Application of high-dimensional uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) to cluster existing landfills on the basis of geographical and environmental features.

Due to extreme conditions, which are influenced by the location of landfills, the release of pollutants has been recently proven to be more severe in estuary landfills, as these landfill locations are affected by both sea-water and river-water interactions. To identify geographic and environmental features linked to the extreme conditions of certain landfills, a high-dimensional clustering method combining Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) with the Louvain algorithm is proposed. A case study was conducted using 17 noteworthy features that transform to Landfill Suitability Index (LSI) applied to hundreds of landfill sites in Taiwan.

Using Smartphones to Locate Trapped Victims in Disasters.

Large and unaccounted numbers of victims in disasters, events, or fires are often trapped in buildings or debris, and must be located and rescued as soon as possible. This study transforms smartphones into indoor locating tools without extra modification or complicated program installation, considering smartphones are likely to be carried when disasters strike. The study creates a system that converts smartphones into a lifesaving tool for trapped victims and rescuers.

A facile wet-chemistry approach to engineer an Au-based SERS substrate and enhance sensitivity down to ppb-level detection.

A two-dimensional flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) filter substrate provides an alternative strategy for the highly sensitive portable detection of various toxic molecules and biomaterials. Herein, we developed a solid-liquid interfacial reduction reaction to post-engineer a solid Au nanostructure surface on filter paper to improve the SERS effect. Among four reductants (ascorbic acid, l-dopamine, hydroquinone (HQ), and formaldehyde), HQ possessed a larger oxidation overpotential and facilitated homogeneous growth, forming small Au branch-structure nanoparticles from HAuCl4 solution.