bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of location in urban structure of buildings of Russian-Soviet consulate in Harbin
Authors: Smolianinova T A
Published: December 2019

The article discusses the consular buildings of Russia that have survived to our time, and later Soviet ones in the city of Harbin in the New Town area (now Nangan), during the first half of the 20th century. This topic has a historical value for Russian architecture, as an architectural heritage outside the state. The location of this type of structures in the city structure is revealed, the techniques and features of their placement were analyzed. During the study, five buildings were found in which the consulate was located, one of which was lost. After analyzing the placement of the consulates, it can be assumed that the choice of buildings was not accidental, the buildings were selected according to a number of characteristic features, such as advantageous location, representative appearance, the presence of their own site, often buildings rented from The Chinese Eastern Railway (CER).
Creative heritage of architects of Blagoveshchensk city (the second half of the 19th – the early 20th century)
Authors: Bazilevich M E
Published: December 2019

The article discusses the main directions of professional activity and objects of creative heritage of L. M. Annenkov, R. I. Blum, I. I. Bukovetsky, S.V. Krygin, M. I. Lashchenko, F. O. Livchak, F. Y. Mishin, A. R. Stankevich, E. I. Shefer, A. D. Fialkovsky and L. O. Tchaikovsky, who worked in Blagoveshchensk in the second half of the 19th - early 20th century. Brief biographical data are given, various types of buildings are considered. The distinctive features of the work of individual architects are highlighted, formed under the influence of two factors: features of vocational training and local conditions, as well as common features characteristic of the architectural creativity of all architects of Blagoveshchensk associated with the specifics of the town-planning development of the city architects in the Far East.
Variability of approaches to arborsculptures
Authors: Smolina O O
Published: December 2019

Various environmental programs are under development today to explore how to bring humanity back to a harmonious coexistence with the nature, to overcome the negative factors of anthropogenic civilization. This paper opens up a new direction in the theory and practice of arborsculptural arrangements in urban environment; in particular, it dwells upon the variability of ways to grow and use bionic objects in spaces that may vary in terms of isolation. Complex analysis of the obtained data revealed that the current state-of-the-art of bionic objects comprises three ways to generate them: cultivation of arborsculptures in open space for later use in enclosed spaces; cultivation and use of bionic objects in enclosed spaces; or in open spaces. Another finding is that the arborsculptures are used as exteriors or interiors, for which there are two strategies. The first strategy is to grow a tree to a specific artistic shape, then cut it and use as an interior or exterior decoration. The second strategy is to preserve the natural structure of a tree and to integrate it into the existing urban environment. Note that the second strategy is a more promising one, as it prolongs the life cycle of the growing trees.
Studying impact of on-ramp from multi-lane highways on the basis of experimental studies of traffic flows
Authors: Kostsov A V
Published: December 2019

Lane-change manoeuvres are the main sources of traffic hindrance in multi-lane highways, so solving the issues of traffic capacity provision in such sections of highways should be performed with consideration of traffic flows interaction patterns. The analysis carried out in this area indicates lack of attention towards the issues of traffic capacity estimation in sections of highways adjacent to on-ramps. The article contains the results of experimental studies of the patterns of DLC manoeuvres on highways in sections adjacent to on-ramps, which provides the basis for elaboration of the methods of estimating the vehicle density impact on traffic capacity of adjacent sections of highways. The results of the studies are recommended to be applied in the course of highways design and their multi-level interchanges.
M.A. Genendlis – forgotten decorator (from history of development of fine art in city of Khabarovsk 30-50s of the twentieth century)
Authors: Bazilevich E M
Published: December 2019

The article is based on the study of a previously unknown archive of works and photographs of the artist M.A. Genendlis. Some facts from the biography of the artist are provided. The information on the history of the development of theatrical, decorative-design art of the Far East is being revealed. These facts are unknown not only to the general public, but also to specialists. The article substantiates the attribution of some works on the design of public buildings known in Khabarovsk and the region, the authorship of which was not documented and lost over time. The authors reveal a wide range of areas of work of M.A. Genendlis. All of his creative works are published for the first time.
Issues and prospects of planning of territories of newly created territorial communities (using Starosaltovska unified territorial community as example)
Authors: Shyshkin E , Viatkin K , Romanenko S
Published: December 2019

The modern system of territorial planning in Ukraine is considered. The goals and objectives of the preparation of urban planning documentation for newly created territorial communities have been defined. The prospects for the development of territorial communities are considered. The issues of unified territorial communities in terms of effective spatial planning are analyzed. The analysis is made of the availability of town planning documentation for populated areas of the Starosaltovska unified territorial community as of the present. A model for planning the territories of newly created territorial communities is offered. The quantitative and qualitative results of the implementation of the offered model are predicted.
Algorithm of allocation of territories included to agglomerations
Authors: Pankeieva A N , Viatkin K I , Zavalnyi A V
Published: December 2019

The article covers topical issues of formation, development and functioning of agglomeration formed around large cities. A number of issues requiring further research have been identified, in particular, the definition of the essence of the concept of “agglomeration”, the criteria for the allocation of agglomerations, its recognition in legislative and regulatory documents and the methods of delimitation of agglomerations. The algorithm of allocation of territories included to agglomerations has been suggested. The proposed algorithm for the allocation of territory, included in the agglomerations, will allow allocating agglomeration territories in a system way. The authors identify the existing boundaries of agglomerations and provide proposals for its further development.
Architectural and design approaches to creation of comfortable urban environment
Authors: Permyakov M B , Krasnova T V
Published: December 2019

The article reviews new approaches to the creation of a comfortable environment through architecture and design. Solutions to the problem at the global and national level in the 20-21st century were analysed. Examples are given. Reviewing modern architectural and design approaches, the authors come to the conclusion that the function of architecture is supported not only by technological capacity of modern construction, ergonomics and environmental safety. Social design is a certain scenario of the development of a comfortable environment. Some kind of a new natural habitat is created that smoothly forms patterns of modern world view and mindset. The practice part analyses global practices and modern setting in Russian cities in the context of environmentally promising area of landscape architecture using the example of the Southern Urals. Summing up the results of the research, the authors focus on the essential requirements of consumers for comfortable environment by identifying priorities for the environment of Russian cities.
Application of bionic architecture methods as future-oriented approach of modern architecture development in Russia
Authors: Umorina Z
Published: December 2019

Bionic architecture is a modern movement based on an environmental approach that evolves the latest developments in design and construction contributing to the implementation of challenging architectural ideas aimed at creation of a natural architecture that responds to environmental changes, does not harm nature and fits into the landscape. Natural technologies are a new phenomenon, based on the observation of the objects of nature, understanding of the principle of their functioning and their transfer to the sphere of human activities. The research paper describes the principles and criteria for the design methods of bionic architecture. The influence on the plans and facades of architectural objects and their perception by the human were studied.
Comparative research on socio-economic development of Russian megacities
Authors: Orlovskaya T
Published: December 2019

Annotation

The research is devoted to the problem of differentiation of Russian megacities on the basis of comparative studies of socio-economic development. The authors study the most important indicators for the differentiation of megacities to provide the population with housing, well-being and employment, longevity, the human development index. To select the indicators for the assessment, it’s necessary to analyze the results of Russian and foreign scientists’ research, the materials of the ratings of global cities and indicators of quality of life in megacities. The research method used in the article is the economic and mathematical method that calculates multidimensional average socio-economic indicators of the megacities, characterizing the quality and level of urbanization. Based on the socio-spatial approach and the results of the combined analysis of the human potential index in the Russian megacities and the multidimensional average socio-economic indicators characterizing the level of socio-economic development and the quality of life, the authors determine clusters of Russian megacities, which allow assessing the level of their socio-economic development and comparing megacities.
Differentiation of Russian megacities by level of investment in comprehensive residential development
Authors: Ershova S , Orlovskaya T
Published: December 2019

The paper presents main findings of the research on Russian major urban centers differentiation according to rates of investment in comprehensive urban development. Thorough investigation of current research on the nature of comprehensive urban development allows authors to define main indicators that determine the demand for residents’ vital needs satisfaction through public amenities provision. A review of global trends in Smart urban development resulted in proposing several hypotheses on contemporary conditions of comprehensive urban development in major urban centers. These hypotheses are aimed at integrating available statistical data on residents’ vital needs satisfaction. Comparative analysis is conducted via STATISTICA software package with the use of hierarchical agglomerative clustering method. The clusters of Russian cities are formed using differences in the variables of investment rates in principle areas of comprehensive urban development. As a result of comparative analysis, authors describe two clusters of Russian major urban centers: urban centers that are showing high rates of investment in public amenities like kindergartens, schools, medical clinics; and cities that are clearly lacking sufficient investment in comprehensive urban development.
Criteria for reconstruction of urban environment on principles of harmonizing nature, society and human being
Authors: Emelianov S G , Bakaeva N V , Zuleta D P
Published: December 2019

A completely new scientific approach investigating biotechnosphere development theoretical background and operation of urban life support systems based on the symbiosis of urban and natural environment is proposed in the paper. This approach facilitates creation of a new conceptual scheme for understanding public interests and development on its basis of urban redevelopment methodology; it is based on the supposition of self-organization of urban areas. Biotechnosphere humanitarian balance is taken as a main criterion for analytical estimation of the dynamics of system changes of social, demographic, ecological and economic parameters of the development of urban areas. Balance biosphere relationships are built on the basis of the hypothesis of the existence of stable functional relations between time-dependent characteristics of the condition of the constituents and components of social, natural, technological life support systems. Integrated indices characterizing compatibility of urban areas with the natural environment and the level of the implementation of city functions based on the values of standardized and minimum required in terms of human potential development parameters are proposed to be used as quantitative analysis variables.
Performance of surveying to assess man-made risks in operation of industrial facilities by example of Volgograd agglomeration
Authors: Anopin V N , Sabitova T A , Kalinovsky S A
Published: December 2019

The expediency of evaluation by geodetic methods of technogenic risk associated with the implementation of the technological process of production, and with various geophysical effects of the environment in the operation of industrial construction. The results of the analysis of the materials of long-term geodetic observations of the state of the largest energy enterprises of the Volgograd region – the Volga hydroelectric power station and heat electropower station-2, and also of metallurgy - Volzhsky pipe plant. Its enterprises have fundamentally different operating conditions, having different effects on the elements of the environment, and built in different engineering-geological conditions. Based on these results, the recommended composition of geodetic works and their optimal periodicity for industrial buildings and structures under different operating conditions is proposed. Also, the features of the rational implementation of geodetic observations and the state of individual parts of structures, such as crane tracks workshops of industrial enterprises.
Risk acceptance criteria for complex technical systems
Authors: Izvekov Yu A , Puzankova E A , Vakhrusheva I A
Published: December 2019

The article provides theoretical generalization and detailing of risk analysis applied to the structures of complex technical systems based on its fast-evolving theory. Using previous studies, the author suggests choosing a metallurgical overhead crane as a facility related to such systems. The following three different risk analysis patterns are feasible during safety assessment and technical diagnostics: based on the operation life, based on the state and based on the damage resulting from making wrong managerial engineering decisions. Risk acceptance criteria applied to the complex technical systems under study are set based on stress strain behavior parameters including actual stresses and deformations along with mechanical property characteristics of materials. A decision on further operation of the structure or on ceasing the operation thereof is made when comparing safe acceptable and actual values of stresses and deformations. A table is created for such decision-making. The function of risk related to the damage resulting from making wrong managerial decisions is presented. Further development of such approach will allow identifying methodological recommendations for making decisions on future operation of complex technical systems in a more substantiated way.
Considering emergency hazards in construction and operation of infrastructures
Authors: Arefeva E V , Muraveva E V , Frose T Yu
Published: December 2019

The paper presents a forecast on how hazardous exogenous geological processes caused by whether natural or man-caused flooding may affect the condition of infrastructures. The authors propose using an integrated R-score, which is a linear combination of partial criteria R1, R2, R3, R4 of the weighting factor (the weight) ki; these criteria are determined by experts as a function of partial indicators or on the basis of foundation cracks and settlement observation data. Reducing the integrated R-score to nearly zero is what indicates a reduction in the emergency hazards by preventive and protective actions. To address this problem is imperative for cities, where the developed areas are non-homogeneous and vary in time and space. Such areas must be run in accordance with the fundamental principle of geological safety and reliability in the context of actual and potential flooding.
Filtering of outside air in HVAC inlet plenums in urban environment
Authors: Litvinova N A
Published: December 2019

An experimental inlet air strainer was presented, fitted into an outer wall of a building to filter outside air using various sorbents and chemical adsorbents. The experimental strainer was composed of the following components: an air duct, 100 mm in diameter and 400 mm long; axial fan 100 m3 / h; replaceable filters, thickness of each filtering layer was 20 mm to enable replacement of sorbents and chemical adsorbent. Total 6 inlet air filtering options have been researched: 1 – filter element (activated carbon), 2 - schungite, 3 - zeolite, 4 -manganese dioxide chemisorbent with silica gel sorbent, 5 - four filters in the following order: shungite + silica gel + manganese dioxide + zeolite, 6 - activated carbon + silica gel + manganese dioxide + zeolite. Research results showed that shungite + silica gel + manganese dioxide + zeolite are the best options to filter outside air from carbon monoxide (II); its filtering efficiency was 95.35%. Hence, the studies showed that the most effective would be to use several outside air filtering stages in urban buildings.
Assessment of risk associated with drinking water with respect to indicators of olfactory and reflex effect
Authors: Gumerov T Yu , Gorina L N , Gabdukaeva L Z
Published: December 2019

The quality of drinking water is currently a pressing issue, which plays a special role in the initiative of environmental protection, ecology and hygienics. When any sector of modern industry is developing, its activities are associated with a possible risk of contamination of water used by the population as drinking water, and with generation of industrial wastewater polluted with chemically aggressive agents, which are dangerous to human health. The authors of this paper conduct risk assessment with respect to the indicators of the olfactory-reflex effect of drinking water samples obtained in Kazan. The research results allow for the assessment of the health risk level, which the city residents would face because of drinking water ingestion, and for a specification of polluting substances through sensory evaluation.
Assessment of environmental risk of municipal solid waste Landfill (by example of the city of Belgorod)
Authors: Kiryushina N Yu , Semeykin A Yu , Sharapov O N
Published: December 2019

The paper discusses current environmental problems associated with the accumulation and disposal of municipal solid waste in Russia by the example of the Belgorod region. It is shown that the existing rates of waste accumulation can lead to environmental emergencies in the region. The scenarios for the development of emergency situations at the landfill of Belgorod were considered. The analysis show that the most dangerous in terms of the social and environmental consequences of dangerous situations are scenarios related to the filtering of the contents of the map-ditches into the environment. Also, the high integral risk has a scenario with pollution of atmospheric air of polygon gases. Using the method of risk matrices by formalizing expert opinions, it is shown that a comprehensive method of disposal of solid waste minimizes anthropogenic pressure on the environment in the field of waste management.
The issues of sustainability of historical and cultural areas associated with their periodic underflooding and solutions
Authors: Arefeva E V , Muraveva E V , Alekseeva E I
Published: December 2019

The Russian Federation has multiple valuable historical and cultural monuments. Many of these objects are truly unique and belong to the world’s cultural treasures. Nearly half of them are objects of federal significance (including more than 20,000 archaeological heritage sites), and the rest are of regional significance, 13 cultural and 8 natural heritage sites are on the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage formed under the auspices of UNESCO. Observations on the state of objects of historical and cultural heritage in the Russian regions show that such objects are largely susceptible to destruction as a result of adverse natural influences. These impacts adversely affect the preservation of cultural heritage sites, and lead to their destruction and their possible loss. Therefore, it is important to protect the objects of historical and cultural heritage.
Analysis of air pollution and noise on low-speed streets
Authors: Maksimova S V , Batrakova G M
Published: December 2019

The growth of motorization led to significant changes in the traffic regime on the peripheral streets of big cities. With the transition to market economy, the lower floors of housing stock are massively used for commercial activities. The width of the roads profile is narrowed due to the growth of parallel parking and double-parking. This leads to a decrease in the speed traffic through the streets in residential areas with a significant increase in its intensity. The purpose of the paper is the research of environmental consequences of increasing traffic intensity on residential streets in Perm, especially in the locations of schools and kindergartens. The article presents the main parameters, conditions of full-scale experiments and the results of air pollution measurements and acoustic environment. There are also the values of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other air pollution. The study shows that the intensity of traffic at low speed in winter does not affect air pollution. The noise level increases at the intensity of more than 400 units/hour. The results prove the need to study the ecological state of low-speed streets in the development of urban planning documentation and land use as well as development rules.
Categorization and gradation of hazardous actions of industrial workers: methodological aspects
Authors: Kostin D M , Sevastyanov B V , Shadrin R O
Published: December 2019

The paper defines concepts of “dangerous working conditions” and “dangerous actions of workers”. Regulatory and various doctrinal approaches to differentiating the actions of workers violating labor protection requirements are considered, their specific features, advantages and disadvantages for use in industrial enterprises are analyzed. The author proposes a method of categorizing and grading dangerous actions of workers of industrial enterprises. The method is developed with regard to the specifics of the functioning of oil stores. The work is based on the method of expert assessments, applied in the form of an individual expert survey. The survey was conducted among the experienced specialists of electrical and electrotechnological fields, whose professions and positions are typical of a modern warehouse of petroleum products. The survey results allowed compiling the most objective and complete list of all possible behavioral deviations of a particular professional category of workers. The resulting list is the basis of the reference guide of the developed automated system for personified accounting of the dangerous actions of workers engaged in the operation, maintenance and repair of electrical equipment in oil product warehouses.
To selection of low-wear anode coatings based on iridium, ruthenium, titanium and tantalum oxides for direct electrolysis of natural waters
Authors: Pchelnikov I V , Fedotov R V , Cherkesov A Yu
Published: December 2019

Selection of anode coatings to obtain low-concentration sodium hypochlorite by direct electrolysis of natural waters is considered. The corrosion resistance of anodes with different packing of ruthenium, iridium and tantalum oxides, as well as their characteristics have been determined: chlorine current output, cell voltage, dynamics of growth of active chlorine concentration in solution. It is shown that when tantalum is added to the OIRTA system composition, the solid solution system turns from the three-component one into the four-component one, which adds certain advantages to the metal oxide coating of the anode: increased anode service life, reduction of the specific packing of precious metal (cost reduction), reduction of energy costs, which allows to conclude that it is expedient to use an OIRTA-Ta coating.
Reduction of radioactive contamination of surface of steel structures of contour NPP equipment
Authors: Yastrebinsky R N , Pavlenko V I , Karnauhov A A
Published: December 2019

Reduction in the rate of corrosion of constructional materials leads to increase in level of ensuring radiation safety at operation of NPS. It is possible to improve a radiation situation also due to decrease in sorption of radionuclides on the internal surfaces of the equipment. In this regard authors considered possible ways of decrease in sorption of radionuclides 60Co and 137Cs by a surface perlitny and alloyed their radioactivity, steely for the purpose of decrease. Results of experiments on sorption of radionuclides are presented and her communication with the size of equilibrium electrochemical potential is noticed. It is shown that sorption of Cs-137 honor 10 times more sorption Co-60. At transfer of steel to a passive state by passivation in nitric acid (pH = 3) considerable decrease in sorption of radionuclides 60Co, 137Cs (at 7-10 times) in comparison with not passivated steel is observed. Processing as alloyed, and perlitny steel of a zolyama of oxide of aluminum allows to reduce sorption of radionuclides in addition. Additive of colloidal solution - zoli Al2O3 in the passivating sour azotnonitratny solutions allows to increase considerably protective properties of the formed coverings and to prevent development of local types of corrosion (ulcers, pittings, cracking).
Rationale for engineering activities to prevent and reduce adverse impact of accidents at low-head hydraulic structures
Authors: Sibgatulina D Sh , Shakirova A I , Danilina N E
Published: December 2019

The paper considers the safety of operating hydraulic structures for reclamation. Such research is imperative today due to the high risk of accidents at such structures. Meeting the technical, economic, environmental, and aesthetic requirements to hydraulic structures is absolutely necessary; otherwise, significant damages may ensue. Hydraulic structures (HS) are operated in two ways of organizing the maintenance and repairs: periodic inspections to check the condition of HS elements and find whether repairs are necessary; and carrying out pre-scheduled repairs and adjustments. Analysis of the two methods reveals that scheduled preventive repairs can ensure the fail-safe and reliable operation of hydraulic structures, and are therefore fundamental to proper operation.
Purification of aqueous media from copper ions using extracts from wood processing waste (Oak Bark)
Authors: Kiryushina N Yu , Vasilenko T A , Sharapov O N
Published: December 2019

In this paper the reagent properties of aqueous extracts from crushed oak bark sawdust to copper ions were investigated. The bark currently does not find practical application. For the experiment, the bark was pre-mechanically activated. The extracts were obtained by leaching sawdust with distilled water and an aqueous solution of alkali by boiling for 1 hour at a ratio of 1:10, respectively, for the most complete extraction of the organic component into the aqueous medium. Purification with extracts was carried out with model solutions with the concentration of ions Cu2+ = 164.3 mg/dm3 at pH = 2.5; 4.0; 6.0 and 9.0 to determine the most efficient removal of copper ions. Testing of the purification process was carried out at different ratios of the volume of the model solution and extracts of oak bark. A mechanism for the removal of copper ions from solution is proposed.
Treatment technology of liquid phase at industrial waste landfill
Authors: Khaustov V V , Bredikhin V V , Khaustova T V
Published: December 2019

The authors suggest the complex technology of their treatment on the example of the specific industrial waste landfill. The technology involves industrial liquid waste treatment by stages. The solution of petroleum oil wastes being pumped from the pond at the landfill is supplied to the primary purification in the conventional oil separator which is combined with the settling pond. Additional treatment of water from oil products and suspended solids is carried out by a flotation unit. After the flotation unit for post-treatment of water from heavy metals, it is fed through a channel of trapezoidal cross-section to a filter dam being made of sorbent. The channel has been constructed in the earth water course. The subsoil is heavy loam and clay. The channel has a filter barrier, the design of which is constructed in the form of 2 metal frames being covered with wire nettings. There is a waterproofing layer made of polyvinyl chloride film at the bottom of the channel under the frames. A packing of fibrous sorbent is placed between the wire nettings to finally purify liquid wastes from petroleum residue, which allows treating discharge in accordance with the requirements of maximum permissible concentrations for fish-husbandry water utilization.
Physics at the movies
Authors: Tesh Sarah
Published: December 2019

Explore the physics of the movie industry in this special issue of Physics World
Data for days
Authors: Whitworth Robert
Published: December 2019

In response to Margaret Harris’s reply to a letter by Trevor Williams (October p34), in which she asked Physics World readers to write in with examples of annoying lab tasks that are now obsolete, thanks to improvements in technology.
From weightlessness to curly hair
Authors: Brooks Michael
Published: December 2019

There’s no escaping the laws of physics – even at the movies. Michael Brooks reveals why they’re vital in creating the best possible visual effects
Tricks and wizardry
Authors: Wade Jess
Published: December 2019

Visual effects (VFX) play a crucial role in the modern movie industry. Daniel Radcliffe talks to friend and physicist Jess Wade about what it’s like as an actor to work with this kind of technology
The imitation game
Authors: Glester Andrew
Published: December 2019

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch talks to Andrew Glester about what it’s like to play famous scientists
Magnetism, light and sound
Authors: Brazil Rachel
Published: December 2019

Pioneering artist Panayiotis Vassilakis (1925–2019), known professionally as Takis, spanned the divide between art and science, breaking conventions with his “kinetic” sculpture that used electromagnetism to explore the concept of energy. This year, 70 of Takis' major works were on display at the Tate Modern gallery in London.
The real physics of fantasy
Authors: Gardner Kate
Published: December 2019

On 19 May this year, 13.6 million people around the world watched the last ever episode of Game of Thrones, the TV show based on George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy books, as it aired on HBO. Physicist Rebecca C Thompson particularly enjoyed online debates about the science depicted in the show. In her new book Fire, Ice and Physics: the Science of Game of Thrones, she analyses these fan theories through looking at actual physics.
Simulation of Matrix Product States For Dissipation and Thermalization Dynamics of Open Quantum Systems
Authors: Agasti Souvik
Published: December 2019

We transform the system/reservoir coupling model into a one-dimensional semi-infinite discrete chain through unitary transformation to simulate the open quantum system numerically with the help of time evolving block decimation (TEBD) algorithm. We apply the method to study the dynamics of dissipative systems. We also generate the thermal state of a multimode bath using minimally entangled typical thermal state (METTS) algorithm, and investigate the impact of the thermal bath on an empty system. For both cases, we give an extensive analysis of the impact of the modeling and simulation parameters, and compare the numerics with the analytics.
Energy use for GWh-scale lithium-ion battery production
Authors: Davidsson Kurland Simon
Published: December 2019

Estimates of energy use for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cell manufacturing show substantial variation, contributing to disagreements regarding the environmental benefits of large-scale deployment of electric mobility and other battery applications. Here, energy usage is estimated for two large-scale battery cell factories using publicly available data. It is concluded that these facilities use around 50–65 kWh (180–230 MJ) of electricity per kWh of battery capacity, not including other steps of the supply chain, such as mining and processing of materials. These estimates are lower than previous studies using data on pilot-scale or under-utilized facilities but are similar to recent estimates based on fully utilized, large-scale factories. The environmental impact of battery manufacturing varies with the amounts and form of energy used; especially as renewable sources replace electricity from fossil fuels. As additional large-scale battery factories are taken into use, more data should become available, and the reliance on outdated, unrepresentative, and often incomparable, estimates of energy usage in the emerging Li-ion battery industry should be avoided.
Early Educational Experiences and Trajectories of Cognitive Functioning Among US Adults in Midlife and Later
Authors: Walsemann Katrina M , Ailshire Jennifer A
Published: December 2019

Educational attainment is often considered the most important protective factor against cognitive impairment and dementia, yet significant variation in early educational experiences exists among midlife and older US adults. We used prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) along with information on respondents’ early educational experiences collected in the 2015 and 2017 HRS Life History Mail Survey to examine whether school context, educational content, and academic ability were associated with trajectories of cognitive functioning and whether educational attainment explains this relationship. We restricted our sample to age-eligible HRS Life History Mail Survey respondents who provided data on cognitive functioning at least once during 1998–2014 and attended primary school or higher (n = 9,565 respondents providing 62,037 person-period observations). Estimates from linear mixed models revealed that school context, educational content, and academic ability were significantly associated with level of cognitive functioning but not rate of cognitive decline. Educational attainment explained 9%–55% of the association between these early educational experiences and level of cognitive functioning; however, all relationships remained statistically significant. Our results suggest that educational experiences that span childhood and adolescence are independently related to level of cognitive functioning decades later.
The gathering storm: optimizing management of coastal ecosystems in the face of a climate-driven threat
Authors: Hanley Mick E , Bouma Tjeerd J , Mossman Hannah L
Published: December 2019

Background

The combination of rising sea levels and increased likelihood of extreme storm events poses a major threat to our coastlines and as a result, many ecosystems recognized and valued for their important contribution to coastal defence face increased damage from erosion and flooding. Nevertheless, only recently have we begun to examine how plant species and communities, respond to, and recover from, the many disturbances associated with storm events.

Scope

We review how the threats posed by a combination of sea level rise and storms affects coastal sub-, inter- and supra-tidal plant communities. We consider ecophysiological impacts at the level of the individual plant, but also how ecological interactions at the community level, and responses at landscape scale, inform our understanding of how and why an increasing frequency and intensity of storm damage are vital to effective coastal management. While noting how research is centred on the impact of hurricanes in the US Gulf region, we take a global perspective and consider how ecosystems worldwide (e.g. seagrass, kelp forests, sand dunes, saltmarsh and mangroves) respond to storm damage and contribute to coastal defence.

Conclusions

The threats posed by storms to coastal plant communities are undoubtedly severe, but, beyond this obvious conclusion, we highlight four research priority areas. These call for studies focusing on (1) how storm disturbance affects plant reproduction and recruitment; (2) plant response to the multiple stressors associated with anthropogenic climate change and storm events; (3) the role of ecosystem-level interactions in dictating post-disturbance recovery; and (4) models and long-term monitoring to better predict where and how storms and other climate change-driven phenomena impact coastal ecosystems and services. In so doing, we argue how plant scientists must work with geomorphologists and environmental agencies to protect the unique biodiversity and pivotal contribution to coastal defence delivered by maritime plant communities.
Color lures in orb-weaving spiders: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ximenes Nathalia G , Moraes Vinicius De Souza , Ortega Jean C G , Gawryszewski Felipe M
Published: December 2019

Lures are deceptive strategies that exploit sensory biases in prey, usually mimicking a prey’s mate or food item. Several predators exploit plant–pollinator systems, where visual signals are an essential part of interspecific interactions. Many diurnal, and even nocturnal, orb-web spiders present conspicuous body coloration or bright color patches. These bright colors are regarded as color-based lures that exploit biases present in insect visual systems, possibly mimicking flower colors. The prey attraction hypothesis was proposed more than 20 years ago to explain orb-web spider coloration. Although most data gathered so far has corroborated the predictions of the prey attraction hypothesis, there are several studies that refute these predictions. We conducted a multilevel phylogenetic meta-analysis to assess the magnitude of the effect of conspicuous orb-web spider body coloration on prey attraction. We found a positive effect in favor of the prey attraction hypothesis; however, there was substantial heterogeneity between studies. Experimental designs comparing conspicuous spiders to painted spiders or empty webs did not explain between-studies heterogeneity. The lack of theoretical explanation behind the prey attraction hypothesis makes it challenging to address which components influence prey attraction. Future studies could evaluate whether color is part of a multicomponent signal and test alternative hypotheses for the evolution of spider colors, such as predator avoidance and thermoregulation.
Platform-integrated mRNA isoform quantification
Authors: Sun Jiao , Chang Jae-Woong , Zhang Teng , Yong Jeongsik , Kuang Rui , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2019

Motivation

Accurate estimation of transcript isoform abundance is critical for downstream transcriptome analyses and can lead to precise molecular mechanisms for understanding complex human diseases, like cancer. Simplex mRNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) based isoform quantification approaches are facing the challenges of inherent sampling bias and unidentifiable read origins. A large-scale experiment shows that the consistency between RNA-Seq and other mRNA quantification platforms is relatively low at the isoform level compared to the gene level. In this project, we developed a platform-integrated model for transcript quantification (IntMTQ) to improve the performance of RNA-Seq on isoform expression estimation. IntMTQ, which benefits from the mRNA expressions reported by the other platforms, provides more precise RNA-Seq-based isoform quantification and leads to more accurate molecular signatures for disease phenotype prediction.

Results

In the experiments to assess the quality of isoform expression estimated by IntMTQ, we designed three tasks for clustering and classification of 46 cancer cell lines with four different mRNA quantification platforms, including newly developed NanoString’s nCounter technology. The results demonstrate that the isoform expressions learned by IntMTQ consistently provide more and better molecular features for downstream analyses compared with five baseline algorithms which consider RNA-Seq data only. An independent RT-qPCR experiment on seven genes in twelve cancer cell lines showed that the IntMTQ improved overall transcript quantification. The platform-integrated algorithms could be applied to large-scale cancer studies, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with both RNA-Seq and array-based platforms available.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at: https://github.com/CompbioLabUcf/IntMTQ.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Exercise alters cerebellar and cortical activity related to working memory in phenotypes of Gulf War Illness
Authors: Washington Stuart D , Rayhan Rakib U , Garner Richard , Provenzano Destie , Zajur Kristina , Addiego Florencia Martinez , VanMeter John W , Baraniuk James N
Published: December 2019

Gulf War Illness affects 25–32% of veterans from the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War. Post-exertional malaise with cognitive dysfunction, pain and fatigue following physical and/or mental effort is a defining feature of Gulf War Illness. We modelled post-exertional malaise by assessing changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3T during an N-Back working memory task performed prior to a submaximal bicycle stress test and after an identical stress test 24 h later. Serial trends in postural changes in heart rate between supine and standing defined three subgroups of veterans with Gulf War Illness: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (GWI-POTS, 15%, n = 11), Stress Test Associated Reversible Tachycardia (GWI-START, 31%, n = 23) and Stress Test Originated Phantom Perception (GWI-STOPP, no postural tachycardia, 54%, n = 46). Before exercise, there were no differences in blood oxygenation level-dependent activity during the N-Back task between control (n = 31), GWI-START, GWI-STOPP and GWI-POTS subgroups. Exercise had no effects on blood oxygenation level-dependent activation in controls. GWI-START had post-exertional deactivation of cerebellar dentate nucleus and vermis regions associated with working memory. GWI-STOPP had significant activation of the anterior supplementary motor area that may be a component of the anterior salience network. There was a trend for deactivation of the vermis in GWI-POTS after exercise. These patterns of cognitive dysfunction were apparent in Gulf War Illness only after the exercise stressor. Mechanisms linking the autonomic dysfunction of Stress Test Associated Reversible Tachycardia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome to cerebellar activation, and Stress Test Originated Phantom Perception to cortical sensorimotor alterations, remain unclear but may open new opportunities for understanding, diagnosing and treating Gulf War Illness.
Clinical impact of conduction disturbances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Faroux Laurent , Chen Shmuel , Muntané-Carol Guillem , Regueiro Ander , Philippon Francois , Sondergaard Lars , Jørgensen Troels H , Lopez-Aguilera José , Kodali Susheel , Leon Martin , Nazif Tamim , Rodés-Cabau Josep
Published: December 2019

Aims

The clinical impact of new-onset persistent left bundle branch block (NOP-LBBB) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) recipients remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the impact of (i) periprocedural NOP-LBBB and PPI post-TAVR on 1-year all-cause death, cardiac death, and heart failure hospitalization and (ii) NOP-LBBB on the need for PPI at 1-year follow-up.

Methods and results

We performed a systematic search from PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies reporting raw data on 1-year clinical impact of NOP-LBBB or periprocedural PPI post-TAVR. Data from 30 studies, including 7792 patients (12 studies) and 42 927 patients (21 studies) for the evaluation of the impact of NOP-LBBB and PPI after TAVR were sourced, respectively. NOP-LBBB was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death [risk ratio (RR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.49; P < 0.001], cardiac death (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.20–1.78; P < 0.001), heart failure hospitalization (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05–1.72; P = 0.02), and PPI (RR 1.89, 95% CI 1.58–2.27; P < 0.001) at 1-year follow-up. Periprocedural PPI after TAVR was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.11–1.25; P < 0.001) and heart failure hospitalization (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03–1.36; P = 0.02). Permanent pacemaker implantation was not associated with an increased risk of cardiac death (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.67–1.05; P = 0.13).

Conclusion

NOP-LBBB and PPI after TAVR are associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization at 1-year follow-up. Periprocedural NOP-LBBB also increased the risk of cardiac death and PPI within the year following the procedure. Further studies are urgently warranted to enhance preventive measures and optimize the management of conduction disturbances post-TAVR.