bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification for Penicillium expansum Spoilage and Defect in Apples by Electronic Nose Combined with Chemometrics
Authors: Guo Zhiming , Guo Chuang , Chen Quansheng , Ouyang Qin , Shi Jiyong , El-Seedi Hesham R. , Zou Xiaobo
Published: April 2020

It is crucial for the efficacy of the apple storage to apply methods like electronic nose systems for detection and prediction of spoilage or infection by Penicillium expansum. Based on the acquisition of electronic nose signals, selected sensitive feature sensors of spoilage apple and all sensors were analyzed and compared by the recognition effect. Principal component analysis (PCA), principle component analysis-discriminant analysis (PCA-DA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) were used to establish the classification model of apple with different degrees of corruption. PCA-DA has the best prediction, the accuracy of training set and prediction set was 100% and 97.22%, respectively. synergy interval (SI), genetic algorithm (GA) and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) are three selection methods used to accurately and quickly extract appropriate feature variables, while constructing a PLS model to predict plaque area. Among them, the PLS model with unique variables was optimized by CARS method, and the best prediction result of the area of the rotten apple was obtained. The best results are as follows: Rc = 0.953, root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) = 1.28, Rp = 0.972, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 1.01. The results demonstrated that the electronic nose has a potential application in the classification of rotten apples and the quantitative detection of spoilage area.
The Dark and the Light Side of the Expatriate’s Cross-Cultural Adjustment: A Novel Framework Including Perceived Organizational Support, Work Related Stress and Innovation
Authors: Giorgi Gabriele , Lecca Luigi Isaia , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Di Massimo Chiara , Campagna Marcello , Finstad Georgia Libera , Arcangeli Giulio , Mucci Nicola
Published: April 2020

The new context of the Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development has reached the attention of the scientific community in recent years, due to its comprehensive approach aimed at enhancing the sustainability of interpersonal and intrapersonal talent, as well as of groups and communities. In this scenario, research on employee cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) is considered a key theme in human resource management. It is known that psychological support in the host country may alleviate distress and facilitate the integration of the expatriate workers. However, there is a lack of research investigating expatriate adjustment as an antecedent of the perceived organizational support. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship among cross-cultural adjustment (CCA), perception of organizational support (POS), work-related stress (WRS), and innovation, considering these factors as a part of a unique innovative framework. A cross sectional study was performed using a sample of 234 expatriate workers of a multinational organization. Data were collected through a monitoring survey for the assessment of work-related stress risk factors of their expatriate staff. The results showed a positive correlation between CCA, POS, and innovation. On the other hand, a negative correlational effect of CCA and WRS, CCA and POS on WRS, and POS and WRS was found. Finally, POS was found to be a significant antecedent of CCA. These findings have implications for both international human resource management researchers and practitioners.
Integration of Eco-centric Views of Sustainability in Port Planning
Authors: Wu Xiaofang , Zhang Luoping , Yang Hsi-Chi
Published: April 2020

The sustainability approach commits to conserving natural resources and biodiversity. In ports, many efforts that encourage improvement in sustainability exist, such as sustainable ports, eco-ports, or green ports. However, whether the current planning approaches for sustainable ports, eco-ports, and green ports can effectively achieve sustainability remains a question. This study aims to discuss this issue through a literature review. The main findings include (1) the current sustainable port planning following the ambitions of sustainable development and aiming to fulfill this generation’s needs; (2) the eco-port planning approaches emphasizing environmental protection; (3) the planning approaches for green ports that have emerged within environmental management and give attention to the ecological issues; (4) all of the three approaches prioritizing environmental issues. We argue for the integration of eco-centric views for sustainability in port planning from a maritime supply chain perspective, and based on this, the concept of the green port is proposed. This study provides broad and mindful information regarding port sustainability education and can help foster innovation in order to face the challenges in sustainability.
Can Climate Skeptics Be Convinced? The Effect of Nature Videos on Environmental Concern
Authors: Franzen Axel , Mader Sebastian
Published: April 2020

Much research has demonstrated that videos can function as primers or nudges that influence attitudes and behaviors. Studies to date suggest that this includes influence over individual pro-environmental attitudes. However, the existing evidence all stems from samples comprised of university students. In this paper, we describe the results of a randomized online experiment in a sample of 468 climate skeptics. We presented 3-min nature documentary videos that highlighted either the beauty of nature, the endangerment of nature by humans, or a mixture of both. The results suggest that the mixed stimulus video, which shows first the beauty of nature and then its endangerment by humans does indeed increase environmental concern by almost half a standard deviation. However, none of the video treatments increased donations to pro-environmental organizations. Still, the results suggest that nudging by video also works in samples of climate skeptics, which demonstrates the external validity of former findings.
Factorial Invariance, Latent Mean Differences of the Panas and Affective Profiles and Its Relation to Social Anxiety in Ecuadorian Sample
Authors: Sanmartín Ricardo , Vicent María , Gonzálvez Carolina , Inglés Cándido J. , Reinoso-Pacheco Ramiro , García-Fernández José Manuel
Published: April 2020

Positive (PA) and negative affect (NA) are related with aspects that are part of people’s psychological well-being, and the possibility of combining both dimensions to create four affective profiles, self-fulfilling (high PA and low NA), low affective (low PA and low NA), high affective (high PA and high NA) and self-destructive (low PA and high NA), has recently appeared. The current work aims to validate the short version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in Ecuador, test the existence of the four affective profiles and analyze its relation with social anxiety. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents was employed in a sample of 1786 Ecuadorian students aged from 15 to 18 years (M = 16.31, SD = 1.01). The factorial invariance of the scale across sex and age groups was proved and latent mean analyses showed that girls and 18-year-old students obtained the highest scores in negative affect. With regard to the affective profiles, the cluster analyses confirmed the existence of the four mentioned profiles, and the self-fulfilling profile obtained the lowest scores in all the dimensions of social anxiety, whereas the self-destructive profile obtained the highest scores.
The Impact of Core Technological Capabilities of High-Tech Industry on Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Authors: Feng Bing , Sun Kaiyang , Chen Min , Gao Tao
Published: April 2020

The market competitiveness and sustainable operation of an enterprise are closely correlated with the support of high-tech core technologies in the enterprise. This study first discusses the basic knowledge of core competitiveness, introduces the components and evaluation methods of core competitiveness, and builds an evaluation index system for core competitiveness of high-tech enterprises. Then, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is fully discussed, during which the steps, advantages, and disadvantages of the AHP evaluation method are introduced. Finally, the Fujian Province of China is taken as an example, the relevant data are collected and processed, the impact of indicators are analyzed, and a high-tech industry core technological capability analysis indicator system is built based on the AHP method. Thus, the influence of the core technological capabilities of the high-tech industry on the sustainable competitive advantage of the enterprise is obtained. This study puts forward suggestions for maintaining the competitiveness of high-tech industries, thereby improving the competitive advantage of enterprises and achieving the sustainable management of enterprises. The result finds that if the high-tech industries continue to carry out innovation and scientific research, enterprises will maintain their competitive advantages. In summary, exploring the impact of the core technological capabilities of high-tech industries on the sustainable competitive advantages of enterprises is greatly significant for improving their competitiveness and industrial status, which enables them to be invincible in a complex environment.
Utilization of Fly Ashes from Fluidized Bed Combustion: A Review
Authors: Ohenoja Katja , Pesonen Janne , Yliniemi Juho , Illikainen Mirja
Published: April 2020

Traditionally fly ash is thought to be glassy, spherical particle originating from pulverized coal combustion (PCC) at temperature up to 1700 °C. However, nowadays fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology is spreading quickly around the world as it is an efficient and environmentally friendly method. FBC is also able to utilize mixtures of low-grade solid fuels (e.g., coal, lignite, biomass, and waste) that have fluctuating quality, composition, and moisture contents. However, this leads to a high variation in the produced fly ash quality, unlike PCC fly ash, and hence challenges when attempting to utilize this fly ash. In this study, the utilization of fluidized bed combustion fly ash (FBCFA) was reviewed using the Scopus database. The most promising utilization target for FBCFA from biomass combustion is as a fertilizer and soil amendment. In construction, the FBCFA from various fuels is utilized as cement replacement material, in non-cement binders, as lightweight aggregates and cast-concrete products. Other types of construction applications include mine backfilling material, soil stabilizer, and road construction material. There are also other promising applications for FBCFA utilization, such as catalysts support material and utilization in waste stabilization.
Learning in, with, and through the Territory: Territory-Based Learning as a Catalyst for Urban Sustainability
Authors: Souza Daniele T. P. , Kuhn Eugenia A. , Wals Arjen E. J. , Jacobi Pedro R.
Published: April 2020

Territorial problems such as the socio-ecological degradation of urban rivers represent a great challenge to achieving sustainability in cities. This issue demands collaborative efforts and the crossing of boundaries determined by actors that act from diverse spheres of knowledge and systems of practice. Based on an integrative territory notion and the boundary approach, the goal of this paper is to comprehend the boundary crossings that take place in multi-actor initiatives towards the resolution of this problem and what type of territorial transformation is produced as an outcome. Our analysis is built on participatory research on the Taquara Stream case, a degraded watercourse in a socio-ecologically vulnerable area, in southern Brazil. Our data analysis applied a visual chronological narrative and an interdisciplinary theoretical framework of analysis that combined concepts related to the territory (geography) and the boundary approach (education). We verified that local territorial issues functioned as boundary objects, fostering and facilitating dialogical interaction among involved actors, knowledge co-production, and collaborative practical actions that led to changes in the territory in terms of practices, comprehensions, and physical concrete transformations. We framed this study as one of territory-based learning meant to advance the understanding of territorial intervention processes towards urban sustainability.
Anthropogenic Disturbances and Precipitation Affect Karst Sediment Discharge in the Nandong Underground River System in Yunnan, Southwest China
Authors: Li Yanqing , Jiang Zhongcheng , Chen Zhihua , Yu Yang , Lan Funing , Shan Zhijie , Sun Yingjie , Liu Peng , Tang Xiaobo , Rodrigo-Comino Jesús
Published: April 2020

In fragile karst environments that have seen past and current human exploitation of agricultural and forest resources, the quantification of underground riverine sediment has been widely used to evaluate subterranean stream basin erosion. These measures are highly influenced by both precipitation and anthropogenic factors; therefore, soil erosion control measures must be urgently designed and applied. In this study, 17 years of sediment discharge across the Nandong underground river system in southwest China was monitored. To achieve this goal, the Mann–Kendal mutation test and proxy indicators were used to estimate the general influence of human activities and precipitation on sediment discharge. The results showed that: (1) Both anthropologic disturbance and rainfall have impacted the sediment discharge, although the influence of the anthropologic factor on sediment discharge was greater (61.53%), and (2) rainfall showed a hysteresis effect on sediment discharge. We obtained three different stages based on the mutation points and variation characteristics of the studied sediment discharge resulting from different driving forces, from 1998 to 2014. Prior to 2004, in the whole basin, the decrease of sediment yield was the result of the Natural Forest Protection Project. During the period from 2004 to 2008, due to continuous droughts, flood disasters, and intensive cultivation practices on the steeper hillslopes, the total sediment discharge of the whole basin increased. After 2009, the sediment discharge decreased due to the development of soil conservation projects and mushrooming reservoirs. These findings are expected to provide insights into watershed management and ecological restoration in fragile karst ecosystems, specifically, in southwestern Chinese river systems. More research must be conducted to monitor, with in situ measurements and observations, possible extreme events that can determine the exact erosion control measures that need to be designed and applied.
The Relationship between English Language Learner Characteristics and Online Self-regulation: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhan Ju
Published: April 2020

Learner beliefs, anxiety, and motivation are three common learner characteristics. They have consistently been found to account for language learning performance. Meanwhile, self-regulation is critical in sustaining online learners’ continuous efforts and predicting their learning outcomes. Despite the massive and rapidly increasing number of online English learners, few studies have clarified the assumed relationships between learner characteristics (learner beliefs, anxiety, motivation) and self-regulation in the online English learning context. This study aims to fill the gap by conducting structural equation modeling analysis to examine their relations. To fulfill the research purpose, we adopted the previous questionnaires with sufficient reliability as instruments to evaluate students’ online English learner beliefs, learning anxiety, learning motivation and online self-regulated English learning. The valid responses collected from 425 Chinese undergraduate university students enrolled in an online academic English writing course provided the data source. The results indicated that learner beliefs positively predicted, while learning anxiety negatively predicted, online self-regulated English learning. Online English learning motivation was a mediator in these associations. The findings suggested that stronger learner beliefs of self-efficacy and perceived value of English learning promoted learning motivation and self-regulation. In contrast, higher learning anxiety, such as test anxiety and fear of negative evaluation, harmed learners’ motivation and their online self-regulated English learning.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Efficiency in the Spanish Clean Water and Sanitation Sector
Authors: Martínez-Córdoba Pedro-José , Raimo Nicola , Vitolla Filippo , Benito Bernardino
Published: April 2020

In recent years, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is becoming a major challenge for local governments. This research focuses on the role of Spanish local governments in the fulfillment of SDG-6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all citizens. Specifically, this study analyses the evolution of the efficiency of Spanish local governments, and its determining factors, in the achievement of the SDG-6. The results indicate that the taxes associated with water supply and sanitation services, the private management of these services, population density, local government budget revenues, the income of the inhabitants of the municipality and the fragmentation of local governments are factors that can improve the evolution of the efficiency of Spanish local governments in achieving the SDG-6.
Evaluation of Criteria for the Implementation of High-Performance Computing (HPC) in Danube Region Countries Using Fuzzy PIPRECIA Method
Authors: Tomašević Milovan , Lapuh Lucija , Stević Željko , Stanujkić Dragiša , Karabašević Darjan
Published: April 2020

The use of computers with outstanding performance has become a real necessity in order to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability for the accomplishment of various tasks. Therefore, with the development of information technology and increasing dynamism in the business environment, it is expected that these computers will be more intensively deployed. In this paper, research was conducted in Danube region countries: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. The aim of the research was to determine what criteria are most significant for the introduction of high-performance computing and the real situation in each of the countries. In addition, the aim was to establish the infrastructure needed to implement such a system. In order to determine the partial significance of each criterion and thus the possibility of implementing high-performance computing, a multi-criteria model in a fuzzy environment was applied. The weights of criteria and their rankings were performed using the Fuzzy PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment—fuzzy PIPRECIA method. The results indicate different values depend on decision-makers (DMs) in the countries. Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to verify the results obtained.
An Analysis on the Spatial Effect of Absorptive Capacity on Regional Innovation Ability Based on Empirical Research in China
Authors: Tang Yingkai , Chen Yaozhi , Wang Kun , Xu He , Yi Xiaoqi
Published: April 2020

Innovation is the primary driving force for development and the core of green, healthy, and sustainable economic development. This paper researches the spatial effect of absorptive capacity on regional innovation capacity from the perspective of knowledge spillover. We use the seven dimensions such as R & D intensity to build an absorptive capacity index evaluation system. After statistical verification, we select the most suitable empirical model, the dynamic Spatial Durbin Model with two-way fixed effect. The empirical results show that: (1) The promotion effect of absorptive capacity on knowledge spillovers in one province has no obvious effect on innovation promotion in other provinces, especially provinces at similar economic levels. However, it tends to inhibit the innovation development of neighboring provinces. (2) The impact of absorptive capacity on promoting knowledge spillovers varies from region to region. The eastern provinces of China are not affected by the absorptive capacity of neighboring provinces. The regression results of the central and western regions are not substantially different from the full sample. This study puts forward some policy suggestions based on the empirical results. It shows that a higher absorptive capacity does not mean better performance. The Chinese government should thus promote innovation in different provinces according to the local conditions.
System Dynamics Analysis of the Relationship between Transit Metropolis Construction and Sustainable Development of Urban Transportation—Case Study of Nanchang City, China
Authors: Xue Yunqiang , Cheng Lin , Wang Kuang , An Jing , Guan Hongzhi
Published: April 2020

In order to systematically analyze the benefits of transit metropolis construction, the system dynamics (SD) theory was used to construct the transit metropolis SD simulation model from the four subsystems of economy, society, environment, and transportation supply and demand. The validity of the SD model was verified by the social and economic data of Nanchang City and the operational data of the bus company, and the quantitative simulation analysis was carried out by taking the construction of the transit metropolis in Nanchang as an example. The simulation results show that, in 2020, the number of motor vehicles in Nanchang will reach 1.13 million and the urban population will reach 5.71 million. It is necessary to build a transit metropolis for the sustainable development of urban transportation. In order to complete the transit metropolis creation goal of 60% of the public transit mobility sharing rate, the proportion of public transport investment in the total transportation investment needs to be adjusted from 0.25 to 0.35. As a result, Nanchang City will improve after the peak traffic congestion in 2022, indicating that the construction of the transit metropolis will have a positive effect on Nanchang. By developing new energy vehicles and low-emission vehicles, vehicle emissions will drop from 0.05 tons/year to 0.04 tons/year, and overall nitrogen oxide emissions will fall by 70%, which is significant for urban environments. The research results provide theoretical support for the significance of transit metropolis construction, and promote the sustainable development of urban transportation.
On Symmetry Properties of The Corrugated Graphene System
Authors: Pudlak Mihal , Smotlacha Jan , Nazmitdinov Rashid
Published: April 2020

The properties of the ballistic electron transport through a corrugated graphene system are analysed from the symmetry point of view. The corrugated system is modelled by a curved surface (an arc of a circle) connected from both sides to flat sheets. The spin–orbit couplings, induced by the curvature, give rise to equivalence between the transmission (reflection) probabilities of the transmitted (reflected) electrons with the opposite spin polarisation, incoming from opposite system sides. We find two integrals of motion that explain the chiral electron transport in the considered system.
Kaonic Atoms to Investigate Global Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Curceanu Catalina , Guaraldo Carlo , Sirghi Diana , Amirkhani Aidin , Baniahmad Ata , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bellotti Giovanni , Bosnar Damir , Bragadireanu Mario , Cargnelli Michael , Carminati Marco , Clozza Alberto , De Paolis Luca , Del Grande Raffaele , Fiorini Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Iwasaki Masahiko , King Pietro , Levi Sandri Paolo , Marton Johann , Miliucci Marco , Moskal Paweł , Niedźwiecki Szymon , Okada Shinji , Piscicchia Kristian , Scordo Alessandro , Silarski Michał , Sirghi Florin , Skurzok Magdalena , Spallone Antonio , Tüchler Marlene , Utica Gianlorenzo , Vazquez Doce Oton , Zmeskal Johann
Published: April 2020

Kaonic atoms measure the antikaon-nucleus interaction at almost zero relative energy, allowing one to determine basic low-energy quantum chromodynamics (QCD) quantities, namely, the antikaon-nucleon ( K ¯ N) scattering lengths. The latter are important for extracting the sigma terms which are built on the symmetry breaking part of the Hamiltonian, thereby providing a measure of chiral and SU(3) symmetries breaking. After discussing the sigma terms and their relations to the kaonic atoms, we describe the most precise measurement in the literature of kaonic hydrogen, performed at LNF-INFN by the SIDDHARTA experiment. Kaonic deuterium is still to be measured, and two experiments are planned. The first, SIDDHARTA-2 at LNF-INFN was installed on DA Φ NE in spring 2019 and will collect data in 2020. The second, E57 at J-PARC, will become operative in 2021.
A Survey on QoS Requirements Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Scheduling Techniques for Workflow Scheduling in Cloud Computing
Authors: Farid Mazen , Latip Rohaya , Hussin Masnida , Abdul Hamid Nor Asilah Wati
Published: April 2020

Cloud computing is an innovative technology that deploys networks of servers, located in wide remote areas, for performing operations on a large amount of data. In cloud computing, a workflow model is used to represent different scientific and web applications. One of the main issues in this context is scheduling large workflows of tasks with scientific standards on the heterogeneous cloud environment. Other issues are particular to public cloud computing. These include the need for the user to be satisfied with the quality of service (QoS) parameters, such as scalability and reliability, as well as maximize the end-users resource utilization rate. This paper surveys scheduling algorithms based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). This is aimed at assisting users to decide on the most suitable QoS consideration for large workflows in infrastructure as a service (IaaS) cloud applications and mapping tasks to resources. Besides, the scheduling schemes are categorized according to the variant of the PSO algorithm implemented. Their objectives, characteristics, limitations and testing tools have also been highlighted. Finally, further directions for future research are identified.
Some New q—Integral Inequalities Using Generalized Quantum Montgomery Identity via Preinvex Functions
Authors: Vivas-Cortez Miguel , Kashuri Artion , Liko Rozana , Hernández Jorge E. Hernández
Published: April 2020

In this work the authors establish a new generalized version of Montgomery’s identity in the setting of quantum calculus. From this result, some new estimates of Ostrowski type inequalities are given using preinvex functions. Given the generality of preinvex functions, particular q —integral inequalities are established with appropriate choice of the parametric bifunction. Some new special cases from the main results are obtained and some known results are recaptured as well. At the end, a briefly conclusion is given.
Brain Extraction Using Active Contour Neighborhood-Based Graph Cuts Model
Authors: Jiang Shaofeng , Wang Yu , Zhou Xuxin , Chen Zhen , Yang Suhua
Published: April 2020

The extraction of brain tissue from brain MRI images is an important pre-procedure for the neuroimaging analyses. The brain is bilaterally symmetric both in coronal plane and transverse plane, but is usually asymmetric in sagittal plane. To address the over-smoothness, boundary leakage, local convergence and asymmetry problems in many popular methods, we developed a brain extraction method using an active contour neighborhood-based graph cuts model. The method defined a new asymmetric assignment of edge weights in graph cuts for brain MRI images. The new graph cuts model was performed iteratively in the neighborhood of brain boundary named the active contour neighborhood (ACN), and was effective to eliminate boundary leakage and avoid local convergence. The method was compared with other popular methods on the Internet Brain Segmentation Repository (IBSR) and OASIS data sets. In testing cross IBSR data set (18 scans with 1.5 mm thickness), IBSR data set (20 scans with 3.1 mm thickness) and OASIS data set (77 scans with 1 mm thickness), the mean Dice similarity coefficients obtained by the proposed method were 0.957 ± 0.013, 0.960 ± 0.009 and 0.936 ± 0.018 respectively. The result obtained by the proposed method is very similar with manual segmentation and achieved the best mean Dice similarity coefficient on IBSR data. Our experiments indicate that the proposed method can provide competitively accurate results and may obtain brain tissues with sharp brain boundary from brain MRI images.
A New Dataset and Deep Residual Spectral Spatial Network for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Xue Yiming , Zeng Dan , Chen Fansheng , Wang Yueming , Zhang Zhijiang
Published: April 2020

Due to the limited varieties and sizes of existing public hyperspectral image (HSI) datasets, the classification accuracies are higher than 99% with convolutional neural networks (CNNs). In this paper, we presented a new HSI dataset named Shandong Feicheng, whose size and pixel quantity are much larger. It also has a larger intra-class variance and a smaller inter-class variance. State-of-the-art methods were compared on it to verify its diversity. Otherwise, to reduce overfitting caused by the imbalance between high dimension and small quantity of labeled HSI data, existing CNNs for HSI classification are relatively shallow and suffer from low capacity of feature learning. To solve this problem, we proposed an HSI classification framework named deep residual spectral spatial setwork (DRSSN). By using shortcut connection structure, which is an asymmetry structure, DRSSN can be deeper to extract features with better discrimination. In addition, to alleviate insufficient training caused by unbalanced sample sizes between easily and hard classified samples, we proposed a novel training loss function named sample balanced loss, which allocated weights to the losses of samples according to their prediction confidence. Experimental results on two popular datasets and our proposed dataset showed that our proposed network could provide competitive results compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Algebraic Inverses on Lie Algebra Comultiplications
Authors: Lee Dae-Woong
Published: April 2020

In this note, we investigate algebraic loop structures and inverses of elements of a set of all homomorphisms of Lie algebras with a binary operation derived from a Lie algebra comultiplication. As a symmetry phenomenon, we show that if

l

(
1
)

c

and

r

(
1
)

c

are the left and right inverses of the identity

1
:
L
→
L

on a free graded Lie algebra

L

, respectively, based on the Lie algebra comultiplication

ψ
c

:
L
→
L
⊔
L

, then we have

l

(
1
)

=
l

(
1
)

c

and

r

(
1
)

=
r

(
1
)

c

, where

c
:
L
→
L
⊔
L

is a commutator.
Interaction of Hadronic Dark Matter with Nucleons and Leptons
Authors: Beylin Vitaly , Kuksa Vladimir
Published: April 2020

We analyze the low-energy Lagrangian of hadronic dark matter interaction with nucleons and leptons. The analysis was fulfilled within the framework of the effective meson-exchange model, which is based on dynamic realization of SU(3)-symmetry. Using this Lagrangian, we calculate the cross-section of low-energy scattering of nucleons on hadronic dark matter particles. Effective vertex of W-boson interaction with new hadrons is constructed and the cross-section of lepton scattering on dark matter particles is calculated.
The Effect of Nanoparticle Shape and Microchannel Geometry on Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Porous Microchannel
Authors: Abdelmalek Zahra , D’Orazio Annunziata , Karimipour Arash
Published: April 2020

Microchannels are widely used in electrical and medical industries to improve the heat transfer of the cooling devices. In this paper, the fluid flow and heat transfer of water–Al2O3 nanofluids (NF) were numerically investigated considering the nanoparticle shape and different cross-sections of a porous microchannel. Spherical, cubic, and cylindrical shapes of the nanoparticle as well as circular, square, and triangular cross-sections of the microchannel were considered in the simulation. The finite volume method and the SIMPLE algorithm have been employed to solve the conservation equations numerically, and the k-ε turbulence model has been used to simulate the turbulence fluid flow. The models were simulated at Reynolds number ranging from 3000 to 9000, the nanoparticle volume fraction ranging from 1 to 3, and a porosity coefficient of 0.7. The results indicate that the average Nusselt number (Nuave) increases and the friction coefficient decreases with an increment in the Re for all cases. In addition, the rate of heat transfer in microchannels with triangular and circular cross-sections is reduced with growing Re values and concentration. The spherical nanoparticle leads to maximum heat transfer in the circular and triangular cross-sections. The heat transfer growth for these two cases are about 102.5% and 162.7%, respectively, which were obtained at a Reynolds number and concentration of 9000 and 3%, respectively. However, in the square cross-section, the maximum heat transfer increment was obtained using cylindrical nanoparticles, and it is equal to 80.2%.
Robust Multi-Objective Sustainable Reverse Supply Chain Planning: An Application in the Steel Industry
Authors: Antucheviciene Jurgita , Jafarnejad Ahmad , Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Razavi Hajiagha Seyed Hossein , Kargar Amir
Published: April 2020

In the design of the supply chain, the use of the returned products and their recycling in the production and consumption network is called reverse logistics. The proposed model aims to optimize the flow of materials in the supply chain network (SCN), and determine the amount and location of facilities and the planning of transportation in conditions of demand uncertainty. Thus, maximizing the total profit of operation, minimizing adverse environmental effects, and maximizing customer and supplier service levels have been considered as the main objectives. Accordingly, finding symmetry (balance) among the profit of operation, the environmental effects and customer and supplier service levels is considered in this research. To deal with the uncertainty of the model, scenario-based robust planning is employed alongside a meta-heuristic algorithm (NSGA-II) to solve the model with actual data from a case study of the steel industry in Iran. The results obtained from the model, solving and validating, compared with actual data indicated that the model could optimize the objectives seamlessly and determine the amount and location of the necessary facilities for the steel industry more appropriately.
Scale Symmetry in the Universe
Authors: Gaite Jose
Published: April 2020

Scale symmetry is a fundamental symmetry of physics that seems however not to be fully realized in the universe. Here, we focus on the astronomical scales ruled by gravity, where scale symmetry holds and gives rise to a truly scale invariant distribution of matter, namely it gives rise to a fractal geometry. A suitable explanation of the features of the fractal cosmic mass distribution is provided by the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann–Emden equation. An alternative interpretation of this equation is connected with theories of quantum gravity. We study the fractal solutions of the equation and connect them with the statistical theory of random multiplicative cascades, which originated in the theory of fluid turbulence. The type of multifractal mass distributions so obtained agrees with results from the analysis of cosmological simulations and of observations of the galaxy distribution.
Change Point Detection with Mean Shift Based on AUC from Symmetric Sliding Windows
Authors: Wang Yanguang , Huang Guanna , Yang Junjie , Lai Huadong , Liu Shun , Chen Changrun , Xu Weichao
Published: April 2020

Change point detection is widely used in signal detection, industrial engineering, economy, finance, biomedicine and many other fields. The widely used parametric methods require prior knowledge of the noise signal distribution, which are seldom realistic. In practice, when the distribution of noise is not known, it is desirable to design algorithms based on non-parametric statistics, which, in the null case (no change point), are completely distribution free. To this end, we propose to use two symmetric sliding windows to compute the Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC) as a test statistic to measure the difference between the distribution of two samples. In the stage of change point detection, a threshold is designed according to hypothesis test which is based on the null distribution of the test statistics. This threshold is used to detect the potential change points in the signal. To reduce the probability of false alarm detection, a key parameter K is set to distinguish and delete the false alarms in potential change points. Comparative studies showed that our proposed method outperforms the classical Relative unconstrained Least-Squares Importance Fitting (RuLSIF) algorithm and is also better than the Hawkins, Qiu, and Kang (HQK) algorithm when the noise follows non-normal distributions.
Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins in Hemodialysis Patients Relate to Residual Kidney Function, Are Not Influenced by Convective Transport, and Do Not Relate to Outcome
Authors: van Gelder Maaike K. , Middel Igor R. , Vernooij Robin W. M. , Bots Michiel L. , Verhaar Marianne C. , Masereeuw Rosalinde , Grooteman Muriel P. , Nubé Menso J. , van den Dorpel M. A. , Blankestijn Peter J. , Rookmaaker Maarten B. , Gerritsen Karin G.F.
Published: April 2020

Protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) are predominantly excreted by renal tubular secretion and hardly removed by traditional hemodialysis (HD). Accumulation of PBUTs is proposed to contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Preserved PBUT excretion in patients with residual kidney function (RKF) and/or increased PBUT clearance with improved dialysis techniques might improve the prognosis of patients with ESKD. The aims of this study are to explore determinants of PBUTs in HD patients, and investigate whether hemodiafiltration (HDF) lowers PBUT plasma concentrations, and whether PBUTs are related to the outcome. Predialysis total plasma concentrations of kynurenine, kynurenic acid, indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic acid, p-cresyl sulfate, p-cresyl glucuronide, and hippuric acid were measured by UHPLC-MS at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up in the first 80 patients participating in the CONvective TRAnsport Study (CONTRAST), a randomized controlled trial that compared the effects of online HDF versus low-flux HD on all-cause mortality and new cardiovascular events. RKF was inversely related to kynurenic acid (p < 0.001), indoxyl sulfate (p = 0.001), indole-3-acetic acid (p = 0.024), p-cresyl glucuronide (p = 0.004) and hippuric acid (p < 0.001) plasma concentrations. Only indoxyl sulfate decreased by 8.0% (−15.3 to 34.6) in patients treated with HDF and increased by 11.9% (−15.4 to 31.9) in HD patients after 6 months of follow-up (HDF vs. HD: p = 0.045). No independent associations were found between PBUT plasma concentrations and either risk of all-cause mortality or new cardiovascular events. In summary, in the current population, RKF is an important determinant of PBUT plasma concentrations in HD patients. The addition of convective transport did not consistently decrease PBUT plasma concentrations and no relation was found between PBUTs and cardiovascular endpoints.
Toxicity of Recombinant Necrosis and Ethylene-Inducing Proteins (NLPs) from Neofusicoccum parvum
Authors: Nazar Pour Forough , Cobos Rebeca , Rubio Coque Juan José , Serôdio João , Alves Artur , Félix Carina , Ferreira Vanessa , Esteves Ana Cristina , Duarte Ana Sofia
Published: April 2020

Neofusicoccum parvum is a fungal pathogen associated with a wide range of plant hosts. Despite being widely studied, the molecular mechanism of infection of N. parvum is still far from being understood. Analysis of N. parvum genome lead to the identification of six putative genes encoding necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins (NLPs). The sequence of NLPs genes (NprvNep 1-6) were analyzed and four of the six NLP genes were successfully cloned, expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. Pure recombinant proteins were characterized according to their phytotoxic and cytotoxic effects to tomato leaves and to mammalian Vero cells, respectively. These assays revealed that all NprvNeps tested are cytotoxic to Vero cells and also induce cell death in tomato leaves. NprvNep2 was the most toxic to Vero cells, followed by NprvNep1 and 3. NprvNep4 induced weaker, but, nevertheless, still significant toxic effects to Vero cells. A similar trend of toxicity was observed in tomato leaves: the most toxic was NprvNep 2 and the least toxic NprvNep 4. This study describes for the first time an overview of the NLP gene family of N. parvum and provides additional insights into its pathogenicity mechanism.
Food Safety and Natural Toxins
Authors: Fletcher Mary T. , Netzel Gabriele
Published: April 2020

Natural toxins are poisonous secondary metabolites produced by living organisms, which are typically not harmful to the organisms themselves but can impact on human or animal health when consumed [...]
PGN and LTA from Staphylococcus aureus Induced Inflammation and Decreased Lactation through Regulating DNA Methylation and Histone H3 Acetylation in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Wu Yongjiang , Chen Jingbo , Sun Yawang , Dong Xianwen , Wang Zili , Chen Juncai , Dong Guozhong
Published: April 2020

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most common pathogens of mastitis, and S. aureus generally causes subclinical mastitis which is more persistent and resistant to treatment. Peptidoglycan (PGN) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are cell wall components of S. aureus. Although the roles of PGN and LTA in causing inflammation are well studied, the epigenetic mechanisms of the effects of PGN and LTA on the inflammation and lactation remain poorly understood. This study characterized the gene expression profiling by RNA sequencing and investigated DNA methylation and histone acetylation in relation to inflammation and lactation in the immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T). The cells were cultured for 24 h with neither PGN nor LTA (CON), PGN (30 μg/mL), LTA (30 μg/mL), and PGN (30 μg/mL) + LTA (30 μg/mL), respectively. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the expression of proinflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1, and CXCL6 of the treatments increased in the following order: CON < PGN < LTA < PGN + LTA, and the DEGs mainly enriched on the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathway. LTA and PGN + LTA induced hypomethylation of global DNA by suppressing DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity. PGN and LTA, alone or combined, decreased the mRNA expression of casein genes (CSN1S1, CSN2, and CSN3) and the expression of two caseins (CSN2 and CSN3), and reduced histone H3 acetylation by suppressing histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity and promoting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. Collectively, this study revealed that PGN and LTA induced inflammation probably due to decreasing DNA methylation through regulating DNMT activity, and decreased lactation possibly through reducing histone H3 acetylation by regulating HAT and HDAC activity in bovine mammary epithelial cells.
SERTA Domain Containing Protein 1 (SERTAD1) Interacts with Classical Swine Fever Virus Structural Glycoprotein E2, Which Is Involved in Virus Virulence in Swine
Authors: Vuono Elizabeth A. , Ramirez-Medina Elizabeth , Azzinaro Paul , Berggren Keith A. , Rai Ayushi , Pruitt Sarah , Silva Ediane , Velazquez-Salinas Lauro , Borca Manuel V. , Gladue Douglas P.
Published: April 2020

E2 is the major structural glycoprotein of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV). E2 has been shown to be involved in important virus functions such as replication and virulence in swine. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we previously identified several host proteins specifically interacting with CSFV E2. Here, we analyze the protein interaction of E2 with SERTA domain containing protein 1 (SERTAD1), a factor involved in the stimulation of the transcriptional activities of different host genes. We have confirmed that the interaction between these two proteins occurs in CSFV-infected swine cells by using a proximity ligation assay and confocal microscopy. Amino acid residues in the CSFV E2 protein that are responsible for mediating the interaction with SERTAD1 were mapped by a yeast two-hybrid approach using a randomly mutated E2 library. Using that information, a recombinant CSFV mutant (E2ΔSERTAD1v) that harbors substitutions in those residues mediating the protein-interaction with SERTAD1 was developed and used to study the role of the E2-SERTAD1 interaction in viral replication and virulence in swine. CSFV E2ΔSERTAD1v, when compared to the parental BICv, showed a clearly decreased ability to replicate in the SK6 swine cell line and a more severe replication defect in primary swine macrophage cultures. Importantly, 80% of animals infected with E2ΔSERTAD1v survived infection, remaining clinically normal during the 21-day observational period. This result would indicate that the ability of CSFV E2 to bind host SERTAD1 protein during infection plays a critical role in virus virulence.
Immune Imprinting in the Influenza Ferret Model
Authors: Skarlupka Amanda L. , Ross Ted M.
Published: April 2020

The initial exposure to influenza virus usually occurs during childhood. This imprinting has long-lasting effects on the immune responses to subsequent infections and vaccinations. Animal models that are used to investigate influenza pathogenesis and vaccination do recapitulate the pre-immune history in the human population. The establishment of influenza pre-immune ferret models is necessary for understanding infection and transmission and for designing efficacious vaccines.
Climate Change Impact on Surface Water and Groundwater Recharge in Northern Thailand
Authors: Petpongpan Chanchai , Ekkawatpanit Chaiwat , Kositgittiwong Duangrudee
Published: April 2020

Climate change is progressing and is now one of the most important global challenges for humanities. Water resources management is one of the key challenges to reduce disaster risk. In Northern Thailand, flood and drought have always occurred because of the climate change impact and non-systematic management in the conjunctive use of both sources of water. Therefore, this study aims to assess the climate change impact on surface water and groundwater of the Yom and Nan river basins, located in the upper part of Thailand. The surface water and groundwater regimes are generated by a fully coupled SWAT-MODFLOW model. The future climate scenarios are considered from the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5, presented by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), in order to mainly focus on the minimum and maximum Green House Gas (GHG) emissions scenarios during the near future (2021–2045) periods. The results show that the average annual air temperature rises by approximately 0.5–0.6 °C and 0.9–1.0 °C under the minimum (RCP 2.6) and maximum (RCP 8.5) GHG emission scenarios, respectively. The annual rainfall, obtained from both scenarios, increased by the same range of 20–200 mm/year, on average. The summation of surface water (water yield) and groundwater recharge (water percolation) in the Yom river basin decreased by 443.98 and 316.77 million m3/year under the RCPs 2.6 and 8.5, respectively. While, in the Nan river basin, it is projected to increase by 355 million m3/year under RCP 2.6 but decrease by 20.79 million m3/year under RCP 8.5. These quantitative changes can directly impact water availability when evaluating the water demand for consumption, industry, and agriculture.