bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entropy Optimization of First-Grade Viscoelastic Nanofluid Flow over a Stretching Sheet by Using Classical Keller-Box Scheme
Authors: Alazwari Mashhour A. , Abu-Hamdeh Nidal H. , Goodarzi Marjan
Published: October 2021

Nanofluids have better surface stability, thermal absorption, and distribution capacities are produced as heat transfer fluids. In current nanofluid-transport studies, together with the heat transfer mechanisms, entropy reduction in thermo- and non-Newtonian nanofluid models with changing thermophysical characteristics is heavily addressed. The entropy production is examined as thermodynamically stable first-grade viscoelastic nanofluid (FGVNF) flow over a flat penetrable, porous barrier. The uniform porous horizontal stretching of the surface in a Darcy type of pore media results in a fluid motion disturbance. In addition, this study also includes the effects of thermal radiation, viscous dissipation, and slip conditions at the border. Under boundary layer flow and Rosseland approximations, the governing mathematical equations defining the physical features of the FGVNF flow and heat transfer models are summarized. The governing nonlinear partial differential equation is transformed by similarity variables to achieve solutions in nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Approximative solutions for reduced ordinary differential equations are obtained by the Keller Box Scheme. Two distinct types of nanofluids, Copper-Engine Oil (Cu-EO) and Zirconium Dioxide-Engine Oil (ZrO2-EO), are considered in this research. The graphs are produced to examine the effects of the different physical factors for the speed, temperature, and entropy distributions. The significant findings of this study are that the critical characteristics of (boundary layer) BL collectively promote temperature variation, including slip speed, diverse thermal conductivity, and non-Newtonian first-grade viscoelastic nanofluid, the concentration of nanoparticles as well as thermal radiation, and a high porous media. The other noteworthy observation of this study demonstrates that the (Cu-EO) FGVNF is a better conductor than (ZrO2-EO) FGVNF transmission. The entropy of the system grows the Deborah number and volume fraction parameter.
A Multidimensional Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment Design for Brand Experience Assessment of Convenience Stores
Authors: Hsu Tsuen-Ho , Lin Ling-Zhong
Published: October 2021

In the past, few studies have explored brand attachment and how to deliver the content of a strategic management program through brand experience. The purpose of this study is to construct an integrated model of consumer brand attachment and brand experience. It also applies the fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD) method to develop a value competitive strategy model of convenience stores. The respondents were split across two stages. In the first stage, 265 consumers were surveyed on the importance of brand attachment; in the second stage, 38 experts and scholars were invited to evaluate the content of a strategic management program. The results showed that for three convenience store brands, the levels of brand attachment of the young and older customer groups each had their own advantages and must be strengthened. Taking 7-Eleven as a practical implications example, we can learn from the analysis that young customers believe “brand prominence” is the most important factor, followed by “brand passion”, “brand affection”, and “brand–self connection”. As for older customers, the order from most to least important was “brand–self connection”, “brand affection”, “brand prominence”, and “brand passion”. The originality value is that this study extends previous research findings in measuring and building brand attachment frameworks and importance assessments while providing a sound demonstration of enhancement strategy solutions.
Structural Properties of Connected Domination Critical Graphs
Authors: Almalki Norah , Kaemawichanurat Pawaton
Published: October 2021

A graph G is said to be k-γc-critical if the connected domination number γc(G) is equal to k and γc(G+uv)<k for any pair of non-adjacent vertices u and v of G. Let ζ be the number of cut vertices of G and let ζ0 be the maximum number of cut vertices that can be contained in one block. For an integer ℓ≥0, a graph G is ℓ-factor critical if G−S has a perfect matching for any subset S of vertices of size ℓ. It was proved by Ananchuen in 2007 for k=3, Kaemawichanurat and Ananchuen in 2010 for k=4 and by Kaemawichanurat and Ananchuen in 2020 for k≥5 that every k-γc-critical graph has at most k−2 cut vertices and the graphs with maximum number of cut vertices were characterized. In 2020, Kaemawichanurat and Ananchuen proved further that, for k≥4, every k-γc-critical graphs satisfies the inequality ζ0(G)≤mink+23,ζ. In this paper, we characterize all k-γc-critical graphs having k−3 cut vertices. Further, we establish realizability that, for given k≥4, 2≤ζ≤k−2 and 2≤ζ0≤mink+23,ζ, there exists a k-γc-critical graph with ζ cut vertices having a block which contains ζ0 cut vertices. Finally, we proved that every k-γc-critical graph of odd order with minimum degree two is 1-factor critical if and only if 1≤k≤2. Further, we proved that every k-γc-critical K1,3-free graph of even order with minimum degree three is 2-factor critical if and only if 1≤k≤2.
Cholesterol Modulates the Interaction between HIV-1 Viral Protein R and Membrane
Authors: Liu Chun-Hao , Huang Shing-Jong , Yu Tsyr-Yan
Published: October 2021

Being a major metabolite for maintaining cellular homeostasis, as well as an important structural component in lipid membrane, cholesterol also plays critical roles in the life cycles of some viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). The involvement of cholesterol in HIV-1 infectivity, assembly and budding has made it an important research target. Viral protein R (Vpr) is an accessory protein of HIV-1, which is involved in many major events in the life cycle of HIV-1. In addition to its multi-functional roles in the HIV-1 life cycle, it is shown to interact with lipid membrane and form a cation-selective channel. In this work, we examined the effect of cholesterol on the interaction of Vpr and lipid membrane. Using calcein release assay, we found that the membrane permeability induced by the membrane binding of Vpr was significantly reduced in the presence of cholesterol in membrane. In addition, using solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy, Vpr was shown to experience multiple chemical environments in lipid membrane, as indicated by the broad line shape of carbonyl 13C resonance of Cys-76 residue ranging from 165–178 ppm, which can be attributed to the existence of complex Vpr-membrane environments. We further showed that the presence of cholesterol in membrane will alter the distribution of Vpr in the complex membrane environments, which may explain the change of the Vpr induced membrane permeability in the presence of cholesterol.
Host/Malassezia Interaction: A Quantitative, Non-Invasive Method Profiling Oxylipin Production Associates Human Skin Eicosanoids with Malassezia
Authors: Ambaw Yohannes Abere , Pagac Martin P. , Irudayaswamy Antony S. , Raida Manfred , Bendt Anne K. , Torta Federico T. , Wenk Markus R. , Dawson Thomas L.
Published: October 2021

Malassezia are common components of human skin, and as the dominant human skin eukaryotic microbe, they take part in complex microbe–host interactions. Other phylogenetically related fungi (including within Ustilagomycotina) communicate with their plant host through bioactive oxygenated polyunsaturated fatty acids, generally known as oxylipins, by regulating the plant immune system to increase their virulence. Oxylipins are similar in structure and function to human eicosanoids, which modulate the human immune system. This study reports the development of a highly sensitive mass-spectrometry-based method to capture and quantify bioactive oxygenated polyunsaturated fatty acids from the human skin surface and in vitro Malassezia cultures. It confirms that Malassezia are capable of synthesizing eicosanoid-like lipid mediators in vitro in a species dependent manner, many of which are found on human skin. This method enables sensitive identification and quantification of bioactive lipid mediators from human skin that may be derived from metabolic pathways shared between skin and its microbial residents. This enables better cross-disciplinary and detailed studies to dissect the interaction between Malassezia and human skin, and to identify potential intervention points to promote or abrogate inflammation and to improve human skin health.
Cld-St-And-Bearing Assemblages in the Central Southalpine Basement: Markers of an Evolving Thermal Regime during Variscan Convergence
Authors: Filippi Marco , Spalla Maria Iole , Pigazzini Nicola , Diella Valeria , Lardeaux Jean-Marc , Zanoni Davide
Published: October 2021

Multiscale structural analysis is carried out to explore the sequence of superposed pre-Alpine chloritoid–staurolite–andalusite metamorphic assemblages in the polydeformed Variscan basement of the upper Val Camonica, in the central Southalpine domain. The dominant fabric in the upper Val Camonica basement is the late-Variscan S2 foliation, marked by greenschist facies minerals and truncated by the base of Permian siliciclastic sequences. The intersection with the sedimentary strata defines a Permian age limit on the pre-Alpine tectono–metamorphic evolution and exhumation of the Variscan basement. The detailed structural survey revealed that the older S1 foliation was locally preserved in low-strained domains. S1 is a composite fabric resulting from combining S1a and S1b: in the metapelites, S1a was supported by chloritoid, garnet, and biotite and developed before S1b, which was marked by staurolite, garnet, and biotite. S1a and S1b developed at intermediate pressure amphibolite facies conditions during the Variscan convergence, S1a at T = 520–550 °C and P ≃ 0.8 GPa, S1b at T = 550–650 °C and P = 0.4–0.7 GPa. The special feature of the upper Val Camonica metapelites is andalusite, which formed between the late D1b and early D2 tectonic events. Andalusite developed at T = 520–580 °C and P = 0.2–0.4 GPa in pre-Permian times, after the peak of the Variscan collision and before the exhumation of the Variscan basement and the subsequent deposition of the Permian covers. It follows that the upper Val Camonica andalusite has a different age and tectonic significance as compared to that of other pre-Alpine andalusite occurrences in the Alps, where andalusite mostly developed during exhumation of high-temperature basement rocks in Permian–Triassic times.
Ligands as Stabilizers of G-Quadruplexes in Non-Coding RNAs
Authors: Figueiredo Joana , Santos Tiago , Miranda André , Alexandre Daniela , Teixeira Bernardo , Simões Pedro , Lopes-Nunes Jéssica , Cruz Carla
Published: October 2021

The non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) are RNA transcripts with different sizes, structures and biological functions that do not encode functional proteins. RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) have been found in small and long ncRNAs. The existence of an equilibrium between rG4 and stem−loop structures in ncRNAs and its effect on biological processes remains unexplored. For example, deviation from the stem−loop leads to deregulated mature miRNA levels, demonstrating that miRNA biogenesis can be modulated by ions or small molecules. In light of this, we report several examples of rG4s in certain types of ncRNAs, and the implications of G4 stabilization using small molecules, also known as G4 ligands, in the regulation of gene expression, miRNA biogenesis, and miRNA−mRNA interactions. Until now, different G4 ligands scaffolds were synthesized for these targets. The regulatory role of the above-mentioned rG4s in ncRNAs can be used as novel therapeutic approaches for adjusting miRNA levels.
Sonochemical Reaction of Bifunctional Molecules on Silicon (111) Hydride Surface
Authors: Zida Serge Ismael , Lin Yue-Der , Khung Yit Lung
Published: October 2021

While the sonochemical grafting of molecules on silicon hydride surface to form stable Si–C bond via hydrosilylation has been previously described, the susceptibility towards nucleophilic functional groups during the sonochemical reaction process remains unclear. In this work, a competitive study between a well-established thermal reaction and sonochemical reaction of nucleophilic molecules (cyclopropylamine and 3-Butyn-1-ol) was performed on p-type silicon hydride (111) surfaces. The nature of surface grafting from these reactions was examined through contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cyclopropylamine, being a sensitive radical clock, did not experience any ring-opening events. This suggested that either the Si–H may not have undergone homolysis as reported previously under sonochemical reaction or that the interaction to the surface hydride via a lone-pair electron coordination bond was reversible during the process. On the other hand, silicon back-bond breakage and subsequent surface roughening were observed for 3-Butyn-1-ol at high-temperature grafting (≈150 °C). Interestingly, the sonochemical reaction did not produce appreciable topographical changes to surfaces at the nano scale and the further XPS analysis may suggest Si–C formation. This indicated that while a sonochemical reaction may be indifferent towards nucleophilic groups, the surface was more reactive towards unsaturated carbons. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first attempt at elucidating the underlying reactivity mechanisms of nucleophilic groups and unsaturated carbon bonds during sonochemical reaction of silicon hydride surfaces.
Evaluation of the Relationship among Biogenic Amines, Nitrite and Microbial Diversity in Fermented Mustard
Authors: Yu Yangyang , Li Lu , Xu Yujuan , An Kejing , Shi Qiao , Yu Yuanshan , Xu Zhenlin
Published: October 2021

Biogenic amines (BAs) and nitrites are both considered harmful compounds for customer health, and are closely correlated with the microorganisms in fermented mustard (FM). In this study, BAs and nitrite contents in fifteen FM samples from different brands were analyzed. The concentrations of cadaverine in one sample and of histamine in one sample were above the toxic level. Moreover, five FM samples contained a high level of nitrite, exceeding the maximum residue limit (20 mg/kg) suggested by the National Food Safety Standard. Then, this study investigated bacterial and fungal communities by high-throughput sequencing analysis. Firmicutes and Basidiomycota were identified as the major bacteria and fungi phylum, respectively. The correlations among microorganisms, BAs and nitrite were analyzed. Typtamine showed a positive correlation with Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas. Cadaverine and nitrite is positively correlated with Leuconostoc. Furthermore, thirteen strains were selected from the samples to evaluate the accumulation and degradation properties of their BAs and nitrite. The results indicated that the Lactobacillus isolates, including L. plantarum GZ-2 and L. brevis SC-2, can significantly reduce BAs and nitrite in FM model experiments. This study not only assessed the contents of BAs and nitrite in FM samples, but also provided potential starter cultures for BAs and nitrite control in the FM products industry.
Effect of Size and Temperature on Water Dynamics inside Carbon Nano-Tubes Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Srivastava Amit , Hassan Jamal , Homouz Dirar
Published: October 2021

Water transport inside carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) has attracted considerable attention due to its nano-fluidic properties, its importance in nonporous systems, and the wide range of applications in membrane desalination and biological medicine. Recent studies show an enhancement of water diffusion inside nano-channels depending on the size of the nano-confinement. However, the underlying mechanism of this enhancement is not well understood yet. In this study, we performed Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to study water flow inside CNT systems. The length of CNTs considered in this study is 20 nm, but their diameters vary from 1 to 10 nm. The simulations are conducted at temperatures ranging from 260 K to 320 K. We observe that water molecules are arranged into coaxial water tubular sheets. The number of these tubular sheets depends on the CNT size. Further analysis reveals that the diffusion of water molecules along the CNT axis deviates from the Arrhenius temperature dependence. The non-Arrhenius relationship results from a fragile liquid-like water component persisting at low temperatures with fragility higher than that of the bulk water.
Improved Lipophilicity and Aqueous Solubility Prediction with Composite Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Wieder Oliver , Kuenemann Mélaine , Wieder Marcus , Seidel Thomas , Meyer Christophe , Bryant Sharon D. , Langer Thierry
Published: October 2021

The accurate prediction of molecular properties, such as lipophilicity and aqueous solubility, are of great importance and pose challenges in several stages of the drug discovery pipeline. Machine learning methods, such as graph-based neural networks (GNNs), have shown exceptionally good performance in predicting these properties. In this work, we introduce a novel GNN architecture, called directed edge graph isomorphism network (D-GIN). It is composed of two distinct sub-architectures (D-MPNN, GIN) and achieves an improvement in accuracy over its sub-architectures employing various learning, and featurization strategies. We argue that combining models with different key aspects help make graph neural networks deeper and simultaneously increase their predictive power. Furthermore, we address current limitations in assessment of deep-learning models, namely, comparison of single training run performance metrics, and offer a more robust solution.
Stacked Dual-Band Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector Based on Double-Layer Gold Disk Enhanced Local Light Field
Authors: Liu Chang , Zuo Xuan , Xu Shaohui , Wang Lianwei , Xiong Dayuan
Published: October 2021

We propose a stacked dual-band quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) integrated with a double-layer gold disk. Two 10-period quantum wells (QW) operating at different wavelengths are stacked together, and gold nano-disks are integrated on their respective surfaces. Numerical calculations by finite difference time domain (FDTD) showed that the best enhancement can be achieved at 13.2 and 11.0 µm. By integrating two metal disks, two plasmon microcavity structures can be formed with the substrate to excite localized surface plasmons (LSP) so that the vertically incident infrared light can be converted into electric field components perpendicular to the growth direction of the quantum well (EZ). The EZ electric field component can be enhanced up to 20 times compared to the incident light, and it is four times that of the traditional two-dimensional hole array (2DHA) grating. We calculated the enhancement factor and coupling efficiency of the device in the active region of the quantum well. The enhancement factor of the active region of the quantum well on the top layer remains above 25 at the wavelength of 13.2 μm, and the enhancement factor can reach a maximum of 45. Under this condition, the coupling efficiency of the device reaches 2800%. At the wavelength of 11.0 μm, the enhancement factor of the active region of the quantum well at the bottom is maintained above 6, and the maximum can reach about 16, and the coupling efficiency of the device reaches 800%. We also optimized the structural parameters and explored the influence of structural changes on the coupling efficiency. When the radius (r1, r2) of the two metal disks increases, the maximum coupling efficiency will be red-shifted as the wavelength increases. The double-layer gold disk structure we designed greatly enhances the infrared coupling of the two quantum well layers working at different wavelengths in the dual-band quantum well infrared photodetector. The structure we designed can be used in stacked dual-band quantum well infrared photodetectors, and the active regions of quantum wells working at two wavelengths can enhance the photoelectric coupling, and the enhancement effect is significant. Compared with the traditional optical coupling structure, the structure we proposed is simpler in process and has a more significant enhancement effect, which can meet the requirements of working in complex environments such as firefighting, night vision, and medical treatment.
Melatonin Prevents T Lymphocyte Infiltration to the Kidneys of Hypertensive Rats, Induced by a High-Salt Diet, by Preventing the Expression of CXCR3 Ligand Chemokines
Authors: Bier Ariel , Khashab Rawan , Sharabi Yehonatan , Grossman Ehud , Leibowitz Avshalom
Published: October 2021

In a previous study, we demonstrated that melatonin prevents kidney damage in a salt-induced hypertension model by decreasing oxidative stress. We hypothesized that this effect involves melatonin’s immunomodulatory properties. In vivo Study-Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats were fed normal chow, a high-salt diet (HSD), or a HSD and melatonin (30 mg/kg/day) in their water for eight weeks. Kidneys were harvested for immediate lymphocyte isolation and characterization by Flow cytometry (CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+) and for lymphocyte chemoattractant (mainly CXCL chemokines) gene expression studies. In vitro study-rat mesangial cells (RMC) were cultured in a high-salt medium without and with melatonin. A HSD was associated with significant renal infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes compared to control. Melatonin significantly reduced renal lymphocyte infiltration. A HSD significantly increased mRNA expression of CXCL chemokines. Adding melatonin to the HSD abolished this effect. Treating RMC cells with salt increased the expression of CXCL10 and CXCL11 but not CXCL9. Adding melatonin to the culture media prevented this increase. Treating HSD-fed rats with melatonin decreased renal lymphocyte chemoattractant mRNA expression and is associated with significantly reducing renal T lymphocyte infiltration. Salt may have a direct effect on chemokine-producing renal cells, which is blunted by melatonin treatment.
Streptococcus suis Isolates—Serotypes and Susceptibility to Antimicrobials in Terms of Their Use on Selected Repopulated Czech Pig Farms
Authors: Matiašovic Ján , Nedbalcová Kateřina , Žižlavský Marek , Fleischer Petr , Pokludová Lucie , Kellnerová Dita , Nechvátalová Kateřina , Šimek Bronislav , Czanderlová Linda , Zouharová Monika , Bernardy Jan , Králová Natálie , Šlosárková Soňa
Published: October 2021

Streptococcus suis represents a primary health problem (such as meningitis, septicemia and arthritis in piglets and fatteners) in the swine industry worldwide and also an emerging zoonotic pathogen. In the Czech Republic, many pig farms repopulated their herds over the past decades to reduce morbidity and minimize treatment. The study analysed serotypes, sequence types and antimicrobial susceptibility in 39 S. suis isolates obtained from organs of diseased pigs from selected 16 repopulated farms with a history of S. suis-associated diseases and routine antimicrobial treatment with tulathromycin and/or amoxicillin. The analysis revealed diversity of collected isolates with regular occurrence of more than three serotypes per farm. The serotypes identified were 1/2 and 7, each in six isolates, followed by serotype 2 and 3 found in five isolates each, other serotypes were less frequent. Seven isolates were not typable by multiplex PCR and we also found sequence type of unknown type in thirteen isolates. The majority of S. suis isolates were resistant to clindamycin (n = 31), tetracycline (n = 29) and tilmicosin and tulathromycin (n = 28). On the other hand, with the exception of two isolates that were intermediately susceptible to penicillin and ampicillin, all isolates were susceptible to all three tested subgroups of beta-lactam antibiotics.
Waning of Maternal Antibodies against Measles Suggests a Large Window of Susceptibility in Infants in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Authors: Khampanisong Phonepaseuth , Pauly Maude , Nouanthong Phonethipsavanh , Vickers Molly A. , Virachith Siriphone , Xaydalasouk Kinnaly , Black Antony P. , Muller Claude P. , Hübschen Judith M.
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Measles is an endemic but largely neglected disease in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. New-borns are protected by maternal antibodies, but antibody waning before measles vaccination at 9 months of age leaves infants susceptible to infection. In this study, the susceptibility window of infants was determined to generate scientific evidence to assess the national measles immunization strategy. Methods: Between 2015 and 2016, demographic data, medical history, and blood samples were collected from 508 mother-child pairs at the provincial hospital in Vientiane. The samples were screened with a commercial kit detecting anti-measles IgG antibodies. Results: The large majority (95.7%) of the mothers were seropositive for anti-measles IgG and antibody titers of the mothers and infants were highly correlated (p < 0.01). While at birth 97.7% of the infants were seropositive, seropositivity rates decreased to 74.2% two months later to reach only 28.2% four months after birth (p < 0.01). Just before the first dose of the measles-rubella vaccine, scheduled at 9 months of age, was actually given, less than 14% of the infants were seropositive. Conclusion: This alarmingly wide susceptibility gap due to rapid maternal antibody decay leaves infants at risk of measles infection and serious disease complications. A high herd immunity is crucial to protect young infants and can be achieved through improved routine vaccination coverage and (expanded age group) supplementary immunization activities.
COVID-19 Vaccination Engagement and Barriers among Mississippi Pharmacists
Authors: Gravlee Emily , Pittman Eric , Sparkmon Wesley , Imeri Hyllore , Cox Hannah-Faith , Barnard Marie
Published: October 2021

After the emergency use authorization of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations in the United States, existing pharmacy infrastructure was leveraged to disseminate vaccines. However, the national uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains poor. This survey study of Mississippi pharmacists aimed to identify barriers to providing COVID-19 vaccination among pharmacists in practice settings that provided other vaccines. A thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended survey responses. This study found that the greatest identified barrier to COVID-19 vaccination for pharmacists was patient willingness. The thematic analysis revealed logistical barriers, vaccine hesitancy, and rural pharmacy distribution concerns. These findings suggest that pharmacists require further training in overcoming vaccine hesitancy, and potentially indicate a need for the distribution of vaccination responsibilities to additional pharmacy staff members.
Pharmacy Education Development
Authors: Anderson Claire , Arakawa Naoko
Published: October 2021

Pharmacy education and training is fundamental in supplying the pharmacy workforce with adequate numbers and correct competencies to provide relevant pharmaceutical care [...]
Exterminous Hypertime
Authors: Effingham Nikk
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates ‘exterminous hypertime’, a model of time travel in which time travellers can change the past in virtue of there being two dimensions of time. This paper has three parts. Part one discusses the laws which might govern the connection between different ‘hypertimes’, showing that there are no problems with overdetermination. Part two examines a set of laws that mean changes to history take a period of hypertime to propagate through to the present. Those laws are of interest because: (i) at such worlds, a particular problem for non-Ludovician time travel (‘the multiple time travellers’ problem) is avoided; and (ii) they allow us to make sense of certain fictional narratives. Part three discusses how to understand expectations and rational decision making in a world with two dimensions of time. I end with an appendix discussing how the different theories in the metaphysics of time (e.g., tensed/tenseless theories and presentism/eternalism/growing block theory) marry up with exterminous hypertime.
Adaptive Synchronization of Fractional-Order Complex-Valued Chaotic Neural Networks with Time-Delay and Unknown Parameters
Authors: Li Mei , Zhang Ruoxun , Yang Shiping
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this paper is to study and analyze the concept of fractional-order complex-valued chaotic networks with external bounded disturbances and uncertainties. The synchronization problem and parameter identification of fractional-order complex-valued chaotic neural networks (FOCVCNNs) with time-delay and unknown parameters are investigated. Synchronization between a driving FOCVCNN and a response FOCVCNN, as well as the identification of unknown parameters are implemented. Based on fractional complex-valued inequalities and stability theory of fractional-order chaotic complex-valued systems, the paper designs suitable adaptive controllers and complex update laws. Moreover, it scientifically estimates the uncertainties and external disturbances to establish the stability of controlled systems. The computer simulation results verify the correctness of the proposed method. Not only a new method for analyzing FOCVCNNs with time-delay and unknown complex parameters is provided, but also a sensitive decrease of the computational and analytical complexity.
Identifying the Most Potent Dual-Targeting Compound(s) against 3CLprotease and NSP15exonuclease of SARS-CoV-2 from Nigella sativa: Virtual Screening via Physicochemical Properties, Docking and Dynamic Simulation Analysis
Authors: Rizvi Syed Mohd Danish , Hussain Talib , Moin Afrasim , Dixit Sheshagiri R. , Mandal Subhankar P. , Adnan Mohd , Jamal Qazi Mohammad Sajid , Sharma Dinesh C. , Alanazi Abulrahman Sattam , Unissa Rahamat
Published: October 2021

Background: The outbreak of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has drastically affected the human population and caused enormous economic deprivation. It belongs to the β-coronavirus family and causes various problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and has resulted in a global pandemic. Though various medications have been under trial for combating COVID-19, specific medicine for treating COVID-19 is unavailable. Thus, the current situation urgently requires effective treatment modalities. Nigella sativa, a natural herb with reported antiviral activity and various pharmacological properties, has been selected in the present study to identify a therapeutic possibility for treating COVID-19. Methods: The present work aimed to virtually screen the bioactive compounds of N. sativa based on the physicochemical properties and docking approach against two SARS-CoV-2 enzymes responsible for crucial functions: 3CLpro (Main protease) and NSP15 (Nonstructural protein 15 or exonuclease). However, simulation trajectory analyses for 100 ns were accomplished by using the YASARA STRUCTURE tool based on the AMBER14 force field with 400 snapshots every 250 ps. RMSD and RMSF plots were successfully obtained for each target. Results: The results of molecular docking have shown higher binding energy of dithymoquinone (DTQ), a compound of N. sativa against 3CLpro and Nsp15, i.e., −8.56 kcal/mol and −8.31 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the dynamic simulation has shown good stability of DTQ against both the targeted enzymes. In addition, physicochemical evaluation and toxicity assessment also revealed that DTQ obeyed the Lipinski rule and did not have any toxic side effects. Importantly, DTQ was much better in every aspect among the 13 N. sativa compounds and 2 control compounds tested. Conclusions: The results predicted that DTQ is a potent therapeutic molecule that could dual-target both 3CLpro and NSP15 for anti-COVID therapy.
How to Strengthen Protection of (Religious) Minorities and Cultural Diversity under EU Law: Some Lessons from Human Rights Protection System
Authors: Ferri Marcella
Published: October 2021

The paper is split into two parts. The first part starts with the analysis of Views adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee on Yaker and Hebbadi v. France cases concerning the French Act prohibiting the concealment of the face in public. These Views are then compared with the judgment S.A.S. v. France delivered by the European Court of Human Rights on a similar case. This comparison shows that the principle of non-discrimination and, in this vein, intersectional discrimination play a critical role in assuring the effective protection of Muslim women wearing religious clothing. Analysis of S.A.S. is completed by highlighting the most relevant weaknesses of religious minority protection in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. Some references are also made to freedom of religious clothing in the workplace, underling the critical role that can be played in this regard by the duty of reasonable accommodation. The second part identifies the most significant shortcomings characterizing the protection of religious minorities under European Union law. In conclusion, this paper tries to highlight which lessons can be learnt from the human rights system—examined in the first part—in order to strengthen minority protection in the EU.
The Precious Scroll of the Blood Pond in the “Telling Scriptures” Tradition in Changshu, Jiangsu, China
Authors: Berezkin Rostislav
Published: October 2021

The Precious Scroll of the Blood Pond is a newly discovered manuscript (copied ca. 1993), used in the “telling scriptures” tradition in Changshu, which represents ritualized storytelling based on the vernacular narrative texts called “precious scrolls” (baojuan). The local tradition of “telling scriptures” can be traced back to the 19th century, though it may have even earlier origins. While it has been generally accepted that precious scrolls had ritual functions in the late imperial period, little research has been done on the local varieties of this type of storytelling in connection with ritual practices. The material of the Precious Scroll of the Blood Pond from Changshu demonstrates how the Mulian story, widely known in China, has been adapted to the folk ritual of the afterlife salvation of a female soul through repentance of her sin of physiological impurity. While the related ritual in the neighboring Jingjiang on the northern bank of the Yangtze River has been thoroughly studied, the Changshu practice has received little attention of scholars so far. The Precious Scroll of the Blood Pond from Changshu demonstrates that the Mulian narrative was also associated with the ritual of “breaking the Blood Pond” in the Jiangnan areas, which also provides a new angle of evaluation of the Jingjiang tradition of “telling scriptures”. This article discusses relations between modern ritual practices and several variants of the Precious Scroll of the Blood Pond, mainly using fieldwork materials collected by the author in Changshu and adjacent areas in 2011–2018.
The Struggle of Indigenous Peoples to Maintain Their Spirituality in Latin America: Freedom of and from Religion(s), and Other Threats
Authors: Tomaselli Alexandra , Xanthaki Alexandra
Published: October 2021

This article argues that the (Western-oriented) right to religion has been proven inadequate in protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights. It recognizes that this is partly because of the distinctive characteristics of Indigenous religions, which differ from other dominant religions, but also because of the way in which religion has been used by colonialism with dramatic effects on Indigenous Peoples and their beliefs, spiritualities, and worldviews. The article focuses on Latin America to argue further that in addition to colonialism, the early Constitutions also attacked Indigenous religions. As Indigenous rights are more acknowledged in Latin America, we take this region as an excellent, albeit painful, example of how Indigenous religions have been pushed aside even in the most positive contexts. The article uses the constitutional and legal arrangements in Latin American states, mainly Ecuador and Bolivia, to critically assess the protection that these favorable to Indigenous Peoples legal systems’ guarantee to Indigenous rights despite a persistent implementation gap. Also, this article highlights the weaknesses of the international system in mitigating the manifold threats that Indigenous Peoples have to face on a daily basis in their struggle to maintain and transmit their religions and spirituality, including the assault of other religions and sects into their communities and the so-called neo-extractivism. The article finally draws some concluding remarks and recommendations on how to improve the freedom of and violations from religion(s) of Indigenous Peoples in the context of Latin America as well as international law more broadly.
Emmanuel Levinas and Ethical Materialism
Authors: Saldukaitytė Jolanta
Published: October 2021

The article discusses concrete and material aspects of Levinas’s ethical metaphysics. Firstly, the paper shows that, in contrast to several alternative modern conceptions of subjectivity, the Levinasian subject is not at a safe distance from the world but involved in it through sensing and “enjoyment” and therefore vulnerability. After that the paper highlights the materiality and concreteness of Levinas’s ethical metaphysics, a “deformalization” radically opposed to abstractness. It is precisely owing to the transcendence of the Other that the face is always concrete, always a specific, concrete, material solicitation of aid.
Japanese Monks and Chinese Books: Glimpses of Buddhist Sinology in Early Tokugawa Japan
Authors: Barrett Timothy H.
Published: October 2021

In the17th and 18th centuries, just as English scholars were reading and writing about their heritage in the continental prestige language of Latin, so too were Japanese members of the Buddhist clergy researching and publishing about the Chinese language heritage of their own religious tradition, drawing both on new printed books, often imported from China, and on much earlier manuscripts and printed texts preserved in their own country. The importation and reprinting of the canon by Ōbaku monks and the subsequent flowering of Zen scholarship is already well-known, but we should consider the efforts of Shingon monks in commenting on the heritage they received from China eight centuries earlier, and even the activities of Nichiren monks, who took steps to promote the legacy of Chinese Tiantai Buddhism. Critical reflection on the Buddhist tradition may not have emerged in Japan until the 18th century, but it did so in the context of a world of scholarship concerning an imported classical language that certainly stood comparison with that of the contemporary Anglophone world.
Structural Response Prediction for Damage Identification Using Wavelet Spectra in Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Moscoso Alcantara Edisson Alberto , Bong Michelle Diana , Saito Taiki
Published: October 2021

If damage to a building caused by an earthquake is not detected immediately, the opportunity to decide on quick action, such as evacuating the building, is lost. For this reason, it is necessary to develop modern technologies that can quickly obtain the structural safety condition of buildings after an earthquake in order to resume economic and social activities and mitigate future damage by aftershocks. A methodology for the prediction of damage identification is proposed in this study. Using the wavelet spectrum of the absolute acceleration record measured by a single accelerometer located on the upper floor of a building as input data, a CNN model is trained to predict the damage information of the building. The maximum ductility factor, inter-story drift ratio, and maximum response acceleration of each floor are predicted as the damage information, and their accuracy is verified by comparing with the results of seismic response analysis using actual earthquakes. Finally, when an earthquake occurs, the proposed methodology enables immediate action by revealing the damage status of the building from the accelerometer observation records.
Mother-Child and Father-Child Relationships in Emerging Adults from Divorced and Non-Divorced Families
Authors: Smith-Etxeberria Klara , Eceiza Amaia
Published: October 2021

The main aim of this study was to analyze the associations between parental divorce and interparental conflict with the quality of parent-child relationships. Specifically, we analyzed trust, communication and alienation in both father-child and mother-child relationships in a sample of 1078 Spanish emerging adults from divorced and non-divorced families. The interaction between parental divorce and conflict was also analyzed. In support of our expectations, parental divorce was associated with lower trust and communication, along with higher alienation in father-child and mother-child relationships. When interparental conflict was included, parental conflict was more strongly associated with lower trust and communication in mother-child relationships, and higher alienation in both mother-child and father-child relationships. However, parental divorce was still associated with low trust and communication with fathers, when interparental conflict and the interaction between parental divorce and conflict were added. In summation, our results suggest that both parental divorce and conflict should be taken into account in the study of the consequences of family-related stress variables on adult children’s wellbeing. These findings add to the current literature and contribute to better comprehend the effects of parental divorce and conflict on both mother-child and father-child affective relationships in an understudied cultural context. The implications, limitations and future research recommendations are discussed.
Rating Potential Land Use Taking Ecosystem Service into Account—How to Manage Trade-Offs
Authors: Carlsen Lars
Published: October 2021

Rating the potential land use for crop production and/or ranching is typically a process where production gains counterbalance environmental losses. Whereas the production gains are often easy to verify, the environmental losses may render visibility through the changes in the ecosystem service, such as water and habitat quality, carbon storage, etc., thus, leaving the decision maker with a multi-criteria problem. The present study demonstrates how partial-order methodology constitutes an advantageous tool for rating/ranking land use that takes trade-offs into account. It is demonstrated that not only the optimal choice of area, on an average basis, e.g., for crop production, is disclosed, but also the relative importance of the included indicators (production gains, ecosystem losses). A short introduction is given, applying data from a recent Chinese study looking for the optimal monoculture as a function of ecosystem tradeoffs. A more elaborate system applying data from the esgame was used, disclosing the most beneficial area for crop production and for ranching, as well as the relative indicators’ importance. The study further demonstrates that a single composite indicator obtained by simple aggregation of indicator values as a ranking tool may lead to a result where gains are optimized; however, this comes at the expense of the environment.
Analysis of the Impact of Land-Use/Land-Cover Change on Land-Surface Temperature in the Villages within the Luki Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Opelele Omeno Michel , Yu Ying , Fan Wenyi , Lubalega Tolerant , Chen Chen , Kachaka Sudi Kaiko Claude
Published: October 2021

Major land-use/land-cover change due to rapid urbanization has been known to increase the land-surface temperature around the world. Consequently, examining the variation of land-surface temperatures and mitigating the related impacts remain a challenge. The present study employed remote-sensing and geoinformational techniques to examine land-use/land-cover change and its effects on land-surface temperature variations in the villages within the Luki Biosphere Reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo. Land-use/land-cover change for the year 2038 was predicted by using the CA–Markov chain. Additionally, focus-group discussions (FGDs) with local communities from different villages were applied to better understand the impact of climate change, considering the increase of land-surface temperature. The results revealed major changes in land-use/land-cover in the four villages from 2002 to 2020, principally the expansion of fallow land and built-up areas, as well as the decline in forest land, and the complex of young secondary and degraded forest. There was an increase in mean LST values over all villages between 2002 and 2020. The highest value was observed in Tsumba kituti (25.12 °C), followed by Kisavu (24.87 °C), Kibuya (23.31 °C) and Kiobo (21.82 °C). Between 2002 and 2020, the mean LST of built-up areas increased from 23.18 to 25.12 °C, 21.55 to 23.38 °C, 21.4 to 25.78 °C and 22.31 to 25.62 °C in Tsumba kituti, Kiobo, Kisavu and Kibuya, respectively. Moreover, the mean LST of fallow land increased from 20.8 to 23.2 °C, 21.13 to 22.12 °C, 21.89 to 23.12 °C and 20.31 to 23.47 °C in Tsumba, Kiobo, Kibuya and Kisavu, respectively. This indicates that built-up and fallow land experienced the highest land-surface temperature compared to other land-use/land-cover categories. Meanwhile, the conversion of all land-use/land-cover categories into built-up areas in all the villages resulted in the increase of the land-surface temperature. FGDs results recognize the recurrent land-use/land-cover change as the major driver of the increase in LST (86%). However, it was predicted that farmland and built-up area will still increase within all the villages, while the forest land will decline. As for the complex of secondary and degraded forest, it will decrease in Tsumba kituti, while, in Kiobo and Kisavu, it is expected to increase. Through a combination of remote-sensing and primary data, this study provides accurate information that will benefit decision-makers to implement appropriate landscape-planning techniques to mitigate the effect of the increased land-surface temperature in the villages.
Analyzing the Impact of Agrophotovoltaic Power Plants on the Amenity Value of Agricultural Landscape: The Case of the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Tae-Hwa , Chun Ki-Suk , Yang Seung-Ryong
Published: October 2021

Recently, in Korea, there have been some disturbing events forcing a trade-off between the expansion of agrophotovoltaic (APV) power plants and the agricultural policy to enhance the public benefit function of agriculture. Under this context, this study attempts to examine the public perception of agricultural landscape and the APV power plants and to analyze the impact of APV power plants on the amenity value of the agricultural landscape. The results of the analysis based on the choice experiment method shows that the marginal willingness-to-pay for a rural tourism accommodation with a ‘agricultural landscape view’ is USD 64.37 higher compared to ‘agrophotovoltaics panel view.’ This implies that the value of the agricultural landscape decreases when solar panels are installed on farmland, signifying the detrimental impact of the APV power plants on the multi-functionality of agriculture. If the installation of APVs is expanded to farmlands nationwide, the amenity value of agricultural landscape is estimated to decrease by USD 1.70 billion or 55.0% of the total estimated amenity value in Korea.