bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MICHAEL BAZZELL, Open Source Intelligence Techniques. Resources for Searching and Analyzing Online Information
Authors: Biderman Bartosz
Published: February 2021

In the 21st century, information is golden. The question is whether in his book entitled Open Source Intelligence Techniques: Resources for Searching and Analyzing Online Information Michael Bazzell teaches us how to get it? This review answers this question by providing an objective overview on the publication. The introduction contains certain biographical information on the author, including information on his experience and its impact on the development of the open-source intelligence (OSINT). Next, the reviewer goes on to describe the solutions that M. Bazzell proposes to his readers, followed by the assessment of the work’s goal and reasoning, the author’s familiarity with the recent studies in the field, as well as the language of and the logic behind the statements. The review ends with a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the publication and a clear view on the work.
Christopher Hadnagy, Socjotechnika. Sztuka zdobywania władzy
nad umysłami
Authors: Złocka Anna Maria
Published: February 2021

Social engineering is the same concept as the concept of social engineering and related to manipulation and disinformation. Review of Christopher Hadnagy’s book Social engineering – the art of gaining power over minds is, according to the principles of art, a set of subjective assessments by the author. These assessments relate first to the impressions of reading, and are supported by their own critical image of the world in which social engineering is applied in the everyday life of each of us. The author of the review points out that the position has an application value, because a higher level of awareness and knowledge on a given topic translates easily into the individual’s safety.
Питер Фрейз, Четыре сценария будущего: Жизнь после
капитализма
Authors: Kiljuszik Ivanna
Published: February 2021

The author of the book raises the problem of fast automation of production and the crisis of capitalism. He analyzes the space of possibilities and wonders about the vision of the future, presenting two utopias and two antiutopias.
Systematyzacja pojęć związanych z metodami i źródłami pozyskiwania informacji w kontekście infobrokeringu
Authors: Sosnowski Piotr
Published: February 2021

The dynamic development of technology causes the need to organize existing and conceptualize new methods of gathering information. Current typology contained in the doctrinal documents of NATO and the United States Army partially corresponds to the possibilities offered by new technologies. Noteworthy are also the proposals for new disciplines, which in recent years appeared in the literature. The analysis includes reflection about the new trends in the work of the information broker.
Znaczenie tradycyjnych źródeł informacji w działalności infobrokerskiej
Authors: Kurcewicz Urszula
Published: February 2021

Though in the present age the Internet is an important resource for gathering information, there are also plenty of significant and helpful traditional sources. The best data collection strategy in information broker activity is one that employs techniques from both. The first part of the text is focused on the methodology of obtaining information. The author points out the place of information broker in the information process. One of the key aspects of the following analysis is an attempt to indicate the main definitions and classifications of the traditional sources of information in a field of historical knowledge as well as in the information science. The second part of the article considers information broker professional qualifications, since for him is important to know how to search, gather and integrate information from institution such as the national and private archives, libraries or museums.
Prawne aspekty pozyskiwania informacji w Internecie
Authors: Tomaszewska-Michalak Magdalena
Published: February 2021

Article deals with legal possibilities of obtaining information on the Internet. It indicates methods of obtaining information legally (such as open source intelligence) and methods recognized in Polish law as unlawful (such as activities aimed at disrupting the operation of an IT system). The article also discusses the issues of phishing, the use of false identity in the Internet (so-called sock puppetry), as well as the information potential of metadata analysis.
Walidować? Weryfikować? Nie ruszać? O niestatystycznych, statystycznych i stochastycznych metodach oceny jakości danych ilościowych opowieść
Authors: Gałuszko Konrad , Lewczuk Joanna , Kuźma Konrad Krystian
Published: February 2021

The article deals with the quality of data obtained in the quantitative research process. The authors decided to raise the subject, because in the Polish political science – in the opposition to sociology – it’s not well described. The text was made mainly on the basis of a literature review devoted to particular parts of the article and is its synthesis. During the work it was discovered that thanks to relatively simple tools, as well as the use of some programs the quality of the data set can be checked in a simple and precise way.
Techniki wyszukiwania informacji w mediach społecznościowych dla celów białego wywiadu
Authors: Hrabiec-Hojda Patrycja , Trzeciakowska Justyna
Published: February 2021

Social media has become a popular information channel for a large part of society. The amount of information that is placed there every day remains mostly beyond the reach of search engines. The purpose of this article is to show the techniques and tools that can be used to search and explore social media. Only those tools that operate on the Polish market and are free at least in the basic version are presented.
Metadane – cichy zabójca prywatności
Authors: Mincewicz Wojciech
Published: February 2021

The article has a deeper reflection on the issue of metadata, that is, data which are defined or describe other data. The theoretical layer extracted three types of metadata: descriptive, structural, and administrative. Descriptive metadata is used to find and identify key information that allows the location of an object. Structured metadata describes the internal structure of the object, but administrative metadata refers to the technical information, where information is provided for example about the time and how the file was created. The purpose of the publication is to provide theoretical knowledge as well as practical. The second part of the article depicts the concepts of graphic and text files, and simple self-defense techniques are indicated, which allow you to remove metadata before sharing the file. The supplementing of article is: analysis the ability to extract meta information by Fingerprinting Organizations with Collected Archives (FOCA), which is used to mechanizedly extract metadata reflection on what the metadata includes the email header.
Związki między koncentracją, kumulacją
i monopolizacją władzy.
Analiza modelowa
Authors: Karwat Mirosław
Published: February 2021

The concentration of powerin onestate(or: party, church,social movement)
decision-making centre makes it possible to cumulate power. One kind of institution join the
several types and areas of power (e.g. subordination of the legislative and judicial authorities
to the will and disposition oftheexecutive, conversion of parliament and orchards, public
prosecutor’s office into tools of government, governing party). The permanent effect of such
changes may bethe monopolisation of the authorities – theexclusive practical ability to govern for a given political force and the process of immortalisation,reproductionofsuch
a monopoly
Polityka ex cathedra. Naukowcy jako kandydaci w wyborach w 2019 roku
Authors: Skrzypiński Dariusz
Published: February 2021

An object of the article is the analysis of the presence of scientists on tickets registered by relevant electoral committees in elections to European Parliament and national Parliament in Poland in 2019. The author concentrated on the answer on questions concerning numbers of scientists on lists of candidates and to the differentiation of the representation of research workers on tickets of left-wing, right-wing and centrist committees. An effect of the analysis are conclusions showing differentiation of electoral registers in elections to European Parliament and the Senate and Seym.
Stereotypy polityków w kampaniach wyborczych
Authors: Ludwiniak Mateusz
Published: February 2021

The subject of the following paper is an analysis of the role social stereotypes have in election campaigns. The first part concerns the definition of the stereotype and its subject-object relation in political reality. Consequently, when considering the marketing and propaganda actions, four pragmatic functions of political campaigns are evoked: location, values and the demands of the autogroup, social engineering and election program, which are related to the four basic functions of stereotypes: cognitive, integrative, defending and adaptive. Every single function is assigned to the stereotypes, which are dominant in Polish politics.
Ekonomiczne i polityczne współzależności i sprzeczności koncentracji władzy w kapitalizmie (w kręgu interpretacji myśli Marksa)
Authors: Ilkowski Filip
Published: February 2021

The article presents various manifestations of concentration of power characteristic of tendencies existing within the capitalist system. The interdependencies and contradictions of related processes are presented in the directly economic and political dimensions. In relation to the problem, the adequacy of understanding the developmental tendencies of capitalism in Marx’s approach and some of the later thinkers rooted in various ideological traditions referring to Marxism is examined.
Od monopolu władzy do kwot i parytetów
Authors: Ulicka Grażyna
Published: February 2021

The fact of women not being awarded political rights in the first stage of forming a representative system of government marks the beginning of the period of struggle for their political inclusion. This paper presents the process of fighting for women’s political inclusion, its stages, participants, strategies, arguments for granting electoral rights to women followed by their participation in decision-making processes on equal terms with men.
Teoria i historia monopolu na władzę w demokracji
Authors: Hudzik Jan
Published: February 2021

This article concerns the sources and mechanisms of the monopolisation of power in democracy. Where do the claims of people’s representatives for exclusive rights to rule come from? The author pleads two arguments and try to prove them in both the history of theoretical frameworks of democracy and its political adaptations. The first argument is that these claims are provoked by the very idea of democracy – they are its structural component which decides on its pharmakonic action, because – that’s the second argument – it (the idea) is based on the construction of oppositional concepts like egalitarianism vs. elitism, power of the people vs. power of capital and their derivatives. That’s why democracy, as a cure for – in respect of gaining – equality, freedom and justice, can poison these values to death simultaneously. It creates inequalities and discriminates separated people. Every substantial content of its formal values is fatal to it. It tends to move to some kind of authoritarianism, fundamentalism or totalitarianism.
Ewolucja zjawiska bezosobowej tyranii z perspektywy teorii ewolucji kulturowej
Authors: Łukomski
Published: February 2021

In the paper I present an analysis of the critical approach to the phenomenon of modern bureaucracy by Hannah Arendt within the theoretical framework of cultural evolution. Bureaucracy, understood as the thoughtless rationalization of human behavior, is a process leading to the minimization of the public sphere, understood as the domain of freely performed politics, and consequently to the creation of impersonal tyranny. Contemporary concepts of cultural evolution allow to search for a new model of explanation of this phenomenon, which transforms the understanding of politics and man himself in the contemporary world.
Substrate-Dependent Sensitivity of SIRT1 to Nicotinamide Inhibition
Authors: Rymarchyk Stacia , Kang Wenjia , Cen Yana
Published: February 2021

SIRT1 is the most extensively studied human sirtuin with a broad spectrum of endogenous targets. It has been implicated in the regulation of a myriad of cellular events, such as gene transcription, mitochondria biogenesis, insulin secretion as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. From a mechanistic perspective, nicotinamide (NAM), a byproduct of a sirtuin-catalyzed reaction, reverses a reaction intermediate to regenerate NAD+ through “base exchange”, leading to the inhibition of the forward deacetylation. NAM has been suggested as a universal sirtuin negative regulator. Sirtuins have evolved different strategies in response to NAM regulation. Here, we report the detailed kinetic analysis of SIRT1-catalyzed reactions using endogenous substrate-based synthetic peptides. A novel substrate-dependent sensitivity of SIRT1 to NAM inhibition was observed. Additionally, SIRT1 demonstrated pH-dependent deacetylation with normal solvent isotope effects (SIEs), consistent with proton transfer in the rate-limiting step. Base exchange, in contrast, was insensitive to pH changes with no apparent SIEs, indicative of lack of proton transfer in the rate-limiting step. Consequently, NAM inhibition was attenuated at a high pH in proteated buffers. Our study provides new evidence for “activation by de-repression” as an effective sirtuin activation strategy.
Role of Adenosine and Purinergic Receptors in Myocardial Infarction: Focus on Different Signal Transduction Pathways
Authors: Procopio Maria Cristina , Lauro Rita , Nasso Chiara , Carerj Scipione , Squadrito Francesco , Bitto Alessandra , Di Bella Gianluca , Micari Antonio , Irrera Natasha , Costa Francesco
Published: February 2021

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a dramatic event often caused by atherosclerotic plaque erosion or rupture and subsequent thrombotic occlusion of a coronary vessel. The low supply of oxygen and nutrients in the infarcted area may result in cardiomyocytes necrosis, replacement of intact myocardium with non-contractile fibrous tissue and left ventricular (LV) function impairment if blood flow is not quickly restored. In this review, we summarized the possible correlation between adenosine system, purinergic system and Wnt/β-catenin pathway and their role in the pathogenesis of cardiac damage following MI. In this context, several pathways are involved and, in particular, the adenosine receptors system shows different interactions between its members and purinergic receptors: their modulation might be effective not only for a normal functional recovery but also for the treatment of heart diseases, thus avoiding fibrosis, reducing infarcted area and limiting scaring. Similarly, it has been shown that Wnt/β catenin pathway is activated following myocardial injury and its unbalanced activation might promote cardiac fibrosis and, consequently, LV systolic function impairment. In this regard, the therapeutic benefits of Wnt inhibitors use were highlighted, thus demonstrating that Wnt/β-catenin pathway might be considered as a therapeutic target to prevent adverse LV remodeling and heart failure following MI.
BECN1 and BRCA1 Deficiency Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer to Platinum Therapy and Confers Better Prognosis
Authors: Salwa Amreen , Ferraresi Alessandra , Chinthakindi Menaka , Vallino Letizia , Vidoni Chiara , Dhanasekaran Danny N. , Isidoro Ciro
Published: February 2021

Background: BRCA1, BECN1 and TP53 are three tumor suppressor genes located on chromosome 17 and frequently found deleted, silenced, or mutated in many cancers. These genes are involved in autophagy, apoptosis, and drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Haploinsufficiency or loss-of-function of either TP53, BRCA1 or BECN1 correlates with enhanced predisposition to cancer development and progression, and chemoresistance. Expectedly, the combined altered expression of these three tumor suppressor genes worsens the prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. However, whether such a genotypic pattern indeed affects the chemo-responsiveness to standard chemotherapy thus worsening patients’ survival has not been validated in a large cohort of ovarian cancer patients. Aim: We interrogated datasets from the TCGA database to analyze how the expression of these three tumor suppressor genes impacts on the clinical response to platinum-based chemotherapy thus affecting the survival of ovarian cancer patients. Results and conclusion: Compared to EOC with homozygous expression of BECN1 and BRCA1, tumors expressing low mRNA expression of these two tumor suppressor genes (either because of shallow (monoallelic) co-deletion or of promoter hypermethylation), showed higher sensitivity to platinum-based therapies and were associated with a better prognosis of ovarian cancer-bearing patients. This outcome was independent of TP53 status, though it was statistically more significant in the cohort of patients with mutated TP53. Thus, sensitivity to platinum therapy (and probably to other chemotherapeutics) correlates with low expression of a combination of critical tumor suppressor genes. Our study highlights the importance of thoroughly assessing the genetic lesions of the most frequently mutated genes to stratify the patients in view of a personalized therapy. More importantly, the present findings suggest that targeting the function of both BECN1 and BRCA1 could be a strategy to restore chemosensitivity in refractory tumors.
Recurrent Mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C, PALB2 and CHEK2 in Polish Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Łukomska Alicja , Menkiszak Janusz , Gronwald Jacek , Tomiczek-Szwiec Joanna , Szwiec Marek , Jasiówka Marek , Blecharz Paweł , Kluz Tomasz , Stawicka-Niełacna Małgorzata , Mądry Radosław , Białkowska Katarzyna , Prajzendanc Karolina , Kluźniak Wojciech , Cybulski Cezary , Dębniak Tadeusz , Huzarski Tomasz , Tołoczko-Grabarek Aleksandra , Byrski Tomasz , Baszuk Piotr , Narod Steven A. , Lubiński Jan , Jakubowska Anna
Published: February 2021

The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency and magnitude of association of 21 recurrent founder germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51C, and CHEK2 genes with ovarian cancer risk among unselected patients in Poland. We genotyped 21 recurrent germline mutations in BRCA1 (9 mutations), BRCA2 (4 mutations), RAD51C (3 mutations), PALB2 (2 mutations), and CHEK2 (3 mutations) among 2270 Polish ovarian cancer patients and 1743 healthy controls, and assessed the odds ratios (OR) for developing ovarian cancer for each gene. Mutations were detected in 369 out of 2095 (17.6%) unselected ovarian cancer cases and 117 out of 1743 (6.7%) unaffected controls. The ovarian cancer risk was associated with mutations in BRCA1 (OR = 40.79, 95% CI: 18.67–114.78; p = 0.29 × 10−15), in BRCA2 (OR = 25.98; 95% CI: 1.55–434.8; p = 0.001), in RAD51C (OR = 6.28; 95% CI 1.77–39.9; p = 0.02), and in PALB2 (OR 3.34; 95% CI: 1.06–14.68; p = 0.06). There was no association found for CHEK2. We found that pathogenic mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C or PALB2 are responsible for 12.5% of unselected cases of ovarian cancer. We recommend that all women with ovarian cancer in Poland and first-degree female relatives should be tested for this panel of 18 mutations.
Targeting Mitochondria by SS-31 Ameliorates the Whole Body Energy Status in Cancer- and Chemotherapy-Induced Cachexia
Authors: Ballarò Riccardo , Lopalco Patrizia , Audrito Valentina , Beltrà Marc , Pin Fabrizio , Angelini Roberto , Costelli Paola , Corcelli Angela , Bonetto Andrea , Szeto Hazel H. , O’Connell Thomas M. , Penna Fabio
Published: February 2021

Objective: Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome frequently occurring in cancer patients and exacerbated by chemotherapy. In skeletal muscle of cancer hosts, reduced oxidative capacity and low intracellular ATP resulting from abnormal mitochondrial function were described. Methods: The present study aimed at evaluating the ability of the mitochondria-targeted compound SS-31 to counteract muscle wasting and altered metabolism in C26-bearing (C26) mice either receiving chemotherapy (OXFU: oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil) or not. Results: Mitochondrial dysfunction in C26-bearing (C26) mice associated with alterations of cardiolipin fatty acid chains. Selectively targeting cardiolipin with SS-31 partially counteracted body wasting and prevented the reduction of glycolytic myofiber area. SS-31 prompted muscle mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and rescued intracellular ATP levels, although it was unable to counteract mitochondrial protein loss. Progressively increased dosing of SS-31 to C26 OXFU mice showed transient (21 days) beneficial effects on body and muscle weight loss before the onset of a refractory end-stage condition (28 days). At day 21, SS-31 prevented mitochondrial loss and abnormal autophagy/mitophagy. Skeletal muscle, liver and plasma metabolomes were analyzed, showing marked energy and protein metabolism alterations in tumor hosts. SS-31 partially modulated skeletal muscle and liver metabolome, likely reflecting an improved systemic energy homeostasis. Conclusions: The results suggest that targeting mitochondrial function may be as important as targeting protein anabolism/catabolism for the prevention of cancer cachexia. With this in mind, prospective multi-modal therapies including SS-31 are warranted.
Weakly Acidic Bile Is a Risk Factor for Hypopharyngeal Carcinogenesis Evidenced by DNA Damage, Antiapoptotic Function, and Premalignant Dysplastic Lesions In Vivo
Authors: Sasaki Clarence T. , Doukas Sotirios G. , Doukas Panagiotis G. , Vageli Dimitra P.
Published: February 2021

Background: There is recent in vivo discovery documenting the carcinogenic effect of bile at strongly acidic pH 3.0 in hypopharynx, while in vitro data demonstrate that weakly acidic bile (pH 5.5) has a similar oncogenic effect. Because esophageal refluxate often occurs at pH > 4.0, here we aim to determine whether weakly acidic bile is also carcinogenic in vivo. Methods: Using 32 wild-type mice C57B16J, we performed topical application of conjugated primary bile acids with or without unconjugated secondary bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA), at pH 5.5 and controls, to hypopharyngeal mucosa (HM) twice per day, for 15 weeks. Results: Chronic exposure of HM to weakly acidic bile, promotes premalignant lesions with microinvasion, preceded by significant DNA/RNA oxidative damage, γH2AX (double strand breaks), NF-κB and p53 expression, overexpression of Bcl-2, and elevated Tnf and Il6 mRNAs, compared to controls. Weakly acidic bile, without DCA, upregulates the “oncomirs”, miR-21 and miR-155. The presence of DCA promotes Egfr, Wnt5a, and Rela overexpression, and a significant downregulation of “tumor suppressor” miR-451a. Conclusion: Weakly acidic pH increases the risk of bile-related hypopharyngeal neoplasia. The oncogenic properties of biliary esophageal reflux on the epithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract may not be fully modified when antacid therapy is applied. We believe that due to bile content, alternative therapeutic strategies using specific inhibitors of relevant molecular pathways or receptors may be considered in patients with refractory GERD.
Theranostic Tripartite Cancer Terminator Virus for Cancer Therapy and Imaging
Authors: Bhoopathi Praveen , Pradhan Anjan K. , Maji Santanu , Das Swadesh K. , Emdad Luni , Fisher Paul B.
Published: February 2021

Combining cancer-selective viral replication and simultaneous production of a therapeutic cytokine, with potent “bystander” anti-tumor activity, are hallmarks of the cancer terminator virus (CTV). To expand on these attributes, we designed a next generation CTV that additionally enables simultaneous non-invasive imaging of tumors targeted for eradication. A unique tripartite CTV “theranostic” adenovirus (TCTV) has now been created that employs three distinct promoters to target virus replication, cytokine production and imaging capabilities uniquely in cancer cells. Conditional replication of the TCTV is regulated by a cancer-selective (truncated PEG-3) promoter, the therapeutic component, MDA-7/IL-24, is under a ubiquitous (CMV) promoter, and finally the imaging capabilities are synchronized through another cancer selective (truncated tCCN1) promoter. Using in vitro studies and clinically relevant in vivo models of breast and prostate cancer, we demonstrate that incorporating a reporter gene for imaging does not compromise the exceptional therapeutic efficacy of our previously reported bipartite CTV. This TCTV permits targeted treatment of tumors while monitoring tumor regression, with potential to simultaneously detect metastasis due to the cancer-selective activity of reporter gene expression. This “theranostic” virus provides a new genetic tool for distinguishing and treating localized and metastatic cancers.
Correction: Ränger, L.-M., et al. Robust Initialization of Rigorous Process Simulations of Multiple Dividing Wall Columns via Vmin Diagrams. ChemEngineering 2018, 2, 25
Authors: Ränger Lena-Marie , Preißinger Ulrich , Grützner Thomas
Published: February 2021

There was an error in the original article [...]
Differences in Weight Status and Autonomous Motivation towards Sports among Children with Various Profiles of Motor Competence and Organized Sports Participation
Authors: Coppens Eline , De Meester An , Deconinck Frederik J. A. , De Martelaer Kristine , Haerens Leen , Bardid Farid , Lenoir Matthieu , D’Hondt Eva
Published: February 2021

This study aimed (1) to identify profiles in children based on actual motor competence (AMC), perceived motor competence (PMC), and organized sports participation (OSP), and (2) to examine differences among these profiles in weight status as well as autonomous motivation towards sports. Children’s (N = 206; 112 boys; Mage = 10.83 ± 0.92 years) AMC, PMC, OSP, weight status, and autonomous motivation towards sports were measured using validated assessment tools. Cluster analyses identified three profiles with completely convergent levels of AMC, PMC, and OSP and three profiles with partially convergent levels. Children in the convergent profiles with average to high levels of AMC, PMC, and OSP had the most optimal profile, as they combined a healthier weight status with elevated levels of autonomous motivation, while the opposite was true for children with low levels on all three cluster-variables. Partially convergent profiles showed that AMC and PMC appear crucial for weight status, as profiles with relatively low levels of AMC and PMC had the highest weight status, independent of their OSP levels. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of promoting AMC, PMC, and OSP simultaneously to help children in achieving a healthy weight status and being autonomously motivated towards OSP.
The Effect of Environmental Contexts on Motor Proficiency and Social Maturity of Children: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Fathirezaie Zahra , Abbaspour Kosar , Badicu Georgian , Zamani Sani Seyed Hojjat , Nobari Hadi
Published: February 2021

Physical environmental factors affect the developmental process of children. Thus, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the two intervention models of affordances on the motor proficiency and social maturity of children. A semi-experimental research design with a pretest–posttest design and two groups were used, adopting the convenience method. Two groups of 15 children (aged 5.5–6.5 years) engaged in 12 weeks of nature school or kindergarten. The Bruininks–Oseretsky test of motor proficiency and the Vineland social maturity scale were used. The results of a mixed ANOVA showed that natural outdoor activity has a greater positive effect on motor proficiency and social maturity than kindergarten activities. Intra-group analysis also showed that both groups had progressed, but the nature school group made more progress. These results were discussed and interpreted based on the types of environmental affordances, Gibson’s theory, Bronfenbrenner theory, and child-friendly environment. It was suggested that natural environmental stimulations play a critical role in optimal child motor and social development during the early stages of life.
The Significance of Scope 3 GHG Emissions in Construction Projects in Korea: Using EIA and LCA
Authors: Kim Kyeong-Tae , Kim Ik
Published: February 2021

In Korea, a greenhouse gas (GHG) environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been conducting since 2012, which sets the evaluation procedures and methods for GHG items during the EIA. However, the current EIA on GHG emissions can support wrong decision-making because the evaluation does not consider Scope 3 GHG emissions. Accordingly, this study proposed the life cycle EIA (LCEIA) method to identify changes in GHG emissions that need to be managed by considering Scope 3 GHG emissions in construction projects. The LCEIA method incorporates life cycle CO2 (LCCO2) including Scope 1, Scope, and Scope 3 GHG emissions using the concept of life cycle assessment (LCA) into the scoping step of the EIA process. The case study was conducted using existing EIA on GHG emission and LCEIA methodology for a development project in Gwangyang City. Scenario 1 is defined as an approach that calculates GHG emissions using the existing EIA method, and scenario 2 is also defined as a process using the LCEIA method. Results reveal that Scenario 2, including Scope 3 GHG emissions, had 46.4−51.2% more GHG emissions than Scenario 1. Sensitivity analysis for electricity and liquefied natural gas (LNG) density was also performed. Although the change in the carbon emission factor of electricity had a slightly sensitive effect on the research results, the LNG density was found to be less sensitive. This study believes the importance of switching to an EIA reflecting life cycle carbon dioxide (LCCO2) to calculate the exact amount of GHG emissions for construction work.
Electrochemical Behaviour of Real-Time Sensor for Determination Mercury in Cosmetic Products Based on PANI/MWCNTs/AuNPs/ITO
Authors: Bohari Noor Aini , Siddiquee Shafiquzzaman , Saallah Suryani , Misson Mailin , Arshad Sazmal Effendi
Published: February 2021

Mercury is a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps, creams, and makeup-cleansing products. It may cause skin rashes, skin discolouration, and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections. By looking at this scenario, developing a sensor that involved a simple procedure and fasts for real-time detection without affecting mercury sensitivity is urgently needed. For that reason, a fast and sensitive electrochemical method was developed to determine mercury in cosmetic products with the composition of polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/gold nanoparticles/indium tin oxide sheet using methylene blue as a redox indicator. The significantly enhanced electrochemical performance was observed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). In order to detect mercury qualitatively and quantitatively, deposition potential and deposition time were respectively optimised to be 0.10 V and 70 s. The modified sensor was revealed a wide detection range of mercury from 0.01 to 10.00 ppm with a limit of detection of 0.08 ppm. The modified sensor towards mercury with a correlation coefficient (r2) was of 0.9948. Multiple cycling, reproducibility, and consistency of different modified sensors were investigated to verify the modified sensor’s performance. The developed sensing platform was highly selective toward mercury among the pool of possible interferents, and the stability of the developed sensor was ensured for at least 21 days after 10 repeated uses. The proposed method is a fast and simple procedure technique for analysing the mercury levels in cosmetic products.
A Critical Appraisal of Evidence- and Consensus-Based Guidelines for Actinic Keratosis
Authors: Wessely Anja , Steeb Theresa , Heppt Franz , Hornung Annkathrin , Kaufmann Matthias D. , Koch Elias A. T. , Toussaint Frédéric , Erdmann Michael , Berking Carola , Heppt Markus V.
Published: February 2021

Actinic keratoses (AK) are common lesions of the skin that can be effectively treated with several lesion- and field-directed treatments. Clinical practice guidelines assist physicians in choosing the appropriate treatment options for their patients. Here, we aimed to systematically identify and evaluate the methodological quality of currently available guidelines for AK. Guidelines published within the last 5 years were identified in a systematic search of guideline databases, Medline and Embase. Then, six independent reviewers evaluated the methodological quality using the tools “Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation” (AGREE II) and “Recommendation EXcellence” (AGREE-REX). The Kruskal–Wallis (H) test was used to explore differences among subgroups and Spearman’s correlation to examine the relationship between individual domains. Three guidelines developed by consortia from Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom were eligible for the evaluation. The German guideline achieved the highest scores, fulfilling 65 to 92% of the criteria in AGREE II and 67 to 84% in AGREE-REX, whereas the Canadian guideline scored 31 to 71% of the criteria in AGREE II and 33 to 46% in AGREE-REX. The domains “stakeholder involvement“ and “values and preferences“ were identified as methodological weaknesses requiring particular attention and improvement in future guideline efforts.
Blockchain and Higher Education Diplomas
Authors: Castro Renato Q. , Au-Yong-Oliveira Manuel
Published: February 2021

Due to added mobility and the increase in international students worldwide, as well as the current problem regarding the counterfeiting of diplomas and the selling of fraudulent certificates, we propose a technological solution. Namely, to ally blockchain technology to higher education certificates and diplomas, to make the process of checking for academic qualifications more facilitated and transparent. Employers of graduates, as well as higher education institutions which evaluate course applicants, would benefit. Perhaps equally as important, students applying for international degree programs would have their lives simplified. There is an increased pressure to ensure the legitimacy and authenticity of certifications and diplomas—and preferably without the current “hassle” of getting diplomas recognized by official entities. New technological advances, with the development of blockchain and smart contracts, with their characteristics of immutability, decentralization, security, traceability, and consensus, may be considered an excellent match to implement a robust and reliable anti-fraud solution to issue digital diplomas. Radical innovations, such as linking blockchain and higher education diplomas, involve significant change and novelty. Linking blockchain and higher education diplomas could potentially positively impact and benefit millions of people worldwide, especially the younger generations. This study involved a literature review and the searching of the Scopus database (refereed publications) for the following concepts: blockchain and diploma. Existing literature is recent, with most articles (25) published between 2019 and 2020, with 4 in 2018 and only 1 in 2017. This was aligned with our expectations since the development of blockchain utilization outside financial and crypto-assets industries is recent, and it is known as “Blockchain 3.0”. We can additionally affirm that the topic is attracting attention and efforts from researchers worldwide and that some higher education institutions have already implemented ad hoc solutions. As it is, the sector lacks a unified response to the problem of automatic and reliable higher education diploma certification.
Efficient Depth Map Creation with a Lightweight Deep Neural Network
Authors: Kang Join , Lee Seong-Won
Published: February 2021

Finding depth information with stereo matching using a deep learning algorithm for embedded systems has recently gained significant attention owing to emerging high-performance mobile graphics processing units (GPUs). Several researchers have proposed feasible small-scale CNNs that can run on a local GPU, but they still suffer from low accuracy and/or high computational requirements. In the method proposed in this study, pooling layers with padding and an asymmetric convolution filter are used to reduce computational costs and simultaneously maintain the accuracy of disparity. The patch size and number of layers are adjusted by analyzing the feature and activation maps. The proposed method forms a small-scale network algorithm suitable for a vision system at the edge and still exhibits high-disparity accuracy and low computational loads as compared to existing stereo-matching networks.
Effect of a Support Tower on the Performance and Wake of a Tidal Current Turbine
Authors: Rehman Zia Ur , Badshah Saeed , Rafique Amer Farhan , Badshah Mujahid , Jan Sakhi , Amjad Muhammad
Published: February 2021

Tidal energy is one of the major sources of renewable energy. To accelerate the development of tidal energy, improved designs of Tidal Current Turbine (TCT) are necessary. The effect of tower on performance and wake of TCT is investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Transient analysis with transient rotor stator frame change model and shear stress transport turbulence model are utilized in ANSYS CFX. An experimentally validated numerical model with full scale tidal turbine with a blockage ratio of 14.27% and Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) 4.87 is used to simulate the effect of different tower diameters on performance and wake. The effect of different tower diameters is quantified in terms of coefficient of performance (CP). Coefficient of performance for a 3.5 m tower diameter is 0.472 which is followed by 3, 2.5 and 2 m with coefficients of performance of 0.476, 0.478 and 0.476 respectively. Similarly, the coefficient of thrust (CT) on the rotor for 3.5 m tower diameter is 0.902, for 3 m diameter 0.906 and for 2.5 and 2 m diameters are 0.908 and 0.906 respectively.
IoT Based Electric Vehicle Application Using Boosting Algorithm for Smart Cities
Authors: Urooj Shabana , Alrowais Fadwa , Teekaraman Yuvaraja , Manoharan Hariprasath , Kuppusamy Ramya
Published: February 2021

The application of Internet of Things (IoT) has been emerging as a new platform in wireless technologies primarily in the field of designing electric vehicles. To overcome all issues in existing vehicles and for protecting the environment, electric vehicles should be introduced by integrating an intellectual device called sensor all over the body of electric vehicle with less cost. Therefore, this article confers the need and importance of introducing electric vehicles with IoT based technology which monitors the battery life of electric vehicles. Since the electric vehicles are implemented with internet, an online monitoring system which is called Things Speak has been used for monitoring all the vehicles in a continuous manner (day-by-day). These online results will then be visualized in MATLAB after an effective boosting algorithm is integrated with objective function. The efficiency of proposed method is tested by visual analysis and performance results prove that the projected method on electric vehicle is improved when using IoT based technology. It is also observed that cost of implementation is lesser and capacity of electric vehicle is increased to about 74.3% after continuous monitoring with sensors.
Effect of Additives on the Sorption Kinetics of a Silica Gel Bed in Adsorption Chiller
Authors: Sztekler Karol , Kalawa Wojciech , Mika Łukasz , Mlonka-Medrala Agata , Sowa Marcin , Nowak Wojciech
Published: February 2021

The article presents experimental results of the metal-based and carbon nanotube additives influence on sorption kinetics of a silica-gel-based adsorption bed in an adsorption chiller. The purpose of the doping is to improve the efficiency of sorption processes within the bed by use of metallic and non-metallic additives characterized by higher thermal diffusivity than basic adsorption material. The higher the thermal conductivity of the bed, the faster the sorption processes take place, which directly translates into greater efficiency of the refrigerator. In this study, sorption kinetics of pure silica gel sorbent doped with a given amount of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) powders and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were analyzed. The tests were performed on DVS Dynamic Gravimetric Vapor Sorption System apparatus used for dynamic vapor sorption measurements. A decrease in the amount of adsorbed water was observed with an increase in the mass share of the additives in the performed studies. Experimental results show that, CNTs seems to be the most promising additive as the sorption process time was reduced with the smallest decrease in water uptake. Any significant reduction of adsorption time was noted in case of the Al addition. Whereas, in case of Cu doping, delamination of the mixture was observed.
Stage Division of Landslide Deformation and Prediction of Critical Sliding Based on Inverse Logistic Function
Authors: Bao Liulei , Zhang Guangcheng , Hu Xinli , Wu Shuangshuang , Liu Xiangdong
Published: February 2021

The cumulative displacement-time curve is the most common and direct method used to predict the deformation trends of landslides and divide the deformation stages. A new method based on the inverse logistic function considering inverse distance weighting (IDW) is proposed to predict the displacement of landslides, and the quantitative standards of dividing the deformation stages and determining the critical sliding time are put forward. The proposed method is applied in some landslide cases according to the displacement monitoring data and shows that the new method is effective. Moreover, long-term displacement predictions are applied in two landslides. Finally, summarized with the application in other landslide cases, the value of displacement acceleration, 0.9 mm/day2, is suggested as the first early warning standard of sliding, and the fitting function of the acceleration rate with the volume or length of landslide can be considered the secondary critical threshold function of landslide failure.
Developing Crash Severity Model Handling Class Imbalance and Implementing Ordered Nature: Focusing on Elderly Drivers
Authors: Kim Seunghoon , Lym Youngbin , Kim Ki-Jung
Published: February 2021

Along with the rapid demographic change, there has been increased attention to the risk of vehicle crashes relative to older drivers. Due to senior involvement and their physical vulnerability, it is crucial to develop models that accurately predict the severity of senior-involved crashes. However, the challenge is how to cope with an imbalanced severity class distribution and the ordered nature of crash severities, as these can complicate the classification of the severity of crashes. In that regard, this study investigates the influence of implementing ordinal nature and handling imbalanced class distribution on the prediction performance. Using vehicle crash data in Ohio, U.S., as an example, the eight machine learning classifiers (logistic and ordered logistic regressions and random forest and ordered random forest with or without handling imbalanced classes) are suggested and then compared with their respective performances. The analysis outcomes show that balancing strategy enhances performance in predicting severe crashes. In contrast, the effects of implementing ordinal nature vary across models. Specifically, the ordered random forest classifier without balancing appears to be superior in terms of overall prediction accuracy, and the ordered random forest with balancing outperforms others in predicting severer crashes.
The Effect of Season and Neighbourhood-Built Environment on Home Area Sedentary Behaviour in 9–14 Year Old Children
Authors: Lotoski Larisa , Fuller Daniel , Stanley Kevin G. , Rainham Daniel , Muhajarine Nazeem
Published: February 2021

There is little understanding of how the built environment shapes activity behaviours in children over different seasons. This study sought to establish how seasonal weather patterns, in a given year in a mid-western Canadian city, affect sedentary time (SED) in youth and how the relationship between season and SED are moderated by the built environment in their home neighbourhood. Families with children aged 9–14 years were recruited from the prairie city of Saskatoon, Canada. Location-specific, device-based SED was captured in children during three timeframes over a one-year period using GPS-paired accelerometers. Multilevel models are presented. Children accumulated significantly greater levels of SED in spring but significantly less SED in the fall months in comparison to the winter months. Children living in neighbourhoods with the highest density of destinations accumulated significantly less SED while in their home area in comparison to their counterparts, and this effect was more pronounced in the spring and summer months. On weekends, the rise in sedentariness within the home area was completely diminished in children living in neighbourhoods with the greatest number of destinations and highest activity friendliness. These results suggested that increasing neighbourhood amenities can lead to a reduced sedentariness of youth, though more so in the warmers months of the year.
Preschool Children’s Social Information Processing Mediates the Link between the Quality of the Parent-Child Relationship and the Child’s Learning Difficulties
Authors: Arbel Reout , Sofri Inbar , Elizarov Einat , Ziv Yair
Published: February 2021

(1) Background: This study aims to explore children’s social information processing (SIP) as an explanatory mechanism in the link between parent–child relationship and children’s learning difficulties in kindergarten; (2) Methods: The sample included 115 kindergarteners (62 girls; 53 boys; Mage = 68.5 months, SD = 6.04), their parents and the school teacher. Parents reported on relationship quality with the child and teachers reported on children’s learning difficulties and school achievements. Children’s SIP was assessed with the social information processing interview—preschool version (3) Results: Mother and father relationship quality with the child associated with children’s SIP; however, only the father’s but not the mother’s quality of relationship with the child was associated with children’s learning difficulties and school achievements. Children’s SIP mediated this latter link; (4) Conclusions: Parents’ relationship quality with the child and children’s SIP are pertinent factors in children’s learning in the early years. The father–child relationship seems to be a strong determinant of a child’s approach to learning and achievement and may have long lasting effects on children’s mental health.