bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of High Temperature Synthesis on the Structure of Graphitic Carbon Nitride and Its Hydrogen Generation Ability
Authors: Alwin Emilia , Kočí Kamila , Wojcieszak Robert , Zieliński Michał , Edelmannová Miroslava , Pietrowski Mariusz
Published: June 2020

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was obtained by thermal polymerization of dicyandiamide, thiourea or melamine at high temperatures (550 and 600 °C), using different heating rates (2 or 10 °C min−1) and synthesis times (0 or 4 h). The effects of the synthesis conditions and type of the precursor on the efficiency of g-C3N4 were studied. The most efficient was the synthesis from dicyandiamide, 53%, while the efficiency in the process of synthesis from melamine and thiourea were much smaller, 26% and 11%, respectively. On the basis of the results provided by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA), the best precursor and the optimum conditions of synthesis of g-C3N4 were identified to get the product of the most stable structure, the highest degree of ordering and condensation of structure and finally the highest photocatalytic activity. It was found that as the proton concentration decreased and the degree of condensation increased, the hydrogen yields during the photocatalytic decomposition of water–methanol solution were significantly enhanced. The generation of hydrogen was 1200 µmol g−1 and the selectivity towards hydrogen of more than 98%.
Orhonormal Wavelet Bases on The 3D Ball Via Volume Preserving Map from the Regular Octahedron
Authors: Holhoş Adrian , Roşca Daniela
Published: June 2020

We construct a new volume preserving map from the unit ball B 3 to the regular 3D octahedron, both centered at the origin, and its inverse. This map will help us to construct refinable grids of the 3D ball, consisting in diameter bounded cells having the same volume. On this 3D uniform grid, we construct a multiresolution analysis and orthonormal wavelet bases of L 2 ( B 3 ) , consisting in piecewise constant functions with small local support.
CFD Investigation of Bath Flow and Its Related Alumina Transmission in Aluminum Reduction Cells: Slotted Anodes and Busbar Designs
Authors: Zhu Jiaming , Li Jie , Zhang Hongliang
Published: June 2020

Alumina is an indispensable raw material for the modern aluminum electrolysis industry. The distribution and transmission of alumina within the bath is of great significance to maintain stable operation and reduce energy consumption. In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to investigate the bath flow and its related alumina transmission in aluminum reduction cells. The bath flow driven by bubbles, electromagnetic force, and aluminum flow presented two different sized vortices in the horizontal plane of the anode–cathode distance (ACD). Both numerical results and industrial data show that the average alumina concentration in the half-cell at the duct end is slightly larger than that of the tap end. With the application of slotted anodes, the maximum velocity of the bath flow increased and the average velocity decreased slightly in the horizontal plane, resulting in a more uniform distribution of alumina than that in the use of unslotted anodes. The symmetrical nature of the bath flow vortices became more obvious with the upgrade of the busbar design and the alumina concentration gradient became smaller within the bath.
3D Printed Monolithic Microreactors for Real-Time Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae and the Resistance Gene blaNDM-1 by Recombinase Polymerase Amplification
Authors: Behrmann Ole , Hügle Matthias , Eckardt Franz , Bachmann Iris , Heller Cecilia , Schramm Marina , Turner Carrie , Hufert Frank , Dame Gregory
Published: June 2020

We investigate the compatibility of three 3D printing materials towards real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (rtRPA). Both the general ability of the rtRPA reaction to occur while in contact with the cured 3D printing materials as well as the residual autofluorescence and fluorescence drift in dependence on post curing of the materials is characterized. We 3D printed monolithic rtRPA microreactors and subjected the devices to different post curing protocols. Residual autofluorescence and drift, as well as rtRPA kinetics, were then measured in a custom-made mobile temperature-controlled fluorescence reader (mTFR). Furthermore, we investigated the effects of storage on the devices over a 30-day period. Finally, we present the single- and duplex rtRPA detection of both the organism-specific Klebsiella haemolysin (khe) gene and the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (blaNDM-1) gene from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results: No combination of 3D printing resin and post curing protocol completely inhibited the rtRPA reaction. The autofluorescence and fluorescence drift measured were found to be highly dependent on printing material and wavelength. Storage had the effect of decreasing the autofluorescence of the investigated materials. Both khe and blaNDM-1 were successfully detected by single- and duplex-rtRPA inside monolithic rtRPA microreactors printed from NextDent Ortho Clear (NXOC). The reaction kinetics were found to be close to those observed for rtRPA performed in a microcentrifuge tube without the need for mixing during amplification. Singleplex assays for both khe and blaNDM-1 achieved a limit of detection of 2.5 × 101 DNA copies while the duplex assay achieved 2.5 × 101 DNA copies for khe and 2.5 × 102 DNA copies for blaNDM-1. Impact: We expand on the state of the art by demonstrating a technology that can manufacture monolithic microfluidic devices that are readily suitable for rtRPA. The devices exhibit very low autofluorescence and fluorescence drift and are compatible with RPA chemistry without the need for any surface pre-treatment such as blocking with, e.g., BSA or PEG.
Location-Based Games and the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Responses from Game Developers and Players
Authors: Laato Samuli , Laine Teemu H. , Islam A.K.M. Najmul
Published: June 2020

In early 2020, as a countermeasure to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments issued limitations on the movements of their citizens, cancelling social events and advising people to stay home. As location-based games (LBGs) have been found to influence human movement, their role during COVID-19 deserves closer inspection. Under regular circumstances, the very aim of these games is to motivate people to go out, explore and meet other people. However, during COVID-19, people were advised to do the exact opposite. To study how LBG developers and players reacted to the situation, we used the netnography research method utilizing three types of data: (1) COVID-19 related in-game changes made by seven popular LBG developers during March 2020; (2) social media reactions on 20 posts across three popular Pokémon GO subreddits; and (3) the raiding activity (collaborative play) in Pokémon GO in a Finnish municipality during February–May 2020. All observed LBGs made in-game changes due to COVID-19. The social media reactions showed overwhelming appreciation towards these changes, and two central second order themes arose: (1) LBGs have the ability to influence human movement during pandemics; and (2) people should be able to self-regulate their behaviour during COVID-19 independent of LBG influence. Surprisingly, recorded Pokémon GO player activity in Finland was more influenced by offered in-game rewards than the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings have implications on how games and gamification can be used to direct human movement in situations such as COVID-19 where population-level interventions are needed.
Influence of Nitrate Supplementation on Endurance Cyclic Sports Performance: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lorenzo Calvo Jorge , Alorda-Capo Francesca , Pareja-Galeano Helios , Jiménez Sergio L.
Published: June 2020

Endurance can be defined as the capacity to maintain one’s velocity or power output for the longest possible time. Maintaining such activity can lead to the onset of fatigue. Dietary nitrate supplementation produces an ergogenic effect due to the improvement of mitochondrial oxygen efficiency through a reduction in the oxygen cost of exercise that increases vasodilation and blood flow to the skeletal muscle in recreationally active subjects. However, the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on well-trained endurance athletes remain unclear; such supplementation could affect more performance areas. In the present study, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to clarify the use and effects of nitrate as a dietary supplement in endurance athletes trained in cyclic sports (repetitive movement sports). A systematic search was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the databases of SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), Medline (PubMed), and Sport Discus from 1 January 2010 to 30 November 2019. Twenty-seven studies were included in the study. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed using the McMaster Critical Review Form. Statistically significant ergogenic results were obtained in 8 (29.63%) of the 27 studies investigated, with significant results obtained for cardiorespiratory parameters and performance measures. Improvement in exercise tolerance was obtained, which could help with exhaustion over time, while the improvement in exercise economics was not as clear. Additionally, the dose necessary for this ergogenic effect seems to have a direct relationship with the physical condition of the athlete. The acute dose is around 6–12.4 mmol/day of nitrate administered 2–3 h before the activity, with the same amount given as a chronic dose over 6–15 days. Further studies are required to understand the factors that affect the potential ergogenic impacts of nitrate on athletic performance among endurance athletes.
Covid-19 Confinement and Changes of Adolescent’s Dietary Trends in Italy, Spain, Chile, Colombia and Brazil
Authors: Ruiz-Roso María Belén , de Carvalho Padilha Patricia , Mantilla-Escalante Diana C. , Ulloa Natalia , Brun Paola , Acevedo-Correa Diofanor , Arantes Ferreira Peres Wilza , Martorell Miquel , Aires Mariana Tschoepke , de Oliveira Cardoso Letícia , Carrasco-Marín Fernanda , Paternina-Sierra Katherine , Rodriguez-Meza Jhon E. , Montero Piedad M. , Bernabè Giulia , Pauletto Anthony , Taci Xhoajda , Visioli Francesco , Dávalos Alberto
Published: June 2020

Confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic can influence dietary profiles, especially those of adolescents, who are highly susceptible to acquiring bad eating habits. Adolescents’ poor dietary habits increase their subsequent risk of degenerative diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, etc. Our aim was to study nutritional modifications during COVID-19 confinement in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, compare them with their usual diet and dietary guidelines, and identify variables that may have influenced changes. Data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire on food intake among 820 adolescents from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. The results show that COVID-19 confinement did influence their dietary habits. In particular, we recorded modified consumption of fried food, sweet food, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Moreover, gender, family members at home, watching TV during mealtime, country of residence, and maternal education were diversely correlated with adequate nutrition during COVID-19 confinement. Understanding the adolescents’ nutrition behavior during COVID-19 lockdown will help public health authorities reshape future policies on their nutritional recommendations, in preparation for future pandemics.
Chirally Improved Quark Pauli Blocking in Nuclear Matter and Applications to Quark Deconfinement in Neutron Stars
Authors: Blaschke David , Grigorian Hovik , Röpke Gerd
Published: June 2020

The relativistic mean field (RMF) model of the nuclear matter equation of state was modified by including the effect of Pauli-blocking owing to quark exchange between the baryons. Different schemes of a chiral enhancement of the quark Pauli blocking was suggested according to the adopted density dependence of the dynamical quark mass. The resulting equations of state for the pressure are compared to the RMF model DD2 with excluded volume correction. On the basis of this comparison a density-dependent nucleon volume is extracted which parameterizes the quark Pauli blocking effect in the respective scheme of chiral enhancement. The dependence on the isospin asymmetry is investigated and the corresponding density dependent nuclear symmetry energy is obtained in fair accordance with phenomenological constraints. The deconfinement phase transition is obtained by a Maxwell construction with a quark matter phase described within a higher order NJL model. Solutions for rotating and nonrotating (hybrid) compact star sequences are obtained, which show the effect of high-mass twin compact star solutions for the rotating case.
Gastro-Splenic Fistula Related to Large B Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Triantafyllopoulou Diana , Gkikas Ioannis , Adiyodi Jagdish , Crossingham Iain , Al-Islam Shofiq , Alam Muhammad Shahbaz , Sahasrabudhe Neil , Kausar Ambareen , Ayub Ali Bin , Cowburn Hazel , Fox Lisa , Punekar Maqsood , Macheta Marian , Tooze Reuben
Published: June 2020

We report a case of spontaneous gastrosplenic fistula in a 57 year old female who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and weight loss. From the physical examination, she had a palpable abdominal mass. A CT scan was performed and showed a mass involving the proximal greater curve of the stomach, infiltrating the spleen and pancreas. There was a 12 mm defect in the cardia of the stomach with gas entering the large mass but there was no free gas in the abdomen. The defect was a gastrosplenic fistula. A gastroscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Surgical removal of the mass was not feasible; therefore she was treated with RCHOP chemotherapy, achieving complete remission.
Comparative Assessment of Machine Learning Methods for Urban Vegetation Mapping Using Multitemporal Sentinel-1 Imagery
Authors: Gašparović Mateo , Dobrinić Dino
Published: June 2020

Mapping of green vegetation in urban areas using remote sensing techniques can be used as a tool for integrated spatial planning to deal with urban challenges. In this context, multitemporal (MT) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data have not been equally investigated, as compared to optical satellite data. This research compared various machine learning methods using single-date and MT Sentinel-1 (S1) imagery. The research was focused on vegetation mapping in urban areas across Europe. Urban vegetation was classified using six classifiers—random forests (RF), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), AdaBoost.M1 (AB), and extreme learning machine (ELM). Whereas, SVM showed the best performance in the single-date image analysis, the MLP classifier yielded the highest overall accuracy in the MT classification scenario. Mean overall accuracy (OA) values for all machine learning methods increased from 57% to 77% with speckle filtering. Using MT SAR data, i.e., three and five S1 imagery, an additional increase in the OA of 8.59% and 13.66% occurred, respectively. Additionally, using three and five S1 imagery for classification, the F1 measure for forest and low vegetation land-cover class exceeded 90%. This research allowed us to confirm the possibility of MT C-band SAR imagery for urban vegetation mapping.
Fiber-Optic Based Smart Textiles for Real-Time Monitoring of Breathing Rate
Authors: Issatayeva Aizhan , Beisenova Aidana , Tosi Daniele , Molardi Carlo
Published: June 2020

Wearable light textiles are gaining widespread interest in application for measurement and monitoring of biophysical parameters. Fiber optic sensors, in particular Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, can be a competitive method for monitoring of respiratory behavior for chest and abdomen regions since the sensors are able to convert physical movement into wavelength shift. This study aims to show the performance of elastic belts with integrated optical fibers during the breathing activities done by two volunteers. Additionally, the work aims to determine how the positions of the volunteers affect the breathing pattern detected by optical fibers. As a reference, commercial mobile application for sensing vibration is used. The obtained results show that the FBGs are able to detect chest and abdomen movements during breathing and consequently reconstruct the breathing pattern. The accuracy of the results varies for two volunteers but remains consistent.
Active Health Monitoring of Thick Composite Structures by Embedded and Surface-Mounted Piezo Diagnostic Layer
Authors: Feng Tianyi , Bekas Dimitrios , Aliabadi M. H. Ferri
Published: June 2020

An effective approach for an embedded piezo diagnostic layer into thick composite material is presented. The effectiveness of the approach is assessed in comparison to the surface-mounted layer. The proposed manufacturing alleviates difficulties associated with trimming edges of composites when embedding wires. The Electro-Mechanical Impedance technique is used to access the integrity of the piezoelectric sensors bonding process. Comparisons of ultrasonic guided waves are made between embedded and surface-mounted diagnostic layers and their penetration through and across the thickness of the composites. Temperature influences with the range from −40 °C up to 80 °C on embedded and surface-mounted guided waves are investigated. An investigation is carried out into the relationship between amplitude and time-of-flight with temperature at different excitation frequencies. The temperature has significant but different effects on amplitude and phase-shift of guided waves for the embedded layer compared to the surface-mounted layer. A Laser Doppler Vibrometer is used to identify the blue tack and impact damage. Both embedded and surface-mounted layers are shown to be an effective means of generating detectable wave scatter from damage.
Label-Free and Reproducible Chemical Sensor Using the Vertical-Fluid-Array Induced Optical Fiber Long Period Grating (VIOLIN)
Authors: Hu Deming , Xu Zhiyuan , Long Junqiu , Xiao Peng , Liang Lili , Sun Lipeng , Liang Hao , Ran Yang , Guan Bai-Ou
Published: June 2020

Fiber optical refractometers have gained a substantial reputation in biological and chemical sensing domain regarding their label-free and remote-operation working mode. However, the practical breakthrough of the fiber optical bio/chemosensor is impeded by a lack of reconfigurability as well as the explicitness of the determination between bulk and surface refractive indices. In this letter, we further implement the highly flexible and reproducible long period grating called “VIOLIN” in chemical sensing area for the demonstration of moving those obstacles. In this configuration, the liquid is not only leveraged as the chemical carrier but also the periodic modulation of the optical fiber to facilitate the resonant signal. The thiol compound that is adsorbed by the fluidic substrate can be transduced to the pure alteration of the bulk refractive index of the liquid, which can be sensitively perceived by the resonant drift. Taking advantage of its freely dismantled feature, the VIOLIN sensor enables flexible reproduction and high throughput detection, yielding a new vision to the fiber optic biochemical sensing field.
A Method to Determine Human Skin Heat Capacity Using a Non-Invasive Calorimetric Sensor
Authors: Rodríguez de Rivera Pedro Jesús , Rodríguez de Rivera Miriam , Socorro Fabiola , Rodríguez de Rivera Manuel , Callicó Gustavo Marrero
Published: June 2020

A calorimetric sensor has been designed to measure the heat flow dissipated by a 2 × 2 cm2 skin surface. In this work, a non-invasive method is proposed to determine the heat capacity and thermal conductance of the area of skin where the measurement is made. The method consists of programming a linear variation of the temperature of the sensor thermostat during its application to the skin. The sensor is modelled as a two-inputs and two-outputs system. The inputs are (1) the power dissipated by the skin and transmitted by conduction to the sensor, and (2) the power dissipated in the sensor thermostat to maintain the programmed temperature. The outputs are (1) the calorimetric signal and (2) the thermostat temperature. The proposed method consists of a sensor modelling that allows the heat capacity of the element where dissipation takes place (the skin) to be identified, and the transfer functions (TF) that link the inputs and outputs are constructed from its value. These TFs allow the determination of the heat flow dissipated by the surface of the human body as a function of the temperature of the sensor thermostat. Furthermore, as this variation in heat flow is linear, we define and determine an equivalent thermal resistance of the skin in the measured area. The method is validated with a simulation and with experimental measurements on the surface of the human body.
The Use of the Reassignment Technique in the Time-Frequency Analysis Applied in VHF-Based Passive Forward Scattering Radar
Authors: Płotka Marek , Abratkiewicz Karol , Malanowski Mateusz , Samczyński Piotr , Kulpa Krzysztof
Published: June 2020

This paper presents the application of the time-frequency (TF) reassignment technique in passive forward scattering radar (FSR) using Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) transmitters of opportunity operating in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band. The validation of the proposed technique was done using real-life signals collected by the passive radar demonstrator during a measurement campaign. The scenario was chosen to test detection ranges and the capability of estimating the kinematic parameters of a cooperative airborne target in passive FSR geometry. Additionally, in the experiment the possibility of utilizing FSR geometry in foliage penetration conditions taking advantage of the VHF band of a DVB-T illuminator of opportunity was tested. The results presented in this paper show that the concentrated (reassigned) energy distribution of the signal in the TF domain allows a more precise target Doppler rate to be estimated using the Hough transform.
Evaluation of Fertilizer Value of Residues Obtained after Processing Household Organic Waste with Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)
Authors: Kawasaki Kiyonori , Kawasaki Toshiya , Hirayasu Hirofumi , Matsumoto Yoshiki , Fujitani Yasuhiro
Published: June 2020

The residue generated by the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) during the processing of organic waste is considered a suitable crop fertilizer. However, no detailed studies have investigated the fertilizer value of the residue obtained from processing household organic waste. In this study, experimental household organic waste (EHOW) was processed by BSF at 200 mg of EHOW per head for 15 days at 27 °C. To evaluate the fertilizer value of the obtained BSF larvae production residue (BSFR), the chemical composition and microbiota were analyzed, and Komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) cultivation tests were conducted. BSFR results demonstrated higher ammonium nitrogen and lower nitrate nitrogen, and the highest above-ground dry matter weight of Komatsuna. Although the relative abundance of Escherichia was low, the relative abundance of Xanthomonadaceae, which contains a genus that causes disease in plants, was high. Therefore, the presence of plant pathogens in the BSFR microbiota should be considered. Finally, the effects of BSFR on the external environment requires more detailed investigation.
How You Deal with Your Emotions Is How You Drive. Emotion Regulation Strategies, Traffic Offenses, and the Mediating Role of Driving Styles
Authors: Holman Andrei C. , Popușoi Simona A.
Published: June 2020

Past research indicated the importance of traffic safety and driving behaviors for the sustainability of the traffic system. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of emotion regulation on drivers’ tendency to obey or transgress traffic rules. A sample of 554 Romanian drivers completed a set of measures assessing their driving styles, traffic offenses, and their habitual use of three emotion regulation strategies. The results of the mediation analyses showed that two of these strategies, i.e., reappraisal and experiential avoidance, are associated with less traffic offenses, and that specific driving styles mediate these effects. While the behavioral effects of experiential avoidance were mixed in valence, reappraisal was found to diminish the use of maladaptive driving styles and to foster careful driving. Overall, this pattern of results indicates the potential benefits of future interventions aiming to develop drivers’ abilities to regulate their emotions, especially through reappraisal, for increasing traffic safety.
Improvement of Indoor Thermal Environments through Green Refurbishment
Authors: Lee Kyu-In
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the performance of the “green refurbishment” of existing buildings. Two ordinary rooms in an existing building were chosen for examination. Refurbishment measures such as additional insulation, high-performance glazing, and air-tightening were applied to the control room. Temperature and electricity use were monitored to identify heating performance in winter and then compared with a baseline. The results of the field tests showed that green refurbishment significantly improved heating performance. Lowered heating load and electricity use with increased airtightness were also verified through building performance simulations. The empirical investigation suggests a predictive model to obtain indoor minimum temperatures as a function of outdoor temperature swings.
The Impact of the Entrepreneurship Promotion Programs and the Social Networks on the Sustainability Entrepreneurial Motivation of Engineering Students
Authors: Rus-Casas Catalina , Eliche-Quesada Dolores , Aguilar-Peña Juan D. , Jiménez-Castillo Gabino , La Rubia M. Dolores
Published: June 2020

This paper presents the results of three academic courses in which Entrepreneurship Promotion Programs (EPP) have been developed for engineering students at the University of Jaén. This study describes the activities and how they have been promoted using the social networks Facebook and Twitter. Grytics for Analytics software was used for monitoring Facebook activity. The use of these tools has also allowed the collaborative development of the Engineering degree competencies related to sustainability and entrepreneurship through the Materials Science disciplines. The study is based on questionnaires before and after the EPP which involved a sample of 459 engineering students. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and Pearson’s correlation were used. The questionnaires show which factors have the strongest influence on the intention to undertake entrepreneurial activity. Motivation (MO), personal requirements (PR), perception of the environment (PE) and the background requirements (BR) were the factors considered. The statistical study shows that PE and PR have a strong influence on MO. Finally, through the study before and after the EPP, the success of the activities and the use of social networks have been demonstrated. The results indicate that the activities of the EPP influence the perception of the environment and the motivation of the engineering students. However, the personal requirements are not affected by the activities.
Comparison between Two Strategies for the Collection of Wheat Residue after Mechanical Harvesting: Performance and Cost Analysis
Authors: Suardi Alessandro , Stefanoni Walter , Bergonzoli Simone , Latterini Francesco , Jonsson Nils , Pari Luigi
Published: June 2020

The growing population worldwide will create the demand for higher cereal production, in order to meet the food need of both humans and animals in the future. Consequently, the quantity of crop by-products produced by cereal cropping will increase accordingly, providing a good opportunity for fostering the development of the sustainable supply chain of renewable solid fuels and natural feedstock for animal farming. The conventional machineries used in wheat harvesting do not guarantee the possibility to collect the chaff as additional residue to the straw. The present study investigated the possibility to equip a conventional combine with a specific device, already available on the market, in order to collect the chaff either separately (onto a trailer), or together with the straw (baled). The total residual biomass increased by 0.84 t·ha−1 and 0.80 t·ha−1 respectively, without negatively affecting the performance of the combine when the chaff was discharged on the swath. Farmers can benefit economically from the extra biomass collected, although a proper sizing of the machine chain is fundamental to avoid by-product losses and lower revenue.
Contribution of Climate Extremes to Variation in Potato Tuber Yield in Prince Edward Island
Authors: Maqsood Junaid , Farooque Aitazaz A. , Wang Xander , Abbas Farhat , Acharya Bishnu , Afzaal Hassan
Published: June 2020

Agricultural management practices are responsible for almost two-thirds of the variations in potato tuber yield. In order to answer the research question about the remaining variability of the tuber yield, we hypothesized that climate extremes partly explain the missing component of variations of the tuber yield. Therefore, this research attempts to bridge this knowledge gap in order to generate a knowledge base for future strategies. A climate extreme dataset of the Prince Edward Island (PEI) was computed by averaging the data of five meteorological stations. In detail, changing patterns of 20 climate extreme indices were computed with ClimPACT2 software for 30 years (1989-2018) data of PEI. Statistical significance of the trends and their slope values were determined with the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimates, respectively. Average of daily mean temperature (TMm), mean daily minimum temperature (TNm) and the occurrence of continuous dry days (CDD), significantly increased by 0.77 °C, 1.17 °C and 3.33 days., respectively, during the potato growing seasons (May-October) of the past three decades. For this period daily temperature range (DTR), frost days (FD), cold days (TX10p), cold nights (TN10p) and warmest days (TXx) showed decreasing trends of −1.01 °C, −3.75 days, −5.67 days, −11.40 nights, and −2.00 days, respectively. The principal component analysis showed that DTR, TXx, CDD, and TNm were the main factors affecting seasonal variations of tuber yield. The multiple regression model attributed ~39% of tuber yield variance to DTR, TXx, CDD, and TNm. However, these indices explained individually 21%, 19%, 16%, and 4% variation to the tuber yield, respectively. The remaining variation in the tuber yield explained by other yield affecting factors. The information generated from this study can be used for future planning about agricultural management strategies in the Island, for example, the provision of water resources for supplemental irrigation of crops during dry months.
Environmental Fate of Multistressors on Carpet Shell Clam Ruditapes decussatus: Carbon Nanoparticles and Temperature Variation
Authors: De Marchi Lucia , Rocha Rui Jorge Miranda , Rodrigues Andreia C.M. , Soares Amadeu M.V.M. , Pretti Carlo , Chiellini Federica , Freitas Rosa
Published: June 2020

Ruditapes decussatus is a native clam from the Southern Europe and Mediterranean area, relevant to the development of sustainable aquaculture in these regions. As sessile organisms, bivalves are likely to be exposed to chemical contaminations and environmental changes in the aquatic compartment and are widely used as bioindicator species. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CNTs) use is increasing and, consequently, concentrations of these contaminants in aquatic systems will rise. Therefore, it is imperative to assess the potential toxic effects of such compounds and the interactions with environmental factors such as water temperature. For this, we exposed R. decussatus clams to four different water temperatures (10, 15, 20 and 25 °C) in the presence or absence of CNTs for 96 h. Different parameters related with oxidative stress status, aerobic metabolism, energy reserves and neurotoxicity were evaluated. The relationship and differences among water temperatures and contamination were highlighted by principal coordinates analysis (PCO). CNTs exposure increased oxidative damage as protein carbonylation (PC) in exposed clams at 10 °C. Higher temperatures (25 °C) were responsible for the highest redox status (ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione, GSH/GSSG) observed as well as neurotoxic effects (acetylcholinesterase—AChE activity). Antioxidant defenses were also modulated by the combination of CNTs exposure with water temperatures, with decrease of glutathione peroxidase (GR) activity at 15 °C and of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) activity at 20 °C, when compared with unexposed clams. Clams energy reserves were not altered, probably due to the short exposure period. Overall, the combined effects of CNTs exposure and increasing water temperatures can impair R. decussatus cellular homeostasis inducing oxidative stress and damage.
The Impact of Low-Carbon Service Operations on Responsible Tourist Behavior: The Psychological Processes of Sustainable Cultural Tourism
Authors: Chang Shu-Hsien , Hernández-Díaz R. J. , Lo Wei-Shuo
Published: June 2020

This paper explores the impact of low-carbon service operations on responsible tourist behavior within sustainable cultural tourism. A proposed conceptual framework is used to examine this largely ignored situation through the case study of Xiao Liuqiu Island. The small island in Taiwan reveals a previously understudied phenomenon in sustainable island tourism. The psychological processes connecting cultural and cross-cultural experiences with sustainable tourism are explored using primary and secondary data collected through in-depth interviews of domestic tourists and online reviews of foreign tourists, respectively. Data analysis reveals the significant result that sustainable island tourism comprises two important elements: a supply and a demand side of a destination. The supply side describes low-carbon service operations—which include food, lodging, and ecological tourist activities—while the demand side reflects tourist behaviors—expressed through cognition, emotion, and motivation as well as authenticity. In addition, this paper makes an important contribution to management by emphasizing the need for careful attention to tourism psychology, particularly in natural and ecological environments that use tourism as a marketing strategy in cultural ecosystems services (CES).
The impact of oil shocks on the Russian stock market: an empirical study
Authors: Lukasevich I.Ya.
Published: June 2020

The paper is devoted to the study of approaches to assessing the impact of external macroeconomic shocks on the Russian stock market. A sharp drop in oil prices (oil shock) is considered as a macroeconomic shock. The analysis of possible approaches to solving this problem is carried out, and their theoretical generalization is given.
Based on an extensive sample of daily values of prices for Brent oil and the Russian stock index RTS for the period from 1998 to the first half of 2020, a study was conducted on the dependence of the domestic stock market on the global oil market. An approach to assessing the impact of oil shocks based on the use of vector autoregression models (VAR-model) is proposed. The VAR model has been developed and tested for the Russian stock market, its capabilities and limitations have been shown, and practical recommendations for its further development have been provided.
Cross-cultural personnel management approach in the conditions of international corporate integration
Authors: Mekhdiev Sh.Z. , Chistyakov M.S.
Published: June 2020

Sociocultural diversity in modern reality is a significant factor in the activity of international business, determines the need to use cross-management approaches as an instrument for making cultural differences in the tolerant perception of the customs and specifics of the peoples of global civilization and a necessary element of effective managerial decisions in contrast to cultural and linguistic features. Cross-management is becoming the most relevant in the modern realities of the intensification of migration processes in the context of geopolitical instability, which make certain adjustments to the activities of international companies in view of building a more complex formation of the interaction of national cultures that indirectly affect business contacts. Under these conditions, the cross-cultural approach will allow us to level the negative manifestations of the formation of labor collectives, which are increasingly acquiring the color of greater multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity.
Features of corporate governance in Russian companies with different forms of ownership
Authors: Yakovlev A.Y.
Published: June 2020

The article examines the development of corporate governance in companies of various forms of ownership in Russia. The author summarizes and considers general approaches to the organization of corporate governance for companies of various forms of ownership and highlights the specific features of the formation of a corporate governance system in state business entity.
Pandemic Corporate Governance Approaches
Authors: Zvorykina E.I. , Politov A.L. , Zvorykina Yu.V.
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the business and global investment community. This pandemic differs from the previous ones in that it occurs in the digital age; the epidemiological situation around the world is recorded daily, this allows the one to model the forecasts quite accurately; most companies have the ability to continue working, but to organize it in a remote format. However, one of the devastating factors is that a pandemic destroys global supply chains, disrupts production and can lead to a significant loss of company revenue and adversely affect the global economy. The ability to adapt to these conditions, as well as the speed of this process are important factors for the survival of companies. Corporate governance plays an important role in this process. This article describes the main trends in the organization of corporate governance in a pandemic.
Regional Variance of the Early Use of Tolvaptan for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Inoue Reiko , Nishi Hiroshi , Inoue Daisuke , Honda Kenjiro , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: June 2020

Background

The development and prompt dissemination of the first drug against a particular disease can contribute to improvements in national health status and medical economy end points and are assumedly affected by socioeconomic factors that have yet to be analyzed. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist, was developed to treat hyponatremia, congestive heart failure, and cirrhosis ascites, although the approved indications may differ among countries. In Japan, high-dose tolvaptan tablets were approved as the first drug for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in 2014. This study aimed to better understand the factors that influence the total number of regional prescriptions of tolvaptan for ADPKD since its launch.

Methods

The National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan Open Data was used as a national claim-based database. In each of the 47 prefectures in Japan, the total prescribed number of 30 mg tolvaptan tablets between 2015 and 2017 was examined. The parameters explaining the prescription variation among regions were then examined by correlation analysis.

Results

Prescriptions for high-dose tolvaptan increased substantially 2 years after the drug’s approval; however, the increase differed by approximately 21-fold between regions. Population density was positively associated with prescribed 30 mg tolvaptan tablets per 1000 population in 2015 (r=0.47, P<0.001). In addition, the increase in prescribed number of tablets per 1000 population was correlated with population density in 2016–2017 (r=0.30, P=0.04).

Conclusions

This macro perspective analysis revealed an urban-rural inequity in prescriptions for the newly approved drug for ADPKD. Further studies are needed to elucidate the factors affecting the geographic variation.
Os desafios para a formação de alunos leitores: a análise de uma experiência na escola
Authors: Araújo João Marcos Pulz , Tassoni Elvira Cristina Martins
Published: June 2020

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de estudo de caso que teve o objetivo de analisar uma experiência em uma escola pública de cidade do interior do estado de São Paulo, denominada Projeto Sarau Literário, visando a desenvolver nos alunos o gosto pela leitura literária. O Projeto propõe diversas atividades, envolvendo o universo literário, que colaboram para aproximar os alunos de novas expressões culturais e estéticas relacionadas com a literatura. Pautados pela teoria histórico-cultural, identificamos, no projeto, fatores que contribuem ou dificultam a aproximação dos alunos da literatura e da leitura literária. Nesse recorte, destacamos a mediação pedagógica e as mudanças no comportamento de leitor dos alunos. Os resultados contribuem para as reflexões sobre a qualidade e a natureza da mediação e sua relação com a formação de leitores. Também evidenciaram que o Projeto Sarau Literário constitui proposta promissora para a formação de alunos leitores.
Por entre as tardes e os efeitos dos encontros com Margueritte ou dos descaminhos de uma ethopoiesis de si
Authors: Dias Rosimeri de Oliveira , Barros Maria Elizabeth Barros de
Published: June 2020

Este trabalho é feito por meio de uma aproximação ética, estética e política entre a formulação foucaultiana de escrita de si, e o filme “Minhas tardes com Margueritte”, de Jean Becker. Aposta na tessitura de bons encontros, para problematizar uma prática de constituição de um sujeito ético no presente. Encontros são tomados, conforme propõe Gilles Deleuze, como o que pode fazer vibrar e revigorar a força de um acontecimento. O trabalho é dividido em dois momentos: amizade e seus efeitos ethopoiéticos; e práticas de si e seus entrelaçamentos com cinema e diferença. A força de um bom encontro é revigorada quando ela é posta numa perspectiva que desloca os pontos de vista dos personagens do filme, fazendo com que as imagens movimento e tempo mostrem feituras, apostando na força alegre de uma prática de si, para poder diferir e inventar modos outros de viver.
Aplikasi Amandemen Laporan Survei Ekspor pada PT. Sucofindo Persero Cabang Banjarmasin Berbasis Web
Authors: Herpendi Herpendi , Yuliyanti Wan , Aprilia Cahya
Published: June 2020

Sub departemen aplikasi di bawah departemen IT yang ada pada PT. SUCOFINDO Persero Cabang Banjarmasin mempunyai tugas untuk membuat dan memperbaiki aplikasi yang digunakan dalam menunjang pekerjaan pada perusahaan tersebut. Salah satu pekerjaan yang ada di PT. SUCOFINDO Persero Cabang Banjarmasin yaitu pembuatan dan pencarian data Laporan Survei Ekspor oleh pegawai bidang Penjualan dan Dukungan Operasi (PDO). Pembuatan laporan pada PT. SUCOFINDO Cabang Banjarmasin yang berjalan saat ini adalah dengan menginputkan data secara manual. Proses pelaporan tersebut dinilai kurang efektif dari segi waktu maupun penyimpanan filenya. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut, maka dibuatlah sebuah Aplikasi Amandeman Laporan Survei Ekspor pada PT. SUCOFINDO Persero Cabang Banjarmasin Berbasis Web. Beberapa fitur yang dimiliki oleh sistem tersebut dapat melakukan pembuatan laporan otomatis dengan data yang ada dan memudahkan dalam pencarian datanya. Aplikasi ini juga dapat menampilkan data yang digunakan saat pelaporan dalam laporan survei ekspor. Dengan demikian pegawai dapat dengan mudah mengetahui ada tidaknya data tersebut, sehingga tidak terjadi tumpang tindih dalam penggunaan data.
3D Shapeable, Superior Electrically Conductive Cellulose Nanofibers/Ti
3
C
2
T
x
MXene Aerogels/Epoxy Nanocomposites for Promising EMI Shielding
Authors: Wang Lei , Song Ping , Lin Cheng-Te , Kong Jie , Gu Junwei
Published: June 2020

In this work, 3D highly electrically conductive cellulose nanofibers (CNF)/Ti
3
C
2
T
x
MXene aerogels (CTA) with aligned porous structures are fabricated by directional freezing followed by freeze-drying technique, and the thermally annealed CTA (TCTA)/epoxy nanocomposites are then fabricated by thermal annealing of CTA, subsequent vacuum-assisted impregnation and curing method. Results show that TCTA/epoxy nanocomposites possess 3D highly conductive networks with ultralow percolation threshold of 0.20 vol% Ti
3
C
2
T
x
. When the volume fraction of Ti
3
C
2
T
x
is 1.38 vol%, the electrical conductivity (

σ

), electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), and SE divided by thickness (SE/d) values of the TCTA/epoxy nanocomposites reach 1672 S m
-1
, 74 dB, and 37 dB mm
-1
, respectively, which are almost the highest values compared to those of polymer nanocomposites reported previously at the same filler content. In addition, compared to those of the samples without Ti
3
C
2
T
x
, the storage modulus and heat-resistance index of TCTA/epoxy nanocomposites are enhanced to 9792.5 MPa and 310.7°C, increased by 62% and 6.9°C, respectively, presenting outstanding mechanical properties and thermal stabilities. The fabricated lightweight, easy-to-process, and shapeable TCTA/epoxy nanocomposites with superior EMI SE values, excellent mechanical properties, and thermal stabilities greatly broaden the applications of MXene-based polymer composites in the field of EMI shielding.
Sustainable Floating Vegetation Linking Cultural Identity of the Intha Farmers Responding to Deforestation on Upland Catchment
Authors: Saint Saint , Haft James , Suntornvongsagul Kallaya
Published: June 2020

Erosion loads and soil sediment characteristics from the deforestation of the Kalaw catchment causes shallow water level and reduced plant nutrients in the Inle Lake aquatic ecosystems. This research aimed to address the effect of soil sediment changes both loads and quality on the practices of floating vegetation which is part of the cultural identity of Intha community. Soil sediment quality data and GIS maps were gathered from government departments and they were used to estimate the topsoil loss and household questionnaire survey were conducted in six Intha communities to evaluate the adverse impacts on Intha livelihoods. The soil sediment loads to the Lake’s littoral zone due to the forest cover depletion was 80,584 tons per year and their characteristics and large quantity were found affected to process of floating vegetation by using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. All respondents (n = 282) agreed that they were concerned with the adverse effects and impacts from changes in soil sediment that it had a negative impact and it was an impediment to achieving sustainable livelihoods. An Integrated Lake Ecoregion Management Plan including a livelihood development plan are required for implementation by central government so that conservation measures proposed in this research can address environmental, social and economic issues affecting the Inle lake ecoregion. Buffer zone management should be implemented by local government in order to control high sediment loads in the lake and its flood plain area. The results provided evidence that support the improvement of ecoregion including the Intha livelihoods as a criterion for the Inle aquatic ecoregion for the sustainable management.