Blue Wave Research Articles

Evapotranspiration evaluation using three different protocols on a large green roof in the greater Paris area

Abstract. Nature-based solutions have appeared as relevant solutions to mitigate urban heat islands. To improve our knowledge of the assessment of this ecosystem service and the related physical processes (evapotranspiration), monitoring campaigns are required. This was the objective of several experiments carried out on the Blue Green Wave, a large green roof located in Champs-sur-Marne (France). Three different protocols were implemented and tested to assess the evapotranspiration flux at different scales: the first one was based on the surface energy balance (large scale); the second one was carried out using an evapotranspiration chamber (small scale); and the third one was based on the water balance evaluated during dry periods (point scale). In addition to these evapotranspiration estimates, several hydrometeorological variables (especially temperature) were measured. Related data and Python programs providing preliminary elements of the analysis and graphical representation have been made available. They illustrate the space–time variability in the studied processes regarding their observation scale. The dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8064053 (Versini et al., 2023).

Latinx Blue Wave or Religious Red Shift? The Relationship between Evangelicalism, Church Attendance, and President Trump among Latinx Americans

Contrary to expectations of a leftward “blue wave,” there is now a largely unanticipated “red shift” of Latinx-identifying people toward Republican Party candidates. To examine this shift, data from the 2020 Cooperative Election Study, which features a robust sample of Latinx (Hispanic) Americans, are analyzed to study how religion contributes to the discussion of Latinx politics. Multivariate analyses reveal that Latinx Evangelical Protestants voted for President Trump and opposed his removal from office on the grounds of both articles of his first impeachment more so than other religious orientations. A postive correlation between Trump support and church attendance was also found. Both patterns indicate a religious right push for Latinxs. Scholars building on these findings are urged to more consistently distinguish Latinx voters by religious orientation and embeddedness, as they likely will have a significant impact on future political outcomes.

Blue LD-pumped continuous wave a-cut Pr3+:LiYF4 near-infrared laser at 868 nm

We reported an 868 nm Pr3+:LiYF4 (Pr:YLF) laser pumped by an InGaN blue laser diode (LD) for the first time. The maximum power of the laser was 641 mW and the beam quality Mx2 and My2 factors were ∼2.66 in the x-direction and ∼2.32 in the y-direction, respectively. The output power fluctuation was stable within ±2 %. The 868 nm laser was successfully realized in Pr:YLF crystal by designing and optimizing the laser resonant cavity and optical thin films. In addition, we theoretically simulated the nonlinear relationship between the laser output power and the absorbed pump power, and the theoretical simulation results were in agreement with the experimental data. The first realization of the 868 nm Pr:YLF laser further expands the near-infrared lasers.

Mapping trade-offs among key ecosystem functions in tidal marsh to inform spatial management policy for exotic Spartina alterniflora

Invasive Spartina alterniflora has become a global management challenge in coastal wetlands. China has decided to eradicate it completely, but the high costs and its provision of beneficial ecosystem functions (EF, in the form of blue carbon and coastal protection) have raised concerns about its removal. Here, using the Yangtze Estuary as a case study, we explore a reasonable pathway of S. alterniflora management that balanced control of invasive species and EF. We simulated the spatial patterns of two key EF – blue carbon storage and wave attenuation – and identified appropriate zones for eradicating S. alterniflora based on their trade-offs. We observed contrasting patterns along the land-sea gradient for S. alterniflora community, with a decrease in blue carbon storage and an increase in wave attenuation. Notably, pioneer S. alterniflora near the foreshore displayed a high cluster of blue carbon storage (63.61 ± 7.33 Mg C ha−1) and dissipated nearly 70% of wave energy by a width of 163 m. The trade-offs between the two EF indicated that the eradication project should be implemented along the seawall rather than the foreshore. Even in the scenario of prioritized shore defense with the largest eradication zone, S. alterniflora still stored 43.1% more carbon (10.67 Gg C) compared to complete eradication and dissipated over 70% of wave energy in extreme events. Our study innovatively integrates eradication and reservation in S. alterniflora management, providing a sustainable and flexible spatial strategy that meets the needs of stakeholders.

Dual Mode TENG with Self‐Voltage Multiplying Circuit for Blue Energy Harvesting and Water Wave Monitoring

AbstractAs the most extensive natural energy on earth, ocean wave energy is regarded as a difficult energy to be fully and efficiently utilized because of its low frequency and multi‐direction movement. Herein, a versatile blue energy triboelectric nanogenerator (VBE‐TENG) fabricated by using dual‐mode output terminals with charge excitation strategy is reported, which can harvest varying water‐wave energy effectively. Benefiting from the rolling ball on a specific track and the compression rebound characteristics of a spring sheet steel, the carrier can be driven along a specific path through random ocean wave energy, and then the energy is converted into electricity by VBE‐TENG. A high peak output power of 34.3 mW is obtained, 2.5 times as much as that of current highest record based on a device unit in blue energy TENG. In addition, the TENG can light 256 LEDs and continuously power commercial electronic devices in wave environments. The average peak voltage of contact‐separation TENG is converted into virtual signal via Labview software to provide wave height monitoring as a self‐powered sensing system. This work provides a new approach in blue energy TENG toward practical applications.

Development of Aedes aegypti L. under the action of light radiation at different wavelengths

Aedes aegypti is a holometabolous insect, vector of medical importance for arboviral transmission, and has shown the ability to develop chemical larvicides resistance, which are the worldwide used to control mosquitoes’ population because of their low cost. Due to the well-known photophobia, a striking characteristic of the behavior of A. aegypti larvae, this study aimed to observe the development of this insect in its larval stage under the action of certain ranges of light radiation and its possible biological effects. For that, the experiments used larvae in L1, observed during seven days under the action of LEDs (light-emitting diode) that emitted light at different wavelengths, with six different colors, one for each experiment. Some were tested with a light-dark interval every 10 minutes and others every two minutes, with three repetitions. At the end, mosquitoes, pupae and larvae were counted and the data submitted to statistical evaluation. The experiment showed a significant difference between the control and the different wavelengths used, when exposed at two-minute intervals. LEDs that emitted blue (λ = 457.9 nm) and white (λ = 448.58 nm) wave frequencies were the most promising for the development of equipment that could act synergistically with other forms of control in order to improve its efficiency.

Demonstration of 12.5 Mslot/s 32-PPM Underwater Wireless Optical Communication System with 0.34 Photons/Bit Receiver Sensitivity

High-capacity, long-distance underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) technology is an important component in building fast, flexible underwater sensing networks. Underwater communication with light as a carrier has a large communication capacity, but channel loss induced by light attenuation and scattering largely limits the underwater wireless optical communication distance. To improve the communication distance, a low-power 450 nm blue continuous wave (CW) laser diode (LD)-based UWOC system was proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A communication link was designed and constructed with a BER of 3.6 × 10−3 in a total link loss of 80.72 dB in c = 0.51 m−1 water with a scintillation index (S.I.) equal to 0.02 by combining with 32-pulse-position modulation (32-PPM) at a bandwidth of 12.5 MHz and single photon counting reception techniques. The allowable underwater communication distance in Jerlov II (c = 0.528 m−1) water was estimated to be 35.64 m. The attenuation lengths were 18.82, which were equal at link distances of 855.36 m in Jerlov I (c = 0.022 m−1) water. A receiving sensitivity of 0.34 photons/bit was achieved. To our knowledge, this is the lowest receiving sensitivity ever reported under 0.1 dB of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the field of UWOC.

Detection of CSR from Blue Wave Fundus Autofluorescence Images using Deep Neural Network Based on Transfer Learning

Fluid clot below the retinal surface is the root cause of Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR), often referred to as Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC). Delicate tissues that absorb sunlight and enable the brain to recognize images make up the retina. This important organ is vulnerable to damage, which could result in blindness and vision loss for the affected person. Therefore, complete visual loss may be reversed and, in some circumstances, may return to normal with early diagnosis discovery. Therefore, timely and precise CSR detection prevents serious damage to the macula and serves as a foundation for the detection of other retinal disorders. Although CSR has been detected using Blue Wave Fundus Autofluorescence (BWFA) images, developing an accurate and efficient computational system is still difficult. This paper focuses on the use of trained Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to implement a framework for accurate and automatic CSR recognition from BWFA images. Transfer Learning has been used in conjunction with pre-trained network architectures (VGG19) for classification. Statistical parameter evaluation has been used to investigate the effectiveness of DCNN. For VGG19, the statistic parameters evaluation revealed a classification accuracy of 97.30%, a precision of 99.56%, an F1 score of 97.25%, and a recall of 95.04% when using a BWFA image dataset collected from a local eye hospital in Cochin, Kerala, India. Identification of CSR from BWFA images is not done before. This paper illustrates how the proposed framework might be applied in clinical situations to assist physicians and clinicians in the identification of retinal diseases.

Syncope After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Pace or Not?

Syncope After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Pace or Not?

Utilization of image-based spectral reflectance to detect herbicide resistance in glufosinate-resistant and glufosinate-susceptible plants: a proof of concept

AbstractGlufosinate is an effective postemergence herbicide, and overreliance on this herbicide for weed control is likely to increase and select for glufosinate-resistant weeds. Common assays to confirm herbicide resistance are dose–response and molecular sequencing techniques; both can require significant time, labor, unique technical equipment, and a specialized skillset to perform. As an alternative, we propose an image-based approach that uses a relatively inexpensive multispectral sensor designed for unmanned aerial vehicles to measure and quantify surface reflectance from glufosinate-treated leaf disks. Leaf disks were excised from a glufosinate-resistant and glufosinate-susceptible corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties and placed into a 24-well plate containing eight different concentrations (0 to 10 mM) of glufosinate for 48 h. Multispectral images were collected after the 48-h incubation period across five discrete wave bands: blue (475 to 507 nm), green (560 to 587 nm), red (668to 682 nm), red edge (717 to 729 nm), and near infrared (842 to 899 nm). The green leaf index (GLI; a metric to measure chlorophyll content) was utilized to determine relationships between measured reflectance from the tested wave bands from the treated leaf disks and the glufosinate concentration. Clear differences of spectral reflectance were observed between the corn, cotton, and soybean leaf disks of the glufosinate-resistant and glufosinate-susceptible varieties at the 10 mM concentration for select wave bands and GLI. Leaf disks from two additional glufosinate-resistant and glufosinate-susceptible varieties of each crop were subjected to a similar assay with two concentrations: 0 and 10 mM. No differences of spectral reflectance were observed from the corn and soybean varieties in all wave bands and the GLI. The leaf disks of the glufosinate-resistant and glufosinate-susceptible cotton varieties were spectrally distinct in the green, blue, and red-edge wave bands. The results provide a basis for rapidly detecting glufosinate-resistant plants via spectral reflectance. Future research will need to determine the glufosinate concentrations, useful wave bands, and susceptible/resistant thresholds for weeds that evolve resistance.

Tracking a blue wave of ephemeral water across arid southern Africa

Surface water in arid regions is essential to many organisms including large mammals of conservation concern. For many regions little is known about the extent, ecology and hydrology of ephemeral waters, because they are challenging to map given their ephemeral nature and small sizes. Our goal was to advance surface water knowledge by mapping and monitoring ephemeral water from the wet to dry seasons across the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area of southern Africa (300 000 km2). We mapped individual waterholes for six time points each year from mid-2017 to mid-2020, and described their presence, extent, duration, variability, and recurrence. We further analyzed a wide range of physical and landscape aspects of waterhole locations, including soils, geology, and topography, to climate and soil moisture. We identified 2.1 million previously unmapped ephemeral waterholes (85%–89% accuracy) that seasonally extend across 23.5% of the study area. We confirmed a distinct ‘blue wave’ with ephemeral water across the region peaking at the end of the rainy season. We observed a wide range of waterhole types and sizes, with large variances in seasonal and interannual hydrology. We found that ephemeral surface water was associated with loam soils in the study area. From the wettest time period to the driest, there was a ∼44 000 km2 (62%) decrease in ephemeral water extent across the region—these dramatic seasonal fluctuations have implications for wildlife movement. A warmer and drier climate, expected human population growth, and associated agricultural expansion and development may threaten these sensitive and highly variable water resources and the wildlife that depend on them.

Developing a direct drive power take off for the mocean wave energy converter

Wave energy is a source of renewable energy that converts the slow oscillating motion of sea waves into electricity. One of the many challenges to this immature technology is the development of a power take off which must take variable velocity slow oscillatory motion and convert it into fixed frequency electrical power. The Blue Star wave energy device floats on the sea surface and consists of two floats separated by a hinge. In this paper a Vernier Hybrid Machine is developed for use as the power take of in the Blue Star wave energy converter. Firstly, the topology and operation are presented, a short design study conducted to assess the impact of rotor tooth and magnet geometry. The process of developing a prototype is described, detailing the benefits and complexities of modular manufacture. FEA simulations are validated against the experimental prototype and analysed. Finally, design options to further optimise the machine are given.

Remote sensing of the cyanobacteria life cycle: A mesocosm temporal assessment of a Microcystis sp. bloom using coincident unmanned aircraft system (UAS) hyperspectral imagery and ground sampling efforts

Remote sensing technologies offer a consistent, spatiotemporal approach to assess water quality, which includes the detection, monitoring, and forecasting of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms. In this study, a series of ex-situ mesoscale experiments were conducted to first develop and then monitor a Microcystis sp. bloom using a hyperspectral sensor mounted on an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) along with coincident ground sampling efforts including laboratory analyses and in-situ field probes. This approach allowed for the simultaneous evaluation of both bloom physiology (algal growth stages/life cycle) and data collection method on the performance of a suite of 41 spectrally-derived water quality algorithms across three water quality indicators (chlorophyll a, phycocyanin and turbidity) in a controlled environment. Results indicated a strong agreement between Lab and Field-based methods for all water quality indicators independent of growth phase, with regression R2-values above 0.73 for mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and 0.87 for algorithm R2 values. Three of the 41 algorithms evaluated met predetermined performance criteria (MAPE and algorithm R2 values); however, in general, algal growth phase had a substantial impact on algorithm performance, especially those with blue and violet wave bands. This study highlights the importance of co-validating sensor technologies with appropriate ground monitoring methods to gain foundational knowledge before deploying new technologies in large-scale field efforts.

State Building in Crisis Governance: Donald Trump and COVID-19.

State Building in Crisis Governance: Donald Trump and COVID-19.

Women’s narratives inhibiting scopophilic and voyeuristic views: woman as the saviour in contemporary Turkish women’s films

ABSTRACT This study discusses the current Turkish women’s cinema through the films, Mavi Dalga (2013, Blue Wave) and İşe Yarar Bir Şey (2017, Something Useful) by exploring the definitions of women’s cinema. This article aims to examine the point of women’s films in contemporary Turkish cinema by referring to the previous discussions on women’s cinema and addressing the portrayal of women in films that fall under women’s films. The films Mavi Dalga and İşe Yarar Bir Şey, depict women as the saviour and as active, self-sufficient, economically independent, not dependent on men, and following their wishes instead of becoming passive, harmonious, and stuck in the narrow patterns of life in this world, although they want to get rid of the practices of the male world. These films define the woman as a vital, independent, helpful subject in solidarity with her fellows discussed by Smelik’s definition of women’s cinema. The films comply with Johnston’s claims that women are included in the narrative of women’s films by the audience. Moreover, these films identify with the main character, and they stand at an essential point in Turkish cinema with their independent and powerful depiction of women.

ARGENTINA’S ABORTION DEBATE: TRACING THE LINKS BETWEEN THE MADRES, THE MAREA VERDE, AND THE MAREA CELESTE

This article explores the links between the activism of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo (henceforth ‘Madres’) during Argentina’s most recent dictatorship (from 1976 to 1983) and the country’s abortion campaigns from 2019 to 2020. Social media played an instrumental role in Argentina’s abortion debate, particularly during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic (Laudano, 2021: 187). Despite this, a gap exists in the extant literature regarding Argentina’s pro-choice and pro-life campaigns on Facebook. Through ‘virtual ethnography’ (Hine, 2000) of Argentina’s most popular pro-choice and pro-life Facebook pages, this paper identifies and explores how the framing of abortion activism is linked to the Madres’ dictatorship-era activism. It is shown how pro-choice activists (known as the ‘marea verde’ in Spanish, or ‘green wave’) align their movement with the Madres’ ‘social movement repertoire’ (Tilly, 2006; Tilly & Tarrow, 2007). However, it is also identified that the pro-life campaigners (known as the ‘marea celeste’, or ‘blue wave’) employ ‘frame-jacking’ (Clifford, 2012) to mirror the Madres’ activism.

Orange Is The New Blue?

The 2018 midterm elections brought many surprises when talking about election results on Congressional level. One of them was definitely Democrats picking up four seats in the Orange County, which for many years was a Republican heartland in California. What happened? Was this just a one-time thing or a sign of blue wave in Donald Trump's era? The four case-studies of Democratic political campaigns will not only try to answer these questions, but also predict how should Republicans respond taking the example of 2020 elections.

Fisher (Dana R.) – American Resistance. From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave . – New York, Columbia University Press, 2019. 216 p. Index.

Fisher (Dana R.) – American Resistance. From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave . – New York, Columbia University Press, 2019. 216 p. Index.

American Resistance: From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave. By Dana R. Fisher. New York: Columbia University Press, 2019. Pp. xiii+197. $26.00 (cloth); $20.00 (paper).

<i>American Resistance: From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave</i>. By Dana R. Fisher. New York: Columbia University Press, 2019. Pp. xiii+197. $26.00 (cloth); $20.00 (paper).

Preface

The Green Technology & Sustainable Development (GTSD2019) is organized by Community of Research, Green Technology & Sustainable Development, Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research & Innovation, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with the collaboration of Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) was held on the 23 October 2019 at Grand Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam, Malaysia. The chosen theme of “Building Green Capacity for Sustainable Future” in line with the collaboration effort between UiTM and their partnerships for making positive progress on the Sustainable Development agenda. One of significant collaboration between UiTM and MBSA is jointly undertaking the Carbon Low City initiative 2030 and have signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the 19 August 2019.For 2019, The 1st International GTSD Conference is the continues series of events that began last year which it was a giant leap to GTSD Community of Research for making the significant impact on Sustainable agenda at UiTM. The establishment of GTSD CoRe under The Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) as a platform in fostering sustainable environment through research, development and innovation which can accelerate and support the action on achieving SDGs. This year, we are expanding the conference platform at the international sphere where the invitation has opened to the international participant, agencies and industries for joining us. UiTM consistently drives the research community in the university to play a leading role in delivering relevant research output for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference had emphasized interdisciplinary research along with practices and fostered exchanges among scientist, practitioners, professionals and young researchers in finding a solution and sharing the latest technology in green technology and sustainable development.List of Editors GTSD2019 are available in this pdf.