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

Despite the positive contributions of several European Union (EU) policies to reduce border barriers, the EU Cross-Border Review (CBR) initiative reaffirmed their relevance and persistence. Since 2018, the EU has supported the b-solutions initiative, specifically focused on tackling legal and administrative border obstacles, aiming to highlight replicable solutions which can contribute to reducing these obstacles. This article critically assesses the b-solutions and its contribution to reducing administrative and legal border obstacles, with an eye to promoting a more integrated European territory. It is concluded that b-solutions is a valid, yet insufficient, initiative to provide replicable solutions to mitigate cross-border barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Habitat specialists residing in human-modified landscapes are likely to be more vulnerable to disturbance because of a functional reliance on very particular habitat features. However, there have been few studies designed to specifically address that issue. Objectives: This study aimed to explore how the red panda, an iconic endangered habitat specialist, behaves when faced with disturbances and habitat fragmentation. In particular, we attempted to examine the effect of anthropogenic disturbances and fragmentation on home-range size, activity patterns, and recursion. Methods: Using GPS telemetry we monitored 10 red pandas and documented disturbances using camera trapping for one year in eastern Nepal. We performed spatial analysis, analysed activity patterns and evaluated the effect of habitat fragmentation and disturbances on home-range size and residence time using Linear Mixed Models. Results: Home-range size increased in areas with low availability of forest cover whilst home ranges were smaller in areas with a high road density. Red pandas spent more time in large habitat patches away from roads and cattle stations. Crossing rates suggested that roads acted as a barrier for movement across their habitat. Red pandas also partitioned their activity to minimize interactions with disturbances. Conclusions: Red pandas seem to make a trade-off to co-exist in human-dominated landscapes which may have adverse long-term effects on their survival. This indicates that current patterns of habitat fragmentation and forest exploitation may be adversely affecting red panda conservation efforts and that landscape-scale effects should be considered when planning conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new procedure to optimally identifying the prediction equation of oil breakdown voltage with the barrier parameters’ effect is presented. The specified equation is built based on the results of experimental works to link the response with the barrier parameters as the inputs for hemisphere-hemisphere electrode gap configuration under AC voltage. The AC HV is applied using HV Transformer Type (PGK HB-100 kVAC) to the high voltage electrode in the presence of a barrier immersed in Diala B insulating oil. The problem is formulated as a nonlinear optimization problem to minimize the error between experimental and estimated breakdown voltages (VBD). Comprehensive comparative analyses are addressed using three recent innovative marine predators, grey wolf, and equilibrium optimization algorithms to reduce the error between the experimental and estimated breakdown voltages. In addition, the experimental results are expressed in two different models via grey and real coding. Finally, simulation results are conducted with statistical indices that show the effectiveness of the proposed models for experimental verification. The total percentage errors of the tested samples between the observed and estimated VBD are 1.207, 1.222, and 1.207 for EO, GWO, MPA, respectively. The marine predator algorithm has the best performance compared with the other two competitive algorithms for grey and actual codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roads are among the most widespread signs of man's presence around the globe. From simple low traffic trails to wide and highly used highways, roads have a wide array of effects on wildlife. In the present study, we tested how habitat reduction by roads may affect the space use and movement patterns of the Cabrera vole (Microtus cabrerae), a near-threatened Iberian endemism, often living on road verges. A total of 16 voles were successfully radio-tracked in two habitat patches with different size and proximity to roads. Results showed that individuals from the smaller patch (Verge patch) had smaller and less complex homeranges than those from the larger patch (Meadow patch). Movement patterns were significantly influenced by the day period but only in individuals from the Verge patch. There was evidence of a barrier effect in both habitat patches, being this effect much more noticeable in the verge population. Overall, this study shows that space use and movement patterns of Cabrera voles near roads may be affected by the degree of habitat reduction imposed by these infrastructures. This suggests that species space use and movement patterns at fine-scale should be accounted for in road planning, even for species that may benefit from road verge habitats as refuges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most dramatic changes occurring on our planet is the ever-increasing extensive use of artificial light at night, which drastically altered the environment to which nocturnal animals are adapted. Such light pollution has been identified as a driver in the dramatic insect decline of the past years. One nocturnal species group experiencing marked declines are moths, which play a key role in food webs and ecosystem services such as plant pollination. Moths can be easily monitored within the illuminated area of a streetlight, where they typically exhibit disoriented behavior. Yet, little is known about their behavior beyond the illuminated area. Harmonic radar tracking enabled us to close this knowledge gap. We found a significant change in flight behavior beyond the illuminated area of a streetlight. A detailed analysis of the recorded trajectories revealed a barrier effect of streetlights on lappet moths whenever the moon was not available as a natural celestial cue. Furthermore, streetlights increased the tortuosity of flights for both hawk moths and lappet moths. Surprisingly, we had to reject our fundamental hypothesis that most individuals would fly toward a streetlight. Instead, this was true for only 4% of the tested individuals, indicating that the impact of light pollution might be more severe than assumed to date. Our results provide experimental evidence for the fragmentation of landscapes by streetlights and demonstrate that light pollution affects movement patterns of moths beyond what was previously assumed, potentially affecting their reproductive success and hampering a vital ecosystem service., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Breakdown voltage of hybrid gas-solid insulation system may greatly fluctuate due to the complex discharge processes, and the relationship between the breakdown voltage and the breakdown path is not clear. This paper studies the fluctuation of the breakdown voltage and the dispersion of the breakdown path. The results indicate that when the barrier is close to the high-voltage electrode, the breakdown voltage fluctuation is significant, and the significance rises with the increase of the barrier size. The breakdown paths are divided into two types, the probabilities of which are related to the barrier position, and the average breakdown voltages of the two path types are approximate. Under 50 Hz alternating voltage, residual charges have a significant effect on the direction of the breakdown path and have little effect on the breakdown voltage. The breakdown voltage fluctuates significantly when the breakdown path is long. It is found that the low atmospheric absolute humidity is another reason for the breakdown voltage fluctuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study of the MJO event observed during January and February 2017 is conducted to understand its propagation through the Maritime Continent (MC) region. Ensemble cloud-permitting numerical simulations are performed to test the effects of the islands over MC on this MJO event. The control simulation reasonably captures the large-scale mean state, eastward propagation and diurnal cycle over islands of this MJO event. Sensitivity experiments are conducted to test the impact of topography, friction, and land-sea contrast on this MJO event. Eliminating the topography around the MC region leads to reduced precipitation over the islands while changes in eastward propagation are small. When friction is further removed, results are similar except that the low-level wind is stronger, and the MJO precipitation propagation is not essentially different. Land-sea contrast is further eliminated by replacing land with ocean, and the MJO is stronger and displays smoother eastward propagation. Diagnosis of moist static energy budget indicates that both the surface flux feedback and horizontal advection (especially the zonal advection) are greatly strengthened without land-sea contrast, which enhance the convection over the sea and facilitate the eastward propagation of the MJO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the study of the driving forces behind fault activation and its influencing factors on the barrier effect of rock mass movement under the influence of mining, the discrete element numerical simulation software 3DEC was used for the analysis of the impact on the distance to mining area from fault, the buried depth of the upper boundary of the fault, the dip angle of fault, the size of the mining area and the thickness of the fault zone respectively. The results show that the mining areas are closer to the fault as distances decrease, the burial depth of the upper boundary of the fault increases, and the size of the mining area increases, the fault is easier to activate, and fault activation has a stronger barrier impact on displacement field and stress field propagation. When the fault is cut into the goaf, the difference of rock displacement in both directions of the fault increases when the dip of the fault increases, and the fault is more susceptible to instability and activation. The barrier strength grows with the increase of the thickness of the fault fracture zone. The results of this study have important implications for the guard against and control of deep mining-related fault activation disasters.

Being the heart of every human settlement, the road network constitutes a significant component of the built environment that serves the accessibility and mobility needs and supports economic activities. Despite its positive role, the road network, in some cases, due to increased geometric and functional characteristics, can act as a barrier to the movement of vulnerable road users, thus fragmenting the urban space and creating the phenomenon of the “barrier effect”. The barrier effect is considered detrimental to the mobility of vulnerable users, causing delays or even cancellation of trips, increasing collision risk, limiting access to services, posing negative impacts on public health, and loosening social ties. In this context, the current paper focuses on a settlement in Greece (Dispilio) developed along two national roads and comprehensively evaluates the barrier effect. More specifically, the presented methodological approach attempts to investigate the actual and the perceived dimension of this phenomenon by applying well-established metrics and landscape indicators, such as the effective mesh size, and conducting a questionnaire survey, respectively. The overall research results highlighted interesting findings regarding the intensity of the barrier effect in the examined area and outlined some critical interventions that could be implemented in similar cases.

The construction of dams creates a series of reservoirs, causing severe environmental changes and a biodiversity crisis. We aimed to investigate the relative roles of the construction of upstream cascade dams and the longitudinal gradient in environmental conditions in the spatial and temporal variations in fish assemblages in a downstream reservoir. Fish assemblage and abiotic data from four longitudinally distributed reaches in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China—one of the largest reservoirs worldwide—were collected over 8 years (2011–2018) and analysed. The results showed that the blockage to fish passage, as well as the flow modification, caused by the upstream dams and reservoirs can significantly affect the variations in fish assemblages downstream of the TGR; fish assemblages in the upper area of the TGR were more vulnerable to upstream dam construction than those in the lower area. The longitudinal environmental gradient was more important in determining the spatial and temporal distributions of fish assemblages in the reservoir than the combined effects caused by the upstream dams and reservoirs. The spatial distribution pattern of fish assemblage structure in the TGR was mainly determined by the gradient difference in the flow regime among stations, whereas the construction of two upstream dams mainly affected the temporal variations in fish assemblages of the TGR by altering the downstream flow and thermal regimes and blocking fish movement down to the TGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual heavy metals in soils will destroy microbial community stability and influence its aggregation. However, exploring microbial ecology under heavy-metal stress still requires a conjoint analysis of bacterial interspecies communication and the community diversity maintenance mechanism. In this study, soil samples were collected from a heavy-metal-contaminated site in China to investigate the ecological response of indigenous microbial communities through high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that bacterial taxa and functions generated unusual decoupling phenomena. There were no significant differences in the diversity of species with the increase in concentration of heavy metals (Hg, Se, and Cr), but the functional diversity was lost. Also, the average niche breadth of bacterial species increased from 1.70 to 2.28, but community stability declined and the species assembly was always a deterministic process (NST <0.5). After the bacterial functional assembly changed from a stochastic process to a deterministic process (NST <0.5), it was transformed into a stochastic process (NST >0.5) again under the stress of high-concentration heavy metals, indicating that the collective stress resistance of bacterial communities changed from positive mutation into passive functional propagation. The research results can provide new insight into understanding the adaptive evolution of communities and ecosystem restoration under the stress of soil heavy metals. [Display omitted] • There is an unusual decoupling relation between taxa and functional diversity. • Microbial community stability decreased due to compound heavy metals exposure. • Deterministic process dominated the assemblies of bacterial taxa. • Bacterial resistance shifted from active to passive with increasing heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The evolution of EIS of zinc-rich coatings is explained in detail. • The corrosion product layer causes the shielding effect of zinc-rich coatings. • Semi-logarithmic relationships suggest that t1/2 axis is useful for impedance studies. • Linear correlations help in designing equivalent circuits (EE). • Linear correlations help in elucidating the physical meaning of EE components. This paper focuses on elucidating the variation rules of equivalent circuit elements of electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) of two different thicknesses of epoxy zinc-rich coatings (EZRCs) and silicate ethyl zinc-rich coatings (ZRCs). The correlation between the circuit elements and the low-frequency impedance modulus (|Z| 0.01 Hz) and the open-circuit potential (OCP) is investigated, and an explanation of the barrier effect and the evolution law of corrosion potential (E corr) is given. The results show that there is a linear or piecewise linear relationship between the logarithm of |Z| 0.01 Hz and the circuit elements with a square root of time (t1/2), and the piecewise linear relationship between the OCP and t1/2. Further, there is a large amount of linear correlation between circuit elements. The semi-logarithmic linear relationship suggests that the square root axis can be a conventional choice for coating impedance studies. Linear correlations help in designing equivalent circuits and elucidating the physical significance of components in equivalent circuits. The barrier effect of ZRCs mainly refers to the blocking effect of the corrosion product layer on the outer surface of the coating. The barrier effect of ZRCs can be neglected. Designing equivalent circuits: location of circuit elements and current assignments, fitting accuracy, trends in model parameters, linear correlation of elements. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A method for locating wildlife crossings on roads in China was explored. • The Linkage Mapper model was used to simulate potential migration corridors. • Three scenarios of road barrier sections were defined based on the gazelle home range. • Preliminary monitoring shows a 62.5% usage of crossing structures by gazelle. Despite limited research on the topic, understanding the barrier effect of roads on wildlife habitats in China is crucial for the placement of wildlife crossing structures. First, a habitat suitability evaluation model for goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) was established. Then, using the Linkage Mapper model, potential migration corridors were simulated along the expressway. The migration corridors were then overlaid with the crossing structures to evaluate the barrier effects of the expressway. A total of 12 barrier segments were identified by the results, eight of which were found to have crossing structures, and preliminary monitoring indicated that five of the bridges have been used by goitered gazelle (62.5%). Based on the results, recommendations for the mitigation of the barrier effect of expressways on goitered gazelle are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the obstacles which constitute the so-called “barrier effect” while exploring the area of urban search and rescue operations on the first day after an earthquake. It also includes preliminary results of research conducted under the implementation project “EASeR”, aimed at developing procedures and outlines for fire-fighters from Italy, helping them minimise the “barrier effect”. They may also prove useful for other countries. Introduction: In the introduction, the authors outline the circumstances of the establishing of the INSARAG International Search and Rescue Advisory Group at the UN and its European counterpart with a broader spectrum of responsibilities (the EU Civil Protection Mechanism), along with the legal basis for the organisation, as well as recall the international guidelines defining standards and methodologies for the Search and Rescue Groups (GPR). The mechanism is responsible not only for USAR but also for almost 20 types of different civil protection assets. The authors also recall the whole cycle of the GPR mission, along with examples of natural disasters and circumstances that have led to the launching of the EASeR project. Finally, the assumptions of the project and its partners are presented. Methodology: The initial research material related to the subject matter in question included international UN and EU normative documents establishing the organisational and operational standards for the conduction of actions, and the operation of search and rescue groups (USAR), as well as exemplary EU implementation projects. The identification of the initial “obstacles limiting the conduction of initial assessments (ASR 1–3) at the scene of action, defined by Italian fire-fighters from Pisa as a “barrier effect”, was the starting point for a wider analysis of the facts, and the development of a questionnaire and international surveys, using a diagnostic survey in over a dozen countries around the world. Conclusions: The quantitative data and opinions on the main obstacles encountered during the disaster reconnaissance allowed the project experts to confirm or reject the pre-assumptions for the projected content of the final project documents, and during further meetings, it was possible to develop the final versions of operational procedures indexes for emergency services in Italy, as well as the index of guidelines for international USAR in the field of reconnaissance in the initial phase (the so-called ASR 1–3). After the consultation of the final project documents (procedures and guidelines), as a result of the collected opinions and further expert work, the second phase of the project was to take place.

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

Roads are a major driver of environmental stress, yet we know surprisingly little about how roads impact the movement of insect pollinators, and consequent pollination.We investigated the influence of roads on pollinator movement and pollination by examining patterns of pigment transfer between focal plants of two species, Coreopsisverticillata and Monardafistulosa. We asked whether roads reduced pigment transfer, and what characteristics of roads were important in driving this reduction. We also evaluated whether pollinator assemblage differed between species, and if this mediated the effect of roads on pigment transfer.Plants across a road from a pigment‐added plant received significantly less pigment than plants on the same side of the road. This effect was stronger for coreopsis than for monarda. The mean body size of visitors to coreopsis was significantly smaller than that of visitors to monarda, suggesting that smaller bees are more limited by roads.Road width was the best predictor of pigment transfer, with a smaller effect of traffic volume; further research is needed to fully disentangle the effects of different road characteristics. Roadside habitat had little influence on pigment transfer, and roadside plants did not receive significantly less pigment than plants in contiguous habitat.Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates that roads pose substantial barriers to bee movement, reducing pollen flow between plants located across roadways from one another. Road characteristics, particularly width and traffic volume, mediated this effect, as did bee size. Our results suggest that the effects of roads on pollinators and pollination can be mitigated by many of the same design strategies currently being implemented to reduce human traffic accidents, offering the opportunity for win–win scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a progressive bladder disease characterized by increased urothelial permeability, inflammation of the bladder with abdominal pain. While there is no consensus on the etiology of the disease, it was believed that restoring the barrier between urinary solutes and (GAG) urothelium would interrupt the progression of this disease. Currently, several treatment options include intravesical delivery of hyaluronic acid (HA) and/or chondroitin sulfate solutions, through a catheter to restore the urothelial barrier, but have shown limited success in preclinical, clinical trials. Herein we report for the first time successful engineering and characterization of biphasic system developed by combining cross‐linked hyaluronic acid and naïve HA solution to decrease inflammation and permeability in an in vitro model of interstitial cystitis. The cross‐linking of HA was performed by 4‐arm‐polyethyeleneamine chemistry. The HA formulations were tested for their viscoelastic properties and the effects on cell metabolism, inflammatory markers, and permeability. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic effects of different ratios of the biphasic system and reports their ability to increase the barrier effect by decreasing the permeability and alteration of cell metabolism with respect to relative controls. Restoring the barrier by using biphasic system of HA therapy may be a promising approach to IC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the observational data and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models this study examined the influence of the North Pacific Victoria mode (VM) on the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). The results show that the February–April VM had a significant influence on the development and propagation of the MJO over the equatorial central-western Pacific (ECWP) during spring (March-May) between 1979 and 2017. Specifically, MJO development was favored more by positive VM events than negative VM events. These complicated connections could have been caused by the SST gradient anomalies associated with positive VM events, enhancing the convergence of low-level over the ECWP. When this is combined with warm SST anomalies in the equatorial central Pacific it could have led to a boost in the Kelvin wave anomalies, resulting in enhanced MJO activity over the ECWP. These conclusions indicate that the VM is an important factor in MJO diversity.

The role of polyamines of the human Lactobacillus plantarum strain Inducia (DSM 21379) for modulation of innate immune markers was explored. The strains’ genes for polyamines, and amino acid metabolites were tested. Edam-type cheese comprised with putrescine producing strain Inducia, and control cheese were administered to n = 20 NIH-line mice and tested in 12 healthy Estonian volunteers (ISRCTN38739209) consuming 50 g Inducia cheese (3 × 109 CFU/daily) and control cheese in blinded placebo-controlled 3-week cross-over trial In experimental mice the amount of ileal and colonic lymphatic tissue, the count and diversity of lactobacilli increased. In volunteers' urine acetylated putrescine (p = 0.021); monocytes (p = 0.032), and cytokine IL-6 (p = 0.020) content in blood increased moderately. The amount of putrescine with IL-6 (r = 0.892, p = 0.003); acetylated spermidine with monocytes (r = 0.657, p = 0.039) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (r = 0.848, p = 0.004) were correlated. Polyamines of L. plantarum Inducia and its food products can enhance the innate immune markers.

Landscape effects might impede or increase spore dispersal and disease risk for crops, as trees and hedges buffer winds and can behave as spore traps, therefore limiting diffusion of fungi, or, on the contrary, behave as disease relay once vegetation is infected and become inoculum sources. In this study, we investigated weekly prevalence of the pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on guava tree leaves, differentiating impacts of leaf height on tree, age, and location within leaf. We first estimated differences in prevalence for each covariate, and then related infection rates to weather effects during the year. Our results highlighted a great variance of prevalence among individual trees, and a lower contamination of tree tops, as well as a tendency for greater odds of infection in tips of young leaves compared to older ones. Last, we show evidence that individual tree contaminations are associated with different disease dynamics: early and dispersal-based, late and growth-based, as well as with intermediate dynamic ranges. Pathogen infection dynamics will thus be greatly impacted by cover characteristics at local scale, and tree cover should not be perceived as homogeneously driving disease levels.

In superconducting power equipment, such as a resistive-type superconducting fault current limiter (R-SFCL), liquid nitrogen (LN2) and cryogenic nitrogen gas (CGN2) act as not only the cooling media but also the insulation media. In R-SFCLs, CGN2 will coexist with the LN2. The objective of this article is to determine a barrier effect on the dc dielectric strength of the CGN2 evaporated from LN2. The dc breakdown voltage VB of a pair of rod-to-plane electrodes with an insulation barrier was measured. The gap distance b was 13.6 mm, in which the distance from the rod electrode to the insulation barrier was a and the distance from the rod electrode to the plane electrode was b. Three cases were measured, which were a/b = 1/7, 3/7, and 5/7, respectively. The materials of the insulation barrier were polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Kapton, respectively. The experimental results showed that, for both positive and negative polarities, when a/b was 1/7, the breakdown voltage was approximately two times higher than that without the barrier. When a/b was 3/7, the average breakdown voltage was approximately 1.5 times higher than that without the barrier. When a/b was 5/7, the breakdown voltage was nearly the same as that without the insulation barrier. Therefore, it suggested that the closer the insulation barrier was to the rod electrode side, the higher the breakdown voltage was. When a/b = 5/7 and the thickness of the insulation barrier was 0.10 mm, the breakdown voltage of the CGN2/insulation composite insulation system with the Kapton film was higher than that with the PTFE film. A high-speed camera observation showed that the discharge started in the CGN2, and then, a further breakdown occurred in the insulation barrier. An equivalent circuit model was built up to describe the breakdown process, which showed that the lower the electrical conductivity of the insulation barrier was, the higher the breakdown voltage was. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the barrier effect and its mechanism of steep fault plane on rock mass movement caused by mining, based on the numerical simulation method, the influence of fault on displacement field and stress field of surrounding rock is analyzed when the goaf is located in the hanging wall and footwall respectively. The results show that under the assumed conditions, the fault plane within the influence scope of mining destroys the continuity and coordination of rock mass movement and deformation, affects the propagation of surrounding rock stress, and has a certain barrier effect; the displacement and stress difference of surrounding rock on both sides of the fault plane caused by the upper wall mining is larger than that caused by the lower wall mining, and the effect of mining on the release of surrounding pressure is stronger. The occurrence mechanism of the barrier effect of the steep fault plane on the rock movement is revealed. The research results are of great significance to the determination of rock mass movement range under the influence of faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the experimental research on the barrier effect of PTFE membrane on malodorous gases, it was found that PTFE membrane had good gas permeability , and the barrier effect on malodorous gases NH3 and H3S was poor. After a layer ol water lilm was formed on PTFE membrane, it had an cb-vious barrier effect on malodorous gases NH3 and H2S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expressways act as barriers to animals that block free movement in their habitats, especially when the roads are continuously fenced to prevent collisions between animals and vehicles. Various types of animal passages have been repeatedly studied in terms of their utility, albeit rather less frequently in the suburban environment. We conducted our research in a section of the fenced expressway S3 connecting two closely located cities in western Poland (Lubuskie province). Over the course of one year, we monitored four underpasses intended for small- and medium-sized animals using tracks. The underpasses were inspected weekly. Animal traces most frequently found belonged to roe deer Capreolus capreolus (20.9%), red fox Vulpes vulpes (15.1%), wild boar Sus scrofa (14%), and domestic dog Canis l. familiaris (12.4%). Surprisingly, the results of our study indicate that underpasses for small and medium mammals are also used by ungulate mammals. The use of the underpasses varied seasonally, being the highest in spring (37.9%) and the lowest in winter (10.4%). Moreover, seasonal differences in the use of passages were related to particular species/groups of animal species. We found that 22% of animals that entered the passage did not completely traverse it. People accounted for 17.1% of all stated traces in the underpasses. Stagnant water in the underpasses reduced the number of predatory mammals and wild boars using the underpasses but did not affect the activity of roe deer. These studies indicate that animal underpasses located in suburban areas are used by many species of animals despite the activity of humans and domesticated mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To give full play to barrier effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets for improving the unsatisfactory long-term anti-corrosion performance of water-borne epoxy (WEP) coating, eco-friendly 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA) molecules were used to modify GO for enhancing the dispersion of GO in polymer coating. The results gained from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm that GO nanosheets were successfully modified with ATA molecules. SEM images show that ATA modification can significantly reinforce the compatibility between GO and polymer coating. The Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests result shows that the ATA-GO/WEP coating (4.7 × 105 Ω cm2) has significantly higher |Z| 0.1Hz than pure WEP (1.3 × 104 Ω cm2) and GO/WEP (9 × 103 Ω cm2) coatings after 30 days immersion. This indicate that the well-dispersed ATA-GO nanosheets in polymer coating can remarkably enhance coating's barrier effect, leading to significant improvement of anti-corrosion performance. We believe that this strategy could inspire the development of ATA modified inorganic nanomaterials for anti-corrosion coating applications. [Display omitted] • A novel and green 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA) modified graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterial was fabricated via a green method. • ATA modification can significantly improve dispersion of GO nanosheets in polymer coating. • ATA-GO/WEP coating have significantly enhanced anti-corrosion performance than pure WEP and GO/WEP coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation is the backbone of developing regional economies and the evolution of our civilization. Well planned road systems are essential to connect dispersed communities or cities. However, roads are one of the major destructive forces to regional ecosystems and the natural environment. The effects of roads on their adjacent ecosystems may include road kills, habitat fragmentation, barrier effect to animal movement, road edge effects, introduction of exotic species, pollution and noise, change of micro-climate, etc. This study undertakes a comprehensive survey of road kills in Kinmen (Taiwan) and analyzes their causes. The road crossing behaviors of animals have been utilized in deriving survival probability by employing Traffic Flow Theory. Two models, Traffic Flow Model and Linear Model, have been proposed in this study and comparisons of survey results and the models are also carried out. Comparing the survey results and predictions of models, both models yield similar results for moderate traffic flow and provide excellent agreement in predicting frequency of road kill of birds and small mammals. It is found that traffic volume, adjacent landscape and road condition are the major factors in road kills. Higher traffic volume near animals’ habitats always augments the probability of road kill, however roadside trees, adjacent landscapes, and road longitudinal slope may also affect the probability of successful crossing by small animals, especially birds. The barrier effect of roadside trees forces birds to fly between tree trunks and enter onto a collision course with oncoming vehicles, so that dense roadside trees may lead to higher bird casualties. On the other hand, roads with abrupt turns or steep longitudinal slopes may block the view of small animals and may be a significant factor in increasing the probability of being run over by vehicles. Based upon the findings of this study, some mitigation measures to lower road kill probability are

The barrier effect of roads is now well documented and solutions such as fauna passages are readily imple¬mented (Trocmé et al. 2002). Less well known is the mortality caused by specific engineering structures used along roads, such as drainage systems. This research focuses on censusing wildlife hazards caused by such structures and developing solutions. Structures such as drainage systems, kerbs, gullies, culverts, noise barriers, lighting, retaining walls, were all examined. Small fauna specialists and maintenance teams were interviewed to gather information on known impacts as well as solutions found. Wildlife hazards were identified. Drainage systems with gullies often provoke high mortality for amphibians and other small fauna. Other structures such as retaining walls increase fragmentation by creating complete barriers. Designs more permeable to wildlife need to be enhanced. Certain solutions such as escape ramps from drainage systems have been tested on a local scale.After identifying the problematic structures an analysis of Swiss road standards was made underlining which ones needed to be completed or modified so as to limit the impact of transport structures on wildlife. Further studies will be necessary so as to develop standardised solutions taking into account wildlife, maintenance and safety issues.

Linear transportation features have been shown to have a barrier effect on certain wildlife species. In the case of highway median barriers or dividers designed for safety, little research has been done to gain an understanding of how these continuous linear structures affect the movement and mortality of different taxa. This research effort was comprised of a state of the practice survey, a literature review and gap analysis, and a qualitative assessment of potential wildlife impacts based on median barrier type and taxa size. Results from this cumulative effort have produced a foundation from which to develop rigorous field studies which should ultimately yield the basis for agency standards and guidelines. This study represents the first attempt ever in North America to synthesize information about highway median barriers and wildlife.

Some ecological processes are affected by the transportation infrastructure development. The barrier effect caused by roads, which alters the movement patterns of terrestrial wildlife and increases its road kill risk, is just an example. Road kills must be considered both from environmental and highway safety perspectives, and are related to road permeability and to the surrounding environment. This paper compares the landscape fragmentation caused by two freeways in Navarra (north of Spain) by analyzing both their landscape surroundings and the potential road permeability, and comparing them to road kill rates of medium-sized terrestrial wildlife. As a result, some road design recommendations have been drawn up.

Efficient mobility is an essential driving force for the development of cross-border (CB) regions. The different settings and visions of neighbouring CB entities may lead to unsatisfactory transport connections across the border. This case study of a CB connection focuses on this issue and highlights, by means of a comparative analysis, how the differences in six perspectives (the economic context; urban and regional planning in Belgium and the Netherlands; the structure of the rail network; barriers in the exploitation of the railway; the current travel demand by rail; and the governance, public planning and policy context) lead to an unsatisfactory rail connection between Liège (Belgium) and Maastricht (the Netherlands). Based on the results of the analysis, we suggest reinforcing cross-mobility connections through several tools such as (i) the development of a common governance, not only at the institutional level but also at the counter level of institutional level, by including economic and social stakeholders; (ii) the development of joint technical projects in relation to the infrastructure, communication systems and the rolling stock; and (iii) the strengthening of flows between the two sides of the border, especially the home-work flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road infrastructures and collisions with vehicles negatively affect many animal populations globally. However, data on road kills of non‐human primates are very limited, not only due to the rare character of this phenomenon, but also due to the geographical bias of reporting in scientific references.As an alternative, we used data from social media (YouTube videos, online articles and blogs) in addition to searching the existing scientific information. The reports in scientific papers were published in 1994–2018, and the reports in social media dated from 2010 to 2018.In total we collated information on 46 non‐human primate species and 368 individual animals that were killed due to collisions with vehicles on four continents. Numbers of observations and numbers of species in each continent were as follows: Africa, 46 and 15; Asia, 247 and 14; South America, 72 and 16; and Europe, 3 and 1.Only two of the species found in our social media internet search belonged to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Endangered category, but a higher‐than‐expected number of fatalities was in the Vulnerable category. In scientific papers, seven Endangered species were reported as victims of collisions. Often it was young individuals crossing roads that were killed by vehicles.Primates are very charismatic species, so collisions are likely to be reported on social media. We believe that the information we have collected can make a valid contribution to the debate on wildlife‐vehicle collisions, and can be used to plan ways to avoid or mitigate road kills of non‐human primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of transportation infrastructure has been identified as one of the main pressures on biodiversity. The effects of transport infrastructure are more documented for terrestrial mammals, birds and amphibians than for bats. To assess the impacts of roads on bat activity, we carried out full-night acoustic recordings of bat calls at 306 sampling points at different distances from a major road at three study sites in France. To assess the relationship between bat activity and the distance to the major road, we performed generalized linear mixed model analyses for thirteen different species or groups and additionally explored the non-linear effect with generalized additive mixed models. Our results showed that low-flying species are more affected than high-flying species. Indeed, we found a significant negative effect of major roads on bat activity for the 'clutter-adapted' species, Eptesicus serotinus , Myotis spp., Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Rhinolophus hipposideros. These results demonstrate that the road-effect zone of major roads extends up to five kilometres. Extrapolating those road-effects zones to the major roads in the European Union, we estimated that 35% of the European Union is potentially negatively impacted. Finally, it seems urgent to consider these road effects with the cumulative effects of other roads by improving habitat connectivity and foraging areas in land use policies. Additionally, to implement drastic conservation practices for species of conservation concern in environmental impact assessment studies, efficient mitigation and offset measures implemented should be sized proportionally to the disturbance caused. • Major roads affect activity in five of the thirteen studied taxa. • Low-flying species are more affected than those that fly in the open. • Road impacts may be due to road kills, traffic disturbance and ruptured connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new VTA-rGO composite was prepared for the first time, which showed an increased electrochemical resistance. • The combination of VTA and rGO made it easier for rGO to disperse in water and form a homogenous aqueous solution. • Epoxy resin coatings with VTA-rGO can provide an excellent corrosion protection due to the barrier effect. In this paper, VB 2 had been added to modify the simple oligoanilines integrated with rGO for further improving the corrosion protection properties. Trimer aniline (TA) had been synthesized to fabricate a novel composite with rGO after functionalized with VB 2. Through the combination of VTA and rGO, enhanced electrical properties were discovered, which were attributed to the graphitic structure and the π-π* interactions between rGO and VTA. As a result, VTA-rGO composite provided excellent barrier performance against corrosive electrolyte diffusion and owned better corrosion protection properties than TA and VTA individually, with the combination of VTA and rGO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dam construction affects the distribution and abundance of freshwater fishes, particularly for diadromous species. Amphidromous fishes spawn in rivers, and hatched larvae descend to the sea (or standing water body such as lakes) immediately after hatching, grow there typically for a few months, and then ascend rivers as small juveniles. Landlocked populations of amphidromous fishes above dams and their migration between dam reservoirs and inlet streams (landlocked migration) have often been reported. In these cases, population density in the inlet streams may be increased by dam reservoirs, owing to reduced migration distance, which results in higher return rates. On the other hand, dams without reservoirs do not promote landlocked migration and merely act as a barrier to their upstream migration, resulting in decreased population density. In this study, we examined such contrasting effects of dams with and without reservoirs on the population density of an amphidromous goby, Rhinogobius fluviatilis, in two river systems (the Shigenobu and Yoshino Rivers) of Shikoku Island, Japan. In the Shigenobu River, where more than 300 sediment-control dams and weirs (barriers without reservoirs) have been installed, our analysis showed that the goby density decreased sharply with increasing the number of barriers higher than or equal to 2 m. On the other hand, in the Yoshino River, where we investigated both landlocked populations above water storage dams (with reservoirs) and non-landlocked populations in tributaries without water storage dams, the analysis showed that the goby density increased with decreasing the distance from standing water body (i.e. the sea or dam reservoirs). Furthermore, monthly surveys at sites above and below a water storage dam showed that the recruitment of ascending juveniles above the dam was more abundant and seasonally earlier than that below the dam, probably owing to reduced migration distance and increased return rates. Our results have implications for understanding how dams alter natural distribution patterns of amphidromous fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Possible effects of the diurnal cycle in land convection on propagation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation over the Indo‐Pacific Maritime Continent (MC) were investigated using satellite observations. Four features distinguishable from their respective climatology are uniquely associated with MJO events that cross the MC: strong precipitation over land as their convection centers approach the MC, subsequent increased soil moisture, reduced diurnal amplitude of land convection, and the dominance of precipitation over water by nondiurnal convection as their convection centers move over the MC. These results provide observational evidence for a proposed MAritime Continent Convective diurnal Cycle mechanism in which the diurnal cycle in land convection acts as an intrinsic barrier effect on MJO propagation over the MC. Plain Language Summary: By influencing global weather and climate, the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) plays a central role in intraseasonal prediction. But when it propagates over the Indo‐Pacific Maritime Continent (MC), the MJO often weakens and sometimes breaks down and ceases to exist. This is known as the barrier effect of the MC. The reason for this barrier effect is not well understood. Through diagnosing satellite data of precipitation and soil moisture, this study provides observational evidence for several steps in a MAritime Continent Convective diurnal Cycle mechanism, in which the diurnal cycle in land convection acts as an intrinsic barrier effect that must be overcome for the MJO to propagate through the MC. The observations show that increased soil moisture reduces the amplitude of diurnal convection over land, allowing convective systems over water of the MC to develop and carry MJO signals through the MC. Key Points: MJO precipitation over the Maritime Continent (MC) is dominated by diurnal convection over land and nondiurnal convection over waterClimatological diurnal land convection acts as an intrinsic barrier effect that must be overcome for the MJO to propagate through the MCIncreased soil moisture helps reduce the diurnal amplitude of land convection and overcome the barrier effect [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A literature study was carried out with respect to the release and accumulation of formaldehyde indoors. With reference to representative emission data, exposure scenarios were calculated on the basis of the European Reference Room with the aid of Monte-Carlo methods. Furthermore, data concerning formaldehyde concentrations in indoor and outdoor air, as well as data on air exchange, were collected for the European region. Various permanent, intermitting and temporary emission sources were compared under the specified conditions of the Reference Room. It was thereby necessary to bear in mind that, for example, the emission tests for raw wood-based materials and mineral wool do not take place under realistic conditions, as these products are not applied open in indoor areas. It is demonstrated that coatings and coverings drastically reduce the release of formaldehyde into the room air. Moreover, it becomes clear that the Reference Room concept allows a comparison of emission sources but also greatly overestimates the formaldehyde concentrations in indoor areas when diverse sources are simply added together. In view of the discussed aspects, as well as taking into account outdoor air conditions and diverse secondary sources, the potential problem of exposure to high formaldehyde concentrations in indoor areas can therefore not be solved through the further tightening of already existing regulations, in particular because peak concentrations and therefore high exposures would remain largely uninfluenced. Due to the fact that formaldehyde is a compound with a threshold effect, this aspect is of considerable importance. Consequently, an appropriate risk management option would be to primarily address the peak concentrations originating from temporary and intermitting sources. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Air exchange rates under living conditions in European housings are investigated. • Formaldehyde sources and concentrations in European housings are evaluated. • Permanent, intermitting and temporary formaldehyde sources are identified. • Formaldehyde sources are directly compared by conversion into Reference Room concentrations. • Formaldehyde emission scenarios are calculated under consideration of sink effects and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Superhydrophobic POSS-GO was obtained by grafting reaction of POSS-NH 2 and GO. • The dispersibility of GO was greatly improved by connecting POSS in many solvents. • The POSS-GO with special function was good for anticorrosion ability of coating. Abstract Super-hydrophobicity polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-modified graphene oxide (POSS-GO) was synthesized by one-step reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and aminopropylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-NH 2). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra indicated that the POSS were successfully connected to the edge and surface of GO nanosheets. Scanning probe microscope (SPM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images demonstrated that the POSS-GO with a thickness of 1.58 nm presented a stably dispersion in anhydrous ethanol. Results from electrochemical behaviors showed that the proper incorporation of POSS-GO could availably improve the anticorrosion ability of epoxy based coatings in simulate marine environment (3.5 wt% NaCl solution). The good dispersion of POSS-GO helped to fill the original defect and enhanced the complication of penetration path. The super-hydrophobicity of POSS-GO was beneficial to the reduction of actual contact zone. The synergistic effect of good dispersion and super-hydrophobicity promoted the enhancement of anticorrosion ability for composite coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We examined the effect of roads on seed dispersal services by granivores. • Seed dispersal processes were depressed in the proximity to roads. • These effects declined along a gradient from the roadside towards forest interior. • Overall detrimental effects may cascade upward to trigger recruitment limitation. Abstract Globally, the aggregate length of roads exceeds 64 million km and 90.7% of protected areas are disturbed by road penetration, and therefore understanding how road networks impact species and ecosystem processes is highly relevant to applied conservation ecology. Among various effects on wildlife, roads may disrupt the interaction between plants and their animal-mediated seed dispersers, compromising forest regeneration and composition. Here, using the acorn-rodent system, we quantified to what extent rodent functions on seed dispersal are modified by roads over two years (i.e. 2013 and 2014). Road had negative effects on seed-dispersal services provided by rodents, with an approximate 30% reduction of seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) and 50% reductions of dispersal distance in proximity to the road. These detrimental effects gradually declined along a gradient from the roadside towards forest interior. Declines of rodent abundance in proximity to the road seem to induce these depressed seed dispersal functions. Although the influential magnitudes of roads on SDE were similar in both years, its influential magnitudes on seed dispersal were stronger in 2014 which indicates the more negative impacts of road encroachment on seed dispersal services. Crucially, no tagged seeds were dispersed across the road, implying that it imposed a barrier effect on animal-mediated seed dispersal and plant recruitment. Given wildlife's key roles in plant recruitment, we conclude that the ever-expanding effect of roads on animal-mediated seed dispersal may ultimately cause profound changes in forest composition and structure across diverse ecosystems, on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Commercial pure titanium plates with different grain orientations were successfully bonded to carbon steel plates by diffusion bonding. The Ti/steel interfaces were carefully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that TiC was generated at the Ti/steel interface during the diffusion bonding process. The thickness of the TiC layer increased with increasing diffusion temperature and holding time. Furthermore, the orientation of the Ti grains influenced the activation energy for the growth of TiC and affected the thickness of the TiC layer at the Ti/steel interface. The anisotropic growth of the TiC layer was explained by the interstitial diffusion mechanism of C atom in α-Ti. Moreover, the TiC layer acted as a barrier layer at Ti/steel interface, inhibiting the diffusion of Fe atoms into α-Ti. An increased diffusion temperature reduced this barrier effect, leading to the formation of FeTi and Fe 2 Ti at TiC/Ti interface. Highlights • Thickness of TiC at Ti/steel diffusion bonded interface is influence by grain orientation of Ti. • The formation of FeTi and Fe 2 Ti can be suppressed because of formation of TiC. • Elevated diffusion temperature impairs the barrier effect of TiC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study contributes to the improvement of knowledge on road ecology, roadkill and landscape connectivity. • Relationships between landscape connectivity and roadkill data were analyzed. • The methodological framework appears to be useful for locating areas for mitigation measures. Linear transportation infrastructure affects the ability of wildlife species to live and move through anthropized landscapes. Mitigation measures are thus needed to maintain population viability. Several methods have been employed to determine optimal locations for these measures, including connectivity modeling, which targets areas with the strongest connectivity and/or potential connectivity gains. However, these results are seldom compared to biological data, such as roadkill. The objective of our study is to: i) to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between roadkill and connectivity, ii) to spatially identify road sections with a high risk of roadkill and, iii) to compare high-risk roadkill areas with the locations identified for potential mitigation measures. We performed a generalized linear model to explain occurrence and abundance of roadkill and predict high-risk roadkill areas. The mitigation measures corresponded to either i) existing crossing structures that could be enhanced to facilitate wildlife passage, selected from the initial connectivity or ii) new wildlife crossings designed to reconnect habitats identified through connectivity gains. Our results indicate that connectivity significantly influences the occurrence and abundance of roadkill. However, the high-risk roadkill areas only partially align with the locations designated for mitigation measures. Since some roadkill occurs outside of high-connectivity areas, factors other than connectivity must also be taken into consideration. This study offers valuable insights and underscores the complexity of the relationships between connectivity, roadkill, and mitigation efforts. Furthermore, by integrating spatial modeling, mitigation strategies, and roadkill data, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of corridor restoration areas and their importance in species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]