Construction and Application of Knowledge Graph for Quality and Safety Supervision of Transportation Engineering

Knowledge graph technology play a more and more important role in various fields of industry and academia.This paper firstly introduces the general framework of the knowledge graph construction,which includes three stages:information extraction,knowledge fusion and knowledge processing.In order to improve the efficiency of quality and safety supervision of transportation engineering construction,this paper constructs a knowledge graph by acquiring multi-sources heterogeneous data from supervision of transportation engineering quality and safety.It employs a bottom-up construction strategy and some natural language processing methods to solve the problems of the knowledge extraction for transportation engineering construction.We use the entity relation extraction method to extract the entity triples from the multi-sources heterogeneous data,and then employ knowledge inference to complete the edges in the constructed knowledge graph,finally perform quality evaluation to add the valid triples to the knowledge graph for updating.Subgraph matching technology is also exploited to retrieve the constructed knowledge graph for efficiently acquiring the useful knowledge about the quality and safety of transportation engineering projects.The results show that the constructed knowledge graph provides a practical and valuable tool for the quality and safety supervision of transportation engineering construction.

Targeted mutagenesis of amino acid transporter genes for rice quality improvement using the CRISPR/Cas9 system

High grain protein content(GPC) reduces rice eating and cooking quality(ECQ). We generated OsAAP6 and OsAAP10 knockout mutants in three high-yielding japonica varieties and one japonica line using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Mutation efficiency varied with genetic background in the T_0 generation, and GPC in the T_1 generation decreased significantly,owing mainly to a reduction in glutelin content. Amylose content was down-regulated significantly in some Osaap6 and all Osaap10 mutants. The increased taste value of these mutants was supported by Rapid Visco Analysis(RVA) profiles, which showed higher peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity and lower setback viscosity than the wild type. There were no significant deficiencies in agronomic traits of the mutants. Targeted mutagenesis of OsAAP6 and OsAAP10, especially OsAAP10, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system can rapidly reduce GPC and improve ECQ of rice, providing a new strategy for the breeding cultivars with desired ECQ.

Decreased eggshell strength caused by impairment of uterine calcium transport coincide with higher bone minerals and quality in aged laying hens

Background Deteriorations in eggshell and bone quality are major challenges in aged laying hens.This study compared the differences of eggshell quality,bone parameters and their correlations as well as uterine physiologi-cal characteristics and the bone remodeling processes of hens laying eggs of different eggshell breaking strength to explore the mechanism of eggshell and bone quality reduction and their interaction.A total of 24074-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were selected and allocated to a high(HBS,44.83±1.31 N)or low(LBS,24.43±0.57 N)eggshell breaking strength group.Results A decreased thickness,weight and weight ratio of eggshells were observed in the LBS,accompanied with ultrastructural deterioration and total Ca reduction.Bone quality was negatively correlated with eggshell quality,marked with enhanced structures and increased components in the LBS.In the LBS,the mammillary knobs and effective layer grew slowly.At the initiation stage of eggshell calcification,a total of 130 differentially expressed genes(DEGs,122 upregulated and 8 downregulated)were identified in the uterus of hens in the LBS relative to those in the HBS.These DEGs were relevant to apoptosis due to the cellular Ca overload.Higher values of p62 protein level,caspase-8 activity,Bax protein expression and lower values of Bcl protein expression and Bcl/Bax ratio were seen in the LBS.TUNEL assay and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed a significant increase in TUNEL-positive cells and tissue damages in the uterus of the LBS.Although few DEGs were identified at the growth stage,similar uterine tissue damages were also observed in the LBS.The expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteocal-cin were upregulated in humeri of the LBS.Enlarged diameter and more structural damages of endocortical bones and decreased ash were observed in femurs of the HBS.Conclusion The lower eggshell breaking strength may be attributed to a declined Ca transport due to uterine tissue damages,which could affect eggshell calcification and lead to a weak ultrastructure.Impaired uterine Ca transport may result in reduced femoral bone resorption and increased humeral bone formation to maintain a higher mineral and bone quality in the LBS.

Dependability in Future Battle Network System —Transport Layer Ability to Maintain Quality of Service

Modernization of armies is a constant process and is driven by intuitive fact that those who do not modernize will become extinct. In last five decades, the development of modern armies has taken place around Colonel John Boyd’s theory of OODA loop that deals with information superiority. Building a robust, mobile and capable network that could provide for novel appliances and information superiority is the main challenge which modernizers are facing. Network, suitable for future combat operations, and able to transport a vast amount of information on a battlefield, is expensive to build. Every mistake in design and the need to correct those mistakes could halt development in an army for years. Therefore, system dependability analysis during system design phase is needed. In this report, the concept of a future Battle Network System is described. The Report evaluates operational environment of BNS and possible failure reasons of the service, and illustrates the change in BNS Quality of Service due to probable transport layer errors. This paper describes the method of testing the concept of proposed network systems on the drawing board, and emphasizes design points for a new system. Nevertheless, the proposed method is by no means conclusive. Rather, it describes an engineering approach to define the main problems while creating MANET-based networking systems.

Effects of lairage after transport on post mortem muscle glycolysis, protein phosphorylation and lamb meat quality

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of lairage after transport on post mortem muscle glycolysis,protein phosphorylation and lamb meat quality.Two preslaughter animal treatments,transport for 3 h and lairage for 0 h（T3L0）and transport for 3 h and then lairage for 12 h（T3L12）,were compared with a control treatment of 0 h transport and 0 h lairage.Data obtained showed that preslaughter transport had a significant effect on lamb meat quality.Loins from lambs of the T3L0 treatment showed higher（P=0.026）pH24 h and higher（P=0.021）pH48 h values,but lower（P〈0.001）drip loss and lower（P〈0.05）glycolytic potential at 0 h post mortem than those of the T3L12 and control groups.Muscle samples of the T3L0 group showed higher（P=0.046）shear force and lower（P=0.005）b＊ value than those of the T3L12 group.Muscle glycogen concentration at 0,2,4 h post mortem were lower（P〈0.05）in the T3L0 group than in control.No significant difference（P〉0.05）in most meat quality parameters was determined between the T3L12 group and control,showing lairage for 12 h allowed lambs to recover from the effects of transport for 3 h and resulted in similar meat quality characteristics compared to no transport.Lairage after transport did not affect most meat quality indices in comparison with control,but increased the meat drip loss and b＊value of lambs possibly through decreasing glycogen concentration and glycolytic potential.

SERVQUAL Model Based Evaluation Analysis of Railway Passenger Transport Service Quality in China

Railway is the backbone of Chinese transportation system,but its poor quality of services for passengers cause complains now and then.This study first analyzed the influencing factors of service quality on railway passenger,and its quality characteristics was also explained,and finally we proposed an evaluation system of service quality on railway passenger transport.Through the statistical analysis and processing of the basic information from survey data from railway station,trains and the official website of the ticket purchase,the evaluation score of question naire was converted into the score in evaluation index system,which was based on SERVQUAL model.Finally,the evaluation index system was applied to the field test,and all levels of indicators and the overall evaluation of railway passenger transport service quality was obtained.The relevant results show that the evaluation model of this study is concise and practical,and the method has certain practicability and promotion value,which is beneficial to the department of management supervision in railway transportation.

Assessment of Beef Transportation Infrastructure from Slaughtering Facilities in Tanzanian Cities

This study presents the assessment of beef transportation infrastructure from slaughtering facilities in Tanzanian cities to the retail premises. The quality of beef consumed in many countries is questionable due to poor infrastructural development which may results into contamination and bacteriological infection. This study was carried out in Mbeya and Dar es Salaam where data was collected at the dispatch areas of 3 and 6 slaughtering facilities, respectively. At each slaughter facility, 10 vehicles selected randomly, were assessed. The assessment of beef distribution infrastructure was conducted based on 18 quality impacting factors established from the actual observation and literature review and conceptualized carcass distribution model. With exception to water tightness, painting and engine status during carcass loading, all the assessed beef quality impacting parameters were below 50%, indicating that beef distribution in the surveyed facilities were below the specification of food quality. Generally, the assessment of beef transporting facilities in connection to the first hypothesis of this study, indicted very weak compliance with the requirements, signifying that the vehicles are not acceptable for carcass transportation.

Fuzzy Analysis and Evaluation of Public Transport Service Quality: A Case Study of Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Urban public transport plays a critical role in stimulating economic development of any nation since most of the revenues come from cities. The majority of the city dwellers of any country use public transport. The evaluation of public transport service quality provides a valuable feedback to commuter operators to ensure continuous improvement of level of service and to the government to take appropriate measures for enhancing the quality of public transport service. This paper analyses and evaluates service quality of Road Public Transport (RPT) (i.e. minibuses and buses) and Urban Rail Transport (URT) in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania. Since service quality and its attributes are intangible and vague, a fuzzy evaluation model is developed and applied. The formulated model is composed of Fuzzy Entropy Method (FEM) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The overall evaluation procedure is as follows: initially, an intensive literature search and experts’ opinions are employed to establish criteria for evaluating the service quality of public transport in Dar es Salaam City. The developed FEM is used to obtain criteria weight. Lastly, the formulated TOPSIS is used to provide an overall ranking of urban public transport service quality. The overall evaluation shows that urban rail transport outperforms road public transport in terms of service quality. Nevertheless, the urban rail transport service in Dar es Salaam City is currently not well developed as it is provided on very limited routes. Thus, the Tanzania government, the rail transport operator i.e. Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) and the agency responsible for the provision of rail infrastructure i.e. Reli Assets Holding Company (RAHCO) are advised to design and employ Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) schemes i.e. concession contracts to invest more in rolling stocks, locomotives and rail wagons so that the rail transport service is available on many routes of the road public transport to bring fair competition between the two operators.

Road transport and urban air quality in China

This paper takes a comprehensive view at transportationrelated air pollution problems and solution options. While the transport infrastructure in major Chinese cities is briefed, the environmental impacts of transport activities on urban air quality are discussed in detail. Not only the contribution of automotive emissions to the CO, NMHC and NO\-x pollution in urban areas is reviewed, but also concerns over the carcinogenic emissions, lead deposition and noise are presented. From a lifecycle view point, the impacts of motorway construction, as well as those from scrapped cars, car batteries and old tires in China have been taken into account. In the second part of this paper, the current technical efforts to curb vehicular emissions are evaluated. The performances of unleaded petrol, domestic catalytic converters, and fuel injection systems have been assessed. Options of cleaner alternative fuels and “green” vehicles are discussed, with both the life-cycle impacts and economic feasibility emphasized. Policy and management aspects for effective pollution control are tackled. In particular, speculations about potential economic incentives and legislative measures for vehicular pollution control are presented.

Enhancing Groundwater Quality through Computational Modeling and Simulation to Optimize Transport and Interaction Parameters in Porous Media

There is a shortage of high quality drinking water caused by the introduction of contaminants into aquifers from various sources including industrial processes and uncontrolled sewage. Studies have shown that colloids, collections of nanoparticles, have the potential to remediate polluted groundwater. For such applications of nanoparticles, it is important to understand the movement of colloids. This study aims to enhance the previously developed MNM1D (Micro- and Nanoparticle transport Model in porous media in one-dimensional geometry) by making more realistic assumptions about physical properties of the groundwater-porous medium system by accounting for a non-constant flow velocity and the presence of electromagnetic interactions. This was accomplished by coupling the original model with the Darcy-Forchheimer fluid model, which is specific to transport in porous media, coupled with electromagnetic effects. The resulting model also accounts for attachment and detachment phenomena, both of the linear and Langmuirian type, as well as changes to hydrochemical parameters such as maximum colloidal particle concentration in the porous medium. The system of partial-differential equations that make up the model was solved using an implicit finite-difference discretization along with the iterative Newton’s method. A parameter estimation study was also conducted to quantify parameters of interest. This more realistic model of colloid transport in porous media will contribute to the production of a more efficient method to counteract contaminants in groundwater and ultimately increase availability of clean drinking water.

Quantifying water quality and flow in multi-branched urban estuaries for a rainfall event with mass balance method

In this study,field observations were conducted after a heavy rainfall event in the Sumida and Shakujii rivers in Tokyo,Japan.The flow dynamics and fluxes of salt,suspended sediment(SS),and dissolved oxygen(DO)were investigated with the mass balance method.The fractions of fresh water and saltwater in seaward and landward flows were separated.The maximum salt flux in the Shakujii River was 53.8 kg/s during the flood tide,and those in the Sumida River were 680.3 kg/s at the upstream station and 703.7 kg/s at the downstream station.The trends of SS and DO fluxes were similar in both rivers.In the Shakujii River,the highest SS(3.1 kg/s)and DO(0.4 kg/s)fluxes appeared during the flood tide after rainfall.In the Sumida River,the maximum SS fluxes(6.1 and 6.3 kg/s at the upstream and downstream stations,respectively)and DO fluxes(1.15 and 1.21 kg/s at the upstream and downstream stations,respectively)appeared during the ebb tide.The mass balance method was used to estimate discharge,salinity,SS concentration,and DO concentration at a station with missing data.The results show that the estimated salinity and SS concentration had a significant correlation with the on-site observations,with correlation coefficients(R)of 0.950 and 0.835,respectively,but not for DO concentration(R?0.638).The disparity between the computed and measured data may be explained by the differences in velocity,salinity,topography,sedimentation,and the presence of organic matter.The analysis based on the advective salt transport components found a lower salt flux per unit width in the Shakujii River(0.36 kg/(m·s))in comparison with that in the Sumida River(2.88 kg/(m·s)).This indicates a higher probability for salt retention in the Shakujii River.©2020 Hohai University.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Pre- and Post-Slaughter Factors Influencing Hide and Skin Quality in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Ethiopia has high livestock population and hence has high potential for hide and skin production. Likewise, in west Shewa Zone of the country there is high hide and skin production. But hides and skins are affected by different types of defects that hampered effective and efficient utilization of these resources. Therefore, a study was conducted in Bako Tibe and Ilu Gelan districts of west Showa zone with the objectives to assess pre- and post-slaughter defects that influence hide and skin qualities. Primary data were collected from sample household heads, middlemen, butcheries, hotel/restaurants and tanneries using semi-structured interview and direct observations. All middlemen, butchery and hotel/restaurants in the study areas were employed for data collection while households were selected using simple random sampling techniques. Results of the study revealed that all household respondents reported absence of extension services on hide and skin management. The maximum pre-slaughter defect observed by households (87.2%), hotel/restaurants (91.3%), butcheries (93.3%) and middle men (90%) were due to ectoparasites. Out of the respondents 64.6%, 40% and 82.6% of respondents from household, butcheries and hotels/restaurants, respectively were slaughtered animals on the ground without stunning. The maximum post-slaughter defects observed during slaughtering by households (95.4%), hotel/restaurants (87.0%), and butcheries (86.7%) were dirt and flay cut. According to the respondents, 38.5 of the households kept hide and skin on the ground before marketing. It was found that the major post-slaughter defects of hide were flesh remnant (94.3%), dirty (74.3%), corduroying (71.4%), and flay cut (65.7%). Moreover, traditional animal husbandry and slaughtering practices, poor storage and preservation methods of raw hides and skins, the absence of slaughtering facility and extension service exacerbated the problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need for good animal management practices, animal transportation and slaughtering, and post slaughter hide and skins management.

Sucrose Supplementation, Insulin Injection, and Resting Period Prior to Slaughtering on Meat Physical Characteristics in Sheep Exposed to Stressful Transportation

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of sucrose supplementation, insulin injection, and resting period prior to slaughtering on meat quality in sheep exposed to stressful transportation. Fifty four local sheep （10 to 12 months of age） with body weight （BW） ranged from 14 to 1 7 kg. The experimental sheep were assigned into a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with 3 replications. The first factor was two levels of sucrose supplementation （0 and 6 g/kg BW）, the second factor was three levels of insulin injection after transportation （0, 0.3 and 0.6 IU/kg BW）, while the third factor was three duration time of resting period （2, 4 and 6 h prior to slaughtering）. Parameters measured were rectal temperature and heart rate, body weight, carcass percentage, meat pH, water holding capacity, meat tenderness, cooking loss and meat color. The results of the experiment showed that sheep after transportation had higher rectal temperature and heart rate, indicated that sheep supplemented with sucrose after transportation has a lower meat pH and cooking loss. The longer resting period prior to slaughtering has the lower body weight, but has higher carcass percentage. However, the treatments did not influence water holding capacity, meat tenderness and meat color. It was concluded that sucrose supplementation, insulin injection, and resting period prior to slaughtering in sheep exposed to stressful transportation could improve meat quality.

Framework for Quality Improvement of Infrastructure Projects

In order to achieve high quality that not only gives acceptable return value to society but also satisfies the needs of all the stakeholders of infrastructure projects, comprehensive understanding of issues pertaining to the quality of the project is needed. The aim of this study is to provide an overview the most common procurement methods used in constructing infrastructure transport projects and analyze how these methods contribute to the desired quality of the final product in relation to client competence. An on-line survey of construction actors was carried out to ascertain quality level of Swedish infrastructure transport projects and determinant factors of quality problems. An equal number of respondents indicated that the quality of infrastructure projects has either increased or remained same level over the past twenty years. Respondents also pointed out lack of client competence that is vital in realizing the desired quality level through proper procurement, monitoring and evaluation procedures. Public clients heavily rely on traditional design-build procurement that requires considerable client involvement of a project. Thus, the association of quality problems and lack of client competence may not be a mere coincidence but an overlooked outcome of current situation.

Analysis of the Impact of City Transport on Life Quality in the City of Szczecin

This paper looks at public transport in the city of Szczecin.In the recent years,new means of transport have been offered by both external companies and the city.Many city inhabitants have swapped buses for city bikes,scooters and electric scooters available in large cities.A questionnaire survey has been designed to examine the public opinion on the best transport services offered by external companies and whether life quality in the city has improved owing to a wide offering of means of public transport.The paper aims at an analysis and assessment of the city transport services offered and how they influence the quality of life in the city of Szczecin.

A Cost-Benefit Evaluation of the Air Quality and Health Impacts in Sao Paulo,Brazil

The objective was to assess the impact on health due to the exposure to air pollution derived from the renewal of the urban bus fleet in S?o Paulo. The study analyzed the substitution of the bus fleet through the variation of the concentration of atmospheric pollutants such as PM10 in the municipality of S?o Paulo and its associated health’s benefits values compared to the investments performed in the bus fleet renewal. PM10 average annual reduction due to the bus improvement system resulted on 22.3%. A cost-benefit evaluation considered the renewal investments’ costs compared to the obtained valued health benefits and it resulted in 4.31. Although the result may suggest a not viable investment, it must be observed that air pollution reduction favors health impacts and that this relation could be improved if additional investments on sustainable transportation increase.

Analysis of solute preferential transport in a dark coniferous forest ecosystem of Gongga Mountain,Sichuan Province,southwestern China

We selected a dark coniferous forest ecosystem of Gongga Mountain in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River as our research area to study the preferential flow and solute preferential transport by adding the tracers KNO3 and KBr to the self-made soil column equipment in different ways to examine density and volume changes of inflows and outflows of a mass input （impulse input） and a stable, well-distributed input （step input））. The results showed that this dark coniferous forest ecosystem of Gongga Mountain is a typical area of preferential flow and solute preferential transport, a process that can be classified into five parts. A great amount of solute was transported at high speed as the result of preferential flow in the soil and caused the density of the solute in both deep water and in groundwater to rise rapidly, which definitely increased pollution in the deep soil layer.

维生素C对禁食黄颡鱼抗氧化能力和肌肉品质的影响

【目的】研究添加不同浓度维生素C对禁食暂养黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)抗氧化能力和肌肉品质的影响,为提升鲜活黄颡鱼耐运性和肌肉品质提供理论依据。【方法】随机将黄颡鱼分为4组:T0-0(0 mg/L V_(C),暂养0 d)、T0-5(0 mg/L V_(C),暂养5 d)、T10-5(10 mg/L V_(C),暂养5 d)、T30-5(30 mg/L V_(C),暂养5 d),每组40尾鱼,检测血清、肌肉的抗氧化物质以及肌肉品质指标。【结果】T5-0组黄颡鱼血清中GSH-PX、CAT、GSH活性以及MDA浓度,肌肉中CAT、GSH活性和MDA浓度显著低于T1-0组(P<0.05);其纤维结构变得紧密,pH下降,白度增加,持水力增加,肌肉品质指标显著升高(P<0.05)。与T0-5及T30-5组相比,T10-5组血清中SOD、CAT、GSH、GSH-PX活性显著较高(P<0.05),MDA浓度较低;肌肉中SOD、GSH活性与血清中结果变化相同;持水力进一步增加。在质构方面,T10-5组剪切力、硬度、弹性、咀嚼性、黏性均高于T0-5组及T30-5组。【结论】添加10 mg/L的V_(C)能进一步显著提高黄颡鱼的抗氧化能力和肌肉品质(P<0.05),但30 mg/L V_(C)添加不利于黄颡鱼肌肉品质的提升,甚至对其产生负面影响。

以人工智能驱动的新质生产力赋能交通运输高质量发展的思考与对策建议

交通运输行业是新质生产力的重要发展领域,发展新质生产力是构建现代化交通运输产业体系,加快交通强国建设,实现行业转型升级和高质量发展的必由之路。为厘清新质生产力与交通运输高质量发展的关系,首先基于高质量发展视域,分析了新质生产力与人工智能的关系,在此基础上,论述了人工智能驱动的新质生产力赋能行业高质量发展的战略意义及其影响,最后提出相关实施路径与加快交通数据市场化进程、构建AI大模型底座和行业数据标准样本集、提升交通知识分析和服务能力、加快交通科技创新与成果转化、强化人才培养等5方面的对策建议,可为行业数字化转型升级与高质量发展提供理论支撑。