bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doping Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices among Young, Amateur Croatian Athletes
Authors: Miskulin Ivan , Grbic Danijela Stimac , Miskulin Maja
Published: February 2021

Recent studies revealed that amateur athletes, especially young ones, have an increasing tendency of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) usage. The aim of this study was to explore PEDs attitudes, beliefs, and practices among young, amateur Croatian athletes. This cross-sectional study using a specially designed questionnaire as a research tool was done during the August 2019 to January 2020 period among a convenient sample of 400 amateur athletes of median age 18 (interquartile range 15 to 21) years. The prevalence of current PEDs usage was 1.3%, while past PEDs usage prevalence was 3.3%. Current PEDs usage was more frequent among young adults (p = 0.048) and athletes playing individual sports (p = 0.001). Athletes who were engaged in sports from one to five years had more permissive attitudes toward PEDs (p < 0.001) as measured by the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale. Female athletes had more positive beliefs about PEDs usage (p = 0.008). The study did not establish any correlation between current or past PEDs usage and attitudes toward PEDs as well as beliefs about PEDs usage. However, there was a weak positive correlation between attitudes toward PEDs and athletes’ beliefs about PEDs usage (rs = 0.465, p < 0.001). PEDs usage is present among young Croatian amateur athletes. There is a need for interventions directed toward the prevention of PEDs usage in an observed subgroup of athletes.
Improving the Sustainability of Regional Development in the Context of Waste Management
Authors: Khudyakova Tatyana , Lyaskovskaya Elena
Published: February 2021

Waste generation and use is one of civilization’s main problems. Realizing the goals of the concept of sustainable development is one solution to this issue. Sustainable waste management is impossible without measurements and without assessing compliance with economic, environmental, and social criteria; therefore, quantitative information and indicators play an important role in solving these issues. Methods used to diagnose the sustainability of waste management should include both an assessment of indicators and a diagnosis of the reasons for changes. The approach proposed in this paper is based on the development of an integrated indicator which includes social, economic, and environmental factors, reflects the state of legislative and executive initiatives in the field of sustainable waste management through specific macroeconomic indicators, which should make it possible to identify the causes of sustainable/non-sustainable waste management.
Measuring Connection to Nature—A Illustrated Extension of the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale
Authors: Kleespies Matthias Winfried , Braun Tina , Dierkes Paul Wilhelm , Wenzel Volker
Published: February 2021

The human-nature connection is an important factor that is frequently the subject of environmental education research and environmental psychology. Therefore, over the years, numerous measuring instruments have been established to quantitatively record a person’s connection to nature. However, there is no instrument specifically for children with cognitive limitations. For this reason, in this study, an established scale for connection to nature, the inclusion of nature in self scale (INS), was modified especially for the needs of this group. Study 1 investigated what students understand by the term “nature” in order to create an illustrated version of the INS. In study 2, the new instrument was tested on university students and compared with the original INS and the connectedness to nature scale (CNS). No significant differences between the original INS and the new developed scale were found (p = 0.247), from which it can be concluded that the illustrated INS (IINS) measures the connection to nature with similar accuracy as the original INS. In study 3, the instrument was tested together with other established nature connection instruments on the actual target group, students with disabilities. The correlation between the IINS, the CNS, and nature connectedness scale (NR) were in accordance with the expected literature values (rIINS-CNS = 0.570 & rIINS-NR = 0.605). The results of this study also prove effectiveness of the developed illustrated scale. This research thus provides a suitable measuring instrument for people with learning difficulties and can make a contribution to the investigation of human-nature connections and conservation education.
A Self-Assessment of European Citizen Science Projects on Their Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Authors: Moczek Nicola , Voigt-Heucke Silke L. , Mortega Kim G. , Fabó Cartas Claudia , Knobloch Jörn
Published: February 2021

In theoretical frameworks, it is often assumed that citizen science projects contribute to the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because of their participatory character and the potential for social transformation. To bring a practical perspective into the dialogue, we designed a survey to obtain direct assessments of the contribution of citizen science to the SDGs by European project participants. We launched the survey across European science networks in 2020 and evaluated 125 questionnaires. Participants reported contributing most to three of the SDGs: ‘Good health and well-being’, ‘Quality education’, and Life on Land’. Additionally, our results provide evidence that, with ongoing advocacy, citizen science projects in Europe could support all SDGs in the future. Seventy-two percent of participants indicated that their projects are involved in data acquisition and 30% stated to report data, but 19% do not pass on data at all. Our findings indicate further that European citizen science projects lack infrastructures and institutional support to facilitate data sharing. We recommend a focus on the promotion or creation of interfaces, for example, between projects and UN databases. Finally, we advise that citizen science projects, some of which operate with little funding, should not be overburdened with inflated expectations as a means of implementing the SDGs.
Re-Naturing the City: Linking Urban Political Ecology and Cultural Ecosystem Services
Authors: Pietta Antonella , Tononi Marco
Published: February 2021

In the last few decades European industrial cities have experienced major transformations which have implied the need to rethink the role of nature. Re-naturing the city, reconnecting urban planning and nature and enhancing sustainability, means taking into account ecosystems and biodiversity through a social approach to nature which reconsiders nature as a social product and re-examines city–nature relationships, the way Urban Political Ecology (UPE) suggests. This paper focuses on the Brescia Quarry Park, a suburban space that until just a few years ago was characterized by mining activities. This area has now been transformed into a re-naturalized area and is projected to become one of Europe’s largest re-naturalized protected urban areas. These transformations are signs of a profound change in the urban metabolism. In fact, the community has struggled for many years for the recognition of the value of the area in ecological and cultural terms. Therefore, an approach was adopted based on Urban Political Ecology, which is useful to study how the socio–natural relationships change and how an exploited and degraded land can become a relevant natural area from the local community’s point of view. This approach also allowed us to study conflicts due to unequal power relations and strategies developed by the community to reduce these conflicts. Particular interest was given to the participatory processes which have driven these transformations and to the role played by the different actors involved through top-down and bottom-up approaches. So, we decided to combine UPE and participatory action research—PAR and create a participatory map of the Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) in the Park. Attention was given to understanding the practices of the stakeholders and benefits for the community. This involvement allowed us to represent the complexity of the re-naturalized urban landscape which was analyzed through the changes in natural, urban and rural features that emerged. During the process, the interaction between citizens and experts was fundamental in co-producing an analysis of the placemaking of urban landscapes and in revealing the socio–ecological interactions of the stakeholders with these places. The results of the mapping process represent a first step towards promoting sustainable environmental planning and management based on the involvement and empowerment of the local population.
Risk Management for Defense SoS in a Complex, Dynamic Environment
Authors: Kordova Sigal , Fridkin Shimon
Published: February 2021

Identifying and assessing risk is one of the most important processes in managing complex systems and requires careful consideration. The need for an effective, efficient approach to risk management is considerably more important for defense industries, because they are exposed to risk in the early stages of development. This paper uses heterogeneity and homogeneity analysis between risk factors with Cochran’s Q test and multidimensional scaling in order to present the complexity of the risk factors relevant to defense systems of systems (SoSs), and it proposes a methodology for identifying, analyzing, and monitoring the risks that they face. Findings from an in-depth analysis of 46 classified defense SoSs shows a need to focus on three main risks faced by defense projects: insufficient human resources, changes in the original specifications, and lack of other (nonhuman) resources. The paper also presents some recommendations for minimizing risk factors in defense SoSs.
Selection of Wind Turbine Based on Fuzzy Analytic Network Process: A Case Study in China
Authors: Pang Nansheng , Nan Mengfan , Meng Qichen , Zhao Siyang
Published: February 2021

Wind turbine selection is an evaluation problem involving many factors, such as technology, economy, society, etc., and there exist internal dependencies and circular relationships among these factors. This increases the complexity of the selection problem. At the same time, with the development of wind power technology, the types of wind turbines on the market are increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a scientific and comprehensive evaluation system to guide the selection work. This paper extends the traditional indicator system, selecting a total of twelve evaluation indicators from three aspects: operation reliability, economy, and supplier cooperation. The selected indicators are defined in detail to clarify the relationship between them. Then the triangular fuzzy number is introduced to accurately reflect the preference information obtained from experts, and a fuzzy analytical network process (FANP) model for wind turbine unit selection is constructed by combining fuzzy preference programming (FPP) with analytic network process (ANP). In the end, a case study in China is carried out. Results show that the 2.5 W unit produced by Goldwind obtains the best comprehensive evaluation value, which is consistent with the expanding market share permanent magnet direct-drive wind turbines. This paper could provide references for future wind turbine selection questions.
Taiwanese Indigenous Cultural Heritage and Revitalization: Community Practices and Local Development
Authors: Yeh Joyce Hsiu-yen , Lin Su-chen , Lai Shu-chuan , Huang Ying-hao , Yi-fong Chen , Lee Yi-tze , Berkes Fikret
Published: February 2021

The continuing interest and progress in indigenous communities and local economies based on traditional, cultural, and ecological knowledge contributes to indigenous resilience. Here we report on an ongoing collaborative project investigating the process of renewal of cultural heritage through strengthening the roots of indigenous cultural traditions of knowledge and practice, and the changing concepts of tradition. The project investigates the various mechanisms for conserving indigenous culture: How the heritage of indigenous culture is reconstructed; how this heritage is related to the social frame and practice of everyday life; how power intervention affects the contestation of heritage; and in the context of heritage contestation, how cultural heritage turns into economic capital in the tourism economy of the community. The project explores the process of cultural heritagization of indigenous traditional knowledge through six individual projects in the areas of food and edible heritage, ethnic revival, weaving, solidarity economy, cultural ecotourism, and indigenous agro-products. In addition, the project examines the establishment of a constructive dialogue between the “traditional future”, cultural heritage literature and local practice in the interest of the consolidation of alternative development.
Application of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to Evaluate the Impact of Land Use and Climate Variability on the Kaptagat Catchment River Discharge
Authors: Kibii Joshua Kiprotich , Kipkorir Emmanuel Chessum , Kosgei Job Rotich
Published: February 2021

Water is life. It is an important element of the social and economic well-being of society. Kenya is a water-scarce country, ranked as 21st globally for the worst levels of water accessibility. The town of Eldoret is currently experiencing rapid population growth, resulting in ever-growing water demand. On the other hand, climate variability, land cover, and land use changes have altered the hydrologic response of the Kaptagat catchment, one of the major sources of water for Eldoret. This study uses the SWAT model in seeking to evaluate the impact of land use change and climate variability on the catchment yield, resulting in high variations in river flows and storage reservoir levels, and suggests possible mitigation measures to improve the yield. The model was customized for the study area, calibrated, and validated, and simulations were done to establish the changes in yield and river flow over time. This study observes that with time, land use changed due to increased settlement in the catchment, resulting in a decrease in forest cover (natural and planted) from approximately 37% in 1989 to 26% in 2019. Rainfall events also decreased but became more intense. The results of the changing land use and climate variability were changes in the catchment hydrologic response, occasioned by increased surface runoff and decreased baseflow and groundwater recharge, hence the high variations in water levels at the Elegirini and Two Rivers dams in the catchment during the dry and wet seasons, as modeled. The modeling of the catchment management scenarios indicates groundwater recharge increased by 17% and surface runoff decreased by 9%. Therefore, if the ongoing afforestation, reafforestation, and terracing practices by farmers (although small-scale) increasing vegetation cover in the catchment are adhered to, the catchment response regime will improve significantly with time, despite the increasing climatic variability.
The European Competency and the Teaching for Understanding Frameworks: Creating Synergies in the Context of Initial Teacher Training in Higher Education
Authors: Bilbao Naiara , Garay Urtza , Romero Ainara , López de la Serna Arantzazu
Published: February 2021

The aim of this research was to analyze the rich, complex, interrelated relationship that could possibly be established between the Teaching for Understanding framework, pedagogical proposal belonging to Project Zero (Education research team of Harvard University, Boston, MA, US), and the European Competency Framework. Through an in-depth analysis of the constituent features that define and explain both proposals, and questions answered both by teachers with ample classroom experience and experts on the field, it shows that these are two complementary educational perspectives that share a similar vocation and that contribute to improving the teaching-learning process in Higher Education, specifically in the context of initial Teacher Training. Likewise, it analyzes the different factors to take into account when implementing them, particularly in the context of Higher Education; factors that make them complex proposals but also of very high educational value and with the potential to enrich the teaching-learning process, no matter the context.
Experimental and Theoretical Prediction Model Research on Concrete Elastic Modulus Influenced by Aggregate Gradation and Porosity
Authors: Zhang Guohui , Yang Zhendong , Yan Yizhi , Wang Mingming , Wu Liang , Lei Hongjun , Gu Yanshuang
Published: February 2021

In this research, we developed a four-phase model, which takes the aggregate gradation and porosity into account in the prediction of the elastic modulus of concrete, based on the micromechanical theories. The model has been verified with experimental results. First, using the Mori Tanaka and the differential self-consistent (DSC) methods, the pores in both the mortar and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were homogenized. Then, the continuously graded aggregates were divided into finite aggregate size intervals. Further, using the generalized self-consistent model and multiphase composite model derived from the Mori Tanaka method, an aggregate gradation model for the prediction of the elastic modulus of concrete was developed. By simulating the pores in concrete with expanded polystyrene sphere (EPS) grains, the effect of overall porosity on the elastic modulus of concrete was investigated. The research results show that aggregate gradation and porosity have remarkable influence on the elastic modulus of concrete, and the proposed model is effective to estimate the elastic modulus of concrete, the deviation between the predicted elastic modulus and experimental elastic modulus is less than 8%. The elastic modulus decreases with increasing ITZ porosity. However, for ITZ porosity exceeding 40%, the decrease in the elastic modulus is large with increasing ITZ porosity. For a fixed overall porosity, the ITZ porosity owned more influences than the mortar porosity on the elastic modulus of concrete. Enhancing the ITZ elastic modulus and decreasing the ITZ thickness are efficient in increasing the elastic modulus of concrete.
An Empirical Study into Consumer Acceptance of Dockless Bikes Sharing System Based on TAM
Authors: Lyu Jie , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study was to propose an extension model that integrated a technology acceptance model (TAM) with dockless bike-sharing (DLBS) features in order to investigate acceptable behavior when using DLBS. In total, 412 participants from China participated in the study. We used a structural equation model to test our research hypotheses. The research results showed that the extended TAM model provided a more comprehensive understanding of the behavior associated with this context. We observed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms, and facilitating conditions played an important role in the intention to use DLBS. Moreover, DLBS features played an important role in perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. The use intention also had an important effect on use behavior. Surprisingly, the three traits of perceived usefulness did not affect perceived usefulness. As such, this study explored, from a consumer’s perspective, why sharing products are accepted. This study offers significant contributions to the relevant literature of the sharing economy. The research results offer enlightening findings for enterprises, as they encourage consumers to adopt the DLBS.
Is Sharing a Better Alternative for the Planet? The Contribution of Sharing Economy to Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Cristina , Benito-Osorio Diana , García-Moreno Susana María , Martínez-Fernández Andrés
Published: February 2021

The sharing economy has been presented as a potential contributor to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to the change it brings to consumption patterns. Although this potential has been identified in different papers, there is not, as far as we know, a single article that explains in detail all the possible platforms through which the sharing economy can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. This paper addresses this topic by reviewing the existing literature involving the sharing economy and the SDGs, and by analyzing the main characteristics attributed to this business model, and how each one of them may in theory contribute to the SDGs. Our paper advances the field by establishing hitherto undiscovered relationships between the two concepts, while laying the foundations for corroborating our theoretical findings in future analytical studies.
The Misallocation Problem of Subsidized Housing: A Lesson from Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Ka Shing , Wong Siu Kei , Chau Kwong Wing , Yiu Chung Yim
Published: February 2021

Providing affordable housing has become one of China’s key national policy agenda items. The shared-equity model in Hong Kong, implemented since the late 1970s, has assisted many families in owning a home in the public housing market. However, little attention has been paid to their welfare after acquiring their subsidized units. This study aims to examine how shared-equity homeownership distorts residential mobility through in-kind subsidies. Panel data analysis reveals that the more in-kind subsidies owners receive, the longer they would hold on to their units in spite of spatial mismatches. Private owners, on the other hand, would trade their units without such distortion. Conceptually, the lower mobility of assisted owners could be interpreted as a new source of misallocation in Glaeser and Luttmer’s welfare analysis. Practically, this throws into question the sustainability of a subsidizing homeownership policy: does the government ultimately want assisted homeowners to move from public housing to private housing in the future (for which high mobility would be intended)? If so, new thinking on how to make in-kind subsidies transferable is needed.
Implementing Experiential Marketing in the Digital Age for a More Sustainable Customer Relationship
Authors: Urdea Ana-Maria , Constantin Cristinel Petrişor , Purcaru Ioana-Mădălina
Published: February 2021

We reviewed 58 empirical articles from the last two decades on experiential marketing in the e-commerce context. This literature review seeks to shed light into the fields of experiential and digital marketing, addressing the gaps in experiential aspects that appear during an online shopping session found in the literature. Thus, the paper identifies the elements that create the optimal consumers’ experience together with advantages, challenges, and strategic advice associated with the overall digital experience, an aspect that develops a more sustainable relationship between customers and e-businesses. The findings reveal that the most reported advantage of the overall digital experience is that it provides enhanced satisfaction, an aspect that is crucial for both consumers and online businesses, while some noted that frequent challenges are providing high levels of interactivity and trust. We found several other advantages and challenges of online consumer experience that led to the outlining of the strategic advice for online businesses, all being discussed in detail. The paper addresses a theoretical framework of digital marketing that is relevant for both academics and practitioners, suggestions for future research directions, and key research implications being offered.
Quantitative Analysis of Spatial Heterogeneity and Driving Forces of the Thermal Environment in Urban Built-up Areas: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Liu Jianjun , Bu Yuankun
Published: February 2021

Clarifying the spatial heterogeneity of urban heat island (UHI) effect is of great significance for promoting sustainable urban development. A GeoDetector was used to detect the influential natural and society factors. Natural factors (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil-regulating vegetation index (SAVI), normalized building index (NDBI), and modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI)) as well as society factors (road density (RDD), and population density (POPD)) were selected as driving factors to be tested for their explanatory power for land surface temperature (LST). Results indicated that the Moran’s I index value for the LST of the built-up area is 0.778. The top three factors influencing the LST were NDBI, NDVI, and SAVI, the explanatory power of which was 0.7593, 0.6356, and 0.6356, respectively. The interactive explanatory power for NDBI and MNDWI was 0.8108 and for NDBI and RDD was 0.8002, these two interactions are double enhanced interaction relationships. The results of this study play a guiding role in the development of urban thermal environment regulation schemes and ecological environment planning.
Sustainable Transportation and Policy Development: A Study for Impact Analysis of Mobility Patterns and Neighborhood Assessment of Walking Behavior
Authors: Siqueira Gustavo de , Adeel Ahmad , Pasha Petrit , Balushi Amal Al , Shah Syyed Adnan Raheel
Published: February 2021

Since rapid growth and car-oriented patterns became a global threat and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) levels are advancing, strategies to redesign the built environment into healthier spaces have gained importance. Walkability plays a central role in this context. However, the literature is dominated by studies from western industrialized countries. In this paper, we employed structural equational modeling to analyze perceptual data collected from different neighborhoods of Muscat. We compared the responses regarding environmental attributes to the frequency of walking for transport. We found that land use mix combined with low residential density are the factors that have the highest impact on pedestrian activity. Conversely, the estimates of the pedestrian infrastructure were surprisingly low, suggesting that, in car dominant societies, walking perceptions are affected by drivers’ perspectives.
Picking Up Where the TMDL Leaves Off: Using the Partnership Wild and Scenic River Framework for Collaborative River Restoration
Authors: Hunt Alan R. , Wu Meiyin , Hsu Tsung-Ta David , Roberts-Lawler Nancy , Miller Jessica , Rossi Alessandra , Lee Lee H.
Published: February 2021

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects less than ¼ of a percent of the United States’ river miles, focusing on free-flowing rivers of good water quality with outstandingly remarkable values for recreation, scenery, and other unique river attributes. It predates the enactment of the Clean Water Act, yet includes a clear anti-degradation principle, that pollution should be reduced and eliminated on designated rivers, in cooperation with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state pollution control agencies. However, the federal Clean Water Act lacks a clear management framework for implementing restoration activities to reduce non-point source pollution, of which bacterial contamination impacts nearly 40% of the Wild and Scenic Rivers. A case study of the Musconetcong River, in rural mountainous New Jersey, indicates that the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act can be utilized to mobilize and align non-governmental, governmental, philanthropic, and private land-owner resources for restoring river water quality. For example, coordinated restoration efforts on one tributary reduced bacterial contamination by 95%, surpassing the TMDL goal of a 93% reduction. Stakeholder interviews and focus groups indicated widespread knowledge and motivation to improve water quality, but resource constraints limited the scale and scope of restoration efforts. The authors postulate that the Partnership framework, enabled in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, facilitated neo-endogenous rural development through improving water quality for recreational usage, whereby bottom-up restoration activities were catalyzed via federal designation and resource provision. However, further efforts to address water quality via voluntary participatory frameworks were ultimately limited by the public sector’s inadequate funding and inaction with regard to water and wildlife resources in the public trust.
A Comeback of Wind Power in Shipping: An Economic and Operational Review on the Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion Technology
Authors: Chou Todd , Kosmas Vasileios , Acciaro Michele , Renken Katharina
Published: February 2021

Wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) technology seems to be a promising solution toward accelerating the shipping industry’s decarbonization efforts as it uses wind to replace part of the propulsive power generated from fossil fuels. This article discusses the status quo of the WASP technological growth within the maritime transport sector by means of a secondary data review analysis, presents the potential fuel-saving implications, and identifies key factors that shape the operational efficiency of the technology. The analysis reveals three key considerations. Firstly, despite the existing limited number of WASP installations, there is a promising trend of diffusion of the technology within the industry. Secondly, companies can achieve fuel savings, which vary depending on the technology installed. Thirdly, these bunker savings are influenced by environmental, on-board, and commercial factors, which presents both opportunities and challenges to decision makers.
The Hydration, Mechanical, Autogenous Shrinkage, Durability, and Sustainability Properties of Cement–Limestone–Slag Ternary Composites
Authors: Xuan Mei-Yu , Han Yi , Wang Xiao-Yong
Published: February 2021

This study examines the hydration–mechanical–autogenous shrinkage–durability–sustainability properties of ternary composites with limestone filler (LF) and ground-granulated blast furnace slag (BFS). Four mixtures were prepared with a water/binder ratio of 0.3 and different replacement ratios varying from 0 to 45%. Multiple experimental studies were performed at various ages. The experimental results are summarized as follows: (1) As the replacement levels increased, compressive strength and autogenous shrinkage (AS) decreased, and this relationship was linear. (2) As the replacement levels increased, cumulative hydration heat decreased. At the age of 3 and 7 days, there was a linear relationship between compressive strength and cumulative hydration heat. (3) Out of all mixtures, the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and electrical resistivity exhibited a rapid increase in the early stages and tended to slow down in the latter stages. There was a crossover of UPV among various specimens. In the later stages, the electrical resistivity of ternary composite specimens was higher than plain specimens. (4) X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that LF and BFS have a synergistic effect. (5) With increasing replacement ratios, the CO2 emissions per unit strength reduced, indicating the sustainability of ternary composites.
Sliding Contacts in Planetary Magnetospheres
Authors: Belenkaya Elena , Alexeev Igor
Published: February 2021

In the planetary magnetospheres there are specific places connected with velocity breakdown, reconnection, and dynamo processes. Here we pay attention to sliding layers. Sliding layers are formed in the ionosphere, on separatrix surfaces, at the magnetopauses and boundaries of stellar astrospheres, and at the Alfvén radius in the equatorial magnetosphere of rapidly rotating strongly magnetized giant planets. Although sliding contacts usually occur in thin local layers, their influence on the global structure of the surrounding space is very great. Therefore, they are associated with non-local processes that play a key role on a large scale. There can be an exchange between different forms of energy, a generation of strong field-aligned currents and emissions, and an amplification of magnetic fields. Depending on the conditions in the magnetosphere of the planet/exoplanet and in the flow of magnetized plasma passing it, different numbers of sliding layers with different configurations appear. Some are associated with regions of auroras and possible radio emissions. The search for planetary radio emissions is a current task in the detection of exoplanets.
A Novel Threshold Changeable Secret Image Sharing Scheme
Authors: Wu Guohua , Wang Mingyao , Wang Qiuhua , Yao Ye , Yuan Lifeng , Miao Gongxun
Published: February 2021

In secret image sharing, the image is divided into several stego images, which are managed by corresponding participants. The secret image can be recovered only when the number of authorized participants is no less than the threshold. Thus, it is widely used to protect essential images, such as engineering drawings and product design drawings. In the traditional secret image sharing scheme, the threshold is fixed and unique. However, in practice, the security policy and the adversarial structure may change; therefore, the threshold must be adjusted dynamically. In this paper, we propose a novel secret image sharing scheme with a changeable threshold capability. Our scheme eliminates the limit of the changeable threshold and reduces the computation required. Also, our scheme is the first threshold changeable secret image sharing scheme that can recover an undistorted cover image. The theoretical analysis shows that our scheme is safe even if the threshold is changed. The experiments demonstrated that the stego image generated by our algorithm has better quality than other changeable-threshold, secret image sharing algorithms.
Identifying the Dynamics of the Sea-Level Fluctuations in Croatia Using the RAPS Method
Authors: Markovinović Danko , Kranjčić Nikola , Đurin Bojan , Bjelotomić Oršulić Olga
Published: February 2021

Seawater level changes are affected by natural and anthropogenic impacts. While climate changes are considered to be a cause for all significant recent variations in meteorological and hydrological parameters, there is still a need for the analysis at the smaller regional scale, especially of the seawater level changes. A regional analysis is essential for early warning of upcoming changes that could, firstly, affect islands and coastal areas and, subsequently, expand on larger areas. The determined regional changes could affect the salinity of drinking water sources, increase the presence of natural flooding, and impact land degradation. In this paper, an analysis of local seawater level fluctuations is provided for three available locations in Croatia distributed along the Adriatic Sea’s coast. The rescaled adjusted partial sums (RAPS) method was used and applied on time series of the average daily seawater levels for each location. Visual interpretation of the RAPS method indicated the appearance of common regularities of the observed quantities, in this case, averaged daily seawater level changes. Also, it was shown that the regional shape and indentation of the coast did not have a strong effect on the seawater level’s rise. Seasonal changes in the sea level are mostly periodic and, therefore, have symmetry visible in its behavior. Fluctuations in the dynamics of sea level studied in this paper were not regular and predictable with simple linear equations, but the symmetry was also found to be present in the irregularities identified with the RAPS method.
Spatial Dependence of the Dipolar Interaction between Quantum Dots and Organic Molecules Probed by Two-Color Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy
Authors: Noblet Thomas , Dreesen Laurent , Tadjeddine Abderrahmane , Humbert Christophe
Published: February 2021

Given the tunability of their optical properties over the UV–Visible–Near IR spectral range, ligand-capped quantum dots (QDs) are employed for the design of optical biosensors with low detection threshold. Thanks to non-linear optical spectroscopies, the absorption properties of QDs are indeed used to selectively enhance the local vibrational response of molecules located in their vicinity. Previous studies led to assume the existence of a vibroelectronic QD–molecule coupling based on dipolar interaction. However, no systematic study on the strength of this coupling has been performed to date. In order to address this issue, we use non-linear optical Two-Color Sum-Frequency Generation (2C-SFG) spectroscopy to probe thick QD layers deposited on calcium fluoride (CaF2) prisms previously functionalized by a self-assembled monolayer of phenyltriethoxysilane (PhTES) molecules. Here, 2C-SFG is performed in Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) configuration. By comparing the molecular vibrational enhancement measured for QD–ligand coupling and QD–PhTES coupling, we show that the spatial dependence of the QD–molecule interactions (∼1/r3, with r the QD–molecule distance) is in agreement with the hypothesis of a dipole–dipole interaction.
Association between Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Chu Po-Ching , Wu Charlene , Su Ta-Chen
Published: February 2021

Endothelial function is crucial in the pathogenesis of circulatory and cardiovascular toxicity; epidemiologic research investigating the association between phthalate exposure and endothelial dysfunction remains limited. We examined the associations between exposures to specific phthalates (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP; di-n-butyl phthalate, DnBP) and circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles (EMPs and PMPs) in adolescents and young adults. Of the 697 participants recruited, anthropometric measurements and health-related behaviors relevant to cardiovascular risks were collected and assessed. Urine and serum were collected and analyzed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and flow cytometry. Multiple linear regression indicated that increases in urinary concentrations of ΣDEHP and MnBP (mono-n-butyl phthalate), across quartiles, were positively associated with serum EMPs level (p for trend <0.001 and <0.001; β = 0.798 and 0.007; standard error = 0.189 and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, female and overweight subjects had higher MnBP, and males were more vulnerable to DnBP exposure compared to females. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a dose-response relationship between exposures to phthalates (ΣDEHP and MnBP) and microparticle formation (EMPs and PMPs) in adolescents and young adults. The findings indicate that exposures to phthalates of both low and high-molecular weight are positively associated with microparticle production, and might contribute to endothelial dysfunction; such damage might manifest in the form of atherosclerotic-related vascular diseases. Future in vivo and in vitro studies are warranted to elucidate whether a causal relationship exists between phthalate exposure and EMPs and PMPs.
Bacillus cereus Induces Severe Infections in Preterm Neonates: Implication at the Hospital and Human Milk Bank Level
Authors: Cormontagne Delphine , Rigourd Virginie , Vidic Jasmina , Rizzotto Francesco , Bille Emmanuelle , Ramarao Nalini
Published: February 2021

Human breast milk (HBM) is a source of essential nutrients for infants and is particularly recommended for preterm neonates when their own mother’s milk is not available. It provides protection against infections and decreases necrotizing enterocolitis and cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, HBM spoilage can occur due to contamination by pathogens, and the risk of a shortage of HBM is very often present. B. cereus is the most frequent ubiquitous bacteria responsible for HBM being discarded. It can contaminate HBM at all stages, from its collect point to the storage and delivery. B. cereus can induce severe infection in newborns with very low birth weight, with sometimes fatal outcomes. Although the source of contamination is rarely identified, in some cases, HBM was suspected as a potential source. Even if the risk is low, as infection due to B. cereus in preterm infants should not be overlooked, human milk banks follow strict procedures to avoid contamination, to accurately identify remaining bacteria following pasteurization and to discard non-compliant milk samples. In this review, we present a literature overview of B. cereus infections reported in neonates and the suspected sources of contamination. We highlight the procedures followed by the human milk banks from the collection of the milk to its microbiological characterization in Europe. We also present improved detection and decontamination methods that might help to decrease the risk and to preserve the public’s confidence in this vital biological product for infants whose mothers cannot breastfeed.
Structural Basis of the Pore-Forming Toxin/Membrane Interaction
Authors: Li Yajuan , Li Yuelong , Mengist Hylemariam Mihiretie , Shi Cuixiao , Zhang Caiying , Wang Bo , Li Tingting , Huang Ying , Xu Yuanhong , Jin Tengchuan
Published: February 2021

With the rapid growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is urgent to develop alternative therapeutic strategies. Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) belong to the largest family of virulence factors of many pathogenic bacteria and constitute the most characterized classes of pore-forming proteins (PFPs). Recent studies revealed the structural basis of several PFTs, both as soluble monomers, and transmembrane oligomers. Upon interacting with host cells, the soluble monomer of bacterial PFTs assembles into transmembrane oligomeric complexes that insert into membranes and affect target cell-membrane permeability, leading to diverse cellular responses and outcomes. Herein we have reviewed the structural basis of pore formation and interaction of PFTs with the host cell membrane, which could add valuable contributions in comprehensive understanding of PFTs and searching for novel therapeutic strategies targeting PFTs and interaction with host receptors in the fight of bacterial antibiotic-resistance.
Special Issue: “Bacteriophages and Biofilms”
Authors: Drulis-Kawa Zuzanna , Maciejewska Barbara
Published: February 2021

Biofilms are a community of surface-associated microorganisms characterized by the presence of different cell types in terms of physiology and phenotype [...]
Sialic Acid Receptors: The Key to Solving the Enigma of Zoonotic Virus Spillover
Authors: Kuchipudi Suresh V , Nelli Rahul K , Gontu Abhinay , Satyakumar Rashmi , Surendran Nair Meera , Subbiah Murugan
Published: February 2021

Emerging viral diseases are a major threat to global health, and nearly two-thirds of emerging human infectious diseases are zoonotic. Most of the human epidemics and pandemics were caused by the spillover of viruses from wild mammals. Viruses that infect humans and a wide range of animals have historically caused devastating epidemics and pandemics. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of viral emergence and zoonotic spillover is still lacking. Receptors are major determinants of host susceptibility to viruses. Animal species sharing host cell receptors that support the binding of multiple viruses can play a key role in virus spillover and the emergence of novel viruses and their variants. Sialic acids (SAs), which are linked to glycoproteins and ganglioside serve as receptors for several human and animal viruses. In particular, influenza and coronaviruses, which represent two of the most important zoonotic threats, use SAs as cellular entry receptors. This is a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of SA receptor distribution among animal species and the range of viruses that use SAs as receptors. SA receptor tropism and the predicted natural susceptibility to viruses can inform targeted surveillance of domestic and wild animals to prevent the future emergence of zoonotic viruses.
Pseudorabies Virus Infection Causes Downregulation of Ligands for the Activating NK Cell Receptor NKG2D
Authors: Denaeghel Sofie , De Pelsmaeker Steffi , Van Waesberghe Cliff , Favoreel Herman W.
Published: February 2021

Herpesviruses display a complex and carefully balanced interaction with important players in the antiviral immune response of immunocompetent natural hosts, including natural killer (NK) cells. With regard to NK cells, this delicate balance is illustrated on the one hand by severe herpesvirus disease reported in individuals with NK cell deficiencies and on the other hand by several NK cell evasion strategies described for herpesviruses. In the current study, we report that porcine cells infected with the porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) display a rapid and progressive downregulation of ligands for the major activating NK cell receptor NKG2D. This downregulation consists both of a downregulation of NKG2D ligands that are already expressed on the cell surface of an infected cell and an inhibition of cell surface expression of newly expressed NKG2D ligands. Flow cytometry and RT-qPCR assays showed that PRV infection results in downregulation of the porcine NKG2D ligand pULBP1 from the cell surface and a very substantial suppression of mRNA expression of pULBP1 and of another potential NKG2D ligand, pMIC2. Furthermore, PRV-induced NKG2D ligand downregulation was found to be independent of late viral gene expression. In conclusion, we report that PRV infection of host cells results in a very pronounced downregulation of ligands for the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D, representing an additional NK evasion strategy of PRV.
Influence of Power Take-Off Modelling on the Far-Field Effects of Wave Energy Converter Farms
Authors: Verao Fernandez Gael , Stratigaki Vasiliki , Quartier Nicolas , Troch Peter
Published: February 2021

The study of the potential impact of wave energy converter (WEC) farms on the surrounding wave field at long distances from the WEC farm location (also know as “far field” effects) has been a topic of great interest in the past decade. Typically, “far-field” effects have been studied using phase average or phase resolving numerical models using a parametrization of the WEC power absorption using wave transmission coefficients. Most recent studies have focused on using coupled models between a wave-structure interaction solver and a wave-propagation model, which offer a more complex and accurate representation of the WEC hydrodynamics and PTO behaviour. The difference in the results between the two aforementioned approaches has not been studied yet, nor how different ways of modelling the PTO system can affect wave propagation in the lee of the WEC farm. The Coastal Engineering Research Group of Ghent University has developed both a parameterized model using the sponge layer technique in the mild slope wave propagation model MILDwave and a coupled model MILDwave-NEMOH (NEMOH is a boundary element method-based wave-structure interaction solver), for studying the “far-field” effects of WEC farms. The objective of the present study is to perform a comparison between both numerical approaches in terms of performance for obtaining the “far-field” effects of two WEC farms. Results are given for a series of regular wave conditions, demonstrating a better accuracy of the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model in obtaining the wave disturbance coefficient (Kd) values around the considered WEC farms. Subsequently, the analysis is extended to study the influence of the PTO system modelling technique on the “far-field” effects by considering: (i) a linear optimal, (ii) a linear sub-optimal and (iii) a non-linear hydraulic PTO system. It is shown that modelling a linear optimal PTO system can lead to an unrealistic overestimation of the WEC motions than can heavily affect the wave height at a large distance in the lee of the WEC farm. On the contrary, modelling of a sub-optimal PTO system and of a hydraulic PTO system leads to a similar, yet reduced impact on the “far-field” effects on wave height. The comparison of the PTO systems’ modelling technique shows that when using coupled models, it is necessary to carefully model the WEC hydrodynamics and PTO behaviour as they can introduce substantial inaccuracies into the WECs’ motions and the WEC farm “far-field” effects.
Application of Stable Isotopes and Tritium in Hydrology
Authors: Krajcar Bronić Ines , Barešić Jadranka
Published: February 2021

The availability and quality of freshwater currently represent one of the great issues for mankind [...]