bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of ecological assets in the world heritage karst sites based on remote sensing: with a special reference to South China Karst
Authors: Liu Qiangqiang , Wang Jiancheng , Xiong Kangning , Gong Lanqiang , Chen Yue , Yang Jianzai , Xiao Hua , Bai Jie 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The ecological benefits provided by ecological assets play an important role in im-proving human well-being, but there are few feasible methods to describe their status and trends by combining the quantity and quality data of ecological assets. This study is based on LUCC and integrates data on the quantity and quality of ecological assets. Based on the ecological asset index (EQ and EQi), the ecological assets of the Shibing karst and the Libo-Huanjiang Karst heritage sites are quantitatively evaluated, and their influencing factors are qualitatively analyzed. The results show that, (1) The ecological assets of the Shibing Karst and the Libo-Huanjiang Karst are mainly forest ecological assets, accounting for 89.31% and 89.98% of the ecological assets of the heritage sites, respectively. The proportion of ecological assets in cropland, shrubs, grasslands, water bodies, and impermeable surfaces is small. (2) The ecological asset quality of the two heritage sites is similar, with a two-level differentiation state. The ecological asset quality of forests and shrubs is mainly excellent, good, and moderate, while the ecological asset quality of cropland and grassland is mainly inferior and poor. From the overall quality perspective, the ecological asset quality of both heritage sites has significantly improved. (3) From 2000 to 2021, the EQ of the Shibing Karst increased from 180.179 to 225.606. The EQ of the Libo-Huanjiang Karst has increased from 560.463 to 641.269. Among the EQi of the two sites, forest > cropland > shrubs > grassland in the Shibing Karst, and forest > shrubs > cropland > grassland in the Libo-Huanjiang Karst. The implementation of a series of eco-logical protection projects and heritage site protection and management plans is the main reason for the improvement of regional ecological assets. Overall, this method can quickly and accurately assess the status and trends of ecological assets, guide ecosystem management within heritage sites, and provide effective solutions for ecological asset assessment in other karst world heritage sites.
On the plasmonic properties of a bi-metallic eccentric ring-disk nanostructure
Authors: He Xinyu , Sun Cheng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This work reports on the plasmonic properties of an eccentric nanostructure consisting of a silver ring and a gold disk, in the frequency regime of several hundreds of TetraHertz. In the structure, a gold nanodisk is located in a silver nanoring, with the centers of the two metals being set apart. As the radius of the gold disk, the separation between the centers, the light polarization, and the refractive index of the surrounding dielectric material are respectively varied, the normalized scattering cross section of the system is numerically simulated, using the finite difference time domain method. Multiple plasmonic resonances are observed, the plasmonic coupling effect between the ring and the disk is revealed, and the corresponding electromagnetic field distributions are demonstrated. The resonance peak associated with the coupling is found to possess a Fano-like lineshape, and it is well fitted to a model that employs a Fano function. The resonance frequency, the spectral width, as well as the characteristic q factor are determined from the best fit parameters, and the plasmonic characteristics of the eccentric nanostructure are quantitatively probed. The results in this work may be of significance in designs of plasmonic devices that are based on bi-metallic eccentric structures.
Digital clinical decision support to improve pharmacotherapy in (morbidly) obese patients: a prospective intervention study.
Authors: Keyany Ala , Groenen Ilse , Saini Sarbjit , Maat Barbara 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background In (morbidly) obese patients standard medication dosing is suboptimal and requires adjustments to body mass index (BMI) or body weight (BW). Digital clinical decision support (eCDS) may help optimise this.
Aim To assess the effect of eCDS on adjustments to BMI/BW in pharmacotherapy in hospitalised (morbidly) obese patients.
Method This prospective intervention study included hospitalised patients ≥18years with a BMI ≥30kg/m² and/or BW ≥90kg from 01.01.2022-30.09.2022 (pre-eCDS) and from 10.10.2022-25.11.2022 (post-eCDS). Post-eCDS, pharmacy recommended dose adjustments to physicians based on eCDS, a tool that selected patients whose medication order(s) needed adjustment to BMI/BW. Study outcomes were prevalence of medication orders adjusted to BMI/BW pre-eCDS versus post-eCDS, prevalence of post-eCDS patients with ≥1 medication order(s) with a recommendation for adjustment, physician acceptance rate, including reasons for rejection, and occurrence of treatment failure/adverse events.
Results In post-eCDS patients (n=804) pharmacotherapy was significantly more often adjusted to BMI/BW than in pre-eCDS patients (n=4,428): 77.7% (912/1,173 medication orders) post-eCDS versus 58.2% (3,519/6,049 medication orders) pre-eCDS (p<0.0001). Post-eCDS, 328 patients had ≥1 medication order(s) resulting in 349 pharmacotherapeutic recommendations. The acceptance rate by physicians was 53.3% (186/349 for 167 patients). The recommendations mainly concerned nadroparin [92.8% (324/349)] and antibiotics [6.9% (24/349)]. The main reason for rejecting a recommendation was near discharge [90.8% (148/163)]. No treatment failures and four possible adverse events occurred.
Conclusion Implementation of eCDS significantly increased the prevalence of medication orders adjusted to BMI/BW in hospitalised (morbidly) obese patients and is useful to optimise treatment for this growing population.
The Upper Crustal Thermal Structure of The Cameli Basin And Its Surrounding (SW Anatolia, Turkey) By The Fractal Based Centroid Method Of Aeromagnetic Data and Its Relationship With Earthquakes Occurring In The Region
Authors: Akar Fahriye 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The Cameli Basin and its surroundings are located at the southwestern Anatolia of Turkey, and one of the tectonically active regions in western Turkey. The Curie point depth of continental crust can help us to determine the regional tectonic and geothermal structures. The aeromagnetic magnetic data of the study region were used to determine the Curie Point Depth estimates. The fractal based centroid method used for this purpose. The fractal approach removes the effect of fractal magnetization in the power spectrum. The depth to the bottom of the deepest magnetic sources in the study region range between 6.9 and 14.05. The estimated thermal gradient varies from 41.28°C/km to 89.23°C/km and average value is 58.59°C/km (580°C for magnetite). The distributions of earthquakes are compatible with NW-SE trending estimated Curie depth anomalies. Interpretation indicates that the depth to the Curie isotherm is considerably shallower than the Moho depth.
Discriminative Reward Co-Training
Authors: Altmann Philipp , Ritz Fabian , Zorn Maximilian , Kölle Michael , Phan Thomy , Gabor Thomas , Linnhoff-Popien Claudia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We propose discriminative reward co-training (DIRECT) as an extension to deep reinforcement learning algorithms. Building upon the concept of self-imitation learning (SIL), we introduce an imitation buffer to store beneficial trajectories generated by the policy, determined by their return. A discriminator network is trained concurrently to the policy to distinguish between trajectories generated by the current policy and beneficial trajectories generated by previous policies. The discriminator’s verdict is used to construct a reward signal for optimizing the policy. By interpolating prior experience, DIRECT is able to act as a reward surrogate, steering policy optimization towards more valuable regions of the reward landscape, thus, towards learning an optimal policy. In this article we formally introduce the additional components, their intended purpose and parameterization, and define a unified training procedure. To reveal insights into the mechanics of the proposed architecture, we provide evaluations of the introduced hyperparameters. Further benchmark evaluations in various discrete and continuous control environments provide evidence that DIRECT is especially beneficial in environments possessing sparse rewards, hard exploration tasks, and shifting circumstances. Our results show that DIRECT outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in those challenging scenarios by providing a surrogate reward to the policy and directing the optimization towards valuable areas.
Improved monthly runoff time series prediction using the CABES-LSTM mixture model based on CEEMDAN-VMD decomposition
Authors: Xu Dong-mei , Liao An-dong , Wang Wenchuan , Tian Wei-can , Zang Hong-fei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Accurate runoff prediction is vital in efficiently managing water resources. In this paper, a hybrid prediction model combining complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise, variational mode decomposition, CABES, and long short-term memory network (CEEMDAN-VMD-CABES-LSTM) is proposed. Firstly, CEEMDAN is used to decompose the original data, and the high-frequency component is decomposed using VMD. Then, each component is input into the LSTM optimized by CABES for prediction. Finally, the results of individual component predictions are combined and reconstructed to produce the monthly runoff predictions. The hybrid model is employed to predict the monthly runoff at the Xiajiang hydrological station and the Yingluoxia hydrological station. A comprehensive comparison is conducted with other models including back propagation (BP), LSTM, etc. The assessment of each model's prediction performance uses four evaluation indexes. Results reveal that the CEEMDAN-VMD-CABES-LSTM model showcased the highest forecast accuracy among all the models evaluated. Compared with the single LSTM, the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the Xiajiang hydrological station decreased by 71.09 and 65.26%, respectively, and the RMSE and MAPE of the Yingluoxia hydrological station decreased by 65.13 and 40.42%, respectively. The R and NSEC of both sites are near 1.
A robust simulator of pressure-dependent consumption in Python
Authors: Chambon Camille , Piller Olivier , Mortazavi Iraj 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Modeling of pressure-dependent users’ consumption is mandatory to simulate accurately the hydraulics of water distribution networks (WDNs). Several software solutions already exist for this purpose, but none of them actually permits the easy integration and testing of new physical processes. In this paper, we propose a new Python simulator that implements a state-of-the-art pressure-dependent model (PDM) of users’ consumptions based on the Wagner’s pressure–outflow relationship (POR). We tested our simulator on eight large and complex WDNs, for different levels of users’ demands. The results show similar precision and efficiency to the ones obtained by the authors of the original model with their MATLAB implementation. Moreover, in case of fully satisfied users’ demands, our simulator provides the same results as EPANET 2.0 in comparable computational times. Finally, our simulator is integrated into the open-source, collaborative, multi-platform, and Git versioned Python framework OOPNET (Object-Oriented Python framework for water distribution NETworks analyses); thus, it can be easily reused and/or extended by a large community of WDN modelers. All this work represents a preliminary step before the incorporation of new processes such as valves, pumps, and pressure-dependent background leakage outflows.
Annual, seasonal, and monthly baseflow trend in an arid area in Loss Plateau, China
Authors: Sun Yanwei , Xu Cundong , Ma Mingwei , Liu Xuemei , Liu Lei , Yu Furong 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Baseflow is a vital water source for environmental and economic growth. To reveal the changes in baseflow in an arid area, Loss Plateau, China, we analyzed the annual, seasonal, and monthly baseflow fluctuations in 1981–1990 and 2006–2010. We discussed the effects of PET (potential evapotranspiration), precipitation, HI (humidity index), and temperature might have on baseflow in the basin. Results showed that the annual baseflow decreased significantly, and seasonal baseflow and baseflow index (BFI) were distributed differently in the four seasons. Baseflow and BFI were stable during the winter, but during May and June, baseflow was unstable while BFI remained stable. During 1981–1990, January and December exhibited a slight variation in baseflow, while January, May, and June exhibited a slight variation in BFI. From 2006 to 2015, baseflow was stable, with limited fluctuations in January, February, March, April, May, November, and December. The correlations between baseflow and PET, precipitation, HI, and temperature were neither statistically significant nor robust. Increases in PET, precipitation, HI, and temperature did not result in a corresponding increase or decrease in baseflow from the annual, seasonal, and monthly time scales.
Adsorption and desorption processes of trihalomethanes on different granulated activated carbons in a full-scale advanced water treatment plant
Authors: Guinea Ana Urkiaga , García Jonatan , Cabero Julen , Paunero Santos , Bartolomé Mikel , Hernando Luis María , Maeso Patricia , Benito Vanesa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are one of the main disinfection by-products generated in drinking water (DW). To control health risks caused by THMs several countries have established a maximum content of these chemicals in DW. THMs can be removed by granular activated carbon (GAC) and their adsorption processes have been studied by different authors. However, there are few studies on their desorption from GAC and no data are available on their desorption at a full scale. This paper summarises the results obtained in the monitoring of the adsorption and desorption processes of THMs at a full-scale DW plant considering different types and stages of GACs, as well as several types of influent waters. This research was carried out during 3 years in a full-scale advanced DW plant (6.25 m3·h−1) that can use four different pre-oxidants. An increase on THMs concentration in the outlet of the AC filters due to desorption processes were checked, although the obtained doses were always far below the established European limit (100 μg/L).
Perceived Impact of Plastic Pollution on Bio-ecological Environment and
Human Health: A Cross-sectional Survey among Nursing Students in United
Arab Emirates
Authors: Ravi Ramya Kundayi , Edwin Vimala , Jaison Aleena Mary , Fatima  
Published: December 2023

Background::
Plastics have become an inevitable part of life. Healthcare workers play an ineluctable role in creating enduring solutions to plastic pollution and
mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on human health and well-being.

Aim::
The aim of this study was to explore the pattern of plastic consumption and the perception of the bioecological and health impact of plastic
pollution among undergraduate nursing students.

Materials and Methods::
A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 200 undergraduate nursing students recruited through a convenient sampling
technique. Data were collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 26. A p-value of less than 0.05
was taken as statistically significant.

Results::
The mean age of the students was found to be 20.12± 6 years. Though more than half (65.7%) of them reported using plastic products daily, 63.3%
of the students reported willingness to reduce the use of plastic products. Bottled water (152,72.4%), followed by bags (131,62.4%) were the most
frequent modality of plastic used. Only 47.6% of them were aware of the difference between 100% biodegradable versus recyclable plastics. The
perceived impact of plastic pollution on bio-ecological environments and human health was found to be low among most (66.7% and 43.7%
respectively) of the students

Conclusion::
Awareness regarding the direct and indirect hazards of plastic pollution and available sustainable alternatives to plastic needs to be strengthened
among the study population.
Synthesis and Gas Permeation Properties of Functionalized Norbornene-Based
Polymers
Authors: Onchi Alejandro , Corona-García Carlos , Santiago Arlette A. , Téllez Arias Mercedes Gabriela , Alfonso Ismeli , Vargas Joel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract:
Functionalized polynorbornenes are very important specialty materials for a wide
variety of practical and industrial applications. In the membrane technology field, polynorbonene
derivatives play a main role in gas transport since they can be systematically and
easily functionalized, thus affecting the membrane performance in gas separation processes.
Thus, several methodologies have been employed to yield macromolecular architectures
with tailored gas permeation properties. This review is intended to provide different synthesis
routes of substituted polynorbornenes as well as the effects of the polymer chemical
structures on their gas permeation properties, among others.
Knockdown of miR-135a-5p Promotes Mitophagy by Regulating FoxO1/PINK1/Parkin Signaling in Hepatoma Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Zhenchang Wang , Wenfu Zhang , Shanshan Wu , Lei Yang 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
Excessive oxidative stress is always associated with hepatic disease, including
hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite this, the intricate molecular
processes driving hepatocyte apoptosis due to oxidative stress remain incompletely comprehended.

Aim:
Consequently, we aimed to explore the role of miR-135a-5p in hepatoma cells (HepG2/3B).

Methods:
The assessment of protein expression was conducted through western blotting. Furthermore,
miR-135a-5p expression was evaluated through RT-qPCR, and apoptosis detection was performed
using a flow cytometry assay.

Result:
The findings suggest a connection between miR-135a-5p and mitochondrial-driven apoptosis
through caspase signaling pathways. Furthermore, miR-135a-5p suppression inhibited the apoptotic
response triggered by H2O2, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, as well as the decrease
in mitochondrial membrane potential.

Conclusion:
Additionally, miR-135a-5p knockdown promoted mitophagy by regulating
FoxO1/PINK1/Parkin signaling via targeting FoxO1. To conclude, our study implied that miR-
135a-5p might function as a probable regulator that protects cells against oxidative stress.
Membranes Containing Nanoparticles Incorporated with Metronidazole for Improved Permeability to Promote Periodontal Tissue Recovery
Authors: Chen Yongshi , Wu Hao , Lu Geng , Zhu Yi , Ban Junfeng , li XiaoFang 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Infection is the main reason for the failure of the clinical application of
guided tissue regeneration (GTR).

Objective:
The aim of this study is to develop a membrane containing nanoparticles incorporated
with the antimicrobial drug metronidazole (MTZ-NPs Membrane) to enhance drug permeation
delivery into cells and promote periodontal tissue recovery and regeneration.

Methods:
We prepared membranes containing nanoparticles incorporated with metronidazole
(MTZ-NPs Membrane) and characterized the properties, such as mechanical properties, physicochemical
properties, and release. Coumarin-6 was used to prepare a membrane containing
nanoparticles incorporated with Coumarin-6 (C6-NPs Membrane) to evaluate the efficiency of
the nanoparticles-loaded membranes on transmembrane entry into cells. Moreover, in vivo experiments
were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the membrane.

Results:
MTZ-NPs membrane had suitable mechanical strength; the drug was released by diffusion.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),
and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the existence of metronidazole might be in the
amorphous state in the membrane and had good compatibility with polymers. The in vitro cytotoxicity
assays showed that the MTZ-NPs membrane was biocompatible. Cellular uptake of the
C6-NPs membrane was significantly higher than that of the C6 membrane (p < 0.0001), signifying
that encapsulating the drug in nanoparticles increases drug permeability and improves drug
transport efficiency across the cellular membrane. The histological analysis showed that the
MTZ-NPs membrane could promote periodontal tissue recovery.

Conclusion:
MTZ-NPs membrane can improve drug penetration delivery into the cells and has
a good prospect for the treatment of periodontal disease.
In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Models for Neuroinfectious Diseases: A Narrative Review
Authors: Badawi Ahmad Hussein , Mohamad Nur Afiqah , Stanslas Johnson , Kirby Brian Patrick , Neela Vasantha Kumari , Ramasamy Rajesh , Basri Hamidon 
Published: December 2023

Abstract:The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex, dynamic, and adaptable barrier between the peripheral blood system and the central nervous system. While this barrier protects the brain and spinal cord from inflammation and infection, it prevents most drugs from reaching the brain tissue. With the expanding interest in the pathophysiology of BBB, the development of in vitro BBB models has dramatically evolved. However, due to the lack of a standard model, a range of experimental protocols, BBB-phenotype markers, and permeability flux markers was utilized to construct in vitro BBB models. Several neuroinfectious diseases are associated with BBB dysfunction. To conduct neuroinfectious disease research effectively, there stems a need to design representative in vitro human BBB models that mimic the BBB's functional and molecular properties. The highest necessity is for an in vitro standardised BBB model that accurately represents all the complexities of an intact brain barrier. Thus, this in-depth review aims to describe the optimization and validation parameters for building BBB models and to discuss previous research on neuroinfectious diseases that have utilized in vitro BBB models. The findings in this review may serve as a basis for more efficient optimisation, validation, and maintenance of a structurally- and functionally intact BBB model, particularly for future studies on neuroinfectious diseases.
Green Synthesis of New Heterocyclic Surfactant Compounds by Multicomponent Reactions and Their Antibacterial and Corrosion Inhibitor, Study on Carbon Steel Alloy in Acid Media 2 M HCl
Authors: Al-Hilfi Raneen Salim , Al-Ameri Najlaa Zaki , Al-Asadi Mouhanad Jwad 
Published: December 2023

Heterocyclic 1,4-di(1,3,5-dithiazinan-5-yl)benzene (D) and two heterocyclic-cationic Gemini surfactant 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(5-decyl-1,3,5-dithiazinan-5-ium)bromide (E) and 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(5-tetradecyl-1,3,5-dithiazinan-5-ium)bromide (F) were prepared and identified by FTIR, 1H-NMR spectroscopies, and GC–MS. Then, they were tested as corrosion inhibitors against carbon steel corrosion in 2.0 M aggressive HCl medium at 25 and 50 °C. They have different carbon chain tails, i.e., E (10 carbons), and F (14 carbons). These new heterocyclic and surfactant categories as corrosion inhibitors. The corrosion process has been studied electrochemically (Tafel Plot). The inhibition efficiency clarified that the decrease in IE(%) is in the order of F > E > D. The biological activity of compounds D and F was investigated using the aforementioned drilling procedure with a cork drill. At a dosage of 3000 mcg/mL, the biological action of compound D demonstrated effective resistance against the two types of negative bacteria. The cation has a diameter of 20 mm against E. coli and 19 mm against S. epidermis bacteria. At the same concentration, the chemical F is solely effective against E. coli with an inhibition diameter of 14 mm.