bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating artificial shelter arrays as a minimally invasive monitoring tool for the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Authors: Bodinof Jachowski CM , Ross BE , Hopkins WA
Published: December 2019

HellbendersCryptobranchus alleganiensisare critically imperiled amphibians throughout the eastern USA. Rock-lifting is widely used to monitor hellbenders but can severely disturb habitat. We asked whether artificial shelter occupancy (the proportion of occupied shelters in an array) would function as a proxy for hellbender abundance and thereby serve as a viable alternative to rock-lifting. We hypothesized that shelter occupancy would vary spatially in response to hellbender density, natural shelter density, or both, and would vary temporally with hellbender seasonal activity patterns and time since shelter deployment. We established shelter arrays (n = 30 shelters each) in 6 stream reaches and monitored them monthly for up to 2 yr. We used Bayesian mixed logistic regression and model ranking criteria to assess support for hypotheses concerning drivers of shelter occupancy. In all reaches, shelter occupancy was highest from June-August each year and was higher in Year 2 relative to Year 1. Our best-supported model indicated that the extent of boulder and bedrock (hereafter, natural shelter) in a reach mediated the relationship between hellbender abundance and shelter occupancy. More explicitly, shelter occupancy was positively correlated with abundance when natural shelter covered <20% of a reach, but uncorrelated with abundance when natural shelter was more abundant. While shelter occupancy should not be used to infer variation in hellbender relative abundance when substrate composition varies among reaches, we showed that artificial shelters can function as valuable monitoring tools when reaches meet certain criteria, though regular shelter maintenance is critical.
The Aquaporin 5 −1364A/C Promoter Polymorphism Is Associated With Cytomegalovirus Infection Risk in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Rahmel Tim , Nowak Hartmuth , Frisenda Sandra , Rump Katharina , Koos Björn , Schenker Peter , Viebahn Richard , Adamzik Michael , Bergmann Lars
Published: December 2019

Background: The aquaporin 5 (AQP5) −1364A/C promoter single nucleotide polymorphism affects key mechanisms of inflammation and immune cell migration. Thus, it could be involved in the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus infection. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that the AQP5 promoter −1364A/C polymorphism is associated with the risk of cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplantation recipients.

Methods: We included 259 adult patients who received a kidney transplant from 2007 and 2014 in this observational study. Patients were genotyped for the AQP5 promoter −1364A/C single nucleotide polymorphism and followed up for 12 months after transplantation. Kaplan–Meier plots and multivariable proportional hazard analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between genotypes and the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection.

Results: The incidences of cytomegalovirus infection within 12 months after kidney transplantation were 22.9% for the AA genotypes (43/188) and 42.3% for the AC/CC genotypes (30/71; p = 0.002). Furthermore, multivariable COX regression revealed the C-allele of the AQP5 −1364A/C polymorphism to be a strong and independent risk factor for cytomegalovirus infection. In this analysis, AC/CC subjects demonstrated a more than 2-fold increased risk for cytomegalovirus infection within the first year after kidney transplantation (hazard ratio: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.40–3.73; p = 0.001) compared to that in individuals with homozygous AA genotypes.

Conclusions: With respect to opportunistic cytomegalovirus infections (attributable to immunosuppression after kidney transplantation), the C-allele of the AQP5 −1364A/C promoter polymorphism is independently associated with an increased 12-months infection risk. These findings emphasize the importance of genetic variations as additional risk factors of cytomegalovirus infection after solid organ transplantations and might also facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
Transcriptome Profiles of Contrasting Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes Under Water Stress
Authors: Barra Macarena , Meneses Claudio , Riquelme Stephanie , Pinto Manuel , Lagüe Martin , Davidson Charlotte , Tai Helen H.
Published: December 2019

The potato is susceptible to water stress at all stages of development. We examined four clones of tetraploid potato, Cardinal, Desirée, Clone 37 FB, and Mije, from the germplasm bank of the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) in Chile. Water stress was applied by suspending irrigation at the beginning of tuberization. Stomatal conductance, and tuber and plant fresh and dry weight were used to categorize water stress tolerance. Cardinal had a high susceptibility to water stress. Desirée was less susceptible than Cardinal and had some characteristics of tolerance. Mije had moderate tolerance and Clone 37 FB had high tolerance. Differential gene expression in leaves from plants with and without water stress were examined using transcriptome sequencing. Water stress-susceptible Cardinal had the fewest differentially expressed genes at 101, compared to Desirée at 1867, Clone 37 FB at 1179, and Mije at 1010. Water stress tolerance was associated with upregulation of the expression of transcription factor genes and genes involved in osmolyte and polyamine biosynthesis. Increased expression of genes encoding late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) and dehydrin proteins along with decreased expression of genes involved in nitrate assimilation and amino acid metabolism were found for clones showing water stress tolerance. The results also show that a water deficit was associated with reduced biotic stress responses. Additionally, heat shock protein genes were differentially expressed in all clones except for highly susceptible Cardinal. Together, the gene expression study demonstrates variation in the molecular pathways and biological processes in response to water stress contributing to tolerance and susceptibility.
The Effect of Autumn Foliar Fertilization on the Yield and Quality of Winter Oilseed Rape Seeds
Authors: Jankowski Krzysztof Józef , Sokólski Mateusz , Szatkowski Artur
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the results of a 3-year field experiment conducted in north-eastern (NE) Poland to determine the influence of the autumn application of foliar macronutrient and micronutrient fertilizers (control, one application in BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie) stage 16 (six leaves unfolded)), two applications in BBCH stages 14 (four leaves unfolded), and 16 (six leaves unfolded) on the growth and development of winter oilseed rape plants, nutrient accumulation, overwintering success, yield components, yield, nutritional value (crude fat content, fatty acid concentrations), and feed value (total protein content, concentrations of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber, quantitative and qualitative composition of glucosinolates) of seeds. When applied in BBCH stages 14 and 16, foliar fertilizers stimulated the development of leaf rosettes, increased the accumulation of minerals in aerial rosette parts (N, K, and Mg) and roots (K, Cu, Mn, and Fe), and contributed to the overwintering success of winter oilseed rape plants (by 8–11%). The application of foliar macronutrient and micronutrient fertilizers in autumn increased seed yield (by 0.25 Mg ha−1), contributed to a significant increase in the crude fat content of seeds (by 1.3–7.4 g kg−1 dry matter (DM), increased the content of oleic acid, decreased the concentration of linoleic acid, and increased the content of glucosinolates, mostly the alkenyl fraction with antinutritional properties.
Evaluation of Nematicidal Activity of Fluensulfone against Non-Target Free-Living Nematodes under Field Conditions
Authors: Kawanobe Masanori , Toyota Koki , Fujita Tomonori , Hatta Daisuke
Published: December 2019

The use of nematicides with reduced toxic side-effects against non-target free-living nematodes is a favorable option for farmers to control plant-parasitic nematodes. The nematicide fluensulfone was registered in several countries for the control of the root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. among other plant-parasitic nematodes. This study aimed to evaluate the nematicidal activity of fluensulfone against non-target nematode fauna in four field experiments, each under different conditions (soils types and plant hosts). Nematodes extracted from soil samples were classified and counted based on their morphological characters. Fluensulfone significantly reduced damage caused by root-knot nematodes to tomato and sweet potato plants, while overall non-target free-living nematode population densities were maintained at the same level as those in control. Different diversity indices (e.g., Shannon-Wiener H’, Simpson’s D, species richness, evenness J’, maturity indices) and principal component analyses in the four experiments showed that fluensulfone treatment kept a similar diversity level of non-target free-living nematode fauna to that of the non-treated control. The results suggested that fluensulfone may have minimal impact to free-living nematode fauna in both population density and diversity when the nematicide was applied to control Meloidogyne spp.
Effects of Nitrogen Management on Biomass Production and Dry Matter Distribution of Processing Tomato Cropped in Southern Italy
Authors: Ronga Domenico , Parisi Mario , Pentangelo Alfonso , Mori Mauro , Di Mola Ida
Published: December 2019

Processing tomato is an important worldwide horticultural crop. It is generally grown in high-input systems; nevertheless, plant responses to nitrogen fertilization, in terms of the effects on dry matter production and allocation to different plant organs, have yet to be investigated in depth. Moreover, information on the crop marginal net return and global warming potential (as an index of the environmental impact of crop cultivation) at different nitrogen rates is still scarce. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effects of different nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg of N ha−1) on the agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects of processing tomato grown under conventional management in the Mediterranean area. The results of the two-year trials indicated 200 kg of nitrogen ha−1 as the best rate, ensuring the highest values of marketable and total yields, brix ton ha−1, and marginal net return and the lowest global warming potential per ton of marketable yield. However, since plants fertilized with 200 kg of N ha−1 did not record the highest values of nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake efficiency, our finding suggest the possibility to select better-performing cultivars for these physiological parameters by adopting specific tomato breeding programs.
Expression of FOXL2 and RSPO1 in Hen Ovarian Follicles and Implication of Exogenous Leptin in Modulating Their mRNA Expression in In Vitro Cultured Granulosa Cells
Authors: Niu Weihe , Qazi Izhar Hyder , Li Sichen , Zhao Xiaoling , Yin Huadong , Wang Yan , Zhu Qing , Han Hongbing , Zhou Guangbin , Du Xiaohui
Published: December 2019

In this study, using a laying hen model, we determined the expression of FOXL2 and RSPO1 in different central and peripheral tissue and ovarian follicles at different stages of development. At the same time, mRNA expression of both genes in granulosa and theca cells harvested from follicles at different stages of folliculogenesis was also evaluated. Finally, we assessed the effect of leptin treatment on expression of FOXL2 and RSPO1 in in vitro cultured granulosa cells harvested from 1–5 mm to F3–F1 follicles. Our RT-qPCR results revealed that a comparatively higher expression of FOXL2 and RSPO1 was observed in ovary, hypothalamus, and pituitary. Abundant mRNA expression of FOXL2 was observed in small prehierarchical follicles (1–1.9 and 2–2.9 mm follicles; p < 0.05), whereas mRNA expression of RSPO1 showed an increasing trend in large hierarchical follicles (F5–F1), and its abundant expression was observed in post-ovulatory follicles. FOXL2 mRNA expression was stable in granulosa cells harvested from 3–5 mm to F4 follicles, and exhibited a significantly higher expression in large hierarchical follicles. Conversely, relatively low mRNA expression of FOXL2 was observed in theca cells. RSPO1 mRNA expression was relatively lower in granulosa cells; however, theca cells exhibited a significantly higher mRNA expression of RSPO1 in F4 to F1 follicles. In the next experiment, we treated the in vitro cultured granulosa cells with different concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/mL) of exogenous leptin. Compared to the control group, a significant increase in the expression of FOXL2 was observed in groups treated with 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL leptin, whereas expression of RSPO1 was increased in all leptin-treated groups. When treated with 100 ng/mL leptin, FOXL2 and RSPO1 expression was upregulated in cultured granulosa cells harvested from both large hierarchical (F3–F1) and small prehierarchical follicles (1–5 mm). Based on these findings and evidence from mainstream literature, we envisage that FOXL2 and RSPO1 genes (in connection with hypothalamic-hypophysis axis) and leptin (via modulation of FOXL2 and RSPO1 expression) might have significant physiological roles, at least in part, in modulating the ovarian mechanisms, such as follicle development, selection, and steroidogenesis in laying hens.
Pleurotus Ostreatus and Volvariella Volvacea Can Enhance the Quality of Purple Field Corn Stover and Modulate Ruminal Fermentation and Feed Utilization in Tropical Beef Cattle
Authors: Khonkhaeng Benjamad , Cherdthong Anusorn
Published: December 2019

This objective is to elucidate the effect of purple field corn stover treated with Pleurotus ostreatus and Volvarialla volvacea on feed utilization, ruminal ecology, and CH4 synthesis in tropical beef cattle. Four male Thai native beef cattle (100 ± 30 kg of body weight (BW) were assigned randomly as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Factor A (roughage sources) was rice straw and purple field corn stover and factor B was species of white-rot fungi (P. ostreatus and V. volvacea). After fermentation, crude protein (CP) was increased in rice straw and purple field corn stover fermented with P. ostreatus and V. volvacea. The unfermented purple field corn stover contained 11.8% dry matter (DM) of monomeric anthocyanin (MAC), whereas the MAC concentration decreased when purple field corn stover was fermented with white rot fungi. There were no changes (p > 0.05) in DM intake of body weight (BW) kg/d and g/kg BW0.75 among the four treatments. The organic matter (OM), CP, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake were different between rice straw and purple field corn stover and were the greatest in the purple field corn stover group. Moreover, the current study showed that neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ADF digestion was higher in purple field corn stover than in rice straw, but there were no significant differences between P. ostreatus and V. volvacea. There were significant effects of roughage sources on ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) at 4 h after feeding. Bacterial population was changed by feeding with purple field corn stover fermented with P. ostreatus and V. volvacea. On the other hand, the number of protozoa was reduced by approximately 33% at 4 h after feeding with purple field corn stover (p < 0.01). Propionic acid concentration was different between roughage sources (p < 0.01) enhanced with purple field corn stover fermented with P. ostreatus and V. volvacea. In addition, methane production decreased by 15% with purple field corn stover fermented with P. ostreatus and V. volvacea compared to rice straw. There were significant differences on all nitrogen balances parameters (p < 0.05), except the fecal N excretion (p > 0.05) were not changed. Furthermore, microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial N synthesis were enhanced when purple field corn stover fermented with P. ostreatus and V. volvacea was fed compared to rice straw group. Base on this study, it could be summarized that P. ostreatus or V. volvacea can enhance the quality of purple field corn stover and modulate rumen fermentation and feed digestion in Thai native beef cattle.
The Occurrence of Multidrug Resistant Bacteria in the Urine of Healthy Dogs and Dogs with Cystitis
Authors: Yamanaka Andreia R. , Hayakawa Alessandra T. , Rocha Ícaro S. M. , Dutra Valéria , Souza Valeria R. F. , Cruz José N. , Camargo Lázaro M. , Nakazato Luciano
Published: December 2019

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the occurrence of microorganisms, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and the presence of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria in the urine of clinically healthy dogs and dogs with cystitis. The urine was collected through cystocentesis. Subsequently, culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. The isolates were classified based on their resistance profile, to evaluate the presence of MDR bacteria. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests. Bacterial isolates were present in 24.39% of the dogs in the control group, and 60.27% of the dogs in the cystitis group. The cystitis group was associated with a higher risk of bacterial isolates than the control group (odds ratio = 7.5; 95% confidence interval = 2.81–22.40). The main isolates were Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., and Enterobacter spp. in both groups. A high percentage of isolates were resistant to ampicillin in both groups. The lowest resistance presented by the isolates in both groups was to meropenem. Only the resistance to quinolones was different between the groups. The proportions of MDR isolates were 70% (7/10) and 65.91% (29/44) in the control and cystitis groups, respectively. The results showed the presence of MDR bacteria in the urine of both the healthy dogs, and the dogs with cystitis. The drug resistance was high, reinforcing the importance of establishing an effective treatment approach against urinary tract infections in pets, to minimize the spread of bacterial resistance and its impact on public health.
Chewing and Drinking Activity during Transition Period and Lactation in Dairy Cows Fed Partial Mixed Rations
Authors: Brandstetter Viktoria , Neubauer Viktoria , Humer Elke , Kröger Iris , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: December 2019

Dairy cows need sufficient physically effective fibre (peNDF) in their diet to induce chewing with the latter stimulating salivation and maintaining rumen health. Thus, monitoring of chewing activity can be a non-invasive tool to assess fibre adequacy, and thus helping in the optimization of the diet. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare chewing activities of cows during transition period and in the course of lactation. Simmental dairy cows, in four different production groups such as dry period (from 8 to 6 weeks ante-calving), calving (24 h before and after calving), early-lactation (7–60 days in milk), and mid-lactation (60–120 days in milk) were used in the study. Cows were fed partial mixed rations supplemented with different amounts of concentrates. The chewing and drinking activity were recorded using rumination-halters (RumiWatch System, Itin+Hoch GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland). Feed data analysis showed that the peNDF content of the partial mixed ration (PMR) was highest during dry period, decreased around parturition, reaching the nadir in the lactation, in all cases, however, exceeding the peNDF requirements. Chewing data analysis showed that rumination time decreased (p < 0.05) in the time around parturition (from 460 min/d during dry period to 363 min/d 24 h before calving) and increased again in early-lactation (505 min/d), reaching a maximum in mid-lactation (515 min/d). Eating time was lowest for cows during early-lactation (342 min/d) and the highest for those in mid-lactation (462 min/d). Moreover, early-lactation cows spent less time (p < 0.05) drinking (8 min/d) compared to other groups (e.g., 24 min/d the day before calving and 20 min/d postpartum). Monitoring of chewing activity might be a useful tool to assess rumen disorder risks and welfare of the cows during the transition period. It further shows promising results to be used as a tool to identify cows that are shortly before calving.
Prediction Interval Adjustment for Load-Forecasting using Machine Learning
Authors: Zuniga-Garcia Miguel A. , Santamaría-Bonfil G. , Arroyo-Figueroa G. , Batres Rafael
Published: December 2019

Electricity load-forecasting is an essential tool for effective power grid operation and energy markets. However, the lack of accuracy on the estimation of the electricity demand may cause an excessive or insufficient supply which can produce instabilities in the power grid or cause load cuts. Hence, probabilistic load-forecasting methods have become more relevant since these allow an understanding of not only load-point forecasts but also the uncertainty associated with it. In this paper, we develop a probabilistic load-forecasting method based on Association Rules and Artificial Neural Networks for Short-Term Load Forecasting (2 h ahead). First, neural networks are used to estimate point-load forecasts and the variance between these and observations. Then, using the latter, a simple prediction interval is calculated. Next, association rules are employed to adjust the prediction intervals by exploiting the confidence and support of the association rules. The main idea is to increase certainty regarding predictions, thus reducing prediction interval width in accordance to the rules found. Results show that the presented methodology provides a closer prediction interval without sacrificing accuracy. Prediction interval quality and effectiveness is measured using Prediction Interval Coverage Probability (PICP) and the Dawid–Sebastiani Score (DSS). PICP and DSS per horizon shows that the Adjusted and Normal prediction intervals are similar. Also, probabilistic and point-forecast Means Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) metrics are used. Probabilistic MAE indicates that Adjusted prediction intervals fail by less than 2.5 MW along the horizons, which is not significant if we compare it to the 1.3 MW of the Normal prediction interval failure. Also, probabilistic RMSE shows that the probabilistic error tends to be larger than MAE along the horizons, but the maximum difference between Adjusted and Normal probabilistic RMSE is less than 6 MW, which is also not significant.
A Wheeled Inverted Pendulum Learning Stable and Accurate Control from Demonstrations
Authors: Jin Shaokun , Ou Yongsheng
Published: December 2019

In order to enable robots to be more intelligent and flexible, one way is to let robots learn human control strategy from demonstrations. It is a useful methodology, in contrast to traditional preprograming methods, in which robots are required to show generalizing capacity in similar scenarios. In this study, we apply learning from demonstrations on a wheeled, inverted pendulum, which realizes the balance controlling and trajectory following simultaneously. The learning model is able to map the robot position and pose to the wheel speeds, such that the robot regulated by the learned model can move in a desired trajectory and finally stop at a target position. Experiments were undertaken to validate the proposed method by testing its capacity of path following and balance guaranteeing.
Predictive Modeling of ICU Healthcare-Associated Infections from Imbalanced Data. Using Ensembles and a Clustering-Based Undersampling Approach
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández Fernando , Ballesteros-Herráez Juan Carlos , Kraiem Mohamed S. , Sánchez-Barba Mercedes , Moreno-García María N.
Published: December 2019

Early detection of patients vulnerable to infections acquired in the hospital environment is a challenge in current health systems given the impact that such infections have on patient mortality and healthcare costs. This work is focused on both the identification of risk factors and the prediction of healthcare-associated infections in intensive-care units by means of machine-learning methods. The aim is to support decision making addressed at reducing the incidence rate of infections. In this field, it is necessary to deal with the problem of building reliable classifiers from imbalanced datasets. We propose a clustering-based undersampling strategy to be used in combination with ensemble classifiers. A comparative study with data from 4616 patients was conducted in order to validate our proposal. We applied several single and ensemble classifiers both to the original dataset and to data preprocessed by means of different resampling methods. The results were analyzed by means of classic and recent metrics specifically designed for imbalanced data classification. They revealed that the proposal is more efficient in comparison with other approaches.
Role of Melatonin to Enhance Phytoremediation Capacity
Authors: B. Arnao Marino , Hernández-Ruiz Josefa
Published: December 2019

Phytoremediation is a green technology that aims to take up pollutants from soil or water. Metals are one of the targets of these techniques due to their high toxicity in biological systems, including plants and animals. Their elimination or, at least, decrease will help keep them from being incorporated in the trophic chain and thus reaching animal and human food. The metal removal efficiency of plants is closely related to their growth rate, tolerance, and their adaptability to different environments. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a ubiquitous molecule present in animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. In plants, it plays an important role related to antioxidant activity, but also as an important redox network regulator. Thus, melatonin has been defined as a biostimulator of plant growth, especially under environmental stress conditions, whether abiotic (water deficit and waterlogging, extreme temperature, UV radiation, salinity, alkalinity, specific mineral deficit/excess, metals and other toxic compounds, etc.) or biotic (bacteria, fungi, and viruses). Exogenous melatonin treated plants have been seen to have a high tolerance to stressors, minimizing possible harmful effects through the control of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and activating antioxidative responses. Furthermore, important gene expression changes in stress specific transcription factors have been demonstrated. Melatonin is capable of mobilizing toxic metals, through phytochelatins, transporting this, while sequestration adds to the biostimulator effect of melatonin on plants, improving plant tolerance against toxic pollutants. Furthermore, melatonin improves the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in stress situations, enhancing cell metabolism. In light of the above, the application of melatonin seems to be a useful option for clearing toxic pollutants from the environment by improving phytoremediation. Interestingly, a variety of stressors induce melatonin biosynthesis in plants, and the study of this endogenous response in hyperaccumulator plants may be even more interesting as a natural response of the phytoremediation of diverse plants.
Autonomous Operation Method of Multi-DOF Robotic Arm Based on Binocular Vision
Authors: Fan Yiyao , Lv Xueying , Lin Jun , Ma Jianhang , Zhang Guanyu , Zhang Liu
Published: December 2019

Robotic arms with autonomous operation capabilities are currently widely used in real life, such as fruit picking, cargo handling, and workpiece assembly. However, the common autonomous operation methods of the robotic arm have some disadvantages, such as poor universality, low robustness, and difficult implementation. An autonomous operation method of multi-DOF (Multiple Degree of Freedom) robotic arm is proposed in this study on the basis of binocular vision. First, a target object extraction method based on extracting target feature points is proposed, and combined with the binocular positioning principle to obtain the spatial position of the target object. Second, in order to improve the working efficiency of the robotic arm, the robotic arm motion trajectory is planned on the basis of genetic algorithm in the joint space. Finally, a small physical prototype model is built for experimental verification. The experimental results show that the relative positioning error of the target object can reach 1.19% in the depth of field of 70–200 mm. The average grab error, variance, and grab success rate of the robot arm are 14 mm, 6.5 mm, and 83%, respectively. This shows that the method proposed in this paper has the advantages of high robustness, good versatility and easy implementation.
Energy Efficiency Analysis of Fixed-Speed Pump Drives with Various Types of Motors
Authors: Goman Victor , Oshurbekov Safarbek , Kazakbaev Vadim , Prakht Vladimir , Dmitrievskii Vladimir
Published: December 2019

The paper presents a comparative analysis of energy consumption by 2.2 kW electric motors of various types and energy efficiency classes in the electric drive of a pump unit with throttle control in a water supply system. Line-start permanent-magnet synchronous motors of the IE4 energy efficiency class and induction motors of the IE4 and IE3 energy efficiency classes of various manufacturers were considered (IE4 and IE3 are labels of energy efficiency classes of electric motors according to IEC 60034-30-1 standard). Energy consumption at a hydraulic load changing under a typical duty cycle was calculated based on the nameplate data of the pump and electric motors. The developed method shows that selecting an electric motor based on the IE energy efficiency class under the IEC 60034-30-1 standard (i.e., based on efficiency at a rated load) may not provide the minimum energy consumption of a variable flow pump unit over a typical duty cycle. In particular, the considered IE4 class line-start permanent-magnet synchronous motors do not provide significant advantages over IE4 class induction motors, and sometimes even over IE3 class induction motors when they are used in variable flow pump units.
Design Criteria for Planning the Agricultural Rainwater Harvesting Systems: A Review
Authors: Martínez-Acosta Luisa , López-Lambraño Alvaro Alberto , López-Ramos Alvaro
Published: December 2019

The growth in world population demands greater food production. Meanwhile, rainwater-harvesting systems (RWHS) have been used since ancient times to guarantee water supply for agriculture. Therefore, this research study reviews the conditions related to RWHS, focusing on rural communities. In this review, the methodologies used for rainwater harvesting (RWH) were determined, considering the characteristics for each of the hydraulic structures to guarantee runoff collection according to the basin area. Finally, the most relevant design parameters that should be considered in the planning and integral water resource management (IWRM) are identified, such as the soil type, average rainfall, and physiographic characteristics of the basin.
Virtual Inertia-Based Inverters for Mitigating Frequency Instability in Grid-Connected Renewable Energy System: A Review
Authors: Yap Kah Yung , Sarimuthu Charles R. , Lim Joanne Mun-Yee
Published: December 2019

This study paper presents a comprehensive review of virtual inertia (VI)-based inverters in modern power systems. The transition from the synchronous generator (SG)-based conventional power generation to converter-based renewable energy sources (RES) deteriorates the frequency stability of the power system due to the intermittency of wind and photovoltaic (PV) generation. Unlike conventional power generation, the lack of rotational inertia becomes the main challenge to interface RES with the electrical grid via power electronic converters. In the past several years, researchers have addressed this issue by emulating the behavior of SG mathematically via pulse width modulation (PWM) controller linked to conventional inverter systems. These systems are technically known as VI-based inverters, which consist of virtual synchronous machine (VSM), virtual synchronous generator (VSG), and synchronverter. This paper provides an extensive insight into the latest development, application, challenges, and prospect of VI application, which is crucial for the transition to low-carbon power system.
Tip Estimation Method in Phantoms for Curved Needle Using 2D Transverse Ultrasound Images
Authors: Li Zihao , Song Shuang , Liu Li , Meng Max Q.-H.
Published: December 2019

Flexible needles have been widely used in minimally invasive surgeries, especially in percutaneous interventions. Among the interventions, tip position of the curved needle is very important, since it directly affects the success of the surgeries. In this paper, we present a method to estimate the tip position of a long-curved needle by using 2D transverse ultrasound images from a robotic ultrasound system. Ultrasound is first used to detect the cross section of long-flexible needle. A new imaging approach is proposed based on the selection of numbers of pixels with a higher gray level, which can directly remove the lower gray level to highlight the needle. After that, the needle shape tracking method is proposed by combining the image processing with the Kalman filter by using 3D needle positions, which develop a robust needle tracking procedure from 1 mm to 8 mm scan intervals. Shape reconstruction is then achieved using the curve fitting method. Finally, the needle tip position is estimated based on the curve fitting result. Experimental results showed that the estimation error of tip position is less than 1 mm within 4 mm scan intervals. The advantage of the proposed method is that the shape and tip position can be estimated through scanning the needle’s cross sections at intervals along the direction of needle insertion without detecting the tip.
Web Scraping Scientific Repositories for Augmented Relevant Literature Search Using CRISP-DM
Authors: Hassanien Hossam
Published: December 2019

Scientific web repositories are central cyber locations where academic papers are stored and maintained. With the nature of the unstructured and semi-structured information/metadata within these repositories, literature analysis for scholar writing becomes a challenge. Correspondingly, applying CRISP-DM poses a stance to address this challenge through formulating a rather augmented process for a relevant literature search. However, almost all repositories do not have a straight forward method where metadata could be extracted for preliminary data processing being applied as part of the CRISP-DM process. Additionally, most repositories do not follow open access standards. Until the time this paper was published, the topic of the augmented, relevant literature search had seen a methodological progress only, with the inability to apply the underlying methods on a larger scale, given data access constraints to open access repositories. The aim of this paper is to propose CRISP-DM as an augmented research methodology with a focus on web scraping as part of the data processing step. To substantiate the proposed methodology, a play role case study is conducted. This then works on alleviating these restrictions, as well as encouraging the wider adoption of the augmented analysis process for a relevant literature search within the research community.
Modified Three-Dimensional Jet Indices and Their Application to East Asia
Authors: Li Haishan , Fan Ke , Xu Zhiqing , Li Hua
Published: December 2019

A set of three-dimensional jet indices (jet speed index, jet pressure index, jet latitude index) has been proposed in previous literature to describe the variation of jet streams in both the horizontal and vertical direction. We refer to these indices at the ‘AC’ indices, after the names of the researchers involved. However, the physical meaning of the AC indices and the relationship between AC indices and climate systems are not fully understood. Further study is still needed for applying the indices in East Asia (70°–140° E). In this study, based on the understanding of the physical meaning of the AC indices, latitudinal ranges of East Asian jet streams are determined, and a set of modified AC indices is proposed. Based on the modified AC indices, the linear trends in East Asian jet streams are studied, and the relationship between East Asian jet streams and the climate is researched. The results show that the jet speed index corresponds to the meridional temperature gradient (MTG) of the middle to upper troposphere (500–200 hPa); the jet pressure index corresponds to the pressure level at which the MTG equals zero; and the jet latitude reflects the meridional MTG distribution. The latitudinal ranges of jet streams are determined based on the meridional profiles of climatological zonal-mean zonal winds. Within such a latitudinal range, the climatological zonal-mean zonal winds between 400 and 100 hPa are only westerly, and the maximum wind speed in the vertical direction at every latitude appears between 400 and 100 hPa. The jet streams can be further classified according to the features of the profiles. For East Asia (70°–140° E), jet streams can be classified into winter subtropical jet streams (15°–47.5° N), summer subtropical jet streams (27.5°–60° N), and summer polar front jet streams (60°–87.5° N). The classification of jet streams can be supported by their correspondence to the distribution of tropospheric baroclinicity. A set of modified AC indices can be acquired by using the new ranges of East Asian jet streams in the definition of the original AC indices. Descriptions of jet streams using the modified AC indices are more in accordance with the distributional features of the climatological zonal winds over East Asia, and the physical meanings of the modified AC indices are more definite than the original indices. Using the modified AC indices, we find a significant weakening trend in the strength of the summer subtropical jet stream (−0.13 m/s/10 yr) and a significant northward shift of the winter subtropical jet stream (0.22°/10 yr), and the possible reasons for these trends are studied. Finally, the relationships of East Asian jet streams in winter and summer with atmospheric circulation, temperature, and precipitation are also investigated in this study.
Radon Investigation in 650 Energy Efficient Dwellings in Western Switzerland: Impact of Energy Renovation and Building Characteristics
Authors: Yang Shen , Goyette Pernot Joëlle , Hager Jörin Corinne , Niculita-Hirzel Hélène , Perret Vincent , Licina Dusan
Published: December 2019

As part of more stringent energy targets in Switzerland, we witness the appearance of new green-certified dwellings while many existing dwellings have undergone energy efficiency measures. These measures have led to reduced energy consumption, but rarely consider their impact on indoor air quality. Consequently, such energy renovation actions can lead to an accumulation of radon in dwellings located in radon-prone areas at doses that can affect human health. This study compared the radon levels over 650 energy-efficient dwellings in western Switzerland between green-certified (Minergie) and energy-renovated dwellings, and analyzed the building characteristics responsible of this accumulation. We found that the newly green-certified dwellings had significantly lower radon level than energy-renovated, which were green- and non-green-certified houses (geometric mean 52, 87, and 105 Bq/m3, respectively). The new dwellings with integrated mechanical ventilation exhibited lower radon concentrations. Thermal retrofitting of windows, roofs, exterior walls, and floors were associated with a higher radon level. Compared to radon measurements prior to energy renovation, we found a 20% increase in radon levels. The results highlight the need to consider indoor air quality when addressing energy savings to avoid compromising occupants’ health, and are useful for enhancing the ventilation design and energy renovation procedures in dwellings.
The Influence of Gravity Waves on Ice Saturation in the Tropical Tropopause Layer over Darwin, Australia
Authors: Dzambo Andrew M. , Hitchman Matthew H. , Chang Kai-Wei
Published: December 2019

Gravity waves (GWs) in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) can help dehydrate the lower stratosphere through rapid cooling events, but observational studies of GWs in the TTL are limited. Using a long-term, high-resolution radiosonde temperature dataset, an atmospheric state classification technique, and wavelet analysis, we characterize temperature perturbations generated by GWs in the TTL over Darwin, Australia across eight atmospheric states. We find a peak in GW power just above the tropical tropopause and a climatological maximum during peak monsoon season. While accounting for a chronic negative temperature bias near the tropical tropopause, we estimate that, in the upper troposphere, GWs impose a 2 K temperature perturbation during non-monsoon states and a 3 K temperature perturbation during the monsoon states, with corresponding values of 5 K and 6 K in the upper TTL. A 3 K negative temperature perturbation will lead to significant perturbations in relative humidity with respect to ice, which has implications for environmental ice number concentrations and TTL cloud fraction.
Source Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during Ozone Polluted Days in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Han Lixia , Chen Linghong , Li Kangwei , Bao Zhier , Zhao Yanyun , Zhang Xin , Azzi Merched , Cen Kefa
Published: December 2019

A field sampling campaign of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was conducted during ozone polluted days at three sites of botanic gardens (HP), industrial areas (XS), and traffic residential mixed areas (ZH) in Hangzhou. The sampling was performed using stainless steel canisters from 6:00 to 20:00 synchronously with a time interval of 2 h on 17 May, 26 June, 20 July, 24 August, and 26 September 2018. A total of 107 species of VOCs for each sample were quantified using two standard gases with a pre-concentrator coupled by GC/MS. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model was used to identify the major VOC sources and assess their contribution to VOC concentrations. The effects of VOCs on O3 formation were investigated, based on propylene-equivalent concentrations (Prop-E), ozone formation potential (OFP), and Smog Production Model (SPM). It was found that the concentration of ozone during the sampling days tended to be highest in the downwind area while the concentrations of VOCs and NO2 in HP were rather low. The most reactive species were isoprene, ethylene, m-xylene, toluene, and propylene. The average total VOC volume mixing ratios in HP, XS, and ZH were 32.00, 36.63, and 50.34 ppbv, respectively. Bimodal profiles of propane and n-butane were exhibited in ZH while unimodal diurnal variation of isoprene was performed in HP. Liquefied petroleum gas/natural gas (LPG/NG) usage, aged background, and secondary source were identified as the major contributors to total VOCs in Hangzhou, accounting for 19.65%, 15.53%, and 18.93%, respectively.
Spatial Asymmetric Tilt of the NAO Dipole Mode and Its Variability
Authors: Yao Yao
Published: December 2019

The dipole structure of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is examined in this study by defining the tilt of the NAO dipole centers on synoptic time scales. All the positive NAO phase (NAO+) and negative NAO phase (NAO−) events are divided into three tilting types according to their definition; namely, northeast–southwest (NE–SW), north–south symmetric (N–S, not tilted), and northwest–southeast (NW–SE) tilting NAO events. Then, the associated surface air temperature (SAT), geopotential height, zonal wind, and SST (surface sea temperature) anomalies of each type are examined. It is found that, for different asymmetric NAO tilt types, the local SATs exhibit significantly different distributions. The zonal wind has a good match with the NAO dipole tilt, which also includes the positive feedback of the NAO circulation. The basic zonal flow that removes the NAO days also exhibits a clear tilt structure that favors the tilt of the NAO dipole. Moreover, it is found that the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) may be an important factor affecting the tilt of the NAO dipole. The AMO index has a significant 15-year lead for the NAO index and basic zonal flow index, with a high correlation coefficient, which might be seen as a precondition that indicates the tilt of the NAO events, especially on decadal or multidecadal time scales. However, the physical mechanisms and processes are still not fully understood.
Influence of Individual Household Heating on PM2.5 Concentration in a Rural Settlement
Authors: Olszowski Tomasz
Published: December 2019

This article reports the results of research on the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in two places in one village named Kotórz Mały (Poland). The main point of the research was to check the influence scale of different low-emission source forms as components of the anthropogenic factor driving the changes in local air quality. Measurements were made over five cold seasons. To investigate the dust concentrations, the gravimetric and optical method was used. The weather conditions were measured with portable weather stations. It was found that the character of individual heating systems had a major influence on local air quality. The presence of a permanent state of the troposphere and temperature inversion led to the inhibition of pollution dispersion processes and significant local changes, exceeding the recommended PM2.5 concentrations limit. The effects of policy still don’t influence air quality trends in the Polish village. The main problem of high concentrations of PM2.5 is the old generation of individual heating systems and the lack of significant support from local and national authorities. For the terms considered and the period of observation, meteorological measurements can be considered a sufficient foundation for the estimation of the occurrence of worrying conditions.
Influence of Glutathione and Ascorbic Acid Treatments during Vinification of Feteasca Regala Variety and Their Antioxidant Effect on Volatile Profile
Authors: Cojocaru George Adrian , Antoce Arina Oana
Published: December 2019

Volatile profiles were determined for white wines of Feteasca regala variety produced from musts in which the antioxidants glutathione and ascorbic acid were added in different proportions before inception of alcoholic fermentation. Treatments with these antioxidants affect some volatile compound evolution and positively influence the wine volatile profile. After one year of storage in bottles with and without carbon dioxide protection the volatile profiles of the wines were assessed by using a Fast GC Alpha MOS Heracles e-Nose by applying a DFA multivariate statistical method and AroChemBase database for compound identification. The analyses showed that some higher alcohols, such as 2-phenylethanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol were in lower concentrations in wines treated with reduced glutathione, while the main ethyl fatty acid esters, such as ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, and ethyl decanoate were better preserved when higher concentrations of any of the antioxidants were added in must. On the other hand, it was observed that some other volatile compounds were not affected by these applied treatments.