Since the idea of the smart city was first introduced, over two decades ago, there has been an increasing focus on sustainability as a core strategic priority. However, as the relevance, importance and even definition of sustainability is a function of cultural context, planners must take account of local and regional cultural factors in the selection and adaption of digital infrastructures, as well as in the management and encouragement of public acceptance. Achieving this is not a sequential process, but a concurrent one, as these factors are interdependent. This raises the question of what factors affect and mediate the technology, choice, and public acceptance of smart sustainable cities. This paper attempts to address this question by proposing a new model which advances our current, and considerable, understanding of Technology Acceptance Modelling—using an analysis based on Structural Equation Modelling. This new model, called the Culturally Informed Technology Acceptance Model, was validated using data from a survey of residents of a variety of Saudi Arabian cities. The proposed model is designed around important factors that can be influenced by cultural context, such as digital literacy, process improvements, cost savings and privacy, and is a useful tool for understanding the role of culture in the public acceptance of smart sustainable technology. This design focus is for a number of reasons, such as helping development bodies ensure that the technologies used align with the socio-cultural context. It will also help in the management of at-scale technology roll out in a way that is resource-efficient. Although the Culturally Informed Technology Acceptance Model has been developed and validated using data from Saudi Arabia, the authors believe that it could be adapted to meet the needs of countries/cities that are looking to implement smart city strategies matched to their own distinct socio-cultural identity. Full article

A new praeaulacid genus and species, Azygdellitha nova gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on a male specimen from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber from Hukawng Valley, Myanmar. This newly discovered taxon increased the diversity of praeaulacid wasps during the Cretaceous period. While this new taxon shares similarities of wing venation with most species of the subfamily Praeaulacinae, it strongly differs from that of three genera previously described from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber: Mesevania, Paleosyncrasis, and Praegastrinus. We explore the possibility that these genera constitute a distinct tribe within the Praeaulacinae, distinguished by their wing venation. We provide illustrations and emphasize the potentially diagnostic traits supporting this classification. Full article

In order to enhance passenger willingness to choose buses for commuting and to reduce the operating costs and tailpipe emissions of bus companies, a bus scheduling model is established. The model aims to minimize the sum of the operating costs of the bus company, the costs associated with the loss of passengers’ interest, and the cost of tailpipe emissions. It considers constraints such as maintaining an average load factor of the buses above 60%, ensuring a departure interval of greater than 5 min during non-peak hours and less than 30 min during peak hours, and limiting the maximum number of buses allocated to a route. The passenger flow is divided into peak hours and nonpeak hours according to the survey of passenger flow during each period of a bus operation on a route in Nanjing City, China. A genetic algorithm is employed to solve the proposed bus scheduling model and determine the total costs during peak and non-peak hours. After designing the parameters of the genetic algorithm, optimal departure intervals and bus numbers for a day’s operation cycle on a given route are calculated using a weighting method. Full article

Epimedium koreanum is a perennial herb of the Berberidaceae family, which is a traditional tonic in Chinese medicine. Seed germination of E. koreanum is difficult. Dormancy is an intrinsic factor that affects seed germination. Elucidating the molecular mechanism of seed dormancy and the lifting process of E. koreanum is of great significance for the breeding, conservation, and utilization of E. koreanum. Previous studies have concluded that E. koreanum seed dormancy breakage requires warm-temperature stratification followed by low-temperature stratification treatments. Therefore, we performed transcriptome sequencing using freshly harvested, untreated seeds (NS), seeds that developed a cotyledonary embryo after 90 d of constant-temperature stratification at 15 °C (CS), and seeds that broke dormancy by 90 d of stratification at 15 °C and 60 d of stratification at 5 °C (ND) in order to find the responsive genes and regulatory genes that regulate dormancy. A total of 92,867 genes with differential expression were identified. GO enrichment analysis highlighted redox processes, as well as structural components of the nucleus and ribosomes. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed a significant enrichment of phytohormone signaling pathways, which play a crucial role in seed dormancy release. Additionally, protein–protein interactions (PPIs) were predicted with starch and sucrose metabolic pathways. This study introduces a novel concept for a more profound comprehension of the molecular regulatory mechanism of E. koreanum and lays a theoretical foundation for the screening of E. koreanum candidate genes. Full article

The present research proposes the implementation of an architecture for industrial process monitoring and control for a manufacturing execution system (MES) using an immersive digital twin (DT). For the design of the proposal, cyber–physical systems (CPS), MES, robotics, the Internet of Things, augmented reality, virtual reality, and open platform communication-unified architecture (OPC UA) communication protocols were used to integrate these technologies and enhance the functionalities of the DT by providing greater performance. The proposed work is implemented in an Industry 4.0 laboratory that is composed of Festo Cyber–Physical Factory and CP-Lab stations. The implementation of the architecture is based on ISO 23247, where the following requirements were considered for the design of DTs: (1) observable attributes and 3D design and visualization of all physical production lines in all of their stages, (2) a communication entity through the OPC UA protocol for the collection of state changes of manufacturing elements, (3) a DT entity where digital models are modeled and updated based on the collected data, and (4) user entities through the use of AR and VR to make manufacturing more efficient. The experimental results showed that the architecture enables interoperability between different platforms and control subsystems. It allows for the detection and diagnosis of problems during the execution of the production line; in addition, the high-fidelity simulation and AR and VR environments provided by the DT with data obtained in real time can improve the accuracy and efficiency of manufacturing through a more detailed analysis of the process, providing advantages such as interactive creation for customized products and continuous innovation. Full article

Protein ubiquitination is an enzymatic cascade reaction and serves as an important protein post-translational modification (PTM) that is involved in the vast majority of cellular life activities. The key enzyme in the ubiquitination process is E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3), which catalyzes the binding of ubiquitin (Ub) to the protein substrate and influences substrate specificity. In recent years, the relationship between the subfamily of neuron-expressed developmental downregulation 4 (NEDD4), which belongs to the E3 ligase system, and digestive diseases has drawn widespread attention. Numerous studies have shown that NEDD4 and NEDD4L of the NEDD4 family can regulate the digestive function, as well as a series of related physiological and pathological processes, by controlling the subsequent degradation of proteins such as PTEN, c-Myc, and P21, along with substrate ubiquitination. In this article, we reviewed the appropriate functions of NEDD4 and NEDD4L in digestive diseases including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, chemotherapeutic drug resistance, and multiple signaling pathways, based on the currently available research evidence for the purpose of providing new ideas for the prevention and treatment of digestive diseases. Full article

Low carbon operation of power systems is a key way to achieve the goal of energy power carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. In order to promote the low carbon transition of energy and power and the coordinated and optimized operation of distributed energy sources in virtual power plants (VPP), this paper proposes a framework for collaborative utilization of pumped storage–carbon capture–power-to-gas (P2G) technologies. It also constructs a multi-time scale low carbon economic dispatch model for VPP to minimize the internal resource operation cost of VPP in each time period. During the intraday scheduling stage, the day-ahead scheduling results as the planned output and the energy flow is then dynamically corrected at a short-term resolution in the framework. This allows for the exploration of the low-carbon potential of each aggregation unit within the virtual power plant. The results of the simulation indicate that the strategy and model proposed in this paper can effectively encourage the consumption of renewable energy sources, promote the low-carbon operation of power system power, and serve as a valuable reference for the low-carbon economic operation of the power system. Full article

Enzyme-production microorganisms typically occupy a dominant position in composting, where cellulolytic microorganisms actively engage in the breakdown of lignocellulose. Exploring strains with high yields of cellulose-degrading enzymes holds substantial significance for the industrial production of related enzymes and the advancement of clean bioenergy. This study was inclined to screen cellulolytic bacteria, conduct genome analysis, mine cellulase-related genes, and optimize cellulase production. The potential carboxymethylcellulose-hydrolyzing bacterial strain Z2.6 was isolated from the maturation phase of pig manure-based compost with algae residuals as the feedstock and identified as Bacillus velezensis. In the draft genome of strain Z2.6, 31 related cellulolytic genes were annotated by the CAZy database, and further validation by cloning documented the existence of an endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) belonging to the GH5 family and a β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) belonging to the GH1 family, which are predominant types of cellulases. Through the exploration of ten factors in fermentation medium with Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken design methodologies, maximum cellulase activity was predicted to reach 2.98 U/mL theoretically. The optimal conditions achieving this response were determined as 1.09% CMC-Na, 2.30% salinity, and 1.23% tryptone. Validation under these specified conditions yielded a cellulose activity of 3.02 U/mL, demonstrating a 3.43-fold degree of optimization. In conclusion, this comprehensive study underscored the significant capabilities of strain Z2.6 in lignocellulolytic saccharification and its potentialities for future in-depth exploration in biomass conversion. Full article

The aim of this work was to study the ability of 28-homobrassinolide (HBL) and 28-homocastasterone (HCS) to increase the resistance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants to drought and to alter their endogenous brassinosteroid status. Germinated barley seeds were treated with 0.1 nM HBL or HCS solutions for two hours. A water deficit was created by stopping the watering of 7-day-old plants for the next two weeks. Plants responded to drought through growth inhibition, impaired water status, increased lipid peroxidation, differential effects on antioxidant enzymes, intense proline accumulation, altered expression of genes involved in metabolism, and decreased endogenous contents of hormones (28-homobrassinolide, B-ketones, and B-lactones). Pretreatment of plants with HBL reduced the inhibitory effect of drought on fresh and dry biomass accumulation and relative water content, whereas HCS partially reversed the negative effect of drought on fresh biomass accumulation, reduced the intensity of lipid peroxidation, and increased the osmotic potential. Compared with drought stress alone, pretreatment of plants with HCS or HBL followed by drought increased superoxide dismutase activity sevenfold or threefold and catalase activity (by 36%). The short-term action of HBL and HCS in subsequent drought conditions partially restored the endogenous B-ketone and B-lactone contents. Thus, the steroidal phytohormones HBL and HCS increased barley plant resistance to subsequent drought, showing some specificity of action. Full article

This article contextualizes the meaning of nāmamātra in the Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkārabhāṣya and explores the history of modifications of this term in the Yogācāra literature. The term already exists in the pre-Yogācāra literature, such as the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā and the Bhavasaṃkrāntisūtra, where it means name only. The chapter Bodhisattvabhūmi of the Yogācārabhūmi applies this meaning and explains how to interpret it to understand the true nature of the contemplative object; that is, what is named is nothing but a name, and what exists is the inexpressible thing (vastu). When people lack this understanding and regard for the expressed object as existent, they suffer subsequent afflictions and suffering. A similar but slightly modified explanation is also found in the Madhyāntavibhāgabhāṣya, where the author states that a single object has two intrinsic characteristics (svalakṣaṇas), the conventional and the ultimate, and that the former is expressed by a mere name and is non-existent, while the latter is ineffable and existent. However, the Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkārabhāṣya and Sthiramati’s commentary on it, the *Sūtrālaṃkāravṛttibhāṣya, insert another meaning of nāmamātra: there are only mental factors. They also describe two contemplation phases, whereby practitioners should first understand the non-existence of the expressed object before recollecting the term nāmarūpa in the context of the five constituents (pañcaskandha) and concluding that material and physical factors (rūpa) do not exist; rather, only the mental factors do (nāmamātra). Finally, this second meaning of nāmamātra should be further contemplated, and the mere mental factors should also be regarded as ultimately non-existent because the external objects causing them were already considered non-existent. This examination of various Yogācāra explanations of nāmamātra sheds light on the multiple phases of modifications of Buddhist terms that occurred in the Yogācāra literature during the systematization of Yogācāra contemplation. Full article

Nowadays, rumors spread more rapidly than before, leading to more panic and instability in society. Therefore, it is essential to seek out propagation law in order to prevent rumors from spreading further and avoid unnecessary harm. There is a connection between rumor models and symmetry. The consistency of a system or model is referred to as the level of symmetry under certain transformations. For this purpose, we propose a fractional-order Ignorant–Latent–Spreader–Remover (ILSR) rumor propagation model that incorporates media reports and a nonlinear inhibition mechanism. Firstly, the boundedness and non-negativeness of the solutions are derived under fractional differential equations. Secondly, the threshold is used to evaluate and illustrate the stability both locally and globally. Finally, by utilizing Pontryagin’s maximum principle, we obtain the necessary conditions for the optimal control in the fractional-order rumor propagation model, and we also obtain the associated optimal solutions. Furthermore, the numerical results indicate that media reports can decrease the spread of rumors in different dynamic regions, but they cannot completely prevent rumor dissemination. The results are also exhibited and corroborated by replicating the model with specific hypothetical parameter values. It can be inferred that fractional order yields more favorable outcomes when rumor permanence in the population is higher. The presented method facilitates the acquisition of profound insights into the dissemination dynamics and subsequent consequences of rumors within a societal network. Full article

A crucial feature of life is its spatial organization and compartmentalization on the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Spatial transcriptomics (ST) technology has opened a new chapter of the sequencing revolution, emerging rapidly with transformative effects across biology. This technique produces extensive and complex sequencing data, raising the need for computational methods for their comprehensive analysis and interpretation. We developed the ST browser web tool for the interactive discovery of ST images, focusing on different functional aspects such as single gene expression, the expression of functional gene sets, as well as the inspection of the spatial patterns of cell–cell interactions. As a unique feature, our tool applies self-organizing map (SOM) machine learning to the ST data. Our SOM data portrayal method generates individual gene expression landscapes for each spot in the ST image, enabling its downstream analysis with high resolution. The performance of the spatial browser is demonstrated by disentangling the intra-tumoral heterogeneity of melanoma and the microarchitecture of the mouse brain. The integration of machine-learning-based SOM portrayal into an interactive ST analysis environment opens novel perspectives for the comprehensive knowledge mining of the organization and interactions of cellular ecosystems. Full article

This article explores the integration of digital games, specifically Minecraft, within Sámi educational contexts. The qualitative case study was based on a development project in Sámi teacher education, exploring key aspects highlighted by pre-service teachers when using Minecraft during their practice periods with primary school children. Given the significant role teachers play in instructional organisation, this article aims to identify specific areas where pre-service teachers may benefit from additional support and training to enhance their preparedness for the classroom. Incorporating Sámi educational frameworks and digital competencies into Sámi teacher education, we utilised the digital competence of future teachers (DCFT) model to guide data collection and analysis. This involved distributing anonymous online questionnaires to pre-service teachers (n = 17). Our findings indicate the transformative potential of digital games in Sámi education, particularly in the use of Sámi as a gaming language and Sámi cultural game content. The article emphasises the relevance of digital technologies in preserving and revitalising Indigenous languages and cultures to better understand how to leverage these tools effectively in culturally relevant ways. By utilising contemporary digital tools within an Indigenous education, educators can enhance cultural continuity and empower Indigenous communities in the digital age. Full article

Green taxes are taxes collected to protect the environment by controlling the negative effects of certain activities and products on the environment. They are also an instrument of environmental policy and can therefore contribute to several sustainable development goals. According to the studies carried out, the green economy aims to ensure sustainable development. The main objective of this paper is to identify the existing relationships between green taxes and sustainable economic development through a dynamic panel analysis. A dynamic panel analysis was therefore carried out on the existing links between environmental taxes and charges at the European level and the indicators of the circular economy. The results of the two dynamic regressions for the two dependent variables, namely total green taxes and energy taxes, show a positive and significant correlation with the variation of GDP and with primary energy consumption, confirming the hypothesis that environmental taxes and energy taxes are closely linked to these two important indicators of sustainable development. Thus, as GDP changes, the taxes on energy production and the energy products used in both transport and stationary applications increase. As a result of the analysis, we can note that the increase in primary energy consumption and the consumption of raw materials leads to an increase in environmental and energy taxes. Energy taxes are a possible solution to reduce CO₂ emissions in third world countries and may even stimulate climate action. In contrast, we found no significant correlation between green taxes and the following variables: Human Development Index, net greenhouse gas emissions, private investment and gross value added related to circular economy sectors, the consumption of raw materials, waste generated, waste treatment, the supply, transformation, and consumption of renewable energy, public expenditure on environmental protection, and climate-related economic losses. Full article

This study investigated the interplay between exit selection models and local pedestrian movement patterns within floor field frameworks. Specifically, this investigation analysed the performance of a multinomial logit exit choice model, incorporating both expected utility theory and cumulative prospect theory frameworks when coupled with three distinct local-level pedestrian movement models (FF-Von Neumann, FF-Moore, and NSFF). The expected utility theory framework considers the deterministic component as a linear relationship, while the cumulative prospect theory framework further considers the decision-maker’s risky attitudes by transforming objective terms into subjective terms using a power value function. The core objective was to comprehend how local movement dynamics, as represented by the floor field models, influence decision-making during exit selection. Comparative analyses revealed intriguing variations between the three local models, despite their shared expected utility theory-based exit choice framework. These discrepancies stemmed from the diverse pedestrian trajectory behaviours generated by each model. Consequently, these local dynamics impacted the decision-maker’s assessment of critical factors, such as the number of evacuees close to the decision-maker ($NCDM$) and the number of evacuees close to an exit ($NCE$), which the exit choice model incorporates. These assessments, in turn, significantly affected higher-level decision-making. The integration of the three models with the multinomial logit exit choice model, using either cumulative prospect theory and expected utility theory frameworks, further strengthened the observed bilateral relationship. While the specific nature of this relationship varied depending on the chosen framework and its implementation details, these consistent findings demonstrate the robustness of the results. This reinforced the influence of local-level pedestrian dynamics on higher-level exit selection, highlighting the importance of accurate crowd dynamics modelling, especially when advanced exit choice models consider local movement factors. Full article

Millimeter-Wave Radar is one promising sensor to achieve robust perception against challenging observing conditions. In this paper, we propose a Radar Inertial Odometry (RIO) pipeline utilizing a long-range 4D millimeter-wave radar for autonomous vehicle navigation. Initially, we develop a perception frontend based on radar point cloud filtering and registration to estimate the relative transformations between frames reliably. Then an optimization-based backbone is formulated, which fuses IMU data, relative poses, and point cloud velocities from radar Doppler measurements. The proposed method is extensively tested in challenging on-road environments and in-the-air environments. The results indicate that the proposed RIO can provide a reliable localization function for mobile platforms, such as automotive vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), in various operation conditions. Full article

Thermal energy storage (TES) using phase change materials (PCMs) is one of the potential solutions for stockpiling thermal energy and utilizing it for different applications, which results in effective energy usage. The main drawback of organic PCMs in practical applications is poor heat transfer due to low thermal conductivity (TC). Therefore, investigations into nano-enhanced PCMs are being explored to improve their thermophysical properties. In this work, the various thermophysical characteristics of nano-enhanced lauryl alcohol as a PCM were investigated using carbon-based and metallic nanoparticles. The results indicated that the addition of nanoparticles improved its thermal properties and affected other physical properties, such as viscosity. The latent heat was degraded with the addition of nanoparticles. The results revealed that by adding MWCNTs and CuO nanoparticles, a maximum of 82.6% and 49.6% improvement in TC was achieved, respectively. The maximum drop in latent heat during melting and freezing for the PCM with MWCNTs was about 10.1% and 9.3%, respectively, whereas for the PCM with CuO, they were about 11% and 10.3%, respectively. The lowest supercooling for the PCM with MWCNTs and CuO nanoparticles was 8.6 and 8.3 °C, respectively. The present work confirms that nano-enhanced PCMs can be a potential material for storing thermal energy for various applications. Full article

Graphene hybrid-filler polymer composites have emerged as prominent materials that revolutionize heavy industries. This review paper encapsulates an in-depth analysis of different influential factors, such as filler/graphene type, aspect ratios, dispersion methods, filler-matrix compatibility, fiber orientation, synergistic effects, different processing techniques, and post-curing conditions, which affect the processing and properties of graphene hybrid polymer composites, as well as their resultant applications. Additionally, it discusses the substantial role of graphene reinforcement with other fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, silica, nano-clays, and metal oxides, to produce functionalized hybrid polymer composites with synergistically enhanced tailored properties, offering solutions for heavy industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy harvesting. This review concludes with some suggestions and an outlook on the future of these composite materials by emphasizing the need for continued research to fully optimize their potential. Full article

In this paper, we investigate the impact of COVID-19 on different performance measures and the risk of US Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with different styles. Our findings suggest a phenomenon with compelling evidence of reduced performance without any significant changes in risk profile amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, mortgage REITs (MREITs) appear to be more adversely affected compared to equity REITs (EREITs). We further explore and analyze the performance of specialized REITs in contrast to diversified REITs in the distinctive conditions presented by COVID-19. We find that diversification creates value for the entire sample period, whereas, during the COVID-19 pandemic, property type specialization helps, although the results are weakly significant. The findings on risk suggest investors’ short-run outlook on market reaction. These results remain robust to additional tests. The implications provide insight for investors as a reference to reallocate assets in their portfolios during uncertain times. Full article

The objective of the present paper is to put a milestone on the roadmap toward a global economic system of professional sport, at least as regards its financial dimension, i.e., its model of finance, its ownership, and some new trends in global sport finance. Professional sport went through a radical change during the 1990s when switching from gate receipts to TV rights revenues as its major source of finance and from local/domestic to internationalised/globalised sources of revenue. This change was more marked in European soccer (football) before spreading throughout other professional sport disciplines. In fact, the whole distribution of sport financing was restructured as shown in this paper. Starting from this evidence of the first stage of sport finance globalisation, it appears that new transformations have been at work in sport finance more recently. In particular, soccer moved from globalisation of flows (revenues, finance) to asset globalisation in terms of club ownership. At last, this paper discusses the emergence of new trends in global sport finance such as treating professional (soccer) players as financial assets and crypto-assets penetrating the sports business. Full article

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is one of the most commercially important crustacean species in China. The aim of this study was to characterize the toxic effects of butachlor (an herbicide of the acetanilide class) on juvenile E. sinensis crabs. The lethal effects and the acute toxicity of butachlor on juvenile E. sinensis specimens were assessed through a semi-static in vitro experiment. We determined the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the gills and the hepatopancreas of the juvenile crabs, at different time points over a 14-day short-term exposure to butachlor. Moreover, we measured the residual levels of butachlor in three different tissues (gills, hepatopancreas, and muscles) of the juvenile crabs over a longer period. Our findings revealed that butachlor is highly toxic for juvenile E. sinensis crabs. In fact, the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of butachlor at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were found to be 4.22, 1.84, 0.34, and 0.14 mg/L, respectively, while the safe concentration was 0.014 mg/L. The antioxidant defense ability of the juvenile E. sinensis crabs against butachlor was induced after exposure to the herbicide at a concentration of 0.01 mg/L. After 14 days of exposure to butachlor at 0.04 and 0.16 mg/L, both SOD and CAT were found to be significantly inhibited (p < 0.05), the GSH levels were found to be significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and the MDA levels were identified as significantly increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, after 14 days of exposure to butachlor at 0.16 mg/L, the activities of SOD and CAT as well as the content of GSH in the hepatopancreas were found to be significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Our results revealed that a high concentration of butachlor was capable of inducing oxidative stress and damage in juvenile E. sinensis crabs. The maximal residual value of butachlor was obtained in the gills, with a content of 4.56 μg/kg. Butachlor was not detected after 24 days in the aforementioned three tissues of the juvenile crabs, thereby indicating that it was effectively metabolized. Full article