Snow avalanches pose a threat to people and infrastructure in and around Svalbard's main settlement Longyearbyen. Since January 2016, publically available regional avalanche warnings are issued daily ...for Nordenskiöld Land, the area around Longyearbyen. Avalanche warning services rely on information of when and where avalanches occur. Systematic field observations of avalanche activity are not feasible across all of the vast area (ca. 7200 km
2
) of Nordenskiöld Land. Svalbard also experiences over four months of polar night per year. However, using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a weather- and light-independent technique, large areas can be monitored at once. We have developed a SAR-based automatic avalanche debris detection algorithm and tested it on satellite image pairs from Sentinel-1A at medium resolution and from Radarsat-2 at very high resolution. The detection algorithm uses a threshold value that distinguishes avalanche debris with increased backscatter from undisturbed snow with lower backscatter. Depending on the spatial resolution of the SAR image, different post-processing filters are applied. There is a promising level of agreement between automatic detection results and manual identification of avalanche debris, but the algorithm's drawback is marked overdetection. We envision that further improvements in the form of avalanche debris shape recognition could ultimately lead to the development of operational avalanche activity maps. These frequently updated maps could then assist in regional avalanche forecasting, notably in and around Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The detection algorithm we have developed could eventually have applications in other avalanche-prone regions in the world.
Failure of slopes, both natural and man-made, include slope instability as well as failures and in the seismic active zones, these slopes can become a real danger to the mankind. The failure ...consequences can range from the direct cost of failed rock mass to possibly indirect cost which includes the damage to vehicles and livelihood injury on the highways. The slope stability is dependent on various factors such as structural geological characteristics of the region, the local sub-soil conditions of the location, the groundwater conditions, structural loads, surcharge, the discontinuities, active faults in the region and most importantly the seismic zone of the region. These parameters have a critical role in governing the stability of the slope. From the type of soils such as clayey soil to cohesionless soil such as sandy soils to some of the stable rock mass. This paper deals with the parametric study of these cases which involves the assessment of slope stability through Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) analysis for different soil types with different slopes angles and in different seismic zones. The overall stability of the slopes in terms of the Factor of Safety (FoS), displacements as well as shear strain has been discussed and sheds light on the instrumentation of these slopes so that in case of the movements, the corrective measures can be taken at the initial stage so that it doesn’t evolve to become fatal and endanger several lives.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition predominantly affecting young children. Activation of the MAPK pathway has offered key new insights into the pathogenesis of LCH; however, the ...precise mechanisms underlying its occurrence and development are still far from being completely elucidated. There is still a relapse/reactivation rate in patients with multisystem LCH. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate other potential LCH pathophysiologies and prospective therapeutic targets. The gene expression omnibus (GEO) database was used to retrieve gene expression profiles of LCH (GSE16395). Three distinct types of analyses were performed after identifying the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LCH: hub gene identification, functional annotation, module construction, drug repositioning, and expression analysis via immunohistochemistry (IHC). We identified 417 common DEGs and 50 central hub genes. This functional study highlighted the significance of keratinization, skin development, and inflammation. In addition, we predicted new drug candidates (RS2 drugs targeting matrix metalloprotease1, MMP1) that could be used for LCH treatment. Finally, gene-miRNA and gene-TF networks and immune cell infiltration were analyzed for MMP1-related genes. MMP1 expression levels in LCH tissues were validated by IHC. Our study identified the central communal genes and novel drug candidates. These shared pathways and hub genes offer new perspectives on future mechanisms of action and therapeutic targets.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence continues to rise. Although increasing dietary fiber intake is an established strategy for improved glycemic control, most adults consume insufficient amounts. ...Fiber-enhanced functional foods can increase fiber intake, and there is particular interest in resistant starch (RS) as a high-fiber ingredient. Studies show that high-amylose maize resistant starch, type 2 (HAM-RS2) improves acute and chronic glycemic responses, but more studies are needed in individuals at high risk of T2D with RS delivered in commonly consumed foods.
The objective of this study was to examine the chronic effects of consuming bagels high in HAM-RS2 on fasting and postprandial glycemic markers in adults at increased risk of T2D.
With the use of a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 24 men and women with a mean ± SE age of 55.3 ± 1.59 y and body mass index (in kg/m
) of 30.2 ± 0.57 consumed 1 bagel containing 25 g HAM-RS2/d or 1 control wheat bagel/d for 56 d each, separated by a 4-wk washout. Fasting and postprandial oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) glucose and insulin were measured on study days 1 and 57 of each bagel treatment.
The RS bagel treatment resulted in significantly lower fasting (22.1%, P = 0.04), 2-h (23.3%, P < 0.008), and 3-h (18.9%, P = 0.05) insulin incremental areas under the curve and fasting insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; 23.1%, P = 0.04) than did the control bagel treatment. Fasting and postprandial OGTT glucose concentrations did not differ between the RS and control bagel treatments on study days 1 or 57.
These data suggest that consumption of a high-HAM-RS2 bagel improves glycemic efficiency by reducing the amount of insulin required to manage postprandial glucose while improving fasting insulin sensitivity in adults at increased risk of T2D. This research provides support for a feasible dietary strategy for T2D risk reduction. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02129946.
Roof bolting has long been used in underground mines across the world to provide ground support. Modern roof bolts are cheap and easy to install with the use of specialized machines as a part of the ...production cycle. Lhoist North America’s Crab Orchard Mine is an underground room and pillar limestone mine that uses mechanically anchored roof bolts for ground support. The mine currently employs two different roof bolting patterns: a standard 1.5 × 1.5 m pattern, and another 0.8 × 0.8 m pattern for use in areas with particularly hazardous roof conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relative effectiveness of each bolting pattern. A series of numerical models were created using RocScience’s RS2. The models were based on a symmetrical section of the mine at its deepest point, and were modeled using generalized Hoek-Brown failure criterion along with a discrete fracture network. A series of sensitivity analyses were performed on the models by varying parameters such as joint friction angle, crack persistence, joint randomization, and tensile strength of the limestone. Based on the results of the original models and sensitivity analyses, it appeared that the standard bolting pattern provided sufficient roof support capacity under almost all the expected conditions at the mine, since safety factors below the design value of 1.5 were only found for individual bolts in a few of the worst test cases considered. These results can help improve the mine’s productivity and reduce operating costs without compromising safety.
Geotechnical problems are complicated to the extent and cannot be expected in other areas since non-uniformities of existing discontinuous, pores in materials and various properties of the ...components. At present, it is extremely difficult to develop a program for tunnel analysis that considers all complicated factors. However, tunnel analysis has made remarkable growth for the past several years due to the development of numerical analysis method and computer development, given the situation that it was difficult to solve formula of elasticity, viscoelasticity, and plasticity for the dynamic feature of the ground when the constituent laws, yielding conditions of ground materials, geometrical shape and boundary conditions of the structure were simulated in the past. The stability of rock mass around an underground large cavern is the key to the construction of large-scale underground projects. In this paper, the stability analysis was carried out based on those parameters by using 2D FEM RS2 program. The calculated stress and displacements of surrounding rock and rock support by FEM analysis were compared with those allowable values. The pattern of deformation, stress state, and the distribution of plastic areas are analyzed. Finally, the whole stability of surrounding rock mass of underground caverns was evaluated by Rock Science - RS2 software. The calculated axial forces were far below design capacity of rock bolts. The strong rock mass strength and high horizontal to vertical stress ratio enhanced safe working conditions throughout the excavation period. Thus wide span caverns and the system of caverns could be stability excavated sedimentary rock during the underground cavern and the system of caverns excavation by blasting method. The new method provides a reliable way to analyze the stability of the caverns and the system of caverns and also will help to design or optimize the subsequent support. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-01-06 Full Text: PDF
RS2 and RS3 are two of the main resistant starch types in food, and the primary types found in raw and cooked rice respectively. To elucidate the physiochemical determinants for RS2 and RS3 content ...in rice, this study investigated the fine amylopectin structure, starch granules morphologies and starch pasting properties of nine different rice accessions. The results revealed that not all the accessions showed a decrease in resistant starch after cooking and cooling. Granular size, paste properties, fb1 and fb3 showed a significant negative correlation with RS3, whereas fa showed a significant positive correlation with RS3. RS2 had no significant correlation with granular size, but did have a significant positive correlation with HPV, CPV and fb2. Different rice types could be distinguished by the fine amylopectin structure of DP6-12 and DP13-24 chains. Taken together fa, fb2 and HPV and CPV values may have the potential to be used as indices for distinguishing or characterising rice with different RS2 and RS3 contents.
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•Not all rice varieties with contrasting RS showed a decrease in resistant starch after cooking.•Amylose content showed significant positive correlation to RS3 but no correlation to RS2.•fa and fb2 side chains were significant positively correlated to RS3 and RS2 respectively.•fa, fb2 and HPV and CPV are strong indexes to distinguishing high RS2 or RS3 rice.
This paper examines the stability of rock slopes along the broad gauge (BG) line near Darekasa (approximately 1.0 km from Darekasa Station towards the western side). Unsafe slopes and rockfalls can ...hinder train travel, causing commuters difficulties. A field survey and lab experiments determined the rock slope’s stabilizing factors. Kinematic analysis and finite element modeling evaluated slope stability and design. On-site joint orientations were estimated with a Brunton compass (Nautical Mart Inc., Roorkee, India). Stereonet plots show wedge and planar failure patterns. The RS2 software was used to generate a finite element model for critical slope sections utilizing the combined continuum interface method and to determine critical shear strength reduction factors (SSRFs) with a two-dimensional plain strain method. The stabilization of the subject area was evaluated based on these findings. The purpose of rockfall protection is to prevent the fall of any individual blocks caused by the creation of local wedges. During numerical calculations for the global stability of a slope, these types of failures are not detectable. Along the stretch, this scenario demands drapery/rockfall netting. To preserve the slope against instability and rockfall, corrective measures consisting of reinforced double-twisted hexagonal mesh, rhomboidal cable net, and self-drilling anchors were implemented.
We propose a geodesic distance based scattering power decomposition for compact polarimetric (CP) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data acquired over agricultural landscapes. The proposed technique ...decomposes the polarized portion of the total backscattered power in proportion to the normalized target similarity measures. The measures are derived from the geodesic distances, which are computed between the Kennaugh matrices of observed and canonical targets (dihedral or trihedral). We observed a pseudo power component in the double bounce power, which can be attributed to target irregularities. In order to compensate for the pseudo power component, we proposed a compensation strategy by utilizing the CP radar vegetation index ( CpRV I ). The compensation factor assisted in readjusting the polarized power components. The proposed approach was tested with real (RADARSAT Constellation Mission: RCM) and simulated (RADARSAT-2: RS2) hybrid CP data over agricultural sites in Canada. The effectiveness of the approach was demonstrated by comparing the decomposed powers with a recently proposed CP scattering power decomposition.
Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence continues to rise. Although increasing dietary fiber intake is an established strategy for improved glycemic control, most adults consume insufficient ...amounts. Fiber-enhanced functional foods can increase fiber intake, and there is particular interest in resistant starch (RS) as a high-fiber ingredient. Studies show that high-amylose maize resistant starch, type 2 (HAM-RS2) improves acute and chronic glycemic responses, but more studies are needed in individuals at high risk of T2D with RS delivered in commonly consumed foods.
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the chronic effects of consuming bagels high in HAM-RS2 on fasting and postprandial glycemic markers in adults at increased risk of T2D.
Methods: With the use of a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 24 men and women with a mean ± SE age of 55.3 ± 1.59 y and body mass index (in kg/m2) of 30.2 ± 0.57 consumed 1 bagel containing 25 g HAM-RS2/d or 1 control wheat bagel/d for 56 d each, separated by a 4-wk washout. Fasting and postprandial oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) glucose and insulin were measured on study days 1 and 57 of each bagel treatment.
Results: The RS bagel treatment resulted in significantly lower fasting (22.1%, P = 0.04), 2-h (23.3%, P < 0.008), and 3-h (18.9%, P = 0.05) insulin incremental areas under the curve and fasting insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; 23.1%, P = 0.04) than did the control bagel treatment. Fasting and postprandial OGTT glucose concentrations did not differ between the RS and control bagel treatments on study days 1 or 57.
Conclusions: These data suggest that consumption of a high–HAM-RS2 bagel improves glycemic efficiency by reducing the amount of insulin required to manage postprandial glucose while improving fasting insulin sensitivity in adults at increased risk of T2D. This research provides support for a feasible dietary strategy for T2D risk reduction. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02129946.
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