Search Results (159)

Tree diameter at breast height (DBH) is a fundamental metric in forest inventory and management. This paper presents a novel method for DBH estimation using the built-in light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and red, green and blue (RGB) sensors of an iPhone 13 Pro, aiming to improve measurement accuracy and field usability. A single snapshot of a tree, capturing both depth and RGB images, is used to reconstruct a 3D point cloud. The trunk orientation is estimated based on the point cloud to locate the breast height, enabling robust DBH estimation independent of the capture angle. The DBH is initially estimated by the geometrical relationship between trunk size on the image and the depth of the trunk. Finally, a pre-computed lookup table (LUT) is employed to improve the initial DBH estimates into accurate values. Experimental evaluation on 294 trees within a capture range of 0.25 m to 5 m demonstrates a mean absolute error of 0.53 cm and a root mean square error of 0.63 cm. Full article

Implementing nature-based solutions (NbSs) for wildfire risk management and other hazards has been challenging in emerging economies due to the high costs, the lack of immediate returns on investment, and stringent inclusion criteria set by organizations like the IUCN and domain experts. To address these challenges, this exploratory study proposes a new concept: green/blue initiatives. These initiatives represent intermediate steps, encompassing small-scale, community-driven activities that can evolve into recognized NbSs over time. To explore this concept, experiences related to wildfire prevention in the Biobío region of Chile were analyzed through primary and secondary source reviews. The analysis identified three initiatives qualifying as green/blue initiatives: (1) goat grazing in Santa Juana to reduce fuel loads, (2) a restoration prevention farm model in Florida called Faro de Restauración Mahuidanche and (3) the Conservation Landscape Strategy in Nonguén. They were examined in detail using data collected from site visits and interviews. In contrast to Chile’s prevailing wildfire policies, which focus on costly, large-scale fire suppression efforts, these initiatives emphasize the importance of reframing wildfire as a manageable ecological process. Lastly, the challenges and enabling factors for adopting green/blue initiatives are discussed, highlighting their potential to pave the way for future NbS implementation in central Chile. Full article

Biodegradation is a green and efficient method for lignin depolymerization and conversion. In order to screen potential bacterial strains for efficient lignin degradation, composts of cow dung and wheat straw were prepared, and the dynamic changes in the predicted bacterial community structure and function in different periods of the composts were investigated. Then, bacteria with an efficient lignin degradation ability were finally screened out from the compost samples. Based on the monitoring results of the physicochemical indexes of the composting process, it was found that the temperature and pH of the compost firstly increased and then decreased with the extension of time, and the water content and C/N gradually decreased. High-throughput sequencing of compost samples from the initial (DA), high-temperature (DB), and cooling (DC) periods revealed that the number of OTUs increased sharply then stabilized around 2000, and the alpha diversity of the bacterial community decreased firstly and then increased. The predominant phyla identified included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes, determined by the relative abundance of beta-diversity-associated species. Functional gene analysis conducted using Tax4Fun revealed that the genes were primarily categorized into Metabolism, Genetic Information Processing, Environmental Information Processing, and Cellular Processes. Based on the decolorization of aniline blue and the degradation efficiency of alkali lignin, eight bacterial strains were isolated from compost samples at the three stages. Cupriavidus sp. F1 showed the highest degradation of alkali lignin with 66.01%. Cupriavidus sp. D8 showed the highest lignin degradation potential with all three enzyme activities significantly higher than the other strains. The results provide a strategy for the lignin degradation and utilization of biomass resources. Full article

Work-related well-being is an important research topic, as it is linked to various aspects of individuals’ lives, including job performance. To measure it effectively, unobtrusive sensors are desirable to minimize the burden on employees. Because there is a lack of consensus on the definitions of well-being in the psychological literature in terms of its dimensions, our work begins by proposing a conceptualization of well-being based on the refined definition of health provided by the World Health Organization. We focus on reviewing the existing literature on the unobtrusive measurement of well-being. In our literature review, we focus on affect, engagement, fatigue, stress, sleep deprivation, physical comfort, and social interactions. Our initial search resulted in a total of 644 studies, from which we then reviewed 35, revealing a variety of behavioral markers such as facial expressions, posture, eye movements, and speech. The most commonly used sensory devices were red, green, and blue (RGB) cameras, followed by microphones and smartphones. The methods capture a variety of behavioral markers, the most common being body movement, facial expressions, and posture. Our work serves as an investigation into various unobtrusive measuring methods applicable to the workplace context, aiming to foster a more employee-centric approach to the measurement of well-being and to emphasize its affective component. Full article

Real-time monitoring of cotton moisture status and determination of appropriate irrigation thresholds are essential for achieving precision irrigation. Currently employed diagnostic methods based on physiological indicators, remote sensing, or soil moisture measurements typically present limitations including cumbersome procedures, high labor intensity, requirements for specialized technical expertise, and delayed results. To address these challenges, this study investigated the relationship between plant water content and leaf RGB color values (red, green, and blue color values measured using LScolor technology) during the bud, flowering, and boll development stages, with the objective of establishing a predictive model for rapid, real-time moisture status monitoring. Given that leaf position and color values (R, G, and B) of different functional leaves may influence the relationship between leaf color and plant water content, and this relationship varies across different temporal periods, a two-year experiment was conducted. In 2023, leaf color data from the top five functional leaves were measured at five time points daily throughout the irrigation cycle. In 2024, the following four irrigation treatments were established: one conventional irrigation control treatment (CK) and three irrigation treatments at 72% (T1), 70% (T2), and 68% (T3) plant water content thresholds. Results demonstrated that the following: (1) plant water content initially declined during the day and subsequently showed slight recovery, indicating cotton’s particular susceptibility to water stress between 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; (2) plant water content continuously decreased across five measurement periods following irrigation during the bud, flowering, and boll development stages, with R and G color values of the five functional leaves showing declining trends between 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., while B color values exhibited no consistent pattern; (3) correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between plant water content and R and G color values of the five functional leaves during the 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. period, with highly significant correlations observed for the third and fourth leaves from the apex; (4) univariate and bivariate linear regression models were successfully established between cotton water content and R and G color values of the third and fourth leaves from the top; and (5) under 72% plant water content conditions, cotton achieved the highest yield and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency, indicating that 72% represents the optimal irrigation threshold. In conclusion, integrating leaf color–plant water content relationships with the 72% irrigation threshold enables rapid, non-destructive, large-scale diagnosis of cotton moisture status, providing a robust foundation for implementing effective precision irrigation strategies. Full article

Extreme weather events and rising temperatures pose significant risks, not only in urban areas but also in metropolitan forests, that affect the well-being of the people who visit them. City forests are considered one of the best bets for mitigating high temperatures within civic areas. Such areas modulate microclimates in contemporary cities, offering environmental, social, and economic advantages. Therefore, comprehending the intricate relationships between municipal forests and the climatic changes of various destinations is crucial for attaining healthier and more sustainable city environments for people. In this research, the thermal comfort index (Modified Temperature–Humidity Index (MTHI)) has been analysed using Landsat images of six urban forests in London during July 2022, when the area first experienced record-breaking temperatures of over 40 °C. Our results show a significant growth in the MTHI that goes from 2.5 (slightly hot) under normal conditions to 3.4 (hot) during the heat wave period. This situation intensifies the environmental discomfort for visitors and highlights the necessity to enhance their adaptability to future temperature increases. In turn, it was found that the places most affected by heat waves are those that have grass cover or that have small associated buildings. Conversely, forested regions or those with lakes and/or ponds exhibit lower temperatures, which results in enhanced resilience. These findings are noteworthy in their concentration on one of the UK’s most severe heat waves and illustrate the efficacy of integrating spectral measurements with statistical analyses to formulate customized regional initiatives. Therefore, the results reported will allow the implementation of new planning and adaptation policies such as incorporating thermal comfort into planning processes, improving green and blue amenities, increasing tree densities that are resilient to rising temperatures, and increasing environmental comfort conditions in metropolitan forests. Finally, the applicability of this approach in similar urban contexts is highlighted. Full article

Soil drought and salinization are key abiotic stressors for agricultural plants; the development of methods of their early detection is an important applied task. Measurement of red-green-blue (RGB) indices, which are calculated on basis of color images, is a simple method of proximal and remote sensing of plant health under the action of stressors. Potentially, RGB indices can be used to estimate narrow-band reflectance indices and/or photosynthetic parameters in plants. Analysis of this problem was the main task of the current work. We investigated relationships of six RGB indices (r, g, b, ExG, VEG, and VARI) to widely used narrow-band reflectance indices (the normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI, and photochemical reflectance index, PRI) and the potential quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) in wheat and pea plants under soil drought and salinization. It was shown that investigated RGB indices, NDVI, PRI, and Fv/Fm were significantly changed under the action of both stressors; changes in some RGB indices (e.g., ExG) were initiated on the early stage of action of drought or salinization. Correlation analysis showed that RGB indices (especially, ExG, VARY, and g) were strongly related to the NDVI, PRI, and Fv/Fm; linear regressions between these values were calculated. It means that RGB indices measured by simple and low-cost color cameras can be used to estimate plant parameters (NDVI, PRI, and Fv/Fm) requiring sophisticated equipment to measure. Full article

Industrial wastewater contains complex pollutants, including toxic dyes, necessitating effective and sustainable remediation strategies. Conventional treatment methods often struggle to remove multiple dyes simultaneously, underscoring the need for innovative adsorbents. This study investigated a clay/carbon composite (SBE/C (500 °C)) derived from spent bleaching earth (SBE) via pyrolysis for the simultaneous removal of methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) dyes. The pyrolysis process significantly enhanced the specific surface area of SBE, improving its adsorption capacity. Using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM), we optimized key parameters (pH, contact time, and dosage) at 45 °C and an initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L. The developed quadratic model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with experimental results closely aligning with predictions (R² = 0.9983 for MB, 0.9955 for MG), along with strong adjusted (R² = 0.9962 for MB, 0.9896 for MG) and predicted (R² = 0.9811 for MB, 0.9275 for MG) values. Under optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacities reached 27.77 mg/g for MB and 27.38 mg/g for MG. These findings highlight the potential of SBE/C (500 °C) as a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of MB and MG from wastewater, offering a promising solution for environmental remediation. Full article

The existence of historical pigments databases is important to speed up cultural heritage research. Knowledge of their chemical composition and their manufacture contributes to the study of art history and helps develop accurate conservation-restoration strategies. In this study, a total of nineteen pigments, among which we find silicates (Egyptian blue, natural and synthetic blue ultramarine, green earth and chrysocolla), oxides (natural and synthetic hematite, red and yellow natural ochres, and chromium green), carbonates (natural and synthetic azurite, natural and synthetic malachite, and white lead), sulphides (natural and synthetic cinnabar, and orpiment) and acetates, (verdigris) have been characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared-Spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR-FTIR) and Diffuse Reflectance (DRIFT) modalities. Considering the latter, there is still a great deal of uncertainty in the interpretation of the different IR vibrational bands. Therefore, a comparative study between these two techniques has been carried out to highlight the potential of DRIFT spectroscopy as a portable and non-destructive technique that allows the differentiation and characterization of historical pigments in the field of cultural heritage. Before performing FTIR analysis, pigments were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to detect impurities and/or additives in the pigments. Differentiation between natural and synthetic pigments was possible due to the identification of impurities in natural pigments, and manufacture-related compounds or additives in synthetic pigments. Results obtained in this study have proven DRIFT to be a very useful analytical technique for in situ characterization of heritage materials. This study serves as an initial step in clarifying the challenges and uncertainties associated with interpreting spectra obtained through the DRIFT modality. However, the use of other complementary analytical techniques is required. Full article

The application techniques and composition of green and blue-green pigments in the Maijishan Grottoes were explored by utilizing microscopic observation, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX analysis. For the first time, lavendulan and high-purity botallackite were identified in these grottoes, in addition to the commonly found malachite and atacamite. These discoveries suggest that several caves in the Maijishan Grottoes were originally painted in blue-green tones, which have since altered to the current green or dark green hues. It was also revealed that the application of green mixed pigments involved layering malachite over basic copper chloride, rather than blending them together. Moreover, variations in the composition and placement of white ash layers indicate that the use of mixed pigments was likely due to repainting rather than initial decorative purposes. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of ancient painting techniques and provide crucial data for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the Maijishan Grottoes. Full article

Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital city since 1997, gained from substantial public investment, achieving relatively low poverty, high income, and broad access to social services. Implementation of the state infrastructure programs, which were aligned with China’s 2013 Belt and Road Initiative, allowed Astana to become a transport hub, attract people, and improve housing conditions. However, our analysis indicates that Astana’s construction boom resulted in intensive use of financial and natural resources. Moreover, the loss of green and blue lands, accelerated during the implementation of the state infrastructure programs, raises concerns about the environmental impacts of infrastructure spending. As a result, our study highlights the importance of further research and broader stakeholder engagement for bringing Astana’s development path into closer alignment with the principles of sustainability. Specifically, Astana’s stakeholders should adhere to best practices of urban ecosystem preservation, managing sprawl, and efficient use of resources. Finally, integrating green and blue infrastructure in setting targets, allocating funding, and monitoring, improving, and reporting on traditional infrastructure initiatives becomes increasingly important for sustainable urban development. Full article

The structure of nitrofen is stable and resistant to natural degradation, persisting in environments for extended periods. It can accumulate through the food chain, posing risks to human health. Here, we report a sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and molecular imprinting technology (CQDs@MIPs). It not only possesses the specificity and stability of MIPs but also incorporates the environmental friendliness and signal amplification capabilities of CQDs, making it an ideal material for the specific detection of nitrofen residues in the environment. The interaction between CQDs@MIPs and nitrofen, as well as the successful removal of nitrofen, were confirmed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Zeta potential analysis, which evaluated the morphology and particle size of the prepared CQDs@MIPs. After binding with nitrofen, the CQDs@MIP sensor exhibited a low detection limit (2.5 × 10⁻³ mg·L⁻¹), a wide detection range (0.01–40 mg·L⁻¹), a good linear relationship (R² = 0.9951), and a short detection time (5 min). The CQDs@MIP sensor also demonstrated excellent stability, with the fluorescence intensity of CQDs@MIPs remaining above 90% of the initial preparation after 20 days. At the same time, Red, Green, Blue (RGB) color model extraction technology is used to fit the color of the sample under different concentrations, and the smart phone application is integrated to realize the visual detection of nitrofen. Furthermore, acceptable accuracy was achieved in real water samples (recovery rates ranging from 84.1% to 115.7%), indicating that our CQDs@MIP sensor has high analytical potential for real samples. Full article

Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) provides a non-invasive method for assessing the biochemical state of biological materials. In this work, we investigated UPE in fruits of various colours (red, orange, yellow, and green) for potential forensic applications. Firstly, fruits were exposed to natural sunlight for 10 min, after which UPE was measured at 10 min intervals over a three-hour period. The results indicated that, following the initial induced response, all fruit types stabilised to a spontaneous UPE state after approximately 60 min in darkness. Subsequently, we compared UPE responses following exposure to natural sunlight with those obtained under artificial red, green, and blue lights. Under natural sunlight, induced UPE values ranged from 15 to 35 intensity units (IU) and spontaneous UPE from 1 to 25 IU, whereas under artificial lighting, induced UPE ranged from 5 to 30 IU and spontaneous UPE from 1 to 20 IU. Finally, a preliminary comparative study between organic and conventional fruits revealed that organic fruits consistently emitted slightly higher UPE levels than conventional ones, suggesting subtle differences in their biochemical properties. All these findings underscore the potential of UPE as a forensic tool for differentiating plant-based materials, with promising applications in food fraud detection and criminal investigations. Full article

In this paper, we demonstrate a broadband and simultaneous waveguide array light source based on water-soluble CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). We initially measure the fluorescence intensity for various cladding solution concentrations along the fiber axis to assess their impact on the propagation loss; the experimental results show that the fluorescent intensity decreases with fiber length, with higher concentrations showing a more pronounced decrease. Then, we showcase a synchronous QD light source in an optofluidic chip that fluoresces in red, green, and blue (RGB) within a microfluidic channel. Finally, a 3 × 3 QD array of a fluorescent display on a single PDMS chip is demonstrated. The QD waveguide represents a compact and stable structure that is readily manufacturable, making it an ideal light source for advancing high-throughput biochemical sensing and on-chip spectroscopic analysis. Full article

The increasing emphasis on appearance and well-being has underscored the significance of self-care. From an aesthetic perspective, this entails addressing the early onset of wrinkles and the initial signs of aging. In response, new techniques have been developed, supplementing existing methods, to mitigate the signs of aging. Aesthetic speech therapy has emerged in recent years as a non-invasive procedure to combat facial aging. The objective of this study is to evaluate its effects on the signs of facial aging in participants subjected to an experimental exercise protocol over a three-month period, focusing on orbicularis and zygomatic muscles, using both a digital evaluation analysis and a self-assessment questionnaire. A cohort of 21 female subjects, aged between 50 and 65, was instructed to perform a series of 4 targeted exercises for 15 min daily over a span of three months. The participants underwent monthly evaluations, each involving the collection of standardized photographic documentation and a three-dimensional facial scan. These scans were subsequently overlaid and analyzed by a colorimetric assay at the conclusion of the study period. Statistical tests were carried out by two-way ANOVA. Additionally, during the final evaluation (T3), the participants completed a questionnaire assessing their satisfaction with their self-image and the non-invasive aesthetic treatment they received. The statistical analysis of the overlays of the collected three-dimensional scans revealed a significant volumetric change around the orbicularis oris muscle. The difference between green and blue pixels was statistically significant (p < 0.05), as was the difference between blue and yellow pixels (p < 0.05). This change did not achieve statistical significance around the zygomatic muscles. The analysis of the participants’ questionnaire responses indicated an increasing level of satisfaction with their self-image at the end of the study compared to T0. Personal confidence increased by 20%, and participants reported a 53% improvement in satisfaction with their appearance in photographs. The observed volumetric changes may be attributed to modifications in the facial muscles targeted by the exercise protocol undertaken by the participants. However, further studies are warranted to delve deeper into this issue, considering the intricate process of facial aging and the complex three-dimensional structure of the face with its various components. Full article