bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polar-Coded Transmission over 7.8-km Terrestrial Free-Space Optical Links
Authors: Fujita Shingo , Okamoto Eiji , Takenaka Hideki , Endo Hiroyuki , Fujiwara Mikio , Kitamura Mitsuo , Shimizu Ryosuke , Sasaki Masahide , Toyoshima Morio
Published: April 2023

Free-space optical (FSO) communications can offer high-capacity transmission owing to the properties of the laser beams. However, performance degradation caused by atmospheric turbulence is an urgent issue. Recently, the application of polar codes, which can provide capacity-achieving error-correcting performance with low computational cost for decoding, to FSO communications has been studied. However, long-distance and real-field experiments have not been conducted in these studies. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to present the experimental results of polar-coded transmission over 7.8-km FSO links. Using experimental data, we investigated the performance of polar codes over atmospheric channels, including their superiority to regular low-density parity-check codes. We expect that our results will offer a path toward the application of polar codes in high-speed optical communication networks including satellites.
Medicinal Plants: Advances in Phytochemistry and Ethnobotany
Authors: Silveira Dâmaris , Boylan Fabio
Published: April 2023

Prance once defined Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary Science combining Anthropology and Botany [...]
Screening of Early Flowering Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Cultivars and Effects of Different Cultivars on Flowering Period
Authors: Jiang Huiyan , Chen Junjie , Liu Guangyang , Zhou Ping , Jin Qijiang , Wang Yanjie , Guo Huan , Qian Ping , Xu Yingchun
Published: April 2023

Flowering time is an important trait that determines the breeding process of ornamental plants. The flowering period of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is mainly concentrated in June–August. During this period, the weather is hot and there are few tourists, which made many lotus scenic spots difficult to operate. People have a strong demand for early flowering lotus cultivars. In this paper, 30 lotus cultivars with high ornamental value were selected as materials and their phenological periods were observed for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2020. A number of cultivars with early flowering potential and stable flowering periods, such as ‘Fenyanzi’, ‘Chengshanqiuyue’, ‘Xianghumingyue’ and ‘Wuzhilian’, were screened by K-Means clustering method. The relationship between accumulated temperature and flowering time of 19 lotus cultivars at different growth stages was analyzed. It was found that lotus cultivars with early flowering traits could adapt well to the changes of early environmental temperature and were not affected by low temperature. On the other hand, by analyzing the relationship between different traits and flowering time of three typical cultivars, such as rhizome weight, phenological period, etc., it shows that the nutrient content of the rhizome and the early morphology of plants will affect the flowering time. These results provide a reference for the formation of a systematic lotus early flowering cultivar breeding mechanism and the establishment of a perfect flowering regulation technology system, which can further improve the ornamental value of lotus and promote industrial development.
Effect of Supplemental Inter-Lighting on Paprika Cultivated in an Unheated Greenhouse in Summer Using Various Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Kwon Yong Beom , Lee Joo Hwan , Roh Yoo Han , Choi In-Lee , Kim Yongduk , Kim Jidong , Kang Ho-Min
Published: April 2023

This study investigated the effects of supplemental inter-lighting on paprika (cv. Nagano RZ) in South Korea in summer using various LED light sources. The following LED inter-lighting treatments were used: QD-IL (blue + wide-red + far-red inter-lighting), CW-IL (cool-white inter-lighting), and B+R-IL (blue + red (1:2) inter-lighting). To investigate the effect of supplemental lighting on each canopy, top-lighting (CW-TL) was also used. Additionally, a control without supplemental lighting was included for comparison. Significant variations were observed in the plant growth indexes 42 days after treatment. The SPAD values and total chlorophyll content in the last period of cultivation were significantly higher than those of the control. In November, the marketable fruit yield was significantly higher than that of the control. QD-IL, CW-IL, and CW-TL resulted in significantly higher values of total soluble solids than the control, and CW-IL resulted in higher values of ascorbic acid content than the control. Regarding the economic analysis, CW-IL resulted in the highest net income rate (12.70%) compared with the control. Therefore, the light sources of CW-IL were assessed as suitable for supplemental lighting due to the highest total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, and net income rate obtained.
Production of Clubroot Standards Using a Recombinant Surrogate to Overcome Natural Genetic Variability
Authors: Patel Anjana , Kennedy Roy
Published: April 2023

Clubroot is caused by the obligate pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae. The organism targets root hair cells for entry and forms spores in numbers so large that they eventually develop characteristic galls or clubs on the roots. Clubroot incidence is rising globally and impacting the production of oil seed rape (OSR) and other economically important brassica crops where fields are infected. P. brassicae has a wide genetic diversity, and different isolates can vary in virulence levels depending on the host plant. Breeding for clubroot resistance is a key strategy for managing this disease, but identifying and selecting plants with desirable resistance traits are difficult due to the symptom recognition and variability in the gall tissues used to produce clubroot standards. This has made the accurate diagnostic testing of clubroot challenging. An alternative method of producing clubroot standards is through the recombinant synthesis of conserved genomic clubroot regions. This work demonstrates the expression of clubroot DNA standards in a new expression system and compares the clubroot standards produced in a recombinant expression vector to the standards generated from clubroot-infected root gall samples. The positive detection of recombinantly produced clubroot DNA standards in a commercially validated assay indicates that recombinant clubroot standards are capable of being amplified in the same way as conventionally generated clubroot standards. They can also be used as an alternative to standards generated from clubroot, where access to root material is unavailable or would take great effort and time to produce.
UV-C Promotes the Accumulation of Flavane-3-ols in Juvenile Fruit of Grape through Positive Regulating VvMYBPA1
Authors: Liang Jinjun , Guo Jianyong , Liu Yafei , Zhang Zening , Zhou Runtian , Zhang Pengfei , Liang Changmei , Wen Pengfei
Published: April 2023

Flavane-3-ol monomers are the precursors of proanthocyanidins (PAs), which play a crucial role in grape resistance. Previous studies showed that UV-C positively regulated leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) enzyme activity to promote the accumulation of total flavane-3-ols in juvenile grape fruit, but its molecular mechanism was still unclear. In this paper, we found that the contents of flavane-3-ol monomers increased dramatically at the early development stage grape fruit after UV-C treatment, and the expression of its related transcription factor VvMYBPA1 was also enhanced significantly. The contents of (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, the expression level of VvLAR1 and VvANR, and the activities of LAR and anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) were improved significantly in the VvMYBPA1 overexpressed grape leaves compared to the empty vector. Both VvMYBPA1 and VvMYC2 could interact with VvWDR1 using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and yeast two hybrid (Y2H). Finally, VvMYBPA1 was proven to bind with the promoters of VvLAR1 and VvANR by yeast one hybrid (Y1H). To sum up, we found that the expression of VvMYBPA1 increased in the young stage of grape fruit after UV-C treatment. VvMYBPA1 formed a trimer complex with VvMYC2 and VvWDR1 to regulate the expression of VvLAR1 and VvANR, thus positively promoting the activities of LAR and ANR enzyme, and eventually improved the accumulation of flavane-3-ols in grape fruit.
Impact of Different Fertilizer Sources under Supplemental Irrigation and Rainfed Conditions on Eco-Physiological Responses and Yield Characteristics of Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia iberica)
Authors: Heydarzadeh Saeid , Arena Carmen , Vitale Ermenegilda , Rahimi Amir , Mirzapour Mohsen , Nasar Jamal , Kisaka Oscar , Sow Sumit , Ranjan Shivani , Gitari Harun
Published: April 2023

The effects of the irrigation regime and different fertilizer sources on the eco-physiological responses and yield characteristics of dragon’s head were explored in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications in the 2019 growing season. The treatments included six different fertilizer sources (animal manure, vermicompost, poultry manure, biofertilizer, chemical fertilizer, and control) and two irrigation regimes (rainfed and supplemental irrigation). The results indicated the positive effects of supplementary irrigation and the application of vermicompost, poultry manure, and animal manure by increasing the absorption of nutrients (phosphorus and potassium) and improving relative water contents, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and the fixed oil percentage of dragon’s head. The activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase decreased in the rainfed plants, whereas organic fertilizer application increased the antioxidant enzyme activity. The highest grain yield (721 kg ha−1), biological yield (5858 kg ha−1), total flavonoids (1.47 mg g−1 DW), total phenol (27.90 mg g−1 DW), fixed oil yield (200.17 kg ha−1), and essential oil yield (1.18 kg ha−1) were noted in plants that were treated with vermicompost under supplemental irrigation. Therefore, it is recommended that organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and poultry manure be used to substitute chemical fertilizers. These practices can help popularize organic crops using rainfed and supplementary irrigation.
Hydrophobic, Mechanical, and Physical Properties of Polyurethane Nanocomposite: Synergistic Impact of Mg(OH)2 and SiO2
Authors: Rajabimashhadi Zahra , Naghizadeh Rahim , Zolriasatein Ashkan , Bagheri Sonia , Mele Claudio , Esposito Corcione Carola
Published: April 2023

Polyurethane (PU) is one of the most well-known polymer coatings because of its favorable characteristics, which include its low density, nontoxicity, nonflammability, longevity, adhesion, simple manufacture, flexibility, and hardness. However, PU does come with several major drawbacks, among which are poor mechanical properties as well as low thermal and chemical stability, particularly in the high-temperature mode, where becomes gets flammable and loses adhesion ability. The limitations have inspired researchers to develop a PU composite to improve the weaknesses by adding different reinforcements. Magnesium hydroxide, having the ability to be produced with exceptional properties such as flammability, has consistently attracted the interest of researchers. Additionally, silica nanoparticles with high strength and hardness are one of the excellent reinforcements of polymers these days. The hydrophobic, physical, and mechanical properties of pure polyurethane and the composite type (nano, micro, and hybrid) fabricated with the drop casting method were examined in this study. 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane was applied as a functionalized agent. To confirm that hydrophilic particles turned into hydrophobic, FTIR analysis was carried out. The impact of size, percentage, and kind of fillers on different properties of PU/Mg(OH)2-SiO2 was then investigated using different analyses including spectroscopy and mechanical and hydrophobicity tests. The resultant observations demonstrated that different surface topographies can be obtained from the presence of particles of different sizes and percentages on the hybrid composite’s surface. Surface roughness allowed for exceptionally high water contact angles, which confirmed the hybrid polymer coatings’ superhydrophobic properties. According to the particle size and content, the distribution of fillers in the matrix also improved the mechanical properties.
An Investigative Study on the Structural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Clay-Based PVC Polymer Composite Films
Authors: Kumari Neeraj , Mohan Chandra , Negi Arvind
Published: April 2023

The present study aims to explore the impact of pristine and surfactant-modified clays (montmorillonite, bentonite and vermiculite) on the thermomechanical properties of a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) polymer film. Initially, clay was modified by employing the ion exchange method. The modification of clay minerals was confirmed by the XRD pattern and thermogravimetric analysis. Pristine PVC polymer film and clay (montmorillonite, bentonite and vermiculite)-based PVC polymer composite films were fabricated using solution casting. The ideal dispersion of surfactant-modified organo-clays was observed in the PVC polymer matrix due to the hydrophobic nature of modified clays. The resultant pure polymer film and clay polymer composite film were characterized using XRD and TGA, and their mechanical properties were determined using a tensile strength tester and Durometer. From the XRD pattern, the intercalation of the PVC polymer film was found in the interlayer of organo-clay while exfoliation or partial intercalation and exfoliation were observed for pristine clay mineral-based PVC polymer composite films. Thermal analysis indicated a lowering of the decomposition temperature of the composite film as clay promotes the thermal degradation temperature of PVC. Improvement in the tensile strength and hardness was found to be more frequent in the case of organo-clay-based PVC polymer films, which is only due to the hydrophobic nature of organ clays, resulting in greater compatibility with the polymer matrix.
Influence of Different Hot Runner-Systems in the Injection Molding Process on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Regenerated Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene
Authors: Zarges Jan-Christoph , Schlink André , Lins Fabian , Essinger Jörg , Sommer Stefan , Heim Hans-Peter
Published: April 2023

The increasing demand for renewable raw materials and lightweight composites leads to an increasing request for natural fiber composites (NFC) in series production. In order to be able to use NFC competitively, they must also be processable with hot runner systems in injection molding series production. For this reason, the influences of two hot runner systems on the structural and mechanical properties of Polypropylene with 20 wt.% regenerated cellulose fibers (RCF) were investigated. Therefore, the material was processed into test specimens using two different hot runner systems (open and valve gate) and six different process settings. The tensile tests carried out showed very good strength for both hot runner systems, which were max. 20% below the reference specimen processed with a cold runner and, however, significantly influenced by the different parameter settings. Fiber length measurements with the dynamic image analysis showed approx. 20% lower median values of GF and 5% lower of RCF through the processing with both hot runner systems compared to the reference, although the influence of the parameter settings was small. The X-ray microtomography performed on the open hot runner samples showed the influences of the parameter settings on the fiber orientation. In summary, it was shown that RCF composites can be processed with different hot runner systems in a wide process window. Nevertheless, the specimens of the setting with the lowest applied thermal load showed the best mechanical properties for both hot runner systems. It was furthermore shown that the resulting mechanical properties of the composites are not only due to one structural property (fiber length, orientation, or thermally induced changes in fiber properties) but are based on a combination of several material- and process-related properties.
Microwave-Assisted Phytochemical Extraction from Walnut Hull and Process Optimization Using Box–Behnken Design (BBD)
Authors: Singh Rahul , Singh Poornima , Pandey Vinay Kumar , Dash Kshirod Kumar , Ashish  , Mukarram Shaikh Ayaz , Harsányi Endre , Kovács Béla
Published: April 2023

The walnut green hull is an agro-waste, a source of natural dye and volatile compounds with various biological activities, but the main challenge with the conventional extraction method is the quality and quantity of the volatile compound (dye) extraction from walnut hull waste. The objective of this research work is to use microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) as an emerging technology. Further, the MAE process was optimized using a Box–Behnken Design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The variables in MAE process optimization were microwave power, microwave time, solvent volume, and raw material particle size. The result indicated that MAE produces a higher extraction yield compared to the conventional method. The RSM analyses showed an increase in extract yield, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content, along with antioxidant activity. The optimized condition parameters of MAE were reported to be 363.64-watt microwave power, 3.133 min, 39.999 mL/g solvent volume, and 150 µm particle size, the extract yield was 39.65%, followed by total phenol content of 83.535 mgGAE/g, and total flavonoid content was 18.98 mgQAE/g, while antioxidant activity was 76.298%. Additionally, the optimized sample was characterized using SEM and GC-MS.
Multi-Point Flux MFE Decoupled Method for Compressible Miscible Displacement Problem
Authors: Xu Wenwen , Guo Hong , Li Xindong , Ren Yongqiang
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a multi-point flux mixed-finite-element decoupled method was considered for the compressible miscible displacement problem. For this compressible problem, a fully discrete backward Euler scheme was proposed, in which the velocity and pressure equations were decoupled by a multi-point flux MFE method using BDM1 elements combined with a trapezoidal quadrature rule. The concentration equation was handled by a standard FE method. The error analysis for velocity, pressure, and concentration were rigorously derived. Numerical experiments to verify the convergence rates and simulate the miscible displacement problem of a water–oil system were presented.
Unusual Water Flow in Ultra-Tight Porous Media: Integration of Profession and Innovation
Authors: Wan Yanglu , Niu Na , Lu Wei , Zhou Yushuang , Wang Bin , Lu Shan
Published: April 2023

Hydraulic fracturing is an effective method for stimulating reservoirs, making the economic development of ultra-tight shale gas and coalbed methane reservoirs possible. These formations are rich in nanopores, in which the fracturing fluid, such as fresh water, the flow, and the behavior of this flow differ significantly from those described in the classic Navier-Stokes formula. In bulk space, the interaction force exerted by the solid phase can be ignored, but the solid–fluid interaction plays a dominant role in nanoconfinement spaces in which the pore size is comparable to the molecular diameter. Nanoconfined water molecules tend to approach the water-wet pore surface, enhancing the water viscosity, which is a key parameter affecting the water flow capacity. Conversely, water molecules tend to stay in the middle of nanopores when subjected to a hydrophobic surface, leading to a decrease in viscosity. Thus, nanoconfined water viscosity is a function of the strength of the surface–fluid interaction, rather than a constant parameter, in classic theory. However, the influence of varying the viscosity on the nanoscale water flow behavior is still not fully understood. In this research, we incorporate wettability-dependent viscosity into a pore network modeling framework for stable flow for the first time. Our results show that: (a) the increase in viscosity under hydrophilic nanoconfinement could reduce the water flow capacity by as much as 11.3%; (b) the boundary slip is the primary mechanism for boosting the water flow in hydrophobic nanopores, as opposed to the slight enhancement contributed by a viscosity decline; and (c) water flow characterization in nanoscale porous media must consider both the pore size and surface wettability. Revealing the varying viscosity of water flow confined in nanopores can advance our microscopic understanding of water behavior and lay a solid theoretical foundation for fracturing-water invasion or flowback simulation.
Editorial: Ethical and Epistemological Aspects of ‘Dialogue’: Exploring the Potential of the Second-Person Perspective §
Authors: Welz Claudia
Published: April 2023

This Special Issue of Religions is devoted to ‘dialogue’—a trans-disciplinary key concept par excellence that is not to be used as a strategy to produce some ultimate synthesis, but rather to foster a conversation (Mendes-Flohr 2015a) [...]
Material Heritage of the Sāgaramatiparipṛcchā: Manuscripts and Inscribed Tablets
Authors: Han Jaehee , Braarvig Jens
Published: April 2023

The Sāgaramatiparipṛcchā, “Questions of the Oceanic Intelligence,” is the fifth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta, “Great Collection,” and is a canonical work belonging to the tradition of Mahāyāna sūtra literature. This sūtra is highly valued in the long history of Mahāyāna Buddhism for its thematic and metaphorical richness, as it personifies the ocean (Skt. sāgara) to represent core aspects of the Mahāyāna doctrinal system. This paper presents two small Sanskrit fragments of the Sāgaramatiparipṛcchā recently identified in the Schøyen Collection, with transliteration and annotated translation. In order to provide a fuller picture of the textual history of the Sāgaramatiparipṛcchā, a quotation from the text on votive tablets from Kedah, Malaysia, is also discussed. These materials are employed as a case study within the context of tangible and intangible heritage. On the basis of the UNESCO declaration of 2003, it is argued that these two kinds of heritage are intrinsically interlinked, and that the categories and their pertaining definitions can be broadened so as to be relevant to more traditions and their heritage.
Human Capital and Environmental Sustainability Nexus in Selected SADC Countries
Authors: Sibanda Kin , Gonese Dorcas , Garidzirai Rufaro
Published: April 2023

This paper sought to examine the nexus between human capital and environmental sustainability in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. This contemporary topic has not received much attention in the region, hence the need to investigate the nexus between human capital and environmental sustainability. The paper used one of the most recent methodologies, namely, the pooled mean group (PMG) estimation technique, to assess this relationship from 1980 to 2021. The findings of the study are that human capital increases environmental sustainability in the long run in SADC countries. This implies that as human capital increases, countries will see an increase in technological innovations and research and development (R&D), enabling the mitigation of environmental degradation in the region. Therefore, it is imperative for the region to embark on human capital programs that improve environmental sustainability.
System Dynamics Modelling: Integrating Empty Fruit Bunch Biomass Logistics to Reduce GHG Emissions
Authors: Abbasi Iffat Abbas , Ashari Hasbullah , Yusuf Ijaz
Published: April 2023

The world is shifting toward renewable energy sources due to global warming and rising GHG emissions. Malaysia has joined other nations in the conference of parties to develop policies for the reduction of GHG and carbon emissions. Malaysia is switching towards sustainable, eco-friendly and renewable energy sources. EFB biomass, one of the by-products of palm oil, has enormous potential as a sustainable energy source. Malaysia, one of the top exporters of palm oil, is unable to employ EFB-biomass-based power generation due to storage, logistics and supply-chain-related constraints. Therefore, this study integrates EFB biomass supply-chain logistics to overcome the reported challenges. The current study employs the system dynamics (SD) approach to achieve the objectives as it explains the dynamics of interaction and behaviour among the sub-systems. A document-based model-building approach is employed to collect data to develop the base model. The document-based model-building approach and system dynamics modelling facilitates the achievement of two outcomes: integrated EFB biomass logistics and GHG reduction using EFB. These outcomes are crucial to enhancing the base model and realizing the zero-carbon emission goal to contribute to sustainable development goals.
Tunable Adhesion of Shape Memory Polymer Dry Adhesive Soft Robotic Gripper via Stiffness Control
Authors: Son ChangHee , Jeong Subin , Lee Sangyeop , Ferreira Placid M. , Kim Seok
Published: April 2023

A shape memory polymer (SMP) has been intensively researched in terms of its exceptional reversible dry adhesive characteristics and related smart adhesive applications over the last decade. However, its unique adhesive properties have rarely been taken into account for other potential applications, such as robotic pick-and-place, which might otherwise improve robotic manipulation and contribute to the related fields. This work explores the use of an SMP to design an adhesive gripper that picks and places a target solid object employing the reversible dry adhesion of an SMP. The numerical and experimental results reveal that an ideal compositional and topological SMP adhesive design can significantly improve its adhesion strength and reversibility, leading to a strong grip force and a minimal release force. Next, a radially averaged power spectrum density (RAPSD) analysis proves that active heating and cooling with a thermoelectric Peltier module (TEC) substantially enhances the conformal adhesive contact of an SMP. Based on these findings, an adhesive gripper is designed, fabricated, and tested. Remarkably, the SMP adhesive gripper interacts not only with flat and smooth dry surfaces, but also moderately rough and even wet surfaces for pick-and-place, showing high adhesion strength (>2 standard atmospheres) which is comparable to or exceeds those of other single-surface contact grippers, such as vacuum, electromagnetic, electroadhesion, and gecko grippers. Lastly, the versatility and utility of the SMP adhesive gripper are highlighted through diverse pick-and-place demonstrations. Associated studies on physical mechanisms, SMP adhesive mechanics, and thermal conditions are also presented.
A Feature-Level Fusion-Based Target Localization Method with the Hough Transform for Spatial Feature Extraction
Authors: Wang Lu , Fang Shiliang , Yang Yixin , Liu Xionghou , Wang Mengyuan
Published: April 2023

Traditional two-step localization methods and direct localization methods have practical problems when they are used for underwater acoustic source localization. In this paper, a localization method based on the feature-level information fusion is proposed, in which the Hough Transform is exploited to detect the line characteristics of the spatial features of the target. A secondary accumulation procedure is proposed to extract and fuse the good features instead of fusing all features. The possibility to produce a ghost target is greatly reduced. Hence, the robustness of the proposed method in low SNR scenarios is improved. Experimental results validate the efficiency of exploiting the Hough Transform to eliminate interfering spatial features without sacrificing the localization accuracy.
The China Coastal Front from Himawari-8 AHI SST Data—Part 1: East China Sea
Authors: Belkin Igor M. , Lou Shang-Shang , Yin Wen-Bin
Published: April 2023

High-resolution (2 km) high-frequency (hourly) SST data from 2015–2020 provided by the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) onboard the Japanese Himawari-8 geostationary satellite positioned over 140.7°E were used to study spatial and temporal variability of the China Coastal Front (CCF) in the East China Sea. This dataset was processed with the Belkin and O’Reilly algorithm to generate long-term mean monthly maps of the SST gradient magnitude (GM) and frontal frequency (FF). The horizontal structure of the SST field in the vicinity of the CCF was also investigated from the cross-frontal distributions of SST along eight parallels between 31°N and 24°N. The monthly mean distributions of SST along these 8 parallels were used to determine inshore and offshore boundaries of the CCF and to calculate the CCF strength defined as the total cross-frontal step (range) dSST calculated as the difference between offshore and inshore SST. The CCF emerges in November, fully develops in December, and peaks in strength in January–February. The front’s fragmentation and shrinking/weakening begins in February and March, respectively. In winter (December–February), the front’s strength dSST exceeds 5 °C offshore the Zhejiang-Fujian coast and could be as high as 7.5 °C when nearshore waters cool down to 7 °C. In winter, the front’s strength decreases downstream between 31°N and 24°N. The CCF changes its physical nature as the seasons progress. In winter, the CCF is a water mass front between the cold and fresh water coming from the north and the warm and salty water coming from the south. In summer, the CCF becomes a coastal upwelling front maintained largely by southerly winds. In winter, the CCF’s cross-frontal structure in the SST field is ramp-shaped, with SST increasing monotonously in the offshore direction. In summer, the CCF’s cross-frontal structure in the SST field is V-shaped or U-shaped, featuring a minimum SST formed by cold upwelled water at some distance from the shore. Thus, the summer SST structure effectively consists of two parallel fronts, an inshore one and an offshore one, with a minimum SST in between. Across the inshore/offshore front, the SST decreases/increases in the offshore direction.
Recovering the Near-Surface Magnetic Image of Mercury from Satellite Observations
Authors: Kolotov Igor , Lukyanenko Dmitry , Stepanova Inna , Wang Yanfei , Yagola Anatoly
Published: April 2023

A new technique for reconstructing the magnetic image of Mercury from satellite observation data is proposed. The technique is based on extracting from the general observational data only the part that is associated with magnetic field sources concentrated in Mercury’s crust. The extracted data are used to solve the inverse problem of reconstructing the near-surface magnetic image of Mercury. The results of processing real experimental data obtained via the MESSENGER interplanetary mission are presented.
A Random Forest-Based CA-Markov Model to Examine the Dynamics of Land Use/Cover Change Aided with Remote Sensing and GIS
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Hörmann Georg , Huang Jinliang , Fohrer Nicola
Published: April 2023

Understanding the land use/cover change (LUCC) in watersheds is essential for sustainable development. The CA-Markov model has been proven to be an effective method for land use modeling because of its simplicity and potential for evolution. However, it is difficult to apply this method to meet the requirement of land use planning and management since it fails to consider the driving forces of LUCC. To evaluate the factors that influence LUCC comprehensively, we developed and implemented a machine learning-based CA-Markov model to understand the dynamics of LUCC in a coastal watershed in Southeast China, the Minjiang River Watershed (MRW). The proposed method performed well for each land use category, with average AUC values of 0.999 and 0.916 for the training and testing periods, respectively, for suitable images. The overall accuracy for LUCC was 0.971. The urbanization process in the MRW was speeding up recently. Urban area increased by 2.22% of the total area during 2015–2020, and most of that was from conversion of woodland and agricultural land. Additionally, the proposed method provided a much deeper understating of the forces driving the LUCC on a regional scale. Population and gross domestic product (GDP) were the major factors influencing the distribution of urbanized land in the MRW. In contrast, woodland distribution was highly related to topographic factors in the MRW. Scenario analysis was also employed to identify patterns of LUCC under different scenarios. The results showed that the process of urbanization may become more complex with increasing population and GDP and that land use evolution may be more sustainable with scientific spatial plans which consider facilities for people and ecological protection. The proposed method quantifies the LUCC in changing environmental settings and can serve as a helpful tool for sustainable watershed management.
Comprehensive Analysis of Compressible Perceptual Encryption Methods—Compression and Encryption Perspectives
Authors: Ahmad Ijaz , Choi Wooyeol , Shin Seokjoo
Published: April 2023

Perceptual encryption (PE) hides the identifiable information of an image in such a way that its intrinsic characteristics remain intact. This recognizable perceptual quality can be used to enable computation in the encryption domain. A class of PE algorithms based on block-level processing has recently gained popularity for their ability to generate JPEG-compressible cipher images. A tradeoff in these methods, however, is between the security efficiency and compression savings due to the chosen block size. Several methods (such as the processing of each color component independently, image representation, and sub-block-level processing) have been proposed to effectively manage this tradeoff. The current study adapts these assorted practices into a uniform framework to provide a fair comparison of their results. Specifically, their compression quality is investigated under various design parameters, such as the choice of colorspace, image representation, chroma subsampling, quantization tables, and block size. Our analyses have shown that at best the PE methods introduce a decrease of 6% and 3% in the JPEG compression performance with and without chroma subsampling, respectively. Additionally, their encryption quality is quantified in terms of several statistical analyses. The simulation results show that block-based PE methods exhibit several favorable properties for the encryption-then-compression schemes. Nonetheless, to avoid any pitfalls, their principal design should be carefully considered in the context of the applications for which we outlined possible future research directions.
Impact, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigation Strategies for Cyber-Secure Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Riggs Hugo , Tufail Shahid , Parvez Imtiaz , Tariq Mohd , Khan Mohammed Aquib , Amir Asham , Vuda Kedari Vineetha , Sarwat Arif I.
Published: April 2023

Several critical infrastructures are integrating information technology into their operations, and as a result, the cyber attack surface extends over a broad range of these infrastructures. Cyber attacks have been a serious problem for industries since the early 2000s, causing significant interruptions to their ability to produce goods or offer services to their clients. The thriving cybercrime economy encompasses money laundering, black markets, and attacks on cyber-physical systems that result in service disruptions. Furthermore, extensive data breaches have compromised the personally identifiable information of millions of people. This paper aims to summarize some of the major cyber attacks that have occurred in the past 20 years against critical infrastructures. These data are gathered in order to analyze the types of cyber attacks, their consequences, vulnerabilities, as well as the victims and attackers. Cybersecurity standards and tools are tabulated in this paper in order to address this issue. This paper also provides an estimate of the number of major cyber attacks that will occur on critical infrastructure in the future. This estimate predicts a significant increase in such incidents worldwide over the next five years. Based on the study’s findings, it is estimated that over the next 5 years, 1100 major cyber attacks will occur on critical infrastructures worldwide, each causing more than USD 1 million in damages.
Modeling, Fabrication, and Testing of a 3D-Printed Coriolis Mass Flow Sensor
Authors: Yariesbouei Mahdieh , Sanders Remco G. P. , Wiegerink Remco J. , Lötters Joost C.
Published: April 2023

This paper presents the modeling, fabrication, and testing of a 3D-printed Coriolis mass flow sensor. The sensor contains a free-standing tube with a circular cross-section printed using the LCD 3D-printing technique. The tube has a total length of 42 mm, an inner diameter of about 900 µm, and a wall thickness of approximately 230 µm. The outer surface of the tube is metalized using a Cu plating process, resulting in a low electrical resistance of 0.5 Ω. The tube is brought into vibration using an AC current in combination with a magnetic field from a permanent magnet. The displacement of the tube is detected using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) that is part of a Polytec MSA-600 microsystem analyzer. The Coriolis mass flow sensor has been tested over a flow range of 0–150 g/h for water, 0–38 g/h for isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and 0–50 g/h for nitrogen. The maximum flow rates of water and IPA resulted in less than a 30 mbar pressure drop. The pressure drop at the maximum flow rate of nitrogen is 250 mbar.
Fiber Optic Sensor of Ammonia Gas Using Plasmonic Extraordinary Optical Transmission
Authors: Kalvoda Ladislav , Jakoubková Jaroslava , Burda Milan , Kwiecien Pavel , Richter Ivan , Kopeček Jaromír
Published: April 2023

While standard surface plasmon resonance (bio) sensing, relaying on propagating surface plasmon polariton sensitivity on homogeneous metal/dielectric boundaries, represents nowadays a routine sensing technique, other alternatives, such as inverse designs with nanostructured plasmonic periodic hole arrays, have been far less studied, especially in the context of gas sensing applications. Here, we present a specific application of such a plasmonic nanostructured array for ammonia gas sensing, based on a combination of fiber optics, extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) effect, and chemo-optical transducer selectively sensitive to ammonia gas. The nanostructured array of holes is drilled in a thin plasmonic gold layer by means of focused ion beam technique. The structure is covered by chemo-optical transducer layer showing selective spectral sensitivity towards gaseous ammonia. Metallic complex of 5-(4′-dialkylamino-phenylimino)-quinoline-8-one dye soaked in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix is used in place of the transducer. Spectral transmission of the resulting structure and its changes under exposition to ammonia gas of various concentrations is then interrogated by fiber optics tools. The observed VIS-NIR EOT spectra are juxtaposed to the predictions performed by the rigorous Fourier modal method (FMM), providing useful theoretical feedback to the experimental data, and ammonia gas sensing mechanism of the whole EOT system and its parameters are discussed.
IMF-PR: An Improved Morton-Filter-Based Pseudonym-Revocation Scheme in VANETs
Authors: Zhao Cong , Qi Jiayu , Gao Tianhan , Deng Xinyang
Published: April 2023

Vehicle ad hoc networks (VANETs) are special wireless networks which help vehicles to obtain continuous and stable communication. Pseudonym revocation, as a vital security mechanism, is able to protect legal vehicles in VANETs. However, existing pseudonym-revocation schemes suffer from the issues of low certificate revocation list (CRL) generation and update efficiency, along with high CRL storage and transmission costs. In order to solve the above issues, this paper proposes an improved Morton-filter-based pseudonym-revocation scheme for VANETs (IMF-PR). IMF-PR establishes a new distributed CRL management mechanism to maintain a low CRL distribution transmission delay. In addition, IMF-PR improves the Morton filter to optimize the CRL management mechanism so as to improve CRL generation and update efficiency and reduce the CRL storage overhead. Moreover, CRLs in IMF-PR store illegal vehicle information based on an improved Morton filter data structure to improve the compress ratio and the query efficiency. Performance analysis and simulation experiments showed that IMF-PR can effectively reduce storage by increasing the compression gain and reducing transmission delay. In addition, IMF-PR can also greatly improve the lookup and update throughput on CRLs.
Soil Texture Explains Soil Sensitivity to C and N Losses from Whole-Tree Harvesting in the Boreal Forest
Authors: Ouimet Rock , Korboulewsky Nathalie , Bilger Isabelle
Published: April 2023

The use of forest biomass to produce energy is increasingly viewed as a means to reduce fossil fuel consumption and mitigate global warming. However, the impact of such practices on soils in the long term is not well known. We revisited forest plots that were subjected to either whole-tree (WTH, n = 86) or stem-only (SOH, n = 110) harvesting 30 years ago in the boreal forest in Quebec, Canada. The objective of the present study was to find soil properties that could explain the lower soil C and N stocks at the sites subjected to WTH compared to SOH after 30 years. Compared to SOH, lower soil C and N stocks attributable to WTH occurred when soil particle content <20 µm was below 30%. The theoretical separation of soil organic matter into two fractions according to soil particle content <20 µm—a recalcitrant and a labile fraction—could explain the observed pattern of soil C and N differences between WTH and SOH. Imperfect or poor soil drainage conditions were also associated with lower soil C and N in WTH compared to SOH. Limiting additional biomass harvesting from these sites would help to preserve soil C and N from potential losses.
Shear Thickening Fluids in Cork Agglomerates: An Exploration of Advantages and Drawbacks
Authors: Antunes e Sousa Guilherme José , Rocha Ana Rita Santos , Serra Gabriel Ferreira , Fernandes Fábio António Oliveira , Alves de Sousa Ricardo José
Published: April 2023

Shear thickening fluids (STF) are a class of fluids whose viscosity significantly rises under external loads. The research on these fluids has been advancing in recent years regarding prospective practical applications, including developing impact-absorbing composites. Following the green agendas governments and legislators advocate, this study investigates the combination of STF and other sustainable materials. Cork is a naturally occurring cellular material with a negative carbon footprint and superior energy absorption properties. With varying concentrations of STF material, cork agglomerates were formed. As an innovative point, the analysed blends are homogeneous, contrasting with previous literary works. Samples contained from 0 to 30 wt.% of STF. A series of experiments were conducted in quasi-static and dynamic conditions (100 J impact tests) to determine the various mechanical responses. Increasing the concentration of STF (20 and 30 wt.%) will influence the mechanical behaviour of cork agglomerates by providing softer deceleration rates and dispersing more energy through disaggregation mechanisms.
Users’ Perceptions of the Contribution of a University Green Roof to Sustainable Development
Authors: Nguyen Dang Hoai-Anh , Legg Rupert , Khan Aila , Wilkinson Sara , Ibbett Nicole , Doan Anh-Tuan
Published: April 2023

Universities are well placed to adopt and use the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on their campuses to educate and showcase how the SDGs can be delivered in the built environment. Green infrastructure, such as green roofs, green walls, or green parks, are highly visual implementations with environmental and social benefits that contribute to several SDGs, such as 3 (good health and wellbeing), 10 (reduced inequalities), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 13 (climate action) and 15 (life on land). These features may be referenced in sustainability teaching and learning, which may raise and heighten awareness of the social, economic, and environmental benefits of green infrastructure. In this study, we explored users’ perceptions of the extent to which a university campus green roof contributes to the SDGs and whether users focussed more on its social or environmental benefits. Statistical analyses, namely independent samples t-tests and analysis of variance, were conducted to determine what influenced users’ perceptions of the green roof. The analyses revealed that users’ perceptions did not differ largely by sociodemographic characteristics, though students perceived the social benefits as greater than university staff. Those with greater knowledge of green roofs perceived its environmental benefits as greater, but not the social benefits. The findings demonstrate the importance of green infrastructure on university campuses for encouraging engagement with the SDGs, whilst indicating that knowledge of such infrastructure increases appreciation of their environmental credentials.
Analysis of Ketoprofen in Fish: Life Cycle Assessment Using Sensors vs. Conventional Methodology
Authors: Surra Elena , Torrinha Álvaro , Delerue-Matos Cristina , Morais Simone
Published: April 2023

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool to quantify the environmental burdens of different analytical techniques. This work assesses the environmental impacts associated with the use of a simple electrochemical carbon paper sensor (CPS) for ketoprofen detection in fish by LCA in comparison with traditional liquid high-performance chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. The results indicate significant advantages of CPS compared to HPLC in 16 of the 18 analyzed categories of impact (ReCiPe2016(H) method), with average CPS values 26% lower than for HPLC. This is due, in the categories of impact with higher environmental relevance, to the higher electric energy consumption during the “Analysis” step and, secondarily, to the use of acetonitrile as a mobile phase. On an annual basis, ketoprofen detection by CPS saves 333 kg 1.4 dichlorobenzene equivalents (1.4 DCB eq) of non-carcinogenic and 6.9 kg 1.4 DCB eq of carcinogenic human toxicities, 43.6 kg oil eq of fossil resources, and 91.4 kg CO2 eq of greenhouse gas emissions compared to HPLC. The high capital investment, maintenance costs, and reagents quantities required for HPLC mitigate the economic competitiveness of this traditional technique compared to the rapid and less complex portable CPS device under the studied conditions.
Green Finance Policy and ESG Performance: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Sun Xiuli , Zhou Cui , Gan Zhuojiong
Published: April 2023

While the literature has examined the key role of green finance policy on firms’ green innovation and environmental performance, little attention has been paid to firms’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, which is increasingly important to stakeholders. Exploiting heterogeneity in firms’ exposure to the green finance pilot zones policy in China in 2017 as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper employs the difference-in-differences model to explore the effect of green finance policy on firms’ ESG performance. Based on the data of listed manufacturing firms in China during 2013–2020, our results indicate that the green finance policy could promote firms’ ESG performance. Moreover, the overall positive effect is driven mainly by the environmental pillar. Utilizing subsample estimation and the triple differences method, we further find that the higher ESG performance is driven by firms with less financial constraints, firms in economically more developed pilot zones, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Mechanism analysis indicates that the pilot policy promotes firms’ ESG performance even if it worsens firms’ financial constraints. Our study contributes to the research on both the impacts of green finance policy and the relationship between financial constraints and ESG performance, as well as to the literature on ESG structure.