bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Caffeine Expectancies on Simulated Soccer Performance in Recreational Individuals
Authors: Shabir Akbar , Hooton Andy , Spencer George , Storey Mitch , Ensor Olivia , Sandford Laura , Tallis Jason , Saunders Bryan , Higgins Matthew F.
Published: September 2019

Caffeine (CAF) has been reported to improve various facets associated with successful soccer play, including gross motor skill performance, endurance capacity and cognition. These benefits are primarily attributed to pharmacological mechanisms. However, evidence assessing CAF’s overall effects on soccer performance are sparse with no studies accounting for CAF’s potential psychological impact. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess CAF’s psychological vs. pharmacological influence on various facets of simulated soccer performance. Utilising a double-dissociation design, eight male recreational soccer players (age: 22 ± 5 years, body mass: 78 ± 16 kg, height: 178 ± 6 cm) consumed CAF (3 mg/kg/body mass) or placebo (PLA) capsules, 60 min prior to performing the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) interspersed with a collection of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), blood glucose and lactate, heart rate and performing the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Whole-body dynamic reaction time (DRT) was assessed pre- and post- LIST, and endurance capacity (TLIM) post, time-matched LIST. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (v24) whilst subjective perceptions were explored using template analysis. Mean TLIM was greatest (p < 0.001) for synergism (given CAF/told CAF) (672 ± 132 s) vs. placebo (given PLA/told PLA) (533 ± 79 s). However, when isolated, TLIM was greater (p = 0.012) for CAF psychology (given PLA/told CAF) (623 ± 117 s) vs. pharmacology (given CAF/told PLA) (578 ± 99 s), potentially, via reduced RPE. Although DRT performance was greater (p = 0.024) post-ingestion (+5 hits) and post-exercise (+7 hits) for pharmacology vs. placebo, psychology and synergism appeared to improve LSPT performance vs. pharmacology. Interestingly, positive perceptions during psychology inhibited LSPT and DRT performance via potential CAF over-reliance, with the opposite occurring following negative perceptions. The benefits associated with CAF expectancies may better suit tasks that entail lesser cognitive-/skill-specific attributes but greater gross motor function and this is likely due to reduced RPE. In isolation, these effects appear greater vs. CAF pharmacology. However, an additive benefit may be observed after combining expectancy with CAF pharmacology (i.e., synergism).
Heterozygotes Are a Potential New Entity among Homozygotes and Compound Heterozygotes in Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency
Authors: Husein Diab M. , Wanes Dalanda , Marten Lara M. , Zimmer Klaus-Peter , Naim Hassan Y.
Published: September 2019

Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID) is an autosomal recessive disorder of carbohydrate maldigestion and malabsorption caused by mutations in the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene. SI, together with maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM), belongs to the enzyme family of disaccharidases required for breakdown of α-glycosidic linkages in the small intestine. The effects of homozygote and compound heterozygote inheritance trait of SI mutations in CSID patients have been well described in former studies. Here we propose the inclusion of heterozygote mutation carriers as a new entity in CSID, possibly presenting with milder symptoms. The hypothesis is supported by recent observations of heterozygote mutation carriers among patients suffering from CSID or patients diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Recent studies implicate significant phenotypic heterogeneity depending on the character of the mutation and call for more research regarding the correlation of genetics, function at the cellular and molecular level and clinical presentation. The increased importance of SI gene variants in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other functional gastrointestinal disorders FGIDs and their available symptom relief diets like fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols FODMAPs suggest that the heterozygote mutants may affect the disease development and treatment.
Learning Needs of Pharmacists for an Evolving Scope of Practice
Authors: Austin Zubin , Gregory Paul
Published: September 2019

Around the world, changes in scope of practice regulations for pharmacists have been used as a tool to advance practice and promote change. Regulatory change does not automatically trigger practice change; the extent and speed of uptake of new roles and responsibilities has been slower than anticipated. A recent study identified 9 pre-requisites to practice change (the 9Ps of Practice Change). The objective of this study was to describe how educationalists could best apply these 9Ps to the design and delivery of continuing professional development for pharmacists. Twenty community pharmacists participated in semi-structured interviews designed to elicit their learning needs for scope of practice change. Seven supportive educational techniques were identified as being most helpful to promote practice change: (i) a coaching/mentoring approach; (ii) practice-based experiential learning; (iii) a longitudinal approach to instructional design; (iv) active demonstration of how to implement practice change; v) increased focus on soft-skills development; (vi) opportunities for practice/rehearsal of new skills; and (vii) use of a 360-degree feedback model. Further work is required to determine how these techniques can be best applied and implemented to support practice change in pharmacy.
The Changbai Alpine Shrub Tundra Will Be Replaced by Herbaceous Tundra under Global Climate Change
Authors: Jin Yinghua , Xu Jiawei , He Hongshi , Li Mai-He , Tao Yan , Zhang Yingjie , Hu Rui , Gao Xiang , Bai Yunyu , Wang Huiyun , Han Yingying
Published: September 2019

Significant replacement of shrub species by herbaceous species has been observed in the Changbai alpine tundra zone, China, since the 1990s. This study used plot surveys to analyze variations in the spatial distribution of dominant plants and to ascertain the changing mechanisms of dominant species in the alpine tundra zone. We found that the two previously dominant shrubs, Rhododendron chrysanthum and Vaccinium uliginosum, differed markedly in their distribution characteristics. The former had the highest abundance and the lowest coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis, and the latter showed the opposite results, while the six herb species invaded had intermediate values. R. chrysanthum still had a relatively uniform distribution, while the herbaceous species and V. uliginosum had a patch distribution deviating from the normal distribution in the tundra zone. Micro-topography and slope grade had stronger effects on the spatial distribution of the eight plant species than elevation. Herbs tended to easily replace the shrubs on a semi-sunny slope aspect, steep slope, and depression. Overall, the dominance of dwarf shrubs declined, while the herbaceous species have encroached and expanded on the alpine tundra zone and have become co-dominant plant species. Our results suggest that various micro-topographic factors associated with variations in climatic and edaphic conditions determine the spatial distribution of plants in the alpine tundra zone. Future climate warming may cause decreased snow thickness, increased growing season length, and drought stress, which may further promote replacement of the shrubs by herbs, which shows retrogressive vegetation successions in the Changbai alpine tundra zone. Further studies need to focus on the physio-ecological mechanisms underlying the vegetation change and species replacement in the alpine tundra area under global climate change.
A Novel Aspect of Essential Oils: Coating Seeds with Thyme Essential Oil induces Drought Resistance in Wheat
Authors: Ben-Jabeur Maissa , Vicente Rubén , López-Cristoffanini Camilo , Alesami Noura , Djébali Naceur , Gracia-Romero Adrian , Serret Maria Dolores , López-Carbonell Marta , Araus Jose Luis , Hamada Walid
Published: September 2019

Coating seeds with biostimulants is among the promising approaches in crop production to increase crop tolerance to drought stress. In this study, we evaluated the potential of coating durum wheat seeds of the cultivar ‘Karim’ with thyme essential oil on enhancing seed germination and seedling growth, and on plant growth promotion and induction of drought resistance. Coated seeds were pre-germinated, grown in hydroponics, and grown in pots under controlled well-watered and progressive water/nutrient stress conditions. Seed coating with thyme oil increased germination rate and enhanced seedling growth development in hydroponics. In the pot experiment, thyme oil increased, when well watered, root and shoot development, chlorophyll, nitrogen balance index (NBI), abscisic acid (ABA), anthocyanins and flavonoids in leaves, decreased nitrogen isotope composition (δ15N) and increased carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of shoots. Increasing water/nutrient stress in control plants induced higher accumulation of ABA and anthocyanins coupled with a transient decrease in chlorophyll and NBI, a decrease in shoot and root development, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), shoot C content, δ15N, and an increase in δ13C, revealing the avoidance strategy adopted by the cultivar. Thyme oil had the potential to enhance the avoidance strategy by inducing roots elongation, reducing the loss of shoot and roots dry matter and chlorophyll, maintaining balanced NBI, an decreasing anthocyanins, flavonoids, and δ13C via maintaining lower ABA-mediated-stomatal closure. Thyme oil increased shoot N content and δ15N indicating preferential uptake of the 15N enriched NH4+. Coating seeds with thyme oil is suggested as a promising alternative approach to improve plant’s water and nutrient status and to enhance drought resistance.
Differential Effects of Increasing Salinity on Germination and Seedling Growth of Native and Exotic Invasive Cordgrasses
Authors: Infante-Izquierdo María Dolores , Castillo Jesús M. , Grewell Brenda J. , Nieva F. Javier J. , Muñoz-Rodríguez Adolfo F.
Published: September 2019

Soil salinity is a key environmental factor influencing germination and seedling establishment in salt marshes. Global warming and sea level rise are changing estuarine salinity, and may modify the colonization ability of halophytes. We evaluated the effects of increasing salinity on germination and seedling growth of native Spartina maritima and invasive S. densiflora from wetlands of the Odiel-Tinto Estuary. Responses were assessed following salinity exposure from fresh water to hypersaline conditions and germination recovery of non-germinated seeds when transferred to fresh water. The germination of both species was inhibited and delayed at high salinities, while pre-exposure to salinity accelerated the speed of germination in recovery assays compared to non-pre-exposed seeds. S. densiflora was more tolerant of salinity at germination than S. maritima. S. densiflora was able to germinate at hypersalinity and its germination percentage decreased at higher salinities compared to S. maritima. In contrast, S. maritima showed higher salinity tolerance in relation to seedling growth. Contrasting results were observed with differences in the tidal elevation of populations. Our results suggest S. maritima is a specialist species with respect to salinity, while S. densiflora is a generalist capable of germination of growth under suboptimal conditions. Invasive S. densiflora has greater capacity than native S. maritima to establish from seed with continued climate change and sea level rise.
HDPE/Chitosan Composites Modified with PE-g-MA. Thermal, Morphological and Antibacterial Analysis
Authors: Lima Poliana S. , Trocolli Rossanna , Wellen Renate M. R. , Rojo Luis , Lopez-Manchado Miguel A. , Fook Marcus V. L. , Silva Suédina M. L.
Published: September 2019

In this work, composites of high density polyethylene (HDPE) with chitosan were prepared by melt compounding in a laboratory internal mixer. Maleic anhydride grafted HDPE (PE-g-MA) in a concentration up to 25 phr was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the dispersing effect of chitosan in the HDPE matrix. The degree of crystallinity was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the thermal properties were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The morphology was investigated by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The integrity of composites was evaluated by mechanical properties and antibacterial properties were assessed against Escherichia coli (DH5a). Neither crystallinity nor HDPE’s melting parameters changed upon addition of chitosan and PE-g-MA. Chitosan aggregates were observed, which were dispersed upon addition of PE-g-MA, which also provided improved mechanical performance. Chitosan significantly improved the bacteriostatic effect of HDPE compounds preventing bacteria to colonize thus reducing the number of viable colony-forming units (CFU). This study revealed that HDPE/chitosan composites could be obtained by melt compounding, at lower cost and additionally having antibacterial properties, which might provide a new formulation option for developing antimicrobial film for food packaging.
Investigation on Rheological Properties and Storage Stability of Modified Asphalt Based on the Grafting Activation of Crumb Rubber
Authors: Xie Juan , Yang Yueming , Lv Songtao , Zhang Yongning , Zhu Xuan , Zheng Cece
Published: September 2019

Acrylamide with a double bond and amide group can not only copolymerize with macromolecules of crumb rubber but also react with acidic groups in asphalt, so it was selected as a modifier to activate crumb rubber through chemical graft action. The purpose is to improve the compatibility between crumb rubber and asphalt and thus improve the rheological properties and storage stability of rubber asphalt. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the crumb rubbers and their modified asphalt. It was found that the crumb rubber of grafting acrylamide had better compatibility in asphalt due to its larger specific surface area and chemical reaction with asphalt. In addition, the high temperature rheological test, low temperature creep test, and polymer separation test were carried out to study the effect of grafted activated crumb rubber on the properties of modified asphalt. The results showed that compared with modified asphalt with common crumb rubber (CRMA), the rheological properties and storage stability of modified asphalt with grafting activated crumb rubber (A–G–R) were improved significantly. The results of microscopic and macroscopic tests show that the activated rubber particles have a larger contact area with asphalt due to a rougher surface and the chemical cross-linking between rubber particles and asphalt further strengthens their interaction. Therefore, there is a relatively stable blend system formed in modified asphalt, and its performance of modified asphalt has been improved.
Simulation and Experimental Study of a Single Fixed-Bed Model of Nitrogen Gas Generator Working by Pressure Swing Adsorption
Authors: Chinh Pham Van , Hieu Nguyen Tuan , Tien Vu Dinh , Nguyen Tan-Y , Nguyen Hoang Nam , Anh Ngo Thi , Thom Do Van
Published: September 2019

Nitrogen is an inert gas available in the air and is widely used in industry and food storage technology. Commonly, it is separated by air refrigerant liquefaction and fractional distillation techniques based on different boiling temperatures of components in the mixed air. Currently, selective adsorption techniques by molecular sieve materials are studied and applied to separate gases based on their molecular size. In this paper, we simulate and investigate the effect parameters in a single fixed-bed model of a nitrogen gas generator using carbon molecular sieves, following pressure swing adsorption. This study aims to identify the effect of changing parameters so as to select the optimal working conditions of a single fixed-bed model, used as a basis for equipment optimization. This equipment was designed, manufactured, and installed at the Institute of Technology, General Department of Defense Industry, Vietnam to investigate, simulate, and optimize the industrial scale-up.
Circular Economy and its Comparison with 14 Other Business Sustainability Movements
Authors: Tóth Gergely
Published: September 2019

Circular economy is not the first, and probably not the last “movement” in the arena of sustainability macroeconomic and business solutions. In this article we produce a—not full—list of similar movements from the 1990s, publish a comparative table and propose a simple framework to decide the significant points of the life cycle of such a kind of movement. For significant points and statistics, we use simplified content analysis from normal and scientific research engines. Finally, we use this framework to make a forecast about time for the circular economy approach “to stay on the top” and conclude if these movements are “Much Ado about Nothing” or they help us on our way to a sustainable planetary, social and economic system.
Using Long-Term SAR Backscatter Data to Monitor Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery in Tundra Environment
Authors: Zhou Zhiwei , Liu Lin , Jiang Liming , Feng Wanpeng , Samsonov Sergey V.
Published: September 2019

Wildfires could have a strong impact on tundra environment by combusting surface vegetation and soil organic matter. For surface vegetation, many years are required to recover to pre-fire level. In this paper, by using C-band (VV/HV polarization) and L-band (HH polarization) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images acquired before and after fire from 2002 to 2016, we investigated vegetation change affected by the Anaktuvuk River Fire in Arctic tundra environment. Compared to the unburned areas, C- and L-band SAR backscatter coefficients increased by up to 5.5 and 4.4 dB in the severely burned areas after the fire. Then past 5 years following the fire, the C-band SAR backscatter differences decreased to pre-fire level between the burned and unburned areas, suggesting that vegetation coverage in burned sites had recovered to the unburned level. This duration is longer than the 3-year recovery suggested by optical-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) observations. While for the L-band SAR backscatter after 10-year recovery, about 2 dB higher was still found in the severely burned area, compared to the unburned area. The increased roughness of the surface is probably the reason for such sustained differences. Our analysis implies that long records of space-borne SAR backscatter can monitor post-fire vegetation recovery in Arctic tundra environment and complement optical observations.
Highly Sensitive Micropatterned Interdigitated Electrodes for Enhancing the Concentration Effect Based on Dielectrophoresis
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Ahn Heeju , Lee David S. , Park Dongsung , Kim Jae Hyun , Kim Jinsik , Yoon Dae Sung , Hwang Kyo Seon
Published: September 2019

The concentration effect of dielectrophoresis (DEP) enables detection of biomolecules with high sensitivity. In this study, microstructures were patterned between the interdigitated microelectrodes (IMEs) to increase the concentration effect of DEP. The microstructures increased the electric field gradient ( ∇ | E 2 | ) between the IMEs to approximately 6.61-fold higher than in the bare IMEs with a gap of 10 μm, resulting in a decreased optimal voltage to concentrate amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42, from 0.8 Vpp to 0.5 Vpp) and tau-441 (from 0.9 Vpp to 0.6 Vpp) between the IMEs. Due to the concentration effect of DEP, the impedance change in the optimal condition was higher than the values in the reference condition at 2.64-fold in Aβ42 detection and at 1.59-fold in tau-441 detection. This concentration effect of DEP was also verified by counting the number of gold (Au) particles which conjugated with the secondary antibody. Finally, an enhanced concentration effect in the patterned IMEs was verified by measuring the impedance change depending on the concentration of Aβ42 and tau-441. Our results suggest that microstructures increase the concentration effect of DEP, leading to enhanced sensitivity of the IMEs.
Anti-Interference Deep Visual Identification Method for Fault Localization of Transformer Using a Winding Model
Authors: Duan Jiajun , He Yigang , Wu Xiaoxin , Zhang Hui , Wu Wenjie
Published: September 2019

The idea of Ubiquitous Power Internet of Things (UPIoTs) accelerates the development of intelligent monitoring and diagnostic technologies. In this paper, a diagnostic method suitable for power equipment in an interference environment was proposed based on the deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN): MobileNet-V2 and Digital Image Processing (DIP) methods to conduct fault identification process: including fault type classification and fault localization. A data visualization theory was put forward in this paper, which was applied in frequency response (FR) curves of transformer to obtain dataset. After the image augmentation process, the dataset was input into the deep CNN: MobileNet-V2 for training procedures. Then a spatial-probabilistic mapping relationship was established based on traditional Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) fault diagnostic method. Each image in the dataset was compared with the fingerprint values to get traditional diagnosing results. Next, the anti-interference abilities of the proposed CNN-DIP method were compared with that of the traditional one while the magnitude of the interference gradually increased. Finally, the fault tolerance of the proposed method was verified by further analyzing the deviations between the wrong diagnosing results with the corresponding actual labels. Experimental results showed that the proposed deep visual identification (CNN-DIP) method has a higher diagnosing accuracy, a stronger anti-interference ability and a better fault tolerance.
Profile of Female Sterilization in Brazil
Authors: Amaral Ernesto F. L.
Published: September 2019

(1) Background: This study analyzes the profile of female sterilization in Brazil by age, parity, type of delivery, place of delivery, color/race, region of residence, years of schooling, marital status, number of unions, and desired number of children reported by women; (2) Methods: The descriptive analysis is based on the most recent Brazilian database on reproductive health: the 2006 Brazilian National Survey on Demography and Health of Women and Children (PNDS). This dataset has information on the history of pregnancies with live births from January 2001 to July 2007; (3) Results: The study suggests that (a) women with high levels of sterilization, high percentages of more than one pregnancy in the period, and larger parity than the desired number of children tend to have high parity, be black, brown, or indigenous, reside in the North or Northeast, have low levels of education, and have two or more unions; and (b) women with high levels of sterilization, low percentages of more than one pregnancy in the period, and lower parity than the desired number of children tend to have cesarean sections, give birth utilizing private health care obtained through a private insurance plan or direct out-of-pocket payment at private hospitals, and be married. (4) Conclusions: The 1997 family planning law could be altered in order to allow female sterilization in conjunction with childbirth, as a way to attend the demand of Brazilian women in public hospitals. Policies are necessary not only to regulate the public sector, but also to aim better services at private institutions. Female sterilization should be discussed in the context of fertility below the replacement level, as one of its associated factors.
The Impact of Financial Development on Carbon Emissions: A Global Perspective
Authors: Jiang Chun , Ma Xiaoxin
Published: September 2019

Financial development has been deemed to be an important factor influencing carbon emissions; however, the specific effect generated by financial development is still disputed. In this study, we examined the relationship between financial development and carbon emissions based on a system generalized method of moments and the data of 155 countries, and we further analyzed the national differences by dividing the sample countries into two sub-groups: developed countries, and emerging market and developing countries. The empirical results indicated that from a global perspective, financial development could significantly increase carbon emissions, and the analysis of the emerging market and developing countries reached the same conclusion; however, the results indicated that for developed countries, the effect of financial development on carbon emissions is insignificant. A series of robustness checks were conducted and confirmed that our empirical results were reliable. We suggest that policymakers in emerging market and developing countries should carefully balance financial development and environmental protection, as financial development will promote carbon emissions before countries reach a relatively high development level.
An Integrated Decision Support System for the Sustainable Reuse of the Former Monastery of “Ritiro del Carmine” in Campania Region
Authors: Torrieri Francesca , Fumo Marina , Sarnataro Michele , Ausiello Gigliola
Published: September 2019

Nowadays, many public administrations have abandoned and underused heritage buildings due to a lack of public resources, although the effective contribution of cultural heritage as a driver and enabler of sustainable development is strongly recognized. Currently, investments in cultural heritage have multidimensional impacts (social, economic, historical, and cultural) and can contribute to increasing overall local productivity; improving the wellbeing of inhabitants; and attracting funding from the public, private, and private–social sectors. Lack of public resources has pushed local administrations to favor new forms of valorization of public property that can promote the “adaptive reuse” of historic buildings in order to preserve their social, historical, and cultural values. At the same time, administrations seek to stimulate the experimentation of new circular business, financing, and governance models in heritage conservation, creating synergies between multiple actors; reducing the use of resources; and regenerating values, knowledge, and capital. The objective of this paper is to propose an integrated evaluation model, based on multicriteria analysis, and a financial model to support the choice of an alternative reuse of an ancient monastery in the municipality of Mugnano in the Campania region in order to define a “shared strategy” based on a “bottom-up” approach. This starts from the needs of the local community but does not neglect the historical and cultural values of the heritage building, as well as the economic and financial feasibility. The positive results obtained show that the model proposed can be a useful decision support tool in environments characterized by high complexity such as cultural heritage sites, where the objective is to precisely highlight the elements that influence the dynamics of choice for building shared bottom-up development strategies.
Effect of Green Attributes Transparency on WTA for Green Cosmetics: Mediating Effects of CSR and Green Brand Concepts
Authors: Lee Yung-Hsin , Chen Shui-Lien
Published: September 2019

Green attributes transparency presents new opportunities and challenges to advertisers. This study developed a research framework to enhance consumers’ willingness to adopt green cosmetics from several green constructs, such as corporate transparency, corporate social responsibility (CSR), green brand image, green brand trust, and green brand equity, and showed the green field strategy implications. This study commissioned a professional survey company to distribute an online questionnaire of cosmetic using experience to the participants. AMOS statistics software was used to analyze the measurement reliability and validity, and to examine the research hypotheses using structural equation modeling. The contribution of the study aimed to provide a correct standpoint for new concepts of green strategy in accordance with environmental trends, activities, and positive enterprise image to increase the consumers’ willingness to adopt green cosmetics from five constructs.
Environmental Sustainability and the Hospitality Customer Experience: A Study in Tourist Accommodation
Authors: Moliner Miguel Ángel , Monferrer Diego , Estrada Marta , Rodríguez Rosa M.
Published: September 2019

Academic research on sustainability in the hospitality industry is scarce and fragmented, and requires a general structure to lend coherence to its approach. There is a need for empirical research to fathom the question of environmental sustainability and customer experience in the hospitality industry and to study the interaction between the two concepts. This paper aims to close these gaps by establishing the nature of the relationship between customers’ perceptions of the environmental practices in tourism accommodation and their customer experiences and levels of satisfaction. The working hypotheses, based on a review of the literature on environmental sustainability and customer experience in the hospitality industry, are tested in an empirical study of 412 Spanish customers who stayed in various types of tourist accommodation. The main conclusion is that the relationship between environmental sustainability and customer experience in the hospitality industry can be demonstrated. This paper also validates a measurement scale based on the most accepted dimensionality of the construct: cognitive (think), affective (feel), behavioral (act), sensory (sense) and social (relate).
Analysis of Prediction Accuracy under the Selection of Optimum Time Granularity in Different Metro Stations
Authors: Li Peikun , Ma Chaoqun , Ning Jing , Wang Yun , Zhu Caihua
Published: September 2019

The improvement of accuracy of short-term passenger flow prediction plays a key role in the efficient and sustainable development of metro operation. The primary objective of this study is to explore the factors that influence prediction accuracy from time granularity and station class. An important aim of the study was also in presenting the proposition of change in a forecasting method. Passenger flow data from 87 Metro stations in Xi’an was collected and analyzed. A framework of short-term passenger flow based on the Empirical Mode Decomposition-Support Vector Regression (EMD-SVR) was proposed to predict passenger flow for different types of stations. Also, the relationship between the generation of passenger flow prediction error and passenger flow data was investigated. First, the metro network was classified into four categories by using eight clustering factors based on the characteristics of inbound passenger flow. Second, Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to explore the time interval and time granularity for short-term passenger flow prediction. Third, the EMD-SVR was used to predict the passenger flow in the optimal time interval for each station. Results showed that the proposed approach has a significant improvement compared to the traditional passenger flow forecast approach. Lookback Volatility (LVB) was applied to reflect the fluctuation difference of passenger flow data, and the linear fitting of prediction error was conducted. The goodness-of-fit (R2) was found to be 0.768, indicating a good fitting of the data. Furthermore, it revealed that there are obvious differences in the prediction error of the four kinds of stations.
Imbalance in the Blood Concentrations of Selected Steroids in Pre-pubertal Gilts Depending on the Time of Exposure to Low Doses of Zearalenone
Authors: Rykaczewska Anna , Gajęcka Magdalena , Onyszek Ewa , Cieplińska Katarzyna , Dąbrowski Michał , Lisieska-Żołnierczyk Sylwia , Bulińska Maria , Babuchowski Andrzej , Gajęcki Maciej T. , Zielonka Łukasz
Published: September 2019

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that not only binds to estrogen receptors, but also interacts with steroidogenic enzymes and acts as an endocrine disruptor. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that low doses, minimal anticipated biological effect level (MABEL), no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and lowest-adverse-effect level (LOAEL), of ZEN administered orally for 42 days can induce changes in the peripheral blood concentrations of selected steroid hormones (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) in pre-pubertal gilts. The experiment was performed on 60 clinically healthy gilts with average BW of 14.5 ± 2 kg, divided into three experimental groups and a control group. Group ZEN5 animals were orally administered ZEN at 5 μg ZEN/kg BW, group ZEN10 — at 10 μg ZEN/kg BW, group ZEN15 — at 15 μg ZEN/kg BW, whereas group C received a placebo. Five gilts from every group were euthanized on analytical dates 1, 2 and 3 (days 7, 14 and 42 of the experiment). Qualitative and quantitative changes in the biotransformation of low ZEN doses were observed. These processes were least pronounced in group ZEN5 (MABEL dose) where ZEN metabolites were not detected on the first analytical date, and where β-ZEL was the predominant metabolite on successive dates. The above was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of estradiol (E2) which, together with “free ZEN”, probably suppressed progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) levels.
Flavour Composition and Entropy Increase of Cosmological Neutrinos After Decoherence
Authors: Boriero Daniel , Schwarz Dominik J. , Velten Hermano
Published: September 2019

We propose that gravitational interactions of cosmic neutrinos with the statistically homogeneous and isotropic fluctuations of space-time lead to decoherence. This working hypothesis, which we describe by means of a Lindblad operator, is applied to the system of two- and three-flavour neutrinos undergoing vacuum oscillations and the consequences are investigated. As a result of this decoherence we find that the neutrino entropy would increase as a function of initial spectral distortions, mixing angles and charge-parity (CP)-violation phase. Subsequently we discuss the chances to discover such an increase observationally (in principle). We also present the expected flavour composition of the cosmic neutrino background after decoherence is completed. The physics of two- or three-flavour oscillation of cosmological neutrinos resembles in many aspects two- or three-level systems in atomic clocks, which were recently proposed by Weinberg for the study of decoherence phenomena.
Knowledge Co-Production and Transdisciplinarity: Opening Pandora’s Box
Authors: Brugnach Marcela , Özerol Gül
Published: September 2019

This Special Issue aims to reflect on knowledge co-production and transdisciplinarity, exploring the mutual interaction between water governance and water research. We do so with contributions that bring examples from diverse parts of the world: Bolivia, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Namibia, the Netherlands, Palestine, and South Africa. Key insights brought by these contributions include the importance of engaging the actors from early stages of transdisciplinary research, and the need for an in-depth understanding of the diverse needs, competences, and power of actors and the water governance system in which knowledge co-production takes place. Further, several future research directions are identified, such as the examination of knowledge backgrounds according to the individual and collective thought styles of different actors. Together, the eight papers included in this Special Issue constitute a significant step toward a better understanding of knowledge co-production and transdisciplinarity, with a common thread for being reflective and clear about their complexity, and the political implications and risks they pose for inclusive, plural and just water research and governance.
El cambio climático y el desarrollo energético sostenible en América Latina y el Caribe al amparo del Acuerdo de París y de la Agenda 203
Authors: Rivera Albarracín Lennys
Published: September 2019

La Agenda de Desarrollo Sostenible 2030 y el Acuerdo de París han establecido el camino a la descarbonización. El recorrido se enfrenta a múltiples desafíos, entre ellos, conciliar los esfuerzos para lidiar
simultáneamente con la lucha contra el cambio climático, el desarrollo energético y la transición justa,
en un escenario caracterizado por la urgencia climática y por profundas desigualdades económicas. El
propósito de este documento es arrojar luz sobre el significado de estos desafíos para América Latina y
el Caribe. Para ello, está dividido en cuatro partes. En la primera se presenta una línea base del escenario
energético y climático de la región. En la segunda, se analiza el potencial de los principales instrumentos
políticos y regulatorios para la transición energética. En una tercera parte se recogen las contribuciones
más destacadas de la región para descarbonizar el mix energético, incentivarla producción y el consumo
eficientes, y el transporte y la movilidad sostenibles. Finalmente, en las conclusiones se presenta una
reflexión sobre las oportunidades para la región derivadas de una transición energética que promueva
un modelo económico ambiental y socialmente sostenible.
Теоретико-прикладні аспекти дослідження сталого розвитку сільських територій України
Authors: Загорський В. С. , Борщук Є. М.
Published: September 2019

Обґрунтовано теоретичні положення сталого розвитку сільських територій, виконано узагальнення підходів до вирішення досліджуваної проблеми. Запропоновано трактувати поняття “сільська територія” як складну еколого-економічну систему, структурними елементами якої є соціальна, виробнича й екологічна підсистеми. Проаналізовано головні підходи до вирішення проблем сталого розвитку сільських територій.
Теоретико-методологічні основи забезпечення легітимності публічної влади в сучасних умовах України
Authors: Петровський П. М. , Радченко О. О.
Published: September 2019

Розкрито особливості забезпечення легітимності  публічної влади в сучасних умовах України. Зазначено, що поняття “легітимність” враховує юридичну (законність певної дії чи статусу) і етико-психологічну (визнання та підтримка тієї чи іншої дії, явища, інституції  як правомірних і справедливих). Доведено, що складові легітимності як результат інтеракції влади й громади характеризується постійною напругою відносин і потребує серйозного теоретико-методологічного забезпечення. Обґрунтовано низку положень про специфіку й напрями підвищення рівня легітимності публічної влади.
Механізми реалізації державної енергетичної політики: теоретико-методичні засади
Authors: Майстро С. В. , Москалюк С. В.
Published: September 2019

Досліджено теоретико-методичні засади державної енергетичної політики. Розглянуто різні наукові погляди та методичні підходи щодо визначення сутності та змісту державної енергетичної політики. Визначено сутність та зміст державної енергетичної політики. Виокремлено механізми реалізації державної енергетичної політики.
Інноваційні інструменти місцевого економічного розвитку
Authors: Бліщук К. М.
Published: September 2019

Розглянуто основні інноваційні інструменти місцевого економічного розвитку. Здійснено аналіз цих інструментів та обґрунтовано необхідність їх застосування в Україні на сучасному етапі. Виокремлено завдання, які необхідно виконати для підвищення ефективності та результативності використання інноваційних інструментів місцевого економічного розвитку.
Évolution de la consommation
Authors: Brousse Henri
Published: September 2019

Depuis un an, la connaissance de la consommation intérieure française a fait de grands progrès. Tout en retraçant l'évolution récente de certaines consommations suivies par la Direction du Commerce Intérieur, il a paru intéressant de confronter les résultats obtenus sur la consommation, au cours des années récentes, avec ceux qui ont été dégagés par le Centre de Recherches et de Documentation afin de contrôler la valeur des renseignements fournis par l'une de ces sources par les résultats de l'autre source. On verra également comment ont varié les dépenses de consommation et le « volume » des ventes de 1954 à 1957 et on pourra remarquer l'essor de l'ameublement et de l'équipement ménager.
Marché commun et commerce extérieur français. Quelques données sur la structure du commerce entre la France et les autres pays de la Communauté Économique Européenne
Authors: Néel A.
Published: September 2019

Avant de pouvoir mesurer les conséquences qu'aura, pour l'économie française, l'entrée en vigueur, depuis le 1er janvier dernier, du traité sur la communauté économique européenne, il convient de décrire la situation au point de départ. On s'est proposé de le faire pour le commerce extérieur dans une étude dont la première partie, qui fait l'objet du présent article, traite de la répartition géographique des échanges des pays membres pour l'ensemble des marchandises. Les deuxième et troisième parties feront l'objet d'un prochain article et seront consacrées à la répartition des échanges par produits et à l'importance relative des divers courants d'échange dans l'optique de la France et de ses partenaires
Situation et perspectives dans l'industrie et le commerce en mars 1958 d'après les chefs d'entreprises
Authors: Jankeliowitch R.
Published: September 2019

La demande s'est stabilisée, la production continue de s'accroître à un rythme plus lent qu'en 1957 ; les chefs d'entreprises prévoyaient le maintien de cette tendance jusqu'à fin juin, mais la situation tend à se détériorer dans les industries de biens de consommation, textiles et habillement surtout. Les approvisionnements sont généralement suffisants, la pénurie de main-d'œuvre tend à disparaître. Les commandes étrangères ne sont guère plus abondantes que l'an dernier. Au sujet des prix industriels, l'incertitude domine mais l'espoir d'une stabilisation est assez répandu.
L'ensemble économique de l'Oural
Authors: Blanchard L.
Published: September 2019

Les mesures prises récemment pour déconcentrer la planification et la gestion économique orientent l'attention vers l'aspect régional de l'économie de l'U.R.S.S. Le 20e congrès dans ses directives a, d'autre part, repris avec insistance le problème de la répartition rationnelle des forces productives, l'utilisation maximum des ressources locales, et la création de nouveaux ensembles économiques dans l'Est soviétique.

D'autre part, les données chiffrées concernant les régions administratives de l'U.R.S.S. sont devenues plus abondantes depuis l'année dernière et il a paru intéressant de les utiliser pour essayer de dépasser l'aspect parfois schématique que donnent à l'Union Soviétique les études basées sur des chiffres globaux.

Toutefois, les informations disponibles ne permettent encore qu'une approche rudimentaire du problème régional, et l'on ne prétend pas, par la présente étude aborder l'aspect vraiment économique de la question. Mais si cet essai demeure très incomplet, il fera cependant ressortir la diversité et la complexité de l'économie russe et posera un premier jalon sur la voie de l'étude de l'aménagement spatial du territoire soviétique. Cet aménagement semble procéder par la création de ce qu'on peut appeler des « pôles de développement », L'Oural, qui apparaît comme l'un des premiers « pôles de développement » de tout l'Est soviétique et qui, par ailleurs, peut être considéré comme le compensateur des déficiences éventuelles d'un Ouest qui commence à vieillir, a été choisi pour débuter une série d'études régionales. Sa situation^ à la charnière des ensembles économiques do l'Ouest et de l'Est, lui confère des caractéristiques qui tiennent à la fois des uns et des autres. D'autre part, il présente le type de la région où l'industrialisation pour avoir commencé dans un passé reculé était historiquement orientée vers l'industrie lourde, offrant ainsi au nouveau régime les conditions favorables à ses priorités de développement économique. Toutes ces raisons ont paru justifier ce choix. Dans une première partie, l'Oural est présenté dans son ensemble et dans son importance par rapport à l'Union toute entière. Dans une seconde partie, il est étudié dans ses composantes : les six régions administratives-économiques qui, maintenant, représentent six sovnarkhozes.
Les investissements dans les entreprises privées de l'industrie et du commerce. Réalisations et prévisions 1958 d'après une enquête auprès des chefs d'entreprise
Authors: Lévêque M.
Published: September 2019

Le mouvement d'expansion des investissements constaté en 1954, 1955 et 1956 s'est poursuivi en 1957, comme prévu à un rythme plus réduit. Pour 1958, si l'on tient compte de ce que les chefs d'entreprise sont généralement prudents dans l'expression de leurs prévisions, l'expansion devrait à nouveau, se poursuivre^ mais dans certains secteurs seulement. Les investissements en matériel et outillage dans l'industrie, en installations et constructions dans le commerce, viennent toujours en tête des investissements par nature. Le mode de financement largement majoritaire est toujours l'appel aux ressources propres. Constance de l'appel aux crédits bancaires dans l'industrie, régression dans le commerce.
Quelques aspects récents de l'économie de l'Allemagne occidentale
Authors: Simon Claude
Published: September 2019

Dix ans après la réforme monétaire, l'Allemagne occidentale peut s'enorgueillir de succès incontestables à peu près dans tous les domaines et la récente récession mondiale n'a pas ébranlé les assises de son économie. Après l'échec de l'expansion agressive du IIIe Reich, les dirigeants de la République fédérale ont compris que l'avenir de leur pays résidait dans l'exploitation pacifique de ses ressources économiques. Au départ ils ont trouvé un potentiel industriel qui, malgré les destructions, avait augmenté par rapport à ceux de la plupart des pays européens grâce aux investissements effectués depuis 1934 jusqu'au début de la guerre. L'aide alliée, substantielle jusqu'en 1951, a été employée judicieusement, la production progresse rapidement. Mais l'Allemagne ne commit pas l'imprudence de relâcher son effort après les premiers résultats satisfaisants : elle a poursuivi et même accentué jusqu'en 1956 sa politique de compression de dépenses improductives et de consommation au bénéfice des investissements et des exportations.
Les comparaisons internationales de prix
Authors: Devaux Andrée
Published: September 2019

D'après les comparaisons internationales effectuées ces dernières années, les prix français étaient, dans l'ensemble, supérieurs à ceux des autres pays européens. Certaines catégories de consommations (boissons alcoolisées, tabac, logement, voitures) étaient cependant meilleur marché en France, tandis que d'autres (alimentation, habillement, chauffage et éclairage, équipement ménager, coût d'utilisation des véhicules) étaient au contraire plus chères. Ces travaux ne permettent cependant pas de déceler les disparités pouvant exister entre les prix de produits plus individualisés ; d'autre part, ils se rapportent à des prix intérieurs englobant les taxes et les coûts de distribution, et par conséquent impropres à mesurer la position des pays sur les marchés internationaux. En dépit de ces imperfections, les résultats auxquels ils sont parvenus peuvent être utilement confrontés et, dans la mesure du possible, recalculés pour essayer d'obtenir des images plus actuelles reflétant à la fois les effets des mouvements de prix intervenus depuis les comparaisons initiales et ceux des deux opérations monétaires françaises de 1957 et de 1958.