OCC Controller Workload Evaluation Model and Application

AbstractIn order to evaluate and predict OCC controller's mental workload, we defined mental workload as time consumption of task during working time. Five subclasses of workload was found from task analysis in according with five kinds of work task - operation task, recording task, communication task, monitoring task and thinking task, and constructed the suggested workload model of this thesis which was expressed as the sum of consumption time of these five kinds task in a unit time. Then we built the basic task set encoding dictionary and the basic time consumption set to simplify the model, which was based on a larger number of observation behaviors data. At last, time pressure was considered to describe the time constraint effect on mental workload. In the application of validation examine, the subjective evaluation method, the physiological test and the suggested model were used to calculate the time occupancy rate, and results showed a high correlation between the actual and the prediction workload which also proved the validation of the suggested model

Biochar composition-dependent impacts on soil nutrient release, carbon mineralization, and potential environmental risk: A review

Biochar application has multiple benefits for soil fertility improvement and climate change mitigation. Biochar can act as a source of nutrients and sequester carbon (C) in the soil. The nutrient release capacity of biochar once applied to the soil varies with the composition of the biochar, which is a function of the feedstock type and pyrolysis condition used for biochar production. Biochar has a crucial influence on soil C mineralization, including its positive or negative priming of microorganisms involved in soil C cycling. However, in various cases, biochar application to the soil may cause negative effects in the soil and the wider environment. For instance, biochar may suppress soil nutrient availability and crop productivity due to the reduction in plant nutrient uptake or reduction in soil C mineralization. Biochar application may also negatively affect environmental quality and human health because of harmful compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DF). In this review, we discuss the linkage between biochar composition and function, evaluate the role biochar plays in soil fertility improvement and C sequestration, and discuss regulations and concerns regarding biochar's negative environmental impact. We also summarize advancements in biochar production technologies and discuss future challenges and priorities in biochar research

Biochars effects potentially toxic elements and antioxidant enzymes in Lactuca sativa L. grown in multi-metals contaminated soil

Geogenic and anthropogenic activities can leads to agriculture soil pollution and land degradation. Many cost-effective and environment friendly strategies are applied to improve soil fertility, reduce soil pollution and human health risks caused by consumption of metals contaminated vegetables. In this study we evaluate the effects of rice husk biochar (RHB), biochar from corn cob (CCB) and biochar from peanut shells (PNB) on the bioavailability of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil, its bioaccumulation and antioxidant enzymes activities in Lactuca sativa L. plants. RHB, CCB and PNB amendments significantly (P≤0.05) increased Lactuca sativa L. biomass production (39%, 65% and 100%) as well as soil fertility. Amendments of PNB, RHB and CCB significantly (P≤0.05) increased soil available phosphorous (P), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, but markedly reduced bioavailable concentrations of cadmium (Cd) (31%, 20% and 22%) arsenic (As) (33%, 22% and 27%), and lead (Pb) (46%, 24% and 32%). In addition, CCB and PNB amendments significantly (P≤0.01) decreased the shoot accumulation of Pb, Cd and As, while RHB amendment increased the shoot accumulations of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr). The reduction in PTEs accumulation may be linked with increased sorption of PTEs by biochars. Furthermore, amendments of CCB and PNB significantly (P≤0.05) suppressed the activities of SOD (53% and 69%), POD (22%, 31%) but stimulated (38% and 31%) with amendment of RHB. However, RHB, CCB and PNB amendments significantly (P≤0.05) suppressed the activity of CAT (21%, 41% and 48%) in Lactuca sativa L. plants. PNB was the most effective soil amendment as compared with RHB and CCB. However, to fully elucidate the effects of the tested biochars, long-term field trails are needed

Sixteen diverse laboratory mouse reference genomes define strain-specific haplotypes and novel functional loci.

We report full-length draft de novo genome assemblies for 16 widely used inbred mouse strains and find extensive strain-specific haplotype variation. We identify and characterize 2,567 regions on the current mouse reference genome exhibiting the greatest sequence diversity. These regions are enriched for genes involved in pathogen defence and immunity and exhibit enrichment of transposable elements and signatures of recent retrotransposition events. Combinations of alleles and genes unique to an individual strain are commonly observed at these loci, reflecting distinct strain phenotypes. We used these genomes to improve the mouse reference genome, resulting in the completion of 10 new gene structures. Also, 62 new coding loci were added to the reference genome annotation. These genomes identified a large, previously unannotated, gene (Efcab3-like) encoding 5,874 amino acids. Mutant Efcab3-like mice display anomalies in multiple brain regions, suggesting a possible role for this gene in the regulation of brain development

Establishment of porcine and human expanded potential stem cells.

We recently derived mouse expanded potential stem cells (EPSCs) from individual blastomeres by inhibiting the critical molecular pathways that predispose their differentiation. EPSCs had enriched molecular signatures of blastomeres and possessed developmental potency for all embryonic and extra-embryonic cell lineages. Here, we report the derivation of porcine EPSCs, which express key pluripotency genes, are genetically stable, permit genome editing, differentiate to derivatives of the three germ layers in chimeras and produce primordial germ cell-like cells in vitro. Under similar conditions, human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells can be converted, or somatic cells directly reprogrammed, to EPSCs that display the molecular and functional attributes reminiscent of porcine EPSCs. Importantly, trophoblast stem-cell-like cells can be generated from both human and porcine EPSCs. Our pathway-inhibition paradigm thus opens an avenue for generating mammalian pluripotent stem cells, and EPSCs present a unique cellular platform for translational research in biotechnology and regenerative medicine

Surface and Indoor Temperature Effects on User Thermal Responses to Holding a Simulated Tablet Computer

A series of experiments was conducted to investigate participant thermal responses to different surface temperatures, from 34 to 44 C, for a simulated tablet computer in different ambient temperatures (13 C, 23 C, and 33 C). Two subjective measures, thermal sensations and thermal comfort, were reported by the participants. Within the same ambient temperature, participants' thermal sensation and discomfort scores were positively correlated with the increase of surface temperature (higher surface temperatures gave warmer sensations). Thermal comfort also decreases with the increase of surface temperature in the tested range. In addition, ambient temperature moderated the effect of surface temperature on participants' thermal sensation scores. The higher surface temperature of 44 C was rated warmer at 33 C than 13 C, but lower surface temperatures (34-38 C) were rated less warm at 33 C than 13 C. On the other hand, all the surface temperatures were perceived less uncomfortable in an environment at 13 C environment than at 33 C. The findings can be used to set limits for future tablet computer heat dissipation designs to improve user's thermal experiences