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In recent years, psychological factors, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, have emerged as possible background factors for obesity and its comorbidities. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared to other psychiatric disorders, but this association remains partly mysterious and intriguing, especially considering the effect of childhood trauma. We decided to conduct a review in order to obtain the most recent information on this association with a focus on developmental elements. The studies considered were very heterogeneous, in terms of sample size and results, and do not lend themselves to meta-analysis but rather to discursive synthesis. There are many different and complex planes of interrelationship between PTSD and obesity which offer different therapeutic clues for the clinician. Integrated psychotherapies and interventions focusing on exercise and mindfulness can be used in different settings to promote recovery from both disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermal Quasi-Reflectography (TQR) in the MWIR for book heritage. • Integrated approach of TQR and standard UV–vis–NIR imaging on manuscripts. • Joint use of TQR and UV-based imaging for surface investigation. • Proof of concept on Vergilius Veronensis palimpsest of Biblioteca Capitolare of Verona. Multispectral imaging techniques applied to book heritage are useful to scholars to obtain information on the materials under investigation. The novel introduction of Thermal Quasi-Reflectography (TQR) technique, operating in the medium wave infrared (MWIR) spectral range, can flank conventional diagnostic techniques such as UV-based methods and IR imaging techniques in the 850–1700 nm range on manuscript acquisition. As proof of concept, this work investigates the application of TQR on the Ms. XL (38) palimpsest, known as Vergilius Veronensis , of the Biblioteca Capitolare of Verona. While investigating the manuscript with full-field imaging technique, this work focuses its application to improve the mapping of conservation materials. The manuscript contains several traces of reagents and conservation treatments applied during its conservation history. The study compared the manuscript materials response obtained with TQR with the response collected using UV-induced visible fluorescence (UVL), UV reflected imaging (UVR), and NIR imaging in the 850–1050 nm and 900–1700 nm bands. Being the TQR technique sensitive to surface materials with MWIR reflectance features, it may especially provide more accurate documentation of the restoration history of the object. TQR imaging discriminated non-homogeneities of products in the surface layer thanks to an enhanced MWIR contrast. The TQR image response on manuscript materials should be further investigated and compared to reflectance spectroscopic data. The results of this study demonstrate the added value of TQR imaging for manuscript diagnostics, for which integration of the TQR technique in the standard protocol is desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of selenate on the removal of glycerol in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors was investigated. Two UASB reactors, R Control and R Selenium, were operated at a hydraulic retention time of 48 h and an upflow velocity of 2 m/h at 37 °C. A GAL (glucose, acetate and lactate) and glycerol mixture were used as the only feedstock throughout the experiment for R Control. After acclimation to GAL and glycerol in the start-up period, R Selenium was additionally exposed to selenate (SeO 4 2−) concentrations from 1.43 to 71.49 mg/L (10–500 μM) in a stepwise manner. An average daily methane yield of about 150 mL/g COD, which was comparable with R Control , and 90% Se removal were achieved until 400 μM SeO 4 2−. Simultaneously, SeO 4 2− was reduced to elemental Se or metal selenide, supported by X-ray diffraction, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. However, the methane production rapidly deteriorated when the influent SeO 4 2− concentration was increased to 500 μM. The Se toxicity was evident from the reduction in the activity of Methanosaeta. This study showed that the SeO 4 2− concentration, but not the COD/SeO 4 2− ratio, governs the AD of selenate rich wastewaters. [Display omitted] • Selenate concentration, but not COD/selenate ratio, governs the anaerobic digestion process. • Methane yield of 150 mL/g COD·d with 90% selenium removal until 400 μM selenate. • Inhibition of Methanosaeta activity observed at 500 μM selenate. • Increase in solids content and settling velocity suggests selenium facilitated sludge granulation. • Elemental selenium and metal selenide biosynthesis observed from XRD, TEM, SEM and SEM-EDX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrochemicals play a vital role in protecting crops and enhancing agricultural production by reducing threats from pests, pathogens and weeds. The toxicological status of honey bees can be influenced by a number of factors, including pesticides. While extensive research has focused on the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on individual bees and colonies, it is important to recognise that fungicides and herbicides can also affect bees' health. Unfortunately, in the field, honey bees are exposed to mixtures of compounds rather than single substances. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a commercial fungicide and a commercial herbicide, both individually and in combination, on honey bees. Mortality assays, biomarkers and learning and memory tests were performed, and the results were integrated to assess the toxicological status of honey bees. Neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities), detoxification and metabolic processes (glutathione S-transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities), immune system function (lysozyme activity and haemocytes count) and genotoxicity biomarkers (Nuclear Abnormalities assay) were assessed. The fungicide Sakura® was found to activate detoxification enzymes and affect alkaline phosphatase activity. The herbicide Elegant 2FD and the combination of both pesticides showed neurotoxic effects and induced detoxification processes. Exposure to the herbicide/fungicide mixture impaired learning and memory in honey bees. This study represents a significant advance in understanding the toxicological effects of commonly used commercial pesticides in agriculture and contributes to the development of effective strategies to mitigate their adverse effects on non-target insects. [Display omitted] • Effects of commercial fungicide and herbicide, single and in combination, were evaluated. • Mortality assay, biomarkers and learning and memory tests were performed on honey bees. • Neurotoxic effects after both mixture treatments could be attributed to the herbicide. • Herbicide and pesticide mixtures compromise honey bees' behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An integrated approach for bioremediating contaminated soil was proposed. • Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains were used for biosurfactant production. • About 97 % of crude oil degradation was obtained within 15 days by both strains. • Iron oxide nanoparticles were green synthesized using Aerva lanata flower extract. • The approach effectively treated hydrocarbon and heavy metal co-contaminated soil. The innate resources of water and land are polluted by hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other organic/inorganic compounds, and pollutants have become a significant concern because of their persistent and hydrophobic nature in the environment. In this study, two effective biosurfactant-producing indigenous bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis strain R6 and Paenibacillus dendritiformis strain S2, were selected based on screening tests. First, we targeted the biodegradation of crude oil (C 9 –C 30 hydrocarbons) by the bacterial strains in a mineral salt medium under optimal conditions for 15 days. The results revealed that both strains obtained approximately 97 % degradation efficiency. Simultaneously, iron oxide nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm were green synthesized using Aerva lanata flower extract and confirmed with different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Furthermore, the bioremediation of soil co-contaminated with crude oil and heavy metals was performed using a mixed consortium of B. subtilis strain R6 and P. dendritiformis strain S2, iron oxide nanoparticles (1 and 2 g/kg), and a biosurfactant under optimal conditions. Toxicity assessments were performed by growing Vigna radiata in the bioremediated soil. Significant bioremediation efficiencies were observed in the biosurfactant and iron oxide nanoparticle-added systems, reaching a maximum efficiency of 99 % in system VII. This integrated approach can be used for the practical treatment of co-contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many cities in developing countries, the design and implementation of flood adaptation measures face planning challenges, they are often underdeveloped in practice. This paper aims to investigate the potential for urban flood adaptation solutions and design in practice within the context of a climate-vulnerable Southeast Asian city. We specifically explore the "design workshop" -- an essential process providing valuable experience and conditions for effective climate adaptation in Bangkok. As part of our research, the workshop was organized to introduce and experiment the implication of adaptation pathway approach with designers, urban planners, and decision-makers. Findings reveal that the design workshop provided a collaborative environment, offers transformative space for formulating integrated and context-specific flood adaptation solutions - new possibilities for urban climate resilience in the making. The application of the adaptation pathways facilitates a concrete, quantifiable, and time-bound design process for identifying and sequencing potential flood adaptation measures in Bangkok. Consequently, this paper concludes that multidisciplinary and collaborative processes, along with the introduction of adaptation pathways, stimulating urban flood adaptation planning and implementation in a more collaborative and participative way. However, it is important to note that the feasibility assessment of the proposed solutions still requires essential conditions such as policy synchronization, technical skills, and local resources. To effectively realize these strategies in real-world urban planning practice, this research suggests that local governments should consider implementing a multidisciplinary design process in urban development and flood risk management. • There are opportunities for assessing co-benefits of adaptation measures at the local level. • The flood resilience planning should incorporate real-time data to identify long-term adaptation strategies. • The local government should invite a stimulating design approach along with experimentation of various adaptive measures. • Multidisciplinary approaches are essential for successful flood resilience planning in Bangkok. • The Adaptation Pathways helps to demonstrate the possibilities for long-term perspectives in Flood Risk Management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the use of building performance simulation (BPS) in higher education. It investigates the methods used to integrate BPS into experimental building projects in Solar Decathlon Europe 2021/2022 (SDE21/22), the most recent European edition of an international university-level student competition on designing, building, and operating high-performance, low-carbon, and solar-powered houses. Previous editions of the competition are reviewed to identify pedagogical approaches, challenges, and potentials. The adoption of BPS in SDE21/22 is explored through the results of the competition, the reports of the participating teams, and cross-referencing them to find out how effective the methods for introducing BPS in design and operation were. The integration of building performance into the curricula of the participating universities is investigated to see if higher integration meant higher success in the competition. A survey is conducted to learn about the teams' experiences in using BPS tools to understand the integrative effectiveness of the design and performance components. The main findings show that the integrated BPS is possible when (1) implemented together with experiential learning methods, (2) introduced starting from early design, (3) discussed through comparison of simulated data with reality, (4) provided with multidisciplinary supervision and continuous feedback, and (5) applied with BPS tools that are easy to use and integrated into a design tool. The aim of the study is to identify teaching methods that have the potential to enable the integrated use of BPS and to offer future perspectives for a more effective use of BPS in higher education. • Literature review on pedagogical approaches and methods for BPS in Solar Decathlon. • Evaluation of the adoption of BPS in SDE21/22: A review of methods, tools and approaches. • Exploration of the experiences in using BPS tools in SDE21/22: A survey. • Investigation of the integration of building performance in the curriculum of the participating universities in SDE21/22: A review. • Identification of the key teaching methods for integrated BPS teaching in engineering and architectural education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An outbreak of VIM carbapenemase-expressing Enterobacter cloacae complex occurred between March and October 2020 in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care and teaching hospital in France. At the same time, the hospital was facing the COVID-19 first wave.Aim: To describe the management of an outbreak caused by a VIM-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex strain during the COVID-19 pandemic in an ICU and to show the importance of an integrated approach.Methods: A multi-focal investigation was conducted including descriptive and molecular epidemiology, environmental screening, and assessment of infection prevention and control measures.Findings: A total of 14 cases were identified in this outbreak with a high attributable mortality rate (85.7%). The outbreak management was coordinated by a crisis cell, and involved the implementation of multi-disciplinary actions such as: enhanced hygiene measures, microbiological and molecular analysis of patients and environmental E. cloacae complex strains, and simulation-based teaching. All 23 E. cloacae complex strains isolated from patients and environment samples belonged to multi-locus sequence type ST78 and carried bla-VIM4 gene. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, all but two isolates were also found to belong to a single cluster. Although the source of this outbreak could not be pinpointed, the spread of the strain was controlled thanks to this multi-focal approach and multi-disciplinary implementation.Conclusion: This investigation highlighted the usefulness of Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy in the rapid typing of outbreak strains as well as the importance of an integrated approach to successfully fight against multidrug-resistant micro-organism dissemination and healthcare-associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfilling is the most common method worldwide to deal with the produced municipal solid wastes (MSW). Nonetheless, one major drawback of landfilling is the production of landfill leachate (LL). Various methods for LL treatment exist which can mainly be divided into biological and physical-chemical methods, however integrating both approaches result in more effective treatment. In this study, an indigenous Chlorella vulgaris was isolated from a landfill leachate treatment site, purified, and genetically identified for leachate treatment purposes. One replicate, C.V.M* (CCAP 211/141), of the tested Chlorella vulgaris showed an outstanding growth in 20 % LL (v /v) with a significant ammonia removal (p < 0.05). To confirm these findings, both of the Chlorella vulgaris replicates (C.V.M* and C.V.N) were further tested in 20 % LL (v /v). A dramatic increase in the growth of C.V.M* by 19-fold over its peer C.V.N with a 75 % ammonia removal (starting from concentration 290.73 mg/L) was observed. This percentage is further improved when injecting plasma activated microbubbles as a pre-treatment step. The plasma pre-treatment resulted in LL decolourisation after 3 h and reduced ammonia-N concentration by 1.9-fold. C.V.M* showed the highest growth in 20 % LL pre-treated by plasma compared to the untreated LL with a final biomass yield of 0.38 g/L, increase in the total ammonia-N removal (79 %) and a significant decrease in the pH value (8.6–6.67). Whole genome sequencing for both replicates revealed differences in genotypes between them which might indicate the possibility of a developed mutation or sexual reproduction that might have increased the ability of replicate/strain C.V.M* to tolerate harsher conditions and higher ammonia-N concentrations in 20 % diluted LL. These results might pave the way for a possible powerful candidate in LL treatment using a high-ammonia tolerant algal strain which when coupled with plasma pre-treatment might provide an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable LL treatment approach. • Plasma treating diluted landfill leachate leads to translucency and reducing ammoniacal-N. • Highly ammonia tolerant strain of Chlorella vulgaris C.V.M* grows effectively in this solution with 79% NH3-N removal. • Applying plasma pre-treatment prior to algal treatment improves the efficiency of the treatment process. • Either a developed mutation or sexual reproduction is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embedded system is one of the major focus areas in Electronics and Communication Engineering supported by relevant courses and projects at multiple levels. Students are well exposed in the embedded system verticals with industry supported labs, courses as well as industry guided projects for designing real time embedded systems. As embedded systems became bigger, intelligent and complex, millions of lines of code are to be optimized to meet system deadlines, fit into the available memory, and meet power requirements to achieve the desired functionality. Developing such embedded system, to meet multiple design constraints is a considerable challenge. In order to meet this challenge code optimization techniques at multiple levels are introduced in curriculum focusing on machine dependent and independent optimizations. Architecture specific machine dependent optimization techniques are addressed at basic courses like 8051 Microcontrollers and ARM processors, while machine dependent and independent optimization techniques are addressed at advanced courses like Real Time Embedded System and Course Projects which provides integrated experience. The courses are co-designed and delivered by both industry experts and in-house faculty. This exposure enables our students to be prepared for industry requirements and challenges, and has resulted in increased placements in embedded industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full-scale structure models of high-energy situations exhibited insufficient localization when connector elements were employed to model the assemblies. An alternative approach using a super-element featuring a hole was proposed and successful in mechanical fields localization. However this approach was restrained to linear problems. An extension to materially non-linear problems was thus looked for, and in particular perforated plate materially non-linear fields. An iterative plane stress integrated TFA method is thus developed to relocate the micro-scale elastic–plastic mechanical fields of a plate containing an extremely soft medium/a strong discontinuity: a hole. To this end, a RVE is defined and discretized, the accuracy of the localization relation is assessed, and a radial return algorithm is set-up to integrate the constitutive equation of the micro-scale problem. The results of the proposed TFA approach are compared to an analytical solution and to non-linear FEA. The results show that the localization of elastic–plastic perforated plate mechanical fields is accurate, provided that the method is iterative and that the hole is discretized in the RVE. It is foreseen that both the sequential and integrated TFA approaches will be combined to evaluate criteria in full-scale structure computations. [Display omitted] • Fostering iterative integrated TFA approach for elastic–plastic fields localization. • Localization of elastic–plastic fields accurate provided the method is iterative. • Successful application to structural holes with high plastic strains and gradients. • RVE dimensions/discretization based on standards and comparison to Kirsch solution. • Localization accuracy assessed w/r to (linear) Kirsch solution and (non-linear) FEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An integrated approach that combines machine learning with Bayesian spatial Poisson model is proposed. • The study predicts large-scale real-time occurrence and frequency of traffic conflicts with different severities. • The spatial correlation across the study intersections is accounted for. • Several novel spatiotemporal traffic state measures are developed. The use of traffic conflicts in road safety evaluation is gaining considerable popularity as it plays a vital role in developing a proactive safety management strategy and allowing for real-time safety analysis. This study proposes an integrated approach that combines a machine learning (ML) algorithm and a Bayesian spatial Poisson (BSP) model to conduct large-scale real-time traffic conflict prediction by considering traffic states as the explanatory variables. Traffic conflicts are measured by two indicators, the Time to Collision (TTC) and the Post-Encroachment Time (PET). Based on both TTC and PET, traffic conflict severity is classified into five categories. For each conflict severity category, a binary variable (conflict occurrence) and a count variable (conflict frequency) are developed, respectively. In addition to conflict variables, traffic state parameters are extracted from a large-scale high-resolution trajectory dataset. The traffic parameters include volume, density, speed, and the corresponding space-based and space–time-based measures within a 30-second interval. Eight ML-based classifiers are applied to predict conflict occurrence, and the best classifier is selected. A binary logistic regression is developed to explore the potential linkages between traffic states and conflict occurrence. As well, a resampling technique Borderline-SMOTE is used to mitigate the sparsity caused by the predefined short interval. The BSP model is utilized to predict the specific number of conflicts. Further, the BSP model can also explain the relationship between traffic states and conflict frequency, and thus the significant influencing traffic states are identified. The results show that random forest outperforms the other MLs in terms of conflict occurrence prediction accuracy. Further, the proposed integrated approach achieves a high performance of conflict frequency prediction with RMSE values of 0.1384 ∼ 0.1699, MAPE values of 9.25% ∼ 36.99%, and MAE values of 0.0087 ∼ 0.6398. The finding emphasizes the need for separately predicting the occurrence and frequency of conflicts with different severities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeting neuronal functional restoration can be an efficacious regimen for treating neurological diseases, including cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). Then, there is great significance for screening natural ingredient-played neuroprotection with therapeutical safety. Ginsenoside Re (Re), a nutraceutical molecule isolated from Panax ginseng , is previously proven to possess the neuroprotective benefit against CIRI. However, anti-CIRI regulatory mechanisms of Re action have not been totally explicated. In present study, we performed a network pharmacology approach accompanied with molecular docking analysis to illustrate the neuroprotective activity and biological mechanism of Re in the treatment of CIRI, characterized with bioinformatics findings by using gene ontology (GO) functional assay, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Data from integrated bioinformatics analysis exhibited that 60 candidate genes were identified as the therapeutic potentials of Re against CIRI related to autophagy. Most of these genes were found to be regulated functionally for CIRI after Re treatment. According to topological parameter analysis, total 30 core targets in Re against CIRI relating autophagy were discovered. The molecular pathways enriched from core targets might be implicated in neural regeneration, neural restoration and immunoregulation. Further computational assay identified 3 key proteins including protein kinase B (AKT1), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and heat shock protein 90 AA1 (HSP90AA1), in which these proteins' functions were related to the actions and pathways of autophagy. Current findings from this study combine network pharmacology approach and molecular docking analysis to uncover the core targets and molecular mechanisms of Re in the treatment of CIRI related to autophagy, and then we extrapolate that Ginsenoside Re may be used for the potential application for treating CIRI. [Display omitted] • All 60 candidate genes were identified as potential anti-CIRI targets of Re related to autophagy. • All core targets of Re against CIRI related to autophagy were identified. • Molecular mechanisms in Re against CIRI linked to neural regeneration, neural restoration and immunoregulation. • Computational assay identified key proteins including AKT1, PIK3CA and HSP90AA1. • These bioinformatics findings showed Re may be clinical application for treating CIRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new model for integrated timetabling (TT) and vehicle scheduling (VS). • First matheuristic for integrated TT and VS with regularity objective function. • Tested on real-world instances of service providers for three major Italian cities. • Our solutions consistently improve on those obtained manually by experts. Planning a public transportation system is a complex process, which is usually broken down in several phases, performed in sequence. Most often, the trips required to cover a service with the desired frequency (headway) are decided early on, while the vehicles needed to cover these trips are determined at a later stage. This potentially leads to requiring a larger number of vehicles (and, therefore, drivers) that would be possible if the two decisions were performed simultaneously. We propose a multicommodity-flow type model for integrated timetabling and vehicle scheduling. Since the model is large-scale and cannot be solved by off-the-shelf tools with the efficiency required by planners, we propose a diving-type matheuristic approach for the problem. We report on the efficiency and effectiveness of two variants of the proposed approach, differing on how the continuous relaxation of the problem is solved, to tackle real-world instances of bus transport planning problem originating from customers of M.A.I.O.R. , a leading company providing services and advanced decision-support systems to public transport authorities and operators. The results show that the approach can be used to aid even experienced planners in either obtaining better solutions, or obtaining them faster and with less effort, or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Netherlands, safe and sufficient drinking water is provided to the general population by ten drinking water companies. To guarantee safe drinking water the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a Water Safety Plan (WSP), a Risk Assessment and a Risk Management (RA/RM) framework. The objective of the study was to identify legally required RA approaches, to document application of RA/RM activities at Dutch drinking water companies and to determine to what extent these RA/RM activities as a whole cover all the elements of the WHO WSP approach. This study could be of interest to both managers of large water utilities and decision makers. The assessment was performed by means of a policy review and interviews with two to four staff members involved in RA/RM from all ten Dutch drinking water companies combined with a joint workshop. The drinking water companies are well aware of the potential hazards and risks that can influence the drinking water quality. To guarantee the supply of safe and sufficient drinking water, the Dutch drinking water sector uses six different legally required RA/RM approaches. This study shows that by using the six legally required RA/RM approaches, all WSP steps are covered. WSP entails a generic risk assessment for identifying all hazards and hazardous events from source to tap, whereas the six legally required RA/RM each focus on specific risks at an advanced level. Each risk assessment provides information on specific hazards and hazardous events covering a part of the water supply chain. These legal requirements are complemented with additional RA/RM activities at sector and water company level such as codes of practices and standard operating procedures. The outcomes of all RA/RM approaches combined provide information from source to tap. When using multiple RA/RM approaches, it is crucial to share and combine information derived from the different activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the integrated multidisciplinary approach taken in the study of the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. Measurements of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and carbon dioxide (CO 2) were analysed and cross-compared to identify common trends. In the process, the environmental variables were treated as passive transport scalars in order to identify flow patterns. Subsequently, the measurements were used to set up a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of the site. Comparisons between simulated results and measured data allowed not only the identification of the limits of the simulations but also revealed flow patterns that would be hard to recognise otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This study focuses on design and implementation of risk mitigation strategies. • Proposes an integrated approach in selection of risk mitigation strategy. • Interrelationships between risks and cost of mitigation have been studied. • We investigated the optimal budget allocation in strategy selection process. • We offers an effective risk management decision making approach considering ROI. Abstract Trucking industry plays a major role in the transportation of goods across different geographical locations. The operational complexities of the trucking industry lead to various risks. This study focuses on effective design and implementation of risk-mitigation strategies for the trucking industry with consideration for budget restrictions. In this paper, both subjective and objective attributes are considered in the mathematical modeling and thereby tries to capture realism in the strategic decision-making process. The results of the study provide novel insights that relate the impact of risk on the cost of mitigation. Further, the effect of three characteristics, targeted risk level (TRL), implementation cost (IC) of strategy, and the probability of risk occurrence (PO) is shown in designing and developing risk-mitigation strategies. The experimental analysis not only augments theoretical knowledge related to risk management decision-making processes but also contributes to designing and developing a risk-mitigation strategy under economic constraints. From the managerial perspective, the study demonstrates how decision-makers can benefit from an integrated approach to develop a more holistic understanding of risk-management processes. This study also provides guidelines in policy selection considering higher return on investment (ROI). The paper concludes by highlighting the key findings and discussing opportunities for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Identifying quantitative sources and hazardous areas of heavy metals is a crucial issue for soil management. For this purpose, an integrated approach composed of finite mixture distribution modeling (FMDM), positive matrix factorization (PMF) and sequential Gaussian co-simulation (SGCS) was proposed. FMDM was used to establish background standards and pollution thresholds. PMF supported by FMDM background standards was applied to estimate the source apportionment. Hazardous areas of single metals were delineated using SGCS with FMDM pollution thresholds and uncertainty analysis, and overall hazardous areas were defined by the presence of multiple metals. This integrated approach was applied to a dataset of seven metals as a case study. FMDM indicated that the distributions of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were fitted to two-dimensional mixture distributions, representing a background distribution and a moderately polluted distribution. The distributions of Cd, Hg, and Pb were composed of a three-component lognormal mixture distribution, corresponding to the background, moderate, and high pollution distributions. Three sources were apportioned. Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were dominated by parent materials. Parent materials contributed 52.6%, 45.8%, and 81.9% of Cd, Hg, and Pb concentrations, respectively. Human emissions from coal combustion, industrial work and traffic had significant influences on Hg, Cd, and Pb, with contributions of 49.8%, 26.9%, and 15.6%, respectively. Agricultural practices were exclusively associated with 20.5% of Cd. Overall, hazardous areas exceeding moderate pollution thresholds covered 17.4% of the total area, corresponding to urban areas and industrial sites, whereas overall hazardous areas above high pollution thresholds were limited to 0.01% of the total area. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • An integrated approach was proposed to examine sources and hazardous areas of heavy metals. • FMDM was employed to establish background standards and pollution thresholds. • PMF with FMDM background was used to partition source contributions. • SGCS with FMDM pollution thresholds was applied to determine hazardous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In mountains, natural hazards such as torrential phenomena are damageable for elements at risk. Land use management policies depend on natural risk analysis and on its reduction by protective measures such as civil engineering structures (e.g. check dams, dikes) and forest. Managing these systems is thus needed to help land use planning. It is related to multidisciplinary decision-making problems, from technical effectiveness assessment of protective measures (structural, functional) to their socio-economic efficiency to reduce risk. Decision-aiding tools such as Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) have been recently introduced in mountain watersheds' management field. Nevertheless, traceability of involved expert reasoning is still missing such as the link between technical and socio-economic problems. This paper aims to show how decision-aiding tools can help to improve these aspects within an innovative integrated decision-aiding framework at the torrential watershed scale. Therefore, a brief overview of decision-aiding approaches, involving several theoretical frameworks, is provided. The integrated decision-aiding framework is then introduced. Finally, improvements are discussed showing that field applications are now needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An integrated approach is developed for environmental sustainability. • Climate variability has significant impacts on local environmental sustainability. • Rio Grande Basin is sustainable under current climate conditions. • Rio Grande Basin will become less sustainable in the late 21st century. Abstract Extreme weather events have been affecting local environmental sustainability. Previous literature in this field evaluates environmental sustainability based mainly on past and current resource consumption and availability, however, knowledge about the status and potential changes of environmental sustainability under future climate extremes is missing. This paper proposes an integrated approach (combining the Ecological Footprint Analysis with econometric regressions) to predict future environmental sustainability under different climate scenarios. Based on the case study of the U.S. Rio Grande Basin, the results show that this region has been sustainable in 1982–2012, although sustainability levels have been declining over time. In addition, projections for the future show that the entire region will most likely move away from sustainability by the end of this century under the high emission scenario (e.g., RCP8.5). These findings are relevant for sustainable resource management and allocation of local environmental resources as well as for decision-making support regarding climate risk adaptation and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An integrated approach for portland cement systems containing silica fume is presented. • The degree of pozzolanic reaction decreases with increase in the replacement level of silica fume. • About 3.92%–5.4% of total silica fume chemically reacts while reminder serves for filling pores. • At equal 'α' values, calculated porosity of silica fume paste is lower than that of the control paste. Abstract An integrated approach for studying the effect of silica fume addition on the hydration process and microstructural development of cement paste is presented. Theoretical models and data from thermogravimetric analysis of paste samples are combined to develop mathematical equations using a single Weibul function that can predict their hydration behavior. Results indicate that the Ca(OH) 2 content of paste decreases and its non-evaporable water content increases, with increased silica fume dosage. Irrespective of the dosage used, the amount of silica fume that completely participates in pozzolanic reactivity is ∼3.92%–5.4% and the remainder fills the pores in the system. In addition, an analysis of equation constants indicated that the variation observable for Control and SF-4% or SF-8% and SF-12% paste is merely due to the effect of silica fume dosage whereas the same is not for SF-4% and SF-8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of climate change on water resources, especially groundwater, can no longer be hidden. These impacts are further exacerbated under the integrated influence of climate variability, climate change and anthropogenic activities. The degree of impact varies according to geographical location and other factors leading systems and regions towards different levels of vulnerability. In the recent past, several attempts have been made in various regions across the globe to quantify the impacts and consequences of climate and non-climate factors in terms of vulnerability to groundwater resources. Firstly, this paper provides a structured review of the available literature, aiming to critically analyse and highlight the limitations and knowledge gaps involved in vulnerability (of groundwater to climate change) assessment methodologies. The effects of indicator choice and the importance of including composite indicators are then emphasised. A new integrated approach for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to climate change is proposed to successfully address those limitations. This review concludes that the choice of indicator has a significant role in defining the reliability of computed results. The effect of an individual indicator is also apparent but the consideration of a combination (variety) of indicators may give more realistic results. Therefore, in future, depending upon the local conditions and scale of the study, indicators from various groups should be chosen. Furthermore, there are various assumptions involved in previous methodologies, which limit their scope by introducing uncertainty in the calculated results. These limitations can be overcome by implementing the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative symptoms often inhibit the social integration of people suffering from schizophrenia. Reducing severe negative symptoms (SNS) in a clinically relevant way is a major unmet need. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Integrated Neurocognitive Therapy (INT), a group cognitive remediation therapy (CRT), reduces SNS in schizophrenia outpatients. INT was compared with Treatment As Usual (TAU) in a randomized-controlled trial (RCT). A total of 61 SNS outpatients participated in the study, 28 were allocated to the INT group and 33 to the TAU group. A test-battery was used at baseline, post-treatment at 15weeks, and 1-year-follow-up. Remission rates of SNS after therapy were significantly higher for INT compared to TAU. A trend favoring INT was obtained at follow-up. Furthermore, INT showed significantly higher functional outcome during follow-up compared to TAU. Regarding cognition, the strongest significant effect was found in attention post-treatment. No effects between groups on more complex neurocognition and social cognition were evident. SNS outpatients seem to accept INT group intervention as suggested by the high attendance rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decisions on public health measures to contain a pandemic are often based on parameters such as expected disease burden and additional mortality due to the pandemic. Both pandemics and non-pharmaceutical interventions to fight pandemics, however, produce economic, social, and medical costs. The costs are, for example, caused by changes in access to healthcare, social distancing, and restrictions on economic activity. These factors indirectly influence health outcomes in the short- and long-term perspective. In a narrative review based on targeted literature searches, we develop a comprehensive perspective on the concepts available as well as the challenges of estimating the overall disease burden and the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 interventions from both epidemiological and economic perspectives, particularly during the early part of a pandemic. We review the literature and discuss relevant components that need to be included when estimating the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The review presents data sources and different forms of death counts, and discusses empirical findings on direct and indirect effects of the pandemic and interventions on disease burden as well as the distribution of health risks. • Review on concepts and challenges of estimating the overall disease burden and the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 interventions. • Interdisciplinary and integrated approach from epidemiological and economic perspectives, particularly during the early part of a pandemic. • Discussion of empirical findings and components that need to be included when estimating direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. • Discussion of the main parameters that need to be considered to understand direct disease burden caused by COVID-19. • Review on indirect disease burden due to changes in access to health care, due to social distancing during the pandemic, and due to economic decline. • Evidence on risks for different groups in the population and emphasizing the role of welfare institutions and development levels of countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In construction projects, many parties, e.g., owner, design team, general contractor, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, etc., take part and collaborate. The qualifications of those parties directly affect the success of a construction project. Therefore, those parties should be selected in an objective and systematic way to complete the project successfully. The mechanical design group is an important participant of a design team, whose expertise area is very complicated. The design process of the mechanical group requires multi-disciplinary effort. The technical capability, experience, and communication skills of these parties play a critical role. However, in practice, the selection of the mechanical design team is usually made based on the lowest bid criterion, which may result in additional costs due to working with unqualified, incapable, and insufficient companies. The main objective of this study is to propose an integrated approach, which combines two multi-decision criteria decision-making techniques, to select the most appropriate mechanical design team in construction projects. In the proposed approach, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) methods are used together and various conflicting and compromising criteria are considered simultaneously. In this study, the AHP technique is used to calculate the weights of the criteria and the COPRAS method is used to rank the design team alternatives. In order to demonstrate how this approach can be applied to a real life problem, a case study is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For several years, Italian associations and research organizations have been developing strategies aimed at evaluating and increasing energy efficiency in historic buildings, offering a sort of guidelines about this issue. These strategies are intended to provide useful information for a correct approach to the energy retrofit of historic buildings, offering a framework as well as innovative technical solutions for integrated design intervention restoration of historic buildings. The purpose of the guidelines is investigating the relationship between architectural restoration and plant installations, which are – now – rarely explored problems theoretically and experimentally, by introducing the concept of improvement instead of adapting to the standards of safety and comfort, in accordance with the integrated conservation strategies (Amsterdam Declaration, 1975). Effective proposals of a historic building energy retrofit (or a cultural landscape) can be implemented in a conscious way, tending to an architectural and landscape integration, without changing the monumental building, as it often happens in the case of adaptation of a new building to the new rules. The proposed methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach, articulated in successive phases: analysis of plant systems, measurements of environmental quality, identification of vulnerabilities, defining appropriate intervention techniques, verification of the improvement achieved. The case study concerns a historic building in Salerno (Italy) dating back to the eighteenth century, used as a school complex. It will be investigated by the morphological, technological, static, energy point of view, by the use of a BIM platform, in order to identify energy efficiency measures consistent with the technological and structural aspects. The objective is, therefore, to identify an integrated methodology of energy retrofit of historic buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of participatory tools in Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to support decision-makers is a critical factor that negatively affects the impacts of waste policies. This study describes the participatory HIA used in deciding on the possible doubling of the municipal solid waste incinerating plant located near the city of Arezzo, Italy. Within the framework of the new waste management plan, a methodology for the democratic participation of stakeholders was designed adopting the Local Agenda 21 methodology. Communication and participation events with the stakeholders were set up from the plan's development to its implementation. Eleven different categories of stakeholders including individual citizens were involved in 21 local events, reaching over 500 participants in three years. Actions were performed to build the commitment and ownership of the local administrators. Then, together with the environment and health agencies and a representative from the local committees, the local administrators collaborated with scientists and technicians in the knowledge-building and scoping stages. Focus groups of voluntary citizens worked together with the researchers to provide qualitative and quantitative evidence in the assessment stage. Periodic public forums were held to discuss processes, methods and findings. The local government authority considered the HIA results in the final decision and anewwaste strategy was adopted both in the short term (increased curbside collection, waste sustainability program) and in the long term (limited repowering of the incinerator, new targets for separate collection). In conclusion, an effective participatory HIA was carried out at the municipal level to support decision makers in the waste management plan. The HIA21 study contributed to evidence-based decisions and to make a broadly participatory experience. The authors are confident that these achievements may improve the governance of the waste cycle and the trust in the public administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a profound ongoing change in urban settlements and this particular phenomenon can be observed principally in the relationships between central and peripheral areas. The peripheral areas constitute the context in which the future of urban settlements can be properly tested, where the future quality of life of individuals and of communities can be prefigured. The criteria of safety, sustainability, and welfare, which will be covered in the context of peripheral areas, will become continually more important. The sense of identity and belonging, which is stronger in the central parts, is weak or lacking in the peripheral ones. A sort of spreading centrality should be aimed at, by applying an integrated approach, with an adaptation to the specifics and without losing the required uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated an integrated approach to the biowaste transformation and valorization of byproducts. Biochar obtained from the banana pseudostem was calcined to synthesize a heterogeneous catalyst and sustainably prepare a highly alkaline solution. The ash was utilized directly as a heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. At the same time, an alkaline solution prepared from the ash was used for delignification and recovery of lignin from bamboo leaves by the hydrothermal reaction. Techniques like Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were applied to characterized the catalyst. The alkaline solution was analyzed with Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The Response surface methodology (RSM) technique was considered for the optimization of different parameters in the transesterification and hydrothermal reaction. Under the optimized condition, waste cooking oil (WCO) to Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) conversion was 97.56 ± 0.11%, and lignin recovery was 43.20 ± 0.45%. While at the best operating pyrolysis temperature, the liquid fraction yield from the banana pseudostem (500 °C) was 38.10 ± 0.31 wt%. This integrated study approach encourages the inexpensive, sustainable, and environment-friendly pathway for synthesizing catalysts and preparing a highly alkaline solution for the valorization of biowaste into biofuel and biochemicals. [Display omitted] • Sustainably banana pseudostem, bamboo leaves, and waste cooking oil were valorized. • When biochar (BSBC) is calcined at 700 °C, it transforms into mixed metal oxide. • Calcinated biochar ash exhibits high alkalinity when it is mixed with water. • 43.20% of lignin was recovered from bamboo leaves using an ash alkaline solution. • When ash was used as a catalyst, 97.56% of FAME conversion was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste is a major threat to our environment. Handling and recycling of electronic waste towards the circular economy is a tedious process. Researchers are trying to enhance the existing recycling techniques to improvise the process for better efficiency and also to result in lower by-products. Pre-treatment of Waste Printed Circuit Board (WPCB) using sodium hydroxide solution as solvent under autoclaving conditions results in 100% of epoxy removal efficiency. Further, the selective leaching process of WPCB utilizing ammonium chloride solution and ammonia buffer solution, reduced with the help of Cathantharaus roseus plant leaf extract, clears the way for the generation of copper oxide nanoparticles. Synthesized nanoparticles are separated by repeated centrifugation at 10000 rpm for 30 min using sterile distilled water, then drying it in a hot air oven for 2 h. Samples are characterized using HRTEM and FESEM-EDX. The residual thermoset of WPCB is muffle treated at 550 °C for 3 h to get desired carbon forms and is characterized using Raman spectroscopy, FESEM-EDX. Grounded carbon forms are utilized for synthesizing carbon-engulfed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membrane using electro-spinning, which finds its application in dye removal. Synthesized nano-sized polymer membrane is characterized using TGA, FESEM-EDX, FTIR and tensile strength through Universal Testing Machine. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles from WPCB using plant leaf extract. • Generation of graphene oxide from residual thermoset polymer. • Utilization of graphene oxide for the synthesis of nano sized polymer membrane. • Integrated approach towards recycling WPCB ensures zero waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for artificial or bioartificial engineered tissues is increasing today in regenerative medicine techniques to replace and restore the physiological function of damaged tissues. Such engineered constructs hold different properties depending on the tissue to be replicated. As for vascularized tissues, complex biocompatible structures, namely scaffolds, play a key role in supporting oxygen and nutrient supply, thus sustaining tissue neoformation and integration with the host. Scaffold architecture significantly impacts its regenerative potential, while preclinical trials are essential to define scaffold-host interactions. In compliance with the 3 R principle, there is a clear need to optimize both the procedures to evaluate scaffold performance and the analysis methodology decreasing the number of animals required to gain consistent data. In parallel, current technologies used in preclinical research generate huge amounts of data that need to be elaborated and interpreted correctly. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the results of scaffold integration with the host tissue after implantation in a mouse subcutaneous pocket model. We evaluated the angiogenic response developed by the host and the degree of scaffold integration by using a combined morphometric approach based on both histological and micro-CT analyses. Six-layer scaffolds, made of polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres, with an ordered structure were produced by thermal sintering. Scaffolds were then implanted in BALB/c mice and retrieved 21 days post-implantation when the animals were deeply anesthetized and perfused with Microfil, a contrast agent for micro-CT. Here, we describe a method to extract quantitative data from micro-CT reconstructions such as (i) total vessel volume; (ii)% of vessel penetration; (iii) distribution of vessel diameters. The general principle of this approach is the refinement of the region of interest (ROI), thus producing a volume of interest (VOI) that matches scaffold volume. This VOI serves as a dataset from which to extract volumetric information. Then VOIs are divided into three identical parts, proximal, median, and distal, to follow the vessel progression into the scaffold, thus obtaining their depth of penetration (DoP). By this methodology, we observed in mean, among the analyzed samples, a vessel invasion for 1,38 mm3 corresponding to the 1,53% of the scaffold volume. We then looked at the diameter distribution being this value a key indicator of vessel maturity, highlighting that 55% of vessels fall into the range from 5,99–53.99 µm while the remaining 45% are distributed into intervals from 54 to 136 µm. In parallel, to evaluate tissue integration in detail, histological and immunofluorescent analyses were performed to look at vessel distribution and collagen synthesis. Histological results strongly correlate with the micro-CT data providing, however, an overview of the ingrowth tissues. In addition, by immunofluorescent analysis we demonstrate that newly formed vessels are mature at the considered time point and tissue collagen deposition is widespread within the scaffolds. Collectively, we propose a new method to track vessel formation by using a multi-modal approach posing the basis for: i) the fabrication of novel scaffolds for Tissue Engineering; ii) the integration of detailed information for a wide range of morphological and functional analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid rocket motors tend generally to be simple from a mechanical point of view but difficult to optimize because of their complex and still not well understood cross-coupled physics. This paper addresses the previous issue presenting the integrated approach established at University of Padua to develop hybrid rocket based systems. The methodology tightly combines together system analysis and design, numerical modeling from elementary to sophisticated CFD, and experimental testing done with incremental philosophy. As an example of the approach, the paper presents the experience done in the successful development of a hybrid rocket booster designed for rocket assisted take off operations. It is thought that following the proposed approach and selecting carefully the most promising applications it is possible to finally exploit the major advantages of hybrid rocket motors as safety, simplicity, low cost and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry releases vast amounts of heat energy as dissipative waste heat to the atmosphere. It is therefore necessary to acquire a better understanding of the waste heat potentials in manufacturing. The paper presents an integrated approach for identifying and quantifying waste heat potentials of different production processes. The identification is based on an estimation procedure followed by a simulative assessment of production processes to quantify and allocate waste heat over time. The approach further elaborates on a potential source and demand matching of heat streams. A case study from the automotive industry demonstrates the applicability of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental objectives (e.g. energy and resource demand, emissions, waste) become increasingly relevant for manufacturing companies in addition to traditional economic objectives (e.g. throughput time, output). Currently, different methods and tools are available to address those objectives individually, such as value stream mapping (economic), material and energy flow analysis/MEFA as well as Life Cycle Assessment/LCA (environmental). However, there is a lack on approaches that bring together benefits of those tools and allow simultaneous consideration of all objectives. Against this background, a methodology is developed to analyses the energy, material and time flows of manufacturing systems in an integrated manner. The proposed method is exemplary applied to the case of an Australian manufacturing company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioremediation of real-time petroleum refining industry oily waste (PRIOW) is a major challenge due to the poor emulsification potential and oil sludge disintegration efficiency of conventional bioamphiphile molecules. The present study was focused on the design of a covalently engineered supramolecular bioamphiphile complex (SUBC) rich in hydrophobic amino acids for proficient emulsification of hydrocarbons followed by the concomitant degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in PRIOW using the hydrocarbonoclastic microbial bio-formulation system. The synthesis of SUBC was carried out by pH regulated microbial biosynthesis process and the yield was obtained to be 450.8 mg/g of petroleum oil sludge. The FT-IR and XPS analyses of SUBC revealed the anchoring of hydrophilic moieties of monomeric bioamphiphilic molecules, resulting in the formation of SUBC via covalent interaction. The SUBC was found to be lipoprotein in nature. The maximum loading capacity of SUBC onto surface modified rice hull (SMRH) was achieved to be 45.25 mg/g SMRH at the optimized conditions using RSM-CCD design. The SUBC anchored SMRH was confirmed using SEM, FT-IR, XRD and TGA analyses. The adsorption isotherm models of SUBC onto SMRH were performed. The integrated approach of SUBC-SMRH and hydrocarbonoclastic microbial bio-formulation system, emulsified oil from PRIOW by 92.86 ± 2.26% within 24 h and degraded TPH by 89.25 ± 1.75% within 4 days at the optimum dosage ratio of SUBC-SMRH (0.25 g): PRIOW (1 g): mass of microbial-assisted biocarrier material (0.05 g). The TPH degradation was confirmed by SARA fractional analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR and GC-MS analyses. The study suggested that the application of covalently engineered SUBC has resulted in the accelerated degradation of real-time PRIOW in a very short duration without any secondary sludge generation. Thus, the SUBC integrated approach can be considered to effectively manage the hydrocarbon contaminants from petroleum refining industries under optimal conditions. [Display omitted] • Covalently engineered supramolecular bioamphiphile complex (SUBC) was synthesized. • SUBC anchored surface modified rice hull (SMRH) was developed. • SUBC-SMRH is a potential oil sludge disintegrator and hydrocarbons emulsifier. • Petroleum refining industry oily waste (PRIOW) treatment was effective with SUBC. • Elucidated the mechanism of SUBC integrated PRIOW treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a critical poverty reduction strategy for millions of people around the world; however, it is notoriously dangerous. While there is an awareness of the dangers associated with ASM activities, with the exception of mercury contamination from artisanal gold mining activities, health and safety risks among artisanal miners, their families, and their communities have not been fully addressed in the scholarly literature or by regulatory institutions in countries where ASM is prevalent. This article applies a participatory action framework and draws from three different but complementary data sources, including a survey administered to ASM scholars and practitioners, data gathered from participants in Australian Government-sponsored short courses at the University of Queensland (UQ), and interactions between scholars from UQ and Mongolian mine inspectors, to demonstrate the growing significance of an integrated research approach to understand the full scope of health and safety risks facing the ASM sector. It also reveals some of the practical challenges to mitigating health and safety risks, specifically capacity building among regulatory agencies who work with limited resources to meet the inspection requirements of both the large- and small-scale mining sectors. This article concludes that research on health and safety issues in the ASM sector must incorporate a more holistic and regional approach with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand for a low carbon footprint may be a key factor in stimulating innovation, while prompting politicians to promote sustainable consumption. However, the variety of methodological approaches and techniques used to quantify life-cycle emissions prevents their successful and widespread implementation. This study aims to offer recommendations for researchers, policymakers and practitioners seeking to achieve a more consistent approach for carbon footprint analysis. This assessment is made on the basis of a comprehensive Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats or SWOT Analysis of the carbon footprint indicator. It is carried out bringing together the collective experience from the Carbonfeel Project following the Delphi technique principles. The results include the detailed SWOT Analysis from which specific recommendations to cope with the threats and the weaknesses are identified. In particular, results highlight the importance of the integrated approach to combine organizational and product carbon footprinting in order to achieve a more standardized and consistent approach. These recommendations can therefore serve to pave the way for the development of new, specific and highly-detailed guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing Complexity has been extensively reported in the literature in the ways it can be classified, modelled, assessed and measured. However, the use of complexity measures for shop floor decision making has not been studied exhaustively. The paper demonstrates the use of a complexity measure for shop floor decision making. Knowledge of the transition of shop floor complexity into undesirability can give a correct indicative for any decision maker to intervene and take the necessary corrective actions to bring the system back to its desirable state. The current paper presents an information-theoretic approach based model which considers production scheduling, maintenance and quality functions simultaneously to come up with a complexity quantifier for a shop floor. At any point in time, various environmental factors like machine failures, corrective maintenance time variability, due date alteration, process shifts etc. are simulated into the future and their effect on the job states both in terms of schedule and quality are observed. The probability of these state occurrences is then quantified as complexity of situation which is subsequently scaled to a penalty based “undesirability index”. The complexity is re-evaluated every time a fresh event occurs, thus enabling the decision maker to be more predictive about the future state of the system and in turn, the performance of each of the manufacturing functions. Thus, the model so developed, deploys a complexity based look-ahead mechanism for identifying undesirable state transitions. The novelty of the work lies in the way it has been developed keeping the perspective of a shop floor manager in view and also in the way it can be readily used for decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the result of theoretical and empirical research carried out in the framework of the scientific research project “The competitiveness of the construction sector in Montenegro – the conditions, possibilities and directions for improvement” on the basis of which are identified some of the main directions of improving the competitiveness of the construction sector in Montenegro in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the geometric distortions of the X-ray images, C-arm CT (computed tomography) imaging system usually suffers from adverse effects. To overcome the difficulties, an integrated approach has been put forward to correct distorted X-ray images in the paper. The approach firstly uses OTSU algorithm and morphological open operation to extract the control points coordinates in the distorted X-ray images. To obtain more coordinates and improve the correction precision, least squares is used to fit the polynomial passing by the extracted points. More coordinates are calculated by using the fitted polynomial. Then, a biharmonic spline surface is interpolated by the extracted and calculated coordinates. Finally, the distorted X-ray images are corrected by using the interpolated biharmonic spline surface. Experiment on the acquired distorted X-ray images demonstrates that the proposed approach can effectively correct the distorted X-ray images. A comparison with classical approaches further shows that the approach proposed in the paper performs better in visual effects and correction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae have recently emerged as the most favorite feedstock for triacylglycerol (TAG), the storage neutral lipid, for renewable and sustainable production of biodiesel, mainly due to their comparable lipid contents, faster growth rates and lesser land requirements as compared to the non-conventional and non-edible oilseed crops. But the real technological challenge is to mass produce microalgae with much higher lipid content to make the production of a low-value-high-volume product like biodiesel economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Recent scientific achievements in TAG overproduction in higher eukaryotic systems may be leveraged upon to enhance lipid synthesis by manifold in microalgae. Since the available sequence homology information have been effectively used in case of the model unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to perform genome-scale metabolic reconstructions, the gained knowledge and the well established genetic engineering tools and techniques coupled with the modern system biology approaches may well pave the way for delineating and deciphering the TAG biosynthetic pathways in lipid accumulating microalgae as targets for metabolic pathway engineering. This review thus analyzes the trends and developments in the area of metabolic engineering of lipid synthesis in microalgae and discusses the vision based on some of the possible strategies that could be adopted to reconstruct a stable modified engineered microalga with enhanced lipid producing capabilities. The strategies include flux balance analysis for target gene identification, over expression of the target enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis, over expression of the target gene under specific inducible promoters, constitutive expression of transcription regulators, diverting the flux of key metabolites, and integrated in silico based approaches. An integrated approach involving multiple gene targeting by applying the principles and knowledge of systems biology and bioinformatics would provide us with a holistic view and help derive some feasible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated approach combining liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) with in silico analysis was used to screen dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides from deer skin hydrolysates. A total of 203, 244 and 60 peptides were identified from deer skin hydrolysates prepared with pepsin, pepsin + trypsin and pepsin + Alcalase, respectively, by LC–MS/MS. The percentages of peptides in the above mentioned hydrolysates containing a Pro residue at the penultimate position were 5.9, 20.9 and 20.0%, respectively. Five peptides with a Pro residue at the penultimate position were synthesized and assessed, and these five synthetic peptides possessed DPP-IV inhibitory activity with IC 50 values from 83.3 to 1638.3 µΜ. One of the evaluated peptides contained an oxidized methionine. The effects of peptide modification and length on the DPP-IV inhibitory activity of the peptides were assessed. The results suggest that the integrated approach was efficient in identifying novel bioactive peptides from hydrolysates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy potential of dissolved air floatation (DAF) slurry, a lipid-rich waste, is largely disregarded with the common practice of land spreading or landfilling. On the other hand, selenium (Se) contaminated wastewaters are perceived as unsuitable feedstocks because of their toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the anaerobic co-digestion performance of a DAF slurry with Se rich wastewater using anaerobic granular sludge and waste activated sludge as the inocula. Anaerobic batch assays of DAF slurry supplemented with 0.05, 0.10, 0.25 and 0.50 mM selenate (SeO 4 2−) and selenite (SeO 3 2−), along with a control (without Se) were performed at 30 °C. Methanogenesis of the DAF slurry using anaerobic granular sludge was realised during co-digestion up to 0.50 mM SeO 4 2−, whereas SeO 3 2− was already toxic from 0.05 mM onwards. Co-digestion of the DAF slurry with 0.05 and 0.10 mM Se oxyanions (both selenate and selenite) containing wastewater using waste activated sludge achieved a similar cumulative methane yield of about 180 mL/g COD as that of mono-digestion (Se free DAF slurry) after 65 days of incubation. Simultaneously, more than 90% removal of Se was accomplished. The lag phase duration was, however, extended by 50 and 90% in the presence of 0.05 and 0.10 mM Se, respectively. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) for methane production using waste activated sludge was 0.08 mM for SeO 4 2− and 0.07 mM for SeO 3 2−. The IC 50 amounted to 2.10 mM for SeO 4 2− and 0.08 mM for SeO 3 2− with anaerobic granular sludge. SeO 4 2− and SeO 3 2− were reduced to elemental Se nanoparticles, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. This study indicates the feasibility of methane production from a DAF slurry, codigested with wastewaters containing up to 0.10 mM SeO 4 2− or SeO 3 2−. • Methane recovery from DAF slurry supplemented with selenium oxyanions demonstrated. • Methane yield of 180 mL/g COD unaffected when co-digested with 0.10 mM SeO 4 2− or SeO 3 2-. • Lag phase prolonged by 50% at 0.05 mM Se and by 90% at 0.10 mM Se. • SeO 3 2− concentrations >0.10 mM inhibited methane production from DAF slurry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WISE, the Water Information System for Europe, is the web-portal of the European Commission (EU) that disseminates the quality state of the receiving water bodies and the efficiency of the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in order to monitor advances in the application of both the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as well as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD). With the intention to develop WISE applications, the aim of the work was to define and apply an integrated approach capable of monitoring the efficiency and investments of activated sludge-based WWTPs located in a large spatial area, providing the following outcomes useful to the decision-makers: (i) the identification of critical facilities and their critical processes by means of a Performance Assessment System (PAS), (ii) the choice of the most suitable upgrading actions, through a scenario analysis. (iii) the assessment of the investment costs to upgrade the critical WWTPs and (iv) the prioritization of the critical facilities by means of a multi-criteria approach which includes the stakeholders involvement, along with the integration of some technical, environmental, economic and health aspects. The implementation of the proposed approach to a high number of municipal WWTPs highlighted how the PAS developed was able to identify critical processes with a particular effectiveness in identifying the critical nutrient removal ones. In addition, a simplified approach that considers the cost related to a basic-configuration and those for the WWTP integration, allowed to link the critical processes identified and the investment costs. Finally, the questionnaire for the acquisition of data such as that provided by the Italian Institute of Statistics, the PAS defined and the database on the costs, if properly adapted, may allow for the extension of the integrated approach on an EU-scale by providing useful information to water utilities as well as institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]