bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential of Seaweed Derivatives for the Development of Biodegradable Plastics: A Comparative Study
Authors: Wan Yahaya Wan Amnin , Azman Nurul Aini Mohd , Adam Fatmawati , Subramaniam Sarmilaah Dewi , Abd Hamid Khadijah Husna , Almajano Maria Pilar
Published: June 2023

Biodegradable films made from biopolymer materials have the potential to replace conventional plastics, which can reduce waste disposal problems. This study aims to explore the potential of different seaweed derivate films consisting of 2% (w/w) of kappaphycus alverezi (KA), kappa carrageenan (KC), refined carrageenan (RC) and semi-refined carrageenan (SRC) as bio-based materials with 0.9% (w/w) glycerol (G), and reinforced with different concentrations of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) derived from palm waste. A characterization of the glycerol-plasticized seaweed derivatives containing 0, 5, 10, and 15% (v/w) cellulose nanofiber is carried out. The CNFs were studied based on their mechanical, physical and thermal properties including mechanical properties, thickness, moisture content, opacity, water solubility, water vapor permeability and thermal stability. The hydrogen bonding was determined using the DFT calculation generated by Gauss view software version 9.6. The KA + G + 10%CNF film exhibited a surface with slight cracks, roughness, and larger lumps and dents, resulting in inferior mechanical properties (18.50 Mpa), making it unsuitable for biofilm production. The KC + G + 10%CNF film exhibited mechanical properties 24.97 Mpa and water vapor permeability of 1.42311 × 10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1. The RC/G/10%CNF film displayed the highest TS (48.23 MPa) and water vapor permeability (1.4168 × 10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1), but it also had higher solubility in water (66%). In contrast, the SRC + G + 10%CNF film demonstrated excellent mechanical properties (45.98 MPa), low water solubility (42.59%), low water vapor permeability (1.3719 × 10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1), and a high decomposition temperature (250.62 °C) compared to KA, KC and RC. These attributes develop films suitable for various applications, including food packaging with enhanced properties and stability.
Effect of Number of Tests on the Mechanical Characteristics of Agave sisalana Yarns for Composites Structures: Statistical Approach
Authors: Gahgah Mounir , Belaadi Ahmed , Boumaaza Messaouda , Alshahrani Hassan , Khan Mohammad K. A.
Published: June 2023

A designer of sustainable biocomposite structures and natural ropes needs to have a high confidence interval (95% CI) for mechanical characteristics data of performance materials, yet qualities for plant-based fibers are very diverse. A comprehensive study of the elements that enhance the performance of biocomposites or sustainable ropes created from vegetable fibers is necessary. The current study included five groups with varying numbers (N) of tests of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 on the mechanical characteristics at room temperatures. The purpose of this study was to determine how changing N affects the mechanical properties of sisal yarn. These properties include its strength, Young’s modulus, and deformation at rupture. A significance testing program including more than 100 tests was performed. Owing to the heterogeneity of the plant yarn, each group received more than 20 samples at a gauge length (GL) of 100 mm. The tensile strength characteristics of sisal yarns produced a wide range of findings, as is common for natural fibers, necessitating a statistical analysis. Its dispersion was explored and measured using the statistical methods. The Weibull distribution with two parameters and a prediction model with a 95% confidence level for maximum likelihood (ML) and least squares (LS) were used to investigate and quantify its dispersion.
Fiber Orientation Estimation from X-ray Dark Field Images of Fiber Reinforced Polymers Using Constrained Spherical Deconvolution
Authors: Huyge Ben , Sanctorum Jonathan , Jeurissen Ben , De Beenhouwer Jan , Sijbers Jan
Published: June 2023

The properties of fiber reinforced polymers are strongly related to the length and orientation of the fibers within the polymer matrix, the latter of which can be studied using X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Unfortunately, resolving individual fibers is challenging because they are small compared to the XCT voxel resolution and because of the low attenuation contrast between the fibers and the surrounding resin. To alleviate both problems, anisotropic dark field tomography via grating based interferometry (GBI) has been proposed. Here, the fiber orientations are extracted by applying a Funk-Radon transform (FRT) to the local scatter function. However, the FRT suffers from a low angular resolution, which complicates estimating fiber orientations for small fiber crossing angles. We propose constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) as an alternative to the FRT to resolve fiber orientations. Instead of GBI, edge illumination phase contrast imaging is used because estimating fiber orientations with this technique has not yet been explored. Dark field images are generated by a Monte Carlo simulation framework. It is shown that the FRT cannot estimate the fiber orientation accurately for crossing angles smaller than 70∘, while CSD performs well down to a crossing angle of 50∘. In general, CSD outperforms the FRT in estimating fiber orientations.
Effect of Monomers of 3-Hydroxyhexanoate on Properties of Copolymers Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co 3-Hydroxyhexanoate)
Authors: Volova Tatiana G. , Uspenskaya Mayya V. , Kiselev Evgeniy G. , Sukovatyi Aleksey G. , Zhila Natalia O. , Vasiliev Aleksander D. , Shishatskaya Ekaterina I.
Published: June 2023

The properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers with different ratios of monomers synthesized by the wild-type strain Cupriavidus necator B-10646 on sugars, and an industrial sample from Kaneka synthesized by the recombinant strain C. necator NSDG-ΔfadB1 on soybean oil, were studied in a comparative aspect and in relation to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) P(3HB). The copolymer samples, regardless of the synthesis conditions or the ratio of monomers, had reduced values of crystallinity degree (50–60%) and weight average molecular weight (415–520 kDa), and increased values of polydispersity (2.8–4.3) compared to P(3HB) (70–76%, 720 kDa, and 2.2). The industrial sample had differences in its thermal behavior, including a lower glass transition temperature (−2.4 °C), two peaks in its crystallization and melting regions, a lower melting point (Tmelt) (112/141 °C), and a more pronounced gap between Tmelt and the temperature of thermal degradation (Tdegr). The process, shape, and size of the spherulites formed during the isothermal crystallization of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3ННx) were generally similar, but differed in the maximum growth rate of the spherulites during exothermic crystallization, which was 3.5–3.7 μm/min for P(3HB), and 0.06–1.25 for the P(3HB-co-3HHx) samples. The results from studying the thermal properties and the crystallization mechanism of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers are important for improving the technologies for processing polymer products from melts.
Development of Biodegradable Rigid Foams from Pineapple Field Waste
Authors: Namphonsane Atitiya , Amornsakchai Taweechai , Chia Chin Hua , Goh Kheng Lim , Thanawan Sombat , Wongsagonsup Rungtiwa , Smith Siwaporn Meejoo
Published: June 2023

Pineapple materials sourced from agricultural waste have been employed to process novel bio-degradable rigid composite foams. The matrix for the foam consisted of starch extracted from pineapple stem, known for its high amylose content, while the filler comprised non-fibrous cellulosic materials sourced from pineapple leaf. In contrast to traditional methods that involve preparing a batter, this study adopted a unique approach where the starch gel containing glycerol were first formed using a household microwave oven, followed by blending the filler into the gel using a two-roll mill. The resulting mixture was then foamed at 160 °C using a compression molding machine. The foams displayed densities ranging from 0.43–0.51 g/cm3 and exhibited a highly amorphous structure. Notably, the foams demonstrated an equilibrium moisture content of approximately 8–10% and the ability to absorb 150–200% of their own weight without disintegration. Flexural strengths ranged from 1.5–4.5 MPa, varying with the filler and glycerol contents. Biodegradability tests using a soil burial method revealed complete disintegration of the foam into particles measuring 1 mm or smaller within 15 days. Moreover, to showcase practical applications, an environmentally friendly single-use foam tray was fabricated. This novel method, involving gel formation followed by filler blending, sets it apart from previous works. The findings highlight the potential of pineapple waste materials for producing sustainable bio-degradable foams with desirable properties and contribute to the field of sustainable materials.
Aquinas’s Understanding of Religion
Authors: Berry John Anthony
Published: June 2023

Thomas Aquinas emerges as a remarkable figure whose significant literary contributions have had a profound impact on our understanding of religion. Drawing inspiration from both the Greco-Roman philosophical and legal traditions, particularly the influential works of Cicero and the rich Christian tradition, notably Augustine, Aquinas presents a comprehensive and nuanced approach to the multifaceted concept of ‘religion’. While his analysis often situates ‘religion’ within the moral framework of justice, highlighting its inherent concern with the relationship between humanity and the divine, Aquinas goes beyond mere moral principles in his exploration. His aim is to establish a universal understanding of ‘religion’, offering a well-defined definition and presenting a philosophical and theological doctrine. In this paper, we shall first delve into the foundations and underlying principles that shaped Aquinas’s interpretation of religion. Next, we will undertake a thorough examination of religion as a virtue, highlighting Aquinas’s emphasis on its intrinsic connection to justice rather than confining it to the realm of religious sentiment, piety, or devotion. Finally, our research will explore the specific terminologies employed by Aquinas to elucidate the concept of religion, providing a comprehensive and nuanced approach to the ongoing discourse on this topic. Aquinas’s contribution rests in his defence of religion’s inherent public nature, grounded in its anthropological foundation and its virtuous essence.
Using US Stock Sectors to Diversify, Hedge, and Provide Safe Havens for NFT Coins
Authors: Sadorsky Perry , Henriques Irene
Published: June 2023

This paper explores risk management strategies for investments in Nonfungible Token (NFT) coins through their diversification within the S&P 500 industry sectors. Given the significant decline in NFT coin values in 2022, understanding these strategies is critical for investors. This study focused on four major NFT coins (Enjin coin (ENJ), MANA, Theta coin (THETA), and the Tezos coin (XTZ)) and employed ETFs representing the major S&P 500 sectors for analysis. Dynamic conditional correlation GARCH models have been used, to estimate correlations between the NFT coins and US industry sector ETFs. Our findings showed that while most S&P 500 sectors offered diversification benefits in the pre-COVID period, all of them did during the COVID period. However, these sectors are generally weak safe havens and poor hedges. Portfolio analysis suggests an optimal NFT coin weighting of 10–30%, based on the Sharpe ratio. This study aims to pave the way for informed decision-making in the dynamic NFT market.
Circular SAR Incoherent 3D Imaging with a NeRF-Inspired Method
Authors: Zhang Hanqing , Lin Yun , Teng Fei , Feng Shanshan , Yang Bing , Hong Wen
Published: June 2023

Circular synthetic aperture radar (CSAR) has the potential to form 3D images with single-pass single-channel radar data, which is very time-efficient. This article proposes a volumetric neural renderer that utilizes CSAR 2D amplitude images to reconstruct the 3D power distribution of the imaged scene. The innovations are two-fold: Firstly, we propose a new SAR amplitude image formation model that establishes a linear mapping relationship between multi-look amplitude-squared SAR images and a real-valued 4D (spatial location (x, y, z) and azimuth angle θ) radar scattered field. Secondly, incorporating the proposed image formation model and SAR imaging geometry, we extend the neural radiance field (NeRF) methods to reconstruct the 4D radar scattered field using a set of 2D multi-aspect SAR images. Using real-world drone SAR data, we demonstrate our method for (1) creating realistic SAR imagery from arbitrary new viewpoints and (2) reconstructing high-precision 3D structures of the imaged scene.
Evaluation of the Stability of Muddy Coastline Based on Satellite Imagery: A Case Study in the Central Coasts of Jiangsu, China
Authors: Zhao Bingxue , Liu Yongxue , Wang Lei
Published: June 2023

Monitoring the coastline dynamic can provide the basis for the balance of sediment erosion and deposition. The evaluation of coastal stability is beneficial to decision makers for the rational development and ecological conservation of coastal resources. The present study first collected 61 scenes of remote sensing images and extracted the multi-temporal coastlines from the years 1990–2020 in Jiangsu Province, China using an improved waterline method. Given the characteristics of gentle slopes of our study area, we modified the coastlines using actual tidal level data to avoid the influence from different tidal regimes. Finally, the coastal stability analysis was conducted on the central coast of Jiangsu, which experiences frequent changes in erosion and siltation. The results showed that the coastline has changed significantly; the natural coastline decreased by 116 km, while the artificial coastline increased by 108 km. the area of tidal flats decreased by 1152 km2, and the average width of the tidal flats decreased from 8.83 km to 3.55 km. In general, the coastline advanced seawards for many years, mainly due to sediment siltation and tidal flat reclamation, with annual average rates of siltation and reclamation of 9.67 km/a and 40.75 km/a, respectively. The node of siltation and erosion migrated 1.8 km southwards, moving from the Sheyang Estuary to the Doulong Port. The coastal stability gradually decreased from north to south, by values of 88.5 km (40%) for stable coast and 63.97 km (28.9%) for extremely unstable coast. The most unstable coast came from frequent reclamation areas. The method in this study is expected to provide a reference for evaluating the stability of typical muddy coasts, and our results can provide a basis for the sustainable development, utilization, and protection of coastal areas.
Modeling Multi-Rotunda Buildings at LoD3 Level from LiDAR Data
Authors: Tarsha Kurdi Fayez , Lewandowicz Elżbieta , Gharineiat Zahra , Shan Jie
Published: June 2023

The development of autonomous navigation systems requires digital building models at the LoD3 level. Buildings with atypically shaped features, such as turrets, domes, and chimneys, should be selected as landmark objects in these systems. The aim of this study was to develop a method that automatically transforms segmented LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) point cloud to create such landmark building models. A detailed solution was developed for selected buildings that are solids of revolution. The algorithm relies on new methods for determining building axes and cross-sections. To handle the gaps in vertical cross-sections due to the absence of continuous measurement data, a new strategy for filling these gaps was proposed based on their automatic interpretation. In addition, potential points associated with building ornaments were used to improve the model. The results were presented in different stages of the modeling process in graphic models and in a matrix recording. Our work demonstrates that complicated buildings can be represented with a light and regular data structure. Further investigations are needed to estimate the constructed building model with vectorial models.
Laser Scanning for Terrain Analysis and Route Design for Electrified Public Transport in Urban Areas
Authors: Sánchez-Aparicio María , Martín-Jiménez Jose Antonio , González-González Enrique , Lagüela Susana
Published: June 2023

The orography of the terrain is a key factor for the electrification of vehicles, especially regarding public transport and electric buses. This work deals with the analysis of the use of mobile laser scanning, both terrestrial and aerial, for the evaluation of the orography of urban areas. First, the minimum point density required is evaluated to estimate the slope. The results show that point densities of 1 point/m2, measured with aerial laser scanning, are adequate for the task. Based on this, the design of a route for public transport is presented including the requirements concerning key transit points, maximum slope, and others. Based on the proposed route design, the transformation to an electrified route is analyzed from an economic and environmental point of view. The results show that the implementation of electric buses vs. diesel buses in cities with steep slopes (up to 7%) reduces greenhouse gas emissions (32.59%) as well as economic costs (18.10%).
Ship Detection in Low-Quality SAR Images via an Unsupervised Domain Adaption Method
Authors: Pu Xinyang , Jia Hecheng , Xin Yu , Wang Feng , Wang Haipeng
Published: June 2023

Ship detection in low-quality Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images poses a persistent challenge. Noise signals in complex environments disrupt imaging conditions, hindering SAR systems from acquiring precise target information, thereby significantly compromising the performance of detectors. Some methods mitigate interference via denoising techniques, while others introduce noise using classical methods to learn target features in the presence of noise. This conundrum is regarded as a cross-domain problem in this paper; a ship detection method in low-quality images is proposed to learn features of targets and shrink serious deterioration of detection performance by utilizing Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). First, an image-to-image translation task is implemented using CycleGAN to generate low-quality SAR images with complex interference from the source domain to the target domain. Second, with the annotation inheritance, these generated SAR images participate in a training process to improve the detection accuracy and model robustness. Multiple experiments indicate that the proposed method conspicuously improves the detection performance and efficaciously reduces the missed detection rate in the SAR ship detection task. This cross-domain approach achieved outstanding improvements in the form of 11.0% mAP and 3.22% mAP on the GaoFen-3 ship dataset and SRSSD-V1.0, respectively. In addition, the characteristics and potentials of near-shore and off-shore SAR image reconstruction with style transfer based on Generative Adversarial Networks were explored and analyzed in this work.
Coseismic Faulting Model and Post-Seismic Surface Motion of the 2023 Turkey–Syria Earthquake Doublet Revealed by InSAR and GPS Measurements
Authors: Zhao Jing-Jing , Chen Qiang , Yang Ying-Hui , Xu Qian
Published: June 2023

On 6 February 2023 (UTC), an earthquake doublet, consisting of the Mw 7.8 Pazarcik earthquake and the Mw 7.5 Elbistan earthquake, struck south-central Turkey and northwestern Syria, which was the largest earthquake that occurred in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. The faulting model of this earthquake was estimated based on the coseismic InSAR and GPS displacements. In addition, the best-fitting coseismic faulting model indicates that both the Pazarcik earthquake and the Elbistan earthquake were controlled by predominated left-lateral strike-slip motion, with slip peaks of 9.7 m and 10.8 m, respectively. The Coulomb failure stress (CFS) change suggests that the Pazarcik earthquake has a positive effect in triggering the rupture of the seismogenic fault of the Elbistan earthquake. Furthermore, these two main shocks promoted the occurrence of the Mw 6.3 strong aftershock. Additionally, it is found that the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake doublet increased the rupture risk of the Puturge segment of the EAF fault and the northern segment of the Dead Sea Fault (DSF). It is crucial to note that the northern segment of the DSF has not experienced a large earthquake in several centuries, highlighting the need for heightened attention to the potential seismic hazard of this segment. Finally, a deformation zone adjacent to the DSF was identified, potentially attributed to the motion of a blind submarine fault.
Near-Surface Structure Investigation Using Ambient Noise in the Water Environment Recorded by Fiber-Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Authors: Shao Jie , Wang Yibo , Zhang Chi , Zhang Xuping , Zhang Yixin
Published: June 2023

Near-surface structure investigation plays an important role in studying shallow active faults and has various engineering applications. Therefore, we developed a near-surface structure investigation method using ambient noise in a water environment. This newly developed seismic acquisition technology, fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), was used to acquire ambient noise from the Yangtze River. The recorded data were processed to reconstruct surface waves based on the theory of seismic interferometry. The fundamental-mode dispersion curves were extracted and inverted to obtain a shear-wave velocity model below the DAS line. We compared the inverted velocity model with the subsurface geological information from near the study area. The results from the inverted model were consistent with the prior geological information. Therefore, ambient noise in the water environment can be combined with DAS technology to effectively investigate near-surface structures.
Toward Real-Time GNSS Single-Frequency Precise Point Positioning Using Ionospheric Corrections
Authors: Landa Vlad , Reuveni Yuval
Published: June 2023

Real−time single−frequency precise point positioning (PPP) is a promising low−cost technique for achieving high−precision navigation with sub−meter or centimeter−level accuracy. However, its effectiveness depends heavily on the availability and quality of the real−time ionospheric state estimations required for correcting the delay in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. In this study, the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) model is used with global ionospheric vertical total electron content (vTEC) RMS maps to construct 24 h global ionospheric vTEC RMS map forecasts. These forecasts are assimilated with C1P forecast products, and L1 single−frequency positioning solutions are compared with different ionospheric correction models. The study examines the impact of assimilating predicted RMS data and evaluates the presented approach’s practicality in utilizing the IGRG product. The results show that the IGSG RMS prediction−based model improves positioning accuracy up to five hours ahead and achieves comparable results to other models, making it a promising technique for obtaining high−precision navigation.
Comparative Analysis of HRTFs Measurement Using In-Ear Microphones
Authors: Bruschi Valeria , Terenzi Alessandro , Dourou Nefeli A. , Spinsante Susanna , Cecchi Stefania
Published: June 2023

The head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) describe the acoustic path transfer functions between sound sources in the free-field and the listener’s ear canal. They enable the evaluation of the sound perception of a human being and the creation of immersive virtual acoustic environments that can be reproduced over headphones or loudspeakers. HRTFs are strongly individual and they can be measured by in-ear microphones worn by real subjects. However, standardized HRTFs can also be measured using artificial head simulators which standardize the body dimensions. In this paper, a comparative analysis of HRTF measurement using in-ear microphones is presented. The results obtained with in-ear microphones are compared with the HRTFs measured with a standard head and torso simulator, investigating different positions of the microphones and of the sound source and employing two different types of microphones. Finally, the HRTFs of five real subjects are measured and compared with the ones measured by the microphones in the ear of a standard mannequin.
Intelligent Modeling for Batch Polymerization Reactors with Unknown Inputs
Authors: Liu Zhuangyu , Luan Xiaoli
Published: June 2023

While system identification methods have developed rapidly, modeling the process of batch polymerization reactors still poses challenges. Therefore, designing an intelligent modeling approach for these reactors is important. This paper focuses on identifying actual models for batch polymerization reactors, proposing a novel recursive approach based on the expectation-maximization algorithm. The proposed method pays special attention to unknown inputs (UIs), which may represent modeling errors or process faults. To estimate the UIs of the model, the recursive expectation-maximization (EM) technique is used. The proposed algorithm consists of two steps: the E-step and the M-step. In the E-step, a Q-function is recursively computed based on the maximum likelihood framework, using the UI estimates from the previous time step. The Kalman filter is utilized to calculate the estimates of the states using the measurements from sensor data. In the M-step, analytical solutions for the UIs are found through local optimization of the recursive Q-function. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, a practical application of modeling batch polymerization reactors is presented. The performance of the proposed recursive EM algorithm is compared to that of the augmented state Kalman filter (ASKF) using root mean squared errors (RMSEs). The RMSEs obtained from the proposed method are at least 6.52% lower than those from the ASKF method, indicating superior performance.
Temperature Dependence of the Thermo-Optic Coefficient of SiO2 Glass
Authors: Rego Gaspar
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a thorough analysis on the temperature dependence of the thermo-optic coefficient, dn/dT, of four bulk annealed pure-silica glass samples (type I—natural quartz: Infrasil 301; type II—quartz crystal powder: Heraeus Homosil; type III—synthetic vitreous silica: Corning 7980 and Suprasil 3001) from room temperature down to 0 K. The three/four term temperature dependent Sellmeier equations and respective coefficients were considered, which results from fitting to the raw data obtained by Leviton et al. The thermo-optic coefficient was extrapolated down to zero Kelvin. We have obtained dn/dT values ranging from 8.16 × 10−6 up to 8.53 × 10−6 for the four samples at 293 K and for a wavelength of 1.55 μm. For the Corning 7980 SiO2 glass, the thermo-optic coefficient decreases monotonically, from 8.74 × 10−6 down to 8.16 × 10−6, from the visible range up to the third telecommunication window, being almost constant above 1.3 μm. The Ghosh’s model was revisited, and it was concluded that the thermal expansion coefficient only accounts for about 2% of the thermo-optic coefficient, and we have obtained an expression for the temperature behavior of the silica excitonic bandgap. Wemple’s model was also analyzed where we have also considered the material dispersion in order to determine the coefficients and respective temperature dependences. The limitations of this model were also discussed.
Comparisons of Two Bioelectrical Impedance Devices and Manual versus Sensor-Based Short Physical Performance Batteries for Assessment of Muscle Mass and Physical Performance
Authors: Min Jin-Young , Min Kyoung-Bok
Published: June 2023

The assessment of muscle mass and physical performance is essential for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. This study examined the validity of bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and a sensor-based short physical performance battery (SPPB) device for analyzing appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and physical performance. Forty older adults were measured for ASM and physical performance with two BIA devices (InBody770 vs. T-SCAN PLUS III) and two SPPB devices (manual mSPPB vs. sensor-based sSPPB). Validity statistics included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots to examine the agreement of data from the BIA (InBody770 vs. T-SCAN PLUS III) and the SPPBs (mSPPB vs. sSPPB). There was a significant ICC for skeletal muscle mass between the T-SCAN PLUS III and InBody770 devices (ICC = 0.8822; p < 0.0001). The mSPPB and sSPPB values showed agreement across all components: 0.8654 for the total scores, 0.8879 for the walking speed, 0.8889 for the chair stand, and 0.6863 for the standing balance. No systemic bias was observed between the two methods for the BIA and SPPB devices. Measurements using the T-SCAN PLUS III and sSPPB seem to be highly correlated with the InBody770 and mSPPB devices in older adults and may be valid for assessing muscle mass and physical performance.
Human Action Recognition in Smart Living Services and Applications: Context Awareness, Data Availability, Personalization, and Privacy
Authors: Diraco Giovanni , Rescio Gabriele , Caroppo Andrea , Manni Andrea , Leone Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Smart living, an increasingly prominent concept, entails incorporating sophisticated technologies in homes and urban environments to elevate the quality of life for citizens. A critical success factor for smart living services and applications, from energy management to healthcare and transportation, is the efficacy of human action recognition (HAR). HAR, rooted in computer vision, seeks to identify human actions and activities using visual data and various sensor modalities. This paper extensively reviews the literature on HAR in smart living services and applications, amalgamating key contributions and challenges while providing insights into future research directions. The review delves into the essential aspects of smart living, the state of the art in HAR, and the potential societal implications of this technology. Moreover, the paper meticulously examines the primary application sectors in smart living that stand to gain from HAR, such as smart homes, smart healthcare, and smart cities. By underscoring the significance of the four dimensions of context awareness, data availability, personalization, and privacy in HAR, this paper offers a comprehensive resource for researchers and practitioners striving to advance smart living services and applications. The methodology for this literature review involved conducting targeted Scopus queries to ensure a comprehensive coverage of relevant publications in the field. Efforts have been made to thoroughly evaluate the existing literature, identify research gaps, and propose future research directions. The comparative advantages of this review lie in its comprehensive coverage of the dimensions essential for smart living services and applications, addressing the limitations of previous reviews and offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the field.
Triggering Magnets for Wiegand Sensors: Electrodeposited and Origami-Magnetized CoNiP Micro-Magnets
Authors: Kotnana Ganesh , Cheng Yun , Lin Chiao-Chi
Published: June 2023

Miniature sensors are key components for applications in the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and smart manufacturing. As a miniature and self-powered magnetic sensor, the Wiegand sensor possesses advantageous traits including changing-rate-independent output, low cost, and remarkable repeatability and reliability. A typical Wiegand sensor requires hard magnetic pole pieces that provide external fields for triggering voltage outputs that are called Wiegand pulses. However, the wire-shaped sensing element of Wiegand sensors is the critical issue that limits the design, selection, and adoption of the external triggering magnets. Currently, the widely used pole piece materials are rare-earth magnets. However, adopting rare-earth magnets brings strong stray fields, causing an electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem. In this study, patterned CoNiP hard magnets were electrodeposited on flexible substrates through microfabrication. Origami magnetization was utilized to control the resultant stray fields and thus the pole piece of CoNiP magnets can successfully trigger the output of the Wiegand pulse. In comparison, the output voltage of the triggered pulse acquired through the patterned CoNiP magnets is comparable to that acquired by using the rare-earth magnets. Furthermore, both the volume (and hence the weight) of the Wiegand sensor and the EMI issue can be significantly reduced and mitigated, respectively, by the CoNiP magnets.
Effects of Harvesting Grabbing Type on Grabbing Force and Leaf Injury of Lettuce
Authors: Ma Yidong , Hu Pengzhan , Li Xinping , Jin Xin , Wang Huankun , Zhang Chao
Published: June 2023

Hydroponic lettuce is the main cultivated leafy vegetable in plant factories, and its scattered leaves are delicate and easily injured. Harvesting is an important process in the production of hydroponic lettuce. To reduce the injury level of hydroponic lettuce during harvesting, the impacts of the flexible finger-grabbing position applied on the grabbing force and the area of the injured leaves were investigated in this study by utilizing thin-film sensors and a high-speed video camera. According to the overlapping structural characteristics of adjacent leaves on lettuce, flexible finger-grabbing positions were divided into areas of the surface of the leaves and the intersections of the leaves. Three grabbing types—which are referred to in this paper as Grabbing Types A, B, and C—were identified according to the number of flexible fingers grabbing the leaf surface and the intersection area of the leaves. The force curves of all the flexible fingers were measured by thin film sensors, and the injury area of the leaves was detected using an image processing method. The results showed the consistency of the grabbing force curves and the motion characteristic parameters of the four flexible fingers. The maximum grabbing force of each flexible finger appeared at the stage of pulling the lettuce. The grabbing force of the flexible fingers acting on the intersection areas of the leaves was less than that acting on the leaf surface. As the number of flexible fingers acting on the intersection areas of the leaves increased, both the injury area of the leaves and the grabbing force decreased gradually. Grabbing Type C had the smallest injury area of the leaves: 120.3 ± 13.6 mm2 with an 11.4% coefficient of variation.
Assessment of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on European Roads: A Comprehensive In Situ Measurement Campaign
Authors: Atanasova Gabriela Lachezarova , Atanasov Blagovest Nikolaev , Atanasov Nikolay Todorov
Published: June 2023

The rapid evolution of wireless communication technologies (such as fifth-generation (5G) cellular networks) in the last years has allowed connecting different objects (from wearable electronics to vehicles) and people through communication networks, and at the same time, has led to widespread deployment of base stations. Along with this growth, questions about the potential adverse effects on human health due to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from base station antennas have also been raised. In this paper, we focus on the assessment of EMFs in automobiles during short (between cities) and long (between countries) trips on several European roads. Comprehensive measurement campaigns were carried out in several European countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, and the Republic of Serbia. The results show that the median total electric field is 0.23–0.24 V/m in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and the Republic of Serbia. In Austria and Slovenia, the median is 0.28–0.31 V/m. Austria demonstrated the highest value for the total electric field, at 17.4 V/m.
Investigation of In-Situ Low Copper Alloying of 316L Using the Powder Bed Fusion Process
Authors: Foadian Farzad , Kremer Robert , Post Matthias , Taghizadeh Tabrizi Arvin , Aghajani Hossein
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the allowability of materials in the laser powder melting process, with a focus on powder mixing as a means of adjusting the material composition quickly and cost-effectively. By mixing different powders, a desired alloy can be created during additive processing without the need to produce new powder, which can be expensive. However, one of the main challenges in this process is the segregation of powders, which can lead to non-homogeneous alloys. To address this challenge, the study examined the use of a single component 316L mixed with 1% and 5% copper powder in the additive processing. The results showed that homogeneous components with a uniform and targeted copper content could be produced. However, the mechanical-technological properties of both alloys were lower than those of 316L in situ. To optimize and extend this study, further investigation could be conducted to improve the homogeneity of the powder mixture and to enhance the mechanical-technological properties of the alloys produced. This could involve exploring different alloy designs, optimizing the laser powder melting process parameters, and using advanced characterization techniques to gain a deeper understanding of the microstructure and properties of the alloys. By addressing these challenges, the laser powder melting process could become an even more promising method for producing customized alloys with tailored properties.
Depicting Rubin’s Vase or Faces: Clarifying the Practical Value of Integrated Water Resource Management
Authors: Xu Tong
Published: June 2023

This paper responds to the significant challenges to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and clarifies its practical value as a theoretical framework. Through thorough theoretical analysis, this paper examines how IWRM can be applied to distinguish water resource management (WRM) as an observable domain with an open boundary and foster sustainable ecosystem management by emphasizing the functional differentiation of WRM. Compared to the examination made solely from the WRM perspective, an IWRM perspective can better develop the structural complexity of the WRM domain and help expose misunderstandings regarding integration issues. Most importantly, IWRM is not merely an explanatory theoretical framework but also a defensive one. It can facilitate structural coupling between WRM and other domains to reduce conflicts and enable concerted action. However, this role of IWRM has been overlooked for a long time.
The Impact of Job Satisfaction on Creating a Sustainable Workplace: An Empirical Analysis of Organizational Commitment and Lifestyle Behavior
Authors: Gumasing Ma. Janice J. , Ilo Charles Kristian K.
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic recently swept the globe, and quarantine sadly compelled most businesses and employees to adapt to the sudden change. Because of this, the employee may face psychological risks like a change in lifestyle, tiredness, burnout, and a drop in job satisfaction. Establishing how each aspect is associated with the job satisfaction of supply chain workers in the Philippines is the main topic of this study. Purposive sampling via an online survey is the non-probability sample method used in this investigation. The target respondents are the logistics company’s employees. Google Forms were used to deliver the self-administered online survey questionnaire. The SEM model was assessed using the hypothesis test’s beta coefficient and R2 findings. The model was proven sufficient to explain or forecast the employee’s loyalty to the organization, stress at work, and job satisfaction. Results of the study revealed that organizational commitment (β = 0.716; p-value < 0.001) had the highest positive association with workers’ job satisfaction, while work stress proved to have a negative association with job satisfaction (β = −0.166; p-value = 0.039). Similarly, job characteristics (β = 0.684; p-value < 0.001) and job involvement (β = 0.189; p-value = 0.009) were also proved to have a strong positive association with organizational commitment, which in turn influences job satisfaction. Finally, lifestyle behavior was found to have a positive association with work stress (β = 0.467; p-value < 0.001) and job burnout (β = 0.369; p-value = 0.001), negatively influencing job satisfaction. As a result, this study can offer supply-chain company personnel more information on the effect of organization commitment, lifestyle behavior, work stress, and job burnout on job satisfaction, which is a key component of job sustainability. Companies must ensure that employees are treated well and meet their demands to promote a sustainable workplace.
Life-Cycle Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Fly Ash Recycling as a Feedstock for Brick Manufacturing
Authors: Lin Tseng-Hsian , Siao Hung-Jung , Gau Sue-Huai , Kuo Jen-Hwa , Li Ming-Guo , Sun Chang-Jung
Published: June 2023

The recovery of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash is currently considered to be the most viable solution for its management. However, in developing resource recovery technologies, it is crucial to consider the overall environmental impact. This study employed a life-cycle assessment (LCA) to compare environmentally friendly red bricks partially utilizing MSWI fly ash as a raw material with conventional red bricks. The results demonstrate that the use of phosphoric acid during the resource recovery process imposes the most significant environmental burden, followed by electricity consumption. To address this issue, in this study, we simulated the replacement of phosphoric acid with phosphoric acid monohydrate recovered from discarded fire extinguishers, resulting in the production of second-generation environmentally friendly red bricks. The analysis revealed that the environmentally friendly red bricks exhibited a mere 5.52% increase in total environmental impact compared with traditional red bricks. Moreover, by stabilizing heavy metals using recovered phosphoric acid monohydrate, the second-generation environmentally friendly red bricks achieved an 8.75% reduction in total environmental impact relative to traditional red bricks. These findings highlight the environmental benefits of fly ash reuse in red brick production, and the incorporation of other industrial waste or byproducts could further enhance its efficacy. The application of the LCA facilitated the identification of key areas for improvement and enabled precise evaluation of the environmental benefits associated with waste reuse.
Optimal Resource Allocation for Carbon Mitigation
Authors: Cerasoli Sara , Porporato Amilcare
Published: June 2023

Climate change threatens economic and environmental stability and requires immediate action to prevent and counteract its impacts. As large investments are already going into mitigation efforts, it is crucial to know how to best allocate them in time and among the alternatives. In this work, we tackle this problem using optimal control methods to obtain the temporal profiles of investments and their allocation to either clean energy development or carbon removal technologies expansion. The optimal allocation aims to minimize both the abatement and damage costs for various scenarios and mitigation policies, considering the optimization time horizon. The results show that early investments and a larger share of demand satisfied by clean energy should be priorities for any economically successful mitigation plan. Moreover, less stringent constraints on abatement budgets and reduced discounting of future utility are needed for a more economically and environmentally sustainable mitigation pathway.
Energy Consumption of Retrofitting Existing Public Buildings in Malaysia under BIM Approach: Pilot Study
Authors: Hmidah Nawal Abdunasseer , Bin Haron Nuzul Azam , Hizami Aidi Alias , Law Teik Hua , Altohami Abubaker Basheer Abdalwhab
Published: June 2023

Building information modeling (BIM) platforms to enhance design and construction processes have been rising recently, with BIM-based tools such as Autodesk Revit’s Architecture. The importance of BIM can be mainly seen in reducing energy consumption by at least 30%, leading to a huge cut in carbon dioxide, and saving the environment. BIM helps engineers and contractors to use less material for better benefits for stakeholders, including organizations, governmental offices, and businesses. This study investigates the reliability and validity of a constructed questionnaire to pre-determine the applications relevant to a questionnaire to be used in a large-scale study. The literature has highlighted the connection between BIM and energy-driven retrofits. However, the application of BIM to the retrofitting of existing structures confronts obstacles, which may be attributable to the multidisciplinary character of information sharing, the timeliness of communication, and the large number of technology components required to provide an optimal exchange. A pilot study was conducted, identifying the sample size of 30 random respondents out of 167 samples. SPSS was used for estimating the percentages of the demographic attributes for the respondents, the face validity, internal-consistency validity, the validation of all contracts, and Pearson’s correlation. The results show that engineers constitute 46%, project managers (20%), contractors (17%), and the rest (approximately 17%) are divided among other professionals. The validity of internal consistency ranges from 0.791 to 0.912, which reflects perfect consistency. The internal consistency of each part was recorded at 0.942 (energy), 0.957 (strategies), and 0.979 (framework). The validation for the energy part ranges from 0.610 to 0.912; for strategies (0.451 to 0.884,) and for the framework (0.681 to 0.884). Pearson’s correlation for all 17 questions showed a minimum value of 0.464, while the maximum value was 0.890. The results show that all questionnaire elements were successfully validated with a Cronbach alpha factor mainly higher than 0.6—the threshold accepted by most researchers. Hence, the work on the broader scale of testing and analysis could proceed.
Promoting Urban Health through the Green Building Movement in Vietnam: An Intersectoral Perspective
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Thi Thu , Waibel Michael
Published: June 2023

The health of urban citizens is largely defined by how their living environments are planned, built, and operated, but scientific and policy discourse about sustainable building has often ignored this. Furthermore, while the complex relations between health and the characteristics of built environments require system-orientated thinking and interdisciplinary interventions, they have—until recently—mainly been addressed with conventionally narrow sector-based (mostly technocratic) approaches (e.g., in regard to energy efficiency or carbon reduction). This paper, however, investigates how health co-benefits are perceived by stakeholders in the field of sustainable building in Vietnam. It examines empirical insights collected from a large-scale household survey—with a focus on a green building-certified project case study—conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, six thematic webinars, and eleven expert interviews. Among other things, the paper points out a challenging mismatch between the high importance homebuyers place on green building health benefits, and the focus of stakeholders on energy-saving benefits, which are not necessarily the homebuyers’ most pressing concerns. Therefore, the paper concludes that improved health and well-being should be more strongly considered as co-benefits of green buildings. Equally important is that this paper also brings attention to the essential systemic approach in both academic and practical efforts toward the implementation of the SDG3, to “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all ages”, and SDG 11, “to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.