Bonsai Research Articles

Information experiences of bonsai growers: a phenomenological study in serious leisure

PurposeThe paper reports the findings of a research project exploring the information experiences of bonsai growers in Australia as an example of a serious leisure pursuit.Design/methodology/approachThe study used phenomenology as a qualitative approach in an interpretive paradigm. The data collection technique was a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions, and 23 volunteers were recruited via a maximum variation sampling strategy. The study employed the Serious Leisure Perspective and Information Experience as its theoretical frameworks.FindingsBonsai growers rely on three primary sources of information: publications, people, and plants. They use formal and informal publications across various media. They interact with fellow bonsai growers to share experiences and seek advice. The shape and conditions of bonsai trees are sources of embedded information that help them to make informed decisions in their practice. They have a culture of information sharing on many grounds, such as local clubs, online forums, and workshops. Their embodied information manifests in their sophisticated skills of shaping bonsai trees to express the aesthetic principles of this ancient art.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are contextual and cannot be generalised. A generalisation of the result needs to be tested in a broader population.Social implicationsEngaging in the bonsai hobby often fosters a sense of community among bonsai enthusiasts. Understanding these social connections can contribute to the development of supportive networks and enhance belongingness.Originality/valueThe study contributes to understanding the information experiences in serious leisure. It offers new evidence-based insights that can inform the design of information systems and services tailored to the needs of leisure pursuers.

Analyzing radiowave multiple diffraction from a low transmitter in vegetated urban areas using a spherical-wave UTD–PO approach

This article introduces a uniform theory of diffraction–physical optics (UTD–PO) formulation for analyzing radiowave multiple diffraction emanating from trees and buildings in green urban areas, considering illumination from a low transmitter and assuming spherical-wave incidence. Based on Babinet’s principle, this solution models buildings as rectangular sections and accounts for the influence of tree crowns (assuming these rise above the average rooftop height) by incorporating appropriate attenuation factors/phasors into the diffraction phenomena of buildings. The validation of the formulation is achieved through measurements made at the 39 GHz 6G mmWave frequency on a scale model of a green urban environment comprising bonsai trees and bricks. The main advantage of the proposed solution is that the calculations only include single diffractions due to recursion, circumventing the need to use higher-order diffraction terms in the diffraction coefficients, thus reducing the computation time and power. Our results may be beneficial for the design of mobile communication systems, including 6G networks, situated in green urban areas and with transmission source positioned lower than the surrounding infrastructure.

Sugar infusion into trees: A novel method to study tree carbon relations and its regulations.

Many carbon-related physiological questions in plants such as carbon (C) limitation or starvation have not yet been resolved thoroughly due to the lack of suitable experimental methodology. As a first step towards resolving these problems, we conducted infusion experiments with bonsai trees (Ficus microcarpa) and young maple trees (Acer pseudoplatanus) in greenhouse, and with adult Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris) in the field, that were "fed" with 13C-labelled glucose either through the phloem or the xylem. We then traced the 13C-signal in plant organic matter and respiration to test whether trees can take up and metabolize exogenous sugars infused. Ten weeks after infusion started, xylem but not phloem infusion significantly increased the δ13C values in both aboveground and belowground tissues of the bonsai trees in the greenhouse, whereas xylem infusion significantly increased xylem δ13C values and phloem infusion significantly increased phloem δ13C values of the adult pines in the field experiment, compared to the corresponding controls. The respiration measurement experiment with young maple trees showed significantly increased δ13C-values in shoot respired CO2 at the time of four weeks after xylem infusion started. Our results clearly indicate that trees do translocate and metabolize exogenous sugars infused, and because the phloem layer is too thin, and thus xylem infusion can be better operated than phloem infusion. This tree infusion method developed here opens up new avenues and has great potential to be used for research on the whole plant C balance and its regulation in response to environmental factors and extreme stress conditions.

UTD-PO Solutions for the Analysis of Multiple Diffraction by Trees and Buildings When Assuming Spherical-Wave Incidence

This paper presents two uniform theories of diffraction–physical optics (UTD-PO) formulations to undertake analysis of radiowave multiple diffraction resulting from the presence of both buildings and trees in vegetated urban areas, with the assumption of spherical-wave incidence. The solutions presented consider buildings modeled as knife-edges and rectangular sections (the latter being more complex and realistic) and the effect of the tree canopy (the assumption is that this exceeds the height of the average rooftop) is taken into account by adding proper attenuation factors/phasors to building diffraction phenomena. The validation of these formulations has been undertaken by comparing with other methods and measurements performed at 39 GHz on a scaled-model of the environment under analysis, consisting of an array of bricks and bonsai trees. The chief advantage of the solutions put forward is that because of recursion, the calculations only include single diffractions. This avoids any requirement for higher-order diffraction terms in the diffraction coefficients, which means less computer time/power is demanded. The results of this work may be useful when planning future mobile communication systems, including 6G networks and beyond.

An Improved Group Signature Scheme with VLR over Lattices

For group signatures (GS) supporting membership revocation, verifier-local revocation (VLR) mechanism is the most flexible choice. As a post-quantum secure cryptographic counterpart of classical schemes, the first dynamic GS-VLR scheme over lattices was put forward by Langlois et al. at PKC 2014; furthermore, a corrected version was shown at TCS 2018. However, both designs are within Bonsai trees and featuring bit-sizes of group public-key and member secret signing key proportional to log N where N is the group size; therefore, both schemes are not suitable for a large group. In this paper, we provide an improved dynamic GS-VLR over lattices, which is efficient by eliminating a O log N factor for both sizes. To realize the goal, we adopt a more efficient and compact identity-encoding technique. At the heart of our new construction is a new Stern-type statistical zero-knowledge argument of knowledge protocol which may be of some independent cryptographic interest.

Linearly Homomorphic Signatures from Lattices

AbstractLinearly homomorphic signatures (LHSs) allow any entity to linearly combine a set of signatures and to provide authentication service for the corresponding (combined) data. The public key of the current known LHSs from lattices in the standard model requires $O(l)$ matrices and $O(k)$ vectors, where $l$ is the length of file identifier and $k$ is the maximum data set size that linear functions support. In this paper, we construct two lattice-based LHS schemes with provable security in the standard model and both schemes can authenticate vectors defined over finite field. First, we present a basic LHS scheme satisfying selective security, based on the full-rank difference hash functions. Second, we modify the chameleon hash function constructed by (Cash, D., Hofheinz, D., Kiltz, E. and Peikert, C. (2010) Bonsai Trees, or How to Delegate a Lattice Basis. In Proc. EUROCRYPT 10, Monaco/French Riviera, May 30 to June 3, pp. 523–552. Springer, Berlin) to construct a linearly homomorphic chameleon hash function (LHCHF), which can be applied to all transformations from selectively secure LHS scheme that authenticates vectors defined over finite field $\mathbb{F}_{p}$ ($p=poly(n)$) to fully secure one, except for a new one that authenticates vectors defined over a small field. Starting from LHCFH and the basic scheme as above, we obtain a fully secure LHS scheme. Both schemes can be used to sign multiple files and have relatively short public keys consisting of $O(1)$ matrices and $O(k)$ vectors.

Enlightenments from potted landscapes (Bonsai and Penjing) for urban revegetation in the built environment

Impervious surfaces in modern cities can be used for revegetation. However, the ecological quality of belowground ecosystem components and constrained soil space are crucial factors that limit habitat restoration. The long-term development of Bonsai (Penjing) trees has resulted in mature theories and techniques that suggest optimal root-canopy ratios. Considering the similarities with constrained pot landscapes, some “enlightenments”, or key findings, derived from Bonsai theory can also be applied to urban special revegetation (USR). In this study, we analyzed the root-shoot correlations of the different styles of Bonsai trees and provide and assessment on the relationships between Bonsai theory and USR. Using an on-site survey and biomass experiment, nine “enlightenments” from Bonsai theory are proposed: positive root-canopy correlation, environmental stress increasing the root-shoot ratio, connectivity of the tree bark “water line”, rebalancing after disruption of the root-canopy balance, precise root and canopy design, artificial auxiliary fixation of the root, control of growth, horticultural reshaping skills, and plant diversity. In particular, for the successful establishment of urban rebuilt environments, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of root-canopy correlations. Therefore, we suggest that the four main types of USR (green roofs, vertical greening, container gardening, and street trees) should follow the core principle based on the root-shoot balance to effectively design both the root and canopy.

New identity based proxy re-encryption scheme from lattices

Identity-Based Proxy Re-Encryption (IB-PRE) allows a semi-trusted proxy to convert the ciphertext encrypted under Alice's identity into Bob's ciphertext of the same message without leaking plaintext. Lattice-based cryptography enjoys potential resistance to quantum analysis and low computational complexity. A multi-hop and unidirectional IB-PRE from lattices is presented. We split the functions of decryption and ciphertext transformation separately, and design the double private keys mechanism, where two keys are generated for each user, one key is used to decrypt the ciphertext by Pre-Image Sampling technique, and the other is used to generate the re-encryption key by Bonsai Trees technique. The generation of the re-encryption key is non-interactive and collusion resistant. Moreover, its IND-sID-CPA security over the decisional Learning With Errors (LWE) assumption under the standard model is proved. Compared with some previous IB-PRE schemes from Bilinear Pairings, the format of transformed ciphertext in our scheme remains unchanged, furthermore, it can also resist quantum analysis. Compared with some existing IB-PRE schemes from lattices with similar properties, the space of the message in our scheme is a vector of length l and the encryption process remains a lower encryption blowup factor. At last, a proof-of-concept implementation is provided.

ID-Based Strong Designated Verifier Signature over R-SIS Assumption

In this paper, we propose an ID-based strong designated verifier signature (SDVS) over R-SIS assumption in the random model. We remove pre-image sampling function and Bonsai trees such complex structures used in previous lattice-based SDVS schemes. We only utilize simple rejection sampling to protect the security of our scheme. Hence, we will show our design has the shortest signature size comparing with existing lattice-based ID-based SDVS schemes. In addition, our scheme satisfies anonymity (privacy of signer’s identity) proved in existing schemes rarely, and it can resist side-channel attacks with uniform sampling.

First person profile: William C. Faquin, MD, PhD: This Harvard pathologist has helped to standardize how certain tumors are tested and diagnosed.

First person profile: William C. Faquin, MD, PhD: This Harvard pathologist has helped to standardize how certain tumors are tested and diagnosed.

A New Lattice-Based Signature Scheme in Post-Quantum Blockchain Network

Blockchain technology has gained significant prominence in recent years due to its public, distributed, and decentration characteristics, which was widely applied in all walks of life requiring distributed trustless consensus. However, the most cryptographic protocols used in the current blockchain networks are susceptible to the quantum attack with rapid development of a sufficiently large quantum computer. In this paper, we first give an overview of the vulnerabilities of the modern blockchain networks to a quantum adversary and some potential post-quantum mitigation methods. Then, a new lattice-based signature scheme has been proposed, which can be used to secure the blockchain network over existing classical channels. Meanwhile, the public and private keys are generated by the Bonsai Trees technology with RandBasis algorithm from the root keys, which not only ensure the randomness, but also construct the lightweight nondeterministic wallets. Then, the proposed scheme can be proved secure in random oracle model, and it is also more efficient than similar literatures. In addition, we also give the detailed description of the post-quantum blockchain transaction. Furthermore, this work can help to enrich the research on the future post-quantum blockchain (PQB).

Children, Bonsai Trees and Open Education

I claim that the central model of theories of Open Educationinvolves at least four normative and epistemological theses:(1) the thesis of normative developmentalism;(2) the thesis of affective primitivism;(3) the thesis of motivational simplicity;( 4) the Cartesian thesis of privileged, incorrigible access toconscious events.I first examine the theses. I then articulate various philosophicalreservations which I have about them. Although Ireject the model, I do not reject one of the ultimate goals ofOpen Education, viz., the formation of communities of growing,loving, open, and self-directed persons.

Survey of Nematodes in Decideous Bonsai

Survey of Nematodes in Decideous Bonsai

An Anti-Quantum Transaction Authentication Approach in Blockchain

Blockchain is a new distributed and decentralized technology, and gradually attracts worldwide attention, but it is vulnerable to quantum attacks that would solve elliptic curve digital logarithm problem, which is mainly used for transaction authentication in blockchain. The key needed for authentication comes from the wallet. To ensure that the size of the wallet is fixed and easy to manage, deterministic wallets are required to be used. But if existing anti-quantum signature schemes, such as lattice-based signature are used directly in blockchain to solve the problem, it would have made the wallet bloat. In this paper, we present a novel anti-quantum transaction authentication scheme in the blockchain. In order to construct lightweight nondeterministic wallets, the key point is that public and private keys are generated from a set of master public and private key(Seed Key). We leverage on Bonsai Trees technology and propose a new authentication method which can extend a lattice space to multiple lattice spaces accompanied by the corresponding key. Every signature of a transaction uses a lattice space so as to ensure the randomness and the security of the master private key. And we give the complete security proof and analysis. This paper provides the theoretical support for the application of blockchain in the post quantum age.

Full secure identity-based encryption scheme over lattices for wireless sensor networks in the standard model

This paper proposes a lattice-based identity-based encryption scheme which can be used in wireless sensor networks to achieve secure communication. More precisely, a known lattice-based chosen plain-text secure encryption scheme and the bonsai trees primitive are used to design an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme in this paper. To reduce the public key size of the proposed IBE scheme, a public matrices chosen rule is used in this paper which reduces the public key size of proposed scheme to be close to half of that of a known lattice-based scheme. Under the hardness of the decision variant of the learning with errors (LWE) problem, we prove that the proposed IBE scheme is indistinguishable against the adaptive chosen identities and chosen-plaintext attack in the standard model. Moreover, the message-to-ciphtertext expanse factor of this scheme is also controlled efficiently which is nearly closed to that of Gentry's scheme. Due to the quantum intractability of the LWE problem on which the scheme is based, the proposed IBE scheme is secure even in quantum-era.

Bonsai: synthesis-based reasoning for type systems

When designing a type system, we may want to mechanically check the design to guide its further development. We describe algorithms that perform symbolic reasoning about executable models of type systems. The algorithms support three queries. First, they check type soundness and synthesize a counterexample program if such a soundness bug is found. Second, they compare two versions of a type system, synthesizing a program accepted by one but rejected by the other. Third, they minimize the size of synthesized counterexample programs. These algorithms symbolically evaluate typecheckers and interpreters, producing formulas that characterize the set of programs that fail or succeed in the typechecker and the interpreter. However, symbolically evaluating interpreters poses efficiency challenges, which are caused by having to merge execution paths of the various possible input programs. Our main contribution is the bonsai tree , a novel symbolic representation of programs and program states that addresses these challenges. Bonsai trees encode complex syntactic information in terms of logical constraints, enabling more efficient merging. We implement these algorithms in the Bonsai tool, an assistant for type system designers. We perform case studies on how Bonsai helps test and explore a variety of type systems. Bonsai efficiently synthesizes counterexamples for soundness bugs previously inaccessible to automatic tools and is the first automated tool to find a counterexample for the recently discovered Scala soundness bug SI-9633.

Effects of Visual Stimulation with Bonsai Trees on Adult Male Patients with Spinal Cord Injury.

Nature therapy has been demonstrated to induce physiological relaxation. The psychophysiological effects of nature therapy (stimulation with bonsai trees) on adult male patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) were examined. Oxyhemoglobin concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, and heart rate variability was analyzed. Psychological responses were evaluated using the modified semantic differential method and Profile of Mood States (POMS) subscale scores. Visual stimulation of adult male patients with SCI elicited significantly decreased left prefrontal cortex activity, increased parasympathetic nervous activity, decreased sympathetic nervous activity, increased positive feelings, and resulted in lower negative POMS subscale scores. Nature therapy can lead to a state of physiological and psychological relaxation in patients with SCI.

En bataille par by Olivier Hervy

effects on her spirit are particularly believable. In addition, the story convincingly conveys how a woman can stay despite the violence and violation. Despite its potentially off-putting framework and social mission, Gibirila’s fiction beautifully expresses her final message of taking destiny into our own hands. She convincingly conveys the emotions, choices, and fears of diverse women as they face many challenges—whether sexual violence, kidnapping, family restrictions, forced marriages, bullying, or social norms of beauty. In addition, in today’s politically divisive world, where women are subjugated in societies that express hatred in alarming ways, this skillfully written work proves both timely and compelling. Augusta University (GA) E. Nicole Meyer Hervy, Olivier. En bataille. Talence: L’Arbre Vengeur, 2016. ISBN 9-791091-5044-23. Pp. 141. 10 a. This is the fourth book of amusing short observations, a sentence or two at most, published pseudonymously by an information officer at the municipal library of Nantes who is said to belong to a family of writers. A resident of Cholet, he often comments on shops, neighbors, parks, and street activities he sees. His observations focus on apparent contradictions, paradoxes, and word choice. The ideal way to read the pieces is probably one per day, or as he posts them from time to time on Facebook and Twitter, so putting them one after the other in a book takes away some of their charm.Yet they keep their piquancy, as when he points out that today one may be just as distressed by the absence of bees in a garden as our grandparents were by their presence. How can a tractor be ticketed for going 130 kilometers an hour, and why won’t the administration cancel the ticket? Isn’t it odd that the loser in musical chairs is the last person standing? If reviewers always say that a film made from a book is less good than the original, why don’t they conclude that literature is more valuable than cinema? Isn’t it odd that he is always putting his daughter’s yoyo away upstairs and finding it downstairs? Or that the book on origami cannot be fitted inside the mailbox? Observations dealing with how words are used include bonsai trees offered for sale at “RapidFleurs” (11) or the shoes without laces being marked as 20% off. Others note the cloître that is open every day (37) and the request for“un demi-pain complet”(48). Hervy also points out that “Les Hors-Série en forment une” (33). Other people’s unawareness is another theme, shown for example by the woman who won’t wear a watch on vacation but is constantly asking others what time it is. What of the friend who explains that in aikido the idea is to use another person’s force against him and then goes on to “me demander de le déposer chez lui, puisque j’ai ma voiture” (128). The spirit of the comments is wry and gentle, and no friend nor neighbor whose eccentricity or inconsistency is revealed, is identified by more than a single initial, and not always by even that much. The observations’ main point is usually to make us 272 FRENCH REVIEW 90.4 Reviews 273 smile rather than to excoriate our illogical actions and incongruencies. Hervy’s criticism of muddle and incoherence is the bataille in the title, but the book’s tone is teasing rather than warlike. College of San Mateo (CA) Susan Petit Hussein, Mahmoud. Tenir tête aux dieux. Paris: Gallimard, 2016. ISBN 978-2-07017979 -4. Pp. 167. 17,50 a. This novel, recounted in the first person by its protagonist, is the story of a young freedom-fighter in Nasser’s Egypt. The action takes place in 1959, but the narrator intersperses flashbacks about the hero’s past while recounting events in the narrative present. The unnamed protagonist is an idealistic young medical student in Cairo who seeks to revive and advance the dignity of his nation and its people in reaction against its former colonial masters, especially Great Britain. Unfortunately for him, his democratic ideals, tinged with communism, have gotten him into trouble with the totalitarian authorities...

INDOORS GARDENING - Case Reviews

Thanks to the space constraint, city homes can be docked with some live indoor plants and flowers. They add up not only to large amount of fresh oxygen but also absorbs Carbon Dioxide thus purifying the surrounding environment. Creepers like money plant enhanced the aura of the rooms. It is a myth that creepers damage the walls. In UK and China, people widely use Indian Ivy. It not only cools the building but also makes the building look so beautiful. Herbs like Tulsi busts the stress and its essential oils freshen up the mood. Different herbs like Italian Basic, Ajwain, Spearmint, Pudina, and Sri Lanka Palak are strong smelling plants that help in distracting insects and pests. Flowers like Roses enhance natural beauty and spread up fragrance to the house all around. Butterflies create a soothing havan as it attracts bees and birds. Bhindi, Corn, Chawli and flowering plants create a cross pollination. Fruits bring immense rewards both literal and emotional. Bonsai trees and shrubs make interiors beautiful and develop esthetical sharp appeal. Indoor gardening is also therapeutic as it is immensely relaxing. Plants heal the mind and the body. Little greenery in drawing room enables any one to feel like to be in the midst of forest or wilderness. Green rooftop is a panacia in this age of global warming. On a broaden perspective, Gardening is thus brewing in urban households and has become a movement no longer restricted to hinterlands. Let us examine what others say.

Description of a new needle nematode, Longidorus asiaticus n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae), from the rhizosphere of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) bonsai trees imported into Italy from China

A new longidorid nematode, Longidorus asiaticus n. sp., is described and illustrated from a population extracted from soil associated with the movement of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) flowering bonsai trees imported from China into Italy. The new needle nematode is characterised by a small body size (2.74–3.52 mm), a bluntly-rounded lip region, ca 12 μm wide, continuous with body contour, amphidial fovea pocket-shape with posterior end rounded not bilobed, a moderately long and flexible odontostyle ca 85 μm long, stylet guiding ring located at ca 37 μm from anterior end, vulva almost equatorial (48–54 %), tail short, about 2/3 of its width, dorsally convex-conoid, with rounded terminus, with a c’ ratio ca 0.7, bearing two pairs of caudal pores and male absent. Integrative diagnosis was completed with molecular data obtained using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA, ITS-rDNA, and partial 18S-rDNA. The phylogenetic relationships of this species with other Longidorus spp. using D2-D3 expansion segments, ITS and partial 18S-rDNA indicated that L. asiaticus n. sp. clustered together with L. hangzhouensis, Longidorus sp. JH-2014, and L. camelliae: all of them sharing a common Asiatic geographic origin.