bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural and Synthetic Polymers Modified with Acid Blue 113 for Removal of Cr3+, Zn2+ and Mn2+
Authors: Marin Nicoleta Mirela
Published: May 2022

This research had two stages of development: during the first stage, the purpose of the research was to evaluate the adsorption properties of the natural polymer represented by shredded maize stalk (MS) and by Amberlite XAD7HP (XAD7HP) acrylic resin for removal of toxic diazo Acid Blue 113 (AB 113) dye from aqueous solutions. The AB 113 concentration was evaluated spectrometrically at 565 nm. In the second stage, the stability of MS loaded with AB 113 (MS-AB 113) and of XAD7HP loaded with AB 113 (XAD7HP-AB 113) in acidic medium suggests that impregnated materials can be used for selective removal of metal ions (Cr3+, Zn2+ and Mn2+). The metal ions using atomic absorption spectroscopy method (AAS) were determined. The use of MS-AB 113 ensures a high selectivity of divalent ions while the XAD7HP-AB 113 had excellent affinity for Cr3+ in the presence of Zn2+ and Mn2+. As a consequence, two advanced polymers, i.e., MS-AB 113 and XAD7HP-AB 113 that provide huge capacity for removal of Zn2+, Mn2+ and Cr3+ from acid polluted wastewater were obtained.
Application of Taguchi Method to Optimize the Parameter of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Using Oil Palm Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites
Authors: Ahmad Mohd Nazri , Ishak Mohamad Ridzwan , Mohammad Taha Mastura , Mustapha Faizal , Leman Zulkiflle , Anak Lukista Debby Dyne , Irianto  , Ghazali Ihwan
Published: May 2022

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is capable of producing complicated geometries and a variety of thermoplastic or composite products. Thus, it is critical to carry out the relationship between the process parameters, the finished part’s quality, and the part’s mechanical performance. In this study, the optimum printing parameters of FDM using oil palm fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites were investigated. The layer thickness, orientation, infill density, and printing speed were selected as optimization parameters. The mechanical properties of printed specimens were examined using tensile and flexural tests. The experiments were designed using a Taguchi experimental design using a L9 orthogonal array with four factors, and three levels. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant parameter or factor that influences the responses, including tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and flexural strength. The fractured surface of printed parts was investigate using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show the tensile strength of the printed specimens ranged from 0.95 to 35.38 MPa, the Young’s modulus from 0.11 to 1.88 GPa, and the flexural strength from 2.50 to 31.98 MPa. In addition, build orientation had the largest influence on tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and flexural strength. The optimum printing parameter for FDM using oil palm fiber composite was 0.4 mm layer thickness, flat (0 degree) of orientation, 50% infill density, and 10 mm/s printing speed. The results of SEM images demonstrate that the number of voids seems to be much bigger when the layer thickness is increased, and the flat orientation has a considerable influence on the bead structure becoming tougher. In a nutshell, these findings will be a valuable 3D printing dataset for other researchers who utilize this material.
Biomedical Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoate in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Pulingam Thiruchelvi , Appaturi Jimmy Nelson , Parumasivam Thaigarajan , Ahmad Azura , Sudesh Kumar
Published: May 2022

Tissue engineering technology aids in the regeneration of new tissue to replace damaged or wounded tissue. Three-dimensional biodegradable and porous scaffolds are often utilized in this area to mimic the structure and function of the extracellular matrix. Scaffold material and design are significant areas of biomaterial research and the most favorable material for seeding of in vitro and in vivo cells. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters (thermoplastic) that are appropriate for this application due to their biodegradability, thermo-processability, enhanced biocompatibility, mechanical properties, non-toxicity, and environmental origin. Additionally, they offer enormous potential for modification through biological, chemical and physical alteration, including blending with various other materials. PHAs are produced by bacterial fermentation under nutrient-limiting circumstances and have been reported to offer new perspectives for devices in biological applications. The present review discusses PHAs in the applications of conventional medical devices, especially for soft tissue (sutures, wound dressings, cardiac patches and blood vessels) and hard tissue (bone and cartilage scaffolds) regeneration applications. The paper also addresses a recent advance highlighting the usage of PHAs in implantable devices, such as heart valves, stents, nerve guidance conduits and nanoparticles, including drug delivery. This review summarizes the in vivo and in vitro biodegradability of PHAs and conducts an overview of current scientific research and achievements in the development of PHAs in the biomedical sector. In the future, PHAs may replace synthetic plastics as the material of choice for medical researchers and practitioners.
Fabrication of Bipolar Plates from Thermoplastic Elastomer Composites for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Onyu Kannika , Yeetsorn Rungsima , Gostick Jeff
Published: May 2022

A vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a promising large-scale energy storage device, due to its safety, durability, and scalability. The utilization of bipolar plates (BPs), made of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), synthetic graphite, woven-carbon-fiber fabric (WCFF), and a very thin pyrolytic graphite sheet (GS), is investigated in this study. To boost volumetric electrical conductivity, WCFF was introduced into the TPV composite, and the plate was covered with GS to increase surface electrical conductivity. Created composite BPs acquire the desired electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and deformation characteristics. Those properties were assessed by a series of characterization experiments, and the morphology was examined using an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscopy. Electrochemical testing was used to confirm the possibility of using the suggested BP in a working VRFB. The laminated BP was utilized in a flow cell to electrolytically convert V(IV) to V(V) and V(II), which achieved comparable results to a commercial graphite bipolar plate. Following these experiments, the laminated bipolar plates’ surfaces were examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and no evidence of corrosion was found, indicating good durability in the hostile acidic environment.
Predicting Bond Strength between FRP Rebars and Concrete by Deploying Gene Expression Programming Model
Authors: Amin Muhammad Nasir , Iqbal Mudassir , Salami Babatunde Abiodun , Jamal Arshad , Khan Kaffayatullah , Abu-Arab Abdullah Mohammad , Al-Ahmad Qasem Mohammed Sultan , Imran Muhammad
Published: May 2022

Rebars made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) might be the future reinforcing material, replacing mild steel rebars, which are prone to corrosion. The bond characteristics of FRP rebars differ from those of mild steel rebars due to their different stress-strain behavior than mild steel. As a result, determining the bond strength (BS) qualities of FRP rebars is critical. In this work, BS data for FRP rebars was investigated, utilizing non-linear capabilities of gene expression programming (GEP) on 273 samples. The BS of FRP and concrete was considered a function of bar surface (Bs), bar diameter (db), concrete compressive strength (fc′), concrete-cover-bar-diameter ratio (c/d), and embedment-length-bar-diameter ratio (l/d). The investigation of the variable number of genetic parameters such as number of chromosomes, head size, and number of genes was undertaken such that 11 different models (M1–M11) were created. The results of accuracy evaluation parameters, namely coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) imply that the M11 model outperforms other created models for the training and testing stages, with values of (0.925, 0.751, 1.08) and (0.9285, 0.802, 1.11), respectively. The values of R2 and error indices showed that there is very close agreement between the experimental and predicted results. 30 number chromosomes, 9 head size, and 5 genes yielded the optimum model. The parametric analysis revealed that db, c/d, and l/d significantly affected the BS. The FRP rebar diameter size is greater than 10 mm, whereas a l/d ratio of more than 12 showed a considerable decrease in BS. In contrast, the rise in c/d ratio revealed second-degree increasing trend of BS.
Environmental-Friendly Adsorbent Composite Based on Hydroxyapatite/Hydroxypropyl Methyl-Cellulose for Removal of Cationic Dyes from an Aqueous Solution
Authors: Akartasse Noureddine , Azzaoui Khalil , Mejdoubi Elmiloud , Hammouti Belkheir , Elansari Lhaj Lahcen , Abou-salama Mohamed , Aaddouz Mohamed , Sabbahi Rachid , Rhazi Larbi , Siaj Mohamed
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to develop a new, efficient, and inexpensive natural-based adsorbent with high efficacy for the cationic dye methylene blue (MB). A natural-based nanocomposite based on hydroxyapatite (HAp) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was selected for this purpose. It was synthesized by the dissolution/reprecipitation method. A film with a homogeneous and smooth surface composed of nanoparticles was prepared from the nanocomposite. HPMC and HAp biopolymers were selected due to their compatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity. Total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and calorimetric/thermal gravimetric (DSC/TGA) analysis results revealed the existence of strong physical interaction between the composite components. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations show a composite sheet with a homogenous and smooth surface, indicating excellent compatibility between HPMC and HAp in the composite. The nanocomposite was evaluated as an adsorbent for organic dyes in an aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH, initial MB concentration, composite concentration, and adsorption time on the adsorption efficiency were evaluated. The highest adsorption rate was seen as 52.0 mg of MB/g composite. The adsorption rate reached equilibrium in about 20 min. Fitting of the adsorption data to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models was investigated. Results showed that the adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm model. The kinetic study results revealed that the adsorption process was pseudo-second-order. The herein composite is an excellent alternative for use as contemporary industrial-scale adsorbents.
Did Schleiermacher Go Overboard? Reading The Star of Redemption and The Christian Faith Together
Authors: Fisher Cass
Published: May 2022

Rosenzweig’s principal interlocutors are commonly taken to be idealist and existentialist philosophers. Rosenzweig’s disparaging remarks at the beginning of Part Two of The Star of Redemption regarding modern theology and its progenitor, Friedrich Schleiermacher, strengthen the view that the Star is best understood in a philosophical context. However, a close reading of the Star alongside Schleiermacher’s main doctrinal work, The Christian Faith, reveals surprising points of similarity on a wide range of topics. Furthermore, the points of contradiction between the two works can illuminate Rosenzweig’s contributions to modern theology.
Translation and Interaction: A New Examination of the Controversy over the Translation and Authenticity of the Śūraṃgama-sūtra
Authors: Jia Jinhua
Published: May 2022

From the Tang era (618–907) to the present day, controversy over the translation and authenticity of the Chinese version of the Śūraṃgama-sūtra, which appeared at the end of the early Tang, has been ongoing. The scholar-official Fang Rong (d. 705) has been considered either the translator or the forger of the sutra, while its Chinese elements, especially those from Daoism, have been used as major evidence that the text is apocryphal. By uncovering new historical sources and critically analysing the arguments of modern scholars, this article undertakes a new examination of this old controversy from the perspective of cultural interaction through scriptural translation. The attribution of translators seen in the version of the sutra preserved in the Fangshan stone-canon, as well as the historical context of the translation, proves that—for specific politico-historical reasons—the two early accounts by Buddhist bibliographer Zhisheng (fl. 669–740) do not contradict but rather complement each other. New and solid evidence also supports the argument that Fang Rong indeed participated in the sutra’s translation; moreover, he contributed its Chinese cultural, intellectual and religious elements, and graceful literary style during the process. Additionally, the relationship between early Chan Buddhism, Fang Rong, and Chan master Huaidi, who verified the translation, may have motivated them to make certain embellishments upon the sutra’s central theme of Tathāgatagarbha doctrine. This article thus confirms the Śūraṃgama-sūtra to be a major Mahāyāna scripture that contains elements of the Chinese cultural tradition, and that it in turn has exerted tremendous influence on this tradition.
Religious Fields and Subfields: Transnational Connections, Identities, and Reactive Transnationalism
Authors: AlMasarweh Luma Issa
Published: May 2022

The relationship between religion and transnationalism has only recently gained scholarly attention to document the influence religious organizations have on mediating transnational ties. While scholarship on second-generation transnationalism has gained interest, second-generation Arab Americans remain understudied. Yet, Arab Americans, especially Muslim Arab Americans, have been progressively encountering overt anti-Arab and Islamophobic sentiments for two decades, since 11 September. These experiences of discrimination are bound to affect their transnationalism. Based on 32 semi-structured interviews with children of Arab immigrants from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, this study finds that religious organizations are important transnational social fields for the second generation, especially those who experienced discrimination. This study finds that for Muslim Arab Americans, mosques are important transnational social fields in which they engage in transnational ways of being and belonging that connect them to their parental homeland and transnational identity. Consistent with reactive transnationalism, when experiencing discrimination Muslim Arab Americans increased their participation within their mosques in two ways. First, mosques are places Muslim Arab Americans draw on the support of other Arab Americans who have experienced discrimination. Second, the social networks of Muslim Arabs provide important historical and cultural knowledge about their parental homeland; knowledge that Muslim Arab Americans would later use to advocate and educate others when/if they reencountered discrimination.
Evaluation of Sea Ice Radiative Forcing according to Surface Albedo and Skin Temperature over the Arctic from 1982–2015
Authors: Seong Noh-Hun , Kim Hyun-Cheol , Choi Sungwon , Jin Donghyun , Jung Daeseong , Sim Suyoung , Woo Jongho , Kim Nayeon , Seo Minji , Lee Kyeong-Sang , Han Kyung-Soo
Published: May 2022

Rapid warming of the Arctic has resulted in widespread sea ice loss. Sea ice radiative forcing (SIRF) is the instantaneous perturbation of Earth’s radiation at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) caused by sea ice. Previous studies focused only on the role of albedo on SIRF. Skin temperature is also closely related to sea ice changes and is one of the main factors in Arctic amplification. In this study, we estimated SIRF considering both surface albedo and skin temperature using radiative kernels. The annual average net-SIRF, which consists of the sum of albedo-SIRF and temperature-SIRF, was calculated as −54.57 ± 3.84 W/m2 for the period 1982–2015. In the net-SIRF calculation, albedo-SIRF and temperature-SIRF made similar contributions. However, the albedo-SIRF changed over the study period by 0.12 ± 0.07 W/m2 per year, while the temperature-SIRF changed by 0.22 ± 0.07 W/m2 per year. The SIRFs for each factor had different patterns depending on the season and region. In summer, rapid changes in the albedo-SIRF occurred in the Kara and Barents regions. In winter, only a temperature-SIRF was observed, and there was little difference between regions compared to the variations in albedo-SIRF. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the overall temperature-SIRF is changing more rapidly than the albedo-SIRF. This study indicates that skin temperatures may have a greater impact on the Arctic than albedo in terms of sea ice surface changes.
Research on the Impact of BDS-2/3 Receiver ISB on LEO Satellite POD
Authors: Zhao Xinglong , Zhou Shanshi , Cao Jianfeng , Yuan Junjun , Wu Ziqian , Hu Xiaogong
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the multi-GNSS positioning application is becoming more and more popular, same to the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite precise orbit determination (POD) based on the onboard multi-GNSS measurements. The third-generation Beidou navigation satellite system (BDS-3) provides a new option to obtain the LEO satellite orbit solutions. However, the receiver intersystem bias (ISB) of different GNSS is unavoidable in multi-GNSS data processing. This paper’s main goal is absorption of the impact of the ISB between BDS-3 and BDS-2 on the LEO satellite POD. Taking GPS-based POD solutions for the reference orbit, this paper evaluates the orbit accuracy of BDS-2-based POD, BDS-3-based POD, BDS-2 and BDS-3 combined PODs with/without ISB. The BDS-3-based POD accuracy is 6.57 cm in the 3D direction, a 56% improvement over BDS-2-based POD. When the ISB between BDS-3 and BDS-2 is estimated, the BDS-2/3 combined POD accuracy of 5.37 cm in the 3D direction is better than that without ISB, which is a 64% improvement over BDS-2-based POD and 18% improvement over BDS-3-based POD. For GPS and BDS-2/3 combined POD, the GPS and BDS-3 joint POD solutions have the smallest RMS differences in overlapping consistency and smallest RMS differences compared to GPS-based POD. This study indicates that estimating the BDS-2/3 receiver ISB in BDS-2/3 joint POD could improve the orbit accuracy, and the GPS and BDS-3 joint POD solution is better than another combined POD. This paper will provide meaningful references for the LEO satellite multi-GNSS-based POD.
Adaptive Polar-Grid Gaussian-Mixture Model for Foreground Segmentation Using Roadside LiDAR
Authors: Wang Luyang , Lan Jinhui
Published: May 2022

Roadside LiDAR has become an important sensor for the detection of objects in cities, such as vehicles and pedestrians, which is due to its advantages of all-weather operation and high-ranging accuracy. In order to serve an intelligent transportation system, the efficient and accurate segmentation of vehicles and pedestrians is needed in the coverage area of the LiDAR. In this study, a roadside LiDAR was fixed on brackets on both sides of the road to obtain the point-cloud information on the urban road and the surrounding environment. A segmentation method that is based on a scanning LiDAR sensor is proposed. First, a polar grid that is based on polar coordinates is constructed to count the LiDAR rotations to obtain the original information of the angle and the distance of the point cloud, and the background point-cloud image is dynamically updated over time. By aiming at the complex urban road environment and the interference of trees and light poles in the background, an adaptive polar-grid Gaussian-mixture model (APG-GMM) that uses a point-cloud method is proposed to improve the accuracy of the foreground and background segmentation. A density-adaptive DBSCAN target-clustering algorithm is proposed, as well as a dynamic adaptive neighborhood radius, to solve the problem of the low clustering accuracy that is caused by the uneven density of point clouds that are collected by LiDAR, and to divide the point clouds in the foreground into vehicles and pedestrians. Finally, the method was tested at intersections and urban roads with dense traffic flows. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can segment the foreground and background well and can cluster vehicles and pedestrians while reducing the number of calculations and the time complexity.
On Transfer Learning for Building Damage Assessment from Satellite Imagery in Emergency Contexts
Authors: Bouchard Isabelle , Rancourt Marie-Ève , Aloise Daniel , Kalaitzis Freddie
Published: May 2022

When a natural disaster occurs, humanitarian organizations need to be prompt, effective, and efficient to support people whose security is threatened. Satellite imagery offers rich and reliable information to support expert decision-making, yet its annotation remains labour-intensive and tedious. In this work, we evaluate the applicability of convolutional neural networks (CNN) in supporting building damage assessment in an emergency context. Despite data scarcity, we develop a deep learning workflow to support humanitarians in time-constrained emergency situations. To expedite decision-making and take advantage of the inevitable delay to receive post-disaster satellite images, we decouple building localization and damage classification tasks into two isolated models. Our contribution is to show the complexity of the damage classification task and use established transfer learning techniques to fine-tune the model learning and estimate the minimal number of annotated samples required for the model to be functional in operational situations.
Bluetooth Load-Cell-Based Support-Monitoring System for Safety Management at a Construction Site
Authors: Kim Haksun , Park Sehwan , Yeom Minkyo , Shim Hakbo , Park Soonjeon , Kim Junkyeong
Published: May 2022

At construction sites, temporary facilities have caused continuous collapse accidents, causing damage to human life. If the concrete placing height is high and the worker is pushed into one place at the time of placing, the working load may be exceeded and a collapse accident may occur. In order to solve this problem, in this research, we developed a monitoring load-measurement program based on a Bluetooth wireless load cell (load-cell sensor) so that the load can be converted to digital and the numerical value can be confirmed by the pressure sensor. The load cell using Bluetooth was designed and manufactured according to the support. Then, the performance was verified through 3D finite element analysis by modeling and experimental tests. In addition, we constructed a system to generate notifications and warnings step by step when the load is close to a dangerous load, confirmed the load distribution pattern by position, and established a method to confirm real-time data numerically and graphically. Finally, we evaluated the practical application of the load-monitoring system using field-test data using a wireless load-cell.
Absolute Quantitation of Serum Antibody Reactivity Using the Richards Growth Model for Antigen Microspot Titration
Authors: Papp Krisztián , Kovács Ágnes , Orosz Anita , Hérincs Zoltán , Randek Judit , Liliom Károly , Pfeil Tamás , Prechl József
Published: May 2022

In spite of its pivotal role in the characterization of humoral immunity, there is no accepted method for the absolute quantitation of antigen-specific serum antibodies. We devised a novel method to quantify polyclonal antibody reactivity, which exploits protein microspot assays and employs a novel analytical approach. Microarrays with a density series of disease-specific antigens were treated with different serum dilutions and developed for IgG and IgA binding. By fitting the binding data of both dilution series to a product of two generalized logistic functions, we obtained estimates of antibody reactivity of two immunoglobulin classes simultaneously. These estimates are the antigen concentrations required for reaching the inflection point of thermodynamic activity coefficient of antibodies and the limiting activity coefficient of antigen. By providing universal chemical units, this approach may improve the standardization of serological testing, the quality control of antibodies and the quantitative mapping of the antibody–antigen interaction space.
A Chip Antenna for Bluetooth Earphones with Cross-Head Interference Tested from Received-Signal Sensing
Authors: Seo Yejune , Cho Junghyun , Lee Yejin , Jang Jiyeon , Kwon Hyung-Wook , Kahng Sungtek
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a novel chip antenna and its function in wireless connectivity are presented for Bluetooth (BLT) earphones. The chip antenna is a metamaterial so compact (<λ/8), as the size of 4.9 × 13.0 × 2.0 mm3, that when it is mounted on the realistic PCB, it can be held in the enclosure of the BLT earphone. This setting does not degrade the resonance (S11 < −10 dB) of the proposed antenna. As two earphones in a pair are demanded to communicate with each other, one shares an RF signal with the other and they take turns as the master and slave. The received signal sensing is conducted with the latest model of human head-ear-phantom located between the earphones to mimic the real use-case and cross-head interference. Electromagnetic simulation of the antenna is done and verified by fabrication and measurement. Particularly, received-signal strength indications between the proposed antennas in the earphones are experimentally obtained as −67.5 dBm and −70 dBm without and with the head-ear-phantom, respectively, much greater than −120 dBm, the limit of detection, and implying acceptable connectivity and invulnerability over cross-head-interference problems.
Blind Source Separation Based on Double-Mutant Butterfly Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Xia Qingyu , Ding Yuanming , Zhang Ran , Liu Minti , Zhang Huiting , Dong Xiaoqi
Published: May 2022

The conventional blind source separation independent component analysis method has the problem of low-separation performance. In addition, the basic butterfly optimization algorithm has the problem of insufficient search capability. In order to solve the above problems, an independent component analysis method based on the double-mutant butterfly optimization algorithm (DMBOA) is proposed in this paper. The proposed method employs the kurtosis of the signal as the objective function. By optimizing the objective function, blind source separation of the signals is realized. Based on the original butterfly optimization algorithm, DMBOA introduces dynamic transformation probability and population reconstruction mechanisms to coordinate global and local search, and when the optimization stagnates, the population is reconstructed to increase diversity and avoid falling into local optimization. The differential evolution operator is introduced to mutate at the global position update, and the sine cosine operator is introduced to mutate at the local position update, hence, enhancing the local search capability of the algorithm. To begin, 12 classical benchmark test problems were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of DMBOA. The results reveal that DMBOA outperformed the other benchmark algorithms. Following that, DMBOA was utilized for the blind source separation of mixed image and speech signals. The simulation results show that the DMBOA can realize the blind source separation of an observed signal successfully and achieve higher separation performance than the compared algorithms.
Precision Measurement Method of Large Shaft Diameter Based on Dual Camera System
Authors: Li Xianyou , Xu Ke , Wang Shun
Published: May 2022

At present, there is a problem that the measurement accuracy and measurement range cannot be balanced in the measurement of shaft diameter by the machine vision method. In this paper, we propose a large-scale shaft diameter precision measurement method based on a dual camera measurement system. The unified world coordinate system of the two cameras is established by analyzing the dual camera imaging model and obtaining the measurement formula. In order to verify the validity of the proposed method, two black blocks in the calibration plate with a known center distance of 100 mm were measured. The mean value was 100.001 mm and the standard deviation was 0.00039 in 10 measurements. Finally, the proposed system was applied to the diameter measurement of a complexed crankshaft. The mean μ95 values of CMM and the proposed method were ±1.02 μm and ±1.07 μm, respectively, indicating that the measurement accuracy of the proposed method is roughly equal to the CMM.
Multi-Party Cryptographic Key Distribution Protocol over a Public Network Based on a Quick-Response Code
Authors: Yu Wen-Kai , Yang Ying , Li Ya-Xin , Wei Ning , Wang Shuo-Fei
Published: May 2022

In existing cryptographic key distribution (CKD) protocols based on computational ghost imaging (CGI), the interaction among multiple legitimate users is generally neglected, and the channel noise has a serious impact on the performance. To overcome these shortcomings, we propose a multi-party interactive CKD protocol over a public network, which takes advantage of the cascade ablation of fragment patterns (FPs). The server splits a quick-response (QR) code image into multiple FPs and embeds different “watermark” labels into these FPs. By using a CGI setup, the server will acquire a series of bucket value sequences with respect to different FPs and send them to multiple legitimate users through a public network. The users reconstruct the FPs and determine whether there is an attack in the public channel according to the content of the recovered “watermark” labels, so as to complete the self-authentication. Finally, these users can extract their cryptographic keys by scanning the QR code (the cascade ablation result of FPs) returned by an intermediary. Both simulation and experimental results have verified the feasibility of this protocol. The impacts of different attacks and the noise robustness have also been investigated.
Applications of Fusion Techniques in E-Commerce Environments: A Literature Review
Authors: Daskalakis Emmanouil , Remoundou Konstantina , Peppes Nikolaos , Alexakis Theodoros , Demestichas Konstantinos , Adamopoulou Evgenia , Sykas Efstathios
Published: May 2022

The extreme rise of the Internet of Things and the increasing access of people to web applications have led to the expanding use of diverse e-commerce solutions, which was even more obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic. Large amounts of heterogeneous data from multiple sources reside in e-commerce environments and are often characterized by data source inaccuracy and unreliability. In this regard, various fusion techniques can play a crucial role in addressing such challenges and are extensively used in numerous e-commerce applications. This paper’s goal is to conduct an academic literature review of prominent fusion-based solutions that can assist in tackling the everyday challenges the e-commerce environments face as well as in their needs to make more accurate and better business decisions. For categorizing the solutions, a novel 4-fold categorization approach is introduced including product-related, economy-related, business-related, and consumer-related solutions, followed by relevant subcategorizations, based on the wide variety of challenges faced by e-commerce. Results from the 65 fusion-related solutions included in the paper show a great variety of different fusion applications, focusing on the fusion of already existing models and algorithms as well as the existence of a large number of different machine learning techniques focusing on the same e-commerce-related challenge.
Time-Correction Model Based on Diverter Speed for a pVTt Gas Flow Primary Standard
Authors: Žibret Primož , Bobovnik Gregor , Kutin Jože
Published: May 2022

The volumetric primary standard with a constant volume (pVTt) determines the flow rate from the rate of change of gas density in the defined measuring volume. The key element of the measuring system that uses the flying start–stop method is a diverter. This paper presents a time correction model that adapts the correction according to the diverting speed implemented in our pVTt system developed for flow rates smaller than 12mgmin−1. A detailed study of the diverter’s effects on the effective collection time and two methods for determining the time correction are presented. One is based on the ISO 4185 standard and the other on measurements of the dynamic pressure upstream of the diverter. A set of correction time measurements were made at different diversion speeds to define the correction model at a flow rate of 9mgmin−1. The results show very good agreement between the measurements with both methods and the defined correction model. Additional measurements were made at smaller flow rates and the results indicate the independence of the time correction from the measured flow rate.
Recovery of Soil Structure and Fine Root Distribution in Compacted Forest Soils
Authors: Schäffer Jürgen
Published: May 2022

Soil compaction is a major concern in the context of ensuring sustainable forest and agricultural management practices. Productivity gains during the last decades were also achieved by increasing mechanization. This change was associated with growing machine weights and impacts on trafficked soils. Up to now, knowledge about the resilience of compaction phenomena is still poor. At 11 forest sites on compaction-sensitive silt and loam substrates in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany), fine root distribution, macroporosity, and apparent gas diffusion coefficients were used to characterize the status of recovery from former soil compaction by machine impact. The time span of recovery at the investigated sites ranged from 6 to 37 years. The investigated soil physical parameters indicate the beginning of soil structure recovery in the wheel tracks, comprising the first 10 cm of soil depth at most sites that were trafficked 10 years or more before the investigation. Synchronously with this restructuring, fine root propagation has started to recover in the topsoils. However, a high persistence of damage was observed below that depth. A synoptic interpretation of the data led to the conclusion that time spans up to almost four decades are not sufficient for the restoration of soil functionality in formerly compacted soils characterized by silt loam texture and low activity of soil biota. In view of the long-lasting persistence of the negative compaction effects, soil protection strategies combined with monitoring of their strict compliance must be implemented into forest practice. In case of an insufficient natural recovery potential, active measures to accelerate the regaining of soil functionality in compacted soils at irregular wheel tracks should be considered in order to shorten the time spans of disturbed soil conditions.
Assessing Changes in the Landscape Pattern of Wetlands and Its Impact on the Value of Wetland Ecosystem Services in the Yellow River Basin, Inner Mongolia
Authors: Yun Jing , Liu Huamin , Xu Zhichao , Cao Xiaoai , Ma Linqian , Wen Lu , Zhuo Yi , Wang Lixin
Published: May 2022

The Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia has significant ecological advantages, and it is critical to research the landscape pattern of its watershed wetland ecosystem and the changes in its service value in order to protect the environment and develop the region in a high-quality manner. In this paper, we use the landscape index method, the equivalent factor method, and a field survey to investigate changes in wetland landscape patterns and the dynamics of wetland ecosystem service values in the Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia from 1990 to 2020, and then examine the impact of landscape pattern evolution on wetland ecosystem service values in the region. The study’s findings indicate that rivers, lakes, and herbaceous marshes are the most common types of wetland landscapes in Inner Mongolia’s Yellow River Basin. The landscape types in the research area are diverse, and landscape fragmentation is increasing. In the Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia, the overall value of wetland ecosystem benefits is negatively connected with Patch Density and the Shannon Diversity Index, and positively correlated with the Contagion Index.
What Makes the River Chief System in China Viable? Examples from the Huaihe River Basin
Authors: Zhang Zihao , Xiong Chao , Yang Yu , Liang Chunyan , Jiang Shaoping
Published: May 2022

Eco-environmental issues are a complex problem for the development of contemporary China, among which river water pollution control is one of the most challenging issues. In the continuous pursuit of river pollution control, the Chinese government has adopted the river chief system (RCS) model to appoint government officials as river chiefs of each section. This review first analyzes the water quality data of the Huaihe River basin over the past five years using Origin 2021. A violin plot shows that the water quality of the Huaihe River basin improved, and CODMn and NH3-N were significantly reduced. Secondly, this review analyzes the effectiveness of the river chief system according to the “embeddedness theory”, which argues that the river chief system has been integrated into the traditional hierarchy of environmental governance in China through institutional embeddedness to activate the vitality of the subject’s control and spatial embeddedness to eliminate fragmented watershed governance and promote governance capacity. Practical suggestions and initiatives were proposed based on the existing RCS, including the rule of law construction, regional collaborative management, and public participation to restore the local ecology.
Implementation of Industry 4.0 Principles and Tools: Simulation and Case Study in a Manufacturing SME
Authors: Abdulnour Samir , Baril Chantal , Abdulnour Georges , Gamache Sébastien
Published: May 2022

Small and medium enterprises (SME) face various challenges in order to remain competitive in a global market. Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is increasingly presented as the new paradigm for improving productivity, ensuring economic growth, and guaranteeing the sustainability of manufacturing companies. However, SMEs are ill equipped and lack resources to undertake this digital shift. This paper presents the digital shift process of an SME in a personalized mass production context. Our work provides a better understanding of the interaction between Lean and I4.0. It contributes to the development of Lean 4.0 implementation strategies that are better adapted to manufacturing SMEs in a personalized mass production context. We also demonstrate the usefulness of simulation as a decision-making assistance tool when implementing I4.0. A practical case is documented to fill a gap in the scientific literature identified by several researchers.
An Evolutionary Game Analysis on Green Technological Innovation of New Energy Enterprises under the Heterogeneous Environmental Regulation Perspective
Authors: Shi Yi , Li Yan
Published: May 2022

In the context of economic transformation and upgrading and ecological civilization construction, green technology innovation is an inevitable choice for enterprises’ sustainable development. Can environmental regulation effectively promote enterprises’ green technological innovation and achieve a win–win economic growth and environmental protection situation? This paper uses evolutionary game theory and numerical simulation to analyze the influence mechanisms of command-control, market-incentive and social-will, three environmental regulation tools and different combinations of environmental regulation tools on green technology innovation behavior of new energy enterprises. The study found: (1) The effects of three types of environmental regulation tools on green technological innovation of new energy enterprises are different, in which market-incentive environmental regulation policies play the most significant role, followed by command-control environmental regulation and social-will environmental regulation tools are not very obvious. (2) Implementing a separate environmental regulation policy has a poor effect on stimulating green technology innovation of new energy enterprises. If two environmental regulation means are implemented, the combination of command-control and market-incentive environmental regulations is the most effective. (3) Combining the implementation of three environmental regulation means of high-intensity market-incentive, high-intensity command-control and low-intensity social-will is the best strategy combination, which can motivate new energy enterprises to become stable for the green technology innovation strategy in the shortest time.
The Sustainability of Early Childhood Education in Chinese Teachers’ Perspective: Evidence from a National Validation Study
Authors: Liu Xinxin , Jiang Yong , Li Hui
Published: May 2022

This study aims to evaluate the sustainability of early childhood education (ECE) from Chinese teachers’ perspectives using a newly developed and validated instrument, the Sustainability of Early Childhood Education Rating Scale (SECERS). Altogether, 3636 teachers nationwide were randomly surveyed. First, analysis of the psychometric properties indicated that SECERS was a reliable and valid scale with three constructs: sustainability in ecology, sustainability in management, and sustainability in policy. Second, Chinese teachers positively evaluated sustainability in ecology but negatively evaluated it in policy. Third, latent profile analysis yielded the best-fit model with four profiles: low-, middle-, upper-middle-, and high-level profiles of teacher evaluations. Last, hierarchical regression analysis found that kindergarten quality grades played a key role in predicting the sustainability of ECE evaluation. The findings demonstrate the necessity of providing effective policy and management support to promote the sustainable development of ECE in China.
Short-Term Traffic Speed Forecasting Model for a Parallel Multi-Lane Arterial Road Using GPS-Monitored Data Based on Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Tran Quang Hoc , Fang Yao-Min , Chou Tien-Yin , Hoang Thanh-Van , Wang Chun-Tse , Vu Van Truong , Ho Thi Lan Huong , Le Quang , Chen Mei-Hsin
Published: May 2022

Traffic speed forecasting in the short term is one of the most critical parts of any intelligent transportation system (ITS). Accurate speed forecasting can support travelers’ route choices, traffic guidance, and traffic control. This study proposes a deep learning approach using long short-term memory (LSTM) network with tuning hyper-parameters to forecast short-term traffic speed on an arterial parallel multi-lane road in a developing country such as Vietnam. The challenge of mishandling the location data of vehicles on small and adjacent multi-lane roads will be addressed in this study. To test the accuracy of the proposed forecasting model, its application is illustrated using historical voyage GPS-monitored data on the Le Hong Phong urban arterial road in Haiphong city of Vietnam. The results indicate that in comparison with other models (e.g., traditional models and convolutional neural network), the best performance in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and median absolute error (MDAE) is obtained by using the proposed model.
The White Meat Industry in Dubai through a One Health Lens
Authors: Essam Sayed , Gill Timothy , Alders Robyn G.
Published: May 2022

White meat is one of the most commonly consumed animal-source foods in the Emirate of Dubai and is one of 21 main foods listed in the National Food Security Strategy of UAE and the Emirate of Dubai. Although fresh white meat is produced locally, the quantities are very limited, so, to meet market needs, chilled and frozen white meat is imported. The aim of this chapter is to examine the existing white meat supply networks and market in Dubai and understand the flow of fresh chickens from the local market and the shipment dynamics for imported frozen chickens under the One Health concept. Data from documents, publications and surveys of the Dubai Government, representatives of the Food Safety Department and Veterinary Service Section (via focus group discussions) and direct interviews with local small farmers, food importers, food manufacturers and retailers and animal feed manufacturers and retailers were used to describe the value chain for white meat in the Emirate of Dubai. The data were collected through detailed questionnaires in the interview with the focus groups and interviews of groups of stakeholders selected by the Food Safety Department in Dubai Municipality. Data from government strategies and reports were collected and analysed to understand the government’s position and the size of the white meat sector. The data provided by representatives of local small farmers, food importers, food manufacturers and retailers and animal feed manufacturers and retailers were used to understand the value chain of white meat from the private sector perspective. After studying the value chain and the results of this research, areas were identified in the value chain of the white meat sector at the level of the Emirate of Dubai that can be improved, for example, the need for better marketing of local products. Some areas are already strong such as the inclusion of white meat products in the Dubai strategy for Food Security approved at the level of the Emirate of Dubai. The results of this chapter highlight critical opportunities for changes in policies and best practices that if implemented by the Dubai Government would ensure that the white meat industry is able to meet local market demands. Recommendations to the Dubai Government are presented in support of enhancing Dubai’s economic sustainability and efficient contributions to food and nutrition security.
Decision-Tree Based Methodology Aid in Assessing the Sustainable Development of a Manufacturing Company
Authors: Patalas-Maliszewska Justyna , Łosyk Hanna , Rehm Matthias
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, achieving the objectives of sustainable development (SD) within a manufacturing company, through introducing and integrating sustainability into a development strategy, is a key parameter in gaining a competitive advantage in the market. The objective of this study was to develop a decision-tree based methodology to facilitate SD assessment in a manufacturing company, which consists of five main components: (1) Determination of SD indicators based on literature analysis, (2) Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method which determines the priority of the SD criteria, (3) Collecting data to determine the values of the key objectives SD, (4) Using a decision tree to build scenarios of possible actions to increase the level of SD, (5) Indicating recommended actions for continuous monitoring of progress towards reaching SD objectives. In the proposed approach, the use of the AHP method allowed for indicating the most important SD indicators, which made it possible to limit the number of queries to manufacturers on data from real companies regarding the values of SD indicators. Finally, the methodology was applied and verified within a real manufacturing company in order to assist the Management Board in making projections about future actions regarding an increase in SD level.