bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge: Experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic
Authors: Andriessen Nienke , Appiah-Effah Eugene , Browne Shirley Josephine Iyamide , al Jahjah Rita , Kabika Joel , Kinobe Joel Robert , Korir Naomi , Nishimwe Pius , Niwagaba Charles Buregeya , Pradeep Rohini , Prasad Prerna , Tembo James Madalitso , William Andruga , Ambuehl Benjamin , Strande Linda
Published: March 2023

Reasonable estimates for quantities and qualities (Q&Q) of fecal sludge that accumulate in onsite sanitation containments are fundamental for the design of appropriate management and treatment solutions, from community to city-scale. There are increasing attempts to improve Q&Q estimates, but current approaches are still at a conceptual level, and are not yet standardized with confirmed statistical relationships. To reach this level, we will need consistent approaches for planning, measuring, and global collaborations. Hence, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess and compare Q&Q of fecal sludge from seven cities and communities, and explore statistical relationships that could be used to increase accuracy of Q&Q estimations; (2) to test and launch the Volaser device for measuring in situ volumes of fecal sludge; and (3) to capture lessons learned from field implementation with collaborators in seven countries during a global pandemic when no international travel was possible. The study took place in Ghana, India, Lebanon, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q&Qs were measured in 204 containments with a Volaser, laboratory analysis, and questionnaire. Results indicate that there are differences in Total Solids (TS) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in fecal sludge based on containment type, toilet type, source, and whether there is a water connection on the premises. Based on the results of this study, together with previously published open-source data, an empirical relationship for Volatile Solids (VS) and TS of 0.49 (R2 = 0.88) was established using 1,206 data points. For COD/TS, no significant relationship was observed. Developing such empirical relationships will be useful for planning and modeling approaches. An external evaluation was conducted to evaluate overall project management, Volaser technology transfer, and effects of collaborating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Success factors for collaborating with new and existing partners without face-to-face meetings included laboratory capacity and experience with analytical methods, study objectives that were relevant for the partner and locality, and a strong quality assurance plan to ensure comparability of results. The lessons learned can be taken forward as ways to reduce carbon footprint, and contribute to resilient, inclusive development research projects.
Capturing systematically users' experience of evaluation tools for integrated AMU and AMR surveillance
Authors: Alban Lis , Bordier Marion , Häsler Barbara , Collineau Lucie , Tomassone Laura , Bennani Houda , Aenishaenslin Cécile , Norström Madelaine , Aragrande Maurizio , Filippitzi Maria Eleni , Moura Pedro , Sandberg Marianne
Published: March 2023

Tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a goal for many countries. Integrated surveillance of antimicrobial use (AMU) and resistance is a prerequisite for effective risk mitigation. Regular evaluation of any surveillance is needed to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency. The question is how to evaluate specifically integrated surveillance for AMU and AMR. In an international network called CoEvalAMR, we have developed guidelines for selection of the most appropriate tools for such an evaluation. Moreover, we have assessed different evaluation tools as examples using a country case format and a methodology with a focus on the user's experience. This paper describes the updated methodology, which consists of a brief introduction to the case and to the tool separately. Moreover, there are 12 functional aspects and nine content themes which should be scored using a 4-tiered scale. Additionally, four Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) questions should be addressed. Results are illustrated using radar diagrams. An example of application of the updated methodology is given using the ECoSur evaluation tool. No tool can cover all evaluation aspects comprehensively in a user-friendly manner, so the choice of tool must be based upon the specific evaluation purpose. Moreover, adequate resources, time and training are needed to obtain useful outputs from the evaluation. Our updated methodology can be used by tool users to share their experience with available tools, and hereby assist other users in identifying the most suited tool for their evaluation purpose. Additionally, tool developers can get valuable information for further improvements of their tool.
Co-detection of respiratory syncytial virus with other respiratory viruses across all age groups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hayek Haya , Amarin Justin Z. , Qwaider Yasmeen Z. , Khanfar Asim , Stopczynski Tess , Schmitz Jonathan , Chappell James D. , Wrenn Jesse O. , Spieker Andrew J. , Halasa Natasha B. , Howard Leigh M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Patterns of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) co-detection with other viruses may have been disrupted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but the clinical impact of viral co-detections with RSV is not well-established. We aimed to explore the frequency and clinical outcomes associated with RSV single detection and co-detection before and during the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of all children and adults with respiratory samples tested using a respiratory pathogen panel (RPP; 01/01/2018–11/30/2022), a provider-ordered polymerase chain reaction–based assay that detects respiratory pathogens. We stratified our cohort into age groups: 0–4, 5–17, 18–64, and ≥65 years old. Among RSV-positive samples, we compared the proportion of samples with single RSV detection before and during the pandemic and the patterns of specific viral co-detections. We compared the odds of hospitalization, oxygen use, intensive care unit admission, and intubation between individuals with RSV single detection and those with co-detection.

Results

Among 57,940 samples collected during the study period, 3,986 (6.9%) were RSV-positive. RSV was co-detected with at least one other virus in 1,231/3,158 (39.0%), 104/348 (29.9%), 49/312 (15.7%), and 21/168 (12.5%) of samples from individuals 0–4, 5–17, 18–64, and ≥65 years old, respectively. The relative frequencies of RSV single detection and co-detection were comparable before and during the pandemic except in children 0–4 years old, in whom single RSV detections were more prevalent before (63.7%) than during (59.5%) the pandemic (p=0.021). In children 0–4 years old, RSV co-detection was associated with lower odds of hospitalization compared to single RSV detection, and RSV co-detection with parainfluenza viruses or human rhinovirus/enterovirus was associated with significantly lower odds of hospitalization, while RSV/SARS-CoV-2 co-detection was associated with higher odds of ICU admission. In adults ≥65 years old, RSV co-detection was associated with lower odds of oxygen use.

Conclusion

The proportion of RSV co-detection did not appreciably vary before and during the pandemic, except in young children, though the combinations of co-detected viruses did vary. Our findings suggest that the clinical impact of RSV co-detection with other viruses may be age-associated and virus-specific.
The Influence of Wheat Germ Expeller on Performance and Selected Parameters of Carbohydrate, Lipid, and Protein Metabolism in Blood Serum for Broilers
Authors: Goluch Zuzanna , Okruszek Andrzej , Sierżant Kamil , Wierzbicka-Rucińska Aldona
Published: March 2023

The effect of replacing (5, 10, and 15%) wheat middlings in the feed of broiler chickens (EX5, EX10, EX15) with wheat germ expeller (WGE) on their parameters of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism was examined. Thirty-two randomly chosen broilers on day 43 were slaughtered, and their blood and liver were sampled. The concentration of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and protein and their fractions were tested in the blood serum. In livers, total protein and fat contents were analyzed. It has been found that replacing wheat middlings with 10% and 15% of expeller results in (p ≤ 0.05) a lower final body weight than CT. A higher feed, fat, protein, and methionine intake was noted in groups EX5-EX15 compared to CT. No alterations were found in the protein and fat content in the livers and the blood lipid profile of chickens. Changes in the protein metabolism of broilers indicate the need to research. WGE does not interfere with the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. However, WGE did not contribute to obtaining production benefits.
Black Soldier Fly Larva Fat in Broiler Chicken Diets Affects Breast Meat Quality
Authors: Kierończyk Bartosz , Rawski Mateusz , Mikołajczak Zuzanna , Szymkowiak Piotr , Stuper-Szablewska Kinga , Józefiak Damian
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the dose-dependent effect of black soldier fly (BFL) larvae fat inclusion in broiler chicken diets on breast meat quality. Four hundred 1-day-old male birds (Ross 308) were assigned to the following four treatments (10 replicates with 10 birds each): HI0, a basal diet without dietary fat inclusion, and HI03, HI06, and HI09, basal diets enriched with 30 g/kg, 60 g/kg, and 90 g/kg of BSF larvae fat, respectively. Principal component analysis showed noticeable differentiation between the selected plant, animal, and insect-origin dietary fats. The BSF fat exhibits a strong relationship with saturated fatty acids (SFAs), resulting in a high concentration of C12:0 and C14:0. The fatty acid (FA) profile in breast muscle obtained from broilers fed diets with increasing insect fat inclusion showed a significant linear effect in terms of C12:0, C15:0, C18:2, C18:3n6, and total FAs. The proportion of dietary insect fat had a quadratic effect on meat color. The water-holding capacity indices have stayed consistent with the meat color changes. Throughout the experiment, favorable growth performance results were noticed in HI06. The present study confirmed that BSF larvae fat negatively affects the n3 level in meat. However, the physicochemical indices related to consumer acceptance were not altered to negatively limit their final decision, even when a relatively high inclusion of insect fat was used.
Mangcuo Lake in Hengduan Mountains: An Important Alpine Breeding and Stopover Site along Central Asian Flyway
Authors: Wang Fang , Yang Yongbing , Song Gang , Shi Xiaojuan , Pu Bu , Yang Le
Published: March 2023

The stopovers provide food and habitat for migratory birds and therefore play an important role in facilitating the birds’ completion of their migration. The Hengduan Mountains, which have a complex topography, are located in a large corridor of the Central Asian migratory flyway, so the lakes along the Hengduan Mountains are important for waterbird migration. The existing research on lakes in the Hengduan Mountain area is mostly concentrated in the central and southern parts of the mountains, which proves that many lakes are wintering grounds for migrating birds. We wonder whether the ecological functions of lakes will change more with further elevation. With this question, we conducted four surveys for the seasonal bird survey in Mangcuo Lake, which is located in the northwest of the Hengduan Mountains, in Markam County of Qamdo City, between October 2019 and July 2020. We recorded a total of 6109 birds from 20 species of waterbirds, including 20 species of migratory waterbirds, accounting for 100% of all bird species. The diversity and richness of waterbirds in Mangtso Lake is shown as spring > autumn ≥, summer > winter, with no waterbirds in winter. The black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), bar-headed goose (Anser indicus), and ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) were the dominant species in the waterbird community. The highest number of waterbird species and total individuals were found in the transition zone between the marsh wetlands and lakes, and the number of waterbird species differed significantly among habitats (X2 = 14.405, p = 0.000), with habitat complexity being an important factor influencing waterfowl abundance and distribution. The IUCN Red-listed species recorded include the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), and common pochard (Aythya ferina). By comparing with other lakes in Hengduan Mountain, we found that the ecological functions of the plateau lakes in the Hengduan Mountains, to support the life histories of migrating waterbirds, are gradually transforming as the altitude rises, and can be divided into approximately three levels, with the first level of Qionghai, Chenghai, Erhai, and Jianhu at altitudes of 1500–2200 m being the most important ecological function in terms of providing wintering grounds for migrating birds. The second layer, at an altitude of 2400–3300 m, includes Lashihai, Lugu Lake, and Napahai, which are not only wintering wetlands for migratory birds but also important stopover sites. The third layer of Mangcuo Lake, which is above 4000 m above sea level, provides a breeding ground for some migratory waterbirds in summer and a migratory resting place for migratory waterbirds in spring and autumn. We advocate for the importance of Mangcuo Lake in the alpine region along the central Asian flyway, as well as emerging nature conservation action that was previously neglected.
The Social and Reproductive Challenges Faced by Free-Roaming Horse (Equus caballus) Stallions
Authors: Górecka-Bruzda Aleksandra , Jaworska Joanna , Stanley Christina R.
Published: March 2023

In captivity, intact male horses, due to their sexual drive, are usually socially isolated from other horses. This lifestyle strongly contrasts with that experienced by horses living in free-roaming, feral, or semi-feral conditions, where adult stallions have several roles in their social group, with successful reproduction being their primary drive. Reproductive skew in wild populations is high; many stallions will fail to reproduce at all, while others achieve high levels of reproductive success, siring a large number of foals. Successful stallions are those with particular characteristics and abilities that facilitate harem formation and tenure, allowing them to successfully take over a harem or establish a new one, protect mares from rival stallions, employ appropriate social behaviour to maintain group cohesion, and avoid kin-mating, for example through kin recognition mechanisms. Whilst the life of free-living stallions is far from stress-free, they retain ancestral adaptations to selection pressures (such as predation and competition) exhibited by their natural environment over thousands of years. Here, we discuss the challenges faced by free-living horse stallions, the roles they play in social groups, and their resulting social needs. By understanding these pressures and how stallions react to them, we highlighted the importance of the social environment for the stallion. It is hoped that a better understanding of wild stallions’ lives will lead to their needs being more clearly met in captivity, reducing stereotypical behaviour and improving welfare.
Improving Antimicrobial Use to Protect the Environment: What Is the Role of Infection Specialists?
Authors: Walpole Sarah Catherine , Eii Min Na , Lyons Tracy , Aldridge Catherine
Published: March 2023

Anthropogenic environmental changes are causing severe damage to the natural and social systems on which human health depends. The environmental impacts of the manufacture, use, and disposal of antimicrobials cannot be underestimated. This article explores the meaning of environmental sustainability and four sustainability principles (prevention, patient engagement, lean service delivery, and low carbon alternatives) that infection specialists can apply to support environmental sustainability in health systems. To prevent inappropriate use of antimicrobials and consequent antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires international, national, and local surveillance plans and action supporting antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Engaging patients in addressing environmental sustainability, for example through public awareness campaigns about the appropriate disposal of unused and expired antimicrobials, could drive environmentally sustainable changes. Streamlining service delivery may include using innovative methods such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), or genotype-guided point of care testing (POCT) to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing and risk of adverse effects. Infection specialists can assess and advise on lower carbon alternatives such as choosing oral (PO) over intravenous (IV) antimicrobials where clinically appropriate. By applying sustainability principles, infection specialists can promote the effective use of healthcare resources, improve care quality, protect the environment, and prevent harm to current and future generations.
Salvia miltiorrhiza Alleviates Memory Deficit Induced by Ischemic Brain Injury in a Transient MCAO Mouse Model by Inhibiting Ferroptosis
Authors: Ko Geon , Kim Jinho , Jeon Yeong-Jae , Lee Donghun , Baek Hyeon-Man , Chang Keun-A
Published: March 2023

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) has been used in oriental medicine for its neuroprotective effects against cardiovascular diseases and ischemic stroke. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic mechanism underlying the effects of SM on stroke using a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model. Our results showed that SM administration significantly attenuated acute brain injury, including brain infarction and neurological deficits, 3 days after tMCAO. This was confirmed by our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, which revealed a reduction in brain infarction with SM administration, as well as our magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) study, which demonstrated the restoration of brain metabolites, including taurine, total creatine, and glutamate. The neuroprotective effects of SM were associated with the reduction in gliosis and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), along with the upregulation of phosphorylated STAT3 in post-ischemic brains. SM also reduced the levels of 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which are markers of lipid peroxidation, induced by oxidative stress upregulation in the penumbra of the tMCAO mouse brain. SM administration attenuated ischemic neuronal injury by inhibiting ferroptosis. Additionally, post-ischemic brain synaptic loss and neuronal loss were alleviated by SM administration, as demonstrated by Western blot and Nissl staining. Moreover, daily administration of SM for 28 days after tMCAO significantly reduced neurological deficits and improved survival rates in tMCAO mice. SM administration also resulted in improvement in post-stroke cognitive impairment, as measured by the novel object recognition and passive avoidance tests in tMCAO mice. Our findings suggest that SM provides neuroprotection against ischemic stroke and has potential as a therapeutic agent.
Proteome Dynamics of Persulfidation in Leaf Tissue under Light/Dark Conditions and Carbon Deprivation
Authors: Jurado-Flores Ana , Gotor Cecilia , Romero Luis C.
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) acts as a signaling molecule in plants, bacteria, and mammals, regulating various physiological and pathological processes. The molecular mechanism by which hydrogen sulfide exerts its action involves the posttranslational modification of cysteine residues to form a persulfidated thiol motif. This research aimed to study the regulation of protein persulfidation. We used a label-free quantitative approach to measure the protein persulfidation profile in leaves under different growth conditions such as light regimen and carbon deprivation. The proteomic analysis identified a total of 4599 differentially persulfidated proteins, of which 1115 were differentially persulfidated between light and dark conditions. The 544 proteins that were more persulfidated in the dark were analyzed, and showed significant enrichment in functions and pathways related to protein folding and processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Under light conditions, the persulfidation profile changed, and the number of differentially persulfidated proteins increased up to 913, with the proteasome and ubiquitin-dependent and ubiquitin-independent catabolic processes being the most-affected biological processes. Under carbon starvation conditions, a cluster of 1405 proteins was affected by a reduction in their persulfidation, being involved in metabolic processes that provide primary metabolites to essential energy pathways and including enzymes involved in sulfur assimilation and sulfide production.
Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris Bark Extracts: Characterization, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Effects
Authors: Macovei Irina , Luca Simon Vlad , Skalicka-Woźniak Krystyna , Horhogea Cristina Elena , Rimbu Cristina Mihaela , Sacarescu Liviu , Vochita Gabriela , Gherghel Daniela , Ivanescu Bianca Laura , Panainte Alina Diana , Nechita Constantin , Corciova Andreia , Miron Anca
Published: March 2023

In recent years, phytofunctionalized AgNPs have attracted great interest due to their remarkable biological activities. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris bark extracts. The chemical profile of these bark extracts was analyzed by LC-HRMS/MS. As a first step, the synthesis parameters (pH, AgNO3 concentration, ratio of bark extract and AgNO3, temperature, and reaction time) were optimized. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, DLS, SEM, EDX, and TEM. Their antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, MTT, and broth microdilution assays, respectively. Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris bark extract-derived AgNPs were well-dispersed, spherical, small (average particle size of 9.92 and 24.49 nm, respectively), stable (zeta potential values of −10.9 and −10.8 mV, respectively), and cytotoxic to A-375 human malignant melanoma cells (IC50 = 2.40 ± 0.21 and 6.02 ± 0.61 μg/mL, respectively). The phytosynthesized AgNPs also showed antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
The C-3 Functionalization of 1H-Indazole through Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Catalyzed by a Ferrocene-Based Divalent Palladium Complex Immobilized over Ionic Liquid, as Well as Theoretical Insights into the Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Yu Jinmeng , Zheng Aqun , Jin Lu , Wu Yong , Pan Qin , Wang Xiangdong , Li Xiaoyong , Wang Wanqin , Gao Min , Sun Yang
Published: March 2023

The C-3 functionalization of 1H-indazole could produce a lot of highly valuable pharmaceutical precursors, which could be used for the treatment of cancer and many other inflammatory diseases. This work was focused on the C-3 functionalization of 1H-indazole through Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of 3-iodo-1H-indazole with organoboronic acids, catalyzed by various palladium catalysts immobilized over imidazolium ionic liquids, as well as catalyst recycling. A series of reaction parameters, including the substrate, catalyst, and ionic liquid, were fully investigated. It is significant to note that the yields of the present Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling were mainly determined by the catalyst and the solvent used, more than the chemical structure of the substrate. Furthermore, ferrocene-based divalent palladium complexes showed better catalytic outputs compared to simple palladium salts. Moreover, using two imidazolium ionic liquids, BMImX (BMIm+ = 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, X− = BF4−, PF6−) not only improved the yields of cross-coupled products, but also avoided the formation of Pd(0) black, as compared to the non-ionic liquid facilitated reactions, and simultaneously making catalyst recycling more effective. On average, BMImBF4 performed better than BMImPF6. Additionally, scientific calculations revealed that 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-palladium(II)dichloride dichloromethane complex (PdCl2(dppf)) showed a lower energy barrier in the formation of intermediates than [1,1′-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (PdCl2(dtbpf)), leading to higher catalytic outputs. This work may contribute to the development of 1H-indazole-derived new pharmaceuticals.
A Study on Detection of Malicious Behavior Based on Host Process Data Using Machine Learning
Authors: Han Ryeobin , Kim Kookjin , Choi Byunghun , Jeong Youngsik
Published: March 2023

With the rapid increase in the number of cyber-attacks, detecting and preventing malicious behavior has become more important than ever before. In this study, we propose a method for detecting and classifying malicious behavior in host process data using machine learning algorithms. One of the challenges in this study is dealing with high-dimensional and imbalanced data. To address this, we first preprocessed the data using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) to reduce the dimensions of the data and visualize the distribution. We then used the Adaptive Synthetic (ADASYN) and Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) to handle the imbalanced data. We trained and evaluated the performance of the models using various machine learning algorithms, such as K-Nearest Neighbor, Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Autoencoder, and Memory-Augmented Deep Autoencoder (MemAE). Our results show that the preprocessed datasets using both ADASYN and SMOTE significantly improved the performance of all models, achieving higher precision, recall, and F1-Score values. Notably, the best performance was obtained when using the preprocessed dataset (SMOTE) with the MemAE model, yielding an F1-Score of 1.00. The evaluation was also conducted by measuring the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC), which showed that all models performed well with an AUROC of over 90%. Our proposed method provides a promising approach for detecting and classifying malicious behavior in host process data using machine learning algorithms, which can be used in various fields such as anomaly detection and medical diagnosis.
Assessing and Monitoring Physical Performance Using Wearable Technologies in Volleyball Players: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sousa António C. , Marques Diogo L. , Marinho Daniel A. , Neiva Henrique P. , Marques Mário C.
Published: March 2023

Wearable devices have been used to assess and monitor volleyball performance. Given the diversity of technologies used and the variables measured, this study aimed to synthesize and review the wearable technology used to assess and monitor physical performance in volleyball players. A comprehensive search of published articles was performed in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, up to 23 October 2022. Studies with volleyball players of any age that used a wearable device to assess or monitor physical performance (e.g., jump height) were included. Nine studies conducted with male or female volleyball players were included. The participants’ age ranged between 16 and 32 years. Eight studies used Triaxial IMU, and one study used Vertec IMU. The performance analysis was based on vertical jump ability (n = 7) and overall volleyball performance (n = 2). Of the nine studies analyzed, 75% of the studies revealed blinding at the participant level and allocation concealment, and 95% reported a low risk of bias in the outcome assessment. This study shows that monitoring and assessing vertical jump ability through wearable devices is an increasing procedure in volleyball. Therefore, as jump height is a critical variable in athletic performance in volleyball, coaches and researchers might consider using wearable devices to assess and monitor physical performance changes in volleyball players.
Mechanical Behavior of a Mine Tailing Stabilized with a Sustainable Binder
Authors: Manaviparast Hamid Reza , Pinheiro João , Najafi Elmira Khaksar , Abreu Cláudia , Araújo Nuno , Cristelo Nuno , Miranda Tiago
Published: March 2023

Mining is a primary sector for the national economy of many countries, but exploiting these natural resources causes negative impacts on the environment. Tailings produced during mining, called mine tailings, have to be disposed of, and for that purpose, they are often mixed with Portland cement to control environmental toxicity and improve their mechanical properties. However, the high environmental impacts of producing Portland cement are well known. In this sense, sustainable binders based on the alkaline activation of industrial wastes have been studied as an alternative to using Portland cement. This study focused on applying a sustainable binder based on the alkaline activation of fly ash to improve the mechanical performance of a mine tailing from a mine located in Portugal. Geotechnical tests and chemical analysis were conducted to characterize the mine tailing and fly ash used in the alkaline activation process. In addition, triaxial tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical performance of the specimens, with both natural and stabilized tailings. The developed study proved that stabilized tailing with activated fly ash shows promising mechanical performance showing that this approach can be an excellent alternative to using Portland cement.
Online Adaptive Set of Virtual Voltage Vectors for Stator Current Regulation of a Six-Phase Induction Machine Using Finite State Model Predictive Controllers
Authors: Arahal Manuel R. , Satué Manuel G. , Barrero Federico , Martín Cristina
Published: March 2023

Virtual voltage vectors (VVV) have been used for the control of multi-phase induction machines, where different sub-spaces appear related to the torque production and losses generation. In the literature, several sets of VVV have been used, aiming at reducing harmonic content while maintaining a low computational burden. This paper proposes the use of different sets of VVV to regulate the stator current of multi-phase drives using finite-state model predictive controllers. In the proposal, only one set is active at each control period. This active set is obtained through a preliminary analysis using performance maps. As a result, a method is derived for the online selection using the current operating point. The selection is based on a simple computation from variables usually measured on variable-speed drives. Results are provided for a symmetrical six-phase IM, showing that the proposal improves the closed-loop performance of the multi-phase drive with a low computational cost.
Special Issue: Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics to the Built Environment
Authors: Keenahan Jennifer
Published: March 2023

With ever-increasing computational power and the capability of numerical methods, it is now possible to accurately simulate flow conditions in a virtual environment [...]
Experimental Investigation of Controlled and Uncontrolled Rectifiers for Low-Power Wind Turbines
Authors: Alzahrani Ahmad
Published: March 2023

The holistic objective of producing 100% renewable generated electricity motivates the development of low-power and efficient domestic wind turbines. The wind turbine’s efficiency can be maximized by operating it in a variable speed configuration, thus harvesting all the wind power. However, the harvesting process requires a two-stage conversion from AC to DC and from DC–DC or DC–AC. The paper aims to analyze the performance of the first stage of AC–DC rectification in terms of output voltage ripple and voltage regulation when the loading conditions vary abruptly. In addition, this work investigates the basic uncontrolled and controlled rectification methods for low-power wind turbines. The role of the output capacitance and its effect on output voltage ripples is illustrated. Finally, the paper highlights the design of a three-phase controlled rectifier using a simple yet effective firing angle control of a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) device. The delay caused due to the firing angle variations is reported in the simulations and experimental results to support the conclusion drawn from this study.
Comparison of Resin Cement’s Different Thicknesses and Poisson’s Ratios on the Stress Distribution of Class II Amalgam Restoration Using Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Gönder Hakan Yasin , Fidancıoğlu Yasemin Derya , Fidan Muhammet , Mohammadi Reza , Karabekiroğlu Said
Published: March 2023

Using a three-dimensional finite element analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different cements’ thicknesses and Poisson’s ratios on the stress distribution in enamel, dentin, restoration, and resin cement in a computer-aided design of a class II disto-occlusal cavity. Dental tomography was used to scan the maxillary first molar, creating a three-dimensional tooth model. A cavity was created with a 95 degree cavity edge angle. Resin cement with varying Poisson’s ratios (V1: 0.35 and V2: 0.24) was used under the amalgam. The simulated groups’ thicknesses ranged from 50 µm to 150 µm. A load of 600 N was applied to the chewing area. The finite element method was used to assess the stress distribution in the enamel, dentin, restorations, and resin cement. The stress in the restoration increased with the use of a 100 µm resin cement thickness and decreased with the use of a 150 µm resin cement thickness. For the V1 and V2 groups, the cement thickness with the maximum stress value for the enamel and dentin was 150 µm, while the cement thickness with the lowest stress value was 50 µm. The greatest stress values for V1 and V2 were obtained at a 150 µm cement thickness, while the lowest stress values were observed at a 100 µm cement thickness. Using resin cement with a low Poisson’s ratio under amalgam may reduce stress on enamel and restorations.
Improved First-Order Motion Model of Image Animation with Enhanced Dense Motion and Repair Ability
Authors: Xu Yu , Xu Feng , Liu Qiang , Chen Jianwen
Published: March 2023

Image animation aims to transfer the posture change of a driving video to the static object of the source image, and has potential applications in various domains, such as film and game industries. The essential part in this task is to generate a video by learning the motion from the driving video while preserving the appearance from the source image. As a result, a new object with the same motion will be generated in the animated video. However, it is a significant challenge if the object pose shows large-scale change. Even the most recent method failed to achieve this correctly with good visual effects. In order to solve the problem of poor visual effects in the videos with the large-scale pose change, a novel method based on an improved first-order motion model (FOMM) with enhanced dense motion and repair ability was proposed in this paper. Firstly, when generating optical flow, we propose an attention mechanism that optimizes the feature representation of the image in both channel and spatial domains through maximum pooling. This enables better distortion of the source image into the feature domain of the driving image. Secondly, we further propose a multi-scale occlusion restoration module that generates a multi-resolution occlusion map by upsampling the low-resolution occlusion map. Following this, the generator redraws the occluded part of the reconstruction result across multiple scales through the multi-resolution occlusion map to achieve more accurate and vivid visual effects. In addition, the proposed model can be trained effectively in an unsupervised manner. We evaluated the proposed model on three benchmark datasets. The experimental results showed that multiple evaluation indicators were improved by our proposed method, and the visual effect of the animated videos obviously outperformed the FOMM. On the Voxceleb1 dataset, the pixel error, average keypoints distance and average Euclidean distance by our proposed method were reduced by 6.5%, 5.1% and 0.7%, respectively. On the TaiChiHD dataset, the pixel error, average keypoints distance and missing keypoints rate measured by our proposed method were reduced by 4.9%, 13.5% and 25.8%, respectively.
Study on the Reducing Measures to Reduce the Influence of Culvert Extension on Existing Lines in Loess Regions
Authors: Zhao Wenhui , Zhang Ke , Han Feng , Wang Dingshun
Published: March 2023

Due to the many constraint conditions, construction difficulties, and high control standards, and the impact of new line construction on existing lines, the construction of culvert extensions in widened sections of loess areas has become a form of control in railway construction projects. This work analyzes the technical difficulties of culvert extension construction schemes based on a practical engineering case. A scheme to provide culvert protection against slight disturbances is determined, and the construction schemes of the culvert extension structure and transition section filling are optimized. The rationality of culvert extension control measures and the influence of construction on the existing line are then studied based on the monitoring data for each stage. The results show that the implementation of the slight disturbance culvert protection has little influence on the existing line, and has the greatest influence during steel sheet pile construction (<0.5 mm). We symmetrically construct the culvert extension structures (transverse) and transition section filling (longitudinal and transverse) to effectively reduce the influence of differences in the deformation value between the two sides of the existing line at the same level as the existing line. The deformation of the upper side of the culvert fluctuates with the construction of the composite foundation and shows an overall upward trend, while the deformation increases first and then decreases in the transition section, and the deformation of the upper side of the culvert is larger than that of the transition section. The level gauge deformation of each side decreases abruptly at the filling stage of the bottom plate, side plate, top plate, and splayed wall. The settlement value of the level gauge of each station increases nonlinearly with the increase in the filling height of the transition section, and the settlement variation value of the transition section at each filling stage is higher than that of the upper side of the culvert.
Efficient Future Waste Management: A Learning-Based Approach with Deep Neural Networks for Smart System (LADS)
Authors: Chauhan Ritu , Shighra Sahil , Madkhali Hatim , Nguyen Linh , Prasad Mukesh
Published: March 2023

Waste segregation, management, transportation, and disposal must be carefully managed to reduce the danger to patients, the public, and risks to the environment’s health and safety. The previous method of monitoring trash in strategically placed garbage bins is a time-consuming and inefficient method that wastes time, human effort, and money, and is also incompatible with smart city needs. So, the goal is to reduce individual decision-making and increase the productivity of the waste categorization process. Using a convolutional neural network (CNN), the study sought to create an image classifier that recognizes items and classifies trash material. This paper provides an overview of trash monitoring methods, garbage disposal strategies, and the technology used in establishing a waste management system. Finally, an efficient system and waste disposal approach is provided that may be employed in the future to improve performance and cost effectiveness. One of the most significant barriers to efficient waste management can now be overcome with the aid of a deep learning technique. The proposed method outperformed the alternative AlexNet, VGG16, and ResNet34 methods.
Effect of Air Inlet Spacing on Air Distribution and Ventilation Performance of Stratum Ventilation Using Multiple Parallel Jets
Authors: Jiang Yaohong , Ma Jiangze , Cheng Yong
Published: March 2023

An appropriate layout of air terminals can improve the thermal comfort and air quality for room occupants. Stratum ventilation (SV) can efficiently provide thermal comfort and quality of inhaled air. However, investigations into the impact of the supply air inlet spacing on performance under SV are lacking. This study conducted experimental measurements and numerical simulations to analyze the effect of the supply inlet spacing on the air distribution and ventilation performance of the SV. Six theoretical axial velocity attenuation formulas were verified using experimental results. The effective draft temperature for SV (EDTS), air diffusion performance index (ADPI), the local mean age of air (LMAA), and energy utilization coefficient (EUC) were used as the evaluation indexes. The results indicated that the modified Abramovich formula was the most suitable for predicting the attenuation of the axial velocity of multiple parallel jets under SV. At an air supply spacing of 650 mm, the position near the central air supply inlet experienced a cold thermal environment with high air velocity and low air temperature; the positions on both sides of the room were warmer owing to insufficient airflow. The air distribution at these positions improved with increasing air inlet spacing, but some areas could not be covered by the supply airflow. The optimal value of ADPI corresponded to an air inlet spacing of 800 mm, whereas optimal LMAA and EUC corresponded to a spacing of 950 mm. Analysis of a multi-objective optimization method indicated that an air inlet spacing of 800 mm provided optimal overall performance.
Behavioral and Performance Analysis of a Real-Time Case Study Event Log: A Process Mining Approach
Authors: Butt Naveed Anwer , Mahmood Zafar , Sana Muhammad Usman , Díez Isabel de la Torre , Galán Juan Castanedo , Brie Santiago , Ashraf Imran
Published: March 2023

Project-based organizations need to procure different commodities, and the failure/success of a project depends heavily on procurement management. Companies must refine and develop methods to simplify and optimize the procurement process in a highly competitive environment. This paper presents a methodology to help managers of project-based organizations analyze procurement processes to determine the optimal framework for simultaneously addressing multiple objectives. These goals include minimizing the time between the generation and required approval for a purchase, identifying unnamed activities, and allocating the budget efficiently. In this paper, we apply process mining algorithms to a dataset consisting of event logs on Oracle Financials-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) procurement processes in ERP systems and demonstrate interesting results leading to project procurement intelligence (PPI). The provided log data is the real-life data consisting of 180,462 events referring to seven activities within 43,101 cases. The logged procurement processes are filtered and analyzed using the open-source process mining frameworks PrOM and Disco. As a result of the process mining activities, a simulation of the discovered process model derived from the event log of the entire procurement process is presented, and the most frequent potential behaviors are identified. This analysis and extraction of frequent processes from corporate event logs help organizations understand, adapt, and redesign procurement operations and, most importantly, make them more efficient and of higher quality. This study shows that after the successful formulation of guiding principles, data refinement, and process structure optimization, the case study results are considered significant by the organization’s management.
Prediction of the Concentration of Particulate Matter 2.5 Using Virtual Sensors Applied to Valle de Aburrá
Authors: Hernandez Cristian M. , Guerra Miryam L. , Acevedo Elizabeth Rodriguez , Isaza Jhon A.
Published: March 2023

Pollution in urban areas has been one of the most relevant problems of the last decade since it represents a threat to public health. Specifically, particulate matter (PM2.5) is a pollutant that causes serious health complications, such as heart and lung diseases. Centers for monitoring contaminants and climatic variables have been established to adopt measures to control the consequences of high levels of air pollution. However, these monitoring centers sometimes make decisions when pollution levels are already harmful to health, which may be related to sensor miscalibration and failures. This study presents a PM2.5 prediction system based on a state-space model—developed with real data from 2019—plus a Kalman filter to improve the prediction. The system was subsequently validated using real data captured in 2018 in Valle de Aburrá. Therefore, this is an important first step towards a more robust PM diagnosis and prediction system in the presence of false and mismatched data in the measurement.
Responses of Picea meyeri to Climatic Factors Revealed by Tree Ring Isotopes and Water Use Efficiency on Luya Mountain of North-Central China
Authors: Han Yijie , Li Shuheng , Wang Jiachuan , Guo Yili , Fan Rong , Zhang Huan , Liu Qi , Zhao Yiqi
Published: March 2023

Along with tree ring width, carbon isotopes are also good proxies for climate change. Water use efficiency (WUE) can be calculated more quickly and accurately based on carbon isotopes. In this study, according to the principle of dendroclimatology, the sequence of δ13C and WUE of tree rings of Picea meyeri are built. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis are used to explore the response of carbon stable isotopes of Picea meyeri to climate change, which revealed the relationship between δ13C of Picea meyeri and climatic factors. Based on δ13C, we calculated the WUE of Picea meyeri and analyzed its response to climate change. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The δ13C of Picea meyeri decreases year-by-year from 1957 to 2020, in the range from −23.89‰~−21.67‰, and the average value is −22.67‰. The water use efficiency of Picea meyeri increases in the range from 17.26~61.31, with an average of 39.45. (2) The δ13C of Picea meyeri is negatively correlated with temperature, which has the highest correlation with the temperature of the growing season (c5–c9), and its coefficient is higher than that of the mean temperature of each month. (3) There is a significant positive correlation between WUE sequence and temperature. Meanwhile, due to the effect of precipitation and temperature, the Picea meyeri is subject to drought stress to some extent. Above all, temperature is the main climatic factor affecting the δ13C and WUE of Picea meyeri on Luya mountain.
Critical Pre-Formation Decision Flowchart to Apply Tropical Cyclone Lifecycle Predictions in Eastern North Pacific
Authors: Elsberry Russell L. , Tsai Hsiao-Chung , Capalbo Corie , Chin Wei-Chia , Marchok Timothy P.
Published: March 2023

We have previously demonstrated that the ECMWF ensemble (ECEPS) provides early forecasts not only of the Time-to-Tropical Storm (T2TS) and of the Time-to-Hurricane (T2HU), but also of the Time-Ending-Hurricane (TEHU) and Time-Ending-Tropical Storm (TETS) times and positions along those 15-day ECEPS track forecasts, which then provides an opportunity for high-wind warnings along the path during the entire lifecycle of these Hurricanes. The focus in this study is the Decision Flowchart that has been developed to assist the forecasters to select the pre-formation disturbance that is most likely to become the next Tropical Storm with the potential to become a Hurricane. The most crucial decision is to detect and eliminate any disturbance that likely originated from a precursor Caribbean false alarm circulation. Summaries of other steps in the Decision Flowchart “To Watch”, or to reject, other storm options in the twice-daily ECEPS forecasts are provided for Hurricanes Enrique and Felicia, and for strong Tropical Storm Guillermo and weak Tropical Storm Jimena. The first detections in the ECEPS forecasts for the Tropical Storms during the 2021 season averaged 6 days, 18 h in advance with a range of only 2 days, 6 h in advance for TS Terry to 9 days, 18 h in advance for TS Sandra.