bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bio-Banding upon Physical and Technical Performance during Soccer Competition: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Abbott Will , Williams Stuart , Brickley Gary , Smeeton Nicholas
Published: August 2019

Bio-banded competition has been introduced to address the variation in physical maturity within soccer. To date, no research has investigated the effect of bio-banded competition relative to chronological competition. The current study investigated the effect of bio-banding upon physical and technical performance in elite youth soccer athletes. Twenty-five male soccer athletes (11–15 years) from an English Premier League soccer academy participated in bio-banded and chronological competition, with physical and technical performance data collected for each athlete. Athletes were between 85–90% of predicted adult stature, and sub-divided into early, on-time and late developers. For early developers, significantly more short passes, significantly less dribbles and a higher rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evident during bio-banded competition compared to chronological competition (p < 0.05). Significantly more short passes and dribbles, and significantly fewer long passes were seen for on-time developers during bio-banded competition (p < 0.05). For late developers, significantly more tackles, and significantly fewer long passes were evident during bio-banded competition (p < 0.05). No significant differences in physical performance were identified between competition formats. Results demonstrated that bio-banded competition changed the technical demand placed upon athletes compared to chronological competition, without reducing the physical demands. Bio-banded competition can be prescribed to athletes of differing maturation groups dependent upon their specific developmental needs.
Active Learning on Trust and Reciprocity for Undergraduates
Authors: Rodrigo-González Amalia , Caballer-Tarazona María , García-Gallego Aurora
Published: August 2019

We propose a teaching activity aimed at promoting social values, such as trust and reciprocity, among undergraduate students in economics and related degrees. We present our pilot experience of what we call RED–‘Reading–Experiment–Discussion’, a three-step activity as part of a class of a specific module at the University of Valencia. During the Reading step, we encourage students to reflect, learn, and critically think about social values. In the second step, Experiment, students make decisions in a trust game experiment, a game created to measure trust and reciprocity in economic environments. Students then give opinions through a post-experiment questionnaire. Our research hypotheses are tested by using non-parametric methods. We also investigate the association between students’ decisions and their attitudinal and sociodemographic characteristics by linear regression analysis. Experimental data show that decisions on trust and reciprocity are dependent on earnings information and that, on average, females trust more than males. Finally, in the Discussion step, the learning is reinforced by sharing the readings about morals and the experimental decisions. In short, RED may be of great help in transmitting to students the role of social preferences in individual decision making.
Analysis of the Wind Environment to Improve the Thermal Comfort in the Colonnade Space of a Qilou Street Based on the Relative Warmth Index
Authors: Huang Xianfeng , Lu Zhen , Zhuang Zhixiang
Published: August 2019

By analyzing measurements of the thermal environment of a qilou (arcade building) street, this study used the relative warmth index (RWI) to evaluate the thermal comfort in the colonnade space of a qilou. The analysis of the influence of the temperature, humidity, and wind speed on the thermal comfort in the colonnade space of a qilou street was conducted, and it was shown that the ambient wind speed had a strong influence on the RWI, indicating that a proper increase in the wind speed positively affected thermal comfort in this space. Then, this study also analyzed the effects of different forms of qilou streets on the wind environment by employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and summarized the architectural design measures that can improve the thermal comfort, including adopting back chamfer, street gaps, and the appropriate sizing of building components. It was concluded that the wind environment of a qilou could be optimized in terms of these measures, and the average RWI value decreased by 0.06, effectively enhancing the thermal comfort in the colonnade space. The research findings are applicable toward designing a thermally comfortable environment in the transitional space.
Lock-ins and Agency: Towards an Embedded Approach of Individual Pathways in the Walloon Dairy Sector
Authors: De Herde Véronique , Maréchal Kevin , Baret Philippe V.
Published: August 2019

As the 2009 dairy crisis drew attention to the situation of dairy farmers in Europe, the extent of strategical power left to farmers in dairy cooperatives of increasing size is a frequently raised issue. Four dairy cooperatives collect 97% of the milk in the Walloon Region (in the southern part of Belgium). Two of them integrated agro-food multinationals. We decided to analyze the trajectories of Walloon dairy farmers exploring alternatives to the delivery of milk to these mainstream dairy cooperatives. We focused on the territories situated to the east of the Walloon Region, where dairy farming represents 75% of farming revenues. Alternatives consist either of processing milk on farm or in concluding a contract with a cheese processor collecting milk directly from farmers. Our objective was to understand the issues faced in these alternative trajectories and the reason why these alternatives remained marginal. We designed a qualitative case study based on interviews with farmers and local cheese processors. We mobilized evolutionary approaches on the stability and transitions of systems and approaches of change at the farmer level. It appears that the alternative trajectories remain embedded in a broader dairy context. The lock-ins emerging from this context determine the evolution of the farming model towards intensification and the individual identity and capabilities of farmers. We present a model of interconnected and embedded lock-ins, from the organizational frame of the regime to the individual frame. This model illustrates how the agency articulates with structural dynamics. We propose structural measures in the organization of agricultural education and in terms of support to alternative supply chains that will enhance agency in favor of a change.
Effects of Sustainability and Technology Orientations on Firm Growth: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing
Authors: Lei Linan , Wu Xiaobo , Fu Yanan
Published: August 2019

Prior literature from a cognitive perspective analyzing the effects of different content and structure of managerial cognition on sustainability are lacking. This study attempts to fill this gap by examining the relationship between technology orientation, sustainability orientation, and firm growth. Sustainability development has received unprecedented attention in the 12th five-year plan of China, who is the world’s largest energy consumer. This study tested the model of Chinese manufacturing in the year when the 12th five-year plan was published. Under the conditions of transforming economy, this study also considers how distinct institutional and industrial contexts could affect the relations between strategic orientations and firm growth, thereby clarifying the context-based adoption of different strategic orientations for realizing high levels of firm growth.
A Network Modelling Approach to Flight Delay Propagation: Some Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Zhang Haoyu , Feng Tao , Witlox Frank
Published: August 2019

This paper examines flight delay propagation in air transport networks. Delays add to additional costs, inefficiencies, and unsustainable development. An integrated flight-based susceptible-infected-susceptible (FSIS) model was developed to analyse the flight delay process from a network-based perspective. The probability of flight delay propagation was determined using a translog model. The model was applied to an airline network consisting of thirty-three routes involving three airlines. The results show that the propagation probability is network-related and varies across different routes. The variation is related to the flight frequencies at airports, route distances, scheduled buffer times, and the propagated delay time. Whereas buffer time has a greater impact on smaller airports, flight movement has a greater impact on larger airports. Having a better understanding of how delays happen can help the development of strategies to avoid them. This will lead to less costs, higher efficiencies, and more sustainable airport and airline development.
Improving Millennial Employee Well-Being and Task Performance in the Hospitality Industry: The Interactive Effects of HRM and Responsible Leadership
Authors: He Jie , Morrison Alastair M. , Zhang Hao
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of organizations on millennial (born 1981–2000) employee well-being and task performance in the hospitality industry. Millennial employees are becoming the main workforce in hotels and their well-being is drawing greater attention in research and practice. Prior studies suggest that human resource management (HRM) bridges the organization and employees and has a significant influence on employee well-being in the hospitality industry. Additionally, the supervisor’s responsible leadership is a key factor influencing employees in a changing workforce. However, how do HRM and responsible leadership contribute to millennial employee well-being? Can employee well-being make a difference in the hospitality industry? Those questions remain unanswered. To address the two questions, this research aims to examine the interaction effects of HRM and responsible leadership on millennial employee well-being and the mediating effect of well-being between the HRM and responsible leadership on employee performance. The research hypotheses were tested with multiple linear regression analysis based on a survey of 243 millennial employees in the Chinese hospitality industry. The results indicated that HRM and responsible leadership have positive impacts on millennial employee well-being, which could improve task performance in the hospitality sector. In addition, responsible leadership strengthens the positive effect of HRM on employee well-being and task performance. In addition, the interaction effects of HRM and responsible leadership on performance are mediated by employee well-being. It is of practical value for hotels to know that millennial employee well-being can be fostered through improving HRM and responsible leadership.
Variables Influencing Pre-Service Teacher Training in Education for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Two Spanish Universities
Authors: Álvarez-García Olaya , García-Escudero Luis Ángel , Salvà-Mut Francisca , Calvo-Sastre Aina
Published: August 2019

This paper analyzed the relationship that certain demographic and educational variables might have on the training in environmental education (EE) received by undergraduate students enrolled in a Degree in Primary Education (DPE) at two Spanish universities. For this purpose, they were given a questionnaire to assess the link between certain personal and educational characteristics relating to the students in the sample (n = 274) and three components of an environmental competence (EC) model: environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The results indicate that variables like gender, the students’ habitual place of residence, the type of leisure activities they undertook, and some educational factors had a significant impact on the acquisition of the said competencies. In light of these outcomes, the paper reflects on the possible role that non-university contexts might play in environmental education for pre-service teachers.
External Financing Efficiency of Rural Revitalization Listed Companies in China—Based on Two-Stage DEA and Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Tan Xianhua , Na Sanggyun , Guo Lei , Chen Jing , Ruan Zhihua
Published: August 2019

Rural revitalization is an important strategy to promote sustainable development of rural areas in China. Rural revitalization listed companies play an important role in implementing the rural revitalization strategy and developing the agricultural industry. However, the financing problem has always been a bottleneck problem with Chinese listed companies. This study used a two-stage DEA (data envelopment analysis) method to evaluate the funds raising efficiency, funds using efficiency, and overall financing efficiency of 34 rural revitalization listed companies in 2018. The results show that the financing efficiencies of 34 sample companies were low, only six companies have overall efficient financing, and there was much room for improvement. Financing efficiency varied greatly depending on the nature of the company, the industry, and the listing board. The efficiency of funds using of state-owned enterprises was much lower than that of private companies. The average efficiency value of agricultural company funds raising was lower than that of manufacturing. The efficiency of small and middle-size enterprises (SMEs) was lower than that of main board companies, but the growth enterprise market (GEM) companies achieved higher efficiency in the funds using. Further, by using the grey relational analysis (GRA) method, we found that the key factors affecting the financing efficiency of sample companies included capital structure, debt-paying ability, governance structure, company age, and operating ability. To improve financing efficiency, the companies should not only optimize their capital structure and governance structure but also improve their management and innovation capabilities. At the same time, the state also needs to give different policies support according to the characteristics of the companies.
Factors Influencing Indirect Carbon Emission of Residential Consumption in China: A Case of Liaoning Province
Authors: Yan Yan , Pan Ancheng , Wu Chunyou , Gui Shusen
Published: August 2019

Indirect carbon emissions caused by residential consumption has gradually become the key to the formulation of carbon emission reduction policies. In order to analyze the factors that influence the provincial residential indirect carbon emissions in China, comprehensive structural decomposition analysis (SDA) and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) models are established in this paper. The Liaoning province was selected due to its typical features as a province with higher urbanization rates. The model is based on input–output tables from 2002 to 2012, including those pertaining to the carbon emission coefficient (ΔF), energy intensity effect (ΔE), intermediate demand (ΔL), commodity structure (ΔS), residential consumption structure (ΔU), residential consumption ratio (ΔR), per capita GDP (ΔA) and population size (ΔP). The results show that the consumption of urban residents is the most common and significant section causing the growth of direct and indirect carbon emissions, both of which show an obvious upward trend. Nonmetal mining is the sector experiencing the greatest growth in indirect carbon emissions. The two most influential factors of indirect carbon emissions via the consumption of rural and urban residents are the intermediate demand effect (ΔL) and the per capita GDP effect (ΔA), respectively. Reducing energy intensity and optimizing commodity structures are the most effective ways to reduce indirect carbon emissions.
An Improved Butterfly Optimization Algorithm for Engineering Design Problems Using the Cross-Entropy Method
Authors: Li Guocheng , Shuang Fei , Zhao Pan , Le Chengyi
Published: August 2019

Engineering design optimization in real life is a challenging global optimization problem, and many meta-heuristic algorithms have been proposed to obtain the global best solutions. An excellent meta-heuristic algorithm has two symmetric search capabilities: local search and global search. In this paper, an improved Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA) is developed by embedding the cross-entropy (CE) method into the original BOA. Based on a co-evolution technique, this new method achieves a proper balance between exploration and exploitation to enhance its global search capability, and effectively avoid it falling into a local optimum. The performance of the proposed approach was evaluated on 19 well-known benchmark test functions and three classical engineering design problems. The results of the test functions show that the proposed algorithm can provide very competitive results in terms of improved exploration, local optima avoidance, exploitation, and convergence rate. The results of the engineering problems prove that the new approach is applicable to challenging problems with constrained and unknown search spaces.
Retardant Effects of Collapsing Dynamics of a Laser-Induced Cavitation Bubble Near a Solid Wall
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Duan Yaxin , Zhang Yuning , Tang Ningning , Zhang Yuning
Published: August 2019

In the present paper, the dynamic behavior of cavitation bubbles near a wall is experimentally investigated with a focus on the retardant effects of the wall on the collapsing dynamics of the bubble. In the present experiments, a cavitation bubble is generated by a focused laser beam with its behavior recorded through high-speed photography. During the data analysis, the influences of non-dimensional bubble–wall distance on the bubble collapsing dynamics are qualitatively and quantitatively investigated in terms of the interface evolution, the velocities of the poles, and the movement of the bubble centroid. Our results reveal that the presence of the wall could significantly affect the collapsing characteristics, leading to a dramatic difference between the moving velocities of interfaces near and away from the wall. With the decrease of the bubble–wall distance, the effects will be gradually strengthened with a rapid movement of the bubble centroid during the final collapse. Finally, a physical interpretation of the phenomenon is given based on the bubble theory, together with a rough estimation of the induced water hammer pressure by the bubble collapse.
Research Design and Major Issues in Developing Dynamic Theories by Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data
Authors: Akcam Bahadir K. , Guney Senem , Cresswell Anthony M.
Published: August 2019

This article discusses the use of the Grounded Theory approach to the analysis of qualitative data to develop dynamic theories. The main objective of the article is to explore the major issues in bringing Grounded Theory and System Dynamics approaches together. The discussion employs an example of secondary analysis of qualitative data as a mixed-method research design for System Dynamics researchers. Findings from this example are organized in a table by research stages. Some of the reported major issues have divided researchers in their fields, such as the theoretical sensitivity issue in the Grounded Theory field and the qualitative and quantitative modeling issue in the System Dynamics field. Other major issues, such as the nature and richness of the dataset, can limit the data analysis and the research outputs. Researchers using the mixed-method should address these issues, and the present article offers solutions for them.
Proteomics Computational Analyses Suggest that the Antennavirus Glycoprotein Complex Includes a Class I Viral Fusion Protein (α-Penetrene) with an Internal Zinc-Binding Domain and a Stable Signal Peptide
Authors: Garry Courtney E. , Garry Robert F.
Published: August 2019

A metatranscriptomic study of RNA viruses in cold-blooded vertebrates identified two related viruses from frogfish (Antennarius striatus) that represent a new genus Antennavirus in the family Arenaviridae (Order: Bunyavirales). Computational analyses were used to identify features common to class I viral fusion proteins (VFPs) in antennavirus glycoproteins, including an N-terminal fusion peptide, two extended alpha-helices, an intrahelical loop, and a carboxyl terminal transmembrane domain. Like mammarenavirus and hartmanivirus glycoproteins, the antennavirus glycoproteins have an intracellular zinc-binding domain and a long virion-associated stable signal peptide (SSP). The glycoproteins of reptarenaviruses are also class I VFPs, but do not contain zinc-binding domains nor do they encode SSPs. Divergent evolution from a common progenitor potentially explains similarities of antennavirus, mammarenavirus, and hartmanivirus glycoproteins, with an ancient recombination event resulting in a divergent reptarenavirus glycoprotein.
Analysis of Synonymous Codon Usage Bias in Potato Virus M and Its Adaption to Hosts
Authors: He Zhen , Gan Haifeng , Liang Xinyan
Published: August 2019

Potato virus M (PVM) is a member of the genus Carlavirus of the family Betaflexviridae and causes large economic losses of nightshade crops. Several previous studies have elucidated the population structure, evolutionary timescale and adaptive evolution of PVM. However, the synonymous codon usage pattern of PVM remains unclear. In this study, we performed comprehensive analyses of the codon usage and composition of PVM based on 152 nucleotide sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene and 125 sequences of the cysteine-rich nucleic acid binding protein (NABP) gene. We observed that the PVM CP and NABP coding sequences were GC-and AU-rich, respectively, whereas U- and G-ending codons were preferred in the PVM CP and NABP coding sequences. The lower codon usage of the PVM CP and NABP coding sequences indicated a relatively stable and conserved genomic composition. Natural selection and mutation pressure shaped the codon usage patterns of PVM, with natural selection being the most important factor. The codon adaptation index (CAI) and relative codon deoptimization index (RCDI) analysis revealed that the greatest adaption of PVM was to pepino, followed by tomato and potato. Moreover, similarity Index (SiD) analysis showed that pepino had a greater impact on PVM than tomato and potato. Our study is the first attempt to evaluate the codon usage pattern of the PVM CP and NABP genes to better understand the evolutionary changes of a carlavirus.
Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 Evolves In Vitro through an Assemblage of Haplotypes that Alternatively Become Dominant or Under-Represented
Authors: Klafack Sandro , Fiston-Lavier Anna-Sophie , Bergmann Sven , Hammoumi Saliha , Schröder Lars , Fuchs Walter , Lusiastuti Angela , Lee Pei-Yu , Heredia Sarahi ,   Master student consortium, Gosselin-Grenet Anne-Sophie , Avarre Jean-Christophe
Published: August 2019

Viruses are able to evolve in vitro by mutations after serial passages in cell cultures, which can lead to either a loss, or an increase, of virulence. Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), a 295-kb double-stranded DNA virus, is the etiological agent of the koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD). To assess the influence of serial passages, an isolate of CyHV-3 (KHV-T) was passaged 99 times onto common carp brain (CCB) cells, and virus virulence was evaluated during passages through the experimental infections of common carp. After 78 CCB passages, the isolate was much less virulent than the original form. A comparative genomic analysis of these three forms of KHV-T (P0, P78 and P99) revealed a limited number of variations. The largest one was a deletion of 1363 bp in the predicted ORF150, which was detected in P78, but not in P99. This unexpected finding was confirmed by conventional PCR and digital PCR. The results presented here primarily suggest that, CyHV-3 evolves, at least in vitro, through an assemblage of haplotypes that alternatively become dominant or under-represented.
Development and Evaluation of a Duo Chikungunya Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Assay Targeting Two Regions within the Genome
Authors: Thirion Laurence , Pezzi Laura , Corcostegui Iban , Dubot-Pérès Audrey , Falchi Alessandra , de Lamballerie Xavier , Charrel Remi N.
Published: August 2019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) re-emerged as a globalized health threat fifteen years ago. There are dozens of RT-PCR assays published. An inventory of the latter was made, and after in silico analysis, two assays were selected for their ability to detect strains belonging to the five CHIKV genetic lineages. They were combined in order to provide a robust assay not affected by genetic point mutations and the resulting Duo CHIKV real-time RT-PCR assay was compared to the two parental single-plex tests against five strains belonging to the five genetic lineages. The Duo CHIKV assay performed equally, or better, in terms of sensitivity, specificity, linearity and signal intensity. Dual-target assays are better suited for viruses having the propensity to evolve into new variants via point mutations or major sequence deletions/insertions. Here, we demonstrated that combining two single systems into a dual-target assay did not impair sensitivity and specificity, and proved a potent diagnostic tool to face a potential emergence of CHIKV variants by newly evolving mutations.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1–Encoded miR-H2-3p Manipulates Cytosolic DNA–Stimulated Antiviral Innate Immune Response by Targeting DDX41
Authors: Duan Yongzhong , Zeng Jieyuan , Fan Shengtao , Liao Yun , Feng Min , Wang Lichun , Zhang Ying , Li Qihan
Published: August 2019

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), one of the human pathogens widely epidemic and transmitted among various groups of people in the world, often causes symptoms known as oral herpes or lifelong asymptomatic infection. HSV-1 employs many sophisticated strategies to escape host antiviral immune response based on its multiple coding proteins. However, the functions involved in the immune evasion of miRNAs encoded by HSV-1 during lytic (productive) infection remain poorly studied. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and bioinformatics revealed that Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD)-box helicase 41 (DDX41), a cytosolic DNA sensor of the DNA-sensing pathway, was a putative direct target gene of HSV-1-encoded miR-H2-3p. The transfection of miR-H2-3p mimics inhibited the expression of DDX41 at the level of mRNA and protein, as well as the expression of interferon beta (IFN-β) and myxoma resistance protein I (MxI) induced by HSV-1 infection in THP-1 cells, and promoted the viral replication and its gene transcription. However, the transfection of miR-H2-3p inhibitor showed opposite effects. This finding indicated that HSV-1-encoded miR-H2-3p attenuated cytosolic DNA–stimulated antiviral immune response by manipulating host DNA sensor molecular DDX41 to enhance virus replication in cultured cells.
Flood Fatalities in Europe, 1980–2018: Variability, Features, and Lessons to Learn
Authors: Petrucci Olga , Aceto Luigi , Bianchi Cinzia , Bigot Victoria , Brázdil Rudolf , Pereira Susana , Kahraman Abdullah , Kılıç Özgenur , Kotroni Vassiliki , Llasat Maria Carmen , Llasat-Botija Montserrat , Papagiannaki Katerina , Pasqua Angela Aurora , Řehoř Jan , Rossello Geli Joan , Salvati Paola , Vinet Freddy , Zêzere José Luis
Published: August 2019

Floods are still a significant threat to people, despite of the considerable developments in forecasting, management, defensive, and rescue works. In the near future, climate and societal changes as both urbanization of flood prone areas and individual dangerous behaviors could increase flood fatalities. This paper analyzes flood mortality in eight countries using a 39-year database (1980–2018) named EUFF (EUropean Flood Fatalities), which was built using documentary sources. The narratives of fatalities were investigated and standardized in the database reporting the details of the events. The entire dataset shows a stable trend on flood fatalities, despite the existence of individual increasing (Greece, Italy, and South France) and decreasing (Turkey and Catalonia) trends. The 2466 fatalities were mainly males, aged between 30–49 years and the majority of them happened outdoor. Most often people were dragged by water/mud when travelling by motor vehicles. Some cases of hazardous behaviors, such as fording rivers, were also detected. The primary cause of death was drowning, followed by heart attack. This work contributes to understand the human–flood interaction that caused fatalities. The changes in society’s vulnerability highlighted throughout this study contribute to manage future risks, to improve people protection actions, and to reduce risk behaviors.
Morphological Patterns at River Contractions
Authors: Oliveto Giuseppe , Marino Maria Cristina
Published: August 2019

Sediment transport at river contractions is an important process of engineering concern which might occur when a river encounters a reduction in flow area because of either natural or artificial constraints. This paper focuses on the morphological patterns that are prone to form at and around the constriction of watercourses based on experimental investigations at laboratory scale. Experiments were carried out at the University of Basilicata, Italy, in a 1 m wide and 20 m long rectangular channel. The length of the working section extended up to 16 m, according to the length of the contraction model. Two nearly-uniform sediments were used as mobile bed, sand with median grain size d50 = 1.7 mm and gravel with d50 = 9.0 mm. The contraction length was either 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 m. Runs were carried out under steady flow and clear-water approach flow conditions. Typically, they were of long duration (up to 15 days) also to achieve an equilibrium state. New predictive equations are given on the temporal progress of: the maximum scour depth, the scour hole length, and the axial bed profile with emphasis on the processes of bed aggradation or degradation beyond the contracted region.
Physical Modeling of Ski-Jump Spillway to Evaluate Dynamic Pressure
Authors: Karami Moghadam Mehdi , Amini Ata , Malek Marlinda Abdul , Mohammad Thamer , Hoseini Hasan
Published: August 2019

The effects of changes in the angle of pool impact plate, plunging depth, and discharge upon the dynamic pressure caused by ski-jump buckets were investigated in the laboratory. Four impact plate angles and four plunging depths were used. Discharges of 67, 86, 161, and 184 L/s were chosen. For any discharge, plunging depth and impact plate angle were regulated, and dynamic pressures were measured by a transducer. The results showed that with the increase in the ratio of drop length of the jet to its break-up length (H/Lb), and with an increase in the impact plate angle, the mean dynamic pressure coefficient decreased. An inspection of the plunging depth (Y) ratio to the initial thickness of the jet (Bj) revealed that when Y/Bj > 3, the plunging depth of the downstream pool reduced dynamic pressure. At the angle of 60°, the dynamic pressure coefficient due to increasing in plunging depth varied from 34% to 95%.
Relationship between Water Temperature of Polish Rivers and Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Graf Renata , Wrzesiński Dariusz
Published: August 2019

The objective of the paper consisted in determining the effect of macroscale types of NAO, AO, EA, EAWR, SCAND, and AMO atmospheric circulation on changes in water temperature in Polish rivers. The study has made use of a broad body of hydrometeorological materials covering daily water temperature values for 96 water gauge stations located on 53 rivers and air temperature values for 43 meteorological stations. Percentage shares of positive and negative coefficients of correlation of annual, seasonal, and monthly circulation type indices with air and river water temperature were determined, demonstrating the character of teleconnection. Determinations were made of water temperature deviations in positive and negative phases of the analyzed indices from average values from the years 1971–2015, and their statistical significance ascertained. Research has shown that relations between the temperature of river waters in Poland and macroscale circulation types are not strong, however they are noticeable, sometimes even statistically significant, and both temporally and spatially diverse. NAO, AO, EA, and AMO indices are characterized by a generally positive correlation with temperature, whereas SCAND and EWAR indices are characterized by a negative correlation. Research showed a varying impact of types of atmospheric circulation, with their effectiveness increasing in the winter season. The strongest impact on temperature was observed for the positive and negative NAO and AO phases, when deviations of water temperature from average values are correspondingly higher (up to 1.0 °C) and lower (by a maximum of 1.5 °C), and also for the positive and negative SCAND phases, when water temperature are correspondingly lower (by a maximum of 0.8 °C) and higher (by 1.2 °C) than average values. The strongest impact on water temperature in summer, mainly in July, was observed for AMO. The results point to the complexity of processes determining the thermal regime of rivers and to the possibility of additional factors—both regional and local—exerting an influence on their temporal and spatial variability.
Applying Cascade-Correlation Neural Networks to In-Fill Gaps in Mediterranean Daily Flow Data Series
Authors: Vega-Garcia Cristina , Decuyper Mathieu , Alcázar Jorge
Published: August 2019

The analyses of water resources availability and impacts are based on the study over time of meteorological and hydrological data trends. In order to perform those analyses properly, long records of continuous and reliable data are needed, but they are seldom available. Lack of records as in gaps or discontinuities in data series and quality issues are two of the main problems more often found in databases used for climate studies and water resources management. Flow data series from gauging stations are not an exception. Over the last 20 years, forecasting models based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been increasingly applied in many fields of natural resources, including hydrology. This paper discusses results obtained on the application of cascade-correlation ANN models to predict daily water flow using Julian day and rainfall data provided by nearby weather stations in the Ebro river watershed (Northeast Spain). Five unaltered gauging stations showing a rainfall-dominated hydrological regime were selected for the study. Daily flow and weather data series covered 30 years to encompass the high variability of Mediterranean environments. Models were then applied to the in-filling of existing gaps under different conditions related to the characteristics of the gaps (6 scenarios). Results showed that when short periods before and after the gap are considered, this is a useful approach, although no general rule applied to all stations and gaps investigated. Models for low-water-flow periods provided better results (r = 0.76–0.8).
Trophic Features, Benthic Recovery, and Dominance of the Invasive Mytilopsis Sallei in the Yundang Lagoon (Xiamen, China) Following Long-Term Restoration
Authors: Magni Paolo , Como Serena , Gravina Maria Flavia , Guo Donghui , Li Chao , Huang Lingfeng
Published: August 2019

A comprehensive set of physicochemical variables in near-bottom water and surface sediments, as well as the soft-bottom macrozoobenthic assemblages were investigated at six sites across the Yundang Lagoon (Southeast China) in November 2012. This lagoon was severely damaged in the 1970s due to domestic and industrial pollution and land reclamation and underwent a massive restoration effort over the past 30 years. Our objectives were to: (1) assess the current trophic and environmental condition of the lagoon; (2) investigate the pattern of spatial variation in the macrozoobenthic assemblages; and (3) assess the benthic recovery in relation to the main environmental gradients and the presence of invasive alien species. Nutrient, chlorophyll-a, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (CODMn), and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were lower than those reported in previous decades, yet organically-enriched conditions occurred at an inner site. From azoic conditions in the 1980s and a few benthic species reported prior to this study, we found a significant increase in benthic diversity with 43 species heterogeneously distributed across the lagoon. The invasive bivalve Mytilopsis sallei was the dominant species, which was associated with the richest benthic assemblage. However, M. sallei is a pest species, and its spatiotemporal distribution should be carefully monitored. These results highlight the central role of the macrozoobenthos in providing important ecological information on the current status of the Yundang Lagoon and as an effective biological tool to follow the recovery’s progress and the future evolution of this highly valued ecosystem.
Effects of Alternating Irrigation with Fresh and Saline Water on the Soil Salt, Soil Nutrients, and Yield of Tomatoes
Authors: Li Jingang , Chen Jing , Qu Zhongyi , Wang Shaoli , He Pingru , Zhang Na
Published: August 2019

Saline water irrigation has become extremely important in arid and semi-arid areas in northwestern China. To study the effect of alternating irrigation models on the soil nutrients, soil salts, and yield of tomatoes with fresh water (total dissolved solids of 0.50 g·L−1) and saline water (total dissolved solids of 3.01 g·L−1), a two-year field experiment was carried out for tomatoes in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), containing six drip irrigation models: T1 (all freshwater irrigation), T2 (saline water used in the seedling and flowering stages; fresh water in the fruit-set and breaker stages), T3 (saline water in the flowering and fruit-set stages; fresh water in the seedling and breaker stages), T4 (saline water in the fruit-set and breaker stages; fresh water in the seedling and flowering stages), T5 (saline water in the flowering and breaker stages; fresh water in the seedling and fruit-set stages), T6 (saline water in the seedling and fruit-set stages; fresh water in the flowering and breaker stages). The study found that saline water irrigation tends to have a positive effect on soil total nitrogen and a negative influence on soil total phosphorus at each growth stage of the tomato. Soil Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and Cl− increased over the growth period, soil HCO3− decreased gradually by growth stage, and the salt ions increased with the amount of saline water applied in alternating irrigation. Though the soil salt accumulated in all experimentally designed alternating irrigation models, soil alkalization did not occur in the tomato root zone under the soil matric potential threshold of −25 kPa. The utilization of saline water resulted in about a 1.9–18.2% decline in fruit yield, but the total soluble solids, lycopene, and sugar in the tomato fruits increased. Ultimately, drip irrigation with fresh water at the seedling to flowering stages and saline water at the fruit-set to breaker stages was suggested for tomato cultivation in HID.
Sulfate Radicals-Based Technology as a Promising Strategy for Wastewater
Authors: Arellano María , Pazos Marta , Sanromán María Ángeles
Published: August 2019

This study was focused on the generation of sulfate radicals and their applicability as powerful oxidants for degrading complex organic compounds with the final objective of operating in flow systems. To this end, the removal of two compounds from the pharmaceutical industry was assessed, lissamine green and prednisolone. Initially, sulfate radicals were generated by the activation of persulfate with iron as homogenous catalyst, and the key parameters involved in the process, as catalyst concentration and oxidant dosage, were evaluated. Furthermore, with the aim of preventing the secondary contamination due to metal leaching and to be operate in a continuous mode, a heterogeneous catalyst was developed. For it, the iron was fixed on a cationic resin as Amberlite IR120 Na+ form. It was demonstrated that the removal of both pollutants increases with greater catalyst dosages, achieving a decay of 85% within 25 min with 30 g·L−1 of catalyst. Moreover, the reuse capability of the catalyst was tested, illustrating that it is rough enough for its reuse. Conversely, in order to develop a continuous treatment in flow system, a fixed bed reactor was constructed and its feasibility was proven. Different experiments with residence times from 10 min to 60 min were performed, obtaining a removal level of ≈95% and 90% for prednisolone and lissamine green, respectively, at residence time of 60 min. In conclusion, the potential of sulfate radicals-based technology for degrading organic contaminants has been demonstrated.
Correction: Harding, S.F., et al. Experimental Observation of Inertial Particles through Idealized Hydroturbine Distributor Geometry. Water 2019, 11, 471
Authors: Harding Samuel F. , Richmond Marshall C. , Mueller Robert P.
Published: August 2019

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [...]
The Relevance (and Irrelevance) of Questions of Personhood (and Mindedness) to the Abortion Debate
Authors: Johnson David Kyle
Published: August 2019

Disagreements about abortion are often assumed to reduce to disagreements about fetal personhood (and mindedness). If one believes a fetus is a person (or has a mind), then they are “pro-life.” If one believes a fetus is not a person (or is not minded), they are “pro-choice.” The issue, however, is much more complicated. Not only is it not dichotomous—most everyone believes that abortion is permissible in some circumstances (e.g. to save the mother’s life) and not others (e.g. at nine months of a planned pregnancy)—but scholars on both sides of the issue (e.g. Don Marquis and Judith Thomson) have convincingly argued that fetal personhood (and mindedness) are irrelevant to the debate. To determine the extent to which they are right, this article will define “personhood,” its relationship to mindedness, and explore what science has revealed about the mind before exploring the relevance of both to questions of abortion’s morality and legality. In general, this article does not endorse a particular answer to these questions, but the article should enhance the reader’s ability to develop their own answers in a much more informed way.
The salivary biomarkers: future clinical investigation technique
Authors: Shajahan Thamrook s , Shaiju S Dharan  , Madhan Mohan
Published: August 2019

Human saliva is a clear, slightly acidic biological fluid containing a mixture of secretions from multiple salivary glands, including the parotid, sublingual gland other minor glands beneath the oral mucosa as well as gingival crevice fluid.  Salivary diagnostics has evolved into a sophisticated science and serves as a subset of the larger field of molecular diagnostics, now recognized as a central player in a wide variety of biomedical basic and clinical areas.  Saliva biomarkers are source of indicators for local, systemic, and infectious disorders. The saliva based microbial, immunologic, and molecular biomarkers offers unique opportunities to bypass the painful invasive procedures such as biopsies and repeated blood draws by utilizing oral fluids to evaluate the condition of diseased individuals. Accurate and reliable early stage disease detection is the benefit of salivary biomarkers. Salivary biomarkers represent a promising non-invasive approach for oral cancer detection also. This review explains about the salivary biomarkers and their diagnostic approaches
HUBUNGAN DUKUNGAN KELUARGA DENGAN TINGKAT SELF ESTEEM (HARGA DIRI) PADA PENDERITA STROKE DI RUMAH SAKIT UMUM ROYAL PRIMA MEDAN 2019
Authors: Zai Yusmawarnita , Bu’ulolo Kandrinus , Fajariani Novy , Hulu Yasozatulo , Gulo Ruslan Efendi , Nurhayati Eva Latifah
Published: August 2019

Stroke is a condition where a part of the brain is suddenly disturbed which is caused by a lack of blood supply, which causes an inhibition of metabolic processes. As a result of a stroke affects the psychological function of the patient, so the patient feels his level of self-esteem decreases or is low. The role and support of families play an important role in the rehabilitation process to provide health services for stroke patients. The aim is to find out the relationship of family support with the level of self esteem (self-esteem) in stroke patients at the Royal Prima Medan Hospital in 2019. The design used a "cross sectional study" approach with a population of 2,690 people. Samples were stroke patients at RSU Royal Prima medan, as many as 25 respondents using accidental sampling techniques and questionnaires as research instruments. The test used is the chi-square test. The results of the study Based on the chi-square test found p value (<0.05) statistically shows that there is a relationship between family support and the level of self esteem (self-esteem) in stroke patients specifically there is a relationship between informational support (p-value = 0.009), assessment support (p-value = 0.003), Instrumental support is obtained (p-value = 0.009), Emotional support (p-value = 0.004) with the level of self esteem (self-esteem) in stroke patients. This research shows that good family support will positively impact the level of self esteem (self-esteem) in stroke patients.
ІМПЛЕМЕНТАЦІЯ ДОСВІДУ КРАЇН ЄС В ПРОЦЕСІ УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ ДЕЦЕНТРАЛІЗАЦІЇ ПУБЛІЧНОЇ ВЛАДИ ТА АДМІНІСТРУВАННЯ В УКРАЇНІ
Authors: Bagmet Mykhaylo , Shtyrov Oleksandr , Harhaun Yana
Published: August 2019

У статті здійснено дослідження досвіду країн ЄС щодо проведення реформи децентралізації, а також можливості його імплементації в Україні. Крім того, дослідження містить в собі аналіз впровадження в практику європейських критеріїв та стандартів в процесі децентралізації публічної влади та адміністрування в Україні. Автори статті акцентують увагу на необхідності запозичення Україною саме європейського досвіду, доводять, що Україна готова здійснювати реформу децентралізації публічної влади та адміністрування. Авторами насамперед акцентована увага на вдосконаленні правової та інституційної бази системи міжбюджетного фінансування. Зауважено що наступним кроком повинна стати робота науковців щодо розробки методики розрахунку фінансування регіонів. Також авторами пропонується внести зміни до законів «Про місцеве самоврядування в Україні» та «Про місцеві державні адміністрації», де вказані повноваження місцевих органів, методика визначення обсягів фінансування, а також визначено поняття «комунальна власність» та «комунальне майно». Зазначено, що для кожного рівня органів місцевої влади потрібно окреслити коло відповідальності та міри покарання, так як контроль та відповідальність є підґрунтям децентралізації. В результаті цих втілення зазначених пропозицій щодо фінансової децентралізації очікується створення нової системи місцевих бюджетів та міжбюджетних відносин, в основі яких повинна бути інституційна симетрія, що передбачає поєднання та взаємозв’язок економічних суб’єктів, які користуються суспільними благами, сплачують податки, і тих, хто приймає самостійно рішення про її надання.
На основі проведеного дослідження зроблено висновки, що імплементація позитивного зарубіжного досвіду сприятиме становленню громадянського суспільства, так як успішність реформи децентралізації публічної влади та адміністрування є запорукою розвитку свободи, демократії та громадянського суспільства в Україні.