磁共振AIR-魔毯线圈在胸椎结核扫描中的应用价值

目的探讨联合应用AIR-魔毯线圈磁共振成像(MRI)对胸椎结核扫描图像信噪比(signal to noise ratio,SNR)、对比噪声比(contrast to noise ratio,CNR)和脂肪抑制成像效果的价值。方法选取我院80例经手术病理证实为胸椎结核患者,按1:1随机分为两组,应用常规线圈(脊柱相控阵线圈,头颈联合线圈)、常规线圈联合AIR魔毯线圈对两组患者分别进行扫描。扫描序列包括胸椎矢状位T_(2)WI,T_(1)WI,T_(2)FLEX,进一步测量、比较SNR,CNR及脂肪抑制效果,分析MRI多序列诊断胸腰椎结核的准确率、特异度和灵敏度。结果常规线圈联合AIR-魔毯线圈扫描组,胸椎矢状位图像的SNR、CNR及压脂效果优于常规线圈组。结论联合应用AIR-魔毯线圈的图像SNR、CNR得到提高,脂肪抑制效果稳定良好。

具有时滞效应的air2stream河流水温模型及应用研究

高精度河流水温模型对于深入了解水温的时空变化特征和河流生态修复具有重要意义。基于数据驱动的air2stream模型在保证预测精度的同时,避免了计算的复杂性,已成为河流水温模拟常用的模型。由于水的热惯性及水文条件等的影响,河流水温变化往往显著滞后于气温变化,而air2stream原模型并未考虑滞后效应,导致该模型在流量未知情况下实际精度偏低。为解决该问题,采用气温-水温皮尔逊相关系数计算时滞天数,构建具有时滞的air2stream新模型,进一步根据长江中下游地区两个监测站的多年实测数据验证新模型的有效性和稳定性。结果表明:新模型在不引进额外观测数据的条件下具有更高精度且性能更稳定。相比原模型,在两个监测站新模型的均方根误差分别降低约4.29%和5.85%。新模型具有精度高、水文要素需求少的特点,可为长江中下游的水环境影响评价和生态保护提供依据。

基于AirTOp的终端区扇区负荷校准方法研究

管制员工作负荷的评估是扇区运行的一个重要论题,它对提高机场终端区容量值,进而增加航班量和经济收益具有重要意义。结合北京终端区的管制员实际工作负荷评估和校准工作,提出了一种基于AirTOp仿真软件的终端区进近扇区负荷校准的新思路和方法。通过对比同等运行环境下的实际管制负荷与仿真输出,校准管制负荷权重设置,获得一个可用于仿真管制员负荷评估的负荷权值汇总表,使用交叉验证方法将校准后的权值作为输入进行面向扇区的计算机仿真。结果显示仿真负荷与实际负荷偏差值小于±2,证明该校准方法可以适用于对复杂终端区扇区负荷的评估。

基于级联角度的AIRS辅助大规模MIMO系统波束跟踪方案

智能反射表面(intelligent reflecting surface,IRS)可以通过提供额外的视线(line of sight,LoS)路径补偿传播损耗或解决阻塞问题,有效地提高毫米波(millimeter wave,mmWave)通信系统的性能,被认为是下一代移动通信的核心技术。与传统的地面IRS相比,部署在无人机、热气球等空中平台上的空中IRS(aerial IRS,AIRS)结合了空中平台的高移动特性/旋转特性和IRS提供的优质链路特性,可以提供更广阔的信号覆盖范围。考虑到现实场景中用户的移动性,通信系统有必要实时调整波束成形以使波束对准移动用户。然而,AIRS不具备有源射频链,难以在AIRS处获取离开角和到达角,增加了波束跟踪的复杂性。针对这一问题,建立了具有时变信道的AIRS辅助mmWave大规模多输入多输出(multiple input multiple output,MIMO)系统模型,结合基站端有源波束成形、AIRS的旋转角度和无源波束成形设计,提出了一种基于级联角度的无迹卡尔曼滤波波束跟踪方案。仿真结果表明,提出的方案具有较高的跟踪精度,同时AIRS的旋转特性对提升系统可达速率起着重要作用。

Effect of different cold air intensities and their lagged effects on outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses in Handan in different seasons

本文利用2016年到2019年邯郸市气象要素和呼吸系统疾病门诊数据,分析了不同季节不同强度的冷空气过程及其对呼吸系统疾病的影响,结果显示:尽管呼吸系统疾病在冬季高发,夏季最低,但冷空气对呼吸系统疾病的影响在夏,春季最大,就诊人数分别在冷空气日后两天和五天增加18.4%和13.3%,而冬季就诊人数在冷空气日后三天仅增加3.2%.冷空气对疾病影响的滞后时间在夏,秋和冬季随冷空气强度的增加而减少,而春季的滞后时间总是很长.这些发现可为科学应对气候异常导致的人群健康风险提供针对性依据.

基于Aqua卫星AIRS数据的南大洋大气逆温和逆湿特性研究

南大洋大气普遍存在着逆温和逆湿现象,其分布和变化对海-冰-气之间的物质和通量交换具有重要影响。利用Aqua卫星上搭载的大气红外探测器(AIRS)观测数据,提取了南大洋大气的逆温和逆湿特性,并研究了其时空分布与变化特征。此外,以全球无线电探空数据集的探测结果为参考值,分析了AIRS在进行大气逆温和逆湿探测过程中受到云量影响的特征。结果表明,AIRS估计的逆温特性受云量的影响较小,在多云条件下AIRS也可精确地估计逆温特性。利用AIRS最新的第7版(V7)数据产品对2004-2020年南大洋大气逆温和逆湿的频率(强度)进行研究,发现秋冬季比春夏季高(强),在龙尼冰架、罗斯冰架和南极半岛附近的海域的大气出现逆温和逆湿现象较其他区域更频繁,且强度更强。

Decadal prediction skill for Eurasian surface air temperature in CMIP6 models

评估CMIP6年代际预测试验对季节平均SAT的预测技巧的结果表明:模式不能有效预测冬季和秋季SAT的年代际变率.IPSL-CM6A-LR和多模式集合平均对于春季SAT展现了预测技巧,其中对于变率的预测技巧好于振幅的结果.基于蒙古和我国华北地区的显著预测技巧,模式对于夏季SAT表现出最佳的预测水平.与外部强迫相比,模式对于SAT的预测技巧可能来自初始化.模式中的一个明显系统性误差值得注意,即模式中冬季SAT的变率可以持续到其他季节,而在观测中其他季节的SAT变化与冬季SAT相对独立.

Mapping Air Quality Using Remote Sensing Technology: A Case Study of Nairobi County

Nairobi County experiences rapid industrialization and urbanization that contributes to the deteriorating state of air quality, posing a potential health risk to its growing population. Currently, in Nairobi County, most air quality monitoring stations use low-cost, inaccurate monitors prone to defects. The study’s objective was to map Nairobi County’s air quality using freely available remotely sensed imagery. The Air Pollution Index (API) formula was used to characterize the air quality from cloud-free Landsat satellite images i.e., Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Landsat 8 OLI from Google Earth Engine. The API values were computed based on vegetation indices namely NDVI, TVI, DVI, and the SWIR1 and NIR bands on the QGIS platform. Qualitative accuracy assessment was done using sample points drawn from residential, industrial, green spaces, and traffic hotspot categories, based on a passive-random sampling technique. In this study, Landsat 5 API imagery for 2010 provided a reliable representation of local conditions but indicated significant pollution in green spaces, with recorded values ranging from -143 to 334. The study found that Landsat 7 API imagery in 2002 showed expected results with the range of values being -55 to 287, while Landsat 8 indicated high pollution levels in Nairobi. The results emphasized the importance of air quality factors in API calibration and the unmatched spatial coverage of satellite observations over ground-based monitoring techniques. The study recommends the recalibration of the API formula for characteristic regions, exploring newer satellite sensors like those onboard Landsat 9 and Sentinel 2, and involving key stakeholders in a discourse to develop a suitable Kenyan air quality index.

Air Quality Assessment of Ubeji Community near Petroleum-Related Activities

The escalating global concern over air pollution requires rigorous investigations. This study assesses air quality near residential areas affected by petroleum-related activities in Ubeji Community, utilizing Aeroqual handheld mobile multi-gas monitors and air quality multi-meters. Air sampling occurred on three distinct days using multi-gas monitors and meters, covering parameters such as CO, NO2, CH4, NH3, VOCs, Particulate Matter, Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Air Quality Index. Soil and plant samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical and organic components. Air pollutant concentrations showed significant fluctuations. Carbon monoxide (CO) ranged from 0.00 to 3.22 ppm, NO2 from 0.00 to 0.10 ppm, CH4 from 4.00 to 2083 ppm, NH3 from 371 to 5086 ppm, and VOCs from 414 to 6135 ppm. Soil analysis revealed low total nitrogen, and undetected BTEX levels. Plant samples displayed a pH range of 7.72 to 9.45. CO concentrations, although below WHO limits, indicated potential vehicular and industrial influences. Fluctuations in NO2 and CH4 were linked to traffic, industrial activities, and gas flaring. NH3 levels suggested diverse pollution sources. The result in this study highlights the dynamic nature of air pollution in Ubeji community, emphasizing the urgent need for effective pollution control measures. Although CO concentrations were within limits, continuous monitoring is essential. Elevated NO2 levels gave information on the impact of industrial activities, while high CH4 concentrations may be associated with gas flaring and illegal refining. The study recommends comprehensive measures and collaborative efforts to address these complex issues, safeguarding both the environment and public health. This study shows the potential synergy between air quality sensors and plants for holistic environmental health assessments, offering valuable insights for environmental assessments and remediation endeavours. The findings call for stringent regulations and collaborative efforts to address air pollution in Ubeji community comprehensively.

Response of Rice Cultivars to Elevated Air Temperature and Soil Amendments: Implications towards Climate Change Adaptations and Mitigating Global Warming Potentials

Global mean surface air temperature is expected to increase 1.1˚C - 6.4˚C by the end of 21st century which may affect rice productivity and methane emissions in the future climate. This experiment was conducted to investigate the response of rice cultivars to elevated air temperature (+1.5˚C higher than ambient) and soil amendments in regards to rice yield, yield scaled methane emissions and global warming potentials. The experimental findings revealed that replacement of inorganic fertilizers (20% - 40% of recommended NPKS) with Vermicompost, Azolla biofertilizer, enriched sugarcane pressmud, rice husk biochar and silicate fertilization increased rice yield 13.0% - 23.0%, and 11.0% - 19.0% during wet aman and dry boro season, respectively. However, seasonal cumulative CH4 fluxes were decreased by 9.0% - 25.0% and 5.0% - 19.0% during rainfed wet aman and irrigated dry boro rice cultivation, respectively with selected soil amendments. The maximum reduction in seasonal cumulative CH4 flux (19.0% - 25.0%) was recorded with silicate fertilization and azolla biofertilizer amendments (9.0% - 13.0%), whereas maximum grain yield increment 10.0 % - 14.0% was found with Vermicompost and Sugarcane pressmud amendments compared to chemical fertilization (100% NPKS) treated soils at ambient air temperature. However, rice grain yield decreased drastically 43.0% - 50.0% at elevated air temperature (3˚C higher than ambient air temperature), eventhough accelerated the total cumulative CH4 flux as well as GWPs in all treatments. Maximum seasonal mean GWPs were calculated at 391.0 kg CO2 eq·ha−1 in rice husk biochar followed by sugarcane pressmud (mean GWP 387.0 kg CO2 eq·ha−1), while least GWPs were calculated at 285 - 305 kg CO2 eq·ha−1 with silicate fertilizer and Azolla biofertilizer amendments. Rice cultivar BRRI dhan 87 revealed comparatively higher seasonal cumulative CH4 fluxes, yield scaled CH4 flux and GWPs than BRRI dhan 71 during wet aman rice growing season;while BRRI dhan 89 showed higher cumulative CH4 flux and GWPs than BINA dhan 10 during irrigated boro rice cultivation. Conclusively, inorganic fertilizers may be partially (20% - 40% of the recommended NPKS) replaced with Vermicompost, azolla biofertilizer, silicate fertilizer and enriched sugarcane pressmud compost for sustainable rice production and decreasing GWPs under elevated air temperature condition.

A Comparison of Airborne Formaldehyde Field Measurements Collected in an Anatomic Pathology Laboratory

Environmental monitoring of airborne formaldehyde (FA) using sensitive methodologies is fundamental to prevent health risks. The objective of this study was to compare three different FA monitoring methods during the daily activities of an anatomic pathology laboratory. Daily eight-hour measurements deriving from Radiello® passive diffusive samplers (PDS), NEMo XT continuous optical sensor (COS), and multi-gas 1512 photoacoustic monitor (MPM) were simultaneously compared over a period of 14 working days. Given the different daily distributions of the measurements performed by the three devices, all measurements were time-aligned for comparison purposes. The 95% limit of agreement (LOA) method was applied to estimate the degree of concordance of each device with respect to the others. Formaldehyde arithmetic mean measured using PDS was 32.6 ± 10.4 ppb (range: 19.8 - 62.7). The simultaneous measures performed by COS and MPM were respectively 42.4 ± 44.8 ppb (range: 7.0 - 175.0) and 189.0 ± 163.7 ppb (range: 40.0 - 2895.4). The MPM geometric mean (171.3 ppb) was approximately five times higher than those derived from COS (32.3 ppb) and PDS (31.4 ppb). The results of the LOA method applied to log-transformed FA data showed the same systematic discrepancies between MPM and the other two devices. A good agreement between PDS and COS could lead to a tailored approach according to the individual specificity of these techniques. This tool may be useful for accurately assessing the risk of FA exposure among healthcare workers. However, the limited specificity of the MPM does not support its use as a monitoring method for FA in the workplace.

The Design of an Air Rower That Can Purify Indoor Air

To solve the problem that utilizing an air rower lowers indoor air quality due to the dust stirred up in the course of rowing, an air rower is designed to have the extra function of air purifying. The designed rower is composed of six parts, which are the frame, air generator, transmission part, air purifying filter cartridge, performance monitor, and electric motor. To fulfill the task, the filter cartridge is vertically arranged to lead the air to enter from the lower part and vent out of the upper part to filter and purify the air before it enters the generator so as that the indoor air is well circulated to improve the air purification effect when the rower is utilizing. The modular detachable design allows the air filter and electric motor to be installed and disassembled to adapt to different air purification needs. The designed rower has the benefit of lower purchasing cost and energy saving that may motivate exercising, bringing more fun and the sense of accomplishment.

Mathematical Modelling and Design of Helical Coil Heat Exchanger for Production of Hot Air for Fluidized Bed Dryer

In global industrialization, efforts have been made to increase the rate of heat transfer in heat exchanger, minimizing the size of heat exchanger to reduce cost as well as increasing the effectiveness. Helical coil heat exchanger (HCHE) has been proven to be effective in improving heat transfer due to its large surface area. In this study, HCHE was designed to provide hot air needed for fluidized bed drying processes. The HCHE design model was fabricated and evaluated to study the efficiency of the hot air output for a laboratory fluidized bed dryer. The mathematical model for estimation of the final (output) temperature of air, Taf, passing through the HCHE was developed and validated experimentally. The drying of bitter kola particulates was carried out with a drying temperature of 50C 3C and a bed height-to-bed diameter ratio (H/D) of 1.5. The time taken to dry bitter kola particulates to 0.4% moisture content was 1 hour 45 minutes. Hence, HCHE is recommended for use in the production of hot for laboratory-scale fluidized bed dryers.

C_(4)F_(7)N-air混合气体在稍不均匀和极不均匀电场中的工频绝缘特性分析

近年来,作为SF_(6)有效替代气体之一,七氟异丁腈(C_(4)F_(7)N)因其优异的电气性能和物化特性而受到关注与讨论,然而由于C_(4)F_(7)N的液化温度较高,需要与低液化温度的缓冲气体并用。选择空气作为缓冲气体,在稍不均匀电场与极不均匀电场下,通过工频击穿实验研究气压、混合占比和电极间隙对C_(4)F_(7)N-air混合气体工频击穿电压的影响。结果发现:C_(4)F_(7)N-air混合气体在两个电场下的工频击穿电压随着电极间隙的增大而近似线性增加,在极不均匀电场下,出现明显“驼峰”效应,混合比为8%~16%的C_(4)F_(7)N-air混合气体工频击穿电压可达到同条件下SF_(6)的67%~86%。在稍不均匀电场下,8%C_(4)F_(7)N/92%air混合气体的绝缘强度约为同条件下SF_(6)的0.8倍。混合比为12%~16%的C_(4)F_(7)N-air混合气体具备与SF_(6)相等的工频绝缘强度。总结:与SF_(6)对比,C_(4)F_(7)N占比为8%~16%的C_(4)F_(7)N-air混合气体具备替代SF_(6)气体的潜力。

基于Airpak的幼儿园生活单元空气质量模拟分析

通过对幼儿园生活单元建立物理数学模型,基于Airpak模拟分析了排风量、新风量、新风口位置以及室外风速对室内空气品质的影响。结果表明,门窗关闭的室内,仅设置排风并不能有效降低室内CO_(2)平均浓度;引入新风对降低室内CO_(2)平均浓度效果显著;新风口距离人员越近,并非越有利于降低室内CO_(2)平均浓度;过渡季节,开启门窗室内CO_(2)平均浓度水平明显降低。

Evaluation of Air-Kerma and Absorbed Dose to Water for External Radiotherapy Beam Using Ionization Chamber

Radiotherapy is the most widely applied oncologic treatment modality utilizing ionizing radiation. A high degree of accuracy, reliability and reproducibility is required for a successful treatment outcome. Measurement using ionization chamber is a prerequisite for absorbed dose determination for external beam radiotherapy. Calibration coefficient is expressed in terms of air kerma and absorbed dose to water traceable to Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory. The objective of this work was to evaluate the level of accuracy of ionization chamber used for clinical radiotherapy beam determination. Measurement and accuracy determination were carried out according to IAEA TRS 398 protocol. Clinical farmers type ionization chamber measurement and National Reference standard from Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory were both exposed to cobalt-60 beam and measurement results compared under the same environmental conditions. The accuracy level between National Reference Standard and clinical radiotherapy standard was found to be −1.92% and −2.02% for air kerma and absorbed dose to water respectively. To minimize the effect of error and maximize therapeutic dose during treatment in order to achieve required clinical outcome, calibration factor was determined for air kerma (Nk) as 49.7 mGy/nC and absorbed dose to water ND, as 52.9 mGy/nC. The study established that radiotherapy beam measurement chain is prone to errors. Hence there is a need to independently verify the accuracy of radiation dose to ensure precision of dose delivery. The errors must be accounted for during clinical planning by factoring in calibration factor to minimize the systematic errors during treatment, and thereby providing enough room to achieve ±5% dose delivery to tumor target as recommended by ICRU.

An Analysis of Specific Categories of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities for Children of Participants of the Air Force Health Study

Background: The Air Force Health Study collected reproductive outcomes for live-born children of male Air Force veterans of the Vietnam War. Methods: Dioxin values for participants were obtained from blood samples. Analyses were conducted of occurrence of 16 specific categories of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Children were categorized as conceived before and after the start of participants’ Vietnam War service. Children conceived before the start of Vietnam War service were treated as being conceived when their fathers had unquantifiable dioxin values. Children conceived after the start of Vietnam War service for participants with missing dioxin values were excluded from primary analyses, but were used to assess the impact of their exclusion on conclusions. Correlation between values for specific categories for multiple children fathered by the same participant was accounted for. The dose-response relationship was treated as a step function increasing for dioxin values larger than adaptively identified individual thresholds changing with the specific category. Results: For 15 of 16 specific categories, the probability of occurrence increased substantially for a sufficiently high dioxin level above identified thresholds. Exclusion of children due to missing dioxin likely did not affect these results. Conclusions: Results supported the conclusion of substantial adverse effects on a wide variety of specific categories of birth defects and developmental disabilities due to sufficiently high exposures to dioxin, a toxic contaminant of Agent Orange used for herbicide spraying in the Vietnam War. Results may hold more generally, but might also have been affected by a variety of limitations.

Atmospheric Pollutants in a Commercial Region of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil: Integration of Health, Environment and Economy in Urban Planning to Improve Air Quality

The accelerated growth of the vehicular fleet, the modernization of large urban centers, and the few adjustments to the road network in Fortaleza have intensified the problems of traffic and emissions of atmospheric pollutants, highlighting the necessity for strategic urban planning initiatives to address the escalating issues of traffic and pollution. With the objective of analyzing the indices of concentrations of atmospheric pollutants and estimating how these levels can affect human health, this work consists of a study of the analysis of air quality in the intense trade region of Fortaleza. For this, the analysis zone was divided into three perimeters (Major - Medium - Minor), where each perimeter was analyzed at 7 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. Concentrations of the type of O3, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), CO2 and HCHO were collected. Our results demonstrate that most of the analyses are within the limits of current legislation;however, at certain times and perimeters, the analyses of CO2 and HCHO exceeded the established limits. In view of the above, we conclude that public policies to control air quality are necessary to reduce the damage to human health and the environment caused by pollutants.

Open-Air Quarries in the Urban Commune of Zinder (South-East Niger): An Opportunity with Strong Externalities

The framing of this theme would contribute to a better analysis of the benefits of open-air quarrying in Zinder, and should make it possible to understand and measure the socio-environmental externalities of this type of activity in an urban environment. The approach method consisted of carrying out surveys combined with field observations and interviews with the various stakeholders as well as the local population. The results obtained made it possible to identify both positive and negative impacts. The positive impacts are above all the advantages derived from these aggregate quarries, in particular, the creation of direct and permanent jobs and the increase in community income. The price of piling up a truck costs around 28,000 CFA ($56 CAN) and that of loading is around 10,000 F CFA ($20 CAN). This has the effect of removing young people (20 - 39 years old) from the circuit of migration outside the region and even the country. The possibility of using the extraction sites by the local population was identified, in terms of profits relating to fish farming, off-season crops, animal drinking and reclaimed plots. The study also noted negative externalities, such as the temptation of young boys to become involved in extractive activities for immediate gains at the expense of school attendance. Added to this is the upheaval in the topography of the urban landscape, pollution and nuisances (noise, visual and olfactory), while the disappearance or clogging of quarry ponds is the cause of frequent flooding in the neighborhoods. In short, corrective measures (e.g. the revegetation of sites) certainly make it possible to minimize the harmful impacts on the urban environment. But, to improve the performance and organizational capacity of the quarrying industry in Niger, even stronger regulation, training and awareness of stakeholders prove to be the necessary measures.

Urban Surroundings Influence on Air Temperature in a Small Urban Area of Curitiba-Brazil

The formation of urban climates constitutes a distinctive system intrinsically linked to the urban environment. This study aims to delve into the impact of the urban environment on climatic variables. The Urban Weather Generator (UWG) algorithm was employed to generate climatic data, facilitating the creation of an epw climate file that corresponds to the urban characteristics surrounding the Centro Politécnico campus at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Comprehensive analyses encompassing land use, occupancy patterns, albedo, surface absorption, anthropogenic heat, and architectural attributes were conducted. A comparative assessment between the UWG-derived air temperature values and meteorological station data revealed that the UWG effectively characterizes the air temperature patterns around the UFPR campus. The anticipated air temperature values consistently surpass the original dataset (SWERA), which was utilized as input, primarily during the hours from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m., showcasing the unmistakable urban heat island phenomenon.