bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anionic Anchoring Enhanced Quasi Solid Composite Polymer Electrolytes for High Performance Lithium Metal Battery
Authors: Liu Ruliang , Lai Xinyi , Xue Jiaqi , Chen Haiping , Xie Lijun , Qiu Yanxuan , Yin Wei
Published: December 2023

Herein, ZIF-8 inorganic particles with different sized reinforced poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) solid composite polymer electrolytes (PVDF-HFP/10%ZIF-8) were prepared via a facile blade-coating approach, and free-standing quasi solid-state composite electrolytes (PVDF-HFP/10%ZIF-8(0.6)/Plasticizer, abbreviated as PH/10%ZIF-8(0.6)/P), were further obtained through the introduction of plasticizer. Optimized PH/10%ZIF-8(0.6)/P exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 2.8 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C, and superior Li+ transfer number of 0.89 with an ultrathin thickness (26 µm). Therefore, PH/10%ZIF-8(0.6)/P could effectively inhibit the growth of lithium dendrites, and the assembled Li/LiFePO4 cell delivered good cycling stability with a capacity retention rate of 89.1% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C.
High-Density Polyethylene/Carbon Black Composites in Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing: Conductivity, Thermal, Rheological, and Mechanical Responses
Authors: Vidakis Nectarios , Petousis Markos , Michailidis Nikolaos , Mountakis Nikolaos , Argyros Apostolos , Spiridaki Mariza , Moutsopoulou Amalia , Papadakis Vassilis , Charitidis Costas
Published: December 2023

High-density polyethylene polymer (HDPE) and carbon black (CB) were utilized to create HDPE/CB composites with different filler concentrations (0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 16.0, 20.0, and 24.0 wt.%). The composites were extruded into filaments, which were then utilized to fabricate 3D-printed specimens with the material extrusion (MEX) method, suitable for a variety of standard mechanical tests. The electrical conductivity was investigated. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were carried out for all the HDPE/CB composites and pure HDPE. Scanning electron microscopy in different magnifications was performed on the specimens’ fracture and side surfaces to investigate the morphological characteristics. Rheological tests and Raman spectroscopy were also performed. Eleven different tests in total were performed to fully characterize the composites and reveal connections between their various properties. HDPE/CB 20.0 wt.% showed the greatest reinforcement results in relation to pure HDPE. Such composites are novel in the MEX 3D printing method. The addition of the CB filler greatly enhanced the performance of the popular HDPE polymer, expanding its applications.
The 3D Printing of Novel Honeycomb–Hollow Pyramid Sandwich Structures for Microwave and Mechanical Energy Absorption
Authors: Li Quan , Wang Zhicheng , Wang Xueyang , Wang Yang , Yang Jian
Published: December 2023

Honeycomb sandwich (HS) structures are important lightweight and load-bearing materials used in the aerospace industry. In this study, novel honeycomb–hollow pyramid sandwich (HPS) structures were manufactured with the help of fused deposition modeling techniques using PLA and PLA/CNT filaments. The microwave and mechanical energy absorption properties of the HPS structures with different geometry parameters were studied. Compared with the HS structure, the HPS structure enhanced both microwave absorption and mechanical properties. The HPS structures possessed both broadband and wide-angle microwave absorption characteristics. Their reflection loss at 8–18 GHz for incident angles of up to 45° was less than −10 dB. As the thickness of the hollow pyramid increased from 1.00 mm to 5.00 mm, the compressive strength of the HPS structure increased from 4.8 MPa to 12.5 MPa, while mechanical energy absorption per volume increased from 2639 KJ/m3 to 5598 KJ/m3. The microwave absorption and compressive behaviors of the HPS structures were studied.
Effect of Bletilla Striata Polysaccharide on the Pasting, Rheological and Adhesive Properties of Wheat Starch
Authors: Zhao Haibo , Xu Qiang , Yan Tianlan , Zhang Hongdong , Yang Yuliang
Published: December 2023

A combination of starch and hydrocolloids is a facile method for physically modifying native starch. Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) is a glucomannan with various applications in the food and cosmetic industries as a thickening agent. This study focused on investigating the impact of BSP on the pasting, rheological and adhesive properties of wheat starch (WS). Results from a Rapid Visco-Analyzer (RVA) revealed that the addition of BSP (below 0.2%) resulted in increases in peak viscosity, breakdown and setback values. However, for the addition of BSP at a higher concentration (0.3%), the opposite trend was observed. Rheological measurements indicated that the presence of BSP increased the viscoelastic properties of WS–BSP gels. TGA results demonstrated that the presence of BSP promoted the thermal stability of starch. FTIR results indicated the short-range order structure decreased at low addition concentrations of BSP (0.05% and 0.1%) and increased with higher BSP addition concentrations (0.2% and 0.3%). SEM observation showed that the BSP improved the hydrophilic property of starch gels and decreased the size of pores in the starch gels. Further, the mechanical properties of paper samples unveiled that the present of BSP in starch gels obviously increased its bonding strength as an adhesive.
A Fault Detection and Isolation Method via Shared Nearest Neighbor for Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler
Authors: Kim Minseok , Jung Seunghwan , Kim Eunkyeong , Kim Baekcheon , Kim Jinyong , Kim Sungshin
Published: December 2023

Accurate and timely fault detection and isolation (FDI) improve the availability, safety, and reliability of target systems and enable cost-effective operations. In this study, a shared nearest neighbor (SNN)-based method is proposed to identify the fault variables of a circulating fluidized bed boiler. SNN is a derivative method of the k-nearest neighbor (kNN), which utilizes shared neighbor information. The distance information between these neighbors can be applied to FDI. In particular, the proposed method can effectively detect faults by weighing the distance values based on the number of neighbors they share, thereby readjusting the distance values based on the shared neighbors. Moreover, the data distribution is not constrained; therefore, it can be applied to various processes. Unlike principal component analysis and independent component analysis, which are widely used to identify fault variables, the main advantage of SNN is that it does not suffer from smearing effects, because it calculates the contributions from the original input space. The proposed method is applied to two case studies and to the failure case of a real circulating fluidized bed boiler to confirm its effectiveness. The results show that the proposed method can detect faults earlier (1 h 39 min 46 s) and identify fault variables more effectively than conventional methods.
Differential Development Mechanisms of Pore Types under the Sequence Stratigraphic Constraints of the Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation Shale from the Upper Yangtze Platform
Authors: Wang Xinlei , Xi Zhaodong , Yan Zhifeng , Zhang Songhang , Tang Shuheng , Lin Donglin
Published: December 2023

Various types of pores, including organic and inorganic variations, exhibit distinct impacts on the storage capacity of shale gas reservoirs and play a significant role in shale gas occurrence. However, there is a limited number of studies that have quantitatively addressed the developmental characteristics of these diverse pore types and their primary controlling factors. This paper explores the development of inorganic pores, specifically interparticle pores and intraparticle pores, as well as organic matter (OM) pores within the shales of the Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in the Upper Yangtze region. Parameters such as areal porosity, pore diameter, and pore number based on the FE-SEM and image digitization are discussed. Additionally, the influence of the sedimentary environment on the development of various pore types through integrated wavelet transform techniques and geochemical analysis are analyzed. This analysis reveals the distinctive mechanisms governing the development of pore types under the sequence stratigraphic constraints. The findings reveal that the Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation within the study area can be classified into four systems tracts (transgressive systems tracts TST1 and TST2, and highstand systems tracts HST1 and HST2). Within TST1+HST1, OM pores emerge as the predominant pore type, contributing to over 65% of the porosity. TST2 similarly displays OM pores as the dominant type, comprising over 45% of the total porosity, with an average OM areal porosity of 7.3%, notably lower than that of TST1+HST1 (12.7%). Differences in OM pore development between TST1+HST1 and TST2 shales are attributed to variations in OM abundance and type. In HST2, inorganic pores are the dominant pore type, primarily consisting of interparticle pores associated with clay minerals, contributing to more than 50% of the porosity, while OM pores remain almost undeveloped. The frequent sea level fluctuations during the sequence stratigraphic evolution caused variations in sedimentary environments across different depositional sequences. These differing depositional environments lead to varying OM content and types, mineral genesis, and content, ultimately resulting in disparities in the development of shale pore types within different sequences.
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: Maimonides on the Afterlife—Updated
Authors: Lebens Samuel
Published: December 2023

This paper examines the view of the afterlife that emerges upon a straightforward and literal reading of the works of Maimonides that pre-date his Guide to the Perplexed. This view, whether or not it truly reflects the underlying intentions of Maimonides, has a central place in Jewish philosophy to this day. The view has to face a number of well-known objections. I argue that once the background metaphysics and epistemology has been appropriately updated to reflect some of what we have come to know over the intervening centuries, an intriguing eschatology emerges. The result is a conception of the afterlife that is Maimonidean in spirit and which can face down the objections that plagued its intellectual predecessor.
Sin, Sex and Democracy: Politics and the Catholic Church
Authors: Lecaros Véronique , Suárez Ana Lourdes
Published: December 2023

At first glance, the five terms chosen for the title of this Special Issue do not seem to fit together [...]
Changes in the Active Drainage Network and Their Impact on the Hydrological Response and Flood Risk Management Process: A Case Study for a Flysch Mountain Catchment
Authors: Bryndal Tomasz
Published: December 2023

The active drainage network (ADN), as a dynamic component of a catchment, plays an important role in a catchment’s functioning. Changes in the ADN are the most noticeable during extreme hydro-meteorological events, and they result from, among others, the incorporation of man-origin incisions into the ADN. Knowledge of the parameters of the “real” ADN is a key element in the field of catchment hydrology because the ADN affects the intensity of hydro-, geomorpho-, and biological processes. The goals of this study are to assess (1) the changes in the ADN during extreme hydro-meteorological events (with special attention paid to the human-induced impact on the ADN transformation) and (2) the consequences of the ADN changes on the hydrological response of a catchment and their impact on the flood hazard/risk management processes. The study was performed in a mountain catchment, prone to flash flood occurrences. The ADN was reconstructed with the use of ALS-LiDAR data using GIS tools, and the hydrological response was evaluated by using SCS-CN and GIUH models. The results revealed that the ADN functioning during heavy rainfalls is three to four times denser than the natural-origin river drainage network (RDN) (11.4 km·km−2 vs. 2.9 km·km−2), and the RDN is significantly modified by human-origin elements (e.g., roads, ditches, furrows, etc.—they constitute ca. 1/3 of the ADN). Moreover, significant structural changes in the ADN have occurred, which were confirmed by the Hortonians’ type of analysis. The changes in the ADN have affected the hydrological response of the catchment (predominantly an increase in the peak flow—up to 7%) and the dimensions of the 1% probable flood hazard zone (increase of ca. 5%). It may be concluded that significant changes in the ADN, in the catchment studied, had a moderate impact on the changes in the flood hazard level. The results give a new insight into the flood hazard/risk assessment processes in a small flysch mountain catchment.
Fast Solution of Scattering and Micro-Doppler Features from Moving Target Using a Tailored Shooting and Bouncing Ray Method
Authors: Xi Yongji , Li Juan , Guo Lixin , Meng Wei , Wen Shunkang
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we present a tailored shooting and bouncing ray (SBR) method for the fast solution of electromagnetic (EM) scattering from a moving target. And, the micro-Doppler features of the moving target are investigated using a time-frequency analysis technique. In our method, a dynamic spatial division technique is employed to accelerate facet information processing and ray-tracing progress of the moving target. At first, the two coordinate systems are established, which are the geodetic coordinate system (GCS) and the local coordinate system (LCS). In GCS, the target is moving with translation and rotation. The dynamic spatial division is established in LCS to store the facet information and remain relatively stationary to the target. In comparison with the traditional SBR method, this technique avoids repetitive spatial division at each moment in the GCS. Then, ray tracing is performed to find the illuminated facets in the LCS. Finally, the scattering field and the phase compensation are computed in the GCS. In numerical simulations, the verification and computation efficiency comparison are provided using our method and other solutions (MLFMM, RL-GO, and traditional SBR). Moreover, the micro-Doppler features are extracted and analyzed using the time-frequency analysis technique, which includes the precession and spin of the missile, and the rotation of the aircraft. Meanwhile, the micro-Doppler spectra of the target is also compared with the theoretical Doppler of equivalent strong scattering points, which are obtained using the instantaneous high-resolution range profile (HRRP).
Development of a Numerical Simulation Model to Support the Design of a Ship–Satellite Communication System for Autonomous Marine Navigation
Authors: Del Mondo Federico , Seriani Stefano , Gallina Paolo , Gregorio Anna , Taccani Rodolfo
Published: December 2023

In recent years, the concept of autonomous navigation systems has gained substantial significance, with the potential to change the traditional concept of autonomous navigation. The presented numerical simulation investigates the feasibility of a ship’s autonomous navigation system through a laser communication infrastructure handled by a two-degrees-of-freedom (DoFs) acquisition, tracking and pointing (ATP) system able to enable ship–satellite data transmission. The methodology introduced presents the geometrical and kinematic delineation of the model, coupled with the implemented control system, aimed at assessing the pointing accuracy. The minimum requested pointing accuracy is 100 µrad and the analysis highlights the need of using methodologies to reduce the pointing error. Two approaches are investigated to examine a possible improvement of the system, and results show that the pointing phase is influenced less by ship motions and more by errors that occur during the satellite’s positioning and the ship motion acquisition process. A trade-off in choosing parameters to improve the system’s accuracy leads to a satellite’s first targeting time of 0.25 s alongside the probability of hitting the target once every 0.0013 s. The reliability of the system is evaluated through a brief sizing of the optical electromechanical component of the system using the trade-off parameters chosen to improve the pointing phase accuracy.
Ecological Security Assessment of “Grain-for-Green” Program Typical Areas in Northern China Based on Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Liu Xingtao , Li Hang , Wang Shudong , Liu Kai , Li Long , Li Dehui
Published: December 2023

The Inner Mongolia segment of the Yellow River basin (IMYRB) is a typical area for ecological restoration in China. At the end of the 20th century, influenced by climate and human activities, such as mining, grazing, and farmland abandonment, the ecological security of the IMYRB was under more significant pressure. To alleviate the pressure on natural ecosystems and improve the fragile ecological situation, China implemented the “Grain-for-Green” (GFG) project in 1999. However, the evolutionary characteristics of the ecological security of the IMYRB in the first two decades of the 21st century are still lacking. Quantitative and long-term ecological security information of “Grain-for-Green” is needed. Based on this, this study used the “Pressure (P)-State (S)-Response (R)” method and proposed an ecological security assessment and early warning system based on multi-source remote sensing data. The evaluation results indicated a significant improvement in ecological security in the IMYRB from 2000 to 2020. Compared to 2000, the ecological security of the IMYRB had improved significantly in 2020, with an increase of 11.02% (ES > 0.65) and a decrease of 8.89% (ES < 0.35). For the early warning aspect of ecological security, there was a 26.31% growth in non-warning areas, with a 5% decrease in warning areas. Based on the analysis of ecologically critical factors, we proposed the implications for future ecological management as follows. (1) In ecologically fragile areas such as the IMYRB, continued implementation of the GFG was necessary. (2) Vegetation restoration should be scientific and tailored adaptive. (3) The protection of arable land also showed necessity. (4) The grazing management skills should be upgraded. Our study demonstrated that the ecological benefits derived from the “GFG” project are not immediate but cumulative and persistent. The continuous implementation of “GFG” will likely alleviate the pressure exerted by human activities on the natural environment.
Significant Location Accuracy Changes Resulting from Lightning Detection Networks Deployed on Inclined Terrains
Authors: Pan Yun , Zheng Dong , Zhang Yijun , Yao Wen , Zhang Yang , Fang Xianggui , Lyu Weitao , Zhang Wenjuan
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the location accuracy distribution of the lightning detection networks (LDNs) deployed on inclined terrains, an aspect frequently encountered in complex terrains but hitherto disregarded in previous studies. By designing eight substation LDNs deployed on slope-type (ST), mountain-type (MT) and basin-type (BT) terrains, respectively, we employed Monte Carlo simulations to analyze their spatial location accuracy distribution based on time-of-arrival technology. Significant differences among the LDNs on inclined terrains and between them and the LDN on plain-type (PT) terrain were revealed. Compared to the PT LDN, LDNs on inclined terrains exhibited a reduction in high-precision location regions and a shift in the distribution pattern of location accuracy. The ST LDN showed marked deviations in the high-precision vertical location toward the lower slope side with increases in the elevation angle and consistently smaller high-precision vertical location areas compared to MT and BT LDNs. The variations in elevation angles of MT and BT LDNs had a substantial impact on the spatial distribution patterns of both horizontal and vertical location accuracy, with BT LDNs featuring larger vertical high-precision areas than MT LDNs. Our conclusions were further corroborated through an analysis of an actual LDN, which combined characteristics from both ST and MT terrain patterns.
The Ionospheric Plasma Perturbations before a Sequence of Strong Earthquakes in Southeast Asia and Northern Oceania in 2018
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Zeren Zhima , Huang He , Yang Dehe , Yan Rui , Wang Qiao , Shen Xuhui , Liu Chao , Guan Yibing
Published: December 2023

From August to October 2018, a series of strong earthquake (EQ) events occurred in southeast Asia and northern Oceania (22°S to 0°N, 115°E to 170°E) within 50 days. In this paper, we analyze the features of ionospheric plasma perturbations, recorded by the Plasma Analyzer Package (PAP) and Langmuir probe (LAP) onboard the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES-01), before four EQs with magnitudes of Ms 6.9 to Ms 7.4. The ion parameters such as the oxygen ion density (No+), the ion drift velocity in the vertical direction (Vz) under the conditions of geomagnetic storms, and strong EQs are compared. The results show that within 1 to 15 days before the strong EQs, the No+ and the electron density (Ne) increased while the electron temperature (Te) decreased synchronously. Meanwhile, the Vz significantly increased along the ground-to-space direction. The relative variation of No+ and Vz before the strong EQs is more prominent, and the Vz is not easily influenced by the geomagnetic storm but is susceptible to the seismic activities. Our results suggest that the anomaly of ionospheric plasma perturbations occurring in this area is possibly related to the pre-EQ signatures.
Your Input Matters—Comparing Real-Valued PolSAR Data Representations for CNN-Based Segmentation
Authors: Hochstuhl Sylvia , Pfeffer Niklas , Thiele Antje , Hammer Horst , Hinz Stefan
Published: December 2023

Inspired by the success of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based deep learning methods for optical image segmentation, there is a growing interest in applying these methods to Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) data. However, effectively utilizing well-established real-valued CNNs for PolSAR image segmentation requires converting complex-valued data into real-valued representations. This paper presents a systematic comparison of 14 different real-valued representations used as CNN input in the literature. These representations encompass various approaches, including the use of coherency matrix elements, hand-crafted feature vectors, polarimetric features based on target decomposition, and combinations of these methods. The goal is to assess the impact of the choice of PolSAR data representation on segmentation performance and identify the most suitable representation. Four test configurations are employed to achieve this, involving different CNN architectures (U-Net with ResNet-18 or EfficientNet backbone) and PolSAR data acquired in different frequency bands (S- and L-band). The results emphasize the importance of selecting an appropriate real-valued representation for CNN-based PolSAR image segmentation. This study’s findings reveal that combining multiple polarimetric features can potentially enhance segmentation performance but does not consistently improve the results. Therefore, when employing this approach, careful feature selection becomes crucial. In contrast, using coherency matrix elements with amplitude and phase representation consistently achieves high segmentation performance across different test configurations. This representation emerges as one of the most suitable approaches for CNN-based PolSAR image segmentation. Notably, it outperforms the commonly used alternative approach of splitting the coherency matrix elements into real and imaginary parts.
Combining Satellite Imagery and a Deep Learning Algorithm to Retrieve the Water Levels of Small Reservoirs
Authors: Wu Jiarui , Huang Xiao , Xu Nan , Zhu Qishuai , Zorn Conrad , Guo Wenzhou , Wang Jiangnan , Wang Beibei , Shao Shuaibo , Yu Chaoqing
Published: December 2023

There are an estimated 800,000 small reservoirs globally with a range of uses. Given the collective importance of these reservoirs to water resource management and wider society, it is essential that we can monitor and understand the hydrological dynamics of ungauged reservoirs, particularly in a changing climate. However, unlike large reservoirs, continuous and systematic hydrological observations of small reservoirs are often unavailable. In response, this study has developed a retrieval framework for water levels of small reservoirs using a deep learning algorithm and remotely sensed satellite data. Demonstrated at four reservoirs in California, satellite imagery from both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 along with corresponding water level field measurements was collected. Post-processed images were fed into a water level inversion convolutional neural network model for water level inversion, while different combinations of these satellite images, sampling approaches for training/testing data, and attention modules were used to train the model and evaluated for accuracy. The results show that random sampling of training data coupled with Sentinel-2 satellite imagery was generally the most accurate initially. Performance is improved by incorporating a channel attention mechanism, with the average R2 increasing by 8.6% and the average RMSE and MAE decreasing by 15.5% and 36.4%, respectively. The proposed framework was further validated on three additional reservoirs in different regions. In conclusion, the retrieval framework proposed in this study provides a stable and accurate methodology for water level estimation of small reservoirs and can be a powerful tool for small reservoir monitoring over large spatial scales.
A New Remote Sensing Desert Vegetation Detection Index
Authors: Song Zhenqi , Lu Yuefeng , Ding Ziqi , Sun Dengkuo , Jia Yuanxin , Sun Weiwei
Published: December 2023

Land desertification is a key environmental problem in China, especially in Northwest China, where it seriously affects the sustainable development of natural resources. In this paper, we combine high-resolution satellite remote sensing images and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) visible light images to extract desert vegetation data and quickly locate and accurately monitor land desertification in relevant areas according to changes in vegetation coverage. Due to the strong light and dry climate of deserts in Northwest China, which results in deeper vegetation shadow texture and mostly dry shrubs with fewer stems and leaves, the accuracy of the vegetation index commonly used in visible remote sensing image classification is not able to meet the requirements for monitoring and evaluating land desertification. For this reason, in this paper, we took the Hangjin Banner in Bayannur as an example and constructed a new vegetation index, the HSVGVI (hue–saturation–value green enhancement vegetation index), based on the HSV (hue–saturation–value) color space using channel enhancement that can improve the extraction accuracy of desert vegetation and reduce misclassification. In addition, in order to further test the extraction accuracy, samples of densely vegetated and multi-shaded areas were divided in the study area according to the accuracy-influencing factors. At the same time, the HSVGVI was compared with the vegetation indices EXG (excess green index), RGBVI (red–green–blue vegetation index), MGRVI (modified green–red vegetation index), NGBDI (normalized green–red discrepancy index), and VDVI (visible-band discrepancy vegetation index) constructed based on the RGB (red–green–blue) color space. The experimental results show that the extraction accuracy of the EXG and other vegetation indices constructed in RGB color space can only reach 70%, while the extraction accuracy of the HSVGVI can reach more than 95%. In summary, the HSVGVI proposed in this paper can better realize the extraction of desert vegetation data and can provide a reliable technical tool for monitoring and evaluating land desertification.
Automatic Identification and Statistical Analysis of Data Steps in Electric Field Measurements from CSES-01 Satellite
Authors: Huang Jianping , Li Zongyu , Li Zhong , Li Wenjing , Conti Livio , Lu Hengxin , Zhou Na , Han Ying , Liu Haijun , Chen Xinfang , Chen Zhaoyang , Song Junjie , Shen Xuhui
Published: December 2023

The spaceborne Electric Field Detector (EFD) is one of the payloads of the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES-01), which can measure electric field data at near-Earth orbit for investigating fundamental scientific topics such as the dynamics of the top-side ionosphere, lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling, and electromagnetic field emissions possibly associated with earthquake occurrence. The Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) waveform shows anomalous step variations, and this work proposes an automatic detection algorithm to identify steps and analyze their characteristics using a convolutional neural network. The experimental results show that the developed detection method is effective, and the identification performance reaches over 90% in terms of both accuracy and area under the curve index. We also analyze the rate of the occurrence of steps in the three components of the electric field. Finally, we discuss the stability of the statistical results on steps and their relevance to the probe’s function. The research results provide a guideline for improving the quality of EFD data, and further applications in monitoring the low-Earth electromagnetic environment.
Correlation between the Channel Discharge Current and Spectrum of a Single-Stroke Lightning Flash to Canton Tower
Authors: Xu Weiqun , Lyu Weitao , Wang Xuejuan , Chen Lyuwen , Wu Bin , Qi Qi , Ma Ying , Hua Leyan
Published: December 2023

The intense current of lightning plasma can emit radiation across various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectral observation is an effective means to understand the radiation characteristics of lightning channels at different wavelengths. In this context, the spectra and channel current of a single-stroke lightning flash to Canton Tower were acquired from the Tall-Object Lightning Observatory in Guangzhou using a slitless high-speed spectrograph and a Rogowski coil. Spectral correction was applied for enhanced spectral analysis. The relationship between the intensities of different spectral lines and the directly measured current of the lightning channel was investigated for the first time. The results indicated that the duration of the ionic lines in the visible region can be up to one millisecond during the entire discharge process, which is clearly longer than the duration reported in previous research. There always exists a good exponential relationship (y = axb) between the intensities of ionic lines and the channel current with an exponent value (b) very close to 2 and with a coefficient of determination (R2 value) higher than 0.99, whereas the exponential relationship between many atomic lines and the channel current has an exponent value clearly smaller than 2 with a relatively lower R2 value, which implies that the intensities of ionic lines are evidently associated with the square of the current, while the intensities of atomic lines have relatively weak exponential correlation with the current. We also preliminarily verified this conclusion with temperature derived from the ionic and atomic lines. The results indicated that due to the time integral of the current squared, the cooling rate of the temperature derived from the ionic lines in the channel core is not significant when the current decreases, while the cooling rate of the temperature derived from the atomic lines of the surrounding corona sheath channel presents a pronounced decline with a decrease in current.
Spatiotemporal Evaluation of Regional Land Use Dynamics and Its Potential Ecosystem Impact under Carbon Neutral Pathways in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area
Authors: Chen Haoming , Dong Na , Liang Xun , Huang Huabing
Published: December 2023

The spatiotemporal distribution of ecosystem service values (ESVs) and ecological risk are critical indicators to represent the regional ecological protection level and potential of sustainable development, which largely depend on land-use patterns. Aiming to contribute to global climate mitigation, China has proposed dual-carbon goals that would remarkably influence the land-use/cover change (LUCC) distribution. Based on the Landsat land cover data of 2000, 2010 and 2020 and multisource satellite products, several driving factors are integrated into the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model to simulate future LUCC patterns for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under rapid urbanization, cropland protection and carbon neutral (CN) scenarios from 2020 to 2050. Spatial–temporal ecosystem service and ESVs are allocated using INVEST and the equivalent factor method and thus ecological risks are evaluated using the entropy method. Results indicate that forest growth is the largest under the CN scenario, especially in the northwestern and northeastern GBA, exceeding 25,800 km2 in 2050, which results in both the highest habitat quality and carbon storage. The largest ESVs, reaching higher than 5210 yuan/pixel, are found in the CN scenario, particularly expanding toward the suburban area, leading to the lowest ecological risks. From 2020 to 2050, habitat quality, carbon storage and ESVs improve, while ecological risks decline in the CN scenario. This research provides implications for economic and ecological balanced development and gives references to the carbon-neutral pathway for the GBA.
Occupational Concepts: An Underutilized Resource to Further Disabled People and Others Being Occupied: A Scoping Review
Authors: Wolbring Gregor , Gill Simerta
Published: December 2023

Background: Being occupied is an important factor in human well-being and ranges from paid and unpaid work to activities of daily living. Various occupational concepts that do not contain health in the phrase such as “occupational justice” are employed to engage with the social barriers people experience in being occupied. The aim of this study was to understand better to what extent the non-health occupational concepts are used in the academic literature to discuss the social barriers disabled people face in being occupied and whether these occupational concepts are used to enrich discussions in areas that impact the reality of occupation in general such as equity/equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), science and technology governance, well-being and the impact of environmental issues. Methods: a scoping review of academic abstracts employing SCOPUS, the 70 databases of EBSCO-HOST and Web of Science was performed. Results: We found 24,104 abstracts for the 28 occupational concepts we used in general and 624 abstracts in conjunction with disability terms. Of these 28 occupational concepts, “occupational performance” was mentioned the most (in 9739 of the 24,104 and 397 of the 624 abstracts). The next concept “occupational engagement” was already present in one tenth or less. Occupational justice was present in 700 of the 24,104 and 14 of the 624 abstracts. Furthermore, within the 24,104 and 624 abstracts EDI, science and technology governance, environmental topics, and well-being measures were rarely or not mentioned. Most of the 624 abstracts originated from occupational therapy journals. Only 23 of the 624 abstracts originated from journals with “disability”, and none with “disability studies” in the title. Conclusion: Non-health occupational concepts are underutilized in discourses that focus on decreasing the social barriers to being occupied in general and in relation to disabled people, which is a missed opportunity and should be fixed.
The Role of Media in Risk Management Processes—Analysis of the News Coverage of the Forest Fires in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Teijeiro Ariadna , Román-Masedo Laura
Published: December 2023

This paper focuses on the analysis of information on environmental catastrophes published in the digital editions of different national and regional newspapers, from a theoretical perspective that situates them as possible amplifiers of the social perception of risk or generators of alarm among the population in situations of risk or catastrophe. Within this framework, the general objective of the research was to find out to what extent the analysed media (a) transmit specialized, accurate, truthful and contrasted information that moves away from the characteristics of sensationalist news; (b) are useful sources of information for the public in the face of the possibility that they may act as generators of confusion and biased perceptions; and (c) show “communication gaps” in their news in relation to two cases of forest fires in Spain: the fires in Galicia in 2017 and those in Gran Canaria in 2019. The results obtained highlight the need for the media to make an effort to transmit truthful and useful communication for citizens in situations of crisis or catastrophe.
Experimental Study of a Pump-Driven Microchannel-Separated Heat Pipe System
Authors: Chen Shengpeng , Xu Peng , Shi Juan , Sheng Lisha , Han Chaoling , Chen Zhenqian
Published: December 2023

The current situation of high energy consumption in data centers places high demands on the energy consumption and heat-dissipation efficiency of cooling technology. This article studies the steady-state flow and heat-transfer characteristics of a pump-driven separated heat pipe system from an experimental perspective. After designing and selecting the pump-driven microchannel-separated heat pipe system, an experimental platform is built to test the pump-driven microchannel-separated heat pipe system under variable operating conditions. It is found that the optimal filling rate range of the system is 75% to 95%, and the optimal condensing air volume is 4250 m3/h. The relationship between the circulating mass flow rate and the heat-transfer capacity of the heat pipe system is comprehensively influenced by the resistance of each section and the heat-transfer coefficient at the heat exchanger. When the indoor and outdoor temperature difference increases from 10 °C to 30 °C, the heat transfer increases by 261.5%, and the working medium of R410a has a better heat-transfer performance than R134A at outdoor temperatures ranging from 0 to 15 °C. The results contribute to the application of pump-assisted microchannel heat pipe systems in data center machines, which provide guidance for the application of cabinet-level thermal management.
Plastic Waste Management: A Bibliometric Analysis (1992–2022)
Authors: Rinanda Rizki , Sun Yunan , Chang Keke , Sulastri Rini , Cui Xiaoqiang , Cheng Zhanjun , Yan Beibei , Chen Guanyi
Published: December 2023

Plastic waste management has emerged as an urgent global challenge, that has attracted significant attention from researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders. Conducting a bibliometric study on this issue aims to provide a holistic and in-depth bibliometric mapping and analysis of plastic waste management, carefully traced through the Web of Science. Expansive data comprising scientific production by researchers, country/region contributions, affiliations, author references, and topical trends were meticulously scrutinized using the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.15). The exploration of bibliometric studies in plastic waste management is still limited, and this forms the basis of our commitment to explore this field in more depth. The findings in this study showed a progressive increase in the number of published works from 1992 to 2022, using the main keyword “plastic waste management” and 13,103 documents were found that were further analyzed. This demonstrates the profound impact of Chinese scientists on plastic waste management research, as evidenced by their prevalence as top affiliated authors. Given the increasing concern and heightened government and societal attention towards plastic pollution and water contamination, effective waste management, with a particular focus on plastic waste, emerged as the most influential keyword. This comprehensive analysis contributes to the existing literature by highlighting key trends and the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the challenges posed by plastic waste.
A Proposed Performance Assessment System for Sustainable Recruitment Processes for Experienced Cabin Attendants: The PAS Model
Authors: Akpınar Ali Talip , Durmaz Vildan , Erdağ Teoman
Published: December 2023

Among airlines, the continuous increase in the transfer of cabin crews is noteworthy. This phenomenon can be attributed to the perception held by most airlines that experienced cabin attendants play a pivotal role in gaining a competitive advantage. Hence, airlines seek to transfer in experienced cabin attendants who enhance service quality, align with industry standards, and support ongoing improvement initiatives. This study aims to formulate a standardized performance assessment system for airlines to address challenges encountered by transferred cabin crews stemming from the difficulty of moving their past performance data to the receiving airlines. In this research, the triangulation technique was adopted to develop recommendations for the Turkish airline industry that can address the challenges airlines face during transfers of experienced cabin crew. Within the framework of the acquired information, a proposed performance assessment system for sustainable recruitment processes for experienced cabin attendants, termed the PAS model, is suggested. It is recommended that the proposed model undergo thorough investigation and implementation across various airlines, each adhering to different business models, through the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This would then contribute to sustainable professional career management of cabin attendants and enhance decision-making processes of managers, particularly in strategic human resources management, such as procurement and recruitment activities.
Interface Optimization of Cu2S Nanoparticles by Loading N-Doped Carbon for Efficient Sodium-Ion Storage
Authors: Wang Jinhui , Chen Xue , Wang Yang , Tian Guiying , Zhao Zijian
Published: December 2023

Rapid capacity fading and sluggish diffusion kinetics resulting from crystal conversion/powder pulverization hinder practical energy storage application of conversion-type electrodes. To address this issue, we prepared a Cu2S/polyelectrolyte/graphene composite (denoted as Cu2S/PG) through interfacial optimization by incorporating a polyelectrolyte to enhance the connection between Cu2S powders and N-doped graphene. In comparison to CuS and Cu2S, the electrochemical performance of Cu2S/PG was significantly improved by nanocrystallization and carbon-coating, which delivers a capacity of 317 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1 after 200 cycles. Moreover, we performed real-time analysis of the phase conversion and resistance evolution of the Cu2S/PG electrode during Na+ insertion/desertion using in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Thus, the formation of the intermediate phase (Na2S2) was firstly discovered, which finally converts to Na2S by the end of the sodiation process. In sum, the N-doped carbon/graphene wrapping acts as a protective barrier against electrolyte side reactions, thereby effectively improving the cyclability of the conversion-type Cu2S electrodes.
Young Segment Attitudes towards the Environment and Their Impact on Preferences for Sustainable Tourism Products
Authors: Fichter Tim , Martín Juan Carlos , Román Concepción
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to understand better how attitudes towards the environment could influence preferences and willingness to pay for the development of sustainable tourism products on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria. A hybrid choice model is estimated to analyse how different latent constructs related to environmental concerns affect individuals’ preferences for a set of sustainable tourism activities. The data used in the analysis are obtained from a discrete choice experiment where different scenarios with nature-based tourism packages are created. A set of measurement indicators allowed us to gain insight into the underlying latent structure regarding the individuals’ attitudes towards the environment. The analysis consists of integrating these attitudes into a choice model, focusing on a market segment primarily composed of potential customers who are young residents and non-residents. The results reveal significant heterogeneity in preferences and willingness to pay for the various activities under study when attitudinal latent factors are incorporated into the model. Our findings provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners promoting sustainable tourism products.
Carbon Storage Patterns and Landscape Sustainability in Northeast Portugal: A Digital Mapping Approach
Authors: Patrício Matheus B. , Lado Marcos , de Figueiredo Tomás , Azevedo João C. , Bueno Paulo A. A. , Fonseca Felícia
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the impact of regional land abandonment in northeast Portugal. It specifically focused on carbon sequestration opportunities in the Upper Sabor River Watershed, situated in the northeast of Portugal, amidst agricultural land abandonment. The study involved mapping the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) across four soil layers (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) at 120 sampling points. The quantification of SOC storage (measured in Mg C ha−1) allowed for an analysis of its relationship with various landscape characteristics, including elevation, land use and land cover (LULC), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), topographic wetness index (TWI), and erosion risk (ER). Six statistical tests were employed, including multivariate approaches like Cubist and Random Forest, within different scenarios to assess carbon distribution within the watershed’s soils. These modeling results were then utilized to propose strategies aimed at enhancing soil carbon storage. Notably, a significant discrepancy was observed in the carbon content between areas at higher elevations (>1000 m) and those at lower elevations (<800 m). Additionally, the study found that the amount of carbon stored in agricultural soils was often significantly lower than in other land use categories, including forests, mountain herbaceous vegetation, pasture, and shrub communities. Analyzing bi- and multivariate scenarios, it was determined that the scenario with the greatest number of independent variables (set 6) yielded the lowest RMSE (root mean squared error), serving as a key indicator for evaluating predicted values against observed values. However, it is important to note that the independent variables used in set 4 (elevation, LULC, and NDVI) had reasonably similar values. Ultimately, the spatialization of the model from scenario 6 provided actionable insights for soil carbon conservation and enhancement across three distinct elevation levels.
Refugee and Migrant Integration in Urban Spatial Structures and City Development: Case Study of Busan, South Korea
Authors: Konduri Sreenidhi , Lee In-Hee
Published: December 2023

With the increasing protracted displacements and overall worldwide migration in recent decades, local integration has been considered a durable solution. Accordingly, global agendas have recommended the inclusion of migrant populations, especially within urban frameworks, as cities have always been deemed as migrant hubs. This study examines the influence of migrant spatial integration in city development and municipal policy against the historic backdrop of Busan. From liberation (1945) to post-war industrialization (1960s–1980s), Busan experienced population surges with the inflow of refugees and migrants that historically changed government policies and urban development plans. Based on archival research, secondary data, and GIS mapping, this study explores the influence of migrant populations on the city demographics, physical development, and housing initiatives during different periods. The findings of this study highlight the “local turn” in migrant spatial integration and the production of new urban geographies that portray “humanitarian” and “migrant” urbanism, thereby offering insights into sustainable urban futures for migrant and displaced populations.