The University of Athens Hellenic Macroseismic Database for Historical Earthquakes

During the last decade, a systematic study of historical earthquakes leading to the quantification of earthquake effects in terms of macroseismic datapoints (MDPs) and, consequently, to earthquake parameters, has been carried out in the Laboratory of Seismology of the University of Athens. For each earthquake, the available background information has been evaluated and the corresponding macroseismic intensities assessed in terms of EMS98. A considerable amount of studied earthquakes contributed to the Archive of Historical EArthquake Data (AHEAD) and MDPs are now part of its European Macroseismic Database, via European initiatives (NERIES, SHARE). Based on standards proposed by AHEAD, a local database was designed, incorporating historical earthquakes of the period 1000-1899, mainly from the eastern Aegean area. The database includes 93 events with Ix≥7 (683 MDPs) and 1053 events with Ix<7 (1205 MDPs). The data is accessible on the Internet at http://macroseismology.geol.uoa.gr

Exploring the substrate spectrum of phylogenetically distinct bacterial polyesterases

The rapid escalation of plastic waste accumulation presents a significant threat of the modern world, demanding an immediate solution. Over the last years, utilization of the enzymatic machinery of various microorganisms has emerged as an environmentally friendly asset in tackling this pressing global challenge. Thus, various hydrolases have been demonstrated to effectively degrade polyesters. Plastic waste streams often consist of a variety of different polyesters, as impurities, mainly due to wrong disposal practices, rendering recycling process challenging. The elucidation of the selective degradation of polyesters by hydrolases could offer a proper solution to this problem, enhancing the recyclability performance. Towards this, our study focused on the investigation of four bacterial polyesterases, including DaPUase, IsPETase, PfPHOase, and Se1JFR, a novel PETase-like lipase. The enzymes, which were biochemically characterized and structurally analyzed, demonstrated degradation ability of synthetic plastics. While a consistent pattern of polyesters’ degradation was observed across all enzymes, Se1JFR stood out in the degradation of PBS, PLA, and polyether PU. Additionally, it exhibited comparable results to IsPETase, a benchmark mesophilic PETase, in the degradation of PCL and semi-crystalline PET. Our results point out the wide substrate spectrum of bacterial hydrolases and underscore the significant potential of PETase-like enzymes in polyesters degradation

Set of Small Molecule Polyurethane (PU) Model Substrates: Ecotoxicity Evaluation and Identification of PU Degrading Biocatalysts

Polyurethanes (PUs) are an exceedingly heterogeneous group of plastic polymers, widely used in a variety of industries from construction to medical implants. In the past decades, we have witnessed the accumulation of PU waste and its detrimental environmental impacts. PUs have been identified as one of the most toxic polymers leaching hazardous compounds derived both from the polymer itself and the additives used in production. Further environmental impact assessment, identification and characterization of substances derived from PU materials and establishing efficient degradation strategies are crucial. Thus, a selection of eight synthetic model compounds which represent partial PU hydrolysis products were synthesized and characterized both in terms of toxicity and suitability to be used as substrates for the identification of novel biocatalysts for PU biodegradation. Overall, the compounds exhibited low in vitro cytotoxicity against a healthy human fibroblast cell line and virtually no toxic effect on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans up to 500 µg mL−1, and two of the substrates showed moderate aquatic ecotoxicity with EC50 values 53 µg mL−1 and 45 µg mL−1, respectively, on Aliivibrio fischeri. The compounds were successfully applied to study the mechanism of ester and urethane bond cleaving preference of known plastic-degrading enzymes and were used to single out a novel PU-degrading biocatalyst, Amycolatopsis mediterranei ISP5501, among 220 microbial strains. A. mediterranei ISP5501 can also degrade commercially available polyether and polyester PU materials, reducing the average molecular number of the polymer up to 13.5%. This study uncovered a biocatalyst capable of degrading different types of PUs and identified potential enzymes responsible as a key step in developing biotechnological process for PU waste treatment options

Integration of mini-unmanned aerial vehicles at the tactical operations level

Small units maneuvering on the battlefield have little time to establish data links and interface with the Global Information Grid (GIG) while trying to achieve an objective. The bandwidth and interface requirements necessary to receive live data from current strategic level systems limit the small unit operational user's ability to receive and act upon data and intelligence. Without the ability to interface with current strategic-level UAV assets, these small units are left without a comprehensive operational picture. Mini-UAVs offer the capability for the tactical user, in a variety of missions, to have direct control over the aerial asset without intervention from higher authority. Organic UAV assets can be used to collect data relevant to small units without the need for connecting to intelligence systems. This offers increased mobility and a dedicated collection platform; however, there are still drawbacks to this capability. This thesis examines mini-UAVs, and their integration into the Coalition Operating Area Surveillance and Targeting System (COASTS) network.http://archive.org/details/integrationofmin109452166Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

The University of Athens Hellenic Macroseismic Database for Historical Earthquakes

During the last decade, a systematic study of historical earthquakes leading to the quantification of earthquake effects in terms of macroseismic datapoints (MDPs) and, consequently, to earthquake parameters, has been carried out in the Laboratory of Seismology of the University of Athens. For each earthquake, the available background information has been evaluated and the corresponding macroseismic intensities assessed in terms of EMS98. A considerable amount of studied earthquakes contributed to the Archive of Historical EArthquake Data (AHEAD) and MDPs are now part of its European Macroseismic Database, via European initiatives (NERIES, SHARE). Based on standards proposed by AHEAD, a local database was designed, incorporating historical earthquakes of the period 1000-1899, mainly from the eastern Aegean area. The database includes 93 events with Ix≥7 (683 MDPs) and 1053 events with Ix<7 (1205 MDPs). The data is accessible on the Internet at http://macroseismology.geol.uoa.gr/PublishedMoscow, Russia5.1. TTC - Banche dati e metodi macrosismiciope