bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes
Authors: Urrutia-Azcona Koldo , Tatar Merit , Molina-Costa Patricia , Flores-Abascal Iván
Published: April 2020

How can local authorities effectively address the decarbonization of urban environments in the long run? How would their interests and expertise be aligned into an integrated approach towards decarbonization? This paper delves into how strategic processes can help to integrate diverse disciplines and stakeholders when facing urban decarbonization and presents Cities4ZERO, a step-by-step methodology for local authorities, able to guide them through the process of developing the most appropriate plans and projects for an effective urban transition; all from an integrated, participatory and cross-cutting planning approach. For the development of the Cities4ZERO methodology, plans, projects, and strategic processes from five European cities that are part of the Smart Cities and Communities European Commission program have been monitored for 4 years, in close collaboration with local authorities, analyzing ad-hoc local strategic approaches to determine key success factors and barriers to be considered from their transitioning experiences. The study indicates that an iterative strategic approach and a project-oriented vision, combined with a stable institutional commitment, are opening a window of opportunity for cities to achieve effective decarbonization.
Spatial Classification and Environmental Treatment Protocols of Solid Waste Sources—A Case Study of Shengzhou, China
Authors: Chen Yufan , Xu Yong , Wang Kaiyong
Published: April 2020

The focus of waste management is to control pollution produced directly from the sources, rather than removing it from soil, water and other such polluted bodies. This study defined solid waste source (SWS) as a space where solid waste is directly produced and proposed a method for measuring the solid waste generated by SWSs. Then, taking Shengzhou, China, as an example, empirical research was conducted on the spatial classification and treatment protocol of SWSs. The results show that (1) A hierarchical spatial system of SWSs can be constructed, which consists of 3 classes, 3 subclasses and 14 types. (2) The main forms of solid waste in Shengzhou are domestic waste, industrial solid waste and agricultural solid waste. According to the total amount of solid waste produced, all SWSs can be divided into five levels: maximum, large, medium, low and none produced. (3) In view of the main SWSs with a large amount of solid waste produced, three methods—combining energy-saving, emission reduction and resource utilization; multiple steps of classification, transportation, storage and treatment; and the use of piggeries with waste-absorbing land—are proposed to realize the control of solid waste pollution at-source.
Mechanism Between Physical Activity and Academic Anxiety: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Kayani Sumaira , Wang Jin , Biasutti Michele , Zagalaz Sánchez María Luisa , Kiyani Tayyaba , Kayani Saima
Published: April 2020

A plethora of research has explored the benefits of physical activities on several variables such as academic performances, quality of life, fitness, levels of stress, and depression. However, less research considered the impact of physical activity on academic anxiety, self-enhancement, and self-criticism. This study examines the influence of physical activity on academic anxiety with self-enhancement and self-criticism playing a mediating role. Data for this model has been collected by using structured questionnaires administered to 418 Pakistani university students (undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate) aged between 18 and 36 years old. Structural equation modeling through analysis of moment structures (AMOS) was applied to find that physical activity significantly reduces academic anxiety and self-criticism, and it develops self-enhancement. Further, self-enhancement was negatively associated with academic anxiety while self-criticism is directly related to academic anxiety. More importantly, self-enhancement and self-criticism partially mediated between physical activity and academic anxiety of university students in Pakistan. This research recommends governments to support physical activity programs for university students.
Assessment of Quantitative Standards for Mega-Drought Using Data on Drought Damages
Authors: Song Youngseok , Park Moojong
Published: April 2020

Among natural disasters, droughts can affect a large area for a prolonged period of time. If a drought happens, an appropriate response requires a lot of time and manpower from beginning to end, and continuous management is necessary for further prevention. Using data on drought damages from 1900 to 2018 in 148 countries in six continents around the world, this study was able to set quantitative standards for mega-droughts. According to data on the status of annual drought damages, the frequency of drought damages (1900–2018) and the subsequent damage costs (1965–2018) are increasing, while human losses (1900–2018) are decreasing. Additionally, Africa had the highest frequency of drought damages, while Africa and Asia were ranked at the top of the list in terms of human losses and damage costs, respectively. Droughts persisted for continuous periods ranging from 1 to 17 years, and the total number of cases involving drought damage was estimated to be 600 in total, with total human losses of 11,731,294 people and total accumulated damage costs of $17,367,007,000. This study provided quantitative standards for the frequency of drought damages, human losses, and damage costs for mega-droughts in consideration of continuous drought periods. This study set the quantitative standards for a mega-drought as follows: (1) if drought damages continue to occur in a country for more than seven years, (2) if human losses continue to occur in a country for more than seven years, and (3) if mean annual damage costs of $17,000,000 continue to occur in a country for more than seven years.
Effects of Garden Waste Compost and Bentonite on Muddy Coastal Saline Soil
Authors: Li Jingnan , Sun Xiangyang , Li Suyan
Published: April 2020

In order to effectively utilize resources and improve the amelioration effect of coastal saline soil, we studied the effects of applying garden waste compost and bentonite on highly saline coastal soil. Four treatments were established: a nonamended control; application of 68 kg·m−3 of garden waste compost; application of 15 kg·m−3 of bentonite; and mixed application of 68 kg·m−3 of garden waste compost and 15 kg·m−3 of bentonite. The results showed that the soil salinity of the three treatments was significantly lower than that of the nonamended control. The desalination effect of the mixed application was the best, and the salinity in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers decreased to 3.95 g·kg−1 and 3.82 g·kg−1, respectively. Application of both the garden waste compost alone and the mixed application significantly improved the physical and chemical properties of the soil. However, the mixed application had the best effect because of its ability to increase the total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil nutrient levels. The growth of Robinia pseudoacacia cv. Idaho in the mixed application treatment was also better than other treatments. Principal component analysis and comprehensive scores indicated that the addition of 68 kg·m−3 of garden waste compost and 15 kg·m−3 of bentonite was the optimal application.
Design of Human-Centered Collaborative Assembly Workstations for the Improvement of Operators’ Physical Ergonomics and Production Efficiency: A Case Study
Authors: Gualtieri Luca , Palomba Ilaria , Merati Fabio Antonio , Rauch Erwin , Vidoni Renato
Published: April 2020

Industrial collaborative robotics is one of the main enabling technologies of Industry 4.0. Collaborative robots are innovative cyber-physical systems, which allow safe and efficient physical interactions with operators by combining typical machine strengths with inimitable human skills. One of the main uses of collaborative robots will be the support of humans in the most physically stressful activities through a reduction of work-related biomechanical overload, especially in manual assembly activities. The improvement of operators’ occupational work conditions and the development of human-centered and ergonomic production systems is one of the key points of the ongoing fourth industrial revolution. The factory of the future should focus on the implementation of adaptable, reconfigurable, and sustainable production systems, which consider the human as their core and valuable part. Strengthening actual assembly workstations by integrating smart automation solutions for the enhancement of operators’ occupational health and safety will be one of the main goals of the near future. In this paper, the transformation of a manual workstation for wire harness assembly into a collaborative and human-centered one is presented. The purpose of the work is to present a case study research for the design of a collaborative workstation to improve the operators’ physical ergonomics while keeping or increasing the level of productivity. Results demonstrate that the achieved solution provides valuable benefits for the operators’ working conditions as well as for the production performance of the companies. In particular, the biomechanical overload of the worker has been reduced by 12.0% for the right part and by 28% for the left part in terms of manual handling, and by 50% for the left part and by 57% for the right part in terms of working postures. In addition, a reduction of the cycle time of 12.3% has been achieved.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Cover Changes in the Chemoga Basin, Ethiopia, Using Landsat and Google Earth Images
Authors: Damtea Wubeshet , Kim Dongyeob , Im Sangjun
Published: April 2020

Land cover change is a major environmental concern in the northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. This study detected land cover transitions over the past 30 years in the Chemoga basin (total area = 118,359 ha). Land cover maps were generated via the supervised classification of Landsat images with the help of the Google Earth (GE) images. A total of 218 unchanged land features sampled from GE images were used as the training datasets. Classification accuracy was evaluated by comparing classified images with 165 field observations during the 2017 field visit. The overall accuracy was 85.4% and the kappa statistic was 0.81, implying that the land classification was satisfactory. Agricultural land is the dominant land cover in the study basin, and increased in extent by 2,337 ha from 1987 to 2017. The second and third most dominant land cover types, grassland and woodland, decreased by 1.9% and 3.6%, respectively, over the past 30 years. The increase in agricultural lands was mostly due to the conversion of grasslands and woodlands, although some agricultural lands changed to Eucalyptus plantations and human settlements. The results revealed that the expansion of built-up space and agricultural lands was the major driver of fragmentation of the landscape, and degradation of natural resources in the Chemoga basin, Ethiopia.
EDITORIAL: Asymmetry Indexes, Behavioral Instability and the Characterization of Behavioral Patterns
Authors: Pertoldi Cino , Pagh Sussie , Bach Lars Arve
Published: April 2020

A change in a behavior is often the first and fast reaction to an environmental (external) or physiological (internal) stimulus that animals (and plants) are exposed to [...]
Sixth Generation (6G) Wireless Networks: Vision, Research Activities, Challenges and Potential Solutions
Authors: Alsharif Mohammed H. , Kelechi Anabi Hilary , Albreem Mahmoud A. , Chaudhry Shehzad Ashraf , Zia M. Sultan , Kim Sunghwan
Published: April 2020

The standardization activities of the fifth generation communications are clearly over and deployment has commenced globally. To sustain the competitive edge of wireless networks, industrial and academia synergy have begun to conceptualize the next generation of wireless communication systems (namely, sixth generation, (6G)) aimed at laying the foundation for the stratification of the communication needs of the 2030s. In support of this vision, this study highlights the most promising lines of research from the recent literature in common directions for the 6G project. Its core contribution involves exploring the critical issues and key potential features of 6G communications, including: (i) vision and key features; (ii) challenges and potential solutions; and (iii) research activities. These controversial research topics were profoundly examined in relation to the motivation of their various sub-domains to achieve a precise, concrete, and concise conclusion. Thus, this article will contribute significantly to opening new horizons for future research directions.
A New Experimental Method for Determining the Thickness of Thin Surface Layers of Intensive Plastic Deformation Using Electron Backscatter Diffraction Data
Authors: Smirnov Alexander , Smirnova Evgeniya , Alexandrov Sergey
Published: April 2020

It is, in general, essential to investigate correlations between the microstructure and properties of materials. Plastic deformation often localizes within thin layers. As a result, many material properties within such layers are very different from the properties in bulk. The present paper proposes a new method for determining the thickness of a thin surface layer of intensive plastic deformation in metallic materials. For various types of materials, such layers are often generated near frictional interfaces. The method is based on data obtained by Electron Backscatter Diffraction. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by an alternative method based on microhardness measurements. The new method allows for determining the layer thickness of several microns in specimens after grinding. In contrast, the measurement of microhardness does not reveal the presence of this layer. The grain-based and kernel-based types of algorithms are also adopted for determining the thickness of the layer. Data processed by the strain contouring and kernel average misorientation algorithms are given to illustrate this method. It is shown that these algorithms do not clearly detect the boundary between the layer of intensive plastic deformation and the bulk. As a result, these algorithms are unable to determine the thickness of the layer with high accuracy.
Substructure-Based Topology Optimization for Symmetric Hierarchical Lattice Structures
Authors: Wu Zijun , Xiao Renbin
Published: April 2020

This work presents a topology optimization method for symmetric hierarchical lattice structures with substructuring. In this method, we define two types of symmetric lattice substructures, each of which contains many finite elements. By controlling the materials distribution of these elements, the configuration of substructure can be changed. And then each substructure is condensed into a super-element. A surrogate model based on a series of super-elements can be built using the cubic B-spline interpolation. Here, the relative density of substructure is set as the design variable. The optimality criteria method is used for the updating of design variables on two scales. In the process of topology optimization, the symmetry of microstructure is determined by self-defined microstructure configuration, while the symmetry of macro structure is determined by boundary conditions. In this proposed method, because of the educing number of degree of freedoms on macrostructure, the proposed method has high efficiency in optimization. Numerical examples show that both the size and the number of substructures have essential influences on macro structure, indicating the effectiveness of the presented method.
Robust Finite-Time Control of Linear System with Non-Differentiable Time-Varying Delay
Authors: Puangmalai Wanwisa , Puangmalai Jirapong , Rojsiraphisal Thaned
Published: April 2020

Practical systems such as hybrid power systems are currently implemented around the world. In order to get the system to work properly, the systems usually require their behavior to be maintained or state values to stay within a certain threshold. However, it is difficult to form a perfect mathematical model for describing behavior of the practical systems since there may be some information (uncertainties) that is not observed. Thus, in this article, we studied the stability of an uncertain linear system with a non-differentiable time-varying delay. We constructed Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals (LKFs) containing several symmetric positive definite matrices to obtain robust finite-time stability (RFTS) and stabilization (RFTU) of the uncertain linear system. With the controller and uncertainties in the considered system, there exist nonlinear terms occurring in the formulation process. Past research handled these nonlinear terms as new variables but this led to some difficulty from a computation point of view. Instead, we applied a novel approach via Cauchy-like matrix inequalities to handle these difficulties. In the end, we present three numerical simulations to show the effectiveness of our proposed theory.
Selected Papers from IIKII 2019 Conferences in Symmetry
Authors: Meen Teen-Hang , Tijus Charles , Tu Jih-Fu
Published: April 2020

The International Institute of Knowledge Innovation and Invention (IIKII) is an institute that promotes the exchange of innovations and inventions, and establishes a communication platform for international innovations and researches. In 2019, IIKII cooperated with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Tainan Section Sensors Council to hold IEEE conferences such as IEEE ICIASE 2019, IEEE ECBIOS 2019, IEEE ICKII 2019, ICUSA-GAME 2019, and IEEE ECICE 2019. This Special Issue entitled “Selected Papers from IIKII 2019 conferences” aims to select excellent papers from IIKII 2019 conferences, including symmetry in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and computer science, etc. It selected 21 excellent papers from 750 papers presented in IIKII 2019 conferences on the topic of symmetry. The main goals of this Special Issue are to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible, and to discover new scientific knowledge relevant to the topic of symmetry.
Accumulation and Elimination of Tetrodotoxin in the Pufferfish Takifugu obscurus by Dietary Administration of the Wild Toxic Gastropod Nassarius semiplicata
Authors: Zhang Xiaojun , Zong Jingjing , Chen Si , Li Menglong , Lu Yibo , Wang Ruirui , Xu Hanxiang
Published: April 2020

To investigate pufferfish accumulation, elimination, and distribution of tetrodotoxin (TTX), Takifugu obscurus was fed with wild TTX-containing gastropod Nassarius semiplicata to simulate the natural food chain. Three-month-old non-poisonous T. obscurus was fed with wild toxic N. semiplicata at three exposure dose for 28 days, and later, with toxin-free food until day 67. Three fish individuals from each treatment were sampled, and the distribution of TTX in different tissues was measured. The results showed that the accumulation ratio of TTX in the three exposure dose groups ranged from 35.76% to 40.20%. The accumulation ratio in the skin and liver was the highest amongst all tissues, accounting for more than 85% of the total TTX, whereas that in the kidney and gallbladder was the lowest (0.11–0.78%). Studies on the kinetic of TTX accumulation and elimination revealed that the skin was the tissue with the highest accumulation speed constant (8.06), while the liver, kidney, and intestinal tract showed the highest speed of TTX elimination. The time required for TTX reduction to reach the safety limit could be predicted by using standard elimination equations. Qualitative analysis by UPLC-MS/MS revealed the occurrence of seven TTX derivatives in T. obscurus; of these TTX, 5-deoxy TTX, 11-deoxy TTX, 4,9-anhydro TTX were found in all tested tissues.
Persistent Exposure to Environmental Levels of Microcystin-LR Disturbs Cortisol Production via Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Interrenal (HPI) Axis and Subsequently Liver Glucose Metabolism in Adult Male Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Wang Lingkai , Lin Wang , Zha Qingji , Guo Honghui , Zhang Dandan , Yang Liping , Li Li , Li Dapeng , Tang Rong
Published: April 2020

There is growing evidence that microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a new endocrine disruptor, whereas the impacts of persistent exposure to MC-LR on the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis and health hazards thereafter have not been investigated. In this work, adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio) were immersed into MC-LR solutions at concentrations of 0, 1, 5 and 25 μg/L for 30 d, respectively. The results showed that persistent MC-LR exposure caused an extensive upregulation of HPI-axis genes but an inhibition of brain nuclear receptors (gr and mr), which finally increased serum cortisol levels. Furthermore, the decreased expression of hepatic gr might partly be responsible for the strong inhibition on the expression of downstream genes involved in glucose metabolic enzymes, including gluconeogenesis-related genes (pepck, fbp1a, g6pca), glycogenolysis-related gene (pyg), glycolysis-related genes (gk, pfk1b, pk) and glycogenesis-related gene (gys2). These findings are in accordance with the decline in serum glucose, indicating that long-term MC-LR exposure caused a lower production of glucose relative to glucose lysis. Our above results firstly establish the link between persistent MC-LR exposure and impaired glucose metabolism, suggesting that long-term MC-LR-mediated stress might threaten fish’s health.
West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany
Authors: Kampen Helge , Holicki Cora M. , Ziegler Ute , Groschup Martin H. , Tews Birke Andrea , Werner Doreen
Published: April 2020

In 2018, West Nile virus (WNV) broke out for the first time in Germany, with continuation of the epidemic in 2019, involving birds, horses and humans. To identify vectors and characterize the virus, mosquitoes were collected in both years in zoological gardens and on a horse meadow immediately following the diagnosis of disease cases in birds and horses. Mosquitoes were identified and screened for WNV by qRT-PCR, with virus-positive samples being sequenced for the viral envelope protein gene. While no positive mosquitoes were found in 2018, seven mosquito pools tested positive for WNV in 2019 in the Tierpark (Wildlife Park) Berlin. The pools consisted of Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens (n = 5), and a mixture of Cx. p. biotype pipiens and Cx. p. biotype molestus (n = 2), or hybrids of these, and were collected between 13 August and 24 September 2019. The virus strain turned out to be nearly identical to two WNV strains isolated from birds diseased in 2018 in eastern Germany. The findings represent the first demonstration of WNV in mosquitoes in Germany and include the possibility of local overwintering of the virus.
30th Brazilian Society for Virology 2019 Annual Meeting—Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Slhessarenko Renata , dos Santos Marcelo , Lunardi Michele , Carneiro Bruno , Chavez-Pavoni Juliana , de Aguiar Daniel , Terças Trettel Ana , Andrighetti Carla , da Fonseca Flávio , Araújo Junior João , Campos Fabrício , Arruda Luciana , Abrahão Jônatas , Spilki Fernando
Published: April 2020

The 30th meeting of the Brazilian Society for Virology (SBV) was held, for the first time in its 30 years of existence, in Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso State, Central Western Brazil, a tropical region between the three richest biomes in the world: Amazon Florest, Cerrado and Pantanal. In recent years, the field of virology has been built in the State. The aim of this report is to support participants and virologists to receive the most up-to-date information about the meeting, which occurred from 16 to 19 October 2019. National and international speakers gave SBV the opportunity to learn about their experience on their virology fields, sharing recent scientific findings, compiling conferences, round table presentations and work presentations in oral and poster sessions. The meeting held over 300 attendants, who were also involved on oral and poster presentations, showing a great variety of recent unpublished studies on environmental, basic, animal, human, plant and invertebrate virology. In addition, SBV offered the Helio Gelli Pereira award for the best research studies in each field presented during the meeting. The 30th meeting of SBV was very productive and has also encouraged scientific partnership and collaboration among virologists worldwide.
Sendai Virus, a Strong Inducer of Anti-Lentiviral State in Ovine Cells
Authors: de Pablo-Maiso Lorena , Echeverría Irache , Rius-Rocabert Sergio , Luján Lluís , Garcin Dominique , de Andrés Damián , Nistal-Villán Estanislao , Reina Ramsés
Published: April 2020

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are widely spread in the ovine and caprine populations, causing an incurable disease affecting animal health and production. Vaccine development is hindered owing to the high genetic heterogeneity of lentiviruses and the selection of T-cell and antibody escape mutants, requiring antigen delivery optimization. Sendai virus (SeV) is a respiratory paramyxovirus in mice that has been recognized as a potent inducer of innate immune responses in several species, including mouse and human. The aim of this study was to stimulate an innate antiviral response in ovine cells and evaluate the potential inhibitory effect upon small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infections. Ovine alveolar macrophages (AMs), blood-derived macrophages (BDMs), and skin fibroblasts (OSFs) were stimulated through infection with SeV encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). SeV efficiently infected ovine cells, inducing an antiviral state in AM from SRLV naturally-infected animals, as well as in in vitro SRLV-infected BDM and OSF from non-infected animals. Supernatants from SeV-infected AM induced an antiviral state when transferred to fresh cells challenged with SRLV. Similar to SRLV, infectivity of an HIV-1-GFP lentiviral vector was also restricted in ovine cells infected with SeV. In myeloid cells, an M1-like proinflammatory polarization was observed together with an APOBEC3Z1 induction, among other lentiviral restriction factors. Our observations may boost new approximations in ameliorating the SRLV burden by stimulation of the innate immune response using SeV-based vaccine vectors.
Fluid Structure Interaction of 2D Objects through a Coupled KBC-Free Surface Model
Authors: Chiappini Daniele
Published: April 2020

In this study, the capabilities of a coupled KBC-free surface model to deal with fluid solid interactions with the slamming of rigid obstacles in a calm water tank were analyzed. The results were firstly validated with experimental and numerical data available in literature and, thereafter, some additional analyses was carried out to understand the main parameters’ influence on slamming coefficient. The effect of grid resolution and Reynolds number were firstly considered to choose the proper grid and to present the weak impact of such a non-dimensional number on process evolution. Hence, the influence of Froude number on fluid-dynamics quantities was pointed out considering vertical impacts of both cylindrical, as in the references, and ellipsoidal obstacles. Different formulations of slamming coefficient were used and compared. Results are pretty encouraging and they confirm the effectiveness of lattice Boltzmann model to deal with such a problem. This leaves the door open to additional improvements addressed to the study of free buoyant bodies immersed in a fluid domain.
Correction: Kamruzzaman, M., et al. Evaluating the Impact of Climate Change on Paddy Water Balance Using APEX-Paddy Model. Water 2020, 12, 852
Authors: Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Hwang Syewoon , Choi Soon-Kun , Cho Jaepil , Song Inhong , Song Jung-Hun , Jeong Hanseok , Jang Taeil , Yoo Seung-Hwan
Published: April 2020

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
A Forty-Year Karstic Critical Zone Survey (Baget Catchment, Pyrenees-France): Lithologic and Hydroclimatic Controls on Seasonal and Inter-Annual Variations of Stream Water Chemical Composition, pCO2, and Carbonate Equilibrium
Authors: Ulloa-Cedamanos Francesco , Probst Jean-Luc , Binet Stephane , Camboulive Thierry , Payre-Suc Virginie , Pautot Corinne , Bakalowicz Michel , Beranger Sandra , Probst Anne
Published: April 2020

The long-term trends and seasonal patterns of stream water chemical composition in a small remote forested karst catchment, were investigated from 1978 to 2018. Calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, the dominant ions, increased over the period together with temperature, while sulfates decreased. Carbonate and sulfate mineral dissolution was the main source of these elements. These trends and the seasonal opposite patterns of discharge vs. temperature, calcite saturation index vs. pCO2 and bicarbonate vs. sulfates, suggested the influence of discharge, of reduced long-range atmospheric pollution, and of increasing air temperature on biological activity and carbonate dissolution. Furthermore, the hydrological regime controlled the seasonal stream water chemical composition and fluxes by: (i) a dilution during the high discharge period, (ii) a change in the contribution rate of the waters draining different lithological areas in the catchment, e.g., the increased sulfates to bicarbonates ratio during summer low flows, with a maximum alkalinity decrease of 24%, and (iii) a “piston” and a “flushing” effects of dissolved elements stored in soils and epikarst with the first autumn heavy rains. Long-term stream water hydrochemical surveys of karst system have proved to be powerful indicators of biogeochemical processes, water sources and pathways under variable natural and anthropogenic environmental pressure conditions.
Using Steel Slag for Dissolved Phosphorus Removal: Insights from a Designed Flow-Through Laboratory Experimental Structure
Authors: Wang Linhua , Penn Chad , Huang Chi-hua , Livingston Stan , Yan Junhua
Published: April 2020

Steel slag, a byproduct of the steel making process, has been adopted as a material to reduce non-point phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural land. Although substantial studies have been conducted on characterizing P removed by steel slag, few data are available on the removal of P under different conditions of P input, slag mass, and retention time (RT). The objective of this study was to investigate P removal efficiency as impacted by slag mass and RT at different physical locations through a horizontal steel slag column. Downstream slag segments were more efficient at removing P than upstream segments because they were exposed to more favorable conditions for calcium phosphate precipitation, specifically higher Ca2+ concentrations and pH. These results showed that P is removed in a moving front as Ca2+ and slag pH buffer capacity are consumed. In agreement with the calcium phosphate precipitation mechanism shown in previous studies, an increase in RT increased P removal, resulting in an estimated removal capacity of 61 mg kg−1 at a RT of 30 min. Results emphasized the importance of designing field scale structures with sufficient RT to accommodate the formation of calcium phosphate.
An Integrated Hydraulic and Hydrologic Modeling Approach for Roadside Bio-Retention Facilities
Authors: Li James , Alinaghian Seyed , Joksimovic Darko , Chen Lianghao
Published: April 2020

Roadside bio-retention (RBR) facilities are low impact development practices, which control urban runoff primarily from road pavements. Using hydrologic models, such as the US EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), RBR are typically designed with some fundamental assumptions, including where runoff completely enters the facilities and fully utilizes the whole surface area for percolation, detention, filtration, and infiltration to the surrounding soils. This paper highlights the importance of inlet hydraulics and the spatial distribution of inflow along a RBR, and proposes an integrated hydraulic and hydrologic modelling approach to simulate its overall runoff control performance. The integrated hydraulic/hydrologic modelling approach consists of three components: (1) A dual drainage hydrologic model to simulate runoff generation, runoff hydrographs entering and bypassing a storm inlet, and the outflow hydrograph from a fully utilized RBR; (2) a computational fluid dynamic model to determine the inflow distribution along a RBR; and (3) an overall runoff control performance analysis of RBR by considering the inlet efficiency, and the partially and fully utilized RBR during a storm event. A case study of an underground RBR in the City of Toronto was used to demonstrate the integrated modelling approach. It is concluded that; (1) inlet efficiency of a RBR will determine the overall runoff control performance; and (2) the inflow distribution will dictate the effective length of a RBR, which may affect the overall runoff control performance.
In-Situ Monitoring and Characteristic Analysis of Freezing-Thawing Cycles in a Deep Vadose Zone
Authors: Zheng Ce , Lu Yudong , Liu Xiuhua , Šimůnek Jiří , Zeng Yijian , Shi Changchun , Li Huanhuan
Published: April 2020

Freeze-thaw cycles play a critical role in affecting ecosystem services in arid regions. Monitoring studies of soil temperature and moisture during a freeze-thaw process can generate data for research on the coupled movement of water, vapor, and heat during the freezing-thawing period which can, in turn, provide theoretical guidance for rational irrigation practices and ecological protection. In this study, the soil temperature and moisture changes in the deep vadose zone were observed by in-situ monitoring from November 2017 to March 2018 in the Mu Us Desert. The results showed that changes in soil temperatures and temperature gradients were largest in soil layers above the 100-cm depth, and variations decreased with soil depth. The relationship between soil temperature and unfrozen water content can be depicted well by both theoretical and empirical models. Due to gradients of the matric potential and temperature, soil water flowed from deeper soil layers towards the frozen soil, increasing the total water content at the freezing front. The vapor flux, which was affected mainly by temperature, showed diurnal variations in the shallow 20-cm soil layer, and its rate and variations decreased gradually with increasing soil depths. The freeze-thaw process can be divided into three stages: the initial freezing stage, the downward freezing stage, and the thawing stage. The upward vapor flux contributed to the formation of the frozen layer during the freezing process.
Use of Chemically Treated Human Hair Wastes for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Water
Authors: Zhang Helan , Carrillo-Navarrete Fernando , López-Mesas Montserrat , Palet Cristina
Published: April 2020

Human hair is considered a ubiquitous waste product and its accumulation can cause environmental problems. Hence, the search for alternatives that take advantage of this waste as a new raw material is of interest, and contributes to the idea of the circular economy. In this study, chemically modified human hair was used as a low cost biosorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of the contact time, the pH, and the biosorbent concentration on the biosorption process were investigated. Kinetic modeling indicated that the pseudo-second order kinetic equation fitted well with R2 > 0.999. Furthermore, the equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at 295 K resulting in saturation concentrations of 9.47 × 10−5, 5.57 × 10−5, 3.77 × 10−5, and 3.61 × 10−5 mol/g for the sorption of Cr(III), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The biosorption process did not change the chemical structure and morphology of the hair, which was shown by FTIR and SEM. In addition, desorption experiments prove that 0.1 mol/L EDTA solution is an efficient eluent for the recovery of Pb(II) from the treated human hair. To summarize, treated human hair showed satisfactory biosorption capacity and can be considered as an effective biosorbent for the treatment of water with a low concentration of heavy metal ions.
Response of Drainage Water Quality to Fertilizer Applications on a Switchgrass Intercropped Coastal Pine Forest
Authors: Muwamba Augustine , Amatya Devendra M. , Chescheir George M. , Nettles Jamie E. , Appelboom Timothy , Tollner Ernest W. , Ssegane Hebert , Youssef Mohamed A. , Birgand Francois , Callahan Timothy
Published: April 2020

The objectives of this study were (1) to test the hypothesis that fertilizer applications do not increase nutrient fluxes on a switchgrass/pine forest (IC) when compared to a mature pine forest (MP) and (2) to evaluate post-fertilization (post-fert, 2014–2016) fluxes of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on IC and compare them to those observed during switchgrass growth prior to fertilization (pre-fert, 2012–2014) and site preparation for switchgrass establishment (site prep, 2009–2012). Nitrogen and P were applied to IC, a paired pure switchgrass site (SG), and MP, each about 25 ha in size, in June 2014, and again in June 2015 for the IC and SG sites only. Nitrogen and P concentrations were measured biweekly and rainfall and drainage outflow were measured continuously. During post-fert, the mean N concentrations and total loads were lower (p < 0.05) in IC than in SG and MP. The mean NO3-N concentration and loads in IC were lower during post-fert than during site prep. The post-fert phosphate concentrations in IC were lower than they were during pre-fert and site prep. Frequent N and P applications in IC did not significantly (α = 0.05) increase N and P fluxes, likely due to plant uptake and sorption on the acidic site.
Integrating Life-Cycle Perspectives and Spatial Dimensions of Sewage Sludge Mono-Incineration
Authors: Wagner David , Neugebauer Georg , Kretschmer Florian , Stoeglehner Gernot
Published: April 2020

The mono-incineration of sewage sludge offers new opportunities to develop wastewater infrastructure as regional energy cells and resource recovery sites. At the moment, the most important products of this technology are electric energy and heat from combined heat and power plants, as well as ash for the recovery of phosphorus. With spatial analysis, scenarios of the decentralized and centralized spatial organization of mono-incineration are assessed with regard to the energy balances of the incineration process, transport demands, and the possibility to accommodate excess heat in the surrounding spatial fabric, and these are evaluated by applying a multi-criteria analysis. The study is based on the Austrian case and shows that the utilization, not only of phosphorus and excess energy but also of other potential resources should be aimed for. The transport of sludge and the potential to use excess heat in the surrounding spatial fabric decide if centralized or decentralized scenarios are environmentally more feasible, whereas an “economy of scale” clearly gives leeway to the centralized options. Therefore, this study clearly demonstrates that introducing mono-incineration should not only focus on the process engineering itself but should also consider spatial planning provisions to reduce transport demands and to deliver excess energy to the surrounding spatial fabric.
Hydrologic Validation of MERGE Precipitation Products over Anthropogenic Watersheds
Authors: Cassalho Felício , Daleles Rennó Camilo , Bosco Coura dos Reis João , Cláudio da Silva Benedito
Published: April 2020

Satellite rainfall estimates (SRFE) are a promising alternative for the lack of reliable, densely distributed, precipitation data common in developing countries and remote locations. SRFE may be significantly improved when corrected based on rain gauge data. In the present study the first complete validation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42-based MERGE product is performed by means of ground truthing and hydrological modeling-based applications. Four distinct, highly anthropogenic watersheds were selected in the Upper Paraíba do Sul River Basin (UPSRB)—Brazil. The results show that when compared to TRMM Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42V7 at the watershed scale, MERGE has a higher correlation with observed data. Likewise, root mean square errors and bias are significantly lower for MERGE products. When hydrologically validated, MERGE-based streamflow simulations have shown the capacity of reproducing the overall hydrological regime with “good” to “very good” results for the downstream lowland sections. Limitations were observed in the hydrological modeling of the upstream, highly anthropogenic, dammed watersheds. However, such limitations may not be attributed to MERGE precipitation since they were also obtained for the individually calibrated rain gauge-based simulations. The results indicate that the used MERGE dataset as a hydrological model input is better suited for application in the UPSRB than the TMPA 3B42V7.
HUBUNGAN ANTARA POLA MAKAN DENGAN KENAIKAN BERAT BADAN IBU HAMIL DI PUSKESMAS GARAWANGI KABUPATEN KUNINGAN
Authors: Nurasiah Ai , Sholihati Ridha Amalia
Published: April 2020

Kenaikan berat badan ibu hamil rata-rata 20% dari berat badan ideal sebelum hamil, tergantung dari tinggi badan dan berat badanya sebelum kehamilan. Kenaikan berat badan disebabkan karena adanya pertumbuhan janin, plasenta  dan air ketuban. Kenaikan berat badan salah satunya disebabkan karena pola makan. Pola makan yang salah dapat menyebabkan gangguan gizi pada ibu hamil. Hasil studi pendahuluan di Puskesmas Garawangi dari 9 ibu hamil didapatkan 5 orang mengalami kenaikan kurang  dan 4 orang mengalami kenaikan normal. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pola makan dengan kenaikan berat badan ibu hamil di Puskesmas Garawangi Kabupaten Kuningan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian survey analitik dengan rancangan retrospektif. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah ibu hamil trimester II dan III, Teknik sampel yang digunakan accidental sampling yaitu ibu hamil trimester II dan III pada bulan agustus tahun 2019 berjumlah 30 responden. Instrumen dalam penelitian ini menggunakan kuesioner. Analisis data bivariat dengan  menggunakan Rank spearman. Hasil analisis univariat sebagian besar ibu hamil trimester II dan III memiliki pola makan yang kurang baik yaitu sebesar 50% dan dan sebagian besar ibu hamil mengalami kenaikan berat badan normal yaitu sebesar 46,7%. Hasil analisis bivariat didapatkan nilai p value 0, 000 dan nilai r 0,773. Dengan demikian terdapat hubungan antara pola makan dengan kenaikan berat badan pada ibu hamil. Diharapkan Ibu hamil dapat mengatur pola makan dengan menu gizi seimbang dan menu yang bervariasi serta tidak mengkonsumsi makanan cepat saji dan menghindari kebiasaan mengkonsumsi makanan berlemak terutama pada trimester ke II dan III.
HUBUNGAN ANTARA KECANDUAN GAME ONLINE DENGAN TINGKAT DEPRESI PADA REMAJA DI DESA GARAWANGI KUNINGAN
Authors: Mulyati Lia , Sutandi Andi
Published: April 2020

Fenomena game online menjadi trend masa kini. Dan Indonesia, pengguna game onlinenya 50% sudah tergolong pecandu. Kecanduan game online dapat membuat pemain beresiko mengalami gangguan mental seperti depresi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara kecanduan game online dengan tingkat depresi pada remaja di tempat game online Desa Garawangi.

Penelitian ini termasuk jenis penelitian analitik dengan rancangan cross sectional dengan responden penelitian berjumlah 71 orang yang sudah memenuhi kriteria yang sudah ditentukan yang diambil secara accidental sampling. Data penelitian diolah dan dianalisis menggunakan uji Rank Spearman.

Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari 19 orang (26,7%) yang tidak mengalami kecanduan game online, 8 orang (42,1%) tidak mengalami depresi. Sedangkan responden yang mengalami kecanduan game online dari 52 orang (73,2%), sebagian besar mengalami depresi berat yaitu 27 orang (51.9%). Hasil analisis bivariate di dapatkan nilai p  0,028 dengan r 0.261 .

Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah terdapat hubungan antara kecanduan game online dengan tingkat depresi pada remaja. Penanganan yang tepat yaitu dengan melibatkan orang tua, guru, perawat komunitas, serta penjaga warnet game online untuk memperhatikan anak bermain serta membatasi melakukan permainan yang berlebihan serta dapat mengalihkan dengan kegiatan yang lebih penting dan positif  lainnya.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR	YANG	BERHUBUNGAN	DENGAN KETERLAMBATAN PREHOSPITAL PADA PASIEN SINDROM KORONER AKUT DI RSUD KABUPATEN KUNINGAN TAHUN 2019
Authors: Taufik Pipik , Hendriana Yana
Published: April 2020

Kegawatdaruratan pasien SKA membutuhkan penatalaksanaan yang cepat, tepat dan efisien. Jumlah pengidap penyakit jantung di Provinsi Jawa Barat sebanyak 160.812 orang, (Kemenkes, 2014). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan keterlambatan prehospital pada pasien SKA di RSUD Kabupaten Kuningan.

Jenis penelitian merupakan analitik dengan desain cross sectional. Populasi adalah seluruh pasien dengan SKA di RSUD Kabupaten Kuningan. Berdasarkan teknik accidental sampling, jumlah responden 32 pasien. Analisis statistik dilakukan secara univariat dan bivariat dengan metode Chi Square.

Analisis univariat didapatkan sebagian besar responden sebesar 56,2% memiliki perilaku penanganan gejala dilakukan secara non medis, sebesar 43,8% memiliki pengetahuan cukup, sebesar 84,4% mempersepsikan bukan sakit jantung, sebesar 75% menggunakan kendaraan pribadi, sebesar 62,5% berjarak jauh ke rumah sakit dan sebesar 68,8% terlambat tiba di rumah sakit. Analisis bivariate didapatkan hasil terdapat hubungan antara penanganan gejala awal (p = 0,008), tingkat pengetahuan (p = 0,002), persepsi nyeri kardiak (p=0,001), jarak ke rumah sakit (p=0,002) dengan keterlambatan prehospital. Sementara jenis kendaraan tidak berhubungan (p=0,681).

Disarankan perawat memberikan pendidikan kesehatan terkait perilaku pencarian pelayanan kesehatan agar perilaku pasien SKA tidak menunda, tidak membeli obat dan mengobati diri sendiri atau ke pengobatan tradisional.
Human Trafficking “Modern Day Slavery” Promoting the Need for Adequate Screening, Assessment, and Interventions for Physical and Mental Conditions by Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Kennedy Bernice
Published: April 2020

Worldwide human trafficking, frequently referred to as “modern-day slavery,” is considered to be the third-largest criminal industry and one of the fastest-growing, surpassed only by arms and drug dealing. Human trafficking is a multi-faceted complex global issue that involves essentially all developed countries either as a source, transit or destination sites. It is the act of recruiting, receiving, and apprehending individuals using threat, coercion and or physical force for exploitation. This analytical review of the literature addressed existing research and literature on the current status of human trafficking. The victims of trafficking may access some healthcare organizations at some point in time during their captivity. Therefore, health professionals (e.g., advanced practice nurses, nurses) need to be able to screen, assess and identify certain clues and health conditions that are common to this population. Besides, to improve their health outcomes, this visit will be useful for their capture. The Holistic Model Based on Adequate Screening, Assessment and Interventions for Improving the Health Outcomes in Victims of Human Trafficking is a useful model for guiding health professionals in recognizing the relevance of abuse when victims present certain illnesses in diverse healthcare organizations. Strategies for improving the health outcomes for this group include: (a) adequate screening, assessment, and interventions and (b) more education for health professionals on assessing and recognizing victims of human trafficking. Policy development is needed in changing laws for the protection of victims of human trafficking around the globe.