bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Periodic Structure of Parallel Dynamical Systems on Generalized Independent Boolean Functions
Authors: Aledo Juan A. , Barzanouni Ali , Malekbala Ghazaleh , Sharifan Leila , Valverde Jose C.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, based on previous results on AND-OR parallel dynamical systems over directed graphs, we give a more general pattern of local functions that also provides fixed point systems. Moreover, by considering independent sets, this pattern is also generalized to get systems in which periodic orbits are only fixed points or 2-periodic orbits. The results obtained are also applicable to homogeneous systems. On the other hand, we study the periodic structure of parallel dynamical systems given by the composition of two parallel systems, which are conjugate under an invertible map in which the inverse is equal to the original map. This allows us to prove that the composition of any parallel system on a maxterm (or minterm) Boolean function and its conjugate one by means of the complement map is a fixed point system, when the associated graph is undirected. However, when the associated graph is directed, we demonstrate that the corresponding composition may have points of any period, even if we restrict ourselves to the simplest maxterm OR and the simplest minterm AND. In spite of this general situation, we prove that, when the associated digraph is acyclic, the composition of OR and AND is a fixed point system.
Preventive Effects of Different Aerobic Exercise Intensities on the Decline of Cognitive Function in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Growing Mice
Authors: Bae Ju Yong
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of different exercise intensities in preventing the decline of cognitive function and lipolysis associated with a high-fat diet-induced obesity in growing mice. Material and Methods: Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, were divided into the normal diet (CO, n = 10) and high-fat diet (HF, n = 30) groups to induce obesity for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the HF group was subdivided equally into the HF, HF + low-intensity training (HFLT), and HF + high-intensity training (HFHT) groups, and mice were subjected to treadmill training for 8 weeks. Results: Following the 8-week training intervention, body weight and fat mass were significantly lower in the training groups than in the HF group (p < 0.05). Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and monoglyceride lipase levels were significantly higher in the training groups than in the HF group (p < 0.05), and the ATGL and HSL levels were significantly higher in the HFHT group than in the HFLT group (p < 0.05). The Y-maze test showed that the training groups had a higher number of total entries and percent alternation than the HF group (p < 0.05). Hippocampal nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels were significantly higher in the training group than in the HF group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference according to the exercise intensity among the groups. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that low-intensity exercise is as effective as a high-intensity exercise in preventing the decline of cognitive function and lipolysis, and far more effective in terms of an expected efficiency of workload and prevention of side effects.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): State of the Science
Authors: Mostafa Ahmed , Kandeil Ahmed , Shehata Mahmoud , El Shesheny Rabeh , Samy Abdallah M. , Kayali Ghazi , Ali Mohamed A.
Published: July 2020

Coronaviruses belong to a large family of viruses that can cause disease outbreaks ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndrome. Since 2003, three zoonotic members of this family evolved to cross species barriers infecting humans and resulting in relatively high case fatality rates (CFR). Compared to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV, CFR = 10%) and pandemic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, CFR = 6%), the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has scored the highest CFR (approximately 35%). In this review, we systematically summarize the current state of scientific knowledge about MERS-CoV, including virology and origin, epidemiology, zoonotic mode of transmission, and potential therapeutic or prophylactic intervention modalities.
Does a Confidence Level for Automated Driving Time Estimations Improve the Subjective Evaluation of an Automation HMI?
Authors: Hecht Tobias , Danner Simon , Feierle Alexander , Bengler Klaus
Published: July 2020

Current research in human factors and automated driving is increasingly focusing on predictable transitions instead of urgent and critical take-overs. Predictive human–machine interface (HMI) elements displaying the remaining time until the next request to intervene were identified as a user need, especially when the user is engaging in non-driving related activities (NDRA). However, these estimations are prone to errors due to changing traffic conditions and updated map-based information. Thus, we investigated a confidence display for Level 3 automated driving time estimations. Based on a preliminary study, a confidence display resembling a mobile phone connectivity symbol was developed. In a mixed-design driving simulator study with 32 participants, we assessed the impact of the confidence display concept (within factor) on usability, frustration, trust and acceptance during city and highway automated driving (between factor). During automated driving sections, participants engaged in a naturalistic visual NDRA to create a realistic scenario. Significant effects were found for the scenario: participants in the city experienced higher levels of frustration. However, the confidence display has no significant impact on the subjective evaluation and most participants preferred the baseline HMI without a confidence symbol.
Ligand-Length Modification in CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals and Bilayers with PbS Quantum Dots for Improved Photodetection Performance
Authors: Navarro Arenas Juan , Soosaimanickam Ananthakumar , Pashaei Adl Hamid , Abargues Rafael , P. Boix Pablo , Rodríguez-Cantó Pedro J. , Martínez-Pastor Juan P.
Published: July 2020

Nanocrystals surface chemistry engineering offers a direct approach to tune charge carrier dynamics in nanocrystals-based photodetectors. For this purpose, we have investigated the effects of altering the surface chemistry of thin films of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals produced by the doctor blading technique, via solid state ligand-exchange using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). The electrical and electro-optical properties of photovoltaic and photoconductor devices were improved after the MPA ligand exchange, mainly because of a mobility increase up to 5 × 10−3 cm 2 / Vs . The same technology was developed to build a tandem photovoltaic device based on a bilayer of PbS quantum dots (QDs) and CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals. Here, the ligand exchange was successfully carried out in a single step after the deposition of these two layers. The photodetector device showed responsivities around 40 and 20 mA/W at visible and near infrared wavelengths, respectively. This strategy can be of interest for future visible-NIR cameras, optical sensors, or receivers in photonic devices for future Internet-of-Things technology.
Comparative Chemico-Physical Analyses of Strain-Free GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As Quantum Dots Grown by Droplet Epitaxy
Authors: Yeo Inah , Kim Doukyun , Lee Kyu-Tae , Kim Jong Su , Song Jin Dong , Park Chul-Hong , Han Il Ki
Published: July 2020

We investigate the quantum confinement effects on excitons in several types of strain-free GaAs/Al 0.3 Ga 0.7 As droplet epitaxy (DE) quantum dots (QDs). By performing comparative analyses of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with the aid of a three-dimensional (3D) envelope-function model, we elucidate the individual quantum confinement characteristics of the QD band structures with respect to their composition profiles and the asymmetries of their geometrical shapes. By precisely controlling the exciton oscillator strength in strain-free QDs, we envisage the possibility of tailoring light-matter interactions to implement fully integrated quantum photonics based on QD single-photon sources (SPSs).
Comments to the Editor Re: Papukashvili et al. Nutrients 2020, 12, 184
Authors: Willson Cyril
Published: July 2020

Papukashvili et al [...]
Coupled Cavity Mid-IR Quantum Cascade Lasers Fabricated by Dry Etching
Authors: Pierściński Kamil , Pierścińska Dorota , Kuźmicz Aleksandr , Sobczak Grzegorz , Bugajski Maciej , Gutowski Piotr , Chmielewski Krzysztof
Published: July 2020

In this work, two-section, coupled cavity, mid-IR quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) were characterized in terms of their tuning range and emission stability under operation towards potential application in detection systems. Devices were processed by inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) from InP-based heterostructure, designed for emission in the 9.x micrometer range. Single mode devices were demonstrated with a better than 20 dB side mode suppression ratio (SMRS). The fabrication method resulted in improved yield, as well as high repeatability of individual devices. Continuous, mode-hop-free tuning of emission wavelength was observed across ~4.5 cm−1 for the range of temperatures of the heat sink from 15 °C to 70 °C. Using the thermal perturbation in the lasing cavity, in conjunction with controlled hopping between coupled-cavity (CC) modes, we were able to accomplish tuning over the range of up to ~20 cm−1.
Speaking Truth to Power: Exploring Guru Nanak’s Bābar-vāṇī in Light of the Baburnama
Authors: Singh Pashaura
Published: July 2020

This essay offers in-depth analysis of Guru Nanak’s works, collectively known as the Bābar-vāņī (“arrow-like utterances concerning Babur”), in the context of the memoirs of the first Mughal emperor Babur (1483–1530). It extends the number of works in the collection from a ‘fixed’ assemblage of ‘four’ to ‘nine,’ making it an open collection that dynamically responds to the specific questions raised by historians about Guru Nanak’s encounter with Babur. The resulting framework provides us with a fresh analytical gaze into the critical events related to Babur’s invasions of India and helps the novel readings of Guru Nanak’s verses shine through. It also examines how Guru Nanak’s voice of resistance was interpreted in the narratives produced by later generations. Departing from traditional views, the essay ends with a new understanding of the impact of the Bābar-vāṇī on the evolving Sikh conceptions of the relationship between spiritual and political powers.
‘Poisoned Chalice’: Law on Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in Namibia
Authors: Chinsembu Wana W. , Chinsembu Kazhila C.
Published: July 2020

Many countries in Africa provide ethnobiological resources (more especially ethnomedicinal plants), which are converted by companies and users from developed countries into biopharmaceutical products without any monetary benefits to the countries of origin. To mitigate the lack of benefits, African countries are beginning to enact access and benefit-sharing (ABS) legislation, though their wheels turn very slowly. Since many African ABS laws have not been appraised for their feasibility, this paper presents a contextual analysis of Namibia’s new ABS law: The Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Act No. 2 of 27 June 2017. Even if several international conventions on ABS and local institutional structures guided the evolution of the 2017 Act, the main drivers for the enactment of the ABS legislation in Namibia are: Inequitable sharing of monetary benefits from the green economy, putative, but unproven cases of biopiracy, and political power contestations over ethnobiological resources. A critical analysis of important challenges faced by Namibia’s new ABS law include: Lack of adequate participatory consultations and technical capacity at the local level, discount of the non-commodity cultural value of TK, ambiguous and narrow definition of the term ‘community’, lack of a clause on confidentiality, and assertions that the new ABS law negatively impacts research in Namibian universities and botanic gardens. In contrast to South Africa’s ABS law, Namibia’s law is more onerous because it does not differentiate between commercial and non-commercial research.
Application of Deep Learning Architectures for Accurate Detection of Olive Tree Flowering Phenophase
Authors: Milicevic Mario , Zubrinic Krunoslav , Grbavac Ivan , Obradovic Ines
Published: July 2020

The importance of monitoring and modelling the impact of climate change on crop phenology in a given ecosystem is ever-growing. For example, these procedures are useful when planning various processes that are important for plant protection. In order to proactively monitor the olive (Olea europaea)’s phenological response to changing environmental conditions, it is proposed to monitor the olive orchard with moving or stationary cameras, and to apply deep learning algorithms to track the timing of particular phenophases. The experiment conducted for this research showed that hardly perceivable transitions in phenophases can be accurately observed and detected, which is a presupposition for the effective implementation of integrated pest management (IPM). A number of different architectures and feature extraction approaches were compared. Ultimately, using a custom deep network and data augmentation technique during the deployment phase resulted in a fivefold cross-validation classification accuracy of 0.9720 ± 0.0057. This leads to the conclusion that a relatively simple custom network can prove to be the best solution for a specific problem, compared to more complex and very deep architectures.
An Improved Multi-Sensor MTI Time-Series Fusion Method to Monitor the Subsidence of Beijing Subway Network during the Past 15 Years
Authors: Duan Li , Gong Huili , Chen Beibei , Zhou Chaofan , Lei Kunchao , Gao Mingliang , Yu Hairuo , Cao Qun , Cao Jin
Published: July 2020

Land subsidence threatens the stable operation of urban rail transit, including subways. Obtaining deformation information during the entire life-cycle of a subway becomes a necessary means to guarantee urban safety. Restricted by sensor life and cost, the single-sensor Multi-temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MTI) technology has been unable to meet the needs of long-term sequence, high-resolution deformation monitoring, especially of linear objects. The multi-sensor MTI time-series fusion (MMTI-TSF) techniques has been proposed to solve this problem, but rarely mentioned. In this paper, an improved MMTI-TSF is systematically explained and its limitations are discussed. Taking the Beijing Subway Network (BSN) as a case study, through cross-validation and timing verification, we find that the improved MMTI-TSF results have higher accuracy (R2 of 98% and, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 4mm), and compared with 38 leveling points, the fitting effect of the time series is good. We analyzed the characteristics of deformation along the BSN over a 15-year periods. The results suggest that there is a higher risk of instability in the eastern section of Beijing Subway Line 6 (L6). The land subsidence characteristics along the subway lines are related to its position from the subsidence center, and the edge of the subsidence center presents a segmented feature.
Stratifying Forest Overstory for Improving Effective LAI Estimation Based on Aerial Imagery and Discrete Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Xu Zhaoshang , Zheng Guang , Moskal L. Monika
Published: July 2020

Accurately mapping forest effective leaf area index (LAIe) at the landscape level is a crucial step to better simulate various ecological and physiological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and precipitation interception. The LAIe products obtained from two-dimensional (2-D) remotely sensed optical imageries are usually biased due to their inability to identify the vertical forest structure and eliminate the effects of forest background (i.e., shrubs, grass, snow, and bare earth). In this study, we first stratified the forest overstory and background layers and generated a forest background mask layer based on the structural information implicitly contained within the aerial laser scanning (ALS) data. We improved the retrieval accuracy of LAIe by combining light detection and ranging (Lidar)-based three dimensional (3-D) structural and 2-D spectral information. Then, we obtained the improved final LAIe estimation result by masking the forest background pixels from the optical remotely sensed imageries. Our results showed that: (1) Removing forest background information could effectively (R2 increase from 20% to 30%) improve the estimation accuracy of optical-based forest LAIe depending on forest structure characteristics. (2) The forest background in the forest stands with low canopy cover showed more apparent effects on LAIe estimation compared with the forest stands with a high canopy cover. (3) The combination of ALS and optical remotely sensed data could produce the best LAIe retrieval result effectively by removing the forest background information.
A Space-Interconnection Algorithm for Satellite Constellation Based on Spatial Grid Model
Authors: Li Shuang , Hou Kaihua , Cheng Chengqi , Li Shizhong , Chen Bo
Published: July 2020

With the rapid development of large-scale satellite constellations and the increasing demand for rapid communication and emergency rescue using global satellite-based Internet, there have been new requirements for efficient algorithms for inter-communication between satellites. As the constellations of low-orbit satellites become larger, the complexities of real-time inter-satellite calculation and path planning are becoming more complicated and are increasing geometrically. To address the bottlenecks in large-scale node space computing, we introduced a global space grid. Based on this grid, an efficient calculation method of spatial inter-connection between satellite constellations is proposed, according to the concept of “storage for computing” and the high computational efficiency of the spatial grid model. This strategy includes the following parts: (1) the introduction of the GeoSOT-3D global grid model into aerospace and the construction of the aerospace grid indexing BigTable; (2) a set of algorithms for satellite visibility analysis according to the visible grid look-up table and the secondary grid index; and (3) planning inter-satellite routing by querying the grid’s inherent visibility. The idea at the basis of this method is to employ the “space for time” concept to convert the high-dimensional floating operations into one-dimensional matching operations by querying the inherent “visible” attribute of the grid. In our study, we simulated thousands of satellites, discretized their trajectories into grids, and pre-calculated the visibility between grid cells to plan the routing path for the ground data transmission. The theoretical analysis and experimental verification show that the algorithm is feasible and efficient, and it can significantly improve the computational efficiency of inter-satellite connection. We hope that the method can be used in emergency communications, disaster warning, and maritime rescue, and can contribute to the next generation of satellite internet and “satellite-ground” integrated networks.
Downscale MODIS Land Surface Temperature Based on Three Different Models to Analyze Surface Urban Heat Island: A Case Study of Hangzhou
Authors: Wang Rui , Gao Weijun , Peng Wangchongyu
Published: July 2020

Remote sensing technology plays an increasingly important role in land surface temperature (LST) research. However, various remote sensing data have spatial–temporal scales contradictions. In order to address this problem in LST research, the current study downscaled LST based on three different models (multiple linear regression (MLR), thermal sharpen (TsHARP) and random forest (RF)) from 1 km to 100 m to analyze surface urban heat island (SUHI) in daytime (10:30 a.m.) and nighttime (10:30 p.m.) of four seasons, based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/LST products and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI). This research used an area (25 × 25 km) of Hangzhou with high spatial heterogeneity as the study area. R2 and RMSE were introduced to evaluate the conversion accuracy. Finally, we compared with similarly retrieved LST to verify the feasibility of the method. The results indicated the following. (1) The RF model was the most suitable to downscale MODIS/LST. The MLR model and the TsHARP model were not applicable for downscaling studies in highly heterogeneous regions. (2) From the time dimension, the prediction precision in summer and winter was clearly higher than that in spring and autumn, and that at night was generally higher than during the day. (3) The SUHI range at night was smaller than that during the day, and was mainly concentrated in the urban center. The SUHI of the research region was strongest in autumn and weakest in winter. (4) The validation results of the error distribution histogram indicated that the MODIS/LST downscaling method based on the RF model is feasible in highly heterogeneous regions.
Monitoring Land Surface Deformation Associated with Gold Artisanal Mining in the Zaruma City (Ecuador)
Authors: Ammirati Lorenzo , Mondillo Nicola , Rodas Ricardo Adolfo , Sellers Chester , Di Martire Diego
Published: July 2020

Underground mining can produce subsidence phenomena, especially if orebodies are surficial or occur in soft rocks. In some countries, illegal mining is a big problem for environmental, social and economic reasons. However, when unauthorized excavation is conducted underground, it is even more dangerous because it can produce unexpected surficial collapses in areas not adequately monitored. For this reason, it is important to find quick and economic techniques able to give information about the spatial and temporal development of uncontrolled underground activities in order to improve the risk management. In this work, the differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) technique, implemented in the SUBSOFT software, has been used to study terrain deformation related to illegal artisanal mining in Ecuador. The study area is located in Zaruma (southeast of El Oro province), a remarkable site for Ecuadorian cultural heritage where, at the beginning of the 2017, a local school collapsed, due to sinkhole phenomena that occurred around the historical center. The school, named “Inmaculada Fe y Alegria”, was located in an area where mining activity was forbidden. For this study, the surface deformations that occurred in the Zaruma area from 2015 to 2019 were detected by using the Sentinel-1 data derived from the Europe Space Agency of the Copernicus Program. Deformations of the order of five centimeters were revealed both in correspondence of known exploitation tunnels, but also in areas where the presence of tunnels had not been verified. In conclusion, this study allowed to detect land surface movements related to underground mining activity, confirming that the DInSAR technique can be applied for monitoring mining-related subsidence.
Comparative Assessment of the Built-Up Area Expansion Based on Corine Land Cover and Landsat Datasets: A Case Study of a Post-Socialist City
Authors: Stoica Ilinca-Valentina , Vîrghileanu Marina , Zamfir Daniela , Mihai Bogdan-Andrei , Săvulescu Ionuț
Published: July 2020

Monitoring uncontained built-up area expansion remains a complex challenge for the development and implementation of a sustainable planning system. In this regard, proper planning requires accurate monitoring tools and up-to-date information on rapid territorial transformations. The purpose of the study was to assess built-up area expansion, comparing two freely available and widely used datasets, respectively, Corine Land Cover and Landsat, to each other, as well as the ground truth, with the goal of identifying the most cost-effective and reliable tool. The analysis was based on the largest post-socialist city in the European Union, the capital of Romania, Bucharest, and its neighboring Ilfov County, from 1990 to 2018. This study generally represents a new approach to measuring the process of urban expansion, offering insights about the strengths and limitations of the two datasets through a multi-level territorial perspective. The results point out discrepancies between the datasets, both at the macro-scale level and at the administrative unit’s level. On the macro-scale level, despite the noticeable differences, the two datasets revealed the spatiotemporal magnitude of the expansion of the built-up area and can be a useful tool for supporting the decision-making process. On the smaller territorial scale, detailed comparative analyses through five case-studies were conducted, indicating that, if used alone, limitations on the information that can be derived from the datasets would lead to inaccuracies, thus significantly limiting their potential to be used in the development of enforceable regulation in urban planning.
Screen-Printed Electrodes Modified with Metal Phthalocyanines: Characterization and Electrocatalysis in Chlorinated Media
Authors: Antuña-Jiménez Daniel , Ibáñez David , González-García María Begoña , Hernández-Santos David , Fanjul-Bolado Pablo
Published: July 2020

Metal phthalocyanines are well-known sensing phases with applications in different scientific fields due to their interesting properties. Detailed characterization by Raman spectroscopy was performed in order to study the shifting of the vibrational bands related to the coordination sphere of each metal phthalocyanine. In this work, a study involving the use of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) with various metal phthalocyanines to electrochemically detect and quantify chlorine (Cl2) gas is presented. The Cl2 gas was generated in-situ via oxidation of the chloride present in form of aqueous salt solutions. The developed method offers not only the possibility to quantify chlorine, but also to discriminate among several chlorinated species due to the changes observed in the voltammetric profiles associated with the interaction between the specie assayed and the phthalocyanine metallic center. Optimization of detecting parameters was also performed to apply this procedure for the quantification of chlorine generated from commercial chlorine tablets. The development of this proof of concept shows interesting possibilities and easy-to-use applications with novel on metal phthalocyanines based SPE sensors.
Development of a Seismic Detection Technology for High-Speed Trains Using Signal Analysis Techniques
Authors: Moon Jae Sang , Yoo Mintaek
Published: July 2020

As the occurrence of earthquakes is increasing in South Korea, the earthquake early warning (EEW) system becomes indispensable for the protection of high-speed railways. Although the importance of EEW system has been increasing, the number of installed seismic accelerometers in South Korea is not sufficient to provide rapid information. This study uses a stochastic signal analysis technique to utilize the smartphone sensors for the rapid EEW system. From the train vibration data from the low fidelity on-board accelerometer, the virtual earthquake detection data in the train by smartphone sensor has been constructed. To analyze the stochastic characteristics of the constructed data, the short time Fourier transform (STFT) approach has been applied. The study’s overall objective is to offer stochastic approaches that provide effective analysis of the low fidelity sensor data, such as smartphone sensor data, for the rapid EEW system.
Panoptic Segmentation of Individual Pigs for Posture Recognition
Authors: Brünger Johannes , Gentz Maria , Traulsen Imke , Koch Reinhard
Published: July 2020

Behavioural research of pigs can be greatly simplified if automatic recognition systems are used. Systems based on computer vision in particular have the advantage that they allow an evaluation without affecting the normal behaviour of the animals. In recent years, methods based on deep learning have been introduced and have shown excellent results. Object and keypoint detector have frequently been used to detect individual animals. Despite promising results, bounding boxes and sparse keypoints do not trace the contours of the animals, resulting in a lot of information being lost. Therefore, this paper follows the relatively new approach of panoptic segmentation and aims at the pixel accurate segmentation of individual pigs. A framework consisting of a neural network for semantic segmentation as well as different network heads and postprocessing methods will be discussed. The method was tested on a data set of 1000 hand-labeled images created specifically for this experiment and achieves detection rates of around 95% (F1 score) despite disturbances such as occlusions and dirty lenses.
A Fiber-Optic Gas Sensor and Method for the Measurement of Refractive Index Dispersion in NIR
Authors: Njegovec Matej , Donlagic Denis
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a method for gas concentration determination based on the measurement of the refractive index dispersion of a gas near the gas resonance in the near-infrared region (NIR). The gas refractive index dispersion line shape is reconstructed from the variation in the spectral interference fringes’ periods, which are generated by a low-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometer during the DFB diode’s linear-over-time optical frequency sweep around the gas resonance frequency. The entire sensing system was modeled and then verified experimentally, for an example of a low concentration methane-air mixture. We demonstrate experimentally a refractive index dispersion measurement resolution of 2 × 10−9 refractive index units (RIU), which corresponds to a change in methane concentration in air of 0.04 vol% at the resonant frequency of 181.285 THz (1653.7 nm). The experimental and modeling results show an excellent agreement. The presented system utilizes a very simple optical design and has good potential for the realization of cost-efficient gas sensors that can be operated remotely through standard telecom optical fibers.
High-Throughput Phenotyping Approach for Screening Major Carotenoids of Tomato by Handheld Raman Spectroscopy Using Chemometric Methods
Authors: Akpolat Hacer , Barineau Mark , Jackson Keith A. , Akpolat Mehmet Z. , Francis David M. , Chen Yu-Ju , Rodriguez-Saona Luis E.
Published: July 2020

Our objective was to develop a rapid technique for the non-invasive profiling and quantification of major tomato carotenoids using handheld Raman spectroscopy combined with pattern recognition techniques. A total of 106 samples with varying carotenoid profiles were provided by the Ohio State University Tomato Breeding and Genetics program and Lipman Family Farms (Naples, FL, USA). Non-destructive measurement from the surface of tomatoes was performed by a handheld Raman spectrometer equipped with a 1064 nm excitation laser, and data analysis was performed using soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA)), artificial neural network (ANN), and partial least squares regression (PLSR) for classification and quantification purposes. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV/visible spectrophotometry were used for profiling and quantification of major carotenoids. Seven groups were identified based on their carotenoid profile, and supervised classification by SIMCA and ANN clustered samples with 93% and 100% accuracy based on a validation test data, respectively. All-trans-lycopene and β-carotene levels were measured with a UV-visible spectrophotometer, and prediction models were developed using PLSR and ANN. Regression models developed with Raman spectra provided excellent prediction performance by ANN (rpre = 0.9, SEP = 1.1 mg/100 g) and PLSR (rpre = 0.87, SEP = 2.4 mg/100 g) for non-invasive determination of all-trans-lycopene in fruits. Although the number of samples were limited for β-carotene quantification, PLSR modeling showed promising results (rcv = 0.99, SECV = 0.28 mg/100 g). Non-destructive evaluation of tomato carotenoids can be useful for tomato breeders as a simple and rapid tool for developing new varieties with novel profiles and for separating orange varieties with distinct carotenoids (high in β-carotene and high in cis-lycopene).
Metapolitical New Right Influencers: The Case of Brittany Pettibone
Authors: Maly Ico
Published: July 2020

Far-right movements, activists, and political parties are on the rise worldwide. Several scholars connect this rise of the far-right at least partially to the affordances of digital media and to a new digital metapolitical battle. A lot has been written about the far-right’s adoption of trolling, harassment, and meme-culture in their metapolitical strategy, but researchers have focused less on how far-right vloggers are using the practices of influencer culture for metapolitical goals. This paper tries to fill this gap and bring new theoretical insights based on a digital ethnographic case study. By analyzing political YouTuber and #pizzagate propagator Brittany Pettibone, this paper contributes to our understanding of radicalization processes in relation to the use of digital media.
Creating a Mind Genomics Wiki for Non-Meat Analogs
Authors: Gere Attila , Harizi Ariola , Bellissimo Nick , Roberts Derek , Moskowitz Howard
Published: July 2020

In the past few decades, several negative aspects of excess meat consumption have been identified, ranging broadly from health to environment to consumer rejections of meat analogs. At the same time, however, several new meat alternatives have emerged such as algae, insects, and cultured meat, which all present a sustainable option to reduce meat consumption. The paper assesses the psychology of the “everyday” for meat-free products, focusing on how consumers in two specific markets in the USA (California, New York) respond to messages about four specific topics involving meat-free products. These four are sensory characteristics, possible usage in products, health aspects, and environmental aspects, respectively. Each study with 100 or more respondents used experimental design of messages (Mind Genomics) to understand the degree to which the respondents reacted positively or negatively to the 16 messages in each of the four studies. The data suggest that focusing on the Total Panel or on geography, gender, or age will not reveal the dramatically different mind-sets existing in each of the four topics. We introduce the notion of the PVI, personal viewpoint identifier, to help the researcher uncover these mind-sets, and help communicate effectively with each mind-set about meat analogs or help recruit these individuals to participate in further studies.
Impact of Influenza Vaccination on Mortality in the Oldest Old: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Walzer Pauline , Estève Clémentine , Barben Jeremy , Menu Didier , Cuenot Christine , Manckoundia Patrick , Putot Alain
Published: July 2020

Influenza remains a major cause of illness and death in geriatric populations. While the influenza vaccine has successfully reduced morbidity and mortality, its effectiveness is suspected to decrease with age. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of influenza vaccination on all-cause mortality in very old ambulatory subjects. We conducted a prospective cohort study from 1 July 2016 to 31 June 2017 in a large unselected ambulatory population aged over 80 years. We compared all-cause mortality in vaccinated versus unvaccinated subjects after propensity-score matching, to control for age, sex and comorbidities. Among the 9149 patients included, with mean age 86 years, 4380 (47.9%) were vaccinated against influenza. In total, 5253 (57.4%) had at least one chronic disease. The most commonly vaccinated patients were those with chronic respiratory failure (76.3%) and the least commonly vaccinated were those suffering from Parkinson’s disease (28.5%). Overall, 2084 patients (22.8%) died during the study. After propensity score matching, the mortality was evaluated at 20.9% in the vaccinated group and 23.9% in the unvaccinated group (OR = 0.84 [0.75–0.93], p = 0.001). This decrease in mortality in the vaccinated group persisted whatever the age and Charlson Comorbidity index. In conclusion, nearly a half of this ambulatory elderly population received Influenza vaccine. After adjustment on comorbidities, influenza vaccination was associated with a significant decrease in all-cause mortality, even in the eldest multimorbid population. Improving immunization coverage in this frail older population is urgently needed.
Feasibility and Outcomes of Multivisceral Resection in Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Experience of a Tertiary Cancer Center in North-East India
Authors: Purkayastha Joydeep , Singh Pritesh Rajeev , Talukdar Abhijit , Das Gaurav , Yadav Jitin , Bannoth Srinivas
Published: July 2020

Purpose: Locally advanced colorectal cancer may require an en bloc resection of surrounding organs or structures to achieve complete tumor removal. This decision must weigh the risk of complications of multivisceral resection against the potential survival benefit. The purpose of this study is to review a single-center experience of feasibility of en bloc multivisceral resections for locally advanced colorectal carcinoma and to examine the effect of surgical experience on immediate outcome and rate of R0 resections.Methods: This is a study of 27 patients who underwent multivisceral resection for locally advanced colorectal carcinoma which was performed at our institute from January 2016 to December 2019. Among the 27 patients aged between 21 and 76 years (mean age, 48.67±7.3 years), 13 were males and 14 were females. Overall 18 patients had primary colon carcinoma and 9 had primary rectal carcinoma. All rectal cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. All patients underwent surgery with curative intent. All patients underwent open surgery of which 66.7% underwent colectomy, 14.8% underwent anterior resection, 11.1% underwent Miles procedure, and 7.4% underwent pelvic exenteration.Results: The mean operative time was 268.14±72.2 minutes and the median amount of blood units transfused was 2.07 units. The mean hospital stay was 13.67±3.4 days. Histologically, 44.4% of patients had well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and 55.6% had moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The final histopathological examinatio n revealed malignant infiltration of the adjacent organs in 19/27 patients (70.4%). Pathological complete response was seen in 2 patients. R0 resection rate achieved was 96.3%. Lymph node metastasis was seen in 66.7% of patients with colon cancer and 11.1% with rectal cancer with overall mean number of harvested lymph nodes being 12.44±3.01. Postoperative complications were identified in 7 patients (25.9%), while mortality was seen in 2 (7.4%).Conclusion: Multivisceral resection for advanced colorectal cancer invading into the adjacent organ may be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
About the failures of global and Russian financial markets and measures to support the economy and the population in the context of the pandemic
Authors: Ershov M.V.
Published: July 2020

A large-scale collapse in global financial markets, which has been brewing for many years and which was triggered by the pandemic of the beginning of 2020, generates crisis processes in the world economy. The spread of the coronavirus has led to a significant decline in economic activity around the world. National States are once again forced to urgently develop and implement anti-crisis programs. A wide and financially voluminous range of measures aimed at ensuring both supply and effective demand in national economies is involved. Russia has also introduced large-scale, though relatively modest, measures to support the economy and the population. Based on these realities and based on his research work on the use of anti-crisis financial mechanisms, the author justifies the conclusion that: a) this support is insufficient; b) to ensure the normal reproduction of the population and the resumption of economic growth, it must be increased and activated.
Financing Smart Cities’ Development: Doran’s Concept of the Project Universe
Authors: Teteryatnikov K.S. , Каmolov S.G. , Pyatova A.A.
Published: July 2020

The article is meant to analyze various strategies and models for the development of smart cities, as well as the concept of project financing of smart cities, proposed by Pietro Doran, one of the founding partners of the world’s first smart city built from scratch in South Korea — Songdo. The authors believe that Songdo’s financing model, based on P. Doran’s Project Model can be considered as an effective way to attract investment in greenfield projects for the development of «smart cities» in Russia on the basis of public-private partnership.
Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Untuk Pengembangan Desa Wisata Di Desa Paku Alam Kecamatan Darmaraja
Authors: Warlina Lia , Aulia Selfa Septiana , Abioso Wanita Subadra , Suheri Tatang , Alamsyah M Indra
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT

Paku Alam Village is one of 12 villages in the Darmaraja District, Sumedang Regency. The purpose of community empowerment activities in Paku Alam Village is to see the potency of the community for village tourism development and explore the aspirations of village officials and community leaders. The team consist of lecturers and students from departments of Urban and Regional Planning and Architecture. The implementation of the activities is from December 2018 to March 2019. The activities was carried out by initiation phase, identification of village potentials, gathering  aspirations of the community, and explaining the potential of the village to community leaders. Participants in the activity were Paku Alam peoples that the  related to the development of the tourism village those were the owner of homestays, restaurants and others . The village community was very enthusiastic in developing this tourism village which is well supported by the district government. The activity by obtaining village potential and community aspirations in the development of a tourism village in the Paku Alam Village was relatively successful.

Key words: community empowerment, tourism village,

 

ABSTRAK

Desa Paku Alam merupakan salah satu dari 12 desa yang berada di wilayah Kecamatan Darmaraja, Kabupaten Sumedang. Tujuan dari kegiatan pemberdayaan masyarakat dalam pengembangan desa wisata di Desa Paku Alam adalah untuk melihat potensi yang ada di desa tersebut dari aspek lokasi dan masyarakat untuk pengembangan desa sebagai desa wisata, dan menggali aspirasi dari aparat desa dan tokoh masyarakat untuk pengembangan wisata berbasis masyarakat. Tim pelaksana adalah dosen di program studi Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota (PWK) serta Arsitektur dan beberapa mahasiswa. Pelaksanaan kegiatan adalah dari bulan Desember 2018 sampai Maret 2019. Kegiatan dilaksanakan dengan melaksanakan inisiasi, identifikasi potensi desa, pengumpulan ide dan aspirasi masyarakat, dan pemaparan potensi desa kepada tokoh masyarakat. Peserta kegiatan adalah kepala desa, pelaku usaha yang berkaitan dengan pengembangan desa wisata. Masyarakat desa sangat antusias dalam pengembangan desa wisata ini yang didukung dengan baik oleh pemerintah kabupaten. Kegiatan untuk memperoleh potensi desa dan aspirasi masyarakat dalam pengembangan desa wisata di Desa Paku Alam dapat dikatakan cukup berhasil.

Kata kunci: desa wisata, pemberdayaan masyarakat
SISTEM HUKUM HUBUNGAN INDUSTRIAL PANCASILA DAN PRODUKTIVITAS PERUSAHAAN DAN KESEJAHTERAAN PEKERJA/BURUH
Authors: Zulkarnaen Ahmad Hunaeni
Published: July 2020

Sistem demokrasi ekonomi Pancasila merupakan sistem demokrasi ekonomi konstitusional dalam sebuah konsep negara hukum modern dengan pola negara kesejahteraan, atau suatu sistem demokrasi ekonomi sebagai hasil pengejawantahan dari konsep integralistik Pancasila, yaitu suatu konsep sistem demokrasi ekonomi yang bukan saja hanya  mengejar pertumbuhan untuk sekelompok kecil anggota masyarakat, tetapi juga mengutamakan kesejahteraan bagi seluruh rakyat Indonesia (pemerataan), oleh karenanya suatu perusahaan yang menjalankan pemerasan terhadap pekerja/buruh (exploitation des I’Homme par l’Homme) harus dicegah, dan tidak boleh dikembangkan di Indonesia, karena praktek pemerasan tersebut sangat bertentangan dengan sistem integralistik demokrasi ekonomi Pancasila, yang mengutamakan kesejahteraan bagi seluruh rakyat Indonesia (pemerataan). Guna mengatur hubungan yang terbentuk antara para pelaku dalam proses produksi barang dan jasa yang menyangkut aspek ekonomi, sosial, politik dan budaya, yang berkaitan dengan hubungan pekerja/buruh, pengusaha, dan pemerintah yang didalamnya secara mekanik dan fungsional saling berhubungan antara komponen jiwa bangsa hukum, struktural hukum, subtansi hukum dan budaya hukum  dengan tujuan mencapai produktivitas perusahaan dan kesejahteraan pekerja/buruh  berdasarkan pada nilai-nilai Pancasila dan UUD 1945.
PROTOTYPE POLA ASUH KELUARGA DAN DAMPAKNYA (Suatu Kajian Pendidikan Hukum Anti Kekerasan dalam Islam )
Authors: Solihah Cucu
Published: July 2020

Sifat dan karakter anak akan sangat dipengengaruhi oleh pola asuh keluarga, pola asuh dengan kekerasan akan berdampak terhadap sifat dan karakter anak di kemudian hari, bahkan akan melahirkan bentuk kekerasan-kekerasan lainnya dan Islam sangat menentang kekerasan dalam bentuk apapun termasuk dalam kehidupan rumah tangga. Kasus kekerasan dan penindasan yang menimpa kemanusiaan telah memotivasi banyak kalangan termasuk kalangan akademisi untuk menggali cara  hidup dan pranata kehidupan yang lebih adil dan penuh kedamaian. Dalam konteks kajian ini, diharapkan menjadi suatu model yang akan dipergunakan masyarakat sekaligus membuka wawasan akan hakikat pola asuh keluarga  yang bermartabat dalam proses penyadaran  masyarakat dalam hal pola asuh keluarga.
PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP TENAGA KERJA WANITA (TKW) YANG BERMASALAH DI SUKABUMI
Authors: Astri R. Eriska, Haidan,
Published: July 2020

Kekerasan terhadap terhadap TKW sering terjadi dimana-mana termasuk di luar negeri, hampir setiap hari TKW asal Indonesia yang bekerja diluar negeri mengalami perlakuan yang sangat tidak wajar dari majikannya. Karena masih ada di Negara tujuan yang mengaggap bahwa TKW itu adalah budak dan layak diperlakukan sesuai keinginan dari majikannya. Berbagai perlakuan melanggar hukum yang diterima tenaga kerja wanita memerlukan kajian bagaimana pengaturan hukum tentang perlindungan terhadap tenaga kerja wanita (TKI) di sukabumi serta bagaimana peran Disnakertrans Sukabumi dalam memberikan perlindungan hukum terhadap para tenaga kerja wanita (TKW) yang  bermasalah. Salah satu faktor utama penyebab TKW ingin bekerja ke luar negeri adalah faktor ekonomi,walaupun tidak dipungkiri ada beberapa faktor lainnya yang menyebabkan tenaga kerja wanita khususnya memutuskan bekerja diluar negeri. Beberapa negara sudah membuat aturan untuk menghentikan  penerimaan tenaga kerja di sektor informal, walaupun untuk  beberapa negara Asia masih memerima tenaga kerja wanita untuk bekerja di sektor informal, contohnya, Malayasia, Brunei Darrusalam, Taiwan, Hongkong, dan negara Asia lainnya. Pemerintah sudah berupaya untuk mengawasi dan  memberikan perlindungan, tetapi dari sudut pandang pekerja hendaknya harus selalu memahami bentuk isi perjanjian kerja  sehingga pekerjaa  betul-betul memahami hak dan kewajibannya, selain itu pekerja harus menyimpan perjanjian kerja tersebut.