bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eco-Friendly Concrete with Improved Properties and Structure, Modified with Banana Leaf Ash
Authors: Stel’makh Sergei A. , Shcherban’ Evgenii M. , Beskopylny Alexey N. , Chernilnik Andrei , Elshaeva Diana
Published: October 2024

The reduction of carbon footprint, the recycling of agricultural waste, and the development of novel environmentally friendly building materials are urgent matters that necessitate innovative solutions. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of utilizing banana leaf ash (BLA) as a partial substitute for cement in conventional density concrete technology. The BLA-modifying additive was produced under laboratory conditions. Its chemical, phase and granulometric composition was assessed. To determine the degree of effectiveness of BLA, eight concrete compositions were developed, where the BLA content varied from 0% to 14% with an interval of 2%. The properties of fresh concrete, such as density and slump, as well as compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and microstructure of hardened concrete, were studied. It has been determined that the BLA additive exhibits pozzolanic activity, with a SiO2 content of 50.83%. It is recommended that the replacement of cement with BLA does not exceed 10% for optimal results. Concrete modified with 6% BLA had the best properties and structure. The study revealed a significant 7.42% increase in compressive strength, a 7.01% increase in flexural strength, and a notable 9.28% decrease in water absorption. Thus, the obtained result proves the possibility of using BLA as a modifying additive in the technology of cement composites. The developed concrete has improved properties and is a more environmentally friendly building material than conventional concrete.
Insights into the Various Cellular Antimicrobial Responses, Biocompatibility, Osteogenesis, Wound Healing, and Angiogenesis of Copper-Doped Nano-Hydroxyapatite Composite Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement In Vitro
Authors: Huang Ssu-Meng , Chen Wen-Cheng , Liu Shih-Ming , Ko Chia-Ling , Chen Jian-Chih , Shih Chi-Jen
Published: October 2024

Calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC) is a popular material for bone remodeling, and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) represents a breakthrough that has a wide range of clinical applications. During the early stages of bone repair, antibacterial and angiogenesis effects are essential to remodel new bone tissues. In this study, an antibacterial effect was achieved by incorporating Cu2+-doped nano-hydroxyapatite (Cu–nHA) synthesized through hydrothermal methods into CPC, and the impact of various amounts of Cu–nHA addition on the antibacterial and mechanical properties of CPC hybridization was evaluated. Moreover, the effects of Cu–nHA/CPC composites on the proliferation and mineralization of mouse progenitor osteoblastic cells (D1 cells) were characterized; the cell migration and angiogenesis ability of vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were also studied. Results indicated that incorporating 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% Cu–nHA into CPC led to a practical short-term antibacterial effect on S. aureus but not on E. coli. These Cu–nHA/CPC slurries remained injectable, anti-disintegrative, and non-toxic. Furthermore, compared with pure CPC, these Cu–nHA/CPC slurries demonstrated positive effects on D1 cells, resulting in better proliferation and mineralization. In addition, these Cu–nHA/CPC slurries were more effective in promoting the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs. These findings indicate that 10 wt.% Cu–nHA/CPC has great application potential in bone regeneration.
Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Postural Balance and Physical Performance in Older Women: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Concha-Cisternas Yeny , Castro-Piñero José , Vásquez-Muñoz Manuel , Molina-Márquez Iván , Vásquez-Gómez Jaime , Guzmán-Muñoz Eduardo
Published: October 2024

Background: Aging causes morphological and physiological changes, especially in the musculoskeletal and somatosensory systems, leading to sarcopenia and reduced postural balance, increasing the risk of falls and loss of independence. This study aimed to analyze the effects of a neuromuscular training program on postural balance, physical performance, and muscle strength in older Chilean women. Methods: The double-blind randomized controlled trial included 48 participants aged 65–80 who were divided into three groups: a control group (CG), a multicomponent training group (MCG), and a neuromuscular training group (NMG). Postural balance was assessed using a force platform with open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) conditions, measuring ML velocity, AP velocity, mean radius, and area. Physical performance was evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), including static balance, 4-m walking speed, and 5× sit-to-stand chair test. Muscle strength was measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer to record maximum grip force. Results: Significant time × group interactions in the CE condition were found for mean radius (F = 0.984; p = 0.017; ηp2 = 0.184), AP velocity (F = 10.01; p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.312), and ML velocity (F = 4.30; p = 0.027; ηp2 = 0.163). Significant pre–post differences in the NMG for mean radius (p < 0.001), AP velocity (p < 0.001), and ML velocity (p = 0.029) were observed, with no significant changes in CG. Significant time × group interactions were also found in the SPPB test score (F = 11.49; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.343), gait speed (F = 5.513; p = 0.012; ηp2 = 0.198), and sit-to-stand test (F = 5.731; p = 0.010; ηp2 = 0.206), but not in the balance score (F = 2.099; p = 0.148). Handgrip strength showed no significant interactions (F = 3.216; p = 0.061; ηp2 = 0.127). Conclusions: These findings suggest that neuromuscular training is a promising intervention to mitigate the decline in balance and physical function associated with aging, offering a targeted approach to improve the quality of life in the elderly.
Enhanced COVID-19 Detection from X-ray Images with Convolutional Neural Network and Transfer Learning
Authors: Bani Baker Qanita , Hammad Mahmoud , Al-Smadi Mohammed , Al-Jarrah Heba , Al-Hamouri Rahaf , Al-Zboon Sa’ad A.
Published: October 2024

The global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has prompted imperative research into scalable and effective detection methods to curb its outbreak. The early diagnosis of COVID-19 patients has emerged as a pivotal strategy in mitigating the spread of the disease. Automated COVID-19 detection using Chest X-ray (CXR) imaging has significant potential for facilitating large-scale screening and epidemic control efforts. This paper introduces a novel approach that employs state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Network models (CNNs) for accurate COVID-19 detection. The employed datasets each comprised 15,000 X-ray images. We addressed both binary (Normal vs. Abnormal) and multi-class (Normal, COVID-19, Pneumonia) classification tasks. Comprehensive evaluations were performed by utilizing six distinct CNN-based models (Xception, Inception-V3, ResNet50, VGG19, DenseNet201, and InceptionResNet-V2) for both tasks. As a result, the Xception model demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving 98.13% accuracy, 98.14% precision, 97.65% recall, and a 97.89% F1-score in binary classification, while in multi-classification it yielded 87.73% accuracy, 90.20% precision, 87.73% recall, and an 87.49% F1-score. Moreover, the other utilized models, such as ResNet50, demonstrated competitive performance compared with many recent works.
Searching Method for Three-Dimensional Puncture Route to Support Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Puncture
Authors: Gotoh Yusuke , Takeda Aoi , Masui Koji , Sakai Koji , Fujimoto Manato
Published: October 2024

In CT-guided percutaneous punctures—an image-guided puncture method using CT images—physicians treat targets such as lung tumors, liver tumors, renal tumors, and intervertebral abscesses by inserting a puncture needle into the body from the exterior while viewing images. By recognizing two-dimensional CT images prior to a procedure, a physician determines the least invasive puncture route for the patient. Therefore, the candidate puncture route is limited to a two-dimensional region along the cross section of the human body. In this paper, we aim to construct a three-dimensional puncture space based on multiple two-dimensional CT images to search for a safer and shorter puncture route for a given patient. If all puncture routes starting from a target in the three-dimensional space were examined from all directions (the brute-force method), the processing time to derive the puncture route would be very long. We propose a more efficient method for three-dimensional puncture route selection in CT-guided percutaneous punctures. The proposed method extends the ray-tracing method, which quickly derives a line segment from a given start point to an end point on a two-dimensional plane, and applies it to three-dimensional space. During actual puncture route selection, a physician can use CT images to derive a three-dimensional puncture route that is safe for the patient and minimizes the puncture time. The main novelty is that we propose a method for deriving a three-dimensional puncture route within the allowed time in an actual puncture. The main goal is for physicians to select the puncture route they will use in the actual surgery from among the multiple three-dimensional puncture route candidates derived using the proposed method. The proposed method derives a three-dimensional puncture route within the allowed time in an actual puncture. Physicians can use the proposed method to derive a new puncture route, reducing the burden on patients and improving physician skills. In the evaluation results of a computer simulation, for a 3D CT image created by combining 170 two-dimensional CT images, the processing time for deriving the puncture route using the proposed method was approximately 59.4 s. The shortest length of the puncture route from the starting point to the target was between 20 mm and 22 mm. The search time for a three-dimensional human body consisting of 15 CT images was 4.77 s for the proposed method and 2599.0 s for a brute-force method. In a questionnaire, physicians who actually perform puncture treatments evaluated the candidate puncture routes derived by the proposed method. We confirmed that physicians could actually use these candidates as a puncture route.
Clinician and Visitor Activity Patterns in an Intensive Care Unit Room: A Study to Examine How Ambient Monitoring Can Inform the Measurement of Delirium Severity and Escalation of Care
Authors: Nalaie Keivan , Herasevich Vitaly , Heier Laura M. , Pickering Brian W. , Diedrich Daniel , Lindroth Heidi
Published: October 2024

The early detection of the acute deterioration of escalating illness severity is crucial for effective patient management and can significantly impact patient outcomes. Ambient sensing technology, such as computer vision, may provide real-time information that could impact early recognition and response. This study aimed to develop a computer vision model to quantify the number and type (clinician vs. visitor) of people in an intensive care unit (ICU) room, study the trajectory of their movement, and preliminarily explore its relationship with delirium as a marker of illness severity. To quantify the number of people present, we implemented a counting-by-detection supervised strategy using images from ICU rooms. This was accomplished through developing three methods: single-frame, multi-frame, and tracking-to-count. We then explored how the type of person and distribution in the room corresponded to the presence of delirium. Our designed pipeline was tested with a different set of detection models. We report model performance statistics and preliminary insights into the relationship between the number and type of persons in the ICU room and delirium. We evaluated our method and compared it with other approaches, including density estimation, counting by detection, regression methods, and their adaptability to ICU environments.
Metal–Polymer Joining by Additive Manufacturing: Effect of Printing Parameters and Interlocking Design
Authors: Abreu Teresa , Leal Rui M. , Leitão Carlos , Galvão Ivan
Published: October 2024

Additive manufacturing has a strong potential to produce sound metal–polymer joints using controlled polymer deposition on a metallic substrate. In this way, this study aimed to explore the morphological and mechanical properties of metal–polymer joints produced through material-extrusion-based AM using a pin-based macro-mechanical interlocking mechanism. Joints were fabricated with polylactic acid deposited onto a heated aluminium alloy substrate to form the connection. The optimisation process was focused on improving the printing parameters and pin geometries to reduce voids and enhance joint integrity. The results indicate that optimised samples exhibit superior mechanical resistance, achieving a maximum load improvement with an overall strength increase of 368.97% compared to non-optimised joints. A combined pin geometry (50% cylindrical, 50% conical) was found to be the most effective. Morphological analysis confirmed uniform polymer deposition, ensuring reliable joint performance. These findings underscore the critical role of geometric optimisation in enhancing the strength and durability of metal–polymer joints in AM applications.
Effect of Lubricated Liquid Carbon Dioxide (LCO2 + MQL) on Grinding of AISI 4140 Steel
Authors: Kareepadath Santhosh Deepa , Hoier Philipp , Pušavec Franci , Krajnik Peter
Published: October 2024

This paper investigates the potential of utilizing lubricated liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2 + MQL) as an alternative to conventional flood cooling in grinding operations. This approach could facilitate a transition towards fossil-free production, which is a significant challenge in industry. The alternative cooling–lubrication method relies on pre-mixed LCO2 and oil and a single-channel minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) delivery method, which has already demonstrated potential in machining with geometrically defined cutting edges. However, this method has been less explored in grinding. This study primarily evaluates the grindability of AISI 4140 steel, examining surface roughness, residual stresses, microhardness, grinding forces, and specific energy for different cooling–lubrication methods. The results indicate that LCO2 + MQL is capable of attaining surface roughness and microhardness that is comparable to that of conventional flood cooling, especially in the case of less aggressive, finish grinding. Nevertheless, the presence of higher tensile residual stresses in rough grinding suggests that the cooling capability may be insufficient. While the primary objective was to evaluate the technological viability of LCO2 + MQL in terms of grindability, a supplementary cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was also conducted to assess the economic feasibility of LCO2 + MQL in comparison to conventional flood cooling. The CEA showed that the costs of both the cooling–lubrication methods are very similar. In conclusion, this study offers insights into the technological and economic viability of LCO2 + MQL as a sustainable cooling–lubrication method for industrial grinding processes.
Erosion Wear Behavior of HVAF-Sprayed WC/Cr3C2-Based Cermet and Martensitic Stainless Steel Coatings on AlSi7Mg0.3 Alloy: A Comparative Study
Authors: Korobov Yury , Antonov Maksim , Astafiev Vladimir , Brodova Irina , Kutaev Vladimir , Estemirova Svetlana , Devyatyarov Mikhail , Okulov Artem
Published: October 2024

The paper presents a comparative study of the erosion wear resistance of WC-10Co4Cr, Cr3C2-25NiCr and martensitic stainless steel (SS) coatings deposited onto an AlSi7Mg0.3 (Al) alloy substrate by high-velocity air‒fuel (HVAF) spraying. The influence of the abrasive type (quartz sand or granite gravel), erodent attack angle, thickness, and microhardness of the coatings on their and Al substrate’s wear resistance was comprehensively investigated under dry erosion conditions typical for fan blades. The HVAF-spraying process did not affect the Al substrate’s structure, except for when the near-surface layer was 20‒40 μm thick. This was attributed to the formation of a modified Al-Si eutectic with enhanced microhardness and strength in the near-substrate area. Mechanical characterization revealed significantly higher microhardness values for the cermet WC-10Co4Cr (~12 GPa) and Cr3C2-25NiCr (~9 GPa) coatings, while for the SS coating, the value was ~5.7 GPa. Erosion wear tests established that while Cr3C2-25NiCr and SS coatings were more sensitive to abrasive type, the WC-10Co4Cr coating exhibited significantly higher wear resistance, outperforming the alternatives by 2‒17 times under high abrasive intensity. These findings highlight the potential of HVAF-sprayed WC-10Co4Cr coatings for extending the service life of AlSi7Mg0.3-based fan blades exposed to erosion wear at normal temperatures.
Anchor Dragging Risk Estimation Strategy from Supervised Cost-Sensitive Learning
Authors: Yoo Sang-Lok , Onyango Shem Otoi , Kim Joo-Sung , Kim Kwang-Il
Published: October 2024

Anchor dragging at anchorages poses a significant threat to marine traffic, potentially leading to collisions and damage to seabed infrastructure. This study analyzed a large dataset of ships in anchorage areas to develop a machine learning (ML) model that estimates the risk of anchor dragging using a binary classification system that differentiates between dragging and non-dragging incidents. Historical data from the automatic identification system (AIS), hydrographic, and meteorological sources were compiled for each case. Preliminary analysis revealed a significant class imbalance, with non-dragging cases far outnumbering dragging cases. This suggested that the optimal ML strategy would involve undersampling the majority class and cost-sensitive learning. A combination of data-undersampling methods and cost-sensitive algorithms was used to select the model with the best recall, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and geometric mean (GM) scores. The neighborhood cleaning rule undersampler paired with cost-sensitive logistic regression outperformed other models, achieving recall, GM, and AUC scores of 0.889, 0.767, and 0.810, respectively. This study also demonstrated potential applications of the model, discussed its limitations, and suggested possible improvements for the ML approach. Our method advances maritime safety by enabling the intelligent, risk-aware monitoring of anchored vessels through machine learning, enhancing the capabilities of vessel traffic service officers.
Error Analysis and Correction of ADCP Attitude Dynamics under Platform Swing Conditions
Authors: Sun Zhaowen , Yao Shuai
Published: October 2024

The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on a platform generates rotational linear velocity due to dynamic factors in attitude changes, leading to measurement errors in vessel and water flow velocities. This study derives and analyzes these errors, focusing on factors such as emission angle, transducer position, water depth, and measured depth, while also accounting for the variation in linear velocity and radial direction during each transmit–receive pulse cycle in the simulations. A method is proposed that introduces the concept of an equivalent radial radius to correct vessel and flow velocities, specifically designed for the common scenario where the ADCP is installed on the central longitudinal section of a vessel undergoing free roll motion. This method is suited for shallow water conditions without waves, with measurements taken vertically downward. It uses least squares fitting with an exponentially decaying sinusoidal model to process low-sampling-rate inclinometer data from the ADCP. This approach requires only the processing of measured data based on existing ADCP hardware, without the need for additional equipment. Field tests in a pool demonstrate that the proposed method significantly reduces vessel velocity errors, outperforming the traditional attitude static correction method.
Hybrid Swin-CSRNet: A Novel and Efficient Fish Counting Network in Aquaculture
Authors: Liu Jintao , Tolón-Becerra Alfredo , Bienvenido-Barcena José Fernando , Yang Xinting , Zhu Kaijie , Zhou Chao
Published: October 2024

Real-time estimation of fish biomass plays a crucial role in real-world fishery production, as it helps formulate feeding strategies and other management decisions. In this paper, a dense fish counting network called Swin-CSRNet is proposed. Specifically, the VGG16 layer in the front-end is replaced with the Swin transformer to extract image features more efficiently. Additionally, a squeeze-and-excitation (SE) module is introduced to enhance feature representation by dynamically adjusting the importance of each channel through “squeeze” and “excitation”, making the extracted features more focused and effective. Finally, a multi-scale fusion (MSF) module is added after the back-end to fully utilize the multi-scale feature information, enhancing the model’s ability to capture multi-scale details. The experiment demonstrates that Swin-CSRNet achieved excellent results with MAE, RMSE, and MAPE and a correlation coefficient R2 of 11.22, 15.32, 5.18%, and 0.954, respectively. Meanwhile, compared to the original network, the parameter size and computational complexity of Swin-CSRNet were reduced by 70.17% and 79.05%, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method not only counts the number of fish with higher speed and accuracy but also contributes to advancing the automation of aquaculture.
Contribution of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) and Batteries in Reducing Emissions from Ro-Ro Ships in Ports
Authors: Albo-López Ana B. , Carrillo Camilo , Díaz-Dorado Eloy
Published: October 2024

Increasingly restrictive environmental regulations for the maritime sector have led shipping companies to look for technological alternatives to reduce emissions. This article introduces a methodology to analyse emission reductions of ships in port by incorporating batteries into the ships or using an onshore power supply system. These have not yet been considered together for comparison or with a focus on ship operation. The aim is to avoid the use of auxiliary engines in ports. First, the cost calculation method to be used is specified; then, the engine’s behaviour and the established basic navigation criteria are analysed; and finally, different alternatives are considered. A methodology is afterwards defined for selecting alternatives, comparing their costs with those of using auxiliary engines in port. As an example, it is applied to a Ro-Ro route between the ports of Montoir (France) and Vigo (Spain). The results indicate that incorporating batteries into the ship produces greater savings in annual costs than onshore power supply. The cost savings from onshore power supply depend on the range of prices in each port. However, the greatest emission savings are obtained by using the onshore power supply. This methodology can be extrapolated to other routes and vessels by incorporating real operating data.
Fault Tolerant Control in Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Liu Chang , Filaretov Vladimir , Zuev Alexander , Protsenko Alexander , Zhirabok Alexey
Published: October 2024

The article discusses the problem of adaptive system synthesis to provide the detection, estimation, and elimination of the negative consequences of faults in the thrusters of underwater robots and deviations of their parameters. For this purpose, an approach consisting of three stages is proposed. At the first stage, based on a bank of diagnostic observers, deviations of the thruster parameters from their nominal values or the occurrence of errors in the readings of its sensors are detected. At the second stage, the magnitudes of the detected deviations and errors are estimated using sliding mode observers. To estimate not only single but also multiple faults, the additional sliding mode observers are used. At the third stage, a control signal is generated to retain the basic dynamic properties of the thruster based on the estimated magnitudes of deviations and errors. Thus, the main contribution of this paper is designing the systems compensating for the consequences of faults occurring in the thrusters of the UR and errors in the readings of the angular velocity sensors. This avoids reducing the accuracy of movement along specified trajectories, as well as preventing accidents that could lead to the loss of the vehicle. The operability and efficiency of the proposed systems were tested using computer simulations and experimental studies on an electro-mechanical stand.
A Ship’s Maritime Critical Target Identification Method Based on Lightweight and Triple Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Wang Pu , Yang Shenhua , Chen Guoquan , Wang Weijun , Huang Zeyang , Jiang Yuanliang
Published: October 2024

The ability to classify and recognize maritime targets based on visual images plays an important role in advancing ship intelligence and digitalization. The current target recognition algorithms for common maritime targets, such as buoys, reefs, other ships, and bridges of different colors, face challenges such as incomplete classification, low recognition accuracy, and a large number of model parameters. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel maritime target recognition method called DTI-YOLO (DualConv Triple Attention InnerEIOU-You Only Look Once). This method is based on a triple attention mechanism designed to enhance the model’s ability to classify and recognize buoys of different colors in the channel while also making the feature extraction network more lightweight. First, the lightweight double convolution kernel feature extraction layer is constructed using group convolution technology to replace the Conv structure of YOLOv9 (You Only Look Once Version 9), effectively reducing the number of parameters in the original model. Second, an improved three-branch structure is designed to capture cross-dimensional interactions of input image features. This structure forms a triple attention mechanism that accounts for the mutual dependencies between input channels and spatial positions, allowing for the calculation of attention weights for targets such as bridges, buoys, and other ships. Finally, InnerEIoU is used to replace CIoU to improve the loss function, thereby optimizing loss regression for targets with large scale differences. To verify the effectiveness of these algorithmic improvements, the DTI-YOLO algorithm was tested on a self-made dataset of 2300 ship navigation images. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of this method in identifying seven types of targets—including buoys, bridges, islands and reefs, container ships, bulk carriers, passenger ships, and other ships—reached 92.1%, with a 12% reduction in the number of parameters. This enhancement improves the model’s ability to recognize and distinguish different targets and buoy colors.
Correction: Rojas-Peña et al. Individualized Transcriptional Resolution of Complicated Malaria in a Colombian Study. J. Pers. Med. 2018, 8, 29
Authors: Rojas-Peña Mónica L. , Duan Meixue , Arafat Dalia , Rengifo Lina , Herrera Socrates , Arévalo-Herrera Myriam , Gibson Greg
Published: October 2024

In the original publication [...]
Asset Returns: Reimagining Generative ESG Indexes and Market Interconnectedness
Authors: Dash Gordon , Kajiji Nina , Kamdem Bruno G.
Published: October 2024

Financial economists have long studied factors related to risk premiums, pricing biases, and diversification impediments. This study examines the relationship between a firm’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles (ESGs) and asset market returns. We incorporate an algorithmic protocol to identify three nonobservable but pervasive E, S, and G time-series factors to meet the study’s objectives. The novel factors were tested for information content by constructing a six-factor Fama and French model following the imposition of the isolation and disentanglement algorithm. Realizing that nonlinear relationships characterize models incorporating both observable and nonobservable factors, the Fama and French model statement was estimated using an enhanced shallow-learning neural network. Finally, as a post hoc measure, we integrated explainable AI (XAI) to simplify the machine learning outputs. Our study extends the literature on the disentanglement of investment factors across two dimensions. We first identify new time-series-based E, S, and G factors. Second, we demonstrate how machine learning can be used to model asset returns, considering the complex interconnectedness of sustainability factors. Our approach is further supported by comparing neural-network-estimated E, S, and G weights with London Stock Exchange ESG ratings.
Social Status, Portfolio Externalities, and International Risk Sharing
Authors: Chue Timothy K.
Published: October 2024

We show that a model of “the spirit of capitalism”, or the concern for social status, can generate a high degree of international risk sharing as measured by asset prices, even when consumption and portfolio holdings exhibit “home bias”. We also show how portfolio externalities can arise in the model and highlight the caution that one needs in interpreting asset-price-based measures of international risk sharing: in the presence of portfolio externalities, even when the measured degree of risk sharing is perfect, it is still possible for government policies to induce investors to hold better-diversified portfolios and attain higher welfare.
Overview of “Landscape Architecture Research and Design for Urban and Peri-Urban Environments”
Authors: Smardon Richard
Published: October 2024

Landscape architecture and design research is becoming increasingly relevant due to rapid urbanization and its impact on urban and peri-urban environments [...]
The Effects of Spatial Structure and Development Intensity of the Urban Landscape on Bird Biodiversity in Anhui Province
Authors: Hu Minglu , Lu Xinghao , Wang Yuncai
Published: October 2024

Exploring the factors that drive changes in biodiversity is a hot and critically important topic in landscape ecology and biogeography. In this study, semi-structured citizen science data and bird distribution maps were employed to gather data from 2015 to 2020 for the calculation of bird species richness, the Shannon index, and the Pielou index in Anhui Province. These metrics were utilized to assess avian biodiversity and to elucidate the spatial patterns of biodiversity distribution across the region. In this research, a structural equation model (SEM) was utilized to investigate the relationships between the three dimensions of landscape spatial structure, urban development intensity, and environmental factors on bird biodiversity, and a conceptual framework was established to identify the key driving factors. The validity, reliability, and fit of the hypothesized model were substantiated through rigorous testing, demonstrating its reasonableness. The results indicate the following: (1) In landscape spatial structure, landscape composition and configuration play crucial roles in influencing bird diversity. An increased proportion of cultivated land negatively impacts bird diversity, whereas the expansion of forested areas promotes it. At the configuration level, the Largest Patch Index (LPI) significantly enhances bird diversity, serving as the primary driving force. Landscape spatial structure affects bird diversity both directly, through its composition, and indirectly, through its configuration. (2) The dimension of urban development intensity generally shows significant negative impacts; among these, GDP has the greatest comprehensive impact and shows a significant negative impact. (3) Topography has the greatest overall impact on bird diversity among the environmental factors, with a predominantly direct positive effect. (4) Overall, urban landscape spatial structure and urban development intensity are the main driving forces of bird diversity in Anhui Province, the greatest of which is the direct effect of the urban development intensity. These results provide an important scientific basis for landscape planning and ecological protection and provide inspiration for assessing the driving factors of animal and plant diversity in other regions.
Spatio-Temporal Variations of Soil Conservation Service Supply–Demand Balance in the Qinling Mountains, China
Authors: Wang Pengtao , Huang Guan , Chen Le , Zhao Jing , Fan Xin , Gao Shang , Wang Wenxi , Yan Junping , Li Kaiyu
Published: October 2024

The ecological conservation of nature reserves has garnered considerable attention and is subject to stringent management in China. However, the majority of these areas have a history of underdeveloped economies and require urgent improvements in the well-being of local communities. Effectively coupling and harmonizing the dynamic relationship between ecosystem services and socio-economic development has emerged as a crucial concern for nature reserves. Therefore, further exploration is needed to achieve a spatio-temporal balance and alignment between the supply and demand of ESs in nature reserves in China. Utilizing multiple datasets, RULSE, and bivariate autocorrelation methods, this study investigated the spatio-temporal evolution of the ecosystem services supply–demand ratio (ESDR) and supply–demand spatial matches for soil conservation services (SCSs) in the Qinling Mountains (QMs) from 2000 to 2020. The results indicated the following: (1) Over the years, the supply of SCSs exhibited a consistently high level, with an upward trend observed in 63.10% of the QMs, while the demand for SCSs is generally low, with a decreasing trend observed in 82.68% of the QMs. (2) The supply and demand of SCSs remained favorable, with a positive ESDR reaching 82.19% of the QMs. From 2000 to 2010, there was a significant decline in ESDR; however, a substantial rebound was observed in the ESDR across the region from 2010 to 2020. (3) Over years, the majority of counties and districts exhibited positive values in ESDR. When examining cities, Weinan, Xi’an, and Ankang demonstrated relatively consistent patterns with higher ESDR values over time. In 2000, the ESDR on the northern slope exhibited lower values than that on the southern slope; however, this situation subsequently underwent a reversal. (4) The spatial distribution of SCS supply and demand was predominantly characterized by matching regions exhibiting either High Supply–High Demand or Low Supply–Low Demand for years. This study suggests that the supply and demand dynamics of SCSs in the Qinling Mountains have been favorable in recent years, with consistent spatial supply–demand matches. These findings can provide valuable insights for similar nature reserves aiming to implement ecological environmental protection and achieve sustainable development. The future research endeavors, however, should strive to expand upon these findings by exploring the supply and demand patterns associated with other ESs across diverse nature reserves, while considering their unique geographical characteristics, in order to promote more rational ecological management strategies.
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Coupling and Coordination between the Ecosystem Service Value and Economy in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration of China
Authors: Zou Zeduo , Yuan Xiaodie , Zhang Zhuo , Li Xingyan , Zhou Chunshan
Published: October 2024

In the context of pursuing high-quality development, the coupling and coordination of the ecosystem and economy has become the fundamental goal and inevitable choice for achieving the sustainable development of urban agglomerations. Based on remote sensing and statistical data for the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region from 2005 to 2020, in this paper, we construct an index system of the ecological and economic levels to assess the ecosystem service value (ESV). We use the equivalent factor method, entropy method, coupling coordination model, and relative development model to systematically grasp the spatial pattern of the levels of the two variables, analyse and evaluate their spatial and temporal coupling and coordination characteristics, and test the factors influencing their coupling and coordination using the geographical and temporal weighted regression (GTWR) model. The results show that ① the ESV in the PRD exhibited a fluctuating decreasing trend, while the level of the economy exhibited a fluctuating increasing trend; ② the coordination degree of the ESV and economy in the PRD exhibited a fluctuating increasing trend, and the region began to enter the basic coordination period in 2007; ③ in terms of the spatial distribution of the coordination degree, there was generally a circular pattern, with the Pearl River Estuary cities as the core and a decrease in the value towards the periphery; ④ the coordinated development model is divided into balanced development, economic guidance, and ESV guidance, among which balanced development is the major type; ⑤ the results of the GTWR reveal that the influencing factors exhibited significant spatial–temporal heterogeneity. Government intervention and openness were the dominant factors affecting the coordination, and the normalised difference vegetation index was the main negative influencing factor.
Multidimensional Assessment of the Aesthetic Quality of Natural Landscapes in Mount Wuyi National Park, China
Authors: Zheng Xin , Yang Zhaoping , Lu Yayan
Published: October 2024

Natural landscapes are scenic complexes accessible to the public within national parks. Exploring their aesthetic quality can promote an emotional connection between the public and the landscape, which has a positive significance in enhancing human well-being. In this study, Mount Wuyi National Park in China was considered as the study area, and key dimensions tailored to individual and combined natural landscapes for aesthetic quality evaluation were proposed. Seventeen landscape metrics were selected to comprehensively measure the aesthetic quality level of the natural landscapes within the study area. The results indicated that (1) the spatial distribution of 341 individual natural landscapes exhibited a pattern of denser concentration in the south and east, with a relatively sparse distribution in the north and west. (2) Based on the elements of land cover, vegetation, topography, and landforms, 41 types of combined natural landscapes were identified in Mount Wuyi National Park. (3) Southeastern natural landscapes possess significant advantages in aesthetic service provision, uniqueness, diversity, combination, and coordination, and are concentrated in natural landscapes of high aesthetic quality. Natural landscapes of moderate aesthetic quality were distributed across the northern, southwestern, and some parts of the southeastern areas within the study region. The findings provide a reference for aesthetic quality assessment in natural landscapes at the micro-scale and serve as a basis for the scientific management of natural landscapes in national parks.
Investigation of the Transition to Environmental Remote Sensing and Factors Influencing Effective Decision-Making on Soil Preparation and Sowing Timing: A Case Study
Authors: Kononets Yevhen , Rabenseifer Roman , Bartos Petr , Olsan Pavel , Filip Martin , Bumbalek Roman , Hermanek Ales , Kriz Pavel
Published: October 2024

The advancement of smart metering technology is progressing steadily and inevitably across various key economic sectors. The utilizatio.n of remote sensors in agriculture presents unique characteristics and specific challenges. In this study, an on-site experiment was carried out on a Slovakian production farm to analyze the transition from traditional measurement methods to smart meters, focusing on timing decisions related to soil preparation and sowing and their relation to scientifically justified dates. Consequently, a clear distinction was observed in terms of the timing decisions made regarding agricultural activities during traditional, combined, and scientifically based approaches in meteorological data readings. This study contrasts these three scenarios and deliberates on the factors that need to be carefully evaluated before incorporating remote sensors into agricultural processes. This study serves as a valuable resource for individuals involved in the adoption of smart metering practices in the Eastern European agricultural sector and promotes an improved understanding of the interactions within smart-sensing, scientific developments, and land management that contribute to the goal of land-system sustainability.
Word-Final /s/-/z/ Omission in Vietnamese English
Authors: Disney Stephen J. , Nu Cam Le Le
Published: October 2024

Southeast Asian learners of English, including those from Vietnam, frequently omit word-final consonants in their English speech. Previous work on Vietnamese learners of English is limited, and errors are typically usually attributed to first-language transfer effects. No large-scale empirical study on Vietnamese learners has been carried out to aid the development of an evidence-based pedagogy. This study uses authentic spoken data to compare lexical and morphological word-final /s/ and /z/ in the speech of sixteen Vietnamese adult learners of English. We discuss the relative impact of frequency of use, whether the instance of a target /s/ or /z/ is in a root or bound morpheme, and whether the preceding phoneme is a consonant or vowel. An overall omission rate of 28.4% of expected instances was found. Morphological {-s} when it is preceded by a consonant has the highest error rate (50.7%). A multilevel binary logistic regression was performed to ascertain the relative effects. Morphological words containing /s/ or /z/ were significantly more likely to be pronounced with the /s/ or /z/ absent than lexical words containing a /s/ or /z/, as were those in clusters compared to those with a preceding vowel. The results indicate that phonological effects and morphological effects are stacked and not multiplicative and that the observed omission rates are not solely attributable to L1 transfer effects. Frequency of use is also highly correlated with accuracy.
Input, Universals, and Transfer in Developing Rhotics: A Sketch in Bilingualism
Authors: Babatsouli Elena
Published: October 2024

Understanding the role of input in bilingual phonological acquisition is revealing for deciphering the workings of language acquisition processes. Input and usage distributional frequencies guide and differentiate speech sound acquisition patterns cross-linguistically. Such processes are operant in first- and second-language acquisition. There is an under-representation of investigations on how context-specific input in bilingualism influences the early acquisition of rhotics in child developmental speech longitudinally. This study addresses the gap by tracing a Greek/English bilingual girl’s rhotic development between ages 2;7 and 3;11, utilizing naturalistic data during daily interactions with an adult interlocutor. The study reports and schematically illustrates the child’s bilingual usage frequencies, informing language choice in her production variables, which demonstrate, quantitatively and qualitatively, the effects of context-specific input on rhotic accuracy levels and substitution patterns in both languages. Specifically, distributional frequencies in the input govern the child’s phonemic and phonetic tendencies in the languages. Findings are compared with previous reports in the literature and enhance language acquisition theory, revealing the pivotal role of input in the dynamic interplay with developmental universals, language-specific tendencies, transfer, and individual variation.
On Lubrication Regime Changes during Forward Extrusion, Forging, and Drawing
Authors: Joun Man-Soo , Heo Yun , Kim Nam-Hyeon , Kim Nam-Yun
Published: October 2024

The tribological phenomena concerning the lubrication regime change (LRC) during bulk metal forming are comprehensively studied. A multi-step cold forward extrusion process shows the evolution of LRC and reveals the shortcomings of the traditional Coulomb friction law. The previous works of the specific author’s research group on friction are reviewed, focusing on the LRC during bulk metal forming. Various LRC phenomena from various examples are revealed. It has been found that the drawing and forward extrusion processes are vulnerable to LRC because of significant sliding motion at the material–die interface, and that when the strain hardening of the material is slight, the influence of friction increases, and as a result, the influence of LRC increases excessively. The new findings also include the impact of LRC on the macroscopic phenomena of the process and the reason for the sharp increase in friction coefficient via LRC, which is validated by the work of Wilson. This paper aims to make engineers and researchers think much of the tribology with lubricant in bulk metal forming with a focus on the dependence of tribological phenomena on the state of the lubricants and the irrationality of traditional friction law, especially in the forging of materials with a low strain hardening capability.
Hard Particle Mask Electrochemical Machining of Micro-Textures
Authors: Qin Ge , Peng Haoyu , Zhang Yunyan , Ming Pingmei , Liu Huan , Wu Xiangyang , Zhang Wenbang , Zheng Xingshuai , Niu Shen
Published: October 2024

The efficient and cost-effective preparation of masks has always been a challenging issue in mask-based electrochemical machining. In this paper, an electrochemical machining process of micro-textures is proposed using hard particle masks such as titanium and zirconia particles. Numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the formation mechanisms of micro-protrusion structures with insulating and conductive hard particle masks, followed by experimental verification of the process. The results indicate that when the hard particles are electrically insulating, metal material preferentially dissolves at the center of the particle gap, and the dissolution then expands over time in depth and towards the particle contact points. Conversely, using the conductive particles as the masks, such as titanium particles, dissolution initially occurs in a ring region centered at the contact point between the hard particle and the anode, with a radius approximately one-quarter of the chosen particle’s diameter (200 μm), and then continues to expand outward.
Interface-Strengthened Ru-Based Electrocatalyst for High-Efficiency Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis at Industrial-Level Current Density
Authors: Lei Wenjun , Zhao Xinxin , Liang Chao , Wang Huai , Li Xuehong , Jiang Mingkun , Li Xiaofeng , He Fengqin , Sun Yonghui , Lu Gang , Cai Hairui
Published: October 2024

Developing an OER electrocatalyst that balances high performance with low cost is crucial for widely adopting PEM water electrolyzers. Ru-based catalysts are gaining attention for their cost-effectiveness and high activity, positioning them as promising alternatives to Ir-based catalysts. However, Ru-based catalysts can be prone to oxidation at high potentials, compromising their durability. In this study, we utilize a simple synthesis method to synthesize a SnO2, Nb2O5, and RuO2 composite catalyst (SnO2/Nb2O5@RuO2) with multiple interfaces and abundant oxygen vacancies. The large surface area and numerous active sites of the SnO2/Nb2O5@RuO2 catalyst lead to outstanding acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, achieving current densities of 10, 50, and 200 mA cm−2 at ultralow overpotentials of 287, 359, and 534 mV, respectively, significantly surpassing commercial IrO2. Moreover, incorporating Nb2O5 into the SnO2/Nb2O5@RuO2 alters the electronic structure at the interfaces and generates a high density of oxygen vacancies, markedly enhancing durability. Consequently, the membrane electrode composed of SnO2/Nb2O5@RuO2 and commercial Pt/C demonstrated stable operation in the PEM cell for 25 days at an industrial current density of 1 A cm−2. This research presents a convenient approach for developing a highly efficient and durable Ru-based electrocatalyst, underscoring its potential for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis.