bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of CNS-Li2SiO3 Permeable Protective Coatings and Effects on Mortar Matrix
Authors: Li Xu , Pan Chonggen , Li Dong , Geng Jian , Chen Na , He Jingzi , Liu Shuhua
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we prepared permeable protective coatings composed of lithium silicate (Li2SiO3), where the coating was modified by colloidal nano-silica (CNS). Three levels of lithium silicate (i.e., 30 wt. %; 40 wt. %; 50 wt. %), sodium silicate (i.e., 5 wt. %; 10 wt. %; 15 wt. %), and surfactant (i.e., 0.05 wt. %; 0.1 wt. %; 0.15 wt. %) were involved in this study. An orthogonal experiment design selected the optimal proportion basedon thestrength and water absorption requirements of mortar. The effects of CNS-Li2SiO3 coating on the resistance to permeability of chloride ions and carbonation of specimens were also studied. The outcomes were interpreted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques. The results showed that the optimum mix formulation consisted of 40 wt. % of lithium silicate, 10 wt. % of sodium silicate and 0.1 wt. % of surfactant within the mixtures investigated. Meanwhile, compared tothe control group, after the specimens were coated at 21 days curing age of mortar, the strength development, 48-h water absorption, resistance to chloride ions penetration, and carbonation of CNS-Li2SiO3 coated specimenswere improved. This could be attributed to the second hydration, leading to a reduction of the content of Ca(OH)2 and an increase of the amount of C–S–H gel within specimens. Thus, the microstructure of mortar matrix was improved after coated with CNS-Li2SiO3 permeable protective coatings.
Special Issue: A Themed Issue of Functional Molecule-Based Magnets: Dedicated to Professor Masahiro Yamashita on the Occasion of His 65th Birthday
Authors: Katoh Keiichi
Published: April 2020

Research on molecule-based magnetic materials was systematized in the 1980s and expanded rapidly [...]
An Image-Based Double-Smoothing Cohesive Finite Element Framework for Particle-Reinforced Materials
Authors: Bai Xiaoming , Mi Xue , Xie Hai , Shi Kaikai , Xiong Furui , Zhang Yixiong , Guo Licheng
Published: April 2020

In order to simulate the fracture process of particle-reinforced materials on the micro-scale, an image-based double-smoothing cohesive finite element framework is proposed in the present paper. Two separate smoothing processes are performed to reduce the noise in the digital image and eliminate the jagged elements in the finite element mesh. The main contribution of the present study is the proposed novel image-based cohesive finite element framework, and this method improved the quality of the meshes effectively. Meanwhile, the artificial resistance due to the jagged element is reduced with the double-smoothing cohesive finite element framework during the crack propagation. Therefore, the image-based double-smoothing cohesive finite element framework is significant for the simulation of fracture mechanics.
Hybridization of Multi-Objective Deterministic Particle Swarm with Derivative-Free Local Searches
Authors: Pellegrini Riccardo , Serani Andrea , Liuzzi Giampaolo , Rinaldi Francesco , Lucidi Stefano , Diez Matteo
Published: April 2020

The paper presents a multi-objective derivative-free and deterministic global/local hybrid algorithm for the efficient and effective solution of simulation-based design optimization (SBDO) problems. The objective is to show how the hybridization of two multi-objective derivative-free global and local algorithms achieves better performance than the separate use of the two algorithms in solving specific SBDO problems for hull-form design. The proposed method belongs to the class of memetic algorithms, where the global exploration capability of multi-objective deterministic particle swarm optimization is enriched by exploiting the local search accuracy of a derivative-free multi-objective line-search method. To the authors best knowledge, studies are still limited on memetic, multi-objective, deterministic, derivative-free, and evolutionary algorithms for an effective and efficient solution of SBDO for hull-form design. The proposed formulation manages global and local searches based on the hypervolume metric. The hybridization scheme uses two parameters to control the local search activation and the number of function calls used by the local algorithm. The most promising values of these parameters were identified using forty analytical tests representative of the SBDO problem of interest. The resulting hybrid algorithm was finally applied to two SBDO problems for hull-form design. For both analytical tests and SBDO problems, the hybrid method achieves better performance than its global and local counterparts.
αO-Conotoxin GeXIVA Inhibits the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells via Interaction with α9 Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptors
Authors: Sun Zhihua , Bao Jiaolin , Zhangsun Manqi , Dong Shuai , Zhangsun Dongting , Luo Sulan
Published: April 2020

The α9-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is increasingly emerging as a new tumor target owing to its high expression specificity in breast cancer. αO-Conotoxin GeXIVA is a potent antagonist of α9α10 nAChR. Nevertheless, the anti-tumor effect of GeXIVA on breast cancer cells remains unclear. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to study the cell viability of breast cancer MDA-MD-157 cells and human normal breast epithelial cells, which were exposed to different doses of GeXIVA. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of GeXIVA in breast cancer cells. Migration ability was analyzed by wound healing assay. Western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and flow cytometry were used to determine expression of α9-nAChR. Stable MDA-MB-157 breast cancer cell line, with the α9-nAChR subunit knocked out (KO), was established using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. GeXIVA was able to significantly inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of breast cancer MDA-MB-157 cells. Furthermore, the proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-157 cells was inhibited by GeXIVA, which caused cell cycle arrest through downregulating α9-nAChR. GeXIVA could suppress MDA-MB-157 cell migration as well. This demonstrates that GeXIVA induced a downregulation of α9-nAChR expression, and the growth of MDA-MB-157 α9-nAChR KO cell line was inhibited as well, due to α9-nAChR deletion. GeXIVA inhibits the growth of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-157 cells in vitro and may occur in a mechanism abolishing α9-nAChR.
Role of Gut Microbiota in Neuroendocrine Regulation of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Liver Axis
Authors: Wang Shu-Zhi , Yu Yi-Jing , Adeli Khosrow
Published: April 2020

Gut microbiota play an important role in maintaining intestinal health and are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. Recent studies have shown that the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS) can interact with gut microbiota to regulate nutrient metabolism. The vagal nerve system communicates between the CNS and ENS to control gastrointestinal tract functions and feeding behavior. Vagal afferent neurons also express receptors for gut peptides that are secreted from enteroendocrine cells (EECs), such as cholecystokinin (CCK), ghrelin, leptin, peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin). Gut microbiota can regulate levels of these gut peptides to influence the vagal afferent pathway and thus regulate intestinal metabolism via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In addition, bile acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) can also exert metabolic control through the microbiota-gut-liver axis. This review is mainly focused on the role of gut microbiota in neuroendocrine regulation of nutrient metabolism via the microbiota-gut-brain-liver axis.
Improved Protocol for DNA Extraction from Subsoils Using Phosphate Lysis Buffer
Authors: Guerra Victor , Beule Lukas , Lehtsaar Ena , Liao Hui-Ling , Karlovsky Petr
Published: April 2020

As our understanding of soil biology deepens, there is a growing demand for investigations addressing microbial processes in the earth beneath the topsoil layer, called subsoil. High clay content in subsoils often hinders the recovery of sufficient quantities of DNA as clay particles bind nucleic acids. Here, an efficient and reproducible DNA extraction method for 200 mg dried soil based on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) lysis in the presence of phosphate buffer has been developed. The extraction protocol was optimized by quantifying bacterial 16S and fungal 18S rRNA genes amplified from extracts obtained by different combinations of lysis methods and phosphate buffer washes. The combination of one minute of bead beating, followed by ten min incubation at 65°C in the presence of 1 M phosphate buffer with 0.5% SDS, was found to produce the best results. The optimized protocol was compared with a commonly used cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method, using Phaeozem soil collected from 60 cm depth at a conventional agricultural field and validated on five subsoils. The reproducibility and robustness of the protocol was corroborated by an interlaboratory comparison. The DNA extraction protocol offers a reproducible and cost-effective tool for DNA-based studies of subsoil biology.
Sales of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Australia: A Trend Analysis from 1997 to 2018
Authors: Shrapnel William S. , Butcher Belinda E.
Published: April 2020

Lowering intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is being advocated as an obesity prevention strategy in Australia. The purpose of this study was to extend on previous reports of trends in national volume sales of SSBs. Data were extracted from commercially available datasets of beverage sales (AC Nielsen (1997–2011) and IRI Australia (2009–2018)). Linear regression was used to examine trends for the period 1997 to 2018. Per capita attribution of volume sales and sugar contribution was estimated by dividing by the Australian resident population for the relevant year. Per capita volume sales of SSBs fell 27%, from 83L/person to 61L/person, largely driven by declining sales of sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drinks (76 to 45L/person). Volume sales of non-SSB increased, from 48 to 88L/person, the largest contributor being pure unflavoured still waters (6 to 48L/person). Volume sales of non-SSBs have exceeded those of SSBs since 2015. The yearly contribution of SSBs to the sugar content of the national diet declined from 9.0 to 6.4kg/person. Major, long-term shifts are occurring in the market for non-alcoholic, water-based beverages in Australia, notably a fall in per capita volume sales of SSBs and an increase in volume sales of water. Both trends are consistent with obesity prevention strategies.
Analysis of the Role of TpUB05 Antigen from Theileria parva in Immune Responses to Malaria in Humans Compared to Its Homologue in Plasmodium falciparum the UB05 Antigen
Authors: Dinga Jerome Nyhalah , Perimbie Stephanie Numenyi , Gamua Stanley Dobgima , Chuma Francis N. G. , Njimoh Dieudonné Lemuh , Djikeng Appolinaire , Pelle Roger , Titanji Vincent P. K.
Published: April 2020

Despite the amount of resources deployed and the technological advancements in molecular biology, vaccinology, immunology, genetics, and biotechnology, there are still no effective vaccines against malaria. Immunity to malaria is usually seen to be species- and/or strain-specific. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the possibility of the existence of cross-strain, cross-species, and cross-genus immune responses in apicomplexans. The principle of gene conservation indicates that homologues play a similar role in closely related organisms. The homologue of UB05 in Theileria parva is TpUB05 (XP_763711.1), which has been tested and shown to be associated with protective immunity in East Coast fever. In a bid to identify potent markers of protective immunity to aid malaria vaccine development, TpUB05 was tested in malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. It was observed that TpUB05 was better at detecting antigen-specific antibodies in plasma compared to UB05 when tested by ELISA. The total IgG raised against TpUB05 was able to block parasitic growth in vitro more effectively than that raised against UB05. However, there was no significant difference between the two study antigens in recalling peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) memory through IFN-γ production. This study suggests, for the first time, that TpUB05 from T. parva cross-reacts with UB05 from P. falciparum and is a marker of protective immunity in malaria. Hence, TpUB05 should be considered for possible development as a potential subunit vaccine candidate against malaria.
Characterization of the AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Family and Expression Profiling of DREB Subfamily under Cold and Osmotic Stresses in Ammopiptanthus nanus
Authors: Cao Shilin , Wang Ying , Li Xuting , Gao Fei , Feng Jinchao , Zhou Yijun
Published: April 2020

APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor (AP2/ERF) is one of the largest transcription factor (TF) families in plants, which play important roles in regulating plant growth, development, and response to environmental stresses. Ammopiptanthus nanus, an unusual evergreen broad-leaved shrub in the arid region in the northern temperate zone, demonstrates a strong tolerance to low temperature and drought stresses, and AP2/ERF transcription factors may contribute to the stress tolerance of A. nanus. In the current study, 174 AP2/ERF family members were identified from the A. nanus genome, and they were divided into five subfamilies, including 92 ERF members, 55 dehydration-responsive element binding (DREB) members, 24 AP2 members, 2 RAV members, and 1 Soloist member. Compared with the other leguminous plants, A. nanus has more members of the DREB subfamily and the B1 group of the ERF subfamily, and gene expansion in the AP2/ERF family is primarily driven by tandem and segmental duplications. Promoter analysis showed that many stress-related cis-acting elements existed in promoter regions of the DREB genes, implying that MYB, ICE1, and WRKY transcription factors regulate the expression of DREB genes in A. nanus. Expression profiling revealed that the majority of DREB members were responsive to osmotic and cold stresses, and several DREB genes such as EVM0023336.1 and EVM0013392.1 were highly induced by cold stress, which may play important roles in cold response in A. nanus. This study provided important data for understanding the evolution and functions of AP2/ERF and DREB transcription factors in A. nanus.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Halophyte Zoysia macrostachya in Response to Salinity Stress
Authors: Wang Rong , Wang Xi , Liu Kuan , Zhang Xue-Jie , Zhang Luo-Yan , Fan Shou-Jin
Published: April 2020

As one of the most severe environmental stresses, salt stress can cause a series of changes in plants. In salt tolerant plant Zoysia macrostachya, germination, physiology, and genetic variation under salinity have been studied previously, and the morphology and distribution of salt glands have been clarified. However, no study has investigated the transcriptome of such species under salt stress. In the present study, we compared transcriptome of Z. macrostachya under normal conditions and salt stress (300 mmol/L NaCl, 24 h) aimed to identify transcriptome responses and molecular mechanisms under salt stress in Z. macrostachya. A total of 8703 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 4903 up-regulated and 3800 down-regulated ones. Moreover, a series of molecular processes were identified by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, and these processes were suggested to be closely related to salt tolerance in Z. macrostachya. The identified DEGs concentrated on regulating plant growth via plant hormone signal transduction, maintaining ion homeostasis via salt secretion and osmoregulatory substance accumulation and preventing oxidative damage via increasing the activity of ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavenging system. These changes may be the most important responses of Z. macrostachya under salt stress. Some key genes related to salt stress were identified meanwhile. Collectively, our findings provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms and genetic underpinnings of salt tolerance in Z. macrostachya.
Cellular and Subcellular Compartmentation of the 2C-Methyl-D-Erythritol 4-Phosphate Pathway in the Madagascar Periwinkle
Authors: Guirimand Grégory , Guihur Anthony , Perello Catalina , Phillips Michael , Mahroug Samira , Oudin Audrey , Dugé de Bernonville Thomas , Besseau Sébastien , Lanoue Arnaud , Giglioli-Guivarc’h Nathalie , Papon Nicolas , St-Pierre Benoit , Rodríguez-Concepcíon Manuel , Burlat Vincent , Courdavault Vincent
Published: April 2020

The Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) synthesizes the highly valuable monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) through a long metabolic route initiated by the 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. In leaves, a complex compartmentation of the MIA biosynthetic pathway occurs at both the cellular and subcellular levels, notably for some gene products of the MEP pathway. To get a complete overview of the pathway organization, we cloned four genes encoding missing enzymes involved in the MEP pathway before conducting a systematic analysis of transcript distribution and protein subcellular localization. RNA in situ hybridization revealed that all MEP pathway genes were coordinately and mainly expressed in internal phloem-associated parenchyma of young leaves, reinforcing the role of this tissue in MIA biosynthesis. At the subcellular level, transient cell transformation and expression of fluorescent protein fusions showed that all MEP pathway enzymes were targeted to plastids. Surprisingly, two isoforms of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase initially exhibited an artifactual aggregated pattern of localization due to high protein accumulation. Immunogold combined with transmission electron microscopy, transient transformations performed with a low amount of transforming DNA and fusion/deletion experiments established that both enzymes were rather diffuse in stroma and stromules of plastids as also observed for the last six enzymes of the pathway. Taken together, these results provide new insights into a potential role of stromules in enhancing MIA precursor exchange with other cell compartments to favor metabolic fluxes towards the MIA biosynthesis.
Selenium and Salt Interactions in Black Gram (Vigna mungo L): Ion Uptake, Antioxidant Defense System, and Photochemistry Efficiency
Authors: Jawad Hassan Muhammad , Ali Raza Muhammad , Khan Imran , Ahmad Meraj Tehseen , Ahmed Mukhtar , Abbas Shah Ghulam , Ansar Muhammad , Awan Samrah Afzal , Khan Nanak , Iqbal Nasir , Peng Yan , Li Zhou
Published: April 2020

Salinity is a major abiotic stress which limits crop production, especially under rainfed conditions. Selenium (Se), as an important micronutrient, plays a vital role in mitigating detrimental effects of different abiotic stresses. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of Se fertilization on black gram (Vigna mungo) under salt stress. Our results showed that salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in leaves significantly induced oxidative damage and caused a decline in relative water content, chlorophyll (Chl), stomatal conductance (gs), photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), sucrose, and reducing sugars. A low dose of Se (1.5 ppm) significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide content, malondialdehyde formation, cell membrane damage, and also improved antioxidative enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase under salt stress. Se-treated plants exhibited higher Chl, gs, Fv/Fm, sucrose, and reducing sugars than untreated plants in response to salt stress. In addition, Se application enhanced Se uptake and reduced Na+ uptake, but Cl− remained unaffected. Our results indicated that a low dose of Se effectively alleviated salt damage via inhibition of Na+ uptake and enhanced antioxidant defense resulting in a significant decrease in oxidative damage, and maintained gaseous exchange and PS II function for sucrose and reducing sugars accumulation in black gram.
Neural Networks for the Joint Development of Individual Payments and Claim Incurred
Authors: Delong Łukasz , Wüthrich Mario V.
Published: April 2020

The goal of this paper is to develop regression models and postulate distributions which can be used in practice to describe the joint development process of individual claim payments and claim incurred. We apply neural networks to estimate our regression models. As regressors we use the whole claim history of incremental payments and claim incurred, as well as any relevant feature information which is available to describe individual claims and their development characteristics. Our models are calibrated and tested on a real data set, and the results are benchmarked with the Chain-Ladder method. Our analysis focuses on the development of the so-called Reported But Not Settled (RBNS) claims. We show benefits of using deep neural network and the whole claim history in our prediction problem.
Retrieval of Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent Using Dual Polarization SAR Data
Authors: Patil Akshay , Singh Gulab , Rüdiger Christoph
Published: April 2020

This paper deals with the retrieval of snow depth (SD) and snow water equivalent (SWE) using dual-polarization (HH-VV) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The effect of different snowpack conditions on the SD and SWE inversion accuracy was demonstrated by using three TerraSAR-X acquisitions. The algorithm is based on the relationship between the SD, the co-polar phase difference (CPD), and particle anisotropy. The Dhundi observatory in the Indian Himalaya was selected as a validation test site where a field campaign was conducted for ground truth measurements in January 2016. Using the field measured values of the snow parameters, the particle anisotropy has been optimized and provided as an input to the SD retrieval algorithm. A spatially variable snow density ( ρ s ) was used for the estimation of the SWE, and a temporal resolution of 90 m was achieved in the inversion process. When the retrieval accuracy was tested for different snowpack conditions, it was found that the proposed algorithm shows good accuracy for recrystallized dry snowpack without distinct layering and low wetness (w). The statistical indices, namely, the root mean square error (RMSE), the mean absolute difference (MAD), and percentage error (PE), were used for the accuracy assessment. The algorithm was able to retrieve SD with an average MAE and RMSE of 6.83 cm and 7.88 cm, respectively. The average MAE and RMSE values for SWE were 17.32 mm and 21.41 mm, respectively. The best case PE in the SD and the SWE retrieval were 8.22 cm and 18.85 mm, respectively.
Use of Automated Change Detection and VGI Sources for Identifying and Validating Urban Land Use Change
Authors: Olteanu-Raimond A.-M. , See L. , Schultz M. , Foody G. , Riffler M. , Gasber T. , Jolivet L. , le Bris A. , Meneroux Y. , Liu L. , Poupée M. , Gombert M.
Published: April 2020

Land use and land cover (LULC) mapping is often undertaken by national mapping agencies, where these LULC products are used for different types of monitoring and reporting applications. Updating of LULC databases is often done on a multi-year cycle due to the high costs involved, so changes are only detected when mapping exercises are repeated. Consequently, the information on LULC can quickly become outdated and hence may be incorrect in some areas. In the current era of big data and Earth observation, change detection algorithms can be used to identify changes in urban areas, which can then be used to automatically update LULC databases on a more continuous basis. However, the change detection algorithm must be validated before the changes can be committed to authoritative databases such as those produced by national mapping agencies. This paper outlines a change detection algorithm for identifying construction sites, which represent ongoing changes in LU, developed in the framework of the LandSense project. We then use volunteered geographic information (VGI) captured through the use of mapathons from a range of different groups of contributors to validate these changes. In total, 105 contributors were involved in the mapathons, producing a total of 2778 observations. The 105 contributors were grouped according to six different user-profiles and were analyzed to understand the impact of the experience of the users on the accuracy assessment. Overall, the results show that the change detection algorithm is able to identify changes in residential land use to an adequate level of accuracy (85%) but changes in infrastructure and industrial sites had lower accuracies (57% and 75 %, respectively), requiring further improvements. In terms of user profiles, the experts in LULC from local authorities, researchers in LULC at the French national mapping agency (IGN), and first-year students with a basic knowledge of geographic information systems had the highest overall accuracies (86.2%, 93.2%, and 85.2%, respectively). Differences in how the users approach the task also emerged, e.g., local authorities used knowledge and context to try to identify types of change while those with no knowledge of LULC (i.e., normal citizens) were quicker to choose ‘Unknown’ when the visual interpretation of a class was more difficult.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Land Surface Albedo over the Tibet Plateau from 2001 to 2019
Authors: Lin Xingwen , Wen Jianguang , Liu Qinhuo , You Dongqin , Wu Shengbiao , Hao Dalei , Xiao Qing , Zhang Zhaoyang , Zhang Zhenzhen
Published: April 2020

As an essential climate variable (ECV), land surface albedo plays an important role in the Earth surface radiation budget and regional or global climate change. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a sensitive environment to climate change, and understanding its albedo seasonal and inter-annual variations is thus important to help capture the climate change rules. In this paper, we analyzed the large-scale spatial patterns, temporal trends, and seasonal variability of land surface albedo overall the TP, based on the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) MCD43 albedo products from 2001 to 2019. Specifically, we assessed the correlations between the albedo anomaly and the anomalies of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the fraction of snow cover (snow cover), and land surface temperature (LST). The results show that there are larger albedo variations distributed in the mountainous terrain of the TP. Approximately 10.06% of the land surface is identified to have been influenced by the significant albedo variation from the year 2001 to 2019. The yearly averaged albedo was decreased significantly at a rate of 0.0007 (Sen’s slope) over the TP. Additionally, the yearly average snow cover was decreased at a rate of 0.0756. However, the yearly average NDVI and LST were increased with slopes of 0.0004 and 0.0253 over the TP, respectively. The relative radiative forcing (RRF) caused by the land cover change (LCC) is larger than that caused by gradual albedo variation in steady land cover types. Overall, the RRF due to gradual albedo variation varied from 0.0005 to 0.0170 W/m2, and the RRF due to LCC variation varied from 0.0037 to 0.0243 W/m2 during the years 2001 to 2019. The positive RRF caused by gradual albedo variation or the LCC can strengthen the warming effects in the TP. The impact of the gradual albedo variations occurring in the steady land cover types was very low between 2001 and 2019 because the time series was short, and it therefore cannot be neglected when examining radiative forcing for a long time series regarding climate change.
Graphitic Carbon Nitride as an Amplification Platform on an Electrochemical Paper-Based Device for the Detection of Norovirus-Specific DNA
Authors: Rana Aditya , Killa Manjari , Yadav Neelam , Mishra Annu , Mathur Ashish , Kumar Arun , Khanuja Manika , Narang Jagriti , Pilloton Roberto
Published: April 2020

Norovirus is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis, acute vomiting, intense diarrhoea, acute pain in the stomach, high fever, headaches, and body pain. Conventional methods of detection gave us very promising results but had disadvantages such as low sensitivity, cost ineffectiveness, reduced specificity and selectivity, etc. Therefore, biosensors can be a viable alternative device which can overcome all setbacks associated with the conventional method. An electrochemical sensor based on oxidized graphitic carbon nitride (Ox-g-C3N4) modified electrochemical paper-based analytical device (ePAD) was fabricated for the detection of norovirus DNA. The synthesized Ox-g-C3N4 nanosheets were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The capture probe DNA (PDNA) modified electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). These two characterization techniques were also employed to find the optimal scan rate, response time and temperature of the fabricated sensor. The fabricated biosensor showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 fM. Furthermore, the specificity of the reported biosensor was affirmed by testing the response of capture probe DNA with oxidized graphitic carbon nitride (PDNA/Ox-g-C3N4) modified ePAD on the introduction of a non-complimentary DNA. The fabricated ePAD sensor is easy to fabricate, cost effective and specific, and requires a minimum analysis time of 5 s.
Integrity Concept for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships’ Position Sensors
Authors: Zalewski Paweł
Published: April 2020

The primary means for electronic position fixing currently in use in majority of contemporary merchant ships are shipborne GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers or DGPS (Differential GPS) and IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) radio beacon receivers. More advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers able to process signals from GPS, Russian GLONASS, Chinese Beidou, European Galileo, Indian IRNSS, Japan QZSS, and satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), are still relatively rare in maritime domain. However, it is expected that such combined or multi-system receivers will soon become more common in maritime transport and integrated with gyro, inertial, radar, laser, and optical sensors, and they will become indispensable onboard maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). To be prepared for a malfunction of any position sensors, their state-of-the-art integrity monitoring should be developed and standardized, taking into account the specificity of MASS and e-navigation safety. The issues of existing requirements, performance standards, and future concepts of integrity monitoring for maritime position sensors are discussed and presented in this paper.
Path Planning in Threat Environment for UUV with Non-Uniform Radiation Pattern
Authors: Galyaev Andrey A. , Dobrovidov Alexander V. , Lysenko Pavel V. , Shaikin Mikhail E. , Yakhno Victor P.
Published: April 2020

The problem of optimal trajectory planning of the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is considered and analytically solved. The task is to minimize the risk of detection of the moving object by a static sonar while moving between two given points on a plane. The detection is based on the primary acoustic field radiated by the object with a non-uniform radiation pattern. In the first part of the article, the probability of non-detection is derived. Further, it is used as an optimization criterion. The non-uniform radiation pattern of the object differentiates this work from previous research in the area. The optimal trajectory and velocity law of the moving object are found, as well as the criterion value on it.
Effects of Multi-Point Contacts during Object Contour Scanning Using a Biologically-Inspired Tactile Sensor
Authors: Merker Lukas , Fischer Calderon Sebastian J. , Scharff Moritz , Alencastre Miranda Jorge H. , Behn Carsten
Published: April 2020

Vibrissae are an important tactile sense organ of many mammals, in particular rodents like rats and mice. For instance, these animals use them in order to detect different object features, e.g., object-distances and -shapes. In engineering, vibrissae have long been established as a natural paragon for developing tactile sensors. So far, having object shape scanning and reconstruction in mind, almost all mechanical vibrissa models are restricted to contact scenarios with a single discrete contact force. Here, we deal with the effect of multi-point contacts in a specific scanning scenario, where an artificial vibrissa is swept along partly concave object contours. The vibrissa is modeled as a cylindrical, one-sided clamped Euler-Bernoulli bending rod undergoing large deflections. The elasticae and the support reactions during scanning are theoretically calculated and measured in experiments, using a spring steel wire, attached to a force/torque-sensor. The experiments validate the simulation results and show that the assumption of a quasi-static scanning displacement is a satisfying approach. Beyond single- and two-point contacts, a distinction is made between tip and tangential contacts. It is shown that, in theory, these contact phases can be identified solely based on the support reactions, what is new in literature. In this way, multipoint contacts are reliably detected and filtered in order to discard incorrectly reconstructed contact points.
A Method for Monitoring the Working States of Drainage Tubes Based on the Principle of Capacitance Sensing
Authors: Luo Kai , Shi Wenpu , Chen Yinghao , Wang Bo , Yao Jialin , Yang Xing
Published: April 2020

The real-time monitoring of the working status of drainage tubes is crucial for successful surgical drainage and for informing clinicians of the drainage conditions of patients at different stages, to enable objective diagnosis and treatment. In this study, a method for monitoring the drainage condition of drainage tubes was proposed. The method was based on the principle of capacitance and was developed by analyzing the major states of drainage tubes in the process of drainage. Meanwhile, the principle of interdigital capacitance monitoring drainage was analyzed, and an interdigital capacitance device for the real-time monitoring of the working status of drainage tubes was designed. Ultimately, an experimental system for drainage simulation was established on the basis of the interdigital capacitance device and method for drainage monitoring. Results showed that the interdigital capacitance device for drainage monitoring can identify unobstructed or blocked drainage tubes effectively in real time. The device has a hydrophobic surface, so its electrodes do not undergo electrolysis and pollution due to adhesion. Hence the proposed capacitance-based method for monitoring the working states of drainage tubes has good application prospects in the postoperative drainage of abdominal and thoracic cavities.
Higher education for sustainable development: stakeholders benefits
Authors: Kotomina O.V. , Sazhina A.I.
Published: April 2020

Education is one of the key goals of sustainable development (SD), which establishes the basis for the improvement of the people’s living conditions. In this logic a special role is played by universities that create an institutional framework for educating citizens on sustainable development, offering a new understanding of social problems. On the one hand, universities can create and promote knowledge about SD by their educational, expert and research activities, hence developing relevant values among people. On the other hand, universities can become an active agent in implementing the concept of SD by introducing it into its own academic activities. The article considers stakeholder approach as one of the approaches to the implementation of the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD). Therefore based on this approach, the article explores the benefits of the key stakeholders of the sustainable university. Low awareness among key stakeholders is one of the significant factors that hindering the implementation of the SD concept. Due to the lack of a sufficient research focused on studying the interests of the main stakeholders in the framework of ESD, this article is an attempt to narrow this gap.
Corporate culture management methods in enterprise management
Authors: Morozov V.A.
Published: April 2020

The article deals with the methodological understanding of the implementation of corporate culture and the manifestation of its advantages in comparison with other factors of strengthening the company's management. The content of the structure of building appropriate systems of the enterprise's cultural concept for the real situation and for promoting its strategy is revealed. The methods and approaches when corporate culture turns into active acting behavior are studied. Links between three key aspects: culture, management, and strategy are investigated.
O uso da metodologia ativa Summaê em um curso de graduação de Odontologia: relato de experiência
Authors: Rosado Lucas de Paula Lopes , Izabella Batista Aguiar Marjorie , Nascimento de Aquino Sibele , Binato Junqueira Rafael , Silvestre Verner Francielle
Published: April 2020

Introdução: O uso de metodologias ativas vem se tornando uma ferramenta cada vez mais eficiente nos cursos de graduação. A sua capacidade de transformar a sala de aula em um ambiente motivador, faz com que o discente assuma papel principal no processo ensino-aprendizado, tornando a transmissão de aprendizado mais dinâmica e prática. Objetivo: Descrever a aplicação de uma metodologia ativa de ensino-aprendizagem, denominada Summaê, em discentes do curso de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Governador Valadares (UFJF/GV). Relato de Experiência: A atividade foi desenvolvida com discentes integrantes da Liga Acadêmica de Cirurgia e Patologia Maxilofacial. Divididos em duplas, os alunos tiveram que elaborar um vídeo criativo com um questionamento que abrangesse as áreas de interesse da Liga Acadêmica. A cada vídeo, a questão apresentada era respondida em uma folha. As repostas posteriormente foram corrigidas por uma banca de professores, que também eram responsáveis por julgar os vídeos expostos. O ambiente do evento foi previamente preparado com um tema específico, sendo que os alunos e professores tinham como obrigatoriedade o uso de chapéus. Os melhores chapéus, vídeos e discente responsável pelo maior número de acertos foram premiados. Conclusão: A aplicação de uma metodologia que permite ampla participação do aluno no processo educativo, aliado a criação do ambiente lúdico, facilitou o processo ensino-aprendizado e fez com que os estudantes fossem transportados para uma atmosfera diferente da sala de aula tradicional, tornando o ambiente mais lúdico, descontraído e menos formal.
The Middle Jurassic of western and northern Europe: its subdivisions, geochronology and correlations
Authors: Callomon John H.
Published: April 2020

The palaeogeographic settings of Denmark and East Greenland during the Middle Jurassic are outlined. They lay in the widespread epicontinental seas that covered much of Europe in the post-Triassic transgression. It was a period of continuing eustatic sea-level rise, with only distant connections to world oceans: to the Pacific, via the narrow Viking Straits between Greenland and Norway and hence the arctic Boreal Sea to the north; and to the subtropical Tethys, via some 1200 km of shelf-seas to the south. The sedimentary history of the region was strongly influenced by two factors: tectonism and climate. Two modes of tectonic movement governed basinal evolution: crustal extension leading to subsidence through rifting, such as in the Viking and Central Grabens of the North Sea; and subcrustal thermal upwelling, leading to domal uplift and the partition of marine basins through emergent physical barriers, as exemplified by the Central North Sea Dome with its associated volcanics. The climatic gradient across the 30º of temperate latitude spanned by the European seas governed biotic diversity and biogeography, finding expression in rock-forming biogenic carbonates that dominate sediments in the south and give way to largely siliciclastic sediments in the north. Geochronology of unrivalled finesse is provided by standard chronostratigraphy based on the biostratigraphy of ammonites. The Middle Jurassic saw the onset of considerable bioprovincial endemisms in these guide-fossils, making it necessary to construct parallel standard zonations for Boreal, Subboreal or NW European and Submediterranean Provinces, of which the NW European zonation provides the primary international standard. The current versions of these zonations are presented and reviewed.
Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian) ammonites from Bornholm, Baltic Sea, Denmark
Authors: Donovan Desmond T. , Surlyk Finn
Published: April 2020

The Jurassic succession of the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea includes the Hettangian – lowermost Pliensbachian Rønne Formation, the Lower Pliensbachian Hasle Formation, the Upper Pliensbachian – (?)Lower Aalenian Sorthat Formation and the (?)Upper Aalenian – Bathonian Bagå Formation. Ammonites are only known from the Hasle Formation, and all available ammonite specimens from this formation are described and figured. Material reported by previous authors has been re-examined, together with previously undescribed specimens. Nine genera and eleven species are recognised. The ammonites show that the rocks from which they were collected fall into the Lower Pliensbachian (Carixian) Substage. The lowermost subzone proved in the Hasle Formation is the basal Taylori Subzone of the Jamesoni Zone of the Northwest European Subboreal standard zonation, which marks a marine transgression over underlying marginal marine beds without ammonites belonging to the Rønne Formation. All subzones of the Jamesoni Zone are proved together with the Valdani Subzone of the Ibex Zone. The Upper Pliensbachian (Domerian) Substage, previously reported, is now thought to be unproved by ammonite evidence. The underlying and overlying Rønne and Sorthat Formations are dated by dinoflagellate cysts and terrestrial palynomorphs, and the ammonite occurrences provide important control points for palynostratigraphic dating of the succession.
The Lower–Middle Jurassic of the Anholt borehole: implications for the geological evolution of the eastern margin of the Danish Basin
Authors: Nielsen Ole B. , Seidenkrantz Marit-Solveig , Abrahamsen Niels , Schmidt Birthe J. , Koppelhus Eva B. , Ravn-Sørensen Helle , Korsbech Uffe , Nielsen K. Gynther
Published: April 2020

This study of Upper Pliensbachian – Bajocian/Bathonian deposits in a borehole drilled on the island of Anholt, Denmark incorporates sedimentology, biostratigraphy (palynomorphs and foraminifera), palaeomagnetism and coal petrology. The studied succession records a gradual change from marine inner shelf storm-influenced clays to mainly terrestrial sands, clays, and lignite containing a flora of mainly freshwater algae and pollen. The regression was initiated at the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary and marine influence ceased during Bajocian–Bathonian times; the regression thus took place earlier at Anholt than in the centre of the Danish Basin. The sediments in the Anholt borehole are referred to the Fjerritslev and Haldager Sand Formations. Although the Lower–Middle Jurassic boundary is commonly placed at the boundary between the two formations, our data indicate that at Anholt the upper Fjerritslev Formation (member F-IV) is of Aalenian age. The Lower–Middle Jurassic boundary occurs close to the boundary between members F-III and F-IV of the Fjerritslev Formation. In contrast to other Lower–Middle Jurassic successions in the North Sea region, smectites of inferred volcanic origin are preserved in the Anholt section, suggesting limited burial and hence less intense diagenetic illitisation or chloritisation of smectites. A down-hole increase in diagenetic influence is reflected by the increase down-section both in the thermal stability of kaolinite and in the vitrinite reflectance. Kaolinite of inferred authigenic origin forms a white powder in the quartz-dominated sands of the Haldager Sand Formation; this kaolinite is thermally very unstable and is interpreted to be of late diagenetic, post-uplift origin. The vitrinite reflectance data indicate that the Jurassic formations have been exposed to thermal maturation corresponding to burial to a depth of 1000–1200 m below their present depth. Post-maturation uplift of the order of 1 km probably occurred partly during Late Cretaceous – Paleocene inversion in the Kattegat area and partly during Oligocene–Recent regional uplift, the latter being the most important of the two uplift phases. Palaeomagnetic data indicate that the main carrier of magnetic remanence is fine-grained magnetite. The stable remanence shows a pronounced inclination shallowing, which is attributed to post-depositional compaction.
The Lower Palaeozoic shale gas play in Denmark
Authors: Schovsbo Niels H. , Nielsen Arne T. , Gautier Donald L.
Published: April 2020

The unconventional gas resources in the Lower Palaeozoic shale of Denmark were recently assessed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS; Gautier et al. 2013). Assuming unrestricted application of best practice current technology, recoverable gas resources of 0 to 130 × 109 Nm3 gas were estimated onshore (mean = 67 × 109 Nm3 gas) and 0 to 228 × 109 Nm3 gas were estimated offshore (mean = 119 × 109 Nm3 gas), i.e. a total estimated mean of 186 × 109 Nm3 gas (Nm3: normal cubic metre, unit used for natural gas at 0°C and 101.325 kPa). Nearly all of this potential resource is assumed to be contained in the Cambro-Ordovician Alum Shale. The wide range of estimates reflects the sparse data and the geological uncertainty inherent in the still untested play. The estimated mean quantity of gas resource is comparable to the total volume of gas produced from the Danish part of the North Sea during 1972–2011 and twice the amount of the estimated remaining reserves of conventional gas in the Danish part of the North Sea.
Palynological and microfossil biostratigraphy and palaeoecology over the Paleocene–Eocene transition, Femern Bælt, northern Germany
Authors: Richardt Patrick Alexander , Sheldon Emma
Published: April 2020

A palynological and micropalaeontological biostratigraphic and palaeoecological investigation has been carried out on the Paleocene–Eocene transition of core 10.A.057 from the Femern Bælt (Fig. 1). Initial investigations of boreholes from the Femern Bælt indicated that core 10.A.057 included a thick succession of Upper Paleocene – Lower Eocene clay (Sheldon & Nøhr Hansen 2010; Rambøll Arup JV 2011; Fig 2). Complete Paleocene–Eocene sections have been described from Jylland and the Storebælt (Heilmann-Clausen 1985, Laursen & Andersen 1997; Laursen & King 2000, Nielsen et al. 1986), but no detailed studies have been published on these successions from the Femern Bælt. Boreholes were drilled on Lolland in Denmark, under the Femern Bælt and on Fehmarn island, Germany from 2009 to 2011 as part of geological and geophysical investigations performed in preparation for the construction of a fixed road and rail link connecting Denmark and Germany. The boreholes penetrated Campanian – Upper Eocene strata, overlain by Quaternary deposits. Borehole 10.A.057 is located in the southern part of the Femern Bælt (Figs 1, 2).