bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesoscale Morphologies of Nafion-Based Blend Membranes by Dissipative Particle Dynamics
Authors: Sen Unal , Ozdemir Mehmet , Erkartal Mustafa , Kaya Alaattin Metin , Manda Abdullah A. , Oveisi Ali Reza , Aboudzadeh M. Ali , Tokumasu Takashi
Published: June 2021

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) composed of polymer or polymer blend is a vital element in PEM fuel cell that allows proton transport and serves as a barrier between fuel and oxygen. Understanding the microscopic phase behavior in polymer blends is very crucial to design alternative cost-effective proton-conducting materials. In this study, the mesoscale morphologies of Nafion/poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (Nafion-PVTri) and Nafion/poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) (Nafion-PVPA) blend membranes were studied by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation technique. Simulation results indicate that both blend membranes can form a phase-separated microstructure due to the different hydrophobic and hydrophilic character of different polymer chains and different segments in the same polymer chain. There is a strong, attractive interaction between the phosphonic acid and sulfonic acid groups and a very strong repulsive interaction between the fluorinated and phosphonic acid groups in the Nafion-PVPA blend membrane. By increasing the PVPA content in the blend membrane, the PVPA clusters’ size gradually increases and forms a continuous phase. On the other hand, repulsive interaction between fluorinated and triazole units in the Nafion-PVTri blend is not very strong compared to the Nafion-PVPA blend, which results in different phase behavior in Nafion-PVTri blend membrane. This relatively lower repulsive interaction causes Nafion-PVTri blend membrane to have non-continuous phases regardless of the composition.
Detecting Demolished Buildings after a Natural Hazard Using High Resolution RGB Satellite Imagery and Modified U-Net Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Rashidian Vahid , Baise Laurie , Koch Magaly , Moaveni Babak
Published: June 2021

Collapsed buildings are usually linked with the highest number of human casualties reported after a natural disaster; therefore, quickly finding collapsed buildings can expedite rescue operations and save human lives. Recently, many researchers and agencies have tried to integrate satellite imagery into rapid response. The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) and National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) have recently released a ready-to-use dataset known as xView that contains thousands of labeled VHR RGB satellite imagery scenes with 30-cm spatial and 8-bit radiometric resolutions, respectively. Two of the labeled classes represent demolished buildings with 1067 instances and intact buildings with more than 300,000 instances, and both classes are associated with building footprints. In this study, we are using the xView imagery, with building labels (demolished and intact) to create a deep learning framework for classifying buildings as demolished or intact after a natural hazard event. We have used a modified U-Net style fully convolutional neural network (CNN). The results show that the proposed framework has 78% and 95% sensitivity in detecting the demolished and intact buildings, respectively, within the xView dataset. We have also tested the transferability and performance of the trained network on an independent dataset from the 19 September 2017 M 7.1 Pueblo earthquake in central Mexico using Google Earth imagery. To this end, we tested the network on 97 buildings including 10 demolished ones by feeding imagery and building footprints into the trained algorithm. The sensitivity for intact and demolished buildings was 89% and 60%, respectively.
Biomarker-Informed Machine Learning Model of Cognitive Fatigue from a Heart Rate Response Perspective
Authors: Lee Kar Fye Alvin , Gan Woon-Seng , Christopoulos Georgios
Published: June 2021

Cognitive fatigue is a psychological state characterised by feelings of tiredness and impaired cognitive functioning arising from high cognitive demands. This paper examines the recent research progress on the assessment of cognitive fatigue and provides informed recommendations for future research. Traditionally, cognitive fatigue is introspectively assessed through self-report or objectively inferred from a decline in behavioural performance. However, more recently, researchers have attempted to explore the biological underpinnings of cognitive fatigue to understand and measure this phenomenon. In particular, there is evidence indicating that the imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity appears to be a physiological correlate of cognitive fatigue. This imbalance has been indexed through various heart rate variability indices that have also been proposed as putative biomarkers of cognitive fatigue. Moreover, in contrast to traditional inferential methods, there is also a growing research interest in using data-driven approaches to assessing cognitive fatigue. The ubiquity of wearables with the capability to collect large amounts of physiological data appears to be a major facilitator in the growth of data-driven research in this area. Preliminary findings indicate that such large datasets can be used to accurately predict cognitive fatigue through various machine learning approaches. Overall, the potential of combining domain-specific knowledge gained from biomarker research with machine learning approaches should be further explored to build more robust predictive models of cognitive fatigue.
Knowledge and Geo-Object Based Graph Convolutional Network for Remote Sensing Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Cui Wei , Yao Meng , Hao Yuanjie , Wang Ziwei , He Xin , Wu Weijie , Li Jie , Zhao Huilin , Xia Cong , Wang Jin
Published: June 2021

Pixel-based semantic segmentation models fail to effectively express geographic objects and their topological relationships. Therefore, in semantic segmentation of remote sensing images, these models fail to avoid salt-and-pepper effects and cannot achieve high accuracy either. To solve these problems, object-based models such as graph neural networks (GNNs) are considered. However, traditional GNNs directly use similarity or spatial correlations between nodes to aggregate nodes’ information, which rely too much on the contextual information of the sample. The contextual information of the sample is often distorted, which results in a reduction in the node classification accuracy. To solve this problem, a knowledge and geo-object-based graph convolutional network (KGGCN) is proposed. The KGGCN uses superpixel blocks as nodes of the graph network and combines prior knowledge with spatial correlations during information aggregation. By incorporating the prior knowledge obtained from all samples of the study area, the receptive field of the node is extended from its sample context to the study area. Thus, the distortion of the sample context is overcome effectively. Experiments demonstrate that our model is improved by 3.7% compared with the baseline model named Cluster GCN and 4.1% compared with U-Net.
How to Establish a Sustainable Organization? A Study on the Relationship between Social Work Characteristics and Innovativeness for Employees of Organizations
Authors: Kao Jui-Chung , Ma Hsiang-Yu , Chiang Nein-Tsu , Kao Rui-Hsin , Cho Cheng-Chung
Published: June 2021

The shaping of employees’ innovativeness is an important way of building a sustainable organization. Therefore, in order to have a sustainable police organization, the innovativeness of the police must be established in order to achieve the objective of maintaining law and order. In this study, Taiwan’s first-line border police officers served as the research subject, and the cross-level model perspective was adopted to investigate their innovativeness from task-oriented and socially oriented viewpoints. At the same time, investigations were made into the cross-level direct and indirect effects of social work characteristics and collective efficacy toward police officers’ self-efficacy and innovativeness. A multilevel model was adopted to analyze the quantitative data obtained with 249 border police officers in Taiwan as the research objects. The results showed that social work characteristics have a positive influence on collective efficacy, and motivational work characteristics have a positive influence on employees’ self-efficacy and innovativeness. Their self-efficacy showed a positive influence on innovativeness, and a mediating effect on the relationship between motivational work characteristics and innovativeness. Moreover, social work characteristics and collective efficacy have a cross-level contextual effect on self-efficacy and innovativeness, while social work characteristics and self-efficacy have a cross-level interaction on police officers’ innovativeness. In general, this study confirmed the importance of employees’ innovativeness for the establishment of a sustainable police organization. The characteristics of social and motivational work, self-efficacy, and collective effectiveness are important variables for establishing employees’ innovativeness.
Socioeconomic Risks and Their Impacts on Ecological River Health in South Korea: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Kim Suyeon , Lee Sang-Woo , Park Se-Rin , Shin Yeeun , An Kyungjin
Published: June 2021

It is imperative to develop a methodology to identify river impairment sources, particularly the relative impact of socioeconomic sources, to enhance the efficiency of various river restoration schemes and policies and to have an internal diagnosis system in place. This study, therefore, aims to identify and analyze the relative importance of the socioeconomic factors affecting river ecosystem impairment in South Korea. To achieve this goal, we applied the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate expert judgement of the relative importance of different socioeconomic factors influencing river ecosystem impairment. Based on a list of socioeconomic factors influencing stream health, an AHP questionnaire was prepared and administered to experts in aquatic ecology. Our analysis reveals that secondary industries form the most significant source of stream ecosystem impairment. Moreover, the most critical socioeconomic factors affecting stream impairment are direct inflow pollution, policy implementation, and industrial wastewater. The results also suggest that the AHP is a rapid and robust approach to assessing the relative importance of different socioeconomic factors that affect river ecosystem health. The results can be used to assist decision makers in focusing on actions to improve river ecosystem health.
Optimal Synergy between Photovoltaic Panels and Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Green Power Supply of a Green Building—A Case Study
Authors: Felseghi Raluca-Andreea , Așchilean Ioan , Cobîrzan Nicoleta , Bolboacă Andrei Mircea , Raboaca Maria Simona
Published: June 2021

Alternative energy resources have a significant function in the performance and decarbonization of power engendering schemes in the building application domain. Additionally, “green buildings” play a special role in reducing energy consumption and minimizing CO2 emissions in the building sector. This research article analyzes the performance of alternative primary energy sources (sun and hydrogen) integrated into a hybrid photovoltaic panel/fuel cell system, and their optimal synergy to provide green energy for a green building. The study addresses the future hydrogen-based economy, which involves the supply of hydrogen as the fuel needed to provide fuel cell energy through a power distribution infrastructure. The objective of this research is to use fuel cells in this field and to investigate their use as a green building energy supply through a hybrid electricity generation system, which also uses photovoltaic panels to convert solar energy. The fuel cell hydrogen is supplied through a distribution network in which hydrogen production is outsourced and independent of the power generation system. The case study creates virtual operating conditions for this type of hybrid energy system and simulates its operation over a one-year period. The goal is to demonstrate the role and utility of fuel cells in virtual conditions by analyzing energy and economic performance indicators, as well as carbon dioxide emissions. The case study analyzes the optimal synergy between photovoltaic panels and fuel cells for the power supply of a green building. In the simulation, an optimally configured hybrid system supplies 100% of the energy to the green building while generating carbon dioxide emissions equal to 11.72% of the average value calculated for a conventional energy system providing similar energy to a standard residential building. Photovoltaic panels account for 32% of the required annual electricity production, and the fuel cells generate 68% of the total annual energy output of the system.
Media Tourism and Its Role in Sustaining Scotland’s Tourism Industry
Authors: Garrison Stephanie , Wallace Claire
Published: June 2021

Popular media, including films, television, comics, videogames, and books, are an increasingly important aspect of contemporary tourism. This is especially the case in Scotland, where popular culture led to the development of Scotland’s tourism industry. In this article, we will describe the phenomenon of media-related tourism in Scotland with respect to three selected case studies within Scotland: First, Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter film series; Second, Doune Castle, used as a set for Monty Python, Game of Thrones and more recently, Outlander; Third, Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, a classical novelist now celebrating his 250th Birthday Anniversary. In examining these case studies, the article will consider how sustainable media tourism is. This approached is from the lens of media tourism and its impact on rural communities, concerns over local infrastructure, wider understandings of media tourism as a growing sub-sector, and the sustainability of the wider Scottish tourism industry in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.
A Study on Developing a Communicative Rational Action Scale
Authors: Çamlı Ahmet Yavuz , Virlanuta Florina Oana , Palamutçuoğlu Bedrettin Türker , Bărbuță-Mișu Nicoleta , Güler Şeref , Züngün Deniz
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study is to develop a Communicative Rational Action Scale and analyze its validity and reliability. The scale has been prepared for all administrators and especially for firm administrators based on Max Weber’s rationalizing theory and Jürgen Habermas’ communicative action theory. The scale reveals to what extent administrators’ behaviors are communicatively rational while deciding or acting. In total, 282 participants joined this study. The sample group consisted of senior administrators of 87 firms acting in Turkey’s different Organized Industrial Zones or Free Zones. Data were analyzed by the SPSS 21 and AMOS 22 programs. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to the obtained data. In order to test item discrimination, total item correlations were calculated and items under the value of 0.40 were removed from the scale. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 21 articles and five factors. The correlation coefficient of the 21-article scale with a similar scale is 0.979 (p < 0.001). The Cronbach’s alpha value is 0.945 and the test–retest correlation parameter is r = 0.793 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, it was determined by confirmatory factor analysis that the Communicative Rational Action Scale has a good cohesion criterion, and it is a valid and reliable assessment instrument.
A Methodology for Assessing Groundwater Pollution Hazard by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources: Application to the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain)
Authors: Orellana-Macías José María , Perles Roselló María Jesús , Causapé Jesús
Published: June 2021

Groundwater pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources is a common environmental issue. In order to support risk analysis, hazard maps are used to classify land uses according to their potential of pollution. The aim of this study is to propose a new hazard index based on nitrogen input and its connection with nitrate concentration in groundwater. The effectiveness of the Nitrogen Input Hazard Index was tested in the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain), a highly polluted area, declared as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. Agricultural data at a plot scale were used to estimate the nitrogen fertilizer requirement of each crop, and the correlation between nitrogen input and nitrate concentration in groundwater was explored. The resulting hazard map allows us to delimit the most hazardous areas, which can be used to implement more accurate nitrate pollution control programs. The index was proven to successfully estimate nitrogen input influence over groundwater nitrate concentration, and to be able to create hazard maps. The criterion used to create categories was empirically based on nitrate concentration thresholds established by the EU Nitrate Directive. The Nitrogen Input Hazard Index may be a useful tool to support risk analyses of agricultural activities in vulnerable areas, where nitrate pollution could endanger human water supply.
IDM Benchmarks for the LHC and Future Colliders
Authors: Kalinowski Jan , Robens Tania , Sokołowska Dorota , Żarnecki Aleksander Filip
Published: June 2021

We present cross-section expectations for various processes and collider options, for benchmark scenarios of the Inert Doublet Model, a Two Higgs Doublet Model with a dark matter candidate. The proposed scenarios are consistent with current dark matter constraints, including the most recent bounds from the XENON1T experiment and relic density, as well as with known collider and low-energy limits. These benchmarks, chosen in earlier work for studies at e+e− colliders, exhibit a variety of kinematic features that should be explored at current and future runs of the LHC. We provide cross sections for all relevant production processes at 13 TeV, 27 TeV and 100 TeV proton collider, as well as for a possible 10 TeV and 30 TeV muon collider.
Handedness Development: A Model for Investigating the Development of Hemispheric Specialization and Interhemispheric Coordination
Authors: Michel George F.
Published: June 2021

The author presents his perspective on the character of science, development, and handedness and relates these to his investigations of the early development of handedness. After presenting some ideas on what hemispheric specialization of function might mean for neural processing and how handedness should be assessed, the neuroscience of control of the arms/hands and interhemispheric communication and coordination are examined for how developmental processes can affect these mechanisms. The author’s work on the development of early handedness is reviewed and placed within a context of cascading events in which different forms of handedness emerge from earlier forms but not in a deterministic manner. This approach supports a continuous rather than categorical distribution of handedness and accounts for the predominance of right-handedness while maintaining a minority of left-handedness. Finally, the relation of the development of handedness to the development of several language and cognitive skills is examined.
Overview and Improvement of Procedures and Practices of Electricity Transmission System Operators in South East Europe to Mitigate Cybersecurity Threats
Authors: Krkoleva Mateska Aleksandra , Krstevski Petar , Borozan Stefan
Published: June 2021

The implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in power systems increases the risks of cybersecurity threats, requiring protection measures that should reflect the multi-actor environment of the contemporary power systems. This paper provides a critical assessment of the cybersecurity practices of the transmission system operators (TSOs) from South East Europe (SEE) and the implementation of obligations for TSOs emerging from the complex set of cybersecurity and electricity legislation. The analyses of TSO cybersecurity practices are based on a survey conducted with the TSOs from SEE and show there is a lack of consistent cybersecurity policy at the TSO level. These analyses demonstrate that the differences between TSOs from the SEE region are not very significant with regards to implementation of technical protection and defense measures for critical infrastructures (CIs) and assets. The comprehensive analyses of electricity and cybersecurity legislation uncover the obligations of TSOs emerging from legislation and relate them to current TSO cybersecurity practices, confirming the necessity to boost existing practices. Considering the analyzed legislation and implemented practices, this paper presents a proposal for a cybersecurity framework for TSOs that should improve their organizational and operational response to the evolving cybersecurity challenges.
MRI Imaging Characteristics of Glioblastoma with Concurrent Gain of Chromosomes 19 and 20
Authors: Min Taejin L. , Allen Jason W. , Velazquez Vega Jose E. , Neill Stewart G. , Weinberg Brent D.
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain tumor in adults. Some of the genetic variations identified thus far, such as IDH mutation and MGMT promotor methylation, have implications for survival and response to therapy. A recent analysis of long-term GBM survivors showed that concurrent gain of chromosomes 19 and 20 (19/20 co-gain) is a positive prognostic factor that is independent of IDH mutation status. In this study, we retrospectively identified 18 patients with 19/20 co-gain and compared their imaging features to a control cohort without 19/20 co-gain. Imaging features such as tumor location, size, pial invasion, and ependymal extension were examined manually. When compared without further genetic subclassification, both groups showed similar imaging features except for rates of pial invasion. When each group was subclassified by MGMT promotor methylation status however, the two groups showed different imaging features in a number of additional ways including tumor location, size, and ependymal extension. Our results indicate that different permutations of various genetic mutations that coexist in GBM may interact in unpredictable ways to affect imaging appearance, and that imaging prognostication may be better approached in the context of the global genomic profile rather than individual genetic alterations.
Accretion Flow onto Ellis–Bronnikov Wormhole
Authors: Yusupova Rosaliya M. , Karimov Ramis Kh. , Izmailov Ramil N. , Nandi Kamal K.
Published: June 2021

Study of accretion onto wormholes is rather rare compared to that onto black holes. In this paper, we consider accretion flow of cosmological dark energy modeled by barotropic fluid onto the celebrated Ellis–Bronnikov wormhole (EBWH) built by Einstein minimally coupled scalar field ϕ, violating the null energy condition. The accreting fluid is assumed to be phantom, quintessence, dust and stiff matter. We begin by first pointing out a mathematical novelty showing how the EBWH can lead to the Schwarzschild black hole under a complex Wick rotation. Then, we analyze the profiles of fluid radial velocity, density and the rate of mass variation of the EBWH due to accretion and compare the profiles with those of the Schwarzschild black hole. We also analyze accretion to the massless EBWH that has zero ADM mass but has what we call nonzero Wheelerian mass (“mass without mass”), composed of the non-trivial scalar field, that shows gravitational effects. Our conclusion is that the mass of SBH due to phantom accretion decreases consistently with known results, while, in contrast, the mass of EBWH increases. Exactly an opposite behavior emerges for non-phantom accretion to these two objects. Accretion to massless EBWH (i.e., to nonzero Wheelerian mass) shares the same patterns as those of the massive EBWH; hence there is no way to distinguish massive and massless cases by means of accretion flow. The contrasting mass variations due to phantom accretion could be a reflection of the distinct topology of the central objects.
Molecular Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses H5N6 Detected in Denmark in 2018–2019
Authors: Liang Yuan , Krog Jesper Schak , Ryt-Hansen Pia , Pedersen Anders Gorm , Kvisgaard Lise Kirstine , Holm Elisabeth , Nielsen Pernille Dahl , Hammer Anne Sofie , Madsen Jesper Johannes , Thorup Kasper , Larsen Lars Erik , Hjulsager Charlotte Kristiane
Published: June 2021

Beginning in late 2017, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N6 viruses caused outbreaks in wild birds and poultry in several European countries. H5N6 viruses were detected in 43 wild birds found dead throughout Denmark. Most of the Danish virus-positive dead birds were found in the period from February to April 2018. However, unlike the rest of Europe, sporadic HPAI H5N6-positive dead wild birds were detected in Denmark in July, August, September, and December 2018, with the last positive bird being found in January 2019. HPAI viruses were not detected in active surveillance of apparently healthy wild birds. In this study, we use full genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to investigate the wild bird HPAI H5N6 viruses found in Denmark. The Danish viruses were found to be closely related to those of contemporary HPAI H5N6 viruses detected in Europe. Their sequences formed two clusters indicating that at least two or more introductions of H5N6 into Denmark occurred. Notably, all viruses detected in the latter half of 2018 and in 2019 grouped into the same cluster. The H5N6 viruses appeared to have been maintained undetected in the autumn 2018.
Comparison and Analysis of Neutralizing Antibody Levels in Serum after Inoculating with SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, or SARS-CoV Vaccines in Humans
Authors: Yu Sicong , Chen Keda , Fang Lei , Mao Haiyan , Lou Xiuyu , Li Chaonan , Zhang Yanjun
Published: June 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) pose a great threat to humanity. Every pandemic involving these coronaviruses has seriously affected human health and economic development. Currently, there are no approved therapeutic drugs against their infections. Therefore, the development of vaccines is particularly important to combat these coronaviruses. In this review, we summarized and analyzed the progress of vaccines against SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, including inactivated vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, subunit vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, and viral vector vaccines. In addition, we compared the levels of neutralizing antibodies in the serum of patients with these three kinds of coronaviruses at different stages, and their ability and effects against SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV. This review provides useful information for vaccine evaluation and analysis.
Intranasal Vaccine Delivery Technology for Respiratory Tract Disease Application with a Special Emphasis on Pneumococcal Disease
Authors: Walkowski William , Bassett Justin , Bhalla Manmeet , Pfeifer Blaine A. , Ghanem Elsa N. Bou
Published: June 2021

This mini-review will cover recent trends in intranasal (IN) vaccine delivery as it relates to applications for respiratory tract diseases. The logic and rationale for IN vaccine delivery will be compared to methods and applications accompanying this particular administration route. In addition, we will focus extended discussion on the potential role of IN vaccination in the context of respiratory tract diseases, with a special emphasis on pneumococcal disease. Here, elements of this disease, including its prevalence and impact upon the elderly population, will be viewed from the standpoint of improving health outcomes through vaccine design and delivery technology and how IN administration can play a role in such efforts.
Cost-Effectiveness of Pertussis Vaccination Schedule in Israel
Authors: Langsam Dean , Kahana Dor , Shmueli Erez , Yamin Dan
Published: June 2021

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that primarily affects infants. To optimize the pertussis vaccination schedule in Israel and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies that add or remove booster doses, we developed an age-structured model for pertussis transmission. Our model was calibrated using 16 years of data from laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases in Israel. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) projected by the model within 12 years from the implementation of the considered interventions were compared with the current vaccination schedule. We found that by using the same number of vaccines administered today, the targeting of children at the age of six instead of seven would be predicted to be the optimal schedule to decrease both outpatient visits and hospitalizations. We also found that any increase in maternal vaccination coverage is likely to be cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $77,000–$97,000 per QALY. By contrast, the contribution of the second booster dose is limited, with a probability of only 0.6 to be cost-effective at $110,000/QALY saved. Additional effort should be invested to encourage maternal vaccination against pertussis. We recommend moving the first booster to age six and prudently considering the necessity of the second booster dose.
Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the development of tourism and hospitality industry: global and national aspects
Authors: Zaitseva Natalia Aleksandrovna
Published: June 2021

The article presents the results of a study of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the development of the tourism and hospitality industry in the global and national aspects. The purpose of this article is to summarize and systematize the main changes and trends in tourism and hospitality as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. During the research, general scientific methods of the theory and practice of researching socio-economic phenomena and processes were used: logical, dialectical, systemic, process and situational approaches, and methods of analysis, synthesis, abstraction, and others. According to the results of the study, several main trends in changes in consumer behavior were summarized and formulated, as well as in what began to be offered by the enterprises of the tourism and hospitality industry in response to changes in consumer behavior. Examples of how the coronavirus pandemic affected the organization of the very process of providing services by hotels to ensure the safety of guests in hotels and other accommodation facilities, including in terms of increasing costs for all types of resources of these enterprises. Particular attention in the article is paid to assessing the effectiveness of government support measures and stimulating demand for tourist and hotel services in the Russian Federation. Also, based on the results of the study, the prospects for adapting the enterprise management system of the hospitality and tourism industry to work in the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic and after its completion were substantiated — the change in the forms of organization of work of personnel, monitoring and evaluation of the results of their activities was described, and the importance of forming and maintaining consumer confidence in enterprises was substantiated. tourism and hospitality industry.
Spain — China: dynamics of trade and economic relations development
Authors: Anikina Alexandra Mikhailovna
Published: June 2021

Spain is a member state of the European Union, which occupies one of the leading places in the world economy. Over the past decade, this country has paid particular attention to expanding the internationalization of its economy, including by striving for geographical diversification of exports and investment activity, for taking on new target markets for products produced in the country, especially agricultural ones, since traditionally the main partners of the country in foreign economic activity are member states of the EU. A development strategy of foreign economic activities (FEA) was developed in the country to achieve these goals. China is not the main trade and economic partner of Spain, however, it is a strategic partner with a high potential for developing bilateral cooperation. The article studies the dynamics of the development of foreign economic relations between Spain and China from 2008 to 2019; main data of export-import operations, including by commodity groups, are given; principal developments in bilateral relations are mentioned. It is concluded that the growth rate of trade flow has increased by more than 65 % over 10 years, including the expansion of Spanish export supplies, in particular products of agroindustrial complex (AIC), share of which reached 30 % in 2019; intensification of interaction at the institutional level is noted, as well as expansion of the activities of Spanish transnational corporations (TNC) in China, where at least one of the corporations opened its 23rd production facility in 2019. The author used a systematic and interdisciplinary approach when working with a variety of scientific and practical materials, including Spanish legislation, annual reports and statistics of national government bodies, analytical reviews of international economic organizations, media publications, as well as economic and statistical analysis. The scientifi c novelty of the work is in a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of the development of trade and economic relations between Spain and China.
Horizons of the post-pandemic recovery of the world economy
Authors: Smirnov Evgenii Nikolayevich
Published: June 2021

The shock experienced by the global economy as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic is un-precedented in strength and specifi city of its impact, and the current global recession seems to be becoming protracted and will require a restructuring of the mechanisms of multilateral economic regulation that developed earlier. The purpose of our study was to analyze the key aspects, opportunities and mechanisms for the restoration of the world economy in the short and medium term. We came to the conclusion about the greater scale of the current global crisis in comparison with the previous recessions, which determines the uncertainty of the further trajectory of the impact of the pandemic on the world economy, and its particular impact on the economies of developing coun-tries. We believe that the structural reform of the economies of diff erent countries will accelerate due to the current crisis, which will also be facilitated by further digitalization and automation. In a pandemic, to revive economic growth, countries need to build confi dence from investors and con-sumers, and the economy must increasingly detach itself from speculative fi nancial markets to the real sector. Despite the opposite scenarios of the global economic recovery, it is now more related to progress with vaccinations, which is a key factor in lifting quarantine restrictions and further eco-nomic growth. At the same time, it is necessary to solve the problem of economic productivity growth and challenges in the development of international borrowing. Multilateral cooperation be-tween countries should be aimed at eliminating over-indebtedness, overcoming imbalances in the balance of payments, and improving the fi scal and monetary policies of key countries of the world.
Conceptual provisions of management percentage risk in international practice
Authors: Vakhrushev Valentin Yur’evich , Zakharov Andrey Viktorovich , Khudzhatov Mikail Bekzadaevich
Published: June 2021

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic world banking system is being severely tested. The last time such shocks occurred during the global fi nancial crisis of 2008–2009. However, the crisis of the global banking system in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is very diff erent from the global fi nancial crisis of 2008–2009. During the previous global fi nancial crisis, central banks around the world were able to cut key rates to stimulate the aff ected economy, while the current crisis is taking place in conditions of extremely low and even negative key rates. Consequently, the central banks of the economically developed countries of the world lack one of the most eff ective tools to stimulate the economy in the face of a global crisis. Since the maximum income of commercial banks is generated by the operation of high key rates, the downward trend in recent years is a serious risk to the business of commercial banks. The article analyses the dynamics of key rates in the economically developed countries of the world in comparison with China and the Russian Federation, based on the results of this document, the main trends and patterns were identified, the most dangerous risks for commercial banks are shown. Besides the article discusses the modern conceptual provisions of interest rate risk management in commercial banks of the Russian Federation. They form the basis for the development of constructive methods for assessing commercial risk and the formation of managerial decisions that ensure its prevention or reduction of negative consequences in the event of the implementation of risk events that determine it.
Us sanctional economic policy as a geopolitical reality
Authors: Ustinovich Elena Stepanovna
Published: June 2021

This article analyzes the policy of economic sanctions against the Russian Federation since 2008. It’s shown that the sanctions anti-Russian economic policy is the direction of the US foreign policy of the last decade. For many decades, the state of trade and economic relations between the Russian Federation and the United States left much to be desired and did not develop in a normalized format. The volume of trade turnover practically did not manifest itself in the growth dynamics. And both countries were faced with the task of solving this problem. However, the last decade, and especially the events of 2014 and subsequent economic sanctions against the Russian Federation, have shown the role and impact of the political factor in the state of economic relations between the two countries. In this regard, the period of development of trade and economic relations of the last five years is exclusively in the political plane and it can be designated as the period of the US sanctions economic policy towards Russia. They are implementing this policy jointly with a number of North American countries and European Union member states, as a result of which it becomes a geopolitical reality in the modern period of international economic relations and, unfortunately, does not contribute to their normalization. The research methodology includes an interdisciplinary political and economic research method. A primary analysis of sources, as well as policy documents of the leaders of two countries — the United States and the Russian Federation at the end of 2014 and 2015 was carried out. As a scientific and practical result, a recommendation for the Russian Federation was proposed based on the results of the incessant sanctions pressure — not to remain in isolation, to establish contacts with countries in a new format.
Implementing a weight-specific quality-of-life tool for young people in primary health care: a qualitative study
Authors: Oluboyede Yemi , Hill Sarah R , McDonald Suzanne , Henderson Emily
Published: June 2021

Background

Obesity is thought to be one of the most serious global public health challenges of the 21st century. The primary care setting is important in terms of the diagnosis, education, and management of obesity in children and young people. This study explored the views of primary care clinicians on the implementation of a quality-of-life (QoL) tool to help young people and their families identify the impact of weight on QoL.

Aim

To assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing the Weight-specific Adolescent Instrument for Economic-evaluation (WAItE) QoL tool for young people aged 11–18 years in primary care.

Design & setting

Qualitative study in Northern England, UK

Method

One-to-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of primary healthcare clinicians working in practices located in areas of varying deprivation in Northern England, UK. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed using framework analysis in NVivo (version 10).

Results

Participants (n = 16 GPs; n = 4 practice nurses) found the WAItE tool acceptable for them and their patients, and believed it was feasible for use in routine clinical practice. It was important to primary care clinicians that the tool would provide an overall QoL score that would be easy for GPs and nurses to interpret, to help them identify patients most in need of specialist help.

Conclusion

This study has developed a platform for further research around QoL in young people who are overweight and obese. A future feasibility study will focus on implementing the tool in a small number of primary healthcare practices.
Transformational reconstructions of the system of the economic security of Ukraine
Authors:   Mariupol State University, Kyslova Liudmyla , Suk Vladyslav ,   Mariupol State University
Published: June 2021

The scientific article states that the implementation of measures to ensure economic security, as a key element in the structure of national security, is a fundamental factor in the existence of Ukrainian statehood, which in turn requires the creation and operation of the relevant system. The current state of the system of economic security of the state does not allow to effectively counteract the existing and potential threats, and to create conditions for the stable functioning of the domestic economy. A necessary step for this is the involvement of representatives of international non-governmental organizations and domestic scientific institutions specializing in the study of problems in the economic sphere. Proposed to conduct a systematic audit of the effectiveness of the economic security entities, in order to determine the need for their further reorganization.
Social factors of overcoming the divergence of economies of Ukraine and the EU: trends and challenges for the national governance
Authors:   Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Piliaiev Igor
Published: June 2021

The article applies synergistic interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of problems of divergence in the economies of Ukraine and the EU, to evaluate the present state and key problems of implementing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU in terms of the socio-economic modernization of this country. The thesis about slow, partial (only in certain segments), unsystematic overcoming of divergent trends by Ukraine, which appeared in the first years after signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, is substantiated. In particular, there are clear trends of divergence between Ukraine and the EU in the areas of social development, personal security, rule of law, some civil and political rights and freedoms, which is primarily due to insufficient effectiveness of European integration reforms, lack of consensus in the political elite and society with regard to "Road map" of modernization, consequences of Russian aggression and the ongoing armed conflict in the east of Ukraine. At the same time, moderate convergence trends in areas such as social inclusion and innovation have been identified. It is proved that Ukraine still has a strong social foundation for economic modernization breakthrough. In terms of social parameters, Ukrainian society is significantly more powerful than the modern Ukrainian economy from the viewpoint of meeting basic human needs, social components of the quality of life and healthy environment. In particular, in terms of the level and dynamics of innovation, Ukraine is ahead of all post-Soviet member states of the Eastern Partnership and even Romania as an EU member state. It is argued that the Ukrainian Government still monitors mainly the formal fulfilment of the Action Plan оn implementation of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union and its member states for the years 2018–2024 without analyzing the Action Plan's impact on the institutional effectiveness and indicators of Ukraineʼs socio-economic development. Under such conditions, certain indicators of the Action Plan implementation may give a misconception about the real dynamics of the convergence / divergence process of Ukraine and the EU. This requires improved strategic monitoring of the implementation of the Association Agreement.
Formation and regulation of public debt problems in Ukraine in the context of debt security
Authors:   Mariupol State University, Marena Tetyana , Tulainova Valentyna ,   Mariupol State University
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the study of current features and trends in public debt formation in Ukraine and on this basis reasoning recommendations for resolving public debt problems in the context of debt security. The indicators of the dynamics and structure of the domestic and external public debt of Ukraine are analyzed, the level of the state's solvency in terms of official foreign exchange reserves are assessed. The risks that cause uncertainty of further prospects for the development of the situation in the field of public debt of Ukraine have been identified. Taking into account the international experience of public debt management and ensuring financial security, the main areas for improving the debt policy in Ukraine are outlined.
Lower Palaeozoic geology of the western part of the North Greenland fold belt
Authors: Dawes P.R
Published: June 2021

In the summers 1965 and 1966 reconnaissance mapping of 10 000 km2 of the rarely visited north coast of North Greenland was carried out. In 1965 the investigations were restricted to Hall Land (fig. 3) with a view of obtaining an insight into the stratigraphy of the Ordovician-Silurian succession, while in 1966 work centred on Nyeboe Land and Hendrik Island with cursory exammation of the north-west coast of Wulff Land and the islands in Sherard Osborn Fjord. Both the unfolded rocks of the south towards the Inland Ice and the folded rocks of the northern coast bordering the Robeson Channel and the Arctic Ocean were studied and in the two summers a broad view of the western part of the North Greenland fold belt i. e. west of Peary Land, has been obained.
Research on the high-metamorphic complexes of the Agto area
Authors: Bondesen E
Published: June 2021

Mapping in the Agto area was started in 1966 as a university research project. The work also forms part of the Survey's mapping programme, and the results will appear on a Survey 1:100 000 sheet. The research is subsidised by the Carlsberg Foundation, while transport and practicaI assistance is provided by the Survey.
The chromite deposits at Fiskenæsset
Authors: Ghisler M
Published: June 2021

Since the discovery of chromite associated with the anorthosites at Fiskenæsset in 1964 a programme of detailed mapping and sample collecting has been undertaken in the region. During the summer of 1966 mapping of the anorthosite horizons was completed in the eastern part of the region, and a geological map at 1:5 000 was made of a small area 10 km east of Fiskenæsset. In addition the best chromite horizons from an economic point of view were mapped at a scale of 1:1 000 and extensive sampling was continued throughout the region where chromite is known to occur.
K/Ar age determinations from western Greenland
Authors: Larsen O
Published: June 2021

A programme of K/Ar age determinations on the rocks of western Greenland from Upernavik (72°50' N) to Kap Farvel (59°40' N) has been started and the first results are presented below. The samples used in this first group of results have been selected so that the date obtained would represent the most significant geological event in each area and samples from areas in which the geological history is known to be highly complex have been avoided wherever posslble. The geological interpretation of the results has been the responsibility of the individual geologists who supplied the samples while the overall geological history outlined in this compilation is that current among members of the Geological Survey of Greenland.