bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEMS-Based Electrochemical Seismometer Relying on a CAC Integrated Three-Electrode Structure
Authors: She Xu , Wang Junbo , Chen Deyong , Chen Jian , Xu Chao , Qi Wenjie , Liu Bowen , Liang Tian
Published: January 2021

This study developed a MEMS-based electrochemical seismometer relying on a cathode–anode–cathode (CAC) integrated three-electrode structure where two cathodes were positioned on two surfaces of a silicon wafer, while one anode was positioned on the sidewalls of the through holes of the silicon wafer. Device design and numerical simulations were conducted to model the functionality of the three-electrode structure in detecting vibration signals with the key geometrical parameters optimized. The CAC integrated three-electrode structure was then manufactured by microfabrication, which demonstrated a simplified fabrication process in comparison with conventional four-electrode structures. Device characterization shows that the sensitivity of the CAC microseismometer was an order of magnitude higher than that of the CME6011 (a commercially available four-electrode electrochemical seismometer), while the noise level was comparable. Furthermore, in response to random vibrations, a high correlation coefficient between the CAC and the CME6011 (0.985) was located, validating the performance of the developed seismometer. Thus, the developed electrochemical microseismometer based on an integrated three-electrode structure may provide a new perspective in seismic observations and resource explorations.
Kinocardiography Derived from Ballistocardiography and Seismocardiography Shows High Repeatability in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Hossein Amin , Rabineau Jérémy , Gorlier Damien , Del Rio Jose Ignacio Juarez , van de Borne Philippe , Migeotte Pierre-François , Nonclercq Antoine
Published: January 2021

Recent years have witnessed an upsurge in the usage of ballistocardiography (BCG) and seismocardiography (SCG) to record myocardial function both in normal and pathological populations. Kinocardiography (KCG) combines these techniques by measuring 12 degrees-of-freedom of body motion produced by myocardial contraction and blood flow through the cardiac chambers and major vessels. The integral of kinetic energy (iK) obtained from the linear and rotational SCG/BCG signals, and automatically computed over the cardiac cycle, is used as a marker of cardiac mechanical function. The present work systematically evaluated the test–retest (TRT) reliability of KCG iK derived from BCG/SCG signals in the short term (<15 min) and long term (3–6 h) on 60 healthy volunteers. Additionally, we investigated the difference of repeatability with different body positions. First, we found high short-term TRT reliability for KCG metrics derived from SCG and BCG recordings. Exceptions to this finding were limited to metrics computed in left lateral decubitus position where the TRT reliability was moderate-to-high. Second, we found low-to-moderate long-term TRT reliability for KCG metrics as expected and confirmed by blood pressure measurements. In summary, KCG parameters derived from BCG/SCG signals show high repeatability and should be further investigated to confirm their use for cardiac condition longitudinal monitoring.
Fiber-Optic Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors Based on Nanomaterials
Authors: Lee Seunghun , Song Hyerin , Ahn Heesang , Kim Seungchul , Choi Jong-ryul , Kim Kyujung
Published: January 2021

Applying fiber-optics on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors is aimed at practical usability over conventional SPR sensors. Recently, field localization techniques using nanostructures or nanoparticles have been investigated on optical fibers for further sensitivity enhancement and significant target selectivity. In this review article, we explored varied recent research approaches of fiber-optics based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors. The article contains interesting experimental results using fiber-optic LSPR sensors for three different application categories: (1) chemical reactions measurements, (2) physical properties measurements, and (3) biological events monitoring. In addition, novel techniques which can create synergy combined with fiber-optic LSPR sensors were introduced. The review article suggests fiber-optic LSPR sensors have lots of potential for measurements of varied targets with high sensitivity. Moreover, the previous results show that the sensitivity enhancements which can be applied with creative varied plasmonic nanomaterials make it possible to detect minute changes including quick chemical reactions and tiny molecular activities.
Influence of Artefact Correction and Recording Device Type on the Practical Application of a Non-Linear Heart Rate Variability Biomarker for Aerobic Threshold Determination
Authors: Rogers Bruce , Giles David , Draper Nick , Mourot Laurent , Gronwald Thomas
Published: January 2021

Recent study points to the value of a non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) biomarker using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA a1) for aerobic threshold determination (HRVT). Significance of recording artefact, correction methods and device bias on DFA a1 during exercise and HRVT is unclear. Gas exchange and HRV data were obtained from 17 participants during an incremental treadmill run using both ECG and Polar H7 as recording devices. First, artefacts were randomly placed in the ECG time series to equal 1, 3 and 6% missed beats with correction by Kubios software’s automatic and medium threshold method. Based on linear regression, Bland Altman analysis and Wilcoxon paired testing, there was bias present with increasing artefact quantity. Regardless of artefact correction method, 1 to 3% missed beat artefact introduced small but discernible bias in raw DFA a1 measurements. At 6% artefact using medium correction, proportional bias was found (maximum 19%). Despite this bias, the mean HRVT determination was within 1 bpm across all artefact levels and correction modalities. Second, the HRVT ascertained from synchronous ECG vs. Polar H7 recordings did show an average bias of minus 4 bpm. Polar H7 results suggest that device related bias is possible but in the reverse direction as artefact related bias.
Liquid-Based Reconfigurable Antenna Technology: Recent Developments, Challenges and Future
Authors: Abu Bakar Habshah , Abd Rahim Rosemizi , Soh Ping Jack , Akkaraekthalin Prayoot
Published: January 2021

Advances in reconfigurable liquid-based reconfigurable antennas are enabling new possibilities to fulfil the requirements of more advanced wireless communication systems. In this review, a comparative analysis of various state-of-the-art concepts and techniques for designing reconfigurable antennas using liquid is presented. First, the electrical properties of different liquids at room temperature commonly used in reconfigurable antennas are identified. This is followed by a discussion of various liquid actuation techniques in enabling high frequency reconfigurability. Next, the liquid-based reconfigurable antennas in literature used to achieve the different types of reconfiguration will be critically reviewed. These include frequency-, polarization-, radiation pattern-, and compound reconfigurability. The current concepts of liquid-based reconfigurable antennas can be classified broadly into three basic approaches: altering the physical (and electrical) dimensions of antennas using liquid; applying liquid-based sections as reactive loads; implementation of liquids as dielectric resonators. Each concept and their design approaches will be examined, outlining their benefits, limitations, and possible future improvements.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Safety in 2020
Authors:   Safety Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Safety maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Multi-Target Analysis and Suspect Screening of Xenobiotics in Milk by UHPLC-HRMS/MS
Authors: Musatadi Mikel , González-Gaya Belén , Irazola Mireia , Prieto Ailette , Etxebarria Nestor , Olivares Maitane , Zuloaga Olatz
Published: January 2021

The development of suspect or non-target screening methods to detect xenobiotics in biological fluids is essential to properly understand the exposome and assess its adverse health effects on humans. In order to fulfil that aim, the biomonitorization of human fluids is compulsory. However, these methods are not yet extensively developed, especially for polar organic xenobiotics in biofluids such as milk, as most works are only focused on certain analytes of interest. In this work, a multi-target analysis method to determine 245 diverse xenobiotics in milk by means of Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC)-qOrbitrap was developed. Under optimal conditions, liquid milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile in the presence of anhydrous Na2SO4 and NaCl, and the extracts were cleaned-up by protein precipitation at low temperature and Captiva Non-Drip (ND)—Lipids filters. The optimized method was validated at two concentration-levels (10 ng/g and 40 ng/g) obtaining satisfactory figures of merit for more than 200 compounds. The validated multi-target method was applied to several milk samples, including commercial and breast milk, provided by 4 healthy volunteers. Moreover, the method was extended to perform suspect analysis of more than 17,000 xenobiotics. All in all, several diverse xenobiotics were detected, highlighting food additives (benzothiazole) or phytoestrogens (genistein and genistin) in commercial milk samples, and stimulants (caffeine), plasticizers (phthalates), UV filters (benzophenone), or pharmaceuticals (orlistat) in breast milk samples.
On the Mechanics of the Organic Label Effect: How Does Organic Labeling Change Consumer Evaluation of Food Products?
Authors: Kun András István , Kiss Marietta
Published: January 2021

The literature on the effect of organic labels on consumers’ perception of food products has grown significantly over the last two decades. Since the number of empirical studies has also increased greatly, a literature review revealing the operational definitions of the organic label effect (OLE), which have evolved among researchers, has become necessary. Accordingly, in the current article, 82 studies are reviewed. It was found that studies cluster around two interpretations: they define the OLE either as a change in the evaluation of a given product or as a change in the evaluation of the difference between an organic and a conventional product resulted from organic labeling. We term the first approach the absolute OLE and the latter the relative OLE. Our analysis shows that, when applied separately, these two interpretations might lead to significantly different measurement results, but they can be merged into one concept. We argue that organic labeling affects not only the evaluation of products receiving the organic label but the evaluation of competing products without such a label as well. We reveal that the relative OLE is equivalent to the difference between the absolute effects of organic labeling on the labeled and on the unlabeled products.
Food for Thought: Addressing Urban Food Security Risks through Urban Agriculture
Authors: Steenkamp Jorinda , Cilliers Elizelle Juanee , Cilliers Sarel Stephanus , Lategan Louis
Published: January 2021

Food and nutrition security has been neglected in the planning field for reasons of a lack of connection between food and planning and the perception that agricultural activities have no place in the modernizing world. However, considering increasing climate change impacts and implications on industrialized agriculture, there is a clear need to establish shorter, more sustainable agricultural production practices and food supply chains. Urban agriculture is proposed as a potential method of intervention for planners to support sustainable food production and supply chains. The paper utilized a multiple-case study design to analyze four best practice examples of urban agriculture in the Global South to uncover its potential to address food security associated risks and contribute to sustainable development objectives. The results delivered evidence of the potential to harness the multifunctionality of urban agriculture to not only improve the food security of the most at-risk populations, but to also address other urban risks such as unemployment, community decline and food deserts. The recommendations for this paper relate to establishing a food security department, mapping and encouraging more sustainable food supply chains, creating land uses and zonings specific to urban agriculture and to utilize its multifunctionality to address other urban risks.
Renewable Power Generation: A Supply Chain Perspective
Authors: Jelti Faissal , Allouhi Amine , Büker Mahmut Sami , Saadani Rachid , Jamil Abdelmajid
Published: January 2021

In recent years, the transition to a more sustainable and clean system has focused on the accelerated development of renewable energy technologies. This transition can be perceived as a major priority, especially with the current environmental concerns, threatening various aspects of human life. The objective of this article is, therefore, to highlight the role of the supply chain in the renewable power generation sector. In this context, a detailed assessment of the supply chain contribution to the renewable energy sector is presented. Next, the performance of the renewable energy supply chain is qualitatively evaluated by illustrating the various barriers against continuing development, and the key measures are recommended to overcome these barriers. Then, the main factors influencing the performance of the supply chain are identified and key performance indicators related to the renewable energy supply chain are established to achieve high efficiency and sustainability performances in the power sector.
Sustainability Assessment of Public Transport, Part II—Applying a Multi-Criteria Assessment Method to Compare Different Bus Technologies
Authors: Dahlgren Sofia , Ammenberg Jonas
Published: January 2021

Many Swedish regional transport authorities want bus fleets driven on renewable fuels. However, it may be difficult to know what technology, or combination of technologies, to choose. There is a need for improved knowledge and supportive methods for sustainability assessments that can support public procurement processes. In the companion article (Part I), a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) method for assessments of public bus technologies’ sustainability was established, consisting of four key areas and 12 indicators. In this article, the purpose is to apply the method established in part I on different bus technologies by looking at a general Swedish case and assessing buses driven on diesel, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), ethanol, natural gas, biomethane and electricity. Each technology is assessed on a scale from Very Poor to Very Good according to the indicators: technical maturity, daily operational availability, total cost of ownership, need for investments in infrastructure, cost stability, non-renewable primary energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission savings, air pollution, noise, local/regional impact on land and aquatic environments, energy security and sociotechnical systems services. The results show the strengths and weaknesses of each technology, which are later discussed. We also critically reflect upon the usefulness and accuracy of the MCA method.
Solving the Real Power Limitations in the Dynamic Economic Dispatch of Large-Scale Thermal Power Units under the Effects of Valve-Point Loading and Ramp-Rate Limitations
Authors: Al-Bahrani Loau , Seyedmahmoudian Mehdi , Horan Ben , Stojcevski Alex
Published: January 2021

Few non-traditional optimization techniques are applied to the dynamic economic dispatch (DED) of large-scale thermal power units (TPUs), e.g., 1000 TPUs, that consider the effects of valve-point loading with ramp-rate limitations. This is a complicated multiple mode problem. In this investigation, a novel optimization technique, namely, a multi-gradient particle swarm optimization (MG-PSO) algorithm with two stages for exploring and exploiting the search space area, is employed as an optimization tool. The M particles (explorers) in the first stage are used to explore new neighborhoods, whereas the M particles (exploiters) in the second stage are used to exploit the best neighborhood. The M particles’ negative gradient variation in both stages causes the equilibrium between the global and local search space capabilities. This algorithm’s authentication is demonstrated on five medium-scale to very large-scale power systems. The MG-PSO algorithm effectively reduces the difficulty of handling the large-scale DED problem, and simulation results confirm this algorithm’s suitability for such a complicated multi-objective problem at varying fitness performance measures and consistency. This algorithm is also applied to estimate the required generation in 24 h to meet load demand changes. This investigation provides useful technical references for economic dispatch operators to update their power system programs in order to achieve economic benefits.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Agroecosystem Resilience: Early Insights for Building Better Futures
Authors: Duguma Lalisa A. , van Noordwijk Meine , Minang Peter A. , Muthee Kennedy
Published: January 2021

The way the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted human lives and livelihoods constituted a stress test for agroecosystems in developing countries, as part of rural–urban systems and the global economy. We applied two conceptual schemes to dissect the evidence in peer-reviewed literature so far, as a basis for better understanding and enabling ‘building back better’. Reported positive impacts of the lockdown ‘anthropause’ on environmental conditions were likely only short-term, while progress towards sustainable development goals was more consistently set back especially for social aspects such as livelihood, employment, and income. The loss of interconnectedness, driving loss of assets, followed a ‘collapse’ cascade that included urban-to-rural migration due to loss of urban jobs, and illegal exploitation of forests and wildlife. Agricultural activities geared to international trade were generally disrupted, while more local markets flourished. Improved understanding of these pathways is needed for synergy between the emerging adaptive, mitigative, transformative, and reimaginative responses. Dominant efficiency-seeking strategies that increase fragility will have to be re-evaluated to be better prepared for further pandemics, that current Human–Nature interactions are likely to trigger.
Assessment Urban Transport Service and Pythagorean Fuzzy Sets CODAS Method: A Case of Study of Ciudad Juárez
Authors: Pérez-Dominguez Luis , Durán Sara-Nohemí Almeraz , López Roberto Romero , Pérez-Olguin Iván Juan Carlos , Luviano-Cruz David , Gómez Jesús Andrés Hernández
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this research article is to provide a comprehensive method of evaluation for public transportation. In this sense, this study considers transport lines that offer in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Hence, this study presents a description of the public transport system as part of the literature review. Likewise, the document describes an appropriate model based on the more outstanding publications about urban mobility and public transportation for passengers. Nevertheless, it is based on the Pythagorean Fuzzy combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS) to analyze and evaluate the alternatives through criteria that define general performance. Thus, the integration of these methods provides an adequate methodology for decision-making concerning urban planning and mobility to detect and improve the performance of criteria not considered within sustainable urban mobility plans. Results show how the applied approach can work as a powerful tool for the appraisal of the transport service. Finally, the results give relevant information to the local authority of the transport management of Ciudad Juarez to do improvements focused on the user.
The Italian Experience of the Covenant of Mayors: A Territorial Evaluation
Authors: Santopietro Luigi , Scorza Francesco
Published: January 2021

European climate policy, since the 1990s, has developed incrementally and supported programs, plans and actions for sustainable, clean and secure energy. Additionally, climate-change adaptation issues have been tackled through Mayors Adapt since 2016. The Covenant of Mayors (CoM), a volunteer movement of local administrators established in 2008, set a target of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020. The CoM has launched a new season on energy planning in Europe based on Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs), defining actions for selected intervention sectors. The aim of the work was to evaluate the state of the Italian CoM signatories, assessing the results achieved in terms of the Municipalities involved (CoM signatories), the SEAPs developed and the Monitoring Reports submitted. Specifically, the analysis of the Monitoring Reports data represents a relevant step needed in order to formulate some critical appraisals concerning the performance level of CoM adoption at a national scale, in terms of the commitment levels, goals achieved and actions completed or in progress. The paper also compares national figures with a regional detailed survey developed for the Basilicata Region. It represents a benchmark useful for interpreting the general results derived from the CoM official data and a marker for pointing out suggestions for improving the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) adoption procedures.
Hydrothermal Effects of Freeze-Thaw in the Taklimakan Desert
Authors: Xinchun Liu , Yongde Kang , Hongna Chen , Hui Lu
Published: January 2021

The Taklimakan Desert, also known as the “Sea of Death”, is the largest desert in China and also the world’s second largest remote desert. The road crossing the Taklimakan Desert is the longest desert road in the world and has been the center of the Silk Road since ancient times. Based on field observation data (November 2013 to May 2014) collected from the Tazhong and Xiaotang stations, we studied the interannual and diurnal variations of soil temperature, soil moisture content, and surface heat fluxes during different freezing and thawing periods. The annual and daily changes of soil temperature, soil moisture content, and surface energy fluxes at different freezing and thawing stages were analyzed. We illustrated the coupling relationship between water and heat in freezing-thawing soil in the Taklimakan Desert. We established a coupling model of soil water and heat during freezing and thawing. During the soil freezing period, the soil temperatures at different depths generally trended downward. The temperature difference between the Tazhong station and the Xiaotang station was 4~8.5 °C. The freezing time of soil at 20 cm depth occurred about 11 days after that at 10 cm depth. The effect of ambient temperature on soil temperature gradually weakened with the increase of soil depth. With the occurrence of the soil freezing process, the initial soil moisture contents at 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, and 40 cm depths at the Xiaotang station were 6%, 10%, 29%, and 59%, respectively, and those at the Tazhong station were 5%, 3.6%, 4.4%, and 5.8%, respectively. As the ambient temperature decreased, the freezing front continued to move downward and the liquid soil water content at each depth decreased. The desert highway is closely related to the economic development and prosperity of southern Xinjiang. Therefore, it is important to maintain and inspect the safety and applicability of freeze-thaw zones and avoid casualties from vehicles and personnel.
Challenges and Opportunities in Early Stage Planning of Transport Infrastructure Projects: Environmental Aspects in the Strategic Choice of Measures Approach
Authors: Eckersten Sofia , Balfors Berit , Gunnarsson-Östling Ulrika
Published: January 2021

The Strategic Choice of Measures (SCM) approach aims to integrate different perspectives and identify measures to adapt new infrastructure projects to their local context at an early stage of Swedish transport planning. SCM is a loosely structured framework for collaboration between actors from, e.g., municipalities and the Swedish Transport Administration, in order to facilitate the coordination of transport planning and land use planning. This paper aims to explore the consideration of environmental aspects in early-stage transport planning by analyzing the SCM approach. An explorative research approach is applied based on literature studies, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group interview. The result shows that in the SCM process, environmental aspects such as noise and air pollution generated by road traffic in urban areas, engage the actors, whereas aspects related to landscape and water were perceived as poorly addressed and received less attention. The consideration of environmental aspects in the SCM process is affected by the local and national authorities’ different interests and the competences involved. To consolidate environmental aspects in early transport planning, these aspects need to be explicitly addressed in the SCM guidelines and the link between the SCM and preceding and following planning stages needs to be strengthened.
Food Resources Biodiversity: The Case of Local Cattle in Slovakia
Authors: Kasarda Radovan , Vostrý Luboš , Vostrá-Vydrová Hana , Candráková Kristína , Moravčíková Nina
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to assess the level of biodiversity in selected local cattle populations as important food resources in Slovakia. The biodiversity level was derived from the genome-wide data collected for dairy (Jersey), dual-purpose (Slovak Pinzgau, Slovak Spotted), and beef breeds (Charolais, Limousine). The commonly used indices, genomic inbreeding (FROH, FGRM, FHOM, FUNI) and effective population size (NeLD), were used to quantify the impact of relatives mating on the genome of analysed populations. Even if the low NeLD estimates signalise significant loss of genetic variability within populations, the genomic inbreeding under 1% (except Jersey) showed that the intensity of diversity loss is not so rapid and can be managed by the re-arrangement of long-term breeding strategies. The analysis of genetic differentiation degree across populations assumed that the specialisation of breeds during their grading-up led to the specific nucleotide changes, especially in genes responsible for preferred phenotypic traits. The breed-specific differences observed mainly in the genome of Charolais (carcass traits) and Jersey (milk production traits) populations resulted from the polymorphisms in CAPN1 (μ-calpain) and CSN1S2 (casein alpha s2) genes, respectively. Obtained results confirmed that the specific haplotypes are strongly associated with the genetic nature of breed depending on production type.
Role of Integrated Approaches in Water Resources Management: Antofagasta Region, Chile
Authors: Tiwari Ashwani , Suozzi Enrico , Silva Carlos , De Maio Marina , Zanetti Mariachiara
Published: January 2021

Water is essential for the survival of all living beings and plays a significant role in the growth of any country′s economy. At present, water depletion and pollution are a serious challenge due to anthropogenic, geogenic and climate change activities worldwide, including in Chile. The Antofagasta region is located in northern Chile and is the heart of its mining industry, playing a significant role in the country′s economy. The Antofagasta region′s main challenge is water shortage and contamination. Due to it, the region′s local population is facing major difficulties in obtaining the necessary water for domestic, industrial, irrigation, and other uses. Therefore, a water resources management plan is essential for the region to maintain a sustainable environment. Considering the above points, significant parameters, such as slope, aspect, elevation, hillshade, drainage, drainage density and river basin—maps of the Antofagasta region prepared using the digital elevation model (DEM) data in geographic information system (GIS) environment. Besides, a pollution risk level assessment of the study area′s cities/villages done using GIS application. The important created maps and the identification of pollution risk of cities/villages of the present study could provide significant information to policymakers and help them make a suitable water management plan for the area.
Evaluation of Online Teaching Quality: An Extended Linguistic MAGDM Framework Based on Risk Preferences and Unknown Weight Information
Authors: Lin Hui , You Jianxin , Xu Tao
Published: January 2021

Evaluation of online teaching quality has become an important issue because many universities are turning to online classes due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this paper, online teaching quality evaluation is considered as a linguistic multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problem. Generally, the evaluation sematic information can be symmetrically or asymmetrically distributed in linguistic term sets. Thus, an extended linguistic MAGDM framework is proposed for evaluating online teaching quality. As the main contribution, the proposed method takes into account the risk preferences of assessment experts (AEs) and unknown weight information of attributes and sub-attributes. To be specific, the Delphi method is employed to establish a multi-level evaluation indicator system (EIS) of online teaching quality. Then, by introducing the group generalized linguistic term set (GLTS) with two risk preference parameters, a two-stage optimization model is developed to calculate the weights of attributes and sub-attributes objectively. Subsequently, the linguistic MAGDM framework was divided into two stages. The first stage maximizes the group comprehensive rating values of teachers on different attributes to obtain partial ranking results for teachers on each attribute. The latter stage maximizes the group comprehensive rating values of teachers to evaluate the overall quality. Finally, a case study is provided to illustrate how to apply the framework to evaluate online teaching quality.
Choosing a Data Storage Format in the Apache Hadoop System Based on Experimental Evaluation Using Apache Spark
Authors: Belov Vladimir , Tatarintsev Andrey , Nikulchev Evgeny
Published: January 2021

One of the most important tasks of any platform for big data processing is storing the data received. Different systems have different requirements for the storage formats of big data, which raises the problem of choosing the optimal data storage format to solve the current problem. This paper describes the five most popular formats for storing big data, presents an experimental evaluation of these formats and a methodology for choosing the format. The following data storage formats will be considered: avro, CSV, JSON, ORC, parquet. At the first stage, a comparative analysis of the main characteristics of the studied formats was carried out; at the second stage, an experimental evaluation of these formats was prepared and carried out. For the experiment, an experimental stand was deployed with tools for processing big data installed on it. The aim of the experiment was to find out characteristics of data storage formats, such as the volume and processing speed for different operations using the Apache Spark framework. In addition, within the study, an algorithm for choosing the optimal format from the presented alternatives was developed using tropical optimization methods. The result of the study is presented in the form of a technique for obtaining a vector of ratings of data storage formats for the Apache Hadoop system, based on an experimental assessment using Apache Spark.
Geographically Weighted Three-Parameters Bivariate Gamma Regression and Its Application
Authors: Purhadi  , Rahayu Anita , Wenur Gabriella Hillary
Published: January 2021

This study discusses model development for response variables following a bivariate gamma distribution using three-parameters, namely shape, scale and location parameters, paying attention to spatial effects so as to produce different parameter estimator values for each location. This model is called geographically weighted bivariate gamma regression (GWBGR). The method used for parameter estimation is maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) with the Berndt–Hall–Hall-Hausman (BHHH) algorithm approach. Parameter testing consisted of a simultaneous test using the maximum-likelihood ratio test (MLRT) and a partial test using Wald test. The results of GWBGR modeling three-parameters with fixed weight bisquare kernel showed that the variables that significantly affect the rate of infant mortality (RIM) and rate of maternal mortality (RMM) are the percentage of poor people, the percentage of obstetric complications treated, the percentage of pregnant mothers who received Fe3 and the percentage of first-time pregnant mothers under seventeen years of age. While the percentage of households with clean and healthy lifestyle only significant in several regencies and cities.
Some Gronwall–Bellman Inequalities on Time Scales and Their Continuous Forms: A Survey
Authors: Barich Francesca
Published: January 2021

Some generalizations of the Gronwall–Bellman (G–B) inequality are presented in this paper in continuous form and on time scales. After S. Hilger introduced the time scales theory in 1988, over the years many mathematicians have studied new versions of this inequality according to new results; the purpose of this paper is to present some of them. Therefore, in the Introduction, some generalizations of G–B inequality in continuous forms, linear and nonlinear are presented. In the second section, some important and interesting results on time scales theory are given. In the third and main part of our paper, G–B inequalities on time scales and their possible connection with G–B inequalities presented in the introduction are investigated. In particular, in the third section of this work, more attention is given to G–B type inequalities on time scales discussed in the last four years.
An Optical Planar Waveguide-Based Immunosensors for Determination of Fusarium Mycotoxin Zearalenone
Authors: Nabok Alexei , Al-Jawdah Ali Madlool , Gémes Borbála , Takács Eszter , Székács András
Published: January 2021

A planar waveguide (PW) immunosensor working as a polarisation interferometer was developed for the detection of mycotoxin zearalenone (ZON). The main element of the sensor is an optical waveguide consisting of a thin silicon nitride layer between two thicker silicon dioxide layers. A combination of a narrow waveguiding core made by photolithography with an advanced optical set-up providing a coupling of circular polarised light into the PW via its slanted edge allowed the realization of a novel sensing principle by detection of the phase shift between the p- and s-components of polarised light propagating through the PW. As the p-component is sensitive to refractive index changes at the waveguide interface, molecular events between the sensor surface and the contacting sample solution can be detected. To detect ZON concentrations in the sample solution, ZON-specific antibodies were immobilised on the waveguide via an electrostatically deposited polyelectrolyte layer, and protein A was adsorbed on it. Refractive index changes on the surface due to the binding of ZON molecules to the anchored antibodies were detected in a concentration-dependent manner up to 1000 ng/mL of ZON, allowing a limit of detection of 0.01 ng/mL. Structurally unrelated mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1 or ochratoxin A did not exert observable cross-reactivity.
Analysis of E.U. Rapid Alert System (RASFF) Notifications for Aflatoxins in Exported U.S. Food and Feed Products for 2010–2019
Authors: Alshannaq Ahmad , Yu Jae-Hyuk
Published: January 2021

The most common, toxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxins found in human food and animal feed are the aflatoxins (AFs). The United States is a leading exporter of various nuts, with a marketing value of $9.1 billion in 2019; the European Union countries are the major importers of U.S. nuts. In the past few years, border rejections and notifications for U.S. tree nuts and peanuts exported to the E.U. countries have increased due to AF contamination. In this work, we analyzed notifications from the “Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)” on U.S. food and feed products contaminated with mycotoxins, primarily AFs, for the 10-year period 2010–2019. Almost 95% of U.S. mycotoxin RASFF notifications were reported for foods and only 5% for feeds. We found that 98.9% of the U.S. food notifications on mycotoxins were due to the AF contamination in almond, peanut, and pistachio nuts. Over half of these notifications (57.9%) were due to total AF levels greater than the FDA action level in food of 20 ng g−1. The Netherlands issued 27% of the AF notifications for U.S. nuts. Border rejection was reported for more than 78% of AF notifications in U.S. nuts. All U.S. feed notifications on mycotoxins occurred due to the AF contamination. Our research contributes to better understanding the main reasons behind RASFF mycotoxins notifications of U.S. food and feed products destined to E.U. countries. Furthermore, we speculate possible causes of this problem and provide a potential solution that could minimize the number of notifications for U.S. agricultural export market.
Intrinsic Immune Mechanisms Restricting Human Cytomegalovirus Replication
Authors: Schilling Eva-Maria , Scherer Myriam , Stamminger Thomas
Published: January 2021

Cellular restriction factors (RFs) act as important constitutive innate immune barriers against viruses. In 2006, the promyelocytic leukemia protein was described as the first RF against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection which is antagonized by the viral immediate early protein IE1. Since then, at least 15 additional RFs against HCMV have been identified, including the chromatin regulatory protein SPOC1, the cytidine deaminase APOBEC3A and the dNTP triphosphohydrolase SAMHD1. These RFs affect distinct steps of the viral replication cycle such as viral entry, gene expression, the synthesis of progeny DNA or egress. This review summarizes our current knowledge on intrinsic immune mechanisms restricting HCMV replication as well as on the viral strategies to counteract the inhibitory effects of RFs. Detailed knowledge on the interplay between host RFs and antagonizing viral factors will be fundamental to develop new approaches to combat HCMV infection.
Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Test for Pre-Vaccination Testing to Detect Antibodies against Canine Adenoviruses in Dogs
Authors: Bergmann Michèle , Holzheu Mike , Zablotski Yury , Speck Stephanie , Truyen Uwe , Hartmann Katrin
Published: January 2021

(1) Background: Antibody testing is commonly used to assess a dog’s immune status. For detection of antibodies against canine adenoviruses (CAVs), one point-of-care (POC) test is available. This study assessed the POC test´s performance. (2) Methods: Sera of 198 privately owned dogs and 40 specific pathogen-free (SPF) dogs were included. The reference standard for detection of anti-CAV antibodies was virus neutralization (VN) using CAV-1 and CAV-2 antigens. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy (OA) of the POC test were assessed. Specificity was considered most important. (3) Results: Prevalence of CAV-1 neutralizing antibodies (≥10) was 76% (182/238) in all dogs, 92% (182/198) in the subgroup of privately owned dogs, and 0% (0/40) in SPF dogs. Prevalence of CAV-2 neutralizing antibodies (≥10) was 76% (181/238) in all dogs, 91% (181/198) in privately owned dogs, and 0% (0/40) in SPF dogs. Specificity for detection of CAV-1 antibodies was lower (overall dogs, 88%; privately owned dogs, 56%; SPF dogs, 100%) compared with specificity for detection of CAV-2 antibodies (overall dogs, 90%; privately owned dogs, 65%; SPF dogs, 100%). (4) Conclusions: Since false positive results will lead to potentially unprotected dogs not being vaccinated, specificity should be improved to reliably detect anti-CAV antibodies that prevent infectious canine hepatitis in dogs.
An Artificial Intelligence-Based Approach for the Controlled Access Ramp Metering Problem
Authors: Alexakis Theodoros , Peppes Nikolaos , Adamopoulou Evgenia , Demestichas Konstantinos
Published: January 2021

The ever-increasing demand for transportation of people and goods as well as the massive accumulation of population in urban centers have increased the need for appropriate infrastructure and system development in order to efficiently manage the constantly increasing and diverse traffic flows. Moreover, given the rapid growth and the evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), the development of intelligent traffic management systems that go beyond traditional approaches is now more feasible than ever. Nowadays, highways often have sensors installed across their range that collect data such as speed, density, direction and so on. In addition, the rapid evolution of vehicles with installed computer systems and sensors on board, provides a very large amount of data, ranging from very simple features such as speed, acceleration, etc. to very complex data like the driver’s situation and driving behavior. However, these data alone and without any further processing, cannot solve the congestion problem. Therefore, the development of complex computational methods and algorithms underpins the chance to process these data in a fast and reliable way. The purpose of this paper is to present a traffic control ramp metering (RM) method based on machine learning and to study its impact on a selected highway segment.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Vision in 2020
Authors:   Vision Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Vision maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Bioelectrochemical Greywater Treatment for Non-Potable Reuse and Energy Recovery
Authors: Cecconet Daniele , Bolognesi Silvia , Piacentini Luca , Callegari Arianna , Capodaglio Andrea
Published: January 2021

Greywater normally represents the largest fraction of wastewater generated in buildings and may be suitable for non-potable reuse after on-site treatment. Conventional technologies for greywater treatment include sequencing batch reactors, membrane filtration, and membrane biological reactors. Even though these can be very effective, they are highly energy consuming and may negatively impact the energy balance of the building where they are installed. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a sustainable technology for contaminant removal and energy production from a variety of substrates. In this study, the application of MFCs for greywater treatment is reported, with a particular focus on the analysis of energy losses, in view of non-potable reuse. MFCs were fed with different types of greywater, characterized by either high or low conductivity, because greywater’s conductivity may greatly differ based on its origin; in either case, organic matter (chemical oxygen demand; COD) removal was higher than 85% and not influenced by the influent conductivity, coupled with a maximum power production of 0.46 mW L−1 and 0.38 mW L−1. Electrolyte overpotentials were dramatically higher in the case of low conductivity greywater (20% vs. 10%, compared to high conductivity influent); these overpotentials are related to the conductivity of the influent, showing that low conductivity hindered energy generation, but not COD removal. Polarization and power curves showed higher internal resistance in the case of low conductivity, confirming the overpotentials’ analysis. Results showed the feasibility of the use of MFCs in greywater treatment, with potential to reduce the energy demand connected to its reuse compared to conventional technologies; coupling with a disinfection stage would be necessary to fully comply with most non-potable reuse regulations.
Modeling and Monitoring of Hydrodynamics and Surface Water Quality in the Sulejów Dam Reservoir, Poland
Authors: Ziemińska-Stolarska Aleksandra , Kempa Magdalena
Published: January 2021

The aim of this work is to evaluate core variables of the ecological potential of the Sulejów Reservoir (temperature distribution, flow velocities, and concentrations of selected indicators, e.g., phosphates, nitrates, the abundance of phytoplankton) using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model, GEMSS-HDM (generalized environmental modeling system for surface waters), coupled with a water quality model, WASP EUTRO (GEMSS-WQM). The monitoring data necessary to build the model were obtained from two multiparameter probes that were submerged in two locations in the Sulejów Reservoir. An ADCP current profiler was used to collect data for hydrodynamic model calibration and verification. Total error between computed and measured velocity was estimated at 10–15%. A high concentration of chlorophyll-a during the vegetation season of 2015 (0.02 mg/L) was coupled with high water temperature (above 25 °C) and low concentrations of biogenic compounds (phosphorus and nitrogen at 0.02 and 0.001 mg/L, respectively). In 2015, NO3-N was the limiting nutrient in the Sulejów Reservoir. Maximum growth of algae was observed in June and July 2015 (0.02 mg/L chla) along the entire length of the reservoir; algae bloom volume reduction was observed in September (0.004 mg/L chla). Proposed scenarios for nutrient reduction—50% reduction of phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) from agriculture areas as well as 50% reduction of discharges from septic tanks—led to a considerable reduction of nutrient concentrations in the reservoir waters; it additionally favors reducing the concentration of chlorophyll-a. The obtained results indicate that these sources of pollutants are mainly responsible for the poor water quality status of the reservoir and more intensive eutrophication phenomena.
Ecological Efficiency of the Mussel Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea, 1852) on Particulate Organic Matter Filtering, Algal Controlling and Water Quality Regulation
Authors: Yu Xiaobo , Yang Qinglin , Zhao Zhe , Tang Xiaoqi , Xiong Bo , Su Shengqi , Wu Zhengli , Yao Weizhi
Published: January 2021

Hyriopsis cumingii plays an important role in aquatic ecosystems and fishery economy due to its potential value for water purification and edibleness. The present study was undertaken to reveal the short- and long-term purifying effects of H. cumingii on pond water. The short-term experiment results showed that total suspended solids, particulate organic carbon, and fatty acid in water were significantly eliminated by H. cumingii, with average percentage of filtering effect respectively reaching 22.19%, 57.48%, and 21.00% in the high-density group. Analogously, H. cumingii could significantly reduce phytoplankton biomass, species number, density, and chlorophyll-a concentration, especially in the control of diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria. Besides, electric conductivity also was significantly reduced by H. cumingii and its variation tendency showed a typical density-dependent effect. Similar purification effects were observed in chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. In the long-term monitoring test, H. cumingii has also shown positive effects on the water transparency and the control to phytoplankton and COD in recirculating aquaculture pond. Overall, H. cumingii showed excellent ecological function, and the mixed breeding density of shellfish in the recirculating aquaculture pond is worth further exploration.