bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Two-Stage Service Migration Algorithm in Parked Vehicle Edge Computing for Internet of Things
Authors: Ge Shuxin , Cheng Meng , He Xin , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: May 2020

Parked vehicle edge computing (PVEC) utilizes both idle resources in parked vehicles (PVs) and roadside units (RSUs) as service providers (SPs) to improve the performance of vehicular internet of things (IoT). However, it is difficult to make optimal service migration decisions in PVEC networks due to the uncertain parking duration and resources heterogeneity of PVs. In this paper, we formulate the service migration of all the vehicles as an optimization problem with the objective of minimizing the average latency. We propose a two-stage service migration algorithm for PVEC networks, which divides the original problem into the service migration between SPs and the serving PV selection in parking lots. The service migration between SPs is transformed to an online problem based on Lyapunov optimization, where the expected parking duration of PVs is utilized. A modified Hungarian algorithm is proposed to select the PVs for migration. A series of simulation experiments based on the real-world vehicle traces are conducted to verify the superior performance of the proposed two-stage service migration (SEA) algorithm as compared with the state-of- art solutions.
Pushing the Scalability of RDF Engines on IoT Edge Devices
Authors: Le-Tuan Anh , Hayes  Conor , Hauswirth Manfred , Le-Phuoc Danh
Published: May 2020

Semantic interoperability for the Internet of Things (IoT) is enabled by standards and technologies from the Semantic Web. As recent research suggests a move towards decentralised IoT architectures, we have investigated the scalability and robustness of RDF (Resource Description Framework)engines that can be embedded throughout the architecture, in particular at edge nodes. RDF processing at the edge facilitates the deployment of semantic integration gateways closer to low-level devices. Our focus is on how to enable scalable and robust RDF engines that can operate on lightweight devices. In this paper, we have first carried out an empirical study of the scalability and behaviour of solutions for RDF data management on standard computing hardware that have been ported to run on lightweight devices at the network edge. The findings of our study shows that these RDF store solutions have several shortcomings on commodity ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) boards that are representative of IoT edge node hardware. Consequently, this has inspired us to introduce a lightweight RDF engine, which comprises an RDF storage and a SPARQL processor for lightweight edge devices, called RDF4Led. RDF4Led follows the RISC-style (Reduce Instruction Set Computer) design philosophy. The design constitutes a flash-aware storage structure, an indexing scheme, an alternative buffer management technique and a low-memory-footprint join algorithm that demonstrates improved scalability and robustness over competing solutions. With a significantly smaller memory footprint, we show that RDF4Led can handle 2 to 5 times more data than popular RDF engines such as Jena TDB (Tuple Database) and RDF4J, while consuming the same amount of memory. In particular, RDF4Led requires 10%–30% memory of its competitors to operate on datasets of up to 50 million triples. On memory-constrained ARM boards, it can perform faster updates and can scale better than Jena TDB and Virtuoso. Furthermore, we demonstrate considerably faster query operations than Jena TDB and RDF4J.
Energy-Aware Management in Multi-UAV Deployments: Modelling and Strategies
Authors: Sanchez-Aguero Victor , Valera Francisco , Vidal Ivan , Tipantuña Christian , Hesselbach Xavier
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are frequently present in the civilian environment. However, proper implementations of different solutions based on these aircraft still face important challenges. This article deals with multi-UAV systems, forming aerial networks, mainly employed to provide Internet connectivity and different network services to ground users. However, the mission duration (hours) is longer than the limited UAVs’ battery life-time (minutes). This paper introduces the UAV replacement procedure as a way to guarantee ground users’ connectivity over time. This article also formulates the practical UAV replacements problem in moderately large multi-UAV swarms and proves it to be an NP-hard problem in which an optimal solution has exponential complexity. In this regard, the main objective of this article is to evaluate the suitability of heuristic approaches for different scenarios. This paper proposes betweenness centrality heuristic algorithm (BETA), a graph theory-based heuristic algorithm. BETA not only generates solutions close to the optimal (even with 99% similarity to the exact result) but also improves two ground-truth solutions, especially in low-resource scenarios.
Railway Vehicle Wheel Restoration by Submerged Arc Welding and Its Characterization
Authors: Coo Byeong-Choo , Lee Young-Jin
Published: May 2020

When a railway vehicle moves on a curved rail, sliding contact occurs between the rail head side and wheel flange, which wears the wheel flange down. The thinned flange needs to be restored above the required minimum thickness for structural safety. In this study, a new process and welding wire for restoring worn-out railway wheels by submerged arc welding was developed. To characterize the properties of the restored wheel, dilatometric analysis of phase transformation, SEM/EDX analyses, hardness measurement, and residual stress measurement using the X-ray diffraction method were performed. Finally, wear tests with full-size wheel/rail specimens were carried out. It was confirmed that the weld metal was composed of bainitic microstructures as intended, and welding defects were not observed. The wear amount of the restored wheel was greater than that of the base material, but it was less than half of the wear depth of the weld-repaired wheel with ferritic–pearlitic microstructures. The developed process seems applicable to industry.
The Relationship between Children’s Aspiration Profiles and Self-Efficacy, Life Satisfaction, and Academic Achievement
Authors: Bozzato Paolo
Published: May 2020

Limited research in the psychology literature has addressed the specifics of children’s future orientations. Using a thematic approach, the present study investigates children’s personal aspirations for their adult lives via a questionnaire that addressed (1) the types of aspiration profiles present in a sample of 456 Italian students aged 8–13 and balanced for gender, and (2) how these profiles differ according to demographics, the number of aspirations, academic and social self-efficacy, life satisfaction, and academic achievement. Using cluster analysis, three aspiration profiles emerged, which include individualistic (focused on the possible future self), independent (concentrated on one’s own future family and independence), and social (focused on future friends and the family of origin). The independent profile demonstrated better overall psychological and academic adjustment than did the other two profiles. The article discusses the results of the study using the framework of self-determination theory in the context of Italian society.
Neoliberal Reforms in Higher Education and the Import of Institutions
Authors: Nureev Rustem , Volchik Vyacheslav , Strielkowski Wadim
Published: May 2020

The implementation of neoliberal reforms in higher education coincides with the radical institutional changes in the transition from a planned to a market economy. The modernization of higher education is also connected with the concept of the “entrepreneurial” university that represents a third-generation university with an emphasis on optimization and marketing. However, economic policy aimed at reforming and developing the public sector is based on the import of institutions related to the production of public and mixed goods. In this paper, we show that neoliberal reforms threaten the welfare state in transition economies such as the Russian Federation. In addition to marketing, monetization, and commercialization, all areas of the public sector underwent an optimization policy, which primarily implied a relative reduction in the cost of producing public goods. The rhetoric of the marketing of education represents the modern state’s masked refusal to fulfill a part of its social obligations. Moreover, we argue that market channels intended for financing education are highly dependent on the income level of the population, the availability of institutions and the infrastructure for raising funds, and, most importantly, the development of the educational services market. Within this context, another significant factor is represented by the positive externalities from the prevalence and quality of education. Thence, our results show that insufficient private demand for education, including higher education, can negatively affect the prospects for the country’s socio-economic development in the medium and long run.
Need for an Integrated Deprived Area “Slum” Mapping System (IDEAMAPS) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
Authors: Thomson Dana R. , Kuffer Monika , Boo Gianluca , Hati Beatrice , Grippa Tais , Elsey Helen , Linard Catherine , Mahabir Ron , Kyobutungi Catherine , Maviti Joshua , Mwaniki Dennis , Ndugwa Robert , Makau Jack , Sliuzas Richard , Cheruiyot Salome , Nyambuga Kilion , Mboga Nicholus , Kimani Nicera Wanjiru , de Albuquerque Joao Porto , Kabaria Caroline
Published: May 2020

Ninety percent of the people added to the planet over the next 30 years will live in African and Asian cities, and a large portion of these populations will reside in deprived neighborhoods defined by slum conditions, informal settlement, or inadequate housing. The four current approaches to neighborhood deprivation mapping are largely siloed, and each fall short of producing accurate, timely, and comparable maps that reflect local contexts. The first approach, classifying “slum households” in census and survey data, reflects household-level rather than neighborhood-level deprivation. The second approach, field-based mapping, can produce the most accurate and context-relevant maps for a given neighborhood, however it requires substantial resources, preventing up-scaling. The third and fourth approaches, human (visual) interpretation and machine classification of air or spaceborne imagery, both overemphasize informal settlements, and fail to represent key social characteristics of deprived areas such as lack of tenure, exposure to pollution, and lack of public services. We summarize common areas of understanding, and present a set of requirements and a framework to produce routine, accurate maps of deprived urban areas that can be used by local-to-international stakeholders for advocacy, planning, and decision-making across Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). We suggest that machine learning models be extended to incorporate social area-level covariates and regular contributions of up-to-date and context-relevant field-based classification of deprived urban areas.
Heterodox Economy in the Neoliberal Education Age
Authors: Franco Martínez Juan Agustín , Garcia-Gordillo Miguel Angel
Published: May 2020

Since the last global crisis, the critical debate on economy and the teaching of heterodox economy has resurfaced. To review the magnitude and pedagogical consequences for critical education in economics and finance is the objective of this paper, which also proposes a didactic strategy based on an experience developed at the University of Extremadura (Spain) within the framework of the Didactic Innovation Group named “Ethics of University Teaching”. For this purpose, the educational implications of teaching and learning the conventional economy that derive from behavioral and cognitive psychology and discourses on entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility are reviewed. It is concluded that the bias in the education of heterodox economy supposes a deterioration of the fundamental educational objectives, tending towards an indoctrination in the neoliberal ideology (patriarcapitalist) and to a serious loss of democratic values. For all the above, a more pluralist pedagogy at the epistemological and methodological levels—from critical psychology to critical economics or critical management studies—would help to favor a more emancipatory educational process, committed to social justice.
What Is a Family and Why Does It Matter?
Authors: Dermott Esther , Fowler Tim
Published: May 2020

The family is increasingly a site of political intervention as a locus of pervasive social inequalities and a potential resource for resolving injustices. Contemporary political theory has engaged in extensive debate about what justice in the family requires, but rather less on how family is understood: ethicists have tended to use placeholder definitions which dismiss the need to engage with real-world practices. We show that this is problematic because it obscures morally important aspects of day to day family life and risks taking privileged positions as representative. The paper proposes that theorists could gain from adopting the sociological ‘family practice’ framework, which we argue can form the basis of a distinct and plausible ethical theory of family. This can provide a fruitful basis for further research and engagement in political debate because it better conceptualizes contemporary family life. The paper therefore also illustrates how research from empirical social sciences can be helpful to the development of normative principles.
Proximal Mobile Gamma Spectrometry as Tool for Precision Farming and Field Experimentation
Authors: Pätzold Stefan , Leenen Matthias , Heggemann Tobias W.
Published: May 2020

Soils naturally emit gamma radiation that can be recorded using gamma spectrometry. Spectral features are correlated with soil mineralogy and texture. Recording spectra proximally and in real-time on heterogeneous agricultural fields is an option for precision agriculture. However, the technology has not yet been broadly introduced. This study aims to evaluate the current state-of-the art by (i) elucidating limitations and (ii) giving application examples. Spectra were recorded with a tractor-mounted spectrometer comprising two 4.2 L sodium iodide (NaI) crystals and were evaluated with the regions of interest for total counts, 40Potassium, and 232Thorium. A published site-independent multivariate calibration model was further extended, applied to the data, and compared with site-specific calibrations that relied on linear correlation. In general, site-specific calibration outperformed the site-independent approach. However, in specific cases, different sites could also replace each other in the site-independent model. Transferring site-specific models to neighbouring sites revealed highly variable success. However, even without data, post-processing gamma surveys detected spatial texture patterns. For most sites, mean absolute error of prediction in the test-set validation was below 5% for single texture fractions. On this basis, thematic maps for agricultural management were derived. They showed quantitative information for lime requirement in the range from 1068 to 3560 kg lime ha−1 a−1 (equivalent to 600–2000 kg calcium oxide (CaO) ha−1 a−1 if converted to the legally prescribed unit) and for field capacity (26−44% v/v). In field experimentation, spatially resolved texture data can serve (i) to optimize the experimental design or (ii) as a complementary variable in statistical evaluation. We concluded that broadening the database and developing universally valid prediction models is needed for introduction into agricultural practice. Though, the current state-of-the-art allows valuable application in precision agriculture and field experimentation, at least on the basis of site-specific or regional basis.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis of the Steel Pipe Pile Head Cutting Robot
Authors: Han Jae-Hyun , Yeom Dong-Jun , Kim Jun-Sang , Kim Young Suk
Published: May 2020

Steel pipe pile head cutting work is performed to adjust the horizontal levels of piles, and it is essential for the stable transfer of an upper structure load to the ground. However, the field survey results show that steel pipe pile head cutting process is highly dangerous as laborers especially deal with gas and plasma cutting machines. Moreover, the laborers are exposed to continuous risks because the piles are frequently felled, lifted, moved, and loaded using construction equipment, such as excavators, immediately after the piles are cut. Recently, the authors of this study developed a prototype of a steel pipe pile head cutting robot and verified its performance through laboratory experiments to improve work safety, productivity, and the quality of steel pipe pile head cutting work. The purpose of this study is to secure the economic feasibility of robot development and verify the sustainable utilization of a developed robot by analyzing the comprehensive performance and economic efficiency throughout the life cycle of a steel pipe pile head cutting robot developed in South Korea. In this study, sensitivity analysis was also performed on the variables expected to have a significant influence or variables that must be considered for the future commercialization of the developed robot. When the developed robot is applied to construction sites in the future, its ripple effects will be significant because it will be possible to prevent labor safety accidents, improve work productivity, secure uniform quality, and reduce input costs.
Efficiency and Sustainability in Farm Diversification Initiatives in Northern Spain
Authors: García-Cornejo Beatriz , Pérez-Méndez José A. , Roibás David , Wall Alan
Published: May 2020

The value-added diversification strategy provides an option for guaranteeing the sustainability of small farms. This study examines how factors related to managerial strategy and socio-environmental sustainability influence the efficiency of diversification initiatives. For this purpose, we use a novel and unique database of value-added ventures implemented by 49 dairy farms located in northern Spain. We construct a production frontier using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to estimate technical efficiency. The mean technical efficiency of the initiatives was 0.56 and 0.59 for the constant and variable returns specifications, respectively. Determinants of efficiency are analyzed with a two-step procedure with a double bootstrap. We find that the elaborations of more complex products other than fresh milk are negatively associated with efficiency. However, specialization in one product with different variants and direct sales both have a positive association with efficiency. In terms of socio-environmental variables, there is a positive association between efficiency and the use of quality schemes such as ‘protected designation of origin’ (PDO), the use of organic labelling and the farmer having university education, and a negative association with the percentage of family labor. Our findings support the idea that value-added diversification contributes to more resilient pathways of development and underlines the importance of good quality management of marketing and operational factors.
Blockchain IoT for Smart Electric Vehicles Battery Management
Authors: Florea Bogdan Cristian , Taralunga Dragos Daniel
Published: May 2020

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have generated a lot of interest in recent years, due to the advances in battery life and low pollution. Similarly, the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) allowed more and more devices to be interconnected. One major problem EVs face today is the limited range of the battery and the limited number of charging or battery swapping stations. A solution is to not only build the necessary infrastructure, but also to be able to correctly estimate the remaining power using an efficient battery management system (BMS). For some EVs, battery swapping can also be an option, either at registered stations, or even directly from other EV drivers. Thus, a network of EV information is required, so that a successful battery charge or swap can be made available for drivers. In this paper two blockchain implementations for an EV BMS are presented, using blockchain as the network and data layer of the application. The first implementation uses Ethereum as the blockchain framework for developing smart contracts, while the second uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG), on top of the IOTA tangle. The two approaches are implemented and compared, demonstrating that both platforms can provide a viable solution for an efficient, semi-decentralized, data-driven BMS.
Identifier of Regional Food Presence (IRFP): A New Perspective to Evaluate Sustainable Menus
Authors: Ginani Verônica Cortez , Araújo Wilma Maria Coelho , Zandonadi Renata Puppin , Botelho Raquel B. Assunção
Published: May 2020

The menu offered in restaurants must meet different aspects of quality. Cultural elements are related to their acceptance and can contribute to the preservation of habits, sustainable agricultural systems, and the maintenance of biodiversity and sustainability, among other factors. In this context, this research proposes an instrument for classifying menus regarding the presence/absence of regional foods called the identifier of regional foods presence (IRFP) as a new perspective to evaluate sustainable menus. For this, lists of regional preparations and ingredients were prepared for each Brazilian region. Sequentially, we submitted the dishes/ingredients to a developed decision tree for the classification of foods into regional or national foods. The score, based on the presence/absence of regional foods, considered the components of a menu, with zero attributed to a lack of regional ingredients/dishes. For national dishes/ingredients, researchers attributed a minimum score equal to ten. One regional food gave a score of50 to the menu, and with more than one regional food, a daily menu scored 100. The final menu evaluation was based on the mean scores of the menus in each restaurant. Scores between 0–49.9 were considered inadequate; 50–74.9, adequate; and excellent between 75–100. The IRFP was applied to 111 menus with data collected from all the offered dishes. In total, the study evaluated data from 774 recipes from the menus of 37 restaurants located in the five Brazilian regions with a similar operating system. ANOVA was used to verify if there was a statistical difference between the mean score of each Brazilian region (p < 0.05). The average score obtained by the IRFP in menus from Brazilian community restaurants was 80.3 ± 30.9 (excellent), showing a significant difference between the Northeast and Southeast Regions, with a more significant presence of regional foods in the Northeast (87.7 ± 28.7). The use of the IRFP in menus was shown to be easy in its application, contributing to a stimulation of the use of regional items and, consequently, to the direct and indirect benefits generated for the food system and the local population.
Feed Efficiency Can Be Sustained in Pigs Fed with Locally Produced Narbon Vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.)
Authors: Gómez Izquierdo Emilio , Gomez-Raya Luis , de Mercado de la Peña Eduardo , Ciruelos Juan José , Rauw Wendy M.
Published: May 2020

There is an interest in replacing soybean meal with locally produced ingredients in livestock feeds. Narbon vetch is resistant to unfavorable climatic and soil conditions, common pests, and has a favorable nutritional profile. The effect of substitution of soybean meal with 0% (V0), 5% (V5), 10% (V10), and 20% (V20) inclusion of Narbon vetch on growth curve parameters, daily body weight gain (DBWG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and residual feed intake (RFI) was investigated in 47 Duroc × Iberian barrows in 16 periods (a total of 125 d). DFI and DBWG were reduced (p < 0.05) up to four weeks after introduction of the novel feed in V20 and V10. Small, mostly nonsignificant differences existed between treatments in FCE and RFI. However, because of accumulative small differences in feed efficiency between the four diets, pigs in V0 reached the highest BW, and pigs in V20 reached the lowest BW on a similar feed intake. Economic implications of Narbon vetch inclusion depend on the extra amount of feed required and associated feed costs, and on the costs of additional days on-farm required to reach a given slaughter weight.
A Simple and Sustainable Prediction Method of Liquefaction-Induced Settlement at Pohang Using an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Park Sung-Sik , Ogunjinmi Peter D. , Woo Seung-Wook , Lee Dong-Eun
Published: May 2020

Conventionally, liquefaction-induced settlements have been predicted through numerical or analytical methods. In this study, a machine learning approach for predicting the liquefaction-induced settlement at Pohang was investigated. In particular, we examined the potential of an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm to predict the earthquake-induced settlement at Pohang on the basis of standard penetration test (SPT) data. The performance of two ANN models for settlement prediction was studied and compared in terms of the R2 correlation. Model 1 (input parameters: unit weight, corrected SPT blow count, and cyclic stress ratio (CSR)) showed higher prediction accuracy than model 2 (input parameters: depth of the soil layer, corrected SPT blow count, and the CSR), and the difference in the R2 correlation between the models was about 0.12. Subsequently, an optimal ANN model was used to develop a simple predictive model equation, which was implemented using a matrix formulation. Finally, the liquefaction-induced settlement chart based on the predictive model equation was proposed, and the applicability of the chart was verified by comparing it with the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) image.
Correction: Molines, J., et al. Influence of Parapets on Wave Overtopping on Mound Breakwaters with Crown Walls. Sustainability 2019, 11, 7109
Authors: Molines Jorge , Bayon Arnau , Gómez-Martín M. Esther , Medina Josep R.
Published: May 2020

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Fostering Sustainable Development through Shifting Toward Rural Areas and Digitalization—The Case of Romanian Universities
Authors: Popescu Maria-Floriana , Chiripuci Bogdan-Cristian , Orîndaru Andreea , Constantin Marius , Scrieciu Albert
Published: May 2020

Educational institutions, especially universities, have been major pillars in societal transformation throughout society’s history. They have been leading change through their discoveries, research results, and foremost, their example. Nowadays, universities have once again taken the role of leading change in a world that is profoundly determined to have a sustainable approach to life, paying attention to the long-term effects of their actions. In this sense, under the impact of deep digitalization, this paper advocates for the sustainable development of universities regarding campuses’ expansion to rural areas. Moreover, it was demonstrated that sustainable development can be achieved by embracing the potential of digitalization. Based on a multicriteria analysis of the Romanian development regions, the research results showed that the rural area might be a welcoming environment for campuses of sustainable universities, based on digitalization at the level of the rural area in all activity fields, which is an initiative that would generate positive outcomes on many levels for different types of stakeholders, such as universities, students, staff, rural area population, and the nearby business environment. Future research aims to approach and explain the compounded effects of such an approach in depth and establish an even clearer picture of how beneficial such an expansion could prove to all factors considered under a knowledge-based society with digitized information as a vital pillar.
Measuring the Impacts of Saffron Production Promotion Measures on Farmers’ Policy Acceptance Probability: A Randomized Conjoint Field Experiment in Herat Province, Afghanistan
Authors: Azimy Mohammad Wais , Khan Ghulam Dastgir , Yoshida Yuichiro , Kawata Keisuke
Published: May 2020

The government of Afghanistan promotes saffron production as a means to achieve economic development while reducing the widely spread opium cultivation in the country by providing necessary support to its farmers via saffron farmer service centers. This study investigates the causal effects of relevant attributes of potential saffron production promotion policies on the participation probabilities of saffron farmers. This study applies a randomized conjoint experiment to primary survey data of 298 farmers in Herat Province, which is perceived by the government as the center of saffron production in the country. The proposed hypothetical saffron production promotion policy consists of six attributes, namely, provision of machinery equipment, weather-based crop insurance, accessibility to long-term loans, location of saffron farmer service centers, provider of services, and annual payment. In the randomized conjoint experiment design, the respondents rank two alternative policies and policies against the status quo. The desirable policy comprises the machinery provision, long-term (up to 5 years) loan accessibility, an easily accessible service center, and policy implementation by international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The estimated results reveal that saffron farmers are highly supportive of the proposed saffron promotion policy and that their willingness to pay is as high as 17% of their per capita income.
Electron Transfer via Helical Oligopeptide to Laccase Including Chiral Schiff Base Copper Mediators
Authors: Kashiwagi Kumpei , Tassinari Francesco , Haraguchi Tomoyuki , Banerjee-Gosh Koyel , Akitsu Takashiro , Naaman Ron
Published: May 2020

The oxygen reduction efficiency of a laccase-modified electrode was found to depend on the chirality of the oligopeptide linker used to bind the enzyme to the surface. At the same time, the electron transfer between the cathode electrode and the enzyme is improved by using a copper(II) complex with amino-acid derivative Schiff base ligand with/without azobenzene moiety as a mediator. The increased electrochemical current under both O2 and N2 proves that both the mediators are active towards the enzyme.
Comparison of Time Delay Estimation Methods Used for Fast Pipeline Leak Localization in High-Noise Environment
Authors: Kousiopoulos Georgios-Panagiotis , Papastavrou Georgios-Napoleon , Kampelopoulos Dimitrios , Karagiorgos Nikolaos , Nikolaidis Spiros
Published: May 2020

Pipeline networks are one of the most efficient and extensively used means for transporting fluid products. However, they suffer from a serious problem that threatens their normal and secure operation, which is the occurrence of leaks. In this article, an acoustic technique for the localization of leaks in pipelines placed in the high-noise environment of an oil refinery is described. This technique is based on the estimation of the time delay between the moments at which an acoustic signal produced by a leak reaches two sensors mounted on the external surface of the pipeline at a certain distance between them. For this reason, three different time delay estimation methods, based on the cross-correlation procedure, are studied in this article. These methods are tested for their accuracy in the estimation of the leak position, as well as for their ability to work with measurements of short duration and the results are compared. This is important because the acquisition duration affects directly the response time of the leak localization system, which is a crucial parameter for the targeted applications. Finally, an algorithm for fast and accurate identification of the leak point is proposed.
Extracting and Analyzing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Medicinal Plants: A Review
Authors: Kopp Thomas , Abdel-Tawab Mona , Mizaikoff Boris
Published: May 2020

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are distributed in plant families of Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae and serve in the chemical defense mechanism against herbivores. However, they became a matter of concern due to their toxicity associated with the high risk of intake within herbal preparations, e.g., phytopharmaceutical formulations, medicinal teas, or other plant-derived drug products. In 1992, the German Federal Ministry of Health established the first limits of PA content for fourteen medicinal plants. Because of the toxic effects of PAs, the Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) established more stringent limits in 2011, whereby a daily intake <0.007 µg/kg body weight was recommended and valid until 2018. A threefold higher limit was then advised by BfR. To address consumer safety, there is the need for more efficient extraction procedures along with robust, selective, and sensitive analytical methods to address these concerns. With the increased prevalence of, e.g., phytopharmaceutical formulations, this timely review comprehensively focuses on the most relevant extraction and analysis strategies for each of those fourteen plant genera. While a variety of extraction procedures has been reported, differences in PA content of up to 1110 ppm (0.11% (w/w)) were obtained dependent on the nature of the solvent and the applied extraction technique. It is evident that the efficient extraction of PAs requires further improvements or at least standardization of the extraction conditions. Comparing the various analytical techniques applied regarding selectivity and sensitivity, LC-MS methods appear most suited. This review shows that both standardized extraction and sensitive determination of PAs is required for achieving appropriate safety levels concerning public health in future.
Assessment of Ciguatera and Other Phycotoxin-Related Risks in Anaho Bay (Nuku Hiva Island, French Polynesia): Molecular, Toxicological, and Chemical Analyses of Passive Samplers
Authors: Roué Mélanie , Smith Kirsty F. , Sibat Manoella , Viallon Jérôme , Henry Kévin , Ung André , Biessy Laura , Hess Philipp , Darius Hélène Taiana , Chinain Mireille
Published: May 2020

Ciguatera poisoning is a foodborne illness caused by the consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) produced by dinoflagellates from the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. The suitability of Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT) technology for the monitoring of dissolved CTXs in the marine environment has recently been demonstrated. To refine the use of this passive monitoring tool in ciguateric areas, the effects of deployment time and sampler format on the adsorption of CTXs by HP20 resin were assessed in Anaho Bay (Nuku Hiva Island, French Polynesia), a well-known ciguatera hotspot. Toxicity data assessed by means of the mouse neuroblastoma cell-based assay (CBA-N2a) showed that a 24 h deployment of 2.5 g of resin allowed concentrating quantifiable amounts of CTXs on SPATT samplers. The CTX levels varied with increasing deployment time, resin load, and surface area. In addition to CTXs, okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1) were also detected in SPATT extracts using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), consistent with the presence of Gambierdiscus and Prorocentrum species in the environment, as assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) metabarcoding analyses conducted on passive window screen (WS) artificial substrate samples. Although these preliminary findings await further confirmation in follow-up studies, they highlight the usefulness of SPATT samplers in the routine surveillance of CP risk on a temporal scale, and the monitoring of other phycotoxin-related risks in ciguatera-prone areas.
Cell-Mediated Responses to Human Metapneumovirus Infection
Authors: Ballegeer Marlies , Saelens Xavier
Published: May 2020

Viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) frequently causes viral pneumonia which can become life-threatening if the virus spreads to the lungs. Even though hMPV was only isolated in 2001, this negative-stranded RNA virus has probably been circulating in the human population for many decades. Interestingly, almost all adults have serologic evidence of hMPV infection. A well-established host immune response is evoked when hMPV infection occurs. However, the virus has evolved to circumvent and even exploit the host immune response. Further, infection with hMPV induces a weak memory response, and re-infections during life are common. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different cell types involved in the immune response in order to better understand the immunopathology induced by hMPV. Such knowledge may contribute to the development of vaccines and therapeutics directed against hMPV.
Role of MicroRNAs in Host Defense against Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) Infection: A Hidden Front Line
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Zheng Shijun J.
Published: May 2020

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious and immunosuppressive avian disease caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBDV infection and the host response, including apoptosis, autophagy and the inhibition of innate immunity. Not only a number of host proteins interacting with or targeted by viral proteins participate in these processes, but microRNAs (miRNAs) are also involved in the host response to IBDV infection. If an IBDV–host interaction at the protein level is taken imaginatively as the front line of the battle between invaders (pathogens) and defenders (host cells), their fight at the RNA level resembles the hidden front line. miRNAs are a class of non-coding single-stranded endogenous RNA molecules with a length of approximately 22 nucleotides (nt) that play important roles in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Insights into the roles of viral proteins and miRNAs in host response will add to the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBDV infection. The interaction of viral proteins with cellular targets during IBDV infection were previously well-reviewed. This review focuses mainly on the current knowledge of the host response to IBDV infection at the RNA level, in particular, of the nine well-characterized miRNAs that affect cell apoptosis, the innate immune response and viral replication.
Newcastle Disease Virus as a Vaccine Vector for 20 Years: A Focus on Maternally Derived Antibody Interference
Authors: Hu Zenglei , Ni Jie , Cao Yongzhong , Liu Xiufan
Published: May 2020

It has been 20 years since Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was first used as a vector. The past two decades have witnessed remarkable progress in vaccine generation based on the NDV vector and optimization of the vector. Protective antigens of a variety of pathogens have been expressed in the NDV vector to generate novel vaccines for animals and humans, highlighting a great potential of NDV as a vaccine vector. More importantly, the research work also unveils a major problem restraining the NDV vector vaccines in poultry, i.e., the interference from maternally derived antibody (MDA). Although many efforts have been taken to overcome MDA interference, a lack of understanding of the mechanism of vaccination inhibition by MDA in poultry still hinders vaccine improvement. In this review, we outline the history of NDV as a vaccine vector by highlighting some milestones. The recent advances in the development of NDV-vectored vaccines or therapeutics for animals and humans are discussed. Particularly, we focus on the mechanisms and hypotheses of vaccination inhibition by MDA and the efforts to circumvent MDA interference with the NDV vector vaccines. Perspectives to fill the gap of understanding concerning the mechanism of MDA interference in poultry and to improve the NDV vector vaccines are also proposed.
Recent Insight into SARS-CoV2 Immunopathology and Rationale for Potential Treatment and Preventive Strategies in COVID-19
Authors: Lega Sara , Naviglio Samuele , Volpi Stefano , Tommasini Alberto
Published: May 2020

As the outbreak of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is spreading globally, great effort is being made to understand the disease pathogenesis and host factors that predispose to disease progression in an attempt to find a window of opportunity for intervention. In addition to the direct cytopathic effect of the virus, the host hyper-inflammatory response has emerged as a key factor in determining disease severity and mortality. Accumulating clinical observations raised hypotheses to explain why some patients develop more severe disease while others only manifest mild or no symptoms. So far, Covid-19 management remains mainly supportive. However, many researches are underway to clarify the role of antiviral and immunomodulating drugs in changing morbidity and mortality in patients who become severely ill. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the host immune system and discusses recent findings on proposed pharmacologic treatments.
Powertrain Control for Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Harold Craig K. D. , Prakash Suraj , Hofman Theo
Published: May 2020

This paper presents a novel framework to enable automatic re-training of the supervisory powertrain control strategy for hybrid electric vehicles using supervised machine learning. The aim of re-training is to customize the control strategy to a user-specific driving behavior without human intervention. The framework is designed to update the control strategy at the end of a driving task. A combination of dynamic programming and supervised machine learning is used to train the control strategy. The trained control strategy denoted as SML is compared to an online-implementable strategy based on the combination of the optimal operation line and Pontryagin’s minimum principle denoted as OOL-PMP, on the basis of fuel consumption. SML consistently performed better than OOL-PMP, evaluated over five standard drive cycles. The EUDC performance was almost identical while on FTP75 the OOL-PMP consumed 14.7% more fuel than SML. Moreover, the deviation from the global benchmark obtained from dynamic programming was between 1.8% and 5.4% for SML and between 5.8% and 16.8% for OOL-PMP. Furthermore, a test-case was conducted to emulate a real-world driving scenario wherein a trained controller is exposed to a new drive cycle. It is found that the performance on the new drive cycle deviates significantly from the optimal policy; however, this performance gap is bridged with a single re-training episode for the respective test-case.
Accident Vulnerability and Vision for Action: A Pilot Investigation
Authors: Lambert Anthony J. , Sharma Tanvi , Ryckman Nathan
Published: May 2020

Many accidents, such as those involving collisions or trips, appear to involve failures of vision, but the association between accident risk and vision as conventionally assessed is weak or absent. We addressed this conundrum by embracing the distinction inspired by neuroscientific research, between vision for perception and vision for action. A dual-process perspective predicts that accident vulnerability will be associated more strongly with vision for action than vision for perception. In this preliminary investigation, older and younger adults, with relatively high and relatively low self-reported accident vulnerability (Accident Proneness Questionnaire), completed three behavioural assessments targeting vision for perception (Freiburg Visual Acuity Test); vision for action (Vision for Action Test—VAT); and the ability to perform physical actions involving balance, walking and standing (Short Physical Performance Battery). Accident vulnerability was not associated with visual acuity or with performance of physical actions but was associated with VAT performance. VAT assesses the ability to link visual input with a specific action—launching a saccadic eye movement as rapidly as possible, in response to shapes presented in peripheral vision. The predictive relationship between VAT performance and accident vulnerability was independent of age, visual acuity and physical performance scores. Applied implications of these findings are considered.
Erratum: Masselink, G.; Lazarus, E.D. Defining Coastal Resilience. Water 2019, 11, 2587
Authors: Masselink Gerd , Lazarus Eli D
Published: May 2020

The authors wish to make the following erratum to this paper [...]
Characterization of Aquifer Hydrochemistry from the Operation of a Shallow Geothermal System
Authors: Choi Hanna , Kim Jaeyeon , Shim Byoung Ohan , Kim Dong-hun
Published: May 2020

The use of shallow geothermal energy systems utilizing groundwater temperature for the air-conditioning of buildings is increasing worldwide. The impact of these systems on groundwater quality has become crucial for environmental regulations and system design. For the long-term operation of geothermal systems, it is important to evaluate their influence on the geochemical properties of groundwater, including precipitation and dissolution of secondary minerals. This research was conducted in a real-scale geothermal system, consisting of a groundwater heat pump (GWHP). Hydrochemical data were obtained from samples collected from an aquifer before heating, during heating, and before cooling operations of the GWHP. The Langelier Saturation Index and Ryznar Stability Index were calculated, and the saturation index was simulated with the PHREEQC program. Evidence from water table variation, temperature change, and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope distribution showed that groundwater flows from a well located on the northwest side of the geothermal well. The saturation index values showed that the pristine groundwater favors carbonate dissolution, however, manganese oxides are more sensitive to temperature than carbonate minerals. In addition, mineral precipitation and dissolution were found to vary with depth and temperature.
Evaluating Spatiotemporal Variations of Groundwater Quality in Northeast Beijing by Self-Organizing Map
Authors: Li Jia , Shi Zheming , Wang Guangcai , Liu Fei
Published: May 2020

As one of the globally largest cities suffering from severe water shortage, Beijing is highly dependent on groundwater supply. Located northeast of Beijing, the Pinggu district is an important emergency-groundwater-supply source. This area developed rapidly under the strategy of the integrated development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region in recent years. It is now important to evaluate the spatiotemporal variations in groundwater quality. This study analyzed groundwater-chemical-monitoring data from the periods 2014 and 2017. Hydrogeochemical analysis showed that groundwater is affected by calcite, dolomite, and silicate weathering. Self-organizing map (SOM) was used to cluster sample sites and identify possible sources of groundwater contamination. Sample sites were grouped into four clusters that explained the different pollution sources: sources of industrial and agricultural activities (Cluster I), landfill sources (Cluster II), domestic-sewage-discharge sources (Cluster III), and groundwater in Cluster IV was less affected by anthropogenic activities. Compared to 2014, concentrations of pollution indicators such as Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+ increased, and the area of groundwater affected by domestic sewage discharge increased in 2017. Therefore, action should be taken in order to prevent the continuous deterioration of groundwater quality.