bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Gossypium hirsutum Fiber Development in Mutant Materials (xin w 139) Provides New Insights into Cotton Fiber Development
Authors: Li Chunping , Zhao Jieyin , Liu Zhongshan , Yang Yanlong , Lai Chengxia , Ma Jun , Aierxi Alifu
Published: April 2024

Cotton is the most widely planted fiber crop in the world, and improving cotton fiber quality has long been a research hotspot. The development of cotton fibers is a complex process that includes four consecutive and overlapping stages, and although many studies on cotton fiber development have been reported, most of the studies have been based on cultivars that are promoted in production or based on lines that are used in breeding. Here, we report a phenotypic evaluation of Gossypium hirsutum based on immature fiber mutant (xin w 139) and wild-type (Xin W 139) lines and a comparative transcriptomic study at seven time points during fiber development. The results of the two-year study showed that the fiber length, fiber strength, single-boll weight and lint percentage of xin w 139 were significantly lower than those of Xin W 139, and there were no significant differences in the other traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis of the RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data revealed that these seven time points could be clearly divided into three different groups corresponding to the initiation, elongation and secondary cell wall (SCW) synthesis stages of fiber development, and the differences in fiber development between the two lines were mainly due to developmental differences after twenty days post anthesis (DPA). Differential expression analysis revealed a total of 5131 unique differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 290 transcription factors (TFs), between the 2 lines. These DEGs were divided into five clusters. Each cluster functional category was annotated based on the KEGG database, and different clusters could describe different stages of fiber development. In addition, we constructed a gene regulatory network by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and identified 15 key genes that determined the differences in fiber development between the 2 lines. We also screened seven candidate genes related to cotton fiber development through comparative sequence analysis and qRT–PCR; these genes included three TFs (GH_A08G1821 (bHLH), GH_D05G3074 (Dof), and GH_D13G0161 (C3H)). These results provide a theoretical basis for obtaining an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism of cotton fiber development and provide new genetic resources for cotton fiber research.
Integrating Genome-Wide Association Study, Transcriptome and Metabolome Reveal Novel QTL and Candidate Genes That Control Protein Content in Soybean
Authors: Zhao Xunchao , Zhu Hanhan , Liu Fang , Wang Jie , Zhou Changjun , Yuan Ming , Zhao Xue , Li Yongguang , Teng Weili , Han Yingpeng , Zhan Yuhang
Published: April 2024

Protein content (PC) is crucial to the nutritional quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. In this study, a total of 266 accessions were used to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in three tested environments. A total of 23,131 high-quality SNP markers (MAF ≥ 0.02, missing data ≤ 10%) were identified. A total of 40 association signals were significantly associated with PC. Among them, five novel quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were discovered, and another 32 QTNs were found to be overlapping with the genomic regions of known quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to soybean PC. Combined with GWAS, metabolome and transcriptome sequencing, 59 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that might control the change in protein content were identified. Meantime, four commonly upregulated differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) and 29 commonly downregulated DAMs were found. Remarkably, the soybean gene Glyma.08G136900, which is homologous with Arabidopsis hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs), may play an important role in improving the PC. Additionally, Glyma.08G136900 was divided into two main haplotype in the tested accessions. The PC of haplotype 1 was significantly lower than that of haplotype 2. The results of this study provided insights into the genetic mechanisms regulating protein content in soybean.
Applying the Taguchi Method to Improve Key Parameters of Extrusion Vacuum-Forming Quality
Authors: Chen Dyi-Cheng , Chen Der-Fa , Huang Shih-Ming
Published: April 2024

This research investigates the control of thickness and weight in plastic extrusion vacuum-thermoforming products to identify optimal key parameters for cost reduction and energy savings. The initial step involves identifying crucial influencing factors. In this step, the Delphi technique was employed through a questionnaire administered to a panel of expert scholars to ensure minimal error and maximal reliability in determining key influencing factors. Consensus was sought to establish appropriateness and consistency. Subsequently, the Taguchi method was applied for quality design and planning of the extrusion vacuum-forming process. The experimental design parameters were selected using an L18 (21 × 37) orthogonal array, and the desired quality characteristics were determined. Comparative analysis of quantitative production data from two consecutive experiments was conducted, and based on F-values and contribution analysis, the combination of control factors maximizing the Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio was identified. The objective is to seek optimal parameters for improving the quality of the plastic polypropylene (PP cup lid) manufacturing process, reducing process variability, and identifying the most robust production conditions. Through multiple actual production prediction experiments, it was determined that five control factors, “polypropylene new material ratio,” “T-die lips adjustment thickness”, “mirror wheel temperature stability”, “molding vacuum pressure time”, and “forming mold area design”, contribute to the maximization of the S/N ratio, i.e., minimizing variability. Statistical validation confirms a significant improvement in product quality and weight control. Noteworthily, the quality control model and experimental design parameters established in this study are also applicable to other plastic products and bio-based materials, such as PET, HIPS, and biodegradable PLA lids with added calcium carbonate. The results of the experimental production demonstrate its ability to consistently control product weight within the range of 3.4 ± 0.1 g, approaching the specified tolerance limits. This capability results in approximately 2.6% cost savings in product weight, contributing significantly to achieving a company’s KPI goals for environmental conservation, energy efficiency, and operational cost reduction. Therefore, the findings of this study represent a substantial and tangible contribution.
Preparation of Activated Carbon-Reinforced Composite Beads Based on MnO2/MCM-41@Fe3O4 and Calcium Alginate for Efficient Removal of Tetracycline in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Zheng Zhigong , Shi Ronghui , Zhang Xiaoping , Ni Yonghao , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2024

Tetracycline (TC) is a common antibiotic; when untreated TC enters the environment, it will cause a negative impact on the human body through the food chain. In the present study, MnO2/MCM-41@Fe3O4 (FeMnMCM) prepared using a hydrothermal and redox method and Camellia oleifera shell-activated carbon (COFAC) prepared through alkali activation were encapsulated using alginate (ALG) and calcium chloride as a cross-linking matrix to give the composite beads COFAC–FeMnMCM–ALG. The resultant COFAC–FeMnMCM–ALG composite beads were then carefully characterized, showing a high immobilization of MnO2/MCM-41@Fe3O4, with porous COFAC as an effective bioadsorbent for enriching the pollutants in the treated samples. These bead catalysts were subsequently applied to the oxidative degradation of TC in a Fenton oxidation system. Several parameters affecting the degradation were investigated, including the H2O2 concentration, catalyst dosage, initial TC concentration, and temperature. A very high catalytic activity towards the degradation of TC was demonstrated. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching results showed that ·OH and ·O2− were generated in the system, with ·OH as the main radical species. In addition, the COFAC–FeMnMCM–ALG catalyst exhibited excellent recyclability/reusability. We conclude that the as-prepared COFAC–FeMnMCM–ALG composite beads, which integrate MnO2 and Fe3O4 with bioadsorbents, provide a new idea for the design of catalysts for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and have great potential in the Fenton oxidation system to degrade toxic pollutants.
Mimicking the Physicochemical Properties of the Cornea: A Low-Cost Approximation Using Highly Available Biopolymers
Authors: Hernández Juan , Panadero-Medianero Concepción , Arrázola Macarena S. , Ahumada Manuel
Published: April 2024

Corneal diseases represent a significant global health challenge, often resulting in blindness, for which penetrating keratoplasty is the clinical gold standard. However, in cases involving compromised ocular surfaces or graft failure, osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP) emerges as a vital yet costly and complex alternative. Thus, there is an urgent need to introduce soft biomaterials that mimic the corneal tissue, considering its translation’s physicochemical, biological, and economic costs. This study introduces a cross-linked mixture of economically viable biomaterials, including gelatin, chitosan, and poly-D-lysine, that mimic corneal properties. The physicochemical evaluation of certain mixtures, specifically gelatin, chitosan, and poly-D-lysine cross-linked with 0.10% glutaraldehyde, demonstrates that properties such as swelling, optical transmittance, and thermal degradation are comparable to those of native corneas. Additionally, constructs fabricated with poly-D-lysine exhibit good cytocompatibility with fibroblasts at 72 h. These findings suggest that low-cost biopolymers, particularly those incorporating poly-D-lysine, mimic specific corneal characteristics and have the potential to foster fibroblast survival. While further studies are required to reach a final corneal-mimicking solution, this study contributes to positioning low-cost reagents as possible alternatives to develop biomaterials with physicochemical properties like those of the human cornea.
Impact of Copolymer Architecture on Demicellization and Cargo Release via Head-to-Tail Depolymerization of Hydrophobic Blocks or Branches
Authors: Gioldasis Christos , Gkamas Apostolos , Vlahos Costas
Published: April 2024

Utilizing molecular dynamics simulations, we explored the demicellization and cargo release dynamics of linear and miktoarm copolymers, featuring one, two, and three hydrophobic blocks or branches, each capable of head-to-tail depolymerization. Our findings revealed that, under stoichiometric trigger molecule concentrations, miktoarms with three branches exhibited consistently faster depolymerization rates than those with two branches and linear copolymers. Conversely, at constant trigger molecule concentrations, the depolymerization rates of copolymers exhibited more complex behaviors influenced by two opposing factors: the excess of trigger molecules, which increased with a decrease in the number of hydrophobic branches or blocks, and simultaneous head-to-tail depolymerization, which intensified with an increasing number of branches. Our study elucidates the intricate interplay between copolymer architecture, trigger molecule concentrations, and depolymerization dynamics, providing valuable insights for the rational design of amphiphilic copolymers with tunable demicellization and cargo release properties.
Occurrence and Removal of Microplastics in Tertiary Wastewater Treatment Plants: A Case Study of Three Plants in Zhengzhou, China
Authors: Li Yang , Qin Tongtong , Bai Xinjie , Wu Wenjing , Chen Xudong , Shen Minghui , Qin Liwen , Dou Yanyan , Duan Xuejun
Published: April 2024

Microplastics have been widely detected in wastewater treatment plants, but there is still a significant dearth of research data on the removal efficiency of microplastics in such plants. The present study focused on three wastewater treatment plants situated in Zhengzhou, China. On-site sampling and Raman spectrum detection techniques were employed to identify microplastics in both wastewater and sludge samples, while the removal efficiency of microplastics was quantified for each plant. Results showed that the abundance of microplastics in influent exhibited ranging from 147.5 ± 2.6 to 288.8 ± 11.8 n/L, while the range in sludge samples was from 12,024.7 ± 1737.0 n/kgdw to 20,818.4 ± 5662.0 n/kgdw. The removal efficiencies of microplastics in the three WWTPs ranged from 76.2% to 91.2%. The primary components of microplastics were generally identified as fibers ranging in size from 10 to 100 μm. The samples collectively exhibited a total of seven distinct colors, with the predominant proportion being transparent. Polypropylene was the polymer type with the highest proportion. The sludge in WWTPs plays a pivotal role in the accumulation of MPs from wastewater bodies, necessitating increased attention toward its proper disposal in future endeavors.
Reliability Analysis of Dynamic Sealing Performance in the Radial Hydraulic Drilling Technique
Authors: Chai Lin , Liu Yongsheng , Chen Guoqiang , Sun Qiang , Gao Wenlong , Dou Zijun
Published: April 2024

Traditional coiled tubing radial drilling with the same diameter cannot support deep and ultra-deep wells for high-pressure hydraulic jet drilling due to small diameter and sizeable hydraulic loss over long distances. The novel downhole movable pipe radial hydraulic drilling technique extracts a small diameter high-pressure injection pipe from the (tubing pipe) oil pipe and then drills it horizontally into the formation to form a radial hole. Dynamic sealing is the core of this technology, which achieves high-pressure fluid sealing while ensuring the injection pipe smoothly slides out of the oil pipe. A sealing tool is designed between the tubing and the injection pipe to prevent the leakage of high-pressure fluid. In this paper, the finite element model of the sealing tool was established, and the deformation and stress of the sealing tool under different interference and fluid pressure were simulated and analyzed. The relationship between stress distribution and contact pressure under the corresponding conditions was obtained. The results show that the von Mises stress increases significantly with the increase in fluid pressure under certain interference conditions. When the fluid pressure was 35 MPa, 52 MPa, and 70 MPa, the maximum von Mises stress was 29.65 MPa, 30.87 MPa, and 32.47 MPa, respectively, within a reasonable range. The stress peak area changes simultaneously, indicating that the possible damage location changes with the fluid pressure change. The maximum contact pressure between the sealing ring and the smooth rod increases with interference and fluid pressure, which always meets the sealing conditions. A laboratory test bench was built to test the high-pressure sealing performance of the sealing tool. Combined with the simulation data and test results, the downhole continuous rod dynamic sealing tool was modified to provide theoretical guidance for practical application.
Study of Acid Fracturing Strategy with Integrated Modeling in Naturally Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Cao Xusheng , Ren Jichuan , Xin Shunyuan , Guan Chencheng , Zhao Bing , Xu Peixuan
Published: April 2024

Natural fractures and wormholes strongly influence the performance of acid fracturing in naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs. This work uses an integrated model to study the effects of treatment parameters in acid fracturing in different reservoir conditions. Hydraulic fracture propagation, wormhole propagation, complex fluid leak-off mediums, and heat transfer are considered in the modeling. The model is validated in several steps by analytical solutions. The simulation results indicated that natural fractures and wormholes critically impact acid fracturing and can change the predicted outcomes dramatically. The high permeability reservoirs with conductive natural fractures or low permeability reservoirs with natural fracture networks showed the highest stimulation potential in applying acid fracturing technology. The optimal acid injection rate depends on natural fracture geometry and reservoir permeability. This study also observed that obtaining a high production index is difficult because natural fractures and wormholes reduce the acid efficiency during acid fracturing. Building an acid-etched fracture system consisting of acid-etched natural fractures and hydraulic fractures may help us better stimulate the naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs. The paper illustrates a better understanding of the effects of the treatment design parameters on productivity. It paves a path for the optimal design of acid fracturing treatment for heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs.
A Fault Diagnosis Method for Ultrasonic Flow Meters Based on KPCA-CLSSA-SVM
Authors: Chen Ziyi , Zhao Weiguo , Shen Pingping , Wang Chengli , Jiang Yanfu
Published: April 2024

To enhance the fault diagnosis capability for ultrasonic liquid flow meters and refine the fault diagnosis accuracy of support vector machines, we employ Levy flight to augment the global search proficiency. By utilizing circle chaotic mapping to establish the starting locations of sparrows and refining the sparrow position with the highest fitness value, we propose an enhanced sparrow search algorithm termed CLSSA. Subsequently, we optimize the parameters of support vector machines using this algorithm. A support vector machine classifier based on CLSSA has been constructed. Given the intricate data collected from ultrasonic liquid flow meters for diagnostic purposes, the approach of employing KPCA to decrease data dimensionality is implemented, and a KPCA-CLSSA-SVM algorithm is proposed to achieve fault diagnosis in ultrasonic flow meters. By using UCI datasets, the findings indicate that KPCA-CLSSA-SVM achieves fault diagnosis accuracies of 94.12%, 100.00%, 97.30%, and 100% in the four flow meters, respectively. Compared with the Bayesian classifier diagnostic algorithm, this has been increased by 4.18%. And compared with support vector machine diagnostic algorithms improved by the SSA, it has increased by 2.28%.
Properties of Carbonic Anhydrase-Containing Active Coatings for CO2 Capture
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Zhou Rui , Yang Haoran , Liang Zimu , Yao Yuxiang , Yu Zhipeng , Du Mingsai , Lou Diming , Li Ke
Published: April 2024

Carbonic anhydrase (CA)-based biological CO2 capture is emerging as a prominent carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. We developed a tagged CA–Ferritin chimera, resulting in a high-purity, high-activity, micrometer-sized CA aggregate, SazF, with a yield of 576.6 mg/L (protein/medium). SazF has an optimum temperature of 50 °C and demonstrates thermal stability between 40 and 60 °C. It operates efficiently in Tris–HCl buffer (pH = 8–9), making it compatible with ship exhaust conditions. For enhanced stability and reusability, SazF was encapsulated in SiO2 and integrated into an epoxy resin to produce a corrosion-active coating. This coating, applied to foam metal fillers, showed less than 3% protein leakage after ten days and retained over 70% activity after a month at 60 °C. This simple preparation method and the cost-effective production of these biomaterials that can continuously and efficiently absorb CO2 in high-temperature environments are suitable for most CO2 capture devices. They have a broad application prospect in the field of industrial carbon capture.
Procedure for Aggregating Indicators of Quality and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the Product-Improvement Process
Authors: Pacana Andrzej , Siwiec Dominika
Published: April 2024

Sustainable product development requires combining aspects, including quality and environmental. This is a difficult task to accomplish. Therefore, procedures are being sought to combine these aspects in the process of product improvement. Therefore, the objective of the investigation was to develop a procedure that supports the integration of quality-level indicators and life-cycle assessment (LCA) to determine the direction of product improvement. The procedure involves determining the quality indicators based on the expectations of the customer, which are subsequently processed using the formalised scoring method (PS). A life-cycle assessment index is determined for the main environmental impact criterion. According to the proposed mathematical model, these indicators are aggregated, and this process takes into account their importance in terms of product usefulness and environmental friendliness. Interpretations of the results and the direction of product improvement are from the results obtained from the modified IPA model (importance–performance analysis). The procedure is used in the verification of product prototypes, wherein the proposed approach, and its test, was carried out for a self-cooling beverage can (and its alternatives) with a “chill-on-demand” system, which is a technology supporting rapid cooling on demand. The life-cycle assessment was carried out to assess the carbon footprint, which is crucial for activities to reduce greenhouse gases. The direction of improvement of this product was shown to concern the selection of transport means, the reduction of energy use in the production phase, or the change of the method of opening the can. What is original is the proposal of a procedure for integrating the quality indicator and the life-cycle assessment indicator, taking into account the key environmental burden. The procedure can be used in manufacturing companies when designing and improving products in terms of their sustainable development.
An Arab Jew Reads the Quran: On Isaac Yahuda’s Hebrew Commentary on the Islamic Scripture
Authors: Hussein Mostafa
Published: April 2024

How did an Arab Jew read the Quran against the backdrop of contradictory ideologies and the rise of key movements, including nationalism, colonialism, and Zionism, in Mandate Palestine? Approaching Isaac Yahuda as an Arab Jew challenges the binary opposition between Arabs and Jews in Zionist discourse, a linkage perceived as inconceivable, and on the other hand, that linkage is asserted, contested, and tested in the context of nationalism. This article also challenges the advancement of Jewish singularity and superiority by exploring how Jewish writers interacted with the Islamic scripture in Mandatory Palestine rather than dismissing it. This article examines Hebrew interpretation of various passages from the Quran that produced an understanding of the Quran that advanced Zionist ideals, including the nationalization of contested religious sites and the consolidation of the indigeneity of Jews in the East. Isaac Yahuda’s Hebrew commentary on the Quran challenged his Arab Jewishness in such a divisive nationalist atmosphere in Mandate Palestine. His hybrid background and dynamic connections with both Jews and Arabs enabled him to navigate these turbulent times by invoking the Quran, demonstrating respect for it, and at the same time challenging the understanding of his contemporary Muslims while utilizing German Jewish scholarship on the origins of Islam.
A Micro-Motion Parameters Estimation Method for Multi-Rotor Targets without a Prior
Authors: Ren Jianfei , Liang Jia , Wang Huan , Li Kai-ming , Luo Ying , Zhao Dongtao
Published: April 2024

Multi-rotor aircraft have the advantages of a simple structure, low cost, and flexible operation in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) family, and have developed rapidly in recent years. Radar surveillance and classification of the growing number of multi-rotor aircraft has become a challenging problem due to their low-slow-small (LSS) characteristics. Estimation of the blade number is an important step in distinguishing LSS targets. However, most of the current research on micro-motion parameters estimation has focused on the analysis of rotational frequency, length, and the initial phase of blades with a prior of blade number, affecting its ability to identify LSS targets. In this article, a micro-motion parameters estimation method for multi-rotor targets without a prior is proposed. On the basis of estimating the flashing frequency of the blades, a validation function is constructed through spectral analysis to judge the number of blades, and then the rotational frequency is estimated. The blade length is calculated by estimating the maximum Doppler shift. Moreover, the variational mode decomposition (VMD)-based atomic scaling orthogonal matching pursuit (AS-OMP) method is jointly applied to estimate the blade length when suffering from the low PRF and insufficient SNR conditions. Extensive experiments on the simulated and measured data demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms robust micro-motion parameter estimation capability in low PRF and insufficient SNR conditions compared to the traditional time-frequency analysis methods.
Instantaneous Frequency Extraction for Nonstationary Signals via a Squeezing Operator with a Fixed-Point Iteration Method
Authors: Li Zhen , Gao Zhaoqi , Sun Fengyuan , Gao Jinghuai , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2024

The instantaneous frequency (IF) is an important feature for the analysis of nonstationary signals. For IF estimation, the time–frequency representation (TFR)-based algorithm is used in a common class of methods. TFR-based methods always need the representation concentrated around the “true” IFs and the number of components within the signal. In this paper, we propose a novel method to adaptively estimate the IFs of nonstationary signals, even for weak components of the signals. The proposed technique is not based on the TFR: it is based on the frequency estimation operator (FEO), and the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) is used as its basis. As we know, the FRO is an exact estimation of the IF for weak frequency-modulated (FM) signals, but is not appropriate for strong FM modes. Through theoretical derivation, we determine that the fixed points of the FEOwith respect to the frequency are equivalent to the ridge of the STFT spectrum. Furthermore, the IF of the linear chirp signals is just the fixed points of the FEO. Therefore, we apply the fixed-point algorithm to the FEO to realize the precise and reliable estimation of the IF, even for highly FM signals. Finally, the results using synthetic and real signals show the utility of the proposed method for IF estimation and that it is more robust than the compared method. It should be noted that the proposed method employing the FEO only computes the first-order differential of the STFT for the chirp-like signals, while it can provide a result derived using the second-order estimation operator. Moreover, this new method is effective for the IF estimation of weak components within a signal.
Analysis of Height of the Stable Boundary Layer in Summer and Its Influencing Factors in the Taklamakan Desert Hinterland
Authors: Yang Guocheng , Shu Wei , Wang Minzhong , Mao Donglei , Pan Honglin , Zhang Jiantao
Published: April 2024

Stable boundary layer height (SBLH) is an important parameter to characterize the characteristics and vertical structure of the nocturnal lower atmosphere at night. The distribution of SBLH has obvious spatial and temporal differences, and there are many meteorological factors affecting the SBLH, but at present, there are few quantitative studies on the effects of near-surface meteorological factors on the SBLH in the desert hinterland. This study was based on GPS sounding balloon data, near-surface meteorological observation data, and ERA5 data from Tazhong Station (TZ) in the Taklamakan Desert (TD) collected in July 2017, 2019, and 2021. The variation characteristics of the SBLH and its relationship with near-surface meteorological factors are described. We quantitatively analyzed the degree of influence of near-surface meteorological factors affecting the SBLH and verified it using a model. The study also elucidates the possible formation mechanism of the SBLH in the TD hinterland. The SBLH in the TD hinterland trended upward in July 2017, 2019, and 2021, which is consistent with the changes in meteorological factors, according to the near-surface meteorological observation and ERA5 data. Therefore, we think that an inherent connection exists between near-surface meteorological factors and the SBLH. The results of correlation analysis show that complex internal connections and interactions exist among the meteorological factors near the ground; some thermal, dynamic, and other meteorological factors strongly correlate with the SBLH. Having established the change in SBLH (ΔSBLH) and in major thermal, dynamic, and other meteorological factors (Δ), the linear regression equation between them revealed that near-surface meteorological factors can affect the SBLH. The dynamic factors have a stronger influence on the ΔSBLH than thermal and other factors. The results of model validation based on the variable importance projection (VIP) also confirmed that the SBLH in the TD hinterland is jointly affected by dynamic and thermal factors, but the dynamic factors have a stronger impact. The mechanism through which the SBLH forms is relatively complex. At night, surface radiative cooling promotes the formation of a surface inversion layer, and low-level jets strengthen wind shear, reducing atmospheric stability. The combined effects of heat and dynamics play an important role in dynamically shaping the SBLH. This study helps us with accurately predicting and understanding the characteristics of the changes in and the factors influencing the SBLH in the TD hinterland, providing a reference for understanding the mechanism through which the SBLH forms in this area. At the same time, it provides a scientific basis for regional weather and climate simulation, meteorological disaster defense, air quality forecasting, and model parameterization improvement.
Remote Sensing Image Dehazing via a Local Context-Enriched Transformer
Authors: Nie Jing , Xie Jin , Sun Hanqing
Published: April 2024

Remote sensing image dehazing is a well-known remote sensing image processing task focused on restoring clean images from hazy images. The Transformer network, based on the self-attention mechanism, has demonstrated remarkable advantages in various image restoration tasks, due to its capacity to capture long-range dependencies within images. However, it is weak at modeling local context. Conversely, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are adept at capturing local contextual information. Local contextual information could provide more details, while long-range dependencies capture global structure information. The combination of long-range dependencies and local context modeling is beneficial for remote sensing image dehazing. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a CNN-based adaptive local context enrichment module (ALCEM) to extract contextual information within local regions. Subsequently, we integrate our proposed ALCEM into the multi-head self-attention and feed-forward network of the Transformer, constructing a novel locally enhanced attention (LEA) and a local continuous-enhancement feed-forward network (LCFN). The LEA utilizes the ALCEM to inject local context information that is complementary to the long-range relationship modeled by multi-head self-attention, which is beneficial to removing haze and restoring details. The LCFN extracts multi-scale spatial information and selectively fuses them by the the ALCEM, which supplements more informative information compared with existing regular feed-forward networks with only position-specific information flow. Powered by the LEA and LCFN, a novel Transformer-based dehazing network termed LCEFormer is proposed to restore clear images from hazy remote sensing images, which combines the advantages of CNN and Transformer. Experiments conducted on three distinct datasets, namely DHID, ERICE, and RSID, demonstrate that our proposed LCEFormer achieves the state-of-the-art performance in hazy scenes. Specifically, our LCEFormer outperforms DCIL by 0.78 dB and 0.018 for PSNR and SSIM on the DHID dataset.
Community Social Capital Enhances the Subjective Well-Being of Urban Residents: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flourishing and Moderating Effect of Educational Attainment
Authors: Deng Xiangshu , Wei Zhenyu , Lu Hang , Tu Chunfang , Yang Yanrong
Published: April 2024

According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, the interaction between micro- and macro-factors improves human development. Previous studies suggest that community social capital, which refers to the interaction between residents and communities, promotes the subjective well-being of residents in residential communities. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study explored the link between community social capital and life satisfaction among urban residents and examined the mediating role of psychological flourishing and moderating effect of educational level. Data were obtained from a cross-community survey of 816 urban residents in China aged 20–60 years. The results indicated that psychological flourishing mediated the link between community social capital and life satisfaction among urban residents after controlling for gender, age, marital status, dwelling time, and monthly income. Furthermore, educational attainment moderated the association between community social capital and psychological flourishing. The mediating effect of psychological flourishing was stronger among residents with low educational attainment than those with high educational attainment, indicating that the benefits of community social capital were greater among the former group. This study extends our knowledge of the effect of community social capital on urban residents’ subjective well-being, including its role in reducing educational inequality in human well-being.
Interactive Learning with iPads and Augmented Reality: A Sustainability-Oriented Approach to Teaching Plastics Chemistry
Authors: Syskowski Sabrina , Lathwesen Chantal , Maurer Nikolai , Siol Antje , Eilks Ingo , Huwer Johannes
Published: April 2024

As the use of handheld devices continues to proliferate in both private and educational sectors, critical questions emerge concerning the end-of-life management of materials and strategies to curtail waste generation. Augmented reality (AR) technology presents novel avenues for engaging students in science education. This paper presents a novel didactic methodology through a tablet-based, digitally enriched learning scenario that focuses on the properties, synthesis, substitution, and recycling of plastics, particularly in the context of iPads. The scenario utilizes AR technology to provide new perspectives on plastics’ chemistry, fostering interest and understanding. Additionally, the present study employs quantitative methods to investigate the impact on situational interest and understanding concerning learning with iPads and learning about plastics used in iPads on students. The analysis also includes an examination of attitudes toward learning experiences based on AR. A total of 65 secondary students participated in the study. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate on context-based learning and its impact on students’ interest and engagement in science education.
Variations in δ13CDIC and Influencing Factors in a Shallow Macrophytic Lake on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau: Implications for the Regional Carbon Cycle and Sustainable Development
Authors: Jin Yanxiang , Jin Xin
Published: April 2024

Lake carbon cycle in lake ecosystems is critical for regional carbon management. The application of carbon isotope techniques to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems can accurately elucidate carbon flow and carbon cycling. Lake ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau are fragile and sensitive to climate and environment changes, and the carbon cycle impact on the carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in these systems has not been well studied, limiting the ability to devise effective management strategies. This study explored the relationship among the δ13C position of the DIC (δ13CDIC) in Genggahai Lake, the lake environment, and the climate of the watershed based on the observed physicochemical parameters of water in areas with different types of submerged macrophyte communities, combined with concomitant temperature and precipitation changes. Overall, the Genggahai Basin δ13CDIC exhibited a large value range; the average δ13CDIC for inflowing spring water was the most negative, followed by the Shazhuyu River, and then lake water. Variations in the photosynthetic intensity of different aquatic plants yielded significantly changing δ13CDIC-L values in areas with varied aquatic plant communities. Hydrochemical observations revealed that δ13CDIC-I and aquatic plant photosynthesis primarily affected the differences in the δ13CDIC-L values of Genggahai Lake, thereby identifying them as the key carbon cycle components in the lake. This improves the understanding of the carbon cycle mechanism of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Lake ecosystem, which is beneficial to improving sustainable lake development strategies.
An Exploratory Grounded Theory Approach: Unveiling the Impact Mechanism Model of Collaborative Dynamics between Green Production and Living
Authors: Ge Wenyue , Du Jianguo , Ali Kishwar
Published: April 2024

In response to the intensifying compression of resources and the environment associated with rapid industrial growth and increasing living standards, green production and sustainable living have developed essential facts for ecologically conscious progress. Despite the potential benefits of synergy, the complex relationship between green production and living organisms presents challenges that have not been thoroughly explored. This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing a comprehensive mechanism model that elucidates the collaboration between green production and life. Using comprehensive interviews and grounded theory procedures, this study, situated within the supply and demand context, precisely undoes the important basics and academic foundations of the synergy association between green production and living. The outcomes of this study disclose prominent insights: Firstly, collaborative perception, collective ability, and a cooperative atmosphere develop as substantial features with a significant effect on the synergy between green production and living, with resource environments having an indirect impact through their stimulus on synergy capacity. Secondly, the synergy efforts in green production and living, propelled by policy, social, and market environments, display characteristic features. Thirdly, the moderate perception of green production and living relationship is divided into the following four visible facets: educating a demand market for green supply, meeting green demand, catalyzing demand through green supply, and pushing supply through green demand. This paper proposes valuable recommendations, providing targeted policy designs and execution pathways for legislative entities looking for operative intercessions to adoptive collective activities in green production and living.
Sustainable Environmental Communication Project: Eco-Friendly and Sensory Materials for Museums
Authors: Cellucci Cristiana , Villani Teresa
Published: April 2024

In the context of large museum centers, numerous national and international methodological experiments show the need to consider, in wayfinding design, both the intangible issues of experience arising from perception and involvement (user-centered design), and social and environmental issues (environment-centered design). The aim of this research is to propose a tool for organizing integrated information on so-called smart materials that takes both perspectives into account. This study was performed by conducting a two-phase systematic literature and library review of materials. Specifically, 63 scientific articles—selected by keywords, publication date and content—and 7 national and international material libraries were investigated. The investigation highlighted how the sensory characteristics of wayfinding materials in museums are treated separately from the environmental characteristics and how the quality of the technical information of the materials filed in the material libraries could be improved. The result of the research concerns the structuring of a ‘standard sheet’ for the cataloguing of materials that integrates technical (sensory and environmental) information while also offering a contextualization of the material within wayfinding application cases in known museums. The proposed tool facilitates designers in the selection of materials to be adopted in the wayfinding project, offering information both on their ability to offer alternative communication channels in response to different users’ sense–perceptual functioning and on their quantitative environmental impact properties. This study conducted through the integration of different multidisciplinary fields (technological approach to design, inclusive design, environmental psychology, material science, visual communication, environmental protection related to people’s well-being) offers a significant contribution in the context of museum wayfinding design, providing stakeholders with practical tools to select materials that promote inclusion and sustainability.
Opportunities and Barriers to Composting in a Municipal Context: A Case Study in São José dos Campos, Brazil
Authors: Pereira Vanessa Rodrigues , Fiore Fabiana Alves
Published: April 2024

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) is a global challenge of a complex nature. The organic fraction of rapidly degrading MSW, which can be recycled via composting provided it is segregated at the source, is an incipient or non-existent practice in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the barriers and opportunities for composting MSW based on the perception of local stakeholders through a qualitative and quantitative exploratory case study in the municipality of São José dos Campos (SP). The study identified and interviewed local stakeholders engaged in composting in the territory, surveying the local market for organic agricultural inputs. Education, infrastructure, and social influence were the main factors that led to the decision to start composting. For home composting, the efficiency of generated waste diversion is from 42% to 59%, and management difficulties at the beginning of the practice are recurrent. Engaging people is the main challenge of community initiatives and 32% ended their composting activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vermicomposting can be an opportunity to value organic waste in the local market. The insights gleaned from the perceptions of local stakeholders provide valuable input for more effective planning within a municipal composting scheme.
Analysis of Factors Influencing the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Carbon Intensity in Western China
Authors: Yang Mingchen , Wang Lei , Hu Hang
Published: April 2024

Understanding the spatio-temporal differentiation of carbon intensity factors is crucial for setting scientific and reasonable carbon emission reduction targets. This study, based on relevant data from the western regions for the years 2010–2019, analyzes the influencing factors of the spatio-temporal distribution differences in carbon intensity in these areas. Additionally, the Grey Forecasting Model was utilized to predict the development trend of average carbon intensity in the western regions. The results indicate the following: (1) The temporal dimension of carbon intensity in the western regions shows an overall declining trend with local rebounds, while the high-value areas of spatial carbon intensity are concentrated in the northern part of the study area. (2) Per capita Gross Domestic Product, energy consumption per unit of Gross Domestic Product and investment in industrial pollution control have a positive impact on carbon intensity, whereas investment in the energy industry and per capita disposable income of residents have a negative impact. (3) Energy consumption per unit of Gross Domestic Product is the factor with the highest degree of explanation in univariate analysis; interaction detection results suggest that the core factors of spatial distribution differences in carbon intensity are energy consumption and urban development. (4) Predictions using the Grey Forecasting Model for the development of carbon intensity in the western regions show a year-by-year decline, consistent with carbon intensity control targets. Based on these conclusions, this paper proposes policy recommendations focusing on improving regional economic coordination mechanisms, increasing investment in industrial pollution control, managing energy industry expenditures, adjusting the proportion of the urban population, and enhancing the per capita disposable income of residents.
Research on Logistics Cooperation Strategy of the Retailer and the Platform Based on Paid Membership System
Authors: Wu Jiang , Hu Linxiu , He Xiuli , Zheng Xi
Published: April 2024

E-commerce platforms have widely embraced the paid membership system as a sustainable and effective customer management method to increase repurchase rates and offer value-added services to loyal consumers. As a common means of member benefits and a crucial link for interaction with direct consumers, logistics service is related to the platform’s sustainable operation. In this context, this paper studies retailers’ and e-commerce platforms’ cooperation strategies regarding logistics services under paid membership systems, and analyzes the impact of paid membership system on optimal outcomes. The results indicate that, in the case of the basic-service contract, sales profits decrease but membership fees increase as membership service quality increases. In accordance with the terms of the full-service contract, the platform would lower the commission fee and membership fee as the membership service quality improves. The retailer and the platform tend to sign basic-service contracts when the third-party logistics fee is low-cost, since there is a win–win interval. We also extend the logistics plan to include self-delivery and switch to centralized decision making, and we find that the basic-service contract’s win–win interval persisted. Our results reveal the fundamental connection between paid membership systems and logistics cooperation strategy, serving as a theoretical guide for the decision makers.
Research on Target Ranging Method for Live-Line Working Robots
Authors: Hua Guoxiang , Chen Guo , Luo Qingxin , Yan Jiyuan
Published: April 2024

Due to the operation of live-line working robots at elevated heights for precision tasks, a suitable visual assistance system is essential to determine the position and distance of the robotic arm or gripper relative to the target object. In this study, we propose a method for distance measurement in live-line working robots by integrating the YOLOv5 algorithm with binocular stereo vision. The camera’s intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, as well as distortion coefficients, are obtained using the Zhang Zhengyou calibration method. Subsequently, stereo rectification is performed on the images to establish a standardized binocular stereovision model. The Census and Sum of Absolute Differences (SAD) fused stereo matching algorithm is applied to compute the disparity map. We train a dataset of transmission line bolts within the YOLO framework to derive the optimal model. The identified bolts are framed, and the depth distance of the target is ultimately calculated. And through the experimental verification of the bolt positioning, the results show that the method can achieve a relative error of 1% in the proximity of positioning. This approach provides real-time and accurate environmental perception for symmetrical structural live-line working robots, enhancing the stability of these robots.