bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Recalculation of the Weights of Criteria in MCDM Methods Using the Bayes Approach
Authors: Vinogradova Irina , Podvezko Valentinas , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: June 2018

The application of multiple criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) is aimed at choosing the best alternative out of the number of available versions in the absence of the apparently dominant alternative. One of the two major components of multiple criteria decision-making methods is represented by the weights of the criteria describing the considered process. The weights of the criteria quantitatively express their significance and influence on the evaluation result. The criterion weights can be subjective, i.e., based on the estimates assigned by the experts, and the so-called objective, i.e., those which assess the structure of the data array at the time of evaluation. Several groups of experts, representing the opinions of various interested parties may take part in the evaluation of criteria. The evaluation data on the criterion weights also depend on the mathematical methods used for calculations and the estimation scales. In determining the objective weights, several methods, assessing various properties or characteristics of the data array’s structure, are usually employed. Therefore, the use of the procedures, improving the accuracy of the evaluation of the weights’ values and the integration of the obtained data into a single value, is often required. The present paper offers a new approach to more accurate evaluation of the criteria weights obtained by using various methods based on the idea of the Bayes hypothesis. The performed investigation shows that the suggested method is symmetrical and does not depend on the fact whether a priori or posterior values of the weights are recalculated. This result is the theoretical basis for practical use of the method of combining the weights obtained by various approaches as the geometric mean of various estimates. The ideas suggested by the authors have been repeatedly used in the investigation for combining the objective weights, for recalculating the criteria weights after obtaining the estimates of other groups of experts and for combining the subjective and the objective weights. The recalculated values of the weights of the criteria are used in the work for evaluating the quality of the distant courses taught to the students.
Laplacian Spectra for Categorical Product Networks and Its Applications
Authors: Kang Shin , Siddiqui Muhammad , Rehman Najma , Imran Muhammad , Muhammad Mehwish
Published: June 2018

The Kirchhoff index, global mean-first passage time, average path length and number of spanning trees are of great importance in the field of networking. The “Kirchhoff index” is known as a structure descriptor index. The “global mean-first passage time” is known as a measure for nodes that are quickly reachable from the whole network. The “average path length” is a measure of the efficiency of information or mass transport on a network, and the “number of spanning trees” is used to minimize the cost of power networks, wiring connections, etc. In this paper, we have selected a complex network based on a categorical product and have used the spectrum approach to find the Kirchhoff index, global mean-first passage time, average path length and number of spanning trees. We find the expressions for the product and sum of reciprocals of all nonzero eigenvalues of a categorical product network with the help of the eigenvalues of the path and cycles.
Harmful Elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb) in Wild Berries and Fruits Collected in Croatia
Authors: Zeiner Michaela , Juranović Cindrić Iva
Published: June 2018

Fruits and vegetables are considered a beneficial contribution to the human diet. Especially, berries contain a great deal of bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins, organic acids, tannins, phenols, and antioxidants. Apart from organic substances, inorganic nutrients are also present in fruits. Some metals and metalloids are essential for humans, whilst others may exhibit harmful effects. Wild grown berries, collected in so-called unpolluted areas, are considered to be free of any potentially toxic ingredients. However, due to transmission processes pollutants can also reach remote areas and, furthermore, metal uptake from the soil via roots has to be taken into account. Thus, the presented study focused on the determination of Al, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb in lingonberries, blueberries, and rose hips collected in a non-polluted area in Croatia. Neither Cd nor Cr could be found in any sample. Ni levels were mainly up to 25 mg/kg, in a comparable range to the literature data. No health threat is to be expected by eating these fruits and berries regarding Cd, Cr, and Ni. Rose hips, however, contain Pb beyond the stipulated limit in fruits, and also Al is present at a high level (8 mg/g).
Landscape Phage: Evolution from Phage Display to Nanobiotechnology
Authors: Petrenko Valery A.
Published: June 2018

The development of phage engineering technology has led to the construction of a novel type of phage display library—a collection of nanofiber materials with diverse molecular landscapes accommodated on the surface of phage particles. These new nanomaterials, called the “landscape phage”, serve as a huge resource of diagnostic/detection probes and versatile construction materials for the preparation of phage-functionalized biosensors and phage-targeted nanomedicines. Landscape-phage-derived probes interact with biological threat agents and generate detectable signals as a part of robust and inexpensive molecular recognition interfaces introduced in mobile detection devices. The use of landscape-phage-based interfaces may greatly improve the sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and longevity of these devices. In another area of bioengineering, landscape-phage technology has facilitated the development and testing of targeted nanomedicines. The development of high-throughput phage selection methods resulted in the discovery of a variety of cancer cell-associated phages and phage proteins demonstrating natural proficiency to self-assemble into various drug- and gene-targeting nanovehicles. The application of this new “phage-programmed-nanomedicines” concept led to the development of a number of cancer cell-targeting nanomedicine platforms, which demonstrated anticancer efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This review was prepared to attract the attention of chemical scientists and bioengineers seeking to develop functionalized nanomaterials and use them in different areas of bioscience, medicine, and engineering.
Comparison of Porcine Airway and Intestinal Epithelial Cell Lines for the Susceptibility and Expression of Pattern Recognition Receptors upon Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Thomas Milton , Pierson Max , Uprety Tirth , Zhu Laihua , Ran Zhiguang , Sreenivasan Chithra C. , Wang Dan , Hause Ben , Francis David H. , Li Feng , Kaushik Radhey S.
Published: June 2018

Influenza viruses infect the epithelial cells of the swine respiratory tract. Cell lines derived from the respiratory tract of pigs could serve as an excellent in vitro model for studying the pathogenesis of influenza viruses. In this study, we examined the replication of influenza viruses in the MK1-OSU cell line, which was clonally derived from pig airway epithelium. MK1-OSU cells expressed both cytokeratin and vimentin proteins and displayed several sugar moieties on the cell membrane. These cells also expressed both Sial2-3Gal and Sial2-6Gal receptors and were susceptible to swine influenza A, but not to human B and C viruses. Interestingly, these cells were also permissive to infection by influenza D virus that utilized 9-O-acetylated glycans. To study the differences in the expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) upon influenza virus infection in the respiratory and digestive tract, we compared the protein expression of various PRRs in MK1-OSU cells with that in the SD-PJEC cell line, a clonally derived cell line from the porcine jejunal epithelium. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) receptors showed decreased expression in influenza A infected MK1-OSU cells, while only TLR-7 expression decreased in SD-PJEC cells. Further research is warranted to study the mechanism behind the virus-mediated suppression of these proteins. Overall, this study shows that the porcine respiratory epithelial cell line, MK1-OSU, could serve as an in-vitro model for studying the pathogenesis and innate immune responses to porcine influenza viruses.
Uchimizu: A Cool(ing) Tradition to Locally Decrease Air Temperature
Authors: Solcerova Anna , Van Emmerik Tim , Hilgersom Koen , Van de Ven Frans , Van de Giesen Nick
Published: June 2018

The urban heat island effect was first described 200 years ago, but the development of ways to mitigate heat in urban areas reaches much further into the past. Uchimizu is a 17th century Japanese tradition, in which water is sprinkled around houses to cool the ground surface and air by evaporation. Unfortunately, the number of published studies that have quantified the cooling effects of uchimizu are limited and only use surface temperature or air temperature at a single height as a measure of the cooling effect. In this research, a dense three-dimensional Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) setup was used to measure air temperature with high spatial and temporal resolution within one cubic meter of air above an urban surface. Six experiments were performed to systematically study the effects of (1) the amount of applied water; (2) the initial surface temperature; and (3) shading on the cooling effect of uchimizu. The measurements showed a decrease in air temperature of up to 1.5 °C at a height of 2 m, and up to 6 °C for near-ground temperature. The strongest cooling was measured in the shade experiment. For water applied in quantities of 1 mm and 2 mm, there was no clear difference in cooling effect, but after application of a large amount of water (>5 mm), the strong near-ground cooling effect was approximately twice as high as when only 1 mm of water was applied. The dense measurement grid used in this research also enabled us to detect the rising turbulent eddies created by the heated surface.
Quantifying Averted Disability-Adjusted Life Years as a Performance Indicator for Water Quality Interventions: A Review of Current Methodologies and Challenges
Authors: Anderson Darcy M. , Thomas Evan A. , Clasen Thomas F.
Published: June 2018

Sustainable access to safe drinking water protects against infectious disease and promotes overall health. Despite considerable progress toward increasing water access, safe water quality and reliable service delivery remain a challenge. Traditional financing strategies pay implementers based on inputs and activities, with minimal incentives for water quality monitoring and sustained service operation. Pay-for-performance offers an alternative financing strategy that delivers all or a portion of payment based on performance indicators of desired outputs or outcomes. A pay-for-performance approach in the water sector could quantify and incentivize health impact. Averted disability-adjusted life years (ADALYs) have been used as a performance indicator to measure the burden of disease averted due to environmental health interventions. Water-related disease burden can be measured for application as an ADALYs performance indicator following either comparative risk assessment or quantitative microbial risk assessment. Comparative risk assessment models disease burden using water source type as a proxy indicator of microbial water quality, while quantitative microbial risk assessment models disease burden using concentrations of indicator pathogens. This paper compares these risk assessment methodologies, and summarizes the limitations of applying these approaches toward quantifying ADALYs as a performance indicator for water quality interventions.
Uptake Fluoride from Water by Starch Stabilized Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Liu Jiming , Yue Xiuping , Lu Xinyu , Guo Yu
Published: June 2018

A novel starch stabilized Mg/Al layered Double hydroxides (S-LDHs) was prepared in a facile approach and its fluoride ion removal performance was developed. Characterization of S-LDHs was employed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and particle size distribution. The adsorption property was studied through the assessment of the adsorption isotherms, kinetic models, thermal dynamics, and pH influence. The result shows that a low loading of starch of 10 mg onto layered double hydroxides (LDHs) could obviously improve the fluoride removal rate. The S-LDHs had three times higher the adsorption capacity to fluoride than that of Mg/Al LDHs to fluoride. The particle size was smaller and the particle size distribution was narrower for S-LDHs than that for Mg/Al LDHs. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well with the experimental data. In thermodynamic parameters, the enthalpy (ΔH0) value was 35.63 kJ·mol−1 and the entropy (ΔS0) value was 0.0806 kJ·mol−1K−1. The values of ΔG0 were negative, implying the adsorption process is spontaneous. S-LDHs reveals stable adsorption property in a wide pH range from 3 to 9. The mechanism for fluoride adsorption on S-LDHs included surface adsorption and interaction ion exchange.
Evolution of Surface Hydrology in the Sahelo-Sudanian Strip: An Updated Review
Authors: Descroix Luc , Guichard Françoise , Grippa Manuela , Lambert Laurent A. , Panthou Gérémy , Mahé Gil , Gal Laetitia , Dardel Cécile , Quantin Guillaume , Kergoat Laurent , Bouaïta Yasmin , Hiernaux Pierre , Vischel Théo , Pellarin Thierry , Faty Bakary , Wilcox Catherine , Malam Abdou Moussa , Mamadou Ibrahim , Vandervaere Jean-Pierre , Diongue-Niang Aïda , Ndiaye Ousmane , Sané Youssouph , Dacosta Honoré , Gosset Marielle , Cassé Claire , Sultan Benjamin , Barry Aliou , Amogu Okechukwu , Nka Nnomo Bernadette , Barry Alseny , Paturel Jean-Emmanuel
Published: June 2018

In the West African Sahel, two paradoxical hydrological behaviors have occurred during the last five decades. The first paradox was observed during the 1968–1990s ‘Great Drought’ period, during which runoff significantly increased. The second paradox appeared during the subsequent period of rainfall recovery (i.e., since the 1990s), during which the runoff coefficient continued to increase despite the general re-greening of the Sahel. This paper reviews and synthesizes the literature on the drivers of these paradoxical behaviors, focusing on recent works in the West African Sahelo/Sudanian strip, and upscaling the hydrological processes through an analysis of recent data from two representative areas of this region. This paper helps better determine the respective roles played by Land Use/Land Cover Changes (LULCC), the evolution of rainfall intensity and the occurrence of extreme rainfall events in these hydrological paradoxes. Both the literature review and recent data converge in indicating that the first Sahelian hydrological paradox was mostly driven by LULCC, while the second paradox has been caused by both LULCC and climate evolution, mainly the recent increase in rainfall intensity.
Electric Roads: Analyzing the Societal Cost of Electrifying All Danish Road Transport
Authors: Domingues-Olavarría Gabriel , Márquez-Fernández Francisco , Fyhr Pontus , Reinap Avo , Alaküla Mats
Published: June 2018

Electric Road Systems (ERS) have emerged as an alternative to deal with the main drawbacks that battery electric vehicles present (i.e., higher cost, short driving range, long charging times, etc.). This paper analyses the societal cost of electrifying all road transport in Denmark under four different scenarios. The first scenario considered in this study is based on today’s approach of having electric vehicles with high battery capacity and fast charging stations, the remaining scenarios study the cost of implementing different ERS at a national level. The results clearly show the benefits of implementing road bound electric road solutions that can be used both by commercial and passenger vehicles.
Elephants in Norway: Meanings and Authenticity of Souvenirs From a Seller/Crafter Perspective
Authors: Schilar Hannelene , Keskitalo E. Carina H.
Published: June 2018

Souvenirs are fascinating little things that both incorporate as well as illustrate the global–local interplay of tourism. They need to be approached in their complexity as they intertwine people, places, and meanings. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of souvenirs
from the perspectives of souvenir sellers and crafters. Taking a constructivist approach, we are interested in the ways sellers and crafters construct meaning and authenticity in souvenirs. The work is based on fieldwork including 35 semistructured interviews with souvenir sellers and crafters
in northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland (both self-ascribed "indigenous" and "nonindigenous" participants). Our findings elaborate on: (1) the sellers' and crafters' conception of the term "souvenir," (2) their considerations in making, choosing, and selling souvenirs, and (3) the ways in
which they authenticate souvenirs, in particular through storytelling. We find that the crafters and sellers often had a negative conception of the term "souvenir" and preferred not to call their products souvenirs. However, they were aware as well as appreciated that their products might
become souvenirs in the interaction with the tourist. Interviewees further highlight the importance of storytelling for these processes of becoming or authentication, where they also express agency and power over these representations. Furthermore, the findings elucidate
their relative entrepreneurial freedom and ways of balancing aesthetic as well as economic concerns. The study calls for further research, in particular on the ways stories authenticate, but also taking into methodological account the complexity of the term souvenir, as well as seeking more
comprehensive approaches including varieties of sellers and crafters, using a spectrum from selfdefined indigenous to nonindigenous identities.
Redução do tempo de setup: uma proposta de melhoria aplicada a uma empresa do setor metal mecânico
Authors: Zola Fernanda Cavicchioli , De Souza Rafael Henrique , Marinho Luis Henrique Nogueira , Aragão Franciely Velozo
Published: June 2018

Frente a um mercado cada vez mais exigente, as empresas hoje devem buscar se superar a cada dia através de produtos e processos mais eficientes. Para isso, se faz necessário utilizar de diversas ferramentas disponíveis pela área da Engenharia de Produção. O presente artigo é um estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa metal mecânica situado na região Noroeste do Estado do Paraná que teve como objetivo implementar uma proposta de redução do tempo de setup utilizando da metodologia do ciclo PDCA atrelados a ferramentas da qualidade e TRF – Troca Rápida de Ferramentas. As melhorias implementadas foram em relação aos métodos de esquadrejamento e controle do uso de consumíveis, com intuito de reduzir os tempos de setup das atividades esquadrejar, inspecionar dimensões dos produtos e ajustar kerf. Após as implementações realizadas foi possível obter redução de 35,27% no tempo de setup e aumento de 6,20% na eficiência do setor de corte à Plasma CNC. Além disso, os planos de melhoria implementados geraram outros resultados que não eram esperados, superando desta forma as expectativas de todos os envolvido.
Estudo da obtenção do nível médio do mar com altimetria por satélites
Authors: Reis Vânia Pereira , Palmeiro Alessandra Svonka , Barbosa Luiz Guimarães
Published: June 2018

The shape attributed to the Earth, by convention, is the geoid. This is considered as the equipotential surface which coincides with the undisturbed Mean Level of the Seas (MSL). It is of fundamental importance to geodesists determining the MSL (altimetric Data), since this play an important role in the realization of global reference systems and enable the integration of data referred to classic vertical networks, where each datum is defined by the MSL. Currently altimetry satellite (ALTSAT) is an effective technique for monitoring the MSL, as it provides a methodical and continuous data collection and that in turn allows the global observation of the sea level (SL). Resulting in a data structure with several oceanographic parameters and time series of consistent data for long periods. This greatly facilitates the use of these data for studies of NMM and, hence, the determining of the Mean Dynamic Topography (MDT) and geoid itself. This paper focuses on the study of obtaining MSL obtained by altimetry missions, focusing on TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2 and Jason-3 satellites aiming the importance of MSL for MDT determination.
Análise espacial de área aplicada a produtividade de soja na região oeste do Paraná utilizando o software R
Authors: Seffrin Rodolfo , Araújo Everton Coimbra De , Bazzi Claudio Leones
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a study related to soybean productivity in the west region of Parana, demonstrating how to apply some spatial analysis techniques of area using the software R. The study was conducted with data of soybeans in the period 2007/2008 to 48 municipalities. The Moran Global Index, Moran Local Index and Geary Index techniques were used to verify correlation and spatial autocorrection, these procedures were performed with the libraries spdep, sp, maptools and rcolorbrewer of the software R. Through this study it was possible to demonstrate the applicability of the software R for spatial analysis of the area, and the steps of how to generate maps for better understanding of the information studied.
Determinação da topografia do nível médio do mar com altimetria por satélites
Authors: Reis Vânia Pereira , Barbosa Luiz Guimarães , Palmeiro Alessandra Svonka
Published: June 2018

A Topografia do Nível Médio do Mar (TNMM) é o afastamento entre o Nível Médio do Mar (NMM) e o geoide. A TNMM resulta de diversos fatores meteorológicos e oceanográficos e este efeito faz com que os NMM locais ao longo da costa não fiquem na mesma superfície equipotencial. Nas últimas décadas vários estudos foram desenvolvidos com base em dados da Altimetria por Satélites (ALTSAT). O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar a metodologia de cálculo da TNMM através de ALTSAT e a determinação da TNMM da estação maregráfica de Salvador - BA e de Imbituba - SC para efeito de comparação. Utilizou-se para o cálculo o modelo Global Mean Dynamic Topography - MDT_CNES_CLS13, onde obteve-se para Salvador uma TNMM de 55,5 ± 0,6 cm e para Imbituba uma TNMM de 51,5 ± 1,3 cm. Portanto, verifica-se que a diferença entre o NMM do Datum Vertical Brasileiro - DVB e a estação maregráfica de Salvador é de 4,0 ± 1,4 cm determinado com base em observações do satélite altímetro Jason-1 modelado pelo MDT_CNES_CLS13.
Gerenciamento de processos nas Instituições Federais de ensino superior Brasileiras
Authors: Andrade Elzimar , Rasoto Vanessa Ishikawa , Carvalho Hilda Alberton de
Published: June 2018

Organizações públicas e privadas buscam realizar o gerenciamento de seus processos para obter maior eficiência, melhor desempenho e resultados. Porém, o setor público possui características diversas daquelas verificadas no setor privado e que demandam atenção especial nas limitações encontradas ao adotar abordagens que, mesmo validadas no ambiente empresarial, ainda carecem de maior aprofundamento quando aplicadas a organizações de governo. Trata-se de uma pesquisa com utilização de questionário como instrumento de coleta de dados tendo como alvo as 63 Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior (IFES), vinculadas ao Ministério da Educação (MEC), buscando conhecer o panorama do Gerenciamento de Processos de Negócios (Business Process Management – BPM) neste campo de atuação. Além disso, foi realizada pesquisa bibliométrica para identificar publicações sobre o gerenciamento de processos no setor público como referencial. A pesquisa confirmou que, apesar das restrições a que estão sujeitas as organizações públicas, o BPM é uma forma de gerenciamento de processos aplicável a organizações com as características das IFES e que uma parte destas estão em fase de implementação do BPM.
Feiras e desenvolvimento: impactos de feiras livres do comércio urbano no Jequitinhonha
Authors: Araujo Alexandro Moura , Ribeiro Eduardo Magalhães
Published: June 2018

As feiras livres do Jequitinhonha possuem uma grande importância regional. As feiras livres além de serem capazes de suprir com qualidade a alimentação da população local, também contribuem com a economia local. As rendas geradas pelas feiras possuem como principal destino o comércio urbano. Esse tipo de indicador econômico passa muitas vezes despercebido dos órgãos municipais, sendo alvo de pouca atenção e incentivos. Assim, essa pesquisa, por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa, objetivou detectar os impactos que as feiras provocam no comércio urbano, tendo a participação de 41 feirantes e 40 estabelecimentos no comércio. Existe uma relação de comercialização nas feiras livres, ocorrendo em três agentes: feirantes agricultores, que se abastecem no comércio urbano ao fim das feiras; consumidores e comerciantes, que adquirem produtos das feiras. Além disso, percebeu-se que feirantes são solidários, sendo que além de comercializarem produtos de terceiros, também destinam alguns de seus excedentes de feiras para doações no urbano.
Planejamento urbano: uma solução viável
Authors: Cobalchini Érick Rúbens Oliveira , Tabalipa Ney Lyzandro
Published: June 2018

Frequentemente ouvimos sobre a importância e os benefícios da urbanização. No entanto, normalmente o constante crescimento é regido por uma ocupação desordenada. Sendo assim, esta pesquisa foi elaborada com o intuito de comparar os conceitos normativos elementares à realidade comumente observada nos municípios brasileiros. Para tal, foi realizada uma revisão contemplando, além das leis pertinentes, estudos em cidades-modelo, bem como, pesquisas onde os resultados não alcançaram os objetivos iniciais, em um cenário global. Portanto, proporciona-se o ganho desta pesquisa, a partir da conscientização da população como um todo, a percepção dos benefícios obtidos pelo planejamento urbano e do auxílio que as construções sustentáveis podem fornecer à urbanização, assim objetivando em um futuro próximo, possibilitar mudanças.
The impact of bitter taste receptor genetics on culturable bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Rom D.I. , Christensen J.M. , Alvarado R. , Sacks R. , Harvey R.J.
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND: Extra-oral bitter taste receptors have been associated with innate bacterial defence mechanisms. Genetic variation in T2R38 functionality has been shown to be associated with susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We sought to independently assess the influence of bitter taste receptor genotype on the presence of culturable bacteria in the sinuses. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional analysis of patients with CRS undergoing surgery was performed. Middle meatal nasal swabs were sent for microbiological evaluation at the time of the procedure. Mucosal biopsies were taken and sent for bitter taste receptor genotype analysis. Sequencing of 3 polymorphisms in the TAS2R38 gene was performed to identify genotypes as super-tasters (PAV/PAV), non-tasters (AVI/AVI) or heterozygous expression (PAV/AVI). The presence of culturable organisms and common pathogens were compared with bitter taste receptor genotypes. RESULTS: 25 patients (age 52.4 +/- 18.28 years, 51% female) were assessed. Super-tasters comprised 16% of the group, 24% were non-tasters and 48% had heterozygous expression. A cultured pathogen was grown in 48% of patients; 32% gram-positive, 20% gram-negative, 28% grew Staphylococcus aureus and 12% Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A non-taster genotype was predictive of colonised pathogens. Tissue eosinophilia (more than 10 HPF) was seen in 48%. CONCLUSION: Even in a small sample of patients with CRS, non-taster T2R38 genotype appears to predict the presence of culturable bacteria colonising the sinus cavity at the time of surgery for their condition. A genetic link to patients more likely to become infected is likely.
Localized Corrosion of UNS A95052 Aluminum Alloy for Application in Multi-Effect Desalinator Plants
Authors: Chalfoun Dannisa R. , Kappes Mariano A. , Chocrón Mauricio , Rebak Raul B.
Published: June 2018

Aluminum alloy UNS A95052 (AA5052) is very attractive for desalination applications because of its good corrosion resistance in seawater at temperatures up to 125°C, low cost, good thermal conductivity, and non-toxicity of its corrosion products. The pitting corrosion potential, Epit, and the pit repassivation potential, Er,pit, of AA5052 were measured in deaerated 65,000 ppm sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions at 30°C, 60°C, and 85°C. Epit decreased with temperature, in accord with literature results. Er,pit was a function of anodic charge passed during pit growth stage. A complete evaluation of suitability of this alloy from a corrosion perspective requires also studies of crevice corrosion at different temperatures, considering that multi-plate designs of desalinators have metal plates in contact with rubber gaskets and seals. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization was used to estimate crevice repassivation potentials, Er,crev, at 30°C, 60°C, and 85°C, in specimens with an attached rubber O-ring as a crevice former. This crevice former simulated the partially occluded geometry expected in desalination plants. Stable crevice corrosion potentials, Ecrev, were similar to Epit, and, when polarized to a similar anodic charge density, Er,crev were similar to Er,pit. Based on this result, from a corrosion perspective, the presence of crevices in the desalination plant is not expected to present an additional risk during operation of the plant. Electrochemical tests were also performed in saturated AlCl3 solutions to explain the results using Galvele’s localized acidification model.
On the suitability of current atmospheric reanalyses for regional warming studies over China
Authors: Zhou Chunlüe , He Yanyi , Wang Kaicun
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Reanalyses are widely used because they add value to routine observations by generating physically or dynamically consistent and spatiotemporally complete atmospheric fields. Existing studies include extensive discussions of the temporal suitability of reanalyses in studies of global change. This study adds to this existing work by investigating the suitability of reanalyses in studies of regional climate change, in which land–atmosphere interactions play a comparatively important role. In this study, surface air temperatures (Ta) from 12 current reanalysis products are investigated; in particular, the spatial patterns of trends in Ta are examined using homogenized measurements of Ta made at  ∼  2200 meteorological stations in China from 1979 to 2010. The results show that  ∼  80 % of the mean differences in Ta between the reanalyses and the in situ observations can be attributed to the differences in elevation between the stations and the model grids. Thus, the Ta climatologies display good skill, and these findings rebut previous reports of biases in Ta. However, the biases in theTa trends in the reanalyses diverge spatially (standard deviation  =  0.15–0.30 °C decade−1 using 1°  ×  1° grid cells). The simulated biases in the trends in Ta correlate well with those of precipitation frequency, surface incident solar radiation (Rs) and atmospheric downward longwave radiation (Ld) among the reanalyses (r = −0.83, 0.80 and 0.77; p < 0.1) when the spatial patterns of these variables are considered. The biases in the trends in Ta over southern China (on the order of −0.07 °C decade−1) are caused by biases in the trends in Rs, Ld and precipitation frequency on the order of 0.10, −0.08 and −0.06 °C decade−1, respectively. The biases in the trends in Ta over northern China (on the order of −0.12 °C decade−1) result jointly from those in Ld and precipitation frequency. Therefore, improving the simulation of precipitation frequency and Rs helps to maximize the signal component corresponding to regional climate. In addition, the analysis of Ta observations helps represent regional warming in ERA-Interim and JRA-55. Incorporating vegetation dynamics in reanalyses and the use of accurate aerosol information, as in the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), would lead to improvements in the modelling of regional warming. The use of the ensemble technique adopted in the twentieth-century atmospheric model ensemble ERA-20CM significantly narrows the uncertainties associated with regional warming in reanalyses (standard deviation  =  0.15 °C decade−1).
Source contributions and potential reductions to
health effects of particulate matter in India
Authors: Guo Hao , Kota Sri Harsha , Chen Kaiyu , Sahu Shovan Kumar , Hu Jianlin , Ying Qi , Wang Yuan , Zhang Hongliang
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Health effects of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in India were estimated in this study based on a source-oriented version of the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. Contributions of different sources to premature mortality and years of life lost (YLL) were quantified in 2015. Premature mortality due to cerebrovascular disease (CEV) was the highest in India (0.44 million), followed by ischaemic heart disease (IHD, 0.40 million), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 0.18 million) and lung cancer (LC, 0.01 million), with a total of 1.04 million deaths. The states with highest premature mortality were Uttar Pradesh (0.23 million), Bihar (0.12 million) and West Bengal (0.10 million). The highest total YLL was two years in Delhi, and the Indo-Gangetic plains and east India had higher YLL (~ 1 years) than other regions. The residential sector was the largest contributor to PM2.5 concentrations (~ 40 µg/m3), total premature mortality (0.58 million), and YLL (~ 0.2 years). Other important sources included industry (~ 20 µg/m3), agriculture (~ 10 µg/m3), and energy (~ 5 µg/m3) with their national averaged contributions of 0.21, 0.12, and 0.07 million to premature mortality, and 0.12, 0.1, and 0.05 years to YLL. Reducing PM2.5 concentrations would lead to a significant reduction of premature mortality and YLL. For example, premature mortality in Uttar Pradesh (including Delhi) due to PM2.5 exposures would be reduced by 79 % and YLL would be reduced by 83 % when reducing PM2.5 concentrations to 10 µg/m3.
Recent trends in the frequency and duration of global floods
Authors: Najibi Nasser , Devineni Naresh
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Frequency and duration of floods are analyzed using the global flood database of the Dartmouth Flood
Observatory (DFO) to explore evidence
of trends during 1985–2015 at global and latitudinal scales. Three classes
of flood duration (i.e., short: 1–7, moderate: 8–20, and long: 21 days and
above) are also considered for this analysis. The nonparametric Mann–Kendall
trend analysis is used to evaluate three hypotheses addressing potential
monotonic trends in the frequency of flood, moments of duration, and
frequency of specific flood duration types. We also evaluated
if trends could be related to large-scale atmospheric teleconnections using a
generalized linear model framework. Results show that flood frequency and
the tails of the flood duration (long duration) have increased at both the
global and the latitudinal scales. In the tropics, floods have increased
4-fold since the 2000s. This increase is 2.5-fold in the north
midlatitudes. However, much of the trend in frequency and duration of the
floods can be placed within the long-term climate variability context since
the
Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and Pacific
Decadal Oscillation were the main atmospheric teleconnections explaining this
trend. There is no monotonic trend in the frequency of short-duration floods
across all the global and latitudinal scales. There is a significant
increasing trend in the annual median of flood durations globally and each
latitudinal belt, and this trend is not related to these teleconnections.
While the DFO data come with a certain level of epistemic uncertainty due to
imprecision in the estimation of floods, overall, the analysis provides
insights for understanding the frequency and persistence in hydrologic
extremes and how they relate to changes in the climate, organization of
global and local dynamical systems, and country-scale socioeconomic factors.
Technical note: Pitfalls in using log-transformed flows within the
KGE criterion
Authors: Santos Léonard , Thirel Guillaume , Perrin Charles
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Log-transformed discharge is often used to calculate performance criteria to better focus on low flows. This prior transformation limits the heteroscedasticity of model residuals and was largely applied in criteria based on squared residuals, like Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). In the recent years, NSE has been shown to have mathematical limitations and Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) was proposed as an alternative to provide more balance between the expected qualities of a model (namely representing the water balance, flow variability and correlation). As in the case of NSE, several authors used the KGE criterion (or its improved version KGE') with a prior logarithmic transformation on flows. However, we show that the use of this transformation is not adapted to the case of the KGE (or KGE') criterion and may lead to several numerical issues, potentially resulting in a biased evaluation of model performance. We present the theoretical underpinning aspects of these issues and concrete modelling examples, showing that KGE' computed on log-transformed flows should be avoided. Alternatives are discussed.
Usability of aerial video footage for 3-D scene reconstruction and structural damage assessment
Authors: Cusicanqui Johnny , Kerle Norman , Nex Francesco
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Remote sensing has evolved into the most efficient approach
to assess post-disaster structural damage, in extensively affected areas
through the use of spaceborne data. For smaller, and in particular, complex
urban disaster scenes, multi-perspective aerial imagery obtained with
unmanned aerial vehicles and derived dense color 3-D models are increasingly
being used. These type of data allow the direct and automated recognition of
damage-related features, supporting an effective post-disaster structural
damage assessment. However, the rapid collection and sharing of
multi-perspective aerial imagery is still limited due to tight or lacking
regulations and legal frameworks. A potential alternative is aerial video
footage, which is typically acquired and shared by civil protection institutions or
news media and which tends to be the first type of airborne data available.
Nevertheless, inherent artifacts and the lack of suitable processing means
have long limited its potential use in structural damage assessment and other
post-disaster activities. In this research the usability of modern aerial
video data was evaluated based on a comparative quality and application
analysis of video data and multi-perspective imagery (photos), and their
derivative 3-D point clouds created using current photogrammetric techniques.
Additionally, the effects of external factors, such as topography and the
presence of smoke and moving objects, were determined by analyzing two
different earthquake-affected sites: Tainan (Taiwan) and Pescara del Tronto
(Italy). Results demonstrated similar usabilities for video and photos. This
is shown by the short 2 cm of difference between the accuracies of video- and
photo-based 3-D point clouds. Despite the low video resolution, the usability
of these data was compensated for by a small ground sampling distance. Instead of
video characteristics, low quality and application resulted from
non-data-related factors, such as changes in the scene, lack of texture, or moving
objects. We conclude that not only are current video data more rapidly
available than photos, but they also have a comparable ability to assist in
image-based structural damage assessment and other post-disaster activities.
Has fire policy decreased the return period of the largest wildfire
events in France? A Bayesian assessment based on extreme value
theory
Authors: Evin Guillaume , Curt Thomas , Eckert Nicolas
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Very large wildfires have high human, economic and ecological impacts so that robust evaluation of their return period is crucial. Preventing such events is a major objective of the new fire policy set up in France in 1994, which is oriented towards fast and massive fire suppression. Whereas this policy is probably efficient for reducing the mean burned area (BA), its effect on the largest fires is still unknown. In this study, we make use of statistical Extreme Value Theory (EVT) to compute return periods of very large BA in southern France, for two distinct periods (1973 to 1994, and 1995 to 2016) and for three pyroclimatic regions characterized by specific fire activities. Bayesian inference and related predictive simulations are used to fairly evaluate related uncertainties. Results demonstrate that the BA corresponding to a return period of 5 years has actually significantly decreased, but that this is not the case for large return periods (e.g. 50 years). For example, in the most fire-prone region, which includes Corsica and Provence, the median 5-year return level decreased from 5,000 ha. to 2,400 ha., while the median 50-year return level decreased only from 17,800 ha. to 12,500 ha. This finding is coherent with the recent occurrence of conflagrations of large and intense fires clearly far beyond the suppression capacity of firemen. These fires may belong to a new generation of fires promoted by long-term fuel accumulation, urbanization into the wildland, and ongoing climate change. These findings may help adapting the operational system of fire prevention and suppression to ongoing changes. Also, the proposed methodology may be useful for other case studies worldwide.
Análisis y traducción de los rasgos lingüísticos de la obra Béni ou le paradis privé de Azouz Begag
Authors: Díaz Alarcón Soledad
Published: June 2018

Una de las características de la literatura beur es su mestizaje lingüístico, compuesto por términos árabes y culturemas, a lo que se une la representación de la oralidad. Desde un enfoque traductológico, la traducción de estos relatos supone un considerable reto, motivo que nos ha llevado a realizar un análisis de los rasgos de oralidad de la novela Béni ou le paradis privé, de Azouz Begag. Los objetivos de este trabajo son, pues, presentar una clasificación de dichos rasgos dispuestos en cuatro planos, fonético, morfosintáctico, léxico y semántico, así como su versión al español con la correspondiente justificación de nuestras decisiones. Asimismo, pretendemos acercar al público español esta literatura y descubrir su riqueza multicultural a través de la traducción.
Actualité de Maupassant : nouvelle lecture de "Coco", "La parure" et "Le vagabond"
Authors: Paulet Dubois Françoise
Published: June 2018

Dans l’énorme et admirable production maupassantienne, j’ai sélectionné les nouvelles Coco et La parure, qui font partie des Contes du jour et de la nuit, ainsi que Le vagabond, du Horla, pour une relecture tendant à montrer l’actualité du conteur normand et de son oeuvre. Je les ai choisies non seulement parce que je m’intéresse à ce genre et en particulier chez Maupassant, mais aussi parce que, il y a quelques années, j’avais proposé deux d’entre elles comme lectures dirigées à mes élèves de Terminale dans un lycée espagnol bilingue. En analysant ces trois textes, on constate que l’art de Maupassant a conservé son attrait littéraire, et que les sujets qui l’inspirent sont de toute actualité : les sévices infligés aux animaux, punis aujourd´hui, continuent d’exister, et le besoin impérieux de plaire et d’être admiré, maintenant stimulé par les médias, ou les malheurs inhérents au chômage, sont des préoccupations quotidiennes en 2017.
Chemical Characterization of Metabolites from the Husk of Theobroma cacao by GC-MS in Cuba
Authors: Perez Danae , González José , Gómez Enrique , Perez Julio , Rodríguez José L. , Monan Max
Published: June 2018

n ethanolic extract at 90% made by Soxhlet was analyzed using a Shimadzu spectrometer coupled to gas chromatography (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra) after derivatization with BSTFA from the husk of Theobroma cacao. The drug powdered was evaluated through a phytochemical screening to get information about the chemical components present in the sample. Ethereal, ethanolic and aqueous extract were analyzed by the same GCMS technique. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of 74 metabolites from this husk. According to NIST21 and NIST107 Libraries Databases some of the phyto-compounds screened were Caffeine, Theobromine, Catechine, Uridine, Stigmasterol, Cholesterol and Androstane-11,17-dione,3-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-,17-[O-(phenyl methyl)oxime]. Phytochemical screening revealed the possible presence of fats, alkaloids, triterpenes and steroids, catechins, reductants sugars, saponins, phenolic compounds, aminoacids or amines, quinones, anthocyanidins, flavonoids and bitter or astringent principles.
EFFECT OF MAGNETIC PLATE IN MEMORY OF RATS
Authors: De Melo Gonçalvex Neuza Maria Ferraz , Gonçalves Adriane Granato , Somensi Lincon Bordignon , Ferraz Neliza .
Published: June 2018

It is understood as Magnetism, the physical process that occurs between two opposite poles of a magnet and the science of this phenomenon that takes place in being, Magnotherapy. In this context, concerned about the magnetic decrease, the researchers initiated studies on the use of therapies for restoring health to the cellular level and energy replacement that the body needs to rehabilitate itself from aggression from the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the magnetic board in relation to the memory of rats, Wistar (Rattus norvegicus var albinos), for periods of 5, 10, and 20 minutes in a special compartment, called the labyrinth. Justifies the importance of this work, the evaluation of the memory content when using the magnetic board in the process of knowledge is encoded, retained and later recovered, but due to the stress of busy life nowadays, man is decreasing your memory and your energy boost. The methodology refers to the evaluations of the rats in search of food memory after the course of several compartments. The results found on the observation with the 12 rats, the experimental group, in a period of 20 minutes with the magnetic board and the percentage of correct answers with£12 days plate dwell time are significantly different from the percentage of correct answers of mice plate length of stay> 12 days. Therefore, statistically confirmed that the magnetic card was effective in these mice memory in search of food, but there was no statistical difference in the times of observations 5 and 10 minutes in experimental groups.