bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Impacts of Beef as Corrected for the Provision of Ecosystem Services
Authors: Bragaglio Andrea , Braghieri Ada , Pacelli Corrado , Napolitano Fabio
Published: May 2020

We aimed to assess whether the environmental impacts in terms of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and land occupation (LO) of beef can be decreased when ecosystem and cultural/provisioning services are included in the evaluation. We used four Italian production systems: Fat, with beef imported calves kept in confinement; CoCaI, with beef cows and calves kept in confinement; SpEx, with beef cows and calves kept on pasture and finishing conducted in confinement; and Pod, with Podolian cows and calves kept on pasture and finishing conducted in confinement. After the economic allocation, the GWP of system Pod decreased considerably and showed values lower than those computed for systems CoCaI and SpEx (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). System Pod showed the lowest AP and EP as compared with all the other systems (P < 0.01). Systems Fat and CoCaI showed the smallest LO, with values lower than systems Pod (P < 0.05) and SpEx (P < 0.001). We conclude that the environmental impacts of extensive and local beef production systems in terms of GWP, AP, and EP was markedly reduced when the provision of accessory services was included in the calculation. Conversely, LO did not markedly change due to the high absolute values needed to allow pasture-based feeding. The estimation of additional positive aspects linked to the use of natural pastures, such as removal of carbon dioxide, increased biodiversity, and exploitation of feeds nonedible by humans, may allow a further reduction of LO.
Novice Physical Education Teachers in Israel: Facilitators and Barriers to Persistence in the Profession
Authors: Zach Sima , Dunsky Ayelet , Stein Hanan , Litvin Olga , Hellerstein Devora
Published: May 2020

The phenomenon of high attrition and dropout among novice teachers has been widely recognized as an issue that must be addressed. The current study aimed to explore this phenomenon in the field of physical education (PE). A longitudinal study using a mixed-methods approach was conducted. The participants consisted of 119 novice teachers at three points in time: during, at the end of the first year of internship, and two years after internship. Instruments included questionnaires, a semi-structured telephone survey, and in-depth face-to-face interviews. Results indicated that the majority of novice teachers intended to stay in the profession mainly due to idealistic reasons. Emotional and professional support from senior staff and/or management proved to be important to their decision to persist in the profession. Barriers that were found distinctive to PE included poor working conditions such as a lack of facilities or equipment. Additionally, participants reported discouragement from the discovery that PE was perceived as a less important subject in comparison to other school subjects. The vast majority reported that they had not been sufficiently prepared for the realities of the teaching profession.
Topsoil Transfer from Natural Renosterveld to Degraded Old Fields Facilitates Native Vegetation Recovery
Authors: Ruwanza Sheunesu
Published: May 2020

The transfer of soils from intact vegetation communities to degraded ecosystems is seen as a promising restoration tool aimed at facilitating vegetation recovery. This study examined how topsoil transfer from intact renosterveld to degraded old fields improves vegetation diversity, cover, and composition. Transferred topsoil were overlaid on 30 quadrats, each measuring 1 m2, in May 2009. Eight years following the initial soil transfer, vegetation diversity in the soil transfer site showed an increase towards the natural site compared to the old field site where no soil transfer was administered. Both species richness and cover for trees and shrubs in the soil transfer site increased towards the natural site, though this was not the case for herbs and grasses. One-way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed significant (R = 0.55) separation in community composition between sites. The study concludes that soil transfer from intact renosterveld to degraded old fields is a promising restoration technique because it increases species diversity and cover and facilitates vegetation recovery. A significant restoration implication of this study is that soil transfer introduces key renosterveld native tree and shrub species that can facilitate successful restoration and act as restoration foci or nurse plants.
Nutritional Characterization of Two Rare Landraces of Turnip (Brassica rapa. var. rapa) Tops and Their On-Farm Conservation in Foggia Province
Authors: Conversa Giulia , Lazzizera Corrado , Bonasia Anna , La Rotonda Paolo , Elia Antonio
Published: May 2020

The study of nutritional properties in landrace products and the general context of its cultivation site are crucial to designing a sustainable on-farm strategy for landrace conservation. The present study describes the main nutritional aspects of two Brassica rapa subspecies rapa landraces collected in Puglia, Italy along with agroecological and socioeconomical traits where they are cultivated. The two B. rapa landraces (‘Cima di rapa dalla testa’ and ‘Cima di rapa antica’) are only found in sites at 700–800 m asl and in two landscape units (the Southern Daunian Mountains (SDM) and the Umbra Forest (UF), respectively) of the Foggia province. These rare landraces were selected by farmers to produce turnip greens/tops from ancient root turnip crops. They are named and consumed by local people in the same way as turnip tops of Brassica rapa subspecies sylvestris (‘Cima di rapa’), which are widely cultivated in Puglia. Compared to the most common ‘Cima di rapa’, the two highlighted landraces have a better nutritional profile linked to an improved content in antioxidant compounds—i.e., vitamin C (458 mg kg−1 FW), total phenols (347 mg ac. gallic equivalent kg−1 FW)—in glucosinolate (741 µmol kg FW−1, in ‘Cima di rapa antica’) and in minerals, such as K. Both landraces are deemed as having a high risk of erosion. Few exemplars are cultivated in marginal lands and urban/peri-urban areas (SDM), or in isolated sites within the UF, which is a special protection zone within Gargano National Park. However, natural, cultural, and recreational tourism are the main economic activities in both landscape units.
Tillering and Structural Characteristics of Panicum Cultivars in the Brazilian Semiarid Region
Authors: de Lima Veras Emmanuel Lievio , Difante Gelson dos Santos , Chaves Gurgel Antonio Leandro , Graciano da Costa Ana Beatriz , Gomes Rodrigues Jéssica , Marques Costa Carolina , Emerenciano Neto João Virginio , Gusmão Pereira Marislayne de , Ramon Costa Pablo
Published: May 2020

Panicum maximum grasses are among the most used in Brazil because they have high forage production potential, nutritional value and adaptation to different climate conditions and in poor soils, which have been improved by the application of dolomitic limestone and nitrogen fertilizers and K2O, P2O5. The aim was to evaluate the tillering capacity and structural characteristics of six cultivars of Panicum maximum in the Brazilian semiarid region. The test was configured as a randomized block design with six treatments—the cultivars Aruana, Massai, Mombaça, Tamani, Tanzânia, and Zuri—and four replications. The studied variables included tiller population dynamics, tiller population density (TPD), appearance rate (ApR), mortality (MorB), tiller survival (SuvP), tiller stability index, height, light interception (LI), forage mass (FM), and morphological constituents. As to the population dynamics of tillers, seven generations were evaluated, and the largest number of tillers was observed in the first generation, regardless of the cultivar. Furthermore, the Massai cultivar demonstrated the highest TPD in all generations. Interaction between the cultivar and evaluation period was noted for ApR: the cultivars Tamani and Tanzânia indicated higher ApR at 122 and 137 days after establishment. The cultivar (P = 0.380) and evaluation period (P = 0.4469) had no effect on SuvP; however, higher MorB was detected in the cultivars Aruana and Tamani compared to Mombaça and Zuri, with intermediate values detected in the other cultivars. The highest FM was observed in the cultivars Massai, Mombaça, and Tamani, as well as in the leaf blade of Massai and Mombaça. The cultivars Massai, Mombaça, Tamani, Tanzânia, and Zuri have the potential to be cultivated in areas with marked water deficit and high temperatures, such as the Brazilian semiarid region. The cultivar Massai has a rapid recovery after a period of water scarcity. The cultivar Aruana is not recommended for use in the Brazilian semiarid region under rainfed conditions.
Dry Bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L.] Growth and Yield Response to Variable Irrigation in the Arid to Semi-Arid Climate
Authors: Rai Abhijit , Sharma Vivek , Heitholt Jim
Published: May 2020

Understanding the crop growth and yield response to variable irrigation and the relationship between crop eco-physiological and morphological parameters is critical for identifying a balanced irrigation management strategy and developing decision support systems for early detection and information for on-ground decisions. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of variable irrigation treatments on dry bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L.] growth traits (plant height, leaf area index, normalized difference vegetation index), seed yield (SY), and yield components (pods plant−1, seeds pod−1, 100-seed weight (SW), and pod harvest index (PHI)) and to develop empirical models between dry bean growth and environmental conditions, SY, and yield components. Five irrigation treatments i.e., FIT (full irrigation treatment), 125% FIT, 75% FIT, 50% FIT, and 25% FIT were investigated. Water deficit at the beginning of the crop growth [vegetative growth (V1-V2) stage], dramatically reduced dry bean growth and development and resulted in a significant reduction in SY. However, the degree to which vegetative growth and SY was reduced depends on the weather conditions. Reducing irrigation by 25% below FIT resulted in an average reduction of 30% in SY. This reduction in SY was significantly correlated with a decline in pods plant−1 and SW. Moreover, the empirical models between growth traits and growing degree days (GDD) have a strong correlation, while growth traits and SY and yield components are moderately correlated. The data and empirical models presented in this research provide valuable information in predicting and estimating dry bean SY in-season and allow for corrective management decisions.
Spatializing Emotions Besides Magnitudes: Is There a Left-to-Right Valence or Intensity Mapping?
Authors: Prete Giulia
Published: May 2020

The Spatial–Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC), namely the automatic association between smaller numbers and left space and between larger numbers and right space, is often attributed to a Mental Number Line (MNL), in which magnitudes would be placed left-to-right. Previous studies have suggested that the MNL could be extended to emotional processing. In this study, participants were asked to carry out a parity judgment task (categorizing one to five digits as even or odd) and an emotional judgment task, in which emotional smilies were presented with four emotional expressions (very sad, sad, happy, very happy). Half of the sample was asked to categorize the emotional valence (positive or negative valence), the other half was asked to categorize the emotional intensity (lower or higher intensity). The results of the parity judgment task confirmed the expected SNARC effect. In the emotional judgment task, the performance of both subgroups was better for happy than for sad expressions. Importantly, a better performance was found only in the valence task for lower intensity stimuli categorized with the left hand and for higher intensity stimuli categorized with the right hand, but only for happy smilies. The present results show that neither emotional valence nor emotional intensity alone are spatialized left-to-right, suggesting that magnitudes and emotions are processed independently from one another, and that the mental representation of emotions could be more complex than the bi-dimentional left-to-right spatialization found for numbers.
Possible Occurrence of Superconductivity by the π-flux Dirac String Formation Due to Spin-Twisting Itinerant Motion of Electrons
Authors: Koizumi Hiroyasu
Published: May 2020

We show that the Rashba spin-orbit interaction causes spin-twisting itinerant motion of electrons in metals and realizes the quantized cyclotron orbits of conduction electrons without an external magnetic field. From the view point of the Berry connection, the cause of this quantization is the appearance of a non-trivial Berry connection A fic = − ℏ 2 e ∇ χ ( χ is an angular variable with period 2 π ) that generates π flux (in the units of ℏ = 1 , e = 1 , c = 1 ) inside the nodal singularities of the wave function (a “Dirac string”) along the centers of spin-twisting. Since it has been shown in our previous work that the collective mode of ∇ χ is stabilized by the electron-pairing and generates supercurrent, the π -flux Dirac string created by the spin-twisting itinerant motion will be stabilized by the electron-pairing and produce supercurrent.
One-Step Preparation of Z-Isomer-Rich β-Carotene Nanosuspensions Utilizing a Natural Catalyst, Allyl Isothiocyanate, via Supercritical CO2
Authors: Zhang Yelin , Honda Masaki , Fukaya Tetsuya , Wahyudiono  , Kanda Hideki , Goto Motonobu
Published: May 2020

This study aims to improve the production efficiency of β-carotene suspensions using a naturally occurring Z-isomerization-accelerating catalyst, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), via supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2). Namely, utilizing solubility improvement of β-carotene with the Z-isomerization by adding AITC in the SC-CO2-used dispersion process, the encapsulation efficiency of β-carotene was enhanced. The dispersion of β-carotene was conducted by ultrasonic treatment, and there was no involvement of organic solvents in the whole process. When 100 mg of AITC was added in the dispersion process, the encapsulation efficiency (β-carotene content in resulting suspension) was approximately 3.5 times higher than that without addition of the catalyst. Moreover, the Z-isomer ratio of β-carotene in the suspensions significantly improved, that is, it was approximately 12 times higher than the raw β-carotene material. Since Z-isomers of β-carotene are known to have higher antiatherosclerotic and antiatherogenic activities compared to the all-E-isomer, this one-step method not only efficiently produces β-carotene suspensions without organic solvents but also enhances the bioactivities of them.
A New Class of Symmetric Beta Type Distributions Constructed by Means of Symmetric Bernstein Type Basis Functions
Authors: Yalcin Fusun , Simsek Yilmaz
Published: May 2020

The main aim of this paper is to define and investigate a new class of symmetric beta type distributions with the help of the symmetric Bernstein-type basis functions. We give symmetry property of these distributions and the Bernstein-type basis functions. Using the Bernstein-type basis functions and binomial series, we give some series and integral representations including moment generating function for these distributions. Using generating functions and their functional equations, we also give many new identities related to the moments, the polygamma function, the digamma function, the harmonic numbers, the Stirling numbers, generalized harmonic numbers, the Lah numbers, the Bernstein-type basis functions, the array polynomials, and the Apostol–Bernoulli polynomials. Moreover, some numerical values of the expected values for the logarithm of random variable are given.
The Sequential and Contractible Topological Embeddings of Functional Groups
Authors: Bagchi Susmit
Published: May 2020

The continuous and injective embeddings of closed curves in Hausdorff topological spaces maintain isometry in subspaces generating components. An embedding of a circle group within a topological space creates isometric subspace with rotational symmetry. This paper introduces the generalized algebraic construction of functional groups and its topological embeddings into normal spaces maintaining homeomorphism of functional groups. The proposed algebraic construction of functional groups maintains homeomorphism to rotationally symmetric circle groups. The embeddings of functional groups are constructed in a sequence in the normal topological spaces. First, the topological decomposition and associated embeddings of a generalized group algebraic structure in the lower dimensional space is presented. It is shown that the one-point compactification property of topological space containing the decomposed group embeddings can be identified. Second, the sequential topological embeddings of functional groups are formulated. The proposed sequential embeddings follow Schoenflies property within the normal topological space. The preservation of homeomorphism between disjoint functional group embeddings under Banach-type contraction is analyzed taking into consideration that the underlying topological space is Hausdorff and the embeddings are in a monotone class. It is shown that components in a monotone class of isometry are not separable, whereas the multiple disjoint monotone class of embeddings are separable. A comparative analysis of the proposed concepts and formulations with respect to the existing structures is included in the paper.
On the Nature of γ-th Arithmetic Zeta Functions
Authors: Trojovský Pavel
Published: May 2020

Symmetry and elementary symmetric functions are main components of the proof of the celebrated Hermite–Lindemann theorem (about the transcendence of e α , for algebraic values of α ) which settled the ancient Greek problem of squaring the circle. In this paper, we are interested in similar results, but for powers such as e γ log   n . This kind of problem can be posed in the context of arithmetic functions. More precisely, we study the arithmetic nature of the so-called γ-th arithmetic zeta function ζ γ ( n ) : = n γ ( = e γ log   n ), for a positive integer n and a complex number γ . Moreover, we raise a conjecture about the exceptional set of ζ γ , in the case in which γ is transcendental, and we connect it to the famous Schanuel’s conjecture.
Construction and Optimization of Biconnected and Wide-Coverage Topology Based on Node Mobility
Authors: Zhao Peng , Wang Jianzhong , Kong Lingren
Published: May 2020

Constructing a communications topology with fault tolerance and effective coverage plays an important role in wireless sensor networks. This paper is aimed at constructing and maintaining a biconnected topology, while minimizing the movement distance of the nodes and maximizing the coverage of the field of interest. First, it presents a new model with the motion constraint. If the nodes move at distance within the limit value calculated by the model, the topology is always connected, whether the neighbors of nodes are dynamic or static. Secondly, it improves the coverage strategy based on the nearest neighbor rule (NNR) and finds a rule of nodes’ spreading so that the nodes are distributed evenly and the spacing of the adjacent nodes is controllable. In addition, the nodes move only when necessary according to the added judgment conditions. Consequently, the movement distance is reduced. The simulation results prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the Localized Topology Optimized Method (LTOM) proposed by this paper. The connected indicators of the system’s topology during implementing LTOM are consistent, and the transformation of topology by LTOM is symmetric. Compared with the other distributed algorithm, NNR, LTOM reduces the movement distance of nodes, improves the connected probability, and maximizes the coverage of the topological structures under the biconnected conditions.
Pest Management and Ochratoxin A Contamination in Grapes: A Review
Authors: Mondani Letizia , Palumbo Roberta , Tsitsigiannis Dimitrios , Perdikis Dionysios , Mazzoni Emanuele , Battilani Paola
Published: May 2020

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most toxic member of ochratoxins, a group of toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi. The most relevant species involved in OTA production in grapes is Aspergillus carbonarius. Berry infection by A. carbonarius is enhanced by damage to the skin caused by abiotic and biotic factors. Insect pests play a major role in European vineyards, and Lepidopteran species such as the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana are undoubtedly crucial. New scenarios are also emerging due to the introduction and spread of allochthonous pests as well as climate change. Such pests may be involved in the dissemination of OTA producing fungi even if confirmation is still lacking and further studies are needed. An OTA predicting model is available, but it should be integrated with models aimed at forecasting L. botrana phenology and demography in order to improve model reliability.
Pan-Genomic Analysis of Clostridium botulinum Group II (Non-Proteolytic C. botulinum) Associated with Foodborne Botulism and Isolated from the Environment
Authors: Brunt Jason , van Vliet Arnoud H. M. , Stringer Sandra C. , Carter Andrew T. , Lindström Miia , Peck Michael W.
Published: May 2020

The neurotoxin formed by Clostridium botulinum Group II is a major cause of foodborne botulism, a deadly intoxication. This study aims to understand the genetic diversity and spread of C. botulinum Group II strains and their neurotoxin genes. A comparative genomic study has been conducted with 208 highly diverse C. botulinum Group II strains (180 newly sequenced strains isolated from 16 countries over 80 years, 28 sequences from Genbank). Strains possessed a single type B, E, or F neurotoxin gene or were closely related strains with no neurotoxin gene. Botulinum neurotoxin subtype variants (including novel variants) with a unique amino acid sequence were identified. Core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis identified two major lineages—one with type E strains, and the second dominated by subtype B4 strains with subtype F6 strains. This study revealed novel details of population structure/diversity and established relationships between whole-genome lineage, botulinum neurotoxin subtype variant, association with foodborne botulism, epidemiology, and geographical source. Additionally, the genome sequences represent a valuable resource for the research community (e.g., understanding evolution of C. botulinum and its neurotoxin genes, dissecting key aspects of C. botulinum Group II biology). This may contribute to improved risk assessments and the prevention of foodborne botulism.
Influenza Virus Like Particles (VLPs): Opportunities for H7N9 Vaccine Development
Authors: Pushko Peter , Tretyakova Irina
Published: May 2020

In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, influenza virus remains a major threat to public health due to its potential to cause epidemics and pandemics with significant human mortality. Cases of H7N9 human infections emerged in eastern China in 2013 and immediately raised pandemic concerns as historically, pandemics were caused by the introduction of new subtypes into immunologically naïve human populations. Highly pathogenic H7N9 cases with severe disease were reported recently, indicating the continuing public health threat and the need for a prophylactic vaccine. Here we review the development of recombinant influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) as vaccines against H7N9 virus. Several approaches to vaccine development are reviewed including the expression of VLPs in mammalian, plant and insect cell expression systems. Although considerable progress has been achieved, including demonstration of safety and immunogenicity of H7N9 VLPs in the human clinical trials, the remaining challenges need to be addressed. These challenges include improvements to the manufacturing processes, as well as enhancements to immunogenicity in order to elicit protective immunity to multiple variants and subtypes of influenza virus.
Enhancement of the Activity of Electrochemical Oxidation of BPS by Nd-Doped PbO2 Electrodes: Performance and Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ni Zhili , Yao Jie
Published: May 2020

The electrochemical oxidation processes have attracted tremendous attention on the destruction of toxic and non-biodegradable organics. A series of neodymium (Nd)-doped PbO2 electrodes (Ti/PbO2-Nd) were synthesized through a pulse electrodeposition method, and its activity of bisphenol S (BPS) removal was further examined. The morphologies and structures were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The performance, energy consumption and mechanism of electrochemical oxidation of BPS by Ti/PbO2-Nd electrode were also discussed. Compared to the traditional Ti/PbO2 electrode, the Ti/PbO2-Nd enables finer crystal particles, facilitating the oxygen evolution overpotential (OEP) from 1.41V to 1.55V and the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Moreover, lower duty cycles during the preparation of the electrode also contribute to the tapering size of crystals. The results show that the Ti/PbO2-Nd electrode exhibits relatively high activity in the anodic oxidation of BPS. Over 95% of BPS could be removed with the current density of 15 mA cm−2. Moreover, the energy consumption of BPS degradation on Ti/PbO2-Nd electrode is 60.26 kWh m−3, much lower than that on Ti/PbO2 electrode (95.45 kWh m−3). To conclude, the Ti/PbO2-Nd electrode has been proven to be a promising material for BPS removal.
Effects of Waterlogging, Drought and Their Combination on Yield and Water-Use Efficiency of Five Hungarian Winter Wheat Varieties
Authors: Farkas Zsuzsanna , Varga-László Emese , Anda Angéla , Veisz Ottó , Varga Balázs
Published: May 2020

The effects of simulated waterlogging, drought stress and their combination were examined in a model experiment in Martonvásár, Hungary, in 2018. Four modern winter wheat varieties (‘Mv Toborzó’ (TOB), ‘Mv Mambó’ (MAM), ‘Mv Karizma’ (KAR), ‘Mv Pálma’ (PAL)) and one old Hungarian winter wheat cultivar (‘Bánkúti 1201’ (BKT)) were tested. Apart from the control treatment (C), the plants were exposed to two different abiotic stresses. To simulate waterlogging (WL), plants were flooded at four leaf stage, while in the WL + D treatment, they were stressed both by waterlogging and by simulated drought stress at the early stage of plant development and at the heading stage, respectively. The waterlogging treatment resulted in a significant decrease in plant biomass (BKT, TOB), number of spikes (TOB), grain yield (BKT, TOB), water use (BTK) and water-use efficiency (TOB, MAM, PAL) compared to the controls. The combined treatment (WL + D) led to a significant decrease in plant height (BTK, MAM, KAR), number of spikes (BTK, TOB, MAM, KAR), thousand kernel weight (TOB), harvest index (BTK), biomass, grain yield, water-use efficiency (in all varieties) and water use (BKT, TOB, MAM, KAR) of the plants. The best water-use efficiency was observed for MAM; therefore, this genotype could be recommended for cultivation at stress prone areas. The varieties MAM, KAR and PAL also showed good adaptability.
Impacts of Filled Check Dams with Different Deployment Strategies on the Flood and Sediment Transport Processes in a Loess Plateau Catchment
Authors: Tang Honglei , Pan Hailong , Ran Qihua
Published: May 2020

As one of the most widespread engineering structures for conserving water and soil, check dams have significantly modified the local landform and hydrologic responses. However, the influences of sedimentary lands caused by filled up check dams on the runoff and sediment transport processes were seldom studied. Employing an integrated hydrologic-response and sediment transport model, this study investigated the influences of filled check dams with different deployment strategies in a Loess Plateau catchment. Six hypothetical deployment strategies of check dams were compared with no-dam scenario and the reality scenario. Results showed that filled check dams were still able to reduce Flood peak (Qp) by 31% to 93% under different deployment strategies. Considerable delays of peak time and decreases were also found in scenarios, which were characterized as having larger and more connective sedimentary lands on the main channel. Reduction rates of Sediment yield (SY) and the total mass of Eroded sediment (ES) ranged from 4% to 52% and 2% to 16%, respectively, indicating that proper distributions of check dams can promote sediment deposition in the channel and reduce soil erosion. The results of this study indicate that (1) check dam systems could still be useful in flood attenuation and sediment control even when they were filled, and (2) optimizing the deployment strategies of check dams can help reduce erosion.
Adsorptive of Nickel in Wastewater by Olive Stone Waste: Optimization through Multi-Response Surface Methodology Using Desirability Functions
Authors: Corral Bobadilla Marina , Lostado Lorza Rubén , Somovilla Gómez Fátima , Escribano García Rubén
Published: May 2020

Pollution from industrial wastewater has the greatest impact on the environment due to the wide variety of wastes and materials that water can contain. These include heavy metals. Some of the technologies that are used to remove heavy metals from industrial effluents are inadequate, because they cannot reduce their concentration of the former to below the discharge limits. Biosorption technology has demonstrated its potential in recent years as an alternative for this type of application. This paper examines the biosorption process for the removal of nickel ions that are present in wastewater using olive stone waste as the biosorbent. Kinetic studies were conducted to investigate the biosorbent dosage, pH of the solution, and stirring speed. These are input variables that are frequently used to determine the efficiency of the adsorption process. This paper describes an effort to identify regression models, in which the biosorption process variables are related to the process output (i.e., the removal efficiency). It uses the Response Surface Method (RSM) and it is based on Box Benken Design experiments (BBD), in which olive stones serves as the biosorbent. Several scenarios of biosorption were proposed and demonstrated by use of the Multi-Response Surface (MRS) and desirability functions. The optimum conditions that were necessary to remove nickel when the dosage of biosorbent was the minimum (0.553 g/L) were determined to be a stirring speed of 199.234 rpm and a pH of 6.369. The maximum removal of nickel under optimized conditions was 61.73%. Therefore, the olive stone waste that was investigated has the potential to provide an inexpensive biosorbent material for use in recovering the water that the nickel has contaminated. The experimental results agree closely with what the regression models have provided. This confirms the use of MRS since this technique and enables satisfactory predictions with use of the least possible amount of experimental data.
Zonation of Positively Buoyant Jets Interacting with the Water-Free Surface Quantified by Physical and Numerical Modelling
Authors: García-Alba Javier , Bárcena Javier , García Andrés
Published: May 2020

The evolution of positively buoyant jets was studied with non-intrusive techniques—Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser Induce Fluorescence (LIF)—by analyzing four physical tests in their four characteristic zones: momentum dominant zone (jet-like), momentum to buoyancy transition zone (jet to plume), buoyancy dominant zone (plume-like), and lateral dispersion dominant zone. Four configurations were tested modifying the momentum and the buoyancy of the effluent through variations of flow discharge and the thermal gradient with the receiving water body, respectively. The physical model results were used to evaluate the performance of numerical models to describe such flows. Furthermore, a new method to delimitate the four characteristic zones of positively buoyant jets interacting with the water-free surface was proposed using the angle (α) shaped by the tangent of the centerline trajectory and the longitudinal axis. Physical model results showed that the dispersion of mass (concentrations) was always greater than the dispersion of energy (velocity) during the evolution of positively buoyant jets. The semiempirical models (CORJET and VISJET) underestimated the trajectory and overestimated the dilution of positively buoyant jets close to the impact zone with the water-free surface. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model (Open Field Operation And Manipulation model (OpenFOAM)) is able to reproduce the behavior of positively buoyant jets for all the proposed zones according to the physical results.
Nitrogen Removal Ability and Characteristics of the Laboratory-Scale Tidal Flow Constructed Wetlands for Treating Ammonium-Nitrogen Contaminated Groundwater
Authors: Maharjan Amit Kumar , Mori Kazuhiro , Toyama Tadashi
Published: May 2020

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are an effective technology to remove organic compounds and nitrogen (N) from wastewaters and contaminated environmental waters. However, the feasibility of CWs for ammonium-N (NH4+-N)-contaminated groundwater treatment is unclear. In this study, zeolite-based laboratory-scale CW was operated as a tidal flow CW with a cycle consisting of 21-h flooded and 3-h rest, and used to treat NH4+-N (30 mg L−1) contaminated groundwater. In addition to NH4+-N, nitrite (NO2−-N) and nitrate (NO3−-N) were also not detected in the effluents from the tidal flow CW. The N removal constant remained high for a longer period of time compared to the continuous flow CW. The higher and more sustainable N removal of the tidal flow CW was due to the in-situ biological regeneration of zeolite NH4+-N adsorption capacity. Vegetation of common reeds in tidal flow zeolite-based CW enhanced nitrification and heterotrophic denitrification activities, and increased the functional genes of nitrification (AOB-amoA and nxrA) and denitrification (narG, nirK, nirS, and nosZ) by 2‒3 orders of magnitude, compared to CW without vegetation. The results suggest that the combination of zeolite substrate, tidal flow, and vegetation is key for the highly efficient and sustainable N removal from NH4+-N contaminated groundwater.
Detecting Patterns of Changes in River Water Temperature in Poland
Authors: Graf Renata , Wrzesiński Dariusz
Published: May 2020

The study determined water temperature trends of rivers in Poland in the period 1971–2015, and also their spatial and temporal patterns. The analysis covered daily water temperature of 53 rivers recorded at 94 water gauge stations and air temperature at 43 meteorological stations. Average monthly, annual, seasonal and maximum annual tendencies of temperature change were calculated using the Mann–Kendall (M–K) test. Regional patterns of water temperature change were determined on the basis of Ward’s hierarchical grouping for 16 correlation coefficients of average annual water temperature in successive 30-year sub-periods of the multi-annual period of 1971–2015. Moreover, regularities in monthly temperature trends in the annual cycle were identified using 12 monthly values obtained from the M–K Z test. The majority of average annual air and water temperature series demonstrate statistically significant positive trends. In three seasons: spring, summer and autumn, upward tendencies of temperature were detected at 70%–90% of the investigated water gauges. In 82% of the analysed rivers, similarity to the tendencies of change of monthly air temperature was concluded, with the climatic factor being recognised as of decisive importance for the changes in water thermal characteristics of the majority of rivers in Poland. In the winter months, positive trends of temperature were considerably weaker and in general statistically insignificant. On a regional scale, rivers with a quasi-natural thermal regime experienced temperature increases from April to November. In the other cases, different directions of change in river water temperature (RWT) were attributed to various forms of human impact. It was also found that for the majority of rivers the average annual water temperature in the analysed 30-year sub-periods displayed upward trends, statistically significant or close to the significance threshold. Stronger trends were observed in the periods after 1980, while a different nature of water temperature change was detected only in a couple of mountainous rivers or rivers transformed by human impact. In the beginning of the analysed period (1971–2015), the average annual water temperature of these rivers displayed positive and statistically significant trends, while after 1980 the trends were negative. The detected regularities and spatial patterns of water temperature change in rivers with a quasi-natural regime revealed a strong influence of climate on the modification of their thermal regime features. Rivers characterised by a clearly different nature of temperature change, both in terms of the direction of the tendencies observed and their statistical significance, were distinguished by alterations of water thermal characteristics caused by human activity. The results obtained may be useful in optimising the management of aquatic ecosystems, for which water temperature is a significant indicator of the ongoing environmental changes.
The Effect of Unsteady Water Discharge through Dams of Hydroelectric Power Plants on Hydrodynamic Regimes of the Upper Pools of Waterworks
Authors: Lyubimova Tatyana , Parshakova Yanina , Lepikhin Anatoly , Lyakhin Yury , Tiunov Alexey
Published: May 2020

The hydrological regimes of surface water bodies, as a rule, are unsteady. However, accounting for the non-stationarity substantially complicates the hydrodynamic calculations. Because of this, the scenario approach is traditionally used in the calculations. Characteristic scenarios are set with constant hydrological characteristics throughout the time covered in the calculations. This approach is fully justified if the characteristic time of the change in water flow rate is much longer than the calculation time. However, nowadays, tasks are becoming more and more urgent when accounting for flow variability during calculation period becomes crucial. First of all, such a problem arises when assessing the effect of non-stationary water discharge through hydroelectric power plant dams on the hydrodynamic regime of both the upper and lower pools of the reservoir. In the present paper, the effect of the intraday variability of the Kamskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant (Kamskaya HEPP) operation on the peculiarities of the hydrodynamic regimes of the near-dam part of the upper pool of the Kama reservoir is described. The importance of the problem is determined by the location of the main drinking water intake of Perm city and one of the largest thermal power plants (TPP) in Europe, Permskaya TPP, in this part of the reservoir. This TPP uses a direct-flow cooling system from the Kama reservoir, which is very sensitive to the peculiarities of the hydrodynamic regime of the reservoir. The computational experiments based on the combined hydrodynamic models in 2D/3D formulations have shown that the intraday oscillations of the discharge flow rate through the dam of the HEPP have a very significant effect on the hydrodynamic regime of the reservoir in the vicinity of the Permskaya TPP; therefore, these effects must be taken into account when minimizing the risks of thermal effluents entering the intake channel of the Permskaya TPP.
Improved Landsat-Based Water and Snow Indices for Extracting Lake and Snow Cover/Glacier in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yan Dajiang , Huang Chang , Ma Ning , Zhang Yinsheng
Published: May 2020

Identifying water and snow cover/glaciers (SCG) accurately is of great importance for monitoring different water resources in the Tibetan Plateau. However, discriminating between water and SCG remains a difficult task because of their similar spectral characteristic according to the physical principles of remote sensing. To efficiently distinguish different kinds of water resources automatically, here we proposed two new indices including: (i) the normalized difference water index with no SCG information (NDWIns) to extract lake water and suppress SCG: and (ii) the normalized difference snow index with no water information (NDSInw) to extract SCG and suppress lake water. Both new water and snow indices were tested in the Tibetan Plateau using Landsat series, showing that the overall accuracies of NDWIns and NDSInw were in the range of 94.6–97.0% and 94.9–97.0% in mapping the lake water from SCG and mapping the SCG from lake water, respectively. Further comparisons suggest that these new two indices improved upon the previous normalized difference snow index/modified normalized difference water index (NDSI/MNDWI) in mapping the water body and SCG. While the present study only focuses on the validation over certain areas in Tibetan Plateau, the newly proposed NDWIns and NDSInw have the potential for better monitoring the lake water and snow/glacier areas over other cold regions around the globe.
Habilidades Motoras de Crianças em Berçários:
Authors: Guedes Stefânia , Caetano Viviane , Avelino Patrick , Kiefer Kênia
Published: May 2020

Introdução. A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma condição neurológica degenerativa, progressiva, com prevalência de 60 a 70% dos casos de demência diagnosticados. Objetivo. Descrever as principais características dos ensaios clínicos relacionados à reabilitação de pacientes com DA, publicados na base de dados PEDro; ranquear, pelo fator de impacto, os principais jornais que publicam estudos na área; e analisar a correlação entre qualidade metodológica, fator de impacto e tempo de publicação. Método. A busca na base de dados PEDro selecionou ensaios clínicos que objetivaram a reabilitação de pacientes com DA, extraindo dados como idioma, ano e tempo de publicação, qualidade metodológica, tamanho amostral, intervenção, comparação e fator de impacto dos jornais. Coeficiente de correlação de Spearman foi calculado para explorar as correlações. Resultados. Foram encontrados 93 estudos, publicados em 58 jornais. O número médio de participantes por estudo foi de 102±155 indivíduos, sendo a maioria publicada na língua inglesa (97%). A nota média dos estudos na escala PEDro foi de 5,5±1,5. Exercícios gerais foi o principal tipo de tratamento utilizado (43%), comparado com outros tipos de intervenção (41%). O fator de impacto médio dos jornais foi de 6,7±11,6. Não foi encontrada correlação significante entre nenhuma das variáveis. Conclusão. As publicações relacionadas à reabilitação de pacientes com DA apresentaram qualidade metodológica moderada. Estudos são publicados, majoritariamente, em revistas com alto fator de impacto (média de 6,7). No entanto, tanto estudos atuais como antigos podem apresentar boa qualidade metodológica, independente do fator de impacto da revista.
Smoking Water-Pipe, Opium Use and Prevalence of Heart Disease: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Baseline Data from the Pars Cohort Study, Southern Iran
Authors: Adib Ali , Masoompour Seyed Masoom , Molavi Vardanjani Hossein , Gondomkar Abdullah , Poustchi Hossein , Salehi Alireza , Islami Farhad , Malekzadeh Reza
Published: May 2020

Background: Associations between hookah and opium use and an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) have been suggested in a few studies, but more research is needed on the nature of these associations. We aimed to investigate the association between hookah and opium use and the prevalence of IHD in a population with relatively high prevalence of these exposures in Iran.Methods: Using baseline data from the Pars Cohort Study (PCS), a prospective study of individuals aged 40-75 years in Fars province, southern Iran, we calculated adjusted and crude odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the independent association of hookah and opium use with prevalence of IHD.Results: Of 9248 participants, 10.2% (95% CI: 9.5, 10.9) had self-reported IHD. Prevalence of ever use of hookah and opium was 48.9% (95% CI: 44.6, 53.6) and 10.2% (95% CI: 8.3, 12.5) among those with IHD, and 37.0% (95% CI: 35.7, 38.3) and 8.1% (95% CI: 7.5, 8.7) among those without IHD, respectively. Adjusted OR for the association with prevalence of IHD was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.46) for hookah use and 1.71 (95% CI: 1.30, 2.24) for opium abuse. No dose-response association was found between hookah and prevalence of IHD.Conclusion: Hookah and opium abuse were associated with prevalent IHD in this study. Although more research is needed on these associations, particularly in prospective settings, reducing hookah and opium use could potentially reduce IHD risk.
Effect of Storage Temperature and Time on Stability of Liver Enzymes in Blood Serum
Authors: Kolahdoozan Shadi , Sepanlou Sadaf G. , Sharafkhah Maryam , Shaker Elaheh , Shayanrad Ameneh , Malekzadeh Reza , Merat Shahin , Poustchi Hosein
Published: May 2020

Background: It is increasingly common to collect and store specimens for future unspecified research. However, the effects of prolonged storage on the stability and quality of analytes in serum have not been well investigated. We aimed to determine whether the stability of liver enzymes extracted from frozen bio-samples stored at the baseline is affected by storage conditions. Methods: A total of four liver enzymes in the sera of 400 patients were examined following storage. After deter-mining the baseline measurements, the serum of each patient was aliquoted and stored at −70°C for three and six months, as well as one, two, and five years after collecting the original sample. The percent change from baseline measurements was calculated both statistically and clinically. Linear models were also used to correct the results of the samples based on the time they were frozen. Results: In almost all samples, liver enzymes were detectable until two years after the baseline, while in a signifi-cant proportion of samples, enzymes were not ultimately detectable five years after the baseline. Linear regression analysis on log-transformed levels of enzymes shows that the performance is acceptable until one year after the baseline. The performance of the prediction model declines substantially two and five years after the baseline, except for GGT. Conclusion: Long-term storage of serum samples significantly decreases the concentration of the liver enzymes from the baseline, except for GGT. It is not recommended to store samples for more than two years, as liver en-zymes are not detectable afterwards.