bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Interrelationships between Tourist Travel Mode and Trip Chain Choices Using the Nested Logit Model
Authors: Qi Cong , Zhu Zhenjun , Guo Xiucheng , Lu Ruiying , Chen Junlan
Published: September 2020

As tourism grows, determining methods to ease traffic problems as a result of domestic tourism holidays has become a central issue in traffic planning and management. Trip chain and travel mode choices as well as their interplays are crucial in analysing and understanding the travel behaviour of tourists, which can help to address these problems. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between destination transportation modes and trip chain choices using nested logit models wherein two nest structures were used to analyse the decision processes of travellers. Empirical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of the rational model using survey data collected from 350 respondents in Nanjing, China in 2020. The results showed that tourists preferred deciding on the trip chain prior to the travel mode, and higher time and costs were acceptable when tourists selected a complex trip chain with tour activities. Moreover, non-local tourists owning a driver’s licence, travelling with companions, and staying for longer periods were more likely to use public transport with trip chains comprising tour activities; however, the relationship for trip chains with non-tour activities was the reverse. These findings are valuable for designing effective transport management strategies to ease traffic during holiday periods.
Laundry Care Regimes: Do the Practices of Keeping Clothes Clean Have Different Environmental Impacts Based on the Fibre Content?
Authors: Laitala Kirsi , Klepp Ingun Grimstad , Kettlewell Roy , Wiedemann Stephen
Published: September 2020

Clothing maintenance is necessary for keeping clothing and textiles functional and socially acceptable, but it has environmental consequences due to the use of energy, water and chemicals. This article discusses whether clothes made of different materials are cleaned in different ways and have different environmental impacts. It fills a knowledge gap needed in environmental assessments that evaluate the impacts based on the function of a garment by giving detailed information on the use phase. The article is based on a quantitative wardrobe survey and qualitative laundry diary data from China, Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA. The largest potential for environmental improvement exists in reducing laundering frequency and in the selection of washing and drying processes, and through a transition to fibres that are washed less frequently, such as wool. Adopting best practice garment care would give larger benefits in countries like the US where the consumption values were the highest, mainly due to extensive use of clothes dryers and less efficient washing machines combined with frequent cleaning. These variations should be considered in environmental assessments of clothing and when forming sustainability policies. The results indicate the benefits of focusing future environmental work on consumer habits and culture and not only technologies.
Advances in Struvite Precipitation Technologies for Nutrients Removal and Recovery from Aqueous Waste and Wastewater
Authors: Siciliano Alessio , Limonti Carlo , Curcio Giulia Maria , Molinari Raffaele
Published: September 2020

The abatement of nutrient compounds from aqueous waste and wastewater is currently a priority issue. Indeed, the uncontrolled discharge of high levels of nutrients into water bodies causes serious deteriorations of environmental quality. On the other hand, the increasing request of nutrient compounds for agronomic utilizations makes it strictly necessary to identify technologies able to recover the nutrients from wastewater streams so as to avoid the consumption of natural resources. In this regard, the removal and recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from aqueous waste and wastewater as struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) represents an attractive approach. Indeed, through the struvite precipitation it is possible to effectively remove the ammonium and phosphate content of many types of wastewater and to produce a solid compound, with only a trace of impurities. This precipitate, due to its chemical characteristics, represents a valuable multi-nutrients slow release fertilizer for vegetables and plants growth. For these reasons, the struvite precipitation technology constantly progresses on several aspects of the process. This manuscript provides a comprehensive review on the recent developments in this technology for the removal and recovery of nutrients from aqueous waste and wastewater. The theoretical background, the parameters, and the operating conditions affecting the process evolution are initially presented. After that, the paper focuses on the reagents exploitable to promote the process performance, with particular regard to unconventional low-cost compounds. In addition, the development of reactors configurations, the main technologies implemented on field scale, as well as the recent works on the use of struvite in agronomic practices are presented.
From Historical Silk Fabrics to Their Interactive Virtual Representation and 3D Printing
Authors: Pérez Manolo , Casanova-Salas Pablo , Twardo Pawel , Twardo Piotr , León Arabella , Mladenic Dunja , Massri Besher M. , Troncy Raphaël , Ehrhart Thibault , Cicero Georgia Lo , Vitella Maurizio , Gaitán Mar , Gimeno Jesús , Ribes Elena , Fernández Marcos , Portalés Cristina
Published: September 2020

The documentation, dissemination, and enhancement of Cultural Heritage is of great relevance. To that end, technological tools and interactive solutions (e.g., 3D models) have become increasingly popular. Historical silk fabrics are nearly flat objects, very fragile and with complex internal geometries, related to different weaving techniques and types of yarns. These characteristics make it difficult to properly document them, at the yarn level, with current technologies. In this paper, we bring a new methodology to virtually represent such heritage and produce 3D printouts, also making it highly interactive through the tool Virtual Loom. Our work involves sustainability from different perspectives: (1) The traditional production of silk fabrics respects the environment; (2) Virtual Loom allows the studying of silk heritage while avoiding their degradation; (3) Virtual Loom allows creative industries to save money and materials; (4) current research on bioplastics for 3D printing contributes to environmental sustainability; (5) edutainment and gaming can also benefit from Virtual Loom, avoiding the need to acquire the original objects and enhancing creativity. The presented work has been carried out within the scope of the SILKNOW project to show some results and discuss the sustainability issues, from the production of traditional silk fabrics, to their dissemination by means of Virtual Loom and 3D printed shapes.
Environmental Scenario Analysis on Natural and Social-Ecological Systems: A Review of Methods, Approaches and Applications
Authors: Guaita García Noelia , Martínez Fernández Julia , Fitz Carl
Published: September 2020

Scenario analysis is a useful tool to facilitate discussions about the main trends of future change and to promote the understanding of global environmental changes implications on relevant aspects of sustainability. In this paper, we reviewed 294 articles published between 1995–2019, to evaluate the state of the art use of models and scenarios to investigate the effects of land use change and climate change on natural and social-ecological systems. Our review focuses on three issues. The first explores the extent to which the environmental dynamics of land use and climate change were jointly analyzed and the spatial scales associated with such integrated studies. The second explores the modelling methodologies and approaches used in the scenario analysis. The third explores the methods for developing or building scenarios. Results show that in most predictions there is little integration of key drivers of change. We find most forecasting studies use a sectoral modelling approach through dynamic spatially distributed models. Most articles do not apply a participatory approach in the development of scenarios. Based on this review, we conclude that there are some gaps in how scenario analysis on natural and social-ecological systems are conducted. These gaps pose a challenge for the use of models and scenarios as predictive tools in decision-making processes in the context of global change.
The Tourism Sector and U.S. Regional Macroeconomic Stability: A Network Approach
Authors: Min Jihye , Agrusa Jerome , Lema Joseph , Lee Harold
Published: September 2020

This study investigates how the structural mix of USA regional economies affects their volatility of economic growth. Four exogenous sectors are chosen for this investigation: Federal Government, construction, manufacturing, and tourism. Perhaps unsurprisingly, evidence suggests that a larger share of Federal Government employment in an economy reduces the variability of overall employment growth, while a larger share of construction activity elevates it. More telling is a finding that, recently, manufacturing has not contributed as much to such variability, and that a larger tourism presence increases it. The increasing integration of technology in tourism offers significant opportunities for a network approach and innovation in regional development.
Automated Valuation Methods through the Cost Approach in a BIM and GIS Integration Framework for Smart City Appraisals
Authors: Arcuri Natale , De Ruggiero Manuela , Salvo Francesca , Zinno Raffaele
Published: September 2020

The principle behind sustainable city movements is represented by the idea of “good living”, which is the possibility of having solutions and services that allow citizens to live in an easy, simple, and enjoyable way. Policies for urban quality play a central role in the slow cities manifesto, often suggesting the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ITC) in the development of interactive services for citizens. Among these, an interesting possibility is to offer citizens digital real estate consultancy services through the implementation of automated evaluation methods. An automated appraisal action—which is already complex in itself owing to the need to collect data in a consistent, standardized, but also differentiated way so as to require the adoption of real estate due diligence—collides on the operational level with the concrete difficulty of acquiring necessary data, much more so since the reference market is dark, atypical, and viscous. These operational difficulties are deepened by the epistemological nature of the appraisal discipline itself, which bases its methodology on the forecast postulate, recalling the need to objectify as much as possible the evaluation from the perspective of an intersubjective sharing argument. These circumstances have led, on the one hand, to the definition of internationally accepted uniform evaluation rules (IVS, 2017) and, on the other, to the testing of automated valuation methods aimed at returning computer-based appraisals (AVM). Starting from the awareness that real estate valuation refers essentially to information and georeferences, this paper aims to demonstrate how real estate appraisal analysis can be further improved through information technology (IT), directing real estate valuation towards objectivity in compliance with international valuation standards. Particularly, the paper intends to show the potential of combining geographic information systems (GISs) and building information models (BIMs) in automated valuation methods through the depreciated reproduction cost. The paper also proposes a BIM-GIS semi-automatic prototype based on the depreciated reconstruction cost through an experimentation in Rende (Italy).
Exploiting the Scientific Literature for Performing Life Cycle Assessment about Transportation
Authors: Spreafico Christian , Russo Davide
Published: September 2020

This paper provides an overview of the environmental impacts of different types of passenger transportation means (i.e., bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses, trains, and airplanes). The method has been applied to the European scenario. The study was performed by using life cycle assessment in accordance with international standard ISO 14040/44 for assessing the CO2 eq., SO2, and PM10 of the transportation means by exploiting data (i.e., vehicles features and environmental impacts) from 24 scientific papers from the literature that have been manually analyzed. The functional unit is defined as the impact per 1 passenger over 1 km. The study identified that planes are the most impacting for CO2 eq. with up to 380 g/pkm, while cars are the most impacting for SO2 with up to 1.78 g/pkm and PM10 with 0.98 g/pkm. Electric and hybrid models proved to be significantly better than others, while buses are the most sustainable in general. Referring to the overall European scenario, cars constitute up to 95% of the overall impacts. By comparing some improvements for reducing the impacts, it emerged that the limitation of diesel cars along with the increase of buses and trains are the most effective. The provided outcomes may be useful for legislators, manufacturers, and users for favoring the choice of the transportation means in a more environmentally conscious way.
Research on the Influence of a High-Speed Railway on the Spatial Structure of the Western Urban Agglomeration Based on Fractal Theory—Taking the Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration as an Example
Authors: Li Jiao , Qian Yongsheng , Zeng Junwei , Yin Fan , Zhu Leipeng , Guang Xiaoping
Published: September 2020

By shortening the transportation time between cities, high-speed rail shortens the spatial distance between cities and exerts a far-reaching influence on urban agglomerations’ spatial structures. In order to explore the influence of high-speed rail on the spatial reconstruction of an urban agglomeration in western China, this paper employs fractal theory to compare and analyze the spatial structure evolution of the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration in western China before and after the opening of a high-speed railway. The results show that after the completion of the high-speed railway, the intercity accessibility is improved. The Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration’s spatial distribution shows a decreasing density from the central city to the surrounding areas. Furthermore, the urban system presents a trend of an agglomeration distribution. Therefore, strengthening the construction of high-speed rail channels between primary and medium-sized cities, as well as accelerating the construction of intercity railway networks and rapid transportation systems based on high-speed rail cities, would help develop urban agglomerations in western China.
Loading Capacity of Sewage Sludge for Forestry Application in Chinese Provincial Capital Cities
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxia , Zha Tonggang , Zhu Jiangang , Guo Xiaoping , Liu Yi
Published: September 2020

The application of sewage sludge (SS) in forestry is considered a viable option. However, the long-term application of SS potentially leads to metal accumulation, posing an environmental risk. Understanding the loading capacity of SS for forestry application is therefore of great significance. We used data from published studies and statistical bulletins across 31 provincial capital cities (PCCs) in China to calculate the loading capacity (LC) of SS for forestry application for each PCC. The results are as follows: (1) the mean value of the priority control threshold was 33 t·ha−1·y−1 in 31 PCCs, while the variations ranged from 7 to 91 t·ha−1·y−1 among different PCCs. The priority control thresholds (Smins) of 1/2 PCCs were higher than 30 t·ha−1·y−1 (CJ-T 362-2011). The Smin values of Lanzhou, Tianjin, Hohhot, Shanghai, and Yinchuan were above 55 t·ha−1·y−1, but Smin values of Kunming and Changsha were below 10 t·ha−1·y−1. (2) Cd was the priority control metal in most of the PCCs (27/31), with the exception of Shanghai and Guangzhou (Cu), Beijing (Hg), and Tianjin (Zn). (3) The total loading capacity was 507 million t·y−1, which was 125 times higher than the total quantity of the dry SS (404 × 104 t) for the 31 PCCs. Our results have important practical significance for the use of urban sludge forest land in China and suggest that SS disposal policies need to be tailored to specific regions. We provide a scientific basis to guide the development of national and provincial forestry policies.
Assessing How Sustainability Is Promoted in Ghana’s National Urban Policy and Action Plan
Authors: Anarfi Kwasi , Shiel Chris , Hill Ross A.
Published: September 2020

Managing contemporary and future urbanisation to create sustainable outcomes is a globally acknowledged policy goal. However, despite the increasing uptake and implementation of National Urban Policies (NUPs), little research has explored how these policies incorporate and promote sustainability as a concept in the context of urbanisation. This paper provides a critical analysis of the extent to which sustainability is promoted within urban policy in the context of Ghana. We review Ghana’s NUP and supporting Action Plan (AP) to determine whether their initiatives promote sustainability. An evaluation matrix is used to show how the initiatives in the documents align with the dimensions of urban sustainability outlined in the UN-Habitat’s City Prosperity Index (CPI); and in addition, consideration is given to how the contents align with the dimensions of the World Bank’s Urban Sustainability Framework (USF). The overarching argument that emerges from the analysis is that while Ghana’s NUP and AP provide adequate scope and an eclectic mix of initiatives that promote urban sustainability, the sustainability benefits are potentially undermined by factors which include: (i) threats to inclusivity and social sustainability due to the neo-liberal outlook of policy documents; (ii) explicit lack of a poverty reduction strategy; and (iii) lack of environmental performance targets. To this end, suggestions are provided that could potentially enhance the sustainability impacts of Ghana’s NUP and AP in the context of urbanisation.
What Are the Implications of Climate Change for Retrofitted Historic Buildings? A Literature Review
Authors: Hao Lingjun , Herrera-Avellanosa Daniel , Del Pero Claudio , Troi Alexandra
Published: September 2020

Historic buildings account for more than one-quarter of Europe’s existing building stock and are going to be crucial in the achievement of future energy targets. Although a drastic reduction in carbon emissions would slow climate change, an alteration in the climate is already certain. Therefore, the impact of climate change on retrofitted historic buildings should be considered in terms of occupants’ comfort, heritage conservation, and energy performance. Inappropriate interventions might weaken the potential of traditional climate adaptive solutions, such as thermal mass and night cooling, leading to higher risks of overheating in a warming climate. Similarly, retrofit solutions will change the moisture dynamics of historic envelopes, which might lead to moisture damages when combined with more extreme precipitation events. This paper reviews recent literature that provides evidence of climate change’s impact on retrofitted buildings, reveals potential future risks, and thereby sheds light on new factors influencing the decision-making process in the retrofit of historic buildings.
Economic Development and Changes in Human Resource Management in a Sustainable Agricultural Sector: Recent Evidence from Brazilian Sugar–Alcohol Companies
Authors: Mourao Paulo , Kubo Edson , Santos Isabel , Mazucato Valeria
Published: September 2020

Economic development causes significant changes in the innovative processes of resource management. The purpose of this article is to discuss the sustainability of resource management in sugar–alcohol companies operating in the most productive areas of Brazil and to analyze the profile of the companies in the sector in terms of innovation and adherence to practices of human resource management. The methodological procedures were based on qualitative research. Data collection was directed toward the population of companies in the sector of cane brandy production, having as the main criteria representativeness of human resource management and to be active. The results indicate that human management tends to be traditional in spite of several current economic challenges. The conclusions also highlight that the most highly mechanized companies are those that have adhered to strategic policies and practices, and that the traditional model of human management prevails in more than 70% of companies.
Contributions of Urban Collective Gardens to Local Sustainability in Mexico City
Authors: Guzmán Fernández Karla , Moreno-Calles Ana I. , Casas Alejandro , Blancas José
Published: September 2020

Urban collective gardens (UCG) are considered alternatives to face the environmental problems generated by urbanization, contributing to the sustainability of cities. This study aims to characterize UCG and its contributions to the local sustainability in Mexico City (CdMx). From bibliographic searches, consultation on social networks, and expert suggestions, our research group identified 40 gardens for CdMx, based on which we constructed a UCG typology. For deeper studies, we selected 19 UCGs based on several criteria: Number of members (at least three persons managing UCG), UCG age (at least one year), disposition of collaborating in the study, and availability for evaluation. The selected UCGs were evaluated qualitatively following the Framework for the Evaluation of Natural Resource Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS, for its acronym in Spanish) through in-depth interviews and participant observation. We identified critical points or factors that drive or limit UCG (e.g., biological diversity, training of people participating, social and economic stability, access to space and financial support, economic diversification, input dependency, security of land tenure, and contamination risk). We concluded that UCG of CdMX contribute to local sustainability through processes like creating jobs, recovering connections with nature, knowledge transmission, experimental practices, and offers of therapeutic benefits, among others.
Why Does a High Humidity Level Form in Low-Income Households Despite Low Water Vapor Generation?
Authors: Choi Younhee , Lim Younghoon , Kim Joowook , Song Doosam
Published: September 2020

This study uses long-term field measurements to quantify the indoor humidity generation rates of low-income households vulnerable to condensation and related problems. We found that the mean internal moisture excess of low-income households in Korea was 4.69 g/m3 higher than those of prior studies. Indoor water vapor generation rates of various activities considering the life style of low-income households were also quantified. The moisture generation rates of the shower and bath were 125.3 g/event and 51.1 g/event, respectively, and showed a similar or lower value compared to the existing results. The moisture generation rate of cooking showed the largest difference due to the residential characteristics of low-income households, such as cooking less frequently due to meal delivery services from the welfare center and the lower number of residents per household. Even though the moisture generation rates of low-income households for certain activities showed lower values compared to the results of prior studies, the indoor conditions were very humid due to the lower ventilation rates and studio-type open floor plan.
Migration and Food Consumption: The Impact of Culture and Country of Origin on Obesity as an Indicator of Human Health
Authors: Arbel Yuval , Fialkoff Chaim , Kerner Amichai
Published: September 2020

Previous research demonstrates that the 1965 American immigration wave has tended to attenuate the obesity pandemic in the United States. Based on a survey carried out by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) in 2012 and 2016, we observe the correlation between BMI, age, native language, and years-since-migration to Israel. BMI (=kgm2) is a conventional measure of obesity, where BMI ≥ 25 is considered overweight and BMI ≥ 30 as type I obesity. The results indicate that compared to 11 groups of immigrants, the median BMI among native Israelis is lower. While the prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) among Hebrew speakers is below 50%, in 11 groups of immigrants, the prevalence of overweight is above 50%. A noteworthy exception is the immigrants from Ethiopia, who exhibit lower overweight prevalence compared to native Israelis and all other population groups. Finally, while male Hebrew and Russian speakers cross the overweight benchmark at the same age (35 years), native Israeli women (Hebrew speakers) cross this benchmark only when they reach 50 years (15 years after the males) and Russian women cross this benchmark only five years after the Russian men. These research findings may be of assistance in public health and culture-oriented medicine.
Sustaining Multilingualism in Chinese Universities: Uzbekistani Students’ Demotivation While Learning Chinese
Authors: Liu Meilan , Zheng Yongyan , Ma Xiuli , Wei Yuxin
Published: September 2020

This paper reports on a mixed method study exploring demotivation among Uzbekistani students while they are learning Chinese in a Chinese university. In the study, we conducted a survey among 67 Uzbekistani students, and interviewed 30 of them about their experiences of learning Chinese. The analysis of the data revealed that a lack of self-confidence, insufficient learning opportunities, a lack of learning support, and teacher qualities were the most salient factors affecting Uzbekistani students’ demotivation while learning Chinese. In light of the findings, we put forward suggestions for language educators and educational administrators in order to enable them to enhance language learners’ interest in and enthusiasm for learning Chinese, so that they will sustain their learning efforts and Chinese universities can achieve sustainable multilingualism.
Wood-Logging Process Management in Eastern Amazonia (Brazil)
Authors: Lima Killian S. , Meira Castro Ana C. , Santos Baptista J. , Silva Ulisses
Published: September 2020

In this work, the wood-logging process of four federal conservation units (FCUs) in the Eastern Amazonia forest are described and compared. The approach focused on on-site observation of activities and tasks performed during the process. As an outcome, it was observed that companies implement activities similarly, regardless of their specific know-how. The most significant difference was identified in the cross-cutting operation, which is carried out in several steps and which interferes with the efficiency of the activity and the exposure of workers to occupational risks. The use of geographic information systems (GIS) during planning and management activities, and the use of modern machinery equipped with safety devices, in combination with workers’ theoretic and practical continuous training, were identified as crucial measures that assure operational efficiency in the four companies assessed. Seeking to contribute to the sustainable development of the Amazon forest, a generic model for wood logging is proposed, which brings together best practices identified in the companies studied and makes it possible to obtain the best benefit at the lowest workers’ exposure to the risk of occupational accidents.
Winter Irrigation Effects on Soil Moisture, Temperature and Salinity, and on Cotton Growth in Salinized Fields in Northern Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Ling , Liu Hongguang , He Xinlin , Lin En , Yang Guang
Published: September 2020

Winter irrigation affected the movement of soil moisture, temperature, and salt, which was an effective improvement measure widely used in seasonal freeze–thaw areas. In this paper, we investigated the effects of different salinized cotton fields (mild salinization (S1), 5.15 g·kg−1; moderate salinization (S2), 8.17 g·kg−1; severe salinization (S3), 11.15 g·kg−1) and different winter irrigation rates (W0, 0 m3·hm-2; W1, 3000 m3·hm-2; W2, 3600 m3·hm-2; W3, 4200 m3·hm-2) on soil moisture, temperature, salinity, and cotton growth in seasonal freeze–thaw areas. The results showed that the winter irrigation affected the temporal and spatial dynamics of soil moisture, temperature, and salinity, and the winter irrigation rate and degree of soil salinization were significantly correlated with soil moisture, temperature, and salinity (p < 0.01). Winter irrigation stabilized the soil temperature and reduced the freeze–thaw index of the soil. The heat conservation effect of winter irrigation increased with increasing winter irrigation rate and salinization degree, with the greatest effect on the freezing index of S2 and on the thawing index of S3. The soil water content and total salt concentration before spring tillage were significantly correlated with winter irrigation rate and degree of soil salinization (p < 0.05), and when the winter irrigation quota of different salinized cotton fields was greater than 3600 m3·hm-2, the moisture content of soil layer 0–100cm increased by more than 20%, and the desalination reached over 40%, compared with the values before winter irrigation. Winter irrigation improved the emergence rate and yield of cotton, with the soil salinization degree being significantly negatively correlated and winter irrigation rate significantly positively correlated with the emergence rate and yield of cotton fields in the following year (p < 0.01). Compared with the control treatment without winter irrigation, the average increases in cotton yield were W3 (53.32%) > W2 (45.00%) > W1 (29.36%). There was no significant difference in seedling emergence rate or yield between slightly and moderately salinized cotton fields under high winter irrigation rates (W2 and W3) (p > 0.05), although the seedling emergence rate and yield of severely salinized cotton fields increased significantly with increasing winter irrigation rate. In conclusion, winter irrigation proved to be a valuable treatment for severely salinized cotton fields, and the results of this study allowed us to determine the optimal winter irrigation rate for saline alkali cotton fields.
Learning Multimodal Representations by Symmetrically Transferring Local Structures
Authors: Dong Bin , Jian Songlei , Lu Kai
Published: September 2020

Multimodal representations play an important role in multimodal learning tasks, including cross-modal retrieval and intra-modal clustering. However, existing multimodal representation learning approaches focus on building one common space by aligning different modalities and ignore the complementary information across the modalities, such as the intra-modal local structures. In other words, they only focus on the object-level alignment and ignore structure-level alignment. To tackle the problem, we propose a novel symmetric multimodal representation learning framework by transferring local structures across different modalities, namely MTLS. A customized soft metric learning strategy and an iterative parameter learning process are designed to symmetrically transfer local structures and enhance the cluster structures in intra-modal representations. The bidirectional retrieval loss based on multi-layer neural networks is utilized to align two modalities. MTLS is instantiated with image and text data and shows its superior performance on image-text retrieval and image clustering. MTLS outperforms the state-of-the-art multimodal learning methods by up to 32% in terms of R@1 on text-image retrieval and 16.4% in terms of AMI onclustering.
Concept System and Application of Point Group Symmetry in Mechanical Structure Design
Authors: Chen Xiuming , Qiu Qingying , Yang Chao , Feng Peien
Published: September 2020

Symmetry has been widely and deeply researched in basic science, and many mature results have been obtained so far. However, the widespread existence of symmetry in applied science is not in direct proportion to the attention it has received. Through a large number of examples studies, almost all mechanical structures are found to have symmetry, and most of them have the characteristics of point group symmetry. Therefore, the concept of point group symmetry in crystallography was extended to the field of machinery and adjusted according to the mechanical structures. First of all, the classification of mechanical point group symmetry is proposed, and how point group symmetry is applied in machinery is illustrated with examples. Then, the requirements of symmetry are analyzed and compared. Furthermore, the data mining software RapidMiner is used to mine the association rules between requirements and symmetry. Based on the mining results, the four selection principles of point group symmetry are summarized to provide ideas for structure design. Finally, a new type of gear pump with radial force balancing is invented by comprehensively using the mining results and selection principles.
Efficiency of Cluster Validity Indexes in Fuzzy Clusterwise Generalized Structured Component Analysis
Authors: Ryoo Ji Hoon , Park Seohee , Kim Seongeun , Ryoo Hyun Suk
Published: September 2020

Fuzzy clustering has been broadly applied to classify data into K clusters by assigning membership probabilities of each data point close to K centroids. Such a function has been applied into characterizing the clusters associated with a statistical model such as structural equation modeling. The characteristics identified by the statistical model further define the clusters as heterogeneous groups selected from a population. Recently, such statistical model has been formulated as fuzzy clusterwise generalized structured component analysis (fuzzy clusterwise GSCA). The same as in fuzzy clustering, the clusters are enumerated to infer the population and its parameters within the fuzzy clusterwise GSCA. However, the identification of clusters in fuzzy clustering is a difficult task because of the data-dependence of classification indexes, which is known as a cluster validity problem. We examined the cluster validity problem within the fuzzy clusterwise GSCA framework and proposed a new criterion for selecting the most optimal number of clusters using both fit indexes of the GSCA and the fuzzy validity indexes in fuzzy clustering. The criterion, named the FIT-FHV method combining a fit index, FIT, from GSCA and a cluster validation measure, FHV, from fuzzy clustering, performed better than any other indices used in fuzzy clusterwise GSCA.
Ricci Linear Weyl/Maxwell Mutual Sourcing
Authors: Davidson Aharon , Ygael Tomer
Published: September 2020

We elevate the field theoretical similarities between Maxwell and Weyl vector fields into a full local scale/gauge invariant Weyl/Maxwell mutual sourcing theory. In its preliminary form, and exclusively in four dimensions, the associated Lagrangian is dynamical scalar field free, hosts no fermion matter fields, and Holdom kinetic mixing is switched off. The mutual sourcing term is then necessarily spacetime curvature (not just metric) dependent, and inevitably Ricci linear, suggesting that a non-vanishing spacetime curvature can in principle induce an electromagnetic current. In its mature form, however, the Weyl/Maxwell mutual sourcing idea serendipitously constitutes a novel variant of the gravitational Weyl-Dirac (incorporating Brans-Dicke) theory. Counter intuitively, and again exclusively in four dimensions, the optional quartic scalar potential gets consistently replaced by a Higgs-like potential, such that the co-divergence of the Maxwell vector field resembles a conformal vacuum expectation value.
Chikungunya Outbreak in the Republic of the Congo, 2019—Epidemiological, Virological and Entomological Findings of a South-North Multidisciplinary Taskforce Investigation
Authors: Vairo Francesco , Aimè Coussoud-Mavoungou Martin , Ntoumi Francine , Castilletti Concetta , Kitembo Lambert , Haider Najmul , Carletti Fabrizio , Colavita Francesca , Gruber Cesare , Iannetta Marco , Messina Francesco , Lanini Simone , Ulrich Judicaël Biez , Giombini Emanuela , Montaldo Chiara , Portella Chantal , Diafouka-Diatela Steve , Rueca Martina , Kock Richard , Bartolini Barbara , Mboera Leonard , Munster Vincent , Fischer Robert , Seifert Stephanie , Muñoz-Fontela César , Escudero-Pérez Beatriz , Gomez-Medina Sergio , Nelson Emily , Kjia Tungu Patrick , Nicastri Emanuele , Puro Vincenzo , Di Caro Antonino , Capobianchi Maria , Mikolo Jacqueline , Zumla Alimuddin , Ippolito Giuseppe ,   on behalf of the Pandora-ID-NET Consortium Chikungunya Outbreak Group Taskforce
Published: September 2020

The Republic of Congo (RoC) declared a chikungunya (CHIK) outbreak on 9 February 2019. We conducted a ONE-Human-Animal HEALTH epidemiological, virological and entomological investigation. Methods: We collected national surveillance and epidemiological data. CHIK diagnosis was based on RT-PCR and CHIKV-specific antibodies. Full CHIKV genome sequences were obtained by Sanger and MinION approaches and Bayesian tree phylogenetic analysis was performed. Mosquito larvae and 215 adult mosquitoes were collected in different villages of Kouilou and Pointe-Noire districts and estimates of Aedes (Ae.) mosquitos’ CHIKV-infectious bites obtained. We found two new CHIKV sequences of the East/Central/South African (ECSA) lineage, clustering with the recent enzootic sub-clade 2, showing the A226V mutation. The RoC 2019 CHIKV strain has two novel mutations, E2-T126M and E2-H351N. Phylogenetic suggests a common origin from 2016 Angola strain, from which it diverged around 1989 (95% HPD 1985–1994). The infectious bite pattern was similar for 2017, 2018 and early 2019. One Ae. albopictus pool was RT-PCR positive. The 2019 RoC CHIKV strain seems to be recently introduced or be endemic in sylvatic cycle. Distinct from the contemporary Indian CHIKV isolates and in contrast to the original Central-African strains (transmitted by Ae. aegypti), it carries the A226V mutation, indicating an independent adaptive mutation in response to vector replacement (Ae. albopictus vs Ae. aegypti).
Two Separate Tyrosine-Based YXXL/Φ Motifs within the Glycoprotein E Cytoplasmic Tail of Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Contribute in Virus Anterograde Neuronal Transport
Authors: Yezid Hocine , Lay Christian T. , Pannhorst Katrin , Chowdhury Shafiqul I.
Published: September 2020

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) causes respiratory infection and abortion in cattle. Following a primary infection, BHV-1 establishes lifelong latency in the trigeminal ganglia (TG). Periodic reactivation of the latent virus in TG neurons results in anterograde virus transport to nerve endings in the nasal mucosa and nasal virus shedding. The BHV-1 glycoprotein E cytoplasmic tail (gE-CT) is necessary for virus cell-to-cell spread in epithelial cells and neuronal anterograde transport. Recently, we identified two tyrosine residues, Y467 and Y563, within the tyrosine-based motifs 467YTSL470 and 563YTVV566, which, together, account for the gE CT-mediated efficient cell-to-cell spread of BHV-1 in epithelial cells. Here, we determined that in primary neuron cultures in vitro, the individual alanine exchange Y467A or Y563A mutants had significantly diminished anterograde axonal spread. Remarkably, the double-alanine-exchanged Y467A/Y563A mutant virus was not transported anterogradely. Following intranasal infection of rabbits, both wild-type (wt) and the Y467A/Y563A mutant viruses established latency in the TG. Upon dexamethasone-induced reactivation, both wt and the mutant viruses reactivated and replicated equally efficiently in the TG. However, upon reactivation, only the wt, not the mutant, was isolated from nasal swabs. Therefore, the gE-CT tyrosine residues Y467 and Y563 together are required for gE CT-mediated anterograde neuronal transport.
Determination of Pollution Loads in Spillways of the Combined Sewage Network of the City of Cuenca, Ecuador
Authors: Montalvo-Cedillo César , Jerves-Cobo Rubén , Domínguez-Granda Luis
Published: September 2020

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) is one of the main causes of contamination in receiving bodies during the rainy period. The objective of this research was to evaluate the behavior of three combined sewage discharges into the Tomebamba River in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. For this, the registration of 18 CSO events was carried out. The following water quality parameters were analyzed from the field survey (March 2017 to May 2018): conductivity, turbidity, BOD5, COD, fecal and total coliforms, nitrates, nitrites, ammoniacal nitrogen, dissolved orthophosphate and total phosphorus. The results show that CSOs contribute to the deterioration of the water quality of the Tomebamba River during the rainy season. The analysis of the dynamics of the pollutants determined that the maximum conductivity values occur at the beginning of the discharge, and the maximum turbidity is located near the peak discharge flow. The relationship between rain and the characteristics of the CSO was also analyzed through a canonical correlation analysis and partial least squares regression, obtaining a prediction model of pollutants based on the precipitation parameters. These results can be used for the implementation of integrated ecological models that enable a complete analysis of the city’s sanitation systems, their impact on the receiving bodies and their restoration.
An Update of the Occurrence of Organic Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Canary Islands (Spain)
Authors: Torres-Padrón Maria Esther , Montesdeoca-Esponda Sarah , Santana-Viera Sergio , Guedes-Alonso Rayco , Herrera-Melián José Alberto , Sosa-Ferrera Zoraida , Santana-Rodríguez José Juan
Published: September 2020

Nowadays, activities associated with industries, cities, and leisure generate a number of different wastes, including many chemical pollutants that enter the environment and negatively affect the wildlife. Some of them are emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), which include UV filters and stabilizers, antineoplastic agents, and natural and synthetic steroid hormones, among others. It is well demonstrated that the presence of this kind of contaminants may produce adverse effects in aquatic environments and also in marine organisms. Even though the Canary Islands (Spain) are one of the most biodiverse parts of the temperature regions of the world, little is known about the presence of these substances in the environment and organisms in the archipelago. For that purpose, the objective of this work was to evaluate the presence of some UV filters, cytostatic compounds, and hormones in water (wastewater and seawater), sediments, and marine organisms. Moreover, we evaluated conventional and natural wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to study the removal efficiencies of these target compounds. UV filters and stabilizers were found in all the analysed samples and were the only target family found in seawater (with UV-329 appearing at all the locations at concentrations between 67.5 and 859 ng L−1). Some cytostatic compounds were detected in hospital wastewater at concentrations between 375.8 and 1851 ng L−1, but not in the analysis of sludge or fish samples. Hormones were detected in wastewater, sludge, and fish samples, and their removal in the natural treatment system (over 76% for all the hormones) allowed to prove it as an efficient technology for the elimination of these EOCs from urban wastewaters in small communities.
Optimization of Irrigation and Leaching Depths Considering the Cost of Water Using WASH_1D/2D Models
Authors: Fujimaki Haruyuki , Abd El Baki Hassan M. , Mohamad Mahdavi Seyed , Ebrahimian Hamed
Published: September 2020

Optimization of water use with consideration of salinity control is a crucial task for crop production. A new scheme, “optimized irrigation”, was recently presented to determine irrigation depth using WASH_1D/2D which are numerical simulation models of water flow and solute transport in soils and crop growth. In the scheme, irrigation depth is determined such that net income is maximized considering the price of water and weather forecasts. To evaluate whether the optimized irrigation is also able to restrict salinity stress and avoid salinization without any intentional leaching, we carried out a numerical experiment for winter wheat grown in northern Sudan under the following scenarios: (1) Available water in the root zone is refilled using freshwater (0.17 g/L of NaCl) at every five days; (2) available water in the root zone is refilled using saline water (1.7 g/L) at every five days; (3) optimized irrigation using fresh water at 7-days interval; (4) optimized irrigation on a weekly basis using saline water; and (5) same as scenario 2, except for leaching is carried out at the middle of the growing season and leaching depth is optimized such that net income is maximized. The results showed that the optimized irrigation scheme automatically instructs additional water required for leaching at each irrigation event and maximizes the net income even under saline conditions.
The Impacts of Vineyard Afforestation on Soil Properties, Water Repellency and Near-Saturated Infiltration in the Little Carpathians Mountains
Authors: Hrabovský Andrej , Dlapa Pavel , Cerdà Artemi , Kollár Jozef
Published: September 2020

Vineyards are a 7000-year-old land-use tradition and both management and abandonment have result in altered soil properties. These have a great effect on water resources and soil services, and this inspired our investigation into the effects of land-use and land-use change on soils in the Modra wine-growing region in South-western Slovakia. Ten topsoil samples were taken at each of the seven research sites (n = 70) on granite parent material in cultivated and afforested vineyards and original forest soils. Laboratory analyses included determination of soil texture, organic carbon content, soil pH, and water repellency. This was supplemented by infiltration measurements under near-saturated conditions at the vineyard and afforested study sites. Studied soils have a low clay content and a high proportion of sand. The vineyard soils have significantly higher pH than the forest and afforested soils because the naturally acidic soils have been limed. The forest and afforested soils have similar properties, with higher organic carbon content. This makes them strongly to extremely water repellent and contrasts sharply with the wettability of cultivated vineyard soils. One afforested site, however, was less acidic and therefore was considered transitional between forest and vineyard soils. Our infiltration measurements established the influence of soil water repellency on the infiltration process, and our results highlighted that the infiltration rate in the vineyard soils was significantly higher than in afforested soils. The infiltration rate also gradually increased over time in afforested soils due to decreasing water repellency. Physically impossible negative sorptivity values in afforested soils were noted because of changes in water repellency during the infiltration process. Finally, we conclude that soil afforestation results in increased soil water repellency and a subsequent reduction in the infiltration rate at the matrix scale.