Indirect Input Research Articles

Energy Balance and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Production in Türkiye

The objective of this study was to determine the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with sesame production. Energy use efficiency indicators and greenhouse gas emission rates were calculated for the 2022-2023 production season. The energy input and output for sesame production were found to be 12079.15 MJ ha-1 and 30052.44 MJ ha-1, respectively. The study found an energy use efficiency of 2.49, with a specific energy of 12.20 MJ kg-1, an energy productivity of 0.08 kg MJ-1, and a net energy value of 17973.29 MJ ha-1. The direct and indirect energy inputs were calculated to be 4584.41 MJ ha-1 (37.95%) and 7494.74 MJ ha-1 (62.05%), while the renewable and non-renewable energy inputs were calculated to be 469.12 MJ ha-1 (3.88%) and 11610.03 MJ ha-1 (98.65%), respectively. The calculation shows that the total greenhouse gas emissions are 380.52 kgCO2-eq ha-1 and the greenhouse gas emission rate is 0.38 kgCO2-eq ha-1. Sesame production is highly profitable for the 2022-2023 production season in terms of energy use efficiency.

Forecasting of blast furnace gas utilisation rate via convolutional autoencoders and K-nearest neighbour methods

Gas utilisation rate (GUR) is an essential parameter to characterise the level of energy utilisation efficiency and operation status of blast furnaces (BFs). In the present study, data collected from a BF plant with vanadium–titanium magnetite were subjected to correlation and distribution analyses. Based on the operation cycle of the BF, production parameters from the preceding eight consecutive hours were selected as input parameters for the model. Convolutional autoencoders (CAEs) were employed to extract coded features from the selected data, serving as indirect inputs to the prediction model. Subsequently, K-nearest neighbour (KNN) was utilised to establish a mapping relationship between the coded features and GUR, facilitating forecasting for the subsequent 3 hours. Additionally, a hybrid approach incorporating both supervised and unsupervised training methods was utilised to facilitate GUR prediction, and the performance of the CAE–KNN model was re-validated using data from the remaining sections of the plant. The hit rate of predictions is no less than 96% as the permissible error was within 1.5%.

Biochar addition promotes soil organic carbon sequestration dominantly contributed by macro-aggregates in agricultural ecosystems of China

Soil aggregates play pivotal roles in soil organic carbon (SOC) preservation and climate change. Biochar has been widely applied in agricultural ecosystems to improve soil physicochemical properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of SOC sequestration by soil aggregation with biochar addition are not well understood at a large scale. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of 2335 pairwise data from 45 studies to explore how soil aggregation sequestrated SOC after biochar addition in agricultural ecosystems of China. Biochar addition markedly enhanced the proportions of macro-aggregates and aggregate stability, and the production of organic binding agents positively facilitated the formation of macro-aggregates and aggregate stability. Soil aggregate-associated organic carbon (OC) indicated a significantly increasement by biochar addition, which was attributed to direct and indirect inputs of OC from biochar and organic residues, respectively. Biochar stimulated SOC sequestration dominantly contributed by macro-aggregates, and it could be interpreted by a greater improvement in proportions and OC protection of macro-aggregates. Furthermore, the SOC sequestration of soil aggregation with biochar addition was regulated by climate conditions (mean annual temperature and precipitation), biochar attributes (biochar C/N ratio and pH), experimental practices (biochar addition level and duration), and agronomic managements (land type, cropping intensity, fertilization condition, and crop type). Collectively, our synthetic analysis emphasized that biochar promoted the SOC sequestration by improving soil aggregation in agricultural ecosystems of China.

Islamic Ethics and Nutrigenomics: A Methodological Approach to Constructing a Theoretical Framework

Individualised nutrition based on knowledge of nutrigenomics is becoming a major scientific and health interest subject worldwide. Still, it adds a layer of complexity that may benefit and harm the social aspects of eating. In the case of advancing the knowledge of gene–nutrient interactions and other scientific disciplines, all religious communities of the world, including Muslims, have statements of principles that express the identity and commitment defining one community from others. To properly develop a religiously acceptable framework that encompasses important aspects of the Islamic tradition, indirect input from Islamic scientific philosophers, scholars, luminaries and source materials is required. Without trying to be thorough, this work addresses that need and provides new opportunities for future research and publishing in Islamic ethics, genome, and food (nature). It also analyses Muslim scholars’ arguments and deliberations on the ethical framework that extends beyond the binary dichotomy between right and wrong (al-ʾamr bi al-maʿrūf wa al-nahy ʿan al-munkar) in Islamic jurisprudence. This qualitative study utilised a range of Islamic intellectual voices to build a theoretical framework of Islamic ethics in nutrigenomics based on constructivist grounded theory as the broader research approach. Constant conversation between nutrigenomics (modern science) and Islamic ethics is suggested to help Muslims grasp this dialectic better. It is only by taking a more comprehensive view incorporating theological, spiritual, jurisprudential, and social dimensions that one can make a stronger case and construct a foundational theoretical framework to build applications of Islamic ethics in nutrigenomics. Likewise, a systematic approach to developing a framework anchored in these sources is required to properly place the area of Islamic ethics in nutrigenomics and pave the way for future research on indigenous intervention development.

Multiplex dependence analysis of China's interprovincial virtual water based on an ecological network.

The interprovincial circulation of goods and services has formed virtual water flows between regions, which can redistribute water resources. Based on previous virtual water trade research, this study further explored the multiple dependencies of virtual water, i.e., direct, indirect, and complete dependence. This study examined the direct, indirect, and complete dependence of virtual water between provinces in China by constructing multilayer dependence networks and identified the key regions and paths of virtual water trade network. The results showed direct dependence was the densest and had the largest overall dependence degree, but indirect dependence was the most stable and orderly. Second, the dominant provinces were Guangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Xinjiang, and Anhui, referred to as "core‒five‒region," and the flow relevant to them accounted for approximately 30% of the virtual water. The seven provinces of Shanxi, Zhejiang, Shandong, Hubei, Guangdong, Shaanxi, and Gansu depend both directly and indirectly on the "core‒five‒region." Shanxi and Zhejiang have close direct and indirect dependence, with more than one of the "core‒five‒region." Guangdong was the province with the most direct and indirect input of virtual water from the "core‒five‒region." The study provides a scientific basis for multiregional identification for the collaborative management of water resources in China from the perspective of dependence.

CNSC-32. SIMULTANEOUS INVESTIGATION OF TUMOR CELL BEHAVIOR AND CONNECTIVITY WITH CORRELATIVE IN VIVO TWO-PHOTON AND EX VIVO EXPANSION MICROSCOPY

Abstract Glioblastomas are the most aggressive primary brain tumors, characterized by whole-brain colonization, high therapeutic resistance, and inevitable recurrence. It has previously been shown that glioblastoma cells can form functionally gap-junction connected tumor cell networks with other tumor cells and/or astrocytes, which play a crucial role in tumor progression and treatment response. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that synaptic neuron-glioma networks promote tumor growth. However, methodologies to investigate the direct link between synaptic, astrocytic and tumor cell connectivity together with tumor cell behavior including invasion, proliferation and therapeutic resistance are yet lacking. We aimed to characterize neuron-tumor and tumor-tumor/astrocyte cell interactions on a single cell level by using correlative in vivo two-photon and ex vivo expansion microscopy with near synaptic-resolution. We studied glioblastoma cells with intravital two-photon microscopy using patient-derived glioblastoma mouse models and the fluorescent functional imaging dye Sulforhodamine 101 allowing to investigate intratumoral and astrocytic connectivity over an extended period up to weeks. Subsequently, these functional tumor cell subpopulations could be directly correlated ex vivo to identify neuron-glioma synaptic connectivity. We utilized machine learning based segmentation and a semi-automated analysis pipeline to explore the connection of different glioblastoma morphological and behavioral subtypes to direct and indirect neuronal input in multiple xenograft models. With this new correlative method, we were able to simultaneously evaluate tumor cell behavior, synaptic and tumor-tumor/astrocyte connections on a single cell level. In addition, we demonstrated that this pipeline can be used for patient samples, revealing its clinical-translational potential for cancer neuroscience. In summary, we have established a new correlative technology that interlinks two key aspects of brain cancer neuroscience: cancer cell behavior and brain tumor network connectivity. This methodology promises a more thorough understanding of glioblastoma biology, facilitating the discovery of cancer biology, including the role of brain tumor networks in therapeutic resistance.

Cortical Synchrony and Information Flow during Transition from Wakefulness to Light Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep.

Sleep is a highly stereotyped phenomenon, requiring robust spatiotemporal coordination of neural activity. Understanding how the brain coordinates neural activity with sleep onset can provide insights into the physiological functions subserved by sleep and the pathologic phenomena associated with sleep onset. We quantified whole-brain network changes in synchrony and information flow during the transition from wakefulness to light non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, using MEG imaging in a convenient sample of 14 healthy human participants (11 female; mean 63.4 years [SD 11.8 years]). We furthermore performed computational modeling to infer excitatory and inhibitory properties of local neural activity. The transition from wakefulness to light NREM was identified to be encoded in spatially and temporally specific patterns of long-range synchrony. Within the delta band, there was a global increase in connectivity from wakefulness to light NREM, which was highest in frontoparietal regions. Within the theta band, there was an increase in connectivity in fronto-parieto-occipital regions and a decrease in temporal regions from wakefulness to Stage 1 sleep. Patterns of information flow revealed that mesial frontal regions receive hierarchically organized inputs from broad cortical regions upon sleep onset, including direct inflow from occipital regions and indirect inflow via parieto-temporal regions within the delta frequency band. Finally, biophysical neural mass modeling demonstrated changes in the anterior-to-posterior distribution of cortical excitation-to-inhibition with increased excitation-to-inhibition model parameters in anterior regions in light NREM compared with wakefulness. Together, these findings uncover whole-brain corticocortical structure and the orchestration of local and long-range, frequency-specific cortical interactions in the sleep-wake transition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our work uncovers spatiotemporal cortical structure of neural synchrony and information flow upon the transition from wakefulness to light non-rapid eye movement sleep. Mesial frontal regions were identified to receive hierarchically organized inputs from broad cortical regions, including both direct inputs from occipital regions and indirect inputs via the parieto-temporal regions within the delta frequency range. Biophysical neural mass modeling revealed a spatially heterogeneous, anterior-posterior distribution of cortical excitation-to-inhibition. Our findings shed light on the orchestration of local and long-range cortical neural structure that is fundamental to sleep onset, and support an emerging view of cortically driven regulation of sleep homeostasis.

Determining the energy balances of black carrot cultivation in Türkiye

Black carrot (known as Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) production of Turkey is increasing day by day. New production fields are added to existing ones and production are ever increasing. Black carrot is processed as concentrated and used as a natural colorant for the color of purple and tones in food and beverage industries. Black carrot is also consumed as a fermented beverage. However, the studies carried out on black carrot culture in Turkey are highly limited. This study was carried out to determine energy balances in black carrot production since it is a significant source of income. Results revealed that direct and indirect total energy input in black carrot cultivation was 58 014.8 MJ/ha, total energy output was 119 560 MJ/ha, Output/input ratio (OI) was 2.06 and net energy ratio (NER) was 1.06.

Direct and Indirect Nociceptive Input from the Trigeminal Dorsal Horn to Pain-Modulating Neurons in the Rostral Ventromedial Medulla.

The brain is able to amplify or suppress nociceptive signals by means of descending projections to the spinal and trigeminal dorsal horns from the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). Two physiologically defined cell classes within RVM, "ON-cells" and "OFF-cells," respectively facilitate and inhibit nociceptive transmission. However, sensory pathways through which nociceptive input drives changes in RVM cell activity are only now being defined. We recently showed that indirect inputs from the dorsal horn via the parabrachial complex (PB) convey nociceptive information to RVM. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there are also direct dorsal horn inputs to RVM pain-modulating neurons. We focused on the trigeminal dorsal horn, which conveys sensory input from the face and head, and used a combination of single-cell recording with optogenetic activation and inhibition of projections to RVM and PB from the trigeminal interpolaris-caudalis transition zone (Vi/Vc) in male and female rats. We determined that a direct projection from ventral Vi/Vc to RVM carries nociceptive information to RVM pain-modulating neurons. This projection included a GABAergic component, which could contribute to nociceptive inhibition of OFF-cells. This approach also revealed a parallel, indirect, relay of trigeminal information to RVM via PB. Activation of the indirect pathway through PB produced a more sustained response in RVM compared with activation of the direct projection from Vi/Vc. These data demonstrate that a direct trigeminal output conveys nociceptive information to RVM pain-modulating neurons with a parallel indirect pathway through the parabrachial complex.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) pain-modulating neurons respond to noxious stimulation, which implies that they receive input from pain-transmission circuits. However, the traditional view has been that there is no direct input to RVM pain-modulating neurons from the dorsal horn, and that nociceptive information is carried by indirect pathways. Indeed, we recently showed that noxious information can reach RVM pain-modulating neurons via the parabrachial complex (PB). Using in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetics, the present study identified a direct relay of nociceptive information from the trigeminal dorsal horn to physiologically identified pain-modulating neurons in RVM. Combined tracing and electrophysiology data revealed that the direct projection includes GABAergic neurons. Direct and indirect pathways may play distinct functional roles in recruiting pain-modulating neurons.

A dynamic multi-stage network data envelopment analysis approach for evaluating performance of wheat farms

PurposeBecause of the importance of the wheat industry in the economy, a real-featured performance measurement approach is essential for the wheat production process. The purpose of this paper is to develop a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that is fully compatible with the wheat production process so that managers and farmers can use it to evaluate the efficiency of wheat farms for strategic decisions.Design/methodology/approachA dynamic multi-stage network DEA model is developed to evaluate the efficiency of wheat production farms in short-term (two-year) and long-term (eight-year) periods.FindingsThe results of this study show that because of the lack of long-term planning and excessive reliance on rain, most of the investigated regions have no stability in efficiency, and the efficiency of the regions changes in a zigzag manner over time. Among studied regions, only the Hashtrood region has high and stable efficiency, and other regions can follow the example of this region's cultivation method.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first one that uses the dynamic multi-stage network DEA considering every other year cultivation method and direct–indirect inputs in the agricultural section.

A Comparison of Energy Use in Conventional and Organic Olive Production in Kaz Mountains, Çanakkale, Türkiye

Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors and energy consumption during agricultural production causes a release of 11 % of greenhouse gasses leading to climate change. Since after the industrialization of agriculture, farming systems shifted towards high-intensity farming, yet in Türkiye, traditional farming methods continue. In this study we compare the energy efficiency of organic vs. conventional olive groves in Kaz Mountains, Türkiye. 71 farmers were interviewed face-to-face in two subsequent years and the energy efficiency of the olive production process was calculated as the ratio of the energy spent during farming to the energy content of the fruit. Fuel use was calculated under the direct energy input, whereas production processes of fertilizer, agricultural machinery, maintenance and repair, human and animal labor were calculated under indirect energy inputs. Here we show that conventional olive production was less energy efficient due to the high indirect energy input during the production of synthetic fertilizers. There was no relationship between the energy input and yield. This study shows that by improving energy efficiency, the technical performance of agricultural systems can be increased and their negative impact on the environment can be reduced.

Post-evaluation analysis on urban coal, oil and gas resources comprehensive utilization governance project: A case study in Fuxian, China

China's energy and chemical enterprises in the resource-based urban cities face challenges of climate change targets. Coal, Oil and Gas Resources Comprehensive Utilization (COGRCU) project can address the carbon and hydrogen imbalance between conventional methanol from coal and natural gas. Moreover, it can improve energy conversion rates and carbon resource recovery. Therefore, it is a better way for energy and chemical enterprises to transition to sustainable development and advocated by enterprises in resource-based cities. In practice, the actual benefits of the COGRCU project are often different from those expected from prior assessments, and the main factors contributing to the differences need to be identified. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a post-evaluation methodology for the COGRCU project to assist energy and chemical enterprises in identifying these constraints and optimize project management. This study considers energy and monetary flows, combines emergy-based energy return on investment (EmEROI) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and proposes a post-evaluation methodology of the COGRCU project based on the case study of YC Group's Fuxian COGRCU project in Fuxian County. In addition, the emergy per unit money, emergy per unit labor, and bio-resources emergy per unit area of Yan'an City are measured. Results showed that indirect energy and labor input emergy are the primary contributors to improving the projects' energy efficiency. Operating costs reduction are the key factors for improving economic benefits. The indirect energy has the highest impact on the project's EmEROI, followed by labor, direct energy, and environmental governance. Several policy recommendations are raised, including strengthening policy support, such as advancing the formulation and revision of fiscal and tax policies, improving project assets and human resource management, and increasing environmental governance efforts.

Identification of a genomic DNA sequence that quantitatively modulates KLF1 transcription factor expression in differentiating human hematopoietic cells

The onset of erythropoiesis is under strict developmental control, with direct and indirect inputs influencing its derivation from the hematopoietic stem cell. A major regulator of this transition is KLF1/EKLF, a zinc finger transcription factor that plays a global role in all aspects of erythropoiesis. Here, we have identified a short, conserved enhancer element in KLF1 intron 1 that is important for establishing optimal levels of KLF1 in mouse and human cells. Chromatin accessibility of this site exhibits cell-type specificity and is under developmental control during the differentiation of human CD34+ cells towards the erythroid lineage. This site binds GATA1, SMAD1, TAL1, and ETV6. In vivo editing of this region in cell lines and primary cells reduces KLF1 expression quantitatively. However, we find that, similar to observations seen in pedigrees of families with KLF1 mutations, downstream effects are variable, suggesting that the global architecture of the site is buffered towards keeping the KLF1 genetic region in an active state. We propose that modification of intron 1 in both alleles is not equivalent to complete loss of function of one allele.

Assessment of Energy–Economy and Environmental Performance of Perennial Crops in Terms of Biogas Production

Biogas production plays an important role in the clean energy economy and is reducing the problems of the energy crisis. The main objective of the current study is to analyze environmental performance by using perennial energy crops in the agricultural sector. Perennial energy crops are neutral for carbon and can be used for electricity and heating, which may mitigate climate change as well. The purpose of this work was to investigate and compare the energy–economy effectiveness and environmental performance of the suitability of four perennial crops for biogas production. Environmental performance was analyzed using the method of the life cycle assessment. To identify the most environmentally sustainable perennial crops for biogas production, a comparative analysis was conducted on four different crops: Lucerne, Miscanthus, Switchgrass, and Reed canary grass. The results of the analysis showed that Lucerne and Miscanthus, during the first–sixth years period, have lower indirect energy input (from 15.2 to 3.2 GJ/ha and 15.6 to 3.2 GJ/ha) than Switchgrass (from 20.9 to 3.2 GJ/ha) and Reed canary grass (from 16.7 to 3.2 GJ/ha). However, the highest direct energy input was determined by Lucerne (from 15.7 to 1.6 GJ/ha), and Miscanthus (from 11.9 to 0.9 GJ/ha) compared to Switchgrass (from 7.4 to 1.8 GJ/ha) and Reed canary grass (from 8.1 to 1.6 GJ/ha). Additionally, the lowest result of the direct economy and indirect economy costs was determined by Lucerne (from 3.9 to 3.7 kEUR/ha (direct) and 9.9 to 2.1 kEUR/ha (indirect)) and by Miscanthus (from 2.4 to 4.9 kEUR/ha (direct) and 11.8 to 1.9 kEUR/ha (indirect)) compared to Switchgrass (5.9 to 5.7 kEUR/ha (direct) and 17.5 to 2.1 kEUR/ha (indirect)), and reed canary grass (from 5.3 to 4.9 kEUR/ha (direct) and 13.7 to 1.9 kEUR/ha (indirect), respectively. The assessment of environmental performance revealed that Reed canary grass and Miscanthus had a more pronounced impact on Acidification. In contrast, Lucerne and Switchgrass had a more significant impact on Eutrophication indicators. The crop cultivation of four perennial crops impacted the environment in various significant ways. Despite the varying environmental impacts of the four perennial crops, the analysis revealed that all of them have the potential to increase biogas production.

The joint effects of atmospheric dry and wet deposition on organic carbon cycling in a mariculture area in North China

In this research, the atmospheric dry and wet deposition fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) over the coastal waters around the Yangma Island in North Yellow Sea were investigated. Combining the results of this research and previous reports about the wet deposition fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in precipitation (FDOC-wet) and dry deposition fluxes of water-dissolvable organic carbon in atmospheric total suspended particles (FDOC-dry) in this area, a synthetic assessment of the influence of atmospheric deposition on the eco-environment was conducted. It was found that the annual dry deposition flux of POC was 1097.9 mg C m−2 a−1, which was approximately 4.1 times that of FDOC-dry (266.2 mg C m−2 a−1). For wet deposition, the annual flux of POC was 445.4 mg C m−2 a−1, accounting for 46.7 % that of FDOC-wet (954.3 mg C m−2 a−1). Therefore, atmospheric POC was mainly deposited through dry process with the contribution of 71.1 %, which was contrary to the deposition of DOC. Considering the indirect input of organic carbon (OC) from atmospheric deposition, that is, the new productivity supported by nutrient input from dry and wet deposition, the total OC input from atmospheric deposition to the study area could be up to 12.0 g C m−2 a−1, highlighting the important role of atmospheric deposition in the carbon cycling of coastal ecosystems. The contribution of direct and indirect input of OC through atmospheric deposition to the dissolved oxygen consumption in total seawater column was assessed to be lower than 5.2 % in summer, suggesting a relatively smaller contribution to the deoxygenation in summer in this region.

Using optogenetics to dissect rod inputs to OFF ganglion cells in the mouse retina.

Light responses of rod photoreceptor cells traverse the retina through three pathways. The primary pathway involves synapses from rods to ON-type rod bipolar cells with OFF signals reaching retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) via sign-inverting glycinergic synapses. Secondly, rod signals can enter cones through gap junctions. Finally, rods can synapse directly onto cone OFF bipolar cells. To analyze these pathways, we obtained whole cell recordings from OFF-type α RGCs in mouse retinas while expressing channelrhodopsin-2 in rods and/or cones. Optogenetic stimulation of rods or cones evoked large fast currents in OFF RGCs. Blocking the primary rod pathway with L-AP4 and/or strychnine reduced rod-driven optogenetic currents in OFF RGCs by ~1/3. Blocking kainate receptors of OFF cone bipolar cells suppressed both rod- and cone-driven optogenetic currents in OFF RGCs. Inhibiting gap junctions between rods and cones with mecloflenamic acid or quinpirole reduced rod-driven responses in OFF RGCs. Eliminating the exocytotic Ca2+ sensor, synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), from cones abolished cone-driven optogenetic responses in RGCs. Rod-driven currents were not significantly reduced after isolating the secondary pathway by eliminating Syt1 and synaptotagmin 7 (Syt7) to block synaptic release from rods. Eliminating Syt1 from both rods and cones abolished responses to optogenetic stimulation. In Cx36 KO retinas lacking rod-cone gap junctions, optogenetic activation of rods evoked small and slow responses in most OFF RGCs suggesting rod signals reached them through an indirect pathway. Two OFF cells showed faster responses consistent with more direct input from cone OFF bipolar cells. These data show that the secondary rod pathway supports robust inputs into OFF α RGCs and suggests the tertiary pathway recruits both direct and indirect inputs.

Understanding the link between industrial stimulation effect and environmental impact of sponge city: With a focus on the construction phase

‘Sponge City’ has been widely accepted as a green transformation direction of China's urbanization. Such a mid-to long-term construction strategy will bring about prominent economic stimulation effects and complicated environmental impacts, whereas the research is far from sufficiency. This study developed a methodology based on the Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment to quantify the impact of the entire supply chains and relevant pollution processes, by disaggregating nine Sponge City construction sub-sectors from the construction sector in Input-Output table and parameterizing a specific environmental matrix focusing on water and air pollutants and CO2 emission. Taken the Sponge City pilot area of Pingxiang City as a case, the evaluation of direct and overall industrial stimulation effects and embodied pollutant discharges, as well as analysis of the implicit connections, were carried out. It is found that the total inputs stimulated by Sponge City construction could reach 4.4 times of the direct input, while pollution involved by the supply chains amounts to 3%∼6% of total emission of the pilot city. The primary industry providing direct input and the service industries as indirect supporters became the main sources of water pollution. Although the inputs from the secondary industry brought about a more remarkable industrial stimulation effect, direct and indirect inputs from non-metallic mineral products, indirect inputs from metal products and the electricity industry led to noteworthy air pollution problems and global warming potential. The outcomes help promote more holistic understanding of the Sponge City construction as an emerging industry and facilitate comprehensive decisions for the sake of sustainable urban development.

Secure PIN-Entry Method Using One-Time PIN (OTP)

The regular PIN-entry method has been still the most common method of authentication for systems and networks. However, PINs are easy to be captured through various attacks, including shoulder-surfing, video-recording, and spyware. This could be attributed to the involuntary nature of entering the original PIN during authentication. In this paper, we employ an indirect input method that utilizes the addition mod 10 and a mini-challenge keypad in order to produce a one-time PIN (OTP) that obscures the original PIN. The results of our user study manifest that the proposed PIN-entry method provides better security than the existing PIN-entry methods while maintaining an acceptable level of usability. Moreover, the user feedback fully support the use of the proposed PIN-entry method in critical-security situations.

Energy use analysis for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production in the mechanized rain fed schemes eastern Sudan

The objectives of this study were to analyze energy input-output and to identify the energy use patterns for sunflower production in the mechanized rain fed agricultural schemes eastern Sudan. The results revealed that the total energy input used to produce sunflower was 1671.33 MJ ha-1 and the total energy output was 11882.83 MJ ha-1. Sunflower production was efficient in energy consumption. The result showed that the energy ratio of output to input was greater than seven. The results indicated that the average net energy, the energy productivity and the specific energy was 10211.5 MJ ha-1, 0.28 kg. MJ-1 and 3.52 MJ kg -1, respectively. Fuel energy input was the highest among the energy input items while hand labor energy input was lower. These results indicate the dependence of sunflower production in rain fed agricultural schemes eastern Sudan on machinery. This necessitated the availability and readiness of the relevant and appropriate machineries as well as sufficient amount of fuel. The results also revealed that the energy profitability was 6.11 and human energy profitability was 1165.83 MJ h-1.The direct energy input was greater than the indirect energy input. Similarly, non-renewable energy was much greater than renewable energy. The established information is useful to manage and to sustain the productivity of sunflower crop in the mechanized rain fed schemes eastern Sudan

HoloMentor

The introduction of Augmented Reality (AR) Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) in collaboration between remote and local workers, introduces new challenges given that camera views are now mobile. We introduce HoloMentor, an AR HMD-based collaborative system designed for remote instruction over live mobile views during physical tasks. Through Actionport, we provide a world-stabilized area where remote helpers can dynamically place a pointer and annotations on the physical environment. Through Actionpad, we provide an indirect input mechanism with an absolute position to the Actionport. We show how these innovations worked for participants engaged in a remote instructional task and how they supported effective and efficient communication. Finally, we provide the next steps for addressing AR on mobile views for remote instruction.