bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust photon-efficient imaging using a pixel-wise residual shrinkage network
Authors: Yao Gongxin , Chen Yiwei , Liu Yong , Hu Xiaomin , Pan Yu
Published: May 2022

Single-photon light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has been widely applied to 3D imaging in challenging scenarios. However, limited signal photon counts and high noises in the collected data have posed great challenges for predicting the depth image precisely. In this paper, we propose a pixel-wise residual shrinkage network for photon-efficient imaging from high-noise data, which adaptively generates the optimal thresholds for each pixel and denoises the intermediate features by soft thresholding. Besides, redefining the optimization target as pixel-wise classification provides a sharp advantage in producing confident and accurate depth estimation when compared with existing research. Comprehensive experiments conducted on both simulated and real-world datasets demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-arts and maintains robust imaging performance under different signal-to-noise ratios including the extreme case of 1:100.
Large-scale surface-micromachined optical ultrasound transducer (SMOUT) array for photoacoustic computed tomography
Authors: Yan Zhiyu , Zou Jun
Published: May 2022

This paper reports a new 2D surface-micromachined optical ultrasound transducer (SMOUT) array consisting of 350 × 350 elements with highly uniform optical and acoustic performances. Each SMOUT element consists of a vacuum-sealed Fabry-Perot (F-P) interferometric cavity formed by two parallel partially reflective distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). Optical mapping in the 4 cm × 4 cm center region of the SMOUT array shows that the optical resonance wavelength (ORW) of > 94% of the elements falls within a narrow range of ≤ 10 nm. The center frequency, acoustic bandwidth and noise equivalent pressure (NEP) of the elements are determined to be 5 MHz, 5 MHz, and 20.7 Pa (with 16 times of signal averaging) or 172.5 Pa (without averaging) over a bandwidth of 10 MHz, respectively. The temperature and temporal stability of the SMOUT elements is also tested, which shows there is little variation in their ORW under large ambient temperature fluctuation and during continuous water immersion. To demonstrate its imaging capability, 2D and 3D PACT based on the SMOUT array is also conducted within a 3 cm × 3 cm field of view (FOV) at a depth of 3cm with no interrogation wavelength tuning. These results show that the SMOUT array could overcome some of the major limitations in existing ultrasound transducer arrays for PACT and provide a promising solution for achieving high-speed 3D imaging.
Metal-printing tunable interlayer waveguide coupler using low-loss fluorinated polycarbonate
Authors: Wang Chunxue , Zhang Daming , Ding Shuxiang , Yue Jian , Lin Hang , Zhang Xucheng , Cui Zhanchen , Shi Zuosen , Chen Changming
Published: May 2022

Tunable three-dimensional (3D) integrated optical waveguide chips with optical interconnection function are beneficial to expand the application of optical devices in a 3D integrated photonic module. Here, we propose a thermo-optic (TO) tunable interlayer waveguide coupler based on the metal-printing technique. Low-loss fluorinated polycarbonate (AF-Ali-PC MA) and poly (methyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) [P(MMA-co-GMA)] are synthesized as waveguide core and cladding layer, respectively. The thermal stability and optical adsorption characteristics of AF-Ali-PC MA are analyzed. Optical signal transmission features of the interlayer coupling waveguides are simulated. The optical response properties and fabrication process flows of a dynamic multilayer waveguide chip can be greatly improved by the metal-printing technique. The on–off time of the TO interlayer coupling chip is obtained as 250 µs, and the electrical power consumption is measured as 7.6 mW. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a TO tunable interlayer waveguide coupler is achieved by an efficient metal-printing method, which is suitable for large-scale photonic integrated circuit (PIC) systems and multilayer optical interconnection (OXC) networks.
Ultra-broadband wavelength-swept Ti:sapphire crystal fiber laser
Authors: Lin Yu-Chan , Yang Teng-I , Huang Sheng-Lung
Published: May 2022

An ultra-broadband wavelength-swept laser (WSL) was generated using glass-clad Ti:sapphire crystal fiber as the gain media. Due to the low signal propagation loss of the crystal fiber, the swept laser has a tuning bandwidth of 250 nm (i.e., 683 nm to 933 nm) at a repetition rate of 1200 Hz. The steady-state and pulsed dynamics of the WSL were analyzed. The 0.018-nm instantaneous linewidth corresponds to a 3-dB coherence roll-off of 7 mm. When using the laser for swept-source optical coherence tomography, an estimated axial resolution of 1.8 µm can be achieved.
Light-field focusing and modulation through scattering media based on dual-polarization-encoded digital optical phase conjugation
Authors: Dou Jiazhen , Ma Chaojie , Wang Kaiqiang , Di Jianglei , Zhang Jiwei , Zhao Jianlin
Published: May 2022

Digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) can be applied for light-field focusing and imaging through or within scattering media. Traditional DOPC only recovers the phase but loses the polarization information of the original incident beam. In this Letter, we propose a dual-polarization-encoded DOPC to recover the full information (both phase and polarization) of the incident beam. The phase distributions of two orthogonal polarization components of the speckle field coming from a multimode fiber are first measured by using digital holography. Then, the phase distributions are separately modulated on two beams and their conjugations are superposed to recover the incident beam through the fiber. By changing the phase difference or amplitude ratio between the two conjugate beams, light fields with complex polarization distribution can also be generated. This method will broaden the application scope of DOPC in imaging through scattering media.
A generalized Flory-Stockmayer kinetic theory of connectivity percolation and rigidity percolation of cytoskeletal networks
Authors: Bueno Carlos , Liman James , Schafer Nicholas P. , Cheung Margaret S. , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: May 2022

Actin networks are essential for living cells to move, reproduce, and sense their environments. The dynamic and rheological behavior of actin networks is modulated by actin-binding proteins such as α-actinin, Arp2/3, and myosin. There is experimental evidence that actin-binding proteins modulate the cooperation of myosin motors by connecting the actin network. In this work, we present an analytical mean field model, using the Flory-Stockmayer theory of gelation, to understand how different actin-binding proteins change the connectivity of the actin filaments as the networks are formed. We follow the kinetics of the networks and estimate the concentrations of actin-binding proteins that are needed to reach connectivity percolation as well as to reach rigidity percolation. We find that Arp2/3 increases the actomyosin connectivity in the network in a non-monotonic way. We also describe how changing the connectivity of actomyosin networks modulates the ability of motors to exert forces, leading to three possible phases of the networks with distinctive dynamical characteristics: a sol phase, a gel phase, and an active phase. Thus, changes in the concentration and activity of actin-binding proteins in cells lead to a phase transition of the actin network, allowing the cells to perform active contraction and change their rheological properties.
Effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions in the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Perez-Saez Javier , Lee Elizabeth C. , Wada Nikolas I. , Alqunaibet Ada Mohammed , Almudarra Sami Saeed , Alsukait Reem F. , Dong Di , Zhang Yi , El Saharty Sameh , Herbst Christopher H. , Lessler Justin
Published: May 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions have been widely employed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Their associated effect on SARS-CoV-2 transmission have however been unequally studied across regions. Few studies have focused on the Gulf states despite their potential role for global pandemic spread, in particular in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through religious pilgrimages. We study the association between NPIs and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the first pandemic wave between March and October 2020. We infer associations between NPIs introduction and lifting through a spatial SEIR-type model that allows for inferences of region-specific changes in transmission intensity. We find that reductions in transmission were associated with NPIs implemented shortly after the first reported case including Isolate and Test with School Closure (region-level mean estimates of the reduction in R0ranged from 25–41%), Curfew (20–70% reduction), and Lockdown (50–60% reduction), although uncertainty in the estimates was high, particularly for the Isolate and Test with School Closure NPI (95% Credible Intervals from 1% to 73% across regions). Transmission was found to increase progressively in most regions during the last part of NPI relaxation phases. These results can help informing the policy makers in the planning of NPI scenarios as the pandemic evolves with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the availability of vaccination.
High prevalence of small intestine bacteria overgrowth and asymptomatic carriage of enteric pathogens in stunted children in Antananarivo, Madagascar
Authors: Collard Jean-Marc , Andrianonimiadana Lova , Habib Azimdine , Rakotondrainipiana Maheninasy , Andriantsalama Prisca , Randriamparany Ravaka , Rabenandrasana M. A. N. , Weill François-Xavier , Sauvonnet Nathalie , Randremanana Rindra Vatosoa , Guillemot Vincent , Vonaesch Pascale , Sansonetti Philippe J. ,   for the Afribiota Investigators
Published: May 2022

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) refers to an incompletely defined syndrome of inflammation, reduced absorptive capacity, and reduced barrier function in the small intestine. It is widespread among children and adults in low- and middle-income countries and is also associated with poor sanitation and certain gut infections possibly resulting in an abnormal gut microbiota, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and stunting.

We investigated bacterial pathogen exposure in stunted and non-stunted children in Antananarivo, Madagascar by collecting fecal samples from 464 children (96 severely stunted, 104 moderately stunted and 264 non-stunted) and the prevalence of SIBO in 109 duodenal aspirates from stunted children (61 from severely stunted and 48 from moderately stunted children). SIBO assessed by both aerobic and anaerobic plating techniques was very high: 85.3% when selecting a threshold of ≥105CFU/ml of bacteria in the upper intestinal aspirates. Moreover, 58.7% of the children showed more than 106bacteria/ml in these aspirates. The most prevalent cultivated genera recovered wereStreptococcus,Neisseria,Staphylococcus,Rothia,Haemophilus,PantoeaandBranhamella. Feces screening by qPCR showed a high prevalence of bacterial enteropathogens, especially those categorized as being enteroinvasive or causing mucosal disruption, such asShigellaspp., enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli, enteropathogenicE.coliand enteroaggregativeE.coli. These pathogens were detected at a similar rate in stunted children and controls, all showing no sign of severe diarrhea the day of inclusion but both living in a highly contaminated environment (slum-dwelling). InterestinglyShigellaspp. was the most prevalent enteropathogen found in this study (83.3%) without overrepresentation in stunted children.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the California mosquito-borne virus surveillance & response plan, 2009–2018
Authors: Danforth Mary E. , Snyder Robert E. , Lonstrup Emma T. N. , Barker Christopher M. , Kramer Vicki L.
Published: May 2022

Local vector control and public health agencies in California use the California Mosquito-Borne Virus Surveillance and Response Plan to monitor and evaluate West Nile virus (WNV) activity and guide responses to reduce the burden of WNV disease. All available data from environmental surveillance, such as the abundance and WNV infection rates in Culex tarsalis and the Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes, the numbers of dead birds, seroconversions in sentinel chickens, and ambient air temperatures, are fed into a formula to estimate the risk level and associated risk of human infections. In many other areas of the US, the vector index, based only on vector mosquito abundance and infection rates, is used by vector control programs to estimate the risk of human WNV transmission. We built models to determine the association between risk level and the number of reported symptomatic human disease cases with onset in the following three weeks to identify the essential components of the risk level and to compare California’s risk estimates to vector index. Risk level calculations based on Cx. tarsalis and Cx. pipiens complex levels were significantly associated with increased human risk, particularly when accounting for vector control area and population, and were better predictors than using vector index. Including all potential environmental components created an effective tool to estimate the risk of WNV transmission to humans in California.
Malaria transmission structure in the Peruvian Amazon through antibody signatures to Plasmodium vivax
Authors: Rosado Jason , Carrasco-Escobar Gabriel , Nolasco Oscar , Garro Katherine , Rodriguez-Ferruci Hugo , Guzman-Guzman Mitchel , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Vinetz Joseph M. , Nekkab Narimane , White Michael T. , Mueller Ivo , Gamboa Dionicia
Published: May 2022

Background

The landscape of malaria transmission in the Peruvian Amazon is temporally and spatially heterogeneous, presenting different micro-geographies with particular epidemiologies. Most cases are asymptomatic and escape routine malaria surveillance based on light microscopy (LM). Following the implementation of control programs in this region, new approaches to stratify transmission and direct efforts at an individual and community level are needed. Antibody responses to serological exposure markers (SEM) to Plasmodium vivax have proven diagnostic performance to identify people exposed in the previous 9 months.

Methodology

We measured antibody responses against 8 SEM to identify recently exposed people and determine the transmission dynamics of P. vivax in peri-urban (Iquitos) and riverine (Mazán) communities of Loreto, communities that have seen significant recent reductions in malaria transmission. Socio-demographic, geo-reference, LM and qPCR diagnosis data were collected from two cross-sectional surveys. Spatial and multilevel analyses were implemented to describe the distribution of seropositive cases and the risk factors associated with exposure to P. vivax.

Principal findings

Low local transmission was detected by qPCR in both Iquitos (5.3%) and Mazán (2.7%); however, seroprevalence indicated a higher level of (past) exposure to P. vivax in Mazán (56.5%) than Iquitos (38.2%). Age and being male were factors associated with high odds of being seropositive in both sites. Higher antibody levels were found in individuals >15 years old. The persistence of long-lived antibodies in these individuals could overestimate the detection of recent exposure. Antibody levels in younger populations (<15 years old) could be a better indicator of recent exposure to P. vivax.

Conclusions

The large number of current and past infections detected by SEMs allows for detailed local epidemiological analyses, in contrast to data from qPCR prevalence surveys which did not produce statistically significant associations. Serological surveillance will be increasingly important in the Peruvian Amazon as malaria transmission is reduced by continued control and elimination efforts.
Deep learning kidney segmentation with very limited training data using a cascaded convolution neural network
Authors: Guo Junyu , Odu Ayobami , Pedrosa Ivan
Published: May 2022

Background

Deep learning segmentation requires large datasets with ground truth. Image annotation is time consuming and leads to shortages of ground truth data for clinical imaging. This study is to investigate the feasibility of kidney segmentation using deep learning convolution neural network (CNN) models trained with MR images from only a few subjects.

Methods

A total of 60 subjects from two cohorts were included in this study. The first cohort of 20 subjects from publicly available data was used for training and testing. The second cohort of 40 subjects with renal masses from our institution was used for testing only. A few-shot deep learning approach using 3D augmentation was investigated. T1-weighted images in the first cohort were used for training and testing. Cascaded CNN networks were trained using images from one, three, and six subjects, respectively. Images for the remaining subjects were used for testing. Images in the second cohort were utilized for testing only. Dice and Jaccard coefficients were generated to evaluate the performance of CNN models. Statistical analyses for segmentation metrics among different approaches were performed.

Results

Our approach achieved mean Dice coefficients of 0.85 using a single training subject and 0.91 with six training subjects. Compared to a single Unet, the cascaded network significantly improved the results using a single training subject (Dice, 0.759 vs. 0.835; p<0.001) and three subjects (0.864 vs. 0.893; p = 0.015) in the first cohort, and the results for the second cohort (0.821 vs. 0.873; p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Our few-shot kidney segmentation approach using 3D augmentation achieved a good performance even using a single Unet. Furthermore, the cascaded network significantly improved the performance of segmentation and was superior to a single Unet in certain cases. Our approach provides a promising solution to segmentation in medical imaging when the number of ground truth masks is limited.
LmTraceMap: A Listeria monocytogenes fast-tracing platform for global surveillance
Authors: Liu Yen-Yi , Chen Chih-Chieh , Yang Chien-Hua , Hsieh Hui-Yi , He Jia-Xin , Lin Hao-Hsuan , Lee Chi-Ching
Published: May 2022

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, and people with hypoimmunity such as pregnant women, infants and fetuses are at high risk of invasive infection. Although the incidence of listeriosis is low, the fatality rate is high. Therefore, continual surveillance and rapid epidemiological investigation are crucial for addressing L. monocytogenes. Because of the popularity of next-generation sequencing, obtaining the whole-genome sequence of a bacterium is easy. Several genome-based typing methods are available, and core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) is the most recognized methods. Using cgMLST typing to compare L. monocytogenes whole-genome sequences (WGS) with those obtained across distinct regions is beneficial. However, the concern is how to incorporate the powerful cgMLST method into investigations, such as by using source tracing. Herein, we present an easy-to-use web service called–LmTraceMap (http://lmtracemap.cgu.edu.tw/hua_map/test/upload.php; http://120.126.17.192/hua_map/test/upload.php) that can help public-health professionals rapidly trace closely related isolates worldwide and visually inspect them in search results on a world map with labeled epidemiological data. We expect the proposed service to improve the convenience of public health investigations.
Lack of evidence for trans-generational immune priming against the honey bee pathogen Melissococcus plutonius
Authors: Ory Florine , Duchemin Vincent , Kilchenmann Verena , Charrière Jean-Daniel , Dainat Benjamin , Dietemann Vincent
Published: May 2022

Trans-generational immune priming involves the transfer of immunological experience, acquired by the parents after exposure to pathogens, to protect their progeny against infections by these pathogens. Such natural mechanisms could be exploited to prevent disease expression in economically important insects, such as the honey bee. This mechanism occurs when honey bee queens are exposed to the pathogenic bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. Here, we tested whether natural or experimental exposure to Melissococcus plutonius—another bacterium triggering a disease in honey bee larvae—reduced the susceptibility of the queen’s progeny to infection by this pathogen. Because the immunological response upon pathogen exposure can lead to fitness costs, we also determined whether experimental exposure of the queens affected them or their colony negatively. Neither natural nor experimental exposure induced protection in the honey bee larvae against the deleterious effects of M. plutonius. Our results provided no evidence for the occurrence of trans-generational immune priming upon exposure of the queen to M. plutonius. Whether this lack was due to confounding genetic resistance, to unsuitable exposure procedure or to the absence of trans-generational immune priming against this pathogen in honey bees remains to be determined.
Ubiquitination of Ebola virus VP35 at lysine 309 regulates viral transcription and assembly
Authors: van Tol Sarah , Kalveram Birte , Ilinykh Philipp A. , Ronk Adam , Huang Kai , Aguilera-Aguirre Leopoldo , Bharaj Preeti , Hage Adam , Atkins Colm , Giraldo Maria I. , Wakamiya Maki , Gonzalez-Orozco Maria , Warren Abbey N. , Bukreyev Alexander , Freiberg Alexander N. , Rajsbaum Ricardo
Published: May 2022

Ebola virus (EBOV) VP35 is a polyfunctional protein involved in viral genome packaging, viral polymerase function, and host immune antagonism. The mechanisms regulating VP35’s engagement in different functions are not well-understood. We previously showed that the host E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM6 ubiquitinates VP35 at lysine 309 (K309) to facilitate virus replication. However, how K309 ubiquitination regulates the function of VP35 as the viral polymerase co-factor and the precise stage(s) of the EBOV replication cycle that require VP35 ubiquitination are not known. Here, we generated recombinant EBOVs encoding glycine (G) or arginine (R) mutations at VP35/K309 (rEBOV-VP35/K309G/-R) and show that both mutations prohibit VP35/K309 ubiquitination. The K309R mutant retains dsRNA binding and efficient type-I Interferon (IFN-I) antagonism due to the basic residue conservation. The rEBOV-VP35/K309G mutant loses the ability to efficiently antagonize the IFN-I response, while the rEBOV-VP35/K309R mutant’s suppression is enhanced. The replication of both mutants was significantly attenuated in both IFN-competent and -deficient cells due to impaired interactions with the viral polymerase. The lack of ubiquitination on VP35/K309 or TRIM6 deficiency disrupts viral transcription with increasing severity along the transcriptional gradient. This disruption of the transcriptional gradient results in unbalanced viral protein production, including reduced synthesis of the viral transcription factor VP30. In addition, lack of ubiquitination on K309 results in enhanced interactions with the viral nucleoprotein and premature nucleocapsid packaging, leading to dysregulation of virus assembly. Overall, we identified a novel role of VP35 ubiquitination in coordinating viral transcription and assembly.
The politics is in the drums: Producing and composing in the music classroom
Authors: Hein Ethan
Published: May 2022

Music technology courses are increasingly common offerings in university and secondary music programmes. Curriculum standards, subject matter and classroom practices of these courses are still very much in flux. The music education field therefore has a unique opportunity to shape and define music technology as a subject before it becomes fully standardized. Teaching this subject in the context of European-descended ‘art’ music traditions will perpetuate the white racial frame of school music. The author argues that educators should critically examine the racialized split between ‘art’ and ‘popular’ forms of electronic music, and should consciously centre ‘the Black Electronic’ in their curricula. This includes the techniques of beatmaking and sampling, as well as their cultural and political contexts and meanings. An example project drawing on hip hop methods and values is presented.
Comparison between polynomial regression and weighted least squares regression analysis for verification of analytical measurement range
Authors: Jeong Tae-Dong , Kim Soo-Kyung , Kim Sollip , Lim Chi-Yeon , Chung Jae-Woo
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Recently, the linearity evaluation protocol by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has been revised from EP6-A to EP6-ED2, with the statistical method of interpreting linearity evaluation data being changed from polynomial regression to weighted least squares linear regression (WLS). We analyzed and compared the analytical measurement range (AMR) verification results according to the present and prior linearity evaluation guidelines.

Methods

The verification of AMR of clinical chemistry tests was performed using five samples with two replicates in three different laboratories. After analyzing the same evaluation data in each laboratory by the polynomial regression analysis and WLS methods, results were compared to determine whether linearity was verified across the five sample concentrations. In addition, whether the 90% confidence interval of deviation from linearity by WLS was included in the allowable deviation from linearity (ADL) was compared.

Results

A linearity of 42.3–56.8% of the chemistry items was verified by polynomial regression analysis in three laboratories. For analysis of the same data by WLS, a linearity of 63.5–78.3% of the test items was verified where the deviation from linearity of all five samples was within the ADL criteria, and the cases where the 90% confidence interval of all deviation from linearity overlapped the ADL was 78.8–91.3%.

Conclusions

Interpreting AMR verification data by the WLS method according to the newly revised CLSI document EP6-ED2 could reduce laboratory workload, enabling efficient laboratory practice.
Gigahertz femtosecond laser-by a novel asymmetric one-dimensional photonic crystal saturable absorber device with defect layer
Authors: Song Chun-Yu , Chen Hua-Long , Wang Yong-Jie , Jin Liang , Xu Ying-Tian , Shi Lin-Lin , Zou Yong-Gang , Ma Xiao-Hui , Song Yu-Feng , Wang Cong , Zhang Ya-Ting , Lin Ja-Hon , Zhang He , Zhang Han , Yao Jian-Quan
Published: May 2022

High repetition frequency (HRF) ultrashort pulse fiber laser has been widely used in laser cold processing. The technical solutions such as short cavity length fiber laser have been proposed to achieve HRF ultrashort pulse output recently. However, the application of material-based saturable absorbers in this field has been astricted due to the low modulation depth, low damage resistance threshold, and high saturation fluence. Here, we designed a one-dimensional asymmetric photonic crystal with defect layer (1D-APCDL) as a novel saturable absorber, where the defect layer is Bi1.6Sb0.4Te3 with high modulation depth. The harmonic pulse with 3.82 GHz repetition frequency is achieved at the wavelength of 1562 nm, which is the highest repetition frequency of the topological insulator-based ring fiber laser so far to the best of our knowledge. The research provides a new saturable absorber solution, and provides a new idea for the application of material-based nonlinear optical chip in high-repetition frequency ultrashort pulse fiber lasers.
Experimental Investigation on the Shear Characteristics and Failure Mechanism between Geomembrane/Geotextile Interfaces
Authors: Wang Hao-Yue , Feng Shi-Jin , Shen Yang , Chang Ji-Yun
Published: May 2022

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the shear behavior of the interface between a high-density polyethylene geomembrane and a needle-punched nonwoven geotextile (GT) under monotonic loading conditions. Direct shear tests were conducted using a self-designed experimental apparatus. The effects of interface types (textured geomembrane (GMX) and smooth geomembrane (GMS)), normal stress levels (50–600 kPa), and shear displacement rates (0.1–100 mm/min) were taken into consideration. Moreover, to better understand the shear behavior, the internal shear strength of GT was compared with the interface strengths. Mechanisms of this shear behavior were analyzed based on the test results. According to these findings, the GMS/GT interface shear deformation was governed by two important stages. The test data also provide microscale insights into the GMX/GT interaction mechanisms over lower and higher normal stress levels, which were governed by three stages.
Identification of Significant Stop Locations in a Mine through GPS Clustering
Authors: Priegnitz Nathan , Yoo John
Published: May 2022

Surface mining applications are highly dynamic environments; conditions one day may not resemble those the next. Not only are these environments subject to changes in weather and other factors, but the locations, personnel, and equipment operations continuously move. Conditions will also vary depending on where equipment and personnel are in the operation. Permanent locations, such as shop and crusher areas, and dynamic locations, such as material loading and dumping areas, will have different lighting, traffic, floor conditions, etc.; personnel need to be aware of these differing conditions to adjust behavior. While modern large-scale mining equipment is generally outfitted with global positioning system (GPS) devices to track machines and support the optimization of operations in the mine, GPS location tracking has also become nearly ubiquitous with the increasing distribution of smart devices. The continued development and implementation of improved data processing and transmission technology increase the potential of equipment to provide more meaningful information to personnel. This paper proposes the hybrid spatial clustering for identification of locations of significance (HSCILS) algorithm—a hybrid of multiple clustering techniques—to analyze GPS data to identify and differentiate different types of locations in the mining operation. The HSCILS algorithm will then be contrasted with the k-means clustering algorithm and the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise algorithm to demonstrate its capability as an appropriate tool to identify key locations in a mine and differentiate between their nature.
Application of synthetic acyl glucopyranosides for white-rot and brown-rot fungal decay resistance in aspen and pine wood
Authors: Matin Priyanka , Rahman Md Rezaur , Huda Durul , Bakri Muhammad Khusairy Bin , Uddin Jamal , Yurkin Yuriy , Burkov Andrey , Kuok Kuok King , Matin Mohammed Mahbubul
Published: May 2022

Due to its non-toxicity and environmentally friendly nature, carbohydrate-based fatty acid (CFA) esters are encouragingly used as antimicrobials and synthetic intermediates. They also are notably applied in food, surfactant, and pharmaceutical industries. In this respect, methyl 2,6-di-O-isopentanoyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (2), synthesized in a single step from methyl α-D-glucopyranoside (1), was converted into four other 3,4-di-O-acyl esters (3 – 6). All the newly synthesized CFA esters (2 – 6) were applied for the first time to study decay resistances of aspen (Populus tremula) and pine (Pinus sibirica) wood from decay caused by white-rot (Polyporous versicolor L.ex. Fr.) and brown-rot (Postia placenta (Fr). Cke.) fungi. Most of these CFA esters protected these woods from fungal attack, reduced deterioration, and preserved the weight percentage of woods at a certain point. It is noted that the CFA esters compounds reduced the deterioration and suppressed the weight percentage loss of wood at a certain point and from low to moderate decay resistances against the selected fungi.
How China’s foreign waste ban will reshape the U.S. recycling supply chain: Economic and environmental considerations towards a circular economy oriented paper recycling industry
Authors: Li Yali , Zambrano Franklin , Wang Yuhan , Marquez Ronald
Published: May 2022

Until recently, China was the largest scrap and unsorted waste importer in the world. Chinese industries sorted the imported wastes and recovered plastic, paper, textiles, and metals, using them as raw materials for manufacturing processes. Since 2013, the Chinese government has imposed measures to ban the import of wastes, the latest one being the “National Sword” policy (fully deployed in January 2021), banning the import of unsorted and recycled wastes. As a result, collecting wastes and recyclables and sending them to China is no longer an option; this has drastically affected the recycling industry supply chain with considerable consequences. This study analyzed the development of Chinese foreign policies on the export of paper waste materials from the U.S. and their specific impact on the recovered paper recycling industry. The economic and environmental consequences of the policy on the U.S. paper recycling industry were analyzed using three scenarios: landfilling (as a baseline), incineration, and recycling. The CO2 emissions were estimated and then compared. It was found that recycling would result in the largest reduction in greenhouse gases. Although recycling was the best evaluated scenario, it has the greatest costs; therefore, possible solutions towards adding value to paper wastes were analyzed.
Flexural and impact behavior of bamboo-bundle based laminated composites
Authors: Li Haidong , Xu Xuejun , Zhang Yunxing , Zhai Feifei , Wang Ge , Ma Dandan
Published: May 2022

The objective of this study was to test the effect of four different staking sequences on the mechanical properties and the low viscosity impact behavior of bamboo bundle-based composites. Two different laminate staking structures were used to make the bamboo bundle veneers. The samples were labeled A through D. The density and mechanical properties of the samples, including the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the modulus of rupture (MOR), and the impact bending strength (IBS), were studied under parallel and perpendicular loading to the glue line. Three different impact energies of 50, 95, and 145 J were used to examine the impact response and failure mechanisms of the samples under low-velocity impact. The MOE and MOR values of the type A and type D laminates under both perpendicular and parallel loading to the glue line were found to be insignificant. The IBS values of the type A laminate under perpendicular and parallel loading to the glue line were higher than the values of the other composites. Among the configurations that were investigated in this study, the type D composite exhibited the best impact response and its total energy absorbed was much higher than the other samples.
Kinetic model analysis of mild autohydrolysis of eucalyptus woodchips for xylose production
Authors: Su Zhenhua , Chen Xiaolu , Liang Yinchun , Ni Jianping , Gong Chen , Fan Shujie , Zhang Yu , Yang Bin , Zhang Hongjie , Peng Feng
Published: May 2022

The autohydrolysis process of eucalyptus hemicelluloses was studied. The effect of hydrolysis temperature and soaking time on the dissolution of hemicellulose from eucalyptus chips was considered, and the process conditions were further optimized by P factor. The kinetic equations for the hemicellulose reaction were derived by studying the reaction process of hemicellulose during the pre-hydrolysis of eucalyptus chips, based on the reaction activation energy of xylose from eucalyptus chips and the investigated reaction mechanism of eucalyptus pre-hydrolysis process. The results demonstrated the feasibility of efficient extraction and utilization of hemicellulose in the process of dissolving pulp preparation from eucalyptus chips.
Sustainable clean water production using bamboo activated carbon for rural residents in the Borneo Island
Authors: Kuok Kuok King , Rahman Md. Rezaur , Bakri Muhamad Khusairy Bin , Chan Chiu Po , Yun Chin Mei , Al-Bogami Abdullah S. , Alamry Khalid A. , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: May 2022

In Sarawak, a state of Malaysia on Borneo Island, clean water supply coverage is estimated to be 81.4% in 2020, whereby those without access to clean water are rural residents. Although the state aims to achieve full clean water supply coverage by 2025, budget limitations make this impossible. This research proposes a decentralized water supply system that harvests rainwater and river water to supply rural households with clean water. The selected study area is Pelaman Monggak, a rural village in Bau District, Sarawak. The rainwater storage tank was modelled using the Tangki NAHRIM (NAHRIM Tank). The results showed that for a rural household of five people, the reliability for a tank size of 2 m3 is 84.5%. From 2010 to 2019, the rainwater storage tank can supply rainwater for 3044 days, with the remaining 608 days supplied by river water. As river water is not safe for potable use, treatment is needed. The proposed water treatment process for river water includes bamboo activated carbon adsorption, membrane microfiltration, and UV disinfection to improve the river water quality from Class II to Class I. For rainwater, two treatment processes, namely membrane microfiltration and UV disinfection, are sufficient to produce safe drinking water quality.
Wet tensile strength development of PAE wet-strengthened NBSK handsheets by AKD internal sizing
Authors: Korpela Antti , Jaiswal Aayush Kumar , Tanaka Atsushi , Asikainen Jaakko
Published: May 2022

Polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) is used in papermaking to increase the paper’s wet strength. High levels of PAE can make repulping of paper more difficult. PAE deposits can also impair paper machine performance by plugging the paper machine felts. The results of a preceding study indicated that the wet strength of paper containing a moderate amount of PAE (added amount 0.3 wt%) can be increased by utilizing internal alkylketene dimer (AKD) sizing. In the present study, the effects of an added amount of PAE and AKD on the wet strength of handsheets made from Nordic bleached softwood pulp (NBSK) were examined. The wet strength was measured after soaking the sheets in ion-exchanged water for up to 1 month. The improving effect of AKD sizing on the wet strength was long-lasting and it was apparent especially with a low and moderate added amount of PAE (0.15 and 0.45 wt%) resulting in higher wet strength than the highest added amount of PAE (1.35 wt%) alone. No clear sign of worsened repulpability was observed at low to moderate treatment levels. The results suggest that use of small or moderate amounts of PAE with AKD can be a viable option for paper mills facing problems related to the high usage of PAE.
The effects of the addition of surfactants and the machining method on the adhesive bond quality of spotted gum glue-laminated beams
Authors: Leggate William , Outhwaite Andrew , McGavin Robert L. , Gilbert Benoit P. , Gunalan Shanmuganathan
Published: May 2022

The effects of adding surfactants to polyurethane and resorcinol formaldehyde adhesives were tested relative to the gluability of spotted gum timber for structural glue-laminated beams (Glulam). While previous attempts to improve the bond performance of this very difficult to glue timber have focused primarily on timber surface preparations, this study concentrated on lowering the adhesive surface tension through added surfactants to improve the adhesive-timber surface wetting. Accordingly, 44 glulam samples were manufactured using polyurethane and resorcinol formaldehyde adhesives, with eight surfactant formulations and two different pre-gluing surface machining methods, i.e., face milling and planing. Although the surfactants were successful in drastically lowering the adhesive surface tension and improving adhesive spreading, none of the surfactant formulations tested were successful in improving the glulam adhesive bond qualities. Overall, the surfactant formulations produced considerably higher delamination, lower shear strength, and lower wood fibre failure compared to the control samples; therefore, they are not a viable solution to improve the gluing of spotted gum. The resorcinol formaldehyde adhesive and face milling produced considerably better results compared to the polyurethane adhesives and conventional planing.
Research progress and prospects of wood high-temperature heat treatment technology
Authors: Cao Shuai , Cheng Shuai , Cai Jiabin
Published: May 2022

High temperature heat treatment is one of the main technologies with the highest market conversion rate and broad future prospects in the functional technology of wood. Chemical reagents are not added in the production process. The treatment improves the dimensional stability, biological durability, wood color, and acoustic properties without reducing the environmental performance of the product. However, there are some problems in heat treatment, such as the reduction of mechanical properties and surface wettability of wood, high production energy consumption, and large exhaust emissions. Therefore, understanding the influence and mechanism of high temperature heat treatment technology on wood properties is of guiding significance to further improve the quality of heat-treated wood, improve production process, and develop new equipment. This article reviews the effects of heat treatment on the properties of wood and the mechanism of heat treatment. Then, some applications of heat treatment of wood are introduced. Finally, the development direction and prospect of high temperature heat treatment technology in the future are forecasted.
Review: The softness of hygiene tissue
Authors: Pawlak Joel J. , Frazier Ryen , Vera Ramon E. , Wang Yuhan , Gonzalez Ronalds
Published: May 2022

The hygiene tissue industry has an extensive global market that is quickly growing. Market research has indicated that softness is one of consumers’ most highly desired properties. For certain hygiene tissue products (specifically bath tissue), this property can influence prices. A better understanding of the science of softness would allow companies to engineer soft tissue more economically and efficiently. Softness is a subjective perception related to physical aspects that make it challenging to express and measure. Human handfeel panel testing, which ranks the specimens through physical tests, has been recognized as the most reliable method to measure tissue softness. Much effort has been expanded in correlating the panel test results with some measurable properties. In this regard, equipment has been recently developed by combining several different mechanical, surface, and acoustic properties to characterize softness. In comparison with panel tests, these instruments (e.g., tissue softness analyzer) have been found to give equivalent softness metrics. A combination of materials selection and manufacturing operations are used to create softer tissue sheets. This paper reviews the sensation of softness as perceived by the human touch, techniques for measuring softness, the influence of fiber on softness, manufacturing techniques, and additives used for softness enhancement.
Estabilidad y flujo de mezclas asfálticas en caliente incorporando escorias de acero
Authors: Calva Herrera Leyner Oswaldo , Muñoz Pérez Socrates Pedro
Published: May 2022

La presente investigación se basó en la innovación y elaboración de una mezcla asfáltica en caliente (MAC), debido al deterioro prematuro de los pavimentos flexibles, y poca capacidad de cumplir con su vida útil. He aquí la necesidad de asegurar una buena calidad de materiales para la mezcla asfáltica y una búsqueda de nuevo material que sea capaz de dar mayor durabilidad y evitar un prematuro deterioro del pavimento. Se evaluó así la incorporación de escoria de acero para el diseño de MAC, con el objetivo de determinar la estabilidad y flujo de la mezcla asfáltica en caliente incorporando escorias de acero. Para esto, se empleó la metodología Marshall con un porcentaje de escoria de acero respecto al agregado grueso en 0% - 15% - 25% - 50% - 75%. Los resultados obtenidos, en cuanto a calidad de los agregados, cumplieron con los estándares de calidad. Se concluyó que la mezcla asfáltica modificada con la escoria de acero al 15% es la mejor combinación, de igual forma, este porcentaje cumple para tránsito liviano, mediano, al 25% - 50% - 75% solo cumplen para transito liviano. Se logró aumentar la estabilidad y flujo de la mezcla asfáltica al incorporar hasta un máximo de 25% para una MAC respecto a la mezcla de control.
De-gendering Gendered Occupations: Analysing Professional Discourse Joanne McDowell
Authors: Liu Shuai
Published: May 2022

De-gendering Gendered Occupations: Analysing Professional Discourse Joanne McDowell (2021) New York: Routledge, 230 pp.
Renal Cell Carcinoma with Testicular Metastases: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Yoshitake Sho , Shinder Brian M. , Dazen Kevin , Smith Colton , Mayer Tina M. , Sadimin Evita , Singer Eric A.
Published: May 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastases to the testicle are an extremely rare clinical entity. Here, we describe the case of a man with metastatic RCC who developed a new testicular mass. Pathologic analysis after surgical removal of this testicle confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic RCC. This report highlights the unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with such a disease process.
Reflexiones sobre el suicidio de un escritor: José María Arguedas, la existencia de un melancólico
Authors: Alarcón Velandia Rafael Patrocinio
Published: May 2022

Se expone algunos posibles factores de elaboración del estado melancólico del escritor peruano José María Arguedas, los impactos psicoemocionales de situaciones críticas personales, la influencia de la situación socio-histórica caótica y contradictoria del mundo peruano de la primera mitad del siglo XX en donde chocaban la cultura indígena de la sierra con el mundo hispánico del litoral peruano, todo ello narrado en forma autobiográfica en sus obras, especialmente en Los ríos profundos y El zorro de arriba y el zorro de abajo que culmina con su suicidio en noviembre de 1969.
Un consumo mariposa: el exceso tecnológico de la supervivencia en Un mundo huérfano (2017)
Authors: Aguilar Velásquez Karla
Published: May 2022

A través de la expresión consumo mariposa este artículo analiza cómo el exceso expresivo y sexual de los personajes cuir de la novela colombiana Un mundo huérfano se oponen alas mutilaciones y violaciones con las que son castigados socialmente. Su transgresión implica un uso exagerado de tecnologías caseras para crear dildos y juguetes sexuales, pero también para combatir la precariedad que limita accesos a formas más costosas de expresión y entretenimiento. Al proponer una lectura de la sexualidad bajo la lectura de clases sociales, este texto se une a los intentos latinoamericanos por descentrar el canon queer eurocéntrico que sigue leyendo a loscuerpos en términos de orgullo y asimilación neoliberal.
Cultivando las Artes de la Madre Tierra: una apuesta creadora, divergente y crítica
Authors: Gari Muriel Gary
Published: May 2022

Este artículo examina el proceso de investigación formativa desarrollado en la Licenciatura en Pedagogía Infantil (2013-2016) de la Universidad Distrital FJC, asumido como antecedente del proyecto de tesis doctoral1: Creación Telúrica como emanación de las artes de la Madre tierra en contextos educativos de ruralidad. La metodología se aborda desde las modalidades de Investigación Acción Educativa y Etnografía Escolar. En las conclusiones muestra como dicho proceso, nutrió y ayudó a configurar la categoría epistémica Artes de la Madre Tierra asumida en el proyecto de tesis doctoral.