bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilization to Enhance Productivity and Profitability of Upland Rice Using CSM–CERES–Rice
Authors: Hussain Tajamul , Mulla David J. , Hussain Nurda , Qin Ruijun , Tahir Muhammad , Liu Ke , Harrison Matthew T. , Sinutok Sutinee , Duangpan Saowapa
Published: October 2023

Nitrogen (N) deficiency can limit rice productivity, whereas the over- and underapplication of N results in agronomic and economic losses. Process-based crop models are useful tools and could assist in optimizing N management, enhancing the production efficiency and profitability of upland rice production systems. The study evaluated the ability of CSM–CERES–Rice to determine optimal N fertilization rate for different sowing dates of upland rice. Field experimental data from two growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) were used to simulate rice responses to four N fertilization rates (N30, N60, N90 and a control–N0) applied under three different sowing windows (SD1, SD2 and SD3). Cultivar coefficients were calibrated with data from N90 under all sowing windows in both seasons and the remaining treatments were used for model validation. Following model validation, simulations were extended up to N240 to identify the sowing date’s specific economic optimum N fertilization rate (EONFR). Results indicated that CSM–CERES–Rice performed well both in calibration and validation, in simulating rice performance under different N fertilization rates. The d-index and nRMSE values for grain yield (0.90 and 16%), aboveground dry matter (0.93 and 13%), harvest index (0.86 and 7%), grain N contents (0.95 and 18%), total crop N uptake (0.97 and 15%) and N use efficiencies (0.94–0.97 and 11–15%) during model validation indicated good agreement between simulated and observed data. Extended simulations indicated that upland rice yield was responsive to N fertilization up to 180 kg N ha−1 (N180), where the yield plateau was observed. Fertilization rates of 140, 170 and 130 kg N ha−1 were identified as the EONFR for SD1, SD2 and SD3, respectively, based on the computed profitability, marginal net returns and N utilization. The model results suggested that N fertilization rate should be adjusted for different sowing windows rather than recommending a uniform N rate across sowing windows. In summary, CSM–CERES–Rice can be used as a decision support tool for determining EONFR for seasonal sowing windows to maximize the productivity and profitability of upland rice production.
Three-Dimensional Printing of Graphene Oxide/Poly-L-Lactic Acid Scaffolds Using Fischer–Koch Modeling
Authors: da Silva Thamires Santos , Horvath-Pereira Bianca de Oliveira , da Silva-Júnior Leandro Norberto , Tenório Fireman João Víctor Barbosa , Mattar Michel , Félix Marcílio , Buchaim Rogerio Leone , Carreira Ana Claudia Oliveira , Miglino Maria Angelica , Soares Marcelo Melo
Published: October 2023

Accurately printing customizable scaffolds is a challenging task because of the complexity of bone tissue composition, organization, and mechanical behavior. Graphene oxide (GO) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) have drawn attention in the field of bone regeneration. However, as far as we know, the Fischer–Koch model of the GO/PLLA association for three-dimensional (3D) printing was not previously reported. This study characterizes the properties of GO/PLLA-printed scaffolds in order to achieve reproducibility of the trabecula, from virtual planning to the printed piece, as well as its response to a cell viability assay. Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the nanocomposites. Cellular adhesion, proliferation, and growth on the nanocomposites were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Cell viability tests revealed no significant differences among different trabeculae and cell types, indicating that these nanocomposites were not cytotoxic. The Fischer Koch modeling yielded satisfactory results and can thus be used in studies directed at diverse medical applications, including bone tissue engineering and implants.
Predicting the Performance of Functional Materials Composed of Polymeric Multicomponent Systems Using Artificial Intelligence—Formulations of Cleansing Foams as an Example
Authors: Hamaguchi Masugu , Miwake Hideki , Nakatake Ryoichi , Arai Noriyoshi
Published: October 2023

Cleansing foam is a common multicomponent polymeric functional material. It contains ingredients in innumerable combinations, which makes formulation optimization challenging. In this study, we used artificial intelligence (AI) with machine learning to develop a cleansing capability prediction system that considers the effects of self-assembled structures and chemical properties of ingredients. Over 500 cleansing foam samples were prepared and tested. Molecular descriptors and Hansen solubility index were used to estimate the cleansing capabilities of each formulation set. We used five machine-learning models to predict the cleansing capability. In addition, we employed an in silico formulation by generating virtual formulations and predicting their cleansing capabilities using an established AI model. The achieved accuracy was R2 = 0.770. Our observations revealed that mixtures of cosmetic ingredients exhibit complex interactions, resulting in nonlinear behavior, which adds to the complexity of predicting cleansing performance. Nevertheless, accurate chemical property descriptors, along with the aid of in silico formulations, enabled the identification of potential ingredients. We anticipate that our system will efficiently predict the chemical properties of polymer-containing blends.
Recycling as a Key Enabler for Sustainable Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites: A Critical Perspective on Fused Filament Fabrication
Authors: Sola Antonella , Trinchi Adrian
Published: October 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM, aka 3D printing) is generally acknowledged as a “green” technology. However, its wider uptake in industry largely relies on the development of composite feedstock for imparting superior mechanical properties and bespoke functionality. Composite materials are especially needed in polymer AM, given the otherwise poor performance of most polymer parts in load-bearing applications. As a drawback, the shift from mono-material to composite feedstock may worsen the environmental footprint of polymer AM. This perspective aims to discuss this chasm between the advantage of embedding advanced functionality, and the disadvantage of causing harm to the environment. Fused filament fabrication (FFF, aka fused deposition modelling, FDM) is analysed here as a case study on account of its unparalleled popularity. FFF, which belongs to the material extrusion (MEX) family, is presently the most widespread polymer AM technique for industrial, educational, and recreational applications. On the one hand, the FFF of composite materials has already transitioned “from lab to fab” and finally to community, with far-reaching implications for its sustainability. On the other hand, feedstock materials for FFF are thermoplastic-based, and hence highly amenable to recycling. The literature shows that recycled thermoplastic materials such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, or its glycol-modified form PETG) can be used for printing by FFF, and FFF printed objects can be recycled when they are at the end of life. Reinforcements/fillers can also be obtained from recycled materials, which may help valorise waste materials and by-products from a wide range of industries (for example, paper, food, furniture) and from agriculture. Increasing attention is being paid to the recovery of carbon fibres (for example, from aviation), and to the reuse of glass fibre-reinforced polymers (for example, from end-of-life wind turbines). Although technical challenges and economical constraints remain, the adoption of recycling strategies appears to be essential for limiting the environmental impact of composite feedstock in FFF by reducing the depletion of natural resources, cutting down the volume of waste materials, and mitigating the dependency on petrochemicals.
Approaches for Numerical Modeling and Simulation of the Filling Phase in Injection Molding: A Review
Authors: Baum Markus , Anders Denis , Reinicke Tamara
Published: October 2023

Injection molding is a multiphase process that requires accurate simulation of the filling phase. This is a key element in predicting the complete injection molding cycle. The filling phase presents a complex set of challenges, including migrating melt fronts, multi-phase flow, non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, and intertwined heat transfer. Evolving from 1D to 2D, 2.5D, and 3D techniques, filling simulation research has adapted to capture the intricacies of injection-molded parts. However, the need for accuracy in the characterization of the rheological properties of polymers during filling is still of paramount importance. In order to systematically categorize the numerical methods used to simulate the filling phase of injection molding, this review paper provides a comprehensive summary. Particular emphasis is given to the complex interaction of multiple geometric parameters that significantly influence the dynamic evolution of the filling process. In addition, a spectrum of rheological models is thoroughly and exhaustively explored in the manuscript. These models serve as basic mathematical constructs to help describe the complex viscous behavior of polymers during the filling phase. These models cover a spectrum of complexity and include widely recognized formulations such as the Power-Law, second-order, Herschel–Bulkley, Carreau, Bird–Carreau, and Cross models. The paper presents their implementation to include the temperature-dependent influence on viscosity. In this context, the extensions of these models are explained in detail. These extensions are designed to take into account the dynamic viscosity changes caused by the different thermal conditions during the filling process. An important contribution of this study is the systematic classification of these models. This categorization encompasses both academic research and practical integration into commercial software frameworks. In addition to the theoretical importance of these models, their practical value in overcoming challenges in the field of injection molding is emphasized. By systematically outlining these models within a structured framework, this classification promotes a comprehensive understanding of their intrinsic characteristics and relevance in different scenarios.
A Light-Powered Liquid Crystal Elastomer Roller
Authors: Li Kai , Chen Jiajing , Hu Haoyu , Wu Haiyang , Dai Yuntong , Yu Yong
Published: October 2023

Achieving and controlling the desired movements of active machines is generally accomplished through precise control of artificial muscles in a distributed and serialized manner, which is a significant challenge. The emerging motion control strategy based on self-oscillation in active machines has unique advantages, including directly harvesting energy from constant ambient light, and it has no need for complex controllers. Inspired by the roller, we have innovatively developed a self-rolling roller that consists of a roller and a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) fiber. By utilizing a well-established dynamic LCE model and subjecting it to constant illumination, we have investigated the dynamic behavior of the self-rolling roller. Based on numerical calculations, it has been discovered that the roller, when subjected to steady illumination, exhibits two distinct motion regimes: the static regime and the self-rolling regime. The self-rolling regime, characterized by continuous periodic rolling, is sustained by the interaction between light energy and damping dissipation. The continuous periodic rolling observed in the self-rolling regime is maintained through the interplay between the dissipation of damping and the absorption of light energy. In the static state, the rolling angle of the roller begins to decrease rapidly and then converges to zero. Detailed investigations have been conducted to determine the critical conditions required to initiate self-rolling, as well as the essential system parameters that influence its frequency and amplitude. The proposed self-rolling roller has superiorities in its simple structure, light weight, alternative to manual labor, and speediness. This advancement is expected to inspire greater design diversity in micromachines, soft robotics, energy harvesters, and similar areas.
Unlocking Insights: A Cloud Tool for Data Visualisation in a Smart Meter Project
Authors: Luyo Beni , Pacheco Alex , Cardenas Cesar , Roque Edwin , Larico Guido
Published: October 2023

Nowadays, the large amount of data generated by society has led to a dependency on data analysis and visualisation tools. Therefore, the objective of this research was to implement a cloud-based tool to improve the visualisation of data obtained from 4G network simulation on smart meters. Two stages were carried out in order to analyse and process the data using a cloud-based tool to support data visualisation and to understand and facilitate effective decision-making. This resulted in a remarkable 27.39% increase in average data quality, thanks to the authenticity and reliability of the data obtained through the 4G LTE network on smart meters. It also had a significant impact on the percentage of data read and displayed, with an increase of 63.70%. Finally, the percentage of useful data when applying the tool in the cloud also increased by 47.30%. This allows end users to visualise and understand the behaviour of electricity meters with an LTE network through a customised dashboard.
New Insights into the Chemical Compatibility of Nitrochitosan with Potential Energetic Molecules
Authors: Tarchoun Ahmed Fouzi , Trache Djalal , Hamouche Mohamed Abderrahim , Abdelaziz Amir , Chelouche Salim , Boukeciat Hani , Klapötke Thomas M.
Published: October 2023

This study provides new insights into the compatibility of a promising energetic polysaccharide, called nitrochitosan (NCS), with energy-rich ammonium perchlorate (AP), ammonium nitrate (AN), and hydrazine 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (HNTO) molecules, in order to survey their application prospects in solid rocket propellants and explosives. For this purpose, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses were carried out to accurately evaluate the chemical compatibility of NCS with the selected energetic molecules following the STANAG 4147 criterion. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as a non-thermal complementary technique, was also performed to further elucidate the eventual structural alterations occurring in the physical mixtures (NCS/AP, NCS/AN, and NCS/HNTO). Based on DSC results, the maximum exothermic peak temperature difference between NCS (Tpeak = 164.7 °C) and the as-prepared NCS/AP (Tpeak = 164.3 °C), NCS/AN (Tpeak = 204.3 °C), and NCS/HNTO (Tpeak = 197.0 °C) admixtures is found to be lower than 4 °C. Moreover, TGA experiments showed that the observed mass losses of the physical mixtures are lower than the sum of the weight losses of their respective individual compounds. Therefore, thermal results demonstrated the excellent chemical compatibility of NCS with the corresponding energetic molecules. In addition, FTIR measurements highlighted the absence of chemical interactions between NCS and the selected AP, AN, and HNTO. Therefore, a deep investigation into the characteristics of such energetic composites and their real-world applications will be among the main focuses of the postulated next stage of research.
Personal Wearable Thermal and Moisture Management Clothing: A Review on Its Recent Trends and Performance Evaluation Methods
Authors: Zhou Junming , Zhao Jinming , Guo Xiaolei , Hu Yuxing , Niu Xiaofeng , Wang Faming
Published: October 2023

Personal wearable systems designed to manage temperature and moisture are gaining popularity due to their potential to enhance human thermal comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, particularly in light of climate change and energy shortages. This article presents the mechanisms of thermal and moisture management, recent advances in wearable systems for human thermal and moisture management, and methods for their performance evaluation. It evaluates the pros and cons of various systems. The study finds that most wearable systems for thermal and moisture management are being examined as individual topics. However, human heat and moisture management have noteworthy interactions and impacts on human thermal comfort. There are certain limitations in the methods used for evaluating personal heat and moisture management in wearable systems. This review suggests future research directions for wearable systems to advance this field and overcome these limitations.
The Pleasure of Not Experiencing Anything: Some Reflections on Consciousness in the Context of the Early Buddhist Nikāyas
Authors: Polak Grzegorz
Published: October 2023

The Nibbānasukha-sutta contains Sāriputta’s statement that the pleasure (sukha) of nibbāna lies in the fact that nothing is experienced (vedayita). This statement may be seen as complementary to the proclamation in the Kaḷāra-sutta that all that is experienced is unpleasant (dukkha). In this paper, I attempt to reconstruct the ideas serving as a philosophical backdrop to these radical and seemingly counterintuitive claims. I use a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, re-examining several key Nikāya passages, as well as drawing on modern cognitive science and philosophy of mind. I suggest that vedayita and the closely related concept of the five khandhas (and in particular viññāṇa) refer to various aspects of the type of consciousness whose content is phenomenal, introspectable, reportable and may be integrated into memory. I suggest that such consciousness is not a constant feature of our being engaged in the world and that its absence does not entail insentience or being incognizant. I hypothesize that a relatively low frequency of occurrences of such consciousness in the states known as absorption or flow contributes to their pleasurable nature and the altered sense of the passage of time and selfhood. I attempt to explain how the presence or absence of such consciousness is related to the states of dukkha or sukha, with particular focus on the role played by saṅkhāra. I also discuss the limits of introspection as a means of understanding what exactly makes experiences pleasurable or painful, and consider the possibility of non-introspectable forms of pleasure. In conclusion, I suggest that psychological transformation in early Buddhism is connected with a radical change of perspective, which involves no longer identifying with one’s own consciousness.
Fire, Beards, and Bread: Exploring Christian East–West Relations à Propos of Edward Siecienski’s (Latest) Work
Authors: Mitralexis Sotiris
Published: October 2023

The debate on Christian East–West relations usually centres on the “usual suspects”: papal primacy, the filioque and core doctrine in general, the interpretation of Scripture, ecclesiology, and so on. This review article of Edward Siecienski’s Beards, Azymes, and Purgatory explores other issues that divide East and West, particularly those that may be approached via material ecologies: Fire, Beards, and Bread. “Bread” as in the debate on the Azymes, following Siecienski’s 2023 book; “Beards” as in the beardfullness or beardlessness of clerics; and “Fire” as in ignis purgatorius, yet at an even wider scale, the very fire of Gehenna: the question of the hereafter and the location of the dividing line between doctrine and theologoumena. Thus, a wider spectrum of the debate emerges, with which the present review article aspires to familiarize its readers.
Between Covenant and Contract: Jewish Political Thought and Contemporary Political Theory
Authors: Greenberg Sarah B.
Published: October 2023

Social contract theory has long been at the center of political theory, and one of the inheritors of the social contract tradition, liberalism, reverberates through contemporary political life. And yet, an overlooked element of liberalism are the biblical origins of social contract theory. Specifically, how the early modern political theorists were reading Hebrew Bible, and the kinds of interpretive transformations of Hebrew Bible that take place on the pages of works like Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, John Locke’s Second Treatise, and more. Covenant is the centerpiece of this entanglement. When drawn from Hebrew Bible and read in the context of Jewish political thought, covenant has a very different meaning to that which social contract theories attribute it. This Jewish understanding of covenant concretizes a practice of politics that is constitutively dissenting and agonistic, in contrast to the command–obedience model typical of social contract theory. Furthermore, covenant loses its unique conceptual framework—thus its contribution to political thought—when it is secularized into a social contract. This Jewish conception of covenant offers a new way to understand politics and democratic practice through “covenantal authority” and its constitutively dissenting, agonistic, and circulating qualities. “Covenantal authority” captures the constitutive undecidability of who has authority over the text.
Long-Term Observations of the Thermospheric 6 h Oscillation Revealed by an Incoherent Scatter Radar over Arecibo
Authors: Gong Yun , Ding Yaxuan , Chen Xinkun , Zhang Shaodong , Zhou Qihou , Ma Zheng , Luo Jiahui
Published: October 2023

We present an analysis of 6 h oscillations in the thermosphere ranging from 150 km to 400 km. The analysis applies 134 days of data from an incoherent scatter radar located at Arecibo Observatory (18.3°N, 66.7°W) from 1984 to 2015. To our knowledge, the climatological and seasonal characteristics of the 6 h oscillations in the thermosphere were investigated for the first time over Arecibo. The climatological mean amplitude of the 6 h oscillation in the thermosphere is about 11 m/s, and it increases slowly with altitude above 225 km. The climatological mean amplitude of the 6 h oscillation is comparable with semidiurnal and terdiurnal tides at Arecibo above 250 km. The climatological mean phase exhibits limited vertical variation. The 6 h oscillation is the most prominent in autumn, with amplitudes reaching around 20 m/s compared to approximately 10 m/s in other seasons. The phase structure in all seasons exhibits weak vertical variations. The responses of the thermospheric 6 h oscillation to solar and geomagnetic activities are also analyzed in this study. Our results indicate that at low latitude, solar activities have a small impact on the variation in the thermospheric 6 h oscillation, while it appears that the amplitude of the 6 h oscillation increases with increasing geomagnetic activity. Above 250 km, the amplitude of the 6 h oscillation reaches ~20 m/s during strong geomagnetic activity, which is almost twice of that occurring during weak geomagnetic activity.
Comparing Phenology of a Temperate Deciduous Forest Captured by Solar-Induced Fluorescence and Vegetation Indices
Authors: Merrick Trina , Bennartz Ralf , Jorge Maria Luisa S. P. , Merrick Carli , Bohlman Stephanie A. , Silva Carlos Alberto , Pau Stephanie
Published: October 2023

A shifting phenology in deciduous broadleaf forests (DBFs) can indicate forest health, resilience, and changes in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The availability of satellite-based solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) promises to add to the understanding of the regional-level DBF phenology that has been developed, for instance, using proxies of gross primary productivity (GPP) from the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). It is unclear how OCO-2 and MODIS metrics compare in terms of capturing intra-annual variations and benchmarking DBF seasonality, thus necessitating a comparison. In this study, spatiotemporally matched OCO-2 SIF metrics (at footprint level) and corresponding MODIS GPP, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) products within a temperate DBF were used to compare the phenology captured by the productivity metrics. Additionally, an estimate of the SIF yield (SIFy), derived from OCO-2 SIF measurements, and a MODIS fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) were tested. An examination of the trends and correlations showed relatively few qualitative differences among productivity metrics and environmental variables, but it highlighted a lack of seasonal signal in the calculation of SIFy. However, a seasonality analysis quantitatively showed similar seasonal timings and levels of seasonal production in and out of the growing season between SIF and GPP. In contrast, NDVI seasonality was least comparable to that of SIF and GPP, with senescence occurring approximately one month apart. Taken together, we conclude that satellite-based SIF and GPP (and EVI to a smaller degree) provide the most similar measurements of forest function, while NDVI is not sensitive to the same changes. In this regard, phenological metrics calculated with satellite-based SIF, along with those calculated with GPP and EVI from MODIS, can enhance our current understanding of deciduous forest structures and functions and provide additional information over NDVI. We recommend that future studies consider metrics other than NDVI for phenology analyses.
Evaluation of Improvement Schemes for FY-3B Passive Microwave Soil-Moisture Estimates Retrieved Using the Land Parameter Retrieval Model
Authors: Liu Haonan , Wang Guojie , Hagan Daniel Fiifi Tawia , Hu Yifan , Nooni Isaac Kwesi , Yeboah Emmanuel , Zhou Feihong
Published: October 2023

Satellite observations have provided global and regional soil-moisture estimates in the last four decades. However, the accuracy of these observations largely depends on reducing uncertainties in the retrieval algorithms. In this study, we address two challenges affecting the quality of soil-moisture estimates from a widely used soil-moisture-retrieval model, the land parameter retrieval model (LPRM). We studied two improvement schemes that were aimed at reducing uncertainties in open water signals (the LPRMv6_OWF) and vegetation signals (the LPRMv6_Veg), as well as a scheme to reduce their combined impacts (the LPRMv6_OWFVeg) on LPRM-retrieved soil moisture using the FengYun-3B (FY-3B) satellite observations. To assess the impacts of the improvement schemes, we utilized in situ soil moisture from the Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces in China. We found that the retrievals (Rs) of the LPRMv6_Veg and the LPRMv6_OWFVeg were mainly in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 in Jiangsu and Jiangxi, with increases of 0.1 compared to those of the LPRMv6. The standard deviation (SD) of the LPRMv6_OWFVeg increased in Jiangsu, while the R of the LPRMv6_OWF increased in Jiangsu by 0.05–0.1 compared to that of the LPRMv6, but the SD tended to become worse. In Jiangxi, there was an increase of 0.1 in R. The results show that each of these algorithms improved the accuracy of soil-moisture inversion to some extent, compared to the original algorithm, with the LPRMv6_OWFVeg showing the greatest improvement, followed by the LPRMv6_Veg. The accuracy of both the LPRMv6_OWF and the LPRMv6_OWFVeg decreased to some extent when the open-water fraction (OWF) was greater than 0.2. Full areal extent analyses based on triple collocation showed significant improvements in correlations and minimized errors across different vegetation scenarios over the entire region of China in both the LPRMv6_OWF and the LPRMv6_Veg. However, reduced qualities were found in arid regions in northern China because of the nonlinear relationships between land-surface temperature, vegetation, and soil moisture in the LPRM. These results highlight important lessons for developing comprehensive improvement schemes for soil-moisture retrievals from passive microwave satellite observations.
An Updating of the IONORT Tool to Perform a High-Frequency Ionospheric Ray Tracing
Authors: Pietrella Marco , Pezzopane Michael , Pignatelli Alessandro , Pignalberi Alessio , Settimi Alessandro
Published: October 2023

This paper describes the main updates characterizing the new version of IONORT (IONOsperic Ray Tracing), a software tool developed at Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia to determine both the path of a high frequency (HF) radio wave propagating in the ionospheric medium, and the group time delay of the wave itself along the path. One of the main changes concerns the replacement of a regional three-dimensional electron density matrix, which was previously taken as input to represent the ionosphere, with a global one. Therefore, it is now possible to carry out different ray tracings from whatever point of the Earth’s surface, simply by selecting suitable loop cycles thanks to the new ray tracing graphical user interface (GUI). At the same time, thanks to a homing GUI, it is also possible to generate synthetic oblique ionograms for whatever radio link chosen by the user. Both ray tracing and homing GUIs will be described in detail providing at the same time some practical examples of their use for different regions. IONORT software finds practical application in the planning of HF radio links, exploiting the sky wave, through an accurate and thorough knowledge of the ionospheric medium. HF radio waves users, including broadcasting and civil aviation, would benefit from the use of the IONORT software (version 2023.10).
Analysis of Return-to-Zero Error after the First Load of Load Cell
Authors: Zhuang Shudong , Yang Wen , Cheng Xianming , Kevin Jenny Sama , Liu Chang , Zhang Guangjie , Zhu Wenbin , Tian Chengdong
Published: October 2023

The return-to-zero error of the resistance strain load cell is most obvious in the first zero-return process during loading and unloading. To improve the accuracy of the load cell, it is necessary to figure out the cause of the error. The influence of the temperature, material, and weld cup were analyzed in this paper. It was concluded that the hysteresis is the main factor affecting the return-to-zero error after the first load. The relationship between hysteresis and zero-return error after first load was obtained by a data fitting algorithm. A method to improve the return-to-zero error after the first load was proposed.
Between an Acknowledgment of Immigration and Neglect? Assessing Interculturalism and Media Integration in Luxembourg
Authors: Cascao Suzana
Published: October 2023

Luxembourg is a de facto multicultural country, with 179 different nationalities represented. It is, however, complex to identify who among the latter is perceived as an immigrant by public opinion. In the same vein, immigration stories rarely make the headlines of some of the most prominent outlets of Luxembourg’s mainstream media. This study covers the print content of some of Luxembourg’s dominant media outlets in the search for the representation of (im)migrants and refugees. It thus takes a perspective whereby media act as a vehicle for a quintessential aspect of interculturalism, that of local meaningful interaction. Its overarching question regards the role that both local mainstream and minority media sectors can play in promoting integration through intercultural dialogue. It is hereby argued that immigrants are foremost represented and given a voice in media outlets created for the immigrant and cross-border communities as well as in mainstream media with more local (Tageblatt) and independent political views (D’Lëtzebuerger Land). In stronghold media such as RTL Lëtzebuerg and Luxemburger Wort, immigrants are, instead, scarcely represented.
Prediction of Service Life of Thermoplastic Road Markings on Expressways
Authors: Zhao Luhua , Ding Haonan , Sun Junjing , Wu Guangna , Xing Huiyao , Wang Wei , Song Jie
Published: October 2023

Currently, historical data and on-site surveys—particularly in the context of China—are heavily relied upon to determine the best time to maintain expressway road markings. This study aims to determine what influences the service life of thermoplastic road markings on expressways in Shandong Province, China, while considering both those motorways’ unique characteristics and the local environment. Additionally, a scientific evaluation of the road markings’ retroreflective coefficient’s decay pattern will be undertaken. We collected the retroreflective data for twelve consecutive months regarding the thermoplastic road markings on five expressways and potential influencing factors such as age of marking and annual average daily traffic. The service life of the markings was forecast using a multiple linear regression. Dominance analysis was used to quantitatively analyze each explanatory factor’s impact on the service life of the markings, and statistically significant variables were also found. Using LightGBM, a machine learning technique, a nonparametric prediction model was also created based on examining the relevance of influencing elements. The modeling results show that LightGBM generates an R2 of 0.942, implying that it offers better interpretability and higher accuracy than the regression-based approach. Additionally, LightGBM outperforms MLR according to final validation accuracies, with a score of 95.02% or more than 8% that of MLR. The results are useful for expressway marking upkeep and for driving safety.
Correction: Liu et al. The Impact of Commercial Credit on Firm Innovation: Evidence from Chinese A-Share Listed Companies. Sustainability 2022, 14, 1481
Authors: Liu Tinghua , Wang Jingru , Rathnayake Dilesha Nawadali , Louembé Pierre Axel
Published: October 2023

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Numerical Analysis of the Impact Parameters on the Dynamic Response of a Submerged Floating Tunnel under Coupling Waves and Flows
Authors: Xu Wanhai , Song Zhiyou , Liu Guangjun , Sun Yumeng
Published: October 2023

The Submerged Floating Tunnel (SFT) is a highly promising cross-sea transportation structure. Due to its body being suspended in water, waves and flows are the primary environmental loads it encounters. Existing numerical simulations have been based on potential flow theory, which fails to fully consider shear forces and the nonlinear characteristics of the flow field. To overcome this limitation, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach, relying on solving the Navier-Stokes equations, can be employed. In this study, we establish a CFD model for the SFT and analyze the impact mechanisms of wave-flow coupling on its dynamic response, considering parameters such as wave height, flow velocity, wave direction, and flow direction. With increasing wave height, the acceleration, mooring tension, and heave amplitude of the SFT significantly increase, and the nonlinear characteristics of its dynamic response become more pronounced. For example, when wave height, Hi, increases from 0.046 m to 0.138 m, the maximum value of dimensionless heave, δz/Hi, increases from 0.075 to 0.284, nearly quadrupling in magnitude. When waves and flows propagate in the same direction, the heave amplitude of the SFT increases compared to the case with waves acting alone, while sway and roll amplitudes decrease. Under conditions of higher flow velocity, the SFT displaces significantly along the direction of flow and water depth, deviating significantly from its original equilibrium position. At this point, the tunnel primarily experiences periodic forces due to vortex shedding, and the anchor chain on the downstream side remains slack. In scenarios where waves and flows propagate in opposite directions, both the maximum acceleration and mooring tension of the SFT increase significantly. For instance, the onshore tension of the cable, Fon, increases by 36%, while the offshore tension, Foff, increases by 89%.
Numerical Simulation of Pollutant Spread in a Double-Deck Viaduct
Authors: Zheng Bin , Jin Afang , Zhang Shuzhi , Peng Hao
Published: October 2023

This study uses the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to investigate the effects of the depth-width ratio of a three-dimensional street valley and wind velocity on the flow field and pollutant spread in street valleys with double-deck elevated bridges. The simulation results indicate that when there is no viaduct, there is only one vortex in the gorge when the depth-width ratio (H/W) is less than 1.5; when it is equal to 1.5, multiple vortices appear. With a double-deck viaduct, the viaduct changes the airflow field and turbulence structure in the valley, creating a primary vortex and multiple secondary vortices. Aiming at the diffusion of pollutants, the changing trend in the horizontal and vertical direction was quantitatively analyzed. The study found that when the aspect ratio increased from 0.8 to 1.5, the CO concentration on the leeward side increased by 40%, and the CO concentration on the windward side increased by four times. When the street width increased from 20 m to 37.5 m, the CO concentration decreased by 30%. The increase in wind speed reduced the CO concentration by 28% on the lee side and 33% on the windward side. This study reveals the general pattern of pollutant dispersion in viaduct-street canyon structures, providing insights into the construction of viaducts.
A Comparison of Occupational Safety Perceptions among Domestic and Migrant Workers in Turkey
Authors: Öztürk Tufan
Published: October 2023

Due to a lack of stability, there has been an increase in migration from neighboring countries to Turkey since 2012. Hence, with the rising rate of migrant workers, issues concerning the employment and occupational safety of migrant workers have emerged. This study aims to compare the occupational safety perceptions and occupational accident levels of domestic and immigrant workers and to offer suggestions for helping immigrant workers work in a sustainable environment in terms of health and safety. The questionnaire was preferred as the data collection method for the research. A total of 11 questions were prepared to obtain information about the workers, and 25 questions were designed to determine their perceptions of occupational safety, for the 125 immigrants and 937 domestic workers who participated in the study. An independent sample t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis were used. According to the results of this analysis, the safety perception level of migrant workers is lower than that of domestic workers. The safety perception levels of male, young, and inexperienced individuals are lower than all other groups. Age and education level reduce the occupational accident rate of migrant workers. Conversely, while age decreases the occupational accident level, sectorial experience increases the occupational accident rate for domestic workers. The study also offers some suggestions to boost the health and occupational safety level of immigrant workers sustainably.
Enrichment of Microbial Consortium with Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens for Biological Biogas Upgrade to Biomethane in a Bubble Reactor under Mesophilic Conditions
Authors: Spyridonidis Apostolos , Vasiliadou Ioanna A. , Stathopoulou Panagiota , Tsiamis Athanasios , Tsiamis George , Stamatelatou Katerina
Published: October 2023

The biological upgrading of biogas to simulate natural gas properties contributes to the sustainable establishment of biogas technology. It is an alternative technology to the conventional physicochemical methods applied in biomethane plants and has been studied mainly in thermophilic conditions. Developing an enriched culture for converting the CO2 of biogas to CH4 in mesophilic conditions was the subject of the present study, which could facilitate the biological process and establish it in the mesophilic range of temperature. The enrichment took place via successive dilutions in a bubble bioreactor operated in fed-batch mode. The methane percentage was recorded at 95.5 ± 1.2% until the end of the experiment. The methane production rate was 0.28–0.30 L L−1 d−1 following the low hydrogen loading rate (1.2 ± 0.1 L L−1 d−1) applied to avoid acetate accumulation. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens, Methanobrevibacter sp., were identified at a proportion of 97.9% among the Archaea and 60% of the total population of the enriched culture. Moreover, homoacetogens (Sporomusa sp.) and acetate oxidizers (Proteiniphilum sp.) were also detected, indicating that a possible metabolic pathway for CH4 production from CO2 is via homoacetogenesis and syntrophic acetate oxidation, which kept the acetate concentration at a level of 143 ± 13 mg L−1. It was found that adding NaHCO3 was adequate to sustain the pH at 8.25.
An Optimization Ensemble for Integrated Energy System Configuration Strategy Incorporating Demand–Supply Coordination
Authors: Sun Chenhao , Jiang Xiwei , Jia Zhiwei , Yu Kun , Xiang Sheng , Su Jianhong
Published: October 2023

As one representative smart energy infrastructure in smart cities, an integrated energy system (IES) consists of several types of energy sources, thus making more complicated coupling connections between the supply and demand sides than a power grid. This will impact when allocating different energy sources to ensure the appropriate energy utilization in the IES. With this motivation, an IES energy configuration optimization strategy based on a multi-model ensemble is proposed in this paper. Firstly, one coupling model is constructed to assess the underlying collaborative relationships between two sides for a renewable-energy-connected IES. Next, the independent component analysis (ICA) method is implemented for noise reduction in massive heterogeneous input databases, which can effectively improve the computing efficiency under such high-dimensional data conditions. Also, the self-adaptive quantum genetic model (SAQGM) is built for subsequent configuration optimization. Specifically, the quantum bit representation is incorporated to reduce computation complexity in multi-states scenarios, the double-chain formation of chromosomes is deployed to diminish the uncertainty when encoding, and the dynamic adaptation quantum gate is established to successively amend parameters. Finally, an empirical case study is conducted which can demonstrate the benefits of this strategy in terms of feasibility, efficiency, and economy.
Exploring the Significance of Heritage Preservation in Enhancing the Settlement System Resilience
Authors: Harbiankova Alena , Scherbina Elena , Budzevich Mikalai
Published: October 2023

The sustainable development of urban and rural settlements is considered one of the primary objectives of economic, social, and urban planning. Recent studies focused significant attention on the issue of the resilience of rural settlements due to the challenges and threats they face. One of the essential drivers affecting the resilience of rural settlements is cultural heritage preservation. The research methods were based on the complex systems approach. The study employed a multidimensional analysis method to evaluate the resilience of rural settlements based on five sub-systems: social, economic, environmental, physical, and managerial. The proposed method for evaluation of the settlement sustainability involves the application of a settlement development index and considers the preservation of cultural heritage objects. The data sources used contain open-access information and statistical data provided by municipal organizations, including GIS maps, statistical, and archival records. The study aim was to establish methodological frameworks for evaluating the influence of cultural heritage on the resilience of rural settlements as well as to obtain a quantitative assessment of the resilience of rural settlements within the Zavałočycy local council, located at Hlusk district, Mahiloŭ region, Belarus.
Modern Types of Propulsion for Inland Waterway Transportas a Response to Contemporary Challenges in the Logistics Chain across Polish Seaports
Authors: Drożdż Wojciech , Miśkiewicz Radosław , Pomianowski Artur
Published: October 2023

This paper is devoted to the negative impact of transport activities. Every type of transport comes with negative effects on the environment, people’s health, and people’s comfort of living. Strategic papers from the European Union’s (EU’s) acts of law on national, regional, and local political levels have found that water transport is the future. The authors hypothesize that the increase in the use of inland waterway transport over the coming decades will provide an opportunity to increase the capacity of transport; however, without appropriate regulations regarding emission standards, the use of outdated water transport units will not allow us to achieve positive environmental effects. The authors, therefore, indicate good practices related to the use of shipping in conjunction with the use of modern types of propulsion. The literature review method was used to verify current knowledge about the impacts of water transport as well as to find possible alternatives. Moreover, a survey was conducted among experts—decision-makers in logistics companies operating in Polish seaports. The condition of ships, especially those used on inland waterways, needs to be improved, mainly in the aspect of emissions. Furthermore, a strategy should be prepared to include inland shipping as an ordinary part of the logistics chain in Poland, which seems to be a necessary and expected action, though it will bring only partial environmental benefits.
Study on the Response of the Summer Land Surface Temperature to Urban Morphology in Urumqi, China
Authors: Fan Jiayu , Chen Xuegang , Xie Siqi , Zhang Yuhu
Published: October 2023

Increases in urban temperature affect the urban ecological environment and human health and well-being. In urban morphology, building characteristics are important factors affecting the land surface temperature (LST). Contemporary research focuses mainly on the effects of land use, urban tissue configuration, and street networks on the LST, and the effects of building characteristics on the LST need to be further understood. The mean LST and the urban morphology indicators of a single grid were calculated via a remote sensing inversion and a spatial analysis, and a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was established to explore the influence of the building coverage ratio (BCR), mean building height (BH_mean), floor area ratio (FAR), and mean sky view factor (SVF_mean) on the LST. The results show that the correlations between the urban morphology indicators and the LST at a scale of 100~500 m are of different degrees, and the correlations are more significant at a scale of 200 m. Therefore, the optimal spatial scale for studying the influence of urban morphology indicators on the LST is 200 m. The fitting effect of the GWR model is significantly better than that of the ordinary least squares (OLS) method, and the effects of each indicator on the thermal environment have spatial non-stationarity. The BCR, BH_mean, FAR, and SVF_mean differ in their ability to raise and lower the temperature in different spatial zones, and the order of influence is as follows: BCR > SVF_mean > FAR > BH_mean. This study will provide a reference for the urban planning of Urumqi.