bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Religion and National Culture in Poland in Light of John Paul II’s Philosophical and Theological Reflections
Authors: Osewska Elżbieta , Stala Józef , Bochenek Krzysztof
Published: December 2021

Many historians and politicians acknowledge that John Paul II, along with other world-leaders of the 1980s brought about the destruction of European Communism. One could also say that connection between religion and culture inspired Poles to refuse co-operation with the Communism. According to Karol Wojtyła it is impossible without Christianity to understand the history of the Polish nation and culture. Being the son of Polish nation which has been condemned to death several times, by its neighbors, but which has survived and kept national identity, Pope John Paul II understood very well the important role of religion and culture. On the basis of his experience Slavic Pope laid out a vision for relationship between Christianity and culture as the ‘priority’ of the civilization of love. He pointed out a number of reasons for this, which will be presented in this article. First, religion does not exist in vacuum, but in a certain context. Second, religion played a decisive role in the construction of States and nations. Third, Christianity is a creator of culture in its very foundation, and deep transformation of culture starts when Christianity and culture are linked together. Fourth, Christianity is incomplete if it is not lived out in a culture. Fifth, Polish culture and society has been deeply animated by religious piety. Sixth, culture provides a medium for dialogue between believers and nonbelievers. Seventh, the goal of the engagement of culture in accordance with Christianity is the creating of a civilization of love, which enables the human being to live freely in the truth. The research aim of this article is to present the strong relationship between Christianity and national culture in Poland, to identify the core of the Polish national culture, the ways Polish culture has been growing and communicating in connection with Roman Catholicism in the light of Pope John Paul II’s teaching.
A Model-Based Assessment of Canopy-Scale Primary Productivity for the Baltic Sea Benthic Vegetation Using Environmental Variables and Spectral Indices
Authors: Vahtmäe Ele , Kotta Jonne , Argus Laura , Kotta Mihkel , Kotta Ilmar , Kutser Tiit
Published: December 2021

This study investigated the potential to predict primary production in benthic ecosystems using meteorological variables and spectral indices. In situ production experiments were carried out during the vegetation season of 2020, wherein the primary production and spectral reflectance of different communities of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) were measured and chlorophyll (Chl a+b) concentration was quantified in the laboratory. The reflectance of SAV was measured both in air and underwater. First, in situ reflectance spectra of each SAV class were used to calculate different spectral indices, and then the indices were correlated with Chl a+b. Indices using red and blue band combinations such as 650/450 and 650/480 nm explained the largest part of variability in Chl a+b for datasets measured in air and underwater. Subsequently, the best-performing indices were used in boosted regression trees (BRT) models, together with meteorological data to predict the community photosynthesis of different SAV classes. The predictive power (R2) of production models were very high, estimated at the range of 0.82–0.87. The variable contributing the most to the model description was SAV class, followed in most cases by the water temperature. Nevertheless, the inclusion of spectral indices significantly improved BRT models, often by over 20%, and surprisingly their contribution mostly exceeded that of photosynthetically active radiation.
Detecting the Spatial Variability of Seagrass Meadows and Their Consequences on Associated Macrofauna Benthic Activity Using Novel Drone Technology
Authors: Chand Subhash , Bollard Barbara
Published: December 2021

Seagrass meadows are undergoing significant decline locally and globally from human and climatic impacts. Seagrass decline also impacts seagrass-dependent macrofauna benthic activity, interrupts their vital linkage with adjacent habitats, and creates broader degradation through the ecosystem. Seagrass variability (gain and loss) is a driver of marine species diversity. Still, our understanding of macrofauna benthic activity distribution and their response to seagrass variability from remotely sensed drone imagery is limited. Hence, it is critical to develop fine-scale seasonal change detection techniques appropriate to the scale of variability that will apply to dynamic marine environments. Therefore, this research tested the performance of the VIS and VIS+NIR sensors from proximal low altitude remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) to detect fine-scale seasonal seagrass variability using spectral indices and a supervised machine learning classification technique. Furthermore, this research also attempted to identify and quantify macrofauna benthic activity from their feeding burrows and their response to seagrass variability. The results from VIS (visible spectrum) and VIS+NIR (visible and near-infrared spectrum) sensors produced a 90–98% classification accuracy. This accuracy established that the spectral indices were fundamental in this study to identify and classify seagrass density. The other important finding revealed that seagrass-associated macrofauna benthic activity showed increased or decreased abundance and distribution with seasonal seagrass variability from drone high spatial resolution orthomosaics. These results are important for seagrass conservation because managers can quickly detect fine-scale seasonal changes and take mitigation actions before the decline of this keystone species affects the entire ecosystem. Moreover, proximal low-altitude, remotely sensed time-series seasonal data provided valuable contributions for documenting spatial ecological seasonal change in this dynamic marine environment.
A Lightweight Convolutional Neural Network Based on Group-Wise Hybrid Attention for Remote Sensing Scene Classification
Authors: Shi Cuiping , Zhang Xinlei , Sun Jingwei , Wang Liguo
Published: December 2021

With the development of computer vision, attention mechanisms have been widely studied. Although the introduction of an attention module into a network model can help to improve classification performance on remote sensing scene images, the direct introduction of an attention module can increase the number of model parameters and amount of calculation, resulting in slower model operations. To solve this problem, we carried out the following work. First, a channel attention module and spatial attention module were constructed. The input features were enhanced through channel attention and spatial attention separately, and the features recalibrated by the attention modules were fused to obtain the features with hybrid attention. Then, to reduce the increase in parameters caused by the attention module, a group-wise hybrid attention module was constructed. The group-wise hybrid attention module divided the input features into four groups along the channel dimension, then used the hybrid attention mechanism to enhance the features in the channel and spatial dimensions for each group, then fused the features of the four groups along the channel dimension. Through the use of the group-wise hybrid attention module, the number of parameters and computational burden of the network were greatly reduced, and the running time of the network was shortened. Finally, a lightweight convolutional neural network was constructed based on the group-wise hybrid attention (LCNN-GWHA) for remote sensing scene image classification. Experiments on four open and challenging remote sensing scene datasets demonstrated that the proposed method has great advantages, in terms of classification accuracy, even with a very low number of parameters.
Optimal Neighborhood Selection for AR-ARCH Random Fields with Application to Mortality
Authors: Doukhan Paul , Rynkiewicz Joseph , Salhi Yahia
Published: December 2021

This article proposes an optimal and robust methodology for model selection. The model of interest is a parsimonious alternative framework for modeling the stochastic dynamics of mortality improvement rates introduced recently in the literature. The approach models mortality improvements using a random field specification with a given causal structure instead of the commonly used factor-based decomposition framework. It captures some well-documented stylized facts of mortality behavior including: dependencies among adjacent cohorts, the cohort effects, cross-generation correlations, and the conditional heteroskedasticity of mortality. Such a class of models is a generalization of the now widely used AR-ARCH models for univariate processes. A the framework is general, it was investigated and illustrated a simple variant called the three-level memory model. However, it is not clear which is the best parameterization to use for specific mortality uses. In this paper, we investigate the optimal model choice and parameter selection among potential and candidate models. More formally, we propose a methodology well-suited to such a random field able to select thebest model in the sense that the model is not only correct but also most economical among all thecorrectmodels. Formally, we show that a criterion based on a penalization of the log-likelihood, e.g., the using of the Bayesian Information Criterion, is consistent. Finally, we investigate the methodology based on Monte-Carlo experiments as well as real-world datasets.
Integral Analysis of Liquid-Hot-Water Pretreatment of Wheat Straw: Evaluation of the Production of Sugars, Degradation Products, and Lignin
Authors: Serna-Loaiza Sebastian , Dias Manuel , Daza-Serna Laura , de Carvalho Carla C. C. R. , Friedl Anton
Published: December 2021

Developing sustainable biorefineries is an urgent matter to support the transition to a sustainable society. Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a crucial renewable feedstock for this purpose, and its complete valorization is essential for the sustainability of biorefineries. However, it is improbable that a single pretreatment will extract both sugars and lignin from LCB. Therefore, a combination of pretreatments must be applied. Liquid-hot-water (LHW) is highlighted as a pretreatment for hemicellulose hydrolysis, conventionally analyzed only in terms of sugars and degradation products. However, lignin is also hydrolyzed in the process. The objective of this work was to evaluate LHW at different conditions for sugars, degradation products, and lignin. We performed LHW at 160, 180, and 200 °C for 30, 60, and 90 min using wheat straw and characterized the extract for sugars, degradation products (furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and acetic acid), and lignin. Three conditions allowed reaching similar total sugar concentrations (~12 g/L): 160 °C for 90 min, 180 °C for 30 min, and 180 °C for 60 min. Among these, LHW performed at 160 °C for 90 min allowed the lowest concentration of degradation products (0.2, 0.01, and 1.4 g/L for furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and acetic acid, respectively) and lignin hydrolysis (2.2 g/L). These values indicate the potential use of the obtained sugars as a fermentation substrate while leaving the lignin in the solid phase for a following stage focused on its extraction and valorization.
Management Control and Business Model Innovation in the Context of a Circular Economy in the Dutch Construction Industry
Authors: Ruiter Henk , De Feijter Frank , Wagensveld Koos
Published: December 2021

This study explores how different forms of management control support and enable business model innovation in the context of the principles of the circular economy. Following a qualitative research approach, empirical data is collected from construction companies and governmental organizations in the Netherlands. Building on Simons’ four levers of control. This paper illustrates how to balance the intended and emergent strategies via the organization’s management control system. According to Simons, the four levers encompass the beliefs systems, the interactive control systems, the diagnostic control systems, and the boundary controls. The empirical findings uncover the beliefs systems and the interactive control systems to be the most relevant levers that enable and drive business model innovation striving for the effective use of materials. Rather than measuring the output with predefined performance indicators, business model innovation in this context is better served by diagnostic controls which evaluate how innovative business models contribute to the organization’s mission.
Determination of the Connectedness of Land Use, Land Cover Change to Water Quality Status of a Shallow Lake: A Case of Lake Kyoga Basin, Uganda
Authors: Obubu John Peter , Mengistou Seyoum , Odong Robinson , Fetahi Tadesse , Alamirew Tena
Published: December 2021

Catchments for aquatic ecosystems connect to the water quality of those waterbodies. Land use land cover change activities in the catchments, therefore, play a significant role in determining the water quality of the waterbodies. Research on the relationship between land use and land cover changes and water quality has gained global prominence. Therefore, this study aimed at determining land use, land cover changes in the catchments of L. Kyoga basin, and assessing their connectedness to the lake’s water quality. The GIS software was used to determine eight major land use and land cover changes for 2000, 2010, and 2020. Meanwhile, water quality data was obtained through both secondary and primary sources. Spearman correlation statistical tool in SPSS was used to correlate the land use, land cover changes, and water quality changes over the two-decade study period. The results showed that different land use and land cover activities strongly correlated with particular water quality parameters. For example, agriculture correlated strongly with nutrients like TP, TN, and nitrates and turbidity, TSS, BOD, and temp. The correlation with nitrates was statistically significant at 0.01 confidence limit. The findings of this study agreed with what other authors had found in different parts of the world. The results show that to manage the water quality of L. Kyoga, management of land use, land cover activities in the catchment should be prioritized. Therefore, the results are helpful to decision and policy makers and relevant stakeholders responsible for water management.
Study of the Landscape Pattern of Shuiyu Village in Beijing, China: A Comprehensive Analysis of Adaptation to Local Microclimate
Authors: Qi Ling , Liu Ranqian , Cui Yuechen , Zhou Mo , Bonenberg Wojciech , Song Zhisheng
Published: December 2021

The paper used technical parameters to investigate optimized solutions to protect the ecological environment and improve the microclimate adaptability among the traditional villages in Beijing. Shuiyu Village was used as a case study to analyze the coupling relationship between landscape patterns and the microclimate of traditional villages, with a focus on the ecological relationship between residents and the microclimate. This study also developed a climate index system, which includes computer numerical simulation and microclimate comprehensive analysis methods. The distinct types of landscape patterns were studied using the system. In addition, this paper studied the adaptive design mechanism in-depth, the form parameters of comfort evaluation controllability, and map expression technology of morphological parameters. The findings of this study include the optimized value of the environment based on landscape pattern and the map through the Rhino modeling platform. An interactive platform was developed, and a parametric-assisted optimization design process for traditional villages in the northern part of China was proposed. Moreover, this study concluded optimized strategies and technical guidelines for future planning of the rural areas in northern China with a goal to protect traditional villages and transform them into smart villages with microclimate adaptability.
Analysis of Turbulent Flow Structure with Its Fluvial Processes around Mid-Channel Bar
Authors: Khan Md. Amir , Sharma Nayan , Pu Jaan , Alfaisal Faisal M. , Alam Shamshad , Khan Wahaj Ahmad
Published: December 2021

Researchers have recognized that the successive growth of mid-channel bar deposits can be entertained as the raison d’être for the initiation of the braiding process, which is closely interlinked with the growth, decay, and vertical distribution of fluvial turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). Thus, focused analysis on the underlying mechanics of turbulent flow structures in the proximity of a bar deposit occurring in the middle of the channel can afford crucial scientific clues for insight into the initiating fluvial processes that give rise to braiding. In the study reported herein, a physical model of a mid-channel bar is constructed in an experimental flume to analyze the turbulence parameters in a region close to the bar. Notably, the flow velocity plays an important role in understanding the flow behavior in the scour-hole location in the upstream flow divergence zone as well as near the downstream zone of flow convergence in a mid-channel bar. Therefore, the fluctuating components of turbulent flow velocity are herein discussed and analyzed for the regions located close to the bar. In the present study, the impact of the mid-channel bar, as well as its growth in turbulent flow, on higher-order velocity fluctuation moments are investigated. For near-bed locations, the results show the dominance of ejection events in upstream zones and the dominance of sweep events at locations downstream of the mid-channel bar. In scour-hole sections, the negative value of the stream-wise flux of turbulent kinetic energy and the positive value of the vertical flux of turbulent kinetic energy indicate energy transport in downward and forward directions, respectively. The downward and forward energy transport processes lead to scouring at these locations. The maximum turbulent production rate occurs in the wake region of the bar. The high rate of turbulence production has occurred in that region, which can be ascribed to the process of shedding turbulent vortices. The results show that the impact of the presence of the bar is mainly restricted to the lower layers of flow. The turbulent dissipation rate monotonically decreases with an increase in the vertical distance from the bed. The turbulent production rate first increases and then decreases with successive increases in the vertical distance from the bed. The paper concludes with suggestions for the future potential use of the present research for the practical purpose of examining braid bar occurrences in alluvial rivers to develop an appropriate response through training measures.
Progress and Prospects of Forest Ecological Asset Research
Authors: Li Tingling , Xiong Kangning , Yang Shan , Liu Haiyan , Qin Yao , Wang Zhifu
Published: December 2021

In recent years, in the face of the deterioration of the ecological environment, the research on forest ecological assets (FEA) has increasingly become a focal area of ecological research. To understand the current research progress and future prospects, this paper classifies and summarizes the main progress and achievements related to FEA in terms of theoretical studies, index systems, technical methods, and accounting models. In view of the existing research results, this paper proposes seven key scientific and technical problems and prospects to be solved, including the unification of the concept of ecological assets, the focus of future research on FEA, the construction of an evaluation index system according to local conditions, the integration of data assimilation methods that complement ground and remote sensing observations, the study of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of forest ecological assets, the study of the net value of FEA, and the preservation and appreciation of FEA.
An Alternative Perturbation and Observation Modifier Maximum Power Point Tracking of PV Systems
Authors: Aurairat Anuchit , Plangklang Boonyang
Published: December 2021

Under the current situation, it is necessary to harness solar energy to generate more electricity. However, the disadvantage of solar energy is that it takes a lot of space to install solar panels. An option to optimize PV systems is to improve the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm based on symmetrical management has the advantage of being easy to use without updating the devices. The improved algorithm achieves symmetry between the maximum power point (MPP) and the output of the PV array, resulting in less power loss and increased system efficiency. This paper presents the MPPT of photovoltaic using the current control modifier perturbation and observation plus fuzzy logic control (CCMP&O−FLC MPPT). The algorithm of CCMP&O−FLC MPPT is applied to reduce the setting time and to reduce oscillation around the set-point at a steady state. This concept was experimented with using a boost converter with MATLAB/Simulink software package and implemented by STM32F4VGA microcontroller. The simulation and experiment results are obtained by comparison with traditional P&O under similar operating conditions. The CCMP&O−FLC MPPT can track MPP faster when the irradiation is rapidly changing and, therefore, can reduce the PV system losses. In addition, the advantages of this proposed method can also be applied to improve the performance of existing systems without modifying existing equipment, unlike modern methods that cannot be applied to older systems. The results showed that the MPPT time and the power output efficiency of the proposed algorithm were 146 milliseconds and 99.5%, respectively.
A Light and Anonymous Three-Factor Authentication Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Lianghong , Xiang Huaikun , Zhang Kai
Published: December 2021

Recently, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been widely used in a variety of fields, and make people’s lives more convenient and efficient. However, WSNs are usually deployed in a harsh and insecure environment. Furthermore, sensors with limited hardware resources have a low capacity for data processing and communication. For these reasons, research on efficient and secure real-time authentication and key agreement protocols based on the characteristics of WSNs has gradually attracted the attention of academics. Although many schemes have been proposed, most of them cannot achieve all known security features with satisfactory performance, among which anonymity, N-Factor security, and forward secrecy are the most vulnerable. In order to solve these shortcomings, we propose a new lightweight and anonymous three-factor authentication scheme based on symmetric cryptographic primitives for WSNs. By using the automated security verification tool ProVerif, BAN-logic verification, and an informal security analysis, we prove that our proposed scheme is secure and realizes all known security features in WSNs. Moreover, we show that our proposed scheme is practical and efficient through the comparison of security features and performance.
Design of an IoT System for the Palletized Distribution Supply Chain with Model-Based Systems Engineering Tools
Authors: Navarro Nicolas , Horvath Laszlo , Salado Alejandro
Published: December 2021

In recent years, Internet-of-Things technology (IoT) has been the subject of research in diverse fields of applications. IoT plays an essential role in transitioning enterprises towards a more interconnected paradigm of manufacturing, logistics, services, and business, known as Industry 4.0. This paper presents an operational concept for a system that implements IoT technology in pallets, which are used to move products along supply chains. These sensors will help us gain insight into the conditions experienced by products and unit loads. Having this capability will allow us to obtain the information necessary for better control of product distribution along the supply chain, and to design packaging that is more efficient and effective in protecting products during distribution. In this paper, we show how Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) can be leveraged to create models that capture the required system behaviors, and we address the complexity of an IoT system within the domain of packaging and logistics applications.
Investigation of Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus-6A+ and -6B+ in a Patient with Ulipristal Acetate-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure
Authors: Izquierdo Laure , Canivet Clémence M. , De Martin Eleonora , Antonini Teresa M. , Roque-Afonso Anne-Marie , Coilly Audrey , Deback Claire
Published: December 2021

Inherited chromosomally integrated (ici) human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) is estimated to occur in 0.6–2.7% of people worldwide. HHV-6 comprises two distinct species: HHV-6A and HHV-6B. Both HHV-6A and HHV-6B integration have been reported. Several drugs are capable of activating iciHHV-6 in tissues, the consequences of which are poorly understood. We report herein a case of a woman with iciHHV-6A+ and iciHHV-6B+, who developed ulipristal acetate (a selective progesterone receptor modulator)-induced fulminant hepatic failure that required liver transplantation. We confirmed the presence of ~one copy per cell of both HHV-6A and HHV-6B DNA in her hair follicles using multiplex HHV-6A/B real-time PCR and demonstrated the Mendelian inheritance of both iciHHV-6A and iciHHV-6B in her family members over three generations. Because of the rarity of this presentation, we discuss herein the possible links between reactivated HHV-6 from iciHHV-6A and/or iciHHV-6B and adverse drug reactions, suggesting that iciHHV-6 could be screened before the introduction of any hepatotoxic drugs to exclude HHV-6 active disease or combined idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury in these patients.
Evaluating the Impact of Anthropogenic Factors on the Dissemination of Contemporary Cosmopolitan, Arctic, and Arctic-like Rabies Viruses
Authors: Deviatkin Andrei A. , Vakulenko Yulia A. , Dashian Mariia A. , Lukashev Alexander N.
Published: December 2021

Rabies is a globally prevalent viral zoonosis that causes 59,000 deaths per year and has important economic consequences. Most virus spread is associated with the migration of its primary hosts. Anthropogenic dissemination, mainly via the transportation of rabid dogs, shaped virus ecology a few hundred years ago and is responsible for several current outbreaks. A systematic analysis of aberrant long-distance events in the steppe and Arctic-like groups of rabies virus was performed using statistical (Bayesian) phylogeography and plots of genetic vs. geographic distances. The two approaches produced similar results but had some significant differences and complemented each other. No phylogeographic analysis could be performed for the Arctic group because polar foxes transfer the virus across the whole circumpolar region at high velocity, and there was no correlation between genetic and geographic distances in this virus group. In the Arctic-like group and the steppe subgroup of the cosmopolitan group, a significant number of known sequences (15–20%) was associated with rapid long-distance transfers, which mainly occurred within Eurasia. Some of these events have been described previously, while others have not been documented. Most of the recent long-distance transfers apparently did not result in establishing the introduced virus, but a few had important implications for the phylogeographic history of rabies. Thus, human-mediated long-distance transmission of the rabies virus remains a significant threat that needs to be addressed.
Detection and Molecular Characterization of Canine Alphacoronavirus in Free-Roaming Dogs, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Enayet , Islam Ariful , Islam Shariful , Rahman Md Kaisar , Miah Mojnu , Alam Md Shaheen , Rahman Mohammed Ziaur
Published: December 2021

Canine coronavirus (CCoV) is widespread among the dog population and causes gastrointestinal disorders, and even fatal cases. As the zoonotic transmission of viruses from animals to humans has become a worldwide concern nowadays, it is necessary to screen free-roaming dogs for their common pathogens due to their frequent interaction with humans. We conducted a cross-sectional study to detect and characterize the known and novel Corona, Filo, Flavi, and Paramyxoviruses in free-roaming dogs in Bangladesh. Between 2009–10 and 2016–17, we collected swab samples from 69 dogs from four districts of Bangladesh, tested using RT-PCR and sequenced. None of the samples were positive for Filo, Flavi, and Paramyxoviruses. Only three samples (4.3%; 95% CI: 0.9–12.2) tested positive for Canine Coronavirus (CCoV). The CCoV strains identified were branched with strains of genotype CCoV-II with distinct distances. They are closely related to CCoVs from the UK, China, and other CoVs isolated from different species, which suggests genetic recombination and interspecies transmission of CCoVs. These findings indicate that CCoV is circulating in dogs of Bangladesh. Hence, we recommend future studies on epidemiology and genetic characterization with full-genome sequencing of emerging coronaviruses in companion animals in Bangladesh.
Peptidoglycan-Free Bacterial Ghosts Confer Enhanced Protection against Yersinia pestis Infection
Authors: Dentovskaya Svetlana V. , Vagaiskaya Anastasia S. , Platonov Mikhail E. , Trunyakova Alexandra S. , Kotov Sergei A. , Krasil’nikova Ekaterina A. , Titareva Galina M. , Mazurina Elizaveta M. , Gapel’chenkova Tat’yana V. , Shaikhutdinova Rima Z. , Ivanov Sergei A. , Kombarova Tat’yana I. , Gerasimov Vladimir N. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Anisimov Andrey P.
Published: December 2021

To develop a modern plague vaccine, we used hypo-endotoxic Yersinia pestis bacterial ghosts (BGs) with combinations of genes encoding the bacteriophage ɸX174 lysis-mediating protein E and/or holin-endolysin systems from λ or L-413C phages. Expression of the protein E gene resulted in the BGs that retained the shape of the original bacterium. Co-expression of this gene with genes coding for holin-endolysin system of the phage L-413C caused formation of structures resembling collapsed sacs. Such structures, which have lost their rigidity, were also formed as a result of the expression of only the L-413C holin-endolysin genes. A similar holin-endolysin system from phage λ containing mutated holin gene S and intact genes R-Rz coding for the endolysins caused generation of mixtures of BGs that had (i) practically preserved and (ii) completely lost their original rigidity. The addition of protein E to the work of this system shifted the equilibrium in the mixture towards the collapsed sacs. The collapse of the structure of BGs can be explained by endolysis of peptidoglycan sacculi. Immunizations of laboratory animals with the variants of BGs followed by infection with a wild-type Y. pestis strain showed that bacterial envelopes protected only cavies. BGs with maximally hydrolyzed peptidoglycan had a greater protectivity compared to BGs with a preserved peptidoglycan skeleton.
Seroprevalence of Varicella in Pregnant Women and Newborns in a Region of Colombia
Authors: Lenis-Ballesteros Viviana , Ochoa Jesús , Hincapié-Palacio Doracelly , León-Álvarez Alba , Vargas-Restrepo Felipe , Ospina Marta C. , Buitrago-Giraldo Seti , Díaz Francisco J. , Gonzalez-Ortíz Denise
Published: December 2021

We estimate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to varicella zoster virus (VZV) based on the first serological study in a cohort of pregnant women and newborns from the Aburrá Valley (Antioquia-Colombia) who attended delivery in eight randomly chosen hospitals. An indirect enzyme immunoassay was used to determine anti-VZV IgG antibodies. Generalized linear models were constructed to identify variables that modify seropositivity. In pregnant women, seropositivity was 85.8% (95% CI: 83.4–85.9), seronegativity was 12.6% (95% CI: 10.8–14.6), and concordance with umbilical cord titers was 90.0% (95% CI: 89–91). The seropositivity of pregnant women was lower in those who lived in rural areas (IRR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.7), belonged to the high socioeconomic status (IRR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.7), and had studied 11 years or more (IRR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.8). Among newborns, seropositivity was lower in those who weighed less than 3000 g (IRR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6–1.0). The high seropositivity and seronegativity pattern indicates the urgent need to design preconception consultation and vaccination reinforcement for women of childbearing age according to their sociodemographic conditions, to prevent infection and complications in the mother and newborn.
Design and Stability Analysis of a Robust-Adaptive Sliding Mode Control Applied on a Robot Arm with Flexible Links
Authors: Uyulan Çağlar
Published: December 2021

Modelling errors and robust stabilization/tracking problems under parameter and model uncertainties complicate the control of the flexible underactuated systems. Chattering-free sliding-mode-based input-output control law realizes robustness against the structured and unstructured uncertainties in the system dynamics and avoids the excitation of unmodeled dynamics. The main purpose of this paper was to propose a robust adaptive solution for stabilizing and tracking direct-drive (DD) flexible robot arms under parameter and model uncertainties, as well as external disturbances. A lightweight robot arm subject to external and internal dynamic effects was taken into consideration. The challenges were compensating actuator dynamics with the inverter switching effects and torque ripples, stabilizing the zero dynamics under parameter/model uncertainties and disturbances while precisely tracking the predefined reference position. The precise control of this kind of system demands an accurate system model and knowledge of all sources that excite unmodeled dynamics. For this purpose, equations of motion for a flexible robot arm were derived and formulated for the large motion via Lagrange’s method. The goals were determined to achieve high-speed, precise position control, and satisfied accuracy by compensating the unwanted torque ripple and friction that degrades performance through an adaptive robust control approach. The actuator dynamics and their effect on the torque output were investigated due to the transmitted torque to the load side. The high-performance goals, precision and robustness issues, and stability concerns were satisfied by using robust-adaptive input-output linearization-based control law combining chattering-free sliding mode control (SMC) while avoiding the excitation of unmodeled dynamics. The following highlights are covered: A 2-DOF flexible robot arm considering actuator dynamics was modelled; the theoretical implication of the chattering-free sliding mode-adaptive linearizing algorithm, which ensures robust stabilization and precise tracking control, was designed based on the full system model including actuator dynamics with computer simulations. Stability analysis of the zero dynamics originated from the Lyapunov theorem was performed. The conceptual design necessity of nonlinear observers for the estimation of immeasurable variables and parameters required for the control algorithms was emphasized.
Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Cultural Context
Authors: MZHAVANADZE Nana , SCHERBAUM Frank
Published: December 2021

This article is a companion paper to Scherbaum and Mzhavanadze (2020), Mzhavanadze and Scherbaum (2020) and Scherbaum and Mzhavanadze (2021). Together they describe the results of an interdisciplinary study of the three-part funeral dirge of Svan zär (‘zari’ in Georgian). In the present paper, we provide all the contextual (ethnographic, ethnological, historical) data that we collected from various written and/or oral sources and then processed and organized in a comprehensible way to help the reader better understand this unique phenomenon. We believe that in order to help answer the basic question of ‘how zärs work,’ the results of the acoustical, musicological, and phonetic (as well as language-music interface) analyses in the other three articles must be interpreted through an understanding of the full context of this unique cultural behavior.Thus, not only did we collect and integrate all the related data and review the literature, but we also raise and discuss some problematic issues, such as, for example, the etymology of the term zär. We also offer an interpretation/description of some conflicting historical data to generate interest for its further research. In addition, we introduce the reader to some details of our field research (2015, 2016), as they may be of great importance when discussing or interpreting the results of the analyses presented in other (analytical) parts of this interdisciplinary study.
Sound Ethnobiology of Musical Instruments: A Sound View of Nature in Manufacturing Kemençe
Authors: ASLAN Uğur , KARAHASANOĞLU Songül
Published: December 2021

Kemençe (small three-stringed fiddle) is mostly performed in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. In this study, we examine the manufacturing process of kemençe considering its relationship with natural sources. Data about the production and performance of kemençe are collected by fieldwork since 2018. In this context, the first author took kemençe courses from Ilyas Parlak, a well-known kemençe player, to understand the performance of the instrument in the region. He also held interviews with the luthiers to understand the usage of the biological and non-biological materials in the making process of this instrument. In this study, we propose the term sound ethnobiology to reveal how instruments are associated with nature in relation to their manufacture and performance. We have considered the term sound ethnobiology of musical instruments into five categories which are interrelated to each other. These categories are ‘bioecological sources of sound production’, ‘ecological knowledge of sound production’, ‘timbre arrangement of producing proper sound’, ‘traditional ecological knowledge of the sound of musical instruments’, and ‘ecological meanings of musical instruments’. We have put forward the manufacturing process and performances of the kemençe and its relationship to the nature in and around Trabzon by considering these five categories. Thus, we revealed that the kemençe making process is strongly tied to the interpretation of the natural sources in the region. This interpretation of the usage of the natural sources creates the traditional ecological knowledge of kemençe which is also strongly connected to its ecological meaning and the nature of the Eastern Black Sea region.
Mistletoe, Viscum album (Santalaceae), in Britain and Ireland; a discussion and review of current status and trends
Authors: Briggs Jonathan
Published: December 2021

The status of Viscum album L. (Mistletoe) in Britain and Ireland is discussed and current trends reviewed. An overview of life-cycle is given, including discussion of dispersal, germination and host connection, all aspects important in understanding status and trends. A summary of hosts and habitats is followed by a review of distribution; the long-established pattern in the south-west midlands plus recent and ongoing changes. The biodiversity value of mistletoe for other species is discussed. The seasonal mistletoe trade, its history and implications, is outlined. Some current conservation, control and planting projects are described. A brief summary of toxicity and medicinal uses is given. Concluding remarks outline various research opportunities; particularly those that would help understand and set a baseline to measure current and future trends.
Hypolipidemic Therapy in Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases: What Should a Gastroenterologist Know
Authors:   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Sandler Yu.G. , Vinnitskaya E.V.
Published: December 2021

Dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Lipid level control is the most effective strategy for the prevention of CVD and its complications (CVC). Statins are the first-line drugs of hypolipidemic therapy. Dyslipidemia is often found in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). From a clinical point of view, a number of CLD have an increased risk of CVD. Due to insufficient awareness of doctors about the possibilities of using statin and non-statin lipid-lowering therapy in patients with CLD, the possibility of treating CVD and reducing the risk of CVC in this category of patients is often missed. The purpose of the review is to study modern approaches to lipid-lowering therapy (statin and non-statin) in patients with CVD of various etiologies, including at the stage of liver cirrhosis (LC). Conclusion. CLD should not be considered as a contraindication to the use of statins and other lipid-lowering drugs. Pleiotropic effects of statins, in addition to hypolipidemic action, create new prospects for their use in patients with CLD. Hypolipidemic therapy is recommended for patients with CLD (including at the stage of compensated LC), if they have dyslipidemia and an increased risk of CVD. It is important to compare the benefits and risks of prescribing statins in patients with CLD
Risk Factors and Hepatocellular Cancer Screening After Hepatitis C Virus Eradication
Authors:   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bueverov A.O. , Bogomolov P.O. , Syutkin V.E. ,   Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute named after M.F. Vladimirsky,   Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia,   Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine
Published: December 2021

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) usually develops against the background of chronic liver disease. Until recently, the most common etiology of HCC was infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The appearance of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAD) has become a big breakthrough in the treatment of HCV infection. A stable virological response can now be achieved in almost all treated patients, even in people at high risk of HCC, primarily with cirrhosis of the liver. At the same time, reports gradually began to accumulate about the continued risk of malignant transformation after successful therapy of DAAD. Simultaneously with the decrease in the burden of cirrhosis caused by HCV, the etiological role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has sharply increased. Moreover, in a significant part of patients with NAFLD, HCC is formed at the pre-cirrhotic stage. These changes in the etiology and epidemiology of HCC suggest the revision of patient management tactics
STIFFNESS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES UNDER BENDING WITH TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL FORCES
Authors:   South-West State University, KOLCHUNOV VL.I. ,   Research Institute of Building Physics of Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, AL-HASHIMI O.I. ,   South-West State University, PROTCHENKO M.V. ,   South-West State University
Published: December 2021

The authors developed a model for single reinforced concrete strips in block wedge and arches between inclined cracks and approximated rectangular cross-sections using small squares in matrix elements. From the analysis of the works of N.I. Karpenko and S.N. Karpenko the "nagel" forces in the longitudinal tensile reinforcement and crack slip , as a function of the opening width and concrete deformations in relation to the cosine of the angle . The experimental " nagel " forces and crack slip dependences for the connection between and in the form of an exponent for the reinforcement deformations and spacing are determined. The forces have been calculated for two to three cross-sections (single composite strips) of reinforced concrete structures. On the bases of accepted hypothesis, a new effect of reinforced concrete and a joint modulus in a strip of composite single local shear zone for the difference of mean relative linear and angular deformations of mutual displacements of concrete (or reinforcement) are developed. The hypothesis allows one to reduce the order of the system of differential equations of Rzhanitsyn and to obtain in each joint the total angular deformations of concrete and the "nagel" effect of reinforcement. The curvature of the composite bars has a relationship from the total bending moment of the bars to the sum of the rigidities. The stiffness physical characteristics of the matrix from the compressed concrete area and the working reinforcement are obtained in a system of equations of equilibrium and deformation, as well as physical equations.
FORMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETENCY OF STUDENTS OF BIOLOGICAL SPECIALTIES IN THE PROCESS OF POLISH PRACTICE
Authors: GOMLYA L.
Published: December 2021

Organizational-process possibilities of the educational field practice for the purpose of ecological competence forming for the students of biological specialties have been presented in the article. Basic factors which complicate students ecological competence forming, fundamental directions of its formation in the process of organization and realization field practice have been underlined in the article.The content of field practice requires additional information on the methods of environmental monitoring in the environment and on the domestic issues. Particularly relevant is the saturation of field practices with the tasks of applied local history and those that affect the spheres of domestic activities and human impact on the environment. Methods of educational impact on students are also needed. Among the generally positive conditions for the formation of environmental competence of students (the presence of ecological content in the discipline, the possibility of self-realization  during seminars and laboratory classes, the practical application of acquired knowledge in field practice), there are factors that impede the formation of this quality. Among them is the lack of content of the environmental issues of the local rank and the practical absence of information relating to the domestic sphere of the person's activities (complicates the decision-making process and responsibility for the state of the surrounding environment), the prevailing use of educational and educational methods that contradict the norms of environmental behavior (make it impossible to form a value the attitude towards nature, environmental motivation and related activities, suppress the readiness to preserve nature and the responsibility for it with en).
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CDIO APPROACH TO ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN THE SYSTEM OF TRAINING FUTURE ECONOMISTS AND MANAGERS
Authors: DUTKA G. , LUTSENKO G.
Published: December 2021

Conceptual frameworks and principles of CDIO approach in the context of modernization of engineering education are considered. The correspondence between CDIO approaches to the description of learning outcomes and competency-based approach is analyzed. The direction of the implementation of CDIO approach for other specialties is specified. The possibilities of design of  interdisciplinary educational programmes are considered. Approaches of  the using of CDIO in economics and management education are considered.By studying the research of foreign authors, we have found several attempts to adapt the CDIO approach to the needs of economic education. The common motive for such activities, which researchers emphasize, is to enhance the relevance of economic education in the context of further professional activities and to improve the quality of vocational training through the development of design skills and  general competencies related, inter alia, to  project management, work in multidisciplinary teams, communication and collaboration . The difficulties encountered by the researchers include the low level of knowledge of teachers and the management of OHS about the possibilities of the CDIO approach, which complicates the implementation process. Overcoming this is possible through the organization of joint projects for students of different specialties, trainings and internships for teachers of non-engineering specialties.