bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetable Soups and Creams: Raw Materials, Processing, Health Benefits, and Innovation Trends
Authors: Fernández-López Juana , Botella-Martínez Carmen , Navarro-Rodríguez de Vera Casilda , Sayas-Barberá María Estrella , Viuda-Martos Manuel , Sánchez-Zapata Elena , Pérez-Álvarez José Angel
Published: December 2020

Vegetable soups and creams have gained popularity among consumers worldwide due to the wide variety of raw materials (vegetable fruits, tubers, bulbs, leafy vegetables, and legumes) that can be used in their formulation which has been recognized as a healthy source of nutrients (mainly proteins, dietary fiber, other carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals) and bioactive compounds that could help maintain the body’s health and wellbeing. In addition, they are cheap and easy to preserve and prepare at home, ready to eat, so in consequence they are very useful in the modern life rhythms that modify the habits of current consumption and that reclaim foods elaborated with natural ingredients, ecologic, vegans, less invasive production processes, agroindustry coproducts valorization, and exploring new flavors and textures. This review focuses on the nutritional and healthy properties of vegetable soups and creams (depending on the raw materials used in their production) highlighting their content in bioactive compounds and their antioxidant properties. Apart from the effect that some processing steps could have on these compounds, innovation trends for the development of healthier soups and creams adapted to specific consumer requirements have also been explored.
Macrophyte Potential to Treat Leachate Contaminated with Wood Preservatives: Plant Tolerance and Bioaccumulation Capacity
Authors: Demers Emmanuelle , Kõiv-Vainik Margit , Yavari Sara , Mench Michel , Marchand Lilian , Vincent Julie , Frédette Chloé , Comeau Yves , Brisson Jacques
Published: December 2020

Pentachlorophenol and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) have been used worldwide as wood preservatives, but these compounds can toxify ecosystems when they leach into the soil and water. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of four treatment wetland macrophytes, Phalaris arundinacea, Typha angustifolia, and two subspecies of Phragmites australis, to tolerate and treat leachates containing wood preservatives. The experiment was conducted using 96 plant pots in 12 tanks filled with three leachate concentrations compared to uncontaminated water. Biomass production and bioaccumulation were measured after 35 and 70 days of exposure. There were no significant effects of leachate contamination concentration on plant biomass for any species. No contaminants were detected in aboveground parts of the macrophytes, precluding their use for phytoextraction within the tested contamination levels. However, all species accumulated As and chlorinated phenols in belowground parts, and this accumulation was more prevalent under a more concentrated leachate. Up to 0.5 mg pentachlorophenol/kg (from 81 µg/L in the leachate) and 50 mg As/kg (from 330 µg/L in the leachate) were accumulated in the belowground biomass. Given their high productivity and tolerance to the contaminants, the tested macrophytes showed phytostabilization potential and could enhance the degradation of phenols from leachates contaminated with wood preservatives in treatment wetlands.
Fused Deposition Modeling of Polyamides: Crystallization and Weld Formation
Authors: Costanzo Andrea , Croce Umberto , Spotorno Roberto , Fenni Seif Eddine , Cavallo Dario
Published: December 2020

International newspapers and experts have called 3D printing the industrial revolution of this century. Among all its available variants, the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique is of greater interest since its application is possible using simple desktop printers. FDM is a complex process, characterized by a large number of parameters that influence the quality and final properties of the product. In particular, in the case of semicrystalline polymers, which afford better mechanical properties than amorphous ones, it is necessary to understand the crystallization kinetics as the processing conditions vary, in order to be able to develop models that allow having a better control over the process and consequently on the final properties of the material. In this work it was proposed to study the crystallization kinetics of two different polyamides used for FDM 3D printing and to link it to the microstructure and properties obtained during FDM. The kinetics are studied both in isothermal and fast cooling conditions, thanks to a home-built device which allows mimicking the quenching experienced during filament deposition. The temperature history of a single filament is then determined by mean of a micro-thermocouple and the final crystallinity of the sample printed in a variety of conditions is assessed by differential scanning calorimetry. It is found that the applied processing conditions always allowed for the achievement of the maximum crystallinity, although in one condition the polyamide mesomorphic phase possibly develops. Despite the degree of crystallinity is not a strong function of printing variables, the weld strength of adjacent layers shows remarkable variations. In particular, a decrease of its value with printing speed is observed, linked to the probable development of molecular anisotropy under the more extreme printing conditions.
Triple-Shape Memory Behavior of Modified Lactide/Glycolide Copolymers
Authors: Smola-Dmochowska Anna , Śmigiel-Gac Natalia , Kaczmarczyk Bożena , Sobota Michał , Janeczek Henryk , Karpeta-Jarząbek Paulina , Kasperczyk Janusz , Dobrzyński Piotr
Published: December 2020

The paper presents the formation and properties of biodegradable thermoplastic blends with triple-shape memory behavior, which were obtained by the blending and extrusion of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) and bioresorbable aliphatic oligoesters with side hydroxyl groups: oligo (butylene succinate-co-butylene citrate) and oligo(butylene citrate). Addition of the oligoesters to poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) reduces the glass transition temperature (Tg) and also increases the flexibility and shape memory behavior of the final blends. Among the tested blends, materials containing less than 20 wt % of oligo (butylene succinate-co-butylene citrate) seem especially promising for biomedical applications as materials for manufacturing bioresorbable implants with high flexibility and relatively good mechanical properties. These blends show compatibility, exhibiting one glass transition temperature and macroscopically uniform physical properties.
Effect of Filler Synergy and Cast Film Extrusion Parameters on Extrudability and Direction-Dependent Conductivity of PVDF/Carbon Nanotube/Carbon Black Composites
Authors: Krause Beate , Kunz Karina , Kretzschmar Bernd , Kühnert Ines , Pötschke Petra
Published: December 2020

In the present study, melt-mixed composites based of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and fillers with different aspect ratios (carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB)) and their mixtures in composites were investigated whereby compression-molded plates were compared with melt-extruded films. The processing-related orientation of CNTs with a high aspect ratio leads to direction-dependent electrical and mechanical properties, which can be reduced by using mixed filler systems with the low aspect ratio CB. An upscaling of melt mixing from small scale to laboratory scale was carried out. From extruded materials, films were prepared down to a thickness of 50 µm by cast film extrusion under variation of the processing parameters. By combining CB and CNTs in PVDF, especially the electrical conductivity through the film could be increased compared to PVDF/CNT composites due to additional contact points in the sample thickness. The alignment of the fillers in the two directions within the films was deduced from the differences in electrical and mechanical film properties, which showed higher values in the extrusion direction than perpendicular to it.
Introduction to Special Issue: Contemporary Critical Perspectives on Islamic Education
Authors: Niyozov Sarfaroz , Memon Nadeem
Published: December 2020

This special issue focuses on critical perspectives in the emerging field of Islamic education globally [...]
Design and Development of a Smart Variable Rate Sprayer Using Deep Learning
Authors: Hussain Nazar , Farooque Aitazaz , Schumann Arnold , McKenzie-Gopsill Andrew , Esau Travis , Abbas Farhat , Acharya Bishnu , Zaman Qamar
Published: December 2020

The uniform application (UA) of agrochemicals results in the over-application of harmful chemicals, increases crop input costs, and deteriorates the environment when compared with variable rate application (VA). A smart variable rate sprayer (SVRS) was designed, developed, and tested using deep learning (DL) for VA application of agrochemicals. Real-time testing of the SVRS took place for detecting and spraying and/or skipping lambsquarters weed and early blight infected and healthy potato plants. About 24,000 images were collected from potato fields in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick under varying sunny, cloudy, and partly cloudy conditions and processed/trained using YOLOv3 and tiny-YOLOv3 models. Due to faster performance, the tiny-YOLOv3 was chosen to deploy in SVRS. A laboratory experiment was designed under factorial arrangements, where the two spraying techniques (UA and VA) and the three weather conditions (cloudy, partly cloudy, and sunny) were the two independent variables with spray volume consumption as a response variable. The experimental treatments had six repetitions in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Results of the two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of spraying application techniques on volume consumption of spraying liquid (p-value < 0.05). There was no significant effect of weather conditions and interactions between the two independent variables on volume consumption during weeds and simulated diseased plant detection experiments (p-value > 0.05). The SVRS was able to save 42 and 43% spraying liquid during weeds and simulated diseased plant detection experiments, respectively. Water sensitive papers’ analysis showed the applicability of SVRS for VA with >40% savings of spraying liquid by SVRS when compared with UA. Field applications of this technique would reduce the crop input costs and the environmental risks in conditions (weed and disease) like experimental testing.
Separation of the Glycosylated Carotenoid Myxoxanthophyll from Synechocystis Salina by HPCCC and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant, Tyrosinase Inhibitory and Immune-Stimulating Properties
Authors: Nováková Michaela , Fábryová Tereza , Vokurková Doris , Dolečková Iva , Kopecký Jiří , Hrouzek Pavel , Tůmová Lenka , Cheel José
Published: December 2020

Global demand for natural pigments has increased in the past few years. Myxoxanthophyll, a glycosylated monocyclic carotenoid, is a pigment that occurs naturally in cyanobacteria but no scalable isolation process has been developed to obtain it from its natural source to date. In this study, myxoxanthophyll was isolated from unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis salina (S. salina) using high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC), where the lower phase of the biphasic solvent system composed of n-heptane–ethanol–water (2:4:4, v/v/v) was used as a mobile phase, whereas its upper phase was the stationary phase. For the HPCCC isolation, a multi-injection method was developed, and four consecutive sample injections (70 mg each) were performed, obtaining, in total, 20 mg of myxoxanthophyll, which was finally purified with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Overall, a final myxoxanthophyll yield of 15 mg (98% purity) was obtained. The target pigment showed a weak antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory effect, and exhibited immune-stimulating properties by activating human granulocytes. The results presented here form a basis for the large-scale production of myxoxanthophyll, and show the potential benefits of this pigment for human health.
A Survey of Applied Behaviour Analysis Practitioners in Australia: Education, Training, and Barriers to Professional Practice
Authors: Leif Erin , Jennings Hannah , Furlonger Brett , Fox Russell
Published: December 2020

In Australia, the prevalence of autism has increased over the past decade. This has resulted in increased demand for safe and effective interventions and supports. Many evidence-based interventions for individuals with autism have been derived from the scientific discipline of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). However, the professional practice of ABA is not yet formally regulated in Australia, and there are no national practice standards or qualification requirements for practitioners providing ABA-based interventions. In addition, very little is known about the qualifications and experiences of those in Australia who currently design and implement ABA intervention programs, information that would assist in developing practice standards and regulations for the profession. These regulatory and knowledge gaps have the potential to impact the safety of both consumers and practitioners. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to survey those who categorised themselves as ABA practitioners and, based on the analysis of the data, answer relevant questions about the status of the profession and provide recommendations for the development of ABA as a profession in Australia.
Weathering Intensity and Presence of Vegetation Are Key Controls on Soil Phosphorus Concentrations: Implications for Past and Future Terrestrial Ecosystems
Authors: Dzombak Rebecca M. , Sheldon Nathan D.
Published: December 2020

Phosphorus (P) is an essential limiting nutrient in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the natural and anthropogenic influence on P concentration in soils is critical for predicting how its distribution in soils may shift as climate changes. While it is known that P is sourced from bedrock weathering, relationships between weathering, P, and other soil-forming factors have not been quantified at continental scales, limiting our ability to predict large-scale changes in P concentrations. Additionally, while we know that Fe oxide-associated P is an important P phase in terrestrial environments, the range in and controls on soil Fe concentrations and species (e.g., Fe in oxides, labile Fe) are poorly constrained. Here, we explore the relationships between soil P and Fe concentrations, soil order, climate, and vegetation in over 5000 soils, and Fe speciation in ca. 400 soils. Weathering intensity has a nuanced control on P concentrations in soils, with P concentrations peaking at intermediate weathering intensities (Chemical Index of Alteration, CIA~60). The presence of vegetation (but not plant functional types) affected soils’ ability to accumulate P. Contrary to expectations, P was not more strongly associated with Fe in oxides than other Fe phases. These results are useful both for predicting changes in potential P fluxes from soils to rivers under climate change and for reconstructing changes in terrestrial nutrient limitations in Earth’s past. In particular, soils’ tendency to accumulate more P with the presence of vegetation suggests that biogeochemical models invoking the evolution and spread of land plants as a driver for increased P fluxes in the geological record may need to be revisited.
Sustainability of Extraction of Raw Material by a Combination of Mobile and Stationary Mining Machines and Optimization of Machine Life Cycle
Authors: Teplická Katarína , Straka Martin
Published: December 2020

This article summarizes the arguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of using mining machines and their life cycle. The main goal of the article is to investigate the impact of a combination of mobile and stationary mining machines and their optimal distribution in the mining process to increase the efficiency of mining and processing of raw materials. The following methods of research were focused on the use of technical indicators for the valuation efficiency of the mining process: a simulation method was used for the distribution of mining machines, comparison analysis was used for the real and past state of mining machines, and a decision tree was used as managerial instrument for optimal alternatives of mining machines. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that optimal distribution of mining machines and machine parks is very important for mining companies. The benefit of this research for the mining company was the new location of the machines and the combination of stationary production lines and mobile equipment. The optimal layout of the machines reduced the number of conveyor belts and improved the transfer of limestone processing to mobile devices, saving time, which was reflected in transport costs. The results can be useful for other mining companies seeking to create an optimal machine park.
Mitigation of Osmotic Stress in Cotton for the Improvement in Growth and Yield through Inoculation of Rhizobacteria and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Coated Diammonium Phosphate
Authors: Majid Muhammad , Ali Muqarrab , Shahzad Khurram , Ahmad Fiaz , Ikram Rao Muhammad , Ishtiaq Muhammad , Alaraidh Ibrahim A. , Al-hashimi Abdulrahman , Ali Hayssam M. , Zarei Tayebeh , Datta Rahul , Fahad Shah , El Sabagh Ayman , Hussain Ghulam Sabir , Salem Mohamed Z. M. , Habib-ur-Rahman Muhammad , Danish Subhan
Published: December 2020

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the major fiber crops. Its production is under threat due to scarcity of water resources under a changing climatic scenario. Limited water availability also decreases the uptake of phosphorus, and less uptake of phosphorus can deteriorate the quality attributes of cotton fiber. There is a need to introduce bio-organic amendments which can mitigate osmotic stress on a sustainable basis. Inoculation of rhizobacteria can play an imperative role in this regard. Rhizobacteria can not only improve the growth of roots but also enhance the availability of immobile phosphorus in soil. That is why the current experiment was conducted to explore and compare the efficacy of sole application of diammonium phosphate (DAP) over plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) coated DAP on growth and quality attributes of cotton under artificially induced osmotic stress at flowering stage. The impact of phosphorus levels was found to be significant on the plant height, leaf area, average boll weight, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, and seed cotton yield, while the irrigation effect was significant on all the parameters. The PGPR coated phosphorus performed better as compared to other treatments under normal irrigation and osmotic stress. Results showed that PGPR coated phosphorus increased by 29.47%, 21.01%, 41.11%, 32.73%, 15.63% and 22.89% plant height, average boll weight, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, fiber length, and seed cotton yield respectively. In conclusion, PGPR coated DAP can be helpful to get higher cotton productivity as compared to control and sole application of DAP under normal irrigation and osmotic stress.
Cooperation between Final Purchasers and Offerors in the Online and Offline Environments vs. the Benefits Derived by Active Purchasers
Authors: Baruk Agnieszka Izabela , Grzesiak Mateusz
Published: December 2020

The purpose of article is to identify opinions on the preferred environment of cooperation between final purchasers and offerors, and to determine the benefits that the purchaser may derive from this cooperation depending on the environment in which the cooperation takes place. To prepare the theoretical part of the article, cognitive-critical analysis of the world literature on marketing, market behavior, and management was used. The results of this analysis indicate a cognitive and research gap in the area of considerations about the environment of cooperation between final purchasers and offerors and the importance of this environment in relation to the expected benefits. In order to reduce the identified gaps, empirical studies were conducted among Polish adult representatives of final purchasers, in which the survey method was used to collect primary data. The primary data collected was subjected to statistical analysis using various methods (average score analysis, exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis) and statistical tests (e.g., the Kruskal–Wallis test). The results of the statistical analysis made it possible to verify the formulated research hypotheses. It was found, inter alia, that the majority of respondents considered offline and online environments to be equally useful for cooperation between final purchasers and offerors. More than half of the respondents appreciated benefits related to personal development (through gaining new knowledge, skills, and experience), social development (through building relationships with other people), and creating offers better suited to purchaser expectations due to influencing their shape. The preferred environment of cooperation with offerors was a feature differentiating opinions on the benefits of the following: Personal development, social development, and the possibility of obtaining an offer that better meets the expectations of purchasers. This feature did not differentiate benefits related to psychological development and material benefits. Conclusions drawn from the research have a high cognitive value (increasing knowledge about the behavior of active purchasers) and practical value (helping managers to create conditions favorable for cooperation between offerors and final purchasers).
A Framework for Stormwater Quality Modelling under the Effects of Climate Change to Enhance Reuse
Authors: Wijesiri Buddhi , Bandala Erick , Liu An , Goonetilleke Ashantha
Published: December 2020

Water scarcity, which is exacerbated by climate change, is a major challenge to ensure human well-being. Therefore, it is equally important to protect conventional water resources from degradation and at the same time to identify cost-effective alternatives with a low carbon footprint. In this regard, stormwater plays a key role as it is a largely under-utilised resource for both, potable and non-potable use. However, stormwater carries substantial loads of pollutants to receiving waters such as rivers. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive stormwater quality modelling strategies, which account for the effects of climate change, constrains the formulation of effective measures to improve the quality of stormwater. Currently, there is a significant knowledge gap in the merging of stormwater quality modelling and climate modelling. This paper critically reviews current stormwater quality modelling approaches (quantity and quality) and the role of climate modelling outputs in stormwater quality modelling. This is followed by the presentation of a robust framework to integrate the impacts of climate change with stormwater quality models.
Sustainability of the Energy Sector in Jordan: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Sandri Serena , Hussein Hussam , Alshyab Nooh
Published: December 2020

The acceleration of economic development and rising standards of living have made energy security a top priority for policy makers worldwide. The issue of securing energy is particularly challenging for Jordan, which suffers from scarcity of natural resources, combined with the regional instability and conflicts. Based on desk research and on experts’ interviews, this study discusses the status quo of the energy sector in Jordan, its main challenges, and future aspirations. It thus contributes to the debate on how Jordan can ensure environmental, economic, social, and political sustainability of its energy sector. Jordan’s energy security has been historically linked to its relations with the neighboring countries and thus vulnerable to external shocks and outside political events. Notwithstanding reform efforts to reduce dependency from imports and some progress in diversifying the energy mix, energy security remains critical: the country imports around 94% of its energy, which represents approximately 10% of GDP. The growing domestic demand, which increases at a yearly rate of 3%, further adds to the pressure to envision strategies towards a more sustainable energy sector. These strategies will need to include investment in renewable energy, the reduction of energy consumption via increasing energy efficiency, and also synergic agreements with other countries. The interviewed experts highlighted the importance of governance for the successful implementation of these strategies. The creation of an enabling environment should go hand in hand with the involvement of all key stakeholders from energy and related sectors, into the development of a future vision of a sustainable energy sector.
Capacity Reduction Pressure, Financing Constraints, and Enterprise Sustainable Innovation Investment: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Chen Huan , Zhong Tingyong , Lee Jeoung Yul
Published: December 2020

Resolving the problem of excess production capacity through sustainable technological innovation is an important issue facing the Chinese economy in achieving high-quality development. The Guiding Opinions of the State Council on Resolving the Contradiction of Severe Overcapacity promulgated by the government in 2013 undoubtedly had a huge external impact on the traditionally competitive manufacturing market. This paper uses 6680 company-year sample observations of 1609 A-share manufacturing listed companies in China from 2010 to 2017 to examine the impact of capacity reduction pressure on ‘corporate sustainable innovation’ (the strategic response made by the enterprise administrator to cope with the impacts of the external environment including economic, social and environmental aspects) investment and the moderating role of financing constraints on this relationship. The research shows that after the promulgation of the Guiding Opinions, the degree of overcapacity had a significant positive effect on the R&D investment of enterprises, indicating that the policy to resolve overcapacity promoted their sustainable innovation investment. Such a phenomenon indicates that, to a certain extent, in the context of capacity reduction, companies have strong pressure and motivation to seek a way out through sustainable innovation. However, financing constraints have a significant inhibitory influence on the anti-forcing effect of the capacity reduction policy, indicating that the ability of enterprises to respond to external capacity reduction policies is subject to their own limited financing. Further investigation shows that capacity reduction pressure mainly promotes the sustainable innovation investment of private enterprises and has no significant impact on that of state-owned enterprises. This may be because private enterprises struggled more for survival during the transition period. The results of this paper provide a theoretical basis and reference value for the formulation of government policies and the development of enterprises.
Small Farm Business Analysis Using the AHP Model for Efficient Assessment of Distribution Channels
Authors: Tošović-Stevanović Aleksandra , Ristanović Vladimir , Ćalović Dragan , Lalić Goran , Žuža Milena , Cvijanović Gorica
Published: December 2020

Distribution of agricultural products from the aspect of farms is a continuous issue. Efficient application of the distribution model should provide a farm owner with regular income, as well as with a competitive advantage. Assessment of distribution channels in the context of an agricultural producer is subject to multi-criteria decisions, including both qualitative and quantitative factors. The aim of this paper is to develop a model which enables a structured analysis and an efficient assessment of distribution channels. The methodology based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) will be a useful tool in setting various criteria for deciding on distribution channels, as well as a tool for managing a multi-variant qualitative assessment of data included in decision-making processes. The survey results show that the most important distribution channel for agricultural products is the channel of sales via processing plants (cooling and drying facilities, silos and agricultural combines), compared to sales through advertising (which significantly increased its share with the COVID-19 pandemic), sales through sales channels or at farmers’ markets.
Influence of the Water Vapour Permeability of Airtight Sheets on the Behaviour of Facade
Authors: Torres-Ramo Joaquín , González-Martínez Purificación , Arriazu-Ramos Nerea , Sánchez-Ostiz Ana
Published: December 2020

The air-tightness of the thermal envelope of buildings is one of the measures to reduce their energy demands in order to achieve global warming reduction targets. To this end, airtight sheets with different water vapour permeability characteristics are used. The different products studied are highly dispersed in terms of equivalent air thickness values, leading to confusion. After the analysis carried out, it is concluded that all airtight sheets are vapour barriers. To clarify whether or not these sheets are necessary as vapour barriers, a condensation analysis was carried out on 13 different facades for 3 climate zones with severe winters as defined in Spanish regulations. The results reveal that interstitial condensation occurs in only 7 of the 39 case studies, with the traditional facades of brickwork with render causing the greatest problems if the appropriate products are not used. In these cases, airtight sheets with water vapour barrier characteristics must be applied on the interior face of the insulating material. In all other cases (32), the airtight sheets must be permeable to water vapour if it is looked for a more breathable wall to water vapour and a better control of the interior humidity conditions.
A Methodological Approach to Municipal Pluvial Flood Risk Assessment Based on a Small City Case Study
Authors: Othmer Felix Julian , Becker Dennis , Schulte Laura Miriam , Greiving Stefan
Published: December 2020

Urban flooding caused by heavy rainfall confronts cities worldwide with new challenges. Urban flash floods lead to considerable dangers and risks. In cities and urban areas, the vulnerability to pluvial flooding is particularly high. In order to be able to respond to heavy rainfall events with adaptation strategies and measures in the course of urban development, the spatial hazards, vulnerabilities and risks must first be determined and evaluated. This article shows a new, universally applicable methodical approach of a municipal pluvial flood risk assessment for small and medium-sized cities. We follow the common approaches to risk and vulnerability analyses and take into account current research approaches to heavy rainfall and urban pluvial flooding. Based on the intersection of the hazard with the vulnerability, the pluvial flood risk is determined. The aim of the present pluvial flood risk assessment was to identify particularly affected areas in the event of heavy rainfall in the small German city of Olfen. The research procedure and the results have been coordinated with the city’s administration within the framework of a real laboratory. In the course of the science–policy cooperation, it was ensured that the results could be applied appropriately in urban developments.
Automated Program-Semantic Defect Repair and False-Positive Elimination without Side Effects
Authors: Dong Yukun , Wu Mengying , Pang Shanchen , Zhang Li , Yin Wenjing , Wu Meng , Li Haojie
Published: December 2020

The alarms of the program-semantic defect-detection report based on static analysis include defects and false positives. The repair of defects and the elimination of false positives are time-consuming and laborious, and new defects may be introduced in the process. To solve these problems, the safe constraints interval of related variables and methods are proposed for the semantic defects in the program, and proposes a functionally equivalent no-side-effect program-semantic defect repair and false-positive elimination strategy based on the test-equivalence theory. This paper realizes the automatic repair of the typical semantic defects of Java programs and the automatic elimination of false positives by adding safe constraint patches. After the repair, the program functions are equivalent and the status of each program point is within the safety range, so that the functions before and after the defect repair are consistent, and the functions and semantics before and after the false positives are eliminated. We have evaluated our approach by repairing 5 projects; our results show that the repair strategy does not require manual confirmation of alarms, automated repair of the program effectively, shortened the repair time greatly, and ensured the correctness of the program after the repair.
Does Botulinum Toxin Treatment Affect the Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Post-Stroke Spastic Equinus? A Retrospective Pilot Study
Authors: Picelli Alessandro , Filippetti Mirko , Melotti Camilla , Guerrazzi Flavio , Modenese Angela , Smania Nicola
Published: December 2020

Equinovarus/equinus foot is a pattern most commonly treated with botulinum toxin type A in patients with post-stroke spasticity involving the lower limbs; the gastrocnemius is the muscle most frequently injected. Spastic equinovarus/equinus can present a mixture of conditions, including spasticity, muscle/tendon shortening, muscle weakness and imbalance. In this study, we wanted to determine whether botulinum toxin treatment affects the ultrasonographic characteristics of post-stroke spastic equinus. The same dose of AbobotulinumtoxinA was injected into the gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis of 21 chronic stroke patients with spastic equinus. Clinical (Ashworth scale and ankle range of motion) and ultrasound (conventional and sonoelastography) evaluation of the treated leg was carried out before and 4 weeks after injection. No significant effects of botulinum toxin treatment on the ultrasonographic characteristics of spastic equinus were observed. As expected, there were significant improvements in ankle passive dorsiflexion range of motion and calf muscle spasticity at 1 month after treatment. There was a direct association between Achilles tendon elasticity and calf muscle spasticity at baseline evaluation. Larger studies with a long-term timeline of serial evaluations are needed to further investigate the possible effects of botulinum toxin injection on spastic muscle characteristics in patients with post-stroke spasticity.
Grape Seed Waste Counteracts Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity in Piglet Mesenteric Lymph Nodes
Authors: Marin Daniela Eliza , Bulgaru Cristina Valeria , Anghel Cristian Andrei , Pistol Gina Cecilia , Dore Madalina Ioana , Palade Mihai Laurentiu , Taranu Ionelia
Published: December 2020

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin that frequently contaminates cereals and cereal byproducts. This study investigates the effect of AFB1 on the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of piglets and evaluates if a diet containing grape seed meal (GSM) can counteract the negative effect of AFB1 on inflammation and oxidative stress. Twenty-four weaned piglets were fed the following diets: Control, AFB1 group (320 μg AFB1/kg feed), GSM group (8% GSM), and AFB1 + GSM group (8% GSM + 320 μg AFB1/kg feed) for 30 days. AFB1 has an important antioxidative effect by decreasing the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status. As a result of the exposure to AFB1, an increase of MAP kinases, metalloproteinases, and cytokines, as effectors of an inflammatory response, were observed in the MLNs of intoxicated piglets. GSM induced a reduction of AFB1-induced oxidative stress by increasing the activity of GPx and SOD and by decreasing lipid peroxidation. GSM decreased the inflammatory markers increased by AFB1. These results represent an important and promising way to valorize this waste, which is rich in bioactive compounds, for decreasing AFB1 toxic effects in mesenteric lymph nodes.
Re-Invasion of H5N8 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Clade 2.3.4.4b in Hokkaido, Japan, 2020
Authors: Isoda Norikazu , Twabela Augustin T. , Bazarragchaa Enkhbold , Ogasawara Kohei , Hayashi Hirotaka , Wang Zu-Jyun , Kobayashi Daiki , Watanabe Yukiko , Saito Keisuke , Kida Hiroshi , Sakoda Yoshihiro
Published: December 2020

Global dispersion of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), especially that caused by H5 clade 2.3.4.4, has threatened poultry industries and, potentially, human health. An HPAI virus, A/northern pintail/Hokkaido/M13/2020 (H5N8) (NP/Hok/20) belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b, was isolated from a fecal sample collected at a lake in Hokkaido, Japan where migratory birds rested, October 2020. In the phylogenetic trees of all eight gene segments, NP/Hok/20 fell into in the cluster of European isolates in 2020, but was distinct from the isolates in eastern Asia and Europe during the winter season of 2017–2018. The antigenic cartography indicates that the antigenicity of NP/Hok/20 was almost the same as that of previous isolates of H5 clade 2.3.4.4b, whereas the antigenic distances from NP/Hok/20 to the representative strains in clade 2.3.4.4e and to a strain in 2.3.4 were apparently distant. These data imply that HPAI virus clade 2.3.4.4b should have been delivered by bird migration despite the intercontinental distance, although it was not defined whether NP/Hok/20 was transported from Europe via Siberia where migratory birds nest in the summer season. Given the probability of perpetuation of transmission in the northern territory, periodic updates of intensive surveys on avian influenza at the global level are essential to prepare for future outbreaks of the HPAI virus.
Length Parameter for Scaling Abutment Scour Depth
Authors: Xu Puer , Cheng Niansheng , Wei Maoxing
Published: December 2020

Flow constriction caused by bridge abutment increases bed shear stress and thus enhances local scour. For scaling the maximum scour depth at the abutment, either abutment length or flow depth has been empirically used in previous studies. By performing a step-by-step analysis, this study proposes a new length scale, which is able to represent combined effects of abutment length, approach flow depth and channel width. Physically, the new length scale describes the maximum possible dimension of the associated vortex system (or large-scale turbulence). Six series of data compiled from the published literature were used in the analysis. The results indicate that the new length scale helps improve the agreement of predictions with the experimental data.
Urban Water Pricing and Private Interests’ Lobbying in Small Rural Communities
Authors: Alguacil-Duarte Fernando , González-Gómez Francisco , del Saz-Salazar Salvador
Published: December 2020

It is difficult for small municipalities to ensure their urban water cycle complies with the principle of cost recovery established in the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive. Unlike more populous municipalities, small municipalities face higher average production costs. However, at least in Spain, the price of water is, on average, lower in small municipalities. We question whether the low price of water in rural areas is due, at least in part, to people linked to agriculture, i.e., do farmers constitute a special interest group that hinders increases in the price of water? The main hypothesis was tested with data taken from Torre-Cardela, a municipality in southern Spain with close to 800 inhabitants. In the research a contingent valuation analysis was carried out to analyze respondents’ willingness to pay in the event of a hypothetical increase in the price of water to help cover the service costs. Contrary to expectations, the study yields no evidence that the agricultural population is more resistant to price rises than the rest of the citizens surveyed. In fact, results show that people involved in the agricultural sector would be willing to accept a hypothetical increase in water tariffs in between 15% and 25% over the current tariff, while for the rest of the population this same increase would be lower (in between 9% and 20%).
Dissolved Organic Matter in Continental Hydro-Geothermal Systems: Insights from Two Hot Springs of the East African Rift Valley
Authors: Butturini Andrea , Amalfitano Stefano , Herzsprung Peter , Lechtenfeld Oliver J. , Venturi Stefania , Olaka Lydia A. , Pacini Nic , Harper David M. , Tassi Franco , Fazi Stefano
Published: December 2020

Little is known about the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in waters from continental geothermal systems, with only a few reports available from the Yellowstone US National Park. In this study, we explored the chemodiversity of DOM in water samples collected from two geothermal hot springs from the Kenyan East African Rift Valley, a region extremely rich in fumaroles, geysers, and spouting springs, located in close proximity to volcanic lakes. The DOM characterization included in-depth assessments performed by negative electrospray ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). Reduced, saturated and little aromatic DOM compounds were dominant in the hot spring waters collected from either the Ol Njorowa gorge (ON) or the south shore of the soda-saline Lake Elementaita (ELM). Oxygen-poor and sulfur-bearing DOM molecules prevailed in ON, probably reflecting abiotic sulfurization from sulfide-rich geofluids. Nitrogen-bearing aliphatic and protein-like molecules were abundant in ELM, possibly perfusing through the organic-rich sediments of the adjacent Lake Elementaita. Notably, the heat-altered DOM of ancient autochthonous derivation could represent an overlooked source of aliphatic organic carbon for connected lentic environments, with a potential direct impact on nutrient cycling in lakes that receive geothermal water inputs.
Observations of Nearbed Turbulence over Mobile Bedforms in Combined, Collinear Wave-Current Flows
Authors: Kassem Hachem , Thompson Charlotte E. L. , Amos Carl L. , Townend Ian H. , Todd David , Whitehouse Richard J. S. , Chellew Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Collinear wave-current shear interactions are often assumed to be the same for currents following or opposing the direction of regular wave propagation; with momentum and mass exchanges restricted to the thin oscillating boundary layer (zero-flux condition) and enhanced but equal wave-averaged bed shear stresses. To examine these assumptions, a prototype-scale experiment investigated the nature of turbulent exchanges in flows with currents aligned to, and opposing, wave propagation over a mobile sandy bed. Estimated mean and maximum stresses from measurements above the bed exceeded predictions by models of bed shear stress subscribing to the assumptions above, suggesting the combined boundary layer is larger than predicted by theory. The core flow experiences upward turbulent fluxes in aligned flows, coupled with sediment entrainment by vortex shedding at flow reversal, whilst downward fluxes of eddies generated by the core flow, and strong adverse shear can enhance near-bed mass transport, in opposing currents. Current-aligned coherent structures contribute significantly to the stress and energy dissipation, and display characteristics of wall-attached eddies formed by the pairing of counter-rotating vortices. These preliminary findings suggest a notable difference in wave-following and wave-opposing wave-current interactions, and highlight the need to account for intermittent momentum-exchanges in predicting stress, boundary layer thickness and sediment transport.
2 kW Dual-Output Isolated DC/DC Converter Based on Current Doubler and Step-Down Chopper
Authors: Matsushita Yoshinori , Noguchi Toshihiko , Taguchi Noritaka , Ishii Makoto
Published: December 2020

In the context of the auxiliary power for motor-driven vehicles having two systems, we propose a new topology for a dual-output isolated DC/DC converter, which offers advantages in terms of efficiency and size. The proposed circuit consists of an H-bridge inverter, a transformer, and an integrated circuit of a current doubler and step-down chopper. Considering the high power and high frequency, our objective was to evaluate and identify the issues of an actual device with a power output of 2 kW and switching frequency of 400 kHz. The circuit feasibility was examined through measurements of the prototype, and both the voltage target response and load disturbance response characteristics were confirmed to operate as designed. The maximum and minimum efficiencies of this circuit were 81.3 and 61.5%, respectively, demonstrating that the load loss of the step-down chopper had a significant impact on the efficiency. The loss analysis revealed that the loss at the integrated circuit on the secondary side accounted for more than 50% of the total loss. Moreover, issues such as the behavior at power-on, efficiency, and size were identified and evaluated, thereby achieving the objectives of the study.
Yurtdışı Paket Tur Kapsamında Sunulan Rehberlik Hizmetlerinin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: TOKAY ARGAN Mehpare , KARAHAN Samet , DURSUN Mehmet Tahir
Published: December 2020

Amaç ve Önem: Turist rehberliği çoğunlukla geleneksel turizm ürünleri ile birlikte kültürel, tarihsel ve rekreasyonel faaliyetlerde ilgili turist grubuna kılavuzluk etmeye yönelik bir meslek olarak ifade edilmektedir. Seyahat acenteleri bünyesinde ya da serbest çalışan turist rehberleri paket tur satın alan turistlere yurt içinde ve yurt dışında hizmet vermektedir. Turist rehberlerinin ülke imajı ve tanıtımı açısından önemli olmasının yanı sıra turist grubu tarafından nasıl algılandığı da önem arz etmektedir. Ayrıca, turistler tarafından rehberlerin nasıl algılandığı rehberlik hizmetinin niteliğini ve turistlerin yaşadığı tur deneyimini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu hizmet özellikle yurt dışı turlarda daha önemli hale gelmektedir. Bunun nedeni dil güçlükleri ve kültürel uzaklık gibi psikolojik faktörlerin yurtdışı turlarda daha önemli olmasına dayandırılabilir. Bu çalışma, yurt dışına düzenlenen paket turlarda sunulan rehberlik hizmetlerinin turistler tarafından nasıl algılandığına odaklanmıştır.Yöntem: Çalışma amacı kapsamında yurtdışına düzenlenmiş paket turlara katılan turistlerden veriler toplanmıştır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden yapılandırılmış soru formu tekniği kullanılmıştır. Demografik verilerin yanı sıra katılımcılara paket turda sunulan rehberlik hizmeti hakkında sorular sorulmuştur. Bu bağlamda ‘Turist rehberlerinin performanslarını gerçekleştirirken anahtar performans boyutları nelerdir?’ temel araştırma sorusu olarak ele alınmıştır. Çalışmada kartopu örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak küçük ve homojen bir örneklem grubundan veriler toplanmıştır.Bulgular: Verilerin analizi sonucunda turist rehberinin bilgi düzeyi (destinasyonlar hakkında teknik bilgi), fiziksel özellikleri, iletişim yeteneği, diğer turistlerle bağ oluşturması, karşılaşılan problemleri anlaması ve çözüm bulması şeklinde bulgular ortaya çıkmıştır.Özgünlük/Bilimsel Katkı: Çalışma sonuçlarının yurt dışındaki rehberlik hizmetleri hakkında bilgi vermesi ve araştırma bulguları ışığında literatüre katkı sağlanması beklenmektedir.