Enhancing the Monitoring Protocols of Intermittent Flow Rivers with UAV-Based Optical Methods to Estimate the River Flow and Evaluate Their Environmental Status

Temporary streams are a key component of the hydrological cycle in arid and semi-arid regions, but their flow is highly variable and difficult to measure. In this paper, we present a novel approach that could be used to assess the flow of temporary streams this allowing to characterize their environmental status. Specifically, we apply the Image Velocimetry (IV) method to estimate surface velocity in temporary streams using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with optical sensors (IV-UAV method). The IV-UAV method enables the easy, safe and quick estimation of the velocity on the water’s surface. This method was applied in different temporary streams in Lesvos Island, Greece. The results obtained indicate that the IV-UAV can be implemented at low discharges, temporary streams and small streams. Specifically, the water depth ranged from 0.02 m to 0.28 m, while the channel width ranged from 0.6 m to 4.0 m. The estimated surface velocity ranged from 0.0 to 5.5 m/s; thus, the maximum water discharge was 0.60 m³/s for the largest monitored stream of the island. However, there were many occasions that measurements were unable due to various reasons such as dense vegetation or archaeological sites. Despite of this, the proposed methodology could be incorporated in optical protocols which are used to assess the environmental status of temporary streams of Mediterranean conditions. Finally, this would become a valuable tool for understanding the dynamics of these ecosystems and monitoring changes over time.

The Journal of Respiratory Biology and Translational Medicine, a Versatile Platform for Basic and Clinical Science

Local Production, Consumption, and Innovation: Enhancing Sustainability through SMEs in Japan

The study focuses on the process of business development with the use of food tech and open innovation by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Japan to create a sustainable ecosystem in the regional economy. Production of alternative food materials is introduced in the new business of SMEs with the hope to reduce carbon footprint. SMEs need to create an SME ecosystem that integrates consumers as vital partners in the process of introducing new alternative food items to the market as agents of change. Innovative ways of inventing new food products involve the processes of sourcing ingredients, creating new recipes for alternative food products, and incorporating local food culture and methods of food preparation. Therefore, it is crucial for SMEs to involve local producers as well as consumers as stakeholders in innovation. Some case examples of SMEs producing plant-based alternative meats in Japan are reviewed in this study to highlight key factors impacting the outcome of innovation in the products and processes of SMEs seeking sustainable solutions. The significance of the study lies in acknowledging catalytic roles of SMEs in regional settings and interactive roles of consumers as product buyers as well as active players who consciously opt for certain products and modes of consumption driven by their inclination to support sustainability. Based on the findings of the study, some policy suggestions are also made for enhancing sustainability and revitalizing the local economy through SMEs. 

Microgrids Overview and Performance Evaluation on Low-voltage Distribution Network

Besides the increase in global energy demand, access to clean energy, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions caused by conventional power generation techniques, energy security, and availability of electricity in remote villages in emerging nations are some of the factors that foster the use of renewable energy sources (RESs) in generating electricity. One of the aims of initiating microgrids (MGs) is to maximize the benefits of RES while alleviating grid-connect issues. Microgrids are interconnected RESs and electrical loads within clearly delineated electrical limits that operate as individual controllable units on the electrical network. It can operate independently and be grid-connected. The paper presents a review and performance assessment of renewable energy-based microgrids under various operating scenarios in stand-alone, grid-connected, and transitioning modes of operation. Fault occurrences, an increase in micro-source generation, a load increase, and the sudden disconnection of a micro-source are some of the simulated scenarios. Microgrid network components’ performance, such as the bidirectional DC-DC converter and energy storage system (ESS), was evaluated. The simulated microgrid architecture includes a small hydroelectric plant, wind farm, and ESS. The work provides valuable information to energy stakeholders on the performance of microgrids in low-voltage distribution networks. The microgrid is coupled to a low-voltage distribution network (0.415 kV) via a PCC. The system under investigation is modeled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. From the simulation analysis, the fault effect was felt on the utility and did not escalate to the microgrid side during stand-alone operation. Power quality issues, such as voltage rise, are some of the challenges identified during the transition from one mode of operation to another. However, the energy storage system responds to disturbances and maintains system stability. The originality of this paper is based on evaluating different modes of operation of microgrids and comparing system performances under various operating conditions.

A New Open-Access Journal of Intelligent and Sustainable Manufacturing (ISM)

Review on Drone-Assisted Air-Quality Monitoring Systems

Drone-aided systems have gained popularity in the last few decades due to their stability in various commercial sectors and military applications. The conventional ambient air quality monitoring stations (AAQMS) are immovable and big. This drawback has been significantly overcome by drone-aided low-cost sensor (LCS) modules. As a result, much research work, media information, and technical notes have been released on drone-aided air quality and ecological monitoring and mapping applications. This work is a sincere effort to provide a comprehensive and structured review of commercial drone applications for air quality and environmental monitoring. The collected scientific and non-scientific information was divided according to the different drone models, sensor types, and payload weights. The payload component is very critical in stablility of the multirotor drones. Most study projects installed inexpensive sensors on drones according to the avilibility of the space on drone frame. After reviewing of multiple environmental applications the common payload range was 0 gm to 4000 gm. The crucial elements are addressed, including their relation to meteorological factors, air isokinetics, propeller-induced downwash, sensor mounting location, ramifications etc. As a result, technical recommendations for AQ monitoring assisted by drones are addressed in the debate part. This work will help researchers and environmentalists choose sensor-specific payloads for drones and mounting locations. Also, it enables advanced methods of monitoring parameters that help policymakers to frame advanced protocols and sensor databases for the environment and ecology.

Use of Bibliometric Methods to Verify the Credentials of Expert Witnesses in Forensic Science and Legal Medicine and the Dilemma of Multiple-authorship

Expert testimony is an important part of criminal and civil litigation whenever scientific evidence needs to be explained and interpreted for the judge and jury. Those appearing in court as expert witnesses must possess the necessary qualifications, skill, training, and experience for the task in hand. Unlike a lay-witness, an expert witness is allowed to render an opinion based on their own specialized knowledge and research. In the adversarial system of justice, expert witnesses are hired by opposing sides in a case and this causes confusion when they disagree about the strengths and weaknesses of the scientific evidence presented. Choosing the best expert witness is often a difficult task and making a wrong decision has sometimes led to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice. Success in science is tightly linked to the quantity and quality of a person’s scholarly publications in academic journals in some particular area of research and scholarship. This article describes the use of a publicly available citation database to investigate the publication and citation records of British forensic practitioners with “legal and forensic medicine” (LFM) as their primary or secondary research category. How to attribute credit to individual names on multi-authored articles is a major problem in science and academia. Six different citation metrics, including authorship position on highly cited articles, were used to derive a composite citation score (c-score) for each highly cited scientist. Such bibliometric methods could prove useful in jurisprudence when reviewing the qualifications of people suggested to serve as expert witness in court cases.

Metabolic Engineering of Microorganisms Towards the Biomanufacturing of Non-Natural C5 and C6 Chemicals

Five-carbon (C5) and six-carbon (C6) chemicals are essential components in the manufacturing of a variety of pharmaceuticals, fuels, polymers, and other materials. However, the predominant reliance on chemical synthesis methods and unsustainable feedstock sources has placed significant strain on Earth’s finite fossil resources and the environment. To address this challenge and promote sustainability, significant efforts have been undertaken to re-program microorganisms through metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches allowing for bio-based manufacturing of these compounds. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in microbial production of commercially significant non-natural C5 chemicals, including 1-pentanol, 1,5-pentanediol, cadaverine, δ-valerolactam, glutaric acid, glutaconic acid, and 5-hydroxyvaleric acid, as well as C6 chemicals, including cis, cis-muconic acid, adipic acid, 1,6-hexamethylenediamine, 6-aminocaproic acid, β-methyl-δ-valerolactone, 1-hexanol, ε-caprolactone, 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, and 1,6-hexanediol.

Perspectives in Legal and Forensic Sciences: A New Open-Access Journal to Share Your Research on Legal and Forensic Sciences

The Severity of Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Fibrosis and Related Dysfunction in Mice Is Strain-Dependent

The isoproterenol (or isoprenaline; ISO)-induced model of myocardial injury provides a non-surgical means of establishing features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in various species, including left ventricular (LV) inflammation, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, vascular rarefaction, fibrosis and related dysfunction. However, when established in mice, the progression and severity of the LV fibrosis that manifests in this model can be affected by the exposure time and/or dosing of ISO applied, and by strain when an equivalent exposure time and dose are administered. In this study, we measured the severity of LV fibrosis by biochemical and histological means in 129sv, C57BL/6J and FVB/N mice exposed to repeated ISO (25 mg/kg for 5 days) administration at 14-days post-injury. At the time-point studied, these strains of mice underwent a ~2-fold, ~0.7-fold and ~0.3-fold increase in LV collagen concentration, respectively, compared to their saline-injected controls; whilst 129sv and C57BL/6J mice underwent a corresponding ~7-fold and ~1-fold increase in picrosirius red-stained interstitial LV collagen deposition, respectively. C57BL/6J mice subjected to higher dosing of ISO (50 or 100 mg/kg for 5 days) underwent a ~1.4–1.6-fold increase in picrosirius red-stained interstitial LV collagen deposition and some LV systolic dysfunction at day-14 post-injury, but the fibrosis in these mice was still less severe than that measured in 129sv mice given a lower dose of ISO. These findings highlight that strain-dependent differences in ISO-induced LV fibrosis severity can impact on evaluating pathological features of DCM and the therapeutic effects of anti-fibrotic drugs/strategies in this model.