bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordinate-Descent Adaptation over Hamiltonian Multi-Agent Networks
Authors: Khalili Azam , Vahidpour Vahid , Rastegarnia Amir , Farzamnia Ali , Teo Tze Kin Kenneth , Sanei Saeid
Published: November 2021

The incremental least-mean-square (ILMS) algorithm is a useful method to perform distributed adaptation and learning in Hamiltonian networks. To implement the ILMS algorithm, each node needs to receive the local estimate of the previous node on the cycle path to update its own local estimate. However, in some practical situations, perfect data exchange may not be possible among the nodes. In this paper, we develop a new version of ILMS algorithm, wherein in its adaptation step, only a random subset of the coordinates of update vector is available. We draw a comparison between the proposed coordinate-descent incremental LMS (CD-ILMS) algorithm and the ILMS algorithm in terms of convergence rate and computational complexity. Employing the energy conservation relation approach, we derive closed-form expressions to describe the learning curves in terms of excess mean-square-error (EMSE) and mean-square deviation (MSD). We show that, the CD-ILMS algorithm has the same steady-state error performance compared with the ILMS algorithm. However, the CD-ILMS algorithm has a faster convergence rate. Numerical examples are given to verify the efficiency of the CD-ILMS algorithm and the accuracy of theoretical analysis.
Effects of Plant Crown Shape on Microwave Backscattering Coefficients of Vegetation Canopy
Authors: Liu Xiangchen , Shao Yun , Liu Long , Li Kun , Wang Jingyuan , Li Shuo , Wang Jinning , Wu Xuexiao
Published: November 2021

A microwave scattering model is a powerful tool for determining relationships between vegetation parameters and backscattering characteristics. The crown shape of the vegetation canopy is an important parameter in forestry and affects the microwave scattering modeling results. However, there are few numerical models or methods to describe the relationships between crown shapes and backscattering features. Using the Modified Tor Vergata Model (MTVM), a microwave scattering model based on the Matrix Doubling Algorithm (MDA), we quantitatively characterized the effects of crown shape on the microwave backscattering coefficients of the vegetation canopy. FEKO was also used as a computational electromagnetic method to make a complement and comparison with MTVM. In a preliminary experiment, the backscattering coefficients of two ideal vegetation canopies with four representative crown shapes (cylinder, cone, inverted cone and ellipsoid) were simulated: MTVM simulations were performed for the L (1.2 GHz), C (5.3 GHz) and X (9.6 GHz) bands in fully polarimetric mode, and FEKO simulations were carried out for the C (5.3 GHz) band at VV and VH polarization. The simulation results show that, for specific input parameters, the mean relative differences in backscattering coefficients due to variations in crown shape are as high as 127%, which demonstrates that the crown shape has a non-negligible influence on microwave backscattering coefficients of the vegetation canopy. In turn, this also suggests that investigation on effects of plant crown shape on microwave backscattering coefficients may have the potential to improve the accuracy of vegetation microwave scattering models, especially in canopies where volume scattering is the predominant mechanism.
Factors Influencing Consumers’ Purchase Intention towards Electric Two-Wheelers
Authors: Jayasingh Sudarsan , Girija T. , Arunkumar Sivakumar
Published: November 2021

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has significantly increased in recent years, but it represents only a tiny percentage of the total new vehicles sold globally. In 2021, the total sales of electric two-wheelers were less than 1% only. Therefore, the adoption of an electric two-wheeler (E2W) needs to be studied. This research develops a behavioral electric two-wheelers adoption intention model. The present study aimed to identify the factors that influence consumers’ intentions to adopt electric two-wheelers. The questionnaire method was employed, and 182 valid responses were collected. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research hypothesis. The empirical results indicate that environmental concern, perceived economic benefit, charging infrastructure, and social influence significantly impact consumers’ attitudes towards electric two-wheelers. Attitude also significantly affects the consumer’s intention to purchase an electric two-wheeler. Perceived economic benefits were found to be the main factor influencing consumers to purchase electric two-wheelers. The findings of this research also show that women are more inclined towards purchasing electric two-wheelers than men. These results offer useful information for governments and electric-two-wheelers companies to gain a better understanding of consumer behavior towards purchasing electric two-wheelers.
The Massive Implementation of ICT in Universities and Its Implications for Ensuring SDG 4: Challenges and Difficulties for Professors
Authors: Rangel-Pérez Celia , Gato-Bermúdez María-José , Musicco-Nombela Daniela , Ruiz-Alberdi Cristina
Published: November 2021

Education has undergone the greatest revolution since the 19th century. The pandemic has massively launched teaching towards the use of ICTs and online education. The main objective of this research is to study the relationship between the adaptation of university faculty to the massive use of ICTs and educational digitization, and the promotion of SDG 4, which establishes Target 4.3, ensuring access to quality university education. To achieve this, a descriptive study methodology is used, in which the results of a validated survey, on a sample of 245 teachers from 32 public and private Spanish universities, were analyzed. The main results consist of the different emotional reactions among professors, finding that, on the one hand, ICTs allow for the development of new skills, the introduction of new methodological proposals, and the development of a positive attitude towards the use of digital tools in order to reach all of their students. However, on the other hand, the results also show that the use of ICTs caused an increase in anxiety, workloads, and the need for ongoing training. There is a need to continue improving the digital competencies of faculty professors in order to favor access to ICTs by university students and, thus, promote quality education worldwide.
Impact of Economic Factors and Policy Interventions on the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Li Yupeng , Kapri Kul Prasad
Published: November 2021

This paper studies how policy interventions and economic factors affect COVID-19 infections and deaths, using generalized linear regression (GLM) models. We seek to explain the containment differences by countries’ inherent economic factors, especially the labor market structure, utilizing data from multiple sources. The results show that countries heavily relying on the service sector and international trade suffer more from the spreading, possibly due to the fact that COVID-19 is a communicable disease and spreads quickly through physical contact. Further, we find that these countries could benefit more from stringent policies compared to others.
Effects of Sludge Concentration and Disintegration/Solubilization Pretreatment Methods on Increasing Anaerobic Biodegradation Efficiency and Biogas Production
Authors: Ahn Jeong-Yoon , Chang Soon-Woong
Published: November 2021

It is urgent to determine suitable municipal sludge treatment solutions to simultaneously minimize the environmental negative impacts and achieve sustainable energy benefits. In this study, different sludge pretreatment techniques were applied and investigated to enhance the sludge solubility and, subsequently, facilitate the anaerobic biodegradation performance of the mixed sludge under different sludge concentrations and pretreatment techniques. The sludge characteristics before and after pretreatment and batch experiments of anaerobic digestion of sludge samples under different conditions were analyzed and discussed. The results showed that the mechanical pretreatment method, alone and in combination with low-temperature heat treatment, significantly improved the sludge solubility, with the highest solubility at 39.23%. The maximum biomethane yield achieved was 0.43 m3/kg after 10 d of anaerobic digestion of a 3% sludge sample subjected to mechanical and thermal pretreatment prior to anaerobic biodegradation. In comparison, it took more than 28 d to achieve the same biomethane production with the unpretreated sludge sample. Mechanical pretreatment and subsequent heat treatment showed a high ability to dissolve sludge and, subsequently, accelerate anaerobic digestion, thereby providing promising prospects for increasing the treatment capacity of existing and new sludge treatment plants.
A Driver and Control Method for Primary Stator Discontinuous Segmented-PMLSM
Authors: Wang Mingyi , Kang Kai , Zhang Chengming , Li Liyi
Published: November 2021

In recent years, with the development of the permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM), the application of PMLSM has not been limited only to the high-end equipment field; the primary stator discontinuous segmented-PMLSM (DSPMLSM), which consists of multiple primary stators and one mover, has also been applied in long-distance transportation systems, such as electromagnetic launch, high precision material transport, etc. Compared with the symmetry phase parameters of conventional PMLSM, the stationary electrical parameters vary when the mover enters and leaves the primary stators (the inter-segment region). At the same time, due to the sectional power supply, there will be primary suction or pulling force when the mover enters and exits the inter-segment region, which will lead to large thrust fluctuation and result in lager position error. This paper proposed a related drive and control strategy about the DSPMLSM system, which improved the position tracking accuracy during the full range of DSPMLSM. First, the parameter variation between stator segments has been analyzed through finite element simulation of DSPMLSM. Then, a double closed-loop series control structure of position-current is designed, in which a PI-Lead controller was adopted for the position loop and a PI controller was adopted for the current loop. In order to improve the position tracking accuracy of DSPMLSM, a thrust fluctuation extended state observer (TFESO) was adopted to observe and compensate the complex thrust disturbances such as cogging force, friction and other unmodeled thrust fluctuation. At last, the DSPMLSM experimental stage was established, and the experimental results show that the proposed driver and control theory can effectively improve the position tracking accuracy of the whole stroke of DSPMLSM.
Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Force Accuracy and Steadiness Changes after a 12-Week Strength Training Program in Young Healthy Men
Authors: Szafraniec Rafał , Stefaniak Tadeusz , Harmaciński Dariusz , Kuczyński Michał
Published: November 2021

The study aimed to investigate the impact of a 12-week strength training program on force accuracy and steadiness changes in lower limbs in young healthy men. Twenty subjects with a dominant right lower limb were included. They performed a force matching task both pre and post strength training program. The ability to reproduce force was determined by calculating three errors: absolute error (AE), constant error (CE), and variable error (VE). After intervention AE and VE improved in both legs indicating higher improvement in the dominant leg (p = 0.032 for AE and p = 0.005 for VE). However, CE improved only in the dominant leg (p = 0.001). We conclude that strength training improved the accuracy and consistency of force in a force reproduction task. This improvement was more evident in the dominant lower limb. Most likely, the inter-limb asymmetry in changes of force application ability caused by strength training is due to the different mechanisms responsible for the control of voluntary movements in the dominant and non-dominant lower limb.
Electrospun PVP/TiO2 Nanofibers for Filtration and Possible Protection from Various Viruses like COVID-19
Authors: Sharma Ankush , Pathak Dinesh , Patil Deepak S. , Dhiman Naresh , Bhullar Viplove , Mahajan Aman
Published: November 2021

In this study, TiO2 nanofibers were prepared with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer using sol-gel method via electrospinning technique. Owing to the advantages of small fiber diameter, tunable porosity, low cost, large surface to volume ratio, structure control, light-weight, and less energy consumption, electrospun nanofibers are evolving as an adaptable material with a number of applications, in this case for filtration and environmental/virus protection. Different samples of TiO2/PVP nanofibers have been prepared by changing the parameters to achieve the best result. As the polymer concentration was increased from 6 to 8 wt.% of PVP, diameter of the resultant fibers was seen to be increased, implying decrease in the pore-size of the fibers up to 1.4 nm. Surface morphology has been checked via Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. Crystalline nature has been analyzed by X-ray Crystallography. Using the Bruanauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) test, surface area and porosity has been checked for the suitable application. The synthesized TiO2/PVP nanofibers have tremendous practical potentials in filtration and environmental remediation applications.
Alimentary Risk of Mycotoxins for Humans and Animals
Authors: Kępińska-Pacelik Jagoda , Biel Wioletta
Published: November 2021

Mycotoxins can be found in many foods consumed by humans and animals. These substances are secondary metabolites of some fungi species and are resistant to technological processes (cooking, frying, baking, distillation, fermentation). They most often contaminate products of animal (beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish, game meat, milk) and plant origin (cereals, processed cereals, vegetables, nuts). It is estimated that about 25% of the world’s harvest may be contaminated with mycotoxins. These substances damage crops and may cause mycotoxicosis. Many mycotoxins can be present in food, together with mold fungi, increasing the exposure of humans and animals to them. In this review we characterized the health risks caused by mycotoxins found in food, pet food and feed. The most important groups of mycotoxins are presented in terms of their toxicity and occurrence.
The Crab Pulsar and Nebula as Seen in Gamma-Rays
Authors: Amato Elena , Olmi Barbara
Published: November 2021

Slightly more than 30 years ago, Whipple detection of the Crab Nebula was the start of Very High Energy gamma-ray astronomy. Since then, gamma-ray observations of this source have continued to provide new surprises and challenges to theories, with the detection of fast variability, pulsed emission up to unexpectedly high energy, and the very recent detection of photons with energy exceeding 1 PeV. In this article, we review the impact of gamma-ray observations on our understanding of this extraordinary accelerator.
1D Supergravity FLRW Model of Starobinsky
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Nephtalí E. , Ramírez-Romero Cupatitzio , Vázquez-Báez Víctor M.
Published: November 2021

We study two homogeneous supersymmetric extensions for the f(R) modified gravity model of Starobinsky with the FLRW metric. The actions are defined in terms of a superfield R that contains the FLRW scalar curvature. One model has N = 1 local supersymmetry, and its bosonic sector is the Starobinsky action; the other action has N = 2, its bosonic sector contains, in additional to Starobinsky, a massive scalar field without self-interaction. As expected, the bosonic sectors of these models are consistent with cosmic inflation, as we show by solving numerically the classical dynamics. Inflation is driven by the R2 term during the large curvature regime. In the N = 2 case, the additional scalar field remains in a low energy state during inflation. Further, by means of an additional superfield, we write equivalent tensor-scalar-like actions from which we can give the Hamiltonian formulation.
The Effect of Charge, Isospin, and Strangeness in the QCD Phase Diagram Critical End Point
Authors: Aryal Krishna , Constantinou Constantinos , Farias Ricardo L. S. , Dexheimer Veronica
Published: November 2021

In this work, we discuss the deconfinement phase transition to quark matter in hot/dense matter. We examine the effect that different charge fractions, isospin fractions, net strangeness, and chemical equilibrium with respect to leptons have on the position of the coexistence line between different phases. In particular, we investigate how different sets of conditions that describe matter in neutron stars and their mergers, or matter created in heavy-ion collisions affect the position of the critical end point, namely where the first-order phase transition becomes a crossover. We also present an introduction to the topic of critical points, including a review of recent advances concerning QCD critical points.
Molecular and Serological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Bangladesh in 2021
Authors: Ghosh Asish Kumar , Kaiser Marco , Molla Md. Maruf Ahmed , Nafisa Tasnim , Yeasmin Mahmuda , Ratul Rifat Hossain , Sharif Md. Mohiuddin , Akram Arifa , Hosen Nur , Mamunur Rashid , Amin Md. Robed , Islam Alimul , Hoque Md. Ehsanul , Landt Olfert , Lytton Simon D.
Published: November 2021

Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging at an alarming rate. The delta variant and other variants of concern (VoC) carry spike (S)-protein mutations, which have the potential to evade protective immunity, to trigger break-through infections after COVID-19 vaccination, and to propagate future waves of COVID-19 pandemic. To identify SARS CoV-2 variants in Bangladesh, patients who are RT-PCR-positive for COVID-19 infections in Dhaka were screened by a RT-PCR melting curve analysis for spike protein mutations. To assess the anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody responses, the levels of the anti-S -proteins IgA and IgG and the anti-N-protein IgG were measured by ELISA. Of a total of 36 RT-PCR positive samples (75%), 27 were identified as delta variants, with one carrying an additional Q677H mutation and two with single nucleotide substitutions at position 23029 (compared to Wuhan-Hu-1 reference NC 045512) in the genome sequence. Three (8.3%) were identified as beta variants, two (5.5%) were identified as alpha variants, three (8.3%) were identified as having a B.1.1.318 lineage, and one sample was identified as an eta variant (B.1.525) carrying an additional V687L mutation. The trend of higher viral load (lower Cp values) among delta variants than in the alpha and beta variants was of borderline statistical significance (p = 0.045). Prospective studies with larger Bangladeshi cohorts are warranted to confirm the emergence of S-protein mutations and their association with antibody response in natural infection and potential breakthrough in vaccinated subjects.
Exploring the Diversity of the Human Blood Virome
Authors: Cebriá-Mendoza María , Bracho María A. , Arbona Cristina , Larrea Luís , Díaz Wladimiro , Sanjuán Rafael , Cuevas José M.
Published: November 2021

Metagenomics is greatly improving our ability to discover new viruses, as well as their possible associations with disease. However, metagenomics has also changed our understanding of viruses in general. The vast expansion of currently known viral diversity has revealed a large fraction of non-pathogenic viruses, and offers a new perspective in which viruses function as important components of many ecosystems. In this vein, studies of the human blood virome are often motivated by the search for new viral diseases, especially those associated with blood transfusions. However, these studies have revealed the common presence of apparently non-pathogenic viruses in blood, particularly human anelloviruses and, to a lower extent, human pegiviruses (HPgV). To shed light on the diversity of the human blood virome, we subjected pooled plasma samples from 587 healthy donors in Spain to a viral enrichment protocol, followed by massive parallel sequencing. This showed that anelloviruses were clearly the major component of the blood virome and showed remarkable diversity. In total, we assembled 332 complete or near-complete anellovirus genomes, 50 of which could be considered new species. HPgV was much less frequent, but we, nevertheless, recovered 17 different isolates that we subsequently used for characterizing the diversity of this virus. In-depth investigation of the human blood virome should help to elucidate the ecology of these viruses, and to unveil potentially associated diseases.
Indications of Persistent Glycocalyx Damage in Convalescent COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study and Hypothesis
Authors: Vollenberg Richard , Tepasse Phil-Robin , Ochs Kevin , Floer Martin , Strauss Markus , Rennebaum Florian , Kabar Iyad , Rovas Alexandros , Nowacki Tobias
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus and can lead to severe lung damage and hyperinflammation. In the context of COVID-19 infection, inflammation-induced degradation of the glycocalyx layer in endothelial cells has been demonstrated. Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) is an established parameter for measuring glycocalyx injury. This prospective, multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study analyzed SDC-1 levels in 24 convalescent patients that had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 with mild disease course without need of hospitalization. We included 13 age-matched healthy individuals and 10 age-matched hospitalized COVID-19 patients with acute mild disease course as controls. In convalescent COVID-19 patients, significantly elevated SDC-1 levels were detected after a median of 88 days after symptom onset compared to healthy controls, whereas no difference was found when compared to SDC-1 levels of hospitalized patients undergoing acute disease. This study is the first to demonstrate signs of endothelial damage in non-pre-diseased, convalescent COVID-19 patients after mild disease progression without hospitalization. The data are consistent with studies showing evidence of persistent endothelial damage after severe or critical disease progression. Further work to investigate endothelial damage in convalescent COVID-19 patients should follow.
A Community-Based Management of COVID-19 in a Mobile Container Unit
Authors: Petrova Elena , Farinholt Timothy , Joshi Tejas P. , Moreno Hannah , Al Mohajer Mayar , Patel Shital M. , Petrosino Joseph , Anandasabapathy Sharmila
Published: November 2021

Vaccine uptake is a multifactor measure of successful immunization outcomes that includes access to healthcare and vaccine hesitancy for both healthcare workers and communities. The present coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need for novel strategies to expand vaccine coverage in underserved regions. Mobile clinics hold the promise of ameliorating such inequities, although there is a paucity of studies that validate environmental infection in such facilities. Here, we describe community-based management of COVID-19 through a Smart Pod mobile clinic deployed in an underserved community area in the United States (Aldine, Harris County, TX, USA). In particular, we validate infection control and biological decontamination of the Smart Pod by testing surfaces and the air-filtration system for the COVID-19 virus and bacterial pathogens. We show the Smart Pod to be efficacious in providing a safe clinical environment for vaccine delivery. Moreover, in the Smart Pod, up-to-date education of community healthcare workers was provided to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The proposed solution has the potential to augment existing hospital capacity and combat the COVID-19 pandemic locally and globally.
The Advantages and Challenges of Anticancer Dendritic Cell Vaccines and NK Cells in Adoptive Cell Immunotherapy
Authors: Abakushina Elena V. , Popova Liubov I. , Zamyatnin Andrey A. , Werner Jens , Mikhailovsky Nikolay V. , Bazhin Alexandr V.
Published: November 2021

In the last decade, an impressive advance was achieved in adoptive cell therapy (ACT), which has improved therapeutic potential and significant value in promising cancer treatment for patients. The ACT is based on the cell transfer of dendritic cells (DCs) and/or immune effector cells. DCs are often used as vaccine carriers or antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to prime naive T cells ex vivo or in vivo. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells are used as major tool effector cells for ACT. Despite the fact that NK cell immunotherapy is highly effective and promising against many cancer types, there are still some limitations, including insignificant infiltration, adverse conditions of the microenvironment, the immunosuppressive cellular populations, and the low cytotoxic activity in solid tumors. To overcome these difficulties, novel methods of NK cell isolation, expansion, and stimulation of cytotoxic activity should be designed. In this review, we discuss the basic characteristics of DC vaccines and NK cells as potential adoptive cell preparations in cancer therapy.
Vaccinating against COVID-19: The Correlation between Pro-Vaccination Attitudes and the Belief That Our Peers Want to Get Vaccinated
Authors: Cristea Darie , Ilie Dragoș-Georgian , Constantinescu Claudia , Fîrțală Valeriu
Published: November 2021

This study verifies whether there is a strong correlation between the pro-vaccination, against COVID-19 attitude of the respondents and their belief that most of those around them want to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For this purpose, we analyzed data from a sociological survey conducted in April 2021 in Romania. The sample size was of 1001 respondents, the selection process was randomized and the population included in the sample is representative of the socio-demographic structure of Romania. The tool used to collect the data was CATI (telephonic interview). In order to test the existence of these correlations we performed the following tests: Chi-Square test, Kendall τ, Spearman ρ tests and Freeman’s z-test. The pro-vaccination attitude strongly correlates with the perception of subjects that their primary group accepts vaccination and even correlates with the perception that the general public is rather pro-vaccination. The vaccination decision is closely linked to the social relations system and the rules of the community in which the subject lives. In this paper we discuss the correlation between attitude and belief, not the existence of a causal relation between the two of them.
Effectiveness of Voluntary Measures to Reduce Agricultural Impact on Groundwater as a Source for Drinking Water: Lessons Learned from Cases in the Dutch Provinces Overijssel and Noord-Brabant
Authors: van den Brink Cors , Hoogendoorn Marije , Verloop Koos , de Vries Alma , Leendertse Peter
Published: November 2021

Agricultural practices cause diffuse water pollution issues, which is a policy concern across the globe. This paper addresses the reduction in agricultural impact on groundwater as source for drinking water with a governance approach based on a mutual gains approach (MGA) using voluntary measures only. We performed case studies in Overijssel and in Noord-Brabant, both located in the Netherlands, to study the effectiveness of the governance approach on nutrients and pesticides, respectively. The effectiveness was studied by analyzing the engagement process qualitatively and by analyzing the impact of measures at farm scale as quantitative indicators. For nutrients, the effectiveness is expressed in the N-surplus at farm scale and the realization of groundwater quality objectives in groundwater protection areas (GWPA). For pesticides, the effectiveness is expressed in environmental impact points (EIP) at farm scale and the level of groundwater protection areas (GWPA). The results indicate that the engagement process based on voluntariness creates a platform for meaningful engagement, adds to the economics of the farm and reduces the agricultural impact on groundwater quality. However, the nitrate objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) are not met at the level of GWPAs in Overijssel. Due to the voluntariness of the approach, the participation rate relies on the farmers’ expectation of the costs and benefits of the process, and diminishing economic returns prevent the further improvement of efficient nutrient use. Although an enforceable objective and strict deadline for pesticides is missing, the objective has been met at the level of GWPAs using voluntary measures only in Noord-Brabant. An important driver for this effectiveness is the fact that these results can be obtained without incurring economic losses, which may tie into the high participation rate of farmers.
Sentinel-2 Reveals Abrupt Increment of Total Suspended Matter While Ever Given Ship Blocked the Suez Canal
Authors: Niroumand-Jadidi Milad , Bovolo Francesca
Published: November 2021

The blockage of the Suez Canal, one of the world’s key trade routes, by a giant container ship in March 2021 was in the spotlight of news media worldwide, mainly because of its economic impacts. In this study, we look at this event from an environmental perspective by analyzing the impact of the artificial barrier made by the ship over the channel and of operations like dredging on the concentration of total suspended matter (TSM). In this context, multitemporal Sentinel-2 images are used to study short-term variations of TSM within a time window spanning before, during, and after the blockage event. A well-established neural network-based processor called Case 2 Regional CoastColour (C2RCC) is employed to derive remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) and then TSM concentrations from Sentinel-2 imagery. The results indicate that the stuck ship acted as an artificial barrier leading to very different TSM conditions north and south of the canal. Furthermore, the blockage of the Suez Canal and subsequent dredging caused an abrupt increment (+400%) in the concentration of TSM moving north from the ship’s location. We also identified a very high contrast between the TSM concentration in the north and south of the vessel during the blockage event.
Scour Hole Development in Natural Cohesive Bed Sediment around Cylinder-Shaped Piers Subjected to Varying Sequential Flow Events
Authors: Mahalder Badal , Schwartz John S. , Palomino Angelica M. , Zirkle Jon
Published: November 2021

Scour evolution and propagation around a cylinder in natural cohesive sediment was uniquely investigated under multi-flow event varying sequentially by velocity magnitudes. This flume study differs from others that only used test sediment with commercially available clays for single flow. The objective of this study was to explore the potential differences in scour hole development in natural riverbed sediments subjected to varying flow velocity scenarios, advancing our understanding from existing studies on scour. The study consisted of 18 experimental runs based on: velocity, flow duration, and soil bulk density. Scour hole development progressed initially along the cylinder sides, and maximum depths also occurred at these lateral locations. Scour hole depths were less for higher soil bulk densities (≥1.81 g/cm3) compared with lower densities, and erosion rates were slower. It was observed with all flow sequences that scour depths were similar at the end of each experimental run. However, scour initiation was observed to be time dependent for soils with higher bulk density (1.81–2.04 g/cm3) regardless of flow velocity sequences. The observed time dependency suggests a process feedback with the scour hole development initiated at the cylinder sides, which influence local 3D hydraulics as the scour hole depth progresses.
Density Slopes in Variable Density Flow Modeling
Authors: Guo Weixing
Published: November 2021

Variable density flow (VDF) modeling is a valuable tool for assessing the potential impacts of global climate change and sea level rise on coastal aquifers. When using any of these modeling tools, a quantitative relationship is needed to compute the fluid density from salt concentration. A full understanding of the relationship between fluid density and solute concentration and the correct implementation of the equation of state are critical for variable density modeling. The works of Baxter and his colleagues in the early 20th century showed that fluid density could be linearly correlated to salt concentrations. A constant density slope of 0.7 is often assumed and applied. The assumption is reasonable when the salinity is less than 100‰. The density slope can also be defined from chloride concentration data with the assumption of a constant ratio (55%) between chloride and total dissolved solids (TDS). Field data from central Florida indicate that the chloride/TDS ratio can be as low as 5%. Therefore, TDS is the preferred water quality data for fluid density determination in variable density modeling. Other issues with density slope are also discussed, and some commonly used values of density slope are provided in this technical note.
Models of Gully Erosion by Water
Authors: Sidorchuk Aleksey
Published: November 2021

The type of modelling of gully erosion for the projects of land management depend on the targets and degree of details of these projects, as well as on the availability of input data. The set of four models cover a broad range of possible applications. The most detailed information about predicted gullies, change of their depth, width, and volume throughout the gully lifetime is obtained with the gully erosion and thermoerosion dynamic model. The calculation requires the time series of surface runoff, catchment relief, and lithology and the complex of coefficients and parameters, some of which can be estimated only by model calibration on the measurements. The difficulty in obtaining some of these coefficients makes it necessary to use less complicated models. The stable gully model predicts final gully depths and widths and is useful for projects where only stable gully geometry is used. The modified area–slope approach is used in the two simplest models, where the position on the slopes of possible gullies is calculated without details of the gully geometry. One of these models calculates total erosion potential, taking into account all water runoff transforming a gully. The second calculates gully erosion risk, using the information about slope inclination, contributing area and maximum surface runoff.
A Stator Fault Diagnosis Method Based on the Offline Motor Parameter Measurement for PMSM
Authors: Tang Jing , Liang Chao , Wang Yuanhang , Lu Shuhan , Zhou Jian
Published: November 2021

The permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is used widely in electric vehicle application due to its high-power density and efficiency. Stator fault is a frequently fault in the motor as it usually works in a harsh environment. Therefore, a stator fault diagnosis method based on the offline motor parameter measurement is proposed to detect and evaluate the stator fault in this paper. Firstly, the line-to-line resistance and inductance of a healthy motor are analyzed when a DC voltage and a high-frequency voltage are excited to the motor respectively, where the DC and AC equivalent circuits at a standstill are introduced. Then, to analyze the resistance and inductance of the stator fault, an extra branch is added to the fault part to obtain the fault equivalent circuits. Accordingly, the stator fault resistance and inductance are derived, and then the resistance and inductance differences between healthy and fault motors are analyzed to provide the basis for the stator fault detection. Furthermore, the fault indicators are defined based on the resistance and inductance differences when a motor has a stator fault. Hence the stator fault severity and location can be evaluated by using these fault indicators. Finally, the experimental results from a 400 W permanent magnet synchronous motor are demonstrated to validate the proposed method.
2020 Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting: Updated Acute Care Reporting Rates
Authors: Kepner Shawn
Published: November 2021

In our recent article summarizing 2020 data from acute care facilities in Pennsylvania, reporting rates and fall rates were provided for Q1 and Q2 2020 based on the latest data we had available at the time of publication. Given that 2020 was an unpredictable year in healthcare, any forecasting of rates for Q3 and Q4 2020 would have been unreliable. Therefore, this data snapshot serves to complete reporting rates for 2020 now that all hospital patient days and surgical encounters data from 2020 have been made available for rate calculations.
Urinary Tract Infections in Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Harper Amy , Kepner Shawn
Published: November 2021

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in older adults that live in long-term care (LTC) facilities. A query of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) found that symptomatic UTI (SUTI) and catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) rates increased from 2016 and peaked in the second quarter of 2020. Although the number of urinary catheter days reported by LTC facilities has trended downward from 2016 to the beginning of 2020, the urinary catheter utilization rate increased slightly in the second quarter of 2020. We also examined various epidemiological factors. An average of 47.6% of SUTIs and 32.3% of CAUTIs were associated with E. coli from 2016 through 2020. However, the percentage of CAUTIs associated with E. coli decreased while the percentage of CAUTIs associated with organisms of the tribe Proteeae (Proteus, Providencia, and Morganella genera) increased from 2016 through 2020. Furthermore, the percentage of CAUTIs associated with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and organisms producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) also increased, while the percentage of CAUTIs associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) decreased from 2016 through 2020. An average of 38.5% of SUTIs and 41.5% of CAUTIs were reported to be treated with fluoroquinolones from 2016 through 2020. However, the percentage of both SUTIs and CAUTIs treated with fluoroquinolones decreased from 2016 through 2020, while an increasing percentage of both SUTIs and CAUTIs was reported to have been treated with cephalosporins and carbapenems from 2016 through 2020. Thus, to further promote resident safety, we use these epidemiological trends to better understand current risks for residents and to further guide development of best practices for prevention, identification, and treatment of UTIs as well as to further advance antibiotic stewardship practices.
In Situ Team-Based Simulation Training to Close the Loop on Event Reporting
Authors: Duffy Caoimhe , Yi William , Atkins Joshua
Published: November 2021

Reporting adverse events is often stigmatized in medicine. Adverse events are underreported. Underreporting has been linked to fear, the time required to complete a report, and a belief that reporting may not result in improvement.1 The reluctance to report is multidimensional and may relate to guilt, fear of punishment of self or others, fear of embarrassment, fear of litigation, and lack of confidence to effect change. Central to this fear is the widely held belief that errors and adverse events are due to carelessness and that blame must be assigned—often to the provider “at fault” or at the sharp end of the process. However, reporting of events offers an invaluable opportunity to identify latent systems issues and review and redesign error-trapping procedures and workflows. Without measurement, it is challenging to leverage adverse events as catalysts for targeted process improvement. Mandated reporting at the state and national levels is an influential catalyst to enhance data collection of adverse events. Aggregated data across varied practice settings are powerful. Mandated reporting alleviates some of the fear associated with reporting and increases reporting volume and relevance.
Perioperative Delirium/Agitation Associated With the Use of Anesthetics and/or Adjunct Agents: A Study of Patient Behaviors, Injuries, and Interventions to Mitigate Risk
Authors: Taylor Matthew , Pileggi William
Published: November 2021

Anesthetics and adjunct agents have a long history of being associated with patients engaging in delirious or agitated behavior in a perioperative setting. Prior to this study, few have explored the topic with a focus on safety for both the patient and staff. We explored the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) database for event reports to identify bouts of delirium/ agitation associated with anesthetics and/or adjunct agents that occurred during the pre-, intra-, or postoperative period. We identified 97 event reports from 63 healthcare facilities over a two-year period. Patients’ ages ranged from 1 to 91 years and 66% of the patients were reported as male. Also, 8% of the delirium/agitation occurred preoperatively, 8% intraoperatively, and 84% postoperatively. Across all three operative periods, 62% of the reports described dangerous/nonviolent behavior and 26% described dangerous/violent behavior. Additionally, 40% of the event reports described one or more patient injuries (e.g., cardiopulmonary arrest, asphyxiation, hematoma, prolapse/dehiscence, progressive ischemia) and 36% of the patients required additional healthcare services or monitoring (e.g., intra- or interfacility transfer, additional surgical procedure). Finally, 54% of the event reports described patient behavior that created an immediate and high risk of staff harm. Overall, the current study provides novel insight into how delirium/agitation has varying safety implications depending on the operative period. We encourage readers to review Table 5, which proposes a four-phase intervention package to prevent, treat, and de-escalate bouts of delirium/agitation.
Sistem Informasi Manajemen Ekstrakurikuler Berbasis Web Menggunakan Metode Rapid Application Development
Authors: Agus Cahyo Nugroho
Published: November 2021

Seiring perkembangan teknologi maka dikembangkan sistem informasi yang mampu mengelola penyelenggaraan kegiatan ekstrakurikuler, khususnya yang berkaitan dengan siswa sekolah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah membuat sistem informasi manajemen ekstrakurikuler siswa untuk digunakan oleh koordinator ekstrakurikuler dalam mengelola data siswa peserta ekstrakurikuler di sekolah. Sistem informasi pengelolaan ekstrakurikuler siswa ini dikembangkan dalam bentuk web menggunakan Framework PHP Laravel. Sistem informasi pengelolaan ekstrakurikuler siswa ini dikembangkan dengan metode Rapid Application Development (RAD) dengan tujuan membuat sistem informasi web secepat mungkin. Sistem informasi pengelolaan ekstrakurikuler siswa berbasis web ini mampu mengelola (menambah, memperbarui, dan menghapus) data ekstrakurikuler yang ditawarkan dan melihat rekapitulasi data peserta dari masing-masing ekstrakurikuler. Sistem informasi pengelolaan ekstrakurikuler siswa ini terbukti mampu meningkatkan kinerja bagian akademik sekolah dalam mengelola kegiatan ekstrakurikuler di sekolah tersebut.
Prácticas "expertas" de memorialización
Authors: Mallea Toledo Felipe
Published: November 2021

El Patio 29 es un dispositivo público de memoria social. Ubicado en el Cementerio General de Santiago de Chile, el Patio 29 es un sitio de memoria que representa simbólica y materialmente las marcas de la dictadura cívico-militar en Chile (1973-1989). A través de un análisis cualitativo de los documentos del Concurso Público del anteproyecto de puesta en valor del Patio 29, se da cuenta de la participación de distintos agentes (humanos y no-humanos) que permitan “hacer ser” el memorial. Se concluye, que el despliegue técnico y burocrático que define la resolución del concurso es clave para legitimar la “mejor” representación material y simbólica del valor del Patio 29. Es decir, las prácticas “expertas” son determinantes para erigir al Patio 29 como dispositivo público de memoria social.
PENANGANAN STATUS KEPENDUDUKAN ETNIS ROHINGYA (STUDI KASUS KOTA MAKASSAR)
Authors: Asmar Abd. Rais
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe handling of Rohingya ethnic refugees who entered the city of Makassar due to persecution in their home countries, Myanmar is very necessary because of the vulnerability experienced by Rohingya ethnic refugees, especially this is an international community agreement through the 1951 Convention on Refugees. This vulnerability can occur in children, women, and vulnerability to refugee status. Determination of refugee status is a full right of UNHCR because Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 Convention so that there is no government involvement in this matter both in terms of regulation and action. The fact is that Makassar City is one of the destinations for Rohingya ethnic refugees who want to improve their destiny. The government has issued Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016 concerning handling refugees but not yet adequate. As a result, they do not get residence status so they can enjoy educational, health, legal assistance and other needs because of administrative document problems. Therefore, national regulations are needed for them and the role of non-governmental institutions so that ethnic Rohingya refugees can enjoy the facilities available in Makassar City.Keywords: Rohingya Refugees, Population Status                  Abstrak                Penanganan pengungsi etnis rohingya yang masuk ke Kota Makassar akibat persekusi di negara asalnya yaitu Myanmar sangat diperlukan karena kerentanan yang dialami oleh para pengungsi etnis rohingya apalagi ini merupakan kesepakatan masyarakat internasional melalui Konvensi 1951 tentang Pengungsi. Kerentanan tersebut dapat terjadi pada anak-anak, perempuan, maupun kerentanan status pengungsi. Penetapan status pengungsi menjadi hak penuh dari UNHCR karena Indonesia belum meratifikasi Konvensi 1951 sehingga tidak ada keterlibatan pemerintah dalam hal ini baik dalam hal regulasi maupun aksi. Faktanya Kota Makassar menjadi salah satu tujuan pengungsi etnis rohingya yang ingin memperbaiki nasib. Pemerintah telah mengeluarkan Perpres No. 125 Tahun 2016 tentang penanganan pengungsi tetapi belum memadai. Akibatnya mereka tidak mendapatkan status kependudukan sehingga dapat menikmati fasilitas pendidikan, kesehatan, bantuan hukum dan kebutuhan lainnya karena terbentur masalah dokumen adminstrasi. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan regulasi nasional yang memadai bagi mereka dan peran lembaga-lembaga non pemerintah agar pengungsi etnis rohingya dapat menikmati fasilitas yang ada di Kota Makassar.Kata Kunci: Pengungsi etnis rohingya, Status kependudukan