bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmaceutical Characterization and In Vivo Evaluation of Orlistat Formulations Prepared by the Supercritical Melt-Adsorption Method Using Carbon Dioxide: Effects of Mesoporous Silica Type
Authors: Park Heejun , Cha Kwang-Ho , Hong Seung Hyeon , Abuzar Sharif Md , Lee Seungyeol , Ha Eun-Sol , Kim Jeong-Soo , Baek In-Hwan , Kim Min-Soo , Hwang Sung-Joo
Published: April 2020

Orlistat, an anti-obesity drug, has two critical issues—the first is its low efficacy due to low water solubility and the second is side effects such as oily spotting due to its lipase inhibition. The present study was designed to propose a solution using a formulation with mesoporous silica to simultaneously overcome two issues. Orlistat was loaded onto mesoporous silica by the supercritical melt-adsorption (SCMA) method, using carbon dioxide (CO2). Various types of mesoporous silica were used as adsorbents, and the effects of the pore volume, diameter and particle size of mesoporous silica on the pharmaceutical characteristics were evaluated by various solid-state characterization methods and in vitro and in vivo studies in relation to pharmacological efficacy and the improvement of side effects. The results showed that the pore volume and diameter determine loadable drug amount inside pores and crystallinity. The dissolution was significantly influenced by crystallinity, pore diameter and particle size, and the inhibition of lipase activity was in proportion to the dissolution rate. In vivo studies revealed that the serum triglyceride (TG) concentration was significantly decreased in the group administered amorphous orlistat-loaded Neuisilin®UFL2 with the highest in vitro dissolution rate and lipase activity inhibition in comparison to the commercial product. Furthermore, oily spotting tests in rats revealed that undigested oil was adsorbed onto mesoporous silica after orlistat was released in the gastro-intestinal tract, and it correlated with in vitro result that oil adsorption capacity was dependent on the surface area of empty mesoporous silica. Therefore, it was concluded that mesoporous silica type plays a major role in determining the pharmaceutical characteristics of orlistat formulation prepared using SCMA with CO2 for improving the low solubility and overcoming the side effects.
Assessing Pharmacists’ Preferences towards Efficacy Attributes of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Martínez-López Iciar , Maurino Jorge , Sanmartín-Fenollera Patricia , Ontañon-Nasarre Ana , Santiago-Pérez Alejandro , Moya-Carmona Isabel , García-Collado Carlos Gustavo , Fernández-Del Olmo Raquel , García-Arcelay Elena , Sarmiento Mònica , Carreño Ágata , Pérez-Encinas Montserrat
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Hospital pharmacists are increasingly playing a critical role in the care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about their preferences and perspectives towards different attributes of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The objective of this research was to assess pharmacists´ preferences for DMT efficacy attributes. Methods: A multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted. Preventing relapses, delaying disease progression, controlling radiological activity, and preserving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cognition were the attributes selected based on a literature review and a focus group with six hospital pharmacists. Conjoint analysis was used to determine preferences in eight hypothetical treatment scenarios, combining different levels of each attribute and ranking them from most to least preferred. Results: Sixty-five hospital pharmacists completed the study (mean age: 43.5 ± 7.8 years, 63.1% female, mean years of professional experience: 16.1 ± 7.4 years). Participants placed the greatest preference on delaying disease progression (35.7%) and preserving HRQoL (21.6%) and cognition (21.6%). Importance was consistent in all groups of pharmacists stratified according to demographic characteristics, experience, research background, and volume of patients seen per year. Conclusions: Understanding which treatment characteristics are meaningful to hospital pharmacists may help to enhance their synergistic role in the multidisciplinary management of patients with MS.
Elaboration of Charged Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Microparticles for Effective Release of Tranexamic Acid
Authors: Huang Ming-Hsi , Huang Shun-Ying , Chen Yi-Xuan , Chen Cheng-You , Lin Yung-Sheng
Published: April 2020

In this study, tranexamic acid (TA) was used as a model compound to study the charge effect on the physicochemical properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs). Charged PLGA MPs were elaborated by the incorporation of a quaternary ammonium, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), during the double emulsion solvent evaporation process. Three TA-CTAB-carrying modes of PLGA MPs were designed in the CTAB-free (TA-MP), adsorption (TA-CTABAD), or encapsulation (TA-CTABEN) form. The obtained MPs were characterized by morphology and TA-MP affinity. The experiment revealed that the three prepared MPs were spherical and smooth, with pores on their surfaces. TA-CTABAD had a relatively narrow size distribution, compared with that of TA-MP and TA-CTABEN. The particle sizes of TA-MP, TA-CTABEN, TA-CTABAD were measured as 59 ± 17, 54 ± 20, and 19 ± 8 μm, respectively. The zeta potential of the three MPs was found to be in the order: TA-CTABAD > TA-CTABEN > TA-MP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that the manufacturing process had no influence on the glass transition temperature of the MPs, which was close to 48 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis illustrated that the presence of CTAB slightly changed the thermal stability of PLGA MPs. In vitro release showed that TA-CTABAD exhibited faster TA release than TA-MP and TA-CTABEN in a basic environment (pH of 13), probably because of electrostatic attraction. At pH = 1, the release of TA from TA-CTABEN was faster than those from TA-MP and TA-CTABAD, probably because of electrostatic repulsion. However, the effect of electrostatic interaction was not significant at pH = 7.4.
Compositions Based on PAN Solutions Containing Polydimethylsiloxane Additives: Morphology, Rheology, and Fiber Spinning
Authors: Kulichikhin Valery G. , Skvortsov Ivan Y. , Varfolomeeva Lydia A.
Published: April 2020

The effect of additives of polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) with various molecular weights on the morphology and rheological behavior of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide has been analyzed. It was shown that only partial compatibility of the PDMS with the lowest molecular weight member of the homologous series studied—hexamethyldisiloxane—with PAN solution takes place. All other PDMS samples form emulsions with PAN solutions. The coalescence rate of PDMS drops depends on the viscosity ratio of the disperse phase and the continuous medium, which determines both the duration of dispersion preparation and the conditions for processing emulsions into fibers and films. An anomalous change in viscosity for a series of emulsions with different concentrations of additives, associated with the slippage, was detected. The relaxation properties of emulsions “feel” macro-phase separation. Modeling of the wet spinning process has shown that the morphology of the deposited solution drop reflects the movement of the diffusion front, leading to the gathering droplets in the center of the deposited formulation drop or to their localization in a certain arrangement. It was shown that the emulsion jets upon stretching undergo phase separation.
Application of the Finite Element Method in the Analysis of Composite Materials: A Review
Authors: David Müzel Sarah , Bonhin Eduardo Pires , Guimarães Nara Miranda , Guidi Erick Siqueira
Published: April 2020

The use of composite materials in several sectors, such as aeronautics and automotive, has been gaining distinction in recent years. However, due to their high costs, as well as unique characteristics, consequences of their heterogeneity, they present challenging gaps to be studied. As a result, the finite element method has been used as a way to analyze composite materials subjected to the most distinctive situations. Therefore, this work aims to approach the modeling of composite materials, focusing on material properties, failure criteria, types of elements and main application sectors. From the modeling point of view, different levels of modeling—micro, meso and macro, are presented. Regarding properties, different mechanical characteristics, theories and constitutive relationships involved to model these materials are presented. The text also discusses the types of elements most commonly used to simulate composites, which are solids, peel, plate and cohesive, as well as the various failure criteria developed and used for the simulation of these materials. In addition, the present article lists the main industrial sectors in which composite material simulation is used, and their gains from it, including aeronautics, aerospace, automotive, naval, energy, civil, sports, manufacturing and even electronics.
Projected Wind Impact on Abies balsamea (Balsam fir)-Dominated Stands in New Brunswick (Canada) Based on Remote Sensing and Regional Modelling of Climate and Tree Species Distribution
Authors: Bourque Charles P.-A. , Gachon Philippe , MacLellan Benjamin R. , MacLellan James I.
Published: April 2020

The paper describes the development of predictive equations of windthrow for five tree species based on remote sensing of wind-affected stands in southwestern New Brunswick (NB). The data characterises forest conditions before, during and after the passing of extratropical cyclone Arthur, July 4–5, 2014. The five-variable logistic function developed for balsam fir (bF) was validated against remote-sensing-acquired windthrow data for bF-stands affected by the Christmas Mountains windthrow event of November 7, 1994. In general, the prediction of windthrow in the area agreed fairly well with the windthrow sites identified by photogrammetry. The occurrence of windthrow in the Christmas Mountains was prominent in areas with shallow soils and prone to localised accelerations in mean and turbulent airflow. The windthrow function for bF was subsequently used to examine the future impact of windthrow under two climate scenarios (RCP’s 4.5 and 8.5) and species response to local changes anticipated with global climate change, particularly with respect to growing degree-days and soil moisture. Under climate change, future windthrow in bF stands (2006–2100) is projected to be modified as the species withdraws from the high-elevation areas and NB as a whole, as the climate progressively warms and precipitation increases, causing the growing environment of bF to deteriorate.
An Area-Efficient and Highly Linear Reconfigurable Continuous-Time Filter for Biomedical Sensor Applications
Authors: Zhang Jinyong , Chan Shing-Chow , Li Hui , Zhang Nannan , Wang Lei
Published: April 2020

This paper proposes a compact, high-linearity, and reconfigurable continuous-time filter with a wide frequency-tuning capability for biopotential conditioning. It uses an active filter topology and a new operational-transconductance-amplifier (OTA)-based current-steering (CS) integrator. Consequently, a large time constant τ , good linearity, and linear bandwidth tuning could be achieved in the presented filter with a small silicon area. The proposed filter has a reconfigurable structure that can be operated as a low-pass filter (LPF) or a notch filter (NF) for different purposes. Based on the novel topology, the filter can be readily implemented monolithically and a prototype circuit was fabricated in the 0.18 μm standard complementary-metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process. It occupied a small area of 0.068 mm2 and consumed 25 μW from a 1.8 V supply. Measurement results show that the cutoff frequency of the LPF could be linearly tuned from 0.05 Hz to 300 Hz and the total-harmonic-distortion (THD) was less than −76 dB for a 2 Hz, 200 mVpp sine input. The input-referred noises were 5.5 μVrms and 6.4 μVrms for the LPF and NF, respectively. A comparison with conventional designs reveals that the proposed design achieved the lowest harmonic distortion and smallest on-chip capacitor. Moreover, its ultra-low cutoff frequency and relatively linear frequency tuning capability make it an attractive solution as an analog front-end for biopotential acquisitions.
Optical Interferometric Fringe Pattern-Incorporated Spectrum Calibration Technique for Enhanced Sensitivity of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Han Sangyeob , Wijesinghe Ruchire Eranga , Jeon Deokmin , Han Youngmin , Lee Jaeyul , Lee Junsoo , Jo Hosung , Lee Dong-Eun , Jeon Mansik , Kim Jeehyun
Published: April 2020

Depth-visualizing sensitivity can be degraded due to imperfect optical alignment and non-equidistant distribution of optical signals in the pixel array, which requires a measurement of the re-sampling process. To enhance this depth-visualizing sensitivity, reference and sample arm-channeled spectra corresponding to different depths using mirrors were obtained to calibrate the spectrum sampling prior to Fourier transformation. During the process, eight interferogram patterns corresponding to point spread function (PSF) signals at eight optical path length differences were acquired. To calibrate the spectrum, generated intensity points of the original interferogram were re-indexed towards a maximum intensity range, and these interferogram re-indexing points were employed to generate a new lookup table. The entire software-based process consists of eight consecutive steps. Experimental results revealed that the proposed method can achieve images with a high depth-visualizing sensitivity. Furthermore, the results validate the proposed method as a rapidly performable spectral calibration technique, and the real-time images acquired using our technique confirm the simplicity and applicability of the method to existing optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. The sensitivity roll-off prior to the spectral calibration was measured as 28 dB and it was halved after the calibration process.
Automatic Pixel-Level Crack Detection on Dam Surface Using Deep Convolutional Network
Authors: Feng Chuncheng , Zhang Hua , Wang Haoran , Wang Shuang , Li Yonglong
Published: April 2020

Crack detection on dam surfaces is an important task for safe inspection of hydropower stations. More and more object detection methods based on deep learning are being applied to crack detection. However, most of the methods can only achieve the classification and rough location of cracks. Pixel-level crack detection can provide more intuitive and accurate detection results for dam health assessment. To realize pixel-level crack detection, a method of crack detection on dam surface (CDDS) using deep convolution network is proposed. First, we use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect dam surface images along a predetermined trajectory. Second, raw images are cropped. Then crack regions are manually labelled on cropped images to create the crack dataset, and the architecture of CDDS network is designed. Finally, the CDDS network is trained, validated and tested using the crack dataset. To validate the performance of the CDDS network, the predicted results are compared with ResNet152-based, SegNet, UNet and fully convolutional network (FCN). In terms of crack segmentation, the recall, precision, F-measure and IoU are 80.45%, 80.31%, 79.16%, and 66.76%. The results on test dataset show that the CDDS network has better performance for crack detection of dam surfaces.
ECCM Schemes against Deception Jamming Using OFDM Radar with Low Global PAPR
Authors: Wang Xinhai , Zhang Gong , Wang Xiangmin , Song Qingqing , Wen Fangqing
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a type of effective electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) technique for suppressing the high-power deception jamming using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar is proposed. Concerning the velocity deception jamming, the initial phases of the pulses transmitted in a coherent processing interval (CPI) are designed to minimize the jamming power within a specific range, forming a notch around the jamming in the Doppler spectrum. For the purpose of suppressing the range deception jamming and the joint range-velocity deception jamming, the phase codes of the subcarriers belonging to the OFDM pulses are optimized to minimize the jamming power, distributing some specific bands in the range and the range-velocity domain, respectively. According to Parseval’s theorem, the phase encoding, acting as the coding manner of the OFDM subcarriers can ensure that the energy of each OFDM symbol stays the same. It is worth noticing that the phase codes of the OFDM subcarriers can influence the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Thus, an optimization problem is formulated to optimize the phase codes of the subcarriers under the constraint of global PAPR, which can regulate the PAPRs of multiple OFDM symbols at the same time. The proposed problem is non-convex; therefore, it is a huge challenge to tackle. Then we present a method named by the phase-only alternating direction method multipliers (POADMM) to solve the aforementioned optimization problem. Some necessary simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed radar signaling strategy
Mutual Authentication Protocol for D2D Communications in a Cloud-Based E-Health System
Authors: G. Lopes Ana Paula , Gondim Paulo R. L.
Published: April 2020

The development of the Internet of Things (IoT) predicts several new applications, some of which are designed to be incorporated into e-health systems, and some technologies, like cloud computing and device-to-device communication (D2D), are promising for use in the support of resource-constrained devices employed in Mobile-health (m-health) and Telecare Medicine Information Systems (TMIS). In a scenario with billions of devices predicted for the IoT, it is essential to avoid performance and security problems, among others. Security is fundamental for the achievement of optimal performance regarding the sensibility of e-health shared data and, especially, the anonymity of patients and other entities, while it is also essential to consider the scarcity of bandwidth in wireless networks. This paper proposes a new mutual authentication protocol for m-health systems, which supports D2D communication, ensuring security and surpassing the performance and security of other authentication procedures reported in the literature.
High-Altitude Balloon-Based Sensor System Design and Implementation
Authors: Wang Zhanchao , Huang Min , Qian Lulu , Zhao Baowei , Wang Guangming
Published: April 2020

As a kind of large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle, a high-altitude balloon can carry a large load up to tens of kilometers in the near space for a long time, which brings a new way for the stratosphere atmospheric detection. In order to provide a suitable working environment for the near-space detection load, it is necessary to design a sensor system based on a high-altitude balloon, which is used to provide environmental temperature, height position, and attitude information, current working, and video surveillance. The high-altitude balloon-based sensor system designed in this paper had participated in the near-space flight experiment, whose total flight time was 30 h and 53 min, and the horizontal flight time was 28 h and 58 min crossing the day and night. The high-altitude balloon-based sensor system had withstood the severe environment of the near-space during the day and night, providing accurate temperature measurement, real-time altitude position and attitude data acquisition, reliable current monitoring, and comprehensive video surveillance. In the next three years, the high-altitude balloon-based sensor system developed in this paper will continue to participate in the experiment and provide support for more detection loads.
Challenges for Connecting Citizens and Smart Cities: ICT, E-Governance and Blockchain
Authors: Oliveira Thays A. , Oliver Miquel , Ramalhinho Helena
Published: April 2020

The way citizens interact with cities affects overall life quality. Their participation in social decisions is of paramount importance for helping on public decisions that affect governance, regulation and education. This interaction has the potential of being boosted within the scope of smart and digital cities, especially by recent advances in blockchain technology. This work introduces insights about how smart cities’ concepts and innovative technologies can help society to face daily challenges for improving citizens’ awareness. Digital technologies are able to drive social and economic development by employing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to promote innovation. In this context, e-governance, in conjunction with disruptive concepts such as blockchain, is showing up as a fundamental tool for a decentralized democracy. This study reviews, discusses, raises open points and presents suggestions towards an efficient, transparent and sustainable use of technology, applied to future cities.
Natura 2000 Areas and Sites of National Interest (SNI): Measuring (un)Integration between Naturalness Preservation and Environmental Remediation Policies
Authors: Scorza Francesco , Pilogallo Angela , Saganeiti Lucia , Murgante Beniamino
Published: April 2020

The Natura 2000 network was established as a tool to preserve the biological diversity of the European territory with particular regard to vulnerable habitats and species. According to recent studies, a relevant percentage of Natura 2000 sites are expected to be lost by the end of this century and there is widespread evidence that biodiversity conservation policies are not fully effective in relation to the management plans of the protected areas. This paper addresses the issue by analyzing a specific case in which there is a problem of integration between different competences and sectoral policies that leads to the lack of a monitoring system of territorial management performances. The study area, located in the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy), includes a Site of National Interest (SNI), for which several reclamation projects are still in the submission/approval phase, and a partially overlapping Natura 2000 network site. The tool used to monitor biodiversity in the study area is the degradation map obtained through the “habitat quality and degradation” InVEST tool which is used to assess the current trend and thus define a baseline for comparison with two medium and long-term scenarios applicable to the SNI’s procedure of partial and total remediation. The proposed methodology is intended to be a part of a larger and more complex monitoring system that, developed within the framework of ecosystem services, allows for the overcoming of the limits related to fragmentation and contradictions that are present in land management by offering a valuable support to decision makers and the competent authorities in biodiversity conservation policy design.
Policy Response, Social Media and Science Journalism for the Sustainability of the Public Health System Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Vietnam Lessons
Authors: La Viet-Phuong , Pham Thanh-Hang , Ho Manh-Toan , Nguyen Minh-Hoang , P. Nguyen Khanh-Linh , Vuong Thu-Trang , Nguyen Hong-Kong T. , Tran Trung , Khuc Quy , Ho Manh-Tung , Vuong Quan-Hoang
Published: April 2020

Having geographical proximity and a high volume of trade with China, the first country to record an outbreak of the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Vietnam was expected to have a high risk of transmission. However, as of 4 April 2020, in comparison to attempts to containing the disease around the world, responses from Vietnam are seen as prompt and effective in protecting the interests of its citizens, with 239 confirmed cases and no fatalities. This study analyzes the situation in terms of Vietnam’s policy response, social media and science journalism. A self-made web crawl engine was used to scan and collect official media news related to COVID-19 between the beginning of January and April 4, yielding a comprehensive dataset of 14,952 news items. The findings shed light on how Vietnam—despite being under-resourced—has demonstrated political readiness to combat the emerging pandemic since the earliest days. Timely communication on any developments of the outbreak from the government and the media, combined with up-to-date research on the new virus by the Vietnamese science community, have altogether provided reliable sources of information. By emphasizing the need for immediate and genuine cooperation between government, civil society and private individuals, the case study offers valuable lessons for other nations concerning not only the concurrent fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but also the overall responses to a public health crisis.
Sustainable Regeneration through the Cultural Conversion of Urban Heritage
Authors: Kim Soomi , Kwon Hyun-ah
Published: April 2020

As the industrial structure rapidly changed, the buildings and facilities at the helm of the previous industrialization era lost their original functions and became idle. These spaces contain elements of local history, culture, and time and provide the basis for this study. Therefore, it focuses on the role of a city’s sustainable media if they are converted to fit the city’s social and local context. In this study, we examine sustainable regeneration by adopting the methodology of the “new directions in planning theory” method, which means a contradictory approach to the sustainable values of long-standing industrial heritages from both physical and cognitive perspectives. We argue that its physical appearance, landscaping, and tectonic relation, composed of a specific spectrum of time accumulation, help people experience a sense of collective memory. In this way, a sense of time and place are embedded in materiality and are important to consider when moving toward urban sustainability. Our findings have implications for a new perspective on concrete regeneration strategies.
Redefining the Supply Chain Model on the Milicz Carp Market
Authors: Raftowicz Magdalena , Kalisiak-Mędelska Magdalena , Struś Mirosław
Published: April 2020

The growing demand for cheap food is a key factor in maintaining long supply chains. Increasing the distance between the producer and the consumer results not only in certain problems in maintaining profitability by small, local producers, but also in a threat to food safety. One way to counteract these adverse effects is to sell food through short supply chains. They shape the market in the direction of maintaining care for the sustainable development of all food production, but above all, maintaining and strengthening the production capacity ensuring the transparency of the high-quality food production process from an identifiable source of origin. The purpose of this article is to indicate the conditions on the side of both carp producers and consumers, conducive to building short supply chains, and determine whether they can be an effective alternative sales model in Polish conditions. The article focuses on the possibilities of developing short supply chains on the carp market in the Barycz Valley, concentrating the largest area of carp ponds in Europe. The research (surveys) included the five largest fishing farms and, on the recipient side, individual consumers and restaurants located in the Barycz Valley and Wrocław, and agritourism facilities in the researched area. The obtained results confirmed that short supply chains in the area of Polish aquaculture are characterized by high implementation potential. However, it is necessary to modify the current sales model so that the producers’ expectations regarding the sales volume and the obtained price are balanced with the expectations of consumers articulating the will to buy fish at a given time, place, and price. This, in turn, will ensure the high economic efficiency of fishing farms, and consumers will have access to a high-quality product.
Lifespan Prediction Technique for Digital Twin-Based Noise Barrier Tunnels
Authors: Kim Jinwooung , Kim Sung-Ah
Published: April 2020

Noise barrier tunnels (NBTs) comprise prefabricated components that are easily replaceable, reusable, and have the capacity to improve performance when applied to components as their replacements. Reusing NBTs is more price competitive and environmentally friendly than producing new components. However, determining the remaining life of components before they need to be dismantled, using existing NBTs and their maintenance methods, is a considerable challenge. Therefore, this study used a prototype of the digital twin of an NBT to predict the condition and life of tunnel components using numerical behavior analyses. The prototype of the digital twin used in this study could be used to analyze behaviors using a gyro sensor, thereby enabling life analyses. Girders are structural components that have shorter life expectancies than components close to the ground. Component analysis results indicated that our proposed method confirmed changes in the life of girders and column components. Moreover, a negligible change in the life of the purlin component was confirmed. Life cycles management using digital twins can help reduce NBT installation costs, facilitate resource recycling, and make the installation process eco-friendly as they can aid in identifying components that require replacements in the initial designing stage and establish a procurement plan.
How Does the Composition of Asset Portfolios Affect Household Consumption: Evidence from China Based on Micro Data
Authors: Han Hongyun , Si Fan
Published: April 2020

To pursue sustainable and balanced economic development, it is urgent to transform the economic development models from investment-driven to consumption-led. Factors underlying the consumption pattern of households in China, especially the rising wealth and its impact, deserve special attention from both policy makers and academic researchers. This paper aims to investigate how asset portfolios, consisting of housing asset, financial asset, production asset, durable asset, and vehicle asset affect consumption behavior based on household panel data. It is proved that the composition of asset portfolios significantly affects consumption of households. Asset levels and asset prices have positive influences on household consumption. Furthermore, various household assets have different impacts on household consumption patterns, divided into living type, developing type, and enjoying type of consumption, especially there is a larger wealth effect on developing type of consumption. More importantly, it shows a pattern of urban and rural dual economic structure. The disparity is even higher from a wealth perspective. The availability to wealth is of great importance. Therefore, the findings suggest inclusive financial reforms to create conditions for promoting property income and facilitating financial capacity of households, which is necessary for policy formation of Chinese economic transition.
Application of the Ecosystem Service Concept in Social–Ecological Systems—from Theory to Practice
Authors: Rüdisser Johannes , Leitinger Georg , Schirpke Uta
Published: April 2020

Ecological footprint analyses demonstrate that the world’s more than 7.5 billion people consume multiple planets’ worth of resources. To incite and evaluate societal changes for the sustainable use of the environment and its natural resources, the ecosystem service (ES) concept was developed more than 20 years ago. To ensure the sustainable provision of indispensable ES, the concept has been refined and enhanced, enabling its application across various temporal and spatial scales. However, evidence-based strategies and policies are needed to preserve biodiversity and natural capital in our changing world. This Special Issue comprises studies advancing the frameworks, concepts, and applications related to ES assessment, with a particular focus on social–ecological systems. To broadly apply the ES concept in different social–ecological systems, several key issues emerged: (1) ES-related definitions and procedures should be improved and standardized; (2) the complexity of the interactions in a social–ecological system must be recognized, and knowledge about spatial and temporal dynamics and interactions among multiple ESs must be deepened; and (3) communication about ES, considering cultural and stakeholder differences, must be increased.
In-Gel Isolation and Characterization of Large (and Other) Phages
Authors: Serwer Philip , Wright Elena T.
Published: April 2020

We review some aspects of the rapid isolation of, screening for and characterization of jumbo phages, i.e., phages that have dsDNA genomes longer than 200 Kb. The first aspect is that, as plaque-supporting gels become more concentrated, jumbo phage plaques become smaller. Dilute agarose gels are better than conventional agar gels for supporting plaques of both jumbo phages and, prospectively, the even larger (>520 Kb genome), not-yet-isolated mega-phages. Second, dilute agarose gels stimulate propagation of at least some jumbo phages. Third, in-plaque techniques exist for screening for both phage aggregation and high-in-magnitude, negative average electrical surface charge density. The latter is possibly correlated with high phage persistence in blood. Fourth, electron microscopy of a thin section of a phage plaque reveals phage type, size and some phage life cycle information. Fifth, in-gel propagation is an effective preparative technique for at least some jumbo phages. Sixth, centrifugation through sucrose density gradients is a relatively non-destructive jumbo phage purification technique. These basics have ramifications in the development of procedures for (1) use of jumbo phages for phage therapy of infectious disease, (2) exploration of genomic diversity and evolution and (3) obtaining accurate metagenomic analyses.
Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Recombinant Human Adenovirus Type 5 Vaccine against Zika Virus
Authors: Steffen Tara , Hassert Mariah , Hoft Stella G. , Stone E. Taylor , Zhang Jianfeng , Geerling Elizabeth , Grimberg Brian T. , Roberts M. Scot , Pinto Amelia K. , Brien James D.
Published: April 2020

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a significant public health concern due to the pathogen’s ability to be transmitted by either mosquito bite or sexual transmission, allowing spread to occur throughout the world. The potential consequences of ZIKV infection to human health, specifically neonates, necessitates the development of a safe and effective Zika virus vaccine. Here, we developed an intranasal Zika vaccine based upon the replication-deficient human adenovirus serotype 5 (hAd5) expressing ZIKV pre-membrane and envelope protein (hAd5-ZKV). The hAd5-ZKV vaccine is able to induce both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses to ZIKV epitopes. Importantly, this vaccine generated CD8+ T cells specific for a dominant ZIKV T cell epitope and is shown to be protective against a ZIKV challenge by using a pre-clinical model of ZIKV disease. We also demonstrate that the vaccine expresses pre-membrane and envelope protein in a confirmation recognized by ZIKV experienced individuals. Our studies demonstrate that this adenovirus-based vaccine expressing ZIKV proteins is immunogenic and protective in mice, and it encodes ZIKV proteins in a conformation recognized by the human antibody repertoire.
A Prime-Boost Immunization Strategy with Vaccinia Virus Expressing Novel gp120 Envelope Glycoprotein from a CRF02_AG Isolate Elicits Cross-Clade Tier 2 HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Calado Rita , Duarte Joana , Borrego Pedro , Marcelino José Maria , Bártolo Inês , Martin Francisco , Figueiredo Inês , Almeida Silvia , Graça Luís , Vítor Jorge , Aires da Silva Frederico , Dias Inês , Carrapiço Belmira , Taveira Nuno
Published: April 2020

Development of new immunogens eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) is a main priority for the HIV-1 vaccine field. Envelope glycoproteins from non-B-non-C HIV-1clades have not been fully explored as components of a vaccine. We produced Vaccinia viruses expressing a truncated version of gp120 (gp120t) from HIV-1 clades CRF02_AG, H, J, B, and C and examined their immunogenicity in mice and rabbits. Mice primed with the recombinant Vaccinia viruses and boosted with the homologous gp120t or C2V3C3 polypeptides developed antibodies that bind potently to homologous and heterologous envelope glycoproteins. Notably, a subset of mice immunized with the CRF02_AG-based envelope immunogens developed a cross-reactive neutralizing response against tier 2 HIV-1 Env-pseudoviruses and primary isolates. Rabbits vaccinated with the CRF02_AG-based envelope immunogens also generated potent binding antibodies, and one animal elicited antibodies that neutralized almost all (13 of 16, 81.3%) tier 2 HIV-1 isolates tested. Overall, the results suggest that the novel CRF02_AG-based envelope immunogens and prime-boost immunization strategy elicit the type of immune responses required for a preventive HIV-1 vaccine.
Burial depth and post-Early Cretaceous uplift of Lower–Middle Jurassic strata in the Fennoscandian Border Zone based on organic maturity
Authors: Petersen Henrik I. , Nielsen Lars H. , Bidstrup Torben , Thomsen Erik
Published: April 2020

The burial depth and the magnitude of Late Cretaceous – Early Cenozoic and Neogene–Pleistocene uplift of Lower–Middle Jurassic strata in the Fennoscandian Border Zone are estimated from measurements of huminite reflectance and comparison with a regional coalification gradient. The regional coalification curve is constructed by plotting uplift-corrected sample depths against more than 300 huminite/vitrinite reflectance values from Upper Triassic – Lower Cretaceous deposits in the Danish Basin and the Fennoscandian Border Zone. The present sample depths are corrected for Late Cretaceous inversion in the Sorgenfrei–Tornquist Zone and for Neogene–Pleistocene regional uplift. A coalification curve is erected; it cuts the abscissa at 0.2 %Ro corresponding to the reflectance of peat. This curve is considered to approximate to a reliable coalification profile over much of the study area. The Jurassic coals from the Fennoscandian Border Zone are of low rank and, based on the regional coalification curve, they have been buried to c. 625–2450 m. In the eastern part of the Rønne Graben, in the Kolobrzeg Graben and in the Arnager–Sose Fault Block, the Jurassic strata were subsequently uplifted c. 290–1400 m, corresponding to the amount of Late Cretaceous – Early Cenozoic inversion observed on seismic sections. Thus, it appears that Neogene–Pleistocene uplift did not influence the Bornholm area significantly. The data from the Höganäs Basin and Fyledal indicate a total uplift of c. 1450–2450 m, corresponding to estimates from the inversion zone in the Kattegat. The data from Anholt, on the eastern margin of the inversion zone, indicate c. 975 m of uplift.
The correlation analysis of spatial anomalies of computed and measured fields by the GIS-ENDDB system
Authors: Mikheeva Anna
Published: April 2020

The GIS-ENDDB expert-information system includes the global seismic catalogs and measurement data for various geophysical fields. Statistical processing of these data and visualization of the distributing characteristics of the seismic-geodynamic process in the form of isolines make it possible to reveal the spatial relationship between the seismicity distribution and anomalies of geophysical fields. The first attempts to identify this relationship were made with L.S. Sokolova in 2016 based on a visual comparison of maps obtained as a result of applying methods of various data analysis (in particular, the isolines maps of the maximum magnitude of recorded earth-quakes Mmax) for different samples of seismological catalogs on the one hand, and various modifications of the measured geophysical fields (in this case, the regional component of heat flow (HF) field) on the other hand. These results were more likely qualitative, but later a correlation analysis function was implemented into GIS-ENDDB for the quantitative comparison of the fields. The correlation analysis is carried out on a histogram of the distributing number of cells (nodes) NC from the difference ∆F of the reduced values of the fields F1 and F2 (relative to the arithmetic mean Fi.OCP) in the cells that are equal for the compared fields. To identify non-random variations, NC histograms (∆F) are given against the background of the normal distribution curve, which allows not only visually (by the deviation of the first columns from the norm), but also quantitatively to establish the degree of correlation. For the studied territories, histograms have obtained that show: 1. a moderate correlation of HF and Mmax fields in the North American continent (NEIC catalog, M≥5, cell 3×4); 2. no correlation across Asia - Far East region (COMPLEX, M≥4, H≥50 km, cell 6×8); and 3. high correlation in a rectangular region covering the Inside-Asian mountain belt (30-40N; 66-84E., COMPLEX, M≥5, H≥50 km, cell 1×1).
VIOLÊNCIA NO NAMORO: REFLEXÕES SOBRE A PROBLEMÁTICA NOS ADOLESCENTES
Authors: Araújo Bezerra Kalyne , Bezerra Alves Hirisdiane , Jorge Canuto Pollyanna
Published: April 2020

OBJETIVO: Compreender sobre essa problemática da violência diante do namoro de adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa através da análise de estudos nas bases de dados BDENF, MEDLINE, LILACS, e IndexPsi Periódicos, através dos descritores “Violência” e “Adolescente” combinados pelo o uso do operador booleano “and”, pesquisados na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde - BVS/BIREME. Foram encontrados 10 estudos relacionados, sendo 7 artigos, 1 dissertação, e 2 teses, e destes todos como pré-requisitos de serem textos completos, em português, e disponíveis online. Após refinamento, foram excluídos 4, por não contemplarem os objetivos. Diante dos 6 artigos elencados para a análise, o ano de 2016 obteve o maior número de publicações, assim como a base LILACS também prevaleceu sobre a temática. RESULTADOS: Os estudos encontrados buscaram identificar as vulnerabilidades, traçar perfis de relacionamentos abusivos, compreensão acerca dos aspectos influenciadores, identificar características e perpetração deste agravo, e principalmente formas de intervir precocemente na perspectiva de diminuir as consequências. CONCLUSÃO: As reflexões oriundas do estudo endossam na intervenção relacionada a desnaturalização da violência, avaliar o quão precocemente as vítimas que estão em estado de vulnerabilidade e desmistificar a permissividade cultural existente na nossa sociedade, para também intervir no âmbito da prevenção e recuperação da saúde destes jovens.

Palavras chave: Violência; Adolescente; Corte.
PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DOS CASOS DE ESCORPIONISMO NA REGIÃO NORDESTE
Authors: Costa e Silva Raquel , Renally Cavalcante Santos de Moraes Allana , Cavalcante Santos Edenilson
Published: April 2020

As modificações no ambiente produzidas pelo homem ocasionam maior contato dos animais peçonhentos com os humanos. OBJETIVO: Apresentar o perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes escorpiônicos na Região Nordeste em 2017. MÉTODO: Realizou-se uma pesquisa transversal, de caráter quantitativo, qualitativo e documental. Os resultados foram obtidos a partir dos dados notificados na plataforma Datasus sobre a ocorrência de acidentes escorpiônicos no Brasil em 2017, especificamente na Região Nordeste. RESULTADOS: Foram notificados 56.100 casos de escorpionismo na Região Nordeste. As mulheres foram as maiores vítimas (56,75%; n= 31.841), a faixa etária entre 20 a 39 anos (17.696; 31,5%) foi a mais afetada. A maioria dos casos foi identificada como “leve” (n=50.094; 89,3%). Em relação ao número de casos, o Estado de Pernambuco foi o responsável pela maioria das notificações (n=14.668; 26,1%). O maior número de óbitos foi no estado da Bahia (16; 11,4%); Alagoas apresentou a maior incidência, com cerca de 267 casos a cada 100.000 habitantes, e o Maranhão apresentou a maior taxa de letalidade, com 36,1 %. CONCLUSÃO: Os acidentes por animais peçonhentos aumentam o número e o tempo de internação nos serviços de saúde, acarretando em alta ocupação de leitos, sobrecarga dos profissionais e resultando em maiores gastos para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). É possível observar a importância de estudos subsequentes, para que assim seja possível definir medidas de controle dos acidentes escorpiônicos. Palavras chave: Epidemiologia; Tityus; Toxicologia.
FACTORS OF ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG STUDENTS IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KEPONG, KUALA LUMPUR: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Aiman Nur Hidayatul Izzati , Abdul Wahab Khan Rahmattullah Khan , Shahadan Md. Azman , Perveen Asma , Hussein Hashimah , Pua Kai Di Irene
Published: April 2020

Academic stress has become the greatest health obstacle as it adversely impacts students’ physical and psychological health. This study explored the factors of academic stress among students in a primary school in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A Focus group interview was conducted with 20 students to explore the factors of academic stress. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to interpret data from focus group interviews. The result revealed ten superordinate themes; (1) academic overload; (2) difficulty in-class work; (3) examinations anxiety; (4) poor relationship with friends; (5) bullying; (6) high expectations; (7) social comparison; (8) domestic violence; (9) physical and verbal abuse in school and (10) laissez-faire. The findings of this research to make a valuable contribution by gathering deeper understandings and help curb the impact of stress associated with primary school, especially in the Malaysian context.
New priorities of Russia’s migration policy
Authors: Popov Alexey , Mamontova Elvira
Published: April 2020

The article deals with the problems of implementing Russia’s migration policy at this stage of the country’s socio-economic and demographic development. It is emphasized that in the conditions of natural loss of the Russian population and reduction of migration growth, the role and importance of the State program to assist the voluntary resettlement of compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation are increasing. In order to meet the challenges of replenishing the permanent population and labor resources of Russia, migration legislation is being improved. recently, a Federal law and three presidential Decreeshave been adopted that simplify the procedure for acquiring Russian citizenship for compatriots. The article analyzes the law enforcement practice of regional authorities of the Russian Federation in relation to participants of the State program to assist in the voluntary relocation of compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation. The author emphasizes the need to change the law enforcement practice of local administrative and law enforcement agencies in the field of migration, to eliminate unjustified rigidity and bureaucratic red tape in relation to displaced compatriots. A number of proposals have been developed to improve Russia’s migration policy in order to increase the attractiveness for compatriots of the State program to assist in the voluntary relocation of compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation, as well as to increase the importance and priority for local administrative and law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation of assisting displaced compatriots in solving problems of their settlement.