bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Versatility Investigation of Grown Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles and Their Comparative Charge Storage for Memristor Devices
Authors: Chakrabartty Shubhro , Almawgani Abdulkarem H. M. , Kumar Sachin , Kumar Mayank , Acharjee Suvojit , Al-Shidaifat Alaaddin , Poulose Alwin , Alsuwian Turki
Published: August 2023

Memristive devices have garnered significant attention in the field of electronics over the past few decades. The reason behind this immense interest lies in the ubiquitous nature of memristive dynamics within nanoscale devices, offering the potential for revolutionary applications. These applications span from energy-efficient memories to the development of physical neural networks and neuromorphic computing platforms. In this research article, the angle toppling technique (ATT) was employed to fabricate titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with an estimated size of around 10 nm. The nanoparticles were deposited onto a 50 nm SiOx thin film (TF), which was situated on an n-type Si substrate. Subsequently, the samples underwent annealing processes at temperatures of 550 °C and 950 °C. The structural studies of the sample were done by field emission gun-scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) (JEOL, JSM-7600F). The as-fabricated sample exhibited noticeable clusters of nanoparticles, which were less prominent in the samples annealed at 550 °C and 950 °C. The element composition revealed the presence of titanium (Ti), oxygen (O2), and silicon (Si) from the substrate within the samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the as-fabricated sample predominantly consisted of the rutile phase. The comparative studies of charge storage and endurance measurements of as-deposited, 550 °C, and 950 °C annealed devices were carried out, where as-grown device showed promising responses towards brain computing applications. Furthermore, the teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) technique was used to conduct further comparisons of results.
Drinking Warm Water Promotes Performance by Regulating Ruminal Microbial Composition and Serum Metabolites in Yak Calves
Authors: Liu Tianxu , Wang Qianqian , Gao Chenxi , Long Shenfei , He Tengfei , Wu Zhenlong , Chen Zhaohui
Published: August 2023

Yaks live in the harsh environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and the cold climate causes lower growth efficiency. The aim of this experiment was to explore the effects of drinking warm water on the growth performance in yak calves and investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms. A total of 24 Datong yak calves were selected and randomly assigned into the cold water group (group C, water temperature around 0–10 °C without any heating; 58.03 ± 3.111 kg) and the warm water group (group W, water constantly heated at 2 °C; 59.62 ± 2.771 kg). After the 60-day experiment, body weight was measured, and rumen fluid and blood serum samples were collected for analysis. The results show that the body weight and average daily gain of yaks that drank warm water were higher compared to those that drank cold water (p < 0.05). The acetic, propionic, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric acid concentrations were higher in group W than in group C (p < 0.05). Additionally, warm water changed the ruminal microbes at different levels. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Tenericutes, Kiritimatiellaeota, and Elusimicrobiota was higher in group C (p < 0.05). At the genus level, three genera were increased by warm water, including Ruminococcoides and Eubacteriales Family XIII. Incertae Sedis, and 12 genera were decreased, including Ruminococcus (p < 0.05). At the species level, unclassified Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcoides bili were increased by warm water compared to cold water (p < 0.05). According to the metabolomics results, metabolites, including valine, isoleucine, PC (15:0/22:2(13Z,16Z)), and LysoPC (18:0/0:0), were increased in the warm water group compared to the cold water group (p < 0.05), and were enriched in glycerophospholipid and amino acid metabolism pathways. This study analyzed the differences in ruminal microbes and metabolomes of yak calves provided with water at different temperatures and revealed the potential mechanism for better performance promoted by warm drinking water.
Nasopharyngeal Meningococcal Carriage among Older Adults in Türkiye (MeninGOLD Study)
Authors: Yildiz Pinar , Sahin Tekin Melisa , Kaya Mucahit , Dinleyici Ener Cagri
Published: August 2023

Introduction: While there is a significant amount of information about invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), meningococcal carriage, and meningococcal vaccines in children and adolescents, data in older adults are limited. Studies of meningococcal carriage and transmission modeling can be utilized to predict the spread of IMD and guide prevention and treatment strategies. Our study’s main objective was to assess the prevalece of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) carriage, serogroup distribution, and associated risk factors among older adults in Türkiye. Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples were collected between December 2022 and January 2023 from a total of 329 older adults (65 years of age and above). The samples were tested via PCR for Nm, and a serogroup (A, B, C, Y, W, X, E, Z, H) analysis of the positive samples was performed. Results: In total, 329 adults over 65 years of age (150 females and 179 males; 69% were 65–75 years old and 31% were 75 years of age and older) were included in the study. Nm carriage was detected in 46 participants (13.9%), and the serogroup distribution was as follows: 2.4% MenY (n = 8), 1.8% MenB (n = 6), 0.2% MenW (n = 2), and 9.4% non-groupable (n = 31). Other serogroups were not detected. Between the meningococcal carriers and the non-carriers, there were no differences between previous vaccination histories (meningococcal, pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19), travel history for Hajj and/or Umrah, and the presence of chronic disease. Of the 16 cases positive for the serogroups Y, B, and W, 13 patients were between the ages of 65 and 74 and three patients were over 75 years old, and these three cases represented MenY. Conclusion: In our study, the percentage of meningococcal carriage was found to be 13.9%, the carriage rate for encapsulated strains was 4.8%, and the most common serogroup was MenY. Men Y was also the only serogroup detected in patients over 75 years of age. The MenY serogroup, which is one of the most important causes of IMD (especially in pneumonia cases) in people older than 65 years, was the most frequently carried serogroup in people over 65 years of age in our study. Adequate surveillance and/or a proper carriage study would help to define potential vaccination strategies for older adults.
Temperature-Dependent Phonon Scattering and Photoluminescence in Vertical MoS2/WSe2 Heterostructures
Authors: Ali Wajid , Liu Ye , Huang Ming , Xie Yunfei , Li Ziwei
Published: August 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers and their heterostructures have attracted considerable attention due to their distinct properties. In this work, we performed a systematic investigation of MoS2/WSe2 heterostructures, focusing on their temperature-dependent Raman and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics in the range of 79 to 473 K. Our Raman analysis revealed that both the longitudinal and transverse modes of the heterostructure exhibit linear shifts towards low frequencies with increasing temperatures. The peak position and intensity of PL spectra also showed pronounced temperature dependency. The activation energy of thermal-quenching-induced PL emissions was estimated as 61.5 meV and 82.6 meV for WSe2 and MoS2, respectively. Additionally, we observed that the spectral full width at half maximum (FWHM) of Raman and PL peaks increases as the temperature increases, and these broadenings can be attributed to the phonon interaction and the expansion of the heterostructure’s thermal coefficients. This work provides valuable insights into the interlayer coupling of van der Waals heterostructures, which is essential for understanding their potential applications in extreme temperatures.
Oral Administration of Protease-Soluble Chicken Type II Collagen Ameliorates Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection–Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats
Authors: Chen Nan-Fu , Lin Yen-You , Yao Zhi-Kang , Tseng Chung-Chih , Liu Yu-Wei , Hung Ya-Ping , Jean Yen-Hsuan , Wen Zhi-Hong
Published: August 2023

This study investigated whether oral supplementation with protease-soluble chicken type II collagen (PSCC-II) mitigates the progression of anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)–induced osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: control, sham, ACLT, group A (ACLT + pepsin-soluble collagen type II collagen (C-II) with type I collagen), group B (ACLT + Amano M–soluble C-II with type I collagen), group C (ACLT + high-dose Amano M–soluble C-II with type I collagen), and group D (ACLT + unproteolyzed C-II). Various methods were employed to analyze the knee joint: nociceptive tests, microcomputed tomography, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Rats treated with any form of C-II had significant reductions in pain sensitivity and cartilage degradation. Groups that received PSCC-II treatment effectively mitigated the ACLT-induced effects of OA concerning cancellous bone volume, trabecular number, and trabecular separation compared with the ACLT alone group. Furthermore, PSCC-II and unproteolyzed C-II suppressed ACLT-induced effects, such as the downregulation of C-II and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-13, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β. These results indicate that PSCC-II treatment retains the protective effects of traditional undenatured C-II and provide superior benefits for OA management. These benefits encompass pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and the protection of cartilage and cancellous bone.
Efficacy of Ketamine with and without Lamotrigine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Joseph Boney , Nunez Nicolas A. , Kung Simon , Vande Voort Jennifer L. , Pazdernik Vanessa K. , Schak Kathryn M. , Boehm Stacey M. , Carpenter Brooke , Johnson Emily K. , Malyshev Grigoriy , Smits Nathan , Adewunmi Daniel O. , Brown Sarah K. , Singh Balwinder
Published: August 2023

Intravenous (IV) ketamine and FDA-approved intranasal (IN) esketamine are increasingly used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Preliminary studies have suggested a synergistic effect of ketamine and lamotrigine, although the data are inconclusive. Herein, we report the response to serial ketamine/esketamine treatment among patients with TRD with or without lamotrigine therapy. In this historical cohort study, we included adult patients with TRD who received serial IV racemic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40−100 min) or IN esketamine (56/84 mg) treatments. A change in depressive symptoms was assessed using the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology self-report (QIDS-SR) scale. There were no significant differences in response or remission rates among the patients on or not on lamotrigine during the ketamine/esketamine treatments. For a percent change in the QIDS-SR from baseline, no interaction was found between the lamotrigine groups and treatment number (p = 0.70), nor the overall effect of the group (p = 0.38). There was a trend towards lower dissociation (based on the CADSS score) among current lamotrigine users, especially in patients who received IV ketamine. A major limitation is the limited number of patients taking lamotrigine (n = 13). This preliminary study provides insufficient evidence that continuing lamotrigine therapy attenuates the antidepressant effect of repeated ketamine/esketamine; however, there seems to be a signal toward attenuating dissociation with lamotrigine in patients receiving serial ketamine treatments. Further observational studies or randomized controlled trials are needed to replicate these findings.
Electrophilic Agonists Modulate the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin-1 Channels Mediated by Insulin and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Secretion for Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Frederico Marisa Jadna Silva , Cipriani Andreza , Heim Jocelyn Brice Alexandre , Mendes Ana Karla Bittencourt , Aragón Marcela , Gaspar Joana Margarida , De Alencar Nylane Maria Nunes , Silva Fátima Regina Mena Barreto
Published: August 2023

This pre-clinical study investigated the transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) channels on modulating targets for glucose homeostasis using agonists: the electrophilic agonists, cinnamaldehyde (CIN) and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), and the non-electrophilic agonist, carvacrol (CRV). A glucose tolerance test was performed on rats. CIN and AITC (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) or CRV (25, 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), and glycemia was measured. In the intestine, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and disaccharidase activity were evaluated (in vivo and in vitro, respectively). Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro insulin secretion was determined. Islets were used to measure insulin secretion and calcium influx. CIN and AITC improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro. CRV was unable to reduce glycemia. Electrophilic agonists, CIN and AITC, inhibited disaccharidases and acted as secretagogues in the intestine by inducing GLP-1 release in vivo and in vitro and contributed to insulin secretion and glycemia. The effect of CIN on calcium influx in pancreatic islets (insulin secretion) involves voltage-dependent calcium channels and calcium from stores. TRPA1 triggers calcium influx and potentiates intracellular calcium release to induce insulin secretion, suggesting that electrophilic agonists mediate this signaling transduction for the control of glycemia.
Love, Grief, and Resilience
Authors: Ren Songyao
Published: August 2023

This paper defends resilience in bereavement by way of responding to two prominent objections in the contemporary philosophical literature. Resilience in bereavement pertains to the ability to return to one’s functional and emotional baselines in a comparatively short period after the death of a loved one. Contrary to what Moller thinks, resilience is compatible with having a deep appreciation for the deceased loved one. Appealing to the example of Zhuangzi’s grieving of his wife, I argue that the agony of grief is assuaged as one comes to terms with one’s loss through a realization of the universality and inevitability of death. This can be so even as one continues to appreciate the significance of what one has lost. Also, contrary to Smuts’ view, resilience does not indicate a failure to care. Although the resilient is free from prolonged and intense grief, she could continue to care for the deceased by constructing a new relationship with her and contributing to this relationship in ways that are appropriate to it. This view is further corroborated by empirical bereavement research. According to the continuing bonds theory, healthy grief is resolved by establishing changed ties with the deceased rather than detaching ourselves from them.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Collar Region-Preferential Genes in Rice
Authors: Jiang Xu , Hong Woo-Jong , Lee Su-Kyoung , Jung Ki-Hong
Published: August 2023

The collar region plays a crucial role in leaf angle formation and plant architecture, which is important for improving crop yield given the challenges of diminishing arable land and changing environmental conditions. To determine collar region-preferential genes (CRPGs) affecting plant architecture and crop yield, we conducted genome-wide transcriptomic analysis. By integrating our RNA sequencing data with public rice anatomical expression data, we identified 657 CRPGs. Verification involved testing six randomly selected CRPGs, all of which exhibited collar-preferential expression. The functional significance of CRPGs was assessed via Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, utilizing MapMan and KEGG, and literature analysis provided additional information for characterized CRPGs. Our findings revealed links between manipulating leaf angle and phytohormone-related pathways and stress responses. Moreover, based on the CRPGs, five transcription factors downstream of the liguleless 1 (LG1) gene were identified. Overall, the identified CRPGs provide potential targets for further research and breeding applications aimed at improving crop productivity by manipulating leaf architecture.
Influence of Fertilization on Growth and Lead Content of Pepper under Lead Stress
Authors: Yu Bingkun , Xu Dongying , Li Yang , Wang Wenquan
Published: August 2023

To investigate the effect of fertilization on Pb content in vegetables, pepper was planted in L1645 (the 5 influencing factors are fertilizers (N, P, K), organic fertilizers (sheep manure) and Pb2+; the 4 levels are blank, low, medium and high; a total of 16 treatments) pot orthogonal experiment. The effects of fertilizers on the growth and Pb content in various parts of pepper under Pb stress were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) The Pb content in pepper fruit ranged from 0.011 mg·kg−1 to 0.085 mg·kg−1, which did not exceed the limit value (0.1 mg·kg−1) in the National Standard for Food Safety-Limit of Contaminants in Food (GB2762-2017); (2) The effect order of fertilization on pepper fruit weight was P2O5 > sheep manure > N > K2O; The horizontal combination of factors that promoted the maximum fruit weight of pepper was N (0.15 g·kg−1), P2O5 (0.225 g·kg−1), K2O (0.15 g·kg−1) and sheep manure (9 g·kg−1); (3) The order of fertilizer effects on Pb content in pepper fruit was Pb2+ > K2O > N = sheep manure > P2O5; the factor level combination that resulted in the maximum Pb content in pepper fruits was N (0.15 g·kg−1), P2O5 (0 g·kg−1), K2O (0.45 g·kg−1), sheep manure (6 g·kg−1) and Pb2+ (350 mg·kg−1); (4) Based on the soil fertility characteristics of Urumqi, the recommended optimal fertilizer application rate was: high phosphorus fertilizer P2O5 (495 kg·hm−2), low-level potassium fertilizer K2O (330 kg·hm−2), medium-level nitrogen fertilizer N (660 kg·hm−2) (or low-level nitrogen fertilizer N (330 kg·hm−2) + high-level organic manure sheep manure (19,800 kg·hm−2), which can achieve high yield while ensuring that the Pb content in the fruits does not exceed the standard. Strengthening control of effective and reasonable fertilization methods in Urumqi agricultural land is helpful to reduce the Pb content in vegetables.
Performances of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films for Smart Glass Applications
Authors: Islam Muhammad Shahriyar , Chan Kah-Yoong , Thien Gregory Soon How , Low Pei-Ling , Lee Chu-Liang , Wong Sew Kin , Noor Ervina Efzan Mhd , Au Benedict Wen-Cheun , Ng Zi-Neng
Published: August 2023

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film is an active smart film penetrating the market due to its unique functionalities. These functional characteristics include switchable tint capabilities, which shield building residents from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, improve energy-saving features, and produce higher cost-efficiency. Although PDLC films are promising in several applications, there is still ambiguity on the performance of PDLC films. Particularly, the sizing effects’ (such as film thickness and area) correlation with visible light transmission (VLT), ultraviolet rejection (UVR), infrared rejection (IRR), light intensity, current consumption, and apparent power consumption is not well understood. Therefore, this study investigated the sizing effects of PDLC films, including the thickness effect on VLT, UVR, IRR, light intensity, and area influence on current and apparent power consumptions. The varying applied voltage effect on the light transmittance of the PDLC film was also effectively demonstrated. A 0.1 mm PDLC film was successfully presented as a cost-efficient film with optimal parameters. Consequently, this study paves the way for a clearer understanding of PDLC films (behavior and sizing effects) in implementing economic PDLC films for large-scale adoption in commercial and residential premises.
Bioelectrochemical Purification of Biomass Polymer Derived Furfural Wastewater and Its Electric Energy Recovery
Authors: Tian Hailing , Quan Yue , Yin Zhenhao , Yin Chengri , Fu Yu
Published: August 2023

With the increasing environmental pollution caused by waste polymers, the conversion of polymer components in biomass into valuable products is of great significance for waste management and resource recovery. A two-stage microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used to treat furfural wastewater in this study. The maximum output voltage was 240–250 mV and the power generation time in an operation cycle was 286 h. The degradation efficiency of furfural reached 99–100% (furfural concentration at 300–3000 mg/L) and was slightly reduced to 91% at 7000 mg/L. In addition, the BOD/COD ratio of the furfural wastewater increased from 0.31 to 0.48 after MFC processing. The molecular analysis of the anodic bacterial isolates indicated that the phylogenetic bacterial mixture was dominated by five active anaerobic bacteria with a similarity percentage above 99% for each strain: Burkholderia (B. burdella), Clostridium sensu stricto (Cymbidaceae), Klebsiella (Klebsiella), Ethanoligenens (anaerobic genus), and Acidocella (anaerobic genus); the mixture exhibited good properties to carry out bioelectricity generation in the microbial fuel cell. This indicates that the MFC has effectively degraded furfural for pollutant removal and power generation and is a promising clean method to treat furfural pollution in industry wastewater.
The Question of Theodicy in Islamic Philosophy—Suggesting a Solution: Badāʾ
Authors: Jahangiri Mona
Published: August 2023

The problem of evil is one that has earned much attention in recent decades and is frequently used as a justification for atheism, and increasingly so due to the rise in popularity of secularism and atheism. How is the issue of theodicy considered in Islamic philosophy, and especially in Shīʿa theology? Does this problem arise there at all? The following discussion addresses these questions, examining the basis of the so-called ‘problem of evil’ through the rationale and multiple perspectives offered by Islamic Shīʿa theology on the issue. First, some verses in the Qurʾān dealing with evil and suffering will be illuminated. After that, some mutakallimūn’s views will be presented. Following that, the problem of evil will be investigated from the perspectives of Ibn Sīnā and Mullā Ṣadrā. After briefly highlighting the mystical perspective, finally, a practical theological solution according to Shīʿa theology known as badāʾ will be introduced.
Moon Imaging Performance of FAST Radio Telescope in Bistatic Configuration with Other Radars
Authors: Yin Yan , Sun Jinghai , Huang Lijia , Jiang Peng , Wang Xiaochen , Ding Chibiao
Published: August 2023

Ground-based radar has been used for Moon imaging for more than 60 years. Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), as the largest radio telescope on Earth, holds significant potential for celestial imaging missions with its exceptional sensitivity. A bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Moon imaging model that incorporates FAST and other transmitting radars is presented. The objective of this paper is to design the imaging parameters of this bistatic configuration based on the required resolution, and to estimate the resolution performance based on a given bistatic system capability. Considering the ultra-far range and the ultra-long observation time between the radars and the Moon, the geometric relationship involved in this bistatic configuration is significantly distinct from the bistatic configuration of airborne and spaceborne radars. Therefore, this paper accurately derives the two-dimensional resolution on the Moon’s surface. First of all, the models of the Earth’s surface and the Moon’s surface, and the celestial motion of the Earth and Moon are established using WGS-84 and JPL-DE421, given by STK. Secondly, the bistatic range history within the observation time is calculated in terms of continuous celestial motion instead of the popular ‘stop-and-go’ assumption. Thirdly, no approximation is used in the resolution derivation process, and, in addition to the two-dimensional resolutions, the incident angle and the included angle are also given to describe the imaging performance. This method can also be extended to other bistatic-station and single-station celestial imaging, providing support for radar location and parameters design, for observation time span selection, for observation area selection, and for imaging performance estimation. The echo generation and imaging for point targets set on the Moon are shown. The simulation results prove the validity and accuracy of the proposed method in the paper.
Radar Anti-Jamming Decision-Making Method Based on DDPG-MADDPG Algorithm
Authors: Wei Jingjing , Wei Yinsheng , Yu Lei , Xu Rongqing
Published: August 2023

In the face of smart and varied jamming, intelligent radar anti-jamming technologies are urgently needed. Due to the variety of radar electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCMs), it is necessary to efficiently optimize ECCMs in the high-dimensional knowledge base to ensure that the radar achieves the optimal anti-jamming effect. Therefore, an intelligent radar anti-jamming decision-making method based on the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) and the multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) (DDPG-MADDPG) algorithm is proposed. Firstly, by establishing a typical working scenario of radar and jamming, we designed the intelligent radar anti-jamming decision-making model, and the anti-jamming decision-making process was formulated. Then, aiming at different jamming modes, we designed the anti-jamming improvement factor and the correlation matrix of jamming and ECCM. They were used to evaluate the jamming suppression performance of ECCMs and to provide feedback for the decision-making algorithm. The decision-making constraints and four different decision-making objectives were designed to verify the performance of the decision-making algorithm. Finally, we designed a DDPG-MADDPG algorithm to generate the anti-jamming strategy. The simulation results showed that the proposed method has excellent robustness and generalization performance. At the same time, it has a shorter convergence time and higher anti-jamming decision making accuracy.
In-Loco Optical Spectroscopy through a Multiple Digital Lock-In on a Linear Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) Array
Authors: Fonsêca Hugo , Rativa Diego , Lima Ricardo
Published: August 2023

Accurate and reliable measurements of optical properties are crucial for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. However, external illumination fluctuations can often make these measurements challenging to obtain. This work proposes a new technique based on digital lock-in processing that enables the use of CCD spectrometers in optical spectroscopy applications, even in uncontrolled lighting conditions. This approach leverages digital lock-in processing, performed on each pixel of the spectrometer’s CCD simultaneously, to mitigate the impact of external optical interferences. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by testing and recovering the spectrum of a yellow LED subjected to other light sources in outdoor conditions, corresponding to a Signal-to-Noise Ratio of −70.45 dB. Additionally, it was possible to demonstrate the method’s applicability for the spectroscopic analysis of gold nanoparticles in outdoor conditions. These results suggest that the proposed technique can be helpful for a wide range of optical measurement techniques, even in challenging lighting conditions.
A Hybrid Indoor Positioning System Based on Visible Light Communication and Bluetooth RSS Trilateration
Authors: Albraheem Lamya , Alawad Sarah
Published: August 2023

Indoor positioning has become an attractive research topic because of the drawbacks of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), which cannot detect accurate locations within indoor areas. Radio-based positioning technologies are one major category of indoor positioning systems. Another major category consists of visible light communication-based solutions, as they have become a revolutionary technology for indoor positioning in recent years. The proposed study intends to make use of both technologies by creating a hybrid indoor positioning system that uses VLC and Bluetooth together. The system first collects the initial location information based on VLC proximity, then collects the strongest Bluetooth signals to determine the receiver’s location using Bluetooth RSS (received signal strength) trilateration. This has been inspired by the fact that there have not been any studies that make use of both technologies with the same positioning algorithm, which can lead to pretty high accuracy of up to 0.03 m.
DPACFuse: Dual-Branch Progressive Learning for Infrared and Visible Image Fusion with Complementary Self-Attention and Convolution
Authors: Zhu Huayi , Wu Heshan , Wang Xiaolong , He Dongmei , Liu Zhenbing , Pan Xipeng
Published: August 2023

Infrared and visible image fusion aims to generate a single fused image that not only contains rich texture details and salient objects, but also facilitates downstream tasks. However, existing works mainly focus on learning different modality-specific or shared features, and ignore the importance of modeling cross-modality features. To address these challenges, we propose Dual-branch Progressive learning for infrared and visible image fusion with a complementary self-Attention and Convolution (DPACFuse) network. On the one hand, we propose Cross-Modality Feature Extraction (CMEF) to enhance information interaction and the extraction of common features across modalities. In addition, we introduce a high-frequency gradient convolution operation to extract fine-grained information and suppress high-frequency information loss. On the other hand, to alleviate the CNN issues of insufficient global information extraction and computation overheads of self-attention, we introduce the ACmix, which can fully extract local and global information in the source image with a smaller computational overhead than pure convolution or pure self-attention. Extensive experiments demonstrated that the fused images generated by DPACFuse not only contain rich texture information, but can also effectively highlight salient objects. Additionally, our method achieved approximately 3% improvement over the state-of-the-art methods in MI, Qabf, SF, and AG evaluation indicators. More importantly, our fused images enhanced object detection and semantic segmentation by approximately 10%, compared to using infrared and visible images separately.
Direct-Drive Electro-Hydraulic Servo Valve Performance Characteristics Prediction Based on Big Data and Neural Networks
Authors: Mi Juncheng , Yu Jin , Huang Guoqin
Published: August 2023

Direct-drive electro-hydraulic servo valves play a key role in aerospace control systems, and their operational stability and safety reliability are crucial to the safety, stability, and efficiency of the entire control system. Based on the prediction of the performance change of the servo valve and the resulting judgement and prediction of its life, this can effectively avoid serious accidents and economic losses caused by failure due to performance degradation in the work. On the basis of existing research, factors such as opening, oil contamination, and pressure difference are used as prerequisites for the operation of direct-drive electro-hydraulic servo valves. In addition to the current research on pressure gain and leakage, the performance parameters of servo valves, such as overlap, threshold, and symmetry, are also expanded and selected as research objects, combined with pressure design servo valve performance degradation experiments for testing instruments such as flow and position sensors, and data are obtained on changes in various performance parameters. The experimental data are analyzed and a prediction model is built to predict the performance parameters of the servo valve by combining the existing popular neural networks, and the prediction error is calculated to verify the accuracy and validity of the model. The experimental results indicate that as the working time progresses, the degree of erosion and wear on the valve core and valve sleeve of the servo valve increases. Overall, it has been observed that the performance parameters of the servo valve show a slow trend of change under different working conditions, and the rate of change is generally higher under high pollution (level 9) conditions than under other conditions. The prediction results indicate that the predicted values of various performance parameters of the servo valve by the prediction model are lower than 0.2% compared to the experimental test set data. By comparing the two dimensions of the accuracy and prediction trend, this model meets industrial needs and outperforms deep learning algorithm models such as the exponential smoothing algorithm and ARIMA model. The experiments and results of this study provide theoretical support for the life prediction model of servo valves based on neural networks and machine learning in artificial intelligence, and provide a reference for the development of direct-drive electro-hydraulic servo valves in aerospace and other industrial fields for use and failure standards.
Major Role of Natural Wetland Loss in the Decline of Wetland Habitat Quality—Spatio-Temporal Monitoring and Predictive Analysis
Authors: Xing Xianglong , Liu Yang , Jin Ri , Zhang Peng , Tong Shouzheng , Zhu Weihong
Published: August 2023

Land use change significantly affects habitat quality, and the long time series exploration of dynamic variations in wetland habitat quality is of great significance to wetland conservation and management practices. Jingxin Wetland is located in the lower reaches of the Tumen River Basin, an important ecological function area in China. In recent years, under the influence of human activities and climate change, Jingxin Wetland has faced the threat of degradation and reclamation. This study investigated the dynamic evolution of habitat quality in Jingxin Wetland based on the CA-Markov model and the InVEST model at a long time scale and analyzed the drivers of habitat quality changes. Furthermore, habitat statuses under different policy orientations were explored using a multi-scenario development model. The results show that the total area of Jingxin Wetland exhibited a shrinking trend from 1964 to 2019, the wetland landscape was more fragmented, and the loss of natural wetland (marsh wetland) was serious. Consequently, wetland habitat quality has declined. According to scenario analysis, the study area should firmly follow the ecological conservation route in the future, through which the encroachment of human activities on wetlands can be effectively reduced and habitat conditions can be effectively improved. Both natural and economic development scenarios would result in the shrinkage of wetlands, which will extend the trend of declining habitat quality. It is noteworthy that the loss of wetland can be effectively reduced by implementing ecological conservation policies, which would reduce the degradation of wetland habitat quality. The results of this study can provide valuable references for wetland ecological conservation and ecological management practices.
Fire Safety Resilience Assessment of Residential Self-Built Houses according to the TOPSIS Method
Authors: Zhang Ying , Tian Rumeng , Peng Lei , Yu Xiaoxia , Wang Yan
Published: August 2023

Fire extinguishing in residential self-built houses is difficult, and casualties are likely to occur. The aim of this study was to improve the fire safety resilience of residential self-built houses and decrease fire safety hazards. Firstly, the connotation of fire resilience of residential self-built houses was scientifically defined according to resilience theory. Then, a fire safety resilience evaluation index system with resistance, response and learning as the core was developed based on the properties of residential self-built houses, legal norms and relevant literature. At the same time, to weaken the effects of subjective factors, a fire safety resilience evaluation model of residential self-built houses was established based on a combination weighting–similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method to quantify the influence of each index and divide the resilience level standards. Finally, a practical case of a residential self-built house in Jiaozuo City was adopted for resilience assessment for the verification of the scientificity and rationality of the model. The results showed the following. (1) In the evaluation system, the proportion of the coping and learning stages was 75%, and improving this factor significantly promoted the fire safety resilience of residential self-built houses. (2) Through TOPSIS, the fire safety resilience of residential self-built houses was classified into four groups of poor, medium, good and excellent. (3) By performing an example test, the fire safety resilience level of this residential self-built house was found to be medium, and the evaluation results were basically consistent with the actual situation of the building, which verified the scientificity and rationality of the proposed model.
The Impact Tech Startup: Initial Findings on a New, SDG-Focused Organizational Category
Authors: Gidron Benjamin , Bar Kfir , Finger Keren Maya , Gafni Dalit , Hodara Yaari , Krasnopolskaya Irina , Mannor Alon
Published: August 2023

This study sheds light on the prevalence, focus, and key structural dimensions of the Impact Tech Startup—a new organizational category of enterprise whose technologically innovative products or services are aimed at creating social or environmental impact. After tracing the Impact Tech Startup’s conceptual roots and the features it shares with startups and social enterprises, we examine the context of Israel as a particularly supportive environment for startup entrepreneurship. We then present the initial findings from our empirical study conducted in Israel, in which we examined 1657 startups, developed a machine learning algorithm to identify which of these can be classified as an Impact Tech Startup, and clustered the results within the framework of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Our findings indicate that approximately one third of Israel’s startups can be classified as an Impact Tech Startup. Of these, almost a third are producing products or services relevant to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Furthermore, we find that the technologies deployed by ITSs can help optimize decisions by professionals and, in doing so, substantially contribute to tackling social and environmental challenges. This study aimed to give the Impact Tech Startup an initial “face” and to invite further, more detailed studies in the future.
Design and Assessment of Children’s Pencil Holder for Chinese Writing
Authors: Wang Ching-Yi , Cheng Zi-Tao
Published: August 2023

Incorrect pencil-holding posture is the main cause of children’s handwriting difficulties and significantly impacts their learning and development. Most pencil holders are used to write English letters, which may not be suitable for the Chinese writing environment. Therefore, this study designed a pencil holder suitable for children to write in Chinese. Two experiments were conducted herein: (1) Measurement and design of the new pencil holder and (2) Chinese handwriting efficiency detection. Firstly, 27 children were asked to hold clay to derive the hand curves of pencil holding posture and measure curve data using a contour gauge for designing a new universal pencil holder. Secondly, 30 children wrote seven representative structures of Chinese words using iPad with Apple pencil devices to compare the three types of pencil holders for writing quality assessment. The results of this study can provide a suitable shape design of the pencil holder for children in a Chinese writing environment and provide reference directions for occupational therapists and elementary school teachers to correct children’s pencil holding.
Enhancing Risk Analysis toward a Landscape Digital Twin Framework: A Multi-Hazard Approach in the Context of a Socio-Economic Perspective
Authors: Ugliotti Francesca Maria , Osello Anna , Daud Muhammad , Yilmaz Ozan Onur
Published: August 2023

In the last decades, climate and environmental changes have highlighted the fragility and vulnerability of the landscape, especially in mountain areas where the effects are most severe. This study promotes the methodological setup of a landscape digital twin to establish a multi-disciplinary and multi-scalar hazard overview according to a matrix framework implementable over time and space. The original contribution to the research addresses a holistic vision that combines meaningfully qualitative with quantitative approaches within a multi-hazard framework from the socio-economic perspective. This contribution presents road network risk analysis by exploiting flooding and landslide scenarios. The critical road segments or nodes most vulnerable or impacted by network performance and accessibility can be identified with minimal preprocessing from credible open-source sources. Service maps are used to show the spatial distribution of risk scores for different typologies of points of interest and hazards. Origin-destination matrix graphs display changes in travel time between facilities under various scenarios. Using a risk scores formula to generate risk maps has made it possible to effectively represent the interconnectedness among natural hazards, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors, fostering more resilient decision-making processes. The method’s applicability is tested through a case study in northern Italy’s Piedmont Region.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Product Design Methods from 1999 to 2022: Trends, Progress, and Disparities between China and the Rest of the World
Authors: Gao Meng , Ma Ke , He Renke , Vezzoli Carlo , Li Nuo
Published: August 2023

Effective product design strategies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable production, consumption, and disposal practices. In the literature, many such practices have been proposed by various researchers; however, it is challenging to understand which is more effective from the design point of view. This study employs bibliometric analysis and visualization software, CiteSpace, to comprehensively assess the literature on sustainable product design methods (SPDMs) from two major citation databases, namely, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science, covering the period between 1999 and 2022. The objective of this review is to identify the latest research trends, progress, and disparities between China and the rest of the world in the field of SPDMs. The findings reveal that the development of SPDMs is characterized by a combination of multi-method integration and expansion, as well as qualitative and quantitative hybrids. However, research processes differ between China and other countries. Chinese studies focus on digital-driven development, rural revitalization, and system design, while research from other countries emphasizes a circular economy, distribution, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, both Chinese and international studies lack quantitative research methods in relation to socio-cultural sustainability. Future research should aim to deepen sustainable design methods and standards for specialized products, as well as to incorporate quantitative methods that address cultural and social sustainability dimensions. Open-source and shared SPDMs should be encouraged to promote methodological innovation that prioritizes multidimensional and systematic sustainable benefits, leveraging the strengths of new technologies.
Model of Multi Criteria Decision-Making for Selection of Transportation Alternatives on the Base of Transport Needs Hierarchy Framework and Application of Petri Net
Authors: Kabashkin Igor
Published: August 2023

The article presents an approach for choosing alternative transport routes in a multimodal transport system. This approach includes (1) the transportation needs hierarchy method and (2) the Evaluation of Petri Nets (E-nets) as a modeling tool. The purpose of the study is to develop a methodology for choosing alternative routes for the transportation of goods, taking into account the criteria used by decision-makers. The structure of the hierarchy of transport needs is proposed, which consists of five levels: geographical, economic, institutional/political, infrastructural, and technological. For each of the levels, sets of indicators characterizing it are proposed. The Petri net model captures system dynamics and allows the evaluation of alternative routes. A set of standard rules for transforming the structure of the hierarchy of transport needs into a Petri net is proposed, considering preference parameters for each level of the hierarchy. The proposed approach and the models built on its basis can be applied in the field of cargo transportation to improve operational efficiency and improve decision-making results.
Securing a Sustainable Future: A Path towards Gender Equality in the Indian Agricultural Sector
Authors: Dharamshi Khyati , Moskovitz Liora , Munshi Sugandha
Published: August 2023

The Indian agricultural sector is the world’s largest producer of pulses, milk, and jute, and the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, vegetables, fruit, and cotton. Climate change threatens food security worldwide and has severely impacted the Indian agricultural sector. As a result of the unpredictable climate and low profits, economic uncertainty has forced men to seek employment in non-farming sectors. Under the deepening crisis, the farming landscape has transformed into a female-majority workforce. To identify pragmatic solutions to the deepening agrarian crisis, we employed a qualitative triangulation approach to our investigation of the feminisation of the farming sector, which was conducted in 2020. Our analyses of Indian media narratives, archive stories, responses to an online story completion task, and in-depth expert interviews show that, despite their developing role and increasing contribution, women remain marginalised and discriminated against in a culturally male-dominant sector. Supported by a long-term field ethnographic experience, we used Installation Theory to identify three domains in which policymakers can intervene to promote the interconnected issues of social sustainability, gender equality, and sustainable economic development in this sector.