Drift Line Research Articles

Estimation of potential seed dispersal regions based on floating and ballochory of Euphorbia adenochlora capsules

Abstract The ability to disperse individuals and seeds among subpopulations is required for the sustainability of plant metapopulations. Understanding the mechanism of seed dispersal is essential for the conservation and restoration of plant diversity. In this study, Euphorbia adenochlora growing on floodplains was used as a research target to obtain new knowledge about hydrochory and ballochory and estimate potential dispersal range related to hydrological regimes. A wetland spreading around the Omi Maiko Inner Lake in Minami‐Komatsu, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, was the study site. Euphorbia adenochlora bear capsules, which have a three‐chambered hollow structure and which float on water up to 14 days, they can be dispersed by hydrochory. The capsule of E. adenochlora splits open when it dries, and ejects the seeds at a maximum distance of 4.1 m, indicating that the drifting capsule is capable for secondary dispersal by ballochory. At the study site, 2% of E. adenochlora subpopulations were within the range where fallen capsules could be dispersed by hydrochory, and 33% of E. adenochlora subpopulations could have been formed by ballochory from the drift line. Practical implications. These subpopulations are crucial for the conservation of E. adenochlora population at the study site. Furthermore, the fluctuating and maximum water levels from late May to mid‐June for E. adenochlora were considered important to the formation of new subpopulations.

High contribution of an invasive macroalgae species to beach wrack CO2 emissions

Accumulations of macroalgal wrack are important for adequate functioning of the beach ecosystem. However, the sudden beaching of seaweed masses smothers the coastline and forms decomposing piles on the shore, harming tourism-based economies, but also affecting the beach ecosystem metabolism. The decomposition of sudden pulses of wrack can modify the biogeochemistry of beach sands and increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The presence of invasive species in the wrack deposits can superimpose harmful effects on the beach functioning. We quantified the wrack biomass of Rugulopteryx okamurae, an invasive species of extreme impact, on five sandy beaches from the Atlantic coast of the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain), and we tested the effects on in situ respiratory CO2 fluxes using an infrared gas analyser. All the beaches showed massive accumulations of Rugulopteryx wrack deposits. However, the biomass changed significantly between beaches, ranging (mean ± SE) from 968.3 ± 287.7 kg m−1 to 9210 ± 1279.4 kg m−1 of wet weight. Wrack supported high respiration rates, with CO2 fluxes averaging (±SE) 19.15 ± 5.5 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 across beaches, reaching astounding maximum peaks of 291 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1. The within-beach variability was related to the distance of the wrack deposits from the shoreline, as the average metabolic rates tended to increase significantly from the swash to the drift line. Thicker wrack and a more degraded algae stage showed significantly higher CO2 fluxes. We estimated that the annual CO2 flux of R. okamurae in our study area ranged between 0.39 (±0.01) and 23.30 (±11.33) kg C m−2 y−1. We suggest that massive amounts of beach wrack can become a globally significant contributor to GHG emissions that can offset any potential carbon-sink capacity of macroalgal forests. However, the piles of wrack located several meters above the drift line showed non-measurable CO2 efflux. Transferring beach wrack from swash to drier upper-beach areas, a common practice in many coastal regions suffering from massive wrack accumulations, might help reduce GHG emissions while removing the wrack stockpiles from the intertidal. However, this practice is not necessarily suitable for all beaches and can create ecological and conservation problems in the dune system. There is an urgent need to implement practical and sustainable management practices for massive wrack deposits capable of presenting various solutions to achieve a balance between conservation and recreation actions, answering the consequences of a problem that links both, environmental and economic issues.

Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: Silene uniflora‡

Abstract This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Silene uniflora Roth (S. maritima With., S. vulgaris Garcke subsp. maritima (With.) Á. & D. Löve), Sea Campion, that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Silene uniflora is a mat‐like perennial herb that in Britain and Ireland is primarily distributed in coastal habitats, notably on sea cliffs and shingle banks but also at the drift line and rarely on sand; it also has populations on mountains and heavy metal mine waste tips. All of these substrates tend to be oligotrophic, loose‐textured and freely draining, and often with adverse ion concentrations. It is found in suitable habitats around much of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe. Its breeding system is gynodioecious and gynomonoecious (some individuals bearing female flowers only, some bearing hermaphrodite flowers only and others with both types of flower). The proportions of the three types of individual vary considerably between populations, but hermaphrodite flowers tend to predominate. The showy, white, nectar‐producing flowers are produced continuously over the entire summer and are pollinated mainly by long‐tongued Hymenoptera and night‐flying moths but autogamous selfing is also frequent. Silene uniflora and its close relative S. vulgaris were the subject of a classic, decadal study involving genetical and transplant experiments that was seminal in the development of ‘experimental taxonomy’. More recently, attention has focused on the rapid evolution of Zn‐tolerant populations of S. uniflora growing on mine spoil and contaminated river gravels. It has also become a model organism for the study of sexually transmitted, castrating fungal diseases in plants (notably of the genus Microbotryum).

Altitudinal variation of microplastic abundance in lakeshore sediments from Italian lakes

Microplastic (MP) contamination represents an issue of global concern for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but only in recent years, the study of MPs has been focused on freshwaters. Several monitoring surveys have detected the presence of a wide array of MPs differing in size, shape, and polymer composition in rivers and lakes worldwide. Because of their role of sink for plastic particles, the abundance of MPs was investigated in waters, and deep and shoreline sediments from diverse lakes, confirming the ubiquity of this contamination. Although diverse factors, including those concerning anthropogenic activities and physical characteristics of lakes, have been supposed to affect MP abundances, very few studies have directly addressed these links. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the levels of MP contamination in mountain and subalpine lakes from Northern Italy. Fourteen lakes dislocated at different altitudes and characterized by dissimilar anthropic pressures were visited. Lakeshore sediments were collected close to the drift line to assess MPs contamination. Our results showed the presence of MPs in lakeshore sediments from all the lakes, with a mean (± standard deviation) expressed as MPs/Kg dry sediment accounting to 14.42 ± 13.31 (range 1.57–61.53), while expressed as MPs/m2, it was 176.07 ± 172.83 (range 25.00–666.67). The MP abundance measured for Garda Lake was significantly higher compared to all the other ones (F1,13 = 7.344; P < 0.001). The pattern of contamination was dominated by fibers in all the lakes, but they were the main contributors in mountain lakes. These findings showed that the MP abundance varied according to the altitude of the lakes, with higher levels measured in subalpine lakes located at low altitudes and surrounded by populated areas.

Seismic Damage Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connections—Review of Test Data, Code Provisions and Analytical Models

Reinforced concrete slab-column connections are vulnerable to punching shear failure when subjected to combined gravity and lateral loadings during earthquakes. Over the years, many experimental campaigns have been conducted and assessed the seismic performance of flat slabs. The experimental findings were used to derive empirical equations for the design provisions. The paper aims to provide a detailed description of the code development for seismic punching shear. Two current code provisions (ACI 318-19, EC 2 &amp; EC 8-2004) for seismic punching shear are presented and discussed. Relevant and updated experimental data of interior slab-column connections without and with shear reinforcement are selected and assessed against the current design provisions with a focus on key response parameters such as the drift ratio and the gravity shear ratio. The ACI 318-19 limit drift line is considered to assess the lateral deformation demand for the connections with respect to the updated database. The gravity shear ratio is shown to have a considerable impact on the limit drift ratio of slab-column connections without shear reinforcement. The majority of the test specimens with no shear reinforcement experienced punching shear failure, followed by the specimens which showed a combined flexure–punching failure. Punching shear failures occurred for a range of gravity shear ratios of 0.2 to 0.9, while all combined flexure–punching shear failures occurred for gravity shear ratio values below 0.5. The shear-reinforced concrete slab-column connections can achieve much higher drift ratios. Most of the slabs were reinforced with shear studs, particularly in the range of gravity shear ratios of 0.4 to 0.6. Most test specimens failed by flexure for gravity shear ratio values of 0.1 to 0.7, followed by the specimens which failed in combined flexure–punching for gravity shear ratio values that ranged from 0.3 to 0.9. Finally, the available numerical and analytical models for seismic punching shear are presented with the objective of observing their potential strengths and limitations.

RESEARCH OF PHASE STANDARD OF THE STATE PRIMARY STANDARDS OF UNIT PHASE SHIFT ANGLE BETWEEN TWO VOLTAGES

The measurement of the phase shift angle (PSA) between two voltage harmonics is important in many areas of electrical engineering and electronics. They are used in the analysis of alternating currents and electrical systems and are a key tool for evaluating their quality and efficiency. The main purpose of phase meters is to measure the phase shift, which allows analyzing the operation of electrical and electronic systems, increasing their efficiency, and diagnosing malfunctions. Phase meters directly measure the PSA between two signals. Modern phase meters have a high resolution and are able to measure the phase shift with an accuracy of thousandths of a degree. In the electric power industry, phase standards help maintain phase stability and synchronization in large electrical networks in a variety of industries, from industry to scientific research. Phase standards are used to calibrate phase meters, oscilloscopes, and other measuring equipment that measures phase shifts. The basis of the precise PSA standard is the applied phase standard, which determines its general metrological characteristics. This phase standard must be regularly calibrated by leading national metrology institutes. Its obtained metrological characteristics can be the basis for publishing CMC of a certain national metrological institute. The national standard of the PSA of Ukraine has established metrological traceability to the national metrological institute of Germany – PTB. This traceability made it possible to publish CMC of Ukraine both for the phase generator (standard) and for the phase meter included in the standard. These CMC correspond to the established metrological characteristics of the national standard. To assess the long-term stability of standards, the method of regression analysis is most often used. Polynomials of the third degree were sufficient to approximate its drift line of the PSA standard for various PSA in the period from 2011 to 2024. The indicated approximations of the drift lines have confirmed their adequacy.

Amphibian survey of Ko Pha-gnan in Surat Thani Province, Thailand.

Insular amphibian species are often overlooked, rendering them vulnerable to habitat encroachment and other anthropogenic threats. The aim of this study was to compile a comprehensive list of amphibian species on Ko Pha-ngan in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Data were collected via transect surveys and drift line fence traps in three different habitat types from February 2021 to September 2023. Our efforts detected 12 unique amphibian species in each of the three habitat types. The highest number of detections was observed in the Ko Pha-ngan-Than Sadet National Park protected areas. The common tree frog (Polypedatesleucomystax) and the common Asian toad (Duttaphrynusmelanostictus) were the two most abundantly found species on the island, whereas the Koh Tao caecilian (Ichthyophiskohtaoensis) and the newly described false Doria's fanged frog (Limnonectespseudodoriae) where the least commonly found species. In addition, Microhylaheymonsi and Fejervaryalimnocharis tadpoles were observed developing in high-salinity water bodies. Many species have shown a high tolerance in human-dominated landscapes. This study sheds light on the need for additional monitoring to better understand the dynamics of endemic species in addition to the impact tourism-driven development and habitat destruction has on a species with an insularly finite habitat.

Beach sand plastispheres are hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes and potentially pathogenic bacteria even in beaches with good water quality

Massive amounts of microplastics are transported daily from the oceans and rivers onto beaches. The ocean plastisphere is a hotspot and a vector for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, very little is known about the plastisphere in beach sand. Thus, to describe whether the microplastics from beach sand represent a risk to human health, we evaluated the bacteriome and abundance of ARGs on microplastic and sand sampled at the drift line and supralittoral zones of four beaches of poor and good water quality. The bacteriome was evaluated by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, and the ARGs and bacterial abundances were evaluated by high-throughput real-time PCR. The results revealed that the microplastic harbored a bacterial community that is more abundant and distinct from that of beach sand, as well as a greater abundance of potential human and marine pathogens, especially the microplastics deposited closer to seawater. Microplastics also harbored a greater number and abundance of ARGs. All antibiotic classes evaluated were found in the microplastic samples, but not in the beach sand ones. Additionally, 16 ARGs were found on the microplastic alone, including genes related to multidrug resistance (blaKPC, blaCTX-M, tetM, mdtE and acrB_1), genes that have the potential to rapidly and horizontally spread (blaKPC, blaCTX-M, and tetM), and the gene that confers resistance to antibiotics that are typically regarded as the ultimate line of defense against severe multi-resistant bacterial infections (blaKPC). Lastly, microplastic harbored a similar bacterial community and ARGs regardless of beach water quality. Our findings suggest that the accumulation of microplastics in beach sand worldwide may constitute a potential threat to human health, even in beaches where the water quality is deemed satisfactory. This phenomenon may facilitate the emergence and dissemination of bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs.

The commonly used methods for ECG Power-line interference removal

The amplitude of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is on the millivolt level, and is susceptible to interference from human respiration, muscle tremors, and device circuits during the acquisition process, resulting in baseline drift, electromyographic (EMG) interference, and power line interference. Power line interference is a significant noise source in physiological signal acquisition among these. This article explores several methods to reduce the impact of power frequency interference. By analyzing wavelet transforms, adaptive filtering, and smoothing filters, commonly used methods are evaluated to determine their advantages and limitations. Experimental results show that the smoothed filtering method produces the highest SNR and lowest MSE of the electrocardiogram signal after denoising, resulting in the best denoising effect and thorough filtering. The denoising effect of wavelet transform and adaptive filter is poor. But the different methods for power line interference elimination should be applied according to the data acquisition requirements and equipment performance in response to different situations.

Parallelization of Garfield++ and neBEM to simulate space-charge effects in RPCs

Numerical simulation of avalanches, saturated avalanches, and streamers can help us understand the detector physics of Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC). 3D Monte Carlo simulation of an avalanche inside an RPC, the transition from avalanche to saturated avalanche to streamer may help the search for the optimum voltage and alternate gas mixtures. This task is dauntingly resource hungry, especially when space-charge effects become important, which often coincides with important regimes of operation of these devices. By modifying the electric field inside the RPC dynamically, the space charge plays a crucial role in determining the response of the detector. In this work, a numerical model has been proposed to calculate the dynamic space-charge field inside an RPC and the same has been implemented in the Garfield++ framework. By modeling space charge as large number of line charges and using the multithreading technique OpenMP to calculate electric field, drift line, electron gain, and space-charge field, it has been possible to maintain time consumption within reasonable limits. For this purpose, a new class, pAvalancheMC has been introduced in Garfield++. The calculations have been successfully verified with those from existing solvers and an example is provided to show the performance of pAvalancheMC. Moreover, the details of the transition of an avalanche into a saturated avalanche have been discussed. The induced-charge distribution is calculated for a timing RPC and results are verified with the experiment.

Spatiotemporal patterns of macrophyte subsidies to sandy beaches of Yucatán, Mexico

The spatial and temporal patterns of macrophyte wrack in six sandy beach localities of the northern Yucatán Peninsula were described to answer three main questions: (1) Is the composition and biomass of stranded macrophyte homogeneous along the coast and independent of climatic events?; (2) Which environmental features of beaches are the main predictors of macrophyte biomass deposition and retention?; and (3) Is there a significant relationship between deposited, retained, and buried wrack and the content of organic matter in sediments? To this end, the macrophyte wrack was collected in five random replicated quadrats along the recent drift line (representing the deposited wrack). The same operation was repeated along the aging strandline (representing the retained wrack). All material was washed and weighed. Macrophytes of each sample were separated into nine categories to determine variations in their composition. Macrophyte wrack patterns of species composition were primarily explained by large spatial scales (localities), separating the west side (Celestún and Sisal) from the rest of the Yucatán coast. The composition of macrophytes was consistent, although their temporal dynamics varied between sites and localities. Biomass patterns showed a more complex spatial and temporal pattern with a significant relation of the arrived and retained wrack biomass. The main environmental predictors of wrack biomass deposition and retention were longitude coordinates, shoreline orientation, grain size, and swash climate. However, the beach state did not correlate with the deposited and retained wrack biomass. The amount of buried wrack was significantly related to the amount of retained wrack, and the former significantly contributed to explaining the amount of organic carbon in sediments. In general, we hypothesized that the nearshore and heterogeneous habitats could be responsible for the complex spatiotemporal patterns of wrack variation found in the sandy beaches of Yucatán.

Catch status of the giant pacific octopus, Enterocotpus dofleini, by drift line fishery in the central coast of the East Sea, Korea

Catch status of the giant pacific octopus, Enterocotpus dofleini, by drift line fishery in the central coast of the East Sea, Korea

Hylotelephium maximum from Coastal Drift Lines Is a Promising Zn and Mn Accumulator with a High Tolerance against Biogenous Heavy Metals

Heavy metal tolerance and accumulation potential are the two characteristics most important for plant use in phytoremediation technologies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize the tolerance of Hylotelephium maximum from coastal drift line vegetation against the biogenous heavy metals Cu, Zn, and Mn and its metal accumulation potential in controlled conditions. Plants were propagated vegetatively and cultivated in an automated greenhouse in a vegetative state (Experiment 1; Cu, Zn, and Mn) and in flowering-inducing conditions (Experiment 2; Mn gradient). In Experiment 1, total shoot biomass was negatively affected only by Mn at 1.0 g L−1, but root growth was significantly inhibited by all metals at this concentration. Plants accumulated 250 mg kg−1 Cu, 3200 mg kg−1 Zn, and &gt;11,000 mg kg Mn−1 in their leaves. In Experiment 2, only new shoot growth was significantly suppressed at 0.5 g L−1 Mn. At the highest concentrations, shoot biomass progressively declined at the level of inhibition of flower and stem growth. Visual toxicity symptoms of Mn appeared 2 weeks after full treatment on leaves of 2.0 g L−1 treated plants as black dots along the main veins and spread over the leaf surface with time. The maximum Mn accumulation capacity was reached in leaves (15,000 mg kg−1), together with a high translocation factor and bioconcentration factor. The obtained results suggest that the particular accession of H. maximum has very good potential for practical phytoremediation purposes.

Marine Bacteria Associated with Colonization and Alteration of Plastic Polymers

The aim of this work was molecular identification of bacteria associated with marine sand at the drift line, where most plastic debris is deposited, and evaluation of the alteration of plastic polymers by them. Bacterial communities growing on plastic polymer surfaces may differentially cause surface alteration through exopolysaccharide production. This alteration can be analyzed by changes in spectra regions of colonized polymers compared to uncolonized polymers using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). In this study, bacteria located in sand at the drift line above sea water, where microplastics are most abundant, were isolated and identified through 16S rRNA. Six of the identified species produced exopolysaccharides, namely Bacillus thuringiensis, B. cereus, Bacillus sp. Proteus penneri, Alcaligenes faecalis and Myroides gitamensis. These bacteria species were inoculated into plates, each containing two frequently reported types of polymers at the drift line. Specifically, the two types of plastic polymers used were polypropylene and polystyrene spheres in whole and mechanically crushed states. Differences in bacterial growth were reported as inferred from weight increase of polypropylene and polystyrene spheres after 1-year long culture. Results also showed that Alcaligenes faecalis, Bacillus cereus and Proteus penneri colonized polypropylene spheres and modified spectra regions of FTIR. It is concluded that bacteria located in sand can be considered plastic-altering bacteria as changes in FTIR-spectra of polymers can be related to bioalteration.

A first assessment of microplastic abundance in sandy beach sediments of the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, South Brazil (RAMSAR site)

Here we present the first assessment of microplastic (1–5 mm) abundance in drift line sediments from nineteen sandy beaches at the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, a subtropical estuarine system from South Brazil. This estuarine system harbors Brazil's second-largest grain port, the Guaraqueçaba Environmental Protection Area, and a RAMSAR site. Sediment samples were washed through a 5 and 1 mm mesh sieve and then visually inspected. We found a total of 398 microplastic particles, of which the majority were foams (63.7%), hard plastic fragments (13.8%), paint fragments (12.8%), and pellets (7.2%). Almost all sampled beaches, including those located within the Guaraqueçaba Environmental Protection Area, were contaminated by microplastics. The most likely microplastic sources for the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex beaches are urban and port activities. However, small communities and marine sources may also contribute to microplastic presence.

Sediment grain size determines microplastic exposure landscapes for sandy beach macroinfauna

Despite the global occurrence of microplastic contamination on sandy beaches, evidence of microplastic distribution within beaches remains contradictory. When conflicting evidence is used to inform sampling surveys, it increases uncertainty in resulting data. Moreover, it hampers spatially explicit risk characterization of microplastic pollution to intertidal fauna. We aimed to guide sampling designs for microplastic monitoring on beaches, and to quantify macroinfauna exposure to microplastics. Microplastic abundance, quantified between 5 mm–66 μm, lacked a significant zonation across the top sediment layer of sub-terrestrial, upper and lower midlittoral, and swash zones at two sites with varying anthropogenic influence on a microtidal dissipative beach in Uruguay. Microplastic abundance decreased exponentially with increasing grain size, as revealed by Bayesian Poisson regression, although the decrease was less steep compared to prior knowledge regarding sediment – plastic interactions obtained for large (millimeter-sized) industrial pellets. Significant differences in microplastic contamination between the two sites with varying anthropogenic influence likely related to their proximity to a freshwater canal. Corresponding field measurements of body burdens of fibers and irregular particles were significantly lower for the polychaete Euzonus (Thoracophelia) furcifera, despite its preference for finer sediments with higher microplastic loads, compared to the isopods Excirolana braziliensis and Excirolana armata. Results provide critical insights toward representative sampling of microplastics within beach sites. Specifically, we caution against sampling limited to the drift line, and instead recommend: 1) reporting beach morphodynamic characteristics; 2) using clearly defined, ecologically-informed zonation schemes; and 3) accounting for sediment grain size as a covariate to normalize among reported contamination levels. The results contribute valuable baseline data toward realistic exposure landscapes relative to the sediment grain size preferences of macroinfauna, needed to inform laboratory experiments.

Mooring tension prediction based on BP neural network for semi-submersible platform

The design and optimisation of a mooring system for a floating platform typically necessitates engineering experience and time-consuming numerical simulations. A novel hybrid BPNN–FEM approach, based on the modified BP neural network and FEM is proposed to more conveniently predict the statistic pretension and dynamic tension series of mooring systems with several design variables under irregular sea states. The accuracy of this approach has been validated using several statistical error metrics. This procedure can be used to optimize the mooring system design of the floating platform in a more economical manner than time-intensive numerical simulations. An optional mooring selection is proposed based on the maximum safe operation window and the requirements for the platform drift and mooring line safety performance. A deep-water semi-submersible platform is presented as an example to demonstrate the hybrid approach. This platform comprises twelve mooring lines, and the design variables include the mooring radius, values for the azimuthal spacing of the mooring lines, and the length of the various segments of the mooring lines. The impact of environmental load incidences is also considered in this process. The prediction results are in reasonable agreement with those obtained using the FEM.

Length‐weight relationships of eight elasmobranch species captured along the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu, Eastern Indian Ocean

This study reports the length-weight relationships (LWR) for eight elasmobranch species; four shark species (Carcharhiniformes and Orectolobiformes), two species of rays (Myliobatiformes) and two species of guitarfishes (Rhinopristiformes) from the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu, Eastern Indian Ocean. The specimens of these elasmobranch species were collected from the catches of various gears like trawl net, bottom set and drift gill net, hook & line at Chennai—Royapuram Fishing Harbour, Cuddalore Fishing Harbourand Nagapattinam Fishing Harbour situated along this coastal region fortnightly during June 2019–March 2020. The values of the parameter ‘b’ remained within the expected range of 2.5–3.5. Length- weight / Disc-width-weight relationships showed good fit with r2 values varying from 0.8923 to 0.9869. This study also reports a new maximum TL length (Lmax)for a shark species (Chiloscyllium griseum).

Microplastic abundance in beach sediments of the Kiel Fjord, Western Baltic Sea

We assessed the abundance of microplastics (0.2–5 mm) in drift line sediments from three sites in Kiel Fjord, Western Baltic Sea. The first site is intensively used by beach visitors, the second is in close proximity to a sewage plant and the third is polluted with large-sized plastic litter. Samples were split into three grain size classes (0.2–0.5, 0.5–1, 1–5 mm), washed with calcium chloride solution, and filtered at 0.2 mm. Filters were then visually inspected, and a total of 180 fragments was classified as microplastics, of which 39% were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. At the site that is close to a sewage plant as well as at the site with intense beach use, 1.8 and 4.5 particles (fibers plus fragments) per kg of dry sediment were found, respectively, while particle abundances reached 30.2 per kg of dry sediment at the site with high litter loads. Our data suggest that the fragmentation of large plastic debris at site seems to be a relevant source for microplastics in Western Baltic Sea beach sediments.

A New Framework for Automatic Detection of Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Resting-State EEG Signals.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be an indicator representing the early stage of Alzheimier's disease (AD). AD, which is the most common form of dementia, is a major public health problem worldwide. Efficient detection of MCI is essential to identify the risks of AD and dementia. Currently Electroencephalography (EEG) is the most popular tool to investigate the presenence of MCI biomarkers. This study aims to develop a new framework that can use EEG data to automatically distinguish MCI patients from healthy control subjects. The proposed framework consists of noise removal (baseline drift and power line interference noises), segmentation, data compression, feature extraction, classification, and performance evaluation. This study introduces Piecewise Aggregate Approximation (PAA) for compressing massive volumes of EEG data for reliable analysis. Permutation entropy (PE) and auto-regressive (AR) model features are investigated to explore whether the changes in EEG signals can effectively distinguish MCI from healthy control subjects. Finally, three models are developed based on three modern machine learning techniques: Extreme Learning Machine (ELM); Support Vector Machine (SVM) and K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN) for the obtained feature sets. Our developed models are tested on a publicly available MCI EEG database and the robustness of our models is evaluated by using a 10-fold cross validation method. The results show that the proposed ELM based method achieves the highest classification accuracy (98.78%) with lower execution time (0.281 seconds) and also outperforms the existing methods. The experimental results suggest that our proposed framework could provide a robust biomarker for efficient detection of MCI patients.