bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles as Nanomedicine for Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Rao N.Vijayakameswara , Rho Jun Gi , Um Wooram , EK Pramod Kumar , Nguyen Van Quy , Oh Byeong Hoon , Kim Wook , Park Jae Hyung
Published: September 2020

Owing to their unique biological functions, hyaluronic acid (HA) and its derivatives have been explored extensively for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and molecular imaging. In particular, self-assembled HA nanoparticles (HA-NPs) have been used widely as target-specific and long-acting nanocarriers for the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic or diagnostic agents. Recently, it has been demonstrated that empty HA-NPs without bearing any therapeutic agent can be used therapeutically for the treatment of inflammatory diseases via modulating inflammatory responses. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the significant achievements in this field and highlight the potential of HA-NPs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
A Compartment-Based Mathematical Model for Studying Convective Aerosol Transport in Newborns Receiving Nebulized Drugs during Noninvasive Respiratory Support
Authors: Tarantini Francesco , Milesi Ilaria , Murgia Xabier , Bianco Federico , Dellacà Raffaele L.
Published: September 2020

Nebulization could be a valuable solution to administer drugs to neonates receiving noninvasive respiratory support. Small and irregular tidal volumes and air leaks at the patient interface, which are specific characteristics of this patient population and are primarily responsible for the low doses delivered to the lung (DDL) found in this application, have not been thoroughly addressed in in vitro and in vivo studies for quantifying DDL. Therefore, we propose a compartment-based mathematical model able to describe convective aerosol transport mechanisms to complement the existing deposition models. Our model encompasses a mechanical ventilator, a nebulizer, and the patient; the model considers the gas flowing between compartments, including air leaks at the patient–ventilator interface. Aerosol particles are suspended in the gas flow and homogeneously distributed. The impact of breathing pattern variability, volume of the nebulizer, and leaks level on DDL is assessed in representative conditions. The main finding of this study is that convective mechanisms associated to air leaks and breathing patterns with tidal volumes smaller than the nebulizer dramatically reduce the DDL (up to 70%). This study provides a possible explanation to the inconsistent results of drug aerosolization in clinical studies and may provide guidance to improve nebulizer design and clinical procedures.
Suaeda vermiculata Aqueous-Ethanolic Extract-Based Mitigation of CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats, and HepG-2 and HepG-2/ADR Cell-Lines-Based Cytotoxicity Evaluations
Authors: Mohammed Salman A. A. , Khan Riaz A. , El-Readi Mahmoud Z. , Emwas Abdul-Hamid , Sioud Salim , Poulson Benjamin G. , Jaremko Mariusz , Eldeeb Hussein M. , Al-Omar Mohsen S. , Mohammed Hamdoon A.
Published: September 2020

Suaeda vermiculata, an edible halophytic plant, used by desert nomads to treat jaundice, was investigated for its hepatoprotective bioactivity and safety profile on its mother liquor aqueous-ethanolic extract. Upon LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) analysis, the presence of several constituents including three major flavonoids, namely quercetin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol-O-(acetyl)-hexoside-pentoside were confirmed. The aqueous-ethanolic extract, rich in antioxidants, quenched the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals, and also showed noticeable levels of radical scavenging capacity in ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay. For the hepatoprotective activity confirmation, the male rat groups were fed daily, for 7 days (n = 8/group, p.o.), either carboxyl methylcellulose (CMC) 0.5%, silymarin 200 mg/kg, the aqueous-ethanolic extract of the plant Suaeda vermiculata (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg extract), or quercetin (100 mg/kg) alone, and on day 7 of the administrations, all the animal groups, excluding a naïve (250 mg/kg aqueous-ethanolic extract-fed), and an intact animal group were induced hepatotoxicity by intraperitoneally administering carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). All the animals were sacrificed after 24 h, and aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase serum levels were observed, which were noted to be significantly decreased for the aqueous-ethanolic extract, silymarin, and quercetin-fed groups in comparison to the CMC-fed group (p < 0.0001). No noticeable adverse effects were observed on the liver, kidney, or heart’s functions of the naïve (250 mg/kg) group. The aqueous-ethanolic extract was found to be safe in the acute toxicity (5 g/kg) test and showed hepatoprotection and safety at higher doses. Further upon, the cytotoxicity testings in HepG-2 and HepG-2/ADR (Adriamycin resistant) cell-lines were also investigated, and the IC50 values were recorded at 56.19 ± 2.55 µg/mL, and 78.40 ± 0.32 µg/mL (p < 0.001, Relative Resistance RR 1.39), respectively, while the doxorubicin (Adriamycin) IC50 values were found to be 1.3 ± 0.064, and 4.77 ± 1.05 µg/mL (p < 0.001, RR 3.67), respectively. The HepG-2/ADR cell-lines when tested in a combination of the aqueous-ethanolic extract with doxorubicin, a significant reversal in the doxorubicin’s IC50 value by 2.77 folds (p < 0.001, CI = 0.56) was noted as compared to the cytotoxicity test where the extract was absent. The mode of action for the reversal was determined to be synergistic in nature indicating the role of the aqueous-ethanolic extract.
Surface Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Biocompatibility of Autopolymerizing Acrylic Resins Coated with Reynoutria elliptica Extract
Authors: Yang Song-Yi , Kang Min-Kyung
Published: September 2020

We conducted surface characterization to assess the biocompatibility and investigate the antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens in autopolymerizing acrylic resins, coated with light-curable coating resin, containing various concentrations of Reynoutria elliptica extract (0, 200, 400, and 600 µg/mL). The R. elliptica extract powder was prepared using a freeze-drying technique. Further, a goniometer and microhardness tester were used to determine the water contact angle, and Vickers hardness, respectively; color measurements were performed on the uncoated and coated acrylic resin disks. The polyphenol content of the extracts from the coated acrylic resin disk was analyzed using UV-VIS spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the coated acrylic resin disk against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans was observed for 24 and 48 h by measuring the optical density using spectrophotometry. In addition, biocompatibility was confirmed by testing the cell viability according to ISO 10993-5. The water contact angle, Vickers hardness, and color change values of the coated acrylic resin disks were not significantly different from the control. Polyphenol was detected in all experimental groups, with no significant differences between the experimental groups. The experimental groups exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and C. albicans compared to the control group, after 48 h of incubation. The cell viability between the control and experimental groups was not significantly different. The proposed coating resin containing R. elliptica extract is applicable on dental acrylic resins, due to their antimicrobial properties and excellent biocompatibility, with no deterioration of surface characteristics.
Kinetic Studies on the Catalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B by Hydrogen Peroxide: Effect of Surfactant Coated and Non-Coated Iron (III) Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Ansari Mohd Shaban , Raees Kashif , Ali Khan Moonis , Rafiquee M.Z.A. , Otero Marta
Published: September 2020

Iron (III) oxide (Fe3O4) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated iron (III) oxide (SDS@Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method for application in the catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RB) dye. The synthesized NPs were characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy techniques and tested in the removal of RB. A kinetic study on RB degradation by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was carried out and the influence of Fe3O4 and SDS@Fe3O4 magnetic NPs on the degradation rate was assessed. The activity of magnetic NPs, viz. Fe3O4 and SDS@Fe3O4, in the degradation of RB was spectrophotometrically studied and found effective in the removal of RB dye from water. The rate of RB degradation was found linearly dependent upon H2O2 concentration and within 5.0 × 10−2 to 4.0 × 10−1 M H2O2, the observed pseudo-first-order kinetic rates (kobs, s−1) for the degradation of RB (10 mg L−1) at pH 3 and temperature 25 ± 2 °C were between 0.4 and 1.7 × 104 s−1, while in presence of 0.1% w/v Fe3O4 or SDS@Fe3O4 NPs, kobs were between 1.3 and 2.8 × 104 s−1 and between 2.6 and 4.8 × 104 s−1, respectively. Furthermore, in presence of Fe3O4 or SDS@Fe3O4, kobs increased with NPs dosage and showed a peaked pH behavior with a maximum at pH 3. The magnitude of thermodynamic parameters Ea and ΔH for RB degradation in presence of SDS@Fe3O4 were 15.63 kJ mol−1 and 13.01 kJ mol−1, respectively, lowest among the used catalysts, confirming its effectiveness during degradation. Furthermore, SDS in the presence of Fe3O4 NPs and H2O2 remarkably enhanced the rate of RB degradation.
Impact of Polymer Binders on the Structure of Highly Filled Zirconia Feedstocks
Authors: Delaroa Claire , Fulchiron René , Lintingre Eric , Buniazet Zoé , Cassagnau Philippe
Published: September 2020

The impact of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene backbone binders on the structure of organic matrix, feedstock, and ceramic parts is investigated in terms of morphology in this paper. The miscibility of wax with polyethylene and polypropylene is investigated in the molten state via a rheological study, revealing wax full miscibility with high-density polyethylene and restricted miscibility with polypropylene. Mercury porosimetry measurements realized after wax extraction allow the characterization of wax dispersion in both neat organic blends and zirconia filled feedstocks. Miscibility differences in the molten state highly impact wax dispersion in backbone polymers after cooling: wax is preferentially located in polyethylene phase, while it is easily segregated from polypropylene phase, leading to the creation of large cracks during solvent debinding. The use of a polyethylene/polypropylene ratio higher than 70/30 hinders wax segregation and favors its homogeneous dispersion in organic binder. As zirconia is added to organic blends containing polyethylene, polypropylene, and wax, the pore size distribution created by wax extraction is shifted towards smaller pores. Above zirconia percolation at 40 vol%, the pore size distribution becomes sharp attesting of wax homogeneous dispersion. As the PP content in the organic binder decreases from 100% to 0%, the pore size distribution is reduced of 30%, leading to higher densification ability. In order to ensure a maximal densification of the final ceramic, polyethylene/polypropylene ratios with a minimum content of 70% of high-density polyethylene should be employed.
Biocomposites Based on Plasticized Wheat Flours: Effect of Bran Content on Thermomechanical Behavior
Authors: Dominici Franco , Luzi Francesca , Benincasa Paolo , Torre Luigi , Puglia Debora
Published: September 2020

In the present work, the effect of different bran content on the overall thermomechanical behavior of plasticized wheat flours (thermoplastic wheat flour; TPWF) was investigated. Refined flour (F0) with negligible bran fiber content, F1 flour (whole grain flour, 20% wt. bran), F3 (50% wt. bran) and F2 (F1:F3, 50:50) film samples were realized by extrusion process. The effect of TPWF blending with two different biopolymers (polycaprolactone and poly butyrate adipate terephthalate), combined with the presence of citric acid as compatibilizer was also considered. Results from FESEM analysis and tensile characterization demonstrated that PCL was able to reach improved compatibility with the plasticized flour fraction at intermediate bran content (F2 based formulation) when 25% wt. of biopolymeric phase was added. Additionally, it was proved that improvements can be achieved in both thermal and mechanical performance when higher shear rate (120 rpm) and low temperature profiles (Tset2 = 130–135–140 °C) are selected. Disintegrability of the TPWF basic formulations in compositing conditions within 21 days was also confirmed; at the same time, an absence of any phytotoxic event of compost itself was registered. The obtained results confirmed the suitability of these materials, realized by adding different bran contents, to mechanically compete with bioplastics obtained by using purified starches.
On the Discursive and Methodological Categorisation of Islam and Muslims in the West: Ontological and Epistemological Considerations
Authors: Mansouri Fethi
Published: September 2020

This article reflects on the ethical and epistemological challenges facing researchers engaged in contemporary studies of Islam and Muslims in the West. Particularly, it focuses on the impact of the constructions and categorisations of Muslims and Islam in research. To do this, it considers the entwinement of public discourses and the development of research agendas and projects. To examine this complex and enmeshed process, this article explores ideological, discursive and epistemological approaches that it argues researchers need to consider. In invoking these three approaches alongside an analysis of a collection of recent research, this article contends that questions of race, religion and politics have been deployed to reinforce, rather than challenge, certain essentialist/orientalist representations of Islam and Muslims in the West in research. As this article shows, this practice is increasingly threatening to compromise, in a Habermasian communicative sense (i.e., the opportunity to speak and be heard for all concerned), the ethical and epistemological underpinnings of social science research with its emphasis on inclusion and respect.
Cloud Detection of SuperView-1 Remote Sensing Images Based on Genetic Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Zheng Hong , Han Chuanzhao , Wang Haibo , Dong Kaihan , Jing Ying , Zheng Wentao
Published: September 2020

Cloud pixels have massively reduced the utilization of optical remote sensing images, highlighting the importance of cloud detection. According to the current remote sensing literature, methods such as the threshold method, statistical method and deep learning (DL) have been applied in cloud detection tasks. As some cloud areas are translucent, areas blurred by these clouds still retain some ground feature information, which blurs the spectral or spatial characteristics of these areas, leading to difficulty in accurate detection of cloud areas by existing methods. To solve the problem, this study presents a cloud detection method based on genetic reinforcement learning. Firstly, the factors that directly affect the classification of pixels in remote sensing images are analyzed, and the concept of pixel environmental state (PES) is proposed. Then, PES information and the algorithm’s marking action are integrated into the “PES-action” data set. Subsequently, the rule of “reward–penalty” is introduced and the “PES-action” strategy with the highest cumulative return is learned by a genetic algorithm (GA). Clouds can be detected accurately through the learned “PES-action” strategy. By virtue of the strong adaptability of reinforcement learning (RL) to the environment and the global optimization ability of the GA, cloud regions are detected accurately. In the experiment, multi-spectral remote sensing images of SuperView-1 were collected to build the data set, which was finally accurately detected. The overall accuracy (OA) of the proposed method on the test set reached 97.15%, and satisfactory cloud masks were obtained. Compared with the best DL method disclosed and the random forest (RF) method, the proposed method is superior in precision, recall, false positive rate (FPR) and OA for the detection of clouds. This study aims to improve the detection of cloud regions, providing a reference for researchers interested in cloud detection of remote sensing images.
Integrating Landsat Time Series Observations and Corona Images to Characterize Forest Change Patterns in a Mining Region of Nanjing, Eastern China from 1967 to 2019
Authors: Zhang Yali , Shen Wenjuan , Li Mingshi , Lv Yingying
Published: September 2020

Long-term surface mining and subsequent vegetation recovery greatly alter land cover types, reshape landscape patterns and impose several impacts on local ecosystem services. However, studies on the history of forest changes in mining areas from the 1960s to the present have not been reported. This study developed a new idea to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of forest cover in a mining area of Mufu Mountain (Mt. Mufu) from 1967 to 2019 by integrating Landsat and Corona data, and to explore the relationships among the forest changes, landscape structures and ecosystem functions. Firstly, we applied the vegetation change tracker (VCT) algorithm and visual interpretation to create annual forest change datasets. Subsequently, the forest loss process was divided into subdivision, shrinkage, perforation and attrition components. An improved forest restoration model in this study extended the recovery process to bridge, branch, infilling and increment components. Finally, remote sensing variables and crown density were coupled to assess the forest aboveground biomass (AGB) to reflect the ecosystem function in the restoration area. Results showed that the combined use of Corona and the dense time series of Landsat can provide more detailed information on forest changes. Forest cover sharply decreased from 343.89 in 1967 to 298.44 ha in 1990, and after 2003, the forest area substantially increased and finally reached a maximum of 434.16 ha in 2019. Subdivision and bridge not only occupied the larger areas in the process of forest loss and restoration, but also they had strong correlations with forest changes and the Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were respectively 0.96 and 0.91. These all revealed that forest changes mainly affected landscape structure connectivity. The total forest AGB of Mt. Mufu increased from 20,173.35 in 2006 to 31,035.77 t in 2017, but the increases in AGB were only 30-40 t/ha in most recovery areas with high structure connectivity (bridge regions), indicating there is room for improving restoration projects in the future. The obtained findings can provide mining site restoration managers with clear, long-term forest change information and mine restoration assessment methods.
Mapping the Recreational Value of Coppices’ Management Systems in Tuscany
Authors: Riccioli Francesco , Fratini Roberto , Fagarazzi Claudio , Cozzi Mario , Viccaro Mauro , Romano Severino , Rocchini Duccio , Espinosa Diaz Salomon , Tattoni Clara
Published: September 2020

In recent decades the growing interest in forested areas has led to a higher level of appreciation and consideration regarding the various benefits and services provided by forests. Despite this, when it comes to acknowledging their economic value and their capacity to produce income, the production of timber seems to be the main or even the only function that is considered. However, by adopting a sustainable forest management approach, the value related to non-market forest functions could also be considered. The present paper aims to quantify the potential income related to the recreational value of coppice forest by considering three different management systems: traditional coppice, active conversion to high forest and the natural evolution of forest. In order to do so, a contingent valuation method was used, and 248 forest users were surveyed in the region of Tuscany, Italy. The surveys included a revised price-list method, and the results obtained showed the existence of willingness to pay (WTP) for the maintenance of forests. Users showed a strong preference for conversion to high forest, while natural evolution was the least preferred management option. People’s perception on this matter was also assessed based on their specific location, by georeferencing all of the respondents’ answers: considering this, it was observed that belonging to a municipality located in or close to the mountains (i.e., mountain and natural municipalities) influenced the users’ WTP to maintain natural evolution.
Knowledge of Child Abuse among Trainee Teachers and Teachers in Service in Spain
Authors: Sainz Vanesa , González-Sánchez Marta , Ruiz-Alberdi Cristina
Published: September 2020

The role that schools play in the detection of and intervention into child abuse is fundamental. This study investigates and compares knowledge of child abuse among trainee teachers and in-service teachers in Spain. To this end, a total of 224 teachers (144 teachers in training and 80 teachers in service) working in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education participated in this study, using self-developed scales (Scale of knowledge of child abuse, Scale of action against child abuse, Scale of aspects for improvement in child abuse). The results indicate that there are no significant differences between trainees and teachers in the previous training and in the level of knowledge and action in relation to child abuse. However, significant differences were found in the cases detected and intervened in, with a greater number of teachers in service having detected and acted on cases of child abuse. In regard to the interest in improving the way that child abuse is dealt with, teachers in training obtained a higher average score. In conclusion, we note that the relationship between knowledge about child abuse, action taken and the aspects for improvement is significant and positive, so if a teacher has more knowledge about child abuse, he or she will also know how to act better and will have greater interest in implementing improvement measures.
Human Capital Approach in the Economic Assessment of Interventions for the Reduction of Seismic Vulnerability in Historic Centres
Authors: Trovato Maria Rosa
Published: September 2020

The economic evaluation of the interventions aimed at reducing the seismic risk in the historic centres starting from a minimum risk scenario established by law, namely that provided by the Emergency Limit Condition (ELC), and aimed at supporting efficient and effective choices by the public decision-maker pursuing objectives of equity and social well-being, displaying a multidimensional nature. As a result, the evaluation process should integrate more approaches to quantify the different forms of capital involved. The seismic event can pose risks to an individual’s survival or reduce the quality of life. The assessment of the effects of the potential seismic vulnerability reduction plan on the population can be determined on the basis of the value of a statistical life (VSL). Among the possible approaches for its determination, that of the human capital (HC) was chosen for use. A critical review of the HC approach literature has been instrumental in defining an empirical approach that integrates the income-based approach proposed by Jorgenson–Fraumeni for market and non-market assets as well as the approach of Dagum. On the basis of this, the value of the HC for the historic centre of Brisighella was determined. The empirical approach also supported the definition of a model for the quantification of the benefits produced on the population by the plan of interventions to reduce the seismic vulnerability of the historic centre.
Impact of Banking and Financial Systems on Environmental Sustainability: An Overarching Study of Developing, Emerging, and Developed Economies
Authors: Obiora Sandra Chukwudumebi , Bamisile Olusola , Opoku-Mensah Evans , Kofi Frimpong Adasa Nkrumah
Published: September 2020

In recent years, the developed, emerging, and developing economies have prioritized environmental sustainability attainment. In an attempt to offer some potential policy choices towards the achievement of sustainable development, this paper shifts emphasis from the popularly discussed economic development and carbon emissions nexus. Instead, we examine the impact of the banking and financial system’s activities on carbon emissions for a sample of 45 countries. These are comprised of developed, emerging, and developing countries between 1990 and 2017. To fill the gap in the literature, the nexus is examined in seven different phases. This study exposes robust and reliable empirical results with the use of Feasible General Least Squares, random effects with regards to the Durbin–Wu–Hausman test, and Difference General Method of Moments panel data estimation models. Our findings indicate that the increase of domestic credit to the private sector and commercial bank lending consistently contributes towards aggravated carbon emissions in all economic types. Additionally, increased deposit rates in developing economies, increased lending rates in developed economies, and increased deposit rates in emerging economies contribute towards the overall reduction of carbon emissions. The decrease in lending to high GHG emitting members of the private sector by financial institutions in all economies is recommended based on the results of this study.
Multi-Stakeholder Efforts to Adapt to Climate Change in China’s Agricultural Sector
Authors: Ju Hui , Liu Qin , Li Yingchun , Long Xiaoxu , Liu Zhongwei , Lin Erda
Published: September 2020

Agricultural production is a crucial and fundamental aspect of a stable society in China that depends heavily on the climate situation. With the desire to achieve future sustainable development, China’s government is taking actions to adapt to climate change and to ensure food self-sufficiency. This paper assesses the scientific literature from both domestic and international journals, and the review policies released by the Chinese government, in order to investigate the adaptive actions being taken in China at the scale of the central government, and at the local administration and individual farmer level. The results demonstrate that China’s government has undertaken a multitude of adaptation programs in order to cope with vulnerability in the agricultural sector, and these include the release of stimulus policies, the support of new technological research, and investments in field facilities to strengthen the building of adaptive capacity. At the farmer household level, we found that people are spontaneously adapting to climate change on their own accord by changing the timing of cultivations, and through the selection of other crop species and cultivars. People are also securing non-land-related jobs when confronted with climate disasters. A summary is presented of the various agricultural adaptation policies and technologies. Although China has made great progress in terms of adapting to climate change, there is still more work that needs to be done. This work entails not just agricultural policy stimulation but also non-structural components, such as raising public awareness and providing adaptive skill training, etc. It can be concluded that agriculture sector could seek advantages and avoid disadvantages from adaptation activities by multiple stakeholders from different perspectives, and reduce the adverse effects of climate change. Climate adaptation strategies and actions are important and indispensable components for agricultural development in China, and more advanced technologies and ideologies are needed for a secure future.
Applied Identification of Industry Data Science Using an Advanced Multi-Componential Discretization Model
Authors: Chen You-Shyang , Sangaiah Arun Kumar , Chen Su-Fen , Huang Hsiu-Chen
Published: September 2020

Applied human large-scale data are collected from heterogeneous science or industry databases for the purposes of achieving data utilization in complex application environments, such as in financial applications. This has posed great opportunities and challenges to all kinds of scientific data researchers. Thus, finding an intelligent hybrid model that solves financial application problems of the stock market is an important issue for financial analysts. In practice, classification applications that focus on the earnings per share (EPS) with financial ratios from an industry database often demonstrate that the data meet the abovementioned standards and have particularly high application value. This study proposes several advanced multicomponential discretization models, named Models A–E, where each model identifies and presents a positive/negative diagnosis based on the experiences of the latest financial statements from six different industries. The varied components of the model test performance measurements comparatively by using data-preprocessing, data-discretization, feature-selection, two data split methods, machine learning, rule-based decision tree knowledge, time-lag effects, different times of running experiments, and two different class types. The experimental dataset had 24 condition features and a decision feature EPS that was used to classify the data into two and three classes for comparison. Empirically, the analytical results of this study showed that three main determinants were identified: total asset growth rate, operating income per share, and times interest earned. The core components of the following techniques are as follows: data-discretization and feature-selection, with some noted classifiers that had significantly better accuracy. Total solution results demonstrated the following key points: (1) The highest accuracy, 92.46%, occurred in Model C from the use of decision tree learning with a percentage-split method for two classes in one run; (2) the highest accuracy mean, 91.44%, occurred in Models D and E from the use of naïve Bayes learning for cross-validation and percentage-split methods for each class for 10 runs; (3) the highest average accuracy mean, 87.53%, occurred in Models D and E with a cross-validation method for each class; (4) the highest accuracy, 92.46%, occurred in Model C from the use of decision tree learning-C4.5 with the percentage-split method and no time-lag for each class. This study concludes that its contribution is regarded as managerial implication and technical direction for practical finance in which a multicomponential discretization model has limited use and is rarely seen as applied by scientific industry data due to various restrictions.
ImageDetox: Method for the Neutralization of Malicious Code Hidden in Image Files
Authors: Jung Dong-Seob , Lee Sang-Joon , Euom Ieck-Chae
Published: September 2020

Malicious codes may cause virus infections or threats of ransomware through symmetric encryption. Moreover, various bypassing techniques such as steganography, which refers to the hiding of malicious code in image files, have been devised. Unknown or new malware hidden in an image file in the form of malicious code is difficult to detect using most representative reputation- or signature-based antivirus methods. In this paper, we propose the use of ImageDetox method to neutralize malicious code hidden in an image file even in the absence of any prior information regarding the signatures or characteristics of the code. This method is composed of four modules: image file extraction, image file format analysis, image file conversion, and the convergence of image file management modules. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, 30 image files with hidden malicious codes were used in an experiment. The malicious codes were selected from 48,220 recent malicious codes purchased from VirusTotal (a commercial application programming interface (API)). The experimental results showed that the detection rate of viruses was remarkably reduced. In addition, image files from which the hidden malicious code had previously been removed using a nonlinear transfer function maintained nearly the same quality as that of the original image; in particular, the difference could not be distinguished by the naked eye. The proposed method can also be utilized to prevent security threats resulting from the concealment of confidential information in image files with the aim of leaking such threats.
Interaction of Human ACE2 to Membrane-Bound SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 S Glycoproteins
Authors: Anand Sai , Chen Yaozong , Prévost Jérémie , Gasser Romain , Beaudoin-Bussières Guillaume , Abrams Cameron , Pazgier Marzena , Finzi Andrés
Published: September 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, infecting millions of people and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. The viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 depends on an interaction between the receptor-binding domain of its trimeric spike glycoprotein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. A better understanding of the spike/ACE2 interaction is still required to design anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. Here, we investigated the degree of cooperativity of ACE2 within both the SARS-CoV-2 and the closely related SARS-CoV-1 membrane-bound S glycoproteins. We show that there exist differential inter-protomer conformational transitions between both spike trimers. Interestingly, the SARS-CoV-2 spike exhibits a positive cooperativity for monomeric soluble ACE2 binding when compared to the SARS-CoV-1 spike, which might have more structural restraints. Our findings can be of importance in the development of therapeutics that block the spike/ACE2 interaction.
A Functional K+ Channel from Tetraselmis Virus 1, a Member of the Mimiviridae
Authors: Kukovetz Kerri , Hertel Brigitte , Schvarcz Christopher R. , Saponaro Andrea , Manthey Mirja , Burk Ulrike , Greiner Timo , Steward Grieg F. , Van Etten James L. , Moroni Anna , Thiel Gerhard , Rauh Oliver
Published: September 2020

Potassium ion (K+) channels have been observed in diverse viruses that infect eukaryotic marine and freshwater algae. However, experimental evidence for functional K+ channels among these alga-infecting viruses has thus far been restricted to members of the family Phycodnaviridae, which are large, double-stranded DNA viruses within the phylum Nucleocytoviricota. Recent sequencing projects revealed that alga-infecting members of Mimiviridae, another family within this phylum, may also contain genes encoding K+ channels. Here we examine the structural features and the functional properties of putative K+ channels from four cultivated members of Mimiviridae. While all four proteins contain variations of the conserved selectivity filter sequence of K+ channels, structural prediction algorithms suggest that only two of them have the required number and position of two transmembrane domains that are present in all K+ channels. After in vitro translation and reconstitution of the four proteins in planar lipid bilayers, we confirmed that one of them, a 79 amino acid protein from the virus Tetraselmis virus 1 (TetV-1), forms a functional ion channel with a distinct selectivity for K+ over Na+ and a sensitivity to Ba2+. Thus, virus-encoded K+ channels are not limited to Phycodnaviridae but also occur in the members of Mimiviridae. The large sequence diversity among the viral K+ channels implies multiple events of lateral gene transfer.
Introduction of Confidence Interval Based on Probability Limit Method Test into Non-Stationary Hydrological Frequency Analysis
Authors: Shimizu Keita , Yamada Tadashi , Yamada Tomohito J.
Published: September 2020

Nonstationarity in hydrological variables has been identified throughout Japan in recent years. As a result, the reliability of designs derived from using method based on the assumption of stationary might deteriorate. Non-stationary hydrological frequency analysis is among the measures to counter this possibility. Using this method, time variations in the probable hydrological quantity can be estimated using a non-stationary extreme value distribution model with time as an explanatory variable. In this study, we build a new method for constructing the confidence interval regarding the non-stationary extreme value distribution by applying a theory of probability limit method test. Furthermore, by introducing a confidence interval based on probability limit method test into the non-stationary hydrological frequency analysis, uncertainty in design rainfall because of lack of observation information was quantified, and it is shown that assessment pertaining to both the occurrence risk of extremely heavy rainfall and changes in the trend of extreme rainfall accompanied with climate change is possible.
Application of Model Predictive Control for Large-Scale Inverted Siphon in Water Distribution System in the Case of Emergency Operation
Authors: Zhu Zheli , Guan Guanghua , Mao Zhonghao , Wang Kang , Gu Shixiang , Chen Gang
Published: September 2020

The emergency control of Menglou~Qifang inverted siphon, which is about 72 km long, is the key to the safety of the Northern Hubei Water Transfer Project. Given the complicated layout of this project, traditional emergency control method has been challenged with the fast hydraulic transient characteristics of pressurized flow. This paper describes the application of model predictive control (MPC), a popular automatic control algorithm advanced in explicitly accounting for various constraints and optimizing control operation, in emergency condition. For the fast prediction to the pipe-canal combination system, a linear model for large-scale inverted siphon proposed by the latest research and the integrator-delay (ID) model for open canals are used. Simulation results show that the proposed MPC algorithm has promising performance on guaranteeing the safety of the project when there are sudden flow obstruction incidents of varying degrees downstream. Compared with control groups, the peak pressure can be reduced by 17.2 m by MPC under the most critical scenario, albeit with more complicated gates operations and more water release (up to 9.75 × 104 m3). Based on the linear model for long inverted siphon, this work highlights the applicability of MPC in the emergency control of large-scale pipe-canal combination system.
Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospects for the Future
Authors: Sampath Prasanna Venkatesh , Jagadeesh Gaddam Sai , Bahinipati Chandra Sekhar
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely impacting food and nutrition security and requires urgent attention from policymakers. Sustainable intensification of agriculture is one strategy that attempts to increase food production without adversely impacting the environment, by shifting from water-intensive crops to other climate-resistant and nutritious crops. This paper focuses on the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh by studying the impact of shifting 20% of the area under paddy and cotton cultivation to other crops like millets and pulses. Using FAO’s CROPWAT model, along with monsoon forecasts and detailed agricultural data, we simulate the crop water requirements across the study area. We simulate a business-as-usual base case and compare it to multiple crop diversification strategies using various parameters—food, calories, protein production, as well as groundwater and energy consumption. Results from this study indicate that reduced paddy cultivation decreases groundwater and energy consumption by around 9–10%, and a calorie deficit between 4 and 8%—making up this calorie deficit requires a 20–30% improvement in the yields of millets and pulses. We also propose policy interventions to incentivize the cultivation of nutritious and climate-resistant crops as a sustainable strategy towards strengthening food and nutrition security while lowering the environmental footprint of food production.
Keberhasilan Usahatani Kopi (Coffea arabica) Melalui Dinamika Kelompok Dan Manajerial Petani
Authors: Yusuf Muhamad , Sukmawati Dety , Dasipah Euis
Published: September 2020

Coffee was one of the important plantation commodities in the national economy. This can be seen from the role of the coffee plantation sector in providing employment plants, providing the State's foreign exchange through exports. One of the goals of coffee farmers in managing their farming was to make a profit. In achieving this goal, farmers face several obstacles. By joining farmers in a farmer group forum can help explore the potential, solve the farming problems of its members, thus farmer groups have a strategic position in realizing quality farmers. The research was conducted in Sukasari Subdistrict, Sumedang Regency with the unit (subject) of analysis being 70 farmers who cultivated coffee in the harvest season from January to March 2020 Hypothesis testing. path. There was a positive relationship between the dynamics of farmer groups and farmer management. This was evidenced by the correlation value between the dynamics of farmer groups (X1) and managerial farmers (X2) which reached 84.1%. The better the group dynamics, the better the farmer's managerial, which consists of technical skills and business / skills aspects. The dynamics of farmer groups and farmer managerial influences positively on the success of coffee farming. the higher the value of farmer group dynamics (X1) and farmer managerial (X2), the effect on the increase in farming (Y).
IMPLEMENTASI METODE WASPAS UNTUK MENENTUKAN IKAN TERI ASIN KERING BERKUALITAS TERBAIK
Authors: Gusman Aggy Pramana , Linostu Rindu Rafvia , Surmayanti Surmayanti
Published: September 2020

Pada masyarakat yang hidup di tepian pantai, lautan/pantai adalah sumber penghasilan yang menjanjikan untuk bergantung hidup dan Indonesia adalah negara yang memiliki banyak tepian pantai,. Salah satunya pesisir selatan di Sumatra Barat. Warga sekitar pantai menggantungkan hidup dengan menjual ikan baik ikan segar maupun ikan yang diasinkan, khusus ikan yang di asinkan akan mendapatkan keuntungan yang akan lebih banyak karena ke awetan ikan tersebut dikarenakan keuntungan yang mengiurkan tersebut banyak warga mengolah dengan proses asal-asalan atau tidak standar sehingga ikan asin tersebut tidak bertahan lama dibandingkan proses pengasinan yang memenuhi standar, UD LABA LABA adalah sebuah agen/bandar menjual jenis ikan termasuk ikan asin, dengan kondisi banyaknya warga yang membuat ikan asin yang tidak memenuhi standar maka UD LABA LABA harus hati hati sekali untuk membeli ikan asin olahan warga di karenakan keawetannya yang sangat sebentar, tentunya jika salah membeli akan menimbulkan kerugian di pihak UD LABA LABA. Untuk menyelesaikan permasalalahan tersebut maka diperlukan Sistem Pendukung Keputusan dengan Metode Weight Aggregated Sum Product Assesment (WASPAS). Metode WASPAS dalah metode yang dapat mengurangi kesalahan-kesalahan atau mengoptimalkan dalam penaksiran untuk pemililahan nilai tertinggi dan terendah (Handayani, M., Marpaung, N., & Anggraini, S. (2019)), metode ini dibangun dan di implementasikan dalam bentuk sistem untuk membantu UD LABALABA dalam membeli ikan asin olahan warga. Kriteria yang digunakan yaitu ukuran  ikan, warna ikan, aroma ikan, tektur ikan dan daya tahan ikan. Penerapan sistem ini menghasilkan kenaikan keuntungan 20% dari sebelum sistem di terapkan.
IMPLEMENTASI LINK AGGREGATION CONTROL PROTOCOL UNTUK MENINGKATKAN THROUGHPUT BANDWIDTH PADA UP-LINK LINE
Authors: Haryono Dwi , Herwin Herwin , Nasution Torkis
Published: September 2020

Kampus STMIK Amik Riau telah menghubungkan setiap gedung menggunakan jaringan point to point dengan kapasitas bandwidth pada backbone tersedia sebesar 85 Mbps, dengan 368 user aktif. Berdasarkan Pengawas jaringan di router pada saat penggunaan maksimal, diperoleh  data upline streaming sebesar 8 mbps dan  downline streaming sebesar 78 mbps Lebar bandwidth  yang tersedia berbanding kebutuhan adalah 120 Mbps.Masalah jaringan saat ini UpLink  Line 1 merupakan jalur transmisi standar dari router 1 ke router 2 membagi kerja seluruh lalu lintas data, apabila terjadi peningkatan maka akan berpengaruh terhadap kecepatan akses data sehingga di butuhkan solusi agar tidak memperlambat jaringan. Penambahan jalur UpLink Line 2 sebagai pembagi beban komunikasi data. Metode Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) yang paling tepat untuk meningkatkan lebar kanal. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengidentifikasi kebutuhan kanal untuk penggunaan aplikasi jaringan lokal dan lebar kanal untuk akses outgoing jaringan untuk menentukan lebar kanal maksimal yang harus disediakan. Fokus dalam penelitian ini adalah bagaimana Meningkatkan Throughput Bandwidth pada Up-Link Line menggunakan LACP, dilanjutkan dengan bagaimana mengimplementasikan LACP dalam meningkatkan kanal bandwidth Implementasi LACP untuk Meningkatkan Throughput Bandwidth pada Up-Link Line. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh device yang terdaftar di dalam log table MAC Address server router, sedangkan sampel penelitian adalah 20 MAC Address atau 60% pegawai STMIK Amik Riau. Landasan teori yang digunakan adalah  protocol TCP/IP, MikroTik, dan Komunikasi Data. Pengujian dilakukan dengan Implementasi LACP untuk Meningkatkan Throughput Bandwidth pada Up-Link Line. Hasil pengujian membuktikan penambahan lebar kanal sebesdar sehingga terjadi peningkatan throughput yang dihasilkan sebesar 116,3 Mbps/104,4 Mbps (TX/RX).
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI NASABAH UNTUK MENGADOPSI TEKNOLOGI INTERNET BANKING DI KALIMANTAN BARAT
Authors: Karpriana Angga Permadi
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini berjudul bertujuan untuk menguji faktor-faktor apa saja yang mempengaruhi para nasabah bank dalam mengadopsi atau menggunakan layanan internet banking di Indonesia. Penelitian ini fokus terhadap variabel Kenyamanan (Enjoyment), Informasi pada Online Banking (Info on Online Banking), Keamanan dan Kerahasiaan (Security & Privacy), Kualitas Koneksi Internet  Quality of Internet), Sikap Terhadap Penggunaan (Attitude Towards Using) dan juga dua variabel yang terdapat dalam Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).
PENGARUH PARTISIPASI, PENEKANAN ANGGARAN DAN ASIMETRI INFORMASI TERHADAP BUDGETARY SLACK
Authors: Kire Tamar I. M Bire , Oematan Herly M.
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh partisipasi, penekanan anggaran, dan asimetri informasi terhadap budgetary slack pada Universitas Nusa Cendana. Teknik analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linear berganda yang diuji secara parsial. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah semua unit kerja di Universitas Nusa Cendana. Pemilihan sampel menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara parsial partisipasi dan asimetri informasi memiliki pengaruh negatif namun tidak signifikan terhadap budgetary slack pada Universitas Nusa Cendana. sedangkan penekanan anggaran berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap budgetary slack pada Universitas Nusa Cendana.