bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Chlorogenic Acid on Bacillus subtilis Based on Metabolomics
Authors: Wu Yan , Liang Shan , Zhang Min , Wang Zhenhua , Wang Ziyuan , Ren Xin
Published: September 2020

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a natural phenolic compound, is an important bioactive compound, and its antibacterial activity has been widely concerned, but its antibacterial mechanism remains largely unknown. Protein leakage and the solution exosmosis conductivity of Bacillus subtilis 24434 (B. subtilis) reportedly display no noticeable differences before and after CGA treatment. The bacterial cells treated with CGA displayed a consistently smooth surface under the electron microscope, indicating that CGA cannot directly disrupt bacterial membranes. However, CGA induced a significant decrease in the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration, possibly by affecting the material and energy metabolism or cell-signaling transduction. Furthermore, metabolomic results indicated that CGA stress had a bacteriostatic effect by inducing the intracellular metabolic imbalance of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glycolysis, leading to metabolic disorder and death of B. subtilis. These findings improve the understanding of the complex action mechanisms of CGA antimicrobial activity and provide theoretical support for the application of CGA as a natural antibacterial agent.
Surface Interactions between Bacterial Nanocellulose and B-Complex Vitamins
Authors: Sánchez-Osorno Diego Mauricio , Gomez-Maldonado Diego , Castro Cristina , Peresin María Soledad
Published: September 2020

The interactions between films of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and B complex vitamins were studied using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Thin films of BNC were generated in situ by QCM-D, followed by real-time measurements of the vitamin adsorption. The desorption of vitamins was induced by rinsing the system using phosphate buffers at a pH of 2 and 6.5, emulating gastric conditions. Changes in frequency (which are proportional to changes in adsorbed mass, ∆m) detected by QCM-D were used to determine the amounts of vitamin adsorbed and released from the BNC film. Additionally, changes in dissipation (∆D) were proven to be useful in identifying the effects of the pH in both pristine cellulose films and films with vitamin pre-adsorbed, following its changes during release. The effects of pH on the morphology of the vitamin-BNC surfaces were also monitored by changes in rugosity from images obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Based on this data, we propose a model for the binding phenomena, with the contraction on the relaxation of the cellulose film depending on pH, resulting in an efficient vitamin delivery process.
Synthesis, Characterization, Catalytic Activity, and DFT Calculations of Zn(II) Hydrazone Complexes
Authors: Adejumo Temiloluwa T. , Tzouras Nikolaos V. , Zorba Leandros P. , Radanović Dušanka , Pevec Andrej , Grubišić Sonja , Mitić Dragana , Anđelković Katarina K. , Vougioukalakis Georgios C. , Čobeljić Božidar , Turel Iztok
Published: September 2020

Two new Zn(II) complexes with tridentate hydrazone-based ligands (condensation products of 2-acetylthiazole) were synthesized and characterized by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The complexes 1, 2 and recently synthesized [ZnL3(NCS)2] (L3 = (E)-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxo-2-(2-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)ethan-1-aminium) complex 3 were tested as potential catalysts for the ketone-amine-alkyne (KA2) coupling reaction. The gas-phase geometry optimization of newly synthesized and characterized Zn(II) complexes has been computed at the density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP/6–31G level of theory, while the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO and LUMO) energies were calculated within the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G and B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) levels of theory. From the energies of frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO–LUMO), the reactivity descriptors, such as chemical potential (μ), hardness (η), softness (S), electronegativity (χ) and electrophilicity index (ω) have been calculated. The energetic behavior of the investigated compounds (1 and 2) has been examined in gas phase and solvent media using the polarizable continuum model. For comparison reasons, the same calculations have been performed for recently synthesized [ZnL3(NCS)2] complex 3. DFT results show that compound 1 has the smaller frontier orbital gap so, it is more polarizable and is associated with a higher chemical reactivity, low kinetic stability and is termed as soft molecule.
Antimicrobial Activity of Gemini Surfactants with Azapolymethylene Spacer
Authors: Kowalczyk Iwona , Pakiet Marta , Szulc Adrianna , Koziróg Anna
Published: September 2020

A series of 21 azapolymethylene gemini surfactants were obtained. The synthesis of the title surfactants in one- or two-step reaction proceeds with good yields. The structure and the purity of the synthesized compounds were determined by 1H and 13C NMR, ESI-MS spectra, and elemental analysis. Moreover, 2D COSY, HMBC, and HSQC spectra were performed. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the synthesized compounds were determined against fungi: Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and bacteria: Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Also, the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) were determined. The relationship between antimicrobial and surface activity and surfactant structure has been determined.
Tetrel Bonding and Other Non-Covalent Interactions Assisted Supramolecular Aggregation in a New Pb(II) Complex of an Isonicotinohydrazide
Authors: Mahmoudi Ghodrat , Abedi Marjan , Lawrence Simon E. , Zangrando Ennio , Babashkina Maria G. , Klein Axel , Frontera Antonio , Safin Damir A.
Published: September 2020

A new supramolecular Pb(II) complex [PbL(NO2)]n was synthesized from Pb(NO3)2, N’-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (HL) and NaNO2. [PbL(NO2)]n is constructed from discrete [PbL(NO2)] units with an almost ideal N2O3 square pyramidal coordination environment around Pb(II). The ligand L− is coordinated through the 2-pyridyl N-atom, one aza N-atom, and the carbonyl O-atom. The nitrite ligand binds in a κ2-O,O coordination mode through both O-atoms. The Pb(II) center exhibits a hemidirected coordination geometry with a pronounced coordination gap, which allows a close approach of two additional N-atoms arising from the N=C(O) N-atom of an adjacent molecule and from the 4-pyridyl N-atom from the another adjacent molecule, yielding a N4O3 coordination, constructed from two Pb–N and three Pb–O covalent bonds, and two Pb⋯N tetrel bonds. Dimeric units in the structure of [PbL(NO2)]n are formed by the Pb⋯N=C(O) tetrel bonds and intermolecular electrostatically enforced π+⋯π− stacking interactions between the 2- and 4-pyridyl rings and further stabilized by C–H⋯π intermolecular interactions, formed by one of the methyl H-atoms and the 4-pyridyl ring. These dimers are embedded in a 2D network representing a simplified uninodal 3-connected fes (Shubnikov plane net) topology defined by the point symbol (4∙82). The Hirshfeld surface analysis of [PbL(NO2)] revealed that the intermolecular H⋯X (X = H, C, N, O) contacts occupy an overwhelming majority of the molecular surface of the [PbL(NO2)] coordination unit. Furthermore, the structure is characterized by intermolecular C⋯C and C⋯N interactions, corresponding to the intermolecular π⋯π stacking interactions. Notably, intermolecular Pb⋯N and, most interestingly, Pb⋯H interactions are remarkable contributors to the molecular surface of [PbL(NO2)]. While the former contacts are due to the Pb⋯N tetrel bonds, the latter contacts are mainly due to the interaction with the methyl H-atoms in the π⋯π stacked [PbL(NO2)] molecules. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculations showed marked electrostatic contributions to both the Pb⋯N tetrel bonds and the dimer forming π+⋯π− stacking interactions. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses underlined the tetrel bonding character of the Pb⋯N interactions. The manifold non-covalent interactions found in this supramolecular assembly are the result of the proper combination of the polyfunctional multidentate pyridine-hydrazide ligand and the small nitrito auxiliary ligand.
Chiral Recognition of Flexible Melatonin Receptor Ligands Induced by Conformational Equilibria
Authors: Elisi Gian Marco , Bedini Annalida , Scalvini Laura , Carmi Caterina , Bartolucci Silvia , Lucini Valeria , Scaglione Francesco , Mor Marco , Rivara Silvia , Spadoni Gilberto
Published: September 2020

N-anilinoethylamides are a class of melatoninergic agents with the aniline portion mimicking the indole ring of the natural ligand and the ethylamide chain reproducing that of melatonin. The simplest compound in this class, N-{2-[(3-methoxyphenyl)methylamino]ethyl}acetamide (UCM793), has nanomolar binding affinity for MT1 and MT2 membrane receptors. To explore the effect of chain conformation on receptor binding, a methyl group was inserted on the methylene alpha or beta to the amide nitrogen and conformational equilibria were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Receptor affinity was conserved only for the beta-methyl derivative, which also showed significant stereoselectivity, with the (S) enantiomer being the eutomer. Molecular dynamics simulations, validated by NMR spectroscopy, showed that the beta-methyl group affects the conformational preferences of the ethylamide chain. Docking into the receptor crystal structure provides a rationale for the observed chiral recognition, suggesting that the (S)-beta-methyl group favors the conformation that better fits the receptor binding site.
In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Related Mechanisms of Processed Egg Yolk, a Potential Anti-Inflammaging Dietary Supplement
Authors: Cunill Joan , Babot Clara , Santos Liliana , Serrano José C. E. , Jové Mariona , Martin-Garí Meritxell , Portero-Otín Manuel
Published: September 2020

Egg-yolk based supplements have demonstrated biological effects. We have developed a novel processed egg-yolk (PEY) complement, and we have tested whether it has inflammation modulatory properties. These were evaluated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenge in 1-month male rats by in vivo circulating cytokine profiles measured by multiplexing techniques. Cell culture was used to explore ex vivo properties of derived serum samples. We explored growth factor composition, and mass-spectrometry metabolome and lipidome analyses of PEY to characterize it. PEY significantly prevented LPS-induced increase in IL-1 β, TNF-α, and MCP-1. Further, serum from PEY-treated animals abrogated LPS-induced iNOS build-up of the Raw 264.7 macrophage-like cell line. Immunochemical analyses demonstrated increased concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the extract. PEY vs. egg-yolk comparative metabolomic analyses showed significative differences in the concentrations of at least 140 molecules, and in 357 in the lipidomic analyses, demonstrating the complexity of PEY. Globally, PEY acts as an orally-bioavailable immunomodulatory extract that may be of interest in those conditions associated with disarranged inflammation, such as inflammaging.
Impact of a Moderately Hypocaloric Mediterranean Diet on the Gut Microbiota Composition of Italian Obese Patients
Authors: Pisanu Silvia , Palmas Vanessa , Madau Veronica , Casula Emanuela , Deledda Andrea , Cusano Roberto , Uva Paolo , Vascellari Sarah , Boi Francesco , Loviselli Andrea , Manzin Aldo , Velluzzi Fernanda
Published: September 2020

Although it is known that the gut microbiota (GM) can be modulated by diet, the efficacy of specific dietary interventions in determining its composition and diversity in obese patients remains to be ascertained. The present work aims to evaluate the impact of a moderately hypocaloric Mediterranean diet on the GM of obese and overweight patients (OB). The GM of 23 OB patients (F/M = 20/3) was compared before (T0) and after 3 months (T3) of nutritional intervention (NI). Fecal samples were analyzed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. At baseline, GM characterization confirmed typical obesity-associated dysbiosis. After 3 months of NI, patients presented a statistically significant reduction in body weight and fat mass, along with changes in the relative abundance of many microbial patterns. In fact, an increase in the abundance of several Bacteroidetes taxa (i.e., Sphingobacteriaceae, Sphingobacterium, Bacteroides spp., Prevotella stercorea) and a depletion of many Firmicutes taxa (i.e., Lachnospiraceae members, Ruminococcaceae and Ruminococcus, Veillonellaceae, Catenibacterium, Megamonas) were observed. In addition, the phylum Proteobacteria showed an increased abundance, while the genus Sutterella, within the same phylum, decreased after the intervention. Metabolic pathways, predicted by bioinformatic analyses, showed a decrease in membrane transport and cell motility after NI. The present study extends our knowledge of the GM profiles in OB, highlighting the potential benefit of moderate caloric restriction in counteracting the gut dysbiosis.
Circulating Very-Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids Were Inversely Associated with Cardiovascular Health: A Prospective Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Meng , Zuo Luo-Shi-Yuan , Sun Ting-Yu , Wu Yan-Yan , Liu Yu-Ping , Zeng Fang-Fang , Chen Yu-Ming
Published: September 2020

Saturated fatty acids with different chain lengths have different biological activities, but little is known about very-long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs). This study investigated the associations between the circulating VLCSFAs and cardiovascular health. This community-based cohort study included 2198 adults without carotid artery plaques (CAPs) at baseline. The percentage of baseline erythrocyte VLCSFA (arachidic acid (C20:0), behenic acid (C22:0), and lignoceric acid (C24:0)) was measured by gas chromatography. The presence of CAPs was determined at baseline and every 3 years thereafter by ultrasound examination. A meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the pooled associations between circulating VLCSFAs and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). During a median of 7.2 years of follow-up, 573 women (35.1%) and 281 men (49.6%) were identified as CAP incident cases. VLCSFAs were inversely related with CAP risk in women (all p-trend <0.05) but not in men. Multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CAPs for the highest (vs. lowest) quartile were 0.80 (0.63–1.01) for C20:0, 0.71 (0.56–0.89) for C22:0, 0.75 (0.59–0.94) for C24:0, and 0.69 (0.55–0.87) for total VLCSFAs in women. The pooled HRs (95% CIs) of CVDs for the highest (vs. lowest) circulating VLCSFAs from seven studies including 8592 participants and 3172 CVD events were 0.67 (0.57–0.79) for C20:0, 0.66 (0.48–0.90) for C22:0, and 0.57 (0.42–0.79) for C24:0, respectively. Our findings suggested that circulating VLCSFAs were inversely associated with cardiovascular health.
Interactive Effects of Copper Pipe, Stagnation, Corrosion Control, and Disinfectant Residual Influenced Reduction of Legionella pneumophila during Simulations of the Flint Water Crisis
Authors: Martin Rebekah L. , Strom Owen R. , Pruden Amy , Edwards Marc A.
Published: September 2020

Flint, MI experienced two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) during the summers of 2014 and 2015, coinciding with use of Flint River as a drinking water source without corrosion control. Using simulated distribution systems (SDSs) followed by stagnant simulated premise (i.e., building) plumbing reactors (SPPRs) containing cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) or copper pipe, we reproduced trends in water chemistry and Legionella proliferation observed in the field when Flint River versus Detroit water were used before, during, and after the outbreak. Specifically, due to high chlorine demand in the SDSs, SPPRs with treated Flint River water were chlorine deficient and had elevated L. pneumophila numbers in the PEX condition. SPPRs with Detroit water, which had lower chlorine demand and higher residual chlorine, lost all culturable L. pneumophila within two months. L. pneumophila also diminished more rapidly with time in Flint River SPPRs with copper pipe, presumably due to the bacteriostatic properties of elevated copper concentrations caused by lack of corrosion control and stagnation. This study confirms hypothesized mechanisms by which the switch in water chemistry, pipe materials, and different flow patterns in Flint premise plumbing may have contributed to observed LD outbreak patterns.
Metformin: A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Rheumatologists
Authors: Salvatore Teresa , Pafundi Pia Clara , Galiero Raffaele , Gjeloshi Klodian , Masini Francesco , Acierno Carlo , Di Martino Anna , Albanese Gaetana , Alfano Maria , Rinaldi Luca , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo
Published: September 2020

Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic drug widely used to treat type 2 diabetes, acting via indirect activation of 5′ Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). Actually, evidence has accumulated of an intriguing anti-inflammatory activity, mainly mediated by AMPK through a variety of mechanisms such as the inhibition of cytokine-stimulated Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) and the downregulation of the Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways. Moreover, AMPK plays an important role in the modulation of T lymphocytes and other pivotal cells of the innate immune system. The current understanding of these AMPK effects provides a strong rationale for metformin repurposing in the management of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Several studies demonstrated metformin’s beneficial effects on both animal and human rheumatologic diseases, especially on rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, even though data are large and remarkable, they almost exclusively come from experimental investigations with only a few from clinical trials. The lack of support from prospective placebo-controlled trials does not allow metformin to enter the therapeutic repertoire of rheumatologists. However, a large proportion of rheumatologic patients can currently benefit from metformin, such as those with concomitant obesity and type 2 diabetes, two conditions strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout, as well as those with diabetes secondary to steroid therapy.
A Programmable Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Using Phase-Only Pulse Shaping and the Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Karar Abdullah S. , Ghandour Raymond , Mahariq Ibrahim , Alboon Shadi A. , Maaz Issam , Neji Bilel , Barakat Julien Moussa H.
Published: September 2020

A novel, programmable, mode-locked fiber laser design is presented and numerically demonstrated. The laser programmability is enabled by an intracavity optical phase-only pulse shaper, which utilizes the same linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating (LC-FBG) from its two opposite ends to perform real-time optical Fourier transformation. A binary bit-pattern generator (BPG) operating at 20-Gb/s and producing a periodic sequence of 32 bits every 1.6 ns, is subsequently used to drive an optical phase modulator inside the laser cavity. Simulation results indicate stable programmable intensity profiles for each optimized user defined 32 code words. The laser operated in the self-similar mode-locking regime, enabling wave-breaking free operation. The programmable 32 bit code word targeting a specific intensity profile was determined using 100 generations of the genetic algorithm. The control of ultrashort pulse intensity profiles on the picosecond and femtosecond time scales is difficult. The process of stretching and compressing the pulse in the time domain allows for a slower BPG to impose a predefined phase modulation prior to pulse compression. This results in control over the fine features of the intensity profile of the compressed pulse on a picosecond or femtosecond time scale inside the laser cavity. The stability of the proposed scheme depends on the consistency and accuracy of the BPG rise and fall times in practice.
Surface Characteristics of Polymers with Different Absorbance after UV Picosecond Pulsed Laser Processing Using Various Repetition Rates
Authors: Ham Seung Sik , Lee Ho
Published: September 2020

We experimented with two polymer materials with different ultraviolet (UV) wavelength absorption characteristics, which are commonly used in flexible devices, by applying an ultrashort-pulsed laser of a 355-nm UV wavelength for 10 ps. The laser parameters studied were pulse repetition rate, laser irradiation method, and laser power condition. Previous studies using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which does not exhibit linear absorption at a UV wavelength, have focused on processing trends resulting in minimal collateral damage around the laser-induced ablation. However, our results showed a trend of accumulating such damage irrespective of the laser parameters. Meanwhile, polyimide (PI) exhibited a completely different behavior depending on the laser parameters. At low pulse repetition rates, minimal collateral damage was observed, whereas at high repetition rates, the morphology varied considerably. The electrical characteristics of the laser-processed materials were found to be correlated with the variations in morphology. In the case of PI, such variations in electrical resistance and morphology indicated that the material was carbonized. The findings of this study are expected to provide a useful reference when selecting parameters for the laser processing of similar polymer materials.
Research on Optimal Control of Excavator Negative Control Swing System
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Fu Wenbo , Yuan Xiaoming , Meng Zhaoliang
Published: September 2020

In order to improve the energy efficiency and dynamic of negative control swing systems of excavators, this paper proposes a technical scheme of adding two PRVs (pressure reducing valves) to main valve pilot control circuit, which can adjust main value opening arbitrarily according to the working condition. A pump-value compound control strategy was formulated to regulate the system power flow. During swing motor acceleration, main pump and the two PRVs are controlled to match system supply flow with motor demand flow, thereby reducing motor overflow and shortening system response time. During swing motor braking, the channel from motor to tank is opened to release hydraulic brake pressure by controlling PRVs before swing speed reduces to zero, which prevents the motor from reversing and oscillating. A simulation model of 37-ton excavator was established, and the control strategy was simulated. The original and optimized performance of the swing system were compared and analyzed, and results show that the application of new scheme with the compound control strategy can reduce overflow and increase braking stability of the swing system. In addition, system response and speed control performance are also improved when excavator performs a single-swing action.
Fault Detection and Isolation System Based on Structural Analysis of an Industrial Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant
Authors: Pérez-Zuñiga Gustavo , Rivas-Perez Raul , Sotomayor-Moriano Javier , Sánchez-Zurita Victor
Published: September 2020

Currently, the use of industrial seawater reverse osmosis desalination (ISROD) plants has increased in popularity in light of the growing global demand for freshwater. In ISROD plants, any fault in the components of their control systems can lead to a plant malfunction, and this condition can originate safety risks, energy waste, as well as affect the quality of freshwater. This paper addresses the design of a fault detection and isolation (FDI) system based on a structural analysis approach for an ISROD plant located in Lima (Peru). Structural analysis allows obtaining a plant model, which is useful to generate diagnostic tests. Here, diagnostic tests via fault-driven minimal structurally overdetermined (FMSO) sets are computed, and then, binary integer linear programming (BILP) is used to select the FMSO sets that guarantee isolation. Simulations shows that all the faults of interest (sensors and actuators faults) are detected and isolated according to the proposed design.
Large Eddy Simulations of Reactive Mixing in Jet Reactors of Varied Geometry and Size
Authors: Wojtas Krzysztof , Orciuch Wojciech , Makowski Łukasz
Published: September 2020

We applied large eddy simulation (LES) to predict the course of reactive mixing carried out in confined impinging jet reactors (CIJR). The reactive mixing process was studied in a wide range of flow rates both experimentally and numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). We compared several different reactor geometries made in different sizes in terms of both reaction yields and mixing efficiency. Our LES model predictions were validated using experimental data for the tracer concentration distribution and fast parallel chemical test reactions, and compared with the k-ε model supplemented with the turbulent mixer model. We found that the mixing efficiency was not affected by the flow rate only at the highest tested Reynolds numbers. The experimental results and LES predictions were found to be in good agreement for all reactor geometries and operating conditions, while the k-ε model well predicted the trend of changes. The CFD method used, i.e., the modeling approach using closure hypothesis, was positively validated as a useful tool in reactor design. This method allowed us to distinguish the best reactors in terms of mixing efficiency (T-mixer III and V-mixer III) and could provide insights for scale-up and application in different processes.
Calculating the Binary Tortuosity in DEM-Generated Granular Beds
Authors: Sobieski Wojciech
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a methodology of calculating the tortuosity in three-dimensional granular beds saved in a form of binary geometry with the application of the A-Star Algorithm and the Path Searching Algorithm is presented. The virtual beds serving as examples are prepared with the use of the Discrete Element Method based on data of real, existing samples. The obtained results are compared with the results described in other papers (obtained by the use of the Lattice Boltzmann Method and the Path Tracking Method) as well as with the selected empirical formulas found in the literature. It was stated in the paper that the A-Star Algorithm gives values similar (but always slightly underestimated) to the values obtained via approaches based on the Lattice Boltzmann Method or the Path Tracking Method. In turn, the Path Searching Algorithm gives results in the same value range as popular empirical formulas and additionally it is approximately two times faster than the A-Star Algorithm.
Integration of Well Logging and Remote Sensing Data for Detecting Potential Geothermal Sites along the Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Fahil Amr S. , Ghoneim Eman , Noweir Mohamed A. , Masoud Alaa
Published: September 2020

The Gulf of Suez area is one of the most favorable regions in Egypt for geothermal exploitation since it hosts an evident cluster of superficial thermal springs. Some of these thermal springs include Hammam Musa, Hammam Faraun, Sudr, Ayn Musa and Ain Sokhna, which are characterized by high temperatures ranging between 35 °C to 86.66 °C. It is this feature that makes the Gulf of Suez locality sufficient for geothermal power production. Corrected bottom hole temperature (BHT) data from 197 oil wells situated onshore and offshore of the Gulf of Suez were utilized for the present research. The results indicated that the study area has a geothermal gradient ranging from 24.9 to 86.66 °C/km, a heat flow ranging from 31 to 127.2 m W k−1, a thermal conductivity of 2.6–3.2 W m−1 k−1, and an amplitude temperature varying from 49.48 °C to 157.8 °C. The derived geothermal and geological layers were used together with the remote sensing thermal infrared and topographic data, to map relevant physiographic variables including surface elevation, fractures density, drainage density, nighttime land surface temperature and major lithological units. The nine produced variables were integrated in GIS to model the geothermal potential map (GTP) for the Gulf of Suez region. The model identifies the northeastern and the southwestern areas as equally two sites for high geothermal potential. Findings of this study demonstrate that integration of well logging and space data with the adopted geospatial techniques is a practical method for geothermal prospecting in similarly geologic and tectonic setting in Egypt and East Africa.
National Scale 3D Mapping of Soil pH Using a Data Augmentation Approach
Authors: Roudier Pierre , Burge Olivia R. , Richardson Sarah J. , McCarthy James K. , Grealish Gerard J. , Ausseil Anne-Gaelle
Published: September 2020

Understanding the spatial variation of soil pH is critical for many different stakeholders across different fields of science, because it is a master variable that plays a central role in many soil processes. This study documents the first attempt to map soil pH (1:5 H2O) at high resolution (100 m) in New Zealand. The regression framework used follows the paradigm of digital soil mapping, and a limited number of environmental covariates were selected using variable selection, before calibration of a quantile regression forest model. In order to adapt the outcomes of this work to a wide range of different depth supports, a new approach, which includes depth of sampling as a covariate, is proposed. It relies on data augmentation, a process where virtual observations are drawn from statistical populations constructed using the observed data, based on the top and bottom depth of sampling, and including the uncertainty surrounding the soil pH measurement. A single model can then be calibrated and deployed to estimate pH a various depths. Results showed that the data augmentation routine had a beneficial effect on prediction uncertainties, in particular when reference measurement uncertainties are taken into account. Further testing found that the optimal rate of augmentation for this dataset was 3-fold. Inspection of the final model revealed that the most important variables for predicting soil pH distribution in New Zealand were related to land cover and climate, in particular to soil water balance. The evaluation of this approach on those validation sites set aside before modelling showed very good results (R2=0.65, CCC=0.79, RMSE=0.54), that significantly out-performed existing soil pH information for the country.
Verification of GNSS Measurements of the Railway Track Using Standard Techniques for Determining Coordinates
Authors: Specht Cezary , Wilk Andrzej , Koc Wladyslaw , Karwowski Krzysztof , Dąbrowski Paweł , Specht Mariusz , Grulkowski Sławomir , Chrostowski Piotr , Szmagliński Jacek , Czaplewski Krzysztof , Skibicki Jacek , Judek Slawomir , Licow Roksana
Published: September 2020

The problem of the reproduction of the railway geometric layout in the global spatial system is currently solved in the form of measurements that use geodetic railway networks and also, in recent years, efficient methods of mobile positioning (mainly satellite and inert). The team of authors from the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Maritime University in Gdynia as part of the research project InnoSatTrack is looking for effective and efficient methods for the inventory of railway lines. The research is part of a wider investigation BRIK (Research and Development in Railway Infrastructure, in polish: Badania i Rozwój w Infrastrukturze Kolejowej). This paper presents a comparative analysis of the problem of the reproduction of the trajectory of the measuring system using tacheometry, satellite measurements made using a measurement trolley, and mobile satellite measurements. Algorithms enabling the assessment of the compliance of satellite measurements with classic tacheometric measurements were presented. To this end, the authors held measurement sessions using modern geodetic instruments and satellite navigation on a section of the railway line. The results of the measurements indicate the convergence of the level of accuracy achieved by different measuring techniques.
Improving Access to Justice with Legal Chatbots
Authors: Queudot Marc , Charton Éric , Meurs Marie-Jean
Published: September 2020

On average, one in three Canadians will be affected by a legal problem over a three-year period. Unfortunately, whether it is legal representation or legal advice, the very high cost of these services excludes disadvantaged and most vulnerable people, forcing them to represent themselves. For these people, accessing legal information is therefore critical. In this work, we attempt to tackle this problem by embedding legal data in a conversational interface. We introduce two dialog systems (chatbots) created to provide legal information. The first one, based on data from the Government of Canada, deals with immigration issues, while the second one informs bank employees about legal issues related to their job tasks. Both chatbots rely on various representations and classification algorithms, from mature techniques to novel advances in the field. The chatbot dedicated to immigration issues is shared with the research community as an open resource project.
National Research Funding for Sustainable Growth in Translation Studies as an Academic Discipline in China
Authors: Jiang Zhiwei , Wu Yun , Tsung Linda
Published: September 2020

Global changes in both the current economic climate and political priorities have posed significant challenges concerning government spending on research, which undermines the survival and development of a number of academic disciplines, especially those in arts and humanities. This article reports on an inquiry that examines whether and how national research funding has supported the development of translation studies as an academic discipline in China, employing the example of the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) subsidy, as allocated to the field of translation studies. Firstly, we accessed the NSSFC database for all programs featuring translation and translation studies between 2010 and 2019. Secondly, we coded, categorized, and processed the data in a quantitative manner. Our examination of the number of grants, research focuses, and frequently examined issues of these programs has led us to conclude the fact that NSSFC has facilitated the increase in translation studies as an academic discipline in China. Further investigation into the positive relationship between NSSFC funding policies and mechanism and the growth in academic translation studies has also identified the ways NSSFC boosts translation studies as an academic discipline in China: to promote and increase the market, interdisciplinary, and multimodal applicability of the research output. The findings also suggest that revisions may be needed to further refine the NSSFC mechanism so that translation studies will develop into a balanced, continuously innovative discipline.
The Potential for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in EU Countries in the Context of Sustainable Development
Authors: Ionescu George H. , Firoiu Daniela , Pîrvu Ramona , Enescu Marian , Rădoi Mihai-Ionuț , Cojocaru Teodor Marian
Published: September 2020

For the European Union, innovation and entrepreneurship are strong vectors to overcome global societal challenges from climate change and sustainable energy to food and healthy living. Innovation is a facilitator of entrepreneurship and a way of empowering people to take charge of their lives and economic prosperity. At the same time, entrepreneurship is the answer to innovation, the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship being undeniably interrelated. This research proposes assessing the potential for innovation and entrepreneurship in EU countries in the context of sustainable development. With the help of hierarchical clustering analysis, EU countries were classified into four relevant clusters on the basis of the variables considered, which allowed the identification of common features and existing differences. The research was conducted using data provided by the Global Innovation Index, Global Entrepreneurship Index, Eurostat database, and Candriam ESG Country Report at the level of the 27 EU countries. The main results revealed high-performing countries in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship potential, providing relevant information for policy-makers, business practitioners, NGOs, and academics on the direction they need to take for good practice models to be adapted and implemented in countries with sub-optimal performance, to provide them with support for improvement of their innovation and entrepreneurship potential.
Applicability Analysis of Vegetation Condition and Dryness for Sand and Dust Storm (SDS) Risk Reduction in SDS Source and Receptor Region
Authors: Park Eunbeen , Kim Jiwon , Song Cholho , Jo Hyun-Woo , Lee Sujong , Kim Sea Jin , Park Sugyeong , Lim Chul-Hee , Lee Woo-Kyun
Published: September 2020

Central Asian countries, which are included the Mid-Latitude Region (MLR), need to develop regional adaptive strategies for reducing Sand and Dust Storm (SDS)-induced negative damages based on adequate information and data. To overcome current limitation about data and assessment approaches in this region, the macroscale verified methodologies were required. Therefore, this study analyzed environmental conditions based on the SDS impacts and regional differences of SDS sources and receptors to support regional SDS adaptation plans. This study aims to identify environmental conditions based on the phased SDS impact and regional differences of SDS source and receptor to support regional adaptation plans in MLR. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Aridity Index (AI), and SDS frequency were calculated based on satellite images and observed meteorological data. The relationship among SDS frequency, vegetation, and dryness was determined by performing statistical analysis. In order to reflect phased SDS impact and regional differences, SDS frequency was classified into five classes, and representative study areas were selected by dividing source and receptor in Central Asia and East Asia. The spatial analysis was performed to characterize the effect of phased SDS impact and regional distribution differences pattern of NDVI and AI. The result revealed that vegetation condition was negatively correlated with the SDS frequency, while dryness and the SDS frequency were positively correlated. In particular, the range of dryness and vegetation was related to the SDS frequency class and regional difference based on spatial analysis. Overall, the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea can be considered as an active source of SDS in Central Asia, and the regions were likely to expand into potential SDS risk areas compared to East Asia. This study presents the possibility of potential SDS risk area using continuously monitored vegetation and dryness index, and aids in decision-making which prioritizes vegetation restoration to prevent SDS damages with the macrolevel approach in the MLR perspective.
The Impact of the Sustainability Principles on the Strategic Planning and Reporting of Universities. An Exploratory Study on a Qualified Italian Sample
Authors: Di Nauta Primiano , Iannuzzi Enrica , Milone Michele , Nigro Claudio
Published: September 2020

Strategic Plans (SPs) and Sustainability Reports (SRs) represent institutional communication tools implemented by universities to demonstrate their adoption of sustainability and sustainable development goals (SDGs of Agenda 2030) as drivers in their strategic planning processes. These tools make the adopted strategies and operations visible and easily understandable to stakeholders, highlighting the university’s commitment to a new balance between business, environment, and the social sphere. Moving from this premise, with the aim to evaluate the degree of transposition of sustainability and sustainable development principles into the Italian university system, we propose an exploratory research on universities’ institutional declarations, in the form of the SRs and SPs available on their web sites. To this aim, we conducted a content analysis aiming at a preliminary phase of text coding, based on a set of analytical categories—pillars—namely Education and Learning, Research, Operations and Governance, and External Leadership. The work has allowed us to identify: an interesting extent to which the sustainability principles have been transposed into the Italian university system, with particular regard to the third category of Operations and Governance (36% of coded segments in SRs and 32% of coded segments in SPs); a considerable awareness of universities of their key role played on the sociopolitical and economic levels for the diffusion of the Agenda 2030 within civil society.
A Study on the Job Retention Intention of Nurses Based on Social Support in the COVID-19 Situation
Authors: Kim Young-Jae , Lee So-Young , Cho Jeong-Hyung
Published: September 2020

This study investigated how social support influences the job engagement and job retention intention of nurses struggling in the continuing scenes of the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, 382 nurses were the participants, data from 377 of whom were analyzed in total, with the following results. First, it showed that nurses’ job engagement and job retention intention were high, depending on their age and work experience. Second, in terms of the factors related to COVID-19, the group with experience in nursing patients infected with COVID-19 and nurses working in COVID-19 divisions had low job retention intention. Lastly, it appeared that there were differences in job engagement and job retention intention depending on the category and type of social support. These results suggest that social support should be provided strategically to ensure nurses’ job retention.
The Rise of Resilience in Spatial Planning: A Journey through Disciplinary Boundaries and Contested Practices
Authors: Rega Carlo , Bonifazi Alessandro
Published: September 2020

Resilience has become a popular term in spatial planning, often replacing sustainability as a reference frame. However, different concepts and understandings are embedded within it, which calls for keeping a critical stance about its widespread use. In this paper, we engage with the resilience turn in spatial planning and we dwell on the relation between resilience and sustainability from a planning perspective. Building on insights from ecology, complex system theory and epistemology, we question whether resilience can effectively act as a ‘boundary object’, i.e., a concept plastic enough to foster cooperation between different research fields and yet robust enough to maintain a common identity. Whilst we do not predicate a dichotomy between resilience and sustainability, we argue that the shift in the dominant understanding of resilience from a descriptive concept, to a broader conceptual and normative framework, is bound to generate some remarkable tensions. These can be associated with three central aspects in resilience thinking: (i) the unknowability and unpredictability of the future, whence a different focus of sustainability and resilience on outcomes vs. processes, respectively, ensue; (ii) the ontological separation between the internal components of a system and an external shock; (iii) the limited consideration given by resilience to inter- and intra-generational equity. Empirical evidence on actual instances of planning for resilience from different contexts seems to confirm these trends. We advocate that resilience should be used as a descriptive concept in planning within a sustainability framework, which entails a normative and transformative component that resonates with the very raison d’être of planning.
Traffic State Estimation and Classification on Citywide Scale Using Speed Transition Matrices
Authors: Tišljarić Leo , Carić Tonči , Abramović Borna , Fratrović Tomislav
Published: September 2020

The rising need for mobility, especially in large urban centers, consequently results in congestion, which leads to increased travel times and pollution. Advanced traffic management systems are being developed to take the advantage of increased mobility positive effects and minimize the negative ones. The first step dealing with congestion in urban areas is the detection of congested areas and the estimation of the congestion level. This paper presents a a method for a traffic state estimation on a citywide scale using the novel traffic data representation, named Speed Transition Matrix (STM). The proposed method uses traffic data to extract the STMs and to estimate the traffic state based on the Center Of Mass (COM) computation for every STM. The COM-based approach enables the simplification of the clustering process and provides increased interpretability of the resulting clusters. Using the proposed method, traffic data is analyzed, and the traffic state is estimated for the most relevant road segments in the City of Zagreb, which is the capital and the largest city in Croatia. The traffic state classification results are validated using the cross-validation method and the domain knowledge data with the resulting accuracy of 97% and 91%, respectively. The results indicate the possible application of the proposed method for the traffic state estimation on macro- and micro-locations in the city area. In the end, the application of STMs for traffic state estimation, traffic management, and anomaly detection is discussed.
Effects of the Policy and Human Intervention on the Infrastructure-Environment Nexus in China
Authors: Wu Zhaodan , Ye Quanliang , Tian Ze
Published: September 2020

With the outstanding investment in infrastructure during the past decades, the evaluation of the infrastructure-environment nexus is highly required to achieve the sustainable development of economy, resources and environment, as well as human being. This study analyzes the supply-chain-wide blue water withdrawal occurred in China for global infrastructure development, and one step further, the potential effects of policy and human intervention on future infrastructure-related environmental performances. Our results showed that the blue water withdrawal in China was main for the domestic infrastructure construction because of its rapid-growing investment, coupled with that in the United States, Japan, and India. Energy-related products (e.g., “Electricity by coal”) and primary materials (e.g., “Basic iron and steel”), highly required for the construction of infrastructure, have played relatively great roles in China’s blue water withdrawal. For the future sustainable development of infrastructure, we also addressed that efficiency improvement and nonconventional water resource utilization could cover half of the blue water gap between the current development trend and the sustainable one. In light of the synergies among infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and socioeconomic intervention, it is vital to uphold economic and environmental efficiency in the decision-making of infrastructure development.
Exoproteomics for Better Understanding Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence
Authors: Sauvage Salomé , Hardouin Julie
Published: September 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common human opportunistic pathogen associated with nosocomial diseases. In 2017, the World Health Organization has classified P. aeruginosa as a critical agent threatening human health, and for which the development of new treatments is urgently necessary. One interesting avenue is to target virulence factors to understand P. aeruginosa pathogenicity. Thus, characterising exoproteins of P. aeruginosa is a hot research topic and proteomics is a powerful approach that provides important information to gain insights on bacterial virulence. The aim of this review is to focus on the contribution of proteomics to the studies of P. aeruginosa exoproteins, highlighting its relevance in the discovery of virulence factors, post-translational modifications on exoproteins and host-pathogen relationships.