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• The radiance and burning properties of KBF 4 was studied. • A qualitative combustion model of KBF 4 with B and KNO 3 was established. • The infrared radiation peak of B F bonds around 9 μm is of great value for spectrum regulation of spectrum-matched decoys. • The infrared absorption peak or ranges of common boron-containing substances in 1–14 μm was summarized. Increasing the selective radiation of boron-based spectral matched pyrolant in the far infrared band (8–14 μm) can make the radiation spectrum of the infrared decoy agent close to the real target. In this study, by designing B F bonds to be generated the spectral efficiency in 8–14 μm of boron-based spectrum-matched infrared decoy was improved. Potassium tetrafluoroborate (KBF 4) was used as a fluorine oxidizer in this experiment. The results show that different proportions of KBF 4 /B/KNO 3 produce characteristic radiation peaks at 5 μm and 9 μm, which are provided by boron-containing compositions. And the near, middle and far infrared color ratio of the pyrotechnic composition is about 1.4/1/0.4. By comparing with the radiation spectrum of boron-based pyrotechnics containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), it is confirmed that B F bonds can be provided from KBF 4 and emit characteristic radiation at 9 μm. Combined with TG-DTA, SEM-EDS analysis and REAL theoretical calculation results, a qualitative combustion model of KBF 4 /B/KNO 3 system, which provides infrared radiation characteristics substances (FBO, BF 3 , etc.), was established. This paper explores the potential of KBF 4 to introduce pyrotechnics as a key component of spectrum-matched infrared decoy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fireworks activity is behind the substantial increase in particulate concentration during Diwali in Delhi and the concomitantly enhanced atmospheric metal concentration. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of fireworks on the atmosphere is crucial to develop a mitigation strategy. Accordingly, this study focuses on the comparative analysis of fireworks events in Diwali across 2019, 2020, and 2021. The current analysis studies the impact of Diwali fireworks for three consecutive years on Delhi's composition, concentration, and ambient PM 2.5 sources. The measurement of elements in PM 2.5 is performed using an automated ambient metal monitor with sufficient resolution to capture the time variation during the fireworks event. The 12-h average concentrations of elements during Diwali night for 2019, 2020, and 2021 are 181 μg/m3, 117 μg/m3, and 151 μg/m3, respectively. During the fireworks, elemental concentrations like K, Al, Sr, Ba, and S showed distinct peaks and were subsequently identified as tracers. Source apportionment was conducted by applying positive matrix factorization (PMF) to the elemental mass measurements. Dispersion normalized PMF (DN-PMF) was also performed using the time-dependent ventilation coefficient to factor out the impact of meteorology across the three years. The average ventilation coefficient was 3672, 2874, and 2000 m2/s in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Nine different sources were identified for all three years. The study apportioned over 85% of elemental mass to the firecrackers during Diwali. The average concentrations of the resolved fireworks factor during Diwali night were 154 μg/m3,107 μg/m3, and 137 μg/m3 successively for the three years using the regular PMF, while it was 141 μg/m3,92 μg/m3 and 134 μg/m3 using the DN-PMF. The period of Diwali also overlaps with biomass-burning activities. From the source apportionment results, the period of biomass burning lies in the following Diwali phase (FD) in 2019 and 2021, while it coincides with the Diwali phase in 2020. [Display omitted] • Fireworks are a direct and indirect source of various organic and inorganic particles. • During Diwali, Fireworks release large amounts of K, Cl, S, Ba, Al, and other fireworks-related elements into the environment. • Fireworks accounted for ∼85% of elemental PM 2.5 during Diwali. • The burning of firecrackers elevates PM 2.5 in a short time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a fireworks algorithm based Gerchberg–Saxton (GS) algorithm for the design of diffractive optical element is developed, named FW-GS algorithm, in which, the explosion mechanism of the fireworks algorithm is introduced to efficiently find the initial phase, thereby ensuring a superior phase solution for the subsequent GS algorithm. By employing this approach to shape a Gaussian beam into a square beam, the results illustrated the notable improvement of 16.10 % in RMSE and 3.29 % in diffractive efficiency when compared to the traditional GS algorithm, while exhibiting stable optimization performance. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm demonstrated adaptability to various shaping targets, with RMSE improved by about 16 % and diffractive efficiency improved by more than 3 % for shaping to circular, annular, and rectangular beams. • A fireworks algorithm based Gerchberg–Saxton (GS) algorithm for the design of beam shaping diffractive optical element is developed, named FW-GS algorithm. • Compared with the traditional GS algorithm, the FW-GS algorithm optimized RMSE and diffractive efficiency when shaping Gaussian beam into square beam, while exhibiting stable optimization performance. • The FW-GS algorithm demonstrated adaptability to various shaping targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fireworks affect the atmospheric environment and human health due to the rapid release of high levels of air pollutants. It is crucial to clarify the vertical characteristics of air pollutants and quantify the emission quantity for accurate control and health assessment. With the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle and a ground-based LiDAR system, we investigated the vertical profiles of particulate matter (PM) under the policy of concentrated fireworks detonation in a megacity (i.e., Changchun) in Northeast China and developed emission factors for fireworks displays. The results showed that the PM 2.5 , PM 10, SO 2 concentrations within a height of 200 m in the core area of fireworks display significantly increased by 143.8 %, 63.7 % and 174.3 %, respectively, on the day of the Lantern Festival relative to the background concentrations. There was a decreasing trend in the PM 2.5 concentration with increasing height, with a maximum vertical decrease of 64 μg/m3 per 100 m. Despite a general decline in the concentration, the vertical distribution of polluted air masses exhibited heterogeneity, occasionally exhibiting a bimodal distribution pattern. Moreover, the correlation coefficients between the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at different altitudes (0.2–0.4, 0.4–0.7, and 0.7–1.0 km) and the ground-level PM concentration were 0.29, −0.35, and −0.35, respectively. This phenomenon indicates a reduced influence of ground-level PM emission on the AOD at altitudes from 0.4 to 1.0 km and the increased potential for aerosol particles to escape upwards, particularly in the troposphere. Furthermore, an approach combining real-time stereoscopic monitoring of PM and downwind wind speed was developed to calculate the estimated firework emission factors. The emission factors recorded during the Lantern Festival, specifically between 20:00 and 24:00, were 128.6 ± 28.3 mg/m2 per 10 min and 92.7 ± 23.2 mg/m2 per 10 min for PM 2.5 and PM 10 , respectively, including an uncertainty of 9 %–14 % generated by the sensors. The proposed approach and corresponding emission factors could be used to easily quantify air pollutant emissions originating from fireworks displays and to conduct further numerical simulations for air pollution regulation and health assessment. [Display omitted] • Emission factors for fireworks display were calculated. • The fireworks emissions mainly affect within a height of 400m. • Fireworks emissions led to a 75.1 % elevation in aerosol optical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Death arising from fireworks is not an uncommon phenomenon in India. Deaths commonly arise during the manufacturing process and improper handling of chemicals for fireworks. Here, we would like to highlight a rare case in which a 12-year-old child sustained a head injury due to a cracker blast, which resulted in a depressed fracture over the vault of her skull. In this paper, we tried to emulate the same pattern of fracture on a human skull bone experimentally using the same type of cracker which caused the injury. This was done to give us an insight as to whether the cracker was powerful enough to produce a fracture and to rule out suspicion of blunt force trauma due to a weapon on the head. The subsequent explosion caused by the blast produced a distinctly similar pattern of fracture in comparison to the fracture observed in our case. The study also highlights the dangers of country-made crackers handled by children.

Aims and Objectives: The aim was to study the demographic pattern, clinical features, management, and prognosis of the patients with firecracker-related ocular injuries during Diwali. Materials and Methods: This institution-based prospective study was done in 30 patients who attended eye emergency and outpatient department (OPD) of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, during the period of 1 week of Diwali in 2016 and 2017. The parameters studied were the age and sex of the patients, type of firework (crackers and sparklers), eye involved, severity of injury with respect to active and passive participants, management, severity of injury, and visual outcome with respect to type of firecrackers. Results: A total of 30 patients attended eye OPD and emergency during our study period, of which 23 (76.7%) were male and 7 (23.3%) were female. All of them were in the pediatric age group (1–15). All patients were examined on the day of injury. Patients between 6 and 10 years of age were most commonly affected. Four cases (13.3%) were open-globe injuries and 26 (86.7%) cases were closed-globe injuries. Visual acuity varied from 6/9 to no perception of light. The most common firework involved was the crackers. Conclusions: Careless and indiscriminate use of firecrackers may sometimes lead to serious ocular damage. In India, use of fireworks is quite common during various festivals, particularly during Diwali, thus fireworks-related ocular injuries are important causes of blindness. This prospective study revealed the presentation and outcome of ocular injuries due to firecrackers in this area of mixed culture during this festive week.

This article explores the tensions within and around anarcho-punk concerning individuality and individualism by drawing on George Kateb's discussion of the normative ideal of 'democratic individuality', developed to understand the work of the American Emersonian writers (Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman). The article elaborates the three core ideas of 'democratic individuality': positive, negative and impersonal individuality. The article interprets the work of Crass, a founding and influential band in the anarcho-punk scene, as centrally a passionate expression of negative individuality: the individual's refusal to be complicit with injustice. Engaging Rich Cross's work on individualism in anarcho-punk, the article explains how democratic individuality both supports and cautions against collective action, using this tension to explain the anxiety around collective action in Crass's work. Using Kateb's framework, the article argues that positive punk gives a different – in the context, arguably corrective – emphasis to individual self-expression (positive individuality) and self-transcendence (impersonal individuality). Democratic individuality connects punk/post-punk to a history of argument over what it means to become an 'individual'; and, going forward, offers a helpful framework for punk/post-punk communities in approaching this value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional fireworks algorithm has slow convergence speed and low precision when solving large-scale discrete problems. Aiming at the characteristics of travelling salesman problem, this paper proposed a discrete fireworks algorithm with fixed radius nearest-neighbor search 3 -opt. It discretized and improved the proposed algorithm based on the basic fireworks algorithm, where adopted the integer coding path representation method to represent the solution of the travelling salesman problem, as well as designed the explosion operator and the Gauss mutation operator of the algorithm for discretization solution. To enhance local search ability of the algorithm, the algorithm proposed implements 3-opt local search to strengthen search ability of the algorithm, and introduced the fixed radius of neighbor search and don't-look-bits strategy to improve the efficiency of the algorithm. The experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm solves travelling salesman problem effectively . The discrete fireworks operator proposed is superior to the traditional fireworks operator in global convergence ability, convergence accuracy, solution time and stability . The average costs of the solutions of the algorithms for all benchmark instances probed have an overall deviation in only 0. 002% from those of the best known solutions, which is lower than those of all comparing algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As backscatter-based IoT applications get proliferated, how to exploit backscattered signals for efficient sensing becomes a significant issue. Backscatter-based sensing requires accurate estimation of a backscatter channel (phase and amplitude), which is distorted when multiple signals collide with each other. As a result, the state of the arts is limited to either parallel decoding of collided signal or channel estimation with clean signal. Motivated by the need of high sensing capacity, we in this article present Fireworks, the first approach for channel estimation of parallel backscattered signals. The insight of Fireworks is that although the channel is distorted due to collision, the movements of the ON-OFF Keying modulated signal still preserve the channel properties of the respective tags. By modeling the relationship between the channels and the signal’s moving trajectory in the IQ domain, one can make accurate estimation of the channels directly from the collision. We address practical problems of Fireworks, such as the high computing complexity and the compatibility with the commercial MAC protocol, and implement Fireworks. The results show that Fireworks is able to estimate the channels of up to five tags in parallel. When applied to the tracking application, Fireworks achieves 2 ~ 4 × improvement in the tracking accuracy, compared with the state-of-the-art approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firework displays produce large amounts of particulate matter (PM), contributing to poor air quality in local areas. Since short-term exposure to particulate matter correlates with increased mortality risks, these celebrations may impact both human health and the environment. Little is known about the particulate matter produced from recreational fireworks, as most studies have focused on professional large-scale events. In New Zealand, it is common for consumer fireworks to be ignited within residential areas during the Guy Fawkes celebration around 5 November. To better understand the contribution of individual fireworks on local air quality, ambient PM10 sampling was conducted in the 10 days surrounding Guy Fawkes Day in Auckland, New Zealand. These data were supplemented with measurements of firework emissions from 11 different individual products, including smoke bombs, sparklers, and Roman candles. Filter sampling results indicated that personal fireworks can contribute to ground level ambient air quality during celebrations, increasing ambient PM10 concentrations by 21.6 μg m−3 over a 12-h sampling period. The use of personal fireworks can expose consumers to PM10 concentrations much higher, up to 9.51 mg m−3 from individual sparkler use under worst-case scenario assumptions. The inhalation of sparkler emissions for just 8 min can lead to an exposure to PM10 mass greater than that from daily recommended limits (50 μg m−3 exposure over 24 h). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis indicated that potassium (K) and strontium (Sr) can be used as tracers for local firework use and that arsenic (As) may be an important contaminant during Guy Fawkes celebrations. The PM from personal fireworks contained large amounts of chlorine (Cl), which may be indicative of perchlorate oxidizers. In addition, lead (Pb) was observed in the PM generated from two of the colored sparklers, which were marketed as "safer" alternatives to more explosive firework products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of particulate matter (TSP, PM10, and PM2.5) emitted by pyrotechnic articles is described. For this purpose, pyrotechnic articles for entertainment purposes of category F2 (i. e. consumer fireworks according to European legislation) are examined exemplarily. The aim was to determine reliable emission factors (EF). Different types of pyrotechnic articles were used to obtain a more representative database. Commonly used analytical methods, like impactor technology, are accompanied by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy to obtain a better insight into the nature of the emissions. Specific emission factors are determined for each pyrotechnic article. In the absence of activity rates, an average specific emission factor can be used to assess emission inventories. The average emission factors for investigated articles are 253 g PM10 per kg net explosive content (NEC) and 200 g PM2.5 per kg NEC. The highest emission is found for a battery of shot tubes, the lowest emission of particulate matter is found for a fountain‐like pyrotechnic article. Furthermore, the hypothesis is assessed whether it makes a difference to determine emission data based on pyrotechnic mixtures or pyrotechnic articles. It is demonstrated that the combustion of pyrotechnic articles generates a higher amount of particulate matter than the combustion of pyrotechnic mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fireworks are often used to celebrate national, cultural or religious events. Despite strict regulations, fireworks are repeatedly causing accidents. The risk for injuries increases with the incautious use of pyrotechnic articles. This study analyzed injuries caused by fireworks with admittance to the Emergency Department of the University Hospital in Bern between 2013 and 2019. The results were compared with existing literature. Method: We conducted a retrospective study based on data from the Emergency Department of the University Hospital in Bern between January 1st 2013 and December 31st 2019. Among others, the following parameters were analyzed: gender, age, type of injury and therapy. Results: We were able to include 59 patients in our study. 81.4 % were men, the mean age was 31 years (range 16–73; SD = 11.3). In a majority of all cases (83.6 %) the ears, eyes and face were affected. Most injuries were monotraumatic, only 6.8 % of all patients suffered from injuries on multiple body regions. A total of nine patients had to be hospitalised due to serious injuries. Of these, one injury concerned the eyes, the remaining eight injuries concerned the hands. Only these eight patients required surgical treatment of their injuries. Conclusion: Fireworks are associated with a substantial risk for injuries, especially when used uncautiously. Our study showed that serious injuries mainly affect the hands. To prevent such injuries, systematic data collection on injuries caused by fireworks would be necessary, as many injured patients are hospitalised in smaller, peripheral hospitals or not at all. These data would allow for the development of more comprehensive and detailed prevention strategies that could prevent fireworks injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fireworks degrade air quality, reduce visibility, alter atmospheric chemistry, and cause short-term adverse health effects. However, there have not been any comprehensive physicochemical and optical measurements of fireworks and their associated impacts in a Southeast Asia megacity, where fireworks are a regular part of the culture. Size-resolved particulate matter (PM) measurements were made before, during, and after New Year 2019 at the Manila Observatory in Quezon City, Philippines, as part of the Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP 2 Ex). A high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) recorded a substantial increase in backscattered signal associated with high aerosol loading ∼440 m above the surface during the peak of firework activities around 00:00 (local time). This was accompanied by PM 2.5 concentrations peaking at 383.9 µ g m -3. During the firework event, water-soluble ions and elements, which affect particle formation, growth, and fate, were mostly in the submicrometer diameter range. Total (>0.056 µ m) water-soluble bulk particle mass concentrations were enriched by 5.7 times during the fireworks relative to the background (i.e., average of before and after the firework). The water-soluble mass fraction of PM 2.5 increased by 18.5 % above that of background values. This corresponded to increased volume fractions of inorganics which increased bulk particle hygroscopicity, kappa (κ), from 0.11 (background) to 0.18 (fireworks). Potassium and non-sea-salt (nss) SO 42- contributed the most (70.9 %) to the water-soluble mass, with their mass size distributions shifting from a smaller to a larger submicrometer mode during the firework event. On the other hand, mass size distributions for NO 3- , Cl - , and Mg 2+ (21.1 % mass contribution) shifted from a supermicrometer mode to a submicrometer mode. Being both uninfluenced by secondary aerosol formation and constituents of firework materials, a subset of species were identified as the best firework tracer species (Cu, Ba, Sr, K + , Al, and Pb). Although these species (excluding K +) only contributed 2.1 % of the total mass concentration of water-soluble ions and elements, they exhibited the highest enrichments (6.1 to 65.2) during the fireworks. Surface microscopy analysis confirmed the presence of potassium/chloride-rich cubic particles along with capsule-shaped particles in firework samples. The results of this study highlight how firework emissions change the physicochemical and optical properties of water-soluble particles (e.g., mass size distribution, composition, hygroscopicity, and aerosol backscatter), which subsequently alters the background aerosol's respirability, influence on surroundings, ability to uptake gases, and viability as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AutoDock is a widely used protein-ligand docking simulation platform which is a simulator to bring the field of computer-aided drug design (CADD) conveniences. The protein-ligand docking problem is of great significance to design more effective and ideal drugs. In order to solve the protein-ligand docking problem more effectively, we propose an improved fireworks algorithm called FWADOCK. FWADOCK utilizes the position updating information of fireworks with the best fitness value to determine the shape of the fireworks and the distribution of sparks. During the process of searching for the optimal solution, it is also considered that the diversity of understanding and how to avoid premature convergence of the algorithm. The proposed algorithm is tested on some benchmark test cases of protein-ligand docking problems and compared with some other related algorithms from different perspectives on the AutoDock platform. The results show that FWADOCK has a competitive performance in solving the protein-ligand docking problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current methods for testing blast pressures produced by fireworks are ad hoc and differ substantially from established methods for assessing injury risks from explosives. In this experimental study, pressure-versus-time waveforms were measured as a function of distance from the source for four consumer firecrackers and one consumer bottle rocket. Pressure-versus-time data were collected at 10 MHz using a piezoelectric blast pressure sensor at distances 75 mm, 150 mm, 225 mm, and 300 mm from the source. While large variations in peak pressure were observed, in some trials, peak blast pressures over 100 kPa were observed, which suggests a risk of primary blast injury. The results support analysis of pressure waves produced by consumer firecrackers using established methods to quantify blast waves and to evaluate the risk of primary blast injury by comparing peak pressure and positive pulse duration to injury thresholds for specific body systems. Similar methods can be applied to result in comparable measurements for other firework devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarises the development of chemical composition of European fireworks mixtures in the seventeenth, eighteenth and in the beginning of the nineteenth century. The attention is especially paid to individual colouring agents which were used to colour the flame of a fireworks mixture. For the colouring agents, physical-chemical principles responsible for the resulting colour of the flame were explained on the basis of the knowledge of modern chemistry and pyrotechnics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a shock wave propagating in a solid sample reflects from a free surface, geometrical effects predominantly governed by the roughness and defects of that surface may lead to the ejection of tiny jets that may breakup into high velocity, approximately micrometer-size fragments. This process referred to as microjetting is a major safety issue for engineering applications such as pyrotechnics or armour design. Thus, it has been widely studied both experimentally, under explosive and impact loading, and theoretically. In this paper, microjetting is investigated in the specific loading conditions associated to laser shocks: very short duration of pressure application, very high strain rates, small spatial scales. Material ejection from triangular grooves in the free surface of various metallic samples is studied by combining transverse optical shadowgraphy and time-resolved velocity measurements. The influences of the main parameters (groove angle, shock pressure, nature of the metal) on jet formation and ejection velocity are quantified, and the results are compared to theoretical estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to describe the three eyes of three patients with severe firework-related ocular injuries. The three eyes of three patients with firework injuries were studied. All patients were men aged 5, 11, and 31 years. All underwent a complete ocular examination, and two had surgical intervention. Two eyes received surgical treatment. One eye had evisceration, and the other eye had lens aspiration with a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Final visual acuity was no light perception, light perception, and 20/50. Ocular trauma from fireworks can cause a significant ocular morbidity, especially in children. Public health education on the hazards of fireworks is crucial to prevent a permanent visual loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many think of process safety incidents as loss of containment events in the chemical and refining industries. In this work, we note severe/catastrophic process safety incidents across a wide spectrum of 14 industries, including agriculture, food, fireworks, manufacturing, and mining. Eighty‐one incidents were reviewed, generally at least three per industry, as well as noteworthy historic incidents. We searched for global incidents of significance in terms of lives lost, damage, and environmental impact, focusing on incidents during this century with the availability of modern technology and practices. Data captured and analyzed per incident‐included region/location, on‐going operation, number of fatalities, damage, whether damage was confined to the plant, where available. Most of the incidents studied resulted in more than $1 million damage and many more than $1 billion. Most important, we sought the factors contributing to the incidents, in search of common ones per industry, and then those most prevalent across all 14 industries. The most common contributing factors are safety culture, emergency preparedness, and mechanical integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the fireworks algorithm (FWA) has attracted more and more attention due to its strong ability to solve optimization problems. However, the global performance of FWA is significantly affected by the explosion amplitude. In this paper, a dynamic fireworks algorithm with particle swarm optimization (DFWPSO) is developed to improve the global performance of FWA. In DFWPSO, a dynamic explosion amplitude mechanism based on the evolution speed of population, which is dynamically adjusted by evaluating the evolution speed of fitness in each iteration process, is designed to control the global and local searching information. Moreover, a new nonlinear minimal amplitude check strategy based on function decreasing is designed to obtain appropriate amplitude. Furthermore, a new firework updating mechanism based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is implemented to accelerate the convergence of algorithm and cut down on computing resources. In addition, the selection operator of FWA is abandoned and all fireworks are updated by velocity and current location in each iteration process. To verify the performance of the proposed DFWPSO algorithm, three groups of the benchmark functions are used and tested for experiments. Compared with other variants of FWA and PSO variants, results show that the proposed algorithm performs competitively and effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional module detection in protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is one important content of the proteomics research in the post-genomic era. Nowadays the swarm intelligence and evolutionary based approaches have become effective ways for detecting functional modules. This paper proposes a novel hybrid approach of fireworks algorithm and differential evolution strategies for functional module detection in PPI networks (called HFADE-FMD). HFADE-FMD first initializes each firework individual into a candidate functional module partition based on label propagation according to the topological and functional information between protein nodes. Then HFADE-FMD uses the explosion operator of firework algorithm, and mutation, crossover and selection strategies of differential evolution algorithm to iteratively search for better functional module partitions. To verify the performance of HFADE-FMD, this paper compared it with ten competitive methods on four public PPI datasets. The experimental results show that HFADE-FMD achieves prominent performance with respective to Recall, Sn, PPV, and ACC metrics while performing well in terms of Precision and F-measure metrics. Thus, it is able to more accurately detect functional modules and help biologists to find some novel biological insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the number of patients reported to a hospital with injuries from consumer fireworks in the months December–January in the past 10 years, and to describe the association between the type of fireworks, injury pattern, treatment, and permanent impairment. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, observational case series. Patients were selected from two hospitals in the Southwest Netherlands: a level 1 trauma center and a specialized burn center. All patients with any fireworks-related injuries treated between December 1 and January 31, during 2007 (December) to 2017 (January), were eligible for participation. The primary outcome was the number of patients with any type of injury caused by fireworks. The secondary outcome measures were patient and injury characteristics, treatment details, and whole person impairment (WPI). The percentage WPI expresses a patient's degree of permanent impairments as a result of fireworks-related injuries. Results: Of the 297 eligible patients, 272 patients were included. From 2007 to 2017, between 21 and 40 patients were treated, and no clear increase or decrease was observed in the number of patients and in the number of patients per type of fireworks. Explosive fireworks mainly caused upper extremity (N = 65; 68%) injuries, while rockets (N = 24; 41%) and aerials (N = 7; 41%) mainly affected the head/neck. Decorative fireworks predominantly resulted in burns (N = 82; 68%), and explosive fireworks in soft tissue lacerations (N = 24; 25%), fractures (N = 16; 17%), and amputations (N = 14; 15%). Patients injured by explosive and homemade fireworks were most often admitted to a hospital (respectively N = 24; 36% and N = 12; 80%), and resulted in the highest proportion undergoing surgical procedures (respectively N = 22; 33% and N = 7; 47%). WPI found in this study was between 0 to 95%, with a median of 0%. In 34 (14%) patients, the injuries resulted in a WPI of ≥1%, mostly as a result of explosive fireworks (N = 18; 53%). Conclusion: This study found no increase or decrease in the number of patients treated in two specialized hospitals. Explosive and homemade fireworks could be considered as most dangerous, as they result into the most hospital admissions, surgical procedures, and into the most injuries with permanent impairment as a result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the AutoCAD technique is applied to estimate the bubble shape, which originates from the underwater combustion of pyrotechnic mixtures. To validate the method two verifying techniques are used. First, the calculations according to mathematical formulas and the AutoCAD technique are compared with respect to the examples of the area and girth of the one yuan coin and the dodecagon. Second, the area and girth of the bubbles are calculated using the AutoCAD technique and the calculation method provided by the reference, respectively, and then the calculated results are also compared. The results of the comparison of the areas and girths show that they are all in good agreement with each other. Hence, the AutoCAD technique provides a new way for estimating the bubble shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fireworks are used for show and entertainment purposes during celebrations of special days in many countries. However, fireworks negatively affect human health in many ways, especially air pollution. After the explosion of the fireworks factory in Sakarya, this study investigated the changes in the air pollutants in the region. Methods: The firework factory exploded on 3 July 2020. This date was the determiner, and daily air quality data (particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 µm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitroxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3)) were collected 1 week before (26 June-2 July) and 1 week later (3-9 July). Air quality monitoring data were received from four air monitoring stations (Ozanlar, Merkez, Sakarya, and Hendek) in Sakarya. Results: Of the pre-explosion median, PM2.5 increased from 12.1 [12.9] to 18.2 [35.9] µg/m3 (50.4%), SO2 from 8.5 [2.8] to 12.1 [13.0] µg/m3 (42.4%) (p=0.010 and p=0.010, respectively). NOx decreased from 45.9 [29.1] to 42.1 [51.1], O3 increased from 21.6 [29.4] to 46.5 [33.8], CO from 1388.6 [209.2] to 1436.2 [93.4] (p=0.224, p=0.678 and p=0.225, respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests that the explosion of the fireworks factory led to short-term air pollution in the area. Thus, it may be appropriate to consider the potential health effects of air pollution in the studies to be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and materials used for large-caliber ammunition containers significantly effect on its shelf-life, safety and functional reliability during the handling and storage process. All ammunition containers should protect the ammunition in the required operating environment during extreme weather conditions, in terms of water resistance and protection from corrosion and fungi, and ammunition inside of the container needs to withstand all shocks caused during handling and transport. There are significant differences in the design, construction and materials used for the containers of NATO concept and ammunition containers of Eastern concept. The basic differences between these two concepts are reflected in the degree of protection of ammunition during extreme changes in temperature and relative humidity in ammunition storage and inside of containers. The NATO concept of ammunition container is consisted of outer and inner lining, where outer lining is usually made of wood or steel sheet. The inner lining protects the contents from the influence of environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity). The Eastern concept of a large-caliber ammunition containers usually does not have an inner lining. The aim of the experimental research carried out in four different containers, was to identify and analyze the degree of variations in temperature and relative humidity in ammunition containers of NATO and Eastern concept during the storage, depending on the change of seasons. Using a Tiny tag Plus TGIS-1580 data logger, the changes in temperature and relative humidity were measured, inside and outside of ammunition magazine, inside the ammo box and inside of fiber container. Experimental research showed large influence of the design of outer and inner lining of ammunition containers on the variation of environmental parameters. Since the ammunition is expensive and tends to have a longer shelf life, it is necessary to implement NATO concept of ammunition containers on ammunition packaging of the Eastern concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]