bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YOLOv7oSAR: A Lightweight High-Precision Ship Detection Model for SAR Images Based on the YOLOv7 Algorithm
Authors: Liu Yilin , Ma Yong , Chen Fu , Shang Erping , Yao Wutao , Zhang Shuyan , Yang Jin
Published: March 2024

Researchers have explored various methods to fully exploit the all-weather characteristics of Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images to achieve high-precision, real-time, computationally efficient, and easily deployable ship target detection models. These methods include Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) algorithms and deep learning approaches such as RCNN, YOLO, and SSD, among others. While these methods outperform traditional algorithms in SAR ship detection, challenges still exist in handling the arbitrary ship distributions and small target features in SAR remote sensing images. Existing models are complex, with a large number of parameters, hindering effective deployment. This paper introduces a YOLOv7 oriented bounding box SAR ship detection model (YOLOv7oSAR). The model employs a rotation box detection mechanism, uses the KLD loss function to enhance accuracy, and introduces a Bi-former attention mechanism to improve small target detection. By redesigning the network’s width and depth and incorporating a lightweight P-ELAN structure, the model effectively reduces its size and computational requirements. The proposed model achieves high-precision detection results on the public RSDD dataset (94.8% offshore, 66.6% nearshore), and its generalization ability is validated on a custom dataset (94.2% overall detection accuracy).
The Impact of Urbanization on Spatial–Temporal Variation in Vegetation Phenology: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Zhu Enyan , Fang Dan , Chen Lisu , Qu Youyou , Liu Tao
Published: March 2024

The response of vegetation phenology to urbanization has become a growing concern. As impervious surfaces change as urbanization advances, the variation in vegetation phenology at the dynamic urbanization level was analyzed to significantly quantify the impact of urbanization processes on vegetation phenology. Based on the MOD13Q1 vegetation index product from 2001 to 2020, vegetation phenology parameters, including the start of the growing season (SOS), the end of the growing season (EOS), and the length of the growing season (GSL), were extracted, and the spatial–temporal variation in vegetation phenology, as well as its response to urbanization, was comprehensively analyzed. The results reveal that (1) from 2001 to 2020, the average rates of change for the SOS, EOS, and GSL were 0.41, 0.16, and 0.57 days, respectively. (2) The vegetation phenology changes showed significant spatial–temporal differences at the urbanization level. With each 10% increase in the urbanization level, the SOS and EOS were advanced and delayed by 0.38 and 0.34 days, respectively. (3) The urban thermal environment was a major factor in the impact of urbanization on the SOS and EOS. Overall, this study elucidated the dynamic reflection of urbanization in phenology and revealed the complex effects of urbanization on vegetation phenology, thus helping policymakers to develop effective strategies to improve urban ecological management.
Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Land Cover over Deception Island, Antarctica, Its Driving Mechanisms, and Its Impact on the Shortwave Albedo
Authors: Calleja Javier F. , Muñiz Rubén , Otero Jaime , Navarro Francisco , Corbea-Pérez Alejandro , Reijmer Carleen , de Pablo Miguel Ángel , Fernández Susana
Published: March 2024

The aim of this work is to provide a full description of how air temperature and solar radiation induce changes in the land cover over an Antarctic site. We use shortwave broadband albedo (albedo integrated in the range 300–3000 nm) from a spaceborne sensor and from field surveys to calculate the monthly relative abundance of landscape units. Field albedo data were collected in January 2019 using a portable albedometer over seven landscape units: clean fresh snow; clean old snow; rugged landscape composed of dirty snow with disperse pyroclasts and rocky outcrops; dirty snow; stripes of bare soil and snow; shallow snow with small bare soil patches; and bare soil. The MODIS MCD43A3 daily albedo products were downloaded using the Google Earth Engine API from the 2000–2001 season to the 2020–2021 season. Each landscape unit was characterized by an albedo normal distribution. The monthly relative abundances of the landscape units were calculated by fitting a linear combination of the normal distributions to a histogram of the MODIS monthly mean albedo. The monthly relative abundance of the landscape unit consisting of rugged landscape composed of dirty snow with dispersed clasts and small rocky outcrops exhibits a high positive linear correlation with the monthly mean albedo (R2 = 0.87) and a high negative linear correlation with the monthly mean air temperature (R2 = 0.69). The increase in the solar radiation energy flux from September to December coincides with the decrease in the relative abundance of the landscape unit composed of dirty snow with dispersed clasts and small rocky outcrops. We propose a mechanism to describe the evolution of the landscape: uncovered pyroclasts act as melting centers favoring the melting of surrounding snow. Ash does not play a decisive role in the melting of the snow. The results also explain the observed decrease in the thaw depth of the permafrost on the island in the period 2006–2014, resulting from an increase in the snow cover over the whole island.
An Ensemble-Based Framework for Sophisticated Crop Classification Exploiting Google Earth Engine
Authors: Lv Yan , Feng Wei , Wang Shuo , Wang Shiyu , Guo Liang , Dauphin Gabriel
Published: March 2024

Corn and soybeans play pivotal roles in the agricultural landscape of the United States, and accurately delineating their cultivation areas is indispensable for ensuring food security and addressing hunger-related challenges. Traditional methods for crop mapping are both labor-intensive and time-consuming. Fortunately, the advent of high-resolution imagery, exemplified by Sentinel-2A (S2A), has opened avenues for precise identification of these crops at a field scale, with the added advantage of cloud computing. This paper presents an innovative algorithm designed for large-scale mapping of corn and soybean planting areas on the Google Cloud Engine, drawing inspiration from symmetrical theory. The proposed methodology encompasses several sequential steps. First, S2A data undergo processing incorporating phenological information and spectral characteristics. Subsequently, texture features derived from the grayscale matrix are synergistically integrated with spectral features in the first step. To enhance algorithmic efficiency, the third step involves a feature importance analysis, facilitating the retention of influential bands while eliminating redundant features. The ensuing phase employs three base classifiers for feature training, and the final result maps are generated through a collective voting mechanism based on the classification results from the three classifiers. Validation of the proposed algorithm was conducted in two distinct research areas: Ford in Illinois and White in Indiana, showcasing its commendable classification capabilities for these crops. The experiments underscore the potential of this method for large-scale mapping of crop areas through the integration of cloud computing and high-resolution imagery.
Contrasting Changes of Debris-Free Glacier and Debris-Covered Glacier in Southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Chuanxi , He Zhen , Kang Shengyu , Zhang Tianzhao , Wang Yongjie , Li Teng , He Yifei , Yang Wei
Published: March 2024

Debris-free and debris-covered glaciers are both extensively present in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. High-precision and rigorous comparative observational studies on different types of glaciers help us to accurately understand the overall state of water resource variability and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we used multi-temporal simultaneous UAV surveys to systematically explore the surface elevation change, surface velocity, and surface mass balance of two representative glaciers. Our findings indicate that the thinning rate in the debris-free Parlung No. 4 glacier UAV survey area was consistently higher than that in the debris-covered 24K glacier in 2020–2021 (−1.16 ± 0.03 cm/d vs. −0.36 ± 0.02 cm/d) and 2021–2022 (−0.69 ± 0.03 cm/d vs. −0.26 ± 0.03 cm/d). Moreover, the surface velocity of the Parlung No. 4 glacier was also consistently higher than that of the 24K glacier across the survey period, suggesting a more dynamic glacial state. The surface mass balance of the Parlung No. 4 glacier (2020–2021: −1.82 ± 0.09 cm/d; 2021–2022: −1.30 ± 0.09 cm/d) likewise outpaced that of the 24K glacier (2020–2021: −0.81 ± 0.07 cm/d; 2021–2022: −0.70 ± 0.07 cm/d) throughout the observation period, which indicates that the debris cover slowed the glacier’s melting. Additionally, we extracted the melt contribution of the ice cliff area in the 24K glacier and found that the melt ratio of this ‘hotspot’ area ranged from 10.4% to 11.6% from 2020 to 2022. This comparative analysis of two representative glaciers provides evidence to support the critical role of debris cover in controlling surface elevation changes, glacier dynamics, and surface mass balance.
IMUs Can Estimate Hip and Knee Range of Motion during Walking Tasks but Are Not Sensitive to Changes in Load or Grade
Authors: Fain AuraLea , McCarthy Ayden , Nindl Bradley C. , Fuller Joel T. , Wills Jodie A. , Doyle Tim L. A.
Published: March 2024

The ability to estimate lower-extremity mechanics in real-world scenarios may untether biomechanics research from a laboratory environment. This is particularly important for military populations where outdoor ruck marches over variable terrain and the addition of external load are cited as leading causes of musculoskeletal injury As such, this study aimed to examine (1) the validity of a minimal IMU sensor system for quantifying lower-extremity kinematics during treadmill walking and running compared with optical motion capture (OMC) and (2) the sensitivity of this IMU system to kinematic changes induced by load, grade, or a combination of the two. The IMU system was able to estimate hip and knee range of motion (ROM) with moderate accuracy during walking but not running. However, SPM analyses revealed IMU and OMC kinematic waveforms were significantly different at most gait phases. The IMU system was capable of detecting kinematic differences in knee kinematic waveforms that occur with added load but was not sensitive to changes in grade that influence lower-extremity kinematics when measured with OMC. While IMUs may be able to identify hip and knee ROM during gait, they are not suitable for replicating lab-level kinematic waveforms.
Wrist-Based Fall Detection: Towards Generalization across Datasets
Authors: Fula Vanilson , Moreno Plinio
Published: March 2024

Increasing age is related to a decrease in independence of movement and with this decrease comes falls, millions of falls occur every year and the most affected people are the older adults. These falls usually have a big impact on health and independence of the older adults, as well as financial impact on the health systems. Thus, many studies have developed fall detectors from several types of sensors. Previous studies related to the creation of fall detection systems models use only one dataset that usually has a small number of samples. Training and testing machine learning models in this small scope: (i) yield overoptimistic classification rates, (ii) do not generalize to real-life situations and (iii) have very high rate of false positives. Given this, the proposal of this research work is the creation of a new dataset that encompasses data from three different datasets, with more than 1300 fall samples and 28 K negative samples. Our new dataset includes a standard way of adding samples, which allow the future addition of other data sources. We evaluate our dataset by using classic cost-sensitive Machine Leaning methods that deal with class imbalance. For the training and validation of this model, a set of temporal and frequency features were extracted from the raw data of an accelerometer and a gyroscope using a sliding window of 2 s with an overlap of 50%. We study the generalization properties of each dataset, by testing on the other datasets and also the performance of our new dataset. The model showed a good ability to distinguish between activities of daily living and falls, achieving a recall of 90.57%, a specificity of 96.91% and an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) value of 98.85% against the combination of three datasets.
Contextual Factors Matter: The Role of Social Support in Work-Related Difficulties and Employment Status in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Román Maria S. , González Federico M. , Bardoneschi Lara , Herrera Fernández Matias , Eizaguirre Maria B. , Cáceres Fernando , Benedict Ralph H. B. , Rivera Victor M. , Vanotti Sandra
Published: March 2024

Background: People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) have reported a higher unemployment rate compared to the general population. The complexity of environmental-contextual factors, such as structural and functional social support, may influence employment status (ES). Objectives: to study the relationship between perceived social support and ES, assess the effects of potential mediators, and analyze how these predictors influence components of ES, including absenteeism, work harassment, negative work events, and the use of accommodations. Material and Method: 90 PwMS were recruited. A single-visit assessment included: the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), the Buffalo Vocational Monitoring Survey, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), patient-reported outcomes measuring depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), and the EDSS. Results: Sixty-three (70%) of PwMS were employed. Mediation analysis revealed the involvement of BDI-II and SDMT in the relationship between social support and ES. The functional social support of friends had a significant effect on absenteeism and NWEs. Total functional support was related to harassment, while family support had a significant effect on accommodations. Conclusion: These results show that structural and functional social support, in relation to the clinical variables of the disease, increase the probability of employment and a better quality of work.
Is There a “Green Moral”? How Young People’s Moral Attributes Define Engagement with Narratives about Climate Change
Authors: Capoano Edson , Balbé Alice Dutra , Costa Pedro Rodrigues
Published: March 2024

This paper discusses the relationship between morality and engagement focused on the narratives about climate change. The goal of our research is to understand whether moral grounds identified in individuals and in narratives can influence youth’s engagement in environmental debate and news consumption on climate change. Recognizing that people’s perceptions of climate change are related to several factors, such as ideas, cultures, and values, we sought to understand whether there is a “green morality” or a prevalence of more responsive moral attributes in individuals when they are exposed to thinking about the environment. We use the Moral Foundations Theory to analyze comments on the environmental news on Twitter and a questionnaire adapted to the environment on moral grounds. The data were collected from Brazil and Portugal between 2021 and 2022. The overall results showed a high incidence of responses with Care/Harm and Fairness/Cheating, and an average incidence of responses related to Loyalty/Betrayal and Authority/Subversion. The results indicate that youngsters show a more prominent moral to care and environmental harm, as well as justice and responsibility, which may influence their interest in the consumption of environmental news and future engagement. In addition, there are factors, such as political issues, that can influence moral values and engagement.
Using Primary Care and Emergency Department Datasets for Researching Violence Victimisation in the UK: A Methodological Review of Four Sources
Authors: Fadeeva Anastasia , Barbosa Estela Capelas , Walker Alex , McManus Sally
Published: March 2024

Violence is recognised as a cause of health harm, but it is not consistently or adequately captured in healthcare data systems. While administrative health records could be valuable sources of information for measuring violence, they remain underutilised in violence-related research. The present research aims to examine the suitability of violence indicators in emergency care, primary care, and linked healthcare datasets. Descriptive analyses were conducted with the 2015/16 Hospital Episode Statistics Accident and Emergency (HES A&E) and the 2021/22 Emergency Care Data Set (ECDS). The potential of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and the South Wales Violence Surveillance dataset (a police and emergency department (ED) dataset linked by Public Health Wales) were shown using available evidence. Among the discussed datasets, the South Wales Violence Surveillance dataset has the most detail about violent acts and their contexts, while the CPRD includes a more extensive range of socioeconomic factors about patients and extensive linkage with other datasets. Currently, detailed safeguarding information is routinely removed from the ECDS extracts provided to researchers, limiting its utility for violence research. In the HES A&E, only physical violence was consistently recorded. Addressing these issues has the potential to improve the use of health administrative data in research on violence.
Applicability of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool in Elite Volleyball Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Figlioli Flavia , Belmonte Giacomo , Giustino Valerio , Canzone Alberto , Ferrantello Elena , Gervasi Marco , Fernández-Peña Eneko , Battaglia Giuseppe , Bianco Antonino , Patti Antonino
Published: March 2024

Background: The ease of administration of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) could represent a methodology for periodically evaluating athletes, preventing ankle instability injuries. This study aimed to achieve three objectives: (a) to evaluate the applicability of the CAIT scale in volleyball; (b) to explore whether ankle instability presents a greater risk in lower-level volleyball categories and whether elite athletes demonstrate an ability to mitigate this risk; and (c) to identify potential predictors of ankle instability. Methods: Eighty female volleyball players participated in this cross-sectional observational study. The CAIT was administered to evaluate the athletes belonging to some teams in Series A, B, and C. Results: The Spearman’s ranks correlation coefficient showed significant correlations between CAIT items. Additionally, the Cronbach’s α showed a high internal consistency. Our results showed a significant difference between athletes who reported pain and those who did not (p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model analysis showed that pain was a predictor of ankle instability (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the CAIT can be used to evaluate ankle stability in volleyball players. This scale could represent a valuable tool for implementing specific intervention programs to prevent ankle injuries in athletes.
Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Industry: Exploring Workplace Well-Being Issues in Policy and Practice
Authors: Akter Rahima , Teicher Julian , Alam Quamrul
Published: March 2024

Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the workplace are major issues that affect the work environment and employee well-being. These issues have received little attention from managers in the ready-made garments (RMG) factories or policymakers more generally in Bangladesh, despite the comprehensive approach to restructuring the industry following two devastating industrial accidents. This research examines the role played by RMG factory managers in eliminating gender-based violence and increasing positive work experiences and well-being in the workplace, and the policy initiatives from the government with the aim to stop workplace violence. The study uses qualitative methods—document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that measures to protect workers from GBVH are absent in employment regulation. Though there are high court directives on workplace harassment, these have not been implemented effectively. The findings show that women workers have faced longstanding GBVH, which has impacted their well-being. The increasing rate of women leaving RMG sector jobs reflects how women workers’ well-being issues have been disregarded within the factories.
Maturity Model for Sustainability Assessment of Chemical Analyses Laboratories in Public Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Souza Marco Antonio , González Mario Orestes Aguirre , Pinho André Luís Santos de
Published: March 2024

The increasing demand for sustainable products and services has become a constant requirement for the different stakeholders in an organization. Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have a crucial role in training conscious and competent professionals to lead these changes. Chemical analyses laboratories bring together the proper mix, where the adoption of mature and efficient management systems proves to be crucial not only to better train the institutions’ human resources but also to cooperate in recruiting research projects and other services to benefit society. Maturity models assist in the needed stages for sustainable growth to take place. This paper proposes a maturity model based on standardized norms to guide adjustments related to quality, risks, safety, and environment of chemical analyses laboratories in public higher education institutions. This research was done in four stages: theoretical research about maturity models, sustainability, and integrated management systems; survey with laboratories; case study at a chemical analyses laboratory of an HEI; and structuring and validating a maturity model. As the main results, it was observed that more than 80% of public laboratory managers believe it would be relevant to adopt a maturity model to help organize the laboratory’s internal and external processes. 86% of public laboratory managers understand that using management systems can contribute to hiring new services. We can also observe that 42.9% of public laboratory managers do not know any maturity model. As conclusion, the model includes eight dimensions, 31 subdimensions, and 204 management practices to assess and guide chemical analyses laboratories to sustainable maturity levels.
Distribution and Transformation of Soil Phosphorus Forms under Different Land Use Patterns in an Urban Area of the Lower Yangtze River Basin, South China
Authors: Yan Weibing , Rao Wenbo , Zheng Fangwen , Wang Yaning , Zhang Chi , Li Tianning
Published: March 2024

Understanding the phosphorus (P) cycle is essential for preventing soil P loss, improving environmental quality, and promoting sustainable agriculture, particularly in urban areas. In this study, a representative city of the lower Yangtze River Basin, Nanchang, was chosen to systematically explore the distribution and transformation of soil P forms, which were extracted by an improved SEDEX method and measured by a standard phosphorus–molybdenum blue method under three land use patterns. The contents of soil P forms were the highest in the dryland and the lowest in the paddy field, with total P accumulation in the upper wasteland and paddy field soils but in the lower dryland soil. The pH value and grain size affected soil P form distributions to a variable extent from one land use pattern to another. The transformation of soil P forms was weak in the wasteland. It was first found that some detrital limestone P (De-P) was transformed into exchangeable P (Ex-P) in the paddy field with authigenic calcium-bound phosphorus (Au-P) and organic phosphorus (OP) transformation, and the transformation between Ex-P and iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P), Au-P, and between Au-P and OP existed in the dryland. Land use pattern was the dominant driver for the P distribution and transformation of soil P. This study highlights the critical role of land use patterns in affecting the P cycle of soils in urban areas and the importance of sustainable urban land management.
Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Plastic Bottle Blow Mold Based on Product Life Cycle for Managing the Mold Industry’s Carbon Emission
Authors: Yavuzdeğer Abdurrahman , Esenboğa Burak , Tümay Ateş Kübra , Demirdelen Özge , Yüksel Mehmet
Published: March 2024

Calculating the carbon footprint (CF) holds paramount importance in today’s world as it provides a tangible measure of our impact on the environment. In the corporate realm, businesses armed with CF data can optimize operations, reduce waste, and adopt greener technologies, leading to both environmental and economic benefits. In this study, carbon emissions—a significant global issue—are investigated through the lens of the ISO 14067-ISO Product Based Carbon Footprint (CF) standard, focusing on the operations of a mold company. The primary innovation lies in meticulously tracing every stage of plastic bottle blow mold production, the most prevalent product in the mold industry, from its raw material input to its final form as a mold in the factory. Subsequently, detailed calculations and analysis are conducted to quantify the carbon footprint associated with this process and its impact on the environment. The calculated CF for one ton of PBBM produced by Petka Mold Industry is presented. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by providing a holistic understanding of the carbon footprint of plastic bottle blow mold (PBBM) production, thereby offering valuable insights for managing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability within the mold industry. By integrating a life cycle product carbon footprint thinking into industrial practices, a greener, more sustainable future can be paved, mitigating the ecological footprint of the PBBM.
Impact of Thermal Pretreatment on the Physicochemical Characteristics and Biomethane Yield Potential of Solid Slaughter Waste from High-Throughput Red Meat Abattoirs Valorized as a Potential Feedstock for Biogas Production
Authors: Matjuda Dikonketso Shirleymay , Tekere Memory , Thaela-Chimuka Mary-Jane
Published: March 2024

Rapid urbanization worldwide results in high demand for meat products, which in turn result in high numbers of animals being slaughtered for human consumption to meet food security demands, especially in low-income countries such as South Africa. The waste produced during slaughtering can serve as feedstock for biogas production. This study aims to determine the impacts of pasteurization and sterilization pre-treatments on high-throughput red meat abattoir solid slaughter waste’s physicochemical properties and biomethane yield when used as a feedstock for biogas production. Abattoir solid slaughter waste was collected from 45 high-throughput red meat abattoirs across South Africa and the various physicochemical properties were determined using standard methods, along with the impact of sterilization and pasteurization on red meat abattoir waste. Biomethane yield analysis was performed using AMPTS II with a hydraulic retention time of 40 days. Pasteurization and sterilization pretreatment was seen to increase physicochemical parameters such as pH, volatile solids, total solids, carbon, and nitrogen analyzed in all samples. Pasteurization and sterilization were also seen to increase biomethane yield, where methane production ranged from 610.67 Nml to 1756.30 Nml, 1592.20 Nml to 3319.30 Nml, and 949.57 Nml to 3297.87 Nml for untreated, sterilized, and pasteurized samples, respectively. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) observed in the effect pasteurized and sterilized samples had on physicochemical properties and biomethane yield. It can be concluded that pasteurization and sterilization enhance the bioavailability of the physicochemical properties and biomethane yield of red meat solid slaughter waste when valorized as feedstock for biogas production.
Impact of Superabsorbent Polymer on Shrinkage and Compressive Strength of Mortar and Concrete
Authors: Arckarapunyathorn Wissawin , Markpiban Pochpagee , Sahamitmongkol Raktipong
Published: March 2024

This article aims to study the effects of mixtures with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) when using different mixing methods. The mixing methods used in this study are the dry mixing method and wet mixing method. Autogenous shrinkage, total shrinkage, drying shrinkage, compressive strength, and curing sensitivity index values are investigated. The results show that mixtures with SAPs have reduced autogenous shrinkage and total shrinkage. Shrinkage is more effectively reduced by the dry SAP mixing method than the wet SAP mixing method. The compressive strength derived by the dry SAP mixing method is higher than that derived by the wet SAP mixing method.
CVDMARL: A Communication-Enhanced Value Decomposition Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Traffic Signal Control Method
Authors: Chang Ande , Ji Yuting , Wang Chunguang , Bie Yiming
Published: March 2024

Effective traffic signal control (TSC) plays an important role in reducing vehicle emissions and improving the sustainability of the transportation system. Recently, the feasibility of using multi-agent reinforcement learning technology for TSC has been widely verified. However, the process of mapping road network states onto actions has encountered many challenges, due to the limited communication between agents and the partial observability of the traffic environment. To address this problem, this paper proposes a communication-enhancement value decomposition, multi-agent reinforcement learning TSC method (CVDMARL). The model combines two communication methods: implicit and explicit communication, decouples the complex relationships among the multi-signal agents through the centralized-training and decentralized-execution paradigm, and uses a modified deep network to realize the mining and selective transmission of traffic flow features. We compare and analyze CVDMARL with six different baseline methods based on real datasets. The results show that compared to the optimal method MN_Light, among the baseline methods, CVDMARL’s queue length during peak hours was reduced by 9.12%, the waiting time was reduced by 7.67%, and the convergence algebra was reduced by 7.97%. While enriching the information content, it also reduces communication overhead and has better control effects, providing a new idea for solving the collaborative control problem of multi-signalized intersections.
Global Warming Drives Expansion of Endangered Spruce Forest on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Huayong , Yuan Hang , Zou Hengchao , Zhu Xinyu , Zhang Yihe , Wang Zhongyu , Liu Zhao
Published: March 2024

Global warming is critical to the distribution pattern of endangered plants; therefore, understanding the future changes in the adaptive areas of endangered spruce and driving factors on the Tibetan Plateau is of great research significance for spruce species conservation and sustainability. In this study, variations in the distribution pattern of four endangered spruce species (Picea. Balfouriana, Picea. Linzhiensis, Picea. Complanata, and Picea. Aurantiaca) on the Tibetan Plateau were predicted by the MaxEnt model, and the important environmental variables affecting its geographic distribution were analyzed. We found that under the current climate conditions, the four endangered spruce species were mainly situated in the southern and southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The mean temperature of the coldest quarter was a key environmental variable affecting the geographic distribution of four endangered spruce species, with suitable growth ranges of −9–8 °C for P. balfouriana and −6–5 °C for P. linzhiensis, P. complanata, and P. aurantiaca. Under different future climate pathways, the highly suitable habitat of four endangered spruce was mainly situated in the east, south, and southeast districts of the Tibetan Plateau. With the suitable growth range of key variables continuing to expand on the Tibetan Plateau, the area of suitable habitat for each of the four endangered spruce species increases to varying degrees. Compared with the current climate, four endangered spruce species will expand to the northwest of the Tibetan Plateau under different future climate scenarios, and the degree of expansion will increase with the increase in temperature. This study not only reveals the response of suitable habitats of four endangered spruce species to global warming, but also provides scientific insights for spruce population conservation and sustainable development.
Computational Design of an In-Line Coaxial-to-Circular Waveguide Adapter with More Than an Octave Bandwidth
Authors: Altanzaya Erdenesukh , Heo Jiwon , Xu Songyuan , Lee Chan-Soo , Ahn Bierng-Chearl , Kim Sung-Soo , Choi Seong-Gon
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a computer-simulation-based design of an in-line, coaxial-to-circular waveguide adapter for converting the coaxial transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode to the circular waveguide TE11 mode over more than a one-octave bandwidth. The proposed adapter consists of a coaxial-to-rectangular waveguide transformer employing a stepped-ridge converter and a rectangular-to-circular waveguide transformer employing a curved transition. The proposed adapter has been optimized using a commercial simulation tool. The dimensions of the designed adapter are given so that it can be verified by anyone who is interested. The designed adapter operates from 8.00 GHz to 22.95 GHz (2.87:1 bandwidth) with a reflection coefficient of less than −20 dB and a higher-order mode level of less than −25.0 dB.
A Five-Step Block Method Coupled with Symmetric Compact Finite Difference Scheme for Solving Time-Dependent Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Kaur Komalpreet , Singh Gurjinder , Ritelli Daniele
Published: March 2024

In this article, we present a five-step block method coupled with an existing fourth-order symmetric compact finite difference scheme for solving time-dependent initial-boundary value partial differential equations (PDEs) numerically. Firstly, a five-step block method has been designed to solve a first-order system of ordinary differential equations that arise in the semi-discretisation of a given initial boundary value PDE. The five-step block method is derived by utilising the theory of interpolation and collocation approaches, resulting in a method with eighth-order accuracy. Further, characteristics of the method have been analysed, and it is found that the block method possesses A-stability properties. The block method is coupled with an existing fourth-order symmetric compact finite difference scheme to solve a given PDE, resulting in an efficient combined numerical scheme. The discretisation of spatial derivatives appearing in the given equation using symmetric compact finite difference scheme results in a tridiagonal system of equations that can be solved by using any computer algebra system to get the approximate values of the spatial derivatives at different grid points. Two well-known test problems, namely the nonlinear Burgers equation and the FitzHugh-Nagumo equation, have been considered to analyse the proposed scheme. Numerical experiments reveal the good performance of the scheme considered in the article.
Theoretically Motivated Dark Electromagnetism as the Origin of Relativistic Modified Newtonian Dynamics
Authors: Finster Felix , Isidro José M. , Paganini Claudio F. , Singh Tejinder P.
Published: March 2024

The present paper is a modest attempt to initiate the research program outlined in this abstract. We propose that general relativity and relativistic MOND (RelMOND) are analogues of broken electroweak symmetry. That is, SU(2)R×U(1)YDEM→U(1)DEM (DEM stands for dark electromagnetism), and GR is assumed to arise from the broken SU(2)R symmetry and is analogous to the weak force. RelMOND is identified with dark electromagnetism U(1)DEM, which is the remaining unbroken symmetry after the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the dark electro-grav sector SU(2)R×U(1)YDEM. This sector, as well as the electroweak sector, arises from the breaking of an E8×E8 symmetry in a recently proposed model of unification of the standard model with pre-gravitation, with the latter based on an SU(2)R gauge theory. The source charge for the dark electromagnetic force is the square root of mass, motivated by the experimental fact that the ratio of the square roots of the masses of the electron, up-quark, and down-quark is 1:2:3, which is the opposite of the ratio of their electric charges at 3:2:1. The introduction of the dark electromagnetic force helps us understand the peculiar mass ratios of the second and third generations of charged fermions. We also note that in the deep MOND regime, acceleration is proportional to the square root of mass, which motivates us to propose the relativistic U(1)DEM gauge symmetry as the origin of MOND. We explain why the dark electromagnetic force falls inversely with distance, as in MOND, rather than following the inverse square of distance. We conclude that dark electromagnetism effectively mimics cold dark matter, and the two are essentially indistinguishable in cosmological situations where CDM successfully explains observations, such as CMB anisotropies and gravitational lensing.
A Global Estimate of the Size and Location of Informal Settlements
Authors: Boanada-Fuchs Anthony , Kuffer Monika , Samper Jota
Published: March 2024

Slums are a structural feature of urbanization, and shifting urbanization trends underline their significance for the cities of tomorrow. Despite their importance, data and knowledge on slums are very limited. In consideration of the current data landscape, it is not possible to answer one of the most essential questions: Where are slums located? The goal of this study is to provide a more nuanced understanding of the geography of slums and their growth trajectories. The methods rely on the combination of different datasets (city-level slum maps, world cities, global human settlements layer, Atlas of Informality). Slum data from city-level maps form the backbone of this research and are made compatible by differentiating between the municipal area, the urbanized area, and the area beyond. This study quantifies the location of slums in 30 cities, and our findings show that only half of all slums are located within the administrative borders of cities. Spatial growth has also shifted outwards. However, this phenomenon is very different in different regions of the world; the municipality captures less than half of all slums in Africa and the Middle East but almost two-thirds of all slums in cities of South Asia. These insights are used to estimate land requirements within the Sustainable Development Goals time frame. In 2015, almost one billion slum residents occupied a land area as large as twice the size of the country of Portugal. The estimated 380 million residents to be added up to 2030 will need land equivalent to the size of the country of Egypt. This land will be added to cities mainly outside their administrative borders. Insights are provided on how this land demand differs within cities and between world regions. Such novel insights are highly relevant to the policy actions needed to achieve Target 11.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (“by 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services, and upgrade slums”) as interventions targeted at slums or informal settlements are strongly linked to political and administrative boundaries. More research is needed to draw attention to the urban expansion of cities and the role of slums and informal settlements.
Difference in Intraspecies Transmissibility of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Depending on Abrogating Type 1 Interferon Signaling in Mice
Authors: Oh Byungkwan , Park Seok-Chan , Yang Myeon-Sik , Yang Daram , Ham Gaeul , Tark Dongseob , You Myung Jo , Oh Sang-Ik , Kim Bumseok
Published: March 2024

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a tick-borne zoonotic disease, is caused by infection with SFTS virus (SFTSV). A previous study reported that human-to-human direct transmission of SFTSV can occur. However, potential animal-to-animal transmission of SFTSV without ticks has not been fully clarified. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate potential mice-to-mice transmission of SFTSV by co-housing three groups of mice [i.e., wild-type mice (WT), mice injected with an anti-type I interferon-α receptor-blocking antibody (IFNAR Ab), and mice with knockout of type I interferon-α receptor (IFNAR KO)] as spreaders or recipients with different immune competence. As a result, co-housed IFNAR Ab and IFNAR KO mice showed body weight loss with SFTS viral antigens detected in their sera, extracorporeal secretions, and various organs. Based on histopathology, white pulp atrophy in the spleen was observed in all co-housed mice except WT mice. These results obviously show that IFNAR Ab and IFNAR KO mice, as spreaders, exhibited higher transmissibility to co-housed mice than WT mice. Moreover, IFNAR KO mice, as recipients, were more susceptible to SFTSV infection than WT mice. These findings suggest that type I interferon signaling is a pivotal factor in mice intraspecies transmissibility of SFTSV in the absence of vectors such as ticks.
Recent Scientific Advancements towards a Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus
Authors: Fan Jingyi , Toth Istvan , Stephenson Rachel J.
Published: March 2024

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), or Streptococcus pyogenes, is a gram-positive bacterium that extensively colonises within the human host. GAS is responsible for causing a range of human infections, such as pharyngitis, impetigo, scarlet fever, septicemia, and necrotising fasciitis. GAS pathogens have the potential to elicit fatal autoimmune sequelae diseases (including rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseases) due to recurrent GAS infections, leading to high morbidity and mortality of young children and the elderly worldwide. Antibiotic drugs are the primary method of controlling and treating the early stages of GAS infection; however, the recent identification of clinical GAS isolates with reduced sensitivity to penicillin-adjunctive antibiotics and increasing macrolide resistance is an increasing threat. Vaccination is credited as the most successful medical intervention against infectious diseases since it was discovered by Edward Jenner in 1796. Immunisation with an inactive/live-attenuated whole pathogen or selective pathogen-derived antigens induces a potent adaptive immunity and protection against infectious diseases. Although no GAS vaccines have been approved for the market following more than 100 years of GAS vaccine development, the understanding of GAS pathogenesis and transmission has significantly increased, providing detailed insight into the primary pathogenic proteins, and enhancing GAS vaccine design. This review highlights recent advances in GAS vaccine development, providing detailed data from preclinical and clinical studies across the globe for potential GAS vaccine candidates. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives on the development of GAS vaccines are also described.
Abundance of Selected Lipopolysaccharide-Rich Bacteria and Levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 and Interleukin 8 Expression Are Significantly Associated with Live Attenuated Rotavirus Vaccine Shedding among South African Infants
Authors: Kgosana Lerato P. , Seheri Mapaseka L. , Magwira Cliff A.
Published: March 2024

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) have been shown to promote enteric viral infections. This study tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of bacterial LPS improve oral rotavirus vaccine replication in South African infants. Stool samples were collected from infants a week after rotavirus vaccination to identify vaccine virus shedders (n = 43) and non-shedders (n = 35). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assay for selected LPS-rich bacteria, including Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruguinosa and Klebsiella pneumonia, and to measure the gene expression of bacterial LPS, host Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8). The abundance of selected LPS-rich bacteria was significantly higher in vaccine shedders (median log 4.89 CFU/g, IQR 2.84) compared to non-shedders (median log 3.13 CFU/g, IQR 2.74), p = 0.006. The TLR4 and IL-8 gene expressions were increased four- and two-fold, respectively, in vaccine shedders versus non-shedders, but no difference was observed in the bacterial LPS expression, p = 0.09. A regression analysis indicated a significant association between the abundance of selected LPS-rich bacteria and vaccine virus shedding (Odds ratio 1.5, 95% CI = 1.10–1.89), p = 0.002. The findings suggest that harbouring higher counts of LPS-rich bacteria can increase the oral rotavirus vaccine take in infants.
Finding Attractive Electric-Vehicle-Charging Locations with Photovoltaic System Integration
Authors: Dörre Elias , Klein Timotheus , von Bonin Michael
Published: March 2024

The rise of electric mobility poses a challenge and an opportunity for the housing industry to provide charging infrastructure. The housing industry can take advantage of its large roof areas to install photovoltaic (PV) systems and use the electricity generated to charge electric vehicles. This study explores how the charging demand can be allocated to specific locations based on socio-economic parameters and determines whether PV integration is economically viable for EV charging. Two models are used, one with extensive spatial and traffic data to determine the charging demand for over 300 locations, and another with a time-series-based approach for four specific locations to analyze the seasonal dependencies. The results indicate that PV integration is economically advantageous when electricity purchase prices exceed 0.15 EUR/kWh. Higher electricity prices can lead to significant additional profits through PV integration. Slow charging and charging during the day are beneficial, as they increase self-consumption, making PV systems economically viable. However, fast-charging infrastructure should be combined with PV storage systems for effective PV integration.
Reflexiones y disyuntivas sobre la cuestión socioambiental en tiempos fragmentados
Authors: Agoglia Ofelia , Gelman Mariela , Maure Gustavo
Published: March 2024

El presente artículo se enfoca en el abordaje de la problemática socioambiental y sus diferentes aristas recrudecidas en el contexto pandémico, enfatizando en su relación con la dimensión temporal en que transcurre su desarrollo. El eje argumentativo se concentra en aquellos elementos del sistema que, desde la perspectiva de esta investigación, se vislumbran cómo impedimentos para mitigar su profundización, a pesar de las evidencias científicas de sus posibles consecuencias, anticipadas desde mitad del siglo XX. Lo cual podría considerarse como “la crónica de una crisis anunciada”. Para dar cuenta de ello, el trabajo se organiza en torno al análisis de las principales contradicciones y dimensiones que dan cuenta del contexto de emergencia de la ruptura ambiental y la definición de algunas de sus posibles disyuntivas, delineadas en los márgenes de un futuro de configuración incierta.