bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Interreligious Forms of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRSi-7, CRSi-14, and CRSi-20): Salience of Religion among Selected Youth in the Philippines
Authors: del Castillo Fides , del Castillo Clarence Darro , Aliño Marie Antoinette , Nob Rene , Ackert Michael , Ching Gregory
Published: November 2020

The presence of different religions and the freedom of people to navigate the religious space shows that religion in the Philippines is not a monolithic entity. This study validated three versions of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRSi-7, -14, and -20) which propose an adequate assessment tool for the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing in Philippine society. The sample (N = 514) was drawn from the young population of the country in an online survey. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha values were calculated for the five subscales (ideology, intellect, experience, private and public practice) of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale. The factor structure of the interreligious Centrality of Religiosity Scale was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The results show that CRSi-7 denotes internal consistency while CRSi-14 and CRSi-20 indicate good internal consistency. Models of CRSi-7, -14, and -20 show a good global fit. Despite two models of the CRSi-20 being identical in fit, the researchers defer to the CRSi-20 model with correlated factors since it is a simpler model. All versions of the CRSi demonstrate a valid and reliable measure for the centrality of religiosity in the Philippines and support the usefulness of the CRS for the study of religiosity.
GNSS-R-Based Snow Water Equivalent Estimation with Empirical Modeling and Enhanced SNR-Based Snow Depth Estimation
Authors: Yu Kegen , Li Yunwei , Jin Taoyong , Chang Xin , Wang Qi , Li Jiancheng
Published: November 2020

Snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) are two parameters for measuring snowfall. By exploiting the Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R) technique and thousands of existing GNSS Continuous Operating Reference Stations (CORS) deployed in the cryosphere, it is possible to improve the temporal and spatial resolutions of the SWE measurement. In this paper, a fusion model for combining multi-satellite SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) snow depth estimations is proposed, which uses peak spectral powers associated with each of the snow depth estimations. To simplify the estimation of SWE, the complete snowfall period over a winter season is split into snow accumulation, transition, and melting period in accordance with the variation characteristics of snow depth and SWE. By extensively using in situ snow depth and SWE observations recorded by snow telemetry network (SNOTEL) and regression analysis, three empirical models are developed to describe the relationship between snow depth and SWE for the three periods, respectively. Based on the snow depth fusion model and the SWE empirical models, an SWE estimation algorithm is proposed. Three data sets recorded in different environments are used to test the proposed method. The results demonstrate that there exists good agreement between the in situ SWE measurements and the SWE estimates produced by the proposed method; the root-mean-square error of SWE estimations is smaller than 6 cm when the SWE is up to 80 cm.
A Novel OpenMVS-Based Texture Reconstruction Method Based on the Fully Automatic Plane Segmentation for 3D Mesh Models
Authors: Li Shenhong , Xiao Xiongwu , Guo Bingxuan , Zhang Lin
Published: November 2020

The Markov Random Field (MRF) energy function, constructed by existing OpenMVS-based 3D texture reconstruction algorithms, considers only the image label of the adjacent triangle face for the smoothness term and ignores the planar-structure information of the model. As a result, the generated texture charts results have too many fragments, leading to a serious local miscut and color discontinuity between texture charts. This paper fully utilizes the planar structure information of the mesh model and the visual information of the 3D triangle face on the image and proposes an improved, faster, and high-quality texture chart generation method based on the texture chart generation algorithm of the OpenMVS. This methodology of the proposed approach is as follows: (1) The visual quality on different visual images of each triangle face is scored using the visual information of the triangle face on each image in the mesh model. (2) A fully automatic Variational Shape Approximation (VSA) plane segmentation algorithm is used to segment the blocked 3D mesh models. The proposed fully automatic VSA-based plane segmentation algorithm is suitable for multi-threaded parallel processing, which solves the VSA framework needed to manually set the number of planes and the low computational efficiency in a large scene model. (3) The visual quality of the triangle face on different visual images is used as the data term, and the image label of adjective triangle and result of plane segmentation are utilized as the smoothness term to construct the MRF energy function. (4) An image label is assigned to each triangle by the minimizing energy function. A texture chart is generated by clustering the topologically-adjacent triangle faces with the same image label, and the jagged boundaries of the texture chart are smoothed. Three sets of data of different types were used for quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Compared with the original OpenMVS texture chart generation method, the experiments show that the proposed approach significantly reduces the number of texture charts, significantly improves miscuts and color differences between texture charts, and highly boosts the efficiency of VSA plane segmentation algorithm and OpenMVS texture reconstruction.
Multi-Temporal Satellite Interferometry for Fast-Motion Detection: An Application to Salt Solution Mining
Authors: Solari Lorenzo , Montalti Roberto , Barra Anna , Monserrat Oriol , Bianchini Silvia , Crosetto Michele
Published: November 2020

Underground mining is one of the human activities with the highest impact in terms of induced ground motion. The excavation of the mining levels creates pillars, rooms and cavities that can evolve in chimney collapses and sinkholes. This is a major threat where the mining activity is carried out in an urban context. Thus, there is a clear need for tools and instruments able to precisely quantify mining-induced deformation. Topographic measurements certainly offer very high spatial accuracy and temporal repeatability, but they lack in spatial distribution of measurement points. In the past decades, Multi-Temporal Satellite Interferometry (MTInSAR) has become one of the most reliable techniques for monitoring ground motion, including mining-induced deformation. Although with well-known limitations when high deformation rates and frequently changing land surfaces are involved, MTInSAR has been exploited to evaluate the surface motion in several mining area worldwide. In this paper, a detailed scale MTInSAR approach was designed to characterize ground deformation in the salt solution mining area of Saline di Volterra (Tuscany Region, central Italy). This mining activity has a relevant environmental impact, depleting the water resource and inducing ground motion; sinkholes are a common consequence. The MTInSAR processing approach is based on the direct integration of interferograms derived from Sentinel-1 images and on the phase splitting between low (LF) and high (HF) frequency components. Phase unwrapping is performed for the LF and HF components on a set of points selected through a “triplets closure” method. The final deformation map is derived by combining again the components to avoid error accumulation and by applying a classical atmospheric phase filtering to remove the remaining low frequency signal. The results obtained reveal the presence of several subsidence bowls, sometimes corresponding to sinkholes formed in the recent past. Very high deformation rates, up to −250 mm/yr, and time series with clear trend changes are registered. In addition, the spatial and temporal distribution of velocities and time series is analyzed, with a focus on the correlation with sinkhole occurrence.
Suitability of TRMM Products with Different Temporal Resolution (3-Hourly, Daily, and Monthly) for Rainfall Erosivity Estimation
Authors: Li Xianghu , Li Zhen , Lin Yaling
Published: November 2020

Rainfall erosivity (RE) is a significant indicator of erosion capacity. The application of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) rainfall products to deal with RE estimation has not received much attention. It is not clear which temporal resolution of TRMM data is most suitable. This study quantified the RE in the Poyang Lake basin, China, based on TRMM 3B42 3-hourly, daily, and 3B43 monthly rainfall data, and investigated their suitability for estimating RE. The results showed that TRMM 3-hourly product had a significant systematic underestimation of monthly RE, especially during the period of April–June for the large values. The TRMM 3B42 daily product seems to have better performance with the relative bias of 3.0% in summer. At the annual scale, TRMM 3B42 daily and 3B43 monthly data had acceptable accuracy, with mean error of 1858 and −85 MJ∙mm/ha∙h and relative bias of 18.3% and −0.85%, respectively. A spatial performance analysis showed that all three TRMM products generally captured the overall spatial patterns of RE, while the TRMM 3B43 product was more suitable in depicting the spatial characteristics of annual RE. This study provides valuable information for the application of TRMM products in mapping RE and risk assessment of soil erosion.
The Use of Parallel Computing to Accelerate Fire Simulations for Cultural Heritage Buildings
Authors: Huang Yu-Hsiang
Published: November 2020

This study proposes an optimization design to improve the accuracy of fire risk models by combining the results of the UFSM (Urban Fire Spread Model, Japan) with the United States (US) Fire Simulation Software FDS6.7.3 (Fire Dynamics Simulator, FDS). Using parallel processing, the simulation time was dramatically reduced, and this may assist the risk factor analysis of buildings in a large area. Fire destroyed all seven main structures of the Shuri Castle World Heritage site on 31 October 2019, and this tool may have identified risk factors, which could have been mitigated and potentially prevented the building loss. Other historical buildings may benefit from using this tool to identify their relevant risk factors. This study completed a full-scale simulation of the 76 m × 45 m × 15 m area, which contained the nine temples, with 6.4 million grids for a simulation time of 600 s in 45 h. This tool can assist in input-data risk factor analysis and contribute to the improvement of protection technology for cultural heritage buildings.
Role of Energy Conservation and Management in the 4D Sustainable Energy Transition
Authors: Asif Muhammad
Published: November 2020

In the twenty first century, the world is witnessing an unprecedented energy transition. This sustainability-driven transition, also termed the sustainable energy transition or low carbon transition, has four major dimensions: decarbonisation, decreased use, decentralisation, and digitalisation. Decarbonisation and decreased use of energy are already well established dimensions of the sustainable energy transition. Decreased use of energy through energy conservation and management (ECM) offers wide ranging benefits across all energy consuming sectors, i.e., buildings, industry, and transportation. The building sector, accounting for almost 40% of the world’s total energy consumption, is particularly conducive to ECM. Estimates suggest that with the reliable and commercially available solutions, energy demand in both new and existing buildings can be reduced by 30 to 80%.
Unravelling the Impacts of Parameters on Surrogate Safety Measures for a Mixed Platoon
Authors: Ding Fan , Jiang Jiwan , Zhou Yang , Yi Ran , Tan Huachun
Published: November 2020

With the precedence of connected automated vehicles (CAVs), car-following control technology is a promising way to enhance traffic safety. Although a variety of research has been conducted to analyze the safety enhancement by CAV technology, the parametric impact on CAV technology has not been systematically explored. Hence, this paper analyzes the parametric impacts on surrogate safety measures (SSMs) for a mixed vehicular platoon via a two-level analysis structure. To construct the active safety evaluation framework, numerical simulations were constructed which can generate trajectories for different kind of vehicles while considering communication and vehicle dynamics characteristics. Based on the trajectories, we analyzed parametric impacts upon active safety on two different levels. On the microscopic level, parameters including controller dynamic characteristics and equilibrium time headway of car-following policies were analyzed, which aimed to capture local and aggregated driving behavior’s impact on the vehicle. On the macroscopic level, parameters incorporating market penetration rate (MPR), vehicle topology, and vehicle-to-vehicle environment were extensively investigated to evaluate their impacts on aggregated platoon level safety caused by inter-drivers’ behavioral differences. As indicated by simulation results, an automated vehicle (AV) suffering from degradation is a potentially unsafe component in platoon, due to the loss of a feedforward control mechanism. Hence, the introduction of connected automated vehicles (CAVs) only start showing benefits to platoon safety from about 20% CAV MPR in this study. Furthermore, the analysis on vehicle platoon topology suggests that arranging all CAVs at the front of a mixed platoon assists in enhancing platoon SSM performances.
Sustainability Prerequisites and Practices in Textile and Apparel Supply Chains
Authors: Warasthe Ronak , Schulz Finja , Enneking Ralf , Brandenburg Marcus
Published: November 2020

The proposed study deals with sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the textile and apparel (T&A) industry. We analyze prerequisites and practices of supply chain (SC) sustainability in a multiple case study of the German and Ethiopian T&A industry. Our analysis is based on ten semi-structured interviews conducted with the managers of seven companies in the Ethiopian T&A production and the German fair fashion retail industries. The contribution of expert knowledge helps in identifying SC sustainability prerequisites and practices. The chosen cases of production in Ethiopia and retail in Germany highlight the complexity of T&A SCs while representing both the suppliers’ and retailers’ perspectives, which is rare in the related literature. As a major research contribution, the study adapts a framework for SC sustainability in the chemical industry and transfers it to T&A SCs. Moreover, practitioners from the T&A industry find useful insights into relevant practices and their prerequisites, which helps in improving SC sustainability in this sector. The study reveals that management orientation and interest groups such as customers represent the most important prerequisites for sustainability. Manufacturers rely more on internal practices such as monitoring, while retailers focus on external sustainability practices, such as supplier development. In a comparative approach, similarities and differences between T&A SCs and the chemical industry are identified.
Examining the Moderating Role of Brand Loyalty among Consumers of Technology Products
Authors: Ramachandran Sunder , Balasubramanian Sreejith
Published: November 2020

The long-term survival of a company depends on its economic sustainability. It costs several times more to acquire new customers than retain current ones, and loyal customers spend more than new ones. Unfortunately, consumers are increasingly becoming less loyal to brands/products than before. Unearthing the underlying reasons for this diminishing consumer loyalty is critical. This forms the motivation of this study, which aims to examine the moderating role of loyalty among consumers of technology products. Specifically, the study explores the heterogeneity in the factors (antecedents) influencing brand-loyal attitudes and behavior among consumers of different loyalty levels. A total of 355 survey responses were obtained from an administrated survey across three loyalty groups (high loyalty—155; medium loyalty—99; low loyalty—90) in the United Arab Emirates. Structural equation modeling and multi-group moderation tests were used to test the hypothesized differences in the relationships between antecedents (trust, self-image, quality, and perceived ease of use) and customer attitude, and between customer attitude and repurchase intentions among the different loyalty groups. The results show that the different levels of loyalty have a moderating impact on the relationships. The findings are useful for marketers to better understand and manage customer attitudes, and subsequent purchase/repurchase intention depending on the levels of loyalty they may be in, as well as maneuver their customers through the different levels of loyalty to achieve business sustainability.
An Experimental Investigation on Tribological Behaviour of Tire-Derived Pyrolysis Oil Blended with Biodiesel Fuel
Authors: Yaqoob Haseeb , Teoh Yew Heng , Jamil Muhammad Ahmad , Rasheed Tahir , Sher Farooq
Published: November 2020

The demand for alternative fuels has risen in recent years due to the economic and environmental consequences of conventional fuels. In addition to engine characteristics, i.e., performance, combustion, and emission the lubricity of the considered fuel is an important parameter for its selection. This experimental study shows the tribological performance of the tire pyrolysis oil by using the four-ball tester. Waste tire pyrolysis oil was purified by using the distillation process. The experiment was conducted over 300 s at 40, 50, 63, and 80 kg load, 1800 rpm constant speed, and 27 °C temperature of all fuels on the ASTM D2266 standard. The tribological performance of the tire pyrolysis oil was compared with the BT10 (biodiesel 90%–tire pyrolysis oil 10%) and BT20 (biodiesel 80%–tire pyrolysis oil 20%) and biodiesel. The optical microscope is used to measure the wear scar diameter and then it is examined through a scanning electron microscope. In terms of greater load-carrying capacity, tire pyrolysis oil shows better anti-wear behaviour compared to biodiesel fuel. The wear scar diameter of BT10, BT20, and tire pyrolysis oil was 23.99%, 8.37%, and 32.62%, respectively, lower than the biodiesel fuel at 80 kg load. The SEM micrographs revealed that tire pyrolysis oil and BT10 displayed lower wear as compared to counterparts. Finally, it is concluded that BT10 is the most suitable fuel in terms of tribological performance.
Does Social Capital Matter for Total Factor Productivity? Exploratory Evidence from Poland
Authors: Markowska-Przybyła Urszula
Published: November 2020

Two issues connected with sustainable development are analysed in this article: total factor productivity (TFP), which measures the efficiency of transforming physical capital and labour into production, and social capital, which is increasingly considered as a factor of TFP. TFP is sometimes viewed as a measure of sustainability, and its high value indicates an effective way of combining and using limited resources. Social capital, in turn, is a determining factor in the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of development. The subject of this analysis is the impact of social capital on TFP. Social capital generates synergistic effects and creates added value using the existing resources. Therefore, it is legitimate to regard it as one of the determinants of TFP. The role of social capital in sustainable development is theoretically grounded and confirmed by numerous empirical studies. Nevertheless, due to the deep dependence on the context, the mechanisms of the impact of this capital on economic effects are still not fully understood. In this paper, social capital is analysed in the context of the post-transformation economy. This context seems to be interesting for two reasons: the relative weakness of social capital in post-communist countries and extensive nature of development these countries have experienced in recent decades, which together can be a barrier to long-term growth in these economies. The purpose of the paper is to identify and assess the impact of social capital in Poland on TFP in a regional breakdown (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics II - NUTS II). The research period covers the years 2002–2016 and employs econometric modelling methods. Social capital turns out to be a factor in explaining the level of TFP in Polish regions.
Port Cooperation and Bundling: A Way to Reduce the External Costs of Hinterland Transport
Authors: Hintjens Joost , van Hassel Edwin , Vanelslander Thierry , Van de Voorde Eddy
Published: November 2020

The present paper studies the bundling of road cargo flows of neighbouring seaports to a common hinterland. In specific cases, some hinterland flows can be too small to make bundling in a sufficient frequency possible. By combining the road freight flows of neighbouring ports, this problem can be solved. However, the additional cost of bundling and the loss of time need to be compensated for by a lower transport cost. The paper presents an empirical model for the 104 core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) ports of the European Union (EU) and their 271 NUTS2 (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) hinterland regions that allows identifying opportunities for bundling as well as the direct and external cost effects. By including the value of time (VOT) of each transport mode, the generalised cost is also calculated. The result is a business model that helps port authorities, and other port actors, to identify bundling projects that will lower the direct, generalised and external costs of the hinterland connectivity, thus increasing the port attractiveness for port users as well as lowering potential aversion by the surrounding community to port operations that create hinterland nuisance.
Systematic Mapping of Research on Farm-Level Sustainability in Finfish Aquaculture
Authors: Gunnarsson Stefan , Segerkvist Katarina Arvidsson , Wallgren Torun , Hjelmstedt Per , Sonesson Ulf , Hansson Helena
Published: November 2020

The sustainability of future finfish aquaculture needs to be improved to meet global environmental challenges. Global fish aquaculture production has expanded significantly recently, due to the increased demand for fish for human consumption. Therefore, it is important to mitigate challenges to the sustainability of the sector, such as pollution and depletion of natural resources. In this study, we systematically mapped the scientific literature on farm-level sustainability in fish aquaculture. The concept of sustainability was considered holistically, covering its economic, environmental and social dimensions, each consisting of a range of different aspects that may contradict or reinforce each other. Literature published between January 2000 and August 2020 with the geographical focus on Europe, Northern America and Australia–New Zealand was included. The search resulted in a total of 287 hits, but after the exclusion of articles that did not match the scope, only 17 papers remained for the systematic mapping. Of these, five papers covered all three dimensions of sustainability. Economic sustainability was addressed in 10 papers, environmental sustainability in 13 papers and social sustainability in 12 papers. This systematic mapping provides an important foundation for discussions and prioritisations of future actions to increase knowledge on farm-level sustainability in finfish aquaculture.
Consumer Perception of Modern and Traditional Forms of Advertising
Authors: Korenkova Marcela , Maros Milan , Levicky Michal , Fila Milan
Published: November 2020

If a company wants to succeed in a tough competitive environment, it must consider all the options to be more visible. One of these possibilities is advertising, which exists in a considerable variety of forms. Therefore, our goal was to conduct a survey on the attitude of customers in Slovakia to several modern and traditional forms of advertising, which are used by companies for their visibility. Data were obtained from the questionnaires filled in by 244 respondents. We were interested in opinions on advertising oversaturation, the influence of advertising, annoyance by advertising, and credibility of advertising. In each of four topics, we investigated opinions on 21 different types of advertising, using non-parametric tests to determine the significance of differences, which means we used inductive statistics. According to respondents, the advertising on social networks has a higher influence than most other types of advertising. At the same time, it is not one of the most trusted forms, nor one of the most bothering forms. The right marketing strategy choice concerning time, money, form, and efficiency is a key factor to companies. Therefore, it is important for companies to use the right form or combination of forms of advertising to make themselves known depending on the type of product and its target group. To increase the sustainability of a company in the market, it is important to use the right form or combination of forms of advertising considering the product and the target group.
A Study on the Mechanisms Linking Environmental Dynamism to Innovation Performance
Authors: Seo Eun-Hwa , Kim Choo-Yeon , Kim Kwangsoo
Published: November 2020

The purpose of our study is to examine the mechanisms that link environmental dynamism to firms’ innovation performance. Although there have been extensive studies on the effect of environmental dynamism on innovation performance, they have focused primarily on its direct effect and have resulted in rather inconsistent research findings. Thus, to explain the relationship between environmental dynamism and innovation performance more clearly, we intend to investigate the mechanisms through which environmental dynamism influences innovation performance in this study. Specifically, we aim to examine the mediation effects of strategic prospecting, absorptive capacity, and combined strategic prospecting–absorptive capacity on the relationship between environmental dynamism and innovation performance. Based on data collected from 266 small and medium-sized firms in Korea, our study has found that, assuming a causal interdependence between the mediators, both strategic prospecting and combined strategic prospecting–absorptive capacity mediate the relationship between environmental dynamism and innovation performance. It has also been found, however, that absorptive capacity alone does not mediate the relationship between environmental dynamism and innovation performance, while absorptive capacity mediates the relationship when it is linked to strategic prospecting. The results of our study further reveal that no direct effect of environmental dynamism on innovation performance exists, implying that the significant effect of environmental dynamism on innovation performance demonstrated in previous studies may be spurious in nature. Based on the findings, we present conclusions, theoretical and practical implications, and limitations with future research directions.
Horadam Sequences and Tridiagonal Determinants
Authors: Chen Kwang-Wu
Published: November 2020

We consider a family of particular tridiagonal matrix determinants which can represent the general second-order linear recurrence sequences. These determinants can be changed to symmetric or skew-symmetric tridiagonal determinants. To evaluate the complex factorizations of any Horadam sequence, we evaluate the eigenvalues of some special tridiagonal matrices and their corresponding eigenvectors. We also use these determinant representations to obtain some formulas in these sequences.
Permutation Symmetry in Coherent Electrons Scattering by Disordered Media
Authors: Orlenko Elena V. , Orlenko Fedor E.
Published: November 2020

A non-Anderson weak localization of an electron beam scattered from disordered matter is considered with respect to the principle of electron indistinguishability. A weak localization of electrons of a new type is essentially associated with inelastic processing. The origin of inelasticity is not essential. We take into account the identity principle for electron beam and electrons of the atom of the scatterer with an open shell. In spite of isotropic scattering by each individual scatterer, the electron exchange contribution has a hidden parameters effect on the resulting angular dependence of the scattering cross-section. In this case, the electrons of the open shell of an atomic scatterer can be in the s-state, that is, the atomic shell remains spherically symmetric. The methods of an invariant time-dependent exchange perturbation theory and a Green functions with exchange were applied. An additional angular dependence of the scattering cross-section appears during the coherent scattering process. It is shown exactly for the helium scatterer that the role of exchange effects in the case of a singlet is negligible, while for the triplet state, it is decisive, especially for those values of the energy of incident electrons when de Broglie’s waves are commensurate with the atomic.
Weak Multiplier Hopf Algebras II: Source and Target Algebras
Authors: Daele Alfons Van , Wang Shuanhong
Published: November 2020

Let (A,Δ) be a weak multiplier Hopf algebra. It is a pair of a non-degenerate algebra A, with or without identity, and a coproduct Δ:A⟶M(A⊗A), satisfying certain properties. In this paper, we continue the study of these objects and construct new examples. A symmetric pair of the source and target maps εs and εt are studied, and their symmetric pair of images, the source algebra and the target algebra εs(A) and εt(A), are also investigated. We show that the canonical idempotent E (which is eventually Δ(1)) belongs to the multiplier algebra M(B⊗C), where (B=εs(A), C=εt(A)) is the symmetric pair of source algebra and target algebra, and also that E is a separability idempotent (as studied). If the weak multiplier Hopf algebra is regular, then also E is a regular separability idempotent. We also see how, for any weak multiplier Hopf algebra (A,Δ), it is possible to make C⊗B (with B and C as above) into a new weak multiplier Hopf algebra. In a sense, it forgets the ’Hopf algebra part’ of the original weak multiplier Hopf algebra and only remembers symmetric pair of the source and target algebras. It is in turn generalized to the case of any symmetric pair of non-degenerate algebras B and C with a separability idempotent E∈M(B⊗C). We get another example using this theory associated to any discrete quantum group. Finally, we also consider the well-known ’quantization’ of the groupoid that comes from an action of a group on a set. All these constructions provide interesting new examples of weak multiplier Hopf algebras (that are not weak Hopf algebras introduced).
Pseudomonas Exotoxin A Based Toxins Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Fischer Alexandra , Wolf Isis , Fuchs Hendrik , Masilamani Anie Priscilla , Wolf Philipp
Published: November 2020

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was found to be a valuable target on prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, EGFR inhibitors mostly failed in clinical studies with patients suffering from PCa. We therefore tested the targeted toxins EGF-PE40 and EGF-PE24mut consisting of the natural ligand EGF as binding domain and PE40, the natural toxin domain of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A, or PE24mut, the de-immunized variant thereof, as toxin domains. Both targeted toxins were expressed in the periplasm of E.coli and evoked an inhibition of protein biosynthesis in EGFR-expressing PCa cells. Concentration- and time-dependent killing of PCa cells was found with IC50 values after 48 and 72 h in the low nanomolar or picomolar range based on the induction of apoptosis. EGF-PE24mut was found to be about 11- to 120-fold less toxic than EGF-PE40. Both targeted toxins were more than 600 to 140,000-fold more cytotoxic than the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib. Due to their high and specific cytotoxicity, the EGF-based targeted toxins EGF-PE40 and EGF-PE24mut represent promising candidates for the future treatment of PCa.
The Genomic Regions That Contain Ochratoxin A Biosynthetic Genes Widely Differ in Aspergillus Section Circumdati Species
Authors: Gil-Serna Jéssica , Vázquez Covadonga , Patiño Belén
Published: November 2020

Aspergillus section Circumdati includes 27 species, some of which are considered ochratoxin A (OTA) producers. However, there is considerable controversy about their potential OTA synthesis ability. In this work, the complete genomes of 13 species of Aspergillus section Circumdati were analyzed in order to study the cluster of OTA biosynthetic genes and the region was compared to those previously reported in A. steynii and A. westerdijkiae. The results obtained reveal that the genomes of some species in this section, including A. affinis, A. cretensis, A. elegans, A. muricatus, A. pulvericola, A. roseoglobulosus, and A. subramanianii, contain a potentially functional OTA biosynthetic cluster. Therefore, they might be able to synthesize the toxin. On the contrary, A. melleus, A. ochraceus, A. ostianus, A. persii, A. sclerotiorum, A. sesamicola, and A. westlandensis contain a truncated version of the cluster that lacks many of the genes involved in OTA biosynthesis, which might be related to their inability to produce OTA. The gain/loss pattern is different in all species, which suggests that the genetic evolution of this region might be due to independent events.
Phylodynamic Analysis and Implication of HCV Genotype 4 Variability on Antiviral Drug Response and T-Cell Recognition
Authors: Colomba Giuseppina Maria Elena , Urone Noemi , Marco Vito di , Ferraro Donatella
Published: November 2020

Therapies for HCV care could change the prevalence and the geographic distribution of genotypes due to differences in Sustained Virologic Response (SVR). In this scenario, uncommon genotypes/subtypes, such as genotype 4, could spread from high-risk groups, replacing genotypes eradicated by antiviral drugs. Genotype eradication is also strongly influenced by the CD8+ T cell response. In this study, the genetic variability in HCV genotype 4 strains obtained from a cohort of 67 patients naïve to DAA therapy was evaluated. We found that the presence of resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) was able to affect drug responses. Next, using a prediction tool, viral mutations were identified by their ability, or lack thereof, to reduce the binding affinity with HLA, which affects T cell recognition. The Bayesian coalescent analysis suggested two different circulation clusters, one in risk groups (IDUs and MSM) and the other due to migration flows, dated to 1940 and 1915, respectively. Most of the RAS overlapped with HLA and a lack of binding mutations was observed in 96% of strains. This study describes the introduction of HCV genotype 4 in a region of the Mediterranean basin and evaluates how HCV genotype 4’s genetic variability could affect the response of antiviral drugs and CD8+ T cell recognition.
Special Issue “Hepatitis B Virus Infection: From Diagnostics to Treatments”
Authors: Tu Thomas , Douglas Mark W.
Published: November 2020

In this Special Issue, we have brought together a broad range of studies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) covering diagnosis, pathogenesis, monitoring, and treatment [...]
Modeling the Molecular Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Renin-Angiotensin System
Authors: Pucci Fabrizio , Bogaerts Philippe , Rooman Marianne
Published: November 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infection is mediated by the binding of its spike protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which plays a pivotal role in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The study of RAS dysregulation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is fundamentally important for a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and risk factors associated with COVID-19 coronavirus disease and to design effective therapeutic strategies. In this context, we developed a mathematical model of RAS based on data regarding protein and peptide concentrations; the model was tested on clinical data from healthy normotensive and hypertensive individuals. We used our model to analyze the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on RAS, which we modeled through a downregulation of ACE2 as a function of viral load. We also used it to predict the effect of RAS-targeting drugs, such as RAS-blockers, human recombinant ACE2, and angiotensin 1–7 peptide, on COVID-19 patients; the model predicted an improvement of the clinical outcome for some drugs and a worsening for others. Our model and its predictions constitute a valuable framework for in silico testing of hypotheses about the COVID-19 pathogenic mechanisms and the effect of drugs aiming to restore RAS functionality.
Spatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Health Risk of Nitrogen Pollution for Shallow Groundwater Aquifer around Fuyang City, China
Authors: Wegahita Nigus Kebede , Ma Lei , Liu Jiankui , Huang Tingwei , Luo Qiankun , Qian Jiazhong
Published: November 2020

Prolonged exposure to intensive and extensive agricultural and industrial activities is leading to an increased deterioration of groundwater quality, especially nitrogen pollution in shallow groundwater aquifers. This study was carried out using the fuzzy comprehensive method to assess the overall groundwater quality, and the noncarcinogenic risks were estimated using the human health risk assessment method recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) via drinking water intake pathways around Fuyang City, China. A total of 34 samples were collected from shallow groundwater private wells, and 16 parameters were analyzed for each groundwater sample. The evaluation results of groundwater quality show 14.7% of groundwater samples classified as poor and very poor quality, and NO3-N, TH, TDS, Fe3+, and Mn are of high potential to affect the quality of potable drinking water. These are mainly derived from anthropogenic pollutants, predominantly due to uncontrolled agricultural and industrial activities, as well as some natural processes. The noncarcinogenic risk of nitrate indicates that 8.82% of groundwater samples surpass the permissible limit recommended by the USEPA for both adults and children. This study may provide the local authority with insights into making scientific decisions for exploiting groundwater in a sustainable manner so as to protect public health.
Investigating the Structure of a Coastal Karstic Aquifer through the Hydrogeological Characterization of Springs Using Geophysical Methods and Field Investigation, Gökova Bay, SW Turkey
Authors: Sağır Çağdaş , Kurtuluş Bedri , Soupios Pantelis , Ayrancı Korhan , Düztaş Erkan , Aksoy Murat Ersen , Avşar Özgür , Erdem Günseli , Pekkan Emrah , Canoğlu Mustafa Can , Kaka SanLinn I. , Razack Moumtaz
Published: November 2020

The electrical resistivity tomography method has been widely used in geophysics for many purposes such as determining geological structures, water movement, saltwater intrusion, and tectonic regime modeling. Karstic springs are important for water basin management since the karst systems are highly complex and vulnerable to exploitation and contamination. An accurate geophysical model of the subsurface is needed to reveal the spring structure. In this study, several karst springs in the Gökova Bay (SW, Turkey) were investigated to create a 3D subsurface model of the nearby karstic cavities utilizing electrical resistivity measurements. For this approach, 2D resistivity profiles were acquired and interpreted. Stratigraphically, colluvium, conglomerate, and dolomitic-limestone units were located in the field. The resistivity values of these formations were determined considering both the literature and field survey. Then, 2D profiles were interpolated to create a 3D resistivity model of the study area. Medium-large sized cavities were identified as well as their locations relative to the springs. The measured resistivities were also correlated with the corresponding geological units. The results were then used to construct a 3D model that aids to reveal the cavity geometry in the subsurface. Additionally, several faults are detected and their effect on the cavities is interpreted.
Study on Heavy Metal Contamination in High Water Table Coal Mining Subsidence Ponds That Use Different Resource Reutilization Methods
Authors: Tan Min , Wang Kun , Xu Zhou , Li Hanghe , Qu Junfeng
Published: November 2020

Heavy metals accumulate in high water table coal mining subsidence ponds, resulting in heavy metal enrichment and destruction of the ecological environment. In this study, subsidence ponds with different resource reutilization methods were used as study subjects, and non-remediated subsidence ponds were collectively used as the control region to analyze the heavy metal distributions in water bodies, sediment, and vegetation. The results revealed the arsenic content in the water bodies slightly exceeded Class III of China’s Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water. The lead content in water inlet vegetation of the control region and the Anguo wetland severely exceeded limits. Pearson’s correlation, PCA, and HCA analysis results indicated that the heavy metals at the study site could be divided into two categories: Category 1 is the most prevalent in aquaculture pond B and mainly originate from aquaculture. Category 2 predominates in control region D and mainly originates from atmospheric deposition, coal mining, and leaching. In general, the degree of heavy metal contamination in the Anguo wetland, aquaculture pond, and fishery–solar hybrid project regions is lower than that in the control region. Therefore, these models should be considered during resource reutilization of subsidence ponds based on the actual conditions.
The Role of Water Supply Development in the Earth System
Authors: Simonovic Slobodan P. , Breach Patrick A.
Published: November 2020

The ANEMI model is an integrated assessment model of global change that emphasizes the role of water resources. Securing water resources for the future is a key issue of global change and ties into global systems of population growth, climate change carbon cycle, hydrologic cycle, economy, energy production, land use and pollution generation. The focus of the presented work is on the development of global water supplies necessary to keep pace with a growing population and global economy. With the structure of the ANEMI model, a series of experiments are conducted in order to assess: (i) the current role of water supply in the global Earth system; (ii) the level of water stress that can be expected in the future; and (iii) what are the potential effects of water quality on global surface water supply and the distribution of water supply types. The results of model simulations show that surface water resources were sufficient to meet the water demand and water quality is not shown to be a significant factor for the development of surface water supplies. Due to globally aggregated scale, these impacts are averaged and likely understated.
IMPORTÂNCIA E DESAFIOS FRENTE À IMPLANTAÇÃO DO PROTOCOLO DE CIRURGIA SEGURA
Authors: Lopes Ivonete , Silva Raphael Alves da , Oliveira Henry Johnson Passos de , Oliveira Elizandra Cássia da Silva , Pereira Emanuela Batista Ferreira e , Silva Felicialle Pereira da
Published: November 2020

Introdução: as complicações cirúrgicas mobilizam preocupação sobre riscos inerentes ao procedimento cirúrgico, podendo levar a incapacidades irreversíveis, ou até a morte do paciente. Objetivo: Identificar aspectos que dificultam a aplicação do protocolo da cirurgia segura. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura, nas bases LILACS, MEDLINE e BDENF. Buscou-se artigos publicados em português, inglês e espanhol, sem limite de período. Resultados: a amostra final foi constituída de 10 artigos que evidenciaram categorias: estabelecimento da comunicação e interação entre a equipe; cuidado seguro para redução do medo e ansiedade e conhecimento do protocolo de cirurgia segura salva vidas. Discussão: a comunicação é essencial nas interações humanas, quando efetiva pode reduzir erros evitáveis para o paciente. O cheklist deve ser uma construção diária na assistência. Conclusão: apesar da preocupação com segurança do paciente, a implementação de metas internacionais ainda é um desafio para adesão à uma cultura de segurança.
Orthopaedic corticosteroid injections and risk of acute coronary syndrome: a cohort study
Authors: Thomas Katharine , Schonmann Yochai
Published: November 2020

Background

Corticosteroid injections (CSIs) are a common treatment for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Aim

To determine whether there is an increased incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) following intra-articular and soft-tissue CSI.

Design and setting

Cohort study in an urban primary care orthopaedic clinic.

Method

Data were reviewed from all patients aged ≥50 years and seen by orthopaedic specialists between April 2012 and December 2015, including CSI, hospital admission in the week following the orthopaedic visit, and cardiovascular risk factors. The incidence of an ACS-associated hospital admission was compared between visits in which patients received CSIs and visits in which patients did not.

Results

A total of 60 856 orthopaedic visits were reviewed (22 131 individual patients). The mean age was 70.9 years (standard deviation [SD] = 10.8), and 66.5% were female. Injections were administered in 3068 visits (5.1%). In the week following the visit there were 25 ACS hospital admissions (41 per 100 000 visits); seven events were after visits with an injection, and 18 were after non-injection visits. Patients who had received an injection were more likely to experience a subsequent ACS. (227 versus 31 events per 100 000 visits, odds ratio [OR] = 7.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.8 to 19.1). The association between receiving a CSI and ACS remained similar when the analysis was restricted to subgroups defined by age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusion

CSI for musculoskeletal conditions may substantially increase the risk of ACS in the week following the injection. Although the absolute risk of ACS is small, the effect size appears to be clinically significant.