bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung Pathology in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated with the Novel SARS-Cov-2 Virus
Authors: Barberán J. , Ortiz G. , Cardinal-Fernández P.
Published: October 2020

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a well-recognized clinical problem first described in the late sixties. However, its relevance seems to have increased since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) outbreak, as 14% (CI 95% 2% to 59%) of patients admitted to the hospital present with this syndrome.
Conceptually, a syndrome is a group of symptoms and signs that correspond to several diseases. Although defining disease is much harder than may appear at first glance, we can view it as the association between a syndrome and a pathology pattern. Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is the morphological hallmark of ARDS, although studies performed in autopsies and patients have demonstrated that it is present in only half of ARDS patients. The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the high incidence of ARDS associated with this infection have triggered a natural question: is the lung pathology similar in patients with ARDS associated with traditional risk factors than to SARS-CoV-2 infection?
This review aims to analyze the lung pathology results of patients infected with the novel SARS Cov-2. As this article targets non-intensive care physicians, we will first describe the main characteristics of the novel SARS-Cov-2 and the ARDS definition, and then the lung pathology results from the UCI in this group of patients.
Effect of Treatment with Silver Sulfate on the Physiological Effects of Natural Mineral Water
Authors: Lo Ying  , Lobanov A.A. , Andronov S.V. , Zaitsev A.R. , Kochetkova V.M. , Fesyun A.D. , Zharkov A.I. , Fedotova M.Yu. , Parfenov A.A. , Kalmykov G.А. , Bogdanova E.N. , Sidorov V.V. , Poskotinova L.V. , Yakovlev M.Yu. , Rachin A.P. , Voronenko A.G.
Published: October 2020

The treatment of mineral water with silver allows to significantly extend its shelf life without deteriorating its organoleptic properties, which makes it possible to use mineral water away from the natural deposit and is critical for business and the end consumer. However, possible changes in the physiological properties of mineral waters when treated with silver have not been studied until now. We have carried out a preclinical double-blind randomized placebo-controlled, experimental study, during which the effect of treatment with silver sulfate at a dose of 0.02 mg / liter (according to the EAEU tR 044–2017 regulation) of natural mineral water of sulphate-hydrocarbonate calcium-sodium (Russia, Stavropol territory, deposit “Slavyanovskaya”, well No. 69 bis) for cellular metabolism, microcirculation and micro-lymphocyte when applied externally to the area of the inner surface of the forearm. A comparison of the effect on cell metabolism and microcirculation has been made for applications with native mineral water “Slavyanovskaya”, “Slavyanovskaya, enriched with silver sulfate” and placebo (tap water) after 30 minutes and after 24 hours. Number of patients: 15. Number of studies by location: 45. the results were monitored using the LAZMA St device. the study carried out simultaneous registration of diagnostic parameters of blood microcirculation, lymph microcirculation, as well as fluorescence amplitudes of coenzymes participating in oxidative metabolism - reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). It was revealed that the mineral water “Slavyanovskaya enriched with silver” differs in its physiological effect on cellular metabolism, microcirculation and micro-lymph flow from the physiological effect of the mineral water “Slavyanovskaya”, namely that, compared to “Slavyanovskaya”, the mineral water “Slavyanovskaya enriched with silver” has a more pronounced positive effect on cellular metabolism, metabolic reserves of the cell, promotes the activation of microcirculation and micro-lymphatic flow. Mineral water “Slavyanovskaya, enriched with silver” has a longer effect on cellular metabolism, microcirculation and micro-lymphatic flow than mineral water “Slavyanovskaya”. A statistically significant positive effect of cell metabolism activation was detected both 30 minutes and 24 hours after exposure.
Thus, this method of processing mineral water with silver sulfate not only does not decrease its positive physiological effect, but also improves it, prolonging its action, which makes further use of silver preparations in the processing of mineral water justified.
History Pages of the National Medical Research Center of Rehabilitation and Balneology
Authors: Shakula A.V. , Limonov V.I. , Kachurovsky I.A.
Published: October 2020

In 2021 the National medical research center of rehabilitation and balneology (NMIC RK) marks one hundred years. This is one of the specialized scientific institutions created in the country in the first years of the existence of Soviet power.
From the first months of the reign of Soviet power, it became obvious that the resort business was at a new stage of development. Under Nicholas II, as with his predecessors, resort business was treated as something secondary, philanthropic. Only with the advent of socialism was a resort business in the USSR of the 1920s. acquired important state significance. First of all, it was decided to create in a short time the necessary number of specialized research institutes. Within a few years, a network of special institutions for the scientific support of resort business was created. One of the first was the NMIC RK.
The history of this Center is unique, but still little studied. The purpose of the study is to, based on archival materials and publications, characterize the history of the Center, identify its role in the development of balneology.
Resortology of the USSR has become an independent multi-industry sphere. the Centre has made a significant contribution to this through its scientific achievements and high efficiency. Scientists of the NMIC RK tried to keep up with the demands of the authorities and worked for the benefit of the population and economy of the country. the center faced a number of problems after the change of the country's political structure in the 1990s, but this did not prevent it from maintaining the scientific potential and professionalism of its employees, modernizing the logistics, improving the quality of work and introducing the results of research into the practice of the country's resort business.
Physiotherapy Complex for the Treatment of Children with Somatoform Dysfunction, Often Suffering from Recurrent Infection
Authors: Kulikova N.G. , Volkova I.V. , Tkachenko A.S.
Published: October 2020

The aim. to optimize the treatment of children with ADHD who often suffer from recurrent infections by justifying the effectiveness of a therapeutic and physiotherapy complex that includes a BOS-bioacoustic effect on the head area and NILI on the projection of the cubital area and thymus.
Method of research. In children (140 people) with a verified diagnosis of ADHD, often suffering from recurrent infection, humoral-cellular immunity indicators (immunoglobulins: IgA; IgG; IgM); T-and B-lymphocytes; cytokines) were studied in the dynamics of the use of therapeutic measures. Depending on the applied physiotherapy method of treatment, the children were divided into 3 groups: the 1st group-received NILI on the projection of the cubital area and thymus, the 2nd – received BOS-bioacoustic effect on the head area, the 3rd – developed physiotherapy complex, including BOS-bioacoustic effect on the head area and NILI on the projection of the cubital area and thymus.
Conclusion. the developed physiotherapy complex, including BOS-bioacoustic effect on the head area and NILI on the projection of the cubital area and thymus, can be considered as a therapeutic and preventive model of respiratory viral attacks in children with SSDVNS, since it reduces the number of recurrent viral attacks by 3.7 times, correcting the activity of circulating cytokines, T-lymphocytes (CD3+), T-helpers (CD4+) and T-suppressors (CD8+) in the population white blood cells.
International Experience of Using Accelerators for Development of Digital Innovations
Authors: Staliarova E. V.
Published: October 2020

This article describes international experience in the area of setup and development of accelerators as the source of innovations, including innovations in the sphere of digital economy. This research also presents main characteristics of accelerators, their classification and main differences from business-incubators. It also includes analysis of main activity indicators of leading accelerators in the world, based on the data of Global Accelerator Network, as well as ranking of different types of accelerators. There is also analysis of the current situation in Belarus with accelerators, including main problems as well as recommendations on further development.
Regional Digital Business Platform
Authors: Dubko N. A.
Published: October 2020

The article considers the importance of entrepreneurship development both for the region and for the country as a whole. The relevance of digitalization in Belarus is described. Some results of a questionnaire survey conducted with the participation of the author of small and medium-sized businesses of the Vitebsk region to study problems and necessary directions of regional entrepreneurship development were analyzed, carried out within the framework of the international technical assistance project. The necessity and prerequisites of creating a digital platform within which the management bodies interact with entrepreneurs are justified. The main goals of digital business platform creation, its ecosystem and main functions are presented, the conclusion on expediency of business platform functioning is made.
LABOR PSYCHOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF A PANDEMIC: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS LABOR PSYCHOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF A PANDEMIC: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS (Review of the scientific discussion in the laboratory of labor psychology, ergonomics, engineering and organizational psychology, IP RAS, held on September 10, 2020)
Authors: Занковский А.Н.
Published: October 2020

В статье проанализированы ход и результаты недавней научной дискуссии, посвященной задачам психологии труда и организационной психологии в условиях пандемии, которая оказывает огромное влияние на профессиональный труд. Были выделены наиболее актуальные проблемы, которые должны решать психологи труда. Сегодня психологи труда имеют уникальную возможность внести свой вклад в формирование моделей будущих форм профессиональной деятельности и помочь выработке организационной политики и практики, которые значительно повысят жизнестойкость субъекта труда даже условиях повторных экономических и пандемических кризисов. В ходе дискуссии было высказано пожелание сделать такие обсуждения актуальных проблем психологии труда и организационной психологии регулярными, приглашая для диалога ведущих психологов страны.

The article analyzes the course and results of a recent scientific discussion on the problems of labor psychology and organizational psychology in the context of a pandemic that has a huge impact on professional work. The most urgent problems that labor psychologists should solve were highlighted. Today, labor psychologists have a unique opportunity to contribute to the formation of models for future forms of professional activity and help develop organizational policies and practices that will significantly increase the resilience of the labor subject even in the face of repeated economic and pandemic crises. During the discussion, a desire was expressed to make such discussions of topical issues of labor psychology and organizational psychology regular, inviting leading psychologists of the country for a dialogue.
INCOME TAX GROUPING AS TAX MANAGEMENT TOOL: LESSONS FROM EU WITH FOCUS ON POLAND
Authors: Karpowicz Andrzej
Published: October 2020

The paper discusses the availability tax grouping among EU countries as well as benefits and costs of this tax incentive. Article focuses on Poland, where real usage of this tax management tool is analysed. Grounds for its (low) popularity are investigated. Analysis was made primarily based on observation of values and time trends build on data published by Polish Ministry of Finance, Statistical Yearbooks, PwC reports and Eurostat. Although tax grouping for corporate income tax purposes is offered by half of EU Member States, Poland is the only CEE country that offers this tax allowance. However, Polish corporations rarely use it in practice. Reasons include elevated entry requirements, lack of VAT grouping, low corporate income tax rate, lack of additional withholding tax benefits, no possibility of tax losses utilization, profitability requirements or retroactive duties in case of losing a status of a tax group. Those obstacles seem to outweigh the benefits of higher net return on capital, decreased transfer pricing requirements, higher liquidity and limited tax compliance burden. Those limited gains are prized primarily by biggest Polish entities, which indeed use tax grouping. The novelty and value of this paper lies in analysis of important topic from practical perspective, which was not thoroughly verified before both in Poland but also in other jurisdictions. It may also serve as a hint for managers considering entrance in a tax group and policymakers, while amending tax law regulations.
Moderate-resolution K-band Spectroscopy of Substellar Companion κ Andromedae b
Authors: Hoch Kielan K. W. , Konopacky Quinn M. , Barman Travis S. , Theissen Christopher A. , Ruffio Jean-Baptiste , Brock Laci , Macintosh Bruce , Marois Christian
Published: October 2020

We present moderate-resolution (R ∼ 4000) K-band spectra of the “super-Jupiter,” κ Andromedae b. The data were taken with the OSIRIS integral field spectrograph at Keck Observatory. The spectra reveal resolved molecular lines from H2O and CO, and are compared to a custom PHOENIX atmosphere model grid appropriate for young planetary-mass objects. We fit the data using a Markov chain Monte Carlo forward-modeling method. Using a combination of our moderate-resolution spectrum and low-resolution, broadband data from the literature, we derive an effective temperature of T
eff = 1950–2150 K, a surface gravity of

, and a metallicity of [M/H] = −0.2–0.0. These values are consistent with previous estimates from atmospheric modeling and the currently favored young age of the system (<50 Myr). We derive a C/O ratio of

for the source, broadly consistent with the solar C/O ratio. This, coupled with the slightly subsolar metallicity, implies a composition consistent with that of the host star, and is suggestive of formation by a rapid process. The subsolar metallicity of κ Andromedae b is also consistent with predictions of formation via gravitational instability. Further constraints on formation of the companion will require measurement of the C/O ratio of κ Andromedae A. We also measure the radial velocity of κ Andromedae b for the first time, with a value of −1.4 ± 0.9 km s−1 relative to the host star. We find that the derived radial velocity is consistent with the estimated high eccentricity of κ Andromedae b.
ALMA 0.″02 Resolution Observations Reveal HCN-abundance-enhanced Counter-rotating and Outflowing Dense Molecular Gas at the NGC 1068 Nucleus
Authors: Imanishi 今西 Masatoshi 昌俊 , Nguyen Dieu D. , Wada 和 Keiichi 田桂一 , Hagiwara 萩原 Yoshiaki 喜昭 , Iguchi 井口 Satoru 聖 , Izumi 泉拓 Takuma 磨 , Kawakatu 川勝 Nozomu 望 , Nakanishi 中西 Kouichiro 康一郎 , Onishi 大西 Kyoko 響子
Published: October 2020

We present ALMA ∼0.″02 resolution observations of the nucleus of the nearby (∼14 Mpc) type 2 active galactic nucleus NGC 1068 at HCN/HCO+/HNC J = 3–2 lines, as well as at their 13C isotopologue and vibrationally excited lines, to scrutinize the morphological, dynamical, chemical, and physical properties of dense molecular gas in the putative dusty molecular torus around a mass-accreting supermassive black hole. We confirm almost east–west-oriented dense molecular gas emission both morphologically and dynamically, which we regard as coming from the torus. Bright emission is compact (≲3 pc), and low-surface-brightness emission extends out to 5–7 pc. These dense molecular gas properties are not symmetric between the eastern and western torus. The HCN J = 3–2 emission is stronger than the HCO+
J = 3–2 emission within the ∼7 pc torus region, with an estimated dense molecular mass of (0.4–1.0) × 106
M
⊙. We interpret that HCN abundance is enhanced in the torus. We detect signatures of outflowing dense molecular gas and a vibrationally excited HCN J = 3–2 line. Finally, we find that in the innermost (≲1 pc) part of the torus, the dense molecular line rotation velocity, relative to the systemic velocity, is the opposite of that in the outer (≳2 pc) part, in both the eastern and western torus. We prefer a scenario of counter-rotating dense molecular gas with innermost almost Keplerian rotation and outer slowly rotating (far below Keplerian) components. Our high-spatial-resolution dense molecular line data reveal that torus properties of NGC 1068 are much more complicated than the simple axisymmetrically rotating torus picture in the classical active galactic nucleus unification paradigm.
Rotation Curves in z ∼ 1–2 Star-forming Disks: Evidence for Cored Dark Matter Distributions
Authors: Genzel R. , Price S. H. , Übler H. , Förster Schreiber N. M. , Shimizu T. T. , Tacconi L. J. , Bender R. , Burkert A. , Contursi A. , Coogan R. , Davies R. L. , Davies R. I. , Dekel A. , Herrera-Camus R. , Lee M.-J. , Lutz D. , Naab T. , Neri R. , Nestor A. , Renzini A. , Saglia R. , Schuster K. , Sternberg A. , Wisnioski E. , Wuyts S.
Published: October 2020

We report high-quality, Hα or CO rotation curves (RCs) to several R

e
for 41 large, massive, star-forming disk galaxies (SFGs) across the peak of cosmic galaxy evolution (z ∼ 0.67–2.45), taken with the ESO-VLT, the LBT and IRAM-NOEMA. Most RC41 SFGs have reflection-symmetric RCs plausibly described by equilibrium dynamics. We fit the major axis position–velocity cuts using beam-convolved forward modeling generated in three dimensions, with models that include a bulge and turbulent disk component embedded in a dark matter (DM) halo. We include priors for stellar and molecular gas masses, optical light effective radii and inclinations, and DM masses from abundance-matching scaling relations. Two-thirds or more of the z ≥ 1.2 SFGs are baryon dominated within a few R

e
of typically 5.5 kpc and have DM fractions less than maximal disks (median

〈

f

DM

(

R

e

)
〉
=
0.12

). At lower redshift (z < 1.2), that fraction is less than one-third. DM fractions correlate inversely with the baryonic angular momentum parameter, baryonic surface density, and bulge mass. Inferred low DM fractions cannot apply to the entire disk and halo but more plausibly reflect a flattened, or cored, inner DM density distribution. The typical central “DM deficit” in these cores relative to Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW) distributions is ∼30% of the bulge mass. The observations are consistent with rapid radial transport of baryons in the first-generation massive gas-rich halos forming globally gravitationally unstable disks and leading to efficient build-up of massive bulges and central black holes. A combination of heating due to dynamical friction and AGN feedback may drive DM out of the initial cusps.
Two Modes of Carbonaceous Dust Alignment
Authors: Lazarian A.
Published: October 2020

Radiative torques (RATs) or mechanical torques acting on irregular grains can induce the alignment of dust grains in respect to the alignment axis (AA), which can be either the direction of the magnetic field or the direction of the radiation. We show that carbonaceous grains can be aligned with their axes both parallel and perpendicular to the AA, and we explore the conditions where the particular mode of alignment takes place. We identify a new process of alignment of charged carbonaceous grains in a turbulent, magnetized interstellar medium with respect to an electric field. This field acts on grains accelerated in a turbulent medium and gyrorotating about a magnetic field. The electric field can also arise from the temporal variations of the magnetic field strength in turbulent, compressible media. The direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the magnetic field, and the carbonaceous grains precess in the electric field because of their electric moments. If this precession is faster than Larmor precession in the magnetic field, the alignment of such grains is with their long axes parallel to the magnetic field. We explore the parameter space for which the new mechanism aligns grains with long axes parallel to the magnetic field. We compare this mechanism with another process that provides the same type of alignment, namely, the RAT alignment of grains with insufficiently fast internal relaxation. We describe the conditions for which the particular mode of carbonaceous grain alignment is realized and discuss what information can be obtained by measuring the resulting polarization.
A Theory for the Maximum Magnitude versus Rate of Decline Relation of Classical Novae
Authors: Hachisu Izumi , Saio Hideyuki , Kato Mariko , Henze Martin , Shafter Allen W.
Published: October 2020

We propose a theory for the maximum magnitude versus rate of decline (MMRD) relation of novae using free–free emission model light curves built on the optically thick wind theory. We calculated

for various sets of

, where

is the peak absolute V magnitude, t
3 is the 3 mag decay time from the peak, and

is the mass accretion rate onto the white dwarf (WD) of mass M
WD. The model light curves are uniquely characterized by

, where M
env is the hydrogen-rich envelope mass and M
sc is the scaling mass at which the wind has a certain wind mass-loss rate. For a given ignition mass M
ig, we can specify the first point

on the model light curve and calculate the corresponding peak brightness and t
3 time from this first point. Our

points cover well the distribution of existing novae. The lower the mass accretion rate, the brighter the peak. The maximum brightness is limited to

by the lowest mass accretion rate of

yr−1. A significant part of the observational MMRD trend corresponds to the

yr−1 line with different WD masses. A scatter from the trend line indicates a variation in their mass accretion rates. Thus, the global trend of an MMRD relation does exist, but its scatter is too large for it to be a precision distance indicator of individual novae.
Understanding uncertainty in the Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (ICAT) assessments
Authors: Probert Anna F. , Volery Lara , Kumschick Sabrina , Vimercati Giovanni , Bacher Sven
Published: October 2020

The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) and the Socio-Economic Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (SEICAT) have been proposed to provide unified methods for classifying alien species according to their magnitude of impacts. EICAT and SEICAT (herein “ICAT” when refered together) were designed to facilitate the comparison between taxa and invasion contexts by using a standardised, semi-quantitative scoring scheme. The ICAT scores are assigned after conducting a literature review to evaluate all impact observations against the protocols’ criteria. EICAT classifies impacts on the native biota of the recipient environments, whereas SEICAT classifies impacts on human activities. A key component of the process is to assign a level of confidence (high, medium or low) to account for uncertainty. Assessors assign confidence scores to each impact record depending on how confident they are that the assigned impact magnitude reflects the true situation. All possible sources of epistemic uncertainty are expected to be captured by one overall confidence score, neglecting linguistic uncertainties that assessors should be aware of. The current way of handling uncertainty is prone to subjectivity and therefore might lead to inconsistencies amongst assessors. This paper identifies the major sources of uncertainty for impacts classified under the ICAT frameworks, where they emerge in the assessment process and how they are likely to be contributing to biases and inconsistency in assessments. In addition, as the current procedures only capture uncertainty at the individual impact report, interspecific comparisons may be limited by various factors, including data availability. Therefore, ranking species, based on impact magnitude under the present systems, does not account for such uncertainty. We identify three types of biases occurring beyond the individual impact report level (and not captured by the confidence score): biases in the existing data, data collection and data assessment. These biases should be recognised when comparing alien species based on their impacts. Clarifying uncertainty concepts relevant to the ICAT frameworks will lead to more consistent impact assessments and more robust intra- and inter-specific comparisons of impact magnitudes.
Improving the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT): a summary of revisions to the framework and guidelines
Authors: Volery Lara , Blackburn Tim M. , Bertolino Sandro , Evans Thomas , Genovesi Piero , Kumschick Sabrina , Roy Helen E. , Smith Kevin G. , Bacher Sven
Published: October 2020

The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) classifies the impacts caused by alien species in their introduced range in standardised terms across taxa and recipient environments. Impacts are classified into one of five levels of severity, from Minimal Concern to Massive, via one of 12 impact mechanisms. Here, we explain revisions based on an IUCN-wide consultation process to the previously-published EICAT framework and guidelines, to clarify why these changes were necessary. These changes mainly concern: the distinction between the two highest levels of impact severity (Major and Massive impacts), the scenarios of the five levels of severity for the hybridisation and disease transmission mechanisms, the broadening of existing impact mechanisms to capture overlooked mechanisms, the Current (Maximum) Impact, and the way uncertainty of individual impact assessments is evaluated. Our aim in explaining this revision process is to ensure consistency of EICAT assessments, by improving the understanding of the framework.
The importance of assessing positive and beneficial impacts of alien species
Authors: Vimercati Giovanni , Kumschick Sabrina , Probert Anna F. , Volery Lara , Bacher Sven
Published: October 2020

Extensive literature is available on the diversity and magnitude of impacts that alien species cause on recipient systems. Alien species may decrease or increase attributes of ecosystems (e.g. total biomass or species diversity), thus causing negative and positive environmental impacts. Alien species may also negatively or positively impact attributes linked to local human communities (e.g. the number of people involved in a given activity). Ethical and societal values contribute to define these environmental and socio-economic impacts as deleterious or beneficial. Whilst most of the literature focuses on the deleterious effects of alien taxa, some recognise their beneficial impacts on ecosystems and human activities. Impact assessment frameworks show a similar tendency to evaluate mainly deleterious impacts: only relatively few, and not widely applied, frameworks incorporate the beneficial impacts of alien species. Here, we provide a summary of the frameworks assessing beneficial impacts and briefly discuss why they might have been less frequently cited and applied than frameworks assessing exclusively deleterious impacts. Then, we review arguments that invoke a greater consideration of positive and beneficial impacts caused by alien species across the invasion science literature. We collate and describe arguments from a set of 47 papers, grouping them in two categories (value-free and value-laden), which span from a theoretical, basic science perspective to an applied science perspective. We also provide example cases associated with each argument. We advocate that the development of transparent and evidence-based frameworks assessing positive and beneficial impacts might advance our scientific understanding of impact dynamics and better inform management and prioritisation decisions. We also advise that this development should be achieved by recognising the underlying ethical and societal values of the frameworks and their intrinsic limitations. The evaluation of positive and beneficial impacts through impact assessment frameworks should not be seen as an attempt to outweigh or to discount deleterious impacts of alien taxa but rather as an opportunity to provide additional information for scientists, managers and policymakers.
Applying the Convention on Biological Diversity Pathway Classification to alien species in Europe
Authors: Pergl Jan , Brundu Giuseppe , Harrower Colin A. , Cardoso Ana C. , Genovesi Piero , Katsanevakis Stelios , Lozano Vanessa , Perglová Irena , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Richards Gareth , Roques Alain , Rorke Stephanie L. , Scalera Ricardo , Schönrogge Karsten , Stewart Alan , Tricarico Elena , Tsiamis Konstatinos , Vannini Andrea , Vilà Montserrat , Zenetos Argyro , Roy Helen E.
Published: October 2020

The number of alien species arriving within new regions has increased at unprecedented rates. Managing the pathways through which alien species arrive and spread is important to reduce the threat of biological invasions. Harmonising information on pathways across individual sectors and user groups is therefore critical to underpin policy and action. The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) has been developed to easily facilitate open access to data of alien species in Europe. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Pathway Classification framework has become a global standard for the classification of pathways. We followed a structured approach to assign pathway information within EASIN for a subset of alien species in Europe, which covered 4169 species, spanning taxonomic groups and environments. We document constraints and challenges associated with implementing the CBD Pathway Classification framework and propose potential amendments to increase clarity. This study is unique in the scope of taxonomic coverage and also in the inclusion of primary (independent introductions to Europe) and secondary (means of dispersal for species expansion within Europe, after their initial introduction) modes of introduction. In addition, we summarise the patterns of introduction pathways within this subset of alien species within the context of Europe.

Based on the analyses, we confirm that the CBD Pathway Classification framework offers a robust, hierarchical system suitable for the classification of alien species introduction and spread across a wide range of taxonomic groups and environments. However, simple modifications could improve interpretation of the pathway categories ensuring consistent application across databases and information systems at local, national, regional, continental and global scales. Improving consistency would also help in the development of pathway action plans, as required by EU legislation.
Radioactivity of building materials in Mahallat, Iran – an area exposed to a high level of natural background radiation – attenuation of external radiation doses
Authors: Shahrokhi A. , Adelikhah M. , Chalupnik S. , Kocsis E. , Toth-Bodrogi E. , Kovács T.
Published: October 2020

In this study, mass activity of naturally occurring radioactive materials were measured in twenty-three building material samples, use extensively in the area exposed to a high level of natural background radiation (Mahallat, Iran), to determine the radioactivity index and changes to the level of indoor gamma radiation. The mass activity of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K were within the ranges from 18 ± 3 to 44 ± 10 Bq/kg (average of 27 ± 6 Bq/kg), 22 ± 5 to 53 ± 14 Bq/kg (average of 34 ± 6 Bq/kg) and 82 ± 18 to 428 ± 79 Bq/kg (average of 276 ± 58 Bq/kg), respectively. The gamma dose rates for population were estimated between 48 ± 9 and 111 ± 26 nGy/h with exception of radon exhalation from building materials. Since the air kerma rate in the town varies from 0.8 to 4 μGy/h, the attenuation coefficient was calculated for buildings made of the aforementioned materials. Additionally, the annual gamma radiation doses for inhabitants were calculated based on time spent outdoors and indoors.
Comportamiento macromecánico de uniones soldadas de superficie (AA5083) utilizando soldadura con gas inerte de tungsteno con recocido de homogeneización en una sola etapa
Authors: Muzamil Muhammad , Wu Jianjun , Samiuddin Muhammad , Majeed Arfan , Uddin Siddiqui Sumair , Mudassir Muhammad
Published: October 2020

Las uniones soldadas de superficie se consideran una estrategia avanzada e innovadora para lograr una resistencia aceptable sin consumir excesiva energía en la preparación de las muestras. Se soldaron dos superficies planas de la aleación AA5083 desde cuatro lados y utilizando el mismo material de relleno. En el análisis de la soldadura de superficie, se logró una profundidad de fusión de hasta 2 - 2,2 mm en cada lado, aunque la parte central permaneció sin fusionar. Después de la unión, se realizó un recocido de homogeneización a 275 y 325 °C durante 3 h, lo que aumentó el rendimiento de la unión hasta un 57,6%. Las micrografías ópticas de las zonas fusionadas han permitido la visibilidad de combinación alternativa de Al6(Mn, Fe) y Mg2Si con el aumento de la temperatura de recocido de 275 a 325 °C. Las observaciones de la superficie de la fractura incluyen el límite de la interface de la zona completamente fusionada (CFZ) y la zona fusionada del material base (BMFZ), que en combinación definieron todo el mecanismo de la fractura.
Relationships Among Economy, Industry, Vocational Education and Training and Higher Engineering Education – The Trefort Project Editorial
Authors: Simonics Istvan
Published: October 2020

It is a great pleasure to contribute some words to the debate about Engineering Education as well as to broaden the discussion about the future evolution of this discipline. Thanks to the International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP) and its editor-in-chief, Matthias Utesch, as well as to the collaboration between the IGIP (International Society for Engineering Pedagogy), we have received a possibility to collect the best papers of our 9th Trefort Ágoston Conference on Vocational Education and Training and Technical Teacher Training at Óbuda University (ÓE) Electrical Engineering Faculty in Budapest, in Hungary. The Conference was organized as an IGIP Regional Conference for the third time. Before introducing the articles, I summarize the main important elements influencing the Higher Engineering Education in Hungary. The Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, companies are seeking to harness new and emerging technologies to reach higher levels of efficiency of production and consumption, expand into new markets, and compete on new products for a global consumer base composed increasingly of digital natives. There are several requirements for qualified engineers: they have to be creative, critical thinking, complex program solvers and have to have competencies of cognitive flexibility, high-level communication, teamwork, and application of foreign languages. At our university, we have recognized several problems according to SWOT analyses. Not enough number of students would like to select STEM faculties. The rate of early school leaving (ESL) is too high in the STEM area. Requests of the Labor market have not appeared in Training curricula. The candidate students do not know the future carrier and the content they have to learn. In secondary schools, the development of basic competencies and STEM subjects is not effective e.g. teaching Math is not practice-oriented, this is why the results of students on PISA tests are weaker. The preparation for higher education is not enough, which leads to ESL by the end of the first year in higher education. The quality of knowledge of secondary education pupils is an important input for engineering higher education. The vocational secondary schools can provide the majority of starting engineering studies at technical universities. The technical teacher training prepares the vocational teachers for secondary vocational schools. The quality of technical teacher training, the adequacy of curricula to professional needs can be key questions for the future of engineering education. The practice of vocational teacher-students is a basic element of their studies. These practices are organized in secondary vocational schools. But realizing these practices needs a mentor teacher. In this Trefort Project, we selected 6 presentations and asked the authors to submit their articles for a Special Issue of the International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP).
A sixty-day battle to tackle food security – response of the Sri Lankan government to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Marambe Buddhi , Silva Pradeepa
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the global status to a new position where Sri Lanka has been impacted many ways among which Agriculture is a prime when the food security is concerned. This editorial has evaluated the situations by elaborating the opportunities created in expanding the agriculture sector. Importance of holistic approach, informed decision making and collective actions with a focus, have been highlighted as the key elements in facing the post pandemic in the anticipated new normal era.
Sesame as a potential cash crop: an alternative source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria
Authors: Sadiq M. S. , Singh I. P. , Ahmad M. M.
Published: October 2020

Despite the high demand for sesame for both local and industrial consumption both at home and abroad, this potential money-spinning cash crop commodity is almost an orphan crop in a country (Nigeria) that is facing economic crises owing to dwindling price of the mono-economy which it solely depends on for economic survival. The yarning of the present government for an alternative source of foreign earnings viz. cash crops motivated this research with the aim of advising policymakers to take the advantage of this money-spinning cash crop and unearth its’ potential in order to bridge its’ wide-gap foreign exchange earning deficit. Dated data sourced from FAO database for a spanned period of 56 years (1961-2017) covering production, area, yield and producer prices were used. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aim of coming-up with valid inferences. The inferential statistics used were Growth model, Instability index, Instantaneous decomposition model, Hazell’s decomposition model, Koyck’s distributed lag model and ARIMA model. The empirical evidence showed that the performance of the sesame economy has not been impressive throughout the policy regime periods witnessed by the economy which owed to poor institutional supports by the policymakers which invariably affected the viability of this cash crop sub-sector, thus causing the country colossal revenue loss from foreign exchange earnings which run into millions of dollars as their exist potential readily available market for sesame products. Furthermore, the performance of the country’s sesame production even in the next decade ahead will not be impressive if the internal sesame supply chain will be largely determined by the market forces as the current sesame market is been strangled by market imperfection owing to sharp market practices perpetuated by the middlemen in the supply chain. Therefore, the study recommends the need for provision of adequate institutional incentive supports by the major stakeholders in order to make the sesame sub-sector a potential foreign exchange earning which will serve as one of the viable potential alternatives to fossil fuel earning which is dwindle due to gradual paradigm shift from fossil fuel energy to green energy and the use of black gold (crude oil) as an instrument for political tango among the superpower blocks in the world.
Effect of spraying of essential oils and passive modified atmosphere packaging on selected postharvest quality parameters and stem-end rot development in Mangifera indica (cultivar Karthakolomban)
Authors: Kodituwakku T. D. , Abeywickrama K. , Karunanayake K. O. L. C.
Published: October 2020

Mangifera indica L. (cultivar Karthakolomban) is more prone to stem-end rot (SER) disease that causes substantial postharvest losses in quality as well as quantity. The objective of this study was to use aqueous emulsions of basil (1.6 μL/mL), clove (2.0 μL/mL), cinnamon leaf (2.0 μL/mL) and cinnamon bark (1.6 μL/mL) oils as sprays with passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in low density polyethylene (LDPE) bags as a bio-safe strategy to control SER of ‘Karthakolomban’ mango stored at 12 – 14°C and 85 – 90% of relative humidity. Distilled water and 0.1% (w/v) carbendazim 50WP treatments were used as negative and positive controls respectively. In-package respiratory gases were measured during storage for 8 days. Pathological, physicochemical, sensory properties and peel color of mango were assessed after ripening fruits at the end of the storage period. All essential oil treatments combined with passive MAP significantly reduced SER severity of mango more than 93% when compared to the negative control without adversely affecting peel colour and some physicochemical properties like total soluble solids and firmness. Mango fruits treated with basil, clove and cinnamon leaf oils obtained a higher preference by the sensory panel than other treatments. In-package O2 concentration was at 3.8 – 5.8%, while CO2 was at 4.3 – 5.0% at the end of the 8-day storage period. Respiratory gas levels attained a steady state equilibrium which resulted in extending the shelf life. Further, T1, T2 and T3 treatments can be commercialized as eco-friendly treatment strategies to be used during transportation and storage of mango in local trade within one week and for exportation via air cargo that takes approximately 2 – 3 days.
Morphological and molecular identification of fungal species associated with postharvest stem-end rot disease of avocado in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nilmini R. K. , Panapitiya D. , Abeywickrama K. , Kuruppu M.
Published: October 2020

Avocado (Persia americana) is one of the most popular fruits grown in Sri Lanka. Postharvest infections occur wherever the crops are cultivated. Among them, stem-end rot (SER) is the major disease reported. Several fungal species including Lasiodiplodia and Dothiorella spp. have been reported to be associated with this disease in regions where avocado is grown. The aims of this research were to identify the fungal pathogens associated with the stem-end rot of avocado in Sri Lanka based on morphological characteristics in combination with molecular and phylogenetic analysis. Diseased avocado fruits were collected from local markets and causal agents were isolated. Colony morphology and characteristics of conidia were observed using phase-contrast microscopy. Sequence analysis was performed using internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA followed by phylogenetic analysis. Four endophytic fungal isolates were identified and designated as SER 01, SER 02, SER 03 and SER 04 which were distinguished respectively as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis, Diaporthe nelumbonis and Fusarium oxysporum. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence on the occurrence of L. hormozganensis, D. nelumbonis and F. oxysporum associated with SER of avocado in Sri Lanka. Identified pathogens were proven to be collectively pathogenic to avocado following demonstration of Koch’s postulates. The average value of collective disease severity after seven days of inoculation of avocado cv. Pollock was 40% at 280C and it always fluctuated between 30% and 45%.
Run duration effects on the hydrodynamic properties of a loam soil estimated by steady-state infiltration methods
Authors: Bagarello Vincenzo , David Sonia Maria
Published: October 2020

Steady-state methods for the analysis of single-ring infiltration data are commonly applied. However, the duration of an infiltrometer experiment is often established quite subjectively based on the assumption that in general infiltration stabilizes rather quickly in the field. For a loam soil, the effect of the duration of a beerkan run on sorptivity, S, and saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, was tested by using the BEST (Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer parameters)-steady method and SSBI (Steady version of the Simplified method based on a Beerkan Infiltration run) method for data analysis. The standard experiment, based on a total of 15 water volumes each establishing an initial ponding depth of ~0.01 m (on average, 0.32 hours of infiltration), yielded approximately two and >100 times higher S and Ks values, respectively, than a long run (117 water volumes or 8.1 hours). Stabilization was faster for S (approximately in 3 hours) than Ks (6 hours). Similar Ks values were obtained with BEST-steady (192-261 mm/h) and the SSBI method (177-184 mm/h) for the standard run but not for the long-duration run (1.5-2.1 and 20-21 mm/h, respectively). This discrepancy was due to the fact that more information on the infiltration process is used by BEST-steady (total duration, total infiltrated water, steady-state infiltration rate) than the SSBI method (only the latter variable). In conclusion, Ks estimates are very sensitive to the used water volume for the run. The run duration should not only depend on the attainment of near steadiness, but also on the possibility of capturing the soil hydraulic behaviour in a representative situation for the hydrological process under study. In the near future, the possibility of using the hydrodynamic soil properties determined with the tested methodology to simulate rainfall effects on soil structure should be investigated.
CFD-based numerical simulation of cyclone separator for separating stigmas from petals of saffron
Authors: Nemati Javad , Beheshti Babak , Borghei Ali Mohammad
Published: October 2020

This study modelled numerically the flow of a fluid (air) and solid particles (saffron flower) inside a cyclone using the finite volume method in ANSYS Fluent. The continuous phase was simulated under steady state condition, as initial condition, using the Reynolds stress model for turbulence at three constant inlet air velocities of 1.5 m/s, 2.5 m/s, and 3.5 m/s over the inlet section. One-way coupling was assumed to govern all numerical analyses. The fluid phase and particles were treated as continuous medium (within a Eulerian framework) and discrete phase (within a Lagrangian framework), respectively. The equations governing the gas phase included the compressible Navier-Stokes equation and the conservation of mass equation. The discrete phase equations included the equations of motion for three different particles, including petals, stigmas, and anthers. According to the numerical results, the cyclone separation efficiency was calculated, and the static pressure and velocity contours were plotted. The results showed that the computational fluid dynamics-based simulation can provide an accurate demonstration of the behaviour of the fluid-solid phase. Accordingly, it can be used to predict the efficiency of stigma separation from petals of saffron using the airflow in the cyclone. According to the results, the highest cyclonic separation efficiency of 89% was achieved at an inlet air velocity of 3.5 m/s, which was very close to the experimental data.