Excess nitrogen in agricultural drainage poses a serious threat to the water quality safety of the Yellow River basin. Utilizing aquatic plants to modify the rhizosphere microbial community structure and facilitate nitrogen transformation is a crucial strategy for mitigating regional water eutrophication. Our results revealed that the denitrification rate (DR), dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium rate (DNRAR) and nitrogen fixation rate (NFR) of rhizosphere sediments exhibited a significant increase in artificially cultivated ditch. Compared with those in natural ditches, the richness of the bacterial community and the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, Firmicutes, Anaeromyxobacter and Geobacter, which are involved mainly in the nitrogen cycle, in the rhizosphere sediments of artificially cultivated ditch were significantly greater due to improvements in environmental conditions. In artificially cultivated ditch, the dominant functional genes affecting DRNARs in the rhizosphere sediments of P. australis were nrfC and nrfA, while DRs were driven mainly by norB and napA, which were influenced by the nitrogen and carbon levels; and the dominant functional genes affecting NFRs in the rhizosphere sediments of T. orientalis were nifD, nifK and nifH. Our results provide a scientific basis for the use of aquatic plants for mitigating excess nitrogen levels in agricultural drainage.

Accelerating, exact, explicit and simple solutions of relativistic hydrodynamics allow for a simple and natural description of highly relativistic p+p collisions. These solutions yield a finite rapidity distribution, thus they lead to an advanced estimate of the initial energy density of high energy collisions. We show that such an advanced estimate yields an initial energy density in $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 TeV p+p collisions at LHC around or above the critical energy density from lattice QCD, and a corresponding initial temperature above the critical temperature from QCD and the Hagedorn temperature. This suggests that the collision energy of the LHC corresponds to a large enough initial energy density to create a non-hadronic perfect fluid even in pp collisions. %We also show, that several times the %critical energy density may have been reached in high multiplicity events, hinting at a non-hadronic medium created in %high multiplicity $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 TeV p+p collisions.

Mangrove plant seedling cultivation is crucial for the protection, management and restoration of mangrove ecosystem. In this study, we focused on Kandelia obovata, a typical mangrove, and evaluated nursery cultivation with different combinations of three salinity levels (S1: 0 ppt, S2: 10 ppt, and S3: 20 ppt), three genealogies (EZD, JX, and YZ), and five growth media (M1: 100% loess, M2: 100% sandy, M3: 50% loess + 50% sandy, M4: 40% loess + 40% sandy + 20% peat, and M5: 40% loess + 40% sandy + 20% coir), by measuring the growth parameters such as mortality rate, seedling height, diameter, and biomass partition. These growth indexes were significantly affected by salinity and medium, and genealogies also had significant effects on mortality rate and biomass accumulation. S2 or S3 both had lower mortality and higher growth indexes than S1. M1 was the medium that increased seedlings height, diameter and biomass the most and had the lowest death rate. EZD and JX were also higher levels than YZ in these indicators, but the difference between them was not obvious. S3, M1, and EZD consistently performed well in fuzzy evaluation and quality assessment. Furthermore, combinations involving these treatments also produced highly favorable results. These results furnish both a theoretical and practical foundation for advancing nursery cultivation techniques and germplasm breeding of K. obovata in mangroves.

The issue of optimising the initial stand density (ISD) of tree plantations has high practical importance. The objective of this study was to nondestructively evaluate the influence of the initial stand density of Scots pine plantations located in the European part of the Russian Federation on wood basic density (BD), moisture content (MC), ultrasound velocity (UV), latewood content, and drilling resistance (DR). 45-year-old trees with stand densities of 500, 1000, 3000, 5000, and 10000 trees/ha were tested by a 5-cm-long core sample for gravimetric MCGM and BD, by PULSAR-2.2 for UV along the height (UVH) and through the tree trunk diameter (UVD), by the IML-RESI PD-400 tool for DR, and by GANN HT 85T for MC based on the electrical resistance method (MCERM). A significant influence of ISD was found on DBH, UVD, MCGM, and MCERM. ISD had no significant impact on BD, UVH, and DR. The wood BD ranged from 356 to 578 kg/m-3, with a mean value of 434±3.3 kg/m-3, and was restricted by the soil and environmental factors. DBH and 70% MCERM were good indicators of tree vitality. Linear correlations between DBH and MCERM (R2=0.67), DBH and MCGM (R2=0.74), DR and BD (R2=0.71), and the two-factor model MCGM=f(DBH, BD), (R2=0.76) were found.

Effectively mapping and monitoring rubber plantation is still changing. Previous studies have explored the potential of phenology features for rubber plantation mapping through a pixel-based approach (pixel-based phenology approach). However, in fragmented mountainous Xishuangbanna, it could lead to noises and low accuracy of resultant maps. In this study, we investigated the capability of an integrated approach by combining phenology information with an object-based approach (object-based phenology approach) to map rubber plantations in Xishuangbanna. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data were firstly used to acquire the temporal profile and phenological features of rubber plantations and natural forests, which delineates the time windows of defoliation and foliation phases. Landsat images were then used to extract a phenology algorithm comparing three different approaches: pixel-based phenology, object-based phenology, and extended object-based phenology to separate rubber plantations and natural forests. The results showed that the two object-based approaches achieved higher accuracy than the pixel-based approach, having overall accuracies of 96.4%, 97.4%, and 95.5%, respectively. This study proved the reliability of a phenology-based rubber mapping in fragmented landscapes with a distinct dry/cool season using Landsat images. This study indicated that the object-based phenology approaches can effectively improve the accuracy of the resultant maps in fragmented landscapes.

The exceptional performance advantages of the fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) position it as a dominant player in middle and high-end inertial navigation systems. To prevent the loss of sensor precision caused by algorithm design and simplify the complex modeling strategy in traditional methods. We gradually demonstrate the significant role of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in the navigation system based on FOG, and utilize the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to expedite the convergence of the network. The experimental results demonstrate that the initial alignment method based on deep learning is more accurate than the traditional method. The attitude angle error is reduced by 81.25%, 92.54% and 36.53% respectively. The research provides support for the future application of deep learning in optical navigation systems.

The research focuses on the production of particleboards from the biomass of energetic willow (Salix viminalis L.) and energetic poplar (Populus spp.), aiming to explore their feasibility as sustainable materials for various applications. Energetic willow and energetic poplar are known for their rapid growth and suitability for energy production. They present an intriguing alternative as raw materials with added value for particleboard manufacturing. The study investigates the selected mechanical and physical properties of the produced particleboards, considering parameters such as density profile, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, thickness swelling, and screw withdrawal resistance. During the research, the results were also compared between different mass shares of willow and poplar particles in the particleboards. The findings underscore the promising potential of willow and poplar-based particleboards as eco-friendly alternatives in the construction and furniture industries, contributing to resource efficiency and carbon emission reduction efforts.

Plastics, once regarded as a revolutionary material shaping modern society, now poses an unprecedented threat to our environment. Household solid waste sorting stations produce several fractions, one of which contains a high concentration of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) film waste (packaging, sunscreen film, etc.). This fraction is difficult to recycle because it contains quite a lot of impurities. Usually, it is sent to the cement factories that burn it together with other fuels. However, with some processing techniques such catalytic pyrolysis this fraction could be valorized. In this paper the experiments which were carried out at a laboratory scale installation, in batches with a processing capacity of 1-3 kg of waste. The pyrolysis reactor is connected to a distillation column giving the possibility to separate the fractions. The gaseous and liquid fractions were characterized by GC-FID-TCD (gases) and GC-MS (liquids) analysis. Natural catalysts such as bentonite or clinoptilolite were studied and used in the melting of plastic mass to simplify the process as much as possible. To test the activity of the catalysts, the pyrolysis of LDPE granules was initially studied. It was found that natural zeolites are much more active than bentonite and that a minimum concentration of 5-10% is needed to have a positive effect on the composition of the fractions (increasing the weight of the light fractions C1-C6, C6-C10 and C11-C13) in relation to the heavy fractions C13-C20 and C20+. Catalytic pyrolysis gives a completely different distribution of light hydrocarbons. The best catalyst selected from LDPE lab experiments, was then tested upon the pyrolysis of plastic film waste obtained by a waste treatment plant. The research objective reported in this paper was to obtain a fraction of combustible gases in the largest possible proportion, which can be much easier exploited by burning in an engine that drives an electric generator.

In Ethiopia, farmers have changed cropland to Eucalyptus globulus plantations for construction, fuelwood and economic benefits. However, it has adverse effects on soil properties. The investigation was, therefore, to evaluate the impact of Eucalyptus globulus plantations on soil properties in northwestern Ethiopia. About 30 soil samples were collected from two soil depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) and three land uses (Eucalyptus globulus plantations, cropland and grazing land) with five replications. Soil properties were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Based on the result, soil properties such as silt particles, moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were significantly higher under the soil of Eucalyptus globulus plantations than in cropland and grazing land. Whereas the lower contents of bulk density (BD), soil pH, available phosphorus (AP), electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) were recorded in Eucalyptus globulus plantations. Besides, clay, BD, MC, pH, EC, CEC, percent base saturation (PBS) and basic cations increased with soil depth while decreasing sand, silt, TP, OM and AP. The basic cations ( Ca, Mg, K), PBS and AP decreased in the soil of the 25-year old Eucalyptus globulus plantation compared to cropland by 38%, 36%, 43 %, 45% and 47% and grazing land by 56%, 60%, 76 %, 60% and 56%, respectively. Therefore, appropriate and effective land use management principles should be implemented in the study area.

Motivated by the PEACOC project on metal recovery from solid wastes, an innovative magnetic density separation (MDS) process has been developed for granular material sorting. It has intrinsic advantages over the existing industrialized MDS by eliminating fluid turbulence and particle jamming problems. The new MDS applies an inclined planar magnet and a horizontal basin containing a static magnetic fluid as the separation medium. A particle sliding phenomenon is identified as a feature of the process which could help the separation. The MDS successfully sorted shredded PCBAs to concentrate valuable metals and sorted shredded wires to reduce metallic contaminants in the plastic fractions. A pilot scale facility is introduced to show the design to achieve continuous production and to reduce the consumption of ferrofluid.

Conventional monitoring relies on "in vivo" (non-destructive) measurements of aboveground organ traits (such as stems, branches, and leaves) to analyze plantation growth trends and assess the effectiveness of management practices like watering and fertilization. This study reveals the necessity of “ex vivo” (destructive) approaches, post-excavation, to ensure fully reliable monitoring of plantation performance, including belowground organ growth and development trends. We showcase the effectiveness of dendrometric analysis, which measures the annual ring width in the secondary xylem (wood) of the taproot and stem. Monitoring above- and belowground organ growth trends allow for the exploration of similarities and differences in how different tree organs respond to internal and external factors. Such monitoring is especially crucial for assessing plantation performance in challenging climates, such as those found in arid and semi-arid lands.

Coffee is one of the most valuable agricultural products worldwide, and it is crucial to have efficient tools to obtain reliable information about production. This study aims to estimate coffee plantation production using segmentation and deep learning techniques in RGB images. Photographs of coffee plants were taken in Tabaconas, San Ignacio-Cajamarca, to create a dataset of crops during the harvest stage. The images were segmented to detect coffee fruits. A deep learning method was developed with YOLOv5 to detect the fruits and OpenCV to count them. The results showed that YOLOv5 achieved an accuracy of 97.25%, a recall of 95.77%, and an F1-Score of 96.37%, demonstrating high reliability in detecting coffee fruits. The average detection time per image was 17.9 seconds. The metrics were evaluated using a confusion matrix, highlighting the model's good performance. In conclusion, segmentation and deep learning techniques, along with counting algorithms developed with OpenCV, proved effective for estimating coffee production. This approach provides a valuable tool for farmers, improving crop management and facilitating decision-making in precision agriculture.

Conventional fertilization practices can lead to many ecological problems, such as nutrient imbalance, soil acidity, and reduced soil fertility in natural rubber plantations. To address these challenges, a field investigation was strategically carried out to substitute inorganic fertilizer with organic fertilizers consisted of six treatments, i.e., no fertilization (CK), inorganic fertilizer (NPK), 25 % replacement of inorganic through organic (25%M), 50 % replacement of inorganic through organic (50%M), 75 % replacement of inorganic through organic (75%M), and 100% organic fertilizer (100%M). The soil physicochemical properties (SOC, TN, AN, C:N, pH, NH4+-N, and NO3--N) and carbon and nitrogen converting enzymes (BG, NAG, and LAP) were all determined. The partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers with organic fertilizers (i.e., 75%M at surface soil layer) showed higher SOC (14.52 g.kg-1), TN (1.06 g.kg-1), AN (20.07 mg.kg-1), C:N (14.63), NH4+-N (10.63 mgkg-1), and NO3--N(11.06 mg.kg-1) than NPK and CK. Such increase in physicochemical properties in partial replacement of inorganic with organic fertilizers plots resulted from higher carbon and nitrogen enzymes activities (BG (143.17 nmol.g-1.h-1), NAG (153.96 nmol.g-1.h-1), and LAP (153.48 nmol.g-1.h-1)) compared to NPK and CK, and further the person correlation and RDA analysis confirmed a significant positive correlation between SOC, AN, and soil enzymes. This study presents a new strategy for assessing the impact of partially replacing inorganic fertilizers with organic fertilizers in rubber plantations, mainly by modifying the soil nutrient composition in tropical regions.

We previously reported our initial experience of subxiphoid single-port robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (SRATS) thymectomy using the single-port robotic surgical system (SPS). However, the potential benefits of this technique remain unknown. Thus, this study examined the multi-institutional experience of SRATS thymectomy and compared perioperative outcomes of this technique with those of subxiphoid single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (SVATS) thymectomy. Data of patients who underwent subxiphoid SRATS and SVATS thymectomy performed by three thoracic surgeons at three institutions between September 2018 and May 2024 were retrospectively collected. In total, 110 patients were included, with 85 and 25 undergoing SRATS and SVATS thymectomy, respectively. No significant differences were noted in the total operative time (154.46±74.06 vs. 146.76±67.07 min, P=0.674) and conversion rate to median sternotomy (0% vs. 4 %, P=0.227) between the two groups. The SRATS group was associated with a lower conversion rate to multi-port surgery (2% vs. 20%, P=0.006), shorter chest tube drainage duration (1.40±0.94 vs. 2.00±1.29 days, P=0.001), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (2.87±1.26 vs. 5.08±5.20 days, P=0.007). Subxiphoid SRATS thymectomy using the SPS is feasible and can be a good alternative to conventional minimally invasive thymectomy. Further large-scale randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm its benefits.

The article delves into the crucial realm of compressing hydrogen in its gaseous state, a pivotal process for enhancing its viability in both civil and industrial sectors. The study initiates by providing a concise overview and comparison of diverse hydrogen storage methodologies, laying the groundwork with an in-depth analysis of hydrogen's thermophysical properties. It scrutinizes plausible configurations for hydrogen compression, aiming to strike a delicate balance between energy consumption, predominantly derived from the fuel itself, and the requisite number of compression stages. Notably, to render hydrogen storage competitive in terms of volume, pressures of at least 350 bar are deemed essential, albeit at an energy cost amounting to approximately 10% of the fuel's calorific value. Multi-stage compression emerges as a crucial strategy, not solely for energy efficiency, but also to curtail temperature rise, with an upper limit set at 200°C. This nuanced approach is underlined by the exploration of compression levels commonly cited in the literature, particularly 350 bar and 700 bar. Ultimately, the study advocates for a three-stage compression system as a pragmatic compromise, capable of achieving high-pressure solutions while keeping compression work below 10 MJ/kg, a threshold indicative of sustainable energy utilization.

The present study aims at investigating the relationship between Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) variables mainly underpricing on one hand, and the brand value measures on the other. Our final data set is 104 international brand companies. We implement empirical approach using hierarchical OLS regression and descriptive statistics. We show that underpricing is positively related to brand value which emphasizes the marketing role of going public and underpricing in enhancing brand equity through the product market, which additionally confirms some information asymmetry models. We also find that on average brand companies had not been recognized as brands at the IPO time. Moreover, we show the positive role of private equity in enhancing brand value, additionally, the non-linear association between underpricing and brand value is not evident. Finally, we draw some policy implication and suggestions for future research.

Spray penetration into citrus canopies is critical for adequate coverage and deposition to ensure effective pest control. However, mismatch of air assistance to target canopy characteristics can lead to unintended spray loss through over penetration. To evaluate the effect of air assistance on on-target deposition, two sprayers (surrogates for airflow rates) were used to apply a fluorescent tracer dye solution @ target concentration of 300 ppm to 16 medium foliage density tree blocks in a commercial mandarin orchard. The complete factorial experiment in three replications comprised two ground speeds (1.6 and 4.8 km/h), two disc-core nozzles (TeeJet® D3-25 and D6-45), and either one or two nozzle rows to obtain a wide range of application rates (496 to 9,719 L/ha). Dye deposition significantly decreased with canopy depth (p=<0.001) by nearly 7 times across the 3.4-m-wide canopies but was not significant over 1.2 to 2.2 m sampling height (p=0.867). Deposition obtained with the low airflow rate sprayer was significantly greater (p=<0.001) than that obtained with the high airflow rate sprayer over the dose range likely due to too much air pushing out spray droplets. This study underscores the importance of matching the air assistance of orchard sprayers to the target canopy.

Molecular-scale density fluctuations at equilibrium produce cavities in a liquid and can be analyzed to shed light on the statistics of the number of molecules occupying observation volumes of increasing radius. An information theory approach led to the conclusion that these probabilities should follow a Gaussian distribution function. This prediction has been confirmed by computer simulations in different liquid models if the size of the observation volume is not large. The reversible work of cavity creation is exactly linked to the probability of finding zero molecules in a given observation volume. The Gaussian formula for the latter probability is scrutinized to arrive at the enthalpy and entropy changes associated with cavity creation. The reversible work of cavity creation has a purely entropic origin due to the solvent-excluded volume effect produced by the inaccessibility of a given region of the configurational space. The consequent structural reorganization of liquid molecules leads to exactly compensating enthalpy and entropy changes. These results are in line with those obtained in a direct statistical mechanical study by Lee.

Predicting human trajectories poses a significant challenge due to the complex interplay of pedestrian behavior, which is influenced by environmental layout and interpersonal dynamics. This complexity is further compounded by variations in scene density. To address this, we introduce a novel dataset from the Festival of Lights in Lyon 2022, characterized by a wide range of densities (0.2-2.2 ped/m2). Our analysis demonstrates that density-based classification of data can significantly enhance the accuracy of predictive algorithms. We propose an innovative two-stage processing approach, surpassing current state-of-the-art methods in performance. Additionally, we utilize a collision-based error metric to better account for collisions in trajectory predictions. Our findings indicate that the effectiveness of this error metric is density-dependent, offering prediction insights. This study not only advances our understanding of human trajectory prediction in dense environments but also presents a methodological framework for integrating density considerations into predictive modeling, thereby improving algorithmic performance and collision avoidance.

This research introduces a novel approach to evaluate energy utilization in agribusiness within a cost-based framework, addressing the complexities associated with uncertain input energy content. The study focuses on the agricultural sector in Latin America, with particular emphasis on banana plantations, examining the sector's growing dependence on energy-intensive methods and inputs. We differentiate between technical and allocative efficiency, employing a frontier-based methodology. The analysis encompasses data from 21 state-owned banana plantations in Latin America, revealing significant room for improvement in energy efficiency. Our findings indicate an average Technical Efficiency of 0.69, Allocative Efficiency of 0.91, and overall Energy Efficiency of 0.59, suggesting potential reductions in input and energy consumption of up to 38%. The study underscores the importance of addressing both input mismanagement and misallocation to enhance energy efficiency. While the proposed methodology offers valuable insights for public sector enterprises, particularly in agriculture, further research is necessary to extend this approach to scenarios with uncertain input energy content, potentially incorporating stochastic frontier analysis or fuzzy logic methodologies.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important woody species for production in Ecuador. Woody species have the potential to incorporate soil organic carbon (SOC) into the soil. The province of Manabí is known for its cocoa plantations and several cocoa species, which generates interest in their analysis. This study aimed to determine the concentration and accumulation of SOC in three cocoa species (EET95, EET103 and EET116) 15 years old, both under the tree and in the rows, at different depths 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-30 (cm). The results showed that soil SOC concentration was higher in the row for EET116 (2.51%) and significantly different under the tree for EET103 (1.57%) at 0-5 cm. No significant differences were found in the other sections. In the whole profile analyzed (0-30 cm), the EET116 species accumulated 41 t ha-1 and 54 t ha-1 under the tree and in the row, respectively. The species EET103 in the row presented 47 t ha-1 with no significant differences. Species EET95 and EET103 had the lowest values, but without significant differences between sampling locations, with 36 t ha-1, 37 t ha-1, and 47 t ha-1 under the tree and in the windrow, respectively. In conclusion, the species EET116 accumulated more organic carbon due to several factors, possibly a higher decomposing biomass, not only from the tree but also from other trees in the area, which contributes to the incorporation of organic matter throughout the soil profile.

Forest harvesting generates variable amounts of residue that represent a fire hazard and a hindrance to regeneration and must be managed accordingly. In South Africa, burning is the most common residue management method, but there is an interest in introducing safer and more effective techniques, such as mulching. For that reason, a productivity study was conducted in the Eastern Cape province to gather information on the productivity, cost, and work quality of the three main alternatives: manual broadcasting, manual broadcasting followed by mulching with an adapted farm tractor and mulching with a purpose-built mulcher. Manual broadcasting required 16 h/ha, mulching with a farm tractor 3.6 h/ha, and mulching with a purpose-built mulcher 0.9 h/ha (one pass). Manual broadcasting was the cheapest option, at a cost of 400 ZAR/ha. Mulching with a farm tractor and a purpose-built mulcher incurred a cost of 3 267 ZAR/ha and 4 083 ZAR/ha, respectively. Manual broadcasting achieved a minimal reduction of residue size, with 50% of the slash (branches and stem wood) having a mean length above 40 cm. When mulching with a farm tractor was applied, 49% of the slash (branches and stem wood) length reduced to about 30 cm. When a purpose-built mulcher was used, only 10% of the slash elements exceeded 40 cm length.

Background and Objectives: The site types of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis clonal plantations in southern Yunnan were compared, aiming to provide basis for site selection and scientific plantations management. Materials and Methods: In this study, 80 standard plots were set up in the 6−9-year-old Eucalypts plantations in Pu'er City and Lincang City. Furthermore, the quantitative theory I model and canonical correlation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between dominant tree growth traits and site factors, and evaluate the growth potential of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantation. Results: The multiple correlation coefficient between 8 site factors (altitude, slope, slope level, soil thickness, slope direction, texture, soil bulk density, and litter thickness) and the quantitative growth of the dominant wood was 0.825 (P < 0.05). According to the correlation coefficient of the quantitative regression model, slope, altitude, and soil thickness were the main factors for the classification of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations in southern Yunnan. In addition, E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations grew best downhill and mid uphill at relatively low altitude, where the soil layer was thick and composed of weathered red soil. Contrastingly, E. urophylla × E. grandis plantation growth was extremely poor in uphill sites at higher altitude, where the soil layer was thin and composed of semi-weathered purple soil. Furthermore, total N, and available B, Cu, and Zn content, as well as soil organic matter content in the soil had a great influence on the growth of E. urophylla × E. grandis. Conclusions: Nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer as well as trace elements such as B, Zn, and Cu can be properly applied in middle- and low-yield forests to promote the growth and development of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations.

Introduction: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a vital diagnostic tool in clinical prac-tice, particularly in transcatheter interventions where it aids in both pre-operative planning and intra-operative guidance. Traditional TEE probes often require general anesthesia due to patient discomfort. However, the development of miniaturized TEE probes presents a promising alter-native, enabling routine examinations and interventions with minimal sedation. This study evaluates the feasibility of performing a complete 2D/4D TEE protocol with the new 4D-mini-TEE probe in echocardiography departments and its application in transcatheter interventions. Methods: This prospective, observational study included 30 consecutive patients from two high-volume European hospitals (Interbalkan Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece, and Rennes University, France) undergoing TEE or transcatheter interventions. The new 4D-mini-TEE 9VT-D probe (GE Healthcare) was utilized. The quality of the images and the tolerance of the probe were assessed in the Cath lab during interventions and in the echocardiography department during routine TEE examinations. Results: Direct comparison of the 4D-mini-TEE probe with the standard 6VT-D probe, confirmed the excellent image quality of this new pediatric probe. Most of the patients required minimal sedation or local oropharyngeal anesthesia, with satisfactory tolerance reported. Most of the transcatheter procedures did not require general anesthesia and intubation, resulting in shorter procedural time. Both 2D and 4D imaging modalities offered adequate intra-operative guidance for transcatheter procedures. Conclusions: The 4D-mini-TEE probe delivers exceptional imaging capabilities for routine ex-aminations and transcatheter interventions without needing sedation. Its use reduces esophageal trauma and the need for general anesthesia, enhancing patient comfort and safety.

Abstract: Dispersal strategies of a species can affect its invasion success. Investigation into the dispersal strategies of invasive species in relation to different factors helps our understanding of the invasion mechanisms and provides knowledge for population management and invasion evaluation. Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an invasive species, which is native to Europe but now cosmopolitan. Here, we examined the effects of age and density on dispersal in mated females. Our results show that older females with more eggs were more likely to disperse and moved longer distances than younger ones with fewer eggs. Older females spread most of their eggs out of the natal habitats and over longer distances, which reduced competition and increased offspring fitness. Females significantly increased dispersal probability and distance with the increase of population density to avoid crowding. The synchronization of dispersal and reproduction, along with the positive density-dependent dispersal strategy, may facilitate habitat colonization and invasion speed of T. ludeni.

As it turns out, both isotope scaling and density limits are phenomena closely linked to fluid closure. The necessity to include ion viscosity arises for both phenomena. Thus, we have added ion viscosity to our model. The experimental isotope scaling has been successfully recovered in our fluid model through parameter scans. Although ion viscosity typically exerts a small effect, the density limit is manifested by increasing the density by approximately tenfold from the typical experimental density. In our case, this increase originates from the density in the Cyclone base case. Notably, these phenomena would not manifest with a gyro-Landau fluid closure. The isotope scaling is nullified by the addition of a gyro-Landau term, while the density limit results from permitting ion viscosity to become comparable to the gyro-Landau term. The mechanism of zonal flows, demonstrated analytically for the Dimits upshift, yields insights into the isotope scaling observed in experiments. In our approach, ion viscosity is introduced in place of the Landau fluid resonances found in some fluid models. This implies that the mechanism of isotope scaling operates at the level of fluid closure in connection with the generation of zonal flows. The strength of zonal flows in our model has been verified, particularly in connection with the successful simulation of the nonlinear Dimits shift. Consequently, a role is played by our approach in the temperature perturbation part of the Reynolds stress.

Hydrogen is now recognized as the primary alternative to fossil fuels due to its renewable, safe, high energy density and environmentally friendly properties. Efficient hydrogen production through water splitting has laid the foundation for sustainable energy technologies. However, when hydrogen production is scaled up to industrial levels, operating at high current densities introduces unique challenges. It is necessary to design advanced electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under high current densities. This review will briefly introduce chal-lenges posed by high current densities on electrocatalyst, including catalystic activity, mass dif-fusion and catalyst stability. In an attempt to address these issues, various electrocatalyst design strategies are summarized in detail. In the end, our insights into future challenges for efficient large-scale industrial hydrogen production from water splitting are presented. This review is expected to guide the rational design of efficient high current density water electrolysis electro-catalysts and promote the research progress of sustainable energy.

This work compared the performance of three methods for constructing a regional ensemble prediction system (EPS) for wind speed forecasts: dynamical downscaling, breeding of growth modes (BGM), and blending method. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to downscale the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) EPS. In addition, as the BGM method needs observation data for generating scaling factors, an alternative method for generating scaling factors was proposed to eliminate dependence on observation data. One-month tests between October 1st and October 30th, 2020, were implemented to evaluate the performance of three methods in the Gansu province of China. The results demonstrate that the blending method outperforms the other two methods. Furthermore, the difference in performance is evident mainly in early forecast lead time and becomes negligible as forecast time increases.

We have an aversion to density in America. Density is a continual trope in this country, blamed for all of the ills of urban life, from crime and racial unrest in the middle of the 20th century to public health concerns today. In the early stages of the COVID pandemic density was the culprit, even though we’ve subsequently seen outbreaks in rural areas and sprawling cities across the United States. This paper will look into the root of America’s problems with density and argue that density is not the problem but the solution to the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s cities. As we deplete the resources of the planet, density is our most direct pathway to recover some balance with nature. Dense living is more efficient, less carbon intensive and more environmentally sustainable. As geospatial differentiations matter less due to advances in communication technology, it's the density of people and ideas that will continue to fuel innovation. Finally, in a world that is increasingly dominated by pluralism, denser living promotes openness, tolerance and diversity.

The increasing environmental awareness and carbon-storing capability of wood have amplified its relevance as a building material. The demand for high-quality wood species necessitates exploring alternative, underutilized wood sources due to limited forest areas and premium wood volume. Consequently, the veneer-based industry is considering lower-value hardwood species like grey alder, black alder, and aspen as substitutes for high-quality birch. Initially less appealing due to their lower density and mechanical properties, these species show promise through densification, which enhances their density, strength, and hardness. This study aims to enhance plywood screw withdrawal capacity and surface hardness by densifying low-density wood species and using them in plywood face veneer layers or all layers. The relationship between wood density, surface hardness, and screw withdrawal capacity of plywoods made of low-value species like aspen and black alder is examined. Experimental work with a pilot-scale veneer and plywood production line demonstrates improved surface hardness (65% and 93% for aspen and black alder, respectively) and screw withdrawal capacity (16% and 35% for aspen and black alder, respectively) in face veneer densified low-value hardwood plywood. This research highlights the potential of densified low-value wood species to meet construction requirements, expanding their practical applications.

This paper investigates the influence of magnetic field for a two dimensional deformations on a two temperature problem at the free surface of a semi-infinite semiconducting medium under the effect of mechanical force during a photothermal theory and the effect of hydrostatic initial stress on the medium. The Harmonic Wave Method (Normal Mode Analysis) has been used to obtain the equations of elastic waves, heat conduction equation, quasi-static electric field, carrier density, two temperature coefficient, ratios, and constitutive relationships for the thermo-magnetic-electric medium. The effects of several parameters as thermoelastic and thermoelectric coupling parameters and two temperature parameter of this force on the displacement component, force stress, carrier density and temperature distribution has been depicted graphically.

To make wind power more competitive, it is necessary to reduce turbine downtime and reduce costs associated with wind turbine Operation and Maintenance (O&amp;M). Incorporating machine learning in developing condition-based predictive maintenance methodologies for wind turbines can enhance their efficiency and reliability. This paper presents a monitoring method that utilizes Base Density for the Support Vector Machine (BDSVM) and the evolutionary Fourier spectra of vibrations. This method allows smart monitoring of the function evolution of the turbine. A complex optimal function (FO) for 5-degree order has been developed that will be the boundary function of the BDSVM to timely determine the magnitude, frequency, and place of the failure occurring in wind turbine drive.

This work focuses on the theoretical study of the effect of entanglement in the Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) superconductor on the critical current density, critical magnetic field, and penetration depth. Using the Ginzburg Landau (GL) theory, the expression for the GL coherence length, the critical current density, the lower critical magnetic field (Hc1), and the upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) for the entangled superconducting YBCO was obtained. At zero external magnetic fields, YBCO was found to undergo a transition from the normal state to the superconducting state at 93K and returned to normal. We found a direct relationship between the GL coherence length penetration depth and the temperature of the entangled superconducting YBCO. The graphs of the lower critical magnetic field (Hc1) and critical current density against temperature show a non-linear dependence.In contrast, the graph of the upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) against temperature (T) shows the linear dependence, which is in agreement with existing theoretical observations. On the other hand, the graph of critical current density against the distance of separation between the entangled electrons that form a cooper pair showed that the critical current density increases between 1.8 and 6 nanometers attaining a constant value after reaching 7 nanometers for infinite distances. Finally, for lower critical fields, the magnetic field decreases between 1.5 to 6 nanometers attaining a constant value of the magnetic field, for infinite values of distance of separation between the entangled pair of electrons.

Vocational interest inventories are widely used by career counselors to help individuals to make career choices. The most common approach to assess vocational interests is based on verbal or textual stimuli. However, some of them are based on pictorials to overcome reading limits and provide additional information about the working environment and the activities related to a particular job. This article aims to present two studies on the development and first validation of the Multilingual Iconographic Professional Interest Inventory (MIPII) on two samples, one composed of 792 high-school students, and one composed of 366 middle school students. The inventory aimed to assesses the vocational interests of people over 19 areas by illustrations representing 95 jobs, five for each one, combined with their title in six different languages (Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French and Italian in this order). Both illustrations and titles are provided separately in the male and female version on the same page.

As the most active plateau on the Earth, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has a complex crust-mantle structure. Knowledge of the distribution of such a structure provides information for understanding the underlying geodynamic processes. We obtains a three-dimensional density model of crustal and upper mantle beneath Qinghai-Tibet plateau and its surrounding areas from the residual geoid anomalies using the Earth Gravitational Model (EGM) 2008. We estimate a refined density model by iterations, using an initial density contrast model. We confirm that the EGM2008 mission products can be used to constrain the crust-mantle density structures. Our major findings are: (1). At 300-400 km depth, high-D anomalies terminate around Jinsha River Suture (JRS) in the central TP, suggesting that the Indian plate has been reached over the Bangong Nujiang Suture (BNS) and almost reach to the JRS. (2). On the eastern TP, low-D anomalies at the depth of 0-300 km together with high-D anomalies at 400-670 km further verified the current eastward subduction of Indian plate. The ongoing subduction provides forces to the occurrences of frequent earthquakes and volcano. (3). At 600 km depth, low-D anomalies inside the TP illustrate the existence of hot weak material beneath there, contributing to the external material inward-thrusting.

Fractal array antennas are multiband arrays having ultra wide band and space filling facility. But Side lobe levels and large number of antenna elements are the major designing challenges of these arrays. In this paper, design and analysis of octagonal fractal array antenna is investigated with Morse-Thue fractal density tapering technique (MTFDT). Due to the proposed technique, a remarkable improvement has observed in Side lobe levels and thinning of the elements can also be attained at the various iterations of octagonal fractal array antenna. These arrays are analyzed and simulated by MATLAB-15 programming.

Plantation-based farmer cooperatives play an important role in promoting agricultural modernization and increasing farmer income, and the management of business risks of such cooperatives not only influences the development of the cooperatives themselves, but also concerns the interests of farmers. Based on the survey data of 226 sample cooperatives from Guizhou province, this article uses factor analysis to measure business risks of plantation-based farmer cooperatives and carries out empirical tests on influence factors of business risks through structural equation model. According to the research results, the ordering of business risks of plantation-based farmer cooperative based on their significance is as follows: market risk > policy risk > natural risk > technical risk > management risk. Influence factors including policy environment, economic environment, social service environment, technical environment, resource endowment of the cooperative and manager characteristics have significant positive influence on the cooperative, with economic environment and manager characteristics generating relatively stronger influence and social service environment generating relatively weaker influence. Through this research, several policy implications on driving high-quality development of plantation-based farmer cooperative are made, including specifying supportive policies of plantation-based farmer cooperative, improving economic environment of agricultural market, upgrading agricultural infrastructure, depending reform of land transfer system, and enhancing internal management of the cooperative.

This study explores optimizing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellation scheduling for multi-imaging missions in densely targeted areas using an in-house developed Modified Dynamic Programming (MDP) algorithm. By employing Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to define the mission planning problem, the research aims to maximize observation of high-value targets within restricted planning horizons. Numerical simulations, covering a wide range of target numbers and satellite configurations, reveal the MDP algorithm’s superior mission allocation efficiency, enhanced success rates, and reduced revisit times, compared to the Greedy algorithm. The findings underscore the MDP algorithm’s improved operational efficiency and planning robustness for complex imaging tasks, demonstrating significant advancements over traditional approaches.

This study aimed to develop a carbon yield model for a Makino bamboo plantation and addressed a monoculture Makino bamboo plantation in central Taiwan. We established a long-term trial to monitor the stand dynamic following thinning. A total of 16 plots were installed based on four thinning treatments, each sharing four plots. After thinning, data were collected from two investigations, resulting in 32 records. We calculated the number of culms (N), mean diameter at breast height (MDBH), and basal area (BA) for each record. An allometric function developed by previous research was used to predict aboveground biomass and to obtain aboveground carbon storage (AGCS). The model used the N, MDBH, and BA with various types (reciprocal and natural logarithm types) as independent variables to predict ln(AGCS) by the stepwise method. According to the Radj2 value, the best predictive models were: ln(ABCS) = -0.004 + 0.820 ln(MDBH) + 1.008 ln(BA), and ln(ABCS) = 7.550 - 0.820 ln(N) + 1.828 ln(BA). From these two models, we found the factors, either BA and MDBH or BA and N, can effectively predict AGCS. It indicated that stand density was critical in affecting AGCS, especially the variable BA.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 accounts for more than 14,000 deaths worldwide. However, little is known about the host genetics interaction with infection and COVID-19 progression. To better understand the role of host genetics, we review the current literature, aggregate readily available genetic resources, and provide some updated analysis relevant to COVID-19 and associated phenotypes. Using the unrelated individuals in UK Biobank (total n = 337,579 across 5 populations), we aggregate human leukocyte antigen and ABO blood type frequencies. We find significant and consistent risk reduction of blood group O reported in Zhao et al. and encourage broad sharing of ABO blood type frequencies that are readily accessible across COVID-19 with mild, moderate, and severe/critical symptoms for robust inferences at https://tinyurl.com/abo-covid19. In addition, we generate polygenic risk scores (PRSs) weights for 29 blood measurements, including clinically relevant haematological measurements for COVID-19, such as lymphocyte count and percentage. Focusing on the 8 most COVID-19 clinically relevant blood measurements, we performed PRS-PheWAS analysis across 44 disease antigen measurements (n = 6,643 unrelated individuals in White British group), infectious diseases and acute respiratory infections (n = 20,928 cases and 349,000 controls across 3 population groups) and deaths (n = 1,846 cases and 368,082 controls), recorded in hospital inpatient record and death registry data, respectively, in UK Biobank, and find host genetic PRS associations with disease risk. Taken together, we anticipate these resources (https://github.com/rivas-lab/covid19) will aid in improving our understanding of host genetic risk factors playing a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity.

One of the biggest challenges in characterizing 2-D image topographies is finding a low-dimensional parameter set that can succinctly describe, not so much image patterns themselves, but the nature of these patterns. The 2-D Cluster Variation Method (CVM), introduced by Kikuchi in 1951, can characterize very local image pattern distributions using configuration variables, identifying nearest-neighbor, next-nearest-neighbor, and triplet configurations. Using the 2-D CVM, we can characterize 2-D topographies using just two parameters; the activation enthalpy and the interaction enthalpy. Initial investigations with two different representative topographies (``scale-free-like'' and ``rich club-like'') produce interesting results when brought to a CVM free energy minimum. Additional phase space investigations, where one of these two parameters has been set to zero, identify useful parameter ranges. Careful comparison of the analytically-predicted configuration variables versus those obtained when performing computational free energy minimization on a 2-D grid show that the computational results differ significantly from the analytic solution. The 2-D CVM can potentially function as a secondary free energy minimization within the hidden layer of a neural network, providing a basis for extending node activations over time and allowing temporal correlation of patterns.

Background: Cancer has been one of the most critical health problems during the past decades which require serious consideration, especially in developing countries. Methods: 80 parents of the children with different types of cancers were studied via both questionnaire and person-to-person interview after announcing their informed consent. Results: The highest delay in patients' initial referral was due to the following factors: lack of attention or ignoring the first symptoms, delay in referring to the physician, low economic status and even lack of family support for the patient. In addition, visiting several doctors after the initial diagnosis, uncertainty about the first proposed method, and high cost of treatment can be mentioned as the main causes of delays in the start of treatment. Conclusion: Education plays an important role in identifying the signs of cancer. In addition, proper relationship and cooperation between the health system and physicians as well as provision of adequate information to patients could lead to the long-term cooperation of these patients in continuing their treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added snakebite envenoming to the priority list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). It is thought that ~75% of mortality following snakebite occurs outside the hospital setting, making the temporal gap between a bite and antivenom administration a major therapeutic challenge. Small molecule therapeutics (SMTs) have been proposed as potential pre-referral treatments for snakebite to help address this gap. Herein, we discuss the characteristics, potential uses and development of SMTs as potential treatments for snakebite envenomation. We focus on SMTs that are secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) inhibitors and metalloprotease (MP) inhibitors.

We find that the standard relative entropy and the Umegaki entropy are designed for the purpose of inferentially updating probability and density matrices respectively. From the same set of inferentially guided design criteria, both of the previously stated entropies are derived in parallel. This formulates a quantum maximum entropy method for the purpose of inferring density matrices in the absence of complete information.

Climate change, increasing global food needs, and decreasing global resources brought a new era to human every-day live with a strong turn to circular economy and sustainability. Food packaging and preservation is an important global sector where enchanced research is carried out. New methods such as active packaging and chemical preservatives replacement are of major interest. Many researchers were published studies about active packaging films, replacement of chemical preservatives with natural originated extracts, and novel incorporation procedures. Sequentially to our and other scientists’ previous work, in this paper we present the results of the improvement which was achieved by incorporating the developed nanohybrid of natural-halloysite/carvacrol-extract, the pure natural carvacrol extract and the commonly used low-density-polyethylene. The well known corona-treatment procedure was employed to produced the optimum final film and the results shown that the low-density-polyethylene incorporated with natural-halloysite/carvacrol-extract nanohybrid and coated external with extra carvacrol extract exhibited aproximatelly 100% higher Young-Modulus values, slightly decreased ultimate strength by 20%, and almost stable elonation at break properties. The water-vapor and oxygen barrier increased by 40%. Finally, the antioxidant activity of the corrona-treated film increased by 28% compared to the similar but untreated product because of the lower release rate of the carvacrol.

The production of fuels and other industrial products from renewable sources has intensified the search for new substrates or for the expansion of the use of substrates already in use, as well as the search for microorganisms with different metabolic capacities. In the present work, we isolated and tested a yeast from the soil of sugarcane irrigated with vinasse, that is, with high mineral content and acidic pH. The strain of Meyerozyma caribbica URM 8365 was able to ferment glucose, but the use of xylose occurred when some oxygenation was provided. However, some fermentation of xylose to ethanol in oxygen limitation also occurs if glucose is present. This strain was able to produce ethanol from molasses substrate with 76% efficiency, showing its tolerance to possible inhibitors. High ethanol production efficiencies were also observed in acidic hydrolysates of each bagasse, sorghum, and cactus pear biomass. Mixtures of these substrates were tested and the best composition was found for the use of excess plant biomass in supplementation of primary substrates. It was also possible to verify the production of xylitol from xylose when the acetic acid concentration is reduced. Finally, the proposed metabolic model allowed calculating how much of the xylose carbon can be directed to the production of ethanol and/or xylitol in the presence of glucose. With this, it is possible to design an industrial plant that combines the production of ethanol and/or xylitol using combinations of primary substrates with hydrolysates of their biomass.

Establishment of mixed-forests has gained increasing attention as a way to optimize forest production, to improve ecological benefits and as a safety net for impacts of future climate uncertainties. However, practical knowledge about which species and what proportion of them should be mixed is still lacking. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim of identify suitable species for mixture with Acacia cincinnata. The mixture tested in the present study was A. cincinnata + Eucalyptus robusta (6:4), A. cincinnata + Acacia mangium (3:1) and monospecifc plantation of A. cincinnata established in 2014. After 7 years of growth, we analyzed the effects of species mixture on growth of tree species, understory vegetation and soil physico-chemical properties as well as bacterial community structure and diversity. The results showed that species mixture had no significant effect on growth characteristics, such as diameter and singletree volume of A. cincinnata. However, mixed-species planting increased the total stocking volume compered to monospecific plantation of A. cincinnata. Furthermore, stand mixture significantly increased species diversity, biomass and nutrient stocks in the understory vegetation. The soil of mixed stand of A. cincinnata and A. mangium had the highest C and N contents, whereas the soil of pure A. cincinnata stand had the highest P content. The diversity of soil bacterial community were the highest in the mixed stand of A. cincinnata and E- robusta, followed by pure A. cincinnata stand and A. cincinnata + A. mangium stand. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria was higher in soils of mixed stands. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was high in the soil of A. cincinnata + A. mangium while the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia was high in A. cincinnata + E. robusta stand. As a whole, the study demonstrated that establishing mixed-species plantation enhance the diversity and composition of understory vegetation, soil physico-chemical and soils bacterial community; thereby increasing biodiversity, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration in the biomass and soil. From the viewpoints of forest productivity and ecological benefits, it is advisable to establish a mixed plantation of A. cincinnata and A- mangium in southern China. As a whole, our work revealed that the sustainability of mixed-species plantation relies on the interactions between soil attributes, vegetation, and bacterial community.

In eastern part of Ethiopia groundnut is very commonly intercropped with sorghum. Even though intercropping of sorghum with groundnut is practiced in the eastern part of Ethiopia the population density at what ratio should not be known. Therefore determining the population ratio is found to be crucial to draw management options. The study was conducted at two locations at Fadis (on station) and Babile (sub- station). Sorghum variety (Teshale) and groundnut (Fetene) were used as planting materials. All agronomic data were collected and analyzed by using GenStat software. Significant different were obtained among the treatments. The research result showed that, there were significance difference for both sorghum and ground nut yield per hectare in the years (2014 and 2015) among treatments. The result over time(in 2014 and 2015) at Fadis and Erer showed that the highest sorghum and groundnut yield per hectare were obtained/harvested from the intra row spacing of 25cmx20cm and 30cmx20cm intercropping sorghum with ground nut system with (1.27 and 1.31) respectively. The highest LER (1.31) and highest GMV (10218.00 ETBr/ha) were obtained from the intercropping of 30cmx20cm (Sorghum & groundnut). Clearly showed that, with intercropping of sorghum and Groundnut, it is possible to produce additional yield of sorghum without significant reduction in groundnut yield. As a result of this, the intra spacing of the main crop (sorghum) 25cm and 30cm and for the subsidiary crop (groundnut) 20cm was recommended for further production in the study areas of eastern Harerghe zone and similar agro-ecologies.

A formulation of the Density Functional Theory (DFT) is constructed as an application of the method of maximum entropy for an inhomogeneous fluid in thermal equilibrium. The use of entropy as a systematic method to generate optimal approximations is extended from the classical to the quantum domain. This process introduces a family of trial density operators that are parametrized by the particle density. The optimal density operator is that which maximizes the quantum entropy relative to the exact canonical density operator. This approach reproduces the variational principle of DFT and allows a simple proof of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorem at finite temperature. Finally, as an illustration, we discuss the Kohn-Sham approximation scheme at finite temperature

Trace metals can enter some natural regions with low human disturbance from atmospheric circulation, but little information is available regarding how the canopy can retained trace metals. Therefore, a representative sub-alpine spruce plantation was selected to investigate the net throughfall fluxes of eight trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Pb, Cd and Cr) of closed canopy and gap-edge canopy from August 2015 to July 2016. Over a one-year observational period, the annual fluxes of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb were 7.29 kg·ha^-1, 2.30 kg·ha^-1, 7.02 kg·ha^-1, 0.16 kg·ha^-1, 0.19 kg·ha^-1, 0.06 kg·ha^-1, 0.56 kg·ha^-1 and 0.24 kg·ha^-1, respectively, in the deposited precipitation. The annual net throughfall fluxes of these trace metals were 1.73 kg·ha^-1, 0.9 kg·ha^-1, 1.68kg·ha^-1, -0.032 kg·ha^-1, 0.04 kg·ha^-1, 0.018 kg·ha^-1, 0.093 kg·ha^-1 and 0.087kg·ha^-1, respectively, in the gap-edge canopy and -1.6 kg·ha^-1, 1.13 kg·ha^-1, 1.65 kg·ha^-1, -0.10 kg·ha^-1, 0.05 kg·ha^-1, 0.03 kg·ha^-1, 0.26 kg·ha^-1 and 0.15 kg·ha^-1, respectively, in the closed canopy. The closed canopy displayed a greater filter effect on the trace metals from precipitation than did the gap-edge canopy in the sub-alpine forest. In the rainy season, the net filtering ratio of trace metals ranged from -66%-89% in the closed canopy and from -52% to 25% in the gap-edge canopy. However, the net filtering ratio of all trace metals was greater than 50% in the closed canopy in the snowy season. Therefore, the results suggested that the most trace metals moving through the forest canopy are taken up rather than by rainfall leaching; moreover, the closed canopy can efficiently take up trace metals in the snowy season.

Huperzine A is an herbal reversible inhibitor of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE). A molecular docking analysis on Huperzine A molecule has been carried out to understand its structure, conformational flexibility, intermolecular interaction and the binding affinity in the active site of AChE enzyme. Further, the charge density distribution of huperzine A molecule (lifted from the active site of AChE) was determined from the high level quantum chemical calculations coupled with charge density analysis. The binding affinity of Huperzine A towards AChE was calculated from the molecular docking; the lowest docked energy is -8.46 kcal/mol. In the active site, huperzine A molecule interacts with acyl binding pocket-Phe330 of AChE, that is, the bicyclo ring group of huperzine A forms an intermolecular interaction with the oxygen atom of main chain of the amino acid residue Phe330 at the distances 3.02 and 3.25 Å respectively. On the other hand, a gas phase study on huperzine A molecule also performed using HF and DFT (B3LYP) methods with the basis set 6-311G**. The molecular structure, conformation, and the charge density distribution of huperzine A molecule in the gas phase have determined using quantum chemical calculations and the charge density analysis. The comparative studies between the gas phase and the active site forms of huperzine A molecule, explicitly reveals the degree of conformational modification and the charge density redistribution of huperzine A when present in the active site. The dipole moment of the molecule in the active site is 6.85 D, which is slightly higher than its gas phase value (5.91 D). The electrostatic potential (ESP) surface of active site molecule clearly shows the strong electronegative and positive ESP regions of the molecule, which are the expected strong reactive locations of the molecule.

A single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic and serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist, may be associated with antidepressant effects. The mechanism behind its antidepressive action is unknown but could be linked to increased synaptogenesis and down-regulation of cerebral 5-HT2AR. Here, we investigate if a single psychedelic dose of psilocybin changes synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) and 5-HT2AR density in the pig brain. Twenty-four awake pigs received either 0.08 mg/kg psilocybin or saline intravenously. Twelve pigs (n=6/intervention) were euthanized one day post-injection, while the remaining twelve pigs were euthanized seven days post-injection (n=6/intervention). We performed autoradiography on hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) sections with [3H]UCB-J (SV2A), [3H]MDL100907 (5-HT2AR antagonist) and [3H]Cimbi-36 (5-HT2AR agonist). One day post psilocybin injection, we observed 4.4% higher hippocampal SV2A density and lowered hippocampal and PFC 5-HT2AR density (-15.21% to -50.19%). These differences were statistically significant in the hippocampus for all radioligands and in PFC for [3H]Cimbi-36 only. Seven days post-intervention, there was still significantly higher SV2A density in hippocampus (+9.24%) and PFC (+6.1%) whereas there were no longer any differences in 5-HT2AR density. Our findings suggest that psilocybin’s antidepressive actions are linked to increased persistent synaptogenesis and possibly also to an acute decrease in 5-HT2AR density.

In Eucalyptus plantations, coppice rotations often yield less than initial rotations. The TECHS project (Tolerance of Eucalyptus Clones to Hydric, Thermal and Biotic Stresses) studied short rotation coppicing across a 3,000 km gradient. The main objective of this work was to compare the survival, sprouting and initial growth of Eucalyptus clones managed, and to examine factors that might influence the productivity of the coppice rotation: climate, genotypes and stocking. Eight of the TECHS sites spread from latitudes 6o S to 30o S were included in the coppice study, with 17 genotypes at each site. The initial rotation had been planted at a 3 x 3 m spacing, and also in a spacing trial at densities from 450 to 14,000 trees ha-1. Six months after harvesting the initial Eucalyptus rotation, average survival was 88%, with tropical clones showing over twice the sprouting biomass (6.7 vs 2.9 Mg ha-1) and four times the woody biomass compared to subtropical clones (4.7 vs 1.1 Mg ha-1). Greater initial water deficits had stronger sprouting and growth. Clones with higher belowground carbon allocation in the initial rotation performed better in coppicing, and precipitation became more influential after 12 months. Drought and spacing trial significantly affected growth.

In the Euclidean form of the theory of gravity, where there is no dedicated time parameter, a generalized canonical form of the principle of least action is proposed. On its basis, the quantum principle of least action is formulated, in which the “dynamics” of the universe in the Origin is described by the eigenvector of the action operator - the wave functional on the space of 4D Riemannian geometries and configurations of matter fields in some compact region of 4D space. The corresponding eigenvalue of the action operator determines the initial state for the world history of the universe outside this region, where the metric signature is Lorentzian and thus the time parameter exists. The boundary of the Origin region is determined by the condition that the rate of change of the determinant of the 3D metric tensor is zero on it. A modification of quantum theory is proposed that eliminates the uncertainty of the sign of the Hilbert-Einstein action in the Euclidean region of the Origin. On this basis, we formulate a minimum principle for the eigenvalue of the action operator, similar to the principle of minimum energy for the ground state in quantum mechanics. It has been suggested that in the initial state the universe contains a certain distribution of its own mass, which is not directly related to the fields of matter.

In strawberry production, the combination of high productive performance and fruits with desirable physicochemical characteristics requires the use of plants of good quality and high initial vigor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plants with different crown diameters on the productive performance and fruit quality of strawberry plants of the cultivar 'Pircinque.' The study was conducted in two evaluation cycles (2016/2017 and 2017/2018). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four repetitions, and plots consisting of 20 plants. This study evaluated the crown diameters of plants of 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 mm. The productivity and number of fruit values increased significantly with larger caliber plants, which also provided precocity of productivity. The use of more vigorous plants also favored the production of fruits with higher soluble solids / titratable acidity ratios and with epidermis coloration closer to intense red. For the cultivar 'Pircinque', the plant crown diameters between 15 and 17 mm are the most favorable because they condition the best productive performances in combination with precocity and good fruit quality.

Recycling upholstery textiles is challenging due to the complexity of materials, which often include a mix of fabrics, foams, and adhesives that are difficult to separate. The intricate designs and layers in upholstered furniture make it labor-intensive and costly to dismantle for recycling. Additionally, contaminants like stains, finishes, and flame retardants complicate recycling. Despite these difficulties, recycling upholstery textiles is crucial to reducing landfill waste and conserving resources by reusing valuable materials. It also helps mitigate environmental pollution and carbon emissions associated with producing new textiles from virgin resources. The presented research aimed to establish the feasibility of incorporating textile fibers from waste artificial leather fibers from the upholstery furniture industry into the structure of high-density fiberboards. This approach positively contributes to carbon capture and storage (CCS) policy and mitigates the problem of such waste being sent to landfills. The research shows that while selected mechanical and physical parameters of the panels decrease with a rising content of recycled textile fibers, it is possible to meet proper European standard requirements by adjusting technological parameters such as nominal density.

The subtropical forest soil plays a pivotal role in terrestrial carbon (C) cycling. Although global warming is expected to influence subtropical soil C cycling, a consensus on its impact on soil C dynamics remains elusive. Given the significant response of soil microbial respiration to temperature in subtropical soils, understanding its behavior under varying temperature regimes is critical for predicting soil organic C (SOC) responses to climate warming. We conducted a short-term laboratory soil warming incubation experiment, sampling both warmed and un-warmed soils from a subtropical plantation in southeastern China, incubating them at 20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C. Our aim was to study the SOC mineralization response to increasing temperatures. Our findings revealed that the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of SOC mineralization to short-term experimental warming varied between the warmed soil and the un-warmed soil. The Q10 of the un-warmed soil escalated with the temperature treatment (20-30 ℃: 1.31, 30-40℃: 1.63). Conversely, the Q10 of the warmed soil decreased (20-30 ℃:1.57, 30-40 ℃:1.41). Increasing temperature treatments enhanced hydrolytic enzyme activity but decreased soil substrate availability in both un-warmed and warmed soil. The Q10 of un-warmed soil was positively correlated with the response ratio of DOC. Additionally, soil microbial biomass exhibited a significant decline, leading to a reduced total amount of PLFAs and a decreased abundance of bacteria, fungi, and Gram-negative bacteria (GN). The changes in temperature also considerably altered the composition of the warmed soil microbial community. A drop in the microbial quotient coupled with a rise in the metabolic quotient indicated that warming amplified microbial respiration over microbial growth. The differential Q10 of SOC mineralization, in response to temperature across varying soil, can largely be attributed to shifts in soil nutrients, C-degrading enzyme activities, and microbial communities (the ratio of fungal to bacterial PLFAs).

A space charge density wireless measurement system based on the idea of distributed measurement is proposed for collecting and monitoring the space charge density in an ultra-high-voltage direct-current (UHVDC) environment. The proposed system architecture is composed of a number of wireless nodes connected with space charge density sensors and a base station. The space charge density sensor based on atmospheric ion counter method is elaborated and developed, and the ARM microprocessor and Zigbee radio frequency module are applied. The wireless network communication quality and the relationship between energy consumption and transmission distance in the complicated electromagnetic environment is tested. Based on the experimental results, the proposed measurement system demonstrates that it can adapt to the complex electromagnetic environment under the UHVDC transmission lines and can accurately measure the space charge density.

The accurate wellbore pressure control not only prevents from lost circulation/blowout and fracturing formation by managing density of drilling fluid, but also improves productivity by mitigating reservoir damage. The geothermal pressure calculated by constant parameters for geothermal well would bring big error easily, as the changes of physical, rheological and thermal properties of drilling fluids with temperature were neglected. This paper researches the wellbore pressure coupling by calculating the temperature distribution with existed model, fitting the rule of density of drilling fluid with temperature and establishing mathematical models to stimulate the wellbore pressures, which is expressed as the variation of Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) under different conditions. With this method, temperature and ECDs in the wellbore of the first medium-deep geothermal well ZK212 Yangyi Geothermal Field in Tibet were determined, and the sensitivity analysis was simulated by assumed parameters, i.e. circulating time, flow rate, geothermal gradient, diameters of wellbore, rheological models and regimes, the results indicated the geothermal gradient and flow rate were the most influence parameters on the temperature and ECD distribution, and additives added in drilling fluid should be careful which would change the properties of drilling fluid and induce the temperature redistribution. To make sure the safe drilling, velocity of pipes tripping into the hole, depth and diameter of wellbore are considered to control the surge pressure.

Defining integrals over volume element in curved spacetime together with the mass and energy densities within that region of spacetime is apparently equivalent to the given energy and mass of that body or particle. With this in mind equations involving energies and mass can be rewritten in terms of their densities and the integral over the volume element. The idea find its place in the Hamiltonian formulations, and can be carried over into quantum mechanical frameworks systematically accounting for the effect of spacetime volume structures and gravity on dynamics of quantum systems. This article briefly explores this concept and runs through various frameworks and equations relevant to this idea, particularly the schrodinger-Newton equation and discusses the cosmological constant as a vacuum energy density.

A study on flywheel geometries is presented here with the use of finite element modelling (FEM) simulations. The study analyses the stress behaviour of flywheel rotors subject to the rotational speed that creates the maximum stress that the flywheel can support, and then calculates the rotational energy mass ratio (energy density) for each geometry. The obtained geometry was Gaussian section for the Flywheel rotor. The used material for the simulations is carbon fibre Hexcel UHM 12000. The best results were a rotational speed of ≈279.000 rpm and rotational energy density of ≈ 440 Wh/kg for a single disk, but this keeps the total energy low. To increase the total energy, Flywheels with 2 and 3 rotors were analysed. Then the stability under rotation of these Flywheels were analysed, some instability was found and a solution was presented.

This paper discusses about the quantum energy levels of muonic hydrogen considering only Coulomb interaction. The computational analysis in this paper will help the reader get a good understanding of how different a muonic hydrogen is from its electronic counterparts. Energy eigenvalues are calculated by numerical method and the probability density distribution of muon around the nucleus is plotted for different quantum states using special functions. The code is written in python. A comparative study of emission spectra between the muonic hydrogen and hydrogen has also been discussed.

In this paper, we propose a quantitative definition of emergence from the density matrix framework as a state of knowledge of the system and its generalized probability formulation, in order to detect emergent properties. We propose the use of a descriptor based on the difference of von Neumann entropy, to calculate if subsystems of systems have inner correlations by defining emergent systems in terms of emergent information.

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is an important clinical biomarker for ocular conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and digital eye strain. Additionally, its measurements can be essential in health assessment for visual function, systemic diseases, and brain health. We aimed to assess the repeatability, agreement, and effects of the learning curve of the new portable handheld heterochromatic flicker photometer, Zx Pro, in measuring MPOD in a wide age range of ocular-healthy adults, compared to the MPOD measurements obtained using the clinically available QuantifEye device. Seventy-six participants performed one practice at-tempt and two study-related MPOD measurements with the Zx Pro and the QuantifEye. The Pearson correlation between the study-related MPOD measurements for Zx Pro and QuantifEye devices was 90% and 85%, respectively. Altman and Bland plots show excellent agreement between the device's MPOD data, with 95% limits of an agreement being -0.10 to +0.11 du. The mean difference between the practice attempt and the study-related measurements was not statistically significant for Zx Pro but was significant for QuantifEye (Repeated measures ANOVA p=0.325 and p=0.015, respectively). The Zx Pro provides excellent repeatable MPOD measurements, has an insignificant learning curve, and is in good agreement with the predicate device.

For the first time in scientific and engineering practice, it is logically and mathematically substantiated, computationally verified and metrologically confirmed that classic and quantum physics, analytical and quantum chemistry, as well as continuous symbolic and discrete digital mathematical analysis, all have computational limits of information entropy, upper 1/10^16 and lower 1/10^64. Mutual displacement of these limits relatively center of Euclidean three-dimensional and of Cartesian two-dimensional space generate sets of quantum dots of mesh topology and weighted average harmonic units of quantum metrics of internal atomic and outer cosmic space, as well as determines limits of communication speed, clock frequency, calculation power and accuracy for any computing machine with subatomic elements of memory. The matrices of functional density and entropy of energy and information fields reconciles classic and quantum physics with continuous and discrete mathematics of special and general relativity.

This letter attempts to clarify an issue regarding the proper definition of plastic dislocation density tensor. This study shows that the Ortiz’s and Berdichevsky’s plastic dislocation density tensor are equivalent with each other, but not with Kondo’s one. To fix the problem, we propose a modified version of Kondo’s plastic dislocation density tensor.

A new utilization of entropy in the context of buckling is presented. The novel concept connecting strain energy and entropy for a pin-ended strut is derived. This concept rationalizes the ranking of buckling modes based on strain energy under the assumption of given entropy. By assigning identical entropy to all buckling modes, they can be ranked according to their deformation energy. Conversely, with identical strain energy assigned to all modes, ranking according to entropy is possible. Decreasing entropy was found to represent the scaling factors of buckling modes that coincide with the measurement of initial out-of-straightness imperfections in IPE160 beams. Applied to steel plane frames, scaled buckling modes can be used to model initial imperfections. It is demonstrated that the entropy (scale factor) for given energy roughly decreases with the inverse square of the mode index. For practical engineering, the study presents the possibility of using scaled buckling modes of steel plane frames to model initial geometric imperfections. Entropy proves to be a valuable complement to strain energy in structural mechanics.

Recent studies highlight the need to introduce objectives in Initial Teaching Education focused on the development of oral language competence (OLC). The main aim of the study is to examine activities to promote the development of OLC that are carried out in university classrooms and their evaluation, to analyze the relationship between students’ awareness of OLC work and class activities and to identify proposals to improve students’ OLC. Participants were 175 university teachers who teach on the bachelor’s degree in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and the master’s degree in Secondary Education (MSE) at seven Catalan universities. The data collection instrument was an online questionnaire with 69 questions. The results indicate that 92.5% of participants work on OLC in their subjects, that 76.5% propose activities that are specifically linked to OLC and that 65.1% of participants evaluate OLC in their subject. A total of 39.4% of participants reported the need to increase discussions to generate processes of collaborative and interdisciplinary reflection between university teachers from different areas of knowledge, among others. We conclude that professional development processes need to be designed for ITE teachers to reflect on how they help students to develop OLC from a pragmatic perspective.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world varied in the strength and timeliness of their responses. In Romania, specific challenges were faced with regards to managing the spread and limiting the impact of the disease, ranging from healthcare infrastructure to demographic and sociocultural aspects. As the country has a sizeable diaspora, major difficulties were faced when large numbers of individuals from highly affected areas returned to Romania. However, the fast implementation of control measures successfully averted a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. This delayed the overburdening of an already challenged healthcare system during the initial phases of the epidemic. Furthermore, early control was facilitated by the exploitation of communication channels that penetrated all layers of society, from ordinary citizens to governmental authorities and high-ranking religious figures. The management of the COVID-19 crisis in Romania illustrates the importance of a fast initial response which takes into account the role played by sociocultural aspects in the context of an epidemic. As the challenges faced by Romania are not unique, these results could inform future public health strategies worldwide.

To identify factors associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and build an algorithm to better define this association, for a personalized application in clinical practice. Methods. 78 SSc patients underwent HRCT to assess ILD. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were collected, focusing on those associated either directly or indirectly with lung involvement. The discriminant value of each variable was determined using the operating characteristic curves (ROC) and included in a model to estimate the strength of ILD association in SSc. Results. Thirty-three (42.31%) patients showed ILD on HRCT. DLco, M-Borg, GERD-Q, and capillary density were significantly associated with the presence of ILD-SSc. A model including these variables had a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.697. DLco had an AUC of 0.861 (p&lt;0.001) with a cut-off ≤72.3% (sensitivity 78.8%, specificity 91.1%, +LR 8.86). The m-Borg scale showed an AUC of 0.883 (p&lt;0.001) with a cut-off &gt;2 (sensitivity 84.8%, specificity 82.2%, +LR 4.77), GERD-Q had an AUC of 0.815 (p&lt;0.001) with a cut-off &gt;7 (sensitivity 72.7%, specificity 86.7%, +LR 5.45). The capillary density showed an AUC of 0.815 (p&lt;0.001) with a cut-off ≤4.78 (sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 68.9%, +LR 2.82). Based on the pre-test probability values, these four variables were applied to Fagan's nomogram to calculate the post-test probability of this association. Conclusions. Our study identified four associated clinical factors of ILD in SSc patients. Moreover, their inclusion in an algorithm for the post-test probability, tailored to the specific patients’ characteristics, significantly increases the ability to find out the presence of SSc-ILD.

To estimate the degree of quantum entanglement, it is important to understand the statistical behavior of functions of spectrum of density matrices such as von Neumann entropy, quantum purity, and entanglement capacity. These entangle- ment metrics over different generic state ensembles have been studied intensively in the literature. As an alternative metric, in this work we study sum of square root spectrum of density matrices, which is relevant to negativity and fidelity in quantum information processing. In particular, we derive the exact mean and vari- ance of sum of square root spectrum over the Bures-Hall generic state ensemble extending known results obtained recently over the Hilbert-Schmidt ensemble.

In this study, we discuss the thermospheric density response to the solar activity and QBO. By using the wavelet power spectrum method, the thermospheric density from 1967 to 2013 shows ~11-year period, semiannual and annual variations, while the seasonal variation is usually more significant under high solar activity conditions. Importantly, we investigate the possible link between the density and the QBO, with the aid of GAMDM model and different density residual method. As a result, the difference between the measured density and empirical model seemingly has QBO signal, but the ratio of them revels that the QBO signal does not exist in the thermospheric density. Comprehensively, we thought the stratospheric QBO cannot impact on the thermosphere, and more data and numerical modeling are needed for further validation.

We present large eddy simulations of a mid-latitude open ocean front using a modified state of the art computational fluid dynamics code. We investigate the energy and information fluxes at the submesoscale/small-scale range in the absence of any atmospheric forcing. We find submesoscale conditions (Ro∼1, Ri∼1) near surface, within baroclinic structures related with partially imbalanced frontogenetic activity. Near surface, the simulations show a significant scale coupling on scales larger than ∼103(m). This is manifested as a strong direct energy cascade and intense mutual communication between scales, where the latter was evaluated using an estimator based on Mutual Information Theory. At scales smaller than ∼103(m) the results show near-zero energy flux, however, at this scale range, the estimator of mutual communication still shows values corresponding with a significant level of communication between them. This fact motivates to investigate the nature of the self-organized turbulent motion at this scale range with weak energetic coupling but where communication between scales is still significant and to inquire into the existence of synchronization or functional relationships between scales with emphasis on eventual underlying non-local processes.

The need to find the global minimum in multi-dimensional functions is a critical problem in many fields of science and technology. Effectively solving this problem requires the creation of initial solution estimates, which are subsequently used by the optimization algorithm to search for the best solution in the solution space. In the context of this article, a novel approach to generating the initial solution distribution is presented which is applied to a genetic optimization algorithm. Using the k-means clustering algorithm, a distribution based on data similarity is created. This helps in generating initial estimates that may be more tailored to the problem. Additionally, the proposed method employs a rejection sampling algorithm to discard samples that do not yield better solution estimates in the optimization process. This allows the algorithm to focus on potentially optimal solutions, thus improving its performance. Finally, the article presents experimental results from the application of this approach to various optimization problems, providing the scientific community with a new method for addressing this significant problem.

In gravitational theory and astrophysical dynamics, singular initial value problems (IVPs) are frequently encountered. Finding the solutions to this class of IVPs can be challenging due to their complex nature. This study strives to circumvent the complexity by proposing a numerical method for solving such problems. The approach proposed in the current research seeks solutions to the IVP by partitioning the domain [0,L] of the problem into two intervals and solving the problem on each domain. The study seeks a closed-form solution to the IVP in the interval containing the singular point. A linearization technique and piecewise partitioning of the domain not containing the singularity are applied to the nonlinear IVP. The resulting linearized differential equation is solved using the Chebyshev spectral collocation method. Some examples are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method. Numerical analysis of the solution and residual errors are shown to ascertain convergence and accuracy. The results suggest that the technique gives accurate convergent solutions using a few collocation points.

The measurements of the proton electromagnetic form factors in the time-like region using the initial state radiation technique are reviewed. Recent experimental studies have shown that initial state radiation processes at high luminosity electron-positron colliders can be effectively used to probe the electromagnetic structure of hadrons. The BABAR experiment at the B-factory PEP-II in Stanford and the BESIII experiment at the $\tau$-charm factory BEPC-II in Beijing have measured the time-like form factors of the proton using the initial state radiation process $e^{+}e^{-}\to pbar{p}\gamma$. The two kinematical regions where the photon is emitted from the initial state at small and large polar angles have been investigated. In the first case the photon is in the region not covered by the detector acceptance and is not detected. The Born cross section and the proton effective form factor have been measured over a wide and continuous range of the the momentum transfer squared $q^2$ from threshold up to ~42 (GeV/c)$^2$. The ratio of electric and magnetic form factors of the proton has been also determined. In this report, the theoretical aspect and the experimental studies of the initial state radiation process $e^{+}e^{-}\to p\bar{p}\gamma$ are described. The measurements of the Born cross section and the proton form factors obtained in these analyses near the threshold region and in the relatively large $q^2$ region are examined. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from theory and models. Their impact on our understanding of the nucleon structure is discussed.

The 20–60-μm axon initial segment (AIS) is proximally located at the interface between the axon and cell body. AIS has characteristic molecular and structural properties regulated by the crucial protein, ankyrin-G. The AIS contains a high density of Na+ channels relative to the cell body, which allows low thresholds for initiation of action potential (AP). Molecular and physiological studies have shown that the AIS is also a key domain for the control of neuronal excitability by homeostatic mechanisms. The AIS has high plasticity in normal developmental processes and pathological activities such as injury, neurodegeneration, and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). In the first half of this review, we provide an overview of the molecular, structural, and ion-channel characteristics of AIS, AIS regulation through axo-axonic synapses, and axo-glial interactions. In the second half, to understand the relationship between NDDs and AIS, we discuss the activity-dependent plasticity of AIS, the human mutation of AIS regulatory genes, and the pathophysiological role of the abnormal AIS in the NDD model animals and patients. We propose that AIS may provide a potentially valuable structural biomarker in response to abnormal network activity in vivo as well as a new treatment concept at the neural circuit level.

Abstract: Development of the fast neutron radiography with higher penetration capability in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques is rapidly. The detection efficiency and the imaging spatial resolution are the main problem of the radiography detector for many fast neutron imaging systems. In this paper, a detector composed of pixelated EJ200 scintillator array，an 16 × 16 silicon-photomultipliers (SiPM) array, and a capacitive multiplexing network readout electronics is designed. Using Monte-Carlo simulations，the main parameters of the detector was optimization. Then the detector prototype was fabricated and tested at a 14 MeV D-T neutron source. The preliminary test results showed that the prototype has spatial resolution of 1.26 mm. Using pixelated scintillator structure，the conflict between spatial resolution and detect efficiency could improved. Moreover, SiPMs offer a flexibility for the expansion of application field of the imaging system due to their excellent photon detection performance, relatively low price and joint possibility for large area.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a dominant cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently it was shown that HBV and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) integrate into hepatocyte genome minutes after invasion. Retrotransposons and transposable sequences were frequent sites of the initial insertions suggesting a mechanism for spontaneous HBV DNA disperse throughout hepatocyte genome. Several somatic genes were also identified as early insertional targets in infected hepatocytes and woodchuck livers. Head-to-tail joints (HTJs) dominated amongst fusions indicating their creation by non-homologous-end-joining (NHEJ). Their formation coincided with robust oxidative damage of hepatocyte DNA. This was associated with activation of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1)-mediated dsDNA repair as reflected by augmented transcription of PARP1 and XRCC1, the PARP1 binding partner, OGG1, a responder to oxidative DNA damage, and by increased activity of NAD+, a marker of PARP1 activation, and HO1, an indicator of cell oxidative stress. The engagement of the PARP1-mediated NHEJ repair pathway explains HTJ format of the initial merges. The findings showed that HBV and WHV are immediate inducers of oxidative DNA damage, hijack dsDNA repair to integrate into hepatocyte genome and by this may initiate pro-oncogenic process. Tracking initial integrations may uncover early markers of HCC and help to explain HBV-associated oncogenesis.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a central framework to guide sustainable urban development (2030 Agenda). However, it is not clear how and where SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) is being implemented, and how such implementation might be improved. We investigated this subject by analyzing United Nations (UN) SDG Good Practices data from 2018 to 2021. We applied five criteria to the 336 SDG 11 responses: (1) geography; (2) actors; (3) progress toward targets; (4) areas of implementation; and (5) scale of action. Overall, 86 of the 193 countries that adopted the 2030 Agenda submitted at least one SDG 11 good practice. 33 countries contributed 73.8% of the total, and most developing countries did not make submissions. A very small number of responses (between 2.6 and 9.1%) addressed equity-related targets. Good practices from developed countries were usually more technology-based and system-forming; developing countries typically focused on issues of day-to-day concern. Overall, this analysis points to the need for better and more systematic reporting on SDG 11 implementation, a more active public sector role in SDG implementation and reporting, more focus on dimensions related to social equity, and better formulation of urban sustainability targets and indicators in the future.

Students are regarded as frequent users of mobile phones which has proven to be a convenient and acceptable method to promote healthy lifestyle. Students usually engage in relatively high levels of risky behavior and make unhealthy lifestyle choices, a study that investigates how health students access health information is necessary. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study which was undertaken among third-year nursing students from three nurses training institutions in Ghana. A total of 270 students participated in the study. Most of the respondents who were currently subscribers of the health messages reported that they usually received health information on reproductive health issues, nutrition, and practicing safe sex. Most of the health students revealed that they needed more information on safe sex, diet, managing weight, and stress management. The results also show that health students are likely to remember and share short messages with friends. The findings serve as an ‘eye-opener’ for health educators and mobile service providers concerning factors that should be taken into consideration when framing health text messages that will attract health students.

Gold nanoparticles, were deposited in titanium oxide (TiO2) Degussa-P25 with the Photodeposition method in the presence of UV light at different concentrations. It was determined by diffuse reflectance (DF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), that the Photodeposition method is effective for the inclusion of gold particles on the surface. The catalyst band gap showed a reduction to 2.9 e.V, as well as it was observed that the gold-doped catalyst shows absorption in the visible light range around 500 to 600 nm. The percentage of deposited gold nanoparticles was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The experimental data were analyzed using different analytical techniques (UV-Vis spectrophotometry, TOC total organic carbon), with these results a carbon-based mass balance and reaction kinetics were generated using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH-HW) heterogeneous catalysis model. For the estimation of the kinetic constants, the non-linear regression of the Levengerd Marquad algorithm was used, with these results, kinetic models of the degradation of the molecule and the generation and consumption of Organic Intermediate Products (OIP) were generated.

SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2) is a coronavirus which is causing the actual COVID-19 pandemic. The disease caused by 2019 new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was named coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization in February 2020. Primary non-specific reported symptoms of 2019-nCoV infection at the prodromal phase are malaise, fever, and dry cough. The most commonly reported signs and symptoms are fever (98%), cough (76%), dyspnea (55%), and myalgia or fatigue (44%). Nonetheless, recent reports suggest an association between COVID-19 and altered olfactory and taste functions, although smell seems to be more affected than taste. These associations of smell and taste dysfunctions and CoV-2 are consistent with case reports describing a patient with SARS with long term anosmia after recovery from respiratory distress, with the observation that olfactory function is commonly altered after infection with endemic coronaviruses, and with data demonstrating that intentional experimental infection of humans with CoV-299 raises the thresholds at which odors can be detected. Post-viral anosmia and is one of the leading causes of loss of sense of smell in adults, accounting for up to 40% cases of anosmia. Viruses that give rise to the common cold are well known to cause post-infectious loss, and over 200 different viruses are known to cause upper respiratory tract infections. I reviewed the possible mechanisms of smell and taste loss in COVID-19. I concluded that since the existence of such a relationship is likely, it is highly recommended that those patients who experience complications such as smell and/or taste loss, even as unique symptoms, should be considered as potential SARS-CoV-2 virus carriers.

Single-level Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and multi-level PCA (mPCA) methods are applied here to a set of (2D frontal) facial images from a group of 80 Finnish subjects (34 male; 46 female) with two different facial expressions (smiling and neutral) per subject. Inspection of eigenvalues gives insight into the importance of different factors affecting shapes, including: biological sex, facial expression (neutral versus smiling), and all other variations. Biological sex and facial expression are shown to be reflected in those components at appropriate levels of the mPCA model. Dynamic 3D shape data for all phases of a smile made up a second dataset sampled from 60 adult British subjects (31 male; 29 female). Modes of variation reflected the act of smiling at the correct level of the mPCA model. Seven phases of the dynamic smiles are identified: rest pre-smile, onset 1 (acceleration), onset 2 (deceleration), apex, offset 1 (acceleration), offset 2 (deceleration), and rest post-smile. A clear cycle is observed in standardized scores at an appropriate level for mPCA and in single-level PCA. mPCA can be used to study static shapes and images, as well as dynamic changes in shape. It gave us much insight into the question “what’s in a smile?”

Crowd density estimation is an important task for crowd monitoring. Many efforts have been done to automate the process of estimating crowd density from images and videos. Despite series of efforts, it remains a challenging task. In this paper, we proposes a new texture feature-based approach for the estimation of crowd density based on Completed Local Binary Pattern (CLBP). We first divide the image into blocks and then re-divide the blocks into cells. For each cell, we compute CLBP and then concatenate them to describe the texture of the corresponding block. We then train a multi-class Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier, which classifies each block of image into one of four categories, i.e. Very Low, Low, Medium, and High. We evaluate our technique on the PETS 2009 dataset, and from the experiments, we show to achieve 95% accuracy for the proposed descriptor. We also compare other state-of-the-art texture descriptors and from the experimental results, we show that our proposed method outperforms other state-of-the-art methods.

We present a uniform method of density elimination for several semilinear substructural logics. Especially, the density elimination for the involutive uninorm logic IUL is proved. Then the standard completeness of IUL follows as a lemma by virtue of previous work by Metcalfe and Montagna.

Rising organic charge in northern freshwaters is attributed to increasing levels of Dissolved Natural Organic Matter (DNOM) and shifts in water chemistry. Organic charge concentration may be determined by charge balance calculations (Org.-) or modelled (OAN-) using the conceptual Oliver and Hruška models based on the density of weak acid functional sites (SD) present in DNOM. The charge density (CD) is governed by the SD and protonation and complexation reactions on the functional groups. The models use this SD as a key parameter in empirically fitting the model to Org.-. Utilizing extensive datasets of water chemistry, this study shows that spatial and temporal differences in SD and CD are influenced by variations in the humic-to-fulvic ratio of DNOM and the organic aluminum (Al) complexation, as well as the mole fraction of CD to SD governed by the acidity. Site median SD obtained for 44 long-term monitored acid-sensitive lakes was 11.1 and 13.9 µEq/mg C for the Oliver and the Hruška model, respectively. During the 34 years of monitoring the CD increased by 70%, likely due to rising pH and declining Al complexation with DNOM. Present-day median SD values for the Oliver and Hruška models in 16 low-order streams are 13.8 and 15.8 µEq/mg C, respectively, and 10.8 and 12.5 µEq/mg C, respectively, in 10 high order rivers.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization is closely related to carbon source or sink of terrestrial ecosystem. Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization under plum plantation is essential for improving our understanding of SOC responses to land-use change in karst rocky desertification ecosystem. In this study, 2-y, 5-y and 20-y plum plantations and adjacent woodland were sampled and a 90-day incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of plum plantation with different years on SOC mineralization in subtropical China. Results showed that: (1) there was no significant difference in SOC content between different planting years, but there were significant differences in accumulative SOC mineralization (C_t) and potential SOC mineralization (C₀); (2) the dynamics of the SOC mineralization was a good fit to a first-order kinetic model. Both C₀ and C_t in calcareous soil of this study was several to ten folds lower than that in other soils, indicating that SOC in karst region has higher stability. (3) Correlation analysis revealed that both C_t and C₀ was significantly correlated with soil calcium (Ca) and C/N, indicating the important role of Ca and C/N in SOC mineralization in karst rocky desertification area.

Regional heat capacity change is calculated from the ratio between the addition or subtraction of heat (ΔQ) with the increase or decrease in temperature (ΔT) region. The purpose of this study is to calculate the regional heat capacity change due to the changes of land cover composition with forest, shrubs, oil palm plantation and bare soil using Landsat-5 TM satellite data on 1994, 2000 and 2010. Total area that used on ​​this study is 12971 ha. In 1994-2000, 4 % of forest area and 2% shrubs were increased, followed by additional of biomass forest 4.01 tons/ha and 2.83 tons/ha for shrubs. The increased of forest area and biomass (tons/ha) caused by forest and shrubs growth processing towards climax that added the canopy volume. So that, the regional heat capacity in 1994 amounted 19384 MJC^o-1 increased to 19929 MJC^o-1 in 2000. Data observation for 2000-2010 showed that forest area decreased by 66% due to forest’s clearing into oil palm plantations (47%), shrubs (8%) and bare soil (11%). But, plant’s biomass continue to increased, i.e 1.48 ton/ha for forest, 2.73 tons/ha for shrubs and 4.63 tons/ha for bare soil. Before 2000, there was no land cover by oil palm plantations, so the increasing rate from this land was the biggest than the three other lands, amounting to 122.29 tons/ha. Decreasing in the percentage of forest area does not cause a decrease in the heat capacity of the region. Intensive maintenance on oil plam plantation such as water management, fertilizer and planting space made it biomass productivity and ability to save the heat is greater than the forest. As the result, in 2010 regional heat capacity increased to 22508 MJC^o-1.

Stellar NGC 6853, also known as the Dumbbell Nebula, is a remarkable example of an elliptical morphological type 1 multiple shell planetary nebula, which is now in one of its last evolutionary stages. This project focuses on examining the distinct varieties of the nebula temperatures and densities using observation data from the Issac Newton Group of Telescopes and comparing them with the observation data from Observatoire de Haute Provence from 14th to 18th of October 2019, with a primary focus on the data from the Issac Newton Telescope (INT). The densities ranged from diffused regions of 376.63 ± 228.97 atoms per cm³ to dense regions of 6441.11 ± 228.90 atoms per cm³; these values are slightly lower approximately by 2000 than the values from the Observatoire de Haute Provence. The radial velocity and the expansion velocity were also calculated using the spectroscopic data and were found to be 29.50 ± 0.38 km⁻¹ and 37.40 ± 0.38 km⁻¹ respectively. This result is expected from a multi-shell nebula that consists of the main body and surrounding halo

Foam concrete is a highly cellularized cementitious material that undergoes extensive plastic deformation when loaded to failure. Under compression, the foam structure gets progressively crushed at a steady stress stage such that a substantial amount of energy is dissipated. Understanding foam concrete crushing behavior is of special importance for its engineering applications such as energy absorber, but the current studies are insufficient to define material properties for design of field applications. This study characterizes the crushing strength and foam modulus of samples with penetration test and resonant frequency test, respectively. A four-phase crushing behavior is observed. The yield strength and plateau strength are identified to characterize the foam crushing. Using the experimental inputs, the modulus-strength constitutive equations are then established. These findings are useful for expanding the knowledge of normal concrete to studies on foam concrete, as well as design of applications.Foam concrete is a highly cellularized cementitious material that undergoes extensive plastic deformation when loaded to failure. Under compression, the foam structure gets progressively crushed at a steady stress stage such that a substantial amount of energy is dissipated. Understanding foam concrete crushing behavior is of special importance for its engineering applications such as energy absorber, but the current studies are insufficient to define material properties for design of field applications. This study characterizes the crushing strength and foam modulus of samples with penetration test and resonant frequency test, respectively. A four-phase crushing behavior is observed. The yield strength and plateau strength are identified to characterize the foam crushing. Using the experimental inputs, the modulus-strength constitutive equations are then established. These findings are useful for expanding the knowledge of normal concrete to studies on foam concrete, as well as design of applications.

Commuting to work by private vehicle is one of the main sources of air pollution in cities, mainly from NO2 and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). With the spread of telework, traffic congestion during peak hours is reduced on certain days of the week, improving air quality. This study an-alyzes the relationship between the improvement of air quality improvement and urban traffic resulting from teleworking activities after the COVID-19 pandemic in Madrid, Spain. The article considers road traffic and teleworking before the COVID-19 pandemic (2018 and 2019), during the pandemic (2020 and 2021) and in the period after (2022 and 2023) in the city center and the in-fluence on certain environmental factors. Daily NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and O3 concentration data were collected at air quality stations in Madrid municipality, traffic data and some meteorological variables such as wind speed, precipitation and temperature were considered. When conducting correlation and regression analysis among the variables it shows a clear association between NO2 and traffic before the pandemic, which is lower for both PM and O3. This correlation was main-tained during the pandemic, except for O3, whose association increased during this period and then decreased in the later period due to various motives. These results seem to indicate the ex-istence of a relevant relationship between urban mobility and air quality and an especially rele-vant relationship with telework, suggesting the need for policies aimed at promoting sustainable mobility in the future.

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancers (10-20%) can present with infiltration into adjacent viscera. R0 resections remain the key factor for better survival. Traditionally these cases have been managed with open surgery. There are some limitations of laparoscopic surgery in these case, which can potentially be overcome by robotic surgery. Objectives: To determine the feasibility and outcome results of robotic multi-visceral resection of stage T4 rectal carcinoma. Methods: Consecutive patients having locally advanced carcinoma of rectum, who undergone robotic multi-visceral resection as the primary treatment between 2015 -2018 were included, through our database which was maintained prospectively. All perioperative and intraoperative parameters were analyzed. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, preoperative imaging, endoscopic findings, operative data, histopathology results, postoperative hospital course and procedure related postoperative adverse events were noted and analyzed. Results: Twenty-one patients with the diagnosis of nonmetastatic locally advanced rectal cancers were operated with Robotic Si/X platform. The median body mass index was 28.5 kg/m2 (range 21-42). The mean blood loss during operation was 20 ml (range 5-200), and the mean duration of surgery was 280 min (range 240-430). The median hospital stay after operation was 6 days (range 4-25 days). On postoperative histopathology, R0 resection rate was 90.5% (19/21). Conclusions: The robotic multi-visceral en-bloc resection of stage T4 rectal carcinoma is technically feasible and oncologically safe. Advanced technical skills, accurate radiological staging and careful patient selection can allow the extension of minimal access surgery to this challenging group of patients.

In the present paper we introduce three new classes of bi-univalent functions connected with Gregory coefficients. For functions in each of these three bi-univalent function classes we have derived the estimates of the Taylor--Maclaurin coefficients $\left|a_{2}\right|$ and $\left|a_{3}\right|$ and Fekete-Szeg\H{o} functional problems for functions belonging to these new subclasses. We defined three subclasses of the class of the bi-univalent functions $\Sigma$, namely $\mathfrak{HG}_{\Sigma}$, $\mathfrak{GM}_{\Sigma}(\mu)$ and $\mathfrak{G}_{\Sigma}(\lambda)$ by using the subordinations with the function whose coefficients are Gregory's numbers. First, we proved that these classes are not empty, i.e. contains other functions than the identity one. Using the well-known Carath\'eodory Lemma for the functions with real positive parts in the open unit disk, together with an estimation due to P. Zaprawa (see https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/357480) and another one of Libera and Zlotkiewicz, we gave upper bounds for the above mentioned initial coefficients and for the Fekete-Szeg\H{o} functionals. The main results are followed by some particular cases, and the novelty of the definitions and the proofs could involve further studies for such type of similarly defined subclasses.

Two sets of initial conditions are used in the investigation of capital return rate and carbon storage in boreal forests. Firstly, a growth model is applied in young stands as early as the inventory-based model is applicable. Secondly, the growth model is applied to observed wooded stands. Four sets of thinning schedules are investigated in either case. First, the capital return rate is aspired without any restriction. Second, the number of thinnings is restricted to at most one. Third, thinnings are restricted to the removal of only trees thicker than 237 mm. Fourth, commercial thinnings are omitted. The two sets of initial conditions yield similar results. The capital return rate is a weak function of rotation age, which results in variability in the optimal number of thinnings. Reducing the number of thinnings to one increases timber stock but induces a capital return rate deficiency. The deficiency per excess volume unit is smaller if the severity of any thinning is restricted by the removal of large trees only. Omission of thinnings best applies to spruce-dominated stands with stem count less than 2000/ha. Restricted thinning intensity applies to deciduous stands and dense pine stands. The albedo effect increases the benefits of restricted thinnings and increased clearcuttings instead of contradicting the carbon storage.

Aortic aneurysms (AA) occur in 4.8% of people causing 150,000 deaths annually. While endovascular aneurysm repairs reduce surgical morbidity, device-related failures (leak/displacement) are frequent highlighting the need for test models that better represent the mural geometry and compliance changes in human AAs. We aimed to develop and characterise an ex vivo porcine aortic model of AA. The optimal duration of tissue elastase exposure to emulate AA changes in elastin microstructure and content was determined using porcine aortic rings. Elastase-induced changes were quantified morphologically, and mechanical properties assessed via ring tensile testing. Subsequent experiments tested the potential for localised elastase treatment in a 1 cm segment of porcine aorta using a specially designed 3D printed test rig. The effect on pressure-diameter behaviour was investigated via inflation-extension testing. Elastase treatment produced time dependent decreases in elastin, resulting in an increased tensile modulus and circumferential length in the ring samples in the final phase of the J-shaped tissue stress-strain curves. In whole aortic segments, localised elastase-induced luminal degradation was successfully limited to a central region. The degree of elastin degradation achieved was sufficient to cause localised dilation with respect to controls under physiological pressures. Localised elastin degradation in porcine aortic segments is feasible and emulates the changes seen clinically in aortic aneurysms.

Plants do need a fixed proportion of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) elements to maintain normal metabolic activities. The P fertilizers are widely used to supplement nutrients in subtropical plantations. Stoichiometric homeostasis reflects the strategy of plants to cope with various environments (including P fertilizer supply rate). It is thus of great significance to understand C:N:P stoichiometry in the plant-litter-soil system under P addition and stoichiometric homeostasis of plant tissues for fertilization management of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm) plantations. We measured the C, N and P contents in root, branch, needle, litter and soil in slash pine plantations fertilized with four treatments - P1 (25 kg P ha−1 yr−1), P2 (50 kg P ha−1 yr−1), P3 (100 kg P ha−1 yr−1), and a control (CK) in subtropical China and calculated stoichiometric homeostasis of plant tissues. Results showed that P addition increased the capacity of needle to obtain C, N and P elements and altered the C:N:P stoichiometry of plant tissues, as well promoted the accumulation of C and P elements in soil, but had no significant effect on soil stoichiometry. The nutrient contents of needle and branch were higher than those of root and litter, indicating that slash pine was more inclined to allocate nutrient to the aboveground tissues. The stoichiometric homeostasis of C, N and P among plant tissues was ranked as follows: root > branch > needle, and homeostasis of nutrient elements in the needle was C > N > P. This indicated that the C, N and P stoichiometric homeostasis was various among plant tissues and elements types under P addition. These findings suggest P addition would alleviate the P limitation of slash pine growth in subtropical regions. In the future, long-term observation experiments should be conducted and the trade-off between P addition rates and economic and ecological benefits should be considered.

The Earth’s synthetic gravitational and density models can be used to validate numerical procedures applied for a global (or large-scale regional) gravimetric forward and inverse modelling. Since the Earth’s lithospheric structure is better constrained by tomographic surveys than a deep mantle, most of existing 3-D density models describe only a lithospheric density structure, while 1-D density models are typically used to describe a deep mantle density structure below the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary. The accuracy of currently available lithospheric density models is examined in this study. The error analysis is established to assess the accuracy of modelling the sub-lithospheric mantle geoid, while focusing on the largest errors (according to our estimates) that are attributed to lithospheric thickness and lithospheric mantle density uncertainties. Since a forward modelling of the sub-lithospheric mantle geoid comprises also numerical procedures of adding and subtracting gravitational contributions of similar density structures, the error propagation is derived for actual rather than random errors (that are described by the Gauss’ error propagation law). Possible systematic errors then either lessen or sum up after applying particular corrections to a geoidal geometry that are attributed to individual lithospheric density structures (such as sediments) or density interfaces (such as a Moho density contrast). The analysis indicates that errors in modelling of the sub-lithospheric mantle geoid attributed to lithospheric thickness and lithospheric mantle density uncertainties could reach several hundreds of meters, particularly at locations with the largest lithospheric thickness under cratonic formations. This numerical finding is important for a calibration and further development of synthetic density models of which mass equals the Earth’s total mass (excluding the atmosphere). Consequently, the (long-to-medium wavelength) gravitational field generated by a synthetic density model should closely agree with the Earth’s gravitational field.

Nonparametric density estimation for nonnegative data is considered in a situation where a random sample is not directly available but the data are instead observed from the length-biased sampling. Due to the boundary bias problem of the location-scale kernel, the approach in this paper is an application of asymmetric kernel. Two nonparametric density estimators are proposed. The mean integrated squared error, strong consistency, and asymptotic normality of the estimators are investigated. Some simulations illustrate the finite sample performance of the estimators.

Control of autonomous robot motion in radial mass density field is presented. In that sense the robot motion is described as the function of the radial mass density parameters. The radial mass density field is between the maximal radial mass density and the minimal radial mass density. Between these two limited values one can use n points (n = 1, 2, . . . nmax) and calculate the related radial mass density for each point. The radial mass density is maximal at the minimal gravitational radius and minimal at the maximal gravitational radius. This conclusion is valid for Planck scale, but also for the scales that are less or higher of that one. Using the ratio of the Planck mass and Planck radius it is generated energy conservation constant with value κ = 0.99993392118. Further, in this theory it is possible to connect Planck’s and gravitational parameters as functions of the maximal (or minimal) radial mass density. In that sense the autonomous robot motion in radial mass density field is important for the control of the robot motion at micro and nano scales.