bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Expression Profiling Revealed Its Role in Regulating Stress Responses in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: Zaynab Madiha , Hussain Athar , Sharif Yasir , Fatima Mahpara , Sajid Mateen , Rehman Nazia , Yang Xuewei , Khan Khalid Ali , Ghramh Hamed A. , Li Shuangfei
Published: July 2021

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are the universal signal transduction networks that regulate cell growth and development, hormone signaling, and other environmental stresses. However, their essential contribution to plant tolerance is very little known in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) plant. The current study carried out a genome-wide study of StMAPK and provided a deep insight using bioinformatics tools. In addition, the relative expression of StMAPKs was also assessed in different plant tissues. The similarity search results identified a total of 22 StMAPK genes in the potato genome. The sequence alignment also showed conserved motif TEY/TDY in most StMAPKs with conserved docking LHDXXEP sites. The phylogenetic analysis divided all 22 StMAPK genes into five groups, i.e., A, B, C, D, and E, showing some common structural motifs. In addition, most of the StMAPKs were found in a cluster form at the terminal of chromosomes. The promoter analysis predicted several stress-responsive Cis-acting regulatory elements in StMAPK genes. Gene duplication under selection pressure also indicated several purifying and positive selections in StMAPK genes. In potato, StMAPK2, StMAPK6, and StMAPK19 showed a high expression in response to heat stress. Under ABA and IAA treatment, the expression of the total 20 StMAPK genes revealed that ABA and IAA played an essential role in this defense process. The expression profiling and real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) exhibited their high expression in roots and stems compared to leaves. These results deliver primary data for functional analysis and provide reference data for other important crops.
Estimating the Cost-Competitiveness of Recycling-Based Geopolymer Concretes
Authors: Rintala Annastiina , Havukainen Jouni , Abdulkareem Mariam
Published: July 2021

The cement industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. Consequently, there has been an increasing interest, in both academia and business, in low-carbon concretes in which Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is partially or fully replaced with industrial side streams. However, the realization of the environmental benefits of such materials depends on how competitive they are in the construction market, where low costs are a major competitive factor. This is not straightforward, as many types of concretes exist. Raw material prices vary, and costs can be influenced by governmental regulations via carbon pricing. This study presents a case study estimating the cost prices of four different geopolymer concretes with different material compositions and carbon footprints, considering the raw material price variability and the potential impact of carbon emissions regulation (carbon price). The case study demonstrates how material mix cost comparisons can be made openly and systematically. The results imply that carbon pricing, at the rates currently applied, does not significantly change the cost price difference between traditional and geopolymer concretes. Instead, cost-competitiveness of low carbon concretes depends heavily on the material mix type and the availability of critical side streams.
Reflections on Islamic Feminist Exegesis of the Qur’an
Authors: wadud amina
Published: July 2021

The chapter highlights the importance of lived realities to the hermeneutics of the Qur’an and questions the classical interpretation of the Qur’an, evidencing that the dominant and prolific model of centering analysis of the sacred text and religious practices around men and men’s experience. Discussing attitudes and specific Qur’an passages, neutral terminology in relation to creation and cosmology, the story of Lot/Lut, and themes such as the question of Shari‘ah, the paper offers a personal reflection on gender and Qur’anic or Islamic interpretative possibilities. The author also explains how she came to a theological perspective on the equality of gender and gender identity over the last two decades, and gives specific examples of a unique Qur’anic analysis.
Discrimination against Veiled Muslim Women in Switzerland: Insights from Field Experts
Authors: Lindemann Anaïd
Published: July 2021

Although the hijab has recently attracted much attention from social scientists, the discrimination experienced by hijabis has been insufficiently investigated. Data are difficult to obtain, partly because surveys usually do not have items on this practice and victims are difficult to reach. However, field experts, namely active agents in governmental racism-prevention institutions and in Muslim associations, can provide rich insights into processes of discrimination. Based on an analysis of semi-structured interviews, I answer the following question: how do governmental and non-governmental experts describe discrimination against hijabis in Switzerland? The results reveal that, according to the experts interviewed, the hijab is the most important marker leading to processes of discrimination; this discrimination takes a variety of forms and affects a wide range of life domains and profiles of hijabis; such discrimination leads to a segregation of the social space of hijabis; many women are unwilling to report discrimination to governmental services for different reasons.
Identification of Typical Solid Hazardous Chemicals Based on Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Sun Yanlong , Qian Xinming , Liu Yangyang , Wang Jianwei , Lv Qunbo , Yuan Mengqi
Published: July 2021

The identification of hazardous chemicals based on hyperspectral imaging is an important emergent means for the prevention of explosion accidents and the early warning of secondary hazards. In this study, we used a combination of spectral curve matching based on full-waveform characteristics and spectral matching based on spectral characteristics to identify the hazardous chemicals, and proposed a method to quantitatively characterize the matching degree of the spectral curves of hazardous chemicals. The results showed that the four hazardous chemicals, sulfur, red phosphorus, potassium permanganate, and corn starch had bright colors, distinct spectral curve characteristics, and obvious changes in reflectivity, which were easy to identify. Moreover, the matching degree of their spectral curves was positively correlated with their reflectivity. However, the spectral characteristics of carbon powder, strontium nitrate, wheat starch, and magnesium–aluminum alloy powder were not obvious, with no obvious characteristic peaks or trends of change in reflectivity. Except for the reflectivity and the matching degree of the carbon powder being maintained at a low level, the reflectivity of the remaining three samples was relatively close, so that it was difficult to identify with the spectral curves alone, and color information should be considered for further identification.
Estimating Floodplain Vegetative Roughness Using Drone-Based Laser Scanning and Structure from Motion Photogrammetry
Authors: Prior Elizabeth M. , Aquilina Charles A. , Czuba Jonathan A. , Pingel Thomas J. , Hession W. Cully
Published: July 2021

Vegetation heights derived from drone laser scanning (DLS), and structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry at the Virginia Tech StREAM Lab were utilized to determine hydraulic roughness (Manning’s roughness coefficients). We determined hydraulic roughness at three spatial scales: reach, patch, and pixel. For the reach scale, one roughness value was set for the channel, and one value for the entire floodplain. For the patch scale, vegetation heights were used to classify the floodplain into grass, scrub, and small and large trees, with a single roughness value for each. The roughness values for the reach and patch methods were calibrated using a two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model (HEC-RAS) and data from in situ velocity sensors. For the pixel method, we applied empirical equations that directly estimated roughness from vegetation height for each pixel of the raster (no calibration necessary). Model simulations incorporating these roughness datasets in 2D HEC-RAS were validated against water surface elevations (WSE) from seventeen groundwater wells for seven high-flow events during the Fall of 2018 and 2019, and compared to marked flood extents. The reach method tended to overestimate while the pixel method tended to underestimate the flood extent. There were no visual differences between DLS and SfM within the pixel and patch methods when comparing flood extents. All model simulations were not significantly different with respect to the well WSEs (p > 0.05). The pixel methods had the lowest WSE RMSEs (SfM: 0.136 m, DLS: 0.124 m). The other methods had RMSE values 0.01–0.02 m larger than the DLS pixel method. Models with DLS data also had lower WSE RMSEs by 0.01 m when compared to models utilizing SfM. This difference might not justify the increased cost of a DLS setup over SfM (~150,000 vs. ~2000 USD for this study), though our use of the DLS DEM to determine SfM vegetation heights might explain this minimal difference. We expect a poorer performance of the SfM-derived vegetation heights/roughness values if we were using a SfM DEM, although further work is needed. These results will help improve hydrodynamic modeling efforts, which are becoming increasingly important for management and planning in response to climate change, specifically in regions were high flow events are increasing.
Spatially Modeling the Synergistic Impacts of Global Warming and Sea-Level Rise on Coral Reefs in the South China Sea
Authors: Zuo Xiuling , Su Fenzhen , Yu Kefu , Wang Yinghui , Wang Qi , Wu Huisheng
Published: July 2021

Global warming and sea-level rise (SLR) induced by rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations can cause coral bleaching, death, and submergence of the world’s coral reefs. Adopting the GIS and RS methods, we modeled how these two stressors combine to influence the future growth of the atolls and table reefs of three archipelagoes in the South China Sea (SCS), based on geomorphic and ecological zones. A large-scale survey of the coral communities in Xisha Islands in 2014, Dongsha Islands in 2014–2016 and Nansha Islands in 2007 provided zone-specific process datasets on the range of reef accretion rates. Sea surface temperature and extreme (minimum and maximum) SLR data above 1985–2005 levels by 2100 in the SCS were derived from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) models forced with the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Our model projected that: (1) the Xisha Islands and Dongsha Islands may have a better growth status, because the reef flat biotic sparse zone may be recolonized with hard coral and become a biotic dense zone; (2) the southern Nansha Islands reefs have a risk of stopping growing due to their earlier annual bleaching years. The increasing of water depths of these reefs is stronger in the RCP with more emissions. Our approach offers insights into the best-case and worst-case impacts of two global environmental pressures on potential future reef growth under a changing climate.
Change Detection in Urban Point Clouds: An Experimental Comparison with Simulated 3D Datasets
Authors: de Gélis Iris , Lefèvre Sébastien , Corpetti Thomas
Published: July 2021

In the context of rapid urbanization, monitoring the evolution of cities is crucial. To do so, 3D change detection and characterization is of capital importance since, unlike 2D images, 3D data contain vertical information of utmost importance to monitoring city evolution (that occurs along both horizontal and vertical axes). Urban 3D change detection has thus received growing attention, and various methods have been published on the topic. Nevertheless, no quantitative comparison on a public dataset has been reported yet. This study presents an experimental comparison of six methods: three traditional (difference of DSMs, C2C and M3C2), one machine learning with hand-crafted features (a random forest model with a stability feature) and two deep learning (feed-forward and Siamese architectures). In order to compare these methods, we prepared five sub-datasets containing simulated pairs of 3D annotated point clouds with different characteristics: from high to low resolution, with various levels of noise. The methods have been tested on each sub-dataset for binary and multi-class segmentation. For supervised methods, we also assessed the transfer learning capacity and the influence of the training set size. The methods we used provide various kinds of results (2D pixels, 2D patches or 3D points), and each of them is impacted by the resolution of the PCs. However, while the performances of deep learning methods highly depend on the size of the training set, they seem to be less impacted by training on datasets with different characteristics. Oppositely, conventional machine learning methods exhibit stable results, even with smaller training sets, but embed low transfer learning capacities. While the main changes in our datasets were usually identified, there were still numerous instances of false detection, especially in dense urban areas, thereby calling for further development in this field. To assist such developments, we provide a public dataset composed of pairs of point clouds with different qualities together with their change-related annotations. This dataset was built with an original simulation tool which allows one to generate bi-temporal urban point clouds under various conditions.
A Novel Technique for Modeling Ecosystem Health Condition: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mallick Javed , AlQadhi Saeed , Talukdar Swapan , Pradhan Biswajeet , Bindajam Ahmed Ali , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Dajam Amal Saad
Published: July 2021

The present paper proposes a novel fuzzy-VORS (vigor, organization, resilience, ecosystem services) model by integrating fuzzy logic and a VORS model to predict ecosystem health conditions in Abha city of Saudi Arabia from the past to the future. In this study, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was utilized to classify the land use land cover (LULC) maps for 1990, 2000, and 2018. The LULCs dynamics in 1990–2000, 2000–2018, and 1990–2018 were computed using delta (Δ) change and Markovian transitional probability matrix. The future LULC map for 2028 was predicted using the artificial neural network-cellular automata model (ANN-CA). The machine learning algorithms, such as random forest (RF), classification and regression tree (CART), and probability distribution function (PDF) were utilized to perform sensitivity analysis. Pearson’s correlation technique was used to explore the correlation between the predicted models and their driving variables. The ecosystem health conditions for 1990–2028 were predicted by integrating the fuzzy inference system with the VORS model. The results of LULC maps showed that urban areas increased by 334.4% between 1990 and 2018. Except for dense vegetation, all the natural resources and generated ecosystem services have been decreased significantly due to the rapid and continuous urbanization process. A future LULC map (2028) showed that the built-up area would be 343.72 km2. The new urban area in 2028 would be 169 km2. All techniques for sensitivity analysis showed that proximity to urban areas, vegetation, and scrubland are highly sensitive to land suitability models to simulate and predict LULC maps of 2018 and 2028. Global sensitivity analysis showed that fragmentation or organization was the most sensitive parameter for ecosystem health conditions.
First Digit Oscillations
Authors: Lemons Don , Lemons Nathan , Peter William
Published: July 2021

The frequency of the first digits of numbers drawn from an exponential probability density oscillate around the Benford frequencies. Analysis, simulations and empirical evidence show that datasets must have at least 10,000 entries for these oscillations to emerge from finite-sample noise. Anecdotal evidence from population data is provided.
Interorganizational Collaboration in Innovation Networks: An Agent Based Model for Responsible Research and Innovation in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Cozzoni Enrico , Passavanti Carmine , Ponsiglione Cristina , Primario Simonetta , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: July 2021

The significant progress in scientific research and innovation has led to the need for a new paradigm to legitimise the innovation process in society and politics. The European Union, with the Horizon 2020 framework program and Horizon Europe, institutionalises this change by defining the concept of responsible research and innovation (RRI), aiming at greater inclusiveness and sustainability in the research and innovation processes. This paper aimed to present an agent-based model (ABM) to simulate the dynamics between the different actors that cooperate within networks during the innovation process, taking the inclinations toward RRI practices into account. The different types of agent, their characteristics, and the different strategies that they follow have been formulated within the Horizon 2020 project I AM RRI-Webs of Innovation Value Chains (IVCs) of Additive Manufacturing (AM) under consideration of RRI. Besides, some experiments are reported to validate the model, ensuring its rigor and making our model a useful tool for policymakers, assisting them in defining strategic guidelines for disseminating and encouraging RRI best practices and defining the critical factors of the innovative cooperative process.
Research on Inter-Provincial Transfer of CO2 Emissions from Transportation by Considering Fuzzy Parameter
Authors: Zhu Ying , Cui Tianhao , Liu Yanzheng , Zhou Qin , Li Yexin
Published: July 2021

CO2 reduction from transportation is exerting significant effects on global CO2 reduction. This industry contributes 23.96% of global CO2 emissions. In this research, an ecological network input–output interval fuzzy linear programming (EIFP) method is developed to clarify CO2 reduction responsibilities and depict transfer relationships of transportation. This method integrates input–output analysis (IOA), inexact rough interval fuzzy linear programming (IRFLP) and ecological network analysis (ENA) into a general framework. The proposed method is employed for calculating inter-provincial CO2 transfer under different situations in 30 provinces of China and further supporting the formulation of regional reduction policies. Results demonstrate that transportation energy demand of Beijing is dependent on imports, which indirectly increases CO2 reduction pressure in energy supply areas. Therefore, CO2 reduction responsibility should be traced to source and included in emission reduction plan of energy demand areas. In inter-provincial CO2 transfer relationships of natural gas, positive relationships account for a higher proportion; therefore, it is feasible to consider raising the proportion of natural gas in the future development direction of transportation. The achievements of this paper can provide scientific references for decision makers to formulate CO2 reduction policies in transportation.
Tourism as a Key for Regional Revitalization?: A Quantitative Evaluation of Tourism Zone Development in Japan
Authors: Kim Hyunjung , Kim Eun Jung
Published: July 2021

Since the dawn of the 21st century, Japan has switched its national industry strategy from traditional industries—manufacturing and trading—toward tourism. Regional revitalization is a particularly important issue in Japan, and by uniting regions as an integrated tourism zone, the government expects an increase in visits to tourism zones. This study quantitatively evaluates whether the regions that contain a tourism zone experience a significant increase in visitors by using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design. Additionally, it examines the effects of subsidies through regression modeling. The results indicated that the tourism zones that were comprised of a narrow region in the same prefectures experienced a significant increase in visitors. The subsidy on information transmission, measures for the secondary traffic, and space formation had a significant positive impact on the increase in visitors to these tourism zones. Implications on tourism policies, urban and regional development, and community development can be obtained through this study.
The Underutilization, Adverse Reactions and Efficacy of Statins after Liver Transplant: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Ho Yeung Jek , Koh Audrey Su-Min , Ong Zhi Hao , Ng Cheng Han , Kong Gwyneth , Chew Nicholas W.S. , Lim Hui Ning , Siddiqui M. Shadab , Muthiah Mark Dhinesh
Published: July 2021

(1) Background: Treatment of dyslipidemia via statin therapy in the non-liver transplant (LT) population is associated with a mortality benefit; however, the impact of statin therapy in post-LT population is not well-defined. This meta-analysis seeks to investigate the safety and efficacy of statin therapy in post-LT patients. (2) Methods: A systematic literature search on Medline and EMBASE database was conducted. A single-arm proportional meta-analysis and conventional pair-wise meta-analysis were performed to compare different outcomes with a random effects model. (3) Results: A total of 11 studies were included in this study, with 697 LT recipients identified to be on statin therapy. Statins were underutilized with only 32% (95% CI: 0.15–0.52) of 1094 post-LT patients on therapy. The incidence of adverse events of 14% (95% CI: 0.05–0.25) related to statin therapy was low. A significant mortality benefit was noted in patients on statin therapy with HR = 0.282 (95% CI: 0.154–0.517, p < 0.001), and improved lipid profiles post LT. The use of statins also significantly decreased odds of graft rejection (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.15–0.73) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11–0.89). (4) Conclusions: Statin therapy is safe and efficacious in post-LT patients. Future studies to evaluate the effects of interactions between statins and immunosuppressant therapy are warranted.
Common Occupational Trauma: Is There a Relationship with Workers’ Mental Health?
Authors: Magnavita Nicola , Capitanelli Ilaria , Arnesano Gabriele , Iuliano Angela , Mauro Igor , Suraci Francesco , Chirico Francesco
Published: July 2021

Exposure to major trauma can have significant consequences for workers’ mental health, but common trauma may also result in poor mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional study retrospectively investigated the occurrence of common physical or psychological workplace trauma in 901 health, social service, and trading company workers and studied these experiences in relation to occupational stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress was measured with the effort/reward imbalance (ERI) model while anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS). Healthcare workers reported a high frequency of trauma and significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than other workers. Even in the entire population of workers of the various professional categories, verbal violence (harassment and threats), traffic accidents, home injuries, and family bereavement were significantly associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Major trauma survivors are known to be at increased risk of mental disorders and require support in the workplace, however, even minor repeated emotional trauma and injuries can affect mental health. During mandatory health surveillance, the occupational physician should systematically collect information on minor trauma and mental health outcomes when assessing the occupational fitness of the workers assigned to him.
The Gamma-ray Window to Intergalactic Magnetism
Authors: Alves Batista Rafael , Saveliev Andrey
Published: July 2021

One of the most promising ways to probe intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMFs) is through gamma rays produced in electromagnetic cascades initiated by high-energy gamma rays or cosmic rays in the intergalactic space. Because the charged component of the cascade is sensitive to magnetic fields, gamma-ray observations of distant objects such as blazars can be used to constrain IGMF properties. Ground-based and space-borne gamma-ray telescopes deliver spectral, temporal, and angular information of high-energy gamma-ray sources, which carries imprints of the intervening magnetic fields. This provides insights into the nature of the processes that led to the creation of the first magnetic fields and into the phenomena that impacted their evolution. Here we provide a detailed description of how gamma-ray observations can be used to probe cosmic magnetism. We review the current status of this topic and discuss the prospects for measuring IGMFs with the next generation of gamma-ray observatories.
Transcriptome and Proteomic Analysis Reveals Up-Regulation of Innate Immunity-Related Genes Expression in Caprine Herpesvirus 1 Infected Madin Darby Bovine Kidney Cells
Authors: Hao Fei , Xie Xing , Liu Maojun , Mao Li , Li Wenliang , Na Woonsung
Published: July 2021

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is a member of the alpha subfamily of herpesviruses, which is responsible for genital lesions and latent infections in goat populations worldwide. In this study, for the first time, the transcriptome and proteomics of CpHV-1 infected Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were explored using RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS) technology, respectively. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 81 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between infected and mock-infected MDBK cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most of these DEGs were mainly involved in the innate immune response, especially the interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis results indicated that the identified DEGs were significantly mainly enriched for response to virus, defense response to virus, response to biotic stimulus and regulation of innate immune response. Viral carcinogenesis, the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway and pathways associated with several viral infections were found to be significantly enriched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database. Eleven selected DEGs (Mx1, RSAD2, IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT5, IFIH1, IFITM3, IRF7, IRF9, OAS1X and OAS1Y) associated with immune responses were selected, and they exhibited a concordant direction both in RNA-Seq and quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis. Proteomic analysis also showed significant up-regulation of innate immunity-related proteins. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were mostly enriched in defense response and response to virus, and the pathways associated with viral infection were enriched under KEGG analysis. Protein-protein interaction network analysis indicated most of the DEGs related to innate immune responses, as DDX58(RIG-I), IFIH1(MDA5), IRF7, Mx1, RSAD2, OAS1 and IFIT1, were located in the core of the network and highly connected with other DGEs. Our findings support the notion that CpHV-1 infection induced the transcription and protein expression alterations of a series of genes related to host innate immune response, which helps to elucidate the resistance of host cells to viral infection and to clarify the pathogenesis of CpHV-1.
Spatial Distribution and Burden of Emerging Arboviruses in French Guiana
Authors: Bailly Sarah , Rousset Dominique , Fritzell Camille , Hozé Nathanaël , Ben Achour Sarrah , Berthelot Léna , Enfissi Antoine , Vanhomwegen Jessica , Salje Henrik , Fernandes-Pellerin Sandrine , Saout Mona , Lavergne Anne , Manuguerra Jean-Claude , Carod Jean-François , Djossou Félix , Cauchemez Simon , Flamand Claude
Published: July 2021

Despite the health, social and economic impact of arboviruses in French Guiana, very little is known about the extent to which infection burden is shared between individuals. We conducted a large multiplexed serological survey among 2697 individuals from June to October 2017. All serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies against DENV, CHIKV, ZIKV and MAYV using a recombinant antigen-based microsphere immunoassay with a subset further evaluated through anti-ZIKV microneutralization tests. The overall DENV seroprevalence was estimated at 73.1% (70.6–75.4) in the whole territory with estimations by serotype at 68.9% for DENV-1, 38.8% for DENV-2, 42.3% for DENV-3, and 56.1% for DENV-4. The overall seroprevalence of CHIKV, ZIKV and MAYV antibodies was 20.3% (17.7–23.1), 23.3% (20.9–25.9) and 3.3% (2.7–4.1), respectively. We provide a consistent overview of the burden of emerging arboviruses in French Guiana, with useful findings for risk mapping, future prevention and control programs. The majority of the population remains susceptible to CHIKV and ZIKV, which could potentially facilitate the risk of further re-emergences. Our results underscore the need to strengthen MAYV surveillance in order to rapidly detect any substantial changes in MAYV circulation patterns.
Clinical Applications and Immunological Aspects of Electroporation-Based Therapies
Authors: Luz Jean Carlos dos Santos da , Antunes Fernanda , Clavijo-Salomon Maria Alejandra , Signori Emanuela , Tessarollo Nayara Gusmão , Strauss Bryan E.
Published: July 2021

Reversible electropermeabilization (RE) is an ultrastructural phenomenon that transiently increases the permeability of the cell membrane upon application of electrical pulses. The technique was described in 1972 by Neumann and Rosenheck and is currently used in a variety of applications, from medicine to food processing. In oncology, RE is applied for the intracellular transport of chemotherapeutic drugs as well as the delivery of genetic material in gene therapies and vaccinations. This review summarizes the physical changes of the membrane, the particularities of bleomycin, and the immunological aspects involved in electrochemotherapy and gene electrotransfer, two important EP-based cancer therapies in human and veterinary oncology.
RETRACTED: Walach et al. The Safety of COVID-19 Vaccinations—We Should Rethink the Policy. Vaccines 2021, 9, 693
Authors:   Vaccines Editorial Office
Published: July 2021

The journal retracts the article, The Safety of COVID-19 Vaccinations—We Should Rethink the Policy [...]
M2e-Based Influenza Vaccines with Nucleoprotein: A Review
Authors: Tan Mei Peng , Tan Wen Siang , Mohamed Alitheen Noorjahan Banu , Yap Wei Boon
Published: July 2021

Discovery of conserved antigens for universal influenza vaccines warrants solutions to a number of concerns pertinent to the currently licensed influenza vaccines, such as annual reformulation and mismatching with the circulating subtypes. The latter causes low vaccine efficacies, and hence leads to severe disease complications and high hospitalization rates among susceptible and immunocompromised individuals. A universal influenza vaccine ensures cross-protection against all influenza subtypes due to the presence of conserved epitopes that are found in the majority of, if not all, influenza types and subtypes, e.g., influenza matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e) and nucleoprotein (NP). Despite its relatively low immunogenicity, influenza M2e has been proven to induce humoral responses in human recipients. Influenza NP, on the other hand, promotes remarkable anti-influenza T-cell responses. Additionally, NP subunits are able to assemble into particles which can be further exploited as an adjuvant carrier for M2e peptide. Practically, the T-cell immunodominance of NP can be transferred to M2e when it is fused and expressed as a chimeric protein in heterologous hosts such as Escherichia coli without compromising the antigenicity. Given the ability of NP-M2e fusion protein in inducing cross-protective anti-influenza cell-mediated and humoral immunity, its potential as a universal influenza vaccine is therefore worth further exploration.
Social Hydrological Analysis for Poverty Reduction in Community-Managed Water Resources Systems in Cambodia
Authors: Forni Laura , Bresney Susan , Espinoza Sophia , Lavado Angela , Mautner Marina RL , Yi-Chen Han Jenny , Nguyen Ha , Sreyphea Chap , Uniacke Paula , Villarroel Luis , Lindberg Meloney , Resurrección Bernadette P. , Huber-Lee Annette
Published: July 2021

Achieving sustainable water resources management objectives can work in tandem with poverty reduction efforts. This study evidenced the strong social hydrological linkages that exist in Cambodia, which allowed for presenting a broader understanding of water resources challenges to better formulate and connect policies at the local and national levels. Models are often not developed with household- or community-level input, but rather with national- or coarse-level datasets. The method used in this study consisted of linking qualitative and quantitative social analysis with a previously developed technical water planning model. The results from the social inequalities analysis were examined for three water use types: domestic, rice production, and fishing in three parts of the watershed, namely, upstream, midstream, and downstream. Knowledge generated from the social analysis was used to refine previous water planning modeling. The model results indicate that without household data to consider social inequalities, the technical analysis for the Stung Chinit watershed was largely underrepresenting the shortages in irrigation supply seen by groups in the most downstream sections of the irrigation system. Without adding social considerations into the model, new policies or water infrastructure development suggested by the model could reinforce existing inequalities.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Trade-Off Growth Strategies of Maize Leaves under Different Drought Severities
Authors: Ma Xueyan , Zhou Guangsheng , Li Gen , Wang Qiuling
Published: July 2021

The leaf is one of the most drought-sensitive plant organs. Investigating how leaf traits change and their trade-off growth during a drought would contribute to developing targeted drought-resistance measures. We investigated changes in five key maize leaf traits (leaf area, dry mass, effective number, water content, and specific weight) and their trade-off growth based on a drought simulation experiment. We also developed an indicator (0, 1) to quantitatively evaluate drought severity. The results showed a trade-off growth between different leaf traits of maize plants under drought conditions. Maize maintained relatively high leaf water content to maintain high leaf metabolic activity until drought severity was greater than 0. When drought severity was (0, 0.48), maize tended to adopt rapid growth strategy by maintaining regular leafing intensity and investing more energy into leaf area rather than specific leaf weight so that more energy could be absorbed. When the drought severity exceeded 0.48, maize conserved its resources for survival by maintaining relatively lower metabolic activity and thicker leaves to minimize water loss. The results provide an insight into the acclimation strategies of maize under drought, and contribute to targeted drought prevention and relief measures to reduce drought-induced risks to food security.
Hydrochemical and Isotopic Investigation of the Groundwater from Wajid Aquifer in Wadi Al-Dawasir, Southern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Benaafi Mohammed , Al-Shaibani Abdulaziz
Published: July 2021

The Wajid aquifer is considered the main source of water for drinking and irrigation in Wadi Al-Dawasir and Najran, the southern region of Saudi Arabia. This aquifer has been used since the 1960s, and due to the expansion in agricultural activities, the aquifer has been overexploited. The study aims to understand the origin, hydrochemical processes of the groundwater in the shallow unconfined, deep unconfined, and confined parts of the Wajid aquifer in the Wadi Al-Dawasir area. In-situ hydrochemical parameters (pH, temperature, EC, and TDS) were measured in the field, and groundwater samples were collected for major ions and stable isotopes (2H and 18O) measurements in the laboratory. The results show that the groundwater in shallow unconfined, and confined aquifers are of two types; Cl.SO4-Ca. Na and Cl.SO4-Na. Ca; however, groundwater in deep, unconfined aquifers is characterized as HCO3-Ca. Na, and Cl. HCO3-Ca. Na; types of groundwater. The isotopic analysis results reveal that all groundwater samples have values of δ18Oand δ2Hclose to the local and global meteoric water lines, indicating the meteoric origin of Wajid groundwater. Three major hydrochemical processes, including rock weathering, ion exchange, and evaporation, have been identified as key controls on the chemical composition of water in the studied aquifer. The evaporation and ion exchange processes have more influence on the chemical composition of groundwater in the shallow unconfined and confined aquifers. On the contrary, weathering of carbonate minerals affected more the chemistry of groundwater in a deep unconfined aquifer. The unconfined section of the Wajid aquifer shows a reverse pattern of salinity with higher salinity in the recharge area, which is most probably related to the return irrigation water and leaching of salty soil. The open fractures in the upper part of Wajid sandstone most likely act as conduits to percolated saline water to the Wajid aquifer.
Spatiotemporal Variations of Water Vapor Content and Its Relationship with Meteorological Elements in the Third Pole
Authors: Wang Zhilan , Sun Meiping , Yao Xiaojun , Zhang Lei , Zhang Hao
Published: July 2021

Water vapor content plays an important role in climate change and the ecosystem in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) through its complicated interaction with the meteorological elements. However, due to the complex topography of the Tibetan Plateau, it is unreliable to attempt to understand the variation pattern of water vapor content using only observational data. Satellite and reanalysis data can be a good substitute for observational data, but their accuracy still needs to be evaluated. Therefore, based on radiosonde stations data, comprehensive assessment of water vapor content on the TP and surrounding areas derived from ERA-5, Second Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA2), Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)-only, and weighted ensemble data was performed in the context of spatial and temporal distribution at the annual and seasonal scale. Based on precipitation from Gauge V3.0 and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM) and temperature from ERA-5, the relationship between water vapor content and temperature and precipitation was analyzed. The results show that water vapor content decreases from southeast to northwest, and ERA-5, MERRA2, and AIRS-only can reasonably reproduce the spatial distribution of annual and seasonal water vapor content, with ERA-5 being more reliable in reproducing the spatial distribution. Over the past 50 years, the water vapor content has shown a gradual increasing trend. The variation trends of AIRS-only, MERRA2, ERA-5, and weighted ensemble data are almost consistent with the radiosonde stations data, with MERRA2 being more reliable in capturing water vapor content over time. Weighted ensemble data is more capable of capturing water vapor content characteristics than simple unweighted products. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis shows that the first spatial mode values of water vapor content and temperature are positive over the TP, while the values of precipitation present a “negative-positive-negative” distribution from south to north over the TP. In the second spatial mode of EOF analysis, the values of water vapor content, air temperature, and precipitation are all negative. The first temporal modes of EOF analysis, water vapor content, air temperature, and precipitation all show an increasing trend. In conclusion, there is a clear relationship of water vapor content with temperature and precipitation.
Estimation of Vegetation-Induced Flow Resistance for Hydraulic Computations Using Airborne Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Mewis Peter
Published: July 2021

The effect of vegetation in hydraulic computations can be significant. This effect is important for flood computations. Today, the necessary terrain information for flood computations is obtained by airborne laser scanning techniques. The quality and density of the airborne laser scanning information allows for more extensive use of these data in flow computations. In this paper, known methods are improved and combined into a new simple and objective procedure to estimate the hydraulic resistance of vegetation on the flow in the field. State-of-the-art airborne laser scanner information is explored to estimate the vegetation density. The laser scanning information provides the base for the calculation of the vegetation density parameter ωp using the Beer–Lambert law. In a second step, the vegetation density is employed in a flow model to appropriately account for vegetation resistance. The use of this vegetation parameter is superior to the common method of accounting for the vegetation resistance in the bed resistance parameter for bed roughness. The proposed procedure utilizes newly available information and is demonstrated in an example. The obtained values fit very well with the values obtained in the literature. Moreover, the obtained information is very detailed. In the results, the effect of vegetation is estimated objectively without the assignment of typical values. Moreover, a more structured flow field is computed with the flood around denser vegetation, such as groups of bushes. A further thorough study based on observed flow resistance is needed.
Promoting Electric Vehicle Cell Innovation Diffusion Considering Patent Licensing Strategy: A Combination of Evolutionary Game and Optimization Algorithm Approach
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Zhang Zheng
Published: July 2021

Electric vehicle cell industry is an emerging area with fierce competition on technical innovation, in which the patent holder can choose different innovation diffusion options to maximize the return; however, the strategy is unclear in certain scenarios. We tried to explain the question of how to maximize the patent holder’s return by appropriate patent license strategy to promote EV cell innovation diffusion, when competition and patent licensing relationship exist in the supply chain. A multistage and multichannel diffusion model of EV cell comprising the patent holder, EV cell producer and EV producers is developed; the evolutionary game is analyzed considering the competition among same stage players and patent licensing relationship among different stage players; and an optimization algorithm is introduced to find the maximum weighted object function of the patent holder. We established the multistage and multichannel diffusion model and found a nonlinear complex relationship between patent holder object function and the key factors including patent royalty pricing and innovation advantage coefficient; in addition, an optimization algorithm is developed based on adopters’ decision-making related with competition and patent licensing.
An Approach to Complement Model-Based Vehicle Development by Implementing Future Scenarios
Authors: Raulf Christian , Proff Moritz , Huth Tobias , Vietor Thomas
Published: July 2021

Today, vehicle development is already in a process of substantial transformation. Mobility trends can be derived from global megatrends and have a significant influence on the requirements of the developed vehicles. The sociological, technological, economic, ecological, and political developments can be determined by using the scenario technique. The results are recorded in the form of differently shaped scenarios; however, they are mainly document-based. In order to ensure a holistic approach in the sense of model-based systems engineering and to be able to trace the interrelationships of the fast-changing trends and requirements, it is necessary to implement future scenarios in the system model. For this purpose, a method is proposed that enables the consideration of future scenarios in model-based vehicle development. The procedure of the method is presented, and the location of the future scenarios within the system architectures is named. The method is applied and the resulting system views are derived based on the application example of an autonomous people mover. With the help of the described method, it is possible to show the effects of a change of scenario (e.g., best-case and worst-case) and the connections with the highest level of requirements: stakeholder needs.
V.I. Lenin — personality in the process of cultural transformation
Authors: Zhigalov A.
Published: July 2021

The paper examines the phenomenon of Vladimir Lenin's personality from a cultural perspective. The paper shows the relationship between cultural stimuli and the mental reaction of an individual who theoretically synthesized new ways of development of the human population, as well as organized the first steps of their practical implementation.
Reincarnation model of aft erlife in the modern worldview preferences world
Authors: Lebedev V. , Bezrukov A.
Published: July 2021

The present paper considers situation of the mortal-eschatological expectations and preferences of the modern society. It compares models of the posthumous fate within Abrahamic and Dhammic traditions as well as posthumous models represented by new religious movements (NRM). The paper analizes attitude of the quintessential repsesentative of the modern society to the corporal death and the afterlife.
Mass culture and its determinants
Authors: Petrov I. F.
Published: July 2021

Methodological ambiguity of researchers' positions leads to the fact that mass culture is referred to different aspects of the phenomenon. In addition, it is rapidly transforming, acquiring new facets and properties within specific socio-cultural systems. The article shows that certain socio-cultural changes that occurred in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, led to the emergence of mass culture in Western civilization, as a result of the formation of mass and mass consciousness. Under the mass should be understood not only the degree of distribution of the product (a large number of something), and above all the focus on widespread consumption and low moral and aesthetic level of the product (including works of art).
Online training in graphic subjects on the National open education platform
Authors: Goryachkina A. Yu. , Koryagina O. M. , Goryunova I. A.
Published: July 2021

The problems of online training of students in graphic disciplines in technical higher educational institutions are discussed. The description of the «Engineering graphics» online course presented by the MSTU named after N.E. Bauman on the National open education platform is given. The course is based on a new methodological concept — an original representation of the geometric knowledge system in the form of a neural network structure, using 3D visualization of basic concepts. The goals, structure, content, complexity, and format of the course are considered. The system of evaluation of learning outcomes for the course is presented.