Search

Landslides pose significant impact on human life and society such as loss of livelihood, destruction of infrastructure, and damage to natural resources around the world. Due to existing complications in conditional factors of landslide, mapping and predicting landslide occurrences with high accuracy needs more attention. In light of this, we aim to develop an ensemble landslide susceptibility model named as support vector regression–grasshopper optimization algorithm (SVR–GOA). This model is validated along with other landslide susceptibility models such as artificial neural network (ANN), boosted regression tree (BRT), and elastic net models. The present study carried out over the Kalaleh Basin in Iran, in which we selected 140 landslides with 16 conditional factors to construct a geographic database of the region. The multicollinearity analysis was done on the hazard conditioning factors using variance inflation factor and tolerance indices. Similarly, significance of these factors and their association with selected locations were identified through random forest method. The state of the art of the study is implementing SVR-GOA in landslide susceptibility mapping, including this model we use other landslide models such as ANN, BRT, and elastic net for validation and development using the area under the curve (AUC), kappa, and root mean squared error values. Our results show lithology, slope degree, rainfall, topography position index, topography wetness index, surface area, and landuse/landcover were found to be the most influential conditioning factors. We have also observed that, despite accurate prediction, SVR-GOA outperforms the others by showing the highest AUC values around AUC = 0.930 and others show ANN (AUC = 0.833), BRT (AUC = 0.822) and elastic net (AUC = 0.726) respectively. This innovative approach to landslide mapping using SVR-GOA ensembles would enhance the advancement of landslide research at multiple scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescein-tagged proteins are first purified using anti-fluorescein-based immunoprecipitation of the lysate followed by streptavidin coated bead-based pull-down of the first eluate resulting in the enrichment of doubly-labeled proteins, corresponding to their presence in both donor and acceptor compartments. Keywords: new methodology; proximity labeling; TransitID EN new methodology proximity labeling TransitID 546 548 3 10/25/23 20231101 NES 231101 TransitID is a new methodology based on proximity labeling allowing for the study of protein trafficking a the proteome scale. These purified proteins can then be analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry. gl First, the proteome in a donor compartment (localization #1, Figure 1) is biotin-labeled with a compartment-resident TurboID-tagged protein. [Extracted from the article]

Interface thermal resistance (ITR) plays a very important role in heat transfer and thermomechanical coupling response from intumescent coating to steel substrate in fire. However, the dynamic ITR between intumescent coating and steel substrate during burning is seldom reported. In this paper, a new methodology is presented to calculate dynamic ITR between intumescent coating and steel substrate under high incident heat flux based on the interface conservation equation. The new methodology focuses on measuring the temperature distribution and thermal conductivity of intumescent coating and steel substrate, with fewer variables. In this way, the calculation of ITR can be simplified. Firstly, the temperature variation function curves inside the intumescent coating and the steel substrate were fitted separately based on the temperature measurement data. Secondly, the interface temperatures (T ci , T si) were determined separately at the interface position by temperature variation function curves inside the intumescent coating or the steel substrate. Finally, the ITR calculation formula was deduced and the key parameters required for ITR calculation were obtained by cone calorimetry et al. An illustrative example was studied and validate the applicability of the new methodology. • A new methodology based on the interface conservation equation is presented to calculate interface thermal resistance (ITR). • An illustrative example was studied and validate the applicability of the new methodology. • This method can calculate ITR between intumescent coating and the steel substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anilines are key constituents in biologically active compounds and often obtained from transition metal‐catalyzed coupling of an aryl halide with an amine. In this work, we report a transition metal‐free method for the synthesis of meta‐bromo‐ and meta‐trifluoromethylanilines starting from 3‐tribromomethylcyclopentanone or 3‐(2‐bromo‐2‐chloro‐1,1,1‐trifluoroethyl)cyclopentanone, respectively. The scope of the transformation is shown by application of primary, secondary and aromatic amines. The reaction proceeds in acceptable to high yields (20–81 %), and allows for the synthesis of anilines with substitution patterns otherwise difficult to access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Haemoproteus (Haemoproteidae) are widespread and cause haemoproteosis in birds and therefore, their diversity, ecology and evolutionary biology have become subjects of intensive research. However, the vectors and transmission patterns of haemoproteids as well as the epidemiology of haemoproteosis remain insufficiently investigated. Several species of Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae) support complete sporogony of haemoproteids belonging to the subgenus Parahaemoproteus. However, experimental research with these fragile insects is difficult to design in the field, particularly because their abundance markedly depends on seasonality. This is an obstacle for continuous sampling of sufficient numbers of naturally infected or experimentally exposed midges from wildlife. We developed simple methodology for accessing sporogonic development of haemoproteids in laboratory-reared Culicoides nubeculosus. This study aimed to describe the mosaic of methods constituting this methodology, which was applied for investigation of the sporogonic development of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) pastoris, a widespread parasite of the common starling Sturnus vulgaris. Methods: The methodology consists of the following main stages: (i) laboratory rearing of C. nubeculosus from the egg stage to adult insects; (ii) selection of naturally infected birds, the donors of mature gametocytes to expose biting midges; (iii) experimental exposure of insects and their laboratory maintenance; and (iv) dissection of exposed insects. Biting midges were exposed to H. pastoris (cytochrome b lineage hLAMPUR01) detected in one naturally infected common starling. Engorged insects were dissected at intervals in order to follow sporogony. Microscopic examination and PCR-based methods were used to identify the sporogonic stages and to confirm the presence of the parasite lineage in infected insects, respectively. Results: Culicoides nubeculosus females were successfully reared and exposed to H. pastoris, which completed sporogonic development 7–9 days post-infection when sporozoites were observed in the salivary glands. Conclusions: The new methodology is easy to use and non-harmful for birds, providing opportunities to access the sporogonic stages of Parahaemoproteus parasites, which might be used in a broad range of parasitology and genetic studies. Culicoides nubeculosus is an excellent experimental vector of subgenus Parahaemoproteus and is recommended for various experimental studies aiming investigation of sporogony of these pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Described in the paper is the method for the assessment of manual work including repetitive tasks, occasional use of force, and improper body position. The method was developed based on an exhaustive and critical evaluation of literature on the subject, but also on the basis of our own studies conducted at a series of different work places. In addition to an objective description of tasks, repetitive movements, force and body positions, this method also provides the possibility of numerical computations of the listed activities, not ignoring their interactions. Work demands (task duration in the course of a work shift, repetition of movements, use of force, body position and work conditions) are presented using a point system, with each demand shown on a separate scale corresponding to the actual conditions. In order to calculate the overall risk it is necessary to multiply the value on the task duration scale by the sum of the values on the other scales. The final value indicates potential overload shown as a number that can then be entered in a table illustrating one of the four risk levels: green, yellow, orange, or red. Relevant literature states that the colour classification serves as an efficient help to the user in perceiving potential risk. This new method has been named SMART (Scoring Method for Assessment of Repetitive Tasks). So far it has been tested in 56 work places. The results show that 23% activities may be classified in the 'green' zone, 19% in 'yellow', 21% in 'orange' and 37% in 'red', thus leading to the conclusion that as much as 77% of assessed activities show increased load. The SMART method is still in the testing and validation stage as a tool for the assessment of statodynamic strains involved at different work places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current animal-based paradigm for safety assessment must change. In September 2016, the UK National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) brought together scientists from regulatory authorities, academia and industry to review progress in bringing new methodology into regulatory use, and to identify ways to expedite progress. Progress has been slow. Science is advancing to make this possible but changes are necessary. The new paradigm should allow new methodology to be adopted once it is developed rather than being based on a fixed set of studies. Regulatory authorities can help by developing Performance-Based Standards. The most pressing need is in repeat dose toxicology, although setting standards will be more complex than in areas such as sensitization. Performance standards should be aimed directly at human safety, not at reproducing the results of animal studies. Regulatory authorities can also aid progress towards the acceptance of non-animal based methodology by promoting “safe-haven” trials where traditional and new methodology data can be submitted in parallel to build up experience in the new methods. Industry can play its part in the acceptance of new methodology, by contributing to the setting of performance standards and by actively contributing to “safe-haven” trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface water absorption affects the value of the particle density obtained according to the UNE 1097-6. The aqueous medium absorption according to the standard poses problems as much in coarse fraction as in fine fraction. This new methodology is proposed in order to solve the problems observed in the current standard. The method is validated experimentally applying it to 5 different lightweight aggregates, 2 limestone normal-weight aggregates and a heavyweight aggregate. Different initial water contents and evolution of water absorption up to 28 days were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly one-half of New Zealand’s ruminant livestock graze on hill country pastures where spatial differences in soil conditions are highly variable and excretal deposition is influenced by pasture production, animal grazing and resting behaviour that impact the nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emission factor from excreta (EF 3 ). New Zealand currently uses country-specific EF 3 values for urine and dung of 0.01 and 0.0025, respectively, to estimate direct N 2 O emissions from excreta. These values have largely been developed from trials on flat pastoral land. The use of the same EF 3 for hill pasture with medium and steep slopes has been recognised as a possible source of overestimation of N 2 O emissions in New Zealand. The objectives of this study were to develop and describe an approach that takes into account the effects of slope in estimating hill country N 2 O emissions from the dung and urine of ruminant animals (sheep, beef cattle, and deer) across different slope classes, and then compare these estimates with current New Zealand inventory estimates. We use New Zealand as a case study to determine the direct N 2 O emissions between 1990 and 2012 from sheep, beef cattle and deer excreta using updated estimates of EF 3 for sloping land, the area of land in different slope classes by region and farm type, and a nutrient transfer model to allocate excretal-N to the different slope classes, and compare the changes between these hill pastures-specific and current inventory estimates. Our findings are significant – the proposed new methodology using New Zealand specific EFs calculated from a national series of hill country experiments resulted in 52% lower N 2 O estimates relative to using current inventory emission factors, for the period between 1990 and 2012 and reduces New Zealand’s total national agricultural N 2 O greenhouse inventory estimates by 16%. The improved methodology is transparent, and complete, and has improved accuracy of emission estimates. On this basis, the improved methodology of estimating N 2 O emission is recommended for adoption where hill land grasslands are grazed by sheep, beef cattle and deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a step-by-step study of a new methodology for capillary isotachophoretic determination (which is one of the green chemistry techniques) of mercury in aquatic environments. Hundreds of analyses resulted in the identification of optimal conditions for the determination of mercury(II) and the identification of problems related to such determination. Recovery for the analyzed compounds was 94 ± 4%, linearity of the method was between 10 and 75 µg/L, and detection limit was 5 µg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

[Display omitted] • Collembola decrease their body sizes under soil contamination with arsenic. • The distinct growth inhibition was observed after a 14-day incubation. • The growth inhibition was positively correlated with mortality and reproduction inhibition. • Growth inhibition of Collembola is proposed as a screening tool to assess soil toxicity. Collembola can be used as the model organism in the ecotoxicological tests in the soil environment. Currently, two standard bioassays are available (reproduction test in soil and avoidance behaviour test), which are highly sensitive to soil contamination. However, both of those tests have some limitations. Therefore, based on our preliminary research, we propose the alternative test of growth inhibition of springtails as a screening tool to assess the risk related to soil contamination. In this study, the growth inhibition of Collembola species Folsomia candida was analyzed as a response to soil contamination with arsenic: As(III) and As(V). Thus, twenty, 12-day-old juveniles of Collembola, were exposed to 8 concentrations of As in soils, in 6 replicates. The experiment was conducted at two soil pHs (natural and reduced). The endpoint of the test was the reduction in collembolan body size compared to the control soil, measured for all the survivors. More precisely, the feature on which this test is based in the length of the springtail body measured from the beginning of the antennae to the end of the abdomen. It was found that Collembola decrease their body sizes under soil contamination with As. Lower toxicity was found for As(V) in comparison to As(III). For As(V) the decrease in soil pH slightly increased the toxicity effect on Collembola. The effect of growth inhibition significantly correlates with the mortality and reproduction inhibition of Collembola. To conclude, this method can be applied in testing the toxicity of As in the soil as an alternative to the standard methods. However, it needs further investigations considering the exposure time and comparison to the standard methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the years 2011 and 2013, the Physics Education Tutorial Program (PET-Física) implemented the project "PET-Física Goes to School" at 11 public schools in the city of Juiz de Fora, MG. The main aim of the project was to increase interest in scientific knowledge among basic education students, by means of an attractive approach using presentations related to the Natural Sciences and Physics. The strategy was to perform the presentations of these themes using easily accessed technology, showing their relations to day-to-day life and promoting interaction of the students by means of didactic displays that aided explanation of the subjects presented. It was anticipated that implementation of the project would improve the quality of the teaching-learning process, encouraging the teachers to present course contents to their students in more dynamic and attractive ways. This paper presents qualitative and quantitative data for the pedagogical activities undertaken during the project, together with considerations about the effect of the activities on the school communities and the members of the research group who participated in the work. At each school visited, the group members presented talks about themes concerning aspects of the Natural Sciences and/or Physics to the teachers and students. The audience included students from the 5th year of primary education up to those in the last year of high school. After each talk, under the supervision of the research group members, the students were invited to interact with the didactic displays. The data collected suggested that the more dynamic and interactive approach sharpened the curiosity and interest of the students, and stimulated the teachers to prepare their classes using approaches that were more attractive to the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submission is focused on completing the information system about quality, operation, automatic testing and new evaluating method of vehicle subsystem. Numeric analysis is carried out on the base of automatic collection and systematic recording of commercial car operation. Proposed new information system about operation and trial process allows verification according to the proposed method. Critical components verified in laboratory conditions are detected by numeric analysis of reliability. Quality level increasing not only for final product, but also related automatic test laboratory for cars is the result of respecting these principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new methodology to extract crop yield response to climate variability and change from long-term crop yield observations is presented in this study. In contrast to the existing first-difference approach (FDA), the proposed methodology considers that the difference in value between crop yields of two consecutive years reflects necessarily the contributions of climate and management conditions, especially at large spatial scales where both conditions may vary significantly from one year to the next. Our approach was applied to remove the effect of non-climatic factors on crop yield and, hence, to isolate the effect of the observed climate change between 1961 and 2006 on three widely crops grown in three Mediterranean countries--namely wheat, corn and potato--using national-level crop yield observations' time-series. Obtained results show that the proposed methodology provides us with a ground basis to improve substantially our understanding of crop yield response to climate change at a scale that is relevant to large-scale estimations of agricultural production and to food security analyses; and therefore to reduce uncertainties in estimations of potential climate change effects on agricultural production. Furthermore, a comparison of outputs of our methodology and FDA outputs yielded a difference in terms of maize production in Egypt, for example, that exceeds the production of some neighbouring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the main features of a simple and strictly non-destructive methodology for the measurement of some physical parameters related to the internal structure of white marble. Some of these parameters, like texture and luminosity, or transparency, are correlated to the marble features that are also roughly perceptible at glance. Other parameters, like internal anisotropy and non-homogeneity, are less observable at sight. A preliminary comparison has been performed between the data obtained with this methodology and the data obtained on the same samples of white marble with well-established petrographic methods, and a good correlation has been found. The characterization of the examined white marbles, provided by the set of all the quantities measured with this methodology, can be used not only in the field of quality tests of materials, but also in the field of cultural heritage. For instance, it can assess the pertinence of the different parts in the case of a composite work, and can contribute to identify the quarry of origin, together with the data obtained with other consolidated, even if more or less destructive, methodologies. It is also helpful to enlighten the criterion of choice possibly adopted by the author, a capability useful in a study of modalities of artistic expression. The instrumentation is simple and inexpensive since it is mainly composed of a laser-diode, a charged coupled device (CCD) camera with its lens and an interference filter. A movable mechanical support allows the correct positioning of these devices relative to the object to be measured. A notebook computer contains the management program of the CCD camera and the software of data analysis. Since the instrumentation is portable and self-contained, its use is possible in museums and archaeological and architectural sites. Measurements have no cost beyond that of the instrumentation and the results of the measurements are almost immediate. The cheap and simple use of this method has allowed, in a rather short time, a collection of data large enough to permit statistically valid data analyses. As a consequence, a database has been built designed expressly to include any information suitable to describe quarry samples and artifacts of archaeologic and artistic interest made of white marble. In addition to quantitative data that characterize their internal structure, the database also contains some pertinent images and the available humanistic and technical information. The database is managed by an application that also allows to select the recorded data in a large number of ways and to extract and to arrange in tables their properties that are considered most meaningful. These tables can be exported into other commercial programs to perform statistical analyses. The structure of the application can be modified in order to make it suitable to the recording and the analysis of data of other types. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new technique of laparoscopic ovum pick-up (OPU) was evaluated in 12 Rasa Aragonesa ewes using three different protocols for ovarian stimulation. FSH (total dose: 4.4 mg NIADDK-oFSH-17 in 5 ml; OVAGEN™) treatments started at day 11 after insertion of FGA sponges as follows: subcutaneous infusion through a pump during 30 h (Group Pump (P)); single dose, half intramuscular and half subcutaneous (Group 2 injection); three intramuscular injections (2, 2 and 1 ml) 12 h apart (Group 3 injection). A laparoscope connected to a video-camera was used for OPU between 48 and 51 h after the beginning of the FSH treatment coinciding with sponge withdrawal. The same FSH treatment was repeated six times at 5 days interval. Follicular fluid was aspirated through a 23 gauge needle connected to a vacuum pump (7 ml min−1). The number of follicles, oocyte quantity and quality, fertilization rate and embryo development were evaluated. After the last OPU, all ewes were mated with rams during a 35 day interval. The number of follicles punctured per ewe and OPU session was higher in the Group 3 injection versus Group 1 injection (16.2±5.9 and 10.8±3.8) while both were not significantly different from Group P (15.2±4.5). Mean oocytes recovered per ewe and session, oocytes suitable for embryo production, fertilization rates and blastocyst development were similar in all groups. Pregnancy rate after mating was 60%. No adhesions were observed in the ovary or oviduct. In conclusion, the OPU system evaluated here was useful and the FSH treatment in a single dose should be discouraged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Impression effects of videotaped dyadic interactions were compared with 3D-computer animations based on movement transcripts of the same interactions to determine whether similar effects could be obtained. One minute sequences of movement behavior taken from three different dyadic interactions were transcribed using the Bernese Coding System (BCS). Descriptive data were converted into animation scripts for professional animation software. Original video documents and computer animations were shown to separate groups of observers and their socio-emotional impressions were assessed on a standard adjective checklist. Only marginal differences were found between the two presentation modes. On the contrary, the data point to remarkable similarities in the impression ratings in both conditions, indicating that most of the relevant social information available to observers in the video recordings was also conveyed by computer animations. Overall, the data suggest that the systematic use of computer animation techniques in nonverbal research deserves further scientific attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The daily requirements and needs imposed on the executors of logistics services imply the need for a higher level of quality. In this, the proper execution of all sustainability processes and activities plays an important role. In this paper, a new methodology for improving the measurement of the quality of the service consisting of three phases has been developed. The first phase is the application of the Delphi method to determine the quality dimension ranking. After that, in the second phase, using the FUCOM (full consistency method), we determined the weight coefficients of the quality dimensions. The third phase represents determining the level of quality using the SERVQUAL (service quality) model, or the difference between the established gaps. The new methodology considers the assessment of the quality dimensions of a large number of participants (customers), on the one hand, and experts' assessments on the other hand. The methodology was verified through the research carried out in an express post company. After processing and analyzing the collected data, the Cronbach alpha coefficient for each dimension of the SERVQUAL model for determining the reliability of the response was calculated. To determine the validity of the results and the developed methodology, an extensive statistical analysis (ANOVA, Duncan, Signum, and chi square tests) was carried out. The integration of certain methods and models into the new methodology has demonstrated greater objectivity and more precise results in determining the level of quality of sustainability processes and activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]