bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Society 5.0: A Japanese Concept for a Superintelligent Society
Authors: Narvaez Rojas Carolina , Alomia Peñafiel Gustavo Adolfo , Loaiza Buitrago Diego Fernando , Tavera Romero Carlos Andrés
Published: June 2021

This document discusses the Japanese context of Society 5.0. Based on a society-centered approach, Society 5.0 seeks to take advantage of technological advances to finally solve the problems that currently threaten Japan, such as aging, birth rates and lack of competitiveness, among others. Additionally, another objective is to contribute to the progress of the country and develop the foundations for a better world, in which no individual can be excluded from the technological advances of our current society, to achieve this goal, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) have been developed. SDGs seek to assess the methods of use of modern technology and thus find the best strategies and tools to use it in a way that guarantees sustainability within the framework of a new society that demands constant renovations.
The Spatiotemporal Changes and the Impacts of Climate Factors on Grassland in the Northern Songnen Plain (China)
Authors: Wang Liping , Zheng Shufeng , Wang Xiang
Published: June 2021

Grassland is an important ecosystem; the spatiotemporal evolution trend of grassland and its impacts on climatic factors play an irreplaceable role in maintaining regional sustainable development and ecological balance. In this paper, based on the remote sensing images of 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020, and 3S technology, we use the methods of dynamic rate and transfer matrix to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution trend of the northern Songnen Plain (China). The method of grey correlation is used to analyze the impact of climate factors on it. The results showed that the grassland changed dramatically and unevenly across the three periods of 1990–2000, 2000–2010, and 2010–2020, with the biggest change in the last period. The internal conversion of grassland mainly occurred between H-grassland (high coverage grassland) and M-grassland (medium coverage grassland), while the transformation rarely occurred in L-grassland (low coverage grassland) due to its small area. There has been a transfer-in from cultivated land, woodland, and unused land to H-grassland and M-grassland. The grassland transfer-out was mainly from H-grassland and M-grassland to cultivated land and unused land. What’s more, the transformation mainly occurred in Daqing City, Suihua City, Qiqihar city, as well as occurring in the west of Harbin and the southwest of Heihe city. Climate change has exacerbated the reduction of grassland areas. In summary, the spatiotemporal change rates of grassland area in the north of Songnen Plain initially showed a mild decrease and were then followed by a rapid decrease. Climate factors were of great significance to the spatiotemporal changes of grassland, and precipitation had a greater impact on the reduction of grassland. The results can provide meaningful information for grassland change, grassland protection, and management in the northern Songnen Plain.
Water-Enhanced Flux Changes under Dynamic Temperatures in the Vertical Vapor-Phase Diffusive Transport of Volatile Organic Compounds in Near-Surface Soil Environments
Authors: Parlin Asma Akter , Kondo Monami , Watanabe Noriaki , Nakamura Kengo , Yamada Mizuki , Wang Jiajie , Komai Takeshi
Published: June 2021

The quantitative understanding of the transport behavior of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in near-surface soils is highly important in light of the potential impacts of soil VOC emissions on the air quality and climate. Previous studies have suggested that temperature changes affect the transport behavior; however, the effects are not well understood. Indeed, much larger changes in the VOC flux under in situ dynamic temperatures than those expected from the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficients of VOCs in the air have been suggested but rarely investigated experimentally. Here, we present the results of a set of experiments on the upward vertical vapor-phase diffusive transport of benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE) in sandy soils with water contents ranging from an air-dried value to 10 wt% during sinusoidal temperature variation between 20 and 30 °C. In all experiments, the flux from the soil surface was correlated with the temperature, as expected. However, the changes in flux under wet conditions were unexpectedly large and increased with increasing water content; they were also larger for TCE, the volatility of which depended more strongly on the temperature. Additionally, the larger flux changes were accompanied by a recently discovered water-induced inverse correlation between temperature and flux into the overlying soil. These results demonstrated that the flux changes of VOCs under dynamic temperatures could be increased by volatilization-dissolution interactions of VOCs with water. Future extensive studies on this newly discovered phenomenon would contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of soil VOC emissions on the air quality and climate.
Gender Wage Gaps in Brazilian Companies Listed in the Ibovespa Index: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Tietz Cazeri Gustavo , Simon Rampasso Izabela , Filho Walter Leal , Gonçalves Quelhas Osvaldo Luiz , Pavan Serafim Milena , Anholon Rosley
Published: June 2021

This article aims to perform a critical analysis of wage gaps according to gender from information provided by sustainability reports that were disseminated by Brazilian companies listed in the Ibovespa index. To conduct this analysis, bibliographic research was performed, followed by a deductive content analysis of sustainability reports from Brazilian companies listed in the Ibovespa index, considering item 405-2 of the Global Reporting Initiative standard. From this analysis, it was possible to show that only some companies disseminate detailed information related to the gender wage ratio. Many companies do not present this data or present it superficially. The findings of this research present important insights that may be used to motivate debates on the topic.
Thinking Outside the Park: Connecting Visitors’ Sound Affect in a Nature-Based Tourism Setting with Perceptions of Their Urban Home and Work Soundscapes
Authors: Gale Trace , Ednie Andrea , Beeftink Karen
Published: June 2021

This study examined the potential for Perceived Affective Quality (PAQ; pleasantness, eventfulness, familiarity) soundscape measures developed within urban settings to enrich current soundscape management approaches within protected areas (PAs). Drawing on the premise that people bring experiences from other life contexts into PA settings and PA visitors are increasingly coming from urban areas, research integrated urban visitors’ soundscape perceptions of their home and work acoustic environments with their perceptions of acoustic environments in PAs. Two-phased survey research (n = 333) separated visitors into urban density groups and compared PAQ variables across home, work, and PA contexts. Significant differences resulted, both in ratings of the three acoustic contexts (PA, home, work) for all three PAQ components and between urban density groups. The importance of pleasantness was confirmed across all contexts; however, alone, this dimension lacked sufficient contrast to interpret the complexity of soundscape perceptions, especially considering diverse Healthy Parks, Healthy People (HPHP) visitor experience scenarios and goals. Thus, managers should consider (1) additional PAQ variables that can provide more useful and contrasting information; (2) incorporating methods that integrate PAQ measures across visitors’ different acoustic contexts, and (3) including urban density measures within HPHP research.
Analysing the Impact of the Glass Ceiling in a Managerial Career: The Case of Spain
Authors: Yagüe-Perales Rosa , Pérez-Ledo Pau , March-Chordà Isidre
Published: June 2021

The need to break down the barriers facing women in the labour market arouses great interest for reasons of social and sustainability justice. This study breaks new ground on the topic of the “glass ceiling” by assessing the evolution of gender inequality in the proportion of individuals reaching high managerial positions. The application of the csQCA method to a survey of two cohorts of Spanish graduates in management sharing the same starting conditions reveals two factors: job variety and additional education, as conditions that are usually present in a successful managerial career. Our findings confirm the prevalence of the gender gap with little progress in recent years. Women find it more difficult to promote to high managerial positions whereas being a man turns out to almost be a guarantee for eluding low managerial positions. In the context of Spain, and for sure in most other countries, the few women attaining high managerial positions still need to make a greater effort in their professional career than their male counterparts.
Next-Generation Smart Response Web (NG-SRW): An Operational Spatial Decision Support System for Maritime Oil Spill Emergency Response in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Fetissov Mihhail , Aps Robert , Goerlandt Floris , Jänes Holger , Kotta Jonne , Kujala Pentti , Szava-Kovats Robert
Published: June 2021

The Baltic Sea is a unique and sensitive brackish-water ecosystem vulnerable to damage from shipping activities. Despite high levels of maritime safety in the area, there is a continued risk of oil spills and associated harmful environmental impacts. Achieving common situational awareness between oil spill response decision makers and other actors, such as merchant vessel and Vessel Traffic Service center operators, is an important step to minimizing detrimental effects. This paper presents the Next-Generation Smart Response Web (NG-SRW), a web-based application to aid decision making concerning oil spill response. This tool aims to provide, dynamically and interactively, relevant information on oil spills. By integrating the analysis and visualization of dynamic spill features with the sensitivity of environmental elements and value of human uses, the benefits of potential response actions can be compared, helping to develop an appropriate response strategy. The oil spill process simulation enables the response authorities to judge better the complexity and dynamic behavior of the systems and processes behind the potential environmental impact assessment and thereby better control the oil combat action.
Serious Games and Mathematical Fluency: A Study from the Gender Perspective in Primary Education
Authors: Fraga-Varela Fernando , Vila-Couñago Esther , Rodríguez-Groba Ana
Published: June 2021

In recent years, serious games offer great opportunities for learning processes at schools. However, it is unclear whether this type of proposals can offer differentiated answers among the students according to their gender. In this context, the aim of this paper is to know the possible differences that occur in primary school classrooms according to gender, with serious games designed for the development of mathematical fluency, and to examine to what extent these games contribute to the overall school performance. We carried out a quasi-experimental study, including pretest and posttest, without control group and with several experimental groups, and the participation of 284 students from first to fourth grade. The results show that the software benefits boys and girls equally, compared to the previously followed methodology that benefited boys. A clear relation between the results achieved and the performance in the overall students’ grades has also been observed. The conclusions show the potential of serious games in school settings, and the opportunity to approach performance differences based on the gender.
Geological Features for Geotourism in the Zanjan and Hamadan Area, Northern Iran
Authors: Afrasiabian Ardalan , Mahmoudi Sivand Siamak , Dogančić Dragana , Plantak Lucija , Đurin Bojan
Published: June 2021

Iran is a land of complex geological past which reflects in its many natural wonders. There are more than 850 known caves in Iran with a total length not exceeding 1000 km, many of them not being properly explored. Two of the biggest and most famous caves are Ali-Sadr and Katale-Khor. The Katale-Khor cave has a simple maze anastomotic pattern. Ghar Ali-Sadr is an anastomotic type of cave located 75 km northwest of Hamedan in a village by the same name and circa 60 km south of Katale-Khor cave. Ali-Sadr cave is considered to be one of the most unique and scenic caves in the world. One of the features that makes Ali-Sadr cave special is a fact that it is the longest and the biggest water cave in the world (from the point of the boating course inside the cave). This natural wonders in Northern Iran are great base for developing a geotourism, as a form of tourism that specifically focuses on geology and landscape. Its purpose is to promote an understanding of earth sciences through appreciation and conservation of geodiversity. The best way to achieve this is through visits to geological features and locations.
Promoting Pro-Environmental BEEhavior in School. Factors Leading to Eco-Friendly Student Action
Authors: Sieg Anne-Kathrin , Dreesmann Daniel
Published: June 2021

Many insects, including numerous species of wild bees, are currently threatened with extinction. Environmental education in schools is a suitable starting point to draw attention to this problem, to raise awareness of biodiversity, and to highlight potential actions to protect wild bees and other insects. This study examined the relationship between pro-environmental behavior intentions and knowledge, attitude, fear, interest, and enjoyment of learning in a school intervention involving hands-on activities with living bumblebees. In total, 188 German 10- to 14-year-old high-school students participated in the project and took care of bumblebee colonies. Environmentally friendly behavioral intentions increased significantly between the pretest and posttest; however, no significant increase was found between the pretest and follow-up test. Bumblebee-friendly, pro-environmental behavior intentions correlated highly with attitude and interest, and correlated with knowledge and learning enjoyment with a medium effect size.
Decoupling Analysis between Economic Growth and Air Pollution in Key Regions of Air Pollution Control in China
Authors: Li Jing , Hou Lipeng , Wang Lin , Tang Lina
Published: June 2021

The Chinese government has implemented a number of environmental policies to promote the continuous improvement of air quality while considering economic development. Scientific assessment of the impact of environmental policies on the relationship between air pollution and economic growth can provide a scientific basis for promoting the coordinated development of these two factors. This paper uses the Tapio decoupling theory to analyze the relationship between regional economic growth and air pollution in key regions of air pollution control in China—namely, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and surrounding areas (BTHS), the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and the Pearl River Delta (PRD)—based on data of GDP and the concentrations of SO2, PM10, and NO2 for 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2019. The results show that the SO2, PM10, and NO2 pollution in the key regions show strong and weak decoupling. The findings additionally indicate that government policies have played a significant role in improving the decoupling between air pollution and economic development. The decoupling between economic growth and SO2 and PM10 pollution in the BTHS, YRD, and PRD is better than that in other regions, while the decoupling between economic growth and NO2 pollution has not improved significantly in these regions. To improve the relationship between economic growth and air pollution, we suggest that the governments of China and other developing countries should further optimize and adjust the structure of industry, energy, and transportation; apply more stringent targets and measures in areas of serious air pollution; and strengthen mobile vehicle pollution control.
Internalizing Animals and Ecosystems in Social Citizenship and Social Policy: From Political Community to Political Country
Authors: Nordensvard Johan , Alexandra Jason , Ketola Markus
Published: June 2021

The aim of this editorial is to explore, conceptualize, and research the need to internalize both animals and ecosystems in our understanding of social citizenship and social policy. This editorial should be seen as a brief overview of the themes that should be covered in the contributions to the Special Issue, “Internalizing Animals and Ecosystems in Social Citizenship and Social Policy: From Political Community to Political Country”. This Special Issue argues the importance of integrating animals and ecosystems as a way to re-politicize humans’ social relation with both animals and our ecosystem as in sustainable development and social policy. If environmental policy becomes social policy, we would re-construct social citizenship to include consideration for animals and ecosystems as integral part of social policy. This expansion in scope is a progression from seeing humans as part of a political community to becoming more involved in their political country. This aligns with the concept of Country—an all-encompassing term in Australia, involving a people’s territory, land, water, biological resources, the complex obligations and relationships involved.
Dimensions of Football Stadium and Museum Tour Experiences: The Case of Europe’s Most Valuable Brands
Authors: Brochado Ana , Brito Carlos , Bouchet Adrien , Oliveira Fernando
Published: June 2021

In the context of football’s globalisation, some of the most important football clubs (FCs) can currently be classified as ‘entertainment multinationals’. Sport hospitality provides opportunities to maximise club stadiums’ use so that they can increase clubs’ annual turnover and function as branding platforms. This study sought to identify the main narratives shared online about—and the dimensions of—visitors’ experiences with top football brands in stadium tours. The data collected for this research comprised 400 text reviews for 10 European FCs’ stadiums (i.e., 4000 reviews) written by visitors in the post-experience phase. Content analysis of these Web reviews was conducted using Leximancer software. The results confirm the existence of 15 themes: fan, tour, stadium, team, museum, room, staff, game, (best) place, ticket, seating, recommend(ation), food, shop and attraction. Most researchers have examined stadium tours from a supply-side perspective. The present study’s aim was, therefore, to contribute to the existing literature by analysing stadium tours’ dimensions from the visitors’ point of view. Stadium tours and museum visits are important sources of revenue that contribute to FCs’ economic sustainability. Offering outstanding customer experiences is thus of utmost importance to maximise club stadiums’ usage and strengthen fans’ engagement.
Optimization Models for Efficient (t, r) Broadcast Domination in Graphs
Authors: Buathong Poompol , Krityakierne Tipaluck
Published: June 2021

Known to be NP-complete, domination number problems in graphs and networks arise in many real-life applications, ranging from the design of wireless sensor networks and biological networks to social networks. Initially introduced by Blessing et al., the (t,r) broadcast domination number is a generalization of the distance domination number. While some theoretical approaches have been addressed for small values of t,r in the literature; in this work, we propose an approach from an optimization point of view. First, the (t,r) broadcast domination number is formulated and solved using linear programming. The efficient broadcast, whose wasted signals are minimized, is then found by a genetic algorithm modified for a binary encoding. The developed method is illustrated with several grid graphs: regular, slant, and king’s grid graphs. The obtained computational results show that the method is able to find the exact (t,r) broadcast domination number, and locate an efficient broadcasting configuration for larger values of t,r than what can be provided from a theoretical basis. The proposed optimization approach thus helps overcome the limitations of existing theoretical approaches in graph theory.
A Stroll through the Loop-Tree Duality
Authors: Aguilera-Verdugo José de Jesús , Driencourt-Mangin Félix , Hernández-Pinto Roger José , Plenter Judith , Prisco Renato Maria , Ramírez-Uribe Norma Selomit , Rentería-Olivo Andrés Ernesto , Rodrigo Germán , Sborlini German , Torres Bobadilla William Javier , Tramontano Francesco
Published: June 2021

The Loop-Tree Duality (LTD) theorem is an innovative technique to deal with multi-loop scattering amplitudes, leading to integrand-level representations over a Euclidean space. In this article, we review the last developments concerning this framework, focusing on the manifestly causal representation of multi-loop Feynman integrals and scattering amplitudes, and the definition of dual local counter-terms to cancel infrared singularities.
Properties of Certain Subclass of Meromorphic Multivalent Functions Associated with q-Difference Operator
Authors: Yan Cai-Mei , Srivastava Rekha , Liu Jin-Lin
Published: June 2021

A new subclass Σp,q(α,A,B) of meromorphic multivalent functions is defined by means of a q-difference operator. Some properties of the functions in this new subclass, such as sufficient and necessary conditions, coefficient estimates, growth and distortion theorems, radius of starlikeness and convexity, partial sums and closure theorems, are investigated.
In Silico Investigation on the Interaction of Chiral Phytochemicals from Opuntia ficus-indica with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro
Authors: Vicidomini Caterina , Roviello Valentina , Roviello Giovanni N.
Published: June 2021

Opuntia ficus-indica is a cactaceous plant native to America but, nowadays, widely found worldwide, having been the most common domesticated species of cactus grown as a crop plant in semiarid and arid parts of the globe, including several Mediterranean basin countries. Opuntia ficus-indica can be regarded as a medicinal plant, being source of numerous bioactive phytochemicals such as vitamins, polyphenols, and amino acids. The urgent need for therapeutic treatments for the COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-Coronavirus (CoV)-2, justifies the great attention currently being paid not only to repurposed antiviral drugs, but also to natural products and herbal medications. In this context, the anti-COVID-19 utility of Opuntia ficus-indica as source of potential antiviral drugs was investigated in this work on the basis of the activity of some of its phytochemical constituents. The antiviral potential was evaluated in silico in docking experiments with Mpro, i.e., the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, that is one of the most investigated protein targets of therapeutic strategies for COVID-19. By using two web-based molecular docking programs (1-Click Mcule and COVID-19 Docking Server), we found, for several flavonols and flavonol glucosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica, good binding affinities for Mpro, and in particular, binding energies lower than −7.0 kcal/mol were predicted for astragalin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside, 3-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, and quercetin 5,4′-dimethyl ether. Among these compounds, the chiral compound astragalin showed in our in silico studies the highest affinity for Mpro (−8.7 kcal/mol) and also a low toxicity profile, emerging, thus, as an interesting protease inhibitor candidate for anti-COVID-19 strategies.
Split Casimir Operator and Universal Formulation of the Simple Lie Algebras
Authors: Isaev Alexey , Krivonos Sergey
Published: June 2021

We construct characteristic identities for the split (polarized) Casimir operators of the simple Lie algebras in adjoint representation. By means of these characteristic identities, for all simple Lie algebras we derive explicit formulae for invariant projectors onto irreducible subrepresentations in T⊗2 in the case when T is the adjoint representation. These projectors and characteristic identities are considered from the viewpoint of the universal description of the simple Lie algebras in terms of the Vogel parameters.
The New Responsible Tourism Paradigm: The UNWTO’s Discourse Following the Spread of COVID-19
Authors: Tremblay-Huet Sabrina , Lapointe Dominic
Published: June 2021

The UNWTO’s discourse has focused on managing the effects of COVID-19 on tourism mobility since the outbreak was taken over by the WHO, as tourism is prominent amongst the hardest hit sectors. Emanating from the UNWTO as one of the dominant stakeholders in tourism discourse construction, an interesting component is the new meaning attributed to ‘responsible tourism’, which coincides with severe sanitary measures in this moment. Through critical discourse analysis and the theoretical framework offered by Iris Marion Young on responsibility for justice, this article will first demonstrate how the reappropriation of the term is in line with the UNWTO’s neoliberal perspective on tourism. The result is the promotion of sanitary measures for the protection of tourism as a consumer industry, rather than for the protection of the individuals involved. It is also cementing the pedestal on which the UN agency places the tourist-consumer, namely through the International Code for the Protection of Tourists project. This paper closes with thoughts on how the emerging dominant discourse on responsible tourism is internalized by tourism stakeholders as the new normal, which would gain in being explored through the lens of Foucault’s work on the concept of biopolitics and the neoliberal subject.
Colombian Scorpion Centruroides margaritatus: Purification and Characterization of a Gamma Potassium Toxin with Full-Block Activity on the hERG1 Channel
Authors: Beltrán-Vidal José , Carcamo-Noriega Edson , Pastor Nina , Zamudio-Zuñiga Fernando , Guerrero-Vargas Jimmy Alexander , Castaño Santiago , Possani Lourival Domingos , Restano-Cassulini Rita
Published: June 2021

The Colombian scorpion Centruroides margaritatus produces a venom considered of low toxicity. Nevertheless, there are known cases of envenomation resulting in cardiovascular disorders, probably due to venom components that target ion channels. Among them, the humanether-à-go-go-Related gene (hERG1) potassium channels are critical for cardiac action potential repolarization and alteration in its functionality are associated with cardiac disorders. This work describes the purification and electrophysiological characterization of a Centruroides margaritatus venom component acting on hERG1 channels, the CmERG1 toxin. This novel peptide is composed of 42 amino acids with a MW of 4792.88 Da, folded by four disulfide bonds and it is classified as member number 10 of the γ-KTx1 toxin family. CmERG1 inhibits hERG1 currents with an IC50 of 3.4 ± 0.2 nM. Despite its 90.5% identity with toxin ɣ-KTx1.1, isolated from Centruroides noxius, CmERG1 completely blocks hERG1 current, suggesting a more stable plug of the hERG channel, compared to that formed by other ɣ-KTx.
Localization of Dirac Fermions in Finite-Temperature Gauge Theory
Authors: Giordano Matteo , Kovács Tamás
Published: June 2021

It is by now well established that Dirac fermions coupled to non-Abelian gauge theories can undergo an Anderson-type localization transition. This transition affects eigenmodes in the lowest part of the Dirac spectrum, the ones most relevant to the low-energy physics of these models. Here we review several aspects of this phenomenon, mostly using the tools of lattice gauge theory. In particular, we discuss how the transition is related to the finite-temperature transitions leading to the deconfinement of fermions, as well as to the restoration of chiral symmetry that is spontaneously broken at low temperature. Other topics we touch upon are the universality of the transition, and its connection to topological excitations (instantons) of the gauge field and the associated fermionic zero modes. While the main focus is on Quantum Chromodynamics, we also discuss how the localization transition appears in other related models with different fermionic contents (including the quenched approximation), gauge groups, and in different space-time dimensions. Finally, we offer some speculations about the physical relevance of the localization transition in these models.
Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination
Authors: Rosalik Kendal , Tarney Christopher , Han Jasmine
Published: June 2021

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide causing a variety of benign and malignant conditions. A significant portion of the global population is infected with HPV, with the virus attributed to causing up to 5% of cancers worldwide. Bivalent, quadrivalent, and nine-valent vaccinations exist to aid in the prevention of these diseases and have been proven to be effective at preventing both benign and malignant disease. While vaccination is readily accessible in more developed countries, barriers exist to worldwide distribution and acceptance of vaccination. Vaccination and screening of HPV infection when used in combination are proven and predicted to decrease HPV related pathology. Improvements in vaccination formulations, for treatment as well as prevention, are actively being sought from a variety of mechanisms. Despite these advancements, and the data supporting their efficacy, there has been substantial delay in obtaining adequate vaccination coverage. In reviewing these challenges and looking forward to new vaccine development—especially within the current pandemic—it is clear from the challenges of HPV we require methods to more effectively encourage vaccination, ways to dispel vaccination myths as they occur, and implement better processes for vaccine distribution globally.
Synergistic Chromatin-Modifying Treatments Reactivate Latent HIV and Decrease Migration of Multiple Host-Cell Types
Authors: Blanco Alexandra , Mahajan Tarun , Coronado Robert A. , Ma Kelly , Demma Dominic R. , Dar Roy D.
Published: June 2021

Upon infection of its host cell, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) establishes a quiescent and non-productive state capable of spontaneous reactivation. Diverse cell types harboring the provirus form a latent reservoir, constituting a major obstacle to curing HIV. Here, we investigate the effects of latency reversal agents (LRAs) in an HIV-infected THP-1 monocyte cell line in vitro. We demonstrate that leading drug treatments synergize activation of the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. We establish a latency model in THP-1 monocytes using a replication incompetent HIV reporter vector with functional Tat, and show that chromatin modifiers synergize with a potent transcriptional activator to enhance HIV reactivation, similar to T-cells. Furthermore, leading reactivation cocktails are shown to differentially affect latency reactivation and surface expression of chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), leading to altered host cell migration. This study investigates the effect of chromatin-modifying LRA treatments on HIV latent reactivation and cell migration in monocytes. As previously reported in T-cells, epigenetic mechanisms in monocytes contribute to controlling the relationship between latent reactivation and cell migration. Ultimately, advanced “Shock and Kill” therapy needs to successfully target and account for all host cell types represented in a complex and composite latency milieu.
The Link between Cannabis Use, Immune System, and Viral Infections
Authors: Maggirwar Sanjay B. , Khalsa Jag H.
Published: June 2021

Cannabis continues to be the most used drug in the world today. Research shows that cannabis use is associated with a wide range of adverse health consequences that may involve almost every physiological and biochemical system including respiratory/pulmonary complications such as chronic cough and emphysema, impairment of immune function, and increased risk of acquiring or transmitting viral infections such as HIV, HCV, and others. The review of published research shows that cannabis use may impair immune function in many instances and thereby exerts an impact on viral infections including human immune deficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C infection (HCV), and human T-cell lymphotropic type I and II virus (HTLV-I/II). The need for more research is also highlighted in the areas of long-term effects of cannabis use on pulmonary/respiratory diseases, immune dysfunction and the risk of infection transmission, and the molecular/genetic basis of immune dysfunction in chronic cannabis users.
Intrahepatic TLR3 and IFNL3 Expressions Are Associated with Stages of Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Guedes de Sá Keyla Santos , Amoras Ednelza da Silva Graça , Conde Simone Regina Souza da Silva , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , Cayres-Vallinoto Izaura Maria Vieira , Ishak Ricardo , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário
Published: June 2021

An inefficient immune response against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), combined with viral evasion mechanisms, is responsible for the chronicity of infection. The need to evaluate the innate mechanisms of the immune response, such as TLR3 and IFN-λ3, and their relationship with the virus–host interaction is important for understanding the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. The present study aimed to investigate the gene expressions of TRL3 and IFNL3 in liver tissue, seeking to evaluate whether these could be potential biomarkers of HCV infection. A total of 23 liver biopsy samples were collected from patients with chronic HCV, and 8 biopsies were collected from healthy control patients. RNA extraction, reverse transcription and qPCR were performed to quantify the relative gene expressions of TLR3 and IFNL3. Data on the viral load; AST, ALT, GGT and AFP levels; and the viral genotype were collected from the patients′ medical records. The intrahepatic expression of TLR3 (p = 0.0326) was higher in chronic HCV carriers than in the control group, and the expression of IFNL3 (p = 0.0037) was lower in chronic HCV carriers than in the healthy control group. The expression levels of TLR3 (p = 0.0030) and IFNL3 (p = 0.0036) were higher in the early stages of fibrosis and of necroinflammatory activity in the liver; in contrast, TLR3 and IFNL3 expressions were lower in the more advanced stages of fibrosis and inflammation. There was no correlation between the gene expression and the serum viral load. Regarding the initial METAVIR scale scores, liver transaminase levels were lower in patients with advanced fibrosis when correlated with TLR3 and IFNL3 gene expressions. The results suggest that in the early stages of the development of hepatic fibrosis, TLR3 and IFN-λ3 play important roles in the antiviral response and in the modulation of the tolerogenic liver environment because there is a decrease in the intrahepatic expressions of TLR3 and IFNL3 in the advanced stages of fibrosis, probably due to viral evasion mechanisms.
Flood Stage Forecasting Using Machine-Learning Methods: A Case Study on the Parma River (Italy)
Authors: Dazzi Susanna , Vacondio Renato , Mignosa Paolo
Published: June 2021

Real-time river flood forecasting models can be useful for issuing flood alerts and reducing or preventing inundations. To this end, machine-learning (ML) methods are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their low computational requirements and to their reliance on observed data only. This work aimed to evaluate the ML models’ capability of predicting flood stages at a critical gauge station, using mainly upstream stage observations, though downstream levels should also be included to consider backwater, if present. The case study selected for this analysis was the lower stretch of the Parma River (Italy), and the forecast horizon was extended up to 9 h. The performances of three ML algorithms, namely Support Vector Regression (SVR), MultiLayer Perceptron (MLP), and Long Short-term Memory (LSTM), were compared herein in terms of accuracy and computational time. Up to 6 h ahead, all models provided sufficiently accurate predictions for practical purposes (e.g., Root Mean Square Error < 15 cm, and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient > 0.99), while peak levels were poorly predicted for longer lead times. Moreover, the results suggest that the LSTM model, despite requiring the longest training time, is the most robust and accurate in predicting peak values, and it should be preferred for setting up an operational forecasting system.
Development of Biochars Derived from Water Bamboo (Zizania latifolia) Shoot Husks Using Pyrolysis and Ultrasound-Assisted Pyrolysis for the Treatment of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) in Wastewater
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Tam , Chen Hung-Hsiang , To Thi Hien , Chang Yu-Chen , Tsai Cheng-Kuo , Chen Ku-Fan , Tsai Yung-Pin
Published: June 2021

Adsorbent made by carbonization of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions has become a promising material for wastewater treatment owing to its cost-effective, simple, and eco-friendly processing method. Ultrasound is considered a green technique to modify carbon materials because it uses water as the solvent. In this study, a comparison of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) adsorption capacity between biochar (BC) generated by pyrolysis of water bamboo (Zizania latifolia) husks at 600 °C and ultrasound-assisted biochar (UBC) produced by pyrolysis at 600 °C assisted by ultrasonic irradiation was performed. UBC showed a greater reaction rate and reached about 80% removal efficiency after 4 h, while it took 24 h for BC to reach that level. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that the UBC morphology surface was more porous, with the structure of the combination of denser mesopores enhancing physiochemical properties of UBC. By Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET), the specific surface areas of adsorbent materials were analyzed, and the surface areas of BC and UBC were 56.296 m2/g and 141.213 m2/g, respectively. Moreover, the pore volume of UBC was 0.039 cm3/g, which was higher than that of BC at 0.013 cm3/g. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics revealed the better fits of reactions to Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating the inclination towards monolayer adsorption and chemisorption of RB5 on water bamboo husk-based UBC.
Changing the PrEP Narrative: A Call to Action to Increase PrEP Uptake among Women
Authors: Cernasev Alina , Walker Crystal , Armstrong Drew , Golden Jay
Published: June 2021

Although the incidence of new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has decreased in the past decade, in 2018 more than 7000 women with HIV were diagnosed in the United States (US). Globally, per recent reports, 48% of the new HIV infections were among women. There is still no vaccine to prevent HIV transmission. However, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved in 2012 by the Food and Drug Administration, providing a powerful tool to block HIV infection and help prevent the subsequent development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The uptake of PrEP has been slow globally and among the most vulnerable populations in the US, even though the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended its use in high-risk populations, including women. Furthermore, women represent one-quarter of people living with HIV in the US; however, PrEP is underutilized in this group. Thus, it is imperative to make women’s voices heard through conducting more research, ensuring sufficient access to PrEP, and enhancing knowledge about PrEP as a viable prevention strategy for women. This article aims to promote women’s health by changing the narrative, providing key information on empowering women, and increasing the usage of PrEP.
Wool productivity of sheep of Edilbaevskya breed of different genotypes
Authors: Traisov B. B. , Yuldashbaev Yu. A. , Kulmakova N. I. , Davletova A. M.
Published: June 2021

The results of a study of the wool productivity and wool quality of sheep of Edilbaevskaya breed of different genotypes bred in the West of Kazakhstan have been presented in the paper. In the farm the improvement of sheep of Edilbaevskaya breed is carried out by using stud rams of Brliksky, Suyundiksky and Kurmangazinsky types of Western Kazakhstan. It has been found that the offspring of Brliksky type rams were inferior in terms of fleece and in the original to their herdmates from Suyundiksky and Kurmangazinsky stud rams. For fleece offspring from Suyundiksky rams with Edilbaevskaya breed ewes were superior to their herdmates from Edilbaevskaya breed rams with Edilbaevskaya breed ewes – gimmers by 0,1 kg or 7,7 %; Kurmangazinsky type gimmers superior to the offspring of Edilbaevskaya breed rams with Edilbaevskaya breed ewes by 0,2 kg or 15,4 %. Gimmers of Kurmangazinsky stud rams exceeded Suyundiksky herdmates by 0,1 kg or 7,7 %. A similar situation has been noted for young rams. The study of the ratio of the main types of fibers and morphological composition has been shown that the wool of Edilbaevskaya breed sheep of the studied types had differences in their ratio. The main type of fibers in the wool of Edilbaevskaya breed sheep of the studied groups is under hair and transitional hair, while the best content of under hairs is marked by Kurmangazinsky type stud rams and their offspring. The ratio of under hair, transitional and beard hairs in the average commercial weights of wool in rams of Brliksky interbreed type was 2,57:3,7:3,50, in animals of Suyundiksky type it was 3,37:2,2:2,93, and in Kurmangazinsky type 3,25:1,7:2,15. In general the conducted research of wool productivity of Edilbaevskaya breed sheep bred in the zone of Western Kazakhstan and the offspring obtained from them are characterized by average indicators. In terms of wool productivity and morphological composition offspring of Kurmangazinsky stud rams surpassed the offspring obtained from the Suyundiksky and Brliksky types of Edilbaevskaya breed.
Chromosomal instability in different species of agricultural animals (review)
Authors: Andreeva V. A.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the work was to analyze the frequency of chromosomal instability in different species of agricultural animals in Western Siberia on the basis of literature data. The analysis of the literature on the topic of somatic chromosomal instability in agricultural animals has been carried out. Despite the stability of the chromosome set, deviations from it are quite common. It is noteworthy that chromosomal instability is characteristic of almost all individuals in the population and serves as an important indicator for assessing the natural mutability of chromosomes. It has been found if an aberration appeared in one tissue, it is very likely to occur in others. It has been noted that somatic chromosomal instability occurs in animals with reduced reproductive function, as well as those suffering from any pathology. For example, in calves with parakeratosis the increase in the frequency of chromatid and isochromatid breaks has been found. Analysis of the frequency of aberrations in sires, which differ in the level of perinatal mortality of offspring revealed the increased percentage of offspring mortality in fathers with the large number of chromosomal disorders. Therefore, low fertilization, spontaneous abortions and stillbirths may be indications for karyotypic analysis. It has been revealed that the lability of the karyotype is inherent in all animal species, regardless of the species, sex and age, as well as the morphofunctional state. The data on some types of somatic chromosomal instability in different types of farm animals in Western Siberia has been presented. Such indicators as the frequency of polyploidy, the number of cells with fragments of chromosomes, as well as single and paired fragments of chromosomes has been given. Different types of chromosomal instability varied depending on the animal species and climate zone. The presented data can be accepted as a physiological norm and used in veterinary medicine and animal science.
Classification and modeling of integrated accounting and planning of costs for the production of agricultural products
Authors: Alborov Rolan Arkhipovich , Khoruzhy Lyudmila Ivanovna , Kontsevaya Svetlana Mikhailovna , Alborov Gregory Rolanovich
Published: June 2021

Agricultural activity is a complex process where various resources, organizational forms of production, labor and payment are used. In this regard, the issues of the development of cost management for the production of agricultural products and the results of its production are becoming topical. A special place in the development of cost management for the production of agricultural products is occupied by management accounting of these costs, as well as their control and analysis. Therefore, the article has improved the classification of costs in agriculture based on the operation of basic economic laws and the practical need for management accounting and planning. Methods for determining the total production cost of products, gross (marginal) income, operating net income, operating profit are proposed. A model of the integrated organization of accounting and cost planning in the agricultural management system has been developed. A methodology for establishing fair value and transfer pricing for agricultural products, as well as a method for accounting for these products, is proposed.
SCHEDULE COORDINATION FOR CITY AND SUBURBAN ROUTES OF GROUNDPUBLIC TRANSPORT
Authors:   Don State Technical University, MIRONCHUK A.A. , SOLODOVCHENKO I.YU. ,   Don State Technical University
Published: June 2021

The article deals with the problem of reducing the transfer time at transport hubs. A mathematical model is proposed for coordinating the timetables of urban and suburban routes of ground public transport. The mathematical model is implemented using the «Search for a solution» add-in in Microsoft Excel. On the basis of the developed model, the search for the efficient shift of the interval of a suburban route was carried out. The latterminimizes the total passengers' time for a transfer at a transport hub.
OPTIMIZATION OF ROAD TRAFFICIN KRASNOYARSK
Authors:   Krasnoyarsk Administration, EREMIN S.V.
Published: June 2021

The article deals with the issues related to improving the organization of traffic on the street and road network of the city of Krasnoyarsk. The article presents scientific and methodological approaches to improving the efficiency of traffic flows on the basis of reducing traffic congestion, increasing the speed of communication and reducing the level of accidents. The implementation of the developed approaches is carried out on the example of the transport system of the city of Kras-noyarsk. The materials presented in the article can be useful for employees of the transport industry in improving the organization of road traffic in cities and regions.
ESTIMATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS ELEMENTS APPLICATIONIN THE CITY OF SARATOV
Authors:   Saratov State Technical University, BASKOV V.N. , ISAEVA E.I. ,   Saratov State Technical University
Published: June 2021

An analysis of the accident rate in the city of Saratov, places of concentration of road traffic accidents showed the need to install photo and video cameras. The assessment of the most emergency areas in Saratov and the experience of installing photo and video cameras in such areas has shown high efficiency.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ADAPTATION
Authors:   Don State Technical University, BULATOVA O.U.
Published: June 2021

The transition of a city to the «Smart city» level is a socio-technical process: first, the transi-tion includes technical and technological changes, and second, since the city is a social system, this process considered from the point of view of users who influence the development of certain types of services and devices for their provision. This article examines the process of digitalization of the city and transport infrastructure in particular. To fulfill the goal set for the transport infrastructure - complete, timely and high-quality transport services for the population, it is necessary to solve a whole range of tasks that are associated with the further development of market relations and improving the efficiency of the transport complex.