Restricted Area Research Articles

Indicators for monitoring reduced impact logging in the Brazilian amazon derived from airborne laser scanning technology

Monitoring reduced impact logging (RIL) activities in sustainably managed forest areas in the Amazon is a costly and complex, yet crucial endeavor. One viable monitoring option is the use of airborne laser scanning (LiDAR), which enables estimating forest structure parameters over large areas in a reduced timeframe with high accuracy. In this study, we propose and assess the applicability of five monitoring indicators for RIL based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data acquisition in areas under forest concession. Five Annual Production Units (APUs) were investigated within the Forest Management Unit (FMU) III of the Jamari National Forest, located in the Southwest of the Brazilian Amazon. These sites were surveyed by LiDAR in 2014 and 2015 (one year after the exploration). Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), Surface Models (DSMs), and Canopy Height Models (CHMs) were generated for each APU. The proposed indicators were: i. Detection and identification of crown removal in dominant and co-dominant trees above 30 m; ii. Gap detection in the forest canopy; iii. Impacts of Reduced Impact Logging on the Understory; iv. Changes in the vertical canopy profile; and v. Affected areas within Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs) and restricted areas. There was a 3.95% reduction in the occurrence of taller canopies after RIL, and a higher occurrence of small gaps (λ > 1), with λ values (2.34) being higher in the area with the oldest logging history (APU 1). Gini coefficient values in all APUs were below 0.5, indicating a low intensity of disturbances in the forest canopy. The shape (γ) and scale (β) parameters of the understory and canopy were not significantly correlated with variables related to selective logging. Restricted areas were considered for the allocation of roads, trails, log landings, and places with slopes equal to or >15%, and the indices of areas affected by RIL in PPAs and restricted areas were <2%. The proposed indicators using LiDAR data show great potential for monitoring managed areas in the Amazon and can be utilized by concession companies and government oversight.

Ultrafast electron transfer at the In2O3/Nb2O5 S-scheme interface for CO2 photoreduction

Constructing S-scheme heterojunctions proves proficient in achieving the spatial separation of potent photogenerated charge carriers for their participation in photoreactions. Nonetheless, the restricted contact areas between two phases within S-scheme heterostructures lead to inefficient interfacial charge transport, resulting in low photocatalytic efficiency from a kinetic perspective. Here, In2O3/Nb2O5 S-scheme heterojunctions are fabricated through a straightforward one-step electrospinning technique, enabling intimate contact between the two phases and thereby fostering ultrafast interfacial electron transfer (<10 ps), as analyzed via femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. As a result, powerful photo-electrons and holes accumulate in the Nb2O5 conduction band and In2O3 valence band, respectively, exhibiting extended long lifetimes and facilitating their involvement in subsequent photoreactions. Combined with the efficient chemisorption and activation of stable CO2 on the Nb2O5, the resulting In2O3/Nb2O5 hybrid nanofibers demonstrate improved photocatalytic performance for CO2 conversion.

Endemism and regionalization of Neotropical mammals: a multi-taxon analysis

Abstract The distribution pattern of a taxon is a consequence of historical and contemporary processes—specifically ecological and evolutionary processes—which tend to result in distributional congruence among species that respond similarly to the same processes. This congruence leads to the establishment of areas of endemism that are important for delimiting biogeographic regions. In the Neotropical region, different definitions of area of endemism have been proposed based on the distributional patterns of mammal species, each according to different methods and assumptions. In this study, we aimed to identify areas of endemism of Neotropical mammals, represented by 361 species of Placentalia (Xenarthra, Chiroptera, and Carnivora) and Marsupialia (Didelphimorphia and Paucituberculata), using an endemicity analysis implemented by the software NDM (eNDeMism software) and a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Simpson’s beta dissimilarity metric (βsim). The results suggest alternative spatial configurations within northern and southern parts of the Neotropics along transition zones. Additionally, there are indications of more restricted areas of endemism throughout the Neotropical region and with more species supporting the areas, such 1 area located in the region corresponding to the Atlantic forest and 2 areas corresponding to Mexican transition zone. The study enhances our understanding of Neotropical mammal biogeography and underscores the importance of using primary distribution data. Previous studies found 82 endemic species based on range maps, whereas our analyses identified 172 endemic species, including 125 that are newly proposed as such, and also confirmed the existence of 47 previously reported endemic species.

Trajectory-driven computational analysis for element characterization in Trypanosoma cruzi video microscopy.

Optical microscopy videos enable experts to analyze the motion of several biological elements. Particularly in blood samples infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), microscopy videos reveal a dynamic scenario where the parasites' motions are conspicuous. While parasites have self-motion, cells are inert and may assume some displacement under dynamic events, such as fluids and microscope focus adjustments. This paper analyzes the trajectory of T. cruzi and blood cells to discriminate between these elements by identifying the following motion patterns: collateral, fluctuating, and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ). We consider two approaches: i) classification experiments for discrimination between parasites and cells; and ii) clustering experiments to identify the cell motion. We propose the trajectory step dispersion (TSD) descriptor based on standard deviation to characterize these elements, outperforming state-of-the-art descriptors. Our results confirm motion is valuable in discriminating T. cruzi of the cells. Since the parasites perform the collateral motion, their trajectory steps tend to randomness. The cells may assume fluctuating motion following a homogeneous and directional path or PTZ motion with trajectory steps in a restricted area. Thus, our findings may contribute to developing new computational tools focused on trajectory analysis, which can advance the study and medical diagnosis of Chagas disease.

Research on the mechanism of leader-follower product sales competition based on market access restrictions and forward contract considerations

Market access restrictions have been the focus of attention for various market players, but there are fewer studies on the competitive mechanism of market access restrictions on firms' product sales. This paper investigates the competitive mechanism of leader-follower product sales based on market access restrictions and forward contracts. First, the mechanism of leader-follower sales decisions based on market access restrictions and forward contracts is clarified. Second, it models the forward default risk suffered by followers and the profit rate of leader-follower based on market access restrictions and forward considerations by Bayes' posterior probability method. Moreover, it severely explores the impact mechanisms of the degree of market access restrictions on leaders and followers when followers do not adopt and adopt forwards and makes a simulation analysis. The results show that: (i) When followers do not employ forward contracts, the less restrictive degree of market access increases the supply of leaders, and leaders' competition for product sales further leads to a decrease in the provision of followers. (ii) When followers use forwards, leaders' and followers' expected discounted profit rates decrease with the total supply of products in the market increases. (iii) If the degree of market access restrictions is low, the followers suffer an increased forward default risk, resulting in their rate of revenue decrease. The findings of this paper have some practical significance and policy implications for the regulator to adjust the degree of market access restriction in each restricted access area, to establish a reasonable and efficient competitive environment for product sales, as well as for firms to choose the optimal way of competing for product sales.

Comprehensive characterization of octahedral Co3O4 doped with Cu induces oxygen vacancies as a battery-type redox active electrode material for supercapacitors

The urgent need to combat global warming has spurred the exploration of renewable energy solutions, among which the supercapacitor has emerged as a promising contender for efficient energy storage in crucial applications. While battery-type electrode materials (BTMs), notably Co3O4, have shown impressive electrochemical performance in recent years, their inherent limitations, such as low conductivity, restricted surface area, and suboptimal electrochemical activity, pose challenges to their utility. Doping has emerged as a strategic solution to address these issues by modifying the crystal structure, surface morphology, specific surface area, electronic conductivity, and chemical stability of the host material, thereby enhancing its electrochemical performance. This study uses a combustion synthesis method to engineer octahedral Co3O4 with Cu-doping. We obtained three different samples of Co3O4: one undoped Co3O4, doped with 3 % Cu (3%Cu–Co3O4), and 6 % Cu (6%Cu–Co3O4). The addition of Cu not only changed the crystal structure and surface morphology but also impacted the surface area and defects (oxygen vacancies) in Co3O4, affecting its electrochemical performance. This doping method effectively controlled the oxygen vacancy defect content, as verified meticulously by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS). Particularly, the 6%Cu–Co3O4 configuration demonstrated significantly improved specific capacity (155.5 mA h g−1/559.8C g−1 at 1 A g−1) and rate performance (67 %), outperforming both 3%Cu–Co3O4 and undoped Co3O4. Additionally, it exhibited superior cycling stability with 91 % retention of the maximum specific capacity after 5000 cycles. Consequently, this study offers valuable insights into designing defect-engineered battery-type electrode materials for hybrid supercapacitors, which could significantly enrich their efficiency.

Human Detection and Counter

Implementing human detection and counter in Python offers several advantages in various applications. Firstly, it enhances security systems by providing the capability to identify and monitor human presence in restricted or sensitive areas. This is crucial for surveillance in places such as airports, banks, and government facilities, where unauthorized access must be prevented. Secondly, human detection and counting in Python can be applied in retail analytics to analyse customer behavior and improve store layouts. By tracking the number of people entering and exiting a store, businesses can optimize their operations, manage queues effectively, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall shopping experience. Moreover, in smart buildings and home automation, Python-based human detection enables the creation of intelligent systems that can adjust lighting, temperature, and other environmental factors based on the occupancy of a room. This not only contributes to energy efficiency but also enhances user comfort. Additionally, the implementation of human detection and counting in Python is valuable in the field of computer vision and robotics. It facilitates the development of applications such as social robots that can interact with humans, or autonomous vehicles that need to be aware of pedestrian presence for safe navigation. In summary, the advantages of human detection and counter in Python extend across security, retail, smart buildings, and robotics, contributing to enhanced safety, efficiency, and user experiences in diverse domains

Nuevos registros para Morelos y Puebla, con algunas anotaciones de la ranita costera Craugastor occidentalis (Taylor, 1941) endémica de México

The genus Craugastor, commonly called barking frogs, is very diverse. In Mexico it is usually distributed in restricted areas, climates and types of vegetation. On the contrary, Craugastor occidentalis has an extraordinarily wide distribution that covers various states of the country, extending over very different climates and vegetation types. We make an extensive review of the species, complementing and updating its distribution map, and we report new records of the coastal barking frog for Morelos and Puebla, extending its distribution to the easternmost part of the Mexican Republic.

Enhancing Security Within Restricted Hospital Zones by Integrating Finger Vein Authentication

The integration of finger vein authentication technology to enhance security measures within restricted zones in hospital environments, is the aim of this project. An advanced biometric technique called finger vein authentication uses each person's individual vein patterns to confirm their identification. It is especially desirable for applications where security is critical, such financial transactions, healthcare, and access control, because it provides a very safe and non-intrusive means of authentication. Although there has been considerable success with traditional finger vein authentication methods, deep learning techniques have completely changed this field. A branch of artificial intelligence called deep learning has shown impressive results in pattern recognition and picture analysis, which makes it a prime contender for improving the precision and dependability of finger vein authentication systems. Finger vein authentication utilizes biometric characteristics unique to everyone, providing a highly secure method of identity verification. By implementing this technology, hospitals can bolster access control, prevent unauthorized entry into sensitive areas, and safeguard patient information and critical resources. The project aims to implement finger vein authentication systems to regulate access to restricted areas such as operating rooms, medication storage areas, and patient information sections. Authorized personnel will undergo authentication via finger vein scans for entry, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access these zones.

Genetic and Digital Discrimination in Labor Law: Problem Statement

The last few decades have been characterized by the most active development of medicine and genetics, leading to the emergence of new knowledge about the functioning of the human body. The identification of a genetic predisposition to the development of certain diseases requires a rethink of traditional approaches to the use of employee personal data, labor protection, and the balance of public and private interests in labor legislation. This article analyzes approaches to determining the legal nature of genetic information, identifies possible areas of restriction of workers’ rights depending on the identification of hereditary predisposition to certain diseases, draws a line between discrimination based on genetic characteristics and differentiation. In the context of the active digitalization of personnel processes, the risks of possible digital discrimination in the selection and evaluation of employees using artificial intelligence technologies are noted.

Will future wind power development in Scandinavia have an impact on wolves?

The global energy demand is growing, and the world is shifting towards using more renewable energy, like increased onshore wind power development. We used Global Positioning System (GPS) and Very High Frequency (VHF) location data from adult, territorial wolves Canis lupus in Scandinavia (Sweden and Norway; 1999–2021), to examine the potential for wind power development to affect wolf behavioural ecology. We examined the spatial overlap of areas proposed for wind power development with wolf territory activity centres prior to construction, to test to what extent overlap varies with season, time of day and social status (breeding versus non‐breeding wolves). Measures of overlap were the distance between wolf activity centre points and nearest proposed wind turbine, the probability of proposed wind turbines being within the activity centre, and the density of proposed wind turbines within the activity centre. The wolf activity centre points were closer to sites of proposed turbines in early summer than in late winter and the density of proposed turbines in the activity centre was higher in early summer than in late winter. These findings probably result from an altitudinal shift in wolf area use between summer and winter. We also found that the probability for proposed turbines to be within the activity centre was higher for non‐breeding than for breeding wolves during early summer, whereas it was higher for breeding compared to non‐breeding wolves during late winter. This difference might be an effect of that breeding wolves have a restricted area use during the early summer season (denning period), resulting in a lower probability of turbines being inside their activity centre as compared to late winter. There was no clear pattern for other seasonal and social status differences. The results should be viewed as a starting point for further research and supplemented with before‐after studies.

A Two-Warehouse Inventory System with Time-Dependent Demand and Preservation Technology

Because of rapid environmental changes in current worldwide society, preserving technique is becoming increasingly crucial. With the aim to examine this idea, we created a model for two-warehouse inventory system that incorporates preservation technique investments. The model considers time as a linear function representing the rate of demand. Time-dependent demand is a common feature in many industries, where demand fluctuates over time due to various factors such as seasonality and market trends. The stock is kept in the restricted storage area (OW) and other warehouse (rented) is utilized for keep any excess stock that exceeds the OW's storage limit. The stock in RW is consumed first, followed by the stock in OW, as the cost of holding of the rented warehouse (RW) is more than that of the owned warehouse (OW). This paper does not allow for shortages. We use numerical simulations to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed model under various parameters.

The Effect of Residence Time and Stream Restrictions on the Precursors’ Structure and Coke Morphology

AbstractIn this work, the precursors and intermediates of catalytic dehydrogenation of toluene, ethylbenzene, and styrene (TES) stream were detected, quantified, and classified at 750–800 °C. The classification approach for tracing the structural changes of the produced precursors was designed based on different residence times of intermediates, leading to the presentation of a morphology prediction model for precipitated coke according to the restriction of stream pass. The results revealed that the coke structure of encapsulating is formed by heavier precursors produced at a restricted direction of flow. On the other hand, the filamentous coke made from lighter precursors is formed at smooth streams with no restricted areas.

CMFog[formula omitted]: Proactive content migration for multi-level fog computing

The popularization of Fog Computing has provided the foundation for a computational environment better suited to applications demanding low communication latency. However, Fog environments has limited resources and restricted coverage areas, besides the user mobility that needs continuous migrations to maintain accessible and nearby content. To enable applications to harness the low latency offered by Fog, it is crucial to develop migration strategies capable of addressing the complexities of the Fog environment while ensuring content availability regardless of user location. This work proposes CMFogV, a proactive content migration strategy that leverages mobility prediction in a multi-level fog. Our results show that CMFogV is able to provide enhanced flexibility in the migration decision process across a wide diversity of scenario.

Abstract PO2-29-02: Towards Precision Medicine in Breast Imaging: A Novel Open Mammography Database with Tailor-Made 3D Image Retrieval for Artificial Intelligence and Teaching

Abstract Objectives: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Low- and middle-income countries hold the worst survival rates mainly owing to a lack of access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment related resources. For proper early diagnosis, it is established that besides the physical structure itself (e.g., mammography units), there's a need for adequate interpretation of imaging and that might be a particularly major problem in low-income societies once there is a tendency of greater education setbacks. Mammography datasets can improve this resource-driven gap by enabling the development of artificial intelligence technologies (AI) which can make breast cancer diagnosis more accurate in a cost-effective and scalable way. We aim to create a new database of high quality digital mammography images suitable for AI development and education. Methods: Our mammography database was developed by means of retrospective selection of 100 exams performed by Hospital São Paulo - Federal University of São Paulo ranging from 2019 to 2023. The project is assumed to be safe, versatile, and usable, and required an extensive search for the appropriate tool. Ambra Health, an American company, has developed cloud-based software for medical image management and stood out as a viable alternative. Their platform meets international data security criteria, they also made the intended careful customization possible, in addition to the possibility of associating image and text attachments. The categories were created in accordance with the BI-RADS® descriptors, a wide range of clinical scenarios and additional materials available, and they served as the basis for the advanced search feature, which intuitively filters exams that meet the selected criteria simultaneously. The platform was integrated with an automatic anonymization system upon upload, ensuring data privacy. After submission, the exams are retained in a restricted area for anonymization verification, categorization, and attachment management, before being released to the end-user. So as to broaden geographic coverage, the descriptors were entered in American English, respecting the origin of the BI-RADS® lexicon, as for the website structure, automatic translation to the accessing browser standard language was selected. Results: Our website is active and available at http://mamografia.unifesp.br, with access granted upon a simple registration process. 941 mammography images from 100 anonymized cases, 62% of which include 3D images, can be filtered based on the combination of 113 clinical and imaging variables, as well as attachment availability. The language is adaptable to the user's native language, and categorized searches can be accessed directly from the browser or downloaded as customized datasets. Additionally, features such as saved searches or starred exams are also available. Conclusion: We have developed an online and free mammography database that is completely innovative by integrating various resources into a single platform. We provide high-resolution and 3D digital images that can be searched using an advanced search system. Moreover, we offer supplementary clinical information in various attachment formats, favoring a rich clinical correlation. In this way, we have achieved the ambivalence of our goal, which was to promote education and research. *"images speak louder than words" Database: https://mamografia.unifesp.br Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/@Mamografiaunifesp e-mail: acesso@mamografia.unifesp.br password: acesso@mamografia12 (valid until dec/23) Citation Format: Natália Cordeiro, Gil Facina, Afonso Nazário, Vanessa Sanvido, Joaquim Araujo Neto, Morgana Silva, Simone Elias. Towards Precision Medicine in Breast Imaging: A Novel Open Mammography Database with Tailor-Made 3D Image Retrieval for Artificial Intelligence and Teaching [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-29-02.

The Efficacy of Horizontal Adjustable Bent Louver Shading for Enhancing Daylighting Performance in Walk-Up Apartment Buildings

This paper addressed the challenges posed by the limited windows and restricted areas in walk-up flats in Indonesia, resulting in improper indoor daylight performance. The study proposes using outdoor horizontally bent, adjustable louver screens as daylight reflectors to overcome this issue and improve daylighting performance in apartment buildings. The quasi-experimental technique implemented the Radiance Desktop Plug-in Version 1.02 and Ecotect 2011 lighting software. Variables, such as slat shading geometry, i.e., flat, one-bent, two-bent slats, and rotation opening angles, i.e., 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°, were examined for interior daylight performance regarding daylight intensity and distribution. The findings indicate that although shading can reduce the average lighting level in a room, shading types with bents can improve daylight performance in another important aspect, namely achieving a more even distribution. The most effective shading technique for harvesting and distributing daylight evenly in tropical walk-up apartments was a two-bent slat type, particularly with opening angles of 90°. The results also demonstrate that louvers with multiple bent slat geometry are particularly effective in reflecting high altitudes of incident light often encountered in tropical regions and scattering the incoming light evenly into the innermost area of the room.

Editors’ Introduction

Abstract “Troubling Terms and the Sex Trades” assembles writings from scholars, sex workers, and activists, each of whom interrogates a troubled term and its place in the history of prostitution. This introduction discusses the “keyword” tradition of historical genealogies advanced by Raymond Williams and its utility for assessing critical categories that inform historical studies and current political debates on prostitution. The essay reviews the historiography of prostitution as it has focused on troubling terms, mostly centered specifically on the categories of sex work and trafficking. The essay goes on to introduce the components of this special issue: the first section, Reflections, presents short first-person accounts by sex worker activists, advocates, and scholars regarding a critical keyword they have worked with or resisted. The second section, Features, presents longer essays that interrogate the terms sex work, demand, white slavery, red-light district, restricted area, and decriminalization. Finally, Curated Spaces explores the history of the red umbrella as a visual term that has developed as a global symbol for sex worker rights.

Vice and Immoral Spaces

Abstract In the aftermath of the Second World War, local authorities across West Germany implemented Sperrbezirke, or restricted areas for prostitution. These restricted areas became a central element of Germany’s system of managing commercial sex. This article considers both the legacies of former systems of state-regulated prostitution in the development of Sperrbezirke and regional variations in restricted-area regulations since the 1960s. It examines their relation to red-light districts through regulations on brothels and tolerance zones, as well as the common associations of Sperrbezirke with vice in popular culture. The article then uses prostitutes’ responses to restricted-area regulations to assess their impact in practice.

Adaptive Honking System for Smart Cities Using IOT

Abstract: This project has an aim to control the horn volume in cities and also in restricted area as such schools, parks, hospitals, old age homes, college, government offices and in speed limited areas etc. Some peoples are driving vehicles in a high speed and create noise of horn of vehicle. So the police are not able to monitor all those things. Driver does control the speed of vehicle at places. This paper provides a way for how to control the speed of vehicle and control the noise of horn without harming others. This project has an aim to control noise of horn automatically. The speed of any vehicles will be detected using accelerometer if the speed of vehicle is exceed in honking zone then the buzzer can buzz and get alert to driver about . cities and also in restricted area as such schools, parks, hospitals, old age homes, college, government offices and in speed limited areas etc. Nowadays in a fast moving world all the peoples are not have self-control. Controls are taken automatically by the use of electronic system. In this project we use GPS for indicating the nearby honking zone. Speed is measured by the help of accelerometer in the vehicle. The controller compares the speed. If it exceeds the limited speed the pizzobuzzer buzz and alerts the driver and controls taken automatically by driver and when vehicle is near at honking zone the switch can automatically decrease the volume of horn if it on. In this way our smart honking zone for smart cities project will be perform

New threats for a protected plant: the need to review and update recovery plans of endangered species.

Helianthemum polygonoides is a perennial halophyte identified in 1987 in the Saltmarsh of Cordovilla (Albacete, SE Spain). In 2004 its distribution area was approximately 16 hectares, and its population was estimated at around 185000 adult individuals. Thus, this species is considered a local endemism due to its restricted distribution area, being catalogued as a "Critically Endangered" (CR). The main goal of this study is to review the current situation of the endemism, updating its distribution area and current threats and, consequently, establishing up-to-date conservation guidelines. A marked increment in the H. polygonoides population have been found (381909 individuals were estimated in 2022 census). We located new populations of H. polygonides, increasing its core distribution area and revealing the consolidation of proposed protection measures. In this context, our results have confirmed the direct relationship between the population size and the protection measures. According to the threat’s assessment, we have observed that most of the threats and impacts have been reduced (e.g., grazing) or stopped (e.g., accumulation of debris). However, we have found new threats (e.g., rabbit proliferation, wild boar damages, and fires), emphasising the need to review and update the Recovery Plan of H. polygonoides. In fact, we want to be pointed out that the mentioned threats are in constant change. We suggest the inclusion of new guidelines to control the new-found threats and provide eight new conservation guidelines to improve the conservation status of the current populations of H. polygonoides.