bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metallographic Testing of 19th Century Steel in an Operating Water Tower
Authors: Hotała Eugeniusz , Ignatowicz Rajmund , Lachowicz Maciej B.
Published: April 2021

The world’s first steel structures were built towards the end of the 19th century. Some of them are still in use today, whereas others are maintained as precious technical heritage. In both cases, there may be a need to assess their technical condition and carry out repairs and reinforcements, which requires an understanding of the properties of the steel used. The few studies that have been undertaken of such steel structures indicate that the properties depend on the history of use. This paper presents the results of metallographic tests of a steel tank in a water tower built in 1884 in Lower Silesia. The chemical composition was consistent with that of the puddled steel used in the 19th century. The carbon content showed significant segregation and ranged from 0.011% to 0.072% mass. As a consequence, a typical microstructure for low-carbon steels (ferritic) was observed, changing locally to ferritic-pearlitic. The tested steel contained a very high content of phosphorus and silicon. The microstructure with numerous slags favoured the formation of surface delamination caused by the corrosion processes. The degree of corrosion of the steel of the tank was also assessed, as well as the type of corrosion inside the tank. Corrosion was favoured by the oxygen concentration cell. The results of the research will be used to assess the potential for continuing tank use and the reinforcements that have been planned. The results presented will add to the somewhat limited research results available for steel dating back to the 19th century, which is still present in many building structures. Such a database is especially needed by those designing technical measures aimed at maintaining these historical structures in good technical condition.
An Effective Method for Preparation of Liquid Phosphoric Anhydride and Its Application in Flame Retardant Epoxy Resin
Authors: Li Qian , Li Yujie , Chen Yifan , Wu Qiang , Wang Siqun
Published: April 2021

A novel liquid phosphorous-containing flame retardant anhydride (LPFA) with low viscosity was synthesized from 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MeTHPA) and further cured with bisphenol-A epoxy resin E-51 for the preparation of the flame retardant epoxy resins. Both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements revealed the successful incorporation of DOPO on the molecular chains of MeTHPA through chemical reaction. The oxygen index analysis showed that the LPFA-cured epoxy resin exhibited excellent flame retardant performance, and the corresponding limiting oxygen index (LOI) value could reach 31.2%. The UL-94V-0 rating was achieved for the flame retardant epoxy resin with the phosphorus content of 2.7%. With the addition of LPFA, the impact strength of the cured epoxy resins remained almost unchanged, but the flexural strength gradually increased. Meanwhile, all the epoxy resins showed good thermal stability. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal decomposition temperature (Td) of epoxy resin cured by LPFA decreased slightly compared with that of MeTHPA-cured epoxy resin. Based on such excellent flame retardancy, low viscosity at room temperature and ease of use, LPFA showed potential as an appropriate curing agent in the field of electrical insulation materials.
Microstructural Analysis of Fractured Orthopedic Implants
Authors: Kopec Mateusz , Brodecki Adam , Szczęsny Grzegorz , Kowalewski Zbigniew L.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, fracture behavior of four types of implants with different geometries (pure titanium locking plate, pure titanium femoral implant, Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy pelvic implant, X2CrNiMo18 14-3 steel femoral implant) was studied in detail. Each implant fractured in the human body. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the potential cause of implants fracture. It was found that the implants fracture mainly occurred in consequence of mechanical overloads resulting from repetitive, prohibited excessive limb loads or singular, un-intendent, secondary injures. Among many possible loading types, the implants were subjected to an excessive fatigue loads with additional interactions caused by screws that were mounted in their threaded holes. The results of this work enable to conclude that the design of orthopedic implants is not fully sufficient to transduce mechanical loads acting over them due to an increasing weight of treated patients and much higher their physical activity.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Lithuanian Version of the Majeed Pelvic Score
Authors: Petryla Giedrius , Bobina Rokas , Ryliškis Sigitas , Uvarovas Valentinas , Kurtinaitis Jaunius , Sveikata Tomas , Kvederas Giedrius , Šatkauskas Igoris
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives: There are no valid patient-based pelvic ring function assessment tools in Lithuania. The most widely used instrument is the Majeed Pelvic Score (MPS), which is proven to be an effective tool for assessing pelvic function after pelvic injuries. The aims of our study were: (1) the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the MPS for the Lithuanian-speaking population, (2) to test the psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of the MPS (MPS-LT) at follow-up two-time points after pelvic fractures. Materials and Methods: The MPS was translated and culturally adapted. Psychometric properties of the MPS-LT were determined in one patient group (n = 40) at two time-points during follow-up examination from 1.5 to 3 months (mean 2 months) and from 11 to 20 months (mean 12 months). Results: At the mean time of 2 months after trauma, Cronbach’s α of the MPS-LT was 0.65. Correlation of the MPS-LT with the Iowa Pelvic Score (IPS) was r = 0.84 (p < 0.001), and with the Lithuanian SF-36, PCS was r = 0.53 (p < 0.001). At the mean time follow-up of 12 months, Cronbach’s α was 0.86, correlation with the IPS was r = 0.92 (p < 0.001), and with the Lithuanian SF-36, PCS – r = 0.82 (p < 0.001). At the 2-month follow-up, neither floor nor ceiling effects were reached, but at 12 months, 27.5% of patients reached the ceiling effect, while none reached the floor effect. The effect size of the MPS-LT was 1.66. Conclusions: The MPS-LT has limited ability to measure functional outcomes at 2 months after pelvic fracture. In contrast, at the 12-month follow-up examination, the MPS-LT had a good ability to assess pelvic function, and it was sensitive to health changes. The MPS-LT can be used as a pelvic function assessment tool after pelvic fractures for the Lithuanian-speaking population.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-Induced Hemolysis: An In Vitro Study to Appraise Causative Factors
Authors: Chan Chris , Ki Katrina , Zhang Meili , Asnicar Cooper , Cho Hwa Jin , Ainola Carmen , Bouquet Mahe , Heinsar Silver , Pauls Jo , Li Bassi Gianluigi , Suen Jacky , Fraser John
Published: April 2021

In vitro hemolysis testing is commonly used to determine hemocompatibility of ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). However, poor reproducibility remains a challenging problem, due to several unidentified influencing factors. The present study investigated potential factors, such as flow rates, the use of anticoagulants, and gender of blood donors, which could play a role in hemolysis. Fresh human whole blood was anticoagulated with either citrate (n = 6) or heparin (n = 12; 6 female and 6 male blood donors). Blood was then circulated for 360 min at 4 L/min or 1.5 L/min. Regardless of flow rate conditions, hemolysis remained unchanged over time in citrated blood, but significantly increased after 240 min circulation in heparinized blood (p ≤ 0.01). The ratio of the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) of heparinized blood to citrated blood was 11.7-fold higher at 4 L/min and 16.5–fold higher at 1.5 L/min. The difference in hemolysis between 1.5 L/min and 4 L/min concurred with findings of previous literature. In addition, the ratio of NIH of male heparinized blood to female was 1.7-fold higher at 4 L/min and 2.2-fold higher at 1.5 L/min. Our preliminary results suggested that the choice of anticoagulant and blood donor gender could be critical factors in hemolysis studies, and should be taken into account to improve testing reliability during ECMO.
Dielectric Relaxation Behavior of BTO/LSMO Heterojunction
Authors: Song Guoqiang , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Sheng , Yang Jing , Bai Wei , Tang Xiaodong
Published: April 2021

The BaTiO3 (BTO)/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) magnetoelectric composite films were prepared by sol-gel method on STO (001) substrates. The heterojunction has highly preferred orientation and exhibits well ferroelectric properties with perfect hysteresis loops and microscopic polarization switch behaviors. The most interesting thing is the abnormal dielectric relaxation phenomenon in the dielectric spectra at high frequency range and around the phase transition temperature of LSMO. By analyzing the resistance properties of LSMO films, it is indicated that charge-based interfacial coupling, Maxwell-Wagner effect due to the JT polaron and fast resistivity rise in LSMO layer is the main reason. This work emphasizes the crucial role of resistivity exchanges and of carrier accumulation at interfaces for the application of magnetoelectric heterojunction.
Plasma Fatty Acids and Quantitative Ultrasound, DXA and pQCT Derived Parameters in Postmenopausal Spanish Women
Authors: Roncero-Martín Raúl , Aliaga Ignacio , Moran Jose M. , Puerto-Parejo Luis M. , Rey-Sánchez Purificación , de la Luz Canal-Macías María , Sánchez-Fernández Antonio , Pedrera-Zamorano Juan D. , López-Espuela Fidel , Vera Vicente , Cerrato-Carretero Purificación , Lavado-García Jesús M.
Published: April 2021

Different factors may contribute to the development of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Fatty acids are key nutrients for health, and a number of studies have reported an association between bone mineral density (BMD) and fatty acid intake. We aimed to investigate the relationships between serum levels of different fatty acids and bone parameters determined by quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a sample of Spanish postmenopausal women. We enrolled a total of 301 postmenopausal women (median age 59 years; interquartile range (IQR) 7) in this study. All participants underwent full densitometric screening, including calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), as well as plasma fatty acid measurement. After adjustment for potential confounders, plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels correlated with BMD in the spine (r = 0.150; p = 0.014) and femoral neck (r = 0.143; p = 0.019). By multiple linear regression, an independent statistically significant positive relationship was observed between BMD in the spine and BMI (β = 0.288; p = 0.001) as well as total plasma n-3 PUFAs (β = 0.155; p = 0.009). The plasma n-3 PUFA level was also a significant and positive predictor of BMD at the femoral neck (β = 0.146; p = 0.009). Independent risk factors for low BMD (T-score ≤ 1) were determined by logistic regression analysis, and a relatively high level of plasma n-3 PUFAs (OR = 0.751; 95% CI 0.587-0.960, p = 0.022) was identified as a protective factor against low bone mass. In this single-center sample of Spanish postmenopausal women, we reported a significant positive and statistically independent association between BMD and plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs.
Nutritional Intervention with Dried Bonito Broth for the Amelioration of Aggressive Behaviors in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Dioxins in Vietnam: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nishijo Muneko , Pham Tai The , Pham Ngoc Thao , Duong Hai Thai Thu , Tran Ngoc Nghi , Kondoh Takashi , Nishino Yoshikazu , Nishimaru Hiroshi , Do Quyet Ba , Nishijo Hisao
Published: April 2021

Dioxins have been suggested to induce inflammation in the intestine and brain and to induce neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), partly due to deficits in parvalbumin-positive neurons in the brain that are sensitive to inflammatory stress. Previously, we reported ADHD traits with increased aggressiveness in children with prenatal exposure to dioxins in Vietnam, whereas dried bonito broth (DBB) has been reported to suppress inflammation and inhibit aggressive behavior in animal and human studies. In the present study, we investigated the association between dioxin exposure and the prevalence of children with highly aggressive behaviors (Study 1), as well as the effects of DBB on the prevalence of children with highly aggressive behaviors (Study 2). Methods: In Study 1, we investigated the effects of dioxin exposure on the prevalence of children with high aggression scores, which were assessed using the Children’s Scale of Hostility and Aggression: Reactive/Proactive (C-SHARP) in dioxin-contaminated areas. The data were analyzed using a logistic regression model after adjusting for confounding factors. In Study 2, we performed nutritional intervention by administering DBB for 60 days to ameliorate the aggressiveness of children with high scores on the C-SHARP aggression scale. The effects of DBB were assessed by comparing the prevalence of children with high C-SHARP scores between the pre- and post-intervention examinations. Results: In Study 1, only the prevalence of children with high covert aggression was significantly increased with an increase in dioxin exposure. In Study 2, in the full ingestion (>80% of goal ingestion volume) group, the prevalence of children with high covert aggression associated with dioxin exposure was significantly lower in the post-ingestion examination compared with in the pre-ingestion examination. However, in other ingestion (<20% and 20–79%) groups and a reference (no intervention) group, no difference in the prevalence of children with high covert aggression was found between the examinations before and after the same experimental period. Conclusions: The findings suggest that DBB ingestion may ameliorate children’s aggressive behavior, which is associated with perinatal dioxin exposure.
Comprehensive Stability Study of Vitamin D3 in Aqueous Solutions and Liquid Commercial Products
Authors: Temova Rakuša Žane , Pišlar Mitja , Kristl Albin , Roškar Robert
Published: April 2021

Vitamin D3 has numerous beneficial effects, such as musculoskeletal, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective. However, its instability is the main obstacle to formulating quality products. Despite increased attention and growing use, data on vitamin D3 stability is scarce because data from individual studies is inconclusive and mostly qualitative. Therefore, we have systematically investigated the influence of various factors (temperature, light, oxygen, pH, concentration, and metal ions) on its stability in aqueous media using a stability-indicating HPLC-UV method. First-order kinetics fitted its degradation under all tested conditions except light and oxygen. In both cases, the established models in chemical kinetics were inappropriate and upgraded with the Weibull model. Metal ions and acidic conditions had the main destabilizing effect on vitamin D3 in aqueous media, but these solutions were successfully stabilized after the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), ascorbic acid, and citric acid, individually and in combination. EDTA showed the most significant stabilizing effect. Synergism among antioxidants was not observed. Our findings on vitamin D3 instability in aqueous media also correlated with its instability in commercial products. Vitamin D3 aqueous products require proper stabilization, thereby signifying the importance and contribution of the obtained results to the formulation of stable and quality products.
Fabrication of Polycaprolactone/Nano Hydroxyapatite (PCL/nHA) 3D Scaffold with Enhanced In Vitro Cell Response via Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
Authors: Cho Yong Sang , Gwak So-Jung , Cho Young-Sam
Published: April 2021

In this study, we investigated the dual-pore kagome-structure design of a 3D-printed scaffold with enhanced in vitro cell response and compared the mechanical properties with 3D-printed scaffolds with conventional or offset patterns. The compressive modulus of the 3D-printed scaffold with the proposed design was found to resemble that of the 3D-printed scaffold with a conventional pattern at similar pore sizes despite higher porosity. Furthermore, the compressive modulus of the proposed scaffold surpassed that of the 3D-printed scaffold with conventional and offset patterns at similar porosities owing to the structural characteristics of the kagome structure. Regarding the in vitro cell response, cell adhesion, cell growth, and ALP concentration of the proposed scaffold for 14 days was superior to those of the control group scaffolds. Consequently, we found that the mechanical properties and in vitro cell response of the 3D-printed scaffold could be improved by kagome and dual-pore structures through DfAM. Moreover, we revealed that the dual-pore structure is effective for the in vitro cell response compared to the structures possessing conventional and offset patterns.
A Hand-Worn Inertial Measurement Unit for Detection of Bat–Ball Impact during Baseball Hitting
Authors: Punchihewa Niroshan G. , Arakawa Hideki , Chosa Etsuo , Yamako Go
Published: April 2021

Swinging a baseball bat at a pitched ball takes less than half of a second. A hitter uses his lower extremities to generate power, and coordination of the swing motion gradually transfers power through the trunk to the upper extremities during bat–ball impact. The most important instant of the baseball swing is at the bat–ball impact, after which the direction, speed, height, and distance of the hit ball determines whether runs can be scored. Thus, analyzing the biomechanical parameters at the bat–ball impact is useful for evaluating player performance. Different motion-capture systems use different methods to identify bat–ball impact. However, the level of accuracy to detect bat–ball impact is not well documented. The study aim was to examine the required accuracy to detect bat–ball impact timing. The results revealed that ±2 ms accuracy is required to report trunk and hand kinematics, especially for higher-order time-derivatives. Here, we propose a new method using a hand-worn inertial measurement unit to accurately detect bat–ball impact timing. The results of this study will be beneficial for analyzing the kinematics of baseball hitting under real-game conditions.
Identification of Pilots’ Fatigue Status Based on Electrocardiogram Signals
Authors: Pan Ting , Wang Haibo , Si Haiqing , Li Yao , Shang Lei
Published: April 2021

Fatigue is an important factor affecting modern flight safety. It can easily lead to a decline in pilots’ operational ability, misjudgments, and flight illusions. Moreover, it can even trigger serious flight accidents. In this paper, a wearable wireless physiological device was used to obtain pilots’ electrocardiogram (ECG) data in a simulated flight experiment, and 1440 effective samples were determined. The Friedman test was adopted to select the characteristic indexes that reflect the fatigue state of the pilot from the time domain, frequency domain, and non-linear characteristics of the effective samples. Furthermore, the variation rules of the characteristic indexes were analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized to extract the features of the selected feature indexes, and the feature parameter set representing the fatigue state of the pilot was established. For the study on pilots’ fatigue state identification, the feature parameter set was used as the input of the learning vector quantization (LVQ) algorithm to train the pilots’ fatigue state identification model. Results show that the recognition accuracy of the LVQ model reached 81.94%, which is 12.84% and 9.02% higher than that of traditional back propagation neural network (BPNN) and support vector machine (SVM) model, respectively. The identification model based on the LVQ established in this paper is suitable for identifying pilots’ fatigue states. This is of great practical significance to reduce flight accidents caused by pilot fatigue, thus providing a theoretical foundation for pilot fatigue risk management and the development of intelligent aircraft autopilot systems.
On the Performance Analysis of Switched Diversity Combining Receivers over Fisher–Snedecor ℱ Composite Fading Channels
Authors: Cheng Weijun , Wang Xiaoting , Ma Tengfei , Wang Gang
Published: April 2021

In some emerging wireless applications, such as wearable communication and low-power sensor network applications, wireless devices or nodes not only require simple physical implementation approaches but also require certain reliable receiver techniques to overcome the effects of multipath or shadowed fading. Switched diversity combining (SDC) systems could be a simple and promising solution to the above requirements. Recently, a Fisher–Snedecor F composited fading model has gained much interest because of its modeling accuracy and calculation tractability. However, the performance of SDC systems over F fading channels has not yet been analyzed in the open literature. To this end, this paper presents a systematic analysis of SDC systems over F fading channels, including dual-branch switch-and-stay combining (SSC), multibranch switch-and examine combining (SEC), and SEC with post-examining selection (SECps) systems. We first investigate the statistical characteristics of univariate and bivariate F distributions. Then, these statistical expressions are introduced into the above SDC systems and the statistical metrics of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for these systems are deduced in different F fading scenarios. Thirdly, certain exact and novel expressions of performance criteria, such as the outage probability, the average bit error probability and average symbol error probability, as well as the average channel capacity for SSC, SEC, and SECps are derived. To find the optimum performance, optimal analysis is performed for the independent and identically distributed cases. Finally, numerical evaluation and simulations are carried out to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical analysis under various F fading scenarios. According to the obtained results, the multipath fading parameter has more influence on the performance of SDC systems than the shadowing parameter, the correlation coefficient, or the average SNR. Importantly, the SDC systems can provide switched diversity gains only when the switching threshold is not too large or too small compared to the average SNR.
Activity Detection from Electricity Consumption and Communication Usage Data for Monitoring Lonely Deaths
Authors: Kim Gyubaek , Park Sanghyun
Published: April 2021

As the number of single-person households grows worldwide, the need to monitor their safety is gradually increasing. Among several approaches developed previously, analyzing the daily lifelog data generated unwittingly, such as electricity consumption or communication usage, has been discussed. However, data analysis methods in the domain are currently based on anomaly detection. This presents accuracy issues and the challenge of securing service reliability. We propose a new analysis method that finds activities such as operation or movement from electricity consumption and communication usage data. This is evidence of safety. As a result, we demonstrate better performance through comparative verification. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to a more reliable implementation of a service that enables monitoring of lonely deaths.
Detecting Effects of Low Levels of FCCP on Stem Cell Micromotion and Wound-Healing Migration by Time-Series Capacitance Measurement
Authors: Wang Si-Han , Tung Tse-Hua , Chiu Sheng-Po , Chou Hsin-Yi , Hung Yu-Han , Lai Yi-Ting , Lee Yu-Wei , Lee Shiao-Pieng , Lo Chun-Min
Published: April 2021

Electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) has been used as a real-time impedance-based method to quantify cell behavior in tissue culture. The method is capable of measuring both the resistance and capacitance of a cell-covered microelectrode at various AC frequencies. In this study, we demonstrate the application of high-frequency capacitance measurement (f = 40 or 64 kHz) for the sensitive detection of both the micromotion and wound-healing migration of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Impedance measurements of cell-covered electrodes upon the challenge of various concentrations of carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), from 0.1 to 30 μM, were conducted using ECIS. FCCP is an uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), thereby reducing mitochondrial ATP production. By numerically analyzing the time-series capacitance data, a dose-dependent decrease in hMSC micromotion and wound-healing migration was observed, and the effect was significantly detected at levels as low as 0.1 μM. While most reported works with ECIS use the resistance/impedance time series, our results suggest the potential use of high-frequency capacitance time series for assessing migratory cell behavior such as micromotion and wound-healing migration.
Corporate Governance and Cash Holding: New Insights from Concentrated and Competitive Industries
Authors: Shah Idrees Ali , Ali Shah Syed Zulfiqar , Nouman Muhammad , Khan Farman Ullah , Badulescu Daniel , Cismas Laura-Mariana
Published: April 2021

The present study empirically investigates the effect of corporate governance on the value of cash holding, usage of excess cash, and firm performance in concentrated and competitive industries in the context of less developed countries. The empirical analysis was conducted in the panel data setting using Pakistan as a case study. Our findings suggest a strong relationship between the value of cash holding and corporate governance, and the complementary effect of product market competition for corporate governance. This suggests that the external market discipline is also needed, in addition to good governance, to resolve agency problems in less developed countries. This is because less developed countries are usually characterized by lower competition, poor mechanisms for shareholder protection, and weak legal systems. Consequently, agency problems are greater in less developed countries compared to developed countries. Our findings also indicate that firms with good governance dissipate less excess cash on internal investment, dividends and diversification in competitive industries. Moreover, the significant positive relationship between the lagged excess cash and corporate governance dummy interaction with the dividend supports the dividend outcome model, particularly in the concentrated industries. Finally, our results suggest that the efficient utilization of excess cash, induced by good governance, leads to better corporate performance in less developed countries.
Sustainable Careers of Athletes: Themes and Concepts Regarding Transition Theories Involving Athletes
Authors: Choi Jeongwon , Kim Hyun-Duck
Published: April 2021

Athletes’ transition has been one of the crucial social issues for athletes, their families, and significant others. This study aimed to provide a thematic analysis of research on athletes’ transition, considering the widely adopted transition theories. That is, this study is designed to evaluate the models that describe athletes’ transition, published in peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2020 within the domain of sports and relevant areas. Ten articles were included in this qualitative method-based research, and the selected articles were analyzed using the text data-mining technique using Leximancer version 5.0. The results can provide a methodologically significant contribution to the study of athletes’ transition. In addition, this study provides some insights regarding sustainable careers to help athletes and advance future studies.
Landslide Geo-Hazard Risk Mapping Using Logistic Regression Modeling in Guixi, Jiangxi, China
Authors: Huangfu Wenchao , Wu Weicheng , Zhou Xiaoting , Lin Ziyu , Zhang Guiliang , Chen Renxiang , Song Yong , Lang Tao , Qin Yaozu , Ou Penghui , Zhang Yang , Xie Lifeng , Huang Xiaolan , Fu Xiao , Li Jie , Jiang Jingheng , Zhang Ming , Liu Yixuan , Peng Shanling , Shao Chongjian , Bai Yonghui , Zhang Xiaofeng , Liu Xiangtong , Liu Wenheng
Published: April 2021

Reliable prediction of landslide occurrence is important for hazard risk reduction and prevention. Taking Guixi in northeast Jiangxi as an example, this research aimed to conduct such a landslide risk assessment using a multiple logistic regression (MLR) algorithm. Field-investigated landslides and non-landslide sites were converted into polygons. We randomly generated 50,000 sampling points to intersect these polygons and the intersected points were divided into two parts, a training set (TS) and a validation set (VT) in a ratio of 7 to 3. Thirteen geo-environmental factors, including elevation, slope, and distance from roads were employed as hazard-causative factors, which were intersected by the TS to create the random point (RP)-based dataset. The next step was to compute the certainty factor (CF) of each factor to constitute a CF-based dataset. MLR was applied to the two datasets for landslide risk modeling. The probability of landslides was then calculated in each pixel, and risk maps were produced. The overall accuracy of these two models versus VS was 91.5% and 90.4% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.814 and 0.782, respectively. The RP-based MLR modeling achieved more reliable predictions and its risk map seems more plausible for providing technical support for implementing disaster prevention measures in Guixi.
Study on Compressibility and Settlement of a Landfill with Aged Municipal Solid Waste: A Case Study in Taizhou
Authors: He Haijie , Wu Tao , Wang Xiaogang , Qiu Zhanhong , Lan Jiwu
Published: April 2021

Capacity expansion of existing landfills is one of the most economical methods of relieving the stress caused by the disposal of local municipal solid waste (MSW) in developing countries. In this paper, the compression characteristics and settlement of the aged MSW in Xiawan landfill were studied. The physical composition, moisture content, volumetric weight, and modified primary compression index of the aged MSW at different depths were tested, and then the settlement of the MSW in the area to be filled with fly ash was calculated. The test results showed that the main components of the aged MSW were muck and textile, indicating that kitchen waste was degraded. The moisture content of the MSW generally increased with depth, and the average moisture content within 5 m of the shallow part of the landfill was 97%. The void ratio of the aged MSW decreased from 4.0 to 2.2 with an increase in vertical load from 1 kPa to 400 kPa. The modified primary compression index of the aged MSW ranged from 0.22 to 0.27, and generally decreased with depth. Under the load generated by the subsequent filling of fly ash, the final strains of the aged MSW was approximately 15% to 20%. The physical composition and compression characteristics of the aged MSW measured in this paper were compared with those reported in previous studies to provide reference for the settlement analysis of landfills with aged MSW.
M-Parameterized N-Soft Topology-Based TOPSIS Approach for Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Razzaq Ayesha , Aslam Muhammad , Pamucar Dragan
Published: April 2021

In this article, we presented the notion of M-parameterized N-soft set (MPNSS) to assign independent non-binary evaluations to both attributes and alternatives. The MPNSS is useful for making explicit the imprecise data which appears in ranking, rating, and grading positions. The proposed model is superior to existing concepts of soft set (SS), fuzzy soft sets (FSS), and N-soft sets (NSS). The concept of M-parameterized N-soft topology (MPNS topology) is defined on MPNSS by using extended union and restricted intersection of MPNS-power whole subsets. For these objectives, we define basic operations on MPNSSs and discuss various properties of MPNS topology. Additionally, some methods for multi-attribute decision making (MADM) techniques based on MPNSSs and MPNS topology are provided. Furthermore, the TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) approach under MPNSSs and MPNS topology is established. The symmetry of the optimal decision is illustrated by interesting applications of proposed models and new MADM techniques are demonstrated by certain numerical illustrations and well justified by comparison analysis with some existing techniques.
A Review on Thermal Energy Modelling for Optimal Microgrids Management
Authors: Yan Mengxuan , Wang Dongxiao , Lai Chun Sing , Lai Loi Lei
Published: April 2021

Microgrids have become increasingly popular in recent years due to technological improvements, growing recognition of their benefits, and diminishing costs. By clustering distributed energy resources, microgrids can effectively integrate renewable energy resources in distribution networks and satisfy end-user demands, thus playing a critical role in transforming the existing power grid to a future smart grid. There are many existing research and review works on microgrids. However, the thermal energy modelling in optimal microgrid management is seldom discussed in the current literature. To address this research gap, this paper presents a detailed review on the thermal energy modelling application on the optimal energy management for microgrids. This review firstly presents microgrid characteristics. Afterwards, the existing thermal energy modeling utilized in microgrids will be discussed, including the application of a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) and thermal comfort model to form virtual energy storage systems. Current trial programs of thermal energy modelling for microgrid energy management are analyzed and some challenges and future research directions are discussed at the end. This paper serves as a comprehensive review to the most up-to-date thermal energy modelling applications on microgrid energy management.
Tree-Ring Based Chronology of Landslides in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan
Authors: Noguchi Kinuko , Tsou Ching-Ying , Ishikawa Yukio , Higaki Daisuke , Wu Chun-Yi
Published: April 2021

The N-Ohkawa landslide, and the southern section of the Ohkawa landslide, occurred during the snow-melt seasons of 1999 and 2006, respectively, in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan. This paper examines the response of trees in the Shirakami Mountains to landslides, and also investigates the spatio-temporal occurrence patterns of landslide events in the area. Dendrogeomorphological analysis was used to identify growth suppression and growth increase (GD) markers in tilted deciduous broadleaved trees and also to reveal the timing of the establishment of shade-intolerant tree species. Analysis of the GD markers detected in tree-ring width series revealed confirmatory evidence of landslide events that occurred in 1999 and 2006 and were observed by eyewitnesses, as well as signals from eight additional (previously unrecorded) landslide events during 1986–2005. Furthermore, shade-intolerant species were found to have become established on the N-Ohkawa and southern Ohkawa landslides, but with a lag of up to seven years following the landslide events causing the canopy opening.
The Effects of Exchange Flow on the Karst Spring Hydrograph under the Different Flow Regimes: A Synthetic Modeling Approach
Authors: Shirafkan Malihe , Mohammadi Zargham , Sivelle Vianney , Labat David
Published: April 2021

In this study, a synthetic modeling approach is proposed to quantify the effect of the amount and direction of the exchange flow on the karstic spring discharge fluctuations under different hydrologic conditions corresponding to high and low flow conditions. We hypothesis that the spring discharge fluctuations constitute a valuable proxy to understand the internal processes of the karst system. An ensemble of spring hydrographs was synthetically produced to highlight the effect of exchange flow by exploring the plausible range of variability of coefficients of exchange flow, conduit diameter, and matrix hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, the change of the rate of point recharge through the karst conduit allows for the quantifying of the sensibility of the spring hydrograph to the directions of exchange flow. We show that increasing the point recharge lies to a remarkable linear recession coefficient (β) as an indication of the conduit flow regime. However, a reduction in and/or lack of the point recharge caused the recession coefficient to change to exponential (α) due to the dominant effect of the matrix restrained flow regime and/or conduit-influenced flow regime. The simulations highlight that the exchange flow process from the conduit to the matrix occurred in a short period and over a restricted part of the conduit flow regime (CFR). Conversely, the exchange flow dumped from the matrix to the conduit occurs as a long-term process. A conceptual model is introduced to compare spring hydrographs’ characteristics (i.e., the peak discharge, the volume of baseflow, and the slope of the recession curve) under the various flow conditions with the directions of the exchange flow between the conduit and the matrix.
Scenario-Based Real-Time Flood Prediction with Logistic Regression
Authors: Lee Jaeyeong , Kim Byunghyun
Published: April 2021

This study proposed a real-time flood extent prediction method to shorten the time it takes from the flood occurrence to an alert issuance. This method uses logistic regression to generate a flood probability discriminant for each grid constituting the study area, and then predicts the flood extent with the amount of runoff caused by rainfall. In order to generate the flood probability discriminant for each grid, a two-dimensional (2D) flood inundation model was verified by applying the Typhoon Chaba, which caused great damage to the study area in 2016. Then, 100 probability rainfall scenarios were created by combining the return period, duration, and time distribution using past observation rainfall data, and rainfall-runoff–inundation relation databases were built for each scenario by applying hydrodynamic and hydrological models. A flood probability discriminant based on logistic regression was generated for each grid by using whether the grid was flooded (1 or 0) for the runoff amount in the database. When the runoff amount is input to the generated discriminant, the flood probability on the target grid is calculated by the coefficients, so that the flood extent is quickly predicted. The proposed method predicted the flood extent in a few seconds in both cases and showed high accuracy with 83.6~98.4% and 74.4~99.1%, respectively, in the application of scenario rainfall and actual rainfall.
Multiple-Stressor Interactions in Tributaries Alter Downstream Ecosystems in Stream Mesocosm Networks
Authors: Chará-Serna Ana M. , Richardson John S.
Published: April 2021

We studied how multiple-stresssors in tributaries affect function, diversity, and physical habitat of recipient downstream ecosystems. Using a mesocosm model of a stream network, we manipulated sediment and nutrients individually and in combination in tributaries of second-order channels, to test the effect of complex stressor interactions within tributaries on recipient channels. Sedimentation in second-order channels increased with the level of disturbance of the tributaries. Moreover, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) density and EPT richness were higher in second-order channels fed by tributaries where the stressors were applied separately, compared to those fed by tributaries where the stressors were applied simultaneously. Our observations suggest this result was due to the combination of the two stressors within the same tributary reducing EPT drift from the tributaries further than the addition of the stressors in separate tributaries. These results support the hypothesis that cumulative upstream disturbance can influence downstream recipient ecosystems in stream networks. However, contrary to our expectations, most observed effects were due to impacts on dispersal patterns of EPT taxa, rather than downstream accumulation of disturbances throughout the network. Our results underscore the importance of metacommunity frameworks to understand how tributary disturbance may influence population dynamics in downstream ecosystems.
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE ACCREDITATION OF VARIOUS AREAS OF FORENSIC EXPERT ACTIVITIES
Authors: Kataraga O. , Petkovich P. P. , Prisecaru V.
Published: April 2021

The article deals with the practical aspects of accreditation of different areas of forensic expert activity, that allow creating an effective mechanism that will help move to a new level of forensic technology. The authors consider the structure of a specific integrated module of the management system in a forensic institution, provides an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages in terms of the development, implementation, disposal of such systems during accreditation. In conclusion, the authors share their proposals for improving the assessment by the accreditation bodies in connection with the above mentioned.
"We are the new Lithuania"
Authors: Glenn Clinton
Published: April 2021

In the Baltic States, LGBT representation in the media is limited at best. While LGBT activism continues to gain support and visibility, LGBT characters are considerably less common on film and television, and only Lithuania has produced films with openly gay or lesbian characters in main roles. This stands in contrast to the tendency in Baltic media and politics to lay claim to Nordic values and to identify as Northern European rather than Eastern European. In this paper I examine how two Lithuanian films grapple with identity and place in their depictions of gay characters. Porno Melodrama (Romas Zabarauskas, 2011) follows a gay couple as they are forced to choose between nationalistic homophobia and fleeing to “safer” cities in Western Europe. Nuo Lietuvos Nepabėgsi (You Can’t Escape Lithuania, Romas Zabarauskas, 2016) features a fictionalised version of its director in a meta-narrative meditation on the meaning of cinema as well as the place of queerness in the “new” Lithuania. In this article I interrogate how sexual and national identity are placed in contra-distinction to one another in the two films by Romas Zabarauskas: in Porno Melodrama, where gay identity is met with violent retribution; and in You Can’t Escape Lithuania, where queerness serves as a critique of the underlying foundations of gender, sexuality and nationalist narratives of belonging. I critique Western conceptions of homonormativity and homonationalism, where their problematic mapping onto a Baltic context fails to take into account the diverging reality in which neoliberalism has not been accompanied by more inclusive attitudes to sexual and gender diversity.
Staging Intersectionality
Authors: Zaccarini John-Paul
Published: April 2021

This essay follows the making of a queer of colour aesthetic space in the form of a music video entitled Brother, within a largely homogenous white University. The video places white heteronormativity on the periphery whilst intersectional brown bodies take the centre. It inverts racist and fetishistic tropes in music video culture and reverses the white male gaze. The making of the video created a small brown island in a sea of white as a vision of a future brown space protected from the ubiquitous, ambivalently festishizing white gaze; a gaze that projects its own narrative onto bodies of colour. It puts forward a thesis of racial agency, whereby the performance of “race” is scripted by the person of colour and not provoked by the construct of whiteness.
Horizontes temporales para pensar la emancipación. Leer en clave feminista y desde el sur
Authors: Ciriza Alejandra
Published: April 2021

El trabajo apuesta a complejizar la construcción de genealogías feministas desde el sur a partir de una reflexión que parte del supuesto de que, por decirlo a la manera de Benjamin, una secreta clave liga las tentativas emancipatorias del pasado y las del presente.

La relación entre pasado y presente es un territorio de combate en el cual se han construido tradiciones selectivas que buscan expulsar a los/las sujetos subalternizados. Debido a su significado histórico y político uno de los momentos privilegiados, una suerte de puerta de entrada a esta reflexión, es el ciclo de revueltas y revoluciones que culminó con la ruptura del lazo colonial clásico.

Las historias patrias han borrado a las mujeres transgresoras e insumisas, a las racializadas e incluso a las ilustradas, pues sus relatos están cruzados por los obstáculos del androcentrismo y la mirada clasista, del racismo y el eurocentrismo.

Este trabajo busca no solo reflexionar sobre los sentidos de la emancipación, sino recuperar las complejidades y tensiones de nuestras genealogías como feministas del sur a partir de la revisión de documentos históricos de la independencia hispanoamericana y de las historias patrias, así como también a partir de una reflexión teórica sobre las nociones de emancipación, temporalidad, feminismo(s).

El pasado inconcluso y preñado de promesas de las revoluciones se erige como testigo de nuestras efímeras victorias y nuestras derrotas y se contrapone, a la manera de interrupción y advertencia, al pasado continuo de la clase dominante que se conjuga en masculino, blanco y burgués.
Cultura, sexualidad y censura estatal en el cine de Argentina y Brasil entre los años 1960 y 1980
Authors: D'Antonio Débora , Eidelman Ariel
Published: April 2021

Este artículo propone un análisis de las principales características de la producción cinematográfica de carácter erótico en la industria cultural de Argentina y Brasil a partir de los años 60 y durante las dos décadas siguientes. Se trata de un tipo de cine que tuvo lugar en el marco de dictaduras de seguridad nacional de marcado carácter conservador y que además representó una porción significativa de la producción local e importantes éxitos de público. Apuntamos a examinar algunas producciones fílmicas marcadas por un fuerte erotismo como las pornochanchadas brasileras y las sexycomedias con vedettes y capos cómicos argentinas. Proponemos establecer ejes transversales para examinar las formas específicas que asumieron las políticas sexuales en relación a la cultura audiovisual bajo los Estados de seguridad nacional de Brasil y Argentina, aportando a la comprensión de aspectos menos conocidos del control estatal, y a su cruce con los discursos familiaristas y tradicionalistas de estos regímenes militares.

Estos regímenes militares ejercieron un control férreo y permanente sobre las producciones intelectuales, culturales y artísticas. Pero en el ámbito de la cinematografía, si bien se practicó la censura por medio de cortes de escenas y, en algunos casos, de prohibiciones plenas de las obras; a la vez desde el Estado se contribuyó con el financiamiento de algunos de este tipo de proyectos y se favoreció su desarrollo con cuotas de producción y/o exhibición en el mercado local. En tal sentido, no solo se toleró, sino que se estimuló la presencia de películas de carácter erótico en el mercado cinematográfico para estimular formas de divertimento controladas ante las fuertes restricciones a la libertad.