Physical Attributes Research Articles

FOREST HARVESTING: HOW MACHINE TRAFFIC CAN AFFECT SOIL COMPACTION VARIABILITY

The forestry sector has seen an increase in wood demand in recent years, requiring greater mechanization and sustainability in forestry operations, operational excellence, and productivity of stands. The effect of harvesting machine traffic on the soil alters its physical properties, causing degradation, soil compaction, and reducing the volumes of wood produced by commercial forests. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil physical attributes after harvesting and skidding operations, carried out by a harvester and forwarder respectively, in a commercial eucalyptus plantation. The study was conducted in two areas in the municipalities of Itanagra-BA and Entre Rios-BA. Samples were collected in three layers (0-0.20 m; 0.20–0.40 m; 0.40–0.60 m) and the following items were evaluated: total porosity, bulk density, and soil penetration resistance. Operations performed by the harvester and forwarder altered soil resistance, with a greater effect on sandy loam soils, decreasing their density and porosity. Regarding the number of forwarder passes, the seventh pass generated the peak resistance, altering soil recovery capacity, causing additional compaction. Operational planning, to reduce the effects of compaction in areas most susceptible to physical soil degradation, is essential in the forestry area, especially when moisture values are high, a factor that favors soil compaction and reduces stand productivity.

Cold city outdoor space utilisation patterns and constraints: A systematic review of empirical evidence

Urban outdoor spaces, as significant venues for outdoor activities, are closely linked to urban residents' quality of life and physical health. However, evidence suggests that prolonged and cold winters in cold cities, characterised by low temperatures, ice and snow, and frigid winds, profoundly impact residents' engagement in outdoor activities. Understanding the patterns of residents' utilisation of outdoor spaces and the constraints they face in the cold urban environment is crucial. Despite this, there is currently a lack of systematic reviews synthesizing evidence. This study conducts a systematic literature review from the social ecology perspective, organizing relevant evidence on residents' usage patterns, constraints, and preferences for outdoor spaces in cold urban environments. The literature review spans studies published from 2000 to 2023, drawing data from six electronic databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Ultimately, 31 articles (N = 31) were included in the review. The findings indicate that outdoor spaces in cold urban areas are influenced by a range of factors, encompassing individual, social, physical, and perceptual environmental attributes. Consequently, a conceptual framework based on social ecology is developed to comprehend the usage and constraints of outdoor spaces in cold urban environments. This research provides valuable insights for urban planners and designers in designing and planning outdoor spaces in cold cities.

Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors.

This narrative review examines the interplay among body image perceptions, social media influence, physical measurements, and their impact on psychological well-being, focusing on the roles of cultural and gender differences and the need to understand the research methodologies employed in this field. In the age of digital proliferation, platforms like Instagram and Facebook have reshaped body image concerns, often leading to increased dissatisfaction and psychological distress due to constant exposure to idealized images and a culture of social comparison. Physical attributes such as weight, height, and BMI are scrutinized under societal standards of health and attractiveness, contributing to a spectrum of mental health issues including low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. This examination reveals how cultural norms and gender expectations further complicate body image perceptions, affecting individuals differently based on societal and personal ideals. It synthesizes current research and types of methods to illuminate how these factors together influence mental health and self-esteem, advocating for comprehensive interventions and policy measures aimed at mitigating body dissatisfaction and promoting a healthier, more inclusive understanding of body image. By delving into the complexities of body image satisfaction and its psychological implications, this review highlights the necessity of addressing these concerns within public health and social policy frameworks, underscoring the importance of a multifaceted approach to enhance individual and societal well-being.

Exploring the influence of native minerals in coal gangue on CG/PE composite manufacturing and performance: Examining SiO2's role in interfacial compatibility

AbstractThis study delves into the influence of inherent minerals within coal gangue (CG) on the preparation and performance of coal gangue /polyethylene (CG/PE) composites, focusing on the role of SiO2 in interfacial compatibility. A systematic examination unveils the consequences of varying SiO2 content on physical, mechanical, thermal, and microstructural attributes of the composites. SiO2 incorporation significantly improves physical properties, boosting density and hardness but impacting tensile strength negatively. It enhances bending strength and modulus while diminishing tensile strength. Judicious SiO2 addition enhances thermal stability, but excess SiO2 may compromise thermal decomposition. Microstructural analysis, including SEM and FTIR, elucidates SiO2‐PE interactions, primarily through physical entanglement. SiO2 introduction promotes more ordered PE molecular chain arrangements, elevating composite crystallinity. In summary, this study provides in‐depth insights into SiO2's mechanistic impact on CG/PE composite properties, laying a robust foundation for designing environmentally friendly composites. These findings hold promise for advancing sustainable materials science and engineering. Future research may explore SiO2 optimization for specific applications and synergistic effects with other fillers in composites.Highlights SiO2 greatly improves the properties of CG/PE composites with detailed exploration. Reveals the specific SiO2‐PE interaction mechanism for a better comprehension. Performs structural analysis via XRD with valuable findings presented. Promotes pioneering advancements in eco‐friendly materials with broad significance.

Overview of Patents on Diamond Polishing Apparatus

Diamond, with its unparalleled combination of physical and chemical attributes, occupies a critical role in future technological domains; yet, the caliber of its surface quality is decisively linked to its performance within advanced applications. Thus, engaging in super-precision processing to elevate the surface integrity of diamond constitutes a central tenet for broadening its application potential. This paper systematically dissects patents pertaining to diamond polishing apparatus, not only revealing the distinctive strengths and pragmatic features inherent in contemporary diamond polishing technology but also identifying limitations and avenues for refinement within current polishing methodologies. With the continuous expansion and deepening of modern industrial sectors, there is a growing demand for diversified and specialized material performance. Diamond, as a pivotal raw material, exhibits immense potential in its composite applications with a variety of other materials, forming an entire industrial chain that has permeated numerous industries. Throughout the comprehensive preparation process of diamond, from rough stone to finished product, polishing techniques play a critical role, representing an indispensable step in enhancing the surface quality and functional attributes of diamond products. This study provides a comprehensive review of representative patents in the field of diamond polishing apparatus, analyzing the distinctive functional attributes and performance characteristics of various diamond polishing devices. The study classifies polishing devices according to their design characteristics and application domains into five distinct categories: polishing apparatuses specifically designed for single-crystal diamonds, systems tailored for the polishing of complex curved surface diamonds, laser-assisted diamond polishing setups, structurally-enhanced diamond polishing equipment, and functionally-specialized diamond polishing tools. The analysis underscores the unique innovative aspects and advantages demonstrated by each patent in addressing the inherent limitations of traditional polishing devices. Moreover, it elucidates the technological constraints and developmental gaps that exist within each respective area. Presently, the essence of polishing technology research revolves around the precision and efficacy in polishing single-crystal diamonds and intricate curved diamond surfaces, alongside the structural innovation and functional refinement of polishing apparatuses. Predominant among these devices are those that largely depend on mechanical polishing methods integrated with laser-assisted and chemical mechanical polishing methodologies, where patent advancements are mainly geared towards boosting efficiency, guaranteeing surface integrity, fortifying adaptability across different operating scenarios, and incorporating multiple functionalities. Concurrently, considerable attention is given to enhancing the ecological performance of these systems. There remains a significant underdevelopment and limited widespread application of diamond polishing apparatus in advanced technologies such as thermal chemical polishing and ion beam polishing. This gap presents an enormous potential for innovation breakthroughs and diversified advancements in polishing techniques. There is an urgent need for increased investment to propel the development and integration of automated control systems, intelligent monitoring, and deeper exploration of new materials within polishing technology. The aim is to realize higher-level automated and intelligent diamond polishing solutions that can achieve more efficient, precise, and environmentally friendly polishing objectives.

Does being there still matter after a service failure? The impact of robots’ physical presence on customer satisfaction

ABSTRACT The increasing integration of robots in the hotel and tourism industries has led to the deployment of robots with varying physical characteristics in a range of frontline and backstage tasks. Despite this trend, the influence of physical presence, a fundamental element of a robot's physical attributes, on the customer service experience following a service failure has not been thoroughly investigated. This study intends to address this research void by conducting three experiments to exhibit the positive impact of physical presence on the customer service experience after service failures. In addition, the study identifies a mediating path (parasocial relationship) and two boundary conditions (service outcome and service type) that determine the effect of physical presence. These findings contribute to the knowledge of robotic services and provide insights for selecting robots with suitable physical features in service design.

Influence of incorporating L-carnitine or Moringa oleifera leaves extract into semen diluent on cryosurvival and in vitro fertilization competence of buck sperm

This study aimed at scrutinizing efficiency of incorporating L-carnitine or M. oleifera leaves extract into semen diluent on improving cryopreservation capacity and in vitro fertilization ability of buck spermatozoa. Ejaculates (n=48) were collected by an artificial vagina from six adult Damascus bucks twice weekly during the breeding season (September–October). Following initial evaluation, ejaculates of each collection session from the same bucks were pooled, diluted (1:10) with glycerolized (3 % glycerol, v/v) tris-citric acid egg yolk diluent and were split into three aliquots. The first aliquot served as control, whereas the second and third aliquots were supplemented with 4 μL/mL L-carnitine and 400 μL/mL moringa leaves extract (v/v), respectively. Thereafter, all specimens were processed for cryopreservation and were stored in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) for 12 months before post-thaw sperm criteria were analyzed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Integrity of sperm DNA post thawing was visualized in all semen groups by fluorescence imaging, and in vitro fertilization ability of spermatozoa was also determined. Inclusion of L-carnitine or moringa leaves extract into the diluent improved (P<0.05) post-thaw sperm physical, morphofunctional and kinematic attributes, whilst maintaining (P<0.05) integrity of sperm DNA throughout the freezing and thawing cycle. Consequently, both supplemented groups yielded higher (P<0.05) in vitro fertilization rates compared to control. These results accentuate the protective roles of these antioxidants on buck sperm against consequences of cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress, hence ameliorating post-thaw sperm quality and fertilization competence. This is crucial for successful application of AI and IVF in goat selective breeding programs.

Shelf Life Enhancement of Structured Lipids Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Using Rosemary Extract: A Sustainable Approach.

This study investigates the efficacy of rosemary extract (RE) in stabilizing structured lipids (SL) developed using perilla seed oil (PSO) and palmolein (PO) under accelerated storage conditions. The oil samples, comprising PSO, Blend, and SL formulations with and without RE (1500 ppm) and BHT (200 ppm), were studied for their storage stability during a 30 day storage period at 65 °C, with the analysis carried out at 6 day intervals. Oxidative properties were comprehensively assessed, including both physical attributes (color, viscosity, and refractive index) and chemical parameters (peroxide value, free fatty acid (FFA), p-anisidine value, TOTOX value, conjugated dienes, and trienes). The results demonstrated that RE-enriched oil samples exhibited significantly higher oxidative stability (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. SL added with 1500 ppm of RE exhibited notable enhancements in quality parameters, showcasing reductions in FFA, TOTOX value, conjugated diene, and triene value by 44.01%, 35.42, 39.03, and 47.36, respectively, when compared to SL without any antioxidant. The RE at 1500 ppm concentration showed a similar effect as the synthetic antioxidant BHT at 200 ppm. Also, the RE demonstrated potent inhibition of the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, thereby contributing to the improved oxidative stability of the SLs. Furthermore, SL with RE also exhibited reduced degradation of the tocopherol content and total phenolic content during the storage period. Principal component analysis demonstrated that SL and blend followed similar oxidative characteristics as they fell within the same quadrant. These findings underscore RE as a potent source of antioxidants capable of scavenging free radicals and enhancing the oxidative stability of omega-3 fatty acid-rich SLs.

Interleg coordination in free-walking bug Erthesina fullo (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Insects can adapt their walking patterns to complex and varied environments and retain the ability to walk even after significant changes in their physical attributes, such as amputation. Although the interleg coordination of intact insects has been widely described in previous studies, the adaptive walking patterns in free-walking insects with amputation of 1 or more legs are still unclear. The pentatomid bug Erthesina fullo exhibits a tripod gait, when walking freely on horizontal substrates, like many other insects. In this study, amputations were performed on this species to investigate changes in interleg coordination. The walking parameters were analyzed, such as the locations of touchdown and liftoff, cycle period, walking speed, and head displacement of intact and amputated insects. The results show that E. fullo displays adaptive interleg coordination in response to amputations. With 1 amputated leg, bugs changed to a 3-unit gait, whereas with 2 amputated legs they employed a wave gait. These data are helpful in exploring the motion mode control in walking insects and provide the theoretical basis for the gait control strategy of robots, when leg failure occurs.

Vulnerability assessment of aerosol and climate variability for rice and maize yield using EO datasets for sustainable agriculture over India.

Human-generated aerosol pollution gradually modifies the atmospheric chemical and physical attributes, resulting in significant changes in weather patterns and detrimental effects on agricultural yields. The current study assesses the loss in agricultural productivity due to weather and anthropogenic aerosol variations for rice and maize crops through the analysis of time series data of India spanning from 1998 to 2019. The average values of meteorological variables like maximum temperature (TMAX), minimum temperature (TMIN), rainfall, and relative humidity, as well as aerosol optical depth (AOD), have also shown an increasing tendency, while the average values of soil moisture and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) have followed a decreasing trend over that period. This study's primary finding is that unusual variations in weather variables like maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, soil moisture, and FAPAR resulted in a reduction in rice and maize yield of approximately (2.55%, 2.92%, 2.778%, 4.84%, 2.90%, and 2.82%) and (5.12%, 6.57%, 6.93%, 6.54%, 4.97%, and 5.84%), respectively. However, the increase in aerosol pollution is also responsible for the reduction of rice and maize yield by 7.9% and 8.8%, respectively. In summary, the study presents definitive proof of the detrimental effect of weather, FAPAR, and AOD variability on the yield of rice and maize in India during the study period. Meanwhile, a time series analysis of rice and maize yields revealed an increasing trend, with rates of 0.888 million tons/year and 0.561 million tons/year, respectively, due to the adoption of increasingly advanced agricultural techniques, the best fertilizer and irrigation, climate-resilient varieties, and other factors. Looking ahead, the ongoing challenge is to devise effective long-term strategies to combat air pollution caused by aerosols and to address its adverse effects on agricultural production and food security.

Land Suitability Analysis for Residential Development in an Ecologically Sensitive Area: A Case Study of Nusantara, the New Indonesian Capital

Land suitability analysis is a process of evaluating various criteria to assess the appropriateness of land for specific purposes, such as agriculture, urban development, conservation, or infrastructure projects. This paper integrates multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and geographic information systems (GIS) to assess potential residential development suitability in Nusantara—the new Indonesian Capital. This study used two models to evaluate residential development suitability—a simple suitability model with equal criteria weight and a weighted suitability model using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach with two scenarios (waterfront city and biodiversity-positive city). Various criteria, including physical attributes, natural preservation and protection, blue amenities, transport accessibility, and natural disaster risks, were analysed. Integrating MCA with the AHP approach and GIS can be considered an advanced methodology. The simple suitability model is relatively more straightforward than the weighted suitability model since it does not require a weighting process. However, the weighted suitability model produced more nuanced results for the case study as the approach more accurately models real-world conditions. The weighted suitability analysis showed that most of the western and eastern parts of the new capital are highly suitable for future residential development. Comparing the Indonesian government’s planned residential areas with the result of the weighted suitability model for the biodiversity-positive city scenario showed that most planned residential areas are in highly suitable areas. The methodologies in the paper can be extended to similar contexts in different geographical areas.

Experiences of body image in the gender non-binary community: A qualitative analysis

Body image concerns are prevalent within transgender communities – many transgender people engage in disordered eating to suppress or accentuate secondary sex characteristics and reduce gender dysphoria. However, this research has mostly been conducted with binary transgender people. Here, we examine how non-binary people experience and relate to their bodies. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 13 gender non-binary individuals living in Australia. Photo elicitation techniques were utilised, and the transcribed interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Six themes were identified: Expansive Understandings of Body Image, Body Image can be Linked to Gender Dysphoria, Cultivating a Preferred Body can Lead to Gender Euphoria, Appreciating Diversity in Non-Binary Body Ideals, The Androgynous Body Ideal is not Universally Accepted, and Experiencing the Body as Functional rather than Aesthetic. The present findings highlight the diversity of experiences of body image for non-binary people. The non-binary concept of body image was found to be expansive, stressing various physical attributes involved in social gender recognition and physiological sources of gender dysphoria. Some participants valued gender-affirming medical intervention, others were accepting of their bodies as they are, attributing their body confidence to the process of affirming their non-binary gender.

Abundant Soliton Solutions to the Generalized Reaction Duffing Model and Their Applications

The main aim of this study is to obtain soliton solutions of the generalized reaction Duffing model, which is a generalization for a collection of prominent models describing various key phenomena in science and engineering. The equation models the motion of a damped oscillator with a more complex potential than in basic harmonic motion. Two effective techniques, the mapping method and Bernoulli sub-ODE technique, are used for the first time to obtain the soliton solutions of the proposed model. Initially, the traveling wave transform, which comes from Lie symmetry infinitesimals, is applied, and a nonlinear ordinary differential equation form is derived. These approaches effectively retrieve a hyperbolic, Jacobi function as well as trigonometric solutions while the appropriate conditions are applied to the parameters. Numerous innovative solutions, including the kink wave, anti-kink wave, bell shape, anti-bell shape, W-shape, bright, dark and singular shape soliton solutions, were produced via the mapping and Bernoulli sub-ODE approaches. The research includes comprehensive 2D and 3D graphical representations of the solutions, facilitating a better understanding of their physical attributes and proving the effectiveness of the proposed methods in solving complex nonlinear equations. It is important to note that the proposed methods are competent, credible and interesting analytical tools for solving nonlinear partial differential equations.

Electronic Skin: Opportunities and Challenges in Convergence with Machine Learning.

Recent advancements in soft electronic skin (e-skin) have led to the development of human-like devices that reproduce the skin's functions and physical attributes. These devices are being explored for applications in robotic prostheses as well as for collecting biopotentials for disease diagnosis and treatment, as exemplified by biomedical e-skins. More recently, machine learning (ML) has been utilized to enhance device control accuracy and data processing efficiency. The convergence of e-skin technologies with ML is promoting their translation into clinical practice, especially in healthcare. This review highlights the latest developments in ML-reinforced e-skin devices for robotic prostheses and biomedical instrumentations. We first describe technological breakthroughs in state-of-the-art e-skin devices, emphasizing technologies that achieve skin-like properties. We then introduce ML methods adopted for control optimization and pattern recognition, followed by practical applications that converge the two technologies. Lastly, we briefly discuss the challenges this interdisciplinary research encounters in its clinical and industrial transition.

Impact of red wine polyphenol carbon dots on the oxidative stability of oils

Red wine polyphenols carbon dots (P-CDs) with antioxidant properties were synthesized and extensively characterized to determine their size, morphology, and microstructure. Their potential to enhance oxidative stability in sunflower oil was thoroughly evaluated and compared with traditional antioxidants like butyl hydroxyanisole (BHA) and n-propyl gallate (PG). The P-CDs were found to be spherical nanoparticles, generally smaller than 10 nm, confirming their nanoscale characteristics. Further analysis revealed that the unique properties of the P-CDs were largely due to oxygen-containing functional groups and a highly defective graphite structure, providing them with distinct physical and chemical attributes. In scavenging tests with DPPH and ABTS radicals, P-CDs demonstrated outstanding performance, suggesting their promising application in the antioxidant field. Additionally, the P-CDs effectively inhibited the oxidative rancidity process in sunflower oil, offering a novel approach to improving oil's oxidative stability. A significant finding was that when 0.01% of red wine polyphenol carbon dots were added, they outperformed both BHA and PG in inhibiting the accumulation of anisidine, reducing total polar compound content, and preserving the oil's fatty acid composition, color, and viscosity. This discovery not only broadens the application scope for P-CDs in antioxidant research related to oils, but also supports their practical implementation in the food industry.

Effect of vermicompost additive on physical, chemical and dielectric properties of soil and its modeling

The present study focuses on the effects of vermicomposting on various soil properties, particularly emphasizing the dielectric characteristics of soil. Vermicomposting is known to significantly enhance soil fertility and improve its physical aspects such as aeration, porosity and water retention. In this analysis, a modified probe arrangement has been employed to determine how varying levels of vermicompost influence the soil’s dielectric properties within the radio and microwave spectrum (10 MHz-14 GHz). A modified Dak-12 open-ended coaxial probe, paired with a vector network analyzer, was utilized for this purpose to overcome the drawbacks of standard arrangement. The results show that vermicompost strongly affects the soil’s physical attributes (pH, bulk density, porosity) and also its chemical properties, along with its dielectric behavior. The study further explored the role of different factors such as the concentration of vermicompost, frequency and temperature on soil’s dielectric response. To accurately and swiftly gauge these effects, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has been employed to predict the dielectric properties (ε’ and ε’’) of the soil. The high precision of these models, with R 2 values of 0.9729 for ε’ and 0.9487 for ε’’, underscores their effectiveness in evaluating the impact of vermicompost on various soil properties.

Research on the Renewal of Multi-Story High-Density Urban Landscape Based on Property Rights Land—A Case Study of the Self-Built Liu Houses in Zherong, Fujian Province

Unlike in Western countries, land ownership in China is overwhelmingly vested in the state, and individuals cannot directly own private lands and build houses. Therefore, developers will contract the land to the government and build it into collective apartments. Against this backdrop, a different kind of multi-story, high-density self-built residential buildings is widespread in small towns along the southeast coast of China. These buildings were built between 1980 and 2000 by residents who acquired land-use rights from the government for compensation. The uniqueness of these buildings is what makes them incompatible with the most mainstream, government-led urban renewal model in China, resulting in a large area of dilapidated and aging areas. Zherong County, Ningde, Fujian Province, is a typical example town, with a large number of such self-built houses, known locally as Liu Houses. In this study, these residential areas were selected as typical research objects of “characteristics of residential small towns”. Combined with the property rights of the sample cases, the methods of diagram and quantitative analysis are used to summarize the causes of the three types of residential areas from the aspects of regional planning, land division, building construction, and renovation. In the early days, the planning of the Liu House was greatly influenced by the residents, and the construction and renovation of the building was led by the residents, which strengthened the diversity of the style. In the middle period, the government had relatively dominant control over the planning of Liu Houses, and supervision was conducted during the construction and renovation process, resulting in a relatively balanced power between residents and the government. In the later period, the houses were built and operated by the developer, and the residents no longer directly participated in the construction and renovation, so the unity of style was strengthened. At the same time, the study finds that, in the process of the formation of the style of the residential area, on the one hand, the property rights directly affect the style through its own physical land attributes, and on the other hand, it becomes the basis of the game between the government, residents, and the county environment through its own property rights, thus indirectly affecting the style. In conclusion, this paper may provide theoretical support and design reference for the renewal of the characteristic features of residential small towns.

Temporal changes in soil physical properties following reclamation of underground natural gas pipeline rights-of-way on cropland

Underground oil and natural gas pipeline rights-of-way (ROWs) sometimes traverse croplands, leaving behind tracts of disturbed land characterized by poor productivity even after reclamation. This study investigated temporal post-reclamation changes in soil penetration resistance (PR), field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs), near-saturated hydraulic conductivity (KΨ), soil pore indices, and wet aggregate stability (WAS) on natural gas pipeline ROWs on cropland. These attributes were measured in two fields in late summer of 2021 and 2022. Across the two fields, three ROWs that had been reclaimed four to thirteen years prior (i.e., time since reclamation (TSR) of 4 to 13 yr) were assessed along with adjacent undisturbed (off-ROW) transects located 50 m from the ROWs. Measurement locations on each ROW and on off-ROW were 25 m apart. Samples for WAS were collected from the 0–15 cm layer. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) TSR by soil depth interaction for PR. Treatments were not significantly different in the 0- to 20-cm and 40- to 60-cm layers, but in the 20- to 40-cm depth interval, PR was 57.7–64.2 % greater on the 4.5-yr ROW than on off-ROW. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was three to four times lower on the 4.5- and 6.5-yr ROWs than on the off-ROW. Near-saturated hydraulic conductivity on the 4.5-yr ROW was 61.6 % lower than that on the off-ROW, while no significant differences were detected between the 6.5-yr and 12.5-yr ROWs and the off-ROW. Effective water conductive macroporosity was 72.5 % lower on the 4.5-yr ROW than on the off-ROW. All measured physical properties improved with increasing TSR. These results indicate a significant but slow recovery in soil physical attributes with increasing TSR of ROWs on cropland. This has implications on the productivity of these ROWs as crop yields, which depend on these soil physical properties, are also expected to recover slowly.

A computationally efficient and robust looming perception model based on dynamic neural field

There are primarily two classes of bio-inspired looming perception visual systems. The first class employs hierarchical neural networks inspired by well-acknowledged anatomical pathways responsible for looming perception, and the second maps nonlinear relationships between physical stimulus attributes and neuronal activity. However, even with multi-layered structures, the former class is sometimes fragile in looming selectivity, i.e., the ability to well discriminate between approaching and other categories of movements. While the latter class leaves qualms regarding how to encode visual movements to indicate physical attributes like angular velocity/size. Beyond those, we propose a novel looming perception model based on dynamic neural field (DNF). The DNF is a brain-inspired framework that incorporates both lateral excitation and inhibition within the field through instant feedback, it could be an easily-built model to fulfill the looming sensitivity observed in biological visual systems. To achieve our target of looming perception with computational efficiency, we introduce a single-field DNF with adaptive lateral interactions and dynamic activation threshold. The former mechanism creates antagonism to translating motion, and the latter suppresses excitation during receding. Accordingly, the proposed model exhibits the strongest response to moving objects signaling approaching over other types of external stimuli. The effectiveness of the proposed model is supported by relevant mathematical analysis and ablation study. The computational efficiency and robustness of the model are verified through systematic experiments including on-line collision-detection tasks in micro-mobile robots, at success rate of 93% compared with state-of-the-art methods. The results demonstrate its superiority over the model-based methods concerning looming perception.

The Role of Consumers’ Knowledge of Native and Pollinator-friendly Plants and Their Prioritization of Plant Characteristics in Purchase Decisions

There is a growing trend toward planting native and pollinator-friendly plants in residential gardens and landscapes due to concerns about invasive plant species, water conservation, and urban land management. Yet, understanding consumer purchase behavior and how knowledge affects their purchase intent is largely unknown. In this analysis, we integrated national online and in-person surveys to determine the influence of consumers’ subjective and objective knowledge of native and pollinator-friendly ornamental plants on their purchase decisions. Factors influencing plant purchase decisions were measured using a 7-point Likert rating scale. We found that participants with relatively higher knowledge of native and pollinator-attractive plants placed more emphasis on sustainable production methods relative to the plant’s physical attributes (e.g., plant size, shape, etc.) and care-related characteristics (e.g., plant health, easiness of care, etc.). Plant lovers (i.e., frequent purchasers who spent relatively more money on plants than infrequent purchasers) were more likely to prioritize sustainable production methods over the plants’ physical attributes. In contrast, participants primarily buying plants from mass merchandisers/box stores tend to focus on visual appeal or aesthetic characteristics. Consumer marketing implications for the nursery and greenhouse industry stakeholders are discussed.