bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Halochromic Silk Fabric as a Reversible pH-Sensor Based on a Novel 2-Aminoimidazole Azo Dye
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Isabel , Vieira Bárbara , Alves Cátia , Silva Bárbara , Pinto Eugénia , Cerqueira Fátima , Silva Renata , Remião Fernando , Shvalya Vasyl , Cvelbar Uros , Padrão Jorge , Dias Alice Maria , Zille Andrea
Published: March 2023

Textiles are important components for the development of lightweight and flexible displays useful in smart materials. In particular, halochromic textiles are fibrous materials with a color-changing ability triggered by pH variations mainly based on pH-sensitive dye molecules. Recently, a novel class of 2-aminoimidazole azo dyes was developed with distinct substituent patterns. In this work, silk fabric was functionalized through exhaustion for the first time with one of these dyes (AzoIz.Pip). The halochromic properties of the dye were assessed in an aqueous solution and after silk functionalization. The solutions and the fabrics were thoroughly analyzed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra, color strength (K/S), color difference (∆E), CIE L*a*b* coordinates, and the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). The dyeing process was optimized, and the halochromic performance (and reversibility) was assessed in universal Britton–Robinson buffers (ranging from pH 3 to 12) and artificial body fluids (acid and alkaline perspiration, and wound exudate). AzoIz.Pip showed vibrant colors and attractive halochromic properties with a hypsochromic shift from blue (557 nm) to magenta (536 nm) in aqueous buffered solutions. Similarly, the functionalized silk showed a shift in wavelength of the maximum K/S value from 590 nm to 560 nm when pH increases. The silk fabric showed a high affinity to AzoIz.Pip, and promoted additional color stabilization of the dye, avoiding color loss as observed when the dye is in solution at alkaline pH after 24 h. The color reversibility was effective up to the fourth cycle and the fastness tests denoted suitable results, except washing fastness. The cytotoxicity of the silk fabric extracts was assessed, depicting reduced viability of HaCaT cells to <70% only when the dye concentration in the fabric is higher or equal to 64 μg·mL−1. Nevertheless, lower concentrations were also very effective for the halochromic performance in silk. These materials can thus be a helpful tool for developing sensors in several sectors such as biomedicine, packaging, filtration, agriculture, protective apparel, sports, camouflage, architecture, and design.
Antioxidant and Antiradical Activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Extracts Encapsulated in Calcium Alginate Spheres
Authors: Bevan Pascal , Pastor Maria Vicenta , Almajano María Pilar , Codina-Torrella Idoia
Published: March 2023

The interest in natural sources with high antioxidant powder has recently increased in several sectors. Ionic gelation methods could be used to protect bioactive substances to control the kinetics and release of these ingredients to the food matrix. This study dealt with the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity and scavenging activity of extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. (HSL) (with 50% ethanol) encapsulated in calcium alginate spheres as a new source for preserving food against oxidative damage. Their antioxidant activity was measured in different o/w emulsions in which HSL spheres reduced the formation of hydroperoxides (~80%) and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance products (~20%). The scavenging activity of HSL extracts was measured in different food simulants (water, water acidified with 3% acetic acid, ethanol at 50%, and pure ethanol), and corresponded to 0.20–0.43, 0.31–0.62, and 11.13–23.82 mmol Trolox/mL extract for Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays, respectively. In general, the best antiradical activity was observed in the ethanolic and acidified mediums, in which the highest concentration of released polyphenols ranged from 0.068 to 0.079 mg GAE/mL. This work indicates the potential of alginate spheres for encapsulating antioxidant compounds as an innovative strategy for several industrial applications.
Viscosity Factor (VF) Complementary to the Statistical Indicators Associated with the Rheological Behavior of Aqueous Solutions of Polyvinyl Alcohol
Authors: Carrasco-Venegas Luis Américo , González-Fernández José Vulfrano , Castañeda-Pérez Luz Genara , Palomino-Hernández Guido , Dueñas-Dávila Federico Alexis , Trujillo-Pérez Salvador Apolinar
Published: March 2023

The rheological behavior of aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol at 4, 6, 8 and 10% by weight has been studied and evaluated at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, using five non-Newtonian fluid models independent of time: Ferrys, Robertson-Stiff, Williamson, Sisko, and Ellis de Haven. The classical method consists in carrying out regression analysis. Using a comparative procedure of determination coefficients and variances, the model that most appropriately adjusts the experimental data to said model is selected. From the statistical point of view, the Sisko and Robertson-Stiff models present better regression parameters; to better specify the choice of the respective rheological model, a new factor has been proposed in the literature, the viscosity factor (VF), which expresses the relationship between apparent and dynamic viscosity. The analysis of this factor for the five models confirms the greater stability of the Ellis de Haven model in terms of the coefficient of variation of the VF. The value of VF fluctuates between 1 and 2 for all ranges of temperature and concentration experienced for vinyl alcohol solutions. As a consequence of the above, for the choice of the non-Newtonian fluid model associated with the rheology of the aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol, it is necessary to analyze the statistical parameters and the VF factor simultaneously.
ZnO NRs/rGO Photocatalyst in a Polymer-Based Microfluidic Platform
Authors: Raub Aini Ayunni Mohd , Hamidah Ida , Nandiyanto Asep Bayu Dani , Ridwan Jaenudin , Mohamed Mohd Ambri , Buyong Muhamad Ramdzan , Yunas Jumril
Published: March 2023

This paper reports the development of ZnO NRs/rGO-based photocatalysts integrated into a tree-branched polymer-based microfluidic reactor for efficient photodegradation of water contaminants. The reactor system includes a photocatalytic reactor, tree-branched microfluidic channels, and ZnO nanorods (NRs) coated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on a glass substrate within an area of 0.6 × 0.6 cm2. The ZnO NRs/rGO acts as a photocatalyst layer grown hydrothermally and then spray-coated with rGO. The microfluidic system is made of PDMS and fabricated using soft lithography (micro molding using SU-8 master mold patterned on a silicon wafer). The device geometry is designed using AutoCAD software and the flow properties of the microfluidics are simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. The microfluidic platform’s photocatalytic process aims to bring the nanostructured photocatalyst into very close proximity to the water flow channel, reducing the interaction time and providing effective purification performance. Our functionality test showed that a degradation efficiency of 23.12 %, within the effective residence time of less than 3 s was obtained.
A Novel Approach for Simulation and Optimization of Rubber Vulcanization
Authors: Lubura Jelena , Kojić Predrag , Pavličević Jelena , Ikonić Bojana , Balaban Dario , Bera Oskar
Published: March 2023

The kinetic model, encompassing the curing and reversion phenomena of the NR/SBR rubber vulcanization process, was developed by means of the finite element method simultaneously with heat transfer equations, including heat generation due to curing reactions. The vulcanization simulation was conducted for three spheres of different diameters (1, 5 and 10 cm) and two rubber wheels, one of which was a commercial product of the rubber industry. The proposed advanced simulation model, based on products’ two-dimensional axisymmetry, includes cooling after vulcanization, during which the crosslinking reactions continue to take place as a result of the products’ heated interiors. As a criterion for removing the product from the mold, an average vulcanization degree of 0.9 was set, whereby, during cooling, the vulcanization degree increases, due to crosslinking reactions. Based on the minimal difference between the maximal and minimal vulcanization degrees, which did not exceed a value of 0.0142, the optimal process parameters for each product were determined, achieving homogeneity and obtaining high-quality rubber products, while simultaneously ensuring a more efficient vulcanization process and enhanced cost effectiveness for the rubber industry.
Isolation and Genotypic Characterization of New Emerging Avian Reovirus Genetic Variants in Egypt
Authors: Zanaty Ali , Mosaad Zienab , Elfeil Wael M. K. , Badr Mona , Palya Vilmos , Shahein Momtaz A. , Rady Mohamed , Hess Michael
Published: March 2023

Avian reovirus (ARV) strains cause a variety of symptoms in chickens, including viral arthritis/tenosynovitis, a disease that has emerged as a significant cause of economic losses in commercial chicken flocks in recent years in various countries, including Egypt. Furthermore, ARV strains are frequently isolated from birds suffering from malabsorption. In the actual study, seventy-five samples were collected in 2021 and 2022 from broiler and vaccinated broiler breeder flocks at different farms in Giza Province, Egypt, with reovirus-like symptoms such as significant weight fluctuation and arthritis/malabsorption. ARV was screened using real-time PCR, and fifteen positive samples were detected (20%), which were then subjected to embryonated chicken egg (ECE) isolation and molecular characterization (11/15 sample) of a partial segment of the sigma (σ)C gene (S1-gene). Phylogenetically, nine strains were found to belong to genotypic cluster IV, with 82–89% identity with Israeli ARV 2018, and two strains belong to genotypic cluster V with a 78% nucleotide identity with Japan ARV 2021. No correlation between lesions and genotype was found. The strains under study had a low sequence identity (43–55%) when compared with various commercial vaccines belonging to genotypic cluster I (e.g., strain S1133). These findings imply that novel ARV genotypes representing clusters IV and V have recently been introduced to Egyptian poultry farms. A homologous vaccine is suggested; because this variation raises the possibility that commercial vaccines may not offer protection against circulating ARVs.
A Novel Vegetation Index Approach Using Sentinel-2 Data and Random Forest Algorithm for Estimating Forest Stock Volume in the Helan Mountains, Ningxia, China
Authors: Ma Taiyong , Hu Yang , Wang Jie , Beckline Mukete , Pang Danbo , Chen Lin , Ni Xilu , Li Xuebin
Published: March 2023

Forest stock volume (FSV) is a major indicator of forest ecosystem health and it also plays an important part in understanding the worldwide carbon cycle. A precise comprehension of the distribution patterns and variations of FSV is crucial in the assessment of the sequestration potential of forest carbon and optimization of the management programs of the forest carbon sink. In this study, a novel vegetation index based on Sentinel-2 data for modeling FSV with the random forest (RF) algorithm in Helan Mountains, China has been developed. Among all the other variables and with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.778, the novel vegetation index (NDVIRE) developed based on the red-edge bands of the Sentinel-2 data was the most significant. Meanwhile, the model that combined bands and vegetation indices (bands + VIs-based model, BVBM) performed best in the training phase (R2 = 0.93, RMSE = 10.82 m3ha−1) and testing phase (R2 = 0.60, RMSE = 27.05 m3ha−1). Using the best training model, the FSV of the Helan Mountains was first mapped and an accuracy of 80.46% was obtained. The novel vegetation index developed based on the red-edge bands of the Sentinel-2 data and RF algorithm is thus the most effective method to assess the FSV. In addition, this method can provide a new method to estimate the FSV in other areas, especially in the management of forest carbon sequestration.
Transformers in Remote Sensing: A Survey
Authors: Aleissaee Abdulaziz Amer , Kumar Amandeep , Anwer Rao Muhammad , Khan Salman , Cholakkal Hisham , Xia Gui-Song , Khan Fahad Shahbaz
Published: March 2023

Deep learning-based algorithms have seen a massive popularity in different areas of remote sensing image analysis over the past decade. Recently, transformer-based architectures, originally introduced in natural language processing, have pervaded computer vision field where the self-attention mechanism has been utilized as a replacement to the popular convolution operator for capturing long-range dependencies. Inspired by recent advances in computer vision, the remote sensing community has also witnessed an increased exploration of vision transformers for a diverse set of tasks. Although a number of surveys have focused on transformers in computer vision in general, to the best of our knowledge we are the first to present a systematic review of recent advances based on transformers in remote sensing. Our survey covers more than 60 recent transformer-based methods for different remote sensing problems in sub-areas of remote sensing: very high-resolution (VHR), hyperspectral (HSI) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. We conclude the survey by discussing different challenges and open issues of transformers in remote sensing.
A Sorting Method of SAR Emitter Signal Sorting Based on Self-Supervised Clustering
Authors: Dai Dahai , Qiao Guanyu , Zhang Caikun , Tian Runkun , Zhang Shunjie
Published: March 2023

Most existing methods for sorting synthetic aperture radar (SAR) emitter signals rely on either unsupervised clustering or supervised classification methods. However, unsupervised clustering can consume a significant amount of computational and storage space and is sensitive to the setting of hyperparameters, while supervised classification requires a considerable number of labeled samples. To address these limitations, we propose a self-supervised clustering-based method for sorting SAR radiation source signals. The method uses a constructed affinity propagation-convolutional neural network (AP-CNN) to perform self-supervised clustering of a large number of unlabeled signal time-frequency images into multiple clusters in the first stage. Subsequently, it uses a self-organizing map (SOM) network combined with inter-pulse parameters for further sorting in the second stage. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other depth models and conventional methods in the environment where Gaussian white noise affects the signal. The experiments conducted using measured data also show the superiority of the proposed method in this paper.
Improved Geometric Optics with Topography (IGOT) Model for GNSS-R Delay-Doppler Maps Using Three-Scale Surface Roughness
Authors: Melebari Amer , Campbell James D. , Hodges Erik , Moghaddam Mahta
Published: March 2023

Although multiple efforts have been made to model global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-reflectometry (GNSS-R) delay-Doppler maps (DDMs) over land, there is still a need for models that better represent the signals over land and can enable reliable retrievals of the geophysical variables. Our paper presents improvements to an existing GNSS-R DDM model by accounting for short-wave diffraction due to small-scale ground surface roughness and signal attenuation due to vegetation. This is a step forward in increasing the model fidelity. Our model, called the improved geometric optics with topography (IGOT), predicts GNSS-R DDM over land for the purpose of retrieving geophysical parameters, including soil moisture. Validation of the model is carried out using DDMs from the Cyclone GNSS (CYGNSS) mission over two validation sites with in situ soil moisture sensors: Walnut Gulch, AZ, USA, and the Jornada Experimental Range, NM, USA. Both the peak reflectivity and the DDM shape are studied. The results of the study show that the IGOT model is able to accurately predict CYGNSS DDMs at these two validation sites.
Single-Cell Isolation Microfluidic Chip Based on Thermal Bubble Micropump Technology
Authors: Xu Chao , Wang Kun , Huang Peng , Liu Demeng , Guan Yimin
Published: March 2023

The isolation of single cells is essential for the development of single cell analysis methods, such as single-cell sequencing, monoclonal antibodies, and drug development. Traditional single-cell isolation techniques include flow cytometry (FACS), laser capture microdissection (LCM), micromanipulation, etc., but their operations are complex and have low throughput. Here, we present a microfluidic chip that can isolate individual cells from cell suspension and release them onto a well plate. It uses thermal bubble micropump technology to drive the fluid flow, and single-cell isolation is achieved by matching the flow resistance of the flow channel. Therefore, injection pumps and peristaltic pumps are not required for cell loading. Because of its small size, we can integrate hundreds of single-cell functional modules, which makes high-throughput single-cell isolation possible. For polystyrene beads, the capture rate of the single bead is close to 100%. Finally, the method has been applied to cells, and the capture rate of the single cell is also about 75%. This is a promising method for single-cell isolation.
Intelligent Microsystem for Sound Event Recognition in Edge Computing Using End-to-End Mesh Networking
Authors: Hou Lulu , Duan Wenrui , Xuan Guozhe , Xiao Shanpeng , Li Yuan , Li Yizheng , Zhao Jiahao
Published: March 2023

Wireless acoustic sensor networks (WASNs) and intelligent microsystems are crucial components of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. In various IoT applications, small, lightweight, and low-power microsystems are essential to enable autonomous edge computing and networked cooperative work. This study presents an innovative intelligent microsystem with wireless networking capabilities, sound sensing, and sound event recognition. The microsystem is designed with optimized sensing, energy supply, processing, and transceiver modules to achieve small size and low power consumption. Additionally, a low-computational sound event recognition algorithm based on a Convolutional Neural Network has been designed and integrated into the microsystem. Multiple microsystems are connected using low-power Bluetooth Mesh wireless networking technology to form a meshed WASN, which is easily accessible, flexible to expand, and straightforward to manage with smartphones. The microsystem is 7.36 cm3 in size and weighs 8 g without housing. The microsystem can accurately recognize sound events in both trained and untrained data tests, achieving an average accuracy of over 92.50% for alarm sounds above 70 dB and water flow sounds above 55 dB. The microsystems can communicate wirelessly with a direct range of 5 m. It can be applied in the field of home IoT and border security.
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis on Pavement Failure Restoration; Case Study of Sorong–Makbon Road
Authors: Caroles Lucky
Published: March 2023

The Sorong–MakbonSorong–Makbon Corridor is one of the key routes connecting Sorong to other sections of the West Papua region in Indonesia. Throughout the Sorong–Makbon Corridor, roads and slopes often sustain damage. When landslides reach the road shoulder and destroy the pavement, they often prevent access to the road. In addition to the influence of surface water runoff, there are indications that earthquakes contribute to the ineffectiveness of the previous design. This seems to be accurate since the author has seen the typical movement of avalanches. Using the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) approach, the earthquake’s effects on this corridor were mapped out. With the use of the Indonesian earthquake data library, the Matlab-Zmap Program, and the Spectrum Response, the history of earthquakes in the Sorong–Makbon corridor was analysed to determine their velocity. This analysis reveals that the earthquake’s influence on the Sorong–Makbon corridor has an acceleration value between 1.2 and 1.5 G. The prior design did not account for a quake of this magnitude. With this study, the correctly identified seismic impact could be sent back into the simulation to more adequately repair and restore the damage.
Agricultural Byproducts Used as Low-Cost Adsorbents for Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements from Wastewater: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ungureanu Elena L. , Mocanu Andreea L. , Stroe Corina A. , Panciu Corina M. , Berca Laurentiu , Sionel Robert M. , Mustatea Gabriel
Published: March 2023

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are ubiquitous chemical compounds in the environment due to contamination of air, water, or soil. They are primarily sourced from fossil fuel combustion, mining and smelting, electroplating, dyes and pigments, agricultural treatments, and plastic and metallic industries. These chemical contaminants can produce various adverse effects when they enter the human body and can also affect crops and aquatic ecosystems. To address these issues, researchers are developing various techniques, including ion exchange, membrane filtration, photocatalysis, electrochemical methods, bioadsorption, and combinations of these processes, to reduce the levels of these contaminants, especially from wastewater. Among these methods, bioadsorption has gained much attention due to its high efficiency, low cost, and abundance of adsorbent materials. Agricultural byproducts used as biosorbents include rice husk and bran, citrus peel, banana peel, coconut husk, sugarcane bagasse, soybean hulls, walnut and almond shells, coconut fiber, barley straws, and many others. Biosorption capacity can be described using adsorption kinetic models such as Elovich, Ritchie’s, and pseudo-second-order models, as well as different adsorption isotherm models such as Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin isotherm, and BET models. Both conventional processes and adsorption models are influenced by parameters such as pH, agitation speed, contact time, particle size, concentration of the adsorbent material, initial concentration of the contaminant, and the type of modifying agent used. This review paper aims to examine the low-cost adsorbents and their removal efficiency and bioadsorption capacity for different PTEs present in wastewater, and their potential as decontamination methods.
Switch or Stay? Applying a Push–Pull–Mooring Framework to Evaluate Behavior in E-Grocery Shopping
Authors: Monoarfa Terrylina A. , Sumarwan Ujang , Suroso Arif I. , Wulandari Ririn
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the antecedents of the intention to switch to e-grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is critical in recommending that e-grocery shopping service providers improve their competitiveness by responding to customer expectations. This study proposes a push–pull–mooring framework to describe the influence of dissatisfaction on the physical market, the attractiveness of e-grocery, and switching costs as factors that drive switching intentions. This study surveyed 252 Indonesians aware of the existence of an e-grocery mobile application, and applied structural equation modeling as an analytical method to explain causal relationships between variables thought to influence switching intentions to e-grocery shopping. The results showed that the attractiveness of e-grocery had a significant effect on switching intention. Likewise, switching costs ultimately drive customer intention to switch to e-grocery shopping. However, dissatisfaction is not a driving factor directly affecting switching costs and intentions. Finally, e-grocery services cannot replace the local tradition of Indonesian people who prefer to shop for groceries in physical markets. Nevertheless, these findings provide theoretical and practical contributions to retail grocery businesses that have integrated conventional and digital services as a future strategy that drives business sustainability.
Evaluation of Planned Sustainable Urban Development Projects in Al-Baha Region Using Analytical Hierarchy Process
Authors: Aldossary Naief A. , Alghamdi Jamal K. , Alzahrani Abdulaziz A. , Alqahtany Ali , Alyami Saleh H.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents and illustrates planned urban projects in the Al-Baha region with the potential to contribute to developing a sustainable local environment and economy in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 national vision and future needs. Al-Baha is characterized by a wealth of renewable energy, a cooler environment relative to many other Saudi regions, as well as multiple heritage villages and wildlife habitats set amid mountainous topography. The approach used here is the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), which employs an expert consultation analysis to identify the best future projects for the Al-Baha region. About 52 experts were invited, each selected according to specific criteria to include decision-makers, developers, and academics in the fields of the built environment, engineering, and investment. The findings of the study are evaluated and culminate in suggestions for future projects in the tourism; renewable energy; agriculture and farming; health and education; and wildlife and forest protection sectors. It has been found that the most important future projects are those related to the tourism and agricultural and farming sectors. The other projects proposed are unique to the Al-Baha region due to its location and traditions. The study concludes with key recommendations for developers and decision-makers.
Solid Waste Landfill Site Assessment Framework Based on Single-Valued Neutrosophic Hybrid Aggregation and Multi-Criteria Analysis
Authors: Chen Wendi , Gu Jiaxing , Zeng Shouzhen , Xie Xiaoying
Published: March 2023

Landfills are an effective way to dispose of waste and appropriate landfill sites can lessen environmental damage during waste treatment. Solid waste landfill site (SWLS) selection has received much attention in the area of multi-criteria decision-making in recent years. However, the uncertainty and complexity of the SWLS selection make it a significant challenge for decision makers (DMs). Since single-valued neutrosophic (SVN) sets have the great advantage of handling complex problems with uncertain and inconsistent information, this paper aims at offering a site planning strategy under the SVN environment. For the SWLS selection problem with interrelated factors, the Schweizer–Sklar power Bonferroni mean operator is first created, which not only considers the possible correlations among attributes but also reduces the adverse effects of anomalous assessment information on decision results. Then, a multi-criteria analysis framework based on the aggregation operator is proposed and then applied to a real-world SWLS selection. DMs can flexibly adjust the parameters in this model to achieve a preferred SWLS that integrates economic, environmental, and social perspectives. The consistent results obtained from the comparative analysis highlight its benefits for selecting proper SWLSs.
Estimating and Decomposing the TFP Growth of Service-Oriented Manufacturing in China: A Translogarithmic Stochastic Frontier Approach
Authors: Abudureheman Maliyamu , Jiang Qingzhe , Gong Jiong , Yiming Abulaiti
Published: March 2023

By constructing a translogarithmic stochastic frontier production model, this study explores the total factor productivity (TFP) of service-oriented manufacturing in 30 provinces in China during 2004–2020. We carried out decomposition analysis to understand in greater depth the potential drivers of TFP growth. The results show that the overall TFP of service-oriented manufacturing continuously improved during the sample period; however, the overall growth rate showed a significant slowing trend, and the contribution of TFP growth to output growth is still low. The industrial growth of service-oriented manufacturing is mainly driven by capital input, and the transformation of its growth mode from extensive to intensive has not yet been realized. Furthermore, there exists significant regional and sub-sectoral heterogeneity in the TFP growth of the industry. The decomposition of TFP growth shows that technological progress and technical efficiency are the main sources of TFP growth, but the growth rate of technological progress is declining gradually, and its driving effect on TFP is weakening. The deterioration of both scale and allocation efficiency hinders the improvement of TFP in service-oriented manufacturing, and there is still room for the industry to improve its TFP level by improving scale efficiency and allocation efficiency.
Using Behavioral Characteristics to Design Amphibian Ladders for Concrete-Lined Irrigation Channels
Authors: Bi Bo , Tong Jian , Lei Shaohua , Chen Dan , Jin Qiu , Hong Dalin , Wang Xiaojun , Chen Jing , Zhao Siyuan
Published: March 2023

Human-dominated landscapes have become a serious threat to amphibian populations worldwide. In such landscapes, concrete structures act as barriers to migration, fragmenting habitat and causing mortality. In China, concrete irrigation channels, which play an important role in agriculture, impede the movement of anuran amphibians. To promote the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture, we performed behavioral experiments to examine the ability of a common Chinese frog species (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) of four different body sizes to use corridors along a gradient of six different slopes to escape from irrigation channels. We found that body size was positively related with frogs’ ability to climb the ladders. Most frogs could not escape if the slope was ≥65 degrees, but all frogs could successfully navigate a ladder with a slope of 45 degrees. Based on our experimental results, we propose a simple improved design for amphibian ladders that would greatly improve the success of frogs in escaping from irrigation channels. This research is expected to provide scientific reference data and technical support for frog conservation in the study area, as well as the development of ecological restoration of irrigation districts throughout the world.
Energy Analysis-Based Cyber Attack Detection by IoT with Artificial Intelligence in a Sustainable Smart City
Authors: Prabakar D. , Sundarrajan M. , Manikandan R. , Jhanjhi N. Z. , Masud Mehedi , Alqhatani Abdulmajeed
Published: March 2023

Cybersecurity continues to be a major issue for all industries engaged in digital activity given the cyclical surge in security incidents. Since more Internet of Things (IoT) devices are being used in homes, offices, transportation, healthcare, and other venues, malicious attacks are happening more frequently. Since distance between IoT as well as fog devices is closer than distance between IoT devices as well as the cloud, attacks can be quickly detected by integrating fog computing into IoT. Due to the vast amount of data produced by IoT devices, ML is commonly employed for attack detection. This research proposes novel technique in cybersecurity-based network traffic analysis and malicious attack detection using IoT artificial intelligence techniques for a sustainable smart city. A traffic analysis has been carried out using a kernel quadratic vector discriminant machine which enhances the data transmission by reducing network traffic. This enhances energy efficiency with reduced traffic. Then, the malicious attack detection is carried out using adversarial Bayesian belief networks. The experimental analysis has been carried out in terms of throughput, data traffic analysis, end-end delay, packet delivery ratio, energy efficiency, and QoS. The proposed technique attained a throughput of 98%, data traffic analysis of 74%, end-end delay of 45%, packet delivery ratio of 92%, energy efficiency of 92%, and QoS of 79%.
A Genetic Algorithm for Integrated Scheduling of Container Handing Systems at Container Terminals from a Low-Carbon Operations Perspective
Authors: Zheng Yan , Xu Meixian , Wang Zhaohu , Xiao Yujie
Published: March 2023

At container terminals, quay cranes, yard trucks, and yard cranes are mainly used to transfer containers. Driven by the demand for a green and low-carbon economy, an integrated scheduling problem considering three types of handling equipment of container handling systems is studied. As the task of transferring each container is completed by the three handling equipment sequentially, the optimal solution may not be found by only studying one type of equipment separately from a green operations perspective. The inter-dependency of different equipment should be considered to guarantee the overall performance of container handling systems with low-carbon operations so as to reduce energy consumption. In this paper, this integrated problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP). Since the MILP cannot be applied to solve large-sized practical problems, a genetic algorithm (GA) is developed. In the proposed GA, a three-dimension chromosome representation is proposed, which integrates the coordination of three handling equipment. A new mechanism including three pairs of crossover and mutation is used in parallel in GA with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of searching for good solutions. Each pair of crossover and mutation is specific to one dimension of a solution. Moreover, a novel heuristic mutation is developed to diversify solutions. The computational results indicate that the developed solution method for the integrated scheduling problem is promising and the heuristic mutation can highly improve the solution quality.
How Digital Skills Affect Rural Labor Employment Choices? Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Zhang Zhenli , Xia Yong , Abula Kahaer
Published: March 2023

Expanding employment channels for rural households is a crucial means of enhancing the income of rural residents and enhancing the quality of rural employment. This study examines the impact of digital skills on rural laborers’ employment choices and explores the underlying mechanisms by using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) spanning 2014–2018. By employing various models, including the Probit, IV, mediated effects, and propensity-score-matching methods, the study reveals that digital skills have a significant impact on rural laborers’ employment choices. Specifically, digital skills increase rural labor’s employment opportunities in nonfarm and employed employment while reducing the proportion of informal employment. Additionally, the analysis indicates that the main channels through which digital skills influence rural labor’s employment choices are human and social capital. A heterogeneity analysis further reveals that work-study and social-entertainment skills have a more significant effect on rural laborers’ nonfarm and employed employment opportunities while inhibiting informal employment. Hence, to enhance the quality of future rural employment, the government must encourage rural workers to enhance their digital literacy and digital application skills while improving digital infrastructure.
Development of Stakeholder Engagement Strategies to Improve Sustainable Construction Implementation Based on Lean Construction Principles in Indonesia
Authors: Adhi Alvin Baskoro , Muslim Fadhilah
Published: March 2023

Stakeholder management has an important role in the success of the project because the strategies, plans, methods, and processes for stakeholders greatly determine the success of sustainable construction implementation. Lean construction is one of the principles in implementing sustainable construction by maximizing value and minimizing waste to increase productivity. This study aims to analyze the stakeholder engagement assessment matrix in lean construction, analyze the drivers and barriers in lean construction, and develop stakeholder engagement strategies to improve the implementation of sustainable lean construction. For this study, a questionnaire survey with 61 respondents was used. The data analysis method uses the Certainty Index, RII, Fuzzy AHP, and Fuzzy-TOPSIS. The findings of this research show that there are engagement gaps among stakeholders such as owners, contractors, consultants, subcontractors, architects, the government, local governments, and NGOs. There is no engagement gap between project suppliers and investors. The highest barrier to implementing sustainable lean construction is a lack of knowledge and skills in using lean tools and principles, while the highest driver to implement sustainable lean construction is improved time efficiency and process standardization. The best strategy for increasing stakeholder engagement is by having governments develop regulations and standardize green and sustainable materials.
Identification of Vegetation Coverage Variation and Quantitative the Impact of Environmental Factors on Its Spatial Distribution in the Pisha Sandstone Area
Authors: Jia Lu , Yu Kunxia , Li Zhanbin , Ren Zongping , Li Hongtao , Li Peng
Published: March 2023

Over the past few decades, global vegetation cover has obviously changed, particularly in the Loess Plateau, due to vegetation restoration projects in China. This study focuses on the Pisha Sandstone area (PSA) and uses various statistical analysis methods to study the spatiotemporal changes in vegetation coverage (VEC) at different time scales. The effects of topographical and climatic factors on VEC were also quantitatively evaluated using the GeoDetector in the spatial distribution. The results of the study confirm that, on an annual scale, the area with a significant increase in VEC has reached 63.89% (p < 0.05). Change points were diagnosed to have occurred mainly between 2002 and 2012 at different time scales, with the percentage of significant change points in VEC accounting for more than 20% from April to October (p < 0.05). Temporal and spatial changes in precipitation mainly caused VEC changes. In 45.35% of the region, precipitation was significantly and positively correlated with VEC at an annual scale (p < 0.05). Moreover, VEC was most conducive to growth and increase at 1050–1500 m above sea level and 0–21° slope, respectively. In most areas, there was an enhanced interaction relationship between various factors on VEC. Converting farmland to forests in suitable areas, selecting appropriate tree species, and improving soil is conducive to ecological restoration in the PSA in the future.
Fermatean Fuzzy IWP-TOPSIS-GRA Multi-Criteria Group Analysis and Its Application to Healthcare Waste Treatment Technology Evaluation
Authors: Chen Wendi , Zeng Shouzhen , Zhang Erhua
Published: March 2023

The growth of healthcare waste (HCW) was driven by the spread of COVID-19. Effective HCW eradication has become a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention. Selecting an effective healthcare waste treatment technology (HCWTT) can aid in preventing waste buildup. HCWTT selection can be seen as a complex multi-criteria group evaluation problem as the process involves multiple types of criteria and decision-makers (DMs) facing uncertain and vague information. The key objective of this study is to create a useful tool for the evaluation of HCWTT that is appropriate for the organization’s needs. A novel index system for assessing the HCWTT during the decision-making evaluation process is first presented. Then a new approach based on entropy measure, decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and game theory for the integrated weighting procedure (IWP) is presented under a Fermatean fuzzy environment. A multi-criteria group analysis based on IWP, a technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA), named IWP-TOPSIS-GRA framework suited to Fermatean fuzzy evaluation information, is developed. In a real-world case of HCWTT selection, through comparative analysis and sensitivity analysis, it is verified that the presented method is feasible and robust.
Reducing Energy Consumption in a Poultry Farm by Designing and Optimizing the Solar Heating/Photovoltaic System
Authors: Jalali Mansour , Banakar Ahmad , Farzaneh Behfar , Montazeri Mehdi
Published: March 2023

A solar heating system is designed to reduce energy consumption in a poultry farm. According to the physics and conditions of the indoor environment of the poultry building and the effect of the poultry weather conditions, the amount of 1.37 × 108 kJ/h during the year energy is required for heating. Then, by using double-glazed windows and insulation for the exterior walls of the building in the building architecture section, the amount of energy consumption is drastically reduced, and the required annual gas consumption is equal to 11,833 m3. The surface required for the collector is recommended to supply 50% of the energy from the sun with the rest from the hybrid system. The results showed that 26 m2 of a solar collector with an optimal slope of 45 degrees, and a tank volume of 440 L and a pump discharge of 1700 kg/h are required to provide 100% of energy. To receive the maximum amount of solar energy (maximum solar fraction (SF)), a collector surface equal to 30 m2 is required. However, when the economic point of view is considered, the collector surface equivalent to 26 m2 is recommended. To establish a balance, that is, 50% of the energy from the auxiliary system and the rest from the solar system, between the use of solar energy and the use of the auxiliary system, a collector area of 16 m2 is needed. Based on this, 60 photovoltaic modules, which are 10 cells in series in 6 parallel circuits, is the most optimal mode.
Feasibility of Efficient, Direct, Butanol Production from Food Waste without Nutrient Supplement by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4
Authors: Wang Xiaona , Sun Haishu , Wang Yonglin , Wang Fangxia , Zhu Wenbin , Wu Chuanfu , Wang Qunhui , Gao Ming
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the feasibility of direct butanol production from starchy food waste (without saccharification and nutrient supplementation). First, Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 was selected as an efficient starch-utilizing clostridia, and amylose was used by the strain more readily than amylopectin for solvent production. Furthermore, direct fermentation avoided substrate inhibition due to saccharification and produced 12.1 g/L of butanol at a production rate of 0.705 g/L/h and a yield of 0.402 C-mol/C-mol with a solid–liquid ratio of 1:1 (w/v). At a solid–liquid ratio of 1:2 (w/v), the maximum butanol production rate in the direct mode was 2.05 times higher than that in the saccharified mode. Elemental analysis demonstrated that the food waste analyzed was rich in trace elements and, hence, exogenous nutrient supplementation was unnecessary. Collectively, direct butanol production from food waste could function as a low-cost, highly efficient, and simple fermentative process, which is a promising strategy for food waste disposal.
Variation Characteristics of Two Erosion Forces and Their Potential Risk Assessment in the Pisha Sandstone Area
Authors: Xie Mengyao , Ren Zongping , Miao Binxia , Li Zhanbin , Ma Xiaoni , Yan Rui
Published: March 2023

Precipitation and wind, as the main external erosion forces in wind–water erosion crisscross regions, have profound impacts on water and soil loss. Meanwhile, with the intensification of climate change and human activities, the variation characteristics and risks caused by erosion forces need to be reassessed. In this study, we explored the time-varying characteristics, differences in action period and spatial distribution, and temporal evolution of risk for the compound events of two erosion forces, including precipitation and wind, in the Pisha sandstone area, one of the most seriously eroding and difficult-to-control areas in the Loess Plateau. The results indicated that: (1) the stationarity of regional precipitation was not destroyed, but the mean change existed in the five subseries divided by the detected change points in wind; (2) wind acted earlier than precipitation and increased from southeast to northwest, while precipitation did the opposite; and (3) precipitation-led erosion has become the main erosion type in this area. The above results reveal the evolution and dominant types of regional external erosion forces in a changing environment and thus have implications for regional erosion studies and policy adjustments.
Evaluation of Economic Security and Environmental Protection Benefits from the Perspective of Sustainable Development and Technological Ecological Environment
Authors: Li Jingtong , Hai Qing
Published: March 2023

Under the concept of sustainable development, problems such as high resource consumption, serious environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation are the main factors restricting the sustainable development of economy. This paper aims to analyze the benefits of economic security and environmental protection from the perspective of sustainable development and scientific and technological ecological environment. This paper puts forward the construction of the indicator system for the coordinated development of eco-technology innovation and economic environment, and analyzes the experimental results of economic security and environmental benefits on this basis. The experimental results of this paper show that after the implementation of the eco-technology innovation management system (hereinafter referred to as IEIMS for convenience), the material utilization rate and unit cost are essentially stable, and the cost is significantly lower than before.
Drought Monitoring and Forecasting across Turkey: A Contemporary Review
Authors: Soylu Pekpostalci Dilayda , Tur Rifat , Danandeh Mehr Ali , Vazifekhah Ghaffari Mohammad Amin , Dąbrowska Dominika , Nourani Vahid
Published: March 2023

One of the critical consequences of climate change at both local and regional scales is a change in the patterns of extreme climate events such as droughts. Focusing on the different types of droughts, their quantifying indices, associated indicators, and sources of data (remote sensing (RS)/in situ measurements), this article reviewed the recent studies (from 2010 to 2022) that have explored drought features in Turkey. To this end, a total of 71 articles were selected from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases. The selected papers were clustered into two categories: (i) drought monitoring studies and (ii) drought forecasting articles. Then, the representative papers were reviewed in detail regarding the implemented indices, models (techniques), case study area, and source of the indicators used to derive drought indices. The review results showed that most of the studies aimed at meteorological drought monitoring and forecasting. An increasing trend was also observed in the use of machine learning for short-term meteorological and hydrological drought prediction. On the other hand, the emerging RS technology and satellite-driven indicators were rarely used in the country. The review showed that there is room for more research on agricultural and hydrological drought monitoring, forecasting, and pattern detection in Turkey.