bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radar Recorded Child Vital Sign Public Dataset and Deep Learning-Based Age Group Classification Framework for Vehicular Application
Authors: Yoo Sungwon , Ahmed Shahzad , Kang Sun , Hwang Duhyun , Lee Jungjun , Son Jungduck , Cho Sung Ho
Published: March 2021

The ongoing intense development of short-range radar systems and their improved capability of measuring small movements make these systems reliable solutions for the extraction of human vital signs in a contactless fashion. The continuous contactless monitoring of vital signs can be considered in a wide range of applications, such as remote healthcare solutions and context-aware smart sensor development. Currently, the provision of radar-recorded datasets of human vital signs is still an open issue. In this paper, we present a new frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar-recorded vital sign dataset for 50 children aged less than 13 years. A clinically approved vital sign monitoring sensor was also deployed as a reference, and data from both sensors were time-synchronized. With the presented dataset, a new child age-group classification system based on GoogLeNet is proposed to develop a child safety sensor for smart vehicles. The radar-recorded vital signs of children are divided into several age groups, and the GoogLeNet framework is trained to predict the age of unknown human test subjects.
New Management Approaches in Digitized Work as the Cure for Inequality?
Authors: Tihlarik Amelie , Sauer Stefan
Published: March 2021

Due to the increasing importance of digitization, ICT and engineering sectors are also growing. In these sectors, there are a lot of high-qualified and well-paid jobs. However, despite the growing importance and popularity of digital solutions, one fact (at least) is, unfortunately, still very stable within the ICT and engineering sectors: When it comes to employees, there are still huge differences with respect to gender and gender stereotypes. (Commercial) technology development can be regarded as having masculine connotations both structurally and culturally. Therefore, we address these connotations, especially the roles of androcentric bureaucracy, which could be described as hierarchical, technocentric, and very controlling-oriented, and (the structural possibilities of) self-efficacy. We discuss, conceptually and empirically with a focus on software development, whether new management approaches like agile frameworks and new management roles like Feel-good Managers and Scrum Master could be seen as a cure for inequality or if there are new stereotypical gender-related ascriptions for specific activities or processes.
All STEM-Ed up: Gaps and Silences around Ecological Education in Australia
Authors: Gough Annette
Published: March 2021

Similar to much of the world, the Australian Government has a vision for society to be engaged in and enriched by science which has, as its prime focus, building skills and capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Simultaneously, the Government’s policies and projects, including in education, ignore intergovernmental environmental initiatives, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This article critically analyses the Australian Government’s STEM and climate change education policies and programs, including Citizen Science activities, through an ecological education lens and finds many, and growing, gaps and silences in these areas. It compares the Australian situation with STEM and ecological education-related developments in several other countries. In the context of significant global changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this article argues that it is time for the Australian education agenda to take the Government’s international responsibilities seriously, include meaningful engagement with climate change and biodiversity related topics through ecological education in the school curriculum, and discusses what a reimagined school science curriculum could look like.
Comparison of Logistic Regression, Information Value, and Comprehensive Evaluating Model for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping
Authors: Tang Rui-Xuan , Yan E-Chuan , Wen Tao , Yin Xiao-Meng , Tang Wei
Published: March 2021

This study validated the robust performances of the recently proposed comprehensive landslide susceptibility index model (CLSI) for landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) by comparing it to the logistic regression (LR) and the analytical hierarchy process information value (AHPIV) model. Zhushan County in China, with 373 landslides identified, was used as the study area. Eight conditioning factors (lithology, slope structure, slope angle, altitude, distance to river, stream power index, slope length, distance to road) were acquired from digital elevation models (DEMs), field survey, remote sensing imagery, and government documentary data. Results indicate that the CLSI model has the highest accuracy and the best classification ability, although all three models can produce reasonable landslide susceptibility (LS) maps. The robust performance of the CLSI model is due to its weight determination by a back-propagation neural network (BPNN), which successfully captures the nonlinear relationship between landslide occurrence and the conditioning factors.
Assessing Nature’s Contributions to People by Jefoure Roads for Sustainable Management in the Gurage Socio-Ecological Production Landscape in Ethiopia
Authors: Sahle Mesfin , Saito Osamu
Published: March 2021

“Jefoure” refers to a traditional grass-covered road with households settled on both sides in the Gurage socio-ecological production landscape in Ethiopia. We assess Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) on Jefoure roads for sustainable management. Data were collected using survey tools and orthophoto images, and they were systematically analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The Jefoure roads are beyond transport networks and enhance the people’s quality of life. We identified 12 contributions of Jefoure roads from the reporting categories of material, nonmaterial, and regulating NCP. Over time, the contributions of the roads at different localities decreased due to socio-economic, cultural, and religious changes. Recent trends in infrastructural provisions cause the degradation of Jefoure roads and lead to a decrease in their value. Therefore, sustainable landscape planning and management are essential to preserve and enhance the positive NCP. This study indicates that roads do not solely generate negative ecological impacts, and planners need to work on designing versatile roads, particularly in landscapes where traffic flows are low. Indigenous knowledge has a significant role in bridging the past and future and needs to be integrated into landscape planning and management.
Technological Energy Efficiency Improvements in Cement Industries
Authors: Cantini Alessandra , Leoni Leonardo , De Carlo Filippo , Salvio Marcello , Martini Chiara , Martini Fabrizio
Published: March 2021

The cement industry is highly energy-intensive, consuming approximately 7% of global industrial energy consumption each year. Improving production technology is a good strategy to reduce the energy needs of a cement plant. The market offers a wide variety of alternative solutions; besides, the literature already provides reviews of opportunities to improve energy efficiency in a cement plant. However, the technology is constantly developing, so the available alternatives may change within a few years. To keep the knowledge updated, investigating the current attractiveness of each solution is pivotal to analyze real companies. This article aims at describing the recent application in the Italian cement industry and the future perspectives of technologies. A sample of plant was investigated through the analysis of mandatory energy audit considering the type of interventions they have recently implemented, or they intend to implement. The outcome is a descriptive analysis, useful for companies willing to improve their sustainability. Results prove that solutions to reduce the energy consumption of auxiliary systems such as compressors, engines, and pumps are currently the most attractive opportunities. Moreover, the results prove that consulting sector experts enables the collection of updated ideas for improving technologies, thus giving valuable inputs to the scientific research.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Flexural Performance of Assembled Steel-Wood Composite Slab
Authors: Li Guodong , Liu Zhibin , Tang Wenjia , He Dongpo , Shan Wei
Published: March 2021

This paper presents research on a new type of fabricated steel–wood composite floor material in the style of a slab-embedded beam flange, using test methods and finite element numerical analysis to study the flexural load-bearing performance of the composite slabs. Through experimental phenomena, the failure process and mechanism of the composite floor are analyzed, and the deformation performance and ultimate bearing capacity of the composite floor material are assessed. Through numerical analysis of the finite element model, the influence of the connection mode of the floor and the composite beam, the type and number of connectors, and the width of the flange of the composite beam on the bending performance of the composite beam–slab system is studied. The research results show that the fabricated steel–wood composite floor slab has good load-bearing and deformation performance. The self-tapping screw connection of the floor slab is better than the ordinary steel nail connection, and the reasonable screw spacing is 100–150 mm. Increasing the flange width of the composite beam can significantly improve the load-bearing capacity of the steel–wood composite floor component.
A Study on Decision-Making Opinion Exploration in Windows-Based Information Security Monitoring Tool Development
Authors: Fu Chen-Hua , Chen Chih-Yung
Published: March 2021

In the information era, information security monitoring tools would be helpful for enterprises/organizations to monitor employees’ computer usage behaviors and improve their information security protection. The Windows-based operating systems have the largest market share in the world. Therefore, the study target is the development of a Windows-based information security monitoring tool in this study. We proposed an assessment model for developing an information security tool in this study to explore the significances of functionalities in a Windows-based information security monitoring tool and the decision-makers’ decision opinions. We adopted four steps with four study methods: the literature study method, the Delphi method, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, and the analysis methods related to data-driven decision-making in the proposed model. In Step 1, we studied some literature about information security monitoring, and we discovered 26 functionalities as the decision criteria in this study. In Step 2, using the Delphi method, we confirmed the decision criterion set with potential decision-makers and organized the decision criteria hierarchy. In Step 3, we designed an AHP questionnaire to get the criterion weight vectors from the 12 decision-makers. With the AHP method, this study received the weights of the decision criteria and found that the 16 functionalities among the 26 functionalities should receive their corresponding developing priority in a Windows-based information security monitoring tool. Finally, we used the Pearson correlation coefficient and cosine distance to explore the correlations and similarities among the decision-makers’ decision opinions. This study found the relevance among the decision-makers’ decision opinions in a Windows-based information security monitoring tool developed with the Pearson correlation coefficients/the cosine distances among all pairs of decision-makers’ decision opinions.
Understanding Credit Card Usage Behavior of Elderly Korean Consumers for Sustainable Growth: Implications for Korean Credit Card Companies
Authors: Jung Kwon , Kang Moon Young
Published: March 2021

The Republic of Korea is the fastest aging country in the world, and its silver market, which is the market segment broadly defined as senior citizens, began to emerge in 2008 as Korean baby boomers started to retire. Given that the assets of households headed by individuals 55 years of age and over are much higher than those of average Korean households, it is essential for Korean financial institutions targeting elderly consumer groups to understand their credit card usage behavior, as it can be very attractive and provide the potential to lead to sustainable growth for institutions, while the market targeting for this group has not been well developed yet. This study examined elderly Korean consumers’ credit card usage behavior in terms of key demographic variables. In this study, we found that the number of cards owned was negatively related to age and positively related to income level. In addition, those who were not retired owned more credit cards than those who were. Although the average monthly expenditure by credit cards was positively related to income, it was not significantly different in terms of age or retirement status. The findings from this research provide significant implications for marketers of credit card companies when searching for key target groups, particularly elderly consumers.
Analysis of Emergency Remote Education in COVID-19 Crisis Focused on the Perception of the Teachers
Authors: Zamora-Antuñano Marco Antonio , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Juvenal , Rodriguez Segura Leticia , Cruz Pérez Miguel Ángel , Altamirano Corro José Antonio , Paredes-Garcia Wilfrido J. , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Hugo
Published: March 2021

This descriptive study intends to identify the satisfaction perception among the teachers of the Universidad del Valle de México (UVM) concerning the use of the Microsoft Teams platform in the transition from traditional model (face-to-face) to 100% online education [Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT)]. The proposal aims to determine the perspectives of teachers regarding the use of the Microsoft Teams platform during the crisis caused by COVID-19. UVM has 6938 full-time teachers and part-time teachers who collaborated in educational programs during January-June 2020 in the 33 campuses of UVM. And an instrument was developed and applied using finite population sampling, UVM perspective of teachers, which was distributed via Google Forms. The feasibility of the data collection instrument was determined by the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, with a result of 0.926. The data collection period was aligned with the first isolation period: 23 March to 20 April. The results in the perception of teacher satisfaction in the different sections of the instrument established an agreement in the answers (very satisfied or satisfied) regarding values that were higher than 60% in terms of satisfaction using the equipment. The analysis of the data collected was performed to verify the proposed hypothesis with the R version 4.0 software. A G-test was performed with the Logverosimilitude coefficient to test whether the categorical variables were independent (qualitative variables that are not defined continuously). The Krammer coefficient of association was then calculated to measure the correlation.
Assessment of Ecosystem Service Value and Its Differences in the Yellow River Basin and Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Wu Chunsheng , Ma Guoxia , Yang Weishan , Zhou Ying , Peng Fei , Wang Jinnan , Yu Fang
Published: March 2021

The Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin are the two most important watersheds in China, which consist of several key ecological function areas and are crucial in terms of economic contributions. The evaluation of the ecosystem service value and the quantitative acquisition of the regional ecological quality status are necessary for supporting the ecological protection and high-quality development of the two basins. By considering basic data and adopting different ecological function models, this study was carried out to evaluate the value of ecosystem services in the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin from 2015 to 2018 in terms of provisioning services, regulating services, and cultural services. Additionally, analysis was conducted in combination with economic indicators. The results showed that there were great differences in the ecosystem patterns between the Yellow River Basin, where grassland accounted for 45% of land use, and the Yangtze River Basin, where forest accounted for 39% of land use. The values of the ecosystem services of the two basins had similar spatial distributions, with higher values upstream (west) followed by downstream (east) and lower values in the middle (central China). The total annual ecosystem value of the Yangtze River Basin was more than three times that of the Yellow River Basin. In addition, the ecosystem services value of most counties in both basins was higher than their GDP, and there was a positive trend of transforming ecological benefits into economic benefits in the Yangtze River Basin. This research provides a methodology for evaluating ecosystem valuation. The results are helpful for formulating and implementing eco-compensation and payments for ecosystem service policies among different regions in the basins, and the results lay a foundation for the spatial planning and high-quality development paths of key basin areas in China.
The Recovery of Phosphate and Ammonium from Biogas Slurry as Value-Added Fertilizer by Biochar and Struvite Co-Precipitation
Authors: Kubar Aftab Ali , Huang Qing , Sajjad Muhammad , Yang Chen , Lian Faqin , Wang Junfeng , Kubar Kashif Ali
Published: March 2021

Biowaste materials could be considered a renewable source of fertilizer if methods for recovering P from waste can be developed. Over the last few decades, there has been a high level of interest in using biochar to remove contaminants from aqueous solutions. This study was conducted using a range of salts that are commonly found in biogas slurry (ZnCl2, FeCl3, FeCl2, CuCl2, Na2CO3, and NaHCO3). Experiments with a biogas digester and aqueous solution were conducted at pH nine integration with NH4+, Mg2+, and PO43− molar ratios of 1.0, 1.2, and 1.8, respectively. The chemical analysis was measured to find out the composition of the precipitate, and struvite was employed to remove the aqueous solutions. The study found that the most efficient removal of phosphate and ammonium occurred at pH nine in Tongan sludge urban biochar and rice biochar, respectively. Increasing the concentration of phosphate and ammonium increased the phosphate and ammonium content. Moreover, increasing the biochar temperature and increasing the concentration of phosphate and ammonium increased the efficiency of the removal of ammonium and phosphate. The removal efficiency of ammonium and phosphate increased from 15.0% to 71.0% and 18.0% to 99.0%, respectively, by increasing the dose of respective ions K+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and CO32.The elements were increased from 58.0 to 71.0 for HCO3− with the increasing concentration from 30 mg L−1 to 240 mg L−1.This study concluded that phosphate and ammonium can be recovered from mushroom soil biochar and rice biochar, and phosphate can be effectively recovered via the struvite precipitation method.
Assessing of Losses and Dilution Impact on the Cost Chain: Case Study of Gold Ore Deposits
Authors: Marinin Mikhail , Marinina Oksana , Wolniak Radosław
Published: March 2021

The conditions of declining gold grade in the ore, increasing depth of excavation, and de-creasing unallocated stock of deposits make it necessary to develop efficient solutions for the mine-to-mill process, which have to be adapted to each specific mining plant and will optimizes production costs. Current research focuses on a case study that demonstrates how indicators of mining losses and dilution influence the variation of costs chain in the production cycle. The article examines the topical issue of determining the effects at the mine-to-mill stages due to changes in losses and dilution. The author’s approach to the formation of a mine-to-mill cost chain is proposed by integrating several cost estimation methods into the general cost estimation methodology. The estimation methodology is a compilation of factor analysis and cost engineering methods that take into account the change in costs due to the variation of losses and dilution. It was proven that with variations in losses and dilution, cost savings arise due to changes in the volume of work on ore averaging, ore transportation, and beneficiation. For the case of the Kuranakh ore field, there are no effects at the mining stage. The use of internal reserves by means of managing ore quality parameters allows reducing the costs per ton of processed rock mass along the entire production chain.
Designing a Sustainability Assessment Framework for Selecting Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Technologies in Corporate Asset Decisions
Authors: Ling Jiean , Germain Eve , Murphy Richard , Saroj Devendra
Published: March 2021

There is a growing demand for an integrated assessment to identify and select asset management options based on sustainability in the wastewater industry. However, water companies are often not equipped with a rigorous methodology and sufficient resources to perform sustainability assessments. Although many frameworks and tools for sustainability assessment have been developed in academia, practical challenges such as feasibility and usability remain when implementing sustainability assessment methods to support corporate decision-making. This study developed a Multi-Criteria Analysis based framework to evaluate wastewater treatment processes from a sustainability perspective. This study firstly explored the decision and organizational context of a water company with preliminary interviews and then applied the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with composite scores to evaluate wastewater technologies at a sewage treatment works. The preliminary interviews with stakeholders highlighted that the existing investment decisions were primarily driven by financial cost and compliance whilst calling for a wider consideration of other criteria. A selection of assessment criteria and indicators were then proposed to compare seven treatment technologies at a sewage treatment works. The results of composite scores indicated that the baseline activated sludge process (ASP) was the best option for this study. Experience from the development process highlighted usability, stakeholder engagement and the organizational context should all be considered as part of the design and implementation of the sustainability assessment. The insights from this study provide a valuable practical foundation for applying a multi-criteria approach to perform sustainability assessments and inform asset management decisions in the water company.
Soil Gas Measurements of Radon, CO2 and Hydrocarbon Concentrations as Indicators of Subsurface Hydrocarbon Accumulation and Hydrocarbon Seepage
Authors: Cvetković Marko , Kapuralić Josipa , Pejić Marija , Kolenković Močilac Iva , Rukavina David , Smirčić Duje , Kamenski Ana , Matoš Bojan , Špelić Marko
Published: March 2021

Soil gas measurements of radon (222Rn), CO2, and hydrocarbon concentrations, as well as gamma-ray spectrometry, were conducted at two separate locations to estimate the measurement results for known locations of hydrocarbon accumulations in the subsurface and oil seepage on the surface. The aim of the study was to confirm the applicability of the method for identifying migration pathways (e.g., faults) and to detect possible seepages of hydrocarbons to the surface as well as to investigate possible health issue potential about the soil gas analysis results. Site A investigations were performed with a large number of sampling points to provide sufficient spatial coverage to capture the influence of subsurface lithologic variability as well as the influence of the migration pathway on the measured parameters. For the investigation of site B, sampling points were positioned to reflect the situation between the area above producing hydrocarbon fields and areas with no confirmed accumulation. The results presented show that it is possible to distinguish the near-surface lithology (gamma-ray spectrometry), characterize the migration pathway, and indicate the area of oil seepage at the surface. Areas above the known hydrocarbon accumulations generally have elevated radon concentrations and detectable heavier hydrocarbons with sporadic methane in soil gas, which contrasts with the lower radon levels and lack of detectable heavier hydrocarbons in soil gas in the area with no confirmed hydrocarbon accumulation in the subsurface.
Sustainable Development with Schumpeter Extended Endogenous Type of Innovation and Statistics in European Countries
Authors: Cristescu Marian Pompiliu , Nerișanu Raluca Andreea
Published: March 2021

In the economic growth models, technological progress is either exogenous or endogenous. The endogenized theory is based on analytical modeling of the economic process in order to include the event of innovating. Theory around the subject innovation and economic growth also includes several independent parameters that have a strong impact over innovation. However, few of them established creativity as an independent parameter of innovation. The present paper aims to extend the endogenized theory in order to include creativity as an independent parameter of innovation, based on the evidence of a panel data of 28 countries, through 8 years. A theoretical model, a multiple linear regression, an ANOVA analysis and correlational matrixes were used in order to fulfill our purpose. Results show that innovation is determined by the level of knowledge twice as much as the level of creativity. A conceptual framework for an extension of endogenous growth models, in order to include creativity, is presented in the paper. The model can enhance economic growth by fostering creativity or knowledge and thus, the size of innovation, which is the main driver for economic growth in the model presented.
A New Design of Sydney’s Frontport Check-in System
Authors: Liu Ting , Lodewijks Gabriel
Published: March 2021

This paper proposed a scheme design for Sydney’s frontport check-in system, which completes check-in and baggage drop-off at Sydney’s Circular Quay, and transports the baggage to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport by waterway, and provided a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of Sydney’s frontport check-in system. Using the process method of quality management, the frontport check-in process was divided into three sub-processes: baggage consignment, baggage packing and transportation, and airport baggage handling. The eight key elements of each sub-process such as input, output, resources, and methods, etc. were discussed, the key factors influencing the cost of baggage transportation were analyzed, and the cost control measures such as adopting economic speed, reducing fuel consumption of the main engine, improving the ship loading rate, and raising loading and unloading efficiency were proposed. At the same time, two different types of baggage transportation ships and other parameters that affect the cost such as the number of berths, ships, lifting machineries, and the yard area were analyzed and calculated through calculation cases. This scheme is a beneficial addition to the existing in-town check-in system.
Industrial Heritage Tourism as a Driver of Sustainable Development? A Case Study of Steirische Eisenstrasse (Austria)
Authors: Harfst Jörn , Sandriester Jasmin , Fischer Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

The valorization of cultural heritage for regional development (“Conservation 3.0”) has been a widely used concept in the last decade. Heritage institutions and the European Union have advocated and fostered the view of cultural heritage as a place-based development potential. Therefore, this article investigates the impacts of such approaches in the context of sustainable development. It does so with a specific focus on more peripheral, (old) industrial regions in Central Europe, where industrial heritage and industrial tourism play an important role. Based on this background, this article highlights the difficulties of establishing a tourism product based on industry-related features. The product mainly serves a niche market, thereby not helping to overcome structural disadvantages of peripheral regions. The economic impacts of industrial heritage tourism on the transition towards a more sustainable regional development are rather low. Nevertheless, the case study highlights the social benefits that industry-related tourism yields in regions in transformation, forming an important pre-condition for any future development. However, ecological aspects are not widely addressed in heritage tourism in this region. Policy-wise, stakeholders in peripheral regions should be more aware of the different limits and opportunities cultural heritage utilizations can bring in terms of achieving a more sustainable regional development.
Readymade Solutions and Students’ Appetite for Plagiarism as Challenges for Online Learning
Authors: Sorea Daniela , Roșculeț Gheorghe , Bolborici Ana-Maria
Published: March 2021

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of online learning has increased. Inherently, the stakes of a sustainable approach to the challenges raised by the wide access to the Internet, the use of readymade solutions to meet didactical tasks, and students’ appetite for plagiarism have become higher. These challenges can be sustainably managed via a procedure aimed at constructively converting students’ appetite for plagiarism (SAP conversion) into a skill of critically approaching relevant materials that are available online. The solutions proposed by the specialized literature concerned with the problem of plagiarism can be grouped into five categories: better trained students, more involved teachers, the use of anti-plagiarism software, clear anti-plagiarism policies, and ethical education of the youths. The SAP conversion procedure is a solution targeting increased involvement on behalf of teachers. Its partial application in the case of the disciplines included in the undergraduate educational program of Sociology conducted by the Transylvania University of Brasov, where students’ evaluation is based on essays, has considerably decreased the amount of student plagiarism.
Development and Assessment of Watershed Management Indicators Using the Budyko Framework Parameter
Authors: Kim Kyeung , Kim Hakkwan , Lee Hyunji , Jun Sang-Min , Hwang Soonho , Song Jung-Hun , Kang Moon-Seong
Published: March 2021

This study aims to introduce the Budyko curve’s parameter (w) as a watershed quality indicator and establish criteria. Basin-specific (w) was calculated in 183 watersheds based on land use in 2013. Weather data and runoff data were used, and runoff data were calculated using Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF). An estimation model was developed to estimate the w of the unmeasured watershed, and the R2 of the developed model was 0.917, showing that the modeled value was reliable. A cluster analysis between basin-specific w and impervious area ratio in 2013 was performed to classify watershed quality. w was classified into four grades according to the dendrogram and impervious cover model. Watershed quality in 1975 and 2013 was evaluated using the developed indicators and criteria. The quality grades of 30 watersheds deteriorated, and the deteriorated watershed increased built-up and decreased forest and grass. To evaluate the indicators’ applicability, the low impact development (LID) method was applied to HSPF to confirm the indicator and criteria changes. It showed that the watershed to which LID was applied has improved indicator and reduced grade. The indicator developed in this study is expected to be useful for watershed quality assessment and analysis of improvement effects according to watershed management.
The Exponentiated Fréchet Generator of Distributions with Applications
Authors: Baharith Lamya A. , Alamoudi Hanan H.
Published: March 2021

In this article, we introduce the exponentiated Fréchet-G family of distributions. Several models of the introduced exponentiated Fréchet-G family are presented. The proposed family is precisely more flexible and effective in modeling complex data and is instrumental in reliability analysis. It covers a wide variety of shapes, such as unimodal, reverse J, right-skewed, symmetrical, and asymmetrical shapes. Various structural mathematical properties, such as the quantile, moment, incomplete moment, entropy, and order statistics, are derived. The parameters are evaluated using a parametric estimation method. The performance and flexibility of the exponentiated Fréchet-G family are analyzed via a simulation and two applications; one deals with reliability data, and the other deals with medical data.
Spatiotemporal Integration of Mobile, Satellite, and Public Geospatial Data for Enhanced Credit Scoring
Authors: Simumba Naomi , Okami Suguru , Kodaka Akira , Kohtake Naohiko
Published: March 2021

Credit scoring of financially excluded persons is challenging for financial institutions because of a lack of financial data and long physical distances, which hamper data collection. The remote collection of alternative data has the potential to overcome these challenges, enabling credit access for such individuals. Whereas alternative data sources such as mobile phones have been investigated by previous researchers, this research proposes the integration of mobile-phone, satellite, and public geospatial data to improve credit evaluations where financial data are lacking. An approach to integrating these disparate data sources involving both spatial and temporal analysis methods such as spatial aggregation was employed, resulting in various data combinations. The resulting data sets were used to train classifiers of varying complexity, from logistic regression to ensemble learning. Comparisons were based on various performance metrics, including accuracy and the area under the receiver operating-characteristic curve. The combination of all three data sources performed significantly better than mobile-phone data, with the mean classifier accuracy and F1 score improving by 18% and 0.149, respectively. It is shown how these improvements can translate to cost savings for financial institutions through a reduction in misclassification errors. Alternative data combined in this manner could enhance credit provision to financially excluded persons while managing associated risks, leading to greater financial inclusion.
Uremic Toxins and Blood Purification: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Perspectives
Authors: Magnani Stefania , Atti Mauro
Published: March 2021

Accumulation of uremic toxins represents one of the major contributors to the rapid progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in patients with end-stage renal disease that are undergoing dialysis treatment. In particular, protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) seem to have an important key pathophysiologic role in CKD, inducing various cardiovascular complications. The removal of uremic toxins from the blood with dialytic techniques represents a proved approach to limit the CKD-related complications. However, conventional dialysis mainly focuses on the removal of water-soluble compounds of low and middle molecular weight, whereas PBTUs are strongly protein-bound, thus not efficiently eliminated. Therefore, over the years, dialysis techniques have been adapted by improving membranes structures or using combined strategies to maximize PBTUs removal and eventually prevent CKD-related complications. Recent findings showed that adsorption-based extracorporeal techniques, in addition to conventional dialysis treatment, may effectively adsorb a significant amount of PBTUs during the course of the sessions. This review is focused on the analysis of the current state of the art for blood purification strategies in order to highlight their potentialities and limits and identify the most feasible solution to improve toxins removal effectiveness, exploring possible future strategies and applications, such as the study of a synergic approach by reducing PBTUs production and increasing their blood clearance.
Cell-Based Reporter Release Assay to Determine the Activity of Calcium-Dependent Neurotoxins and Neuroactive Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Pathe-Neuschäfer-Rube Andrea , Neuschäfer-Rube Frank , Püschel Gerhard P.
Published: March 2021

The suitability of a newly developed cell-based functional assay was tested for the detection of the activity of a range of neurotoxins and neuroactive pharmaceuticals which act by stimulation or inhibition of calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release. In this functional assay, a reporter enzyme is released concomitantly with the neurotransmitter from neurosecretory vesicles. The current study showed that the release of a luciferase from a differentiated human neuroblastoma-based reporter cell line (SIMA-hPOMC1-26-GLuc cells) can be stimulated by a carbachol-mediated activation of the Gq-coupled muscarinic-acetylcholine receptor and by the Ca2+-channel forming spider toxin α-latrotoxin. Carbachol-stimulated luciferase release was completely inhibited by the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine and α-latrotoxin-mediated release by the Ca2+-chelator EGTA, demonstrating the specificity of luciferase-release stimulation. SIMA-hPOMC1-26-GLuc cells express mainly L- and N-type and to a lesser extent T-type VGCC on the mRNA and protein level. In accordance with the expression profile a depolarization-stimulated luciferase release by a high K+-buffer was effectively and dose-dependently inhibited by L-type VGCC inhibitors and to a lesser extent by N-type and T-type inhibitors. P/Q- and R-type inhibitors did not affect the K+-stimulated luciferase release. In summary, the newly established cell-based assay may represent a versatile tool to analyze the biological efficiency of a range of neurotoxins and neuroactive pharmaceuticals which mediate their activity by the modulation of calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release.
Zearalenone and the Immune Response
Authors: Bulgaru Cristina Valeria , Marin Daniela Eliza , Pistol Gina Cecilia , Taranu Ionelia
Published: March 2021

Zearalenone (ZEA) is an estrogenic fusariotoxin, being classified as a phytoestrogen, or as a mycoestrogen. ZEA and its metabolites are able to bind to estrogen receptors, 17β-estradiol specific receptors, leading to reproductive disorders which include low fertility, abnormal fetal development, reduced litter size and modification at the level of reproductive hormones especially in female pigs. ZEA has also significant effects on immune response with immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive results. This review presents the effects of ZEA and its derivatives on all levels of the immune response such as innate immunity with its principal component inflammatory response as well as the acquired immunity with two components, humoral and cellular immune response. The mechanisms involved by ZEA in triggering its effects are addressed. The review cited more than 150 publications and discuss the results obtained from in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring the immunotoxicity produced by ZEA on different type of immune cells (phagocytes related to innate immunity and lymphocytes related to acquired immunity) as well as on immune organs. The review indicates that despite the increasing number of studies analyzing the mechanisms used by ZEA to modulate the immune response the available data are unsubstantial and needs further works.
High Levels of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in Trumpet Shell Charonia lampas from the Portuguese Coast
Authors: Costa Pedro Reis , Giráldez Jorge , Rodrigues Susana Margarida , Leão José Manuel , Pinto Estefanía , Soliño Lucía , Gago-Martínez Ana
Published: March 2021

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin, considered an emerging toxin in Europe where recently a safety limit of 44 µg TTX kg−1 was recommended by authorities. In this study, three specimens of the large gastropod trumpet shell Charonia lampas bought in a market in south Portugal were analyzed using a neuroblastoma cell (N2a) based assay and by LC-MS/MS. N2a toxicity was observed in the viscera of two individuals analyzed and LC-MS/MS showed very high concentrations of TTX (42.1 mg kg−1) and 4,9-anhydroTTX (56.3 mg kg−1). A third compound with m/z 318 and structurally related with TTX was observed. In the edible portion, i.e., the muscle, toxin levels were below the EFSA recommended limit. This study shows that trumpet shell marine snails are seafood species that may reach the markets containing low TTX levels in the edible portion but containing very high levels of TTX in non-edible portion raising concerns regarding food safety if a proper evisceration is not carried out by consumers. These results highlight the need for better understanding TTX variability in this gastropod species, which is critical to developing a proper legal framework for resources management ensuring seafood safety, and the introduction of these gastropods in the markets.
Optical Method and Biochemical Source for the Assessment of the Middle-Molecule Uremic Toxin β2-Microglobulin in Spent Dialysate
Authors: Paats Joosep , Adoberg Annika , Arund Jürgen , Fridolin Ivo , Lauri Kai , Leis Liisi , Luman Merike , Tanner Risto
Published: March 2021

Optical monitoring of spent dialysate has been used to estimate the removal of water-soluble low molecular weight as well as protein-bound uremic toxins from the blood of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. The aim of this work was to develop an optical method to estimate the removal of β2-microglobulin (β2M), a marker of middle molecule (MM) uremic toxins, during hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescence spectra of dialysate samples were recorded from 88 dialysis sessions of 22 ESKD patients, receiving four different settings of dialysis treatments. Stepwise regression was used to obtain the best model for the assessment of β2M concentration in the spent dialysate. The correlation coefficient 0.958 and an accuracy of 0.000 ± 0.304 mg/L was achieved between laboratory and optically estimated β2M concentrations in spent dialysate for the entire cohort. Optically and laboratory estimated reduction ratio (RR) and total removed solute (TRS) of β2M were not statistically different (p > 0.35). Dialytic elimination of MM uremic toxin β2M can be followed optically during dialysis treatment of ESKD patients. The main contributors to the optical signal of the MM fraction in the spent dialysate were provisionally identified as tryptophan (Trp) in small peptides and proteins, and advanced glycation end-products.
Fellows and Observers Are Not a Problem for Infection in the Operating Rooms of Teaching Centers
Authors: Montiel Verónica , Pérez-Prieto Daniel , Perelli Simone , Monllau Joan Carles
Published: March 2021

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine whether the risk of complications increases with the number of people in the operating room (OR). Several studies have stated that an increased number of people in the OR increases not only the risk of infection but also the risk of intraoperative complications due to distractions during the surgery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included all patients who had surgery between January 2017 and January 2018 in an OR with the usual surgical team and three or more observers. Patient demographic data, surgical details (duration of the surgery, the surgery being open or arthroscopic, and whether a graft was used), and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: A total of 165 surgeries were recorded, with a mean operating time of 70 min (40% open surgeries, 37% arthroscopic surgeries, and 23% combined open and arthroscopic procedures). The main intraoperative complications were vessel damage, nerve damage, premature cement setting, and leg-length discrepancy, with 1 case each. The main postoperative complications were rigidity (8 cases), unexplained pain (11 cases), failed meniscal suturing (3 cases), a postoperative stress fracture (1 case), correction loss in osteotomy (1 case), and wound problems not related to infection (1 case). There were no cases of infection. Discussion: The present study shows that the complication rate when having observers in the OR is comparable to the reported data. The key to avoiding complications is for everyone to comply with basic OR behavior.
In Vitro Antiviral Activities of Salinomycin on Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus
Authors: Yuan Chen , Huang Xintong , Zhai Ruiyu , Ma Yichao , Xu Anyuan , Zhang Penghao , Yang Qian
Published: March 2021

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), an enteropathogenic coronavirus, has catastrophic impacts on the global pig industry. Owing to the lack of effective vaccines and specific therapeutic options for PEDV, it is pertinent to develop new and available antivirals. This study identified, for the first time, a salinomycin that actively inhibited PEDV replication in Vero cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, salinomycin significantly inhibited PEDV infection by suppressing the entry and post-entry of PEDV in Vero cells. It did not directly interact with or inactivate PEDV particles, but it significantly ameliorated the activation of Erk1/2, JNK and p38MAPK signaling pathways that are associated with PEDV infection. This implied that salinomycin inhibits PEDV replication by altering MAPK pathway activation. Notably, the PEDV induced increase in reactive oxidative species (ROS) was not decreased, indicating that salinomycin suppresses PEDV replication through a pathway that is an independent pathway of viral-induced ROS. Therefore, salinomycin is a potential drug that can be used for treating PEDV infection.
RNA Interference Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B Predicts the Importance of Addressing Viral Integration When Developing Novel Cure Strategies
Authors: Wooddell Christine I. , Gehring Adam J. , Yuen Man-Fung , Given Bruce D.
Published: March 2021

Chronic hepatitis B infection remains a globally important cause of morbidity and mortality and has recently undergone a renaissance in therapeutic interest with increased pre-clinical and clinical testing of new drug classes. One of the first new classes in the clinic was RNA interference agents, which have the potential to impact the entire viral life cycle by reducing all virus-produced mRNA. Early clinical testing with the first of these agents in the clinic, ARC-520, demonstrated that rapid and deep reductions in viral proteins, RNA and DNA could be produced with this approach, but also the surprising insight that HBsAg production from incomplete HBV DNA integrated into the host genome appears to play a heretofore unappreciated and important role in maintaining circulating HBsAg, thought to play a fundamental role in preventing host clearance of the virus. Thus, accounting for viral DNA integration in novel HBV treatment approaches may prove to be essential to achieving successful finite therapies of this difficult to treat chronic infection.