bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Band Selection for Quantification of Soil Total Nitrogen Levels from Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Misbah Khalil , Laamrani Ahmed , Voroney Paul , Khechba Keltoum , Casa Raffaele , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: July 2024

Total nitrogen (TN) is a critical nutrient for plant growth, and its monitoring in agricultural soil is vital for farm managers. Traditional methods of estimating soil TN levels involve laborious and costly chemical analyses, especially when applied to large areas with multiple sampling points. Remote sensing offers a promising alternative for identifying, tracking, and mapping soil TN levels at various scales, including the field, landscape, and regional levels. Spaceborne hyperspectral sensing has shown effectiveness in reflecting soil TN levels. This study evaluates the efficiency of spectral reflectance at visible near-infrared (VNIR) and shortwave near-infrared (SWIR) regions to identify the most informative hyperspectral bands responding to the TN content in agricultural soil. In this context, we used PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) hyperspectral imagery with ensemble learning modeling to identify N-specific absorption features. This ensemble consisted of three multivariate regression techniques, partial least square (PLSR), support vector regression (SVR), and Gaussian process regression (GPR) learners. The soil TN data (n = 803) were analyzed against a hyperspectral PRISMA imagery to perform spectral band selection. The 803 sampled data points were derived from open-access soil property and nutrient maps for Africa at a 30 m resolution over a bare agricultural field in southern Morocco. The ensemble learning strategy identified several bands in the SWIR in the regions of 900–1300 nm and 1900–2200 nm. The models achieved coefficient-of-determination values ranging from 0.63 to 0.73 and root-mean-square error values of 0.14 g/kg for PLSR, 0.11 g/kg for SVR, and 0.12 g/kg for GPR, which had been boosted to an R2 of 0.84, an RMSE of 0.08 g/kg, and an RPD of 2.53 by the ensemble, demonstrating the model’s accuracy in predicting the soil TN content. These results underscore the potential for using spaceborne hyperspectral imagery for soil TN estimation, enabling the development of decision-support tools for variable-rate fertilization and advancing our understanding of soil spectral responses for improved soil management.
Study on the Momentum Flux Spectrum of Gravity Waves in the Tropical Western Pacific Based on Integrated Satellite Remote Sensing and In Situ Observations
Authors: Zhang Zhimeng , He Yang , Song Yuyang , Sheng Zheng
Published: July 2024

Gravity wave (GW) momentum flux spectra help to uncover the mechanisms through which GWs influence momentum transfer in the atmosphere and provide crucial insights into accurately characterizing atmospheric wave processes. This study examines the momentum flux spectra of GWs in the troposphere (2–14 km) and stratosphere (18–28 km) over Koror Island (7.2°N, 134.3°W) using radiosonde data from 2013–2018. Utilizing hodograph analysis and spectral methods, the characteristics of momentum flux spectra are discussed. Given that the zonal momentum flux spectra of low-level atmospheric GWs generally follow a Gaussian distribution, Gaussian fitting was applied to the spectral structures. This fitting further explores the seasonal variations of the zonal momentum flux spectra and the average spectral parameters for each month. Additionally, the GW energy is analyzed using SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) satellite data and compared with the results of the momentum flux spectra from radiosonde data, revealing the close negative correlation between wave energy and wave momentum for stratospheric GW changing with time. The findings indicate that the Gaussian peak shifts more eastward in both the troposphere and stratosphere, primarily due to the absorption of eastward-propagating GWs by the winter tropospheric westerly jet and critical layer filtering. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the stratosphere is larger than in the troposphere, especially in June and July, as the spectrum broadens due to propagation effects, filtering, and interactions among waves. The central phase speed in the stratosphere exceeds that in the troposphere, reflecting the influences of Doppler effects and background wind absorption. The momentum flux in the stratosphere is lower than in the troposphere, which is attributed to jet absorption, partial reflection, or the dissipation of GWs.
Multiview Spatial-Temporal Meta-Learning for Multivariate Time Series Forecasting
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhu Jianping , Jin Bo , Wei Xiaopeng
Published: July 2024

Multivariate time series modeling has been essential in sensor-based data mining tasks. However, capturing complex dynamics caused by intra-variable (temporal) and inter-variable (spatial) relationships while simultaneously taking into account evolving data distributions is a non-trivial task, which faces accumulated computational overhead and multiple temporal patterns or distribution modes. Most existing methods focus on the former direction without adaptive task-specific learning ability. To this end, we developed a holistic spatial-temporal meta-learning probabilistic inference framework, entitled ST-MeLaPI, for the efficient and versatile learning of complex dynamics. Specifically, first, a multivariate relationship recognition module is utilized to learn task-specific inter-variable dependencies. Then, a multiview meta-learning and probabilistic inference strategy was designed to learn shared parameters while enabling the fast and flexible learning of task-specific parameters for different batches. At the core are spatial dependency-oriented and temporal pattern-oriented meta-learning approximate probabilistic inference modules, which can quickly adapt to changing environments via stochastic neurons at each timestamp. Finally, a gated aggregation scheme is leveraged to realize appropriate information selection for the generative style prediction. We benchmarked our approach against state-of-the-art methods with real-world data. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our approach over the baselines.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Fe2O3/Au for Alcohol Concentration Detection
Authors: Wang Junyi , Xu Yanpei , Song Yutong , Wang Qi
Published: July 2024

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is widely used in sensor sensitization due to its excellent optical properties. In this study, we present a sensitivity-enhanced surface plasmon resonance alcohol sensor based on Fe2O3/Au. We describe the fabrication process of the sensor and characterize its structure. We conduct performance testing on sensors coated multiple times and use solutions with the same gradient of refractive indices as the sensing medium. Within the refractive index range of 1.3335–1.3635, the sensor that was coated twice achieved the highest sensitivity, reaching 2933.2 nm/RIU. This represents a 30.26% enhancement in sensitivity compared to a sensor with a pure gold monolayer film structure. Additionally, we demonstrated the application of this sensor in alcohol concentration detection by testing the alcohol content of common beverages, showing excellent agreement with theoretical values and highlighting the sensor’s potential in food testing.
A Health Monitoring Model for Circulation Water Pumps in a Nuclear Power Plant Based on Graph Neural Network Observer
Authors: Gao Jianyong , Ma Liyi , Qing Chen , Zhao Tingdi , Wang Zhipeng , Geng Jie , Li Ying
Published: July 2024

The health monitoring of CRF (circulation water) pumps is essential for prognostics and management in nuclear power plants. However, the operational status of CRF pumps can vary due to environmental factors and human intervention, and the interrelationships between monitoring parameters are often complex. Consequently, the existing methods face challenges in effectively assessing the health status of CRF pumps. In this study, we propose a health monitoring model for CRF pumps utilizing a meta graph transformer (MGT) observer. Initially, the meta graph transformer, a temporal–spatial graph learning model, is employed to predict trends across the various monitoring parameters of the CRF pump. Subsequently, a fault observer is constructed to generate early warnings of potential faults. The proposed model was validated using real data from CRF pumps in a nuclear power plant. The results demonstrate that the average Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of normal predictions were reduced to 1.2385, 0.5614, and 2.6554, respectively. These findings indicate that our model achieves higher prediction accuracy compared to the existing methods and can provide fault warnings at least one week in advance.
Assessment of Anisotropic Acoustic Properties in Additively Manufactured Materials: Experimental, Computational, and Deep Learning Approaches
Authors: Malashin Ivan , Tynchenko Vadim , Martysyuk Dmitry , Shchipakov Nikita , Krysko Nikolay , Degtyarev Maxim , Nelyub Vladimir , Gantimurov Andrei , Borodulin Aleksei , Galinovsky Andrey
Published: July 2024

The influence of acoustic anisotropy on ultrasonic testing reliability poses a challenge in evaluating products from additive technologies (AT). This study investigates how elasticity constants of anisotropic materials affect defect signal amplitudes in AT products. Experimental measurements on AT samples were conducted to determine elasticity constants. Using Computational Modeling and Simulation Software (CIVA), simulations explored echo signal changes across ultrasound propagation directions. The parameters A13 (the ratio between the velocities of ultrasonic transverse waves with vertical and horizontal polarizations at a 45-degree angle to the growth direction), A3 (the ratio for waves at a 90-degree angle), and Ag (the modulus of the difference between A13 and A3) were derived from wave velocity relationships and used to characterize acoustic anisotropy. Comparative analysis revealed a strong correlation (0.97) between the proposed anisotropy coefficient Ag and the amplitude changes. Threshold values of Ag were introduced to classify anisotropic materials based on observed amplitude changes in defect echo signals. In addition, a method leveraging deep learning to predict Ag based on data from other anisotropy constants through genetic algorithm (GA)-optimized neural network (NN) architectures is proposed, offering an approach that can reduce the computational costs associated with calculating such constants.
Using Data Augmentation to Improve the Generalization Capability of an Object Detector on Remote-Sensed Insect Trap Images
Authors: Suto Jozsef
Published: July 2024

Traditionally, monitoring insect populations involved the use of externally placed sticky paper traps, which were periodically inspected by a human operator. To automate this process, a specialized sensing device and an accurate model for detecting and counting insect pests are essential. Despite considerable progress in insect pest detector models, their practical application is hindered by the shortage of insect trap images. To attenuate the “lack of data” issue, the literature proposes data augmentation. However, our knowledge about data augmentation is still quite limited, especially in the field of insect pest detection. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of several widely used augmentation techniques and their combinations on remote-sensed trap images with the YOLOv5 (small) object detector model. This study was carried out systematically on two different datasets starting from the single geometric and photometric transformation toward their combinations. Our results show that the model’s mean average precision value (mAP50) could be increased from 0.844 to 0.992 and from 0.421 to 0.727 on the two datasets using the appropriate augmentation methods combination. In addition, this study also points out that the integration of photometric image transformations into the mosaic augmentation can be more efficient than the native combination of augmentation techniques because this approach further improved the model’s mAP50 values to 0.999 and 0.756 on the two test sets, respectively.
Does Tax Incentives Matter to Enterprises’ Green Technology Innovation? The Mediating Role on R&D Investment
Authors: Wang Haijun , Yang Jinlan , Zhu Naiping
Published: July 2024

This study focused on China’s A-share listed companies from 2017 to 2022, and concluded that tax incentives have a positive impact on the performance of green technology innovation, and that value-added tax preferences are more effective than income tax preferences. Tax incentives guide enterprises to increase R&D investment, and R&D investment constitutes the mechanism of tax incentives to promote the performance green technology innovation. Non-state-owned enterprises benefit more from the timely help of tax incentives. Higher levels of the business environment in certain regions lead to more significant promoting effects of tax incentives. Enterprises in non-heavily polluting industries are more easily incentivized by preferential tax policies to undertake more green innovations. The study’s findings aimed to improve current preferential tax policies and help enterprises achieve green and innovative development.
Network Modeling and Analysis of Internet of Electric Vehicles Architecture for Monitoring Charging Station Networks—A Case Study in Chile
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed A. , Guerrero Leonardo , Franco Patricia
Published: July 2024

Nowadays, the internet of electric vehicles (IoEV) has opened many new opportunities for various applications such as charging station selection, charging/discharging management, as well as supporting various end-user services. In Chile, the current deployment of charging station networks is still at an early stage and such stations do not support the required local and global communication and monitoring capabilities that allow the integration of such services. The underlaying communication infrastructures will play an important role in supporting different applications, such as grid-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-grid, and vehicle-to-vehicle services. This work developed an IoEV architecture for real-time monitoring of charging station networks, which consists of three layers: the physical layer, the communication network layer, and the virtual layer. In order to support reliable IoEV communications, different requirements for data rate, reliability, latency, and security are needed. We developed a communication network model for charging stations based on the IEC 61850-90-8 standard. The performance of the developed architecture has been evaluated considering different real scenarios including a standalone charging station, a group of charging stations in a university campus parking lot, and charging stations in a city. The performance of the communication network has been evaluated with respect to end-to-end latency.
Optical Material Recycling Practices: A Look at Portuguese Optical Centers
Authors: Oliveira Ana Paula , Martinez-Perez Clara , Barqueira Ana , Alvarez-Peregrina Cristina , Sánchez-Tena Miguel Ángel
Published: July 2024

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the disposal practices of optical materials in Portuguese Optical Centers. Methods: This study, conducted in the Portuguese Optical Centers across 18 districts and 308 municipalities, divided the country into 4 regions for analysis. Utilizing Google Forms®, a survey targeting Optical Center managers and related professionals was disseminated via email from February to May 2023, comprising 30 questions across 6 sections, including optical and contact lenses, maintenance solutions, eyeglass frames, and recycling participation. Data analysis employed IBM SPSS® Statistics v.27, using non-parametric tests for variable distribution. Ethical standards and privacy policies were strictly observed throughout the research process. Results: Findings indicated that there were significant differences in the final treatment of organic and mineral lenses. Organic lenses were placed in the yellow recycling bin (22.2%), while mineral lenses were placed in the green recycling bin (37.9%). In the case of contact lenses, regardless of the type (RGP, scleral lenses, conventional hydrogels, and silicone hydrogel lenses), the majority (>50%) were disposed of in general trash. Regarding eyeglass frames, there were no significant differences between mass and metal frames, mostly being discard in general waste (~30.0%). Conclusion: Approximately half of the surveyed Portuguese Optical Centers were not actively involved in recycling. This represents a missed opportunity for optometrists to play a role in enhancing recycling rates through patient education.
Persons Living with HIV as a Vulnerable Group: An Argument to Ensure Treatment, Care, and Support
Authors: Brotherton Michelle
Published: July 2024

Generally, human rights documents are to be applied universally. However, certain groups are identified for special treatment due to vulnerabilities faced; these are often referred to as vulnerable groups or populations. While human rights literature and public health literature make a case for particular sensitivity regarding vulnerable populations living with HIV, there is perhaps a case to be made for people living with HIV to be recognised as a vulnerable group in and of itself. It is often other vulnerabilities, such as poverty, disability, or discrimination, that render persons living with HIV legally vulnerable. But what happens if these other vulnerabilities are not present? Persons living with HIV could benefit from being recognised as a vulnerable group, in that it could prioritise their health rights and promote their access to healthcare and services. This article considers how identifying persons living with HIV as a vulnerable group could impact their treatment, care, and support. By looking at examples of countries where people living with HIV have been identified as vulnerable, and at how vulnerable groups are defined, an argument is made that it could be beneficial to persons living with HIV to be identified as a vulnerable group in terms of accessing treatment, care, and support.
Bat Rhinacoviruses Related to Swine Acute Diarrhoea Syndrome Coronavirus Evolve under Strong Host and Geographic Constraints in China and Vietnam
Authors: Hassanin Alexandre , Tu Vuong Tan , Pham Phu Van , Ngon Lam Quang , Chabane Thanina , Moulin Laurent , Wurtzer Sébastien
Published: July 2024

Swine acute diarrhoea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV; Coronaviridae, Rhinacovirus) was detected in 2017 in Guangdong Province (China), where it caused high mortality rates in piglets. According to previous studies, SADS-CoV evolved from horseshoe bat reservoirs. Here, we report the first five Rhinacovirus genomes sequenced in horseshoe bats from Vietnam and their comparisons with data published in China. Our phylogenetic analyses provided evidence for four groups: rhinacoviruses from Rhinolphus pusillus bats, including one from Vietnam; bat rhinacoviruses from Hainan; bat rhinacoviruses from Yunnan showing a divergent synonymous nucleotide composition; and SADS-CoV and related bat viruses, including four rhinacoviruses from Vietnam sampled in Rhinolophus affinis and Rhinolophus thomasi. Our phylogeographic analyses showed that bat rhinacoviruses from Dien Bien (Vietnam) share more affinities with those from Yunnan (China) and that the ancestor of SADS-CoVs arose in Rhinolophus affinis circulating in Guangdong. We detected sequencing errors and artificial chimeric genomes in published data. The two SADS-CoV genomes previously identified as recombinant could also be problematic. The reliable data currently available, therefore, suggests that all SADS-CoV strains originate from a single bat source and that the virus has been spreading in pig farms in several provinces of China for at least seven years since the first outbreak in August 2016.
Prevalence and Modes of Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Historical Worldwide Review
Authors: Stroffolini Tommaso , Stroffolini Giacomo
Published: July 2024

Hepatitis C virus infection affects over 58 million individuals and is responsible for 290,000 annual deaths. The infection spread in the past via blood transfusion and iatrogenic transmission due to the use of non-sterilized glass syringes mostly in developing countries (Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Egypt) but even in Italy. High-income countries have achieved successful results in preventing certain modes of transmission, particularly in ensuring the safety of blood and blood products, and to a lesser extent, reducing iatrogenic exposure. Conversely, in low-income countries, unscreened blood transfusions and non-sterile injection practices continue to play major roles, highlighting the stark inequalities between these regions. Currently, injection drug use is a major worldwide risk factor, with a growing trend even in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Emerging high-risk groups include men who have sex with men (MSM), individuals exposed to tattoo practices, and newborns of HCV-infected pregnant women. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy as a tool to eliminate infection by interrupting viral transmission from infected to susceptible individuals. However, the feasibility of this ambitious and overly optimistic program generates concern about the need for universal screening, diagnosis, linkage to care, and access to affordable DAA regimens. These goals are very hard to reach, especially in LMICs, due to the cost and availability of drugs, as well as the logistical complexities involved. Globally, only a small proportion of individuals infected with HCV have been tested, and an even smaller fraction of those have initiated DAA therapy. The absence of an effective vaccine is a major barrier to controlling HCV infection. Without a vaccine, the WHO project may remain merely an illusion.
Comparative Proteomics and Interactome Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein in Human and Bat Cell Lines
Authors: Armstrong Stuart D. , Alonso Covadonga , Garcia-Dorival Isabel
Published: July 2024

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19 and responsible for the global coronavirus pandemic which started in 2019. Despite exhaustive efforts to trace its origins, including potential links with pangolins and bats, the precise origins of the virus remain unclear. Bats have been recognized as natural hosts for various coronaviruses, including the Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the SARS-CoV. This study presents a comparative analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N) interactome in human and bat cell lines. We identified approximately 168 cellular proteins as interacting partners of SARS-CoV-2 N in human cells and 196 cellular proteins as interacting partners with this protein in bat cells. The results highlight pathways and events that are both common and unique to either bat or human cells. Understanding these interactions is crucial to comprehend the reasons behind the remarkable resilience of bats to viral infections. This study provides a foundation for a deeper understanding of host–virus interactions in different reservoirs.
Heavy Metal Concentrations in Wild and Cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus from the East China Sea and Associated Health Risks
Authors: Lu Kexiang , Qian Weiguo , Zhu Kai , Xu Kaida
Published: July 2024

In this study, a comparison of the concentrations of eight heavy metals (including Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Cd, and Hg) was conducted between wild and cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus. Significant differences in the concentrations of Zn, Cd, As, and Hg were observed between wild and cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus. The results showed that the mean Zn concentration was significantly higher in cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus (3.051 ± 0.738 mg/kg) when compared to its wild counterpart (2.512 ± 0.407 mg/kg). In contrast, the mean Cd concentration was found to be lower in the cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus (0.001 ± 0.0007 mg/kg) than in the wild ones (0.003 ± 0.003 mg/kg). Likewise, the wild samples demonstrated a higher mean As concentration (1.494 ± 0.659 mg/kg) than the cultured samples (0.594 ± 0.215 mg/kg). Lastly, it was noted that the mean Hg concentration was considerably higher in the cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus (0.042 ± 0.016 mg/kg) than in the wild specimens (0.014 ± 0.011 mg/kg). Pollution levels and health risks were evaluated using the single-factor pollution index (SFI), metal pollution index (MPI), and health risk assessment methods. The results showed that, for Cu, Zn, Cr, and Cd, both wild and cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus had SFI values below 1 compared to the marine organism quality standards. The MPI values for wild and cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus were 0.188 ± 0.051 and 0.172 ± 0.054, respectively, both far below the safety limit of 2 for pollution-free aquatic products. The Hazard Index (HI) for wild and cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus were below 1, indicating no health risks from long-term consumption. A discriminant analysis, based on Zn, Cd, As, and Hg concentrations, distinguished wild from cultured Oplegnathus fasciatus with a 96.0% accuracy, remaining stable at over 94.9% upon cross-validation. These findings accurately evaluate that there is no risk to human health from consuming Oplegnathus fasciatus, which is significant in safeguarding public health.
Seasonal Dynamics and Three-Dimensional Hydrographic Features of the Eastern Gulf of Thailand: Insights from High-Resolution Modeling and Field Measurements
Authors: Pokavanich Tanuspong , Worrawatanathum Vasawan , Phattananuruch Kittipong , Koolkalya Sontaya
Published: July 2024

Through the integration of high-resolution hydrodynamic modeling and comprehensive field measurements, this study elucidates the intricate three-dimensional hydrographic characteristics of the eastern Gulf of Thailand (eGOT). In addition to the prevalent tidal currents dictating alternating flow along the northwestern and southeastern axes, our investigation reveals pronounced seasonal variations in mean currents, water temperature, and salinity within the eGOT, closely linked to the dynamics of the Asian–Australian monsoon system. During the southwest monsoon, mean currents exhibit a southeasterly trend, contrasting with a northwesterly pattern during the northeast monsoon. Lowest water temperatures occur during the latter, while the highest levels are observed during the 1st monsoon transition (April–March). Notably, salinity levels reach their lowest levels during the southwest monsoon and the 2nd monsoon transition (October), coinciding with the seasonal stratification of the water column and the emergence of a distinct stable along-the-shore northwesterly current with the average speed of 15 cm/s, defined here as the “Chanthaburi Coastal Current (CCC)”. Model experiments attribute the formation of the CCC to decreased salinity induced by direct rainfall, highlighting the significance of rainfall as a key factor influencing coastal water dynamics in tropical regions or areas experiencing high precipitation.
A Stream-Order Family and Order-Based Parallel River Network Routing Method
Authors: Yang Xi , Wei Chong , Li Zhiping , Yang Heng , Zheng Hui
Published: July 2024

River network routing’s significance in reach-level flood forecasting over extensive domains is growing, requiring considerable computational resources for modeling networks comprising thousands to millions of reaches. Parallel computation plays a central role in timely forecasting in such cases. However, the sequentiality of upstream-to-downstream flow paths within river networks poses a significant challenge for parallelization. This study introduces a family of stream orders and an associated order-based parallel routing approach. We assign each reach an order that falls between one more than the maximum order of its upstream reaches and one less than the order of its downstream reach. This strategy enables the parallel simulation of reaches with identical orders while sequentially processing those with different orders, thus maintaining the crucial upstream-to-downstream dynamic. To further enhance parallel scalability, we strategically relax the upstream-to-downstream relationship along the longest flow paths, dividing the network into independent subnetworks and introducing halo reaches to mitigate the impact of inexact inflows. We validate our approach using China’s Yangtze River basin, the country’s largest river network with 53,600 fully connected reaches. Employing a conceptual parallel execution machine, we demonstrate that our method achieves 80% parallel efficiency with up to 25 processors. By strategically introducing breakpoints, we further enhance scalability, enabling efficient simulations on 77 processors while maintaining 80% efficiency. These results highlight the scalability and efficiency of our methods for large-scale, high-resolution river network modeling within Earth system models. Our study also lays a theoretical groundwork for optimizing stream orders and halo reach placements, crucial for advancing river network modeling.
Simultaneous Removal of Cu(II) and Dyes from Aqueous Solution Using LDH@GO-SH as an Adsorbent
Authors: Liao Wei , Li Huiqiang , Yu Xiaowen , Li Yongzhi
Published: July 2024

The simultaneous adsorption of Cu(II) and dyes (MB and MO) on LDH@GO-SH was investigated in single, MB–Cu, and MO–Cu binary systems. The coexistence of dye enhanced the adsorption of Cu(II) by LDH@GO-SH, while the presence of Cu(II) differently affected the adsorption of MB and MO. The adsorption capacity of MO remarkably increased due to the presence of Cu(II). The presence of Cu(II) had a negative effect on MB adsorption for lower MB initial concentration systems (2–10 mg·L−1), while it had a positive effect for higher MB concentration systems (25 mg·L−1 and 50 mg·L−1). The adsorption of Cu(II) in binary systems was satisfactorily fitted by a Langmuir model and pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Surface complex interaction was supposed to be a potential mechanism for the enhancement of Cu(II) adsorption in both MB–Cu and MO–Cu binary systems. The electrostatic interactions between MO and Cu(II) were another reason for the enhancement of Cu(II) adsorption in the MO–Cu binary system. LDH@GO-SH maintained a high adsorption capacity after three adsorption–desorption cycles, indicating that it can be repeatedly used for the treatment of heavy-metal-ion-containing wastewater.
Identifying the Optimal Layout of Low-Impact Development Measures at an Urban Watershed Scale Using a Multi-Objective Decision-Making Framework
Authors: Xie Xianpeng , Chu Qi , Qiu Zefeng , Liu Guangqi , Jia Shuhui
Published: July 2024

This study introduces a spatial layout framework for the multi-objective optimization of low-impact development (LID) measures at an urban watershed scale, targeting the mitigation of urban flooding and water pollution exacerbated by urbanization. The framework, tailored for the Dahongmen area within Beijing’s Liangshui River Watershed, integrates the storm water management model (SWMM) with the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II). It optimizes LID deployment by balancing annual costs, volume capture ratio of rainfall, runoff pollution control rate, and the reduction in heat island potential (HIPR). High-resolution comprehensive runoff and land use data calibrate the model, ensuring the realism of the optimization approach. The selection of optimal solutions from the Pareto front is guided by weights determined through both the entropy weight method and subjective weight method, employing the TOPSIS method. The research highlights the positive, nonlinear correlation between cost and environmental benefits, particularly in reducing heat island effects, offering vital decision-making insights. It also identifies a critical weight range in specific decision-making scenarios, providing a scientific basis for rational weight assignment in practical engineering. This study exemplifies the benefits of comprehensive multi-objective optimization, with expectations of markedly improving the efficacy of large-scale LID implementations.
Salinity Intrusion Modeling Using Boundary Conditions on a Laboratory Setup: Experimental Analysis and CFD Simulations
Authors: Chalá Dayana Carolina , Castro-Faccetti Claudia , Quiñones-Bolaños Edgar , Mehrvar Mehrab
Published: July 2024

Salinity intrusion is one of the most pressing threats to unconfined coastal aquifers, and its simulation is of great importance for groundwater research and management. This study compared the performances of two computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software applications, ANSYS Fluent 2022 R2 and COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6, in simulating the transport of saltwater in a pilot-scale experimental setup, which was built to recreate two boundary conditions of unconfined aquifers with homogeneous stratigraphy. The experiments were performed until the saline wedge reached a quasi-steady-state condition. Sequential photographs and image analysis were required to record the movement of the saline toe and the saline wedge location. The maximum toe length was achieved under the head-controlled boundary condition, with a toe length of 1.6 m after 7 h of the experiment, and 1.65 m and 1.79 m for the COMSOL and ANSYS Fluent simulations, respectively. The findings evidence that the flux-controlled condition produced a better representation of the saline wedge than the head-controlled condition, indicating good agreement between the CFD simulations and the experimental data. Recommendations for future research include CFD simulations of real coastal aquifers and coupling fluid dynamics with other processes such as land subsidence.
The second order modulus revisited: remarks, applications, problems
Authors: Gonska Heiner , Kovacheva Ralitza K.
Published: July 2024

Several questions concerning the second order modulus of smoothness are addressed in this note. The central part is a refined analysis of a construction of certain smooth functions by Zhuk and its application to several problems in approximation theory, such as degree of approximation and the preservation of global smoothness. Lower bounds for some optimal constants introduced by Sendov are given as well. We also investigate an alternative approach using quadratic splines studied by Sendov.
Unmanned Target Vehicle Navigation and Path Planning Using Improved Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm Combined with GPS/BDS
Authors: Cai Rongli
Published: July 2024

With the rise of technology, mobile unmanned target vehicles have become common in military training. These vehicles carry shooting targets, offering troops mobile targets for shooting practice and enhancing simulated training effectiveness. However, in complex terrains, the movement path of unmanned vehicles falls short of achieving desired results. Path planning for unmanned target vehicles has therefore gained importance. To optimize their movement and enhance military training, a robust adaptive positioning algorithm based on Global Positioning System/Bei Dou System (GPS/BDS) technology is proposed. This algorithm ensures precise positioning and trajectory prediction. Additionally, the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is improved by considering heuristic factors and defining restricted regions, optimizing the trajectory. Simulation experiments demonstrate high-precision navigation and positioning, reducing signal propagation time and improving smoothness and directionality. The path length approximates the optimal path with minimal error. Comparative experiments confirm the algorithm's accuracy and efficiency in planning paths with speed, fewer turns, and improved smoothness. This optimization helps unmanned target vehicles enhance their trajectories and improve military training effectiveness.
De la majorité absolue à un tiers des voix, le chemin parcouru par le SPÖ depuis Bruno Kreisky
Authors: Matzner Egon
Published: July 2024

Die SPÖ hat innerhalb von 20 Jahren 900 000 Wählerinnen verloren. Was sind die Gründe für den Niedergang von der führenden politischen Reformkraft zu einer von drei Mittelparteien ? Die Partei hat ihre Fähigkeit zur moralischen Initiative durch illegale und legale Bereicherung schwer beeinträchtigt. Sie hat die Fähigkeit zur geistigen Initiative weitgehend eingebüßt, weil sie mehr und mehr Menschen anzieht, denen es um Erzielung von Einkommen geht, und die nicht an politischen Reformen interessiert sind. In der Praxis ist es zu einer fast vollständigen Akzeptanz der neoliberalen Doktrin durch die österreichische wie durch die anderen europäischen Sozialdemokratien gekommen. Nach der Integration in die EU hat die SPÖ die Neutralitätspolitik des Landes aufgegeben und so ohne Not auf eine außenpolitische Trumpfkarte verzichtet. Die Partei hat keine eigene Programmatik nach dem Sturz des Kommunismus in den osteuropäischen Ländern entwickelt. Der Rückgriff auf eine Politik der «neuen Mitte», wie sie von New Labour und Gerhard Schröder vertreten wird, ist keine überzeugende sozialpolitische Antwort auf die Probleme unserer Zeit, sondern eine Abdankung vor dem neoliberalen Zeitgeist.

Die SPÖ muß wieder ein überzeugendes politischen und demokratisches Reformprogramm entwickeln, ihre Identität stärker herausarbeiten und nicht zögern, sich dem Zeitgeist entgegenzustellen, wenn sie politisch eine Zukunft haben will.
Le retour de Peter Handke au théâtre. Renouvellement ou impasse ?
Authors: Desbrière-Nicolas Brigitte
Published: July 2024

Convaincu des possiblités infinies du théâtre, Peter Handke, prosateur reconnu, revient au seuil des années 1990 à l'écriture dramatique qui, un quart de siècle plus tôt, l'a rendu célèbre. Avec la complicité de Claus Peymann, il réserve au public viennois la primeur de ses quatre nouvelles pièces : Das Spiel vom Fragen oder Die Reise zum sonoren Land (1989), Die Stunde da wir nichts voneinander wussten. Ein Schauspiel (1992), Zurüstungen für die Unsterblichkeit. Ein Königsdrama (1997) et Die Fahrt im Einbaum oder Das Stück zum Film vom Krieg (1999). Espace du jeu, des images, de la parole, des signes multiples et du rêve, lieu de rencontre de la mémoire individuelle et collective, champ d'expériences et de perceptions ouvert, le lieu théâtral est investi par le poète. Alors assailli par les interrogations sur le devenir de son écriture, par le besoin irrépressible de faire partager à une communauté ses rêves et les instants de révélation de l'ineffable ou de faire du spectateur le témoin de sa fureur et de ses désarrois, Peter Handke érige la narration, iconique ou verbale, polyphonique ou prophétique, en instrument d'un théâtre renouvelé qui ne trouve pas toujours auprès du public et de la critique l'écho escompté.
Rezzori et la France
Authors: Ravy Gilbert
Published: July 2024

Das Thema „Rezzori und Frankreich“ wird hier in zwei gegenseitigen Perspektiven behandelt : zum einen geht es um die Rezeption des Autors Rezzori in Frankreich, insbesondere in der französischen Presse, zum anderen um die Art, wie Rezzori, der lange Jahre in Frankreich verbracht hat, dieses Land und seine Bewohner sieht, beurteilt und in seinem Werk darstellt.

Die Rezeption der zwischen 1961 und 1997 ins Französische übersetzten Romane Rezzoris in Frankreich ist durch zwei Hauptbegriffe charakterisiert : er sei einerseits der typische „ironische Aristokrat“ mit Witz, eleganter Feder und kritischer Distanz, andererseits der letzte Repräsentant der nun (leider?!) versunkenen Habsburger Monarchie, der uns in seinem Werk die letzten Augenblicke eines (Mittel)Europa der Toleranz und des friedlichen Zusammenlebens von diversen Völkern und Religionen wieder lebendig mache.

Der zweite Teil des Beitrags bezieht sich auf den Roman Der Tod meines Bruders Abel sowie auf die beiden unter dem Titel Frankreich 1992 bzw. 1997 erschienenen Essays. Darin lässt sich feststellen, wie paradox Rezzoris Beziehung zu Frankreich sein mag. In Frankreich findet er nämlich gerade das, was er andernorts in Europa vermisst, gerade das, was in seinen Augen die „westliche Kultur“ ausmachte und 1938 zugrundegegangen ist. Aber das „Kulturland Frankreich“ ist und bleibt auch ein jedem noch so wohlwollend gesinnten Fremden hermetisch geschlossenes Land, eine in ihrer Geschichte, in ihrer Kultur, in ihrer Selbstgefälligkeit erstarrte Welt und Gesellschaft, in der trotz vielbeschworener Gleichheit aller Bürger, jeder Einzelne in seiner eigenen, wohlverwahrten, unverrückbar festen Welt lebt. An zwei Hauptbegriffen, die Frankreichs Mentalität und Geschichte prägen, nimmt Rezzori besonders Anstoss : an einem stets wieder erwachenden Nationalismus und an einem nie nachlassenden Rationalismus.

Trotz aller oft sehr akuten (und ebenso oft eindeutig klischeehaften) Kritik bleibt Rezzoris Beziehung zu Frankreich ambivalent: der von ihm heftig gerügten Selbstgefälligkeit der Franzosen und wachsenden Erstarrung ihrer Gesellschaft und Kultur entspricht doch letzten Endes in seinen Augen ein Positives, nämlich die Fähigkeit, der drohenden Globalisierung aller Kultur Widerstand zu leisten.
Bukowiner nationale Spielarten und Gregor von Rezzori
Authors: Jaśtal Katarzyna
Published: July 2024

Die Erinnerungstexte Gregor von Rezzoris, die nicht zuletzt als literarische Dokumente der gewesenen multiethnischen Koexistenz in der Zwischenkriegszeit in der Bukowina gelesen werden, bilden eine von vielen literarischen Spielarten der historischen Landschaft, von der sich „nur etwas von dem erhalten hat, was nicht mehr ist, aber von der Erinnerung reaktiviert werden kann“ (Aleida Assman). Die in den Erinnerungen des Autors rekonstruierten Facetten der Landschaft stehen im krassen Gegensatz zu denen, die von dem Gedächtnis seiner Bukowiner jüdischen Generationsgenossen herausgestellt werden. Der Beitrag, der von dieser Perspektivendifferenz ausgeht, versucht die Frage nach ihren Ursachen zu beantworten, in dem es nach der Rolle der einzelnen Nationalitäten (unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Juden) in Rezzoris Erinnerung fragt und auf das besondere Verständnis der Multiethnizität bei diesem Autor eingeht.
Épeler le monde. L’autre lecture du voyage de Manfred Chobot et Sabine Scholl
Authors: Lartillot Françoise
Published: July 2024

La «poésie de voyage» de la fin du XXe siècle en Autriche, comme celle de Manfred Chobot ou Sabine Scholl, s’érige contre l’emprise de l’imaginaire sur la réflexion du langage par lui-même, telle qu’elle caractérise l’évocation du voyage en poésie moderne. Cette dernière finit par s’abîmer dans le kitsch ou dans un surréalisme exalté. A cela, Chobot et Scholl associent une volonté de toute-puissance déniant à l’autre tout droit à l’existence, dans le droit fil du colonialisme, du sexisme et des totalitarismes politiques et intellectuels. Leur poésie réfute ce type d’écriture et de perception. Certes fidèle à la réflexion moderne du langage par lui-même, elle lui donne cependant une tournure élémentaire : épellation, non-sens, calligrammes et anagrammes, etc., autant de figures tronquées qui permettent la mise en texte d’une subjectivité toujours transitoire, néanmoins se souvenant d’une histoire européenne obsédée par les questions de pouvoir et en conscience de la diversité et banalité du monde. Cette position est moins postmodeme que post-colonialiste, elle prolonge la réception de la poésie moderne par la poésie autrichienne d’après-guerre et pose plus généralement la question d’une révision de l’interprétation de la modernité poétique.
Ludwig Boltzmann, la science autrichienne et le problème de sa réception à l’étranger
Authors: Bouveresse Jacques
Published: July 2024

Quand Boltzmann s’est suicidé, au mois de septembre 1906, il était considéré souvent comme le meilleur spécialiste de physique théorique dans l’espace germanophone et même dans toute l’Europe, ce qui fait que beaucoup d’universités étaient prêtes à faire des efforts spéciaux pour le recruter. Mais il avait en même temps l’impression qu’aussi bien les idées pour lesquelles il s’était battu toute sa vie en physique, que sa conception de la physique elle-même étaient en train d’être évincées par des nouveautés auxquelles il ne croyait pas. Alors qu’il avait toujours été un défenseur passionné de la théorie en général et de la théorie cinétique-moléculaire en particulier, les chefs de file de la science aussi bien allemande que française, avaient adopté une attitude agnostico-sceptique, faite de méfiance non pas seulement à l’égard des hypothèses atomistes, considérées comme beaucoup trop spéculatives, mais également à l’égard de toute conception un peu ambitieuse du rôle de la théorie proprement dite dans les sciences. On s’est intéressé dans cet article à certains aspects de la réception des idées de Boltzmann à l’étranger et plus particulièrement aux raisons pour lesquelles elles ont reçu un accueil nettement plus favorable dans les pays anglo-saxons qu’en Allemagne et en France. Dans le cas de cette dernière, on s’est interrogé plus spécialement sur l’attitude de Poincaré, dont le scepticisme de principe a sûrement constitué une vraie déception pour Boltzmann.
En transit — passage par l’exil cinématographique à Paris
Authors: Mayr Brigitte , Omasta Michael
Published: July 2024

En raison des dramatiques évolutions historiques de 1933, ce sont près de deux mille artistes, hommes et femmes, (Juifs, pour la plupart) à qui il fut interdit de continuer à tourner des films en Allemagne. Ces mesures méprisantes liées à la nécessité de fournir une preuve de son «statut d’aryen» obligèrent à émigrer les personnes subitement mises à l’index qui, peu de temps après la prise du pouvoir par Hitler choisirent pour refuge les pays avoisinants qui passaient encore pour sûrs, avant de devoir quitter définitivement l’Europe, dans un deuxième temps au début de la guerre, et de prendre le chemin de l’exil outre-Atlantique. C’est ainsi que pour une courte période Vienne, Prague, Budapest, Paris, Londres et Amsterdam devinrent des lieux de production du cinéma de l’exil et qu’elles permirent une continuation de la vie culturelle qui s’était développée dans l’Allemagne pré-hitlérienne, au tournant de siècle, pendant l’expressionnisme et la république de Weimar. Cette contribution veut proposer une vue en coupe du cinéma de l’exil à Paris, qui n’a été jusqu’à présent qu’assez peu mis en lumière et peut donc être lue comme une modeste contribution à l’analyse d’une portion de la culture non fasciste de 1’«autre» Europe.
Figures du dégoût chez Michael Haneke
Authors: Blümlinger Christa
Published: July 2024

Figuren des Ekels bei Michael Haneke

Die Unzerstörbarkeit der von Freud benannten zivilisatorischen Ekelschranken ist Grundlage der Filme von Michael Haneke, darin den Provokationen der Wiener Aktionisten nicht unverwandt : Beide zielen auf Transgression ab, und zwar über das Motiv des Degoutanten, gebunden an elementare Akte und Materien des Körpers. Der ambivalente Einsatz der Figur des Ekels erzeugt ein Spannungsfeld zwischen Abstoßung und Attraktion und bei Haneke insbesondere eine Mischung von Urteil und Affekt. Der Konflikt zwischen den Ansprüchen der symbolischen Ordnung und der Insistenz der abjekten Lust, wie ihn Julia Kristeva beschreibt, wird hier nicht nur auf der Ebene der filmischen Erzählung manifest, sondern vermittelt sich auch über die formale Gestaltung, etwa über Bildkomposition und Montage.
Zum Österreich-Diskurs in Frankreich: Rechtsextremismus und Krise der Demokratie
Authors: Kramer Helmut , Stangl Andrea
Published: July 2024

Die klischeehafte Berichterstattung der französischen Printmedien über die Wahlerfolge der rechten Parteien (FPÖ und BZÖ) wird zum Ausgangspunkt eines Versuches genommen, die politische Kultur Österreichs und die Performanz der Regierungen sowie der demokratischen Parteien in den letzten Jahren kritisch zu beleuchten. Es wird argumentiert, dass die im Vergleich mit den meisten anderen EU-Ländern größere Stärke des rechtspopulistischen/rechtsextremen Lagers in Österreich vor allem Folge der Politikschwäche der „traditionellen“ Parteien (SPÖ und ÖVP) und der karrieristischen Ausrich¬ tung ihrer politischen Repräsentantinnen ist.