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With the dawn of 5G network, a new set of requirements for site spectrum monitoring, cellular planning are emerging, all of which are relying on fine-grained signal map. Although with significant importance, the traditional signal map construction could be time-consuming and labor-intensive. The state-of-the arts usually employ crowdsourcing scheme and matrix completion algorithm to solve the dilemma. However, the crowdsourcing scheme usually suffers from uneven distributed and inadequate participants. To this end, in this paper, we study how to effectively reconstruct and update the signal map in the case of partially measured signal maps with smaller cost and propose a GAN-based active signal map reconstruction method (GSMAC). Our method is mainly innovative in two parts: GSMC, GAN-based signal map construction, and ACS, an active crowdsourcing scheme. Specifically, GSMC can effectively update the signal map with only a small number of observations while updating the signal map online. ACS consists of a reinforce learning-based active query mechanism which quantitatively evaluates the most valuable measurement site for reconstruction. The simulation results and real implemented data-driven experiments demonstrate the advantages and effectiveness of our approach in both accuracy and cost.

Background: The optimal site for measuring computed tomography (CT)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) to detect significant coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unknown. We investigated how diagnostic performance changes with FFRCT measurement site. Methods and Results: The diagnostic performance of FFRCT, measured 1–2 cm distal to the stenosis vs. a far-distal site, in detecting significant CAD with invasive fractional flow reserve ≤0.8 was evaluated in 254 diseased vessels from 146 patients with stable or suspected CAD diagnosed by coronary CT angiography. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a significantly larger area under the curve for FFRCT measured 1–2 cm distal to the stenosis than at a far-distal site (0.829 vs. 0.791, respectively; P=0.0305). The rate of reclassification of positive FFRCT was 19% for measurements made 1–2 cm distal to the stenosis, and diagnostic accuracy for FFRCT 0.71–0.80 improved from 36% to 58% (P=0.0052). Vessel-based diagnostic accuracy of FFRCT 1–2 cm distal to the stenosis and at a far-distal site was 75% and 65%, respectively (P

Growing concern regarding animal welfare has increased the need for reliable methods of assessing the animal health status without stress during commercial farm practice. Measuring the body temperature with a thermal imaging camera is one possible stress-free technique since it is non-contact and non-invasive. The first objective of this study was to determine the best anatomical site in healthy pigs for measuring the temperature with a high spatial resolution thermal imaging camera that gives results equivalent or related to the temperatures measured in the rectum. The second objective was the assessment of the possibility to accurately and reliably measure or predict the pigs’ temperature with a low spatial resolution thermal imaging camera. Reference temperatures, measured with a calibrated thermometer in the rectum, were compared to the measurements of two calibrated thermal imaging cameras (a low resolution camera and a high resolution camera) on four anatomical sites of pigs (ear canal, eye canthus, outer ear and perianal area). We found that it is not possible to accurately measure or predict the pigs’ body temperature with a high noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD), low accuracy, low spatial resolution thermal imaging camera. However, a low NETD, high accuracy, high spatial resolution thermal imaging camera gives at least results that enable prediction (using a linear regression model) of the pigs’ body temperature. We showed that there are three anatomical sites in healthy pigs (ear canal, outer ear, perianal area) that are statistically similarly suitable for predicting the body temperature with a calibrated high spatial resolution thermal imaging camera under non diseased thermal neutral conditions.

Negative cloud-to-ground brings down negative charge from cloud to ground. In this paper, observations of the characteristics of fast and slow electric field within reversal distance (less than 7-8 km from lightning sensor) are reported. A total of four negative cloud to ground lashes detected very close to our measurement site in Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka on 12th November 2019 were selected for analysis. The captured waveforms are compared with the location data provided by Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research (TNBR) for validation purposes. It can be observed that electric field changes of stepped leader and return stroke are always positive whether beyond or within reversal distance. Meanwhile, for cloud activities, the electric field change is always negative within reversal distance.

In the recent years, the demand for weight reduction in modern vehicle construction has led to an increase in the application of hydroforming processes for production of automotive and aerospace lightweight components. The tube hydroforming measurement site (TH stand), designed and built at Warsaw University of Technology allows both die, and free tube hydroforming processes to be performed, thereby making it possible to obtain information about the material, as well as optimal process parameters [1][2]. The present freshly patented method for metal tube hydroforming is dedicated to short product series or even single products and prototypes [3]. The method is applicable to forming difficult-to-machine materials. The well-known techniques use dies made of plastic or wood, especially to form short product series. The use of moulding sand and properly prepared geometry of casting mould makes possible shaping materials at high temperatures, which could not be done in previous short series solutions, where a plastic or wooden die were used. [1] Sadlowska H., Jasinski C. Morawinski Ł., Strain measurements on the tube hydroforming testing machine, Archives of Metals and Metallurgy Vol. 65 , Issue 1, 2020, pp. 257-263 [2] Sadlowska H., Odksztalcanie sie rur podczas swobodnego rozpeczania hydromechanicznego na stanowisku TH, w: Prace Naukowe Politechniki Warszawskiej. Mechanika, Vol. 267, 2015, ss. 25-30 (in Polish) [3] Patent No. PL424401, Kochanski A., Sadlowska H., Bulletin of the Patent Office of Inventions and Utility Models vol. 17_2019, pp. 11

With the increasing importance of monitoring and verifying urban CO2 concentrations to mitigate carbon emissions from cities, a high-resolution ground networks of low-cost CO2 sensors are emerging that have a price advantage over existing high-cost sensors. This study develops a low-cost CO2 instrument called the Seoul National University CO2 Measurement (SNUCO2M) to monitor and analyze intra-city CO2 concentrations over Seoul, Korea. The first step of establishing this low-cost CO2 sensor network involved installing the SNUCO2M at the Yongsan Building (YSB; 113 m MASL) and Namsan Seoul Tower-High (NSTH; 385 m MASL) on October 18, 2018 and July 8, 2019, respectively. For comparison with the SNUCO2M, we utilized CO2 concentrations measured by the Picarro instrument (high-cost CO2 sensor) at Gwanak Mountain (GWA) background measurement site and the lower part of the NST (NSTL). The initial CO2 measurements from the SNUCO2M, show that 1) the SNUCO2M has a 0.71% maximum error range and is sufficient to measure urban atmospheric CO2 concentrations; and 2) the SNUCO2M captures 26.92 and 20.30 ppm of Seoul’s summer and winter time CO2 enhancement compared to the GWA background site. Our results suggest that the low-cost sensors such as SNUCO2M successfully detect urban CO2 characteristics over the megacity and has great potential to replace high-cost sensors with cost and management limitations.

A study was conducted in an underground mine with the objective to identify, characterize, and source apportion airborne aerosols at the setup face and recovery room during longwall move operations. The focus was on contributions of diesel- and battery-powered heavy-duty vehicles used to transfer equipment between the depleted and new longwall panels and diesel-powered light-duty vehicles used to transport personnel and materials to various locations within the mine. Aerosols at the setup face were found to be distributed among diesel combustion-generated submicrometer and mechanically generated coarse aerosols. According to the data, the submicrometer aerosols downstream of the setup face were sourced to diesel exhaust emitted by vehicles operated inside and outside of the panel. Depending on the intensity of the activities on the panel, the outby sources contributed between 12.5 and 99.6% to the average elemental carbon mass flow at the setup face and recovery room. Extensively used light-duty vehicles contributed measurably to the elemental carbon concentrations at the setup face. The number concentrations of aerosols downstream of the setup face were associated with aerosols generated by combustion in diesel engines operated in the shield haulage loop and/or outside of the longwall panels. Entrainment of road dust by diesel or battery-powered load-haul-dump vehicles operated near the measurement site appears to be the primary source of mass concentrations of aerosols. The findings of this study should help the underground mining industry in its efforts to reduce exposures of miners to diesel and coarse aerosols.

The Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory, also known as the Nagycenk Geophysical Observatory (NCK), was established in 1957. It has been the only measurement site in Hungary where observations of various parameters of the atmospheric global electric circuit are made in the framework of organized research under the umbrella of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). Measurements of the atmospheric electrical potential gradient (PG) and Schumann resonances (SRs) running quasi-continuously in the observatory for decades provide an invaluable source of information for geophysical research. This paper gives an overview on the history of the observatory and particularly on various atmospheric electricity (AE) measurements on-site to commemorate the efforts and excellence of the people who served atmospheric sciences by dedicating their lives to obtaining high-quality, reliable data and scientific achievements at the highest possible level.

Transcutaneous bilirubinometer devices are widely applied to assess neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. However, the optimal skin site and timing of transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) measurements for the strongest correlation with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels after phototherapy are still unclear. We conducted a retrospective observational study evaluating the correlation of TCB and TSB levels in neonates postphototherapy. The TCB measurements on the forehead and mid-sternum at 0 and 30 min postphototherapy were assessed by using a JM-103 bilirubinometer. Paired TCB and TSB measurements were assessed by Pearson correlation and Bland–Altman plots. We analyzed 40 neonates with 96 TSB and 384 TCB measurements. The TSB level correlated moderately with the forehead TCB level at 30 min postphototherapy (r = 0.65) and less strongly with the midsternum TCB level at 0 min postphototherapy (r = 0.52). The forehead at 30 min after cessation of phototherapy was the best time point and location of TCB measurement for the assessment of neonatal jaundice status. The reliability of TCB measurements varied across skin sites and durations after phototherapy. The effectiveness of TCB measurement to assess neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is much better on covered skin areas (foreheads) 30 min postphototherapy. The appropriate application of transcutaneous bilirubinometers could aid in clinical practice and avoid unnecessary management.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensing takes advantage of hemoglobins’ absorbent qualities to visible and infrared (IR) light. Consisting of a light source and a photo-detector, light is emitted into the skin and the intensity of light transmitted into the photo-detector is inversely proportional to the volume of blood in the vascular bed of the measurement site [1], [2]

Carotenoids are a class of phytochemical compounds found in a variety of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and, therefore, are commonly used as a biomarker for F/V intake. The Veggie Meter® is a noninvasive research-grade instrument that detects and quantifies carotenoids in the skin. To determine current practices and examine variability among users, a survey was administered to researchers using the device (n = 19, response rate = 35.8%) and variation in anatomical site preparation, calibration, number of measurements, measurement site, and documentation was observed. A protocol was developed in partnership with Veggie Meter® users to outline the preparation, calibration, and data collection procedures for using this device for research purposes. Although many protocol conditions will benefit from additional validation, this standardized protocol supports the development of a universal data repository to establish usual observed ranges, with the ultimate goal of examining associations between skin carotenoid scores and diet-related health outcomes., Inconsistent data collection procedures among researchers using the Veggie Meter® provided the impetus to develop a standardized protocol for the use of the Veggie Meter® in the research setting.

A new in situ radioactivity analysis method was developed to determine the fractional contributions of gamma-ray emitters in seawater and sediment from total measured counts. A semi-empirical formula to determine the fractional count contributions was derived using the variation characteristics of the gamma-ray attenuation rate and geometrical efficiency with the measurement points. The proposed method was employed to make in situ gamma-ray measurements using a CeBr3 detector for radioactivity analysis of seawater and sediment at a coastal area with a relatively high tidal range. The full energy peak efficiency of the detector at measurement site was obtained using the GEANT4 simulation code. The radioactivity concentration of 40K in seawater and sediment was determined using the proposed method and laboratory analysis with sampling. The MDA of the in situ measurement for 137Cs and 131I was also estimated assuming they were deposited on the sediment surface-layer. The validation of this method was demonstrated by comparing with the sampling analysis results.

Speciated atmospheric mercury including gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and particulate-bound mercury (PBM) were measured continuously for a 1-year period at a suburban site, representing a regional transport intersection zone, in east China. Annual mean concentrations of GEM, PBM, and GOM reached 2.77 ng m−3, 60.8 pg m−3, and 82.1 pg m−3, respectively. GEM concentrations were elevated in all the seasons except autumn. High mercury concentrations were related to winds from the south, southwest, and north of the measurement site. Combining analysis results from using various source apportionment methods, it was found that GEM concentration was higher when quasi-local sources dominated over long-range transport. Six source factors belonging to the anthropogenic sources of GEM were identified, including the common sectors previously identified (industrial and biomass burning, coal combustion, iron and steel production, cement production, and incineration), as well as an additional factor of shipping emissions (accounting for 19.5 % of the total), which was found to be important in east China where marine vessel shipping activities are intense. Emissions of GEM from natural surfaces were also found to be as important as those from anthropogenic sources for GEM observed at this site. Concurrences of high GOM concentrations with elevated O3 and temperature, along with the lagged variations in GEM and GOM during daytime demonstrated that the very high GOM concentrations were partially ascribed to intense in situ oxidation of GEM. Strong gas–particle partitioning was also identified when PM2.5 was above a threshold value, in which case GOM decreased with increasing PM2.5.

Objective: Despite the fact that the ear is the site to monitor arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) closest to carotid chemoreceptors, sleep studies almost invariably use finger probes. This study aimed to assess the timing and morphological differences between SpO2 signals at the ear and finger during Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: We studied 21 HF patients with CSR during a 40-min in-laboratory resting recording. SpO2 was recorded by: (1) two identical bedside pulse-oximeters with an ear (SpO2_Ear) and a finger probe (SpO2_Finger), and (2) a standard polysomnograph with a finger probe (SpO2_PSG). We estimated the delays between signals and, for each signal, computed the mean and minimum SpO2, the magnitude of cyclic desaturations and the overall time spent with SpO2 Results: The SpO2_Finger signal was significantly delayed [bias: 12.7 s (95% limits of agreement: 2.2, 23.0 s)] and slightly but not significantly downward-shifted with respect to SpO2_Ear. SpO2_PSG was almost synchronous with SpO2_Finger; however, a further significant downward shift was observed relative to the latter. In particular, minimum SpO2_PSG was significantly lower [-2.1% (- 4.8, 0.6%)], and desaturations and T90% were significantly higher than SpO2_Finger [1.2% (-1.3, 3.7%), and 13.9% (-12.3, 40.0%), respectively]. Conclusion: During CSR in HF patients, the marked delay between SpO2_Ear and SpO2_Finger makes the interpretation of the timing relationship between peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation and ventilatory events rather difficult. The observed discrepancies between SpO2_PSG and SpO2_Finger, which may be due to differences in the processing of raw SpO2 signals, call for a standardization of processing algorithms.

In 2003, a decreasing trend was reported in the long-term (1962–2001) fair weather atmospheric electric potential gradient (PG) measured in the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory (NCK; 47∘38′ N, 16∘43′ E), Hungary, Central Europe. The origin of this reduction has been the subject of a long-standing debate, due to a group of trees near the measurement site which reached significant height since the measurements have started. Those trees have contributed to the lowering of the ambient vertical electric field due to their electrostatic shielding effect. In the present study, we attempt to reconstruct the true long-term variation of the vertical atmospheric electric field at NCK. The time-dependent shielding effect of trees at the measurement site was calculated to remove the corresponding bias from the recorded time series. A numerical model based on electrostatic theory was set up to take into account the electrostatic shielding of the local environment. The validity of the model was verified by on-site measurement campaigns. The changing height of the trees between 1962 and 2017 was derived from national-average age–height diagrams for each year. Modelling the time-dependent electrical shielding effect of the trees at NCK revealed that local effects played a pivotal role in the long-term decrease. The results suggest that earlier attempts could not quantify the shielding effect of the trees at NCK accurately. In this work it is found that the reconstructed PG time series at NCK exhibits an increase between 1962 and 1997 followed by a decaying trend since 1997. It is pointed out that long-term variation in summertime and wintertime PG averages should be analysed separately as these may contribute to trends in the annual mean values rather differently.

The present study is devoted to assessment of automated optical capillary refill time determination by custom developed optoelectronic device prototype. Study comprised fifteen healthy volunteers; To induce capillary refill time changes the hand position challenge was utilized. During rest conditions slight inter-subject variation was observed: T90 (0.75±0.27 s), TSTB (2.20±0.58 s) and temperature at the measurement site (32.21±1.87 Co), however during hand position challenge results were more consistent. Rising hand substantially increased, while lowering slightly decreased capillary refill time. We conclude that automated determination of refill time have high clinical potential, however more extensive studies are required to determine reliable methodology and provide measurement guidelines.

Since there is only one commercially available measurement site in the world capable of measuring unwanted emissions in the spurious domain and the out-of-band domain of a marine radar, more measurement sites are necessary. We are going to design and construct a measurement site in Japan. In this paper, we introduce the measurement site and propose how to control multipath propagation. There are three techniques to control multipath waves: narrow antenna beam width, diffuse reflection on the grassy ground, and the use of a reflected wave barrier. A method for estimating the reflection point is also proposed.

Ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of aerosols and tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were carried out in Uccle (50.8° N, 4.35° E), Brussels, during 1 year from March 2018 until March 2019. The instrument was operated in both the UV and visible wavelength ranges in a dual-scan configuration consisting of two sub-modes: (1) an elevation scan in a fixed viewing azimuthal direction (the so-called main azimuthal direction) pointing to the northeast and (2) an azimuthal scan in a fixed low elevation angle (2°). By applying a vertical profile inversion algorithm in the main azimuthal direction and a parameterization technique in the other azimuthal directions, near-surface NO2volume mixing ratios (VMRs) and vertical column densities (VCDs) were retrieved in 10 different azimuthal directions. The dualscan MAX-DOAS dataset allows for partly resolving the horizontal distribution of NO2around the measurement site and studying its seasonal variations. Furthermore, we show that measuring the tropospheric NO2VCDs in different azimuthal directions improves the spatial colocation with measurements from the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P), leading to a reduction of the spread in validation results. By using NO2vertical profile information derived from the MAX-DOAS measurements, we also resolve a systematic underestimation in S5P NO2data due to the use of inadequate a priori NO2profile shape data in the satellite retrieval., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background Regular assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is essential for detecting glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in juvenile-onset autoimmune diseases. Z-score is used in children for standardization of osteoporosis assessment. Z-score in children can be evaluated with only one of the three models in Japan. The purpose of this study was to investigate how many domestic medical facilities for pediatric rheumatic diseases could not evaluate osteoporosis using Z-score exist. Methods Electronic questionnaires were distributed between 2017 and 2019 to hospitals belonging to the Pediatric Rheumatology Association of Japan and to university hospitals and public children' s hospitals that provide medical care for pediatric rheumatic diseases. The questionnaire included the location of DXA measurement, manufacturer (Hologic, GE healthcare, Hitachi), and measurement site, and the answers were collected using Google Forms. Statcel 4 was used for analysis. Results Overall,120 facilities responded to the survey, of which 117 had DXA. In the remaining three facilities, DXA was not installed in two and was out of order in one. Bone loss in childhood was evaluated using a Z-score calculated from age-based reference values. It was revealed that 30% of hospitals without HOLOGIC DXA could not evaluate osteoporosis by Z-score in Japanese childhood. The characteristics of the hospitals enrolled in this study did not bias the selection of Hologic DXA. Conclusions Neighboring institutions should consider sharing access to Hologic DXA equipment to ensure the use of uniform reference values. GE BMD reference values for Japanese children should be established.

Ground-based Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of aerosols and tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were carried out in Uccle (50.8° N, 4.35° E) Brussels, during one year from March 2018 until March 2019. The instrument was operated in both UV and visible (Vis) wavelength ranges in a dual-scan configuration consisting of two sub-modes: (1) an elevation scan in a fixed viewing azimuthal direction (the so-called main azimuthal direction) pointing to the Northeast and (2) an azimuthal scan in a fixed low elevation angle (2°). By applying a vertical profile inversion algorithm in the main azimuthal direction and a parameterization technique in the other azimuthal directions, near-surface NO2 concentrations (VMRs) and vertical column densities (VCDs) were retrieved in ten different azimuthal directions. The dual-scan MAX-DOAS dataset allows partly resolving the horizontal distribution of NO2 around the measurement site and studying its seasonal variations. Furthermore, we show that measuring the tropospheric NO2 VCDs in different azimuthal directions improves the spatial colocation with measurements from the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P), leading to a reduction of the spread in validation results. By using NO2 vertical profile information derived from the MAX-DOAS measurements, we also resolve a systematic underestimation in S5P NO2 data due to the use of inadequate a-priori NO2 profile shape data in the satellite retrieval.

Background Recently, attempts have been made to use the pulse rate variability (PRV) as a surrogate for heart rate variability (HRV). PRV, however, may be caused by the fluctuations of left ventricular pre-ejection period and pulse transit time besides HRV. We examined whether PRV differs not only from HRV but also depending on the measurement site. Results In five healthy subjects, pulse waves were measured simultaneously on both wrists and both forearms together with single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in the supine and sitting positions. Although average pulse interval showed no significant difference from average R-R interval in either positions, PRV showed greater power for the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components and lower LF/HF than HRV. The deviations of PRV from HRV in the supine and sitting positions were 13.2% and 7.9% for LF power, 24.5% and 18.3% for HF power, and − 15.0% and − 30.2% for LF/HF, respectively. While the average pulse interval showed 0.8% and 0.5% inter-site variations among the four sites in the supine and sitting positions, respectively, the inter-site variations in PRV were 4.0% and 3.6% for LF power, 3.8% and 4.7% for HF power, and 18.0% and 17.5% for LF/HF, respectively. Conclusions These suggest that PRV shows not only systemic differences from HRV but also considerable inter-site variations.

Liver elastography offers the possibility of a quick, noninvasive, and painless evaluation of the liver with immediate results at bedside. Liver stiffness measurements (LSM) using transient elastography (TE) appear very easy to perform, however, several conditions must be respected to ensure an optimal evaluation. Thus, patient, operator, and examination characteristics have all been shown to influence the result of LSM. Food intake increases liver stiffness (LS), whereas recent withdrawal in alcoholics is associated with a decrease of LS. Around one hundred exams seem to be required before considering an operator as sufficiently trained for using e.g. a FibroScan device. The measurement site and the FibroScan probe must be correctly chosen to ensure the best quality of LSM. Finally, the intrinsic characteristics of the measurement, especially the IQR/M ratio, must be carefully checked to avoid overestimation of LS. Most of the results come from studies which have evaluated TE, with less data available for the other technologies such as 2D- and point shear wave elastography which require dedicated ultrasound knowledge. For TE, all operators should know and apply the quality criteria for LSM to ensure the reliability of the results and therefore the best management of patients in clinical practice.

Emission measurements were collected from heavy-duty (HDVs) and medium-duty vehicles (MDVs) at the Peralta weigh station long-term measurement site near Anaheim, CA, in 2017. Two Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test units sampled elevated and ground-level exhaust vehicles totaling 2 315 measurements. HDVs (1844 measurements) exhibited historical reductions in fuel specific oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from the 2008 measurements (55%) with increased use of exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction systems. However, as these technologies have aged, the in-use benefits have declined. Infrared % opacity measurements of tailpipe soot decreased 14% since 2012 with increased diesel particulate filter (DPF) use, DPF longevity, and fleet turnover. Sixty-three percent of the HDV fleet in 2017 was chassis model year 2011+ compared to only 12% in 2012. The observed MDV fleet (471 measurements) was 1.4 years older than the HDV fleet with average NOx 14% higher. A significant reduction in MDV NOx occurred ∼2 m...

Paired indoor and outdoor measurements of 16 NPAHs and 5 OPAHs in PM2.5 were conducted at urban and suburban sites during January 2016 in Jinan, China. The concentrations of both indoor and outdoor NPAHs and OPAHs were higher at the urban site compared with the suburban site. 9N-ANT (16–42%), 2+3N-FLA (15–51%), 2N-PYR (6–20%), and 1N-PYR (4–6%) were the dominant NPAHs at all sites, and 9-FO (61–81%) was the most abundant OPAHs. Solid fuel combustion, motor vehicle exhausts, and secondary generation were the main sources of the PAH derivatives in this study area. The I/O ratios of 90% of NPAHs and OPAHs at the first urban indoor site (abbreviated as URI1, Green Tree Inn) and the suburban indoor site (abbreviated as SUI, the Seven Star Hotel) were 1.00, which was likely due to cooking activities occurring near the measurement site. Measurements of outdoor 2+3N-FLA/1N-PYR revealed mainly primary emission at the urban site and secondary sources at the suburban site, the average ratios were 3.76 and 12.22, respectively. The average ratio of 2+3N-FLA/2N-PYR at all sites was 3.3, indicating that the OH-initiated reaction was the dominant secondary formation pathway. Nighttime ratios of 2+3N-FLA/1N-PYR were significantly higher than the daytime ratios at all sites. The difference was especially pronounced during heavily polluted conditions at the suburban site, which suggests that heavy pollution and nighttime conditions promote secondary production. Additionally, the cancer risk was highest in urban outdoor (abbreviated as URO) when the population expose to the level as the outdoor air in the urban. The risk suggested that adults may be at a higher cancer risk.

A 2-yr cloud microphysical property dataset derived from ground-based remote sensors at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site near Barrow, Alaska, was used as input into a radiative transfer model to compute radiative heating rate (RHR) profiles in the atmosphere. Both the longwave (LW; 5–100 μm) and shortwave (SW; 0.2–5 μm) RHR profiles show significant month-to-month variability because of seasonal dependence in the vertical profiles of cloud liquid and ice water contents, with additional contributions from the seasonal dependencies of solar zenith angle, water vapor amount, and temperature. The LW and SW RHR profiles were binned to provide characteristic profiles as a function of cloud type and liquid water path (LWP). Single-layer liquid-only clouds are shown to have larger (10–30 K day−1) LW radiative cooling rates at the top of the cloud layer than single-layer mixed-phase clouds; this is due primarily to differences in the vertical distribution of liquid water between the two classes. However, differences in SW RHR profiles at the top of these two classes of clouds are less than 3 K day−1. The absolute value of the RHR in single-layer ice-only clouds is an order of magnitude smaller than in liquid-bearing clouds. Furthermore, for double-layer cloud systems, the phase and condensed water path of the upper cloud strongly modulate the radiative cooling both at the top and within the lower-level cloud. While sensitivity to cloud overlap and phase has been shown previously, the characteristic RHR profiles are markedly different between the different cloud classifications.

The data presented here was produced as part of an evaluation of the performance of the CoaguChek XS point-of-care coagulation analyzer, which is discussed in the research article “POCT PT INR – Is it adequate for Patient Care? A Comparison of the Roche Coaguchek XS vs. Stago Star vs. Siemens BCS in Patients Routinely Seen in an Anticoagulation Clinic” (Baker et al., in press) [1] . An effort to reconcile discrepancies in the patient INR result distributions from different central lab instruments (Stago Star and Siemens BCS) with the PT/INR line method is described (Poller et al., 2010, 2011; Ibrahim et al., 2011) [2] , [3] , [4] . While regression analysis of the ECAA Poller calibrant data provided a linear PT/INR line for all methods, Pearson's chi-squared and one-way repeated measures ANOVA analyses showed that central lab INR measurements continued to exhibit measurement site dependence after the PT/INR line correction was applied. According to paired t-test analysis, only the human thromboplastin dependent methods (CoaguChek XS and Siemens BCS both before and after PT/INR line correction) showed statistically significant agreement (p-value >0.05).

The influence of near surface local emissions on the air quality at a high-mountain measurement site is generally extremely low. A novel approach was developed using observation from a high-mountain background site to quantitatively locate regional source contributions from different transport directions. Source contributions were apportioned by positive matrix factorization (PMF) and the air mass backward trajectories arrived at different times were calculated using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT). The source contributions from different transport directions were estimated by coupling backward trajectories in different directions with different source contributions in terms of time. Combined the PMF results with potential source contribution function (PSCF)/concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) methods, the potential influence regions of multiple emission sources from different directions were located. The proposed method was applied to Baiyun Mountain in Zhumadian, China. Results show that the primary directions of regional transport were from the east and southeast by south in summer (Northern Anhui, Southern Henan, and Central and Mid-Northern Hubei Province). Contribution from the southeast by south direction was the largest regional source for secondary sulphate (15.53%) with the primary contributing regions being Western Anhui, Southeastern Henan, and Central Hubei. While in autumn, the main transport directions were from the southeast and northeast, with Mid-Eastern Henan, Southwestern and Southeastern Shandong, and Northern Anhui Province being the major contributing regions. Transport contributions for secondary nitrate and coal combustion were dominated from southeaster (24.34%) and northeaster (22.17%), where the potential contribution regions were located in Mid-Eastern Henan, Southwest Shandong, and Northern Anhui Province.

Field olfactometry is one of the sensory techniques used to determine odour concentration, in atmospheric air, directly in emission sources. A two-dimensional gas chromatography with time of flight mass spectrometer (GC×GC–TOF-MS) allows performing the chemical characterization of various groups of chemical compounds, even in complex mixtures. Application of these techniques enabled determination of odour concentration level in atmospheric air in a vicinity of the oil refinery and the neighbouring wastewater treatment plant. The atmospheric air samples were analysed during a time period extending from February to June 2016. Based on the GC×GC–TOF-MS analysis and odour threshold values, the theoretical odour concentrations were calculated and compared with the odour concentrations determined by field olfactometry technique. The investigations revealed that higher values of odour concentration were obtained with the field olfactometry technique where odour analysis was based on holistic measurement. It was observed that the measurement site or meteorological conditions had significant influence on odour concentration level. The paper also discusses the fundamental analytical instruments utilized in the analysis of odorous compounds and their mixtures. Graphical abstract

The article presents the results of the first radon activity concentration measurements conducted continuously between 17th May 2014 and 16th May 2015 in the underground geodynamic laboratory of the Polish Academy of Sciences Space Research Centre in Ksiąz. The data were registered with the use of three Polish semiconductor SRDN–3 detectors located the closest (SRDN–3 No. 6) to and the furthest (SRDN–3 No. 3) from the facility entrance, and in the fault zone (SRDN–3 No. 4). The study was conducted to characterize the radon behaviour and check it possibility to use with reference to long– and short–term variations of radon activity concentration observed in sedimentary rocks strongly fractured and intersected by systems of multiple faults, for integrated comparative assessments of changes in local orogen kinetics. The values of radon activity concentration in the underground geodynamic laboratory of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) Space Research Centre in Ksiąz undergo changes of a distinctly seasonal character. The highest values of radon activity concentration are recorded from late spring (May/June) to early autumn (October), and the lowest – from November to April. Radon activity concentrations varied depending on the location of measurement points. Between late spring and autumn they ranged from 800 Bq·m−3 to 1200 Bq·m−3, and even 3200 Bq·m−3 in the fault zone. Between November and April, values of radon activity concentration are lower, ranging from 500 Bq·m−3 to 1000 Bq·m−3 and 2700 Bq·m−3 in the fault zone. The values of radon activity concentration recorded in the studied facility did not undergo short–term changes in either the whole annual measuring cycle or any of its months. Effective doses received by people staying in the underground laboratory range from 0.001 mSv/h to 0.012 mSv/h. The mean annual effective dose, depending on the measurement site, equals 1 or is slightly higher than 10 mSv/year, while the maximum dose exceeds 20 mSv/year. The estimated annual effective doses are comparable to the standard value of 20 mSv/year defined by Polish law for people employed in the conditions of radiation exposure. They are also in the range of annual effective dose value (8 mSv/year) recommended in workplaces by International Commission on Radiation Protection.

DXA plays a critical role in assessing skeletal health and disease, as well as, fat and muscle status in children and adolescents. Quality DXA requires training, expertise and attention to details, as in adults, but there are key differences in performing and interpretations in children. These include choice of measurement site, skills required, reference data and software, and considerations for indications and underlying disorders to facilitate correct interpretation. The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has been pivotal in establishing official positions and training for people who are interested in performing or interpreting such examinations, and guiding clinicians who may request such studies. However training in the performance and interpretation of scans of individuals with more complex needs falls outside the scope of this review, and consideration should be given to refer such examinations to a specialist pediatric DXA unit. Others may be scanned and reported by those with expertise in densitometry, as long as due diligence is paid to standard quality procedures, as well as knowledge of the special circumstances and training required for this field. In this invited review we outline some of these considerations, highlight key messages, and provide some appropriate references to help guide clinicians, technologists and scientists involved or interested in DXA use in children and adolescents.

The reference method for $${\hbox {PM}}_{{10}}$$ and $${\hbox {PM}}_{2.5}$$ measurement in Europe is active sampling with subsequent gravimetric analysis. Also tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitors are widely used across Europe for the assessment of particulate matter (PM), even though they are known to be biased due to the loss of semi-volatile materials attributed to sample heating. In our work we correct TEOM $${\hbox {PM}}_{{10}}$$ measurements at eight different monitoring sites located in different surroundings and different climates across Slovenia to replicate reference measurements. We use simultaneous reference and TEOM measurements from a period of seven years (2011–2017) and assess the advantage of custom defined correction factors (with linear and orthogonal regression) compared to default correction factors. We further try to improve the corrections by adding meteorological parameters as inputs and training a linear model (lasso) and nonlinear model (random forest). Random forest and lasso models also enable us to evaluate the impact of different meteorological parameters or chemical compounds on TEOM measurements. Our results show that TEOM measurements can be efficiently corrected using correction factors defined with two linear regressions (for summer and winter) at most locations across continental Slovenia. Koper, which lies at the sea side, was the most problematic measurement site. There the measurements were the most affected by the meteorological situation, and they could not be successfully corrected. When examining the effect of the chemical composition at two different locations, levels of $${\hbox {NH}}_4^+$$ , $${\hbox {NO}}_3^{-}$$ , and organic carbon exhibited major impact on the discrepancies between reference and TEOM measurements.

The biomechanical implications of diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) are unknown.To (1) investigate the impact of DRA, measurement site, and task on inter-rectus distance (IRD), linea alba (LA) stiffness, and LA distortion measured at rest and during head-lift and semi-curl-up tasks; and (2) describe the relationships among IRD, LA stiffness, and LA distortion.In this cross-sectional, observational cohort study, brightness-mode ultrasound imaging and shearwave elastography were used on a sample of 20 women. Inter-rectus distance, LA stiffness, and LA distortion were measured at 3 locations, while at rest and during head-lift and semi-curl-up maneuvers. All outcomes were compared between groups (DRA versus no DRA), sites, and tasks. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationships among IRD, mean and peak LA stiffness, and LA distortion.Eleven women with and 9 without DRA participated. Women with DRA demonstrated lower peak and mean LA stiffness and higher LA distortion compared to women without DRA. In women with DRA, IRD and LA distortion were not influenced by measurement site; IRD decreased, LA distortion increased, and LA stiffness did not change during the head lift and semi-curl-up compared to rest. In women without DRA, the LA was least stiff closest to the umbilicus; it increased in stiffness during the head lift and semi-curl-up and did not distort or change compared to rest.Diastasis recti abdominis was associated with low LA stiffness and with LA distortion during a semi-curl-up task; the amount of distortion was a function of IRD and LA stiffness.

Introduction: Photoplethysmography (PPG) has been widely used to assess cardiovascular function. However, few studies have comprehensively investigated the effect of measurement site on PPG waveform characteristics. This study aimed to provide a quantitative comparison on this.Methods: Thirty six healthy subjects participated in this study. For each subject, PPG signals were sequentially recorded for 1 min from six different body sites (finger, wrist under (anatomically volar), wrist upper (dorsal), arm, earlobe, and forehead) under both normal and deep breathing patterns. For each body site under a certain breathing pattern, the mean amplitude was firstly derived from recorded PPG waveform which was then normalized to derive several waveform characteristics including the pulse peak time (Tp), dicrotic notch time (Tn), and the reflection index (RI). The effects of breathing pattern and measurement site on the waveform characteristics were finally investigated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc multiple comparisons.Results: Under both breathing patterns, the PPG measurements from the finger achieved the highest percentage of analyzable waveforms for extracting waveform characteristics. There were significant effects of breathing pattern on Tn and RI (larger Tn and smaller RI with deep breathing on average, both p < 0.03). The effects of measurement site on mean amplitude, Tp, Tn, and RI were significant (all p < 0.001). The key results were that, under both breathing patterns, the mean amplitude from finger PPG was significantly larger and its Tp and RI were significantly smaller than those from the other five sites (all p < 0.001, except p = 0.04 for the Tp of “wrist under”), and Tn was only significantly larger than that from the earlobe (both p < 0.05).Conclusion: This study has quantitatively confirmed the effect of PPG measurement site on PPG waveform characteristics (including mean amplitude, Tp, Tn, and RI), providing scientific evidence for a better understanding of the PPG waveform variations between different body sites.

[Resumen] La precipitación (P) y la evapotranspiración potencial (ETP) son términos de la ecuación del balance hídrico que se miden en estaciones locales; sin embargo el uso de modelos de estimación de caudal requiere datos de los mismos a escala de cuenca. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la estimación de la precipitación y la evapotranspiración, interpolados mediante polígonos de Thiessen y la técnica geoestadística de kriging en aquellas subcuencas de la margen izquierda del Río Paraná, en territorio argentino que disponen de registros de caudal. Se estudiaron doce cuencas ubicadas en las provincias de Misiones, Corrientes y Entre Ríos, y se usaron las series de datos meteorológicas disponibles dentro de las mismas y en su periferia, en un periodo común de tiempo, entre 1970 y 2010. Previa a la obtención de la precipitación media areal se completan los datos mensuales faltantes. A partir de dicha información se pudo ponderar la aportación espacial de cada sitio de medida. Los datos medidos mensuales de precipitación y ETP presentaron dependencia espacial que fue descrita por semivariogramas de tipo lineal y gaussiano, respectivamente. En comparación con los polígonos de Thiessen, el krigeado o kriging ordinario proporciona estimaciones areales inferiores de precipitación en 11 de las 12 cuencas estudiadas, observándose las mayores diferencias en la provincia de Misiones. Se concluye que no se evidencia una mejor estimación de campos de precipitación y de ETP como resultado del incremento de la complejidad del método usado para la obtención de los mismos [Abstract] Precipitation (P) and potential evapotranspiration (ETP) are terms of the water balance equation that are at the catchment scale. This work presents results of precipitations and evapotranspiration estimations obtained by interpolations performed both by Thiessen polygons and the kriging geoestatistical technique; the study involves catchments located at the left bank of the Paraná river, within Argentinean territory, having discharge records. Thus, twelve catchments located in the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes and Entre Ríos have been studied. For this purpose the available meteorological data sets recorded during a common period of time, i.e. between 1970 and 2010, within the perimeter and in the external neighborhood of each catchment have been used. Before assessing average precipitation and ETP of the domain areas nonexistent monthly data were approximated form neighbor stations. Then, the spatial contribution of each measurement site to the areal domain has been weighted. Monthly precipitation and ETP showed spatial dependency that was modeled by linear and Gaussian semivariograms, respectively. In comparison with the Thiessen polygon methods ordinary kriging provided lower areal domain estimates of precipitation in 11 out of the 12 basins studied catchments, and the higher differences were observed at those of the Misiones province. It was concluded that increasing the complexity of the method used for estimating areal precipitation or ETP shows no evidence of better estimates of these variables.

Sound propagation through forest edges can be complicated due to the sudden and significant change in propagation environment. One approach to estimating the coherent and diffuse sound fields due to an acoustic pulse in or near a forest boundary is to use the energy-based radiative transfer (RT) theory [Muhlestein et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 143 (2018)]. This technique accounts for propagation from the source to scattering locations through an effective medium, single scattering, and propagation from the scattering locations to the measurement site. This paper applies the RT theory to two cases: an acoustic pulse source located within a forest and a receiver located outside, and vice versa. The results are compared with experimental data.

The aim of this study was to make direct measurements of the possible radiation-induced EPR signals in the teeth of volunteers who were residents in Fukushima within 80 km distance from the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant at the time of the disaster, and continued to live there for at least 3 month after the disaster. Thirty four volunteers were enrolled in this study. These measurements were made using a portable L-band EPR spectrometer, which was originally developed in the EPR Center at Dartmouth. All measurements were performed using surface loop resonators that have been specifically designed for the upper incisor teeth. Potentially these signals include not only radiation-induced signals induced by the incident but also background signals including those from prior radiation exposure from the environment and medical exposure. We demonstrated that it is feasible to transport the dosimeter to the measurement site and make valid measurements. The intensity of the signals that were obtained was not significantly above those seen in volunteers who had not had potential radiation exposures at Fukushima.

The Hg0 time series recorded at the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) in Hawaii between 2002 and 2009 has been analyzed using Empirical Mode Decomposition. This technique has been used in numerous contexts in order to identify periodical variations in time series data. The periodicities observed in the tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST), through the data collected from five buoys, are also observed in Hg0 concentrations and the relative humidity measured at the MLO. The lag times in the observed periodicities are related to the position of the buoys with respect to the measurement site. This demonstrates a direct link between climatological phenomena, in this case SST, and measured Hg0 and reflects the influence of ocean SST on Hg0 evasion. This is the first long-term experimental evidence of such a direct effect on Hg0 evasion from the oceanic surface driven by temperature.

The performance of aerosol dry deposition schemes of the regionally adapted chemistry transport model CHIMERE2017 (version 2017r4) is evaluated. The model is simulated over the domain of Arabian Peninsula for a period of one year starting from November 2016 to October 2017 using two different dry deposition schemes, ( Wesely, 1989 ) and ( Zhang et al., 2001 ). The daily accumulations of the simulated total aerosol deposition fluxes are compared with the corresponding measurements carried out by means of a dust deposition gauge in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The monthly mean aerosol deposition flux at the measurement site during the study period is 0.0112 kg m−2 month−1, which is in agreement with observations from other locations in the Middle East and North Africa. The simulated deposition flux over the Arabian Peninsula shows large spatiotemporal variability peaking in the south in summer and in the eastern and northeastern parts of the peninsula in spring. By contrast, winter and autumn are characterized by comparatively low deposition levels on the entire peninsula. Dry deposition is found to be the most effective removal mechanism of atmospheric aerosols in the region with several orders of magnitude higher flux levels than its wet counterpart. The results indicate that the size-resolved deposition scheme of Zhang et al., 2001 is the most suitable one on the Arabian Peninsula. The simulated yearly accumulated total deposition fluxes on the inlands and coastal regions of the peninsula are respectively in the range 0.1–0.5 kg m−2 year−1 and 0.01–0.1 kg m−2 year−1.

Ratsep, M.; Parnell, K.E., and Soomere, T., 2020. Detecting ship wakes for the study of coastal processes. In: Malvarez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 1258–1262. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Wakes from contemporary vessels may affect, and in some places dominate, coastal processes in the vicinity of major shipping lanes. The analysis of the properties and impact of wakes has generally been restricted to wakes that can be visually observed in raw data. In this work, spectral analysis of the time series of single-point measurements of water surface elevation from Tallinn Bay is used to highlight the structure of ship wakes using a Short Time Fourier Transform. This method makes it possible to determine the speed and distance of a vessel from the measurement site. Wakes are detected using an algorithm based on Gabor multipliers. The results are compared with vessel passages retrieved from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. The algorithm detects the majority of ship wakes that can be visually recognized in spectrograms and misses only those with low signal to noise ratio or those in close proximity to another vessel wake. The calculated speed and distance are consistent with the AIS data except for high-speed vessels sailing at ≥30 knots. The results indicate that by using these techniques the detection of vessel wakes from a single-point wave record is achievable under favorable weather conditions. The methods provide an option for mitigation of the impact of ship wakes in semi-enclosed water bodies.

The energy released by the earthquakes occurred in the seismogenetic area of the southern Kamchatka (Russia) from January 1977 to December 2004, reveals an increase in the peak energy in the period 1992–1999. This increase is related to the occurrence of seven earthquakes with magnitude ranging from 6.9 to 7.7; the first of these earthquakes happened on 2 March 1992 with M=7.1. For many years, hydro-geochemical data have been collected with a mean sampling rate of three days, in the form of the most common ions and gases in the water of deep wells and natural springs of a network operating in the south area of the Kamchatka, where the capital city Petropavlovsk is located. The collected data were analysed and differences in the trend and in the spectral content of some hydro-geochemical parameters at the springs were pointed out before and after the occurrence of the March 1992 earthquake, indicating clear post-seismic effects. Then an evident increase in the Carbon Dioxide and in the Hydrogen content appeared practically at each measurement site during the two-four years preceding the earthquake, so that long term precursors can be claimed. Finally, an anomalous decrease in the Carbon Dioxide content at the springs was revealed two/three months prior the earthquake, as a middle term precursor. The earthquake on March 1992 was the event nearest (90–120 km) to the measurement sites that happened in last thirty years.