bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Cycles of Phytoplankton Expressed by Sine Equations Using the Daily Climatology from Satellite-Retrieved Chlorophyll-a Concentration (1997–2019) Over Global Ocean
Authors: Mao Zexi , Mao Zhihua , Jamet Cédric , Linderman Marc , Wang Yuntao , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: August 2020

The global coverage of Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a) has been continuously available from ocean color satellite sensors since September 1997 and the Chl-a data (1997–2019) were used to produce a climatological dataset by averaging Chl-a values at same locations and same day of year. The constructed climatology can remarkably reduce the variability of satellite data and clearly exhibit the seasonal cycles, demonstrating that the growth and decay of phytoplankton recurs with similarly seasonal cycles year after year. As the shapes of time series of the climatology exhibit strong periodical change, we wonder whether the seasonality of Chl-a can be expressed by a mathematic equation. Our results show that sinusoid functions are suitable to describe cyclical variations of data in time series and patterns of the daily climatology can be matched by sine equations with parameters of mean, amplitude, phase, and frequency. Three types of sine equations were used to match the climatological Chl-a with Mean Relative Differences (MRD) of 7.1%, 4.5%, and 3.3%, respectively. The sine equation with four sinusoids can modulate the shapes of the fitted values to match various patterns of climatology with small MRD values (less than 5%) in about 90% of global oceans. The fitted values can reflect an overall pattern of seasonal cycles of Chl-a which can be taken as a time series of biomass baseline for describing the state of seasonal variations of phytoplankton. The amplitude images, the spatial patterns of seasonal variations of phytoplankton, can be used to identify the transition zone chlorophyll fronts. The timing of phytoplankton blooms is identified by the biggest peak of the fitted values and used to classify oceans as different bloom seasons, indicating that blooms occur in all four seasons with regional features. In global oceans within latitude domains (48°N–48°S), blooms occupy approximately half of the ocean (50.6%) during boreal winter (December–February) in the northern hemisphere and more than half (58.0%) during austral winter (June–August) in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, the sine equation can be used to match the daily Chl-a climatology and the fitted values can reflect the seasonal cycles of phytoplankton, which can be used to investigate the underlying phenological characteristics.
OPC UA Publish-Subscribe and VSOME/IP Notify-Subscribe Based Gateway Application in the Context of Car to Infrastructure Communication
Authors: Ioana Alexandru , Korodi Adrian
Published: August 2020

With the recent advances in the area of OPC UA interfacing and the continuously growing requirements of the industrial automation world, combined with the more and more complex configurations of ECUs inside vehicles and services associated to car to infrastructure and even car to car communications, the gap between the two domains must be analyzed and filled. This gap occurred mainly because of the rigidness and lack of transparency of the software-hardware part of the automotive sector and the new demands for car to infrastructure communications. The issues are related to protocols as well as to conceptual views regarding requirements and already adopted individual directions. The industrial world is in the Industry 4.0 era, and in the Industrial Internet of Things context, its key interfacing enabler is OPC UA. Mainly to accommodate requirements related, among others, to high volumes, transfer rates, larger numbers of nodes, improved coordination and services, OPC UA enhances within its specifications the Publish-Subscribe mechanism and the TSN technology. In the OPC UA context, together with the VSOME/IP Notify-Subscribe mechanism, the current work is stepping toward a better understanding of the current relation between the needs of the industry and the suitable technologies, providing in-depth analysis on the most recent paradigms developed for data transmission, taking in consideration the real-time capabilities and use-cases of high concern in automation and automotive domains, and toward obtaining a VSOME/IP—OPC UA Gateway that includes the necessary characteristics and services in order to fill the protocol-related gap between the above mentioned fields. The developed case study results are proving the efficiency of the concept and are providing a better understanding regarding the impact between ongoing solutions and future requirements.
Wind Tunnel Measurement Systems for Unsteady Aerodynamic Forces on Bluff Bodies: Review and New Perspective
Authors: Chen Zengshun , Xu Yemeng , Huang Hailin , Tse Kam Tim
Published: August 2020

Wind tunnel tests have become one of the most effective ways to evaluate aerodynamics and aeroelasticity in bluff bodies. This paper has firstly overviewed the development of conventional wind tunnel test techniques, including high frequency base balance technique, static synchronous multi-pressure sensing system test technique and aeroelastic test, and summarized their advantages and shortcomings. Subsequently, two advanced test approaches, a forced vibration test technique and hybrid aeroelastic- force balance wind tunnel test technique have been comprehensively reviewed. Then the characteristics and calculation procedure of the conventional and advanced wind tunnel test techniques were discussed and summarized. The results indicated that the conventional wind tunnel test techniques ignored the effect of structural oscillation on the measured aerodynamics as the test model is rigid. A forced vibration test can include that effect. Unfortunately, a test model in a forced vibration test cannot respond like a structure in the real world; it only includes the effect of structural oscillation on the surrounding flow and cannot consider the feedback from the surrounding flow to the oscillation test model. A hybrid aeroelastic-pressure/force balance test technique that can observe unsteady aerodynamics of a test model during its aeroelastic oscillation completely takes the effect of structural oscillation into consideration and is, therefore, effective in evaluation of aerodynamics and aeroelasticity in bluff bodies. This paper has not only advanced our understanding for aerodynamics and aeroelasticity in bluff bodies, but also provided a new perspective for advanced wind tunnel test techniques that can be used for fundamental studies and engineering applications.
Experimental Investigation of Actively Q-Switched Er3+:ZBLAN Fiber Laser Operating at around 2.8 µm
Authors: Sojka Lukasz , Pajewski Lukasz , Lamrini Samir , Farries Mark , Benson Trevor M. , Seddon Angela B. , Sujecki Slawomir
Published: August 2020

A diode-pumped Q-switched Er3+:ZBLAN double-clad, single-transverse mode fiber laser is practically realized. The Q-switched laser characteristics as a function of pump power, repetition rate, and fiber length are experimentally investigated. The results obtained show that the Q-switched operation with 46 µJ pulse energy, 56 ns long pulses, and 0.821 kW peak power is achieved at a pulse repetition rate of 10 kHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest-ever demonstrated peak power emitted from an actively Q-switched, single-transverse mode Er3+:ZBLAN fiber laser operating near 2.8 µm.
Front Vehicle Detection Algorithm for Smart Car Based on Improved SSD Model
Authors: Cao Jingwei , Song Chuanxue , Song Shixin , Peng Silun , Wang Da , Shao Yulong , Xiao Feng
Published: August 2020

Vehicle detection is an indispensable part of environmental perception technology for smart cars. Aiming at the issues that conventional vehicle detection can be easily restricted by environmental conditions and cannot have accuracy and real-time performance, this article proposes a front vehicle detection algorithm for smart car based on improved SSD model. Single shot multibox detector (SSD) is one of the current mainstream object detection frameworks based on deep learning. This work first briefly introduces the SSD network model and analyzes and summarizes its problems and shortcomings in vehicle detection. Then, targeted improvements are performed to the SSD network model, including major advancements to the basic structure of the SSD model, the use of weighted mask in network training, and enhancement to the loss function. Finally, vehicle detection experiments are carried out on the basis of the KITTI vision benchmark suite and self-made vehicle dataset to observe the algorithm performance in different complicated environments and weather conditions. The test results based on the KITTI dataset show that the mAP value reaches 92.18%, and the average processing time per frame is 15 ms. Compared with the existing deep learning-based detection methods, the proposed algorithm can obtain accuracy and real-time performance simultaneously. Meanwhile, the algorithm has excellent robustness and environmental adaptability for complicated traffic environments and anti-jamming capabilities for bad weather conditions. These factors are of great significance to ensure the accurate and efficient operation of smart cars in real traffic scenarios and are beneficial to vastly reduce the incidence of traffic accidents and fully protect people’s lives and property.
Identifying Seasonal Accumulation of Soil Salinity with Three-Dimensional Mapping—A Case Study in Cold and Semiarid Irrigated Fields
Authors: Liu Qianqian , Hanati Gulimire , Danierhan Sulitan , Liu Guangming , Zhang Yin , Zhang Zhiping
Published: August 2020

Soil salinity is an active and complex part of soil property in arid and semiarid irrigation areas that restricts the sustainability of agriculture production. Knowledge of seasonal distributions and migration of soil salinity is important for the management of agriculture. In this study, three-dimensional (3-D) geostatistical methods were used to construct seasonal 3-D spatial distribution maps of soil salinity, and then the quantitative analysis methods were used to study the seasonal accumulation patterns of soil salinity for the 0–150 cm soil depth in cold and semiarid irrigated rice fields. The results revealed that there were different spatial distribution and migration patterns of soil salinity in autumn 2015, spring 2016, autumn 2016, and spring 2017. The migration of soil salinity had a dispersion trend from autumn to spring, and the area of non-saline soil increased. Whereas there was an accumulation trend from spring to autumn, and the area of non-saline soil decreased. There were about 10–20% of the study area had experienced transitional changes of different soil salinity levels in different seasons. The correlation coefficient showed that there were significant positive correlations among the five depth increments (30 cm) in different seasons, and the correlations of soil salinity were higher in adjacent layers than in nonadjacent layers. The ECe values were higher in the topsoil (0–30 cm) and deeper subsoil (120–150 cm), indicating that soil soluble salts accumulated in the soil surface due to evaporation and accumulated in the bottom due to leaching and drainage. Microtopography was the major factor influencing spatial distribution of soil salinity in different seasons. The ECe values were generally higher in the swales or in areas with rather poor drainage, whereas the values were lower in relatively higher-lying slopes or that were well-drained. The results provide theoretical basis and reference for studying the variation of seasonal soil salinity in irrigated fields.
A Systems Engineering Framework for Bioeconomic Transitions in a Sustainable Development Goal Context
Authors: Palmer Erika , Burton Robert , Haskins Cecilia
Published: August 2020

To address sustainable development goals (SDGs), national and international strategies have been increasingly interested in the bioeconomy. SDGs have been criticized for lacking stakeholder perspectives and agency, and for requiring too little of business. There is also a lack of both systematic and systemic frameworks for the strategic planning of bioeconomy transitions. Using a systems engineering approach, we seek to address this with a process framework to bridge bioeconomy transitions by addressing SDGs. In this methodology paper, we develop a systems archetype mapping framework for sustainable bioeconomy transitions, called MPAST: Mapping Problem Archetypes to Solutions for Transitions. Using this framework with sector-specific stakeholder data facilitates the establishment of the start (problem state) and end (solution state) to understand and analyze sectorial transitions to the bioeconomy. We apply the MPAST framework to the case of a Norwegian agricultural bioeconomy transition, using data from a survey of the Norwegian agricultural sector on transitioning to a bioeconomy. The results of using this framework illustrate how visual mapping methods can be combined as a process, which we then discuss in the context of SDG implementation.
Making STEM Education Objectives Sustainable through a Tutoring Program
Authors: Fernández-Martín Francisco-Domingo , Arco-Tirado José-Luis , Carrillo-Rosúa Francisco-Javier , Hervás-Torres Mirian , Ruiz-Hidalgo Juan-Francisco , Romero-López Carmen
Published: August 2020

The objective of this research was two-fold. First, to determine the impact of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education program on school performance amongst primary education students. Second, to identify the potential benefits of this program on the key competences of university students in Primary Education Teacher Training. The primary education students’ sub-sample, after being matched on key covariates, was randomly assigned either to the experimental (N = 25) or control group (N = 25). The university students’ sub-sample consisted of 26 students self-selected from the Primary Education Teacher Training degree. The intervention consisted of 20 two-hour weekly sessions of highly structured after-school tutoring delivered by previously trained university students. Although statistical significance was not reached for the hypotheses tested, notably, the results showed between small and moderate effect sizes (i.e., magnitude and direction of the program impact) for primary education students on core STEM subjects (e.g., mathematics d = 0.29, natural science d = 0.26), and for university students on some key employability competencies (e.g., action orientation d = 0.27 or team orientation d = 0.54).
Effects of Resistance Training with Different Pyramid Systems on Bioimpedance Vector Patterns, Body Composition, and Cellular Health in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: dos Santos Leandro , Ribeiro Alex S. , Gobbo Luís A. , Nunes João Pedro , Cunha Paolo M. , Campa Francesco , Toselli Stefania , Schoenfeld Brad J. , Sardinha Luís B. , Cyrino Edilson S.
Published: August 2020

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PhA) have been widely used to monitor changes in health-related parameters in older adults, while resistance training (RT) is one of the potential strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of aging. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the crescent pyramid RT system with two repetition zones on BIVA patterns and PhA. Fifty-five older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned into three groups: control (CON, n = 18), narrow pyramid (NPR, n = 19), and wide pyramid (WPR, n = 18). The RT was performed for eight weeks, three times per week, in eight exercises for the whole body with three sets of 12/10/8 (NPR) or 15/10/5 repetitions (WPR). Bioimpedance spectroscopy (50 kHz frequency) was assessed. After the intervention period, both training groups showed significant changes in BIVA patterns compared to CON (p < 0.001); resistance decreased and reactance increased, which resulted in a BIVA-vector displacement over time (p < 0.001). Changes in PhA were greater for WPR (∆% = 10.6; effect size [ES] = 0.64) compared to NPR (∆% = 5.3; ES = 0.41) and CON (∆% = −6.4; ES = −0.40). The results suggest that the crescent pyramid RT system with both repetition zones (WPR and NPR) is effective for inducing improvements in BIVA patterns and PhA in older women, although WPR elicits greater increases in PhA than NPR.
The Spatio-Temporal Heterogeneity of Financial Agglomeration on Green Development in China Cities Using GTWR Model
Authors: Yuan Huaxi , Feng Yidai , Lee Jay , Liu Haimeng
Published: August 2020

By promoting financial agglomerations to support green development in a region is a keyway for China to resolve the sharp contradiction between economic growth and environmental protection. However, existing research only considered the promotion effect of financial agglomerations on green development, but the spatio-temporal non-stationarity of that effect has been overlooked. Using a panel data of 285 prefecture-level cities in China and based on the evaluation of green development by a Driving-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, this paper analyzes the spatial correlation of financial agglomeration on green development. The paper also investigates the differences in the spatio-temporal influence of financial agglomeration on green development from both global and local perspectives by employing a Bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association (BLISA) model and a Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model. The results indicate that: (1) There exists significant spatial dependency between financial agglomeration and green development from 2003 to 2015, with Low-Low (L-L) and Low-High (L-H) spatial clusters as the main cluster types. (2) From the local perspective, the promoting effect of financial agglomerations on green development has showed significant spatial heterogeneity with a gradually decreasing trend from the southeast coast to the northwest inland of China. This work can help to develop policies for supporting green development by formulating differential strategies for financial agglomerations.
Decisional Factors Driving Household Food Waste Prevention: Evidence from Taiwanese Families
Authors: Teng Chih-Ching , Chih Chueh , Wang Yao-Chin
Published: August 2020

Although previous studies have discussed food waste at the household level and the antecedents of food disposal in western countries, very few studies have investigated food waste practices in Asian countries at the household or individual levels. As the food waste issue has drawn considerable concerns, the aim of this study was to examine how moral norms, perceived behavioral control, and food choices affect household food waste under the mediating role of household storing and cooking routines, as well as the moderating role of unplanned events. A questionnaire survey of Taiwanese families eventually obtained 954 valid questionnaires for analysis. Overall model fit and the study hypotheses were tested by structural equation modeling method (SEM). The SEM results showed that household storing and cooking routines significantly mediate the effects of moral norms and food choices on household food waste. Moreover, the moderating effect of unplanned events is statistically significant, indicating that under a higher degree of unplanned events, families are less likely to reduce food waste through household storage practices and cooking routines. Several implications and suggestions are also discussed for the reduction of household food waste.
Optimized Design of Earth Dams: Analysis of Zoning and Heterogeneous Material in Its Core
Authors: Sánchez-Martín José , Galindo Rubén , Arévalo Carlos , Menéndez-Pidal Ignacio , Kazanskaya Liliya , Smirnova Olga
Published: August 2020

To control the seepage in the design of an earth dam, guidelines prescribe a high proportion of fines and high homogeneity of geotechnical characteristics in the material used for the dam core. However, on many occasions there is no material of this nature near the dam placement and, from an economic or environmental point of view, it is not possible to locate and transport material with good geotechnical characteristics close to the dam. This research demonstrated the possibility of using impermeable materials in earth dam cores, as well as soils considered unsuitable according to the classic recommendations and guidelines. For an optimized design, two situations are analyzed here. First, we examined the possibility of using soil with a marked difference in grain size as the core of the dam, each with homogeneous geotechnical properties. In this case, the optimal zoning of up to three types of materials was studied to ensure adequate seepage control. Second, we examined the use of soil with great geotechnical heterogeneity, which presents high permeability dispersion. In such a case, the conditions that would allow its use were studied via the of Montecarlo analysis. By maintaining the soil’s global heterogeneity, it was possible to study an unlimited disposition of layers of different permeability. In the first situation, the results showed that the most effective zoning for decreasing seepage flow corresponded with three vertically set materials. In this design, the most optimized zoning (minimal seepage flow rates) corresponded to the most impermeable soil situated downstream when water heights were under 90% of the height of the dam core. However, for maximum water height, more optimized cases corresponded to the intermediate permeability material located downstream. In the second situation, when heterogeneous materials were used to construct the impervious element of the dams, the Montecarlo analysis indicated that the seepage flow rates were limited to sufficiently low values despite the large dispersion of material permeability. In addition, the highest maximum hydraulic gradients were observed in the lowest lifts of the dam core and for situations in which the seepage flow rates were moderate and low.
Enabling Mass Customization and Manufacturing Sustainability in Industry 4.0 Context: A Novel Heuristic Algorithm for in-Plant Material Supply Optimization
Authors: Fathi Masood , Ghobakhloo Morteza
Published: August 2020

The fourth industrial revolution and the digital transformation of consumer markets require contemporary manufacturers to rethink and reshape their business models to deal with the ever-changing customer demands and market turbulence. Manufacturers nowadays are inclined toward product differentiation strategies and more customer-focused approaches to stay competitive in the Industry 4.0 environment, and mass customization and product diversification are among the most commonly implemented business models. Under such circumstances, an economical material supply to assembly lines has become a significant concern for manufacturers. Consequently, the present study deals with optimizing the material supply to mixed-model assembly lines that contribute to the overall production cost efficiency, mainly via the reduction of both the material transportation and material holding costs across production lines, while satisfying certain constraints. Given the complexity of the problem, a novel two-stage heuristic algorithm is developed in this study to enable a cost-efficient delivery. To assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed heuristic algorithm, a set of test problems are solved and compared against the best solution found by a commercial solver. The results of the comparison reveal that the suggested heuristic provides reasonable solutions, thus offering immense opportunities for production cost efficiency and manufacturing sustainability under the mass customization philosophy.
Urbanization Impacts on Natural Habitat and Ecosystem Services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao “Megacity”
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Wu Tong , Li Yuanzheng , Xie Shilin , Han Baolong , Zheng Hua , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: August 2020

The population aggregation and built-up area expansion caused by urbanization can have significant impacts on the supply and distribution of crucial ecosystem services. The correlation between urbanization and ecosystem services has been well-studied, but additional research is needed to better understand the spatiotemporal interactions between ecosystem services and urbanization processes in highly urbanized areas as well as surrounding rural areas. In this paper, the relationships of urbanization with natural habitat and three key regulating ecosystem services—water retention, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration, were quantified and mapped for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), a rapidly developing urban agglomeration of over 70 million people, for the period of 2000–2018. Our results showed that urbanization caused a general decline in ecosystem services, and urbanization and ecosystem services exhibited a negative spatial correlation. However, this relationship varied along urban-rural gradients and weak decoupling was the overall trend during the course of the study period, indicating a greater need for the protection and improvement of ecosystem services. Our results provide instructive insights for new urbanization planning to maintain regional ecosystem services and sustainable development in the GBA and other large, rapidly urbanized agglomerations.
Quantifying Regulating Ecosystem Services with Increased Tree Densities on European Farmland
Authors: Crous-Duran Josep , Graves Anil R. , García de Jalón Silvestre , Kay Sonja , Tomé Margarida , Burgess Paul J. , Giannitsopoulos Michail , Palma João H.N.
Published: August 2020

Agroforestry systems have been compared to agricultural and forestry alternatives, providing a land-use solution for additional environmental benefits while maintaining similar levels of productivity. However, there is scarce research assessing such patterns across a pan-European scale using a common methodology. This study aims to improve our understanding of the role of trees in three different regulating ecosystem services—(1) soil erosion, (2) nitrate leaching and (3) carbon sequestration—in traditional and innovative agroforestry systems in Europe through a consistent modeling approach. The systems’ assessment spans environmentally from the Mediterranean environmental region in Portugal to the Continental environmental region in Switzerland and Germany to the Atlantic environmental region in the United Kingdom. Modeled tree densities were compared in the different land-use alternatives, ranging from zero (agriculture with only crops or pasture) to forestry (only trees). The methodology included the use of a biophysical model (Yield-SAFE) where the quantification of the environmental benefits was integrated. Results show a consistent improvement of regulating ecosystem services can be expected when introducing trees in the farming landscapes in different environmental regions in Europe. For all the systems, the forestry alternatives presented the best results in terms of a decrease in soil erosion of 51% (±29), a decrease of nearly all the nitrate leaching (98% ± 1) and an increase in the carbon sequestration of up to 238 Mg C ha−1 (±140). However, these alternatives are limited in the variety of food, energy and/or materials provided. On the other hand, from an arable or pure-pasture alternative starting point, an increase in agroforestry tree density could also be associated with a decrease in soil erosion of up to 25% (±17), a decrease in nitrates leached of up to 52% (±34) and an increase in the carbon sequestered of 163 Mg C ha−1 (±128) while at the same time ensuring the same levels of biomass growth and an increase in product diversification.
Characterization of Various Biomass Feedstock Suitable for Small-Scale Energy Plants as Preliminary Activity of Biocheaper Project
Authors: Cavalaglio Gianluca , Cotana Franco , Nicolini Andrea , Coccia Valentina , Petrozzi Alessandro , Formica Alessandro , Bertini Alessandro
Published: August 2020

The PRIN (Research Project with Relevant National Interest) project “Biocheaper—biomasses circular holistic economy approach to energy equipments” started in September 2019 and involves several universities: Palermo as the university coordinator, Perugia, Cassino, Enna, Pavia and Bolzano. The main goal of the project is to increase the energy efficiency and reduce the pollutants emissions in small-scale biomass plant for energy (heat and power) production. The project focuses on residual lignocellulosic feedstocks from the agriculture and forestry sector, from energy crops in marginal lands and residues from rivers maintenance. Starting from the selection and characterization of potential feedstocks, the project aims at developing some prototypes for retrofit applications in existing biomass boilers, like a mini-cyclone for the reduction of particulate emissions and an exhaust air-water condensing system for the recovery of water and the reuse in agriculture. This work presents the first results of the project, in particular regarding the selection and the chemical–physical characterization of different biomass, available in different zones of Italy; in particular the authors investigated cardoon chips, carthamus chips, olive and wine pruning, residues from rivers maintenance. Each biomass sample was characterized in terms of moisture content, ashes content, volatile substances, fixed carbon, low and high heating value, content of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and main metals.
Economic and Environmental Assessment of Carbon Emissions from Demolition Waste Based on LCA and LCC
Authors: Liu Jingkuang , Huang Zhengjie , Wang Xuetong
Published: August 2020

In China, urban renewal and renovation projects generate a large amount of demolition waste every year, the disposal of which has certain impacts on the environment. Therefore, more effective policies should be implemented for the management of demolition waste. This study combines life cycle assessment (LCA) with life cycle costing (LCC) to analyze the environmental and economic drivers of three different waste disposal scenarios in Guangzhou, China, in the context of carbon trading: S1 (landfilling), S2 (recycled aggregate), and S3 (recycled powder). In this study, the carbon emissions of demolition waste were obtained by LCA, and the carbon emission cost was calculated based on the carbon price in the carbon trading market of Guangdong Province. The LCA results showed that waste recycling can greatly reduce carbon emissions. The results showed that compared to S1, S2 reduced 6.790 × 108 kg CO2 eq. Additionally, S3 reduced 4.172 × 108 kg CO2 eq. compared to S2. The LCC results show that waste recycling can greatly reduce the total costs of the demolition sector, while the production of recycled powder can generate 57.35% of the revenue from recycled aggregate to the recycling plant. This study combines LCA and LCC, and considers environmental factors to assess the economic results using carbon emissions cost, thereby forging a new exploration method in the field of life cycle theory. The findings of this study could provide a basis for the formulation of a new demolition waste management policy. In the case of the gradual implementation of carbon trading, it could also provide new ideas for current demolition waste treatment from economic and environmental perspectives.
Fluctuating Asymmetry, Developmental Noise and Developmental Stability: Future Prospects for the Population Developmental Biology Approach
Authors: Zakharov Vladimir M. , Shadrina Elena G. , Trofimov Ilya E.
Published: August 2020

Developmental noise—which level may vary within a certain backlash allowed by natural selection—is a reflection of the state of a developing system or developmental stability. Phenotypic variations inside the genetically determined norm observed in case of fluctuating asymmetry provide a unique opportunity for evaluating this form of ontogenetic variability. Low levels of developmental noise for the biologic system under study is observed under certain conditions, while its increase acts as a measure of stress. The concordance of changes in developmental stability with changes in other parameters of developmental homeostasis indicates the significance of fluctuating asymmetry estimates. All this determines the future prospects of the study of fluctuating asymmetry not only for developmental biology, but also for population biology. The study of developmental stability may act as the basis of an approach of population developmental biology to assess the nature of the phenotypic diversity and the state of natural populations under various impacts and during evolutionary transformations.
Adsorption and Desorption Behaviour of Polychlorinated Biphenyls onto Microplastics’ Surfaces in Water/Sediment Systems
Authors: Llorca Marta , Ábalos Manuela , Vega-Herrera Albert , Adrados Miquel A. , Abad Esteban , Farré Marinella
Published: August 2020

The potential of microplastics (MPLs) in marine ecosystems to adsorb and transport other micropollutants to biota, contributing to their entry in the food chain, is a primary cause of concern. However, these interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we have evaluated the adsorption/desorption behaviour of marker polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), onto MPL surfaces of three widely used polymers—polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The range of MPL sizes ranged from 1 to 600 μm. The adsorption/desorption was evaluated in sediment/water systems in marine microcosms emulating realistic environmental conditions for 21 days. The adsorption percentages ranged from 20 to 60%. PCBs with a lower degree of chlorination showed higher adsorption percentages because of conformational impediments of PCBs with high-degree chlorination, and also by their affinity to be adsorbed in sediments. Glassy plastic polymers as PET and PS showed a superior affinity for PCBs than rubbery polymers, such as PE. The polymers that can bond PCBs by π-π interactions, rather than van der Waals forces showed better adsorption percentages, as expected. Finally, the adsorption/desorption behaviour of selected PCBs onto MPLs was fitted to a Freundlich isotherm model, with correlations higher than 0.8 in most of the cases.
Identification and Structure Elucidation of Epoxyjanthitrems from Lolium perenne Infected with the Endophytic Fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii and Determination of the Tremorgenic and Anti-Insect Activity of Epoxyjanthitrem I
Authors: Finch Sarah C. , Prinsep Michèle R. , Popay Alison J. , Wilkins Alistair L. , Webb Nicola G. , Bhattarai Sweta , Jensen Joanne G. , Hawkes Allan D. , Babu Jacob V. , Tapper Brian A. , Lane Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2020

Epoxyjanthitrems I–IV (1–4) and epoxyjanthitriol (5) were isolated from seed of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) infected with the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii. Although structures for epoxyjanthitrems I–IV have previously been proposed in the literature, this is the first report of a full structural elucidation yielding NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) assignments for all five epoxyjanthitrem compounds, and additionally, it is the first isolation of epoxyjanthitriol (5). Epoxyjanthitrem I induced tremors in mice and gave a dose dependent reduction in weight gain and feeding for porina (Wiseana cervinata), a common pasture pest in New Zealand. These data suggest that epoxyjanthitrems are involved in the observed effects of the AR37 endophyte on livestock and insect pests.
Characterization of Signal Sequences Determining the Nuclear/Nucleolar Import and Nuclear Export of the Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus Rev Protein
Authors: Labrecque Marlène , Marchand Claude , Archambault Denis
Published: August 2020

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), a lentivirus, relies on the action of the Rev protein for its replication. The CAEV Rev fulfills its function by allowing the nuclear exportation of partially spliced or unspliced viral mRNAs. In this study, we characterized the nuclear and nucleolar localization signals (NLS and NoLS, respectively) and the nuclear export signal (NES) of the CAEV Rev protein. These signals are key actors in the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of a lentiviral Rev protein. Several deletion and alanine substitution mutants were generated from a plasmid encoding the CAEV Rev wild-type protein that was fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Following cell transfection, images were captured by confocal microscopy and the fluorescence was quantified in the different cell compartments. The results showed that the NLS region is localized between amino acids (aa) 59 to 75, has a monopartite-like structure and is exclusively composed of arginine residues. The NoLS was found to be partially associated with the NLS. Finally, the CAEV Rev protein’s NES mapped between aa 89 to 101, with an aa spacing between the hydrophobic residues that was found to be unconventional as compared to that of other retroviral Rev/Rev-like proteins.
Combinatorial Treatment of Birinapant and Zosuquidar Enhances Effective Control of HBV Replication In Vivo
Authors: Morrish Emma , Mackiewicz Liana , Silke Natasha , Pellegrini Marc , Silke John , Brumatti Gabriela , Ebert Gregor
Published: August 2020

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global health threat and affects hundreds of millions worldwide. Small molecule compounds that mimic natural antagonists of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, known as Smac-mimetics (second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases-mimetics), can promote the death of HBV-replicating liver cells and promote clearance of infection in preclinical models of HBV infection. The Smac-mimetic birinapant is a substrate of the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) efflux pump, and therefore inhibitors of MDR1 increase intracellular concentration of birinapant in MDR1 expressing cells. Liver cells are known to express MDR1 and other drug pump proteins. In this study, we investigated whether combining the clinical drugs, birinapant and the MDR1 inhibitor zosuquidar, increases the efficacy of birinapant in killing HBV expressing liver cells. We showed that this combination treatment is well tolerated and, compared to birinapant single agent, was more efficient at inducing death of HBV-positive liver cells and improving HBV-DNA and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) control kinetics in an immunocompetent mouse model of HBV infection. Thus, this study identifies a novel and safe combinatorial treatment strategy to potentiate substantial reduction of HBV replication using an IAP antagonist.
Flow Cytometry-Detected Immunological Markers and on Farm Recorded Parameters in Composite Cow Milk as Related to Udder Health Status
Authors: De Matteis Giovanna , Grandoni Francesco , Scatà Maria Carmela , Catillo Gennaro , Moioli Bianca , Buttazzoni Luca
Published: August 2020

Flow cytometry is a powerful technology used in many fields of cell biology. It is also used as a routine method to count somatic cells in milk and to characterize bovine milk leukocytes. In this study, we used flow cytometry to simultaneously assess the viability, the percentage of the single subsets of leukocytes and to quantify the expression of CD11b, an immunological marker of cell activation status. Immunological markers were then related with on farm recorded parameters as milk electrical conductivity (MEC) and average milk flow rate (MFR). Composite milk samples were collected from 43 cows, nine of which had naturally infected udders and 34 of which had no infected udders. First, the milk samples were classified according to bacteriological test in positive and negative. The results showed that the negative samples to bacteriological test had: (i) significantly higher percentages of live lymphocytes; (ii) significantly lower percentages of CD11b+ leukocytes; (iii) significantly lower MEC and higher MFR values. Then, samples were classified in three groups according to somatic cell count (SCC): Group A (n = 15), samples with SCC ≤ 100,000 cells/mL, all negative to bacteriological analysis; Group B (n = 11), samples with 100,000 < SCC < 300,000 cells/m, with four samples positive to bacteriological analysis; Group C (n = 17), samples with SCC ≥ 300,000 cell/mL with five samples positive to bacteriological analysis. Multivariate discriminant analysis was used to verify which flow cytometry immunological markers and on farm recorded parameters could better discriminate among the different groups of SCCs. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) indicated that 5 of the 10 parameters could best be used to reveal the differences between positive and negative samples among the considered groups of SCCs. Furthermore, the Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) indicated that composite milk samples with different SCC and infection status were clearly separated from each other in a two-dimensional space. In conclusion, the study highlighted that: (1) the conventional flow cytometry analysis applied on milk samples is a useful tool to investigate immunological parameters as potential indicators of udder health; (2) the combined evaluation of live milk leukocytes and recorded farm parameters could be useful to assess udder health status in dairy cows. The results obtained from this pilot study on few data require new and larger trials to be confirmed.
Hydrologic Model Evaluation and Assessment of Projected Climate Change Impacts Using Bias-Corrected Stream Flows
Authors: Daraio Joseph A.
Published: August 2020

Hydrologic models driven by downscaled meteorologic data from general circulation models (GCM) should be evaluated using long-term simulations over a historical period. However, simulations driven by GCM data cannot be directly evaluated using observed flows, and the confidence in the results can be relatively low. The objectives of this paper were to bias correct simulated stream flows from calibrated hydrologic models for two basins in New Jersey, USA, and evaluate model performance in comparison to uncorrected simulations. Then, we used stream flow bias correction and flow duration curves (FDCs) to evaluate and assess simulations driven by statistically downscaled GCMs for the historical period and the future time slices 2041–2070 and 2071–2099. Bias correction of stream flow from simulations increased confidence in the performance of two previously calibrated hydrologic models. Results indicated there was no difference in projected FDCs for uncorrected and bias-corrected flows in one basin, while this was not the case in the second basin. This result provided greater confidence in projected stream flow changes in the former basin and implied more uncertainty in projected stream flows in the latter. Applications in water resources can use the methods described to evaluate the performance of GCM-driven simulations and assess the potential impacts of climate change with an appropriate level of confidence in the model results.
The Performance of Penalty Methods on Tree-Seed Algorithm for Numerical Constrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Cinar Ahmet , Kiran Mustafa
Published: August 2020

The constraints are the most important part of many optimization problems. The metaheuristic algorithms are designed for solving continuous unconstrained optimization problems initially. The constraint handling methods are integrated into these algorithms for solving constrained optimization problems. Penalty approaches are not only the simplest way but also as effective as other constraint handling techniques. In literature, there are many penalty approaches and these are grouped as static, dynamic and adaptive. In this study, we collect them and discuss the key benefits and drawbacks of these techniques. Tree-Seed Algorithm (TSA) is a recently developed metaheuristic algorithm, and in this study, nine different penalty approaches are integrated with the TSA. The performance of these approaches is analyzed on well-known thirteen constrained benchmark functions. The obtained results are compared with state-of-art algorithms like Differential Evolution (DE), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The experimental results and comparisons show that TSA outperformed all of them on these benchmark functions
Advanced Analysis of the Integrity of Access Control Policies: the Specific Case of Databases
Authors: Jaidi Faouzi , Ayachi Faten , Bouhoula Adel
Published: August 2020

Databases are considered as one of the most compromised assets according to 2014-2016 Verizon Data Breach Reports. The reason is that databases are at the heart of Information Systems (IS) and store confidential business or private records. Ensuring the integrity of sensitive records is highly required and even vital in critical systems (e-health, clouds, e-government, big data, e-commerce, etc.,). The access control is a key mechanism for ensuring the integrity and preserving the privacy in large scale and critical infrastructures. Nonetheless, excessive, unused and abused access privileges are identified as most critical threats in the top ten database security threats according to 2013-2015 Imperva Application Defense Center reports. To address this issue, we focus in this paper on the analysis of the integrity of access control policies within relational databases. We propose a rigorous and complete solution to help security architects verifying the correspondence between the security planning and its concrete implementation. We define a formal framework for detecting non-compliance anomalies in concrete Role Based Access Control (RBAC) policies. We rely on an example to illustrate the relevance of our contribution
La correspondance entre Guillaume Des Marez et Hanns Schlitter, Bruxelles et Vienne 1900-1911
Authors: Auer Leopold , Vanrie André
Published: August 2020

Guillaume Des Marez et Hanns Schlitter, tous deux historiens, professeurs dans l’enseignement supérieur et archivistes, l’un à Bruxelles, l’autre à Vienne, ont échangé une importante correspondance au cours de la première décennie du XXe siècle. Les 83 documents qui la composent, en langues française et allemande, font ici l’objet d’une édition critique. La correspondance apporte des éléments biographiques précieux sur les deux érudits et témoigne de la poursuite de leurs travaux ainsi que du réseau de leurs relations professionnelles et privées, mais est également un vivant témoignage de la mutation de l’archivistique et des études historiques au tournant du siècle et de la méthodologie appliquée par les érudits et ce sur un plan international. Enfin, les lettres apportent des éléments surprenants sur l’opinion de Des Marez et de Schlitter vis-à-vis de l’actualité politique et sociale, mais surtout sur leurs relations avec la franc-maçonnerie.
L.N. TOLSTOY ABOUT LITERATURE: HISTORY AND PROSPECTS OF STUDY
Authors: Romanova Galina I.
Published: August 2020

The article deals with Tolstoy’s statements about art form. Recognizing the close connection of these ideas with the ethical, religious and philosophical foundations of Tolstoy’s aesthetics, set forth by the writer in articles and treatises, the author of the article refers mainly to literary and critical works and scattered opinions expressed by him in letters, diaries, and conversations with contemporaries. The stages of selection and systematization of Tolstoy’s statements about the formal aspects of a literary work are outlined. Tolstoy’s judgments about composition and artistic speech were attracted by researchers in the course of analyzing his works. The most problematic and topical issue at the present time is the question of the features of the world of the literary work, which is understood by modern researchers as a complex non-verbal sphere
of the literary work. Tolstoy repeatedly spoke about the main components of the world: the plot and characters, as well as those elements that make up the image of people and events. In the image of the characters – a portrait, gesture, speech characteristics, connection with the place of development of the action. The writer pays much attention to the content function of «faces», characters, and types. Stating that a number of Tolstoy’s judgments precede the ideas of formalists, the author of the article concludes that it is promising to study Tolstoy’s judgments about formal aspects and literary technique. Presented and understood as a single system, they could be included in the solution of the problems of modern theoretical poetics.