Adaptive pixel-block based background subtraction using low-rank and block-sparse matrix decomposition

Multimedia Tools and Applications - We present three stages of a novel backgrounds subtraction method in this paper: a new pixel-block based randomized arrangement is utilized to preprocess all the...     

Real-time molecular characterization of air pollutants in a Hong Kong residence: Implication of indoor source emissions and heterogeneous chemistry

Due to the high health risks associated with indoor air pollutants and long-term exposure, indoor air quality has received increasing attention. In this study, we put emphasis on the molecular composition, source emissions, and chemical aging of air pollutants in a residence with designed activities mimicking ordinary Hong Kong homes. More than 150 air pollutants were detected at molecular level, 87 of which were quantified at a time resolution of not less than 1 hour. The indoor-to-outdoor ratios were higher than 1 for most of the primary air pollutants, due to emissions of indoor activities and indoor backgrounds (especially for aldehydes). In contrast, many secondary air pollutants exhibited higher concentrations in outdoor air. Painting ranked first in aldehyde emissions, which also caused great enhancement of aromatics. Incense burning had the highest emissions of particle-phase organics, with vanillic acid and syringic acid as markers. The other noteworthy fingerprints enabled by online measurements included linoleic acid, cholesterol, and oleic acid for cooking, 2,5-dimethylfuran, stigmasterol, iso-/anteiso-alkanes, and fructose isomers for smoking, C₂₈-C₃₄ even n-alkanes for candle burning, and monoterpenes for the use of air freshener, cleaning agents, and camphor oil. We showed clear evidence of chemical aging of cooking emissions, giving a hint of indoor heterogeneous chemistry. This study highlights the value of organic molecules measured at high time resolutions in enhancing our knowledge on indoor air quality.     

Indoor solid fuel use for heating and cooking with blood pressure and hypertension: A cross-sectional study among middle-aged and older adults in China

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the impact of solid fuel use for heating and cooking on blood pressure (BP) and hypertension, using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The primary fuels used for indoor heating and cooking were collected by questionnaires, respectively. Hypertension was defined based on self-report of physician's diagnosis, and/or measured BP, and/or anti-hypertensive medication use. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to assess the associations. Among 10 450 eligible participants, 68.2% and 57.2% used indoor solid fuel for heating and cooking, respectively. Compared with none/clean fuel users, solid fuel for heating was associated with elevated BP (adjusted β: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.04–3.01 for systolic BP; adjusted β: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.78–1.94 for diastolic BP) and increased risk of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.29). The impact of indoor solid fuel for heating on BP was more evident in rural and north residents, and hypertensive patients. We did not detect any significant associations between solid fuel use for cooking and BP/hypertension. Indoor solid fuel use is prevalent in China, especially in the rural areas. Its negative impact on BP suggested that modernization of household fuel use may help to reduce the burden of hypertension in China.     

泛型直线螺线管型电磁阀运动分析和改进的电压控制

在直线螺线管型高速电磁阀的整个运动过程中，由于铁磁材料的磁化需要一个动态过程，导致其电磁吸力随着铁磁材料的磁化而变化。为了获得一种不依赖电磁阀材料各异性的最优电压控制方法，从静态磁场出发，由电磁阀的理论静态吸力公式建立电磁阀衔铁的动力学模型，通过分析电磁阀的衔铁启动过程，上升运动过程和下落过程，得到各阶段的位移、电流随时间的变化。然后经过前面过程分析得到了采用两段梯形电压控制电磁阀的控制策略，实现了精准控制占空比的目的。     

用于疏浚工程泥浆密度测量的电阻层析成像技术

江河湖海疏浚工程对于拓展和保障航运安全、促进生态恢复、维护/改善远海岛礁环境具有不可或缺的作用.目前,在绞吸和耙吸疏浚船上,多采用射线密度计及电磁流量计对输泥密度、产量等进行在线计量,并作为实现疏浚系统自动控制的重要参量.由于射线密度计潜在的人员健康、公共安全和环保风险,在一些国家和地区已建立了放射源的有序退出机制.电阻层析成像使用安装于管壁的电极阵列获得管道内流体的电导率分布,进而推导出管道内的泥浆密度,具有无辐射、全场测量及实时可视化的优点.电阻层析成像测量系统经过特殊设计,可适应从内陆淡水到海水的巨大电导率变化.初步测试表明,电阻层析成像测量数据与射线密度计具有良好一致性,具备了作为在线泥浆密度测量的可行性.此外,ERT可提供实时的流动成像,对于提高对疏浚管道监测能力和降低堵管概率具有重要意义.     

The biological mechanisms of butanol tolerance and the application of solvent-tolerant bacteria for environmental protection

Toxicity caused by the accumulation of butanol in fermentation media is an important factor limiting the concentration of butanol. There is currently no systematic research in place investigating the butanol tolerance mechanism of bacteria such as Clostridium acetobutylicum, which adapts to butanol stress and regulates its growth and metabolism. Here, research results related to the butanol tolerance of C. acetobutylicum are reviewed to understand the molecular basis of changes in butanol-tolerant strains. Organic solvent-tolerant bacteria play an important role in the fields of biofuel production, enzyme preparation and bioremediation. An analysis of limitations of the application of organic solvent-tolerant bacteria has revealed that future research should focus on combining the microbial tolerance phenotype with specific utilization to achieve an optimal balance between organic solvent tolerance and production. This review serves as a reference for the improvement and engineering of strains that tolerate organic solvents. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

X射线干涉光刻光束线关键光学元件热-结构耦合分析

为了保证上海光源X射线干涉光刻光束线的稳定性,减小热变形对实验结果的影响,对X射线干涉光刻光束线的3个关键光学元件——偏转镜、聚焦镜和精密四刀狭缝进行热-结构耦合分析。首先,计算偏转镜、聚焦镜和精密四刀狭缝所承载的功率密度;然后,建立其有限元模型;最后,获得光学元件的温度场和热变形的结果。结果表明,偏转镜和聚焦镜采用间接水冷方式可有效抑制热变形,冷却后的最大面形误差分别为7.2μrad和9.2μrad。精密四刀狭缝未冷却时,刀片组件温度介于271.56~273.27℃,刀口热变形为0.19 mm,直线导轨热变形为0.08 mm;经过铜辫子冷却后,刀片组件温度降至22.24~23.94℃,刀口热变形降至0.2μm,直线导轨热变形降至0.1μm;采用影像法和接触探头法测试后,刀口直线度、平行度和重复精度均满足技术要求。偏转镜、聚焦镜和精密四刀狭缝的热变形通过间接水冷和铜辫子的冷却方式可以得到很大程度的抑制,进而保证光斑质量。