bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image Enhancement Driven by Object Characteristics and Dense Feature Reuse Network for Ship Target Detection in Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Tian Ling , Cao Yu , He Bokun , Zhang Yifan , He Chu , Li Deshi
Published: March 2021

As the application scenarios of remote sensing imagery (RSI) become richer, the task of ship detection from an overhead perspective is of great significance. Compared with traditional methods, the use of deep learning ideas has more prospects. However, the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) has poor resistance to sample differences in detection tasks, and the huge differences in the image environment, background, and quality of RSIs affect the performance for target detection tasks; on the other hand, upsampling or pooling operations result in the loss of detailed information in the features, and the CNN with outstanding results are often accompanied by a high computation and a large amount of memory storage. Considering the characteristics of ship targets in RSIs, this study proposes a detection framework combining an image enhancement module with a dense feature reuse module: (1) drawing on the ideas of the generative adversarial network (GAN), we designed an image enhancement module driven by object characteristics, which improves the quality of the ship target in the images while augmenting the training set; (2) the intensive feature extraction module was designed to integrate low-level location information and high-level semantic information of different resolutions while minimizing the computation, which can improve the efficiency of feature reuse in the network; (3) we introduced the receptive field expansion module to obtain a wider range of deep semantic information and enhance the ability to extract features of targets were at different sizes. Experiments were carried out on two types of ship datasets, optical RSI and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. The proposed framework was implemented on classic detection networks such as You Only Look Once (YOLO) and Mask-RCNN. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Multistage Evolution in Transverse Aeolian Ridges
Authors: Nagle-McNaughton Timothy , Scuderi Louis
Published: March 2021

Transverse aeolian ridges (TARs) are poorly understood relict aeolian Martian surface features. Processes that create TARs are not well-constrained, and understanding their formation is complicated since they appear to share some features of ripples, megaripples, and dunes. While some evidence of multi-stage TAR formation has been documented in Nirgal Vallis, here we present additional evidence for this process at nine locations on Mars using cratering superposition between different ridge morphologies. Most occurrences of multistage evolution will not preserve the precise series of cratering and formation events documented here, which potentially means that this formative process may have been more common than even these new widespread observations suggest. This formative process can help determine the relative similarity of TARs to ripples, megaripples and dunes. Based on our observations, we conclude that primary TAR forms are most like megaripples, and that subsequent ridges formed like aqueous ripple spurs.
Small Unmanned Aircraft (sUAS)-Deployed Thermal Infrared (TIR) Imaging for Environmental Surveys with Implications in Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD): Methods, Challenges, and Novel Opportunities
Authors: Young Kyle S. R. , Pradhanang Soni M.
Published: March 2021

Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) represents a significant mode of chemical transport to water bodies, making it an important flux to understand. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems-deployed thermal infrared sensors (sUAS-TIR) provide a financially and logistically inexpensive means of identifying SGD source zones and quantifying SGD thermal infrared (TIR) plume areas over regional scales at high spatial resolutions. sUAS-TIR additionally offers the unique capability of high temporal resolution measurements of SGD. As a developing science application, the use of sUAS-TIR to image SGD requires substantial background knowledge. We present a proposed methodological construct for implementing a sUAS-TIR program for SGD-TIR data gathering, with applications extending to other research fields that can benefit from airborne TIR. Several studies have used airborne TIR in combination with empirical SGD flux measurements to quantify SGD, reporting a consistently strong regression between SGD flux and SGD TIR plume area. We additionally discuss novel research opportunities for sUAS-TIR technologies, as applied to SGD flux. The combination of high spatial and temporal resolution capabilities, at relatively low costs, make sUAS-TIR a promising new technology to overcome the scaling challenges presented by empirical studies and modeling of SGD fluxes, and advance our understanding of the controls on SGD fluxes.
Wind Direction Data from a Coastal HF Radar System in the Gulf of Naples (Central Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Saviano Simona , Esposito Giovanni , Di Lemma Roberta , de Ruggiero Paola , Zambianchi Enrico , Pierini Stefano , Falco Pierpaolo , Buonocore Berardino , Cianelli Daniela , Uttieri Marco
Published: March 2021

Results on the accuracy of SeaSonde High Frequency (HF) radar wind direction measurements in the Gulf of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea) are here presented. The investigation was carried out for a winter period (2 February–6 March) and for one summer month (August) of the reference year 2009. HF radar measurements were compared with in situ recordings from a weather station and with model data, with the aim of resolving both small scale and large scale dynamics. The analysis of the overall performance of the HF radar system in the Gulf of Naples shows that the data are reliable when the wind speed exceeds a 5 m/s threshold. Despite such a limitation, this study confirms the potentialities of these systems as monitoring platforms in coastal areas and suggests further efforts towards their improvement.
Evaluating the Detection of Mesoscale Outflow Boundaries Using Scatterometer Winds at Different Spatial Resolutions
Authors: Priftis Georgios , Lang Timothy J. , Garg Piyush , Nesbitt Stephen W. , Lindsley Richard D. , Chronis Themistoklis
Published: March 2021

Outflow boundaries induced by cold-pools are a key characteristic of convective systems related to microphysical and kinematic processes during the mature stage of their lifecycle. Over the ocean, such kinematic processes are associated with low-level wind modulations that are captured by scatterometers. This study investigates the ability of the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) wind retrievals to detect the outflow boundary associated with an oceanic mesoscale convective system (MCS). Leveraging a new technique to identify cold pools that is based on features that enclose elevated magnitude of the gradient of the wind, termed as ‘Gradient Feature’ (GF), wind retrievals at 50-, 25- and 7-km spatial resolution were utilized to explore how the characteristics of the outflow boundary vary with resolution. Ground-based radar retrievals were also implemented to assess and correct, when possible, the performance of the ASCAT retrievals. The magnitude of the gradient of the wind for the coarser resolution was an order of magnitude smaller (10−4 s−1) than the finer ones (10−3 s−1). An increase in the magnitude of the gradient wind field associated with the outflow boundary was captured by all resolutions and a respective feature was identified by the GF method. The location of the features relative to the distance from the front edge of the MCS decreased with resolution, indicating the importance of the high resolution ASCAT product to capture their extent, as well as additional smaller scale features. The effect of the background wind field on the selection of the final wind field during the ambiguity removal process for the high-resolution product is also discussed.
Air-Sea Interactions over Eddies in the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence
Authors: Souza Ronald , Pezzi Luciano , Swart Sebastiaan , Oliveira Fabrício , Santini Marcelo
Published: March 2021

The Brazil–Malvinas Confluence (BMC) is one of the most dynamical regions of the global ocean. Its variability is dominated by the mesoscale, mainly expressed by the presence of meanders and eddies, which are understood to be local regulators of air-sea interaction processes. The objective of this work is to study the local modulation of air-sea interaction variables by the presence of either a warm (ED1) and a cold core (ED2) eddy, present in the BMC, during September to November 2013. The translation and lifespans of both eddies were determined using satellite-derived sea level anomaly (SLA) data. Time series of satellite-derived surface wind data, as well as these and other meteorological variables, retrieved from ERA5 reanalysis at the eddies’ successive positions in time, allowed us to investigate the temporal modulation of the lower atmosphere by the eddies’ presence along their translation and lifespan. The reanalysis data indicate a mean increase of 78% in sensible and 55% in latent heat fluxes along the warm eddy trajectory in comparison to the surrounding ocean of the study region. Over the cold core eddy, on the other hand, we noticed a mean reduction of 49% and 25% in sensible and latent heat fluxes, respectively, compared to the adjacent ocean. Additionally, a field campaign observed both eddies and the lower atmosphere from ship-borne observations before, during and after crossing both eddies in the study region during October 2013. The presence of the eddies was imprinted on several surface meteorological variables depending on the sea surface temperature (SST) in the eddy cores. In situ oceanographic and meteorological data, together with high frequency micrometeorological data, were also used here to demonstrate that the local, rather than the large scale forcing of the eddies on the atmosphere above, is, as expected, the principal driver of air-sea interaction when transient atmospheric systems are stable (not actively varying) in the study region. We also make use of the in situ data to show the differences (biases) between bulk heat flux estimates (used on atmospheric reanalysis products) and eddy covariance measurements (taken as “sea truth”) of both sensible and latent heat fluxes. The findings demonstrate the importance of short-term changes (minutes to hours) in both the atmosphere and the ocean in contributing to these biases. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of the mesoscale oceanographic structures in the BMC on impacting local air-sea heat fluxes and the marine atmospheric boundary layer stability, especially under large scale, high-pressure atmospheric conditions.
Ground Penetrating Radar as a Functional Tool to Outline the Presence of Buried Waste: A Case Study in South Italy
Authors: Massarelli Carmine , Campanale Claudia , Uricchio Vito Felice
Published: March 2021

The ability of the ground penetrating radar (GPR) method as a rapid preliminary survey to detect the presence of illegally buried waste is presented in this paper. The test site is located in the countryside of “Sannicandro di Bari” (Southern Italy) and has a surface area of 1500 m2. A total of five parallel profiles were acquired in 2014 using a geophysical survey system instrument (GSSI) equipped with 400 and 200 MHz antennae in the monostatic configuration. Two of the five profiles were registered in a control area to compare a natural condition to a suspected waste buried zone. As a result of a processing and elaboration workflow, GPR investigations allowed us to interpret the signal qualitatively within a maximum depth of about 3 m, identifying many signal anomalies, whose characteristics can be considered typical of buried waste. The GPR response of the three profiles acquired in the suspected area showed substantial differences not found in the control’s profiles. Anomalies related to the presence of intense scattering, of dome structures not attributable to cavities, but rather to a flattening and compacting of different layers, therefore, less electrically conductive, were identified in the suspected area. The interpretation of the results obtained by the GPR profiles was confirmed by excavations carried out with bulldozers. Large quantities of solid waste illegally buried (e.g., waste deriving from construction and demolition activities, bituminous mixtures, discarded tires, glass, plastic, municipal waste) were revealed in all the sites where anomalies and non-conformities appeared compared to the control natural soil.
The VUCAlity of Projects: A New Approach to Assess a Project Risk in a Complex World
Authors: Fridgeirsson Thordur Vikingur , Ingason Helgi Thor , Jonasson Haukur Ingi , Kristjansdottir Bara Hlin
Published: March 2021

The “projectification” of Western societies has been consolidated by a number of studies and now calls for various adaptations in the managerial framework of project management. Faster rates of change in complex environments antagonize the traditional risk assessment approach and demand a more dynamic approach. A framework commonly used for understanding the challenges of complexity in the modern business environment is VUCA. VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. In order to mitigate the impact of a VUCA environment on complex projects, organizations and project leaders need to know the type and severity of challenges they are dealing with in each unique project. This study explores the VUCA framework in the context of projects and suggests that the VUCA approach can enhance the conventional risk assessment procedure. The study also drafts an accessible diagnostic tool to assess the VUCA dimensions a project is facing, so that project managers can effectively isolate “fat tail” risk events. The tool is tested on five complex projects in the manufacturing industry and its effectiveness is discussed.
Advances on the Implementation of Circular Economy Techniques in Rural Areas in Colombia under a Sustainable Development Framework
Authors: Rodrigo-Ilarri Javier , Vargas-Terranova Camilo-A. , Rodrigo-Clavero María-Elena , Bustos-Castro Paula-A.
Published: March 2021

For the first time in the scientific literature, this research shows an analysis of the implementation of circular economy techniques under sustainable development framework in six municipalities with a depressed economy in Colombia. The analysis is based on solid waste data production at a local scale, the valuation of the waste for subsequent recycling, and the identification and quantification of the variables associated with the treatment and final disposal of waste, in accordance with the Colombian regulatory framework. Waste generation data are obtained considering three different scenarios, in which a comparison between the simulated values and those established in the management plans are compared. Important differences have been identified between the waste management programs of each municipality, specifically regarding the components of waste collection, transportation and disposal, participation of environmental reclaimers, and potential use of materials. These differences are fundamentally associated with the different administrative processes considered for each individual municipality. This research is a good starting point for the development of waste management models based on circular economy techniques, through the subsequent implementation of an office tool in depressed regions such as those studied.
Assessing the Willingness to Use Personal e-Transporters (PeTs): Results from a Cross-National Survey in Nine European Cities
Authors: De Ceunynck Tim , Wijlhuizen Gert Jan , Fyhri Aslak , Gerike Regine , Köhler Dagmar , Ciccone Alice , Dijkstra Atze , Dupont Emmanuelle , Cools Mario
Published: March 2021

In the last few years, there has been a strong increase in the interest in and usage of so-called “Personal e-Transporters” (PeTs), also referred to as micro-mobility devices. Empirical research on the usage of PeTs as a transport mode is virtually non-existent, especially within Europe. This paper aims to fill this gap by investigating people’s motivations and barriers to the use of PeTs. To this end, a behavioural survey was conducted in nine European cities. A representative sample of approximately 250 respondents per city was collected, resulting in a dataset, after data cleaning, of 2159 observations. Generally, respondents’ perceptions of PeTs are not (yet) very favourable. Respondents’ perceptions related to cost and safety received the lowest scores. The results from the transtheoretical model of behavioural change show that a variety of factors influence the stage of behavioural change in which the respondents can be situated. These factors include cycling norms, current walking behaviour, walking attitudes, pro-environmental orientation, gender, PeTs possession, cycling obstacles and subscription to a bicycle sharing service. An important strength of this study lies in the international nature and the size of the data collection, ensuring the reliability and transferability of the results to other cities. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first large-scale survey to investigate people’s travel behaviour related to the usage of PeTs and possibly the only large-scale investigation that took place before the deployment of shared e-scooters in many European cities. Furthermore, an explicit link is made with other modes of active transport (walking and cycling).
Toward Coexistence of Immigrants and Local People in Japan: Implications from Spatial Assimilation Theory
Authors: Murayama Koji , Nagayasu Jun
Published: March 2021

We investigate the validity of spatial assimilation theory (SAT), which predicts geographical dispersion of immigrants from ethnically concentrated areas to non-concentrated areas as time elapses. This can be tested by analyzing the concentration tendency among immigrants who arrive in Japan from overseas and relocate within the country. Using spatial models, we find that immigrants from overseas tend to move to ethnically concentrated regions in Japan, which is in line with SAT. By contrast, this trend substantially weakens with their subsequent domestic relocation, and it differs by national group. The results reveal slow assimilation among nationals from countries characterized as being low-income or culturally dissimilar from Japan. Based on these findings, we discuss potential deficiencies in a new immigration policy (2018), which has been designed to increase the number of immigrants and compensate for a labor shortage in Japan.
A Novel Method for Analyzing Highly Renewable and Sector-Coupled Subnational Energy Systems—Case Study of Schleswig-Holstein
Authors: Maruf Md. Nasimul Islam
Published: March 2021

The energy transition requires an integration of different energy carriers, including electricity, heat, and transport sectors. Energy modeling methods and tools are essential to provide a clear insight into the energy transition. However, the methodologies often overlook the details of small-scale energy systems. The study states an innovative approach to facilitate subnational energy systems with 100% renewable penetration and sectoral integration. An optimization model, the “Open Sector-coupled Energy Model for Subnational Energy Systems” (OSeEM–SN), was developed under the Open Energy Modeling Framework (Oemof). The model is validated using the case study of Schleswig-Holstein. The study assumes three scenarios representing 25%, 50%, and 100% of the total available biomass potentials. OSeEM–SN reaches feasible solutions without additional offshore wind investment, indicating that it can be reserved for supplying other states’ energy demand. The annual investment cost varies between 1.02 and 1.44 bn €/year for the three scenarios. The electricity generation decreases by 17%, indicating that, with high biomass-based combined heat and power plants, the curtailment from other renewable plants can be decreased. Ground source heat pumps dominate the heat mix; however, their installation decreases by 28% as the biomass penetrates fully into the energy mix. The validation confirms OSeEM–SN as a beneficial tool to examine different scenarios for subnational energy systems.
A Method to Quantify the Detailed Risk of Serious Injury in Agricultural Production
Authors: Mahmoud Noha , Leck Jensen Allan , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Sørensen Claus Aage Grøn , Nørremark Michael , Eory Vera , Hutchings Nicholas J.
Published: March 2021

Agricultural injuries are a valuable social sustainability indicator. However, current methods use sector-scale production data, so are unable to assess the impact of changes in individual farming practices. Here, we developed a method that adopts a life cycle approach to quantify the number of serious injuries during agricultural production processes and assess the potential impact of changes in agricultural practices. The method disaggregates agricultural production into operations and estimates the contribution each operation makes to the frequency of different types of injuries. The method was tested using data collected by survey during an expert workshop in which sixteen participants were asked to estimate the parameters related to typical dairy cattle and pig farms. Parameter estimates for specific operations varied considerably between participants, so normalized values were used to disaggregate sector-scale statistics to production operations. The results were in general agreement with the results from other studies. Participants found it challenging to quantify the potential effect of new technologies. Provided suitable empirical statistical data are available, the method can be used to quantify the risk of injury associated with individual products and provide an ex-ante assessment of future developments in farming practices.
Assessing Risks Awareness in Operating Rooms among Post-Graduate Students: A Pilot Study
Authors: Corvino Anna Rita , Manco Pasquale , Garzillo Elpidio Maria , Monaco Maria Grazia Lourdes , Greco Alessandro , Gerbino Salvatore , Caputo Francesco , Macchiaroli Roberto , Lamberti Monica
Published: March 2021

Background: In this study, we promote a global approach to occupational risk perception in order to improve occupational health and safety training programs. The study investigates the occupational risk perception of operating room healthcare workers using an Analytic Hierarchy Process approach. Methods: A pilot study was carried out through a cross-sectional survey in a university hospital in Southern Italy. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to enrolled medical post-graduate students working in the operating room. Results: Fifty medical specialists from seven fields (anaesthetists, digestive system surgeons, general surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, thoracic surgeons, urologists, and gynaecologists) were questioned about perceived occupational risk by themselves. Biological, ionizing radiation, and chemical risks were the most commonly perceived in order of priority (w = 0.300, 0.219, 0.210). Concerning the biological risk, gynaecologists unexpected perceived this risk as less critical (w = 0.2820) than anaesthesiologists (w = 0.3354), which have the lowest perception of the risk of ionizing radiation (w = 0.1657). Conclusions: Prioritization methods could improve risk perception in healthcare settings and help detect training needs and perform sustainable training programs.
Analyzing Local Government Capacity and Performance: Implications for Sustainable Development
Authors: Choi NakHyeok
Published: March 2021

Local infrastructure development is a crucial goal for sustainable development, for which local governments take charge of developmental policies. This implies that the capacity of the local government determines the performance of the developmental policies—local infrastructure development. In this sense, this study investigated the impact of local government capacity, measured via the quantity and the quality of human and financial resource factors, on its performance. Moreover, the study examined which of the multidimensional government capacity components affect performance, controlling a competition effect or spillover effect among localities. The study analyzed panel data containing six years (2013–2018) of information on 152 local bodies in Korea, employing the spatial autoregressive model, which is useful for controlling geographical spatial effects. The data show that, unlike the quality factors, the quantity of government capacity does not have a significant effect on its performance. Furthermore, the data also indicated that there are competition effects in relation to the performance of local development. The results imply that local governments need to improve the quality of managerial government capacity in order to increase their sustainable development performance.
AOIO: Application Oriented I/O Optimization for Buffer Management
Authors: Li Xiaochang , Zhai Zhengjun , Ye Xin
Published: March 2021

Emerging scale-out I/O intensive applications are broadly used now, which process a large amount of data in buffer/cache for reorganization or analysis and their performances are greatly affected by the speed of the I/O system. Efficient management scheme of the limited kernel buffer plays a key role in improving I/O system performance, such as caching hinted data for reuse in future, prefetching hinted data, and expelling data not to be accessed again from a buffer, which are called proactive mechanisms in buffer management. However, most of the existing buffer management schemes cannot identify data reference regularities (i.e., sequential or looping patterns) that can benefit proactive mechanisms, and they also cannot perform in the application level for managing specified applications. In this paper, we present an A pplication Oriented I/O Optimization (AOIO) technique automatically benefiting the kernel buffer/cache by exploring the I/O regularities of applications based on program counter technique. In our design, the input/output data and the looping pattern are in strict symmetry. According to AOIO, each application can provide more appropriate predictions to operating system which achieve significantly better accuracy than other buffer management schemes. The trace-driven simulation experiment results show that the hit ratios are improved by an average of 25.9% and the execution times are reduced by as much as 20.2% compared to other schemes for the workloads we used.
Ergonomic Recommendations in Ultrasound-Guided Botulinum Neurotoxin Chemodenervation for Spasticity: An International Expert Group Opinion
Authors: Lagnau Philippe , Lo Alto , Sandarage Ryan , Alter Katharine , Picelli Alessandro , Wissel Jorg , Verduzco-Gutierrez Monica , Suputtitada Areerat , Munin Michael C. , Carda Stefano , Khan Omar , Koçer Serdar , Reebye Rajiv
Published: March 2021

Ultrasound (US)-guided botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections are becoming a mainstay in the treatment of muscle spasticity in upper motor neuron syndromes. As a result, there has been a commensurate increase in US-guided BoNT injection for spasticity training courses. However, many of these courses do not emphasize the importance of ergonomics. This paper aims to highlight the importance of ultrasound ergonomics and presents ergonomic recommendations to optimize US-guided BoNT injection techniques in spasticity management. Expert consensus opinion of 11 physicians (4 different continents; representing 8 countries, with an average of 12.6 years of practice using US guidance for BoNT chemodenervation (range 3 to 22 years)). A search using PubMed, College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia database, EMbase was conducted and found no publications relating the importance of ergonomics in US-guided chemodenervation. Therefore, recommendations and consensus discussions were generated from the distribution of a 20-question survey to a panel of 11 ultrasound experts. All 11 surveyed physicians considered ergonomics to be important in reducing physician injury. There was complete agreement that physician positioning was important; 91% agreement that patient positioning was important; and 82% that ultrasound machine positioning was important. Factors that did not reach our 80% threshold for consensus were further discussed. Four categories were identified as being important when implementing ultrasound ergonomics for BoNT chemodenervation for spasticity; workstation, physician, patient and visual ergonomics. Optimizing ergonomics is paramount when performing US-guided BoNT chemodenervation for spasticity management. This includes proper preparation of the workspace and allowing for sufficient pre-injection time to optimally position both the patient and the physician. Lack of awareness of ergonomics for US-guided BoNT chemodenervation for spasticity may lead to suboptimal patient outcomes, increase work-related injuries, and patient discomfort. We propose key elements for optimal positioning of physicians and patients, as well as the optimal setup of the workspace and provide clinical pearls in visual identification of spastic muscles for chemodenervation.
The Crystal Structure of Bacillus cereus HblL1
Authors: Worthy Harley L. , Williamson Lainey J. , Auhim Husam Sabah , Leppla Stephen H. , Sastalla Inka , Jones D. Dafydd , Rizkallah Pierre J. , Berry Colin
Published: March 2021

The Hbl toxin is a three-component haemolytic complex produced by Bacillus cereus sensu lato strains and implicated as a cause of diarrhoea in B. cereus food poisoning. While the structure of the HblB component of this toxin is known, the structures of the other components are unresolved. Here, we describe the expression of the recombinant HblL1 component and the elucidation of its structure to 1.36 Å. Like HblB, it is a member of the alpha-helical pore-forming toxin family. In comparison to other members of this group, it has an extended hydrophobic beta tongue region that may be involved in pore formation. Molecular docking was used to predict possible interactions between HblL1 and HblB, and suggests a head to tail dimer might form, burying the HblL1 beta tongue region.
On the Heating of AGN Magnetospheres
Authors: Osmanov Zaza , Mahajan Swadesh
Published: March 2021

The Langmuir–Landau-Centrifugal Drive (LLCD), which can effectively “convert” gravitational energy into particles, is explored as a driving mechanism responsible for the extreme thermal luminosity acquired by some active galactic nuclei (AGN). For this purpose, we consider equations governing the process of heating of AGN magnetospheres. In particular, we examine the Fourier components of the momentum equation, the continuity equation and the Poisson equation in the linear approximation and estimate the growth rate of the centrifugally excited electrostatic waves and the increment of the Langmuir collapse. It is shown that the process of energy pumping is composed of three stages: in the first stage the energy is efficiently transferred from rotation to the electrostatic modes. In due course of time, the second regime-the Langmuir collapse-occurs, when energy pumping is even more efficient. This process is terminated by the Landau damping, when enormous energy is released in the form of heat. We show that the magnetospheres of the supermassive black holes with luminosities of the order of 1045−46 erg/s can be heated up to 106−10 K.
Targeted Genome Sequencing (TG-Seq) Approaches to Detect Plant Viruses
Authors: Maina Solomon , Zheng Linda , Rodoni Brendan C.
Published: March 2021

Globally, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has been used for virus detection in germplasm certification programs. However, sequencing costs have impeded its implementation as a routine diagnostic certification tool. In this study, the targeted genome sequencing (TG-Seq) approach was developed to simultaneously detect multiple (four) viral species of; Pea early browning virus (PEBV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and Pea seedborne mosaic virus (PSbMV). TG-Seq detected all the expected viral amplicons within multiplex PCR (mPCR) reactions. In contrast, the expected PCR amplicons were not detected by gel electrophoresis (GE). For example, for CMV, GE only detected RNA1 and RNA2 while TG-Seq detected all the three RNA components of CMV. In an mPCR to amplify all four viruses, TG-Seq readily detected each virus with more than 732,277 sequence reads mapping to each amplicon. In addition, TG-Seq also detected all four amplicons within a 10−8 serial dilution that were not detectable by GE. Our current findings reveal that the TG-Seq approach offers significant potential and is a highly sensitive targeted approach for detecting multiple plant viruses within a given biological sample. This is the first study describing direct HTS of plant virus mPCR products. These findings have major implications for grain germplasm healthy certification programs and biosecurity management in relation to pathogen entry into Australia and elsewhere.
IgA-Dominant Infection-Associated Glomerulonephritis Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Pérez Aurora , Torregrosa Isidro , D’Marco Luis , Juan Isabel , Terradez Liria , Solís Miguel Ángel , Moncho Francesc , Carda-Batalla Carmen , Forner María J. , Gorriz Jose Luis
Published: March 2021

The renal involvement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported. The etiology of kidney injury appears to be tubular, mainly due to the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the key joint receptor for SARS-CoV-2; however, cases with glomerular implication have also been documented. The multifactorial origin of this renal involvement could include virus-mediated injury, cytokine storm, angiotensin II pathway activation, complement dysregulation, hyper-coagulation, and microangiopathy. We present the renal histological findings from a patient who developed acute kidney injury and de novo nephrotic syndrome, highly suggestive of acute IgA-dominant infection-associated glomerulonephritis (IgA-DIAGN) after SARS-CoV-2 infection, as evidenced by the presence of this virus detected in the renal tissue of the patient via immunohistochemistry assay. In summary, we document the first case of IgA-DIAGN associated to SARS-CoV-2. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 S may act as a super antigen driving the development of multisystem inflammatory syndrome as well as cytokine storm in patients affected by COVID-19, reaching the glomerulus and leading to the development of this novel IgA-DIAGN.
In Vivo Models of HDV Infection: Is Humanizing NTCP Enough?
Authors: Giersch Katja , Dandri Maura
Published: March 2021

The discovery of sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as a hepatitis B (HBV) and delta virus (HDV) entry receptor has encouraged the development of new animal models of infection. This review provides an overview of the different in vivo models that are currently available to study HDV either in the absence or presence of HBV. By presenting new advances and remaining drawbacks, we will discuss human host factors which, in addition to NTCP, need to be investigated or identified to enable a persistent HDV infection in murine hepatocytes. Detailed knowledge on species-specific factors involved in HDV persistence also shall contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies.
Probing into the Effects of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Viruses on the Physiology, Fruit Quality and Gene Expression of Grapes
Authors: Song Yashu , Hanner Robert H. , Meng Baozhong
Published: March 2021

Grapevine leafroll is one of the most widespread and highly destructive grapevine diseases that is responsible for great economic losses to the grape and wine industries throughout the world. Six distinct viruses have been implicated in this disease complex. They belong to three genera, all in the family Closteroviridae. For the sake of convenience, these viruses are named as grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, and -13). However, their etiological role in the disease has yet to be established. Furthermore, how infections with each GLRaV induce the characteristic disease symptoms remains unresolved. Here, we first provide a brief overview on each of these GLRaVs with a focus on genome structure, expression strategies and gene functions, where available. We then provide a review on the effects of GLRaV infection on the physiology, fruit quality, fruit chemical composition, and gene expression of grapevine based on the limited information so far reported in the literature. We outline key methodologies that have been used to study how GLRaV infections alter gene expression in the grapevine host at the transcriptomic level. Finally, we present a working model as an initial attempt to explain how infections with GLRaVs lead to the characteristic symptoms of grapevine leafroll disease: leaf discoloration and downward rolling. It is our hope that this review will serve as a starting point for grapevine virology and the related research community to tackle this vastly important and yet virtually uncharted territory in virus-host interactions involving woody and perennial fruit crops.
A Preliminary Lumped Assessment of Pollution Risk at Aquifer Scale by Using the Mean Residence Time. Analyses of Potential Climate Change Impacts
Authors: Baena-Ruiz Leticia , Pulido-Velazquez David , Collados-Lara Antonio-Juan , Gómez-Gómez Juan-de-Dios
Published: March 2021

An assessment of the risk for groundwater pollution and vulnerability to pumping can help identify strategic groundwater bodies to define sustainable management measures of groundwater resources. In this paper, we propose a new method to make a preliminary estimation of the risk for groundwater pollution at the aquifer scale through the lumped turnover time index (T index). A new lumped index (L-RISK index) was defined to assess the significance of the risk for pollution at the aquifer scale. Both L-RISK and T indices were employed to calibrate a linear regression model that showed a good inverse correlation in the eight aquifers of the Upper Guadiana Basin (Spain). This novel method can be applied to analyze a wide range of aquifers with limited information in order to identify potential strategic aquifers. It also allows one to make a preliminary assessment of the impacts of climate change on L-RISK. The results showed a high variability of the T index in the eight aquifers (8–76 years). Three of them had significant greater mean T values, which could be considered to be the main strategic groundwater resources. In the future, the T index will increase between 8 and 44%, and the L-RISK will decrease in all aquifers (1–18%).
Evaluation of Dam Water-Supply Capacity in Korea Using the Water-Shortage Index
Authors: Yoo Chulsang , Jun Changhyun , Zhu Juhua , Na Wooyoung
Published: March 2021

This study evaluates the dam water-supply capacity in Korea using the water shortage index. The water-shortage index (SI) and generalized water-shortage index (GSI) used in this study are evaluated and modified slightly by considering both the damage cost due to water-supply failure and the construction cost of water-supply systems in Korea. The modified indices are then applied for performance evaluation of 16 multipurpose dams in Korea, whose results are evaluated using different units: each dam, each river basin, and all dams. In the analysis of the dam level and basin level, water-supply problems are detected in several dams and in some river basins. However, the SI and GSI estimated for all dams are found to be lower than 1. This result indicates that, even though the total amount of storage capacity is enough to satisfy the design supply, water resources are not well spatially distributed in Korea. It is also found that the modified indices are valid to describe the performance of each dam in water deficient regions during occurrence years of major droughts. In conclusion, the SI and GSI can offer alternative ways of evaluating dam water supply under different environmental conditions and potentially help determine optimal water-storage capacity of dams.
Possible options for the development of agricultural machine-structure
Authors: Gerasimov V. S. , Ignatov V. I.
Published: March 2021

The article is a study of development options for domestic agricultural machinery in the field of competitiveness.
Analysis of operational and resource tests of plow working bodies
Authors: Liskin I. V. , Mironov D. A. , Sidorov S. A.
Published: March 2021

The test results of plow working bodies with an overhead bit for domestic plows are presented. The test results showed that experienced plowshares more stably withstand the specified depth of plowing without violating the agrotechnical parameters of the process. The average operating time of experienced plowshares in comparison with serial shares increased by 3–4 times.
Status of Fish Assemblages in Four Major Reservoirs of Thailand
Authors: SAKSET AMPHORN , SEEHIRUNWONG SUWIMON , PREECHA CHATCHAI
Published: March 2021

Fish assemblage status is essential information for practical fishery resource management in productive water bodies. This study aimed to assess fish assemblages’ status and provide recommendations for practical fishery management in four major reservoirs in Thailand. Night-time samples were collected between January 2015 and December 2019 using gill net with multiple mesh sizes. Results obtained through univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the Pa Sak Jolasid Reservoir had the highest number of fish species (70), while the Rajjaprabha Reservoir had the lowest number (41). Eight species were identified as in danger of extinction and six species as alien. The percentage of the index of relative importance (% IRI) showed that the major species mainly belong to the family Cyprinidae. The forage and carnivorous fish ratio (F/C ratio) showed balanced communities in all reservoirs (4.4–9.2) except the Sirikit Reservoir (1.0). The evenness index (J') (0.53–0.67) and diversity index (H') (1.86–2.38) indicated moderate diversity and distribution in all reservoirs. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) value displayed a medium abundance in the Sirikit and Ubolratana Reservoirs (614.8 and 826.0 g.100 m-2 of gill net/night, respectively), and a high abundance in the Rajjaprabha and Pa Sak Jolasid Reservoirs (1,087.2 and 1,012.5 g.100 m-2 of gill net/night, respectively). In the overall assessment of fish assemblage status among the reservoirs, the Pa Sak Jolasid and Rajjaprabha Reservoirs showed the most desirable condition, while the Sirikit Reservoir showed the least desirable condition. These findings suggest the need to implement various practical fishery resource management, such as banning the introduction of invasive exotic species, and establishing conservation measures for species on the list of extinction.
PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS BIOLOGI SISWA MELALUI MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL) DI NEGARA 6 SMA PADANGSIDIMPUAN
Authors: Nasution Hasanah , Tuah Sahlan , Ginting Nurmaini
Published: March 2021

This study aims to improve students' critical thinking skills in the field of biology. The analysis technique in this research is critical thinking skills analysis and observation. This type of research is PTC. The results of the evaluation of students' critical thinking skills with learning disabilities were obtained in the first cycle of 51.51% and in the second cycle 84.85% of the 33 students who passed the critical thinking ability test, and there was an increase in the first cycle to II. is 33.34%. %. The results of student observations also experienced an increase in cycle I of 54.17% and cycle II 89.20% an increase of 35.03%, teacher observations in cycle I 67.19%, cycle II 92.19% an increase of 25%.
KEMAMPUAN BAKTERI ASAM LAKTAT DALAM MENGHAMBAT Salmonella thypii
Authors: Rahmiati Rahmiati , Simanjuntak Helen Anjelina , Situmorang Toberni S.
Published: March 2021

Lactic acid bacteria are known to have the ability to produce antimicrobial compounds known as bacteriocins. This study aims to determine the ability of lactic acid bacteria to inhibit the growth of Salmonella thypii bacteria. In this study, the lactic acid bacteria used were a collection of the Biology Laboratory of the University of Medan Area. Eight types of lactic acid bacterial isolates were used, including IN01, IN02, SF01, SF02, NN01, NN02 SPU01 and SPU04. A confirmation test was carried out on the growth of lactic acid bacteria and Salmonella thypii by visual and microcopic confirmation through differential staining. The results showed that all lactic acid bacteria were a group of gram-positive bacteria in the form of bacilli. The survival of lactic acid bacterial isolates in the environment with variations in pH and salt levels was indicated by the number of colonies that grew after the incubation period. The antagonistic ability of lactic acid bacteria in suppressing pathogenic bacteria was proven by the presence of an inhibition zone in the form of a clean area around the pathogenic colony. It is known that the SPU01 and SF01 bacterial isolates have the highest inhibition zone values, namely 29.79 mm and 28.13 mm.
Le cycle de l’eau traduit par le droit
Authors: Gudefin Julia
Published: March 2021

The water cycle translated by law. The movement of water in a global approach, that is to say in its cyclical conception, is relatively new in law. Henceforth, the close relationship between law and hydrological cycle explain that a legal conception of water, more global and less fragmentary, emerges and leads gradually to a paradigm shift. Where the water was exclusively used to meet human activities, it is now protected, more or less strong, because it is essential to sustain life, which is conditioned by the realization of the water cycle. Thus, the legal understanding of water merges gradually with the natural process whose protection needs require the application of regulations.
La compensation écologique : de la clandestinité honteuse à l’affichage mal assumé
Authors: Martin Gilles J.
Published: March 2021

Ignorée par la plupart, vivement critiquée dans son principe même par quelques rares auteurs, la compensation initiée par la loi de 1976 a cependant été mise en oeuvre sur le terrain au coup par coup, sans orientation particulière ou générale et souvent de manière quasi clandestine. Quarante ans plus tard, la « compensation des atteintes à la biodiversité » constitue un chapitre nouveau du Code de l’environnement. Mais le régime juridique défini par la loi manque de cohérence et d’ambition.
Espaces naturels : les nouvelles frontières de la protection
Authors: Jolivet Simon
Published: March 2021

Cohérente et brève, la loi du 10 juillet 1976 relative à la protection de la nature avait judicieusement enrichi le système national de protection des espaces naturels en modernisant les réserves naturelles, ainsi qu’en créant les réserves naturelles volontaires et les arrêtés de biotope. Disparate et bavarde, la loi du 8 août 2016 pour la reconquête de la biodiversité, de la nature et des paysages vient quarante ans après modifier par petites touches un grand nombre d’outils de protection des espaces naturels. Elle n’opère pas de grands bouleversements, malgré quelques innovations. Au-delà de ce contraste, il est possible de dégager des évolutions dans les conceptions de la protection des espaces naturels, intervenues depuis la loi fondatrice et prolongées voire amplifiées par sa lointaine héritière. Décloisonnement des protections nationale et internationale des espaces naturels, rapprochement entre la protection des espaces et celle des espèces, expansion de la protection en direction des espaces marins et ultra-marins : le point commun de ces évolutions est le déplacement des « frontières » classiques de la protection.