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Copyright of Nuclear Safety is the property of Nuclear & Radiation Safety Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Human beings experience a large fraction of their exposure to air pollutants in indoor environments. Air pollution is a large environmental health risk, and exposure to ambient air pollution and indoor air pollution contribute equally to the total number of fatalities worldwide. Although legislative authorities have established limit values for ambient outdoor air and stack emissions, there are inconsistent and variable national and regional limit values for gaseous substances and airborne particulate matter in the built environment (schools, homes, healthcare facilities, offices, and other public spaces). This lack of regulation is unsurprising, because indoor spaces are characterized by complex air chemistry, and their construction materials and types of activities vary significantly. The current understanding of indoor pollutants, including short-lived oxidants, degradation of VOCs, particle formation, and particle composition, is incomplete. It is necessary to identify and assess emerging pollutants and their toxicity, and to consider new consumer products and green construction materials and their impact on indoor air quality (IAQ). Learning from IAQ surveys and audit protocols, research methodologies should be regularized for cross-research comparisons. Some indoor air quality guidance and standards have been written, and several more are in development, with the international ISO 16000 series of indoor standards leading the way for improving indoor air data quality. The WHO has established some ambient air limit values which can mostly be translated into indoor limit values. The built environment needs to harmonize energy efficiency, thermal comfort and air quality standards and guidance. In this review, we discuss the next steps for improving international, regional and national standards and guidance, leading to better and more complete indoor air quality regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to deduce theoretically and verify the resolution limit of human eye to spherical lens change for more reasonable design of the trial lenses. Methods: A total of 119 normal subjects with different myopia (not more than − 6D) were included. First, the resolution limit of discernible change in spherical power was derived based on the optical model. Then, the subjects were observed to see if they could perceive the changes in spherical power as per the resolution limit and compare the difference in the best-corrected visual acuity obtained with the resolution limit and interval of 0.25D. Results: Assuming that the cone cell diameter is 3 μm and the pupil diameter of 4 mm, the theoretically resolution limit was 0.05D. When the diopter of spherical power was increased, the ratios of ability to perceive 0.05D spherical lens change were 98.3% and 96.7% in right and left eyes. When the diopter of spherical power was decreased, the ratios of ability to perceive 0.05D spherical lens change were 78.9% and 83.2% in right and left eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity obtained with the 0.05 D interval trial lens was significantly better than in the 0.25 D interval on both eyes (Right eye − 0.04 ± 0.07 vs − 0.02 ± 0.06, p < 0.001; Left eye − 0.07 ± 0.06 vs − 0.04 ± 0.06, t = 8.825, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The resolution limit of human eye to spherical lens change was about 0.05D and the better corrected visual acuity can be obtained by adjusting the spherical power at an interval of 0.05D. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100047074. Date of registration: 2021/6/7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, benzene has been widely used in a large variety of applications. Occupational exposure limits (OELs) were set for benzene as it was found to be acutely toxic, causing central nervous system depression at high exposures. OELs were lowered when it was discovered that chronic exposure to benzene could cause haematotoxicity. After confirmation that benzene is a human carcinogen causing acute myeloid leukaemia and possibly other blood malignancies, OEL were further lowered. The industrial application of benzene as solvent is almost completely discontinued but it is still used as feedstock for the production of other materials, such as styrene. Occupational exposure to benzene may also occur since it is present in crude oil, natural gas condensate and a variety of petroleum products and because benzene can be formed in combustion of organic material. In the past few years, lower OELs for benzene in the range of 0.05–0.25 ppm have been proposed or were already established to protect workers from benzene-induced cancer. The skin is an important potential route of exposure and relatively more important at lower OELs. Consequently, human biomonitoring – which integrates all exposure routes – is routinely applied to control overall exposure to benzene. Several potential biomarkers have been proposed and investigated. For compliance check of the current low OELs, urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), urinary benzene and blood benzene are feasible biomarkers. S-PMA appears to be the most promising biomarker but proper validation of biomarker levels corresponding to airborne benzene concentrations below 0.25 ppm are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. The limit values of resistance groups were established to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and Xanthomonas vesicatoria by mean score – ms based on conducted statistical analysis of 155 selection lines of Bulgarian, introduced hybrids and pepper varieties: I- immune; R- resistant; MS- medium sensitive; S- sensitive; SS- strongly sensitive. The genetic diversity between the two bacteria suggest the use of separate resistant groups to determine the resistance. Data on the mean score of infestation on 116 pepper accessions to X. euvesicatoria and 155 (the previous 116 included) to X. vesicatoria were processed and the resistance groups were defined. Breeding pepper accessions with complex resistance requires the application of the established resistance groups to both pathogens. The limit values of the groups by ms based on the statistical analysis of the data on the resistance of pepper accessions to X. euvesicatoria and X. vesicatoria were specified.

It is very important to determine the reasonable shutdown stress of air-conditioning piping,and it is related to the piping reliability and development cost. Firstly,the piping shutdown stress was studied through a large number of stress tests and statistical analysis methods. Then the piping shutdown fatigue life was calculated based on the force number and S-N fatigue life curve. Finally,the fatigue acceleration tests of pipe fitting under single part and complete machine assembly are carried out respectively. The results show that: The piping will be subjected to 2 ～ 3 stress shocks at the shutdown moment,the average number of shocks is 2. 6 times; The first impact stress is the largest,and the subsequent impact stress attenuates slightly;Vibration table and counterweight block can be used to generate stable stress impact,which can reach millions of times in a short time,and the component fatigue can be verified quickly; Piping bending will reduce the piping fatigue life,the operating pressure and temperature have little influence on pipe fatigue life,welding has little influence on piping,since there is a distance between the welded part and the bent part; In order to ensure the piping reliability under the limit state,the piping shutdown stress should be below 62 MPa.

writing of this journal aims to be able to know, analyze and understand about legal protection to the owner of the collateral object for the implementation of the auction with a low limit value. The legal analysis in this journal is focused on being able to find out the protection and legal remedies that can be carried out by the debtor or the owner of the collateral object if the determination of the results of the auction is conducted with a limit value too low than the market value so that it can be used as consideration in analyzing that there is an act against the law . Based on the research it can be seen that the low limit value can be one of the elements of the cancellation of the auction because of consideration of the actions that have been regulated by the legislation that can cause losses, errors, if it is done in accordance with the seller so that it can cause harm to other party. The injured party is the debtor or the owner of the collateral object. Therefore, the determination of auction results below the limit value can be one of the reasons for canceling the auction so that it can protect the owner of the collateral object from loss.

The limit values of resistance groups were established to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and Xanthomonas vesicatoria by mean score - ms based on conducted statistical analysis of 155 selection lines of Bulgarian, introduced hybrids and pepper varieties: I- immune; R- resistant; MS- medium sensitive; S- sensitive; SS- strongly sensitive. The genetic diversity between the two bacteria suggest the use of separate resistant groups to determine the resistance. Data on the mean score of infestation on 116 pepper accessions to X. euvesicatoria and 155 (the previous 116 included) to X. vesicatoria were processed and the resistance groups were defined. Breeding pepper accessions with complex resistance requires the application of the established resistance groups to both pathogens. The limit values of the groups by ms based on the statistical analysis of the data on the resistance of pepper accessions to X. euvesicatoria and X. vesicatoria were specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nuclear Safety is the property of Nuclear & Radiation Safety Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Engineer Military Bulletin / Muszaki Katonai Közlöny is the property of National University of Public Service and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We propose a connection between finite zero-sum stochastic games (henceforth stochastic games) and multiparameter eigenvalue problems. This connection, which relies on the theory developed by Shapley and Snow for matrix games, opens new possibilities in the study of stochastic games. In particular, we derive from this connection a handful of new results for stochastic games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he limit value was a key part in the auction. The bank was as a seller who would determine auction limit value which was based on the assessor’s assessment and evaluator’s estimation ruled in the article 44 paragraph (1) and (2) and the article 45 of Minister of Finance’s Regulation 27/PMK.06/2016 on the instructions of auction. The problem was whether the auction cancellation could be performed based on the limit value determination below the market price? Second, what were the legal efforts which could be attempted by the debtor when the auction limit value determination from bank was under the market price? This research was a juridical normative research. Based on the research finding, the researcher drew a conclusion that the determination of auction limit value below the market price could not be a base of auction cancellation on pre-auction stage and auction stage, since the auction cancellation could only be cancelled upon the seller’s request or based on court’s decision or sentence. Furthermore, the debtor who might feel harmed over the auction limit value determination could do some legal efforts to file a lawsuit.

Copyright of Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A classical problem in ergodic control theory consists in the study of the limit behaviour of λ V λ (⋅) as λ ↘ 0 , when V λ is the value function of a deterministic or stochastic control problem with discounted cost functional with infinite time horizon and discount factor λ. We study this problem for the lower value function V λ of a stochastic differential game with recursive cost, i.e., the cost functional is defined through a backward stochastic differential equation with infinite time horizon. But unlike the ergodic control approach, we are interested in the case where the limit can be a function depending on the initial condition. For this we extend the so-called non-expansivity assumption from the case of control problems to that of stochastic differential games and we derive that λ V λ (⋅) is bounded and Lipschitz uniformly with respect to λ > 0. Using PDE methods and assuming radial monotonicity of the Hamiltonian of the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman-Isaacs equation we obtain the monotone convergence of λ V λ (.) and we characterize its limit W 0 as maximal viscosity subsolution of a limit PDE. Using BSDE methods we prove that W 0 satisfies a uniform dynamic programming principle involving the supremum and the infimum with respect to the time, and this is the key for an explicit representation formula for W 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the ergodicity of deterministic two-person zero-sum differential games. This property is defined by the uniform convergence to a constant of either the infinite-horizon discounted value as the discount factor tends to zero, or equivalently, the averaged finite-horizon value as the time goes to infinity. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the unique ergodicity of a game. This notion extends the classical one for dynamical systems, namely when ergodicity holds with any (suitable) perturbation of the running payoff function. Our main condition is symmetric between the two players and involve dominions, i.e., subsets of states that one player can make approximately invariant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-sum stochastic games, henceforth stochastic games, are a classical model in game theory in which two opponents interact and the environment changes in response to the players' behavior. The central solution concepts for these games are the discounted values and the value, which represent what playing the game is worth to the players for different levels of impatience. In the present manuscript, we provide algorithms for computing exact expressions for the discounted values and for the value, which are polynomial in the number of pure stationary strategies of the players. This result considerably improves all the existing algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A classical problem in stochastic ergodic control consists of studying the limit behavior of the optimal value of a discounted integral in infinite horizon (the so called Abel mean of an integral cost) as the discount factor tends to zero or the value defined with a Cesaro mean of an integral cost when the horizon T tends to +1. We investigate the possible limits in the norm of uniform convergence topology of values defined through Abel means or Cearo means when ! 0+ and T ! +1, respectively. Here we give two types of new representation formulas for the accumulation points of the values when the averaging parameter converges. We show that there is only one possible accumulation point which is the same for Abel means or Cesaro means. The first type of representation formula is based on probability measures on the product of the state space and the control state space, which are limits of occupational measures. The second type of representation formula is based on measures which are the projection of invariant measure on the space of relaxed controls. We also give a result comparing the both sets of measures involved in both classes of representation formulas. An important consequence of the representation formulas is the existence of the limit value when one has the equicontinuity property of Abel or Cesaro mean values. This is the case, for example, for nonexpansive stochastic control systems. In the end some insightful examples are given which help to better understand the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quadratic approximation method for the limit value of magnetic stiffness in a high temperature superconducting levitation system is presented. The levitation configuration discussed is that of a cylindrical permanent magnet (PM) placed above a coaxial high temperature superconductor (HTS). The magnetic levitation force between the PM and the HTS is gained based on Kim's critical model and Ampère circulation theorem. The central issue of magnetic stiffness associated with the hysteresis of levitation force is discussed. Firstly, To a given levitation gap between the PM and the HTS, the approximate values of magnetic stiffness is obtained corresponding to different displacement increments from 0.05 mm to 3 mm. In the first approximation the least square method is used for curve fitting force-displacement table. Secondly, the limit value of magnetic stiffness is gained at the zero displacement increment in the polynomial fitting curve of the first approximate values. The results show that the limit value of magnetic stiffness is dependent on the large levitation gap and the movement direction of the levitation object. The given displacement increments, such as 0.5 mm or 1 mm, are more suitable in superconducting levitation experiments. The difference between experiment data of magnetic stiffness and the limit ones is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Craeynest case, the Court of Justice interpreted some of the core provisions of the Air Quality Directive 2008/50 in a preliminary ruling. Firstly, the court ruled that national courts may review the siting of sampling points. This manuscript pays special attention to the minimum standard of review that national judges must perform and considers to what extent the Court of Justice departs from its established case law. Secondly, the Court considered that, for an exceedance of a limit value within a zone to exist, it suffices that a pollution level higher than that value is measured at a single sampling point. Thus, the results of all sampling points within a zone must not be averaged. The ruling can be considered as a landmark judgment, as it strengthens the role of citizens, ENGO's and national courts in the decentral enforcement of the Air Quality Directive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The status of economic security of Poltava region in 2012–2016 was analyzed, the analysis was conducted using the developed methodology for assessing economic security of region, which is based on the joint use of indicative and functional methods. In order to assess the status of economic security of region, a system of indicators, divided by economic security components, has been formed using functional approach. The information-analytical provision of assessment has been formed using statistical information on the socio-economic development of the region. The influence of factors of destabilizing and destimulative nature on the status of economic security of the region has been researched. It has been concluded that the economic security of Poltava region is unsatisfactory, despite the existence of some positive tendencies, which at present are not sustainable.

Environmental conditions in living spaces are either improving with the development of technologies or they are often exacerbated by disregarding physical laws and basic recommendations for managing internal climatic conditions. The most typical pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon, formaldehyde and some combustion residues. The main focus of the paper is on radon and its measurement in living spaces. The awareness of the radon harmful effect is widespread and its limit values differ worldwide. In the European Union, the legally adopted radon limit values had been changing until 2018 when its ultimate permissible values were agreed upon. On a geological terrain containing a higher content of radioactive uranium, concentrations of elevated radon are considerable. In Slovenia, such terrain is mostly in the Karst region. Formerly it was mandatory to monitor radon only in living spaces, especially the public ones. In the private-accommodation segment, there has been a growing awareness of the radon harmful effect particularly when renovating old buildings which has often a deteriorated internal environmental condition. In new dwelling construction, however, it is often forgotten that radon can be removed from their underlying terrain. Radon measurement is carried out by licensed institutions. Due to the scarce availability of their services, cheap uncalibrated meters are often used for the domestic need. In such case the maximum 20 % margin given by the manufacturer should be accounted for. The paper presents the current legally imposed specifications for the radon measurement and experiences with practical measurements in living space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Guangdong Architecture Civil Engineering is the property of Guangdong Architecture Civil Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract In ergodic stochastic problems the limit of the value function V λ of the associated discounted cost functional with infinite time horizon is studied, when the discounted factor λ tends to zero. These problems have been well studied in the literature and the used assumptions guarantee that the value function λ V λ converges uniformly to a constant as λ → 0. The objective of this work consists in studying these problems under the assumption, namely, the nonexpansivity assumption, under which the limit function is not necessarily constant. Our discussion goes beyond the case of the stochastic control problem with infinite time horizon and discusses also V λ given by a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation of second order which is not necessarily associated with a stochastic control problem. On the other hand, the stochastic control case generalizes considerably earlier works by considering cost functionals defined through a backward stochastic differential equation with infinite time horizon and we give an explicit representation formula for the limit of λ V λ , as λ → 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Comprehensive contaminant analyses of eight mined landfills. • Identification of contaminant patterns within and between landfills. • Determination of indicator substances for contamination prediction. • Evaluation of limit values with regard to the effectiveness managing substance flows. Abstract Landfill mining is used to close the material loops by recovering recyclables from landfills. Previous research has focused on material composition reporting that, worldwide, landfills mainly consist of soil-like materials ("soils") and combustibles. Although soils have been investigated in a few studies, the results are limited to the presentation of substance concentrations without further analysing the substance patterns (e.g. correlation between substances). This research identifies similarities in substance concentrations within and between landfills, analysing approximately 300 soil samples from eight excavated landfills. Statistical tests enabled the determination of substance variations and correlations. Substance concentration correlations were found between several heavy metals (in particular zinc), sulphate and electrical conductivity, as well as ammonium nitrogen and biodegradability. With regard to contamination prediction, sulphate, pH and total organic carbon proved to be the most efficient indicator elements. Legal limit values have proven to be efficient to manage substance flows in terms of chloride, sulphate, cadmium, lead and zinc, but were ineffective with respect to biodegradability, PCB, benzo[a]pyrene and cyanides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stable residue size increases with litter initial concentrations of N and lignin; • Stable residue size decreases with litter initial Mn concentration; • Stable residue size shows hump-shaped relationships with MAT and latitude; • Stable residue size increases with MAP; • Longer field incubation results in smaller stable residue size. Stable residue from decomposing leaf litter is related to humus buildup in the forest floor and thus to the accumulation of carbon in the soil organic layer (OLC). However, the global pattern and controls of stable residue size remains poorly understood. Herein, the spatial pattern of stable residue size and its association with a series of potential drivers were evaluated by synthesizing available data worldwide. The results showed that stable residue size had a significant and positive correlation with the litter initial nitrogen (N) and lignin concentrations, and a negative correlation with the initial manganese concentration. Larger stable residues were found from decomposing broadleaf litter vs. coniferous litter. The decomposition of green leaf litter produces an equal amount of stable residue as that of brown litter. Stable residue size correlated quadratically with mean annual temperature and latitude, and linearly with mean annual precipitation. Methodological factor also matters, because stable residue size decreased as field incubation time increased. The boosted regression tree model indicated that litter initial traits have the most explanative ability for the variance in stable residue size. We highlighted that litter initial traits exert a predominant role over climate in shaping the stable residue size globally. Our findings are beneficial for a more accurate prediction of global-scale OLC accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a novel cuckoo search algorithm with multiple update rules, referred to as a hybrid CS algorithm (HCS). In the presented approach, to overcome the mutual interference among dimensions and enhance the local search capability, two different one-dimensional update rules are integrated into CS framework for acquiring the candidate solutions. Moreover, using the characteristic of occasionally long jumps in Levy distribution, the proper selection between the one-dimensional update rules and Levy flight random walk is achieved by setting a limit value, so as to further enhance the exploration ability. The performance of the presented algorithm is then extensively investigated on 49 benchmark test functions including 11 common instances, 10 instances introduced in CEC 2005, and 28 instances presented in CEC 2013. The experimental results indicate that HCS algorithm is better than other CS variants in terms of solution accuracy and robustness, and it also outperforms the seven state-of-the-art intelligent algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the study on data of analytic tree, the fitting empirical equation for tree growth was obtained, i.e., the function with increment as variable and annual precipitation as the independent variable. The threshold value of annual precipitation for tree growth was obtained through mathematical operation including derivation. It was concluded that Larix gmelinii grows the fast under the annual precipitation of about 545.1 mm, and negative growth would occur if the annual precipitation is lower than 349 mm and higher than 1132.8 mm. Furthermore, the application value, research direction and matters needing attention were pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider two-person zero-sum games where the players control, at discrete times{tn} g induced by a partition Π of R+, a continuous time Markov process. We prove that the limit of the values vΠ exist as the mesh of Π goes to 0. The analysis covers the cases of (1) stochastic games (where both players know the state), and (2) games with unknown state and symmetric signals. The proof is by reduction to deterministic differential games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the issue of nitrates in groundwater, to where they predominantly pass due to the application of nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural areas. Excess concentrations of nitrates in drinking water are undesirable, and may even cause a life- -threatening condition called methemoglobinemia. The permissible concentrations of nitrates in drinking water are determined by legislation and the upper limit is 50 mg/l. Approximately 5% of the Czech population draw water from individual sources. In this study we identified and analysed selected samples from wells located in the Moravian-Silesian Region and in the Olomouc Region. The data and test results in this paper show that the nitrate concentration limit of 50 mg/l was exceeded in a half of the analysed groundwater samples. In some cases, the limit was exceeded in the order of tens of mg/l. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]