bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 catalysing assessment transformation: A case of the online open book examination
Authors: S. Meeran , M. N. Davids
Published: August 2022

Under COVID-19 lockdown conditions, the imposition of social distancing and restricted mobility, disrupted the traditional way of assessment in higher education. The closed book examination, conducted under proctored conditions, had to be substituted for the online open book examination (OOBE), posing challenges to both conventional and Open Distance Learning (ODL) institutions. The OOBE became a new experience to lecturers and students. Considering COVID-19 as a potential catalyst for educational transformation, the experiences gained in this format of assessment presents a valuable frame of reference for future learning. The aim is to extract lessons from this innovative learning experience to inform future assessment practices. The study is set in the context of a B.Ed. (Hons) compulsory module, offered at an Open Distance Learning (ODL) institution in South Africa. It is guided by the research question: “what were students’ experiences of their first online, open-book final examination and what are the implications for policy, practice and research?” This is a qualitative study, using as data, student emails on their experiences of the OOBE. The results show that the OOBE is an innovative assessment practice in higher education, in need of deeper understanding and (re)training. We conclude that the OOBE offers transformational opportunities in higher education assessment practices, to replace the traditional closed-book examination. We make recommendations to assist lecturers and students in approaching the OOBE in future.
Academic pipeline or academic treadmill? Postdoctoral fellowships and the circular logic of "development"
Authors: P. Kerr
Published: August 2022

South African higher education policy related to postdoctoral fellowships is informed by two related discourses: the discourse of the “academic pipeline” and the discourse of “human capital development”. Both of these are forward-looking concepts which imply that good things lie in future employment for postdocs, and/or increased competitiveness and employment for the nation. This article, which is part autoethnography and part higher education policy analysis, offers a critique of these discourses by narrating the author’s own transition from postgraduate psychology student to contract worker, postdoctoral fellow, unsuccessful permanent job applicant, and finally to accepting an offer of a permanent academic job outside South Africa. While seeing myself as one of these early-career academics in the “pipeline” which the policy documents purport to address, I discuss how research managers use discourses of career development and human capital development to mislead young academics about their academic employment prospects and silence their attempts to critique the system. The article proposes that the concept of the academic pipeline works to obscure how postdoctoral fellowships are part of the casualisation and de-professionalisation of academic work, through which disciplinary identity and accomplishments are being divorced from secure university employment.
HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES AND EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT: NEW INSIGHTS FROM THE BOOMING HOTEL INDUSTRY IN VIETNAM
Authors: Nguyen Le Vinh , Haar Jarrod , Smollan Roy
Published: August 2022

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine how the leadership competencies of frontline managers influence the organizational commitment of their subordinates. The study further examines the relationship between the dominant (strongest) competency and organizational commitment and how this relationship is mediated by leadership consistency. Design - Data were collected from employees in seven hotels in two cities using a multilevel scale for competencies and standardized scales for leadership consistency and commitment. Construct validity of the hospitality leadership competency model (HLCM) was tested by confirmatory factor analysis. A stepwise analysis was run to identify dominant competencies (predictors). Finally, a moderated mediation model was tested. Methodology - This research adopted a quantitative approach to collect and analyse the data. Findings - All competencies were highly and positively related to organizational commitment, with team leadership being the dominant competency and predictor. A moderated mediation mechanism analysis shows that leadership consistency mediated the relationship between team leadership and organizational commitment, but this relationship was slightly attenuated by team size. Originality - The study contributes to (1) validating the HLCM at the frontline level and from the employees’ perspective, (2) quantifying the relationships between organizational commitment and leadership competencies, especially team leadership under the mediating effect of leadership consistency, and (3) creating several evidence-based implications for hospitality educators, employers, and managers.
BICYCLE TOURING EXPERIENCES AS A SOCIALINCLUSION ACTIVITY FOR VISUALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
Authors: Asan Kubra , Ozan Aksoz Emre
Published: August 2022

Purpose - This study is aimed towards examining the experiences of visually impaired people participating in tourism and recreational activities with tandem bicycles and to explain the social integration function of cycling. Design - The research was conducted using qualitative research methods in an exploratory study. Methodology - Data were collected through in-depth interviews with a total of six visually impaired touring cyclists in Turkey. Approach - An inductive approach was used in the study. Findings – After the analysis, four themes were identified: ‘embodied experiences,’ ‘equal difficulties,’ ‘friendships’ and ‘social inclusion.’ First, the analysis revealed that participants embodied experiences of nature, socialisation, freedom, entertainment, and exploration through body performance in a multisensory manner. Second, disabled people have similar challenges as non-disabled people. Third, friendships rather than acquaintances developed between tandem partners with and without visual impairments, which contributed to long-term social inclusion. Finally, cycling tours play an important role in the social inclusion of people with disabilities by facilitating access to the social environment and raising disability awareness Originality of the research - This study contributes to the expansion of theoretical and practical knowledge about the cycling experiences of disabled individuals in tourism and leisure.
Prediksi Gaji Berdasarkan Pengalaman Bekerja Menggunakan Metode Regresi Linear
Authors: Zulfikar Irsyad , Saputra Muhammad Arif , Prasetyo Nike , Rijanandi Teguh , Adhinata Faisal Dharma
Published: August 2022

Industri tidak bisa dipisahkan dari adanya sumber daya manusia (SDM). Walaupun industri memiliki teknologi yang maju dan juga modern, namun berhasilnya suatu perusahaan tak lepas dari jasa para sumber daya manusia yang unggul. Dengan begitu perlu bagi perusahaan untuk memperhatikan para pekerjanya. Salah satu usaha untuk meningkatkan mutu SDM yaitu dengan pemberian gaji berdasarkan pengalaman kerja. Ketika seseorang yang sudah lama  bekerja di suatu perusahaan maka gajinya akan semakin naik. Penelitian ini ditujukan guna menganalisis prediksi gaji karyawan berdasarkan lama tahun bekerja. Dalam penelitian ini faktor pengujianya menggunakan variable (X) sebagai faktor pemicu terhadap variable (Y) konsekuensi. Metode yang digunakan dalam riset ini yaitu menggunakan metode Regresi linier. Kemudian kami menggunakan survey kuesioner kepada 30 responden sebagai metode pengambilan data.
Spatio-temporal co-variability of air pollutants and meteorological variables over
Haqel and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Tazeem Syeda Batool , Ahmed Nabeel , Hussain Athar
Published: August 2022

This study presents a first simultaneous trend and magnitude assessment of the air
pollutants (CO, H2S, SO2, NO2, NO, NOx, O3 and PM10), and meteorological variables
(rainfall or RF, relative humidity or RH, atmospheric pressure or PR, temperature or TC,
wind speed or WS and wind direction or WD) in the city of Haqel and at four different
locations in the city of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, for a continuous 5-year period
(2008−2012). The spatio-temporal co-variations of air pollutants in terms of their
diurnal, weekly, seasonal and annual cycles, and their relationship with meteorological
conditions, along with the estimates of the weekend effect, are described. A decreasing
annual trend was observed for most air pollutants analyzed except for O3 and PM10. The
CO, NO2, NO and NOx displayed a strong weekend effect. A percentile-based change
analysis displayed an increase in concentrations for O3 (PM10) in the lower (higher)
percentiles from the first to second half of the study period. The study identified 12
cyclonic weather events during the 5-year time period associated with high PM10
concentrations (> 500 µg m-3) relative to a mean value of 102 µg m-3, with a standard
deviation value of 179 µg m-3. The study also analyzed the impacts of several
mid-latitude anti-cyclonic events on air pollutant concentrations and found a
significant change in air pollutant concentrations (CO, SO2, NO2, NO, NOx, O3 and PM10)
and meteorological variables (RH, PR, TC, WS, and WD) associated with stagnant upper air
conditions during the atmospheric blocking.
The influence of snow cover on Ozone Monitor Instrument formaldehyde
observations
Authors: Howlett CareyAnne , González Abad Gonzalo , Chan Miller Christopher , Nowlan Caroline Rebecca , Ayazpour Zolal , Zhu Lei Zhu
Published: August 2022

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is measured from space using backscattered ultraviolet
sun-light. Because of HCHO’s short lifetime, space-based observations of HCHO can serve
as a proxy for volatile organic compounds, helping to characterize their global
emissions and distributions. HCHO satellite observations rely on Air Mass Factor (AMF)
calculations to transform fitted slant columns into vertical column densities. Most HCHO
satellite products do not explicitly consider the presence of snow on the ground during
the calculation of AMFs. In this study, we leverage information from the MODIS
bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), MODIS snow cover information,
and the Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System to evaluate the impact of
ground snow on Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) HCHO retrievals. We focus our analysis
on the year 2005. We compare AMFs computed using daily MODIS BRDF to AMFs computed using
OMI’s surface reflectance climatology, the baseline for NASA’s OMHCHO product. Over
snow-covered regions, both sets of AMFs show significant differences. We observe two
different behaviors. Regions with permanent snow cover (Greenland and Antarctica) show
smaller AMFs calculated with MODIS BRDF than with the OMI climatology resulting in a 6%
median annual increase of HCHO VCDs. Over regions with seasonal snow cover, the
situation is more complex with more variability in the differences during the year. For
example, a February 2005 case study over Europe shows that the NASA OMHCHO VCDs
(calculated using the OMI Lambertian climatology) are on average 16% larger than HCHO
columns retrieved using daily MODIS BRDF information.
Impact of Strategy Change on Business Process Management
Authors: Bubenik Peter , Capek Juraj , Rakyta Miroslav , Binasova Vladimira , Staffenova Katarina
Published: August 2022

The paper deals with the design of a systematic procedure for implementing strategy changes into internal business processes for a project-oriented production type of organization. In the first part of the contribution, a summary of the theoretical starting points for the field of strategic management and change management is presented. In the second part, the contribution deals with the analysis of the current situation in the area of the impact of the change of strategy on the management of business processes. In the last part, the proposal of the procedure for implementing strategy changes into internal business processes and the verification results are presented. The proposed procedure includes steps where the selection and verification of key performance indicators at individual levels of management plus the quantification of the impact of the change in strategy on the processes takes place. The management can thus monitor and evaluate the chosen processes in accordance with the fulfilment of the chosen strategy of the company. The last chapter presents the verification of the proposal for the systematic introduction of changes into the processes.
A HELIOS Based Dynamic Salt Clean-Up Study for iMAGINE
Authors: Merk Bruno , Detkina Anna , Litskevich Dzianis , Noori-kalkhoran Omid , Cartland-Glover Gregory
Published: August 2022

Nuclear technologies have the potential to play a unique role delivering low carbon energy for a future net-zero society. However, for the long-term success, nuclear will need to deliver innovative solutions as proposed in iMAGINE. One of the key challenges for the envisaged highly integrated nuclear energy system is the need for a demand driven salt clean-up system. The work described provides an insight into the interplay between a potential salt clean-up system and the reactor operation in a dynamic approach. The results provided will help to optimize the parameters for the salt clean-up process by delivering a dynamically calculated priority list identifying the elements with high influence on reactor operation. The integrated model is used to investigate the ideal time for the initiation of the clean-up as well as the effect of different throughput through the clean-up system on criticality as well as on the concentration of the elements in the reactor salt. Finally, a staggered approach is proposed with the idea to phase in the chemical clean-up processes step by step to keep the reactor critical. The results provide an essential step for the progress of iMAGINE as well as the basis for the inter disciplinary work required to bring iMAGINE into real operation.
Monitoring Seasonal Morphobathymetric Change of Nearshore Seafloor Using Drone-Based Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Alevizos Evangelos , Alexakis Dimitrios
Published: August 2022

Short-term changes in shallow bathymetry affect the coastal zone and therefore their monitoring is an essential task in coastal planning projects. This study provides a novel approach for monitoring shallow bathymetry change based on drone multispectral imagery. Particularly we apply a shallow water inversion algorithm on two composite multispectral datasets being acquired five months apart in a small Mediterranean sandy embayment (Chania, Greece). Initially, we perform radiometric corrections using proprietary software and following we combine the bands from standard and multispectral cameras resulting in a six-band composite image suitable for applying the shallow water inversion algorithm. Bathymetry inversion results showed good correlation and low errors (< 0.3m) with sonar measurements collected with an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). Bathymetry maps and true-color orthomosaics assist in identifying morphobathymetric features representing crescentic bars with rip channel systems. The temporal bathymetry and true-color data reveal important erosional and depositional patterns, which were developed under the impact of winter storms. Furthermore, bathymetric profiles show that the crescentic bar appears to migrate across and along-shore over the 5-months period. Drone-based multispectral imagery proves to be an important and cost-effective tool for shallow seafloor mapping and monitoring when it is combined with shallow water analytical models.
Slope Safety Risk Analysis of The Embankments Made of Different Landfill-Mined Waste
Authors: Verma Abhay Kumar , Prasad Arun
Published: August 2022

Municipal solid waste management is a growing worldwide challenge. Landfill mining is a promising technique to reduce MSW landfills. In the present study, arbitrary embankments made of different MSW fractions are analyzed to find the safety factor of their slopes. Properties of Municipal solid waste fines (MSWF), Shredded MSW, MSW Incineration Ash, and MSW having particles less than 35 mm are used in the analysis. For doing the same, finite element-based application 'Plaxis-2D' is used. The safety of slopes is assessed while the water table is inserted, and a uniform load is applied to the embankment to establish how well they will perform in critical situations. It was found that the slope made of shredded MSW is most safe due to its low density and high friction angle, while the least safe slope is made of MSW having less than 35 mm fractions.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on School-aged Children’s Physical Activity, Screen Time and Sleep in Hong Kong: a Cross-sectional Repeated Measures Study
Authors: So Hung-Kwan , Chua Gilbert T , Yip Ka-Man , Tung Keith TS , Wong Rosa S , Louie Lobo HT , Tso Winnie WY , Wong Ian , Yam Jason , Kwan Mike , Lau Gary KK , Kong Judy , Wong Wilfred HS , Ip Patrick
Published: August 2022

Despite concerns about the negative effects of social distancing and prolonged school closures on children’s lifestyle and physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, robust evidence is lacking on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s wellbeing and daily life. This study aimed to examine changes in the PA levels, sleep patterns and screen time of school-aged children during the different phases of COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong using a repeated cross-sectional design. School students (Grades 1 to 12) were asked to report their daily electronic device usage and to fill in a sleep dairy recording their daily sleep and wake-up time. They were equipped with a PA monitor, Actigraph wGT3X-BT, to obtain objective data on their PA levels and sleep patterns. Students were recruited before the pandemic (Sep 2019 – Jan 2020; n=577), during school closures (Mar 2020 – Apr 2020; n=146), and after schools partially reopened (Oct 2020 – Jul 2021; n=227). Our results indicated lower PA levels, longer sleep duration, and longer screen time among participants recruited during school closures than those recruited before the COVID-19 outbreak. Primary school students were found to sleep on average for an extra hour during school closures. Our findings illustrate the impact of social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic on the sleep pattern, screen time, and PA level in school-aged children in Hong Kong. Professionals should reinforce the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle, good sleep hygiene, and healthy use of electronic devices to parents and school-aged children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Applications of the Novel Quantitative Pharmacophore Activity Relationship Method QPhAR in Virtual Screening and Lead-optimization
Authors: Kohlbacher Stefan Michael , Schmid Matthias , Seidel Thomas , Langer Thierry
Published: August 2022

Pharmacophores are an established concept for the modelling of ligand-receptor interactions based on the abstract representations of stereoelectronic molecular features. They became widely popular as filters for the fast virtual screening of large compound libraries. Until today a lot of effort has been put into the development of sophisticated algorithms and strategies to increase the computational efficiency of the screening process. However, hardly any focus was put on the development of automated procedures that optimise pharmacophores towards higher discriminatory power, which until today still has to be done manually by a human expert. In the age of machine learning, the researcher has become the decision-maker at the top level, outsourcing analysis tasks and recurrent work to advanced algorithms and automation workflows. Here we propose an algorithm for the automated selection of features driving pharmacophore model quality using SAR information extracted from validated QPhAR models. By integrating the developed method into an end-to-end workflow, we present a fully automated method that is able to derive best-quality pharmacophores from a given input dataset. Finally, we show how the QPhAR-generated models can be used to guide the researcher with insights regarding (un-)favourable interactions for compounds of interest.
Associated Risk Factors and Pathogen Burden among ICU Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Hail Saudi Arabia with Particular Reference to β-Lactamases Profile
Authors: Mohd Saleem , Syed Khaja Azharuddin Sajid , Hossain Ashfaque , Alenazi Fahaad , Said Kamaleldin B , Moursi Soha Abdallah , Almalaq Homoud Abdulmohsin , Mohamed Hamza , Rakha Ehab , Salem Alharbi Mohammed , Usman Kauser
Published: August 2022

A 1-year prospective study was carried out on patients in the ICU unit at a tertiary care hospital, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 163 bacterial isolates were obtained from different clinical specimens with a high proportion of bacteria found associated with ventilator-associated pneumoniae (70, 43%), followed by catheter-associated urinary tract infection (39, 24%), central line-associated bloodstream infection (25, 15%), and surgical site infection (14, 8.6%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common isolate (39, 24%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (35, 21.47%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25, 15%), and Proteus spp (23, 14%). Among the highly prevalent bacterial isolates, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase was predominant (42, 42.4%). Proper use of antibiotics, continuous monitoring of drug sensitivity patterns, and taking all precautionary measures to prevent beta-lactamases-producing organisms in the clinical settings are crucial and significant factors to fend off life-threatening infections and for a better outcome.
On the Predictability of Greek Systemic Bank Stocks using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Antonopoulou Hera , Theodorakopoulos Leonidas , Halkiopoulos Constantinos , Mamalougkou Vicky
Published: August 2022

Background/Objectives: Accurate prediction of stock prices is an extremely challenging task because of factors such as political conditions, global economy, unexpected events, market anomalies, and relevant companies’ features. In this work, the random forest has been used to forecast the prices of the four major Greek systemic banks Methods/Analysis: We make use of a set of financial variables based on intraday data: (i) Open stock price, (ii) High stock price, (iii) Low stock price, and (iv) Close stock price of a particular Greek systemic bank. Results/Findings: The variables used here are crucial in predicting systemic banks' stock closing prices. These provide a better prediction of the next day's closing price of the bank series. Novelty /Improvement: To our knowledge, this is the first study that employs machine learning techniques in Greek systemic banks.
STEAP1-4 (Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate 1-4) and their Clinical Implications for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Xu Michael , Evans Latese , Bizzaro Candice L , Quaglia Fabio , Verrillo Cecilia E , Li Li , Stieglmaier Julia , Schiewer Matthew J , Languino Lucia R , Kelly William K
Published: August 2022

Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate 1-4 (STEAP1-4) compose a family of metalloproteinases involved in iron and copper homeostasis and other cellular processes. Thus far, five homologs are known: STEAP1, STEAP1B, STEAP2, STEAP3, and STEAP4. In prostate cancer, STEAP1, STEAP2, and STEAP4 are overexpressed while STEAP3 expression is downregulated. Although the metalloreductase activities of STEAP1-4 are well-documented, their other biological functions are not. Furthermore, the properties and expression levels of STEAP heterotrimers, homotrimers, heterodimers, and homodimers are not well-understood. Nevertheless, studies over the last few decades have provided sufficient impetus to investigate STEAP1-4 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer. In particular, STEAP1 is the target of many emerging immunotherapies. Herein, we give an overview of the structure, physiology, and pathophysiology of STEAP1-4 to provide context for past and current efforts to translate STEAP1-4 into the clinic.
Bacterial Phylogenetic Markers in Lake Sediments as Evidence for Historical Hemp Retting
Authors: Rull Valenti , Sacristán-Soriano Oriol , Sànchez-Melsió Alexandre , Borrego Carles , Vegas-Vilarrúbia Teresa
Published: August 2022

Documenting prehistoric and historical hemp retting for fiber extraction is important in the study of human uses of this iconic plant and its cultural implications. In paleoecology, hemp retting is usually inferred from indirect proxies, notably anomalously high percentages of Cannabis pollen in lake sediments, but some recent studies have also used specific molecular biomarkers (cannabinol, Cannabis DNA) as a more straightforward evidence. Here we provide direct evidence of hemp retting by identifying phylogenetic signatures (16S rRNA genes) from pectinolytic bacteria actually responsible for the fermentation process that separates the fiber from the stalk, namely Bacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia, Massilia, Methylobacterium, Pseusomonas, Rhizobium and Rhodobacter. These analyses have been performed in the sediments from an Iberian lake previously considered as an important hemp retting site during the last five centuries, on the basis of Cannabis pollen abundances. The good match between biomarker and pollen evidence, in the context of the recent historical development of hemp industry in Spain, can be useful to interpret paleoecological records from other similar lakes in the way toward a more regional view on the introduction, spreading, uses and associated cultural connotations of Cannabis in the Iberian Peninsula within European and Mediterranean contexts.
Experimental Study on A Reinforced Concrete Element to Extract the Durability Index with the Automated Visualization
Authors: Lajevardi Sadegh , Moghadas Nejad Fereidoon , Ravanshadnia Mehdi
Published: August 2022

Reinforced Concrete (RC) durability is a crucial feature to estimate the long-term quality and structural performance. Since life span estimation is vital for maintenance resource planning, a degradation model of RC component extracts by updating the status of structures and trending the components’ state over time in terms of durability. Surface erosion, spalling, cracks, and other expose defects on the RC component lead to increase factors adversely affecting concrete durability in structures. This research presents an approach based on automated visualization for extracting quantitative indexes beside or instead of visual inspection without subjective interspersion of humans or probable human errors during the inspection. The durability index (D_i) will extract based on damage probability and its growth in order to extract the severity of failure and risk. Measurement operation by automated software has been double-checked by manual measurement tools, and data will verify randomly in this method. The result shows damage growth in this load-bearing component by 24 percentages over the definite time. According to degradation models, it shows this component may pass the relative thresholds as a limit state of operation to fail. This significant difference between expected time and designing time determines the D_i equal to 5 out of 10.
COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout:Aspects of Acceptability in South Africa
Authors: Steenberg Bent , Myburgh Nellie , Sokani Andile , Ngwenya Nonhlanhla , Mutevedzi Portia , Madhi Shabir
Published: August 2022

Unprecedented in scale, immense COVID-19 immunization programmes have been rolled out globally. This article explores aspects of hypothetical vaccine acceptability in Soweto, South Africa, shortly before such vaccines became available. Whereas hypothetical acceptance was normative, this has not translated into uptake today, which remains concerningly low in South Africa, especially in Soweto. For that reason, we mobilise anthropological concepts to analyse acceptance, hesitancy, and denial, respectively, to gauge and understand public proclivity to inoculate. We find that COVID-19’s haphazard mediatization generated a ‘field of suspicion’ towards authorities and vaccination, which, amplified by dis- and misinformation, fostered othering, hesitancy, and denial considerably. It remains paramount during vaccination rollouts to unveil and address aspects detrimental to vaccine confidence and selectivity, especially in lower-income groups for underlying, context-specific cultural, spiritual, historical, and socioeconomic reasons. Appropriate mediazation alongside a debunking of counterfactual claims is crucial in driving forward immunization.
Analyzing the Prospect of Hybrid Energy in the Cement Industry of Pakistan Using Homer Pro
Authors: Basheer Yasir , Waqar Asad , Qaisar Saeed Mian , Ahmed Toqeer , Ullah Nasim , Alotaibi Sattam
Published: August 2022

Cement manufacturing is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the world. Most of the cost of producing cement is accounted by fuel consumption and power expenditures. Thermal power plants are the major source of electricity in Pakistan. But they are not efficient and environmentally friendly. This study simulates four different models for five cement plants of Pakistan on Homer Pro software and compares the optimal solutions based on the net present cost (NPC), levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Model-1 consists of solar panels, electrolyzer, hydrogen tank, hydrogen generator and converter. Model-2 has only a diesel generator and acts as a base case in this study. Model-3 has solar panels and a battery-converter system. In Model-4, diesel generators, solar panels and converters are considered. Based on NPC, the most optimal model is Model-4, having a 0.249 $/KWh LCOE in islanded systems. The NPC and operating costs are US$540 million and US$ 32.5 million per year, respectively, with a 29.80% reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to the base case. Based on GHG emissions, Model-1 and Model-3 are the best models with 0% GHG emissions. Sensitivity analyses is also performed using the parameters of load, inflation rate and discounted rate. The results prove that the proposed hybrid micropower systems (HMS) can sustainably provide electricity for 24 hours a day to the sites under consideration with minimum objectives.
Dilemmas in the Choice of Adequate Therapeutic Treatment in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism - from Modern Recommendations to Clinical Application
Authors: Lasica Ratko , Asanin Milika , Djukanovic Lazar , Radovanovic Nebojsa , Savic Lidija , Polovina Marija M. , Stankovic Sanja , Ristic Arsen , Zdravković Marija , Lasica Andjelka , Kravic Jelena , Perunicic Jovan
Published: August 2022

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a very common cardiovascular disease, with a still high mortality rate. Despite the clear guidelines, this disease still represents a great challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. Heterogeneous clinical picture, often without pathognomonic signs and symptoms, represents a huge differential diagnostic problem even for experienced doctors. The decision on the therapeutic regimen also represents a major dilemma in the group of patients who are hemodynamically stable at initial presentation and have signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction proven by echocardiography and positive biomarker values (pulmonary embolism of intermediate-high risk). Studies have shown conflicting results about the benefit of using fibrinolytic therapy in this group of patients until hemodynamic decompensation, due to the risk of major bleeding. The latest recommendations give preference to new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA), except for certain categories of patients (patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, mechanical valves, pregnancy). When using oral anticoagulant therapy, special attention should be paid to drug-drug interactions, which can lead to many complications, even to the death of the patient. Special population groups such as pregnant women, obese patients, patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and cancer represent a great therapeutic challenge in the application of anticoagulant therapy. In these patients, not only the effectiveness of the drugs must be taken into account, but great attention must be paid to their safety and possible side effects, which is why a multidisciplinary approach is emphasized in order to provide the best therapeutic option.
Elucidation of the Correlation between Heme Distortion and Tertiary Structure of the Heme-Binding Pocket Using A Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Kondo Hiroko X. , Iizuka Hiroyuki , Masumoto Gen , Kabaya Yuichi , Kanematsu Yusuke , Takano Yu
Published: August 2022

Heme proteins serve diverse and pivotal biological functions. Therefore, clarifying the mechanisms of these diverse functions of heme is a crucial scientific topic. Distortion of heme porphyrin is one of the key factors regulating the chemical properties of heme. Here, we constructed convolutional neural network models for predicting heme distortion from the tertiary structure of the heme-binding pocket to examine their correlation. For saddling, ruffling, doming, and waving distortions, the experimental structure and predicted values were closely correlated. Furthermore, we assessed the correlation between the cavity shape and molecular structure of heme and demonstrated that hemes in protein pockets with similar structures exhibit near-identical structures, indicating the regulation of heme distortion through the protein environment. These findings indicate that the tertiary structure of the heme-binding pocket regulates the distortion of heme porphyrin, thereby controlling the chemical properties of heme relevant to the protein function; this implies a structure–function correlation in heme proteins.
“Deep Sleep”: A Comparative Approach to Defining Meaningful Rest
Authors: Gaidica Matt
Published: August 2022

A modern definition of “deep sleep” is elusive despite being ubiquitously appreciated as an important physiological state supporting health and homeostasis. In modern times, human deep sleep is identified by specific bioelectric signatures in the electroencephalogram (EEG) emerging somewhere between periods of wakefulness. However, deep sleep has been used to describe states of quiescence well before the first electrical brain recordings in the late 1800s, highlighting its own evolution in both lay and medical literature. Furthermore, EEG states are not only ill-defined in most mammals outside of humans and laboratory rodents, but non-existent in some invertebrates. Given that all organisms rest and do so with seemingly well-defined utility, it remains a challenge linguistically, scientifically, and comparatively define what “deep sleep” means—or what it should—in a research context. Here, I explore standard definitions of deep sleep from a modern, comparative perspective, and discuss potential problems of using a strict and narrow definition of such a fleeting concept that has historically undergone significant updates. Finally, I suggest a path towards resolving inconsistencies around the meaning of “deep sleep” and consider whether it is truly reflected by any one measure.
Novel Synergistic Anti-Enteroviral Drug Combinations
Authors: Ianevski Aleksandr , Zusinaite Eva , Tenson Tanel , Oksenych Valentyn , Wang Wei , Afset Jan Egil , Bjørås Magnar , Kainov Denis E
Published: August 2022

Background: Enterovirus infections affect people around the world, causing a range of illnesses, from mild fevers to severe, potentially fatal conditions. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for enterovirus infections. Methods: We have tested our library of broad-spectrum antiviral agents (BSAs) against echovirus 1 (EV1) in human adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial A549 cells. We also tested combinations of the most active compounds against EV1 in A549 and human immortalized retinal pigment epithelium RPE cells. Results: We confirmed anti-enteroviral activities of pleconaril, rupintrivir, cycloheximide, vemurafenib, remdesivir, emetine, and anisomycin and identified novel synergistic rupintrivir-vemurafenib, vemurafenib-pleconaril and rupintrivir-pleconaril combinations against EV1 infection. Conclusions: Because rupintrivir, vemurafenib, and pleconaril require lower concentrations to inhibit enterovirus replication in vitro when combined, their combinations may have fewer side effects in vivo and therefore should be further studied in pre- and clinical trials.
Difference in Nycthemeral IOP Variation and Outflow Facility after Filtering Microshunt versus Canal-Based Ab Interno Glaucoma Surgery
Authors: Dakroub Mohamad , Barkhuysen Marina , Verma-Fuehring Raoul , Bamousa Ahmed , Hillenkamp Jost , Loewen Nils A.
Published: August 2022

Purpose: We hypothesized that a recently introduced epibulbar micro-shunt (PRESERFLO, P) produces nycthemeral (24h) intraocular pressure (IOP) profiles different from ab-interno trabeculectomy (Trabectome, T). P is a flow restrictor that drains fluid into the sub-tenon space. In contrast, T increases conventional outflow, which is limited by episcleral venous pressure. Methods: In this prospective cohort, we analyzed 68 patients (34 P and 34 T) who presented for 24-h IOP monitoring 6 to 12 months after surgery. IOP and tonographic outflow facility were measured in the habitual position using a pneumatonometer. The IOP variation was considered the primary outcome measure. Glaucoma medications were also compared. Results: P had a higher baseline IOP than T (24.8±10.0 vs. 17.3±7.9 mmHg, p=0.001). Postoperatively, P and T had similar nycthemeral IOP profiles, but IOP in P was significantly lower than in T, except at 4 pm. P had a lower absolute IOP variation than T (5.8±2.6 vs. 7.1±2.7 mmHg, p=0.049). The relative IOP variation was similar in both (34.8±13.2 vs. 37.2±13.1, p=0.45) as was the tonographic outflow facility (0.35±0.23 vs. 0.26±0.18 µl/min/mmHg, p=0.097). Conclusion: Nycthemeral IOP profiles of P and T were similar, but P had lower IOPs and less variation than T. This could reflect how T, unlike P, is more impacted by habitual, positional factors, especially at night.
Fault Diagnosis Method for Aircraft EHA based on FCNN and MSPSO Hyperparameter Optimization
Authors: Li Xudong , Li Yanjun , Cao Yuyuan , Duan Shixuan , Wang Xingye , Zhao Zejian
Published: August 2022

Contrapose the highly integrated, multiple types of faults and complex working conditions of aircraft Electro Hydrostatic Actuator (EHA), to effectively identify its typical faults, we propose a fault diagnosis method based on the fusion convolutional neural networks (FCNN). First, the aircraft EHA fault data is encoded by GADF to obtain the fault feature images. Then we build an FCNN model that integrates the 1DCNN and 2DCNN, where the original 1D fault data is the input of the 1DCNN model, and the feature images obtained by GADF transformation are used as the input of 2DCNN. Multiple convolution and pooling operations are performed on each of these inputs to extract the features, next these feature vectors are spliced in the convergence layer, and the fully connected layers and the Softmax layers are finally used to attain the classification of aircraft EHA faults. Furthermore, the multi-strategy hybrid particle swarm optimization (MSPSO) algorithm is applied to optimize the FCNN to obtain a better combination of FCNN hyperparameters; MSPSO incorporates various strategies, including an initialization strategy based on homogenization and randomization, and an adaptive inertia weighting strategy, etc. The experimental result indicates that the FCNN model optimized by MSPSO achieves an accuracy of 96.86% for identifying typical faults of the aircraft EHA, respectively higher than the 1DCNN and the 2DCNN about 16.5% and 5.7%. Additionally, the FCNN model improved by MSPSO has a higher accuracy rate when compared to PSO.
Solar Activity Cycles Recur Epidemic and Pandemic Viruses: Space Weather’s Alerts
Authors: Mawad Ramy , Madbouly Hanafy M. , Ghamry Essam , Mahdy Ehab M. B.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we study pandemic viruses that spread during the period (1759-2020). Our findings and results include the following: (1) the pandemic severity level has a negative correlation with the strength of solar activity; (2) pandemic viruses have three types according to their compatibility with solar activity association. Most of them spread through the quiet Sun, where viruses survive better in cold and rainy weather; (3) the emergence of new strains of influenza viruses was manifested in two ways. First, the annual epidemics due to antigenic drift. Second, pandemics recur at 1-12 solar cycles (~11-120 years) due to new virus subtypes resulting from virus reassortment; (4) pandemic viruses have two groups according to their recurring period: first, recurring in nine solar cycles; second, recurring in twelve solar cycles. Furthermore, we reassortment pandemic viruses from their previous spread in the same periodic classification. Moreover, we derivative a periodicity formula of each subtype of pandemic viruses as spread date.
Why the Many-Worlds Interpretation?
Authors: Vaidman Lev
Published: August 2022

A brief (subjective) description of the state of the art of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics (MWI) is presented. It is argued that the MWI is the only interpretation which removes action at a distance and randomness from quantum theory. Limitations of the MWI regarding questions of probability which can be legitimately asked are specified. The ontological picture of the MWI as a theory of the universal wave function decomposed in a superposition of world wave functions, the important part of which are defined in three-dimensional space, is viewed from the point of view of our particular branch. Some speculations about misconceptions which apparently prevent the MWI to be in the consensus are mentioned.
Pemangku kepentingan dalam pengembangan Kota Lama Semarang berdasarkan peran dan tingkat kepentingan
Authors: Ayuning Olyna , Mardiansjah Fadjar Hari
Published: July 2022

Salah satu potensi wisata Kota Semarang yang saat ini sedang dikembangkan adalah Kota Lama Semarang menyusul masuknya dalam daftar tentative Kota Warisan Dunia oleh UNESCO. Pengembangan ini tertuang dalam program kerja walikota dari tahun 2015 yang berfokus pada revitalisasi Kota Lama Semarang.Namun hal ini menimbulkan pro dan kontra. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran dan tingkat kepentingan stakeholders dalam pembangunan Kota Lama Semarang. Dengan menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif, dilakukan observasi lapangan dan wawancara untuk mengumpulkan data. Wawancara mendalam dengan teknik purposive dilakukan kepada narasumber terpilih berdasarkan saran dan rekomendasi dari kelompok pemangku kepentingan pada pengembangan Kota Lama Semarang. Kelompok narasumber dibagi menjadi lima kategori, yaitu pemerintah, pengusaha, masyarakat, BPK2L, dan masyarakat. Setelah dilakukan analisis deskriptif kualitatif, hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemangku kepentingan di Kota Lama Semarang memiliki persepsi yang beragam mengenai perkembangan Kota Lama Semarang. Salah satu masalah penting yang teridentifikasi adalah kurangnya komunikasi antar pemangku kepentingan selama pembangunan sehingga berdampak pada keseluruhan kegiatan di Kota Lama Semarang.
Keuntungan aglomerasi industri: studi kasus industri mebel di Kecamatan Kedung, Kabupaten Jepara
Authors: Adelina Anggita , Rahayu Paramita , Hardiana Ana
Published: July 2022

Industri mebel di Kecamatan Kedung memiliki persebaran spasial yang terkonsentrasi di bagian utara sesuai dengan arahan sentra kawasan industri di Kabupaten Jepara. Konsentrasi spasial membentuk aglomerasi yang berpotensi mendapatkan keuntungan-keuntungan tertentu dari kerja sama antar industri yang saling berdekatan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengidentifikasi karakteristik industri mebel yang teraglomerasi di Kecamatan Kedung. Analisis tetangga terdekat (Average Nearest Neighbor, ANN) digunakan untuk mengetahui konsentrasi spasial industri mebel dan mendeliniasi kawasan mikro untuk dibahas lebih detail mengenai karakteristik dan keuntungan industri mebel teraglomerasi dengan menggunakan statistika deskriptif. Karakteristik industri mebel pada kawasan mikro terdiri dari industri kecil dan industri rumah tangga, yang melakukan proses terpisah setiap industrinya, diantaranya pemotongan kayu bulat, pembuatan komponen, perakitan mebel setengah jadi, dan pengepulan. Keuntungan aglomerasi yang didapat pada industri mebel di Kecamatan Kedung diantaranya lokalisasi pasar dan bahan baku, keuntungan tenaga kerja dari pengelompokkan asal tenaga kerja yang dekat dengan kawasan industri, keuntungan skala ekonomi dari meningkatnya omset dan meluasnya jangkauan pemasaran, serta limpahan pengetahuan dari kerja sama pertukaran informasi dan keterampilan. Sementara itu, keuntungan yang tidak didapat pada aglomerasi industri mebel Kecamatan Kedung adalah jenis keuntungan fasilitas dan keuntungan alam.
Pendekatan keruangan tingkat pemerataan Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri terhadap implementasi kebijakan zonasi pendidikan di Kabupaten Temanggung
Authors: Asananjaya Muhammad Hardifan , Pamardhi-Utomo Rizon , Miladan Nur
Published: July 2022

Seiring perkembangan permukiman dan pertumbuhan penduduk, sebaran fasilitas pendidikan diharapakan dapat melayani keseluruhan wilayah secara merata dan ideal. Sistem fasilitas pendidikan yang terstruktur dan saling terkait satu sama lain akan membentuk struktur ruang yang baik dalam wilayah. Hal ini menjadi dasar diberlakukannya sistem zonasi pada berbagai jenjang pendidikan. Namun, fasilitas pendidikan SMA Negeri yang ada di Kabupaten Temanggung terpusat pada Kecamatan Temanggung saja sehingga berpengaruh terhadap layanan saat peraturan zonasi diberlakukan. Oleh karena itu, perlu dilakukan tinjauan dari konteks keruangan yang melihat dari segi pelayanan fasilitas berdasarkan pemerataan sarana pendidikan melalui aspek spasial dan observasi langsung. Tingkat pemerataan sarana pendidikan ini diukur dari sub variabel kapasitas SMA, kelompok usia SMA, pola sebaran sarana pendidikan, dan radius jangkauan pelayanan dengan menggunakan metode skoring skala Guttman. Hasil dari tinjauan sistem zonasi berdasarkan perspektif spasial menunjukkan bahwa Kabupaten Temanggung memiliki tingkat pemerataan pendidikan pada kategori sedang dengan indikator yang perlu ditingkatkan adalah kebutuhan ruang kelas dan persebaran lokasi sarana pendidikan SMA Negeri. Maka dari itu, kebijakan sistem zonasi perlu dipertimbangkan kembali dengan meninjau secara spasial pemerataan sarana pendidikan sebagai upaya meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan menjadi lebih baik dan tercapainya tujuan sistem zonasi.
Prediksi spasial kawasan pertanian berkelanjutan di Provinsi Jawa Timur
Authors: Subroto Gatot , Witjaksono Agung
Published: July 2022

Kawasan Pertanian Pangan Berkelanjutan (KP2B) merupakan salah satu amanat untuk perlindungan pertanian pangan berkelanjutan berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 41 Tahun 2009. Namun, masih belum ditemukan model pengembangan KP2B dalam implementasinya. Pemerintah pusat dan pemerintah daerah cenderung hanya dapat menentukan luas KP2B dalam bentuk tabular. Padahal, diperlukan persebaran KP2B secara spasial untuk kebutuhan perencanaan tata ruang wilayah untuk menjamin akurasi pengendalian. Ketidakjelasan persebaran KP2B secara spasialmenjadi salah satu permasalahan dalam rencana peruntukan pemanfaatan ruangyang mengarah pada semakin sulitnya pengendalianperubahan peruntukan sawah ke bukan sawah. Sehingga, diperlukan model persebaran KP2B sebagai cara dalam pengendalian alih fungsi peruntukan sawah abadi untuk mewujudkan kemandirian, kedaulatan, dan ketahanan pangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan prediksi KP2B Jawa Timur melalui metode cellular automata. Tujuan tersebut dapat dicapai melalui tiga tahapan: (1) Menentukan sawah potensial untuk KP2B Jawa Timur; (2) Menghitung luas minimal sawah produktif Jawa Timur; dan (3) Membangun model spasial KP2B Jawa Timur. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa lahan potensial untuk pengembangan KP2B adalah sebesar 852.892,82 ha. Dengankebutuhan pangan minimum sebesar 4.983.888,5 ton, maka kebutuhan sawah minimum adalah seluas 767.617,01 ha. Model KP2B dibangun melalui metode cellular automata dan telah dilakukan validasi dengan tingkat akurasi sebesar 87%.