bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Iloprost on Nitric Oxide, Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine and Serotonin in the Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease
Authors: ŞENOL Sefa
Published: December 2020

Aim: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the efficacy of iloprost use in peripheral artery disease patients on the parameters involved in endothelial functions such as circulating acetyl dimethyl arginine (ADMA), serotonin and nitric oxide (NO).

Patients and Methods: 30 patients (19 male, 11 female, age interval 60.7 ± 13.7) who were followed-up with the diagnosis of Fontaine III-IV disease and decided to receive a medical treatment were included in the study. Iloprost infusion was initiated as a 16-hour intravenous infusion at the dose of 0.5-1.5 ng / kg / min from the forearm veins and was given for 7 days. Blood was taken for ADMA, Serotonin and NO results before and after the treatment (8th day). Total nitrite (nitrite + nitrate) concentration was measured by the modified cadmium reduction method, ADMA and serotonin levels were measured by High Performance Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) method.

Results: ADMA value before and after the iloprost treatment was decreased after the treatment and while this was statistically significant (p=0.001), the changes in serotonin (p=0.82) and NO (P= 0.16) values were found statistically insignificant.

Conclisions: Peripheral arterial disease may be a parameter that can be taken into account in the evaluation of treatment for peripheral arterial disease and ADMA, which is considered to be an endothelial dysfunction indicator after iloprost treatment.
Eğitim Mobilyaları Standardının (TS EN 1729-1) Ergonomik Yaklaşımlara Uygunluğunun Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: DEVELİ Koray , SÜMER Sarp Korkut
Published: December 2020

Bu çalışmada, eğitim mobilyaları standardında (TS EN 1729-1) belirtilen sınır değerlerin, ergonomik yaklaşımlar ile uyumunun belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi öğrencileri üzerinde antropometrik ölçüm çalışmaları yürütülmüştür. Antropometrik veriler ve çeşitli araştırmacılar tarafından ortaya konulmuş olan ergonomik yaklaşımlar dikkate alınarak ergonomik eğitim mobilyaları boyutları belirlenmiş, standartta belirtilen değerler ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Öğrenciler için hesaplanan mobilya boyutlarının standartta belirtilen boyutlar ile tam olarak örtüşmediği ve söz konusu uygunsuzluğun %61.90 oranında olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışmada ayrıca fakültede bulunan eğitim mobilyalarının ilgili standarda uygunluğu ve ergonomisi değerlendirilmiştir. Eğitim mobilyaları için yapılan değerlendirmede derslik, amfi ve çizim salonu için; ergonomik açıdan uygunluk yüzdeleri sırasıyla %25.00 %12.50 ve %37.50, standarda uygunluk yüzdeleri ise sırasıyla %61.53, %46.15 ve %76.92 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Bu durumun, öğrencilerin derslere motivasyonlarının yanı sıra boyun, sırt, bel ağrısı gibi kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarına neden olabileceği ve Avrupa ülkelerindeki tüm eğitim kurumları için geçerli olan TS EN 1729-1 standardının, Türkiye’de bir 0yükseköğretim kurumunda öğrencilere ait antropometrik özelliklere göre belirlenen ergonomik gereklerin tamamını karşılayamadığı görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, eğitim kurumlarında mobilyaların standarda uygunluğunun yanı sıra antropometrik özellikler ve ergonomik yaklaşımlar dikkate alınarak tasarımlanması gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Evaluation of Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department of Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine Hospital due to Occupational Accidents
Authors: ARAS Murat , DOLANBAY Turgut , ŞAHİN Levent
Published: December 2020

Occupational accidents and illnesses are the most important problem in the business sector in all regions of the world, and about 160 million people are affected by occupational accidents annually worldwide. The evaluation of patients admitted to the emergency departments of hospitals due to occupational accidents is of special importance for reducing these accidents. In this study, patients admitted to the Emergency Department of Kafkas University Research and Training Hospital with occupational injuries were evaluated. It was observed that 38 patients applied to the emergency department because of occupational accidents between the specified dates. The mean age of these patients was 35.7±10.4 years. It was determined that 40.5% of the patients had occupational accidents between 08:00-12:00. Most of the occupational accidents occurred on Monday and Saturday. Injuries of the upper extremity (28.95%) and head/neck (28.95%) were the most common injuries. Occupational accidents are common in the emergency department and play an important role in mortality and morbidity. First aid and occupational accident training should be provided to workers to prevent frequent accidents during working hours. We believe that due to the widespread of head/neck and upper extremity injuries, strict inspections of workers to ensure protective measures (such as clothing, gloves, helmets) will significantly reduce occupational accidents.
Geospatial Monitoring on Land Surface Temperature and Vegetation Dynamics: A Case of a City Area in Khulna, Bangladesh
Authors: HAQUE MD. NAZMUL , RAHMAN KHANAM NOWRIN , NANJIBA MEHNAZ
Published: December 2020

Land surface temperature and vegetation cover are two important parameters to evaluate the climate change and environmental condition. The current study is carried out in respect of monitoring the changing phenomena of climate and environment. The area selected to conduct the study was ward number 1, 2 and 3 of Khulna City Corporation), from the third largest city of Bangladesh. This study is corresponding through the calculation of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) for two different years, 2010 and 2018. LST and NDVI are observed to realize the association between surface temperature and amount of vegetation. With the help of ArcGIS 10.5, LST and NDVI calculations are done using Landsat 5 Thermal Mapper, Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor images (for 2010 and 2018, respectively) collected from USGS Earth Explorer. The findings of the study specify that the highest temperature in 2018 is 32.5˚C in ward 2 and in 2010 it was 27.5˚C in ward 3, though the overall vegetation amount decreased in 2018, About 18, 900 square meter of very low canopy area has increased in ward 3 from the period of 2010 to 2018 and in the same time 35, 100 square meter of low canopy area has been decreased for the overall study area. However, parts of the study area of ward no. 3 had faced a significant increase in vegetation cover which is the cause of low temperature compared to ward 1 and 2 in 2018.
Youth Apathy: A Class Struggle for Student Political Hegemony in Malaysia
Authors: KOEY XAN XAN
Published: December 2020

On the 10th December 2018, an unprecedented historic event took place in the lower courthouse of the Malaysia Parliament. After years of repressive and regressive stance on student activism, members of parliament voted unanimously to amend the Universities and University Colleges Act 1975, which finally allows student political participation on campus. However, claims of youth apathy and the portrayal of youth in mass media as “unprepared and inexperienced political actors” pose a detrimental dilemma on the participation front. Intrinsic experiences of the youth community, especially from within the confines of universities have been misunderstood, and in fact, very much alienated. Therefore, the impact of the amendment amongst students is assessed in this research. Through exploring the experiences of youth who are caught up between state autonomy and civil liberties, this study employs qualitative research methods through asynchronous in-depth interviews in understanding youth’s freedom of expression. The findings are analyzed thematically to extract emergent themes from interviews derived from participants’ experiences with bureaucratic structures of the university environment and secondary data on the existing models of polity within the campus. Results show that structural barriers empowered by the existing ideological control provide both perceived positive and negative experiences to the participants. The majority of participants were alienated from the mechanisms of existing democratic institutions and discourses whereas subaltern voices of the youth prevail outside the confines of state-oriented spaces. This study has implications on the Overton Window practices of policymakers in providing true autonomy to students.
The Effect of Board Governance and CEO Attributes Towards Corporate Performance of Malaysian Public Listed Financial Companies
Authors: Yau Josephine Tan Hwang
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates the relationship between corporate governance, CEO attributes and firm performance of public listed financial companies in Malaysia from 2008 to 2017. There are several theories employed in the studies whereby the agency theory and resource dependency theory suggest that the board size have a positive impact on firm performance. In contrast, stewardship theory suggests smaller board size positively impacts the firm performance and prospect theory suggested that every person perceives and values gains and losses differently, and this affects the decision making. The firm performance has been measured using the return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). The data of the variables of board size, board independence, board meeting, CEO duality, CEO age and CEO gender are manually obtained from the annual reports, while the financial data include firm performance, capital expenditure and leverage are obtained from the Thomson Reuters Datastream. The research method employed in this study is the panel regression analysis. The findings of this study suggest that there is a positive and significant relationship between board size and firm performance and a positive and significant relationship between board independence and firm performance. Meanwhile, board meeting is found to have mix relationship with the firm performance. Furthermore, our result also shows CEO age and male CEO exhibit positive impact on firm performance.
Factors Influencing the Customer Switching Behaviour in Investment Banking
Authors: Sahari Salawati , Othman Nur Afiqah , Jakpar Shaharuddin , Nichol Esmie Obrin
Published: December 2020

This study examines the factors that influence the customer switching behaviour especially in banks. The data was collected through questionnaires distributions to the respondents who were drawn from the customers who have investment account between Tabung Haji and Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) account banks in Malaysia.  In order to test the hypotheses, the multiple regression analysis was applied in this study, as predicted from the prospect theory. It was discovered that the reputation, service quality, distance, switching cost, price, involuntary switching, advertising as well as religious belief were not significant driver to the switching behaviour among the bank customers in Malaysia. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that bank manager should focus on service quality and also give undivided attention to the price. Therefore, the interest rate charged or fees ought to be followed up while adequate, timely information need to be given to the customers on reasons for change.
Culture of Siri' in Learning Akidah Akhlak in MAN Suli Luwu District
Authors: Yunus Yunus , Nurseha Nurseha , Maemunah Maemunah
Published: December 2020

The application of siri' culture in learning akidah akhlak is reflected in the attitudes of students through discipline and responsibility. Discipline and responsibility of students are dignity, and self-respect which is a reflection of the height of siri'. Enforce good discipline through the code of ethics of students. 2) The culture of siri' functions as the spirit of students in the educational process. The values of akidah and morals which are summarized in the values of Divinity (ilahiyah), Humanity, and Naturalness have in common with the values of siri' which are summarized in the elements of siri': Pajjama, Lempu', Getteng, and Sipakatau. 3) The internalization of siri' culture in learning akidah akhlak is a must because implementing the culture of siri' is the same as applying Islamic values.
The Role of Parents in Educating Children in the Industrial Revolution Era 4.0
Authors: Rudiana Yuda
Published: December 2020

Mini thesis, Islamic Education Department, July 2020. These research objectives held to know how the parent's concept of educating children in the industrial revolution era 4.0, in Kp.Â  Undrus, Cijantra Village, Kab.Â  Tangerang also to know the parents' obstacle factor on the process that educating children in the industrial revolution era 4,0, in Kp.Â  Undrus, Cijantra Village, Kab.Â  Tangerang. This research used a field study approach in Kp.Â  Undrus, Cijantra Village, Kab.Â  Tangerang.Â  The technique's data collection in this research used observation, interview, and documentation.Â  While the data analysis used data collection, data presentation, data reduction, and data verification or taken conclusion.Â  Then, used a validity test technique with the prioritize as data credibility, data transferability, real power, also a confirmation research object. This research result indicates that the parent has an important role in preparing for the industrial revolution 4.0.Â  Through education has done parents in a family by various ways as harmonization the relation of parent-child, became examples to children, motivate and support to the in learning, and have a clear purpose be parents in Kp.Â  Undrus, Cijantra Village, Kab.Â  Tangerang in educating children in the industrial revolution 4.0.Â  children education by the parents have to deficient in economy providing media learning, lack of understanding matter learning child by the parents and lack of compliance to parents.
Determining The Relationship Between Smoking Habits and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Health Workers: Smoke-Free Hospital, Healthy Life
Authors: Gucuk Sebahat , Tokur Kesgin Makbule , Turken Gel Keziban , Yorgun Songul
Published: December 2020

Aim: Using tobacco and tobacco products is an important public health issue. This study aims to determine the smoking status of hospital staff and to examine the relationship between their smoking habits and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between March and September 2018 with 387 health workers in Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital affiliated to Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University. Data were collected using the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, which were applied via face-to-face interview technique to health workers who accepted to participate in the study.

Results: The study sample consisted of 387 health workers. Of them, 58.7% of the participants were exposed to smoking in the workplace, and 75.9% of the nonsmokers were exposed to smoking environment, which was statistically significantly high. A statistically significant difference was found between the health workers’ Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale mean scores with respect to gender, smoking status, being in a smoking environment, and duration of smoking.

Conclusion: Determining the relationship between smoking habits and healthy lifestyle behaviors of health workers, identifying their negative or incomplete behaviors in this regard, and developing training and support programs for their relevant needs are considered to positively affect the images of health workers in society, and thus to increase healthcare quality and satisfaction.

Keywords: health personnel, smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle
Tillage Practice Impacts on the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Topsoil Microbial Communities in an Agricultural Field
Authors: Dai Hongcui , Zhang Hui , Li Zongxin , Liu Kaichang , Zamanian Kazem
Published: December 2020

Soil microorganisms are the core force driving the conversion of plant residues into soil organic carbon (SOC). Identifying the changes in soil microorganism responses to tillage practices is a key step in understanding the SOC sequestration potential. The aim of this study is to assess the impacts of different tillage practices on microbial communities and functions in agricultural soils. A field experiment involving no tillage (NT), rotary tillage (RT), and deep tillage (DT) in winter wheat-summer maize double cropping was performed to determine the structure of the microbial community and its functions using metagenomics. We found that tillage practices changed the composition of soil microbial communities and their functions related to the C cycle. The relative abundance of fungi in DT was significantly higher than that of the NT and RT treatments and primarily facilitated the growth of the fungi community. Moreover, DT treatment increased the relative abundance of genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism genes and carbohydrate metabolism pathway genes, in addition to those encoding carbohydrate-binding modules. Therefore, we concluded that DT increases the transformation potential of straw-C to SOC in the North China Plain where large amounts of wheat and maize straw are returned to the field every year.
Effects of Adapted N-Fertilisation Strategies on Nitrate Leaching and Yield Performance of Arable Crops in North-Western Germany
Authors: Kühling Insa , Beiküfner Mareike , Vergara Maria , Trautz Dieter
Published: December 2020

Groundwater pollution with nitrate is a big challenge for drinking water abstraction in regions with intensive agricultural land-use, specifically with high livestock densities on sandy soils in humid climates. Karst aquifers with high water flow velocities are extremely vulnerable to this problem. To cope with this situation, a field trial with an installation of ceramic suction cups under a randomised block design with a typical north-German cropping sequence of silage maize–winter wheat–winter barley was established in a karst water protection zone. Over three years, reduced nitrogen (N) application rates and N type (mineral or combined organic + mineral fertilisation) were tested for their effects on crop yields and leachate water quality below the root zone. Results showed no significant reductions in crop yields with 10/20% reduced N rates for cereals/maize and only slight reductions in cereal protein content. Nitrate concentration from adapted N rates was significantly lower in treatments with an application of organic fertilisers (−7.74 mg NO3-N l−1) with greatest potential after cultivation of maize; in only mineral fertilised plots the effect was smaller (−3.80 mg NO3-N l−1). Cumulative leaching losses were positively correlated with post-harvest soil mineral nitrogen content but even in unfertilised control plots losses >50 kg N ha−1 were observed in some crop-years. Reduced N rates led to decreased leaching losses of 14% (6.3 kg N ha−1 a−1) with mineral and 29% (20.1 kg N ha−1 a−1) with organic + mineral fertilisation on average overall cops and years. The presented study revealed the general potential of adapted fertilisation strategies with moderately reduced N applications (−10/−20%) to increase leachate water quality without affecting significantly crop yields. However, regionally typical after-effects from yearlong high N surpluses in livestock intensive farming systems are a limiting factor.
Effects of Plant Growth Regulators and N Rate on the Morphological Traits of Generative Tillers and Seed Yields of Chewings and Strong Creeping Red Fescue
Authors: Szczepanek Małgorzata , Baczyński Maciej , Graczyk Radomir
Published: December 2020

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are used as a management tool to minimize plant height and subsequent stem lodging in grass seed crops. Their efficacy is influenced not only by the method of application, but also by the management and genetic variations within and between species. This aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of PGRs on morphological traits of generative tillers and seed yield of Festuca rubra L ssp. rubra (strong creeping red fescue) and F. r. L ssp. commutata (Chewings red fescue) under low and medium doses of spring nitrogen fertilization (40 and 70 kg N ha−1). PGRs were applied as: chlormequat chloride (CCC) at BBCH 30–31; CCC at BBCH 30–31 + ethephon (ET) at BBCH 37–39; CCC at BBCH 30–31 + trinexapac-ethyl (TE) at BBCH 37–39. All the application methods of PGRs resulted in the shortening of the second internode, and the sequential application of CCC with ET or TE also resulted in the shortening of the third internode. In each PGR treatment, the lodging index in the plant (canopy height to tiller length ratio) was higher than that of the control. PGRs had a beneficial effect on the seed yield. The greatest increase in the seed yield was recorded after the application of CCC+TE. No interaction between PGRs and spring N fertilization rates on the seed yield of red fescue. The increase in the dose of spring nitrogen fertilizer from 40 to 70 kg N ha−1 resulted in a significant increase in yield. Seed yield of chewing red fescue cv. Dorosa was 29% higher than strong creeping red fescue cv. Nista, mainly due to an increase in the number of generative tillers.
Aniba rosaeodora (Var. amazonica Ducke) Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Antitrypanosomal Activity
Authors: Teles Amanda Mara , Silva-Silva João Victor , Fernandes Juan Matheus Pereira , Calabrese Kátia da Silva , Abreu-Silva Ana Lucia , Marinho Silvio Carvalho , Mouchrek Adenilde Nascimento , Filho Victor Elias Mouchrek , Almeida-Souza Fernando
Published: December 2020

Aniba rosaeodora is one of the most widely used plants in the perfumery industry, being used as medicinal plant in the Brazilian Amazon. This work aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of A. rosaeodora essential oil and its biological activities. A. rosaeodora essential oil presented linalool (93.60%) as its major compound. The A. rosaeodora essential oil and linalool showed activity against all the bacteria strains tested, standard strains and marine environment bacteria, with the lower minimum inhibitory concentration being observed for S. aureus. An efficient antioxidant activity of A. rosaeodora essential oil and linalool (EC50: 15.46 and 6.78 µg/mL, respectively) was evidenced by the inhibition of the 2,2-azinobis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical. The antitrypanosomal activity of A. rosaeodora essential oil and linalool was observed at high concentrations against epimatigote forms (inhibitory concentration for 50% of parasites (IC50): 150.5 ± 1.08 and 198.6 ± 1.12 µg/mL, respectively), and even higher against intracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi (IC50: 911.6 ± 1.15 and 249.6 ± 1.18 µg/mL, respectively). Both A. rosaeodora essential oil and linalool did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect in BALB/c peritoneal macrophages, and both reduced nitrite levels in unstimulated cells revealing a potential effect in NO production. These data revealed the pharmacological potential of A. rosaeodora essential oil and linalool, encouraging further studies.
Surface Analysis of 3D (SLM) Co–Cr–W Dental Metallic Materials
Authors: Baciu Elena-Raluca , Cimpoeșu Ramona , Vițalariu Anca , Baciu Constantin , Cimpoeșu Nicanor , Sodor Alina , Zegan Georgeta , Murariu Alice
Published: December 2020

The surface condition of the materials involved in dentistry is significant for the subsequent operations that are applied in oral cavity. Samples of Co–Cr–W alloy, obtained through selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printing, with different surface states were analyzed. Surface analysis after the 3D printing process and sandblasting was realized from microstructural, chemical composition, profilometry, droplet adhesion, scratch test, and microhardness perspectives. The results presented a hardening process and a roughness modification following the sandblasting procedure, a better adhesion of the liquid droplets, the appearance of micro-cracks during the scratch test, and the oxidation of the sample after the 3D printing process and surface processing.
Development and Evaluation of Ginkgo biloba L. Extract Loaded into Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sublingual Films
Authors: Rimkiene Laura , Baranauskaite Juste , Marksa Mindaugas , Jarukas Laurynas , Ivanauskas Liudas
Published: December 2020

Oral bioavailability of flavonoids, including G. biloba extract, is limited due to their chemical complexity, which determines slow dissolution in vitro behavior of the extract. The overall research objective was to compare the effect of increasing freeze-dried G. biloba extract (GFD) concentrations in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) films on their mechanical properties, release profile of flavonoid glycosides, stability and disintegration time. Physicochemical evaluation of films was performed by SEM and FTIR. The mechanical properties and in vitro release profile of flavonoid glycosides from the prepared films were characterized in the study. The higher elongation at break and tensile strength values, quick release of flavonoids and good stability were observed in formulation, coded FRG—15 (the film contained 0.4 g of GFD, 0.3 g of glycerol and 2 g of 2% CMC), (p < 0.05). Dissolution rate tests showed that approximately 85% of loaded flavonoid glycosides had been released; the release profile of flavonoid glycosides from FRG-15 had levelled off after only 15 min. The results could lay the groundwork for further studies, concerning the development of sublingual films as G. biloba extract-based dosage forms, which might increase the multifunctional properties and pharmacological activity closer to the desired level.
Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Effect on MIO-M1 Cell Viability: Setup Validation and Standing Waves Analysis
Authors: Poblete-Naredo Irais , Gutierrez Mario Ibrahin , Mendoza-Sánchez Diana Estela , Ortega Arturo , Albores Arnulfo , Gutiérrez-Martínez Josefina , Leija Lorenzo , Vera Arturo
Published: December 2020

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been proposed for novel therapies still under study, where similar parameters and protocols have been used for producing opposite effects that range from increasing cell viability to provoking cell death. Those divergent outcomes make the generalization of expected effects difficult for cell models not yet studied. This paper presents the effect of LIPUS on the viability of the MIO-M1 cell line for two well-established setups and different protocols; the acoustic intensities, duty factors, and treatment duration were varied. Measurements and models for acoustic and thermal analysis are included for proposing a solution to improve the reproducibility of this kind of experiments. Results indicate that MIO-M1 viability is less affected for the cells treated through a dish that is partially immersed in water; in these conditions, the cells neither show detrimental nor proliferative effects at intensities lower than 0.4 W/cm2 at 20% duty factor. However, cell viability was reduced when LIPUS was followed by cell subculturing. Treating the cells through a gel, with the culture dish placed on the transducer, increases cell mortality by the production of standing waves and mixed vibration-acoustical effects. Using the water-based setup with a 1° dish inclination reduces the effects of standing waves.
Erratum: Cao, Y. Small-Signal Modeling and Analysis for a Wirelessly Distributed and Enabled Battery Energy Storage System of Electric Vehicles. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 4249
Authors: Cao Yuan , Qahouq Jaber Abu
Published: December 2020

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Parametric Analysis of the Shear Lag Effect in Tube Structural Systems of Tall Buildings
Authors: Hafner Ivan , Vlašić Anđelko , Kišiček Tomislav , Renić Tvrtko
Published: December 2020

Horizontal loads such as earthquake and wind are considered dominant loads for the design of tall buildings. One of the most efficient structural systems in this regard is the tube structural system. Even though such systems have a high resistance when it comes to horizontal loads, the shear lag effect that is characterized by an incomplete and uneven activation of vertical elements may cause a series of problems such as the deformation of internal panels and secondary structural elements, which cumulatively grow with the height of the building. In this paper, the shear lag effect in a typical tube structure will be observed and analyzed on a series of different numerical models. A parametric analysis will be conducted with a great number of variations in the structural elements and building layout, for the purpose of giving recommendations for an optimal design of a tube structural system.
Feasibility of a Thermography Nondestructive Technique for Determining the Quality of Historical Frescoed Masonries: Applications on the Templar Church of San Bevignate
Authors: Gusella Vittorio , Cluni Federico , Liberotti Riccardo
Published: December 2020

Thermography is a non-destructive and non-contact technique allowing, without taking samples, gaining information about several aspects of heritage buildings. This contribution presents the last phase of a research path, started with laboratory tests and now aimed at a real case of great cultural value, which involved the use of the thermal imaging camera to unveil in-depth defects and the wall texture, hidden by valuable plasters or frescoes, in order to correlate the quality of the masonry to its mechanical properties. For this, a method has been devised, made of an original integration of thermographic and post-processing techniques, and recently was applied for the first time to a real case study: the Italian Templar church of San Bevignate, part of an architectural complex from the 13th century located in the city of Perugia. The opportunity to establish the masonry quality of a historical building using non-destructive testing (NDT) represents a little-known possibility to frame not only important factors for the conservation of the frescoes but also information on the seismic vulnerability of historical masonry architectures in order to preserve the artefact from being damaged during the surveys and to plan any effective intervention of restoration and structural reinforcement.
An Unsupervised Generative Adversarial Network-Based Method for Defect Inspection of Texture Surfaces
Authors: Wang Jichun , Yi Guodong , Zhang Shuyou , Wang Yang
Published: December 2020

Recently, deep learning-based defect inspection methods have begun to receive more attention—from both researchers and the industrial community—due to their powerful representation and learning capabilities. These methods, however, require a large number of samples and manual annotation to achieve an acceptable detection rate. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised method of detecting and locating defects on patterned texture surface images which, in the training phase, needs only a moderate number of defect-free samples. An extended deep convolutional generative adversarial network (DCGAN) is utilized to reconstruct input image patches; the resulting residual map can be used to realize the initial segmentation defects. To further improve the accuracy of defect segmentation, a submodule termed “local difference analysis” (LDA) is embedded into the overall module to eliminate false positives. We conduct comparative experiments on a series of datasets and the final results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Characteristic of Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens Isolated from Weeds of Wheat Field
Authors: Butsenko Liudmyla , Pasichnyk Lidiia , Kolomiiets Yuliia , Kalinichenko Antonina , Suszanowicz Dariusz , Sporek Monika , Patyka Volodymyr
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was the identification of the causative agent of the basal glume rot of wheat Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens from the affected weeds in wheat crops, and determination of its virulent properties. Isolation of P. syringae pv. atrofaciens from weeds of wheat crops was carried out by classical microbiological methods. To identify isolated bacteria, their morphological, cultural, biochemical, and serological properties as well as fatty acids and Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) profiles with the OPA-13 primer were studied. Pathogenic properties were investigated by artificial inoculation of wheat plants and weed plants, from which bacteria were isolated. For the first time, bacteria that are virulent both for weeds and wheat were isolated from weeds growing in wheat crops. It was shown that the fatty acids profiles of the bacteria isolated from the weeds contained typical for P. syringae pv. atrofaciens fatty acids, in particular, hydroxy acids: 3-hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, and 3-hydroxydodecanoic. RAPD-PCR profiles of the newly isolated strains were identical to those of the collection strains P. syringae pv. atrofaciens UCM B-1011 and P. syringae pv. atrofaciens UCM B-1014 and contained a dominant fragment of 700 bp. The isolated strains, according to their phenotypic and genotypic properties, were identified as P. syringae pv. atrofaciens. It was established that the causative agent of basal glume rot of wheat P. syringae pv. atrofaciens is polyphagous and capable of infecting a wide range of plants. The main control measure for cereals diseases caused by P. syringae pv. Atrofaciens—crop rotations with nonhost species, should be revised, and alternative control methods must be proposed.
Adaptive Semi-Active Suspension and Cruise Control through LPV Technique
Authors: Basargan Hakan , Mihály András , Gáspár Péter , Sename Olivier
Published: December 2020

Several studies exist on topics of semi-active suspension and vehicle cruise control systems in the literature, while many of them just consider actual road distortions and terrain characteristics, these systems are not adaptive and their subsystems designed separately. This study introduces a new method where the integration of look-ahead road data in the control of the adaptive semi-active suspension, where it is possible to the trade-off between comfort and stability orientation. This trade-off is designed by the decision layer, where the controller is modified based on prehistorical passive suspension simulations, vehicle velocity and road data, while the behavior of the controller can be modified by the use of a dedicated scheduling variable. The adaptive semi-active suspension control is designed by using Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) framework. In addition to this, it proposes designing the vehicle velocity for the cruise controller by considering energy efficiency and comfort together. TruckSim environment is used to validate the operation of the proposed integrated cruise and semi-active suspension control system.
Development of a Unified Geotechnical Database and Data Processing on the Example of Nur-Sultan City
Authors: Zhussupbekov Askar , Alibekova Nurgul , Akhazhanov Sungat , Sarsembayeva Assel
Published: December 2020

Development of a geotechnical database for the young capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan city, became a paramount concern of both the scientific community and industry. The creation of the Kazakhstan model of the geotechnical database was based on a fixed dataset which included a city map with determined X, Y, and H coordinates and the user generated data obtained from the materials of engineering and geological surveys from more than 2000 boreholes. Based on the assessment of the built-up area of the city, six main engineering-geological elements (EGE) were identified. The territory of the city was regrouped into eight zones instead of the previous six based on the geological origin and stratigraphy interposition of the EGE. Engineering properties of the soils were considered for physical and mechanical characteristics, where the plasticity limits demonstrated an accurate correlation to the elasticity modulus E and distribution boundaries between the alluvial and eluvial types of the soil on the graph. So, the increased liquid and plastic limits are replicated by higher values of elasticity modulus E, and hence better strength characteristics of a particular soil layer and vice versa, while the moisture content and soil density did not show any obvious pattern and requires additional verification on the construction site. Finally, a geotechnical map was built for the driven piles and the optimal variations in the pile length for each zone were determined.
Heatwaves in Kenya 1987–2016: Facts from CHIRTS High Resolution Satellite Remotely Sensed and Station Blended Temperature Dataset
Authors: Amou Martial , Gyilbag Amatus , Demelash Tsedale , Xu Yinlong
Published: December 2020

As global temperatures continue to rise unabated, episodes of heat-related catastrophes across the world have intensified. In Kenya, heatwave phenomena and their associated impacts are ignored and neglected due to several reasons, including unreliable and inconsistent weather datasets and heatwave detection metrics. Based on CHIRTS satellite infrared estimates and station blended temperature, this study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of the heatwave events over Kenya during 1987–2016 using the Heatwave Magnitude Index daily (HWMId). The results showed that contrary to the absence of heatwave records in official national and international disaster database about Kenya, the country experienced heatwaves ranging from less severe (normal) to deadly (super-extreme) between 1987 and 2016. The most affected areas were located in the eastern parts of the country, especially in Garissa and Tana River, and in the west-northern side around the upper side of Turkana county. It was also found that the recent years’ heatwaves were more severe in magnitude, duration, and spatial extent. The highest magnitude of the heatwaves was recorded in 2015 (HWMId = 22.64) while the average over the reference period is around 6. CHIRTS and HWMId were able to reveal and capture most critical heatwave events over the study period. Therefore, they could be used respectively as data source and detection metrics, for heatwaves disaster emergency warning over short period as well as for long-term projection to provide insight for adaptation strategies.
Investigation of Volcanic Emissions in the Mediterranean: “The Etna–Antikythera Connection”
Authors: Kampouri Anna , Amiridis Vassilis , Solomos Stavros , Gialitaki Anna , Marinou Eleni , Spyrou Christos , Georgoulias Aristeidis K. , Akritidis Dimitris , Papagiannopoulos Nikolaos , Mona Lucia , Scollo Simona , Tsichla Maria , Tsikoudi Ioanna , Pytharoulis Ioannis , Karacostas Theodore , Zanis Prodromos
Published: December 2020

Between 30 May and 6 June 2019 a series of new flanks eruptions interested the south-east flanks of Mt. Etna, Italy, forming lava flows and explosive activity that was most intense during the first day of the eruption; as a result, volcanic particles were dispersed towards Greece. Lidar measurements performed at the PANhellenic GEophysical observatory of Antikythera (PANGEA) of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), in Greece, reveal the presence of particles of volcanic origin above the area the days following the eruption. FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model (FLEXPART) simulations and satellite-based SO2 observations from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument onboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (TROPOMI/S5P), confirm the volcanic plume transport from Etna towards PANGEA and possible mixing with co-existing desert dust particles. Lidar and modeled values are in agreement and the derived sulfate mass concentration is approximately 15 μg/m3. This is the first time that Etna volcanic products are monitored at Antikythera station, in Greece with implications for the investigation of their role in the Mediterranean weather and climate.
Body Size Variation in Italian Lesser Horseshoe Bats Rhinolophus hipposideros over 147 Years: Exploring the Effects of Climate Change, Urbanization and Geography
Authors: Salinas-Ramos Valeria B. , Agnelli Paolo , Bosso Luciano , Ancillotto Leonardo , Sánchez-Cordero Víctor , Russo Danilo
Published: December 2020

Body size in animals commonly shows geographic and temporal variations that may depend upon several environmental drivers, including climatic conditions, productivity, geography and species interactions. The topic of body size trends across time has gained momentum in recent years since this has been proposed as a third universal response to climate change along with changes in distribution and phenology. However, disentangling the genuine effects of climate change from those of other environmental factors is often far from trivial. In this study, we tested a set of hypotheses concerning body size variation across time and space in Italian populations of a rhinolophid bat, the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. We examined forearm length (FAL) and cranial linear traits in a unique historical collection of this species covering years from 1869 to 2016, representing, to the best of our knowledge, the longest time series ever considered in a morphological assessment of a bat species. No temporal changes occurred, rejecting the hypotheses that body size varied in response to climate change or urbanization (light pollution). We found that FAL increased with latitude following a Bergmann’s rule trend, whereas the width of upper incisors, likely a diet-related trait, showed an opposite pattern which awaits explanation. We also confirmed that FAL is sexually dimorphic in this species and ruled out that insularity has any detectable effect on the linear traits we considered. This suggests that positive responses of body size to latitude do not mean per se that concurring temporal responses to climate change are also expected. Further investigations should explore the occurrence of these patterns over larger spatial scales and more species in order to detect the existence of general patterns across time and space.
Molecular and Biochemical Techniques for Deciphering p53-MDM2 Regulatory Mechanisms
Authors: Karakostis Konstantinos , López Ignacio , Peña-Balderas Ana M. , Fåhareus Robin , Olivares-Illana Vanesa
Published: December 2020

The p53 and Mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) proteins are hubs in extensive networks of interactions with multiple partners and functions. Intrinsically disordered regions help to adopt function-specific structural conformations in response to ligand binding and post-translational modifications. Different techniques have been used to dissect interactions of the p53-MDM2 pathway, in vitro, in vivo, and in situ each having its own advantages and disadvantages. This review uses the p53-MDM2 to show how different techniques can be employed, illustrating how a combination of in vitro and in vivo techniques is highly recommended to study the spatio-temporal location and dynamics of interactions, and to address their regulation mechanisms and functions. By using well-established techniques in combination with more recent advances, it is possible to rapidly decipher complex mechanisms, such as the p53 regulatory pathway, and to demonstrate how protein and nucleotide ligands in combination with post-translational modifications, result in inter-allosteric and intra-allosteric interactions that govern the activity of the protein complexes and their specific roles in oncogenesis. This promotes elegant therapeutic strategies that exploit protein dynamics to target specific interactions.
Using X-ray Diffraction Techniques for Biomimetic Drug Development, Formulation, and Polymorphic Characterization
Authors: Rodríguez Israel , Gautam Ritika , Tinoco Arthur D.
Published: December 2020

Drug development is a decades-long, multibillion dollar investment that often limits itself. To decrease the time to drug approval, efforts are focused on drug targets and drug formulation for optimal biocompatibility and efficacy. X-ray structural characterization approaches have catalyzed the drug discovery and design process. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) reveals important structural details and molecular interactions for the manifestation of a disease or for therapeutic effect. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) has provided a method to determine the different phases, purity, and stability of biological drug compounds that possess crystallinity. Recently, synchrotron sources have enabled wider access to the study of noncrystalline or amorphous solids. One valuable technique employed to determine atomic arrangements and local atom ordering of amorphous materials is the pair distribution function (PDF). PDF has been used in the study of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). ASDs are made up of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) within a drug dispersed at the molecular level in an amorphous polymeric carrier. This information is vital for appropriate formulation of a drug for stability, administration, and efficacy purposes. Natural or biomimetic products are often used as the API or the formulation agent. This review profiles the deep insights that X-ray structural techniques and associated analytical methods can offer in the development of a drug.
Heterogeneous Catalysts Using Strontium Oxide Agglomerates Depositing upon Titanium Plate for Enhancing Biodiesel Production
Authors: Lee Han , Wu Wen-Hao , Chen Bing-Hung , Liao Jiunn-Der
Published: December 2020

Strontium oxide (SrO) is an effective catalyst for transesterification. SrO powder that is firmly deposited onto a light titanium plate (TiO2_P), denoted as SrO/TiO2_P, can be reinforced by forming strontium titanate (SrTiO3) at the interface. Exposed SrO agglomerates can promote subsequent continuous transesterification process. In this work, conversion efficiency and production of biodiesel from olive oil on SrO/TiO2_P is investigated. The as-designed SrO/TiO2_P was followed by dip-coating and heat treatment. The physical properties of SrO/TiO2_P were verified through ASTM D3359; the chemical structures before and after transesterification, were respectively identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. A focused microwave heating system was utilized for transesterification. In the optimized sample SrO/TiO2_P (x) (x = 0.5 M), SrO firmly bonds with TiO2_P and forms the SrTiO3 structure. With the support of TiO2_P, the tested oil with SrO agglomerates subsequently reacts with SrO under microwave heating. The biodiesel conversion rate reaches 87.7% after a reaction time of 4 min, while the biodiesel product has an average of 39.37 MJ/kg of combustion heat and less than 1 vol% of water content. The as-designed SrO/TiO2_P (0.5) thus has great potential for biodiesel production and is promising with high stability in particular for a continuous fluid flow system.
Correction: Krokidis, M.G., et al. Oxygen-Dependent Accumulation of Purine DNA Lesions in Cockayne Syndrome Cells. Cells 2020, 9, 1671
Authors: Krokidis Marios G. , D’Errico Mariarosaria , Pascucci Barbara , Parlanti Eleonora , Masi Annalisa , Ferreri Carla , Chatgilialoglu Chryssostomos
Published: December 2020

The originally published article [...]