bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cube Surface Light Field for Interactive Free-Viewpoint Rendering
Authors: Ai Xiaofei , Wang Yigang
Published: July 2022

Free-viewpoint rendering has always been one of the key motivations of image-based rendering and has broad application prospects in the field of virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR). The existing methods mainly adopt the traditional image-based rendering or learning-based frameworks, which have limited viewpoint freedom and poor time performance. In this paper, the cube surface light field is utilized to encode the scenes implicitly, and an interactive free-viewpoint rendering method is proposed to solve the above two problems simultaneously. The core of this method is a pure light ray-based representation using the cube surface light field. Using a fast single-layer ray casting algorithm to compute the light ray’s parameters, the rendering is achieved by a GPU-based three-dimensional (3D) compressed texture mapping that converts the corresponding light rays to the desired image. Experimental results show that the proposed method can real-time render the novel views at arbitrary viewpoints outside the cube surface, and the rendering results preserve high image quality. This research provides a valid experimental basis for the potential application value of content generation in VR/AR.
Assessment of the Structural State of Dissimilar Welded Joints by the Acoustic Emission Method
Authors: Barat Vera , Marchenkov Artem , Bardakov Vladimir , Zhgut Daria , Karpova Marina , Balandin Timofey , Elizarov Sergey
Published: July 2022

In this study, we investigated defect detection in dissimilar welded joints by the acoustic emission (AE) method. The study objects were carbide and decarburized interlayers, which are formed at the fusion boundary between austenitic and pearlitic steels. Diffusion interlayers, as a structural defect, usually have microscopic dimensions and cannot be detected using conventional non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. In this regard, the AE method is a promising approach to diagnose metal objects with a complex structure and to detect microscopic defects. In this paper, the AE signatures obtained from testing defect-free specimens and specimens with diffusion interlayers are analyzed. We found that the AE signature for defective and defect-free welded joints has significant differences, which makes it possible to identify descriptors corresponding to the presence of diffusion interlayers in dissimilar welded joints.
Application of a Deep Learning Neural Network for Voiding Dysfunction Diagnosis Using a Vibration Sensor
Authors: Pong Yuan-Hung , Tsai Vincent F.S. , Hsu Yu-Hsuan , Lee Chien-Hui , Wang Kun-Ching , Tsai Yu-Ting
Published: July 2022

In a clinical context, there are increasing numbers of people with voiding dysfunction. To date, the methods of monitoring the voiding status of patients have included voiding diary records at home or urodynamic examinations at hospitals. The former is less objective and often contains missing data, while the latter lacks frequent measurements and is an invasive procedure. In light of these shortcomings, this study developed an innovative and contact-free technique that assists in clinical voiding dysfunction monitoring and diagnosis. Vibration signals during urination were first detected using an accelerometer and then converted into the mel-frequency cepstrum coefficient (MFCC). Lastly, an artificial intelligence model combined with uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction was used to analyze and predict six common patterns of uroflowmetry to assist in diagnosing voiding dysfunction. The model was applied to the voiding database, which included data from 76 males aged 30 to 80 who required uroflowmetry for voiding symptoms. The resulting system accuracy (precision, recall, and f1-score) was around 98% for both the weighted average and macro average. This low-cost system is suitable for at-home urinary monitoring and facilitates the long-term uroflow monitoring of patients outside hospital checkups. From a disease treatment and monitoring perspective, this article also reviews other studies and applications of artificial intelligence-based methods for voiding dysfunction monitoring, thus providing helpful diagnostic information for physicians.
Unsteady Aerodynamic Characteristics of a High-Speed Train Induced by the Sudden Change of Windbreak Wall Structure: A Case Study of the Xinjiang Railway
Authors: Chen Zheng-Wei , Rui En-Ze , Liu Tang-Hong , Ni Yi-Qing , Huo Xiao-Shuai , Xia Yu-Tao , Li Wen-Hui , Guo Zi-Jian , Zhou Lei
Published: July 2022

Under strong winds, the effect of sudden windbreak transition (WT) on high-speed trains is severe, leading to a deterioration of train aerodynamics and sudden yawing motion of the car body. To address these problems, based on a high-speed train and the specific geometric conditions derived from Xinjiang railway, first, the impact of a WT on the train and reasons for sudden changes in aerodynamic forces were determined by flow structural analysis. Furthermore, based on a multibody system dynamic model, the dynamic responses to WT were analysed. The results show that the impacts of WT were the strongest on the head car. WT had a strong effect on the train due to the unreasonable structural shape and the insufficient height of the windbreak in the transition region. This led to a strong push effect on the train; subsequently, the train’s dynamic characteristics deteriorated.
A Global-Local Feature Fusion Convolutional Neural Network for Bone Age Assessment of Hand X-ray Images
Authors: Hui Qinglei , Wang Chunlin , Weng Junwei , Chen Ming , Kong Dexing
Published: July 2022

Bone age assessment plays a critical role in the investigation of endocrine, genetic, and growth disorders in children. This process is usually conducted manually, with some drawbacks, such as reliance on the pediatrician’s experience and extensive labor, as well as high variations among methods. Most deep learning models use one neural network to extract the global information from the whole input image, ignoring the local details that doctors care about. In this paper, we propose a global-local feature fusion convolutional neural network, including a global pathway to capture the global contextual information and a local pathway to extract the fine-grained information from local patches. The fine-grained information is integrated into the global context information layer-by-layer to assist in predicting bone age. We evaluated the proposed method on a dataset with 11,209 X-ray images with an age range of 4–18 years. Compared with other state-of-the-art methods, the proposed global-local network reduces the mean absolute error of the estimated ages to 0.427 years for males and 0.455 years for females; the average accuracy rate is within 6 months and 12 months, reaching 70% and 91%, respectively. In addition, the effectiveness and rationality of the model were verified on a public dataset.
An Algorithm for Painting Large Objects Based on a Nine-Axis UR5 Robotic Manipulator
Authors: Wang Jun , Yang Mingquan , Liang Fei , Feng Kangrui , Zhang Kai , Wang Quan
Published: July 2022

An algorithm for automatically planning trajectories designed for painting large objects is proposed in this paper to eliminate the difficulty of painting large objects and ensure their surface quality. The algorithm was divided into three phases, comprising the target point acquisition phase, the trajectory planning phase, and the UR5 robot inverse solution acquisition phase. In the target point acquisition phase, the standard triangle language (STL) file, algorithm of principal component analyses (PCA), and k-dimensional tree (k-d tree) were employed to obtain the point cloud model of the car roof to be painted. Simultaneously, the point cloud data were compressed as per the requirements of the painting process. In the trajectory planning phase, combined with the maximum operating space of the UR5 robot, the painting trajectory of the target points was converted into multiple traveling salesman problem (TSP) models, and each TSP model was created with a genetic algorithm (GA). In the last phase, in conformity with the singularities of the UR5 robot’s motion space, the painting trajectory was divided into a recommended area trajectory and a non-recommended area trajectory and created by the analytical method and sequential quadratic programming (SQP). Finally, the proposed algorithm for painting large objects was deployed in a simulation experiment. Simulation results showed that the accuracy of the algorithm could meet the requirements of painting technology, and it has promising engineering practicability.
Research on the Prediction of the Time of Initial Support of Soft Rock Tunnel Based on the Optimized Longitudinal Deformation Profile
Authors: Liang Yiwen , Zha Wenhua , Liu Zaobao , Liu Xiaohu
Published: July 2022

The longitudinal deformation profile (LDP) of the surrounding rock can intuitively and effectively reflect that the deformation of the surrounding rock of the tunnel wall is affected by the “spatial effect” at the front end of the excavation face during the tunnel excavation process, and provides a theoretical basis for the best time for the construction of the supporting structure. Taking a large-section tunnel of soft rock as an example, the LDP equation (displacement release coefficient) of the surrounding rock is derived based on Unlu and Gercek, and the optimization and improvement are proposed after comprehensively considering Poisson’s ratio, the elastic modulus, cohesion, internal friction angle, blasting parameters, etc., using FLAC3D to analyze the rationality and validity of improving the LDP equation of the surrounding rock. The results show that: (1) by adding the “expanded convergent function” in the x ≥ 0 section, the LDP equation of surrounding rock is optimized and improved, and the correlation coefficient of the data is increased from the original R-square = 0.8 to R-square = 0.95; (2) by comparing with the numerical simulation data, the improved LDP equation of the surrounding rock can better match it, which confirms that the improved LDP equation of surrounding rock is more reasonable and practical; (3) it is proposed that the displacement release coefficient value is the best time to apply support when the displacement increment of the surrounding rock has a sharp increase point, and it is concluded that when the Class-III surrounding rock is constructed by the long step method, it is best to start supporting at about x = 2.24 m from the tunnel face. When the Class-IV surrounding rock is constructed by the reserved core soil method, it is best to start supporting at about x = 1.47 m from the face of the tunnel.
Dynamic Characteristics of Reconstituted Silt Influenced by Axial Unloading Intensity and Fine Particle Content
Authors: Meng Fanli , Xia Changqing , Zhu Min , Tong Zhijun , Lu Chengyuan
Published: July 2022

The stress disturbance induced by adjacent construction has a significant impact on the dynamic characteristics of the soil, resulting in complex long-term tunnel settlement under train vibration load. Through a series of dynamic triaxial tests, the effects of different fine particle contents and axial unloading intensities on the permanent axial deformation and excess pore water pressure of reconstituted silt under long-term cyclic loading were investigated. The findings show that as fine particle content in the silt increases, the threshold dynamic stress and failure cycle number decrease at first, then increase, reaching a minimum value at 10% fine particle content. The dynamic characteristics of silt are significantly affected by axial unloading, and the dynamic stress threshold amplitude of a soil sample decreases as the unloading strength increases. The accumulation of silt deformation caused by long-term cyclic load can be effectively controlled by ensuring drainage conditions.
Angle-Angle Diagrams in the Assessment of Locomotion in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Di Giminiani Riccardo , Di Lorenzo Davide , La Greca Stefano , Russo Luca , Masedu Francesco , Totaro Rocco , Padua Elvira
Published: July 2022

Gait analysis is clinically relevant in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and consists of several joint angular displacement–time relationships and spatiotemporal parameters. However, it lacks representation by means of diagrams in which knee-angle/hip-angle and knee-angle/ankle-angle variations are plotted against each other at the same points of time. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed on 20 subjects (10 PwMS/10 healthy controls, HCs), and the knee-angle/hip-angle and knee-angle/ankle-angle diagrams of both lower limbs were determined in the sagittal plane while walking on a motorized treadmill. The area (a quantifier of range of motion) and the perimeter (a quantifier of coordination) of angle-angle diagram loops were calculated. PwMS showed reduced knee-angle/ankle-angle loops compared to HCs (p < 0.05), whereas the hip-angle/ankle-angle loops between the PwMS and HCs was not significant (p > 0.05). Similarly, the activation of leg muscles showed significant differences between PwMS and HCs (p ranged from 0.05 to 0.001). The results indicate that the proposed knee-angle/hip-angle diagram is feasible and could be applied as a reliable tool in future studies aimed at assessing the acute and long-term effects of specific exercise programmes and/or pharmacological treatment in PwMS.
The Susceptibility to Biodegradation of Some Consolidants Used in the Restoration of Mural Paintings
Authors: Gomoiu Ioana , Cojoc Roxana , Ruginescu Robert , Neagu Simona , Enache Mădălin , Dumbrăvician Maria , Olteanu Ioana , Rădvan Roxana , Ghervase Luminița
Published: July 2022

This study evaluated both the possible fungal metabolites involved in the degradation of the commercial consolidant known as Paraloid® B72 and the national artisanal consolidant named transparent dispersion of casein and the deteriorative potential of melanised fungi. Fungi were found to have the capacity to produce organic acids, proteases and esterases when they grow on consolidants, which can be used as nutrients. Mycelia produced by melanised fungi affected the appearance, as well as the integrity, of consolidants applied on painted experimental models and fragments of frescoes. In treatment trials with biocides (Biotin R®, Biotin T® and Preventol® RI 80), the morphology of the consolidants, as well as the vitality of the fungi, were assessed 30 days after the inoculation with melanic fungi. Direct observation, optical microscopy, colourimetry and microbiological analysis highlighted the degradation of the consolidants by fungi and their acquired resistance after biocidal treatments. Biotin R® applied by brushing on the surface of the consolidants proved to be the most effective treatment, followed by Biotin T®. Considering the overall results for both Paraloid® B72 and transparent dispersion of casein, use of Biotin R® applied by brushing is recommended for preventive conservation.
A Novel Low-Cost DIC-Based Residual Stress Measurement Device
Authors: Arabul Ege , Lunt Alexander J. G.
Published: July 2022

Residual stress often has a significant impact on part performance and lifetime. Existing measurement techniques using strain gauges or non-destructive methods are often expensive and time-consuming. This paper presents a low-cost, novel measurement device that uses digital image correlation with the hole-drilling method to quantify the magnitude and preferred orientation of these locked-in forces. A two-axis measurement device that rapidly drills and images the surface around the hole was developed to measure residual stresses as a function of depth with sub-millimetre resolution. Validation of the device and DIC methodology was performed using a four-point bending specimen and comparison with conventional strain gauge methods. The results showed strong correlations between the two measurement techniques, as well as the theoretical estimates. The total cost of production was estimated to be approximately £380, which is significantly cheaper than competitors. The device also substantially reduced the cost per measurement point (less than £1 vs. £50+) and shortened the experiment duration from 2 h per point to 45 min per measurement. A functional, rapid, economical device has been designed and produced, which is currently being used for residual stress analysis of industrial samples. The presented design is completely open-source, and the relevant links are provided.
Additive Manufacturing Potentials of High Performance Ferritic (HiperFer) Steels
Authors: Fischer Torsten , Kuhn Bernd , Fan Xiuru , Wilms Markus Benjamin
Published: July 2022

In the present study, the first tailored steel based on HiperFer (high-performance ferrite) was developed specifically for the additive manufacturing process. This steel demonstrates its full performance potential when produced via additive manufacturing, e.g., through a high cooling rate, an in-build heat treatment, a tailored microstructure and counteracts potential process-induced defects (e.g. pores and cavities) via “active” crack-inhibiting mechanisms, such as thermomechanically induced precipitation of intermetallic (Fe,Cr,Si)2(W,Nb) Laves phase particles. Two governing mechanisms can be used to accomplish this: (I) “in-build heat treatment” by utilizing the “temper bead effect” during additive manufacturing and (II) “dynamic strengthening” under cyclic, plastic deformation at high temperature. To achieve this, the first HiperFerAM (additive manufacturing) model alloy with high precipitation kinetics was developed. Initial mechanical tests indicated great potential in terms of the tensile strength, elongation at rupture and minimum creep rate. During the thermomechanical loading, global sub-grain formation occurred in the HiperFerAM, which refined the grain structure and allowed for higher plastic deformation, and consequently, increased the elongation at rupture. The additive manufacturing process also enabled the reduction of grain size to a region, which has not been accessible by conventional processing routes (casting, rolling, heat treatment) so far.
Surface Defect Detection Model for Aero-Engine Components Based on Improved YOLOv5
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Cheng , Ju Haijuan , Li Zhuoyue
Published: July 2022

Aiming at the problems of low efficiency and poor accuracy in conventional surface defect detection methods for aero-engine components, a surface defect detection model based on an improved YOLOv5 object detection algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, a k-means clustering algorithm was used to recalculate the parameters of the preset anchors to make them match the samples better. Then, an ECA-Net attention mechanism was added at the end of the backbone network to make the model pay more attention to feature extraction from defect areas. Finally, the PANet structure of the neck network was improved through its replacement with BiFPN modules to fully integrate the features of all scales. The results showed that the mAP of the YOLOv5s-KEB model was 98.3%, which was 1.0% higher than the original YOLOv5s model, and the average inference time for a single image was 2.6 ms, which was 10.3% lower than the original model. Moreover, compared with the Faster R-CNN, YOLOv3, YOLOv4 and YOLOv4-tiny object detection algorithms, the YOLOv5s-KEB model has the highest accuracy and the smallest size, which make it very efficient and convenient for practical applications.
Bionic Artificial Lateral Line Underwater Localization Based on the Neural Network Method
Authors: Pu Yanyun , Hang Zheyi , Wang Gaoang , Hu Huan
Published: July 2022

The lateral line system is an essential mechanosensory organ for organisms such as fish; it perceives the fluid environment in the near-field through the neuromasts on the lateral line system, supporting behaviors (e.g., obstacle avoidance and predation in fish). Inspired by the near-field perception ability of fish, we propose an artificial lateral line system composed of pressure sensors that respond to a target’s relative position by measuring the pressure change of the target vibration near the lateral line. Based on the shortcomings of the idealized constrained modeling approach, a multilayer perceptron network was built in this paper to process the pressure signal and predict the coordinates on a two-dimensional plane. Previous studies primarily focused on the localization of a single dipole source and rarely considered the localization of multiple vibration sources. In this paper, we explore the localization of numerous dipole sources of the same and different frequency vibrations based on the prediction of the two-dimensional coordinates of double dipoles. The experimental results show that the mutual interference of two vibration sources causes an increase in the localization error. Compared with multiple sources of vibration at the same frequency, the positioning accuracies of various vibration sources at different frequencies are higher. In addition, we explored the effects of the number of sensors on the localization results.
Therapeutic Effects of a Dry Powder Prepared from the Green Microalga Coccomyxa sp. KJ in Mice Infected with Influenza A Virus
Authors: Hayashi Kyoko , Kuno Hitoshi , Komatsu Satoko , Lee Jung-Bum , Kawahara Toshio
Published: July 2022

Influenza virus is a seasonal respiratory pathogen that produces global pandemics by genome reassortments. This rapid evolution creates difficulty in producing vaccines. Although several anti-influenza drugs have been developed, acquisition of rapid drug resistance by viruses is common. Therefore, it is important to develop novel therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral effects of a microalgae Coccomyxa sp. KJ (IPOD FERM BP-22254) extract in a BALB/c mouse model of influenza. Oral administration of dry algal powder (5 mg/day or 20 mg/day) before infection with influenza A virus (IFV) suppressed viral proliferation in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). It also exhibited stimulatory effects on systemic and local production of neutralizing antibodies. These results suggest that this powder is a promising candidate for the therapeutic and prophylactic management of influenza.
Fire Weather Conditions in Boreal and Polar Regions in 2002–2021
Authors: Hayasaka Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

Fire activity in 288 areas (2.5° N × 10° E) in the Arctic region (50°–70° N, 0°–360° E) was analyzed using about 4.4 million satellite hotspot (HS) data from 2002 to 2021. A total of 21 high fire density areas from eastern Europe to western Canada were selected, and their fire–weather conditions during each active fire period were analyzed using about 1820 various weather maps at the upper and the lower air level. Analysis results showed that the active fires in the Arctic region occurred under the fire–weather conditions associated with the northward movement of cut-off high (COH) and warm air masses detached from the south caused by large westerly meandering (LWM). LWM is a sign of the beginning of an active fire period. Very active fires on HS peak days occurred several days after the start of the northward movement of COHs and under mainly high-pressure conditions in the upper air and strong wind conditions in the lower air. The time lag of these several days suggests that we may be prepared for very active fires. The fire–weather analysis approach described in this paper has shown that future large-scale fire outbreaks are predictable.
Influence of Local Climate and ENSO on the Growth of Cedrela odorata L. in Suriname
Authors: Köhl Michael , Lotfiomran Neda , Gauli Archana
Published: July 2022

In this study, we used retrospective dendroclimatological analyses to explore whether El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and local precipitation patterns have an influence on tree growth in Suriname, a country located on the Guiana Shield, as annual precipitation patterns on the Guiana Shield are related to ENSO. Discs were taken from 20 trees of Cedrela odorata, whose stem forms very distinct annual growth rings, for tree ring analyses. The trees grew in unmanaged tropical wet forests of Suriname. The tree-ring series of individual trees started between 1836 and 1931 and extended over a period of 84–180 years. The 20 dated series were utilized for constructing a tree-ring chronology. Unlike many other studies that used local anomalies such as flood pulse, precipitation, and drought events to describe the influence of El Niño on tree growth, we used monthly precipitation and ENSO indices as predictors of tree growth to calculate response and correlation functions. The study observed that tree ring growth of Cedrela odorata is influenced by precipitation in August and June of the current year and in August of the previous year, as well as by the ENSO indices SSTA, TSA, TNA, and NAO. Systematic increases in the strength of the El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) teleconnection due to climate change could affect the growth of trees on the Guiana Shield.
A Kernel Density Estimation Approach and Statistical Generalized Additive Model of Western North Pacific Typhoon Activities
Authors: Wang Xiang , Wahiduzzaman Md , Yeasmin Alea
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a development of a statistical model of typhoon genesis, tracks based on kernel density estimation and a generalized additive model (GAM). Modeling of typhoon activity is ultimately beneficial to the people living in coastal zones, insurance/re-insurance companies, policy, planning and decision departments. A 50-year record (1972–2021) of typhoon track observations from the International Best Track Archive Climate Stewardship have been used to observe the distribution of typhoon genesis by kernel density estimation. The tracks are simulated through the development of a GAM. It reproduces the observation well. A distance calculation approach between observed and simulated tracks’ landfall have been used to validate the model and the model shows a very good skill (approximately 75%).
Theoretical Perspectives on the Gas-Phase Oxidation Mechanism and Kinetics of Carbazole Initiated by OH Radical in the Atmosphere
Authors: Teng Zhuochao , Wang Xiaotong , Hadizadeh Mohammad Hassan , Han Yanan , Zhao Xianwei , Zhang Qi , Wang Hetong , Li Ying , Xu Fei , Sun Yanhui
Published: July 2022

Carbazole is one of the typical heterocyclic aromatic compounds (NSO-HETs) observed in polluted urban atmosphere, which has become a serious environmental concern. The most important atmospheric loss process of carbazole is the reaction with OH radical. The present work investigated the mechanism of OH-initiated atmospheric oxidation degradation of carbazole by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the M06-2X/6-311++G(3df,2p)//M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p) level. The rate constants were determined by the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM) theory. The lifetime of carbazole determined by OH was compared with other typical NSO-HETs. The theoretical results show that the degradation of carbazole initiated by OH radical includes four types of reactions: OH additions to “bend” C atoms, OH additions to “benzene ring” C atoms, H abstractions from C-H bonds and the H abstraction from N-H bond. The OH addition to C1 atom and the H abstraction from N-H bond are energetically favorable. The main oxidation products are hydroxycarbazole, dialdehyde, carbazolequinone, carbazole-ol, hydroxy-carbazole-one and hydroperoxyl-carbazole-one. The calculated overall rate constant of carbazole oxidation by OH radical is 6.52 × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and the atmospheric lifetime is 37.70 h under the condition of 298 K and 1 atm. The rate constant of carbazole determined by OH radical is similar with that of dibenzothiophene oxidation but lower than those of pyrrole, indole, dibenzofuran and fluorene. This work provides a theoretical investigation of the oxygenated mechanism of NSO-HETs in the atmosphere and should help to clarify their potential health risk for determining the reaction pathways and environmental influence of carbazole.
Urban Particulate Matter Hazard Mapping and Monitoring Site Selection in Nablus, Palestine
Authors: Saleh Tawfiq , Khader Abdelhaleem
Published: July 2022

Few air pollution studies have been applied in the State of Palestine and all showed an increase in particulate matter concentrations above WHO guidelines. However, there is no clear methodology for selecting monitoring locations. In this study, a methodology based on GIS and locally calibrated low-cost sensors was tested. A GIS-based weighted overlay summation process for the potential sources of air pollution (factories, quarries, and traffic), taking into account the influence of altitude and climate, was used to obtain an air pollution hazard map for Nablus, Palestine. To test the methodology, eight locally calibrated PM sensors (AirUs) were deployed to measure PM2.5 concentrations for 55 days from 7 January to 2 March 2022. The results of the hazard map showed that 82% of Nablus is exposed to a high and medium risk of PM pollution. Sensors’ readings showed a good match between the hazard intensity and PM concentrations. It also shows an elevated PM2.5 concentrations above WHO guidelines in all areas. In summary, the overall average for PM2.5 in the Nablus was 48 µg/m3. This may indicate the effectiveness of mapping methodology and the use of low-cost, locally calibrated sensors in characterizing air quality status to identify the potential remediation options.
Characteristics and Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Nanjing Industrial Area
Authors: Feng Yuezheng , An Junlin , Tang Guiqian , Zhang Yuxin , Wang Junxiu , Lv Huan
Published: July 2022

In this study, 56 volatile organic compounds species (VOCs) and other pollutants (NO, NO2, SO2, O3, CO and PM2.5) were measured in the northern suburbs of Nanjing from September 2014 to August 2015. The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations were higher in the autumn (40.6 ± 23.8 ppbv) and winter (41.1 ± 21.7 ppbv) and alkanes were the most abundant species among the VOCs (18.4 ± 10.0 ppbv). According to the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, the VOCs were found to be from seven sources in the northern suburbs of Nanjing, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sources, gasoline vehicle emissions, iron and steel industry sources, industrial refining coke sources, solvent sources and petrochemical industry sources. One of the sources was influenced by seasonal variations: it was a diesel vehicle emission source in the spring, while it was a coal combustion source in the winter. According to the conditional probability function (CPF) method, it was found that the main contribution areas of each source were located in the easterly direction (mainly residential areas, industrial areas, major traffic routes, etc.). There were also seasonal differences in concentration, ozone formation potential (OFP), OH radical loss rate (LOH) and secondary organic aerosols potential (SOAP) for each source due to the high volatility of the summer and autumn temperatures, while combustion increases in the winter. Finally, the time series of O3 and OFP was compared to that PM2.5 and SOAP and then they were combined with the wind rose figure. It was found that O3 corresponded poorly to the OFP, while PM2.5 corresponded well to the SOAP. The reason for this was that the O3 generation was influenced by several factors (NOx concentration, solar radiation and non-local transport), among which the influence of non-local transport could not be ignored.
Oscillatory Signatures in the Raindrop Motion Relative to the Air Medium with Terminal Velocity
Authors: Gabyshev Dmitrii N. , Szakáll Miklós , Shcherbakov Dmitrii V. , Fedorets Alexander A. , Dyachkov Sergey M.
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to study the path oscillations of single, spherical water droplets levitated in a wind tunnel to better comprehend the mechanical motion of small raindrops. The observations were carried out in the Mainz vertical wind tunnel. The discrete, fast Fourier transform was used to determine the oscillatory frequencies of the droplet paths, and the Hilbert transform was applied to analyze their instantaneous frequency stability. Both transversal and streamwise components of the path oscillations are described with typical frequencies of several tens of Hertz. The studied oscillations elongate the paths, reduce the terminal velocity of the smallest droplets, and make the rain droplet fall in a non-uniform motion even after reaching terminal velocity. The terminal velocity can be considered as physically having been reached if our proposed practical criterion is satisfied. From a fluid mechanics perspective, the paper fills an experimental gap in the studies of the paths oscillations of single, liquid spheres of microscopic sizes at low Bond numbers <1 and relatively low Reynolds numbers ~102.
A Study on the Framework for Estimating Ship Air Pollutant Emissions—Focusing on Ports of South Korea
Authors: Zhao Tingting , Chen Maowei , Lee Hyangsook
Published: July 2022

With the globalization of trade and the rapid development of the world economy, the problem of air pollution emissions produced by shipping is becoming more serious. The exhaust gas emitted by ships has become a significant source of air pollution in ocean and coastal areas. In recent years, governments have paid more attention to shipping emissions as a major source of environmental problems. Establishing ship emission inventories plays an important role in formulating ship emission control measures and regulations. This study aimed to propose a framework for calculating ship air pollutant emissions by comprehensively considering processes and methods officially used in developed countries such as the US and those in the EU, as well as South Korean circumstances and available data sets. The framework was divided into three sections: defining the inventory, data collection and analysis of the data, and ship air pollutant emission estimation. The results of this study provided a standard for South Korean domestic port emission inventories. A case study focused on the Gwangyang and Yeosu Ports, one of the leading port areas in South Korea, using adaptive data collection and emission-calculation processes. This study can be used as guidelines when the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) or the Ministry of Environment (MOE) adopts a standard process in South Korea in the near future. Subsequently, it is necessary to establish a national port emission management system to respond to world environmental changes.
On Applying Large-Scale Correction to Limited-Area Numerical Weather Prediction Models
Authors: Dipankar Anurag , Huang Xiang-Yu , Heng Peter
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a new blending approach to applying large-scale correction to the initial condition in a limited-area numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. The new approach combines the implementation benefits of the known approaches and shows significant improvement in the forecast quality when implemented in a tropical NWP model. Sensitivity studies indicate that many improvements come from blending the horizontal winds alone. Adding temperature and specific humidity to the horizontal winds result in forecast quality degradation in the early hours of the simulated tropical environment.
On Implicative Derivations of MTL-Algebras
Authors: Liu Jianxin , Li Yijun , Yang Yongwei , Wang Juntao
Published: July 2022

This paper introduces the implicative derivations and gives some of their characterizations on MTL-algebras. Furthermore, we provide some representation of MTL-algebras by implicative derivations and obtain some representation of Boolean algebra via the algebra of all implicative derivations. Finally, we explore the relationship between implicative derivation and other operators on MTL-algebras and show that there exists a bijection between the sets of multiplier and implicative derivations on IMTL-algebras. The results of this paper can provide the common properties of implicative derivations in the t-norm-based fuzzy logical algebras.
Pattern of β-Diversity and Plant Species Richness along Vertical Gradient in Northwest Himalaya, India
Authors: Wani Zishan Ahmad , Khan Sajid , Bhat Jahangeer A. , Malik Akhtar H. , Alyas Tahira , Pant Shreekar , Siddiqui Sazada , Moustafa Mahmoud , Ahmad Ahmad Ezzat
Published: July 2022

The structure and distribution patterns of Himalayan vegetation are poorly explored, and research on species composition along the elevation gradient in these mountain ranges is still deficient. The current study was undertaken to analyze the variation and pattern of plant species composition along a vertical gradient in northwestern Himalaya, India. A total of 18 sites were selected along an elevation gradient ranging from 2200 to 3900 m asl positioned at an interval of 100 m. The Renyi diversity profile, non-metric multidimensional scaling based on the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity metric and beta diversity components among the elevation belts were calculated. Furthermore, to study the influence of altitude on species richness and diversity, a generalized additive model was created. Two hundred and ten plant species representing 66 families and 147 genera were recorded. The Renyi diversity profiles show that the lower and mid-altitudes had rich species diversity. The results of the non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis show a considerable variation in the total plant species composition among the studied elevation belts. The observed multiple-site Sorensen dissimilarity index across the studied elevation belts was very high. The contribution of species replacement or the turnover component to the observed dissimilarity was much higher than the nestedness component. Furthermore, the herbaceous and tree richness showed a significant decrease with increase in elevation; however, the richness of shrubs showed a bimodal pattern. The present study increases our understanding of the trends and patterns of species richness along the vertical gradient in the Himalayan region.
Methionine Supplementation during Pregnancy of Goats Improves Kids’ Birth Weight, Body Mass Index, and Postnatal Growth Pattern
Authors: Castillo-Gutierrez Diego , Hernández-Arteaga Luisa E. S. , Flores-Najera Manuel J. , Cuevas-Reyes Venancio , Vázquez-García Juan M. , Loredo-Osti Catarina , Beltrán-López Sergio , Ballesteros-Rodea Gilberto , Gonzalez-Bulnes Antonio , Meza-Herrera Cesar A. , Rosales-Nieto Cesar A.
Published: July 2022

The last third of gestation is a period of high energy and protein demand for the dam to support fetal growth and the following onset of lactation. Methionine is an essential amino acid that contributes to protein formation, fetal development, and milk synthesis; thus, is likely to have positive effects on the weight and size of the newborn and, afterward, milk yield and milk composition, which may improve growth patterns of the progeny. To test these hypotheses, we used 60 pregnant multiparous Alpine goats with similar live weights and gestational ages (~Day 100 of pregnancy; Mean ± SD; 1410 ± 14 days old and 50.4 ± 6.6 kg) and were separated into two groups: control and supplemented with the delivery. Treatments were T-MET (n = 30; received 1% herbal methionine Optimethione® dry matter based on from Day 100 of the pregnancy to delivery) or T-CTL (n = 30; served as the control and did not receive methionine). The methionine powder provided individual supplementation and was adjusted every week as the live weight and dry matter intake changed. At birth, the weight, body mass index (BMI), birth type, and sex of the kids were determined. Subsequently, the progeny was weighed weekly up to weaning. Two weeks after parturition, the milk composition was recorded weekly, and the milk yield was recorded monthly. The maternal live weight at the start (Mean ± SEM; T-CTL: 50.5 ± 1.1 vs. T-MET: 50.3 ± 1.3 kg) and end (T-CTL: 54.2 ± 1.3 vs. T-MET: 52.8 ± 1.4 kg) of the experiment did not differ statistically among treatments (p > 0.05); however, daily live weight changes tended to differ between groups (T-CTL: 73 ± 10 vs. T-MET: 51 ± 7 g day−1; p = 0.06). The birth weight (T-CTL: 3.1 ± 0.1 vs. T-MET: 3.5 ± 0.1 kg; p < 0.001), daily live weight change (T-CTL: 121 ± 6 vs. T-MET: 141 ± 6 g day−1; p < 0.01), and weaning weight (T-CTL: 8.3 ± 0.2 vs. T-MET: 9.3 ± 0.3 kg; p < 0.01) differed between treatments. The BMI at birth (T-CTL: 0.28 ± 0.01 vs. T-MET: 0.3 ± 0.01 units kg m−2; p < 0.01) and at weaning (T-CTL: 0.85 ± 0.1 kg vs. T-MET: 1.00 ± 0.06 units kg m−2; p < 0.05) differed between treatments. Milk components (protein, fat, lactose, and solids non-fat) and milk yield were similar between treatments (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the inclusion of methionine in the maternal goat diet during the last third of gestation increases the birth and growth variables of the progeny but without significant influence on the milk yield and composition.
Effects of Hypoxia on Coral Photobiology and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Deleja Mark , Paula José Ricardo , Repolho Tiago , Franzitta Marco , Baptista Miguel , Lopes Vanessa , Simão Silvia , Fonseca Vanessa F. , Duarte Bernardo , Rosa Rui
Published: July 2022

Global ocean oxygen (O2) content is decreasing as climate change drives declines in oxygen solubility, strengthened stratification of seawater masses, increased biological oxygen consumption and coastal eutrophication. Studies on the biological effects of nocturnal decreased oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) on coral reefs are very scarce. Coral reefs are fundamental for supporting one quarter of all marine species and essential for around 275 million people worldwide. This study investigates acute physiological and photobiological responses of a scleractinian coral (Acropora spp.) to overnight hypoxic conditions (<2 mg/L of O2). Bleaching was not detected, and visual and physical aspects of corals remained unchanged under hypoxic conditions. Most photobiological-related parameters also did not show significant changes between treatments. In addition to this, no significant differences between treatments were observed in the pigment composition. However, hypoxic conditions induced a significant decrease in coral de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pigments and increase in DNA damage. Although the present findings suggest that Acropora spp. is resilient to some extent to short-term daily oxygen oscillations, long-term exposure to hypoxia, as predicted to occur with climate change, may still have deleterious effects on corals.
Metabolomic Analysis of Human Astrocytes in Lipotoxic Condition: Potential Biomarker Identification by Machine Learning Modeling
Authors: Castellanos Daniel Báez , Martín-Jiménez Cynthia A. , Pinzón Andrés , Barreto George E. , Padilla-González Guillermo Federico , Aristizábal Andrés , Zuluaga Martha , González Santos Janneth
Published: July 2022

The association between neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and obesity has been well studied in recent years. Obesity is a syndrome of multifactorial etiology characterized by an excessive accumulation and release of fatty acids (FA) in adipose and non-adipose tissue. An excess of FA generates a metabolic condition known as lipotoxicity, which triggers pathological cellular and molecular responses, causing dysregulation of homeostasis and a decrease in cell viability. This condition is a hallmark of NDs, and astrocytes are particularly sensitive to it, given their crucial role in energy production and oxidative stress management in the brain. However, analyzing cellular mechanisms associated with these conditions represents a challenge. In this regard, metabolomics is an approach that allows biochemical analysis from the comprehensive perspective of cell physiology. This technique allows cellular metabolic profiles to be determined in different biological contexts, such as those of NDs and specific metabolic insults, including lipotoxicity. Since data provided by metabolomics can be complex and difficult to interpret, alternative data analysis techniques such as machine learning (ML) have grown exponentially in areas related to omics data. Here, we developed an ML model yielding a 93% area under the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve, with sensibility and specificity values of 80% and 93%, respectively. This study aimed to analyze the metabolomic profiles of human astrocytes under lipotoxic conditions to provide powerful insights, such as potential biomarkers for scenarios of lipotoxicity induced by palmitic acid (PA). In this work, we propose that dysregulation in seleno-amino acid metabolism, urea cycle, and glutamate metabolism pathways are major triggers in astrocyte lipotoxic scenarios, while increased metabolites such as alanine, adenosine, and glutamate are suggested as potential biomarkers, which, to our knowledge, have not been identified in human astrocytes and are proposed as candidates for further research and validation.
Molecular Characterization of Kunitz-Type Protease Inhibitors from Blister Beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae)
Authors: Fratini Emiliano , Rossi Marianna Nicoletta , Spagoni Lucrezia , Riccieri Alessandra , Mancini Emiliano , Polticelli Fabio , Bologna Marco Alberto , Mariottini Paolo , Cervelli Manuela
Published: July 2022

Protease inhibitors are widely studied since the unrestricted activity of proteases can cause extensive organ lesions. In particular, elastase activity is involved in the pathophysiology of acute lung injury, for example during SARS-CoV-2 infection, while serine proteases and thrombin-like proteases are involved in the development and/or pathology of the nervous system. Natural protease inhibitors have the advantage to be reversible and with few side effects and thus are increasingly considered as new drugs. Kunitz-type protease inhibitors (KTPIs), reported in the venom of various organisms, such as wasps, spiders, scorpions, and snakes, have been studied for their potent anticoagulant activity and widespread protease inhibitor activity. Putative KTPI anticoagulants have been identified in transcriptomic resources obtained for two blister beetle species, Lydus trimaculatus and Mylabris variabilis. The KTPIs of L. trimaculatus and M. variabilis were characterized by combined transcriptomic and bioinformatics methodologies. The full-length mRNA sequences were divided on the base of the sequence of the active sites of the putative proteins. In silico protein structure analyses of each group of translational products show the biochemical features of the active sites and the potential protease targets. Validation of these genes is the first step for considering these molecules as new drugs for use in medicine.