New Results for Prediction of Chaotic Systems Using Deep Recurrent Neural Networks

Neural Processing Letters - Prediction of nonlinear and dynamic systems is a challenging task, however with the aid of machine learning techniques, particularly neural networks, is now possible to...     

Evaluating soil quality status of fluvisols at the regional scale: A multidisciplinary approach crossing multiple variables

Rivers condition natural and human ecosystems, providing fertile soils and water for irrigation and consumption in rural and urban uses. However, the intensification of human activities and inherent environmental conditions (e.g., topography, slope or climate) are changing the sustainability of fluvial soil ecosystems. This is problematic, especially in the Mediterranean belt, because of a lack of studies at the regional scale that evaluates soils traditionally associated with rivers such as the “Fluvisols” (IUSS-WRB). Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to understand the current status of fluvial soils in the Málaga province (Southern Spain) within the Mediterranean belt considering: (1) different thematic maps; (2) soil profiles; and (3) a soil quality index. Fluvisols of the region were assessed using fieldwork, extensive soil data sources and soil profiles including specific information on soil physicochemical properties and crossing environmental conditions. A total of 195.22 km² of fluvisols can be found in Málaga. About 42.5% of the fluvisols are used for human activities such as agriculture (rainfed and irrigation fields, or woody crops such as olives or vineyards), mining, industries and services, urban areas or reservoirs. More than 58% of the fluvisols are located in the warmest territories registering the highest evapotranspiration rates and lowest rainfall amount. The soil quality index reaches lower scores for the fluvisols having mean values of 0.58 (1 = maximum possible score). We conclude that the characterization from a regional scale shed light on the current status of the fluvisols and possible responses against human impacts and river evolution dynamics.     

Energy–environment efficiency analysis of railway transport: is Europe moving towards sustainable mobility?

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Greenhouse gas emissions, acidification, and the dispersion of particles are negative side effects of railways that have received notable attention in...     

Phenolic characterization and geographical classification of commercial Arbequina extra-virgin olive oils produced in southern Catalonia

The aim of this work was to characterize Arbequina extra-virgin olive oils (EVOOs) from different locations in southern Catalonia (Spain) in terms of their phenolic profile, to show the classification of oil samples with respect to geographical area. The phenolic compounds present in 32 olive-oil samples were analyzed by a rapid and effective HPLC–ESI-TOF/MS method, and 18 phenolic compounds belonging to different phenolic types were identified. The results showed no qualitative differences in the phenolic fractions among EVOO from different geographical region. However, quantitative differences were observed in a wide number of phenolic compounds. In all olive-oil samples studied, secoiridoids were the most abundant, followed by lignans, phenolic alcohols, and flavonoids, respectively. Multivariate data were analysed by canonical discriminant analyses. Seventeen variables were used without a variable reduction step. Phenolic content of extra-virgin olive oils was found to depend highly on geographical area.     

Epidemiology of Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Mexico.

Prevalence rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were estimated from a probability sample of 2,509 adults from 4 cities in Mexico. PTSD was assessed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI; WHO, 1997). Lifetime prevalence of exposure and PTSD were 76% and 11.2%, respectively. Risk for PTSD was highest in Oaxaca (the poorest city), persons of lower socioeconomic status, and women. Conditional risk for PTSD was highest following sexual violence, but nonsexual violence and traumatic bereavement had greater overall impact because of their frequency. Of lifetime cases, 62% became chronic; only 42% received medical or professional care. The research demonstrates the importance of expanding the epidemiologic research base on trauma to include developing countries around the world. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biodegradation of sulfamethazine by Trametes versicolor: Removal from sewage sludge and identification of intermediate products by UPLC-QqTOF-MS

Degradation of the sulfonamide sulfamethazine (SMZ) by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor was assessed. Elimination was achieved to nearly undetectable levels after 20 h in liquid medium when SMZ was added at 9 mg L^− 1. Experiments with purified laccase and laccase-mediators resulted in almost complete removal. On the other hand, inhibition of SMZ degradation was observed when piperonilbutoxide, a cytochrome P450-inhibitor, was added to the fungal cultures. UPLC-QqTOF-MS analysis allowed the identification and confirmation of 4 different SMZ degradation intermediates produced by fungal cultures or purified laccase: desulfo-SMZ, N⁴-formyl-SMZ, N⁴-hydroxy-SMZ and desamino-SMZ; nonetheless SMZ mineralization was not demonstrated with the isotopically labeled sulfamethazine-phenyl-¹³C₆ after 7 days. Inoculation of T. versicolor to sterilized sewage sludge in solid-phase systems showed complete elimination of SMZ and also of other sulfonamides (sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole) at real environmental concentrations, making this fungus an interesting candidate for further remediation research.     

Biodegradability of organic matter associated with sewer sediments during first flush

The high pollution load in wastewater at the beginning of a rain event is commonly known to originate from the erosion of sewer sediments due to the increased flow rate under storm weather conditions. It is essential to characterize the biodegradability of organic matter during a storm event in order to quantify the effect it can have further downstream to the receiving water via discharges from Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). The approach is to characterize the pollutograph during first flush. The pollutograph shows the variation in COD and TSS during a first flush event. These parameters measure the quantity of organic matter present. However these parameters do not indicate detailed information on the biodegradability of the organic matter. Such detailed knowledge can be obtained by dividing the total COD into fractions with different microbial properties. To do so oxygen uptake rate (OUR) measurements on batches of wastewater have shown itself to be a versatile technique. Together with a conceptual understanding of the microbial transformation taking place, OUR measurements lead to the desired fractionation of the COD. OUR results indicated that the highest biodegradability is associated with the initial part of a storm event. The information on physical and biological processes in the sewer can be used to better manage sediment in sewers which can otherwise result in depletion of dissolved oxygen in receiving waters via discharges from CSOs.     

Stability of the antimicrobial activity of acetogenins from avocado seed,under common food processing conditions,against Clostridium sporogenes vegetative cell growth and endospore germination

Anticlostridial activity of acetogenins from avocado seed was further characterised, and their stability and effectiveness under food processing conditions, and in a model food system, studied for the first time. Isolated AcO‐avocadenyne (1) and AcO‐avocadene (2) showed anticlostridial potential, particularly the latter molecule. Enriched acetogenins extracts, obtained at laboratory scale (EAE) and semi‐commercially (Avosafe^®), presented similar MIC values (3.9–9.8 ppm) and a bacteriostatic effect. Extracts bioactivity showed resistance to heat (≤120 °C), high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 300–600 MPa, 3–6 min, 25 °C) and salt (≤3% w/v). In addition, the extract was most stable at pH ≥ 7.0 and potency against endospores increased after HHP treatment and exposure to pH 9.5, suggesting a positive effect on solubility or structure of particular acetogenins. In a model food system processed by HHP, acetogenins were retained; however, initial quantities gradually declined by 63% and 32% at 25 and 4 °C, respectively, at the end of the storage period (42 days). Most stable molecules (persediene (4) > persenones > AcO‐avocadene (2)) possess a keto or trans‐enone group at C‐4 in the aliphatic chain, which could support hydrogen donation to surrounding carbon atoms and confer antioxidant activity. Active endospores were completely inhibited by 5000 ppm Avosafe^® in the model food system (37 °C, 72 h) and lower concentrations (500–1000 ppm) resulted in 1–2 log reduction of a 3 log inoculum target. Efficacy information generated in the present work is considered crucial to improve scientific knowledge on spore inhibition properties of avocado acetogenins.     

Corrosion of concrete sewers--the kinetics of hydrogen sulfide oxidation

The widespread occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the environment has attracted considerable attention, leading to concerns about the extent and magnitude of wildlife and human exposure. In this work, we focus on the occurrence and fate of PBDEs in a Norwegian air-plant-herbivore-carnivore system. Specifically, we have analysed for PBDEs in moss, livers from various terrestrial herbivores (moose, grouse, and European roe deer) and, for the first time, livers from the top predator lynx. The samples were collected from different sites and time periods (1990-2004) to identify possible spatial and temporal trends in contaminant levels and patterns. The general finding was that PBDEs were found in all (biotic) samples, although at lower concentrations than previously observed in mammals from the marine environment. The PBDE levels in the herbivores ranged from less than 0.5 ng/g lipid weight to 9.4 ng/g lipid weight as the highest. The median PBDE concentration in lynx was approximately one order of magnitude higher than in the herbivores. In the lynx samples there was a predominance of BDE-153 whereas BDE-47 and 99 dominated in the herbivores. This probably reflects different bioaccumulation properties or metabolic transformation processes of the BDE-congeners, and food choice. Levels of PBDEs in both moss and herbivores showed a general decline towards the northern parts of Norway. No clear temporal trends were observed. The PBDE levels observed in this study were low and are probably of limited toxicological significance.