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ABSTRACTA rectangular slit weir is used to measure small flows, namely, those flows less than 5 L/s and contraction ratios (b/B) less than 0.25. In the present study, flow tests were conducted in a laboratory setup with various contraction ratios (b/B) under models A (b/B = 1/12), B (b/B = 1/8), C (b/B = 1/6), D (b/B = 5/24), and E (b/B = 1/4). The dimensional analysis revealed that b/B, the height of the flow on the crest of the weir to the height of the weir crest (h/P), the Reynolds number (Re), and the Weber number (We) are effective parameters for predicting the discharge coefficient of the slit weir. The experimental results indicated that the discharge coefficient is variable for different contraction ratios; the maximum average discharge coefficient was achieved at the lowest b/B(Model A), with a value of 0.72. The minimum average discharge coefficient obtained in Model B equals 0.639. In addition, former prediction equations were compared with the obtained experimental data, and the minimum, average, and maximum errors were calculated. Furthermore, a relationship was established for deriving the discharge coefficient in slit weirs with R2 = 0.9212, RMSE = 0.02244, and MAE = 0.0134 based on the obtained experimental data with four effective parameters, b/B, h/P, Re, and We.

ABSTRACTThe piano key weir (PKW) is an evolution with more hydraulic efficiency, compared to labyrinth weir. The studies on this type of weir have shown a significant increase in its discharge efficiency, especially at low heads. In this study, discharge coefficient of various shapes of piano key weir (i.e. rectangular, trapezoidal, and triangular) is investigated experimentally. Also, the aeration process of the studied weirs is described. According to the results, it was found that the discharge coefficient of the triangular PKW is about 28.2% more than the discharge coefficient of the rectangular PKW, and the discharge coefficient of the trapezoidal PKW is about 12.9% more than the discharge coefficient of the rectangular PKW. Also, the discharge capacity of the rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal PKWs are 3.8, 3.96, and 3.96 times the sharp crest weir, respectively. The equations introduced for the discharge coefficient show good agreement (with R2from 0.968 to 0.988 and average percentage error from 0.82 to 2.6%) between the actual and calculated values.

The need for data on marine resources is increasing, Indonesia as one of the world's maritime countries plays a big role in this. The successful application of big data on marine resources is not only seen from the technology used in it but it is also must related to other system components. A qualitative approach is used in this study to produce a big data model that can be applied to marine resources. This research produces a big data model from the perspective of a Knowledge Management System (KMS) which consists of four elements or layers, namely organization, Big Data Process and Technology Information, and people as users. The integration of these four elements is expected to promote economic transformation and knowledge in the marine and fishery sectors.

AbstractThe aim of the study was to explore the experiences and representations of Italian parents of TGE (Transgender and Gender-Expansive) adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria who, for the first time, attended a gender clinic for psychological consultation. This study presents findings from fifteen parents of TGE adolescents, mostly (93%) trans boys, aged 14–19. The analysis identified four main themes: Gender Dysphoria: Something Impossible to Understand, Resigned Acceptance, Strategies of social acceptance in a complex contextand The Limits of Healthcare Services. Results are discussed in the light of a highly transphobic social and cultural context.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are often deployed in antagonistic environments and thus nodes can be potentially captured by an adversary. Therefore, the security is a fundamental issue in sensor networks and key management is a basic security service in these networks. Due to the limitations on sensor nodes, the traditional key management techniques are not suitable. Recently, a number of key predistribution techniques are proposed for establishing the pairwise key in sensor networks by some researchers. In this paper, we propose a key predistribution scheme based on multivariate polynomials. The basic idea of our approach is to apply the combinatorial design theory in the multivariate key predistribution scheme. In this scheme, using the IDs of sensors as an dtuple of positive integers and the combinatorial design, the shares of multivariate polynomials store in sensor nodes before the network deployment. Our results in this paper show that the our proposed approach has better security than the previous schemes in terms of resilience against node capture without the additional communication overhead.

Fractionation of the bioactive dichloromethane extract from the aerial parts of Stachys glutinosaled to the isolation of four flavones, xanthomicrol (1), sideritoflavone (2), 8-methoxycirsilineol (3), and eupatilin (4), along with two neo-clerodane diterpenes, roseostachenone (8) and a new compound, 3α,4α-epoxyroseostachenol (7). In order to study structure–activity relationships, two methoxyflavones [5-demethyltangeretin (5) and tangeretin (6)] were synthesized by the methoxylation of xanthomicrol. The isolated compounds (1–4, 7, and 8) as well as the xanthomicrol semisynthetic derivatives (5and 6) were evaluated for their binding affinity to the μ and δ opioid receptors. Xanthomicrol was the most potent binder to both μ and δ receptors, with a Kivalue of 0.83 and 3.6 μM, respectively. Xanthomicrol administered intraperitoneally in mice at a dose of 80 mg/kg significantly reduced morphine-induced antinociception in the tail flick test. Our results suggested that xanthomicrol is a μ opioid receptor antagonist. Docking experiments were carried out to acquire a deeper understanding about important structural aspects of binding of xanthomicrol. In summary, these data suggest that xanthomicrol is a valuable structure for further development into a potential μ opioid receptor antagonist.

Cleaning is a fundamental phase of the conservation and maintenance activity of the cultural heritage. It is required to be highly effective in the removal of undesired deposits, controllable at every stage and gradable, selective, and completely respectful of the substrate. Moreover, cleaning procedures which can also assure to be harmless to the environment and the operators are particularly valued nowadays. According to these general guidelines, in the present work a sustainable approach for the cleaning of indoor surfaces of the cultural heritage is presented. A methodology based on agar gel was setup and preliminary tested on pilot areas. It has been then applied to the stone sculpted surfaces of the “Fuga in Egitto” high-relief of the Duomo of Milan. A multi-analytical approach was carried out during the setup phase to compare the efficacy of different cleaning conditions in terms of agar concentration, application time and presence of additives. Hence, spectrophotometric measurements, optical observations, ESEM-EDX analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction were performed. Specific attention was paid to the aesthetic features of the sculpted surfaces before and after the cleaning. For this purpose, spectrophotometric data have been analysed by multivariate analysis techniques such as Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchic Cluster Analysis. The overall intervention has been monitored to evaluate the cleaning results and to confirm the absence of any damage to the stone substrate. The application of agar gel proved to be effective in removing soluble salts and soot particles, as well as very respectful of the valuable sculpted surfaces. This methodology is also totally safe for both the operators and the visitors, it is based on a natural and low-cost raw material, and it is low time-consuming. It can be therefore considered as a sustainable alternative to the traditional procedures.

For safety assessment, a double curvature hollow bricks cloister vault with lunettes has been studied. Its geometry, constructive aspects, crack pattern have been surveyed and a 3D finite element analysis has been carried out, the numerical model exploiting the accurate survey of the vault geometry.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether occupational exposure to urban stressors can cause alterations on androstenedione plasma levels and related diseases in female traffic police compared to a control group. The research was carried out on an initial sample of 468 female workers (209 traffic police and 259 controls). After excluding the subjects with confounding factors, 192 female subjects: 96 traffic police and 96 controls were included in the study. Traffic police and controls were matched by age, length of service, body mass index, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking habits, habitual consumption of Italian coffee, and habitual intake of soy and liquorice in diet. The results show that the percentage of subjects with fertility and mental health disorders were no different between traffic police and controls. Mean androstenedione values were significantly higher in female traffic police compared to controls. The distribution into classes of androstenedione values in traffic police was statistically significant. The percentage of traffic police with fertility and mental health disorders were not significant compared to controls. Our results suggest that the occupational exposure to urban stressors could alter plasma androstenedione levels in female traffic police. According to our previous research all the hormonal parameters studied, including androstenedione, could be used as early biological markers of chronic exposure to urban stressors, usable in occupational sets.

SummaryStrains of maize are described with a duplicate segment in a displaced position on the long arm of chromosome 10 (Dp 10-1, -2, -3, -4). The existence of the duplication is inferred from the linkage data, the decrease of recombination values in the region proximal to the duplicate segment and the drastic effect on growth and sex influorescence development observed in Dp 10 homozygous plants.Furthermore the analysis of the Dp 10-1 strand suggests that the presence of the extrachromatin elicits a chromosomal instability conducive to partial or complete loss of the duplicated segment.Comparisons of quantitative values of the anthocyanins conditioned by a gene, P, either in its normal position or on the displaced duplication disclose significant differences in the pigment content values, suggesting that position effect phenomena might account for such differences.Heredity (1977) 38, 349–358; doi:10.1038/hdy.1977.97

In the last 30 years, the restoration of our cultural heritage has become common practice. Initially, only very important monumental buildings were saved and restored, while the rest were demolished and replaced. Then historic centres and groups of buildings were protected, preserving all structures in a reaction to the previous systematic spoiling of the cultural heritage. Subsequently, it was recognized that all urban structures, including small dwellings, should be respected and preserved with great care.Nowadays, this respect for old buildings means finding out every detail of their architecture, fabric and structure. The importance of controlling the efficacy of the techniques of repair and improvement is appreciated[1].This article attempts to provide a state‐of‐the‐art review of the European, and in particular the Italian, attitude towards the reuse of historic buildings with the help of some case histories.