bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plutonium-Doped Monazite and Other Orthophosphates—Thermodynamics and Experimental Data on Long-Term Behavior
Authors: Mikhailova Polina , Burakov Boris , Eremin Nikolai , Averin Alexei , Shiryaev Andrey
Published: January 2021

The paper consists of two main parts: a microscopic and spectroscopic investigation of the single crystal of 17-year-old 238Pu-doped Eu-monazite, and a theoretical calculation of the properties of several structural types of orthophosphates. It is shown that actinide-doped monazite is prone to the formation of mechanically weak, poorly crystalline crust, presumably consisting of rhabdophane. Its formation is likely promoted by the formation of peroxides and, potentially, acidic compounds, due to the radiolysis of atmospheric moisture. The calculations of mixing the enthalpies and Gibbs energies of binary solid solutions of Pu and rare earth element (REE) phosphates that were performed for the principal structural types—monazite, xenotime, rhabdophane—show that, in the case of light REEs, the plutonium admixture is preferentially redistributed into the rhabdophane. This process strongly affects the behavior of actinides, leached from a monazite-based waste form. The applications of these results for the development of actinide waste forms are discussed. The current data on the behavior of real actinide-doped monazite suggest that this type of ceramic waste form is not very resistant, even in relatively short time periods.
Changes in Landscape Structure in the Municipalities of the Nitra District (Slovak Republic) Due to Expanding Suburbanization
Authors: Pucherová Zuzana , Mišovičová Regina , Bugár Gabriel , Grežo Henrich
Published: January 2021

Suburbanization, as a set of several factors, influences and changes the landscape structure of smaller municipalities in the hinterland of larger cities. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the built-up areas related to suburbanization within three time horizons—in 2002, 2005, and 2020—in 62 municipalities of the district (including two cities, Nitra and Vráble). This study examines the process of spatial changes in landscape features (residential, industrial, agricultural, transport) related to suburbanization between 2002 and 2005 and between 2002 and 2020. The input analytical data were digital orthophotomaps from 2002 and 2005 and the current orthophotomosaics of the Slovak Republic from 2017 (GKÚ, Bratislava), updated for the year 2020 using Sentinel 2 satellite image data (European Space Agency). The impact of suburbanization processes between 2002 and 2005 did not reach the dimensions of the changes that occurred due to suburbanization processes between 2002 and 2020 or 2005 and 2020. The main research objective of the article is the identification and assessment of these changes. We determined which landscape features related to suburbanization affected spatial changes in municipalities of the district Nitra. The total area affected by one of the suburbanization processes monitored by us reached 92.52 ha in the period between 2002 and 2005. Between the years 2002 and 2020, the area reached a total of 2272.82 ha, which is an increase of 2180.30 ha in 2020 compared to 2002. This included mainly the expansion of settlements or housing (60.15%), industrial areas (29.31%), transport facilities (4.35%), agricultural areas (0.73%), and other areas (5.46%). These results show expanding suburbanization for the period from 2002 to 2020 and that this process has been gaining momentum in the municipalities of the Nitra district, especially in recent years, which changes the look of rural municipalities and the character of a typical rural landscape.
Emotional and Educational Accompaniment through Dialogic Literary Gatherings: A Volunteer Project for Families Who Suffer Digital Exclusion in the Context of COVID-19
Authors: Elboj-Saso Carmen , Cortés-Pascual Alejandra , Íñiguez-Berrozpe Tatiana , Lozano-Blasco Raquel , Quílez-Robres Alberto
Published: January 2021

In order to improve educational conditions of families lacking digital resources during the home lockdown associated with the COVID-19 crisis, a project of educational and emotional support through books featuring Dialogic Literary Gatherings was carried out, with the name “Books that Bring People Together”. We present the main results of the impact of this activity from the point of view of n = 63 volunteers who participated in it. Using Student’s t-test for related samples, the differences in volunteers’ competencies before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the experience were tested, in order to analyze whether the activity had also exerted an impact on these competencies. Moreover, a correlation analysis was applied between the items for evaluating family participation by the volunteers, volunteer skills, and training, with the aim of testing the relationships between those variables as a result of participation in the experience. Results show that families found that accompaniment improved the quality of life of their children, making them feel loved and accompanied. In addition, the family atmosphere was improved, as did the children’s interest in reading. This mode of training led to greater involvement, motivation, and interest, thereby complying with a transversal axis of the process—community participation.
Consumers’ Value and Risk Perceptions of Circular Fashion: Comparison between Secondhand, Upcycled, and Recycled Clothing
Authors: Kim Inhwa , Jung Hye Jung , Lee Yuri
Published: January 2021

A circular economy paradigm has recently emerged to combat environmental pollution and climate change around the world. In the fashion industry, circular fashion has been spotlighted as an environmentally friendly approach to fashion products. The purpose of this study was to investigate consumers’ value and risk perceptions, product attitudes, and behavior intentions toward circular fashion consumption. Specifically, this study focuses on three types of circular fashion products from textile waste: reused clothing, upcycled clothing, and recycled clothing. The moderating role of individualism was also explored. Survey data from 850 consumers in their 20s and 30s in Korea were collected to test our hypotheses. The results showed the influence of emotional value was the greatest, while economic risk and performance risk did not affect product attitudes. A moderating effect of individualism was found in the paths between perception dimension and product attitudes and between product attitudes and behavior intention. These findings can help retailers and marketers create more tailored retailing and promotional strategies.
Ecosystem-Based MSP for Enhanced Fisheries Sustainability: An Example from the Northern Adriatic (Chioggia—Venice and Rovigo, Italy)
Authors: Farella Giulio , Tassetti Anna Nora , Menegon Stefano , Bocci Martina , Ferrà Carmen , Grati Fabio , Fadini Amedeo , Giovanardi Otello , Fabi Gianna , Raicevich Saša , Barbanti Andrea
Published: January 2021

Human pressures on marine ecosystems significantly increased during last decades. Among the intense anthropic activities, industrial fisheries have caused the alteration of habitats, the reduction of biodiversity and the main fish stocks. The aim of this research, carried out in the Adriatic Sea, was to test a repeatable Marine Spatial Planning framework aimed at enhancing fisheries sustainability through the application of Decision Support Tools and the composition of a catalog of possible measures. The use of these tools proved very useful to identify possible criticalities and facilitate an effective exchange with fisheries stakeholders, local authorities, and fishermen, whose involvement was an indispensable step in the process. Tool-based analyses allowed to assess the spatial footprint of a range of anthropogenic pressures from human activities (e.g., fisheries, maritime traffic, and aquaculture). Within this multi-pressure scenario, special attention was paid to fishing-related disturbances and potential conflicts across different fishing métier and with other sectors. Specifically, results highlighted the spatial features of the major fishing pressures (e.g., abrasion from trawling) affecting essential fish habitats, marine mammals and turtles in the study area. A portfolio of possible management measures is identified for the study area. It provides clear evidence that, in order to mitigate emerging conflicts and cumulative impacts, it is necessary to combine and integrate different types of measures: spatial measures modulated over time, monitoring and control, actions to fill knowledge gaps, concertation—involvement—co-management actions, improvement of governance systems, actions to support innovation in the sector, etc. Given the complex set of measures discussed, this work can provide a useful contribution to the management of fisheries both at local and regional level, fostering the transition to sustainable fisheries.
Economic Perspective on Discontinuing Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Moving toward a Low-Carbon Society
Authors: Park Kyungwon , Lee Yoon , Han Joon
Published: January 2021

In Korea, multiple efforts, including subsidies to energy industries, have been made to increase renewable energy use and strengthen the competitiveness of renewable energy industries. Ironically, a considerable number of subsidies have also been provided for fossil fuels, drawing criticism both within Korea and overseas that these subsidies increase not only fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but also energy market distortion. Thus, the Korean government announced a plan to discontinue some fossil fuel subsidies in 2020. Based on Korea’s policy orientation to expand renewable energy and strengthen its competitiveness, various scenarios to phase out fossil fuel subsidies and increase renewable energy subsidies can be examined. This study used the computable general equilibrium model to subdivide the energy sector and analyze the influence of changes in subsidies on the Korean economy and CO2 emissions based on three scenarios. The results show that phasing out fossil fuel subsidies causes a significant reduction in domestic CO2 emissions by −6.9 to −8.5%, depending on our scenarios. Implementing energy policy in Korea may have minimum impacts on its economy when fossil fuel subsidies transfer to renewable energy industries. The real gross domestic product could be only decreased by −0.04 to −0.14%.
Modeling and Simulation of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Alongside a Waste Heat Recovery System Based on the Organic Rankine Cycle in MATLAB/SIMULINK Environment
Authors: Ansari Sharjeel Ashraf , Khalid Mustafa , Kamal Khurram , Abdul Hussain Ratlamwala Tahir , Hussain Ghulam , Alkahtani Mohammed
Published: January 2021

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the fastest growing fuel cell technology on the market. Due to their sustainable nature, PEMFCs are widely adopted as a renewable energy resource. Fabricating a PEMFC is a costly process; hence, mathematical modeling and simulations are necessary in order to fully optimize its performance. Alongside this, the feasibility of a waste heat recovery system based on the organic Rankine cycle is also studied and power generation for different operating conditions is presented. The fuel cell produces a power output of 1198 W at a current of 24A. It has 50% efficiency and hence produces an equal amount of waste heat. That waste heat is used to drive an organic Rankine cycle (ORC), which in turn produces an additional 428 W of power at 35% efficiency. The total extracted power hence stands at 1626 W. MATLAB/Simulink R2016a is used for modeling both the fuel cell and the organic Rankine cycle.
Antecedents of Self-Disclosure on Social Networking Sites (SNSs): A Study of Facebook Users
Authors: Sharif Ashraf , Soroya Saira Hanif , Ahmad Shakil , Mahmood Khalid
Published: January 2021

Self-disclosure on social networking sites (SNSs) leads to social capital development, connectedness, and relationship building. Due to several benefits associated with this behavior, self-disclosure has become a subject of research over the last few years. The current study investigates the antecedents of self-disclosure under the lens of the technology acceptance model (TAM). The research is quantitative, and the data were collected from 400 Pakistani Facebook users with a variety of demographic characteristics. The partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) analysis technique was employed to analyze the data. The study′s findings confirmed that perceived usefulness is a strong predictor of personal information sharing, and it along with other variables causes a 31% variation in self-disclosure behavior. However, trust (medium and social) mediates the relationshipof perceived usefulness, privacy concerns, and self-disclosure behavior.
Environmental Profile Study of Ozone Decolorization of Reactive Dyed Cotton Textiles by Utilizing Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Powar Ajinkya , Perwuelz Anne , Behary Nemeshwaree , Hoang Le Vinh , Aussenac Thierry , Loghin Carmen , Maier Stelian Sergiu , Guan Jinping , Chen Guoqiang
Published: January 2021

Research approaches on the use of ecotechnologies like ozone assisted processes for the decolorization of textiles are being explored as against the conventional alkaline reductive process for the color stripping of the cotton textiles. The evaluation of these ecotechnologies must be performed to assess the environmental impacts. Partial “gate to gate” Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was implemented to study the ozone based decolorization process of the reactive dyed cotton textiles. Experiments were performed to determine input and output data flows for decolorization treatment of reactive dyed cotton textile using the ozonation process. The functional unit was defined as “treatment of 40 g of reactive dyed cotton fabric to achieve more than 94% color stripping”. Generic and specific data bases were also used to determine flows, and International Life Cycle Data system (ILCD) method was selected to convert all flows into environmental impacts. The impact category “Water resource depletion” is the highest for all the ozonation processes as it has the greatest relative value after normalization amongst all the impact indicators. Electricity and Oxygen formation were found to be the major contributors to the environmental impacts. New experimental conditions have been studied to optimize the impacts.
The Impact of the Amendment of Taiwan’s Certified Public Accountant Act in 2007 on Large Accounting Firms
Authors: Yang Chung-Cheng , Chen Jianxiong , Yang Wen-Chi
Published: January 2021

Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission of the Executive Yuan promulgated the fully amended Certified Public Accountant Act in 2007, which directly led to significant changes in accounting law. From the perspective of the economic theory of law, this study investigates the amendment of the Certified Public Accountant Act resulting in an increase or decrease in the overall revenue and different revenue shares of accounting firms, and puts forward measures that should be taken by accounting firms and stakeholders. We focus on large accounting firms and divide the sample period into before and after 2008. This study uses the translog revenue function and revenue share functions of the public accounting industry, and based on the 1989–2017 Survey Report of Audit Firms in Taiwan, and we find that the amendment of the Certified Public Accountant Act has had a positive effect on overall revenue, increasing overall revenue and the overall management advisory services shares, and in reducing the overall accounting and auditing shares and tax services shares of large accounting firms. Additional analyses provide regulators with public policy implications and provide accounting firms with managerial information.
Reconstructive Social Innovation Cycles in Women-Led Initiatives in Rural Areas
Authors: Sarkki Simo , Dalla Torre Cristina , Fransala Jasmiini , Živojinović Ivana , Ludvig Alice , Górriz-Mifsud Elena , Melnykovych Mariana , Sfeir Patricia R. , Arbia Labidi , Bengoumi Mohammed , Chorti Houda , Gramm Verena , López Marco Lucía , Ravazzoli Elisa , Nijnik Maria
Published: January 2021

Social innovations can tackle various challenges related to gender equity in rural areas, especially when such innovations are initiated and developed by women themselves. We examine cases located in rural areas of Canada, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, and Serbia, where women are marginalized by gender roles, patriarchal values, male dominated economy and policy, and lack of opportunities for education and employment. Our objective is to analyze five case studies on how women-led social innovation processes can tackle gender equity related challenges manifested at the levels of everyday practice, institutions, and cognitive frames. The analyses are based on interviews, workshops, literature screening, and are examined via the qualitative abductive method. Results summarize challenges that rural women are facing, explore social innovation initiatives as promising solutions, and analyze their implications on gender equity in the five case studies. Based on our results we propose a new concept: reconstructive social innovation cycle. It refers to is defined as cyclical innovation processes that engage women via civil society initiatives. These initiatives reconstruct the existing state of affairs, by questioning marginalizing and discriminative practices, institutions, and cognitive frames that are often perceived as normal. The new concept helps with to assessing the implications that women-led social innovations have for gender equity.
Research of the Disparities in the Process of Revitalization of Brownfields in Small Towns and Cities
Authors: Szeligova Natalie , Teichmann Marek , Kuda Frantisek
Published: January 2021

The subject of the work is the research on relevant factors influencing participation in the success of brownfield revitalization, especially in the territory of small municipalities. Research has so far dealt with the issue of determining disparities in the municipalities of the Czech Republic, not excluding small municipalities, but their subsequent application has usually been presented in larger cities. The focus on smaller municipalities or cities was usually addressed only in general. The introduction provides an overview of theoretical knowledge in the field of brownfield revitalization. Defining the level of knowledge of the monitored issues is an essential step for the purposes of more effective determination of disparities. Disparities will be determined on the basis of information on localities that have been successfully revitalized. The identified disparities are then monitored in the territory of small municipalities. For the purposes of processing, it was determined that a small municipality or city is an area with a maximum of 5000 inhabitants. Using appropriately selected statistical methods, an overview of disparities and their weights is determined, which significantly affect the success of revitalization. In small municipalities, the issue of brownfields is not emphasized but, in terms of maintaining community strength and reducing population turnover, the reuse of brownfields is a crucial theme.
Analysis of the Influence of Sport Cyclists on Narrow Two-Lane Rural Roads Using Instrumented Bicycles and Microsimulation
Authors: Moll Sara , López Griselda , García Alfredo
Published: January 2021

It is frequent to see cyclists on Spanish two-lane rural roads, both riding individually and in groups. However, these roads were designed only for motorized vehicles, most of them having a narrow section with a null or impassable shoulder. Currently, drivers and cyclists have to share roads and interact, affecting both safety and traffic operation. The possibility of overtaking offers an improvement in traffic operation, however on narrow roads it can be difficult, meaning a greater invasion of the opposite lane thus creating more dangerous situations and implying a higher overtaking duration. To analyze the phenomenon, field data from instrumented bicycles and naturalistic videos were collected, then some performance measures to characterize safety and traffic operation were obtained. To increase the number of overtaking manoeuvres and performance measures obtained from observations, microsimulation has been used by adapting a model to include cyclists and their interaction with motorized vehicles. The traffic microsimulator was calibrated and validated with field data. The results show that cycle traffic presence decreases motorized vehicle average travel speed and increases percent followers and delays. Microsimulation can be used to study other traffic scenarios and can help road administrations to safely and efficiently integrate cyclists to vehicular traffic on rural roads.
Site Selection and Layout of Material Reserve Based on Emergency Demand Graduation under Large-Scale Earthquake
Authors: Yan Xinxin , Hou Hanping , Yang Jianliang , Fang Jiaqi
Published: January 2021

Reasonable siting layout of reserve emergency supplies plays a critical role in rapid response and accurate rescue after disaster. People’s life safety and health, as well as the psychological satisfaction brought by the government’s excellent emergency rescue level, is an important guarantee for maintaining social stability and sustainable development. Based on the coverage model, considering demand graduation, this paper develops a bi-objective optimization model to determine the optimal location plan of graduated supplies by maximizing the rescue satisfaction and minimizing the number of warehouses. A heuristic multi-center clustering location algorithm is designed to solve the model. This model is applied to the prepositioning of emergency supplies in an earthquake affected area in Sichuan province, China to verify the effectiveness of the model and algorithm. Finally, the paper discusses the influence of demand graduation on the location of emergency supplies. The results show that reasonable location planning of different levels of supplies can effectively improve the rescue satisfaction.
Relationships between Some Biodiversity Indicators and Crown Damage of Pinus sylvestris L. in Natural Old Growth Pine Forests
Authors: Przybylski Paweł , Mohytych Vasyl , Rutkowski Paweł , Tereba Anna , Tyburski Łukasz , Fyalkowska Kateryna
Published: January 2021

Biodiversity at the species and individual levels is one of the fundamental elements characterizing an ecosystem. It is assumed that the greater the level of biodiversity, the more tolerant the environment is to changes in external conditions. In recent years, dynamic climate change has negatively impacted the health of many forest trees across Europe, in particular Scots pine. Tree health is commonly characterized by crown defoliation. The study presented here describes and correlates crown defoliation with biodiversity indicators at the species and individual tree levels. Research was conducted in two national parks in Poland (Kampinoski and Bory Tucholskie). Since stands have been under legal protection for many years and forest management is not practiced there, stand development processes taking place there are similar to natural ones. This study provided empirical data on ecosystem response to external stresses based on species and genetic structure. The results confirm differing health of the populations, which results from, among other factors, stand age and the environmental conditions in which they grow. Pine stands in both national parks are genetically diverse but with low genetic variability. Differences in stand health are related to the number of alleles forming the genetic pool. This conclusion is supported by a high correlation coefficient for interactions between defoliation, the number of alleles, and the Shannon index for genotypes. This suggests that greater gene diversity is likely to provide a wider range of phenotypic responses to environmental change.
What Do Environmental Flows Mean for Long-term Freshwater Ecosystems’ Protection? Assessment of the Mexican Water Reserves for the Environment Program
Authors: Salinas-Rodríguez Sergio , Barba-Macías Everardo , Infante Mata Dulce , Nava-López Mariana , Neri-Flores Iris , Domínguez Varela Ricardo , González Mora Ignacio
Published: January 2021

Almost a decade ago, the Mexican government targeted to establish environmental water reserves (EWR)—a volume of water allocated for ecological protection based on the Environmental Flow Mexican Norm (eflows, NMX-AA-159-SCFI-2012, ratified in 2017)—in strategic low-pressured for water use and high conservation importance river basins throughout the country. To date, 12 EWRs have been declared for up to 50 years, which encompass 295 river basins and ~55% of the national mean annual runoff (MAR). In this article, we conducted a quality evaluation of the EWRs established. First, the EWR level was analyzed against the MAR and according to wider hydrological conditions. The EWR fulfillment was evaluated by comparing the volumes enacted against the theoretical (Norm implementation). Our findings revealed that independently of individual and regional water use and conservation merits context, ~75% of the EWRs met theoretical volumes at least at an acceptable level, of which medians ranged from 24% to 73% MAR (natural parametrization and A–D environmental objectives). These outcomes prove the usefulness and consistency of the Mexican strategic hierarchical approach for eflow assessments. We aim for them to be considered as the baseline for future on-site eflow implementation and environmental water policy assessments, to show the nationwide potential benefits for protecting free-flowing rivers and to encourage a regional escalation of the strategy.
A Conceptual Model for Developing Climate Education in Sustainability Management Education System
Authors: Szczepankiewicz Elżbieta Izabela , Fazlagić Jan , Loopesko Windham
Published: January 2021

Climate change issues are multi-faceted and transcend different parts of society and the economy; they expose future generations to life-long health risks. We have a responsibility to future generations. One way to shape the future is the appropriate design of education systems. In this article we argue that climate education requires a holistic approach which goes beyond classroom pedagogies. We argue that climate education should not be limited to interventions within the field of school curricula alone. We review the main elements of the system of education qualitatively, both at macro- and micro-levels, and attempt to form a point of view. Our main argument is that climate education efforts should be coordinated and institutionalised. Based on our qualitative research in Poland, we developed a conceptual model and linked it to an assessment tool. Our model includes the elements necessary for a climate-oriented education program. We propose certain indicators which can be applied at school and higher levels of education system management. Our suggestions should not be limited to children’s education but should be incorporated into continuing education for professionals such as lawyers and accountants as well as other adult education programs. The science and research results are now rich and reliable enough that they can be applied to systemic social change (not only at the individual level). For this reason our model presents a conceptual framework for implementing systemic change in education systems that supports the efforts of local and national authorities to address climate change. The model is general and independent of national cultures. Our research offers both policymakers and scientists the opportunity to modify our concept and adapt it to local contexts and the national legal system. Our model should provoke decision-makers to introduce necessary changes in the legal system. The development of climate awareness should take a formalised role within a national education system. In this paper we demonstrate a logical process of reasoning ensuing from the literature review through empirical research down to the implementation stage.
Theoretical Investigation of Equilibrium Dynamics in Braided Gravel Beds for the Preservation of a Sustainable Fluvial Environment
Authors: Pannone Marilena , Vincenzo Annamaria De
Published: January 2021

Gravel bars have an important role in the exchange between surface and subsurface waters, in preventing and mitigating riverbank erosion, in allowing the recreational use of rivers, and in preserving fluvial or riparian habitats for species of fishes, invertebrates, plants, and birds. In many cases, gravel bars constitute an important substrate for the establishment and development of ground flora and woody vegetation and guarantee higher plant diversity. A sustainable management of braided rivers should, therefore, ensure their ecological potential and biodiversity by preserving a suitable braiding structure over time. In the present study, we propose an analytical–numerical model for predicting the evolution of gravel bars in conditions of dynamical equilibrium. The model is based on the combination of sediment balance equation and a regression formula relating dimensionless unit bedload rate and stream power. The results highlight the dependence of the evolving sediment particles’ pattern on the ratio of initial macro-bedforms longitudinal dimension to river width, which determines the gradual transition from advective and highly braiding to diffusive transport regime. Specifically, the tendency to maintain braiding and flow bifurcation is associated with equilibrium average bed profiles and, therefore, equilibrium average stream power characterized by the maximum period that does not exceed transverse channel dimension.
Spatial Analysis of an Emission Inventory from Liquefied Natural Gas Fleet Based on Automatic Identification System Database
Authors: Kim Hoegwon , Watanabe Daisuke , Toriumi Shigeki , Hirata Enna
Published: January 2021

Many states are actively working toward regulating CO2 emissions from a wide range of industries. However, due to the international characteristic of shipping, the emissions from shipping have not yet been strictly controlled. Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data acquired through satellites, this study estimates the emission inventory, such as, CO2, CH4, CH4, N2O, NOx, CO and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) around the world and bunker consumption from a liquified natural gas (LNG) fleet under the assumption that a LNG fleet uses LNG as fuel. Using position data calculated from an AIS database, we made comparisons regarding the LNG trade amount and bunker consumption of LNG fleet, as well as the total CO2 inventory and CO2 emissions from LNG fleet in the vicinity of the coasts of relevant countries. The result provides insights into (1) how the emissions and bunker consumption from LNG fleet is distributed, (2) which countries are taking relatively more advantages of LNG trade, and (3) which countries are suffering possible harmful effects.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Pacific Islands Plastic Pollution Policy Frameworks
Authors: Farrelly Trisia A. , Borrelle Stephanie B. , Fuller Sascha
Published: January 2021

The rate of plastic pollution entering the environment is accelerating with plastic production predicted to increase by 40% over the next decade. Plastic pollution transcends territorial boundaries on ocean and air currents. Large Ocean Small Island Developing States (LOSIDS) are on the frontline of the plastics crisis and associated climate change impacts. This desktop gap analysis identified potential strengths and weaknesses in national policy frameworks in 52 key documents relevant to plastic pollution in ten Pacific LOSIDS. The study found considerable gaps in the vertical and horizontal integration of plastic pollution-related policy, and a lack of access to current science-based evidence on plastic pollution including evidence related to human health impacts and microplastics. The study concludes that, even if Pacific LOSIDS were to include best practice management of plastic pollution across all policy frameworks, they could not prevent plastic pollution, and that a plastic pollution convention is needed.
Spatiotemporal Features—Extracted Travel Time Prediction Leveraging Deep-Learning-Enabled Graph Convolutional Neural Network Model
Authors: Li Xiantong , Wang Hua , Sun Pengcheng , Zu Hongquan
Published: January 2021

Travel time prediction is one of the most important parameters to forecast network-wide traffic conditions. Travelers can access traffic roadway networks and arrive in their destinations at the lowest costs guided by accurate travel time estimation on alternative routes. In this study, we propose a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based deep learning model, deep learning on spatiotemporal features with Convolution Neural Network (DLSF-CNN), to extract the spatial–temporal correlation of travel time on different routes to accurately predict route travel time. Specifically, this model utilizes network-wide travel time, considering its topological structure as inputs, and combines convolutional neural network and LSTM techniques to accurately predict travel time. In addition to their spatial dependence, both coarse-grained and fine-grained temporal dependences are fully considered among the road segments along a route as well. The shift problem is formulated in the coarse-grained granularity to predict the route travel time in the next time interval. The experimental tests were conducted using real route travel time obtained by taxi trajectories in Harbin. The test results show that the travel time prediction accuracy of DLSF-CNN is above 90%. Meanwhile, the proposed model outperformed the other machine learning models based on multiple evaluation criteria. The RMSE (Root Mean Squard Error) and R2 (R Squared) increased by 18.6% and 22.46%, respectively. The results indicate the proposed model performs reasonably well under prevailing traffic conditions.
Impacts of Climate Change and Population Growth on River Nutrient Loads in a Data Scarce Region: The Upper Awash River (Ethiopia)
Authors: Bussi Gianbattista , Whitehead Paul G. , Jin Li , Taye Meron T. , Dyer Ellen , Hirpa Feyera A. , Yimer Yosef Abebe , Charles Katrina J.
Published: January 2021

Assessing the impact of climate change and population growth on river water quality is a key issue for many developing countries, where multiple and often conflicting river water uses (water supply, irrigation, wastewater disposal) are placing increasing pressure on limited water resources. However, comprehensive water quality datasets are often lacking, thus impeding a full-scale data-based river water quality assessment. Here we propose a model-based approach, using both global datasets and local data to build an evaluation of the potential impact of climate changes and population growth, as well as to verify the efficiency of mitigation measures to curb river water pollution. The upper Awash River catchment in Ethiopia, which drains the city of Addis Ababa as well as many agricultural areas, is used as a case-study. The results show that while decreases in runoff and increases in temperature due to climate change are expected to result in slightly decreased nutrient concentrations, the largest threat to the water quality of the Awash River is population growth, which is expected to increase nutrient loads by 15 to 20% (nitrate) and 30 to 40% (phosphorus) in the river by the second half of the 21st century. Even larger increases are to be expected downstream of large urban areas, such as Addis Ababa. However, improved wastewater treatment options are shown to be efficient in counteracting the negative impact of population growth and returning water pollution to acceptable levels.
Toward Applications of Linear Control Systems on the Real World and Theoretical Challenges
Authors: Ayala Víctor , Torreblanca María , Valdivia William
Published: January 2021

Many significant real world challenges arise as optimization problems on different classes of control systems. In particular, ordinary differential equations with symmetries. The purpose of this review article is twofold. First, we give the information we have about the class of Linear Control Systems ΣG on a low dimension matrix Lie group G. Second, we invite the Mathematical community to consider possible applications through the Pontryagin Maximum Principle for ΣG. In addition, we challenge some theoretical open problems. The class ΣG is a perfect generalization of the classical Linear Control System on the Abelian group Rn. Let G be a Lie group of dimension two or three. Related to ΣG, this review describes the actual results about controllability, the time-optimal Hamiltonian equations and, the Pontryagin Maximum Principle. We show how to build ΣG, through several examples on low dimensional matrix groups.
Sensitivity Analysis of Rigid Pavement Design Based on Semi-Empirical Methods: Romanian Case Study
Authors: Pleșcan Costel , Pleșcan Elena-Loredana , Stanciu Mariana D. , Botiș Marius , Taus Daniel
Published: January 2021

Due to the intensive process of road construction or rehabilitation of pavement caused by an increase in traffic volume, in the field of rigid pavement design and research in Romania, we can say that there is a need to improve the design method. In the last decade, more and more researchers have been concerned about climate change and the increase in traffic volume; hence, there is a need for a renewal of the climatological, as well as traffic, databases because these are part of the input data for the design process. The design method currently used in Romania for jointed plain concrete pavement design is NP081/2002. The limitation of the data and the lack of lifetime estimation of structural and functional performance are the main aspects that need to be addressed in the new design procedure. The Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design (MEPDG) method offers the possibility of the design of pavement structures by estimating the structural and functional performances. This paper aims to obtain a comparative study of these two methods for the analysis of the input data collected from the field corresponding to the three failure criteria, while the symmetry of the characteristics of the material and their asymmetrical thicknesses are compared, thus contributing to the design of viable and long-lasting pavement structures using a rigid pavement with the specific characteristics of the mountainous area in northeastern Romania on the national road DN17 Suceava—Vatra Dornei. The novelty of this study consists of the implementation of the mechanistic–empirical method MEPDG instead of the old NP081/2002 method used in Romania.
Gauss—Bonnet Theorems in the Lorentzian Heisenberg Group and the Lorentzian Group of Rigid Motions of the Minkowski Plane
Authors: Wei Sining , Wang Yong
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper was to obtain Gauss–Bonnet theorems on the Lorentzian Heisenberg group and the Lorentzian group of rigid motions of the Minkowski plane. At the same time, the sub-Lorentzian limits of Gaussian curvature for surfaces which are C2-smooth in the Lorentzian Heisenberg group away from characteristic points and signed geodesic curvature for curves which are C2-smooth on surfaces are studied. Using a similar method, we also studied the corresponding contents on Lorentzian group of rigid motions of the Minkowski plane.
Some Identities of the Degenerate Higher Order Derangement Polynomials and Numbers
Authors: Kim Hye Kyung
Published: January 2021

Recently, Kim-Kim (J. Math. Anal. Appl. (2021), Vol. 493(1), 124521) introduced the λ-Sheffer sequence and the degenerate Sheffer sequence. In addition, Kim et al. (arXiv:2011.08535v1 17 November 2020) studied the degenerate derangement polynomials and numbers, and investigated some properties of those polynomials without using degenerate umbral calculus. In this paper, the y the degenerate derangement polynomials of order s (s∈N) and give a combinatorial meaning about higher order derangement numbers. In addition, the author gives some interesting identities related to the degenerate derangement polynomials of order s and special polynomials and numbers by using degenerate Sheffer sequences, and at the same time derive the inversion formulas of these identities.
Probability Axioms and Set Theory Paradoxes
Authors: Herman Ari , Caughman John
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we show that Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory with Choice (ZFC) conflicts with basic intuitions about randomness. Our background assumptions are the Zermelo–Fraenekel axioms without Choice (ZF) together with a fragment of Kolmogorov’s probability theory. Using these minimal assumptions, we prove that a weak form of Choice contradicts two common sense assumptions about probability—both based on simple notions of symmetry and independence.
Generalizing Local Density for Density-Based Clustering
Authors: Lin Jun-Lin
Published: January 2021

Discovering densely-populated regions in a dataset of data points is an essential task for density-based clustering. To do so, it is often necessary to calculate each data point’s local density in the dataset. Various definitions for the local density have been proposed in the literature. These definitions can be divided into two categories: Radius-based and k Nearest Neighbors-based. In this study, we find the commonality between these two types of definitions and propose a canonical form for the local density. With the canonical form, the pros and cons of the existing definitions can be better explored, and new definitions for the local density can be derived and investigated.
A Model of Diameter Measurement Based on the Machine Vision
Authors: Tan Qingchang , Kou Ying , Miao Jianwei , Liu Siyuan , Chai Bosen
Published: January 2021

If the shaft diameter can be measured in-situ during the finishing process, the closed-loop control of the shaft diameter processing process can be realized and the machining accuracy can be improved. Present work studies the measurement of shaft diameter with the structured light system composed of a laser linear light source and a camera. The shaft is a kind of part with rotationally symmetric structure. When the linear structured light irradiates the surface of the shaft, a light stripe will be formed, and the light stripe is a part of the ellipse. Therefore, the in-situ measurement of the shaft diameter can be realized by the light stripe and the rotational symmetry of the shaft. The measurement model of shaft diameter is established by the ellipse formed by the intersection of the light plane and the measured shaft surface. Firstly, in the camera coordinate system, normal vector of the light plane and the coordinates of the ellipse center are obtained by the calibration; then, the equation of oblique elliptic cone is established by taking the ellipse as the bottom and the optical center of the camera as the top. Next, the measurement model of shaft diameter is obtained by the established oblique elliptic cone equation and theoretical image plane equation. Finally, the accuracy of the measurement model of shaft diameter is tested by the checkerboard calibration plate and a lathe. The test results show that the measurement model of shaft diameter is correct, and when the shaft diameter is 36.162mm, the speed is 1250r/min, the maximum average measurement error is 0.019mm. The measurement accuracy meets the engineering requirement.
Inverse Maxwell Distribution and Statistical Process Control: An Efficient Approach for Monitoring Positively Skewed Process
Authors: Omar M. Hafidz , Arafat Sheikh Y. , Hossain M. Pear , Riaz Muhammad
Published: January 2021

(1) Background: The literature discusses the inverse Maxwell distribution theoretically without application. Control charting is promising, but needs development for inverse Maxwell processes. (2) Methods: Thus, we develop the VIM control chart for monitoring the inverse Maxwell scale parameter and studied its statistical properties. The chart’s performance is evaluated using power curves and run length properties. (3) Results: Further, we use simulated data to compare the shift detection capability of our chart with Weibull, gamma, and lognormal charts. (4) Conclusion: The analysis demonstrates our chart’s efficiency for monitoring skewed processes. Finally, we apply our chart for monitoring real world lifetimes of car brake pads.
Rapid, Sensitive and Reliable Ricin Identification in Serum Samples Using LC–MS/MS
Authors: Feldberg Liron , Elhanany Eytan , Laskar Orly , Schuster Ofir
Published: January 2021

Ricin, a protein derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), is a highly lethal toxin that inhibits protein synthesis, resulting in cell death. The widespread availability of ricin, its ease of extraction and its extreme toxicity make it an ideal agent for bioterrorism and self-poisoning. Thus, a rapid, sensitive and reliable method for ricin identification in clinical samples is required for applying appropriate and timely medical intervention. However, this goal is challenging due to the low predicted toxin concentrations in bio-fluids, accompanied by significantly high matrix interferences. Here we report the applicability of a sensitive, selective, rapid, simple and antibody-independent assay for the identification of ricin in body fluids using mass spectrometry (MS). The assay involves lectin affinity capturing of ricin by easy-to-use commercial lactose–agarose (LA) beads, following by tryptic digestion and selected marker identification using targeted LC–MS/MS (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) analysis. This enables ricin identification down to 5 ng/mL in serum samples in 2.5 h. To validate the assay, twenty-four diverse naive- or ricin-spiked serum samples were evaluated, and both precision and accuracy were determined. A real-life test of the assay was successfully executed in a challenging clinical scenario, where the toxin was identified in an abdominal fluid sample taken 72 h post self-injection of castor beans extraction in an eventual suicide case. This demonstrates both the high sensitivity of this assay and the extended identification time window, compared to similar events that were previously documented. This method developed for ricin identification in clinical samples has the potential to be applied to the identification of other lectin toxins.
Antiviral Activity of Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins
Authors: Citores Lucía , Iglesias Rosario , Ferreras José M.
Published: January 2021

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are rRNA N-glycosylases from plants (EC 3.2.2.22) that inactivate ribosomes thus inhibiting protein synthesis. The antiviral properties of RIPs have been investigated for more than four decades. However, interest in these proteins is rising due to the emergence of infectious diseases caused by new viruses and the difficulty in treating viral infections. On the other hand, there is a growing need to control crop diseases without resorting to the use of phytosanitary products which are very harmful to the environment and in this respect, RIPs have been shown as a promising tool that can be used to obtain transgenic plants resistant to viruses. The way in which RIPs exert their antiviral effect continues to be the subject of intense research and several mechanisms of action have been proposed. The purpose of this review is to examine the research studies that deal with this matter, placing special emphasis on the most recent findings.
Bioengineering of Bordetella pertussis Adenylate Cyclase Toxin for Vaccine Development and Other Biotechnological Purposes
Authors: Ladant Daniel
Published: January 2021

The adenylate cyclase toxin, CyaA, is one of the key virulent factors produced by Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough. This toxin primarily targets innate immunity to facilitate bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract. CyaA exhibits several remarkable characteristics that have been exploited for various applications in vaccinology and other biotechnological purposes. CyaA has been engineered as a potent vaccine vehicle to deliver antigens into antigen-presenting cells, while the adenylate cyclase catalytic domain has been used to design a robust genetic assay for monitoring protein–protein interactions in bacteria. These two biotechnological applications are briefly summarized in this chapter.