bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Coupling of Alfvén and Slow Magnetoacoustic Waves in Partially Ionized Solar Plasmas: The Effect of Thermal Misbalance
Authors: Ballester José Luis
Published: March 2023

Solar chromosphere and photosphere, as well as solar atmospheric structures, such as prominences and spicules, are made of partially ionized plasmas. Observations have reported the presence of damped or amplified oscillations in these solar plasmas, which have been interpreted in terms of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. Slow magnetoacoustic waves could be responsible for these oscillations. The present study investigates the temporal behavior of the field-aligned motions that represent slow magnetoacoustic waves excited in a partially ionized prominence plasma by the ponderomotive force. Starting from single-fluid MHD equations, including radiative losses, a heating mechanism and ambipolar diffusion, and using a regular perturbation method, first- and second-order partial differential equations have been derived. By numerically solving second-order equations describing field-aligned motions, the temporal behavior of the longitudinal velocity perturbations is obtained. The damping or amplification of these perturbations can be explained in terms of heating–cooling misbalance, the damping effect due to ambipolar diffusion and the variation of the first adiabatic exponent with temperature and ionization degree.
Plants and Other Materials Used for Dyeing in the Present Territory of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine according to Rostafiński’s Questionnaire from 1883
Authors: Köhler Piotr , Bystry Aleksandra , Łuczaj Łukasz
Published: March 2023

Background: Traditional dyeing methods are practically forgotten in Poland. Józef Rostafiński included questions on the use of dyes in his ethnobotanical survey from 1883. Methods: 126 questionnaires contained information on dye plants. They were identified by the respondents using folk names or sometimes even Latin names. Folk names were analyzed by comparison with other literature. Several voucher specimens were also present. Results: 74 plant taxa were identified to genus or species level. The most commonly used were: onion (Allium cepa), brazilwood (Caesalpinia brasiliensis or Paubrasilia echinata), winter corn (mainly rye Secale cereale), black alder (Alnus glutinosa), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), apple (Malus domestica), birch (Betula pendula), oak (Quercus robur), and violet flowering spring flowers (mainly Hepatica nobilis and Pulsatilla spp.). Conclusions: Most species are well known in the literature about plant dyeing, but the paper provides extra details on the picture of dyeing traditions in Eastern Europe.
Fabrication of Partially Etched Polystyrene Nanoparticles
Authors: Jung In Hwan , Lee Jieun , Shin Seung Soo , Kang Youn-Jung , Seo Tae Seok , Park Bum Jun
Published: March 2023

Non-spherical polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have gained attention in various fields, but their fabrication remains challenging. In this study, we present a simple protocol for synthesizing partially etched polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles through emulsion polymerization and chemical etching. By adjusting the degree of crosslinking, we selectively dissolve the weakly crosslinked portions of the particles, resulting in partially etched PS NPs with increased surface area. These partially etched NPs are evaluated for their use as solid surfactants in Pickering emulsions, where they demonstrate significantly improved emulsion stability compared to intact spherical NPs. Our results contribute to the field of nanoparticle shape control and provide insights into developing novel materials for various applications, particularly in the area of solid surfactant usage. Additionally, the importance of conducting cellular toxicity studies using these partially etched NPs for future work is also emphasized.
Chitosan-Grafted Carbon Oxynitride Nanoparticles: Investigation of Photocatalytic Degradation and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Bai Xuemei , Luan Jingmin , Song Tingting , Sun Haifeng , Dai Yuhua , Yu Jianxiang , Tian Huafeng
Published: March 2023

In this work, a series of chitosan (CS)-grafted carbon oxynitride (OCN) nanoparticles (denoted as CS-OCN) were successfully synthesized for the first time by thermal polycondensation and subsequent esterification. The structure and photocatalytic performance of CS-OCN nanoparticles were investigated. The XPS spectra of CS-OCN-3 showed the presence of amino bonds. The optimal photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the synthesized CS-OCN-3 could reach 94.3% within 390 min, while the photocurrent response intensity was about 150% more than that of pure OCN. The improved photocatalytic performance may be mainly attributed to the enhanced photogenerated carrier’s separation and transportation and stronger visible light response after CS grafting. In addition, the inhibition diameter of CS-OCN-3 reached 23 mm against E. coli within 24 h under visible light irradiation, exhibiting excellent photocatalytic bactericidal ability. The results of bacterial inhibition were supported by absorbance measurements (OD600) studies of E. coli. In a word, this work provided a rational design of an efficient novel metal-free photocatalyst to remove bacterial contamination and accelerate the degradation of organic dyes.
On the Design of Aqueous Emulsions of Colophony Resin
Authors: Ingrez Isa B. D. , Ferreira Paula C. N. , Gameiro Davide , Duarte Belmiro P. M.
Published: March 2023

Companies regularly face market pressure to develop products faster but they also need to simultaneously incorporate technological constraints, sustainability trends, and customer requirements into their designs, which requires the use of systematic procedures. Firms that exploit natural resources and convert them into high-value products are among them. However, the literature on the application of such systematic approaches to products of this type remains scarce, as they often requrire extensive experimental plans involving the testing and optimization of multiple formulations. Here, we propose a systematic approach to the design of pine-resin-in-water emulsions, which can be used to fabricate pressure-sensitive adhesives. The strategy is customer-centric in the sense that the customers’ specifications are integrated into the decision-making tool used to assess the quality of the formulations obtained through experiments. This tool uses loss functions to assess satisfaction with individual quality characteristics and multi-attribute decision-making methods to integrate them into an overall quality metric. Our framework is aligned with industrial practices and consists of three sequential stages: (i) screening of primary factors; (ii) optimization of secondary factors; and (iii) assessment of the experimental repeatability of the formulations. In each of these stages, the decision-making tool is used to “drive” the process of finding the optimal formulation.
The Benefits of Exogenous Xylanase in Wheat–Soy Based Broiler Chicken Diets, Consisting of Different Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharides Content
Authors: Pirgozliev Vasil Radoslavov , Mansbridge Stephen Charles , Whiting Isobel Margaret , Abdulla Jalil Mahmwd , Rose Stephen Paul , Kljak Kristina , Johnson Amy , Drijfhout Falko , Atanasov Atanas Georgiev
Published: March 2023

Four wheat-based diets with either a low soluble content of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs, 13 g/kg); low viscosity, LV) or a high content of NSPs (33.5 g/kg; high viscosity, HV), with and without exogenous xylanase (XYL), were fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens from 7 to 21 days age. The enzyme was supplemented at 100 FXU/kg diet, and its preparation was based on endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus oryzae. Each diet was fed to eight pens, with five birds in each pen, following randomisation. Chicks fed XYL had an improved feed efficiency, hepatic coenzyme Q10, caecal butyric acid concentration, nitrogen digestibility (p < 0.05) and increased dietary ME (p < 0.001). Compared to HV, birds fed LV diets had reduced weight of proventriculus, gizzard and the pancreas and higher blood glutathione peroxidase and dietary ME (p < 0.05), but no differences were observed on nutrient digestibility and growth performance variables. This also suggests that birds may tolerate a greater dietary NSPs content; thus, further benefits may be obtained by the application of XYL in low energy wheat-based diets.
Modeling Strategies for Crude Oil-Induced Fouling in Heat Exchangers: A Review
Authors: Rehman Obaid ur , Ramasamy Marappa Gounder , Rozali Nor Erniza Mohammad , Mahadzir Shuhaimi , Ghumman Ali Shaan Manzoor , Qureshi Abdul Hannan
Published: March 2023

Semi-empirical fouling models have proven more effective in predicting the fouling behavior of crude oils in heat exchangers. These models have aided refineries in optimizing operating conditions to minimize or eliminate fouling in preheat exchangers. Despite their complexity, the models continue to improve in approximating real behavior by taking into account previously neglected aspects. This paper summarizes these findings from various studies along with highlighting different factors which were considered to enhance the predictability of the models. A critical analysis is presented to emphasize that activation energy in the deposition term varies depending on the physical processes involved and may not conform to the precise definition of activation energy. Two primary modeling approaches for crude oil fouling have emerged, i.e., deterministic and threshold models. Threshold models have gained more attention due to their fewer adjustable parameters. The stability or compatibility of crude oils has a substantial impact on asphaltene deposition, which is a major contributor to fouling. However, incorporating this factor into fouling models has received little attention. The inclusion of parameters for inorganic fraction and ageing has increased predictability by accurately estimating the fouling thickness. The use of CFD to analyze fouling mechanisms is promising, particularly for complex geometries. The dynamic and moving boundary modeling approach has potential to broaden the applicability of fouling models.
Progress in Electroreduction of CO2 to Form Various Fuels Based on Zn Catalysts
Authors: Wu Laxia , Wu Lin , Guo Chang , Guan Yebin , Wang Huan , Lu Jiaxing
Published: March 2023

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases and the major factor driving global climate change. From the viewpoint of abundance, economics, non-toxicity, and renewability, CO2 is an ideal and significant C1 resource, and its capture and recycling into fuels and chemical feedstocks using renewable energy is of great significance for the sustainable development of society. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RRs) are an important pathway to utilize CO2 resources. Zinc has been demonstrated as an effective catalyst for CO2RRs. Numerous studies have focused on improving the efficiency of zinc-based catalysts by tuning their morphology and components, as well as controlling their oxidation states or doping. However, only a handful of reviews have evaluated the performance of Zn-based CO2RR electrocatalysts. The present review endeavors to fill this research gap and introduces the recent progress in using CO2RRs to create various fuels (carbon-containing substances or hydrocarbons) using zinc-based catalysts, including Zn monomers, Zn-containing bimetals, oxide-derived Zn catalysts, and single/dual Zn atom catalysts. The mechanism of the electroreduction reaction of CO2 is discussed. Based on the previous achievements, the current stage and the outlook for future developments in the field are summarized. This review will provide a reference for future research on CO2RRs to generate fuels using Zn-based catalysts and their commercialization.
MCNP and CFD Modeling for Potential High-Power Configuration of Missouri S&T Reactor
Authors: Alhuzaymi Thaqal M. , ALQahtani Meshari M. , Aljuwaya Thaar M. , Alajo Ayodeji B.
Published: March 2023

Utilization of nuclear research reactors is of high importance for education and training, research and development, and many other applications. However, less effective utilization encountered in research reactors is mainly due to limitations in power levels and related experimental facilities. Such limitations, however, have led different global owners of research reactors to consider upgrading the power levels of their reactors to accommodate the increase in utilization demands. To consider upgrading the power levels of research reactors without replacing major components, a pair of essential analyses must be performed, namely the neutronic evaluation of nuclear fission and thermal-hydraulic evaluation for heat removal from the reactor core. In this work, a conceptual upgrade to the core design and configuration of MSTR, or Missouri University of Science and Technology Reactor (200 kilowatts (kW)), is demonstrated. The conceptual design of the MSTR high-power configuration (MSTR-HPC) aims to achieve high neutron flux and demonstrate the power level and core configuration with greater flexibility and adaptability while not exceeding safety limits. The conceptual design of the MSTR-HPC involves uprating the power level to 2 megawatts (MW), reconfiguring the core, changing the fuel meat type, inclusion of a flux trap (FT) facility, and others. In addition, the conceptual design of MSTR-HPC includes three in-core irradiation facilities, namely FT, bare rabbit tube (BRT), and cadmium rabbit tube (CRT). The neutronic evaluation of the MSTR-HPC was carried out using the Monte Carlo N-particle Code (MCNP), version 6. In addition, the thermal-hydraulic behavior of MSTR-HPCs’ hot-channel has been assessed by means of ANSYS Fluent to evaluate the satisfaction of thermal-hydraulic safety requirements of the conceptual design. The results obtained have shown that the conceptual MSTR-HPC has demonstrated a maximum neutron flux obtained higher than that obtained in the current MSTR core by two orders of magnitude. The conceptual design of MSTR-HPC with composite BeO/graphite reflector blocks was able to sustain critically and operate continuously at full power for 61 days. In regards to the hottest fuel plate of MSTR-HPC, the results have shown that the determined temperature for the fuel plate regions was below the safety limits. In addition, at full operation power of the MSTR-HPC, the mass flow rate of 39.86 kg/s (10.644 gallon/s) was sufficient for removing the generated heat. In conclusion, the conceptual design of the MSTR-HPC has demonstrated its flux enhancement capabilities while maintaining safety limits, which are of high importance in enhancing reactor utilization for a larger window of time.
Special Issue—Polymer Composites: Materials and Processes for Challenging Applications
Authors: Park Heon E.
Published: March 2023

Despite the availability of numerous neat polymers, polymer composites offer a wide range of advantages over traditional materials such as metals, ceramics, and neat polymers [...]
Design of a Novel Haptic Joystick for the Teleoperation of Continuum-Mechanism-Based Medical Robots
Authors: Xie Yiping , Hou Xilong , Wang Shuangyi
Published: March 2023

Continuum robots are increasingly used in medical applications and the master–slave-based architectures are still the most important mode of operation in human–machine interaction. However, the existing master control devices are not fully suitable for either the mechanical mechanism or the control method. This study proposes a brand-new, four-degree-of-freedom haptic joystick whose main control stick could rotate around a fixed point. The rotational inertia is reduced by mounting all powertrain components on the base plane. Based on the design, kinematic and static models are proposed for position perception and force output analysis, while at the same time gravity compensation is also performed to calibrate the system. Using a continuum-mechanism-based trans-esophageal ultrasound robot as the test platform, a master–slave teleoperation scheme with position–velocity mapping and variable impedance control is proposed to integrate the speed regulation on the master side and the force perception on the slave side. The experimental results show that the main accuracy of the design is within 1.6°. The workspace of the control sticks is −60° to 110° in pitch angle, −40° to 40° in yaw angle, −180° to 180° in roll angle, and −90° to 90° in translation angle. The standard deviation of force output is within 8% of the full range, and the mean absolute error is 1.36°/s for speed control and 0.055 N for force feedback. Based on this evidence, it is believed that the proposed haptic joystick is a good addition to the existing work in the field with well-developed and effective features to enable the teleoperation of continuum robots for medical applications.
Integrated Geophysical Approach of Groundwater Potential in Wadi Ranyah, Saudi Arabia, Using Gravity, Electrical Resistivity, and Remote-Sensing Techniques
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed , Othman Abdullah , Galal Wael F. , Abdelrady Ahmed
Published: March 2023

In order to cope with the rise in human-caused demands, Saudi Arabia is exploring new groundwater sources. The groundwater potential of Wadi Ranyah was studied using a multi-dataset-integrated approach that included time-variable gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), vertical electrical sounding (VES), and time-domain-electromagnetic (TDEM) data with other related datasets to examine the variations and occurrence of groundwater storage and to define the controlling factors affecting the groundwater potential in Wadi Ranyah in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Between April 2002 and December 2021, the estimated variation in groundwater resources was −3.85 ± 0.15 mm/yr. From 2002 to 2019, the area observed an average yearly precipitation rate of 100 mm. The sedimentary succession and the underlying fractured basement rocks are influenced by the structural patterns that run mainly in three different trends (NW, NE, and NS). The sedimentary cover varies from 0 to 27 m in thickness. The outputs of the electrical sounding revealed four primary geoelectric units in the study area: on top, a highly resistant geoelectrical unit with a resistivity of 235–1020 Ω.m, composed of unsorted, loose, recent sediments; this is followed by a layer of gravel and coarse-grained sands with a resistivity of 225–980 Ω.m; then, a water-bearing unit of saturated sediments and weathered, fractured, basement crystalline rocks with a resistivity of 40–105 Ω.m, its depth varying from 4 to ~9 m; and then the lowest fourth unit composed of massive basement rocks with higher resistivity values varying from 4780 to 7850 Ω.m. The seven built dams store surface-water runoff in the southwestern part of the wadi, close to the upstream section, in addition to the Ranyah dam, as the eighth one is located in the middle of the wadi. The subsurface NW- and NS-trending fault lines impede the groundwater from flowing downstream of the wadi, forming isolated water-bearing grabens. Minimal surface runoff might occur in the northern part of the wadi. The combined findings are beneficial because they provide a complete picture of the groundwater potential of Wadi Ranyah and the controlling structural patterns. Using this integrated technique, the groundwater potential in arid and semiarid regions can now be accurately assessed.
Evaluating Pavement Lane Markings in Metropolitan Road Networks with a Vehicle-Mounted Retroreflectometer and AI-Based Image Processing Techniques
Authors: Lee Sangyum , Cho Byoung Hooi
Published: March 2023

The objectives of this study were to evaluate pavement lane markings in a metropolitan road network and to develop a maintenance strategy for safe daytime and night-time driving. To achieve this, data on the retroreflectivity and physical defect ratio of lane markings were collected remotely using a vehicle-mounted retroreflectometer and high-resolution camera. The retroreflectivity was measured and analyzed by road type (city freeways, arterial roads, and collector roads) and by lane color (yellow, white, and blue) over a total length of 6790.34 km. The results indicate that the retroreflective performance deteriorates the most in the case of white lanes, regardless of the road classification, especially in the case of the first white lane. Additionally, the physical defects of lane markings were investigated over a total length of 502.82 km and categorized by road classification and lane color. Mask R-CNN and the Otsu Threshold method were used to automatically calculate the ratios of the defects. The results indicate that city freeways show a lower defect ratio than arterial and collector roads for all colors. Moreover, there is no significant difference between the white lanes for all types of roads. The distribution trends and relationship between retroreflectivity and the defect ratios were discussed according to the road type and lane color, and a method for selecting maintenance priority was suggested. The results show that the number of lanes requiring the restoration of retroreflectivity increases as the defect ratio increases. Therefore, we suggest prioritizing maintenance work on the lanes with a higher ratio of defects, covering a higher proportion of low-retroreflectivity sections. In addition, the unit length for data averaging can be adjusted to improve the work efficiency.
Stress and Workload Assessment in Aviation—A Narrative Review
Authors: Masi Giulia , Amprimo Gianluca , Ferraris Claudia , Priano Lorenzo
Published: March 2023

In aviation, any detail can have massive consequences. Among the potential sources of failure, human error is still the most troublesome to handle. Therefore, research concerning the management of mental workload, attention, and stress is of special interest in aviation. Recognizing conditions in which a pilot is over-challenged or cannot act lucidly could avoid serious outcomes. Furthermore, knowing in depth a pilot’s neurophysiological and cognitive–behavioral responses could allow for the optimization of equipment and procedures to minimize risk and increase safety. In addition, it could translate into a general enhancement of both the physical and mental well-being of pilots, producing a healthier and more ergonomic work environment. This review brings together literature on the study of stress and workload in the specific case of pilots of both civil and military aircraft. The most common approaches for studying these phenomena in the avionic context are explored in this review, with a focus on objective methodologies (e.g., the collection and analysis of neurophysiological signals). This review aims to identify the pros, cons, and applicability of the various approaches, to enable the design of an optimal protocol for a comprehensive study of these issues.
MiCrowd: Vision-Based Deep Crowd Counting on MCU
Authors: Son Sungwook , Seo Ahreum , Eo Gyeongseon , Gill Kwangyeon , Gong Taesik , Kim Hyung-Sin
Published: March 2023

Microcontrollers (MCUs) have been deployed on numerous IoT devices due to their compact sizes and low costs. MCUs are capable of capturing sensor data and processing them. However, due to their low computational power, applications processing sensor data with deep neural networks (DNNs) have been limited. In this paper, we propose MiCrowd, a floating population measurement system with a tiny DNNs running on MCUs since the data have essential value in urban planning and business. Moreover, MiCrowd addresses the following important challenges: (1) privacy issues, (2) communication costs, and (3) extreme resource constraints on MCUs. To tackle those challenges, we designed a lightweight crowd-counting deep neural network, named MiCrowdNet, which enables on-MCU inferences. In addition, our dataset is carefully chosen and completely re-labeled to train MiCrowdNet for counting people from an mobility view. Experiments show the effectiveness of MiCrowdNet and our relabeled dataset for accurate on-device crowd counting.
Use of Thermoluminescence Dosimetry for QA in High-Dose-Rate Skin Surface Brachytherapy with Custom-Flap Applicator
Authors: Manna Francesco , Pugliese Mariagabriella , Buonanno Francesca , Gherardi Federica , Iannacone Eva , La Verde Giuseppe , Muto Paolo , Arrichiello Cecilia
Published: March 2023

Surface brachytherapy (BT) lacks standard quality assurance (QA) protocols. Commercially available treatment planning systems (TPSs) are based on a dose calculation formalism that assumes the patient is made of water, resulting in potential deviations between planned and delivered doses. Here, a method for treatment plan verification for skin surface BT is reported. Chips of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used for dose point measurements. High-dose-rate treatments were simulated and delivered through a custom-flap applicator provided with four fixed catheters to guide the Iridium-192 (Ir-192) source by way of a remote afterloading system. A flat water-equivalent phantom was used to simulate patient skin. Elekta TPS Oncentra Brachy was used for planning. TLDs were calibrated to Ir-192 through an indirect method of linear interpolation between calibration factors (CFs) measured for 250 kV X-rays, Cesium-137, and Cobalt-60. Subsequently, plans were designed and delivered to test the reproducibility of the irradiation set-up and to make comparisons between planned and delivered dose. The obtained CF for Ir-192 was (4.96 ± 0.25) μC/Gy. Deviations between measured and TPS calculated doses for multi-catheter treatment configuration ranged from −8.4% to 13.3% with an average of 0.6%. TLDs could be included in clinical practice for QA in skin BT with a customized flap applicator.
Hybrid Analog Computer for Modeling Nonlinear Dynamical Systems: The Complete Cookbook
Authors: Rujzl Miroslav , Polak Ladislav , Petrzela Jiri
Published: March 2023

This paper describes a design process for a universal development kit based on an analog computer concept that can model the dynamics of an arbitrarily complex dynamical system up to the fourth order. The constructed development kit contains digital blocks and associated analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters (ADCs and DAC), such that multiple-segmented piecewise-linear input–output characteristics can be used for the synthesis of the prescribed mathematical model. Polynomial input–output curves can be implemented easily by four-quadrant analog multipliers. The proposed kit was verified through several experimental scenarios, starting with simple sinusoidal oscillators and ending with generators of continuous-time robust chaotic attractors. The description of each individual part of the development kit is accompanied by links to technical documentation, allowing skilled readers in the construction of electronic systems to replicate the proposed functional example. For this purpose, the electrical scheme of the hybrid analog computer and all important source codes are available online.
End-to-End Database Software Security
Authors: Ulybyshev Denis , Rogers Michael , Kholodilo Vadim , Northern Bradley
Published: March 2023

End-to-end security is essential for relational database software. Most database management software provide data protection at the server side and in transit, but data are no longer protected once they arrive at the client software. In this paper, we present a methodology that, in addition to server-side security, protects data in transit and at rest on the application client side. Our solution enables flexible attribute-based and role-based access control, such that, for a given role or user with a given set of attributes, access can be granted to a relation, a column, or even to a particular data cell of the relation, depending on the data content. Our attribute-based access control model considers the client’s attributes, such as versions of the operating system and the web browser, as well as type of the client’s device. The solution supports decentralized data access and peer-to-peer data sharing in the form of an encrypted and digitally signed spreadsheet container that stores data retrieved by SQL queries from a database, along with data privileges. For extra security, keys for data encryption and decryption are generated on the fly. We show that our solution is successfully integrated with the PostgreSQL® database management system and enables more flexible access control for added security.
Multi-Attention Network for Sewage Treatment Plant Detection
Authors: Shuai Yue , Xie Jun , Lu Kaixuan , Chen Zhengchao
Published: March 2023

As an important facility for effectively controlling water pollution discharge and recycling waste water resources, accurate sewage treatment plant extraction is very important for protecting quality, function, and sustainable development of the water environment. However, due to the presence of rectangular and circular treatment facilities in sewage treatment plants, the shapes are diverse and the scales are different, resulting in the poor performance of conventional object detection algorithms. This paper proposes a multi-attention network (MANet) for sewage treatment plants using remote sensing images. MANet consists of three major components: a light backbone used to obtain multi-scale features, a channel and spatial attention module that realizes the feature representation of the channel dimension and spatial dimension, and a scale attention module to obtain scale-aware features. The results from the extensive experiments performed on the sewage treatment plant dataset suggest that our proposed MANet exhibits a superior performance compared with other competing methods. Meanwhile, we used a well-trained model to predict the sewage treatment plant from the GF-2 data for the Beijing area. By comparing the results with the data of manually obtained sewage treatment plants, our method can achieve an accuracy of 80.1% while maintaining the recall rate at a high level (90.4%).
Projections of Beach Erosion and Associated Costs in Chile
Authors: Winckler Patricio , Martín Roberto Agredano , Esparza César , Melo Oscar , Sactic María Isabel , Martínez Carolina
Published: March 2023

Economic costs associated to coastal erosion are projected in 45 sandy beaches in Chilean coasts. We compare mid-century (2026–2045) and end-of-century projections (2081–2100) of wave climate and sea-level rise (SLR) with a historical period (1985–2004) using several General Circulation Models for the RCP 8.5 scenario. Offshore wave data are then downscaled to each site, where shoreline retreat is assessed with Bruun rule for various berm heights and sediment diameters. Results indicate that mid-century retreat would be moderate (>13 m) while larger end-of-century projections (>53 m) are explained by SLR (0.58 ± 0.25 m). A small counterclockwise rotation of long beaches is also expected. To assess the costs of shoreline retreat, we use the benefit transfer methodology by using adjusted values from a previous study to the sites of interest. Results show that, by mid-century, beach width reduction would be between 2.0% and 68.2%, implying a total annual loss of USD 5.6 [5.1–6.1] million. For end-the-century projections, beach width reduction is more significant (8.4–100%), involving a total annual loss of USD 10.5 [8.1–11.8] million. Additionally, by the end-of-century, 13–25 beaches could disappear. These costs should be reduced with coastal management practices which are nevertheless inexistent in the country.
Monitoring Heavy Metal Concentrations Using Transplanted Lichen in a Tourism City of Malaysia
Authors: Syed Salleh Sharifah Nur Amalina , Abas Azlan
Published: March 2023

Heavy metals are major pollutants in tourist cities due to transportation and urbanization. This study aimed to assess heavy metal concentrations using transplanted lichen in tourist cities. The project was conducted in Malacca, Malaysia, using transplanted Usnea misaminensis lichen at ten sampling stations. After one month, these lichen samples were collected and heavy metal analysis was carried out in a lab using ICP-MS. Other factors, such as the number of vehicles, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed, were also recorded. The results indicated that the heavy metal concentrations in Malacca were higher than at the control station. The ranking of heavy metal concentrations in the study areas was Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cu. Furthermore, a positive correlation was also found between the number of vehicles and temperature with the heavy metal concentrations determined within the study areas, while relative humidity and wind speed showed a negative correlation with the heavy metal concentrations detected. The usage of lichens to observe and monitor the chemical compositions in the atmosphere is considered to be relevant these days because they allow for long-term data from the ecosystem to be obtained due to their long life span. This research also emphasizes the need for a better plan for Malacca. Local authorities need to re-plan and redesign Malacca to ensure that pollutants can be flushed out, the city looks greener and cooler, and more non-motor vehicles are used as public transport.
The Effect of Property Tax on Income Redistribution in Selected African Countries
Authors: Choga Ireen , Giwa Fiyinfoluwa
Published: March 2023

Tax plays an important role in the redistribution of income, and property tax is no exception. One key area that income redistribution curbs is the area of income inequality, and, statistically, most African countries have a high level of income inequality due to their high Gini coefficient. This study examines the effect of property tax on income redistribution in seven Africa countries from 1990 to 2019. The variables used in the study are property tax, Gini coefficient (proxy for income redistribution), income tax, employment rate, GDP per capita growth, and corruption. The panel autoregressive distributed lag (PARDL) was employed as the econometric technique approach. The findings of the study reveal that property taxes have a positive and significant relationship with income redistribution in the long run in the seven African countries studied. This study recommends the effective administration of property tax. If property tax is effectively administered, it can fulfil its redistributive role.
The Effect of Green Certificates on the Purchasing Decisions of Online Customers in Green Hotels: A Case Study from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Qubbaj Abdullah Isam , Peiró-Signes Angel , Najjar Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Customers are becoming more concerned about the use of green practices in the hotel industry. Managers are therefore starting to recognise the significance of green practices for clients’ purchasing decisions and levels of satisfaction. This study aims to investigate how customers’ decisions to book green hotels online and make purchases are impacted by green certificates. Two variables, namely the intentions to return and to pay a premium price, are used to measure customer satisfaction and purchasing behaviour towards green hotels. SmartPLS has been employed to analyse data gathered from 161 individuals from two hotels in Saudi Arabia. The results suggest that green certifications, environmental considerations, and green brand perception have a significant impact on online customers’ satisfaction and purchase choices in the hotel sector. This paper provides a comprehensive framework that illustrates the connection between hotels’ aspirations towards environmental concerns and customers’ willingness to revisit and pay a premium price.
Evaluating the Socioeconomic Factors on Deforestation in Northern Pakistan: A Study on Existing Economic Incentive Tools for Reducing Deforestation
Authors: Ullah Saif , Wu Yixiong , Khan Azeem Iqbal
Published: March 2023

Deforestation is a common threat to the environment that has a substantial impact on the forest’s distribution across territorial boundaries. It is simply defined as the loss of forest cover, which most commonly occurs as a result of deforestation for various reasons. Pakistan is among those countries which have a very high deforestation rate. This paper analyzes the various socioeconomic factors which cause deforestation in northern Pakistan and the existing economic incentive tools for reducing deforestation. Data collected from 602 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model, while the Likert scale was used to determine the mean socioeconomic factor score encouraging deforestation and the economic incentives used to reduce deforestation. Gender distributions showed that the majority (65.9%) of the respondents were male while 34.1% were female. On family size, the majority of the respondents (66.8%) had a family size of 5–8. On age, between 21–25 years (46.0%) recorded the highest number. The average age of the respondents was 24 years. Educationally, 13.8% had a master’s education, 11.1% a bachelor’s education, 4.3% no formal education, 5.6% a higher education level, meaning master’s or PhD students, 56.1% had a primary education, and 9.0% had a secondary education. On occupation, the majority (50.4%) of the respondents were involved in farming as their main occupation. On income, the major income recorded a mean of 25,000 net, while the minor income recorded a mean of 15,500 net. Setting the forest ablaze, increasing farming activities, low level of literacy, increasing timber mafia, growing population, and poverty were the socioeconomic factors found. The economic incentives listed were for forest crop subsidies, an enhanced system of taxes on exploited forest products, the acquisition of well-monitored hunting licenses, alternative job opportunities, credit provision, and a limited ban on round log exports. The results of the logit regression established that rewarding socioeconomic factors were statistically significant variables at (p < 0.05). Conclusively, if adequately controlled and applied, economic incentives can be an important instrument for reducing deforestation. Therefore, deforestation activities cannot be entirely eradicated but they can be reduced to the barest minimum by properly enforcing forest policies in terms of efficient forest policing. The goals of this study are to help with the implementation of appropriate policies and decision-making in forest management, as well as to provide a foundation for future scenario analysis of deforestation potential or to investigate potential environmental and human implications.
Assessment of Meteorological and Agricultural Drought Indices under Climate Change Scenarios in the South Saskatchewan River Basin, Canada
Authors: Zare Mohammad , Azam Shahid , Sauchyn David , Basu Soumik
Published: March 2023

Climate change has amplified the severity of droughts with potentially adverse impacts on agriculture in western Canada. This study assessed meteorological and agricultural drought in the Southern Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) using an array of drought indices, including the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), the Self-Calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI), the Soil Moisture Deficit Index (SMDI), and the Evapotranspiration Deficit Index (ETDI). These indices were evaluated using multiple regional climate model (RCM) projections assuming 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 °C thresholds of global warming. A modified Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT-M) was used to simulate the soil water content (SWC), actual evapotranspiration (AET), and potential evapotranspiration. The results of a sensitivity analysis using the SUFI-2 method in SWAT-CUP showed that the model performed well with BIAS lower than 10% and NSE and R higher than 0.7, and the range of SWC output closely matched the observed SWC. According to the RCM projections, the annual precipitation increases for all three global temperature thresholds while the annual mean temperature increases at a greater rate than the rise in global mean temperature. The projected PDSI and the SPEI suggest that drought duration and severity will exceed historical values while SPI will remain largely unchanged. Furthermore, severe drought conditions (SMDI < 2.0) are more frequent under the 3.0 °C global temperature scenario. The mean ETDI was historically 0.58 while the projected value is 0.2, 0.1, and −0.2 for the first to third scenarios, respectively. Simulated values, spatial maps, and heat maps of SMDI and ETDI illustrated that Canesm2.CRCM5 projects the driest conditions among all the RCMs. Agricultural drought indices, which incorporate SWC data, show more significant effects than meteorological drought indices. The increasing dryness will potentially impact agricultural crop production, particularly under the third scenario (3 °C) in the SSRB.
Perspectives for the Development of a Circular Economy Model to Promote Ship Recycling Practices in the European Context: A Systemic Literature Review
Authors: Tola Francesco , Mosconi Enrico Maria , Marconi Marco , Gianvincenzi Mattia
Published: March 2023

The recovery of materials and components from end-of-life (EoL) ships necessitates the comprehensive demolition of vessels and the implementation of reuse processes to achieve the “circularity” of raw materials, which has potential benefits for economic and environmental sustainability. The European Union’s (EU) legislative policy, as reflected in the Ship Recycling Regulation, has been shifting towards the establishment of green markets for ship dismantling. Various literature reviews have focused on investigating EoL management and demolition activities for ships, as they play a crucial role in promoting sustainability in the ship value chain. This research aims to enhance the current state of knowledge by linking ship recycling and life cycle management activities with circular economy models. The goal is also to introduce a conceptual framework for the effective recirculation of components and raw materials. Scientific publications have been collected, reviewed, and categorized into strategic clusters to identify current and future challenges, to establish a path for potential developments in a circular economy model for ships, and to suggest future research directions that would support the implementation of a circular economy system for ship eco-design, life cycle management, and recycling. Findings provide valuable insights, particularly regarding the recognition of environmental benefits, business opportunities, and the opening of green markets in the context of ship recycling in the EU.
A High-Efficiency Diplexer for Sustainable 5G-Enabled IoT in Metaverse Transportation System and Smart Grids
Authors: Jamshidi Mohammad (Behdad) , Yahya Salah I. , Nouri Leila , Hashemi-Dezaki Hamed , Rezaei Abbas , Chaudhary Muhammad Akmal
Published: March 2023

Symmetry is essential in the design of complex systems like the Metaverse Transportation Sys-tem (MTS) and helps ensure that all components work together effectively. In the development of a microstrip diplexer for 5G-enabled IoT and MTS, maintaining symmetry is crucial to achieving flat responses with low group delays. By integrating transportation technology and the Metaverse, the Metaverse Transportation System (MTS) can greatly improve the effectiveness and intellect of transportation systems in reality. To establish a dependable network, it is essential to include 5G-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor networks with a sustainable design that focuses on efficiency and energy conservation. A three-channel microstrip lowpass-bandpass diplexer has been developed for 5G-enabled IoT and MTS implementation. Multi-channel designs are rare due to the complex design process, but this diplexer is very compact at only 0.004 λg2. All channels have flat responses with group delays of 0.34 ns, 1.7 ns, and 0.34 ns at the lower, middle, and upper passbands, respectively. The lowpass channel has a cut-off frequency of 1.22 GHz, suitable for mid-band 5G applications. Compared to previous work, this diplexer achieves the smallest size, lowest group delay, and insertion and return losses at the lower channel. It consists of a lowpass-bandpass section connected to a band-pass filter analyzed mathematically, and its performance has been verified through simulation and measurement with good accuracy.
Investigations Concerning Heavy Metals Dynamics in Reynoutria japonica Houtt.-Soil Interactions
Authors: Vidican Roxana , Mihăiescu Tania , Pleșa Anca , Mălinaș Anamaria , Pop Bianca-Alexandra
Published: March 2023

Reynoutria japonica Houtt (RJ) is an extremely invasive plant species, found nowadays in a wide range of habitats, including those polluted with heavy metals (HM). The aim of this study was to investigate HM dynamics in RJ–soil interactions in five habitats historically polluted with HM located in Baia Mare city, Romania. The concentrations of major metal elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) in plant tissues (roots, stems, leaves) and soil samples collected from the study sites were analyzed via portable ED-XRF spectroscopy (converted), and the translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) were calculated. The mean values of HM in soil samples collected from the study sites exceeded the threshold limit values established by Romanian legislation. Generally, the highest concentration of Cd was recorded in the above-ground part of the plant (stem and leaves), while for Cu, Pb and Zn, the highest values (with few exceptions) were recorded in the root. The metal transfer was highly effective from soil to RJ, such that all four of the HM studied exceeded the normal range of metals in a plant. Analysis of metal concentrations in plant tissues showed an efficient movement of Cd and Zn to the above-ground parts of the plant, a tendency particularly pronounced in the case of Cd (TF and BCF > 1), while Pb was the least bioaccumulated HM. It may be concluded that RJ is able to tolerate high concentrations of HM, being a good phytoextractor for Cd and Zn.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Breastfeeding as a Vulnerable Function: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Timmermann Amalie , Avenbuan Oyemwenosa N. , Romano Megan E. , Braun Joseph M. , Tolstrup Janne S. , Vandenberg Laura N. , Fenton Suzanne E.
Published: March 2023

Milk formation in the breast during breastfeeding is a complex hormonally regulated process, potentially sensitive to the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposures. The environmental chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known endocrine disruptors. PFAS exposure have been associated with insufficient mammary gland development in mice and reduced breastfeeding duration in humans. The aim of this review was to gather the epidemiological evidence on the association between PFAS exposure and breastfeeding duration. Using PubMed and Embase, we performed a systematic literature search (on 23 January 2023) to identify epidemiological studies examining the association between maternal PFAS exposure and breastfeeding duration. Animal studies, reviews, and non-English studies were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed using the risk of bias in non-randomized studies of exposures tool. Estimates describing the association between PFAS exposure and the duration of breastfeeding were identified, and the data were synthesized separately for each type of PFAS and for the duration of exclusive and total breastfeeding. Six studies with between 336 and 2374 participants each were identified. PFAS exposure was assessed in serum samples (five studies) or based on residential address (one study). Five out of six studies found shorter total duration of breastfeeding with higher PFAS exposure. The most consistent associations were seen for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). The finding of a potential causal association between PFAS exposure and breastfeeding duration is in agreement with findings from experimental studies.