bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance Allele Frequency to Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20 in Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Louisiana and Three Other Southeastern U.S. States
Authors: Lin Shucong , Oyediran Isaac , Niu Ying , Brown Sebe , Cook Don , Ni Xinzhi , Zhang Yan , Reay-Jones Francis P. F. , Chen Jeng Shong , Wen Zhimou , Dimase Marcelo , Huang Fangneng
Published: April 2022

The corn earworm/bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is a pest species that is targeted by both Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize and cotton in the United States. Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20 are two common Bt toxins that are expressed in transgenic maize. The objective of this study was to determine the resistance allele frequency (RAF) to Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20 in H. zea populations that were collected during 2018 and 2019 from four southeastern U.S. states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina. By using a group-mating approach, 104 F2 iso-lines of H. zea were established from field collections with most iso-lines (85) from Louisiana. These F2 iso-lines were screened for resistance alleles to Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20, respectively. There was no correlation in larval survivorship between Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20 when the iso-lines were exposed to these two toxins. RAF to Cry1Ab maize was high (0.256) and the RAFs were similar between Louisiana and the other three states and between the two sampling years. In contrast, no functional major resistance allele (RA) that allowed resistant insects to survive on Vip3Aa20 maize was detected and the expected RAF of major RAs with 95% probability was estimated to 0 to 0.0073. However, functional minor RAs to Vip3Aa20 maize were not uncommon; the estimated RAF for minor alleles was 0.028. The results provide further evidence that field resistance to Cry1Ab maize in H. zea has widely occurred, while major RAs to Vip3Aa20 maize are uncommon in the southeastern U.S. region. Information that was generated from this study should be useful in resistance monitoring and refinement of resistance management strategies to preserve Vip3A susceptibility in H. zea.
Significant Variations of Thermospheric Nitric Oxide Cooling during the Minor Geomagnetic Storm on 6 May 2015
Authors: Li Zheng , Sun Meng , Li Jingyuan , Zhang Kedeng , Zhang Hua , Xu Xiaojun , Zhao Xinhua
Published: April 2022

Using observations by the SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) instrument on board the TIMED (Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) satellite and simulations by the TIEGCM (Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model), we investigate the daytime variations of thermospheric nitric oxide (NO) cooling during the geomagnetic storm on 6 May 2015. The geomagnetic storm was minor, as the minimum Dst was −28 nT, the maximum Kp was 5+ and the maximum AE was 1259 nT. However, significant enhancements of peak NO cooling rate and prominent decreases in the peak NO cooling altitude were observed from high latitudes to low latitudes in both hemispheres on the dayside by the SABER instrument. The model simulations underestimate the response of peak NO cooling and have no significant variation of the altitude of peak NO cooling rate on the dayside during this minor geomagnetic storm. By investigating the temporal and latitudinal variations of vertical NO cooling profiles inferred from SABER data, we suggest that the horizontal equatorward winds caused by the minor geomagnetic storm were unexpectedly strong and thus play an important role in inducing these significant daytime NO cooling variations.
Lorentzian Vacuum Transitions in Hořava–Lifshitz Gravity
Authors: García-Compeán Hugo , Mata-Pacheco Daniel
Published: April 2022

The vacuum transition probabilities for a Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe with positive curvature in Hořava–Lifshitz gravity in the presence of a scalar field potential in the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation are studied. We use a general procedure to compute such transition probabilities using a Hamiltonian approach to the Wheeler–DeWitt equation presented in a previous work. We consider two situations of scalar fields, one in which the scalar field depends on all the spacetime variables and another in which the scalar field depends only on the time variable. In both cases, analytic expressions for the vacuum transition probabilities are obtained, and the infrared and ultraviolet limits are discussed for comparison with the result obtained by using general relativity. For the case in which the scalar field depends on all spacetime variables, we observe that in the infrared limit it is possible to obtain a similar behavior as in general relativity, however, in the ultraviolet limit the behavior found is completely opposite. Some few comments about possible phenomenological implications of our results are given. One of them is a plausible resolution of the initial singularity. On the other hand, for the case in which the scalar field depends only on the time variable, the behavior coincides with that of general relativity in both limits, although in the intermediate region the probability is slightly altered.
Dermatitis during Spaceflight Associated with HSV-1 Reactivation
Authors: Mehta Satish , Szpara Moriah , Rooney Bridgette , Diak Douglass , Shipley Mackenzie , Renner Daniel , Krieger Stephanie , Nelman-Gonzalez Mayra , Zwart Sara , Smith Scott , Crucian Brian
Published: April 2022

Human alpha herpesviruses herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) establish latency in various cranial nerve ganglia and often reactivate in response to stress-associated immune system dysregulation. Reactivation of Epstein Barr virus (EBV), VZV, HSV-1, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) is typically asymptomatic during spaceflight, though live/infectious virus has been recovered and the shedding rate increases with mission duration. The risk of clinical disease, therefore, may increase for astronauts assigned to extended missions (>180 days). Here, we report, for the first time, a case of HSV-1 skin rash (dermatitis) occurring during long-duration spaceflight. The astronaut reported persistent dermatitis during flight, which was treated onboard with oral antihistamines and topical/oral steroids. No HSV-1 DNA was detected in 6-month pre-mission saliva samples, but on flight day 82, a saliva and rash swab both yielded 4.8 copies/ng DNA and 5.3 × 104 copies/ng DNA, respectively. Post-mission saliva samples continued to have a high infectious HSV-1 load (1.67 × 107 copies/ng DNA). HSV-1 from both rash and saliva samples had 99.9% genotype homology. Additional physiological monitoring, including stress biomarkers (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and salivary amylase), immune markers (adaptive regulatory and inflammatory plasma cytokines), and biochemical profile markers, including vitamin/mineral status and bone metabolism, are also presented for this case. These data highlight an atypical presentation of HSV-1 during spaceflight and underscore the importance of viral screening during clinical evaluations of in-flight dermatitis to determine viral etiology and guide treatment.
Target Enrichment Metagenomics Reveals Human Pegivirus-1 in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients
Authors: Ludowyke Natali , Phumiphanjarphak Worakorn , Apiwattanakul Nopporn , Manopwisedjaroen Suwimon , Pakakasama Samart , Sensorn Insee , Pasomsub Ekawat , Chantratita Wasun , Hongeng Suradej , Aiewsakun Pakorn , Thitithanyanont Arunee
Published: April 2022

Human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) is a lymphotropic human virus, typically considered nonpathogenic, but its infection can sometimes cause persistent viremia both in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. In a viral discovery research program in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) pediatric patients, HPgV-1 was detected in 3 out of 14 patients (21.4%) using a target enrichment next-generation sequencing method, and the presence of the viruses was confirmed by agent-specific qRT-PCR assays. For the first time in this patient cohort, complete genomes of HPgV-1 were acquired and characterized. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that two patients had HPgV-1 genotype 2 and one had HPgV-1 genotype 3. Intra-host genomic variations were described and discussed. Our results highlight the necessity to screen HSCT patients and blood and stem cell donors to reduce the potential risk of HPgV-1 transmission.
Shoulder Injury Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Administration: A Case Series
Authors: Maliwankul Korakot , Boonsri Pattira , Klabklay Prapakorn , Chuaychoosakoon Chaiwat
Published: April 2022

Background: A shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) is a vaccination complication that can affect daily life activities. To date, there have been no case series of patients diagnosed as SIRVA following a COVID-19 vaccination. We offer a series of seven SIRVA cases including clinical presentations, investigations and treatment outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for seven patients who developed SIRVA following a COVID-19 vaccination between April 2021 and October 2021. All patients had no prior shoulder pain before their vaccination and then developed shoulder pain within a few days following the vaccination, which did not spontaneously improve within 1 week. Results: Four of the seven patients were male, and the average age was 62.29 ± 7.76 years. The average body mass index was 25.1 ± 2.2 kg/m2. In all cases, the cause of the SIRVA was from an incorrect COVID-19 vaccine administration technique. Two patients developed shoulder pain immediately following the injection, one patient about 3 h after the injection, and the other four patients within the next few days. Two of the seven patients visited the orthopedic clinic after the persistent shoulder pain for 3 and 4 days and the other five patients 1–9 weeks following their injections. One of the seven patients was treated with combined intravenous antibiotic and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) because septic arthritis of the shoulder could not initially be ruled out, and recovered within 2 weeks. The other six patients had shoulder pain without acute fever, and five of them were treated with only oral prednisolone 30 mg/day for 5–10 days, following which the pain improved and they all could return to normal activities within 14 days, with no side effects from the prednisolone such as stomachache, nausea, vomiting, headache, or dizziness. Discussion and conclusion: In our series, the most common cause of SIRVA was an incorrect vaccination technique. Most patients responded well to oral NSAIDs or oral prednisolone. Clinical relevance: All SIRVAs were from an incorrect injection technique and not actually the vaccination, so our series highlights the importance of ensuring all vaccinators understand the importance of taking proper care with the injection technique. Additionally, most of our patients with SIRVA from a COVID-19 injection responded well to oral prednisolone (30 mg/day). If there are no contraindications, we suggest this as the first line treatment for COVID-19-related SIRVA.
Drop the Needle; A Temperature Stable Oral Tablet Vaccine Is Protective against Respiratory Viral Pathogens
Authors: Flitter Becca A. , Braun Molly R. , Tucker Sean N.
Published: April 2022

To effectively combat emerging infections and prevent future pandemics, next generation vaccines must be developed quickly, manufactured rapidly, and most critically, administered easily. Next generation vaccines need innovative approaches that prevent infection, severe disease, and reduce community transmission of respiratory pathogens such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Here we review an oral vaccine tablet that can be manufactured and released in less than 16 weeks of antigen design and deployed without the need for cold chain. The oral Ad5 modular vaccine platform utilizes a non-replicating adenoviral vector (rAd5) containing a novel molecular TLR3 adjuvant that is delivered by tablet, not by needle. This enterically coated, room temperature-stable vaccine tablet elicits robust antigen-specific IgA in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and upregulates mucosal homing adhesion molecules on circulating B and T cells. Several influenza antigens have been tested using this novel vaccine approach and demonstrated efficacy in both preclinical animal models and in phase I/II clinical trials, including in a human challenge study. This oral rAd5 vaccine platform technology offers a promising new avenue for aiding in rapid pandemic preparedness and equitable worldwide vaccine distribution.
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Preserve Immunogenicity after Re-Freezing
Authors: Grau Santiago , Martín-García Elena , Ferrández Olivia , Martín Raquel , Tejedor-Vaquero Sonia , Gimeno Ramón , Magri Giuliana , Maldonado Rafael
Published: April 2022

The massive COVID-19 vaccine purchases made by high-income countries have resulted in important sample losses, mainly due to the complexity of their handling. Here, we evaluated the possibility of preserving the immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines after re-freezing vials, following the extraction of the maximum possible number of samples, as an alternative approach to minimizing their wastage. Thus, we exposed the vaccine vials to different re-freezing conditions and evaluated mRNA integrity and the effects in mice after in vivo administration. We reveal that the mRNA integrity of Comirnaty® and Spikevax® vaccines remained unaffected after re-freezing during 1 month at −20 °C or −80 °C. The immunological responses also remained unchanged in mice after these re-freezing conditions and no apparent side effects were revealed. The preservation of mRNA integrity and immunogenicity under these handling conditions opens the possibility of re-freezing the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine vials to limit their wastage and to facilitate vaccination processes.
Contributions on Lindane Degradation by Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806
Authors: Sarasa-Buisán Cristina , Guío Jorge , Castro Carolina , Bes María Teresa , Fillat María F. , Peleato María Luisa , Sevilla Emma
Published: April 2022

Cyanobacteria are able to tolerate, and even metabolize, moderate doses of organochlorine pesticides, such as lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane), one of the most persistent and widely used in recent decades. Previous work showed that Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 degrades lindane and that, in the presence of the pesticide, microcystin synthesis is enhanced. In this work, using in silico approaches, we have identified in M. aeruginosa putative homologues of the lin genes, involved in lindane degradation in Sphingobium japonicum UT26S. Real-time RT-PCR assays showed that the putative linC gene was induced in the presence of 7 mg/L of lindane. Additionally, prxA, encoding a peroxiredoxin, and involved in oxidative stress response, was also induced when lindane was present. Taking into account these results, M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 may degrade lindane through a metabolic pathway involving a putative 2,5-dichloro-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diol dehydrogenase encoded by a linC homologue. However, the low similarity of the other potential lin homologues suggest the existence of an alternative pathway different to that of heterotrophic microorganisms such as S. japonicum.
Water Quality Predictive Analytics Using an Artificial Neural Network with a Graphical User Interface
Authors: Rizal Nur Najwa Mohd , Hayder Gasim , Yusof Khairul Adib
Published: April 2022

Since clean water is well known as one of the crucial sources that all living things need in their daily lives, the demand for clean freshwater nowadays has increased. However, water quality is slowly deteriorating due to anthropogenic and natural sources of pollution and contamination. Therefore, this study aims to develop artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict six different water quality parameters in the Langat River, Malaysia. Moreover, an application (app) equipped with a graphical user interface (GUI) was designed and developed to conduct real-time prediction of the water quality parameters by using real-time data as inputs together with the ANN models. As for the results, all of the ANN models achieved high coefficients of determination (R2), which were between 0.9906 and 0.9998, as well as between 0.8797 and 0.9972 for training and testing datasets, respectively. The developed app successfully predicted the outcome based on the run models. The implementation of a GUI-based app in this study enables a simpler and more trouble-free workflow in predicting water quality parameters. By eliminating sophisticated programming subroutines, the prediction process becomes accessible to more people, especially on-site operators and trainees.
Comparison of Muscle Quality of the Yellow Catfish Cultured in In-Pond Raceway Systems and Traditional Ponds
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqun , Zheng Weiyou , Zhang Heng , Chai Yi , Ruan Guoliang
Published: April 2022

In order to understand the difference in muscle nutritional quality between yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) cultured in in-pond raceway systems (IPR) and traditional ponds (TRP), two modes were used to culture the yellow catfish with the same initial body weight [average body weight (15.69 1 ± 2.28) g] for 60 days. The growth index, muscle texture characteristics, muscle nutritional components, amino acids and fatty acids of the fish were measured after the culture experiment. The results showed that the weight gain rate, specific growth rate and survival rate of IPR were significantly higher than TRP (p < 0.05). The hardness, elasticity, chewiness and resilience of the yellow catfish cultured in IPR were significantly higher than those cultured in TRP (p < 0.05). The crude protein content in the muscle of the yellow catfish cultured in IPR was significantly higher than that cultured in TRP (p < 0.01), while the content of crude fat and water was significantly lower (p < 0.01). The total amount of amino acids, essential amino acids and flavor amino acids of IPR were significantly higher than TRP (p < 0.01). The percentages of saturated fatty acids in muscle of the yellow catfish cultured in IPR and TRP were 3.59% and 3.83%, respectively, and the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids were 96.41% and 96.17%, respectively. It was concluded that the nutritional quality of yellow catfish cultured in IPR was better than that of fish cultured in TRP.
A Mobile Laboratory Enables Fecal Pollution Source Tracking in Catchments Using Onsite qPCR Assays
Authors: Zan Rixia , Acharya Kishor , Blackburn Adrian , Kilsby Chris G. , Werner David
Published: April 2022

Onsite molecular diagnostics can revolutionize fecal pollution source tracking. We aimed to validate a method for onsite qPCR assays with a miniature speaker-sized Q qPCR instrument and other portable equipment items. We showed that marker genes for total bacteria (16S) and E. coli (rodA) in 100 mL of river water measured with this method agreed within ±0.3 log10 units with results obtained when using conventional laboratory equipment items. We then deployed the portable method in a mobile laboratory (‘lab in a van’) and quantified HF183 marker genes for human host associated Bacteroides in river water within 3 h of sampling. We also used the mobile laboratory to investigate urban river water and effluents from two storm drains and a retention pond and collected comprehensive microbial and physicochemical water quality data. We found significantly higher HF183 gene levels in the older storm drain compared to the river water (6.03 ± 0.04 vs. 4.23 ± 0.03 log10 gene copies per 100 mL), and a principal component analysis revealed that storm drain effluent retention in a pond beneficially altered water characteristics, making them more like those of the receiving river. In conclusion, onsite qPCR assays can be performed with portable equipment items to quickly test water.
A Review on Interpretable and Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Hydroclimatic Applications
Authors: Başağaoğlu Hakan , Chakraborty Debaditya , Lago Cesar Do , Gutierrez Lilianna , Şahinli Mehmet Arif , Giacomoni Marcio , Furl Chad , Mirchi Ali , Moriasi Daniel , Şengör Sema Sevinç
Published: April 2022

This review focuses on the use of Interpretable Artificial Intelligence (IAI) and eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) models for data imputations and numerical or categorical hydroclimatic predictions from nonlinearly combined multidimensional predictors. The AI models considered in this paper involve Extreme Gradient Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting, Categorical Boosting, Extremely Randomized Trees, and Random Forest. These AI models can transform into XAI models when they are coupled with the explanatory methods such as the Shapley additive explanations and local interpretable model-agnostic explanations. The review highlights that the IAI models are capable of unveiling the rationale behind the predictions while XAI models are capable of discovering new knowledge and justifying AI-based results, which are critical for enhanced accountability of AI-driven predictions. The review also elaborates the importance of domain knowledge and interventional IAI modeling, potential advantages and disadvantages of hybrid IAI and non-IAI predictive modeling, unequivocal importance of balanced data in categorical decisions, and the choice and performance of IAI versus physics-based modeling. The review concludes with a proposed XAI framework to enhance the interpretability and explainability of AI models for hydroclimatic applications.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Irrigation Water Use Efficiency from the Perspective of Water Footprints in Heilongjiang Province
Authors: Liu Wei , Ma Ziao , Lei Bo
Published: April 2022

Water footprints can reflect the sources and utilities of water resources. Introducing the water footprint theory to evaluate irrigation water use efficiency can reflect agricultural water consumption more scientifically and accurately. This study analyzes the variation trends of the blue, green and gray water footprints of grains in different regions of Heilongjiang Province and selects the grain-sowing area, total agricultural machinery power, grain blue water footprint and green water footprints and absolute fertilizer amount as input indexes and the agricultural gross product and gray water footprint of grain as output indexes. A slacks-based measure–data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) model is used to estimate the irrigation water use efficiencies of 11 cities in Heilongjiang Province, analyze the corresponding spatiotemporal distribution and further decompose and calculate the irrigation water use efficiencies of the five economically underdeveloped second-level cities. The results suggest that the spatial distribution of the grain water footprint in Heilongjiang Province reflects coexisting areas of excess and scarcity. The irrigation water use efficiency showed a steady and slow downward trend from 2008 to 2018. The irrigation water use efficiency reflected significant spatial differences in Heilongjiang Province, with a pattern of high values in the southwest and low values in the northeast; these differences have gradually narrowed. The average irrigation water use efficiency in Heilongjiang Province was 0.821 and the irrigation water efficiencies of Harbin, Qiqihar and Jixi were at the forefront of the province. Jiamusi, Hegang, Shuangyashan, Yichun, and Mudanjiang are the five cities with below-provincial-average irrigation water use efficiencies. The irrigation water use efficiency of Heilongjiang Province mainly depends on the pure technical efficiency. In the future, technical inputs should be improved on the basis of optimizing the agricultural production layout, focusing on improving the pure technical efficiency. The research results obtained herein can provide a theoretical basis for agricultural water management in Heilongjiang Province.
Analysis of Blue Infrastructure Network Pattern in the Hanjiang Ecological Economic Zone in China
Authors: He Pengfei , Chen Kunlun
Published: April 2022

As a crucial part of urban development, blue infrastructure (BI) provides multiecosystem services. Using the Hanjiang Ecological Economic Zone as the study area, the potential benefits of a BI network were constructed using morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) for three periods in order to assess network structure. The main conclusions are: (1) The total BI area of the study location increased at first and then decreased from 2010 to 2020, during which the area of the core and loop was continually rising while the islet and bridge were gradually dropping. These results reveal that landscape fragmentation was well controlled; (2) Both the Integral Index of Connectivity(IIC) and Probability of Connectivity(PC) of the landscape showed an increasing trend, but the integral connectivity level was still low; (3) The comprehensive resistance value decreased gradually from west to east. The potential corridors were concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Hanjiang and extended upstream. The amount decreased first and then increased. (4) The structure of the BI network was simple first and then complex, which is in line with changes in the number of BI sources. Thus, changes in the BI network pattern are closely linked to the changes in the study area and the number of BI sources.
Simple Prediction of an Ecosystem-Specific Water Quality Index and the Water Quality Classification of a Highly Polluted River through Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Fernández del Castillo Alberto , Yebra-Montes Carlos , Verduzco Garibay Marycarmen , de Anda José , Garcia-Gonzalez Alejandro , Gradilla-Hernández Misael Sebastián
Published: April 2022

Water quality indices (WQIs) are used for the simple assessment and classification of the water quality of surface water sources. However, considerable time, financial resources, and effort are required to measure the parameters used for their calculation. Prediction of WQIs through supervised machine learning is a useful and simple approach to reduce the cost of the analysis through the development of predictive models with a reduced number of water quality parameters. In this study, regression and classification machine-learning models were developed to estimate the ecosystem-specific WQI previously developed for the Santiago-Guadalajara River (SGR-WQI), which involves the measurement of 17 water quality parameters. The best subset selection method was employed to reduce the number of significant parameters required for the SGR-WQI prediction. The multiple linear regression model using 12 parameters displayed a residual square error (RSE) of 3.262, similar to that of the multiple linear regression model using 17 parameters (RSE = 3.255), which translates into significant savings for WQI estimation. Additionally, the generalized additive model not only displayed an adjusted R2 of 0.9992, which is the best fit of all the models evaluated, but also fitted the rating curves of each parameter developed for the original algorithm for the SGR-WQI calculation with great accuracy. Regarding the classification models, an overall proportion of 93% and 86% of data were correctly classified using the logistic regression model with 17 and 12 parameters, respectively, while the linear discriminant functions using 12 parameters correctly classified an overall proportion of 84%. The models evaluated were found to be efficient in predicting the SGR-WQI with a reduced number of parameters as complementary tools to extend the current water quality monitoring program of the Santiago-Guadalajara River.
Elimination of Chromium (VI) and Nickel (II) Ions in a Packed Column Using Oil Palm Bagasse and Yam Peels
Authors: Villabona-Ortíz Angel , Tejada-Tovar Candelaria , González-Delgado Ángel Darío
Published: April 2022

The single-component adsorption of chromium (VI) and nickel (II) on oil palm bagasse (OPB) and yam peels (YP) in a packed bed column was explored and improved using a central 22-star T composite design. The temperature, bed height, and particle size were evaluated, and the optimized response variable was the removal efficiency. The remaining concentration of heavy metals in solution was determined by Ultraviolet–Visible and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. It was found that bioadsorbents have a porous structure, with the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino, which favor adsorption processes, and that the adsorption mechanisms controlling the process is cation exchange, precipitation, and complexation on the exposed surface of the biomaterials. In the adsorption trials, removal percentages higher than 87% were obtained in all cases, showing better results in the removal of Cr(VI), and that particle size is the most influential factor. Maximum Cr(VI) capacities of 111.45 mg g−1 and 50.12 mg g−1 were achieved on OPB and YP, respectively, while for nickel values of 103.49 mg g−1 and 30.04 mg g−1 were obtained. From the adjustment of the breakthrough curve to the models, it was determined that the model best able to adjust the data was the Thomas model, and the thermodynamic parameters of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) removal suggest that the process on YP is endothermic, while on OPB it is exothermic. In both biomaterials, the process is controlled by spontaneous chemisorption with a great affinity of the active centers for the ions.
Taguchi L25 (54) Approach for Methylene Blue Removal by Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanofiber-Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite
Authors: Essa Wafa K. , Yasin Suhad A. , Abdullah Anwar H. , Thalji Mohammad R. , Saeed Ibtisam A. , Assiri Mohammed A. , Chong Kwok Feng , Ali Gomaa A. M.
Published: April 2022

A membrane composed of polyethylene terephthalate nanofiber and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PET NF-MWCNTs) composite is used to adsorb methylene blue (MB) dye from an aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques are employed to study the surface properties of the adsorbent. Several parameters affecting dye adsorption (pH, MB dye initial concentration, PET NF-MWCNTs dose, and contact time) are optimized for optimal removal efficiency (R, %) by using the Taguchi L25 (54) Orthogonal Array approach. According to the ANOVA results, pH has the highest contributing percentage at 71.01%, suggesting it has the most significant impact on removal efficiency. The adsorbent dose is the second most affected (12.08%), followed by the MB dye initial concentration of 5.91%, and the least affected is the contact time (1.81%). In addition, experimental findings confirm that the Langmuir isotherm is well-fitted, suggesting a monolayer capping of MB dye on the PET-NF-MWCNT surface with a maximum adsorption capacity of 7.047 mg g−1. Also, the kinetic results are well-suited to the pseudo-second-order model. There is a good agreement between the calculated (qe) and experimental values for the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
Presencia de las revistas de ciencias administrativas en el catálogo Latindex 2.0: Estudio de caso
Authors: Párraga Mendoza José Adalberto , Sánchez Rivera María Teresa , Rivero Torres Carlos , Loor Bravo Lucia
Published: April 2022

Las universidades generan producción científica, estas se hacen accesibles y visibles una vez que son publicadas e indizadas en bases de datos, por lo que resulta imprescindible medir la producción, la visibilidad y el impacto de estas en los centros de educación superior, el punto de partida de esta investigación es identificar la presencia de revistas de la disciplina ciencias administrativas, publicadas por universidades en el Ecuador, en el periodo (2015-2020) e indexadas en Catálogo Latindex 2.0. La metodología empleada para esta investigación es de carácter cuantitativa retrospectivo y apoyado en el método experimental y demostrativo, para referenciar las teorías científicas, se apoya la investigación en cuatro criterios de selección la indexación en el catálogo Latindex 2.0, filiación institucional de la revista a un centro de educación superior, número de artículos por número, e idioma que publica.

Palabras Clave: Administración de empresas; centro superior y de investigación; crecimiento y productividad.
El vínculo universidad-empresa en la gestión de calidad y competitividad institucional
Authors: Cruz Acosta Roberto , Gómez Llata Cázares Enrique Gabriel
Published: April 2022

El presente trabajo analiza el vínculo universidad-empresa, como elemento fundamental para los procesos de gestión de calidad, partiendo de una dinámica de interacción, armonización e integración de éstos con la investigación, de una manera educativa y desarrolladora, que caracteriza los contextos universitarios y empresariales. El objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar el estado en que se encuentra el vínculo universidad-empresa en Benguela-Angola, teniendo en cuenta su papel en la gestión de calidad y la excelencia institucional y convertirse así en referencia importante para los tomadores de decisiones de la provincia. Para ello se utilizó un enfoque mixto, con un alcance exploratorio-descriptivo-correlacional, se aplicó la encuesta como instrumento para la obtención de los datos necesarios en estudiantes y docentes del Instituto Superior Politécnico Maravilla Benguela y agentes de siete empresas. La información cualitativa y cuantitativa obtenida permitió conocer las deficiencias existentes en el proceso educativo que impiden desarrollar una formación coherente con los requerimientos de la sociedad actual, donde el compromiso entre la universidad y el sector empresarial constituya un elemento clave y, además, sienta las bases para reprogramar y redefinir políticas y estrategias que permitan el progreso sostenido de la nación angolana. Palabras clave: Evaluación, calidad, empresa, vinculo universidad-empresa
Relación entre la edad y el estrés durante la pandemia en el Ecuador; propuesta de estrategias turísticas
Authors: Abarca Zaquinaula Manuel Antonio , Mendoza Poma Matius Rodolfo , Alvarez Lema Freddy Anaximandro , Sampedro Arrieta Milton Alberto
Published: April 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo fue, analizar la correlación existente entre el estrés en tiempos de pandemia y la edad de las personas, a través de la estadística inferencial para proponer estrategias turísticas. Las variables de estudio fueron: nivel de estrés y edad, la muestra estuvo conformada por 4220 personas de 19 provincias del Ecuador. Se aplicó un cuestionario en google forms empleando la técnica de encuesta. El análisis estadístico de los datos se realizó con base en el programa estadístico SPSS versión 23 y la realización de la prueba estadística no paramétrica correspondiente “Correlación de Spearman”, con un nivel de confianza al 95% y un nivel de significancia del 5 %. Se concluyó que los más afectados en términos de estrés son las personas de entre 19 y 28 años de edad y que el turismo debe desarrollarse con un enfoque de anti-estrés de la demanda de manera constante.

 

Palabras clave: estrés, edad, turismo, estrategias turísticas, COVID-19
The philosophy of stash lives and wins
Authors: Kapkanshchikov Sergey G.
Published: April 2022

The paper provides a comparative analysis of the views of domestic liberals and statesmen regarding the expediency of unbridled inflation of sovereign funds in conditions of underemployment of production resources. The historical predecessors of the National Wealth Fund, the leading sources of formation and the functions performed by it are revealed. The current predominantly accumulative strategy for the formation of Russian funds of financial reserves, the intensive implementation of which is expected in the coming years, is subjected to extensive criticism. The large-scale financial losses of Russia with the existing mechanism for the use of sovereign funds both domestically and abroad are revealed. The sharp reluctance of the financial authorities to actively direct them to productive purposes under the pretext of the mythical threat of accelerating inflation is subjected to critical analysis. Considering the NWF as a potentially powerful built-in stabilizer of the domestic economy allows the author to justify the need for urgent serious adjustments to the current budget rule, aiming the algorithm for its application not so much at the level of world oil prices, but rather at the current capacity utilization factor in the country.
Conceptual approaches of the USA to sanctions influence and value of financial infrastructure as its object
Authors: Cheskidov Boris M.
Published: April 2022

In article transformation of approaches of the USA to introduction and implementation of sanctions as important tool of their policy is considered. Increase of the importance of financial infrastructure as most vulnerable object of sanctions influence is noted from the USA. The basic doctrinal principles and sequence of actions on which the leadership of the USA at implementation of the sanctions programs relies are generalized and formulated. Separately pressure put for maintenance of the mode of sanctions, the leadership of the USA on the largest world banks is considered.
“Sumak kawsay: desaprender de Occidente y reaprender desde el Sur, cambio de paradigma en Ecuador”
Authors: Arellano Sarasti Paul David
Published: April 2022

Los pueblos latinoamericanos han aprendido de occidente, sus conocimientos que han pasado de generación en generación desde la colonización, con la invisibilización de los habitantes del territorio en el que hoy es América latina, con la explotación indígena, el saqueo de los recursos naturales, el dominio español, para luego con la independencia la creación del Ecuador. Nación que ha pasado de copiar, adaptar o trasplantar modelos jurídicos, leyes, constitucionalismo fundacional postcolonial con una influencia europea occidental, a un constitucionalismo democrático de derechos y justicia con características propias e innovadoras. La presente investigación buscó mostrar las debilidades de contar una legislación copia, trasplantada de Occidente, el método se enmarcó bajo el método analítico crítico, mediante la revisión documental de varios artículos científicos, las Constituciones ecuatorianas y la realidad de su población. En conclusión, esta investigación evidencia un cambio sustancial en la concepción de los derechos en Ecuador, como el “Sumak Kawsay”, “Buen Vivir”, que incluye la participación y reconocimiento de los derechos de la naturaleza, de pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas que estuvieron invisibilizados por más de 500 años.
PENGARUH STABILITY OF SALES, GROWTH OPPORTUNITY DAN CURRENT RATIO TERHADAP DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO PADA PERUSAHAAN SEKTOR PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE YANG TERDAPAT DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA PERIODE 2014-2017
Authors: Nasution Yusneni Afrita
Published: April 2022

The objective of the research was to examine and analyze the influence of stability of sales, growth opportunity and current ratio on debt to equity ratio in property and real estate sub-sector companies listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2014-2017. The research used descriptive research methode. The population was 49 companies in the property and real estate subsector listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2014 – 2017, and 31 of them were used as the samples, taken by using purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed by using multiple linear regression using SPSS. The results of the research showed that the variables of Stability of Sales, Growth Opportunity and Current Ratio simultaneously had influence on Debt to Equity Ratio. Partially, Stability of Sales had negative and insignificant influence on Debt to Equity Ratio, Growth Opportunity had positive and insignificant influence on Debt to Equity Ratio and Current Ratio had negative and significant influence on Debt to Equity Ratio.
PENGARUH ROA, CR, PERTUMBUHAN PERUSAHAAN, DAN KOMISARIS INDEPENDEN TERHADAP OPINI AUDIT
Authors: Hanly Herry
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze the effect of Return on Assets, Current Ratio, Company Growth, and the Board of Commissioners on the Audit Opinion of the consumer goods industry sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2016 - 2019. The research method is quantitative descriptive research. The population used is industrial companies listed on the IDX in 2016 - 2019, totaling 58 companies. Samples in this study were 16 companies selected with certain criteria. The statistical method used is logistic regression analysis with the help of the SPSS 20 program. The results show that Return on Assets has a significant effect on audit opinion. Meanwhile, Current Ratio, Company Growth, and the Board of Commissioners have no and insignificant effect on the audit opinion.
PENGARUH ITO, RECEIVABLE TURNOVER, FAT DAN TATO TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PADA PERUSAHAAN CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI PERIODE 2017-2019
Authors: Sridefi Septiani
Published: April 2022

This study aims to determine the effect of ITO,Receivable Turnover,Fat and TATO on Protability in Consumer Good Industry Companies listed on the Indonesia stock Exchange in 2017-2019.The research method used is a quantitative approach.The population used is manufacturing Companies listed on the Indonesia stock Exchange in 2017-2019 with 51 companies.The sample in this study were 24 Companies with certain criteria.The statistical method used is logistic regression analysis using SPSS 25.The result is that Fixed Asset Turnover has an influence on profitability.Inventory Turnover,Receivable turnover and total asset Turnover have no effect on profitability.

 

Keywords : Inventory Turnover, Receivable turnover, FAT, and  TATO, profitability
Pengaruh Pelatihan Dan Disiplin Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Pada PT.Angkasa Pura II (PERSERO) Bandara Kualanamu Sumatera Utara
Authors: Try Try Aprina Br Bangun
Published: April 2022

The object the study is PT. Angkasa Pura II wichh is a companyengaged in avition services. The objective of the study is to test and analize the effect of training and discipline on employee performance at PT. Angkasa Pura II both partially and simultaneously. The research used some theories of training, disipline parrtially and employee performance whivh were tested by using multiple linear regression analysis. The research used a quantitive research approach, this type of researchis descriptive quantitative an the nature of this study is an exsplonary relationship. The research population were employees at PT. Angkasa Pura II with a total of 150 employees. The research samples were drawn by using the Slovin formula so that the samples obtained for the regression test were 109 employees and 30 respondents were used for testing the validity and reliability. The results of the study showed that simultaneously, training and dicipline had positive and significant effect on employee performance at PT. Angkasa Pura II (Persero). Partially, training and discipline have a positive and significant effect employee performance at PT. Angkasa Pura II (Persero). The coefficient of determination test results showed that 73,6% of the variations in the dependent variable of  employee performace were affected by training and discipline and the reamining 26,4% explained by other variables not investigated in the research.
PENGARUH MODAL KERJA, AKTIVA TETAP, DAN PENJUALAN BERSIH TERHADAP LABA BERSIH PADA PT PERKEBUNAN NUSANTARA III (PERSERO) TAHUN 2012-2015
Authors: TERE TERESA DERISTA MAULINA GIRSANG
Published: April 2022

Laporan keuangan menyajikan data yang bersifat umum yang merupakan suatu daftar atau laporan keuangan. Laporan keuangan tersebut menunjukkan aktivitas perusahaan dalam suatu periode tertentu. Untuk mendapatkan informasi yang handal maka perusahaan memerlukan suatu struktur pengendalian yang tepat. Tujuan diadakannya penelitian ini adalah untuk menguji dan menganalisis bagaimana pengaruh Modal Kerja, Aktiva Tetap, dan Penjualan Bersih terhadap Laba Bersih pada PT.Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero) Tahun 2012-2015. Populasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah laporan keuangan PT.Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero) yang merupakan penggabungan dari 3 (tiga) BUMN perkebunan yang terdiri dari PT.Perkebunan Nusantara IV, dan PT.Perkebunan Nusantara V yang pengelolaannya disatukan kedalam satu manajemen. Dengan menggunakan teknik Sampling jenuh, Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif, jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif, sifat penelitian ini adalah kausal dan jenis data adalah sekunder. Metode analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi berganda. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik dokumentasi dilakukan untuk mengumpulkan data sekunder dari PT.Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero) Tahun 2012-2015. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Modal Kerja, Aktiva Tetap, dan Penjualan secara simultan berpengaruh positif terhadap Laba Bersih pada PT.Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero) Tahun 2012-2015 . Secara parsial Modal Kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap Laba Bersih. Secara parsial Aktiva Tetap berpengaruh positif dan  signifikan terhadap Laba Bersih. Secara parsial Penjualan Bersih berpengaruh positif dan  signifikan terhadap Laba Bersih. Hasil uji koefisien determinasi menunjukkan  81,1% dari variabel Laba Bersih yang dapat dijelaskan oleh variable Modal Kerja, Aktiva Tetap, dan Penjualan.
Direct Electron Transfer from Upconversion Graphene Quantum Dots to TiO
2
Enabling Infrared Light-Driven Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Jia Dongmei , Li Xiaoyu , Chi Qianqian , Low Jingxiang , Deng Ping , Wu Wenbo , Wang Yikang , Zhu Kaili , Li Wenhao , Xu Mengqiu , Xu Xudong , Jia Gan , Ye Wei , Gao Peng , Xiong Yujie
Published: April 2022

Utilization of infrared light in photocatalytic water splitting is highly important yet challenging given its large proportion in sunlight. Although upconversion material may photogenerate electrons with sufficient energy, the electron transfer between upconversion material and semiconductor is inefficient limiting overall photocatalytic performance. In this work, a TiO
2
/graphene quantum dot (GQD) hybrid system has been designed with intimate interface, which enables highly efficient transfer of photogenerated electrons from GQDs to TiO
2
. The designed hybrid material with high photogenerated electron density displays photocatalytic activity under infrared light (20 mW cm
-2
) for overall water splitting (H
2
: 60.4 
μ
mol g
cat.
-1
 h
-1
and O
2
: 30.0 
μ
mol g
cat.
-1
 h
-1
). With infrared light well harnessed, the system offers a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 0.80% in full solar spectrum. This work provides new insight into harnessing charge transfer between upconversion materials and semiconductor photocatalysts and opens a new avenue for designing photocatalysts toward working under infrared light.
Studies on Apigenin and Its Biological and Pharmacological Activity in Brain Disorders
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Kundu Satyabrata
Published: April 2022

The bioactive compounds from the various plants have shown functional effects that describe they could exhibit a remarkable role in mitigating a wide range of brain-related disorders. One of the largest groups of natural polyphenols are flavonoids, such as apigenin. This paper is based on the updated biological and pharmacological role of apigenin in brain disorders, focusing on its therapeutic effects and, mainly in in-vivo and in vitro research. The main key outcomes from researches, including animal models, clinical trials are described. The beneficial effects of apigenin are summarized in disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, depression, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and autism.