bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
US Policy Uncertainty and Stock Market Nexus Revisited through Dynamic ARDL Simulation and Threshold Modelling
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Ahmed Masood , Popp József , Oláh Judit
Published: November 2020

Since the introduction of the measure of economic policy uncertainty, businesses, policymakers, and academic scholars closely monitor its momentum due to expected economic implications. The US is the world’s top-ranked equity market by size, and prior literature on policy uncertainty and stock prices for the US is conflicting. In this study, we reexamine the policy uncertainty and stock price nexus from the US perspective, using a novel dynamically simulated autoregressive distributed lag setting introduced in 2018, which appears superior to traditional models. The empirical findings document a negative response of stock prices to 10% positive/negative shock in policy uncertainty in the short-run, while in the long-run, an increase in policy uncertainty by 10% reduces the stock prices, which increases in response to a decrease with the same magnitude. Moreover, we empirically identified two significant thresholds: (1) policy score of 4.89 (original score 132.39), which negatively explain stock prices with high magnitude, and (2) policy score 4.48 (original score 87.98), which explains stock prices negatively with a relatively low magnitude, and interestingly, policy changes below the second threshold become irrelevant to explain stock prices in the United States. It is worth noting that all indices are not equally exposed to unfavorable policy changes. The overall findings are robust to the alternative measures of policy uncertainty and stock prices and offer useful policy input. The limitations of the study and future line of research are also highlighted. All in all, the policy uncertainty is an indicator that shall remain ever-important due to its nature and implication on the various sectors of the economy (the equity market in particular).
Experimental Determination of the Emissivity of Powder Layers and Bulk Material in Laser Powder Bed Fusion Using Infrared Thermography and Thermocouples
Authors: Mohr Gunther , Nowakowski Susanna , Altenburg Simon J. , Maierhofer Christiane , Hilgenberg Kai
Published: November 2020

Recording the temperature distribution of the layer under construction during laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) is of utmost interest for a deep process understanding as well as for quality assurance and in situ monitoring means. While having a notable number of thermal monitoring approaches in additive manufacturing (AM), attempts at temperature calibration and emissivity determination are relatively rare. This study aims for the experimental temperature adjustment of an off-axis infrared (IR) thermography setup used for in situ thermal data acquisition in L-PBF processes. The temperature adjustment was conducted by means of the so-called contact method using thermocouples at two different surface conditions and two different materials: AISI 316L L-PBF bulk surface, AISI 316L powder surface, and IN718 powder surface. The apparent emissivity values for the particular setup were determined. For the first time, also corrected, closer to real emissivity values of the bulk or powder surface condition are published. In the temperature region from approximately 150 °C to 580 °C, the corrected emissivity was determined in a range from 0.2 to 0.25 for a 316L L-PBF bulk surface, in a range from 0.37 to 0.45 for 316L powder layer, and in a range from 0.37 to 0.4 for IN718 powder layer.
Effects of Continuous Intake of Rosemary Extracts on Mental Health in Working Generation Healthy Japanese Men: Post-Hoc Testing of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Araki Risa , Sasaki Kazunori , Onda Hiroyuki , Nakamura Syunsuke , Kassai Masahiro , Kaneko Toshiyuki , Isoda Hiroko , Hashimoto Koichi
Published: November 2020

We previously performed a 4 week interventional trial that suggested that continuous intake of rosemary extract improves the mood states, fatigue, and cognitive function of working generation healthy adult Japanese men. However, the severity of depression in participants in our previous study was relatively mild. Therefore, in the present study, a post-hoc analysis of our previous study was conducted, limited to participants whose total mood disturbance (TMD) scores, which indicate greater mood disturbance, were above the median at baseline, to evaluate whether rosemary extract was effective for individuals with poor mental health. Following the intervention, the scores of TMD and “Confusion-Bewilderment” were significantly decreased (both p < 0.05), and scores of “Vigor-Activity” were significantly increased in the rosemary group (n = 8) compared with those in the control group (n = 13; p < 0.01). When comparing the scores from pre- and post-intervention, significant improvements in “Tension-Anxiety”, “Vigor-Activity”, “Fatigue on awakening”, “Daytime sleepiness”, and “Psychomotor speed” were observed in the rosemary group only (all p < 0.05). Based on these results, it was expected that rosemary extracts were effective for improving the mental energy and sleep quality of work-age men with poor mental health.
Differential Effects of Maternal High Fat Diet During Pregnancy and Lactation on Taste Preferences in Rats
Authors: Mezei Gabor C. , Ural Serdar H. , Hajnal Andras
Published: November 2020

Maternal intake of high fat diet (HFD) increases risk for obesity and metabolic disorders in offspring. Developmental programming of taste preference is a potential mechanism by which this occurs. Whether maternal HFD during pregnancy, lactation, or both, imposes greater risks for altered taste preferences in adult offspring remains a question, and in turn, was investigated in the present study. Four groups of offspring were generated based on maternal HFD access: (1) HFD during pregnancy and lactation (HFD); (2) HFD during pregnancy (HFD-pregnancy); (3) HFD during lactation (HFD-lactation); and (4) normal diet (ND) during pregnancy and lactation (ND). Adult offspring 70 days of age underwent sensory and motivational taste preference testing with various concentrations of sucrose and Intralipid solutions using brief-access automated gustometers (Davis-rigs) and 24 h two-bottle choice tests, respectively. To control for post-gestational diet effects, offspring in all experimental groups were weaned on ND, and did not differ in body weight or glucose tolerance at the time of testing. Offspring exposed to maternal HFD showed increased sensory taste responses for 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 M sucrose solutions in HFD and 0.6 M in HFD-pregnancy groups, compared to animals exposed to ND. Similar effects were noted for lower concentrations of Intralipid in HFD (0.05, 0.10%) and HFD-pregnancy (0.05, 0.10, 0.5%) groups. The HFD-lactation group showed an opposite, diminished responsiveness for sucrose at the highest concentrations (0.9, 1.2, 1.5 M), but not for Intralipid, compared to ND animals. Extended-access two-bottle tests did not reveal major difference across the groups. Our study shows that maternal HFD during pregnancy and lactation has markedly different effects on preferences for palatable sweet and fatty solutions in adult offspring and suggests that such developmental programing may primarily affect gustatory mechanisms. Future studies are warranted for determining the impact of taste changes on development of obesity and metabolic disorders in a “real” food environment with food choices available, as well as to identify specific underlying mechanisms.
Association of Antioxidant Vitamins A, C, E and Carotenoids with Cognitive Performance over Time: A Cohort Study of Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Beydoun May A. , Canas Jose A. , Fanelli-Kuczmarski Marie T. , Maldonado Ana I. , Shaked Danielle , Kivimaki Mika , Evans Michele K. , Zonderman Alan B.
Published: November 2020

Carotenoids may strengthen the association of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E with favorable cognitive outcomes over time, though a few prospective studies have examined this hypothesis. We evaluated the longitudinal data from 1251 participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study (Age at visit 1 in 2004–2009 (v1): 30–65 years). Vitamins A, C, and E dietary intakes and total and individual dietary carotenoids were computed using two 24-h recalls at v1. Cognitive tests, covering global mental status and domains of memory/learning, attention, psychomotor speed, visuo-spatial, language/verbal, and executive function were conducted at v1 and/or v2 (2009–2013); mean ± SD follow-up: 4.66 ± 0.93 years. Mixed-effects linear regression models detected an interaction between vitamin E and total (and individual) carotenoids for three of 11 cognitive tests at v1, with only one meeting the statistical significance upon multiple testing correction whereby vitamin E was linked with greater verbal memory performance in the uppermost total carotenoid tertile (γ0a = +0.26 ± 0.08, p = 0.002), a synergism largely driven by carotenoid lycopene. Vitamins A and C showed no consistent interactions with carotenoids. In conclusion, we provide partial evidence for synergism between vitamin E and carotenoids in relation to better baseline cognitive performance, pending further studies with time-dependent exposures and randomized trials directly examining this synergism.
Development and Validation of a Short Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Athletes
Authors: Vázquez-Espino Karla , Fernández-Tena Carles , Lizarraga-Dallo Maria Antonia , Farran-Codina Andreu
Published: November 2020

Weak evidence exists on the relationship between nutritional knowledge and diet quality. Many researchers claim that this could be in part because of inadequate validation of the questionnaires used. The aim of this study was to develop a compact reliable questionnaire on nutrition knowledge for young and adult athletes (NUKYA). Researchers and the sport clubs medical staff developed the questionnaire by taking into consideration the latest athlete dietary guidelines. The questionnaire content was validated by a panel of 12 nutrition experts, and finally tested by 445 participants including athletes (n = 264), nutrition students (n = 49) and non-athletes with no formal nutrition knowledge (n = 132). After consulting the experts, 59 of the 64 initial items remained in the questionnaire. To collect the evaluation of experts, we used the content validity index, obtaining high indices for relevance and ambiguity (0.99) as well as for clarity and simplicity (0.98). The final questionnaire included 24 questions with 59 items. We ensured construct validity and reliability through psychometric validation based on the Classical Test Theory and the Item–Response Theory (Rasch model). We found significant statistical differences comparing the groups of nutrition knowledgeable participants with the rest of the groups (ANOVA p < 0.001). We verified the questionnaire for test–retest reliability (R = 0.895, p < 0.001) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.849). We successfully fit the questionnaire data to a rating scale model (global separation reliability of 0.861) and examined discrimination and difficulty indices for items. Finally, we validated the NUKYA questionnaire as an effective tool to appraise nutrition knowledge in athletes. This questionnaire can be used for guiding in educational interventions, studying the influence of nutrition knowledge on nutrient intake and assessing/monitoring sport nutritional knowledge in large groups.
Investigations on Alkanediols as Alternative Preservatives in a Nonionic Hydrophilic Cream
Authors: Sigg Melanie , Daniels Rolf
Published: November 2020

Alkanediols are often used as alternative antimicrobial preservatives for dermal formulations, e.g., hydrophilic creams. These substances show an antimicrobial effect due to their amphiphilic structure. At the same time, their amphiphilic behavior enables various interactions with the cream base itself. Therefore, the effect of four different alkanediols, namely 1,2-pentanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (hexylene glycol), 1,2-hexanediol, and 1,2-octanediol on the physical stability of a nonionic hydrophilic cream was investigated. Further, the incorporation of the alkanediols into lamellar structures of the cream was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. The interaction with the mixed crystals of the cream was found to increase with raising alkyl chain length of the added alkanediol. As a result, consistency and stability of the cream are slightly impaired. A test for efficacy of antimicrobial preservation according to the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.) revealed that the antimicrobial activity is directly linked to the length of the alkyl chain of the alkanediols. 2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol differs from both findings. This compound has non-vicinal hydroxy groups which result in a reduced amphiphilicity compared to the others. Consequently, it has a smaller impact on the colloidal structure of the cream and shows a comparatively low antimicrobial activity.
Variability in the Content of Phenolic Compounds in Plum Fruit
Authors: Liaudanskas Mindaugas , Okulevičiūtė Rugilė , Lanauskas Juozas , Kviklys Darius , Zymonė Kristina , Rendyuk Tamara , Žvikas Vaidotas , Uselis Nobertas , Janulis Valdimaras
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the composition and content of phenolic compounds in extracts of plum fruit. Fruit of 17 plum cultivars were analyzed. Fruit samples were collected in 2019 from fruit trees with “Myrobalan” (P. cerasifera Ehrh.) and “Wangenheim Prune” (P. domestica L.) rootstocks. The following glycosides of the flavonol group were identified: avicularin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, rutin, and an aglycone quercetin. Compounds of the flavan-3-ol group were identified, such as (+)-catechin, procyanidin C1, and procyanidin A2, along with chlorogenic acid attributed to phenolic acids and a non-phenolic cyclitol–quinic acid. Of all the analytes identified in plum fruit samples, quinic acid predominated, while chlorogenic acid predominated among all the identified phenolic compounds, and rutin predominated in the flavonol group. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that fruit samples of “Kubanskaya Kometa”, “Zarechnaya Raniaya”, “Duke of Edinburgh”, “Jubileum”, and “Favorita del Sultano” cultivars had different quantitative content of phenolic compounds from that observed in other samples. The highest total amount of phenolic compounds was found in the European plum samples of the “Zarechnaya Rannyaya” cultivar, while the amount of quinic acid was the highest in plum fruit samples of the “Jubileum” cultivar.
In-silico Exploration of Channel Type and Efflux Silicon Transporters and Silicification Proteins in 80 Sequenced Viridiplantae Genomes
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Amjad , Azeem Farrukh , Zakharenko Alexander Mikhailovich , Lin Xiao , Atif Rana Muhammad , Baloch Faheem Shehzad , Chan Ting-Fung , Chung Gyuhwa , Ham Junghee , Sun Sangmi , Golokhvast Kirill S.
Published: November 2020

Silicon (Si) accumulation protects plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. It is transported and distributed within the plant body through a cooperative system of channel type (e.g., OsLsi1) and efflux (Lsi2s e.g., OsLsi2) Si transporters (SITs) that belong to Noduline-26 like intrinsic protein family of aquaporins and an uncharacterized anion transporter family, respectively. Si is deposited in plant tissues as phytoliths and the process is known as biosilicification but the knowledge about the proteins involved in this process is limited. In the present study, we explored channel type SITs and Lsi2s, and siliplant1 protein (Slp1) in 80 green plant species. We found 80 channel type SITs and 133 Lsi2s. The channel type SITs characterized by the presence of two NPA motifs, GSGR or STAR selectivity filter, and 108 amino acids between two NPA motifs were absent from Chlorophytes, while Streptophytes evolved two different types of channel type SITs with different selectivity filters. Both channel type SITs and Lsi2s evolved two types of gene structures each, however, Lsi2s are ancient and were also found in Chlorophyta. Homologs of Slp1 (225) were present in almost all Streptophytes regardless of their Si accumulation capacity. In Si accumulator plant species, the Slp1s were characterized by the presence of H, D-rich domain, P, K, E-rich domain, and P, T, Y-rich domain, while moderate Si accumulators lacked H, D-rich domain and P, T, Y-rich domains. The digital expression analysis and coexpression networks highlighted the role of channel type and Lsi2s, and how Slp1 homologs were ameliorating plants’ ability to withstand different stresses by co-expressing with genes related to structural integrity and signaling. Together, the in-silico exploration made in this study increases our knowledge of the process of biosilicification in plants.
An Agricultural Products Supply Chain Management to Optimize Resources and Carbon Emission Considering Variable Production Rate: Case of Nonperishable Corps
Authors: Alkahtani Mohammed , Omair Muhammad , Khalid Qazi Salman , Hussain Ghulam , Sarkar Biswajit
Published: November 2020

The management of the man–machine interaction is essential to achieve a competitive advantage among production firms and is more highlighted in the processing of agricultural products. The agricultural industry is underdeveloped and requires a transformation in technology. Advances in processing agricultural products (agri-product) are essential to achieve a smart production rate with good quality and to control waste. This research deals with modelling of a controllable production rate by a combination of the workforce and machines to minimize the total cost of production. The optimization of the carbon emission variable and management of the imperfection in processing makes the model eco-efficient. The perishability factor in the model is ignored due to the selection of a single sugar processing firm in the supply chain with a single vendor for the pragmatic application of the proposed research. A non-linear production model is developed to provide an economic benefit to the firms in terms of the minimum total cost with variable cycle time, workforce, machines, and plant production rate. A numerical experiment is performed by utilizing the data set of the agri-processing firm. A derivative free approach, i.e., algebraic approach, is utilized to find the best solution. The sensitivity analysis is performed to support the managers for the development of agricultural product supply chain management (Agri-SCM).
A Novel Scheme for Merging Active and Passive Satellite Soil Moisture Retrievals Based on Maximizing the Signal to Noise Ratio
Authors: Mousa B. G. , Shu Hong , Freeshah Mohamed , Tariq Aqil
Published: November 2020

In this research, we developed and evaluated a new scheme for merging soil moisture (SM) retrievals from both passive and active microwave satellite estimates, based on maximized signal-to-noise ratios, in order to produce improved SM products using least-squares theory. The fractional mean-squared-error (fMSE) derived from the triple collocation method (TCM) was used for this purpose. The proposed scheme was applied by using a threshold between signal and noise at fMSE equal to 0.5 to maintain the high-quality SM observations. In the regions where TCM is unreliable, we propose four scenarios based on the determinations of correlations between all three SM products of TCM at significance levels (i.e., p-values). The proposed scheme was applied to combine SM retrievals from Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT), and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) to produce SMAP+ASCAT and AMSR2+ASCAT SM datasets at a global scale for the period from June 2015 to December 2017. The merged SM dataset performance was assessed against SM data from ground measurements of international soil moisture network (ISMN), Global Land Data Assimilation System-Noah (GLDAS-Noah) and ERA5. The results show that the two merged SM datasets showed significant improvement over their parent products in the high average temporal correlation coefficients (R) and the lowest root mean squared difference (RMSE), compared with in-situ measurements over different networks of ISMN. Moreover, these datasets outperformed their parent products over different land cover types in most regions of the world, with a high overall average temporal R and the lowest overall average RMSE value with GLDAS and ERA5. In addition, the suggested scenarios improved SM performance in the regions with unreliable TCMs.
A Modified Cartesian Factorized Backprojection Algorithm Integrating with Non-Start-Stop Model for High Resolution SAR Imaging
Authors: Liang Da , Zhang Heng , Fang Tingzhu , Lin Haoyu , Liu Dacheng , Jia Xiaoxue
Published: November 2020

High resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging has extensive application value especially in military reconnaissance and disaster monitoring. The motion of the satellite during the transmission and reception of the signal introduces notable errors in the high resolution SAR spotlight mode, which will lead to a defocused SAR image if not handled. To address this problem, an accurate correct echo model based on non-start-stop model is derived to describe the property of the SAR signal in the paper. Then, in the imaging processing, an azimuth-time-varying range frequency modulation rate is used for range compression. The range history and compensation phase are also derived based on the correct echo model. Then, combining the correct echo model and Cartesian factorized backprojection (CFBP) algorithm, a modified CFBP algorithm is proposed for SAR imaging to improve the accuracy and efficiency of processing. Besides, the influence of residual error due to mismatch is analyzed in detail. In the end, the simulation experiment and Gaofen-3 (GF-3) data experiment are carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm.
A Novel Smart Energy Management as a Service over a Cloud Computing Platform for Nanogrid Appliances
Authors: Alhasnawi Bilal Naji , Jasim Basil H. , Esteban Maria Dolores , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: November 2020

There will be a dearth of electrical energy in the world in the future due to exponential increase in electrical energy demand of rapidly growing world population. With the development of Internet of Things (IoT), more smart appliances will be integrated into homes in smart cities that actively participate in the electricity market by demand response programs to efficiently manage energy in order to meet this increasing energy demand. Thus, with this incitement, the energy management strategy using a price-based demand response program is developed for IoT-enabled residential buildings. We propose a new EMS for smart homes for IoT-enabled residential building smart devices by scheduling to minimize cost of electricity, alleviate peak-to-average ratio, correct power factor, automatic protective appliances, and maximize user comfort. In this method, every home appliance is interfaced with an IoT entity (a data acquisition module) with a specific IP address, which results in a wide wireless system of devices. There are two components of the proposed system: software and hardware. The hardware is composed of a base station unit (BSU) and many terminal units (TUs). The software comprises Wi-Fi network programming as well as system protocol. In this study, a message queue telemetry transportation (MQTT) broker was installed on the boards of BSU and TU. In this paper, we present a low-cost platform for the monitoring and helping decision making about different areas in a neighboring community for efficient management and maintenance, using information and communication technologies. The findings of the experiments demonstrated the feasibility and viability of the proposed method for energy management in various modes. The proposed method increases effective energy utilization, which in turn increases the sustainability of IoT-enabled homes in smart cities. The proposed strategy automatically responds to power factor correction, to protective home appliances, and to price-based demand response programs to combat the major problem of the demand response programs, which is the limitation of consumer’s knowledge to respond upon receiving demand response signals. The schedule controller proposed in this paper achieved an energy saving of 6.347 kWh real power per day, this paper achieved saving 7.282 kWh apparent power per day, and the proposed algorithm in our paper saved $2.3228388 per day.
Efficient Operation of the Hybrid Power System Using an Optimal Fueling Strategy and Control of the Fuel Cell Power Based on the Required Power Tracking Algorithm
Authors: Bizon Nicu , Thounthong Phatiphat , Guilbert Damien
Published: November 2020

In this paper, four fuel economy strategies using power tracking control of the fuel cell boost converter and fuel cell optimization through the control of the fueling regulators were analyzed. The performance and safe operation in conditions of load disturbances and variations of renewable energy were considered. A benchmark strategy was used as a well-known strategy, which was based on the static feed-forward control of the fueling regulators. One of the four strategies is new and was based on switching the optimization reference to air and fuel regulators based on a threshold of the required power from the fuel cell system. The advantages of using the power tracking control and the optimization based on two variables instead of one are highlighted in sizing the battery capacity and its lifetime, and obtaining fuel economy respectively. The percentages of fuel economy for the analyzed strategies compared to the reference strategy are between 2.83% and 4.36%, and between 7.69% and 12.94%, in the case of a dynamic load cycle with an average of 5 kW and 2.5 kW, respectively.
Working with Children with ADHD—A Latent Profile Analysis of Teachers’ and Psychotherapists’ Attitudes
Authors: Dort Martina , Strelow Anna Enrica , Schwinger Malte , Christiansen Hanna
Published: November 2020

A positive attitude of teachers and psychotherapists towards children with ADHD can both support their mutual relationship and support reducing ADHD-related symptoms. According to Fishbein and Ajzen’s rational-choice approach, attitude formation is based on a person’s expectations and the appraisal of these, thus attitude, therefore, differs individually. The present study aimed to identify different attitude profiles based on our participants’ answer patterns on the ADHD-school-expectation questionnaire’s (ASE) subscales, and to examine which attitude profile would be desirable for professionals working with children with ADHD. We conducted a latent profile analysis and investigated differences between the latent profiles. Our analysis revealed three attitude profiles characterized by negative, moderate and extreme ratings of expectations. The attitude profiles differed in further variables such as the use and effectiveness of rating classroom management strategies, knowledge of ADHD, perceived control, stress and strain, as well as some personality traits. The extreme rating profile seems to be beneficial for children with ADHD, whereas the moderate rating profile might appeal to certain professionals.
“Sustainable City”: A Steam Project Using Robotics to Bring the City of the Future to Primary Education Students
Authors: Ruiz Vicente Francisco , Zapatera Llinares Alberto , Montés Sánchez Nicolás
Published: November 2020

This article presents a STEAM project, “Sustainable City”, based on educational robotics whose objective is to bring the problems of climate change closer to primary school students. The participants were 30 students (aged 10–11) from 5th year of Primary Education and the project consisted of 14 sessions in which different active methodologies such as project-based learning, collaborative learning and the flipped classroom were carried out. A pre-test and a post-test were carried out and the results were better in the post-test, which indicates that the students improved their skills and increased their motivation. As a conclusion, this STEAM project, which is adapted to the Spanish LOMCE curriculum, can be a reference for other teachers to bring their students closer to the problem of environmental change through educational robotics and the use of active methodologies.
The Future of Money and the Central Bank Digital Currency Dilemma
Authors: Viñuela Carlos , Sapena Juan , Wandosell Gonzalo
Published: November 2020

In this paper we set out a three-pillar monetary-financial framework to (i) analyze, categorize and compare past, current and emerging means of payment; to (ii) capture their creation and destruction processes through sectoral balance sheet dynamics; and to (iii) identify the inherent risks to the current monetary-financial system, also known as the fractional reserve banking system. These risks, which stem from sudden shifts in money demand and supply, are as follows: (I) risk of a cashless society; (II) risk of structural bank disintermediation; (III) risk of systemic bank runs; (IV) risk of currency substitution; and (V) risk of economic and financial bubbles. This framework will guide the assessment of the central bank digital currencies (CBDC), which are considered as the next step in monetary evolution. We will analyze two large groups of CBDC proposals: (i) proposals aimed at complementing cash and bank deposits; and (ii) proposals aimed at replacing all bank deposits with CBDCs. We find that once CBDCs are issued in both sets of proposals, there is always a trade-off between low levels of (I), (IV), (V), risks and high levels of (II) risk. This trade-off could also be defined as the CBDC dilemma, which states that in most CBDC proposals it is impossible to have both of the following at the same time: (1) low levels of (I), (IV) and (V) risks; and (2) low levels of (II) risk. Finally, we suggest that further research on CBDCs should focus on the second group of proposals on a phase-in basis in order to also mitigate the structural bank disintermediation risk and hence to overcome the CBDC dilemma.
The Influence of International Education Experience on Host Country-Related Outcomes: An Analysis of Chinese Students’ Relationships with South Korean Universities
Authors: Hong Hyehyun , Lee Suman , Tian Qianqian
Published: November 2020

Recognizing the globalization of higher education institutions, this study examined the influence of university–student relationships on host country-related outcomes, including student attitudes, purchase intentions, and policy support. A survey was conducted with Chinese students who had studied or who were currently studying at South Korean universities. Its results showed a significant positive association between Chinese student perceptions of their relationships with host universities and their attitudes toward South Korea. In addition, their positive attitudes led to (i) intentions to purchase Korean products and (ii) policy support for the Korean government. The theoretical and practical implications of study findings are discussed from the perspectives of public diplomacy and the university’s role in a highly globalized education system.
Heavy Quark Symmetry and Fine Structure of the Spectrum of Hadronic Dark Matter
Authors: Kuksa Vladimir , Beylin Vitaly
Published: November 2020

We analyze the structure of excited states of new heavy hadrons in the scenario with hadronic dark matter. Fine mass-splitting in a doublet of new mesons stipulates the existence of charged metastable heavy mesons. We describe the structure of new meson excited states in the framework of the heavy quark effective theory. Phenomenological consequences of fine and hyperfine splitting are considered in the hadronic dark matter scenario and beyond.
Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate (TCEP) Elicits Hepatotoxicity by Activating Human Cancer Pathway Genes in HepG2 Cells
Authors: M. Al-Salem Abdullah , Saquib Quaiser , Siddiqui Maqsood A. , Ahmad Javed , Al-Khedhairy Abdulaziz A.
Published: November 2020

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is one of the organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) used in consumer commodities and have been detected in human body fluids. Research on TCEP-induced transcriptomic alterations and toxicological consequences in liver cells is still lacking. Herein, human hepatocellular (HepG2) cells were treated with 100, 200, and 400 μM TCEP for 3 days to quantify hepatotoxicity by MTT, NRU, and comet assays. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), oxidative stress, and Ca2+ influx were measured by flow cytometry. A qPCR array was employed for transcriptomic analysis. MTT and NRU data showed 70.92% and 75.57% reduction in cell survival at 400 μM. In addition, 20-fold greater DNA damage was recorded at 400 μM. Cell cycle data showed 65.96% subG1 apoptotic peak in 400 μM treated cells. An elevated level of oxidative stress, esterase, Ca2+ influx, and ΔΨm dysfunction were recorded in TCEP-treated cells. Out of 84 genes, the qPCR array showed upregulation of 17 genes and downregulation of 10 key genes belonging to human cancer pathways. Our study endorses the fact that TCEP possesses hepatotoxic potential at higher concentrations and prolonged exposure. Hence, TCEP may act as a cancer-inducing entity by provoking the gene network of human cancer pathways.
Mass Occurrence of Anatoxin-a- and Dihydroanatoxin-a-Producing Tychonema sp. in Mesotrophic Reservoir Mandichosee (River Lech, Germany) as a Cause of Neurotoxicosis in Dogs
Authors: Bauer Franziska , Fastner Jutta , Bartha-Dima Bernadett , Breuer Wolfram , Falkenau Almuth , Mayer Christian , Raeder Uta
Published: November 2020

In August 2019, three dogs died after bathing in or drinking from Mandichosee, a mesotrophic reservoir of the River Lech (Germany). The dogs showed symptoms of neurotoxic poisoning and intoxication with cyanotoxins was considered. Surface blooms were not visible at the time of the incidents. Benthic Tychonema sp., a potential anatoxin-a (ATX)-producing cyanobacterium, was detected in mats growing on the banks, as biofilm on macrophytes and later as aggregations floating on the lake surface. The dogs’ pathological examinations showed lung and liver lesions. ATX and dihydroanatoxin-a (dhATX) were detected by LC-MS/MS in the stomachs of two dogs and reached concentrations of 563 and 1207 µg/L, respectively. Anatoxins (sum of ATX and dhATX, ATXs) concentrations in field samples from Mandichosee ranged from 0.1 µg/L in the open water to 68,000 µg/L in samples containing a large amount of mat material. Other (neuro)toxic substances were not found. A molecular approach was used to detect toxin genes by PCR and to reveal the cyanobacterial community composition by sequencing. Upstream of Mandichosee, random samples were taken from other Lech reservoirs, uncovering Tychonema and ATXs at several sampling sites. Similar recent findings emphasize the importance of focusing on the investigation of benthic toxic cyanobacteria and applying appropriate monitoring strategies in the future.
Vaccination Attitude and Communication in Early Settings: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Mereu Noemi , Mereu Alessandra , Murgia Alessandra , Liori Arianna , Piga Michela , Argiolas Federico , Salis Graziella , Santus Simonetta , Porcu Carmela , Contu Paolo , Sardu Claudia
Published: November 2020

Background: This study assesses attitudes towards vaccination in mothers of new-born babies and explores its association with different exposures to communication. Methods: Data were collected through questionnaires administered by means of interviews. Results: Data highlighted that 20% of mothers showed an orientation towards vaccine hesitancy. As for the reasons behind the attitude to vaccine hesitancy, data showed that concern is a common feature. As for the different exposures to communication, 49% of mothers did not remember having received or looked for any information about vaccination during pregnancy and post-partum; 25% stated they received information from several healthcare and non-healthcare sources; 26% declared having received or looked for information by means of healthcare and non-healthcare sources, as well as having taken part in a specific meeting during antenatal classes or at birth centres. The attitude towards vaccine hesitancy tends to reduce as exposure to different communication increases. Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that participation in interactive meetings in small groups focused on vaccination during the prenatal course or at the birth point may act as an enabling factor contributing to a decrease in the tendency to experience vaccine hesitation.
Assessment of Population Exposure to Urban Flood at the Building Scale
Authors: Zhu Shaonan , Dai Qiang , Zhao Binru , Shao Jiaqi
Published: November 2020

The assessment of populations affected by urban flooding is crucial for flood prevention and mitigation but is highly influenced by the accuracy of population datasets. The population distribution is related to buildings during the urban floods, so assessing the population at the building scale is more rational for the urban floods, which is possible due to the abundance of multi-source data and advances in GIS technology. Therefore, this study assesses the populations affected by urban floods through population mapping at the building scale using highly correlated point of interest (POI) data. The population distribution is first mapped by downscaling the grid-based WorldPop population data to the building scale. Then, the population affected by urban floods is estimated by superimposing the population data sets onto flood areas, with flooding simulated by the LISFLOOD-FP hydrodynamic model. Finally, the proposed method is applied to Lishui City in southeast China. The results show that the population affected by urban floods is significantly reduced for different rainstorm scenarios when using the building-scale population instead of WorldPop. In certain areas, populations not captured by WorldPop can be identified using the building-scale population. This study provides a new method for estimating populations affected by urban flooding.
Influence of Calibration Parameter Selection on Flash Flood Simulation for Small to Medium Catchments with MISDc-2L Model
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Tu , He Wei , Zhu Yonghua , Lü Haishen
Published: November 2020

It is of great challenge to accurately predict flash floods for small to medium catchments (SMC) in mountainous areas, for which parameter calibration strategies are crucial for model performance. This study investigates the influence of calibration parameter selection on flash flood simulations using a rainfall–runoff model, MISDc-2L (Modello Idrologico Semi-Distribuito in continuo–2 layers), at hourly scale for SMC in the Huai River basin of China over the 2010–2015 period. We investigated model performances under different calibration schemes, where different amounts of model parameters were selected for the calibration procedure. The model clearly performed better in the case involving calibration of partial sensitive parameters than that of a full parameter set with respect to the peaks, the hydrographs and the base-flow of flood simulation, especially after including maximum water capacity (W_max) in the calibration. This finding was consistently valid under different model calibration experiments, including single event, “split-sample” test and combined events at different flood magnitude levels. We further found that the model performed better for high magnitude flood events than medium and low ones, but clear improvements can be achieved for low and medium magnitude flood events with careful calibration parameter selection. Our study suggests that calibration parameter selection is important for flash flood event simulations with the MISDc-2L model for SMC in the Huai River basin of China; specifically, the reduction in calibration parameter amount and the inclusion of W_max in calibration remarkably improve flood simulation.
Sensitivity Analysis of the MOHID-Land Hydrological Model: A Case Study of the Ulla River Basin
Authors: Oliveira Ana R. , Ramos Tiago B. , Simionesei Lucian , Pinto Lígia , Neves Ramiro
Published: November 2020

Hydrological models are increasingly used for studying watershed behavior and its response to past and future events. The main objective of this study was to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the MOHID-Land model and identify the most relevant parameters/processes influencing river flow generation. MOHID-Land is a complex, physically based, three-dimensional model used for catchment-scale applications. A reference simulation was implemented in the Ulla River watershed, northwestern Spain. The sensitivity analysis focused on sixteen parameters/processes influencing water dynamics at that scale. River flow generation was influenced by the resolution of the simulation grid, soil water infiltration, and crop evapotranspiration. Baseflow was affected by soil hydraulic properties, the depth of the soil profile, and the dimensions of the river cross-sections. Peak flows were mostly constrained by Manning’s coefficient in the river network, as well as the dimensions of the river cross-sections. The MOHID-Land model was then used to simulate daily streamflow during a 10-year period (2008−2017). Model simulations were compared against measured data at four hydrometric stations characterizing the natural flow regime of the Ulla River, resulting in coefficients of determination (R2) from 0.56 to 0.85; ratios of the standard deviation of the root mean square error to observation (RSR) between 0.4 and 0.67, and Nash and Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) values ranging from 0.55 to 0.84. The MOHID-Land model thus has the capacity to reproduce watershed behavior at a daily scale with reliable accuracy, constituting a powerful tool to improve water governance at the watershed scale.
Impact of Safe Water Programs on Water Treatment Practices of People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Ethiopia, 2008
Authors: Kim Sunkyung , O’Reilly Ciara E. , Abayneh Sisay A. , Bhattarai Achuyt , Ahmed Jelaludin , Mekonnen Alemayehu , Salah Zainab , Quick Rob
Published: November 2020

Household water chlorination has been shown to reduce diarrhea incidence among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV). Some HIV programs in Ethiopia previously provided a socially marketed chlorination product (brand name WuhaAgar) to prevent diarrhea. To evaluate the program, we compared WuhaAgar use and water treatment practices between 795 clients from 20 antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics and 795 community members matched by age, sex, and neighborhood. Overall, 19% of study participants reported water treatment with WuhaAgar. Being an ART clinic client was associated with reported treatment of drinking water (matched odds ratios (mOR): 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9–5.0), reported current water treatment with WuhaAgar (mOR: 5.5, 95% CI 3.9–7.7), and bottles of WuhaAgar observed in the home (mOR: 8.8, 95% CI 5.4–14.3). Being an ART clinic client was also associated with reported diarrhea among respondents (mOR: 4.8, 95% CI 2.9–7.9) and household members (mOR:2.8, 95% CI: 1.9–4.2) in the two weeks preceding the survey. Results suggest that promoting and distributing water chlorination products in ART clinics was effective in increasing access to and use of water treatment products among PLHIV. The positive association between ART clinic attendees and diarrhea likely resulted from the immunocompromised status of ART clinic clients.
ANALISIS PEMBERIAN REWARD PADA SISTEM INFORMASI MANAJEMEN KEPEGAWAIAN DI PT. SWAMEDIA INFORMATIKA
Authors: Andriana Anna Dara , Susanto Rani
Published: November 2020

Sistem Informasi Manajemen Kepegawaian atau SIM Kepegawaian bertujuan untuk memastikan agar perusahaan dapat mencapai tujuan strategisnya dengan memiliki karyawan selaku sumber daya manusia yang dapat diandalkan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan perusahaan baik secara kualitas maupun kuantitas. SIM Kepegawaian terdiri dari beberapa modul yang saling terintegrasi untuk menghasilkan informasi yang bermutu untuk menunjang keputusan manajemen kepegegawaian di perusahaan. Pemberian Reward kepada Karyawan merupakan salah satu modul dari SIM Kepegawaian yang penting karena reward merupakan bentuk apresiasi dari perusahaan kepada karyawan dengan harapan sebagai motivasi bagi karyawan untuk berprestasi dalam mencapai tujuan perusahaan. Masalah yang terjadi di perusahaan ini yaitu pada saat penentuan karyawan yang berhak mendapatkan reward. Penilaian yang sekarang dilakukan masih belum memperhatikan tingkat kepentingan di setiap kriteria penilaian sehingga sering terjadinya kesalahan penilaian dan pemberian reward kepada karyawan. Oleh karena itu, pemberian reward kepada karyawan harus dilakukan dengan baik dan dapat dipertanggungjawabkan. Metode Analytical Hierarchy Process atau disebut dengan AHP digunakan untuk membantu dalam kegiatan penentuan karyawan yang berhak mendapatkan reward. Metode AHP merupakan metode untuk memecahkan suatu situasi yang kompleks yang tidak terstruktur kedalam suatu komponen dan susunan hierarki dengan memberikan nilai subjektif dan menetapkan variable mana yang memiliki prioritas paling tinggi. Metode ini dapat memberikan rekomendasi pemberian reward kepada karyawan berdasarkan nilai paling tinggi sebagai nilai terbaik.

 

Kata Kunci: Sistem Informasi Manajemen Kepegawaian, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Reward
STRATEGI PENGELOLAAN KEBUN BINATANG BANDUNG DALAM MENGHADAPI TANTANGAN NEW NORMAL
Authors: Suherlan Afifa Magfhira , Ilham Rizky Muhammad , Warlina Lia
Published: November 2020

Kota Bandung memilikit tempat wisata yang cukup besar dan bisa mengedukasi masyarakat ketika berkunjung yaitu Bandung Zoological Garden (BAZOGA) atau biasa disebut Kebun Binatang Bandung. Kebun Binatang merupakan salah satu lembaga konservasi ex-situ yang harus memperhatikan kesejahteraan satwa dengan memenuhi seluruh standar minimum kesejahteraannya. Kawasan konservasi ini berada di kecamatan Coblong dan memiliki luas ± 13 hektar serta keragaman satwa di dalamnya. Fungsi kebun binatang yang menyediakan beragam jenis pepohonan di perkotaan dapat menjadi paru-paru kota. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui strategi apa dalam menghadapi new normal di Kebun Binatang Bandung. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan adalah dengan mengumpulkan data primer dan sekunder. Data primer diperoleh dengan observasi langsung ke Kebun Binatang Bandung. Metode analisis yang digunakan penelitian ini adalah analisis SWOT. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah teridentifikasinya potensi serta permasalahan yang dimiliki oleh Kebun Binatang Bandung. Potensi yang dimiliki kebun Binatang Bandung diantara lain : (1)adanya beberapa koleksi satwa baru yaitu satwa asli afrika, (2)area bird aviary baru yang memungkinkan wisatawan berinteraki secra langsung dengan burung. Adapun kelemahan yang dimiliki oleh Kebun Binatang Bandung yaitu : (1)penjualan tiket belum dilakukan secara online atau komputerisasi, (2)masih banyaknya koleksi hewan reptile yang kosong, (3)foodcourt ditutup sementara pada saat era New Normal. Strategi dalam pengelolaan wisata Kebun binatang Bandung dalam masa New Normal ini adalah berikut ini. Pertama, perlu disediakan pembelian tiket dengan sistem pemesanan tiket secara online atau pembelin tiket secara online maupun komputerisasi. Kedua, dengan mengisi kekosogan area reptile sehingga memperbanyak ilmu dalam penetahuan hewan dan menambah koleksi satwa yang ada di Kebun Binatang Bandun. Ketiga, dengan memberlakukan sistem pembayaran non-tunai dan mengatur posisi tempat duduk di area foodcourt. 

Kata kunci: Kebun Binatang, New Normal, SWOT