bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytotoxicity and Other Adverse Effects on the In Vitro Shoot Cultures Caused by Virus Elimination Treatments: Reasons and Solutions
Authors: Magyar-Tábori Katalin , Mendler-Drienyovszki Nóra , Hanász Alexandra , Zsombik László , Dobránszki Judit
Published: March 2021

In general, in vitro virus elimination is based on the culture of isolated meristem, and in addition thermotherapy, chemotherapy, electrotherapy, and cryotherapy can also be applied. During these processes, plantlets suffer several stresses, which can result in low rate of survival, inhibited growth, incomplete development, or abnormal morphology. Even though the in vitro cultures survive the treatment, further development can be inhibited; thus, regeneration capacity of treated in vitro shoots or explants play also an important role in successful virus elimination. Sensitivity of genotypes to treatments is very different, and the rate of destruction largely depends on the physiological condition of plants as well. Exposure time of treatments affects the rate of damage in almost every therapy. Other factors such as temperature, illumination (thermotherapy), type and concentration of applied chemicals (chemo- and cryotherapy), and electric current intensity (electrotherapy) also may have a great impact on the rate of damage. However, there are several ways to decrease the harmful effect of treatments. This review summarizes the harmful effects of virus elimination treatments applied on tissue cultures reported in the literature. The aim of this review is to expound the solutions that can be used to mitigate phytotoxic and other adverse effects in practice.
Effect of Cladosporium cladosporioides on the Composition of Mycoflora and the Quality Parameters of Table Eggs during Storage
Authors: Jevinová Pavlina , Pipová Monika , Regecová Ivana , Demjanová Soňa , Semjon Boris , Marcinčák Slavomír , Nagy Jozef , Kožárová Ivona
Published: March 2021

The eggshells of 120 experimental one-day-old table eggs were contaminated with the spore suspension of Cladosporium cladosporioides, divided into three groups (A–C) and stored at three different temperatures (3 °C, 11 °C and 20 °C) for 28 days. Visible growth of molds on/in experimental eggs was not observed within the entire storage period. No significant differences in the numbers of molds were found between particular groups of eggs. However, the composition of egg mycoflora was greatly influenced by storage conditions. Three mold genera were identified using the PCR method. The highest mold numbers were determined on Day 14 (Groups A and C) and Day 21 (Group B) when the maximum relative humidity and dew point temperature were recorded. On the same days, the dominance of Penicillium spp. and the minimum eggshell firmness were observed. Noticeable changes in egg quality were observed in eggs stored at 20 °C, and most of these eggs were downgraded at the end of storage period. The growth ability differed significantly among three mold genera. Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. showed better growth intensity at increased values (0.91–0.94) of water activity (aw) indicating a possible risk associated with the occurrence of mycotoxins in the egg contents.
Therapeutic Effect of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Leaf Extract on Oral Mucositis Model Rats Induced by 5-Fluororacil via Influencing IL-1β and IL-6 Levels
Authors: Bakar Abu , Ningrum Valendriyani , Lee Shih-Chieh , Li Chi-Ting , Hsieh Chang-Wei , Wang Sue-Hong , Tsai Ming-Shun
Published: March 2021

Oral mucositis (OM) is the oral inflammation as manifestation of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Cinnamomum osmophloeum (CO), of which the constituents possess anti-inflammatory activities, may have potential to alleviate OM. In this study, laboratory rats were injected with 5-Fluororacil and their oral mucosa were irritated by 18-gauge needle pouching to induce OM. Rats were randomly divided into six experimental groups: without treatment (WT), only 100 mg/mL CO leaf extract (COLE) treatment (100-only), only 5-Fluororacil treatment (5-FU), 5-FU then treated with Triamcinolone acetonide orobase (5-FU+G), 5-FU then treated with 50 mg/mL COLE, and 5-FU then treated with 100 mg/mL COLE (5-FU+100). Body weights and food and water intakes during the experimental period were recorded. Macroscopic examination, histopathological analyses, and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels of these rats were evaluated or determined. No significant difference was found between the WT and 100-only groups. Results of macroscopic examinations, histopathological analyses, body weight changes, food and water intakes, and serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels showed significant therapeutic effects of the 5-FU+100 group compared to the 5-FU group. These finding suggest that COLE can be one of potential remedies for OM therapy through influencing proinflammatory cytokine levels.
Preparation of Ophthalmic Microemulsions Containing Lithuanian Royal Jelly and Their Biopharmaceutical Evaluation
Authors: Perminaite Kristina , Marksa Mindaugas , Ivanauskas Liudas , Ramanauskiene Kristina
Published: March 2021

Royal jelly is a natural substance secreted by worker honeybees that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other biological activities. The purpose of this study was to formulate microemulsions with incorporated Lithuanian royal jelly for possible ophthalmic delivery and to evaluate the quality of the microemulsions in vitro. The oil in water type microemulsions were prepared by the oil titration method, incorporating royal jelly, surfactant, co-surfactant, oil, and water. Physicochemical characteristics of the microemulsions and the quantity of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid released in vitro were assessed. The in vitro assessment of prepared microemulsions formulations was performed with the Statens Seruminstitut rabbit cornea (SIRC) cell culture model. The results revealed that the droplet size of all microemulsion formulations was 67.88–124.2 nm and the polydispersity index was lower than 0.180. In the in vitro release study, the release of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid depended on the amount of royal jelly incorporated and on the ratio of surfactant and co-surfactant in formulations. The in vitro tests with the SIRC cell culture line have shown that all formulations were found non-irritating.
Enhancing Microplastics Removal from Wastewater Using Electro-Coagulation and Granule-Activated Carbon with Thermal Regeneration
Authors: Kim Keug Tae , Park Sanghwa
Published: March 2021

Discharge from sewage treatment plants (STPs) is a significant pathway of entry for microplastics (MPs) to the environment. Therefore, STPs should be considered as an important barrier to the distribution and circulation of MPs in the aquatic environment. In this study, the fate and material-specific properties of MPs were investigated in an STP-equipped and granule-activated carbon (GAC) tower with a thermal regeneration system. This system functioned with a tertiary treatment unit. The GAC with thermal regeneration removed 92.8% of MPs and was useful for removing MPs with a specific gravity less than that of water and with a size of 20–50 µm, which had negligible removal in the conventional STP process. In addition, a lab-scale electric-coagulation experiment was conducted to examine its potential utility as a pretreatment process for further enhancing the removal efficiency of MPs by GAC. After 30 min of electro-coagulation using aluminum electrodes, 90% of MPs were converted into separable flocs by centrifugation. These flocs may be effectively removed by GAC or other tertiary treatment steps. This study demonstrates that GAC with thermal regeneration is a tertiary process that can efficiently prohibit the release of MPs from STPs and circulation of MPs in the natural environment.
The Catholic Religious Presence in Civil Society: A Waning Influence
Authors: Formicola Jo Renee
Published: March 2021

The Catholic Church is becoming a waning influence in global civil society. This is due, in part, to demographic changes that show an increasing loss of adherents within the Church’s traditional strongholds. Coupled with the growth of liberal social policies and continuing revelations about the crimes of sexual abuse by its clergy, the Church is being forced to reconsider how to continue as a moral advocate in civil society. It has sought to do this by recalibrating its position in global church-state relations, moving toward a non-ideological or “third way” of politics, and seeking non-partisan solutions to social justice needs. However, even this shift has not been sufficient to address the erosion of the Church’s positive, political influence globally. For the Church to be successful in this goal, it will be necessary to totally re-set its social agenda as well as its religious priorities. Such tasks, however, will be difficult at best and almost impossible to accomplish where the primary obstacle for successful political efficacy and internally meaningful change is the Church’s own mismanagement of its two-millennia-old ecclesiastical structure.
Knowledge and Spatial Pyramid Distance-Based Gated Graph Attention Network for Remote Sensing Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Cui Wei , He Xin , Yao Meng , Wang Ziwei , Hao Yuanjie , Li Jie , Wu Weijie , Zhao Huilin , Xia Cong , Li Jin , Cui Wenqi
Published: March 2021

The pixel-based semantic segmentation methods take pixels as recognitions units, and are restricted by the limited range of receptive fields, so they cannot carry richer and higher-level semantics. These reduce the accuracy of remote sensing (RS) semantic segmentation to a certain extent. Comparing with the pixel-based methods, the graph neural networks (GNNs) usually use objects as input nodes, so they not only have relatively small computational complexity, but also can carry richer semantic information. However, the traditional GNNs are more rely on the context information of the individual samples and lack geographic prior knowledge that reflects the overall situation of the research area. Therefore, these methods may be disturbed by the confusion of “different objects with the same spectrum” or “violating the first law of geography” in some areas. To address the above problems, we propose a remote sensing semantic segmentation model called knowledge and spatial pyramid distance-based gated graph attention network (KSPGAT), which is based on prior knowledge, spatial pyramid distance and a graph attention network (GAT) with gating mechanism. The model first uses superpixels (geographical objects) to form the nodes of a graph neural network and then uses a novel spatial pyramid distance recognition algorithm to recognize the spatial relationships. Finally, based on the integration of feature similarity and the spatial relationships of geographic objects, a multi-source attention mechanism and gating mechanism are designed to control the process of node aggregation, as a result, the high-level semantics, spatial relationships and prior knowledge can be introduced into a remote sensing semantic segmentation network. The experimental results show that our model improves the overall accuracy by 4.43% compared with the U-Net Network, and 3.80% compared with the baseline GAT network.
A Study about the Temporal Constraints on the Martian Yardangs’ Development in Medusae Fossae Formation
Authors: Liu Jia , Yue Zongyu , Di Kaichang , Gou Sheng , Niu Shengli
Published: March 2021

The age of Mars yardangs is significant in studying their development and the evolution of paleoclimate conditions. For planetary surface or landforms, a common method for dating is based on the frequency and size distribution of all the superposed craters after they are formed. However, there is usually a long duration for the yardangs’ formation, and they will alter the superposed craters, making it impossible to give a reliable dating result with the method. An indirect method by analyzing the ages of the superposed layered ejecta was devised in the research. First, the layered ejecta that are superposed on and not altered by the yardangs are identified and mapped. Then, the ages of the layered ejecta are derived according to the crater frequency and size distribution on them. These ages indicate that the yardangs ceased development by these times, and the ages are valuable for studying the evolution of the yardangs. This indirect dating method was applied to the areas of Martian yardangs in the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF). The ages of the selected six layered ejecta range from ~0.50 Ga to ~1.5 Ga, indicating that the evolution of the corresponding yardangs had been ceased before these times. Analysis of more layered ejecta craters and superposed yardangs implies that yardangs in the MFF have a long history of development and some yardangs are still in active development.
A Method to Downscale Satellite Microwave Land-Surface Temperature
Authors: Favrichon Samuel , Prigent Catherine , Jiménez Carlos
Published: March 2021

High-spatial-resolution land-surface temperature is required for several applications such as hydrological or climate studies. Global estimates of surface temperature are available from sensors observing in the infrared (IR), but without ‘all-weather’ observing capability. Passive microwave (MW) instruments can also be used to provide surface-temperature measurements but suffer from coarser spatial resolutions. To increase their resolution, a downscaling methodology applicable over different land environments and at any time of the day is proposed. The method uses a statistical relationship between clear sky-predicting variables and clear-sky temperatures to estimate temperature patterns that can be used in conjunction with coarse measurements to create high-resolution products. Different predicting variables are tested showing the need to use IR-derived information on vegetation, temperature diurnal evolution, and a temporal information. To build a true ‘all-weather’ methodology, the effect of clouds on surface temperatures is accounted for by correcting the clear-sky diurnal cycle amplitude, using cloud parameters from meteorological reanalysis. Testing the method on a coarse IR synthetic data at ∼25 km resolution yields a Root Mean Square Deviations (RMSD) between the ∼5 km high-resolution and downscaled temperatures smaller than 1 ∘C. When applied to observations by the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS) at ∼25 km resolution, the downscaling to ∼5 km yields a smaller RMSD compared to IR observations. These results demonstrate the relevance of the methodology to downscale MW land-surface temperature and its potential to spatially enhanced the current ‘all-weather’ satellite monitoring of surface temperatures.
Riparian Area Changes in Greenness and Water Use on the Lower Colorado River in the USA from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Nagler Pamela L. , Barreto-Muñoz Armando , Chavoshi Borujeni Sattar , Nouri Hamideh , Jarchow Christopher J. , Didan Kamel
Published: March 2021

Declines in riparian ecosystem greenness and water use have been observed in the delta of the Lower Colorado River (LCR) since 2000. The purpose of our case study was to measure these metrics on the U.S. side of the border between Hoover and Morelos Dams to see if declining greenness was unique to the portion of the river in Mexico. In this case study, five riparian reaches of the LCR from Hoover to Morelos Dam since 2000 were studied to evaluate trends in riparian ecosystem health. We measure these riparian woodlands using remotely sensed measurements of the two-band Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI2; a proxy for greenness); daily evapotranspiration (ET; mmd−1) using EVI2 (ET(EVI2)); and an annualized ET based on EVI2, the Phenology Assessment Metric (PAM ET), an annualized ET using Landsat time-series. A key finding is that riparian health and its water use has been in decline since 2000 on the U.S. portion of the LCR, depicting a loss of green vegetation over the last two decades. EVI2 results show a decline of −13.83%, while average daily ET(EVI2) between the first and last decade had a decrease of over 1 mmd−1 (−27.30%) and the respective average PAM ET losses were 170.91 mmyr−1 (−17.95%). The difference between the first and last five-year periods, 2000–2005 and 2016–2020, showed the largest decrease in daily ET(EVI) of 1.24 mmd−1 (−32.61%). These declines come from a loss in healthy, green, riparian plant-cover, not a change in plant water use efficiency nor efficient use of managed water resources. Our results suggest further deterioration of biodiversity, wildlife habitat and other key ecosystem services on the U.S. portion of the LCR.
Lab-Based Evaluation of Device-Free Passive Localization Using Multipath Channel Information
Authors: Ninnemann Jonas , Schwarzbach Paul , Jung Andrea , Michler Oliver
Published: March 2021

The interconnection of devices, driven by the Internet of Things (IoT), enables a broad variety of smart applications and location-based services. The latter is often realized via transponder based approaches, which actively determine device positions within Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). In addition, interpreting wireless signal measurements also enables the utilization of radar-like passive localization of objects, further enhancing the capabilities of WSN ranging from environmental mapping to multipath detection. For these approaches, the target objects are not required to hold any device nor to actively participate in the localization process. Instead, the signal delays caused by reflections at objects within the propagation environment are used to localize the object. In this work, we used Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) sensors to measure Channel Impulse Responses (CIRs) within a WSN. Determining an object position based on the CIR can be achieved by formulating an elliptical model. Based on this relation, we propose a CIR environmental mapping (CIR-EM) method, which represents a heatmap generation of the propagation environment based on the CIRs taken from radio communication signals. Along with providing imaging capabilities, this method also allows a more robust localization when compared to state-of-the-art methods. This paper provides a proof-of-concept of passive localization solely based on evaluating radio communication signals by conducting measurement campaigns in an anechoic chamber as a best-case environment. Furthermore, shortcomings due to physical layer limitations when using non-dedicated hardware and signals are investigated. Overall, this work lays a foundation for related research and further evaluation in more application-oriented scenarios.
Calibration of Visible Light Positioning Systems with a Mobile Robot
Authors: Amsters Robin , Demeester Eric , Stevens Nobby , Slaets Peter
Published: March 2021

Most indoor positioning systems require calibration before use. Fingerprinting requires the construction of a signal strength map, while ranging systems need the coordinates of the beacons. Calibration approaches exist for positioning systems that use Wi-Fi, radio frequency identification or ultrawideband. However, few examples are available for the calibration of visible light positioning systems. Most works focused on obtaining the channel model parameters or performed a calibration based on known receiver locations. In this paper, we describe an improved procedure that uses a mobile robot for data collection and is able to obtain a map of the environment with the beacon locations and their identities. Compared to previous work, the error is almost halved. Additionally, this approach does not require prior knowledge of the number of light sources or the receiver location. We demonstrate that the system performs well under a wide range of lighting conditions and investigate the influence of parameters such as the robot trajectory, camera resolution and field of view. Finally, we also close the loop between calibration and positioning and show that our approach has similar or better accuracy than manual calibration.
Development of an Image Registration Technique for Fluvial Hyperspectral Imagery Using an Optical Flow Algorithm
Authors: You Hojun , Kim Dongsu
Published: March 2021

Fluvial remote sensing has been used to monitor diverse riverine properties through processes such as river bathymetry and visual detection of suspended sediment, algal blooms, and bed materials more efficiently than laborious and expensive in-situ measurements. Red–green–blue (RGB) optical sensors have been widely used in traditional fluvial remote sensing. However, owing to their three confined bands, they rely on visual inspection for qualitative assessments and are limited to performing quantitative and accurate monitoring. Recent advances in hyperspectral imaging in the fluvial domain have enabled hyperspectral images to be geared with more than 150 spectral bands. Thus, various riverine properties can be quantitatively characterized using sensors in low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a high spatial resolution. Many efforts are ongoing to take full advantage of hyperspectral band information in fluvial research. Although geo-referenced hyperspectral images can be acquired for satellites and manned airplanes, few attempts have been made using UAVs. This is mainly because the synthesis of line-scanned images on top of image registration using UAVs is more difficult owing to the highly sensitive and heavy image driven by dense spatial resolution. Therefore, in this study, we propose a practical technique for achieving high spatial accuracy in UAV-based fluvial hyperspectral imaging through efficient image registration using an optical flow algorithm. Template matching algorithms are the most common image registration technique in RGB-based remote sensing; however, they require many calculations and can be error-prone depending on the user, as decisions regarding various parameters are required. Furthermore, the spatial accuracy of this technique needs to be verified, as it has not been widely applied to hyperspectral imagery. The proposed technique resulted in an average reduction of spatial errors by 91.9%, compared to the case where the image registration technique was not applied, and by 78.7% compared to template matching.
IoT in Smart Cities: A Survey of Technologies, Practices and Challenges
Authors: Syed Abbas Shah , Sierra-Sosa Daniel , Kumar Anup , Elmaghraby Adel
Published: March 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) is a system that integrates different devices and technologies, removing the necessity of human intervention. This enables the capacity of having smart (or smarter) cities around the world. By hosting different technologies and allowing interactions between them, the internet of things has spearheaded the development of smart city systems for sustainable living, increased comfort and productivity for citizens. The IoT for Smart Cities has many different domains and draws upon various underlying systems for its operation. In this paper, we provide a holistic coverage of the Internet of Things in Smart Cities. We start by discussing the fundamental components that make up the IoT based Smart City landscape followed by the technologies that enable these domains to exist in terms of architectures utilized, networking technologies used as well as the Artificial Algorithms deployed in IoT based Smart City systems. This is then followed up by a review of the most prevalent practices and applications in various Smart City domains. Lastly, the challenges that deployment of IoT systems for smart cities encounter along with mitigation measures.
Secondary School Students’ Perception of the Acquisition of Social Science Skill
Authors: Álvarez-Martínez-Iglesias José María , Miralles-Martínez Pedro , Molina-Saorín Jesús , Trigueros-Cano Francisco Javier
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study is to find out the relevance of the competences worked on in the area of social science, specifically in the subjects of geography and history, through the perceptions of pupils in the 4th year of compulsory secondary education (ESO). In order to carry out the survey, a purposive sampling was carried out in which more than 1400 4th year ESO students (in Spain) participated. In addition, using a Likert-type scale of our own creation called Evaluation of the Perception of Social Science Competences (EPECOCISO) and following a design of quantitative methodology, an exploratory factor analysis was carried out with the analysis software SPSS through the descriptive process, which allowed us to select the three factors that make up the study. Subsequently, correlations were established between factors through Pearson’s test, and between the different variables that make up each one of them with the socio-demographic variables (distinguishing between ordinal and nominal variables) through the chi-square test of independence and Cramer’s V test (nominal), as well as the linearity test, Goodman’s gamma test, and the Kruskal (ordinal) test. Finally, one of the most important conclusions of this study is that the difficulties encountered by students in the acquisition of competences is conditioned by the development of the assessment processes that are carried out.
The Implementation of Velocity-Based Training Paradigm for Team Sports: Framework, Technologies, Practical Recommendations and Challenges
Authors: Balsalobre-Fernández Carlos , Torres-Ronda Lorena
Published: March 2021

While velocity-based training is currently a very popular paradigm to designing and monitoring resistance training programs, its implementation remains a challenge in team sports, where there are still some confusion and misinterpretations of its applications. In addition, in contexts with large squads, it is paramount to understand how to best use movement velocity in different exercises in a useful and time-efficient way. This manuscript aims to provide clarifications on the velocity-based training paradigm, movement velocity tracking technologies, assessment procedures and practical recommendations for its application during resistance training sessions, with the purpose of increasing performance, managing fatigue and preventing injuries. Guidelines to combine velocity metrics with subjective scales to prescribe training loads are presented, as well as methods to estimate 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM) on a daily basis using individual load–velocity profiles. Additionally, monitoring strategies to detect and evaluate changes in performance over time are discussed. Finally, limitations regarding the use of velocity of execution tracking devices and metrics such as “muscle power” are commented upon.
The Crop Residue Removal Threshold Ensures Sustainable Agriculture in the Purple Soil Region of Sichuan, China
Authors: Zhang Peng , He Yuxin , Ren Tao , Wang Yang , Liu Chao , Li Naiwen , Li Longguo
Published: March 2021

Sichuan, a hilly area in southwestern China, is recommended as a bioethanol production base because of its abundant crop residue resources. However, removing the crop straw for bioethanol may negatively affect soil fertility and productivity due to the local purple soil vulnerability. To explore the impact of crop residue removal on soil fertility and productivity and meet the needs of sustainable agriculture, we conducted a crop residue removal experiment by measuring the soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents, and crop yield in the purple soil region in southwest China. Soil erosion was also simulated by Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation version 2 (RUSLE 2). The results showed that soil erosion increased with the increase of the straw removal rate. Compared with 0% removal treatment, the SOC content reduced at other removal rate treatments, especially for long-term residue removal. The effect of residue removal on soil TN and TP was not consistent within one year. After two years, residue removal greater than 25% caused a decrease in TN by 1.6–3.7%, and straw removal greater than 50% caused a TP decrease by 8.5–9.3%. More than 25% of the residue removed reduced maize and canola yields, and TN and TP content. However, all crop residue removal treatments resulted in SOC content reduction and soil erosion deterioration. In conclusion, crop residue removal was not recommended due to agricultural sustainability in Sichuan, China.
Reframing Kiruna’s Relocation—Spatial Production or a Sustainable Transformation?
Authors: Tepecik Diş Aslı , Karimnia Elahe
Published: March 2021

Due to the expansion of nearby mining operations, the city of Kiruna, an arctic city in Sweden, has been undergoing a massive urban transformation, led by the mining company, Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB), which is the largest iron ore producer in the EU. This paper explores this relocation in a three-sphere transformation framework that has sustainability as the outcome (practical sphere), and analyses it as a socio-spatial transformation process, including political decisions as its driving forces (political sphere), to examine how this outcome and decisions represent individual and collective values (personal sphere). The analysis of three spheres is used as a tool to understand how and why Kiruna’s urban transformation is deemed to be sustainable, as it claims, and which it is being globally acknowledged for. Methods include analysis of Kiruna’s new master plan, media representations, and interviews with key actors of the project, who include municipal planners; the mining company’s planning developers; consultants, as the designers of ‘Kiruna 4-ever’ and the new city center; as well as the city’s residents. The analysis is a critique of the approaches that fit this project into either the critique of market-led spatial production, or as an example of best practice, based on its participatory processes. Results indicate that although Kiruna’s relocation is claimed to be a transformation of collective values, practical and technical transformations were dominant, which represents only partial responses in the framework. Therefore, a multi-voice narrative challenges the sustainability of Kiruna’s transformation.
Developing a Measure for Online Shopping Mall Reputation (OSMR)
Authors: Yu Heeseung , Han Eunkyoung
Published: March 2021

This study was conducted with the purpose of developing and validating multidimensional reputation criteria for evaluating online shopping malls, which have been growing explosively since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Delphi study was conducted with a group of 31 professionals, and the initial items for online shopping mall reputation were derived from that study. Those items were used to devise a questionnaire that was administered to 531 consumers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in 17 items based on four factors: reliability, technical skills, customer service, and accessibility. Convergent and discriminant validity were verified between the factors. Finally, structural equation modeling was used to verify the nomological validity of the scale. This online shopping mall reputation scale is expected to provide a standard for companies to effectively manage the reputations of online shopping malls in the future and for consumers to choose online shopping malls they can trust.
Predictive Model for the Factors Influencing International Project Success: A Data Mining Approach
Authors: Dumitrașcu-Băldău Iulia , Dumitrașcu Dănuț-Dumitru , Dobrotă Gabriela
Published: March 2021

Considering that international projects with teams in the virtual environment (IPTVEs) contribute to the reduction in the carbon footprint and, at the same time, become life-saving solutions in extreme global situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations familiar with this type of project will have a substantial advantage in their ability to operate efficiently and to achieve their sustainable goals. An important aspect of project management is to identify the factors that influence the success of an international project, increasing its performance. Our first research hypothesis was that the decision to create a project team in the virtual environment is a factor with a major influence on international project success. Data collection was performed through an online survey conducted within international project team members and managers. The success factors were explained through factorial analysis which revealed two main factors and the neural network algorithm on a dataset through IBM SPSS Modeler software. The predictive model revealed that the most important field is setting up a virtual team, followed by organizational culture. These results support our hypothesis.
Optimal Design of Photovoltaic Connected Energy Storage System Using Markov Chain Models
Authors: Kim Woo-sung , Eom Hyunsang , Kwon Youngsung
Published: March 2021

This study improves an approach for Markov chain-based photovoltaic-coupled energy storage model in order to serve a more reliable and sustainable power supply system. In this paper, two Markov chain models are proposed: Embedded Markov and Absorbing Markov chain. The equilibrium probabilities of the Embedded Markov chain completely characterize the system behavior at a certain point in time. Thus, the model can be used to calculate important measurements to evaluate the system such as the average availability or the probability when the battery is fully discharged. Also, Absorbing Markov chain is employed to calculate the expected duration until the system fails to serve the load demand, as well as the failure probability once a new battery is installed in the system. The results show that the optimal condition for satisfying the availability of 3 nines (0.999), with an average load usage of 1209.94 kWh, is the energy storage system capacity of 25 MW, and the number of photovoltaic modules is 67,510, which is considered for installation and operation cost. Also, when the initial state of charge is set to 80% or higher, the available time is stable for more than 20,000 h.
Usage of Real Time Machine Vision in Rolling Mill
Authors: David Jiří , Švec Pavel , Pasker Vít , Garzinová Romana
Published: March 2021

This article deals with the issue of computer vision on a rolling mill. The main goal of this article is to describe the designed and implemented algorithm for the automatic identification of the character string of billets on the rolling mill. The algorithm allows the conversion of image information from the front of the billet, which enters the rolling process, into a string of characters, which is further used to control the technological process. The purpose of this identification is to prevent the input pieces from being confused because different parameters of the rolling process are set for different pieces. In solving this task, it was necessary to design the optimal technical equipment for image capture, choose the appropriate lighting, search for text and recognize individual symbols, and insert them into the control system. The research methodology is based on the empirical-quantitative principle, the basis of which is the analysis of experimentally obtained data (photographs of billet faces) in real operating conditions leading to their interpretation (transformation into the shape of a digital chain). The first part of the article briefly describes the billet identification system from the point of view of technology and hardware resources. The next parts are devoted to the main parts of the algorithm of automatic identification—optical recognition of strings and recognition of individual characters of the chain using artificial intelligence. The method of optical character recognition using artificial neural networks is the basic algorithm of the system of automatic identification of billets and eliminates ambiguities during their further processing. Successful implementation of the automatic inspection system will increase the share of operation automation and lead to ensuring automatic inspection of steel billets according to the production plan. This issue is related to the trend of digitization of individual technological processes in metallurgy and also to the social sustainability of processes, which means the elimination of human errors in the management of the billet rolling process.
Economic Spillover Effects of Industrial Structure Upgrading in China’s Coastal Economic Rims
Authors: Zheng Hui , Liu Xiaodong , Xu Yajun , Mu Hairong
Published: March 2021

As a vital element affecting economic efficiency, the impact of marine industrial structure upgrading on marine economy has become a hot topic, and China is not an exception. This paper analyzed the dynamic relationship of marine industrial structure upgrading and marine economy efficiency to verity the “structural bonus” and “cost disease” effects. The results confirmed the existence of cost disease in China’s marine economy, although occasionally it illustrated structural bonus effects with the improvement of the regional marine economy efficiency. The spatial Durbin model (SDM) was introduced to study the spillover effect of local marine industrial structure upgrading (MISU) on the adjacent regions’ marine economy efficiency, and this spillover effect was verified to have agglomerate characteristics in China’s coastal areas. Then several countermeasures were proposed to realize marine ecological civilization and promote regional cooperation in the development of China’s marine economy.
Sustainability Assessment with Integrated Circular Economy Principles: A Toy Case Study
Authors: Kovačič Lukman Rebeka , Omahne Vasja , Krajnc Damjan
Published: March 2021

When considering the sustainability of production processes, research studies usually emphasise environmental impacts and do not adequately address economic and social impacts. Toy production is no exception when it comes to assessing sustainability. Previous research on toys has focused solely on assessing environmental aspects and neglected social and economic aspects. This paper presents a sustainability assessment of a toy using environmental life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, and social life cycle assessment. We conducted an inventory analysis and sustainability impact assessment of the toy to identify the hotspots of the system. The main environmental impacts are eutrophication, followed by terrestrial eco-toxicity, acidification, and global warming. The life cycle costing approach examined the economic aspect of the proposed design options for toys, while the social assessment of the alternative designs revealed social impacts along the product life cycle. In addition, different options based on the principles of the circular economy were analysed and proposed in terms of substitution of materials and shortening of transport distances for the toy studied.
Pursuing the SDG11 Targets: The Role of the Sustainability Protocols
Authors: Abastante Francesca , Lami Isabella M. , Gaballo Marika
Published: March 2021

This paper is built on the following research questions: (i) What are the direct/indirect relationships between Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11) and sustainability protocols? (ii) Could the sustainability protocols constitute a solution towards the achievement of SDG11? We underline that, on the one hand, the SDGs are guidelines to support the development of sustainable policies and thus address all elements that may affect them, and on the other hand, sustainability protocols are assessment tools to promote sustainability-conscious design while remaining focused on the built environment. In the Italian regulatory context, the paper highlights how this difference in terms of focus and scale means that they only overlap and mutually reinforce each other with regard to certain aspects, more related to energy and air pollution issues and less to the social aspects of sustainability. Even if there is not always a direct relationship between the evaluation criteria of the protocols and the indicators of SDG11, it is possible to conclude that the sustainability protocols can facilitate the achievement of the SDG11 targets, acting as a key for the implementation of sustainable cities and helping in structuring the process leading to sustainability in a broader framework.
Citrinin Determination in Food and Food Supplements by LC-MS/MS: Development and Use of Reference Materials in an International Collaborative Study
Authors: Tangni Emmanuel K. , Van Hove François , Huybrechts Bart , Masquelier Julien , Vandermeiren Karine , Van Hoeck Els
Published: March 2021

The development of incurred reference materials containing citrinin (CIT) and their successful application in a method validation study (MVS) in order to harmonize CIT determination in food and food supplements are demonstrated. CIT-contaminated materials made of red yeast rice (RYR), wheat flour, and Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBL), as well as food supplements made of red yeast rice (FS-RYR) and Ginkgo biloba leaves (FS-GBL), were manufactured in-house via fungal cultivation on collected raw materials. The homogeneity and stability from randomly selected containers were verified according to the ISO 13528. CIT was found to be homogenously distributed and stable in all contaminated materials, with no significant degradation during the timescale of the MVS when storage was performed up to +4 °C. Next, an MVS was organized with eighteen international laboratories using the provided standard operating procedure and 12 test materials, including three RYRs (blank, <50 µg/kg, <2000 µg/kg), two wheat flours (blank, <50 µg/kg), two GBL powders (blank, <50 µg/kg), three FS-RYRs (blank, <50 µg/kg, <2000 µg/kg), and two FS-GBLs (blank, <50 µg/kg). The results of seven CIT-incurred materials showed acceptable within-laboratory precision (RSDr) varying from 6.4% to 14.6% and between-laboratory precision (RSDR) varying from 10.2% to 37.3%. Evidenced by HorRat values < 2.0, the results of the collaborative trial demonstrated that the applied analytical method could be standardized. Furthermore, the appropriateness of producing CIT reference materials is an important step towards food and feed quality control systems and the organization of proficiency tests.
Tissue Microarrays to Visualize Influenza D Attachment to Host Receptors in the Respiratory Tract of Farm Animals
Authors: Nemanichvili Nikoloz , Berends Alinda , Wubbolts Richard , Gröne Andrea , Rijks Jolianne , de Vries Robert , Verheije Monique
Published: March 2021

The trimeric hemagglutinin-esterase fusion protein (HEF) of influenza D virus (IDV) binds 9-O-acetylated sialic acid receptors, which are expressed in various host species. While cattle are the main reservoir for IDV, the viral genome has also been detected in domestic pigs. In addition, antibodies against IDV have been detected in other farm animals such as sheep, goats, and horses, and even in farmers working with IDV positive animals. Viruses belonging to various IDV clades circulate, but little is known about their differences in host and tissue tropism. Here we used recombinantly produced HEF proteins (HEF S57A) from the major clades D/Oklahoma (D/OK) and D/Oklahoma/660 (D/660) to study their host and tissue tropism and receptor interactions. To this end, we developed tissue microarrays (TMA) composed of respiratory tissues from various farm animals including cattle, domestic pigs, sheep, goats, and horses. Protein histochemical staining of farm animal respiratory tissue-microarrays with HEF proteins showed that cattle have receptors present over the entire respiratory tract while receptors are only present in the nasal and pharyngeal epithelium of pigs, sheep, goats, and horses. No differences in tropism for tissues and animals were observed between clades, while hemagglutination assays showed that D/OK has a 2-fold higher binding affinity than D/660 for receptors on red blood cells. The removal of O-acetylation from receptors via saponification treatment confirmed that receptor-binding of both clades was dependent on O-acetylated sialic acids.
Rotavirus NSP1 Inhibits Type I and Type III Interferon Induction
Authors: Iaconis Gennaro , Jackson Ben , Childs Kay , Boyce Mark , Goodbourn Stephen , Blake Neil , Iturriza-Gomara Miren , Seago Julian
Published: March 2021

Type I interferons (IFNs) are produced by most cells in response to virus infection and stimulate a program of anti-viral gene expression in neighboring cells to suppress virus replication. Type III IFNs have similar properties, however their effects are limited to epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces due to restricted expression of the type III IFN receptor. Rotavirus (RV) replicates in intestinal epithelial cells that respond predominantly to type III IFNs, and it has been shown that type III rather than type I IFNs are important for controlling RV infections in vivo. The RV NSP1 protein antagonizes the host type I IFN response by targeting IRF-3, IRF-5, IRF-7, or β-TrCP for proteasome-mediated degradation in a strain-specific manner. Here we provide the first demonstration that NSP1 proteins from several human and animal RV strains antagonize type III as well as type I IFN induction. We also show that NSP1 is a potent inhibitor of IRF-1, a previously undescribed property of NSP1 which is conserved among human and animal RVs. Interestingly, all NSP1 proteins were substantially more effective inhibitors of IRF-1 than either IRF-3 or IRF-7 which has significance for evasion of basal anti-viral immunity and type III IFN induction in the intestinal epithelium.
Aquatic Invertebrate Community Resilience and Recovery in Response to a Supra-Seasonal Drought in an Ecologically Important Naturally Saline Lake
Authors: de Necker Lizaan , Brendonck Luc , van Vuren Johan , Wepener Victor , Smit Nico J.
Published: March 2021

Climate induced drought is a prominent threat to natural saline aquatic ecosystems by modifying their hydrology and salinity, which impacts the biodiversity of these ecosystems. Lake Nyamithi is a naturally saline lake in South Africa that experienced the effects of a two-year supra-seasonal drought (2015–2016). This study aimed to determine potential effects of the drought and accompanying increased salinity (between 9.8 and 11.5 g L−1) on aquatic invertebrate communities of Lake Nyamithi, and assess their potential recovery following the drought. Aquatic invertebrates and water were collected for biodiversity and chemical assessments during predrought conditions (2014), the peak of the drought (2016) and after the site had received water (2017). Taxon richness was considerably reduced during the peak of the drought as many biota could not tolerate the increased salinity. Ecological resilience and recovery was evident in the lake since numerous biota (re)colonized the lake promptly after the site received water and salinity decreased (<8 g L−1). By the end of 2017, invertebrate biodiversity exceeded that of predrought conditions. Although some biota may be able to temporarily cope with extreme weather conditions, frequent or prolonged periods of drought and increased salinity pose a threat to naturally saline lakes such as Nyamithi and dilution with fresh water is vital for the persistence of species diversity and ecological integrity.