bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1H-NMR Determination of Organic Compounds in Municipal Wastewaters and the Receiving Surface Waters in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Farounbi Adebayo I. , Mensah Paul K. , Olawode Emmanuel O. , Ngqwala Nosiphiwe P.
Published: February 2020

Surface water is the recipient of pollutants from various sources, including improperly treated wastewater. Comprehensive knowledge of the composition of water is necessary to make it reusable in water-scarce environments. In this work, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) was combined with multivariate analysis to study the metabolites in four rivers and four wastewater treatment plants releasing treated effluents into the rivers. 1H-NMR chemical shifts of the extracts in CDCl were acquired with Bruker 400. Chemical shifts of 1H-NMR in chlorinated alkanes, amino compounds and fluorinated hydrocarbons were common to samples of wastewater and lower reaches or the rivers. 1H-NMR chemical shifts of carbonyl compounds and alkyl phosphates were restricted to wastewater samples. Chemical shifts of phenolic compounds were associated with treated effluent samples. This study showed that the sources of these metabolites in the rivers were not only from improperly treated effluents but also from runoffs. Multivariate analyses showed that some of the freshwater samples were not of better quality than wastewater and treated effluents. Observations show the need for constant monitoring of rivers and effluent for the safety of the aquatic environment.
Microfluidic-Assisted Fabrication of Monodisperse Core–Shell Microcapsules for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive with Enhanced Performance
Authors: You Xiangshen , Wang Bingsheng , Xie Shuting , Li Lanhui , Lu Han , Jin Mingliang , Wang Xin , Zhou Guofu , Shui Lingling
Published: February 2020

Keywords: microfluidics; droplet; microcapsule; pressure-sensitive adhesive; bonding
The Effect of a Maternal Mediterranean Diet in Pregnancy on Insulin Resistance is Moderated by Maternal Negative Affect
Authors: Lindsay Karen L. , Buss Claudia , Wadhwa Pathik D. , Entringer Sonja
Published: February 2020

There is inconsistent evidence that healthy dietary interventions can effectively mitigate the risk of adverse outcomes associated with elevated insulin resistance in pregnancy, suggesting that other moderating factors may be at play. Maternal psychological state is an important factor to consider in this regard, because stress/mood state can directly influence glycemia and a bidirectional relationship may exist between nutrition and psychological state. The objective of this study was to examine the interaction between maternal negative affect and diet quality on third trimester insulin resistance. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of N = 203 women with assessments in early and mid-pregnancy, which included an ecological momentary assessment of maternal psychological state, from which a negative affect score (NAS) was derived, and 24-h dietary recalls, from which the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was computed. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was computed from third trimester fasting plasma glucose and insulin values. Early pregnancy MDS was inversely associated with the HOMA-IR, but this did not maintain significance after adjusting for covariates. There was a significant effect of the mid-pregnancy MDS*NAS interaction term with the HOMA-IR in the adjusted model, such that a higher negative affect was found to override the beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet on insulin resistance. These results highlight the need to consider nutrition and affective state concurrently in the context of gestational insulin resistance.
Anti-Aging Effects of Calorie Restriction (CR) and CR Mimetics Based on the Senoinflammation Concept
Authors: Kim Dae Hyun , Bang EunJin , Jung Hee Jin , Noh Sang Gyun , Yu Byung Pal , Choi Yeon Ja , Chung Hae Young
Published: February 2020

Chronic inflammation, a pervasive feature of the aging process, is defined by a continuous, multifarious, low-grade inflammatory response. It is a sustained and systemic phenomenon that aggravates aging and can lead to age-related chronic diseases. In recent years, our understanding of age-related chronic inflammation has advanced through a large number of investigations on aging and calorie restriction (CR). A broader view of age-related inflammation is the concept of senoinflammation, which has an outlook beyond the traditional view, as proposed in our previous work. In this review, we discuss the effects of CR on multiple phases of proinflammatory networks and inflammatory signaling pathways to elucidate the basic mechanism underlying aging. Based on studies on senoinflammation and CR, we recognized that senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which mainly comprises cytokines and chemokines, was significantly increased during aging, whereas it was suppressed during CR. Further, we recognized that cellular metabolic pathways were also dysregulated in aging; however, CR mimetics reversed these effects. These results further support and enhance our understanding of the novel concept of senoinflammation, which is related to the metabolic changes that occur in the aging process. Furthermore, a thorough elucidation of the effect of CR on senoinflammation will reveal key insights and allow possible interventions in aging mechanisms, thus contributing to the development of new therapies focused on improving health and longevity.
Evolving Nutritional Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Uusitupa Matti , Schwab Ursula
Published: February 2020

One of the special issues in Nutrients in 2020 focuses on the nutritional therapy for diabetes mellitus [...]
Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Swellable and Floating Gastroretentive Drug Delivery System (sfGRDDS) for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Nilotinib
Authors: Lin Hong-Liang , Chen Ling-Chun , Cheng Wen-Ting , Cheng Wei-Jie , Ho Hsiu-O , Sheu Ming-Thau
Published: February 2020

Regarding compliance and minimization of side effects of nilotinib therapy, there is a medical need to have a gastroretentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) to enhance the oral bioavailability that is able to administer an optimal dose in a quaque die (QD) or daily manner. In this study, the influence on a swelling and floating (sf) GRDDS composed of a polymeric excipient (HPMC 90SH 100K, HEC 250HHX, or PEO 7000K) and Kollidon® SR was examined. Results demonstrated that PEO 7000K/Kollidon SR (P/K) at a 7/3 ratio was determined to be a basic GRDDS formulation with optimal swelling and floating abilities. MCC PH102 or HPCsssl,SFP was further added at a 50% content to this basic formulation to increase the tablet hardness and release all of the drug within 24 h. Also, the caplet form and capsule form containing the same formulation demonstrated higher hardness for the former and enhanced floating ability for the latter. A pharmacokinetic study on rabbits with pH values in stomach and intestine similar to human confirmed that the enhanced oral bioavailability ranged from 2.65–8.39-fold with respect to Tasigna, a commercially available form of nilotinib. In conclusion, the multiple of enhancement of the oral bioavailability of nilotinib with sfGRDDS could offer a pharmacokinetic profile with therapeutic effectiveness for the QD administration of a reasonable dose of nilotinib, thereby increasing compliance and minimizing side effects.
Nose-to-Brain Delivery
Authors: Giunchedi Paolo , Gavini Elisabetta , Bonferoni Maria Cristina
Published: February 2020

Nose-to-brain delivery represents a big challenge. In fact there is a large number of neurological diseases that require therapies in which the drug must reach the brain, avoiding the difficulties due to the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the problems connected with systemic administration, such as drug bioavailability and side-effects. For these reasons the development of nasal formulations able to deliver the drug directly into the brain is of increasing importance. This Editorial regards the contributions present in the Special Issue “Nose-to-Brain Delivery”.
RETRACTED: Omega-3 Self-Nanoemulsion Role in Gastroprotection against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats
Authors: Ahmed Osama , Fahmy Usama , Bakhaidar Rana , El-Moselhy Mohamed , Okbazghi Solomon , Ahmed Al-Shaimaa , Hammad Asmaa , Alhakamy Nabil
Published: February 2020

Peptic ulcer disease is an injury of the alimentary tract that leads to a mucosal defect reaching the submucosa. This study aimed to formulate and optimize omega-3 oil as a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) to achieve oil dispersion in the nano-range in the stomach to augment omega-3 oil gastric ulcer protection efficacy. Three SNEDDS components were selected as the design factors: the concentrations of the oil omega-3 (X1, 10–30%), the surfactant tween 20 and Kolliphor mixture (X2, 20–40%), and the cosurfactant transcutol (X3, 40–60%). The mixture experimental design proposed twenty-three formulations with varying omega-3 SNEDDS formulation component percentages. The optimized omega-3 SNEDDS formula was investigated for gastric ulcer protective effects by evaluating the ulcer index and by the determination of gastric mucosa oxidative stress parameters. Results revealed that optimized omega-3-SNEDDS achieved significant improvement in the gastric ulcer index in comparison with pure omega-3 oil. Histopathological findings confirmed the protective effect of the formulated optimized omega-3 SNEDDS in comparison with omega-3 oil. These findings suggest that formulation of omega-3 in the form of a SNEDDS would be more effective in gastric ulcer protection than the administration of omega-3 as a crude oil.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Thermal Degradation of Different Starches and Estimation the OH Group and H2O Content on the Surface by TG/DTG-DTA
Authors: Pigłowska Marita , Kurc Beata , Rymaniak Łukasz , Lijewski Piotr , Fuć Paweł
Published: February 2020

The main aim of this study is to estimate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of thermal decomposition of starches by the Coats–Redfern method. This procedure is a commonly used thermogravimetric analysis/difference thermal gravimetry/differental thermal analysis (TG/DTG-DTA) kinetic method for single rate form. The study also shows a proposed method for reactive hydroxyl groups content on the starch surface determination, and values were in range of 960.21–1078.76 mg OH per 1 g of starch. Thermal processing revealed the thermophysical properties of biomass for the kinetics of decomposition estimation. Activation energies reached the values in range of approximately 66.5–167 kJ·mol−1. This research also enables the determination of the temperature conditions required for becoming the desired form of material. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve the requested compact porous structure in an activation process, because in the native state, the polymer exhibits limited applications as a result of thermal decomposition, low shear stress, retrogradation, and syneresis, hence the low solubility in organic solvents. Thermodynamic parameters and reactive hydroxyl groups in this article review are innovative and have not yet been found in the literature.
Polyurethane-Based Composites: Effects of Antibacterial Fillers on the Physical-Mechanical Behavior of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes
Authors: Villani Maurizio , Consonni Roberto , Canetti Maurizio , Bertoglio Federico , Iervese Stefano , Bruni Giovanna , Visai Livia , Iannace Salvatore , Bertini Fabio
Published: February 2020

The challenge to manufacture medical devices with specific antibacterial functions, and the growing demand for systems able to limit bacterial resistance growth, necessitates the development of new technologies which can be easily produced at an industrial level. The object of this work was the study and the development of silver, titanium dioxide, and chitosan composites for the realization and/or implementation of biomedical devices. Thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethane was selected and used as matrix for the various antibacterial functions introduced during the processing phase (melt compounding). This strategy was employed to directly incorporate antimicrobial agents into the main constituent material of the devices themselves. With the exception of the composite filled with titanium dioxide, all of the other tested composites were shown to possess satisfactory mechanical properties. The best antibacterial effects were obtained with all the composites against Staphylococcus aureus: viability was efficiently inhibited by the prepared materials in four different bacterial culture concentrations.
Elevated Photovoltaic Performance in Medium Bandgap Copolymers Composed of Indacenodi-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and Benzothiadiazole Subunits by Modulating the π-Bridge
Authors: An Lili , Tong Junfeng , Huang Yubo , Liang Zezhou , Li Jianfeng , Yang Chunyan , Wang Xunchang
Published: February 2020

Two random conjugated polymers (CPs), namely, PIDTT-TBT and PIDTT-TFBT, in which indacenodithieno[3,2-b]thiophene (IDTT), 3-octylthiophene, and benzothiadiazole (BT) were in turn utilized as electron-donor (D), π-bridge, and electron-acceptor (A) units, were synthesized to comprehensively analyze the impact of reducing thiophene π-bridge and further fluorination on photostability and photovoltaic performance. Meanwhile, the control polymer PIDTT-DTBT with alternating structure was also prepared for comparison. The broadened and enhanced absorption, down-shifted highest occupied molecular orbital energy level (EHOMO), more planar molecular geometry thus enhanced the aggregation in the film state, but insignificant impact on aggregation in solution and photostability were found after both reducing thiophene π-bridge in PIDTT-TBT and further fluorination in PIDTT-TFBT. Consequently, PIDTT-TBT-based device showed 185% increased PCE of 5.84% profited by synergistically elevated VOC, JSC, and FF than those of its counterpart PIDTT-DTBT, and this improvement was chiefly ascribed to the improved absorption, deepened EHOMO, raised μh and more balanced μh/μe, and optimized morphology of photoactive layer. However, the dropped PCE was observed after further fluorination in PIDTT-TFBT, which was mainly restricted by undesired morphology for photoactive layer as a result of strong aggregation even if in the condition of the upshifted VOC. Our preliminary results can demonstrate that modulating the π-bridge in polymer backbone was an effective method with the aim to enhance the performance for solar cell.
Dielectric Relaxation Behavior of Silver Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide Embedded Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposite Film: An Effect of Ionic Liquid and Temperature
Authors: Sahu Ganeswar , Das Mamata , Yadav Mithilesh , Sahoo Bibhu Prasad , Tripathy Jasaswini
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the dielectric characteristics of nanocomposite films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) embedded with silver (Ag) nanoparticles and graphene oxide(GO). The nanocomposite films were fabricated by using the solvent casting approach. The morphological analysis was carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dielectric relaxation behavior of nanocomposite films was analyzed in the frequency range of 101 to 106 Hz, by varying GO loading. The temperature effect was investigated over the temperature range of 40 to 150 °C. The effect of ionic liquid (IL) was also explored by comparing the dielectric behavior of films fabricated without using ionic liquid. The conductive filler loading variation showed a significant effect on dielectric permittivity(ε′), complex impedance (Z*) and electric conductivity (σac). The obtained results revealed that the dielectric permittivity (ε′) increased by incorporating Ag nanoparticles and increasing GO loading in PVA matrix. An incremental trend in dielectric permittivity was observed on increasing the temperature, which is attributed to tunneling and hopping mechanism. With an increase in nanofiller loading, the real part of impedance (Z′) and imaginary part of impedance (Z″) were found to decrease. Further, the semicircular nature of Nyquist plot indicated the decrease in bulk resistivity on increasing GO loading, temperature and incorporating ionic liquid. On the basis of above findings, the obtained GO-Ag-PVA nanocomposite films can find promising applications in charge storage devices.
Thermophoresis: The Case of Streptavidin and Biotin
Authors: Niether Doreen , Sarter Mona , Koenig Bernd W. , Fitter Jörg , Stadler Andreas M. , Wiegand Simone
Published: February 2020

Thermophoretic behavior of a free protein changes upon ligand binding and gives access to information on the binding constants. The Soret effect has also been proven to be a promising tool to gain information on the hydration layer, as the temperature dependence of the thermodiffusion behavior is sensitive to solute–solvent interactions. In this work, we perform systematic thermophoretic measurements of the protein streptavidin (STV) and of the complex STV with biotin (B) using thermal diffusion forced Rayleigh scattering (TDFRS). Our experiments show that the temperature sensitivity of the Soret coefficient is reduced for the complex compared to the free protein. We discuss our data in comparison with recent quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements. As the QENS measurement has been performed in heavy water, we perform additional measurements in water/heavy water mixtures. Finally, we also elucidate the challenges arising from the quantiative thermophoretic study of complex multicomponent systems such as protein solutions.
The Calcium Channel Affect Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Strontium-Substituted Calcium Silicate/Poly-ε-Caprolactone Scaffold
Authors: Su Tzu-Rong , Huang Tsui-Hsien , Kao Chia-Tze , Ng Hooi Yee , Chiu Yung-Cheng , Hsu Tuan-Ti
Published: February 2020

There had been a paradigm shift in tissue engineering studies over the past decades. Of which, part of the hype in such studies was based on exploring for novel biomaterials to enhance regeneration. Strontium ions have been reported by others to have a unique effect on osteogenesis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies had demonstrated that strontium ions were able to promote osteoblast growth, and yet at the same time, inhibit the formation of osteoclasts. Strontium is thus considered an important biomaterial in the field of bone tissue engineering. In this study, we developed a Strontium-calcium silicate scaffold using 3D printing technology and evaluated for its cellular proliferation capabilities by assessing for protein quantification and mineralization of Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, verapamil (an L-type of calcium channel blocker, CCB) was used to determine the mechanism of action of strontium ions. The results found that the relative cell proliferation rate on the scaffold was increased between 20% to 60% within 7 days of culture, while the CCB group only had up to approximately 10% proliferation as compared with the control specimen. Besides, the CCB group had downregulation and down expressions of all downstream cell signaling proteins (ERK and P38) and osteogenic-related protein (Col I, OPN, and OC). Furthermore, CCB was found to have 3–4 times lesser calcium deposition and quantification after 7 and 14 days of culture. These results effectively show that the 3D printed strontium-contained scaffold could effectively stimulate stem cells to undergo bone differentiation via activation of L-type calcium channels. Such results showed that strontium-calcium silicate scaffolds have high development potential for bone tissue engineering.
Sexual Citizenship Theory and Employment Discrimination among Transgender-Identified People
Authors: Rosich Gina R.
Published: February 2020

Employment discrimination remains a consistent and widespread concern among transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) people. A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Transgender Law Center California Economic Health Survey (n = 646). The aim of this study was to examine workplace discrimination among transgender and gender non-conforming adults. Sexual citizenship theory informed both the grouping of variables and analysis of findings. Bivariate, multivariate, and multivariable statistical tests were conducted to examine problems related to hiring and to various forms of workplace harassment. Analyses revealed that about 67% of respondents reported some kind of workplace mistreatment. Trans men (FtM) were 132.6% more likely to report discrimination in the workplace (chiefly misgendering and privacy breach), while trans women (MtF) were more likely to experience a wider variety of types of discrimination. Respondents out to their co-workers were 292.4% more likely to experiences discrimination. Those with higher income were less likely to need assistance with changing IDs and more likely to pass/blend. Those who were less likely to pass/blend faced higher unemployment. These findings underscore the many ways in which transphobia, cis gender entitlement and transmisogyny shape the lives of trans people and prohibit full citizenship participation in society vis-à-vis the workforce.
Study on Master Slave Interaction Model Based on Stackelberg Game in Distributed Environment
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Gang , Yue Shaohua , Yao Xiaoqiang , Song Yafei , Liu Jiayi
Published: February 2020

In view of the problems such as low efficiency, difficulty in resolving local conflicts and lack of practical application scenarios, existing in the interaction model of multi-agent systems in a distributed environment, a multi-master multi-slave interaction model was designed based on the Stackelberg game, which is applied to the interaction game problem between the controller and the participant in the command and control process. Through optimizing the Stackelberg game model and multi-attribute decision-making, the multi-master, multi-slave, multi-agent system of the Stackelberg game was designed, and the closed loop problem under the Stackelberg game is solved for dimension reduction and optimal function value. Finally, through the numerical derivation simulation and the training results of related system data, the high efficiency and strong robustness of the model were verified from multiple perspectives, and this model algorithm was proved to be true and highly efficient.
Lack of Correlation between Facial Sexual Dimorphism, Fluctuating Asymmetry and Self-Perceived Attractiveness in Men and Women
Authors: Van Dongen Stefan , Ekrami Omid , Claes Peter
Published: February 2020

Human morphological sexual dimorphism and fluctuating asymmetry have been suggested to signal ‘individual quality’ and are therefore expected to covary as well as to correlate with surrogate fitness/quality measures like attractiveness and dominance. While some case studies indeed found support for these hypotheses, the overall evidence is not overwhelming. However, most previous research used a limited number of landmarks to quantify masculinity and asymmetry. We here present results based on high-density 3D scans covering the entire facial area. In spite of these more detailed measurements, no significant associations were detected. These results are in line with conclusions of recent meta-analyses and cast doubt on the role of masculinity and fluctuating asymmetry as signals of (genetic) quality.
Some New Families of Special Polynomials and Numbers Associated with Finite Operators
Authors: Simsek Yilmaz
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to define a new operator. This operator unify and modify many known operators, some of which were introduced by the author. Many properties of this operator are given. Using this operator, two new classes of special polynomials and numbers are defined. Many identities and relationships are derived, including these new numbers and polynomials, combinatorial sums, the Bernoulli numbers, the Euler numbers, the Stirling numbers, the Daehee numbers, and the Changhee numbers. By applying the derivative operator to these new polynomials, derivative formulas are found. Integral representations, including the Volkenborn integral, the fermionic p-adic integral, and the Riemann integral, are given for these new polynomials.
Sufficiency for Purely Essentially Bounded Optimal Controls
Authors: Sánchez Licea Gerardo
Published: February 2020

For optimal control problems of Bolza with variable and free end-points, nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear isoperimetric inequality and equality restrictions, and nonlinear pointwise mixed time-state-control inequality and equality constraints, sufficient conditions for strong minima are derived. The algorithm used to prove the main theorem of the paper includes a crucial symmetric inequality, making this technique an independent self-contained method of classical concepts such as embedding theorems from ordinary differential equations, Mayer fields, Riccati equations, or Hamilton–Jacobi theory. Moreover, the sufficiency theory given in this article is able to detect discontinuous solutions, that is, solutions which need to be neither continuous nor piecewise continuous but only essentially bounded.
Analysis of Packet Diversity in Buffer-Aided Relaying over Symmetric and Asymmetric Rayleigh Fading Channels
Authors: Nasir Hina , Javaid Nadeem , Raza Waseem , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we propose innovative schemes for relay selection that jointly explore packet selection and relay selection for buffer-aided amplify and forward (AF) cooperative relaying networks. The first proposed scheme chooses the most suitable channel based on link quality from all active channels, i.e., channels with neither empty nor full corresponding buffers. In the second proposed scheme, the most suitable channel is chosen based on buffer status. When the source-relay channel is determined, the corresponding relay collects data in the buffer. Likewise, when the relay-destination channel is picked, the most suitable packet is dispatched from the buffer. The most suitable packet is one that provides the highest end-to-end equivalent signal-to-noise ratio. We simulated the outage probability, average throughput and packet delay and analyzed the proposed protocol for both symmetric and asymmetric channel conditions. Comparison is made against the existing buffer-aided schemes. The results show that the proposed relay and packet selection systems help to reduce the outage probability, diversity gain and delay.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Duopoly Game with R&D Spillover, Price Competition and Time Delays
Authors: Pansera B. A. , Guerrini L. , Ferrara M. , Ciano T.
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study is to analyse a discrete-time two-stage game with R&D competition by considering a continuous-time set-up with fixed delays. The model is represented in the form of delay differential equations. The stability of all the equilibrium points is studied. It is found that the model exhibits very complex dynamical behaviours, and its Nash equilibrium is destabilised via Hopf bifurcations.
Comparative Analysis of Bioenergy Crop Impacts on Water Quality Using Static and Dynamic Land Use Change Modeling Approach
Authors: Kumar Eeshan , Saraswat Dharmendra , Singh Gurdeep
Published: February 2020

Researchers and federal and state agency officials have long been interested in evaluating location-specific impact of bioenergy energy crops on water quality for developing policy interventions. This modeling study examines long-term impact of giant miscanthus and switchgrass on water quality in the Cache River Watershed (CRW) in Arkansas, United States. The bioenergy crops were simulated on marginal lands using two variants of a Soil and Watershed Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The first SWAT variant was developed using a static (single) land-use layer (regular-SWAT) and for the second, a dynamic land-use change feature was used with multiple land use layers (location-SWAT). Results indicated that the regular-SWAT predicted larger losses for sediment, total phosphorus and total nitrogen when compared to location-SWAT at the watershed outlet. The lower predicted losses from location-SWAT were attributed to its ability to vary marginal land area between 3% and 11% during the 20-year modeling period as opposed to the regular-SWAT that used a fixed percentage of marginal land area (8%) throughout the same period. Overall, this study demonstrates that environmental impacts of bioenergy crops were better assessed using the dynamic land-use representation approach, which would eliminate any unintended prediction bias in the model due to the use of a single land use layer.
IberWQ: A GPU Accelerated Tool for 2D Water Quality Modeling in Rivers and Estuaries
Authors: García-Feal Orlando , Cea Luis , González-Cao José , Domínguez José Manuel , Gómez-Gesteira Moncho
Published: February 2020

Numerical models are useful tools to analyze water quality by computing the concentration of physical, chemical and biological parameters. The present work introduces a two-dimensional depth-averaged model that computes the most relevant and frequent parameters used to evaluate water quality. High performance computing (HPC) techniques based on graphic processing unit (GPU) parallelization have been applied to improve the efficiency of the package, providing speed-ups of two orders of magnitude in a standard PC. Several test cases were analyzed to show the capabilities and efficiency of the model to evaluate the environmental status of rivers and non-stratified estuaries. IberWQ will be freely available through the package Iber.
Uncertainty Quantification of Landslide Generated Waves Using Gaussian Process Emulation and Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Snelling Branwen , Neethling Stephen , Horsburgh Kevin , Collins Gareth , Piggott Matthew
Published: February 2020

Simulations of landslide generated waves (LGWs) are prone to high levels of uncertainty. Here we present a probabilistic sensitivity analysis of an LGW model. The LGW model was realised through a smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulator, which is capable of modelling fluids with complex rheologies and includes flexible boundary conditions. This LGW model has parameters defining the landslide, including its rheology, that contribute to uncertainty in the simulated wave characteristics. Given the computational expense of this simulator, we made use of the extensive uncertainty quantification functionality of the Dakota toolkit to train a Gaussian process emulator (GPE) using a dataset derived from SPH simulations. Using the emulator we conducted a variance-based decomposition to quantify how much each input parameter to the SPH simulation contributed to the uncertainty in the simulated wave characteristics. Our results indicate that the landslide’s volume and initial submergence depth contribute the most to uncertainty in the wave characteristics, while the landslide rheological parameters have a much smaller influence. When estimated run-up is used as the indicator for LGW hazard, the slope angle of the shore being inundated is shown to be an additional influential parameter. This study facilitates probabilistic hazard analysis of LGWs, because it reveals which source characteristics contribute most to uncertainty in terms of how hazardous a wave will be, thereby allowing computational resources to be focused on better understanding that uncertainty.
Risk and Cost Assessment of Nitrate Contamination in Domestic Wells
Authors: Juntakut Pongpun , Haacker Erin M. K. , Snow Daniel D. , Ray Chittaranjan
Published: February 2020

This study combines empirical predictive and economics models to estimate the cost of remediation for domestic wells exceeding suggested treatment thresholds for nitrates. A multiple logistic regression model predicted the probability of well contamination by nitrate, and a life cycle costing methodology was used to estimate costs of nitrate contamination in groundwater in two areas of Nebraska. In south-central Nebraska, 37% of wells were estimated to be at risk of exceeding a threshold of 7.5 mg/L as N, and 17% were at risk of exceeding 10 mg/L as N, the legal limit for human consumption in the United States. In an area in northeastern Nebraska, 82% of wells were at risk of exceeding the 10 mg/L as N legal threshold. Reverse osmosis Point-of-Use (POU) treatment was the option with the lowest costs for a household (3–4 individuals), with an average of $4–$164 total regional cost per household per year depending on the threshold for treatment. Ion exchange and distillation were the next most cost-effective options. At the community level (~10,000 individuals), a reverse osmosis Point-of-Entry (POE) treatment system was the most expensive option for a community due to high initial costs and ongoing operation and maintenance costs, whereas the biological denitrification system was least expensive due to economies of scale. This study demonstrates integrated modeling methods to assess water treatment costs over time associated with groundwater nitrate contamination, including quantification of at-risk wells, and identifies suitable options for treatment systems for rural households and communities based on their cost.
Study on the Characteristic Point Location of Depth Average Velocity in Smooth Open Channels: Applied to Channels with Flat or Concave Boundaries
Authors: Li Tongshu , Chen Jian , Han Yu , Ma Zhuangzhuang , Wu Jingjing
Published: February 2020

Based on the flow partition theory, we derive a mathematical expression by using the log-law for the characteristic point location (CPL) of depth average velocity in channels with flat or concave boundaries. It can manifest the position of the characteristic points in the vertical direction relative to the channel side wall or bed. Taking rectangular and semi-circular channels as research objects, we put forward a method to calculate the discharge of channels with CPL. Additionally, we carried out some experiments on rectangular and semi-circular channel sections. CPL’s analytic expression is validated against experimental results through comparison of velocity and discharge. The proposed formulation of characteristic point location could be extensively employed in flow measurements of flat and concave boundary channels, which has practical application value in simplifying the flow measurement steps of open channels.
Terraced Landscapes on Portofino Promontory (Italy): Identification, Geo-Hydrological Hazard and Management
Authors: Paliaga Guido , Luino Fabio , Turconi Laura , De Graff Jerome V. , Faccini Francesco
Published: February 2020

Stone wall terraces are a largely investigated topic in research for both their landscape and cultural/historical value. Terraces are anthropogenic landforms that interact with natural processes and need permanent maintenance to preserve their functionality. In the Mediterranean region, ground effects related to intense rain events often involve terraced slopes that, in some situations, are directly sourced areas of debris/mud flow. Starting from the 1950s, the changing socio-economic conditions caused the abandonment of large portions of rural areas. Nowadays, at the catchment scale, it is frequently difficult recognizing stone wall terraces because of their abandonment and the uncontrolled re-vegetation. This research faces the issue of identifying terraces in the Monte di Portofino promontory, which is internationally famous for its high-value natural and landscape involving broad anthropogenic modifications dating back to the Middle Ages. A remote sensing application, with LIDAR data and orthophotography, identified terraces on the Portofino promontory, enabling investigating even barely accessible areas and increasing knowledge on the territory. The aim of this paper is first of all to point out the presence of such anthropogenic morphologies in the promontory of Monte di Portofino and then to asses and highlight the related hazard. In fact, terraces can be a source of debris/hyper-concentrated flow with highly damaging power, as occurred in the recent years in neighboring areas during particularly intense hydrological events. Then, terraced area mapping, including in use and in abandonment information, is crucial to perform a spatial relationship analysis that includes hazard-exposed elements and to evaluate the possible connectivity factor of buildings, infrastructures, tourism facilities and Cultural Heritage within the hydrographical network.
Influence of Mixed Substrate and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Photosynthetic Efficiency, Nutrient and Water Status and Yield in Tomato Plants Irrigated with Saline Reclaimed Waters
Authors: Gómez-Bellot María José , Lorente Beatriz , Sánchez-Blanco María Jesús , Ortuño María Fernanda , Nortes Pedro Antonio , Alarcón Juan José
Published: February 2020

The use of reclaimed water (RW) is considered as a means of maintaining agricultural productivity under drought conditions. However, RW may contain high concentrations of salts. The use of some practices, such as biofertilizers and organic substrates, is also becoming increasingly important in agricultural. production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of a mixed substrate (with coconut fibre) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on water relations, nutrient uptake and productivity in tomato plants irrigated with saline RW in a commercial greenhouse. Saline RW on its own caused a nutrient imbalance and negatively affected several physiological parameters. However, the high water-holding capacity of coconut fibre in the mixed substrate increased water and nutrient availability for the plants. As a consequence, leaf water potential, gas exchange, some fluorescence parameters (PhiPSII, Fv’/Fm’, qP and ETR) and fruit size and weight improved, even in control irrigation conditions. The use of AMF improved only some parameters because of the low percentage of colonization, suggesting that AMF effectiveness in commercial field conditions is slower and dependent of several factors.
Cotransport of Cu with Graphene Oxide in Saturated Porous Media with Varying Degrees of Geochemical Heterogeneity
Authors: He Jianzhou , Wang Dengjun , Fan Tingting , Zhou Dongmei
Published: February 2020

Graphene oxide (GO) is likely to encounter heavy metals due to its widespread use and inevitable release into the subsurface environment, where the ubiquitous presence of iron oxides (e.g., hematite) would affect their interaction and transport. The present study aimed to investigate the cotransport of GO (20 mg L−1) and copper (0.05 mM CuCl2) in the presence of varying degrees of geochemical heterogeneity represented by iron oxide-coated sand fractions (ω = 0‒0.45) in water-saturated columns under environmentally relevant physicochemical conditions (1 mM KCl at pH 5.0‒9.0). The Langmuir-fitted maximum adsorption capacity of Cu2+ by GO reached 137.6 mg g−1, and the presence of 0.05 mM Cu2+ decreased the colloidal stability and subsequent transport of GO in porous media. The iron oxide coating was found to significantly inhibit the transport of GO and Cu-loaded GO in sand-packed columns, which can be explained by the favorable deposition of the negatively charged GO onto patches of the positively charged iron oxide coatings at pH 5.0. Increasing the solution pH from 5.0 to 9.0 promoted the mobility of GO, with the exception of pH 7.5, in which the lowest breakthrough of GO was observed. This is possibly due to the fact that the surface charge of iron oxide approaches zero at pH 7.5, suggesting that new “favorable” sites are available for GO retention. This study deciphered the complicated interactions among engineered nanomaterials, heavy metals, and geochemical heterogeneity under environmentally relevant physicochemical conditions. Our results highlight the significant role of geochemical heterogeneity, such as iron oxide patches, in determining the fate and transport of GO and GO-heavy metal association in the subsurface environment.
Slope Stability of a Scree Slope Based on Integrated Characterisation and Monitoring
Authors: Lucas Daisy , Fankhauser Kerstin , Maurer Hansruedi , McArdell Brian , Grob Reto , Herzog Ralf , Bleiker Ernst , Springman Sarah M.
Published: February 2020

Three years of geotechnical seasonal field monitoring including soil temperature, suction and volumetric water content plus geophysical measurements, lead to a preliminary ground model and assessment of slope stability for a steep scree slope in the Meretschibach catchment, near Agarn village in the Swiss Alps. Building on data reported in a previous paper, which focused on preliminary ground characterisation and seasonal field monitoring, this current research aims to understand whether a surficial failure in the scree slope, triggered by rainfall and depending on bedrock conditions, would represent a relevant natural hazard for Agarn village. A final year of field data is included as well as site-specific sensor calibration, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profile, and laboratory triaxial testing to provide strength parameters. A bedrock map is presented, based on GPR, with a realistic ground model of the entire scree slope. Furthermore, a preliminary numerical analysis, performed using SEEP-SLOPE/W, shows the influence of a bedrock outcrop observed in the field, for a specific soil thickness, strength parameters and rain intensity. The stability of a gravelly slope decreases with groundwater flow over a step in the bedrock, and the location of the failure will tend to move uphill of a bedrock outcrop at a shallow depth as groundwater flow increases.
Retratos urbanos e rurais
Authors: Lucchesi Bianca Melzi
Published: February 2020

Utilizando principalmente a documentação fotográfica presente no Fundo Educadoras Sanitárias do Centro de Memória da Faculdade de Saúde Pública de São Paulo, que retrata quintais de cortiços em São Paulo, o objetivo deste artigo é mostrar de que forma as representações fotográficas da cidade neste período contribuem enquanto documento histórico para perceber e desvendar as imagens e identidades construídas para a capital paulista, considerando seus aspectos rurais e ambientais. Dentro do aporte urbano que configura São Paulo no início do século XX, será destacada a relação das habitações populares com as vivências rurais paulistanas, sobretudo a forma como os quintais de cortiços e a várzea influenciam na dinâmica econômica, social e paisagística da cidade. A delimitação territorial, a paisagem citadina, o cultivo e comercialização de plantas e animais, entre outros aspectos fazem de São Paulo, mais do que um espaço de embate, um espaço de sincretismo entre as experiências urbanas e rurais.
A representação além da realidade: mimesis e conhecimento teorético na teoria poética aristotélica
Authors: Vale Giangiacomo , Nascimento Cristiane Maria Rebello
Published: February 2020

O pensamento aristotélico a propósito da poesia representa uma superação do entendimento da mimesis como simples reprodução da realidade. Aristóteles concorda com Platão a respeito da essência da arte ser a imitação. Entretanto, os dois filósofos têm posições opostas quanto à qualidade epistemológica da mimesis: enquanto Platão entende a mimesis com a arte de produzir fantasmas da realidade e a considera como doxa, para Aristóteles ela é uma arte capaz de representação do universal. De acordo com Aristóteles, a arte mimética é uma atividade cognitiva na medida em que permite um entendimento quase filosófico dos eventos humanos, quanto a possibilidade e probabilidade deles: ela expressa a ação e interação humana em sua universalidade. Atribuindo à poesia um poder cognitivo e considerando-a um conhecimento, atribui consequentemente ao "conhecimento poético" uma natureza fundante e, portanto, de guia hermenêutico e de conhecimeto normativo.
Desenvolvimento profissional de uma formadora de professores de Matemática
Authors: Coura Flávia Cristina Figueiredo , Passos Cármen Lúcia Brancaglion
Published: February 2020

Este artigo se insere no conjunto de investigações que têm focalizado os profissionais que atuam na formação de professores e tem o objetivo de apresentar experiências de desenvolvimento profissional de uma formadora de professores de Matemática. O desenvolvimento profissional, relacionado com a constituição de uma profissionalidade, é entendido como processo contínuo, multidimensional, autônomo e singular, desenvolvido em contextos e momentos diversificados, que depende da relação que ele estabelece entre investigação e docência e implica uma transformação pessoal. A pesquisa narrativa foi o caminho metodológico utilizado para produzir os textos de campo e para transformá-los em texto de pesquisa, por meio da análise narrativa. A interpretação da história de vida da formadora possibilitou identificar que ela se tornou uma investigadora da docência assumindo uma postura investigativa, produzindo conhecimento da prática de formar professores de Matemática.
Rola broni nuklearnej w izraelskiej strategii odstraszania militarnego
Authors: Zych Joanna
Published: February 2020

The aim of the article is to answer the question: What role does nuclear weapon play in Israeli strategy of deterrence? The main hypothesis of the paper is based on the assumption, that the deterrence potential of the Israeli nuclear arsenal is strictly determined by deliberate ambiguity (so-called amimut). The author also assumes that nuclear deterrence plays a significant role in the general Israeli deterrence strategy. However, due to the changing nature of threats, it is not its core element. The author used the following theoretical research methods: critical analysis and comparative analysis of sources, scientific studies, strategic documents as well as selected speeches of the Israeli authorities. This article can be seen as an attempt to capture the specifics of the Israeli nuclear deterrence strategy and the features that distinguish it from deterrence of other nuclear states.
Broń jądrowa w polityce bezpieczeństwa wybranych państw
Authors: Załęski Krzysztof
Published: February 2020

Nuclear weaponry is a factor of military deterrence, hence is also a key means of shaping security and maintaining strategic balance. Therefore, despite implementation of the policy of a nuclear non-proliferation, there is no political will towards eliminating it completely and ultimately. The aim of the article is to analyze and assess the impact of nuclear weapons on shaping the international security policy. In the paper, the author assumed that nuclear weapons, in both political and military categories, are an important factor in shaping international relations. Therefore the importance of nuclear weapons in international relations, despite the passage of time, does not change much. Most countries that possess nuclear weapons, modernize and expand their arsenals, seeing in that not only an expression of power but also guarantee to its security. Studying the article should at least bring some reflection on the evolution of nuclear weapons as a mean of shaping contemporary security relationships.