bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Halophytic Clonal Plant Species: Important Functional Aspects for Existence in Heterogeneous Saline Habitats
Authors: Ievinsh Gederts
Published: April 2023

Plant modularity-related traits are important ecological determinants of vegetation composition, dynamics, and resilience. While simple changes in plant biomass resulting from salt treatments are usually considered a sufficient indicator for resistance vs. susceptibility to salinity, plants with a clonal growth pattern show complex responses to changes in environmental conditions. Due to physiological integration, clonal plants often have adaptive advantages in highly heterogeneous or disturbed habitats. Although halophytes native to various heterogeneous habitats have been extensively studied, no special attention has been paid to the peculiarities of salt tolerance mechanisms of clonal halophytes. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to identify probable and possible halophytic plant species belonging to different types of clonal growth and to analyze available scientific information on responses to salinity in these species. Examples, including halophytes with different types of clonal growth, will be analyzed, such as based on differences in the degree of physiological integration, ramet persistence, rate of clonal expansion, salinity-induced clonality, etc.
Rheological Characteristics of Starch-Based Biodegradable Blends
Authors: Park Dong-Il , Dong Yuzhen , Wang Shizhao , Lee Soo-Jeong , Choi Hyoung Jin
Published: April 2023

Thermoplastic starch was blended with commercially available biodegradable polyesters of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for its improved performance and processability. The morphology and elemental composition of these biodegradable polymer blends were observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively, while their thermal properties were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal calorimetry. For rheological analysis, the steady shear and dynamic oscillation tests of three samples at various temperatures were investigated using a rotational rheometer. All three samples exhibited significant shear thinning at all measured temperatures, and their shear viscosity behavior was plotted using the Carreau model. The frequency sweep tests showed that the thermoplastic starch sample exhibited a solid state at all temperatures tested, whereas both starch/PBAT and starch/PBAT/PLA blend samples exhibited viscoelastic liquid behavior after the melting temperature such that their loss modulus at low frequencies was greater than the storage modulus, and inversion occurred at high frequencies (storage modulus > loss modulus).
Numerical Study on the Distribution of Rodlike Particles in Laminar Flows of Power Law Fluids Past a Cylinder
Authors: Lin Wenqian , Li Zhenna , Zhang Shanliang , Lin Jianzhong
Published: April 2023

The contraction/expansion laminar flow containing rodlike particles in power-law fluid is studied numerically when the particles are in a dilute phase. The fluid velocity vector and streamline of flow are given at the finite Reynolds number (Re) region. The effects of Re, power index n and particle aspect ratio β on the spatial and orientation distributions of particles are analyzed. The results showed that for the shear-thickening fluid, particles are dispersed in the whole area in the contraction flow, while more particles are gathered near the two walls in the expansion flow. The spatial distribution of particles with small β is more regular. Β has a significant, n has a moderate, but Re has a small impact on the spatial distribution of particles in the contraction and expansion flow. In the case of large Re, most particles are oriented in the flow direction. The particles near the wall show obvious orientation along the flow direction. In shear-thickening fluid, when the flow changes from contraction to expansion, the orientation distribution of particles becomes more dispersed; while in shear-thinning fluid, the opposite is true. More particles orient to the flow direction in expansion flow than that in contraction flow. The particles with a large β tend to align with the flow direction more obviously. Re, n and β have great influence on the orientation distribution of particles in the contraction and expansion flow. Whether the particles initially located at the inlet can bypass the cylinder depends on the transverse position and initial orientation of the particles at the inlet. The number of particles with θ0 = 90° bypassing the cylinder is the largest, followed by θ0 = 45° and θ0 = 0°. The conclusions obtained in this paper have reference value for practical engineering applications.
For the Common Good: The Symbiosis between Individual and Community in the Philosophy of Xunzi
Authors: Wang Rouzhu
Published: April 2023

The concept of community within Confucianism is deeply rooted in its unique understanding of individuals. This is exemplified by Xunzi, who claims that individuals, driven by their growing desires for satisfaction, would fight over limited resources and hence lead themselves to social disorder and distress. Thus, he evaluates human nature to be evil, thereby highlighting the necessity of forming a community. Keeping in view Xunzi’s aims of establishing a harmonious co-existence amongst individuals who “desire or hate the same things” (yuwu tongwu 欲恶同物), this paper explores his considerations and justifications when accessing the individual and the community. Firstly, the origins of community arise from the survival crises of individuals in the state of nature. As individuals face the dilemma of disorder, they opt to form a community. This would, to a certain extent, endow individuals with rationality and the capacity to suppress their desires, therefore differentiating them from animals. Secondly, the principle of fen 分 (social division) is important in maintaining social order and uniting individuals under the governance of the jun 君 (lord). Differentiated justice embodied in the concept of fen also presents a contrast from the universal implications of qun 群 (community). Following social distinctions and affiliations, people are then absorbed into the ritual structure and social relationships as embedded individuals. Thirdly, realizing the common good would depend on the moral transformation of individuals and their identification with values that define an ideal community on a spiritual level, ultimately reflecting the essence of ancient Chinese universalism.
Liberation Theology Today: Tasks of Criticism in Interpellation to the Present World
Authors: Recio Huetos Javier
Published: April 2023

Latin American liberation theology appears to be an obsolete phenomenon that is unable to speak about the realities of today’s world. Since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published two instructions on liberation theology, the Vatican has been considered to have condemned it. Likewise, the Vatican of John Paul II and Benedict XVI focused on the reprobation of several liberation theologians attempting to silence their voices. However, liberation theology aimed at the realisation of justice in a world in which the injustice that gave birth to this phenomenon still prevails in new ways. This article establishes a relationship between liberation theology and critical thinking to offer an alternative to the future of liberation theology. We insist that, despite the end of the era in which both were born, they continue to challenge the present world. Using Adornian optics, we establish how critical thought constitutes a prophetic denunciation. Thus, liberation theology will be understood within this critical tradition and how it critiques the current reality, in which the logic of late capitalism prevails. Afterwards, the contemporary world will be studied from this point of view to try to discover the pending tasks of criticism. It is the question of discovering the tasks of critiques to challenge the present.
Determination of Accurate Dynamic Topography for the Baltic Sea Using Satellite Altimetry and a Marine Geoid Model
Authors: Mostafavi Majid , Delpeche-Ellmann Nicole , Ellmann Artu , Jahanmard Vahidreza
Published: April 2023

Accurate determination of dynamic topography (DT) is expected to quantify a realistic sea surface with respect to its vertical datum and in identifying sub-mesoscale features of ocean dynamics. This study explores a method that derives DT by using satellite altimetry (SA) in conjunction with a high-resolution marine geoid model. To assess the method, DT was computed using along-track SA from Sentinel- 3A (S3A), Sentinel-3B (S3B), and Jason-3 (JA3), then compared with DT derived from a tide-gauge-corrected hydrodynamic model (HDM) for the period 2017–2019 over the Baltic Sea. Comparison of SA-derived DT and corrected HDM showed average discrepancies in the range of ±20 cm, with root mean square errors of 9 cm (for S3B) and 6 cm (for S3A and JA6) and a standard deviation between 2 and 16 cm. Inter-comparisons between data sources and multi-mission SA over the Baltic Sea also potentially identified certain persistent and semi-persistent problematic areas that are either associated with deficiencies in the geoid, tide gauge, HDM, and SA or a combination of all of these. In addition, it was observed that SA data have the potential to show a more realistic (detailed) variation of DT compared to HDM, which tended to generate only a smooth (low-pass) surface and underestimate DT.
Effects of Directional Wave Spectra on the Modeling of Ocean Radar Backscatter at Various Azimuth Angles by a Modified Two-Scale Method
Authors: Yan Qiushuang , Wu Yuqi , Fan Chenqing , Meng Junmin , Song Tianran , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2023

Knowledge of the ocean backscatter at various azimuth angles is critical to the radar detection of the ocean environment. In this study, the modified two-scale model (TSM), which introduces a correction term in the conventional TSM, is improved based on the empirical model, CMOD5.n. Then, the influences of different directional wave spectra on the prediction of azimuthal behavior of ocean radar backscatter are investigated by comparing the simulated results with CMOD5.n and the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) measurements. The results show that the overall performance of the single spectra of D, A, E, and H18 and the composite spectra of AH18 and AEH18 in predicting ocean backscatter are different at different wind speeds and incidence angles. Generally, the AH18 spectrum has better performance at low and moderate wind speeds, while the A spectrum works better at high wind speed. Nevertheless, the wave spectra have little effect on the prediction of the azimuthal fluctuation of scattering, which is highly dependent on the directional spreading function. The relative patterns of azimuthal undulation produced by different spreading functions are rather different at different wind speeds, but similar under different incidence angles. The Gaussian spreading function generally has better performance in predicting the azimuthal fluctuation of scattering.
Dynamic Effects of Atmosphere over and around the Tibetan Plateau on the Sustained Drought in Southwest China from 2009 to 2014
Authors: Ye Yiwei , Tian Rongxiang , Jin Zhan
Published: April 2023

The two westerly branches have a significant impact on the climate of the area on the eastern side of the Tibetan Plateau when flowing around it. A continuous drought event in Southwest China from the winter of 2009 to the spring of 2014 caused huge economic losses. This research focuses on the dynamic field anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau during this event using statistical analysis, attempts to decipher its mechanism on drought in Southwest China, and provides a regression model. We established that the anticyclone and downdraft over the Tibetan Plateau were weaker than usual during the drought, which would reduce the southward cold airflow on the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau and strengthen the west wind from dry central Asia on the south of the plateau. As a result, a larger area of the southwest region in China was controlled by the warm and dry air mass, which was acting against precipitation. The results will be of reference value to the drought forecast for Southwest China, and also encourage further research about how the Tibetan Plateau influence the climate on its eastern side.
MUREN: MUltistage Recursive Enhanced Network for Coal-Fired Power Plant Detection
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Zheng Juepeng , Zhang Lixian , Dong Runmin , Cheung Ray C. C. , Fu Haohuan
Published: April 2023

The accurate detection of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) is meaningful for environmental protection, while challenging. The CFPP is a complex combination of multiple components with varying layouts, unlike clearly defined single objects, such as vehicles. CFPPs are typically located in industrial districts with similar backgrounds, further complicating the detection task. To address this issue, we propose a MUltistage Recursive Enhanced Detection Network (MUREN) for accurate and efficient CFPP detection. The effectiveness of MUREN lies in the following: First, we design a symmetrically enhanced module, including a spatial-enhanced subnetwork (SEN) and a channel-enhanced subnetwork (CEN). SEN learns the spatial relationships to obtain spatial context information. CEN provides adaptive channel recalibration, restraining noise disturbance and highlighting CFPP features. Second, we use a recursive construction set on top of feature pyramid networks to receive features more than once, strengthening feature learning for relatively small CFPPs. We conduct comparative and ablation experiments in two datasets and apply MUREN to the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong province for CFPP detection. The comparative experiment results show that MUREN improves the mAP by 5.98% compared with the baseline method and outperforms by 4.57–21.38% the existing cutting-edge detection methods, which indicates the promising potential of MUREN in large-scale CFPP detection scenarios.
Climate-Adaptive Potential Crops Selection in Vulnerable Agricultural Lands Adjacent to the Jamuna River Basin of Bangladesh Using Remote Sensing and a Fuzzy Expert System
Authors: Alam Kazi Faiz , Ahamed Tofael
Published: April 2023

Agricultural crop production was affected worldwide due to the variability of weather causing floods or droughts. In climate change impacts, flood becomes the most devastating in deltaic regions due to the inundation of crops within a short period of time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to propose climate-adaptive crops that are suitable for the flood inundation in risk-prone areas of Bangladesh. The research area included two districts adjacent to the Jamuna River in Bangladesh, covering an area of 5489 km2, and these districts were classified as highly to moderately vulnerable due to inundation by flood water during the seasonal monsoon time. In this study, first, an inundation vulnerability map was prepared from the multicriteria analysis by applying a fuzzy expert system in the GIS environment using satellite remote sensing datasets. Among the analyzed area, 42.3% was found to be highly to moderately vulnerable, 42.1% was marginally vulnerable and 15.6% was not vulnerable to inundation. Second, the most vulnerable areas for flooding were identified from the previous major flood events and cropping practices based on the crop calendar. Based on the crop adaptation suitability analysis, two cash crops, sugarcane and jute, were recommended for cultivation during major flooding durations. Finally, a land suitability analysis was conducted through multicriteria analysis applying a fuzzy expert system. According to our analysis, 28.6% of the land was highly suitable, 27.9% was moderately suitable, 19.7% was marginally suitable and 23.6% of the land was not suitable for sugarcane and jute cultivation in the vulnerable areas. The inundation vulnerability and suitability analysis proposed two crops, sugarcane and jute, as potential candidates for climate-adaptive selection in risk-prone areas.
The Ocean Surface Current in the East China Sea Computed by the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager Satellite
Authors: Ma Youzhi , Yin Wenbin , Guo Zheng , Xuan Jiliang
Published: April 2023

High-frequency observations of surface current field data over large areas and long time series are imperative for comprehending sea-air interaction and ocean dynamics. Nonetheless, neither in situ observations nor polar-orbiting satellites can fulfill the requirements necessary for such observations. In recent years, geostationary satellite data with ultra-high temporal resolution have been increasingly utilized for the computation of surface flow fields. In this paper, the surface flow field in the East China Sea is estimated using maximum cross-correlation, which is the most widely used flow field computation algorithm, based on the total suspended solids (TSS) data acquired from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager satellite. The inversion results were compared with the modeled tidal current data and the measured tidal elevation data for verification. The results of the verification demonstrated that the mean deviation of the long semiaxis of the tidal ellipse of the inverted M2 tide is 0.0335 m/s, the mean deviation of the short semiaxis is 0.0276 m/s, and the mean deviation of the tilt angle is 6.89°. Moreover, the spatially averaged flow velocity corresponds with the observed pattern of tidal elevation changes, thus showcasing the field’s significant reliability. Afterward, we calculated the sea surface current fields in the East China Sea for the years 2013 to 2019 and created distribution maps for both climatology and seasonality. The resulting current charts provide an intuitive display of the spatial structure and seasonal variations in the East China Sea circulation. Lastly, we performed a diagnostic analysis on the surface TSS variation mechanism in the frontal zone along the Zhejiang coast, utilizing inverted flow data collected on 3 August 2013, which had a high spatial coverage and complete time series. Our analysis revealed that the intraday variation in TSS in the local surface layer was primarily influenced by tide-induced vertical mixing. The research findings of this article not only provide valuable data support for the study of local ocean dynamics but also verify the reliability of short-period surface flow inversion of high-turbidity waters near the coast using geostationary satellites.
Fast Factorized Backprojection Algorithm in Orthogonal Elliptical Coordinate System for Ocean Scenes Imaging Using Geosynchronous Spaceborne–Airborne VHF UWB Bistatic SAR
Authors: Hu Xiao , Xie Hongtu , Zhang Lin , Hu Jun , He Jinfeng , Yi Shiliang , Jiang Hejun , Xie Kai
Published: April 2023

Geosynchronous (GEO) spaceborne–airborne very high-frequency ultra-wideband bistatic synthetic aperture radar (VHF UWB BiSAR) can conduct high-resolution and wide-swath imaging for ocean scenes. However, GEO spaceborne–airborne VHF UWB BiSAR imaging faces some challenges such as the geometric configuration, huge amount of echo data, serious range–azimuth coupling, large spatial variance, and complex motion error, which increases the difficulty of the high-efficiency and high-precision imaging. In this paper, we present an improved bistatic fast factorization backprojection (FFBP) algorithm for ocean scene imaging using the GEO satellite-unmanned aerial vehicle (GEO-UAV) VHF UWB BiSAR, which can solve the above issues with high efficiency and high precision. This method reconstructs the subimages in the orthogonal elliptical polar (OEP) coordinate system based on the GEO satellite and UAV trajectories as well as the location of the imaged scene, which can further reduce the computational burden. First, the imaging geometry and signal model of the GEO-UAV VHF UWB BiSAR are established, and the construction of the OEP coordinate system and the subaperture imaging method are proposed. Moreover, the Nyquist sampling requirements for the subimages in the OEP coordinate system are derived from the range error perspective, which can offer a near-optimum tradeoff between precision and efficiency. In addition, the superiority of the OEP coordinate system is analyzed, which demonstrates that the angular dimensional sampling rate of the subimages is significantly reduced. Finally, the implementation processes and computational burden of the proposed algorithm are provided, and the speed-up factor of the proposed FFBP algorithm compared with the BP algorithm is derived and discussed. Experimental results of ideal point targets and natural ocean scenes demonstrate the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, which can achieve near-optimal imaging performance with a low computational burden.
Bidirectional Trust-Enhanced Collaborative Filtering for Point-of-Interest Recommendation
Authors: An Jingmin , Jiang Wei , Li Guanyu
Published: April 2023

A personalized point-of-interest (POI) recommender system is of great significance to facilitate the daily life of users. However, it suffers from some challenges, such as trustworthiness and data sparsity problems. Existing models only consider the trust user influence and ignore the role of the trust location. Furthermore, they fail to refine the influence of context factors and fusion between the user preference and context models. To address the trustworthiness problem, we propose a novel bidirectional trust-enhanced collaborative filtering model, which investigates the trust filtering from the views of users and locations. To tackle the data sparsity problem, we introduce temporal factor into the trust filtering of users as well as geographical and textual content factors into the trust filtering of locations. To further alleviate the sparsity of user-POI rating matrices, we employ a weighted matrix factorization fused with the POI category factor to learn the user preference. To integrate the trust filtering models and the user preference model, we develop a fused framework with two kinds of integrating methods in relation to the different impacts of factors on the POIs that users have visited and the POIs that users have not visited. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments on Gowalla and Foursquare datasets to evaluate our proposed POI recommendation model, and the results show that our proposed model improves by 13.87% at precision@5 and 10.36% at recall@5 over the state-of-the-art model, which demonstrates that our proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-art method.
A Cost–Benefit Analysis Simulation for the Digitalisation of Cold Supply Chains
Authors: Schiffmann Oliver , Hicks Ben , Nassehi Aydin , Gopsill James , Valero Maria
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates using simulation to predict the benefits and costs of digitalising cold distribution chains. The study focuses on the distribution of refrigerated beef in the UK, where digitalisation was implemented to re-route cargo carriers. By comparing simulations of both digitalised and non-digitalised supply chains, the study found that digitalisation can reduce beef waste and decrease the number of miles driven per successful delivery, leading to potential cost savings. Note that this work is not attempting to prove that digitalisation is appropriate for the chosen scenario, only to justify a simulation approach as a decision making tool. The proposed modelling approach provides decision-makers with more accurate predictions of the cost–benefit of increased sensorisation in supply chains. By accounting for stochastic and variable parameters, such as weather and demand fluctuations, simulation can be used to identify potential challenges and estimate the economic benefits of digitalisation. Moreover, qualitative assessments of the impact on customer satisfaction and product quality can help decision-makers consider the broader impacts of digitalisation. Overall, the study suggests that simulation can play a crucial role in facilitating informed decisions about the implementation of digital technologies in the food supply chain. By providing a better understanding of the potential costs and benefits of digitalisation, simulation can help organisations make more strategic and effective decisions.
An Active Multi-Object Ultrafast Tracking System with CNN-Based Hybrid Object Detection
Authors: Li Qing , Hu Shaopeng , Shimasaki Kohei , Ishii Idaku
Published: April 2023

This study proposes a visual tracking system that can detect and track multiple fast-moving appearance-varying targets simultaneously with 500 fps image processing. The system comprises a high-speed camera and a pan-tilt galvanometer system, which can rapidly generate large-scale high-definition images of the wide monitored area. We developed a CNN-based hybrid tracking algorithm that can robustly track multiple high-speed moving objects simultaneously. Experimental results demonstrate that our system can track up to three moving objects with velocities lower than 30 m per second simultaneously within an 8-m range. The effectiveness of our system was demonstrated through several experiments conducted on simultaneous zoom shooting of multiple moving objects (persons and bottles) in a natural outdoor scene. Moreover, our system demonstrates high robustness to target loss and crossing situations.
Evaluation of Stem Rust Disease in Wheat Fields by Drone Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Abdulridha Jaafar , Min An , Rouse Matthew N. , Kianian Shahryar , Isler Volkan , Yang Ce
Published: April 2023

Detecting plant disease severity could help growers and researchers study how the disease impacts cereal crops to make timely decisions. Advanced technology is needed to protect cereals that feed the increasing population using fewer chemicals; this may lead to reduced labor usage and cost in the field. Accurate detection of wheat stem rust, an emerging threat to wheat production, could inform growers to make management decisions and assist plant breeders in making line selections. A hyperspectral camera mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was utilized in this study to evaluate the severity of wheat stem rust disease in a disease trial containing 960 plots. Quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) and random forest classifier (RFC), decision tree classification, and support vector machine (SVM) were applied to select the wavelengths and spectral vegetation indices (SVIs). The trial plots were divided into four levels based on ground truth disease severities: class 0 (healthy, severity 0), class 1 (mildly diseased, severity 1–15), class 2 (moderately diseased, severity 16–34), and class 3 (severely diseased, highest severity observed). The RFC method achieved the highest overall classification accuracy (85%). For the spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), the highest classification rate was recorded by RFC, and the accuracy was 76%. The Green NDVI (GNDVI), Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI), Red-Edge Vegetation Stress Index (RVS1), and Chlorophyll Green (Chl green) were selected from 14 SVIs. In addition, binary classification of mildly diseased vs. non-diseased was also conducted using the classifiers and achieved 88% classification accuracy. This highlighted that hyperspectral imaging was sensitive enough to discriminate between low levels of stem rust disease vs. no disease. The results of this study demonstrated that drone hyperspectral imaging can discriminate stem rust disease levels so that breeders can select disease-resistant varieties more efficiently. The detection of low disease severity capability of drone hyperspectral imaging can help farmers identify early disease outbreaks and enable more timely management of their fields. Based on this study, it is also possible to build a new inexpensive multispectral sensor to diagnose wheat stem rust disease accurately.
Comparative Studies on Electrodes for Rumen Bacteria Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Yashiro Yusuke , Yamamoto Michitaka , Muneta Yoshihiro , Sawada Hiroshi , Nishiura Reina , Arai Shozo , Takamatsu Seiichi , Itoh Toshihiro
Published: April 2023

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) using rumen bacteria have been proposed as a power source for running devices inside cattle. In this study, we explored the key parameters of the conventional bamboo charcoal electrode in an attempt to improve the amount of electrical power generated by the microbial fuel cell. We evaluated the effects of the electrode’s surface area, thickness, and rumen content on power generation and determined that only the electrode’s surface area affects power generation levels. Furthermore, our observations and bacterial count on the electrode revealed that rumen bacteria concentrated on the surface of the bamboo charcoal electrode and did not penetrate the interior, explaining why only the electrode’s surface area affected power generation levels. A Copper (Cu) plate and Cu paper electrodes were also used to evaluate the effect of different electrodes on measuring the rumen bacteria MFC’s power potential, which had a temporarily higher maximum power point (MPP) compared to the bamboo charcoal electrode. However, the open circuit voltage and MPP decreased significantly over time due to the corrosion of the Cu electrodes. The MPP for the Cu plate electrode was 775 mW/m2 and the MPP for the Cu paper electrode was 1240 mW/m2, while the MPP for bamboo charcoal electrodes was only 18.7 mW/m2. In the future, rumen bacteria MFCs are expected to be used as the power supply of rumen sensors.
Efficient Lp Distance Computation Using Function-Hiding Inner Product Encryption for Privacy-Preserving Anomaly Detection
Authors: Ryu Dong-Hyeon , Jeon Seong-Yun , Hong Junho , Lee Mun-Kyu
Published: April 2023

In Internet of Things (IoT) systems in which a large number of IoT devices are connected to each other and to third-party servers, it is crucial to verify whether each device operates appropriately. Although anomaly detection can help with this verification, individual devices cannot afford this process because of resource constraints. Therefore, it is reasonable to outsource anomaly detection to servers; however, sharing device state information with outside servers may raise privacy concerns. In this paper, we propose a method to compute the Lp distance privately for even p>2 using inner product functional encryption and we use this method to compute an advanced metric, namely p-powered error, for anomaly detection in a privacy-preserving manner. We demonstrate implementations on both a desktop computer and Raspberry Pi device to confirm the feasibility of our method. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is sufficiently efficient for use in real-world IoT devices. Finally, we suggest two possible applications of the proposed computation method for Lp distance for privacy-preserving anomaly detection, namely smart building management and remote device diagnosis.
Improving Pedestrian Safety Using Ultra-Wideband Sensors: A Study of Time-to-Collision Estimation
Authors: Fakhoury Salah , Ismail Karim
Published: April 2023

Pedestrian safety has been evaluated based on the mean number of pedestrian-involved collisions. Traffic conflicts have been used as a data source to supplement collision data because of their higher frequency and lower damage. Currently, the main source of traffic conflict observation is through video cameras that can efficiently gather rich data but can be limited by weather and lighting conditions. The utilization of wireless sensors to gather traffic conflict data can augment video sensors because of their robustness to adverse weather conditions and poor illumination. This study presents a prototype of a safety assessment system that utilizes ultra-wideband wireless sensors to detect traffic conflicts. A customized variant of time-to-collision is used to detect conflicts at different severity thresholds. Field trials are conducted using vehicle-mounted beacons and a phone to simulate sensors on vehicles and smart devices on pedestrians. Proximity measures are calculated in real-time to alert smartphones and prevent collisions, even in adverse weather conditions. Validation is conducted to assess the accuracy of time-to-collision measurements at various distances from the phone. Several limitations are identified and discussed, along with recommendations for improvement and lessons learned for future research and development.
Zero Liquid Discharge and Resource Treatment of Low-Salinity Mineralized Wastewater Based on Combing Selectrodialysis with Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis
Authors: Zhao Xueting , Cheng Xinhao , Sun Jinshan , Liu Jialin , Liu Zhaofeng , Wang Yali , Pan Jiefeng
Published: April 2023

A large amount of mine water is generated during coal production, which not only damages the surface environment and ecology but also wastes groundwater resources in the mining area, exacerbating regional water scarcity. In this work, a novel zero liquid discharge technology combining selectrodialysis (SED) and bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) was developed for the resourceful treatment of low-salinity mineralized wastewater. The SED stack had demonstrated to be workable for the elimination of multivalent ions. The BMED stack converts brine into acid and base. After SED, a high pure crude salt (~98%) was attained. Furthermore, under the conditions of a current density of 20 mA/cm2, a flow velocity of 20 L/h, and an initial acid/base concentration of 0.10 mol/L, the maximum concentrations of acid and base were found to be 0.75 mol/L and 0.765 mol/L, respectively, for a feed conductivity of 55 mS/cm. The cost of the entire electrodialysis stage was evaluated to be USD 1.38/kg of NaOH. Therefore, this combined UF-RO-SED-BMED process may be an effective strategy for the sustainable treatment of low-salinity mineralized wastewater.
Detection of Periodontal Pathogens Based on an Integrated Continuous Flow PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Yang Bo , Huang Jiaxin , Tao Chunxian , Li Zhenqing , Zhang Dawei , Yamaguchi Yoshinori
Published: April 2023

Continuous-flow PCR (CF-PCR) can realize rapid DNA amplification because of the high temperature variation rate. However, off-line detection methods for PCR may induce cross contamination. To overcome this problem, we herein fabricated an integrated CF-PCR and electrophoresis microfluidic chip. The optimal voltage applied in the electrophoresis part of the microfluidic chip was achieved by simulation in COMSOL. Coating the inside wall of the microchannel can inhibit electroosmotic flow and improve the resolution for DNA fragments. The temperature distribution of the serpentine part can meet the PCR and has no obvious suppressive effect on sample separation. Finally, we have performed the amplification of target genes for Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola and detected the corresponding PCR products in the microfluidic chip within 11 min. Such work provides a new method for the rapid detection of bacteria.
Honouring Differences in Recovery: Methodological Explorations in Creative Eating Disorder Recovery Research
Authors: LaMarre Andrea , Healy-Cullen Siobhán , Tappin Jessica , Burns Maree
Published: April 2023

What would it look like to honour differences in eating disorder recovery? Recoveries from eating disorders and eating distress are enacted in relation to discursive, material, and affective flows that open and constrain different possibilities for differently embodied people. Yet, the pull toward establishing consensus on “what recovery is” continues to dominate the landscape of both qualitative and quantitative eating disorder recovery work. While researchers from a variety of perspectives, disciplines, and methodological traditions have sought to establish consensus on what recovery “is”, a singular definition remains elusive. Indeed, when researchers continue to adopt the same methodologies—which largely emphasize establishing patterns of sameness—the opportunity to dig into contradictions and tensions that enliven recoveries is missed. In this paper, we reflect on our experiences conducting creative, collaborative, generative research to re-write, re-design, re-draw, and otherwise re-imagine recoveries. The knowledge generated in our research is co-constructed with people with living experience of disordered/distressed eating/eating disorders who spoke back to mainstream recovery discourses (e.g., the idea that recovery is about perfection, that recovery is linear, that one is either recovered or not, that the word “recovered” encapsulates the experience, etc.). We engaged with 12 participants: four in an online group workshop and eight in individual online sessions. Participants held a variety of experiences and backgrounds from Canada, the United States, and Aotearoa New Zealand. We explored their journeys into this conversation with us, the meaning of recovery, and their thoughts on what makes recovery im/possible. Participants were offered several options for creative engagement and took up the idea of “creativity” in ways as different as the stories they shared. Participants created collages, short stories, poems, drawings, and told stories about their experiences. Here, we discuss methodological insights gained from asking participants to lead the creative process. We also explore how this project potentially enables different ways of thinking about and doing eating disorder recovery. Delving into the differences in both method and content opens up opportunities to take seriously the different relational, material, and affective constellations of participants’ living experiences of eating distress/disorder “recovery”.
Work Ability, Work-Related Health, and Effort–Reward Imbalance: A Cross-Sectional Study among University Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Thanapop Chamnong , Jit-akson Sasina , Suwankhong Dusanee , Rasdi Irniza , Chankong Warangkana , Thanapop Sasithorn
Published: April 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, university policies and public health measures resulted in university staff facing hazardous work environments and psychological health problems. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, work-related health, effort and reward imbalance (ERI), and work ability among university staff in southern Thailand. Data were collected using stratified random sampling of 381 participants between April and September 2022. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between the variables. The majority of the participants were female (63.5%) and aged below 45 years old (52%). Nearly 70% of the participants reported the absence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while half of them were overweight, and 54.9% had an effort–reward ratio (ERR) greater than one. Most participants reported good-to-excellent work ability (82.4%). The probability of having poor-to-moderate work ability was higher among staff working from home (adj. OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.6), those with NCDs (adj. OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 2.0, 6.4), those who followed poor health behaviors (adj. OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4, 4.9), and those who had an ERR greater than one (adj. OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 5.6). In conclusion, the majority of university staff in southern Thailand had good-to-excellent work ability. Work ability was associated with the presence of NCDs, poor health behavior, working from home, and ERI. Therefore, universities should create suitable occupational health programs and resources to mitigate the negative effects of work conditions, including ERI, and promote healthy behaviors for their staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and future disasters.
Temperature Induced Flowering Phenology of Olea ferruginea Royle: A Climate Change Effect
Authors: Khan Sajid , Gaira Kailash S. , Asgher Mohd , Verma Susheel , Pant Shreekar , Agrawala Dinesh K. , Alamri Saud , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Kesawat Mahipal Singh
Published: April 2023

Studies from different parts of the world have generated pieces of evidence of climate change’s effects on plant phenology as indicators of global climate change. However, datasets or pieces of evidence are lacking for the majority of regions and species, including for the climate-sensitive Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Realizing this gap in information, and the wide-ranging implications of such datasets, we integrated real-time field observations and long-term herbarium records to investigate the changes in the spring flowering phenology of Olea ferruginea Royle, commonly known as the Indian Olive, in response to the changing climate in the western Himalayas. We attempted to create phenological change model using the herbarium records and field observations after recording the current dates of flowering and overall temperature trends from the study area over the last four decades from the five regional meteorological observatories of the Jammu province managed by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Jammu and Kashmir. When considering current flowering dates along with herbarium information (years 1878–2008) for O. ferruginea, our Generalized Additive Model (GAM) showed 15–21 days-early flowering over the last 100 years significantly (p < 0.01). Results of the Mann–Kendall test showed increasing trends of TMin for all seasons significantly (p < 0.05) for Jammu province whereas TMax was only for the spring season. The increasing TMin of spring, summer, and autumn seasons also influenced the flowering phenology of O. ferruginea significantly (p < 0.01). By demonstrating the integrated use of methodological tools for finding long-term phenological changes in response to climate change, this work bridges knowledge gaps in phenological research from the developing world in general and the Himalayas in particular.
The Effects of Luxury Brand Influencer Characteristics on Self-Brand Connection: Focused on Consumer Perception
Authors: Yu Jianwei , Liang Meili , Jin Chang-Hyun
Published: April 2023

This study aims to understand how the characteristics of the luxury brand influencer and consumer need satisfaction positively affect the self-brand connection. It also attempts to understand the relationship between self-brand connection and word-of-mouth intention. This study also investigates the moderating effect of self-identification and product fit as control variables. The hypothesis and research model in this study are established through a literature review. Furthermore, 500 consumers who use the Internet and social networking services participated in this study. The statistical package and structural equation analysis program were used to test the hypothesis. The results from analyzing the hypothesis established in this study are as follows: The influencer’s characteristics, such as attractiveness, expertise, and reliability were found to have a positive effect on the self-brand connection. The study also investigated that autonomy, as a component of consumer need satisfaction, did not positively affect the self-brand connection. However, relatedness and competence positively affected the self-brand connection. The self-identification and product fit have moderating effects when influencers’ characteristics and consumer need satisfaction affect the self-brand connection. It was confirmed that there was an interaction effect between the high and low groups for all modulating variables. The implications of the study were mentioned from a sustainability perspective in the implications at the end of the paper.
Remote Sensing Inversion of Typical Water Quality Parameters of a Complex River Network: A Case Study of Qidong’s Rivers
Authors: Zhu Xi , Wen Yansha , Li Xiang , Yan Feng , Zhao Shuhe
Published: April 2023

The remote sensing inversion of the water quality parameters of a complex river network in the absence of historical ground data is a difficult problem in the field of remote sensing. In this paper, a sub-regional inversion method for typical water quality parameters is presented for a complex river network using Gaofen-1 satellite data. Qidong’s rivers were selected as the survey region, and different band combination models and datasets on different river sub-regions were used to perform the remote sensing inversion, which realized the inversion of the permanganate index (CODMn), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) in the rivers. The results show that all the coefficients of determination (R^2) of the inversion models are larger than 0.5, indicating an increase of about 0.4 when compared with the inversion method of the whole region, indicating good relevance. Water quality data and satellite data collected at different times were used for validation, which showed good results. On the basis of the water quality inversion, the key polluted areas were extracted in combination with on-site surveys to find the pollution source in order to verify the results of the inversion. The sub-region inversion method proposed in this paper can be used for the remote sensing inversion of the water quality parameters of complex river networks in the absence of historical ground data.
Developing a Learning Pathway System through Web-Based Mining Technology to Explore Students’ Learning Motivation and Performance
Authors: Cheng Shu-Chen , Cheng Yu-Ping , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: April 2023

There are many resources on the Internet. Searching for articles or multimedia videos is usually interspersed with irrelevant information or advertisements, which may cause students to spend a lot of time judging whether the search results are suitable for learning materials. Therefore, this study developed a learning pathway system by analyzing the representative keywords and difficulty of Internet articles in an automated way and then explored the learning performance and motivation of students using this system. In addition, 67 students were recruited into this study for 18 weeks of experimental activities. In the experimental activities, students can use the learning pathway system to search for algorithm-related materials for reading, and they can also continue to use the system proposed in this study for self-learning after class. The results show that the students’ post-test scores are significantly higher than their pre-test scores, indicating that students can use the learning pathway system to improve their academic performance in algorithm courses. In addition, the intrinsic motivation of high-achieving students was improved, while the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of low-achieving students were both improved. This means that the learning pathway system can provide suitable learning materials for students to learn, allowing students to achieve autonomous learning.
Does SDGs Advertising Promote Ethical Consumer Behavior?: An Integrative Model of Ethical Consumption with Elements of Communication Strategy and Rational Purchase
Authors: Cheng Ho-Hei , Takata Shinya , Kawanaka Takaaki , Ohno Takahiro
Published: April 2023

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advertising is still not widespread due to uncertainty about its profitability for business, though awareness of the SDGs has been remarkably raised among corporations and consumers recently. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of general SDGs advertising on consumers’ ethical consumption intentions. This study proposes an integrative ethical consumption model in which new determinants related to rational consumption and SDGs advertising are included. The proposed ethical consumption model was validated by analyzing responses from 350 consumers in Japan using structural equation modeling (SEM), and the results demonstrate that ethical consumption intentions are constructed by attitudes toward ethical consumption, together with subjective norms and feasibility assessments. Moreover, this study found that, as a consumer views SDGs advertisements more frequently, they show greater ethical interest, which further increases their ethical consumption intentions. However, no significant evidence reveals that it can also improve the level of knowledge of the SDGs. The findings of this study contribute to the theoretical understanding of ethical consumption from the corporation aspect, providing quantitative evidence for corporations to better allocate resources toward profitable SDGs advertising that aligns with customer behavior.