bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision Horticulture: Application of Optical Sensor Technology for Nitrogen Monitoring Status in Cocoplum, a Native Landscaping Plant
Authors: Costa Bárbara Nogueira Souza , Tucker Daniel A. , Khoddamzadeh Amir Ali
Published: February 2023

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco) is an ecologically significant native species to Southern Florida. Application of precision agriculture technologies such as optical sensors reduces the cost of over-fertilization and nutrient runoff. The aim of this work was to establish a base line sensor value for fertilizer treatment in cocoplum by monitoring chlorophyll content using the Soil Plant Analytical Development (SPAD), atLEAF, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) sensors. Initial slow-released fertilizer treatment 8N-3P-9K was used at 15 g (control), 15 g (supplemented with +15 g × 2; T1), 15 g (+15 g; T2), 30 g (+15 g × 2; T3), 30 g (+15 g; T4), and 45 g (+15 g × 2; T5). Evaluations were conducted at 0 (base reading), 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after treatment. Growth parameters, optical non-destructive chlorophyll meters, leaf and soil total nitrogen and total carbon, and total nitrogen of leachate were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the treatment using 30 g slow-released fertilizer (8N-3P-9K) supplemented twice with 15 g in November and March after the first fertilization in October provided the least contamination through runoff while still providing adequate nutrients for plant growth compared to higher fertilizer concentrations. These results demonstrate that the highest treatment of nitrogen can cause considerable losses of N, causing extra costs to producers and environmental damage due to the flow of nutrients. Thus, techniques that help in N monitoring to avoid the excessive use of nitrogen fertilization are necessary. This study can serve as a basis for future research and for nurseries and farms, since it demonstrated from the monitoring of the chlorophyll content by optical sensors and by foliar and substrate analysis that lower treatments of nitrogen fertilization are sufficient to provide nutrients suitable for the growth of cocoplum plants.
Unravelling the Concentrations of Five Rare Earth Elements in Two Vineyard Red Soils
Authors: Jiménez-Ballesta Raimundo , García-Navarro Francisco J. , Amorós José A. , Pérez-de-los-Reyes Caridad , Bravo Sandra
Published: February 2023

The La Mancha region is a primary food production area in central Spain, with extensive zones used as vineyards. This article aims to present information about rare earth elements’ (REEs) contents and deals with their distribution in two representative soil profiles (Alfisols) in this area. The presence of carbonates and a semiarid climate are its main characteristic environmental factors. Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Neodymium (Nd), Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y) concentrations were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The results revealed the following maximum REEs’ contents (mg·kg–1): Ce 93.3, La 46.8, Nd 38.6, Y 25.5 and Sc 13.0. The REEs’ concentrations in the two soil profiles were in the following order: Ce > La > Nd > Y > Sc. The application of fungicides and the addition of fertilisers in vineyards can increase the soil concentration of rare earths up to this region’s normal background levels. According to the Geo-Accumulation Index (Igeo), soil samples were non-contaminated or slightly contaminated by REEs.
Multifunctional Heterogeneous Ion-Exchange Membranes for Ion and Microbe Removal in Low-Salinity Water
Authors: Mudau Fulufhelo Hope , Hassard Francis , Motsa Machawe Mxolisi , De Kock Lueta-Ann
Published: February 2023

Here, multifunctional heterogeneous ion-exchange metal nanocomposite membranes were prepared for surface water desalination and bacterial inactivation under low-pressure (0.05 MPa) filtration conditions. Ultrafiltration (UF) heterogeneous ion exchange membranes (IEMs) were modified with different concentrations of AgNO3 and CuSO4 solutions using the intermatrix synthesis (IMS) technique to produce metal nanocomposite membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the metal nanoparticles (MNPs) (Ag and Cu) were uniformly distributed on the surface and the interior of the nanocomposite membranes. With increasing metal precursor solution concentration (0.01 to 0.05 mol·L−1), the metal content of Ag and Cu nanocomposite membranes increased from 0.020 to 0.084 mg·cm−2 and from 0.031 to 0.218 m·cm−2 respectively. Results showed that the hydrodynamic diameter diameters of Ag and Cu nanoparticles (NPs) increased from 62.42 to 121.10 nm and from 54.2 to 125.7 nm respectively, as the metal precursor concentration loaded increased. The leaching of metals from metal nanocomposite membranes was measured in a dead-end filtration system, and the highest leaching concentration levels were 8.72 ppb and 5.32 ppb for Ag and Cu, respectively. The salt rejection studies indicated that ionic selectivity was improved with increasing metal content. Bacterial filtration showed higher antibacterial activity for metal nanocomposite membranes, reaching 3.6 log bacterial inactivation.
Innovation and Winemaking By-Product Valorization: An Ohmic Heating Approach
Authors: Coelho Marta C. , Ghalamara Soudabeh , Pereira Ricardo , Rodrigues António S. , Teixeira José A. , Pintado Manuela E.
Published: February 2023

The by-products of the winemaking process can represent chances for the development of new products. This study focused on the “zero waste” strategy development for by-products generated within winemaking from white and red grape varieties cultivated in the north of Portugal. The phytochemical properties of by-products were identified and characterized. Ohmic heating (OH) as a green extraction method was also applied to grape pomace due to their unknown effects on centesimal and phytochemical compositions. Both protein and carbohydrates were shown to be higher in grape bagasse than in stems. Additionally, red bagasse is richer in bioactive compounds (BC) than white bagasse. The sugar content was 21.91 and 11.01 g/100 g of DW in red and white grape bagasse, respectively. The amount of protein was 12.46 g/100 g of DW for red grape bagasse and 13.18 g/100 g of DW for white. Regarding the extraction methods, two fractions were obtained, a liquid fraction and solid (the remainder after the methodology application). OH presented a higher antioxidant capacity than a conventional (CONV) method. In addition, both extracts presented similar contents of anthocyanins, e.g., delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-glucoside, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside. The solid fraction presented higher amounts of protein and phenols bound to fiber than CONV, which allows its use as a functional ingredient. In conclusion, OH can be an alternative extraction method compared with CONV methods, avoiding non-food grade solvents, thus contributing to circular economy implementation.
Special Issue on “Enzymatic Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers”
Authors: Peter Francisc , Boeriu Carmen Gabriela
Published: February 2023

Remarkable developments have been achieved in recent decades in terms of the utilization of isolated enzymes as green alternative catalysts in polymer science [...]
The Mechanism of Channel Opening of Anion Channelrhodopsin GtACR1: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Xin Qi , Qin Cai , Jiang Maorui , Lo Glenn V. , Dou Yusheng , Yuan Shuai
Published: February 2023

Guillardia theta anion channelrhodopsin 1 (GtACR1) is a widely used inhibitor of optogenetics with unique conductance mechanisms and photochemistry. However, the molecular mechanism of light-gated anion conduction is poorly understood without a crystal structure for the intermediate state. In this study, we built the dark-state model based on the crystal structure of retinal and isomerized the model by twisting the C12-C13=C14-C15 dihedral step by step using molecular dynamics simulation. The conformational changes revealed the all-trans to 13-cis photoisomerization of the retinal chromophore cannot open the channel. There is no water influx, and a pre-opened K-like intermediate after photoisomerization of retinal is formed. During the opening of the ion channel, proton transfer occurs between E68 and D234. Steered molecular dynamics (SMD) and umbrella sampling indicated that the E68 and D234 were the key residues for chloride-ion conducting. We propose a revised channel opening pathway model of GtACR1 after analyzing (de)protonation of E68 and D234. Reprotonation of D234 will result in two different early L intermediates, named L1-like and L1‘-like, which correspond to the L1 and L1‘ intermediates reported in a recent study. Simulation results showed that L1-like may convert by parallel paths into L1‘-like and L2-like states. This model provides conformational details for the intermediate as well.
A Review on Rotary Generators of Hydrodynamic Cavitation for Wastewater Treatment and Enhancement of Anaerobic Digestion Process
Authors: Blagojevič Marko , Rak Gašper , Bizjan Benjamin , Kolbl Repinc Sabina
Published: February 2023

The issue of ever-increasing amounts of waste activated sludge (WAS) produced from biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is pointed out. WAS can be effectively reduced in the anaerobic digestion (AD) process, where methanogens break down organic matter and simultaneously produce biogas in the absence of oxygen, mainly methane and CO2. Biomethane can then be effectively used in gas turbines to produce electricity and power a part of WWTPs. Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) has been identified as a potential technique that can improve the AD process and enhance biogas yield. Rotary generators of hydrodynamic cavitation (RGHCs) that have gained considerable popularity due to their promising results and scalability are presented. Operation, their underlying mechanisms, parameters for performance evaluation, and their division based on geometry of cavitation generation units (CGUs) are presented. Their current use in the field of wastewater treatment is presented, with the focus on WAS pre/treatment. In addition, comparison of achieved results with RGHCs relevant to the enhancement of AD process is presented.
Zygomatic Implants Research: A Scientometric Analysis from 1990 to 2021
Authors: Ramal-Sanchez Marina , Lorusso Felice , Taraschi Angela , Valbonetti Luca , Bernabò Nicola , Bugea Calogero , Scarano Antonio
Published: February 2023

Zygomatic implants imply the use of the zygoma as the implant anchorage and have been proposed as a valuable alternative to the invasive classical procedures in cases of severe maxillary atrophy. Despite the numerous manuscripts published in this field, a quantitative analysis of the research products to infer the trends and the status identification of this specific issue was missing, as well as an objective map of this area. Thus, the present scientometric study analyzed all the research papers published within the interval 1990–2021 that included the keyword “zygomatic implants”. Research papers containing the keywords “zygomatic implants” were collected using Web of Science and analyzed with Cytoscape 3.7.2 and Sci software. A total of 654 studies were published between 1990 and 2020, reaching up to 11639 citations in total, with a mean of 17.8 citations per research study. Data show that the number of publications per year is rapidly increasing, as well as the sum of citations per year. While the USA was identified as the most productive country in this field, followed by Italy, Spain, and Brazil, the National Natural Science Foundation of China stands up as the major funding agency, followed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The analysis of the keywords showed that “zygomatic fractures” represents the most common word within this field, with “complications” as the most recent keyword and “screws” as the keyword used for the longest time. The map of science representing the authors and their collaborations highlighted the existence of multiple small-size research groups that contribute to scientific production, forming highly clustered structures that do not collaborate between them. The present scientometric analysis demonstrates the rising interest in using the zygomatic implants technique as an alternative to the classical ones. The obtained data suggest that the scientific community involved in the study of such a field is highly fragmented, emphasizing the lack of communication among the scientists and research groups.
The Roots of Political Islam in 19th Century Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed Mosaad Abdelaziz
Published: February 2023

Tracing back political Islam to the French Campaign that invaded Egypt in 1798, the article argues that political Islam emerged and developed from within the folds of the modern nation state in Egypt. The article conceptualizes three historical phases: from 1805 to 1849, 1849 to 1879, and 1879 to the mid-1920s. Each of these phases is centered around a common theme that characterized the discourses, knowledge, and structures of politics, the economy and “Islam”, as they encountered the West, which are, in order, technology, civilization, and ideology. The works of Ḥasan al-ʿAṭṭār will be explored as an example of the first phase, and the works of Rifāʿah al-Ṭahṭāwī will be the example of the second phase, where Islam, as it encounters politics, becomes the foundation of state nationalism. The third phase will start with a transitional period of undifferentiated discourses, but will quickly, after the British occupation in 1882, differentiate into three political Islams: liberal, represented by Muḥammad ʿAbduh and al-Ummah Party; official, represented by ʿAlī Yūsuf and the Reform on the Constitutional Principles Party; and extra-state, radical Islamism, represented by ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Jāwiš, and the Nationalist Party. The article will explain the national and international political and economic contexts that surrounded and participated in the formations of political Islam in all its varieties. Against the popular academic conviction of rooting Ḥasan al-Bannā’s thought in Muḥammad ʿAbduh’s work, and rooting ʿAbduh in Jamāl al-Afghānī’s movement, this article will explain the rupture and contradictions between Afghānī and ʿAbduh, on the one hand, and the rooting of al-Bannā’s ideology in ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Jāwīš’s thought, on the other hand.
Global Path Planning Method Based on a Modification of the Wavefront Algorithm for Ground Mobile Robots
Authors: Psotka Martin , Duchoň František , Roman Mykhailyshyn , Michal Tölgyessy , Michal Dobiš
Published: February 2023

This article is focused on the problematics of path planning, which means finding the optimal path between two points in a known environment with obstacles. The proposed path-planning method uses the wavefront algorithm, and two modifications are implemented and verified. The first modification is the removal of redundant waypoints. The first modification is applied because the wavefront algorithm generates redundant waypoints. These waypoints cause unnecessary changes in the direction of movement. The second one is smoothing the generated trajectory using B-spline curves. The reason for applying the second modification is that trajectory generated by the wavefront algorithm is in the form of the polyline, which is inadequate in terms of the smoothness of the robot’s motion. The verification of the proposed method is performed in environments with different densities of obstacles compared with standard Dijkstra’s and A* algorithms.
WAMF-FPI: A Weight-Adaptive Multi-Feature Fusion Network for UAV Localization
Authors: Wang Guirong , Chen Jiahao , Dai Ming , Zheng Enhui
Published: February 2023

UAV localization in denial environments is a hot research topic in the field of cross-view geo-localization. The previous methods tried to find the corresponding position directly in the satellite image through the UAV image, but they lacked the consideration of spatial information and multi-scale information. Based on the method of finding points with an image, we propose a novel architecture—a Weight-Adaptive Multi-Feature fusion network for UAV localization (WAMF-FPI). We treat this positioning as a low-level task and achieve more accurate localization by restoring the feature map to the resolution of the original satellite image. Then, in order to enhance the ability of the model to solve multi-scale problems, we propose a Weight-Adaptive Multi-Feature fusion module (WAMF), which introduces a weighting mechanism to fuse different features. Finally, since all positive samples are treated in the same way in the existing methods, which is very disadvantageous for accurate localization tasks, we introduce Hanning loss to allow the model to pay more attention to the central area of the target. Our model achieves competitive results on the UL14 dataset. When using RDS as the evaluation metric, the performance of the model improves from 57.22 to 65.33 compared to Finding Point with Image (FPI). In addition, we calculate the actual distance errors (meters) to evaluate the model performance, and the localization accuracy at the 20 m level improves from 57.67% to 69.73%, showing the powerful performance of the model. Although the model shows better performance, much remains to be done before it can be applied.
Detection and Monitoring of Small-Scale Diamond and Gold Mining Dredges Using Synthetic Aperture Radar on the Kadéï (Sangha) River, Central African Republic
Authors: Alessi Marissa A. , Chirico Peter G. , Sunder Sindhuja , O’Pry Kelsey L.
Published: February 2023

Diamond and gold mining has been practiced by artisanal miners in the Central African Republic (CAR) for decades. The recent introduction of riverine dredges indicates a transition from artisanal/manual digging and sorting techniques to small-scale mining methods. This study implements a remote sensing analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to map gold and diamond dredges operating on the Kadéï (Sangha) river in the CAR. Riverine vessels are identified in Sentinel-1 SAR data between 2015 and 2019, and their activity levels are mapped over time. The number of active dredges identified on the river increased over the five years studied, with the largest increase occurring between 2016 and 2017. Detailing a method for mapping and monitoring riverine diamond and gold dredge mining is an important step in keeping up with evolving technologies and new areas of mineral exploitation and in helping address concerns over resource governance in remote and conflict-prone terrain. The use of SAR technology, with its weather-independence, broad coverage, and available wavelength combinations, allows for higher temporal resolution and improved vessel detection in the monitoring of small-scale mining (SSM) dredges.
Joint TDOA, FDOA and PDOA Localization Approaches and Performance Analysis
Authors: Li Jinzhou , Lv Shouye , Lv Liujie , Wu Sheng , Liu Yang , Nie Jing , Jin Ying , Wang Chenglin
Published: February 2023

Multi-station joint localization has important practical significance. In this paper, phase difference of arrival (PDOA) information is introduced into the joint time difference of arrival (TDOA) and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) localization method to improve the target localization accuracy. First, the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the joint TDOA, FDOA and PDOA localization approach with multi-station precise phase synchronization is derived. Then, the CRLB of the joint TDOA, FDOA and differential PDOA (dPDOA) localization method for the case of phase asynchronization between observation stations is also presented. Furthermore, the authors analyze the influence of the phase wrapping problem on localization accuracy and propose solutions to solve the phase wrapping problem based on cost functions of grid search. Finally, iterative localization algorithms based on maximum likelihood (ML) are proposed for both TDOA/FDOA/PDOA and TDOA/FDOA/dPDOA scenarios, respectively. Simulation results demonstrate the localization performance of the proposed approaches.
A New Strategy to Fuse Remote Sensing Data and Geochemical Data with Different Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Bai Shi , Zhao Jie
Published: February 2023

Geochemical data can reflect geological features, making it one of the basic types of geodata that have been widely used in mineral exploration, environmental assessment, resource potential analysis and other research. However, final decisions regarding activities are often limited by the spatial accuracy of geochemical data. Geochemical sampling is sometimes difficult to conduct because of harsh natural and geographic conditions (e.g., mountainous areas with high altitude and complex terrain), meaning that only medium/low-precision survey data could be obtained, which may not be adequate for regional geochemical mapping and exploration. Modern techniques such as remote sensing could be used to address this issue. In recent decades, the development of remote sensing technology has provided a huge amount of earth observation data with high spatial, temporal and spectral resolutions. The advantage of rapid acquisition of spatial and spectral information of large areas has promoted the broad use of remote sensing data in geoscientific research. Remote sensing data can help to differentiate various ground features by recording the electromagnetic response of the surface to solar radiation. Many problems that occur during the process of fusing remote sensing and geochemical data have been reported, such as the feasibility of existing fusion methods and low fusion accuracies that are less useful in practice. In this paper, a new strategy for integrating geochemical data and remote sensing data (referred to as ASTER data) is proposed; this strategy is achieved through linear regression as well as random forest and support vector regression algorithms. The results show that support vector regression can obtain better results for the available data sets and prove that the strategy currently proposed can effectively support the fusion of high-spatial-resolution remote sensing data (15 m) and low-spatial-resolution geochemical data (2000 m) in wide-range accurate geochemical applications (e.g., lithological identification and geochemical exploration).
A Survey on the Security Challenges of Low-Power Wireless Communication Protocols for Communicating Concrete in Civil Engineerings
Authors: Loubet Gaël , Alata Eric , Takacs Alexandru , Dragomirescu Daniela
Published: February 2023

With the increase in low-power wireless communication solutions, the deployment of Wireless Sensor Networks is becoming usual, especially to implement Cyber-Physical Systems. These latter can be used for Structural Health Monitoring applications in critical environments. To ensure a long-term deployment, battery-free and energy-autonomous wireless sensors are designed and can be powered by ambient energy harvesting or Wireless Power Transfer. Because of the criticality of the applications and the limited resources of the nodes, the security is generally relegated to the background, which leads to vulnerabilities in the entire system. In this paper, a security analysis based on an example: the implementation of a communicating reinforced concrete using a network of battery-free nodes; is presented. First, the employed wireless communication protocols are presented in regard of their native security features, main vulnerabilities, and most usual attacks. Then, the security analysis is carried out for the targeted implementation, especially by defining the main hypothesis of the attack and its consequences. Finally, solutions to secure the data and the network are compared. From a global point-of-view, this security analysis must be initiated from the project definition and must be continued throughout the deployment to allow the use of adapted, updatable and upgradable solutions.
CCIO: A Cross-Chain Interoperability Approach for Consortium Blockchains Based on Oracle
Authors: Lu Shaofei , Pei Jingru , Zhao Renke , Yu Xiaochen , Zhang Xuyang , Li Junyi , Yang Guanzhong
Published: February 2023

Cross-chain interoperability can expand the ability of data interaction and value circulation between different blockchains, especially the value interaction and information sharing between industry consortium blockchains. However, some current public blockchain cross-chain technologies or data migration schemes between consortium blockchains need help to meet the consortium blockchain requirements for efficient two-way data interaction. The critical issue to solve in cross-chain technology is improving the efficiency of cross-chain exchange while ensuring the security of data transmission outside the consortium blockchain. In this article, we design a cross-chain architecture based on blockchain oracle technology. Then, we propose a bidirectional information cross-chain interaction approach (CCIO) based on the former architecture, we novelly improve three traditional blockchain oracle patterns, and we combine a mixture of symmetric and asymmetric keys to encrypt private information to ensure cross-chain data security. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CCIO approach can achieve efficient and secure two-way cross-chain data interactions and better meet the application needs of large-scale consortium blockchains.
A Dense Mapping Algorithm Based on Spatiotemporal Consistency
Authors: Liu Ning , Li Chuangding , Wang Gao , Wu Zibin , Li Deping
Published: February 2023

Dense mapping is an important part of mobile robot navigation and environmental understanding. Aiming to address the problem that Dense Surfel Mapping relies on the input of a common-view relationship, we propose a local map extraction strategy based on spatiotemporal consistency. The local map is extracted through the inter-frame pose observability and temporal continuity. To reduce the blurring of map fusion caused by the different viewing angles, a normal constraint is added to the map fusion and weight initialization. To achieve continuous and stable time efficiency, we dynamically adjust the parameters of superpixel extraction. The experimental results on the ICL-NUIM and KITTI datasets show that the partial reconstruction accuracy is improved by approximately 27–43%. In addition, the system achieves a greater than 15 Hz real-time performance using only CPU computation, which is improved by approximately 13%.
Sustainable Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Santalin from Red Sandal Wood Powder (Ptrecarpus santalinus) for Bio-Coloration of Mordanted Silk Fabric
Authors: Barkaat Samra , Mehboob Maria , Adeel Shahid , Fazal-ur-Rehman Fazal-ur-Rehman , Amin Nimra , Habib Noman , Hosseinnezhad Mozhgan
Published: February 2023

The coloring behavior of santalin, a natural reddish-brown dye derived from sandalwood, has been investigated in this work for the dyeing of silk fabrics while being heated in MW radiation. Microwave (MW) radiation up to 5 min has been employed to isolate colorant (Santalin) from red sandalwood (Ptrecarpus santalinus) in selected medium, and bio-mordants in competing with salts as chemical-mordants have been included. Statistical analysis was made and dyeing variables were selected for getting dark shades though mordants. MW treatment for 3 min. to both extract and fabric was selected and mild dyeing conditions were optimized statistically to get dark shades. On applying chemical mordants, selected amount of salts of Al+3, Fe+2 and T.A. before and after dyeing, has given good results. Comparatively, selected extracts of plant based sources have shown colorfast shades of high strength. The MW radiation has excellent potential to extract dye form plants using optimum medium through less time and energy, and the application of plant extracts along with sustainable salts have developed colorfast shades.
The Use of Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay in Determining the Threshold Current and Voltage for Optimal Fault Protection and Control in Transmission Line
Authors: Ogar Vincent Nsed , Hussain Sajjad , Gamage Kelum A. A.
Published: February 2023

When a fault occurs on the transmission line, the relay should send the faulty signal to the circuit breaker to trip or isolate the line. Timely detection is integral to fault protection and the management of transmission lines in power systems. This paper focuses on using the threshold current and voltage to reduce the time of delay and trip time of the instantaneous overcurrent relay protection for a 330 kV transmission line. The wavelet transforms toolbox from MATLAB and a Simulink model were used to design the model to detect the threshold value and the coordination time for the backup relay to trip if the primary relay did not operate or clear the fault on time. The difference between the proposed model and the model without the threshold value was analysed. The simulated result shows that the trip time of the two relays demonstrates a fast and precise trip time of 60% to 99.87% compared to other techniques used without the threshold values. The proposed model can eliminate the trial-and-error in programming the instantaneous overcurrent relay setting for optimal performance.
A Framework for Effective Design Thinking Based Smart Cities Projects in Qatar
Authors: AlAli Dana , Manivannan Nadarajah , Xu Yanmeng
Published: February 2023

With the growing implementation of smart city projects and the significance of the research problem related to effective design thinking, the opinion of the ordinary citizens have become very relevant and contemporary. The current paper presents a quantitative empirical study focused on the attitudes towards and the readiness to accept smart cities in the specific context of Qatar. The study employs a survey questionnaire as a data collection tool. The survey is distributed online among a sample of 40 respondents from Qatar, including both residents and non-residents of smart cities in the country. Even though the sample is not representative of the Qatari population, the present study provides preliminary findings and fundamental insights into this novel topic in a specific socio-economic context. The major findings of the study uncovered that the respondents show quite positive attitudes toward diverse aspects related to smart economy, smart people, smart governance, smart mobility, smart environment, and smart living, as well as significant readiness to accept this lifestyle. However, the respondents demonstrate concerns related to the privacy and security of the people living in smart cities. The superiority of fundamental aspects of life like housing and healthcare in smart cities compared to conventional ones are also questioned by the respondents.
Interpreting the Microwave Spectra of Diatomic Molecules
Authors: Pye Cory C.
Published: February 2023

A brief review of the theory of the rigid rotor and its application to microwave spectroscopy is given. By careful selection of examples, procedures are given for the analysis of successively more complicated spectra, and the theory is extended to the harmonic nonrigid rotor and anharmonic nonrigid rotor when needed. The microwave spectra of carbon monoxide, and of some alkali halides, provide excellent examples for analysis and for student exercises.
A Machine-Learning Approach for Monitoring Water Distribution Networks (WDNs)
Authors: Magini Roberto , Moretti Manuela , Boniforti Maria Antonietta , Guercio Roberto
Published: February 2023

The knowledge of the simultaneous nodal pressure values in a water distribution network (WDN) can favor its correct management, with advantages for both water utilities and end users, and guarantee higher sustainability in the use of the water resource. However, monitoring pressure in all the nodes is not feasible, so it can be useful to develop methods that allow us to estimate the whole pressure field based on data from a limited number of nodes. For this purpose, the work employed an artificial neural network (ANN) as a machine-learning regression algorithm. Uncertainty of water demand is modeled through scaling laws, linking demand statistics to the number of users served by each node. Three groups of demand scenarios are generated by using a Latin Hypercube Random Sampling with three different cross-correlations matrices of the nodal demands. Each of the corresponding groups of pressure scenarios is employed for the training of an ANN, whose performance parameter is preliminarily used to solve the sampling design for the WDN. Most of the so-derived monitoring nodes coincide in the three cases. The performance of each ANN appears to be strongly influenced by cross-correlation values, with the best results provided by the ANN relating to the most correlated demands.
Experimental Assessment of the Thermal Influence of a Continuous Living Wall in a Subtropical Climate in Brazil
Authors: Cruciol-Barbosa Murilo , Fontes Maria Solange Gurgel de Castro , Azambuja Maximiliano dos Anjos
Published: February 2023

A continuous living wall is a vertical garden that allows the cultivation of a wide variety of species on vertical surfaces, consisting of a sequence of layers that shade and add thermal resistance to the external façades of buildings. Thus, the living wall can be an alternative to increase the thermal efficiency of the building and reduce the use of air conditioning for cooling the indoor environment. This work experimentally investigated the thermal influence of a continuous living wall on the surface temperatures of an east façade in a subtropical climate with hot summers (Cfa), during the summer period. The experiment included the implementation of a real living wall in a seasonally used building and the delimitation of two sample plots (i.e., protected and bare wall). Campaigns were carried out to measure the external and internal surface temperatures of the protected plot, the living wall, and the bare wall, as well as the cavity air temperature, from 08:00 to 17:45, at 15-min intervals. The results show the efficiency of the living wall in reducing the external (up to 10.6 °C) and internal (up to 2.9 °C) surface temperatures of the protected plot compared to the bare wall, along with a reduction in thermal variation (average reduction of 6.5 °C externally and 3.6 °C internally) and an increase in thermal delay (up to 6 h for external and 1 h for internal), in addition to a reduction in temperature and greater thermal stability of the cavity between the garden and the protected land in comparison to the external space.
Can the Application of Environmentally Friendly Fertilisers Reduce Agricultural Labour Input? Empirical Evidence from Peanut Farmers in China
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhou Shudong , Jiang Guanghui
Published: February 2023

Environmentally friendly fertilisers (EFFs) can improve the quality of cultivated land, purify the soil environment, and promote reduction in the amounts of fertiliser applied by improving efficiency. However, few studies have analysed the spillover effects of EFF applications on agricultural labour inputs. Hence, this study discusses the impact of EFFs on agricultural labour input, using the propensity score matching method based on the micro-survey data of peanut growers in the main producing areas in China. The results showed that EFFs have a labour-saving advantage, with a significant average reduction in the number of labourers’ input and labour days in agriculture production of 0.127 persons/mu and 0.601 days/mu at the 1% to 10% significance level. Additionally, EFFs improve yield and revenue but significantly raise production costs, ultimately increasing net revenue for farmers. The mechanism of the labour-saving effect is the capability of EFFs to reduce the amount and frequency of fertilisers applications, the amounts of pesticides applied, and irrigation water consumption by their technical characteristics and farmland’s ecological environment enhancement. Accordingly, the time effect strengthens the ecological regulation function and the application reduction effect of EFFs, further decreasing agricultural labour inputs. At the same time, the application of EFFs contributes to the adoption of mechanical deep tillage and fertilisation technology (MDTFT), thereby reducing fertiliser application and ultimately improving the labour-saving effect of EFFs. Heterogeneity analysis revealed that the labour-saving effect of EFFs is more obvious for farmers operating with a larger planting scale. To improve the labour-saving effect of EFFs, the findings imply that the application years of EFFs should be appropriately extended and the MDTFT should be promoted according to local conditions.
HBIM-Based Decision-Making Approach for Sustainable Diagnosis and Conservation of Historical Timber Structures
Authors: Santini Silvia , Borghese Vittoria , Baggio Carlo
Published: February 2023

Historical timber roofs play a significant role in architectural heritage, as listed in the World Heritage List protected by UNESCO. Despite their complexity, they are frequently lacking in maintenance, with the consequence that only a few original examples have been preserved until today, contradicting the principle of minimum intervention. In the paper, a decision-making approach has been proposed for the best and most sustainable solution, in which tradition and innovation meet to achieve the maximum quality with minimum intervention. With an emphasis on sustainability (environmental, economic, technological, historic, and social), analyses have been carried out in order to compare various intervention alternatives, modeled in a Heritage-Building Information Modeling (HBIM) environment, assessed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and implemented with the multi-criteria Modelo Integrado de cuantificacion de Valor para Edificacion Sostenibles (MIVES) methodology. The case study is the roof of the Michelangelo Cloister in the Diocletian Baths in Rome, which is a significant example of historical timber roofs. The results are given in terms of a quantitative sustainability index SI, which takes into account different alternatives of intervention, including the task of diagnosis.
High Temperature Lignin Separation for Improved Yields in Ethanol Organosolv Pre-Treatment
Authors: Adamcyk Johannes , Beisl Stefan , Friedl Anton
Published: February 2023

The full utilization of renewable raw materials is necessary for a sustainable economy. Lignin is an abundant biopolymer, but is currently mainly used for energy production. Ethanol organosolv pre-treatment produces high-quality lignin, but still faces substantial economic challenges. Lignin solubility increases with temperature, and previous studies have shown that it reprecipitates during cooling after the pre-treatment. Thus, a possibility for the optimization of lignin production with this process can be the separation of extract and residual biomass at high temperatures. In this work, lignin was extracted from wheat straw at 180 °C, and the extract was separated from the remaining solids at several temperatures after the pre-treatment. The results show that 10.1 g/kg of lignin and 2.2 g/kg of carbohydrates are dissolved at the pre-treatment temperature of 180 °C, which is reduced to 8.6 g/kg of lignin and 1.2 g/kg of carbohydrates after cooling. The precipitation of lignin separated from the extracts at 180 °C showed that a higher lignin concentration at high temperatures results in a 46% improvement in the yield of solid lignin, while there was no significant impact on the lignin purity.
Study on Carbon Emissions from the Renovation of Old Residential Areas in Cold Regions of China
Authors: He Yi , Wang Yanting , Song Ziye , Yu Hongwen , Xue Yibing
Published: February 2023

With the implementation of dual-carbon and new human-centric urbanization strategies, the renovation of old buildings in China was inevitable. In this study, we establish the carbon emission values of retrofitting building from the perspective of carbon emissions, and propose a carbon accounting calculation method. Meanwhile, according to an economic viewpoint, we propose carbon emission evaluation indexes, including carbon increments, carbon emission intensity, carbon saving during the operation phase, and the static payback period of carbon increments. We retrofitted a building in an old residential area in Jinan, which both extended the building’s life and met the energy consumption needs of modern buildings. Through the case study, the annual carbon emissions during the use phase were reduced by 80.64% after retrofitting, and the building materials generated carbon emissions during the materialization phase of 11.04 t CO2/a. Considering the carbon increment factor, the comprehensive carbon emission reduction was 71.43%. The carbon increment per unit of building area was 110.32 kg CO2/m2, of which the carbon emission during the materialization stage accounted for 96.04%. Promoting low-carbon building materials and improving the energy efficiency would be an important means to reduce the carbon increments during building renovations. The static payback period for the carbon increment was 2.05 years, indicating that retrofitting measures were effective. Our work is informative for the development and quantitative assessment of low-carbon retrofitting programs for older buildings.
New Glass Ceramic Materials Obtained from Cathode Ray Tubes Glass Wastes and Fly Ash
Authors: Vancea Cosmin , Mosoarca Giannin , Popa Simona , Dan Mircea , Boran Sorina
Published: February 2023

This paper presents an alternative way to recycle cathode ray tube glass waste, together with fly ash and kaolin, into new glass ceramic materials. The samples were obtained using three firing temperatures: 700, 800, and 900 °C. The effect of the fly ash/CRT waste ratio upon the materials’ firing shrinkage, apparent density, apparent and total porosity, chemical stability, and compression strength was investigated. The firing shrinkage used as a dimensional stability parameter, a firing shrinkage range between 2.19–8.18%, was positively influenced by the waste mix amount. The apparent density of the obtained materials is positively affected by the heat treatment temperature, rising from 2.09 to 2.93 (g·cm−3), while the apparent porosity decreases with the increase of the firing temperature from 6.08 to 2.24 %. All the studied glass ceramics show very good chemical stability and complete immobilization of the Pb2+ and Ba2+ ions in the glass ceramic matrix. The compression strength of the sintered materials ranges between 1.42–11.83 (N·mm−2), being positively influenced by the kaolin amount and negatively influenced by porosity. The obtained results confirm the viability of the proposed alternative to use CRT waste and fly ash together with kaolin to obtain glass ceramic materials that can be used for outdoor paving applications.
A Bibliometric Review of the Knowledge Base on Mentoring for the Professional Development of School Administrators
Authors: Yirci Ramazan , Karakose Turgut , Kocabas Ibrahim , Tülübaş Tijen , Papadakis Stamatios
Published: February 2023

Mentoring for the professional development of school administrators has become widely acknowledged as an essential means of providing psychosocial and career support, particularly for novice administrators. Due to its strong potential to support the sustainability of schools by enabling successful administration, much research has been conducted on mentoring for the professional development of schools and an extensive knowledge base has been accumulated. The current study aims to evaluate this knowledge base holistically, to reveal the intellectual structure and evolution of this research field. With this purpose, the study conducted a combined bibliometric and science mapping analysis of 121 articles selected from the Scopus database using SciMAT software. The period-based science mapping analysis results showed that research initially focused on professional development and networking functions and later focused on developing school administrators’ leadership skills through mentoring. During the last five years, the most prominent themes were enhancing the quality of mentoring and supporting school administrators’ capacity to enable social justice. The results suggest several implications for the sustainability of mentoring programs to improve school administrators’ professional capabilities and leadership skills, which would eventually help sustain a high level of school innovation and success.
Fostering the Implementation of Nature Conservation Measures in Agricultural Landscapes: The NatApp
Authors: Geppert Frauke , Bellingrath-Kimura Sonoko D. , Mouratiadou Ioanna
Published: February 2023

Large-scale, high-input, and intensified agriculture poses threats to sustainable agroecosystems and their inherent biodiversity. The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) covers a great number of nature conservation programs (Agri-Environment and Climate Measures, AECM) aiming to encourage sustainable agriculture. Currently, farmers are not encouraged to broadly implement these measures due to the lack of structured information, overly complicated and unclear application procedures, and a high risk of sanctions. In addition, the current structures are associated with time-consuming monitoring and control procedures for the paying agencies. Digital technologies can offer valuable assistance to circumvent relevant barriers and limitations and support a broader uptake of AECM. NatApp is a digital tool that supports and guides farmers through the complete process of choosing, applying, implementing, and documenting AECM on their fields in accordance with legal requirements in Germany. We introduce the concept of NatApp and analyze how it can simplify and encourage the uptake and implementation of AECM. This study identifies its unique features for the provision of information and documentation opportunities compared with other digital farming tools focused on sustainable agriculture and outline how it can support farmers to actively contribute to more sustainable agriculture.
The Impact of Uncertainty Shocks to Consumption under Different Confidence Regimes Based on a Stochastic Uncertainty-in-Mean TVAR Model
Authors: Zhou Xianbo , Chen Zhuoran
Published: February 2023

Exogenous uncertainty shocks may have different effects on domestic and foreign consumption under different consumer confidence regimes. In this paper, we specify a threshold vector autoregressive (TVAR) model with different consumer confidence regimes to study the response of endogenous macroeconomic variables to exogenous shocks. The evidence shows that in China, compared to high consumer confidence, low consumer confidence dampens consumption both at home and abroad. However, low consumer confidence benefits exports, the source of foreign consumption. A forecast error variance decomposition analysis further confirms the difference in the effects under different consumer confidence regimes. A comparative analysis shows that consumer confidence is much more influential in the US than in China. Our findings differ from those of earlier works, as we introduce stochastic uncertainty to both the mean and heteroscedasticity and apply counterfactual analysis to show the hazard of ignoring stochastic uncertainty in the traditional threshold vector autoregression. Finally, from the ex ante and ex post perspectives, we provide managerial implications for the authorities to tackle economic issues based on different consumer confidence regimes.