Open Environment Research Articles

Amylase and Cellulase Production from Newly Isolated Bacillus subtilis Using Acid Treated Potato Peel Waste.

Species belonging to the genus Bacillus produce many advantageous extracellular enzymes that have tremendous applications on a commercial scale for the textile, detergent, feed, food, and beverage industries. This study aimed to isolate potent thermo-tolerant amylolytic and cellulolytic bacterium from the local environment. Using the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology, we further optimized the amylase and cellulase activity. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus subtilis QY4. This study utilized potato peel waste (PPW) as the biomaterial, which is excessively being dumped in an open environment. Nutritional status of the dried PPW was determined by proximate analysis. All experimental runs were carried out in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing acid treated PPW as a substrate by the thermos-tolerant Bacillus subtilis QY4 incubated at 37 °C for 72 h of submerged fermentation. Results revealed that the dilute H2SO4 assisted autoclaved treatment favored more amylase production (0.601 IU/mL/min) compared to the acid treatment whereas high cellulase production (1.269 IU/mL/min) was observed in the dilute acid treatment and was found to be very effective compared to the acid assisted autoclaved treatment. The p-value, F-value, and coefficient of determination proved the significance of the model. These results suggest that PPW could be sustainably used to produce enzymes, which offer tremendous applications in various industrial arrays, particularly in biofuel production.

Level and Causes of Foreign Language Anxiety and Foreign Language Enjoyment in Indian ESL Students

Foreign language anxiety and foreign language enjoyment are two phenomena which have been studied for decades in relation to foreign language learning. This quantitative study measured the level of foreign language anxiety and foreign language enjoyment in Indian ESL students in order to shine a light on the extent to which Indian ESL students experience these phenomena. In doing so, educators, policy-makers, and curriculum developers can approach education with these phenomena in mind in order to tailor their work to student needs. Through the implementation of previously validated research methods, this study found that Indian ESL students have considerably lower levels of foreign language anxiety than average when compared with other Asian nations. It was also found that Indian ESL students have similar levels of foreign language enjoyment when compared to other Asian nations. Admiration for those who speak foreign languages as well as studying in a fun and open academic environment contributed the most to their level of foreign language enjoyment, while having their mistakes made the center of attention contributed the most to their level of foreign language anxiety.

Vegetation response in NW Mediterranean borderlands to the millennial-scale climate variability of the last glacial period

Deep-sea pollen records from the Western European margin show that during the Last Glacial period (115-27 ka), regional vegetation oscillated between steppe and open forest in response to the millennial scale climate variability, Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) cycles and Heinrich events (HE), and that the magnitude of the forest expansions during D-O warming events was modulated by orbital parameters. However, little is known about the vegetation response in the northwestern Mediterranean region. Here, we present a new well-chronologically constrained high-resolution marine pollen record from the Gulf of Lion documenting the NW Mediterranean vegetation response during Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 4 and 3. The pollen record highlights the strongest forest expansions during D-O 17-16 and D-O 8 in NW Mediterranean borderlands, likely driven by minima in precession. In this region, Heinrich Stadials (HS) 5 and 4 are marked by steppe landscapes while temperate forest surprisingly characterized HS 6. We hypothesize that the combination of minima in precession and local atmospheric and marine processes allows the development of the temperate forest in NW Mediterranean while the expansion of open environments occurred in other areas of Western Europe. In addition, our results support the hypothesis of Picea survival in NW Mediterranean during MIS 4 to 3.

Practice and Thinking of Peer Assistance Class Mentorship System in Promoting Students’ Comprehensive Development

In the current vocational education environment, the comprehensive development of students has become an important goal of education reform, which, in addition to the cultivation of professional skills, also emphasizes the cultivation of students’ ways of thinking, creative abilities and sense of social responsibility. Educational reforms in vocational colleges and universities have focused on building an open and diversified learning environment, encouraging students to develop their personal hobbies and social interaction skills while learning professional skills, as well as increasing investment in humanities, arts and science education to cultivate critical thinking and the ability to solve complex problems, so as to enable students to adapt to the fast-changing labor market while taking into account both their personal development and the needs of society. As a result, the peer-help classroom guidance system has emerged, which forms an effective educational and growth support system that enhances students’ social skills and shapes leadership and teamwork through the driving and tutoring of junior students by their senior counterparts. This paper analyzes the factors affecting the overall development of students in vocational colleges and universities, and then deduces the advantages of the peer-help class guide system, revealing the positive impact of the facts of the system on the overall development of students.

Exploiting Anytime Algorithms for Collaborative Service Execution in Edge Computing

The diversity and scarcity of resources across devices in heterogeneous computing environments can impact their ability to meet users’ quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, especially in open real-time environments where computational loads are unpredictable. Despite this uncertainty, timely responses to events remain essential to ensure desired performance levels. To address this challenge, this paper introduces collaborative service execution, enabling resource-constrained IoT devices to collaboratively execute services with more powerful neighbors at the edge, thus meeting non-functional requirements that might be unattainable through individual execution. Nodes dynamically form clusters, allocating resources to each service and establishing initial configurations that maximize QoS satisfaction while minimizing global QoS impact. However, the complexity of open real-time environments may hinder the computation of optimal local and global resource allocations within reasonable timeframes. Thus, we reformulate the QoS optimization problem as a heuristic-based anytime optimization problem, capable of interrupting and quickly adapting to environmental changes. Extensive simulations demonstrate that our anytime algorithms rapidly yield satisfactory initial service solutions and effectively optimize the solution quality over iterations, with negligible overhead compared to the benefits gained.

Enzyme initiated in situ gelation as an oxygen-tolerant, high adhesive, and versatile strategy for hydrogel coating preparation

Hydrogel coatings have great potential for applications in antifouling, biomedical, and electronic fields, but the lack of preparation strategies with mild gel-forming conditions, high adhesion, and versatility hinders their widespread use. Herein, a method called glucose oxidase (GOD)-initiated in situ gelation (GOD-IIG) is developed for preparing hydrogel coatings. The procedure includes immobilizing Fe[Gly]2 and GOD on the surface of the substrates by forming an intermediate layer using epoxy resin, and then immersing the pre-treated substrates into a monomer solution to initiate polymerization. In situ gelation on the surface of the substrates is triggered by free radicals generated through the redox reaction between ferrous glycine (Fe[Gly]2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by the GOD-catalyzed glucose oxidation process, which can be carried out in open-air environments. Using the GOD-IIG method, hydrogel coatings constructed from common low-adhesive polymers displayed an adhesive strength of up to 686 kPa and stable underwater adhesion for at least 7 days. Moreover, this method shows controllable hydrogel thickness and recyclable monomer solution for at least 25 times at room temperature. It is also applicable to a variety of hydrogel structures and substrates, such as plastic, metal, and glass, regardless of flatness or geometry. In order to demonstrate the applications of hydrogel coatings prepared by GOD-IIG method, the lubrication and antifouling abilities of the coatings were assessed, and the results indicated that the coatings had good hydration lubrication as well as oil and biofouling resistance. This method holds promise for advancing the preparation of hydrogel coatings and has potential applications in the fields of electrical, biological, and environmental engineering.

Coexistence and bistability of a modified Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with mixed movement for the predator and Holling-type II schemes

This paper centers on the analysis of the dynamics of a modified Leslie–Gower predator–prey model employing Holling-type II schemes, with the prey exhibiting pure random diffusion and the predator undergoing a mixed form of movement. The extinction of species and uniform persistence of this system are explored, and several conditions for the stability, uniqueness and multiplicity of positive steady-state solutions are derived. In contrast to the specialist and generalist predator–prey systems in open advective environments, the dynamics of this system are more intricate. It emerges that multiple positive steady-state solutions and the bistable phenomenon exist for this system when a small advection rate and a moderate predation rate are imposed. Numerical simulations reveal that the increase of diffusion rate for prey disadvantages the survival of itself and has no impact on predator invasion, while the increase of diffusion rate for predators favors the invasion of itself.

Evaluating Large Language Models with RAG Capability: A Perspective from Robot Behavior Planning and Execution

After the significant performance of Large Language Models (LLMs) was revealed, their capabilities were rapidly expanded with techniques such as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). Given their broad applicability and fast development, it's crucial to consider their impact on social systems. On the other hand, assessing these advanced LLMs poses challenges due to their extensive capabilities and the complex nature of social systems. In this study, we pay attention to the similarity between LLMs in social systems and humanoid robots in open environments. We enumerate the essential components required for controlling humanoids in problem solving which help us explore the core capabilities of LLMs and assess the effects of any deficiencies within these components. This approach is justified because the effectiveness of humanoid systems has been thoroughly proven and acknowledged. To identify needed components for humanoids in problem-solving tasks, we create an extensive component framework for planning and controlling humanoid robots in an open environment. Then assess the impacts and risks of LLMs for each component, referencing the latest benchmarks to evaluate their current strengths and weaknesses. Following the assessment guided by our framework, we identified certain capabilities that LLMs lack and concerns in social systems.

Teamwork in a Multicultural Context: The Driver of Creativity

This paper deeply explores the complex and dynamic relationship between team creativity and cultural factors and reveals how subtle cultural differences can play a dual role in shaping team creativity. Central to the study is an in-depth analysis of interactions between team members from different cultural backgrounds and how these interactions significantly influence the collective output of the team's creation. This detailed review of the extensive literature illustrates the important impact of team diversity, communication patterns, and leadership style on the profile shaping of team creativity. The center of the discussion is the dual nature of the organizational culture: it has both the potential to stimulate creativity within the team and the potential to inhibit it. Research shows that while cultural diversity brings unique perspectives and ideas that create mature environments for innovative thinking, it also presents significant challenges, including communication barriers and the generation of possible misunderstandings. Without skilled management, these problems can hamper the flow of ideas. Furthermore, this paper highlights the importance of fostering leadership styles and communication strategies for an open and supportive environment critical to thriving team creativity. In the text section, I integrate these findings into practical, actionable strategies that provide some feasible suggestions for organizations seeking to improve innovation. These strategies are deeply embedded in an understanding of cultural dynamics and aim to reform organizational practices to add some possibilities for us to achieve greater innovation and success in an increasingly diverse business world.

Biologia de nidificação de Euglossa cordata (Apidae: Euglossini) em áreas abertas no Extremo Sul Baiano

The genus Euglossa comprises a group of approximately 110 cataloged bee species found throughout the Neotropical region. Among these species, Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus, 1758) has a wide distribution in different environments. This research aimed to analyze aspects of the nesting biology of E. cordata in open areas near Atlantic Forest fragments in the Extreme South of Bahia, Brazil. Collections were carried out using PET bottle traps, a methodology commonly employed for capturing Meliponini but adapted for the first time in this study, presenting a low cost and good applicability for studies on Euglossa bees. Ten traps were randomly distributed in open environments at the Federal Institute of Bahia. Three nests of E. cordata were found, with a total of thirteen brood cells and six female emergences in traps 2 and 3. In all nests, the cells were constructed in a circular manner and arranged close to each other. The cells were built with resin and had a scalene trapezoid shape with variations in diameter and length. Studies on bees of the Euglossini tribe, popularly known as orchid bees, often focus on males collected using odor baits. Conversely, studies on females and nesting biology are scarce. Thus, methodologies that facilitate the capture of females and Euglossini nests are extremely relevant for enhancing our understanding of the group.

Energy induced carbon nanotube rapidly assemble variable interweaving networks at the carbon fiber interface

Regulating carbon fiber with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is important to improve the interface mechanical properties of composite materials. Therefore, a “thermotropic flash assembly (TFA)” process for the synthesis of CNTs in liquid phase is proposed. This work achieves the continuous and controllable formation of a micro-nano interweaving network of CNTs, with predictions made from a thermal perspective through enhancements to the process. Firstly, 12 working conditions and a large number of sample data are established by microcontrolling carbon fiber energy, and the growth thickness of CNTs is predicted by self-learning algorithm. Secondly, the “liquid-solid-solid” thermotropic growth of CNTs is proposed for the first time, which is different from the existing “gas-liquid-solid” and “gas-solid-solid” growth mechanisms of CNTs. Theoretical deductions and calculations are made for the interfacial temperature, exothermic, and endothermic energies during the growth process, which leads to the determination of a thermal growth space radius of 2.4 μm at the interface. Finally, it is found that the shear strength is increased by at least 27.7 %, although some tensile strength is sacrificed. This work not only points out the direction for low-cost, large-scale and customized control of interface properties, but also lays a theoretical foundation for exploring the growth mechanism of CNTs in an open environment at low temperature.

Bound-state-in-continuum guided modes in a multilayer electro-optically active photonic integrated circuit platform.

In many physical systems, the interaction with an open environment leads to energy dissipation and reduced coherence, making it challenging to control these systems effectively. In the context of wave phenomena, such lossy interactions can be specifically controlled to isolate the system, a condition known as a bound-state-in-continuum (BIC). Despite the recent advances in engineered BICs for photonic waveguiding, practical implementations are still largely polarization- and geometry-specific, and the underlying principles remain to be systematically explored. Here, we theoretically and experimentally study low loss BIC photonic waveguiding within a two-layer heterogeneous electro-optically active integrated photonic platform. We show that coupling to the slab wave continuum can be selectively suppressed for guided modes with different polarizations and spatial structure. We demonstrate a low-loss same-polarization quasi-BIC guided mode enabling a high extinction Mach-Zehnder electro-optic amplitude modulator within a single Si3N4 ridge waveguide integrated with an extended LiNbO3 slab layer. By elucidating the broad BIC waveguiding principles and demonstrating them in an industry-relevant photonic configuration, this work may inspire innovative approaches to photonic applications such as switching and filtering. The broader impact of this work extends beyond photonics, influencing research in other wave dynamics disciplines, including microwave and acoustics.

An Investigation into the Distribution of Fluctuating Wind Pressure and Associated Probabilistic Characteristics of Low-Rise Buildings Impacted by the Gap between the Hillside and the Building

In China’s mountainous coastal terrain, storms can badly damage low-rise buildings. At present, it is not clear how the relative position of buildings and mountains affects the surface of low-rise buildings. The study compared these results with the wind pressure distribution without the surrounding environment. The distribution of wind pressure in different hillside landforms is examined through a wind tunnel experiment, which is also compared with the distribution in an open environment. The study examined the fluctuating coefficient as the distance between the building and the hillside changed, specifically for wind blowing at a 0° angle. The investigation examined the power spectrum and wind pressure probability distribution while considering the proximity of the building to an adjacent hill. The findings indicated that as the distance between the slope and the mountain increases, the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient continues to increase, and the contour lines of the wind pressure distribution are relatively denser compared to where there is a mountain. The maximum value of the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient is 0.22, which appears at the windward roof. The roof’s wind pressure coefficient fluctuated and gradually increased until it reached its peak, unaffected by the surroundings. The wind pressure on the leeward side exhibited Gaussian characteristics in its probability distribution.

Enzymatic Synthesis and Structural Modeling of Bio-Based Oligoesters as an Approach for the Fast Screening of Marine Biodegradation and Ecotoxicity.

Given the widespread use of esters and polyesters in products like cosmetics, fishing nets, lubricants and adhesives, whose specific application(s) may cause their dispersion in open environments, there is a critical need for stringent eco-design criteria based on biodegradability and ecotoxicity evidence. Our approach integrates experimental and computational methods based on short oligomers, offering a screening tool for the rapid identification of sustainable monomers and oligomers, with a special focus on bio-based alternates. We provide insights into the relationships between the chemical structure and properties of bio-based oligomers in terms of biodegradability in marine environments and toxicity in benchmark organisms. The experimental results reveal that the considered aromatic monomers (terephthalic acid and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid) accumulate under the tested conditions (OECD 306), although some slight biodegradation is observable when the inoculum derives from sites affected by industrial and urban pollution, which suggests that ecosystems adapt to non-natural chemical pollutants. While clean seas are more susceptible to toxic chemical buildup, biotic catalytic activities offer promise for plastic pollution mitigation. Without prejudice to the fact that biodegradability inherently signifies a desirable trait in plastic products, nor that it automatically grants them a sustainable "license", this study is intended to facilitate the rational design of new polymers and materials on the basis of specific uses and applications.

Biodecolorization and biodegradation of Reactive Green 12 textile industry dye and their post-degradation phytotoxicity-genotoxicity assessments.

The employment of versatile bacterial strains for the efficient degradation of carcinogenic textile dyes is a sustainable technology of bioremediation for a neat, clean, and evergreen globe. The present study has explored the eco-friendly degradation of complex Reactive Green 12 azo dye to its non-toxic metabolites for safe disposal in an open environment. The bacterial degradation was performed with the variable concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400, and 500mg/L) of Reactive Green 12 dye. The degradation and toxicity of the dye were validated by high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier infrared spectroscopy analysis, and phytotoxicity and genotoxicity assay, respectively. The highest 97.8% decolorization was achieved within 12h. Alternations in the peaks and retentions, thus, along with modifications in the functional groups and chemical bonds, confirmed the degradation of Reactive Green 12. The disappearance of a major peak at 1450cm-1 corresponding to the -N=N- azo link validated the breaking of azo bonds and degradation of the parent dye. The 100% germination of Triticum aestivum seed and healthy growth of plants verified the lost toxicity of degraded dye. Moreover, the chromosomal aberration of Allium cepa root cell treatment also validated the removal of toxicity through bacterial degradation. Thereafter, for efficient degradation of textile dye, the bacterium is recommended for adaptation to the sustainable degradation of dye and wastewater for further application of degraded metabolites in crop irrigation for sustainable agriculture.

Personalized Feedback in Massive Open Online Courses: Harnessing the Power of LangChain and OpenAI API

Studies show that feedback greatly improves student learning outcomes, but achieving this level of personalization at scale is a complex task, especially in the diverse and open environment of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). This research provides a novel method for using cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to enhance the feedback mechanism in MOOCs. The main goal of this research is to leverage AI’s capabilities to automate and refine the MOOC feedback process, with special emphasis on courses that allow students to learn at their own pace. The combination of LangChain—a cutting-edge framework specifically designed for applications that use language models—with the OpenAI API forms the basis of this work. This integration creates dynamic, scalable, and intelligent environments that can provide students with individualized, insightful feedback. A well-organized assessment rubric directs the feedback system, ensuring that the responses are both tailored to each learner’s unique path and aligned with academic standards and objectives. This initiative uses Generative AI to enhance MOOCs, making them more engaging, responsive, and successful for a diverse, international student body. Beyond mere automation, this technology has the potential to transform fundamentally how learning is supported in digital environments and how feedback is delivered. The initial results demonstrate increased learner satisfaction and progress, thereby validating the effectiveness of personalized feedback powered by AI.

Dynamics of a generalist predator–prey model in closed advective environments

In this paper, we consider a two‐species generalist predator–prey model in closed advective environments. Compared with the model in open advective environments to the generalist predator–prey model, the dynamics of our system are different. It is easy to verify that the generalist predator can always invade. Meanwhile, we provide the dynamical behaviors of the model in terms of the intrinsic growth rates, the carrying capacity of both species, the predation rate, and the trophic conversion efficiency. More precisely, we establish the local/global stability of the semi‐trivial steady states and a unique positive equilibrium for the model.

Na-deficient P2-type layered oxide cathodes for practical sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted enormous attention as candidates in stationary energy storage systems, because of the decent electrochemical performance based on cheap and abundant Na-ion intercalation chemistry. Layered oxides, the workhorses of modern lithium-ion batteries, have regained interest for replicating their success in enabling SIBs. A unique feature of sodium layered oxides is their ability to crystallize into a thermodynamically stable P2-type layered structure with under-stoichiometric Na content. This structure provides highly open trigonal prismatic environments for Na ions, permitting high Na+ mobility and excellent structural stability. This review delves into the intrinsic characteristics and key challenges faced by P2-type cathodes and then comprehensively summarizes the up-to-date advances in modification strategies from compositional design, elemental doping, phase mixing, morphological control, and surface modification to sodium compensation. The updated understanding presented in this review is anticipated to guide and expedite the development of P2-type layered oxide cathodes for practical SIB applications.

Balancing act: Navigating the tensions between patenting practices and open science in Chilean academic research

This study aims to understand the relationship between academic patenting and secrecy in three key areas: the delay in publishing patentable results, the refusal of requests for research outcomes, and the perception of patent clarity drafting. Based on a dataset of Chilean university researchers, we conduct logistic regression models to understand the propensity to delay the publishing of patentable results, the probability of denying requests for research outcomes, and the likelihood of researchers perceiving their patents as clearly drafted. Controls used relate to the seniority of the researcher, the scientific field, whether the university is private or public, and whether the researcher previously worked with industry. Additionally, some constructs reflecting the researcher's perception regarding the patenting system within academic research were obtained through exploratory factor analysis and then incorporated as controls. The analysis reveals a positive correlation between prior patenting experience and publication delay. However, we found no correlation between previous patenting and the propensity to reject requests for research results. Both behaviors were negatively correlated to researcher seniority, gauged by the h-index, and positively correlated to forestry and agricultural technology sciences activity. Researchers who experienced denial of their requests were more likely to reciprocate refusal. Notably, a negative perception of the patent system within academic research was associated with a belief in drafting clearer patents. These findings suggest an environment of selective openness in academic networks, with researchers balancing full disclosure and secrecy. The paper studies three dimensions of secrecy in academic patenting through the novel data set. This study deepens our understanding of academic patenting practices, uncovering some complex dynamics shaping knowledge diffusion within universities.

Pore Structures and Evolution Model of Reservoirs in Different Secondary Structural Zones in the Eocene Shahejie Formation, Chezhen Sag, Bohai Bay Basin.

Although abundant unconventional oil resources have been discovered in conglomerate and sandstone reservoirs in rift basins, the mechanism of differential pore evolution in conglomerates and sandstone reservoirs within different secondary structural zones of rift basins is not yet clear. The pore structures of conglomerate and sandstone reservoirs in the distinct secondary structural zones in the Chezhen Sag were quantified in three dimensions using high-resolution microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Thin section and scanning electron microscopy observations were used to investigate the differential evolution mechanisms of conglomerate and sandstone reservoirs. Micro-CT analysis of the pore structures of conglomerate and sandstone reservoirs revealed that sandstone reservoirs are superior to conglomerate reservoirs with regard to the pore number and pore connectivity and that sandstone reservoirs are more heterogeneous than conglomerate reservoirs. Triangles dominate the pore and pore throat geometries of sandstone and conglomerate reservoirs, while the sandstone reservoir pores are more regular than conglomerate reservoir pores. The depositional environment, mineral composition, and diagenetic intensity jointly control the quality of the reservoirs. Because of the lengthy transportation distance of their parent rocks, the compositional maturity and sorting behavior of sandstone reservoirs in depression and gentle slope zones are better than those of conglomerate reservoirs in steep slope zones, and thus sandstone reservoirs have a higher initial porosity than conglomerate reservoirs. The rapid compaction experienced by the conglomerate reservoirs in steep slope zones in their early stages creates a closed diagenetic environment, making it difficult to effectively improve reservoir porosity through dissolution. However, the widely developed microfractures in the reservoirs provide channels for fluid migration, promote the development of dissolution pores, and form a tight reservoir dominated by secondary pores. With weak compaction and an open diagenetic environment, the primary pores in sandstone reservoirs in the gentle slope zone are preserved in large quantities. Meanwhile, dissolution expands the secondary pores of the reservoir, resulting in a high-quality reservoir having both primary and secondary pores. In addition, an approach based on primary, secondary, and total porosity was proposed in the study to efficiently evaluate reservoir quality and identify reservoir evolution mechanisms.