bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historiografia digital da Arquitetura Moderna em Belém [PA]
Authors: Chaves Celma , Beltrão Bernadeth , Dias Rebeca
Published: February 2022

O “Morar Moderno” é um projeto desenvolvido por meio da Lei Federal nº 14.017/20, do Edital Patrimônio Cultural Material – Lei Aldir Blanc Pará 2020, e desenvolvido pelo Coletivo Cultura Arquitetônica, Amazônia e Modernidade (CAAM). Neste artigo, será explorada uma estratégia de educação patrimonial que vise a divulgação e reconhecimento da arquitetura moderna residencial produzida em Belém e a criação de um website como resposta a essa necessidade, evidenciando suas etapas de desenvolvimento. Busca-se também examinar a trajetória tomada pela documentação e historiografia da arquitetura quando o debate orbita a construção e divulgação de acervos digitais, já que o “Morar Moderno” trata justamente de compilar, em uma página da web, os dados levantados pelo Laboratório de Historiografia da Arquitetura e Cultura Arquitetônica (Lahca/UFPA) acerca da arquitetura residencial moderna produzida entre 1940 e 1980. O artigo atesta que a formalização de um projeto nesta temática visa criar condições para que a população conheça e reconheça o Patrimônio Moderno edificado em Belém e possa contribuir com práticas para preservá-lo.
On one approach to using of fractional analysis for hybrid modeling of information distribution processes
Authors: Ivokhin Eugene , Adzhubey Larisa , Naumenko Yuriy , Makhno Mykhailo
Published: February 2022

The article discusses a technique for constructing a model and a method for finding solutions in the problem of imitating the process of information dissemination based on the use of a boundary value problem for a fractional differential equation in partial derivatives. It is proposed to use the analogy technique for modeling information dissemination processes, which is based on the use of the features of a fractional analysis and the diffuse nature of information penetration processes. A method for constructing hybrid models is proposed, which makes it possible to take into account changes in the interval of values of the spatial variable over time. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous models of diffusion processes are considered, which make it possible to numerically obtain and analyze experimental data for solving problems of monitoring the levels of information dissemination in social groups.
Experience with Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in the Assessment of the Microvascular Bed by Contrast-Free Magnetic Resonance Perfusion Imaging in Patients with Chronic Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Chukhontseva Е. S. , Morozova Т. G. , Borsukov А. V.
Published: February 2022

Objective: to define the role of transcranial electrical stimulation in the assessment of the microvascular bed by contrast-free magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia. Material and methods. Examinations were made in 37 people aged 65-70 years who were diagnosed with chronic cerebral ischemia. The patients were divided into two groups: with and without cognitive impairment (CI). The investigation algorithm involved brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Toshiba Vantage Titan, 1.5 T), transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) using a TETOS computer hardware diagnostics (Research and Production Firm “BIOSS”) and repeated brain MRI in the arterial spin labelling (ASL) perfusion mode. ASL perfusion data were used to assess cerebral blood flow in the regions of interest before and after TES. Results. Contrast-free MR perfusion imaging revealed relative hyperperfusion within the cortex of the frontal and parietal lobes concurrent with hypoperfusion of the subcortical nuclei and cerebral white matter in patients with CI, which suggests that enhanced cortical blood flow is ineffective and shunting blood flow forms. TES caused a statistically significant change in cerebral perfusion in the non-CI group of patients with chronic cerebral ischemia. After TES by ASL perfusion imaging, the patients without CI showed a diffuse increase in cerebral blood flow (p = 0.002), whereas the group of apparently healthy volunteers exhibited this increase in blood flow. Conclusion. Cerebral perfusion indices before and after TES in patients of all the examined groups define its role as a complementary tool to assess the compensatory capabilities of the microvascular bed by contrast-free MR perfusion imaging in chronic cerebral ischemia.
Multi-Slice Computed Tomography in Assessing Mesh Titanium Implant Shrinkage After Prosthetic Inguinal Hernioplasty
Authors: Nikitin P. A. , Nudnov N. V. , Znamenskiy I. A. , Azimov R. Kh. , Karpova A. A. , Averin E. E.
Published: February 2022

Objective: to assess the percentage of mesh “titanium silk” implant shrinkage after inguinal hernia repair surgery in the late postoperative period using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). Material and methods. The comparative assessment of the long-term results of treatment in 90 patients with inguinal hernias was performed using MSCT. In 36 (40%) patients of Group 1 the titanium implant was used in Lichtenstein hernia repair surgery. In Group 2, 54 (60%) patients were operated by laparoscopic hernia repair surgery. On day 3 and 3 months after surgery every patient underwent MSCT with subsequent determination of the implant square. Results. The percent of mesh “titanium silk” implant shrinkage 3 months after surgery according to MSCT was 4.4% in Lichtenstein hernia repair group, and 8.3% in laparoscopic hernia repair group. According to Kruskal-Wallis test, there were no statistic differences of this indicator between two groups (p = 0,185). Conclusion. The analysis of long-term results of inguinal hernia repair surgery with titanium mesh implants using MSCT showed that implant square significantly decreases 3 months after surgery. There were no significant differences in implants shrinkage regarding the type of surgery. MSCT is an effective method for evaluating the size of mesh titanium implants after hernia repair surgery.
Diagnosis and Successful Surgical Treatment of Ascending Aorta Valved Conduit Rupture
Authors: Malakhova М. V. , Prokhorova Е. А. , Kulichkin А. S. , Bril’ К. R. , Van Е. Yu. , Dzeranova А. N. , Galyan Т. N. , Khovrin V. V. , Charchyan E. R.
Published: February 2022

Prosthetic infection is the most common complication after aortic replacement with a synthetic vascular prosthesis or a valved conduit (VC); in this case, aortic valve (AV) rupture occurs in 0.1-1.3% of patients. The cause of valve rupture is not only infective endocarditis; ascending aortic aneurysm and obvious calcification of the native AV are also known risk factors. The paper describes a clinical case of a 49-year-old patient examined and treated in Petrovsky Russian Scientific Center of Surgery. Eighteen years after primary surgical intervention for aortic stenosis, AV reprosthesis and ascending aorta VC replacement were performed according to the Bentall - De Bono procedure modified by Kouchoukos. In 2021, computed tomographic aortography has revealed that in the presence of infective endocarditis, there is aortic prosthetic rupture to form a paraprosthetic fistula and a pseudoaneurysm cavity. The results of instrumental studies are comparable with intraoperative data. The clinical case is of interest due to the rare occurrence of complications and to the significant role of multislice computed tomography during examination and postoperative monitoring.
Intracranial Iatrogenic Foreign Bodies: Features of Neuroimaging
Authors: Staroseltseva O. A. , Nudnov N. V. , Radutnaya M. L. , Bondar’ Е. L. , Vorobyev А. N. , Levin D. V. , Yakovlev А. А. , Pron’kina Е. V.
Published: February 2022

The timely diagnosis of postoperative consequences through identification of intracranial foreign bodies enables prevention of complications and improvement in quality of life. The paper considers two clinical cases after surgical interventions to remove subdural and intracerebral hematomas of different ages. Computed tomography (CT) was performed on a 64-slice Somatom Perspective apparatus (Siemens, Germany) applying a reformative slice thickness of less than 0.6 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out using a Magnetom Essenza 1.5 T system (Siemens, Germany). When wording the CT and MRT findings, it was suggested that each of the patients had an intracranial foreign body in the presence of postoperative changes. The CT and MRI findings were fully correlated with intraoperative data on the location, number, shape, and size of foreign bodies. The neuroimaging techniques are highly informative in identifying intracranial foreign bodies and are especially important for chronically critically ill patients because of the lack of productive contact with them due to speech problems and cognitive impairment. They assist in making a correct diagnosis and playing a leading role in neurosurgical practice, allowing the detection of an abnormality, the optimal planning of patient management tactics, and the prevention of possible complications.
COVID-19 RISK MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVES OF THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE: WHAT NOW?
Authors: S. Dragin Aleksandra , Zadel Zrinka , B. Mijatov Maja , Stojanović Vladimir , Jovanović Tamara , Lazić Lazar , Zelenović Vasiljević Tamara , Milenković Nemanja
Published: February 2022

Purpose – Tourism industry is facing unexpected economic consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, indicating the need for knowledge that would support the crisis management in rapidly changed market conditions. Such difficulties increased the managers’ and decision makers’ anxiety and put a pressure on actions with uncertain outcomes. Tourism has become a top priority in Serbia, which is supported by the fact that Novi Sad was declared European Capital of Culture (ECoC) 2021. Authors analyzed the consequences on the ECoC Novi Sad (Serbia). Methodology – The research was conducted in the form of interviews with representatives of the leading institutions related to the ECoC project and tourism of the City of Novi Sad, institutions in the field of the ECoC project management, tourism and creative industries, as well as the leading institution for tourist promotion of the City. Findings – The main findings are indicating the fact that respondents’ marketing and management concepts, applied in the previous year of the crisis, are proactive and reflected in the following activities: planning, organizing, communicating, controlling. The main issues were related to the following topics: Modifications in the business since the moment when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared until today; Assessment of the travel risk/benefit perception and activities related to mitigation/exploitation of such circumstances and; Recommendations in the field of the crisis management segment for the next ECoC. Contribution – This research will focus on building a knowledge base for various stakeholders from different sectors in terms of developing the guidelines for the risk management strategies.
THE CONVERGENCE OF CROATIA’S WELLNESS TOURISM OFFER TOWARDS BENCHMARK DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE: PERCEPTION OF WELLNESS EXPERTS
Authors: Ferjanić Hodak Danijela , Kesar Oliver , Matečić Ingeborg
Published: February 2022

Purpose – The intent of this study was to compare the extent to which Croatia’s wellness tourism products are comparable to those in the leading wellness destinations in Europe. The purpose of this paper is to explore wellness experts' perception of possibilities and limitations of Croatia's convergence to contemporary wellness trends, to explore willingness and intention of service providers to improve their wellness tourism products, and to provide some policy recommendations that would bring Croatia's wellness destinations closer to benchmark wellness destinations in Europe. Methodology – This qualitative research is based on primary and secondary data collection. A desk research method was used to identify the key trends, select benchmark destinations, and to analyze Croatia’s wellness tourism offer. For primary data collection, a focus group was used to explore experts' perception on wellness tourism offer in Croatia and willingness and intention of wellness service providers to improve their offer according to global trends. Findings – The research proved that wellness is still an increasingly attractive tourism product, but also revealed large variations in its quality across Europe. Although Croatia’s wellness tourism offer suffers from mediocrity, absence of standards and vision of future development, it has significant potentials to become internationally competitive. Contribution – The main contribution of this research is four-fold: 1) provides overview of new market trends in wellness business, 2) enables insight into current state and ways of improvement of wellness tourism offer in Croatia, 3) discusses intention of wellness managers to improve wellness tourism offer, and 4) provides some policy recommendations to improve its convergence towards global standards and best practices.
IMAGE FORMATION IN RURAL TOURISM DESTINATION
Authors: Pavlić Ivana , Portolan Ana , Puh Barbara
Published: February 2022

Purpose – Tourism can be an efficient factor of quality and sustainable development especially in the countryside. Nowadays many rural communities are facing agriculture decline and tourism can enable a new concept of economic development. Rural tourism is multifaceted since it can consolidate agriculture, forestry, farming, heritage with numerous and various tourism activities far away from urban center and mass tourism. Forming positive tourism image in such destination is essential. The focal purpose of this paper is to empirically test a concept of rural tourism destination image formation which did not fully commercialize their potential as a tourism destination and to define the relationship between different parameters and the image of rural tourism destination. Methodology – For the purpose of identification the relationship amidst different parameters and rural tourism destination image empirical research has been conducted applying accessible deliberate sample of tourists (600) who had visited rural areas near famous world tourism destination - Dubrovnik, Croatia in a period June 2017 - January 2018. 534 questionnaires were found to be fulfilled correctly and were used in further analysis. Data were analyzed in three steps. First, to detect the sub dimensions of affective and cognitive determinants of image exploratory factor analysis was enforced. Secondly, to test validity of the dimension of the different image components, confirmatory factor analysis was used. Thirdly, structural equation modeling was used to examine which dimension has important influence on the rural tourism destination overall. Findings – The findings suggest several differences among various analyzed image dimensions. The affective dimension of the image has an important aspect in image formation and has significant influence on the rural tourism destination overall image. Contribution – The results of this paper have provided useful strategic direction for the rural tourism destination in order to improve their competitiveness. To upgrade the current image into the marketing strategy, affective image dimension of the rural tourism destination such as experience should be presented in the further marketing communication of the regional and national tourist boards.
STANDARDIZATION OF SERVICES AS KEY COMPONENTS OF CYCLING TOURISM DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Slavić Nataša , Ivek Tanja
Published: February 2022

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to suggest a development scenario for cycling tourism destinations in the form of a model with identified stages, stakeholders, and activities, contingent upon regional commitment and supported by EU funding. Its purpose is to evaluate the role of service standardization in cycling tourism destination development from the stakeholder perspective. Methodology – This paper uses the case study approach in capturing practical implications of reallife regional tourism development. The conceptual model is a result of the conducted study and analysis that included qualitative data from strategic documents, implemented actions, and onsite observations, as well as the opinions, attitudes, and suggestions of tourism development stakeholders. Proposed is a more general and widely applicable cycling tourism development model, built around service standardization as the key component. Findings – Not all regional stakeholders (primarily service providers) demonstrate willingness to adapt to cycling tourism standardization, regardless of the simplicity of criteria for a basic (entrance) level of standardization. Interestingly, service providers that already cater to cycling tourists (or have attempted to) and have adopted some kind of service customization are more responsive to regional standardization initiative. Research results confirm the standpoint of the conceptual model that service standardization plays a key role in cycling tourism development. Contribution – This research provides more insight into the stakeholder perspective of cycling tourism development. Capturing stakeholder behaviour and attitudes towards service standardization as part of the strategic regional tourism development model offers practical and managerial implications for destination management and other (potential) actors in cycling tourism development. Research results indicate that service standardization is the key component of the destination’s cycling tourism development model, influenced by top-down development planning, stakeholder-involvement, and collaborative efforts at each stage.
HOTEL'S WEB SITE HEALTH AUDIT AND PAGES DISTRIBUTION BY THEIR STATUS: AN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH OF FIVE STAR HOTELS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
Authors: Šimunić Mislav
Published: February 2022

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to indicate the importance of direct online booking in the structure of hotel online booking channels. In this context, this paper explores the relationship between quality of websites and the amount of online direct bookings through hotel websites. Methodology – Empirical Research was conducted by qualitative multidimensional analysis of 5* hotel websites in the Republic of Croatia. This process is made up of numerous analytical subprocesses such as web site health, user engagement, user experience, traffic, functionality, website performance and other. In this paper the focus is on the Hotel’s web site healt audit. Hotel’s web site health audits aims to analyze the overall health of web pages within web site while discovering all issues that hotel should be aware of. The authors' research was conducted using Semrush analytical platform for improving search engine visibility. Findings – The results of the empirical research show the distribution of web pages within the analyzed web sites according to their qualitative status. Interpretation of the research results explains the impact on the structure of online booking channels in hotel business and applicability in theory and practice. Contribution – The scientific contribution stems from empirical research that defines the way and space to improve direct online hotel bookings through own web site in terms of improving web site performances.
Fabrication Methods of the Polygonal Masonry of Large Tightly Fitted Stone Blocks with Curved Surface Interfaces in Megalithic Structures of Peru
Authors: Lapshin Rostislav
Published: February 2022

The article suggests methods that allow creating the most complicated type of polygonal masonry found in Peru. This masonry consists of large stone blocks weighing from several hundred kilograms to several tons fitted close to each other almost without a gap between complicated curved surfaces of large area. The work provides a description of techniques, which apparently were used by builders who arrived from Europe. The techniques under discussion are based on the use of a reduced clay model, 3D-pantograph and replicas. The use of a reduced clay model and a pantograph provides not only the unique appearance and high quality of masonry with large blocks, but also allows to significantly increase the productivity of the builders. As machines scaling three-dimensional objects are known since the beginning of the 18th century, the stone structures under consideration should be dated by that and later time. The remaining simpler types of polygonal masonry with smaller stones or fitted surfaces are almost flat, or stones contact with each other by a small area, or there are significant gaps between stones, are quite consistent with the well-known methods of stone processing of those and earlier years, and, therefore, they do not require any additional explanations.
Theoretical DFT Study of the Antioxidant Activity of Five Plant Food Benzoic Acid Derivatives: Dearomatization and Stability of H Abstraction Radicals
Authors: Isamura Bienfait Kabuyaya , Patouossa Issofa , Elaka Isaac Kaba , Matondo Aristote , Mpiana Pius Tshimankinda
Published: February 2022

This study reports a computational investigation on the antioxidant activity of five plant food benzoic acid derivatives, namely gallic acid (GA), para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), protocatechuic acid (PCA), syringic acid (SA), and vanillic acid (VA). Based on computed thermodynamics parameters, a detailed comparative debate is developed concerning their free radical scavenging activity in the gas phase and polar solutions (in water and methanol solvents). This discussion goes on to elucidate both the most preferred mechanism and the order of antioxidant activity for these molecules in each environment. Paradoxically, calculations using the harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) suggest that H abstraction radicals gain in stability as the central benzene ring loses in structural aromaticity. Finally, spin densities and fukui function f0 seem to be good indicators of the local reactivity of these compounds towards free radicals.
Home-Field Advantage of Litter Decomposition Faded 5-10 Years After Spruce Forest Clearcutting
Authors: Zhuang Liyan , Schnepf Andrea , Unger Kirsten , Liang Ziyi , Bol Roland
Published: February 2022

Home-field advantage (HFA) encompasses all the processes leading to faster litter decomposition in the 'home' environment as compared to that of ‘away’ environments. To determine the occurrence of HFA in a forest and adjacent clear-cut, we set up a reciprocal litter decomposition experiment within the forest and clear-cut for two soil types (Cambisols and Gleysols) in temperate Germany. The forest was dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies), whereas forest regeneration of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) after clearcutting was encouraged. Our observation that Norway spruce decomposed faster than European beech in 70-yr-old spruce forest, was therefore most likely related to specialized litter-microbial interaction under existing spruce, and leading to a HFA. The ‘spruce’ microbial biome and soil conditions of original forest were then rapidly changed even after a short-term regeneration following clearcutting, resulting in faster beech decomposition also masking any HFA for spruce, particularly in moisture- and nutrient-deficient Cambisols. Divergence between forest and clear-cut in the Cambisol of their litter δ15N values beyond 9 months, implied litter N decomposition was only initially independent of soil and residual C status. We conclude that clearcutting modifies HFA and helps promote the establishment or regeneration of European beech in this and similar forest mountain upland areas.
Absenteeism among Nursing Technicians from a Regional Reference Hospital in a Countryside of Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Ximenes Neto Franciso Rosemiro Guimarães , Sabino Francisca Nelyana da Silva , Machado Maria Helena , Lourenção Luciano Garcia , Santos Francisco Diogenes dos , Vasconcelos Layse Fernandes Queiroz , Oliveira Eliany Nazaré , Fontenele Júnior Antônio Ademar Moreira , Freire Neyson Pinheiro , Cunha Isabel Cristina Kowal Olm , Ferreira-Serafim Tarciana , Santos Betânia Maria Pereira dos , Gomes Antonio Marcos Freire , Brolini Gilvan , Oliveira Jacqueline Flores de , Sasaki Natalia Sperli Geraldes Marin dos Santos , Santos Maria de Lourdes Sperli Geraldes , Rodrigues Sidiane Teixeira , Penha José Gustavo Monteiro , Galvão Daniela Menezes , Carvalho Taisa Moitinho de
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to identify the most relevant factors of absenteeism in the perception of nursing technicians from a regional reference hospital in Brazil. A cross-sectional study, based on a case study, was conducted from August 2018 to July 2021, with 324 nursing technicians from a Brazilian macroregional reference hospital in Northwestern Ceará. Data were collected through Google Forms® via the Scale of Factors of Work Absenteeism (EFAL). For data analysis, the overall mean and means of the four EFAL factors were calculated. The individuals were grouped by rating level and data were presented descriptively. The results showed that fatigue, low pay, work overload, need to resolve unpostponable personal/family bureaucratic matters, and need for time to continue/post-graduate education were the main causes of absenteeism. In general, nursing technicians' perceptions varied between low and medium relevance to the factors that contributed to work absenteeism. We can associate these results to the low frequency of absen-teeism among the professionals of the institution.
Preparation of Ti-46Al-8Nb Alloy Ingots beyond Laboratory Scale Based on BaZrO3 Refractory Crucible
Authors: Duan Baohua , Mao Lu , Yang Yuchen , Feng Qisheng , Zhang Xuexian , Li Haitao , Jiao Lina , Zhang Rulin , Lu Xionggang , Chen Guangyao , Li Chonghe
Published: February 2022

The high Nb-containing TiAl-based alloy ingot beyond laboratory scale with a composition of Ti-46Al-8Nb (at. %) was prepared by a vacuum induction melting process based on BaZrO3 refractory. An ingot without macroscopic casting defects (such as pipe shrinkage and center line porosity) was finally obtained, and the chemical composition, solidification path, microstructure and tensile properties of the ingots were investigated. The results show that the deviations of Al and Nb content along a 430 mm long central part of the ingot are approximately \mathrm{\pm}0.39 at. % and \mathrm{\pm}0.14 at. %, and the oxygen content in the ingot can be controlled at around 1000 ppm. During the solidification process, the alloy suffered from peritectic reaction and formed columnar grains with anisotropy. In addition to Al segregation and Nb segregation, β-phase particles associated with γ phase at the triple junction of the colonies were observed. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the ingot in the transverse direction are significantly better than those in the longitudinal direction, with a tensile strength of up to high as 700 MPa and a corresponding fracture elongation of 1.1 %.
Utilizing Genomic Selection for Wheat Population Development and Improvement
Authors: Merrick Lance F. , Herr Andrew W. , Sandhu Karansher S. , Lozada Dennis N. , Carter Arron H.
Published: February 2022

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs can take over a decade to release a new variety. However, new methods of selection such as genomic selection (GS) must be integrated to decrease the time it takes to release new varieties to meet the demand of a growing population. The implementation of GS into breeding programs is still being explored, with many studies showing its potential to change wheat breeding through achieving higher genetic gain. In this review, we explore the integration of GS for a wheat breeding program by redesigning the traditional breeding pipeline to implement GS. We propose implementing a two-part breeding strategy by differentiating between population improvement and product development. The implementation of GS in the product development pipeline can be integrated into most stages and can predict within and across breeding cycles. Additionally, we explore optimizing the population improvement strategy through GS recurrent selection schemes to reduce crossing cycle time and significantly increase genetic gain. The recurrent selection schemes can be optimized for parental selection, maintenance of genetic variation, and optimal cross-prediction. Overall, we outline the ability to increase the genetic gain of a breeding program by implementing GS and a two-part breeding strategy.
Core Elements Affecting Sharing Evidence From The European Union
Authors: Lingaitienė Olga , Grybaitė Virginija , Burinskienė Aurelija
Published: February 2022

Sharing activity is getting higher attention due to increasing popularity in recent years. In the paper, the authors investigated the main elements affecting the sharing activity. (1) Literature review: The theoretical part starts from the revision of definitions of sharing activity; description of the links between sharing and sustainable development, policy recommendations and relevant regulation in the field; later on, the study emphasises the key elements important for sharing. Finally, the authors investigated how the Covid-19 pandemic affected sharing activity; (2) Methods: During empirical research, the authors revised the list of 37 variables. The study uses data for each of the 27 EU countries from 2011 to 2020. The authors investigated correlation between macroeconomics variables to determine key variables for the regression model; (3) Results: The authors constructed a dynamic regression model that can be applied to predict the number of participants visiting sharing platforms in the European Union (EU); (4) Conclusions: The study shows that seeking to forecast the number of visits to sharing platforms it is necessary to use values of main macroeconomic variables such as consumer price index, productivity index, total unemployment rate, the number of users and households connected to the Internet, etc.
Early Effects of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Cells in Renal Ischemia Followed by Reperfusion: Mechanisms Rely on the Restoration of the Redox Tissular Environment
Authors: Lopes Jarlene A , Collino Federica , Rodrigues-Ferreira Clara , Sampaio Luzia da Silva , Costa-Sarmento Glória , Wendt Camila H.C. , Almeida Fernando P. , Miranda Kildare R. , Kasai-Brunswick Tais H. , Lindoso Rafael S. , Vieyra Adalberto
Published: February 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) is characterized by intense anion superoxide (O2•-) production and oxidative damage. We investigated whether extracellular vesicles secreted by adipose tissue mesenchymal cells (EVs) administrated during reperfusion can suppress the exacerbated mitochondrial O2•- formation after I/R. We used Wistar rats submitted to bilateral renal arterial clamping (30 min) followed by 24 h of reperfusion. The animals received EVs (I/R+EVs group) or saline, I/R group) in the kidney subcapsular space. The 3rd group was of the false-operated rats (SHAM). Mitochondria were isolated from proximal tubule cells and immediately used. Amplex Red™ was used to measure mitochondrial O2•- formation and MitoTracker® Orange to evaluate Δψ. In vitro studies were carried out by using human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2) co-cultured or not with EVs under hypoxia conditions. Administration of EVs restored O2•- formation to SHAM levels in all mitochondrial functional conditions. The expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase remained unmodified; transcription of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was upregulated. The co-cultures of HK-2 cells with EVs revealed an intense decrease in apoptosis. We conclude that the mechanisms by which EVs recover the renal structure and function after I/R are related to the normalization of the mitochondrial redox environment. The intravesicular catalase is central in the preservation mechanisms that, with the aid of the upregulated antioxidant HO-1/Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 system, depress early processes of cell death after I/R and open new vistas for the treatment of AKI.
Current Research and Challenges in Bitumen Emulsion Manufacturing and Its Properties
Authors: Al-Mohammedawi Ahmed , Mollenhauer Konrad
Published: February 2022

The global increase of road infrastructure and its impact on the environment requires serious attention to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly road materials. One group of those materials is produced by using bitumen emulsion. However, there are still scientific and technical obstacles standing against its regular application. The bitumen emulsion formulation process and compositional optimization are subjected to a high number of degrees of freedom. Consequently, obtaining the desired product is mostly based on a series of random and tedious trials because of the enormous number of tests to be carried out. The current review of the physicochemical formulation may indeed be extensively used in helping to reduce the number of unnecessary experimentations as well as discuss the vital aspects in the bitumen emulsion production process. Among these, emulsion stability, viscosity, droplet size (and distribution), bitumen emulsion chemistry, the function of the emulsion components, surfactant type, acids or alkalis, and additives are all discussed and used to define the emulsion's physical properties and reactivity. Besides, current developments in the mechanisms of breaking and setting processes are also summarized. It is discussed how emulsions are graded based on their reactivity, particle charge, and physical features. Two emulsification techniques are outlined namely the colloid mill method and the High Internal Phase Ratio (HIPR) method. Furthermore, some emulsion formulation tools/theories were identified and are explained. In that way, optimized formulations can be used to offer a practical guide for bitumen emulsion manufacturers when trying to formulate a well-defined bitumen emulsion for its use in pavement infrastructure rather than simply to meet standard specifications. This review paper aims to enable the ultimate potential of the bitumen emulsion in the field of cold recycling technology by further following up the research progress of bitumen emulsion manufacturing, therefore, this paper reviews and discusses the literature available up to now on this topic, in road engineering and emulsion chemistry.
Is Quantum Theory Falsified By Loophole-free Bell Experiments?
Authors: Mardari Ghenadie N.
Published: February 2022

Quantum theory predicts a whole class of non-local phenomena, observable via coincident detection of EPR-type systems. An important feature of these observations is their non-signaling character. Technically, non-local phenomena should only be observable for post-selected sub-ensembles, rather than for complete projections. Otherwise, superluminal telegraphy becomes possible. Yet, a couple of recent Bell experiments reported the observation of quantum non-locality for 100% of the detected events. Does it follow that signaling non-locality is possible? If so, was quantum theory falsified? This puzzle is solved by revisiting the interpretation of the spin projection operator, with special focus on its dual nature (combining spectral decomposition with spectral transformation). “Component switching” is not a loophole, but rather a requirement of quantum mechanics in this context, because sharp spin projections are partial (as well as partially overlapping). Surprisingly, it is possible to pre-select incompatible statistical sub-ensembles with heralded detection and to reveal the same behavior as in post-selected observations. Therefore, Bell experiments confirm the predictions of quantum theory without violating the non-signaling principle.
Machine Learning based Survival Group Prediction in Glioblastoma
Authors: Kalya Manasa , Kel Alexander , Leha Andreas , Altynbekova Kamilya , Wingender Edgar , beissbarth Tim
Published: February 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a very aggressive malignant brain tumor with the vast majority of patients surviving less than 12 months (Short-term survivors [STS]). Only around 2% of patients survive more than 36 months (Long-term survivors [LTS]). Studying these extreme survival groups might help in better understanding GBM biology. This work aims at exploring application of machine learning methods in predicting survival groups(STS, LTS). We used age and gene expression profiles belonging to 249 samples from publicly available datasets. 10 Machine learning methods have been implemented and compared for their performances. Hyperparameter tuned random forest model performed best with accuracy of 80% (AUC of 74% and F1_score of 85%). The performance of this model is validated on external test data of 16 samples. The model predicted the true survival group for 15 samples achieving an accuracy of 93.75%. This classification model is deployed as a web tool GlioSurvML. The top 1500 features which retained classification efficiency (Accuracy of 80%, AUC of 74%) were studied for enriched pathways and disease-causal biomarker associations using the HumanPSDTM database. We identified 199 genes as possible biomarkers of GBM and/or similar diseases (like Glioma, astrocytoma, and others). 57 of these genes are shown to be differentially expressed across survival groups and/or have impact on survival. This work demonstrates the application of machine learning methods in predicting survival groups of GBM.
Generative Adversarial Approach to Urban Areas NDVI Estimation Using Information Exclusively from Structural and Textural Analysis of Panchromatic Orthoimagery: A Case Study of Łódź, Poland
Authors: Adamiak Maciej , Będkowski Krzysztof , Bielecki Adam
Published: February 2022

Generative adversarial networks (GAN) opened new possibilities for image processing and analysis. Inpainting, dataset augmentation using artificial samples or increasing resolution of aerial imagery are only a few notable examples of utilizing GANs in remote sensing. This is due to a unique construction and training process expressed as a duel between GAN components. In the following research, GAN has been applied to enhance panchromatic images with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Panchromatic orthoimagery dataset with NDVI ground-truth labels was prepared by combining RGB and NIR orthophoto. The dataset was then utilized as input for a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) to perform an image-to-image translation. The main goal of the neural network was to generate an artificial NDVI channel for each processed 256px × 256px patch using only information available in the panchromatic imagery. The network achieved 0.9869 ± 0.0099 SSIM, 47.1635643 ± 4.0527963 PNSR and 0.0048023 ± 0.0018756 RSME on the test set. Perceptual evaluation was performed to verify the usability of the method when working with a real-life scenario. The research confirms that the structure and texture of the panchromatic aerial remote sensing image contains sufficient information for NDVI estimation for various objects of urban space. Even though these results can be used to highlight areas rich in vegetation and distinguish them from urban background, there is still room for improvement in terms of accuracy of estimated values.
Dataset Documenting the Interactions of Biochar with Manure, Soil, and Plants: Towards Improved Sustainability of Animal and Crop Agriculture
Authors: Bonds Darcy , Koziel Jacek A. , De Mriganka , Chen Baitong , Singh Asheesh K. , Licht Mark A.
Published: February 2022

Plant and animal agriculture is a part of a larger system where the environment, soil, water, nutrient management interact. Biochar (a pyrolyzed biomass) has been shown to affect the single components of this complex system positively. Biochar is a soil amendment, which has been documented for its benefits as soil enhancer particularly to increase soil carbon, improve soil fertility, and better nutrient retention. These effects have been documented in the literature. Still, there is a need for a broader examination of these single components and effects that aims at the complementarity and synergy attainable with biochar and the animal and crop production system. Thus, we report a comprehensive dataset documenting the interactions of biochar with manure, soil, and plants. We evaluated three biochars mixed with manure alongside both manure and soil controls for improvement in soil quality, reduction in nutrient movement, and increase in plant nutrient availability. We explain the experiments and the dataset which contains the physicochemical properties of each biochar-manure mixture, the physicochemical properties of soil amended with each biochar-manure mixture, and the biomass and nutrient information of plants grown in biochar-manure mixture amended soil. This dataset is useful for continued research examining both the short and long-term effects of biochar-manure mixtures on both plant and soil systems. In addition, these data will be beneficial to extent the findings to field settings for practical and realized gains.
Farmers’ Participatory Evaluation of Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation Method on the Greenhouse Gas Emission, Water Productivity and Paddy Yield in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Mobarak , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul
Published: February 2022

In dry season paddy farming, the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation improves water productivity, paddy production, and has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions when compared to continuous flooding (CF). However, there is a lack of research in Bangladesh on the effects of water management on CH4 and N2O emissions. During November 2017–April 2018, participatory on-farm trials were conducted at Feni and Chattogram districts of Bangladesh. Total 105 farmers comprising 20-hectare of land (62 farmers at Feni and 43 farmers at Chattogram district, each location having 10 hectare of land). We compared irrigation water and cost reductions, paddy yield, and CH4 and N2O emissions from paddy fields irrigated using AWD and CF irrigation methods. The CH4 and N2O emissions were determined using the Cool Farm Beta-3 methodology, and the global warming potential (GWP) was estimated using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-2014 standard approach. The mean results of randomly selected 30 farmers from two locations (15 of each) showed that AWD remarkably decreased irrigation water consumption by about 24% and increased water productivity by 224%. We estimated 23% savings for irrigation costs in AWD. By this time, AWD improved paddy production by 3% over CF. The AWD irrigation resulted in a 47% reduction in cumulative CH4 emissions having a lower CH4 emission factor (0.74 kg ha-1 day-1) than CF (1.39 kg ha-1 day-1). There was no obvious difference in N2O emission between AWD and CF. When compared to CF, AWD decreased the overall GWP by 27% and lowered the GHG intensity by 42%. The CH4 and N2O emissions did not differ substantially between Feni and Chattogram.
Magnetic Entropic Forces Emerging in the System of Elementary Magnets Exposed to the Magnetic Field
Authors: Bormashenko Edward
Published: February 2022

Temperature dependent entropic force acting between the straight direct current I and the linear system (string with length of L) of N elementary non-interacting magnets/spins μ is reported. The system of elementary magnets is supposed to be in the thermal equilibrium with the infinite thermal bath T. The entropic force at large distance from the current is given by Fmagnen=Nμ02μ2I24π2kBTr3 , where r is the distance between the edge of the string and the current I, and kB is the Boltzmann constant; (r≫L is adopted). The entropic magnetic force is the repulsion force. The entropic magnetic force scales as Fmagnen~1T , which is unusual for entropic forces. The effect of “entropic pressure” is predicted for the situation when the source of the magnetic field is embedded into the continuous media, comprising elementary magnets/spins.
Testing A Conjecture On Quantum Electrodynamics
Authors: Schiller Christoph
Published: February 2022

A geometric Planck-scale model of quantum electrodynamics is tested against observations. Based on Dirac’s proposal to describe spin 1/2 particles as tethered objects, elementary fermions are conjectured to be fluctuating rational tangles with unobservable tethers. As Battey-Pratt and Racey showed, when such tangles propagate, they obey the free Dirac equation. Classifying rational tangles yields the observed spectrum of elementary fermions. Classifying deformations of tangle cores yields exactly three types of gauge interactions. They exchange three types of elementary gauge bosons and have the symmetry groups U(1), broken SU(2) and SU(3). The possible rational tangles for fermions, Higgs and gauge bosons allow only the observed Feynman diagrams. The complete Lagrangian of the standard model arises, including the Lagrangian of quantum electrodynamics. Over 50 tests of the tangle model are deduced. They include details on the perturbation expansion of the g-factor and the existence of limit values for electric and magnetic fields. Measurements agree with most tests, though this could change in the future. Some tests are genuine predictions that still need to be checked. In particular, the geometry of the process occurring at QED interaction vertices suggests an ab-initio estimate for the fine structure constant. In addition, the average geometric shapes of the elementary particle tangles suggest ab-initio lower and upper limits for the mass values of the electron and the other leptons.
Unfathomable: The shifting sand of wave base
Authors: Rankey Eugene C. , Appendini Christian M.
Published: February 2022

Notions of fair-weather, storm, and swell wave bases are ubiquitous in interpretations of wave-dominated siliciclastic shelves, carbonate ramps, and mixed-systems deposits that are present throughout the geologic record. A review of literature, observations of several modern and ancient depositional systems, and numerical hydrodynamic models reveal the roles of sediment grade, bathymetric irregularities, and depositional gradient on the variable depths to which waves leave a sedimentologically discernible record. They reveal that wave-induced horizontal particle velocities and estimates of wave effectiveness form a continuous spectrum with depth, with a lack of distinct subdivision into fair-weather and storm conditions. Although commonly ascribed to “fair-weather wave base,” the depth above which sediment is persistently agitated or winnowed also is shaped by bathymetric gradient, direction of wave approach, tides, and currents, as well as sediment grade. Similarly, even with identical waves, the maximum depth of initiation of sediment movement, e.g., effective wave base, is not directly comparable among shelves, or even within the same shelf through time, because hydrodynamic processes are encoded differently by shelves of variable morphology and sedimentology.

The numerical models further suggest possible geomorphology–hydrodynamics–sediment linkages. Relative to steeper shelves impacted by identical waves, shelves of shallower gradient favor lower-energy seafloor conditions, likely accompanied by accumulation of finer or muddier sediment, thinner sandy shoreface accumulations, or both. Given that many stratigraphic accumulations from the parasequence to composite-sequence scale steepen upward with time, this conceptual model predicts an apparent increase in wave energy on the seafloor through time for individual progradational shorelines, even with constant waves.