bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business Model Proposal for Energy Transition towards Operational and Economic Sustainability for Rural Electrification: Colombian Case
Authors: Arango-Manrique Adriana , López-García Dahiana , Arango-Lemoine César , Carvajal-Quintero Sandra Ximena
Published: April 2021

This study focuses on strategic development for incorporating distributed energy resources into the electrical off-grid power system operator, or isolated microgrids, to guarantee sustainability and energy transition by an adapted business model. A business model canvas was adapted to allow sustainability in an off-grid Colombian microgrid by integrating distributed energy resources with voltage and frequency control as ancillary services; support services that maintain the stability and security of energy supply in isolated rural electrification. The business model canvas was studied with government funds, who cover all the costs associated with making the model attractive and sustainable in a Colombian context, and some proposed technical incentives to analyze the profitability and guarantee the sustainability of rural electrification. The proposed modified business model canvas offers a useful tool for supporting microgrid market scheme development to include distributed energy resources in a Colombian case. The model showed the importance of motivating investors and increasing profitability by including a value proposition based on technical contributions that benefit the microgrid operation; by around 80%. These benefits can solve some stability problems, including ancillary services, like frequency and voltage support, using distributed energy resources. Finally, integrating rural electrification in off-grid zones into the national energy regulation system is vital for incentivizing sustainable projects in rural zones, such as microgrids.
Typological Differences in Railway Station Areas According to Locational Characteristics: A Nationwide Study of Korea
Authors: Seo Minho , Lee Dongyoub
Published: April 2021

This study aims to explore whether railway station areas can be categorized according to locational characteristics on a nationwide level and whether the typological classification is valid for planning and development. Thirty-four railway station areas across Korea are analyzed and categorized using K-means clustering analysis. The results of the analysis prove that for all locational characteristics of land use, transit accessibility, and spatial form, station areas could be categorized into urban cores and suburbs. Moreover, the typological classification according to the location of urban cores and suburbs is valid in terms of development conditions and demand. This result implies that the role of the public and private sectors must be different in setting the space and size of areas of influence, and in forming and developing their use depending on the locational characteristics of station areas. This study contributes to the discussion on diversifying the planning and development of station areas as the heart of sustainable cities by verifying the types of station areas and their differences according to locational characteristics in East Asia, including Korea.
Sustainable Higher Education Reform Quality Assessment Using SWOT Analysis with Integration of AHP and Entropy Models: A Case Study of Morocco
Authors: Fahim Asma , Tan Qingmei , Naz Bushra , Ain Qurat ul , Bazai Sibghat Ullah
Published: April 2021

Sustainable development goals (SDG) involve not only environmental issues but also economic, social, and cultural concerns. Higher education plays a key role in promoting sustainable development initiatives and in empowering people to change their thinking and to strive for a sustainable future. However, the main issue that needs to be presently resolved is how leaders, teachers, and students in higher education can achieve sustainable development in their system vision, mission and values, strategic plans, and organizational culture. Morocco is a country with a long history of higher education and has continuous reforms for sustainable development. In the process of responding to the wave of globalization, the Moroccan government has begun to formulate a higher education reform plan to maintain its competitiveness and achieve the SDG standards. Therefore, this study is focused on the quality of the higher education system through which the sustainability of higher education reform can be implemented. With this in mind, an organized approach that involved a questionnaire using the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) decision-making model with integration of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Entropy method was developed. The questionnaires were filled out by the experts, staff, and students of the higher education system (universities) to obtain the important key factors for the SWOT analysis. The AHP was used for the qualitative analysis of the weights of the SWOT factors, while the Entropy method was applied for the objective analysis of the number of different weight attributes. After integration of AHP with Entropy, the finalized variables were ranked; these results are more reliable and realistic to decision-makers. Finally, the SWOT matrix was established based on the questionnaire assessment and the AHP with Entropy weights to help implement the higher education reform policy and to monitor the quality of the current education system. The results also indicate that higher education reform must incorporate many changes, including effective budget planning, skilled experts, internationalization, improved and expanded infrastructure, reformed study curriculum, and latest training.
The Concept of Ocean Sustainability in Formal Education—Comparative Ocean Literacy Coverage Analysis of the Educational Standards of India and the USA
Authors: Chang Cheng-Chieh , Hirenkumar Thakkar Chandni , Wu Chin-Kuo
Published: April 2021

The concept of marine environmental sustainability is essential, and ocean literacy is currently at the core of its development. Comparing ocean literacy principles in curriculum standards is an important thing to do. Ocean literacy (OL) is a key and emerging topic, and its study has adopted a qualitative approach and follows the content analysis approach. It was observed that, on average, OL concepts covered in the educational standards of the USA (Next Generation Science Standards, NGSS) are higher than those of India (Indian National Standards, INSs). The study revealed that the 6th principle is highly accentuated in both countries’ educational standards out of the seven essential principles. Moreover, the results indicate variation in OL alignment across India’s grade bands and the USA’s educational standards. Based on the results mentioned above, the proposed study intends to provide references to marine education researchers, curriculum developers, and educational policymakers in India to suitably adjust OL coverage concepts in schools to cultivate ocean-literate citizens.
Open-Source Carbon Footprint Estimator: Development and University Declination
Authors: Auger Clément , Hilloulin Benoit , Boisserie Benjamin , Thomas Maël , Guignard Quentin , Rozière Emmanuel
Published: April 2021

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut to limit climate change. Thus, universities, in the same way as citizens and companies, are starting to raise awareness about this issue and to take action to reduce their carbon footprint. Centrale Nantes, a French “Grande école”, initiated a low carbon transition with the calculation of the 2018 carbon footprint of the university. This report presents an individual carbon footprint estimator developed within the scope of the university, based on the new open-source French national simulator called “Nos Gestes Climat” proposed by ABC (Association Bilan Carbone (Association for the implementation of Carbon footprint assessment)) and ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency). Development context and important features of the national version are described. Then, to meet university user’s expectations, feedback from a panel of testers has been collected in order to guide the declination development and promote good practices ensuring user engagement. The transparency of the data model, the accurate explanations, the variety of actions have been found to be key success factors for the development and the adoption of such a simulator. Results also suggested that users are keen to involve themselves in the university initiative to reach carbon neutrality.
Effects of Science Reader Belief and Reading Comprehension on High School Students’ Science Learning via Mobile Devices
Authors: Chang Cheng-Chieh , Tsai Liang-Ting , Chang Chih-Hsuan , Chang Kuo-Chen , Su Cheng-Fang
Published: April 2021

This research examines senior high school students’ earth science learning effects, focusing on the influence of science reading beliefs when employing mobile devices. The revision of the Science Reader Belief Inventory (SRBI) was used to examine the connections for high school students’ personal scientific reading beliefs and reading comprehension of earth science learning effectiveness conditions when using mobile devices to learn. The learning outcome was determined using achievement tests. In this research, 97 students from three classes of first-year high school students were enrolled in an eight-week experimental teaching study followed by an achievement test. The major findings are as follows: (1) High school students’ transaction beliefs were stronger than transmission beliefs. Transaction beliefs were significantly correlated with transmission beliefs. (2) Scientific beliefs may take a long time to change. (3) Whereas traditional reading comprehension strategies seem to have relied more heavily on vocabulary development, in an e-learning environment, students tend to rely on sentence-level parsing to understand scientific texts. This research provides a reference for teachers within learning environments in which information is incorporated into technology instruction, and various learning scenarios are used.
The Effects of Peer-Based Instant Response System to Promote Learning Performance, Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Shyr Wen-Jye , Hsieh Ying-Ming , Chen Ching-Huei
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the effects of using different online instant response systems (IRSs) on students, particularly in remedial mathematics classrooms. To achieve the goals, this study applied a mixed-methods approach to examine the effects on learning performance, intrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy. The participants were the seventh-grade junior high school students; they were randomly divided into three experimental groups, Kahoot-based IRS, Quizlet-based IRS, and control group. The results indicated that students in the Kahoot-based IRS performed significantly better in mathematics learning performance and reported higher learning interests, choice, and group self-efficacy. Meanwhile, students in the Quizlet-based IRS remedial classroom reported more positively on learning interest, value, effort, and choice than to the control group.
Back-Calculation of Fish Size in Diet Analysis of Piscivorous Predators: A New Index for the Alien Silurus glanis
Authors: Bacchetta Renato , Marotta Andrea , Nessi Alessandro , Tremolada Paolo
Published: April 2021

The wels catfish Silurus glanis has been constantly spreading in many European basins, outside its native range. Being a voracious predator, it is considered to have a severe impact on local fish communities. In the Ticino River (Northern Italy), bones of S. glanis were found in feces from the top predator Lutra lutra. To estimate the control capability of L. lutra for this species and to back-calculate S. glanis’ size from its bone remains, whole skeletons from 27 differently sized S. glanis specimens were analyzed. A double pharyngeal element and all caudal vertebrae emerged as significant items for species identification. The mean length of the pharyngeal element was directly related to fish mass, while for vertebrae, a K-index was proposed to identify the position of each vertebra along the spine and, from this, to calculate the original fish mass. This methodology allowed us to establish that the length of the preyed S. glanis was 85–435 mm, and the ages were between 0+ and 2+ years. The proposed methodology opens new perspectives for more detailed studies on the efficiency of predation by piscivorous species on allochthonous ones.
A Pathway for Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: AL-agele Hadi A. , Nackley Lloyd , Higgins Chad W.
Published: April 2021

Expanding populations, the impacts of climate change, availability of arable land, and availability of water for irrigation collectively strain the agricultural system. To keep pace and adapt to these challenges, food producers may adopt unsustainable practices that may ultimately intensify the strain. What is a course of technological evolution and adoption that can break this cycle? In this paper we explore a set of technologies and food production scenarios with a new, reduced-order model. First the model is developed. The model combines limitations in the sustainable water supply, agricultural productivity as a function of intensification, and rising food demands. Model inputs are derived from the literature and historical records. Monte Carlo simulation runs of the model are used to explore the potential of existing and future technologies to bring us ever closer to a more sustainable future instead of ever farther. This is the concept of a moving sustainability horizon (the year in the future where sustainability can be achieved with current technological progress if demand remains constant). The sustainability gap is the number of years between the present and the sustainability horizon. As demand increases, the sustainability horizon moves farther into the future. As technology improves and productivity increases, the sustainability horizon is closer to the present. Sustainability, therefore, is achieved when the sustainability horizon collides with the present, closing the sustainability gap to zero. We find one pathway for water management technology adoption and innovation that closes the sustainability gap within the reduced-order model’s outputs. In this scenario, micro-irrigation adoption, minimal climate change impacts, reduced food waste, and additional transformative innovations such as smart greenhouses and agrivoltaic systems are collectively needed. The model shows that, in the absence of these changes, and continuing along our current course, the productivity of the agricultural system would become insufficient in the decade following 2050.
An Approach for Designing Mixed Light-Emitting Diodes to Match Greenhouse Plant Absorption Spectra
Authors: Bachouch Latifa , Sewraj Neermalsing , Dupuis Pascal , Canale Laurent , Zissis Georges , Bouslimi Lotfi , El Amraoui Lilia
Published: April 2021

We report a methodological approach for simulating luminary output radiation, which is achieved by mixing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in order to match any plant absorption spectrum. Various recorded narrow-band LED spectra of different colors were first characterized and then fitted with a multi-Gaussian model. An optimizing procedure computed the optimal weighting of the relevant parameters so as to minimize the discrepancy between the combined spectrum and the reference target curve. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) method was applied because it is the most suitable technique for mono-objective situations. Within the useful spectral interval, the worst relative standard deviation between the optimized curve and recorded LED spectral power distribution (SPD) was 3.4%. When combining different LED types, the simulated light output showed that we could limit ourselves to selecting only five colored sources. This work will help us to design an optimized 200 W laboratory luminaire with a pulse-width switched-mode power supply.
Integrated Hydraulic Modelling, Water Quality Modelling and Habitat Assessment for Sustainable Water Management: A Case Study of the Anyang-Cheon Stream, Korea
Authors: Choi Byungwoong , Choi Seung Se
Published: April 2021

Recent ecological stream restoration projects have focused on expanding the water-friendly space of streams, promoting the health of aquatic ecosystems, and restoring various habitats, which raise the need for relevant research. Applying integrated environmental analysis, this study quantifies the change in hydraulic characteristics before and after the restoration projects through physical habitat simulation and links the results of physical impacts to estimate benefits of increase in water quality and aquatic ecosystem health due to the implementation of the project. For this, the study area is a 3.3 km long reach of the Anyang-cheon Stream, Korea. Field monitoring revealed that five fish species are dominant and sub-dominant, and account for 76% of the total fish community. To assess the change of before and after ecological stream restoration project, the River2D and Coastal Modelling System (CMS)-Flow 2D models were used for hydraulic and water quality simulations, respectively. For the habitat simulation, the HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) model was used. In addition, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) was used to calculate changes in water quality index and to examine changes in habitat areas with an integrated quantitative index, the methodology of Zingraff-Hamed et al. was adopted. It was found that the ecological stream restoration project significantly increased for the eco-friendly area. In addition, the changes in water quality and habitat suitability grades before the ecological river restoration project were improved to two stages and one stage, respectively. This study applied the integrated analytical framework as a policy/project assessment tool and the results of this study will be useful for the integrated water management policy.
Synergy between Circular Economy and Industry 4.0: A Literature Review
Authors: Tavera Romero Carlos Andrés , Castro Diego F. , Ortiz Jesús Hamilton , Khalaf Osamah Ibrahim , Vargas Miguel A.
Published: April 2021

Recent research has shown that there is a correlation between the circular economy (CE) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0). In addition, other research papers have analyzed the way that CE uses the different I4.0 technologies to transfer from the existing linear economy to CE; however, there are still gaps in the literature regarding the challenges and impacts that society and individuals must face to be ready for the transition from a linear to a circular economy. These challenges seek to guarantee the sustainability and sustainable development of the different business models that mobilize products and services through supply chains. Here, we conducted a review and compilation of the latest bibliography of circular economy and Industry 4.0 theory. The objective of this work is to present the evolutionary relationship between CE and I4.0, as well as its multi-step model of analysis. This research is relevant because its topics are timely and pertinent, especially for academics. Further, at the time that this research was performed, none of the countries were concerned about the impact that technological changes have on the human being and on society, and up to now we do not currently have studies that show how people are being trained to face the transition from the linear economy, which is common in most societies, toward a CE.
Linking Mode Choice with Travel Behavior by Using Logit Model Based on Utility Function
Authors: Al-Salih Wissam Qassim , Esztergár-Kiss Domokos
Published: April 2021

The currently available transport modeling tools are used to evaluate the effects of behavior change. The aim of this study is to analyze the interaction between the transport mode choice and travel behavior of an individual—more specifically, to identify which of the variables has the greatest effect on mode choice. This is realized by using a multinomial logit model (MNL) and a nested logit model (NL) based on a utility function. The utility function contains activity characteristics, trip characteristics including travel cost, travel time, the distance between activity place, and the individual characteristics to calculate the maximum utility of the mode choice. The variables in the proposed model are tested by using real observations in Budapest, Hungary as a case study. When analyzing the results, it was found that “Trip distance” variable was the most significant, followed by “Travel time” and “Activity purpose”. These parameters have to be mainly considered when elaborating urban traffic models and travel plans. The advantage of using the proposed logit models and utility function is the ability to identify the relationship among the travel behavior of an individual and the mode choice. With the results, it is possible to estimate the influence of the various variables on mode choice and identify the best mode based on the utility function.
Exploring Migration Hold Factors in Climate Change Hazard-Prone Area Using Grounded Theory Study: Evidence from Coastal Semarang, Indonesia
Authors: Amin Choirul , Sukamdi Sukamdi , Rijanta Rijanta
Published: April 2021

Though those who stay put in climate change hazard-prone areas are an intriguing subject of research, only a small number of empirical works specifically targeted these populations. Hence, the drivers of immobility in disaster-prone areas remain understudied and inadequately theorized. In response to these gaps, this contribution locates environmental immobility. The study aims to construct a theoretical model and examine the model through the evidence from the fishing community on the coast of Semarang, one of the areas most severely affected by tidal inundation in Semarang, namely Kampong Tambak Lorok. Using the study of in-depth substantial interviews from 24 participants, we use the grounded theory method to construct a theoretical model. The findings show that the grounded theory’s coding process generated 18 initial concepts, eight main categories, and four core categories. It explores some of the reasons why populations continue to stay, even in the face of environmental degradation. There were two following conclusions: (1) Populations who stay put in disaster-prone areas are held by place attachment, family ties, social ties, and occupational ties. (2) Migration hold factors generate immobility by resisting the forces of migration push factor. The study meaningfully incorporates the migration hold factors as one of the drivers of immobility and enhances the field of environmental immobility theory, migration theory, and environmental migration research. Besides, some policy suggestions are provided as a result of the research findings. For future study, this research also offers a reference for exploring theoretical models of migration hold factors in other regions and countries with different environmental degradation settings.
Evaluation of Sustainable Development in Six Transformation Fields of the Central Taiwan Science Park
Authors: Chen Fu-Hsuan , Liu Hao-Ren
Published: April 2021

By the establishment of science parks, Taiwan has achieved the ability to form high-tech industrial clusters and provided an environment for sustainable industrial development. This study analyzes the sustainable development strategy of the Central Taiwan Science Park (hereafter CTSP). The questions addressed here include: (1) What is the concept of sustainable development in the CTSP? and (2) How does the research respond to the debate on the significance of the CTSP? The research data have been collected using interviews and observation. According to the literature, eight criteria are identified and set up as a framework to code and analyze the data: “natural resources, accessibility regulatory regime, market demand, development level, proximity condition, parcel conditions, and financial compensation”. The framework is then used for evaluating the sustainability of science parks in the light of 17 core goals proposed by the United Nations as Sustainable Development Goals/SDGs for the world. Evaluation of these core goals in the CTSP development revealed the successful transformation of Taiwan’s political and economic structure. In this study, the analysis of the sustainable development generated by the science parks indicates Taiwan’s transition from state leadership (strong state, weak society) to state guidance (strong state, strong society). However, despite its contribution to the long-term development of Taiwan’s economy, the CTSP development has been accompanied by environmental downsides, risking the sustainability goals. In conclusion, the state’s role in making CTSP successful and sustainable, the determining role of regulatory regimes, and moving from state leadership to state guidance are emphasized.
Research Progress on Aerobiology in the Last 30 Years: A Focus on Methodology and Occupational Health
Authors: Lancia Andrea , Capone Pasquale , Vonesch Nicoletta , Pelliccioni Armando , Grandi Carlo , Magri Donatella , D’Ovidio Maria Concetta
Published: April 2021

Aerobiology, as a scientific discipline, developed during the last century and has been applied to different types of organisms and scenarios. In the context of the Integrated Evaluation of Indoor Particulate Exposure (VIEPI) project, we conducted a bibliometric study of the scientific literature on aerobiology from the last three decades, establishing the recent advances and the critical issues regarding the application of aerobiological methods to occupational settings. The data were collected from Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed. We explored the distribution of the articles in different years and research areas and realized a bibliometric analysis using the CiteSpace software. The results indicated that the number of publications is increasing. The studies related to environmental sciences were the most represented, while the number of occupational studies was more limited. The most common keywords were related to pollen, fungal spores and their relation with phenology, climate change and human health. This article shows that aerobiology is not restricted to the study of pollen and spores, extending the discipline and the application of aerobiological methods to occupational settings, currently under-explored.
Modelling of Consumption Shares for Small Wind Energy Prosumers
Authors: Annuk Andres , Yaïci Wahiba , Blinov Andrei , Märss Maido , Trashchenkov Sergei , Miidla Peep
Published: April 2021

This article describes a simulation of energy distribution in an average household where electricity is produced with a small wind generator or purchased from the public electricity grid. Numerical experiments conducted within an average of five minutes were performed using annual production and consumption graphs. Virtual storage devices, a water tank and a battery were used to buffer energy inside the household. The energy required for non-shiftable consumption and hot water consumption were taken directly from the utility grid. Surplus energy remaining from wind generator production after providing for consumption and storage needs were redirected there. A cover factor was used as a measure of the efficiency of energy distribution. One of the aims of the article was to determine by simulations the change of the cover factor in a virtually designed situation where the expected energy output of the wind generator was known in advance over one to three hours. The results found that for the configuration of the proposed nanogrid option, the positive results were readily achieved when the expected wind generator production was known an hour ahead. Then, the cover factor increased from 0.593 to 0.645. The side result of using projected/expected production is an increase in asymmetrical energy exchanges bilaterally between nanogrid and utility grid in favour of grid sales. Another finding was that the cover factor depended on the wind generator’s production intensity but less on the intensity of consumption within the household.It is hoped/expected that future research will address the prediction of output using mathematical methods.
Quantum Calculations on Ion Channels: Why Are They More Useful Than Classical Calculations, and for Which Processes Are They Essential?
Authors: Kariev Alisher M. , Green Michael E.
Published: April 2021

There are reasons to consider quantum calculations to be necessary for ion channels, for two types of reasons. The calculations must account for charge transfer, and the possible switching of hydrogen bonds, which are very difficult with classical force fields. Without understanding charge transfer and hydrogen bonding in detail, the channel cannot be understood. Thus, although classical approximations to the correct force fields are possible, they are unable to reproduce at least some details of the behavior of a system that has atomic scale. However, there is a second class of effects that is essentially quantum mechanical. There are two types of such phenomena: exchange and correlation energies, which have no classical analogues, and tunneling. Tunneling, an intrinsically quantum phenomenon, may well play a critical role in initiating a proton cascade critical to gating. As there is no classical analogue of tunneling, this cannot be approximated classically. Finally, there are energy terms, exchange and correlation energy, whose values can be approximated classically, but these approximations must be subsumed within classical terms, and as a result, will not have the correct dependence on interatomic distances. Charge transfer, and tunneling, require quantum calculations for ion channels. Some results of quantum calculations are shown.
Connecting Climate and Communicable Disease to Penta Helix Using Hierarchical Likelihood Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Caraka Rezzy Eko , Noh Maengseok , Chen Rung-Ching , Lee Youngjo , Gio Prana Ugiana , Pardamean Bens
Published: April 2021

Design: Health issues throughout the sustainable development goals have also been integrated into one ultimate goal, which helps to ensure a healthy lifestyle as well as enhances well-being for any and all human beings of all social level. Meanwhile, regarding the clime change, we may take urgent action to its impacts. Purpose: Nowadays, climate change makes it much more difficult to control the pattern of diseases transmitted and sometimes hard to prevent. In line with this, Centres for Disease Control (CDC) Taiwan grouped the spread of disease through its source in the first six main groups. Those are food or waterborne, airborne or droplet, vector-borne, sexually transmitted or blood-borne, contact transmission, and miscellaneous. According to this, academics, government, and the private sector should work together and collaborate to maintain the health issue. This article examines and connects the climate and communicable aspects towards Penta-Helix in Taiwan. Finding: In summary, we have been addressing the knowledge center on the number of private companies throughout the health care sector, the number of healthcare facilities, and the education institutions widely recognized as Penta Helix. In addition, we used hierarchical likelihood structural equation modeling (HSEMs). All the relationship variables among climate, communicable disease, and Penta Helix can be interpreted through the latent variables with GoF 79.24%.
The Stoichiometry, Structure and Possible Formation of Crystalline Diastereomeric Salts
Authors: Bánhegyi Dorottya Fruzsina , Pálovics Emese
Published: April 2021

Knowing the eutectic composition of the binary melting point phase diagrams of the diastereomeric salts formed during the given resolution, the achievable F (F = eeDia*Y) value can be calculated. The same value can also be calculated and predicted by knowing the eutectic compositions of the binary melting point phase diagrams of enantiomeric mixtures of the racemic compound or the resolving agent. An explanation was sought as to why and how the crystalline precipitated diastereomeric salt—formed in the solution between a racemic compound and the corresponding resolving agent—may be formed. According to our idea, the self-disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE) has a decisive role when the enantiomers form two nonequal ratios of conformers in solution. The self-organized enantiomers form supramolecular associations having M and P helicity, and double helices are formed. Between these double spirals, with the formation of new double spirals, a dynamic equilibrium is achieved and the salt crystallizes. During this process between acids and bases, chelate structures may also be formed. Acids appear to have a crucial impact on these structures. It is assumed that the behavior of each chiral molecule is determined by its own code. This code validates the combined effect of constituent atoms, bonds, spatial structure, charge distribution, flexibility and complementarity.
Humanitarian Rescue Scheme Selection under the Covid-19 Crisis in China: Based on Group Decision-Making Method
Authors: Deng Xiaotong , Kong Zhaojun
Published: April 2021

Humanitarian rescue has become an important part of government emergency management in China. In order to select the optimal humanitarian rescue scheme accurately and in a timely manner in an emergency, reduce the harm of disasters to human life and health, and improve the government’s emergency management ability, a multi-attribute emergency group decision-making method is proposed. First, interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets are used to express the preferences of decision-makers, and interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy entropy is used to calculate attribute weights. Then, based on the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) method, the weight of the decision-maker is calculated. Then, the relevant interval intuitionistic fuzzy operators are used to summarize the preferences of decision-makers in group decision-making. Finally, we will use the closeness ranking method to choose the optimal scheme, and the feasibility and practicability of the proposed method are demonstrated by an example. The example shows that the model is more scientific, objective, and comprehensive in solving the problem of multi-attribute group decision-making than the traditional scheme selection, which only depends on the subjective discussion of decision-makers.
CT Volumetry of Convoluted Objects—A Simple Method Using Volume Averaging
Authors: Al-Senan Rani , Newhouse Jeffrey H.
Published: April 2021

Accurate measurement of object volumes using computed tomography is often important but can be challenging, especially for finely convoluted objects with severe marginal blurring from volume averaging. We aimed to test the accuracy of a simple method for volumetry by constructing, scanning and analyzing a phantom object with these characteristics which consisted of a cluster of small lucite beads embedded in petroleum jelly. Our method involves drawing simple regions of interest containing the entirety of the object and a portion of the surrounding material and using its density, along with the densities of pure lucite and petroleum jelly and the slice thickness to calculate the volume of the object in each slice. Comparison of our results with the object’s true volume showed the technique to be highly accurate, irrespective of slice thickness, image noise, reconstruction planes, spatial resolution and variations in regions of interest. We conclude that the method can be easily used for accurate volumetry in clinical and research scans without the need for specialized volumetry computer programs.
Morphological Analysis Reveals a Compartmentalized Duct in the Venom Apparatus of the Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi)
Authors: Schmidtberg Henrike , von Reumont Björn M. , Lemke Sarah , Vilcinskas Andreas , Lüddecke Tim
Published: April 2021

Spiders are one of the most successful groups of venomous animals, but surprisingly few species have been examined in sufficient detail to determine the structure of their venom systems. To learn more about the venom system of the family Araneidae (orb-weavers), we selected the wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) and examined the general structure and morphology of the venom apparatus by light microscopy. This revealed morphological features broadly similar to those reported in the small number of other spiders subject to similar investigations. However, detailed evaluation of the venom duct revealed the presence of four structurally distinct compartments. We propose that these subunits facilitate the expression and secretion of venom components, as previously reported for similar substructures in pit vipers and cone snails.
Internalization of Clostridium botulinum C2 Toxin Is Regulated by Cathepsin B Released from Lysosomes
Authors: Nagahama Masahiro , Kobayashi Keiko , Ochi Sadayuki , Takehara Masaya
Published: April 2021

Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin is a clostridial binary toxin consisting of actin ADP-ribosyltransferase (C2I) and C2II binding components. Activated C2II (C2IIa) binds to cellular receptors and forms oligomer in membrane rafts. C2IIa oligomer assembles with C2I and contributes to the transport of C2I into the cytoplasm of host cells. C2IIa induces Ca2+-induced lysosomal exocytosis, extracellular release of the acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase), and membrane invagination and endocytosis through generating ceramides in the membrane by ASMase. Here, we reveal that C2 toxin requires the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B (CTSB) during endocytosis. Lysosomes are a rich source of proteases, containing cysteine protease CTSB and cathepsin L (CTSL), and aspartyl protease cathepsin D (CTSD). Cysteine protease inhibitor E64 blocked C2 toxin-induced cell rounding, but aspartyl protease inhibitor pepstatin-A did not. E64 inhibited the C2IIa-promoted extracellular ASMase activity, indicating that the protease contributes to the activation of ASMase. C2IIa induced the extracellular release of CTSB and CTSL, but not CTSD. CTSB knockdown by siRNA suppressed C2 toxin-caused cytotoxicity, but not siCTSL. These findings demonstrate that CTSB is important for effective cellular entry of C2 toxin into cells through increasing ASMase activity.
Contribution of Gut Microbiota-Derived Uremic Toxins to the Cardiovascular System Mineralization
Authors: Filipska Iwona , Winiarska Agata , Knysak Monika , Stompór Tomasz
Published: April 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the world population and leads to excess morbidity and mortality (with cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death). Vascular calcification (VC) is a phenomenon of disseminated deposition of mineral content within the media layer of arteries preceded by phenotypic changes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and/or accumulation of mineral content within the atherosclerotic lesions. Medial VC results in vascular stiffness and significantly contributes to increased cardio-vascular (CV) morbidity, whereas VC of plaques may rather increase their stability. Mineral and bone disorders of CKD (CKD-MBD) contribute to VC, which is further aggravated by accumulation of uremic toxins. Both CKD-MBD and uremic toxin accumulation affect not only patients with advanced CKD (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 15 mL/min./1.72 m2, end-stage kidney disease) but also those on earlier stages of a disease. The key uremic toxins that contribute to VC, i.e., p-cresyl sulphate (PCS), indoxyl sulphate (IS) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) originate from bacterial metabolism of gut microbiota. All mentioned toxins promote VC by several mechanisms, including: Transdifferentiation and apoptosis of VSMC, dysfunction of endothelial cells, oxidative stress, interaction with local renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system or miRNA profile modification. Several attractive methods of gut microbiota manipulations have been proposed in order to modify their metabolism and to limit vascular damage (and VC) triggered by uremic toxins. Unfortunately, to date no such method was demonstrated to be effective at the level of “hard” patient-oriented or even clinically relevant surrogate endpoints.
Bergamottin and 5-Geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin Cooperate in the Cytotoxic Effect of Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) Essential Oil in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cell Line
Authors: Maugeri Alessandro , Lombardo Giovanni Enrico , Musumeci Laura , Russo Caterina , Gangemi Sebastiano , Calapai Gioacchino , Cirmi Santa , Navarra Michele
Published: April 2021

The plant kingdom has always been a treasure trove for valuable bioactive compounds, and Citrus fruits stand out among the others. Bergamottin (BRG) and 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin (5-G-7-MOC) are two coumarins found in different Citrus species with well-acknowledged pharmacological properties. Previously, they have been claimed to be relevant in the anti-proliferative effects exerted by bergamot essential oil (BEO) in the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. This study was designed to verify this assumption and to assess the mechanisms underlying the anti-proliferative effect of both compounds. Our results demonstrate that BRG and 5-G-7-MOC are able to reduce the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells, inducing apoptosis and increasing cell population in sub-G0/G1 phase. Moreover, we demonstrated the pro-oxidant activity of the two coumarins that increased reactive oxygen species and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential. From a molecular point of view, BRG and 5-G-7-MOC were able to modulate apoptosis related factors at both protein and gene levels. Lastly, we evaluated the synergistic effect of their combination, finding that the highest synergy was observed at a concentration ratio similar to that occurring in the BEO, supporting our initial hypothesis. Taken together, our results deepen the knowledge regarding the effect of BRG and 5-G-7-MOC in SH-SY5Y cells, emphasizing the relevance of their cooperation in achieving this effect.
Lessons Learned and Paths Forward for Rabies Dog Vaccination in Madagascar: A Case Study of Pilot Vaccination Campaigns in Moramanga District
Authors: Filla Caitlynn , Rajeev Malavika , Randriana Zoavina , Hanitriniana Chantal , Rafaliarison Radoniaina R. , Edosoa Glenn Torrencelli , Andriamananjara Mamitiana , Razafindraibe Nivohanitra P. , Nely José , Ferreira Angelique , Yang Annie L. , Daniel Fenomanana , Clarke Tara A. , Farris Zachary , Stone Terry , Lastdrager Jochem , Rajaonarivelo Tsiky , Hampson Katie , Metcalf C. Jessica E. , Valenta Kim
Published: April 2021

Canine rabies causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths per year, but these deaths are preventable through post-exposure prophylaxis of people and vaccination of domestic dogs. Dog vaccination campaigns targeting 70% of the population are effective at interrupting transmission. Here, we report on lessons learned during pilot dog vaccination campaigns in the Moramanga District of Madagascar. We compare two different vaccination strategies: a volunteer-driven effort to vaccinate dogs in two communes using static point vaccination and continuous vaccination as part of routine veterinary services. We used dog age data from the campaigns to estimate key demographic parameters and to simulate different vaccination strategies. Overall, we found that dog vaccination was feasible and that most dogs were accessible to vaccination. The static-point campaign achieved higher coverage but required more resources and had a limited geographic scope compared to the continuous delivery campaign. Our modeling results suggest that targeting puppies through community-based vaccination efforts could improve coverage. We found that mass dog vaccination is feasible and can achieve high coverage in Madagascar; however, context-specific strategies and an investment in dog vaccination as a public good will be required to move the country towards elimination.
Socio-Spatial Changes in Danwei Neighbourhoods: A Case Study of the AMS Danwei Compound in Hefei, China
Authors: Ye Nanqi , Kita Michihiro , Matsubara Shigeki , Okyere Seth Asare , Shimoda Motoki
Published: April 2021

This paper analysed socio-spatial changes in old urban neighbourhoods (Danwei compounds) in Chinese cities as a result of two major national level reforms: the Reform and Opening Up and the Urban Housing reform in 1978 and 1997, respectively. Existing research indicates fundamental changes have taken place in the political, economic and social aspects of Danwei compounds. However, there is a paucity of research on micro-level changes. To understand how these reforms have affected the social-spatial schema of Danwei Compounds, the study utilised mapping, key person interviews and field observation in AMS compound, Hefei city of Anhui province. This paper compared the AMS Danwei Compound before and after the reforms in terms of public spaces, building features and compound management. The study found that the AMS Danwei Compound has experienced a significant reduction in public space, an increase in building density and a reconfiguration of compound management actors. The study suggests the need for local planning authorities and government to pay attention to planning and design of the old city core by emphasising improvement in public spaces, attention to compact design principles for urban neighbourhood planning, and establishment of local community management body.
The Evolution of Urban Planning in Medium-Sized Catalan Cities (1979–2019)
Authors: Bellet Sanfeliu Carme
Published: April 2021

Urban planning, as well as the type of city in which it takes place and is promoted, has changed a lot in Spanish cities since the return to democratically elected municipal governments in 1979. This work seeks to characterise the transformation that urban planning has undergone over the last 40 years. It sets out to do this by studying the cases of two medium-sized Catalan cities, their underlying city models, and the ways in which planning has been defined and managed in Catalonia. All of this was undertaken through a bibliographic and documentary analysis of the approved planning documents, which was accompanied by a study of the population dynamics and building cycles. In Spain, urban planning has been one of the instruments used to catalyse expectations for economic growth based on land consumption through urbanisation. Within this context, planning has progressed from fulfilling an initial requirement to regulate activities and urban growth (1979–1991) to facilitating urban development through a clearly expansive and speculative form of neoliberal urbanism (1993–2007) and, finally, to assuming a form in which these previous tendencies coexist with certain new orientations.
Diversity and Evolution of HIV and HCV
Authors: Martinez Miguel Angel
Published: April 2021

In this Special Issue focused on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) diversity and evolution, we can find good examples of how the genetic variability of these two viruses is impacting their spread, pathogenesis, and therapeutics [...]