bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polarization and Consensus in a Voter Model under Time-Fluctuating Influences
Authors: Mobilia Mauro
Published: May 2023

We study the effect of time-fluctuating social influences on the formation of polarization and consensus in a three-party community consisting of two types of voters (“leftists” and “rightists”) holding extreme opinions, and moderate agents acting as “centrists”. The former are incompatible and do not interact, while centrists hold an intermediate opinion and can interact with extreme voters. When a centrist and a leftist/rightist interact, they can become either both centrists or both leftists/rightists. The population eventually either reaches consensus with one of the three opinions, or a polarization state consisting of a frozen mixture of leftists and rightists. As a main novelty, here agents interact subject to time-fluctuating external influences favouring in turn the spread of leftist and rightist opinions, or the rise of centrism. The fate of the population is determined under various scenarios, and it is shown how the rate of change of external influences can drastically affect the polarization and consensus probabilities, as well as the mean time to reach the final state.
Effects of Allium hookeri Extracts on Hair-Inductive and Anti-Oxidative Properties in Human Dermal Papilla Cells
Authors: Park Seokmuk , Han Nayeon , Lee Jung-Min , Lee Jae-Ho , Bae Seunghee
Published: May 2023

Oxidative stress and cellular senescence in dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are major etiological factors causing hair loss. In this study, the effect of the Allium hookeri extract (AHE) on hair-inductive and anti-oxidative properties was investigated in human DPCs. As a result, it was found that a non-cytotoxic concentration of the extracts increased the viability and size of the human DPC spheroid, which was associated with the increased expression of hair-growth-related genes in cells. To determine whether or not these effects could be attributed to intracellular anti-oxidative effects, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry alongside various biochemical analyses are conducted herein. An ingredient called alliin was identified as one of the main components. Furthermore, AHE treatment induced a significant decrease in H2O2-mediated cytotoxicities, cell death, and cellular senescence in human DPCs. Upon analyzing these results with a molecular mechanism approach, it was shown that AHE treatment increased β-Catenin and NRF2 translocation into the nucleus while inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB (p50) through p38 and PKA-mediated phosphorylations of GSK3β, an upstream regulator of those proteins. These results overall indicate the possibility that AHE can regulate GSK3β-mediated β-Catenin, NRF2, and NF-κB signaling to enhance hair-inductive properties and ultimately protect against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in human DPCs.
The Allelopathic Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Helianthus annuus L., Grown in Boreal Conditions, on Germination, Development, and Physiological Indices of Pisum sativum L.
Authors: Janusauskaite Daiva
Published: May 2023

Evaluation of the allelopathy relationship between different crops is a sensible strategy fallowing the correct use of positive effects and to avoid the disadvantageous effects among plants. This study aimed to detect the allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), grown in a boreal climatic zone, on the growth, subsequent development, and physiological traits of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Three factors have been studied: donor plant fertilization (unfertilized and fertilized), aqueous extracts from donor plant organs (leaves and stems (L+S), heads (H) and roots (R)); four concentrations of extracts (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%). The aqueous extracts from fertilized sunflower donor plant at 25% and 50% concentration acted as potential biostimulants that stimulated pea seed germination (SG), whereas L+S and R extracts at 75% concentration from unfertilized donor plant inhibited SG, at 4 days after sowing. The aqueous extracts demonstrated a stimulating effect on above-ground and root dry mass, compared to the control. The concentration of extracts demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on SPAD. R extract revealed the strongest allelopathic effect on physiological traits of pea. L+S and H extracts at 25% concentration had stimulating effects, while 50% and 75% concentrations showed inhibiting effects on the photosynthetic rate. The water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and stomatal limitation were inhibited, whereas, the transpiration rate, photosynthetic water use efficiency and intercellular CO2 concentration were stimulated, with an increasing of extract concentrations, comparatively to the control.
Invasive Trends of Spartina alterniflora in the Southeastern Coast of China and Potential Distributional Impacts on Mangrove Forests
Authors: Zheng Jiaying , Wei Haiyan , Chen Ruidun , Liu Jiamin , Wang Lukun , Gu Wei
Published: May 2023

Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and seriously threatened ecosystems in the world. The widespread invasion of Spartina alterniflora has seriously imperiled the security of mangroves as well as coastal mudflat ecosystems. Based on a model evaluation index, we selected RF, GBM, and GLM as a predictive model for building a high-precision ensemble model. We used the species occurrence records combined with bioclimate, sea–land topography, and marine environmental factors to predict the potentially suitable habitats of mangrove forests and the potentially suitable invasive habitats of S. alterniflora in the southeastern coast of China. We then applied the invasion risk index (IRI) to assess the risk that S. alterniflora would invade mangrove forests. The results show that the suitable habitats for mangrove forests are mainly distributed along the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, and the eastern coast of Guangxi. The suitable invasive habitats for S. alterniflora are mainly distributed along the coast of Zhejiang, Fujian, and relatively less in the southern provinces. The high-risk areas for S. alterniflora invasion of mangrove forests are concentrated in Zhejiang and Fujian. Bioclimate variables are the most important variables affecting the survival and distribution of mangrove forests and S. alterniflora. Among them, temperature is the most important environmental variable determining the large-scale distribution of mangrove forests. Meanwhile, S. alterniflora is more sensitive to precipitation than temperature. Our results can provide scientific insights and references for mangrove forest conservation and control of S. alterniflora.
Harnessing Data Augmentation and Normalization Preprocessing to Improve the Performance of Chemical Reaction Predictions of Data-Driven Model
Authors: Zhang Boyu , Lin Jiaping , Du Lei , Zhang Liangshun
Published: May 2023

As a template-free, data-driven methodology, the molecular transformer model provides an alternative by which to predict the outcome of chemical reactions and design the route of the retrosynthetic plane in the field of organic synthesis and polymer chemistry. However, in consideration of the small datasets of chemical reactions, the data-driven model suffers from the difficulty of low accuracy in the prediction tasks of chemical reactions. In this contribution, we integrate the molecular transformer model with the strategies of data augmentation and normalization preprocessing to accomplish the three tasks of chemical reactions, including the forward predictions of chemical reactions, and single-step retrosynthetic predictions with and without the reaction classes. It is clearly demonstrated that the prediction accuracy of the molecular transformer model can be significantly raised by the use of proposed strategies for the three tasks of chemical reactions. Notably, after the introduction of the 40-level data augmentation and normalization preprocessing, the top-1 accuracy of the forward prediction increases markedly from 71.6% to 84.2% and the top-1 accuracy of the single-step retrosynthetic prediction with additional reaction class increases from 53.2% to 63.4%. Furthermore, it is found that the superior performance of the data-driven model originates from the correction of the grammatical errors of the SMILES strings, especially for the case of the reaction classes with small datasets.
Synthesis and Micellization Behavior of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers of Poly(N-vinyl Pyrrolidone) and Poly(Benzyl Methacrylate): Block versus Statistical Copolymers
Authors: Roka Nikoletta , Pitsikalis Marinos
Published: May 2023

Block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), PNVP-b-PBzMA, were prepared by RAFT polymerization techniques and sequential addition of monomers. The copolymers were characterized by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and NMR spectroscopy. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG) were employed to study the thermal properties of these copolymers. The micellization behavior in THF, which is a selective solvent for the PBzMA blocks, was examined. For comparison the self-assembly properties of the corresponding statistical copolymers, PNVP-stat-PBzMA, were studied. In addition, the association behavior in aqueous solutions was analyzed for the block copolymers, PNVP-b-PBzMA. In this case, the solvent is selective for the PNVP blocks. Dilute solution viscometry, static (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were employed as the tools to investigate the micellar assemblies. The efficient encapsulation of the hydrophobic curcumin within the micellar core of the supramolecular structures in aqueous solutions was demonstrated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and DLS measurements.
Three-Dimensional-Bioprinted Bioactive Glass/Cellulose Composite Scaffolds with Porous Structure towards Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Li Lei , Lu Pengfei , Liu Yuting , Yang Junhe , Li Shengjuan
Published: May 2023

In this study, three-dimensional (3D) bioactive glass/lignocellulose (BG/cellulose) composite scaffolds were successfully fabricated by the 3D-bioprinting technique with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) as the ink solvent. The physical structure, morphology, mechanical properties, hydroxyapatite growth and cell response to the prepared BG/cellulose scaffolds were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the BG/cellulose scaffolds had uniform macropores of less than 400 μm with very rough surfaces. Such BG/cellulose scaffolds have excellent mechanical performance to resist compressive force in comparison with pure cellulose scaffolds and satisfy the strength requirement of human trabecular bone (2–12 MPa). Furthermore, BG significantly increased the excellent hydroxyapatite-forming capability of the cellulose scaffolds as indicated by the mineralization of the scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). The BG/cellulose scaffolds showed low cytotoxicity to human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) in the CCK8 assay. The cell viability reached maximum (percent of the control group) when the weight ratio of cellulose to BG was 2 in the scaffold. Therefore, the 3D-printed BG/cellulose scaffolds show a potential application in the field of bone tissue engineering.
Investigation of the Effects of Chain Extender on Material Properties of PLA/PCL and PLA/PEG Blends: Comparative Study between Polycaprolactone and Polyethylene Glycol
Authors: Matumba Karabo Innocent , Motloung Mpho Phillip , Ojijo Vincent , Ray Suprakas Sinha , Sadiku Emmanuel Rotimi
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the effect of the Joncryl concentration on the properties of polylactide/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) and PLA/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blends. The addition of Joncryl influenced the properties of both PLA-based blends. In the blend of PLA/PCL blends, the addition of Joncryl reduced the size of PCL droplets, which implies the compatibility of the two phases, while PLA/PEG blends showed a co-continuous type of morphology at 0.1% and 0.3 wt.% of Joncryl loading. The crystallinity of PCL and PEG was studied on both PLA/PCL and PLA/PEG blend systems. In both scenarios, the crystallinity of the blends decreased upon the addition of Joncryl. Thermal stabilities were shown to depend on the addition of Joncryl. The toughness increased when 0.5 wt.% of Joncryl was added to both systems. However, the stiffness of PLA/PCL decreased, while the stiffness of PLA/PEG increased with the increasing concentration of Joncryl. This study provides new insight into the effect of chain extenders on the compatibility of PLA-based blends.
Improvement of Natural Polymeric Films Properties by Blend Formulation for Sustainable Active Food Packaging
Authors: Drago Emanuela , Campardelli Roberta , Lagazzo Alberto , Firpo Giuseppe , Perego Patrizia
Published: May 2023

Active packaging manufactured with biopolymers extracted from agri-food waste is one of the most innovative and eco-sustainable strategies for maintaining food quality. However, biopolymers often present poor performances, which hinders their competitiveness compared with plastics. This work focused on developing and optimizing a natural polymeric blend produced by solvent casting based on zein and chitosan to improve the pure biopolymers’ properties. The best results were obtained by blending zein and chitosan in a 1:2 weight ratio. The films were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, thermal stability, transparency and wettability. The blend production allowed us to obtain lower brittleness and lower stiffness materials compared with pure polymer films, with oxygen permeability values two orders of magnitude lower than pure zein, better optical properties with respect to pure chitosan and good thermal stability. The wettability properties of the blend did not result in being altered with respect to the single polymer, which was found to have hydrophilic behavior, highlighting the strong influence of glycerol used as a plasticizer. The results suggested that the polymer blending strategy is a viable and cost-effective method for producing packaging materials as alternatives to plastics.
Performance Enhancement of PLA-Based Blend Microneedle Arrays through Shish-Kebab Structuring Strategy in Microinjection Molding
Authors: Zhang Lifan , Chen Yinghong , Tan Jiayu , Feng Shuo , Xie Yeping , Li Li
Published: May 2023

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microneedles have been explored extensively, but the current regular fabrication strategy, such as thermoforming, is inefficient and poorly conformable. In addition, PLA needs to be modified as the application of microneedle arrays made of pure PLA is limited because of their easy tip fracture and poor skin adhesion. For this purpose, in this article, we reported a facile and scalable strategy to fabricate the microneedle arrays of the blend of PLA matrix and poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) dispersed phase with complementary mechanical properties through microinjection molding technology. The results showed that the PPDO dispersed phase could be in situ fibrillated under the effect of the strong shear stress field generated in micro-injection molding. These in situ fibrillated PPDO dispersed phases could hence induce the formation of the shish-kebab structures in the PLA matrix. Particularly for PLA/PPDO (90/10) blend, there are the densest and most perfect shish-kebab structures formed. The above microscopic structure evolution could be also advantageous to the enhancement in the mechanical properties of microparts of PLA/PPDO blend (tensile microparts and microneedle arrays), e.g., the elongation at break of the blend is almost double that of pure PLA while still maintaining the high stiffness (Young’s modulus of 2.7 GPa) and the high strength (tensile strength of 68.3 MPa) in the tensile test, and relative to pure PLA, there is 100% or more increase in the load and displacement of microneedle in the compression test. This could open up new spaces for expanding the industrial application of the fabricated microneedle arrays.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Intelligent Methods for Maximum Power Point Tracking in Wind Energy Harvesting Systems
Authors: Umar Dallatu Abbas , Alkawsi Gamal , Jailani Nur Liyana Mohd , Alomari Mohammad Ahmed , Baashar Yahia , Alkahtani Ammar Ahmed , Capretz Luiz Fernando , Tiong Sieh Kiong
Published: May 2023

As wind energy is widely available, an increasing number of individuals, especially in off-grid rural areas, are adopting it as a dependable and sustainable energy source. The energy of the wind is harvested through a device known as a wind energy harvesting system (WEHS). These systems convert the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy using wind turbines (WT) and electrical generators. However, the output power of a wind turbine is affected by various factors, such as wind speed, wind direction, and generator design. In order to optimize the performance of a WEHS, it is important to track the maximum power point (MPP) of the system. Various methods of tracking the MPP of the WEHS have been proposed by several research articles, which include traditional techniques such as direct power control (DPC) and indirect power control (IPC). These traditional methods in the standalone form are characterized by some drawbacks which render the method ineffective. The hybrid techniques comprising two different maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms were further proposed to eliminate the shortages. Furtherly, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based MPPT algorithms were proposed for the WEHS as either standalone or integrated with the traditional MPPT methods. Therefore, this research focused on the review of the AI-based MPPT and their performances as applied to WEHS. Traditional MPPT methods that are studied in the previous articles were discussed briefly. In addition, AI-based MPPT and different hybrid methods were also discussed in detail. Our study highlights the effectiveness of AI-based MPPT techniques in WEHS using an artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic controller (FLC), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). These techniques were applied either as standalone methods or in various hybrid combinations, resulting in a significant increase in the system’s power extraction performance. Our findings suggest that utilizing AI-based MPPT techniques can improve the efficiency and overall performance of WEHS, providing a promising solution for enhancing renewable energy systems.
Special Issue on “Anammox-Based Processes for Wastewater Treatment”
Authors: Magrí Albert , Lotti Tommaso
Published: May 2023

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox, A) has become an appealing bioprocess for the water sector as a method to remove nitrogen (N) from wastewater using low-energy and organic carbon inputs [...]
Emerging and Recycling of Li-Ion Batteries to Aid in Energy Storage, A Review
Authors: Afroze Shammya , Reza Md Sumon , Kuterbekov Kairat , Kabyshev Asset , Kubenova Marzhan M. , Bekmyrza Kenzhebatyr Z. , Azad Abul K.
Published: May 2023

The global population has increased over time, therefore the need for sufficient energy has risen. However, many countries depend on nonrenewable resources for daily usage. Nonrenewable resources take years to produce and sources are limited for generations to come. Apart from that, storing and energy distribution from nonrenewable energy production has caused environmental degradation over the years. Hence, many researchers have been actively participating in the development of energy storage devices for renewable resources using batteries. For this purpose, the lithium-ion battery is one of the best known storage devices due to its properties such as high power and high energy density in comparison with other conventional batteries. In addition, for the fabrication of Li-ion batteries, there are different types of cell designs including cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch cells. The development of Li-ion battery technology, the different widely used cathode and anode materials, and the benefits and drawbacks of each in relation to the most appropriate application were all thoroughly studied in this work. The electrochemical processes that underlie battery technologies were presented in detail and substantiated by current safety concerns regarding batteries. Furthermore, this review collected the most recent and current LIB recycling technologies and covered the three main LIB recycling technologies. The three recycling techniques—pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling—have been the subject of intense research and development. The recovery of valuable metals is the primary goal of most recycling processes. The growth in the number of used LIBs creates a business opportunity to recover and recycle different battery parts as daily LIB consumption rises dramatically.
Holy War in Corinth: The Apocalyptic Background of Paul’s Struggle against Opponents in 2 Cor 10:3–6
Authors: Kowalski Marcin
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this article is to explore what kind of light apocalyptic eschatology can shed on our understanding of Paul’s argumentation in 2 Cor 10–13. The focus is on 2 Cor 10:3–6, where Paul, using the topos of holy war, describes his struggle against the opponents in Corinth. The apostle elaborates on a biblical theme, which also appears in Jewish apocalyptic texts, such as 1QM and T. 12. Patr. Comparing 2 Corinthians with this literature allows us to see certain similarities: the performative nature of 2 Cor and 1QM; the radical division into the servants of light and the servants of darkness; the active participation of Belial/Satan in the present warfare, and the belief in the absolute defeat of the evil spirit at the end of time, combined with the gift of peace and the universal reign of the Messiah. There are also significant differences between Paul on the one hand, and 1QM and T. 12. Patr. on the other: the lack of dualism of the cosmic type and a non-violent nature of Paul’s struggle, resulting from the fact that the apostle imitates the meek and clement Christ. Ultimately, the apocalyptic eschatology sharpens Paul’s rhetoric, strengthens his authority in Corinth and enhances the weight of his appeals to the community, upon the acceptance of which the salvation of believers depends.
Civilizational Populism in Domestic and Foreign Policy: The Case of Turkey
Authors: Yilmaz Ihsan , Morieson Nicholas
Published: May 2023

This article investigates whether Turkish populism has undergone a ‘civilizational turn’ akin to what Brubaker, Haynes, Yilmaz, and Morieson have described occurring among populist parties in Europe and North America. The article applies Yilmaz and Morieson’s definition of ‘civilizational populism’ to Turkey under the rule of the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) in order to determine whether the party conforms to this definition. The article investigates how the AKP, an Islamist and populist political party lead by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has increasingly incorporated what we term ‘civilizational populism’ into its discourse. The article shows the impact of civilizational populism on Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy under the AKP rule. The article finds that the AKP has increasingly, and especially since the 2013 Gezi Park protests and the mysterious coup attempt in 2016, construed opposition between the Turkish ‘self’ and the ‘other’ not in primarily nationalist terms, but in religious and civilizational terms, and as a conflict between the Ottoman-Islamic ‘self’ and ‘Western’ other. Furthermore, the article finds that the AKP’s domestic and foreign policies reflect its civilizational populist division of Turkish society insofar as the party is attempting to raise a ‘pious generation’ that supports its Islamizing of Turkey society, and its nostalgic neo-Ottomanist power projections in the Middle East. Finally, the paper discusses how the AKP’s civilizational populism has become a transnational populist phenomenon due to the party’s ability to produce successful television shows that reflect its anti-Western worldview and justify its neo-Ottoman imperialism in the Middle East.
Spectral Correlation and Spatial High–Low Frequency Information of Hyperspectral Image Super-Resolution Network
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zheng Renjie , Chen Xu , Hong Zhaolong , Li Yunsong , Lu Ruitao
Published: May 2023

Hyperspectral images (HSIs) generally contain tens or even hundreds of spectral segments within a specific frequency range. Due to the limitations and cost of imaging sensors, HSIs often trade spatial resolution for finer band resolution. To compensate for the loss of spatial resolution and maintain a balance between space and spectrum, existing algorithms were used to obtain excellent results. However, these algorithms could not fully mine the coupling relationship between the spectral domain and spatial domain of HSIs. In this study, we presented a spectral correlation and spatial high–low frequency information of a hyperspectral image super-resolution network (SCSFINet) based on the spectrum-guided attention for analyzing the information already obtained from HSIs. The core of our algorithms was the spectral and spatial feature extraction module (SSFM), consisting of two key elements: (a) spectrum-guided attention fusion (SGAF) using SGSA/SGCA and CFJSF to extract spectral–spatial and spectral–channel joint feature attention, and (b) high- and low-frequency separated multi-level feature fusion (FSMFF) for fusing the multi-level information. In the final stage of upsampling, we proposed the channel grouping and fusion (CGF) module, which can group feature channels and extract and merge features within and between groups to further refine the features and provide finer feature details for sub-pixel convolution. The test on the three general hyperspectral datasets, compared to the existing hyperspectral super-resolution algorithms, suggested the advantage of our method.
Study on the Source of Debris Flow in the Northern Scenic Spot of Changbai Mountain Based on Multi-Source Data
Authors: Yan Jiahao , Zhang Yichen , Zhang Jiquan , Chen Yanan , Zhang Zhen
Published: May 2023

The northern scenic area of Changbai Mountain is a high-incidence area of debris flow disasters, which seriously threaten the safety of tourist’s lives and property. Monitoring debris flow and providing early warning is critical for timely avoidance. Monitoring the change of debris flow source is an effective way to predict debris flow, and the change of source can be reflected in the settlement deformation of the study area. The offset tracking technique (OT) is insensitive to the coherence of SAR images and can resist the decoherence of D-InSAR and SBSA-InSAR to a certain extent. It is a technical means for monitoring large gradient deformation. It has been widely used in the field of seismic activity, glaciers and landslides in recent years, but few scholars have applied this technique in the field of debris flow. In this paper, we use OT techniques in combination with field surveys, Google imagery and Sentinel-1 data to monitor surface deformation in the northern scenic area of Changbai Mountain in 2017 and use D-InSAR techniques to compare and complement the OT monitoring results. The results of this study show that for monitoring surface deformation in the study area after a mudslide, it is better to use both methods to determine the surface deformation in the study area rather than one, and that both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages and yet can complement each other. Finally, we have predicted the development trend of mudflows in the study area by combining the calculated single mudflow solids washout, which will help to improve the long-term monitoring and warning capability of mudflows in the study area. The study also enriches the application of offset-tracking technology and D-InSAR in the field of geohazard monitoring and provides new ideas and methods for the study of mudflow material source changes.
Confidence-Guided Planar-Recovering Multiview Stereo for Weakly Textured Plane of High-Resolution Image Scenes
Authors: Fu Chuanyu , Huang Nan , Huang Zijie , Liao Yongjian , Xiong Xiaoming , Zhang Xuexi , Cai Shuting
Published: May 2023

Multiview stereo (MVS) achieves efficient 3D reconstruction on Lambertian surfaces and strongly textured regions. However, the reconstruction of weakly textured regions, especially planar surfaces in weakly textured regions, still faces significant challenges due to the fuzzy matching problem of photometric consistency. In this paper, we propose a multiview stereo for recovering planar surfaces guided by confidence calculations, resulting in the construction of large-scale 3D models for high-resolution image scenes. Specifically, a confidence calculation method is proposed to express the reliability degree of plane hypothesis. It consists of multiview consistency and patch consistency, which characterize global contextual information and local spatial variation, respectively. Based on the confidence of plane hypothesis, the proposed plane supplementation generates new reliable plane hypotheses. The new planes are embedded in the confidence-driven depth estimation. In addition, an adaptive depth fusion approach is proposed to allow regions with insufficient visibility to be effectively fused into the dense point clouds. The experimental results illustrate that the proposed method can lead to a 3D model with competitive completeness and high accuracy compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Dynamic Evolution and Scenario Simulation of Ecosystem Services under the Impact of Land-Use Change in an Arid Inland River Basin in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Kulaixi Zulipiya , Chen Yaning , Li Yupeng , Wang Chuan
Published: May 2023

Ecosystem services (ESs) are crucial for sustainable development, as they impact human well-being. However, changes in land use/land cover (LULC) caused by climate change and social development can negatively affect ESs, particularly in arid river basins. This study focuses on current and future changes in LULC in the Kaxghar River Basin (KRB) in Xinjiang, China, to determine how these changes will affect the region’s ESs. The integrated PLUS-InVEST model was used to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and changing patterns of habitat quality (HQ) and carbon storage (CS) under the natural increase scenario (NIS), economic development scenario (EDS), and water protection scenario (WPS). Additionally, the Ecosystem Service Contribution Index (ESCI) was also calculated to evaluate the contribution of LULC changes to ESs. The results show the following: (1) from 2000 to 2020, the average value of HQ in the KRB gradually decreased from 0.54 to 0.49 and CS trended slightly upward, with a total increase of 0.07 × 106 t. Furthermore, the changes in CS were highly consistent with changes in LULC. (2) From 2020 to 2030, the area of low-grade (0–0.2) HQ saw a continuous increase, with the fastest growth occurring in 2030 under the EDS. Meanwhile, under the WPS, HQ significantly improved, expanding by 1238 km2 in area. Total CS under the three test scenarios tended to decline, with the NIS showing the smallest decrease. (3) The expansion of cropland and unused land had a negative impact on ESs, particularly on CS, whereas the conversion to grassland and forestland had a significant positive impact. In conclusion, these insights will enrich our understanding of ESs in the study area and contribute to balancing the relationship between ecological conservation and socioeconomic development in the Kaxghar River Basin, as well as in other parts of China’s arid Northwest and similar regions around the world.
Research on Photon-Integrated Interferometric Remote Sensing Image Reconstruction Based on Compressed Sensing
Authors: Yong Jiawei , Li Kexin , Feng Zhejun , Wu Zengyan , Ye Shubing , Song Baoming , Wei Runxi , Cao Changqing
Published: May 2023

Achieving high-resolution remote sensing images is an important goal in the field of space exploration. However, the quality of remote sensing images is low after the use of traditional compressed sensing with the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm. This involves the reconstruction of the sparse signals collected by photon-integrated interferometric imaging detectors, which limits the development of detection and imaging technology for photon-integrated interferometric remote sensing. We improved the OMP algorithm and proposed a threshold limited-generalized orthogonal matching pursuit (TL-GOMP) algorithm. In the comparison simulation involving the TL-GOMP and OMP algorithms of the same series, the peak signal-to-noise ratio value (PSNR) of the reconstructed image increased by 18.02%, while the mean square error (MSE) decreased the most by 53.62%. The TL-GOMP algorithm can achieve high-quality image reconstruction and has great application potential in photonic integrated interferometric remote sensing detection and imaging.
A Spatiotemporally Constrained Interpolation Method for Missing Pixel Values in the Suomi-NPP VIIRS Monthly Composite Images: Taking Shanghai as an Example
Authors: Liu Qingyun , Fan Junfu , Zuo Jiwei , Li Ping , Shen Yunpeng , Ren Zhoupeng , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2023

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (VIIRS/DNB) nighttime light data is a powerful remote sensing data source. However, due to stray light pollution, there is a lack of VIIRS data in mid-high latitudes during the summer, resulting in the absence of high-precision spatiotemporal continuous datasets. In this paper, we first select nine-time series interpolation methods to interpolate the missing images. Second, we construct image pixel-level temporal continuity constraints and spatial correlation constraints and remove the pixels that do not meet the constraints, and the eliminated pixels are filled with the focal statistics tool. Finally, the accuracy of the time series interpolation method and the spatiotemporally constrained interpolation method (STCIM) proposed in this paper are evaluated from three aspects: the number of abnormal pixels (NP), the total light brightness value (TDN), and the absolute value of the difference (ADN). The results show that the images simulated by the STCIM are more accurate than the nine selected time series interpolation methods, and the image interpolation accuracy is significantly improved. Relevant research results have improved the quality of the VIIRS dataset, promoted the application research based on the VIIRS DNB long-time series night light remote sensing image, and enriched the night light remote sensing theory and method system.
Six Years of IKFS-2 Global Ozone Total Column Measurements
Authors: Polyakov Alexander , Virolainen Yana , Nerobelov Georgy , Kozlov Dmitry , Timofeyev Yury
Published: May 2023

Atmospheric ozone plays an important role in the biosphere’s absorbing of dangerous solar UV radiation and its contributions to the Earth’s climate. Nowadays, ozone variations are widely monitored by different local and remote sensing methods. Satellite methods can provide data on the global distribution of ozone and its anomalies. In contrast to measurement techniques based on solar radiation measurements, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) satellite measurements of thermal radiation provide information, regardless of solar illumination. The global distribution of total ozone columns (TOCs) measured by the IKFS-2 spectrometer aboard the “Meteor M N2” satellite for the period of 2015 to 2020 is presented. The retrieval algorithm uses the artificial neural network (ANN) based on measurements of TOCs by the Aura OMI instrument and the method of principal components for representing IKFS-2 spectral measurements. Latitudinal and seasonal dependencies on the ANN training errors are analyzed and considered as a first approximation of the TOC measurement errors. The TOCs derived by the IKFS-2 instrument are compared to independent ground-based and satellite data. The average differences between the IKFS-2 data and the independent TOC measurements are up to 2% (IKFS-2 usually slightly underestimates the other data), and the standard deviations of differences (SDDs) vary from 2 to 4%. At the same time, both the analysis of the ANN approximation errors of the OMI data and the comparison of the IKFS-2 results with independent data demonstrate an increase in discrepancies towards the poles. In the spring–winter period, SDDs reach 8% in the Southern and 6% in the Northern Hemisphere. The technique presented can be used to process the IKFS-2 spectral data, and as a result, it can provide global information on the TOCs in the period of 2015–2020, regardless of the solar illumination and the presence of clouds.
Timeliness of Correcting Baseline Error in Wide-Swath Altimeter Based on Reference Topography Data
Authors: Miao Xiangying , Liu Lei , Miao Hongli , Yang Zhonghao , Wang Jing , Zhang Qingjun
Published: May 2023

The baseline error is a primary error source of the wide-swath altimeter, directly related to the cross-track distance, and can lead to serious height errors at the swath’s outer edge. Cross-calibration using discrepancies with reference data can effectively estimate and correct the baseline error. However, building a reference surface that accurately describes the sea surface at the observation time is necessary to use this cross-correction method. The dynamic ocean environments where the sea surface structure changes over time are challenging. This paper proposes a method for constructing reference topography data (RTD) based on multi-source data products to correct the baseline error of the wide-swath altimeter. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated using HYCOM ocean model data to assess the timeliness of the baseline error correction. The results demonstrate that using RTD at the observation time of the wide-swath altimeter can significantly correct the baseline error. The RMSE of the corrected sea surface height (SSH) in different regions is typically between 1~2 cm, except in some regions with strong currents where the RMSE is approximately 3~4 cm. However, the time interval between the RTD and the observation time of the wide-swath altimeter can affect the accuracy of the baseline error correction. The timeliness of this correction is influenced by the variability of SSH in different regions. In regions with relatively slow SSH changes near the equator, the effective time based on HYRTD and MORTD can basically reach more than 7 days. In regions where the SSH changes more rapidly, the correction result may no longer be reliable in only 1~3 days.
Shaping Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy of Co2MnGa Heusler Alloy Using Ion Irradiation for Magnetic Sensor Applications
Authors: Mahendra Anmol , Murmu Peter P. , Acharya Susant Kumar , Islam Atif , Fiedler Holger , Gupta Prasanth , Granville Simon , Kennedy John
Published: May 2023

Magnetic sensors are key elements in many industrial, security, military, and biomedical applications. Heusler alloys are promising materials for magnetic sensor applications due to their high spin polarization and tunable magnetic properties. The dynamic field range of magnetic sensors is strongly related to the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). By tuning the PMA, it is possible to modify the sensing direction, sensitivity and even the accuracy of the magnetic sensors. Here, we report the tuning of PMA in a Co2MnGa Heusler alloy film via argon (Ar) ion irradiation. MgO/Co2MnGa/Pd films with an initial PMA were irradiated with 30 keV 40Ar+ ions with fluences (ions·cm−2) between 1 × 1013 and 1 × 1015 Ar·cm−2, which corresponds to displacement per atom values between 0.17 and 17, estimated from Monte-Carlo-based simulations. The magneto optical and magnetization results showed that the effective anisotropy energy (Keff) decreased from ~153 kJ·m−3 for the un-irradiated film to ~14 kJ·m−3 for the 1 × 1014 Ar·cm−2 irradiated film. The reduced Keff and PMA are attributed to ion-irradiation-induced interface intermixing that decreased the interfacial anisotropy. These results demonstrate that ion irradiation is a promising technique for shaping the PMA of Co2MnGa Heusler alloy for magnetic sensor applications.
Optimized Dynamic Collision Avoidance Algorithm for USV Path Planning
Authors: Zhu Hongyang , Ding Yi
Published: May 2023

Ship collision avoidance is a complex process that is influenced by numerous factors. In this study, we propose a novel method called the Optimal Collision Avoidance Point (OCAP) for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to determine when to take appropriate actions to avoid collisions. The approach combines a model that accounts for the two degrees of freedom in USV dynamics with a velocity obstacle method for obstacle detection and avoidance. The method calculates the change in the USV’s navigation state based on the critical condition of collision avoidance. First, the coordinates of the optimal collision avoidance point in the current ship encounter state are calculated based on the relative velocities and kinematic parameters of the USV and obstacles. Then, the increments of the vessel’s linear velocity and heading angle that can reach the optimal collision avoidance point are set as a constraint for dynamic window sampling. Finally, the algorithm evaluates the probabilities of collision hazards for trajectories that satisfy the critical condition and uses the resulting collision avoidance probability value as a criterion for course assessment. The resulting collision avoidance algorithm is optimized for USV maneuverability and is capable of handling multiple moving obstacles in real-time. Experimental results show that the OCAP algorithm has higher and more robust path-finding efficiency than the other two algorithms when the dynamic obstacle density is higher.
Energy-Optimal Adaptive Control Based on Model Predictive Control
Authors: Li Yuxi , Hao Gang
Published: May 2023

Energy-optimal adaptive cruise control (EACC) is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to save energy. Considering the negative impacts of system noise on the EACC, an improved modified model predictive control (MPC) is proposed, which combines the Sage-Husaadaptive Kalman filter (SHAKF), the cubature Kalman filter (CKF), and the back-propagation neural network (BPNN). The proposed MPC improves safety and tracking performance while further reducing energy consumption. The final simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has a stronger energy-saving capability compared to previous studies and always maintains an appropriate relative distance and relative speed to the vehicle in front, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Research of a Cross-Interference Suppression Method for Piezoresistive Three-Dimensional Force Sensor
Authors: Zhao You , Zhao Yulong
Published: May 2023

Cross-interference is not only an important factor that affects the measuring accuracy of three-dimensional force sensors, but also a technical difficulty in three-dimensional force sensor design. In this paper, a cross-interference suppression method is proposed, based on the octagonal ring’s structural symmetry as well as Wheatstone bridge’s balance principle. Then, three-dimensional force sensors are developed and tested to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective in cross-interference suppression, and the optimal cross-interference error of the developed sensors is 1.03%. By optimizing the positioning error, angle deviation, and bonding process of strain gauges, the cross-interference error of the sensor can be further reduced to −0.36%.
The Impact of Surface Discontinuities on MEMS Thermal Wind Sensor Accuracy
Authors: Talic Almir , Cerimovic Samir , Beigelbeck Roman , Kohl Franz , Sauter Thilo , Keplinger Franz
Published: May 2023

A 2D calorimetric flow transducer is used to study distortions of the flow velocity field induced by small surface discontinuities around the chip. The transducer is incorporated into a matching recess of a PCB enabling wire-bonded interconnections to the transducer. The chip mount forms one wall of a rectangular duct. Two shallow recesses at opposite edges of the transducer chip are required for wired interconnections. They distort the flow velocity field inside the duct and deteriorate the flow setting precision. In-depth 3D-FEM analyses of the setup revealed that both the local flow direction as well as the surface-near distribution of the flow velocity magnitude deviate significantly from the ideal guided flow case. With a temporary leveling of the indentations, the impact of the surface imperfections could be largely suppressed. Including a yaw setting uncertainty of about ±0.5°, a peak-to-peak deviation of 3.8° of the transducer output from the intended flow direction was achieved with a mean flow velocity of 5 m/s in the duct corresponding to a shear rate of 2.4·104 s−1 at the chip surface. In view of the practical compromises, the measured deviation compares well with the peak-to-peak value of 1.74° predicted by previous simulations.
Level of Agreement between the MotionMetrix System and an Optoelectronic Motion Capture System for Walking and Running Gait Measurements
Authors: Jaén-Carrillo Diego , García-Pinillos Felipe , Chicano-Gutiérrez José M. , Pérez-Castilla Alejandro , Soto-Hermoso Víctor , Molina-Molina Alejandro , Ruiz-Alias Santiago A.
Published: May 2023

Markerless motion capture systems (MCS) have been developed as an alternative solution to overcome the limitations of 3D MCS as they provide a more practical and efficient setup process given, among other factors, the lack of sensors attached to the body. However, this might affect the accuracy of the measures recorded. Thus, this study is aimed at evaluating the level of agreement between a markerless MSC (i.e., MotionMetrix) and an optoelectronic MCS (i.e., Qualisys). For such purpose, 24 healthy young adults were assessed for walking (at 5 km/h) and running (at 10 and 15 km/h) in a single session. The parameters obtained from MotionMetrix and Qualisys were tested in terms of level of agreement. When walking at 5 km/h, the MotionMetrix system significantly underestimated the stance and swing phases, as well as the load and pre-swing phases (p < 0.05) reporting also relatively low systematic bias (i.e., ≤ −0.03 s) and standard error of the estimate (SEE) (i.e., ≤0.02 s). The level of agreement between measurements was perfect (r > 0.9) for step length left and cadence and very large (r > 0.7) for step time left, gait cycle, and stride length. Regarding running at 10 km/h, bias and SEE analysis revealed significant differences for most of the variables except for stride time, rate and length, swing knee flexion for both legs, and thigh flexion left. The level of agreement between measurements was very large (r > 0.7) for stride time and rate, stride length, and vertical displacement. At 15 km/h, bias and SEE revealed significant differences for vertical displacement, landing knee flexion for both legs, stance knee flexion left, thigh flexion, and extension for both legs. The level of agreement between measurements in running at 15 km/h was almost perfect (r > 0.9) when comparing Qualisys and MotionMetrix parameters for stride time and rate, and stride length. The agreement between the two motion capture systems varied for different variables and speeds of locomotion, with some variables demonstrating high agreement while others showed poor agreement. Nonetheless, the findings presented here suggest that the MotionMetrix system is a promising option for sports practitioners and clinicians interested in measuring gait variables, particularly in the contexts examined in the study.