Typical Elements Research Articles

A pre-failure narrow concrete cracks dataset for engineering structures damage classification and segmentation

Monitoring of structures’ condition plays a fundamental role in providing safety for users and extending the structures’ lifespan. The monitoring is conducted through on-site inspections by engineers thus this process is time-consuming, labor-intensive and prone to subjective engineering opinions. Detecting damage using machine learning algorithms on images can support engineers’ work, especially for early damages which are difficult to see with the human eye. This article is focused on the concrete crack detection problem in engineering structural elements. Despite the availability of several concrete crack detection datasets, no dataset allows semantic segmentation of cracks narrower than 0.3 mm (the crack width limit for typical engineering structures elements and environmental conditions according to EC 1992-1-1) and the ability for crack classification is limited. The provided open dataset represents only cracks below the crack width limit of 0.3mm, which do not yet indicate concrete elements failure. It is dedicated for early crack classification and segmentation, so that damage protection can be taken at an early stage to prevent structural element damages.

Spatial Distribution and Pollution Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils in the Jiefangzha Irrigation Area of the Hetao Irrigation District, China

To explore the characteristics of heavy metal pollution in farmland soils in the Jiefangzha Irrigation Area of the Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia, 60 samples of the surface soil (0–20 cm) were collected to detect and analyze the content of typical heavy metal elements, Cu, As, and Pb, in the soil. The methods utilized included the single factor index method, the Nemerow index method, the geological accumulation index method, and the potential ecological hazard index method to evaluate their pollution and ecological risks, and these were combined with geostatistical methods using GIS (Geographic Information System) technology to quantitatively analyze their spatial distribution characteristics. The results showed that the average contents of Cu, As, and Pb did not exceed the background values in the Hetao Irrigation Area, and the contents showed a moderate variation, with the order of variation as As > Cu > Pb. The multivariate statistical analysis results showed that the three elements, Cu, As, and Pb, had similar sources, i.e., primarily the use of agrochemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides. The semi-variance function model fitting results showed that Pb followed a spherical model, and Cu and As followed Gaussian models. Kriging interpolation showed that the contents of As, Pb, and Cu, in general, showed a trend that was higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with a change of gradient increasing from the southeast to the northwest. Human activities were the primary factors causing the distribution difference.

Co-exposure of microplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls strongly influenced the cycling processes of typical biogenic elements in anoxic soil

The co-exposure of microplastics (MPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil is inevitable, but their combined effect on cycles of typical biogenic elements (e.g. C, N, Fe, S) is still unclear. And the co-exposure of MPs and PCBs caused more severe effects than single exposure to pollution. Therefore, in this study, a 255-day anaerobic incubation experiment was conducted by adding polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs, including 30 ± 10 μm and 500 μm) and PCB138. The presence of PE MPs inhibited the PCB138 degradation. Also, PE MPs addition (1%, w/w) enhanced the methanogenesis, Fe(Ⅲ) reduction, and sulfate reduction while inhibited nitrate reduction and the biodegradation of PCB138. And PCB138 addition (10 mg·kg−1) promoted the methanogenesis and Fe(Ⅲ) reduction, but inhibited sulfate reduction and nitrate reduction. Strikingly, the presence of PE MPs significantly reduced the impact of PCB138 on the soil redox processes. The abundance changes of special microbial communities, including Anaeromyxobate, Geobacter, Bacillus, Desulfitobacterium, Thermodesulfovibrio, Metanobacterium, etc., were consistent with the changes in soil redox processes, revealing that the effect of PE MPs and/or PCB138 on the cycle of typical biogenic elements was mainly achieved by altering the functional microorganisms. This study improves the knowledge of studies on the impact of MPs and combined organic pollutants to soil redox processes, which is greatly important to the stabilization and balance of biogeochemical cycling in ecology.

The Early Pleistocene freshwater mollusks of the Denizli Basin (Turkey): a new long-lived lake fauna at the crossroads of Pontocaspian and Aegean-Anatolian realms

We describe here a newly discovered, diverse fossil fauna of freshwater gastropods and bivalves from the Denizli Basin in SW Turkey. The material was collected from the Kolankaya Formation, for which latest chronostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic data indicate an Early Pleistocene age, which is much younger than previously assumed for the fossil-bearing strata of the Denizli Basin. The fauna consists of at least 27 species (25 gastropods, 2 bivalves) and includes a new genus,Harzhauseriagen. nov., and 6 new species within the Hydrobiidae: Falsipyrgula ? coronatasp. nov., Graecoanatolica ? alcicekorumsp. nov.,Harzhauseria schizopleuragen. et sp. nov.,Iraklimelania minutissimasp. nov.,Iraklimelania submediocarinatasp. nov., and Xestopyrguloides ? sagittasp. nov.Additionally, we define lectotypes forStaja orientalis(Bukowski, 1896) andValvata orientalisFischer, 1866, as well as a neotype forTheodoxus percarinatus(Oppenheim, 1919). Nine of the recovered species (33.3%) are only known from the Denizli Basin. Almost half of the fauna (44.7%) is endemic to the Aegean–Anatolian region, with biogeographical affinities to the Pliocene–Early Pleistocene faunas of Rhodes, Kos, and mainland Greece, as well as the Çameli and Eşen Basin in Turkey. On the genus level, the fauna also contains several typical Pontocaspian elements. The composition points toward a typical long-lived lake environment with oligohaline conditions.

A clean and short process for the preparation of refined indium and investigation of migration distribution pattern of impurities thallium and tin via vacuum distillation

In this study, a novel two-stage vacuum distillation method was proposed to refine crude indium to prepare refined indium. Low-temperature distillation (1223K, holding time of 3h) and high-temperature distillation (1473K, holding time of 5h) were conducted under a system pressure of 7 × 10−3Pa to successfully purify crude indium (99 wt%) to refined indium (99.995 wt%). This strategy can replace the traditional electrolytic process for the clean production of refined indium and achieve the goals of environmental protection. The vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) values of indium-based binary alloys were calculated using the molecular interaction volume model (MIVM), and a VLE phase diagram was drawn. Optimal temperatures of 1173K for low-temperature and 1373K for high-temperature distillation were determined based on the VLE phase diagram, and good purification was achieved. Moreover, this study reveals the migration distribution pattern of typical impurity elements (e.g., Tl and Sn) in crude indium in the low and high-temperature distillation sections, further improving the refining effect. Notably, the combination of MIVM simulations and experiments can obtain optimal experimental parameters for segmental vacuum distillation and further help to avoid the waste of raw materials and energy caused by pre-experiments, realizing the clean and efficient production of refined indium.

МЕТОД ПРОЕКТУВАННЯ ТА ПАРАМЕТРИЧНОГО МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ СИЛОВОЇ НЕРВЮРИ КРИЛА ЛІТАКА ТРАНСПОРТНОЇ КАТЕГОРІЇ

The creation of any structural element begins with the design of basic geometric parameters. In the article, the method of designing and determining the main elements of the structure of the main ribs of the wing with conditions of static strength were reviewed, and a method of three-dimensional parametric modeling was developed. The rib is one of the most important elements of the wing, which act significant flight loads, and the main ribs additionally act concentrated forces. The article analyzed the design features of the rib design of the wing of the transport category aircraft. An analysis of the current loads on the main rib was performed, shear and bending diagrams were determined. During realize high-lift devices, the aerodynamic flow of the wing changes significantly, which leads to a change in the stress-strain state of the wing. This relates not only to the increase in lift due to a change in the curvature of the wing and an increase in the wing area, but also due to a change in the position of the center of pressure relative to the chord of the wing. Therefore, to determine the loads, the aerodynamic characteristics, obtained by the numerical method in the ANSYS program, were used. In order to remain competitive, the aviation company needs to ensure the high quality of the manufactured equipment, its quick modernization and modification or change of the model series. The use of CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM systems at all stages of the life cycle of aviation parts, including the design and production stages, can significantly improve the quality of the created parts and reduce the cost of performing work related to design and production, while maintaining high rates of work. The method of three-dimensional parametric modeling of the main machined wing rib was developed using the Siemens NX computer integrated system, which allows to significantly reduce the stage of modeling typical elements of the aircraft airframe structure using the created three-dimensional parametric model of a typical structural element

Dissimilar Pile Raft Foundation Behavior under Eccentric Vertical Load in Elastic Medium

Pile raft foundation (PRF) is a common foundation type for buildings and bridge piers which has been commonly subjected to eccentric vertical load in engineering applications. Dissimilar PRF is often adopted to reduce the excessive settlement and differential settlement of superstructures. The behavior of dissimilar PRF under eccentric vertical load is a significant issue and investigated with the boundary element method in this paper. In this method, the dissimilar pile–soil system is decomposed into extended soil elements and fictitious pile elements. The second kind of Fredholm integral governing equation of the axial force of fictitious piles is established based on the compatibility condition of axial strain between the extended soil and fictitious piles. An iterative procedure is adopted to analyze the average settlement w and rotation slope θ of raft stemming from the settlement compatibility condition of the top of each element and the equilibrium condition of the raft. Furthermore, the axial force and settlement of each element along its depth can be predicted. The corresponding results agree well with a reported case and the finite element method. The characteristics of 3 × 1 and 3 × 3 dissimilar PRFs under eccentric vertical load, including non-dimensional vertical stiffness N0/wEsd, differential settlement wd and the load sharing ratio of typical elements Ni/N0, are systematically investigated by considering different eccentricity e, length/diameter ratios of pile l/d and pile–soil stiffness ratio Ep/Es conditions. The N0/wEsd increases with l/d, while the load sharing ratios of the raft Nraft/N0 and wd decreases with l/d. The eccentricity e has a significant effect on wd and Ni/N0 and a neglect effect on N0/wEsd and Nraft/N0. The N0/wEsd, wd and Ni/N0 are significantly increased with Ep/Es. This research is expected to provide insights to the practitioners into the dissimilar PRF design under eccentric vertical load.

Posušje bauxites in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A source of critical raw materials and a paleoclimatic marker

The present study provides geochemical and geochronological data about Posušje bauxites in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim to characterize them as Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) sources and to put constraints on the time and genesis of the deposit. Boehmite is the bauxites’ main Al-bearing mineral, while gibbsite is a minor constituent. Hematite is the dominant Fe-phase, whereas goethite is rare. The chemical analyses indicate that the Al2O3 content ranges from 49.6 to 63.0 wt %, Fe2O3 varies from 16.5 to 33.7 wt % and the SiO2 content is usually <0.5 wt %. TiO2 content ranges between 2.6 and 3.2 wt %. Typical trace elements are V (353–787 ppm), Cr (498–1055 ppm), Zr (382–558 ppm), Sc (42–72 ppm), and Ga (40–47 ppm). The sum of REEs is 357–1112 ppm. The U-Pb zircon dating indicates an age of Posušje bauxite formation at 56.6±0.5 Ma. This age closely aligns with the global climatic event that occurred approximately 56 Ma ago, called Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

Preliminary Studies on a Lightweight Porous Cement-Based Composite – Gel Concrete

This paper presents some preliminary results of research on light, highly porous cement composites – gel concretes. A material based on Portland cement was tested, the very high porosity of which (over 60%) was obtained by direct gelatinization of starch in a liquid cement slurry. A composite based solely on cement and concretes produced with the addition of metakaolin or zeolite was tested. The basic properties of the concretes obtained in this way were determined, i.e., the volume density in a dry state, the thermal properties, and the compressive strength. In the case of the thermal properties, tests were performed on specimens dried to constant mass, while the test itself was carried out at an average temperature of 10°C. The tests employed an Isomet 2114 apparatus, which uses a non-stationary heat flow technique. The thermal conductivity coefficients and the volumetric specific heat were determined. The compressive strength tests were carried out on cubic specimens with a side of 4 cm after 28 days of curing by air-drying. Four specimens of each type of composite were tested. For composites based solely on Portland cement, the sorption properties of the material were also tested. For this purpose, the method of dynamic water vapor sorption (DVS) was used. As a result, graphs of the sorption and desorption of individual composites of different densities were obtained. Preliminary qualitative tests were also carried out using an electron microscope. The use of the starch gelatinization process directly in the cement slurry made it possible to obtain a very homogeneous material, in which the initial, temporary structure was starch gel, around which, after exceeding the setting time of the cement, the target cement-based structure was formed – gel concrete. The tested materials are innovative, having excellent thermal properties, comparable mechanical properties to lightweight concretes of the same densities, and is formed using an easily available, relatively cheap admixture in the form of starch. They can be used to produce small masonry elements, such as blocks for external walls or other typical prefabricated lightweight concrete elements.

Geochemical features of lithium–rich bauxite from the Benxi Formation in Qinyuan County, Shanxi, China: Insights into their depositional environment and lithium enrichment

Most bauxites in China are the karst type, which usually enriches lithium (Li) resources. Therefore, Li mineralization theory must be further developed to realize the comprehensive utilization of bauxite resources. The Qinyuan Li–rich bauxite is formed in the Benxi Epoch of the Late Carboniferous and its parent rock is the underlying Ordovician limestone. In this study, the methods of stepwise extraction and element geochemical are utilized to discuss the occurrence state and sedimentary environment of Li in Qinyuan bauxite, respectively. Based on the differences in element composition, the Qinyuan Li–rich bauxite sequence can be divided into clay rocks, bauxitic clays, iron–rich clays, and bauxite from the bottom to the top. The Li content of the Qinyuan bauxite samples is highest in clay rocks (averaging 431 µg/g), followed by bauxitic clays (averaging 288 µg/g), bauxite (averaging 252 µg/g), and iron–rich clays (averaging 202 µg/g). The main mineral compositions of these samples are diaspore, calcite, anatase, pyrite, siderite, kaolinite, and illite. Among them, the Li content is positively correlated with clay mineral contents (R2 = 0.71), indicating that clay minerals are the main Li–rich minerals. More specifically, the clay mineral in bauxitic clays, bauxite, and iron–rich clays are kaolinite, and the positive correlation between Li and kaolinite (R2 = 0.46) indicates that kaolinite is the main Li–rich mineral. Nevertheless, the clay minerals in clay rocks are kaolinite and illite, and the correlation between Li and illite (R2 = 0.54) is higher than kaolinite (R2 = 0.10), indicating that Li is preferentially enriched in illite when kaolinite and illite coexist. It was found that the majority (higher than 99 %) of Li is hosted in the vacant sites of Si–O tetrahedral layers and the Al–O dioctahedral layers of illite and kaolinite to compensate the positive charge deficit caused by replacement of Si4+ and Al3+ in the tetrahedral and dioctahedral layers of clay minerals, respectively. Furthermore, the content ratios between typical elements with varied migration–deposition properties can indicate the depositional environment of Li–rich bauxite. Among them, MgO/Al2O3 and Rb/K (range from1.3 × 10-3 to 7.36 × 10-2 and 3 × 10-4 to 3.44 × 10-2 in samples, respectively) can indicate sedimentary environment. Th/U, V/Cr, and V/(V + Ni) (range from 0.45 to 3.73, 0.85 to 3.54, and 0.27 to 0.89 in samples, respectively) can indicate the paleo–redox conditions. Sr/Cu, CIA, and Cvalue (range from3.53 to 48.2, 93.8 to 99.9, and 0.43 to 7.29 in samples, respectively) can indicate paleoclimate. The results show that the Qinyuan bauxite possibly formed in the hot, humid (Sr/Cu > 5, CIA = 85–100, and Cvalue > 0.8), and dysoxic–anoxic (Th/U = 2–7, V/Cr = 2–4.25, and V/(V + Ni) = 0.46–0.84) marine–continental transitional (MgO/Al2O3 = 0.01–0.1 and Rb/K = 4 × 10-3–6 × 10-3) environment.

Cascaded Deep Q-Network for Optimization of Substrate Integrated Waveguide Couplers

In this brief, a method to automatically optimize substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) couplers with different power-dividing ratios is proposed. In the proposed method, a cascade model is presented for the first time. In this cascade model, four-port SIW network is classified into two typical elements: coupling and phase difference. By cascading these typical elements in a certain order, SIW coupler with different power-dividing ratios can be achieved. The order of the basic elements can be automatically decided by using deep Q-network (DQN). A library is built to store the optimization results. From the library, SIW couplers with different power-dividing ratios can be obtained in seconds. To validate the proposed method, multiple four-port directional couplers with different power-dividing ratios are designed. Three directional couplers are fabricated and experimentally verified. Furthermore, this method is also promising for the design and optimization of other circuits.

Learning organo-transition metal catalyzed reactions by graph neural networks.

Chemical reaction outcome prediction presents a fundamental challenge in synthetic chemistry. Most existing machine learning (ML) approaches focus on chemical reactions of typical elements. We developed a simple ML model focused on organo-transition metal-catalyzed reactions (OMCRs). Instead of overall reactions observed in experiments, we let the ML model learn the sequence of simplified elementary reactions. This drastically reduced the complexity of the model and helped it find common patterns from distinct reactions. We let a graph neural network learn the reactivity index of a pair of atoms. The model was able to learn a wide variety of OMCRs, and the accuracy of reaction prediction reached 97%, even though the model has extremely fewer learnable parameters than other standards. The learned reactivity indices of bonds nicely summarize the knowledge of reactions in the dataset.

Study on coupling of typical elements in surface water and groundwater in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China

Understanding the coupling relationship of typical elements between surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) is helpful to the prevention of regional water environment pollution. In this study, the coupling of typical elements (C, N, P) of SW and GW in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River was comprehensively analyzed using multiple statistics and hydrogeochemical modeling methods. SW chemical characteristics was found similar with that of GW in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River with cluster analysis, and all sampling points was divided into two principal components based on principal component analysis. One principal component was more affected by the water-carbonate mineral interaction, the other one was greatly affected by anthropogenic activities. More interestingly, no fixed replenishment and discharge relationship was found between SW and GW in different seasons, which laid a foundation for the coupling of typical elements between SW and GW. Cl- in SW and GW had the same major source. In addition, almost identical water-carbonate reactions was found occurred in phreatic water (PGW) and confined water (CGW). As a link between SW and CGW, PGW may accept the supplies of the two waters at the same time, resulting the concentrations of δD, Cl-, DOC and HCO3– in PGW ranking between SW and CGW. Furthermore, Nitrogen and phosphorus were found to migrate between SW and GW, and a potential ammonium source in shallow aquitard which generated a large amount of ammonium. The coupling effect of nitrogen source input and transformation occurred in the process of nitrogen coupling between SW and GW, which increased the ecological risk of water environment. This study provided a scientific basis for the control of SW-GW pollution in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and supported the security of the water ecological environment in the Yangtze River Basin.

Search for an equal-strength contour inside a viscoelastic rectangle

Irregularity of geometric and physical parameters in thin-walled structures leads to significant concentrations of stresses and creates dangerous zones for the spread of cracks or plastic deformations. Under the influence of a tense state, they are similar to gills. Stress concentration zones in areas of irregularity have a significant impact on the tensile strength and durability of thin-walled structures. Traditional analytical and numerical methods known at this time are less effective in investigating the stress-strain condition of corrugated thin-walled structures. It is, therefore, necessary to develop new effective methods for solving the tasks of this class. Currently, for engineering calculations, there is virtually no comparison of simple and convenient formulas for determining the critical compressive load taking into account the peculiarities of the design. The scientific novelty of the paper is that to achieve the set goal, it will be used for the first time in the general theory developed for the calculation of buildings and structures, known as the "Theory of elasticity in ordinary differential equations." The paper will show that the accuracy of this new theory is adequate to the classical elongation theory and at the same time dramatically simplifies the solution of any problem in the calculation of tiles, which is achieved by converting them to conventional differential equations. The general methods of compiling differential equations, the methods of its simplification, for the calculation of membranes with cross-sectional incisions, and the calculation of plates under conditions of nonlinear deformation are discussed. Methods for solving differential equations with variable and momentum coefficients are specified. An algorithm and a program for the analysis of the stress-strain state of spatial structures and their elements are developed. The practical value of the paper lies in the possibility of using developed methods and programs for the design and construction of buildings, as well as for the stability tasks of slabs with holes, and panels used in construction as typical assembly elements. The given mathematical algorithm and program for specific tasks, which are distinguished by simplicity, can be used by design and research organizations in the calculation and design of plates and membranes.

Trauma and Storytelling in Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

The graveyard in Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) may be interpreted as the quintessential place that communicates traumatic loss, so that the present paper purports to analyze this fictional work from the perspective of trauma studies. I will first demonstrate how the text abounds with all the typical elements on which this field of study focus their attention, from dissociative disorders to the obsession of repeated images, and more. Another section of my work analyses how the impact of trauma results in the surfacing of a death-wish that dominates Anjum’s frame of life, as well as the whole narration. Differently from what had happened in The God of Small Things, this pessimistic view however is countered in The Ministry, where an instinct for survival reacts against the prevailing gloomy atmosphere. In this context, the roles of storytelling and social commitment acquire a central role as agents able to neutralize psychic suffering and restore social connection. Finally, particular attention has also been made to offering a range of possible interpretations to the meaning of the term “happiness,” a key word for this text.

How Applying the Lean Start-up Methodology can Affect Business Model Innovation

Start-ups often apply entrepreneurial approaches like the Lean Start-up Method (LSM) and Business Model Innovation (BMI). LSM emphasises experimentation during product development and testing in close interactions with potential customers to get first-hand feedback. Lessons learned are implemented so that improved product variants go through further feedback loops and so on. Products are developed by rapidly getting closer to what customers really want. BMI focuses on altering existing or developing new business models to enable differentiation from competitors. Typical elements of business models include target customer segments, value propositions, value chains and revenue mechanisms. BMI is assumed to take place when at least two of these elements are innovated in conjunction. Going beyond typical product or process innovation in isolation, BMI suggests to holistically consider interdependencies within the entire business model. The need for a better understanding on connections between LSM and BMI is expressed in the literature and this work’s goal is to contribute to this discussion. More specifically, this work seeks to address the question of how the application of LSM can affect BMI. In search of answers, business plans of 25 finalist start-ups in the 2022 edition of an annual innovation competition in Switzerland are reviewed. While the evidence on the connection between LSM and BMI is not entirely convincing, reviewed business plans reveal insights into LSM-related factors at play that can support business model changes and trigger BMI.

Investigation of the influence of impurities typical in secondary raw materials on the behavior of high alumina castables – Part 1: Design of the castables, setting properties and high temperature fracture behavior

The research was carried out using a primary high alumina raw material that was selectively spiked with typical elements found in secondary raw materials. These artificially spiked raw materials were processed into cement-free high alumina monolithics by 1:1 substitution of the corresponding high alumina matrix fraction in the formulation. Regardless of the impurity, the rheology and setting behavior of the developed model refractory castables showed a very high degree of comparability with the reference material. The same workability allowed the production of comparable test pieces for hot wedge splitting tests. The effects on high temperature fracture behavior observed in this study can therefore be attributed solely to the impurities.

Sequencing and Characterization of αs2-Casein Gene (CSN1S2) in the Old-World Camels Have Proven Genetic Variations Useful for the Understanding of Species Diversification.

The CSN1S2 gene encodes αs2-casein, the third most abundant protein in camel milk. Despite its importance in foals, human nutrition, and dairy processing, the CSN1S2 gene in camels has received little attention. This study presents the first complete characterization of the CSN1S2 gene sequence in Old-World camels (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius). Additionally, the gene promoter, consisting of 752 bp upstream of exon 1, was analyzed. The entire gene comprises 17 exons, ranging in length from 24 bp (exons 4, 8, 11, and 13) to 280 bp (exon 17). Interesting was the identification of the exon 12 in both species. The promoter analysis revealed 24 putative binding sites in the Bactrian camel and 22 in dromedary camel. Most of these sites were typical elements associated with milk protein, such as C/EBP-α, C/EBP-β, Oct-1, and AP1. The SNP discovery showed relatively high genetic diversity compared to other camel casein genes (CSN1S1, CSN2, and CSN3), with a total of 34 polymorphic sites across the two species. Particularly noteworthy is the transition g.311G>A in the CSN1S2 promoter, creating a new putative consensus binding site for a C/EBP-β in the Bactrian camel. At the exon level, two novel variants were found. One was detected in exon 6 of the Bactrian camel (g.3639C>G), resulting in an amino acid replacement, p.36Ile>Met. The second variant was found in noncoding exon 17 of dromedary CSN1S2 (g.1511G>T). Although this mutation occurs in the 3'-UnTranslated Region, it represents the first example of exonic polymorphism in the CSN1S2 for this species. This SNP also affects the binding sites of different microRNAs, including the seed sequence of the miRNA 4662a-3p, highlighting its role as a regulatory factor for CSN1S2 gene. A PCR-RFLP was set up for genotyping a dromedary Tunisian population (n = 157), and the minor allele frequency was found to be 0.27 for the G allele, indicating a potential yield improvement margin. The interspersed elements (INEs) analysis revealed 10 INEs covering 7.34% and 8.14% of the CSN1S2 sequence in the Bactrian and dromedary camels, respectively. Furthermore, six elements (A, B, F, H, I, and L) are shared among cattle and camels and are partially found in other ruminants, suggesting a common ancestral origin of these retrotransposons. Conversely, elements C, D, E, and G are specific to camels.

Goethe’s Lyrical Discourse in the 5th Poem of ‘Römische Elegien’

The discourse is generally meaningful, with essential potential in the field of communication as an indisputable feature of the society. Meanwhile, the lyrical discourse, as a segment of mass discourse, marks a specialized communication in poetic literary works, namely in the conversational plane between the giver and the recipient. The most specified element of this literary genre is the lyrical ‘Ich-Form’, which, among other text-building signs, is the most analyzed and discussed one of the 5th poem of Goethe’s lyrical-elegiac work, ‘Römische Elegien’.
 The study lyrical discourse in the 5th poem of Römische Elegien” presents the composition of the lyrical song in general, built and structured by the multitude of textual components and typical elements of the lyrical song. The organization of all signs in the text is laid out and arranged with precision and deep philosophy, building thus an unprecedented lexical, syntactic, semantic and stylistic unity. As a master of words, thoughts and poetic expressions in the discussed poem, Goethe has realized a source with different directions of linguistic and aesthetic flows, through which the recipient receives a lot of information marked with arrhythmic pulses. This study will be an initiative for analyzing some stylistic issues in the lyrical discourse and its elements in this well-known German poem, as issues that have not been explored yet.

Road dust resuspension in a coastal Atlantic intermunicipal urban area with industrial facilities: Emission factors, chemical composition and ecotoxicity

Road dust resuspension in urban environments can be both a means of transport of pollutants across the various environmental compartments and a source of pollutants itself, becoming a potential threat to human health. With the aim of obtaining emission factors and achieving a detailed chemical characterisation of road dust (RD) in typical Portuguese cities, a sampling campaign was performed in the region of Aveiro. Locations were chosen for intercomparison in various urban environments with different land uses, from the busier city centre and university campus to residential neighbourhoods and harbour-commercial areas with industrial activities. PM10 samples were analysed for organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) by a thermal-optical technique, elemental composition by PIXE, organic speciation by GC–MS, and ecotoxicology by a luminescence inhibition bioassay with Aliivibrio fischeri. A health risk assessment for elements and PAHs was carried out. Dust loadings of 1.9 ± 1.8 mg PM10 m−2 were registered overall, whereas in the most trafficked areas of city centre they reached more than three times the average. OC accounted for 6.5–15.5% of total PM10, but element oxides represented the largest mass fraction (61.4 ± 8.6%). A strong enrichment was detected mostly for typical traffic-related elements such as Cu, Zn, As, Br, Cr, Ni and Mo and interestingly, Rb and Se. The analysed organic compounds accounted for 3.66–11.0 mg g−1 PM10, including PAHs and aliphatics, with a clear dominance of plasticisers. Some other compounds attributed to non-vehicle sources, such as fatty acid alkyl esters, were also detected. As concerns the 16 priority PAHs, their total mass concentration ranged from 5.58 to 36.3 μg g−1 PM10, with clear variability between sampling spots. All samples caused an ecotoxicological reaction in the bioassay, but samples from harbour and commercial areas proved to be most toxic.