bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the nutritional basis of preference and diet selection by sheep
Authors: Cosgrove G.P. , Waghorn G.C. , Parsons A.J.
Published: July 2020

Efficient livestock production from pasture requires an understanding of preference and selection by grazing animals. Selective grazing influences diet not just in the short-term but more importantly, in the long-term through its affect on pasture composition. This paper summarises techniques developed to explore the nutritional basis for preference in complementary indoor and field studies. Indoors, sheep in metabolism crates were offered ryegrass and white clover in separate feed bins. Voluntary intake and eating behaviour were recorded, and following a period of free choice to establish preference, an intra-ruminal infusion of ammonia was given when sheep ate clover. We hypothesised that sheep given additional ammonia with clover would alter selection toward grass as a means of reducing the input of this metabolite from the rumen to the blood stream. When offered a choice, sheep selected a diet comprising 70-85% clover and 15-30% grass. Infusion of ammonia did not affect the proportion of grass or clover selected, but it reduced feed intake by about 15%. In field studies, each of 12 rumen-fistulated sheep was fitted with a harness carrying a remotecontrolled infusion pump and a pack of either water or a urea solution for infusion during grazing. Urea, as a rumen-ammonia precursor, was infused only during periods of eating. Sheep were offered either grass alone or clover alone and infused with urea or water over 4 days to create an association between eating that species and elevated ammonia load. The sheep were then offered a choice between adjacent monocultures of ryegrass and clover for 2 days to test preference and were infused only when the background species was selected. The sheep from the clover background responded to elevated rumen ammonia. They reduced grazing time on both clover alone (275 mins grazing/day when infused with urea vs 325 mins/day for water controls), and when they had a choice between grass and clover (425 vs 490 mins/day for urea infused and control sheep, respectively). These techniques provide novel opportunities for identifying the roles of plant nutrients in preference and ways these might be manipulated to control diet selection and intake. This paper describes the methods used, and gives preliminary results of trials with clover and grass using ammonia compounds. Keywords: clover, diet selection, grass, nutritional basis, preference, sheep
Survival, reproductive development and density of tillers in pure swards of Aries HD and Yatsyn 1 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Authors: Bluett S.J. , Hodgson J. , Kemp P.D. , Barry T.N.
Published: July 2020

Tiller number, survival and development were determined in clover-free swards of Aries HD and Yatsyn 1 high-endophyte perennial ryegrass established in the autumn of 1995 and continuously stocked with sheep. Few tillers died until mid December, after which survival approximated an exponential decay curve. There was no difference in the rate of tiller death between Aries HD and Yatsyn 1 swards. Seedheads were first observed on 19 November 1996 and were still visible on 26 March 1997. Aries HD appeared to have a greater proportion of initial reproductive tillers, but after mid-December a lower proportion than Yatsyn 1. There was an indication that Aries HD swards had a higher density of lighter tillers than Yatsyn 1. In a second experiment established in the autumn of 1997 rotationally grazed with sheep, Aries HD appeared to have a greater proportion of vegetative tillers during November and December, and greater mean ryegrass tiller density. Marginal differences in reproductive behaviour were not translated into any difference in in vitro organic matter digestibility between Aries HD and Yatsyn 1. Keywords: Aries HD, digestibility, flowering, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), tiller demography, tiller population density, tiller survival, Yatsyn 1
Precise aerial fertiliser application on hill country
Authors: Gillingham A.G. , Maber J. , Morton J. , Tuohy M.
Published: July 2020

The fertiliser requirements of hill country vary with soil type, slope and aspect-related factors which govern pasture production potential and species composition. In most situations, the topographic complexity is such that only very broad differentiation in land units can be made when aerially applying fertiliser. The traditional method of aerial topdressing is for superphosphate to be flown on at a common rate over large blocks of complex topography by fixed-wing aircraft. Advances in geographical positioning system (GPS) and aircraft technology now allow aircraft to fly accurately defined track spacing and so achieve optimum uniformity of fertiliser spread. The same technology could be used to vary fertiliser application rate along a flight path according to predetermined recommendations and through links to a farm geographic information system (GIS) map. This approach could also be used to apply different fertiliser types. In a desktop study the effects of differential, compared with uniform, fertiliser application policies, on animal productivity and economic returns were examined for three contrasting hill farm situations using a combination of trial results and the AgResearch PKS Lime Programme. Results showed that for a farm with a low soil P status (Olsen P =9), that stocking rate could be increased by 0.5 su/ha, and the economic return by 7.5%, by differential, rather than uniform fertiliser application. In a similar but higher soil P status farm (Olsen P = 15), the increase was 0.9 su/ ha and 10.1% respectively. In a summer-dry situation where nitrogen fertiliser could be substituted for some P fertiliser, a differential policy designed to optimise production gave a 2.1 su/ha and 43% net margin increase, compared with the uniform application of a typical rate of maintenance P fertiliser only. The results from the desktop study are discussed in relation to the practical aspects of developing differential fertiliser application methods. This will relate to extra fertiliser application cost, and the definition of practical sized land units and fertiliser forms, which will all have some effect on the net economics of a differential application policy. Despite these unknowns, the technology would appear to offer real gains to the hill country farmer. Keywords: economic return, fertiliser application, GIS, GPS, hill country, phosphate
Identical Twins, Different Wombs: A Literature Review on Attiba:q in Arabic and Antonymy in English
Authors: Hassanein Hamada
Published: July 2020

The current overview article seeks to diachronically compare the development of Arabic tiba:q and English ‘antonymy’ in the long run of literature and to track and review the theoretical and practical advancements of both phenomena in comparative contexts. The objective is twofold: (a) to comparatively identify points of similarity between the two phenomena in theory and (b) to comparatively identify points of dissimilarity between the two phenomena in practice. To do so, a comparative diagnostic approach is adopted. The study concludes that (1) both phenomena share several aspects in theory and practice, (2) they prove rather difficult to be defined operationally as the existing definitions overlap and denote a multiplicity of semantically versatile concepts, underpinning a case of polyonymy in reference to both notions, (3) the two phenomena are dichotomously approached: canonically vs. noncanonically, lexically vs. semantically, literally vs. nonliterally and textually vs. contextually, and (4) classifying both phenomena is triggered by the theoretical insights and practices of the classifiers; traditional classification is form-based and a context-free relation holds between opposites whereas more recent classification depends on syntax and a context-dependent relation holds between opposites. The scope of the two phenomena is currently widened to feature opposition between antonyms, contrasts, counterparts, incompatibles, analogs, and the like. Therefore, the study recommends further extensive research on the non-canonicity of both phenomena..
Micro-Physics of Discipline: Spaces of the Self in Middle Eastern Women Life Writings
Authors: Pourya Asl Moussa
Published: July 2020

Contemporary life narratives by or about Middle Eastern women often portray the female body as the object of oppressive ethical and political governmentalities. This article focuses on the writings of a generation of secular and Muslim women, whose works describe the condition of women as subjugated by sovereign states and disciplinary governments, to examine the politics of space in the workings of the complex interactions between gender and power. To this end, Erving Goffman’s spatial theories on the territories of the self and the modalities of contamination are used to examine the function of political spaces in Jean P. Sasson’s Princess, Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, Zainab Salbi’s Between Two Worlds, and Manal al-Sharif’s Daring to Drive. The findings indicate that three modes of violations strategically contaminate the female subjects’ spaces of the self: informational preserve, physical and interpersonal. Of all the three modes, physical contamination—such as mandatory veiling/deveiling, corporeal exposure, forced exposure to dirt and appropriation of personal possessions—proves to be the most common. The study concludes that even though space is used as a strategy of regulating the female body, the subjugated women constantly struggle to re-construct different spaces to disrupt the flow of contamination..
The Deeper Wounds: Living in the Trauma Zone in Jawad Al-Assadi’s
Baghdadi Bath and Mithal Ghazi’s A Feminine Solo
Authors: Taher Muhi Maysoon
Published: July 2020

Various literary studies have investigated the psychological, social and cultural effects of traumatic events. They give voice to traumatised victims and enable them to convey and confront their traumas. However, these studies present a one-sided view, concentrating largely on the presentation of trauma in the industrial societies of the Western world. Recently, increasing attention has been devoted to identifying and depicting the forms and types of trauma that have been experienced in marginalised and neglected societies, such as the Iraqi society. Iraq has witnessed the unexpected fall of a brutal dictatorship, Western invasion and an unprecedented rise of sectarian discourses. This extreme violence has deeply affected many aspects of cultural production, particularly the rise of trauma in dramatic works of art. The present paper aims to examine two plays, namely, Jawad Al-Assadi’s Baghdadi Bath and Mithal Ghazi’s A Feminine Solo, using trauma theory in analysing the notions of the traumatic effect of war on survivors and Antonin Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty in explaining the issue of staging violence. This paper concludes that these plays bear witness to and expose the devastating effect of war on the identities of traumatised Iraqi characters, while at the same time, endowing them with a sense of hope to overcome their traumatised state..
Amelogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report
Authors: MUKHERJEE DEBANJALI
Published: July 2020

Amelogenesis imperfecta is a structural-developmental defect involving enamel. It may be hypoplastic, hypomaturation, or hypocalcified. Genetic mutation of enamel coding proteins noted in this heterogeneous group of hereditary disorder affecting both primary and permanent dentitions. Clinically the affected teeth depict discolouration, prone to disintegration and sensitivity. Radiological evaluation revealed very thin or absent of the enamel layer. Here, I am presenting a case report of amelogenesis imperfecta affecting a 19 year old, otherwise healthy, female patient.

Key Words: Amelogenesis imperfecta, enamel, hypoplastic, Genetic mutation.
On the Possibility of Experimental Detection of the Discreteness of Time
Authors: Christodoulou Marios , Rovelli Carlo
Published: July 2020

The Bose-Marletto-Vedral (BMV) experiment tests a quantum gravitational effect predicted by low energy perturbative quantum gravity. It has received attention because it may soon be within observational reach in the lab. We point out that: (i) in relativistic language, the experiment tests an interference effect between proper-time intervals; (ii) the feasibility study by Bose et al. suggests that current technology could allow to probe differences of such proper-time intervals of the order of 10−38 seconds, about twenty orders of magnitude beyond the current resolution of the best atomic clocks; (iii) the difference of proper times approaches Planck time (10−44 s) if the masses of the particles in the experiment approach the Planck mass (~micrograms). This implies that the experiment might open a window on the structure of time at the Planck scale. We show that if time differences are discrete at the Planck scale—as research in quantum gravity may suggest—the Planckian discreteness of time would appear as quantum levels of an in principle measurable entanglement entropy.
The Joint Effect of Grazing Intensity and Soil Factors on Aboveground Net Primary Production in Hulunber Grasslands Meadow Steppe
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Ibrahim , Hou Lulu , Yan Ruirui , Xin Xiaoping , Zainelabdeen Yousif Mohamed
Published: July 2020

The management practices required for grazing management will continue to increase, as necessitated by the reported rate of reduction in productivity, coupled with the degradation of Inner Mongolian steppe ecosystems. The current study was conducted to (i) examine the responses of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) to different grazing intensities and its relationship with soil factors and (ii) study the effects of grazing intensity on herbage growth and dry matter intake in Hulunber grasslands, Northeastern China. Six grazing rate treatments (G0.00, G0.23, G0.34, G0.46, G0.69, and G0.92 animal unit (AU ha−1) for zero, two, three, four, six, and eight young cows with ranging weight of 250–300 kg/plot), with three replications, were established during two consecutive growing seasons in 2017 and 2018. Our study concentrated on the grazing-induced degradation processes by different intensities of grazing. The highest decrease in aboveground biomass (AGB) was 64.1% and 59.3%, in 2017 and 2018, respectively, by the G0.92 treatment as compared with the G0.00 treatment. There was a positive relationship between yearly precipitation and ANPP. The grazing tolerance and growth rate of forage were higher in the wet year than in the dry year. Understanding the ecological consequences of grazing intensity provides useful information for assessing current grazing management scenarios and taking timely adaptation measures to maintain grassland capacity in a short and long-term system.
Supplementation of 17β-Estradiol Normalizes Rapid Gastric Emptying by Restoring Impaired Nrf2 and nNOS Function in Obesity-Induced Diabetic Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Sprouse Jeremy C. , Sampath Chethan , Gangula Pandu R.
Published: July 2020

Gastroparesis (Gp) is a multifactorial condition commonly observed in females and is characterized by delayed or rapid gastric emptying (GE). The role of ovarian hormones on GE in the pathogenesis of obesity induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is completely unknown. The aims of our study are to investigate whether supplementation of 17β-estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4) restores impaired nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2, an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor) and nitric oxide (NO)-mediated gastric motility in ovariectomized (OVX) mice consuming a high-fat diet (HFD, a model of T2DM). Groups of OVX+HFD mice were administered daily subcutaneous doses of either E2 or P4 for 12 weeks. The effects of E2 and P4 on body weight, metabolic homeostasis, solid GE, gastric antrum NO-mediated relaxation, total nitrite levels, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOSα), and its cofactor expression levels were assessed in OVX+HFD mice. HFD exacerbated hyperglycemia and insulinemia while accelerating GE (p < 0.05) in OVX mice. Exogenous E2, but not P4, attenuated rapid gastric emptying and restored gastric nitrergic relaxation, total nitrite levels, nNOSα, and cofactor expression via normalizing Nrf2-Phase II enzymes, inflammatory response, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein expression in OVX+HFD mice. We conclude that E2 is beneficial in normalizing metabolic homeostasis and gastric emptying in obese, diabetic OVX mice consuming a fat-rich diet.
Total Mercury in Soils and Sediments in the Vicinity of Abandoned Mercury Mine Area in Puerto Princesa City, Philippines
Authors: Samaniego Jessie , Gibaga Cris Reven , Tanciongco Alexandria , Rastrullo Rasty
Published: July 2020

The abandoned mercury (Hg) mine area in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan was included in the list of abandoned and inactive mines in the Philippines which pose a high risk to human health and the environment, and require rehabilitation. The mine site, operated by Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. (PQMI) from 1953 to 1976, is located approximately 3 km inland from Honda Bay coast and within the catchment of the Tagburos River, which is a local fishery and recreational area. In this study, total Hg levels in soils and sediments were measured to assess the possible release of Hg from the site into the surrounding natural environment. Results showed that total Hg (THg) concentrations found in soils (0.04–67.5 mg kg−1), mine waste calcines (52.7–924.2 mg kg−1), river sediments (1.8–119 mg kg−1), and marine sediments (0.04–12.7 mg kg−1) were elevated compared to the global background of 0.045–0.16 mg kg−1. The high concentrations of Hg in soils and river sediments were influenced by the different pathways for the release of Hg from its mine operations; while Hg in marine sediments was caused by the erosion of mine waste calcines near the pit lake, and calcines used to construct a wharf at the nearby Honda Bay. Mine wastes represent the largest source of Hg contamination in the area, due to the low efficiency of the recovery process during calcination. This work corresponds with the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the updated environmental assessments of abandoned Hg mines as potential source sites of mercury contamination.
Thermochemical and Economic Analysis for Energy Recovery by the Gasification of WEEE Plastic Waste from the Disassembly of Large-Scale Outdoor Obsolete Luminaires by LEDs in the Alto Alentejo Region (Portugal)
Authors: Hermoso-Orzáez Manuel Jesús , Mota-Panizio Roberta , Carmo-Calado Luis , Brito Paulo
Published: July 2020

The recovery of urban waste is a social demand and a measure of the energy-environmental sustainability of cities and regions. In particular, waste of electrical origin, waste of electrical and electronic materials (WEEE) can be recovered with great success. The plastic fraction of these wastes allows their gasification mixed with biomass, and the results allow for producing syngas with a higher energy potential. This work allows for obtaining energy from the recovery of obsolete materials through thermochemical conversion processes of the plastic waste from the disassembly of the luminaires by mixing the said plastic waste in different proportions with the biomass of crop residues (olive). The gasification tests of these mixtures were carried out in a downstream fixed-bed drown daft reactor, at temperatures of approximately 800 °C. The results demonstrate the applied technical and economic feasibility of the technology by thermal gasification, for the production of LHV (Low Heating Value) syngas with highest power energy (more than 5 MJ/m3) produced in mixtures of up to 20% of plastic waste. This study was complemented with the economic-financial analysis. This research can be used as a case study for the energy recovery through gasification processes of plastic waste from luminaires (WEEE), mixed with agricultural biomass that is planned to be carried out on a large scale in the Alentejo (Portugal), as a solution applied in circular economy strategies.
Augmented Latent Features of Deep Neural Network-Based Automatic Speech Recognition for Motor-Driven Robots
Authors: Lee Moa , Chang Joon-Hyuk
Published: July 2020

Speech recognition for intelligent robots seems to suffer from performance degradation due to ego-noise. The ego-noise is caused by the motors, fans, and mechanical parts inside the intelligent robots especially when the robot moves or shakes its body. To overcome the problems caused by the ego-noise, we propose a robust speech recognition algorithm that uses motor-state information of the robot as an auxiliary feature. For this, we use two deep neural networks (DNN) in this paper. Firstly, we design the latent features using a bottleneck layer, one of the internal layers having a smaller number of hidden units relative to the other layers, to represent whether the motor is operating or not. The latent features maximizing the representation of the motor-state information are generated by taking the motor data and acoustic features as the input of the first DNN. Secondly, once the motor-state dependent latent features are designed at the first DNN, the second DNN, accounting for acoustic modeling, receives the latent features as the input along with the acoustic features. We evaluated the proposed system on LibriSpeech database. The proposed network enables efficient compression of the acoustic and motor-state information, and the resulting word error rate (WER) are superior to that of a conventional speech recognition system.
Using Ensembles for Accurate Modelling of Manufacturing Processes in an IoT Data-Acquisition Solution
Authors: Garrido-Labrador José Luis , Puente-Gabarri Daniel , Ramírez-Sanz José Miguel , Ayala-Dulanto David , Maudes Jesus
Published: July 2020

The development of complex real-time platforms for the Internet of Things (IoT) opens up a promising future for the diagnosis and the optimization of machining processes. Many issues have still to be solved before IoT platforms can be profitable for small workshops with very flexible workloads and workflows. The main obstacles refer to sensor implementation, IoT architecture, and data processing, and analysis. In this research, the use of different machine-learning techniques is proposed, for the extraction of different information from an IoT platform connected to a machining center, working under real industrial conditions in a workshop. The aim is to evaluate which algorithmic technique might be the best to build accurate prediction models for one of the main demands of workshops: the optimization of machining processes. This evaluation, completed under real industrial conditions, includes very limited information on the machining workload of the machining center and unbalanced datasets. The strategy is validated for the classification of the state of a machining center, its working mode, and the prediction of the thermal evolution of the main machine-tool motors: the axis motors and the milling head motor. The results show the superiority of the ensembles for both classification problems under analysis and all four regression problems. In particular, Rotation Forest-based ensembles turned out to have the best performance in the experiments for all the metrics under study. The models are accurate enough to provide useful conclusions applicable to current industrial practice, such as improvements in machine programming to avoid cutting conditions that might greatly reduce tool lifetime and damage machine components.
Fiber-Optic Bragg Gratings for Temperature and Pressure Measurements in Isotope Production Targets for Nuclear Medicine
Authors: Bakaic Michael , Hanna Matthew , Hnatovsky Cyril , Grobnic Dan , Mihailov Stephen , Zeisler S. Stefan , Hoehr Cornelia
Published: July 2020

A Bragg grating inscribed into an inorganic optical fiber was tested in proton and neutron fields up to doses of 472 Gy. Observation showed that radiation had no effect on the performance of the Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) used as a gauge measuring temperature and pressure. The FBG sensor was subsequently employed to measure the temperature and pressure inside a liquid isotope production target for nuclear medicine. The fiber Bragg grating measured the temperature and pressure of a water target as a 12 MeV proton beam impinged on it in real time and was tested with beam currents of up to 20 µA.
Nature’s Pick-Up Tool, the Stark Effect Induced Gailitis Resonances and Applications
Authors: Hu Chi-Yu , Caballero David
Published: July 2020

A simple universal physical mechanism hidden for more than half a century is unexpectedly discovered from a calculation of low excitation antihydrogen. For ease of reference, this mechanism is named Gailitis resonance. We demonstrate, in great detail, that Gailitis resonances are capable of explaining p+7Li low energy nuclear fusion, d-d fusion on a Pd lattice and the initial transient fusion peak in muon catalyzed fusion. Hopefully, these examples will help to identify Gailitis resonances in other systems.
A Novel Antimicrobial Peptide (Kassinatuerin-3) Isolated from the Skin Secretion of the African Frog, Kassina senegalensis
Authors: Wang Hui , He Haoyang , Chen Xiaoling , Zhou Mei , Wei Minjie , Xi Xinping , Ma Chengbang , Du Qiang , Chen Tianbao , Shaw Chris , Wang Lei
Published: July 2020

Amphibian skin secretions are remarkable sources of novel bioactive peptides. Among these, antimicrobial peptides have demonstrated an outstanding efficacy in killing microorganisms via a general membranolytic mechanism, which may offer the prospect of solving specific target-driven antibiotic resistance. Here, the discovery of a novel defensive peptide is described from the skin secretion of the African frog, Kassina senegalensis. Named kassinatuerin-3, it was identified through a combination of “shot-gun” cloning and MS/MS fragmentation sequencing. Subsequently, a synthetic replicate was subjected to biofunctional evaluation. The results indicated that kassinatuerin-3 possessed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria but no effect against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, it was active in biofilm eradication on S. aureus and MRSA and in the antiproliferation of selected cancer cell lines. Moreover, it had a very mild hemolytic effect, which demonstrated a high therapeutic index for kassinatuerin-3. Collectively, although kassinatuerin-3 did not demonstrate remarkable bioactivities compared with other natural or synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), it offered a new insight into the design of antimicrobial derivatives.
Molecular and Cellular Impact of Inflammatory Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) Derived from M1 and M2 Macrophages on Neural Action Potentials
Authors: Vakili Sarah , Ahooyi Taha Mohseni , Yarandi Shadan S. , Donadoni Martina , Rappaport Jay , Sariyer Ilker K.
Published: July 2020

Several factors can contribute to neuroinflammatory disorders, such as cytokine and chemokines that are produced and released from peripherally derived immune cells or from locally activated cells such as microglia and perivascular macrophages in the brain. The primary function of these cells is to clear inflammation; however, following inflammation, circulating monocytes are recruited to the central nervous system (CNS). Monocyte-derived macrophages in the CNS play pivotal roles in mediating neuroinflammatory responses. Macrophages are heterogeneous both in normal and in pathological conditions due to their plasticity, and they are classified in two main subsets, classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2). There is accumulating evidence suggesting that extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from activated immune cells may play crucial roles in mediating inflammation. However, a possible role of EVs released from immune cells such as M1 and M2 macrophages on neuronal functions in the brain is not known. In order to investigate the molecular and cellular impacts of macrophages and EVs released from macrophage subtypes on neuronal functions, we used a recently established in vitro M1 and M2 macrophage culture model and isolated and characterized EVs from these macrophage subtypes, treated primary neurons with M1 or M2 EVs, and analyzed the extracellular action potentials of neurons with microelectrode array studies (MEA). Our results introduce evidence on the interfering role of inflammatory EVs released from macrophages in interneuronal signal transmission processes, with implications in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases induced by a variety of inflammatory insults.
Simple Method for the Objective Activity Type Assessment with Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents
Authors: Brønd Jan Christian , Grøntved Anders , Andersen Lars Bo , Arvidsson Daniel , Olesen Line Grønholt
Published: July 2020

Background: The objective and accurate assessment of children’s sedentary and physical behavior is important for investigating their relation to health. The purpose of this study is to validate a simple and robust method for the identification of sitting, standing, walking, running and biking performed by preschool children, children and adolescents in the age from 3 to 16 years from a single thigh-worn accelerometer. Method: A total of 96 children were included in the study and all subjects followed a structured activity protocol performed in the subject’s normal kindergarten or school environment. Thigh acceleration was measured using the Axivity AX3 (Axivity, Newcastle, UK) device. Method development and accuracy was evaluated by equally dividing the subjects into a development and test group. Results: The sensitivity and specificity for identifying sitting and standing was above 99.3% and for walking and running above 82.6% for all age groups. The sensitivity and specificity for identifying biking was above 85.8% for children and adolescents and above 64.8% for the preschool group using running bikes. Conclusion: The accurate assessment of sitting, standing, walking, running and biking from thigh acceleration and with children in the age range of 3 to 16 is valid, although not with preschool children using running bikes.
On Generalized Nonexpansive Maps in Banach Spaces
Authors: Ullah Kifayat , Ahmad Junaid , Sen Manuel de la
Published: July 2020

We introduce a very general class of generalized non-expansive maps. This new class of maps properly includes the class of Suzuki non-expansive maps, Reich–Suzuki type non-expansive maps, and generalized α -non-expansive maps. We establish some basic properties and demiclosed principle for this class of maps. After this, we establish existence and convergence results for this class of maps in the context of uniformly convex Banach spaces and compare several well known iterative algorithms.
Processing, Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of a Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloy
Authors: Ding Qingqing , Bei Hongbin , Zhao Xinbao , Gao Yanfei , Zhang Ze
Published: July 2020

A second-generation Ni-based superalloy has been directionally solidified by using a Bridgman method, and the key processing steps have been investigated with a focus on their effects on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties. The as-grown microstructure is of a typical dendrite structure with microscopic elemental segregation during solidification. Based on the microstructural evidence and the measured phase transformation temperatures, a step-wise solution treatment procedure is designed to effectively eliminate the compositional and microstructural inhomogeneities. Consequently, the homogenized microstructure consisting of γ/γ′ phases (size of γ′ cube is ~400 nm) have been successfully produced after a two-step (solid solution and aging) treatment. The mechanical properties of the resulting alloys with desirable microstructures at room and elevated temperatures are measured by tensile tests. The strength of the alloy is comparable to commercial monocrystalline superalloys, such as DD6 and CMSX-4. The fracture modes of the alloy at various temperatures have also been studied and the corresponding deformation mechanisms are discussed.
COVID-19 Assessment with Bedside Lung Ultrasound in a Population of Intensive Care Patients Treated with Mechanical Ventilation and ECMO
Authors: Møller-Sørensen Hasse , Gjedsted Jakob , Lind Jørgensen Vibeke , Lindskov Hansen Kristoffer
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for an accessible, point-of-care and accurate imaging modality for pulmonary assessment. COVID-19 pneumonia is mainly monitored with chest X-ray, however, lung ultrasound (LUS) is an emerging tool for pulmonary evaluation. In this study, patients with verified COVID-19 disease hospitalized at the intensive care unit and treated with ventilator and extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were evaluated with LUS for pulmonary changes. LUS findings were compared to C-reactive protein (CRP) and ventilator settings. Ten patients were included and scanned the day after initiation of ECMO and thereafter every second day until, if possible, weaned from ECMO. In total 38 scans adding up to 228 cineloops were recorded and analyzed off-line with the use of a constructed LUS score. The study indicated that patients with a trend of lower LUS scores over time were capable of being weaned from ECMO. LUS score was associated to CRP (R = 0.34; p < 0.03) and compliance (R = 0.60; p < 0.0001), with the strongest correlation to compliance. LUS may be used as a primary imaging modality for pulmonary assessment reducing the use of chest X-ray in COVID-19 patients treated with ventilator and ECMO.
Tree Search Fuzzy NARX Neural Network Fault Detection Technique for PV Systems with IoT Support
Authors: Natsheh Emad , Samara Sufyan
Published: July 2020

The photovoltaic (PV) panel’s output energy depends on many factors. As they are becoming the leading alternative energy source, it is essential to get the best out of them. Although the main factor for maximizing energy production is proportional to the amount of solar radiation reaching the photovoltaic panel surface, other factors, such as temperature and shading, influence them negatively. Moreover, being installed in a dynamic and frequently harsh environment causes a set of reasons for faults, defects, and irregular operations. Any irregular operation should be recognized and classified into faults that need attention and, therefore, maintenance or as being a regular operation due to changes in some surrounding factors, such as temperature or solar radiation. Besides, in case of faults, it would be helpful to identify the source and the cause of the problem. Hence, this study presented a novel methodology that modeled a PV system in a tree-like hierarchy, which allowed the use of a fuzzy nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) to detect and classify faults in a PV system with customizable granularity. Moreover, the used methodology enabled the identification of the exact source of fault(s) in a fully automated way. The study was done on a string of eight PV panels; however, the paper discussed using the algorithm on a more extensive PV system. The used fuzzy NARX algorithm in this study was able to classify the faults that appeared in up to five out of the eight PV panels and to identify the faulty PV panels with high accuracy. The used hardware could be controlled and monitored through a Wi-Fi connection, which added support for Internet of Things applications.
Paraffin Pickering Emulsion Stabilized with Nano-SiO2 Designed for Wood Impregnation
Authors: Liu Runhao , Liu Xinyao , Zhang Yuting , Liu Junjia , Gong Chengxi , Dong Youming , Li Jianzhang , Shi Jingbo , Wu Miao
Published: July 2020

Wax impregnation is an effective approach to improve wood water resistance. However, melted waxes require special equipment and cannot penetrate deep enough into wood. Recently, wax emulsions show excellent efficiency in wood modification. In this study, paraffin Pickering emulsion stabilized by low dispersed SiO2 nanospheres was used to impregnate poplar wood. The microstructure and storage stability of the emulsion were evaluated. The dimensional stability, water uptake, wettability, and thermal stability of treated wood were also investigated. After homogenization, a milk-white oil-in-water (O/W) paraffin Pickering emulsion stabilized by the nano-SiO2 (diameter of ~76 nm) was formed and demonstrated excellent storage stability. Paraffin Pickering emulsion could penetrate into the wood structure. The emulsion-treated wood was endowed with a moderate anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), high water resistance, and low wettability. Moreover, the addition of nano-SiO2 could improve the thermal stability of the treated wood.
Frugivory by Coyotes Decreases the Time to Germination and Increases the Growth of Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata) Seedlings
Authors: Stevens Michael T. , Houghton Sydney , Veltkamp Hannah A.
Published: July 2020

Research Highlights: Frugivory by mammals is a common plant–animal interaction, but additional studies that examine the effects of frugivory on woody plants are needed. We show that ingestion of netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata Torr.) fruits by coyotes (Canis latrans Say) cuts the time to germination nearly in half and results in seedlings that are taller than the controls. Background and Objectives: Netleaf hackberry is a deciduous shrub to small tree that can be long-lived, but newly established stands are rare. The lack of juvenile hackberry in its native range of southwestern North America could be due to low percentages of germination and seedling survival. We hypothesized that passage through the digestive tract of a coyote would increase the germination and subsequent growth of netleaf hackberry. Materials and Methods: In the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, we collected coyote scats containing visible hackberry fruits and picked fresh fruits from nearby hackberry shrubs. All samples were cleaned and cold-stratified. We sowed 20 seeds from each of the 34 samples into containers in the greenhouse (a total of 680 seeds). We noted the date of emergence and final height of each seedling after 131 days. Results: The germination percentage of the coyote-treatment seeds did not differ from that of the controls. However, the coyote-ingested seeds took just over half as many days to germinate as did the undigested controls (35 days vs. 69 days, respectively; p < 0.001) and the resulting seedlings were 9.5% taller by the end of the growing season (6.4 vs. 5.8 cm, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Consumption by coyotes can benefit hackberries by enabling their seeds to germinate earlier in the year when conditions are wetter and cooler. The additional time for establishment and growth afforded by frugivory likely increases the fitness of netleaf hackberry seedlings that emerge into the unpredictable conditions of a semi-arid region.
Enzymatic Activity as a Measure of Total Microbial Activity on Historical Stone
Authors: Sırt Çıplak Elif , Akoğlu Kiraz Göze
Published: July 2020

Stones of historical monuments exposed to the open air deteriorate over the course of time depending on physical, chemical, and biological factors acting in co-association. Among the biological factors, microorganisms play a key role in the deterioration process of stones. Detecting the level of microbial activity on stones is an essential step in diagnostic and monitoring studies of stone biodeterioration, and aids in controlling the performance of treatments applied to the stones. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a practical and rapid method for the determination of microbial activity on historical stones and use this method on the Mount Nemrut monuments (MNMs) (Adiyaman, Turkey). For that purpose, the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis method, frequently employed for soil environments, was adapted for the estimation and assessment of total microbial activity to understand whether microorganisms posed a potential risk for the biodeterioration of the limestones and sandstones of the MNMs. The traditional plate count method was also applied simultaneously to the same stone samples to compare and assist in the interpretation of the results of the FDA hydrolysis method, which relies on the quantitative determination of bacterial and fungal colonies in nutrient agar and malt extract agar medium, respectively. The results of the FDA hydrolysis and plate count methods showed consistency. The total microbial activity determined by the FDA hydrolysis method was low for both types of stone samples. In addition, the plate count method showed low bacterial and fungal counts on all of the samples. This revealed that microbial activity did not play an important role in the stone deterioration process on the MNMs, although different lichen species were frequently observed on both the sandstones and the limestones. Hence, further investigation must be undertaken for determination of their long-term behavior and effects on the stones of the MNMs. On the other hand, the results of the FDA hydrolysis and plate count methods showed correlation. Lower bacterial counts were observed when lower enzymatic activity was observed in the stone samples, and likewise, higher bacterial counts were observed when higher enzymatic activity was observed. Consequently, the application of the FDA hydrolysis method was determined to be reliable for the estimation of total microbial activity on historical stones. The method had obvious advantages in terms of its rapid measurement rate and sensitivity, even on small samples.
Pelvic Symmetry Is Influenced by Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex during Young Children’s Gait
Authors: Gieysztor Ewa , Pecuch Anna , Kowal Mateusz , Borowicz Wojciech , Paprocka-Borowicz Małgorzata
Published: July 2020

Gait is one of the examined functions in child development. It should be economical and symmetrical. One test increasingly used by physiotherapists and pediatricians is asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR). Physiologically, it is observed from in utero up to six postnatal months. This reaction is inhibited with the growing maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). In some children, when the natural process of development is incorrect, ATNR manifests later in life, when it is observed as an automatic response of muscle tension to head rotation. Analysis of pelvis symmetry in the gait of children with active ATNR is important for better understanding their specific movements. In the gait of children with persistent ATNR, some variations are observed. The aim of the study was to investigate the gait symmetry of preschool children and the influence of persistent ATNR. Fifty preschool children with a trace form of ATNR were examined. The distribution of the gait parameters was determined using a BTS G-SENSOR measurement instrument. ATNR negatively influences pelvic obliquity and pelvic rotation (p < 0.01). Younger children have a statistically higher symmetry index of pelvis obliquity in the examined group (p = 0.015). Boys obtain a higher result of symmetry in pelvic tilt than girls in the group (p = 0.027). ATNR affects walking symmetry in preschool children, thus evaluation of the reflex activity and then proper therapy is required to support proper development.
Development of Smart Pavement Design Sensitivity Analysis Software for Asset Management System
Authors: Moon Byungkyu , Kim Jungyong “Joe” , Lee Hosin “David”
Published: July 2020

There are a number of pavement management systems, but most of them are limited in providing pavement design and pavement design sensitivity information. This paper presents efforts towards the integrated pavement design and management system, by developing smart pavement design sensitivity analysis software. In this paper, the sensitivity analyses of critical design input parameters have been performed to identify input parameters which have the most significant impacts on the pavement thickness. Based on the existing pavement design procedures and their sensitivity analysis results, a smart pavement design sensitivity analysis (PDSA) software package was developed, to allow a user to retrieve the most appropriate pavement thickness and immediately perform pavement design sensitivity analysis. The PDSA software is a useful tool for managing pavements, by allowing a user to instantaneously retrieve a pavement design for a given condition from the database and perform a design sensitivity analysis without running actual pavement design programs. The proposed smart PDSA software would result in the most efficient pavement management system, by incorporating the optimum pavement thickness as part of the pavement management process.
Fine-Scale Vegetation Characteristics Drive Insect Ensemble Structures in a Desert Ecosystem: The Tenebrionid Beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Inhabiting the Ulan Buh Desert (Inner Mongolia, China)
Authors: Niu Yiping , Ren Guodong , Lin Giulia , Di Biase Letizia , Fattorini Simone
Published: July 2020

In community ecology, ensembles are defined as phylogenetically bounded groups of species that use a similar set of resources within a community. Tenebrionids are a conspicuous faunal component of Asian deserts, but little is known about their community ecology. We investigated if tenebrionids associated with different plant species constitute ensembles with a different ecological structure. Sampling was done with pitfall traps placed beneath the most common plant species. Tenebrionid abundance patterns were modelled by fitting rank–abundance plots. The association between tenebrionid species and plant species was tested using contingency tables. Differences in ensemble diversity were investigated by diversity profiles. All ensembles were fitted by the geometric series model. Tenebrionid species were differently associated with different plant species. Diversity profiles indicate that different ensembles have different diversity patterns, because of differences in species relative abundance. Tenebrionids form different ensembles associated with the different dominant plant species. All these ensembles are, however, characterized by similar patterns of dominance, following the “niche pre-emption” model, and a steep decline in the diversity profiles. This indicates that similar environmental conditions lead to similar insect ensemble organization, although the most abundant species may vary, which suggests a role for microhabitat selection.
Experimental Measurements of a Joint 5G-VLC Communication for Future Vehicular Networks
Authors: Marabissi Dania , Mucchi Lorenzo , Caputo Stefano , Nizzi Francesca , Pecorella Tommaso , Fantacci Romano , Nawaz Tassadaq , Seminara Marco , Catani Jacopo
Published: July 2020

One of the main revolutionary features of 5G networks is the ultra-low latency that will enable new services such as those for the future smart vehicles. The 5G technology will be able to support extreme-low latency thanks to new technologies and the wide flexible architecture that integrates new spectra and access technologies. In particular, visible light communication (VLC) is envisaged as a very promising technology for vehicular communications, since the information provided can flow by using the lights (as traffic-lights and car lights). This paper describes one of the first experiments on the joint use of 5G and VLC networks to provide real-time information to cars. The applications span from road safety to emergency alarm.