bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BEST—Blockchain-Enabled Secure and Trusted Public Emergency Services for Smart Cities Environment
Authors: Bhawana  , Kumar Sushil , Rathore Rajkumar Singh , Mahmud Mufti , Kaiwartya Omprakash , Lloret Jaime
Published: August 2022

In the last few years, the Internet of things (IoT) has recently gained attention in developing various smart city applications such as smart healthcare, smart supply chain, smart home, smart grid, etc. The existing literature focuses on the smart healthcare system as a public emergency service (PES) to provide timely treatment to the patient. However, little attention is given to a distributed smart fire brigade system as a PES to protect human life and properties from severe fire damage. The traditional PES are developed on a centralised system, which requires high computation and does not ensure timely service fulfilment. Furthermore, these traditional PESs suffer from a lack of trust, transparency, data integrity, and a single point of failure issue. In this context, this paper proposes a Blockchain-Enabled Secure and Trusted (BEST) framework for PES in the smart city environment. The BEST framework focuses on providing a fire brigade service as a PES to the smart home based on IoT device information to protect it from serious fire damage. Further, we used two edge computing servers, an IoT controller and a service controller. The IoT and service controller are used for local storage and to enhance the data processing speed of PES requests and PES fulfilments, respectively. The IoT controller manages an access control list to keep track of registered IoT gateways and their IoT devices, avoiding misguiding the PES department. The service controller utilised the queue model to handle the PES requests based on the minimum service queue length. Further, various smart contracts are designed on the Hyperledger Fabric platform to automatically call a PES either in the presence or absence of the smart-home owner under uncertain environmental conditions. The performance evaluation of the proposed BEST framework indicates the benefits of utilising the distributed environment and the smart contract logic. The various simulation results are evaluated in terms of service queue length, utilisation, actual arrival time, expected arrival time, number of PES departments, number of PES providers, and end-to-end delay. These simulation results show the effectiveness and feasibility of the BEST framework.
Temperature Prediction of Seasonal Frozen Subgrades Based on CEEMDAN-LSTM Hybrid Model
Authors: Chen Liyue , Liu Xiao , Zeng Chao , He Xianzhi , Chen Fengguang , Zhu Baoshan
Published: August 2022

Improving the temperature prediction accuracy for subgrades in seasonally frozen regions will greatly help improve the understanding of subgrades’ thermal states. Due to the nonlinearity and non-stationarity of the temperature time series of subgrades, it is difficult for a single general neural network to accurately capture these two characteristics. Many hybrid models have been proposed to more accurately forecast the temperature time series. Among these hybrid models, the CEEMDAN-LSTM model is promising, thanks to the advantages of the long short-term memory (LSTM) artificial neural network, which is good at handling complex time series data, and its combination with the broad applicability of the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) in the field of signal decomposition. In this study, by performing empirical mode decomposition (EMD), ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), and CEEMDAN on temperature time series, respectively, a hybrid dataset is formed with the corresponding time series of volumetric water content and frost heave, and finally, the CEEMDAN-LSTM model is created for prediction purposes. The results of the performance comparisons between multiple models show that the CEEMDAN-LSTM model has the best prediction performance compared to other decomposed LSTM models because the composition of the hybrid dataset improves predictive ability, and thus, it can better handle the nonlinearity and non-stationarity of the temperature time series data.
Determinants of Sexual Abuse Prevention Knowledge among Children’s Schools in West Java Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Solehati Tetti , Pramukti Iqbal , Kosasih Cecep Eli , Hermayanti Yanti , Mediani Henny Suzana
Published: August 2022

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a severe problem in Indonesia. Adequate knowledge in children about CSA prevention is essential so that children do not become victims. Lack of adequate children’s knowledge of the prevention of CSA may put them at risk for experiencing CSA. This cross-sectional study explores the association factors between knowledge and characteristics regarding the prevention of CSA. The study was conducted in Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Students from grades two to nine at two elementary schools were eligible for the study. Results showed that as sources of information associated with better knowledge of CSA prevention (p = 0.00), teachers and parents significantly contributed to CSA information. Multivariate analysis showed that teachers (OR: 33.479, 95% (CI: 4.467–250.912)) and parents (OR: 45.336, 95% (CI: 10.886–188.807)) significantly contributed as a source of CSA information among students. The findings are essential important implications for interventions intended at preventing CSA. Sexual education programs should be officially applied at schools for children with the support of their parents and teachers.
Full-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy Is Associated with Reduced Sleep Durations and Augmented Cardiorespiratory Indicators of Recovery
Authors: Rentz Lauren E. , Bryner Randy W. , Ramadan Jad , Rezai Ali , Galster Scott M.
Published: August 2022

Research is emerging on the use of Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and its potential for augmenting human performance, however, relatively little research exists utilizing full-body administration methods. As such, further research supporting the efficacy of whole-body applications of PBMT for behavioral and physiological modifications in applicable, real-world settings are warranted. The purpose of this analysis was to observe cardiorespiratory and sleep patterns surrounding the use of full-body PBMT in an elite cohort of female soccer players. Members of a women’s soccer team in a “Power 5 conference” of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) were observed across one competitive season while wearing an OURA Ring nightly and a global positioning system (GPS) sensor during training. Within-subject comparisons of cardiorespiratory physiology, sleep duration, and sleep composition were evaluated the night before and after PBMT sessions completed as a standard of care for team recovery. Compared to pre-intervention, mean heart rate (HR) was significantly lower the night after a PBMT session (p = 0.0055). Sleep durations were also reduced following PBMT, with total sleep time (TST) averaging 40 min less the night after a session (p = 0.0006), as well as significant reductions in light sleep (p = 0.0307) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep durations (p = 0.0019). Sleep durations were still lower following PBMT, even when controlling for daily and accumulated training loads. Enhanced cardiorespiratory indicators of recovery following PBMT, despite significant reductions in sleep duration, suggest that it may be an effective modality for maintaining adequate recovery from the high stress loads experienced by elite athletes.
Social Perception of Riparian Forests
Authors: Saklaurs Mārcis , Liepiņa Agnese Anta , Elferts Didzis , Jansons Āris
Published: August 2022

Riparian forests are ecotones that differ from the surrounding landscapes, delineating the transition from terrestrial ecosystems into aquatic ones. Riparian forest management has been recognized as a possible method for promoting several ecological functions. In order to develop a sustainable and resilient relationship between river riparian forests and society, it is necessary to analyze the sociocultural dimension of riparian zones. The aim of this study was to assess the social perceptions of riparian forests. A total of 734 respondents (61% woman), inhabitants from the region of Latvia, where there is a rather dense network of streams, were surveyed. Respondents represented various education levels, ages, and economic backgrounds. Riverine forests tend to be a less popular option for recreation compared with other types of forests. The most popular activities were walking and swimming. “Forest and water bodies” was not among the main topics that respondents were concerned about. Regarding rivers and riparian forests, the obstructed movement of fish to spawning grounds was recognized as the most important problem, but the least concerning was the reduction of water tourism and fishing opportunities. Dynamic river basin and river bank management could be a possible solution to restoring eligible locations for recreational activities, at least along some parts of rivers, and for improving the state of riparian ecosystems simultaneously.
Strength Variation of Rocks Surrounding Road Tunnel Entrance/Exit in High–Altitude Mountain Areas under Freeze–Thaw Cycles
Authors: Guo Zezhou , Zhang Zizhao , Zhang Yanyang , Shi Guangming
Published: August 2022

The Duku Highway in the study area is located in the high-altitude mountainous region of Xinjiang, China, and it is affected by various environmental factors during construction, among which the influence of freeze–thaw cycles cannot be ignored. In order to study the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the strength of tuff surrounding rock at high-altitude mountainous areas, uniaxial compressive strength and shear wave velocity tests with different numbers of freeze–thaw cycles were conducted on dry and saturated rock samples from the tunnel entrance of the Duku Highway. The test results showed that the tuff specimens condensed a thin layer of ice on the surface with raised freezing points during the freezing stage, but the thickness of the thin ice and the density of the freezing points did not change with the increase of the number of freeze–thaw cycles. Analysis of the test data showed that the wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, breaking strain, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson’s ratio of the rock decreased as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased. We believe that the freeze–thaw cycles caused the deterioration of the rock strength. The reason for this phenomenon is that we believe that the freeze–thaw cycling action changed the rock internally and affected its density, which, in turn, caused the attenuation of strength, etc. However, there is a limit to the effect of freeze–thaw cycling on the strength of the surrounding rock. After exceeding the limit of the effect of freeze–thaw cycling, the strength parameters of the surrounding rock will no longer change with the increase of the number of freeze–thaw cycles. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of the stability of tuff surroundings at high-altitude mountain tunnel openings.
Investigating the Impact of Preschool Type on Young Children’s Empathy
Authors: Ernst Julie , Curran Claire , Budnik Leah
Published: August 2022

Empathy can be a powerful driver for positive social change and is relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals that serve as a global blueprint for peace and prosperity. Empathy has also gained popularity within zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife conservation organizations as a motivator for caring action toward wildlife and nature. As such, there is a need to understand and develop interventions that further people’s empathy, particularly in the context of young children, given the critical developmental period of early childhood. A quantitative study was conducted with 124 children from eight preschools in Minnesota (USA). A modified version of the “Young Children’s Empathy Measure with Humans and Animals” was administered at the beginning and end of a preschool year to measure the impact of preschool type (nature preschool, animal-focused nature preschool, and non-nature preschool) on empathy (cognitive, affective, and empathic behavioral intentions). Results suggest that animal-focused nature preschools and nature preschools were more effective than non-nature preschools for empathic behavioral intentions in the context of humans, as well as for cognitive and affective empathy with wildlife. Further, the animal-focused nature preschools were more effective than nature and non-nature preschools in terms of empathic behavioral intentions in the context of animals. Implications are discussed in light of the study’s limitations.
Understanding the Function of a Social Business Ecosystem
Authors: Cato Susumu , Nakamura Hiroki
Published: August 2022

Social entrepreneurs face challenging situations in trying to expand and grow businesses with little investment and limited resources. Interactions and networks between social entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders are indispensable in promoting social entrepreneurship. Together, they come to form a cyclical “social business ecosystem” (SBE), in which social entrepreneurs can finance their projects by paying “share transfer fees.” By using a theoretical/mathematical model in our method, this study examines the fundamental role of share transfer fees in an SBE. In particular, it establishes a moral hazard model that can explain important characteristics of an SBE. As main results, the study identifies conditions under which an SBE can mitigate the moral hazard of social entrepreneurs. The results suggest that SBEs work efficiently for relatively small social projects. This is consistent with actual cases of social business. Within this framework, this study also explores the practical implications of knowledge spillover; social entrepreneurs conduct SBEs more efficiently if they take advantage of knowledge spillover.
Evaluation of Olive Varieties Resistance for Sustainable Management of Verticillium Wilt
Authors: Markakis Emmanouil A. , Krasagakis Nikolaos , Manolikaki Ioanna , Papadaki Anastasia A. , Kostelenos Georgios , Koubouris Georgios
Published: August 2022

Verticillium wilt resulting from infection by Verticillium dahliae is one of the most devastating soilborne fungi of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) worldwide. The pathogen infects a wide variety of plants and can survive in the soil for many years, and chemicals cannot control it. Therefore, sustainable disease management strategies are suggested, with the exploitation of host resistance as the most predominant control measure in practice. In addition, disease risk assessment in commonly used plant genotypes is a prominent issue. In this respect, nine commercially grown Greek olive varieties (‘Amfissis’, ‘Atsiholou’, ‘Chalkidikis’, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Kothreiki’, ‘Koutsourelia’, ‘Mastoidis’, ‘Megaritiki’, and ‘Tragolia’) and one variety of international interest (‘Picual’) were comparatively evaluated for their resistance to V. dahliae. The roots of young plants were immersed in a concentrated conidial suspension in order to perform an artificial inoculation. We evaluated disease reactions in a 140-day assessment period based on external symptoms (disease severity, disease incidence, and mortality) and calculated the relative areas under disease progress curves (relative AUDPC). The process of qPCR was used to evaluate V. dahliae DNA in vascular tissues and plant growth parameters (height and fresh weight). A cumulative stress response was calculated to consider the overall effect of V. dahliae on olive cultivars. The olive varieties resistance to V. dahliae varied significantly, with ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Tragolia’, and ‘Atsiholou’ being the most resistant. Interestingly, most tested varieties showed a significantly low resistance level, suggesting increased risk for the Greek olive industry due to V. dahliae.
Analysis of the Relationships between Financial Development and Sustainable Economic Growth: Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Gao Chao , Yao Dequan , Fang Jiayu , He Zhengchu
Published: August 2022

At the stage of high-quality economic development, sustainable economic growth is worthy of attention. The supporting role of financial development for sustainable economic growth will become more important. This article aims to identify the influence of financial development on sustainable economic growth and its impact mechanism. Based on measuring the level of sustainable economic growth, this article theoretically and empirically identifies the impact of financial development on sustainable economic growth and its mechanism by adopting the panel data from 283 prefecture-level and above cities in China. The empirical results show that financial development is conducive to improving sustainable economic growth through the mechanism of capital deepening and technological innovation. Furthermore, for type I large and medium cities, financial development is conducive to enhancing sustainable economic growth, while the effect is not significant for type II large and small cities. Therefore, the local government could promote financial supply-side reform and implement differentiated financial development strategies for sustainable economic growth from aspects of capital deepening and technological innovation.
Oxidative Magnetic Modification of Pristine Biochar Assisted by Ball-Milling for Removal of Methylene Blue and Tetracycline in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Chen Yijia , Li Linzhou , Wen Qin , Yang Run , Zhao Yiming , Rao Xin , Li Jihui , Xu Shuying , Song Hui
Published: August 2022

Magnetic modification holds a significant place for regulating the performance of biochar for wastewater treatment, endowing its magnetic separation property and facilitating its wide application. Herein, a ball-milled oxidative magnetic modification of pristine biochar was employed to manufacture magnetic biochar using K2FeO4 as a precursor and internal oxidant for removal of methylene blue and tetracycline from aqueous solution. The characterizations showed that magnetic iron oxide and oxygen-containing groups were simultaneously introduced. Moreover, specific surface area and pore volume were remarkably enhanced from 0.7 m2/g to 71.2 m2/g and from 0.001 cm3/g to 0.034 cm3/g, respectively. The magnetic biochar showed that 133.76 mg/g and 58.34 mg/g adsorption capacities for MB and TC, respectively, significantly transcended the pristine biochar. Its adsorption was mainly dominated by oxygen-containing groups and iron species. This would provide an efficient oxidative magnetic modification for the preparation of oxygen-containing group-rich magnetic biochar for the removal of MB and TC.
Characteristics of Enzyme Activities during Phytoremediation of Cd-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Lu Hui , Xu Duanping , Kong Tao , Wang Dongli
Published: August 2022

In order to study the effects of exogenous Cd on the soil enzyme activities of three herbs, a pot experiment was conducted to study the changes of soil urease, protease, catalase and phosphatase activities in different growth periods of Solanum nigrum L., Phytolacca acinose Roxb., and Bidens pilosa L. under different concentrations of Cd stress. The results showed that the content and proportion of each form of Cd were different in different periods. Compared with the control, the activities of urease, protease and catalase in the soil of three herbs decreased under 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg Cd stress, while the phosphatase activities increased first and then decreased. The activities of urease, protease, catalase and phosphatase were 4.24–6.84, 2.17–5.83, 2.09–2.79 and 34.57–37.25 mg/g, respectively, and the recovery degrees were 50.81–66.41%, 32.10–90.54%, 46.97–69.28% and 54.78–56.69%, respectively. After 60 days of remediation, the activities of urease, protease, catalase and phosphatase were 6.05–8.55, 2.83–9.89, 3.32–4.48 and 37.62–41.15 mg/g, respectively, and the recovery degrees were 70.19–84.57%, 41.86–161.34%, 72.35–140.44% and 58.38–63.20%, respectively. Soil enzyme activities were affected by Cd solution stress, which could be improved to a certain extent by plant self–healing, and different grass species recovered to varying degrees under various Cd solution stresses. Different soil enzymes displayed different responses to Cd stress, the inhibition of urease and phosphatase activities was temporary, and the effect of Cd concentration on soil phosphatase activity was close, and it could stimulate the activities of soil protease and catalase, and the higher the concentration of Cd solution, the greater the degree of stimulation. Principal component analysis shows that, after 60 days of repair, the best repair effect plants were Solanum nigrum L. under 5 mg/kg Cd stress and Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. under 10 mg/kg Cd stress.
Assessing the Potential of Wind Energy as Sustainable Energy Production in Ramallah, Palestine
Authors: Abdallah Ramez , Çamur Hüseyin
Published: August 2022

The meteorological statistics collected from six-year wind speed data of Ramallah in Palestine are used to evaluate the potential of wind energy. The Weibull function is utilized to statistically assess the wind performance. An examination of the wind data using hourly wind directions and speeds throughout the six-year period between 2016 and 2021. The investigation revealed that the Weibull model provided a precise explanation of the actual wind data using the maximum likelihood estimator approach for scale and shape parameters. The most prevalent wind direction in Ramallah was west-northwest, accounting for 29.5% of all occurrences. Summer months have the maximum power density, reaching 129.9 at 50 m, 196.0 at 75 m, and 268.9 W/m2 at 100 m. In the conclusion, yearly energy outputs, capacity factors, and economic potential for fifteen wind turbines ranging in size from 0.5 to 5 MW had been evaluated. It was revealed that the greatest capacity factor is about 36% and has a high economic potential at a cost of less than 0.07 $/kWh for an appropriate selection of wind turbine models. This baseline research will be utilized as a decision-making basis for the best and most economical wind energy investment in Palestine.
Utilization of Corncob Biochar in Cultivation Media for Cordycepin Production and Biomass of Cordyceps militaris
Authors: Phoungthong Khamphe , Aiphuk Waraporn , Maneerat Tharakorn , Suwunwong Thitipone , Choto Patcharanan , Chomnunti Putarak
Published: August 2022

Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic fungus. It is well-known as a rich source of bioactive compounds called cordycepins and adenosines, which are useful in medicinal applications. The effects of medium components on cordycepin and adenosine production by C. militaris, obtained by adding different conditions of corncob biochar in solid media, were investigated in this study. The medium components, which mixed 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 g of biochar with rice berries, were optimized to improve the yield of biomasses, cordycepins, and adenosines. The results showed that 10 g of biochar mixed with a rice berry medium was the optimal medium condition for the highest dry fruiting body weight (DFW) and cordycepin yield (CY) at 3.6 kg/bottle and 20.5 mg/g, respectively, but the adenosine yield (AY) was similar to that in other conditions. Moreover, the SEM showed that the mycelia of C. militaris attached to the biochar surface (pores) and used it as the resident. EDS analysis from the basal medium indicated that C and O were present in the mycelia of C. militaris with the average values of 25.6% and 71.4%, respectively. This study provides an effective cultivation method by using agricultural residue, and biochar corncob as a high concentration of carbon for increasing the biomass, cordycepin, and adenosine yield of C. militaris. The information obtained in this study is fundamental and useful to the development of a C. militaris cultivation process for the efficient production of cordycepin on a large scale. The findings suggest that the system design of the cultivation medium is crucial for growth and cordycepin production.
The Competitive Position of Small Business Furniture Industry Enterprises in Poland in the Context of Sustainable Management: Relationships, Interdependencies, and Effects of Activities
Authors: Borowiecki Ryszard , Siuta-Tokarska Barbara , Janas Mateusz , Kruk Sylwia , Krzemiński Paweł , Thier Agnieszka , Żmija Katarzyna
Published: August 2022

This publication discusses the issue of small industrial business companies’ competitiveness in the context of managing competitiveness for the purpose of achieving a specific market position and gaining competitive advantage. The objective of this work is to analyse and present the specificity of competitive activities in small business entities and competitiveness management and to identify changes in their competitive position in the different long-term periods analysed. The theoretical part of the work presents a literature review of small business companies’ competitiveness and sustainable management of competitiveness. In this part of the article, the authors present the definition of competitiveness, competitiveness management, and sustainable competitiveness management and present their own model approach based on mind mapping. The study used statistical methods such as taxonomy structure, the Kruskal–Wallis test for independent analyses, and Friedman’s one-way analysis of variance for dependent data. The empirical part presents the authors’ research into the competitive position achieved and declared by companies classified as manufacturers of furniture. The research was divided into two parts: part one refers to qualitative research based on 10 micro businesses; part two presents quantitative research among SMEs. In total, the study covers 304 enterprises, divided into groups by size: 117 micro entities, 100 small entities, and 87 medium companies. The analysed period takes into account the long term, within the years 2008–2020. The main findings of the empirical research are as follows: the competitiveness of small business companies is determined by their qualitative features as well as by the adopted management system, and the sources of competitive advantage in the particular groups of SMEs are not highly diversified by size, with a larger number of medium entities attributing their competitive advantage to qualitative rather than quantitative measures. The achievement of this research objective has allowed for the authors to develop a model of sustainable development of competitiveness in small business companies and present the results of empirical studies. The conducted research is a pioneering contribution to the assessment of the competitive position of the surveyed enterprises and factors influencing their competitiveness in Poland in periods with different external conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking into account the nature of empirical research undertaken in the article, it is necessary to point out their pioneering character and the related contribution to the development of science in the field of sustainable management and competitiveness of enterprises from the SME sector, and it is also necessary to fill the existing research gap in this field.
Social Capital Typologies and Sustainable Development: Spatial Patterns in the Central and Southern Regions of Malawi
Authors: Craig Ailish , Hutton Craig W. , Sheffield Justin
Published: August 2022

Bonding, bridging and linking social capital can be a useful mechanism to promote sustainable development in low-income countries. Social capital typologies vary spatially, with the rural poor having a specific combination. Similarly, bonding, bridging and linking social capital’s association with sustainable development is also likely to differ spatially across a country, but there is limited research in low-income countries. This study aims to improve understanding of the spatial variation of bonding, bridging and linking social capital in low-income countries using Malawi as a case study. Using secondary data and spatial statistics, including kriging and geographically weighted regression, we explore the spatial variation of social capital typologies and their spatial associations with various sustainable development indicators. There were three key combinations of bonding, bridging and linking social capital, which differ from the standard model of social capital typologies for the rural poor. We also found social capital’s association with sustainable development indicators depends on the social capital typology, study area and the sustainable development indicator in question. With this in mind, development practitioners, researchers and policymakers should aim to understand the specific social capital context prior to sustainable development research or project implementation.
Multi-Scale Characterization of Spatial Variability of Soil Organic Carbon in a Semiarid Zone in Northern China
Authors: Li Long , Yue Yongjie , Qin Fucang , Dong Xiaoyu , Sun Cheng , Liu Yanqi , Zhang Peng
Published: August 2022

The variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) spatial distribution is dependent on the relative contributions of different environmental factors, and the dominant factors change according to study scales. Here, geostatistical and remote sensing techniques were used to gain deep knowledge about SOC spatial distribution patterns and their dominant determinants at different study scales; specifically, the structure of the spatial variability of SOC content at the county, regional, and watershed scales in Aohan, China were analyzed. The results show that altitude and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are the key predictors explaining 49.6% of the SOC variability at the county scale; NDVI and slope are the key predictors explaining 36.2% of the SOC variability at the regional scale; and terrain factors are the most significant factors at the watershed scale. These three scales have a moderate spatial correlation in terms of SOC content. As the study scale widens, the spatial variability attributable to the random factors increases gradually, whereas the variability attributable to the structural factors gradually weakens. Soil type and land use type are the key factors influencing the SOC content at these three scales. At all scales, the SOC contents of the different land use types differ significantly in the order forestland > shrubland > grassland. Conservation of regional soil and water and prevention of soil desertification are effective measures for improving SOC content.
Autonomous Vehicles Management in Agriculture with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for Obstacle Avoidance
Authors: Monarca Danilo , Rossi Pierluigi , Alemanno Riccardo , Cossio Filippo , Nepa Paolo , Motroni Andrea , Gabbrielli Roberto , Pirozzi Marco , Console Carla , Cecchini Massimo
Published: August 2022

Obstacle avoidance is a key aspect for any autonomous vehicles, and their usage in agriculture must overcome additional challenges such as handling interactions with agricultural workers and other tractors in order to avoid severe accidents. The simultaneous presence of autonomous vehicles and workers on foot definitely calls for safer designs, vehicle management systems and major developments in personal protective equipment (PPE). To cope with these present and future challenges, the “SMARTGRID” project described in this paper deploys an integrated wireless safety network infrastructure based on the integration of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices and passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags designed to identify obstacles, workers, nearby vehicles and check if the right PPE is in use. With the aim of detecting workers at risk by scanning for passive RFID-integrated into PPE in danger areas, transmitting alerts to workers who wear them, tracking of near-misses and activating emergency stops, a deep analysis of the safety requirements of the obstacle detection system is shown in this study. Test programs have also been carried out on an experimental farm with detection ranging from 8 to 12 meters, proving that the system might represent a good solution for collision avoidance between autonomous vehicles and workers on foot.
Response of Phytogenic Additives on Enteric Methane Emissions and Animal Performance of Nellore Bulls Raised in Grassland
Authors: Teobaldo Ronyatta Weich , Cardoso Abmael da Silva , Brito Thais Ribeiro , Leite Rhaony Gonçalves , Romanzini Eliéder Prates , Granja-Salcedo Yury Tatiana , Reis Ricardo Andrade
Published: August 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and digestibility of nutrients, emission of enteric CH4, and productive performance of Nellore bulls grazing Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu palisade grass pastures during the rainy season, receiving an energy supplement or mineral supplement, with or without the inclusion of phytogenic additives. Forty-eight Nellore bulls were treated with: (1) energy supplement without the inclusion of phytogenic additives; (2) energy supplement with the inclusion of phytogenic additives; (3) mineral supplement without the inclusion of phytogenic additives; and (4) mineral supplement with the inclusion of phytogenic additives. Consumption of total dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), apNDF, and energy; digestibility of DM, CP, and energy; average daily gain; stocking rate; and gain per area were higher in animals consuming energy supplements than those consuming mineral supplements. Digestibility of DM, NDF, and energy levels were lower in animals that consumed phytogenic additives. Compared with mineral supplements, the supply of energy supplements provides higher nutrient intake, increases enteric CH4 emission, and improves nutrient digestibility, providing a greater productive performance. The inclusion of phytogenic additives negatively affected nutrient intake and digestibility, did not reduce enteric CH4 emission, and influenced productive performance.
Overview on Recent Developments in the Design, Application, and Impacts of Nanofertilizers in Agriculture
Authors: Zahra Zahra , Habib Zunaira , Hyun Hyeseung , Shahzad Hafiz Muhammad Aamir
Published: August 2022

Nutrient management is always a great concern for better crop production. The optimized use of nutrients plays a key role in sustainable crop production, which is a major global challenge as it depends mainly on synthetic fertilizers. A novel fertilizer approach is required that can boost agricultural system production while being more ecologically friendly than synthetic fertilizers. As nanotechnology has left no field untouched, including agriculture, by its scientific innovations. The use of nanofertilizers in agriculture is in the early stage of development, but they appear to have significant potential in different ways, such as increased nutrient-use efficiency, the slow release of nutrients to prevent nutrient loss, targeted delivery, improved abiotic stress tolerance, etc. This review summarizes the current knowledge on various developments in the design and formulation of nanoparticles used as nanofertilizers, their types, their mode of application, and their potential impacts on agricultural crops. The main emphasis is given on the potential benefits of nanofertilizers, and we highlight the current limitations and future challenges related to the wide-scale application before field applications. In particular, the unprecedent release of these nanomaterials into the environment may jeopardize human health and the ecosystem. As the green revolution has occurred, the production of food grains has increased at the cost of the disproportionate use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which have severely damaged our ecosystem. We need to make sure that the use of these nanofertilizers reduces environmental damage, rather than increasing it. Therefore, future studies should also check the environmental risks associated with these nanofertilizers, if there are any; moreover, it should focus on green manufactured and biosynthesized nanofertilizers, as well as their safety, bioavailability, and toxicity issues, to safeguard their application for sustainable agriculture environments.
How Do Transportation Influencing Factors Affect Air Pollutants from Vehicles in China? Evidence from Threshold Effect
Authors: Liu Shiwen , Li Hongxiong , Kun Wen , Zhang Zhen , Wu Haotian
Published: August 2022

In recent years, China has promoted a series of legal norms to reduce the environmental impact of air pollutants from vehicles. The three main vehicle emission species (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides) contribute significantly to air pollution. In this study, the emission factor method was used to estimate air pollutants from vehicles in 31 provinces from 2006 to 2016. The results show a trend of total vehicle carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions decreasing with time; the vehicle nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission trend is divided into two stages: an upward trend between 2006 and 2012 and a downward trend after 2012. Based on a panel threshold, a regression method was used to divide the vehicle NOx and CO emissions in China into four emission zones: low emissions, medium emissions, high emissions, and extra-high emissions. Vehicle HC emissions were divided into three emission zones, which corresponded to low emissions, medium emissions, and high emissions. Overall, vehicle pollution emission efficiency and per capita GDP have a significant inhibitory effect on the three main air pollutants from vehicles (NOx, HC, CO). Both passenger and freight turnover have significant roles in promoting the three air pollutants from vehicles (NOx, HC, CO). Road density and road carrying capacity have a significant role in promoting vehicle HC and CO emissions. Increasing truck proportion inhibits vehicle CO emissions and promotes vehicle NOx emissions. The urbanization rate has a positive effect on vehicle HC and CO emissions. Moreover, there is obvious heterogeneity in different emission zones of the three air pollutants from vehicles (NOx, HC, CO).
Analysis on Management Policies on Water Quantity Conflict in Transboundary Rivers Embedded with Virtual Water—Using Ili River as the Case
Authors: Xu Xia , Wu Fengping , Yu Qianwen , Chen Xiangnan , Zhao Yue
Published: August 2022

Current studies neglect how virtual water transfer (VWT) between countries within a drainage basin affects water stress and then yields an invisible effect on the water quantity conflict in transboundary rivers, which would further make management policies on water quantity conflict less fair and reasonable. Therefore, this study first constructs the Inequality Index of VWT and water stress index (WSI) to assess water stress. Next, different types are set according to the Inequality Index and WSI to analyze management policies, with Ili River as the case. Results show: (1) Within the study period, from 1996, the Inequality Index of VWT between China and Kazakhstan stayed at 0.368 (0.368 < 0.5), indicating a relatively high inequality of VWT between the two countries—China at a disadvantage, while Kazakhstan having the upper hand. (2) According to the remotely sensed data, WSI in the riparian zones of the Ili River rose from 0.288 to 0421 in China, and 0214 to 0.402 in Kazakhstan, showing intermediate scarcity. (3) China and Kazakhstan both fall into Type 2, and Kazakhstan has the advantageous position. Therefore, while allocating the water resources of the Ili River, Kazakhstan should lower its expectation and proactively ask to exchange benefits in other aspects to reverse the outward transfer of its physical water. In addition, the two countries should find suitable ways to go about water rights trading to reduce the possibility of potential water quantity conflict.
Climate Change and Human Response to Sustainable Environmental Governance Policy: Tax or Emissions Trading?
Authors: Wang Qinglong , Huang Jiale , Zhang Xian , Qin Weina , Zhang Huina , Dong Yani
Published: August 2022

With climate change, humans are looking for effective ways to improve the ecological environment and provide comfortable survival space for sustainable development. There are two main economic methods for controlling environmental pollution: emissions fees (Pigouvian taxes) and emissions standards (emissions trading). However, the two policies have their applicable conditions in dealing with different sources of pollution and dynamic ecosystems, and many problems will arise if they are misused. This paper theoretically proves that significant (minor) pollution sources could satisfy the condition that the benefit function’s curvature is greater (less) than that of the cost function. When the speed of ecological absorption is constant, a price policy controlling significant pollution sources will generate uncertainty; the quantity policy will generate a higher total social cost of managing the minor pollution source. When the speed of ecological absorption is not constant, adjusting the number of part pollution permits will lead to two kinds of pollutant leakage. If the pollution permits can be freely circulated, it will lead to the pollution of regional b (less regulated areas) inflow into the region a (more regulated areas); if permits are not freely circulated, otherwise not.
Cantilever Soldier Pile Design: The Multiobjective Optimization of Cost and CO2 Emission via Pareto Front Analysis
Authors: Bekdaş Gebrail , Arama Zülal Akbay , Türkakın Osman Hürol , Kayabekir Aylin Ece , Geem Zong Woo
Published: August 2022

In the context of this study, it is focused on the design of cantilever soldier piles under the concept of Pareto optimality with multiobjective analyses of cost and CO2 emission considering the change in the excavation depth, the shear strength parameters of the foundation soil strata, and the unit costs and unit emission amounts of structural materials. Considering this aim, the harmony search algorithm was used as a tool to achieve the integrated effects of the solution variants. The lateral response of the soil mass was determined based on the active Rankine earth pressure theory and the design process was shaped according to the beams on the elastic foundation soil assumption. Moreover, the specification envisaged by the American Concrete Institute (ACI 318-11) was used to control the structural requirements of the design. Pareto front graphs and also design charts were created to achieve the eco- and cost optimization, simultaneously, for the design with arbitrarily selected cases to compare the results of the multiobjective analysis to minimize both the cost and the CO2 emission.
Study of the Influence of Aspect Ratios on Hydrodynamic Performance of a Symmetrical Elliptic Otter Board
Authors: Li Yuyan , Wang Gang , Xu Qingchang , Wang Xinxin , Zhang Rongjun , Huang Liuyi
Published: August 2022

The otter board, which is designed to maintain the horizontal opening of trawl nets, is a vital component of a trawl system. It requires a high lift-to-drag ratio, which is directly related to the trawling efficiency and economic effectiveness of the single trawler. To improve the hydrodynamic efficiency of a symmetrical elliptic otter board, four model otter boards, i.e., aspect ratio (AR) = 0.507, 0.640, 0.766, and 0.895, were designed in the present work and the effects of aspect ratios on the hydrodynamic performance of the otter board were investigated by flume tank experiments. Further, the k-ε EARSM turbulence model was adopted to analyze the hydrodynamic coefficients and the flow distribution around the otter board using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The optimal aspect ratio was obtained based on the analysis of experimental data, wherein the lift coefficient, the drag coefficient, and the lift-to-drag ratio at different angles of attack (AOA) were measured. The results show that the symmetrical elliptic otter board model is within the critical Reynolds number region when the Reynolds number is larger than 1.682 × 105, and its hydrodynamic coefficient is consistent with the real otter board. When the AR was 0.766, the elliptic otter board had the best hydrodynamic performance, of which the lift coefficient and the lift-to-drag ratio were 1.05 and 1.14 fold that of the initial otter board (AR = 0.640), and the volume of the wing-tip vortex reaches a maximum. The results show the hydrodynamic performance of the symmetrical elliptic otter board, and parameter optimization of the otter board has also been provided for reference.
Non-Zero Order of an Extended Temme Integral
Authors: Reynolds Robert , Stauffer Allan
Published: August 2022

A new three-dimensional integral containing f(x,y,z)Iv(xα) is derived where Iv(xα) is the Modified Bessel Function of the first kind and the integral is taken over the infinite cubic space 0<x<∞,0<y<∞,0<z<∞. The integral is not easily evaluated for complex ranges of the parameters. A representation in terms of the Hurwitz–Lerch zeta function, polylogarithm function and Riemann zeta functions are evaluated. This representation yields triple integral representations in terms of fundamental constants that can be derived. Almost all Lerch functions have an asymmetrical zero distribution.
Numerical Integration of Stiff Differential Systems Using Non-Fixed Step-Size Strategy
Authors: Sunday Joshua , Shokri Ali , Kwanamu Joshua Amawa , Nonlaopon Kamsing
Published: August 2022

Over the years, researches have shown that fixed (constant) step-size methods have been efficient in integrating a stiff differential system. It has however been observed that for some stiff differential systems, non-fixed (variable) step-size methods are required for efficiency and for accuracy to be attained. This is because such systems have solution components that decay rapidly and/or slowly than others over a given integration interval. In order to curb this challenge, there is a need to propose a method that can vary the step size within a defined integration interval. This challenge motivated the development of Non-Fixed Step-Size Algorithm (NFSSA) using the Lagrange interpolation polynomial as a basis function via integration at selected limits. The NFSSA is capable of integrating highly stiff differential systems in both small and large intervals and is also efficient in terms of economy of computer time. The validation of properties of the proposed algorithm which include order, consistence, zero-stability, convergence, and region of absolute stability were further carried out. The algorithm was then applied to solve some samples mildly and highly stiff differential systems and the results generated were compared with those of some existing methods in terms of the total number of steps taken, number of function evaluation, number of failure/rejected steps, maximum errors, absolute errors, approximate solutions and execution time. The results obtained clearly showed that the NFSSA performed better than the existing ones with which we compared our results including the inbuilt MATLAB stiff solver, ode 15s. The results were also computationally reliable over long intervals and accurate on the abscissae points which they step on.
Finding Solutions to the Yang–Baxter-like Matrix Equation for Diagonalizable Coefficient Matrix
Authors: Chen Dongmei , Yong Xuerong
Published: August 2022

Let A be a diagonalizable complex matrix. In this paper, we discuss finding solutions to the Yang–Baxter-like matrix equation AXA=XAX. We then present a concrete example to illustrate the validity of the results obtained.