Deep Neural Networks for Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval

Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is a measure of the extinction of solar radiation by aerosols in the atmosphere. Understanding the variations of global AOD is necessary for precisely determining the role of aerosols. Arctic warming is partially caused by aerosols transported from vast distances, including those released during biomass burning events (BBEs). However, measuring AODs is challenging, typically requiring active LIDAR systems or passive sun photometers. Both are limited to cloud-free conditions; sun photometers provide only point measurements, thus requiring more spatial coverage. A more viable method to obtain accurate AOD may be found through machine learning. This study uses DNNs to estimate Svalbard’s AODs using a minimal set of meteorological parameters (temperature, air mass, water vapor, wind speed, latitude, longitude, and time of year). The mean absolute error (MAE) between predicted and true data was 0.00401 for the entire set and 0.0079 for the validation set. It was then shown that the inclusion of BBE data improves predictions by 42.167%. It was demonstrated that AODs may be accurately estimated without the use of expensive instrumentation, using machine learning and minimal data. Similar models may be developed for other regions, allowing immediate improvement of current meteorological models.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Therapy: Analysis of Artificial Intelligence integrated Robotic Approach

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that may manifest in a myriad of ways such as difficulties in social interaction and a tendency to engage in repetitive patterns of behaviour. Over the years, several kinds of treatment protocols have been proposed and implemented. One such area that is attracting the attention of researchers in the field is a robot-based approach in the treatment of children diagnosed with the disorder. Here we propose a viable method via the integration of apex technological methods like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Medical Robotics, coupling it with problem specific algorithms in OpenCV along with principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis to help possibly alleviate a key symptom displayed by children in terms of level of social interaction - that of eye-contact. This would be achieved via an AI-integrated Robotic Framework. The project also considers the possibility of inclusion of the growing research field of Quantum Computing to realize the process and investigates its viability as a potential source of innovation in the future.

The use of intrarenal injection of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia in cats

OBJECTIVE To determine whether intrarenal injection of sodium pentobarbital is a viable method for euthanasia in anesthetized client-owned cats and assess potential factors associated with time to cardiopulmonary arrest (TCPA) for such treated cats. ANIMALS 131 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES In this retrospective study, client-owned cats presented for euthanasia between March 1, 2009, and January 15, 2010, were evaluated by veterinarians to determine suitability of intrarenal injection versus other methods of euthanasia. Cats included were anesthetized and then received 6 mL of sodium pentobarbital (390 mg/mL) by intrarenal injection. Results for TCPA were compared for cats grouped on the basis of variables of interest. RESULTS 131 cats were included, of which 74 (79%) had a TCPA < 1 minute and 28 (21%) had a TCPA between 1.5 and 8 minutes after intrarenal injection. Most (124/131 [95%]) cats had no observable reaction to the intrarenal injection other than cardiopulmonary arrest. Median TCPA was longer for cats without (1 min; 25/131 [19%]) versus with (0 min; 106/131 [81%]) palpable kidney swelling upon injection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The effects of intrarenal injection of sodium pentobarbital in cats of the present study were similar to those typically observed with IV administration of euthanasia solution. When this intrarenal injection method is used, cardiopulmonary arrest with few agonal reactions can be expected to occur quickly in most patients. The intrarenal injection method is suited for euthanasia of anesthetized cats with easily located kidneys when IV access may be difficult.

Spatial Thinking as a Path Towards Computational Thinking

Considering what we know about computational thinking, how much of this cognitive domain hangs on one's ability to think spatially? Is spatial thinking a hidden foundational property for developing strong computational thinking skills? If coding is the new literacy for 21st century thinking, educators must diversify their methodology of instruction. Mathematics must not be the only pathway to computational thinking, computer science, and coding. This book chapter opens up new insight into spatial reasoning, showing it as a new viable method to give students the computational thinking skills necessary to thrive in STEM fields. Finally, this chapter presents concepts found in shape grammars as a methodology used to teach students how to approach art and design computationally. With shape, grammars we find computational thinking at the center of creative activities.

Application of natural antioxidants for the formulation of functional meat products

There is growing interest in finding healthier meals that offer more than just nutritional benefits. Meat and meat products are consumed all over the world, so it is possible to use them as matrices to make sure that people get enough bioactive components from their food. Besides extending the meat product's shelf-life and improving its composition (by integrating antioxidant molecules), it could also help people stay healthy by lowering lipid oxidative products. In this review, we look at whether developing and eating functional meat products is a viable method for improving meat composition and stability and reducing the oxidative consequences associated with the consumption of meat intake. The inclusion of plant bioactive compounds and antioxidants in meat products should protect the composition and quality of functional meat and meat products as well as the customers' health status. The key plant components with antioxidant capabilities employed in the composition of functional meat products will be discussed in this review.

Microstructure and Defect-Based Fatigue Mechanism Evaluation of Brazed Coaxial Ti/Al2O3 Joints for Enhanced Endoprosthesis Design

Alumina-based ceramic hip endoprosthesis heads have excellent tribological properties, such as low wear rates. However, stress peaks can occur at the point of contact with the prosthesis stem, increasing the probability of fracture. This risk should be minimized, especially for younger and active patients. Metal elevations at the stem taper after revision surgery without removal of a well-fixed stem are also known to increase the risk of fracture. A solution that also eliminates the need for an adapter sleeve could be a fixed titanium insert in the ceramic ball head, which would be suitable as a damping element to reduce the occurrence of stress peaks. A viable method for producing such a permanent titanium–ceramic joint is brazing. Therefore, a brazing method was developed for coaxial samples, and two modifications were made to the ceramic surface to braze a joint that could withstand high cyclic loading. This cyclic loading was applied in multiple amplitude tests in a self-developed test setup, followed by fractographic studies. Computed tomography and microstructural analyses—such as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy—were also used to characterize the process–structure–property relationships. It was found that the cyclic loading capacity can be significantly increased by modification of the surface structure of the ceramic.

Gasoline like fuel from plastic waste pyrolysis and hydrotreatment

Recycling of plastic waste is desirable to lower environmental pollution and fulfil the requirements of circular economy. Energetic utilization is another possibility, however, municipal solid waste containing plastics is usually combusted to generate heat and electricity. An attractive way of dealing with plastic waste is pyrolysis, which has the potential of producing liquid hydrocarbons suitable as a transportation fuel. The pyrolysis results of three plastics produced in the largest amount globally, namely polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene as well as their mixtures are presented. The experiments were performed in a laboratory scale batch reactor. The pyrolysis oils were further processed by distillation to provide gasoline and diesel like (distillation cuts at 210 and 350 °C) hydrocarbons. The gasoline fractions were analysed by GC-MS and the composition was compared with the EU gasoline standard. It was found that the oils from PE, PP and PS contain compounds present in standard gasoline. Mixing PS with PE and PP before the pyrolysis, or the oils afterward produces much closer results to standard requirements as PS pyrolysis generates mostly aromatic content. As standard maximizes the olefin content of gasoline to 18 Vol%, hydrogenation was also performed using Pd based catalyst. The hydrogenation process significantly reduced the number of double bonds resulting in low olefin content. Results show that the pyrolysis of plastic waste mixtures containing PE, PP and PS is a viable method to produce pyrolysis oil suitable for gasoline-like fuel extraction and further hydrogenation of the product can provide gasoline fuels with low olefin content.

A novel approach of using shed skins of the green tree python, Morelia viridis, for forensic purposes

Green tree python (Morelia viridis, Schlegel 1872) is a highly sought-after Indonesian/Papuan NG/Australian species in terms of the international trade in reptile pets. As the trade in wild animals is mostly prohibited nowadays, captive breeding supplies the international pet trade. There is evidence that captive breeding might be used as a cover for specimen’s illegally sourced from the wild, as there are very few possibilities of distinguishing wild from captive-bred animals. These rely on invasive sampling (cutting off the end of the tail in order to obtain a sample of blood/muscle/bone tissues) or presence of ecto- and/or endoparasites (method overcome by breeders housing animals in semi wild conditions). Therefore, we examined the possibility of using stable isotope analysis for determining: either the place of origin or diet as a means of defining whether they are captive bred or illegally sourced from the wild. We also review the use of non-invasive samples of shed (moulted) skins. We conclude that shed skins that are currently not used for identifying the source of green tree python could be used as forensic evidence, subject to the development of a viable method.

Quantifying Advantages of Modular Construction: Waste Generation

The construction industry is a significant source of waste generation in any economy, producing various greenhouse gases, releasing harmful substances into the natural environment, and requiring large areas of land for processing, treatment, and landfilling. The emerging field of off-site prefabrication and assembly is perceived as a viable method to reduce waste and improve sustainability. However, there is a lack of quantifiable research into the difference between off-site prefabrication and on-site, conventional construction for numerous sustainability criteria. This paper focuses on modular construction as an off-site production system, where a framework to compare waste generation of modular and conventional, in-situ construction methods is proposed. This paper aims to quantify these differences. The framework relies on a comprehensive literature review to estimate the waste rates of building materials, which are then applied to realistic case studies in order to determine the differences in waste generation. Overall, modular construction reduces the overall weight of waste by up to 83.2%, for the cases considered. This corresponds to a 47.9% decrease in the cost of waste for large structures. Care must be taken to keep modular wastage as low as possible for a reduced cost of waste to be also present in smaller structures. This reduces the research gap of quantifying the waste differences between conventional and modular construction, and provides thoroughly researched waste rates for future research, while also improving the knowledge of industry stakeholders, informing them of the benefits of modular construction. This allows stakeholders to make more informed decisions when selecting an appropriate construction method.

Oxidation of Various Kraft Lignins with a Bacterial Laccase Enzyme

Modification of kraft lignin (KL), traditionally uses harsh and energy-demanding physical and chemical processes. In this study, the potential of the bacterial laccase CotA (spore coating protein A) for oxidation of KL under mild conditions was assessed. Thereby, the efficiency of CotA to oxidize both softwood and hardwood KL of varying purity at alkaline conditions was examined. For the respective type of wood, the highest oxidation activity by CotA was determined for the medium ash content softwood KL (MA_S) and the medium ash content hardwood KL (MA_H), respectively. By an up to 95% decrease in fluorescence and up to 65% in phenol content coupling of the structural lignin units was indicated. These results correlated with an increase in viscosity and molecular weight, which increased nearly 2 and 20-fold for MA_H and about 1.3 and 6.0-fold for MA_S, respectively. Thus, this study confirms that the CotA laccase can oxidize a variety of KL at alkaline conditions, while the origin and purity of KL were found to have a major impact on the efficiency of oxidation. Under the herein tested conditions, it was observed that the MA_H KL showed the highest susceptibility to CotA oxidation when compared to the other hardwood KLs and the softwood KLs. Therefore, this could be a viable method to produce sustainable resins and adhesives.