bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Carbon 2D Materials-Based Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Sedki Mohammed , Chen Ying , Mulchandani Ashok
Published: August 2020

In recent years, field-effect transistors (FETs) have been very promising for biosensor applications due to their high sensitivity, real-time applicability, scalability, and prospect of integrating measurement system on a chip. Non-carbon 2D materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), black phosphorus (BP), and metal oxides, are a group of new materials that have a huge potential in FET biosensor applications. In this work, we review the recent advances and remarkable studies of non-carbon 2D materials, in terms of their structures, preparations, properties and FET biosensor applications. We will also discuss the challenges facing non-carbon 2D materials-FET biosensors and their future perspectives.
A New Multiple Hypothesis Tracker Using Validation Gate with Motion Direction Constraint
Authors: Sun Jinping , Wang Ziwei , Li Qing
Published: August 2020

In multi-target tracking scenarios with dense and heterogeneous clutter, there is a substantial increase in the false measurements that originated from the clutter within the validation gate, and consequently, the number of measurement-to-track association hypothesis grows rapidly in traditional multiple hypothesis tracker (MHT), leading to a sharp decrease in data association accuracy and tracking performance. A new multiple hypothesis tracker using validation gate with motion direction constraint (MHT-MDC) is proposed to solve these problems. In the MHT-MDC, a motion direction constraint (MDC) gate is designed by considering the prior target maneuvering information, which effectively reduces the volume of validation gate and, thus, diminishes the number of false measurements in the gate when the innovation covariance is large. Subsequently, the clutter density in the MDC gate is adaptively estimated by the conditional mean estimator of clutter density (CMECD), based on which the score functions in the MDC gate can be calculated. The MHT-MDC is compared with the MHT algorithm in simulations, and the experimental results demonstrate its superior tracking performance for weakly maneuvering targets in high clutter density scenarios.
Effective Communication Strategies of Sustainable Hospitality: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Shen Leiyan , Qian Jianwei , Chen Sandy C.
Published: August 2020

Sustainability is a pivotal issue for the development of hospitality. The industry has attempted multiple ways to achieve this goal, with effective communication being one of the most prevalent ones. However, the communication effect which hospitality has obtained in terms of persuading customers to practice sustainability is imperfect. This study draws upon the communication literature and textually analyzes hospitality professionals’ perception worldwide to generate a typology for hospitality practitioners to follow while conducting communication with customers on sustainability. The findings suggest two strategies and seven tactics that are of value to help hospitality achieve better communication. Thus, this study can extend the current communication theories on how to undertake sustainable hospitality communication and elucidate its operation in the industry.
Sustainable Rearing for Kid Meat Production in Southern Italy Marginal Areas: A Comparison among Three Genotypes
Authors: Colonna Maria Antonietta , Rotondi Pasqua , Selvaggi Maria , Caputi Jambrenghi Anna , Ragni Marco , Tarricone Simona
Published: August 2020

Sustainable goat breeding plays an important role in the economy of marginal areas. The present study aimed to compare performances and meat quality traits in kids of a native Apulian genotype (Garganica) in comparison with two Mediterranean breeds (Maltese and Derivata di Siria). Kids suckled dam milk until they were 21 (±2) days old, hence three groups of 12 male kids per each genotype were made. The kids received a pelleted feed ad libitum in addition to dam milk and were slaughtered at 60 days of age. The Maltese kids showed the lowest net cold-dressing percentage, with statistical differences compared to Garganica and Derivata di Siria. Meat obtained from Garganica kids showed a rosy color due to a significantly lower a* index and were also more tender since a lower WBS was recorded in comparison with the other two genotypes. As for the nutritional value of meat, the best n-6/n-3 ratio was found for the Derivata di Siria breed. In conclusion, Garganica kid meat showed the lowest content of SFA and atherogenic index, with potential beneficial effects for human health.
Long-Term Increases and Recent Slowdowns of CO2 Emissions in Korea
Authors: Oh Wankeun , Yoo Jonghyun
Published: August 2020

Korea is one of the fastest-growing CO2-emitting countries but has recently experienced a dramatic slowdown in emissions. The objective of the study is to examine the driving factors of long-term increases (1990–2015) and their slowdown (2012–2015) in emissions of Korea. This study uses an extended index decomposition analysis model that better fits Korea’s emission trends of the last 25 years by encompassing 19 energy end-use sectors (18 economic sectors and a household sector) and three energy types. The results show that emission increases in the long term (1990–2015) come from economic growth and population growth. However, improvements in energy intensity, carbon intensity, and economic structure offset large portions of CO2 emissions. The recent slowdown (2012–2015) mainly resulted from a decline in energy intensity and carbon intensity in the economic sectors. Among the different energy types, electricity has played a significant role in decreasing emissions because industries have reduced the consumption of electricity per output and the source of electricity generation has shifted to cleaner energies. These results imply that the Korean government should support strategies that reduce energy intensity and carbon intensity in the future to reduce CO2 emissions and maintain sustainable development.
Investigating the Role of Customer Co-Creation Behavior on Social Media Platforms in Rendering Innovative Services
Authors: Moghadamzadeh Ali , Ebrahimi Pejman , Radfard Soodabeh , Salamzadeh Aidin , Khajeheian Datis
Published: August 2020

The emergence of social media platforms as the main representatives of Web 3.0 applications significantly impacts the co-creation activities among enterprises, customers, and other stakeholders, and has enabled firms to benefit from creativity and ideas of their users and customers for developing and rendering innovative services. This study aims to investigate how the co-creation activities of users on social media platforms have an effect on the enterprises’ innovative services. For this purpose, the authors surveyed customers of innovative services who used social media platforms to meet their needs from the enterprises that innovatively offer such services. An online questionnaire was designed and distributed among the sample of customers, and 505 completed questionnaires were analyzed following the PLS-SEM approach. The findings revealed that customer citizenship behavior and customer participation behavior on social media platforms positively affect the rendering of innovative services. Findings also highlighted that an increase in social co-creation activities, as moderator, positively affects customer citizenship behavior on service innovativeness, and negatively affects customer participation behavior on service innovativeness. The findings of this research could be useful for entrepreneurs and managers of the enterprises that offer innovative services to efficiently use social media tools to benefit from the customers’ co-creation activities and to perform more competitively and sustainably in a hostile business environment.
How to Obtain Accurate Environmental Impacts at Early Design Stages in BIM When Using Environmental Product Declaration. A Method to Support Decision-Making
Authors: Palumbo Elisabetta , Soust-Verdaguer Bernardette , Llatas Carmen , Traverso Marzia
Published: August 2020

The construction sector plays an important role in moving towards a low-carbon economy. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is considered one of the most effective methods of analytically evaluating environmental profiles and an efficient tool for calculating the environmental impacts in building design-oriented methodologies, such as building information modelling (BIM). At early design stages, generic LCA databases are used to conduct the life cycle inventory (LCI), while detailed stages require more detailed data, such as environmental product declarations (EPDs), namely documents that provide accurate results and precise analyses based on LCA. Limitations are recognized when using EPDs in BIM elements at different levels of development (LOD) in the design stages, especially related to the data consistency and system boundaries of the LCA. This paper presents a method of achieving accurate LCA results, that helps with decision-making and provides support in the selection of building products and materials. The method is validated by its application in the structural concrete of an office building located in Germany. The method defines a safety factor adopted for embodied impacts (“cradle-to-gate”), based on EPD results to predict the environmental impact of BIM elements at different LODs. The results obtained show that by integrating the method to conduct the LCA, the range of errors and possible inconsistencies in the LCA results can be reduced.
People of African Descent of the Americas, Racial Discrimination, and Quality of the Health Services
Authors: Pino Sandra del , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Domínguez-Gómez José Andrés , Ruiz-Frutos Carlos
Published: August 2020

The WHO urges countries to consider the link between racial discrimination and health and, in particular, the need for further research to study the links between health outcomes and racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. This article is carried out within the framework of approximation work towards health-related ethnic inequalities among the population of African descent of the Americas. A qualitative methodology was used to conduct 20 in-depth interviews with a group of key informants composed of leaders of African descent, officials from the ministries of health, international health agencies, and international technicians specialised in African descent health and interculturality from six different countries. The extracted data were categorised and encoded, generating quotations and concept maps with Atlas.ti v.8.2. The concurrency coefficients made it possible to link the codes of each subcategory with the central analytical category. The racial discrimination experienced by people of African descent and the quality of health services received poses a problem. Discrimination is faced in all countries, affecting access to services and the quality of health care, and greater discrimination against women is also detected. This shows the need for an activistpolicy and for the inclusion of specific variables in surveys, censuses, and records in order that they may be researched. Claims are made about the complementary role that traditional medicine may play and the fact that the intercultural approach may be a useful strategy for addressing inequalities. The interviewees agree with the reference theory on the existence of racial discrimination and segregation regarding the African descent population of the Americas and how this translates into ethnic inequities in the field of health. Proposals have been put forward both on how to deepen research and how to contribute to the reduction of ethnic inequalities in health issues.
Sustainability Policy Objectives, Centralized Decision Making, and Efficiency in Public Procurement Processes in U.S. Local Governments
Authors: Stritch Justin M. , Bretschneider Stuart , Darnall Nicole , Hsueh Lily , Chen Yifan
Published: August 2020

Some U.S. local governments are leveraging public procurement to meet their sustainability goals. However, does the simultaneous pursuit of multiple sustainability objectives potentially slow down the speed of procurement processes? We suggest that the simultaneous pursuit of multiple sustainability objectives through procurement is related to decision making speed. Additionally, we argue that centralized decision-making structures might moderate this relationship. Drawing on a representative sample of more than 200 U.S. local governments, we demonstrate that for low-cost purchases, as the number of policy objectives increases, so too does the average length of time for approval. We also find evidence of an interactive relationship between decision-making structures and the number of existing sustainability policies pursued simultaneously. For routine low-cost and routine high-cost purchases, we find evidence that as the centralization of procurement decision making increases, the marginal effect of purchasing complexity on approval times decreases. These findings offer important evidence about how pursuing multiple sustainability objectives affect decision-making efficiency and how decision-making structures might facilitate U.S local governments’ integration of sustainability objectives into their existing internal processes.
Sanitation Sustainability Index: A Pilot Approach to Develop a Community-Based Indicator for Evaluating Sustainability of Sanitation Systems
Authors: Hashemi Shervin
Published: August 2020

Evaluating the sustainability of sanitation systems is essential in achieving the sixth sustainable development goal. However, there are only limited number of available evaluation indexes, which are utilized to macroscopically determine a community’s sanitation coverage. Consequently, an index is required, which can evaluate different sanitation options for a specific community. In this paper, the sanitation sustainability index (SSI) is suggested as an indicator for evaluating the sustainability of sanitation systems. The SSI has sub-indexes that consider the technical, social, and economic aspects of the sanitation system, and all the variables are dimensionless and heavily dependent on the current state of the community where the sanitation system is going to be implemented. The applicability of the SSI was demonstrated by evaluating the implementation of two onsite sanitation systems, including one septic tank system and one resource-oriented sanitation (ROS) system in South Korea. A sensitivity analysis defined the variables that have significant impact, and the statistical distribution of the SSI for both systems was forecasted. The results showed that for South Korea, which has a profound history of utilizing human waste as fertilizer, utilizing the resource-oriented sanitation system is more sustainable, although it has a lower social sub-index score compared to the septic tank system.
Climate Change—Challenges and Response Options for the Port Sector
Authors: Azarkamand Sahar , Balbaa Alsnosy , Wooldridge Christopher , Darbra Rosa Mari
Published: August 2020

Climate change is an established and growing priority environmental issue. This paper investigates the importance of climate change in ports through a research-based survey on data collected from participants at the Greenport Congress in Valencia in 2018. The data for this paper were obtained from the responses of 55 port professionals and environmental specialists that replied to a questionnaire survey during the Congress. Questionnaires were analyzed to identify the opinions and experience of delegates. A collaborative approach involving the free exchange of knowledge and experience between port professionals, industry practitioners and academia is the model most likely to deliver practicable options to the mutual advantage of operators, local communities, regulatory authorities and the environment. Based on the results of this survey, Climate Change occupies the 6th position among top 10 environmental port priorities and Carbon Footprint the 8th position. This reflects the importance of these two issues in the whole set of environmental priorities. Data collection has been identified as the main challenge ports encounter to implement a carbon management program. The need for a common port-sector Carbon Footprint scheme, which would benefit individual port authorities and the port-sector as a whole, was highlighted by the participants.
Climate Change Adaptation, Food Security, and Attitudes toward Risk among Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Nicaragua
Authors: Bro Aniseh S.
Published: August 2020

Farmers’ livelihoods are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, and taking adaptive measures to changing environmental conditions constitutes one of the most important pathways for protecting them. Their willingness and capacity to adopt improved practices and technologies, their cognitive and behavioural preferences, and the institutional response mechanisms will go a long way in determining their success in their adaptation to climate change. This study presents results of an analysis of the vulnerabilities of smallholder coffee producers in Nicaragua to climate change. I use descriptive analyses and experimental risk games to evaluate the preferences and attitudes of coffee producers in the context of their adaptation to climate change. I show that food insecure households are more risk-averse than food-secure households and that much work is needed in the sector to ensure equity and improve institutional capacity. For households in chronic poverty, conventional risk management strategies simply may not be enough. Institutional arrangements must be put in place to enable coffee-growing households to engage in practices that result in improved capacity for climate change adaptation.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) for Responding to Climate Change
Authors: Bogueva Diana , Marinova Dora
Published: August 2020

Most climate change messages depict a picture of the devastating effects that anthropogenic activities have on the environment, expecting to mobilise human action. Built on the daunting scientific evidence, these gloomy messages can potentially emotionally harm a young audience. By contrast, this study explores the impact of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as an innovative marketing technique to communicate positive climate change messages. This study investigates whether ASMR could be used to encourage pro-environmental behaviour and create social bonding among young people. An ASMR video and two series of interviews with high school students were conducted in Sydney, Australia. The results show that the participants are divided in their opinion about the effectiveness of ASMR. Although all see ASMR as a completely new world in marketing, some are of the opinion that it can influence positive climate change behaviours while others are reluctant to accept it as a way to encourage action. Given the vastness and urgency of the climate change agenda, this novel marketing technique can find its way in promoting pro-environmental behaviours by utilising positive messaging and influencing a section of the young population.
Random Permutations, Non-Decreasing Subsequences and Statistical Independence
Authors: García Jesús E. , González-López Verónica A.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we show how the longest non-decreasing subsequence, identified in the graph of the paired marginal ranks of the observations, allows the construction of a statistic for the development of an independence test in bivariate vectors. The test works in the case of discrete and continuous data. Since the present procedure does not require the continuity of the variables, it expands the proposal introduced in Independence tests for continuous random variables based on the longest increasing subsequence (2014). We show the efficiency of the procedure in detecting dependence in real cases and through simulations.
Location Selection of a Manufacturing Facility from the Perspective of Supply Chain Sustainability
Authors: Huang Sun-Weng , Liou James J.H. , Tang William , Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung
Published: August 2020

When threatened with catastrophic political or economic fluctuations, a firm might be forced to consider relocating their supply chain to reduce the risk. Such a relocation necessitates a series of changes, so making the right decision is crucial for sustainable development of the company. In the past, various models have been developed to help managers to select the optimal location. However, most of these considered the factors independently but in the real world, these factors have a mutually influential relationship. This study purposes a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model to provide decision makers with a comprehensive framework to evaluate the best strategies to solve relocation problems, which also considers the interdependency between criteria. The model incorporates the DANP (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory-based Analytic Network Process) model (subjective weight) and entropy method (objective weight) to determine the weights of the criteria. Then, the modified VIKOR (VIšekriterijumsko Kompromisno Rangiranje) method is applied to select the optimal alternative for relocation. The usefulness of the model is demonstrated by taking an electronics manufacturing company with a global supply chain as an example. The results indicate that the proposed hybrid model can assist companies in choosing the best locations for their supply chains for sustained development.
Graphene Oxide Hybridised TiO2 for Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol
Authors: Wang Guanyu , Guo Weijie , Xu Deping , Liu Di , Qin Mengtao
Published: August 2020

In industrial pollutants, phenol is a kind of degradation-resistant hazardous compound. It is generated during industrial processes in factories and treatment at sewage plants. In this study, we analyse the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and rGO as a composite for the degradation of phenol. Hybridised titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide (TiO2/rGO) nanocomposites were synthesised by a simple hydrothermal method using flake graphite and tetrabutyl titanate as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) specific area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoelectrochemical analysis, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) were employed to characterise the physicochemical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites. The results showed the TiO2/rGO nanocomposites’ significant anatase phase and a small fraction of the rutile phase the same as that of the as-prepared TiO2 nanoparticles. The spherical TiO2 nanoparticles (diameter 20–50 nm) were agglomerated slightly and the agglomerates were anchored on the rGO sheets and dispersed symmetrically. The specific surface area of TiO2/rGO-4% nanocomposites was 156.4 m2/g, revealing a high specific surface area. Oxygen-containing functional groups that existed in TiO2/rGO-4% nanocomposites were almost removed during hydrothermal processing. The photocurrent response of TiO2/rGO-4% was strongest among the TiO2/rGO nanocomposites, and the bandgap of TiO2/rGO-4% was 2.91 eV, showing a redshift of absorption into the visible region, which was in favour of the high photocatalytic activity of TiO2/rGO nanocomposites under visible light (λ > 420 nm). Moreover, the samples were employed to photodegrade phenol solution under visible light irradiation. TiO2/rGO-4% nanocomposite degraded the phenol solution up to 97.9%, and its degradation rate constant was 0.0190 h−1, which had higher degradation activity than that of other TiO2/rGO nanocomposites. This is a promising candidate catalyst material for organic wastewater treatment.
A Multibody Inertial Propulsion Drive with Symmetrically Placed Balls Rotating on Eccentric Trajectories
Authors: Gerocs Attila , Gillich Gilbert-Rainer , Nedelcu Dorian , Korka Zoltan-Iosif
Published: August 2020

Starting with the last century, a lot of enthusiastic researchers have invested significant time and energy in proposing various drives capable to generate linear propulsion force. Regrettably, only a few of these devices passed the patent phase and have been practically materialized. The aim of this paper was to simulate the dynamic behavior of an inertial propulsion drive (IPD) developed by the authors, to demonstrate its functionality. The core of the IPD consists of two symmetric drivers that each performs rotation of eight steel balls on an eccentric path. We propose three solutions for the element which maintain the off-center trajectory of the balls. For the simulation, we used the multibody system approach and determine the evolution of the displacement, velocity, and power consumption. Further, we analyze the collisions between the elements of the system and the influence of this phenomenon on the dynamic behavior of the IPD. We found that collisions generate impact forces which affect the ball acceleration values achieved by simulation. We have concluded that the developed system is capable to generate linear movement. In addition, in terms of velocity and power consumption, the best constructive version of the retaining disk is that which has a cylindrical inner bore placed eccentric relative to the rotation center of the balls.
Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Cyanobacteria: Potential for Biotechnological Applications
Authors: Guerreiro Adriana , Andrade Mariana A. , Menezes Carina , Vilarinho Fernanda , Dias Elsa
Published: August 2020

Antioxidant compounds from cyanobacteria may constitute a natural alternative to current synthetic antioxidants, which contain preservatives and suspected toxicity. In this work, we evaluate the antioxidant potential of cyanobacterial strains of distinct species/genus isolated from freshwater (n = 6), soil (n = 1) and wastewater (n = 1) environments. Lyophilized biomass obtained from in-vitro cultures of those strains was extracted with ethanol and methanol. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by chemical (DPPH scavenging method, β-carotene bleaching assay, determination of total phenolic and total flavonoid compounds) and biological (H2O2-exposed HEK293T cell line model) approach. Some strains showed high yields of antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay (up to 10.7% IP/20.7 TE μg/mL) and by the β-carotene bleaching assay (up to 828.94 AAC), as well as significant content in phenolic (123.16 mg EAG/g DW) and flavonoid (900.60 mg EQR/g DW) compounds. Normalization of data in a “per cell” or “per cell volume” base might facilitate the comparison between strains. Additionally, most of the cyanobacterial extracts conferred some degree of protection to HEK293T cells against the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. Freshwater Aphanizomenon gracile (LMECYA 009) and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (LMECYA 088), terrestrial Nostoc (LMECYA 291) and wastewater Planktothrix mougeotii (LEGE 06224) seem to be promising strains for further investigation on cyanobacteria antioxidant potential.
Effects of Manipulating Fibroblast Growth Factor Expression on Sindbis Virus Replication In Vitro and in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Authors: Wu Wenbi , Simmons Cody A. , Moffitt Jessica , Clem Rollie J. , Passarelli A. Lorena
Published: August 2020

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are conserved among vertebrate and invertebrate animals and function in cell proliferation, cell differentiation, tissue repair, and embryonic development. A viral fibroblast growth factor (vFGF) homolog encoded by baculoviruses, a group of insect viruses, is involved in escape of baculoviruses from the insect midgut by stimulating basal lamina remodeling. This led us to investigate whether cellular FGF is involved in the escape of an arbovirus from mosquito midgut. In this study, the effects of manipulating FGF expression on Sindbis virus (SINV) replication and escape from the midgut of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti were examined. RNAi-mediated silencing of either Ae. aegypti FGF (AeFGF) or FGF receptor (AeFGFR) expression reduced SINV replication following oral infection of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. However, overexpression of baculovirus vFGF using recombinant SINV constructs had no effect on replication of these viruses in cultured mosquito or vertebrate cells, or in orally infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. We conclude that reducing FGF signaling decreases the ability of SINV to replicate in mosquitoes, but that overexpression of vFGF has no effect, possibly because endogenous FGF levels are already sufficient for optimal virus replication. These results support the hypothesis that FGF signaling, possibly by inducing remodeling of midgut basal lamina, is involved in arbovirus midgut escape following virus acquisition from a blood meal.
Effect of Different Routes of Vaccination against Aeromonas salmonicida on Rearing Indicators and Survival after an Experimental Challenge of Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in Controlled Rearing
Authors: Schulz Patrycja , Terech-Majewska Elżbieta , Siwicki Andrzej Krzysztof , Kazuń Barbara , Demska-Zakęś Krystyna , Rożyński Maciej , Zakęś Zdzisław
Published: August 2020

Bacterial diseases are a significant problem in the controlled rearing of fish. Furunculosis (Aeromonas sp.), flavobacteriosis (Flavobacterium sp.), and pseudomonadosis (Pseudomonas sp.) are currently the most frequently identified diseases in recirculating aquaculture systems of various fish species. Such a situation is also observed in pikeperch rearing. Due to the emerging difficulties of effective prophylaxis using commercial vaccines, interest in the use of autovaccinations is increasing, not only in ichthyopathology but also in other veterinary fields. Our research aimed to assess the effect of the vaccination method on the overall condition of the fish and survival after the experimental infection with Aeromonas salmonicida. Pikeperch were vaccinated by (1) bath, (2) a single i.p. injection, or (3) feed. The fish were measured and weighed on day 0 and after 28 and 56 days of the experiment. Specific growth rate, daily growth rate, condition factor, and feed conversion ratio were calculated. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment, ceruloplasmin and lysozyme levels were rated. In addition, a challenge test was performed. The obtained results showed that the method of vaccination is important and affects the growth of fish, the overall condition of fish, and survival after experimental infection.
Tidally Forced Saltwater Intrusions might Impact the Quality of Drinking Water, the Valdivia River (40° S), Chile Estuary Case
Authors: Garcés-Vargas José , Schneider Wolfgang , Pinochet Andre , Piñones Andrea , Olguin Francisco , Brieva Daniel , Wan Yongshan
Published: August 2020

The Valdivia River estuary (VRE) located in south-central Chile is known as one of the largest estuarine ecosystems on the Pacific coast. This research aims to determine the intra-tidal and sub-tidal variability of saline intrusions into the VRE between November 2017 and March 2019 derived from salinity sensors located along the VRE. Complementary hydrographic measurements were conducted during flood and ebb conditions of the spring and neap tides for each of the four seasons of the year along the central axis of the VRE. The results of the salinity time series showed that saline intrusions (values greater than 0.5 Practical Salinity Units) occurred ~20 km from the estuary mouth, when the total flow of the Cruces and Calle-Calle rivers (main tributaries of the estuary) was low, around 280–300 m3 s−1. During the same period, the best co-variability was observed between the saline intrusions and the mixed-semidiurnal tide and the fortnightly and monthly periods of the tide. Regression analyses indicated that salinity intrusion length (L) is best correlated to discharge (D) with a fractional power model L α D−1/2.64 (R2 = 0.88). The decreasing discharge trend, found between 2008–2019, implies that saline water intrusions would negatively impact the Valdivia’s main drinking water intake during the low rainfall season under future climate conditions.
Infiltration Law of Water in Undisturbed Loess and Backfill
Authors: Meng Xifeng , Liao Hongjian , Zhang Jiwen
Published: August 2020

Loess has the characteristics of complex structure and reduced mechanical strength after encountering water. In Chinese loess areas, irrigation, water storage, and rainfall affect the stability of the original loess structure and cause damage to the foundation. This paper analyzes the results of in situ water immersion test (in order to study the permeability of water storage in undisturbed loess), rainfall test (in order to study the permeability of rainwater in the backfill loess), and water storage test (in order to study the permeability characteristics of water storage in backfill loess) on the filling site and studies the permeability law of water in unsaturated layered loess and backfill remolded loess. The results of the in situ immersion test show that the vertical seepage velocity of water was very fast, and the infiltration depth was close to 25 m after 9 days of water storage, and at the interface of the new loess, the paleosol, and the old loess, the water infiltration line appeared to be refracted. Finally, the vertical and horizontal penetrations of water in the loess are analyzed, and the range of water immersion and saturation are determined. Through the rain test and water storage test of a loess-filled surface, the relationship between the moisture content and depth of the backfill loess before and after rainfall and storage is obtained. The results of rain period test show that the water infiltrated into the loess about 3 m after 25 days of rainfall. A further 90 days storage test shows that the final infiltration depth of water was about 7 m.
Optimization of the Biomonitoring Technique with the Aquatic Moss Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw.: Selection of Shoot Segment Length for Determining Trace Element Concentrations
Authors: Vázquez María Dolores , Real Carlos , Villares Rubén
Published: August 2020

Bryophytes, including Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw., are widely used for biomonitoring aquatic environments. However, some methodological aspects, such as the fraction of shoot analysed, have not yet been standardized. The main objective of this study was to establish the length of segments of F. antipyretica shoots that should be used for trace element determination in monitoring studies. For this purpose, we determined the concentrations of 12 different trace elements (11 metals and one metalloid) in five successive 1 cm-long segments of the shoots of F. antipyretica collected from four different locations. We found that the concentrations of most elements increased steadily towards the basal part of the shoots without becoming stable. Sometimes, these increasing trends were concealed by another underlying trend of increasing dry/fresh weight ratios, caused by morphological changes (leaf density, shoot thickness) related with shoot development. The concentration trends were due to factors such as the deposition of Mn oxides on the moss surface. This element showed the largest increases in concentration towards the basal part of the shoot and its concentrations were closely correlated with those of most of the other elements. Considering the results obtained, we recommend the use of 3 cm-long apical segments for determining trace element concentrations in F. antipyretica. This recommendation is based on the following: (1) The change in dry weight beyond this length of segment is small; (2) the workload and the quantity of material to collect in the river is acceptable; (3) Most previous studies have used shoot segments of similar lengths.
New Data on the Biology and Fisheries of the Threatened Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) (Decapoda, Achelata, Palinuridae) from the North-West Aegean Sea, Greece
Authors: Kampouris Thodoros E. , Koutsoubas Drosos , Milenkova Debora , Economidis Georgios , Tamvakidis Stylianos , Batjakas Ioannis E.
Published: August 2020

The European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas is a vulnerable species that inhabits and is harvested in the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent Atlantic waters. The fisheries associated with the spiny lobster are mainly conducted with tangle nets, trammel nets, pots, and creels. The fishing pressure has greatly reduced their numbers, changing them from a common shallow coastal species to a largely remnant population. The relative research on the species’ biology and fisheries from the eastern Mediterranean Sea is almost absent. The fishery along the Chalkidiki Peninsula, Greece, is multispecies, and fishing is conducted by a small number of artisanal fishermen mainly using trammel nets. The lobster stock—both spiny and clawed lobsters—declined significantly during the late 1980s and early 1990s, later than most cases in the Mediterranean Sea. However, data regarding the nature and status of the fishery associated with the spiny lobster in Greece are lacking. Data regarding the characteristics of the spiny regional fishery were obtained by interviews and questionnaires. Additionally, fishery surveys were conducted during the main lobster fishing season from 1 May 2017 to 31 August 2017. Sixteen species were identified (15 finfish species and one invertebrate species) as targeted. In total, 79 spiny lobsters were sampled in this study; the population’s sex ratio significantly diverts from the theoretical 1:1 (χ2 = 4.57; p < 0.05), and males were dominant. Both male and female individuals demonstrate negative allometric growth profiles. In addition, no significant differences were observed between sexes. In Greece, thus far, the knowledge and information are sporadic, limited, and/or species-specific, most of which regard finfish fisheries. Furthermore, the national legislation is rather complicated—or too generalized—thus creating great uncertainties. The in-depth knowledge and experience of fishermen should be further acknowledged and utilized, and wider collaborations among scientists, practitioners, and policy-makers should be established. The present study poses some thoughts on the effectiveness of the recent EU Landing Obligation and its contribution to the potential restoration of the species.
A Cost Efficiency Analysis of Flood Proofing Measures for Hydraulic Risk Mitigation in an Urbanized Riverine Area
Authors: Ventimiglia Ugo , Candela Angela , Aronica Giuseppe Tito
Published: August 2020

Non-structural measures for flood risk mitigation are often more economically accessible, easier to implement, and are highly effective, especially in view of the pursuit of risk resilience objectives. Among the non-structural measures, more importance is increasingly being attributed to flood proofing interventions. There are two main types of flood proofing: dry proofing and wet proofing. An example of dry proofing is shielding, which involves the use of flood barriers that can be installed in the entrances of buildings or outside the buildings in order to avoid contact with the houses and deviate the water flow. Their use must be supported by a detailed hydraulic analysis to ensure the correct design is used. This kind of intervention also avoids inducing a feeling of false security (the levee effect) in the exposed population, and therefore contributes to increasing their resilience. The aim of the work presented here is to determine an optimal combination of and choice between different types of structural and non-structural measures through the development of a methodology for assessing the real efficiency levels of different measures, using a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) and starting from the estimation of the direct flood damage. The application of the CBA to a case study of the Mela river in northeastern Sicily, which suffered a flooding event in October 2015, is supported by the determination of the real damages after the flood and the modeling of the same damages for alternative scenarios. The results affirm the possibility of reducing or avoiding some of the damage using the proposed flood proofing measures instead of classical ones.
PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP DENGAN TINDAKAN PERAWAT TENTANG PATIENT SAFETY
Authors: Pardede Jek Amidos , Marbun Agnes Silvina , Zikri Muhammad
Published: August 2020

Patient Safety is the avoidance, prevention, and repair of unexpected events or overcome injuries from the health care process. Lack of understanding about patient safety can lead to patient safety events due to a lack of knowledge and attitudes of nurses with nurses' actions about patient safety. Knowledge and attitude are needed to improve patient safety and improve the quality of hospital services. This study aims to determine the relationship between nurses' knowledge and attitudes with actions about patient safety in the Datu Beru Takengon Regional General Hospital. The design of this research is the descriptive correlation with the cross-sectional approach. The study population was implementing nurses, amounting to 273 people and the sample in this study amounted to 67 people using Simple Random Sampling sampling techniques. The statistical test used by Spearman-rho. The results obtained there is a relationship of knowledge with the actions of nurses about patient safety where the value (p = 0.033; p <0.05), with a value of r = 0.261 which means that the strength of the relationship is weak and there is a relationship between attitude and nurses' actions about patient safety where the value of p = 0.047; p <0.05 with a value of r = 0.243 which means the strength of the relationship is weak. In conclusion, there is a significant relationship between the knowledge and actions of nurses and there is a significant relationship between attitudes and actions of nurses about patient safety.
PEMASANGAN KATETER DENGAN KEJADIAN INFEKSI SALURAN KEMIH PADA PASIEN DI RUANG RAWAT INAP
Authors: Nababan Tiarnida
Published: August 2020

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a result of the development of microorganisms in the urinary tract, which in normal conditions do not contain bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. Urinary tract infections are also infections that occupy the second position that most often attacks the body after respiratory infections. The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between catheter placement and the incidence of urinary tract infections at Royal Prima hospital Medan. This is a correlation study (correlation study) on the patients suffering from urinary tract infections. The sampling technique used was a saturated sampling technique. Analysis research data using the Spearmen test. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the majority of catheter installation was in the category of good were 78%, and in the category of not good 22%, and 78% suffered from do not experience urinary tract infections, and 22% infection urinary tract. The results of the study of the Spearmen test showed that p-value = 0.00. It was found that there was a relationship between catheter insertion and the incidence of urinary tract infections in the inpatient room. The local nurses are suggested to improve the aseptic technique of care performed when catheterization is performed so that the incidence of urinary tract infections due to catheter installation can be avoided.
HUBUNGAN MOTIVASI DENGAN KEPATUHAN PELAKSANAAN DIET PADA PENDERITA DIABETES MELITUS
Authors: Manurung Tumpal , Manalu Rina Marlina , Manurung Yolanda
Published: August 2020

Planning diet is a major component of the successful management of Diabetes Mellitus. The success of meal planning depends on the behavior of people with Diabetes Mellitus in choosing food include the amount of energy, the type of food, and the meal schedule. Compliance is the individual's behavior to carry out the instructions suggested by the doctor. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of motivation with compliance with diabetes mellitus diet in patients with diabetes mellitus at Porsea Regional Hospital. The research design used was a cross-sectional approach. The population of Diabetes Mellitus patient at Porsea Regional Hospital was 21 respondents. The measuring instrument uses a questionnaire of motivation and compliance with diabetes mellitus diet. Data were analyzed by the Pearson Product Moment correlation test. The result of Pearson Product Moment test analysis obtained significant value 0.000 which means there is a significant relationship between the relationships of motivation with compliance diabetes mellitus diet in people with diabetes mellitus at Porsea Regional Hospital. The motivation is important because it is related to dietary changes diabetes mellitus patients are based on the patient's desire to heal and reduce the risk of complications caused by diabetes mellitus so they are motivated to follow the recommended diet program. It is expected that the nursing and doctor always motivate people with diabetes mellitus to compliance the Diabetes Mellitus diet to reduce the complications of diseases caused by Diabetes Mellitus.
RANCANG BANGUN APLIKASI SISTEM UJIAN SARINGAN MASUK SMA BERBASIS ANDROID (Studi Kasus SMA Amir Hamzah Medan)
Authors: Indra Evta , Sitanggang Audina L , Loi Mentari Hati
Published: August 2020

Era globalisasi teknologi komputer saat ini banyak digunakan oleh perusahaan dan bahkan lembaga pendidikan. Pada lembaga pendidikan, teknologi dapat meningkatkan kualitas dari siswa. Salah satunya adalah dalam pelaksanaan ujian masuk. Ujian saringan masuk merupakan kegitan yang dilakukan oleh sekolah untuk menyeleksi calon siswa baru. Dalam  dunia pendidikan ujian dimaksudkan untuk mengukur taraf pencapaian suatu tujuan pengajaran oleh siswa sebagai peserta didik, sehingga siswa dapat mengetahui tingkat kemampuannya. Saat ini ujian saringan masuk pada SMA masih dilakukan dengan sistem ujian tertulis. Sistem ujian seperti ini tentunya memiliki kekurangan seperti pemborosan kertas dan dalam pelaksanaannya juga membutuhkan pengawasan yang ketat terhadap siswa yang melakukan kecurangan saat ujian, serta tenaga khusus untuk pengoreksian lembar jawaban dan membuat skor hasil tes ujian. Sistem ujian saringan masuk berbasis Android ini dapat memberikan solusi yaitu dengan memfasilitasi sekolah untuk melakukan koreksi dan pengawasan selama ujian, dan hasilnya efektif dan efisien dalam mengelola, mendistribusikan dan mengelola hasil data ujian. Aplikasi di bangun dengan menggunakan metode pengembangan aplikasi pemograman android dan aplikasi hybrid yaitu mengimplementasikan HTML,CSS, Javascript dan Java. dari hasil analisis pendapat terhadap aplikasi ujian saringan masuk berbasis android ini, responden dengan sangat suka sebanyak 5%, persentase tidak suka10%, persentasi sangat tidak suka sebanyak 7% dan responden suka  sebanyak 78%,  jadi Pada persentasi tertinggi terdapat pada pilihan suka sebanyak 78% sehingga bisa disimpulkan bahwa Aplikasi Ujian Saringan Masuk Berbasis android ini memenuhi tujuan dari di rancangnya aplikasi tersebut.