Significant Deviations Research Articles

Using Gaussian Processes to detect AGN flares

ABSTRACT A key feature of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is their variability across all wavelengths. Typically, AGN vary by a few tenths of a magnitude or more over periods lasting from hours to years. By contrast, extreme variability of AGN – large luminosity changes that are a significant departure from the baseline variability – are known as AGN flares. These events are rare and their time-scales poorly constrained, with most of the literature focusing on individual events. It has been suggested that extreme AGN variability including flares can provide insights into the accretion processes in the disc. With surveys such as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time promising millions of transient detections per night in the coming decade, there is a need for fast and efficient classification of AGN flares. The problem with the systematic detection of AGN flares is the requirement to detect them against a stochastically variable baseline; the ability to define a signal as a significant departure from the ever-present variability is a statistical challenge. Recently, Gaussian Processes have revolutionized the analysis of time-series data in many areas of astronomical research. They have, however, seen limited uptake within the field of transient detection and classification. Here, we investigate the efficacy of Gaussian Processes to detect AGN flares in both simulated and real optical light curves. We show that GP analysis can successfully detect AGN flares with a false-positive rate of less than seven per cent, and we present examples of AGN light curves that show extreme variability.

How does orthotic walker boot design influence lower limb and trunk function during gait?

Background: Undesirable lower limb gait deviations have previously been reported when wearing orthotic walker boots; therefore, there is a need to optimize orthotic walker boot designs to facilitate normal gait. Objective: This study explored the biomechanical effects of 2 designs of orthotic walker boot on the lower limb and trunk compared with usual footwear. Study design: A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate selected kinematic and kinetic variables under different walking conditions. Methods: Sixteen healthy participants walked in 3 conditions using: Walker A (Airselect Elite, Enovis), Walker B (Townsend XLR8 Series Walker, Thuasne, France), and a usual shoe. A 10-camera motion analysis system and 4 force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Results: Gait speed was significantly slower in both orthotic walker boots, and there was significantly decreased ankle range of motion, which is their primary function. Significant deviations in normal knee and hip kinematics and kinetics, shank-to-vertical angle, and pelvic and trunk movements were noted with both walker boots, with the greatest deviations from the shoe condition observed in Walker B. Recline and incline shank angular velocities showed the greatest differences in Walker B, which could be associated with adverse knee joint moments and a significantly greater perceived ease of walking in Walker A. Conclusions: Orthotic walker boot design significantly affects walking mechanics. Orthotic walkers with greater forefoot rocker profiles and inclined vertical shank angles may at least partly mitigate known gait deviations when wearing orthotic walkers.

Simulation alignment of optical system for space gravitational wave telescope

The performance of telescopes, important components of space interferometry systems, directly affects the accuracy of gravitational wave signals. Space gravitational wave telescopes typically employ an off-axis four-mirror system. When aligned, this system not only has multiple misalignments, but also exhibits interrelated aberrations from various misalignments. These characteristics may lead to difficult alignment of the telescope system as well as significant deviation between the position of the telescope after alignment and the ideal position. To address these issues, first, a sensitivity matrix equation was established between the misalignment of optical components and the Fringe Zernike coefficients. Based on the sensitivity matrix equation, a damping least-squares evaluation function was constructed to reduce the significant deviation between the aligned and ideal positions. Second, a typical optical system of a space gravitational wave telescope was designed, and the sensitivity matrix was calculated. The relationship between the wavefront distortions caused by misalignments in each optical component was examined. To simplify telescope installation, a strategy using secondary mirrors as compensatory elements was proposed. Finally, to verify the effectiveness of the scheme, 200 sets of tolerance files were randomly generated. Based on the evaluation function of the damping least-squares method, a reasonable damping factor was set to limit the solution range of the misalignment, which enabled calculating the secondary mirror compensation amount. Experimental results indicate that after aligning the 200 random telescope files, the root-mean-square wavefront error was reduced to less than 0.0030λ, and the maximum error between the magnification after alignment and the ideal position magnification was only 0.57%, which confirms the feasibility of this alignment scheme.

Azov sea fishes stock assessment by swept area method through bootstrap

Recently driven changes in habitat conditions in the Azov Sea make classic applications of swept area method inconsistent. Swept area stock assessment method modification for stock estimation of aquatic biological resources through nonparametric bootstrap is presented. New approach is tested against classic calculated results of swept area method for next fish species: Azov anchovy, tulka, turbot and Black-Azov sea shad according to data collected during 2022. Results comparison of classic and modified through bootstrap stock assessment methods leads no significant deviations in mean value estimation. Maximum difference between mean estimates of stock size was 3,75%. Confidential intervals width difference between reviewed methods, in general, was not significant. Most valuable difference in confidential intervals was detected in BCa approach against classic method with quantile approach (due to methodological features of BCa in bias correction procedure). The new stock assessment approach for swept area method though bootstrap permit to calculate statistically valid estimates, their confidential intervals and perform input data validation. The absence of significant differences in the results by the classical and proposed methods indicates the further applicable possibility of classic method even in normality violation in source samples. The normality requirements in methodology of classic approach, probably, is redundant.

KPI-related monitoring approach for powertrain system in hybrid electric vehicles

This paper introduces a novel monitoring method related to key-performance-indicators (KPIs), specifically tailored for the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain system. The proposed method establishes a new KPI that better reflects the performance of the HEV powertrain system. Through the application of partial least squares and contribution plot method, it excels in minimizing data scale and precisely monitoring HEV powertrain faults. Diverging from current methodologies, this method demands minimal prior knowledge and solely relies on previously observed HEV data. The simulation results demonstrate the method's capability to detect engine and motor overheating faults while accurately diagnosing their root causes. In summary, this innovative method marks a significant departure from existing approaches, providing a robust and powerful tool for state monitoring in the HEV powertrain system.

Role of Singles Amplitudes in ADC(2) and CC2 for Low-Lying Electronically Excited States.

The closely related second-order methods CC2 and ADC(2) usually perform very similarly for single excitations of organic molecules. However, as rationalized in this work, significant deviations between these two methods can arise if the ground state and a low-lying singly excited state arise from a strong coupling between their leading configurations. Such a configuration mixing is partially accounted for in CC2 through the ground-state singles amplitudes but is omitted in ADC(2). This can cause unusual deviations between the results obtained with these methods. In this work, we study how severe this effect can become at the example of two solvatochromic dyes: the negatively solvatochromic betaine dye N1-tBu and the positively solvatochromic bithiophene P1. These two dyes allow one to study the limits of both small and somewhat larger excitation energies and configuration mixing by tuning the S0 → S1 transition energy through the polarity of the environment. Higher-level calculations at the CC3 level provide information on the accuracy of ADC(2) and CC2 in these cases. The most extreme deviation between ADC(2) and CC2 is found for N1-tBu in vacuum, where the ADC(2) result is 0.45 eV below that of CC2. In this case, the methodical error of CC2 with respect to CC3 is only 0.05 eV. With increasing excitation energy in polar solvents, the CC2-ADC(2) deviation decreases and reaches a value of only 0.15 eV. For P1, which has larger excitation energies, these effects are reversed due to the opposite solvatochromism but also smaller in magnitude: the deviation increases from 0.08 eV in vacuum to 0.16 eV in the so-called conductor limit of the continuum solvation model. Although for these two dyes larger deviations are observed for smaller excitation energies, the extent of configuration mixing does not generally correlate with only the size of excitation energy. For example, s-triazine (0.15 eV), formamide (0.19 eV), and formaldehyde (0.23 eV) also show large deviations between CC2 and ADC(2) despite their much higher excitation energies compared to those of N1-tBu and P1.

The astounding exhaustiveness and speed of the Astral mass analyzer for highly complex samples is a quantum leap in the functional analysis of microbiomes

BackgroundBy analyzing the proteins which are the workhorses of biological systems, metaproteomics allows us to list the taxa present in any microbiota, monitor their relative biomass, and characterize the functioning of complex biological systems.ResultsHere, we present a new strategy for rapidly determining the microbial community structure of a given sample and designing a customized protein sequence database to optimally exploit extensive tandem mass spectrometry data. This approach leverages the capabilities of the first generation of Quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometer incorporating an asymmetric track lossless (Astral) analyzer, offering rapid MS/MS scan speed and sensitivity. We took advantage of data-dependent acquisition and data-independent acquisition strategies using a peptide extract from a human fecal sample spiked with precise amounts of peptides from two reference bacteria.ConclusionsOur approach, which combines both acquisition methods, proves to be time-efficient while processing extensive generic databases and massive datasets, achieving a coverage of more than 122,000 unique peptides and 38,000 protein groups within a 30-min DIA run. This marks a significant departure from current state-of-the-art metaproteomics methodologies, resulting in broader coverage of the metabolic pathways governing the biological system. In combination, our strategy and the Astral mass analyzer represent a quantum leap in the functional analysis of microbiomes.DtQfodvXmxPWcwvjCbxEj1Video

Digital Footprint: Assessing Student Satisfaction with Education Quality

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way learning is organized around the world. Russian universities have also been faced with the need to quickly transfer all teaching to an online format. The importance of student satisfaction with the education quality in online learning is increasing, since it is an important condition for motivation. The paper shows that based on the analysis of students’ messages in the social network, it is possible to observe and analyze the overall dynamics and trends in student community satisfaction with the quality of the learning / the efficiency of universities and conduct a comparative analysis of the identified characteristic data groups with their totality. It is shown that the data on the reaction of students of a particular university may have significant deviations from the totality of data, which reflects the characteristics of the reaction of students of a particular university to events occurring at the same time. This may indicate the internal differences of the university, which form an appropriate response to external events.To understand the satisfaction of students in the transition to a new implementation format of the learning. The digital traces of students from the social network VKontakte were analyzed using individual Big Data tools on the PolyAnalyst software platform. This made it possible to trace changes in the mood of students and, on the example of a single university, to identify and explain deviations in the attitude of students to the implementation of the learning, as well as to verify the methodology. The methodology developed by authors makes it possible to detect problematic issues in the university, including the moment of their occurrence, relevance, degree of concern of students. Such content analysis can be used not only to assess students’ satisfaction with the quality of the learning, but also to monitor the emergence of any problems that cause concern and strong reactions on the part of the student community, as well as other communities and individual groups.

Impact of Formalin- and Cryofixation on Raman Spectra of Human Tissues and Strategies for Tumor Bank Inclusion.

Reliable training of Raman spectra-based tumor classifiers relies on a substantial sample pool. This study explores the impact of cryofixation (CF) and formalin fixation (FF) on Raman spectra using samples from surgery sites and a tumor bank. A robotic Raman spectrometer scans samples prior to the neuropathological analysis. CF samples showed no significant spectral deviations, appearance, or disappearance of peaks, but an intensity reduction during freezing and subsequent recovery during the thawing process. In contrast, FF induces sustained spectral alterations depending on molecular composition, albeit with good signal-to-noise ratio preservation. These observations are also reflected in the varying dual-class classifier performance, initially trained on native, unfixed samples: The Matthews correlation coefficient is 81.0% for CF and 58.6% for FF meningioma and dura mater. Training on spectral differences between original FF and pure formalin spectra substantially improves FF samples' classifier performance (74.2%). CF is suitable for training global multiclass classifiers due to its consistent spectrum shape despite intensity reduction. FF introduces changes in peak relationships while preserving the signal-to-noise ratio, making it more suitable for dual-class classification, such as distinguishing between healthy and malignant tissues. Pure formalin spectrum subtraction represents a possible method for mathematical elimination of the FF influence. These findings enable retrospective analysis of processed samples, enhancing pathological work and expanding machine learning techniques.

Enforcing accurate volume conservation in VOF‐based long‐term simulations of turbulent bubble‐laden flows on coarse grids

AbstractThis study proposes two different strategies to enforce accurate volume conservation in volume‐of‐fluid (VOF)‐based simulations of turbulent bubble‐laden flows on coarse grids. It is demonstrated that, without a correction, minimal volume errors on a time‐step level, caused by the under‐resolution of the interface, can accumulate to significant deviations from the intended flow conditions despite the comparably good volume conservation properties of the geometric VOF method. In particular, large volume errors are observed for challenging setups combining coarse grid resolutions and comparably high Reynolds and Eötvös numbers. The problem is reinforced for long‐term simulations in periodic domains, which are often performed to collect flow statistics of bubbly flows. The first proposed volume conservation method simply corrects the volume error of a bubble by uniformly adding or removing the respective amount of gas volume in the interface cells. The second proposed method performs an additional reconstruction and advection step of the VOF field using a non‐divergence‐free velocity field, which can be interpreted as a slight dilatation or contraction of the bubble. A comparison between the global flow statistics as well as the individual bubble dynamics for both volume conservation methods reveals that the results are quasi‐identical for a number of challenging test cases, while the gas volume is accurately conserved. The proposed methods allow to perform numerical simulations of freely deformable bubbles in turbulent flows for setups that have previously been out of reach for this numerical framework.

Numerical Simulations of the Epley Maneuver With Clinical Implications.

Canalith repositioning procedures to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are often applied following standardized criteria, without considering the possible anatomical singularities of the membranous labyrinth for each individual. As a result, certain patients may become refractory to the treatment due to significant deviations from the ideal membranous labyrinth, that was considered when the maneuvers were designed. This study aims to understand the dynamics of the endolymphatic fluid and otoconia, within the membranous labyrinth geometry, which may contribute to the ineffectiveness of the Epley maneuver. Simultaneously, the study seeks to explore methods to avoid or reduce treatment failure. We conducted a study on the Epley maneuver using numerical simulations based on a three-dimensional medical image reconstruction of the human left membranous labyrinth. A high-quality micro-computed tomography of a human temporal bone specimen was utilized for the image reconstruction, and a mathematical model for the endolymphatic fluid was developed and coupled with a spherical particle model representing otoconia inside the fluid. This allowed us to measure the position and time of each particle throughout all the steps of the maneuver, using equations that describe the physics behind benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Numerical simulations of the standard Epley maneuver applied to this membranous labyrinth model yielded unsatisfactory results, as otoconia do not reach the frontside of the utricle, which in this study is used as the measure of success. The resting times between subsequent steps indicated that longer intervals are required for smaller otoconia. Using different angles of rotation can prevent otoconia from entering the superior semicircular canal or the posterior ampulla. Steps 3, 4, and 5 exhibited a heightened susceptibility to failure, as otoconia could be accidentally displaced into these regions. We demonstrate that modifying the Epley maneuver based on the numerical results obtained in the membranous labyrinth of the human specimen under study can have a significant effect on the success or failure of the treatment. The use of numerical simulations appears to be a useful tool for future canalith repositioning procedures that aim to personalize the treatment by modifying the rotation planes currently defined as the standard criteria.

Dissonance In the Public Eye: Understanding the Role of Initial Affection and Deviation Size on Negative Evaluations

This study examined the impact of a public figure's deviation from societal expectations on public perceptions and economic support intentions. We hypothesized that smaller deviations would induce higher negative evaluations, and that initial personal liking for the figure would interact with deviation size to affect these evaluations. Although we did not find substantial support for our primary hypothesis, we observed an interaction effect consistent with our secondary hypothesis. Specifically, among those who initially liked the figure, minor deviations incited marginally higher negative evaluations than significant deviations. The findings suggest that initial affection introduces an additional layer of complexity in public reactions to a figure's deviations, which aligns with the Cognitive Dissonance Theory. Interestingly, participants were more likely to endorse harm for smaller deviations, implying that society tends to reprimand public figures more severely for minor deviations. There were no significant effects observed for economic support intentions. The study's implications are discussed in the context of understanding public figures' influence and societal reactions. These findings highlight the intricate dynamics of public sentiment and emphasize the need for future research to continue exploring these multifaceted relationships.

A universal panel of STR loci for the study of polymorphism of the species Canis lupus and forensic identification of dog and wolf.

Commercial panels of microsatellite (STR) loci are intended for DNA analysis of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and, therefore, when genotyping the Grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus), most markers reveal significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and have a low informative value, which complicates their use in a forensic examination. The aim of this study was to select STR markers that equally effectively reflect population polymorphism in the wolf and the dog, and to create a universal panel for the identification of individuals in forensic science. Based on the study of polymorphisms of 34 STR loci, a CPlex panel of 15 autosomal loci and two sex loci was developed, which is equally suitable for identifying wolfs and dogs. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) between samples revealed significant differentiation values (FST = 0.0828, p < 0.05), which allows the panel to be used for differentiating between wolf and dog samples. For the first time in the forensic examination of objects of animal origin in the Republic of Belarus, population subdivision coefficients (θ-values) were calculated for each of the 15 STR loci of the test system being reported. It was shown that the values of the genotype frequency, when averaged over all studied animals without and with considering the θ-value, differ by three orders of magnitude (3.39 · 10-17 and 4.71 · 10-14, respectively). The use of population subdivision coefficients will provide the researcher with the most relevant results of an expert identification study. The test system was validated in accordance with the protocol of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods. A computational tool was developed to automate the analysis of genetic data on the wolf and dog in the forensic examination; two guides were approved for practicing forensic experts. This methodology is being successfully used in expert practice in investigating cases of illegal hunting, animal abuse and other offenses in the Republic of Belarus.

Seasonal forecasting of local-scale soil moisture droughts with Global BROOK90: a case study of the European drought of 2018

Abstract. Prolonged deficit of soil moisture can result in significant ecosystem and economical losses. General slowdown of vegetation growth and development, withering of foliage cover, reduction of carbon, nutrients and water cycling, increase of fire and insect outbreaks are just a few examples of soil moisture drought impacts. Thus, an early and timely warning via monitoring and forecast could help to prepare for a drought and manage its consequences. In this study, a new version of Global BROOK90, an automated framework to simulate water balance at any location, is presented. The new framework integrates seasonal meteorological forecasts (SEAS5 forecasting system) from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Here we studied how well the framework can predict the soil moisture drought on a local scale. Twelve small European catchments (from 7 to 115 km2) characterized by various geographical conditions were chosen to reconstruct the 2018–2019 period, when a large-scale prolonged drought was observed in Europe. Setting the ERA5-forced soil moisture simulations as a reference, we analysed how the lead time of the SEAS5 hindcasts influences the quality of the soil moisture predictions under drought and non-drought conditions. It was found that the hindcasted soil moisture fits well with the reference model runs only within the first (in some cases until the second and third) month of lead time. Afterwards, significant deviations up to 50 % of soil water volume were found. Furthermore, within the drought period the SEAS5 hindcast forcings resulted in overestimation of the soil moisture for most of the catchment, indicating an earlier end of a drought period. Finally, it was shown that application of the probabilistic forecast using the ensembles' quantiles to account for the uncertainty of the meteorological input is reasonable only for a lead time of up to 3 months.

Steam Explosion-Based Method for the Extraction of Cellulose and Lignin from Rice Straw Waste

This paper focuses on the optimisation of an efficient extraction process for cellulose and lignin from rice straw waste from the Albufera of Valencia using the steam explosion method. This method is particularly pertinent given the environmental and economic challenges posed by the current disposal practices of agricultural waste. The technique comprises a high-temperature cooking stage followed by instantaneous decompression, effectively altering the biomass’s physical and chemical properties to enhance its surface area and porosity. Our adaptation of the steam explosion technique specifically addresses the challenges of rice straw waste, marking a significant departure from previous applications. This innovation is crucial in addressing the urgent need for more sustainable waste management practices, as it effectively deconstructs the lignocellulosic matrix of rice straw. This facilitates the selective extraction of cellulose at a 70% efficiency, with a 20% yield and the subsequent recovery of lignin. The results of this study are significant for sustainable biomaterial production, offering novel insights into optimising these crucial biomass components. By refining the process and focusing on critical parameters, our work advances the application of steam explosion methods for agricultural waste, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. By utilising rice straw biowaste, this research not only proposes a solution to a pressing environmental issue but also demonstrates the potential to create new market opportunities, increase the economic value for rice producers, and significantly reduce the environmental footprint of existing waste disposal methods. The holistic and ecological approach of this study underscores the vital need for innovative strategies in agricultural waste management, positioning the valorisation of rice straw waste as a key component in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.

The counterintuitive aromaticity of bent metallabenzenes: A theoretical exploration

Metallabenzenes, a type of aromatic compound that includes metal atoms, have opened up new avenues for creating materials with unique properties. A distinctive feature of metallabenzenes is the significant deviation of their metal atoms from the planar configuration of the C5 ring, a phenomenon that paradoxically enhances their aromatic character. In this investigation, we propose that this counterintuitive increase in aromaticity upon geometric distortion is governed by the interactions of frontier orbitals in the σ-space. This insight not only corroborates the previously suggested role of σ-space orbitals in inducing geometric non-planarity in metallabenzenes but also underscores their pivotal contribution to the compounds' enhanced aromaticity. As a result, this work broadens the scope of the σ-control mechanism, highlighting its usefulness for the rational design of functional metalla-aromatic materials.

Are physicians rational under ambiguity?

AbstractDo physicians behave rationally when facing a new disease? This study assesses physicians’ ambiguity attitudes towards the future severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in its early stages and the financial market in the US using an incentive-compatible online experiment. Our findings indicate that physicians demonstrate significant deviations from expected utility, characterized by a modest degree of ambiguity aversion and pronounced levels of likelihood insensitivity. While physicians generally show less insensitivity to uncertainty compared to the general public, both groups exhibited similar levels of irrationality when dealing with the ambiguity surrounding the COVID-19 severity. These results underscore the necessity for debiasing strategies among medical professionals, especially in managing real-world uncertainties, with a specific focus on mitigating likelihood insensitivity.

The principle of adversariality in the criminal procedure of the USSR

The paper is devoted to the study of the development of the adversarial principle in the criminal procedure of the Ukrainian SSR. In its development, the adversarial principle went through two stages. The first stage is characterized by the abolition of the main elements of adversariality introduced into criminal procedure by the judicial reform of Alexander II. The adversarial principle itself was criticized as bourgeois and alien to Soviet legal proceedings. After the adoption of the first Soviet criminal procedure acts, the criminal process, at least at the stage of trial, began to include adversarial elements. As for the preliminary investigation and inquiry, there were significant deviations from the requirements of the law, and in some cases the legislation itself created preconditions for actual arbitrariness and repression, and made it impossible for citizens of the Ukrainian SSR to defend their rights and interests or prove their innocence. In general, the process was in fact similar to an inquisition. Starting in the 1960s, criminal procedure legislation underwent significant changes in the direction of expanding individual rights and democratizing the process, which marked the beginning of the second stage. The adversarial nature of the procedure was no longer merely declarative, but became part of the mechanism for ensuring fairness during the trial. It began to act as a tool aimed at balancing the interests of the state and the interests of the persons involved in the process. The main goal of adversarialism was to ensure the impartial and independent administration of justice. In the context of criminal proceedings, adversarialism allowed the parties to defend their interests and present evidence before a neutral court, which undoubtedly contributed to the gradual establishment of the right to a fair trial in the country. At the same time, the adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Ukrainian SSR in 1960 did not lead to the division of functions in criminal proceedings and did not introduce sufficient guarantees to ensure that the accused and suspects enjoy the full range of rights to defense against accusation and suspicion. The priority was not the competition between the parties, but the achievement of the objectives of socialist justice and the activities of state bodies (preliminary investigation, prosecution and court).

Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Superheater Tube of a Pulverized Coal-Fired Boiler Using Conjugate Heat Transfer Modeling

This study is a numerical study to predict the temperature of the heat exchange tubes inside the pulverized coal-fired boiler through the conjugate heat transfer analysis. Due to the aspect ratio and number of tubes inside the pulverized coal-fired boiler, actual tube modeling analysis has rarely been conducted. Most of the research has been conducted through the porous media method, resulting in limited information on the temperature distribution of each tube. However, for the development of a digital twin model for improving the performance of the boiler and reducing maintenance costs, information on the local temperature of the tubes is required. In this study, all the tubes inside the boiler were modeled, and conjugate heat transfer analysis was performed to confirm the local temperature distribution. For this purpose, the analysis was conducted using Fluent 2020 r2, and the analysis model was constructed using more than 300 million structured grids. The calculation was performed considering conjugate heat transfer in the pulverized coal-fired boiler, heat exchange by steam inside the tubes, and conductive heat transfer of the tubes. As a result, it was confirmed that there is a significant deviation in the local temperature for each tube position. Furthermore, the maximum temperature of the PrSH tube ranges widely, between 492 and 532 degrees, depending on the tube’s position. It was observed that the point of the highest temperature inside the tubes also varies for each tube due to the flow of external combustion gas. Based on these results, it is expected that strategic approaches to boiler design and maintenance can be achieved. Furthermore, it is anticipated to contribute to the high efficiency of power facilities by being utilized as basic data for the development of a digital twin model for the boiler.

A new bird calicivirus detected in feces of cormorants

The incidence of reporting caliciviruses in wild birds is less common than in other animals, and the majority of cases remain unclassified. A strain of calicivirus was discovered in this study in the feces of cormorants collected at Xiamen Horticulture Expo Garden in 2021 and was named Cormcali01. The genome of Cormcali01 was 8,561 bp in length which contained characteristic motifs present in other caliciviruses. Furthermore, it demonstrated a significant deviation from all existing calicivirus nucleotide sequences, exhibiting the highest amino acid identity (47.34%) to the unclassified Ruddy turnstone calicivirus A. A pairwise comparison of the VP1 protein showed that Cormcali01 had the highest amino acid identity of 43.90% with the unassigned Ruddy turnstone calicivirus A. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that VP1 of Cormcali01 clustered with unassigned caliciviruses. Therefore, based on phylogenetic analysis and pairwise comparison, Cormcali01 should be affiliated with the unassigned calicivirus, which were suggested to comprise a new calicivirus genus, the Sanovirus genus. After investigating the prevalence of Cormcali01, we discovered that 22.22% of fecal samples (10/45) were tested positive. These findings expand our understanding of the genetic variation of caliciviruses and provide valuable epidemiological information regarding a potential outbreak of calicivirus disease in birds.