Optimization on emergency materials dispatching considering the characteristics of integrated emergency response for large-scale marine oil spills

Many governments have been strengthening the construction of hardware facilities and equipment to prevent and control marine oil spills. However, in order to deal with large-scale marine oil spills more efficiently, emergency materials dispatching algorithm still needs further optimization. The present study presents a methodology for emergency materials dispatching optimization based on four steps, combined with the construction of Chinese oil spill response capacity. First, the present emergency response procedure for large-scale marine oil spills should be analyzed. Second, in accordance with different grade accidents, the demands of all kinds of emergency materials are replaced by an equivalent volume that can unify the units. Third, constraint conditions of the emergency materials dispatching optimization model should be presented, and the objective function of the model should be postulated with the purpose of minimizing the largest sailing time of all oil spill emergency disposal vessels, and the difference in sailing time among vessels that belong to the same emergency materials collection and distribution point. Finally, the present study applies a toolbox and optimization solver to optimize the emergency materials dispatching problem. A calculation example is presented, highlighting the sensibility of the results at different grades of oil spills. The present research would be helpful for emergency managers in tackling an efficient materials dispatching scheme, while considering the integrated emergency response procedure.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Cellular automata model on AIS-based for variable two-way waterway

Purpose: We aim at “heavy traffic direction” and “light traffic direction” in two-way waterway traffic and attempt to promote the transit capacity of two-way waterway system. Design/methodology/approach: We propose overtaking rules, head-on rules and a cellular automaton model for variable two-way waterway on AIS-based on the basis of NaSch (Nagel-Schreckenberg) model. Findings: By numerical simulation to the two situations which allow changing lane and prohibit changing lane, we obtain fundamental functions between traffic flux (speed) and density and find that changing lane can promote traffic flux and average speed of two-way waterway system under the premise of no impact to the traffic order, and when waterway ship traffic is dense, flux of waterway system has a visible promotion, and when traffic is sparse, average speed of waterway system adds significantly. Practical implications: As an implication, we can reach a compromise between traffic efficiency and safety. When no collision risk incurred, the marine administrations should allow involved ships to change lane for overtaking. Social implications: As a suggestion, Rule 9 and Rule 10 of COLREGs should make some adjustments correspondingly. Originality/value: The paper presents a method to analyze and promote transit capacity of two-way waterway.Peer Reviewe

Molecular mechanism of cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by plasma generated RONS

Recently, it is been shown that cold atmospheric pressure plasmas Cold Atmospheric Plasma effectively inactivate the 2019-nCoV virus. Despite this promising finding, the precise mechanism of this inactivation remains unclear due to the limited number of studies conducted on the subject. Consequently, this paper focuses on the spike protein, a crucial part of the novel coronavirus, and the various reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated by the plasma. The study employs reactive molecular dynamics simulation and ReaxFF potential to explore the reactions between the spike protein molecules and different reactive oxygen nitrogen species (including H2O2, OH, O, O3, HOONO, and 1O2). The findings suggest that when a single RONS interacts with the spike protein, 1O2 and HOONO have the most potent ability to sever the spike protein. Additionally, the combined effect of long-lived and short-lived RONS presents a more potent decomposition impact

Invasiveness of the Yersinia pestis ail protein contributes to host dissemination in pneumonic and oral plague

Yersinia pestis, a Gram-negative bacterium, is the etiologic agent of plague. A hallmark of Y. pestis infection is the organism's ability to rapidly disseminate through an animal host. Y. pestis expresses the outer membrane protein, Ail (Attachment invasion locus), which is associated with host invasion and serum resistance. However, whether Ail plays a role in host dissemination remains unclear. In this study, C57BL/6J mice were challenged with a defined Y. pestis strain, KimD27, or an isogenic ail-deleted mutant derived from KimD27 via metacarpal paw pad inoculation, nasal drops, orogastric infection, or tail vein injection to mimic bubonic, pneumonic, oral, or septicemic plague, respectively. Our results showed that ail-deleted Y. pestis KimD27 lost the ability to invade host cells, leading to failed host dissemination in the pneumonic and oral plague models but not in the bubonic or septicemic plague models, which do not require invasiveness. Therefore, this study demonstrated that whether Ail plays a role in Y. pestis pathogenesis depends on the infection route.Peer reviewe

Antigen-Clustered Nanovaccine Achieves Long-Term Tumor Remission by Promoting B/CD 4 T Cell Crosstalk

Current cancer vaccines using T cell epitopes activate antitumor T cell immunity through dendritic cell/macrophage-mediated antigen presentation, but they lack the ability to promote B/CD4 T cell crosstalk, limiting their anticancer efficacy. We developed antigen-clustered nanovaccine (ACNVax) to achieve long-term tumor remission by promoting B/CD4 T cell crosstalk. The topographic features of ACNVax were achieved using an iron nanoparticle core attached with an optimal number of gold nanoparticles, where the clusters of HER2 B/CD4 T cell epitopes were conjugated on the gold surface with an optimal intercluster distance of 5-10 nm. ACNVax effectively trafficked to lymph nodes and cross-linked with BCR, which are essential for stimulating B cell antigen presentation-mediated B/CD4 T cell crosstalk

PgtE Enzyme of Salmonella enterica Shares the Similar Biological Roles to Plasminogen Activator (Pla) in Interacting With DEC-205 (CD205), and Enhancing Host Dissemination and Infectivity by Yersinia pestis

Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, is a newly evolved Gram-negative bacterium. Through the acquisition of the plasminogen activator (Pla), Y. pestis gained the means to rapidly disseminate throughout its mammalian hosts. It was suggested that Y. pestis utilizes Pla to interact with the DEC-205 (CD205) receptor on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to initiate host dissemination and infection. However, the evolutionary origin of Pla has not been fully elucidated. The PgtE enzyme of Salmonella enterica, involved in host dissemination, shows sequence similarity with the Y. pestis Pla. In this study, we demonstrated that both Escherichia coli K-12 and Y. pestis bacteria expressing the PgtE-protein were able to interact with primary alveolar macrophages and DEC-205-transfected CHO cells. The interaction between PgtE-expressing bacteria and DEC-205-expressing transfectants could be inhibited by the application of an anti-DEC-205 antibody. Moreover, PgtE-expressing Y. pestis partially re-gained the ability to promote host dissemination and infection. In conclusion, the DEC-205-PgtE interaction plays a role in promoting the dissemination and infection of Y. pestis, suggesting that Pla and the PgtE of S. enterica might share a common evolutionary origin.Peer reviewe

Measurement of Restitution and Friction Coefficients for Granular Particles and Discrete Element Simulation for the Tests of Glass Beads

A slant plate flat throw test system for measuring the restitution coefficient of granular materials and a sliding friction test instrument for measuring the friction coefficient between discrete particles and continuum boundary surface materials are developed. The restitution coefficients of the glass bead particles, the glass beads relative to the glass plate, the composite of glass plate and the rubber membrane and the friction coefficients between the glass beads and the rubber film and the filter paper are measured by the designed methods. Based on the measured restitution coefficient and friction coefficient, the discrete element numerical simulation is carried out for triaxial test and plane strain test. Through comparing the experimental results and the discrete element numerical simulation results, the feasibility and rationality of the designed measurement methods and the discrete element numerical simulation are verified. The measuring methods developed in this paper can be further applied to the tests of other fine particles

Tridrepana subadelpha Song & Xue & Han 2011

Tridrepana subadelpha Song, Xue & Han, sp. nov. Figs 11–12, 63, 87 Description. Head. Antenna fulvous, bipectinate in male. Frons brown in upper half, pale yellow below, smoothscaled. Labial palpus pale yellow, reaching frons in male. Vertex with anterior half brownish yellow, posterior half pale yellow. Thorax. Dorsum and legs pale yellow. Both mid and hind tibia in male with one pair of terminal spurs, outer spur shorter than inner one. Length of forewing: ♂ 13 mm. Wings: forewing apex moderately falcate, outer margin under apex slightly concave. Ground colour pale yellow. Forewing with brown crescent patch under apex, with one brownish black ovate spot inside; antemedial line grayish brown, punctuate; postmedial line brown, punctuate, bent inwards below M 1 and outwards between M 2 and CuA 2; discal spot and mid-cell spot grayish brown, posterodistal spot a white strip, ringed with brown; two big round grayish brown patches near lower angle of cell, below base of M 3 and CuA 1, each with a dark brown ovate spot inside; fringes dark brown from apex to M 3, bright yellow below M 3. Hind wing with antemedial and postmedial lines similar to those of forewing, the latter strongly bent inwards under CuA 2; one small elongate pale grayish brown patch near lower angle of cell, a brown spot inside the patch between M 3 and CuA 1; fringes bright yellow. Ventral side pale yellow, all markings indistinct. Venation. Forewing: R 2 and R 3+4 diverging from apex of areole, M 1 stalked with lower margin of areole. Abdomen. Pale yellow. Male genitalia. Uncus sclerotized, bifurcate, each lobe with two parts, the inner half semicircular, the outer part broad, digitate and elongate. Socii sclerotized, digitate, slender. Median process of gnathos elliptical, covered with hair-like spines. Valva very short, digitate, terminal half with long and dense hairs. Saccus short, triangular. Anellus degenerate. Aedeagus stout, sclerotized posteriorly, cornuti fascicled strong spines. Female genitalia. Unknown. Diagnosis. This new species belongs to the sadana species group, and is close to T. sadana, T. finita, T. hypha and T. adelpha. On the wing pattern, the ground colour and the patches near the lower angle of the forewing cell in T. subadelpha are paler than in those four species; the forewing apex is less falcate than in T. sadana and T. adelpha. In the male genitalia, T. subadelpha is distinctive in that each lobe of the uncus divides into two parts, the inner semicircular and the outer extended into a digitiform process. The lobes of the uncus are not bifid in T. sadana (Fig. 62), T. hypha (Fig. 65) and T. finita (Fig. 66). In addition, the median process of the gnathos is less broad and flat than in T. sadana. T. subadelpha is different from T. adelpha (Figs 64, 88) in that: the uncus is deeply bifurcate, but just concave in T. adelpha; the inner half of the uncus lobe is semicircular, but truncate in T. adelpha; the outer branch is much longer and thicker, well extended beyond the inner half, with obtuse apex, but in T. adelpha the outer branch is distinctly smaller, and the apex is acute. Material examined. Holotype: ♂, CHINA, Yunnan: Baoshan, Baihualing, 1520 m, 11–13.VIII.2007, coll. Wu Chunguang (IZCAS). Paratypes: Yunnan: 2♂, Tengchong, Dahaoping, 2020m, 5–7.VIII.2007, coll. Xue Dayong, Wu Chunguang (IZCAS). Etymology. The species name is combined from Latin prefix sub- and adelpha, in recognition of the similarity of its genitalia to T. adelpha. Distribution. China (Yunnan).Published as part of Song, Wenhui, Xue, Dayong & Han, Hongxiang, 2011, A taxonomic revision of Tridrepana Swinhoe, 1895 in China, with descriptions of three new species (Lepidoptera, Drepanidae), pp. 39-62 in Zootaxa 3021 on page 4