bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Uncertainty Assessment of Human Health Risk for Toxic Trace Elements Using a Sequential Indicator Simulation in Farmland Soils
Authors: Yang Hao , Song Yingqiang , Zhu A-Xing , Hu Yueming , Li Bo
Published: May 2020

Toxic trace elements in farmland soils are potential threats to human health. In this study, we collected soil samples from the farmlands of southern Guangzhou. We used a sequential indicator simulation (SIS) to deal with the problem of skewed distribution in the sample data. We assessed the human health risks, as well as the uncertainties, of five toxic trace elements: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). The results were as follows: (1) The risk indices of two trace elements (Cd and Hg) were less than the standard threshold, which means that there was no human health risk due to Cd and Hg in the study area. However, the maximum risk indices of As, Cr, and Pb exceeded the standard threshold. In particular, the maximum risk index of Pb was twice the standard threshold; (2) The risk probabilities of As and Cr were less than 25% in most areas, and only a few parcels of farmland have a 100% risk probability. The risk map of Pb was used to identify contiguous areas of high-risk probability (i.e., 75%–100%) in the center of the study area. (3) E-type estimation by the SIS method overestimates the risk when the number of samples with concentrations above the threshold have a large proportion of total samples. Our conclusions are as follows: (1) The simulation results show that areas with high-risk indices were concentrated in the Panyu District, which is close to the Pearl River and the core urban area of Guangzhou; (2) Except for Pb, these trace elements are not likely to pose health risks in southern Guangzhou; (3) This study considers the risk probability found with the SIS method to be more reliable for visualizing regional risk.
Sustainable Agriculture and Its Implementation Gap—Overcoming Obstacles to Implementation
Authors: Siebrecht Norman
Published: May 2020

There are numerous studies and publications about sustainable agriculture. Many papers argue that sustainable agriculture is necessary, and analyze how this goal could be achieved. At the same time, studies question the sustainability of agriculture. Several obstacles, including theoretical, methodological, personal, and practical issues, hinder or slow down implementation, resulting in the so-called implementation gap. This study addresses potential obstacles that limit the implementation of sustainable agriculture in practice. To overcome the obstacles and to improve implementation, different solutions and actions are required. This study aims to illustrate ways of minimizing or removing obstacles and how to overcome the implementation gap. Unfortunately, the diversity of obstacles and their complexity mean there are no quick and easy solutions. A broader approach that addresses different dimensions and stakeholders is required. Areas of action include institutionalization, assessment and system development, education and capacity building, and social and political support. To realize the suggestions and recommendations and to improve implementation, transdisciplinary work and cooperation between many actors are required.
Chern-Simons Current of Left and Right Chiral Superspace in Graphene Wormhole
Authors: Capozziello Salvatore , Pinčák Richard , Bartoš Erik
Published: May 2020

Starting from the basic definitions of Chern-Simons current, it is possible to calculate its values with a quantum machine learning approach, the so-called supersymmetric support Dirac machine. The related supercurrent is generated from the coupling between three states of the quantum flux of a modified Wilson loop of Cooper pairs. We adopt the Holo-Hilbert spectrum, in frequency modulation, to visualize the network as the coupling of convolutional neuron network in a superstatistic theory where the theory of superconductors is applied. According to this approach, it is possible to calculate the number of carbon atoms in the spinor network of a graphene wormhole. A supercurrent of Cooper pairs is produced as graviphoton states by using the Holo-Hilbert spectral analysis.
Similar Seismic Activities Analysis by Using Complex Networks Approach
Authors: He Xuan , Wang Luyang , Liu Zheng , Liu Yiwen
Published: May 2020

Seismic activities show a space-time symmetry in some research. They have been recently studied using complex network theory. Earthquake network similarity is studied by us from seismic catalogs in the same region for a given period of time. In this paper, we first calculate the distance between feature vectors which represent the topological properties of different networks. A hierarchical clustering of earthquake networks in the same region is shown by using this method. It is found that similar networks are not the networks of adjacent years but those with decades time difference. To study the period of similar earthquake networks in the same region, we use wavelet analysis to obtain the possible periods at different time scales of the regions of the world, California and Japan. It is found that some of the possible periods are consistent with the results which have been already found by seismologists. The study of similar seismic activities from the perspective of the complex network will help seismologists to study the law of earthquake occurrence in a new way, which may provide possible research thinking for earthquake prediction.
Microstructure Evaluation and Constitutive Modeling of AISI-1045 Steel for Flow Stress Prediction under Hot Working Conditions
Authors: Murugesan Mohanraj , Sajjad Muhammad , Jung Dong Won
Published: May 2020

In the field of engineering, automobile and aerospace components are manufactured based on the desired applications from the metal forming process. For producing better quality of both symmetry and asymmetry mechanical parts, understanding the material deformation and analytical representation of the material ductility behavior for the working material is necessary as the forming procedures carried out mostly in the warm processing conditions. In this work, the hot tensile test flow stress-strain data were utilized to construct the constitutive equation for describing AISI-1045 steel material hot deformation behavior, and the test conditions, such as deformation temperatures and strain rates were 750–950 ° C and 0.05–1.0 s − 1 , respectively. The surface morphology and elemental identification analysis were performed using the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping setup. In this work, the Arrhenius-type constitutive equation, including the strain compensation, was used to formulate the flow stress prediction model for capturing the material behavior. Besides, the Zener-Hollomon parameter was altered, employing incorporating the effect of strain rate and strain on the flow stress. The empirical model approach was employed to estimate the material model constants from the constitutive equation using the actual test measurements. The population metrics such as coefficient of determination ( R 2 ), sample standard deviation of the error (SSD), standard error of the regression (SER), coefficient of residual variation (CRV), and average absolute relative error (AARE) was employed to confirm the predictability of the proposed models. The computed results are discussed in detail, using numerical and graphical verification’s. From the graphical comparison, the flow stress-strain data achieved from the proposed constitutive model are in good agreement with the actual test measurements. The constitutive model prediction accuracy is found to be improved, like the prediction error range from 3.678% to 2.984%. This evidence proves to be feasible as the newly developed model displayed a significant improvement against the experimental observations.
A Two-Stage Routing Protocol for Partitioned Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Islam Tariq , Park Seok-Hwan
Published: May 2020

Constraints of the underwater environment pose certain challenges to the design of routing protocols for underwater sensor networks. One such constraint is free mobility of sensor nodes with water currents. Free mobility and asymmetric acoustic propagation characteristics may lead to network partitioning which results in one or more nodes being unable to connect to the rest of the network and thus unable to report their sensed data. In this work, we propose a two-stage routing protocol to enable not only the connected nodes but also the partitioned nodes to successfully report their data thus improving the overall packet delivery ratio. We also introduce a minimum energy threshold and a rerouting scheme to delay death of busier nodes, thereby ensuring that nodes stay alive longer for their sensing job, and to avoid connectivity holes, respectively. Moreover, we also resolve forwarding loops to avoid the unnecessary waste of resources. Our results show that the proposed scheme successfully resolves network partitions and achieves a higher packet delivery ratio while avoiding early death of sensor nodes.
The Emergence of Chaos in Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Fiordilino Emilio
Published: May 2020

Nonlinearity in Quantum Mechanics may have extrinsic or intrinsic origins and is a liable route to a chaotic behaviour that can be of difficult observations. In this paper, we propose two forms of nonlinear Hamiltonian, which explicitly depend upon the phase of the wave function and produce chaotic behaviour. To speed up the slow manifestation of chaotic effects, a resonant laser field assisting the time evolution of the systems causes cumulative effects that might be revealed, at least in principle. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation is solved within the two-state approximation; the solution displays features with characteristics similar to those found in chaotic Classical Mechanics: sensitivity on the initial state, dense power spectrum, irregular filling of the Poincaré map and exponential separation of the trajectories of the Bloch vector σ in the Bloch sphere.
Power Generation, Efficiency and Thermal Stress of Thermoelectric Module with Leg Geometry, Material, Segmentation and Two-Stage Arrangement
Authors: Lee Moo-Yeon , Seo Jae-Hyeong , Lee Ho-Seong , Garud Kunal Sandip
Published: May 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the power generation, efficiency, and thermal stress of a thermoelectric module with leg geometry, material, segmentation, and two-stage arrangement. The effects of leg geometry, material, segmentation, and two-stage arrangement on maximum power, maximum efficiency, and maximum stress under various temperature differences and voltage load conditions were investigated. The performance parameters of the thermoelectric module were evaluated based on a numerical approach using ANSYS 19.1 commercial software. An analytical approach based on theoretical equations of the thermoelectric module was used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the numerical approach. The numerically predicted values for maximum power and maximum efficiency of the thermoelectric module were validated as ±5% and those for the maximum thermal stress of the thermoelectric module as ±7% with the corresponding calculated theoretical values. In addition, the predicted values of maximum power and maximum stress of the thermoelectric module were validated as ±2% and ±5%, respectively, with studies reported by Ma et al. and Al-Merbati et al. Of all the combinations, the single stage segmented arrangement with cylindrical leg geometry and SiGe+Bi2Te3 material was suggested as the best combination with maximum power of 0.73 W, maximum efficiency of 13.2%, and maximum thermal stress of 0.694 GPa.
Trajectory Planning for Mechanical Systems Based on Time-Reversal Symmetry
Authors: Ozana Stepan , Docekal Tomas , Kawala-Sterniuk Aleksandra , Mozaryn Jakub , Schlegel Milos , Raj Akshaya
Published: May 2020

The generation of feasible trajectories poses an eminent task in the field of control design in mechanical systems. The paper demonstrates innovative approach in trajectory planning for mechanical systems via time-reversal symmetry. It also presents two case studies: mass-spring-damper and inverted pendulum on the cart. As real systems break the time-reversal symmetry, the authors of this work propose a unique method in order to overcome this drawback. It computes a feed-forward reference control signal and state trajectories. The proposed solution enables compensation for the effects of couplings, which break the time-symmetry by a special proposed measure. The method suppresses the overall open-loop accumulated error and produces high-quality favorable control and state trajectories. Furthermore, the existence of the designed control signal and state trajectories is guaranteed if the equations of the motion have a solution in the direct flow of time.
HPLC-MS/MS Method for the Detection of Selected Toxic Metabolites Produced by Penicillium spp. in Nuts
Authors: Spadaro Davide , Meloni Giovanna Roberta , Siciliano Ilenia , Prencipe Simona , Gullino Maria Lodovica
Published: May 2020

Penicillium spp. are emerging as producers of mycotoxins and other toxic metabolites in nuts. A HPLC-MS/MS method was developed to detect 19 metabolites produced by Penicillium spp. on chestnuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds. Two extraction methods were developed, one for chestnuts and one for the other three nuts. The recovery, LOD, LOQ and matrix effect were determined for each analyte and matrix. Correlation coefficients were always >99.99%. In walnuts, a strong signal suppression was observed for most analytes and patulin could not be detected. Six strains: Penicillium bialowiezense, P. brevicompactum, P. crustosum, P. expansum, P. glabrum and P. solitum, isolated from chestnuts, were inoculated on four nuts. Chestnuts favored the production of the largest number of Penicillium toxic metabolites. The method was used for the analysis of 41 commercial samples: 71% showed to be contaminated by Penicillium-toxins. Cyclopenin and cyclopenol were the most frequently detected metabolites, with an incidence of 32% and 68%, respectively. Due to the risk of contamination of nuts with Penicillium-toxins, future studies and legislation should consider a larger number of mycotoxins.
Genomic Analyses of Human Sapoviruses Detected over a 40-Year Period Reveal Disparate Patterns of Evolution among Genotypes and Genome Regions
Authors: Tohma Kentaro , Kulka Michael , Coughlan Suzie , Green Kim Y. , Parra Gabriel I.
Published: May 2020

Human sapovirus is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups. The use of full-length viral genomes has proven beneficial to investigate evolutionary dynamics and transmission chains. In this study, we developed a full-length genome sequencing platform for human sapovirus and sequenced the oldest available strains (collected in the 1970s) to analyse diversification of sapoviruses. Sequence analyses from five major genotypes (GI.1, GI.2, GII.1, GII.3, and GIV.1) showed limited intra-genotypic diversification for over 20–40 years. The accumulation of amino acid mutations in VP1 was detected for GI.2 and GIV.1 viruses, while having a similar rate of nucleotide evolution to the other genotypes. Differences in the phylogenetic clustering were detected between RdRp and VP1 sequences of our archival strains as well as other reported putative recombinants. However, the lack of the parental strains and differences in diversification among genomic regions suggest that discrepancies in the phylogenetic clustering of sapoviruses could be explained, not only by recombination, but also by disparate nucleotide substitution patterns between RdRp and VP1 sequences. Together, this study shows that, contrary to noroviruses, sapoviruses present limited diversification by means of intra-genotype variation and recombination.
Recombinant Myxoma Virus Expressing Walleye Dermal Sarcoma Virus orfC Is Attenuated in Rabbits
Authors: Ashton Laura V. , Quackenbush Sandra L. , Castle Jake , Wilson Garin , McCoy Jasmine , Jordan Mariah , MacNeill Amy L.
Published: May 2020

The poxvirus, myxoma virus (MYXV) has shown efficacy as an oncolytic virus (OV) in some cancer models. However, MYXV replication within murine cancer models and spontaneous canine sarcomas is short-lived. In mice, successful treatment of tumors requires frequent injections with MYXV. We hypothesize that treatment of cancer with a recombinant MYXV that promotes apoptosis could improve the efficacy of MYXV. The orfC gene of walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV), which induces apoptosis, was recombined into the MYXV genome (MYXVorfC). A marked increase in apoptosis was observed in cells infected with MYXVorfC. To ensure that expression of WDSV orfC by MYXV does not potentiate the pathogenesis of MYXV, we evaluated the effects of MYXVorfC inoculation in the only known host of MYXV, New Zealand white rabbits. Virus dissemination in rabbit tissues was similar for MYXVorfC and MYXV. Virus titers recovered from tissues were lower in MYXVorfC-infected rabbits as compared to MYXV-infected rabbits. Importantly, rabbits infected with MYXVorfC had a delayed onset of clinical signs and a longer median survival time than rabbits infected with MYXV. This study indicates that MYXVorfC is attenuated and suggests that MYXVorfC will be safe to use as an OV therapy in future studies.
TRiC/CCT Complex, a Binding Partner of NS1 Protein, Supports the Replication of Zika Virus in Both Mammalians and Mosquitoes
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Uraki Ryuta , Hwang Jesse , Fikrig Erol
Published: May 2020

Mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause congenital microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome, among other symptoms. Specific treatments and vaccines for ZIKV are not currently available. To further understand the host factors that support ZIKV replication, we used mass spectrometry to characterize mammalian proteins that associate with the ZIKV NS1 protein and identified the TRiC/CCT complex as an interacting partner. Furthermore, the suppression of CCT2, one of the critical components of the TRiC/CCT complex, inhibited ZIKV replication in both mammalian cells and mosquitoes. These results highlight an important role for the TRiC/CCT complex in ZIKV infection, suggesting that the TRiC/CCT complex may be a promising therapeutic target.
The Effects of Pre-Existing Antibodies on Live-Attenuated Viral Vaccines
Authors: Mok Darren Z. L. , Chan Kuan Rong
Published: May 2020

Live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) have achieved remarkable successes in controlling virus spread, as well as for other applications such as cancer immunotherapy. However, with rapid increases in international travel, globalization, geographic spread of viral vectors, and widespread use of vaccines, there is an increasing need to consider how pre-exposure to viruses which share similar antigenic regions can impact vaccine efficacy. Pre-existing antibodies, derived from either from maternal–fetal transmission, or by previous infection or vaccination, have been demonstrated to interfere with vaccine immunogenicity of measles, adenovirus, and influenza LAVs. Immune interference of LAVs can be caused by the formation of virus–antibody complexes that neutralize virus infection in antigen-presenting cells, or by the cross-linking of the B-cell receptor with the inhibitory receptor, FcγRIIB. On the other hand, pre-existing antibodies can augment flaviviral LAV efficacy such as that of dengue and yellow fever virus, especially when pre-existing antibodies are present at sub-neutralizing levels. The increased vaccine immunogenicity can be facilitated by antibody-dependent enhancement of virus infection, enhancing virus uptake in antigen-presenting cells, and robust induction of innate immune responses that promote vaccine immunogenicity. This review examines the literature on this topic and examines the circumstances where pre-existing antibodies can inhibit or enhance LAV efficacy. A better knowledge of the underlying mechanisms involved could allow us to better manage immunization in seropositive individuals and even identify possibilities that could allow us to exploit pre-existing antibodies to boost vaccine-induced responses for improved vaccine efficacy.
How to Account for the Human Motion to Improve Flood Risk Assessment in Urban Areas
Authors: Bernardini Gabriele , Quagliarini Enrico
Published: May 2020

Floods are critical disasters affecting urban areas and their users. Interactions with floodwater spreading and built environment features influence the users’ reaction to the emergency, especially during immediate disaster phases (i.e., evacuation). Recent studies tried to define simulation models to evaluate such exposure-related criticalities, assess individuals’ flood risk, and propose risk-mitigation strategies aimed at supporting the community’s proper response. Although they generally include safety issues (e.g., human body stability), such tools usually adopt a simplified approach to individuals’ motion representation in floodwaters, i.e., using input from non-specialized databases and models. This study provides general modelling approaches to estimate evacuation speed variations depending on individual’s excitement (walking, running), floodwaters depths and individuals’ features (age, gender, height, average speed on dry surfaces). The proposed models prefer a normalized evacuation speeds approach in respect of minimum motion constraint conditions to extend their applicability depending on the individuals’ characteristics. Speed data from previous experiments are organized using linear regression models. Results confirm how individuals’ speed reduces when depth and age increase. The most significant models are discussed to be implemented in evacuation simulation models to describe the evacuees’ motion in floodwaters with different confidence degree levels and then assess the community’s flood risk and risk-reduction strategies effectiveness.
Influencing Factors Analysis of Taiwan Eutrophicated Reservoirs
Authors: Savira Agatha Putri Marsha , Lin Jr-Lin , Chiang Hsieh Lin-Han , Zafirah Yasmin , Andhikaputra Gerry , Wang Yu-Chun
Published: May 2020

Treatment cost and quality of domestic water are highly correlated with raw water quality in reservoirs. This study aims to identify the key factors that influence the trophic state levels and correlations among Carlson trophic state index (CTSI) levels, water quality parameters and weather factors in four major reservoirs in Taiwan from 2000 to 2017. Weather (e.g., air temperature, relative humidity, total precipitation, sunlight percentage and cloud cover) and water quality parameters (e.g., pH, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids (SS), ammonia, total hardness, nitrate, nitrite and water temperature) were included in the principal component analysis and absolute principal component score models to evaluate the main governing factors of the trophic state levels (e.g., CTSI). SS were washed out by precipitation, thereby influencing the reservoir transparency tremendously and contributing over 50% to the CTSI level in eutrophicated reservoirs (e.g., the Shihmen and Chengchinghu Reservoirs). CTSI levels in the mesotrophic reservoir (e.g., Liyutan Reservoir) had strong correlation with chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus. Results show that rainfall/weather factors were the key driving factors that affected the CTSI levels in Taiwan eutrophicated reservoirs, indicating the need to consider basin management and the impacts of extreme precipitation in reservoir management and future policymaking.
Modeling Soil Water–Heat Dynamic Changes in Seed-Maize Fields under Film Mulching and Deficit Irrigation Conditions
Authors: Zhao Yin , Mao Xiaomin , Shukla Manoj K. , Li Sien
Published: May 2020

The Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant (SWAP) model does not have a mulching module to simulate the effect of film mulching on soil water, heat dynamics and crop growth. In this study, SWAP model parameters were selected to simulate the soil water–heat process and crop growth, taking into account the effect of film mulching on soil evaporation, temperature, and crop growth, in order to predict the influence of future climate change on crop growth and evapotranspiration (ET). A most suitable scheme for high yield and water use efficiency (WUE) was studied by an experiment conducted in the Shiyang River Basin of Northwest China during 2017 and 2018. The experiment included mulching (M1) and non-mulching (M0) under three drip irrigation treatments, including full (WF), medium (WM), low (WL) water irrigation. Results demonstrated that SWAP simulated soil water storage (SWS) well, soil temperature at various depths, leaf area index (LAI) and aboveground dry biomass (ADB) with the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 16.2%, 7.5%, 16.1% and 16.4%, respectively; and yield, ET, and WUE with the mean relative error (MRE) of 10.5%, 12.4% and 14.8%, respectively, under different treatments on average. The measured and simulated results showed film mulching could increase soil temperature, promote LAI during the early growth period, and ultimately improve ADB, yield and WUE. Among the treatments, M1WM treatment with moderate water deficit and film mulching could achieve the target of more WUE, higher yield, less irrigation water. Changes in atmospheric temperature, precipitation, and CO2 concentration are of worldwide concern. Three Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) showed a negative effect on LAI, ADB and yield of seed-maize. The yield of seed-maize on an average decreased by 33.2%, 13.9% under the three RCPs scenarios for film mulching and non-mulching, respectively. Predicted yields under film mulching were lower than that under non-mulching for the next 30 years demonstrating that current film mulching management might not be suitable for this area to improve crop production under the future climate scenarios.
Bioinspired Adhesive and Antibacterial Microneedles for Versatile Transdermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxuan , Chen Guopu , Yu Yunru , Sun Lingyu , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: May 2020

Microneedles have attracted increasing interest among various medical fields due to their painless, noninvasive, and efficient way of drug delivery. However, practical applications of these microneedles in different epidermal locations and environments are still restricted by their low adhesion and poor antimicrobial activity. Here, inspired by the antibacterial strategy of
Paenibacillus polymyxa
and adhesion mechanisms of mussel byssi and octopus tentacles, we develop hierarchical microneedles with multifunctional adhesive and antibacterial abilities. With polydopamine hydrogel as the microneedle base and a loop of suction-cup-structured concave chambers encircling each microneedle, the generated microneedles can fit the skin well; keep strong adhesion in dry, moist, and wet environments; and realize self-repair after being split into two parts. Besides, as polymyxin is loaded into both the hydrogel tips and the polydopamine base, the microneedles are endowed with excellent ability to resist common bacteria during storage and usage. We have demonstrated that these microneedles not only showed excellent adhesion when applied to knuckles and ideal antibacterial activity but also performed well in drug-sustained release and treatment for the osteoarthritis rat model. These results indicate that bioinspired multifunctional microneedles will break through the limitation of traditional methods and be ideal candidates for versatile transdermal drug delivery systems.
Lectotipificaciones en Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae) del Sur de América del Sur
Authors: Bayón Néstor D. , Giuliano Daniel A.
Published: May 2020

Lectotypes are designated for 10 names pertaining to species of Alternanthera Forssk. from Bolivia and the Southern Cone of South America (Argentina, Southern Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay): Achyranthes capituliflora Bertero, Achyranthes halimifolia Lam., Alternanthera coriacea Herzog, Alternanthera flavescens Kunth, Alternanthera gomphrenoides Kunth, Alternanthera paniculata Kunth, Telanthera crucis Moq., T. densiflora Moq., T. floridana Chapm., and T. manillensis Walp.
Trend of Appendicitis Mortality at National and Provincial Levels in Iran from 1990 to 2015
Authors: Piri Seyed Mohammad , Saeedi Moghaddam Sahar , Ghodsi Zahra , Yoosefi Moein , Rezaei Nazila , Saadat Soheil , Mansouri Anita , Sharif-Alhoseini Mahdi , Salamati Payman , Jazayeri Seyed Behzad , Khajavi Alireza , Moradi Lakeh Maziar , Mokdad Ali H. , O’Reilly Gerard , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa
Published: May 2020

Background: Appendicitis is one of the most preventable causes of death worldwide. We aimed to determine the trend of mortality due to appendicitis by sex and age at national and provincial levels in Iran during 26 years. Methods: Data were collected from Iran Death Registration System (DRS), cemetery databanks in Tehran and Esfahan, and the national population and housing censuses of Iran. The estimated population was determined for each group from 1990 to 2015 using a growth model. Incompleteness, misalignment, and misclassification in the DRS were addressed and multiple imputation methods were used for dealing with missing data. ICD-10 codes were converted to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) codes to allow comparison of the results with the GBD study. A Spatio-Temporal model and Gaussian Process Regression were used to predict the levels and trends in child and adult mortality rates, as well as cause fractions. Results: From 1990 to 2015, 6,982 deaths due to appendicitis were estimated in Iran. The age-standardized mortality rate per 100000 decreased from 0.72 (95% UI: 0.46–1.12) in 1990 to 0.11 (0.07–0.16) in 2015, a reduction of 84.72% over the course of 26 years. The male: female ratio was 1.13 during the 26 years of the study with an average annual percent change of -2.31% for women and -2.63% for men. Among men and women, appendicitis mortality rate had the highest magnitude of decline in the province of Zanjan and the lowest in the province of Hormozgan. In 1990, the lowest age-standardized appendicitis-related mortality was observed in both women and men in the province of Alborz and the highest mortality rate among men were observed in the province of Lorestan. In 2015, the lowest mortality rates in women and men were in the province of Tehran. The highest mortality rates in women were in Hormozgan, and in men were in Golestan province. Conclusion: The mortality rate due to appendicitis has declined at national and provincial levels in Iran. Understanding the causes of differences across provinces and the trend over years can be useful in priority setting for policy makers to inform preventive actions to further decrease mortality from appendicitis.
Post Liver Transplantation Survival and Related Prognostic Factors among Adult Recipients in Tehran Liver Transplant Center; 2002–2019
Authors: Madreseh Elham , Mahmoudi Mahmood , Nassiri-Toosi Mohssen , Baghfalaki Taban , Zeraati Hojjat
Published: May 2020

Background: Liver transplantation is a standard treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). However, with increasing demand for this treatment and limited resources, it is available only to patients who are more likely to survive. The primary aim was to determine prognostic factors for survival. Methods: We collected data from 597 adult patients with ESLD, who received a single organ and initial orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in our center between 20 March 2008 and 20 March 2018. In this historical cohort study, univariate and multiple Cox model were used to determine prognostic factors of survival after transplantation. Results: After a median follow-up of 825 (0–3889) days, 111 (19%) patients died. Survival rates were 88%, 85%, 82% and 79% at 90 days, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively. Older patients (HR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01–1.59), presence of pre-OLT ascites (HR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.16–3.57), pre-OLT hospitalization (HR = 1.88; 95% CI:1.02–3.46), longer operative time (HR = 1.006; 95% CI: 1.004–1.008), post-OLT dialysis (HR = 3.51; 95% CI: 2.07–5.94), cancer (HR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.23–5.89) and AID (HR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.17–3.56) as underlying disease versus hepatitis, and higher pre-OLT creatinine (HR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.10–2.52) were associated with decreased survival. Conclusion: In this center, not only are survival outcomes excellent, but also younger patients, cases with better pre-operative health conditions, and those without complications after OLT have superior survival.
Overview of Ghana’s Export and Import, FDI inflow and outflow: Is there any connection between its trading partners and foreign investing countries?
Authors: Yeboah Evans , Jing Yu , Lucy Anning
Published: May 2020

Foreign direct investment inflows and outflows, export and import are seen as some of the major factors for transforming a country’s economic growth and development. This paper provides and evaluates literature review on importation and exportation alongside inward and outward FDI in Ghana. By considering some selected countries such as China, India, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom in determining whether there is some sort of connection between Ghana’s trading partners and investing countries in its economy by the use of the quantitative method. The results show that Ghana’s export values have improved rapidly over the past years with a continuous decrease in its imports. The outcome further proves that, at the initial level, export from Ghana to China, India, the US, and the UK were of lower values and with much effort by the Ghana government to control the balance of trade deficit from these major trading partners is in the process of achieving the goal, as the country has been experiencing balance of trade surplus from China and India except in the situation the US, and the UK. It was also revealed that China, India, the US, and the UK are not only major trading partners but also among the top investing nations in Ghana. It is suggested that Ghana should increase its outward FDI and also encourages its multinational companies to embark on cross-border investment.
Políticas de Lazer dos Órgãos Públicos de Turismo
Authors: Clemente Ana Cristina Fernandes , Stoppa Edmur Antonio
Published: May 2020

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar elementos de uma política de lazer que podem ser utilizados por órgãos públicos de turismo, a fim de promover vivências que estimulem o morador a conhecer sua própria cidade, cultura e história, muitas vezes desconhecida. Nessa perspectiva, é necessário considerar o turismo excedendo questões econômicas e pensado também enquanto prática social, em estreitas relações com a cultura, a cidadania, a educação e a participação popular. Com isso, destaca-se a importância de se promover políticas de turismo que se apropriem de elementos do lazer, em uma visão transversal, que beneficie o morador de modo democrático e igualitário. Como resultado, aponta-se para a análise do Lazer de forma multidisciplinar, o entendimento das relações entre o Lazer e o Turismo e, com isso, a promoção de vivências turísticas ao morador em sua cidade.
O Capital Humano no Contexto do Biopoder
Authors: Pereira Marcela Andresa Semeghini
Published: May 2020

O presente artigo versou sobre o biopoder, denominação proposta por Michel Foucault, que traz reflexões sobre ações disciplinares e vigilantes que interferem nas características vitais da existência humana. Foucault considera o poder disciplinar como método fundamental para a implantação do capitalismo industrial e da sociedade que ele dá origem e o desenvolvimento e exercício deste não deve ser dissociado da consolidação de aparatos particulares de conhecimento e da formação das ciências humanas. O saber também é um instrumento de poder que criou técnicas para disciplinar o corpo individual do trabalhador, técnicas de racionalização e de economia estrita de um poder que deveria se exercer mediante todo um sistema de vigilância, de hierarquias, de inspeções, ou seja, uma tecnologia disciplinar para dar suporte ao mundo do trabalho. O lazer, como tempo de vida e reflexão crítica ao biopoder implica fruição da vida humano-genérica, isto é, vida social plena de relações humanas interpessoais e é também o principal momento de desenvolvimento das potencialidades do homem. Concluiu-se que direito precisa garantir o lazer, notando mais a humanidade e dar-se conta de que, o seu principal foco são os seres humanos, além de que o trabalhador necessita despertar sua humanidade. O método utilizado foi o dedutivo, com pesquisa bibliográfica em livros de sociologia, filosofia e política.
O Parque do Ingá como Espaço Público de Lazer
Authors: Pizani Juliana , Prates Maria Eloiza Fiorese , Starepravo Fernando Augusto , Barbosa-Rinaldi Ieda Parra
Published: May 2020

Esta pesquisa objetivou analisar o Parque do Ingá, no município de Maringá-PR, como espaço público de lazer, com vistas à identificação dos aspectos concernentes às dimensões física e sociocultural. A amostra foi constituída por 55 usuários do parque. Para a coleta de dados utilizamos o instrumento escala de autopercepção do ambiente para a realização de atividades físicas. Os resultados indicaram que, para os usuários do parque, os fatores político-normativos foram considerados como os mais inibidores (escore final de 2,8) e os socioculturais aparecem no topo da escala como contributo para o estímulo (escore final de 4,1). Como conclusão do estudo percebe-se a necessidade de ações planejadas que possam intervir positivamente para os aspectos geográficos, tecnológico-arquitetônico, político- normativos, culturais e sociais e que atendam os interesses da comunidade frequentadora do parque.
koping masalah fisiologis pada ibu hamil hiv di yogyakarta
Authors: Fitriani Ayu , Krisdiyanto Joko
Published: May 2020

Latar Belakang: Rentannya kondisi fisik akibat rendahnya imunitas pada ibu hamil dengan HIV mengakibatkan ibu mudah terkena penyakit infeksi oportunistik. Selain itu efek samping terapi ARV memperparah keadaan fisiologis ibu. Untuk itu, upaya yang dilakukan oleh ibu hamil HIV baik secara mental maupun perilaku dalam penenerimaan masalah fisiologis penting untuk diketahui karena akan berdampak pada keberhasilan program PPIA.Tujuan : untuk menggali masalah dan koping masalah oleh ibu hamil HIV dalam menghadapi permasalahan fisiologis.Metode : Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara secara mendalam (indepth interview) pada 10 ibu yang pernah mengalami kehamilan dengan status HIV positif serta 5 infoman terdiri dari keluarga ibu hamil HIV, teman dekat ibu hamil HIV dan penggurus IPPI DIY.  Keabsahan data meggunakan triangulasi sumber dan analisis data kualitatif menggunakan content analysis.Hasil: Hasil penelitian menemukan enam tema, yaitu berhenti terapi karena efek samping ART, janin penyemangat terapi ARV, khawatir dampak terapi ARV, semangat melihat perjuangan teman ODHA, trauma dengan riwayat kesehatan anak sebelumnya dan keadaan yang sama membuat lebih dekat.Kesimpulan: Efek samping ARV masih dirasakan sebagai masalah fisiologis selain penyakit oportunistik. Koping positif ibu hamil HIV yaitu bersedia mengikuti program PPIA, sedangkan koping negatif yaitu trauma kesehatan anak sebelumnya dan berhenti terapi ARV karena efek samping.
faktor yang mempengaruhi kejadian hipertensi calon jamaah umrah pada pelayanan vaksinasi meningitis meningococcus di kantor kesehatan pelabuhan kelas II panjang
Authors: Listina Febria , Maritasari Dwi Yulia , Pratiwie Setri Endah
Published: May 2020

Hipertensi merupakan suatu keadaan dimana terjadi peningkatan tekanan darah sistolik 140 mmHg atau lebih dan tekanan darah diastolik 90 mmHg atau lebih. Berdasarkan laporan Surveilans Kasus penyakit Tidak Menular dari Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Lampung, kejadian hipertensi di Provinsi Lampung telah mencapai 62,41%. Data yang tercatat selama periode bulan Januari – Maret 2019 di Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan Kelas II Panjang yakni sebanyak 398 calon jamaah umrah yang menderita hipertensi.Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian observasional dengan pendekatan desain cross sectional study, populasi pada penelitian ini adalah 398 calon jamaah umrah.Teknik pengambilan sampel yang dilakukan adalah dengan menggunakan rumus slovin dan didapatkan 80 calon jamaah umrah. Pengumpulan data diperoleh menggunakan kuesioner dan analisis hubungan menggunakan uji chi square.Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa responden yang mengalami hipertensi sebanyak 64 orang (80,00%) sedangkan yang tidak hipertensi sebanyak 16 orang (20,00%). Hasil uji statisticmenunjukkan bahwa umur (p=0,007), jenis kelamin (p=0.228), genetik (p=0,027), aktivitas fisik (p=0,000), stress (p=0.021) dan kepatuhan minum obat (p=0,009).Jadi disimpulkan bahwa ada hubungan umur, genetik, aktivitas fisik, stress dan kepatuhan minum obat dengan kejadian hipertensi calon jamaah umrah sedangkan yang tidak memiliki hubungan yaitu jenis kelamin dengan kejadian hipertensi calon jamaah umrah pada pelayanan vaksinasi meningitis meningococcus di Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan Kelas II Panjang. Dengan demikian calon jamaah umrah yang menderita hipertensi selama pelaksanaan vaksinasi meningitis meningococcus diharapkan untuk terus mengontrol tekanan darahnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan umur, jenis kelamin, genetik, aktivitas fisik, stress dan kepatuhan minum obat terhadap kejadian hipertensi calon jamaah umrah pada pelayanan vaksinasi meningitis meningococcus di Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan Kelas II Panjang.
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies to Combat Climate Change in the Built Environment
Authors:   Amity School of Architecture & Planning, Amity University Rajasthan, Sudhakaran Pratheek , Verma Shruti ,   Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture, Mumba, Kumar Shailendra ,   Amity School of Architecture & Planning, Amity University Rajasthan, Saxena Nishant ,   Amity School of Architecture & Planning, Amity University Rajasthan, Kumar Rakesh ,   Amity School of Architecture & Planning, Amity University Rajasthan
Published: May 2020

The built environment with its high energy consumption and carbon emissions during the building life cycle has played a significant role in environmental degradation and global warming. Today the built environment accounts for more than half of global energy use and more than one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the developed and developing world. New concepts of multidisciplinary design must be generated to develop a climate-responsive and energy-efficient built environment which adapts to the changing environmental conditions and mitigates the causes of the rapid change. By doing so, the building sector can drastically reduce its GHG emissions. Moreover, buildings can also adapt to the constant changes in the environment using emerging technologies such as the use of dynamic climate adaptive building envelopes. This paper presents an overview of climate change theory and its relationship to the built environment and novel methods of mitigation and adaptation.
Behavior of Steel Slag Concrete Subjected to Elevated Temperature
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, The higher institute in 5th settlement, Cairo, Egypt, Atef Ahmed , Nawawy Omar El ,   Structural Engineering Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Kohail Mohamed ,   Structural Engineering Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Samy Khaled ,   Department of Civil Engineering, The higher institute in 5th settlement, Cairo, Egypt
Published: May 2020

Recycling of materials has become a major interest for engineers. At present, the amount of slag deposited in storage yard adds up to millions of tons/year leading to the occupation of farm land and serious pollution to the environment, as a result of the rapid growth in the steel industry. Steel slag is made at 1500- 1650°C having a honey comp shape with high porosity. Using steel slag as the natural aggregate with a lower waste material cost can be considered as a good alternative for sustainable constructions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of residual mechanical properties of concrete with steel slag as coarse aggregate partial replacement after exposing to high temperatures .This study investigates the behavior of using granulated slag as partial or fully coarse aggregate replacement with different percentages of 0%, 15%, 30%, 50% and 100% in concrete when subjected to elevated temperatures. Six groups of concrete mixes were prepared using various replacement percentages of slag exposed to different temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C for different durations of 1hr, 1.5hr and 2hr. Evaluation tests were compressive strength, tensile strength, and bond strength. The steel slag concrete mixes showed week workability lower than control mix. A systematic increasing of almost up to 21.7% in compressive strength, and 66.2% in tensile strength with increasing the percentage of steel slag replacement to 50%. And the results showed improvement on concrete residual mechanical properties after subjected to elevated temperatures with the increase of steel slag content. The findings of this study give an overview of the effect of steel slag coarse aggregate replacement on concrete after exposed to high temperatures.
Methodological Aspects of Theoretical Determination of the Kmz 2 Extruder Performance
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Tractors, Automobile and Technical Mechanics, Priporov Igor , Kurasov Vladimir ,   Head of Department of Tractors, Automobile And Technical Mechanics., Samurganov Evgeniy ,   Associate Professor, Department Of Tractors, Automobile And Technical Mechanics., Tituchenko Aleksey ,   Associate Professor, Department Of Tractors, Automobile And Technical Mechanics
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the research is reducing the energy consumption of the KMZ-2 extruder, which will improve its performance. The research tasks are to achieve the purpose: to consider the sunflower seeds compression in the working chamber of the KMZ-2 extruder to obtain sunflower cake; to consider the material that exits through the matrix dies; to consider the movement of the pressed material in the matrix die of the KMZ-2 extruder. On the basis of the conducted research the following conclusions were made: stabilization of the extrusion pressure of the processed material to produce a sunflower cake at the end of the process leads to its friction force reduction on the KMZ-2 extruder auger shaft; the outcoming expression on the theoretical research results allows to change the KMZ-2 extruder capacity when processing the material and with increasing the extrusion speed its performance increases accordingly.
Text Summarization using Ml and Nlp
Authors:   CSE department, GITAM University, Bangalore, India., Manikanta  , M Bhagavath Sai ,   CSE department, GITAM University, Bangalore, India., I Venkat ,   CSE department, GITAM University, Bangalore, India., B Sreekar Reddy ,   CSE department, GITAM University, Bangalore, India.
Published: May 2020

Quantity of data produced per day is around 2.5 quintillion bytes. Right now, no one has the time to pursue each and everything. With the growth of technology and digital media, people are becoming very lazy; they are looking for everything more smartly. If they want to read any article or newspaper, they cannot go through every line that has been given. To overcome this problem, an automatic text summarizer using Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) with the python programming language has been introduced. This automatic text summarizer will generate a concise and meaningful summary of the text from resources like textbooks, articles, messages by using a text ranking algorithm. The input text that is given will be split into sentences; these sentences are again converted into vectors. These vectors are represented as a similarity matrix and based on these similarities; matrices sentence rankings will be given. The higher ranked sentences will be the final summary of the given input text