochastic Modelling Frameworks for Dragon Fruit Supply Chains in Vietnam under Uncertain Factors
Authors: Nguyen Tri-Dung , Venkatadri Uday , Nguyen-Quang Tri , Diallo Claver , Pham Duc-Huy , Phan Huu-Thanh , Pham Le-Khai , Nguyen Phu-Cuong , Adams Michelle
Published: March 2024

Managing uncertainties and risks is always a difficult but fascinating task in fresh fruit supply chains, especially when dealing with the strategy for the production and conveyance of fresh fruit in Vietnam. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the confluence of economic recession and persistent adverse weather conditions has exacerbated challenges faced by dragon fruit cultivators. This research investigates a two-stage stochastic programming (TSSP) approach which is developed and served as a valuable tool for analyzing uncertainties, optimizing operations, and managing risks in the fresh fruit industry, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of supply chains in the agricultural sector. A prototype is provided to illustrate the complex and dynamic nature of dragon fruit cultivation and consumption in Vietnam. Data on the selling prices of dragon fruit were collected from several sources between 2013 and 2022 in Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam. The results were obtained from the model by using three different approaches in order of their versatility and efficacy: (1) Scenario tree generation; (2) Sample average approximation; (3) Chance-constrained programming.
The Changing Ecology of a High Himalayan Valley: Challenges to the Sustainable Development of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal
Authors: Byers Alton C. , Shrestha Milan , Zackary Andrew , Byers Elizabeth A. , Coburn Broughton , Watanabe Teiji , Chand Mohan B.
Published: March 2024

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) is a high mountain protected area (MPA) in eastern Nepal undergoing socioeconomic and environmental changes that are unprecedented in the region’s history. In the following paper, we discuss recent changes involving new road construction, climate change, adventure tourism, and the wildlife/forest cover/medicinal plant sectors. Our assessments are based on the collective results of past and recent field research, remote sensing analysis, oral histories, and literature reviews. While similar changes are occurring in MPAs throughout Nepal, it is suggested that the KCA differs from other regions in that it still retains the option of conducting detailed feasibility, environmental, and impact assessments prior to the implementation of major change-associated projects, particularly the construction of roads. In turn, the KCA might avoid many of the environmental, social, and economic problems experienced elsewhere in Nepal, while enhancing its status, income-generating capacities, and sustainability as a global destination for adventure, nature, and cultural tourism.
Exploring Quantitative Methodologies for Assessing the Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts of Telemedicine: A Literature Review
Authors: Savoldelli Anna , Landi Daniele , Rizzi Caterina
Published: March 2024

The significant consumption of resources within the healthcare sector underscores the need to address both efficiency and sustainability concerns. Telemedicine has been identified as one of the most promising pathways for reducing the environmental impacts of the healthcare sector. However, a comprehensive sustainability assessment is still required. The main aim of the present study is to conduct a systematic literature review to explore approaches and methodologies employed for quantifying the environmental, social, and economic impacts of telemedicine. Moreover, the research seeks to determine whether the approaches focus on a single aspect or whether they allow for a comprehensive assessment including all three sustainability pillars. The searching phase was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed databases, considering last 10 years (i.e., 2013–2023). Keywords were related to remote care and sustainability impact fields. Following the PRISMA framework, out of 477 articles, 91 studies were included in the analysis. Primary findings highlighted that studies on telemedicine impacts predominantly focus on transport-related aspects, emphasizing direct emissions and associated costs that are avoided and time savings. Televisit emerged as the most investigated remote care activity. Database and conversion factors were mainly employed for analysis, while other methodologies were sporadically mentioned in the literature. Despite numerous papers addressing these issues, a standardized and comprehensive methodology still appears to be lacking. Future works should consider the entire life cycle process, including more stakeholders. A defined approach will be fundamental to move beyond theoretical discussions and provide actionable insights for healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.
Analysis of Pollutants for the Sustainable Reuse of Waste Lubricant Oils
Authors: Vitiello Rosa , Taddeo Francesco , Tesser Riccardo , Di Natale Gabriella , Trifuoggi Marco , Baldoni Mariano , Di Serio Martino
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, attention to the environment is increasingly emphasized by the scientific community. Different measures have been adopted to ensure a lower environmental impact and increase the sustainability of industrial processes. This work fits well with these principles, as it focuses on the determination of pollutants in waste lubricating oils derived from the industrial and automotive sectors to quantify their concentration for potential recovery and subsequent reuse. Modern waste oils, especially those derived from industrial processes, contain pollutants and metals (most importantly, silicon). It is of utmost importance to determine the silicon content in the collected waste oils to verify the possibility of recycling them since high concentrations can badly affect the industrial operations in which they can be involved. One of the most applied analytic methods for controlling the content of metals is the ASTM D5185-18, Standard Test Method for Multielement Determination of Used and Unused Lubricating Oils and Base Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). However, this method was certified for 50 mg/kg of maximum silicon content. To extend this range, CONOU, because of its duty to monitor waste oil quality, organized an interlaboratory comparison to verify the applicability of ASTM D5185-18 and also to samples of used oils containing higher concentrations of silicon. This work describes the details of the employed methodology and the results of the interlaboratory comparison that showed the applicability of ASTM D5185-18 also to samples containing silicon concentrations higher than 1000 ppm.
The Green Flexible Job-Shop Scheduling Problem Considering Cost, Carbon Emissions, and Customer Satisfaction under Time-of-Use Electricity Pricing
Authors: Jia Shun , Yang Yang , Li Shuyu , Wang Shang , Li Anbang , Cai Wei , Liu Yang , Hao Jian , Hu Luoke
Published: March 2024

Exploration of the green flexible job-shop scheduling problem is essential for enterprises aiming for sustainable practices, including energy conservation, emissions reduction, and enhanced economic and social benefits. While existing research has predominantly focused on carbon emissions or energy consumption as green scheduling objectives, this paper addresses the broader scope by incorporating the impact of variable energy prices on energy cost. Through the introduction of an energy cost model based on time-of-use electricity pricing, the study formulates a multi-objective optimization model for green flexible job-shop scheduling. The objectives include minimizing cost, reducing carbon emissions, and maximizing customer satisfaction. To prevent premature convergence and maintain population diversity, an enhanced genetic algorithm is employed for solving. The validation of the algorithm’s effectiveness is demonstrated through specific examples, providing decision results for optimal scheduling under various weight combinations. The research outcomes hold substantial practical value as they can significantly reduce energy expenses, lower carbon emissions, and elevate customer satisfaction while safeguarding production efficiency. This contributes to enhancing the market competitiveness and green brand image of businesses.
Advancing the Sustainability of Risk Assessments within the Renewable Energy Sector—Review of Published Risk Assessments
Authors: Jenkins Mark , Loughney Sean , Matellini Dante Benjamin , Wang Jin
Published: March 2024

Repeated regulatory incident investigations demonstrate the insufficiency of company risk assessments and the vulnerabilities that this exposes to the business and its duty holders who are, ultimately, culpable for the subsequent legislative breaches. While the epistemology and taxonomy of the traditional risk assessment are well established, there is a paucity of information that allows the verification and validation of the risk assessment content. Using evidence-based methodologies such as Content Analysis, Thematic Analysis, and validating the outputs using a survey, it became possible to “reverse engineer” the risk assessment content. This analysis of the published risk assessments, kindly supplied by six different Renewable Energy businesses, established that deterministic and behavioristic risk management methodologies had been adopted. These methodologies permitted and guided the use of vague and imprecise terminology and phraseology, numerical inconsistencies resulting in data ossification, and flawed assumptions. This analysis enables the duty holders to make informed and rational judgements about the adequacy of the risk assessment documents, and the process that permitted and guided their creation.