bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Markelić Ivona , Hlapčić Iva , Čeri Andrea , Radić Antolic Margareta , Samaržija Miroslav , Popović-Grle Sanja , Vukić Dugac Andrea , Rumora Lada
Published: May 2022

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation plays an important role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis and might be involved in ongoing chronic inflammation. This study aimed to determine interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) plasma concentration as well as IL1B, NLRP3 and caspase-1 (CASP1) gene expression in the Croatian COPD patients. 109 patients with stable COPD and age- and sex-matched 95 controls were included in the study. Plasma IL-1β concentration was measured by Luminex technology, and gene expression analysis was performed using TaqMan assays. It was shown that COPD patients had increased concentration of IL-1β and enhanced gene expression of IL1B, NLRP3 and CASP1 compared to controls. There was no difference in IL-1β or IL1B, NLRP3 and CASP1 in patients with COPD regarding airflow obstruction severity and smoking history. Finally, the diagnostic potential of the determined parameters was evaluated, and it was found that IL-1β correctly classified 89% of cases in the combination with common inflammatory biomarkers, white blood cell count and fibrinogen, showing a potential in COPD prediction. In conclusion, up-regulation of IL1B, NLRP3, CASP1 and increased IL-1β concentration suggest the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the systemic compartment of patients with stable COPD.
The effect of climate variability in the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum against the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria
Authors: Kamga Samuel F. , Ndjomatchoua Frank T. , Guimapi Ritter A. , Klingen Ingeborg , Tchawoua Clément , Hjelkrem Anne-Grete Roer , Thunes Karl H. , Kakmeni Francois M.
Published: May 2022

Despite substantial efforts to control locusts they remain periodically a major burden in Africa, causing severe yield loss and hence loss of food and income. Distribution maps indicating the value of the basic reproduction number R0 was used to identify areas where an insect pest can be controlled by a natural enemy. A dynamic process-based mathematical model integrating essential features of a natural enemy and its interaction with the pest is used to generate R0 risk maps for insect pest outbreaks, using desert locust and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum (Synn. Metarhizium anisoliae var. acridum) as a case study. This approach provides a tool for evaluating the impact of climatic variables such as temperature and relative humidity and mapping spatial variability on the efficacy of M. acridum as a biocontrol agent against desert locust invasion in Africa. Applications of M. acridum against desert locust in a few selected African countries including Morocco, Kenya, Mali, and Mauritania through monthly spatial projection of R0 maps for the prevailing climatic condition are illustrated. By combining mathematical modeling with a geographic information system in a spatiotemporal projection as we do in this study, the field implementation of microbial control against locust in an integrated pest management system may be improved. Finally, the practical utility of this model provides insights that may improve the timing of pesticide application in a selected area where efficacy is highly expected.
Differences in dynamic perception of salty taste intensity between young and older adults
Authors: Sato Hitomi , Wada Hirotaka , Matsumoto Hideki , Takagiwa Mutsumi , Goto Tazuko K.
Published: May 2022

In super-aged societies, high salt intake substantially increases the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Perceived low salty taste often prompts the addition of table salt to food. However, it remains unclear how older adults perceive the nature and intensity of salty taste in the mouth and brain. We compared the perceptions of salty taste intensities of older adults with those of young adults. Participants were 74 healthy adults: 31 older (age, 60–81 years [65.0 ± 5.5 SD]) and 43 young (age, 21–39 years [25.0 ± 3.6 SD]). Our research project comprises three sequential experiments. This article reports on the first two, which were (1) static and (2) dynamic sensory evaluations of taste perceptions in the mouth. Participants assessed the taste of 0.3 M and 0.5 M sodium chloride solutions in two types of sensory evaluations: (1) a cup tasting test, in which they sipped the solution from cups, spat it out, and rated static salty taste intensity, and (2) a time-intensity sensory evaluation, in which the solutions were delivered to participants’ tongues through a custom-made delivery system while they recorded dynamic taste intensities on a hand-held meter. Older adults perceived significantly lower taste intensities than young adults (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001 for 0.3 M and 0.5 M, respectively). Reaction timings for both solutions did not differ, but the slopes for both concentrations were significantly lower for older adults than for young adults (p < 0.001). Using a standardized system allowed us to evaluate and directly compare real-time feedback on taste intensities according to age. This study is the first to characterize the time-intensity profiles of salty taste intensity in older adults. Our findings show that older adults do not take longer to recognize a salty taste, but their perception of taste intensity slowly increases, and yet remains lower than that of young adults. This suggests that older adults should be aware of the tendency to add more salt to their food to compensate for their low perceptions of salty taste. We would like to suggest them to savor and chew sufficiently during eating to optimize the perceived salty taste. Furthermore, our results offer a reference for ordinary citizens’ taste-intensity perceptions; our standardized system could be usefully integrated into clinical follow-up examinations and treatments.
Experimental investigation of binder based on rice husk ash and eggshell lime on soil stabilization under acidic attack
Authors: Reis Joice Batista , Pelisser Giovana , Levandoski William Mateus Kubiaki , Ferrazzo Suéllen Tonatto , Mota Jonas Duarte , Silveira Adriana Augustin , Korf Eduardo Pavan
Published: May 2022

This study evaluates the use of rice husk ash (RHA)-eggshell lime (ESL) and RHA-commercial lime (CL) as alternative binders for clayey soil stabilization, as well as the performance of soil-binder mixtures under acidic attack. A central composite design was carried out to analyze the reactivity by batch tests with a sulfuric acid solution. Physical and mechanical behavior was evaluated by compaction test and unconfined compressive strength (UCS). Reactivity tests demonstrated better neutralization of contaminant acidity for mixtures with ESL. The highest compressive strength, reactivity and partial encapsulation of toxic elements are associated with application of 30% RHA and 6% ESL in the soil. A C–S–H gel is observed in poorly crystalline phases through the XRD pattern. The application of RHA-ESL in soils exposed to acidic attack has environmental feasibility. Analysis of RHA grinding processes combined with the mixture strength over time, and its application tests in impermeable barriers, in landfills, are recommended.
Operational regimes of lasers based on gain media with a large Raman scattering cross-section
Authors: Tereshchenkov E. A. , Andrianov E. S. , Zyablovsky A. A. , Pukhov A. A. , Vinogradov A. P. , Lisyansky A. A.
Published: May 2022

We report on unusual regimes of operation of a laser with a gain medium with a large Raman scattering cross-section, which is often inherent in new types of gain media such as colloidal and epitaxial quantum dots and perovskite materials. These media are characterized by a strong electron–phonon coupling. Using the Fröhlich Hamiltonian to describe the electron–phonon coupling in such media, we analyze the operation of the system above the lasing threshold. We show that below a critical value of the Fröhlich constant, the laser can only operate in the conventional regime: namely, there are coherent cavity photons but no coherent phonons. Above the critical value, a new pump rate threshold appears. Above this threshold, either joint self-oscillations of coherent phonons in the gain medium and photons in a cavity or a chaotic regime are established. We also find a range of the values of the Fröhlich constant, the pump rate, and the resonator eigenfrequency, in which more than one dynamical regime of the system is stable. In this case the laser dynamics is determined by the initial values of the resonator field, the active medium polarization, the population inversion, and phonon amplitude.
Massively parallel identification of functionally consequential noncoding genetic variants in undiagnosed rare disease patients
Authors: McQuerry Jasmine A. , Mclaird Merry , Hartin Samantha N. , Means John C. , Johnston Jeffrey , Pastinen Tomi , Younger Scott T.
Published: May 2022

Clinical whole genome sequencing has enabled the discovery of potentially pathogenic noncoding variants in the genomes of rare disease patients with a prior history of negative genetic testing. However, interpreting the functional consequences of noncoding variants and distinguishing those that contribute to disease etiology remains a challenge. Here we address this challenge by experimentally profiling the functional consequences of rare noncoding variants detected in a cohort of undiagnosed rare disease patients at scale using a massively parallel reporter assay. We demonstrate that this approach successfully identifies rare noncoding variants that alter the regulatory capacity of genomic sequences. In addition, we describe an integrative analysis that utilizes genomic features alongside patient clinical data to further prioritize candidate variants with an increased likelihood of pathogenicity. This work represents an important step towards establishing a framework for the functional interpretation of clinically detected noncoding variants.
Customized protective visors enabled by closed loop controlled 4D printing
Authors: Ji Qinglei , Wang Xi Vincent , Wang Lihui , Feng Lei
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic makes protective visors important for protecting people in close contacts. However, the production of visors cannot be increased greatly in a short time, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. The 3D printing community contributed largely in fabricating the visor frames using the rapid and adaptive manufacturing ability. While there are many open source designs of face visors for affordable 3D printers, all these designs fabricate mono-sized frames without considering diverse users’ dimensions. Here, a new method of visor post-processing technology enabled by closed loop controlled 4D printing is proposed. The new process can further deform the printed visor to any customized size for a more comfortable user experience. FEM analysis of the customized visor also shows consistent wearing experience in different circumstances compared with the old visor design. The fabrication precision and time cost of the method is studied experimentally. A case study regarding the reducing, reusing and recycling (3R) of customized visors in classrooms is proposed to enable the customized visors manufactured in a more sustainable way.
Relationships between the fecundity of bark beetles and the presence of antagonists
Authors: Resnerová Karolina , Schovánková Jolana , Horák Jakub , Holuša Jaroslav
Published: May 2022

Although previous research has documented the occurrence of antagonists of bark beetles, the studies have only evaluated individual antagonists and have not assessed the overall effect of all antagonists on adult beetles. In this study, we determined which body-cavity antagonists were associated with a reduction in the fecundity and maternal gallery lengths of two important species of bark beetles: Ips typographus on Norway spruce and I. cembrae on European larch. We evaluated these relationships under natural conditions by collecting maternal females in galleries and examining their internal organs. The antagonists in the I. typographus hemolymph had significant negative associations with fecundity and gallery length. These antagonists were mainly nematodes and parasitoids in the hemocoel. In contrast, a positive association between gregarine presence and I. typographus fecundity was found. No antagonist that was likely to significantly alter I. cembrae fecundity or maternal gallery length was proven. Our study provides the first comprehensive assessment of antagonists that may have the potential impact on reduction the fecundity and thereby mass occurrence of these bark beetles.
Integrated transcriptome and endogenous hormone analysis provides new insights into callus proliferation in Osmanthus fragrans
Authors: Gu Heng , Ding Wenjie , Shi Tingting , Ouyang Qixia , Yang Xiulian , Yue Yuanzheng , Wang Lianggui
Published: May 2022

Osmanthus fragrans is an important evergreen species with both medicinal and ornamental value in China. Given the low efficiency of callus proliferation and the difficulty of adventitious bud differentiation, tissue culture and regeneration systems have not been successfully established for this species. To understand the mechanism of callus proliferation, transcriptome sequencing and endogenous hormone content determination were performed from the initial growth stages to the early stages of senescence on O. fragrans calli. In total, 47,340 genes were identified by transcriptome sequencing, including 1798 previously unidentified genes specifically involved in callus development. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was significantly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, our results from the orthogonal projections to latent structures discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) of six typical hormones in five development stages of O. fragrans calli showed jasmonic acid (JA) could play important role in the initial stages of calli growth, whereas JA and auxin (IAA) were dominant in the early stages of calli senescence. Based on the weighted gene co-expression network analysis, OfSRC2, OfPP2CD5 and OfARR1, OfPYL3, OfEIL3b were selected as hub genes from the modules with the significant relevance to JA and IAA respectively. The gene regulation network and quantitative real-time PCR implied that during the initial stages of callus growth, the transcription factors (TFs) OfERF4 and OfMYC2a could down-regulate the expression of hub genes OfSRC2 and OfPP2CD5, resulting in decreased JA content and rapid callus growth; during the late stage of callus growth, the TFs OfERF4, OfMYC2a and OfTGA21c, OfHSFA1 could positively regulate the expression of hub genes OfSRC2, OfPP2CD5 and OfARR1, OfPYL3, OfEIL3b, respectively, leading to increased JA and IAA contents and inducing the senescence of O. fragrans calli. Hopefully, our results could provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of the proliferation of O. fragrans calli.
Electron irradiation-induced defects for reliability improvement in monolayer MoS2-based conductive-point memory devices
Authors: Wu Xiaohan , Gu Yuqian , Ge Ruijing , Serna Martha I. , Huang Yifu , Lee Jack C. , Akinwande Deji
Published: May 2022

Monolayer molybdenum disulfide has been previously discovered to exhibit non-volatile resistive switching behavior in a vertical metal-insulator-metal structure, featuring ultra-thin sub-nanometer active layer thickness. However, the reliability of these nascent 2D-based memory devices was not previously investigated for practical applications. Here, we employ an electron irradiation treatment on monolayer MoS2 film to modify the defect properties. Raman, photoluminescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements have been performed to confirm the increasing amount of sulfur vacancies introduced by the e-beam irradiation process. The statistical electrical studies reveal the reliability can be improved by up to 1.5× for yield and 11× for average DC cycling endurance in the devices with a moderate radiation dose compared to unirradiated devices. Based on our previously proposed virtual conductive-point model with the metal ion substitution into sulfur vacancy, Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to illustrate the irradiation effect on device reliability, elucidating a clustering failure mechanism. This work provides an approach by electron irradiation to enhance the reliability of 2D memory devices and inspires further research in defect engineering to precisely control the switching properties for a wide range of applications from memory computing to radio-frequency switches.
Hamiltonian open quantum system toolkit
Authors: Chen Huo , Lidar Daniel A.
Published: May 2022

We present an open-source software package called “Hamiltonian Open Quantum System Toolkit" (HOQST), a collection of tools for the investigation of open quantum system dynamics in Hamiltonian quantum computing, including both quantum annealing and the gate-model of quantum computing. It features the key master equations (MEs) used in the field, suitable for describing the reduced system dynamics of an arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonian with either weak or strong coupling to infinite-dimensional quantum baths. We present an overview of the theories behind the various MEs and provide examples to illustrate typical workflows in HOQST. We present an example that shows that HOQST can provide order of magnitude speedups compared to “Quantum Toolbox in Python" (QuTiP), for problems with time-dependent Hamiltonians. The package is ready to be deployed on high performance computing (HPC) clusters and is aimed at providing reliable open-system analysis tools for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.
Constructing effective ion channels in anion exchange membranes via exfoliated nanosheets towards improved conductivity for alkaline fuel cells
Authors: Sharma Prem P. , Manohar Murli , Kim Dukjoon
Published: May 2022

A series of quaternized polysulfone (QPS)-based composite membranes containing various amounts of functionalized graphitic carbon nitride (f-g-C3N4) nanosheets were synthesized.
Universal electrode for ambipolar charge injection in organic electronic devices
Authors: Sarkar Tanmoy , Stein Eyal , Vinokur Jane , Frey Gitti L.
Published: May 2022

Ambipolar transistors, i.e. transistors with symmetrical n- and p-type performances, open new avenues for the design and integration of high-density, efficient and versatile circuits for advanced technologies.
Salt-mediated, plasmonic field-field/field-lattice coupling-enhanced NIR-II photodynamic therapy using core-gap-shell gold nanopeanuts
Authors: Kuthala Naresh , Shanmugam Munusamy , Kong Xiangyi , Chiang Chi-Shiun , Hwang Kuo Chu
Published: May 2022

It is demonstrated that filling salt in the nanogaps in core-gap-shell Au@gap@AuAg nanopeanuts can enhance their extinction coefficient in the 1000–1300 nm NIR-II region, singlet O2sensitization QY, and NIR-II PDT efficacy for destroying tumors.
Plasmonic nanometal surface energy transfer-based dual excitation biosensing of pathogens
Authors: Torabfam Milad , Kurt Hasan , Bayazıt Mustafa Kemal , Yüce Meral
Published: May 2022

NSET-based multiplex biosensor was demonstrated. The NSET pairs of UCNP/Au nanourchins and QD/Au nanorods ensured a highly sensitive, facile, and simultaneous screen of foodborne bacterial pathogens, S. typhimurium and E. coli, in a single pot.
Artificial neural networks and data fusion enable concentration predictions for inline process analytics
Authors: Sagmeister Peter , Hierzegger Robin , Williams Jason D. , Kappe C. Oliver , Kowarik Stefan
Published: May 2022

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) facilitate rapid quantification of process spectra from inline process analytical technologies. Data fusion also enables combination of multiple data sources, resulting in better quality concentration measurements.
Template-free chemical deposition of highly crystalline ZnO nanorod thin films
Authors: Thiruvengadathan Rajagopalan , Dhua Swati , Rani Sanju , Mathai Cherian Joseph , Bai Mengjun , Gangopadhyay Keshab , Gangopadhyay Shubhra
Published: May 2022

Deposition of ZnO nanorod films using a simple solvothermal method with a narrow fluorescence emission due to defects is exemplified. The synthesized ZnO nanorod thin films show excellent potential for UV detection. Their optical properties reflect their semiconducting nature as expected.
Composite hydrogels of bacterial cellulose and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with tunable morphological anisotropy and mechanical properties
Authors: Takawa Shun , Sugawara Akihide , Asoh Taka-Aki , Nandi Mahasweta , Uyama Hiroshi
Published: May 2022

Production of anisotropic hydrogels that show a direction-dependent structure and properties, which have attracted attention in bio-mimicking, tissue engineering and bio-separation.
Correction: Signal transmission encryption based on dye-doped chiral liquid crystals via tunable and efficient circularly polarized luminescence
Authors: Li Chengxi , Yang Xuefeng , Han Jianlei , Sun Wenjing , Duan Pengfei
Published: May 2022

Correction for ‘Signal transmission encryption based on dye-doped chiral liquid crystals via tunable and efficient circularly polarized luminescence’ by Chengxi Li et al., Mater. Adv., 2021, 2, 3851–3855, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00368B.
Copper chelating cyclic peptidomimetic inhibits Aβ fibrillogenesis
Authors: Kalita Sujan , Kalita Sourav , Kawa Altaf Hussain , Shill Sukesh , Gupta Anjali , Kumar Sachin , Mandal Bhubaneswar
Published: May 2022

Metal chelator bearing cyclic peptides inhibit aggregation via the dual action of conformational restriction and metal sequestration.
Evolution of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)indoline-2-one as a scaffold for potent and selective anticancer activity
Authors: Boudreau Matthew W. , Hergenrother Paul J.
Published: May 2022

Some compounds possessing the 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)indoline-2-one pharmacophore (ErSO, ErSO-DFP, and others) have significant antitumor activity in preclinical models and induce cancer cell death via an intriguing mode-of-action.
Proton-enabled biomimetic stabilization of small-molecule organic cathode in aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Luu Nhu T. H. , Ivanov Alexander S. , Chen Teng-Hao , Popovs Ilja , Lee Jui-Chin , Kaveevivitchai Watchareeya
Published: May 2022

Biomimetic strategy was applied to enhance the stability of a small molecule organic cathode, leading to the formation of hydrogen bonds that stabilize the structure and activate pathways for ultrafast proton transfer in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Dipole-improved gating of azulene-based single-molecule transistors
Authors: Fu Huanyan , Zhao Cong , Cheng Jie , Zhou Shuyao , Peng Peizhen , Hao Jie , Liu Zhirong , Gao Xike , Jia Chuancheng , Guo Xuefeng
Published: May 2022

The inherent dipole moment and higher polarizability of azulene lead to ambipolar characteristics and good gate controllability of azulene-based single-molecule transistors.
Observing the inner parsec-scale region of candidate neutrino-emitting blazars
Authors: Nanci C. , Giroletti M. , Orienti M. , Migliori G. , Moldón J. , Garrappa S. , Kadler M. , Ros E. , Buson S. , An T. , Pérez-Torres M. A. , D’Ammando F. , Mohan P. , Agudo I. , Sohn B. W. , Castro-Tirado A. J. , Zhang Y.
Published: May 2022

Context.Many questions concerning the nature of astrophysical counterparts of high-energy neutrinos remain unanswered. There is increasing evidence of a connection between blazar jets and neutrino events, with the flare of theγ-ray blazar TXS 0506+056 in spatial and temporal proximity of IC 170922A representing one of the most outstanding associations of high-energy neutrinos with astrophysical sources reported so far.

Aims.With the purpose of characterising potential blazar counterparts to high-energy neutrinos, we analysed the parsec-scale regions ofγ-ray blazars in spatial coincidence with high-energy neutrinos, detected by the IceCube Observatory. Specifically, we intended to investigate peculiar radio properties of the candidate counterparts related to the neutrino production, such as radio flares coincident with the neutrino detection or features in jet morphology (limb brightening, transverse structures).

Methods.We collected multi-frequency, very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) follow-up observations of candidate counterparts of four high-energy neutrino events detected by IceCube between January 2019 and November 2020, with a focus onγ-ray-associated objects. We analysed their radio characteristics soon after the neutrino arrival in comparison with archival VLBI observations and low-frequency radio observations. We discussed our results with respect to previous statistical works and studies on the case of TXS 0506+056.

Results.We identified and analysed five potential neutrino-emitting blazars in detail. Our results suggest an enhanced state of activity for one source, PKS 1725+123. However, the lack of adequate monitoring prior to the neutrino events was a limitation in tracing radio activity and morphological changes in all the sources.

Conclusions.We suggest that PKS 1725+123 is a promising neutrino source candidate. For the other sources, our results alone do not reveal a strong connection between the radio activity state at the neutrino arrival. A larger number of VLBI and multi-wavelength follow-up observations of neutrino events are now essential to our understanding of the neutrino production mechanisms in astrophysical sources.
AMT 1.x: A toolbox for reproducible research in auditory modeling
Authors: Majdak Piotr , Hollomey Clara , Baumgartner Robert
Published: May 2022

The Auditory Modeling Toolbox (AMT) is a MATLAB/Octave toolbox for the development and application of computational auditory models with a particular focus on binaural hearing. The AMT aims for a consistent implementation of auditory models, well-structured in-code documentation, and inclusion of auditory data required to run the models. The motivation is to provide a toolbox able to reproduce the model predictions and allowing students and researchers to work with and to advance existing models. In the AMT, model implementations can be evaluated in two stages: by running so-called demonstrations, which are quick presentations of a model, and by starting so-called experiments aimed at reproducing results from the corresponding publications. Here, we describe the tools and mechanisms available within the framework of all AMT 1.x versions. The recently released AMT 1.1 includes over 60 models and is freely available as an open-source package fromhttps://www.amtoolbox.org.
Analysis of Energy Flow in the Sea Area of Zhongjieshan Islands and Assessment of Ecological Capacity of Sepiella Maindroni Based on Ecopath Model
Authors: Shi Wenjing , Gui Feng , Zhang Manyao , Zeng Xianmin , Xu Kaida , Zhao Sheng
Published: May 2022

Sepiella maindroni was once one of the four traditional marine products in our country. In order to evaluate the ecological capacity of Sepiella maindroni in the sea area of Zhongjieshan Islands, this study used Ecopath with Ecosim 6.5 (EwE) software to construct an Ecopath model composed of 17 functional groups in the sea area of Zhongjieshan Islands. The nutrient structure and energy flow characteristics of the sea area of Zhongjieshan Islands are analyzed from the ecosystem level, and the reasonable ecological capacity of the sea area of Zhongjieshan Islands is estimated by the model.The results show that the trophic level of each functional group in the marine ecosystem of the Zhongjieshan Islands is between 1-4.648, total primary production/total respiration is 4.539, the system Connectance Index is 0.478, the System Omnivory Index is 0.389, The trophic level of Sepiella maindroni is 3.562, and the Ecotrophic Efficiency is 0.306, indicating that the Ecotrophic Efficiency of each trophic level in the system is low and the energy is not fully utilized. There is still room for breeding and exile for the Sepiella maindroni. The model estimates that the ecological capacity of Sepiella maindroni is about 2t·km2.
A Multi-step Prediction Method of Urban Air Quality Index Based on Meteorological Factors Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yang Mingxiang , Yang Fengyu , Dong Ningpeng
Published: May 2022

With the development of science and technology, Industry, transportation and other industries used to discharge a large number of pollutants into the atmosphere, which results in air pollution. When air pollution become serious, it will do great harm to human health. High-precision Air Quality Index(AQI) prediction is as important as weather prediction. People could arrange traveling and their life according to the highly precise prediction results, so as to better protect their own health. Considering a lot of complex factors, we choose several potential meteorological factors and historical data to precisely forecast AQI. The principal component analysis (PCA) is introduced in our method to conduct dimension reduction on nine meteorological factors, in order to reduce noise of data and the complexity of the model calculation, which improves the accuracy of AQI prediction as a result. Then the data of meteorological factors after PCA and historical AQI are input into the multi-step prediction model based on LSSVM to train and refine it. Finally, we set up the experiment with data of meteorological factors and AQI. Experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper has better prediction accuracy over classical ARIMA method and has better generalization than ARIMA method as well.
Research on Key Pollutant Reduction Program of Environmental control in a Small River Basin of Guangxi
Authors: Song Haoyang , Li Junchao , Jiang Jinyuan , Li Jiao , Tan Wei
Published: May 2022

In order to strengthen the prevention and control of water pollution in rural rivers, it is necessary to analyze the pollution causes in detail, calculate the pollutant reduction amount and put forward the comprehensive treatment measures. Aiming at the small basin of a county in the southwest Guangxi, this paper carried out the comprehensive improvement of water environment, including specifically investigation the water pollution degree of the basin, calculating present pollution load and water environment capacity, and proposing pollutant reduction targets in accordance with the requirements for water quality targets. The basin has poor water quality background and is seriously polluted by rural living pollution sources, livestock and poultry breeding pollution sources and planting pollution sources, in order to solve these problems, the water quality assurance project, rural living sewage governance project and large-scale livestock and poultry breeding pollution governance project are put forward. Through project quantity accounting and pollutant reduction calculation, the water quality target can be achieved.
Ae-Based Failure Warning Mechanism During Cemented Paste Backfilling: Experimental Investigation
Authors: Ma Chunde , Wang Zihe , Xu Jiaqing , Tan Guanshuang , Lv Zhihai
Published: May 2022

To research the AE warning mechanism of cemented paste backfilling (CPB), the uniaxial compression test with AE monitoring was carried out on CPB. The effects of different moisture content, cement proportion, and loading rate on AE characteristics of CPB were analyzed. And a damage model based on AE is established. The results show that the increase of water content, gypsum content, and loading rate can enhance the ductility of CPB and lengthen the AE warning area. However, the increase of moisture content will lead to the delay of AE signal peak, which is bad for the early warning. With the increase of loading rate, the failure mode of specimens gradually changes from splitting failure to shear failure. The cracks produced under different failure modes can correspond to the peaks of AE signals. The damage model based on AE shows that the damage process of CPB samples can be divided into three stages, linear-exponential-linear. The experimental results can further research the optimal conditions for ae monitoring of backfill, and provide a theoretical basis for ae monitoring and warning of backfill.
Study on Human Thermal Comfort in Asymmetric Radiant Heat Environment in Large Space
Authors: Hu Rong , Wang Haolin , Li Yueming
Published: May 2022

In order to study indoor temperature distribution in a large space and thermal comfort of human, an environmental test and questionnaires were carried out at an airport in Xi’an in summer. The results show that the temperature distribution in the space is asymmetric. The room temperature increases from cooling floor to 0.1m high, but then it has little change within 1.5m high. However, the temperature fluctuation in horizontal is significantly influenced by internal equipment, lighting, elevator and etc. According to the environmental parameters and subjective voting, 55% of the PMV values are greater than 0.5, and more than half of the thermal feelings near the heat source and glazing curtain wall are “warmer”. Properly increasing the wind speed of air vent could effectively improve the environmental comfort.
The Ways to Improve the Ecological Benefits of Carbon Sequestration of Garden Green Space
Authors: Chu Zhixuan , Guan Yanhuan , Ma Jinyi , Yuan Yunjue
Published: May 2022

Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, and how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is a major issue. Scholars have found that herbaceous flowers can fix 12.16 g•m-2• D-1 carbon dioxide per unit leaf area in green space, which has a good ecological benefit of carbon sequestration. Therefore, how to further improve the ecological benefits of carbon sequestration has become a concern of landscape architecture industry. This paper summarizes seven kinds of garden green land carbon ecological concrete approaches to improve, including selecting high carbon sequestration ability of plant species, increase high carbon sequestration ability of plant population, rich garden plant hierarchy, increase use native plants, increasing the vertical greening, choose low maintenance plants landscape, choose the appropriate maintenance management way, In order to deal with global warming phenomenon on the full play of green landscape fixed carbon dioxide capacity.
Decomposition of Maize Straw between Two Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi: Aspergillus Niger and Penicillium Chrysogenum
Authors: Wang Liyan , Hu Jun , Guan Hao , Tian Da , Gao Hongjian
Published: May 2022

Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Penicillium chrysogenum (P. chrysogenum) can significantly promote the degradation of maize straw and phosphorus release. Compared with P. chrysogenum, A. niger is more efficient in maize straw degradation and phosphorus releasing. After seven days of incubation, the highest degradation ratio and phosphorus content in A. niger+maize straw treatment is 2.58% and 2.3 mg/L, respectively. The mechanisms for maize straw decomposition between these two fungi are different. Oxalic acid is the primary organic acid secreted by A. niger, which is more function in the decomposition of maize straw compared with propionic acid secreted by P. chrysogenum. In addition, A. niger has higher acidic xylanase and lignin peroxidase enzymes activities, which is conducive to the degradation of more stable substances in maize straw, i.e., lignin. This study indicated that A. niger is the primary candidate for the reuse of crop straw in the way of return to the field.
Development, Application and Prospect of Comprehensive Logging Technology in Geothermal Drilling
Authors: Zhang Delong , Guo Qiang , Yang Peng , Lu Tong , He Yunchao , Weng Wei , Liu Baolin
Published: May 2022

With the continuous acceleration of the exploration and development progress of geothermal (hot dry rock) resources, the workload of geothermal resource investigation and drilling has increased sharply, but the research and application of comprehensive logging technology is relatively lagging behind in China. This article analyses the response relationship of various logging data to geothermal geological conditions item by item, introduces the development and application status of logging technology at home and abroad, and takes HR-1 well as an example to give a brief introduction and analysis of the comprehensive logging technology. Theory and practice have proved that the comprehensive logging can provide an important reference and scientific basis for the evaluation of the potential of geothermal reserves. The development and application status of the geothermal logging technology in China can no longer meet the needs of geothermal resource exploration and development. It is imperative to carry out in-depth research on geothermal logging technology and further increase its application.
Effects of Mesoporous Size and Structure on Solidification Characteristics of Solar Salt
Authors: Mao Rui , Yang Qirong , Li Zhaoying
Published: May 2022

The effects of mesoporous size and structure on the solidification characteristics of mixed nitrate were simulated by molecular dynamics (MD). The solar salt models of different scales are established by using material Studio software, and the models are exported to the Lammps software package for simulation calculation. The changes of parameters such as radial distribution function, potential energy temperature curve, freezing point, and phase transformation latent heat are summarized, and the micro mechanism of solar salt solidification characteristics at the nanoscale is analyzed. The results show that the freezing point of solar salt increases first and then decreases with the increase of nanopore size, and finally tends to be stable with the increase of nanopore size. The enthalpy of solidification decreases with the increase of scale.
Survey on Geothermal Resources in Zhangjiakou Area
Authors: Yang Peng , Guo Qiang , Zhang Delong
Published: May 2022

The Zhangjiakou area is rich in geothermal resources, and many counties in the region have discovered low-temperature geothermal. Structurally, Huailai County, Zhangjiakou City is located at the intersection of Zhangjiakou-Penglai Fault Zone and Shanxi Fault Basin (or Fenwei Seismic Tectonic Zone), namely the Yanqing-Huailai Basin (Yanhuai Basin). A large amount of geothermal resource investigation and research works has preliminarily defined that the area has good geothermal resource accumulation conditions. From 2019 to 2020, the China Geological Survey has organized several investigation and research in the area for in-depth geothermal resource. As one method of the survey results verification, a parameter well for geothermal resource survey was deployed as ZK02 and completed at 3000m depth. The ZK02 well was completed at a depth of 3006.9m, drilling through the Quaternary, Neogene, and Jixian strata, and entered the Archean gneiss strata. The well successfully explored high-quality artesian heat storage in the Jixian strata, obtained deep geothermal geological data and physical data, revealed the regional stratigraphic sequence and geological structure characteristics, and provided a scientific basis for regional geothermal resource potential evaluation. Based on the engineering practice of ZK02 well, this paper systematically summarizes drilling technology and experience from well structure to drilling equipment, construction technology and key technology, analyses the complex conditions and countermeasures downhole, and provide reference for the follow-up regional geothermal resources investigation, research and development and.
Modified Fuzzy Inference Method for Heat Flux Inversion of Geothermal Reservoir Heat Source
Authors: Xu Chongxin , Zhou Chunwei , Liu Gang , Liao Shengming
Published: May 2022

The key to determine the performance of fuzzy inference inversion is to select a reasonable domain. However, there is no universal method for selecting domain at present. According to the characteristics of heat flux of geothermal heat source and the research of fuzzy inference inversion process, this paper modified the fuzzy inference method from two aspects of domain setting and iteration termination condition. The recommended domain and selection scheme for solving the problem of geothermal heat flux are given, and the modified fuzzy inference inversion method is applied to Rucheng geothermal field to verify the method. The results showed that the modified fuzzy inference inversion method could overcome the problem that the solution of the traditional method fell into a cycle, and the relative error of the verification term was less than 5%. Compared with the traditional method, the modified method greatly improved the computational efficiency, and the number of iterations was reduced to only 7. This method has a good application prospect for geothermal heat source inversion and resource evaluation.
Preparation and Application of Nano-structured Lead Dioxide from Waste Lead Slag
Authors: Wang Xi , Wu Dandan , Yuan Du , Wu Xu
Published: May 2022

To develop an efficient and green method to recycling lead slag, a novel strategy to fabricate nano-lead dioxide from lead slag was applied by the hydro-electrometallurgy. In leaching system, the optimum condition of leaching time 100 min, 80 °C, stirring rate 500 rpm, liquid/solid ratio 20 and 1 mol/L methanesulfonic acid resulted in lead recovery of 89% and residue obtained without toxicity. The kinetic study revealed that the methanesulfonic acid leaching of lead slag shows good agreement with a diffusion-controlled shrinking-particle model. Additionally, the apparent activation energy of MSA leaching of lead slag was determined using Arrhenius model as 13.621 kJ/mol. Furthermore, Nano-PbO2 recovered from waste lead paste was prepared for the electrolysis of water to produce ozone. The experimental results showed that the ozone production of nano-PbO2 recovered from waste lead slag was not significantly different from the nano-PbO2 prepared by pure reagents. In conclusion, waste lead slag can be recycled for the fabrication of nano-PbO2, which has a significant advantage on realizing the recycling of lead resources.
Transient Simulation of 1, 4-Dioxane Fate and Transport During Enhanced Soil Vapor Extraction Treatment
Authors: Zhang Chang , Zhang Libin , Guo Yuanming
Published: May 2022

1, 4-Dioxane is an emerging contaminant a that is fully miscible in water and resistant to biodegradation. The presence of 1, 4-Dioxane in vadose zone creates prolonged environmental issues and risk human health. To date, treatment technologies for 1, 4-Dioxane vadose zone remediation are still being developed. In this work, a numeric simulation tool was developed to investigate the fate and transport of 1, 4-Dioxane in the treatment zone of enhanced soil vapor extraction (XSVE) which utilizes heated air injection to improve contaminant removal efficacy. The results suggested identify source zone is critical for XSVE treatment, inaccurate heat injection point would prolong treatment duration.
The fingerprints of misinformation: how deceptive content differs from reliable sources in terms of cognitive effort and appeal to emotions
Authors: Carrasco-Farré Carlos
Published: May 2022

Not all misinformation is created equal. It can adopt many different forms like conspiracy theories, fake news, junk science, or rumors among others. However, most of the existing research does not account for these differences. This paper explores the characteristics of misinformation content compared to factual news—the “fingerprints of misinformation”—using 92,112 news articles classified into several categories: clickbait, conspiracy theories, fake news, hate speech, junk science, and rumors. These misinformation categories are compared with factual news measuring the cognitive effort needed to process the content (grammar and lexical complexity) and its emotional evocation (sentiment analysis and appeal to morality). The results show that misinformation, on average, is easier to process in terms of cognitive effort (3% easier to read and 15% less lexically diverse) and more emotional (10 times more relying on negative sentiment and 37% more appealing to morality). This paper is a call for more fine-grained research since these results indicate that we should not treat all misinformation equally since there are significant differences among misinformation categories that are not considered in previous studies.
200 mm-scale growth of 2D layered GaSe with preferential orientation
Authors: Martin Mickaël , Pochet Pascal , Okuno Hanako , Alvarez Carlos , Bellet-Amalric Edith , Hauchecorne Pauline , Levert Théo , Pelissier Bernard , Borowik Łukasz , Bassani Franck , David Sylvain , Moeyaert Jeremy , Baron Thierry
Published: May 2022

In this article, we present a fab-compatible metal–organic chemical vapor deposition growth process, realized in a hydrogen ambience, of two-dimensional (2D) layered GaSe on 200 mm diameter Si(111) wafers. Atomic scale characterization reveals initial stages of growth consisting of passivation of the H–Si (111) surface by a half-monolayer of GaSe, followed by nucleation of 2D-GaSe from the screw dislocations located at the step edges of the substrate. We, thus, demonstrate that by using a Si wafer that is slightly misoriented toward [1̄1̄2], the crystallographic orientation of 2D-GaSe can be step-edge-guided. It results in a coalesced layer that is nearly free from antiphase boundaries. In addition, we propose a sequential process to reduce the density of screw dislocations. This process consists in a subsequent regrowth after partial sublimation of the initially grown GaSe film. The local band bending in GaSe near the antiphase boundaries measured by Kelvin probe force microscopy emphasizes the electrical activity of these defects and the usefulness of having a nearly single-orientation film. Such a low defectivity layer opens up the way toward large-scale integration of 2D-optical transceivers in Si CMOS technology.
New results on search for 2β decay processes in 106Cd using 106CdWO4 scintillator
Authors: Leoncini A , Belli P , Bernabei R , Cappella F , Caracciolo V , Cerulli R , Danevich F A , Inchicchitti A , Kasperovych D V , Klavdiienko V R , Kobychev V V , Merlo V , Polischuk O G , Tretyak V I
Published: May 2022

Preliminary researches on double beta decay transitions in 106Cd were carried out using a cadmium tungstate scintillator enriched in 106Cd at 66% (106CdWO4, mass 215.4 g), in coincidence (anticoincidence) with two CdWO4 scintillation detectors composed of natural Cd. The detector system is inserted in the DAMA/R&D setup, placed in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN (LNGS, Italy). The contaminations which appear in the different materials of the experimental apparatus were simulated using Monte Carlo coding. New calculations of half-life limits have been done for various double beta decay channels of 106Cd and are of order of lim

T

1
/
2

∼

10

20

−10

21

yr. These results were derived by means of the analysis of the data accumulated for 467 days. The preliminary estimation on

T

1
/
2

for the positron-emitting electron capture with two neutrinos emission in 106Cd is equal to

T

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/
2

≥

1.5

×

10

21

yr, which is close to the theoretical forecasts for this process,

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/
2

∼

10

21

−10

22

yr.