A Fusion Positioning Method for Indoor Geomagnetic/Light Intensity/Pedestrian Dead Reckoning Based on Dual-Layer Tent-Atom Search Optimization-Back Propagation.

Indoor positioning using smartphones has garnered significant research attention. Geomagnetic and sensor data offer convenient methods for achieving this goal. However, conventional geomagnetic indoor positioning encounters several limitations, including low spatial resolution, poor accuracy, and stability issues. To address these challenges, we propose a fusion positioning approach. This approach integrates geomagnetic data, light intensity measurements, and inertial navigation data, utilizing a hierarchical optimization strategy. We employ a Tent-ASO-BP model that enhances the traditional Back Propagation (BP) algorithm through the integration of chaos mapping and Atom Search Optimization (ASO). In the offline phase, we construct a dual-resolution fingerprint database using Radial Basis Function (RBF) interpolation. This database amalgamates geomagnetic and light intensity data. The fused positioning results are obtained via the first layer of the Tent-ASO-BP model. We add a second Tent-ASO-BP layer and use an improved Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) method to derive the walking trajectory from smartphone sensors. In PDR, we apply the Biased Kalman Filter-Wavelet Transform (BKF-WT) for optimal heading estimation and set a time threshold to mitigate the effects of false peaks and valleys. The second-layer model combines geomagnetic and light intensity fusion coordinates with PDR coordinates. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed positioning method not only effectively reduces positioning errors but also improves robustness across different application scenarios.

Aminoquinoline Fluorescent Labels Obstruct Efficient Removal of N-Glycan Core α(1-6) Fucose by Bovine Kidney α-l-Fucosidase (BKF).

Here we report evidence that new aminoquinoline N-glycan fluorescent labels interfere with the release of core α(1-6) fucose from N-glycans by bovine kidney α-l-fucosidase (BKF). BKF is a commonly employed exoglycosidase for core α(1-6) fucose determination. Molecular simulations of the bound and unbound Fuc-α(1-6)-GlcNAc, where GlcNAc is situated at the reducing end for all N-glycans, suggest that the reduced BKF activity may be due to a nonoptimal fit of the highest populated conformers in the BKF active binding site at room temperature. Population analysis and free energy estimates suggest that an enhanced flexibility of the labeled sugar, which facilitates recognition and binding, can be achievable with extended reaction conditions. We provide these experimental conditions using a sequential exoglycosidase digestion array using high concentrations of BKF.

Benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(b)fluoranthene degradation by Selenastrum capricornutum and identification of metabolites using HPLC-FD and HPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS.

Selenastrum capricornutum efficiently degrades high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW PAHs). Until now, there are few studies on the benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) and benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) biodegradation by this microalga. For this reason, in the present work, extracts obtained from cultures of S. capricornutum were incubated with BkF and BbF individually, and analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence and different mass spectrometry detection modes: i) the HPLC-ESI(+)-MS/MS (MRM mode) analysis that confirmed the formation of monohydroxylated and dihydrodiol metabolites indicating that these PAHs could be simultaneously degraded through the monooxygenase and dioxygenase; ii) HPLC-ESI(+)-MS (full scan mode) that showed the formation of key metabolites containing four and two aromatic rings possibly resulting from aromatic ring-opening oxygenases, not known until now in microalgae; iii) HPLC-FD analysis that confirmed the individual BkF and BbF degradation occurring in extra- and intra-cellular extracts, indicating that an oxygenase enzyme complex is released by microalgae cells to the external environment to perform HMW PAHs biodegradation. So, this work presents new insights into the metabolic pathways of BkF and BbF biodegradation by S. capricornutum; likewise, the intra- and extra-cellular extracts of this microalgae have great potential to be applied in environmental procedures.

Source attribution of personal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture using concurrent personal, indoor, and outdoor measurements.

OBJECTIVES: Relative importance of multiple indoor and outdoor venues on personal exposure concentrations to pro-carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) remains poorly understood. This is particularly challenging because many c-PAHs share sources and occur as a complex mixture. Accurate and precise apportionment of personal exposure according to exposure venues could aid in the understanding of human health effects due to a given source. Here, we partitioned indoor and personal exposure concentrations to seven c-PAHs and pyrene according to the indoor- and outdoor-origins. METHODS: A simultaneous, integrated monitoring of personal, indoor and outdoor concentrations of nine PAHs was conducted in 75 homes for a consecutive 48-hour period across a two-year period in Kraków, Poland. Due to few known indoor sources for chrysene, we used this PAH species as a tracer for infiltration of outdoor PAHs. Personal and indoor concentrations of seven c-PAHs and pyrene were apportioned to home indoor, non-home indoor and outdoor origins. RESULTS: Using Chrysenein/Chryseneout as proxy for an infiltration factor, Finf, infiltrated PAHs of outdoor origin are overall higher in concentration than those emitted from the indoor origin. Average contribution by the outdoor sources on B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F were 92%, 79%, and 78% across all seasons, respectively. In contrast, in homes where a household member smoked, average contributions by the outdoor sources on B[ghi]P, B[a]P, D[ah]A, and IP were lower (i.e., 67%, 65%, 67%, and 66%, respectively). Season-averaged contributions by the outdoor sources on personal exposure to B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F were 92%, 74%, and 77%, respectively. On the other hand, season-averaged home indoor source contributions on personal exposure to B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F were estimated at 6%, 15%, and 19%, respectively. Similar contributions by season-averaged home indoor sources on personal exposure were estimated at 28% for B[ghi]P, 31% for B[a]P, 25% for D[ah]A, and 28% for IP. CONCLUSION: Of the seven c-PAHs, B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F are enriched in indoor and personal exposure concentrations from the outdoor coal-combustion. B[ghi]P, B[a]P, D[a,h]A, and IP, PAHs with some of the highest carcinogenic and mutagenic potencies, are considerably enriched by cigarette smoke in addition to the outdoor sources.

Using SPMDs to monitor the seawater concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in marine protected areas (Western Mediterranean).

Aqueous concentrations of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in coastal sites of two marine protected areas (MPAs), that is, Asinara and the La Maddalena Archipelago, in Sardinia (Western Mediterranean Sea). The use of semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) enabled the detection of dissolved PAHs and PCBs, even in very low concentrations of (pgL(-1)), in seawater. The results reveal significant differences between the two sampling areas relative to the concentration of the individual PAHs, which provide information concerning the pollution sources affecting relatively pristine environments. The PCBs were generally observed at levels below the detection limits of the utilised method.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food--efflux of the conjugated biomarker 1-hydroxypyrene is mediated by Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (ABCG2) in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known food contaminants comprising compounds with carcinogenic properties. Pyrene (PYR) is an important non-carcinogenic PAH because its metabolites are frequently used as biomarkers to assess human PAH exposure. This study investigated for the first time the formation and transport of PYR metabolites in the human small intestinal Caco-2 cell model using HPLC technique. The intermediate phase I metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene formed by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases is subsequently conjugated by phase II enzymes to the water-soluble PYR 1-glucuronide as minor and PYR 1-sulfate as major metabolites. The formation of the latter is mediated by human sulfotransferases 1A1*Arg, 1A2*1, 1A3, and 1B1. Caco-2 monolayer experiments revealed a predominantly apical transport of both conjugates mediated by the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2). Additional treatment with several aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists indicate an AhR-driven induction of PYR-metabolizing enzymes and/or ABCG2. Overall, this study provides advanced mechanistic insights into the bioavailability of PYR and underlines a key role of the human small intestinal epithelium for the first pass metabolism of contaminants in food.

Hazardous waste characterization among various thermal processes in South Korea: a comparative analysis.

Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea (South Korea) is in progress of converting its current hazardous waste classification system to harmonize it with the international standard and to set-up the regulatory standards for toxic substances present in the hazardous waste. In the present work, the concentrations along with the trend of 13 heavy metals, F(-), CN(-) and 19 PAH present in the hazardous waste generated among various thermal processes (11 processes) in South Korea were analyzed along with their leaching characteristics. In all thermal processes, the median concentrations of Cu (3.58-209,000 mg/kg), Ni (BDL-1560 mg/kg), Pb (7.22-5132.25mg/kg) and Zn (83.02-31419 mg/kg) were comparatively higher than the other heavy metals. Iron & Steel thermal process showed the highest median value of the heavy metals Cd (14.76 mg/kg), Cr (166.15 mg/kg) and Hg (2.38 mg/kg). Low molecular weight PAH (BDL-37.59 mg/kg) was predominant in sludge & filter cake samples present in most of the thermal processes. Comparatively flue gas dust present in most of the thermal processing units resulted in the higher leaching of the heavy metals.