ALBERT

Description: Investigating the biogeochemistry of dissolved organic matter (DOM) requires the synthesis of data from several complementary analytical techniques. The traditional approach to data synthesis is to search for correlations between measurements made on the same sample using different instruments. In contrast, data fusion simultaneously decomposes data from multiple instruments into the underlying shared and unshared components. Here, Advanced Coupled Matrix and Tensor Factorization (ACMTF) was used to identify the molecular fingerprint of DOM fluorescence fractions in Arctic fjords. ACMTF explained 99.84% of the variability with six fully shared components. Individual molecular formulas were linked to multiple fluorescence components and vice versa. Molecular fingerprints differed in diversity and oceanographic patterns, suggesting a link to the biogeochemical sources and diagenetic state of DOM. The fingerprints obtained through ACMTF were more specific compared to traditional correlation analysis and yielded greater compositional insight. Multivariate data fusion aligns extremely complex, heterogeneous DOM data sets and thus facilitates a more holistic understanding of DOM biogeochemistry.

Description: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Volume 14, Issue 11, November 2018. 〈br/〉

Description: To the significant amount of pilot overhead of the interference cancelation methods in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based on offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OFDM/OQAM) system, we proposed an improved interference cancelation method (ICM) for OFDM/OQAM system in this paper. In this method, we use the auxiliary pilot (AP) to eliminate the influence of the intersymbol interference on channel estimation, which can reduce the pilot overhead of OFDM/OQAM system significantly. At the same time, to improve the channel estimation performance, we analyze the source of the intrinsic interference of system and its distribution in time and frequency domain, then, we reset the interference cancelation range of AP, which can cancel more intrinsic interference for OFDM/OQAM system. According to the results of performance analysis, compared to the conventional interference cancelation methods, the proposed method performs better in terms of energy efficiency and spectral efficiency. Also, the simulation results of the proposed method show that the proposed method can outperform traditional interference cancelation methods in channel estimation performance.

Description: In this paper, post-buckling and free nonlinear vibration of microbeams resting on nonlinear elastic foundation subjected to axial force are investigated. The equations of motion of microbeams are derived by using the modified couple stress theory. Using Galerkin’s method, the equation of motion of microbeams is reduced to the nonlinear ordinary differential equation. By using the equivalent linearization in which the averaging value is calculated in a new way called the weighted averaging value, approximate analytical expressions for the nonlinear frequency of microbeams with pinned–pinned and clamped–clamped end conditions are obtained in closed-forms. Comparisons with previous solutions are showed accuracy of the present solutions. Effects of the material length scale parameter and the axial compressive force on the frequency ratios of microbeams; and effect of the material length scale parameter on the buckling load ratios of microbeams are investigated in this paper.

Description: To improve simulations of the flame and pressure wave propagation process and investigate the combustion characteristics of a wave rotor combustor (WRC), direct relation graphs with error propagation (DRGEP), quasi-steady-state assumption (QSSA), and sensitivity analysis were used to establish a reduced reaction mechanism comprised of 23 species and 55 elementary reactions, based on the LLNL N-Butane mechanism. The reduced reaction mechanism of ethylene was combined with an eddy dissipation concept (EDC) model to simulate the flame propagation characteristics in a simplified WRC channel. The effects of spoilers with different blockage ratios and hot-jets of different species on combustion characteristics of flame propagation and pressure rise in the WRC channel were investigated. When the heated inert air was used as hot-jet, the ignition delay time of WRC would increase, which indicated that the activity of the burned gas from the hot-jet igniter would affect the ignition delay time. The spoiler facilitates the coupling of flame and shock waves to reduce the coupling time and distance. With the blockage ratio of the spoiler increasing, the coupling time and distance would be reduced.

Description: In this note we present a new special function that behaves like the error function and we provide an approximated accurate closed form for its CDF in terms of both Chèbyshev polynomials of the first kind and the error function. Also we provide its series representation using Padé approximant. We show a convincing numerical evidence about an accuracy of for the approximants in the sense of the quadratic mean norm. A similar approach may be applied to other probability distributions, for example, Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution and normal distribution, such that we show its application using both of those distributions.

Description: Emergent fruits with functional properties and sui generis flavours are increasingly gaining international market, mainly due to the pleasant taste and its nutritional properties. However, methodologies for determination of pesticide residues in these fruits are still incipient or nonexistent. In this work, a simple, rapid, and accessible methodology to small laboratories was developed, optimized, and validated for the determination of four pesticide residues in the cajá-manga pulp: chlorpyrifos, thiabendazole, carboxin, and difenoconazole. The extraction of pesticides from the cajá-manga pulp was performed by the liquid-solid extraction with low-temperature partitioning, achieving efficiency in the range of 75.3–129.3% with limits of quantification between 170 and 430 ng·g−1 for all compounds. The methodology was validated according to the SANTE/11813/2017 document, demonstrating good detectability, selectivity, precision, and accuracy with limits of quantification within the range of the maximum residual limits preconized for the compounds. The quantification was performed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection which, although it does not present the best detectability for the compounds, is a lower cost instrumentation and is available in several analysis laboratories in Brazil, making the method more accessible to evaluate the pesticide residues in fruit pulp. Thus, in this work, a methodology for the determination of pesticides in the cajá-manga pulp is available for the monitoring of pesticide residues in fruit pulp, in an efficient and accessible way.

Description: A series of azocompounds containing methyl salicylate 4a–k and 1-naphthyl moiety 6–8 was synthesized and tested as anticancer agents. Nitrosation of methyl 5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoate or 1-aminonaphthalene by using NaNO2 in the presence of HCl afforded diazonium salt derivatives 2 and 5, which were treated with substituted imino or substituted amino derivatives, to give the corresponding substituted amino-pent-2-en-3-yl-diazenylbenzoate 4a–k or 2-substituted-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)diazene derivatives 6a–h, 7a,b, and 8a,b. All the synthesized compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence.

Description: After the successful construction and operation experience of the 10 MW high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTR-10), a high-temperature gas-cooled pebble-bed modular (HTR-PM) demonstration plant is under construction in Shidao Bay, Rongcheng City, Shandong province, China. An online gross monitoring instrument has been designed and placed at the exit of the helium purification system (HPS) of HTR-PM and is used to detect the activity concentration in the primary circuit after purification. The source terms in the primary loop of HTR-PM and the helium purification process were described. The detailed configuration of the gross monitoring instrument was presented in detail. The Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the detection efficiency of the monitoring system. Since the actual source terms in the primary loop of HTR-PM may be different than the current design values, a sensitivity analysis of the detection efficiency was implemented based on different relative proportions of the nuclides. The accuracy and resolution of the NaI(Tl) detector were discussed as well.

Description: This paper was conducted to develop a method containing ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous quantification of six bioactive components in the decoction of Ziziphi spinosae Semen. Analysis was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX Extend-C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) and eluted with a mobile phase system consisting of acetonitrile and water under a gradient program with a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The injection volume was 2 μl. Multiple-reaction monitoring scanning detection was employed for quantification with an electrospray ion source in the negative ion mode. All the six compounds showed good linearities (). The LODs of the six bioactive compounds were 0.039 ng/ml, 0.092 ng/ml, 3.112 ng/ml, 2.131 ng/ml, 0.099 ng/ml, and 0.071 ng/ml for spinosin, 6‴-feruloylspinosin, jujuboside A, jujuboside B, camelliaside B, and betulinic acid, respectively. The LOQs were 0.118 ng/ml, 0.276 ng/ml, 9.336 ng/ml, 6.393 ng/ml, 0.299 ng/ml, and 0.213 ng/ml for spinosin, 6‴-feruloylspinosin, jujuboside A, jujuboside B, camelliaside B, and betulinic acid, respectively. According to our knowledge, it was the first time to establish a method with high efficiency and accuracy for the quantification of six bioactive components in the decoction of Ziziphi spinosae Semen, which would provide references for quality control and evaluation of Ziziphi spinosae Semen.

Description: In this study, an exergy analysis of two kinds of solar-driven cogeneration systems consisting of solar collectors and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is presented for series mode and parallel mode. Three kinds of solar collectors are considered: flat-plate collectors (FPC), evacuated tube collectors (ETC), and parabolic trough collectors (PTC). This study mainly compares the exergy output of the two kinds of solar cogeneration systems under different temperatures of the return heating water and different inlet temperatures of the solar collectors. This study shows that, from the perspective of or , the parallel mode is superior to the series mode. From the perspective of , the parallel mode is superior to the series mode when the solar collector is FPC; however, the series mode is superior to the parallel mode when the solar collector is PTC. When the solar collector is ETC, the result depends on the temperature of the return heating water. When the temperature of the return heating water is low (below 46°C), the series mode is better, and when the temperature of the return heating water is high (above 46°C), the parallel mode is better.

Description: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is probably the most ancient oilseed. It has multiple uses; it is used as a source of food and in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The average yield of sesame in western Tigray is too low (about 400 kg/ha to 500 kg/ha) due to different factors, and weed infestation takes a lion’s share. More than 80 weed species were recorded and identified as weed pests for sesame in western Tigray. “Maimaio” Commelina foecunda is the most troublesome weed of sesame. The purpose of this study was to assess the distribution of C. foecunda and quantify its infestations. The survey was conducted in 24 sesame growing areas and 48 sesame farms from the three districts of western Tigray in the 2017 production season. The survey result showed that about 91.7% of the assessed sesame farms in western Tigray were found infested with C. foecunda. The weed frequently appeared in Kafta Humera. And, it occurred abundantly and closely in Kafta Humera, whereas it occurred poorly and irresolutely in Tsegede. Concentrated frequency, abundance, and density of the weed were recorded by large-scale sesame producers, lower growing altitudes, and early growth stage of sesame; whereas, it was limited in the small-scale farms, higher growing altitudes, and late growth stage of sesame.

Description: We construct algebras for general “initial data” given by a vector space equipped with an antisymmetric bracket not necessarily satisfying the Jacobi identity. We prove that any such bracket can be extended to a 2-term algebra on a graded vector space of twice the dimension, with the 3-bracket being related to the Jacobiator. While these algebras always exist, they generally do not realize a nontrivial symmetry in a field theory. In order to define algebras with genuine field theory realizations, we prove the significantly more general theorem that if the Jacobiator takes values in the image of any linear map that defines an ideal there is a 3-term algebra with a generally nontrivial 4-bracket. We discuss special cases such as the commutator algebra of octonions, its contraction to the “R-flux algebra,” and the Courant algebroid.

Description: We investigate the existence of multivortex states in a superconducting mesoscopic sphere with a magnetic dipole placed at the center. We obtain analytic solutions for the order parameter inside the sphere through the linearized Ginzburg-Landau (GL) model, coupled with mixed boundary conditions, and under regularity conditions and decoupling coordinates approximation. The solutions of the linear GL equation are obtained in terms of Heun double confluent functions, in dipole coordinates symmetry. The analyticity of the solutions and the associated eigenproblem are discussed thoroughly. We minimize the free energy for the fully nonlinear GL system by using linear combinations of linear analytic solutions, and we provide the conditions of occurring multivortex states. The results are not restricted to the particular spherical geometry, since the present formalism can be extended for large samples, up to infinite superconducting space plus magnetic dipole.

Description: A modified tanh-coth method with Riccati equation is used to construct several explicit solutions of (3+1)-dimensional Kudryashov-Sinelshchikov equations in bubble gas liquid flow. The solutions include solitons and periodic solutions. The method applied can be used in further works to obtain entirely new solutions to many other nonlinear evolution equations.

Description: Numerical investigations on flow and heat transfer characteristics in the heat exchanger tube with the V-wavy surface are presented. The finite volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm is selected to solve the present problem. The effects of flow attack angles (α = 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, and 60°) and flow directions (V-tip pointing downstream known as “V-Downstream” and V-tip pointing upstream known as “V-Upstream”) for the V-wavy surface on flow and heat transfer patterns are considered for both laminar and turbulent regions. The laminar regime is studied in the range Re = 100–1200, while the turbulent region is investigated in the range Re = 3000–10,000. The mechanisms on flow and heat transfer in the test section are reported. The numerical results reveal that the V-wavy surface changes the flow structure in the test section. The vortex flow is produced by the V-wavy surface. The vortex flow disturbs the thermal boundary layer on the heat transfer surface that is the reason for heat transfer and thermal performance enhancements. The optimum flow attack angles of the V-wavy surface for laminar and turbulent regimes are concluded.

Description: Many Italian rock slopes are characterized by unstable rock masses that cause constant rock falls and rockslides. To effectively mitigate their catastrophic consequence thorough studies are required. Four velocimeters have been placed in the Torgiovannetto quarry area for an extensive seismic noise investigation. The study area (with an approximate surface of 200×100 m) is located near the town of Assisi (Italy) and is threatened by a rockslide. In this work, we present the results of the preliminary horizontal to vertical spectral ratio analysis of the acquired passive seismic data aimed at understanding the pattern of the seismic noise variation in case of stress state and/or weathering conditions (fluid content and microfracturing). The Torgiovannetto unstable slope has been monitored since 2003 by Alta Scuola of Perugia and the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Firenze, after the observation of a first movement by the State Forestry Corps. The available data allowed an extensive comparison between seismic signals, displacement, and meteorological information. The measured displacements are well correlated with the precipitation trend, but unfortunately no resemblance with the seismic data was observed. However, a significant correlation between temperature data and the horizontal to vertical spectral ratio trend of the seismic noise could be identified. This can be related to the indirect effect of temperature on rock mass conditions and further extensive studies (also in the time frequency domain) are required to better comprehend this dependency. Finally, the continuous on-line data reveal interesting applications to provide near-real time warning systems for emerging potentially disastrous rockslides.

Description: This paper aims to investigate the implementation flexibility of multiperiod rail line design in a linear monocentric city. Three alternatives (fast-tracking, deferring, and do-nothing-alternative (DNA) of a candidate rail line project) are examined, based on an in-depth uncertainties analysis of the demand side for this candidate rail line project. Conditions for the three alternatives of fast-tracking, deferring, and DNA are analytically explored and an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the application of the proposed models. Insightful findings are reported on the interrelationship between the rail line length and spatial and temporal correlation of population distribution as well as the implication of the correlation in practice. Sensitivity analyses are carried out in several scenarios in another numerical example to show the proposed conditions of three alternatives.

Description: To reduce the inventory cost and ensure product quality while meeting the diverse demands of customers, manufacturers yield products in batches. However, the raw materials required for manufacturing need to be obtained from suppliers in advance, making it necessary to understand beforehand how to best structure the pickup routes so as to reduce the cost of picking up and stocking while also ensuring the supply of raw materials required for each batch of production. To reduce the transportation and inventory costs, therefore, this paper establishes a mixed integer programming model for the joint optimization of multibatch production and vehicle routing problems involving a pickup. Following this, a two-stage hybrid heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve this model. In the first stage, an integrated algorithm, combining the Clarke-Wright (CW) algorithm and the Record to Record (RTR) travel algorithm, was used to solve vehicle routing problem. In the second stage, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to allocate vehicles to each production batch. Multiple sets of numerical experiments were then performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model and the performance efficiency of the two-stage hybrid heuristic algorithm.

Description: Drivers consecutively direct their gaze to various areas to select relevant information from the traffic environment. The rate of crash risk increases with different off-road glance durations in different driving scenarios. This paper proposed an approach to identify current driving scenarios and predict driver’s eyes-off-road durations using Hidden Markov Model (HMM). A moving base driving simulator study with 26 participants driving in three driving scenarios (urban, rural, and motorway) was conducted. Three different fixed occlusion durations (0-s, 1-s, and 2-s) were applied to quantify eyes-off-road durations. Participants could initiate each occlusion for certain duration by pressing a microswitch on a finger. They were instructed to occlude their vision as often as possible while still driving safely. Drivers’ visual behavior and occlusion behavior were captured and analyzed based on manually frame by frame coding. Visual behaviors in terms of glance duration and glance location in time series were used as input to train HMMs. The results showed that current driving scenarios could be identified ideally using glance location sequences, the accuracy achieving up to 89.3%. And motorway was relatively distinguishable easily with over 90% accuracy. Moreover, HMM-based algorithms that fed up with both glance duration and glance location sequences resulted in a highest accuracy of 92.7% in driver’s eyes-off-road durations prediction. And higher accuracy achieved in longer eyes-off-road durations prediction. It indicates that time series of glance allocations could be used to predict driving behavior and indentify driving environment. The developed models in this study could contribute to the development of scenario sensitive visual inattention prewarning system.

Description: Sustainable supply chain network design has attracted great attention of academia and industry in recent years. Baijiu is one of the world’s oldest distilled alcoholic beverages and plays a significant role in Chinese culture and Chinese people’s daily life. As the production and consumption of Baijiu have a significant influence on the economic, environmental, and social performance of supply chain management, sustainable supply chain network design decisions are critical to the long-term success of the industry. In concert with the rapidly growing Chinese economy, there is a growing demand for a sustainable Baijiu industry. Therefore, this paper constructs and optimizes a network decision-support model for a sustainable Baijiu industry network design. To achieve this, the Baijiu supply chain is examined and a model is proposed for a design that encompasses economic (costs), environmental (carbon emissions), and social (local employment and regional per capita GDP) dimensions. R language programming is then applied to solve the model. A case example indicated that S1 was the optimal decision for reducing costs, S2 was the optimal solution for minimizing carbon emissions, and S3 was the best for maximizing the social impact. Considering the situation of the Baijiu industry and the focal enterprise, it was concluded that S1 would be the best solution for the case company. And the results verified the effectiveness of the framework. This paper develops a systematic and effective approach that decision-makers can use to conduct sustainable network design for Baijiu enterprises.

Description: Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruits are among the richest sources of polyphenols and anthocyanins in plant kingdom and suitable raw material for production of functional foods. The popularity of chokeberries is not only due to their nutritional value but also to the constantly emerging evidence for their health-promoting effects. The current study presents detailed information about the content and composition of sugars, organic acids, and polyphenols in 23 aronia samples grown under the climatic conditions of Bulgaria, in 2016 and 2017. Sorbitol was found to be the main carbohydrate of fresh aronia fruits. Its content was in the range 6.5–13 g/100 g fresh weight (FW), representing 61%–68% of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates. Organic acids were represented by substantial amounts of quinic acid (average content 404.4 mg/100 g FW), malic acid (328.1 mg/100 g FW), and ascorbic acid (65.2 mg/100 g FW). Shikimic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, and succinic acid were found as minor components. Chokeberries were particularly rich in proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and hydroxycinnamic acids. The total polyphenol content of aronia fruits varied between 1022 mg/100 g FW and 1795 mg/100 g FW and ORAC antioxidant activity from 109 µmol TE/g to 191 µmol TE/g FW. We also investigated the relationship between the chemical composition of berries and chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of aronia functional drinks—juices and nectars. The differences in the chemical composition of the fruits resulted in functional foods that differ significantly in their chemical composition and antioxidant activity. Additionally, we demonstrated that temperature of juice pressing and nectar extraction has a profound effect on the polyphenol content and composition of these products. This is very important since differences in the chemical composition of raw chokeberries and variation of technological parameters during processing could result in functional foods with different chemical composition, rendering different biological activity.

Description: The bistatic configuration with a geosynchronous orbital SAR (GEOSAR) transmitter and unmanned aerial vehicle SAR (UAVSAR) receiver can continuously image in any dangerous and interesting district. In this paper, the new imaging method in the case with the smaller orbital inclination of geosynchronous earth orbit and the steering beam working mode of UAVSAR was mainly studied and analyzed. GEOSAR can be approximately expressed as a static state, and only the receiver provides all the Doppler information. UAVSAR works in the steering beam modes, such as spotlight, sliding spotlight, and TOPS (Terrain Observation by Progressive Scan) mode. The azimuth bandwidth increased by the steering beam causes an aliasing situation in the azimuth frequency domain. To solve this problem, the proposed imaging method corrects the azimuth frequency aliasing using the scaling transform and the bulk azimuth compression. Compared with the traditional imaging method, the simulation validates perfectly the effectiveness of the bistatic imaging algorithm.

Description: This paper proposes a new evolutionary multiobjective optimization technique for a linear compliant mechanism of nanoindentation tester. The mechanism design is inspired by the elastic deformation of flexure hinge. To improve overall static performances, a multiobjective optimization design was carried out. An efficient hybrid optimization approach of central composite design (CDD), finite element method (FEM), artificial neural network (ANN), and multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is developed to solve the optimization problem. In this procedure, the CDD is used to lay out the experimental data. The FEM is developed to retrieve the quality performances. And then, the ANN is developed as black box to call the pseudo-objective functions. Unlike previous studies on multiobjective evolutionary algorithms, most of which generating only one Pareto-optimal solution, this proposed approach can generate more than three Pareto-optimal solutions. Based on the user’s real-work problem, one of the best optimal solutions is chosen. The results showed that the optimal results were found at the displacement of 330.68 μm, stress of 140.65 MPa, and safety factor of 3.6. The statistical analysis is conducted to investigate the behavior of the MOGA. The sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the significant contribution of each factor. The results revealed that the lengths and thickness almost significantly affect both responses. It confirms that the proposed hybrid optimization approach gains high robustness and effectiveness with flexible decision maker rules to solve complex optimization engineering problems.

Description: This work presents a comparative analysis of materials for planar semitransparent thermocouples fabricated by spray deposition on a flexible substrate. Three different materials are employed to build such devices, analyzing also the effect of the spray order in their final performance. The highest Seebeck coefficient (50.4 μV/K) is found for a junction made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on top of silver nanowires (AgNWs) whereas its efficiency in terms of power is the lowest because of the higher sheet resistance of the CNTs. In this case, the best combination for energy-harvesting purposes would be poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and AgNWs, with a power factor of 219 fW/K2. These results prove the feasibility of developing large-scale and cost-effective thermocouples that could be used for sensing or energy-harvesting applications.

Description: A unique secure communication scheme that can be used for the transmission of gray-scale and color videos is presented in this paper. The proposed scheme is developed by using the Karhunen-Loéve (K-L) decomposition and the synchronization of the unified chaotic system with the hyperchaotic Chen system. First, the gray-scale or color video is represented by a set of frames. In order to reduce the data, the K-L decomposition is used to come up with data coefficients and eigenfunctions that optimally obtain the crux of the frames. Using only the most energetic eigenfunctions to approximate the original frames results in computational savings. The data coefficients corresponding to the most energetic eigenfunctions are encrypted and transmitted using a master system composed of a combination of the unified chaotic system and the hyperchaotic Chen system. At the receiver end, these coefficients are recovered and a controller of the sliding mode type is utilized forcing the master and slave systems to synchronize. Simulation results illustrate how the proposed control law is able to synchronize the master and the slave systems. In addition, a demonstration of the recovery of the original frames using the decrypted data coefficients along with the eigenfunctions of the frame is provided. The presented simulations indicate that the proposed scheme results in an excellent performance.

Description: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Volume 14, Issue 11, November 2018. 〈br/〉

Description: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Volume 14, Issue 11, November 2018. 〈br/〉

Description: The assessment of hydrogen release, distribution, and mitigation measures in the containment of a nuclear power plant is increasingly based on code calculations. These calculations require state-of-the-art experiments to benchmark the codes against them. Two of these experiments are presented in this paper. These experiments were conducted in the PANDA facility (Switzerland) in the framework of the OECD/NEA HYMERES project. The experiments consider natural circulation flow in a two-room type containment where flow loops can form between the inner and the outer zones. During normal operation these zones are separated and in the case of an accident they become either connected by the opening of rupture disks, convective foils, and dampers or connected by bursting of doors and opening of other connections between compartments. For the experiments considered here one lower PANDA-vessel represents the steam generator (SG) tower and the inaccessible area whereas the other vessel represents the outer room area. The lower vessels are isolated from one another except for a small aperture that represents the damper. The two upper vessels—representing the containment dome—are connected to the lower vessels through tubes. The scenario consisted of four phases. In phase 1, a high steam mass flow rate was injected in the vessel representing the SG tower. After the relaxation phase 2, helium (representing hydrogen) was injected in the same vessel (phase 3). Finally in phase 4 no active interventions were done until the end of the test. Two tests were conducted to evaluate the developing helium transport by the natural circulation flow: one with and one without damper (by closing the aperture). The results showed that a two-room containment (TRC) mixing scenario can be well represented with the PANDA facility. It is found that, with the mixing damper open, a global natural circulation loop develops over all four vessels, whereas with closed damper the natural circulation loop is established only between the three vessels representing the inner zone and the upper dome. It is shown that the presence of the damper has a strong effect on the resulting helium content in the inner zone with 3 times less helium at the end of the test compared with the configuration without damper. The formation of a stable helium stratification in the upper vessels was observed in the presence of the open damper.

Description: This article addresses the inherent heat irreversibility in the flow of a couple stress thin film along a moving vertical belt subjected to free and adiabatic surface. Mathematical analysis for the fluid-governing-equations is performed in detail. For maximum thermal performance and efficiency, the present analysis follows the second law of thermodynamics approach for the evaluation of entropy generation rate in the moving film. With this thermodynamic process, the interconnectivity between variables responsible for energy wastage is accounted for in the thermo-fluid equipment. Results of the analysis revealed the fluid properties that contribute more to energy loss and how the exergy of the system can be restored.

Description: Topological indices correlate certain physicochemical properties like boiling point, stability, and strain energy of chemical compounds. In this report, we compute M-polynomials for PAMAM dendrimers and polyomino chains. Moreover, by applying calculus, we compute nine important topological indices of under-study dendrimers and chains.

Description: In this paper, we consider the regularity problem of the solutions to the axisymmetric, inviscid, and incompressible Hall-magnetohydrodynamics (Hall-MHD) equations. First, we obtain the local-in-time existence of sufficiently regular solutions to the axisymmetric inviscid Hall-MHD equations without resistivity. Second, we consider the inviscid axisymmetric Hall equations without fluids and prove that there exists a finite time blow-up of a classical solution due to the Hall term. Finally, we obtain some blow-up criteria for the axisymmetric resistive and inviscid Hall-MHD equations.

Description: Zirconium oxide/activated carbon (Zr3O/AC) composite was synthesized to remove methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) from the aqueous medium. The Zr3O/AC sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analyses (EDS), Raman spectroscopy (RS), BET surface area, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD profiles confirmed the successful synthesis of the zirconium oxide/activated carbon composite. SEM images showed multideveloped walls with irregular particle size with channel arrays. The nitrogen physisorption combines I and IV types with a calculated BET surface area of 1095 m2/g. Raman spectrum illustrated a disorder of both crystalline structure and the graphitic structure. The adsorption was better fitted to the pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model. Langmuir model fitted better the experimental results of MB adsorption, whereas the CV was better consistent with the Freundlich model. The obtained results suggested that the MB and CV adsorption might be influenced by the mass transfer that involves multiple diffusion steps. The maximum adsorption capacities are 208.33 and 204.12 mg/g for MB and CV, respectively. The MB and CV removal mechanisms were proposed, and statistical optimization was performed using central composite design combined with the response surface methodology.

Description: This work focuses on the impact of the devolatilization and char combustion mode modelling on the structure of a large-scale, biomass and coal co-fired flame using large eddy simulations. The coal modelling framework previously developed for the simulation of combustion in large-scale facilities is extended for biomass capabilities. An iterative procedure is used to obtain devolatilization kinetics of coal and biomass for the test-case specific fuels and heating conditions. This is achieved by calibrating the model constants of two empirical models: the single first-order model and the distributed activation energy model. The reference data for calibration are devolatilization yields obtained with predictive coal and biomass multistep kinetic mechanisms. The variation of both particle density and diameter during char combustion is governed by the conversion mode, which is modelled using two approaches: the power law using a constant parameter that assumes a constant mode during char combustion and a constant-free model that considers a variable mode during combustion. Three numerical cases are considered: single first-order reaction with constant char combustion mode, distributed activation energy with constant char combustion mode, and single first-order reaction with variable char combustion mode. The numerical predictions from the large eddy simulations are compared with experimental results of a high co-firing rate large-scale laboratory flame of coal and biomass. Furthermore, results from single particle conversion under idealised conditions, isolating the effects of turbulence, are presented to assist the interpretation of the predictions obtained with large eddy simulations. The effects of the devolatilization and conversion mode modelling on the flame lift-off, flame length, and spatial distribution and radial profiles of O2 and CO2 are presented and discussed. Both the devolatilization and conversion mode modelling have a significant effect on the conversion of particles under idealised conditions. The large eddy simulations results show that the devolatilization model has a strong impact on the flame structure, but not on the flame lift-off. On the other hand, for the tested numerical conditions, the char combustion mode model has a marginal impact on the predicted results.

Description: The LOCA (loss of coolant accident) is a kind of severe accident in the operation of PHWR (pressurized heavy water reactor) as well as other nuclear facilities, and possible cause of LOCA can be counted on the ballooning of pressure tube (PT) contacted to the outer calandria tube (CT) in the moderator system of CANDU-6 reactors. In the paper, we simulated the 150-kW experimental facility proposed by IAEA/ISCP, modeling the transient creeping behavior of pressurized tube heated with thermal radiation between the gaps of two concentric pipes. The outer boundary is simplified with a switched model that depends on the local temperature. With a multiphysical model supported by a commercial code, COMSOL multiphysics, the unsteady phenomena are simulated with models concerning various kinds of mechanics such as thermodynamics, nonlinear structural dynamics, and two-phase boiling heat transfer models.

Description: According to the physical and orbital characteristics in Carme group, Ananke group, and Pasiphae group of Jupiter’s moons, the distributions of physical and orbital properties in these three groups are investigated by using one-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov nonparametric test. Eight key characteristics of the moons are found to mainly obey the Birnbaum–Saunders distribution, logistic distribution, Weibull distribution, and t location-scale distribution. Furthermore, for the moons’ physical and orbital properties, the probability density curves of data distributions are generated; the differences of three groups are also demonstrated. Based on the inferred results, one can predict some physical or orbital features of moons with missing data or even new possible moons within a reasonable range. In order to better explain the feasibility of the theory, a specific example is illustrated. Therefore, it is helpful to predict some of the properties of Jupiter’s moons that have not yet been discovered with the obtained theoretical distribution inference.

Description: In this study the interaction energies for single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA molecules with a lipid bilayer are investigated. The 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential and continuous approximation are used to derive analytical expressions for these interaction energies. Assuming that there is a circular gap in the lipid bilayer, we determine the relationship of the molecular interaction energy, including the circular gap radius and the perpendicular distance of the single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA molecules from the gap. For both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA molecules, the relationship between the minimum energy location and the hole radius is calculated; in the case of the double-stranded DNA molecule, we assume that the helical phase angle is equal to . By minimizing the total interaction energies, the results demonstrate that the single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA molecules move through a lipid bilayer when the gap radius 10 Å and 13.8 Å, respectively. The results present in this project can be leveraged to understand the interactions between cell-penetrating peptides and biomembranes, which may improve gene and drug delivery.

Description: This work systematically discusses basic properties and qualitative dynamics of vector-borne disease models, particularly those with vertical transmission in the vector population. Examples of disease include Dengue and Rift Valley fever which are endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, and understanding of the dynamics underlying their transmission is central for providing critical informative indicators useful for guiding control strategies. Of particular interest is the applicability and derivation of relevant population and epidemic thresholds and their relationships with vertical infection. This study demonstrates how the failure of derived using the next-generation method compounds itself when varying vertical transmission efficiency, and it shows that the host type reproductive number gives the correct . Further, novel relationships between the host type reproductive number, vertical infection, and ratio of female mosquitoes to host are established and discussed. Analytical results of the model with vector stages show that the quantities ,, and , which represent the vector colonization threshold, the average number of female mosquitoes produced by a single infected mosquito, and effective reproductive number, respectively, provide threshold conditions that determine the establishment of the vector population and invasion of the disease. Numerical simulations are also conducted to confirm and extend the analytical results. The findings imply that while vertical infection increases the size of an epidemic, it reduces its duration, and control efforts aimed at reducing the critical thresholds ,, and to below unity are viable control strategies.

Description: The purpose of this note is (i) to point to a reference missing in the paper (Mayo-Maldonado et al., 2018) and (ii) to show that some of its content is covered in a more general setting by the results in that reference (Göknar, 1972).

Description: In this work, we simulate -rays created in the hadronic jets of the compact object in binary stellar systems known as microquasars. We utilize as the main computational tool the D relativistic magnetohydrodynamical code PLUTO combined with in-house derived codes. Our simulated experiments refer to the SS433 X-ray binary, a stellar system in which hadronic jets have been observed. We examine two new model configurations that employ hadron-based emission mechanisms. The simulations aim to explore the dependence of the -ray emissions on the dynamical as well as the radiative properties of the jet (hydrodynamic parameters of the mass-flow density, gas-pressure, temperature of the ejected matter, high energy proton population inside the jet plasma, etc.). The results of the two new scenarios of initial conditions for the microquasar stellar system studied are compared to those of previously considered scenarios.

Description: In this study, the dynamic model for the herringbone planetary gear transmission system is established by the lumped parameter method based on the system dynamics and the Lagrange equation, and the impact of the support stiffness and the torsional stiffness on dynamic characteristics is studied. The research results have a guiding significance for the design of the herringbone gear transmission system. In this model, the herringbone gear is treated as a special gear coupled by 2 opposite helical gears, where the stagger angle, comprehensive meshing error, support stiffness, support damping, and load inertia are considered in the analysis of dynamics. Moreover, the dynamic characteristic of the carrier is considered as well. By calculating the meshing force curve of the transmission system, the impact of the stagger angle, supporting stiffness, and the torsional stiffness on meshing force and load sharing coefficient is analyzed. The results show that the stagger angle has an obvious impact on load sharing coefficient while it has little impact on maximum meshing force. And the support stiffness has a more obvious impact on the dynamic characteristics of the system. The recommendary support stiffness of the system is that all of the support stiffness of the sun gear, planetary gear, ring gear, and carrier is 107 N/m. The torsional stiffness has little impact on the dynamic characteristics of transmission system, except the torsional stiffness of planetary gear, and carrier has an obvious impact on load sharing coefficient. The commercial software ADAMS carried out dynamics analysis of the transmission system to verify the necessity validity of the theoretical analysis.

Description: Low-cost sensors are an opportunity to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of particulate matter data. However, such sensors should be calibrated under conditions close to the final ones before any monitoring actions. The paper presents the results of a collocated comparison of four models of low-cost optical sensors with a TEOM 1400a analyser. SDS011 (Nova Fitness), ZH03A (Winsen), PMS7003 (Plantower), and OPC-N2 (Alphasense) sensors were used in this research. Three copies of each sensor model were placed in a common box to compare the sensor performance under the same measurement conditions. Monitoring of the PM2.5 fraction was conducted for almost half a year from 21 August 2017 to 19 February 2018 in Wrocław (Poland). Reproducibility between sensor units was assessed on the basis of coefficient of variation (CV). CV values were lower than 7% in the case of SDS011 and PMS7003 sensors and equal to 20% for OPC-N2 units. CV was higher than 50% for ZH03A, mainly due to malfunctions. During the measurements, the trends of outputs from sensors were generally similar to TEOM data, but significant overestimation of PM2.5 concentrations was observed for the sensor raw data. A high linear relationship between TEOM and sensors was noticed for 1 min, 15 min, and 1-hour averaged data for PMS7003 sensors (–0.89), for SDS011 units (–0.86), and for one unit of ZH03A (–0.81). values for daily averages were at the level 0.91–0.93 for PMS7003, 0.87–0.90 for SDS011, and 0.89 for ZH03A. OPC-N2 had only a moderate linear relationship with TEOM (–0.69 for daily data and 0.43–0.61 for shorter time averages). Quite large dispersion of data and high relative errors of PM2.5 estimation were observed for concentration ranges below 20–30 μg/m3. The impact of high relative humidity level was observed for SDS011 and OPC-N2 devices—clear overestimation of outputs was observed above 80% RH.

Description: The clay layers at hilly regions in the study area were very thick. The presence of very thick clay caused several difficulties in terms of environmental management, particularly in reducing georisk due to landslide. However, initial observations proved that areas of active landslides had better vegetation cover. The objective of this study was to find out ecological roles of landslides in livelihood in the Middle Bogowonto Watershed. The ecological roles of landslide were examined through field empirical evidences. Texture, bulk density, permeability, structure, and index plasticity were conducted for analyses of soil physical properties. Stepwise interpretation was made using 1 : 100,000–1 : 25,000 Indonesian topographic maps and remote sensing images of 30 m–

Description: High-mobility group A (HMGA) proteins have been examined to understand their participation as structural epigenetic chromatin factors that confer stem-like properties to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The function of HMGA was evaluated in conjunction with that of other epigenetic factors such as histones and microRNAs (miRs), taking into consideration the posttranscriptional modifications (PTMs) of histones (acetylation and methylation) and DNA methylation. HMGA proteins were coordinated or associated with histone and DNA modification and the expression of the factors related to pluripotency. CSCs showed remarkable differences compared with ESCs and iPSCs.

Description: The downstream river of the tropical Batang Ai Dam is experiencing diurnal flow fluctuation due to power generation operation. Three samplings were conducted to collect the water quality and fish assemblage data and one sampling was conducted to study the hydrological characteristics of the downstream river. The results show that the downstream river is extremely shallow and moves slowly when the power generation is halted and no water is discharged from the powerhouse. Significant correlations between river flow and pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), and five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) indicated that those parameters were influenced by the water discharge regulation. Fish abundance was low in upstream segment but it gradually increased as distance from the dam increased and was significantly correlated with DO. Fish diversity in the downstream river was influenced by the river depth and chlorophyll a concentration. The most abundant fish species, Cyclocheilichthys apogon, exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern, while Hampala macrolepidota and Hemibagrus planiceps exhibited an isometric growth pattern. Fulton’s condition factor () values for 89.4% of H. planiceps were ≤1, indicating poor to extremely poor conditions.

Description: The air-flow impacting based mechanochemical synthesis is an alternative strategy to traditional mechanochemical preparations, which has many advantages in terms of reaction temperature, preparation speed, and cleanness. Herein, we theoretically study the effect of instrument parameters, including the axial position of physical target, the diameter difference between nozzle throat and suction pipe, and divergence angles of uniform speed region, on the flow field of the air-flow impacting based mechanochemical synthesis. The optimized parameters have been obtained. Under the optimal conditions, a stable and high-speed air flow is obtained, in which the speed can achieve a Mach number of approximately 2.6. The high-speed air flow is able to easily carry the reacting substances to arrive at the physical target, triggering a chemical reaction. These findings undoubtedly provide a key guideline for further development and application of the air-flow impacting based mechanochemical synthesis.

Description: Odontoblasts, the main cell type in teeth pulp tissue, are not cultivable and they are responsible for the first line of response after dental restauration. Studies on dental materials cytotoxicity and odontoblast cells physiology require large quantity of homogenous cells retaining most of the phenotype characteristics. Odontoblast-like cells (OLC) were differentiated from human dental pulp stem cells using differentiation medium (containing TGF-β1), and OLC expanded after trypsinization (EXP-21) were evaluated and compared. Despite a slower cell growth curve, EXP-21 cells express similarly the odontoblast markers dentinal sialophosphoprotein and dentin matrix protein-1 concomitantly with RUNX2 transcripts and low alkaline phosphatase activity as expected. Both OLC and EXP-21 cells showed similar mineral deposition activity evidenced by alizarin red and von Kossa staining. These results pointed out minor changes in phenotype of subcultured EXP-21 regarding the primarily differentiated OLC, making the subcultivation of these cells a useful strategy to obtain odontoblasts for biocompatibility or cell physiology studies in dentistry.

Description: This paper reviews the use of domestic microwave ovens as plasma reactors for applications ranging from surface cleaning to pyrolysis and chemical synthesis. This review traces the developments from initial reports in the 1980s to today’s converted ovens that are used in proof-of-principle manufacture of carbon nanostructures and batch cleaning of ion implant ceramics. Information sources include the US and Korean patent office, peer-reviewed papers, and web references. It is shown that the microwave oven plasma can induce rapid heterogeneous reaction (solid to gas and liquid to gas/solid) plus the much slower plasma-induced solid state reaction (metal oxide to metal nitride). A particular focus of this review is the passive and active nature of wire aerial electrodes, igniters, and thermal/chemical plasma catalyst in the generation of atmospheric plasma. In addition to the development of the microwave oven plasma, a further aspect evaluated is the development of methodologies for calibrating the plasma reactors with respect to microwave leakage, calorimetry, surface temperature, DUV-UV content, and plasma ion densities.

Description: The study is aimed at investigating how livestock and human encroachments affect the population distribution and abundance of mountain nyala and Menelik’s bushbuck in Arsi Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Across four dominant habitat types (Afro-alpine, Erica, natural forest, and mixed plantation forest) 5 × 20 (100 m2) plot was used to assess populations of the ungulates, wood harvesting, and livestock grazing through counting the fresh scats of both livestock and wild mammals and stumps of trees. There was significant negative correlation between the scat count of mountain nyala and livestock dung scat count during both dry (, ) and wet (, ) seasons. However, there was significant negative correlation between the scat count of Menelik’s bushbuck and livestock dung scat count only during dry season (, ). Season (wet versus dry) had significant effect on scat count of mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and livestock. The study has clearly indicated that livestock outcompeted the endemic ungulates. Furthermore, the result of the study has indicated that tree removal reduced the wildlife habitat quality affecting the populations of wildlife. As a result, there is an urgent need for controlling the free-roaming domestic mammals, wood collection, and other human disturbances.

Description: The conversion of natural lands into agricultural lands can lead to changes in the soil microbial community structure which, in turn, can affect soil functions. However, few studies have examined the effect of land use changes on the soil microbial community structure in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the relationships among soil characteristics and microbial communities in natural and agricultural ecosystems in a semideveloped lowland farm in the central region of Zambia, within which small-scale wetlands had been partly developed as watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and/or maize (Zea mays) farms. We sampled soils from four different land use types within this farm: “native forest,” “grassland,” “watermelon farm,” and “maize farm.” We found that the land use type had a significant effect on the soil bacterial community structure at the class level, with the class Bacilli having significantly higher relative abundances in the forest sites and Gammaproteobacteria having significantly higher relative abundances in the maize sites than in the other land use types. These findings indicate that these bacterial classes may be sensitive to changes in soil ecosystems, and so further studies are required to investigate microbial indicators for the sustainable development of wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa.

Description: The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) results in global warming and climate change. The extent to which developing countries contribute to GHG emissions is not well known. This study reports findings on the effects of different land-use systems on GHG emissions (CO2 in this case) from two locations in the southern zone of Ghana, West Africa. Site one (located at Kpong) contained a heavy clay soil while site two (located at Legon) contained a light-textured sandy soil. Land-use systems include cattle kraals, natural forests, cultivated maize fields, and rice paddy fields at site one, and natural forest, woodlots, and cultivated soya bean fields at site two. CO2 emissions were measured using the gas entrapment method (PVC chambers). Trapping solutions were changed every 12–48 h and measurement lasted 9 to 15 days depending on the site. We found that, for the same land-use, CO2 emissions were higher on the clay soil (Kpong) than the sandy soil (Legon). In the clay soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from the cattle kraal (256.7 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (146.0 mg·m−2·h−1) and rice paddy (140.6 mg·m−2·h−1) field. The lowest average emission was observed for maize cropped land (112.0 mg·m−2·h−1). In the sandy soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from soya cropped land (52.5 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (47.4 mg·m−2·h−1) and woodlot (33.7 mg·m−2·h−1). Several factors influenced CO2 emissions from the different land-use systems. These include the inherent properties of the soils such as texture, temperature, and moisture content, which influenced CO2 production through their effect on soil microbial activity and root respiration. Practices that reduce CO2 emissions are likely to promote carbon sequestration, which will consequently maintain or increase crop productivity and thereby improve global or regional food security.

Description: In many African savanna landscapes, domestic and wild herbivores cooccur across different land-use systems, but the role of land-use in shaping their spatial relationship is poorly understood. We evaluated the spatial relationship between cattle and wild herbivores categorized by body sizes and feeding habits across different land-use types, namely, private ranches (PR), transitional lands (TRL), and pastoral grazing areas (PGA), in Laikipia County, Kenya. Cattle and wild herbivores spatial distribution data were obtained from Kenya’s Department of Resources Survey and Remote Sensing (DRSRS). Spatial relationships between cattle and different wild herbivore guilds were analyzed using Ripley’s bivariate function. In PR, wild herbivore guilds showed significant attraction to cattle at short distances. In TRL, wild grazers, mixed feeders, megaherbivores, and medium-sized ungulates exhibited significant attraction to cattle. Additionally, repulsion was observed between cattle and browsers at short distances under this land-use system. In PGA, wild grazers, mixed feeders, and megaherbivores repelled strongly with cattle at short distances while browsers and medium-sized ungulates were significantly attracted to cattle. Cattle and wild herbivores were more randomly and independently distributed in PR than in TRL and PGA. These spatial relationships imply better coexistence between cattle and wild herbivores in PR than in TRL and PGA.

Description: Anthropogenic activities have greatly increased heavy metal pollution worldwide. Due to inadequate waste management, mining is one of the chief causes. One particularly affected area in Mexico is the “La Zacatecana” Lagoon, in the municipality of Guadalupe, Zacatecas. From colonial times until the mid-nineteenth century, about 20 million tons of mine tailings were deposited at this site. Here, we catalogue the heavy metal content and their distribution in soils and sediments of La Zacatecana. The mobility of lead in soils was also assayed by sequential extraction. Concentrations of the different metals analysed were as follows: Pb 〉 Cr 〉 As 〉 Ni 〉 Hg 〉 Cd. Site VIII accumulated the highest amount of Pb (3070 mg·kg−1) sevenfold more than the limit established by the Mexican standards for agricultural soils (i.e., 400 mg·kg−1). On the other hand, the contents of Cd, Cr, and Ni were within the levels accepted by the above normativity, set at 37, 280, and 1600 mg·kg−1, respectively. Concentrations of Hg and Pb were highest in the north-northwest zone of the lagoon and decreased towards the southeast. Except for Site VIII where 30% of the Pb was in an interchangeable form or bound to carbonates, most Pb in La Zacatecana soils was present in an unavailable form, associated with Fe-Mn oxides.

Description: The Parque Estadual Mata Atlântica (PEMA), Goiás state, Brazil, is an Atlantic Forest reserve which has not been studied yet. The aims were to investigate plant biodiversity and characterize the flora to support the management plan. We adopt the point-centered quarter method to inventory the tree-shrub and lianas with the diameter at breast height more than or equal to 5 cm. The study was performed through 1.86 km of transect with 187 sampled points. We sampled 748 individuals and identified 109 species, 82 genera, and 51 families. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was 3.97, and Pielou’s evenness was 0.846, both considered high. The Fabaceae family was the most diverse with 20 species. Aspidosperma polyneuron, an endangered tree species, had greater relative dominance and importance value. The floristic similarity analysis indicated that the PEMA vegetation belongs to the seasonal forest, currently very fragmented and degraded. Due to several anthropogenic threats, we suggest the following recommendations: prevent the exploitation of species, avoid hunting, control invasive grasses, prevent forest fires, and promote environmental education. This study demonstrates the importance of PEMA for species conservation. Therefore, this study is essential for the development of management plan and the conservation of PEMA biodiversity.

Description: Humification is considered to be a global process that is implemented in soils and organic sediments and also in natural water and air. The term “suspended soils” has become increasingly common in recent years. Suspended soils are defined as the part of the organic matter that has not undergone the full decomposition process and has not turned into the humus of terrestrial soils. Suspended soils were shown to contain higher total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents than the forest soil, but the moisture content in suspended soils was significantly lower. Our study of the structural composition of humic substances in suspended soils was conducted with an aim of evaluating the humification rates and structural composition of humic acids in the suspended soil in tropical forests of South Vietnam. Soil samples from three selected areas were investigated: the soil under phorophytes (mineral soil presented by samples of topsoil of the typical dry savanna landscape) and two soils from epiphytous formations. Samples were collected from savanna-type sparse communities, located on oligotrophous plains in Phú Quốc Island (South Vietnam) in 2015. General properties of the soil and the elemental composition of suspended soils were determined, and the humic substance chemical composition was evaluated using solid state 13C-NMR. Data obtained showed that the pH of the soils under phorophytes was higher than in the suspended soils; basal respiration did not tend to change indices between soils under phorophytes and suspended soils, but the suspended soil was less enriched by nitrogen than the soil under phorophytes. This can be related to the total amount of organic matter exposed to humification in various soils and to the presence of an essential portion of mineral particles in the soil under phorophytes. Data on elemental composition of the humic acids (HAs) indicated that one method of humification is implemented in all three soils that were investigated. The humic acids of the phorophyte soil showed the same content of aromatic fraction as the suspended soil. The most comparable soil type in terms of humic substance composition is Cambisols from humid forests of subboreal and subtropical zones. The humification process implemented in suspended soils showed the absence of mineral compounds or mineral fine earth, which indicated that humification in conditions of pure organic substrates can result in formation of deep humified organic matter, as shown by humic acids with an essential aromatic fraction content.

Description: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Volume 14, Issue 11, November 2018. 〈br/〉

Description: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Volume 14, Issue 11, November 2018. 〈br/〉

Description: Urinary tract infection causes considerable morbidity in diabetic patients and if complicated, can cause severe renal damage and life-threatening infections. The escalating antimicrobial resistance rate among bacteria over the past years is another concern in the treatment of urinary tract infections. This study investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates and associated factors of urinary tract infection among adult diabetic patients attending Metu Karl Heinz Referral Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 233 adult diabetic patients selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Clean-catch midstream urine samples were investigated for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern using recommended culture methods. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 21.0. Statistical significance was set at a -value

Description: Titration method (dropping-on method) was introduced as an efficient approach for determining the mercury ion (Hg2+) concentration in aqueous solution by using fabricated cellulosic paper-based test strips. In this study, dithizone used as a recognition reagent was physically loaded on cellulosic paper-based test strips for Hg2+ selective recognition. The sensing mechanism was established on the spectral absorption rate of the coordination compound that was formed by dithizone and Hg2+ under strong acidic conditions. The calibration curve was obtained by the absorbency of Hg2+-dithizone complexes from different Hg2+ concentration solutions, and the correlation coefficient (R2) reached 0.9971. The detection range of the test trip for Hg2+ was obtained at 0.1 μg/mL to 30 μg/mL. Moreover, these superior cellulosic paper-based test strips have a rapid color-forming time (1.5 min) and low volume demand (3.7 μL samples at 0.0127 g/L dithizone recognition concentration). This portable paper-based test strip can give potential applications for field screening or on-site semiquantitative analysis.

Description: Electrocoagulation has been employed as a treatment technique for treating various wastewaters. This study focuses on the performance of electrocoagulation process for the treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and Paint Wastewater (PW) using iron electrodes. POME obtained from local palm oil producers and PW from a paint industry, both in Enugu state of Nigeria, were treated by electrocoagulation using two iron electrodes. Effects of current density, electrocoagulation time, pH, and temperature were studied. Results revealed that this process could reduce the concentration of Total Suspended and Dissolved Solids (TSDP), in both POME and PW. The highest removal efficiencies of 65% and 76% were obtained for POME and PW, respectively, at 3 Amps, 60min, pH of 10, and 50°C for POME and 3 Amps, 60min, pH of 6, and 60°C for PW. Of the two kinetic models studied, second-order kinetic model fitted best to the obtained experimental kinetic data. From this study, it can be concluded that electrocoagulation is effective in the treatment of POME and PW.

Description: Male dog infertility may represent a serious concern in the canine breeding market. The aim of this clinical evaluation was to test the efficacy of a commercially available nutraceutical diet, enriched with Lepidium meyenii, Tribulus terrestris, L-carnitine, zinc, omega-3 (N-3) fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and folic acid, in 28 male dogs suffering from infertility associated with hypospermia. All dogs received the diet over a period of 100 days. At the end of the evaluation period, no adverse effects, including head and tail anomalies percentage onset, were reported. Interestingly, motility percentage, semen volume and concentration, and total number of sperms per ejaculation significantly increased. Further investigations on a wider cohort of dogs might be useful to better correlate the presence of oxytetracycline in pet’s diet and the onset of infertility and clearly assess the action mechanism of an oxytetracycline-free nutraceutical diet.

Description: BWRs are thus far the simplest energy systems to transform fission energy into electrical power. However, there are still many aspects in their operation that, under certain conditions, may induce BWR unstable behavior. The default indicator to study BWR unstable behavior is the Decay Ratio (DR). However, due to the fact that BWRs show very complex responses under instability and responses that may even be chaotic, the DR might not be a suitable choice to rely on to accommodate for such intricate behavior. In this work a novel methodology based on the Sample entropy (SampEn) and the noise-assisted multivariate empirical mode decomposition (NA-MEMD) is introduced. Such methodology was developed thinking for a real time-implementation of a stability monitor. The proposed methodology was tested with a set of signals that stem from several nuclear power plants in operation today that have experienced in the past unstable events, each one of a different nature.

Description: The existence of stress sensitivity effect made the percolation mechanism of low-permeability reservoirs significantly complex. Further, numerous reservoirs have composite stratum properties in actual development procedure. This paper based on the concept of permeability stress sensitivity presents an unsteady flow model for horizontal well taking both stress sensitivity and composite reservoir into account. Analytic solutions for the transient pressure and the rate decline behaviors are obtained by comprehensive utilization of regular perturbation method, Laplace transformation, orthogonal transformation, and Stehfest numerical inversion. The example analysis verifies that the proposed model is reliable and practical. Likewise, there is a discussion of the influence of permeability modulus and other relevant parameters on the transient pressure and the rate decline for horizontal well in stress-sensitive composite reservoir. The work of this paper improved the previous researches and provided a more accurate basis for transient flow analysis and formation evaluation of this typical reservoir.

Description: An effective data mining method to automatically extract association rules between manufacturing capabilities and product features from the available historical data is essential for an efficient and cost-effective product development and production. This paper proposes a new binary particle swarm optimization- (BPSO-) based association rule mining (BPSO-ARM) method for discovering the hidden relationships between machine capabilities and product features. In particular, BPSO-ARM does not need to predefine thresholds of minimum support and confidence, which improves its applicability in real-world industrial cases. Moreover, a novel overlapping measure indication is further proposed to eliminate those lower quality rules to further improve the applicability of BPSO-ARM. The effectiveness of BPSO-ARM is demonstrated on a benchmark case and an industrial case about the automotive part manufacturing. The performance comparison indicates that BPSO-ARM outperforms other regular methods (e.g., Apriori) for ARM. The experimental results indicate that BPSO-ARM is capable of discovering important association rules between machine capabilities and product features. This will help support planners and engineers for the new product design and manufacturing.

Description: The fan wing aircraft is a new concept based on a new principle, especially its wing which is based on a unique aerodynamic principle. A fan wing can simultaneously generate lift and thrust. In order to further improve its aerodynamic characteristics without changing its basic geometric parameters, two fan wings are installed along the longitudinal body, which is the composition of a tandem fan wing aircraft. Through numerical simulation, the lift and thrust of the fan wings were calculated with the distance, height, and installation angle of the front and rear fan wings changed, and the aerodynamic characteristic interaction rule between the front and rear fan wings was analyzed. In addition, the wind test model of a tandem fan wing was designed, and the results of the wind tunnel test and numerical calculation results were compared to verify the preliminary setup. The results show that at a certain height, distance, and installation angle, aerodynamic characteristics of a tandem fan wing have more advantages compared to the single fan wing. Therefore, the tandem fan wing aircraft’s advantages have good prospects for development and application.

Description: A lunar lander is exposed to extreme lunar thermal environments with a nighttime of 14.75 earth days. Thus, a proper thermal design is an important task to guarantee a successful lunar mission. This paper describes a preliminary thermal design and analysis results of a lunar lander to ensure its survivability during lunar night. The effectiveness of the thermal designs of a lunar lander with various thermal hardwares was numerically investigated according to the landing candidate areas to determine which design is the most feasible for night survival. In addition, we analyzed the mechanical safety of the solder joint of electronic components in accordance with the operating temperature range, because it is an important factor for reducing the system power budget during night survival.

Description: In this study, precipitation data for 483 synoptic stations, and the U&V component of wind and HGT data for 4 atmospheric levels were respectively obtained from IRIMO and NCEP/NCAR databases (1961–2013). The precipitation threshold of 1 mm and a minimum prevalence of 50% were the criteria based on which the prevalent precipitation of Iran was identified. Then, vorticity of days corresponding to prevalent winter precipitation was calculated and, by performing cluster analysis, the representative days of vorticity were specified. The results showed that prevalent winter precipitation vorticity in Iran is related to the vorticity patterns of low pressure of Mediterranean-low pressure of Persian Gulf dual-core, low pressure closed of central Iran-high pressure of East Europe, Ural low pressure-Middle East High pressure, Saudi Arabia low pressure-Europe high pressure, and high-pressure belt of Siberia-low pressure of central Iran. At the same time, the most intense vorticity occurred when the climate of Iran was influenced by a massive belt pattern of Siberian high pressure-low pressure of central Iran. However, at the time of prevalent winter precipitation in Iran, an intense vorticity is drawn with the direction of Northeast and Northwest from the center of Iraq to the south of Iran.

Description: The climate continentality or oceanity is one of the main characteristics of the local climatic conditions, which varies with global and regional climate change. This paper analyzes indexes of continentality and oceanity, as well as their variations in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere in the period 1950–2015. Climatology and changes in continentality and oceanity are examined using Conrad’s Continentality Index (CCI) and Kerner’s Oceanity Index (KOI). The impact of Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns on continentality/oceanity conditions was also evaluated. According to CCI, continentality is more significant in Northeast Siberia and lower along the Pacific coast of North America as well as in coastal areas in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. However, according to KOI, areas of high continentality do not precisely correspond with those of low oceanity, appearing to the south and west of those identified by CCI. The spatial patterns of changes in continentality thus seem to be different. According to CCI, a statistically significant increase in continentality has only been found in Northeast Siberia. In contrast, in the western part of North America and the majority of Asia, continentality has weakened. According to KOI, the climate has become increasingly continental in Northern Europe and the majority of North America and East Asia. Oceanity has increased in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and in some parts of the Mediterranean region. Changes in continentality were primarily related to the increased temperature of the coldest month as a consequence of changes in atmospheric circulation: the positive phase of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and East Atlantic (EA) patterns has dominated in winter in recent decades. Trends in oceanity may be connected with the diminishing extent of seasonal sea ice and an associated increase in sea surface temperature.

Description: Droughts represent the most complex and damaging type of natural disaster, and they have taken place with increased frequency in China in recent years. Values of the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) calculated using station-based meteorological data collected from 1961 to 2013 in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin (MLRYRB) are used to monitor droughts. In addition, the SPEI is determined for different timescales (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) to characterize dry or wet conditions in this study area. Moreover, remote sensing methods can cover large areas, and multispectral and temporal observations are provided by satellite sensors. The temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI) is selected to permit assessment of drought conditions. In addition, the correlation between the SPEI and TVDI values is calculated. The results show that the SPEI values over different timescales reflect complex variations in drought conditions and have been well applied in the MLRYRB. Droughts occurred on an annual basis in 1963, 1966, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1986, 2001, 2011, and 2013, particularly 2011. In addition, the regional average drought frequency in the study area during 1961–2013 is 30%, as determined using the SPEI. An analysis of the correlation between the monthly values of the TVDI and the SPEI-3 shows that a negative relationship exists between the SPEI-3 and the TVDI. That is, smaller TVDI values are associated with greater SPEI-3 values and reduced drought conditions, whereas larger TVDI values are associated with smaller SPEI-3 values and enhanced drought conditions. Therefore, this study of the relationship between the SPEI and the TVDI can provide a basis for government to mitigate the effects of drought.

Description: High spatial/temporal resolution mobile transects were used to examine the thermal and moisture structure of the sea-breeze front (SBF) along the Mississippi coast during August 2014 and 2015. Compared to most similar studies, conditions were much warmer and more humid. Results show a 1-2 g/kg increase in mixing ratio across the mature SBF zone, and up to a 2.5°C temperature decrease. When SBF radar fine lines are identifiable, their position agrees very well with surface thermodynamic changes. Although temperatures were cooler at the coast, microscale offsets in location of thermal, moisture, and radiative features are noted in the vicinity of the SBF, particularly when the sea-breeze system is relatively weak or immature. At times, it seems that strong solar insolation causes the temperature to rise temporarily within the transition zone behind the kinematic SBF. These results are at variance with most other diagnostic studies. Some thermodynamic variations are noted within the marine air mass in connection to minor water bodies such as Biloxi Bay. The potential for passage of the SBF to at least temporarily increase human heat stress as described by heat index is also noted.

Description: The quantitative relationship between carbon sequestration potential and stand ages of Pine (Pinus roxburghii) forest is not documented in Pakistan. Using field inventory data, this study underlines the patterns of biomass and carbon allocation across a chronosequence of Chir Pine forest. Based on the uniform shelterwood silvicultural management system, the forest was classified into three stand age classes representing the young stand ( 75 years). The results showed an increasing trend in living tree biomass carbon with stand age. However, soil carbon showed gradually decreasing trend from young to overmature stand. Similarly, deadwood, litter, and understory biomass carbon showed an increase pattern of changes. Altogether, the results highlighted that the mean carbon values of all components varied between 90.3 t·C·ha−1 in the young stand and 309.5 t·C·ha−1 in the overmature stand. Furthermore, our results confirm that the current management operations affect the forest floor and soil carbon. Therefore, we suggest that different protection measures should be considered during management operations to enhance soil and forest floor carbon.

Description: Precipitation forecasting has great significance for hydrological modelling, particularly for issuing flood alerts. This study assesses the high-resolution deterministic model ALADIN-CZ (Aire Limitée, Adaptation Dynamique, Development International–Czech Republic) and the ensemble model ALADIN-LAEF (Limited Area Ensemble Forecasting). Verified precipitation data were modified to the form in which they enter the hydrological model used for flood forecasting in the Czech Republic. ALADIN-LAEF, unlike ALADIN-CZ, is currently not considered to be of any value for hydrological predictions in the Czech Republic. In the present paper, we assess the added value of the ensemble model. The most significant rainfall events from the summer seasons during 2011–2015 were selected for the purpose of this study. The results show that ALADIN-LAEF does not have a lower success rate than ALADIN-CZ in predicting significant rainfall events. In fact, for the most verification scores and metrics, ALADIN-LAEF was assessed as more skilful. Surprisingly, the high-resolution ALADIN-CZ does not yield higher success rates than ALADIN-LAEF even at short prediction lead times. This is due to spatial aggregation into hydrological regions, with an area significantly larger than the resolution of the forecasting models. Furthermore, the relationship between synoptic weather types, hydrological regions, and predictability was considered. It was found that the worst prediction results are related to weather situation C (cyclone over central Europe), which dominantly affects Berounka and Lower Elbe catchments.

Description: A climate-responsive landscape design can create a more livable urban microclimate with adequate human comfortability. This paper aims to quantitatively investigate the effects of landscape design elements of pavement materials, greenery, and water bodies on urban microclimate and thermal comfort in a high-rise residential area in the tropic climate of Singapore. A comprehensive field measurement is undertaken to obtain real data on microclimate parameters for calibration of the microclimate-modeling software ENVI-met 4.0. With the calibrated ENVI-met, seven urban landscape scenarios are simulated and their effects on thermal comfort as measured by physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) are evaluated. It is found that the maximum improvement of PET reduction with suggested landscape designs is about 12°C, and high-albedo pavement materials and water bodies are not effective in reducing heat stress in hot and humid climate conditions. The combination of shade trees over grass is the most effective landscape strategy for cooling the microclimate. The findings from the paper can equip urban designers with knowledge and techniques to mitigate urban heat stress.

Description: Homogeneity of climate data is the basis for quantitative assessment of climate change. By using the MASH method, this work examined and corrected the homogeneity of the daily data including average, minimum, and maximum temperature and precipitation during 1978–2015 from 404/397 national meteorological stations in North China. Based on the meteorological station metadata, the results are analyzed and the differences before and after homogenization are compared. The results show that breakpoints are present pervasively in these temperature data. Most of them appeared after 2000. The stations with a host of breakpoints are mainly located in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, where meteorological stations are densely distributed. The numbers of breakpoints in the daily precipitation series in North China during 1978–2015 also culminated in 2000. The reason for these breakpoints, called inhomogeneity, may be the large-scale replacement of meteorological instruments after 2000. After correction by the MASH method, the annual average temperature and minimum temperature decrease by 0.04°C and 0.06°C, respectively, while the maximum temperature increases by 0.01°C. The annual precipitation declines by 0.96 mm. The overall trends of temperature change before and after the correction are largely consistent, while the homogeneity of individual stations is significantly improved. Besides, due to the correction, the majority series of the precipitation are reduced and the correction amplitude is relatively large. During 1978–2015, the temperature in North China shows a rise trend, while the precipitation tends to decrease.

Description: This is the first study in assessing the impact of climate change on Japanese ski fields with ensemble dynamical downscaling simulations. We target three ski fields in Ehime Prefecture, a southern border area for skiing in Japan. Our field survey revealed that a field located above 1200 m altitudes currently operates on natural snow supply, but those located at lower altitudes depend solely or partially on artificial snow supply. Fields are currently open for 82∼105 days. We analyzed ensemble high-resolution (5 km) dynamical downscaling simulations for future ski season durations with natural and artificial snow supplies. The future projection results for the end of the twenty-first century suggested that there would be virtually no natural snow accumulation in the study area for skiing. With artificial snow supply, a field located above 1200 m would be able to retain more than two months of ski season duration. Fields located at lower altitudes would only be able to open for 37∼43 days even with artificial snow supply. While the above projections suggest a severe outlook for the targeted ski fields, it is important to note that there is a strong demand from local skiers at beginner/intermediate levels for these ski fields. Thus, as long as these demands remain in the future, and if a business model to maximize profit during short opening periods is established, it may be possible to offset profit loss due to climate change.

Description: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is currently used in the environmental field to simulate flow and dispersion of pollutants around buildings. However, the closure assumptions of the turbulence usually employed in CFD codes are not always physically based and adequate for all the flow regimes relating to practical applications. The starting point of this work is the performance assessment of the V2F (i.e.,  − f) model implemented in Ansys Fluent for simulating the flow field in an idealized array of two-dimensional canyons. The V2F model has been used in the past to predict low-speed and wall-bounded flows, but it has never been used to simulate airflows in urban street canyons. The numerical results are validated against experimental data collected in the water channel and compared with other turbulence models incorporated in Ansys Fluent (i.e., variations of both k-ε and k-ω models and the Reynolds stress model). The results show that the V2F model provides the best prediction of the flow field for two flow regimes commonly found in urban canopies. The V2F model is also employed to quantify the air-exchange rate (ACH) for a series of two-dimensional building arrangements, such as step-up and step-down configurations, having different aspect ratios and relative heights of the buildings. The results show a clear dependence of the ACH on the latter two parameters and highlight the role played by the turbulence in the exchange of air mass, particularly important for the step-down configurations, when the ventilation associated with the mean flow is generally poor.

Description: In situ investigation results of aerosol optical properties (absorption and scattering) and chemical composition at an urban background site in Lithuania (Vilnius) are presented. Investigation was performed in May-June 2017 using an aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM), a 7-wavelength Aethalometer and a 3-wavelength integrating Nephelometer. A positive matrix factorisation (PMF) was used for the organic aerosol mass spectra analysis to characterise the sources of ambient organic aerosol (OA). Five OA factors were identified: hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), biomass-burning OA (BBOA), more and less oxygenated OA (LVOOA and SVOOA, respectively), and local hydrocarbon-like OA (LOA). The average absorption (at 470 nm) and scattering (at 450 nm) coefficients during the entire measurement campaign were 16.59 Mm−1 (standard deviation (SD) = 17.23 Mm−1) and 29.83 Mm−1 (SD = 20.45 Mm−1), respectively. Furthermore, the absorption and scattering Angström exponents (AAE and SAE, respectively) and single-scattering albedo (SSA) were calculated. The average AAE value at 470/660 nm was 0.97 (SD = 0.16) indicating traffic-related black carbon (BCtr) dominance. The average value of SAE (at 450/700 nm) was 1.93 (SD = 0.32) and could be determined by the submicron particle (PM1) dominance versus the supermicron ones (PM 〉 1 µm). The average value of SSA was 0.62 (SD = 0.13). Several aerosol types showed specific segregation in the SAE versus SSA plot, which underlines different optical properties due to various chemical compositions.

Description: Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) climatology, the thermodynamic and dynamical variables, and teleconnections influencing MCSs development are assessed for the Paute basin (PB) in the Ecuadorian Andes from 2000 to 2009. The seasonality of MCSs occurrence shows a bimodal pattern, with higher occurrence during March-April (MA) and October-November (ON), analogous to the regional rainfall seasonality. The diurnal cycle of MCSs shows a clear nocturnal occurrence, especially during the MA and ON periods. Interestingly, despite the higher occurrence of MCSs during the rainy seasons, the monthly size relative frequency remains fairly constant throughout the year. On the east of the PB, the persistent high convective available potential and low convective inhibition values from midday to nighttime are likely related to the nocturnal development of the MCSs. A significant positive correlation between the MCSs occurrence to the west of the PB and the Trans-Niño index was found, suggesting that ENSO is an important source of interannual variability of MCSs frequency with increasing development of MCSs during warm ENSO phases. On the east of the PB, the variability of MCSs is positively correlated to the tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies south of the equator, due to the variability of the Atlantic subtropical anticyclone, showing main departures from this relation when anomalous conditions occur in the tropical Pacific due to ENSO.

Description: A selected number of global climate models (GCMs) from the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) were evaluated over the Volta Basin for precipitation. Biases in models were computed by taking the differences between the averages over the period (1950–2004) of the models and the observation, normalized by the average of the observed for the annual and seasonal timescales. The Community Earth System Model, version 1-Biogeochemistry (CESM1-BGC), the Community Climate System Model Version 4 (CCSM4), the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model, Medium Range (MPI-ESM-MR), the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM1-M), and the multimodel ensemble mean were able to simulate the observed climatological mean of the annual total precipitation well (average biases of 1.9% to 7.5%) and hence were selected for the seasonal and monthly timescales. Overall, all the models (CESM1-BGC, CCSM4, MPI-ESM-MR, and NorESM1-M) scored relatively low for correlation (

Description: The online coupled weather research and forecasting model with chemistry (WRF-Chem) was used to investigate an air pollution event during December 2016 in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration. Evaluation indicates that WRF-Chem captured the main weather conditions and pollutant distribution in this event. The primary meteorological drivers of air pollution formation were stationary atmospheric flows in both vertical and horizontal directions. High relative humidity and a strong temperature inversion accelerated event formation. In the shallow temperature inversion layer, aerosol particles were strongly confined near the surface, producing high surface contaminant concentrations. In addition, based on a normal experiment, three sensitivity experiments were constructed by adding hypothetical terrain (HT) of 400, 300, and 200 meters, over the region 115°E, 38.8°N to 117.54°E, 38.8°N. The results indicate that pollutants were diffused and transported below 400 meters, and the pollutant amounts concentrated south of the HT because of the HT blocking effect. Nevertheless, because there were less total contaminants north of the HT in the normal run, there was a slight decrease in pollutants north of the HT. There were some increases in pollution north of the HT because of local emissions, which were obstructed by the HT. The higher the HT, the stronger the blocking effect.

Description: The aim of this study was to evaluate temperature and sea-level pressure (SLP) fields and to analyse a related anomalous flow over midlatitudes simulated by the CNRM-CM5.1 global climate model (GCM). Simulated flow over midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere was assessed through flow indices, classified into 11 circulation types. Reference data were taken from the NOAA-CIRES 20th Century Reanalysis, version 2c. CNRM-CM5.1 exhibited analogous temperature biases to those reported for the mean of the CMIP5 GCMs’ ensemble. The most prominent features were an erroneous temperature dipole pattern in the Atlantic Ocean and a warm bias over regions of deep water upwelling (locally exceeding 5°C). The latter feature was associated with negative SLP biases in those regions. Too low pressure was found over midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, and CNRM-CM5.1 simulated too frequent zonal flow in these latitudes. The usage of three ensemble members with different initial conditions did not improve model’s outputs because the bias is found to be considerably larger compared to the ensemble members’ spread. The study showed that temperature and SLP biases are connected in certain regions, suggesting that improvement of GCMs and development of bias correction methods should be carried out with a complex insight.

Description: Drought propagation pattern forms a basis for establishing drought monitoring and early warning. Due to its regional disparity, it is necessary and significant to investigate the pattern of drought propagation in a specific region. With the objective of improving understanding of drought propagation pattern in the Luanhe River basin, we first simulated soil moisture and streamflow in naturalized situation on daily time scale by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The threshold level method was utilized in identifying drought events and drought characteristics. Compared with meteorological drought, the number of drought events was less and duration was longer for agricultural and hydrological droughts. The results showed that there were 3 types of drought propagation pattern: from meteorological drought to agricultural/hydrological drought (M-A/H), agricultural/hydrological drought without meteorological drought (NM-A/H), and meteorological drought only (M). To explain the drought propagation pattern, possible driven factors were determined, and the relations between agricultural/hydrological drought and the driven factors were built using multiple regression models with the coefficients of determination of 0.4 and 0.656, respectively. These results could provide valuable information for drought early warning and forecast.

Description: A time series of data of rainfall in Thailand between the years 2005 and 2015 was employed to predict possible future rainfall based on Julong Deng’s grey systems theory and the grey Verhulst model to see which model can predict more accurately with uncertain and limited data. Firstly, the rainfall data were arranged to display the overall patterns of rainfall volume along with its frequency as well as the temperature during Thailand’s rainy seasons. This makes it possible to see the cycle of rainfall, which is too long for people to intuitively understand the nature of precipitation. One puzzling phenomenon that has made rainfall forecast elusive is the unpredictability of the haphazard nature of rainfall in Thailand. A more precise prediction would certainly result in a better control of water volume in rivers and dams for fruitful agricultural business and adequate human consumption. This can also prevent the flooding that can devastate the economy and transportation of the whole country and also tremendously improve the future water management policy in many ways. This effective prediction could also be employed elsewhere around the globe for similar benefits. Hence, the grey systems theory and the grey Verhulst model are juxtaposed to determine a better prediction possible.

Description: Soil moisture is the basic condition required for crop growth and development. Gaofen-3 (GF-3) is the first C-band synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite of China, offering broad land and ocean imaging applications, including soil moisture monitoring. This study developed an approach to estimate soil moisture in agricultural areas from GF-3 data. An inversion technique based on an artificial neural network (ANN) is introduced. The neural network was trained and tested on a training sample dataset generated from the Advanced Integral Equation Model. Incidence angle and HH or VV polarization data were used as input variables of the ANN, with soil moisture content (SMC) and surface roughness as the output variables. The backscattering contribution from the vegetation was eliminated using the water cloud model (WCM). The acquired soil backscattering coefficients of GF-3 and in situ measurement data were used to validate the SMC estimation algorithm, which achieved satisfactory results (R2 = 0.736; RMSE = 0.042). These results highlight the contribution of the combined use of the GF-3 synthetic-aperture radar and Landsat-8 images based on an ANN method for improving SMC estimates and supporting hydrological studies.

Description: During recent decades, various downscaling methods of satellite soil moisture (SM) products, which incorporate geophysical variables such as land surface temperature and vegetation, have been studied for improving their spatial resolution. Most of these studies have used least squares regression models built from those variables and have demonstrated partial improvement in the downscaled SM. This study introduces a new downscaling method based on support vector regression (SVR) that includes the geophysical variables with locational weighting. Regarding the in situ SM, the SVR downscaling method exhibited a smaller root mean square error, from 0.09 to 0.07 m3·m−3, and a larger average correlation coefficient increased, from 0.62 to 0.68, compared to the conventional method. In addition, the SM downscaled using the SVR method had a greater statistical resemblance to that of the original advanced scatterometer SM. A residual magnitude analysis for each model with two independent variables was performed, which indicated that only the residuals from the SVR model were not well correlated, suggesting a more effective performance than regression models with a significant contribution of independent variables to residual magnitude. The spatial variations of the downscaled SM products were affected by the seasonal patterns in temperature-vegetation relationships, and the SVR downscaling method showed more consistent performance in terms of seasonal effect. Based on these results, the suggested SVR downscaling method is an effective approach to improve the spatial resolution of satellite SM measurements.

Description: In the present work, daily rainfall is simulated over the core monsoon region of India by using a feedforward multilayer perceptron (MLP) model. Daily rainfall is found to be optimally dependent on four concurrent meteorological parameters, namely, geopotential height, specific humidity, zonal, and meridional wind at 1000 mb, 925 mb, 850 mb, and 700 mb pressure levels during 00, 06, 12, and 18 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The architecture of the optimized feedforward MLP model consists of 64 nodes in the input layer, 10 nodes in the hidden layer, and 1 node in the output layer. The results from the model are compared with the 3B42 (version 7) rainfall product. In terms of root mean square error (rmse) and correlation coefficient (cc), the model is performing better compared to the satellite-derived 3B42 rainfall product, whereas in terms of bias, the performance of the 3B42 product is better compared to the model. The weight matrices of the feedforward MLP model are estimated at a particular location (22.5°N, 82.5°E). These weight matrices are able to simulate daily rainfall at neighbourhood locations also with reasonably good accuracy with cc in the range of 0.41 to 0.55. The performance of the model improves in case of an aerial average of daily rainfall with significantly enhanced cc (0.72). The model is able to capture monthly and intraseasonal variation of rainfall with reasonably good accuracy, with cc of 0.88 and 0.68, respectively. The simulation model has a limitation that it is not able to simulate extreme high rainfall events (〉60 mm/day). Overall, the developed model is performing reasonably well. This approach has a potential to be used as a rain parameterization scheme in the dynamical atmospheric and coupled models to simulate daily rainfall. Nevertheless, the present approach can also be used for multistep prediction of rainfall.

Description: This study analyses the spatial and temporal distribution of heavy rainfall events (HREs) and its associated circulation anomalies over Tanzania during March to May (MAM) rainfall season of 1980–2010. A total of 822 HREs were revealed, concentrated over the northern sector (NS) of the country. Years with anomalous HREs are associated with low-level westerly convergence, advection of moisture from both the Indian Ocean and Congo basin, an upper warm temperature anomaly (UWTA), intensified and well-positioned Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and pronounced rising motion since the ascending limb of the Walker type of circulation is centered over Tanzania. The analysis of the UWTA in this study has brought a key factor in exploring the possible likely cause and improved early warning system for the HREs during the MAM rainfall season in Tanzania. Making use of the thermal wind equation and the velocity divergent form of the continuity equation (DFCE), we found that the UWTA results into an upper-level horizontal wind divergence which significantly accelerates vertical ascent, deepening the surface low pressure for an enhanced convective process and HREs formation.

Description: Vegetative precipitation-use efficiency (PUE) is a key indicator for evaluating the dynamic response of vegetation productivity to the spatiotemporal variation in precipitation. It is also an important indicator for reflecting the relationship between the water and carbon cycles in a vegetation ecosystem. This paper uses data from MODIS Net Primary Production (NPP) and China’s spatial interpolation data for precipitation from 2000 to 2015 to calculate the annual value, multiyear mean value, interannual standard deviation, and interannual linear trend of Chinese terrestrial vegetative PUE over the past 16 years. Based on seven major administrative regions, eleven vegetation types, and four climate zones, we analyzed the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of China’s vegetative PUE. The research results are shown as follows: (1) China’s vegetative PUE shows obvious spatial variation characteristics, and it is relatively stable interannually, with an overall slight increasing trend, especially in Northwest and Southwest China. The vegetative PUE is higher, and its stability is declined in Xinjiang, western Gansu, and the southern Tibetan valley. The vegetative PUE is lower, and its stability is increased in northeastern Tibet and southwestern Qinghai. An increasing trend in vegetative PUE is obvious at the edge of the Tarim Basin, in western Gansu, the southern Tibetan valley, and northwestern Yunnan. (2) There is a significant difference in the PUEs among different vegetation types. The average PUE of Broadleaf Forest is the highest, and the average PUE of Alpine Vegetation is the lowest. The stability of the PUE of Mixed Coniferous and Broadleaf Forest is declined, and the stability of the PUE of Alpine Vegetation is increased. The increasing speed of the PUE of Grass-forb Community is the fastest, and the decreasing speed of the PUE of Swamp is the fastest. (3) There is a significant difference in the PUEs among different vegetation types in the same climate zone, the difference in vegetative PUE in arid and semiarid regions is mainly affected by precipitation, and the difference in vegetative PUE in humid and semihumid regions is mainly affected by soil factors. The PUEs of the same vegetation type are significantly different among climate zones. The average PUE of Cultural Vegetation has the largest difference, the stability of the PUE of Steppe has the largest difference, and the increasing speed of the PUE of Swamp has the largest difference.

Description: Soil moisture (SM) plays important roles in surface energy conversion, crop growth, environmental protection, and drought monitoring. As crops grow, the associated vegetation seriously affects the ability of satellites to retrieve SM data. Here, we collected such data at different growth stages of maize using Bragg and X-Bragg scattering models based on the Freeman–Durden polarization decomposition method. We used the H/A/Alpha polarization decomposition approach to extract accurate threshold values of decomposed scattering components. The results showed that the H and Alpha values of bare soil areas were lower and those of vegetated areas were higher. The threshold values of the three scattering components were 0.2–0.4 H and 7–24° Alpha for the surface scattering component, 0.6–0.9 H and 22–50° Alpha for the volume scattering component, and other values for the dihedral scattering component. The SM data retrieved (using the X-Bragg model) on June 27, 2014, were better than those retrieved at other maize growth stages and were thus associated with the minimum root-mean-square error value (0.028). The satellite-evaluated SM contents were in broad agreement with data measured in situ. Our algorithm thus improves the accuracy of SM data retrieval from synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images.

Description: Using echo-top height and hourly rainfall datasets, a new reflectivity-rainfall (Z-R) relationship is established in the present study for the radar-based quantitative precipitation estimation (RQPE), taking into account both the temporal evolution (dynamical) and the types of echoes (i.e., based on echo-top height classification). The new Z-R relationship is then applied to derive the RQPE over the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River for two short-time intense rainfall cases in summer (2200 UTC 1 June 2016 and 2200 UTC 18 June 2016) and one stratiform rainfall case in winter (0000 UTC 15 December 2017), and then the comparative analyses between the RQPE and the RQPEs derived by the other two methods (the fixed Z-R relationship and the dynamical Z-R relationship based on radar reflectivity classification) are accomplished. The results show that the RQPE from the new Z-R relationship is much closer to the observation than those from the other two methods because the new method simultaneously considers the echo intensity (reflecting the size and concentration of hydrometers to a certain extent) and the echo-top height (reflecting the updraft to a certain extent). Two statistics of 720 rainfall events in summer (April to June 2017) and 50 rainfall events in winter (December 2017) over the same region show that the correlation coefficient (root-mean-squared error and relative error) between RQPE derived by the new Z-R relationship and observation is significantly increased (decreased) compared to the other two Z-R relationships. Besides, the new Z-R relationship is also good at estimating rainfall with different intensities as compared to the other two methods, especially for the intense rainfall.

Description: Local effects of inadvertent weather changes within and near wind farms have been well documented by a number of modeling studies and observational campaigns; however, the broader nonlocal atmospheric effects of wind farms are much less clear. The goal of this study is to determine whether wind farm-induced perturbations are able to evolve over periods of days, and over areas of thousands of square kilometers, to modify specific atmospheric features that have large impacts on society and the environment, specifically midlatitude and tropical cyclones. Here, an ensemble modeling approach is utilized with a wind farm parameterization to quantify the sensitivity of meteorological variables to the presence of wind farms. The results show that perturbations to nonlocal midlatitude cyclones caused by a wind farm are statistically significant, with magnitudes of roughly 1 hPa for mean sea-level pressure, 4 m/s for surface wind speed, and 15 mm for maximum 30-minute accumulated precipitation. Cyclone perturbation magnitude is also found to be dependent on wind farm size and location relative to the midlatitude cyclone genesis region and track.

Description: Fifteen temperature indices recommended by the ETCCDI (Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices) were applied to evaluate spatiotemporal variability and trends in annual intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme temperature statistics in Finland during 1961–2011. Statistically significant relationships between these high-resolution (10 km) temperature indices and seven influential Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns (NHTPs) for the interannual climate variability were also identified. During the study period (1961–2011), warming trends in extreme temperatures were generally manifested by statistically significant increases in cold temperature extremes rather than in the warm temperature extremes. As expected, warm days and nights became more frequent, while fewer cold days and nights occurred. The frequency of frost and icing days also decreased. Finland experienced more (less) frequent warm (cold) temperature extremes over the past few decades. Interestingly, significant lengthening in cold spells was observed over the upper part of northern Finland, while no clear changes are found in warm spells. Interannual variations in the temperature indices were significantly associated with a number of NHTPs. In general, warm temperature extremes show significant correlations with the East Atlantic and the Scandinavia patterns and cold temperature extremes with the Arctic Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation patterns.

Description: Sunspot number is an important parameter for presenting the intensity of solar activity. Based on the sunspot number series, which has been replaced by a new improved version since 2015, we confirm that the sunspot number has significant variations at 11-year and 112-year periods. The sunspot number has also increased from 1700 to 2016 with 0.08 annual increments on the basis of wavelet analysis and least-square fitting. We further confirm that global temperatures are remarkable in 22-year and 64-year cycles. The result of wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis suggests that solar activity has a positive lag effect on global temperatures in the period band of 22 years with a 3-year lag. However, the linearly increasing global temperature has hampered WTC analysis since 1960. Aiming to solve this problem, we apply wavelet decomposition and cross correlation to determine whether the aforementioned lag effect in the period band of 22 years has a 2-year lag rather than a 3-year lag. We find that the 22-year magnetic field solar cycle plays a greater role in global climate change than the 11-year sunspot cycle. In addition, we notice that the solar activity is not a representation of the driving force of the upward trend of global temperature after the industrial age. The Granger causality test results demonstrate that the phenomenon of the global warming is caused by excessive CO2 emissions.

Description: Flexible photoelectric film is an anisotropic material. The slight change of equipment performance during processing is prone to cause deformation of the material. Therefore, it is important to predict the degradation of processing equipment performance. Since the performance degradation of flexible photoelectric film material Roll-to-Roll (R2R) processing equipment is a nonlinear process, this paper introduces an adaptive fuzzy clustering method to construct a fuzzy membership function model for calculating the performance degradation index of R2R processing equipment and studies the parameter solving method such as the AFCM division of the roller vibration data, the category center value of the fuzzy membership function, and the input data division area width. Finally, the performance degradation index calculation algorithm is designed. The roller shaft accelerated life test was carried out using self-made equipment. The test data were 1000 sets. The results showed that the root mean square eigenvalues and the kurtosis eigenvalues of the roller vibration data are sensitive to the performance degradation. The equipment performance curve described by the first and second types of performance degradation indicators was very stable in the early stage. After the group, the curve continued to decrease, and the change was more severe, indicating that the performance degradation of the equipment is more serious. In the group, the longer-lasting roller shaft was damaged, and the performance index value was about zero, which proved the correctness of the performance degradation prediction method proposed in this paper in calculating the performance degradation value of the equipment.

Description: International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Volume 14, Issue 11, November 2018. 〈br/〉

Description: We report about the fluorometric method for the determination of glutathione (GSH) in dietary supplements. The fluorometric assay is based on the use of functionalized silica particles (SiO2-SH) in combination with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA). The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were located at 340 nm and 430 nm. The relative fluorescence intensity was linear in the concentration range between 1.0 × 10−7 mol/L and 1.0 × 10−5 mol/L (M) with the detection limit of 3.4 × 10−7 M. The fluorescent silica particle-based sensor was successfully employed for the determination of GSH in dietary supplements with excellent recoveries. The proposed sensor may pave a new way for fluorescence sensing of other substances in food samples.