bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proof of Concept for a Novel Social-Emotional Learning Programming: The B.E. M.Y. F.R.I.E.N.D. Framework
Authors: Swierad Ewelina Maria , Williams Olajide
Published: December 2023

Despite the known benefits of social-emotional learning (SEL) for children, evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and multisensory SEL programs are limited. To address existing challenges in SEL for underprivileged youth, we developed the multicomponent B.E. M.Y. F.R.I.E.N.D. (BMF) framework that capitalizes on (1) cultural tailoring to foster acceptability, (2) tools and strategies to build healthy habits, (3) parental engagement using the Child-Mediated Health Communication Model, (4) social engagement of teachers via peer interaction during learning experiences, and (5) multisensory learning. Each letter (component) of the BMF stands for a unique SEL skill. To test the BMF framework, we developed a proof of concept (POC) focused on one component of the BMF—mindfulness and gratitude SEL (M-letter). The POC includes a description of immersive and interactive multimedia modules with tailor-made music, digital games, cartoons, and booster activities. The outcomes from the POC will inform the development of fully powered randomized studies of each component of BMF and, ultimately, the implementation and dissemination of the entire BMF program. The Multisensory Multilevel Health Education Model (MMHEM) guided the design of the program. In the POC, we used a learning management system (LMS) platform to facilitate program scalability. The modules encompassed culturally and age-relevant real-world examples and were digitized and integrated with traditional learning approaches. This article presents qualitative and quantitative data evaluating feasibility, preliminary acceptability, and preliminary outcomes from the mindfulness and gratitude modules (letter “M” of the BMF). The studies were conducted with 4th and 5th-grade students (Studies 2–4) attending a New York City public school-affiliated after-school program in the Bronx and Queens and their teachers (Study 1). Study #1 presents the focus group data on teachers and principals; Study #2 shows the focus group data on minoritized students; Study #3 presents data from the pilot testing of study-specific outcome measures; and Study #4 presents data on the preliminary efficacy of the BMF mindfulness and gratitude modules using a within-subjects repeated measures pre-posttest study design. Results suggest that the “M” component (mindfulness and gratitude) of the BMF framework is feasible and highly engaging among minoritized children, with high acceptability among teachers and students. We also found a positive impact of the intervention on measures of gratitude and life satisfaction (preliminary efficacy).
The Effectiveness of Face-to-Face versus Online Delivery of Continuing Professional Development for Science Teachers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Li Zhi , Hassan Norlizah Che , Jalil Habibah Ab.
Published: December 2023

Purpose: This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of face-to-face and online delivery modes of continuing professional development (CPD) for science teachers. It focuses on three aspects: evaluating the effectiveness of these modes, summarizing the literature on the factors influencing them, and conducting a comparative analysis of their advantages. Methods: The research team employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for article quality assessment. A total of 12 articles, selected from a potential 82, were included in the study. Results: This research suggests that the face-to-face and online CPD modes are equally effective and that external factors, such as psychological variables and establishing communication communities, influence their effectiveness. Face-to-face CPD fosters communication communities, while online CPD offers geographical flexibility and cost-saving benefits. Implications: The effectiveness of face-to-face and online CPD relies on external psychosocial factors. Future research should focus on strategies to enhance participants’ communication engagement in online communities. Additionally, it is worth conducting further investigations of the potential relationships between psychosocial variables and the effectiveness of online CPD, along with the impact of digital skills on online CPD.
Safe Performance of an Industrial Autonomous Ground Vehicle in the Supervisory Control Framework
Authors: Koumboulis Fotis N. , Fragkoulis Dimitrios G. , Panagiotakis George E. , Mavroeidis Efthimios
Published: December 2023

A Cyberphysical system, being an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) and having diverse applications such as thematic parks and product transfer in manufacturing units, is modeled and controlled. The models of all subsystems of the AGV are provided in discrete event systems (DES) form following the Ramadge–Wonham (R–W) framework. The safe performance of the AGV, being the desired behavior of the system, is presented in the form of desired rules and translated into a set of regular languages. Then, the regular languages are realized as supervisory automata in the framework of Supervisory Control Theory (SCT). To ease implementation and coordination of the control architecture, the supervisors are designed to be in two-state automata forms. The controllability of the regular languages, regarding the AGV, will be proved, using the physical realizability (PR) of the synchronous product of the automata of the system and the supervisors. Also, the nonblocking property of all the controlled automata will be proven to be satisfied. Simulation of the controlled AGV will validate the proposed method.
An Optimized Byzantine Fault Tolerance Algorithm for Medical Data Security
Authors: Xu Gang , Yao Tengkai , Zhang Kejia , Meng Xiangfei , Liu Xin , Xiao Ke , Chen Xiubo
Published: December 2023

Medical data are an intangible asset and an important resource for the entire society. The mining and application of medical data can generate enormous value. Currently, medical data management is mostly centralized and heavily relies on central servers, which are prone to malfunctions or malicious attacks, making it difficult to form a consensus among multiple parties and achieve secure sharing. Blockchain technology offers a solution to enhance medical data security. However, in medical data security sharing schemes based on blockchain, the widely adopted Practical Byzantine Fault-Tolerant (PBFT) algorithm encounters challenges, including intricate communication, limited scalability, and the inability to dynamically add or remove nodes. These issues make it challenging to address practical requirements effectively. In this paper, we implement an efficient and scalable consensus algorithm based on the PBFT consensus algorithm, referred to as Me-PBFT, which is more suitable for the field of medical data security. First, we design a reputation evaluation model to select more trusted nodes to participate in the system consensus, which is implemented based on a sigmoid function with adjustable difficulty. Second, we implement the division of node roles to construct a dual consensus layer structure. Finally, we design a node dynamic join and exit mechanism on the overall framework of the algorithm. Analysis shows that compared to PBFT and RAFT, ME-PBFT can reduce communication complexity, improve fault tolerance, and have good scalability. It can meet the need for consensus and secure sharing of medical data among multiple parties.
Rotating Object Detection for Cranes in Transmission Line Scenarios
Authors: Xia Lingzhi , Cao Songyuan , Cheng Yang , Niu Lei , Zhang Jun , Bao Hua
Published: December 2023

Cranes are pivotal heavy equipment used in the construction of transmission line scenarios. Accurately identifying these cranes and monitoring their status is pressing. The rapid development of computer vision brings new ideas to solve these challenges. Since cranes have a high aspect ratio, conventional horizontal bounding boxes contain a large number of redundant objects, which deteriorates the accuracy of object detection. In this study, we use a rotating target detection paradigm to detect cranes. We propose the YOLOv8-Crane model, where YOLOv8 serves as a detection network for rotating targets, and we incorporate Transformers in the backbone to improve global context modeling. The Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD) with excellent scale invariance is used as a loss function to measure the distance between predicted and true distribution. Finally, we validate the superiority of YOLOv8-Crane on 1405 real-scene data collected by ourselves. Our approach demonstrates a significant improvement in crane detection and offers a new solution for enhancing safety monitoring.
Improved A-Star Path Planning Algorithm in Obstacle Avoidance for the Fixed-Wing Aircraft
Authors: Li Jing , Yu Chaopeng , Zhang Ze , Sheng Zimao , Yan Zhongping , Wu Xiaodong , Zhou Wei , Xie Yang , Huang Jun
Published: December 2023

The flight management system is a basic component of avionics for modern airliners. However, the airborne flight management system needs to be improved and relies on imports; path planning is the key to the flight management system. Based on the classical A* algorithm, this paper proposes an improved A* path planning algorithm, which solves the problem of low planning efficiency and following a non-smooth path. In order to solve the problem of the large amount of data calculation and long planning time of the classical A* algorithm, a new data structure called a “value table” is designed to replace the open table and close table of the classical A* algorithm to improve the retrieval efficiency, and the Heap sort algorithm is used to optimize the efficiency of node sorting. Aiming at the problem that the flight trajectory is hard to follow, the trajectory smoothing optimization algorithm combined with turning angle limit is proposed. The gray value in the digital map is added to the A* algorithm, and the calculation methods of gray cost, cumulative cost, and estimated cost are improved, which can better meet the constraints of obstacle avoidance. Through the comparative simulation verification of the algorithm, the improved A* algorithm can significantly reduce the path planning time to 1% compared to the classical A* algorithm; it can be seen that the proposed algorithm improves the efficiency of path planning and the smoother planned path, which has obvious advantages compared to the classical A* algorithm.
Development of a 470-Horsepower Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid Xcient Dynamic Model Using SimscapeTM
Authors: Yun Sanghyun , Yun Jinwon , Han Jaeyoung
Published: December 2023

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are employed in trucks and large commercial vehicles utilizing hydrogen as fuel due to their rapid start-up characteristics and responsiveness. However, addressing the requirement for high power output in the low-current section presents a challenge. To solve this issue, a multi-stack can be applied using two stacks. Furthermore, thermal management, which significantly affects the performance of the stacks, is essential. Therefore, in this study, a hydrogen electric truck system model was developed based on a Hyundai Xcient hydrogen electric truck model using MATLAB/SimscapeTM 2022b. In addition, the system’s performance and thermal characteristics were evaluated and analyzed under different road environments and wind conditions while driving in Korea.
Evaluation of External Light Shelf Performance in Relation to the Ceiling Types Used in Indoor Spaces
Authors: Jung Su-yeon , Lee Min-Goo , Lee Heangwoo
Published: December 2023

A light shelf is a type of natural daylight system that brings natural light from the outside into an indoor space through a reflector and a ceiling surface. The introduction of light shelves has led to studies evaluating their efficiency. However, past studies on light shelves did not consider the diversity of ceiling types when evaluating their performance. Therefore, this study derives fundamental data involving external light shelf designs by evaluating light shelf performance based on the ceiling type present using a light environment simulation method. This study analyzed the indoor illuminance distribution with Radiance to evaluate the performance according to light shelves and indoor space types. The results derived from this study are as follows: (1) In the case of a flat ceiling, the performance of an external light shelf can be improved by increasing its angle and width. However, adjusting the external light shelf angle to 30° during the middle of the season and 20° in winter is ineffective because natural light is not reflected by the ceiling surface. (2) The performance of a light shelf can be improved by increasing the slope and curvature of the ceiling types specified in this study. However, setting the light shelf angle to 30° during the middle season and to 30° and 20° in winter, when external natural light entering the indoor space is not reflected by the ceiling surface, is ineffective due to the low levels of daylight performance, regardless of the type of space. (3) To increase uniformity levels in gable ceilings and curved ceilings, it is advantageous to increase the number of reflections and diffusion areas on the ceiling’s surface due to the uniqueness of these ceiling shapes. Furthermore, the optimal external light shelf angle for these ceiling types differs from that of other types. (4) Regarding the appropriate external light shelf size according to a particular ceiling type, installing an angle-controllable external light shelf with a width of 1.2 m can improve daylight performance.
The Transient Cooling Performance of a Compact Thin-Film Thermoelectric Cooler with Horizontal Structure
Authors: Ming Tingzhen , Liu Lijun , Zhang Peng , Yan Yonggao , Wu Yongjia
Published: December 2023

Thermoelectric cooling is an ideal solution for chip heat dissipation due to its characteristics of no refrigerant, no vibration, no moving parts, and easy integration. Compared with a traditional thermoelectric device, a thin-film thermoelectric device significantly improves the cooling density and has tremendous advantages in the temperature control of electronic devices with high-power pulses. In this paper, the transient cooling performance of a compact thin-film thermoelectric cooler with a horizontal structure was studied. A 3D multi-physics field numerical model with the Thomson effect considered was established. And the effects of impulse current, thermoelectric leg length, pulse current imposition time, and the size of the contact thermal resistance on the cooling performance of the device were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the model achieved an active cooling temperature difference of 25.85 K when an impulse current of 0.26 A was imposed. The longer the length of the thermoelectric leg was, the more unfavorable it was to the chip heat dissipation. Due to the small contact area between different sections of the device, the effect of contact thermal resistance on the cooling performance of the device was moderate.
Application of an Analytical Model of a Belt Feeder for Assessing the Load and Stability of Its Structure
Authors: Krauze Krzysztof , Wydro Tomasz , Klempka Ryszard , Mucha Kamil
Published: December 2023

Belt conveyors, owing to their simple construction, high reliability and relatively low energy consumption, are the basic means of transporting loose and granular materials. Currently, thanks to continuous development, belt conveyors can reach a length of up to several kilometres, and their belt width can be more than two meters. Such possibilities are achieved thanks to increasingly better belts and drives. However, the most common are short belt conveyors with a length of up to 40 m and belt widths of up to 1 m, frequently referred to as belt feeders. Apart from the mining industry, they are widely used in power engineering, metallurgy and other industries (chemical plants, trans-shipment ports, storage yards, etc.). The design of machines, including belt feeders, is based on calculations. Modern design in technology is based on advanced computational methods and the possibilities of computer technology. Multi-variant simulation calculations are necessary, especially in the case of belt feeders, where none of the devices—despite the use of typical elements and subassemblies—are a repeatable solution. Only this procedure guarantees the selection of rational solutions already at the early stages of design. Therefore, in this article, an analytical model of a typical belt feeder was developed and its stability and forces in the supports were determined. This allowed the development of an application for testing the stability of the belt feeder at the design stage or when introducing structural changes.
Pressure Drop Characteristics of Subcooled Water in a Hypervapotron under High and Non-Uniform Heat Fluxes
Authors: Zhu Ge , Mei Ge , Yan Jianguo , Tian Shujian
Published: December 2023

To study the pressure drop characteristics of hypervapotron, which was designed as a water-cooling structure in the divertor dome of the fusion reactor, the pressure drop tests of subcooled water were carried out in a vertically upward hypervapotron. To simulate the one-side radiant heating condition in the engineering application, the non-uniform heat fluxes were obtained by using the off-center electrically heating method. The system parameters were as follows: mass flux G = 2000–5000 kg·m−2·s−1, inlet pressure p = 2–4 MPa, and equivalent one-side radiating heat flux qe = 0–5 MW·m−2. The effects of the parameters on the pressure drop were discussed in detail. It was observed that in the single-phase (SP) region, the pressure drop was little influenced by the inlet fluid temperature (Tb,in). However, in the subcooled boiling region, the pressure drop increased rapidly with the increasing Tb,in. A higher G leads to a high pressure drop. In the SP region, the influence of p on the pressure drop is not obvious, and the pressure drop decreased with the increasing qe. The test data are used to evaluate the typical pressure drop correlation, and the results show that none of these correlations can predict the pressure drop well under the test conditions. Therefore, a new pressure drop correlation is proposed for subcooled water in a hypervapotron under high and non-uniform heat fluxes. The new correlation has a high prediction accuracy for the test data, and the mean relative error (MRE) and root mean square error (RMSE) are 0.72% and 4.33%, respectively. The test results have a reference value for the design of the water-cooling structure of the diverter.
Sustainable Vehicle Design Considering Quality Level and Life Cycle Environmental Assessment (LCA)
Authors: Ulewicz Robert , Siwiec Dominika , Pacana Andrzej
Published: December 2023

One of the global ecological problems is the excessive carbon dioxide emissions generated by vehicles in the transport sector, including passenger transport. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to develop a model that supports the prediction of vehicle variants that will be satisfactory to the customer in terms of: (i) quality level and (ii) environmental impact throughout the life cycle. This model was developed with the following techniques: TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), SMARTER (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), Pareto–Lorenz, and the Multi-Criteria Decision Method rule (7 ± 2). A model test was carried out for production variants of the electric vehicle BEV (battery electric vehicle) for which the quality level and life cycle assessment were estimated. Vehicle quality levels ranged from 0.15 to 0.69, with a weight of 0.75. However, vehicle life cycle scores were estimated in the range of 0.25 to 0.57, with a weight of 0.25. Ultimately, the level of the vehicles’ LCA ranged from 0.18 to 0.62. As a result, it was shown that on the basis of various modifications of the quality level of vehicle variants and the corresponding environmental impacts throughout their life cycle, it is possible to predict the vehicle variant that is most satisfactory for the customer and, at the same time, environmentally friendly. The originality of the model relies on supporting the making of sustainable design decisions and the planning of vehicle improvement actions according to customer expectations. Therefore, the model can be used to analyse different types of vehicles by producers and dealers of these products.
Implementation and Improvement of the Total Productive Maintenance Concept in an Organization
Authors: Wolska Marta , Gorewoda Tadeusz , Roszak Marek , Gajda Lesław
Published: December 2023

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is an infrastructure-managing methodology that leads to improvements in production efficiency, quality, and safety. It includes a set of processes, techniques, and strategies based on forecasting, maintenance, the optimized cooperation of different company departments, and the minimization of costs related to downtime or accidents caused by equipment failure. This article discusses the history, assumptions of the TPM concept, and approach to implementing Total Productive Maintenance in organizations in detail. The right ingredients required for successful TPM implementation and barriers to implementation are also reviewed. The benefits of implementing TPM in organizations are presented and supported with examples of implementations in production and non-production organizations. The article is addressed to representatives of the manufacturing industry. TPM also indicates a high potential for implementation in non-production areas, which may be interesting, for example, for the service, medical, or laboratory industries.
Study on the Static-Bending Properties of Surface-Reinforced Wood with Asymmetric Fibers
Authors: Guo Xu , Zhou Fengwei , Deng Shuduan , Dong Chunlei
Published: December 2023

In order to investigate the mechanism of the effect of asymmetric reinforcement on the static-bending properties of wood, this paper tests and analyzes the static-bending properties of SPF wood and seven different types of asymmetric fiber surface-reinforced wood (AFRWC) formed by SPF wood as the substrate and bamboo and carbon fibers as the reinforcement materials. The results of the study found that (1) the moduli of rupture of the seven types of AFRWC were increased to varying degrees, but the static-bending moduli of elasticity increased or decreased; (2) the asymmetric reinforcement changed the cross-section strain distribution and damage type of the wood in static bending; (3) the results of the cross-section strain-field tests and the ABAQUS finite element simulation showed that the asymmetric reinforcement method of bonding the bamboo material and the two layers of CFRP in the compression and tensile zones, respectively, can greatly enhance the static-bending performance of the wood. The error between the simulated and measured values of specimens MOR and MOE is only −0.7% and −7.3%, respectively. This type of asymmetric reinforcement makes it possible to obtain a more reasonable cross-section stress distribution.
Experimental Analysis on the Behaviors of a Laboratory Surface Fire Spreading across a Firebreak with Different Winds
Authors: Guo Hanwen , Yang Zhengyuan , Ye Ziqun , Xiang Dong , Gao Yunji , Zhang Yuchun
Published: December 2023

In this work, a series of laboratory surface fire experiments were performed over a pine needle fuel bed to investigate the effectiveness of a firebreak and the behaviors of a surface fire across a firebreak. Seven wind velocities of 0~3.0 m/s and six firebreak widths of 10~35 cm are varied. The behaviors of a surface fire across the firebreak, the heat flux received by fuel surface and fuel temperature before and after the firebreak are analyzed and compared simultaneously. The main conclusions are as follows: the behaviors of a surface fire spreading across a firebreak under different wind velocities are classified into three categories—no ignition, ignition by flame contact and ignition by spot fires. When the wind velocity is not more than 1.0 m/s, the surface fire cannot successfully cross the firebreak; as wind velocity changes from 1.5 m/s to 2.5 m/s, the fuel after the firebreak can be ignited by flame contact for relatively narrow firebreak conditions; when the wind velocity increases to 3.0 m/s, the burning fuel can be blown away along the fuel bed, and the fuel behind the firebreak will be ignited by spot fire. A linear relationship between the threshold of firebreak width and the fireline intensity is obtained, and the linear fitting coefficient in this paper is larger than the results reported by Wilson (0.36). For no ignition conditions, the fuel temperature and the heat flux received by the fuel after firebreak are significantly lower than those before the firebreak, whereas their variations over time are similar to those before the firebreak for ignition conditions. Moreover, for no ignition conditions, the maximum fuel temperature and the heat flux after the firebreak increase with wind velocity, but decrease with firebreak width. Additionally, when the fuel temperature (253 °C) and the heat flux received by the fuel considering the radiation and convection (43 kW/m2) after firebreak exceed a threshold value, the surface fire can successfully cross the firebreak.
Analysis of Eco-Environmental Quality of an Urban Forest Park Using LTSS and Modified RSEI from 1990 to 2020—A Case Study of Zijin Mountain National Forest Park, Nanjing, China
Authors: Ren Fang , Xu Jiaoyang , Wu Yi , Li Tao , Li Mingyang
Published: December 2023

Evaluating the long-term urban forest ecological environmental quality (EEQ) and analyzing the drivers of its spatiotemporal changes can provide a scientific basis for making long-term urban forest planning decisions. Taking into account the characteristics of urban forest parks with low area proportions of construction land and bare land, high vegetation coverage, and serious forest disturbances, we constructed a modified urban forest park EEQ evaluation index based on a remote sensing ecological index named MRSEI, which is composed of the Landsat enhanced vegetation index (EVI), wetness, land surface temperature (LST), and forest disturbance index (FDI). We selected the Nanjing Zijin Mountain National Forest Park as the study area, used landsat time series stack (LTSS) remote sensing images from 1990 to 2020 as the main data source, and adopted the suggested modified MRSEI, the Theil-Sen median method, and the Hurst index to evaluate the EEQ to analyze its spatiotemporal variations and its driving factors in the study area. The main research results were as follows: (1) the EEQ of Zijin Mountain showed an up-and-down, overall slowly increasing trend from 1990 to 2020, while the spatial auto-correlation coefficient showed an overall decreasing trend; (2) the area percentage of the EEQ-persistent region accounted for 78.69%, and the anti-sustainable region accounted for 21.31%; (3) the spatial centers of the EEQ in the study area were mainly concentrated on the middle and upper part of the southern slope of Zijin Mountain, moving southward from 1990 to 2020; (4) the analysis of drivers showed that climate factors, forest landscape structure, forest disturbances, and forest growth conditions were the main driving factors affecting the EEQ in the study area. These results provide a research framework for the analysis of EEQ changes over a long-term period in the urban forest parks of China.
Research Status and Development Prospects of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Resources in China
Authors: Mei Duozhuoga , Ma Xiaojie , Fu Fangfang , Cao Fuliang
Published: December 2023

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), as an economically and ecologically valuable plant with rich nutritional and bioactive compounds, has garnered significant interest. The demand for Sea buckthorn has explosive growth, highlighting the urgent need for the cultivation of fast-growing, high-quality Sea buckthorn seedlings. However, there are still some controversies in Sea buckthorn germplasm resource research. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the recent research findings on Sea buckthorn plants, encompassing their classification, distribution, propagation methods, medical functions, and valorization. It aims to offer strong support for the industrial utilization of the Sea buckthorn and explores the prospects for molecular breeding in Sea buckthorn.
Correction: Shephard et al. Climate Smart Forestry in the Southern United States. Forests 2022, 13, 1460
Authors: Shephard Noah T. , Narine Lana , Peng Yucheng , Maggard Adam
Published: December 2023

There are two errors related to units in the original manuscript [...]
The Impact of Climate Change on China’s Forestry Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity Change
Authors: Shah Wasi Ul Hassan , Hao Gang , Yan Hong , Lu Yuting , Yasmeen Rizwana
Published: December 2023

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of climate change on forestry efficiency (FRE) and total factor productivity change (TFPC) in 31 provinces of China for a study period of 2001–2020. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the success level of governmental initiatives used to mitigate climate change. Using the DEA-SBM, this study estimates the forestry efficiency for 31 Chinese provinces and seven regions. Results indicate that the average forestry efficiency score obtained is 0.7155. After considering climatic factors, the efficiency level is 0.5412. East China demonstrates the highest average efficiency with a value of 0.9247, while the lowest score of 0.2473 is observed in Northwest China. Heilongjiang, Anhui, Yunnan, and Tibet exhibit the highest efficiency scores. Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Hebei, and Hunan are the five provinces most affected by climate change. This study’s findings indicate that the average total factor forestry productivity (TFPC) is 1.0480, representing an increase of 4.80%. The primary determinant for change is technology change (TC), which surpasses efficiency change (EC). Including climate variables reduces total factor productivity change (TFPC) to 1.0205, mainly driven by a decrease in TC. The region of South China exhibits the highest total factor productivity change (TFPC) with a value of 1.087, whereas both Northeast China and Central China observe falls below 1 in TFPC. The Mann–Whitney U test provides evidence of statistically significant disparities in forestry efficiency and TFPC scores when estimated with and without incorporating climate factors. Kruskal–Wallis found a statistically significant difference in FRE and TFPC among seven regions.
HeFUN: Homomorphic Encryption for Unconstrained Secure Neural Network Inference
Authors: Nguyen Duy Tung Khanh , Duong Dung Hoang , Susilo Willy , Chow Yang-Wai , Ta The Anh
Published: December 2023

Homomorphic encryption (HE) has emerged as a pivotal technology for secure neural network inference (SNNI), offering privacy-preserving computations on encrypted data. Despite active developments in this field, HE-based SNNI frameworks are impeded by three inherent limitations. Firstly, they cannot evaluate non-linear functions such as ReLU, the most widely adopted activation function in neural networks. Secondly, the permitted number of homomorphic operations on ciphertexts is bounded, consequently limiting the depth of neural networks that can be evaluated. Thirdly, the computational overhead associated with HE is prohibitively high, particularly for deep neural networks. In this paper, we introduce a novel paradigm designed to address the three limitations of HE-based SNNI. Our approach is an interactive approach that is solely based on HE, called iLHE. Utilizing the idea of iLHE, we present two protocols: ReLU, which facilitates the direct evaluation of the ReLU function on encrypted data, tackling the first limitation, and HeRefresh, which extends the feasible depth of neural network computations and mitigates the computational overhead, thereby addressing the second and third limitations. Based on HeReLU and HeRefresh protocols, we build a new framework for SNNI, named HeFUN. We prove that our protocols and the HeFUN framework are secure in the semi-honest security model. Empirical evaluations demonstrate that HeFUN surpasses current HE-based SNNI frameworks in multiple aspects, including security, accuracy, the number of communication rounds, and inference latency. Specifically, for a convolutional neural network with four layers on the MNIST dataset, HeFUN achieves 99.16% accuracy with an inference latency of 1.501 s, surpassing the popular HE-based framework CryptoNets proposed by Gilad-Bachrach, which achieves 98.52% accuracy with an inference latency of 3.479 s.
Reliability Assessment Approach for Fire Resistance Performance of Prestressed Steel–Concrete Box Girder Bridges
Authors: Duan Maojun , Miao Jianbao , Wu Jiahong , Dong Fenghui
Published: December 2023

This paper employs probability methods to evaluate the fire safety performance of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges based on simulation experimental research. Firstly, fire simulation experimental sample analysis was conducted on actual small box girder bridges to assess the structural response of prestressed steel–concrete structures to fire, as is in line with engineering practice. Next, we constructed a reliability analysis model to investigate the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges. Combining reliability theory with the finite element method, we established a reliability analysis method for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges. Subsequently, we proposed a safety factor evaluation model for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges and then established a safety factor evaluation method for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges based on reliability back analysis. Finally, based on the analysis of the post-fire structural response in the specific case of a steel–concrete continuous beam bridge project moving from conditions of being simply supported to continuously prestressed, a structural resistance sample of the prestressed steel–concrete beam bridge was generated via the uniform design method, and statistical analysis was conducted. Subsequently, probability methods were used to evaluate the safety of the prestressed steel–concrete beam bridge after a fire. Through analysis, we concluded that the duration of the fire had a significant impact on the structural performance of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges and that the randomness of parameters had a significant impact on the safety reserve of prestressed steel–concrete beam bridges following the fire. Going forward, it is necessary to pay attention to this factor in specific engineering practices and strengthen the monitoring and statistical analysis of structural random characteristics.
Experimental Investigation on Fire Smoke Temperature under Forced Ventilation Conditions in a Bifurcated Tunnel with Fires Situated in a Branch Tunnel
Authors: Guo Hanwen , Yang Zhengyuan , Zhang Peiyao , Gao Yunji , Zhang Yuchun
Published: December 2023

In this work, a number of experiments were conducted in a reduced scale bifurcation tunnel with a ratio of 1:10 to explore the influence of the position of longitudinal fires (placed in branch tunnel) on smoke temperature profile under forced ventilation. Three heat release rates, six ventilation velocities, and three fire locations were considered. The main findings are summarized below, as follows: The temperature of smoke downstream of the main tunnel decreases with the rate of ventilation and longitudinal fire location. In contrast, the smoke temperature downstream of the fire source inside the branch tunnel drops with the ventilation velocity; the maximum temperature of the flame under the ceiling of the tunnel rises with longitudinal fire location. The dimensionless longitudinal smoke temperatures downstream of the main tunnel decrease exponentially with longitudinal distance, and the same observation is found in the branch tunnel. The attenuation coefficient k in the main tunnel increases with longitudinal ventilation velocity according to a power law but does not change significantly with longitudinal fire locations. However, the exponential coefficient k′ in the branch tunnel decreases linearly with ventilation velocity, whereas it increases with longitudinal fire location inside the branch tunnel. Lastly, modified models are established for estimating the longitudinal profile of temperatures downstream of the main tunnel and branch tunnel, where the influence of the rate of ventilation and location of the fire are taken into account.
Modeling Wildland Firefighters’ Assessments of Structure Defensibility
Authors: Heeren Alexander J. , Dennison Philip E. , Campbell Michael J. , Thompson Matthew P.
Published: December 2023

In wildland–urban interface areas, firefighters balance wildfire suppression and structure protection. These tasks are often performed under resource limitations, especially when many structures are at risk. To address this problem, wildland firefighters employ a process called “structure triage” to prioritize structure protection based on perceived defensibility. Using a dataset containing triage assessments of thousands of structures within the Western US, we developed a machine learning model that can improve the understanding of factors contributing to assessed structure defensibility. Our random forest models utilized variables collected by wildland firefighters, including structural characteristics and the surrounding ignition zone. The models also used landscape variables not contained within the triage dataset that captured important information about accessibility, vegetation, topography, and structure density. We achieved a high overall accuracy (77.8%) in classifying structures as defensible or non-defensible. The presence of a safety zone was the most important factor in determining structure defensibility. Road proximity, vegetation composition, and topography were also found to have high importance. In addition to improving the understanding of factors considered by wildland firefighters, communities could also gain from this information by enhancing their wildfire response plans, focusing on targeted mitigation, and improving their overall preparedness.
The Eel Ascending: The Influence of Lateral Slope, Climbing Substrate and Flow Rate on Eel Pass Performance
Authors: Piper Adam T. , Rosewarne Paula J. , Pike Charlotte , Wright Rosalind M.
Published: December 2023

Optimising the design of passage facilities to restore fluvial connectivity for juvenile European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a key priority within conservation efforts for the species, across the majority of its freshwater range. Employing an experimental setup that simulated gravity-fed upstream eel passes, this study demonstrated that novel V-profile passes, which incorporate two lateral slopes (15°), performed better than laterally flat passes over the flow rates tested (0.2–0.6 L s−1). For the small eel size used (60–80 mm length), the bristle substrate consistently outperformed studs, but the lateral slope had a greater effect on passage metrics than the substrate choice. Our findings strongly support the use of V-shaped channels for upstream migrating eel at fish passage facilities, particularly in scenarios where flow rates may be elevated and/or fluctuating, such as for gravity-fed passes.
An Exploratory Wind Tunnel Study of Air Jet Wheel Spoilers
Authors: Howell Jeff , Butcher Daniel , Passmore Martin
Published: December 2023

Wheels and wheelhouses are a significant source of aerodynamic drag on passenger cars. The use of air jets, in the form of an air curtain, to smooth the airflow around front wheel housings on cars has become common practice, as it produces a small drag benefit. This paper reports an initial small-scale wind tunnel study of an air jet employed as an effective wheel spoiler to reduce the drag produced by the front wheels and wheel housings of passenger cars. For this investigation, the air jet was created using an external compressed-air supply and was applied to a highly simplified car body shape. The data presented suggest that the air jet has some potential as a drag-reduction device.
Potential for Saccharina latissima Flour as a Functional Ingredient in the Baking Sector
Authors: Oprea Oana Bianca , Tolstorebrov Ignat , Claussen Ingrid Camilla , Sannan Sigurd , Apostol Livia , Moșoiu Claudia , Gaceu Liviu
Published: December 2023

The healthy “superfood” sector is currently quickly developing in Europe, and grocery stores are increasingly stocking macroalgae food supplements. Due to its high amount of protein, fiber, and minerals, numerous studies have demonstrated that seaweed has a significant potential for usage as a functional ingredient in the food sector. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the rheological (ICC 173 standard method) and chemical potentials of using Saccharina latissima flour in the bread sector. The calcium level of S. latissima flour was found to be 8236 mg/kg, the magnesium level was 6041 mg/kg, the K concentration was 62,088 mg/kg, the iron content was 35.23 mg/kg, the P content was 2263 mg/kg, and the I content was 12,530 mg/kg, significantly higher values than those of wheat flour. The antioxidant properties of the algae powder used were highlighted by the analysis of the total polyphenol content and its antioxidant activity (DPPH method). Four bread samples, which were compared with the control sample entirely made of wheat flour in order to evaluate their potential, were made, using a replacement degree from 1.5% to 6% of S. latissima. Rheological analyses were completed using the ICC 173 standard method, as well as sensorial analysis, where a panel of assessors’ evaluations compared the sensory properties of samples with 1.5–6% of S. latissima flour to a control sample manufactured with flour type 650. It was concluded that sample A1 (1.5% algae flour) has sensorial properties similar to those of the control sample, and, for the other samples, the properties began to degrade with the increase in the amount of algae flour. Textural analyses performed during 96 h of storage show that the firmness and gumminess increase with the addition of algae flour and over time. The conclusions indicated that samples comprising 4.5% and 6% of S. latissima are unsatisfactory from a rheological and sensory perspective, while samples having 1.5% and 3% of S. latissima can be viewed as sources of fiber and minerals.
Influence of Salting and Ripening Conditions on the Characteristics of a Reduced-Fat, Semi-Hard, Sheep Milk Cheese
Authors: Sakkas Lambros , Moschopoulou Ekaterini , Moatsou Golfo
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to assess the effect of salting and ripening conditions on the features of sheep milk, reduced-fat, semi-hard cheese. Eight groups of cheese, with an average fat content of ≅10.5%, moisture on non-fat substances (MNFS) ≅ 56%, a protein-to-fat ratio of 2.9 and pH 5.1, were manufactured and analyzed throughout ripening. The experimental factors were the salting method (brine- or dry-salting), the salt content (control- and reduced-salt) and the ripening temperature sequence (11 or 18 °C at the 3rd and 4th week). Brine-salted cheese exhibited significantly more adequate (p < 0.05) textural and organoleptic characteristics compared to its dry-salted counterpart, i.e., lower hardness, gumminess and adhesiveness, with higher lightness and flavor scores. The mean salt reduction from 2.1 to 1.6% exhibited significant effects (p < 0.05), i.e., increased moisture and MNFS, decreased hardness, gumminess, chewiness and adhesiveness, and increased lightness and meltability of cheese without affecting the microbiological stability or impairing the organoleptic parameters. Ripening at 18 °C at weeks 3–4 significantly increased (p < 0.05) proteolysis and concentrations of lactic and citric acid without affecting meltability, textural or organoleptic features. In conclusion, brine-salting, salt reduction by 20% and the elevation of temperature at a particular ripening period improved the characteristics of this type of reduced-fat sheep milk cheese.
Ultrasonication of Micellar Casein Concentrate to Reduce Viscosity—Role of Undissolved Material
Authors: Schulnies Frank , Höhme Lisa , Kleinschmidt Thomas
Published: December 2023

This research reveals the underlying mechanisms that make high-intensity ultrasound an effective tool to reduce the viscosity of micellar casein concentrates and to enhance the solubility of the respective powders. Micellar casein concentrates (MCC) gained great importance in the production of valuable food products with high protein content, but the processing properties of the reconstituted solutions are deficient. Even though several presumptions were established, the reasons why ultrasound is able to reduce the product viscosity and what limitations occur when using sonication technology are still not clear yet. Our study aims to investigate those reasons by combining analyses of viscosity measurements, particle size distributions, solubility, and hydration. The data presented demonstrate that undissolved, highly hydrated particles play an important role in micellar casein concentrates showing a high viscosity. We conclude on the high voluminosity of those particles, since improved solubility and decreased viscosity are accompanying effects. The determined voluminosities of those particles are 35–40% higher than for colloidal dissolved micelles. Hence, the viscosity reduction of up to 50% can be only obtained by sonicating micellar casein concentrates derived from powder reconstitution, whereas ultrasonication of freshly prepared membrane-filtrated MCC does not reduce viscosity.
Some Results on Fractional Boundary Value Problem for Caputo-Hadamard Fractional Impulsive Integro Differential Equations
Authors: Alruwaily Ymnah , Venkatachalam Kuppusamy , El-hady El-sayed
Published: December 2023

The results for a new modeling integral boundary value problem (IBVP) using Caputo-Hadamard impulsive fractional integro-differential equations (C-HIFI-DE) with Banach space are investigated, along with the existence and uniqueness of solutions. The Krasnoselskii fixed-point theorem (KFPT) and the Banach contraction principle (BCP) serve as the basis of this unique strategy, and are used to achieve the desired results. We develop the illustrated examples at the end of the paper to support the validity of the theoretical statements.
Cooperation and Coordination in Threshold Public Goods Games with Asymmetric Players
Authors: An Xinmiao , Dong Yali , Wang Xiaomin , Zhang Boyu
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we study cooperation and coordination in a threshold public goods game with asymmetric players where players have different endowments ei, productivities pi, and rewards ri. In general, this game has a defective Nash equilibrium (NE), in which no one contributes, and multiple cooperative NEs, in which the group’s collective contribution equals the threshold. We then study how multiple dimensions of inequality influence people’s cooperation and coordination. We show that heterogeneity in eipi can promote cooperation in the sense that the existence condition of the defective NE becomes stricter. Furthermore, players with higher eipi are likely to contribute more at a cooperative NE in terms of collective contribution (i.e., absolute contribution multiplied by productivity).