bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conserving the Sacred: Socially Innovative Efforts in the Loita Enaimina Enkiyio Forest in Kenya
Authors: Nyagwalla Otieno Joan , Bellotto Vittorio , Esho Lawrence Salaon , Van den Broeck Pieter
Published: September 2023

Indigenous Communities residing inside or next to autochthonal forests conserved them through governance frameworks that invoked traditional sacral law and reverence for their resource commons. More recently, however, the link between communities and forest conservation has been mired by dynamics of dispossession and displacement. Through a qualitative case study approach, using key informant interviews, transect walks, focus groups, and interviews, the researchers explore the conservation dynamics in Loita, in the South of Kenya, specifically looking at the sacred Enaimina Enkiyio forest. The study evaluated how the Loita community has challenged two state initiatives predicating conservation efforts and mobilised the sacred to conserve their resource commons. It combines a social-ecological approach with social innovation theory, spiritual geography, cultural studies and literature on indigenous knowledge systems, looking at, among others, sacred values attributed to places, nature–culture relationships, and value and belief systems and rituals. The findings point to the embeddedness of the forest resource in the way of life of the Loita Maasai and the appropriation of the ritual/sacred element as a framework to negotiate and mediate access, use, and conservation outcomes. The Loita community is grappling with and responding to the pressures exerted by various forces on the Loita Enaimina Enkiyio in socially innovative ways, as exemplified in the conservation efforts by the Ilkimpa Community Conservation Association (ICCA). It leverages aspects of the sacred in negotiating its claims over the Enaimina Enkiyio forest, showing that community-driven initiatives present alternative approaches capable of maintaining the connection between communities and their resource commons by integrating the sacred in this connection.
Spatio-Temporal Variation Characteristics of North Africa’s Climate Potential Productivity
Authors: Bi Mo , Wan Lei , Zhang Zhenke , Zhang Xingqi , Yu Chengzhi
Published: September 2023

Africa is becoming one of the most sensitive and vulnerable regions of the global ecosystem due to its variable climate, complex topography, and diversity of natural ecosystems. In the context of global warming, climate change not only alters the spatial distribution of temperature and precipitation in North Africa, but also affects the spatial distribution of vegetation as well as the structure and function of ecosystems, causing changes in the North African ecosystem and inducing a series of food security problems. In this regard, this paper analyzed the spatio-temporal distribution of climate change, climate production potential (CPP), and influencing factors in Africa based on meteorological data for 1901–2019, using the Thornthwaite Memorial model, Mann–Kendall mutation test, and Pearson correlation model. The results indicated that from 1901 to 2019, the CPP in North Africa decreased by 4.9%, while the region’s precipitation experienced a decline of 5.2%. The phased trend in CPP was consistent with the change in precipitation. Temperature and precipitation were the main limiting factors for CPP in North Africa, with precipitation being more limiting. In general, North Africa’s CPP was more sensitive to precipitation, and a continued ‘warm and dry’ climate in the future could lead to an increasing downward trend.
A Review on the Application of Lignocellulosic Biomass Ash in Cement-Based Composites
Authors: Sun Liguang , Yao Congguang , Guo Aofei , Yu Zhenyun
Published: September 2023

With the development of society, the demand for cement-based composites is increasing day by day. Cement production significantly increases CO2 emissions. These emissions are reduced when high volumes of cement are replaced. The consideration of sustainable development has prompted people to search for new cement substitutes. The lignocellulosic biomass ash obtained from burning lignocellulosic biomass contains a large number of active oxides. If lignocellulosic biomass ash is used as a partial cement substitute, it can effectively solve the high emissions problem of cement-based composites. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic biomass ashes and discusses their effects on the workability, mechanical properties, and durability (water absorption, acid resistance, etc.) of cement-based composites. It is found that appropriate treatments on lignocellulosic biomass ashes are beneficial to their application in cement-based composites. Meanwhile, the issues with their application are also pointed out.
Corrosion of Reinforced A630-420H Steel in Direct Contact with NaCl Solution
Authors: Madrid Felipe M. Galleguillos , Soliz Alvaro , Cáceres Luis , Salazar-Avalos Sebastian , Guzmán Danny , Gálvez Edelmira
Published: September 2023

The deterioration of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments presents multiple problems due to the premature degradation of reinforced steel. This work aimed to study the corrosion of reinforced A630-420H steel when exposed to a 0.5 M NaCl solution. Although this carbon steel is the most widely used material for reinforced concrete structures in Chile, there is limited research on its resistance to corrosion when in contact with saline solutions. The electrochemical reactions and their roles in the corrosion rate were studied using linear sweep voltammetry, weight loss, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. This analysis is unique as it used the superposition model based on mixed potential theory to determine the electrochemical and corrosion parameters. The outcomes of this study show that A630-420H steel has a higher corrosion rate than those of the other commercial carbon steels studied. This fact can be attributed to the competition between the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction, which also depends on the environmental conditions, exposure time, stabilization of the corrosion products layer, and presence of chloride ions. Additionally, the results under mechanical stress conditions show a brittle fracture of the corrosion product oriented longitudinally in the direction of the bend section, where the presence of pores and cracks were also observed. The corrosion products after corrosion were mainly composed of magnetite and lepidocrocite oxide phases, which is in concordance with the electrochemical results.
Study on the Influence of Surface Treatment Process on the Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum Alloy Profile Coating
Authors: Fan Lei , Wang Fatao , Wang Zhouhui , Hao Xuelong , Yang Neng , Ran Denglin
Published: September 2023

This work focuses on different surface treatment processes of the 6061 aluminum alloy profile coatings in the construction industry, mainly including the sand powder film coating, the flat powder coating, the hard anodized film, and the ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating. The corrosion resistance of the coated aluminum alloy in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution (pH 6.5–7.5) and the influence of different surface treatment processes on the corrosion resistance of different samples were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical workstation. The result shows that with the increase in corrosion time, the corrosion inhibition performance of the four coated aluminum alloy materials decreased significantly, and the order of decline is: sand powder film coating > hard anodized film > flat powder coating > ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating. When corroded in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 2 h, the corrosion inhibition performances of the flat powder coating and ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating are poor, while the inhibition performances of the sand powder film coating and hard anodized film are good, and the inhibition performance follows the following sequence: the sand powder film coating > hard anodized film> the flat powder coating > ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating. When corroded in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 200 h, the corrosion inhibition performances of the sand powder film coating and the flat powder coating are poor, while the inhibition performances of hard anodized film and ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating are good, and the inhibition performance follows the following sequence: hard anodized film > ordinary heat-sealing oxidized coating > the sand powder film coating > the flat powder coating.
Technology Modules Providing Solutions for Agile Manufacturing
Authors: Deniša Miha , Ude Aleš , Simonič Mihael , Kaarlela Tero , Pitkäaho Tomi , Pieskä Sakari , Arents Janis , Judvaitis Janis , Ozols Kaspars , Raj Levente , Czmerk András , Dianatfar Morteza , Latokartano Jyrki , Schmidt Patrick Alexander , Mauersberger Anton , Singer Adrian , Arnarson Halldor , Shu Beibei , Dimosthenopoulos Dimosthenis , Karagiannis Panagiotis , Ahonen Teemu-Pekka , Valjus Veikko , Lanz Minna
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we address the most pressing challenges faced by the manufacturing sector, particularly the manufacturing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where the transition towards high-mix low-volume production and the availability of cost-effective solutions are crucial. To overcome these challenges, this paper presents 14 innovative solutions that can be utilized to support the introduction of agile manufacturing processes in SMEs. These solutions encompass a wide range of key technologies, including reconfigurable fixtures, low-cost automation for printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, computer-vision-based control, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) simulations, predictive maintenance based on Internet of Things (IoT), virtualization for operator training, intuitive robot programming using virtual reality (VR), autonomous trajectory generation, programming by demonstration for force-based tasks, on-line task allocation in human–robot collaboration (HRC), projector-based graphical user interface (GUI) for HRC, human safety in collaborative work cells, and integration of automated ground vehicles for intralogistics. All of these solutions were designed with the purpose of increasing agility in the manufacturing sector. They are designed to enable flexible and modular manufacturing systems that are easy to integrate and use while remaining cost-effective for SMEs. As such, they have a high potential to be implemented in the manufacturing industry. They can be used as standalone modules or combined to solve a more complicated task, and contribute to enhancing the agility, efficiency, and competitiveness of manufacturing companies. With their application tested in industrially relevant environments, the proposed solutions strive to ensure practical implementation and real-world impact. While this paper presents these solutions and gives an overview of their methodologies and evaluations, it does not go into their details. It provides summaries of comprehensive and multifaceted solutions to tackle the evolving needs and demands of the manufacturing sector, empowering SMEs to thrive in a dynamic and competitive market landscape.
An Optimal Control Problem Related to the RSS Model
Authors: Zaslavski Alexander J.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider a discrete-time optimal control problem related to the model of Robinson, Solow and Srinivasan. We analyze this optimal control problem without concavity assumptions on a non-concave utility function which represents the preferences of the planner and establish the existence of good programs and optimal programs which are Stiglitz production programs.
Towards Valorization of Food-Waste-Derived Pectin: Recent Advances on Their Characterization and Application
Authors: Frosi Ilaria , Balduzzi Anna , Moretto Giulia , Colombo Raffaella , Papetti Adele
Published: September 2023

Pectin, a natural biopolymer, can be extracted from food waste biomass, adding value to raw materials. Currently, commercial pectin is mostly extracted from citrus peels (85.5%) and apple pomace (14.0%), with a small segment from sugar beet pulp (0.5%). However, driven by high market demand (expected to reach 2.12 billion by 2030), alternative agro-industrial waste is gaining attention as potential pectin sources. This review summarizes the recent advances in characterizing pectin from both conventional and emerging food waste sources. The focus is the chemical properties that affect their applications, such as the degree of esterification, the neutral sugars’ composition, the molecular weight, the galacturonic acid content, and technological–functional properties. The review also highlights recent updates in nutraceutical and food applications, considering the potential use of pectin as an encapsulating agent for intestinal targeting, a sustainable biopolymer for food packaging, and a functional and emulsifying agent in low-calorie products. It is clear from the considered literature that further studies are needed concerning the complexity of the pectin structure extracted from emerging food waste raw materials, in order to elucidate their most suitable commercial application.
High-Performance Ag2Se Film by a Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Method for Flexible Thermoelectric Generators
Authors: Wang Zixing , Liu Ying , Li Jiajia , Huang Changjun , Cai Kefeng
Published: September 2023

Flexible Ag2Se thermoelectric (TE) films are promising for wearable applications near room temperature (RT). Herein, a Ag2Se film on a nylon membrane with high TE performance was fabricated by a facile method. First, Ag2Se powders were prepared by a microwave-assisted synthesis method using Ag nanowires as a template. Second, the Ag2Se powders were deposited onto nylon via vacuum filtration followed by hot pressing. Through modulating the Ag/Se molar ratio for synthesizing the Ag2Se powders, an optimized Ag2Se film demonstrates a high power factor of 1577.1 μW m−1 K−2 and good flexibility at RT. The flexibility of the Ag2Se film is mainly attributed to the flexible nylon membrane. In addition, a six-leg flexible TE generator (f-TEG) fabricated with the optimized Ag2Se film exhibits a maximum power density of 18.4 W m−2 at a temperature difference of 29 K near RT. This work provides a new solution to prepare high-TE-performance flexible Ag2Se films for f-TEGs.
A Novel Vermiculite/TiO2 Composite: Synergistic Mechanism of Enhanced Photocatalysis towards Organic Pollutant Removal
Authors: Han Lin , Yue Xiaoju , Wen Liying , Zhang Mingqing , Wang Shifeng
Published: September 2023

There has been increasing concern over water pollution, which poses a threat to human life and health. Absorption by low-cost absorbents is considered to be a cost-effective and efficient route. However, the non-reusability of absorbents greatly limits their applications. In this study, a novel vermiculite/TiO2 composite combining the inexpensive absorbent with the commonly used photocatalyst was firstly synthesized via the sol-gel method. On the one hand, the organic pollutants are absorbed by vermiculite and then decomposed through the photocatalysis process, enabling the next round of absorption and creating an absorption–decomposition reusable cycle. On the other hand, the modulation effect of optical and electronic structure on the prepared TiO2 photocatalyst by the vermiculite incorporation could significantly improve the photocatalytic activity and eventually enhance the aforementioned cyclic degradation capacity. The layer-structured vermiculite (Vt) supports a uniform coverage of TiO2 at an optimized ratio, providing an optimal adsorption environment and contact area between the photocatalyst and methylene blue (MB) molecules. Vt/TiO2 heterojunction is formed with Si-O-Ti bonding, at which electrons transfer from Vt to TiO2, enriching electron density in TiO2 and favoring its photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of Vt increases the light absorption of TiO2 in the visible range by narrowing the optical band gap to 1.98 eV, which could promote the generation of photo-excited carriers. In addition, PL measurements revealed that the carrier recombination is substantially suppressed, and the charge separation and migration are greatly enhanced by a factor of 3. As a result, the decomposition rate of MB is substantially increased 5.3-fold, which is ascribed to the synergistic effects of the elevated photocatalysis and the large absorption capacity governed by the chemisorption mechanism of the intra-particle diffusion. These results pave the way for composite design towards efficient, economical, and pragmatic water pollution treatment.
Reshaping Our Knowledge: Advancements in Understanding the Immune Response to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Attaianese Federica , Guiducci Sara , Trapani Sandra , Barbati Federica , Lodi Lorenzo , Indolfi Giuseppe , Azzari Chiara , Ricci Silvia
Published: September 2023

Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a significant cause of respiratory tract infections, particularly in young children and older adults. In this review, we aimed to comprehensively summarize what is known about the immune response to hRSV infection. We described the innate and adaptive immune components involved, including the recognition of RSV, the inflammatory response, the role of natural killer (NK) cells, antigen presentation, T cell response, and antibody production. Understanding the complex immune response to hRSV infection is crucial for developing effective interventions against this significant respiratory pathogen. Further investigations into the immune memory generated by hRSV infection and the development of strategies to enhance immune responses may hold promise for the prevention and management of hRSV-associated diseases.
Regulation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Activity by Melatonin Receptors in Terms of Viability and Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Skubis-Sikora Aleksandra , Sikora Bartosz , Małysiak Weronika , Wieczorek Patrycja , Czekaj Piotr
Published: September 2023

Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland and acts through the Mel1A and Mel1B receptors. Among other actions, melatonin significantly increases osteogenesis during bone regeneration. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are also known to have the potential to differentiate into osteoblast-like cells; however, inefficient culturing due to the loss of properties over time or low cell survival rates on scaffolds is a limitation. Improving the process of ADSC expansion in vitro is crucial for its further successful use in bone regeneration. This study aimed to assess the effect of melatonin on ADSC characteristics, including osteogenicity. We assessed ADSC viability at different melatonin concentrations as well as the effect on its receptor inhibitors (luzindole or 4-P-PDOT). Moreover, we analyzed the ADSC phenotype, apoptosis, cell cycle, and expression of MTNR1A and MTNR1B receptors, and its potential for osteogenic differentiation. We found that ADSCs treated with melatonin at a concentration of 100 µM had a higher viability compared to those treated at higher melatonin concentrations. Melatonin did not change the phenotype of ADSCs or induce apoptosis and it promoted the activity of some osteogenesis-related genes. We concluded that melatonin is safe, non-toxic to normal ADSCs in vitro, and can be used in regenerative medicine at low doses (100 μM) to improve cell viability without negatively affecting the osteogenic potential of these cells.
Inflammation in Coronary Atherosclerosis: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potential of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Authors: Figueiredo Clara Salles , Roseira Elias Soares , Viana Tainá Teixeira , Silveira Marcelo Augusto Duarte , de Melo Rodrigo Morel Vieira , Fernandez Miguel Godeiro , Lemos Livia Maria Goes , Passos Luiz Carlos Santana
Published: September 2023

Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven immune-inflammatory disease that affects the arteries, leading to multifocal plaque development. The inflammatory process involves the activation of immune cells and various inflammatory pathways. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular events in individuals with coronary disease. However, their use is still limited due to concerns about long-term follow-up, cost-effectiveness, adverse effects, and the identification of the ideal patient profile to obtain maximum benefits. This review aims to improve the understanding of inflammation in coronary atherosclerosis and explore potential therapeutic interventions, encompassing both traditional and non-traditional anti-inflammatory approaches. By addressing these concepts, we seek to contribute to the advancement of knowledge about this type of treatment for coronary artery disease.
Comparing the Performance of Raman and Near-Infrared Imaging in the Prediction of the In Vitro Dissolution Profile of Extended-Release Tablets Based on Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Galata Dorián László , Gergely Szilveszter , Nagy Rebeka , Slezsák János , Ronkay Ferenc , Nagy Zsombor Kristóf , Farkas Attila
Published: September 2023

In this work, the performance of two fast chemical imaging techniques, Raman and near-infrared (NIR) imaging is compared by utilizing these methods to predict the rate of drug release from sustained-release tablets. Sustained release is provided by adding hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), as its concentration and particle size determine the dissolution rate of the drug. The chemical images were processed using classical least squares; afterwards, a convolutional neural network was applied to extract information regarding the particle size of HPMC. The chemical images were reduced to an average HPMC concentration and a predicted particle size value; these were used as inputs in an artificial neural network with a single hidden layer to predict the dissolution profile of the tablets. Both NIR and Raman imaging yielded accurate predictions. As the instrumentation of NIR imaging allows faster measurements than Raman imaging, this technique is a better candidate for implementing a real-time technique. The introduction of chemical imaging in the routine quality control of pharmaceutical products would profoundly change quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry.
Environmental Factors Affecting Monoterpene Emissions from Terrestrial Vegetation
Authors: Malik Tanzil Gaffar , Sahu Lokesh Kumar , Gupta Mansi , Mir Bilal Ahmad , Gajbhiye Triratnesh , Dubey Rashmi , Clavijo McCormick Andrea , Pandey Sudhir Kumar
Published: September 2023

Monoterpenes are volatile organic compounds that play important roles in atmospheric chemistry, plant physiology, communication, and defense. This review compiles the monoterpene emission flux data reported for different regions and plant species and highlights the role of abiotic environmental factors in controlling the emissions of biogenic monoterpenes and their emission fluxes for terrestrial plant species (including seasonal variations). Previous studies have demonstrated the role and importance of ambient air temperature and light in controlling monoterpene emissions, likely contributing to higher monoterpene emissions during the summer season in temperate regions. In addition to light and temperature dependence, other important environmental variables such as carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), soil moisture, and nutrient availability are also known to influence monoterpene emissions rates, but the information available is still limited. Throughout the paper, we identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future studies.
Humic Substances Isolated from Recycled Biomass Trigger Jasmonic Acid Biosynthesis and Signalling
Authors: Silva Rakiely M. , Peres Alice N. A. , Peres Lázaro E. P. , Olivares Fábio L. , Sangi Sara , Canellas Natália A. , Spaccini Riccardo , Cangemi Silvana , Canellas Luciano P.
Published: September 2023

Intensive agriculture maintains high crop yields through chemical inputs, which are well known for their adverse effects on environmental quality and human health. Innovative technologies are required to reduce the risk generated by the extensive and harmful use of pesticides. The plant biostimulants made from humic substances isolated from recyclable biomass offer an alternative approach to address the need for replacing conventional agrochemicals without compromising the crop yield. The stimulatory effects of humic substances are commonly associated with plant hormones, particularly auxins. However, jasmonic acid (JA) is crucial metabolite in mediating the defence responses and governing plant growth and development. This work aimed to evaluate the changes in the biosynthesis and signalling pathway of JA in tomato seedlings treated with humic acids (HA) isolated from vermicompost. We use the tomato model system cultivar Micro-Tom (MT) harbouring a reporter gene fused to a synthetic promoter that responds to jasmonic acid (JERE::GUS). The transcript levels of genes involved in JA generation and activity were also determined using qRT-PCR. The application of HA promoted plant growth and altered the JA status, as revealed by both GUS and qRT-PCR assays. Both JA enzymatic synthesis (LOX, OPR3) and JA signalling genes (JAZ and JAR) were found in higher transcription levels in plants treated with HA. In addition, ethylene (ETR4) and auxin (ARF6) signalling components were positively modulated by HA, revealing a hormonal cross-talk. Our results prove that the plant defence system linked to JA can be emulated by HA application without growth inhibition.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the PP2C Family from Zea mays and Its Role in Long-Distance Signaling
Authors: Wu Huan , Zhu Ling , Cai Guiping , Lv Chenxi , Yang Huan , Ren Xiaoli , Hu Bo , Zhou Xuemei , Jiang Tingting , Xiang Yong , Wei Rujun , Li Lujiang , Liu Hailan , Muhammad Imran , Xia Chao , Lan Hai
Published: September 2023

The protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) constitutes a large gene family that plays crucial roles in regulating stress responses and plant development. A recent study has shown the involvement of an AtPP2C family member in long-distance nitrogen signaling in Arabidopsis. However, it remains unclear whether maize adopts a similar mechanism. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide survey and expression analysis of the PP2C family in maize. We identified 103 ZmPP2C genes distributed across 10 chromosomes, which were further classified into 11 subgroups based on an evolutionary tree. Notably, cis-acting element analysis revealed the presence of abundant hormone and stress-related, as well as nitrogen-related, cis-elements in the promoter regions of ZmPP2Cs. Expression analysis demonstrated the distinct expression patterns of nine genes under two nitrogen treatments. Notably, the expression of ZmPP2C54 and ZmPP2C85 in the roots was found to be regulated by long-distance signals from the shoots. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding the roles of ZmPP2Cs in long-distance nitrogen signaling in maize.
Toward a Natural Theology of Abundance: Reorientation to a Sacramental Reality
Authors: Thiessen Annalea Rose
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the Christian incorporation and transformation of the philosophical understanding of the relation between the material and immaterial. This transformation centers on the Incarnation of Christ, which changes both the relation or contact between the material and immaterial realms, and human knowledge concerning the immaterial divine presence in material reality. More than a descriptive, historical account, the paper is primarily a conceptual presentation that retrieves the historically early thought of Irenaeus of Lyons and Athanasius of Alexandria to argue for a theological account of sacramental reality. Drawing on the metaphysical function of sacraments—themselves “visible signs of invisible grace”—which convey that there is more to material reality than meets the eye, I argue that this “more” implies what I call “a theology of abundance” that pertains to the whole of created reality, in the abundant nature of creation and of the human being in particular, and especially apparent in human knowing. The implication of such a theology of abundance is a comprehensive reorientation of human being, knowing, and expression in response to the invisible presence of the divine in visible, sacramental reality.
A Quasi-Coherent Detection Method Based on Radon–Fourier Transform Using Multi-Frequency-Based Passive Bistatic Radar
Authors: Li Junjie , Song Chunyi , Xu Zhiwei
Published: September 2023

Passive bistatic radar (PBR)-based moving target detection (MTD) has benefited greatly from multi-frequency (MF) integration, which can effectively improve the detection capability of weak targets. However, with the increase in the coherent processing interval (CPI) and carrier-frequency separation, Doppler spread will appear in the range-Doppler maps (RDMs) over different frequency bands, which severely limits the processing gain of MF integration. In this paper, a novel MTD algorithm is proposed to achieve both long-time integration and quasi-coherent MF integration. More specifically, the proposed method consists of two main steps, where a modified Radon–Fourier transform (RFT), termed as MF-based RFT (MF-RFT), is, firstly, used to eliminate the Doppler spread via designing a sequential of MF-based Doppler filter banks. Following the MF-RFT, a phase-compensation-based method is also developed to further remove the residual phase errors. This method involves formulating an optimization problem based on the minimum-entropy criterion and employing a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to solve it, after which quasi-coherent MF integration can be achieved with robustness. Both numerical results and field test results based on digital video broadcasting-satellite (DVB-S) signals demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing methods in the scenario of weak MTD.
Direct Assimilation of Ground-Based Microwave Radiometer Clear-Sky Radiance Data and Its Impact on the Forecast of Heavy Rainfall
Authors: Cao Yujie , Shi Bingying , Zhao Xinyu , Yang Ting , Min Jinzhong
Published: September 2023

Ground-based microwave radiometer (GMWR) data with high spatial and temporal resolution can improve the accuracy of weather forecasts when effectively assimilated into numerical weather prediction. Nowadays, the major method to assimilate these data is via indirect assimilation by assimilating the retrieved profiles, which introduces large retrieval errors and cannot easily be represented by an error covariance matrix. Direct assimilation, on the other hand, can avoid this issue. In this study, the ground-based version of the Radiative Transfer for the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (RTTOV-gb) was selected as the observation operator, and a direct assimilation module for GMWR radiance data was established in the Weather Research and Forecasting Model Data Assimilation (WRFDA). Then, this direct assimilation module was applied to assimilate GMWR data. The results were compared to the indirect assimilation experiment and demonstrated that direct assimilation can more effectively improve the model’s initial fields in terms of temperature and humidity than indirect assimilation while avoiding the influence of retrieval errors. In addition, direct assimilation performed better in the precipitation forecast than indirect assimilation, making the main precipitation center closer to the observation. In particular, the improvement in the precipitation forecast with a threshold of 60 mm/6 h was obvious, and the corresponding TS score was significantly enhanced.
Machine Learning Techniques for Vertical Lidar-Based Detection, Characterization, and Classification of Aerosols and Clouds: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Lolli Simone
Published: September 2023

This survey presents an in-depth analysis of machine learning techniques applied to lidar observations for the detection of aerosol and cloud optical, geometrical, and microphysical properties. Lidar technology, with its ability to probe the atmosphere at very high spatial and temporal resolution and measure backscattered signals, has become an invaluable tool for studying these atmospheric components. However, the complexity and diversity of lidar technology requires advanced data processing and analysis methods, where machine learning has emerged as a powerful approach. This survey focuses on the application of various machine learning techniques, including supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms and deep learning models, to extract meaningful information from lidar observations. These techniques enable the detection, classification, and characterization of aerosols and clouds by leveraging the rich features contained in lidar signals. In this article, an overview of the different machine learning architectures and algorithms employed in the field is provided, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and potential applications. Additionally, this survey examines the impact of machine learning techniques on improving the accuracy, efficiency, and robustness of aerosol and cloud real-time detection from lidar observations. By synthesizing the existing literature and providing critical insights, this survey serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students interested in the application of machine learning techniques to lidar technology. It not only summarizes current state-of-the-art methods but also identifies emerging trends, open challenges, and future research directions, with the aim of fostering advancements in this rapidly evolving field.
Design of Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based D-Type Double Open-Loop Channels PCF for Temperature Sensing
Authors: Gao Shuangyan , Wei Kaihua , Yang Hua , Tang Yongjian , Yi Zao , Tang Chaojun , Tang Bin , Yi Yougen , Wu Pinghui
Published: September 2023

Here, we document a D-type double open-loop channel floor plasmon resonance (SPR) photonic crystal fiber (PCF) for temperature sensing. The grooves are designed on the polished surfaces of the pinnacle and backside of the PCF and covered with a gold (Au) film, and stomata are distributed around the PCF core in a progressive, periodic arrangement. Two air holes between the Au membrane and the PCF core are designed to shape a leakage window, which no longer solely averts the outward diffusion of Y-polarized (Y-POL) core mode energy, but also sets off its coupling with the Au movie from the leakage window. This SPR-PCF sensor uses the temperature-sensitive property of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to reap the motive of temperature sensing. Our lookup effects point out that these SPR-PCF sensors have a temperature sensitivity of up to 3757 pm/°C when the temperature varies from 5 °C to 45 °C. In addition, the maximum refractive index sensitivity (RIS) of the SPR-PCF sensor is as excessive as 4847 nm/RIU. These proposed SPR-PCF temperature sensors have an easy nanostructure and proper sensing performance, which now not solely improve the overall sensing performance of small-diameter fiber optic temperature sensors, but also have vast application prospects in geo-logical exploration, biological monitoring, and meteorological prediction due to their remarkable RIS and exclusive nanostructure.
Effect of Additional Mass on Natural Frequencies of Weight-Sensing Structures
Authors: Guo Guiyong , Zhong Shuncong , Zhang Qiukun , Zhong Jianfeng , Liu Dongming
Published: September 2023

The phenomena of variability and interference in the natural frequencies of weight-sensing structures applied in complex working conditions must solve the problem of reducing or eliminating resonance under low-frequency vibrations to maximize stability, accuracy and reliability. The influence laws of the additional mass with relevant characteristics on the natural frequencies, which include the components of mass, stiffness and center-of-mass distribution, etc. Firstly, the theoretical formulas of the mathematical model are given based on different characteristics of the weight-sensing structure, and various combinations of additional masses on the weight-sensing structures are adjusted in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions. The key factors to be specifically considered in the theoretical formulas are discussed through simulation analysis and experimental validation. Secondly, the locking strength of the fastening screws of some components was changed, and another component was placed on the experimental platform in the experiment. The results show that the mass, center-of-mass, stiffness distribution and other factors of the additional mass have different effects on the natural frequencies, which are important for the demand for high-precision, high-stability weighing measurement. The results of this research can provide an effective scientific evaluation basis for the reliable prediction of natural frequencies.
Optical Fiber Temperature and Humidity Dual Parameter Sensing Based on Fiber Bragg Gratings and Porous Film
Authors: Peng Jiankun , Zhou Jianren , Sun Chengli , Liu Qingping
Published: September 2023

A porous anodic alumina film is proposed to construct an optical fiber temperature and humidity sensor. In the sensor structure, a fiber Bragg grating is used to detect the environment temperature, and the porous film is used to detect the environment humidity. The proposed porous anodic alumina film was fabricated by anodic oxidation reaction, and it is suitable for the use of humidity detection due to its porous structure. Experimental results show the temperature sensitivity of the proposed sensor was 10.4 pm/°C and the humidity sensitivity of the proposed sensor was 185 pm/%RH.
Multiparametric Monitoring System of Mt. Melbourne Volcano (Victoria Land, Antarctica)
Authors: Larocca Graziano , Contrafatto Danilo , Cannata Andrea , Giudice Gaetano
Published: September 2023

Volcano monitoring is the key approach in mitigating the risks associated with volcanic phenomena. Although Antarctic volcanoes are characterized by remoteness, the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption and the 2022 Hunga eruption have reminded us that even the farthest and/or least-known volcanoes can pose significant hazards to large and distant communities. Hence, it is important to also develop monitoring systems in the Antarctic volcanoes, which involves installing and maintaining multiparametric instrument networks. These tasks are particularly challenging in polar regions as the instruments have to face the most extreme climate on the Earth, characterized by very low temperatures and strong winds. In this work, we describe the multiparametric monitoring system recently deployed on the Melbourne volcano (Victoria Land, Antarctica), consisting of seismic, geochemical and thermal sensors together with powering, transmission and acquisition systems. Particular strategies have been applied to make the monitoring stations efficient despite the extreme weather conditions. Fumarolic ice caves, located on the summit area of the Melbourne volcano, were chosen as installation sites as they are protected places where no storm can damage the instruments and temperatures are close to 0 °C all year round. In addition, the choice of instruments and their operating mode has also been driven by the necessity to reduce energy consumption. Indeed, one of the most complicated tasks in Antarctica is powering a remote instrument year-round. The technological solutions found to implement the monitoring system of the Melbourne volcano and described in this work can help create volcano monitoring infrastructures in other polar environments.
Task Offloading Decision-Making Algorithm for Vehicular Edge Computing: A Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Based Approach
Authors: Shi Wei , Chen Long , Zhu Xia
Published: September 2023

Efficient task offloading decision is a crucial technology in vehicular edge computing, which aims to fulfill the computational performance demands of complex vehicular tasks with respect to delay and energy consumption while minimizing network resource competition and consumption. Conventional distributed task offloading decisions rely solely on the local state of the vehicle, failing to optimize the utilization of the server’s resources to its fullest potential. In addition, the mobility aspect of vehicles is often neglected in these decisions. In this paper, a cloud-edge-vehicle three-tier vehicular edge computing (VEC) system is proposed, where vehicles partially offload their computing tasks to edge or cloud servers while keeping the remaining tasks local to the vehicle terminals. Under the restrictions of vehicle mobility and discrete variables, task scheduling and task offloading proportion are jointly optimized with the objective of minimizing the total system cost. Considering the non-convexity, high-dimensional complex state and continuous action space requirements of the optimization problem, we propose a task offloading decision-making algorithm based on deep deterministic policy gradient (TODM_DDPG). TODM_DDPG algorithm adopts the actor–critic framework in which the actor network outputs floating point numbers to represent deterministic policy, while the critic network evaluates the action output by the actor network, and adjusts the network evaluation policy according to the rewards with the environment to maximize the long-term reward. To explore the algorithm performance, this conduct parameter setting experiments to correct the algorithm core hyper-parameters and select the optimal combination of parameters. In addition, in order to verify algorithm performance, we also carry out a series of comparative experiments with baseline algorithms. The results demonstrate that in terms of reducing system costs, the proposed algorithm outperforms the compared baseline algorithm, such as the deep Q network (DQN) and the actor–critic (AC), and the performance is improved by about 13% on average.
Object Detection Based on Lightweight YOLOX for Autonomous Driving
Authors: He Qiyi , Xu Ao , Ye Zhiwei , Zhou Wen , Cai Ting
Published: September 2023

Accurate and rapid response in complex driving scenarios is a challenging problem in autonomous driving. If a target is detected, the vehicle will not be able to react in time, resulting in fatal safety accidents. Therefore, the application of driver assistance systems requires a model that can accurately detect targets in complex scenes and respond quickly. In this paper, a lightweight feature extraction model, ShuffDet, is proposed to replace the CSPDark53 model used by YOLOX by improving the YOLOX algorithm. At the same time, an attention mechanism is introduced into the path aggregation feature pyramid network (PAFPN) to make the network focus more on important information in the network, thereby improving the accuracy of the model. This model, which combines two methods, is called ShuffYOLOX, and it can improve the accuracy of the model while keeping it lightweight. The performance of the ShuffYOLOX model on the KITTI dataset is tested in this paper, and the experimental results show that compared to the original network, the mean average precision (mAP) of the ShuffYOLOX model on the KITTI dataset reaches 92.20%. In addition, the number of parameters of the ShuffYOLOX model is reduced by 34.57%, the Gflops are reduced by 42.19%, and the FPS is increased by 65%. Therefore, the ShuffYOLOX model is very suitable for autonomous driving applications.
The Stress Phase Angle Measurement Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Zhao Yuqian , Zhu Zhibo , Jiang Huiwen , Yu Yao , Liu Jian , Luan Jingmin , Wang Yi , Ma Zhenhe
Published: September 2023

The stress phase angle (SPA), defined as the temporal phase angle between circumferential stress (CS) in the arterial wall and wall shear stress (WSS), is utilized to investigate the interactions between CS and WSS. SPA serves as an important parameter for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we proposed a novel method for measuring SPA using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The multi-M-mode scan strategy is adopted for interference spectrum acquisition. The phases of CS and WSS are extracted from the corresponding structural and flow velocity images of SD-OCT. The method is validated by measuring SPA in the outflow tract (OFT) of chick embryonic hearts and the common carotid artery of mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that OCT has been used for SPA measurement.
Dynamic Electromagnetic Scattering Simulation of Tilt-Rotor Aircraft in Multiple Modes
Authors: Fei Zhongyang , Yang Yan , Jiang Xiangwen , Zhao Qijun , Chen Xi
Published: September 2023

To study the electromagnetic scattering of tilt-rotor aircraft during multi-mode continuous flight, a dynamic simulation approach is presented. A time-varying mesh method is established to characterize the dynamic rotation and tilting of tilt-rotor aircraft. Shooting and bouncing rays and the uniform theory of diffraction are used to calculate the multi-mode radar cross-section (RCS). And the scattering mechanisms of tilt-rotor aircraft are investigated by extracting the micro-Doppler and inverse synthetic aperture radar images. The results show that the dynamic RCS of tilt-rotor aircraft in helicopter and airplane mode exhibits obvious periodicity, and the transition mode leads to a strong specular reflection on the rotor’s upper surface, which increases the RCS with a maximum increase of about 36 dB. The maximum micro-Doppler shift has functional relationships with flight time, tilt speed, and wave incident direction. By analyzing the change patterns of maximum shift, the real-time flight state and mode can be identified. There are some significant scattering sources on the body of tilt-rotor aircraft that are distributed in a planar or point-like manner, and the importance of different scattering sources varies in different flight modes. The pre-studies on the key scattering areas can provide effective help for the stealth design of the target.
Paid Parental Leave in Correlation with Changing Gender Role Attitudes
Authors: Mauerer Gerlinde
Published: September 2023

In recent decades, several countries have implemented paid parental leave for parents. This paper discusses the correlation between paid parental leave—which in Austria corresponds with receiving childcare benefits—and changing gender role attitudes in different-gender parent couples. It draws on evidence from 42 semi-structured couple interviews (n = 42, 2021–2022) in which couples were asked how they arranged childcare, employment, and household chores and how they reached agreements with employers. The empirical data were first analyzed based on content and then by applying constructivist-informed grounded theory to investigate whether and how gender affected couples’ efforts to reconcile childcare, employment, and household chores and how employers responded to parental arrangements that challenged traditional gender role attitudes. Compared to other countries, Austria offers rather generous childcare benefits, including long leave periods. In addition, Austria has introduced a partnership bonus for parents who share childcare benefits 50:50 or 60:40. However, the number of couples who take advantage of these benefits is still low. In the presented research, parents who succeeded in sharing these childcare benefits were interviewed. All interviewees had taken at least five months of paid parental leave. The data were analyzed using a content-oriented approach and by applying informed grounded theory. The results show that a substantial number of fathers continued working in minor employment while receiving childcare benefits, in line with the prevailing assumption among employers that the man is the main family breadwinner. By contrast, mothers had to strongly insist that they could continue working during the early transition to parenthood. However, on an individual level and in specific domains, Austrian parents were able to successfully overcome traditional gender inequalities in reconciling work and family with the support of the newly implemented childcare benefits. The observation that in Austria, the share of fathers who take the income-related form of parental leave is higher than that of fathers who claim other forms of childcare benefits points to the importance of all parents having access to well-compensated parental leave, regardless of their income level before the birth of a child.