bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction: Deep-bed filters as post-treatment for ozonation in tertiary municipal wastewater treatment: impact of design and operation on treatment goals
Authors: Sauter Daniel , Dąbrowska Agata , Bloch Robert , Stapf Michael , Miehe Ulf , Sperlich Alexander , Gnirss Regina , Wintgens Thomas
Published: December 2020

Correction for ‘Deep-bed filters as post-treatment for ozonation in tertiary municipal wastewater treatment: impact of design and operation on treatment goals’ by Daniel Sauter et al., Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/d0ew00684j.
Diverse conditions contribute to the cholesterol-lowering ability of different Lactobacillus plantarum strains
Authors: Wang Guangqiang , Chen Xia , Wang Lifeng , Zhao Linshen , Xia Yongjun , Ai Lianzhong
Published: December 2020

It has been reported that Lactobacillus can remove cholesterol and thus might play an important role in lowering cholesterol in humans, but the underlying mechanism is still controversial.
Can cheese mites, maggots and molds enhance bioactivity? Peptidomic investigation of functional peptides in four traditional cheeses
Authors: Robinson Randall C. , Nielsen Søren D. , Dallas David C. , Barile Daniela
Published: December 2020

Peptide sequences identified in four cheeses by LC-Orbitrap MS/MS.
DNA modification and visualization on an origami-based enzyme nano-factory
Authors: Weinhold Elmar , Chakraborty Banani
Published: December 2020

Schematic representation of the machine cycle for DNA modification on an origami-based enzyme nano-factory.
Clarification of the effects of topological isomers on the mechanical strength of comb polyurethane
Authors: Aoki Daisuke , Ajiro Hiroharu
Published: December 2020

We demonstrated the mechanical enhancement behavior of the comb polyurethanes by the topological isomer system between the linear and comb polyurethane. Also, we assumed the mechanical enhancement mechanism by the rheological properties.
Injectable fiber batteries for all-region power supply in vivo
Authors: Zhao Yang , Mei Tenglong , Ye Lei , Li Yongjing , Wang Liyuan , Zhang Ye , Chen Peining , Sun Xuemei , Wang Changchun , Peng Huisheng
Published: December 2020

Injectable, biocompatible and rechargeable fiber batteries are created for all-region power supply in vivo. Fiber batteries produce a power density of 78.9 mW cm−3 and are demonstrated to satisfy various biomedical applications in the body.
A low complexity user scheduling algorithm aimed for the maximum number of active users in NOMA system
Authors: Liu Chengyi , Chen Geng , Xing Song
Published: December 2020

User scheduling algorithms in non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) have attracted much attention to improve the performance of the communication system. Here, a low complexity user scheduling algorithm aimed for the maximum number of active users in the single NOMA cluster ensuring the individual minimum rate requirement is proposed. Based on the precondition of the maximisation of the number of active users, the maximum sum‐rate strategy is further integrated into the algorithm to compose a multi‐round user scheduling algorithm. Moreover, a computational‐complexity reduction algorithm is also introduced and has proved to be conveniently used in practical operation. Simulation results have shown that, compared with other existing user scheduling algorithms, the proposed user scheduling algorithms can achieve the maximum number of active users while ensuring their individual minimum rate requirements, and significantly improve the performance of the sum‐rate among the cases when the maximum number of active users is achieved. Furthermore, the proposed multi‐round and computational‐complexity reduction user scheduling algorithms have shown better performance than the exhaustive search in terms of the computational complexity.
Secrecy performance of diffusion based molecular timing channels
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Singh Ajay
Published: December 2020

Motivated by the study of security issues in molecular communication, this paper addresses the problem of secure communication in a bio‐inspired field where confidentiality of the information is of significant importance. The new metrics are used for the secrecy analysis where eavesdropper's decodability of confidential message and amount of information leakage is taken into account, which is not considered using conventional secrecy outage probability. A diffusion‐based molecular communication system is considered where the information to be transmitted is the time of release of the molecules. Typically in the existing literature in molecular timing channels, the position of the eavesdropper is known, which is usually an unpractical assumption. If no information about eavesdropper is known, it could be located at any distance with probability distribution be assumed to be uniform and Gaussian. In this paper, the closed‐form expressions for the eavesdropper capacity, generalised secrecy outage probability, average fractional equivocation and average information leakage rate have been obtained when the eavesdropper is located at a random distance from the transmitter.
A general achievable rate region and two certain capacity regions for Slepian–Wolf multiple‐access relay channel with non‐causal side information at one encoder
Authors: Etminan Jalil , Mohanna Farahnaz , Hodtani Ghosheh Abed
Published: December 2020

Two‐user multiple‐access relay channel (MARC) with side information (SI) non‐causally known at one encoder is studied, where transmitters send a common message with rate R0, and private messages with rates R1 and R2; and derive a general achievable rate region by appropriately using superposition block Markov encoding, binning scheme, Gel'fand–Pinsker (GP) coding and partial decode‐forward (PDF) strategy at the relay. Also, it is shown that this capacity inner bound can be tight for two special classes of degraded and reversely degraded multiple‐access relay channels with one informed encoder. In order for the theoretical findings to be potentially applicable in communications performance metrics evaluations, the obtained general achievable rate region, while having all of the previous works on the point to point, relay and multiple access channels with and without SI as its special cases, is extended to the corresponding Gaussian version, the dirty paper coding of which has been a challenging and widely studied problem, and the result of which includes a variety of previously studied important Gaussian results. Finally, mathematical results are evaluated numerically.
Mathematical models of agricultural production management in high risk environments
Authors: Ivanyo Yaroslav , Fedurina Nina , Varanitsa-Gorodovskaya Zhanna
Published: December 2020

The paper presents an algorithm for modeling the production of agricultural products in the formation of agrometeorological events. Stochastic models of variability of downpours, early snow-fall and crop yields are constructed to assess the likelihood of extreme events. Based on a probabilistic assessment of crop bio-productivity by a normative method, economic losses from agrometeorological events are determined. A model for optimizing crop production taking into account natural risks was built and implemented for an agricultural organization. The results were obtained according to data of the Irkutsk district.
Algorithm for complex diagnostics of cattle emerging diseases
Authors: Pechura E.V. , Poryvayeva A.P. , Bezborodova N.A. , Lysova Ya.Yu.
Published: December 2020

Problems of detailed studies into the epizootic process of infectious diseases of farm animals, mechanisms of interaction of pathogenic microorganisms with macroorganisms, as well as issues of health improvement and protection of animal populations from epizootically significant diseases are acute for veterinary science and practice. As a result of the studies the spectrum of pathogens in parasite cenosis on the territory of the entity of the Russian Federation was identified. The species composition of pathogens in cases of non-infectious pathology and infectious diseases in young cattle is specified. The pathogens are represented byStaphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli. K-99, pathogenic fungi Aspergillus spp.and yeast fungi Candida albicans, BHV-1 and BVDV. A database was compiled to upgrade the methodology of analyzing epizootological studies. The development and implementation of health and health-related programs has decreased the occurence of acute intestinal infections and respiratory tract infections in young cattle by more than 1.3 times. Multi-level epizootic surveillance of farm animal populations can prevent the occurrence and spread of particularly dangerous infections, eliminate managed infections, downgrade the risk of post-infectious complications and improve the economic efficiency of the livestock industry as a whole.
Managing the operation of trucks: methodological aspects of evaluating the efficiency and justifying reserves to increase cargo turnover
Authors: Fedoskin Vladimir , Bakulina Galina , Pikushina Maria
Published: December 2020

The article outlines certain methodological aspects of substantiating ways to increase the efficiency of using freight transport. One of the priority areas in training highly qualified specialists in the economic field is teaching them the most rational and objective methods of analysis, the results of which are necessary for the development and substantiation of real and objective management decisions, the implementation of which in production and financial activities of enterprises will help to increase the economic efficiency of using material resources, including trucks. The system of performance indicators for the work of freight transport includes summarizing and particular indicators. The research results show that the efficiency of trucks has significantly decreased: the truck availability rate by 5.6%, the loaded mileage proportion by 24.0%, the load factor by 26.8%. The decrease in the efficiency of using trucks indicates the need to develop and substantiate optimal management decisions in order to improve the use of trucks. In order to increase the validity of management decisions, it is proposed to use a new coefficient characterizing the level of use of the operating factor of technically ready trucks. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of calculating reserves and planning the work of freight transport.
The stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans L as a potential vector in the spread of lumpy skin disease virus in Russia: short review
Authors: Sprygin A.V. , Fedorova O.A. , Nesterov A.A. , Shumilova I.N. , Byadovskaya O.P.
Published: December 2020

The paper provides literature review on the relationship among climatic conditions, ecological characteristics of the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans L.) and the observed spread of lumpy skin disease across the Russian Federation in 2015-2019. This study was carried out to gain an insight into a role of this potential vector in LSDV transmission. Data analysis shows that the flight activity of the stable fly mainly fits into the seasonal pattern of LSD outbreaks. However, there were outbreaks that occurred outside the period of the stable fly flight activity, pointing to other routes of transmission.
Geometric and control optimization of a two cross-flow turbine array
Authors: Scherl Isabel , Strom Benjamin , Brunton Steven L. , Polagye Brian L.
Published: December 2020

Cross-flow turbines, also known as vertical-axis turbines, convert the kinetic energy in moving fluid to mechanical energy using blades that rotate about an axis perpendicular to the incoming flow. In this work, the performance of a two-turbine array in a recirculating water channel was experimentally optimized across 64 unique array configurations. For each configuration, turbine performance was optimized using tip-speed ratio control, where the rotation rate for each turbine is optimized individually, and using coordinated control, where the turbines are optimized to operate at synchronous rotation rates but with a phase difference. For each configuration and control strategy, the consequences of co- and counter-rotations were also evaluated. This is the first experimental cross-flow turbine array study to simultaneously address array geometry, control, and turbine rotation direction. Based on these results, we hypothesize how array configurations and control cases influence interactions between turbines and affect the performance of the array.
Ionic liquid gel gate tunable p-Si/MoS2 heterojunction p-n diode
Authors: Figueroa Kelotchi S. , Pinto Nicholas J. , Wen Chengyu , Johnson A. T. Charlie , Zhao Meng-Qiang
Published: December 2020

Monolayer MoS2 crystals investigated in this work were grown via chemical vapor deposition on Si/SiO2 substrates. Using a wet KOH etch, these crystals were transferred onto the edge of a freshly cleaved p-Si/SiO2 wafer where they formed mechanically robust heterojunctions at the p-Si/MoS2 interface. Electrical characterization of the device across the junction yielded an asymmetric I–V response similar to that of a p-n diode. The I–V response was electrostatically tunable via an ionic liquid gel gate. This is the first report demonstrating reversible gate control of the p-Si/MoS2 diode current by several orders of magnitude while lowering its turn-on voltage. Fermi energy level shifts within the MoS2 bandgap by the gate was believed to be responsible for the observed effects. The ease of fabrication, low operating voltages (<±2 V), and moderately high throughput currents (∼1 µA) are attractive features of this diode, especially for use in sensors and power saving electronics.
Discourse markers and brain lateralization
Authors: Haselow Alexander
Published: December 2020

This chapter contributes to recent lines of
research proposing right-hemisphere dominance of discourse-related
language tasks using neurolinguistic data on the incidence of
discourse markers in the speech of unilaterally brain-damaged
speakers (left- and right-hemispheric damage) compared to data
produced by control (unimpaired) speakers. From a more general
language-theoretic perspective these data will serve as the basis
for the exploration of processing differences between two domains of
language structure, one encompassing grammar and semantics, the
other one the organization of discourse and interaction, which has
important implications for linguistic modeling.
The rise of cause/reason adverbial markers in Yaqui
(Uto-Aztecan)
Authors: Álvarez González Albert
Published: December 2020

This paper deals with three different connectives (betchi’ibo, bwe’ituk, po(r)ke) in Yaqui, which
are used to introduce a clause that provides the cause/reason for
which the situation denoted in the associated clause is carried out.
The goal of this paper is to describe the morphosyntactic diversity present in Yaqui
cause/reason adverbial clauses and to explain this diversity
considering the evolutionary paths that have originated the three
different cause/reason markers in Yaqui. These three markers are
associated with three different sources: betchi’ibo originates from a postpositional
marker that extended its use from noun phrases to clausal
constituents; bwe’ituk comes from discourse
via the recruitment of a discourse marker of discontinuity (the
discourse marker bwe); and
po(r)ke arises from language contact with
Spanish.
How do adolescents perceive Chinese and Romanian immigrants? Testing the extended stereotype content model (¿Cómo perciben los adolescentes a los inmigrantes de origen chino y rumano? Una prueba del modelo extendido del contenido de los estereotipos (MCE))
Authors: Constantin Andreea A. , Cuadrado Isabel
Published: December 2020

This study assessed Spanish adolescents’ ( N = 296) stereotypes of morality, sociability and competence and their emotions towards Romanian ( n = 147) or Chinese immigrants ( n = 149). We also assessed the perceived intergroup competition with these groups and their perceived social status, and we explored the relation of these variables with adolescents’ stereotypes and emotions. As expected, adolescents’ evaluations were influenced by the ethnic origin of the immigrants and their stereotypes regarding each group were ambivalent. Intergroup competition was negatively related to immigrants’ perceived morality and sociability. Outgroup status was positively related to immigrants’ perceived competence. For both groups, stereotypes mediated the effect of socio-structural variables on adolescents’ emotions, but only morality was a consistent mediator in the examined processes. These findings provide information regarding the underlying mechanism of adolescents’ social perception of immigrant outgroups and emphasize the primary role of morality in this process.
Visitors’ satisfaction and evaluation to walk on the trails of forest: evidence from the national forest of Akasawa, Japan
Authors: Zhang T , Deng S Q , Gao Y , Zhang Z , Meng H , Zhang W K
Published: December 2020

In the recent decade, people’s interest for forests has increased tremendously throughout the globe. So, providing good forest landscape space to visitors has become an important issue for the landscape designers. Because, good forest resource planning and development can not only drive the sustainable development of the forest industry, but also its ripple effect can induce improvement in agricultural industry and economy in the region. The present study identified the evaluative behaviors among visitors walking on the trails of Akasawa national recreational forest, the birthplace of forest bathing in Japan. The study determined the factors that influenced the satisfaction rates of the visitors. The significance of this study is not only to improve the planning and design of the forest space itself, but also to provide theoretical guidance for the planning of the regional landscape of the rural areas attached to it. The study results revealed, visitors’ subjects for evaluation changed with the surrounding environment. While visitors appreciated large-scale landscape elements, such as “large-size trees” and “buttress roots” within coniferous forests. They valued small-scale landscape elements such as “flowering plants” within broad-leaved or mixed forests. Another important issue came out as a result of the present study is that the light and dark changes in the forest walking trail can continuously awaken the evaluation behavior of tourists. In this study visitors displayed evaluative behaviors most frequently on the Mukaiyama Course. It is rich in different types of forest stands and has variance illumination levels. Factors that influence the satisfaction rates of visitors were “landscape”, “vegetation”, “trail condition” and “ease of walking”. Factors that influence the frequency of evaluative behaviors included “landscapes” surrounding the trails and “ease of walking”. Through this study we can see that when we need to plan the forest spatial walking trails, it is very necessary to consider small-scale landscape elements, rich in different types of forest stands with varying illumination levels.
Modulation of levamisole and nicotine toxicity in soil nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae by moderate heat stress and ambient pH
Authors: Egorova A V , Kolsanova R R , Belova E B , Khakimova D M , Shagidullin R R , Kalinnikova T B
Published: December 2020

The influence of moderate heat stress and changes in ambient pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 was investigated on two soil nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae). Rise of ambient pH from 6.0 to 8.0 increased the sensitivity of nematodes to agonists of nicotinic cholinoreceptors levamisole (30–120 μM) and nicotine (1–4 mM) by 1.5– 5 folds, but not to acetylcholine esterase inhibitor aldicarb (60–240 μM). An increase in temperature up to 30°C caused a steep rise in sensitivity of C. elegans and C. briggsae to levamisole. The influence of ambient pH on sensitivity of C. elegans and C. briggsae to levamisole at 30°C was similar to that at 22°C. Therefore, mechanisms of sensitization of C. elegans to levamisole toxicity by an increase in pH or by temperature rise are different. The most likely mechanism for the increase in levamisole and nicotine toxicity in C. elegans and C. briggsae by a rise in ambient pH is deprotonation of levamisole and nicotine. This study shows that it is desirable to conduct the evaluation of the biological activity of toxicants in nematodes in the pH range 6.0–8.0, and not at a single pH.
Simulation and experiment of temperature field of different refrigerated trucks
Authors: Zhu Y F , Xie J
Published: December 2020

Road transportation is an important part of cold chain logistics. In order to study how the flow field and the temperature of the cold source influence the temperature field in the fully loaded car, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is used to model and numerically simulate the mechanical refrigerated truck, dry ice refrigerated truck, and cold storage refrigerated truck. It found that there was a positive relationship between the cold source temperature and the air in the compartment. The velocity of air contributed to the uniformity of the air temperature in the truck. The location distribution of the cold source also had a certain effect on the temperature distribution of the air in the compartment and the surface temperature of the frozen product. Due to the difficulty of obtaining cold plate refrigerated trucks, the temperature field in vehicles was verified by experiments with mechanical refrigerated trucks and dry ice refrigerated trucks. The maximum absolute errors of each temperature measurement point are 0.94 °C and 1.15 °C, indicating that the numerical simulation results are reliable.
Morphological observations in durum wheat after embryo manipulations
Authors: Savaskan C
Published: December 2020

In cereals, haploid or diploid embryo structures are suitable organisations in practice for amelioration or storage of genotypes or some other biotechnologies. It is possible to reveal of variation as different genotypes from heterozygote or landraces after making homozygote of recessive alleles by doubling of chromosomes using embryo rescue. In these genotypes, characters can be evaluated as qualitative or quantitatively, for instance; dark purple coleoptile could be observed in some doubled haploid (DH) genotypes. The amount of chlorophyll (a/b) and carotenoid have been evaluated in young leaves in DH-6 and DH-8 and some other durum wheat genotypes, while investigating their tolerances to salinity in laboratory conditions. Colour of grains (amount of carotenoid in harvested grains) in durum genotypes have also been evaluated with field experiment conditions in three different locations of Anatolia and also correlation (r) has been identified with other grain characters related with agronomical values. Here it is possible to determine the rate into correlation (path) of characters and direct and indirect effects of each other. Naturally, the relationships between amount of chlorophyl in young leaves and carotenoid in harvested grains and also harvest index (HI) of genotypes will be able to be interesting subjects to discuss.
Assessment of Groundwater behavior in Kulpahar Watershed, District Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Ram A , Tiwari S K , Pandey H K , Chaurasia A K , Chaudhary S K
Published: December 2020

In hard rock terrain, the groundwater occurs in two zones viz. shallow zone (in overburden) and deeper fractured zones mainly through secondary porosity. The groundwater level through 23 observation wells (fifteen dug wells and eight piezometers) has been monitored during pre and post-monsoon periods. An attempt has been made to evaluate the impact of rainfall on the groundwater level in the hard rock area of Mahoba district in the Bundelkhand region. The study depicts the impact of rainfall over the long-term groundwater level trend and establishes a conceptual structure to understand the hydrological stress conditions. Due to overexploitation, the groundwater condition has reached to the category of a critical stage. The severity and duration of water-level responses to hydrologic stresses have been analyzed statistically as well as graphically. The groundwater level is spatially and temporally variable in hard rock area and essentially depends upon the amount of rainfall, geological condition, and topographic slope. The analyzed rainfall data have been graded as a good year and bad year based on the amount of precipitation. The long-term groundwater level trend (2006-2016) indicates a sharp decline in groundwater level trend in the western part due to higher base flow and poor recharge. On the other hand, due to the presence of thicker overburden and runoff accumulation therein, the groundwater level is rising in the northern part of the study area. It also validates that there is very fair control of slope and thickness of overburden on the groundwater regime apart from the rainfall.
Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Localization of Regional Pyritization Zones – Constraints from Early Mesozoic Deposition in the Chay–Yureya Fault of the Kular-Nera Terrane, NE Russia
Authors: Fridovsky Valery Yu. , Polufuntikova Lena I. , Tarasov Yaroslav A.
Published: December 2020

The Early Mesozoic clastic rocks the Kular-Nera terrane in the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma orogenic belt, northeast Russia, exhibit regional sulfidation zones. The most abundant mineral of the zones is pyrite. However, its origin (sedimentary-diagenetic, metamorphogenic-hydrothermal, metasomatic) and contribution to the formation of economically important gold deposits remain debatable. The localization of the sulfidation zones is still poorly understood. We have studied geological-structural and mineralogical-geochemical features of pyritization zones in bedrock outcrops on Khara-Yuryakh creek (a right-side tributary of the Nera river) within the Kular-Nera terrane, Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded area. The pyritization zones are distant from the known gold deposits, and they extend along the Chay-Yureya regional fault. The deformation structure of the clastic rocks of the Chay-Yureya fault is defined by different-aged fold-thrust and strike-slip elements. The early deformations are isoclinal and tight folds up to a few hundred meters wide, with rounded and sharp crests and subhorizontal hinges. The early folds were refolded so that their crests may be seen on the limbs of later folds of the same NW strike. These structures were formed in the conditions of progressive deformation D1 in course of a single continuous (non-stop) tectonic regime during the frontal convergence of the Kolyma-Omolon superterrane with the eastern margin of the Siberian craton. These are commonly inclined or, more rarely, recumbent folds. Also present are late folds associated with dextral and sinistral strike-slip motions on the Chay-Yureya fault. The sulfide mineralization of the Chay-Yureya fault is represented by the disseminated idiomorphic pyrite crystals 1 to 10 mm in size. Metapyrites exhibit a cataclastic microtexture complicated by later corrosion processes. They contain zircon, rutile, and monazite microinclusions entrained in the process of growth. Microinclusions of galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and other late sulfides are confined to defects in the pyrite grains. The chemical composition of pyrite was determined on the Camebax-Micro microanalyzer, using a standard X-ray spectral analysis (DPMGI, SB RAS, Yakutsk). Most of the grains have a stoichiometric composition. 30 percent of the analyses showed excess Fe. Metacrystals of pyrite demonstrate variations in the concentration of trace elements, which often leads to chemical zonality. Our investigations showed that pyritization zones of the rocks are localized in the trans-crustal Chay-Yureya fault which served as a transit path for ascending regional fluid flows. Typomorphic trace elements found in pyrites are Co, Ni, As, Sb, and Cu, with the total amount of 0.1 to 0.4%. They are characterized by the low concentrations and nonuniform distribution. Zonality in the distribution of trace elements is attributable to the poly-
Heat Flow in SW of Galicia And NW of Portugal. The Interpretation of a Seismic Anomaly
Authors: Duque Maria Rosa
Published: December 2020

Four heat flow density values and five temperature-depth profiles were obtained in a heterogeneous region considering heat flow by conduction in the vertical direction, and heat sources in the crust due to radioactivity decay. The heat produced in the upper layers of the crust was obtained based on gamma-ray charts and published data of laboratory radioactivity measurements on samples taken from the region. Seismic data were used to obtain the thickness of the different layers of the upper and middle crust and the depth of the Moho discontinuity considered coincident with the crust/mantle boundary. The heat flow at the surface is obtained by adding the heat flow from the mantle with the heat generated by the radioactive sources in the crust. The method was applied to a region with one measured heat flow density value (Ourense) and four points without any heat flow density measurement. A heat flow value from the mantle was obtained with Ourense data. Special attention was given to a region (A) with a seismic anomaly near the surface. The anomaly was explained by mass deficit near the surface that gives rise to an abnormal density value and an increase in seismic wave velocity values. The decrease in density is due to the presence of water in the region forming an aquifer. Geothermometer values obtained from samples of water in the thermal springs of Tuy (Spain) and Monção (Portugal) were used as the water temperature at the bottom of the aquifer. Isostatic balance in the region was considered to obtain density values and the amount of water in the region. Thermal conductivity and radioactivity heat source values in the region were obtained considering the amount of water in the region. Values from 86 to 97 mW/m2 were obtained using the same value of heat flow from the mantle. This is due to different values of heat produced in the crust due to different thickness layer values or/and to different heat production values.
Analysis of Tectonic Ore-Controlling Factors Using of Geophysical Data on the Example of the Elkon Ore District (Aldan Shield, North-Asian Craton)
Authors: Loskutov Evgeny
Published: December 2020

The author investigated the gravitational and the magnetically fields of the Elkon ore unit. The gold-uranium deposits of the Elkon ore district this is unique of his scale and matching with biggest ore units of world. The study of the regularities of forms, location and direction of extension of tectonic ore-controlling structures in magnetic and gravitational fields, the study of their transformation using Surfer 8, Koscad 3D and ArcGIS. As a result, the author obtained get two-dimensional autocorrelation functions, local and regional components of geophysical fields, and their gradients. The most informative transformations of fields are regional component of the magnetically field and local component of the gravitational field by results statistical analysis to study the tectonic structure like Elkon ore unit.
Soil Moisture Simulation in Selected Austrian Catchements With Use of the Tuw Conceptual Semi-Distributed Rainfall Runoff Model
Authors: Kubáň Martin , Brziak Adam
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, hydrological rainfall-runoff models are routinely used for modelling hydrological balances, the generation of floods, or droughts. For decades numerous rainfallrunoff models have been tested with many calibration procedures and different model structures. However, for rainfall-runoff, it is challenging to find a particular model structure and parameter set that can correctly describe the complicated flow formation processes in diverse physiographic conditions. Improvements to existing rainfall-runoff modelling concepts and data assimilation are therefore continuously being tested. In recent years, remote sensing has played an increasing role in the surveying of hydrological phenomena. Remote sensing of soil moisture data can be very helpful because soil moisture measurements in field conditions are not always straightforward. The quality of remotely sensed data is rising; nowadays, we can routinely start using data with proper spatial and temporal resolutions. In this paper, we have focused on an evaluation of the parametrisation of the soil moisture submodel of the TUW rainfall-runoff model by remotely sensed soil moisture data. We calibrated the TUW model for three selected catchments in Austria with flat hypsometric characteristics using discharges as a criterion. For the calibration, we used both the lumped and semi-distributed model versions of the model and compared the quality of the soil moisture of both versions. Both the lumped and semi-distributed versions performed well in the discharge simulation. In the case of the soil moisture simulation, we achieved slightly better results with the semi-distributed version of the model. Difficulties with accessing the data from the remote sensing are discussed since remote sensing sensors still have problems when clouds and snow cover the catchments.
Comparison of measured and simulated snow cover occurrence using two versions of the TUW hydrological model
Authors: Brziak Adam , Kohnová Silvia , Kubáň Martin
Published: December 2020

Recent rapid developments in the hydrological sciences are markedly related to the development of mathematical modeling and its application in engineering practice, e.g., for the purposes of hydrological forecasting, the extrapolation of hydrological data over time and in space, as well as the estimation of hydrological extremes. Simulation of the water balance is also important for the effective management of water resources. Snow accumulation and melting fundamentally affect the water balance and belong among the most important components of the hydrological cycle. Snowmelt is a significant source of runoff, especially in mountainous regions. The basic snow cover characteristics are the bulk density of the snow, the snow water equivalent, and the height of the snow. This paper is focused on a comparison of snow cover occurrences as simulated by the TUW lumped and semi-distributed conceptual models, with measured values of the snow depths for two selected Austrian river basins. For the comparison, two types of catchments with flat and hilly characters were selected. The results show that the semi-distributed version of the TUW model simulates the occurrence of snow cover more accurately on both flat and hilly catchments. The spatially differentiated model inputs allow for a more representative representation of snow accumulation and melting than using lumped model inputs.
Europeanisation of energy policy and area-based partnerships: Regional diversity of interest in renewable energy sources in local development strategies in Poland
Authors: Furmankiewicz Marek , Hewitt Richard J. , Janc Krzysztof , Kazak Jan K.
Published: December 2020

Cross-sectoral partnerships, known as Local Action Groups (LAGs), are a key pillar of the European Union’s Community-Led Local Development approach in member states. LAGs prepare bottom-up territorial strategies, having a relatively high degree of freedom to set their own development goals and the scope of the activities for which they receive EU funding. In this sense, there is clear potential for LAGs to implement local scale initiatives around renewable energies (RE). To understand the scope and extent of such bottom-up initiatives in Poland, we analyse the regional diversity of operations in RE in the local development strategies of 324 LAGs prepared for the EU Programming Period 2014–2020. Specifically, we analysed whether local communities planned to undertake educational actions or investments related to RE in their strategies. Content analysis shows a relatively low interest in this subject by the communities analysed at the time their strategies were prepared. Across the country, educational activities related to RE were planned in 13% of strategies and investments related to RE in only 9% of them. Possible reasons for the generally low local interest in RE may relate to the levels of education and income of local communities. However, the regional disparities could be the result of the individual policy of regional authorities. We discuss the possible causes of this apparent lack of interest in RE among local communities in the context of EU-wide efforts for a low-carbon economy. Alternative policy instruments, or more precise targeting of rural development funding to sustainable energy may be needed to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy sources in Poland.
“Private” JPEG Images for Earth Science Purposes
Authors: Carpentieri Bruno
Published: December 2020

The 5G era that is about to come will exponentially increase the amount of digital data produced. Already, the giant amount of digital data that is produced every day by sensors, users and digital devices has called for scalable and efficient decentralized approaches to data storage and elaboration and to a Fog/Edge computing paradigm that requires efficient networking and storage for better services related to the compression and security of digital data. In this paper, we will explore a unified approach that merges compression and security in one step, by reviewing the current research in this field and by presenting new experimental evidence and new ideas for secure compression of two-dimensional data (for instance digital images). The purpose of our study is also the masking and unmasking of the sensitive biometric data, i.e. face and eyes, that are contained within a JPEG image that contains human faces.
Geological Interpretation of the Results of Factor Analysis of XRF- and XRD-Data on Carbonatites and Aluminosilicate Rocks of the Kontozero Alkaline Complex (Kola Peninsula, NW Russia)
Authors: Kozlov Evgeniy , Fomina Ekaterina
Published: December 2020

We applied factor analysis (FA) for statistical comparison of XRF and XRD data on 198 carbonatite and aluminosilicate rock samples of the Kontozero Devonian paleovolcano. This method helps to identify main, secondary, and some accessory minerals, as well as to estimate the approximate contents of these minerals and to assess their contribution on the distribution of major and trace elements (Fomina et al., 2019). With the view of control purposes, qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of diffraction data were performed. Several dozen factors quickly yielded to mineralogical interpretation. For the studied samples, a functional relationship was established between the calculated mineral content and the score of the factor (FS) corresponding to the mineral. Thus, the FS can serve as a handy tool for assessing the contents of minerals. Thereby we visualise the distribution of minerals in the space of the studied complex. We also found out which mineral phases are ubiquitous, and which present only in certain parts of the section or occur sporadically. These data allowed us to make a mineralogical interpretation of the results of FA, performed solely for the geochemical variables. The main trends in the mineralogical and geochemical evolution of carbonatite and aluminosilicate rocks of the Kontozero Devonian paleovolcano were thus determined and statistically substantiated. All these results were obtained in a short time at the earliest stages of the research. A “blind” statistical method guarantees the independence of the results on a priori hypothesis of the researcher. The time-consuming classical techniques (e.g., petrography, mineralogical studies, and quantitative analysis of diffraction data) verified the geological model described by statistics.
Application of the Method of Statistical Comparison of XRD-and XRF-Data for Identification of the Most Representative Rock Samples: A Case Study of an Extensive Collection of Carbonatites and Aluminosilicate Rocks of the Kontozero Alkaline Complex (Kola Peninsula, NW Russia)
Authors: Fomina Ekaterina , Kozlov Evgeniy
Published: December 2020

We investigated carbonatites and aluminosilicate rocks from the Kontozero Devonian carbonatite paleovolcano complex (198 samples). Some specific features complicate the geological exploration of this object: a) the rocks of the Kontozero complex are predominantly volcanic and therefore exhibit small dimension of mineral grains and the diversity of their structural relationships; b) because breccias are common in many parts of the complex, the rocks are mostly inhomogeneous; c) Kontozero belongs to the alkaline-carbonatite formation, which is typically characterised by mineral diversity and the presence of rare minerals. The purpose of this study was to develop an algorithm for selecting from an extensive collection of rock material the most informative for mineralogical and geochemical studies samples. As a tool for this selection, we chose an original method of statistical comparison of XRD and XRF data using factor analysis (FA). This methodological approach enables mathematical identification of all major, minor, and several accessory minerals and a rough estimation of their contents (Fomina et al., 2019). We carried out the mineralogical interpretation of the factors according to the peak positions on the graphs of factor loadings and qualitative analysis of diffraction data of rock samples with maximum factor scores. For the studied rock collection, this approach allowed us to identify more than 20 rock-forming minerals based only on XRD data. Also, we found about ten mineral phases, the lines of which are low-intensity and/or overlap by more intense peaks of other minerals in the diffraction patterns. The mineralogical interpretation of the factors of these hidden minerals requires verification by an electron microscope investigation of the samples selected with FA. Based on the results of this study, we developed an algorithm that facilitates choosing rock samples that are most contrasted in mineral and chemical composition and contain the entire set of mineral phases characteristic of the rocks of the study object with minimal effort. In the case of our Kontozero rock collection, 30 representative samples were selected, which is about 15% of the initial sample set.
Geopolymers as a potential material for preservation and restoration of Urban Build Heritage: an overview
Authors: Pagnotta Stefano , Tenorio Anna Lluveras , Tinè Maria Rosaria , Lezzerini Marco
Published: December 2020

Since the introduction of the term ‘geopolymer’ by Davidovits in 1978, many works have been published, sometimes providing clear and concise indications, and other times creating confusion about what are a geopolymer. What seems interesting beyond the terminology discourse is the advantage of low CO2 emissions, the use of waste industrial byproducts in their implementation and the resistance to air pollution and aggressive agents. Playing on the combination of the different precursors and alkaline activators, geopolymers can reach competitive mechanical properties and significant environmental benefits. The materials, with specially designed formulations, can be fireproof, breathable, resistant to rising salts and acid rain, as well as products with low emission of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, a further advantage is the ability to imitate natural, artificial and stone materials. There are hundreds of papers about characteristics, properties both of precursors and final product, but only a few of them about the Cultural Heritage Application. Despite this, the data shown by the few publications present to date give hope for a use of these materials for the consolidation, conservation and restoration of the heritage built within the historical centres, where the low CO2 emissions and the characteristics shown by the geopolymers could bring a huge benefit to the environment and the protection of the structures themselves. In this work, we briefly review the bibliography available on the applications of these materials to Cultural Heritage, hypothesising future uses aimed at specific urban contexts, where the application could play a key role in the future projects to restore the built heritage.
Impact of Dismantled Sheet Pile Vibration on Cohesive Soil Parameters
Authors: Wyjadlowski Marek , Zieba Zofia
Published: December 2020

The dynamic impact of geotechnical works can affect subsoil, as well as structures and technical devices. In order to prevent hazards resulting from vibration, the monitoring of geotechnical works execution is necessary. This paper presents an analysis of the relationship between the vibration caused by pulling out the sheet pile and the variability of cohesive soil parameters. The authors present the case study of a construction site in Wroclaw (Lower Silesian Province, Poland). The sheet pile profiles were used as a temporary protection of the foundation excavation. After the underground floors were constructed, the sheet piles were pulled out from the ground using vibrating techniques. This is a typical action to recover steel profiles that can be reused. While the sheet piles were being pulled out, the cohesive soil adhered to steel surfaces. In order to analyse the impact of dismantled sheet pile vibration on the variability of soil parameters, laboratory tests of basic soil physical and mechanical properties were carried out. The results were then compared with the primary parameters of soil as specified in the geotechnical documentation, which had been made at the initial stage to determine the geotechnical conditions for the foundation of the designed building. The comparison has shown a negative effect of vibrations on soil properties, including a decrease in the strength parameters, as well as an increase in the liquidity index and compressibility. In this case, an increase in the earth pressure on the existing underground structures and a reduction of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations may occur. Therefore, the vibration monitoring during sheet pile dismantling process is also very important.
Quality of an Underground Hydro Resource in Order to Classify it as Natural Mineral Water for Thermalism: The Case of the New Resource “Termas de São Tiago”
Authors: Ferreira Gomes Luis M.
Published: December 2020

A Medical Spa in Portugal to work legally needs to be supplied by a groundwater that is classified as natural mineral water. After the referred classification, that water is considered as a geological resource and of the public domain, that is, protected by the Portuguese State. Among several studies, mainly hydrogeological, the quality of that natural resource and its physicochemical and microbiological stability, over a hydrological year, is absolutely crucial to obtain the official classification of the resource. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to present the fundamental elements of that domain, in the sense of presenting a case study, which serves as an example to other situations. The results of physicochemical and microbiological analysis, performed monthly, for 12 consecutive months, as well as, the results of a very complete analysis with trace chemical elements, gases, radiological parameters, mineral oils and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are presented, analysed and discussed. Finally, the main hydrogeochemical classifications of that natural resource are presented, which led to the new mineral water called as “Termas de São Tiago”, and which was responsible for the fact that Portugal can currently count on a new medical spa in operation.