bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis Post-COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Al-Quliti Khalid , Qureshi Ahmad , Quadri Mohammed , Abdulhameed Babar , Alanazi Alhanouf , Alhujeily Rakan
Published: February 2022

New advancements in the medical community have rapidly occurred with the development of medical information across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several vaccine manufacturers were able to obtain clearance to administer vaccines in selected age groups and for those at high risk for COVID-19 complications. As vaccines became more readily available, there was a significant effort supported by scientific information to get people vaccinated to boost herd immunity. Acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune disease, causing demyelination in the brain and spinal cord, presenting as monophasic, acute-onset, and rapidly progressive multifocal neurological deficits. A wide variety of precipitating factors can trigger ADEM, and it has long been known to be a rare adverse event following some types of vaccinations including rabies, diphtheria–tetanus–polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccines. Recently, ADEM has also been associated with COVID-19 infection and (very rarely) with COVID-19 vaccination. We have a 56-year-old female who was not known to have any medical issues. She voluntarily received her first COVID-19 vaccination (AstraZeneca) ten days after immunization; she developed weakness of the lower limbs and slurred speech. She tested negative for COVID-19, and a brain MRI showed T2-weighted white-matter hyperintense lesions suggesting acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis. She was managed with pulse-dose steroids, which resulted in a marked improvement in her symptoms, and discharged in a stable condition. Physicians should be aware of this neurological disorder and the management options for better patient care and outcomes.
The Future of Design Studio Education: Student Experience and Perception of Blended Learning and Teaching during the Global Pandemic
Authors: Peimani Nastaran , Kamalipour Hesam
Published: February 2022

Urban design studio education aims to prepare future urban designers to more effectively understand how cities work and critically engage with the role of design intervention in the built environment. A design studio is an appropriate setting where this can take place. This paper details the design and delivery of a postgraduate urban design studio subject in the MA Urban Design programme at Cardiff University during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. We particularly investigate the capacities and challenges of blended learning and teaching, with a primary focus on the experience and perception of students in the context of design studio pedagogy. To this end, we discuss the findings from an online survey of postgraduate urban design students and reflect on their experience and perception of the related learning and teaching activities, assessment, feedback, field study visits, workshops, and digital platforms during the subject delivery period in the 2021–2022 academic year. The outcomes of this paper can inform future practices of blended learning and teaching incorporating a mix of face-to-face and online modes of delivery in relation to design studio education, particularly in the context of unprecedented global health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Performance Benchmarking of TFET and FinFET Digital Circuits from a Synthesis-Based Perspective
Authors: Rendón Mateo , Cao Christian , Landázuri Kevin , Garzón Esteban , Prócel Luis Miguel , Taco Ramiro
Published: February 2022

Miniaturization and portable devices have reshaped the electronic device landscape, emphasizing the importance of high performance while maintaining energy efficiency to ensure long battery life. FinFET and Tunnel-FET technologies have emerged as attractive alternatives to overcome the limitations of supply voltage scaling for ultra-low power applications. This work compares the performance of 10 nm FinFET- and TFET-based digital circuits from basic logic gates up to an 8k gates low-power microprocessor. When compared with their FinFET-based counterparts, the TFET-based logic gates have lower leakage power when operated below 300 mV, show higher input capacitance, and exhibit a reduced propagation delay under different fan-in and fan-out conditions. Our comparative study was extended to the synthesis of an MSP-430 microprocessor through standard cell libraries built particularly for this work. It is demonstrated that the TFET-based synthesized circuits operating at ultra-low voltages achieve a higher performance in terms of speed at the cost of increased power consumption. When the speed requirements are relaxed, the TFET-based designs are the most energy-efficient alternative. It is concluded that the TFET is an optimal solution for ultra-low voltage design.
8-Plate Multi-Resonant Coupling Using a Class-E2 Power Converter for Misalignments in Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Bezawada Yashwanth , Dhali Shirshak K.
Published: February 2022

Misalignment is a common issue in wireless power transfer systems. It shifts the resonant frequency away from the operating frequency that affects the power flow and efficiency from the charging station to the load. This work proposes a novel capacitive wireless power transfer (CPT) using an 8-plate multi-resonant capacitive coupling to minimize the effect of misalignments. A single-active switch class-E2 power converter is utilized to achieve multi-resonance through the selection of different resonant inductors. Simulations show a widening of the resonant frequency band which offers better performance than a regular 4-plate capacitive coupling for misalignments. The hardware results of the 8-plate multi-resonant coupling show an efficiency of 88.5% for the 20.8 W test, which is 18.3% higher than that of the regular 4-plate coupling. Because of the wider resonant frequency band {455–485 kHz}, compared with the regular 4-plate coupling, the proposed design minimized the output voltage drop by 15% for a 10% misalignment. Even for large misalignments, the 8-plate performance improved by 40% compared with the 4-plate coupling.
Development and Application of a Virtual Reality Biphasic Separator as a Learning System for Industrial Process Control
Authors: Flores-Bungacho Francisco , Guerrero Jonathan , Llanos Jacqueline , Ortiz-Villalba Diego , Navas Alex , Velasco Paola
Published: February 2022

In this study, we propose a virtual reality biphasic separator methodology in an immersive industrial environment. It allows the training of students or engineers in process and automatic control. On the other hand, the operating performance of a biphasic separator requires advanced automatic control strategies because this industrial process has multivariable and nonlinear characteristics. In this context, the virtual biphasic separator allows the testing of several control techniques. The methodology, involving the immersive virtualization of the biphasic separator, includes three stages. First, a multivariable mathematical model of the industrial process is obtained. The second stage corresponds to virtualization, in which the 3D modelling of the industrial process is undertaken. Then, the process dynamic is captured by the plant model implemented, in the software Unity. In the third stage, the control strategies are designed. The interaction between the virtual biphasic separator and the control system is implemented using shared variables. Three control strategies are implemented and compared to validate the applicability: a classic control algorithm, namely, the proportional integral derivative (PID) control method, as well as two advanced controllers—a numerical controller and model predictive control (MPC). The results demonstrate the virtual separator’s usability regarding the operating performance of the virtual biphasic separator, considering the control techniques implemented.
Image Segmentation from Sparse Decomposition with a Pretrained Object-Detection Network
Authors: Wu Yulin , Lv Chuandong , Ding Baoqing , Chen Lei , Zhou Bin , Zhou Hongchao
Published: February 2022

Annotations for image segmentation are expensive and time-consuming. In contrast to image segmentation, the task of object detection is in general easier in terms of the acquisition of labeled training data and the design of training models. In this paper, we combine the idea of unsupervised learning and a pretrained object-detection network to perform image segmentation, without using expensive segmentation labels. Specially, we designed a pretext task based on the sparse decomposition of object instances in videos to obtain the segmentation mask of the objects, which benefits from the sparsity of image instances and the inter-frame structure of videos. To improve the accuracy of identifying the ’right’ object, we used a pretrained object-detection network to provide the location information of the object instances, and propose an Object Location Segmentation (OLSeg) model of three branches with bounding box prior. The model is trained from videos and is able to capture the foreground, background and segmentation mask in a single image. The performance gain benefits from the sparsity of object instances (the foreground and background in our experiments) and the provided location information (bounding box prior), which work together to produce a comprehensive and robust visual representation for the input. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model boosts the performance effectively on various image segmentation benchmarks.
Key Information Extraction and Talk Pattern Analysis Based on Big Data Technology: A Case Study on YiXi Talks
Authors: Xu Hao , Jiang Chengzhi , Huang Chuanfeng , Chen Yiyang , Yi Mengxue , Zhu Zhentao
Published: February 2022

In the attempt to extract key information and talk patterns from YiXi talks in China to realize “strategic reading” for readers and newcomers of the speaking field, text mining methods are used by this work. The extraction of key information is realized by keyword extraction using the TF-IDF algorithm to show key information of one talk or one category of talks. Talk pattern recognition is realized by manual labeling (100 transcripts) and rule-based automatic programs (590 transcripts). The labeling accuracy rate of “main narrative angle” recognition is the highest (70.34%), followed by “opening form” (65.25%) and “main narrative object”, and the “ending form” is around 50%, with the overall accuracy of the rule-based automatic recognition program for talk patterns at approximately 60%. The obtained results show that the proposed keyword extraction technology for transcripts can provide “strategic reading” to a certain extent. Mature speech mode can be summarized as follows: speakers tend to adopt a self-introducing opening format. They tell stories and experiences through a first-person narrative angle and express expectations and prospects for the future. This pattern is reasonable and can be referenced by new speakers.
High-Voltage LC-Parallel Resonant Converter with Current Control to Detect Metal Pollutants in Water through Glow-Discharge Plasma
Authors: Villegas Pedro J. , Castro Daniel González , Martínez-Esteban Juan A. , Fernández David Blanco , Marcos-Robredo Germán , Martín-Ramos Juan A.
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a high-voltage power source to produce glow-discharge plasma in the frame of a specific application. The load has two well-differentiated types of behavior. To start the system, it is necessary to apply a high voltage, up to 15 kV, to produce air-dielectric breakdown. Before that, the output current is zero. Contrarily, under steady state, the output voltage is smaller (a few hundred volts) while the load requires current-source behavior to maintain a constant glow in the plasma. The amount of current must be selectable by the operator in the range 50–180 mA. Therefore, very different voltage gains are required, and they cannot be easily attained by a single power stage. This work describes why the LC-parallel resonant topology is a good single stage alternative to solve the problem, and shows how to make the design. The step-up transformer is the key component of the converter. It provides galvanic isolation and adapts the voltage gain to the most favorable region of the LC topology, but it also introduces non-avoidable reactive components for the resonant net, determining their shape and, to some extent, their magnitude. In the paper, the transformer’s constructive details receive special attention, with discussion of its model. The experimental dynamic tests, carried out to design the control, show load behavior that resembles negative resistance. This fact makes any control loop prone to instability. To compensate this effect, a resistive ballast is proposed, eliminating its impact on efficiency with a novel filter design, based on an inductor, connected in series with the load beyond the voltage-clamping capacitor. The analysis includes a mathematical model of the filtering capacitor discharge through the inductor during the breakdown transient. The model provides insight into the dimensions of the inductor, to limit the discharge current peak and to analyze the overall performance on steady state. Another detail addressed is the balance among total weight, efficiency and autonomy, which appears if the filter inductor is substituted for a larger battery in autonomous operation. Finally, a comprehensive set of experimental results on the real load illustrate the performance of the power source, showing waveforms at breakdown and at steady state (for different output currents). Additionally, the detector’s constructive principles are described and its experimental performance is explored, showing results with two different types of metallic pollutants in water.
Localization Error Modeling for Autonomous Driving in GPS Denied Environment
Authors: Zhang Feihu , Wang Zhiliang , Zhong Yaohui , Chen Liyuan
Published: February 2022

Precise localization plays a crucial role in autonomous driving applications. As Global Position System (GPS) signals are often susceptible to interference or even not fully available, odometry sensors can precisely calculate positions in urban environments. However, the cumulative error is thus originated with time increasing. This paper proposes an effective empirical formula to model such unbounded cumulative errors from noisy relative measurements. Furthermore, a recursive cumulative error expression has been established by calculating the first and second moments of the Ackermann model. Finally, based on the developed formula, numerical experiments have also been conducted to verify the validity of the proposed model.
Semiconducting Polymer Nanowires with Highly Aligned Molecules for Polymer Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Park Keon Joo , Kim Chae Won , Sung Min Jae , Lee Jiyoul , Chun Young Tea
Published: February 2022

Conjugated polymers have emerged as promising materials for next-generation electronics. However, in spite of having several advantages, such as a low cost, large area processability and flexibility, polymer-based electronics have their own limitations concerning low electrical performance. To achieve high-performance polymer electronic devices, various strategies have been suggested, including aligning polymer backbones in the desired orientation. In the present paper, we report a simple patterning technique using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold that can fabricate highly aligned nanowires of a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based donor–acceptor-type copolymer (poly (diketopyrrolopyrrole-alt-thieno [3,2-b] thiophene), DPP-DTT) for high-performance field effect transistors. The morphology of the patterns was controlled by changing the concentration of the DPP-based copolymer solution (1, 3, 5 mg mL−1). The molecular alignment properties of three different patterns were observed with a polarized optical microscope, polarized UV-vis spectroscopy and an X-ray diffractometer. DPP-DTT nanowires made with 1 mg mL−1 solution are highly aligned and the polymer field-effect transistors based on nanowires exhibit more than a five times higher charge carrier mobility as compared to spin-coated film-based devices.
A Control Strategy to Smooth Power Ripple of a Single-Stage Bidirectional and Isolated AC-DC Converter for Electric Vehicles Chargers
Authors: Ramos Leonardo A. , Van Kan Rafael F. , Mezaroba Marcello , Batschauer Alessandro L.
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a single-stage AC-DC rectifier with power factor correction (PFC), high-frequency isolation and bidirectional power conversion capability for on-board battery charger (OBC) applications. The proposed converter is based on the interleaving technique and the Dual Active Bridge (DAB) operation, applying the phase-shift control to regulate the power flow. In addition to topology, this article presents a control strategy for reducing low-frequency power ripples transferred to the secondary side without any additional component and hence maintaining overall size and cost. The single-phase OBC can interchange active power with the grid to charge batteries while performing grid-to-vehicle (G2V) functionality or transferring energy back to the grid via vehicle-to-grid (V2G) mode. The theoretical analysis of the converter including modulation strategy and feedback control scheme are presented. The proposed topology and control strategy have been verified by experimental results of a 650 W SiC-based prototype.
Strong PUF Enrollment with Machine Learning: A Methodical Approach
Authors: Ali-Pour Amir , Hely David , Beroulle Vincent , Di Natale Giorgio
Published: February 2022

Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) have become ubiquitous as part of the emerging cryptographic algorithms. Strong PUFs are also predominantly addressed as the suitable variant for lightweight device authentication and strong single-use key generation protocols. This variant of PUF can produce a very large number of device-specific unique identifiers (CRPs). Consequently, it is infeasible to store the entire CRP space of a strong PUF into a database. However, it is potential to use Machine Learning to provide an estimated model of strong PUF for enrollment. An estimated model of PUF is a compact solution for the designer’s community, which can provide access to the full CRP space of the PUF with some probability of erroneous behavior. To use this solution for enrollment, it is crucial on one hand to ensure that PUF is safe against a model-building attack. On the other hand, it is important to ensure that the ML-based enrollment will be performed efficiently. In this work, we discuss these factors, and we present a formalized procedure of ML-based modeling of PUF for enrollment. We first define a secure sketch which allows modelability of PUF only for a trusted party. We then highlight important parameters which constitute the cost of enrollment. We show how an ML-based enrollment procedure should use these parameters to evaluate the enrollment cost prior to enrolling a large group of PUF-enabled devices. We introduce several parameters as well to control ML-based modeling in favor of PUF enrollment with minimum cost. Our proposed ML-based enrollment procedure can be considered a starting point to develop enrollment solutions for protocols which use an estimated model of PUF instead of a CRP database. In the end, we present a use-case of our ML-based enrollment method to enroll 100 instances of 2-XOR Arbiter PUFs and discuss the evaluative outcomes.
Adaptation Scheduling for Urban Traffic Lights via FNT-Based Prediction of Traffic Flow
Authors: Han Shi-Yuan , Sun Qi-Wei , Yang Xiao-Hui , Han Rui-Zhi , Zhou Jin , Chen Yue-Hui
Published: February 2022

By linking computational intelligence technology directly to urban transportation systems, a framework for scheduling traffic lights is proposed to enhance their flexibility in adaptation to traffic fluctuation. First, based on the flexible neural tree (FNT) theory, an algorithm for predicting the traffic flow is designed to obtain the variance tendency of traffic load. After that, a strategy for adjusting the duration of traffic signal cycle is designed to tackle the problem of overload or lightweight traffic flow in the next-time frame. While predetermining the duration of signal cycle in the next-time frame, from a utilization perspective, an elastic-adaption strategy for scheduling the separate phase’s green traffic lights is derived from the analytical solution, which is obtained from a designed trade-off scheduling optimization problem to increase the adaptability for the upcoming traffic flow. The experiment results show that the proposed framework can effectively reduce the delay and stopping rate of vehicles, and improves the adaptability for the upcoming traffic flow.
Lessons from Managing for the Extremes: A Case for Decentralized, Adaptive, Multipurpose Forest Management within an Ecological Framework
Authors: Timsina Shrabya , Sharma Lila Nath , Ashton Mark S. , Poudyal Bishnu Hari , Nuberg Ian K. , Baral Srijana , Cedamon Edwin , Bajracharya Sanjeeb Bir , Paudel Naya Sharma
Published: February 2022

Multipurpose and ecological forest management frameworks are being increasingly applied across the Global North on public lands. However, the discourse and practice of public forest management in much of the developing world are captured by extreme approaches of single-crop (usually timber) production and strict canopy-cover protection, as exemplified by the case of Nepal. We combine insights from field research with published documents and trace the consequences of prevalent management regimes on the ecology and silviculture of Nepal’s public forests. We find that managing for either extreme of timber production or forest protection can degrade forest ecosystems and affect their capacity to address the increasing number of demands placed on them. A history of narrow management outlooks has erased indigenous silvicultural practices and discouraged the development of novel silvicultural solutions to address today’s environmental concerns. Government initiatives advancing singular objectives, such as Nepal’s Scientific Forest Management program, often crumble under political resistance. Forest users in Nepal are widely interested in generating diverse benefits from their forests, including non-commercial products and services, suggesting a mandate for multipurpose management. We present a decentralized adaptive modality of multipurpose management featuring a silviculture that more closely matches the ecology of forests.
Study of the Vertical Structures, Thermal Comfort, Negative Air Ions, and Human Physiological Stress of Forest Walking Spaces in Summer
Authors: Lin Wei , Zeng Chengcheng , Nie Wenbin , Nan Xinge , Shen Shanshan , Shi Yan , Yan Hai , Yang Fan , Wu Renwu , Bao Zhiyi
Published: February 2022

Forest walking is a popular, healthy, and light outdoor activity. The potential comprehensive relationships between the vertical structures, thermal comfort, negative air ions (NAI), and human physiological stress in forest walking spaces have not been determined. We performed an experiment in the Baishuihe National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. Thirty-two college students recruited as subjects completed a forest walk (approximately one kilometer) on the same trail divided into three vertical structure type subsections, namely: A (dense herb and shrub layers with a sparse tree layer), B (dense tree, herb and shrub layers), and C (dense tree and herb layers with a sparse shrub layer). When the subjects passed preset environmental measurement points, staff measured climatic indexes (air temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, surface temperature and global radiation) and NAI levels, and these data were input into the Rayman model to form a comprehensive thermal comfort index, the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). PET and NAI differences and dynamic data among the subsections were analyzed. The subjects’ brain waves, heart rates (HRs), and walking speed (S) were digitally recorded. We selected brain wave θ, γ and β-high/α rates, neuroemotional indexes (stress and relaxation) and HR as physiological indicators, and S as an auxiliary indicator. The correlations between PET and NAI with physiological and auxiliary indexes were analyzed. Forest type C showed the lowest PETs and highest NAIs along with the most stable dynamic changes. PET was negatively correlated with HR and positively correlated with γ (12 channels). NAI was positively correlated with S and relaxation and negatively correlated with γ (two channels) and the β-high/α ratio (five channels). These comprehensive relationships suggest that dense tree, sparse shrub, and high-coverage herb layers combined with optimal temporal conditions (before noon or after a light rain) form the best thermal comfort and NAI conditions conducive to reducing human physiological pressures during summer daytime forest walking. These results provide theoretical references for forest walking and spatial regulation.
Population Genetics and Development of a Core Collection from Elite Germplasms of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Based on Genome-Wide SNPs
Authors: Wang Yali , Li Yi
Published: February 2022

Xanthoceras sorbifolium is one of the most important species of woody oil. In this study, whole genome re-sequencing of 119 X. sorbifolium germplasms was conducted and, after filtering, 105,685,557 high-quality SNPs were identified, which were used to perform population genetics and core collection development analyses. The results from the phylogenetic, population structure, and principal component analyses showed a high level of agreement, with 119 germplasms being classified into three main groups. The germplasms were not completely classified based on their geographical origins and flower colors; furthermore, the genetic backgrounds of these germplasms were complex and diverse. The average polymorphsim information content (PIC) values for the three inferred groups clustered by structure analysis and the six classified color groups were 0.2445 and 0.2628, respectively, indicating a low to medium informative degree of genetic diversity. Moreover, a core collection containing 29.4% (35) out of the 119 X. sorbifolium germplasms was established. Our results revealed the genetic diversity and structure of X. sorbifolium germplasms, and the development of a core collection will be useful for the efficient improvement of breeding programs and genome-wide association studies.
Diversity of Endophytes in the Botryosphaeriaceae Differs on Anacardiaceae in Disturbed and Undisturbed Ecosystems in South Africa
Authors: Ramabulana Elelwani , Kunjeku Ednah , Slippers Bernard , Coetzee Martin P. A.
Published: February 2022

Botryosphaeriaceae represents a diverse family of fungi with a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide host range. We studied species diversity and overlap of Botryosphaeriaceae on selected tree species of Anacardiaceae in disturbed (farming or forestry) and undisturbed (isolated and/or protected) ecosystems in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. The disturbed sites resided at Tshikundamalema and Tshipise in Limpopo and the undisturbed sites at Nwanedi and the Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo and the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. Asymptomatic branches were collected from Mangifera indica, Sclerocarya birrea and Lannea schweinfurthii trees in 2017 and 2018. Eleven species were identified using a multi-gene sequencing approach, including Diplodia allocellula, Dothiorella brevicollis, Do. dulcispinae, Do. viticola, Lasiodiplodia crassispora, L. exigua, L. gonubiensis, L. mahajangana, Neofusicoccum parvum, Oblongocollomyces sp. 1 and Oblongocollomyces sp. 2. Ten of the 11 species were identified in undisturbed ecosystems (eight species being unique), while only three species were identified in disturbed ecosystems (one species being unique). Two species were generalists on trees in disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems. Lasiodiplodia mahajangana was the most dominant species as it occurred on the three tree species of Anacardiaceae. Isolates of N. parvum occurred on both S. birrea (a native species) and M. indica (a non-native species) that occurred adjacent to each other in disturbed ecosystems, confirming the ability of this invasive pathogen to cross-infect native and non-native hosts and its abundance in human-disturbed environments. The findings from this study confirm the lack of host specificity for most species of Botryosphaeriaceae. The results also indicate that disturbance through human activity, such as clear-cutting, selective cutting and land-use changes, negatively influences the diversity of the Botryosphaeriaceae.
Spatial Distribution and Regulating Factors of Soil Nutrient Stocks in Afforested Dump of Pingshuo Opencast Coalmine, China
Authors: Zhou Wenxiang , Qian Mingjie , Wang Shufei , Li Shengpeng , Cao Yingui
Published: February 2022

Determining the regulating factors of soil nutrient variations can guide the implementation of land reclamation measures in opencast coalmine regions. In this study, 132 soil samples were collected at 22 sample sites in the South Dump of Pingshuo opencast coalmine, and soil physicochemical properties were separately measured to obtain the related soil information. Geostatistical analyses were employed to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of soil organic carbon stocks (SOCD), total nitrogen stocks (TND), available phosphorus stocks (APD), and available potassium stocks (AKD) at 0–60 cm. The results showed that the spatial distributions of these soil nutrient stocks were characterized by moderate (TND) to strong (SOCD, APD, and AKD) spatial dependence. Meanwhile, the values of SOCD (16.4–60.1 Mg ha−1) and TND (1.9–15.5 Mg ha−1) were much higher than those of APD (0.022–0.095 Mg ha−1) and AKD (0.31–1.40 Mg ha−1). The statistical analyses indicated that the influence of afforestation on SOCD, TND, APD, and AKD was not significant, and the dynamic variations of soil nutrient contents were mainly regulated by soil pH in the South Dump. The findings of this study can provide some scientific guidance for soil nutrient management in the opencast coalmine regions of similar ecosystems.
Burned Area Detection Using Multi-Sensor SAR, Optical, and Thermal Data in Mediterranean Pine Forest
Authors: Abdikan Saygin , Bayik Caglar , Sekertekin Aliihsan , Bektas Balcik Filiz , Karimzadeh Sadra , Matsuoka Masashi , Balik Sanli Fusun
Published: February 2022

Burned area (BA) mapping of a forest after a fire is required for its management and the determination of the impacts on ecosystems. Different remote sensing sensors and their combinations have been used due to their individual limitations for accurate BA mapping. This study analyzes the contribution of different features derived from optical, thermal, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images to extract BA information from the Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) forest in a Mediterranean ecosystem. In addition to reflectance values of the optical images, Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) data are produced from both Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 data. The backscatter of C-band Sentinel-1 and L-band ALOS-2 SAR images and the coherence feature derived from the Interferometric SAR technique were also used. The pixel-based random forest image classification method is applied to classify the BA detection in 24 scenarios created using these features. The results show that the L-band data provided a better contribution than C-band data and the combination of features created from Landsat LST, NBR, and coherence of L-band ALOS-2 achieved the highest accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 96% and a Kappa coefficient of 92.62%.
Capacity Planning of Timber Harvesting in Windthrow Areas
Authors: Kühmaier Martin , Gollob Christoph , Nothdurft Arne , Lackner Maximilian , Stampfer Karl
Published: February 2022

Digitization can help the forest industry to improve cost efficiency and to reduce possible environmental impacts. In the context of this study, models were implemented using the example of windthrow processing, which enables a capacity planning for carrying out timber harvesting. For capacity planning, it is necessary to estimate the time required by the harvesting systems. For this purpose, existing productivity models were analyzed, the models were validated and adjusted, and the time required for each harvesting system and calamity area was calculated using stand and terrain parameters. Depending on the scenario and the preferred harvesting system, the time for harvesting the timber in an almost 200-hectare windthrow area in a case study region in Carinthia (Austria) varied. The harvesting with cable yarder and tractor takes about 26,000 machine hours and 86,000 man-hours. Harvesting operations with cable yarder and harvester-forwarder has proven to be the most productive with a duration of around 20,000 machine hours and 70,000 man-hours. Depending on the scenario, in windthrow areas, forest workers are needed for 28 to 42 min to fell, delimb, buck and extract 1 m3 of timber to the forest landing.
Methods for Watering Seedlings in Arid Zones
Authors: Martínez de Azagra Paredes Andrés , Del Río San José Jorge , Reque Kilchenmann José , Diez Hernández Juan Manuel , Sanz Ronda Francisco Javier
Published: February 2022

This paper reviews different existing systems of seedling microirrigation in afforestation. These systems differ from agricultural irrigation methods since they only pursue the establishment of the planted seedlings instead of achieving good agricultural yields. They, therefore, involve very low irrigation doses compared to the usual irrigation doses found in the agricultural sector. These approaches are nonconventional localized irrigation systems with high efficiency in water application. Based on the water discharge equations they use, these methods can be classified into four groups: direct deep irrigation, irrigation through porous walls, irrigation with wicks, and irrigation with solar distillers. This paper describes a total of sixteen different systems suitable for afforestation. All the systems are compared with each other. To make the comparisons, four key parameters are considered: the cost of acquiring and installing the system, the water application efficiency, the maintenance of the system, and the possibility of irrigating several plants at the same time. The irrigation systems described in this review represent an important technical advance not only for dryland forestry but also for rainfed arboriculture, xeriscaping, and xerogardening. These systems make it possible to widely extend the planting period to almost throughout the year, not only in arid regions but also in less dry or even humid climates, especially when critical areas have to be afforested, including shallow, sandy, saline, or gypseous soils, suntraps, windy and desertified areas, open pit mines, and other areas. Seedling microirrigation is an emerging sector of the irrigation industry that is rapidly developing with new devices and patents. Two foreseeable future trends can be identified: the growing use of new permeable materials and the possibility of connecting individual emitters to irrigation lines.
Communities of Mycorrhizal Fungi among Seedlings of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Growing on a Clearcut in Microsites Generated by Different Site-Preparation Methods
Authors: Bzdyk Roman Mariusz , Sikora Katarzyna , Studnicki Marcin , Aleksandrowicz-Trzcińska Marta
Published: February 2022

In European forests, the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) most often regenerates on clearcuts, following mechanical site preparation. Both of these silvicultural treatments (the removal of trees and preparation) have an impact on soil properties, and on the mycorrhizal fungi associated with the roots of seedlings. We therefore compared assemblages of mycorrhizal fungi associating with natural-regeneration pine seedlings growing on a clearcut, in relation to six types of microsite created using three mechanical site-preparation tools, i.e., a double-mouldboard forest plough (creating furrow and ridge), an active single-disc plough (establishing another type of furrow and ridge), and a forest mill—developing strips, as well as a non-mechanical site preparation control. A total of 46 taxa of mycorrhizal fungi were detected, with Wilcoxina mikolae being the most abundant species (relative abundance—79.8%), and the one occurring most frequently (96.8%). Other abundant mycorrhizal fungi were Thelephora terrestris (3.8%), Tylospora asterophora (3.2%), Hyaloscypha bicolor (2.2%), and Cenococcum geophilum (1.7%). The roots of seedlings growing in the non-mechanical site preparation control were characterised by a significantly greater presence of mycorrhizal root tips, compared with the roots of seedlings growing at other microsites. The highest percentage of non-mycorrhizal root tips was present on pines growing on the two types of ridge: the microsites which characterized the highest levels of mineral nutrients. Communities of mycorrhizal fungi differed between microsites. The five microsites: both types of furrow, forest plough ridge, forest mill strip, and non-mechanical site preparation control, were not found to differ from each other, but did differ from the active plough ridge treatment. The highest diversity of mycorrhizal fungi (Shannon–Wiener and Simpson indexes) was in the non-mechanical site preparation control. Any method of mechanical site preparation in the clearcut decreases the level of root mycorrhization and the biodiversity of mycorrhizal fungi. The least suitable method from the point of view of mycorrhizal fungal communities is the use of an active plough.
Mobile Messenger RNAs in Grafts of Salix matsudana Are Associated with Plant Rooting
Authors: Yin Peng , Lan Baoliang , Liu Xiao , Cui Yu , Wang Yan , Xu Jichen
Published: February 2022

Messenger RNAs exchanged between scions and rootstocks of grafted plants seriously affect their traits performance. The study goals were to identify the long-distance mRNA transmission events in grafted willows using a transcriptome analysis and to reveal the possible effects on rooting traits. The results showed that the Salix matsudana variety 9901 has better rooting ability than YJ, which reasonably improved the rooting performance of the heterologous grafts 9901 (scion)/YJ (rootstock). A transcriptome analysis showed that 2948 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were present in the rootstock of 9901/YJ grafted plants in comparison with YJ/YJ. Among them, 692 were identified as mRNAs moved from 9901 scion based on SNP analysis of two parents. They were mostly 1001–1500 bp, had 40–45% GC contents, or had expression abundance values less than 10. However, mRNAs over 4001 bp, having 50–55% GC contents, or having expression abundance values of 10–20 were preferentially transferred. Eight mRNAs subjected to long-distance trafficking were involved in the plant hormone pathways and may significantly promote the root growth of grafted plants. In summary, heterologous grafts of Salix matsudana could efficiently influence plant rooting of the mRNAs transport from scion to rootstock.
A Performance Comparison of Different Cloud-Based Natural Language Understanding Services for an Italian e-Learning Platform
Authors: Zubani Matteo , Sigalini Luca , Serina Ivan , Putelli Luca , Gerevini Alfonso E. , Chiari Mattia
Published: February 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the corporate online training sector has increased exponentially and online course providers had to implement innovative solutions to be more efficient and provide a satisfactory service. This paper considers a real case study in implementing a chatbot, which answers frequently asked questions from learners on an Italian e-learning platform that provides workplace safety courses to several business customers. Having to respond quickly to the increase in the courses activated, the company decided to develop a chatbot using a cloud-based service currently available on the market. These services are based on Natural Language Understanding (NLU) engines, which deal with identifying information such as entities and intentions from the sentences provided as input. To integrate a chatbot in an e-learning platform, we studied the performance of the intent recognition task of the major NLU platforms available on the market with an in-depth comparison, using an Italian dataset provided by the owner of the e-learning platform. We focused on intent recognition, carried out several experiments and evaluated performance in terms of F-score, error rate, response time, and robustness of all the services selected. The chatbot is currently in production, therefore we present a description of the system implemented and its results on the original users’ requests.
Exploring the Benefits of Combining DevOps and Agile
Authors: Almeida Fernando , Simões Jorge , Lopes Sérgio
Published: February 2022

The combined adoption of Agile and DevOps enables organizations to cope with the increasing complexity of managing customer requirements and requests. It fosters the emergence of a more collaborative and Agile framework to replace the waterfall models applied to software development flow and the separation of development teams from operations. This study aims to explore the benefits of the combined adoption of both models. A qualitative methodology is adopted by including twelve case studies from international software engineering companies. Thematic analysis is employed in identifying the benefits of the combined adoption of both paradigms. The findings reveal the existence of twelve benefits, highlighting the automation of processes, improved communication between teams, and reduction in time to market through process integration and shorter software delivery cycles. Although they address different goals and challenges, the Agile and DevOps paradigms when properly combined and aligned can offer relevant benefits to organizations. The novelty of this study lies in the systematization of the benefits of the combined adoption of Agile and DevOps considering multiple perspectives of the software engineering business environment.
Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable κ-Carrageenan Based Anti-Bacterial Film Functionalized with Wells-Dawson Polyoxometalate
Authors: Zhou Feng , Wang Dehua , Zhang Jiawen , Li Jing , Lai Danning , Lin Shaoling , Hu Jiamiao
Published: February 2022

In the present study, an anti-bacterial film (Carr/POM film) was prepared through the incorporation of Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate K6[Mo18O62P2] into κ-carrageenan-based polymers using the tape-casting method. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and morphology of the prepared film were characterized. The obtained results showed that incorporation of K6[Mo18O62P2] significantly affected the morphology and structure of the films. Moreover, the polyoxometalate-based film demonstrated desirable bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). Carr/POM (@8 mg/mL) film resulted in an obvious inhibition zone around the film in Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test, which could also remove 99% of S. aureus and E. coli on plastic, glass, and stainless steel. In addition, this anti-bacterial film also demonstrated good biodegradability, which could be decomposed in soil in around 1 week. In conclusion, the polyoxometalate-based film showed good anti-bacterial property against food-borne pathogenic microbes, suggesting the prepared film has great potential to be developed as promising food packaging.
Detection of Balenine in Mouse Plasma after Administration of Opah-Derived Balenine by HPLC with PITC Pre-Column Derivatization
Authors: Shigemura Yasutaka , Iwasaki Yu , Sato Yoshio , Kato Tomomi , Seko Takuya , Ishihara Kenji
Published: February 2022

We examined the absorption of balenine (Bal) in mouse blood after the administration of a high-purity Bal prepared from opah muscle. Using HPLC with phenyl isothiocyanate pre-column derivatization, we successfully isolated imidazole peptides and their constituents. We detected Bal and 3-methylhistidine (3-Me-His) in mouse blood 1 h after the administration of opah-derived Bal. The concentrations of Bal and 3-Me-His significantly increased to 128.27 and 69.09 nmol/mL in plasma, respectively, but were undetectable in control and carnosine (Car)-administrated mice. In contrast, β-alanine and histidine did not increase in mouse plasma 1 h after the administration of Car and opah-derived Bal. The present study is the first report on the absorption of food-derived Bal in mouse blood and serves as a pilot study for future clinical trials.
Strategic Priorities of the Scientific Plan of the European Research Infrastructure METROFOOD-RI for Promoting Metrology in Food and Nutrition
Authors: Tsimidou Maria Z. , Ordoudi Stella A. , Mantzouridou Fani Th. , Nenadis Nikolaos , Stelzl Tamara , Rychlik Michael , Belc Nastasia , Zoani Claudia
Published: February 2022

The pan-European distributed Research Infrastructure for Promoting Metrology in Food and Nutrition (METROFOOD-RI) has evolved in the frame of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) to promote high-quality metrology services across the food chain. The METROFOOD-RI comprises physical facilities and electronic facilities. The former includes Reference Material plants and analytical laboratories (the ‘Metro’ side) and also experimental fields/farms, processing/storage plants and kitchen-labs (the ‘Food’ side). The RI is currently prepared to apply for receiving the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) legal status and is organised to fulfil the requirements for operation at the national, European Union (EU) and international level. In this view, the METROFOOD-RI partners have recently reviewed the scientific plan and elaborated strategic priorities on key thematic areas of research in the food and nutrition domain to which they have expertise to contribute to meet global societal challenges and face unexpected emergencies. The present review summarises the methodology and main outcomes of the research study that helped to identify the key thematic areas from a metrological standpoint, to articulate critical and emerging issues and demands and to structure how the integrated facilities of the RI can operate in the first five years of operation as ERIC.
Chemical Analysis of Commercial White Wines and Its Relationship with Consumer Acceptability
Authors: Han Seongju , Yang Jiyun , Choi Kapseong , Kim Juyoung , Adhikari Koushik , Lee Jeehyun
Published: February 2022

White wine consists of numerous chemical constituents such as volatile and nonvolatile compounds including organic acids and polyphenols, which can affect aroma and flavor profiles. In addition to the enological factors, chemical analysis of commercial wines is also important for understanding consumer perception. Volatile compounds are major contributors to wine aroma. Nonvolatile compounds affect the flavor of wine, through acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and astringency. The volatile aroma profiles of 12 commercial white wines were analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a Y15 automatic analyzer were used to identify and quantify 10 polyphenols and 12 other target nonvolatile compounds. Sensory evaluation of sample wines was conducted by wine consumers. White wines were distinguished based on volatile and nonvolatile compositions. A total of 33 volatile compounds and 23 nonvolatile compounds were analyzed. Seven volatile compounds were correlated with consumer acceptability. Sugars are positively correlated with consumer preference, while nonvolatile substances such as acetic acid and catechins are negatively correlated with consumer preference. These results might further our understanding of the relationship between the chemical composition and consumer preferences in commercial wines.