bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Rapid Chlorophyll Fluorescence Transients to Classify Vitis Genotypes
Authors: Marques da Silva Jorge , Figueiredo Andreia , Cunha Jorge , Eiras-Dias José Eduardo , Silva Sara , Vanneschi Leonardo , Mariano Pedro
Published: February 2020

When a dark-adapted leaf is illuminated with saturating light, a fast polyphasic rise of fluorescence emission (Kautsky effect) is observed. The shape of the curve is dependent on the molecular organization of the photochemical apparatus, which in turn is a function of the interaction between genotype and environment. In this paper, we evaluate the potential of rapid fluorescence transients, aided by machine learning techniques, to classify plant genotypes. We present results of the application of several machine learning algorithms (k-nearest neighbors, decision trees, artificial neural networks, genetic programming) to rapid induction curves recorded in different species and cultivars of vine grown in the same environmental conditions. The phylogenetic relations between the selected Vitis species and Vitis vinifera cultivars were established with molecular markers. Both neural networks (71.8%) and genetic programming (75.3%) presented much higher global classification success rates than k-nearest neighbors (58.5%) or decision trees (51.6%), genetic programming performing slightly better than neural networks. However, compared with a random classifier (success rate = 14%), even the less successful algorithms were good at the task of classifying. The use of rapid fluorescence transients, handled by genetic programming, for rapid preliminary classification of Vitis genotypes is foreseen as feasible.
Cultivar Resistance against Colletotrichum asianum in the World Collection of Mango Germplasm in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Vitale Alessandro , Alfenas Acelino Couto , de Siqueira Dalmo Lopes , Magistà Donato , Perrone Giancarlo , Polizzi Giancarlo
Published: February 2020

During the spring of 2014, a wide survey was conducted in one of the most important mango (Mangifera indica) cultivating areas located in Minas Gerais State (Brazil) to ascertain the causal agent of severe anthracnose infections and to evaluate disease susceptibility within a world collection of mango germplasm. Overall, 86 cultivars were monitored and 152 fungal isolates recovered from infected samples were identified by morphological characterization, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. All isolates were identified as Colletotrichum asianum. Under natural disease pressure, it has been possible to ascertain a variable tolerance degree within the germplasm collection. By applying a categorized classification, cultivars were classified as follows: 10 highly sensitive (11.6%), 13 sensitive (15.1%), 18 moderately sensitive (20.9%), 23 moderately tolerant (26.7%), 11 tolerant (12.8%), and 11 highly tolerant (10.4%). The most susceptible cultivars to anthracnose were Ubà, Quinzenga, Amarelinha da Sementeira followed by Aroeira and Correjo, whereas Mallika followed by Ourinho and Lita resulted in the least susceptible cultivars. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first large-scale evaluation of mango susceptibility to C. asianum infections within a wide number of cultivars. Anthracnose is a serious threat to mango production and assessment of cultivar response to disease could be useful in breeding programs.
Research of the Influence of the Ultrasonic Treatment on the Melts of the Polymeric Compositions for the Creation of Packaging Materials with Antimicrobial Properties and Biodegrability
Authors: Kirsh Irina , Frolova Yuliya , Bannikova Olga , Beznaeva Olga , Tveritnikova Isabella , Myalenko Dmitry , Romanova Valentina , Zagrebina Daria
Published: February 2020

Ensuring the microbiological safety of food products is a problem of current interest. The use of antimicrobial packaging materials is a way of solving the problem. When developing packaging materials, it is advisable to use a modern approach based on the creation of biodegradable materials. The difficulty in the selection of the polymer compositions’ components lies in solving the dilemma of the joint introduction and processing of antimicrobial and biodegradable agents. The studies of the ultrasound treatment on the melts of polymer mixtures showed an increase in the dispersion process of the components of the mixture. In this regard, this work aimed to study the effect of the ultrasonic treatment on the melts of polymer compositions containing thermoplastic starch and birch bark extract (BBE). In the work, the properties of PE-based packaging materials with various BBE concentrations obtained with ultrasonic treatment of melts on a laboratory extruder were studied. Biodegradable polymer compositions containing thermoplastic starch and BBE, obtained with the use of the ultrasonic treatment during extrusion, were investigated. The methods for studying rheological, physic-mechanical, antimicrobial properties and sanitary chemical indicators of materials were used in the article. It was found that ultrasonic treatment increases the melt flow and contributes to the production of materials with the uniform distribution of additives. The BBE content from 1.0% and higher in the contents of the material provides antimicrobial properties. When studying the permeability of oxygen and water vapor of the polymer compositions based on PE and BBE, it was found that the introduction of a filler increases vapor permeability by about 8–12% compared with control samples. The optimal concentration of BBE in polyethylene compositions containing thermoplastic starch was determined. The extension of the shelf life of the food product during storage in the developed material was established.
Degradable Controlled Release Fertilizer Composite Prepared via Extrusion: Fabrication, Characterization, and Release Mechanisms
Authors: Bi Siwen , Barinelli Vincenzo , Sobkowicz Margaret J.
Published: February 2020

In this work, biodegradable polymers were melt compounded with urea phosphate to fabricate “smart fertilizers” for sustainable agriculture. Urea phosphate (UP) is typically applied as a water-soluble fertilizer to treat phosphorus deficiency in high pH soils. Due to the low diffusion rate of phosphate through slow-release fertilizer coatings, phosphate supply has been considered the “bottleneck” for nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium (NPK) nutrients supply. We study the influence of polymer matrix structure on release kinetics in deionized water using novel polyesters including poly (hexamethylene succinate) (PHS), poly (30% butylene succinate-co-70% hexamethylene succinate) (PBHS 30/70), and PBHS 70/30. Melt processed composites of UP and polyester were analyzed to determine UP loading efficiency and dispersion and distribution of the salt in the polymer matrix. A combined empirical model involving diffusion and erosion mechanisms was found have a good agreement with the experimental release curve. This work provides a solution for environmentally friendly controlled release phosphate fertilizer with good release performance using bio-based and biodegradable polymers.
Fracture Resistance Analysis of 3D-Printed Polymers
Authors: Zolfagharian Ali , Khosravani Mohammad Reza , Kaynak Akif
Published: February 2020

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed parts are an essential subcategory of additive manufacturing with the recent proliferation of research in this area. However, 3D-printed parts fabricated by different techniques differ in terms of microstructure and material properties. Catastrophic failures often occur due to unstable crack propagations and therefore a study of fracture behavior of 3D-printed components is a vital component of engineering design. In this paper, experimental tests and numerical studies of fracture modes are presented. A series of experiments were performed on 3D-printed nylon samples made by fused deposition modeling (FDM) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) to determine the load-carrying capacity of U-notched plates fabricated by two different 3D printing techniques. The equivalent material concept (EMC) was used in conjunction with the J-integral failure criterion to investigate the failure of the notched samples. Numerical simulations indicated that when EMC was combined with the J-integral criterion the experimental results could be predicted successfully for the 3D-printed polymer samples.
Ion Exchange Dialysis for Aluminium Transport through a Face-Centred Central Composite Design Approach
Authors: Asante-Sackey Dennis , Rathilal Sudesh , V. Pillay Lingham , Kweinor Tetteh Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

An ion exchange dialysis (IED) is used in the recovery of aluminium from residue. In this paper, the face-centred central composite design (FC-CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM) and desirability approach is used for experimental design, modelling and process optimization of a counter flow IED system. The feed concentration, feed flowrate, sweep flowrate and sweep concentration were selected as the process variables, with the Al transport across a Nafion 117 membrane as the target response. A total of 30 experimental runs were conducted with six centre points. The response obtained was analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and fitted to a second-order polynomial model using multiple regression analysis. The actual R2 and standard deviation of the model are 0.9548 and 0.2932, respectively. Depending on the time zone of reference (24 h or 32 h), the highest enrichment of >1.50 was achieved. The designed variables were numerically optimized by applying the desirability function to achieve the maximum Al transport. The optimised condition values were found to be a feed concentration of 1600 ppm, feed flowrate of 61.76%, sweep flowrate of 37.50% and sweep concentration of 0.75 N for the 80% target response at 32 h. Overall, the model can be used to effectively predict Al recovery using the designed system.
Methane Emission Reduction Enhanced by Hydrophobic Biochar-Modified Soil Cover
Authors: Wu Beibei , Xi Beidou , He Xiaosong , Sun Xiaojie , Li Qian , Ouche Quanyi , Zhang Hongxia , Xue Chennan
Published: February 2020

The microbial oxidation of CH4 in biochar-modified soil cover is considered a potent option for the mitigation of emissions from old landfills or sites containing wastes full of low CH4 generation rates. The mechanism of methane oxidizing bacteria (MOB) can be enhanced by amending the landfill cover soil with biochar, which is recalcitrant to biological degradation and can adsorb CH4 while facilitating the growth and activity of MOB within its porous structure. However, the increase in the permeability coefficient and water content of the cover due to the addition of biochar also affects the methane removal efficiency. A hydrophobic biochar modified by KH-570 was employed to reduce the water content and to promote the diffusion and oxidation of CH4 in the cover. Several series of small-scale column tests were conducted to quantify the CH4 oxidation properties of the landfill cover soil amended with biochar and hydrophobic biochar under different levels of exposed CH4 concentrations (5% and 15%), heights (10–66 cm), and temperatures (15–40 °C). After 30 days of domestication, the removal rate of the hydrophobic biochar-modified soil cover reached 98.8%. The water holding capacity of the cover and the CH4 oxidation efficiency under different moisture contents were investigated in different columns. The hydrophobic biochar-modified soil cover has a weak water holding capacity, low saturated water content, and optimal CH4 oxidation efficiency at this time.
A Practical Unified Algorithm of P-IMC Type
Authors: Cirtoaje Vasile
Published: February 2020

The paper presents a practical algorithm of the proportional-internal model control (P-IMC) type that can be applied to control a wide class of processes: Stable proportional processes, integral processes and some unstable processes. The P-IMC algorithm is a suitable combination between the P0-IMC algorithm and the P1-IMC algorithm, which are characterized by a too weak and a too strong impact of the tuning gain on the control action, respectively. The overall controller has five parameters: A tuning parameter K, three model parameters (steady-state gain, settling time, and time delay) and a process feedback gain used only for integral or unstable processes, to turn them into a compensated process (stable and of proportional type). For a step setpoint, the initial value of the compensated process input is approximately K times its final value. Furthermore, for K = 1 , the compensated process input is close to a step shape (step control principle). These properties enable a human operator to check and adjust online the model parameters. Due to its control performance, robustness to modeling error, and capability to be easily tuned and applied for all industrial processes, the P-IMC algorithm could be a viable alternative to the known PID algorithm. Numerical simulations are given to highlight the performance and the flexibility of the algorithm.
Neural Differentiation Dynamics Controlled by Multiple Feedback Loops in a Comprehensive Molecular Interaction Network
Authors: Iwasaki Tsuyoshi , Takiguchi Ryo , Hiraiwa Takumi , Yamada Takahiro G. , Yamazaki Kazuto , Hiroi Noriko F. , Funahashi Akira
Published: February 2020

Mathematical model simulation is a useful method for understanding the complex behavior of a living system. The construction of mathematical models using comprehensive information is one of the techniques of model construction. Such a comprehensive knowledge-based network tends to become a large-scale network. As a result, the variation of analyses is limited to a particular kind of analysis because of the size and complexity of the model. To analyze a large-scale regulatory network of neural differentiation, we propose a contractive method that preserves the dynamic behavior of a large network. The method consists of the following two steps: comprehensive network building and network reduction. The reduction phase can extract network loop structures from a large-scale regulatory network, and the subnetworks were combined to preserve the dynamics of the original large-scale network. We confirmed that the extracted loop combination reproduced the known dynamics of HES1 and ASCL1 before and after differentiation, including oscillation and equilibrium of their concentrations. The model also reproduced the effects of the overexpression and knockdown of the Id2 gene. Our model suggests that the characteristic change in HES1 and ASCL1 expression in the large-scale regulatory network is controlled by a combination of four feedback loops, including a large loop, which has not been focused on. The model extracted by our method has the potential to reveal the critical mechanisms of neural differentiation. The method is applicable to other biological events.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Reports in 2019
Authors: Reports Editorial Office
Published: February 2020

The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not [...]
Building Group Key Establishment on Group Theory: A Modular Approach
Authors: Bohli Jens-Matthias , González Vasco María I. , Steinwandt Rainer
Published: February 2020

A group key establishment protocol is presented and proven secure in the common reference string mode. The protocol builds on a group-theoretic assumption, and a concrete example can be obtained with a decision Diffie–Hellman assumption. The protocol is derived from a two-party solution by means of a protocol compiler presented by Abdalla et al. at TCC 2007, evidencing the possibility of meaningfully integrating cryptographic and group-theoretic tools in cryptographic protocol design. This compiler uses a standard ring configuration, where all users behave symmetrically, exchanging keys with their left and right neighbor, which are later combined to yield a shared group key.
Characteristics of Flow Symmetry and Heat Transfer of Winglet Pair in Common Flow Down Configuration
Authors: Song KeWei , Shi WeiNa , Wu Xiang , Wang LiangBi
Published: February 2020

The effect of transverse pitch between a pair of delta-winglet vortex generators arranged in a common flow down configuration on the symmetrical flow structure and heat-transfer performance was numerically investigated. The results showed that symmetrical longitudinal vortices form a common flow down region between the vortices. The fluid is induced to flow from the top towards the bottom of the channel in the common flow region, which is advantageous to the heat transfer of the bottom fin. The vortex interaction increases and the vortex intensity decreases along with the decrease in transverse pitch of vortex generators. Vortex interaction has a slight influence on pressure penalty. The Nusselt number decreases with increasing vortex interaction. The vortices gradually attenuate and depart from each other during the process of flowing downward. A reasonable transverse pitch of delta-winglet vortex generators in a common-flow-down configuration is recommended for high thermal performance.
Sequential Recommendations on Board-Game Platforms
Authors: Kim JaeWon , Wi JeongA , Jang SooJin , Kim YoungBin
Published: February 2020

The game market is an increasingly large industry. The board-game market, which is the most traditional in the game market, continues to show a steady growth. It is very important for both publishers and players to predict the propensity of users in this huge market and to recommend new games. Despite its importance, no study has been performed on board-game recommendation systems. In this study, we propose a method to build a deep-learning-based recommendation system using large-scale user data of an online community related to board games. Our study showed that new games can be effectively recommended for board-game users based on user big data accumulated for a long time. This is the first study to propose a personalized recommendation system for users in the board-game market and to introduce a provision of new large datasets for board-game users. The proposed dataset shares symmetric characteristics with other datasets and has shown its ability to be applied to various recommendation systems through experiments. Therefore, the dataset and recommendation system proposed in this study are expected to be applied for various studies in the field.
Applying Educational Data Mining to Explore Students’ Learning Patterns in the Flipped Learning Approach for Coding Education
Authors: Hung Hui-Chun , Liu I-Fan , Liang Che-Tien , Su Yu-Sheng
Published: February 2020

From traditional face-to-face courses, asynchronous distance learning, synchronous live learning, to even blended learning approaches, the learning approach can be more learner-centralized, enabling students to learn anytime and anywhere. In this study, we applied educational data mining to explore the learning behaviors in data generated by students in a blended learning course. The experimental data were collected from two classes of Python programming related courses for first-year students in a university in northern Taiwan. During the semester, high-risk learners could be predicted accurately by data generated from the blended educational environment. The f1-score of the random forest model was 0.83, which was higher than the f1-score of logistic regression and decision tree. The model built in this study could be extrapolated to other courses to predict students’ learning performance, where the F1-score was 0.77. Furthermore, we used machine learning and symmetry-based learning algorithms to explore learning behaviors. By using the hierarchical clustering heat map, this study could define the students’ learning patterns including the positive interactive group, stable learning group, positive teaching material group, and negative learning group. These groups also corresponded with the student conscious questionnaire. With the results of this research, teachers can use the mid-term forecasting system to find high-risk groups during the semester and remedy their learning behaviors in the future.
Well Posedness and Finite Element Approximability of Three-Dimensional Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Problems Involving Rotating Axisymmetric Objects
Authors: Kalarickel Ramakrishnan Praveen , Raffetto Mirco
Published: February 2020

A set of sufficient conditions for the well posedness and the convergence of the finite element approximation of three-dimensional time-harmonic electromagnetic boundary value problems involving non-conducting rotating objects with stationary boundaries or bianisotropic media is provided for the first time to the best of authors’ knowledge. It is shown that it is not difficult to check the validity of these conditions and that they hold true for broad classes of practically important problems which involve rotating or bianisotropic materials. All details of the applications of the theory are provided for electromagnetic problems involving rotating axisymmetric objects.
A Parametric EIT System Spice Simulation with Phantom Equivalent Circuits
Authors: Dimas Christos , Uzunoglu Nikolaos , Sotiriadis Paul Peter
Published: February 2020

In this paper a number of LT Spice simulations have been carried out on an Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) system, which includes the whole analog and digital circuitry as well as the subject to be examined (phantom model). The aim of this study is to show how the analog and digital parts, the electrodes and the subject’s physical properties may impact the measurements and the quality of the reconstructed image. This could provide a useful tool for designing an EIT system. Special attention has been given to the current source’s output impedance and swing, to the noise produced by the circuits and to the Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) resolution and sampling rate. Furthermore, some 3D phantom subjects have been modeled and simulated as equivalent circuits, merged with the EIT simulated hardware, in order to observe how changes on their properties interact with the whole circuitry and affect the final result. Observations show that mirrored current sources with z o u t > 350 k Ω and sufficiently high ADC acquisition sampling rate ( f s a m p l e ≥ 16 f i n ) can result to accurate impedance measurements and therefore quality image reconstruction within a frequency span of at least 10 to 100 kHz. Moreover, possible hardware failures (electrode disconnections and imbalanced contact impedances) can be detected with a simple examination of the first extracted image and measurement set, so that by direct modification of the reconstruction process, a corrected result can be obtained.
A Web of Coagulotoxicity: Failure of Antivenom to Neutralize the Destructive (Non-Clotting) Fibrinogenolytic Activity of Loxosceles and Sicarius Spider Venoms
Authors: Grashof Dwin , Zdenek Christina N. , Dobson James S. , Youngman Nicholas J. , Coimbra Francisco , Benard-Valle Melisa , Alagon Alejandro , Fry Bryan G.
Published: February 2020

Envenomations are complex medical emergencies that can have a range of symptoms and sequelae. The only specific, scientifically-validated treatment for envenomation is antivenom administration, which is designed to alleviate venom effects. A paucity of efficacy testing exists for numerous antivenoms worldwide, and understanding venom effects and venom potency can help identify antivenom improvement options. Some spider venoms can produce debilitating injuries or even death, yet have been largely neglected in venom and antivenom studies because of the low venom yields. Coagulation disturbances have been particularly under studied due to difficulties in working with blood and the coagulation cascade. These circumstances have resulted in suboptimal spider bite treatment for medically significant spider genera such as Loxosceles and Sicarius. This study identifies and quantifies the anticoagulant effects produced by venoms of three Loxoscles species (L. reclusa, L. boneti, and L. laeta) and that of Sicarius terrosus. We showed that the venoms of all studied species are able to cleave the fibrinogen Aα-chain with varying degrees of potency, with L. reclusa and S. terrosus venom cleaving the Aα-chain most rapidly. Thromboelastography analysis revealed that only L. reclusa venom is able to reduce clot strength, thereby presumably causing anticoagulant effects in the patient. Using the same thromboelastography assays, antivenom efficacy tests revealed that the commonly used Loxoscles-specific SMase D recombinant based antivenom failed to neutralize the anticoagulant effects produced by Loxosceles venom. This study demonstrates the fibrinogenolytic activity of Loxosceles and Sicarius venom and the neutralization failure of Loxosceles antivenom, thus providing impetus for antivenom improvement.
Rotating Disc around a Schwarzschild Black Hole
Authors: Semerák Oldřich , Čížek Pavel
Published: February 2020

A stationary and axisymmetric (in fact circular) metric is reviewed which describes the first-order perturbation of a Schwarzschild black-hole space-time due to a rotating finite thin disc encircling the hole symmetrically. The key Green functions of the problem (corresponding to an infinitesimally thin ring)—the one for the gravitational potential and the one for the dragging angular velocity—were already derived, in terms of infinite series, by Will in 1974, but we have now put them into closed forms using elliptic integrals. Such forms are more practical for numerical evaluation and for integration in problems involving extended sources. This last point mostly remains difficult, but we illustrate that it may be workable by using the simple case of a finite thin disc with constant Newtonian surface density.
Estimating the Risk of Human Herpesvirus 6 and Cytomegalovirus Transmission to Ugandan Infants from Viral Shedding in Saliva by Household Contacts
Authors: Mayer Bryan T. , Krantz Elizabeth M. , Wald Anna , Corey Lawrence , Casper Corey , Gantt Soren , Schiffer Joshua T.
Published: February 2020

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common in early childhood. In a prospective Ugandan birth cohort study, most infants acquired HHV-6 (24/31; 77%) and CMV (20/30; 67%) during follow-up. To assess the transmission risk, we modeled a dose–response relationship between infant HHV-6 and CMV infections and weekly oral viral shedding by mothers and all other (“secondary”) children in the home. Oral viral loads that were shed by mothers and secondary children were significantly associated with HHV-6 but not CMV transmission. While secondary children had higher and more frequent HHV-6 shedding than their mothers, they had a lower per-exposure transmission risk, suggesting that transmission to maternal contacts may be more efficient. HHV-6 transmission was relatively inefficient, occurring after <25% of all weekly exposures. Although HHV-6 transmission often occurs following repeated, low dose exposures, we found a non-linear dose–response relationship in which infection risk markedly increases when exposures reached a threshold of > 5 log10 DNA copies/mL. The lack of association between oral CMV shedding and transmission is consistent with breastfeeding being the dominant route of infant infection for that virus. These affirm saliva as the route of HHV-6 transmission and provide benchmarks for developing strategies to reduce the risk of infection and its related morbidity.
Assessment of the Clinical and Economic Impact of Different Immunization Protocols of Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella in Internationally Adopted Children
Authors: Boccalini Sara , Bechini Angela , Alimenti Cecilia Maria , Bonanni Paolo , Galli Luisa , Chiappini Elena
Published: February 2020

The appropriate immunization of internationally adopted children (IAC) is currently under debate and different approaches have been suggested. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of different strategies of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) immunization in IAC in Italy. A decision analysis model was developed to compare three strategies: presumptive immunization, pre-vaccination serotesting and vaccination based on documentation of previous immunization. Main outcomes were the cost of strategy, number of protected IAC, and cost per child protected against MMRV. Moreover, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated. The strategy currently recommended in Italy (immunize based on documentation) is less expensive. On the other hand, the pre-vaccination serotesting strategy against MMRV together, improves outcomes with a minimum cost increase, compared with the presumptive immunization strategy and compared with the comparator strategy. From a cost-effectiveness point of view, vaccination based on serotesting results in being the most advantageous strategy compared to presumptive vaccination. By applying a chemiluminescent immunoassay test, the serology strategy resulted to be clinically and economically advantageous. Similar results were obtained excluding children aged <1 year for both serology methods. In conclusion, based on our analyses, considering MMRV vaccine, serotesting strategy appears to be the preferred option in IAC.
Seroprevalence to Measles Virus after Vaccination or Natural Infection in an Adult Population, in Italy
Authors: Anichini Gabriele , Gandolfo Claudia , Fabrizi Simonetta , Miceli Giovan Battista , Terrosi Chiara , Gori Savellini Gianni , Prathyumnan Shibily , Orsi Daniela , Battista Giuseppe , Cusi Maria Grazia
Published: February 2020

An increase in measles cases worldwide, with outbreaks, has been registered in the last few years, despite the availability of a safe and highly efficacious vaccine. In addition to an inadequate vaccination coverage, even in high-income European countries studies proved that some vaccinated people were also found seronegative years after vaccination, thus increasing the number of people susceptible to measles infection. In this study, we evaluated the immunization status and the seroprevalence of measles antibodies among 1092 healthy adults, either vaccinated or naturally infected, in order to investigate the persistence of anti-measles IgG. Among subjects who received two doses of measles vaccine, the neutralizing antibody titer tended to decline over time. In addition, data collected from a neutralization assay performed on 110 healthy vaccinated subjects suggested an inverse correlation between neutralizing antibody titers and the time elapsed between the two vaccinations, with a significant decline in the neutralizing titer when the interval between the two doses was ≥11 years. On the basis of these results, monitoring the serological status of the population 10–12 years after vaccination could be important both to limit the number of people who are potentially susceptible to measles, despite the high efficacy of MMR vaccine, and to recommend a booster vaccine for the seronegatives.
Water Use Efficiency of Soybean under Water Stress in Different Eroded Soils
Authors: Li Shuang , Xie Yun , Liu Gang , Wang Jing , Lin Honghong , Xin Yan , Zhai Junrui
Published: February 2020

Soil erosion could change the effective storage of soil moisture and affected crop water use efficiency (WUE). To quantitative study differences in the WUE of soybean and the crop’s response to water stress for soils with different degrees of erosion in northeastern China, three erosion degrees—(1) lightly, (2) moderately and (3) severely—eroded black undisturbed soils and four years (from 2013 to 2016) of soybean pot experiments were used to control soil water content (100%, 80%, 60%, and 40% field capacity (FC)) and observe the crop growth processes. To study the relationships between erosion–water use–productivity, the following results were achieved: (1) the optimal water content was 80% FC for lightly eroded soil (L) and 100% FC for both moderately (M) and severely (S) eroded soil. Yield (Y) was best in M with the value of 3.12 t ha−1, which was 4.6% and 85.5% higher than L and S, respectively. Under the conditions of adequate water supply, there was no significant change in Land M, but the values were significantly different for the S ( p < 0.05). (2) Y and biomass (B) were sensitive to water stress except in the branching stage. (3) The values of WUEY and WUEB for the three eroded soils were the best at 80% FC. The stress coefficient (SF) values of the three eroded soils were not significantly different. In the flowering and pod formation stage, the SF reached the maximum under waterlogging stress. While the water shortage stress reached the maximum in the seed filling stage, the soil water content decreased by 10%, and the WUEB decreased by 15%, which was 2.5 times more powerful than the waterlogging stress. This study indicated the change in soybean growth with respect to the water response caused by soil erosion, and provided a scientific basis and data for the reasonable utilization of black soil with different erosion intensities. The results also provided important parameters for the growth of simulated crops.
The Science behind Scour at Bridge Foundations: A Review
Authors: Pizarro Alonso , Manfreda Salvatore , Tubaldi Enrico
Published: February 2020

Foundation scour is among the main causes of bridge collapse worldwide, resulting in significant direct and indirect losses. A vast amount of research has been carried out during the last decades on the physics and modelling of this phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to provide an up-to-date, comprehensive, and holistic literature review of the problem of scour at bridge foundations, with a focus on the following topics: (i) sediment particle motion; (ii) physical modelling and controlling dimensionless scour parameters; (iii) scour estimates encompassing empirical models, numerical frameworks, data-driven methods, and non-deterministic approaches; (iv) bridge scour monitoring including successful examples of case studies; (v) current approach for assessment and design of bridges against scour; and, (vi) research needs and future avenues.
Selection of CMIP5 GCM Ensemble for the Projection of Spatio-Temporal Changes in Precipitation and Temperature over the Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Hassan Ibrahim , Kalin Robert M. , White Christopher J. , Aladejana Jamiu A.
Published: February 2020

Selection of a suitable general circulation model (GCM) ensemble is crucial for effective water resource management and reliable climate studies in developing countries with constraint in human and computational resources. A careful selection of a GCM subset by excluding those with limited similarity to the observed climate from the existing pool of GCMs developed by different modeling centers at various resolutions can ease the task and minimize uncertainties. In this study, a feature selection method known as symmetrical uncertainty (SU) was employed to assess the performance of 26 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) GCM outputs under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5. The selection was made according to their capability to simulate observed daily precipitation (prcp), maximum and minimum temperature (Tmax and Tmin) over the historical period 1980–2005 in the Niger Delta region, which is highly vulnerable to extreme climate events. The ensemble of the four top-ranked GCMs, namely ACCESS1.3, MIROC-ESM, MIROC-ESM-CHM, and NorESM1-M, were selected for the spatio-temporal projection of prcp, Tmax, and Tmin over the study area. Results from the chosen ensemble predicted an increase in the mean annual prcp between the range of 0.26% to 3.57% under RCP4.5, and 0.7% to 4.94% under RCP 8.5 by the end of the century when compared to the base period. The study also revealed an increase in Tmax in the range of 0 to 0.4 °C under RCP4.5 and 1.25–1.79 °C under RCP8.5 during the periods 2070–2099. Tmin also revealed a significant increase of 0 to 0.52 °C under RCP4.5 and between 1.38–2.02 °C under RCP8.5, which shows that extreme events might threaten the Niger Delta due to climate change. Water resource managers in the region can use these findings for effective water resource planning, management, and adaptation measures.
The Improvement of Pollutant Removal in the Ferric-Carbon Micro-Electrolysis Constructed Wetland by Partial Aeration
Authors: Dong Cheng , Li Mengting , Zhuang Lin-Lan , Zhang Jian , Shen Youhao , Li Xiangzheng
Published: February 2020

Subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSFCW) has been applied for wastewater treatment for several decades. In recent years, the combination of ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis (Fe/C-M/E) and SSFCW was proven to be an effective method of multifarious sewage treatment. However, Ferric substrate created a relatively reductive condition, decreased the oxidation efficiency of NH4+-N, and blocked the following denitrification process, which led to the low removal efficiencies of NH4+-N and total nitrogen (TN). In this study, partial aeration was introduced into the ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis SSFCW (Fe/C-M/E CW) system to solve the problem above. The water quality and nitrogen-related functional genes of bacteria on the surface of substrate were measured for mechanism exploration. The results showed that, the removal efficiencies of NH4+-N and total phosphorus (TP) in an aerated Fe/C-M/E CW system were 96.97% ± 6.06% and 84.62% ± 8.47%, much higher than 43.33% ± 11.27% and 60.16% ± 2.95% in the unaerated Fe/C-M/E CW systems. However, the TN removal in Fe/C-M/E CW system was not enhanced by aeration, which could be optimized by extending more anoxic section for denitrification.
Headwaters’ Isotopic Signature as a Tracer of Stream Origins and Climatic Anomalies: Evidence from the Italian Alps in Summer 2018
Authors: Marchina Chiara , Lencioni Valeria , Paoli Francesca , Rizzo Marzia , Bianchini Gianluca
Published: February 2020

Glaciers are shrinking due to global warming, resulting in a diminishing contribution of ice and snowmelt to headwaters and subsequent consequences to freshwater ecosystems. Within this context, we tested whether water-stable isotopes are spatio-temporal tracers of (i) water in high altitude periglacial environments, being the isotopic signature of surface water inherited from the snow/icemelt, groundwater, and rainfall; and (ii) regional (year-specific) meteorological conditions, being the isotopic signature of precipitations affected by air temperature, humidity and aqueous vapour origin, ascribing stable isotopes to the list of “essential climate variables″ (ECVs). To this end, we investigated the ionic and isotopic composition (δ18O and δ2H) of six high-altitude streams and one pond in the Italian Alps (Noce and Sarca basins) during the ablation season in 2018. Differences between habitat types (pond, kryal, rhithral, krenal) were detected. More negative values of δ18O and δ2H were recorded in the kryal and glacio-rhithral sites, dominated by ice and snowmelt, in early summer. Less negative values were recorded in these sites in late summer, as well as in the krenal sites, which were dominated by groundwater and rainfall inputs. The isotopic results also show that the complex alpine orography influences air masses and moisture, ultimately resulting in isotopic differences in the precipitations of neighboring but distinct catchments (Sarca and Noce basins). On average, less negative values were recorded in the Sarca basin, characterized by a higher contribution of precipitation of Mediterranean origin. In general, isotopic results of the entire water population appeared to be strongly influenced by the regional climatic anomaly of 2018, which was anomalously warm. Therefore, the study will provide additional information for the climate change debate, proposing water isotopes as ECVs for assessing change in a warmer future.
Can Soil Hydraulic Parameters be Estimated from the Stable Isotope Composition of Pore Water from a Single Soil Profile?
Authors: Mattei Alexandra , Goblet Patrick , Barbecot Florent , Guillon Sophie , Coquet Yves , Wang Shuaitao
Published: February 2020

Modeling water and solute transport in the vadose zone for groundwater resource management requires an accurate determination of soil hydraulic parameters. Estimating these parameters by inverse modeling using in situ observations is very common. However, little attention has been given to the potential of pore water isotope information to parameterize soil water transport models. By conducting a Morris and Sobol sensitivity analysis, we highlight the interest of combining water content and pore water isotope composition data in a multi-objective calibration approach to constrain soil hydraulic property parameterization. We then investigate the effect of the sampling frequency of the observed data used for model calibration on a synthetic case. When modeling is employed in order to estimate the annual groundwater recharge of a sandy aquifer, it is possible to calibrate the model without continuous monitoring data, using only water content and pore water isotopic composition profiles from a single sampling time. However, even if not continuous, multi-temporal data improve model calibration, especially pore water isotope data. The proposed calibration method was validated with field data. For groundwater recharge estimate studies, these results imply a significant reduction in the time and effort required, by avoiding long-term monitoring, since only one sampling campaign is needed to extract soil samples.
Perceived Importance of Water Issues and Factors Affecting Learning Opportunities in Oklahoma
Authors: Chapagain Binod P. , Wagner Kevin L. , Joshi Omkar , Eck Christopher J.
Published: February 2020

Water resource management is a critical natural resource issue in Oklahoma and as such, has received priority in Extension program design and implementation. While the content of outreach programs has been modified over the years due to changes in technology and knowledge, the mode of delivery has largely remained the same despite changes in audience preferences. For effective outreach, Extension professionals need to understand the factors that affect audience preferences for learning opportunities pertaining to water resource issues. Using a statewide survey administered in 2018, this study developed a typology of residents based on their perceived importance of water issues and assessed the factors affecting learning opportunities about water issues in Oklahoma. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups, which varied in terms of socio-demographic characteristics and preferences for learning opportunities. Residents’ drinking water supply attributes and demographic characteristics affected their preference for learning opportunities about water issues. The results suggested the necessity of tailored outreach efforts, which may help in planning and implementing effective educational programs for water resource management.
Tracking Sources and Fate of Groundwater Nitrate in Kisumu City and Kano Plains, Kenya
Authors: Nyilitya Benjamin , Mureithi Stephen , Boeckx Pascal
Published: February 2020

Groundwater nitrate (NO3−) pollution sources and in situ attenuation were investigated in Kisumu city and Kano plains. Samples from 62 groundwater wells consisting of shallow wells (hand dug, depth <10 m) and boreholes (machine drilled, depth >15 m) were obtained during wet (May–July 2017) and dry (February 2018) seasons and analyzed for physicochemical and isotopic (δ15N-NO3−, δ18O-NO3−, and δ11B) parameters. Groundwater NO3− concentrations ranged from <0.04 to 90.6 mg L−1. Boreholes in Ahero town showed significantly higher NO3− (20.0–70.0 mg L−1) than boreholes in the Kano plains (<10.0 mg L−1). Shallow wells in Kisumu gave significantly higher NO3− (11.4–90.6 mg L−1) than those in the Kano plains (<10.0 mg L−1). About 63% of the boreholes and 75% of the shallow wells exceeded the drinking water WHO threshold for NO3− and NO2− (nitrite) during the study period. Mean δ15N-NO3− values of 14.8‰ ± 7.0‰ and 20.7‰ ± 11.1‰, and δ18O-NO3− values of 10.2‰ ± 5.2‰ and 13.2‰ ± 6.0‰ in wet and dry seasons, respectively, indicated manure and/or sewage as main sources of groundwater NO3−. However, a concurrent enrichment of δ15N and δ18O was observed, especially in the dry season, with a corresponding NO3− decrease, indicating in situ denitrification. In addition, partial nitrification of mostly sewage derived NH4+ appeared to be responsible for increased NO2− concentrations observed in the dry season. Specifically, targeted δ11B data indicated that sewage was the main source of groundwater NO3− pollution in shallow wells within Kisumu informal settlements, boreholes in Ahero, and public institutions in populated neighborhoods of Kano; while manure was the main source of NO3− in boreholes and shallow wells in the Kano and planned estates around Kisumu. Waste-water sanitation systems in the region should be urgently improved to avoid further deterioration of groundwater sources.
PKMS Kelompok Konveksi Rumahan dalam Upaya Peningkatan Pendapatan Rumah Tangga di Desa Jolotundo Kecamatan Lasem, Kabupaten Rembang
Authors: Alliyah Siti
Published: February 2020

The PKMS program was carried out in Jolotundo Village, Lasem District, Rembang Regency with Kenanga Sewing Group partners. Jolotundo village is famous for its citizens, especially women who open home-made convection. By seeing the business potential which is still very broad and the convection business is one of the leading sectors of Jolotundo Village, then home-based convection should have priority so that it can develop as one of the sectors that will increase people's income. The purpose of this program is to increase the income of the Kenanga Convection Group. The methodology used is counseling, management and entrepreneurship training and e-commerce practices. The results of the PKMS program include: 1) the partner group is able to create an online shop (Tokopedia) and a blog 2) the partner group is able to make good and orderly financial accounting 3) the partner group starts to dare to make products without relying on orders, 4) the partner group products have used packaging with complete hangtags and brands on the product
Kelompok Usaha Pengolahan Ikan Desa Pasar Banggi, Kecamatan Rembang, dalam Upaya Meningkatkan Kualitas Produksi Olahan Ikan Asap
Authors: Rikah Rikah
Published: February 2020

Smoked fish processing business in Pasar Banggi Village, Rembang District, Rembang Regency with Karya Mina smoked fish processing partner. The fish fogging process is done by first drying the fish in an open area. Pasar Banggi Village is a village located around the tourist area and is a center for souvenirs from marine products, one of which is smoked fish. The purpose of the Community Partnership Program (PKM) is to increase community income through increased quality and quantity of smoked fish production. The method used in the Community Partnership Program (PKM) is through socialization / counseling, management training, simple financial accounting and online marketing and business assistance. The results of the Community Partnership Program (PKM) include 1) an increase in the role of smoked fish business group members and business networks, 2) the realization of environmentally friendly smoked fish processing equipment / machines whose goal is to minimize air pollution caused by traditional / conventional fumigation of fish and maintain the quality and hygiene of processed fish products in the form of smoked fish.