Kuwait stands as one of the hottest locations globally, experiencing scorching temperatures that can soar to 50 °C during the summer months. Conversely, in the winter months of December and January, temperatures may plummet to less than 10 °C. Maintaining a comfortable temperature indoors necessitates a substantial amount of energy, particularly during the scorching summer seasons. In Kuwait, most of the electrical energy required for functions such as air conditioning and lighting is derived from fossil fuel resources, contributing to escalating air pollution and global warming. To reduce dependence on conventional energy sources for heating and cooling, this article presents a case study to explore the potential of using geothermal energy for space heating and cooling in Kuwait. The case study involves utilizing a geothermal heat pump (water-sourced heat pump) in conjunction with a vertical-borehole ground heat exchanger (VBGHE). The mentioned system is deployed to regulate the climate in a six-floor apartment block comprising a small two-bedroom apartment on each level, each with a total floor area of 57 m². Two geothermal heat pumps, each with a cooling capacity of 2.58 kW and a heating capacity of 2.90 kW, connected to two vertical-borehole heat exchangers, were deployed for each apartment to maintain temperatures at 22 °C in summer and 26 °C in winter. The findings indicate that the estimated annual energy loads for cooling and heating for the apartment block are 42,758 kWh and 113 kWh, respectively. The corresponding electrical energy consumption amounted to 9294 kWh for space cooling and 113 kWh for space heating. The observed peak cooling load was approximately 9300 kJ/h (2.58 kW) per apartment, resulting in a power density of 45 W/m². Moreover, the HP system achieved a 22% reduction in annual electric energy consumption compared to conventional air conditioning systems. This reduction in electric energy usage led to an annual CO₂ reduction of 6.6 kg/m². Full article

Due to its effectiveness as a risk-hedging trading strategy in financial markets, futures arbitrage is highly sought after by investors in turbulent market conditions. The essence of futures arbitrage lies in formulating strategies based on predictions of future futures price differentials. However, contemporary research predominantly focuses on projections of single indicators for the subsequent temporal juncture, and devising efficacious arbitrage strategies often necessitates the examination of multiple indicators across timeframes. To tackle the aforementioned challenge, our methodology leverages a PSO Deep-ConvLSTM network, which, through particle swarm optimization (PSO), refines hyperparameters, including layer architectures and learning rates, culminating in superior predictive performance. By analyzing temporal-spatial data within financial markets through ConvLSTM, the model captures intricate market patterns, performing better in forecasting than traditional models. Multistep forward simulation experiments and extensive ablation studies using future data from the Shanghai Futures Exchange in China validate the effectiveness of the integrated model. Compared with the gate recurrent unit (GRU), long short-term memory (LSTM), Transformer, and FEDformer, this model exhibits an average reduction of 39.8% in root mean squared error (RMSE), 42.5% in mean absolute error (MAE), 45.6% in mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and an average increase of 1.96% in coefficient of determination (R2) values. Full article

This paper reports the successful fabrication of a new nanofibrous membrane, F-PI/PAN, through electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and fluorinated polyimide (F-PI). The nanofibrous membrane exhibits comprehensive properties for high-temperature filtration and robust PM_2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of 2.5 microns or less) removal. The introduction of F enhances the hydrophobicity of the PI. The relationship between the hydrophobic performance and the filtration performance of particles is investigated. The chemical group of the composite membrane was demonstrated using FITR, while the surface morphology was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The TGA results indicated good thermal stability at 300 °C. Various ratios of F-PI membranes were prepared to characterize the change in properties, with the optimal mass ratio of F-PI being 20 wt%. As the proportion of F-PI increases, its mechanical and filtration efficiency properties and hydrophobicity become stronger. The contact angle reaches its maximum of 128 ± 5.2° when PAN:F-PI = 6:4. Meanwhile, when PAN:F-PI = 8:2, the filtration efficiency reaches 99.4 ± 0.3%, and the elongation at break can reach 76%. The fracture strength can also reach 7.1 MPa, 1.63 times that of the pure PAN membrane. Full article

Within the dynamic realm of social media, the proliferation of harmful content can significantly influence user engagement and emotional health. This study presents an in-depth analysis that bridges diverse domains, from examining the aftereffects of personal online attacks to the intricacies of online trolling. By leveraging an AI-driven framework, we systematically implemented high-precision attack detection, psycholinguistic feature extraction, and sentiment analysis algorithms, each tailored to the unique linguistic contexts found within user-generated content on platforms like Reddit. Our dataset, which spans a comprehensive spectrum of social media interactions, underwent rigorous analysis employing classical statistical methods, Bayesian estimation, and model-theoretic analysis. This multi-pronged methodological approach allowed us to chart the complex emotional responses of users subjected to online negativity, covering a spectrum from harassment and cyberbullying to subtle forms of trolling. Empirical results from our study reveal a clear dose–response effect; personal attacks are quantifiably linked to declines in user activity, with our data indicating a 5% reduction after 1–2 attacks, 15% after 3–5 attacks, and 25% after 6–10 attacks, demonstrating the significant deterring effect of such negative encounters. Moreover, sentiment analysis unveiled the intricate emotional reactions users have to these interactions, further emphasizing the potential for AI-driven methodologies to promote more inclusive and supportive digital communities. This research underscores the critical need for interdisciplinary approaches in understanding social media’s complex dynamics and sheds light on significant insights relevant to the development of regulation policies, the formation of community guidelines, and the creation of AI tools tailored to detect and counteract harmful content. The goal is to mitigate the impact of such content on user emotions and ensure the healthy engagement of users in online spaces. Full article

This study examines the profitability and reliability of a virtual power plant (VPP) with the existence of a diesel genset (DG) in the day-ahead (DA) and intra-day (ID) power markets. The study’s unique contribution lies in integrating the VPP system with non-spinning reserve DG while limiting the DG operation via minimum running time and maximum number of switching times (on/off) per day. This contribution decreases the renewables’ uncertainty and increases the VPP’s reliability. Moreover, the study proposes an optimization model as a decision-making support tool for power market participants to choose the most profitable short-term market. The proposed model suggests choosing the DA market in 62% of time (from 579 days) based on estimated VPP power supply, and market prices. Even though there is uncertainty about VPP power supply and market prices, the division between the plan and actual profits is 1.8 × 10⁶ Japanese yen [JPY] per day on average. The share of surplus power sold from the mentioned gap is 5.5%, which implies the opportunity cost of inaccurate weather forecasting. The results also show that the reliability of the VPP system in the presence of a DG increases from 64.9% to 66.2% for 14 h and mitigates the loss of power load by 1.3%. Full article

Proppant transport and distribution law in hydraulic fractures has important theoretical and field guidance significance for the optimization design of hydraulic fracturing schemes and accurate production prediction. Many studies aim to understand proppant transportation in complex fracture systems. Few studies, however, have addressed the flow path mechanism between the transverse fracture and horizontal well, which is often neglected in practical design. In this paper, a series of mathematical equations, including the rock elastic deformation equation, fracturing fluid continuity equation, fracturing fluid flow equation, and proppant continuity equation for the proppant transport, were established for the transverse fracture of a horizontal well, while the finite element method was used for the solution. Moreover, the two-dimensional radial flow was considered in the proppant transport modeling. The results show that proppant breakage, embedding, and particle migration are harmful to fracture conductivity. The proppant concentration and fracture wall roughness effect can slow down the proppant settling rate, but at the same time, it can also block the horizontal transportation of the proppant and shorten the effective proppant seam length. Increasing the fracturing fluid viscosity and construction displacement, reducing the proppant density and particle size, and adopting appropriate sanding procedures can all lead to better proppant placement and, thus, better fracturing and remodeling results. This paper can serve as a reference for the future study of proppant design for horizontal wells. Full article

The Prevent Suicide Hawaiʻi Taskforce is a state, public, and private partnership of individuals, organizations, and community groups that leads statewide suicide prevention efforts in Hawaiʻi. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify the progress and barriers of the Taskforce to inform the upcoming 2025 Hawaiʻi Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan in the following areas: Hope, Help, Heal, Research and Evaluation, and Policy and Advocacy. Utilizing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach, 18 key informants were interviewed, followed by a 13-question survey sent to the Taskforce member listserv. Results were analyzed using qualitative coding techniques and descriptive statistics. Interview findings contained six themes: importance of community relationships, interconnection of suicide prevention efforts, progress in diversifying training, organizational challenges, adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic, and funding challenges. Of the 34 survey respondents, most were involved in the area of Hope (91%). The respondents reported the area with most progress was Hope (87%), and the most important area to address was Help (41%). The majority (82%) of the respondents characterized the level of Taskforce communication as Excellent or Good. Interview and survey data corroborated each other and revealed new insights about the successes and barriers of the Taskforce and their progress in implementing the Strategic Plan. Recommendations included advocating for long-term funding for suicide prevention and building community relationships. Full article

Discussions about sustainability and entrepreneurship are often an “either/or” discourse. Many higher-education institutions offer sustainability education programs with the aim of enabling students to think and act sustainably without concrete tools for change. Similarly, many offerings in entrepreneurship fail to address sustainability issues. This article assumes a qualitative, constructivist, systems thinking approach to theorize and analyze the relationships between entrepreneurship and sustainability competencies and makes three contributions to theory and practice. First, it provides a thematic analysis of two important European competence frameworks—for sustainability (GreenComp) and entrepreneurial competencies (EntreComp)—and delineates their relationships. Second, through a case study of an experiential educational format, it offers three educational tools that integrate sustainability and entrepreneurial competencies. Third, it contributes to the growing field of research that combines sustainability and entrepreneurship education. The results of this paper are relevant for policymakers who want to combine sustainability and entrepreneurship in education, as well as for educators looking for methods to combine both competence frameworks. Full article

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, non-coding RNAs, play a pivotal role in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. These regulatory molecules are integral to many biological processes and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. This review aims to cover the current understanding of the multifaceted roles miRNAs assume in the context of HIV infection and pathogenesis. The discourse is structured around three primary focal points: (i) elucidation of the mechanisms through which miRNAs regulate HIV replication, encompassing both direct targeting of viral transcripts and indirect modulation of host factors critical for viral replication; (ii) examination of the modulation of miRNA expression by HIV, mediated through either viral proteins or the activation of cellular pathways consequent to viral infection; and (iii) assessment of the impact of miRNAs on the immune response and the progression of disease in HIV-infected individuals. Further, this review delves into the potential utility of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic agents in HIV infection, underscoring the challenges and prospects inherent to this line of inquiry. The synthesis of current evidence positions miRNAs as significant modulators of the host-virus interplay, offering promising avenues for enhancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection. Full article

To avoid delay in oncological treatment, a 6-weeks norm for time to treatment has been agreed on in the Netherlands. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems resulted in reduced capacity for regular surgical care. In this study, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in surgical oncology in the Netherlands. Methods: A population-based analysis of data derived from five surgical audits, including patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, upper gastro-intestinal, and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) malignancies, was performed. The COVID-19 cohort of 2020 was compared to the historic cohorts of 2018 and 2019. Primary endpoints were time to treatment initiation and the proportion of patients whose treatment started within 6 weeks. The secondary objective was to evaluate the differences in characteristics and tumour stage distribution between patients treated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 14,567 surgical cancer patients were included in this study, of these 3292 treatments were started during the COVID-19 pandemic. The median time to treatment decreased during the pandemic (26 vs. 27 days, p < 0.001) and the proportion of patients whose treatment started within 6 weeks increased (76% vs. 73%, p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for patient characteristics, no significant difference in post-operative outcomes between patients who started treatment before or after 6 weeks was found. Overall, the number of procedures performed per week decreased by 8.1% during the pandemic. This reduction was most profound for patients with stage I lung carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma. There were fewer patients with pulmonary comorbidities in the pandemic cohort (11% vs. 13%, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Despite pressure on the capacity of the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic, a larger proportion of surgical oncological patients started treatment within six weeks, possibly due to prioritisation of cancer care and reductions in elective procedures. However, during the pandemic, a decrease in the number of surgical oncological procedures performed in the Netherlands was observed, especially for patients with stage I disease. Full article

Background and objective: The symptoms of most neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), usually do not occur until substantial neuronal loss occurs. This makes the process of early diagnosis very challenging. Hence, this research used variant call format (VCF) analysis to detect variants and novel genes that could be used as prognostic indicators in the early diagnosis of prodromal PD. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), and we analyzed prodromal patients with gVCF data collected in the 2021 cohort. A total of 304 participants were included, including 100 healthy controls, 146 prodromal genetic individuals, 21 prodromal hyposmia individuals, and 37 prodromal individuals with RBD. A pipeline was developed to process the samples from gVCF to reach variant annotation and pathway and disease association analysis. Results: Novel variant percentages were detected in the analyzed prodromal subgroups. The prodromal subgroup analysis revealed novel variations of 1.0%, 1.2%, 0.6%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.4% for the genetic male, genetic female, hyposmia male, hyposmia female, RBD male, and RBD female groups, respectively. Interestingly, 12 potentially novel loci (MTF2, PIK3CA, ADD1, SYBU, IRS2, USP8, PIGL, FASN, MYLK2, USP25, EP300, and PPP6R2) that were recently detected in PD patients were detected in the prodromal stage of PD. Conclusions: Genetic biomarkers are crucial for the early detection of Parkinson’s disease and its prodromal stage. The novel PD genes detected in prodromal patients could aid in the use of gene biomarkers for early diagnosis of the prodromal stage without relying only on phenotypic traits. Full article

A perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based microfluidic device with cross-junction microchannels was fabricated with the purpose of producing uniform droplets. The microchannels were developed using CO₂ laser engraving. PFPE was chosen as the main material because of its excellent solvent resistance. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) was mixed with PFPE to improve the hydrophilic properties of the inner surface of the microchannels. The microchannels of the polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic device had a blackened and rough surface after laser engraving. By contrast, the inner surface of the microchannels of the PFPE-PEGDA microfluidic device exhibited a smooth surface. The lower power and faster speed of the laser engraving resulted in the development of microchannels with smaller dimensions, less than 30 μm in depth. The PFPE and PFPE-PEGDA microfluidic devices were used to produce uniform water and oil droplets, respectively. We believe that such a PFPE-based microfluidic device with CO₂-laser-engraved microchannels can be used as a microfluidic platform for applications in various fields, such as biological and chemical analysis, extraction, and synthesis. Full article

The ship-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system was an approach to solve the problem of pollution caused by excessive energy consumption during navigation. However, PV systems used on ships faced problems such as small installation areas, which prevented PV power generation from being utilized on a large scale. This article proposes a space-saving photovoltaic double-skin façade (PV-DSF) window system, which could be used in conjunction with ships to address the insufficient ship-mounted photovoltaics. In this paper, we propose a space-saving photovoltaic double-skinned façade (PV-DSF) window system that could be used in conjunction with a ship to solve the problem of insufficient space for onboard photovoltaics. According to the working principle of the system, we established a mathematical model corresponding to the actual heat transfer process and, at the same time built up a corresponding experimental test rig for thermoelectric performance measurement, and verified the accuracy of the proposed mathematical model based on the experimental results. Finally, the effect of different parameters on the performance of the system and the energy performance of the system on board the ship was discussed using a mathematical model. The simulation data showed that the increase of solar radiation intensity, wind speed, and PV coverage had a positive effect on the system’s power generation, while the ambient temperature had a negative effect. The system, in combination with a passenger ship, was able to provide 53.2 kWh of annual electricity generation and reduced CO₂ emissions by 17 kg. Full article

During the 2008 financial crisis, central banks (such as the Fed) adopted a quantitative easing (QE) policy to stimulate their countries’ economies and overcome severe economic and financial recessions. However, apart from stimulating the economy by issuing a substantial amount of currency to purchase long-term bonds and suppress interest rates, QE policy also contributed to a boom in the real estate and construction sectors. Therefore, this study employs data envelopment analysis to measure the business performance (BP) of construction companies, and explore the impact of QE policy on the BP of construction companies, between 2004 and 2015, using hierarchical regression. We also examine the moderating role of the debt ratio on the relationship. Focused on publicly listed construction companies in Taiwan, this research reveals three encouraging findings. Firstly, QE policy indeed enhanced the BP of Taiwanese construction companies. Secondly, performance improvements in construction companies due to QE policy show a time-diminishing trend, suggesting the importance of seizing the initial policy benefits of QE implementation. Lastly, construction companies with appropriate financial leverage may exhibit better BP. These findings can provide valuable insights for relevant government entities and decision-makers in the industry for policy and investment decisions. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines were developed to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, due to SARS-CoV-2 mutations and uneven vaccination coverage among populations, a series of COVID-19 waves have been caused by different variants of concern (VOCs). Despite the updated vaccine formulations for the new VOC, the benefits of additional COVID-19 vaccine doses have raised many doubts, even among high-risk groups such as healthcare workers (HCWs). We examined the factors underlying hesitancy to receive COVID-19 booster vaccine doses and analysed the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response after booster vaccination among HCWs. Our study found that 42% of the HCWs were hesitant about the second booster dose, while 7% reported no intent to get vaccinated with any additional doses. As reasons for not vaccinating, participants most frequently highlighted lack of time, negative experiences with previous vaccinations, and immunity conferred by past infections. In addition, we found the lowest post-vaccination antibody titres among HCWs who did not receive any vaccine booster dose and the highest among HCWs vaccinated with two booster doses. Full article

There has been an increasing awareness of indoor air quality (IAQ) management in green building designs, driven by the need to mitigate potential health risks and create sustainable and healthy indoor environments. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the critical role of ventilation and IAQ in reducing the risk of indoor airborne transmission. Governments and organisations worldwide have responded to this growing concern by implementing ventilation requirements and updating IAQ standards and guidelines. In the case of Hong Kong, a developed and densely populated city characterised by high-rise buildings, this study aims to provide a strategic framework for non-governmental agencies to address IAQ issues effectively. A comprehensive review of policies, regulations, and guidelines by international bodies and individual governments, along with an examination of the current IAQ management scheme in Hong Kong, has been conducted. Drawing inspiration from successful IAQ management strategies, the study aims to identify insights and potential pathways for the city’s future development of IAQ management strategies. Overall, this research highlights the importance of proactive IAQ management for buildings and offers a roadmap for Hong Kong’s pursuit of healthier indoor environments. Full article

Recent years have seen an increase in the popularity of exploring the correlation between groundwater and tourism as a research topic. Although previous studies have touched on certain aspects of this relationship, none has yet plunged to the heart of the matter. This Bibliometric study examines the literature on the relationship between tourism and groundwater in the overall context of economic development. The bibliometric tools VOS Viewer version 1.6.19 and R Bibliometrix were employed to analyze 104 publications selected via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses diagram. The results suggest a growing interest in the subject and the need for broader and collaborative research, to fully understand these dynamics. Major contributions come from Spanish, American, Chinese, and Mexican authors, focusing on sustainability, anthropogenic impact, physical characteristics, and groundwater quality. In conclusion, this study provides an overview of the current research landscape, identifies trends and gaps, and encourages international collaboration for a better understanding of groundwater issues in the tourism context. Although our work provides very important knowledge, it should be recognized that the analysis is made only based on the Scopus-indexed literature. This restriction highlights the necessity for future research to do a more comprehensive and integrated bibliometric analysis. The array of research sources will thus definitely enhance the joint academic knowledge on that subject and lead to more inclusive and, therefore, higher-quality academic discourse. Full article

An allergy to bites from Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) occurs because of a hypersensitivity reaction caused by the inoculation of insect salivary antigens during the bite, resulting in immune-mediated dermatitis. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have focused on allergic dermatitis in donkeys in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinicopathological, and therapeutic aspects of allergic dermatitis in donkeys and to identify the insects involved in its epidemiology. This study reported the occurrence of dermatitis in 17 animals. The clinical signs were restlessness and severe itching. Skin lesions were found on the head, depigmented areas of the muzzle and cheeks, flanks, pelvic and thoracic limbs, and the scrotal sac. The lesions were characterized by areas of alopecia with crusts accompanied by serosanguineous exudates. Histologically, the lesions were characterized as moderate superficial dermatitis with irregular epidermal acanthosis and pronounced diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. In total, 378 Culicoides specimens were collected, with Culicoides ocumarensis Ortiz being the most abundant species. The combined application of copaiba oil and a multivitamin emulsion exhibited potential for topical treatment of allergic dermatitis caused by insect bites in donkeys. Our study revealed an association between allergic dermatitis in donkeys and Culicoides. Full article

Modified asphalt binders are still considered important in asphalt pavement. However, the comprehensive use of various modifiers is limited due to storage stability issues. Moreover, there is a scarcity of detailed analyses regarding the degree of separation for asphalt binders among each method despite the utilization of various methods to assess the storage stability of binders. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to assess the storage stability of asphalt binder modified with a crumb rubber modifier (CRM) and styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS), utilizing five evaluation factors following the ASTM D7173 guidelines based on four mixing methods (A: high-shear mixing method, B: low-speed agitating method, C: high-shear mixing method + low mixing method, D: low-speed agitating method + low mixing method). To produce the modified asphalt binder, the proportions of the CRM were 5% and 10% for each binder, and 10% SIS was added to all binders. The results in this study convey that (1) the addition of the modifier led to an increase in G*/sin δ with different mixing methods, but using mixing methods (C and D) for a relatively long time resulted in a lower G*/sin δ, indicating suboptimal performance; (2) through the multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR), rheological properties of J_nr and % rec exhibited trends similar to G*/sin δ evaluation, highlighting an improved elastic recovery with a higher modifier content; (3) storage stability assessment revealed consistent trends in high-shear mixing groups (A and C), while low-speed mixing groups (B and D) exhibited an elevated separation index (SI), suggesting a sensitivity to modification conditions; (4) evaluation using the MSCR method indicated that % rec with a 3.2 kPa load is effective for the sensitive assessment of binder storage stability and J_nr showed a limited sensitivity across varying loads, advocating for % rec for precise evaluation; and (5) despite permitting various tests, achieving consistent results remains challenging. Future research should explore diverse modifiers and optimal evaluation methods to enhance knowledge of binder behavior and separation dynamics. Full article

The planar cell polarity (PCP) system is essential for positioning cells in 3D networks to establish the proper morphogenesis, structure, and function of organs during embryonic development. The PCP system uses inter- and intracellular feedback interactions between components of the core PCP, characterized by coordinated planar polarization and asymmetric distribution of cell populations inside the cells. PCP signaling connects the anterior–posterior to left–right embryonic plane polarity through the polarization of cilia in the Kupffer’s vesicle/node in vertebrates. Experimental investigations on various genetic ablation-based models demonstrated the functions of PCP in planar polarization and associated genetic disorders. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of PCP signaling history, core components of the PCP signaling pathway, molecular mechanisms underlying PCP signaling, interactions with other signaling pathways, and the role of PCP in organ and embryonic development. Moreover, we will delve into the negative feedback regulation of PCP to maintain polarity, human genetic disorders associated with PCP defects, as well as challenges associated with PCP. Full article

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in agriculture for improving crop yields and reducing the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides remains a challenge. The goal of this work was to introduce Hyperfidelis, a geospatial software package that provides a comprehensive workflow that includes imagery visualization, feature extraction, zonal statistics, and modeling of key agricultural traits including chlorophyll content, yield, and leaf area index in a ML framework that can be used to improve food security. The platform combines a user-friendly graphical user interface with cutting-edge machine learning techniques, bridging the gap between plant science, agronomy, remote sensing, and data science without requiring users to possess any coding knowledge. Hyperfidelis offers several data engineering and machine learning algorithms that can be employed without scripting, which will prove essential in the plant science community. Full article

Doubly coupled designs (DCDs) have better space-filling properties between the qualitative and quantitative factors than marginally coupled designs (MCDs) which are suitable for computer experiments with both qualitative and quantitative factors. In this paper, we propose a new class of DCDs, called group doubly coupled designs (GDCDs), and provide methods for constructing two forms of GDCDs, within-group doubly coupled designs and between-group doubly coupled designs. The proposed GDCDs can accommodate more qualitative factors than DCDs, when the subdesigns for the qualitative factors are symmetric. The subdesigns of qualitative factors are not asymmetric in the existing results on DCDs, and in this paper, we construct GDCDs with symmetric and asymmetric designs for the qualitative factors, respectively. Moreover, detailed comparisons with existing MCDs show that GDCDs have better space-filling properties between qualitative and quantitative factors. Finally, the methods are particularly easy to implement. Full article