bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigating Virtual Environments Using Leg Poses and Smartphone Sensors
Authors: Tsaramirsis Georgios , Buhari Seyed M. , Basheri Mohammed , Stojmenovic Milos
Published: January 2019

Realization of navigation in virtual environments remains a challenge as it involves complex operating conditions. Decomposition of such complexity is attainable by fusion of sensors and machine learning techniques. Identifying the right combination of sensory information and the appropriate machine learning technique is a vital ingredient for translating physical actions to virtual movements. The contributions of our work include: (i) Synchronization of actions and movements using suitable multiple sensor units, and (ii) selection of the significant features and an appropriate algorithm to process them. This work proposes an innovative approach that allows users to move in virtual environments by simply moving their legs towards the desired direction. The necessary hardware includes only a smartphone that is strapped to the subjects’ lower leg. Data from the gyroscope, accelerometer and campus sensors of the mobile device are transmitted to a PC where the movement is accurately identified using a combination of machine learning techniques. Once the desired movement is identified, the movement of the virtual avatar in the virtual environment is realized. After pre-processing the sensor data using the box plot outliers approach, it is observed that Artificial Neural Networks provided the highest movement identification accuracy of 84.2% on the training dataset and 84.1% on testing dataset.
An Ethanol Vapor Sensor Based on a Microfiber with a Quantum-Dot Gel Coating
Authors: Hu Siqi , Yan Guofeng , Wu Chunzhou , He Sailing
Published: January 2019

An ethanol vapor sensor based on a microfiber with a quantum-dot (QD) gel coating is proposed and demonstrated. The QD gel was made from UV glue as the gel matrix and CdSe/ZnS QDs with a concentration of 1 mg/mL. The drawing and coating processes were conducted by using a simple and low-cost system developed for this study. Bending, ethanol sensing, temperature response, and time response tests were carried out, respectively. The experimental results showed that the fabricated sensor had a high sensitivity of −3.3%/ppm, a very low temperature cross-sensitivity of 0.17 ppm/°C, and a fast response time of 1.1 s. The easily fabricated robust structure and the excellent sensing performance render the sensor a promising platform for real ethanol sensing applications.
PSDSD-A Superpixel Generating Method Based on Pixel Saliency Difference and Spatial Distance for SAR Images
Authors: Xie Tao , Huang Jingjian , Shi Qingzhan , Wang Qingping , Yuan Naichang
Published: January 2019

Superpixel methods are widely used in the processing of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. In recent years, a number of superpixel algorithms for SAR images have been proposed, and have achieved acceptable results despite the inherent speckle noise of SAR images. However, it is still difficult for existing algorithms to obtain satisfactory results in the inhomogeneous edge and texture areas. To overcome those problems, we propose a superpixel generating method based on pixel saliency difference and spatial distance for SAR images in this article. Firstly, a saliency map is calculated based on the Gaussian kernel function weighted local contrast measure, which can not only effectively suppress the speckle noise, but also enhance the fuzzy edges and regions with intensity inhomogeneity. Secondly, superpixels are generated by the local k-means clustering method based on the proposed distance measure, which can efficiently sort pixels to different clusters. In this step, the distance measure is calculated by combining the saliency difference and spatial distance with a proposed adaptive local compactness parameter. Thirdly, post-processing is utilized to clean up small segments. The evaluation experiments on the simulated SAR image demonstrate that our proposed method dramatically outperforms four state-of-the-art methods in terms of boundary recall, under-segmentation error, and achievable segmentation accuracy under almost all of the experimental parameters at a moderate segment speed. The experiments on real-world SAR images of different sceneries validate the superiority of our method. The superpixel results of the proposed method adhere well to the contour of targets, and correctly reflect the boundaries of texture details for the inhomogeneous regions.
Robotic System for Inspection by Contact of Bridge Beams Using UAVs
Authors: Sanchez-Cuevas Pedro J. , Ramon-Soria Pablo , Arrue Begoña , Ollero Anibal , Heredia Guillermo
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a robotic system using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for bridge-inspection tasks that require physical contact between the aerial platform and the bridge surfaces, such as beam-deflection analysis or measuring crack depth with an ultrasonic sensor. The proposed system takes advantage of the aerodynamic ceiling effect that arises when the multirotor gets close to the bridge surface. Moreover, this paper describes how a UAV can be used as a sensor that is able to fly and touch the bridge to take measurements during an inspection by contact. A practical application of the system involving the measurement of a bridge’s beam deflection using a laser tracking station is also presented. In order to validate our system, experiments on two different bridges involving the measurement of the deflection of their beams are shown.
Statistical Approach to Spectrogram Analysis for Radio-Frequency Interference Detection and Mitigation in an L-Band Microwave Radiometer
Authors: Oh Myeonggeun , Kim Yong-Hoon
Published: January 2019

For the elimination of radio-frequency interference (RFI) in a passive microwave radiometer, the threshold level is generally calculated from the mean value and standard deviation. However, a serious problem that can arise is an error in the retrieved brightness temperature from a higher threshold level owing to the presence of RFI. In this paper, we propose a method to detect and mitigate RFI contamination using the threshold level from statistical criteria based on a spectrogram technique. Mean and skewness spectrograms are created from a brightness temperature spectrogram by shifting the 2-D window to discriminate the form of the symmetric distribution as a natural thermal emission signal. From the remaining bins of the mean spectrogram eliminated by RFI-flagged bins in the skewness spectrogram for data captured at 0.1-s intervals, two distribution sides are identically created from the left side of the distribution by changing the standard position of the distribution. Simultaneously, kurtosis calculations from these bins for each symmetric distribution are repeatedly performed to determine the retrieved brightness temperature corresponding to the closest kurtosis value of three. The performance is evaluated using experimental data, and the maximum error and root-mean-square error (RMSE) in the retrieved brightness temperature are served to be less than approximately 3 K and 1.7 K, respectively, from a window with a size of 100 × 100 time–frequency bins according to the RFI levels and cases.
NUV-Sensitive Silicon Photomultiplier Technologies Developed at Fondazione Bruno Kessler
Authors: Gola Alberto , Acerbi Fabio , Capasso Massimo , Marcante Marco , Mazzi Alberto , Paternoster Giovanni , Piemonte Claudio , Regazzoni Veronica , Zorzi Nicola
Published: January 2019

Different applications require different customizations of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology. We present a review on the latest SiPM technologies developed at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK, Trento), characterized by a peak detection efficiency in the near-UV and customized according to the needs of different applications. Original near-UV sensitive, high-density SiPMs (NUV-HD), optimized for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) application, feature peak photon detection efficiency (PDE) of 63% at 420 nm with a 35 um cell size and a dark count rate (DCR) of 100 kHz/mm2. Correlated noise probability is around 25% at a PDE of 50% at 420 nm. It provides a coincidence resolving time (CRT) of 100 ps FWHM (full width at half maximum) in the detection of 511 keV photons, when used for the readout of LYSO(Ce) scintillator (Cerium-doped lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate) and down to 75 ps FWHM with LSO(Ce:Ca) scintillator (Cerium and Calcium-doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate). Starting from this technology, we developed three variants, optimized according to different sets of specifications. NUV-HD–LowCT features a 60% reduction of direct crosstalk probability, for applications such as Cherenkov telescope array (CTA). NUV-HD–Cryo was optimized for cryogenic operation and for large photosensitive areas. The reference application, in this case, is the readout of liquid, noble-gases scintillators, such as liquid Argon. Measurements at 77 K showed a remarkably low value of the DCR of a few mHz/mm2. Finally, vacuum-UV (VUV)-HD features an increased sensitivity to VUV light, aiming at direct detection of photons below 200 nm. PDE in excess of 20% at 175 nm was measured in liquid Xenon. In the paper, we discuss the specifications on the SiPM related to different types of applications, the SiPM design challenges and process optimizations, and the results from the experimental characterization of the different, NUV-sensitive technologies developed at FBK.
Adaptive Phase Transform Method for Pipeline Leakage Detection
Authors: Ma Yifan , Gao Yan , Cui Xiwang , Brennan Michael J. , Almeida Fabricio C.L. , Yang Jun
Published: January 2019

In leak noise correlation surveys, time delay estimation (TDE) is of great importance in pinpointing a suspected leak. Conventional TDE methods involve pre-filtering processes prior to performing cross-correlation, based on a priori knowledge of the leak and background noise spectra, to achieve the desired performance. Despite advances in recent decades, they have not proven to be capable of tracking changes in sensor signals as yet. This paper presents an adaptive phase transform method based on least mean square (LMS) algorithms for the determination of the leak location to overcome this limitation. Simulation results on plastic water pipes show that, compared to the conventional LMS method, the proposed adaptive method is more robust to a low signal-to-noise ratio. To further verify the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive method, an analysis is carried out on field tests of real networks. Moreover, it has been shown that by using the actual measured data, improved performance of the proposed method for pipeline leakage detection is achieved. Hence, this paper presents a promising method, which has the advantages of simple implementation and ability to track changes in practice, as an alternative technique to the existing correlation-based leak detection methods.
A Handy Flexible Micro-Thermocouple Using Low-Melting-Point Metal Alloys
Authors: Wang Qifu , Gao Meng , Zhang Lunjia , Deng Zhongshan , Gui Lin
Published: January 2019

A handy, flexible micro-thermocouple using low-melting-point metal alloys is proposed in this paper. The thermocouple has the advantages of simple fabrication and convenient integration. Bismuth/gallium-based mixed alloys are used as thermocouple materials. To precisely inject the metal alloys to the location of the sensing area, a micro-polydimethylsiloxane post is designed within the sensing area to prevent outflow of the metal alloy to another thermocouple pole during the metal-alloy injection. Experimental results showed that the Seebeck coefficient of this thermocouple reached −10.54 μV/K, which was much higher than the previously reported 0.1 μV/K. The thermocouple was also be bent at 90° more than 200 times without any damage when the mass ratio of the bismuth-based alloy was <60% in the metal-alloy mixture. This technology mitigated the difficulty of depositing traditional thin–film thermocouples on soft substrates. Therefore, the thermocouple demonstrated its potential for use in microfluidic chips, which are usually flexible devices.
Development of a Conductive Polymer Based Novel 1-DOF Tactile Sensor with Cylindrical Arch Spring Structure Using 3D Printing Technology
Authors: Sampath Peshan , De Silva Eranga , Sameera Lakshitha , Udayanga Isuru , Amarasinghe Ranjith , Weragoda Sampath , Mitani Atsushi
Published: January 2019

Under this research, a novel tactile sensor has been developed using a conductive polymer-based sensing element. The incorporated sensing element is manufactured by polymer press moulding, where the compound is based on silicone rubber and has enhancements by silica and carbon black, with Silane-69 as the coupling agent. Characteristics of the sensing element have been observed using its sensitivity and range, where its results pose an inherent nonlinearity of conductive polymers. For the force scaling purpose, a novel 3D printed cylindrical arch spring structure was developed for this highly customizable tactile sensor by adopting commonly available ABSplus material in 3D printing technology. By considering critical dimensions of the structure, finite element analysis was carried out to achieve nearly optimized results. A special electrical routing arrangement was also designed to reduce the routing complexities. The optimized structure was fabricated using the 3D printing technology. A microcontroller-based signal conditioning circuit was introduced to the system for the purpose of acquiring data. The sensor has been tested up to the maximum load condition using a force indenter. This sensor has a maximum applicable range of 90 N with a maximum structural deflection of 4 mm. The sensor assembly weighs 155 g and the outer dimensions are 85 mm in diameter and 83 mm in height.
Research on the Spatial Pattern Characteristics of the Taihu Lake “Dock Village” Based on Microclimate: A Case Study of Tangli Village
Authors: Ma Kun , Tang Xiaolan , Ren Yujie , Wang Yiwen
Published: January 2019

“Dock Village” terrain is, as its name implies, a region that contains settlements reminiscent of docks, in terms of their elongated shape, their outward upward tilt, and their location in the center of low, wide valleys. Dock village terrain features deep, fertile soil suitable for farming. Taihu Lake contains a number of classic examples of dock villages. Dock villages are relatively independent and hidden, characteristics that not only play a role in security and defense, but also, more importantly, are associated with enhanced climate adaptability, a relative lack of cold weather, and equable levels of heat and humidity. The dock village reflects the wisdom and distillation of traditional Chinese ecological practices and is highly valued as a research topic. Based on microclimate theory and ENVI-met software, four microclimate indices, namely, air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and relative humidity, were simulated and analyzed in this study. The correlation between spatial characteristics and microclimate was studied from four perspectives: plane space, cross-section space, vertical section space, and linear development space. This research summarizes the historical context and evolution of the dock village spatial form in the construction of contemporary human settlements. It also provides scientific suggestions for the protection and sustainable development of ancient villages.
Using a Tablet Computer Application to Advance High School Students’ Laboratory Learning Experiences: A Focus on Electrical Engineering Education
Authors: Chou Pao-Nan , Feng Shu-Tzu
Published: January 2019

This study proposed an innovative instructional strategy for pre-college engineering education. Learning topics on electrical engineering education in a laboratory setting were selected for further exploration. Specifically, the study investigated how tablet computers with one adopted application influenced student engineering learning. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pretest and posttest research design. The educational experiment lasted for 6 weeks. The research participants comprised 57 ninth-grade students from a public high school in Taiwan. The students employed either a tablet computer or laptop computer to engage in weekly 3-h laboratory studies. A criterion test was developed to measure student knowledge of electrical engineering. The results revealed that the instructional effectiveness was identical for all the students, regardless of whether they used a tablet or laptop computer. However, those using the tablet computers achieved greater learning improvement. In addition, the qualitative data indicated that the tablet computers facilitated student learning in various engineering learning activities. The results of the study suggested that engineering educators in different educational levels might consider similar instructional methods to inspire students’ engineering learning.
The Inclusion of a Sustainability Awareness Indicator in Assessment Tools for High School Buildings
Authors: Saraiva Tatiana Santos , Almeida Manuela , Bragança Luís , Barbosa Maria Teresa
Published: January 2019

The growing debate about global environmental problems is evident in several spheres of society. The concern for the future of the planet is used as a political slogan, inspiring the creation of new laws and encouraging academic research that serves this purpose, as well as increasing the number of government agencies concerned with this matter. The 21st century is considered the “century of sustainable development”. Sustainability education in high schools has the potential to make the benefits of civil construction more visible to society and media by showing students, parents, and communities in general how sustainability in the built environment can improve their lives in economic, social, and environmental aspects. This study was applied in three high schools of Juiz de Fora (Brazil) and Guimarães (Portugal). These high schools have similar characteristics regarding teaching patterns and commitment to strengthening sustainability in their respective regions and reflect their socio-economic conditions, governmental strategies, everyday habits, and cultural attributes. The information was collected through questionnaires applied to high school students in 2017. This paper shows the need for including an indicator of sustainability awareness in sustainability assessment tools for high school buildings.
A Long-Term Analysis of Demographic Processes, Socioeconomic ‘Modernization’ and Forest Expansion in a European Country
Authors: Moretti Valerio , Salvati Luca , Cecchini Massimo , Zambon Ilaria
Published: January 2019

This article investigates long-term forest decline and expansion vis-à-vis demographic processes in Italy, evidencing changes in the underlying socioeconomic context considering the ‘modernization theory’. An exploratory data analysis of 58 indicators assessing five basic research dimensions (territory, demography, education, trade and agriculture) and evolving rapidly over the study period (1862–2009), was run to ascertain similarity patterns among indicators and to identify time intervals characterized by homogeneous conditions in different analysis’ domains. Complementing indicators of forest expansion, changes in population structure and dynamics allow an empirical investigation of temporal coherence among demographic and forest transitions in Italy. The time window encompassing the two World Wars, approximately between 1931 and 1951, was identified as a turning point in the forest-socioeconomic system, being characterized by two groups of indicators that follow diverging (linear vs. nonlinear) time trends. A secondary turning point was identified at the beginning of the 1970s. Distinct temporal trends in the studied indicators were also identified using multivariate statistics (before the 1930s, between the 1930s and the 1950s, between the 1950s and the 1970s, from the 1970s onwards) and represent conditions of dynamic equilibrium between socio-ecological contexts, highlighting latent transitions in both population and environment conditions. Our work definitely contributes to an empirical understanding of economic, political and social forces associated with forest transition and demographic transition in advanced economies.
Open Innovation and Innovation Intermediaries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Vallejo Bertha , Oyelaran-Oyeyinka Banji , Ozor Nicholas , Bolo Maurice
Published: January 2019

This study explores the innovation intermediaries’ landscape in sub-Saharan Africa, considering Science Granting Councils (SGCs) as the key intermediaries in the system. Based on extensive desk research, personal interviews, and an online survey, the study discusses the roles and functions performed by SGCs as intermediators and influences of science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy. The results of the analysis corroborate the need for institutional and systemic changes to enable SGCs to perform their role. The realities, resources, and constraints at the local level cry out for the adaptation of current and future partnerships to the local context. The study concludes that only by tailoring partnerships to the development of capacity at the local level can SGCs perform effectively as influencers of national STI policy and mediators of partnerships with foreign development actors.
Site Selection Models in Natural Disaster Shelters: A Review
Authors: Ma Yunjia , Xu Wei , Qin Lianjie , Zhao Xiujuan
Published: January 2019

Constructing natural disaster shelters is important for disaster emergency management, and site selection models provide a feasible technique and method. This paper presents site selection models for natural disaster shelters. A synthesis of the types, objectives, constraints, methods of solutions, targeted disasters and applications of different site selection models for natural disaster shelters is investigated. Shelter location models can be classified as single-objective models, multiobjective models and hierarchical models, according to the objective and hierarchy type. Minimizing the evacuation distance or time, shelter construction cost or number, and the total risk are the general objectives of the models. Intelligent optimization algorithms are widely used to solve the models, instead of the Geographic Information System (GIS) method, due to the complexity of the problem. The results indicate that the following should be the main focuses of future works: How to set a model that can be applied for determining the shelter locations of multiple disasters; how to consider the uncertainty in the models; how to improve the existing algorithms or models to solve large-scale location-allocation problems; and how to develop a new resource-saving model that is consistent with the concept of sustainable development, as advocated by shelter planners and policy makers, which can be applied in real situations. This study allows those undertaking shelter location research to situate their work within the context of shelter planning.
Regional Tourism Clustering Based on the Three Ps of the Sustainability Services Marketing Matrix: An Example of Central and Eastern European Countries
Authors: Koľveková Gabriela , Liptáková Erika , Štrba Ľubomír , Kršák Branislav , Sidor Csaba , Cehlár Michal , Khouri Samer , Behún Marcel
Published: January 2019

The impact of tourism on quality of life standards in regions is significant in terms of people, planet, and profit. This paper examines the subnational NUTS 2 level regions, (in line with Eurostat) by applying several interlinked and connected indicators. Adopting the three Ps (people, planet, profit) of the Sustainability Services Marketing Mix, this article discusses the fusion of 54 regions of Central and Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria) into clusters according to the selected accommodation tourism indicators used by the European Statistical Agency (Eurostat) to evaluate tourism. Since many variables of the Prague region significantly exceed the values of the remaining regions, this region has been considered as an individual cluster, excluded from the cluster analysis. The cluster analysis resulted in the definition of six clusters consisting of regions with similar indicators’ statistics characteristics. The presented approach changes the traditional approach to clusters in tourism and provokes thinking about new criteria of clustering and solutions in the field of tourism, especially when considering future cooperation, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
Separable Data-Hiding Scheme for Encrypted Image to Protect Privacy of User in Cloud
Authors: Liu Li , Wang Lifang , Shi Yun-Qing , Chang Chin-Chen
Published: January 2019

As cloud computing becomes popular, the security of users’ data is faced with a great threat, i.e., how to protect users’ privacy has become a pressing research topic. The combination of data hiding and encryption can provide dual protection for private data during cloud computing. In this paper, we propose a new separable data-hiding scheme for encrypted images based on block compressive sensing. First, the original uncompressed image is compressed and encrypted by block compressive sensing (BCS) using a measurement matrix, which is known as an encryption key. Then, some additional data can be hidden into the four least significant bits of measurement using the data-hiding key during the process of encoding. With an encrypted image that contains hidden data, the receiver can extract the hidden data or decrypt/reconstruct the protected private image, according to the key he/she possesses. This scheme has important features of flexible compression and anti-data-loss. The image reconstruction and data extraction are separate processes. Experimental results have proven the expected merits of the proposed scheme. Compared with the previous work, our proposed scheme reduces the complexity of the scheme and also achieves better performance in compression, anti-data-loss, and hiding capacity.
Distribution-Based Approaches to Deriving Weights from Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Information
Authors: Su Zhan , Xu Zeshui , Zhao Hua , Liu Shousheng
Published: January 2019

Modern cognitive psychologists believe that the decision act of cognitive bias on decision results is universal. To reduce their negative effect on dual hesitant fuzzy decision-making, we propose three weighting methods based on distribution characteristics of data. The main ideas are to assign higher weights to the mid arguments considered to be fair and lower weights to the ones on the edges regarded as the biased ones. The means and the variances of the dual hesitant fuzzy elements (DHFEs) are put forward to describe the importance degrees of the arguments. After that, these results are expanded to deal with the hesitant fuzzy information and some examples are given to show their feasibilities and validities.
Intradermal Application of Crotamine Induces Inflammatory and Immunological Changes In Vivo
Authors: Silvestrini Ana Vitória Pupo , de Macedo Luana Henrique , de Andrade Thiago Antônio Moretti , Mendes Maíra Felonato , Pigoso Acácio Antônio , Mazzi Maurício Ventura
Published: January 2019

Crotamine is a single-chain polypeptide with cell-penetrating properties, which is considered a promising molecule for clinical use. Nevertheless, its biosafety data are still scarce. Herein, we assessed the in vivo proinflammatory properties of crotamine, including its local effect and systemic serum parameters. Sixty male Wistar rats were intradermically injected with 200, 400 and 800 µg crotamine and analyzed after 1, 3 and 7 days. Local effect of crotamine was assessed by determination of MPO and NAG activities, NO levels and angiogenesis. Systemic inflammatory response was assessed by determination of IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, NO, TBARS and SH groups. Crotamine induced macrophages and neutrophils chemotaxis as evidenced by the upregulation of both NAG (0.5–0.6 OD/mg) and MPO (0.1–0.2 OD/mg) activities, on the first and third day of analysis, respectively. High levels of NO were observed for all concentrations and time-points. Moreover, 800 μg crotamine resulted in serum NO (64.7 μM) and local tissue NO (58.5 μM) levels higher or equivalent to those recorded for their respective histamine controls (55.7 μM and 59.0 μM). Crotamine also induced a significant angiogenic response compared to histamine. Systemically, crotamine induced a progressive increase in serum CRP levels up to the third day of analysis (22.4–45.8 mg/mL), which was significantly greater than control values. Crotamine (400 μg) also caused an increase in serum TNF-α, in the first day of analysis (1095.4 pg/mL), however a significant increase in IL-10 (122.2 pg/mL) was also recorded for the same time-point, suggesting the induction of an anti-inflammatory effect. Finally, crotamine changed the systemic redox state by inducing gradual increase in serum levels of TBARS (1.0–1.8 μM/mL) and decrease in SH levels (124.7–19.5 μM/mL) throughout the experimental period of analysis. In summary, rats intradermally injected with crotamine presented local and systemic acute inflammatory responses similarly to histamine, which limits crotamine therapeutic use on its original form.
Potent MERS-CoV Fusion Inhibitory Peptides Identified from HR2 Domain in Spike Protein of Bat Coronavirus HKU4
Authors: Xia Shuai , Lan Qiaoshuai , Pu Jing , Wang Cong , Liu Zezhong , Xu Wei , Wang Qian , Liu Huan , Jiang Shibo , Lu Lu
Published: January 2019

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012 and caused continual outbreaks worldwide with high mortality. However, no effective anti-MERS-CoV drug is currently available. Recently, numerous evolutionary studies have suggested that MERS-CoV originated from bat coronavirus (BatCoV). We herein reported that three peptides derived from the HR2 region in spike protein of BatCoV HKU4, including HKU4-HR2P1, HKU4-HR2P2 and HKU4-HR2P3, could bind the MERS-CoV HR1-derived peptide to form a six-helix bundle (6-HB) with high stability. Moreover, these peptides, particularly HKU4-HR2P2 and HKU4-HR2P3, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against MERS-CoV S-mediated cell–cell fusion and viral infection, suggesting that these HKU4 HR2-derived peptides could be candidates for futher development as antiviral agents against MERS-CoV infection.
Investigation of PAG2 mRNA Expression in Water Buffalo Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes from Maternal Blood at the Peri-Implantation Period
Authors: Barbato Olimpia , Guelfi Gabriella , Menchetti Laura , Brecchia Gabriele , Melo de Sousa Noelita , Canali Claudio , Grandoni Francesco , Scatà Maria Carmela , De Matteis Giovanna , Casano Anna Beatrice , Beckers Jean François , Barile Vittoria Lucia
Published: January 2019

The main objective of this study was to assess PAG2 mRNA expression in maternal blood cells at the peri-implantation period in water buffalo; moreover, we wanted to evaluate the earliest time in which PAG-2 could be detected in maternal blood. Thirty-two lactating buffaloes artificially inseminated (AI) were utilized. Blood was collected at Days 0, 14, 18, 28, 40 after AI (AI = day 0). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound at Days 28 and 40 post AI. Out of 32 buffaloes, 14 were pregnant (P group) and 18 were not pregnant (NP group). The plasma PAG-2 threshold of 1.0 ng/mL in the P group was reached at day 40 post AI. PAG2 mRNA expression differed between the P and NP groups, and was either evaluated in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) or Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes (PMN), starting from day 14. However, both the estimated marginal means and multiple comparisons showed that PAG2 mRNA expression was higher in PMN than PBMC. In the present study, PAG-2 appeared in the blood (40 Days post AI), and an early expression of PAG2 mRNA at Day 14 post AI was also observed. Although further research is undoubtedly required, PAG2 mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes could be using to better understand the role that PAGs play during pregnancy in buffalo.
Riverbank Filtration for the Water Supply on the Nakdong River, South Korea
Authors: Maeng Sung Kyu , Lee Kyung-Hyuk
Published: January 2019

A field study was carried out to investigate the feasibility of a riverbank filtration site using two vertical wells on the Nakdong River, South Korea. The riverbank filtration site was designed to have eleven horizontal collector wells in order to supply 280,000 m3/day. This field study provided more insight into the fate of the dissolved organic matter’s characteristics during soil passage. The vertical production wells (PWs) were located in different aquifer materials (PW-Sand and PW-Gravel) in order to determine the depth of the laterals for the horizontal collector wells. The turbidity of the riverbank filtrates from the PW-Sand (0.9 NTU) and PW-Gravel (0.7 NTU) was less than 1 NTU, which was the target turbidity of the riverbank filtrate in this study. The iron concentrations were 18.1 ± 0.8 and 25.9 ± 1.3 mg/L for PW-Sand and PW-Gravel respectively, and were higher than those of the land-side groundwater. The biodegradable organic matter-determined biochemical oxygen demand in the river water was reduced by more than 40% during soil passage, indicating that less microbial growth in the riverbank filtrate could be possible. Moreover, the influence of the pumping rates of the vertical wells on the removal of dissolved organic matter and the turbidity was not significant.
Dynamic Variation Characteristics of Seawater Intrusion in Underground Water-Sealed Oil Storage Cavern under Island Tidal Environment
Authors: Li Yutao , Zhang Bin , Shi Lei , Ye Yiwei
Published: January 2019

In the case of constructing underground water-sealed oil storage caverns in island environments, the groundwater seepage characteristics are more complicated under the influence of seawater and tidal fluctuations. It also faces problems such as seawater intrusion. This research is based on multi-physical field coupling theory and analyzed the influence of tidal fluctuation and water curtain systems on the temporal-spatial variations of seawater intrusion in an island oil storage cavern in China using the finite element method. The results show that the operation of an underground water-sealed oil storage cavern in an island environment has a risk of inducing seawater intrusion. The tidal fluctuation has a certain degree of influence on the seepage field of the island. The water curtain system can decrease seawater intrusion and reduce the influence of tidal fluctuation on the seepage field inside the island. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the study of seawater intrusion in underground oil storage caverns under island tidal environments.
Simulation of Flow and Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollutant Transport in a Tibetan Plateau Irrigation District
Authors: Li Yuqing , Zhou Zuhao , Wang Kang , Xu Chongyu
Published: January 2019

Flow and transport processes in soil and rock play a critical role in agricultural non-point source pollution (ANPS) loads. In this study, we investigated the ANPS load discharged into rivers from an irrigation district in the Tibetan Plateau and simulated ANPS load using a distributed model. Experiments were conducted for two years to measure soil water content and nitrogen concentrations in soil and the quality and quantity of subsurface lateral flow in the rock and at the drainage canal outlet during the highland barley growing period. A distributed model, in which the subsurface lateral flow in the rock was described using a stepwise method, was developed to simulate flow and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) transport processes. Sobol’s method was used to evaluate the sensitivity of simulated flow and transport processes to the model inputs. The results showed that with a 21.2% increase of rainfall and irrigation in the highland barley growing period, the average NH4+-N and NO3−-N concentrations in the soil layer decreased by 10.8% and 14.3%, respectively, due to increased deep seepage. Deep seepage of rainfall water accounted for 0–52.4% of total rainfall, whereas deep seepage of irrigation water accounted for 36.6–45.3% of total irrigation. NH4+-N and NO3−-N discharged into the drainage canal represented 19.9–30.4% and 19.4–26.7% of the deep seepage, respectively. The mean Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient value, which was close to 0.8, and the lowest values of root mean square errors, the fraction bias, and the fractional gross error indicated that the simulated flow rates and nitrogen concentrations using the proposed method were very accurate. The Sobol’s sensitivity analysis results demonstrated that subsurface lateral flow had the most important first-order and total-order effect on the simulated flow and NH4+-N and NO3−-N concentrations at the surface drainage outlet.
Coastal Flooding Hazard Due to Overflow Using a Level II Method: Application to the Venetian Littoral
Authors: Favaretto Chiara , Martinelli Luca , Ruol Piero
Published: January 2019

In recent years, marine flooding and its impacts have become a question of growing interest, since coastal areas are the most heavily populated and developed land zones in the world. This paper presents a rapid tool for mapping at regional scale the hazard associated with coastal flooding due to overflow. The tool merges a recently developed numerical model that solves a simplified form of the Shallow-Water Equations and is suited for Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) acceleration, with a Level II reliability method that allows producing hazard maps of inland flooding propagation. The procedure was applied to two stretches of the Venetian littoral, i.e., Valle Vecchia and Caorle, located in the northern Adriatic Sea. The application includes the site descriptions and the resulting hazard maps that show the probability of failure in each point of the coast for a given inland inundation level.
Targeting strategies for improving the efficacy of nanomedicine in oncology
Authors: Villaverde Gonzalo , Baeza Alejandro
Published: January 2019

The use of nanoparticles as drug carriers has provided a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer. These nanocarriers are able to transport drugs that exhibit very different nature such as lipophilic or hydrophilic drugs and big macromolecules as proteins or RNA. Moreover, the external surface of these carriers can be decorated with different moieties with high affinity for specific membrane receptors of the tumoral cells to direct their action specifically to the malignant cells. The selectivity improvement yielded by these nanocarriers provided a significative enhancement in the efficacy of the transported drug, while the apparition of side effects in the host was reduced. Additionally, it is possible to incorporate targeting moieties selective for organelles of the cell, which improves even more the effect of the transported agents. In the last years, more sophisticated strategies such as the use of switchable, hierarchical or double targeting strategies have been proposed for overcoming some of the limitations of conventional targeting strategies. In this review, recent advances in the development of targeted nanoparticles will be described with the aim to present the current state of the art of this technology and its huge potential in the oncological field.
Mechanism of silica–lysozyme composite formation unravelled by in situ fast SAXS
Authors: Stawski Tomasz M , van den Heuvel Daniela B , Besselink Rogier , Tobler Dominique J , Benning Liane G
Published: January 2019

A quantitative understanding of aggregation mechanisms leading to the formation of composites of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and proteins in aqueous media is of paramount interest for colloid chemistry. In particular, the interactions between silica (SiO2) NPs and lysozyme (LZM) have attracted attention, because LZM is well-known to adsorb strongly to silica NPs, while at the same time preserving its enzymatic activity. The inherent nature of the aggregation processes leading to NP–LZM composites involves structural changes at length scales from few to at least hundreds of nanometres but also time scales much smaller than one second. To unravel these we used in situ synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and followed the subtle interparticle interactions in solution at a time resolution of 50 ms/frame (20 fps). We show that if the size of silica NPs (ca. 5 nm diameter) is matched by the dimensions of LZM, the evolving scattering patterns contain a unique structure-factor contribution originating from the presence of LZM. We developed a scattering model and applied it to analyse this structure function, which allowed us to extract structural information on the deformation of lysozyme molecules during aggregation, as well as to derive the mechanisms of composite formation.
MODELING OF MOTOR TRANSPORT EXHAUST POLLUTANT DISPERSION
Authors: Vaitiekūnas Petras , Banaitytė Reda
Published: January 2019

Pollution is a major problem in all countries, even developed ones. It is the major environmental negative impact of anthropogenic activities affecting ecology. There are two major ways for assessment of negative impact of motor transport flow intensity and pollution level: monitoring the air or modeling pollutant dispersion. It is very important to estimate different unknown air modeling programs. In this work modeling is to be executed by the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) the so‐called “the best possible existing software for strategic environmental assessment”. That is also recommended by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania. In this work pollution modeling was executed for the northern part of Vilnius (the network of streets Geležinis Vilkas ‐ Ozas ‐ Kalvarijos). For motor vehicle pollution mathematical modeling, it is necessary to evaluate meteorological parameters like temperature, humidity, the wind direction and speed. Modeling software can also estimate relief conditions. Pollution emission measurements were used, and pollution dispersion modeling was performed. The main target was to evaluate pollutant dispersion from motor transport in the analysed area of Vilnius. During investigation maximum hourly, daily and annual concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter were observed.
VARIATION OF PM10 MASS AND AEROSOL NUMBER CONCENTRATIONS IN ŠIAULIAI
Authors: Girgždienė Raselė , Rameikytė Radvilė
Published: January 2019

The urban environment is distinguished by higher aerosol and gaseous pollutant concentrations than those in rural areas. A study of aerosol pollutant behavior was performed in an industrial Lithuanian city of Šiauliai. The PM10 mass concentration and meteorological parameter monitoring data were analysed. The aerosol number concentration was measured during a 10‐day experiment in Šiauliai. Analysis of PM10 showed that the workdays‐weekends phenomenon in the PM10 mass concentration distribution was prevailing. The PM10 mass concentration on workdays was higher in comparison with the concentration at weekends, 24,6 μg/m3 and 21 μg/m3, respectively. Clear PM10 mass concentration dependence on the wind parameters (speed and direction) was found. Linear relationship between aerosol number and PM10 mass concentrations was found at a high particle number concentration (more than 18000 cm−3). PM10 level in Šiauliai was defined as a sum of three sources: regional background, urban background and local sources. Contribution of these sources to the total PM10 mass concentration was estimated to be 36 %, 30 % and 34 %, respectively, during June‐October of 2005.
INVESTIGATION OF NOISE DISPERSION FROM SEAPORT EQUIPMENT ON THE ENTERPRISE TERRITORY AND RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Baltrėnas Pranas , Fröhner Klaus-Dieter , Puzinas Dainius
Published: January 2019

The level of noise and its dispersion was evaluated at Klaipeda State Seaport Joint Stock Company (JSC) KLASCO. Investigation was carried out at 24 measuring points located on the enterprise territory and at 6 measuring points in a residential environment. Sources of noise were evaluated. The work was focussed on the reasons of a higher noise level than that presented in the hygiene norms and on possible reasons of its occurance on the territory of the enterprise and on the nearby residential territory. Noise decreasing means are suggested. The investigation results are presented as noise distribution isolines.
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL INDICATION OF ROADSIDE ECOTONE ZONES
Authors: Poszyler-Adamska Agata , Czerniak Andrzej
Published: January 2019

A public motor road net crossing forest complexes influences the natural environment to a very high degree. Soils in roadside forest ecotone zones constitute a certain filter buffering chemical contamination generated by motor traffic. The aim of the paper is to present the methods of identification of transport contaminants influencing the roadside stand condition. The results of monitoring roadside ecotone zones indicate the necessity of applying such technical appliances as oil‐derivative separators, filtering screens or geomembranes close to motor roads to limit the migration of chemical compounds and preserve the homeostasis of precious natural forest complexes.
ESTIMATION AND TRENDS OF LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMATION IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY
Authors: Bauža Daumantas
Published: January 2019

The transformation of landscape cover structure in 1957–2000 is the purpose of this paper. By cartographic material (maps to scale 1:50 000) the changes of landscape cover elements (forests, settlements, farmlands, roads, streams, etc) and causality are analysed. Most transformations resulted from the Agrarian Reform. Major part of the investigated territory consists of reduced farmland areas, expanded settlements and denser road networks. The study was performed in 3 reference territories with a different relief - hilly morainic, fluvioglacial and fluvial.
HOURLY MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR RADON PROGENY VOLUMETRIC ACTIVITY IN AIR
Authors: Jasaitis Dainius , Girgždys Aloyzas
Published: January 2019

A method of radon progeny volumetric activity hourly measurement in air was created. A radiometer, which measures the activity of a filter band through which air is sucked, was installed in a hermetic metal frame. Radiometer data was recorded and sent to the computer. The time of suction and the time for the filter band to turn were programmed by electronic stopwatches. This created an opportunity to estimate the hours for self‐contained measurement and to leave the device in a room for any time. This hourly measurement method measured radon and radon progeny volumetric activity and evaluated its change and dependency on meteorological parameters. The radon progeny volumetric activity value varies from 62 Bq/m3 (in the cellar) to 27 Bq/m3 (on the second floor) in the ventilated air, and from 273 Bq/m3 (in the cellar) to 149 Bq/m3 (on the second floor) in the unaired room. The values in the ventilated air and in the unaired rooms differ approximately 4–5 times. It is also determined that volumetric activity depends on wind intensity, temperature and humidity.