scholarly journals Overcoming Deterrent Metabolites by Gaining Essential Nutrients: A Lichen/Snail Case Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Gadea ◽  
Maryvonne Charrier ◽  
Mathieu Fanuel ◽  
Philippe Clerc ◽  
Corentin Daugan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Usnic Acid ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Feeding Choice ◽  
Lichen Thallus ◽  
Choice Feeding

Lichen secondary metabolites are generally considered as repellent compounds for lichen feeders. Nevertheless, if the only food available consists in lichens rich in secondary metabolites, lichenophages such as Notodiscus hookeri, a gastropod native from the Possession Island, seem able to implement strategies to overcome the toxicity of these metabolites. Thus, the balance between phagostimulant nutrients and deterrent metabolites appears to play a key role in their feeding preferences. To further understand lichen-gastropod interactions, we studied the feeding behavior of Notodiscus hookeri fed exclusively with Usnea taylori, a lichen rich in usnic acid and arabitol. Snail feeding choice experiments with intact lichens vs acetone-rinsed lichens were carried out to study the influence of secondary metabolites. Simultaneously, usnic acid and arabitol were quantified and localized within the lichen thallus using HPLC-DAD-MS and in situ imaging by mass spectrometry to assess whether their spatial distribution induce preferential snail grazing. Then, no-choice feeding experiments were devised using usnic acid and arabitol embedded in artificial diet, separately or together.  This case study demonstrated that the nutritional activity of N. hookerii was governed by the chemical quality of the food and primarily by nutrient availability (arabitol), despite the presence of deterrent metabolites (usnic acid).

scholarly journals Practical Functioning of a Sustainable Urban Complex with a Park—The Case Study of Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5071
Author(s):  
Beata Makowska
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Cultural Center ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Complex

Intensive urban development has created a shortage of urban green areas. The need to economically plan and use urban green spaces has fueled the redefinition of public spaces and parks so as to provide the residents with both recreation and relaxation facilities, as well as a forum for contact with culture. This paper discusses the case of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in the Kallithea district on the outskirts of Athens, near the Mediterranean Sea. It fills a gap in the research on the aspects of the practical functioning of such facilities. The methodology used in the research included an analysis of the literature, the SNFCC’s reports, and an in situ survey. The cultural center hosts a number of events aimed at promoting Greece’s natural and cultural heritage. The paper includes a detailed analysis of the events organized by the SNFCC in the period 2017–2020 and their immense impact on residents. The aim of the study is to show that the creation of the SNFCC with the park areas has functioned as a factor contributing to the improvement of the quality of urban space and the quality of life of the city’s inhabitants. The paper’s conclusions indicate that the sustainable SNFCC project, which fulfils the urban ecology criteria, has been very well received by the visitors—citizens and tourists alike. A program-centered innovation introduced by the SN Park has added great value to their lives. The project contributes to economic and cultural growth, as well as the protection and promotion of heritage.

scholarly journals The extreme runoff index for flood early warning in Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1505-1515 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Alfieri ◽  
F. Pappenberger ◽  
F. Wetterhall
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Spatial Inhomogeneity ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
In Situ Observations

Abstract. Systems for the early detection of floods over continental and global domains have a key role in providing a quick overview of areas at risk, raise the awareness and prompt higher detail analyses as the events approach. However, the reliability of these systems is prone to spatial inhomogeneity, depending on the quality of the underlying input data and local calibration. This work proposes a simple approach for flood early warning based on ensemble numerical predictions of surface runoff provided by weather forecasting centers. The system is based on a novel indicator, referred to as an extreme runoff index (ERI), which is calculated from the input data through a statistical analysis. It is designed for use in large or poorly gauged domains, as no local knowledge or in situ observations are needed for its setup. Daily runs over 32 months are evaluated against calibrated hydrological simulations for all of Europe. Results show skillful flood early warning capabilities up to a 10-day lead time. A dedicated analysis is performed to investigate the optimal timing of forecasts to maximize the detection of extreme events. A case study for the central European floods of June 2013 is presented and forecasts are compared to the output of a hydro-meteorological ensemble model.

Palatability and nutritional quality of marine invertebrates in a sub-Arctic fjord

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1215-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lippert ◽  
K. Iken
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Arctic Fjord ◽  
Avoidance Reactions

To investigate the palatability of abundant sub-Arctic sessile or sluggish invertebrates and their value as a food source, in situ experiments with natural consumer assemblages were performed in the Kongsfjord (Spitsbergen). These experiments were complemented with quantitative laboratory assays, using a generalist predatory starfish. Feeding preference and avoidance reactions were similar in both assays. Natural assemblages of predators in situ rejected nine out of ten species tested, and 12 out of 16 species were rejected in laboratory assays, indicating a high percentage of unpalatable invertebrates. Results were compared to the biochemical composition of the investigated species to see whether palatability and feeding preferences coincide with nutritional quality of the prey. Although nutritional quality, expressed as protein, lipid, nitrogen, carbon and water content, may account for some of the feeding preferences found, no overall relationship between nutritional value and palatability or feeding preferences was detected.

scholarly journals DATA ANALYSIS AS THE BASIS FOR IMPROVED DESIGN FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (DFAM)

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 811-820
Author(s):  
Dominika Hamulczuk ◽  
Ola Isaksson
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Design Perspective ◽  
Improved Design ◽  
Print Process ◽  
Printing Parameters

AbstractAdditive Manufacturing (AM) has a large potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry, yet the printing parameters and part design have a profound impact on the robustness of the printing process as well as the resulting quality of the manufactured components. To control the printing process, a substantial number of parameters is measured while printing and used primarily to control and adjust the printing process in-situ. The question raised in this paper is how to benefit from these data being gathered to gain insight into the print process stability. The case study performed included the analysis of data gathered during printing 22 components. The analysis was performed with a widely used Random Forest Classifier. The study revealed that the data did contain some detectable patterns that can be used further in assessing the quality of the printed component, however, they were distinct enough so that in case the test and train sets were comprised of separate components the predictions’ result was very poor. The study gives a good understanding of what is necessary to do a meaningful analytics study of manufacturing data from a design perspective.

scholarly journals In Situ Observations on the Crack Morphology in the Ancient Timber Beams

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Nicola Ruggieri
Keyword(s):  
Essential Element ◽  
Sustainable Operation ◽  
Crack Morphology ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Type Of Failure ◽  
Timber Beams

The conservation of ancient structures is, in the construction panorama, a highly eco-sustainable operation. In fact, it provides for a very limited consumption of resources. This article provides an in-depth analysis of ancient wooden material, an essential element for drawing up correct conservation interventions. Ancient timber beams have a peculiar morphology of failure dependent on many factors, among which are the species of wood, the quality of the material-knots, presence of fissures caused by shrinkage (checks), direction of the grain, and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. In addition, it is linked to load conditions and static configuration. This paper presents a case study of failed ancient timber members still in place and describes the type of failure as well as the origin and propagation of the cracks. The objective is to provide a classification of the causes and of the effects and their evolution, useful to practitioners and to those who have to make decisions on the timber structures conservation.

scholarly journals Maximize mining exploitation efficiency of the quarry: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 21-31
Author(s):  
Arezou Rasti ◽  
Nader Ebrahimi ◽  
Morteza Tabaei ◽  
Hamid Ranjkesh Adarmanabadi
Keyword(s):  
Production Rate ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
World Economy ◽  
Dimension Stone ◽  
Waste Production ◽  
Stone Industry ◽  
Quarry Mine

Nowadays, the dimension stone industry performs a crucial role in the world economy. Accordingly, dimension stone quarries’ importance grows due to their different applications in various construction, building, and decorative industries. Some issues threaten this industry and provide a financial risk that should be taken into account to make the smallest possible risk for investment. The presence of discontinuities in the rock mass has a key function as far as it concerns the overall quality of in situ rock blocks. It impacts the feasibility of dimension stone quarries and overall mine exploitation efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended to survey discontinuities and rock blocks and estimate the average geometry of a rock block, including the shape and size, before mining the benches to maximize mining exploitation efficiency and minimize waste ore production. This investigation aims to survey the discontinuities of the limestone quarry mine located in Josheghan, Iran, to determine and calculate rock blocks’ suitable geometry and an extraction’s direction for active mine benches. For this purpose, the scanline method was applied to survey discontinuities in seven active benches. 3DEC software was used to indicate discontinuities and model the rock blocks for all active benches. It was concluded that the benches’ cutting line make a 13.14 degree with the discontinuities main’s direction. The result of this study proved that by changing the direction of mining and extraction for active mine benches, the unnecessary waste production would decrease. The production rate with the recommended extraction direction will increase by about 1.13% compared to the current extraction direction, which makes 13.14 degrees with the discontinuities main’s direction. Currently, bench seven recorded the minimum production rate, which is 97.60; by applying the new extraction’s direction, it is predicted that this bench will achieve a 99.83 production rate. Consequently, it is concluded by improving the production rate, exploitation efficiency would increase considerably.

International product cost comparison in the field of water management

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bode ◽  
P. Lemmel
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Mechanical Equipment ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Product Costs

Comparing international costs in the field of water management is difficult. The frame conditions in the various countries are very different. They influence the costs and particularly the sewage charges in a complex way. Some of these conditions are outlined by analyzing the situation in Germany as a “case study”. An objective comparison should deal with the in situ arising product costs as annual costs. The product costs consist of both the operating and the capital costs. The annual product costs of 34 wastewater treatment plants in six different European countries are presented. The observed differences in the quality of the construction and of the mechanical equipment of the plants were taken into account with different depreciation periods. The product costs in four of six countries, including Germany, were found to be nearly at the same level. Although the German frame conditions are demanding and difficult the expectation of outstanding high product costs was not confirmed.

scholarly journals The extreme runoff index for flood early warning in Europe

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 7517-7548
Author(s):  
L. Alfieri ◽  
F. Pappenberger ◽  
F. Wetterhall
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Spatial Inhomogeneity ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
In Situ Observations

Abstract. Systems for the early detection of floods over continental and global domains have a key role in providing a quick overview of areas at risk, raise the awareness and prompt higher detail analyses as the events approach. However, the reliability of these systems is prone to spatial inhomogeneity, depending on the quality of the underlying input data and local calibration. This work proposes a simple approach for flood early warning based on ensemble numerical predictions of surface runoff, provided by weather forecasting centers. The system is based on a novel indicator, referred to as Extreme Runoff Index, which is calculated from the input data through a statistical analysis. It is designed for use in large or poorly gauged domains, as no local knowledge or in situ observations are needed for its setup. Daily runs over 32 months are evaluated against calibrated hydrological simulations for the entire Europe. Results show skillful flood early warning capabilities up to a 10 day lead time. A dedicated analysis is performed to investigate the optimal timing of forecasts to maximize the detection of extreme events. A case study for the Central Europe floods in June 2013 is presented and forecasts compared to the output of a hydro-meteorological ensemble model.

scholarly journals The Inadvertent Activation of Silicate Minerals Flotation and Their Depression in Molybdenite Beneficiation

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1296
Author(s):  
Yu Miao ◽  
Tao Long ◽  
Jingjun Wang ◽  
Fu Lai ◽  
Weiran Zuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Glass ◽  
Particle Size Analysis ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Analysis ◽  
Silicate Minerals ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Molybdenum Concentrate

The Wushan Operation has been studied as a case study, particularly relevant to the copper-molybdenum separation circuit, in which efforts have been made to improve the quality of the molybdenum concentrate through diagnostic analysis. A key finding has been the appearance of coarser silicate minerals in the molybdenum concentrate due to their inadvertent activation in flotation. The suitable silicate minerals flotation conditions occurs, most likely, due to upstream bulk flotation regarding the usage of novel collectors and metal cations bearing process water. The flotation of silicate minerals can be diminished by the implementation of water glass and regrinding. The mechanisms underlying flotation behaviors have been revealed by using advanced in-situ surface analysis and particle size analysis techniques.

Misophonia: An Evidence-Based Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-690
Author(s):  
C. S. Vanaja ◽  
Miriam Soni Abigail
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Case History ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Management Option ◽  
Pure Tone Audiogram

Purpose Misophonia is a sound tolerance disorder condition in certain sounds that trigger intense emotional or physiological responses. While some persons may experience misophonia, a few patients suffer from misophonia. However, there is a dearth of literature on audiological assessment and management of persons with misophonia. The purpose of this report is to discuss the assessment of misophonia and highlight the management option that helped a patient with misophonia. Method A case study of a 26-year-old woman with the complaint of decreased tolerance to specific sounds affecting quality of life is reported. Audiological assessment differentiated misophonia from hyperacusis. Management included retraining counseling as well as desensitization and habituation therapy based on the principles described by P. J. Jastreboff and Jastreboff (2014). A misophonia questionnaire was administered at regular intervals to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. Results A detailed case history and audiological evaluations including pure-tone audiogram and Johnson Hyperacusis Index revealed the presence of misophonia. The patient benefitted from intervention, and the scores of the misophonia questionnaire indicated a decrease in the severity of the problem. Conclusions It is important to differentially diagnose misophonia and hyperacusis in persons with sound tolerance disorders. Retraining counseling as well as desensitization and habituation therapy can help patients who suffer from misophonia.

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