bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicast Traffic Throughput Maximization through Joint Dynamic Modulation and Coding Schemes Assignment, and Transmission Power Control in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ostrowski Bartłomiej , Pióro Michał , Tomaszewski Artur
Published: May 2021

The paper concerns multicast packet traffic throughput maximization in multi-hop wireless sensor networks with time division multiple access to radio channel. We assume that the modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) that are used by the (broadcasting) nodes as well as the transmission power of the nodes are adjustable. This leads to the main research question studied in this paper: to what extent traffic throughput can be increased by proper MCSs assignment and transmission power control (TPC) at the nodes? To answer this question, we introduce mixed-integer programming formulations for joint MCSs assignment and TPC optimization, together with a solution algorithm. Finally, we present a numerical study illustrating the considerations of the paper. The numerical results show a significant gain being achieved by proper MCSs assignment, which is further increased by applying TPC.
Fluorescent Imaging and Multifusion Segmentation for Enhanced Visualization and Delineation of Glioblastomas Margins
Authors: Deshpande Aditi , Cambria Thomas , Barnes Charles , Kerwick Alexandros , Livanos George , Zervakis Michalis , Beninati Anthony , Douard Nicolas , Nowak Martin , Basilion James , Cutter Jennifer L. , Bauman Gloria , Shrestha Suman , Giakos Zoe , Elmannai Wafa , Wang Yi , Foroutan Paniz , Farrahi Tannaz , Giakos George C.
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the potential of fluorescence imaging in conjunction with an original, fused segmentation framework for enhanced detection and delineation of brain tumor margins. By means of a test bed optical microscopy system, autofluorescence is utilized to capture gray level images of brain tumor specimens through slices, obtained at various depths from the surface, each of 10 µm thickness. The samples used in this study originate from tumor cell lines characterized as Gli36ϑEGRF cells expressing a green fluorescent protein. An innovative three-step biomedical image analysis framework is presented aimed at enhancing the contrast and dissimilarity between the malignant and the remaining tissue regions to allow for enhanced visualization and accurate extraction of tumor boundaries. The fluorescence image acquisition system implemented with an appropriate unsupervised pipeline of image processing and fusion algorithms indicates clear differentiation of tumor margins and increased image contrast. Establishing protocols for the safe administration of fluorescent protein molecules, these would be introduced into glioma tissues or cells either at a pre-surgery stage or applied to the malignant tissue intraoperatively; typical applications encompass areas of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE). As a result, this image acquisition scheme could significantly improve decision-making during brain tumor resection procedures and significantly facilitate brain surgery neuropathology during operation.
We Are More Than Paperless People: Reflections on Creating Spaces, Narratives and Change with Undocumented Communities
Authors: Mendez Maria del Cielo , Ayala Jennifer , Rojas Kimberly
Published: May 2021

In this piece, we share some insights gleaned from oral histories of immigrant organizers involved in New Jersey state campaigns for access to higher education, weaving them with scholarly personal narratives (Nash & Viray, 2013) from the authors on their own youth organizing and/or experience working in an undocumented student support center. We are guided by the following questions: (1) How do New Jersey immigrant organizers make meaning of and create spaces of hope and home through their organizing? (2) What propels this work and sustains it across cohorts of organizers? We discuss five general areas in response: the experience of invisibility and organizing efforts that aim to counter it, the co-construction of homespaces within higher education institutions, the importance of (re)setting narratives, celebrating wins while pressing for more, and the intergenerational work that inspires and sustains change. We close the article with reflections on the ways in which formal and everyday organizing are acts of love and care, from which home is collectively built.
Religion and Workers’ Associations for Decent Work in Spain
Authors: González-González Miguel , Fernández-Álvarez Óscar , Lally Kouadio-Alexis , Ouali-Fernandez Sara
Published: May 2021

This paper analyzes the role of Catholic religious organizations and worker groups in their commitment to achieve the promotion of decent working conditions. Methodologically, critical discourse analysis (CDA) and the valuation of social anthropology applied to social and political regulations are used. The results show that defending decent work means putting people at the heart of matters and considering work a fundamental right for the dignity of human life. Conclusions show that actions such as guaranteeing workers’ rights, extending social protections, and promoting social dialogue are seen as essential in achieving the aim of decent work.
Physical Activity Is Related to Mood States, Anxiety State and Self-Rated Health in COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Reigal Rafael E. , Páez-Maldonado José A. , Pastrana-Brincones José L. , Morillo-Baro Juan P. , Hernández-Mendo Antonio , Morales-Sánchez Verónica
Published: May 2021

The main goal of this research is to study the relationships between physical activity, mood states and self-rated health in the Spanish lockdown (March 2020–April 2020) due to the state of alarm caused by COVID-19. The participants were 328 people aged between 19 and 59 years (M = 37.06; SD = 10.82). Females comprised 63.70% of the participants, and 36.30% were male. An associative, comparative and predictive design was used in this research. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Profile of Mood State (POMS), the state anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI) and the General Health Questionnaire GHQ−12 were applied in order to measure the study variables. Both correlation and linear regression analyses were performed, showing that physical activity is positively related to health perception and mood. Similarly, data have shown that moderate physical practice predicts better health perceptions and positive mood states than vigorous physical activity. Specifically, moderate physical activity is the only variable that predicts the anxiety state (R = 0.22; R2adjusted = 0.05; F = 15.51; p < 0.001). In addition, it has been detected that mood is related to the perception of the state of health. Outcomes suggest that practicing moderate physical activity during these types of situations could amortize its negative effects on psychological health and benefit a more positive mental state. Future studies should consider the employment status of the sample to detect possible differences based on this variable.
Research on the Relationship between Shared Leadership and Individual Creativity-Qualitative Comparative Analysis on the Basis of Clear Set
Authors: Sun Muyun , Wang Jigan , Wen Ting
Published: May 2021

Creativity is the key to obtaining and maintaining competitiveness of modern organizations, and it has attracted much attention from academic circles and management practices. Shared leadership is believed to effectively influence team output. However, research on the impact of individual creativity is still in its infancy. This study adopts the qualitative comparative analysis method, taking 1584 individuals as the research objects, underpinned by a questionnaire-based survey. It investigates the influence of the team’s shared leadership network elements and organizational environmental factors on the individual creativity. We have found that there are six combination of conditions of shared leadership and organizational environmental factors constituting sufficient combination of conditions to increase or decrease individual creativity. Moreover, we have noticed that the low network density of shared leadership is a sufficient and necessary condition of reducing individual creativity. Our results also provide management suggestions for practical activities during the team management.
COVID-19 in the Field of Education: State of the Art
Authors: Corell-Almuzara Alfredo , López-Belmonte Jesús , Marín-Marín José-Antonio , Moreno-Guerrero Antonio-José
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 has produced a transformation in society that has, in turn, influenced the field of education. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of COVID-19 on education using the Web of Science database. A methodology based on bibliometrics was used. Specifically, a scientific mapping of the literature was carried out, as well as a co-word analysis on the state of the question. The analysis included 940 publications. The results show that the institution with the highest volume of production in this field is the University of London. Among the journals, the Journal of Chemical Education stands out. Furthermore, in the analysis of the structural and thematic development of co-words, a high percentage of keyword matching was observed. In 2020, the motor themes were mental-health, organic-chemistry, general-public, first-year-undergraduate, and upper-division-undergraduate, while in 2021, they were autism-spectrum-disorder, adoption, internet, and intervention. It can be concluded that investigation into COVID-19 in the educational field is in its initial process. The research is currently mainly oriented to pedagogical methods, especially e-learning or collaborative learning, although they are not the only trends in this field. Research is also focusing on mental health, students with various disorders, and higher education. In the near future, research on COVID-19 in the field of education will probably be oriented to the application of effective pedagogical methods to train students at various educational stages.
Using Decision Support System to Enable Crowd Identify Neighborhood Issues and Its Solutions for Policy Makers: An Online Experiment at Kabul Municipal Level
Authors: Haqbeen Jawad , Sahab Sofia , Ito Takayuki , Rizzi Paola
Published: May 2021

Planning a city is a systematic process that includes time, space, and groups of people who must communicate. However, due to security problems in such war-ravaged countries as Afghanistan, the traditional forms of public participation in the planning process are untenable. In particular, due to gathering space difficulties and culture issues in Afghanistan, women and religious minorities are restricted from joining male-dominated powerholders’ face-to-face meetings which are nearly always held in fixed places called masjids (religious buildings). Furthermore, conducting such discussions with human facilitation biases the generation of citizen decisions that stimulates an atmosphere of confrontation, causing another decision problem for urban policy-making institutions. Therefore, it is critical to find approaches that not only securely revolutionize participative processes but also provide meaningful and equal public consultation to support interactions among stakeholders to solve their shared problems together. Toward this end, we propose a joint research program, namely, crowd-based communicative and deliberative e-planning (CCDP), a blended approach, which is a mixture of using an artificial-intelligence-led technology, decision-support system called D-Agree and experimental participatory planning in Kabul, Afghanistan. For the sake of real-world implementation, Nagoya Institute of Technology (Japan) and Kabul Municipality (Afghanistan) have formed a novel developed and developing world partnership by using our proposed methodology as an emerging-deliberation mechanism to reframe public participation in urban planning processes. In the proposed program, Kabul municipality agreed to use our methodology when Kabul city needs to make a plan with people. This digital field study presents the first practical example of using online decision support systems in the context of the neighborhood functions of Gozars, which are Kabul’s social and spatial urban units. The main objective was to harness the wisdom of the crowd to innovative suggestions for helping policymakers making strategic development plans for Gozars using open call ideas, and for responding to equal participation and consultation needs, specifically for women and minorities. This article presents valuable insights into the benefits of this combined approach as blended experience for societies and cities that are suffering long-term distress. This initiative has influenced other local Afghan governments, including the cities of Kandahar and Herat as well as the country’s central government’s ministry of urban planning and land, which has officially expressed its intention to collaborate with us.
Purchasing Behavior of Organic Food among Chinese University Students
Authors: Ali Hazem , Li Min , Hao Yunhong
Published: May 2021

The consumption of organically produced food is gaining ground around the world due to growing consumers’ concerns for personal health. Nevertheless, researchersaddressed the intention-behavior gap pertaining to buying organic food and called for more studies on consumers’ actual purchasing behavior. In order to understand this disparity, the current study examined the relationship among health consciousness, pricing policy, consumer trust, personal attitude, and purchasing behavior of organic food among university students. In addition, this research examined the moderating impact of word of mouth (WOM). This research adopted a quantitative method and employed convenience sampling to administer survey questionnaires to buyers of organic food in five Chinese universities between November 2020 and February 2021. A total of 335 questionnaires were collected and used for data analysis. Structural equation modeling results revealed that purchasing behavior is positively related to health consciousness and negatively influenced by pricing policy, while personal attitude and consumer trust had an insignificant association with students’ buying behavior of organic food. Further, WOM had a positive moderating impact on the relationship between health consciousness and purchasing behavior; and was found to strengthen the negative relationship between pricing policy and organic food purchasing behavior. This study presents some critical implications for researchers and organic food retailers and marketers.
Exploring the Critical Factors, the Online Learning Continuance Usage during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mo Chuan-Yu , Hsieh Te-Hsin , Lin Chien-Liang , Jin Yuan Qin , Su Yu-Sheng
Published: May 2021

In order to enable online learning to continue developing when the COVID-19 pandemic passes, this study aimed to identify the critical factors that affected the use of e-learning by university students during the pandemic. These critical factors will help to increase the efficiency of future development and deployment of online learning systems. Through a literature review, this study employed the technology acceptance model, social support, and task–technology fit as the theoretical basis to establish the framework of the online learning environment with regards to the technology acceptance model in the context of emergency management. A questionnaire survey was administered to students in universities that had implemented online teaching during the pandemic, and 552 valid responses were collected. The survey explored the factors affecting the willingness of higher education institution students to continue using online learning, and the following conclusions were drawn. (1) The easier an online learning platform was to navigate, the better it was perceived by the students, and thus the students were more willing to use it. (2) Ease of use and usefulness were associated with the teachers’ choice of platform and their ability to achieve a satisfactory fit between the course design and platform navigation, which thereby affected the students’ learning outcomes and attitude towards use. (3) The positive attitude of teachers towards teaching increased the students’ perceived ease of use of online learning. (4) During the pandemic, family support—a major support for teachers in online teaching—enhanced teachers’ attitudes towards, and willingness to provide, online teaching. A high level of support showed that the parents urged the students to learn and complete online learning tasks as instructed by the teachers, implying that family support could affect the students’ habits towards, adaptation to, and identification of online learning. The study results provide insights into the factors affecting the willingness of teachers and students to continue using e-learning platforms.
Design Evaluation and Performance Analysis of the Inside-Filling Air-Assisted High-Speed Precision Maize Seed-Metering Device
Authors: Wang Jinwu , Qi Xin , Xu Changsu , Wang Ziming , Jiang Yeming , Tang Han
Published: May 2021

In view of the problems of a poor seed-filling state and poor seed-cleaning effect of a precision metering device under high-speed working conditions, an inside-filling air-assisted high-speed precision maize seed-metering device was designed, fabricated, and evaluated. The overall structure and working principles of the seed-metering device are explained. Theoretical analysis and parametric design of the key parts, such as the horizontal stirring notch seed-metering plate and the wheel seed-cleaning mechanism, were carried out. The main factors that produce multiple seeding problems were studied. The forward speed (FS) and working pressure (WP) of the seed-metering device are determined as the main factors affecting the seeding performance. A quadratic orthogonal rotation combination experiment was designed. The relationship between influencing factors and performance indexes was constructed using the Design-Expert 10.0.7 software. The response surface method was used to optimize the experimental results. The results of the bench validation experiments showed that the seeding performance of the seed-metering device was excellent when the FS of the seed-metering device was 13.10 km/h and the WP of the seed-metering device was 4.75 kPa. The results of the bench comparison showed that the seeding performance of the designed seed-metering device was better than that of the conventional air-suction precision seed-metering device. This study provides theoretical and practical references for the optimized design of a pneumatic precision seed-metering device and the sustainable development of grain.
An Overlapping Community Detection Approach in Ego-Splitting Networks Using Symmetric Nonnegative Matrix Factorization
Authors: Huang Mingqing , Jiang Qingshan , Qu Qiang , Rasool Abdur
Published: May 2021

Overlapping clustering is a fundamental and widely studied subject that identifies all densely connected groups of vertices and separates them from other vertices in complex networks. However, most conventional algorithms extract modules directly from the whole large-scale graph using various heuristics, resulting in either high time consumption or low accuracy. To address this issue, we develop an overlapping community detection approach in Ego-Splitting networks using symmetric Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (ESNMF). It primarily divides the whole network into many sub-graphs under the premise of preserving the clustering property, then extracts the well-connected sub-sub-graph round each community seed as prior information to supplement symmetric adjacent matrix, and finally identifies precise communities via nonnegative matrix factorization in each sub-network. Experiments on both synthetic and real-world networks of publicly available datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods for community detection in large-scale networks.
The Rise of Emergent Corporate Sustainability: A Self-Organised View
Authors: Maitland Roger , Baets Walter
Published: May 2021

Escalating climate crisis activism highlights the potential of self-organised approaches in sustainability to address the disconnect between corporate sustainability activities and globally declining ecological systems. This paper argues that corporate sustainability is a co-evolutionary process of emergence which may enable organisations to address this disconnect by creating a context supportive of emergence within the organisation rather than reacting to pressures from outside. An exploratory mixed-methods case study was used to explore how corporate sustainability emerged in two financial services institutions. This article develops the idea of corporate sustainability as a co-evolutionary process of emergence and presents a framework to assist organisations to cultivate sustainability. It adopts a complexity view and posits that reductionism associated with Newtonian thinking has contributed to the sustainability issues faced by humanity. This study suggests that the paradigmatic assumptions that have contributed to the sustainability crisis must be interrogated to create an environment which is conducive to the emergence of corporate sustainability. Through examining corporate sustainability as an emergent process, this paper sheds light on how businesses can foster conditions in which a self-organised response to sustainability challenges is distributed across the organisation whilst being embedded in the containing system.
Critical Aspects Concerning the Development of a Pooling Approach for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis Using Large-Scale PCR Testing
Authors: Cruceriu Daniel , Baldasici Oana , Balacescu Loredana , Gligor-Popa Stefana , Flonta Mirela , Man Milena A. , Visan Simona , Vlad Catalin , Trifa Adrian P. , Balacescu Ovidiu , Achimas-Cadariu Patriciu
Published: May 2021

The primary approach to controlling the spread of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 is to diagnose and isolate the infected people quickly. Our paper aimed to investigate the efficiency and the reliability of a hierarchical pooling approach for large-scale PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. To identify the best conditions for the pooling approach for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis by RT-qPCR, we investigated four manual methods for both RNA extraction and PCR assessment targeting one or more of the RdRp, N, S, and ORF1a genes, by using two PCR devices and an automated flux for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We determined the most efficient and accurate diagnostic assay, taking into account multiple parameters. The optimal pool size calculation included the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, the assay sensitivity of 95%, an assay specificity of 100%, and a range of pool sizes of 5 to 15 samples. Our investigation revealed that the most efficient and accurate procedure for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 has a detection limit of 2.5 copies/PCR reaction. This pooling approach proved to be efficient and accurate in detecting SARS-CoV-2 for all samples with individual quantification cycle (Cq) values lower than 35, accounting for more than 94% of all positive specimens. Our data could serve as a comprehensive practical guide for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic centers planning to address such a pooling strategy.
Visualizing Rous Sarcoma Virus Genomic RNA Dimerization in the Nucleus, Cytoplasm, and at the Plasma Membrane
Authors: Chen Eunice C. , Maldonado Rebecca J. Kaddis , Parent Leslie J.
Published: May 2021

Retroviruses are unique in that they package their RNA genomes as non-covalently linked dimers. Failure to dimerize their genomes results in decreased infectivity and reduced packaging of genomic RNA into virus particles. Two models of retrovirus genome dimerization have been characterized: in murine leukemia virus (MLV), genomic RNA dimerization occurs co-transcriptionally in the nucleus, resulting in the preferential formation of genome homodimers; whereas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), genomic RNA dimerization occurs in the cytoplasm and at the plasma membrane, with a random distribution of heterodimers and homodimers. Although in vitro studies have identified the genomic RNA sequences that facilitate dimerization in Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), in vivo characterization of the location and preferences of genome dimerization has not been performed. In this study, we utilized three single molecule RNA imaging approaches to visualize genome dimers of RSV in cultured quail fibroblasts. The formation of genomic RNA heterodimers within cells was dependent on the presence of the dimerization initiation site (DIS) sequence in the L3 stem. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that heterodimers were present the nucleus, cytoplasm, and at the plasma membrane, indicating that genome dimers can form in the nucleus. Furthermore, single virion analysis revealed that RSV preferentially packages genome homodimers into virus particles. Therefore, the mechanism of RSV genomic RNA dimer formation appears more similar to MLV than HIV-1.
Hamster Polyomavirus Research: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Jandrig Burkhard , Krause Hans , Zimmermann Wolfgang , Vasiliunaite Emilija , Gedvilaite Alma , Ulrich Rainer
Published: May 2021

Hamster polyomavirus (Mesocricetus auratus polyomavirus 1, HaPyV) was discovered as one of the first rodent polyomaviruses at the end of the 1960s in a colony of Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) affected by skin tumors. Natural HaPyV infections have been recorded in Syrian hamster colonies due to the occurrence of skin tumors and lymphomas. HaPyV infections of Syrian hamsters represent an important and pioneering tumor model. Experimental infections of Syrian hamsters of different colonies are still serving as model systems (e.g., mesothelioma). The observed phylogenetic relationship of HaPyV to murine polyomaviruses within the genus Alphapolyomavirus, and the exclusive detection of other cricetid polyomaviruses, i.e., common vole (Microtus arvalis polyomavirus 1) and bank vole (Myodes glareolus polyomavirus 1) polyomaviruses, in the genus Betapolyomavirus, must be considered with caution, as knowledge of rodent-associated polyomaviruses is still limited. The genome of HaPyV shows the typical organization of polyomaviruses with an early and a late transcriptional region. The early region encodes three tumor (T) antigens including a middle T antigen; the late region encodes three capsid proteins. The major capsid protein VP1 of HaPyV was established as a carrier for the generation of autologous, chimeric, and mosaic virus-like particles (VLPs) with a broad range of applications, e.g., for the production of epitope-specific antibodies. Autologous VLPs have been applied for entry and maturation studies of dendritic cells. The generation of chimeric and mosaic VLPs indicated the high flexibility of the VP1 carrier protein for the insertion of foreign sequences. The generation of pseudotype VLPs of original VP1 and VP2–foreign protein fusion can further enhance the applicability of this system. Future investigations should evaluate the evolutionary origin of HaPyV, monitor its occurrence in wildlife and Syrian hamster breeding, and prove its value for the generation of potential vaccine candidates and as a gene therapy vehicle.
Study on Friction in Automotive Shock Absorbers Part 2: Validation of Friction Simulations via Novel Single Friction Point Test Rigs
Authors: Herzog Ludwig , Augsburg Klaus
Published: May 2021

The most important change in the transition from partial to high automation is that the vehicle can drive autonomously, without active human involvement. This fact increases the current requirements regarding ride comfort and dictates new challenges for automotive shock absorbers. There exist two common types of automotive shock absorbers with two friction types. The intended viscous friction dissipates the chassis’ vibrations, while the unwanted solid body friction is generated by the rubbing of the damper’s seals and guides during actuation. The latter so-called static friction impairs ride comfort and demands appropriate friction modeling for the control of adaptive or active suspension systems. In the current article, the simulation approach introduced in part 1 of this study is validated against a single friction point and full damper friction measurements. To achieve that, a friction measurement method with novel test rigs has been developed, which allows for reliable determination of the friction behavior of each single friction point, while appropriately resembling the operating conditions of the real damper. The subsequent presentation of a friction simulation using friction model parameters from different geometry shows the general applicability of the overall friction investigation methodology. Accordingly, the presented simulation and measurement approaches enable the investigation of dynamic friction in automotive shock absorbers with significantly increased development efficiency.
Dentigerous Equine Teratoma in a Stallion: Surgical Management and Clinicopathology
Authors: Leonardi Leonardo , Bertoletti Alice , Bellezza Enrico , Pettinari Ilaria , Gialletti Rodolfo
Published: May 2021

Teratoma is a rare germ cell testicular cancer composed of cells that are not normally present in the site where it originates. These tumors are rarely described in horses, where they may develop due to cryptorchidism. Teratomas consist of cells originating from different germinal layers, arising from germinal multi-potential cells with differentiation defects, and can simultaneously contain several tissues from two or more embryonic layers. Testicular teratomas are described in horses, cats, dogs, wild boars, bulls, and humans. In the rare descriptions found in literature of testicular teratoma in stallions, they occur frequently in cryptorchid testicles, as a consequence of congenital neoplasm. To our knowledge there is no other report of a dentigerous equine teratoma in a stallion. We describe here a successful laparoscopic removal of a testicular teratoma and its clinic-pathological features.
Influence of Service Levels and COVID-19 on Water Supply Inequalities of Community-Managed Service Providers in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Arati , Kazama Shinobu , Takizawa Satoshi
Published: May 2021

In Nepal, there are three types of water service providers; two types of government-managed service providers covering urban and municipal areas, and community-managed service providers called Water Users and Sanitation Associations (WUSAs). This study aims to assess the current water supply service levels and water supply inequalities of WUSAs in terms of water consumption, supply hours, and customer satisfaction. Among the three types of water service providers, WUSAs offered the best performance in terms of their low non-revenue water (NRW) rates and production costs, high bill collection rates, and long supply hours. During the COVID-19 lockdown, water consumption increased, but bill payment notably decreased, possibly due to restricted movement and hesitation by customers to make payments. The multiple-year water consumption variations illustrated the uneven water consumption behavior of customers. Despite the variation in water supply hours, Lorenz curves, Gini coefficients (G), and water consumption analysis depicted low inequalities (G ≈ 0.20–0.28) and adequate water consumption among WUSAs even in 2019–2020. In the three WUSAs, more than 90%, 74%, and 38% of customers consumed water above the basic, medium, and high levels, respectively. Thus, maintaining high service levels of WUSAs is instrumental in achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nepal.
The Effects of Triclosan on Physiological and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Dai Zhineng , Luo Xing , Yang Aili , Wang Jinsong , Fu Haiyan , Wu Yicheng
Published: May 2021

Triclosan has been widely used as addition ingredient in personal care and medical antibacterial products, and the increasing amounts of triclosan discharged in aquatic environments pose a potential risk to aquatic ecological systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposure to varying triclosan concentrations on the growth, chlorophyll fluorescence and antioxidant enzyme activity of Chlorella vulgaris. The results showed that low-concentration triclosan (<0.75 mg/L) can stimulate the growth of Chlorella vulgaris, whereas 1.05 mg/L triclosan exhibited significant inhibition. Low-concentration triclosan (<0.75 mg/L) could improve the tolerance and utilization ability of Chlorella vulgaris in relation to strong light. We observed a significant increase in the malondialdehyde content of Chlorella vulgaris exposed to 1.05 mg/L triclosan. The intracellular superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) activities of Chlorella vulgaris exposed to triclosan were higher than the control groups, and the increase in this activity was positively correlated with the concentration of triclosan. The results also showed that excessive H2O2 may in turn damage the CAT structure and eventually inactivate CAT activity when Chlorella vulgaris is exposed to 1.05 mg/L triclosan. This study provided a theoretical basis which can be used to evaluate the ecological risk of triclosan in the aquatic environment.
К вопросу о совершенствовании системы высшего образования на современном этапе развития
Authors:   Российский государственный университет нефти и газа (НИУ) имени И.М. Губкина, Мелехин Евгений Сергеевич
Published: May 2021

В статье рассмотрен ряд проблем, связанных с развитием системы высшего образования на современном этапе, и текущие меры Правительства Российской Федерации по ее упорядочению. Обоснована необходимость принятия неотложных мер по совершенствованию процесса обучения в магистратуре. Даны предложения по первоочередным мерам решения вопросов подготовки магистров, как наиболее квалифицированных специалистов своего профиля, и их востребованности хозяйствующими субъектами.
Организация научно-технологического развития периода командной экономики: достижения и недостатки
Authors:   ФГУП ВНИИ Центр, Бобрышев Артур Дмитриевич , Краснянская Ольга Владимировна ,   Российский технологический университет
Published: May 2021

В статье дан краткий анализ состояния научно-технологического комплекса СССР в наиболее благоприятный период развития его экономики (конец 1970-х – начало 1980-х годов). Показана структура организации научных исследований и освоения их результатов в промышленности. Обращено внимание как на преимущества централизованного планирования научно-технологических разработок, так и на его недостатки, в частности, отсутствие использования методов экономического стимулирования, что приводило к падению инновационной активности участников научно-технологического процесса от разработки идеи до ее внедрения.
Экономика сбалансированного ядерного топливного цикла с инновационным РЕМИКС-топливом
Authors:   АО ", Ульянин Юрий Александрович ,   Техснабэкспорт", Харитонов Владимир Витальевич ,   НИЯУ МИФИ
Published: May 2021

Приведены оценки конкурентоспособности сбалансированного замкнутого ядерного топливного цикла тепловых реакторов типа ВВЭР, PWR и BWP с инновационным уран-плутониевым РЕМИКС-топливом, получаемым путем переработки отработавшего топлива. Рассмотрены три варианта РЕМИКС-топлива — А, Б и С, отличающиеся способом достижения обогащения (концентрации делящихся изотопов 235U и 239Pu), необходимого для реакторов. В качестве критерия конкурентоспособности используется топливная составляющая стоимости электроэнергии АЭС, отражающая все затраты топливного цикла как до реакторной, так и после реакторной стадии. Разработанная экономико-математическая модель топливного цикла позволяет рассчитывать стоимостные показатели компонентов ядерного топлива и топливную составляющую стоимости электроэнергии АЭС в зависимости от стоимостных характеристик ключевых технологических переделов, включая переработку отработавшего топлива, обогащение регенерированного и природного урана, изготовление тепловыделяющих сборок, обращение с радиоактивными отходами, и проводить сравнение с традиционным топливным циклом.
Система экологического менеджмента как инструмент обеспечения конкурентоспособности промышленного предприятия
Authors:   Алтайский государственный университет, Титова Ольга Викторовна
Published: May 2021

В статье показано, что в современных условиях промышленные предприятия большое внимание уделяют экологическому менеджменту, так как, занимаясь экологическим менеджментом, любой организационной деятельности придается уверенность в том, что все будет соответствовать экологическим стандартам, установленным законодательством и ее собственной политикой. Система экологического менеджмента должна регулярно проверяться на предмет выявления любых трудностей в ее внедрении и предоставлении рекомендаций по постоянному совершенствованию.
Procedimientos de control interno para el ciclo de ventas, cuentas por cobrar y cobros
Authors: Lara Génesis , Pérez Lorna
Published: May 2021

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo proponer procedimientos de control interno para el ciclo de ventas, cuentas por cobrar y cobros en la empresa Floristería Bárbara, C.A. Metodológicamente la investigación se categoriza como un estudio de campo no experimental, bajo la modalidad de proyecto factible. El estudio fue complementado con fuentes bibliográficas-documentales, observación directa. La población fue de cinco (5) personas del Departamento de Administración y Finanzas. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó una lista de cotejo, una encuesta. Los resultados demostraron que, en los objetivos organizacionales y financieros del ciclo de ventas, cuentas por cobrar y cobros de la empresa no están definidos y no son conocidos por el personal, situación respaldada por el 80 % consultado. Es relevante el empleo de controles para el área de ventas, cuentas por cobrar y cobros, es fundamental que exista un ambiente de control y seguimiento eficiente en las actividades operacionales.
Editorial
Authors: Moreno Sotomayor Víctor Hugo
Published: May 2021

Presentamos a la comunidad científica el número 4, volumen 3, enero-junio 2021, de “MAYA - Revista de Administración y Turismo”. En esta oportunidad presentamos tres artículos originales del área del turismo y dos artículos originales que aportan específicamente al incremento de la productividad empresarial. Las investigaciones que se presentan buscan solucionar problemas a partir del desarrollo de esfuerzos coordinados entre el sector público, las comunidades y el sector empresarial, ya sea para preservar el patrimonio de los pueblos; como herramienta educativa sobre periodos trágicos de la historia; para reactivar el turismo tras la pandemia del Covid-19; aplicando herramientas de gestión administrativa; o como estrategia para elevar la productividad en una industria.
Cultura de bioseguridad en la gestión de servicios turísticos
Authors: Prado Loza Leonardo Antonio
Published: May 2021

La pandemia del COVID-19 exige el desarrollo de nuevas medidas que permitan reiniciar las operaciones turísticas en todo el mundo. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo proponer una metodología para implementar la cultura de bioseguridad en los procedimientos cotidianos de la cadena de servucción turística de Bolivia. El estudio se desarrolló bajo un enfoque cualitativo de corte transversal que tuvo alcances exploratorio y descriptivo; para recoger información de organismos internacionales y representantes del turismo en Latinoamérica, se aplicaron las técnicas consulta a expertos y entrevistas a profundidad.
Como resultado se propuso una metodología para implementar la cultura de bioseguridad que permite brindar un servicio bioseguro, planificado y certificado, que articula cuatro elementos: liderazgo, diseño, ejecución y adaptabilidad. En conclusión, para trabajar en el sector se tendrá que cambiar la concepción del diseño del servicio, aprendiendo acerca de bioseguridad y cómo implementarla en el entorno del turismo.
Método Deming y los procesos de explotación
Authors: Mostajo Luis Lemaitre
Published: May 2021

El objetivo de la investigación fue diseñar una estrategia que permita optimizar los procesos de explotación, utilizando la información generada por un sistema de planificación de recursos empresariales como soporte para la toma de decisiones; se desarrolló bajo un enfoque mixto de corte transversal y alcance descriptivo. El objeto de estudio fue una empresa con 32 trabajadores que se dedica a la extracción de yeso en Bolivia, se aplicó un censo a los trabajadores para analizar la percepción sobre los beneficios tras tres años de vigencia del sistema informático; asimismo, se estudiaron los estados financieros de cinco gestiones. Como resultado se comprobó la existencia de beneficios tangibles obtenidos gracias a la implementación del sistema informático y se propuso una estrategia de mejora continua basada en el método Deming. Se concluyó que los sistemas informáticos se constituyen en herramientas eficientes para la toma de decisiones y deben aplicarse acompañadas a otras herramientas de mejor continua.
Co-Proceso de combustibles alternos en la industria del cemento: una alternativa para la eliminación de desechos sólidos
Authors: Terán Calderón Luis Alberto
Published: May 2021

La investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar a nivel técnico y económico la posibilidad de incorporar un co-proceso de combustibles alternos en la industria del cemento; mediante un estudio mixto de corte transversal que según la etapa tuvo alcance exploratorio, descriptivo o aplicado. Con base en los avances tecnológicos desarrollados en Alemania se estudió las condiciones existentes en el municipio de Sucre – Bolivia, que permitan aprovechar la generación de residuos sólidos en el co-proceso de la cementera local.
Como resultado, se determinó que, en este contexto, la incorporación del co-proceso permitiría mantener la calidad actual del cemento; generaría beneficios medio ambientales y de carácter social; tendría un ROI de 13 años y 9 meses. Se concluye que este cambio de combustible en la producción de cemento permitiría la eliminación de residuos sólidos en una sinergia entre el municipio y la industria, que promueva el desarrollo sostenible.
Planificación estratégica desde las perspectivas del balanced scorecard en universidades públicas de la costa oriental del lago
Authors: Inciarte Rosanna
Published: May 2021

El trabajo se enmarco en analizar la planificación estratégica desde la perspectiva del Balance Scorecarden las universidades públicas de la Costa Oriental del Lago. La metodología se contextualizó dentro de un tipo de investigación analítica, con un diseño de campo, transeccional, no experimental. La población quedo constituida por las universidades públicas en la Costa Oriental del Lago, cuyas unidades informantes fueron los coordinadores de planificación y planificadores. Se utilizó como técnica la encuesta y como instrumento un cuestionario de 30 ítems con escala tipo Lickert. La validación se realizó a través del juicio de expertos y la confiabilidad mediante el coeficiente de Alpha de Cronbach, cuyo valor resultante fue de 0,80. La media aritmética se utilizó para el análisis de los resultados. Se concluye la necesidad del Balance Scorecard a fin que las instituciones universitarias, apliquen una planificación estratégica que les permita alcanzar sus metas.
Single Cell Technologies: Beyond Microfluidics
Authors: Li Haikuo , Humphreys Benjamin D.
Published: May 2021

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has been widely adopted in recent years due to standardized protocols and automation, reliability, and standardized bioinformatic pipelines. The most widely adopted platform is the 10× Genomics solution. Although powerful, this system is limited by its high cost, moderate throughput, and the inability to customize due to fixed kit components. This study will cover new approaches that do not rely on microfluidics and thus have low entry costs, are highly customizable, and are within the reach of any laboratory possessing molecular biology expertise.
Designing and Analyzing the Suspension System of the Formula SAE
Authors:   Mechanical and Automation Engineering Department, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, Delhi India, Saini Rakesh Chander , Rana Ramakant
Published: May 2021

Formula SAE is an engineering design competition organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers, SAE. It challenges students to devise, design, and fabricate a formula-based vehicle and provides a platform to compete with small formula-based racing cars. This competition tries to bridge the gap between academics and industries with the vision to improve the image and reach of mobility engineering. Students actually get to apply the theoretical concepts. The challenge to the students is to constantly innovate and bring about effective changes that give better results. The performance of the car is of prime importance and suspension plays a vital role in deciding it. A directly actuated double wishbone suspension has been used. A brief introduction of various geometrical parameters is given. The paper describes the whole procedure and calculations during the design of the suspension system.
The influence of gender and the environment of origin on the formation of cognitive skills in students of sports classes
Authors: Ardelean Mariana
Published: May 2021

The research carried out investigated how the variables related to the gender (male/female) and the environment of the subjects (rural/urban) have an influence on the perception of new experimental methods implemented in order to develop the cognitive dimension skills in the “Theoretical sports training” discipline. The aim of the research is conducted following the criteria of gender analysis (girls, boys) and origin environment (rural, urban) involved in the way the subjects of the experiment class have perceived and adapted to the new methods implemented in the pedagogical experiment, by comparison with those in the control class.
The analysis of teaching physical education in secondary school
Authors: Ciubotaru Mihai , Leuciuc Florin
Published: May 2021

The educational system in Romania, a continually changing system, aims at innovation of the educational process through the necessity of applying a reform. The idea of reform is based on the fact of creating the objectives that lead to the development of the personality of the student specified in legal documents. The discipline of physical education and sport is an important area for secondary school students. The framework of the educational system in Romania includes physical education with two hours per week, included in the main plan of the curriculum, one additional hour taught as optional lesson, sports teams with additional lessons for training the representative teams of the school. Physical education subject gained an imposing status for the secondary school. In order to accomplish this work, I used the method of study of the specialized literature. Documenting is the activity of collecting, searching, sorting out all the information that can help us to reach the goal. The purpose of the paper is to verify a teaching strategy that is very useful during the physical education and sports lessons by using methods to achieve the objectives of physical education, school curricula and increasing the effectiveness of the lesson. The knowledge gathered from the specialized literature highlights the different opinions of the authors stating that we must carefully choose the contents that we use in the educational process in order to have a good efficiency in teaching physical education.
Sociometric particularities in the social integration of adolescents by practising active forms of tourism
Authors: Grosu Maria
Published: May 2021

Currently, teenagers face the difficulty of integration and socialization in the new membership group. Knowing the adolescent team not only involves knowing the personality of its members but much more, and this can be achieved by practising various active forms of tourism that are considered to be means of influencing and forming the human character of fairness, modesty, courage and last but not least, teamwork.