bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A blockchain-based framework for supporting BIM-based building code compliance checking workflow
Authors: Gao H , Zhong B
Published: February 2022

Code compliance checking of building designs is an essential task during the design and construction process, this process is time-consuming and laborious, and there is a risk of human manipulation, collusion and tampering with the results during the process. Existing BIM automated compliance checking technologies can reduce human errors and automatically output drawing review reports in some domains. But there are still few provisions that can be automatically reviewed, and most of the provisions still require human intervention. This research proposes a blockchain-based framework for managing both automated and manual compliance review processes in a BIM environment. The framework is developed to help improve the traceability and transparency of the compliance review process in the BIM environment. The framework includes on-chain and off-chain solutions for addressing the management issues in the code checking process. The prospects of the solution, challenges in implementation and future research directions were discussed.
A preliminary SWOT evaluation for the applications of ML to Cyber Risk Analysis in the Construction Industry
Authors: Yao Dongchi , Garcia de Soto Borja
Published: February 2022

Construction 4.0 is driving construction towards a data-centered industry. Construction firms manage significant amounts of valuable digital information, making them the target of cyberattacks, which not only compromise stored information but could cause severe harm to cyber-physical systems, personnel, and products. Therefore, it is critical to conduct cyber risk analyses to manage construction information assets to ensure their confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Traditional risk analysis methodologies like Fault Tree Analysis have limitations in dealing with the rapidly evolving cyber risks. As an alternative, Machine Learning (ML) methods are finding their way into the risk analysis field. ML models developed for cybersecurity purposes can learn from past results to make reliable predictions while removing the laboriousness of the traditional risk analysis. This article reviews ML techniques used for cyber risk analysis in different industries in recent years. Based on that, we investigate how ML techniques could be used for cyber risk analysis. Afterward, a SWOT analysis is conducted to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats regarding the applications of ML in cyber risk analysis in the construction industry, and recommendations to address the weaknesses and threats are presented. Finally, future research areas using ML to prevent cyberattacks in the construction industry are proposed.
Are we ready for a rational discussion? The existence of biases in construction dispute negotiation
Authors: Li K , Cheung S O
Published: February 2022

Embedded in a network constellation of multi-stakeholders with various professional backgrounds and differing goals, the construction industry is featured with adversarial relationships and inevitable disputes. Therefore, high quality communication and negotiation among the parties are essential in achieving speedy and less costly dispute resolution. As rational evaluation underpins quality negotiation decisions, are construction disputing parties rational as they assumed? Are there any biases that could possibly prohibit them from making prudent judgement? This study seeks to understand the existence and impact of bias in construction dispute negotiation (CDN). The existence of four types of bias in CDN were discussed: preconception, self-affirmation, optimism and interest-oriented. Three categories of de-biasing strategy were also suggested to support the efficient settlement of construction dispute. Vast resources would be saved and amicable relationship among the collaborating parties could be developed when the impact of bias was curbed. Stepping into the digital era, construction dispute resolution professionals should develop the capabilities needed to harness the benefits of technologies for innovative ways of designing a bias-free dispute resolution mechanism.
Investigating Employee Performance for Improved Learning Curve in the South African Construction Industry
Authors: Chauke S , Mashwama N , Aigbavboa C , Thwala W
Published: February 2022

Employee performance is one of the most critical factors that have an impact on organisational success. The quality and characteristics of an employee in the organisation are important attributes for success. it is not possible for an organisation to attain its goals and objectives without employees. Most construction projects in South Africa face several problems, including poor project performance and poor-quality project delivery, among others. These problems are mainly a result of a failure in employee performance. Improving employee’s performance is key to its success in delivering completed projects on schedule. The study is mainly a literature review/survey on the effects of employee turnover, the various ways to enhance employee performance, factors affecting employee performance, and the measures to improve employee performance.
The effectiveness of agile management on traditional projects within public organizations
Authors: Al Maamzi J J , Tawfik T
Published: February 2022

After the coronavirus pandemic, we must look for the notion of an agile methodology as one of the ways that supports the restoration of our businesses to what they were and even better; this is critical in order to remedy and grow the global economy once again. The notion of agility has been traditionally present, however, it was engaged only for IT and software projects. As this concept has been validated further during the pandemic, this methodology can be increasingly applied in different types of projects, such as construction projects and other infrastructure projects. With the growing adoption of agile methods, project managers at public organizations increasingly need to realize its applicability to their projects and the aspects that drive key project performance features. On the one hand, many firms confirmed that agile methods solved their difficulties during the pandemic, particularly in addressing changes due to unstable and unpredictable needs. On the other hand, some other firms have continued to struggle, arguably because of not practicing agile approaches. Consequently, this paper attempts to examine the effect of agile methodologies on the processes involved in traditional project management within public organizations, which it does through applying a qualitative method. Furthermore, this paper will explore how this methodology can allow project managers to evaluate the applicability of using an agile method within public organizations, especially for construction projects and other infrastructure projects.
Tracking Productivity in Real-time Using Computer Vision
Authors: Kadoura A , Small E P
Published: February 2022

The construction industry is lagging behind other industries in terms of productivity gains with stagnant growth over several decades. The reasons for the lack of growth are complex and multifaceted, yet all causes and the resulting effects are realized on the output of the workers and machinery on-site. Often, typical site management practices do not identify productivity issues in a timely fashion when corrective actions may impact construction activity progress. Better management tools are required to optimize the productivity of on-site crews. This promises to positively impact the completion of individual tasks, work packages, projects, and ultimately the industry with respect to productivity, which is the driving force behind this research effort. The approach pursued focuses on utilizing commercially available cameras together with computer vision and artificial intelligence. With these tools, the main objective is to develop an algorithm capable of providing real-time feedback on the productivity of workers. Ideally, the algorithm will further identify each type of activity being conducted, thereby capturing useful productivity data. The initial model is a simple classifier that checks whether a worker performs work or stands idle. This is performed through algorithms that identify and track a person’s pose and joints and translate them to data points that can be evaluated and translated into helpful productivity measures. Finally, successfully developing a model capable of providing real-time productivity data will allow project managers and planners to better manage and utilize on-site resources. Additionally, since a large amount of data is collected and saved, trends in productivity levels can be tracked and studied further to optimize and improve them.
Project scheduling algorithms for construction projects with stretchable activities
Authors: Mályusz L , Vattai Z
Published: February 2022

Project management requires increasingly complex, sophisticated scheduling models, preferably in the simplest possible way, for which the rapid expansion of computing capacity provides an increasing opportunity. In this paper, we examine deterministic models that, as a further development of the traditional CPM and PDM models (with four well-known minimum and maximum priority relationships) allow activity to be stretchable. The aim of the study is a) to implement different algorithms for time analysis on computers, b) to compare their speeds on large-scale real and artificial projects; c) to prepare proposals for selecting the best fitting algorithm(s) to the specific model(s). The comparison was based on real network. The results show that depending on the models, different algorithms perform well, so we recommend that different algorithms be implemented in the scheduling tools and let the tool decide which algorithms will be optimal for the computation time
Response strategies used to mitigate the effect of extreme weather on rural and remote housing in Australia
Authors: Jensen Christopher A. , Yule Jessamie
Published: February 2022

In the extreme climates of Australia, rural and remote locations have special site and dwelling requirements and therefore special design solutions. This can include construction constraints, bushfire risk, resource efficiency, comfort and respect for the surrounding environment and heritage. Existing regulations targeted at extreme weather impacts such as bushfire, flood, cyclones, and heatwaves often impact the design and material choices for rural and remote housing due to their exposed locations, including housing proposed for rebuild following damage resulting from an extreme weather event. These regulations also lead to increased costs and uncertainty about the suitability of rural land for construction, making it challenging for rebuilding communities in affected areas. Such well-intentioned regulations also create limitations on innovation through experimental / bespoke building design, such as; 1) novel solutions to extreme weather mitigation and resistance 2) material choices for construction; and 3) achievement of operational and embodied energy reductions.

Experimental buildings provide significant innovation benefits to industry as is often seen in the development of sustainable and high-performance buildings. This research examines the academic and industry knowledge of current design regulations for extreme weather events and implications for experimental and innovative design, highlighting the challenges for buildings to achieve increasing standards of environmental performance whilst ensuring resilience in the face of increasing extreme weather events, with a specific focus on rural communities. Case study analysis is used to provide an understanding of the focus and strategies used by different groups in different locations to address the impacts of extreme weather.
BIM and Lean for value generation in the built asset industry: an information management perspective
Authors: Mehran D , Poirier E A , Forgues D
Published: February 2022

The built asset industry’s notorious productivity gap is being targeted through digitalization, operationalized through Building Information Modelling (BIM), and the application of Lean philosophy to the planning, design, delivery, maintenance, and management of the built environment. While both approaches grow in popularity, their development has remained largely on parallel tracks. Both approaches have existed, for the most part, as two independent initiatives aimed at improving performance and productivity. An increasing amount of work however is pointing to the significant potential that can be achieved through the integration of both approaches. This paper investigates the mutual relations and synergies between BIM and Lean from an information management perspective. The paper also presents the key similarities, differences, synergies, and interactions between these two main drivers of built asset industry reform, while providing an investigation into the principles guiding the application of both within the construction industry.
Comparing 360° Virtual Reality Learning Configurations for Construction Education
Authors: Kim J
Published: February 2022

Virtual reality is rapidly becoming an effective tool for training in construction. Hazardous environments can be simulated and used for training purposes without endangering students. Furthermore, these virtual environments can be saved and re-used, on-demand, allowing students to observe temporal changes to an environment that would normally require multiple visits to a real project site to achieve. While the virtual construction site visit should not be considered a replacement for the real thing, some site visits get passed over because they are costly and logistically difficult to coordinate. Having options would be desirable. Virtual reality construction site visits using 360° photographs are a novel approach toward substituting for the real thing – yet they can be ineffective. Therefore, considering this media as a replacement for the real experience is not advisable – without some additional upgrades. This research documents a between-groups experiment that compared student’s self-reported learning performance when using 360° photographs that were annotated versus 360° photographs that were not annotated. The annotations included pop-ups, visual cues, audio clips, video clips, and quizzes to direct the learning when viewing the 360° photographs. Results indicated increased performance with the students that used the annotated 360° photographs. This study anticipated a difference in performance between the two groups and therefore used eye tracking technology with the students that used the non-annotated 360° photographs to obtain a better understanding of why their achievement differed.
Design of multi-layered building structures using BIM method
Authors: Szalai D , Horváth T
Published: February 2022

Today BIM is an inevitable concept in construction design and while the workflow of consultant designers is mostly influenced to a small extent, new methods require a new kind of communication between them. This research focuses on the workflows of construction designers because their design works have a big impact on many other disciplines. This paper presents an examination about the processing methods of the building structure designers and the use of BIM with a questionnaire survey. In this research, a new way was also introduced to integrate definitions of multi-layered structures (created by construction designers) into the BIM/CAD model itself. The goal was to allow the data in the layer structure documents to be automatically linked to the model, and make it possible for all collaborators to continue working with the data separately. This paper proofs that this automated workflow greatly increases efficiency, accuracy and reduces human errors. ArchiCAD and Excel were used as our development framework: former one to create CAD/BIM models, latter one to handle the database of multi-layered structures. Individual codes were used to identify each unit of the layer structure and link them to the model itself. This way, it is not necessary to manually add the data to the elements, but the material properties can be read automatically into the model and the quantities can be measured. Similar scale, size, and complexity buildings were selected as a test environment where the ordinary and the new method were used in parallel throughout the design process. This provided a good comparison and demonstrated the effectiveness of database-based design. With the new approach, time required for first-round quantification was reduced by 41% and the time of a repeated quantification due to modifications was reduced by 56%, in average.
SCAN TO BIM: a systematic literature review network analysis
Authors: Adekunle S A , Aigbavboa C , Ejohwomu O A
Published: February 2022

Building information modelling (BIM) has transformed the AEC industry tremen-dously, and its adoption has been reported to be high due to the immense latent benefits. One of the inherent benefits of BIM is information management and the ability to integrate with other technologies to achieve this has become the gap being explored by researchers. Laser scanning technology is one of the technologies integrated with BIM. This is done to achieve BIM compliance of pre-BIM edifices. In recent years, substantial research has been conducted on the integration of BIM and laser scanning technologies. This study performed a state of the art review of these research efforts using Systematic literature review network analysis (SNLA) (this is a combination of systematic literature review (SLR) and citation network analysis (CNA). The objective of the study is to identify research trends and gaps for further research. The coverage of this study is from 2007 to 2020. Data was sourced from the Scopus database of published research works and analysed using network analysis. The study identified the publication trends, research trends among others. The study identified quality control and the integration of photogrammetry as the hot topics in this space. This study provides researchers with an insight into the scan to BIM research globally.
Computational investigation of interface printing patterns within 3D printed multilayered scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering
Authors: Choe Robert , Devoy Eoin , Kuzemchak Blake , Sherry Mary , Jabari Erfan , Packer Jonathan D , Fisher John P
Published: February 2022

Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent rheumatic musculoskeletal disorder that commonly affects many joints. Repetitive joint overloading perpetuates the damage to the affected cartilage, which undermines the structural integrity of the osteochondral unit. Various tissue engineering strategies have been employed to design multiphasic osteochondral scaffolds that recapitulate layer-specific biomechanical properties, but the inability to fully satisfy mechanical demands within the joint has limited their success. Through computational modeling and extrusion-based bioprinting, we attempted to fabricate a biphasic osteochondral scaffold with improved shear properties and a mechanically strong interface. A 3D stationary solid mechanics model was developed to simulate the effect of lateral shear force on various thermoplastic polymer/hydrogel scaffolds with a patterned interface. Additionally, interfacial shear tests were performed on bioprinted polycaprolactone (PCL)/hydrogel interface scaffolds. The first simulation showed that the PCL/gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and PCL/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) scaffolds interlocking hydrogel and PCL at interface in a 1:1 ratio possessed the largest average tensile (PCL/GelMA: 80.52 kPa; PCL/PEGDA: 79.75 kPa) and compressive stress (PCL/GelMA: 74.71 kPa; PCL/PEGDA: 73.83 kPa). Although there were significant differences in shear strength between PCL/GelMA and PCL/PEGDA scaffolds, no significant difference was observed among the treatment groups within both scaffold types. Lastly, the hypothetical simulations of potential biphasic 3D printed scaffolds showed that for every order of magnitude decrease in Young’s modulus (E) of the soft bioink, all the scaffolds underwent an exponential increase in average displacement at the cartilage and interface layers. The following work provides valuable insights into the biomechanics of 3D printed osteochondral scaffolds, which will help inform future scaffold designs for enhanced regenerative outcomes.
Superior properties and behaviour of coatings produced on nanostructured titanium by PEO coupled with the EPD process
Authors: E Lokeshkumar , A Saikiran , Ravisankar B , L Rama Krishna , L V Parfenova , E V Parfenov , R Z Valiev , N Rameshbabu
Published: February 2022

Surface modification of commercially pure Grade 4 coarse-grained titanium (CG-Ti) and nano-grained titanium (n-Ti) by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and plasma electrolytic oxidation conjugated with electrophoretic deposition (PEO-EPD) processes is reported in the present study. Two different coatings were developed on each CG-Ti and n-Ti in phosphate-based electrolytes without and with the incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles. The phase composition, morphology (surface and cross-sectional), corrosion resistance, surface roughness, and scratch-resistance of the fabricated coatings were thoroughly studied and analysed. The L-929 fibroblast cells were used for assessing the in-vitro cell viability. The L-929 cells cultured on PEO-EPD treated CG-Ti, and n-Ti samples exhibited higher cell growth than PEO treated CG-Ti and n-Ti samples. Among all the PEO and PEO-EPD treated samples, the PEO-EPD treated n-Ti sample showed significantly better corrosion resistance (icorr = 8.85 × 10−7 mA cm−2), lower contact angle (40°), and good adhesion strength (Lc = 29 N), demonstrating the importance of the nanostructuring of the titanium substrate for the properties of the coating. The origin of the discovered enhancement in the properties of the modified PEO coating produced on nanostructured titanium was examined and discussed. After soaking in SBF for 14 days, the PEO-EPD treated sample is wholly covered with apatite layer indicating its good bioactivity
Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties during industrial intercritical quenching and partitioning (IQ&P) processing of a low alloy steel
Authors: Chen Hao , Hou Jinqiang , Zhao Linlin , Zhang Qing , Zhao Yizhe , Chen Zejun
Published: February 2022

The evolution of the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of a low alloy steel containing 0.09C-2Mn-0.4Si (wt.%) was investigated during the industrial intercritical quenching & partitioning (IQ&P) process. The steel sheet was thermally treated and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, x-ray diffraction, etc. Low alloy steel treated with different processes can reach a tensile strength above 900 MPa. A multiphase structure composed of lath martensite, fine ferrite and retained austenite was obtained after annealing at 770–870 °C, and the retained austenite produced a discontinuous transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect and coordinated deformation in the tensile strain. The fractions of the textures {111} 〈112〉 and {111} 〈110〉 were found to gradually abate as the annealing temperature increased, while the textures {100} 〈001〉 and {001} 〈110〉 continuously expanded. The recrystallized texture gradually disappears with decreasing quenching temperature, although the fraction of the texture caused by the martensite transformation increases, and the texture gradually changes from {113} 〈110〉 to {111} 〈110〉. The effect of texture and microstructure evolution on mechanical properties was discussed in terms of character and morphology.
Investigation on the roll-to-plate imprinting of metallic surface micro dimples
Authors: Gao Zhaoyang , Zhang Hui , Wen Yufeng
Published: February 2022

Large-area functional metallic surface microstructures have been increasingly utilized in various industrial fields. As an efficient and economical method in fabricating large-area functional metallic surface microstructures, the roll-to-plate (R2P) imprinting process with the flat die was proposed to experimentally fabricate functional micro dimple arrays on the surface of the metallic substrate. The effects of the rolling direction, die cavity aspect ratio, die feature density and grain sizes on the forming results were investigated using pure copper specimens with different grain sizes. The transfer ratio of surface structures decreases with the increase of the die feature density and die cavity aspect ratio, respectively. The flowing differences of material in the rolling direction and transverse directions lead to the inconformity of section profile of formed dimples in the two directions. The depth of dimples in the rolling direction is prominently greater than that in the transverse direction. The depth difference of dimples in the two directions increases with the increase of rolling depth and reduces with the increase of die cavity width. The surface morphology of formed specimens obviously depends on the material flowing direction, grain sizes and rolling depth. The surface roughness, surface roughness scatter and flatness of the formed specimens increase with the grain size. The symmetry of cross sectional micro hardness distribution on both sides of the formed dimple in the rolling direction is poorer than that on both sides of the formed dimple in the transverse direction. The asymmetry of cross sectional micro hardness distribution on both sides of the formed dimple in the rolling direction becomes more prominent with the increase of grain sizes.
Actively compensated precision overlay in a reverse-offset printing system for realizing printed electronics of a large-area and multi-layer structure
Authors: Kang Dongwoo , Kim Hyunchang , Kim Hyuntae , Jo Jeongdai , Lee Taik-Min
Published: February 2022

This study focuses on developing a way to improve the overlay accuracy of the reverse-offset printing system. Investigations were made into how the overlay error is distorted by the six-DOF position error of the roller during the rolling contact through literature review and finite element (FE) simulations. This means that controlling the motion error actively in MD, CD, and yaw direction between the offset roller and the substrate (or cliché) can be the control knobs to compensate for the overlay errors caused by the six-DOF motion errors during rolling contact. With these control knobs, a novel active and automatic correction algorithm of overlay error for a reverse-offset printing system is proposed. A novel reverse-offset printing system is developed to precisely control the six-DOF motion of the roller and print the patterns with high position repeatability. The core modules for the proposed overlay compensation are also explained. To evaluate the proposed overlay compensation algorithm, an overlay printing test is performed in the developed printing system. With the proposed correction algorithm, the overlay error is converged to 1.9 μm and 2.4 μm in CD and MD, respectively.
Future directions in automorphisms of surfaces, graphs, and other related topics
Authors: Broughton S. , Paulhus Jennifer , Wootton Aaron
Published: February 2022

The study of Riemann surfaces and the groups which act on them is a classical area of research dating back to the latter half of the 19th century. Research in this field has wide-reaching implications in geometry and topology, algebra, combinatorics, analysis, and number theory through related topics such as the study of dessins d’enfants, mapping class groups, and graphs on surfaces. Today, this is still a rich area of research with many open questions. In this expository article we pose 78 open problems, contextualize them within the field, and discuss partial results or progress toward answering the questions, when relevant.
Transcriptome analysis method based on differential distribution evaluation
Authors: Meng Yiwei , Huang Yanhong , Chang Xiao , Liu Xiaoping , Chen Luonan
Published: February 2022

Identifying differential genes over conditions provides insights into the mechanisms of biological processes and disease progression. Here we present an approach, the Kullback–Leibler divergence-based differential distribution (klDD), which provides a flexible framework for quantifying changes in higher-order statistical information of genes including mean and variance/covariation. The method can well detect subtle differences in gene expression distributions in contrast to mean or variance shifts of the existing methods. In addition to effectively identifying informational genes in terms of differential distribution, klDD can be directly applied to cancer subtyping, single-cell clustering and disease early-warning detection, which were all validated by various benchmark datasets.
Aphasia recovery by language training using a brain–computer interface: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Musso Mariacristina , Hübner David , Schwarzkopf Sarah , Bernodusson Maria , LeVan Pierre , Weiller Cornelius , Tangermann Michael
Published: February 2022

Aphasia, the impairment to understand or produce language, is a frequent disorder after stroke with devastating effects. Conventional speech and language therapy include each formal intervention for improving language and communication abilities. In the chronic stage after stroke, it is effective compared with no treatment, but its effect size is small. We present a new language training approach for the rehabilitation of patients with aphasia based on a brain–computer interface system. The approach exploits its capacity to provide feedback time-locked to a brain state. Thus, it implements the idea that reinforcing an appropriate language processing strategy may induce beneficial brain plasticity. In our approach, patients perform a simple auditory target word detection task whilst their EEG was recorded. The constant decoding of these signals by machine learning models generates an individual and immediate brain-state-dependent feedback. It indicates to patients how well they accomplish the task during a training session, even if they are unable to speak. Results obtained from a proof-of-concept study with 10 stroke patients with mild to severe chronic aphasia (age range: 38–76 years) are remarkable. First, we found that the high-intensity training (30 h, 4 days per week) was feasible, despite a high-word presentation speed and unfavourable stroke-induced EEG signal characteristics. Second, the training induced a sustained recovery of aphasia, which generalized to multiple language aspects beyond the trained task. Specifically, all tested language assessments (Aachen Aphasia Test, Snodgrass & Vanderwart, Communicative Activity Log) showed significant medium to large improvements between pre- and post-training, with a standardized mean difference of 0.63 obtained for the Aachen Aphasia Test, and five patients categorized as non-aphasic at post-training assessment. Third, our data show that these language improvements were accompanied neither by significant changes in attention skills nor non-linguistic skills. Investigating possible modes of action of this brain–computer interface-based language training, neuroimaging data (EEG and resting-state functional MRI) indicates a training-induced faster word processing, a strengthened language network and a rebalancing between the language- and default mode networks.
Comparative Life History Parameters of Three Stink Bug Pest Species
Authors: Daane Kent M , da Silva Paul G , Stahl Judith M , Scaccini Davide , Wang Xingeng
Published: February 2022

California pistachios are threatened by several stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), including the native Thyanta pallidovirens (Stål) and Chlorochroa uhleri (Stål), as well as the invasive Nezara viridula (L.). In pistachio, control tactics often target specific life stages, which makes knowledge about life histories fundamental to successful IPM programs. For that purpose, life history parameters of these stink bug species were assessed. Nymphal development and survivorship at seven constant temperatures, upper and lower development thresholds, thermal constants, adult longevity and fecundity, and life table parameters were evaluated. No species completed development at 15°C or 35°C. For N. viridula, egg to adult development was fastest at 30°C, whereas for T. pallidovirens there was no significant difference between 27.5 and 30°C and C. uhleri development was similar between 25 and 30°C. Egg to adult survival was highest at 22.5°C and 27.5°C. The thermal requirements as degree-days (DD) to complete immature development were estimated to be 714.3, 370.4, and 434.8 for C. uhleri, T. pallidovirens, and N. viridula, respectively. For C. uhleri, life table calculations produced a value of 56.7 d for mean generation time (To), 24.89 for net reproductive rate (Ro) and 0.057 for the intrinsic rate of increase (r). Thyanta pallidovirens had a To of 39.9 d, a Ro of 81.10 and a r of 0.11. The results are discussed with respect to the improvement of IPM in California pistachios, and the information presented may contribute to the control of these pest species in other ecosystems.
Sampling method comparison of enterococci aerosolization during continuous bubble bursting generation
Authors: Sahwell Peter J , Abdool-Ghany Afeefa , Klaus James , Gaston Cassandra J , Solo-Gabriele Helena M
Published: February 2022

This study examined the water-to-air transfer and viability of the fecal indicator bacteria, enterococci, and compared capture performance of an impactor and aerosol filter. Results show that concentrations of viable enterococci collected by the impactor (70.1 CFU/L) was lower than that using the filter (171.2 CFU/L) at 95% significance. Between the impactor and filter, coefficients of variation equaled 13 and 14%, respectively. Hence, for the collection of aerosolized enterococci in a controlled environment, use of the aerosol filter yielded significantly higher recovery relative to impaction, though equally variable data were collected by both methods. This work confirms that viable enterococci transfer across a simulated air-sea interface and that aerosol filters perform well in capturing viable bacteria. Results from this study are relevant to studies that measure environmentally generated aerosols such as those that occur via wave breaking from sewage contaminated waters.
‘Your most humble servant’: the letters of Antony van Leeuwenhoek
Authors: Anderson Douglas
Published: February 2022

Antony van Leeuwenhoek's entire output is contained in the hundreds of letters that he wrote from 1673 to 1723. This article discusses the content, features, and circumstances of the letters and their contemporary publishing history, especially in the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions, as well as a brief history of the project begun in 1932 to publish a complete edition of Leeuwenhoek's letters in Dutch and English translation with linguistic, scientific, and historical annotations.
Gene manipulation in the Mucorales fungus Rhizopus oryzae using TALENs with exonuclease overexpression
Authors: Tsuboi Yuichi , Sakuma Tetsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Horiuchi Hiroyuki , Takahashi Fumikazu , Igarashi Kazuaki , Hagihara Hiroshi , Takimura Yasushi
Published: February 2022

The Mucorales fungal genus Rhizopus is used for the industrial production of organic acids, enzymes and fermented foods. The metabolic engineering efficiency of Rhizopus could be improved using gene manipulation; however, exogenous DNA rarely integrates into the host genome. Consequently, a genetic tool for Mucorales fungi needs to be developed. Recently, programmable nucleases that generate DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at specific genomic loci have been used for genome editing in various organisms. In this study, we examined gene disruption in Rhizopus oryzae using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), with and without exonuclease overexpression. TALENs with an overexpressing exonuclease induced DSBs, followed by target site deletions. Although DSBs are repaired mainly by nonhomologous end joining in most organisms, our results suggested that in R. oryzae microhomology-mediated end joining was the major DSB repair system. Our gene manipulation method using TALENs coupled with exonuclease overexpression contributes to basic scientific knowledge and the metabolic engineering of Rhizopus.
Temporal escape–adaptation to eutrophication by Skeletonema marinoi
Authors: Olofsson Malin , Almén Anna-Karin , Jaatinen Kim , Scheinin Matias
Published: February 2022

Diatoms commonly set off the spring-bloom in temperate coastal environments. However, their temporal offset may change in regions subject to nutrient enrichment, and by peaking earlier, such populations can maintain their position in the vernal plankton succession. We tested whether the marine keystone diatom Skeletonema marinoi can accomplish this through thermal evolutionary adaptation. Eight geographically separated subpopulations, representing hydromorphologically and climatologically similar inlets displaying a range of trophic states, were compared in a common-garden experiment. At early-spring temperatures, both doubling times and variation coefficients thereof, correlated negatively with the trophic state of the environment of origin, indicating selection for fast growth due to eutrophication. At mid-spring temperatures, the relationships were reversed, indicating selection in the opposite direction. At late-spring temperatures, no significant relationships were detected, suggesting relaxed selection. Subsequent field observations reflected these findings, where blooming temperatures decreased with trophic state. Natural selection thus moves along with eutrophication towards colder temperatures earlier in the spring, favouring genotypes with the capacity to grow fast. The thermal niche shift demonstrated herein may be an evolutionary mechanism essentially leading to trophic changes in the local ecosystem.
Respiratory reoxidation of NADH is a key contributor to high oxygen requirements of oxygen-limited cultures ofOgataea parapolymorpha
Authors: Dekker Wijbrand J C , Jürgens Hannes , Ortiz-Merino Raúl A , Mooiman Christiaan , van den Berg Remon , Kaljouw Astrid , Mans Robert , Pronk Jack T
Published: February 2022

While thermotolerance is an attractive trait for yeasts used in industrial ethanol production, oxygen requirements of known thermotolerant species are incompatible with process requirements. Analysis of oxygen-sufficient and oxygen-limited chemostat cultures of the facultatively fermentative, thermotolerant species Ogataea parapolymorpha showed its minimum oxygen requirements to be an order of magnitude larger than those reported for the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus. High oxygen requirements of O. parapolymorpha coincided with a near absence of glycerol, a key NADH/NAD+ redox-cofactor-balancing product in many other yeasts, in oxygen-limited cultures. Genome analysis indicated absence of orthologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycerol-3-phosphate-phosphatase genes GPP1 and GPP2. Co-feeding of acetoin, whose conversion to 2,3-butanediol enables reoxidation of cytosolic NADH, supported a 2.5-fold increase of the biomass concentration in oxygen-limited cultures. An O. parapolymorpha strain in which key genes involved in mitochondrial reoxidation of NADH were inactivated did produce glycerol, but transcriptome analysis did not reveal a clear candidate for a responsible phosphatase. Expression of S. cerevisiae GPD2, which encodes NAD+-dependent glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and GPP1 supported increased glycerol production by oxygen-limited chemostat cultures of O. parapolymorpha. These results identify dependence on respiration for NADH reoxidation as a key contributor to unexpectedly high oxygen requirements of O. parapolymorpha.
Work Demands and Cognitive Health Inequities by Race and Ethnicity: A Scoping Review
Authors: Gonzales Ernest , Whetung Cliff , Lee Yeonjung Jane , Kruchten Rachel
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives

This scoping review aimed to chart the scientific literature on the association between workplace demands with cognitive health, and whether race and ethnicity have a direct or indirect relationship between occupational complexity and cognitive health.

Research Design and Methods

PRISMA scoping review guided this study. Peer-reviewed articles were drawn from 5 databases. Inclusion criteria were populations aged 18 and older, U.S.-based studies, a comprehensive conceptualization of workplace demands, and cognitive health outcomes. All articles were screened by title and abstract; qualifying articles proceeded to full-text review.

Results

The majority of studies drew from theories that did not interrogate heterogeneity and minority aging experiences. Consequently, the majority of studies did not include race and ethnicity in their analyses. A small and growing body of research drew from critical perspectives and interrogated cognitive health inequities by race and ethnicity within the context of workplace demands. The association between workplace demands and cognitive health is not linear when race and ethnicity are examined. Emerging evidence suggests interventions to improve substantive complexity among racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with low education are a promising avenue for intervention research.

Discussion and Implications

We discuss integrating emerging theories, such as minority stress and revised social determinants of health frameworks, to sharpen the focus and broaden our understanding on racial and ethnic cognitive health inequities in an emerging area of prevention research. This research can advance our basic understanding of preventable health inequities as well as provide important information for interventions.
Eco-Friendly UV Spectrophotometric Method for Evaluation of Marbofloxacin in Tablets: Stability Study
Authors: da Silva Thayanara Lorrane Alves , Lustosa Isadora Alves , Torres Ieda Maria Sapateiro , Kogawa Ana Carolina
Published: February 2022

Background

Marbofloxacin (MAR) is an antimicrobial for veterinary use, and it does not have a monograph in an official compendium for the pharmaceutical form in tablets.

Objective

In this context, the objective of this work was to develop and validate an effective, eco-friendly, and indicative of stability method by spectrophotometry in the ultraviolet region (UV) for quantitative evaluation of MAR in tablets.

Method

Purified water–ethanol (80:20, v/v) as a diluent, quartz cubette and 296 nm were used.

Results

The method was linear in the range of 3–9 µg/mL (0.9994) with detection and quantification limits of 0.39 and 1.18 µg/mL, respectively, selective in the comparison of standard and sample, precise in intraday (RSD 1.20%), interday (RSD 1.68%), and between analysts (RSD 3.26%) levels, exact with average recovery of 100.39% and robust against small changes in wavelength, diluent concentration, and the use of the ultrasound device. The forced degradation test (sample solutions prepared in 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH, and neutral conditions and kept at 60°C during 2 h, and exposure to UV 254 nm lamp at ambient temperature during 2 h) showed that the proposed method is able to assess the susceptibility of MAR.

Conclusions

The method can be reliably applied in routine analysis of MAR in tablets as well as being stable, eco-friendly, effective, accessible, and following the principles of green analytical chemistry.

Highlights

MAR, an antimicrobial for veterinary use, does not have a monograph in an official compendium for final product evaluation. The use of MAR-based products with inadequate quality can leave residues in foods of animal origin and can also contribute to microbial resistance. So, an ecologically correct and reliable method was developed to evaluate MAR in a final product.
Detainee Transfers and the Principle of Non-refoulement in Relation to ‘Non-belligerent Supporting States’ in Non-international Armed Conflicts
Authors: Farley Benjamin R
Published: February 2022

In the past 20 years, many States have purposefully shifted away from taking detainees in non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) and have instead relied on partner forces—both State and non-State actors—to take responsibility for any NIAC detainees. The question this article seeks to address is to what extent ‘non-belligerent supporting States’ have obligations to ensure that detainee transfers by partners comport with the principle of non-refoulement, by which a person may not be transferred if they are at a real (or substantial) risk of a violation of their fundamental rights. The authors explore several legal approaches to better understand how a non-belligerent supporting State may incur legal obligations in relation to detainee transfers through the support it provides. The article first examines how support triggers belligerent status (and thus belligerent obligations) under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and tackles to what extent non-belligerent supporting States may incur legal obligations under IHL more generally, noting the gap between the rules of International Armed Conflict and NIACs in this respect. Secondly, specific obligations non-belligerent States may incur with respect to the principle of non-refoulement in relation to detainee transfers by a belligerent party during a NIAC are identified. Finally, the authors examine three categories of support—logistics/transportation support, intelligence sharing, and belligerent-party-to-non-belligerent-party detainee transfers—to demonstrate how varying degrees of support by non-belligerent States in the context of a NIAC could trigger the obligations to ensure respect of the prohibition against non-refoulement by belligerent partners through the auspices of Common Article 1. The article concludes that while Common Article 1 obligations indeed arise in these scenarios, the scope of the external or positive obligations of Common Article 1 are still unsettled under IHL and thus require further development to create a common understanding of the international legal obligations to avoid the violation of the principle of non-refoulement by partner forces.
Comparative Evaluation of Pitfall Traps for Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Authors: van Herk Willem G , Vernon Robert S , Borden John H , Ryan Kathryn , Mercer Gareth
Published: February 2022

We evaluated the relative efficacy of six pheromone-baited traps used in trapping Agriotes obscurus (L.) click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae): original Yatlor Traps, Yatlor Funnel Traps, Vernon Beetle Traps, Unitraps, Baited Pitfall Traps, and Vernon Pitfall Traps. Traps were rated according to quantitative and qualitative criteria of importance for each of four trap uses: general surveys, scientific studies, IPM monitoring, and mass trapping. Measurable quantitative categories included: total catch of A. obscurus; time for assembly, installation, and inspection; exclusion of nontarget invertebrates; and cost. Qualitative criteria were small mammal exclusion, flooding, design and handling variability, and convenience for various field uses. The most desirable characteristics were determined for the above four uses, and the cumulative ranking based on quantitative criteria and all four uses was Vernon Pitfall Trap, Baited Pitfall Trap, Original Yatlor Trap, Vernon Beetle Trap, Yatlor Funnel Trap, and Unitrap.