bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guaranteed State Estimation Using a Bundle of Interval Observers with Adaptive Gains Applied to the Induction Machine
Authors: Schwartz Manuel , Krebs Stefan , Hohmann Sören
Published: April 2021

The scope of this paper is the design of an interval observer bundle for the guaranteed state estimation of an uncertain induction machine with linear, time-varying dynamics. These guarantees are of particular interest in the case of safety-critical systems. In many cases, interval observers provide large intervals for which the usability becomes impractical. Hence, based on a reduced-order hybrid interval observer structure, the guaranteed enclosure within intervals of the magnetizing current’s estimates is improved using a bundle of interval observers. One advantage of such an interval observer bundle is the possibility to reinitialize the interval observers at specified timesteps during runtime with smaller initial intervals, based on previously observed system states, resulting in decreasing interval widths. Thus, unstable observer dynamics are considered so as to take advantage of their transient behavior, whereby the overall stability of the interval estimation is maintained. An algorithm is presented to determine the parametrization of reduced-order interval observers. To this, an adaptive observer gain is introduced with which the system states are observed optimally by considering a minimal interval width at variable operating points. Furthermore, real-time capability and validation of the proposed methods are shown. The results are discussed with simulations as well as experimental data obtained with a test bench.
Adaptive Simplex Architecture for Safe, Real-Time Robot Path Planning
Authors: Ionescu Tudor B.
Published: April 2021

The paper addresses the problem of using machine learning in practical robot applications, like dynamic path planning with obstacle avoidance, so as to achieve the performance level of machine learning model scorers in terms of speed and reliability, and the safety and accuracy level of possibly slower, exact algorithmic solutions to the same problems. To this end, the existing simplex architecture for safety assurance in critical systems is extended by an adaptation mechanism, in which one of the redundant controllers (called a high-performance controller) is represented by a trained machine learning model. This model is retrained using field data to reduce its failure rate and redeployed continuously. The proposed adaptive simplex architecture (ASA) is evaluated on the basis of a robot path planning application with dynamic obstacle avoidance in the context of two human-robot collaboration scenarios in manufacturing. The evaluation results indicate that ASA enables a response by the robot in real time when it encounters an obstacle. The solution predicted by the model is economic in terms of path length and smoother than analogous algorithmic solutions. ASA ensures safety by providing an acceptance test, which checks whether the predicted path crosses the obstacle; in which case a suboptimal, yet safe, solution is used.
Automated Real-Time Evaluation of Condylar Movement in Relation to Three-Dimensional Craniofacial and Temporomandibular Morphometry in Patients with Facial Asymmetry
Authors: Lee Won-June , Park Ki-Ho , Kang Yoon-Goo , Kim Su-Jung
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between craniofacial morphology, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) characteristics, and condylar functional movement in patients with facial asymmetry using an up-to-date automated real-time jaw-tracking system. A total of 30 patients with mandibular asymmetry and prognathism were included. Three-dimensional (3D) craniofacial and TMJ morphometric variables were analyzed in images captured using cone-beam computed tomography. Three-dimensional condylar movements were recorded during the opening, protrusion, and laterotrusion of the jaw and divided into those for deviated and non-deviated sides. Overall functional and morphometric variables were compared between the sides by a paired t-test. Pearson’s correlation analysis and factor analysis were also performed. As a result, significant differences were found between the sides in morphometric and functional variables. The condylar path length was significantly longer and steeper on the deviated side during protrusion and lateral excursion. TMJ morphometric asymmetry, more so than the craniofacial morphologic asymmetry, seemed to be reflected in the functional asymmetry, representing different correlations between the sides, as supported by factor analysis. This study provides evidence explaining why the asymmetric condylar path remained unchanged even after orthognathic surgery for the correction of craniofacial asymmetry.
Work-Related Risk Assessment According to the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation: A Preliminary Study Using a Wearable Inertial Sensor and Machine Learning
Authors: Donisi Leandro , Cesarelli Giuseppe , Coccia Armando , Panigazzi Monica , Capodaglio Edda Maria , D’Addio Giovanni
Published: April 2021

Many activities may elicit a biomechanical overload. Among these, lifting loads can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Aspiring to improve risk prevention, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) established a methodology for assessing lifting actions by means of a quantitative method based on intensity, duration, frequency and other geometrical characteristics of lifting. In this paper, we explored the machine learning (ML) feasibility to classify biomechanical risk according to the revised NIOSH lifting equation. Acceleration and angular velocity signals were collected using a wearable sensor during lifting tasks performed by seven subjects and further segmented to extract time-domain features: root mean square, minimum, maximum and standard deviation. The features were fed to several ML algorithms. Interesting results were obtained in terms of evaluation metrics for a binary risk/no-risk classification; specifically, the tree-based algorithms reached accuracies greater than 90% and Area under the Receiver operating curve characteristics curves greater than 0.9. In conclusion, this study indicates the proposed combination of features and algorithms represents a valuable approach to automatically classify work activities in two NIOSH risk groups. These data confirm the potential of this methodology to assess the biomechanical risk to which subjects are exposed during their work activity.
Dataset of Tactile Signatures of the Human Right Hand in Twenty-One Activities of Daily Living Using a High Spatial Resolution Pressure Sensor
Authors: Cepriá-Bernal Javier , Pérez-González Antonio
Published: April 2021

Successful grasping with multi-fingered prosthetic or robotic hands remains a challenge to be solved for the effective use of these hands in unstructured environments. To this end, currently available tactile sensors need to improve their sensitivity, robustness, and spatial resolution, but a better knowledge of the distribution of contact forces in the human hand in grasping tasks is also necessary. The human tactile signatures can inform models for an efficient control of the artificial hands. In this study we present and analyze a dataset of tactile signatures of the human hand in twenty-one representative activities of daily living, obtained using a commercial high spatial resolution pressure sensor. The experiments were repeated for twenty-two subjects. The whole dataset includes more than one hundred million pressure data. The effect of the task and the subject on the grip force and the contribution to this grip force made by the different hand regions were analyzed. We also propose a method to effectively synchronize the measurements from different subjects and a method to represent the tactile signature of each task, highlighting the hand regions mainly involved in the task. The correlations between hand regions and between different tasks were also analyzed.
Robust SCKF Filtering Method for MINS/GPS In-Motion Alignment
Authors: Zhang Huanrui , Zhang Xiaoyue
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a novel multiple strong tracking adaptive square-root cubature Kalman filter (MSTASCKF) based on the frame of the Sage–Husa filter, employing the multi-fading factor which could automatically adjust the Q value according to the rapidly changing noise in the flight process. This filter can estimate the system noise in real-time during the filtering process and adjust the system noise variance matrix Q so that the filtering accuracy is not significantly reduced with the noise. At the same time, the residual error in the filtering process is used as a measure of the filtering effect, and a multiple fading factor is introduced to adjust the posterior error variance matrix in the filtering process, so that the residual error is always orthogonal and the stability of the filtering is maintained. Finally, a vibration test is designed which simulates the random noise of the short-range guided weapon in flight through the shaking table and adds the noise to the present simulation trajectory for semi-physical simulation. The simulation results show that the proposed filter can significantly reduce the attitude estimation error caused by random vibration.
The Effects of Celebrity Characteristics on Purchase Intentions: A Focus on Consumer Concern of Environmental Issues
Authors: Cespedes-Dominguez Constanza , Fernandez-Robin Cristobal , McCoy Scott
Published: April 2021

Consumer awareness about environmental problems is important in guiding their purchasing decisions. The aim of this research is to validate the moderating effect of environmental concern in two relationships: between celebrity–brand congruity and attitudes toward the brand and, between celebrity–brand congruity and purchase intentions, specifically when consumers are exposed to green advertising including a celebrity endorser. The data were collected via an online survey with young North American and Chilean people. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses in both samples. The results show that the only endorser characteristic relevant to the model is celebrity–brand congruity and its relationship with environmental concern (β = 0.23 for North Americans and β = 0.35 for Chileans with p < 0.05). In conclusion, the consumers evaluate congruence between celebrity and brand based on their concern about environment, then consider brand ethicality, and later brand credibility, which generates an attitude toward the brand and purchase intention. Therefore, identifying the consumers environmental concern is key to developing an effective advertisement with an appropriate celebrity. This research helps to understand the green-marketing literature in a more detailed way, due to this moderating variable capable of enhancing purchase intentions of consumers.
Entrepreneurial Motivation, Psychological Capital, and Business Success of Young Entrepreneurs in the DRC
Authors: Ephrem Akilimali Ndatabaye , Nguezet Paul Martin Dontsop , Charmant Ishara Kaciko , Murimbika McEdward , Awotide Bola Amoke , Tahirou Abdoulaye , Lydie Mulindangabo Neema , Manyong Victor
Published: April 2021

The proponents of the entrepreneurial motivation dichotomy have argued that opportunity-driven entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed and sustain in entrepreneurship, unlike people who start-up businesses out of necessity. However, disagreement still exists on why and under which conditions the former might outperform the latter. This research contributes to this debate by examining the mediation role of psychological capital in the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and business success among youths. This study relied on a random sample of 295 young entrepreneurs surveyed from Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We applied partial least squares to analyze the hypothesized relationships. Evidence for the positive effect of opportunity-led motivation on psychological capital was found, but the findings did not support any direct effect of entrepreneurial motivation on business success. Instead, psychological capital positively and significantly mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and business success. This paper makes a distinctive new contribution to the understanding of the intriguing and controversial entrepreneurial motivation dichotomy—a business success relationship. To this end, we have found out that opportunity entrepreneurs have 3% more chance of succeeding in businesses compared to necessity entrepreneurs, because the former outperform the latter by 4% in the dimensions of psychological capital. This paper has new policy implications, as it reveals the great importance of psychological capital in promoting business success, thus reducing unemployment among youths, and offers tips from which psychological capital can be built or improved.
Investigation on Recycling Dry Toilet Generated Blackwater by Anaerobic Digestion: From Energy Recovery to Sanitation
Authors: Zuo Siqi , Zhou Xiaoqin , Li Zifu , Wang Xuemei , Yu Longbin
Published: April 2021

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been widely adapted for blackwater treatment, however, the effect of water-conserving toilet generated blackwater on the AD process is still unknown. In this study, the anaerobic digestion process of dry toilet generated blackwater was investigated by means of a biomethane potential test. It was demonstrated that anaerobic digestion was inhibited and then adapted because of a high total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) level (3673.3 mg/L). The start-up period was 14.04 days and the biomethane potential of dry toilet blackwater was 402.36 mLCH4/gVS (55 days, 38 °C). Inhabitation and adaptation could be described as the increase of free ammonia nitrogen content and acetic acid concentration, followed by an enhancement of the relative abundance of acetic acid-type methanogens (from 33.53–61.52%). The main pathogen in dry toilet blackwater fermentation broth, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, kept multiplying in the first 8 days and then stabilized at a higher level than that of the beginning. This work showed the self-adjustment process and pathogen dynamics of dry toilet blackwater anaerobic digestion and highlights the significance of dry toilet blackwater characteristics when designing and maintaining anaerobic digestion sanitary treatment and reuse systems.
Sustainability Issues of Micro and Macro-Scale Changes in Daily and Residential Mobility
Authors: Gerber Philippe , Lord Sébastien , Manaugh Kevin , Van Acker Veronique , Carpentier-Postel Samuel
Published: April 2021

For several decades, changes in travel behavior have been at the heart of transportation research, either to adapt the supply of transportation or to better understand the evolution of travel demand [...]
A Novel FCS-MPC Method of Multi-Level APF Is Proposed to Improve the Power Quality in Renewable Energy Generation Connected to the Grid
Authors: Li Hong , Liu Yang , Yang Jianfeng
Published: April 2021

When photovoltaic, wind, energy storage batteries, and other new forms of energy are connected to the grid, power electronic converters are needed, and there are a lot of nonlinear devices in the grid. The characteristics of sustainable energy generation determine the variability and intermittency, which will produce harmonic components. Active power filters (APF) are commonly used in industry for harmonic compensation, so it is of great significance to control APF quickly and effectively. The multi-objective, single-factor, multistep finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) of an APF proposed in this paper is suitable for a multi-objective, multi-level converter control. This method is applied to the three-level APF structure, which changes the traditional three-level FCS-MPC control method. The traditional three-level FCS-MPC includes four control objectives, stable control of the DC-side voltage, power grid harmonic currents generated under non-linear loads, and balance of the capacitor voltage on the DC side when switching frequency. This method uses the redundant switching state of the three-level structure to achieve the voltage balance of the two capacitors on the DC side, which reduces the difficulty of target optimisation caused by the selection of weight factors. Based on the multi-step prediction, power feedback control is added on the DC side to increase the DC side’s reaction speed, eliminate the influence of uncertainty, and realise better dynamic performance. According to the simulation results, we can observe that the proposed method has good followability, can compensate for the harmonics of the power grid, reduces the harmonic content to less than 5%, and can balance the DC-side capacitor voltage.
Development of an Ignition System and Assessment of Engine Performance and Exhaust Characteristics of a Marine Gas Engine
Authors: Noh Kichol , Lee Changhee
Published: April 2021

In recent years, marine engine manufacturers have become increasingly interested in gas engines as an alternative to diesel engines to address rising crude oil prices and environmental regulations. In this study, a 1.6 MW dedicated gas engine was developed based on a diesel engine with bore 220, stroke 300. The developed gas engine had a precombustion chamber and exhibited excellent performance; the brake mean effective pressure was 2.1 MPa at 1000 rpm and NOx emissions were 50 ppm under 15% O2. In particular, it demonstrated excellent fuel economy with a thermal efficiency of 45%, and its carbon dioxide emissions were ~75% of the conventional diesel engines, thus demonstrating greenhouse gas reduction. These results indicate that suitably developed gas engines can provide a low-cost and energy-efficient alternative to diesel engines.
Evaluating Operational Features of Three Unconventional Intersections under Heavy Traffic Based on CRITIC Method
Authors: Pan Binghong , Liu Shangru , Xie Zhenjiang , Shao Yang , Li Xiang , Ge Ruicheng
Published: April 2021

Conventional four-legged intersections are inefficient under heavy traffic requirements and are prone to congestion problems. Unconventional intersections with innovative designs allow for more efficient traffic operations and can increase the capacity of the intersection, in some cases. Common unconventional designs for four-legged intersections include the upstream signalized crossover intersection (USC), continuous flow intersection (CFI), and parallel flow intersection (PFI). At present, an increasing number of cities are using such unconventional designs to improve the performance of their intersections. In the reconstruction of original intersections or the design of new intersections, the question of how to more reasonably select the form of unconventional intersection becomes particularly critical. Therefore, we selected a typical intersection in Xi’an for optimization and investigated traffic data for this intersection. The traffic operations, with respect to the four solutions of a conventional intersection, USC, CFI, and PFI, were evaluated using the VISSIM software. Then, we evaluated the suitability of each solution under different situations using the CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) method, which is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method that enables a more comprehensive and integrated evaluation of the four solutions by taking into account the comparative intensities and conflicting character among the indices. The results show that the conventional intersection is only applicable to the case of very low traffic volume; PFI has the advantage in the case of moderate and high traffic volume; CFI performs better in the case of high traffic volume; and USC is generally inferior to CFI and PFI, although it has greater improvement, compared with the conventional solution, in a few cases.
The Effects of Employee Learning, Knowledge, Benefits, and Satisfaction on Employee Performance and Career Growth in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Yoopetch Chanin , Nimsai Suthep , Kongarchapatara Boonying
Published: April 2021

The service industry is considered one of the fastest growing industries in the world, especially in the context of developing countries with economies which rely on tourism sectors as the drivers for economic growth. The development of human resources can directly support the expansion of this industry. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships among factors at the employee level, including employee learning and knowledge. Furthermore, this study aimed to analyze the relationships among several determinants (e.g., employee satisfaction) and the influence of those relationships on employee performance and the growth of human resources careers in the context of the hospitality industry. Data were collected from 608 employees in three sectors of the service industry: airlines, hotels, and spas. The results indicated that employee learning, employee knowledge, and employee satisfaction were influential factors for employee performance. In addition, employee benefits and employee creativity showed significant effects on employee satisfaction. Furthermore, employee performance showed a significant positive effect on career growth. The implications of the current research for practitioners are also provided, and directions for further research are discussed in greater detail.
Assessment of State Transition Dynamics of Coastal Wetlands in Northern Venice Lagoon, Italy
Authors: Taramelli Andrea , Valentini Emiliana , Piedelobo Laura , Righini Margherita , Cappucci Sergio
Published: April 2021

Coastal wetlands represent particularly valuable natural resources, characterized by the interaction between their geomorphological and biological components. Their adaptation to the changing conditions depends on the rate and extent of spatial and temporal processes and their response is still not fully understood. This work aims at detecting and improving the understanding of the transition dynamics on eco-geomorphological structures in a coastal wetland ecosystem. The approach could support sustainable habitat management improving the detection and optimizing the offer of Earth Observation (EO) products for coastal system monitoring. Such course of action will strengthen evidence-based policy making, surface biophysical data sovereignty and the Space Data downstream sector through remote sensing techniques thanks to the capability of investigating larger scale and short-to-long-term dynamics. The selected case study is the Lido basin (Venice Lagoon, Italy). Our methodology offers a support in the framework of nature-based solutions, allowing the identification of ecosystem-level indicators of the surface biophysical properties influencing stability and evolution of intertidal flats on which a conceptual model is implemented. Landsat satellite imagery is used to delineate the spatial and temporal variability of the main vegetation and sediment typologies in 1990–2011. Within this period, specific anthropic activities were carried out for morphological restoration and flood protection interventions. Specifically, the lower saltmarsh shows its more fragmented part in the Baccan islet, a residual sandy spit in front of the Lido inlet. The area covered by Sarcocornia-Limonium, that triggers sediment deposition, has fluctuated yearly, from a minimum coverage of 13% to a maximum of 50%. The second decade (2001–2009) is identified as the period with major changes of halophytic and Algae-Biofilm cover typologies distribution. The power law and related thresholds, representing the patch size frequency distribution, is an indicator of the ecosystem state transition dynamics. The approach, based on multi-temporal and spatial EO analysis, is scalable elsewhere, from regional to local-to-global scale, considering the variability of climate data and anthropogenic activities. The present research also supports sustainable habitat management, improving the detection, and optimizing the offer of EO products for coastal system monitoring.
Uncertainty and Tourism Consumption Preferences: Evidence from the Representative Chinese City of Shenzhen
Authors: Liu Xuemin , Ge Jiaoju , Ren Ting
Published: April 2021

As the fastest growing city in China, Shenzhen, a pioneer of reform and opening up, seems to have exhausted its advantages of geographical convenience, cheap land, and cheap labor; thus, the tourism industry has been adopted as a new economic strategy. However, the Shenzhen tourism market has received little attention from scholars and few studies have been done to investigate the relationships between uncertainty and tourism consumption preferences in different cultures. Therefore, this paper attempts to study Shenzhen as a travel destination to explore the consumption preferences of domestic and international tourists, specify uncertainties in tourism consumption activities, and examine their impacts on preferences. The above aims are achieved using a survey method and a new theoretically proposed preference uncertainty model inspired by combining the modified virtual expert preference approach and the ordered probit model (MVEP-OPM), in which three major components of tourism consumption (food, accommodation, and shopping) are estimated. (1) The results show that there are significant differences in tourism consumption preferences between domestic tourists and international visitors. (2) Inexperience, unfamiliarity, imperfect knowledge, and policy uncertainty are major uncertainties in tourism consumption activities, which affect tourist preferences toward consumption behavior. (3) Uncertainty plays a different moderating role in product-related influential factors, such as sanitation, safety, and decoration.
Impact of Climate Change on Wind and Photovoltaic Energy Resources in the Canary Islands and Adjacent Regions
Authors: Gutiérrez Claudia , de la Vara Alba , González-Alemán Juan Jesús , Gaertner Miguel Ángel
Published: April 2021

The progressive energy transition to systems with higher shares of renewable energy is particularly important in islands regions, which are largely dependent on energy imports. In this context, to assess the impact of climate change on renewable energy resources during the 21st century is crucial for polycimakers and stakeholders. In this work, we provide an overview of wind and photovoltaic (PV) resources, its variability and complementarity between them, as well as their future changes, in the Canary Islands and surrounding areas. Variability is assessed through the analysis of energy droughts (low-productivity periods). In addition, a sensitivity test is performed to find the optimal combination of PV (photovoltaic) and wind that reduce energy droughts and the persistence of that conditions at a local scale. A set of climate simulations from the MENA-CORDEX runs are used, in present and future climate (2046–2065, 2081–2100) for two different scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP8.5). Results show different changes in wind productivity depending on the scenario: a decrease in RCP2.6 and an increase in the RCP8.5. PV experienced a subtle decrease, with some exceptions. Changes in variability are small and the complementarity test shows that high shares of PV energy (above 50%) reduce both, energy droughts and the persistence of drought conditions.
Food Trade Openness and Enhancement of Food Security—Partial Equilibrium Model Simulations for Selected Countries
Authors: Fathelrahman Eihab , Davies Stephen , Muhammad Safdar
Published: April 2021

This research measured the welfare impacts of food trade liberalization in India, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using the partial equilibrium model—World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). Macroeconomic settings, domestic policy objectives, and food security indicator data are used to assess the implications of the simulations on food availability and stability. Simulation results for India, Egypt, and Pakistan indicate annual welfare gains (consumer surplus) of 2571, 340, and 25 million USD, respectively, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE have gains of 14 and 17 million USD. Results show that tariff elimination would have wide-ranging welfare impacts across food commodities within these countries. Moreover, reductions for specific commodities directly relevant to food energy and protein availability would have a greater direct impact on the poor. Lowering the highest tariffs on those commodities might raise the real incomes of more than 350 million persons by 7.5% or more and could create shifts in consumption towards more diversified and nutritionally sound diets.
Maximizing the Influence of Innovative Green Product Propagation
Authors: Huo Liang’an , Wang Qianqian , Lin Tingting , He Hongguang
Published: April 2021

This article considers the competition between the propagation of traditional product information and innovative green product information, and it proposes a hybrid model with advertisement and promotion strategies. On this basis, an innovation green product information propagation model is developed through the optimization of the advertisement strategies of the adopters of innovative green product information and the promotion strategies of the adopters of traditional product information, according to Pontryagin’s maximum principle to seek the optimal strategies for maximizing the influence of innovative green product information, and using numerical calculations to simulate the propagation state of product information. The results show that advertisement strategies play a decisive role in the propagation of innovative green product information in the market. If the promotion strategies are also considered, the propagation effect of innovative green product information will be more effective.
Investors’ Choices and Strategic Financial Decisions of the Companies. Evidence from an Analysis of the Capital Budgeting Policy Implications on Shares Valuation
Authors: Curmei-Semenescu Andreea , Ţilică Elena Valentina , Curmei Cătălin Valeriu
Published: April 2021

The paper investigates the relationship between companies and their investors in the capital market as part of relationship marketing. It focuses on investors’ preference for a certain capital budgeting policy employed by listed companies. By using statistical analysis, we study whether investors’ reactions can be linked to different patterns of capital budgeting decisions. Our database includes a high number of countries, both developed and emerging, which leads us to focus our analysis on the differences that might occur in investors’ preferences due to specific traits of these markets. Additionally, we include a comparison between investors’ preferences and the information given by the accounting-based performance recorded both in the year of the investment policy and in the next fiscal year. Thus, we observe the extent and limits of the investors’ preference for an active capital budgeting decision, as well as the investors’ rationality around financial crisis.
Environmental Kuznets Curve and the Pollution-Halo/Haven Hypotheses: An Investigation in Brazilian Municipalities
Authors: Polloni-Silva Eduardo , Ferraz Diogo , Camioto Flávia de Castro , Rebelatto Daisy Aparecida do Nascimento , Moralles Herick Fernando
Published: April 2021

There is much discussion on the non-linear relationship between economic growth and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Additionally, the effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the environment are ambiguous, as both beneficial (i.e., pollution-halo) and harmful (i.e., pollution-haven) effects were found. Therefore, the literature presents no consensus on either of these topics. This is especially problematic for developing regions, as these regions represent growing economies interested in receiving foreign investments, and their CO2-related research is limited. This study aims to understand the impacts of economic growth and FDI on the CO2 emissions of São Paulo state, Brazil. To perform this study, a unique dataset on regional FDI was built, and 592 municipalities were included. The analyses combine linear and non-linear estimations, and the results suggest a non-linear relationship between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and CO2 emissions, along with a negative association between FDI and CO2. Finally, this study discusses possible policy implications and contributes to the international literature.
Tax-Exempt Status and Associated Factors among Charitable Foundations in China
Authors: Wang Shuyang , Wu Xiaoyu , Li Zhilin , Zhang Jing-Hua
Published: April 2021

Tax exemption plays an important role in the sustainability of charitable organizations (COs). The 2016 Charity Law of China provides stronger tax incentives for charity donations. Using 767 observations of Chinese charitable foundations (CFs) during 2010–2018 from the China Foundation Center database and manually collected tax-exempt status data, this study applies multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine the association between tax-exempt status and related key factors, such as transparency and donation dependency. This study found that a one-point increase in the transparency score of a CF is associated with a 3.9 percentage points higher likelihood of having at least one type of tax-exempt qualification (OR = 1.039, p < 0.01). There is in general a significantly positive association between tax-exempt status and donation dependency of CFs in China. After 2016, the CFs responded actively to the tax incentive provided by the Charity Law, which in return requires a higher level of transparency. These results suggest that taxation under the legal system may effectively function to promote the sustainability of charity foundations in China in the long run. Further studies are needed to explore in-depth why CFs with advanced tax-exempt qualifications concentrate in Beijing and Shanghai.
Glass Crystalline Materials as Advanced Nuclear Wasteforms
Authors: Ojovan Michael I. , Petrov Vladislav A. , Yudintsev Sergey V.
Published: April 2021

Glass crystalline materials (GCM) are of increasing interest as advanced nuclear wasteforms combining the advantages of vitreous and crystalline matrices. The GCM are versatile wasteforms envisaged for a wider use to immobilise various types of both radioactive and chemically hazardous wastes. They can be produced either via low temperature sintering using precursors composed of glass frit, oxides, and crystalline phases or through conventional melting aiming to produce first a parent glass, which is then crystallised by a controlled thermal schedule to obtain target crystalline phases within the GCM. Utilization of GCM is highlighted as a perspective wasteform for immobilization of partitioned radionuclide streams.
Evaluation of Physical, Chemical, and Environmental Properties of Biomass Bottom Ash for Use as a Filler in Bituminous Mixtures
Authors: Suárez-Macías Jorge , Terrones-Saeta Juan María , Iglesias-Godino Francisco Javier , Corpas-Iglesias Francisco Antonio
Published: April 2021

The road construction sector is one of the most raw material-intensive sectors in existence. As a result, it has a significant impact on the environment. For this reason, there are several research projects in which industrial by-products are used as raw materials. In turn, energy production from biomass combustion is considered to be one of the most promising energy sources. However, this type of energy produces a number of wastes that need to be treated, such as biomass bottom ash. This research evaluates the properties of biomass bottom ash for use as a filler in bituminous mixtures and quantifies the environmental advantages of its use. For this purpose, the chemical composition of the ashes was analysed and their properties were physically characterised to confirm their suitability as a filler. Subsequently, the advantages of its processing compared to limestone filler, lime, or cement were calculated with SimaPro software. The results showed acceptable properties of biomass bottom ash for use as a filler, as well as a drastic reduction in the environmental impact of its processing. In short, this research presents the basis for the development of further bituminous mixtures with biomass bottom ash, reducing the extraction of raw materials and avoiding landfill disposal.
Vaccine Development for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Authors: Yoshikawa Tomoki
Published: April 2021

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), which is caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), is a tick-borne emerging zoonosis with a high case-fatality rate. At present, there is no approved SFTS vaccine, although the development of a vaccine would be one of the best strategies for preventing SFTS. This article focused on studies aimed at establishing small animal models of SFTS that are indispensable for evaluating vaccine candidates, developing these vaccine candidates, and establishing more practical animal models for evaluation. Innate immune-deficient mouse models, a hamster model, an immunocompetent ferret model and a cat model have been developed for SFTS. Several vaccine candidates for SFTS have been developed, and their efficacy has been confirmed using these animal models. The candidates consist of live-attenuated virus-based, viral vector-based, or DNA-based vaccines. SFTS vaccines are expected to be used for humans and companion dogs and cats. Hence for practical use, the vaccine candidates should be evaluated for efficacy using not only nonhuman primates but also dogs and cats. There is no practical nonhuman primate model of SFTS; however, the cat model is available to evaluate the efficacy of these candidate SFTS vaccines on domesticated animals.
Neutralizing Antibody Therapeutics for COVID-19
Authors: Hurt Aeron C. , Wheatley Adam K.
Published: April 2021

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant global public health burden, leading to an urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. In this article, we review the role of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in the clinical management of COVID-19 and provide an overview of recent randomized controlled trial data evaluating nAbs in the ambulatory, hospitalized and prophylaxis settings. Two nAb cocktails (casirivimab/imdevimab and bamlanivimab/etesevimab) and one nAb monotherapy (bamlanivimab) have been granted Emergency Use Authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of ambulatory patients who have a high risk of progressing to severe disease, and the European Medicines Agency has similarly recommended both cocktails and bamlanivimab monotherapy for use in COVID-19 patients who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. Efficacy of nAbs in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has been varied, potentially highlighting the challenges of antiviral treatment in patients who have already progressed to severe disease. However, early data suggest a promising prophylactic role for nAbs in providing effective COVID-19 protection. We also review the risk of treatment-emergent antiviral resistant “escape” mutants and strategies to minimize their occurrence, discuss the susceptibility of newly emerging SARS-COV-2 variants to nAbs, as well as explore administration challenges and ways to improve patient access.
Assessing the Impact of Partitioning on Optimal Installation of Control Valves for Leakage Minimization in WDNs
Authors: Creaco Enrico , Castagnolo Dario , Pezzinga Giuseppe
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to assess the impact of partitioning on optimal installation of control valves for leakage minimization in water distribution networks (WDNs). The methodology used includes two main elements. The first element is a deterministic algorithm operating through the sequential addition of control valves, producing a Pareto front of optimal solutions in the trade-off between number of control valves installed and daily leakage volume, to be both minimized. The second element is a WDN partitioning algorithm based on the minimization of the transport function, for the partitioning of the WDN into a number of partitions equal to the number of WDN sources. The methodology is applied to two Italian WDNs with different characteristics. Due to variations in flow distribution induced by the partitioning, the valve locations optimally selected in the partitioned WDN prove slightly different from those in the unpartitioned WDN. Furthermore, the number of control valves being the same, better leakage reduction effects (up to 8%) are obtained in the partitioned WDN.
Oncoguía de cáncer de próstata 2020
Authors: Jiménez Ríos Miguel Ángel , Scavuzzo Anna , Preciado Estrella Diego Antonio
Published: April 2021

In Mexico, prostate cancer is the first cause of death in men. Instituto Nacional de Cancerología has developed health-care protocols for the main neoplasms. Members of its Urology Department framed Oncoguía de cáncer de próstata 2020, based on a bibliographic revision and a consensus they conducted. It includes the analysis of the risk factors and the central diagnostic elements: specific prostatic antigen (SPA), digital rectal examination (DRE), imaging diagnosis, biopsy, and Gleason grading system. Oncoguía also contains the role of the clinical assessment and life expectancy as treatment guidelines, which, according to the case, are radical prostatectomy, lymph-node treatment, hormone blockade, and treatment monitoring.
X-ray CT Analysis of FNS Mortars Mixed with Converter Slag Fine Aggregate
Authors: Cho Won Jung , Kim Ji Seok
Published: April 2021

Aggregate is an indispensable component in concrete occupying nearly 65-80% of the total volume, whose effects on concrete performance are rarely studied [1]. Due to their inert and impervious characteristics, the durability of concrete is also influenced by the quality of aggregates. To meet the global demand for concrete in the future, it is becoming a more challenging task to find suitable alternatives to natural aggregate for preparing concrete [2]. Hence, the use of alternative sources for natural aggregates is becoming increasingly important.
Results of Application of Clinpro White Varnish® and Tooth Mousse® during the Enamel Mineral Maturation and its Focal Demineralization
Authors: Markaryan Marina Mitush , Vardanyan Izabella Frunze , Manrikyan Mikayel Ervand , Manrikyan Gayane Ervand
Published: April 2021

According to some authors, the final maturation of tooth enamel occurs in 1- 2 years after eruption, and then for 2-3 years this process continues in just the fissure area. Full-fledged mineralization during this period is carried out due to the absorption of minerals from saliva, especially in respect to fluorine, calcium and phosphorus ions. As a result of the course of prophylactic treatment with Clin Pro White Varnish® and Tooth Mooth®, an activation of remineralization process was observed ended with the stabilization of the process or complete remineralization in the junior (6-7 years old) and the middle school group children (12-13 years old), which was confirmed by the obtained indices of the "DiagnodentKaVo" laser fluorometry test and the colorimetric test. The use of these preparations is a convenient and effective method in these age groups of children during the preventive treatment provision.
Tax Aggressiveness, Tunneling and Firm Value: Interactive Effect of Corporate Governance in Business Groups
Authors: Ullah Hamid , Shah Hamid Ali , Khan Sajjad Ahmad
Published: April 2021

This study extends the literature on tax aggressiveness (TA) from agency perspectives in the rarely discussed case of group firms. More specifically, the study investigates the relationship between firms TA, tunnelling and value of firm. Moreover, the study also investigates the impact of the moderating role of corporate governance (CG) in counterfeiting the conflicts of interests in group firms. For this purpose, sample data of 160 non-financial Pakistani firms belonging to groups for the period from 2009 to 2018 is analyzed through two Stages Least Square Regression (2SLS) models. The findings reveal that tunneling, group ownership and managerial ownership show direct association with TA. While CG agents, board and audit committee independence and external audit quality exhibits an indirect relationship with TA. Moreover, the tunneling-related TA has a negative effect on the firm value. However, the estimated interaction effects show that CG mitigates this negative relationship between the tunneling-related TA and firm value. Thus, good CG ameliorates the expropriations by the controlling shareholders and TA becomes a value enhancing activity in business groups.
  Keywords: Tax Aggressiveness, Firm Value, Business Groups, Corporate Governance, External Audit Quality
La cognición en la web a través de un chatbot como elemento disruptivo
Authors: Pérez-Calderón Ricardo , Suarez-Jacobo Martin
Published: April 2021

Today, the companies try to basic needs of their clients, the use of technology would help solve and have efficient communication in real time with them. Therefore, the objective of this project is to perform a disruptive technological tool, a chatbot, and make an analysis of your employment in uses a social network (Facebook), to break paradigms of behavior in a massive number of users and that maximizes the social The main subject is the commercial impact, complete credibility and satisfaction this tool in the user (around the company that apply chatbot). Nowadays, companies seek to satisfy most of their client's needs; that tool assistance to reduce the troubles between them and the company. Moreover it is well known that today's generations do not live without social networks interactions and even more so that they are buying products through the internet. Finally, there are companies that make use of this technology: Aero México, National Geographic, Starbucks, Next_u, etc.
Diseño e implementación de un plan de mantenimiento, basado en la metodología TPM, en planta productora de alimento balanceado para ganado bovino
Authors: Humarán- Sarmiento Viridiana , Parra- Téllez Freddy Eduardo , Castro-Leal Wilfrido
Published: April 2021

The case study presented in this investigation, addresses the analysis of the current management of the maintenance of the machinery and equipment used in the balanced feed mixing plant for cattle of a private company in the northern region of Sinaloa, with the purpose of design and implement an efficient methodology to improve unscheduled stoppages due to recurring failures. Within the applied activities, a routing of the machinery and equipment was carried out to diagnose the state in which they were, the 5's methodology was applied in the warehouse and cellar area to be able to maintain the order, cleaning and classification of tools, materials and spare parts. The formats and logs were designed as an integral maintenance plan, validating it to carry out the controls for several weeks to compare the initial diagnosis with the final results. An increase in productivity was obtained as corrective maintenance decreased, reducing downtime and developing a commitment with the staff, keeping the areas tidy, classified and clean.