bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Edge-Enhanced with Feedback Attention Network for Image Super-Resolution
Authors: Fu Chunmei , Yin Yong
Published: March 2021

Significant progress has been made in single image super-resolution (SISR) based on deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The attention mechanism can capture important features well, and the feedback mechanism can realize the fine-tuning of the output to the input. However, they have not been reasonably applied in the existing deep learning-based SISR methods. Additionally, the results of the existing methods still have serious artifacts and edge blurring. To address these issues, we proposed an Edge-enhanced with Feedback Attention Network for image super-resolution (EFANSR), which comprises three parts. The first part is an SR reconstruction network, which adaptively learns the features of different inputs by integrating channel attention and spatial attention blocks to achieve full utilization of the features. We also introduced feedback mechanism to feed high-level information back to the input and fine-tune the input in the dense spatial and channel attention block. The second part is the edge enhancement network, which obtains a sharp edge through adaptive edge enhancement processing on the output of the first SR network. The final part merges the outputs of the first two parts to obtain the final edge-enhanced SR image. Experimental results show that our method achieves performance comparable to the state-of-the-art methods with lower complexity.
Plasmonic Nanoparticles as Optical Sensing Probes for the Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Oyarzún María Paz , Tapia-Arellano Andreas , Cabrera Pablo , Jara-Guajardo Pedro , Kogan Marcelo J.
Published: March 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), considered a common type of dementia, is mainly characterized by a progressive loss of memory and cognitive functions. Although its cause is multifactorial, it has been associated with the accumulation of toxic aggregates of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of tau protein. At present, the development of highly sensitive, high cost-effective, and non-invasive diagnostic tools for AD remains a challenge. In the last decades, nanomaterials have emerged as an interesting and useful tool in nanomedicine for diagnostics and therapy. In particular, plasmonic nanoparticles are well-known to display unique optical properties derived from their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), allowing their use as transducers in various sensing configurations and enhancing detection sensitivity. Herein, this review focuses on current advances in in vitro sensing techniques such as Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), Surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF), colorimetric, and LSPR using plasmonic nanoparticles for improving the sensitivity in the detection of main biomarkers related to AD in body fluids. Additionally, we refer to the use of plasmonic nanoparticles for in vivo imaging studies in AD.
Healthy Teleworking: Towards Personalized Exercise Recommendations
Authors: Almarcha Maricarmen , Balagué Natàlia , Torrents Carlota
Published: March 2021

Home-based teleworking, associated with sedentary behavior, may impair self-reported adult health status. Current exercise recommendations, based on universal recipes, may be insufficient or even misleading to promote healthy teleworking. From the Network Physiology of Exercise perspective, health is redefined as an adaptive emergent state, product of dynamic interactions among multiple levels (from genetic to social) that cannot be reduced to a few dimensions. Under such a perspective, fitness development is focused on enhancing the individual functional diversity potential, which is better achieved through varied and personalized exercise proposals. This paper discusses some myths related to ideal or unique recommendations, like the ideal exercise or posture, and the contribution of recent computer technologies and applications for prescribing exercise and assessing fitness. Highlighting the need for creating personalized working environments and strengthening the active contribution of users in the process, new recommendations related to teleworking posture, home exercise counselling, exercise monitoring and to the roles of healthcare and exercise professionals are proposed. Instead of exercise prescribers, professionals act as co-designers that help users to learn, co-adapt and adequately contextualize exercise in order to promote their somatic awareness, job satisfaction, productivity, work–life balance, wellbeing and health.
Unboxing Buildings: Engaging with Occupants during Design, Testing and Use
Authors: Woods Ruth , Thomsen Judith
Published: March 2021

Current prioritization within EU funding sees technical requirements for sustainable buildings moving technologies closer to people’s everyday lives, thereby increasing the need for interdisciplinary research, and placing occupant engagement high on the research agenda. This is not always reflected in building research. Results are often black boxed, and occupants are offered few opportunities for participation in design and development processes. The paper considers the unintended consequences of black boxing buildings. A black box is a complex system or object which is viewed in terms of its inputs and outputs, but where knowledge of the internal workings is not required. Using an experienced-based analysis from a social science perspective, we go back and consider the controversies around black boxing the processes and results in three Norwegian building research projects. In the conclusion, we propose that some research projects should remain unboxed, making complexity visible and allowing more focus on the challenges faced by occupants. Not taking time to ask and to learn from those who will use new technical solutions hinders the design process and limits a building’s chances of achieving its sustainable potential. Designing successful building solutions requires collaboration between disciplines and occupants, encouraging an alliance between people, technology, and buildings.
Analysing Students’ Reasons for Keeping Their Webcams on or off during Online Classes
Authors: Gherheș Vasile , Șimon Simona , Para Iulia
Published: March 2021

Since, in some higher education institutions, it is not mandatory for students to turn their webcams on during online classes, teachers have complained that their students have adopted this behaviour once the educational activities moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering this, the present research aimed to identify the reasons behind students’ choice to hide their faces during online classes and find possible solutions to remedy the situation to enhance the educational process’s sustainability. Thus, this article presents the results obtained by applying an online questionnaire between December 2020 and January 2021 among the students pursuing an academic degree, recording 407 responses. The results highlighted the fact that more than half of the students participating in the study reported that they do not agree to keep their webcams on during online classes, the main reasons being anxiety/fear of being exposed/shame/shyness, desire to ensure privacy of the home/personal space, and chances that other people might walk into the background. The relevance of the research, besides the scarcity of studies on the topic, is also given by the fact that finding and understanding the reasons for this behaviour are, in fact, the first steps in undertaking regulatory interventions on it.
Green Supply Chain Management with Cooperative Promotion
Authors: Yan Ke , Hua Guowei , Cheng T.C.E.
Published: March 2021

Green supply chain management has received increasing attention as consumers have become more environmentally conscious. Manufacturers are making green investments to meet consumers’ demands, while retailers in different markets often engage in cooperative promotion to attract more consumers. This study develops game theoretic models for investigating cooperative promotion for two cross-market firms with different channel structures, i.e., decentralized and centralized. The manufacturer determines the wholesale price for the retailers and the green investment of a product, and the retailers determine the promotional effort and retail price. This study finds that whether the firms join in cooperative promotion mainly depends on the wholesale price, as well as the impacts of the price, green investment, and cooperative promotional activities on the demand. When the wholesale price is relatively low, the retail price of the decentralized green supply chain must be lower than that of the centralized green supply chain. On the contrary, the difference in the retail price between the two green supply chains varies with the impacts of green investment and cooperative promotional activities on demand. In addition, due to the influence of channel structure, the contribution to cooperative promotion of the centralized supply chain is more than that of the decentralized supply chain with the most given conditions. Moreover, as the impact of cooperative promotional activities on demand increases, the centralized green supply chain does not necessarily result in higher profits than the decentralized green supply chain.
A New Index for Measuring Uncertainty Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Ogbonna Ahamuefula E. , Oloko Tirimisiyu F. , Adediran Idris A.
Published: March 2021

This study contributes to the emerging literature offering alternative measures of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We combine both news-and macro-based trends to construct an index. The former involves the use of Google trends with plausible variants of words used to capture the pandemic, which are combined using principal components analysis to develop a news-based index. For the macro-based index, we identify global factors such as oil price, stock price, Dollar index, commodity index and gold price, and thereafter we obtain the macro-based uncertainty using variants of stochastic volatility models estimated with Bayesian techniques and using a dynamic factor model. Consequently, the new (composite) index is constructed by combining the news- and macro-based indexes using principal components analysis. Our empirical applications of the index to the stock return predictability of the countries hit worst by the pandemic confirm the superiority of the composite index over the existing news-based index in both the in-sample and out-of-sample forecast horizons. Our results are also robust to forecast horizons and competing model choices.
Facilitators of and Barriers to Sustainable Development in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Descriptive Exploratory Study in Romania
Authors: Costache Catalina , Dumitrascu Danut-Dumitru , Maniu Ionela
Published: March 2021

In the context of growing concerns regarding the deterioration of the environment and the increase in social inequalities, the concept of sustainability emerged as a response of companies, in order to contribute to community goodwill. The drivers and obstacles for the businesses engaging in sustainable policies have been explored at large by scientific literature. However, research gaps were observed, namely regarding SMEs, that tend to have a less formal and more fragmented approach to sustainability. The goal of our study is to determine the main barriers and facilitators for sustainability that Romanian SMEs face, and the connections between them and with the firms’ characteristics. Our study identifies the main barriers and facilitators for adopting sustainable practices in SMEs located in Romania, based on a study on a panel of 71 firms. The association rule method of data mining and quantitative statistic methods were used to explore barrier–facilitator relationships and how they vary depending on the firms’ or managers’ characteristics. The results show a wide range of drivers and obstacles for implementing sustainability in SMEs, while identifying connections between different barriers and facilitators and correlations with the firms’ characteristics. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of factors that impact sustainable behavior in SMEs and identify further aspects to be explored.
Sustainable Determinants Influencing Habit Formation among Mobile Short-Video Platform Users
Authors: Choi Yongrok , Wen Hua , Chen Ming , Yang Fan
Published: March 2021

Interest in mobile short-video platforms (MSVP) as a new social network service tool has surged in recent years. However, only a few studies have focused on MSVP users’ post-acceptance behavior. To clarify this issue of sustainable usage, this study analyzed users’ post-acceptance habit formation by incorporating perceived interactivity and perceived enjoyment into the expectation-confirmation theory of the information system continuance (ECT-IS) model using structural equation modelling. We developed and distributed an online questionnaire and collected 219 valid responses from Chinese MSVP users. Our results show that satisfaction is the foremost factor in determining users’ habit formation as it completely mediates the influence of confirmation and perceived interactivity. We also show that perceived enjoyment positively influences habit formation directly and indirectly. Nonetheless, we note that sustainable usage should form the basis of continuous satisfaction from user experience due to a few missing links with regard to modulation in habitual usage. Therefore, we suggest that MSVPs should enhance their content recommendation algorithms using technologies such as deep-learning forecasting to improve users’ satisfaction by increasing perceived enjoyment. We also show that the influence of perceived interactivity on habit formation is effective only when fully mediated by satisfaction. Thus, we recommend that MSVPs should diversify their interaction mechanisms, for instance, by introducing mass creators that promote users’ habit formation by enhancing their satisfaction on the platform.
How University Entrepreneurship Support Affects College Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions: An Empirical Analysis from China
Authors: Lu Genshu , Song Yaping , Pan Bingchao
Published: March 2021

Given the major role of new enterprises founded by university alumni in creating employment and promoting economic development, it is well known that Chinese universities have implemented plenty of impressive initiatives to support students’ entrepreneurship. However, little is yet known about how students evaluate university entrepreneurship support and how it affects students’ entrepreneurial intentions. This study utilizes 13,954 recent college graduates from Chinese higher education institutions as a sample and aims to examine students’ perceptions of the support they received from universities and its influence on students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The results illustrate that students are not very satisfied with various university entrepreneurship supports. Findings also indicate that university entrepreneurship support positively impacts students’ entrepreneurial intentions, although it is not a very strong relationship. Moreover, university entrepreneurship support positively affects entrepreneurial attitude, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, which in turn determine entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial attitude, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy play a mediating role between university entrepreneurship support and entrepreneurial intention. The study contributes to the entrepreneurial literature theoretically and provides practical recommendations for policymakers and university administrators in China to reconsider and improve their entrepreneurship supports to encourage more students to become entrepreneurs.
The Interaction Effect of Occupant Behavior-Related Factors in Office Buildings Based on the DNAS Theory
Authors: Yang Lin , Liu Sha , Liu Jiaqi
Published: March 2021

Occupant behavior is acknowledged as a main contribution to building energy consumption. Many efforts have been devoted to identifying the impact of occupant behaviors on building energy consumption. However, the lack of understanding of the interaction effects among occupant behavior-related factors, to some extent, can lead to inaccurate results. To decode these complex interactions, this study was conducted to investigate the interaction effects of occupant behavior-related factors. A survey based on the Drive-Need-Action-System (DNAS) theory was used to describe the occupant behaviors. Then, based on the survey, a simulation model of an office building was applied for estimating the energy consumption led by different occupant behaviors. Finally, an orthogonal design of experiments (DOE) method combined with Pareto analysis was used to quantify the interactions of occupant behavior-related factors on energy consumption. Results show that factor combinations with strong interaction effects include: (1) lighting control and lighting fixture type and (2) computer control and tolerance of temperature range. The results provide important reference for building designers and facility managers toward a better understanding of the influences of occupant behaviors on building energy consumption.
Information Support of Russian Media for the Tourist Destination of Crimea
Authors: Panasiuk Aleksander , Zubrytska Halyna
Published: March 2021

Crimea is a very attractive tourist destination with a high rank of tourist values, being natural and cultural heritage, with high recognition on the international tourist market. Since 2014, the tourism economy has been in a protracted crisis, caused by both internal and external reasons. The annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in March 2014 significantly exacerbated the problems of the functioning of the tourism economy, preventing its sustainable development. The Russian authorities are taking political as well as socioeconomic measures to rebuild the tourism economy of Crimea, by taking steps to increase tourist traffic in Crimea, especially within the country, i.e., from other regions of Russia. One of the directions of actions to overcome the crisis is information support by the Russian media, the analysis of which is presented in this article. The aim of the study is therefore an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of information support by the Russian media for the tourist destination of Crimea in 2014–2019. Media activities are part of the Russian government’s tourism policy in this area. The article deals with the following theoretical issues: tourism policy, sustainable tourism development, heritage as the subject of tourism policy impact, information management, crisis management, the role of information in crisis management. The empirical part presents: the genesis and development of the crisis in the tourist destination of Crimea, the activity of the Russian authorities in terms of impact on the crisis, an analysis of the use of information by the Russian media in overcoming the crisis in the Crimean tourism economy.
The “Intrinsic Value” of Cultural Heritage as Driver for Circular Human-Centered Adaptive Reuse
Authors: Fusco Girard Luigi , Vecco Marilena
Published: March 2021

By referring to the European Green Deal, this paper analyzes the “intrinsic value” of cultural heritage by investigating the human-centered adaptive reuse of this heritage. This implies questions such as how to improve the effectiveness of reuse, restoration, and valorization interventions on cultural heritage/landscapes and how to transform a cultural asset into a place, interpreted as a living ecosystem, to be managed as a living organism. The autopoietic characteristic of the eco-bio-systems, specifically focusing on the intrinsic versus instrumental values of cultural heritage ecosystem is discussed in detail. Specifically, the notion of complex social value is introduced to express the above integration. In ecology, the notion of intrinsic value (or “primary value”) relates to the recognition of a value that “pre-exists” any exploitation by human beings. The effectiveness of transforming a heritage asset into a living ecosystem is seen to follow from an integration of these two values. In this context, the paper provides an overview of the different applications of the business model concept in the circular economy, for a better investment decision-making and management in heritage adaptive reuse. Matera case is presented as an example of a cultural heritage ecosystem. To conclude, recommendations toward an integrated approach in managing the adaptive reuse of heritage ecosystem as a living organism are proposed.
Techno-Environmental Analysis of the Use of Green Hydrogen for Cogeneration from the Gasification of Wood and Fuel Cell
Authors: Gonzalez-Diaz Abigail , Sánchez Ladrón de Guevara Juan Carlos , Jiang Long , Gonzalez-Diaz Maria Ortencia , Díaz-Herrera Pablo , Font-Palma Carolina
Published: March 2021

This paper aims to evaluate the use of wood biomass in a gasifier integrated with a fuel cell system as a low carbon technology. Experimental information of the wood is provided by the literature. The syngas is purified by using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) in order to obtain H2 with 99.99% purity. Using 132 kg/h of wood, it is possible to generate 10.57 kg/h of H2 that is used in a tubular solid oxide fuel cell (TSOFC). Then, the TSOFC generates 197.92 kW. The heat generated in the fuel cell produces 60 kg/h of steam that is needed in the gasifier. The net efficiency of the integrated system considering only the electric power generated in the TSOFC is 27.2%, which is lower than a gas turbine with the same capacity where the efficiency is around 33.1%. It is concluded that there is great potential for cogeneration with low carbon emission by using wood biomass in rural areas of developing countries e.g., with a carbon intensity of 98.35 kgCO2/MWh when compared with those of natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) without and with CO2 capture i.e., 331 kgCO2/MWh and 40 kgCO2/MWh, respectively. This is an alternative technology for places where biomass is abundant and where it is difficult to get electricity from the grid due to limits in geographical location.
Assessment of Urban Agriculture for Evidence-Based Food Planning: A Case Study in Chengdu, China
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhu Li , Bing Yuanhao , Chen Liwei , Fei Shulang
Published: March 2021

Along the rapid pace of urbanization, urban agriculture is increasingly recognized as an important tool of sustainable food and nutrition supply, while contributing to the resilience and sustainability of cities from various dimensions. From a governance point of view, it is fundamental to systemically assess the urban agriculture based on local context for evidence-based food planning. In China, values of urban agriculture are being noticed in recent years, with attempts emerging to involve urban agriculture in urban planning and agriculture strategies. However, clear definition to identify the scope and holistic approaches to assess and monitor local urban agriculture are still lacking. The paper took Chengdu as the study area, to conduct a thorough assessment of the foundation, capacity, practices, functions, opportunities, and challenges of the urban agriculture locally. Building on these results, the study further developed an indicator framework tailored to Chengdu’s conditions and city objectives, for in-depth evaluation and monitoring of local urban agriculture by themes, following which a pilot in-depth assessment was conducted in Chengdu using the indicator framework. The outcome of this research for the first time provided an overall characterization of the urban agriculture in Chengdu and assessment tools tailored to urban agriculture in Chinese cities, establishing a good basis for strategic local food system planning and contributing to the formation of the Chinese paradigm in urban agriculture research.
Socially Responsible HR in Action: Learning from Corporations Listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World 2018/2019
Authors: Baek Pyounggu , Kim Taesung
Published: March 2021

As ethical management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and corporate sustainability (CS) are increasingly permeating business discourse, contemplating the role of human resources (HR) in helping organizations with socially responsible management is a proactive acceptance of stakeholders’ expectations while reinforcing the field’s identity and contribution. In response, the we examined the HR policies and practices of 46 multinational enterprises (MNEs) listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World 2018/2019 to add new insights to the literature and inform the HR field on how to move forward with socially responsible HR. Content analysis and inductive conceptualization of the MNEs’ HR activities produced a triangular pyramid for socially responsible HR, constructed with eight major themes at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels. Building on the findings, we suggest implications for practice and research, and conclude with urging the HR community to demonstrate leadership in setting the agendas and facilitating change toward socially responsible management.
The Impact of Foreign Capital Inflows on Agriculture Development and Poverty Reduction: Panel Data Analysis for Developing Countries
Authors: Sikandar Furqan , Erokhin Vasilii , Wang Hongshu , Rehman Shafiqur , Ivolga Anna
Published: March 2021

Combating poverty through the development of agricultural production and providing rural people with new employment and income opportunities in agriculture has become one of the major concerns of both policymakers and scholars worldwide. In many developing countries, government policies have failed to achieve the desired poverty alleviation goals due to the lack of financial resources. Despite that, few comprehensive studies have so far unambiguously identified the effects of the exogenous factor of capital inflows on the level of poverty and agriculture development. In this paper, the authors attempt to shed light on the poverty–agriculture–capital trilemma pattern by revealing the impacts of different types of capital inflows on the parameters of poverty reduction and agriculture development. The panel unit root test and pool mean group estimation techniques were employed for observing the short-term and long-term linkages between dependent and explanatory variables across fourteen developing economies of Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. It was revealed that poverty reduction could be positively affected by an increase in the values of agricultural exports, foreign direct investment, foreign development assistance, and remittances received from migrant workers. The level of agriculture could be improved by deeper integration of developing economies to global food supply chains as either suppliers or consumers of food and agricultural products.
Invariance Analysis, Exact Solution and Conservation Laws of (2 + 1) Dim Fractional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) System
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Kour Baljinder , Yao Shao-Wen , Inc Mustafa , Osman Mohamed S.
Published: March 2021

In this work, a Lie group reduction for a (2 + 1) dimensional fractional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) system is determined by using the Lie symmetry method with Riemann Liouville derivative. After reducing the system into a two-dimensional nonlinear fractional partial differential system (NLFPDEs), the power series (PS) method is applied to obtain the exact solution. Further the obtained power series solution is analyzed for convergence. Then, using the new conservation theorem with a generalized Noether’s operator, the conservation laws of the KP system are obtained.
In Situ SEM Study of the Micro-Mechanical Behaviour of 3D-Printed Aluminium Alloy
Authors: Statnik Eugene S. , Nyaza Kirill V. , Salimon Alexey I. , Ryabov Dmitry , Korsunsky Alexander M.
Published: March 2021

Currently, 3D-printed aluminium alloy fabrications made by selective laser melting (SLM) offer a promising route for the production of small series of custom-designed support brackets and heat exchangers with complex geometry and shape and miniature size. Alloy composition and printing parameters need to be optimised to mitigate fabrication defects (pores and microcracks) and enhance the parts’ performance. The deformation response needs to be studied with adequate characterisation techniques at relevant dimensional scale, capturing the peculiarities of micro-mechanical behaviour relevant to the particular article and specimen dimensions. Purposefully designed Al-Si-Mg 3D-printable RS-333 alloy was investigated with a number of microscopy techniques, including in situ mechanical testing with a Deben Microtest 1-kN stage integrated and synchronised with Tescan Vega3 SEM to acquire high-resolution image datasets for digital image correlation (DIC) analysis. Dog bone specimens were 3D-printed in different orientations of gauge zone cross-section with respect to the fast laser beam scanning and growth directions. This corresponded to the varying local conditions of metal solidification and cooling. Specimens showed variation in mechanical properties, namely Young’s modulus (65–78 GPa), yield stress (80–150 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (115–225 MPa) and elongation at break (0.75–1.4%). Furthermore, the failure localisation and character were altered with the change in gauge cross-section orientation. DIC analysis allowed correct strain evaluation that overcame the load frame compliance effect and helped to identify the unevenness of deformation distribution (plasticity waves), which ultimately resulted in exceptionally high strain localisation near the ultimate failure crack position.
A Fumonisin Prevention Tool for Targeting and Ranking Agroclimatic Conditions Favoring Exposure in French Maize-Growing Areas
Authors: Roucou Agathe , Bergez Christophe , Méléard Benoît , Orlando Béatrice
Published: March 2021

The levels of fumonisins (FUMO)—mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides—in maize for food and feed are subject to European Union regulations. Compliance with the regulations requires the targeting of, among others, the agroclimatic factors influencing fungal contamination and FUMO production. Arvalis-Institut du végétal has created a national, multiyear database for maize, based on field survey data collected since 2003. This database contains information about agricultural practices, climatic conditions and FUMO concentrations at harvest for 738 maize fields distributed throughout French maize-growing regions. A linear mixed model approach highlights the presence of borers and the use of a late variety, high temperatures in July and October, and a water deficit during the maize cycle as creating conditions favoring maize contamination with Fusarium verticillioides. It is thus possible to target a combination of risk factors, consisting of this climatic sequence associated with agricultural practices of interest. The effects of the various possible agroclimatic combinations can be compared, grouped and classified as promoting very low to high FUMO concentrations, possibly exceeding the regulatory threshold. These findings should facilitate the creation of a national, informative and easy-to-use prevention tool for producers and agricultural cooperatives to manage the sanitary quality of their harvest.
Olea Europaea Geminivirus: A Novel Bipartite Geminivirid Infecting Olive Trees
Authors: Chiumenti Michela , Greco Claudia , De Stradis Angelo , Loconsole Giuliana , Cavalieri Vincenzo , Altamura Giuseppe , Zicca Stefania , Saldarelli Pasquale , Saponari Maria
Published: March 2021

In 2014, high-throughput sequencing of libraries of total DNA from olive trees allowed the identification of two geminivirus-like contigs. After conventional resequencing of the two genomic DNAs, their analysis revealed they belonged to the same viral entity, for which the provisional name of Olea europaea geminivirus (OEGV) was proposed. Although DNA-A showed a genome organization similar to that of New World begomoviruses, DNA-B had a peculiar ORF arrangement, consisting of a movement protein (MP) in the virion sense and a protein with unknown function on the complementary sense. Phylogenetic analysis performed either on full-length genome or on coat protein, replication associated protein (Rep), and MP sequences did not endorse the inclusion of this virus in any of the established genera in the family Geminiviridae. A survey of 55 plants revealed that the virus is widespread in Apulia (Italy) with 91% of the samples testing positive, although no correlation of OEGV with a disease or specific symptoms was encountered. Southern blot assay suggested that the virus is not integrated in the olive genome. The study of OEGV-derived siRNA obtained from small RNA libraries of leaves and fruits of three different cultivars, showed that the accumulation of the two genomic components is influenced by the plant genotype while virus-derived-siRNA profile is in line with other geminivirids reported in literature. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis unveiled a low intra-specific variability.
Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection of Neurons Derived from Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Kennedy Peter G. E. , Mogensen Trine H.
Published: March 2021

Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a human herpesvirus that causes varicella (chickenpox) as a primary infection, and, following a variable period of ganglionic latency in neurons, it reactivates to cause herpes zoster (shingles). An analysis of VZV infection in cultures of neural cells, in particular when these have been obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or neural stem cells consisting of highly purified neuronal cultures, has revealed much data that may be of neurobiological significance. Early studies of VZV infection of mature cultured neural cells were mainly descriptive, but more recent studies in homogeneous neural stem cell cultures have used both neuronal cell markers and advanced molecular technology. Two general findings from such studies have been that (a) VZV infection of neurons is less severe, based on several criteria, than that observed in human fibroblasts, and (b) VZV infection of neurons does not lead to apoptosis in these cells in contrast to apoptosis observed in fibroblastic cells. Insights gained from such studies in human neural stem cells suggest that a less severe initial lytic infection in neurons, which are resistant to apoptosis, is likely to facilitate a pathological pathway to a latent state of the virus in human ganglia.
The Past, Present, and Future of Phosphorus Removal Structures
Authors: Penn Chad J.
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this special issue is to explore current challenges and develop a better understanding of the processes that control dissolved phosphorus (P) removal among P removal structures [...]
Exploring Macroinvertebrates Ecological Preferences and Trait-Based Indicators of Suspended Fine Sediment Effects in the Tsitsa River and Its Tributaries, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Ntloko Phindiwe , Palmer Carolyn G. , Akamagwuna Frank C. , Odume Oghenekaro N.
Published: March 2021

The taxonomy-based response pattern of macroinvertebrates to sediment stress is well established, with tolerant taxa increasing in impacted conditions, while sensitive taxa decrease along a deteriorating water quality gradient. However, the distribution patterns of traits in response to environmental stress gradient, including suspended sediments, remain unclear, particularly in Africa, where trait-based studies are under-explored. We examined the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate traits along a suspended sediment stress gradient and identified tolerant and sensitive traits for suspended sediment stress. We sampled macroinvertebrates and environmental variables seasonally in winter, spring, summer and autumn of 2016 to 2018 in eight selected sites in the Tsitsa River and its tributaries. We selected 12 traits and ecological preferences, resolved them into 47 trait attributes, and analysed them using the RLQ and fourth-corner analyses. Our results revealed that macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences were differentially influenced by fine suspended sediments in the Tsitsa River and its tributaries. Traits such as a preference for CPOM, collector-filtering, and a high sensitivity to oxygen depletion, were deemed sensitive to suspended sediments stress, exhibiting positive associations with the control sites, and negatively associated with any of the environmental parameters (sediment grain sizes, turbidity, TSS and EC). Tolerant indicator traits included a high tolerance of oxygen depletion, skating and a preference for FPOM. The fourth-corner analysis results indicated that suspended fine sediment grain sizes, (including coarse sand, fine silt and clay) were the most important variables influencing macroinvertebrate trait distribution patterns during the dry season, while gravel, mud and medium sand were more important during the wet season. Overall, our study provided critical insights towards trait-based responses of macroinvertebrates communities to suspended sediment stress, key information that could stimulate the development of macroinvertebrate trait-based biomonitoring tools for the assessment of suspended sediment stress in the Afrotropical region.
Hydrological Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use
Authors: Petrovič František
Published: March 2021

Water is a basic, necessary condition for life. It is referred to as the main commodity of the 21st century. There are already many areas in the world where its deficiency causes the degradation of landscape components (soil, flora, fauna), leading to the abandonment of this landscape and a gradual deterioration into desert. Desertification can lead to poverty, health problems and loss of biodiversity. Such negative processes can be caused by human influence either directly or indirectly. Indirectly, the civilization has an impact on water as a result of climate change influenced by its activities. The matter of climate change is currently a very frequently discussed issue. Climate change on planet Earth has been ongoing in the past and continues to happen today. However, most alarming is the fact that change is currently happening much faster and with increasing intensity. For this reason, the issue of climate change is no longer perceived only as a possible future threat, but rather is considered as one of the crucial environmental problems of today.
Integrating Satellite Rainfall Estimates with Hydrological Water Balance Model: Rainfall-Runoff Modeling in Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Adane Girma Berhe , Hirpa Birtukan Abebe , Gebru Belay Manjur , Song Cholho , Lee Woo-Kyun
Published: March 2021

Hydrologic models play an indispensable role in managing the scarce water resources of a region, and in developing countries, the availability and distribution of data are challenging. This research aimed to integrate and compare the satellite rainfall products, namely, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM 3B43v7) and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR), with a GR2M hydrological water balance model over a diversified terrain of the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia. Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), coefficient of determination (R2), and root mean square error (RMSE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were used to evaluate the satellite rainfall products and hydrologic model performances of the basin. The satellite rainfall estimations of both products showed a higher PCC (above 0.86) with areal observed rainfall in the Uplands, the Western highlands, and the Lower sub-basins. However, it was weakly associated in the Upper valley and the Eastern catchments of the basin ranging from 0.45 to 0.65. The findings of the assimilated satellite rainfall products with the GR2M model exhibited that 80% of the calibrated and 60% of the validated watersheds in a basin had lower magnitude of PBIAS (<±10), which resulted in better accuracy in flow simulation. The poor performance with higher PBIAS (≥±25) of the GR2M model was observed only in the Melka Kuntire (TRMM 3B43v7 and PERSIANN-CDR), Mojo (PERSIANN-CDR), Metehara (in all rainfall data sets), and Kessem (TRMM 3B43v7) watersheds. Therefore, integrating these satellite rainfall data, particularly in the data-scarce basin, with hydrological data, generally appeared to be useful. However, validation with the ground observed data is required for effective water resources planning and management in a basin. Furthermore, it is recommended to make bias corrections for watersheds with poorlyww performing satellite rainfall products of higher PBIAS before assimilating with the hydrologic model.
Research on the Influence of Small-Scale Terrain on Precipitation
Authors: Gu Wenya , Zhu Xiaochen , Meng Xiangrui , Qiu Xinfa
Published: March 2021

Terrain plays an important role in the formation, development and distribution of local precipitation and is a major factor leading to locally abnormal weather in weather systems. Although small-scale topography has little influence on the spatial distribution of precipitation, it interferes with precipitation fitting. Due to the arbitrary combination of small, medium and large-scale terrain, complex terrain distribution is formed, and small-scale terrain cannot be clearly defined and removed. Based on the idea of bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD), this paper extracts small-scale terrain data layer by layer to smooth the terrain and constructs a macroterrain model for different scales in Central China. Based on the precipitation distribution model using multiple regression, precipitation models (B0, B1, B2 and B3) of different scales are constructed. The 18-year monthly average precipitation data of each station are compared with the precipitation simulation results under different scales of terrain and TRMM precipitation data, and the influence of different levels of small-scale terrain on the precipitation distribution is analysed. The results show that (1) in Central China, the accuracy of model B2 is much higher than that of TRMM model A and monthly precipitation model B0. The comprehensive evaluation indexes are increased by 3.31% and 1.92%, respectively. (2) The influence of different levels of small-scale terrain on the precipitation distribution is different. The first- and second-order small-scale terrain has interference effects on precipitation fitting, and the third-order small-scale terrain has an enhancement effect on precipitation. However, the effect of small-scale topography on the precipitation distribution is generally reflected as interference.
ПРОЕКТ КОНЦЕПЦІЇ СИСТЕМИ ОСВІТИ «ДИВО-21»
Authors: Хвостиченко О. М. , Трусей Л. Г. , Сердюк О. Д.
Published: March 2021

Аналіз історії людства переконливо показує пряму залежність ефективності розвитку людських угрупувань любого масштабу (товариство — народ країни) від якості самих людей і особливо від якості їх лідерів. Історію створюють люди. Якість людини визначається перш за все світоглядом та переконаннями, моральними цінностями, які формуються в більшості ще в дитинстві через сім’ю та систему освіти [1]. Тому можна впевнено стверджувати, якщо в суспільстві рік за роком примножуються проблеми, протиріччя, які загрожують самому його існуванню особливо в епоху глобалізації, то причини потрібно шукати в системі освіти — яких громадян вона формує. Без усунення помилок в системі освіти суттєві позитивні зміни, як свідчить історичний досвід, не можливі або тимчасові. Якість життя в суспільстві, безпека і швидкість розвитку цілком залежить від якості людей, що його складають.
K-Means Kümeleme Yöntemi ile Konutlarda Kullanılan Elektrikli Cihazların Güç Tüketimi ve Harmonik Bileşenlerinden Karakter Analizi
Authors: YILDIZ Mustafa Şen , ARİKAN Oktay , ERENOĞLU Ayşe , KEKEZOĞLU Bedri
Published: March 2021

Sanayileşmenin artması ve teknolojik gelişmeler, elektrik enerjisine olan ihtiyacı ve enerji kalitesine olan etkiyi artırmaktadır. Bu durum, elektriksel yüklerin izlenmesi ve kontrol edilmesi ihtiyacını doğurmaktadır. Konutlarda kullanılan elektrikli cihazların ölçüm ve denetimi amacıyla farklı akıllı ölçüm uygulamaları ve makine öğrenmesi algoritmaları denenmektedir. Bu çalışmada, evsel cihazların, temel güç tüketim parametreleri ve ürettikleri harmonik bileşenler dikkate alınarak her bir cihazın güç tüketim karakterleri incelenmiştir. Ölçümler, K-Means kümeleme algoritması ile analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda, yeterli sayıda öznitelik dikkate alınması durumunda her bir cihazın güç tüketim karakterlerine ulaşılabileceği gözlemlenmiştir.
Bingöl Düzağaç Kavşağının Rotor Tipi Turbo Dönel Kavşak Olarak Düzenlemesi Durumu için Kapasite Hesaplarının Ön Çalışması
Authors: GÜZEL İhsan
Published: March 2021

Çok şeritli dönel kavşakların alternatif bir formu ve bu kavşaklara göre kapasite ve güvenliği yüksek turbo dönel kavşaklar, son yıllarda birçok ülkede tasarım rehberleri hazırlanarak uygulamalarına başlanılmıştır. Bingöl il Merkezinin yerleşim alanı içerisinden geçen devlet yolunun Düzağaç Mevkiinde bulunan kavşak sinyalizasyonlu anayol, tali yol kavşağı olarak işletilmektedir. Kavşağın Ülkemizde yürürlükte olan karayolu tasarım rehberine göre günlük ana ve tali taşıt sayısı açısından dönel kavşak koşulunu sağlamasına rağmen özellikle kavşak kollarının daire merkezinde kesişmemesi nedeniyle dönel kavşak yapılamamıştır. Bu kavşakta sinyalizasyon nedeniyle yol kullanıcı maliyetlerinden taşıt işletme giderlerinin fazla olması nedeniyle belirlenen senaryoya göre devlet yolunda trafik akımının alt geçitli ve alt geçitsiz olarak sağlanması durumunda kavşağın sinyalizasyonsuz olarak turbo kavşakların en yüksek kapasiteli olan rotor tipinin Google Earth ‘de alan kontrolleri yapılarak kapasite hesaplamaları yapılmıştır. Alt geçitli turbo kavşağın alt geçitsiz turbo kavşağa göre kavşak kollarının şerit doygunluk yüzdelerinde ortalama 4 kat azalma olmasına rağmen ana konumda bulunan Bingöl Sanayi ve tali konumda bulunan Bingöl Şehir Merkezi kollarında trafik artışı olması durumunda sola dönüşlerin üst geçitle sağlanması gerekeceği tespit edilmiştir.
TOPSIS ve MAUT Yöntemleri ile İçmesuyu Dağıtım Sistemlerinde Rehabilitasyon Önceliğinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: GÜL Şeymanur , FIRAT Mahmut
Published: March 2021

İçmesuyu dağıtım sistemlerinde meydana gelen arızaların sıklığının artmasına bağlı olarak hizmet kalitesi düşmekte ve işletme maliyetleri artmaktadır. Bu nedenle İçmesuyu dağıtım sistemlerinde risk değerlendirmesi, şebeke rehabilitasyon programının oluşturulması ve varlık yönetimi kapsamında analiz ve değerlendirmelerin yapılması sistem yönetimi açısından oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışma kapsamında, çoklu ölçütlü karar verme yöntemleri ile içmesuyu dağıtım sistemlerinde şebeke rehabilitasyonunda öncelikli bölgelerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla, öncelikle literatür incelemesi yapılarak verisi ölçülebilen, uygun, karşılaştırılabilir ölçütler çerçevesinde toplam 28 faktör belirlenmiştir. Belirlenen bu faktörlerin etki derecesini belirlemek ve ağırlıkları hesaplanmak için ENTROPI yöntemi uygulanmıştır. Hesaplanan ağırlık katsayılarının problemin doğal yapısı ile uyumlu olduğu görülmüştür. Faktörlere ait ağırlıklar ve saha verileri kullanılarak TOPSIS ve MAUT yöntemleri ile ayrı ayrı analiz yapılmış, öncelik sıralaması yapılmış ve sonuçlar değerlendirilmiştir. Yapılan değerlendirmelerde her iki yöntem ile belirlenen bölgelerin benzer olduğu görülmüştür.