Unlocking Doors: A TinyML-based Approach for real-time Face Mask Detection in Door Lock Systems

In response to the rapid spread of coronaviruses, including COVID-19 and seasonal common cold viruses, this article introduces a proposed system for enhancing door lock systems using TinyML technology for real-time face mask detection. The research project focuses on developing a machine learning model based on the YOLOv5 architecture to classify individuals based on their mask-wearing behavior correctly, incorrectly, or not at all in high-risk spaces prone to the transmission of coronaviruses, such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, and public settings. The study outlines the hardware and software tools utilized, including the Raspberry Pi 4, camera hardware, and the YOLOv5 machine learning model. The model is trained using a dataset containing three different classes and converted to a TFLite format for efficient implementation on the Raspberry Pi. Evaluation results demonstrate a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 0.99 and an inference rate of 10FPS for a 128-frame size input. This proposed system offers practical implications for enhancing door lock systems and promoting public health and safety during outbreaks of coronaviruses, including COVID-19 and other seasonal coronaviruses, providing a valuable approach to decrease the spread of these diseases and mitigate transmission risks in high-risk spaces, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of public health threats

Experimental and modelling study of artificial radionuclides (239Pu, 241Am and 99Tc) uptake by suspended matter in environmental waters located in the south of Spain

The interest on transfer coefficients studies have increased recently, since they are important parameters required understanding and reliably modelling the dispersion of conservative and non-conservative radionuclides in aquatic environments. The approaches, based in the implementation of the uptake kinetics of dissolved radionuclides by solid particles, are more appropriate than those based in the use of the distribution coefficients, k^. In this work, we present a series of tracing experiments to study the uptake of Pu, Am and Tc in natural aqueous suspensions from three aquatic systems (Gergal reservoir, Guadalquivir river, and the estuary of Tinto river) located in the South of Spain. The kinetic transfer coefficient for direct sorption depends on the total available surface of particles and on the concentration of active sites in the surface layer (what depends on the mineral composition, free edges, pores, coatings, etc.). In order to compare results from different environments and to fix the conditions of applicability of the derived coefficients, it is necessary to handle the particle size spectra and the mineral composition of natural occurring suspended loads. The time dependent uptake curves, covering up to a large period, are fitted to the numerical solutions calculated with different models of the uptake kinetics.ENRES

Tillage system affects soil organic carbon storage and quality in Central Morocco

Stabilizing or improving soil organic carbon content is essential for sustainable crop production under changing climate conditions. Therefore, soil organic carbon research is gaining momentum in the Mediterranean basin. Our objective is to quantify effects of no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) on soil organic carbon stock (SOCs) in three soil types (Vertisol, Cambisol, and Luvisol) within Central Morocco. Chemical analyses were used to determine how tillage affected various humic substances. Our results showed that, after 5 years, surface horizon (0–30 cm) SOC stocks varied between tillage systems and with soil type. The SOCs was significantly higher in NT compared to CT (10% more in Vertisol and 8% more in Cambisol), but no significant difference was observed in the Luvisol. Average SOCs within the 0–30 cm depth was 29.35 and 27.36 Mg ha−1 under NT and CT, respectively. The highest SOCs (31.89 Mg ha−1) was found in Vertisols under NT. A comparison of humic substances showed that humic acids and humin were significantly higher under NT compared to CT, but fulvic acid concentrations were significantly lower. These studies confirm that NT does have beneficial effects on SOCs and quality in these soils

Application of a liquid scintillation counter to the measurement of tracing radioactivity in experiments on suspended matter uptake in aquatic environments

The experiments on the study of the kinetic transfer coefficients of conservative and non-conservative radionuclides, in aquatic environments, need to determine radionuclide activity in large number of samples. Different radioactivity measurement techniques can be selected for analyses, but the liquid scintillation technique is preferred due to its easy sample treatment and its low time consumption. Samples are initially traced with a known activity of a selected radionuclide (2 3 9Pu, M IAm or "Tc). The transference of radionuclides, from the water to the suspended matter, is studied through the determination of the residual activity in aliquots of water sample, which are successively collected with time. In this work, we present the experimental procedures used for the 2 3 9Pu, 2 4 1Am and "Tc activity measurement by liquid scintillation counting, using a Wallac Quantulus 1 2 2 0 spectrometer. Results of the application of this technique to traced water samples are also shown in this study.ENRES

239Pu sorption by suspended matter from Hueznar reservoir (southern Spain): Experimental and modelling study

Kinetic transfer coefficients are important parameters to understand and reliably model the behaviour of non-conservative radionuclides in aquatic environments. This report pertains to a series of radiotracer experiments on 239Pu uptake in natural unfiltered waters from the Hueznar reservoir (southern Spain). The experimental procedure ensures the preservation of environmental conditions and the dissolved Pu activity was measured by liquid scintillation technique. The data suggest that the main pathways for Pu uptake consist of two parallel and reversible reactions. We studied the effects of suspended matter concentrations and the specific surface area on the kinetic transfer coefficients.ENRES

Evaluation of the radioactive impact of the phosphogypsum wastes used as amendment in agriculture soils

Some 3x109 kg of phosphogypsum (PG) wastes are annually generated by two fertiliser-production factories in Huelva (south-western Spain). PG has relatively high concentrations of 226Ra and other radionuclides, with an special concern due to the 222Rn emissions. These wastes could be used to improve the fertility of agriculture soils in a large former marsh area of the Guadalquivir river. Thus, it is interesting to study the levels and behaviour of natural radionuclides within this system to evaluate the radioactive impact of this amendment. An agronomical test is being conducted by one of the authors in an experimental farm in Lebrija (Seville). The soils are treated with 13 and 26 t ha-1 of PG, 30 t ha-1 of manure. Each treatment was repeated twice and continued for two years with beetroot and cotton plant production. We are measuring 226Ra (by alpha counting and gamma spectrometry) and U isotopes (by alpha spectrometry and ICP-MS analysis) in drainage waters, soils and vegetal-tissues samples. The PG used in the treatment has 620 ± 70 Bq kg-1 of 226Ra. The drainage waters have 226Ra contents similar to those from non-contaminated natural waters, but the uranium concentrations are one order of magnitude higher. Our results are suggesting that the major uranium input comes from the application of phosphatefertiliser. No significant levels of radionuclides were found in the vegetal tissues.ENRES

Phosphogypsum Amendment Effect on Radionuclide Content in Drainage Water and Marsh Soils from Southwestern Spain

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a residue of the phosphate fertilizer industry that has relatively high concentrations of 226Ra and other radionuclides. Thus, it is interesting to study the effect of PG applied as a Ca amendment on the levels and behavior of radionuclides in agricultural soils. A study involving treatments with 13 and 26 Mg ha−1 of PG and 30 Mg ha−1 of manure was performed, measuring 226Ra and U isotopes in drainage water, soil, and plant samples. The PG used in the treatment had 510 ± 40 Bq kg−1 of 226Ra. The 226Ra concentrations in drainage waters from PG-amended plots were similar (between 2.6 and 7.2 mBq L−1) to that reported for noncontaminated waters. Although no significant effect due to PG was observed, the U concentrations in drainage waters (200 mBq L−1 for 238U) were one order of magnitude higher than those described in noncontaminated waters. This high content in U can be ascribed to desorption processes mainly related to the natural adsorbed pool in soil (25 Bq kg−1 of 238U). This is supported by the 234U to 238U isotopic ratio of 1.16 in drainage waters versus secular equilibrium in PG and P fertilizers. The progressive enrichment in 226Ra concentration in soils due to PG treatment cannot be concluded from our present data. This PG treatment does not determine any significant difference in 226Ra concentration in drainage waters or in plant material [cotton (Gossipium hirsutum L.) leaves]. No significant levels of radionuclides except 40K were found in the vegetal tissues.ENRESA AGF97-1102-CO2-01Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) AMB97-1720-C

Energy saving potential diagnosis for Moroccan university campuses

Public buildings are energy-intensive users, especially when energy management is lacking. More than ever, the use of energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy sources (RES) in buildings are a national priority for Morocco in order to improve energy self-sufficiency, replace fossil fuel use and lower energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. Relating to the exemplarity of the Moroccan government in terms of energy efficiency and sustainable development, the study support that aim and presents results of a deep energy performance analysis of more than 20 university campuses across Morocco, which has concluded that around 80% of the energy consumed in the university campuses is designated for lightning and hot water for sanitary use. Later, this study examined the potential for energy saving and the environmental benefits of implementing actions to reduce energy demand from the grid, considering the use of on-site solar energy. Thereafter, the study aimed to analyze the impact of RES integration in public university campuses, namely the photovoltaic (ESM1) for electricity output and solar thermal system for hot water use (ESM2), to assess the techno-economic-environmental performance on building energy consumption reduction. Hence, the paper reported a detailed energetic-economic and environmental (3E) analysis simulation for campuses by integration of the two Energy Saving Measurements (ESM). The results showed that the integration of ESM1 system can reduce the annual energy demand by 22% and the energy bill by 34%, whereas the integration of ESM2 achieved 67% in energy saving. According to the analysis of the results, the integration of ESM1 is expected to save 6044 MWh of electrical energy annually on the 30222 MWh for all campuses and 2559 MWh for ESM2 which is equivalent to 284 m3/yr of diesel. With the reduced energy consumption, it is possible to cut down fossil fuels for electricity production and offset greenhouse gas emissions by 672 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Besides, the evaluation of results showed that the energy performance indicator was reduced from 530 kWh/bed /yr to 248 kWh/bed/yr, which represents 56% of energy saving

First draft genome assembly of the Argane tree (Argania spinosa)

Background: The Argane tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) is an endemic tree of southwestern Morocco that plays an important socioeconomic and ecologic role for a dense human population in an arid zone. Several studies confirmed the importance of this species as a food and feed source and as a resource for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds. Unfortunately, the argane tree ecosystem is facing significant threats from environmental changes (global warming, over-population) and over-exploitation. Limited research has been conducted, however, on argane tree genetics and genomics, which hinders its conservation and genetic improvement. Methods: Here, we present a draft genome assembly of A. spinosa. A reliable reference genome of A. spinosa was created using a hybrid de novo assembly approach combining short and long sequencing reads. Results: In total, 144 Gb Illumina HiSeq reads and 7.2 Gb PacBio reads were produced and assembled. The final draft genome comprises 75 327 scaffolds totaling 671 Mb with an N50 of 49 916 kb. The draft assembly is close to the genome size estimated by k-mers distribution and covers 89% of complete and 4.3 % of partial Arabidopsis orthologous groups in BUSCO. Conclusion: The A. spinosa genome will be useful for assessing biodiversity leading to efficient conservation of this endangered endemic tree. Furthermore, the genome may enable genome-assisted cultivar breeding, and provide a better understanding of important metabolic pathways and their underlying genes for both cosmetic and pharmacological purposes

First draft genome assembly of the Argane tree (Argania spinosa) [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

BACKGROUND : The Argane tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) is an endemic tree of mid-western Morocco that plays an important socioeconomic and ecologic role for a dense human population in an arid zone. Several studies confirmed the importance of this species as a food and feed source and as a resource for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds. Unfortunately, the argane tree ecosystem is facing significant threats from environmental changes (global warming, over-population) and over-exploitation. Limited research has been conducted, however, on argane tree genetics and genomics, which hinders its conservation and genetic improvement. METHODS : Here, we present a draft genome assembly of A. spinosa. A reliable reference genome of A. spinosa was created using a hybrid de novo assembly approach combining short and long sequencing reads. RESULTS : In total, 144 Gb Illumina HiSeq reads and 7.6 Gb PacBio reads were produced and assembled. The final draft genome comprises 75 327 scaffolds totaling 671 Mb with an N50 of 49 916 kb. The draft assembly is close to the genome size estimated by k-mers distribution and covers 89% of complete and 4.3 % of partial Arabidopsis orthologous groups in BUSCO. CONCLUSION : The A. spinosa genome will be useful for assessing biodiversity leading to efficient conservation of this endangered endemic tree. Furthermore, the genome may enable genome-assisted cultivar breeding, and provide a better understanding of important metabolic pathways and their underlying genes for both cosmetic and pharmacological.DATA AVAILABILITY: All of the A. spinosa datasets can be retrieved under BioProject accession number PRJNA294096: http://identifiers.org/ bioproject:PRJNA294096. The raw reads are available at NCBI Sequence Reads Archive under accession number SRP077839: http://identifiers.org/insdc.sra:SRP077839. The complete genome sequence assembly project has been deposited at GenBank under accession number QLOD00000000: http://identifiers. org/ncbigi/GI:1408199612. Data can also be retrieved via the International Argane Genome Consortium (IAGC) website: http://www.arganome.org.https://f1000research.compm2021BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog