bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation Using Hybrid Features and Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Networks
Authors: Tamim Nasser , Elshrkawey M. , Abdel Azim Gamil , Nassar Hamed
Published: June 2020

Segmentation of retinal blood vessels is the first step for several computer aided-diagnosis systems (CAD), not only for ocular disease diagnosis such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) but also of non-ocular disease, such as hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, a supervised learning-based method, using a multi-layer perceptron neural network and carefully selected vector of features, is proposed. In particular, for each pixel of a retinal fundus image, we construct a 24-D feature vector, encoding information on the local intensity, morphology transformation, principal moments of phase congruency, Hessian, and difference of Gaussian values. A post-processing technique depending on mathematical morphological operators is used to optimise the segmentation. Moreover, the selected feature vector succeeded in outfitting the symmetric features that provided the final blood vessel probability as a binary map image. The proposed method is tested on three known datasets: Digital Retinal Image for Extraction (DRIVE), Structure Analysis of the Retina (STARE), and CHASED_DB1 datasets. The experimental results, both visual and quantitative, testify to the robustness of the proposed method. This proposed method achieved 0.9607, 0.7542, and 0.9843 in DRIVE, 0.9632, 0.7806, and 0.9825 on STARE, 0.9577, 0.7585 and 0.9846 in CHASE_DB1, with respectable accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity performance metrics. Furthermore, they testify that the method is superior to seven similar state-of-the-art methods.
Applications of Symmetry Breaking in Plasmonics
Authors: Barbillon Grégory , Ivanov Andrey , Sarychev Andrey K.
Published: June 2020

Plasmonics is one of the most used domains for applications to optical devices, biological and chemical sensing, and non-linear optics, for instance. Indeed, plasmonics enables confining the electromagnetic field at the nanoscale. The resonances of plasmonic systems can be set in a given domain of a spectrum by adjusting the geometry, the spatial arrangement, and the nature of the materials. Moreover, symmetry breaking can be used for the further improvement of the optical properties of the plasmonic systems. In the last three years, great advances in or insights into the use of symmetry breaking in plasmonics have occurred. In this mini-review, we present recent insights and advances on the use of symmetry breaking in plasmonics for applications to chemistry, sensing, devices, non-linear optics, and chirality.
Fault Recovery Path Analysis of a Software Dynamic Image Based on a Fuzzy Control Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Tuqian
Published: June 2020

In order to improve the ability of software dynamic image fault detection, a software dynamic image fault recovery path detection algorithm based on a fuzzy control algorithm is proposed. A software dynamic image fault signal model of a software dynamic image fault was constructed by adopting an embedded feature extraction and a fuzzy control algorithm, and the dynamic image fault signal of the embedded software under the multi-load was subjected to frequency spectrum decomposition and blind source separation. The method comprises the following steps: (1) carrying out noise reduction processing on a software dynamic image fault signal by adopting a multi-dimensional wavelet decomposition method, (2) carrying out wavelet entropy feature extraction on the software dynamic image fault signal of the noise reduction output, and (3) combining the wavelet structural feature recombination method to carry out the recombination of the software dynamic image fault feature. The high-order spectral characteristic of the software dynamic image fault signal was extracted and the high-order spectral characteristic of the extracted embedded software dynamic image fault recovery path was automatically matched, and the automatic identification and detection of the fault part of the software dynamic image was realized.
Comments on the Paper “Lie Symmetry Analysis, Explicit Solutions, and Conservation Laws of a Spatially Two-Dimensional Burgers–Huxley Equation”
Authors: Cherniha Roman
Published: June 2020

This comment is devoted to the paper “Lie Symmetry Analysis, Explicit Solutions, and Conservation Laws of a Spatially Two-Dimensional Burgers–Huxley Equation” (Symmery, 2020, vol.12, 170), in which several results are either incorrect, or incomplete, or misleading.
Propagation of Flexural Waves in Anisotropic Fluid-Conveying Cylindrical Shells
Authors: Ebrahimi Farzad , Seyfi Ali
Published: June 2020

In the present article, first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) of the shell has been employed, for the first time, in order to analyze the propagation of the flexural waves in anisotropic fluid-conveying cylindrical shells. Four various anisotropic materials are utilized and their wave propagation behavior surveyed. Viscous fluid flow has been regarded to be laminar, fully developed, Newtonian, and axially symmetric. The Navier–Stokes equation can be utilized to explore the flow velocity effect. FSDT of the shell and Hamilton’s principle have been employed in order to achieve governing equations of anisotropic fluid-conveying cylindrical shells and finally, the obtained governing equations have been solved via an analytical method. In addition, the influences of different variables such as flow velocity, radius to thickness ratio, and longitudinal and circumferential wave numbers have been investigated and indicated within the framework of a detailed set of figures.
Design and Implementation of Web-Based Virtual Mobile Robot Laboratory for Engineering Education
Authors: Solak Serdar , Yakut Önder , Dogru Bolat Emine
Published: June 2020

A web-based virtual and remote laboratory environment is developed, realized and proposed for real time control and monitoring of a mobile robot in an indoor environment. In this laboratory, a real time and continuous video stream of indoor laboratory environment is viewed by wireless IP camera mounted to the ceiling. The localization of the robot is also implemented using this IP camera. In this environment, a virtual target and virtual obstacles are located anywhere on the video image taken by the user. The robot is guaranteed to arrive at the virtual target avoiding virtual obstacles using the shortest path. The video stream of the robot’s navigation is monitored through the web environment. The robot is controlled by a BeagleBoard-xM single board computer. The PC web server symmetrically communicates with the other web server on the BeagleBoard-xM, executing developed application software. Since genetic algorithms generate alternative solutions, it is utilized as a path planning algorithm. Parameters such as population size and maximum generation of genetic algorithms applied to get the shortest path for the robot are tuned via the web-based virtual laboratory environment. The robot is also controlled manually through the web environment. At the conclusion of the experiments, the results are monitored on the web-based virtual laboratory environment. A low-cost mobile robot virtual remote laboratory is designed and implemented for engineering education in this paper. Consequently, survey and some experimental works, of the usability and performance of the RRC-Lab (remote robot control-laboratory) system are confirmed by students.
A New SLM-UFMC Model for Universal Filtered Multi-Carrier to Reduce Cubic Metric and Peak to Average Power Ratio in 5G Technology
Authors: Shawqi Farooq Sijal , Audah Lukman , Mostafa Salama A. , Gunasekaran Saraswathy Shamini , Baz Abdullah , Hammoodi Ahmed Talaat , Alhakami Hosam , Hassan Mustafa Hamid , Jubair Mohammed Ahmed , Alhakami Wajdi
Published: June 2020

The new generation of wireless communication systems has adopted different waveforms. The universal filtered multicarrier is one of the adopted candidates that has symmetry with various numerology designs. However, the high peak to average power ratio is one of the major limitations faced by universal filter multicarrier (UFMC) designers. Moreover, recent studies utilize cubic metric along with the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) to show the power back-off effect of the signal in which the PAPR metric identifies the maximum peak and the cubic metric (CM) identifies the Out of Band emission and In-Band distortion. Most of the current solutions, such as amplitude clipping, tone reservation, and active constellation extension, decrease the PAPR but cause degradation to the bit error rate. Selected mapping is one of the promising techniques that is recently used to solve the PAPR and CM problems without causing bit error rate (BER) degradation. In this paper, the selected mapping (SLM) is integrated with UFMC to reduce the PAPR and CM without affecting the BER of 5G networks. The SLM-UFMC solution model is simulated by MATLAB and the results show that the SLM-UFMC model presents better PAPR and CM performance without BER degradation. The PAPR has been decreased to 1.5 dB with respect to eight-phase rotation vectors and the CM decreased to 1.25 dB compared to the conventional UFMC.
Absolute Asymmetric Synthesis Involving Chiral Symmetry Breaking in Diels–Alder Reaction
Authors: Uemura Naohiro , Toyoda Seiya , Shimizu Waku , Yoshida Yasushi , Mino Takashi , Sakamoto Masami
Published: June 2020

Efficient generation and amplification of chirality from prochiral substrates in the Diels–Alder reaction (DA reaction) followed by dynamic crystallization were achieved without using an external chiral source. Since the DA reaction of 2-methylfuran and various maleimides proceeds reversibly, an exo-adduct was obtained as the main product as the reaction proceeded. From single crystal X-ray structure analysis, it was found that five of ten exo-adducts gave conglomerates. When 2-methylfuran and various maleimides with a catalytic amount of TFA were reacted in a sealed tube, the exo-DA adducts were precipitated from the solution, while the reaction mixtures were continuously ground and stirred using glass beads. Deracemization occurred and chiral amplification was observed for four of the substrates. Each final enantiomeric purity was influenced by the crystal structure, and when enantiomers were included in the disorder, they reached an enantiomeric purity reflecting the ratio of the disorder. The final ee value of the 3,5-dimethylphenyl derivative after chiral amplification was 98% ee.
Difference of Some Positive Linear Approximation Operators for Higher-Order Derivatives
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Acu Ana Maria , Srivastava Hari Mohan
Published: June 2020

In the present paper, we deal with some general estimates for the difference of operators which are associated with different fundamental functions. In order to exemplify the theoretical results presented in (for example) Theorem 2, we provide the estimates of the differences between some of the most representative operators used in Approximation Theory in especially the difference between the Baskakov and the Szász–Mirakyan operators, the difference between the Baskakov and the Szász–Mirakyan–Baskakov operators, the difference of two genuine-Durrmeyer type operators, and the difference of the Durrmeyer operators and the Lupaş–Durrmeyer operators. By means of illustrative numerical examples, we show that, for particular cases, our result improves the estimates obtained by using the classical result of Shisha and Mond. We also provide the symmetry aspects of some of these approximations operators which we have studied in this paper.
Highly Entangled Spin Chains and 2D Quantum Gravity
Authors: Sugino Fumihiko
Published: June 2020

Motzkin and Fredkin spin chains exhibit the extraordinary amount of entanglement scaling as a square-root of the volume, which is beyond logarithmic scaling in the ordinary critical systems. Intensive study of such spin systems is urged to reveal novel features of quantum entanglement. As a study of the systems from a different viewpoint, we introduce large-N matrix models with so-called A B A B interactions, in which correlation functions reproduce the entanglement scaling in tree and planar Feynman diagrams. Including loop diagrams naturally defines an extension of the Motzkin and Fredkin spin chains. Contribution from the whole loop effects at large N gives the growth of the power of 3 / 2 (with logarithmic correction), further beyond the square-root scaling. The loop contribution provides fluctuating two-dimensional bulk geometry, and the enhancement of the entanglement is understood as an effect of quantum gravity.
Theoretical Insights into the Structure of the Aminotris(Methylenephosphonic Acid) (ATMP) Anion: A Possible Partner for Conducting Ionic Media
Authors: Adenusi Henry , Chass Gregory , Bodo Enrico
Published: June 2020

We present a computational characterisation of Aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP) and its potential use as an anionic partner for conductive ionic liquids (ILs). We argue that for an IL to be a good candidate for a conducting medium, two conditions must be fulfilled: (i) the charge must be transported by light carriers; and (ii) the system must maintain a high degree of ionisation. The result trends presented herein show that there are molecular ion combinations that do comply with these two criteria, regardless of the specific system used. ATMP is a symmetric molecule with a total of six protons. In the bulk phase, breaking the symmetry of the fully protonated state and creating singly and doubly charged anions induces proton transfer mechanisms. To demonstrate this, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations employing a variable topology approach based on the reasonably reliable semiempirical density functional tight binding (DFTB) evaluation of the atomic forces. We show that, by choosing common and economical starting compounds, we can devise a viable prototype for a highly conductive medium where charge transfer is achieved by proton motion.
On the Analytical and Numerical Study of a Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Heat Equation with a Source Term
Authors: Kazakov Alexander , Spevak Lev , Nefedova Olga , Lempert Anna
Published: June 2020

The paper deals with two-dimensional boundary-value problems for the degenerate nonlinear parabolic equation with a source term, which describes the process of heat conduction in the case of the power-law temperature dependence of the heat conductivity coefficient. We consider a heat wave propagation problem with a specified zero front in the case of two spatial variables. The solution existence and uniqueness theorem is proved in the class of analytic functions. The solution is constructed as a power series with coefficients to be calculated by a proposed constructive recurrent procedure. An algorithm based on the boundary element method using the dual reciprocity method is developed to solve the problem numerically. The efficiency of the application of the dual reciprocity method for various systems of radial basis functions is analyzed. An approach to constructing invariant solutions of the problem in the case of central symmetry is proposed. The constructed solutions are used to verify the developed numerical algorithm. The test calculations have shown the high efficiency of the algorithm.
A Hybrid Multi-Step Probability Selection Particle Swarm Optimization with Dynamic Chaotic Inertial Weight and Acceleration Coefficients for Numerical Function Optimization
Authors: Du Yuji , Xu Fanfan
Published: June 2020

As a meta-heuristic algoriTthm, particle swarm optimization (PSO) has the advantages of having a simple principle, few required parameters, easy realization and strong adaptability. However, it is easy to fall into a local optimum in the early stage of iteration. Aiming at this shortcoming, this paper presents a hybrid multi-step probability selection particle swarm optimization with sine chaotic inertial weight and symmetric tangent chaotic acceleration coefficients (MPSPSO-ST), which can strengthen the overall performance of PSO to a large extent. Firstly, we propose a hybrid multi-step probability selection update mechanism (MPSPSO), which skillfully uses a multi-step process and roulette wheel selection to improve the performance. In order to achieve a good balance between global search capability and local search capability to further enhance the performance of the method, we also design sine chaotic inertial weight and symmetric tangent chaotic acceleration coefficients inspired by chaos mechanism and trigonometric functions, which are integrated into the MPSPSO-ST algorithm. This strategy enables the diversity of the swarm to be preserved to discourage premature convergence. To evaluate the effectiveness of the MPSPSO-ST algorithm, we conducted extensive experiments with 20 classic benchmark functions. The experimental results show that the MPSPSO-ST algorithm has faster convergence speed, higher optimization accuracy and better robustness, which is competitive in solving numerical optimization problems and outperforms a lot of classical PSO variants and well-known optimization algorithms.
Possibility of Using Astaxanthin-Rich Dried Cell Powder from Paracoccus carotinifaciens to Improve Egg Yolk Pigmentation of Laying Hens
Authors: Honda Masaki , Kawashima Yuki , Hirasawa Kazuaki , Uemura Takeshi , Jinkun Sun , Hayashi Yoshiaki
Published: June 2020

The study investigated egg quality aspects such as astaxanthin concentration, E/Z-isomer ratio, and yolk color in laying hens fed with astaxanthin-containing diets. Dried Paracoccus carotinifaciens cell powder (Panaferd-AX) and fine cell powder (Panaferd-P) were used as sources of astaxanthin, with average particle diameters of approximately 100 μm and 10 μm, respectively. Paracoccus carotinifaciens contains valuable rare carotenoids such as adonirubin and adonixanthin, and thus the concentrations of these carotenoids in egg yolk were also evaluated. The E/Z-isomer ratios of the egg yolk carotenoids were determined by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an improved solvent system. Feeding diets containing P. carotinifaciens resulted in increased concentrations of astaxanthin, adonirubin, and adonixanthin in egg yolk, as well as a marked increase in the yolk color fan score; values associated with the Panaferd-P-containing diet were higher than those associated with the Panaferd-AX-containing diet. For example, the astaxanthin concentration in egg yolks of hens fed with the Panaferd-AX- and Panaferd-P-containing diets for 21 days were 1.21 μg/g and 1.85 μg/g, respectively. This indicates that the pulverization treatment of the P. carotinifaciens powder increased the efficiency of carotenoid accumulation in the egg yolk. Moreover, more than 95% of astaxanthin in P. carotinifaciens was present as the all-E-isomer. However, approximately 25% of astaxanthin in egg yolk was present as the Z-isomers. In recent years, astaxanthin Z-isomers have attracted substantial attention as they exhibit a greater bioavailability and bioactivity than the all-E-isomer. These data are important not only for understanding egg yolk pigmentation but also for improving the nutritional value of hens’ egg yolk through the addition of P. carotinifaciens to their diet.
A New Integral Transform: ARA Transform and Its Properties and Applications
Authors: Saadeh Rania , Qazza Ahmad , Burqan Aliaa
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new type of integral transforms, called the ARA integral transform that is defined as: G n [ g ( t ) ] ( s ) = G ( n , s ) = s ∫ 0 ∞ t n − 1 e − s t g ( t ) d t ,   s > 0 . We prove some properties of ARA transform and give some examples. Also, some applications of the ARA transform are given.
Study on Traffic Conflict Prediction Model of Closed Lanes on the Outside of Expressway
Authors: Ge Huimin , Huang Mingyue , Lu Ying , Yang Yousen
Published: June 2020

Due to the randomness and weak symmetry of traffic accidents occurring in the expressway maintenance operation area, it is difficult to use the number of traffic accidents to evaluate the safety of maintenance operation areas. In this paper, the traffic characteristics and traffic conflicts of the maintenance operation area with the lane closed on the outside of the two-way four-lane expressway are studied. By using the statistical method, the distribution of vehicle speed and time headway in different areas of the maintenance operation area are analyzed, and the queuing characteristics of vehicles in the upstream transition zone of the expressway are determined. Based on improved time to collision (TTC) model, the traffic conflict severity of expressway maintenance operation area is divided. The negative binomial distribution is used to establish a traffic conflict prediction model for the enclosed maintenance area of the outer lane of the expressway, and the validity of the traffic conflict prediction model is verified based on the average absolute error percentage (MAPE). The research results show that: when the 0 < TTC < 1.3 s, the traffic conflict is serious conflict; when 1.3 s < TTC, the traffic conflict is non-serious conflict. Furthermore, the traffic conflict prediction model has high accuracy, the MAPE of the warning area and the upstream transition area are 10.8% and 5.0%, respectively.
Straight Leg Raise Test: Influence of Lumbosant© and Assistant Examiner in Hip, Pelvis Tilt and Lumbar Lordosis
Authors: Santonja-Medina Fernando , Santonja-Renedo Sara , Cejudo Antonio , Ayala Francisco , Ferrer Vicente , Pastor Antonio , Collazo-Diéguez Mónica , Rodríguez-Ferrán Olga , Andújar Pilar , Sainz de Baranda Pilar
Published: June 2020

The passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test is widely used to assess hamstring extensibility. However, to accurately measure hamstring extensibility throughout PSLR, appropriate stabilization of the pelvis must be provided in order to minimize the possible influence of any compensatory movement in the scores reached. The main purpose of this study was to demonstrate the degree of influence of the Lumbosant© and an assistant examiner in hamstring extensibility in healthy young adults. A secondary objective was to verify the variability of the posterior pelvic tilt movement. Hamstring muscle extensibility was measured using the traditional (only an examiner) and new (using a low-back protection support Lumbosant© and two trained [principal and assistant] examiners) PSLR procedures. Correlation coefficients were expressed using r values, accompanying descriptors and 90% confidence intervals. Variance explained was expressed via the R2 statistic. To examine possible differences, the Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted. Additionally, Cohen’s d was calculated for all results, and the magnitudes of the effect were interpreted and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between scores and values. The final score that was determined with the new PSLR is significantly lower (13° approximately) than the one obtained through the traditional procedure (75.3 ± 14.4° vs. 89.2 ± 20.8°; d = −0.777 [moderate]). The data presented in this study suggest that the PSLR may overestimate hamstring extensibility unless lumbopelvic movement is controlled. Therefore, we recommend the use of Lumbosant© and an auxiliary examiner to obtain more accurate hamstring extensibility scores.
A Bayesian Approach to Heavy-Tailed Finite Mixture Autoregressive Models
Authors: Mahmoudi Mohammad Reza , Maleki Mohsen , Baleanu Dumitru , Nguyen Vu-Thanh , Pho Kim-Hung
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a Bayesian analysis of finite mixture autoregressive (MAR) models based on the assumption of scale mixtures of skew-normal (SMSN) innovations (called SMSN–MAR) is considered. This model is not simultaneously sensitive to outliers, as the celebrated SMSN distributions, because the proposed MAR model covers the lightly/heavily-tailed symmetric and asymmetric innovations. This model allows us to have robust inferences on some non-linear time series with skewness and heavy tails. Classical inferences about the mixture models have some problematic issues that can be solved using Bayesian approaches. The stochastic representation of the SMSN family allows us to develop a Bayesian analysis considering the informative prior distributions in the proposed model. Some simulations and real data are also presented to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed models.
Enantiodivergent Aldol Condensation in the Presence of Aziridine/Acid/Water Systems
Authors: Pieczonka Adam Marek , Marciniak Lena , Rachwalski Michał , Leśniak Stanisław
Published: June 2020

A series of novel chiral imines was synthesized from corresponding aldehydes and 1-(2-aminoalkyl)aziridines with good chemical yields. Such imines were tested as catalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction between aromatic aldehydes and acetone/cyclohexanone in the presence of catalytic amounts of water and an acidic additive. The corresponding aldol products were formed in excellent yields and with very high enantioselectivities (98% and 99% ee, respectively).
Cooling Enhancement and Stress Reduction Optimization of Disk-Shaped Electronic Components Using Nanofluids
Authors: Dadsetani Reza , Sheikhzadeh Ghanbar Ali , Safaei Mohammad Reza , Leon Arturo S. , Goodarzi Marjan
Published: June 2020

Mechanical strength and thermal properties may limit the usage of an electronic component in the high-tech industry. This paper investigated the influence of using CuO nanoparticles in a radial configuration microchannel of a disk from the mechanical and thermal points of view. In this regard, a disk under thermal and mechanical loading had been considered. The cooling setup consisted of a radial configuration microchannel with a constant fluid volume. Water was used as the base fluid and CuO particles were used as the coolant fluid. The results showed that the use of CuO nanoparticles would reduce the maximum disk temperature, the maximum thermal stress, and the maximum stress, as well as the maximum deformation on the body. The increasing number of channels would increase the maximum stress in the object as well. Another remarkable point was that increasing the nanoparticles did not necessarily lead to a more uniform heat distribution in the disk.
Potential of Cry10Aa and Cyt2Ba, Two Minority δ-endotoxins Produced by Bacillus thuringiensis ser. israelensis, for the Control of Aedes aegypti Larvae
Authors: Valtierra-de-Luis Daniel , Villanueva Maite , Lai Liliana , Williams Trevor , Caballero Primitivo
Published: June 2020

Bacillus thuringiensis ser. israelensis (Bti) has been widely used as microbial larvicide for the control of many species of mosquitoes and blackflies. The larvicidal activity of Bti resides in Cry and Cyt δ-endotoxins present in the parasporal crystal of this pathogen. The insecticidal activity of the crystal is higher than the activities of the individual toxins, which is likely due to synergistic interactions among the crystal component proteins, particularly those involving Cyt1Aa. In the present study, Cry10Aa and Cyt2Ba were cloned from the commercial larvicide VectoBac-12AS® and expressed in the acrystalliferous Bt strain BMB171 under the cyt1Aa strong promoter of the pSTAB vector. The LC50 values for Aedes aegypti second instar larvae estimated at 24 hpi for these two recombinant proteins (Cry10Aa and Cyt2Ba) were 299.62 and 279.37 ng/mL, respectively. Remarkable synergistic mosquitocidal activity was observed between Cry10Aa and Cyt2Ba (synergistic potentiation of 68.6-fold) when spore + crystal preparations, comprising a mixture of both recombinant strains in equal relative concentrations, were ingested by A. aegypti larvae. This synergistic activity is among the most powerful described so far with Bt toxins and is comparable to that reported for Cyt1A when interacting with Cry4Aa, Cry4Ba or Cry11Aa. Synergistic mosquitocidal activity was also observed between the recombinant proteins Cyt2Ba and Cry4Aa, but in this case, the synergistic potentiation was 4.6-fold. In conclusion, although Cry10Aa and Cyt2Ba are rarely detectable or appear as minor components in the crystals of Bti strains, they represent toxicity factors with a high potential for the control of mosquito populations.
Multi Mycotoxin Determination in Dried Beef Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Authors: Dada Toluwase Adeseye , Ekwomadu Theodora Ijeoma , Mwanza Mulunda
Published: June 2020

Dried beef meat, a locally processed meat from the cow, is vulnerable to contamination by mycotoxins, due to its exposure to the environmental microbiota during processing, drying, and point of sale. In this study, 108 dried beef samples were examined for the occurrence of 17 mycotoxins. Samples were extracted for mycotoxins using solid-liquid phase extraction method, while liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) via the dilute and shoot method was used to analyze the mycotoxins. Aflatoxin was found in 66% of the samples (average value of 23.56 µg/kg). AFB1 had a mean value of 105.4 µg/kg, AFB2 mean value of 6.92 µg/kg, and AFG1 and AFG2 had an average mean value of 40.49 µg/kg and 2.60 µg/kg, respectively. The total aflatoxins exceed the EU (4 μg/kg) permissible level in food. The α-Zea average mean value was 113.82 µg/kg for the various selling locations. Also, cyclopiazonic acid had an average mean value of 51.99 µg/kg, while some of the beef samples were contaminated with more than nine different mycotoxins. The occurrence of these mycotoxins in dried beef is an indication of possible exposure of its consumers to the dangers of mycotoxins that are usually associated with severe health problems. This result shows that there are mycotoxin residues in the beef sold in Ekiti State markets.
The Virulence Potential of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Cultured from the Airways of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Treffon Janina , Fotiadis Sarah Ann , van Alen Sarah , Becker Karsten , Kahl Barbara C.
Published: June 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common pathogens that infects the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and contributes to respiratory failure. Recently, livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA), usually cultured in farm animals, were detected in CF airways. Although some of these strains are able to establish severe infections in humans, there is limited knowledge about the role of LA-MRSA virulence in CF lung disease. To address this issue, we analyzed LA-MRSA, hospital-associated (HA-) MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) clinical isolates recovered early in the course of airway infection and several years after persistence in this hostile environment from pulmonary specimens of nine CF patients regarding important virulence traits such as their hemolytic activity, biofilm formation, invasion in airway epithelial cells, cytotoxicity, and antibiotic susceptibility. We detected that CF LA-MRSA isolates were resistant to tetracycline, more hemolytic and cytotoxic than HA-MRSA, and more invasive than MSSA. Despite the residence in the animal host, LA-MRSA still represent a serious threat to humans, as such clones possess a virulence potential similar or even higher than that of HA-MRSA. Furthermore, we confirmed that S. aureus individually adapts to the airways of CF patients, which eventually impedes the success of antistaphylococcal therapy of airway infections in CF.
Novel Soil Bacterium Strain Desulfitobacterium sp. PGC-3-9 Detoxifies Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Wheat via De-Epoxidation under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions
Authors: He Wei-Jie , Shi Meng-Meng , Yang Peng , Huang Tao , Yuan Qing-Song , Yi Shu-Yuan , Wu Ai-Bo , Li He-Ping , Gao Chun-Bao , Zhang Jing-Bo , Liao Yu-Cai
Published: June 2020

Trichothecenes are the most common mycotoxins contaminating small grain cereals worldwide. The C12,13 epoxide group in the trichothecenes was identified as a toxic group posing harm to humans, farm animals, and plants. Aerobic biological de-epoxidation is considered the ideal method of controlling these types of mycotoxins. In this study, we isolated a novel trichothecene mycotoxin-de-epoxidating bacterium, Desulfitobacterium sp. PGC-3-9, from a consortium obtained from the soil of a wheat field known for the occurrence of frequent Fusarium head blight epidemics under aerobic conditions. Along with MMYPF media, a combination of two antibiotics (sulfadiazine and trimethoprim) substantially increased the relative abundance of Desulfitobacterium species from 1.55% (aerobic) to 29.11% (aerobic) and 28.63% (anaerobic). A single colony purified strain, PGC-3-9, was isolated and a 16S rRNA sequencing analysis determined that it was Desulfitobacterium. The PGC-3-9 strain completely de-epoxidated HT-2, deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol and 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol, and efficiently eliminated DON in wheat grains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The strain PGC-3-9 exhibited high DON de-epoxidation activity at a wide range of pH (6–10) and temperature (15–50 °C) values under both conditions. This strain may be used for the development of detoxification agents in the agriculture and feed industries and the isolation of de-epoxidation enzymes.
Inundation Map Prediction with Rainfall Return Period and Machine Learning
Authors: Kim Hyun Il , Han Kun Yeun
Published: June 2020

To date, various methods of flood prediction using numerical analysis or machine learning have been studied. However, a methodology for simultaneously predicting the rainfall return period and an inundation map for observed rainfall has not been presented. Simultaneous prediction of the return period and inundation map would be a useful technique for responding to floods in real-time and could provide an expected inundation area by return period. In this study, return period estimation for observed rainfall was performed via PNN (probabilistic neural network). SVR (support vector regression) and a SOM (self-organizing map) were used to predict flood volume and inundation maps. The study area was the Gangnam area, which has experienced extensive urbanization. The database for training SVR and SOM was constructed by one- and two-dimensional flood analysis with consideration of 120 probable rainfall events. The probable rainfall events were composed with 2–100 year return periods and 1–3 hour durations. The SVR technique was used to predict flood volume according to the rainfall return period, and the SOM was used to cluster various expected flood patterns to be used for predicting inundation maps. The prediction results were compared with the simulation results of a two-dimensional flood analysis model. The highest fitness of the predicted flood maps in the study area was calculated at 85.94%. The proposed method was found to constitute a practical methodology that could be helpful in improving urban flood response capabilities.
Assessment of Rainfall Distributions and Characteristics in Coastal Provinces of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta under Climate Change and ENSO Processes
Authors: Dang Vinh Hoa , Tran Dung Duc , Cham Dao Dinh , Hang Phan Thi Thanh , Nguyen Hung Thanh , Truong Hieu Van , Tran Phuong Ha , Duong Man Ba , Nguyen Ninh Trung , Le Kiem Van , Pham Thuc Bich Thi , Nguyen Au Hai
Published: June 2020

Rainwater is considered a promising alternative water source for coastal areas where freshwater resources are increasingly under pressure. This study evaluates rain regime characteristics that influence the ability to exploit rainwater in the coastal provinces of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). In particular, it considers the impact of climate change and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) processes. We analyzed rainfall data from 102 monitoring stations across the VMD from 1989 to 2017. Using statistical methods, we explored (1) characteristics of the rainy season, including the dates of onset and cessation and season length; (2) average rainfall volumes; and (3) the maximum number of consecutive nonrainy days during the rainy season and over the year. We also analyzed changes in these characteristics over time, in parallel with ENSO processes and climate change. Trend lines were determined using nonparametric methods, utilizing Sen’s slope estimation and the Mann–Kendall test. Results showed a tendency for the rainy season to start earlier and end later in the western coastal zone of the study area, with season length gradually decreasing towards the East Sea and inland. The shortest rainy season was found in the estuary zone (in the northeast of the VMD). Rainfall was abundant on the west coast, again diminishing gradually towards the East Sea and inland. Rain was also quite plentiful during four dry season observation months in the study area, but it lacked the predictability needed for effective exploitation. The number of consecutive days without rain averaged 96 annually, with a difference of 29 days between the largest and smallest observations. The difference between the provinces with the longest and shortest periods without rain averaged 41 days. Although the impact of climate change on the rain regime is complex, we can say that the rainy season now tends to start earlier, end later, and be lengthier, though without exhibiting clear trends. ENSO processes significantly impacted rainfall regime characteristics, especially the dates of onset and cessation, and season length.
Future Runoff Analysis in the Mekong River Basin under a Climate Change Scenario Using Deep Learning
Authors: Lee Daeeop , Lee Giha , Kim Seongwon , Jung Sungho
Published: June 2020

In establishing adequate climate change policies regarding water resource development and management, the most essential step is performing a rainfall-runoff analysis. To this end, although several physical models have been developed and tested in many studies, they require a complex grid-based parameterization that uses climate, topography, land-use, and geology data to simulate spatiotemporal runoff. Furthermore, physical rainfall-runoff models also suffer from uncertainty originating from insufficient data quality and quantity, unreliable parameters, and imperfect model structures. As an alternative, this study proposes a rainfall-runoff analysis system for the Kratie station on the Mekong River mainstream using the long short-term memory (LSTM) model, a data-based black-box method. Future runoff variations were simulated by applying a climate change scenario. To assess the applicability of the LSTM model, its result was compared with a runoff analysis using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The following steps (dataset periods in parentheses) were carried out within the SWAT approach: parameter correction (2000–2005), verification (2006–2007), and prediction (2008–2100), while the LSTM model went through the process of training (1980–2005), verification (2006–2007), and prediction (2008–2100). Globally available data were fed into the algorithms, with the exception of the observed discharge and temperature data, which could not be acquired. The bias-corrected Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 climate change scenarios were used to predict future runoff. When the reproducibility at the Kratie station for the verification period of the two models (2006–2007) was evaluated, the SWAT model showed a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) value of 0.84, while the LSTM model showed a higher accuracy, NSE = 0.99. The trend analysis result of the runoff prediction for the Kratie station over the 2008–2100 period did not show a statistically significant trend for neither scenario nor model. However, both models found that the annual mean flow rate in the RCP 8.5 scenario showed greater variability than in the RCP 4.5 scenario. These findings confirm that the LSTM runoff prediction presents a higher reproducibility than that of the SWAT model in simulating runoff variation according to time-series changes. Therefore, the LSTM model, which derives relatively accurate results with a small amount of data, is an effective approach to large-scale hydrologic modeling when only runoff time-series are available.
Assessment of Restorative Maintenance Practices on the Infiltration Capacity of Permeable Pavement
Authors: Danz Mari , Selbig William , Buer Nicolas
Published: June 2020

Permeable pavement has the potential to be an effective tool in managing stormwater runoff through retention of sediment and other contaminants associated with urban development. The infiltration capacity of permeable pavement declines as more sediment is captured, thereby reducing its ability to treat runoff. Regular restorative maintenance practices can alleviate this issue and prolong the useful life and benefits of the system. Maintenance practices used to restore the infiltration capacity of permeable pavement were evaluated on three surfaces: Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP), pervious concrete (PC), and porous asphalt (PA). Each of the three test plots received a similar volume of runoff and sediment load from an adjacent, impervious asphalt parking lot. Six different maintenance practices were evaluated over a four-year period: Hand-held pressure washer and vacuum, leaf blower and push broom, vacuum-assisted street cleaner, manual disturbance of PICP aggregate, pressure washing and vacuuming, and compressed air and vacuuming. Of the six practices tested, five were completed on PICP, four on PC, and two on PA. Nearly all forms of maintenance resulted in increased average surface infiltration rates. Increases ranged from 94% to 1703% for PICP, 5% to 169% for PC, and 16% to 40% for PA. Disruption of the aggregate between the joints of PICP, whether by simple hand tools or sophisticated machinery, resulted in significant (p ≤ 0.05) gains in infiltration capacity. Sediment penetrated into the solid matrix of the PC and PA, making maintenance practices using a high-pressure wash followed by high-suction vacuum the most effective for these permeable pavement types. In all instances, when the same maintenance practice was done on multiple surfaces, PICP showed the greatest recovery in infiltration capacity.
3D Characterization of a Coastal Freshwater Aquifer in SE Malta (Mediterranean Sea) by Time-Domain Electromagnetics
Authors: Pondthai Potpreecha , Everett Mark E. , Micallef Aaron , Weymer Bradley A. , Faghih Zahra , Haroon Amir , Jegen Marion
Published: June 2020

Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods are well equipped to distinguish electrical resistivity contrasts between freshwater-saturated and seawater-saturated formations. Beneath the semi-arid, rapidly urbanizing island of Malta, offshore groundwater is an important potential resource but it is not known whether the regional mean sea-level aquifer (MSLA) extends offshore. To address this uncertainty, land-based alongshore and across-shore time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) responses were acquired with the G-TEM instrument (Geonics Ltd., Mississauga, ON, Canada) and used to map the onshore structure of the aquifer. 1-D inversion results suggest that the onshore freshwater aquifer resides at 4–24 m depth, underlain by seawater-saturated formations. The freshwater aquifer thickens with distance from the coastline. We present 2D and 3D electromagnetic forward modeling based on finite-element (FE) analysis to further constrain the subsurface geometry of the onshore freshwater body. We interpret the high resistivity zones that as brackish water-saturated bodies are associated with the mean sea-level aquifer. Generally, time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) results provide valuable onshore hydrogeological information, which can be augmented with marine and coastal transition-zone measurements to assess potential hydraulic continuity of terrestrial aquifers extending offshore.
Control of Nuisance Cyanobacteria in Drinking Water Resources Using Alternative Algae-Blocking Mats
Authors: Kim Young-Hyo , Gwon En-Mi , Kim Ha-Kyung , Cho In-Hwan , Lee Hyuk , Kim Baik-Ho
Published: June 2020

The water intake facility of Paldangho Lake (PIF), constructed in 1988, supplies drinking water to the Seoul metropolitan area and satellite city (ca. 20 million inhabitants) in South Korea. A nuisance cyanobacterial bloom (CB) has been observed every year in the PIF. Thus, related governments have been funding the control of CBs and algal-originated materials (AOMs). In this study, an algae-blocking mat (ABM) was developed to protect against CBs and AOMs considering temperature and water depth. We evaluated the daily and monthly performance of the ABM on phytoplankton, pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, and light intensity between April and October 2015. Although the average cell abundance of cyanobacteria between July and September approached the warning level of the Korea alert system, the highest algal removal efficiency was recorded as 92% in August when the cyanobacterial cells were over 66,000 cells/mL. On average, the ABM showed a low removal efficiency of 26% on both geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, whereas total phytoplankton was more than 30%. In conclusion, our results indicate that the ABM may be an economical blocking tool for nuisance cyanobacteria in drinking water resources, considering AOMs and total phytoplankton.
Regional Inundation Forecasting Using Machine Learning Techniques with the Internet of Things
Authors: Yang Shun-Nien , Chang Li-Chiu
Published: June 2020

Natural disasters have tended to increase and become more severe over the last decades. A preparation measure to cope with future floods is flood forecasting in each particular area for warning involved persons and resulting in the reduction of damage. Machine learning (ML) techniques have a great capability to model the nonlinear dynamic feature in hydrological processes, such as flood forecasts. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors are useful for carrying out the monitoring of natural environments. This study proposes a machine learning-based flood forecast model to predict average regional flood inundation depth in the Erren River basin in south Taiwan and to input the IoT sensor data into the ML model as input factors so that the model can be continuously revised and the forecasts can be closer to the current situation. The results show that adding IoT sensor data as input factors can reduce the model error, especially for those of high-flood-depth conditions, where their underestimations are significantly mitigated. Thus, the ML model can be on-line adjusted, and its forecasts can be visually assessed by using the IoT sensors’ inundation levels, so that the model’s accuracy and applicability in multi-step-ahead flood inundation forecasts are promoted.
Using a Multimedia Aquivalence Model to Evaluate the Environmental Fate of Fe, Mn and Trace Metals in an Industrial City, China
Authors: Chang Xuan , Li Yingxia
Published: June 2020

The rapid expansion of urban impervious surface areas complicates urban-scale heavy metal circulation among various environmental compartments (air, soil, sediment, water, and road dust). Herein, a level III steady-state aquivalence model evaluated the fate of heavy metals in Nanjing, China. Iron was the most abundant heavy metal in all environmental compartments, while cadmium was the rarest. Most simulated concentrations agreed with measured values within three logarithmic residuals. In the simulated heavy metal cycle, industrial emission contributed almost the entire input, whereas sediment burial was the dominant output pathway. The transfer fluxes between bottom sediment and water were the highest. Thereinto, the contribution of sediment resuspension for Fe and Mn was significantly higher than that to the other metal elements, which could partly explain why Fe and Mn are the major blackening ingredients in malodorous black rivers. Road dust was also an important migration destination for heavy metals, accounting for 3–45%, although soil and sediment were the main repositories of heavy metals in the urban environment. The impact of road dust on surface water should not be neglected, with its contribution reaching 4–31%. The wash-off rate constant W for road dust–water process was proved to be consistent with that for film–water and was independent of the type of heavy metals. Sensitivity analysis highlighted the notable background value effect on Fe and Mn.