bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the quality of automated VIS–grading of Scots pine seeds using fuzzy logic algorithm
Authors: Novikov A I , Vovchenko N G , Sokolov S V , Novikova T P , Demidov D N , Tylek P
Published: November 2021

The automation of Scots pine seeds grading in the visible wavelength region – VIS-grading – is promising for conducting breeding and genetic experiments. This will reduce time costs and increase the accuracy of seed color classification compared to organoleptic techniques. When controlling VIS-grading, it is necessary to accurately detect and process the optical signal reflected from a single seed. The signal is based on the wavelength and amplitude of the optical beam. Earlier, using a spectrometer for Scots pine seeds from a natural stand of the Pavlovsky district of the Voronezh region, Russia, the boundaries of three spectrometric groups were established. In the real VIS-grading process, it is necessary to take into account the probabilistic deviations of random values of wavelengths and amplitudes. Therefore, on the basis of the Mamdani fuzzy logic theory developed an analyzing algorithm for controlling the VIS-grading quality. The algorithm consists of a sequence of logical terms that clearly define the specified VIS-grading seeds spectrometric parameters by a combination of wavelength and amplitude. The efficiency of Scots pine seeds VIS-grading using the algorithm is 98.9%.
Long-term forecast of forest ecosystem services under different forest use scenarios
Authors: Chumachenko S , Kiseleva V , Kolycheva A , Karminov V
Published: November 2021

Sustainable forest management presupposes a long-term strategic planning of status and use of all forest resources and ecosystem services. The results of long-term scenario modelling can form the basis for decision-making. The paper contains the discussion of the results of scenario modelling run with the FORRUS-S imitational model for the period of 125 years and the rent forest plot with the area of 19,800 ha. Three scenarios of management activities differing in volumes of harvested timber, reforestation, and thinning were implemented. The effect of forest use scenarios on tree species composition, structural indices of forest ecosystems, volumes of food resources, and recreational potential was examined. The scenario envisaging a complete use of permissible harvesting volume and reforestation with no thinnings proved to be the most disastrous for aforementioned ecosystem services, including timber harvesting. The intensive forest use scenario envisaging artificial reforestation and complete cycle of thinnings causes the least negative effect on the volumes of food resources and even increases their diversity. Recreational ecosystem services degrade with increasing intensity of forest use. As a result, the forest user receives several scenarios; the choice of the optimal one for the user depends on the demand for concrete resources or ecosystem services.
The recreational and economic role of the suburban landscaped territories in Voronezh
Authors: Kartashova N , Serikov M , Kulakova E
Published: November 2021

The applicability of the topic is conditioned by the increase the share of the recreational forests and the development of the urban agglomeration. The purpose of the study was to determine the recreational capacity of natural green areas, followed by an ecological and economic assessment. In the work, recreational and sanitary-hygienic assessments were carried out, the stages of digression, the classes of stability of plantings were determined, followed by an ecological and economic assessment of suburban green areas. The weighted average value of the ecological recreational capacity is determined. In plantations with a predominance of oak or pine in the existing types of forest growing conditions, the specific value of the ecological recreational capacity is the same, therefore, approaches to the development of these forests may be the same. To assess the ecological potential of plantings, the content of carbon, absorbed carbon dioxide, and oxygen released by them were calculated. The results of the calculations show that the maximum amount of C2 is observed in mixed stands with a predominance of oak, the minimum-in pure pine stands. Obtained results of the investigation let to realize the forest planning, taking into consideration the results of the eco-economic estimate.
Natural regeneration features of broad-leaved species under the canopy of coniferous stands in forest-steppe conditions
Authors: Tsaralunga V , Tsaralunga A , Yakovenko N , Zenishchev A
Published: November 2021

The age structure of the undergrowth was studied using the technique of constructing the age spectra of the adoles-cent population, which revealed the regularities of the natural pine recovery process. The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the broad-leaved species renewal under the coniferous (pine) plantations canopy in forest-steppe conditions using the example of the Belgorod region. The research was carried out on 21 test areas using standard silvicultural techniques to assess natural regeneration effectiveness. Quercus robur L. and Ulmus laevis Pall. prevail among deciduous species in the second layer. Tilia cordata Miill, Fraxinus excelsior L., Acer platanoides L., Acer compestre L. reach less than 12%. (Betula pendula Ehrh., Populus tremula L.). The average number of young growth does not exceed 2000-2500 trees per hectare where the ones of medium height prevail (50%) and small height trees reach 22%. In the considered pine stands, Quercus robur L. young growth occurs more often. There is a growth that appeared from dormant buds at the root neck after the death of the seed unit. Units of normal vitality are found only among young growth younger than 5 years old or in communities with a disturbed stand structure.
The structure in diameter and sanitary condition of geographical cultures of Scots pine
Authors: Chernyshov M P , Mikhailova M I
Published: November 2021

The study of geographical forest cultures is the scientific basis for forest-seed zoning and selection of tree species. This research identifies the structural features of the diameter of middle-aged stands of different ecotypes of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in geographic cultures, as an assessment of its current sanitary state. We studied the stands of 18 forest-steppe and 14 steppe ecotypes. We laid test areas with measuring the diameters of trees with a measuring fork at a height of 1.3 m. Trees with a continuous count were divided into six categories of sanitary status: no signs of weakening, weakened, strongly weakened, shrinking, fresh dead wood and dead wood of past years. Based on the results of continuous recounts, the distribution rows of trees were constructed according to 2- and 4-cm thickness steps. In forest-steppe ecotypes, the distribution of trees along 2-and 4-centimeter-thick steps is single-vertex, but with right asymmetry. The distribution of trees of steppe ecotypes over 2-cm steps of thickness is asymmetric and two-peaked. The distribution of trees of steppe ecotypes by 2-cm thickness steps is asymmetric and two-vertex. The average score of the sanitary state of stands of forest-steppe ecotypes is 1.5 (healthy), in steppe – 1.7 (weakened).
Modelling approaches to innovative development of forestry enterprises using the sigmoid function
Authors: Shanin I , Shtondin A
Published: November 2021

At the present stage of development of enterprises of the timber industry complex, it is necessary to systematically consider all active processes occurring within the enterprise, as well as their response to external influences and variable factors affecting innovative activity. The aim of the study is to apply multisigmoidal modelling approaches that take into account the use of an innovative approach in the renewal of forest areas in the process of eliminating the consequences of forest fires and the production of competitive timber products. The study uses a multisigmoidal approach, which is based on a variety of empirical data and indicators calculated based on statistical reporting on the economic development of forestry manufacturing enterprises. Thanks to the developed model based on the multisigmoidal modelling approach, it became possible to identify ineffective economic phenomena and innovation processes taking place in the context of the innovative development of forestry enterprises. The application of this approach made it possible to identify bottlenecks and weaknesses of the entire production process in the forest industry, taking into account the application of measures for the prevention and extinguishing of forest fires in conditions of accelerated renewal of forest resources.
Sustainable development of the timber complex: ecological and economic foundations
Authors: Yakovenko N , Sibiryatkina I , Komov I
Published: November 2021

The forest management system established in Russia in recent years is characterized by a number of problems, including economic ones. The article reveals conceptual theoretical and methodological provisions for the development of sustainable forest management based on the formation of an appropriate environmental and economic mechanism. The essence of sustainable forest management should be considered in the context of economic, environmental, social and international aspects, taking into account the formation of effective multipurpose use of forest resources, as well as the strengthening of the environmental component in the development of forestry. The ecological-economic mechanism of sustainable forest management is proposed to be considered as a set of resources and methods of their connection in the process of economic, environmental and social forest management through the effective management of forestry activities. The main principles of the formation of the ecological-economic mechanism of sustainable forest management are outlined. Thus, the scattered views on the environmental-economic mechanism of sustainable forest management determine the need to streamline the existing economic methods of forest management, improve the efficiency of forestry activities and develop tools to obtain different types of effects: economic, environmental and social.
Ways to improve the properties of natural wood when using waste vegetable oils
Authors: Dmitrenkov A , Nikulina N , Nikulin S , Vostrikova G
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the development and study of new compositions based on spent sunflower oil for the protective treatment of natural wood. Samples of birch and aspen wood were selected as the subjects of the study. The processing of wood samples was carried out by the method of “hot-cold impregnation”. Refined sunflower oil was used as the oil base of the propearized compounds developed. Plant oil fillers were chosen wood flour, stearic acid, canifol and sikkativ based on metal salts. The use of developed compounds can improve the hydrophobic properties of wood, increase its water and water resistance, as well as reduce swelling in tangential and radial directions. The optimal compositions on the basis of spent vegetable oil for protective processing of birch wood have been selected. The difference in the modifying capacity of the developed compositions for different types of wood is shown on the example of birch and aspen. Propiary compounds based on spent vegetable oil have environmental safety and their use allows the disposal of food waste.
Research of dynamic processes at cutting forest materials on horizontal band saw equipment
Authors: Maksimenkov A I , Abramov V V , Bagno O P , Yudin R V
Published: November 2021

For processing small-scale wood, as well as wood from logging and sanitary logging, small enterprises are created that use fairly large and expensive band saws of various foreign firms and domestic production, which have a high energy intensity of the technological process. In this regard, the development of a resource-saving band saw machine that improves the quality of saw products and reduces the energy intensity of the technological process is an urgent task for the timber processing industry. To study the dynamics of the process of sawing wood on a horizontal band saw, it is necessary to create its dynamic model, which is a mathematical description of the interaction of the cutting process and the equivalent elastic system of the machine. The problem of the quality of wood sawing is both the accuracy of processing and the roughness of the surface to be processed. To assess the accuracy of wood sawing, two indicators were used: average and maximum undulation. As a result of the research, a new design of the band saw was developed using a dynamic model, which ensures resource saving, reducing the energy intensity of the technological process and improving the quality of the resulting saw products.
Assessment of the volume of harvested wood in accordance with the vital state of wood species
Authors: Konovalova I , Lelekova E
Published: November 2021

During selective felling on the territory of 3.9 ha, 181 m3 of wood, 35% of which is dead wood. Among them, pine (16 m3), spruce (27 m3), birch (8 m3) and aspen (12 m3) were found. The volume of cut viable wood was 118 m3, including 50 m3 of pine, 44 m3 of spruce, 14m 3 of birch and 10 m3 of aspen. The values obtained do not exceed the forest declaration data. To determine the stumps from dead coniferous trees, the following criteria were tested: complete or partial absence of bark, the presence of traces of the vital activity of insect pests and abundance worm dust. Species-specific criteria are proposed: in pine – the presence of rot of the peripheral part of the wood, brown color of sapwood and bast; spruce – the presence of heart rot and wood destroying fungi. In deciduous species, the main criterion for isolating stumps from dead trees has been tested – the presence of wood-destroying fungi, in aspen – heart rot caused by tinder fungi. We recommend using these criteria to resolve legal claims against forest users in the removal and assessment of harvested wood.
Development of the automated data management system for radiation monitoring of forests
Authors: Karpov A D , Lebedev A G , Gorbunov I Yu , Radin A I , Razdayvodin A N
Published: November 2021

Since the system of radiation control in forestry was formed even before the mass introduction of information technologies, data processing in radiation monitoring retains the approaches conditioned by the traditional, paper-based document management. The aim of this project is to develop a unified automated system for collection, control and analysis of data from radiation monitoring of forests in the Russian Federation. The system is based on the use of the unified software ‘SpectraLineBG’ for spectrometric devices, on the creation of a cloud data storage server, and the development of a software environment for storing and processing of the obtained material. The system allows to check the accuracy of all the obtained results of measurements and to make their subsequent correction. The described method of data collection is universal for spectrometric studies and can be used not only in forestry, but also in any organization involved in radiation control of the environment. Using the accumulated material, the system allows to analyze the distribution and the dynamics of radionuclides in space and time, to calculate the coefficients of the transition of radionuclides from soil to vegetation for one or more species in different areas.
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forests in the Baikal Mountain Forest region
Authors: Kochetkova N , Bakhanova M , Zhan S , Yakovenko N
Published: November 2021

The article considers modern approaches to the study of the state of forests of the Baikal Mountain Forest region. All the obtained results of field studies are confirmed by a 13-year period of observations of the changes in the quantitative and qualitative indicators of growth and development of forests, the selected object. During the research, about 17 thousand ha of forest area were surveyed, 1570 permanent test areas were laid. According to the sanitary condition, the share of healthy plantings (class 1) accounts for 76.5%, the 2nd class of resistance (with the presence of small damage and signs of weakening) – 11.1% the indicators of other classes of resistance of plantings vary from 0.5% to 2.6%. The main sign of damage and weakening of forests are grass-roots fires – 60.3%. The total stock of wood according to the GIL is 2568.9 million m3. Coniferous species have the largest share of the stock of business trees – 94.3%, a smaller share of the stock – soft-leaved – 5.6%. The obtained data allow us to develop measures for rational forest management for part of the forests of the Republic of Buryatia, the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Irkutsk Region.
Quantifying the joint distribution of drought indicators in Borneo fire-prone area
Authors: Najib Mohamad Khoirun , Nurdiati Sri , Sopaheluwakan Ardhasena
Published: November 2021

Borneo island is prone to fire due to its large peat soil area. Fire activity in Borneo is associated with regional climate conditions, such as total precipitation, precipitation anomaly, and dry spells. Thus, knowing the relationship between drought indicators can provide preliminary knowledge in developing a fire risk model. Therefore, this study aims to quantify the copula-based joint distribution and to analyze the coincidence probability between drought indicators in Borneo fire-prone areas. From dependence analysis, we found that the average of 2 months of total precipitation (TP), monthly precipitation anomalies (PA), and the total of 3 months of dry spells (DS) provides a moderate correlation to hotspots in Borneo. The results show the probability of the dry-dry period is 26.63, 17.66, and 18.54 % for TP-DS, PA-DS, and TP-PA, respectively. All of these are higher than the probability of the wet-wet period, which is 25.01, 16.12, and 17.98 % for TP-DS, PA-DS, and TP-PA, respectively. Through the probability, the return period of TP-DS in the dry-dry situation 3.2 months/year, meaning the dry situation in total precipitation and dry spells that occur simultaneously could appear about 3 months in a year on average. Furthermore, the return period of PA-DS and TP-PA in the dry-dry situation is 2.12 and 2.22 months/year, respectively. Moreover, the probability of dry spells in dry conditions when given total precipitation in dry conditions is higher than given precipitation anomalies in dry conditions.
Earth’s geomagnetic response to solar wind changes associated with solar events at low latitude regions at the TRE MAGDAS Station
Authors: Umar R , Zafar S N A Syed , Sabri N H , Jusoh M H , Yoshikawa A , Abe S , Uozumi T
Published: November 2021

The Sun’s magnetic activity influences disturbances that perturb interplanetary space by producing large fluxes of energetic protons, triggering geomagnetic storms and affecting the ground geomagnetic field. The effect of two solar events, namely Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and Coronal Holes, on geomagnetic indices (SYM/H), solar wind parameters and ground geomagnetic fields has provided magnetic ground data, which were extracted from the Terengganu (TRE, -4.21° N, 175.91° E) Magnetometer (MAGDAS) station, and investigated in this study. Results show that the physical dynamic mechanism in the Earth’s magnetosphere is triggered by various solar wind parameters associated with CMEs and Coronal hole events during the minimum solar cycle of 24 at low latitudes. It is important to study solar wind-magnetosphere coupling because it has an impact on ground-based technological systems and human activities.
The implementation and advancement of a regional geodetic vertical datum
Authors: Yazid N M , Din A H M , Omar A H , Pa’suya M F , Abdullah N M
Published: November 2021

The essential parameter in computing three-dimensional coordinate system is the height or depth of the Earth’s surface. It represents a particular reference surface that recognised as a vertical datum. The vertical datum is alienated into two foremost categories recognised as Mean Sea Level and Lowest Astronomical Tide. Different modifications approach, techniques and software programs are developed to determine vertical datum of a region with respect to geoid surface. This paper presents an effort to review and discuss the implementations and advancement of geodetic vertical datum based on geoid height reference surface. Hence, there are eight countries will be extracted and outlined in this paper consist of the United States of America, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. An overview of geodetic vertical datum which implemented in these countries are summarised to support the future development of a regional vertical datum model. Then, the overview will also be utilised and analysed based on the essential elements and parameters for vertical datum model determination which include: data gathering, data input and analysis approach in order to develop a geodetic vertical datum model with good accuracy. These attempt and initiative are vital for the current and future implementation and advancement of geodetic vertical datum in the region of Malaysia across land and marine areas.
Evaluation of the Groundsill’s stability at downstream of “Citorek” Bridge in Cimadur River, Banten Province
Authors: Fitri Arniza , Chen Hao , Yao Li , Zheng Ke-hong , Susarman  , Rossi Farli , Yin Yuxue
Published: November 2021

Scouring problems faced in the Cimadur River especially near to the Citorek bridge abutments have become the major discussion by the local researchers and the local water resources manager in Banten Province. As an effort in reducing the scouring problem around the abutment of the Citorek bridge, a groundsill structure with specific design is going to be installed in Cimadur River at downstream of Citorek bridge. To make sure the optimal function of the structure, the stability of the groundsill structure in Cimadur River need to be evaluated. This study attempt to evaluate the stability of a groundsill structure from the occurrences of rolling and sliding at both normal and flood conditions. The eccentricity of the groundsill structure is also checked during normal and flood conditions to make sure the stability of the structure. The required data (which are consisting of detail description of the groundsill structure, cross section of the river, rainfall data, topography data and sediment/soil data) are observed in the field and obtained from P.T. Saeba Konsulindo. The data are further analysed to determine: 1) design water discharges for several return period, 2) forces acting to the groundsill structure and 3) stability of the groundsill structure in the river. The results showed that the groundsill structure are stable and safety again rolling and sliding occurrences where the safety factor (SF) for rolling and sliding are higher than critical coefficients of rolling and sliding (1.5). At normal water level, safety factors (SF) for rolling and sliding are 8.07>1.5 and 2.7>1.5, respectively, while at flood water level, SF for rolling and sliding are 5.61>1.5 and 1.88>1.5, respectively. Besides, the results also found that the groundsill is safety from eccentricity at both normal and flood conditions where the calculated coefficients of eccentricities are lower than critical coefficient of eccentricity which could cause rolling and sliding.
Waste-to-wealth in ASEAN countries: A case on e-waste generation from mobile phone
Authors: Ismail H , Hanafiah M M
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential economic value of e-waste generation in ASEAN countries. The data used in this study was based on various reports. As the reliable information on e-waste generation in ASEAN countries is scarce, the study only evaluated the potential economic value of e-waste generation from mobile phone. The results showed that the potential economic value of e-waste from mobile phone around the world was valued at US$ 18,545.27 million. For ASEAN countries, it was valued at US$ 2,019.06 million, higher than 27 developed countries in European Union that valued at US$ 1,286.59 million. Currently, apart from the ineffective implementation of e-waste regulation, the lack of reliable information and data to estimate e-waste generation and its future projection was a common problem faced by ASEAN countries that impending the development of sustainable e-waste management. Therefore, the potential economic value of e-waste generation in ASEAN countries could be higher, if various other products were included in the analysis with a reliable information and data. Finally, some recommendation was made that includes the need a thorough intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration among ASEAN countries in order to reap a potential economic benefit from continuously growing e-waste in this region.
Parameter estimation and hypothesis testing of geographically and temporally weighted bivariate generalized Poisson regression
Authors: Purwanti Setyorini Indah , Sutikno  , Purhadi
Published: November 2021

Poisson regression is used to model the data with the response variable in the form of count data. This modeling must meet the equidispersion assumption. That is, the average value is the same as the variance. However, this assumption is often violated. Violation of the equidispersion assumption in Poisson regression modeling will result in invalid conclusions. These violations are an overdispersion and an underdispersion of the response variable. Generalized Poisson Regression (GPR) is an alternative if there is a violation of the equidispersion assumption. If there are two correlated response variables, modeling will use the Bivariate Generalized Poisson Regression (BGPR). However, in the panel data with the observation unit in the form of an area, BGPR is not quite right because there is spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the data. Geographically and Temporally Weighted Bivariate Generalized Poisson Regression (GTWBGPR) is a method for modeling spatial and temporal heterogeneity data. GTWBGPR is a development of GWBGPR. In GTWBGPR, besides accommodating spatial effects, it also accommodates temporal effects. This research will discuss the parameter estimation and test statistics for the GTWBGPR model. Parameter estimation uses Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), but the result is not closed-form, so it is solved by numerical iteration. The numerical iteration used is Newton-Raphson. The test statistic for simultaneous testing uses the Maximum Likelihood Ratio Test (MLRT). With large samples, then this test statistic has a chi-square distribution approximation. So the test statistic for the partial test uses the Z test statistic.
Parameter estimation and hypothesis testing of geographically and temporally weighted bivariate Poisson inverse Gaussian regression model
Authors: Sari Meylita , Sutikno  , Purhadi
Published: November 2021

One of the appropriate methods used to model count data response and its corresponding predictors is Poisson regression. Poisson regression strictly assumes that the mean and variance of response variables should be equal (equidispersion). Nonetheless, some cases of the count data unsatisfied this assumption because variance can be larger than mean (over-dispersion). If overdispersion is violated, causing the underestimate standard error. Furthermore, this will lead to incorrect conclusions in the statistical test. Thus, a suitable method for modelling this kind of data needs to develop. One alternative model to outcome the overdispersion issue in bivariate response variable is the Bivariate Poisson Inverse Gaussian Regression (BPIGR) model. The BPIGR model can produce a global model for all locations. On the other hand, each location and time have different geographic conditions, social, cultural, and economical so that Geographically and Temporally Bivariate Poisson Inverse Gaussian Regression (GTWBPIGR)) is needed. The weighting function spatial-temporal in GTWBPIGR generates a different local model for each period. GTWBPIGR model solves the overdispersion case and generates global models for each period and location. The parameter estimation of the GTWBPIGR model uses the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method, followed by Newton Raphson iteration. Meanwhile, the test statistics on the hypothesis testing is simultaneously testing of the GTWBPIGR model is obtained with the Maximum Likelihood Ratio Test (MLRT) approach, using n large samples of the statistical test is chi-square distribution. Moreover, the test statistics for partially testing used the Z-test statistic.
Life cycle assessment of crushed glass abrasive manufacturing from recycled glass
Authors: Zulkarnain I , Lai L S , Syakir M I , Rahman A A , Yusuff S , Hanafiah M M
Published: November 2021

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the key motivation factors to determine the characteristics of green abrasives, contributing to carbon emissions reduction, reduce waste generation and build up a recycling-based sustainable blasting industry. Such aim can be evaluated through life cycle assessment as a structured basis for evaluating the performance of environmental impacts and benefits of green abrasives application in blasting industry. Crushed glass is one of zero free silica content abrasives from recycled glass, and it is widely used due to inert and safe characteristics. Database of life cycle inventory (LCI) are obtained through literature review. Production of 1 ton/year of crushed glass abrasives has been modelled at gate-to-gate boundary where the human health appears as the major impact potentials (0.71 DALY, disability-adjusted life year) at the production stage. The selection of 100% recycled glass as the raw materials in the supply chain has led to insignificant impact potentials of resources scarcity and ecosystem damages per unit production of 1 ton of crushed glass at USD 4.79 and 0.06 species. year, respectively.
Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions by pomelo peel derived biochar in a permeable reactive barrier: modelling, optimization and mechanism
Authors: Xiang Gang , Long Shengxing , Liu Huijuan , Wu Xianliang
Published: November 2021

Biochar can have multiple benefits, such as solid waste recycling, water pollution treatment, carbon fixation and sustainability, and it is green, friendly, inexpensive and highly efficient. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions using pomelo peel derived biochar combined with a permeable reactive barrier (PRB). Meanwhile, the materials were characterized using SEM, FIIR, XRD, N2 adsorption, Zeta potential, TGA and XPS. The removal conditions were optimized by a response surface methodology (RSM) and a back propagation combined with genetic algorithm (BP-GA). The results show that there were slight changes in the structure of the pomelo peel derived biochar before and after activation, while the variation was not significant. The specific surface areas of the not activated and activated pomelo peel derived biochars were 3.207 m2 g−1 and 6.855 m2 g−1, respectively. The pore diameter of the former was 4.165 nm and that of the latter was 4.425 nm, indicating that the two materials are mainly mesoporous. BP-GA is more suitable than RSM for optimizing the removal conditions of Cd(II) using the prepared materials combined with PRB. The maximum removal efficiency of Cd(II) was 90.31% at biochar dosage = 4.84, reaction time = 53.75 min, initial Cd(II) concentration = 19.36 mg l−1 and initial pH = 6.07. The verification experiment was 88.74% under these experimental conditions, and the absolute error was 1.57%. The saturated adsorption capacity of quartz sand for Cd(II) is approximately 0.08 mg g−1 when reaching equilibrium. The saturated adsorption capacity of biochar for Cd(II) is approximately 29.76 mg g−1. Pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm adsorption were more suitable for describing the Cd(II) adsorbed from an aqueous solution by activated pomelo peel derived biochar. The adsorption process of Cd(II) by the prepared biochar was spontaneous, endothermic and entropy driven. Our results suggest that the modified pomelo peel derived biochar can be regenerated within the fourth cycle and that it has application prospects as a useful adsorbent for water treatment in PRB systems. This finding provides a reference for relieving Cd pollution and for its large scale removal from wastewater when combined with a PRB system.
3D chest tomosynthesis using a stationary flat panel source array and a stationary detector: a Monte Carlo proof of concept
Authors: Primidis Thomas G , Wells Stephen G , Soloviev Vadim Y , Welsch Carsten P
Published: November 2021

3D imaging modalities such as computed tomography and digital tomosynthesis typically scan the patient from different angles with a lengthy mechanical movement of a single x-ray tube. Therefore, millions of 3D scans per year require expensive mechanisms to support a heavy x-ray source and have to compensate for machine vibrations and patient movements. However, recent developments in cold-cathode field emission technology allow the creation of compact, stationary arrays of emitters. Adaptix Ltd has developed a novel, low-cost, square array of such emitters and demonstrated 3D digital tomosynthesis of human extremities and small animals. The use of cold-cathode field emitters also makes the system compact and lightweight. This paper presents Monte Carlo simulations of a concept upgrade of the Adaptix system from the current 60 kVp to 90 kVp and 120 kVp which are better suited for chest imaging. Between 90 kVp and 120 kVp, 3D image quality appears insensitive to voltage and at 90 kVp the photon yield is reduced by 40%–50% while effective dose declines by 14%. A square array of emitters can adequately illuminate a subject for tomosynthesis from a shorter source-to-image distance, thereby reducing the required input power, and offsetting the 28%–50% more input power that is required for operation at 90 kVp. This modelling suggests that lightweight, stationary cold-cathode x-ray source arrays could be used for chest tomosynthesis at a lower voltage, with less dose and without sacrificing image quality. This will reduce weight, size and cost, enabling 3D imaging to be brought to the bedside.
Investigation of mixed convection magnetized Casson nanomaterial flow with activation energy and gyrotactic microorganisms
Authors: Haq Fazal , Saleem Muzher , Khan M Ijaz
Published: November 2021

Present article addresses mixed convection magnetohydrodynamic Casson nanomaterial flow by stretchable cylinder. The effects of thermal, solutal and motile density stratifications at the boundary of the surface are accounted. Flow governing expressions are acquired considering aspects of permeability, thermal radiation, chemical reaction, viscous dissipation and activation energy. The obtained flow model is made dimensionless through transformations and then tackled by NDsolve code in Mathematica. Physical impacts of sundry variables on nanomaterial velocity, temperature distribution, volume fraction of microorganisms and mass concentration is investigated through plots. Furthermore, quantities of engineering interest like surface drag force, heat transfer rate, density number and Sherwood number are computed and analyzed. We observed that fluid velocity diminishes for higher curvature variable, Casson fluid material variable, Hartmann number and permeability parameter. Fluid temperature has a direct relation with Eckert number, thermophoresis variable, Brownian dispersal parameter, Prandtl number and Hartmann number. Volume fraction of gyrotactic microorganisms is decreasing function of bioconvection Lewis number, stratification parameter and bioconvection Peclet number. Detailed observations are itemized at the end.
Ge-on-Si single-photon avalanche diode detectors for short-wave infrared wavelengths
Authors: Thorburn Fiona , Yi Xin , Greener Zoë M , Kirdoda Jaroslaw , Millar Ross W , Huddleston Laura L , Paul Douglas J , Buller Gerald S
Published: November 2021

Germanium-on-silicon (Ge-on-Si) based single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have recently emerged as a promising detector candidate for ultra-sensitive and picosecond resolution timing measurement of short-wave infrared (SWIR) photons. Many applications benefit from operating in the SWIR spectral range, such as long distance light detection and ranging, however, there are few single-photon detectors exhibiting the high-performance levels obtained by all-silicon SPADs commonly used for single-photon detection at wavelengths <1 µm. This paper first details the advantages of operating at SWIR wavelengths, the current technologies, and associated issues, and describes the potential of Ge-on-Si SPADs as a single-photon detector technology for this wavelength region. The working principles, fabrication and characterisation processes of such devices are subsequently detailed. We review the research in these single-photon detectors and detail the state-of-the-art performance. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities offered by Ge-on-Si SPAD detectors are discussed.
Gradient domain machine learning with composite kernels: improving the accuracy of PES and force fields for large molecules
Authors: Asnaashari K , Krems R V
Published: November 2021

The generalization accuracy of machine learning models of potential energy surfaces (PES) and force fields (FF) for large polyatomic molecules can be improved either by increasing the number of training points or by improving the models. In order to build accurate models based on expensive ab initio calculations, much of recent work has focused on the latter. In particular, it has been shown that gradient domain machine learning (GDML) models produce accurate results for high-dimensional molecular systems with a small number of ab initio calculations. The present work extends GDML to models with composite kernels built to maximize inference from a small number of molecular geometries. We illustrate that GDML models can be improved by increasing the complexity of underlying kernels through a greedy search algorithm using Bayesian information criterion as the model selection metric. We show that this requires including anisotropy into kernel functions and produces models with significantly smaller generalization errors. The results are presented for ethanol, uracil, malonaldehyde and aspirin. For aspirin, the model with composite kernels trained by forces at 1000 randomly sampled molecular geometries produces a global 57-dimensional PES with the mean absolute accuracy 0.177 kcal mol−1 (61.9 cm−1) and FFs with the mean absolute error 0.457 kcal mol−1 Å−1.
Analysis of the charging kinetics in silver nanoparticles-silica nanocomposite dielectrics at different temperatures
Authors: Djaou C , Villeneuve-Faure C , Makasheva K , Boudou L , Teyssedre G
Published: November 2021

Dielectric nanocomposite materials are now involved in a large panel of electrical engineering applications ranging from micro-/nano-electronics to power devices. The performances of all these systems are critically dependent on the evolution of the electrical properties of the dielectric parts, especially under temperature increase. In this study we investigate the impact of a single plane of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), embedded near the surface of a thin silica (SiO2) layer, on the electric field distribution, the charge injection and the charge dynamic processes for different AgNPs-based nanocomposites and various temperatures in the range 25°C–110°C. The electrical charges are injected locally by using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) tip and the related surface potential profile is probed by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM). To get deeper in the understanding of the physical phenomena, the electric field distribution in the AgNPs-based nanocomposites is computed by using a Finite Element Modeling (FEM). The results show a strong electrostatic coupling between the AFM tip and the AgNPs, as well as between the AgNPs when the AgNPs-plane is embedded in the vicinity of the SiO2-layer surface. At low temperature (25°C) the presence of an AgNPs-plane close to the surface, i.e., at a distance of 7 nm, limits the amount of injected charges. Besides, the AgNPs retain the injected charges and prevent from charge lateral spreading after injection. When the temperature is relatively high (110°C) the amount of injected charges is increased in the nanocomposites compared to low temperatures. Moreover, the speed of lateral charge spreading is increased for the AgNPs-based nanocomposites. All these findings imply that the lateral charge transport in the nanocomposite structures is favored by the closely situated AgNPs because of the strong electrostatic coupling between them, additionally activated by the temperature increase.
Hyaluronic Acid Compound Filling Plus Mesotherapy vs Botulinum Toxin A for the Treatment of Horizontal Neck Lines: A Multicenter, Randomized, Evaluator-Blinded, Prospective Study in Chinese Subjects
Authors: Li Yiming , Liao Meirong , Zhu Yijin , Gao Jie , Song Yang , Zhai Yang , Zhu Miao , He Yan , Dong Weiwei
Published: November 2021

Background

Although energy devices and botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) can alleviate age-related laxity, ptosis, and platysmal bands, they have limited efficacy on horizontal neck lines.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and subject satisfaction of a combined treatment of non–cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) compound filling plus mesotherapy for the correction of horizontal neck lines, in comparison with BTX-A.

Methods

This multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded, prospective study enrolled female patients with moderate-to-severe horizontal neck lines corrected with either 2 or 3 sessions of of non–cross-linked HA compound filling plus mesotherapy or 1 session of BTX-A injection. Improvement of the neck lines grades, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), patient satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated and compared at 1, 3, 6, and 10 months after the final treatment.

Results

Twenty-five patients received HA filling plus mesotherapy and 23 received BTX-A injection. Compared with BTX-A, the HA compound filling plus mesotherapy significantly improved the horizontal neck lines grades on all follow-up visits (P = 0.000). Cases of different baseline grades (2, 2.5, and 3) demonstrated similar outcomes. The GAIS and patients’ satisfaction ratings were significantly higher for the HA filling plus mesotherapy treatment group (P = 0.000). Significantly higher pain ratings, higher incidence, and longer recovery of AEs (erythema, edema, and ecchymosis) were noticed in the combined treatment group (P < 0.001). No serious AEs occurred.

Conclusions

Compared with BTX-A, combined treatment with HA compound filling plus mesotherapy significantly improved moderate-to-severe horizontal neck lines and achieved a high level of patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence: 4
Cortical circuit dysfunction in a mouse model of alpha-synucleinopathy in vivo
Authors: Blumenstock Sonja , Sun Fanfan , Klaus Carolin , Marinković Petar , Sgobio Carmelo , Paeger Lars , Liebscher Sabine , Herms Jochen
Published: November 2021

Considerable fluctuations in cognitive performance and eventual dementia are an important characteristic of alpha-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body dementia and are linked to cortical dysfunction. The presence of misfolded and aggregated alpha-synuclein in the cerebral cortex of patients has been suggested to play a crucial role in this process. However, the consequences of a-synuclein accumulation on the function of cortical networks at cellular resolution in vivo are largely unknown. Here, we induced robust a-synuclein pathology in the cerebral cortex using the striatal seeding model in wild-type mice. Nine months after a single intrastriatal injection of a-synuclein preformed fibrils, we observed profound alterations of the function of layer 2/3 cortical neurons in somatosensory cortex by in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in awake mice. We detected increased spontaneous activity levels, an enhanced response to whisking and increased synchrony. Stereological analyses revealed a reduction in glutamic acid decarboxylase 67-positive inhibitory neurons in the somatosensory cortex of mice injected with preformed fibrils. Importantly, these findings point to a disturbed excitation/inhibition balance as a relevant driver of circuit dysfunction, potentially underlying cognitive changes in alpha-synucleinopathies.
Teaching an old dog new tricks: serum troponin T as a biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Castro-Gomez Sergio , Radermacher Barbara , Tacik Pawel , Mirandola Sandra R , Heneka Michael T , Weydt Patrick
Published: November 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Diagnosis, management and therapeutic trials are hampered by a lack of informative biomarkers. Troponins are components of skeletal and cardiac muscles. Acute elevation of cardiac isoforms of troponin I and T in serum indicates myocardial injury. Case reports suggested that serum levels of cardiac troponin T, but not cardiac troponin I are chronically elevated in myotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neuromuscular disorders. Using standard clinical laboratory methodologies, we studied serum troponin levels in a multicentric cross-sectional cohort of 75 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and 30 Alzheimer’s disease controls and 29 healthy controls (DESCRIBE-ALS cohort) and in a real-world cohort of 179 consecutive patients from our amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic at the University Hospital Bonn. We found that serum cardiac troponin T is elevated in >60% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, while cardiac troponin I is always normal. Serum cardiac troponin T levels increase over time and correlate with disease severity as measured with the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale score. There was no correlation with the phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. We propose that cardiac troponin T elevations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are of non-cardiac origin and may serve as a proxy of lower motor neuron or skeletal muscle involvement. They potentially help to stratify patients according to lower motoneuron involvement. Further research will determine the biological origin of the cardiac troponin T elevation and its validity as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker. Our finding also serves as a reminder to interpret cardiac troponin T elevations in patients with neuromuscular diseases with caution.
Identification of proprioceptive thalamocortical tracts in children: comparison of fMRI, MEG, and manual seeding of probabilistic tractography
Authors: Jaatela Julia , Aydogan Dogu Baran , Nurmi Timo , Vallinoja Jaakko , Piitulainen Harri
Published: November 2021

Studying white matter connections with tractography is a promising approach to understand the development of different brain processes, such as proprioception. An emerging method is to use functional brain imaging to select the cortical seed points for tractography, which is considered to improve the functional relevance and validity of the studied connections. However, it is unknown whether different functional seeding methods affect the spatial and microstructural properties of the given white matter connection. Here, we compared functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography, and manual seeding of thalamocortical proprioceptive tracts for finger and ankle joints separately. We showed that all three seeding approaches resulted in robust thalamocortical tracts, even though there were significant differences in localization of the respective proprioceptive seed areas in the sensorimotor cortex, and in the microstructural properties of the obtained tracts. Our study shows that the selected functional or manual seeding approach might cause systematic biases to the studied thalamocortical tracts. This result may indicate that the obtained tracts represent different portions and features of the somatosensory system. Our findings highlight the challenges of studying proprioception in the developing brain and illustrate the need for using multimodal imaging to obtain a comprehensive view of the studied brain process.