Multiresolution HVS and statistically based image coding scheme

In this paper a novel multiresolution human visual system and statistically based image coding scheme is presented. It decorrelates the input image into a number of subbands using a lifting based wavelet transform. The codec employs a novel statistical encoding algorithm to code the coefficients in the detail subbands. Perceptual weights are applied to regulate the threshold value of each detail subband that is required in the statistical encoding process. The baseband coefficients are losslessly coded. An extension of the codec to the progressive transmission of images is also developed. To evaluate the performance of the coding scheme, it was applied to a number of test images and its performance with and without perceptual weights is evaluated. The results indicate significant improvement in both subjective and objective quality of the reconstructed images when perceptual weights are employed. The performance of the proposed technique was also compared to JPEG and JPEG2000. The results show that the proposed coding scheme outperforms both coding standards at low compression ratios, while offering satisfactory performance at higher compression ratios.     

Solving nonlinear optimal control problems using a hybrid IPSO-SQP algorithm

A hybrid algorithm by integrating an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) with successive quadratic programming (SQP), namely IPSO-SQP, is proposed for solving nonlinear optimal control problems. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) is showed to converge rapidly to a near optimum solution, but the search process will become very slow around global optimum. On the contrary, the ability of SQP is weak to escape local optimum but can achieve faster convergent speed around global optimum and the convergent accuracy can be higher. Hence, in the proposed method, at the beginning stage of search process, a PSO algorithm is employed to find a near optimum solution. In this case, an improved PSO (IPSO) algorithm is used to enhance global search ability and convergence speed of algorithm. When the change in fitness value is smaller than a predefined value, the searching process is switched to SQP to accelerate the search process and find an accurate solution. In this way, this hybrid algorithm may find an optimum solution more accurately. To validate the performance of the proposed IPSO-SQP approach, it is evaluated on two optimal control problems. Results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is satisfactory.     

Observer‐based adaptive optimal output containment control problem of linear heterogeneous Multiagent systems with relative output measurements

This paper develops a relative output‐feedback–based solution to the containment control of linear heterogeneous multiagent systems. A distributed optimal control protocol is presented for the followers to not only assure that their outputs fall into the convex hull of the leaders' output but also optimizes their transient performance. The proposed optimal solution is composed of a feedback part, depending of the followers' state, and a feed‐forward part, depending on the convex hull of the leaders' state. To comply with most real‐world applications, the feedback and feed‐forward states are assumed to be unavailable and are estimated using two distributed observers. That is, a distributed observer is designed to measure each agent's states using only its relative output measurements and the information that it receives by its neighbors. Another adaptive distributed observer is designed, which uses exchange of information between followers over a communication network to estimate the convex hull of the leaders' state. The proposed observer relaxes the restrictive requirement of having access to the complete knowledge of the leaders' dynamics by all the followers. An off‐policy reinforcement learning algorithm on an actor‐critic structure is next developed to solve the optimal containment control problem online, using relative output measurements and without requiring the leaders' dynamics. Finally, the theoretical results are verified by numerical simulations.     

Recovery of15N from ammonium nitrate and algal biomass-amended soil

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare the effectiveness of blue-green algae (Anabaena flos aquae) produced in a simulated inorganic-wastewater medium and NH₄NO₃ as sources of N for bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) on a Decatur silt loam soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudult).¹⁵N-labeled blue-green algae and¹⁵N-labeled NH₄NO₃ were used as N sources to supply up to 300 mg N per pot (3 kg of soil). Bermudagrass was clipped at 42, 63, and 102 d after planting and dry matter yield, total, and¹⁵N were determined at each clipping. Results indicated a highly significant increase in total dry matter (shoots and roots) and N uptake over the control for both algae and NH₄NO₃ treatments at all N rates. There were no significant effects of N source on bermudagrass yields, but total N uptake was significantly higher with NH₄NO₃. The net mineralization of N from blue-green algal biomass ranged from 36 to 59% of the total N applied and the corresponding net release for NH₄NO₃ ranged from 65 to 86%. From 29 to 54% of the total N applied as blue-green algal biomass and from 50 to 75% of the N applied as NH₄NO₃ were assimilated by bermudagrass plants. For N rates above 100 mg N pot^–1, higher proportions of the labeled N in the shoots of the third harvest were derived from algal biomass than from NH₄NO₃. A large portion of the labeled N remained undecomposed or immobilized in the algae treated soil (41–64%) as compared to NH₄NO₃ treated soil (14–35%). More loss of N occurred in the NH₄NO₃ treatments from 3 to 15%, while the corresponding figures for algae treated soil were 2 to 8%.     

Soil nutrient evaluation from swine effluent application to five forage-system practices

Many contract swine producers are located in the southeastern U.S. In this region almost all of the swine effluent from swine production is applied to warm-season perennial species such as bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] which is widely grown for summer grazing and hay production. A 3-yr study was conducted to investigate the impact of forage double-cropping on nutrient accumulation and leaching in Mantachie fine loam soil fertilized with swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) lagoon effluent as the source of plant nutrients. Plots of previously established Tifton 44 bermudagrass were overseeded in the fall with one of four winter annuals: berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.); crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.); ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.); or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Four plots of bermudagrass were not overseeded and considered as control. Plots were harvested in spring for cool-season annual hay and in summer for bermudagrass hay. Swine effluent was applied during spring and summer on a need base. Suction lysimeters were installed in selected plots at two depths to monitor nutrient leaching. Surface soil samples were taken to determine baseline nutrient contents, followed by three other sampling dates during the study. Bermudagrass dry matter production (3-yr average = 9.8 Mg ha⁻¹) was not adversely affected by the overseeding treatments. Greatest dry matter production was achieved with bermudagrass overseeded with ryegrass (3-yr average  = 11.3 Mg ha⁻¹). Soil pH decreased by almost one unit by the end of the study. While total P (TP) did not change much, Mehlich-3 P (M3-P), K, Cu, and Zn increased significantly, Mg and Mn concentrations decreased by 2002 compared to the baseline levels. Soil P, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, and Zn accumulation were greater under bermudagrass/wheat combination. In general, the influence of double cropping on soil nutrient accumulation was not conclusive, however, this practice provides the year-round green forage for grazing and haying. Nutrient concentrations in soil and lysimeter leachate were directly related to the quantity of effluent applied. Results also demonstrated that effluent application must be coordinated with the nutrient requirements of the growing forages in order to minimize accumulation and leaching.     

A new optimized uncertainty evaluation applied to the Monte-Carlo simulation in platinum resistance thermometer calibration

The basic steps for evaluating the measurement uncertainty according to ISO approach, propagation of uncertainties and Monte-Carlo simulation are investigated. These methods during a case study in a temperature secondary laboratory for uncertainty assessment of a platinum resistance thermometer calibration are illustrated. For considering some sources of variability in the measurement which may not be appropriately treated and the computational efficiency in simulation model, a simulation optimization and a Genetic algorithm are proposed to establish lower and upper bounds as limit standards for simulation results.     

Correlation between nanoindentation response and wear characteristics of CrN-based coatings deposited by an Arc-PVD method

The examination of the existing relationships between nanoindentation responses and tribological properties of the nanostructured CrN, Cr(CN), and (CrTi)N coatings was the matters to be considered in this research. A cathodic arc physical vapor deposition machine was therefore implemented to apply the chosen coatings on the DIN 1.2510 tool steel substrate. Moreover, an X-ray diffraction and a field emission scanning electron microscope were utilized in order to show the features regarding microstructure and morphology of these very coatings. The mechanical and tribological behavior of the coatings was expected to be assessed with the use of a nanoindentation and pin-on-disc wear tests. According to the obtained result, the wear resistance and hardness value of the (CrTi)N coating were proved to be much better than those of the CrN and Cr(CN). Linear equations were proposed between wear rate/hardness and friction coefficient/hardness to evaluate the correlation between mechanical and tribological properties. The presence of a quadratic equation between the friction coefficient and the plastic deformation index was also discovered.     

Hybrid Amine-Functionalized Titania/Silica Nanoparticles for Solid-Phase Extraction of Lead,Copper, and Zinc from Food and Water Samples: Kinetics and Equilibrium Studies

In the present study, hybrid amine-functionalized titania/silica nanoparticles were employed as a new and novel adsorbent for solid-phase extraction of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions prior to their determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Under the best conditions (including adsorbent, 0.4 g; eluent, 5.0 mL nitric acid (HNO₃), 3.0 mol L^?1, 1.0 mL min^?1; and sample, pH 5.0, 3.0 mL min^?1), detection limits, adsorption capacities, and preconcentration factors were 0.12–0.24 μg L^?1, 7.1–20.7 mg g^?1, and 200, respectively. To predict the adsorption isotherms, different isotherm models were studied and the obtained results showed that the Langmuir model is the most suitable one to explain the experimental data. The kinetics of the reaction followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters like free energy (ΔG ⁰) and enthalpy (ΔH ⁰) confirmed the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the process. The method was successfully applied for determination of the analytes in different food and water samples.     

Autophagy,Unfolded Protein Response,and Neuropilin-1 Cross-Talk in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: What Can Be Learned from Other Coronaviruses

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the 2019–nCoV/SARS-CoV-2 virus. This severe acute respiratory syndrome is currently a global health emergency and needs much effort to generate an urgent practical treatment to reduce COVID-19 complications and mortality in humans. Viral infection activates various cellular responses in infected cells, including cellular stress responses such as unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy, following the inhibition of mTOR. Both UPR and autophagy mechanisms are involved in cellular and tissue homeostasis, apoptosis, innate immunity modulation, and clearance of pathogens such as viral particles. However, during an evolutionary arms race, viruses gain the ability to subvert autophagy and UPR for their benefit. SARS-CoV-2 can enter host cells through binding to cell surface receptors, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1). ACE2 blockage increases autophagy through mTOR inhibition, leading to gastrointestinal complications during SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. NRP1 is also regulated by the mTOR pathway. An increased NRP1 can enhance the susceptibility of immune system dendritic cells (DCs) to SARS-CoV-2 and induce cytokine storm, which is related to high COVID-19 mortality. Therefore, signaling pathways such as mTOR, UPR, and autophagy may be potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19. Hence, extensive investigations are required to confirm these potentials. Since there is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19 infection, we sought to review and discuss the important roles of autophagy, UPR, and mTOR mechanisms in the regulation of cellular responses to coronavirus infection to help identify new antiviral modalities against SARS-CoV-2 virus.