bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma Parameters and Etching Characteristics of SiOxNy Films in CF4 + O2 + X (X = C4F8 or CF2Br2) Gas Mixtures
Authors: Nam Yunho , Efremov Alexander , Lee Byung Jun , Kwon Kwang-Ho
Published: December 2020

In this work, we carried out the study of CF4 + O2 + X (X = C4F8 or CF2Br2) gas chemistries in respect to the SiOxNy reactive-ion etching process in a low power regime. The interest in the liquid CF2Br2 as an additive component is motivated by its generally unknown plasma etching performance. The combination of various diagnostic tools (double Langmuir probe, quadrupole mass-spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) allowed us to compare the effects of CF4/X mixing ratio, input power and gas pressure on gas-phase plasma characteristics as well as to analyze the SiOxNy etching kinetics in terms of process-condition-dependent effective reaction probability. It was found that the given gas systems are characterized by: (1) similar changes in plasma parameters (electron temperature, ion current density) and fluxes of active species with variations in processing conditions; (2) identical behaviors of SiOxNy etching rates, as determined by the neutral-flux-limited process regime; and (3) non-constant SiOxNy + F reaction probabilities due to changes in the polymer deposition/removal balance. The features of CF4 + CF2Br2 + O2 plasma are lower polymerization ability (due to the lower flux of CFx radicals) and a bit more vertical etching profile (due to the lower neutral/charged ratio).
Electrochemical Behaviors of Ni-Base Superalloy CMSX-4 in 3.5 wt.% NaCl: Effect of Temperature and Preoxidation
Authors: Lv Xianzi , Jiang Quantong , Zhang Jie , Zhang Jianxin , Huang Zaiwang , Duan Jizhou , Hou Baorong
Published: December 2020

The electrochemical behaviors of the Ni-base superalloy CMSX-4 were carried out in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution using electrochemical technique. The electrochemical corrosion process was divided into four stages, and reactions at the alloy surface and corrosion morphology at each stage were analyzed. The passivity mechanism at the stable passivation stage and the occurrence of pitting corrosion at the transpassivation state were discussed especially. The corrosion parameters including Ecorr, Epass, ipass and Epit were compared at different temperatures to reveal the relationship between the temperature and the corrosion resistance properties. The corrosion products were investigated by the aid of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). By designing different preoxidation procedures, the corrosion mechanism of oxide scales was analyzed for the preoxidized samples.
Modelling of Effective Thermal Conductivity of Composites Filled with Core-Shell Fillers
Authors: Czyzewski Jan , Rybak Andrzej , Gaska Karolina , Sekula Robert , Kapusta Czeslaw
Published: December 2020

An effective model to calculate thermal conductivity of polymer composites using core-shell fillers is presented, wherein a core material of filler grains is covered by a layer of a high-thermal-conductivity (HTC) material. Such fillers can provide a significant increase of the composite thermal conductivity by an addition of a small amount of the HTC material. The model employs the Lewis-Nielsen formula describing filled systems. The effective thermal conductivity of the core-shell filler grains is calculated using the Russel model for porous materials. Modelling results are compared with recent measurements made on composites filled with cellulose microbeads coated with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) platelets and good agreement is demonstrated. Comparison with measurements made on epoxy composites, using silver-coated glass spheres as a filler, is also provided. It is demonstrated how the modelling procedure can improve understanding of properties of materials and structures used and mechanisms of thermal conduction within the composite.
Antioxidants and Collagen-Crosslinking: Benefit on Bond Strength and Clinical Applicability
Authors: Beck Franziska , Ilie Nicoleta
Published: December 2020

Antioxidants are known for their potential of strengthening the collagen network when applied to dentin. They establish new intra-/intermolecular bonds in the collagen, rendering it less perceptive to enzymatic hydrolysis. The study evaluated the benefit on shear bond strength (SBS) of a resin–composite to dentin when antioxidants with different biomolecular mechanisms or a known inhibitor of enzymatic activity are introduced to the bonding process in a clinically inspired protocol. Specimens (900) were prepared consistent with the requirements for a macro SBS-test. Four agents (Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), Chlorhexidindigluconate (CHX), Proanthocyanidin (PA), and Hesperidin (HPN)) were applied on dentin, either incorporated in the primer of a two-step self-etch adhesive or as an aqueous solution before applying the adhesive. Bonding protocol executed according to the manufacturer’s information served as control. Groups (n = 20) were tested after one week, one month, three months, six months, or one year immersion times (37 °C, distilled water). After six-month immersion, superior SBS were identified in PA compared to all other agents (p < 0.01) and a higher reliability in both primer and solution application when compared to control. After one year, both PA incorporated test groups demonstrated the most reliable outcome. SBS can benefit from the application of antioxidants. The use of PA in clinics might help extending the lifespan of resin-based restorations.
Influence of Linseed Oil Varnish Admixture on Glauconite Clay Mortar Properties
Authors: Brzyski Przemysław , Grudzińska Magdalena
Published: December 2020

Raw clay is used nowadays in construction as a component of mortars and plasters and as a binder in composites based on straw or shives. It is a material with good sorption properties and vapor permeability, but it is susceptible to shrinkage, is not resistant to water, and also is characterized by low mechanical strength, which makes it impossible to be used, for example, in external plasters. Various additives and admixtures are used to improve selected properties of clay mortars. The article presents the research results and assessment of the effect of glauconite clay mortar modification with an admixture of linseed oil varnish on selected properties. Admixtures in the amounts of 1%, 2%, and 3% in relation to clay weight were used. Flexural and compressive strength, water resistance, shrinkage, drying capacity, density, and porosity of mortar, were tested. The admixture of linseed oil varnish in the amounts used in the investigation had a positive effect on some of the tested properties; regardless of the quantity of the admixture, the modified mortars had better parameters concerning flexural strength, shrinkage reduction, and water resistance than the reference mortar, without admixture.
The Effect of Confinement Angle on Self-Colliding Aluminium Laser Plasmas Using Spectrally Resolved Fast Imaging
Authors: Varvarezos Lazaros , Davitt Stephen J. , Costello John T. , Kelly Thomas J.
Published: December 2020

In this work we investigate the effect of the confinement angle on self-colliding aluminium laser produced plasmas. More specifically, we apply V-shaped channel targets of different angles (90°, 60° and 30°) and report both broadband and filtered time-resolved fast imaging measurements on the formation of such plasmas in ambient air. Based on the broadband measurements we suggest that the plasmas formed on the two inner walls of the V-shaped channel expand normally to the surface, interact with each other and possibly stagnate. The spectrally filtered fast imaging reveals the presence of a spatial distribution of different species within the plasmas and signatures of forced recombination.
Rigid Polyurethane Foams Reinforced with POSS-Impregnated Sugar Beet Pulp Filler
Authors: Strąkowska Anna , Członka Sylwia , Kairytė Agnė
Published: December 2020

Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams were reinforced with sugar beet pulp (BP) impregnated with Aminopropylisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (APIB-POSS). BP filler was incorporated into PUR at different percentages—1, 2, and 5 wt.%. The impact of BP filler on morphology features, mechanical performances, and thermal stability of PUR was examined. The results revealed that the greatest improvement in physico-mechanical properties was observed at lower concentrations (1 and 2 wt.%) of BP filler. For example, when compared with neat PUR foams, the addition of 2 wt.% of BP resulted in the formation of PUR composite foams with increased compressive strength (~12%), greater flexural strength (~12%), and better impact strength (~6%). The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that, due to the good thermal stability of POSS-impregnated BP filler, the reinforced PUR composite foams were characterized by better thermal stability—for example, by increasing the content of BP filler up to 5 wt.%, the mass residue measured at 600 °C increased from 29.0 to 31.9%. Moreover, the addition of each amount of filler resulted in the improvement of fire resistance of PUR composite foams, which was determined by measuring the value of heat peak release (pHRR), total heat release (THR), total smoke release (TSR), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) released during the combustion. The greatest improvement was observed for PUR composite foams with 2 wt.% of BP filler. The results presented in the current study indicate that the addition of a proper amount of POSS-impregnated BP filler may be an effective approach to the synthesis of PUR composites with improved physico-mechanical properties. Due to the outstanding properties of PUR composite foams reinforced with POSS-impregnated BP, such developed materials may be successfully used as thermal insulation materials in the building and construction industry.
Red-Emitting Hybrid Based on Eu3+-dbm Complex Anchored on Silica Nanoparticles Surface by Carboxylic Acid for Biomarker Application
Authors: Santos João A. O. , Mutti Alessandra M. G. , Bispo-Jr Airton G. , Pires Ana M. , Lima Sergio A. M.
Published: December 2020

Luminescent organic-inorganic hybrids containing lanthanides (Ln3+) have been prominent for applications such as luminescent bio-probes in biological assays. In this sense, a luminescent hybrid based on dense silica (SiO2) nanospheres decorated with Eu3+ β–diketonate complexes using dibenzoylmethane (Hdbm) as a luminescent antenna was developed by using a hierarchical organization in four steps: (i) anchoring of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) organosilane on the SiO2 surface, (ii) formation of a carboxylic acid ligand, (iii) coordination of Eu3+ to the carboxylate groups and (iv) coordination of dbm− to Eu3+. The hybrid structure was elucidated through the correlation of thermogravimetry, silicon nuclear magnetic resonance and photoluminescence. Results indicate that the carboxylic acid-Eu3+-dbm hybrid was formed on the surface of the particles with no detectable changes on their size or shape after all the four steps (average size of 32 ± 7 nm). A surface charge of −27.8 mV was achieved for the hybrid, assuring a stable suspension in aqueous media. The Eu3+ complex provides intense red luminescence, characteristic of Eu3+5D0→7FJ electronic transitions, with an intrinsic emission quantum yield of 38%, even in an aqueous suspension. Therefore, the correlation of luminescence, structure, particle morphology and fluorescence microscopy images make the hybrid promising for application in bioimaging.
The In-Situ Observation of Grain Rotation and Microstructure Evolution Induced by Electromigration in Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu Solder Joints
Authors: Fu Xing , Liu Min , Xu KeXin , Chen Si , Shi YiJun , Fu ZhiWei , Huang Yun , Chen HongTao , Yao RuoHe
Published: December 2020

The in-situ observation of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder joints under electromigration was conducted to investigate the microstructure and grain orientation evolution. It was observed that there was a grain rotation phenomenon during current stressing by in-situ electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The rotation angle was calculated, which indicated that the grain reorientation led to the decrease of the resistance of solder joints. On the other hand, the orientation of β-Sn played a critical role in determining the migration of Cu atoms in solder joints under current stressing migration. When the angle between the electron flow direction and the c-axis of Sn (defined as α) was close to 0°, massive Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compounds were observed in the solder bulk; however, when α was close to 90°, the migration of the intermetallic compound (IMC) was blocked but many Sn hillocks grew in the anode. Moreover, the low angle boundaries were the fast diffusion channel of Cu atoms while the high grain boundaries in the range of 55°–65° were not favorable to the fast diffusion of Cu atoms.
Evaluation of Orthorexia Nervosa and Symptomatology Associated with Eating Disorders among European University Students: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Brytek-Matera Anna , Onieva-Zafra María Dolores , Parra-Fernández María Laura , Staniszewska Anna , Modrzejewska Justyna , Fernández-Martínez Elia
Published: December 2020

The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in university students in Spain and Poland, (2) assess differences in ON and eating disorder (ED) pathology in both samples and (3) examine the relationship between ON and ED symptoms among Spanish and Polish university students. Eight hundred and sixty university students participated in the present study (Mage = 21.17 ± 3.38; MBMI = 22.57 ± 3.76). The Spanish and Polish samples comprised 485 and 375 students, respectively. The Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and the Eating Disorder Inventory were used in the present study. ON prevalence rates of 2.3% and 2.9%, respectively, are found in the Spanish and Polish samples. Compared to Polish students, Spanish university students reported increased drive for thinness and lower body dissatisfaction, lower level of ineffectiveness and lower level of interpersonal distrust. ON was positively related to drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism interoceptive awareness (in both Spanish and Polish students) and ineffectiveness (in Spanish students). Our findings suggest that ON significantly overlaps with ED symptoms, which is in line with recent studies. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess how ON develops in a sample of young adults and whether it develops in isolation of or in parallel with ED pathology.
Physicochemical and Biological Performance of Aloe Vera-Incorporated Native Collagen Films
Authors: Andonegi Mireia , Irastorza Ainhoa , Izeta Ander , de la Caba Koro , Guerrero Pedro
Published: December 2020

Collagen was obtained from porcine skin by mechanical pretreatments with the aim of preserving the triple helix structure of native collagen, which was indirectly corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. Moreover, aloe vera (AV), with inherent biological properties, was incorporated into collagen film formulations, and films were prepared by compression and characterized to assess their suitability for biomedical applications. SEM images showed that the fibrillar structure of collagen changed to a rougher structure with the addition of AV, in accordance with the decrease in the lateral packaging of collagen chains observed by XRD analysis. These results suggested interactions between collagen and AV, as observed by FTIR. Considering that AV content higher than 20 wt % did not promote further interactions, this formulation was employed for biological assays and the suitability of AV/collagen films developed for biomedical applications was confirmed.
Remote Sensing-Based Methodology for the Quick Update of the Assessment of the Population Exposed to Natural Hazards
Authors: Boni Giorgio , De Angeli Silvia , Taramasso Angela Celeste , Roth Giorgio
Published: December 2020

The assessment of the number of people exposed to natural hazards, especially in countries with strong urban growth, is difficult to be updated at the same rate as land use develops. This paper presents a remote sensing-based procedure for quickly updating the assessment of the population exposed to natural hazards. A relationship between satellite nightlights intensity and urbanization density from global available cartography is first assessed when all data are available. This is used to extrapolate urbanization data at different time steps, updating exposure each time new nightlights intensity maps are available. To test the reliability of the proposed methodology, the number of people exposed to riverine flood in Italy is assessed, deriving a probabilistic relationship between DMSP nightlights intensity and urbanization density from the GUF database for the year 2011. People exposed to riverine flood are assessed crossing the population distributed on the derived urbanization density with flood hazard zones provided by ISPRA. The validation against reliable exposures derived from ISTAT data shows good agreement. The possibility to update exposure maps with a higher refresh rate makes this approach particularly suitable for applications in developing countries, where urbanization and population densities may change at a sub-yearly time scale.
Effects of a Yoga Program in Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Workers of Small Workplaces: A Pilot Test
Authors: Hwang Won Ju , Kim Jin Ah , Ha Ji Sun
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a yoga program provided to workers in small businesses to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. A nonequivalent control group pre/post-test design was used. The experimental group (n = 31) was assigned a yoga program consisting of yoga postures designed for meditation, strengthening, stretching, and balancing, given twice weekly for 12 weeks. The control group (n = 38) was given no other intervention. The mean age was 48.1 years old in the experimental group and 47.7 years old in the control group. Three trained investigators collected the questionnaires and one month after completing the 12-week yoga program, the same questionnaires that were administered at baseline were again administered. Psychosocial variables (depressive symptoms and job stress), health promotion behaviors, and body measurements (weight and waist circumference) were measured for the program evaluation. The yoga program was effective in improving waist circumference (from 81.8 to 79.2, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (from 81.0 to 79.1, p = 0.004) as compared to the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group’s job stress score decreased from 1.38 to 1.02, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.240). A yoga program could be a useful intervention for workers with CVD risk factors, but it was not effective in psychological factors such as job stress and depression. A long-term intervention approach is important to confirm the psychosocial effect. Therefore, future research is needed to investigate the long-term outcomes of such interventions.
From Transfer to Knowledge Co-Production: A Transdisciplinary Research Approach to Reduce Black Carbon Emissions in Metro Manila, Philippines
Authors: Tõnisson Liina , Kunz Yvonne , Kecorius Simonas , Madueño Leizel , Tamayo Everlyn Gayle , Casanova Dang Marviluz , Zhao Qi , Schikowski Tamara , Hornidge Anna-Katharina , Wiedensohler Alfred , Macke Andreas
Published: December 2020

Air pollution, which kills an estimated 7 million people every year, is one of the greatest environmental health risks of our times. Finding solutions to this threat poses challenges to practitioners and policymakers alike. Increasing awareness on the benefits of transdisciplinary research in solution-oriented sustainable development projects has led to the establishment of the research project “A Transdisciplinary Approach to Mitigate Emissions of Black Carbon” (TAME-BC). This paper introduces the TAME-BC research setup that took place with Metro Manila, Philippines, case study. The approach integrates BC measurements with technological, socio-political, and health aspects to improve the scientific state of the art, policymaking, transport sector planning, and clinical studies related to air pollution health effects. The first pillar in the setup presents an (1) air quality assessment through aerosol measurements and instrumentation, complemented by a (2) description and assessment of the current policies, technologies, and practices of the transport sector that is responsible for pollution levels in the Philippines, as well as a (3) BC exposure and associated health impacts assessment. The fourth pillar is intercrossing, fostering (4) knowledge co-creation through stakeholder involvement across scales. We argue that this transdisciplinary approach is useful for research endeavors aiming for emission mitigation in rapidly urbanizing regions beyond Metro Manila.
Research on Teaching a Welding Implementation Course Assisted by Sustainable Virtual Reality Technology
Authors: Huang Chuang-Yeh , Lou Shi-Jer , Cheng Yuh-Ming , Chung Chih-Chao
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the application of VR (virtual reality) technology to assist the development of VR welding courses in welding practice teaching, and to implement experimental teaching to verify its effectiveness. The preliminary VR welding curriculum structure was developed by this study according to the results of literature review and focus group interviews, the student-based “VR welding course” was developed, and 34 first-year students of the electric welding practice course were taken as the research subjects to implement experimental teaching and case study. The qualitative and quantitative research and analysis results are as follows. (1) The results of the final test of the welding practice of most students are significantly higher than the results of the mid-term test. (2) Most students expressed significant positive affirmation of the learning effect of the VR-assisted welding course. (3) Most students were very significantly positive regarding their learning satisfaction with the VR-assisted welding teaching course. (4) The four major implementation priorities of VR welding courses were planned. This study develops a “teaching mode of a welding implementation course assisted by virtual reality technology”, which can provide students with a safe, low-cost, repeatable, and sustainable welding skills learning environment, and has been positively affirmed by most students. In the future, the results of this study can provide reference for the introduction of virtual-reality-assisted teaching of welding related courses in various universities of science and technology, in order to strengthen teachers’ teaching ability in VR assisted implementation courses and provide students with more diversified learning stimuli.
Sustainability Problematization and Modeling Opportunities
Authors: Kovacs Eniko , Hoaghia Maria-Alexandra , Senila Lacrimioara , Scurtu Daniela Alexandra , Dumitras Diana Elena , Roman Cecilia
Published: December 2020

A sound theoretical ground is required for sustainability related concepts reconciliation and operationalization. The current study investigates the opportunities to conceive a homogenous sustainability model derived from theoretical ecology, using as a prototype the “organization” concept from the Chemical Organizations Theory (COT). A sustainability problematization and a literature examination try to capture and link some useful perspectives and sustainability connected concepts. Some of the most influential methods and tools are reviewed, in particular among those relating to the triple bottom line framework and to the ecological footprint family, together with concepts close to the core sustainability definition, like resilience and circularity. Theoretical ecology provides candidate goal functions based on self-organization gradients, such as fitness functions and thermodynamic orientors. The COT formalism provides a higher abstraction level and the algorithms for patterns identification in a reactions network. The sustainability problematization reveals the motifs of a possible model of “total ecosystem”, which subordinates the anthropic cultural (social–economic) system to the thermodynamic, chemical, biological, and cultural determinisms regulating biological and cultural species of an ecological network.
Long Range Transport of Southeast Asian PM2.5 Pollution to Northern Thailand during High Biomass Burning Episodes
Authors: Amnuaylojaroen Teerachai , Inkom Jirarat , Janta Radshadaporn , Surapipith Vanisa
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to investigate the potential contribution of biomass burning in PM2.5 pollution in Northern Thailand. We applied the coupled atmospheric and air pollution model which is based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) and a Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT). The model output was compared to the ground-based measurements from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to examine the model performance. As a result of the model evaluation, the meteorological variables agreed well with observations using the Index of Agreement (IOA) with ranges of 0.57 to 0.79 for temperature and 0.32 to 0.54 for wind speed, while the fractional biases of temperature and wind speed were 1.3 to 2.5 °C and 1.2 to 2.1 m/s. Analysis of the model and hotspots from the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) found that biomass burning from neighboring countries has greater potential to contribute to air pollution in northern Thailand than national emissions, which is indicated by the number of hotspot locations in Burma being greater than those in Thailand by two times under the influence of two major channels of Asian Monsoons, including easterly and northwesterly winds that bring pollutants from neighboring counties towards northern Thailand.
Genetic Algorithm for Energy Commitment in a Power System Supplied by Multiple Energy Carriers
Authors: Dehghani Mohammad , Mardaneh Mohammad , Malik Om P. , Guerrero Josep M. , Sotelo Carlos , Sotelo David , Nazari-Heris Morteza , Al-Haddad Kamal , Ramirez-Mendoza Ricardo A.
Published: December 2020

In recent years, energy consumption has notably been increasing. This poses a challenge to the power grid operators due to the management and control of the energy supply and consumption. Here, energy commitment is an index criterion useful to specify the quality level and the development of human life. Henceforth, continuity of long-term access to resources and energy delivery requires an appropriate methodology that must consider energy scheduling such as an economic and strategic priority, in which primary energy carriers play an important role. The integrated energy networks such as power and gas systems lead the possibility to minimize the operating costs; this is based on the conversion of energy from one form to another and considering the starting energy in various types. Therefore, the studies toward multi-carrier energy systems are growing up taking into account the interconnection among various energy carriers and the penetration of energy storage technologies in such systems. In this paper, using dynamic programming and genetic algorithm, the energy commitment of an energy network that includes gas and electrical energy is carried out. The studied multi-carrier energy system has considered defending parties including transportation, industrial and agriculture sectors, residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The proposed study is mathematically modeled and implemented on an energy grid with four power plants and different energy consumption sectors for a 24-h energy study period. In this simulation, an appropriate pattern of using energy carriers to supply energy demand is determined. Simulation results and analysis show that energy carriers can be used efficiently using the proposed energy commitment method.
Assessment by Competences in Social Sciences: Secondary Students Perception Based on the EPECOCISO Scale
Authors: Álvarez-Martínez-Iglesias José-María , Trigueros-Cano Francisco-Javier , Miralles-Martínez Pedro , Molina-Saorín Jesús
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this work is to find out the students’ perception of the level of development of competences in the area of Social Sciences, Geography, and History. It has been developed taking into account what has been learned in the area, the level of difficulty for its acquisition, the assessment tools, and the transfer to a real situation. The development of a scale—original and unprecedented—called Evaluation of the Perception of Competences from the Social Sciences (EPECOSICO) has allowed, through a descriptive and quantitative study of validation of the instrument with an intentional sampling, to know the opinion of more than 1400 students of 4th year of secondary education (Spain). The instrument used presents good psychometric attributes, emphasizing the balanced characterization, considering that the number of students is similar (51%, 49%), the confidentiality and the validity. Finally, a KMO higher than 0.9 indicates high reliability in the consistency of the instrument used.
Farmland Trace Metal Contamination and Management Model—Model Development and a Case Study in Central Taiwan
Authors: Yang Hsin-Yi , Chen Sheng-Kung , Wang Jiun-Shiuan , Lu Chih-Jen , Lai Hung-Yu
Published: December 2020

In this study, the water quality of the irrigation system and concentration of trace metals in the sediments were combined to establish a farmland trace metal contamination and management model (FTM_CMM). The purpose of this model was to clarify the main sources of the trace metals that have caused the contamination of paddy soil in central Taiwan. The results of the model simulation showed that the trace metals in the paddy soil mainly came from the irrigation water and especially from the sediments in the irrigation channels. The contribution of the sediments in the irrigation channel to the individual trace metals in the paddy soil ranged from 56% to 72% as the contributions for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were 72%, 68%, 56%, and 62%, respectively. The trace metal species according to their concentration in the contaminated soil ranked in the order of Zn > Cr ≈ Cu > Ni, which is about the same as in the channel sediment. During the simulation process, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn exceeded the control standards for farmlands in the 18th, 12th, 13th, and 17th years, respectively. This highlights that, in addition to the management of irrigation water quality, the management of trace metal contaminated sediment in adjacent canal irrigation systems is also an important part of the prevention of trace metal contamination in farmland.
Risk Aversion, Inequality and Economic Evaluation of Flood Damages: A Case Study in Ecuador
Authors: Frontuto Vito , Dalmazzone Silvana , Salcuni Francesco , Pezzoli Alessandro
Published: December 2020

While floods and other natural disasters affect hundreds of millions of people globally every year, a shared methodological approach on which to ground impact valuations is still missing. Standard Cost-Benefit Analyses typically evaluate damages by summing individuals’ monetary equivalents, without taking into account income distribution and risk aversion. We propose an empirical application of alternative valuation approaches developed in recent literature, including equity weights and risk premium multipliers, to a case study in Ecuador. The results show that accounting for inequality may substantially alter the conclusions of a standard vulnerability approach, with important consequences for policy choices pertaining damage compensation and prioritization of intervention areas.
Soybean Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Harbor Highly Diverse Populations of Arthropod, Fungal and Plant Viruses
Authors: Thekke-Veetil Thanuja , Lagos-Kutz Doris , McCoppin Nancy K. , Hartman Glen L. , Ju Hye-Kyoung , Lim Hyoun-Sub , Domier Leslie. L.
Published: December 2020

Soybean thrips (Neohydatothrips variabilis) are one of the most efficient vectors of soybean vein necrosis virus, which can cause severe necrotic symptoms in sensitive soybean plants. To determine which other viruses are associated with soybean thrips, the metatranscriptome of soybean thrips, collected by the Midwest Suction Trap Network during 2018, was analyzed. Contigs assembled from the data revealed a remarkable diversity of virus-like sequences. Of the 181 virus-like sequences identified, 155 were novel and associated primarily with taxa of arthropod-infecting viruses, but sequences similar to plant and fungus-infecting viruses were also identified. The novel viruses were predicted to have positive-sense RNA, negative-stranded RNA, double-stranded RNA, and single-stranded DNA genomes. The assembled sequences included 100 contigs that represented at least 95% coverage of a virus genome or genome segment. Sequences represented 12 previously described arthropod viruses including eight viruses reported from Hubei Province in China, and 12 plant virus sequences of which six have been previously described. The presence of diverse populations of plant viruses within soybean thrips suggests they feed on and acquire viruses from multiple host plant species that could be transmitted to soybean. Assessment of the virome of soybean thrips provides, for the first time, information on the diversity of viruses present in thrips.
Event-Based Time Distribution Patterns, Return Levels, and Their Trends of Extreme Precipitation across Indus Basin
Authors: Zaman Muhammad , Ahmad Ijaz , Usman Muhammad , Saifullah Muhammad , Anjum Muhammad Naveed , Khan Muhammad Imran , Uzair Qamar Muhammad
Published: December 2020

This study presented the spatio-temporal characteristics of extreme precipitation events in the Northern Highlands of Pakistan (NHPK). Daily precipitation observations of 30 in situ meteorological stations from 1961 to 2014 were used to estimate the 11 extreme precipitation indices. Additionally, trends in time distribution patterns (TDPs) and return periods were also investigated for event based extreme precipitations (EEP). Results found that the precipitation events with an amount of 160–320 mm and with a concentration ratio of 0.8–1.0 and a duration of 4–7 consecutive days were dominant. The frequency of heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy precipitation days decreased, whereas the frequency of wet, very wet and extremely wet days increased. Most of the indices, generally, showed an increasing trend from the northeast to middle parts. The extreme precipitation events of the 20 and 50-year return period were more common in the western and central areas of NHPK. Moreover, the 20 and 50-year return levels depicted higher values (up to 420 mm) for an event duration with all daily precipitation extremes dispersed in the first half (TDP1) in the Chitral, Panjkora and Jhelum Rivers basins, whilst the maximum values (up to 700 mm) for an event duration with all daily precipitation extremes dispersed in the second half (TDP2) were observed in the eastern part of the NHPK for 20-year and eastern and south-west for 50-year, respectively.
A Model of Ice Wedge Polygon Drainage in Changing Arctic Terrain
Authors: Zlotnik Vitaly A. , Harp Dylan R. , Jafarov Elchin E. , Abolt Charles J.
Published: December 2020

As ice wedge degradation and the inundation of polygonal troughs become increasingly common processes across the Arctic, lateral export of water from polygonal soils may represent an important mechanism for the mobilization of dissolved organic carbon and other solutes. However, drainage from ice wedge polygons is poorly understood. We constructed a model which uses cross-sectional flow nets to define flow paths of meltwater through the active layer of an inundated low-centered polygon towards the trough. The model includes the effects of evaporation and simulates the depletion of ponded water in the polygon center during the thaw season. In most simulations, we discovered a strong hydrodynamic edge effect: only a small fraction of the polygon volume near the rim area is flushed by the drainage at relatively high velocities, suggesting that nearly all advective transport of solutes, heat, and soil particles is confined to this zone. Estimates of characteristic drainage times from the polygon center are consistent with published field observations.
Filtration Process and Alternative Filter Media Material in Water Treatment
Authors: Cescon Anna , Jiang Jia-Qian
Published: December 2020

In drinking water treatment, filtration plays an important role in the multi-barrier approach employed for the removal of pathogens. The presence of suspended solids and other particulate matter in water increases the resistance of most microbes to disinfection. Therefore, high performance in the removal of particles achieved by granular filtration can increase the disinfection efficiency. Although sand is one of the major filter media, alternative media have been developed and used in recent years. In this review, the performance of alternative media is compared with traditional sand/anthracite for drinking water treatment. Advantages in the use of alternative media, especially glass media, have been found, including high filtration performance in removing residual particles and turbidity, minor modification requirements to the existing filtration configuration and slow head loss development. However, before the employment of them in industry, additional tests are recommended. In particular, full scale tests with variations in the operating conditions and analyses of pathogen removal should be performed. Moreover, this paper reviews the filtration processes and operating configurations which provide overall references to those who are studying and working in the field of water technology and treatment. In this paper, legislations/standards of safe drinking water are summarized as they are the driving force of developing new treatment technologies; mathematical modules for predicting the media filtration performance are briefed. Finally, future work on the application of alternative filter media is recommended.
Reduced-Order Electro-Thermal Battery Model Ready for Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop BMS Evaluation for an Electric Vehicle
Authors: Li An , Ponchant Matthieu , Sturm Johannes , Jossen Andreas
Published: December 2020

The software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop tests of a battery management system require a real-time compatible electro-thermal battery pack model. In our study, a numerically complex electrochemical-thermal model has been characterized from experimental data of a nickel-rich, silicon-graphite 18650-type lithium-ion cell. While it accurately represents the electro-thermal battery behavior, it is hardly suitable for real-time application due to its intensively numerical solving effort and related calculation time if no huge numerical efforts are applied to reduce the model. The objective of this paper is to present a simple method to derive a reduced-order electro-thermal cell model from the complex electrochemical-thermal cell model and build a real-time compatible battery pack model with the reduced-order cell model.
LICENCIATURA EM EDUCAÇÃO DO CAMPO: ASPECTOS DA FORMAÇÃO DE EDUCADORES NO CONTEXTO DO TERRITÓRIO RIBEIRINHO
Authors: Dos Santos Jenijunio , Molina Mônica Castagna
Published: December 2020

O artigo resulta da pesquisa qualitativa que respondeu a questão: a Licenciatura em Educação do Campo, supre as necessidades da formação dos educadores que atuam com populações ribeirinhas, na perspectiva de desenvolver práticas pedagógicas que fortaleçam o modo de vida, a organização social e o enfrentamento dos conflitos oriundos das questões que envolvem seus territórios? Para as análises dos dados, utilizou-se o aporte teórico do Materialismo Histórico Dialético e para a metodologia, fez-se a pesquisa bibliográfica, a documental e a pesquisa de campo, com o uso da técnica da roda de conversa e das entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Concluiu-se que a Licenciatura em Educação do Campo vem se firmando no contexto do território ribeirinho e supre às necessidades da formação dos educadores que nele atuam, o que pode ser verificado na superação das contradições inerentes à sua implementação, na análise do Projeto Político Pedagógico do curso.
3D Printed Ultrastretchable, Hyper-Antifreezing Conductive Hydrogel for Sensitive Motion and Electrophysiological Signal Monitoring
Authors: Wang Zhaolong , Chen Lei , Chen Yiqin , Liu Peng , Duan Huigao , Cheng Ping
Published: December 2020

Conductive hydrogels with high stretchability can extend their applications as a flexible electrode in electronics, biomedicine, human-machine interfaces, and sensors. However, their time-consuming fabrication and narrow ranges of working temperature and working voltage severely limit their further potential applications. Herein, a conductive nanocomposite network hydrogel fabricated by projection microstereolithography (P
μ
SL) based 3D printing is proposed, enabling fast fabrication ability with high precision. The 3D printed hydrogels exhibit ultra-stretchability (2500%), hyper-antifreezing (-125°C), extremely low working voltage (<100 
μ
V), and super cyclic tensile stability (1 million cycles). The hydrogel-based strain sensor can probe both large-scale and tiny human motions, even with ultralow voltage of 100 
μ
V at extremely low temperature around −115°C. It is demonstrated that the present hydrogels can be used as a flexible electrode for capturing human electrophysiological signals (EOG and EEG), where the alpha and beta waves from the brain can be recorded precisely. Therefore, the present hydrogels will pave the way for the development of next-generation intelligent electronics, especially for those working under extremely low-temperature environments.
The School of Salamanca in the sixteenth century and the way kingship is canvassed in Shakespeare’s Richard II
Authors: Conejero-Magro Luis Javier
Published: December 2020

Although there appears to be no direct evidence that Shakespeare had access to the relectiones taught in the School of Salamanca during the sixteenth century, this study demonstrates that, forty years after their dissemination, the theories of Francisco Vitoria and his disciples were probably in circulation throughout England. The methodology in this article juxtaposes Shakespeare’s Richard II with one of Vitoria’s relectiones. This relectio modified the medieval idea of the divine origin of kingship, and generated a discussion about the origin of royal power which is central to the plot of Shakespeare’s play.
The Secrets of Alexis in Glasgow University Library MS Ferguson 7
Authors: de la Cruz-Cabanillas Isabel
Published: December 2020

This article deals with a handwritten, hitherto unexplored copy of a printed text, The Secrets of Reverend Alexis of Piedmont, held in Glasgow University Library, MS Ferguson 7, which dates to 1565. The manuscript includes a collection of secrets by an anonymous compiler from the English translation of De’ Secreti del reverendo donno Alessio de Piemontese, a highly popular book of secrets published in Venice in 1555 and immediately rendered into other languages, including English. The handwritten compilation proves to be a dynamic artifact which is personalized to suit the compiler’s needs and ultimately becomes an independent new product.
KEYWORDS: early modern manuscript studies; Books of Secrets; MS Ferguson 7; Secrets of Alexis of Piedmont; Girolamo Ruscelli; William Warde.
ЩОДО НАУКОВО-МЕСІАНСЬКОЇ НОВИЗНИ ЕВОЛЮЦІЙНО-СИНТЕТИЧНОЇ МОВНОЇ ТЕОРІЇ О. Д. КОШЕЛЄВА
Authors: Попов Сергей Леонидович
Published: December 2020

У статті аналізується коректність визначення сутності еволюційно-синтетичної мовної теорії О. Д. Кошелєва як науково нової і доволі глибоко аргументованої. Послідовно доводиться, що науково-месіанська новизна цієї теорії є достатньо відносною, а сама теорія вбачається недостатньо глибоко поміркованою стосовно чинників і наслідків сутностей, що постулюються. У статті показано, що 1) застосовані до мови поняття сенсорності і функційності не можуть вважатися науково новими, бо відповідають широко відомим філософським поняттями емпіризму і раціоналізму; 2) підходи Аристотеля і Дж. Лакоффа до визначення пов 'язаних з мовою розумових категорій не можна визнати антагоністичними, тому що вони доповнюють один одного; 3) висунуте О. Д. Кошелєвим положення про мовну кореляцію онтогенезу і філогенезу не є науково новим, оскільки вперше було запропоновано ще Л. С. Виготським і під сучасну пору активно розробляється; 4) розширення переліку лінгвістично важливих когнітивних наук когнітивними структурами являє собою підміну поняття, а пропозиція включити соціологію в число лінгвістично важливих когнітивних наук вбачається запізнілим; 5) моделлю людини, в якій мислення і мова підпорядковуються діяльності, не витримує критики, оскільки не враховує, що будь-якому вибору нового виду діяльності передує таке, що обумовлює якість мислення, сприйняття цієї можливості як альтернативи, з чого випливає, що таке, що впливає на мову, мислення не підпорядковується діяльності, а мотивує вибір її видів; 6) розширення морганівської періодизації етнічного прогресу періодами машинізацію, комп'ютеризації і роботизації некоректно, оскільки вони є результатами властивого тільки цивілізації розвитку альтернативності сприйняття і зумовленої нею абстрактності мислення і, як наслідок, продуктами такої, що виникла тільки за цих когнітивних умов, теоретичної науки; це обумовлює невід'ємність машинізації, комп'ютеризації і роботизації від цивілізації.
ТЕКСТ ЯК IДIОМАТИЧНЕ УТВОРЕННЯ В СИСТЕМI СЛОВО – ФРАЗЕОЛОГIЗМ – ТЕКСТ
Authors: Степанченко Иван Иванович
Published: December 2020

У статті стверджується, що текст, ФО і слово як одиниці, що характеризуються iдiоматичнiстю, можуть бути включені в один ряд. Проте iдiоматичнiсть різних типів мовних утворень носить різний характер: iдiоматичнiсть фразеологічних сполучень має чисто мовний характер, iдiоматичнiсть фразеологічних єдностей — образно-понятійний характер. Iдiоматичнiсть слова, що визначається сполучуваністю морфем, носить одночасно і мовний і образно-понятійний характер. Текст за iдiоматичнiстю щонайближче до фразеологічних зрощень, складність сприйняття яких не пов'язана з наявністю в них архаїчних елементів, і фразеологічних єдностей, оскільки iдiоматичнiсть в цих ФО, як і в тексті, проявляється на образно-понятійному рівні. Міра iдiоматичностi визначається, по-перше, різною кількістю проміжних взаємозв'язаних ланок між "банальними" (тобто не залежними від змісту тексту, позатекстовими) образно-понятійними одиницями, генерованими словами і їх блоками, і образно-понятійними структурами, які формуються в процесі розуміння цього тексту, тобто входять у відповідну текстову парадигму. По-друге, міра iдiоматичностi визначається мірою передбачуваності (і одночасно мірою ускладненості виникнення) зв'язків між початковим позатекстовим і текстовим образно-понятійними утвореннями. При цьому мається на увазі, що відповідні образно-понятійні структури формуються не лише і не стільки за рахунок окремих слів, скільки за рахунок вербальних блоків. Таким чином, міра iдiоматичностi (міра переструктуювания) зводиться до появи різної кількості проміжних образно-понятійних ланок, необхідних для розуміння тексту, тобто для переходу від банальних (позатекстових) ланок до текстових, і складністю переходу від однієї проміжної ланки до іншої.