bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wear Mechanism and Life Map Construction of Nitride Coatings on Different Substrates
Authors: Xu Zhiyang , Luo Yi , Huang Zhengshu
Published: August 2022

The sliding wear and failure behaviors of CrN and AlTiN coatings on high speed steel (HSS) and cemented carbide (WC-Co) were investigated on a reciprocating test machine under different normal forces (30–120 N). The wear mechanism was explored based on the analysis of coefficient of friction (CoF), wear and damage of coating. Then, the coating service life maps were established and the factors affecting the coating life were explored. The results indicated that the bonding strength of coatings to the WC-Co substrate were larger than those to the HSS substrate. The CoFs of CrN fluctuated during the wear process, while CoFs of AlTiN coatings were closer to those of the uncoated substrates. The wear depths of coated samples were smaller than those of uncoated substrates. The wear depths were small when the coatings worked and then increased with the number of cycles and the normal forces. For the CrN coatings, they had longer service life under smaller normal forces than under the large forces. Under small forces, an adhesion layer derived from the wear debris was formed on the coating surface to reduce the wear at the beginning of the test, after that the main failure mechanism was abrasive wear and delamination. Under large forces, the main failure mechanism was spallation. For the AlTiN coatings, the main failure mechanism was spallation on the HSS substrate; however, on the WC-Co substrate it was adhesive and abrasive wear. The coatings (CrN and AlTiN) on WC-Co had longer service life under various normal forces than on the HSS. CrN coating has the better wear-resistance than AlTiN coatings.
The Fabrication of Full Chromatography SiO2@PDA Photonic Crystal Structural Colored Fabric with High Thermal Stability
Authors: Luo Huan , Yang Hui , Zhang Min , Chen Taihong
Published: August 2022

Traditional textile dyeing and finishing industries are two of the most important sources of high pollution, high energy consumption, and high emissions. Structural color, as a clean ecological staining method that does not require any dye or pigment, has received extreme attention from researchers. In this study, core-shell structures of SiO2@PDA microspheres were prepared by coating polydopamine (PDA) formed by rapid polymerization of dopamine (DA) on the surface of SiO2 microspheres. Moreover, the structural colors of full chromatography were successfully prepared by vertical self-assembly on silk. The morphology and chemical structure of the prepared SiO2@PDA microspheres were studied by SEM and FT-IR, and the morphology and optical properties of the structured colored fabrics were characterized by SEM and material microscope. The different structural colors of the entire visible region were obtained by controlling the particle size of SiO2@PDA microspheres and the viewing angle of the SiO2@PDA photonic crystal, which are consistent with Bragg’s diffraction law. Since the SiO2@PDA photonic crystal has thermal stability, the prepared structural color fabric could remain highly saturated in color at temperatures up to 200 °C. This has a previously unreported high thermal stability on structural colors of silk. Therefore, the research work will demonstrate a structural color fabric that can prepare full chromatography with high thermal stability.
Erosion Effect in the Degradation of Coated and Uncoated Glass Solar Mirrors Highlighted by Coupled Accelerated Erosion/Aging Tests
Authors: Lakhouil Sara , Boukheir Sofia , Bouaouine Hassane , Baron Estelle Le , Disdier Angela , Vuillerme Valery , Naamane Sanae
Published: August 2022

Accelerated aging experiments on solar reflectors allow for a more accurate prediction of the materials’ lifespan in a shorter period of time comparing to a study on real-Concentrated solar power (CSP) sites. Accelerated aging tests help to identify which degradations are most likely to occur under the application conditions by assessing the component’s sensitivity to various stress factors. To meet the needs of manufacturers in terms of accelerated testing, accelerated aging standards must be developed in most applications. Therefore, research and experiments must be conducted to determine appropriate techniques and therefore contribute to the standardization process. CSP is a field that entails a lot of work. The solar mirrors aging standards are still subject of research in the CSP field. They’ve all been developed or altered for use in other fields like photovoltaics. However, the outcomes of these aging tests are not always accurate or representative. In addition, the development of new materials like antisoiling coatings make the standardization process more challenging. This work aims to highlight the interest of combining accelerated erosion with other stress factors in order to get more representative results that can contribute to the standardization protocols of accelerated aging tests in the CSP for coated and uncoated solar reflectors.
Real-Time Optimization of Social Distancing to Mitigate COVID-19 Pandemic Using Quantized Extremum Seeking
Authors: Dewasme Laurent , Vande Wouwer Alain
Published: August 2022

The application of extremum seeking control is investigated to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, maximizing social distancing while limiting the number of infections. The procedure does not rely on the accurate knowledge of an epidemiological model and takes realistic constraints into account, such as hospital capacities, the observation horizon of the pandemic evolution and the quantized government sanitary policy decisions. Based on the bifurcation analysis of a SEIARD compartmental model providing two possible types of equilibria, numerical simulation reveals the transient behaviour of the extremum of the constrained cost function, which, if rapidly caught by the algorithm, slowly drifts to the steady-state optimum. Specific features are easily incorporated in the real-time optimization procedure, such as quantized sanitary condition levels and long actuation (decision) periods (usually several weeks), requiring processing of the discrete control signal saturation and quantization. The performance of the proposed method is numerically assessed, considering the convergence rate and accuracy (quantization bias).
Optical Crystals for 1.3 μm All-Solid-State Passively Q-Switched Laser
Authors: Shen Yanxin , Fu Xinpeng , Yao Cong , Li Wenyuan , Wang Yubin , Zhao Xinrui , Fu Xihong , Ning Yongqiang
Published: August 2022

In recent years, optical crystals for 1.3 μm all-solid-state passively Q-switched lasers have been widely studied due to their eye-safe band, atmospheric transmission characteristics, compactness, and low cost. They are widely used in the fields of high-precision laser radar, biomedical applications, and fine processing. In this review, we focus on three types of optical crystals used as the 1.3 μm laser gain media: neodymium-doped vanadate (Nd:YVO4, Nd:GdVO4, Nd:LuVO4, neodymium-doped aluminum-containing garnet (Nd:YAG, Nd:LuAG), and neodymium-doped gallium-containing garnet (Nd:GGG, Nd:GAGG, Nd:LGGG). In addition, other crystals such as Nd:KGW, Nd:YAP, Nd:YLF, and Nd:LLF are also discussed. First, we introduce the properties of the abovementioned 1.3 μm laser crystals. Then, the recent advances in domestic and foreign research on these optical crystals are summarized. Finally, the future challenges and development trend of 1.3 μm laser crystals are proposed. We believe this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the optical crystals for 1.3 μm all-solid-state passively Q-switched lasers.
Ultrasound-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of SrSnO3/g-C3N4 Heterojunction with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance for Ciprofloxacin under Visible Light
Authors: Zhu Zhengru , Xia Haiwen , Jiang Junchao , Han Songlin , Li Hong
Published: August 2022

In this work, an SrSnO3/g-C3N4 heterojunction with different dosage of SrSnO3 was fabricated by an ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal approach and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Ciprofloxacin was adopted to assess the degradation performance, and the sample combined with 40% SrSnO3 eliminated 93% of ciprofloxacin (20 mg/L) within 3 h under visible light, which is 6.6 and 1.7 times greater than for SrSnO3 and g-C3N4, respectively. Furthermore, 85% CIP was extinguished after five cycles of a photocatalytic process. Ultimately, a possible photocatalytic mechanism was dissected.
Improved Perovskite Structural Stability by Halogen Bond from Excessive Lead Iodide via Numerical Simulation
Authors: Wang Taoran , Xu Fan , Wang Qi , Tai Lu , Xu Gu
Published: August 2022

The short lifetime of perovskite solar cell devices limits the application of the technique, which is yet to be resolved, despite many attempts. An important step is made here by the numerical modelling method, which reveals the decomposition kinetics under the protection of halogen bonds from excess PbI2. Irregular diffusion behaviour of water molecules is observed when excessive PbI2 is introduced, possibly due to the passivation and hindrance from the halogen bond, resulting in a lifetime enhancement of at least five times. The detailed kinetics are also obtained by analyzing the decomposition rate curve, offering a possible path towards high-stability PCE perovskite solar devices, by increasing the PbI2 concentration to above the threshold, which opens an unprecedented route in perovskite solar cell research, and is, hopefully, of intrinsic interest to the broad materials research community as well.
Combined Exoscopic and Endoscopic Two-Step Keyhole Approach for Intracranial Meningiomas
Authors: Watanabe Tadashi , Iwami Kenichiro , Kishida Yugo , Nagatani Tetsuya , Yatsuya Hiroshi , Miyachi Shigeru
Published: August 2022

The advantages of neuroendoscopic surgery are the wide viewing angle and the freedom of an axis of view with minimal surgical trauma. With the advent of the exoscope, which has similar advantages to endoscopy, such as a small body and ergonomically superior heads-up surgery, it has become possible to add a field of view that is similar to that of microsurgery to endoscopic surgery. By taking advantage of the features of these scopes, we report the usefulness of the minimally invasive combined exoscopic and endoscopic two-step keyhole approach (EEKA) for various types of meningiomas. We reviewed data from 34 consecutive cases of EEKA for various types of intracranial meningiomas compared with that of conventional microsurgery. All of the tumors were resected as planned without severe complications. Significantly better outcome data were obtained in terms of the blood loss and the surgical time in the EEKA group, in addition to the craniotomy size. The well-illuminated fine vision in the deep corners by the endoscope enabled radical resection of the tumors with minimum burden on the patients. This technique has the potential for minimally invasive surgery in intracranial meningioma patients, including the older population.
Recruiting Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors for Patient-Reported Outcome Research: Experiences and Sample Characteristics of the SURVAYA Study
Authors: Vlooswijk Carla , Poll-Franse Lonneke V. van de , Janssen Silvie H. M. , Derksen Esther , Reuvers Milou J. P. , Bijlsma Rhodé , Kaal Suzanne E. J. , Kerst Jan Martijn , Tromp Jacqueline M. , Bos Monique E. M. M. , Hulle Tom van der , Lalisang Roy I. , Nuver Janine , Kouwenhoven Mathilde C. M. , van der Graaf Winette T. A. , Husson Olga
Published: August 2022

Background: Participation of Adolescents and Young Adults with cancer (AYAs: 18–39 years at time of diagnosis) in patient-reported outcome studies is warranted given the limited knowledge of (long-term) physical and psychosocial health outcomes. We examined the representativeness of AYAs participating in the study, to observe the impact of various invitation methods on response rates and reasons for non-participation. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional cohort study was performed among long-term (5–20 years) AYA cancer survivors. All participants were invited using various methods to fill in a questionnaire on their health outcomes, including enclosing a paper version of the questionnaire, and sending a reminder. Those who did not respond received a postcard in which they were asked to provide a reason for non-participation. Results: In total, 4.010 AYAs (response 36%) participated. Females, AYAs with a higher socio-economic status (SES), diagnosed more than 10 years ago, diagnosed with a central nervous system tumor, sarcoma, a lymphoid malignancy, stage III, or treated with systemic chemotherapy were more likely to participate. Including a paper questionnaire increased the response rate by 5% and sending a reminder by 13%. AYAs who did not participate were either not interested (47%) or did want to be reminded of their cancer (31%). Conclusions: Study participation was significantly lower among specific subgroups of AYA cancer survivors. Higher response rates were achieved when a paper questionnaire was included, and reminders were sent. To increase representativeness of future AYA study samples, recruitment strategies could focus on integrating patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice and involving AYA patients to promote participation in research.
Application of Ethnobotanical Indices in the Utilization of Five Medicinal Herbaceous Plant Species in Benin, West Africa
Authors: Dossou-Yovo Hubert Olivier , Vodouhè Fifanou Gbèlidji , Kaplan Alevcan , Sinsin Brice
Published: August 2022

The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliotropium indicum L., Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth and Schrankia leptocarpa DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal and magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine traders were surveyed in six different markets in three districts. Four ethnobotanical indices were used. All informants traded A. mexicana and the majority traded H. indicum, K. foetidissima, and P. pellucida. Purchases in the traders’ own markets was the single most important source of H. indicum, A. mexicana and P. pellucida. A. mexicana was the most demanded by customers. Traders reported the scarcity of A. mexicana and H. indicum and the availability of S. leptocarpa, K. foetidissima and P. pellucida. H. indicum was mainly used to treat hypertension and fever. Similarly, S. leptocarpa was mostly mentioned in the treatment of hypertension and to facilitate childbirth. K. foetidissima mainly served religious and animist purposes. Similarly, P. pellucida was reported as being mainly used to implant a vodun, a traditional religion in West Africa. A. mexicana served to treat babies just after the umbilical cord fall as well as jaundice. S. leptocarpa and P. pellucida exhibited the highest Use Value (UV), and there was a very low similarity between study species in terms of uses. The majority of traders did not plant the study species, although they serve to treat various social conditions. We suggest a better management of H. indicum and S. leptocarpa through collection for trading and medicinal utilization while the planting is required for A. mexicana and P. pellucida because of their scarcity. K. foetidissima should be preserved and used as medicine wherever it occurs.
Ecology and Diversity of Marine Decapod Crustaceans
Authors: Briones-Fourzán Patricia , Hendrickx Michel E.
Published: August 2022

Decapods are one of the most diverse crustacean orders, with around 17,500 extant species [...]
Effects of Descendent Phenotypic Diversity Mediated by Ancestor Environmental Variation on Population Productivity of a Clonal Plant
Authors: Jin Yu , Chen Jin-Song , Luo Fang-Li , Huang Lin , Lei Ning-Fei , Yu Fei-Hai
Published: August 2022

Phenotypic variation of individuals within populations can be influenced by not only genetic diversity and environmental variation experienced by these individuals but also environmental variation experienced by their parents. Although many studies have tested impacts of phenotypic diversity caused by genotypic or species diversity on productivity, no study has assessed the effects of phenotypic diversity induced by parental environmental variation on productivity. To address this novel question, we conducted two experiments with the widespread, fast-growing, clonal, floating plant Spirodela polyrhiza. We first grew mother (ancestor) ramets of S. polyrhiza under different environmental conditions to obtain descendent ramets with different phenotypes. Then, these ramets were used to construct descendent populations with different levels of phenotypic diversity caused by ancestor environmental variation and examined the effect of phenotypic diversity on population productivity. Environmental variation (changes in nutrient availability, plant density and light intensity) had significant effects on descendent populations of S. polyrhiza. However, descendent phenotypic diversity induced by ancestor environmental variation had no significant effect on total biomass or number of ramets of the descendent populations and such an effect did not depend on the nutrient availability that the descendent populations experienced. Although our results failed to support the idea that phenotypic diversity induced by ancestor environment variation can influence descendent population productivity, we propose that this novel idea should be tested with more species in different ecosystems.
QuatJND: A Robust Quaternion JND Model for Color Image Watermarking
Authors: Wan Wenbo , Li Wenqing , Liu Wenxiu , Diao Zihan , Zhan Yantong
Published: August 2022

Robust quantization watermarking with perceptual JND model has made a great success for image copyright protection. Generally, either restores each color channel separately or processes the vector representation from three color channels with the traditional monochromatic model. And it cannot make full use of the high correlation among RGB channels. In this paper, we proposed a robust quaternion JND Model for color image watermarking (QuatJND). In contrast to the existing perceptual JND models, the advantage of QuatJND is that it can integrate quaternion representation domain and colorfulness simultaneously, and QuatJND incorporates the pattern guided contrast masking effect in quaternion domain. On the other hand, in order to efficiently utilize the color information, we further develop a robust quantization watermarking framework using the color properties of the quaternion DCT coefficients in QuatJND. And the quantization steps of each quaternion DCT block in the scheme are optimal. Experimental results show that our method has a good performance in term of robustness with better visual quality.
Quantum Information of the Aharanov–Bohm Ring with Yukawa Interaction in the Presence of Disclination
Authors: Edet Collins Okon , Lima Francisco Cleiton E. , Almeida Carlos Alberto S. , Ali Norshamsuri , Asjad Muhammad
Published: August 2022

We investigate quantum information by a theoretical measurement approach of an Aharanov–Bohm (AB) ring with Yukawa interaction in curved space with disclination. We obtained the so-called Shannon entropy through the eigenfunctions of the system. The quantum states considered come from Schrödinger theory with the AB field in the background of curved space. With this entropy, we can explore the quantum information at the position space and reciprocal space. Furthermore, we discussed how the magnetic field, the AB flux, and the topological defect influence the quantum states and the information entropy.
Power System Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging Strategies
Authors: Alvarez Guerrero Jose David , Acker Thomas L. , Castro Rafael
Published: August 2022

This article explores the potential impacts of integrating electric vehicles (EVs) and variable renewable energy (VRE) on power system operation. EVs and VRE are integrated in a production cost model with a 5 min time resolution and multiple planning horizons to deduce the effects of variable generation and EV charging on system operating costs, EV charging costs, dispatch stacks, reserves and VRE curtailment. EV penetration scenarios of the light-duty vehicle fleet of 10%, 20%, and 30% are considered in the RTS-GMLC test system, and VRE penetration is 34% of annual energy consumption. The impacts of EVs are investigated during the annual peak in the summer and during the four weeks of the year in which high VRE and low loads lead to overgeneration. Uncoordinated and coordinated EV charging scenarios are considered. In the uncoordinated scenario, charging is undertaken at the convenience of the EV owners, modeled using data from the Idaho National Laboratory’s EV Project. Coordinated charging uses an “aggregator” model, wherein EV charging is scheduled to minimize operating costs while meeting the daily charging requirements subject to EV availability and charging constraints. The results show that at each EV penetration level, the uncoordinated charging costs were higher than the coordinated charging costs. During a high-VRE, low-load week, with uncoordinated EV charging at 30% penetration (3% energy penetration), the peak load increased by as much as 27%. Using coordinated charging, the EV load shifts to hours with low prices, coincident with either low load, high VRE, or both. Furthermore, coordinated charging substantially reduces the curtailment of PV by as much as nine times during the low-load seasons, and the curtailment of wind generation by more than half during the summer peak season, compared to the scenarios with no EVs and uncoordinated EV charging. Using a production cost model with multiple planning cycles, load and VRE forecasts, and a “look ahead” period during scheduling and dispatching units was crucial in creating and utilizing the flexibility of coordinated EV charging.
Bus Voltage Control of Photovoltaic Grid Connected Inverter Based on Adaptive Linear Active Disturbance Rejection
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhuang Keyu , Zhao Tong , Chen Xianli , Xue Jingze , Qiao Zheng , Cui Shuai , Gao Yunlong
Published: August 2022

According to the traditional voltage and current double closed-loop control mode, the inverter management strategy for photovoltaic grid connection has insufficient anti-interference ability and slow response. This paper proposes a control strategy that applies adaptive-linear active disturbance rejection control (A–LADRC) to the outer loop control to achieve the purpose of anti-interference. The control strategy uses the linear extended state observer (LESO) to evaluate external interference caused by the change of external conditions and the internal disturbance caused by parameter uncertainty. PD controller compensates the disturbances and adds adaptive control to simplify parameter adjustment. Finally, this paper takes advantage of Lyapunov theory to conduct stability analysis. Compared with the traditional linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC), the superiority of this control strategy is verified. The experimental results show that the system has better control performance and anti-interference ability in the face of various disturbances.
Variations in Functional Richness and Assembly Mechanisms of the Subtropical Evergreen Broadleaved Forest Communities along Geographical and Environmental Gradients
Authors: Huang Caishuang , Xu Yue , Zang Runguo
Published: August 2022

Linking functional trait space and environmental conditions can help to understand how species fill the functional trait space when species increase along environmental gradients. Here, we examined the variations in functional richness (FRic) and their correlations with key environmental variables in forest communities along latitudinal, longitudinal, and elevational gradients, by measuring seven functional traits of woody plants in 250 forest plots of 0.04 ha across five locations in the subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests (SEBLF) of China. On this basis, we explored whether environmental filtering constrained the functional volume by using a null model approach. Results showed that FRic decreased with increasing elevation and latitude, while it increased with increasing longitude, mirroring the geographical gradients in species richness. FRic was significantly related to precipitation of driest quarter, soil pH, and total phosphorus. Negative SES.FRic was prevalent (83.2% of the communities) in most SEBLF communities and was negatively related to mean diurnal range. Our study suggested that the geographical variation in the functional space occupied by SEBLF communities was affected mainly by climate and soil conditions. The results of the null model revealed that niche packing was dominant in SEBLF communities, highlighting the importance of environmental filtering in defining functional volume within SEBLF communities.
Biomass and Carbon Stock Quantification in Cork Oak Forest of Maamora Using a New Approach Based on the Combination of Aerial Laser Scanning Carried by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Terrestrial Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Sanaa Fadil , Imane Sebari , Mohamed Bouhaloua , Kenza Ait El kadi , Souhail Kellouch , Lfalah Hamza , Khadija Meghraoui
Published: August 2022

The Mediterranean forests, particularly Cork oak (Quercus suber L., 1927), make a major contribution to the fight against climate change through Carbon sequestration. Hence, there is a great interest in the accurate quantification of biomass and carbon stock. In this context, this study aims at assessing the performance of a new approach, based on the combination of Unmanned aerial vehicle airborne Aerial laser scanning (ALS-UAV) and Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data, in the determination of dendrometric parameters (Circumference at 1.30 m and Tree Height), and consequently the estimation of biomass and carbon stock, considering field data as reference. This study takes the Maamora forest in Morocco as an example of a Mediterranean Cork oak forest. The methodology consists of collecting data at three levels: the entire area level for an ALS-UAV scan, the plot and tree levels for TLS surveys, as well as field data collection. Afterwards, dendrometric parameters (Circumference at 1.30 m and the Tree height) were estimated using individual tree segmentation and biomass; the carbon stock (aboveground, belowground, and total) was estimated using allometric equations. The comparison of the estimated dendrometric parameters with those measured in the field shows a strong relationship, with a Pearson coefficient of 0.86 and 0.83, a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.81 and 0.71, and a Root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.84 cm and 0.47 m, respectively. Concerning the biomass and carbon stock estimation, the proposed approach gives a satisfactory accuracy, with a Pearson coefficient of 0.77, an R2 of 0.83, and an RMSE of 36.40 kg for biomass and 20.24 kg for carbon stock.
Seeing through Wavy Water–Air Interface: A Restoration Model for Instantaneous Images Distorted by Surface Waves
Authors: Jian Bijian , Ma Chunbo , Zhu Dejian , Sun Yixiao , Ao Jun
Published: August 2022

Imaging through a wavy water–air interface is challenging since light rays are bent by unknown amounts, leading to complex geometric distortions. Considering the restoration of instantaneous distorted images, this paper proposes an image recovery model via structured light projection. The algorithm is composed of two separate parts. In the first part, an algorithm for the determination of the instantaneous shape of the water surface via structured light projection is developed. Then, we synchronously recover the distorted airborne scene image through reverse ray tracing in the second part. The experimental results show that, compared with the state-of-the-art methods, the proposed method not only can overcome the influence of changes in natural illumination conditions for WAI reconstruction, but also can significantly reduce the distortion and achieve better performance.
Mechanisms for CH4/CO2 Swapping in Natural Sediments
Authors: Kvamme Bjørn
Published: August 2022

Production of natural gas from hydrates involves multiple complex competing phase transitions, which are rarely analyzed thermodynamically. Hydrates in sediments are typically examined in terms of the local conditions of indirect thermodynamic variables, such as temperature and pressure. This can be very misleading in the evaluation of hydrate production methods. Any hydrate production method is governed by the thermodynamic laws. The combined first and second laws determine phase distributions in terms of Gibbs free energy minimum. This minimum is constrained by the first law of thermodynamics through enthalpy. The entropy changes during a specific action for hydrate production need to be sufficient to overcome the bottlenecks of breaking hydrogen bonds. In this work, I point out some important drawbacks of the pressure reduction method. The main focus is, however, on combined safe long-term storage of CO2 and release of CH4. It is demonstrated that CO2 hydrate is more stable than CH4 hydrate, in contrast to interpretations of pressure temperature diagrams, which are frequently used in discussions. Pressure and temperature are independent thermodynamic variables and merely determine at which conditions of these independent variables specific hydrates can exist. Gibbs free energy is the dependent thermodynamic variable that determines the level of phase stability. The first law determines the need for supply of thermodynamic driving forces for hydrate dissociation. Unlike in conventional analysis, it is pointed out that chemical work is also a driving force in the pressure reduction method. The release of heat from the formation of a new CO2 hydrate from injection gas is the primary source for CH4 hydrate dissociation in the CO2 method. Increased salinity due to consumption of pure water for new hydrate could potentially also assist in dissociation of in situ CH4 hydrate. Based on thermodynamic calculations, it is argued that this effect may not be significant.
Homotopy Analysis Method Analytical Scheme for Developing a Solution to Partial Differential Equations in Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Altaie Sarmad A. , Anakira Nidal , Jameel Ali , Ababneh Osama , Qazza Ahmad , Alomari Abdel Kareem
Published: August 2022

Partial differential equations are known to be increasingly important in today’s research, and their solutions are paramount for tackling numerous real-life applications. This article extended the analytical scheme of the homotopy analysis method (HAM) to develop an approximate analytical solution for Fuzzy Partial Differential Equations (FPDEs). The scheme used its powerful tools, the auxiliary function and convergence-control parameter, in the analysis and optimization, which ensures the convergence of the approximate series solution in addition to considering all necessary concepts from fuzzy set theory to provide high precision in the fuzzy environment. Furthermore, the efficiency was shown by applying the proposed scheme to linear and nonlinear cases of Fuzzy Reaction–Diffusion Equation (FRDE) and Fuzzy Wave Equation (FWE).
RewardRating: A Mechanism Design Approach to Improve Rating Systems
Authors: Vakilinia Iman , Faizian Peyman , Khalili Mohammad Mahdi
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, rating systems play a crucial role in the attraction of customers to different services. However, as it is difficult to detect a fake rating, fraudulent users can potentially unfairly impact the rating’s aggregated score. This fraudulent behavior can negatively affect customers and businesses. To improve rating systems, in this paper, we take a novel mechanism-design approach to increase the cost of fake ratings while providing incentives for honest ratings. However, designing such a mechanism is a challenging task, as it is not possible to detect fake ratings since raters might rate a same service differently. Our proposed mechanism RewardRating is inspired by the stock market model in which users can invest in their ratings for services and receive a reward on the basis of future ratings. We leverage the fact that, if a service’s rating is affected by a fake rating, then the aggregated rating is biased toward the direction of the fake rating. First, we formally model the problem and discuss budget-balanced and incentive-compatibility specifications. Then, we suggest a profit-sharing scheme to cover the rating system’s requirements. Lastly, we analyze the performance of our proposed mechanism.
Understanding Flood Risk and Vulnerability of a Place: Estimating Prospective Loss and Damage Using the HAZUS Model
Authors: Haque C. Emdad , Mahmud Khandakar Hasan , Walker David
Published: August 2022

In the field of flood management, risk and loss estimation is a prerequisite to undertake precautionary measures. Among several available tools, the HAZUS model is one of the most effective ones that can assist in the analysis of different dimensions of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tsunamis. The flood hazard analysis portion of the model characterizes the spatial variation of flood regimes for a given study area. This research attempts to illustrate how the geoinformatics tool HAZUS can help in estimating overall risk and potential loss and damage due to floods and how this knowledge can guide the decision-making process and enhance community resilience. Examining a case study in the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews in Manitoba, Canada, this study found that both the ‘Quick Look’ and ‘Enhanced Quick Look’ analyses provided robust results. However, for the RM of St. Andrews, which is characterized by differing levels of exposure on the floodplain, and where many new housing starts occur in high-risk flood zones, ‘Enhanced Quick Look’ with spatially explicit building stock is recommended. The case study of the RM of St. Andrews demonstrates that the HAZUS model can predict loss and damage with increasing magnitude of flooding depth. It is thus recognized that the risk and loss estimation tools can be effective means for future flood loss and damage reduction.
Weighted Blankets’ Effect on the Health of Older People Living in Nursing Homes
Authors: Hjort Telhede Eva , Arvidsson Susann , Karlsson Staffan , Ivarsson Andreas
Published: August 2022

Background: An increasingly aging population is a global phenomenon. While considered a positive step forward, vulnerability to age-related health problems increases along with the ageing population. The aim of the study was to investigate weighted blankets’ effect on health regarding quality of life (QoL), sleep, nutrition, cognition, activities of daily living ADL and medication in older people living in nursing homes. Methods: In total, 110 older people were involved in an intervention with weighted blankets, and 68 older people completed the intervention. Measures before and after were performed regarding quality of life; QoL-AD, EQ-VAS, sleep; MISS, nutrition; MNA, cognition; S -MMSE (ADL) and medication. Comparative statistical analyses were applied. Results: After intervention with weighted blankets, health in general, such as QoL, improved. Sleep also improved significantly, especially with respect to waking up during the night. Nutrition was enhanced, health as a cognitive ability improved, and medication in the psychoanaleptic group decreased. The effect size varied between small and large. Conclusions: A weighted blanket seems to be an effective and safe intervention for older people in nursing homes, as several improvements were made regarding the health of older people.
Moisture as a Driver of Long-Term Threats to Timber Heritage—Part I: Changing Heritage Climatology
Authors: Richards Jenny , Brimblecombe Peter
Published: August 2022

Timber is widely used in the construction of buildings on a global scale, but it is sensitive to degradation. Moisture notably poses a risk to timber decay, and this is likely to change significantly during the 21st century if a high emission scenario occurs. Global HadGEM3 model output was used to map projected changes in relative humidity range, seasonality of relative humidity, time of wetness, wind-driven rain, salt transitions and potential for fungal attack (Scheffer Index). In the Congo Basin, Great Plains (USA) and Scandinavia, humidity ranges are likely to increase along with seasonal change. In many parts of the tropics, time of wetness is likely to decrease by the end of the century. Increases in days of wind-driven rain are projected for western Russia, eastern Europe, Alaska, western Canada and Southern Brazil and Paraguay. Drylands have historically had a low salt risk, but this is projected to increase. In the future, a broad extension of fungal risk along the Himalayas and into central China seems likely, driven as much by temperature as rainfall. The picture presented suggests a slightly less humid heritage climate, which will redistribute the risks to heritage. Mapping global pressures of timber decay could help policymakers and practitioners identify geographically disparate regions that face similar pressures.
Multidisciplinary History of Goats in Finland: A Comparative Approach
Authors: Bläuer Auli , Solala Hilja , Kinnunen Jussi , Rannamäe Eve
Published: August 2022

This article aims to study the history of goats (Capra hircus) in Finland using a multisource approach combining zooarchaeological data with evidence from written sources, the Silver Tax Record of 1571, and statistical data from the year 1900. We present an overview of an abundance of goat bones in zooarchaeological sites dating from the Middle Iron Age to the Post-Medieval period. Furthermore, we use Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) to study the presence of goats in material where it has not been identified by morphological methods. Where the zooarchaeological material and written sources overlap, the results support each other. The meaning of goats in the animal husbandry system in Finland has varied temporally and spatially, and their numbers were in decline by the year 1900. Their diminishing role in 20th-century Finland and their reputation of being the ‘poor man’s cow’ is likely the reason why they have not attracted much research interest. However, according to our data, goats have been an integral part of the animal husbandry system at least from the Late Iron Age onward, even if their proportion among other livestock is never very high.
Simulation of Land Use Pattern Based on Land Ecological Security: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zhao Lesong , Liu Guangsheng , Xian Chunlong , Nie Jiaqi , Xiao Yao , Zhou Zhigang , Li Xiting , Wang Hongmei
Published: August 2022

The process of rapid urbanization has intensified the conversion of different land use types, resulting in a substantial loss of ecological land and ecological security being threatened. In the context of China’s vigorous advocacy of an ecological civilization, it is important to explore future land use patterns under ecological security constraints to promote sustainable development. The insufficient consideration of land ecological security in existing land use pattern simulation studies makes it difficult to effectively promote improvement in the ecological security level. Therefore, we developed a land use simulation framework that integrates land ecological security. Taking the sustainable development of land ecosystems as the core, the land ecological security index (LESI) and ecological zoning (EZ) were determined by the pressure–state–response (PSR) model and the catastrophe progression method (CPM). Natural development (ND) and ecological protection (EP) scenarios were then constructed taking the LESI and EZ into consideration. The CA–Markov model was used to simulate the land use pattern of Guangzhou for 2030 under the two scenarios. The results showed that (1) the study area was divided into four categories: ecological core zone, ecological buffer zone, ecological optimization zone, and urban development zone, with area shares of 37.53%, 31.14%, 16.96%, and 14.37%, respectively. (2) In both scenarios, the construction land around the towns showed outward expansion; compared with the ND scenario, the construction land in the EP scenario decreased by 369.10 km2, and the woodland, grassland, and farmland areas increased by 337.04, 20.80, and 10.51 km2, respectively, which significantly improved the ecological security level. (3) In the EP scenario, the construction land in the ecological core zone, ecological buffer zone, and ecological optimization zone decreased by 85.49, 114.78, and 178.81 km2, respectively, and no new construction land was added in the ecological core zone, making the land use pattern of the EP scenario more reasonable. The results of the study have confirmed that the land use pattern simulation framework integrating land ecological security can effectively predict land use patterns in different future scenarios. This study can provide suggestions and guidance for managers to use in formulating ecological protection policies and preparing territorial spatial planning.
Requirements for Drone Operations to Minimise Community Noise Impact
Authors: Ramos-Romero Carlos , Green Nathan , Roberts Seth , Clark Charlotte , Torija Antonio J.
Published: August 2022

The number of applications for drones under R&D have growth significantly during the last few years; however, the wider adoption of these technologies requires ensuring public trust and acceptance. Noise has been identified as one of the key concerns for public acceptance. Although substantial research has been carried out to better understand the sound source generation mechanisms in drones, important questions remain about the requirements for operational procedures and regulatory frameworks. An important issue is that drones operate within different airspace, closer to communities than conventional aircraft, and that the noise produced is highly tonal and contains a greater proportion of high-frequency broadband noise compared with typical aircraft noise. This is likely to cause concern for exposed communities due to impacts on public health and well-being. This paper presents a modelling framework for setting recommendations for drone operations to minimise community noise impact. The modelling framework is based on specific noise targets, e.g., the guidelines at a receiver position defined by WHO for sleep quality inside a residential property. The main assumption is that the estimation of drone noise exposure indoors is highly relevant for informing operational constraints to minimise noise annoyance and sleep disturbance. This paper illustrates the applicability of the modelling framework with a case study, where maximum A-weighted sound pressure levels LAmax and sound exposure levels SEL as received in typical indoor environments are used to define drone-façade minimum distance to meet WHO recommendations. The practical and scalable capabilities of this modelling framework make it a useful tool for inferring and assessing the impact of drone noise through compliance with appropriate guideline noise criteria. It is considered that with further refinement, this modelling framework could prove to be a significant tool in assisting with the development of noise metrics, regulations specific to drone operations and the assessment of future drone operations and associated noise.
Under Psychological Safety Climate: The Beneficial Effects of Teacher–Student Conflict
Authors: Xie Ruoying , Jiang Jinzhang , Yue Linkai , Ye Lin , An Dong , Liu Yin
Published: August 2022

Previous studies have mainly focused on the negative effects of teacher–student conflict; the positive effects of conflict have rarely been mentioned. This paper suggests that encouraging conflict could act as a teaching method to improve students’ innovative competence. This study has two objectives: (1) to examine how various types of teacher–student conflict affects students’ innovative competence and (2) to identify the mediating role of a psychological safety climate in the association between conflict and students’ innovative competence. To achieve the objectives, we used evidence from 1207 university students. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that conflicts were associated with students’ innovative competence, and the mediation role of a psychological safety climate is significant. Specifically, the results revealed that Cognitive Conflict had significant positive effects on students’ innovative competence, whereas Affective Conflict had a significant negative effect on students’ innovative competence. In addition, we clarified a psychological safety climate as the boundary condition for the relationship between conflict and students’ innovative competence.
Evaluation of the Influence of Road Geometry on Overtaking Cyclists on Two-Lane Rural Roads
Authors: López Griselda , Moll Sara , Pérez-Zuriaga Ana María , García Alfredo
Published: August 2022

Road cycling, both individually and in groups, is common in Spain, where most two-lane rural roads have no cycle lanes. Due to this, and the difference in speed between drivers and cyclists, the overtaking manoeuvre is one of the most dangerous interactions. This study analyses how road geometry influences the overtaking manoeuvre performance. Field data of 1355 overtaking manoeuvres were collected using instrumented bicycles, riding along different rural road segments, and considering individual, medium and large groups of cyclists. The safety variables that characterise the overtaking manoeuvre are overtaking vehicle speed and lateral clearance. These variables have been correlated to geometric characteristics of the road, such as the type of centre line, the horizontal alignment, the speed limit, and the road cross section. Regression models have been fitted considering each cyclist group size and configuration. For individuals and medium groups, wider roads generate higher lateral clearances and lower overtaking speeds, while for large groups only the solid centre line was significant, generating lower clearances and higher speeds. Results suggest that other factors need to be considered, especially for large groups. Results offer a deeper understanding of the phenomenon by providing key points for improving road geometry design, such as widening the shoulders.
How Can Physical Inactivity in Girls Be Explained? A Socioecological Study in Public, Subsidized, and Private Schools
Authors: Soto-Lagos Rodrigo , Cortes-Varas Carolina , Freire-Arancibia Solange , Energici María-Alejandra , McDonald Brent
Published: August 2022

In the last few years, the World Health Organization has highlighted that physical inactivity is a global issue affecting women to a greater extent than men. Faced with this, different nation states have developed public policies to reduce physical inactivity at school; however, the biomedical and individualistic models used have generated widespread criticism, as figures remain the same. In the context of failed interventions on increasing levels of physical activity, this study utilizes a socioecological model to analyze and understand how physical inactivity is reproduced in girls in the Chilean education system. A qualitative study was implemented, as it allows a focus on the entailed meanings, context, and processes. Active semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 groups comprising headmasters, teachers, non-teachers, students, and families. The results show that physical inactivity is linked to factors that go beyond the individualistic model; that is, consideration must include intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy dimensions. Furthermore, gender stereotypes gain relevance in physical education classes, in addition to friendships and family, teaching, and administrative work, access to safe play areas, use of spaces, and widespread cultural factors associated with men and women. This study concludes that the assessed gender differences should be approached from a pedagogical perspective beyond common sense, further reporting that the individualized explanation for physical inactivity is irrelevant to answer why women are more inactive than men.