bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financing the (Environmental) Quality of Cities with Energy Efficiency Investments
Authors: Caneparo Luca
Published: October 2020

The purpose of the paper is to study the financing models in order to drive the large amount of financial resources, already allocated for energy efficiency, to improve the quality of cities. These resources are being deployed worldwide by both public and private financial institutions. Energy efficiency is usually managed at the scale of the buildings, i.e., consumption reduction (heating, lighting, etc.). The study methodology is to review energy-efficiency finance (EEF) models, and assess them using multiple case studies. At the same time, the ownership of cities’ spaces is studied across public-private space management, as an effective methodology to bridge the gap between public and investor finance. The comparative analysis of the case studies suggests a paradigm shift in the definition of energy efficiency, not just in terms of the buildings, but instead also the local urban environment with its feedbacks on the quality of urban living. The practical implications are innovative EEF models, such as those being reviewed, which may be: (1) analytical, to assess the environment at the scale of blocks or neighbourhoods; (2) financial, to fund the specific scale; (3) relating to policy, to support and encourage. In recent years, support for urban regeneration is becoming particularly relevant, given the budget constraints of most public administrations and the conjunctural shortening of private partnerships.
Considering the Human-Dimension to Make Sustainable Transitions Actionable
Authors: López Reyes María Elena , Zwagers Willem A. , Mulder Ingrid J.
Published: October 2020

Sustainable innovation and transitions are increasingly gaining traction within academia, industries, and policymakers. Despite the research efforts, sustaining innovation and operationalizing transitions still remains a barely explored field. The pragmatic step from understanding towards doing is often not made explicit in the literature. In fact, it results in an unclear and vague grip on how to operationalize these understandings, or differently put on how to make this understanding pragmatic. In the current article, we conducted an integrative literature review using human-centeredness lenses that informs the so-called ‘Human-Dimension’ framework. We argue that adding the Human-Dimension to the existing models for analysis, such as the Multi-Level Perspective framework, might clarify the different meanings that emerge within the network of actors in a transition, and knowing how to translate those individual meanings towards a collective construction of meaning might be enabled. To illustrate the framework’s contribution, we applied it to the context of a local sustainable development project. The results show how human-centeredness could serve as a domain to make the Human-Dimension of sustainable transitions actionable.
Impact of Education on Sustainable Economic Development in Emerging Markets—The Case of Namibia’s Tertiary Education System and its Economy
Authors: Jellenz Moritz , Bobek Vito , Horvat Tatjana
Published: October 2020

The research’s fundamental investigation elaborates on interactions between tertiary educational factors and Namibia’s sustainable economic development. Sequential mixed-research-method guides the investigation towards its results: A quantitative statistical data analysis enables the selection of interrelated educational and economic factors and monitors its development within Namibia’s last three decades. Subsequent qualitative interviews accumulate respondents’ subjective assessments that enable answering the fundamental interaction. Globally evident connections between a nation’s tertiary education system and its economic development are partially confirmed within Namibia. The domestic government recognizes the importance of education that represents a driving force for its sustainable economic development. Along with governmental NDP’s (National Development Program) and its long-term Vision 2030, Namibia is on the right track in transforming itself into a Knowledge-Based and Sustainable Economy. This transformation process increases human capital, growing GDP, and enhances domestic’s living standards. Namibia’s multiculturalism and its unequal resource distribution provoke difficulties for certain ethnicities accessing educational institutions. Namibia’s tertiary education system’s other challenges are missing infrastructures, lacking curricula’ quality, and absent international expertise. The authors’ findings suggest that, due to Namibia’s late independence, there is a substantial need to catch up in creating a Namibian identity. Socioeconomic actions would enhance domestic’s self-esteem and would enable the development of sustainable economic sectors. Raising the Namibian tertiary education system’s educational quality and enhancing its access could lead to diversification of economic sectors, accelerating its internationalization process. Besides that, Namibia has to face numerous challenges, including corruption, unemployment, and multidimensional poverty, that interact with its tertiary education system.
Sustainable Development of Entrepreneurial Orientation through Social Drivers
Authors: Altantsetseg Purevdulam , Dadvari Alaleh , Munkhdelger Tsevegjav , Lkhagvasuren Gerelt-Od , Moslehpour Massoud
Published: October 2020

Given that social dilemmas such as climate change, unemployment, and public health are growing globally, recognition of social drivers related to sustainable development while generating social impact is of particular interest to professionals and academics. This study aims to highlight the antecedents of sustainable social impact. Thus, we evaluate the association between entrepreneurial orientation and social impact through the mediation effects of social factors named social drivers, including service innovation, social innovation, and social value orientation. The data collection is from the service and non-service industries in Taiwan. A total of 270 samples consisting of employees, managers, SME owners, and CEOs is used. We employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed hypotheses. Research findings indicate entrepreneurial orientation is a determining factor of sustainable innovation that not only renders entrepreneurially strategic dispositions of an organization but also significantly contributes to generating drastic social impact. In particular, entrepreneurs are found to be more proactive in solving problematic social issues through their entrepreneurial characteristics. Statistical findings support that all direct effects, besides partial and full mediation, are proved, which reveals the transformative potential of selected social drivers. Altogether, research findings provide exciting insights into entrepreneurship knowledge, innovation, and value assumptions in the social context. We further discuss theoretical and practical implications.
On Construction of Solutions of Linear Differential Systems with Argument Deviations of Mixed Type
Authors: Rontó András , Rontóová Natálie
Published: October 2020

We show the use of parametrization techniques and successive approximations for the effective construction of solutions of linear boundary value problems for differential systems with multiple argument deviations. The approach is illustrated with a numerical example.
Circular Intensely Orthogonal Double Cover Design of Balanced Complete Multipartite Graphs
Authors: Higazy M. , El-Mesady A. , Mahmoud Emad E. , Alkinani Monagi H.
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we generalize the orthogonal double covers (ODC) of Kn,n as follows. The circular intensely orthogonal double cover design (CIODCD) of X=Kn,n,…,n︸m is defined as a collection T={G00,G10,…,G(n−1)0}∪{G01,G11,…,G(n−1)1} of isomorphic spanning subgraphs of X such that every edge of X appears twice in the collection T,E(Gi0)∩E(Gj0)=E(Gi1)∩E(Gj1)=0,i≠jand E(Gi0)∩E(Gj1)=λ=m2,i,j∈ℤn. We define the half starters and the symmetric starters matrices as constructing methods for the CIODCD of X. Then, we introduce some results as a direct application to the construction of CIODCD of X by the symmetric starters matrices.
Parametric Blending of Hole Patches Based on Shape Difference
Authors: Park Jung-Ho , Park Sanghun , Yoon Seung-Hyun
Published: October 2020

A triangular mesh obtained by scanning 3D models typically contains holes. We present an effective technique for filling a hole in a triangular mesh in geometric modeling. Simple triangulation of a hole is refined and remeshed iteratively to generate an initial patch. The generated patch is then enhanced to become a target patch by minimizing the variation of principal curvatures. In discrete approximation, this produces a third-order Laplacian system of sparse symmetric positive definite matrix, and the symmetry can efficiently be used to find the robust solutions to the given Laplacian system. Laplacian smoothing of the target patch is defined as a source patch. The shape difference between two corresponding vertices of the source and the target patches is measured in terms of Euclidean distance and curvature variation. On the basis of the shape difference and a user-specified control parameter, different blending weights are determined for each vertex, and the final patch is generated by blending two patches. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique by discussing several examples. The experimental results show that our technique can effectively restore salient geometric features of the original shape.
Phthalates and Bisphenol A: Presence in Blood Serum and Follicular Fluid of Italian Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques
Authors: Paoli Donatella , Pallotti Francesco , Dima Anna Pia , Albani Elena , Alviggi Carlo , Causio Franco , Dioguardi Carola Conca , Conforti Alessandro , Ciriminna Rosanna , Fabozzi Gemma , Giuffrida Giuseppe , Gualtieri Roberto , Minasi Maria Giulia , Ochetti Simona , Pisaturo Valerio , Racca Cinzia , Rienzi Laura , Sarcina Elena , Scarica Catello , Tomasi Giovanna , Verlengia Cristina , Villeggia Rita , Zullo Federica , Lenzi Andrea , Botrè Francesco , De Santis Lucia
Published: October 2020

Background: folliculogenesis is a strictly regulated process that may be affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through sometimes not so clear molecular mechanisms. Methods: we conducted a multicentric observational study involving six fertility centers across Italy, prospectively recruiting 122 women attending a fertility treatment. Recruited women had age ≤42 years, and normal ovarian reserve. Blood and follicular fluid samples were taken for EDCs measurement using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and each woman completed an epidemiological questionnaire. Results: The main EDCs found were monobutyl phthalate (MBP) (median blood: 8.96 ng/mL, follicular fluid 6.43 ng/mL), monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) (median blood: 9.16 ng/mL, follicular fluid 7.68 ng/mL) and bisphenol A (BPA) (median blood: 1.89 ng/mL, follicular fluid 1.86 ng/mL). We found that serum MBP concentration was significantly associated with the considered area (p < 0.001, adj. mean: 7.61 ng/mL, 14.40 ng/mL, 13.56 ng/mL; Area 1: Milan–Turin, Area 2: Rome–Naples; Area 3: Catania–Bari, respectively) but negatively with home plastic food packaging (p = 0.004). Follicular MBP was associated with irregular cycles (p = 0.019). No association was detected between EDCs and eating habits and other clinical and epidemiological features. Conclusions: This study represents the first Italian biomonitoring of plastic EDCs in follicular fluid, laying the basis for future prospective evaluation on oocyte quality before assisted reproduction techniques (ART).
Making a Quantum Universe: Symmetry and Gravity
Authors: Ziaeepour Houri
Published: October 2020

So far, none of attempts to quantize gravity has led to a satisfactory model that not only describe gravity in the realm of a quantum world, but also its relation to elementary particles and other fundamental forces. Here, we outline the preliminary results for a model of quantum universe, in which gravity is fundamentally and by construction quantic. The model is based on three well motivated assumptions with compelling observational and theoretical evidence: quantum mechanics is valid at all scales; quantum systems are described by their symmetries; universe has infinite independent degrees of freedom. The last assumption means that the Hilbert space of the Universe has SU(N→∞)≅areapreservingDiff.(S2) symmetry, which is parameterized by two angular variables. We show that, in the absence of a background spacetime, this Universe is trivial and static. Nonetheless, quantum fluctuations break the symmetry and divide the Universe to subsystems. When a subsystem is singled out as reference—observer—and another as clock, two more continuous parameters arise, which can be interpreted as distance and time. We identify the classical spacetime with parameter space of the Hilbert space of the Universe. Therefore, its quantization is meaningless. In this view, the Einstein equation presents the projection of quantum dynamics in the Hilbert space into its parameter space. Finite dimensional symmetries of elementary particles emerge as a consequence of symmetry breaking when the Universe is divided to subsystems/particles, without having any implication for the infinite dimensional symmetry and its associated interaction-percived as gravity. This explains why gravity is a universal force.
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure Associated with Oxytetracycline Administration in Two Neonatal Foals Affected by Flexural Limb Deformity
Authors: Ellero Nicola , Freccero Francesca , Lanci Aliai , Morini Maria , Castagnetti Carolina , Mariella Jole
Published: October 2020

Oxytetracycline (OTC) administration has become a frequent practice in equine neonatology for the treatment of flexural limb deformity. The cause of this condition remains unclear but clinical studies revealed that following IV administration of OTC a relaxation of the metacarpophalangeal joint occurs in foals affected by flexural deformity. Studies concluded that OTC administration in neonatal foals did not adversely affect the kidneys. Other adverse effects of OTC have never been reported. This report presents two cases with different outcomes of 3-day-old foals which presented acute collapse and progressive depression after OTC administration. The clinical aspects, the increased activity of serum enzymes indicative of muscular damage, the presence of myoglobin in urine were clear diagnostic indicators of severe rhabdomyolysis, and the gross and histological findings confirmed a myopathy associated with renal damage in one case. Adverse effects on the musculoskeletal and urinary systems in healthy foals were first reported and were probably associated with multiple doses administered to foals less than 24–48 h old and/or at dosing intervals less than 24–48 h. The risk of development of rhabdomyolysis and nephrotoxicity in neonatal foals treated with OTC for flexural deformity from now on should be considered.
The Potential for Water Banking in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin to Increase Drought Resilience
Authors: Gonzalez Dennis , Dillon Peter , Page Declan , Vanderzalm Joanne
Published: October 2020

Banking water in aquifers during wet years for long-term storage then recovering it in drought is an application of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) that minimises evaporation losses. This requires a suitable aquifer for long-term storage of banked water and occasional periods when entitlements to surface water are available and affordable. This has been widely practised in Arizona and California but thus far not in Australia, in spite of severe impacts on agriculture, society, and the environment during recent droughts in the Murray–Darling Basin. This preliminary study based on a simple area exclusion analysis using six variables, some on a 90 m grid, over the 1 million km2 basin produced a first estimate of the order of 2–4 × 109 m3 of additional aquifer storage potential in surficial aquifers close to rivers. For 6 of the 23 catchments evaluated, banking capacity exceeded an average water depth of 0.3 m for the irrigated area. At one prospective site in the Macquarie River catchment in New South Wales, water banking operations at various scales were simulated using 55 years of historical monthly hydrologic data, with recharge and recovery triggered by dam storage levels. This showed that the estimated 300 × 106 m3 additional local aquifer capacity could be fully utilised with a recharge and recovery capacity of 6 × 106 m3/month, and recharge occurred in 67% of months and recovery in 7% of months. A novel simulation of water banking with recharge and recovery triggered by water trading prices using 11 years of data gave a benefit cost ratio of ≈ 2. Data showed that water availability for recharge was a tighter constraint on water banking than aquifer storage capacity at this location. The analysis reveals that water banking merits further consideration in the Murray–Darling Basin. Firstly, management across hydrologically connected systems requires accounting for surface water and groundwater entitlements and allocations at the appropriate scale, as well as developing equitable economic and regulatory arrangements. Of course, site-specific assessment of water availability and hydrogeological suitability would be needed prior to construction of demonstration projects to support full-scale implementation.
Modified Hiltner Dew Balance to Re-Estimate Dewfall Accumulation as a Reliable Water Source in the Negev Desert
Authors: Hill Amber J. , Lincoln Noa Kekuewa , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Shelef Oren
Published: October 2020

Dew formation is an essential component of the water balance in dry ecosystems, but measuring dew is challenging due, in part, to its dependency on the surface on which it forms. We detail the use of a modified Hiltner dew balance to illustrate how more accurate measurements of dewfall may be obtained. Using a modified Hiltner dew balance, we measured dewfall in the Negev Desert continuously for 3 years (2013–2015). Data analyses examined the relationship between dew formation, rain events and other environmental parameters in order to re-evaluate the importance of dew in the water budget. In line with previous research, our findings demonstrate that dewfall is a substantial and stable input of water in the Negev desert, providing inputs in the dry summer and the wet winter. Our results show that while dewfall was larger and more prevalent in proximity to rain events, a notable portion of dewfall took place on days distant from any rain event. The Hiltner dew balance modifications proved to be reliable and increased the efficacy of measuring the quantity and timing of dew formation. This study demonstrates the importance of integrating dewfall data into decision-making models for dryland ecosystems and agriculture, as well as into climate models.
Multi-Year Index-Based Insurance for Adapting Water Utility Companies to Hydrological Drought: Case Study of a Water Supply System of the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region, Brazil
Authors: Guzmán Diego A. , Mohor Guilherme S. , Mendiondo Eduardo M.
Published: October 2020

The sustainability of water utility companies is threatened by non-stationary drivers, such as climate and anthropogenic changes. To cope with potential economic losses, instruments such as insurance are useful for planning scenarios and mitigating impacts, but data limitations and risk uncertainties affect premium estimation and, consequently, business sustainability. This research estimated the possible economic impacts of business interruption to the Sao Paulo Water Utility Company derived from hydrological drought and how this could be mitigated with an insurance scheme. Multi-year insurance (MYI) was proposed through a set of “change” drivers: the climate driver, through forcing the water evaluation and planning system (WEAP) hydrological tool; the anthropogenic driver, through water demand projections; and the economic driver, associated with recent water price policies adopted by the utility company during water scarcity periods. In our study case, the evaluated indices showed that MYI contracts that cover only longer droughts, regardless of the magnitude, offer better financial performance than contracts that cover all events (in terms of drought duration). Moreover, through MYI contracts, we demonstrate solvency for the insurance fund in the long term and an annual average actuarially fair premium close to the total expected revenue reduction.
Advances in Modeling and Management of Urban Water Networks
Authors: Campisano Alberto , Creaco Enrico
Published: October 2020

This Editorial presents a representative collection of 15 papers, presented in the Special Issue on Advances in Modeling and Management of Urban Water Networks (UWNs), and frames them in the current research trends. The most analyzed systems in the Special Issue are the Water Distribution Systems (WDSs), with the following four topics explored: asset management, modelling of demand and hydraulics, energy recovery, and pipe burst identification and leakage reduction. In the first topic, the multi-objective optimization of interventions on the network is presented to find trade-off solutions between costs and efficiency. In the second topic, methodologies are presented to simulate and predict demand and to simulate network behavior in emergency scenarios. In the third topic, a methodology is presented for the multi-objective optimization of pump-as-turbine (PAT) installation sites in transmission mains. In the fourth topic, methodologies for pipe burst identification and leakage reduction are presented. As for the Urban Drainage Systems (UDSs), the two explored topics are asset management, with a system upgrade to reduce flooding, and modelling of flow and water quality, with analyses on the transition from surface to pressurized flow, impact of water use reduction on the operation of UDSs and sediment transport in pressurized pipes. The Special Issue also includes one paper dealing with the hydraulic modelling of an urban river with a complex cross-section.
Analysis on the Characteristics of Dry and Wet Periods in The Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Huang Hao , Zhang Bo , Cui Yanqiang , Ma Shangqian
Published: October 2020

As China’s main grain producing region, the Yangtze River basin is vulnerable to changes in wet and dry conditions. In this study, the monthly scale of standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was calculated, based on the Penman–Monteith equation from 239 meteorological stations in the Yangtze River basin, from 1960 to 2017. Water regime characteristic areas of the Yangtze River basin were extracted and divided using the rotating empirical orthogonal function (REOF). The linear trend of the drought and wetness indicators, the abrupt changes of the rotated principal component time series (RPCs), and the change periods of the drought/wetness intensity (DI/WI) in each subregion were analyzed and discussed. Subsequently, the effects of El Niño-southern oscillation (ENSO) and arctic oscillation (AO) on drought and wetness events were discussed. The results showed that the Yangtze River basin has the characteristic of coexistence of drought and wetness, and drought and wetness of similar severity tend to occur in the same region. There were six subregions extracted through REOF, based on the monthly scale of SPEI, of which the northwestern pattern had an aridization tendency. The stations with significantly increased wetness were located in the middle and eastern basin. The stations in the south of the northwestern pattern, and the west of the southern pattern, had a tendency of wetting in the first 29 years, however, there has been a significant tendency of drying in this region in the last 29 years, which was caused by an abrupt change in 1994. In addition, other patterns had multiple abrupt changes, resulting in multiple transitions between dry and wet states. The principal periods of WI in the southern pattern and northern pattern were longer than the DI, but in other subregions DI was longer than WI. ENSO and AO had the most obvious influence on DI and WI. Compared with the cold phase of ENSO, the DI/WI in the warm phase were higher/lower; compared with the negative phase of AO, both DI and WI were higher in the positive phase. The Hurst index showed that the current dry and wet conditions in the Yangtze River basin have persistent characteristics, the dry conditions in each subregion will continue in the future, and there were a few wetness indicators with weak anti-persistence.
Developing a Reliability Index of Low Impact Development for Urban Areas
Authors: Song Yang Ho , Lee Jung Ho , Lee Eui Hoon
Published: October 2020

A defining characteristic of the urbanization is the transformation of existing pervious areas into impervious areas during development. This leads to numerous hydrologic and environmental problems such as an increase in surface runoff due to excess rainfall, flooding, the deterioration of water quality, and an increase in nonpoint source pollution. Several studies propose supplementary measures on environmental change problems in development areas using the low impact development technique. This study investigated the reduction of nonpoint source pollutant loads and flooding in catchments through urban catchment rainfall–runoff management. For the quantitative assessment of flood disasters and water pollution problems, we propose a reliability evaluation technique. This technique refers to a series of analysis methods that determine the disaster prevention performance of the existing systems. As the two factors involve physical quantities of different dimensions, a reliability evaluation technique was developed using the distance measure method. Using the storm water management model, multiple scenarios based on synthetic rainfall in the catchment of the Daerim 2 rainwater pumping station in Seoul, South Korea, were examined. Our results indicate the need for efficient management of natural disaster risks that may occur in urban catchments. Moreover, this study can be used as a primary reference for setting a significant reduction target and facilitating accurate decision making concerning urban drainage system management.
Catalytic Ozonation and Membrane Contactors—A Review Concerning Fouling Occurrence and Pollutant Removal
Authors: Psaltou Savvina , Zouboulis Anastasios
Published: October 2020

Membrane filtration has been widely used in water and wastewater treatment. However, this process is not very effective for the removal of refractory organic compounds (e.g., of pharmaceutical origin). Coupling membrane filtration with ozonation (or other Advanced Oxidation Methods) can enhance the degradation of these compounds and, subsequently, the incidence of membrane fouling (i.e., the major problem of membrane uses) would be also limited. Ozonation is an efficient oxidative process, although ozone is considered to be a rather selective oxidant agent and sometimes it presents quite low mineralization rates. An improvement of this advanced oxidation process is catalytic ozonation, which can decrease the by-product formation via the acceleration of hydroxyl radicals production. The hydroxyl radicals are unselective oxidative species, presenting high reaction constants with organic compounds. An efficient way to couple membrane filtration with catalytic ozonation is the deposition of an appropriate solid catalyst onto the membrane surface. However, it must be noted that only metal oxides have been used as catalysts in this process, while the membrane material can be of either polymeric or ceramic origin. The relevant studies regarding the application of polymeric membranes are rather scarce, because only a few polymeric materials can be ozone-resistant and the deposition of metal oxides on their surface presents several difficulties (e.g., affinity etc.). The respective literature about catalytic membrane ozonation is quite limited; however, some studies have been performed concerning membrane fouling and the degradation of micropollutants, which will be presented in this review. From the relevant results it seems that this hybrid process can be an efficient technology both for the reduction of fouling occurrence as well as of enhancement of micropollutant removal, when compared to the application of single filtration or ozonation.
AIN-Based MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) Hydrophone Sensors for IoT Water Leakage Detection System
Authors: Phua Wee Kee , Rabeek Sarbudeen Mohamed , Han Beibei , Njihof Edwin , Huang Tyler Tianlu , Chai Kevin Tshun Chuan , Yeo Jason Hock Huat , Lim Soon Thor
Published: October 2020

There is an urgent need for industrial Internet of things (IoT) solutions to deploy a smart hydrophone sensor grid to monitor pipeline health and to provide an accurate prediction in the event of any leakage. One solution is to develop an IoT water leakage detection system consisting of an interface to capture acoustic signals from aluminum nitride (AlN)-based micro-machined infrasonic hydrophone sensors that are fed as inputs and predict an approximate leak location as a form of output. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are particularly useful for IoT applications with low power consumption and small device footprint. Data analytics including characterization, pre/post processing are applied to determine the leaks. In this work, we have developed the process flow and algorithm to detect pipe leakage occurrence and pinpoint the location accurately. Our approach can be implemented to detect leaks for different pipe lengths, diameters and materials.
Controls on Reservoir Heterogeneity of a Shallow-Marine Reservoir in Sawan Gas Field, SE Pakistan: Implications for Reservoir Quality Prediction Using Acoustic Impedance Inversion
Authors: Ashraf Umar , Zhang Hucai , Anees Aqsa , Ali Muhammad , Zhang Xiaonan , Shakeel Abbasi Saiq , Nasir Mangi Hassan
Published: October 2020

The precise characterization of reservoir parameters is vital for future development and prospect evaluation of oil and gas fields. C-sand and B-sand intervals of the Lower Goru Formation (LGF) within the Lower Indus Basin (LIB) are proven reservoirs. Conventional seismic amplitude interpretation fails to delineate the heterogeneity of the sand-shale facies distribution due to limited seismic resolution in the Sawan gas field (SGF). The high heterogeneity and low resolution make it challenging to characterize the reservoir thickness, reservoir porosity, and the factors controlling the heterogeneity. Constrained sparse spike inversion (CSSI) is employed using 3D seismic and well log data to characterize and discriminate the lithofacies, impedance, porosity, and thickness (sand-ratio) of the C- and B-sand intervals of the LGF. The achieved results disclose that the CSSI delineated the extent of lithofacies, heterogeneity, and precise characterization of reservoir parameters within the zone of interest (ZOI). The sand facies of C- and B-sand intervals are characterized by low acoustic impedance (AI) values (8 × 106 kg/m2s to 1 × 107 kg/m2s), maximum sand-ratio (0.6 to 0.9), and maximum porosity (10% to 24%). The primary reservoir (C-sand) has an excellent ability to produce the maximum yield of gas due to low AI (8 × 106 kg/m2s), maximum reservoir thickness (0.9), and porosity (24%). However, the secondary reservoir (B-sand) also has a good capacity for gas production due to low AI (1 × 107 kg/m2s), decent sand-ratio (0.6), and average porosity (14%), if properly evaluated. The time-slices of porosity and sand-ratio maps have revealed the location of low-impedance, maximum porosity, and maximum sand-ratio that can be exploited for future drillings. Rock physics analysis using AI through inverse and direct relationships successfully discriminated against the heterogeneity between the sand facies and shale facies. In the corollary, we proposed that pre-conditioning through comprehensive petrophysical, inversion, and rock physics analysis are imperative tools to calibrate the factors controlling the reservoir heterogeneity and for better reservoir quality measurement in the fluvial shallow-marine deltaic basins.
Temporal Dynamics of Fish Assemblages as a Reflection of Policy Shift from Fishing Concession to Co-Management in One of the World’s Largest Tropical Flood Pulse Fisheries
Authors: Chan Bunyeth , Ngor Peng Bun , Hogan Zeb S. , So Nam , Brosse Sébastien , Lek Sovan
Published: October 2020

Inland fisheries management in Cambodia has undergone two major policy reforms over the last two decades. These reforms led to the abolishment of a century-old commercial fishing lot system in 2012 and the establishment of new fish sanctuary and community fishing areas. However, the status of fisheries and fish assemblages following the reforms is not well understood. Here, we investigated the temporal changes in fish catch weight and fish assemblage structure for the period 1995–2000 before fishing lot abolishment (BLA) and for the period 2012–2015 after the removal of all fishing lots (after lot abolishment-ALA) using time-series fish catch data recorded from the Tonle Sap Lake (TSL), one of the world largest inland fisheries. We found (i) mean catch trends vary seasonally, with stable catch trends during the BLA and decreasing catch trends during the ALA and (ii) significant shifts in fish assemblage composition, notably a shift from large-bodied, migratory, and/or predatory species during the BLA toward more short-distance migratory and/or floodplain, small-bodied species during the ALA. Fishing lot abolishment coincided with substantial changes to floodplain habitats and increases in fishing pressure, threatening TSL fish stocks. Flow alterations caused by dams and climate change may exacerbate the problem. Therefore, to realize the fisheries reform objectives, it is imperative to strengthen the fisheries’ governance and management system, including effective law enforcement, institutional strengthening, improved planning, cooperation, and coordination as well as clearly defined roles and responsibilities among concerned stakeholders at all levels.
Selection of optimal nutrient media for cultivation Botrytis cinerea Pers – the causal agent of grey mould on garden strawberry
Authors:   North Caucasian Regional Research Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture, Kashchits Yu.P.
Published: October 2020

The aim of the research was to select the most optimal nutrient media for the cultivation of isolates of B. cinerea fungus isolated from the berries of garden strawberries in the plantations of the Krasnodar Territory. The most optimal nutrient media were identified. The morphological and cultural characteristics of the pathogen on five different nutrient media were described and analyzed.
Soil fertility and productivity of winter wheat depending on the cultivation technology
Authors:   National Grain Center named after P.P. Lukyanenko, Kildyushkin V.M. , Soldatenko A.G. ,   National Grain Center named after P.P. Lukyanenko, Zhivotovskaya E.G. ,   National Grain Center named after P.P. Lukyanenko
Published: October 2020

The influence of various technologies on soil fertility and field crop yields was studied. It was found that the content of humus in the 0–30 cm layer when applying fertilizers, crop residues, or green manure together with ameliorant, increased by traditional technology to 3.43 and by minimal to 3.45–3.47 %. Significant reserves of moisture in the 0–100 cm layer of soil under winter wheat were on the traditional and decompression technologies 137 and 125 mm, respectively. Soil density in the layers 0–20 and 20–40 cm was less by the traditional and decompression technologies, respectively, 1.32 and 1.34 g/cm3. The use of N136P18K15 provided an increase in grain yield to 34.4 с/ha.
Population density of grape moth in the Lower Don region.
Authors:   All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after Ya. I. Potapenko - branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Rostov Agrarian Scientific Center”, Murzina M.I.
Published: October 2020

The article introduces a study in the field of monitoring the number and density of the population of grape moth using pheromone traps. In the course of this research, we found that the grape moth in 2019 developed in three generations. On the night peak flight, the largest pest population in the first generation was 2–3 insects/day; in the third generation – 1 insect/day. The population density of the grape moth in the conditions of the Novocherkassk branch of the Experimental field did not exceed the economic threshold and during the development of three generations was low. Hence, protective measures were not carried out.
Professional Doctorates: Grasping A New Way
Authors: Larmer Peter John , Smythe Elizabeth , Jones Marion
Published: October 2020

It is one thing to write a curriculum for a professional doctorate with a graduate profile that talks of practice-change and leadership development. Our experience of initiating the Doctor of Health Science in 2002 was that it was all too easy to fall back on the PhD mindset. It took inspiration from the literature, and pioneering candidates, to show us how this programme could be distinctively different from a PhD. We tell our story to reveal both challenges and possibilities. We see that all our candidates have a focus on bringing change to practice. Some do this through research ‘on’ practice, others by research ‘in’ practice, and then there are those caught up in the research/practice nexus. We believe a professional doctorate programme has potential to significantly grow the candidate into a leader of practice-change.
Facilitating the development and maintenance of reflection in speech pathology students
Authors: Dunne Michael , Nisbet Gillian , Penman Merrolee , McAllister Lindy
Published: October 2020

Speech pathology students can develop and demonstrate critical reflection over time, although their engagement in reflection as a lifelong learning strategy remains sub-optimal. Educators play an integral role in the facilitation of students’ development and sustained engagement in reflective activities. This is a challenging task due to the nature of the development of reflection, factors that influence student facilitation and methods to measure reflection with tertiary healthcare students. This paper reports on a mixed methods single case study with embedded units, which was used to determine the development, maintenance and facilitation of reflection with six speech pathology students. The study spanned 10 weeks and two professional placements, during which students received a combination of face-to-face and email facilitation to support their reflection development. Quantitative results identified three novel trajectories: 1) steady growth from introspection to reflection and critical reflection; 2) no clear change in depth of reflection over time; and 3) gradual decline in depth of reflection. Qualitative results situated these trajectories with factors that influenced students’ experiences, including the internalisation of reflection, understanding the value of reflection, the influence of time and the mode of facilitation. Outcomes from this study may be used by educators to support the facilitation, development and maintenance of reflection in speech pathology students.
The educational needs of triage nurses
Authors: Thawley Andrea , Aggar Christina , Williams Noelene
Published: October 2020

The role of triage nurses is critical to ensuring patient safety and timely access to emergency care. Continuing professional development and ongoing support is required to effectively support the competence of triage staff. To date, very few studies have sought to describe the educational needs of triage nurses.This study aimed to identify which type of educational support nurses feel they need to manage the triage process.A validated questionnaire was used to explore triage nurses’ perceived educational support needs in relation to managing the triage process.On average, participants had 11.33 years of experience in their current role (SD = 7.27), 15.43 in emergency (SD = 9.80) and 13.44 in triage (SD = 9.16). Triage nurses (n = 27) identified the introduction of new ideas at triage to increase efficiency as the area in which they were in greatest need of training. Priority education needs that focused on clinical tasks, such as physical assessment skills, particularly in relation to observations and vital signs, to inform triage decision making were also identified. These priority education needs will inform the design of education programs and the development of the capabilities of the nursing workforce.Future research should seek to explore the traditional responsibilities of triage nurses, particularly to address queuing and delays at triage.
Exploring student fitness to practise (FTP) issue identification and management with allied health clinical educators in a tertiary health service
Authors: Farlie Melanie K , Thorpe Joanne , Lo Kristin
Published: October 2020

Background: Health professional students may experience fitness to practise (FTP) issues that affect their performance during clinical placements.  Previous research with physiotherapy clinical educators found educators were aware of student FTP issues but lacked confidence in assisting students with FTP issues in the clinical setting.Aim: This research project aimed to 1) evaluate if a brief interprofessional education session changed the knowledge of supports and/or confidence of allied health clinical educators to manage student FTP issues that arise on clinical placement, 2) to elucidate personal experiences of allied health clinical educators with student FTP issues and 3) to explore allied health educator recommendations of strategies to use when supporting students on clinical placement.Method: Allied health clinical educators attended a 1.5-hour workshop about student FTP. Participants identified student FTP issue identification and management strategies during clinical placements and completed pre-post surveys. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed with independent t-tests, content and thematic analysis respectively.Results: Forty-six clinical educators from nine professions participated. Participants initially lacked confidence and identified a need for training to support students with FTP issues.  On reflection participants identified numerous strategies that use or recommend to support students with additional learning needs, and confidence increased following the session.Discussion:  A brief facilitated workshop had an immediate impact on clinical educator confidence regarding defining FTP and knowledge of supports available.  Participants offered several experience informed insights and recommendations that build on a previous study of physiotherapy clinical educators. Conclusion:  A brief education session with an interprofessional group of allied health clinical educators elucidated a number of important strategies to consider when supporting students with FTP issues in the clinical setting.
A numerical study on the sound transmission loss of HST aluminum extruded panel
Authors: Zheng Xu , Ruan Peilin , Luo Le , Qiu Yi , Hao Zhiyong
Published: October 2020

Aluminum is a light, strong, and corrosion-resistant material. Its extruded form, the aluminum extruded panel, consists of two aluminum plates with truss core, which can be applied in a wide range of engineering areas. In this work, the structure-acoustic coupling finite element method
(FEM) is employed to analyze the sound transmission through high-speed train (HST) aluminum extruded panels. The automatically matched layer (AML) is used to simulate the non-reflective boundary condition. It is found that the predicted sound transmission loss (STL) is in good agreement with
the experimental results and the prediction accuracy of the finite element method can be further verified. Based on this proposed method, a parametric study is carried out to investigate how the structure parameters affect the STL. The results suggest that the rib angle exhibits a greater
effect on STL in the above-middle frequency area where the modal density is high. The increase in the height between the panels will lead to a higher STL overall value of the aluminum extruded panel and make the STL dips move toward higher frequencies, while the increase of the rib thickness
will drive the STL dips to an opposite direction. Finally, the STLs of the aluminum extruded panel in different regions of the train body are comprehensively analyzed. The highest overall value of STL is found in the flat-top region, whereas the lowest value appears in the curve-top region.
Overall, the results in this article can provide valuable implications for the noise performance optimization of HST.
Practical method for parametric array source evaluation at 120 kHz frequency range in the near-field region
Authors: Ahn Hongmin , Hwang Yonghwan , Je Yub , Moon Wonkyu
Published: October 2020

A parametric array is a non-linear conversion process that can generate a narrow beam of low-frequency sound with a small aperture. One of the challenging issues with a parametric array is precise measurement of the sound field generated. In particular, near the transducer, it is not
easy to measure the sound field generated by a parametric array precisely, because the amplitude of the difference frequency wave is much lower than the amplitude of the primary wave. In this study, the practical issues that should be considered in the design of near-distance experiments with
a parametric array are examined. Limiting effects were examined, and their associated characteristics were identified by numerical simulations. Experiments were performed in a water tank (18 x 12 x 10 m) to assess these characteristics, using a custom-designed acoustic filter; the beam pattern
and propagation curve of the difference frequency wave generated by the parametric array were measured and compared with simulated data.
La Imprevisión Contractual. Breves comentarios a propósito del artículo 80° del Código Civil Cubano
Authors: Carranza Álvarez César
Published: October 2020

En el presente escrito, se analiza la institución de la imprevisión contractual contenida en el artículo 80.o del Código Civil Cubano.

Se parte por un estudio general de la figura, en cuanto a sus antecedentes históricos, noción, caracteres principales y legislación comparada; para luego recalar en la norma citada, analizándola a través de su contenido y alcances, y en algunos casos, planteando algunas soluciones de mejora legislativa.