bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Exercise, Fitness, Cognitive Functioning, and Psychosocial Variables in an Adolescent Sample
Authors: Reigal Rafael E. , Moral-Campillo Luna , Morillo-Baro Juan P. , Juárez-Ruiz de Mier Rocío , Hernández-Mendo Antonio , Morales-Sánchez Verónica
Published: February 2020

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between physical exercise and physical fitness with cognitive and psychosocial functioning in a group of adolescents. 167 teenagers between 14 and 15 years old (M = 14.53; SD = 0.50) from the city of Malaga (Spain) participated in the study. This research used a comparative and predictive type of design. The Tanita® Body Composition Monitor BC-601, some Eurofit battery tests, the D2 Attention Test, the WISC-IV Scale Symbols and Keys tests, the Form 5 Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF5), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to evaluate the study variables. The results found in this research pointed to a positive relationship between physical exercise and physical fitness with cognitive and psychosocial functioning in the adolescents analyzed. For example, adolescents who practiced more physical exercise had better scores on variables such as selective attention (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.10), processing speed (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.09) or general self-efficacy (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.15). In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness was the best predictor of test scores to assess cognitive ability and psychosocial variables. These findings suggest the need to promote physical exercise among young people because of its implications for various facets of their health and development
Noninvasive Blood Pressure Classification Based on Photoplethysmography Using K-Nearest Neighbors Algorithm: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Tjahjadi Hendrana , Ramli Kalamullah
Published: February 2020

Blood pressure (BP) is an important parameter for the early detection of heart disease because it is associated with symptoms of hypertension or hypotension. A single photoplethysmography (PPG) method for the classification of BP can automatically analyze BP symptoms. Users can immediately know the condition of their BP to ensure early detection. In recent years, deep learning methods have presented outstanding performance in classification applications. However, there are two main problems in deep learning classification methods: classiﬁcation accuracy and time consumption during training. We attempt to address these limitations and propose a method for the classification of BP using the K-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm based on PPG. We collected data for 121 subjects from the PPG–BP figshare database. We divided the subjects into three classification levels, namely normotension, prehypertension, and hypertension, according to the BP levels of the Joint National Committee report. The F1 scores of these three classification trials were 100%, 100%, and 90.80%, respectively. Hence, it is validated that the proposed method can achieve improved classification accuracy without additional manual pre-processing of PPG. Our proposed method achieves higher accuracy than convolutional neural networks (deep learning), bagged tree, logistic regression, and AdaBoost tree.
Identifying Unregulated Emissions from Conventional Diesel Self-Ignition and PPCI Marine Engines at Full Load Conditions
Authors: Wang Xi , Wang Minfei , Han Yue , Chen Hanyu
Published: February 2020

A study on unregulated emissions of a conventional diesel self-ignition and partial premixed compression ignition (PPCI) marine engine at full load condition was performed, respectively. In this work, PPCI was realized in a marine engine by blending 15% diesel with 85% light hydrocarbons (LHC). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect and identify unregulated emissions, and the chemical formula and peak area of representative species were obtained. Furthermore, the unregulated emissions were classified and semi-quantitatively analyzed. The results show that the maximum in-cylinder pressure of PPCI is almost 11 bar lower than that of conventional diesel combustion, and the crank angle at that moment is also delayed by 2 °CA. Compared to conventional diesel combustion, the maximum pressure rise rate of PPCI is reduced by 3.5%, while the maximum heat release rate of PPCI increases by 23.5%. Further, PPCI produces fewer species in unregulated emissions, and their chemical formula are less complex than that of conventional diesel combustion. Compared to conventional diesel combustion, the relative concentration of alkane and organic components in PPCI decreases significantly, while ketone and ester increase.
Meniscus of a Magnetic Fluid in the Field of a Current-Carrying Wire: Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulations
Authors: Eißman Paul-Benjamin , Odenbach Stefan , Lange Adrian
Published: February 2020

Three-dimensional calculations of the meniscus of a magnetic fluid placed around a current carrying vertical and cylindrical wire are presented. Based on the material properties of experimentally used magnetic fluids, the numerically determined menisci are compared with the experimentally measured ones reported by May. The comparison is made for a linear law of magnetisation as well as for the experimentally measured nonlinear magnetisation curve. Up to moderate strengths of the applied current ( I < = 45 A), i.e., up to moderate strengths of the magnetic field close to the wire, the calculated profiles agree satisfyingly with the experimentally measured ones for a linear as well as for a nonlinear law of magnetisation. At a great strength of the applied current ( I = 70 A), i.e., at a large strength of the magnetic field close to the wire, the agreement is less good than in the range up to moderate strengths. Our analysis revealed that the numerically assumed isothermal conditions are not present in the experiment, particularly at the great strength of the applied current. A control of the temperature in the experiment and the implementation of a coupled thermal model in the numerics are considered the most relevant future steps for an improved agreement.
Micro-Texture Analyses of a Cold-Work Tool Steel for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Kang Jun-Yun , Yun Jaecheol , Kim Byunghwan , Choe Jungho , Yang Sangsun , Park Seong-Jun , Yu Ji-Hun , Kim Yong-Jin
Published: February 2020

Small objects of an alloy tool steel were built by selective laser melting at different scan speeds, and their microstructures were analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). To present an explicit correlation with the local thermal cycles in the objects, prior austenite grains were reconstructed using the EBSD mapping data. Extensive growth of austenitic grains after solidification could be detected by the disagreement between the networks of carbides and austenite grain boundaries. A rapid laser scan at 2000 mm/s led to less growth, but retained a larger amount of austenite than a slow one at 50 mm/s. The rapid scan also exhibited definite evolution of Goss-type textures in austenite, which could be attributed to the growth of austenitic grains under a steep temperature gradient. The local variations in the microstructures and the textures enabled us to speculate the locally different thermal cycles determined by the different process conditions, that is, scan speeds.
Microstructure and Fracture Behavior of Special Multilayered Steel
Authors: Zhou Xin , Zhao XiaoKang , Cao Rui , Zhang RuiHua , Ding Yun , Zhang XiaoBo
Published: February 2020

In this research, multilayered steel (MLS), which is composed of middle-carbon martensite steel, high-carbon martensite steel, and a pure Ni thin layer was obtained by the accumulative roll-bonding method. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the MLS were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vickers microhardness, tensile, and bending tests. In-situ SEM tensile tests were used to observe the crack initiation and propagation processes during the tensile loading. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength and bending strength of the MLS can reach 946 MPa and 3153 MPa, and the maximum elongation can reach 18%, which is related to the better combined quality of the interface. The middle and larger martensite layer (ML) becomes the weakest link of tensile fracture and interfacial delamination of the MLS during the tensile processes, because there are lots of large hard blocks Cr23C6 phases distributed in the middle thicker ML layer. Besides, the MLS can withstand larger bending deformation. When the MLS was bent to 180 degrees, neither macro-cracks in the outer side of the bending parts nor interfacial delamination can be found.
Influence of O2 on the Erosion-Corrosion Performance of 3Cr Steels in CO2 Containing Environment
Authors: Xia Lei , Li Yan , Ma Leilei , Zhang Hongmei , Li Na , Jiang Zhengyi
Published: February 2020

With the introduction of O2 during oil and gas production, the erosion-corrosion rate of tubing steels increases; the objective of this report is to explore the reason for this. Erosion–corrosion experiments were performed in environments of CO2 and CO2–O2, respectively. Macrographs, microstructures, and the compositions of erosion-corrosion scales were investigated using a digital camera, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Kevex-SuperDry energy spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the erosion-corrosion products are composed of large FeCO3 particles and some amorphous product in the CO2 environment, while they are made up of FeCO3, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and bits of amorphous product in the CO2–O2 environment. The interface between erosion-corrosion scales and the substrate of 3Cr steel is smooth, and Cr enrichment obviously exists in the erosion-corrosion products in the CO2 condition. However, the erosion-corrosion scale is loose and porous with little Cr enrichment in the CO2–O2 environment, which makes the protectiveness of the erosion–corrosion scale weak, and pitting corrosion occurs. The addition of O2 may destroy the protective FeCO3 scale and Cr enrichment in the erosion-corrosion scale, which may be the main reason for the decline in the level of protectiveness of the erosion-corrosion scale, making it weak in terms of preventing the corrosive medium from diffusing to the substrate.
Damping Property of Cement Mortar Incorporating Damping Aggregate
Authors: Tian Yaogang , Lu Dong , Zhou Jianwei , Yang Yuxuan , Wang Zhenjun
Published: February 2020

This study proposes a new cement mortar incorporating damping aggregate (DA) and investigates the mechanical properties and damping property of the cement mortar. Four types of DA were prepared, lightweight aggregate presaturated water and three types of polymer emulsion. Further, the effects of polypropylene fiber and rubber powder on the performance of the cement mortar were studied. The experimental results showed that the damping ratio of specimens containing 70% DA was approximately three times higher than that of the reference mortar, with a slight decrease in the mechanical properties. Adding fiber was more effective than rubber powder in improving the damping ratio of the cement mortar, and the optimal dosage of fiber was 0.5%.
In Vitro Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Coffee Compounds
Authors: Coreta-Gomes Filipe Manuel , Lopes Guido R. , Passos Cláudia P. , Vaz Inês M. , Machado Fernanda , Geraldes Carlos F. G. C. , Moreno Maria João , Nyström Laura , Coimbra Manuel A.
Published: February 2020

(1) Background: Cholesterol bioaccessibility is an indicator of cholesterol that is available for absorption and therefore can be a measure of hypocholesterolemic potential. In this work, the effect of commercial espresso coffee and coffee extracts on cholesterol solubility are studied in an in vitro model composed by glycodeoxycholic bile salt, as a measure of its bioaccessibility. (2) Methods: Polysaccharide extracts from coffees obtained with different extraction conditions were purified by selective precipitation with ethanol, and their sugars content were characterized by GC-FID. Hexane extraction allowed us to obtain the coffee lipids. Espresso coffee samples and extracts were tested regarding their concentration dependence on the solubility of labeled 13C-4 cholesterol by bile salt micelles, using quantitative 13C NMR. (3) Results and Discussion: Espresso coffee and coffee extracts were rich in polysaccharides, mainly arabinogalactans and galactomannans. These polysaccharides decrease cholesterol solubility and, simultaneously, the bile salts’ concentration. Coffee lipid extracts were also found to decrease cholesterol solubility, although not affecting bile salt concentration. (4) Conclusions: Coffee soluble fiber, composed by the arabinogalactans and galactomannans, showed to sequester bile salts from the solution, leading to a decrease in cholesterol bioaccessibility. Coffee lipids also decrease cholesterol bioaccessibility, although the mechanism of action identified is the co-solubilization in the bile salt micelles. The effect of both polysaccharides and lipids showed to be additive, representing the overall effect observed in a typical espresso coffee. The effect of polysaccharides and lipids on cholesterol bioaccessibility should be accounted on the formulation of hypocholesterolemic food ingredients.
Quercetin Loaded Monolaurate Sugar Esters-Based Niosomes: Sustained Release and Mutual Antioxidant—Hepatoprotective Interplay
Authors: Elmowafy Enas , El-Derany Marwa O. , Biondo Francesca , Tiboni Mattia , Casettari Luca , Soliman Mahmoud E.
Published: February 2020

Flavonoids possess different interesting biological properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, unfortunately, these molecules present different bottlenecks, such as low aqueous solubility, photo and oxidative degradability, high first-pass effect, poor intestinal absorption and, hence, low systemic bioavailability. A variety of delivery systems have been developed to circumvent these drawbacks, and among them, in this work niosomes have been selected to encapsulate the hepatoprotective natural flavonoid quercetin. The aim of this study was to prepare nanosized quercetin-loaded niosomes, formulated with different monolaurate sugar esters (i.e., sorbitan C12; glucose C12; trehalose C12; sucrose C12) that act as non-ionic surfactants and with cholesterol as stabilizer (1:1 and 2:1 ratio). Niosomes were characterized under the physicochemical, thermal and morphological points of view. Moreover, after the analyses of the in vitro biocompatibility and the drug-release profile, the hepatoprotective activity of the selected niosomes was evaluated in vivo, using the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Furthermore, the levels of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase (GSH and GPX) were measured. Based on results, the best formulation selected was glucose laurate/cholesterol at molar ratio of 1:1, presenting spherical shape and a particle size (PS) of 161 ± 4.6 nm, with a drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%) as high as 83.6 ± 3.7% and sustained quercetin release. These niosomes showed higher hepatoprotective effect compared to free quercetin in vivo, measuring serum biomarker enzymes (i.e., alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST)) and serum biochemical parameters (i.e., alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total proteins), while following the histopathological investigation. This study confirms the ability of quercetin loaded niosomes to reverse CCl4 intoxication and to carry out an antioxidant effect.
High Purity and Low Molecular Weight Lignin Nano-Particles Extracted from Acid-Assisted MIBK Pretreatment
Authors: Zhang Qilin , Li Haichao , Guo Zongwei , Xu Feng
Published: February 2020

A simple and economical biorefinery method, organosolv methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) pretreatment assisted by Lewis acid ferric trichloride hydrolysis, was proposed for fractionating the lignin from extractive-free Eucalyptus powder at the nanoscale, accompanied by another product furfural, derived from hemicellulose. Under the conditions (180 °C, 1 h) optimized based on the best yield of furfural, 40.13% of the acid-insoluble lignin (AIL) could be obtained with a high purity of 100%, a low molecular weight of 767 (Mn) and improved thermostability. The extracted lignin was characterized by its chemical structure, thermostability, homogeneity, molecular weight, and morphology as compared with milled wood lignin (MWL). The results showed significant variations in chemical structures of the extracted lignin during the pretreatment. Specifically, the aryl ether linkage and phenylcoumarans were broken severely while the resinols were more resistant. The G-type lignin was more sensitive to degradation than the S-type, and after the pretreatment, H-type lignin was formed, indicating the occurrence of a demethoxylation reaction at high temperature. Moreover, the lignin nano-particles were identified visually by AFM and TEM images. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the average diameter of the measured samples was 131.8 nm, with the polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.149. The MIBK-lignin nano-particles prepared in our laboratory exhibit high potentials in producing high functional and valuable materials for the application in wide fields.
Prospects and Future Directions of Self-Healing Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials
Authors: Lee Min Wook
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the anticipated challenges and future applications of self-healing composite materials are outlined. The progress made, from the classical literature to the most recent approaches, is summarized as follows: general history of current self-healing engineering materials, self-healing of structural composite materials, and self-healing under extreme conditions. Finally, the next stage of research on self-healing composites is discussed.
Enhancing the Low-Frequency Induction Heating Effect of Magnetic Composites for Medical Applications
Authors: Xiang Ziyin , Jakkpat Khao-Iam , Ducharne Benjamin , Capsal Jean-Fabien , Mogniotte Jean-François , Lermusiaux Patrick , Cottinet Pierre-Jean , Della Schiava Nellie , Le Minh Quyen
Published: February 2020

This study aims to enhance the low-frequency induction heating (LFIH) effect in a thermoplastic polymer doped with iron oxide magnetic particles, which are promising candidates for several medical applications thanks to their confirmed biocompatibility. Two main approaches were proposed to successfully boost the heating ability; i.e., improving the magnetic concentration of the composite with higher filler content of 30 wt %, and doubling the frequency excitation after optimization of the inductor design. To test the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic composite, a measurement of permeability as a function of temperature, frequency, and particle content was carried out. Thermal transfer based COMSOL simulations together with experimental tests have been performed, demonstrating feasibility of the proposed approach to significantly enhance the target temperature in a magnetic composite. These results are encouraging and confirmed that IH can be exploited in medical applications, especially for the treatment of varicose veins where local heating remains a true challenge.
Clinically Relevant Insulin Degludec and Its Interaction with Polysaccharides: A Biophysical Examination
Authors: Jiwani Shahwar Imran , Huang Sha , Beji Oritsegidenene , Gyasi-Antwi Philemon , Gillis Richard B. , Adams Gary G.
Published: February 2020

Protein polysaccharide complexes have been widely studied for multiple industrial applications and are popular due to their biocompatibility. Insulin degludec, an analogue of human insulin, exists as di-hexamer in pharmaceutical formulations and has the potential to form long multi-hexamers in physiological environment, which dissociate into monomers to bind with receptors on the cell membrane. This study involved complexation of two negatively charged bio-polymers xanthan and alginate with clinically-relevant insulin degludec (PIC). The polymeric complexations and interactions were investigated using biophysical methods. Intrinsic viscosity [η] and particle size distribution (PSD) of PIC increased significantly with an increase in temperature, contrary to the individual components indicating possible interactions. [η] trend was X > XA > PIC > A > IDeg. PSD trend was X > A > IDeg > XA > PIC. Zeta (ζ)- potential (with general trend of IDeg < A < XA < X ≈ PIC) revealed stable interaction at lower temperature which gradually changed with an increase in temperature. Likewise, sedimentation velocity indicated stable complexation at lower temperature. With an increase in time and temperature, changes in the number of peaks and area under curve were observed for PIC. Conclusively, stable complexation occurred among the three polymers at 4 °C and 18 °C and the complex dissociated at 37 °C. Therefore, the complex has the potential to be used as a drug delivery vehicle.
Optimization Methods for the Extraction of Vegetable Oils: A Review
Authors: Nde Divine , Foncha Anuanwen
Published: February 2020

Most seed oils are edible while some are used generally as raw material for soap production, chocolate, margarine, and recently in biodiesel formulations as potential candidates capable of replacing fossil fuels which are costly and destructive to the environment. Oilseeds are a green and major reservoir which when properly exploited can be used sustainably for the production of chemicals at both the laboratory and industrial scales. Oil extraction is one of the most critical steps in seed oil processing because it determines the quality and quantity of oil extracted. Optimization of the extraction conditions for each extraction method enhances yield and quality meanwhile a carefully chosen optimization process equally has the potential of saving time and heat requirements with an associated consequence on cost reduction of the entire process. In this review, the techniques used to optimize oil extraction from plant materials which can be consulted by stakeholders in the field are brought to focus and the merits and demerits of these methods highlighted. Additionally, different types of optimization techniques used for various processes including modeling and the software employed in the optimization processes are discussed. Finally, the quality of the oil as affected by the methods of extraction and the optimization process used are also presented.
God, the Middle Term: Bonhoeffer, Kierkegaard, and Christ’s Mediation in Works of Love
Authors: Verhagen Koert
Published: February 2020

In this article, I argue that in Works of Love Søren Kierkegaard stays true to his Lutheran roots in detailing an ethic of neighbor love that draws deeply on and unfolds the implications of the inseparable realities of justification and Christ’s mediation in the social sphere. The article unfolds in two parts. Since neither of these realities are explicit in Works of Love, the first part considers Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s account of Christ as mediator in order to provide a framework for thinking about and identifying their presence in Kierkegaard’s thought. Engaging with Bonhoeffer in this manner is particularly useful, not least because he was deeply influenced by Kierkegaard and also stood in the Lutheran tradition, but also because although he outlines the expansive nature of Christ’s mediatorial work to tantalizing effect, he never unfolds its concrete, ethical implications for the Christian life. With the key aspects of Bonhoeffer’s account in mind, the second part of this article demonstrates and argues for an overlooked theological dynamic in Works of Love: namely, that Kierkegaard’s account of God’s mediation not only shares these keys aspects, but also unfolds the ethical implications of Christ’s mediation for the Christian life.
A Method for Vehicle Detection in High-Resolution Satellite Images that Uses a Region-Based Object Detector and Unsupervised Domain Adaptation
Authors: Koga Yohei , Miyazaki Hiroyuki , Shibasaki Ryosuke
Published: February 2020

Recently, object detectors based on deep learning have become widely used for vehicle detection and contributed to drastic improvement in performance measures. However, deep learning requires much training data, and detection performance notably degrades when the target area of vehicle detection (the target domain) is different from the training data (the source domain). To address this problem, we propose an unsupervised domain adaptation (DA) method that does not require labeled training data, and thus can maintain detection performance in the target domain at a low cost. We applied Correlation alignment (CORAL) DA and adversarial DA to our region-based vehicle detector and improved the detection accuracy by over 10% in the target domain. We further improved adversarial DA by utilizing the reconstruction loss to facilitate learning semantic features. Our proposed method achieved slightly better performance than the accuracy achieved with the labeled training data of the target domain. We demonstrated that our improved DA method could achieve almost the same level of accuracy at a lower cost than non-DA methods with a sufficient amount of labeled training data of the target domain.
Decision Support on Monitoring and Disaster Management in Agriculture with Copernicus Sentinel Applications
Authors: Mitraka Zina , Siachalou Sofia , Doxani Georgia , Patias Petros
Published: February 2020

The successful implementation of the European Commission’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the insurance coverage in case of a natural disaster requires precise and regular mapping of crop types and detailed delineation of the disasters’ effects by frequent and accurate controls. Free and open access policy to Copernicus Sentinel data offers a big volume of data to the users on a consistent and complete basis. Today, the Sentinels are involved in an increasing number of agriculture applications, but their effective exploitation is still being investigated and the development of efficient tools, aligned to the user’s needs, is yet to be realised. To this end, the DiAS (Disaster and Agriculture Sentinel Applications) project proposes methods for decision support in agriculture using Sentinel data for crop type mapping, as well as mapping of the extend of fire and flood effects in agricultural areas. The DiAS Decision Support System (DSS) is designed in consultation with potential users in participatory approach and aims to provide a prototype tool, which provides assistance to the responsible paying agencies and insurance organizations to make decisions on farmers’ subsidies and compensations. The DiAS DSS prototype and its functionalities are presented in this paper and its use is demonstrated through example applications for two test sites in Greece. The DiAS DSS demonstrates the necessity for the development of similar tools, as this emerges from the user’s requirements, and wishes to stimulate and inspire further research and development.
Empirical Research on the Process of Land Resource-Asset-Capitalization—A Case Study of Yanba, Jiangjin District, Chongqing
Authors: Fan Weiguo , Chen Nan , Li Ximeng , Wei Hejie , Wang Xuechao
Published: February 2020

As an effective land policy that can invigorate rural construction areas and balance urban and rural development, land tickets not only concretely embody the land resource-asset-capitalization process, but also bring economic benefits to the farmers concerned. However, from the perspective of resource-asset-capitalization, the specific environmental impacts and economic costs of the process in land tickets and the changes in the values of ecosystem services need to be considered. This paper uses land tickets in Yanba, Jiangjin, Chongqing as an example, combined with life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost assessment (LCC), and methods for the evaluation of ecosystem services to quantify the environmental load, economic costs, and changes in the value of ecosystem services in the process of land resource-asset-capitalization. Moreover, through this analysis, we attempted to determine the contributions of different environmental indicators and the key links restricting the whole process of land resource-asset-capitalization. On this basis, through a sensitivity analysis, we explored the possibility of reducing environmental impact during the whole process of land resource-asset-capitalization. Through this research, we sought to explore the realization process of land tickets and to enrich the empirical research on land resource-asset-capitalization.
Research on Improving Concrete Durability by Biomineralization Technology
Authors: Chen How-Ji , Chen Ming-Cheng , Tang Chao-Wei
Published: February 2020

The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) around aggregates in concrete is a weak area with higher porosity than the matrix; it breaks easily under stress and is not conducive to the durability of concrete. However, the ITZ in concrete is full of calcium hydroxide crystals, which can provide the calcium source required for biomineralization. In view of this, this study aims to use the biological activity (i.e., biomineralization technology) existing in nature to enhance the ITZ in concrete and repair concrete cracks to improve the strength and durability of concrete. In this study, the bacterial strain Sporosarcina pasteurii, which is environmentally friendly, was selected. In addition, lightweight aggregate was used as a bacterial carrier. The bacteria were first sporulated. To protect the strains, the biological species were fixed in porous lightweight aggregates. These lightweight aggregates were then used as concrete aggregates. The planned tests included concrete engineering properties (i.e., compressive strength, chloride ion penetration, and water permeability tests) and residual strength after crack repair. The test results show that the use of lightweight aggregate as a carrier and the implantation of Sporosarcina pasteurii can induce biomineralization, strengthen the ITZ, and repair small internal cracks in concrete, thereby improving the strength and durability of the concrete.
Women as Key Agents in Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Gender Multigroup Analysis of the SEO-Performance Relationship
Authors: Criado-Gomis Ana , Iniesta-Bonillo Maria-Angeles , Cervera-Taulet Amparo , Ribeiro-Soriano Domingo
Published: February 2020

Literature points out that the effect of sustainable entrepreneurship on firm performance may be contingent on internal factors, such as top manager characteristics. This paper proposes that the gender of a firm’s chief executive officer (CEO) greatly influences the sustainable entrepreneurial orientation (SEO)-firm performance relationship. An empirical study was conducted on a stratified random sampling, collecting 210 questionnaires from top managers of firms in Valencia (Spain). A multigroup moderation analysis method was used. The results confirm that women tend to increase the positive effect of SEO in firm performance.
A Practical Case Report on the Node Point of a Butterfly Model Circular Economy: Synthesis of a New Hybrid Mineral–Hydrothermal Fertilizer for Rice Cropping
Authors: Chang Mei-Yun , Huang Wu-Jang
Published: February 2020

With the increased importance of a circular economy in the world, in this paper we present a practical “butterfly model” (proposed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation) case report: to gain extra benefits in rice cropping through hybridizing green products of mineral waste and agricultural waste recycling. Hydrothermal biorefinery was used to turn spent agricultural biomass into a value-added biomass nutrient solution (BNS). BNS and sericite mineral waste were mixed and used as a new hybrid mineral–hydrothermal fertilizer for rice cropping. The most important extra benefit of this new hybrid mineral–hydrothermal fertilizer was that the empty grains could be reduced to 1–4 grains/spike (normally, it is 12–18 grains/spike), without significantly decreasing the panicle weight or spike saturation. This case report provides a new logic for circular design at the “node” point of a butterfly diagram.
Artificial Neural Network and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interface System Modelling to Predict Thermal Performances of Thermoelectric Generator for Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Garud Kunal Sandip , Seo Jae-Hyeong , Cho Chong-Pyo , Lee Moo-Yeon
Published: February 2020

The present study elaborates the suitability of the artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) to predict the thermal performances of the thermoelectric generator system for waste heat recovery. Six ANN models and seven ANFIS models are formulated by considering hot gas temperatures and voltage load conditions as the inputs to predict current, power, and thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric generator system for waste heat recovery. The ANN model with the back-propagation algorithm, the Levenberg–Marquardt variant, Tan-Sigmoidal transfer function and 25 number of hidden neurons is found to be an optimum model to accurately predict current, power and thermal efficiency. For current, power and thermal efficiency, the ANFIS model with pi-5 or gauss-5-membership function is recommended as the optimum model when the prediction accuracy is important while the ANFIS model with gbell-3-membership function is suggested as the optimum model when the prediction cost plays a crucial role along with the prediction accuracy. The proposed optimal ANN and ANFIS models present higher prediction accuracy than the coupled numerical approach.
Blind Image Watermarking in Canonical and Cepstrum Domains Based on 4-Connected t-o’clock Scrambling
Authors: Chowdhury Farhana Shirin , Dhar Pranab Kumar , Deb Kaushik , Koshiba Takeshi
Published: February 2020

Copyright protection of multimedia content is confronted with great challenges such as easy access to the Internet. Digital watermarking is widely applicable technique for copyright protection of multimedia contents. In this paper, a blind symmetric watermarking method in canonical and cepstrum domains based on four-connected t-o’clock scrambling is proposed. Initially, the watermark image is scrambled using the four-connected t-o’clock method to enhance the security. Then, the rotation operation is applied to the host image to extract the region where the watermark bits are embedded. After that, discrete linear canonical transform (DLCT) is applied to the extracted region to obtain the DLCT region. Cepstrum transform (CT) is performed on DLCT region to attain CT region. The CT region is then divided into non-overlapping blocks. The watermark bits are inserted into each block using max-heap and min-heap tree property. Experimental results illustrate that the proposed method shows high robustness against numerous attacks. Moreover, it produces high quality watermarked images and provides high security. Furthermore, it has superior performance to recent methods in terms of imperceptibility, robustness, and security.
The Effectiveness of Durian Peel as a Multi-Mycotoxin Adsorbent
Authors: Adunphatcharaphon Saowalak , Petchkongkaew Awanwee , Greco Donato , D’Ascanio Vito , Visessanguan Wonnop , Avantaggiato Giuseppina
Published: February 2020

Durian peel (DP) is an agricultural waste that is widely used in dyes and for organic and inorganic pollutant adsorption. In this study, durian peel was acid-treated to enhance its mycotoxin adsorption efficacy. The acid-treated durian peel (ATDP) was assessed for simultaneous adsorption of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), and fumonisin B1 (FB1). The structure of the ATDP was also characterized by SEM–EDS, FT–IR, a zetasizer, and a surface-area analyzer. The results indicated that ATDP exhibited the highest mycotoxin adsorption towards AFB1 (98.4%), ZEA (98.4%), and OTA (97.3%), followed by FB1 (86.1%) and DON (2.0%). The pH significantly affected OTA and FB1 adsorption, whereas AFB1 and ZEA adsorption was not affected. Toxin adsorption by ATDP was dose-dependent and increased exponentially as the ATDP dosage increased. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax), determined at pH 3 and pH 7, was 40.7 and 41.6 mmol kg−1 for AFB1, 15.4 and 17.3 mmol kg−1 for ZEA, 46.6 and 0.6 mmol kg−1 for OTA, and 28.9 and 0.1 mmol kg−1 for FB1, respectively. Interestingly, ATDP reduced the bioaccessibility of these mycotoxins after gastrointestinal digestion using an in vitro, validated, static model. The ATDP showed a more porous structure, with a larger surface area and a surface charge modification. These structural changes following acid treatment may explain the higher efficacy of ATDP in adsorbing mycotoxins. Hence, ATDP can be considered as a promising waste material for mycotoxin biosorption.
Predominance of a Drifted Influenza A (H3N2) Clade and Its Association with Age-Specific Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Variations, Influenza Season 2018–2019
Authors: Glatman-Freedman Aharona , Pando Rakefet , Sefty Hanna , Omer Itay , Rosenberg Alina , Drori Yaron , Nemet Ital , Mendelson Ella , Keinan-Boker Lital , Mandelboim Michal
Published: February 2020

Background: Influenza A (H3N2) clade 3C.3a was the predominant influenza virus in Israel throughout the 2018-2019 season, constituting a drift from the influenza A (H3N2) vaccine. We estimated the end-of season vaccine effectiveness (VE) by age, among community patients with influenza-like illness (ILI), considering the hemagglutinin (HA) gene mutations and amino acid substitutions of influenza A (H3N2) viruses detected. Methods: Nose-throat samples were analyzed for the presence of influenza virus, type/subtype, and HA gene sequence. HA gene sequences and amino acid substitutions were compared to the influenza A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like 2018-2019 vaccine virus, and a phylogenetic tree was generated. Influenza VE against influenza A (H3N2) was estimated using the test-negative design. VE was estimated by age group and by 15 year moving age intervals. Results: In total, 90% of the influenza A (H3N2) viruses belonged to the 3C.3a clade, constituting a unique situation in the northern hemisphere. Adjusted all-age influenza A (H3N2) VE was −3.5% (95% CI: −51.2 to 29.1). Although adjusted VEs were very low among infants, children, and young adults, a VE of 45% (95% CI: −19.2 to 74.6) was estimated among adults aged ≥45 years old. Conclusions: The higher VE point estimates among older adults may be related to previous exposure to similar influenza viruses.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Wave Overtopping of Barriers
Authors: Cannata Giovanni , Tamburrino Marco , Ferrari Simone , Badas Maria Grazia , Querzoli Giorgio
Published: February 2020

We present a study of wave overtopping of barriers. The phenomenon of the wave overtopping over emerged structures is reproduced both numerically and experimentally. The numerical simulations are carried out by a numerical scheme for three-dimensional free-surface flows, which is based on the solution of the Navier–Stokes equations in a novel integral form on a time-dependent coordinate system. In the adopted numerical scheme, a novel wet–dry technique, based on the exact solution of the Riemann problem over the dry bed, is proposed. The experimental tests are carried out by adopting a nonintrusive and continuous-in-space image-analysis technique, which is able to properly identify the free surface even in very shallow waters or breaking waves. A comparison between numerical and experimental results, for several wave and water-depth conditions, is shown.
Eco-Efficiency of End-of-Pipe Systems: An Extended Environmental Cost Efficiency Framework for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Zhao Xinyue , Zhang Chaofan , Bai Shunwen
Published: February 2020

As a method for eco-efficiency analysis, environmental cost efficiency (ECE) indicators have been proposed for the end-of-pipe (EOP) systems that referred to the techniques achieving environmental benefit under economic cost. The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) belongs to the EOP systems; however, few studies used the ECE indicators for the sustainability evaluation. Here, this study first proposed the following processes that had been excluded in the current ECE framework and thus limited the potential application in WWTP: (1) the direct impact of wastewater on receiving water, (2) the migration and transformation of water pollutants affected by the self-purification mechanisms of receiving water. To address the aforementioned processes, this study extended the framework of ECE indicators by means of incorporating the potential growth of microorganisms as the characterization state and integrating the water quality models with the characterization models. To investigate the applicability, a full-scale WWTP was selected as the study case and the eco-efficiency of the increasing levels of sewage treatment was evaluated. The case outcome showed that, with the extended ECE indicators, the analysis of eco-efficiency could be directly related to the specific locations and could determine the specific distance ranges within which the scenarios changing were considered efficient. Moreover, the eco-efficiency could be investigated under more concrete and flexible situations because the extended framework of ECE indicators was able to include more information, such as different types of receiving water or different environmental conditions of certain water body.
A Comparative Study of Statistical Methods for Daily Streamflow Estimation at Ungauged Basins in Turkey
Authors: Yilmaz Mustafa Utku , Onoz Bihrat
Published: February 2020

In this study, a comparative evaluation of the statistical methods for daily streamflow estimation at ungauged basins is presented. The single donor station drainage area ratio (DAR) method, the multiple-donor stations drainage area ratio (MDAR) method, the inverse similarity weighted (ISW) method, and its variations with three different power parameters (1, 2, and 3) are applied to the two main subbasins of the Euphrates Basin in Turkey to estimate daily streamflow data. Each station in each basin is considered in turn as the target station where there are no streamflow data. The donor stations are selected based on the physical similarities between the donor and target stations. Then, streamflow data from the most physically similar donor station(s) is transferred to the target station using the statistical methods. In addition, the effect of data preprocessing on the estimation performance of the statistical methods is investigated. The preprocessing discussed in this study is streamflow data smoothing using the two-sided moving average (MA). Three statistical methods using the smoothed data by the MA, named as DAR-MA, MDAR-MA, and ISW-MA, are proposed. The estimation performance of the statistical methods is compared by using daily streamflow data with preprocessing and without preprocessing. The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the ratio of the root mean square error (RMSE) to the standard deviation of the observed data (RSR), the percent bias (PBIAS), and the coefficient of determination (R2) are used to evaluate the performance of the statistical methods. The results show that MDAR and ISW give improved performances compared to DAR to estimate daily streamflow for 7 out of 8 target stations in the Middle Euphrates Basin and for 4 out of 7 target stations in the Upper Euphrates Basin. Higher NSE values for both MDAR and ISW are mostly obtained with the three most physically similar donor stations in the Middle Euphrates Basin and with the two most physically similar donor stations in the Upper Euphrates Basin. The best statistical method for each target station exhibits slightly greater NSE when the smoothed data by the MA is used for all target stations in the Middle Euphrates Basin and for 6 out of 7 target stations in the Upper Euphrates Basin.
Imitação e intertextualidade: a “Carta a Luceio”, de Cícero, e a “Carta a Tácito”, de Plínio
Authors: Scatolin Adriano
Published: February 2020

O texto apresenta a tradução anotada de duas cartas (Cic. Fam. 5.12 e Plin. Ep. 7.33). A carta de Plínio, escrita ao historiador Tácito, imita a de Cícero, endereçada ao historiador Lúcio Luceio. A anotação procura apontar o jogo intertextual de tal imitação emulativa.
Le rôle des télécommunications dans la compétitivité des PME en espace transnational sud-rhénan (Alsace, Bade-Sud, Suisse bâloise)
Authors: Wackermann Gabriel
Published: February 2020

The part of telecommunications in the competition of the small and median enterprises in southern Rhine space. In the areas marked by the connections between industry and tertiary domains, the distribution and redistribution of the economical power is subtended by important telecommunicative structures that will play a growing international part. These structures are inducing numerous types of immaterial fluxes that are actively participating in the telematic spheres, in the evolution of local collectivities and of the social and cultural life. These changements are reflecting upon the political and administrative systems. They give true assets to the political regiona,national,european affirmation. The Rhine space, one of the most important axes of the Old continent, that is more and more relativized by the emergence of other axes appearing with the revival of Central Europ, reveals very expressively the part played by the telecommunications in the spatial mobility and its geopolitical consequences.

The southern Rhine space that includes three nations, is benefitting by the internationalization of the affairs especially in Germany and swizzerland, along the border between the European community and the ancient EFTA, an area of active meeting inside and outside the European economical space is well situated to observe the part of telematic in the integration process of the firms in the international relations. It makes easier the study of the articulations between the big and middle business and the great firms so as the comparison between areas the frontiers of which are progressively disappearing and the other types of spaces. The approaches are however relatively long. The proximity markets are often good and our space is not all looking like a split space. The acceleration of the setting of logistic chains and axes is however contributing to the development of telematic that will modify the traditionnal structures, the firms profiles and the nature itself of the relations between the firms.
Flux de marchandises et flux d’informations, espace(s) de production des transports routiers de marchandises
Authors: Lombard Jerôme , Mauny Pascal
Published: February 2020

La production d’un transport routier de marchandises en 1997 est significative de la relation qui s’établit entre flux informationnels et fonctionnement territorial. Effectivement, le transport routier de marchandises «consomme » de l’espace (surface au sol ) et nécessite la constitution de réseaux informationnels (maîtrise des frets) dont les capacités ont été considéra¬ blement accrues par la radiotéléphonie. L’équipement des camions en téléphone contribue de façon décisive à l’intensification de la relation entre ces deux espaces (physique et virtuel). Après avoir, dans une première section, présenté le géoespace et le cyberespace des trm, nous dévelop¬ perons dans une deuxième section quelques cas d’entreprises de transport routier pour lesquelles le radiotéléphone représente un outil informationnel indispensable, mais dont l’appropriation par les acteurs diffère selon les conditions socio-économiques de production. Dans la troisième et dernière section, nous soulignerons le rôle stratégique du répartiteur, élément-clé de la relation entre les deux espaces.