Examination of aerosol impacts on convective clouds and precipitation in two metropolitan areas in East Asia; how varying depths of convective clouds between the areas diversify those aerosol effects?

This study examines the role played by aerosols in the development of clouds and precipitation in two metropolitan areas in East Asia that has experienced substantial increases in aerosol concentrations over the last decades. These two areas are the Seoul and Beijing areas and the examination has been done by performing simulations using a cloud-system resolving model (CSRM). Aerosols are advected from the continent to the Seoul area and this increases aerosol concentrations in the Seoul area. These increased aerosol concentrations induce the enhancement of condensation that in turn induces the enhancement of deposition and precipitation amount in a system of less deep convective clouds as compared to those in the Beijing area. In a system of deeper clouds in the Beijing area, increasing aerosol concentrations also enhance condensation but reduce deposition. This leads to aerosol-induced negligible changes in precipitation amount. Also, in the system, there is a competition for convective energy among clouds with different condensation and updrafts. This competition results in different responses to increasing aerosol concentrations among different types of precipitation, which are light, medium and heavy precipitation in the Beijing area. In both of the areas, aerosol-induced changes in freezing play a negligible role in aerosol-precipitation interactions as compared to the role played by aerosol-induced changes in condensation and deposition.

Natural Intervarietal Hybrids of Coffea canephora Have a High Content of Diterpenes

The present investigation characterized the diterpene profile of Coffea canephora coffees, which are natural intervarietal hybrids of Conilon and Robusta. The impact of genetic diversity and environment on these compounds was also evaluated. Five genotypes (clones 03, 05, 08, 25, and 66) from six growing sites in the State of Rondônia in the western Amazon (Alto Alegre dos Parecis, São Miguel do Guaporé, Nova Brasilândia do Oeste, Porto Velho, Rolim de Moura, and Alto Paraíso) were analyzed. The contents of kahweol, cafestol, and 16-O-methylcafestol in light-medium roasted coffees were assessed by UPLC. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). The contents of cafestol and 16-O-methylcafestol ranged from 96 to 457 mg 100 g−1 and 75 to 433 mg 100 g−1, respectively. As for kahweol, from absence up to contents of 36.9 mg 100 g−1 was observed. The diterpene profile was dependent on genetics, growing site, and the interaction between these factors. A higher variability was observed for kahweol contents. The natural intervarietal hybrid coffees stood out for their high contents of diterpenes and increased frequency of kahweol presence (77% of the samples).

Return to Work After Pectoralis Major Repair

Background: Pectoralis major repair (PMR) is an infrequent injury that occurs during resistance training, most commonly during the eccentric phase of muscle contraction. As the incidence of weight training continues to increase, it is important to understand the outcomes after PMR. Purpose: To evaluate the rate and duration of return to work in patients undergoing PMR. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing PMR from 2010 to 2016 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Patients completed a standardized and validated work questionnaire, as well as a visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons survey, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation, and a satisfaction survey. Results: Of the 60 eligible patients who had a PMR, 49 (81.7%) were contacted at the final follow-up. Of the 49 patients, 46 (93.9%) had been employed within 3 years before surgery (mean ± SD age, 40.4 ± 8.2 years; follow-up, 3.9 ± 2.8 years). Of these, 45 (97.8%) returned to work by 1.6 ± 2.1 months postoperatively, and 41 (89.1%) returned to the same level of occupational intensity. Patients who held sedentary, light-, medium-, or high-intensity occupations returned to work at a rate of 100.0%, 100.0%, 83.3%, and 66.7% by 0.8 ± 1.0, 0.8 ± 1.0, 1.3 ± 2.7, and 3.3 ± 2.7 months, respectively. Five of 6 patients (83.3%) with workers’ compensation returned to their previous occupations by 5.0 ± 1.6 months, while 100% of those without workers’ compensation returned to work by 1.1 ± 1.7 months ( P < .001). Overall, 44 patients (95.7%) were satisfied with the procedure, and 40 (87.0%) would have the operation again if presented the opportunity. A single patient (2.2%) required revision PMR. Conclusion: Approximately 98% of patients who underwent PMR returned to work by 1.6 ± 2.1 months postoperatively. Patients with higher-intensity occupations took longer to return to their preoperative levels of occupational intensity. Information regarding return to work is imperative in preoperative patient consultation to manage expectations.

Detection roasting level of Lintong coffee beans by using euclidean distance

Coffee roasting is the process by which raw coffee beans (green beans) are roasted until they reach a certain roast level. In general, the roast level of roasted coffee beans is divided into 3 levels, namely the roast level of light, medium and dark. One way to find out the roast level of roasted coffee beans is to see the color change of the coffee beans. However, it is very difficult to know the exact color conditions of each roast level of roasted coffee beans and this can be overcome by build an automatic coffee roasting equipment. In this research, an automatic coffee roaster was done with a system that is able to control the roasting temperature and stirring of coffee beans. This tool can also monitor the change in color of the coffee beans during the roasting process. The system that has been implemented can detect color changes and classify the level of dark roast of roasted coffee beans using the Euclidean distance algorithm. The Euclidean distance give a threshold to classified the roast level. The system accuracy for predicting coffee beans color at the level of dark roast is 90% and 80% for overall.

Efficient degradation of picric acid using rGO-MnO2 hybrid nanocomposite under different light conditions

Picric acid is a very dangerous environmental pollutant generated from chemical and dye industries due to its high toxicity. Therefore, efforts have been made to develop techniques for the efficient degradation of picric acid. A novel rGO-MnO2 nanocomposite has been synthesized by chemical method for the degradation of picric acid in various light medium. The rGO-MnO2 nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The synthesized, pure rGO, MnO2 and rGO-MnO2 nanocomposite catalyst have been studied for the activity of photocatalytic degradation against picric acid under different light sources such as UV light (254,365,390 nm), visible light and sunlight. It is found that rGO-MnO2 has achieved better performance compared to that of pure rGO, MnO2.

Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity of 3–4-Year-Old Children within Early Childhood Centers in New Zealand

We sought to describe and explore relationships between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and level of physical activity (PA; light-, medium-, vigorous, and kCal/hour) in preschool children, aged 3–4-years-old, across four early childhood education (ECE) settings. Children’s FMS were assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2; n = 81) and PA via accelerometers (S = 53). Eighty-four children participated, with 50 in both assessments. The TGMD-2 showed as the children got older, their locomotor skills (p < 0.001, r = 0.512) and object control motor skills (p < 0.001, r = 0.383) improved. Accelerometry showed children were primarily inactive at ECE (78.3% of the time). There were significant correlations between kCal/hour and light (p < 0.001, r = −0.688), moderate (p < 0.001, r = 0.599) and vigorous (p < 0.001, rs = 0.707) activity, and between gross motor quotient and locomotor (p < 0.001, r = 0.798) and object control (p < 0.001, r = 0.367) skills. No correlation was observed between gross motor quotient and kCal/hour. To conclude, children in this cohort were primarily inactive during ECE center hours. Moreover, gross motor quotient was significantly correlated to locomotor and object control skills.

Effect of Roasting Degree on the Antioxidant Properties of Espresso and Drip Coffee Extracted from Coffea Arabica cv. Java

Coffee roasting is the process of applying heat to green coffee beans to bring out flavors through chemical changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of roasting degree on the antioxidant capacities of espresso and drip coffee extracted from Coffea Arabica cv. Java in Laos. Green coffee beans were roasted under four conditions (Light-medium, Medium, Moderately dark, and Very dark), and espresso and drip coffee were extracted. The contents of total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and chlorogenic acids (CGA) decreased as the roasting degree increased, whereas the caffeine content increased. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was lower in the Medium, Moderately dark, and Very dark compared to the Light-medium. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was lower in the Very dark than the Light-medium, Medium, and Moderately dark. Principal component analysis showed that TP, TF, CGA, caffeine, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and FRAP distinguish coffee extracts with various roasting degrees. Therefore, it is concluded that roasting degree is a modifiable factor for the use of coffee as an antioxidant material in the food industry, and TF, TP, CGA, and caffeine contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP are good indicators for determining the antioxidant capacity of coffee.

Evaluation of the Different Compatibility Indices to Model and Predict Oil Colloidal Stability and Its Relation to Crude Oil Desalting

Thirty crude oils, belonging to light, medium, heavy, and extra heavy, light sulfur, and high sulfur have been characterized and compatibility indices defined. Nine crude oil compatibility indices have been employed to evaluate the compatibility of crude blends from the thirty individual crude oils. Intercriteria analysis revealed the relations between the different compatibility indices, and the different petroleum properties. Tetra-plot was employed to model crude blend compatibility. The ratio of solubility blending number to insolubility number was found to best describe the desalting efficiency, and therefore could be considered as the compatible index that best models the crude oil blend compatibility. Density of crude oil and the n-heptane dilution test seem to be sufficient to model, and predict the compatibility of crude blends.

Estimating the effect of tracking tag weight on insect movement using video analysis: A case study with a flightless orthopteran

In this study, we describe an inexpensive and rapid method of using video analysis and identity tracking to measure the effects of tag weight on insect movement. In a laboratory experiment, we assessed the tag weight and associated context-dependent effects on movement, choosing temperature as a factor known to affect insect movement and behavior. We recorded the movements of groups of flightless adult crickets Gryllus locorojo (Orthoptera:Gryllidae) as affected by no tag (control); by light, medium, or heavy tags (198.7, 549.2, and 758.6 mg, respectively); and by low, intermediate, or high temperatures (19.5, 24.0, and 28.3°C, respectively). Each individual in each group was weighed before recording and was recorded for 3 consecutive days. The mean (± SD) tag mass expressed as a percentage of body mass before the first recording was 26.8 ± 3.7% with light tags, 72 ± 11.2% with medium tags, and 101.9 ± 13.5% with heavy tags. We found that the influence of tag weight strongly depended on temperature, and that the negative effects on movement generally increased with tag weight. At the low temperature, nearly all movement properties were negatively influenced. At the intermediate and high temperatures, the light and medium tags did not affect any of the movement properties. The continuous 3-day tag load reduced the average movement speed only for crickets with heavy tags. Based on our results, we recommend that researchers consider or investigate the possible effects of tags before conducting any experiment with tags in order to avoid obtaining biased results.

TOOTH SHADE & ITS CORRELATION WITH SKIN COLOR – ITS PERCEPTION ON SMILE ATTRACTIVENESS

Introduction: Shade selection is a crucial step in providing patients with a cosmetic restoration that blends in seamlessly with their dentition. Natural teeth are known to possess different shades. Many factors affect the color of natural teeth. One of the most critical variables and most often ignored is light. Another aspect that can affect the colors of natural teeth is the color imparted by different skin complexions. The objective of this study was to determine if skin tone and tooth color had the same inuence on smile attractiveness. Materials And Methods: A photograph of a woman's smile was digitally modied to obtain 16 images. Using the MAC color code as a reference, the skin tone was changed to four different tones (NW25: light, NC42:light medium, NW43:medium dark, NW50:dark), and the tooth shade was changed to four different tones (A1, A2, A3, A4) using the VITAPAN Classical shade guide. A total of 94 people completed a Google form questionnaire in which they scored each picture on the Visual Analog Scale for attractiveness. Results: Images NW25A1 and NW43A4 obtained the highest and lowest visual analog scale values, respectively. Conclusion: The overall results suggest that, regardless of the skin color, a lighter tooth shade has a major impact on smile attractiveness.