bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Dimensional Underwater Point Cloud Detection Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Tsai Chia-Ming , Lai Yi-Horng , Sun Yung-Da , Chung Yu-Jen , Perng Jau-Woei
Published: January 2021

Numerous sensors can obtain images or point cloud data on land, however, the rapid attenuation of electromagnetic signals and the lack of light in water have been observed to restrict sensing functions. This study expands the utilization of two- and three-dimensional detection technologies in underwater applications to detect abandoned tires. A three-dimensional acoustic sensor, the BV5000, is used in this study to collect underwater point cloud data. Some pre-processing steps are proposed to remove noise and the seabed from raw data. Point clouds are then processed to obtain two data types: a 2D image and a 3D point cloud. Deep learning methods with different dimensions are used to train the models. In the two-dimensional method, the point cloud is transferred into a bird’s eye view image. The Faster R-CNN and YOLOv3 network architectures are used to detect tires. Meanwhile, in the three-dimensional method, the point cloud associated with a tire is cut out from the raw data and is used as training data. The PointNet and PointConv network architectures are then used for tire classification. The results show that both approaches provide good accuracy.
R-YOLO: A Real-Time Text Detector for Natural Scenes with Arbitrary Rotation
Authors: Wang Xiqi , Zheng Shunyi , Zhang Ce , Li Rui , Gui Li
Published: January 2021

Accurate and efficient text detection in natural scenes is a fundamental yet challenging task in computer vision, especially when dealing with arbitrarily-oriented texts. Most contemporary text detection methods are designed to identify horizontal or approximately horizontal text, which cannot satisfy practical detection requirements for various real-world images such as image streams or videos. To address this lacuna, we propose a novel method called Rotational You Only Look Once (R-YOLO), a robust real-time convolutional neural network (CNN) model to detect arbitrarily-oriented texts in natural image scenes. First, a rotated anchor box with angle information is used as the text bounding box over various orientations. Second, features of various scales are extracted from the input image to determine the probability, confidence, and inclined bounding boxes of the text. Finally, Rotational Distance Intersection over Union Non-Maximum Suppression is used to eliminate redundancy and acquire detection results with the highest accuracy. Experiments on benchmark comparison are conducted upon four popular datasets, i.e., ICDAR2015, ICDAR2013, MSRA-TD500, and ICDAR2017-MLT. The results indicate that the proposed R-YOLO method significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of detection efficiency while maintaining high accuracy; for example, the proposed R-YOLO method achieves an F-measure of 82.3% at 62.5 fps with 720 p resolution on the ICDAR2015 dataset.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Scientia Pharmaceutica in 2020
Authors:   Scientia Pharmaceutica Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Scientia Pharmaceutica maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Global Climate Pattern Impacts on Long-Term Olive Yields in Northwestern Africa: Case from Souss-Massa Region
Authors: Abahous Houria , Bouchaou Lhoussaine , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: January 2021

In arid to semi-arid regions, vulnerability to climate change combined with the overexploitation of water resources is jeopardizing food security. In the Souss-Massa region in central Morocco, the rural population relies on growing olives for a living. The management of these orchards is mostly traditional under rainfed irrigation, which induces a high level of dependence on climate variability. In the present study, we investigate the long-term trends of the relationship between the observed olive yields and global climate patterns during the period 1973–2014. We apply lagged Spearman’s correlations and cross-wavelet analysis to detect the potential influence of El Niño-southern oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) and Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) on the yield variability of olive orchards. The results of a Mann-Kendall test show a statistically significant decreasing trend in olive yields during the studied period. Statistically significant negative correlations were observed for (lag = −1) with spring and summer NINO 3.4 and with summer and autumn PDO. No statistically significant correlations between olive yields and NAO and IOD were observed. The results of wavelet coherence between annual olive yields and PDO and ENSO revealed that the highest values of power spectrum coherence occurred during the (lag = 0) spring PDO and (lag = −1) spring ENSO, both with an antiphase relationship. During the studied period, the extreme events of El Niña and El Niño years corresponded to below average yields.
Success Drivers for Implementing Circular Economy: A Case Study from the Building Sector in Colombia
Authors: Torres-Guevara Luz Elba , Prieto-Sandoval Vanessa , Mejia-Villa Andres
Published: January 2021

This paper contributes to the circular economy (CE) literature by investigating the drivers of success of the CE implementation in the construction sector and how those drivers can complement any implementation process in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To do so, we analyzed the case of TECMO Estructuras Metálicas, using the methodology proposed by Jaca and colleagues to implement the CE in SMEs. It is a Colombian company with more than five decades of experience in the manufacture and installation of steel and aluminum structures for small and large building and infrastructure projects. The data were collected between August 2019 and November 2020 through direct communication with the company via workshops, meetings, and company reports. This research found that five drivers are relevant for implementing CE in the construction sector: fertile ecosystem, management commitment, identification of valuable materials, green teams, and CE intermediaries. Moreover, this study also contributes to teaching the implementation of the CE in companies, since it shows that through the methodology presented, implementation projects can be developed in postgraduate classes.
Abatement of the Increases in Cooling Energy Use during a Period of Intense Heat by a Network-Based Adaptive Controller
Authors: Ahn Jonghoon
Published: January 2021

Various methods to control thermal conditions of building spaces have been developed to investigate their performances of energy use and thermal comfort in the system levels. However, the high control precision used in several studies dealing with data-driven methods may cause energy increases and the high energy efficiency may be disadvantageous for maintaining indoor environmental quality. This study proposes a model that optimizes the supply air condition to effectively reach the setting values by two-way controls of the supply air conditions. In such a process, if the results of the thermal comfort level are outside the range of the initial setting values, an adaptive model starts to work to send additional signals to adjust the set-point temperature. In order to assess its efficiency, the conventional thermostat model and fuzzy deterministic model are adopted as comparators. Comparing the results of the proposed network-based model with conventional control models, an improved control performance from 15.5% to 29.3% in thermal comfort indices was identified, as well as an over 30% improvement in energy efficiency. As a consequence, the network-based adaptive control rule supervising thermal comfort indices properly operates to abate increases in its energy use without compromising its thermal comfort. This performance can be significant in places where many spaces are woven at high density, and in situations where better thermal comfort can increase users’ workability and productivity.
Influence of Ethical Leadership on Employees’ Innovative Behavior: The Role of Organization-Based Self-Esteem and Flexible Human Resource Management
Authors: Wen Qiuxiang , Wu Yingxuan , Long Jing
Published: January 2021

Employees’ innovative behavior is a vital source for promoting the sustainable survival and development of enterprises. Innovation is a complicated and high-risk mental process, where in each stage employees’ innovative attitude and behavior will be affected by the varying behaviors of their direct leaders. Therefore, exploring the intricate relationship between leadership behavior and employees’ innovative behavior is necessary. Based on social exchange theory, this study builds a cross-level moderation model to investigate the impact of ethical leadership on employees’ innovative behavior and the mediating role of organization-based self-esteem and the moderating role of flexible human resource management. On the basis of a questionnaire survey of 146 supervisors and 365 subordinates in the mainland of China, the empirical results show that: (a) Ethical leadership positively affects employees’ innovative behavior significantly; (b) Organization-based self-esteem has a partial mediating relationship between ethical leadership and employees’ innovative behavior; and (c) flexible human resource management plays a positive moderating role in the relationship between organization-based self-esteem and employees’ innovative behavior, and it also positively moderates the mediating effect of organization-based self-esteem on the relationship between ethical leadership and employees’ innovative behavior. The findings reveal the internal mechanism and boundary condition of ethical leadership influencing employees’ innovative behavior, which provide a reference for enterprises to encourage employees to innovate, and have important practical significance for employees to actively pursue innovative activities in the workplace.
Overall Efficiency of On-Site Production and Storage of Solar Thermal Energy
Authors: Șoimoșan Teodora M. , Moga Ligia M. , Anastasiu Livia , Manea Daniela L. , Căzilă Aurica , Zeljković Čedomir
Published: January 2021

Harnessing renewable energy sources (RES) using hybrid systems for buildings is almost a deontological obligation for engineers and researchers in the energy field, and increasing the percentage of renewables within the energy mix represents an important target. In crowded urban areas, on-site energy production and storage from renewables can be a real challenge from a technical point of view. The main objectives of this paper are quantification of the impact of the consumer’s profile on overall energy efficiency for on-site storage and final use of solar thermal energy, as well as developing a multicriteria assessment in order to provide a methodology for selection in prioritizing investments. Buildings with various consumption profiles lead to achieving different values of performance indicators in similar configurations of storage and energy supply. In this regard, an analysis of the consumption profile’s impact on overall energy efficiency, achieved in the case of on-site generation and storage of solar thermal energy, was performed. The obtained results validate the following conclusion: On-site integration of solar systems allowed the consumers to use RES at the desired coverage rates, while restricted by on-site available mounting areas for solar fields and thermal storage, under conditions of high energy efficiencies. In order to segregate the results and support optimal selection, a multicriteria analysis was carried out, having as the main criteria the energy efficiency indicators achieved by hybrid heating systems.
Neural Network Approach to Modelling Transport System Resilience for Major Cities: Case Studies of Lagos and Kano (Nigeria)
Authors: Otuoze Suleiman Hassan , Hunt Dexter V. L. , Jefferson Ian
Published: January 2021

Congestion has become part of everyday urban life, and resilience is very crucial to traffic vulnerability and sustainable urban mobility. This research employed a neural network as an adaptive artificially-intelligent application to study the complex domains of traffic vulnerability and the resilience of the transport system in Nigerian cities (Kano and Lagos). The input criteria to train and check the models for the neural resilience network are the demographic variables, the geospatial data, traffic parameters, and infrastructure inventories. The training targets were set as congestion elements (traffic volume, saturation degree and congestion indices), which are in line with the relevant design standards obtained from the literature. A multi-layer feed-forward and back-propagation model involving input–output and curve fitting (nftool) in the MATLAB R2019b software wizard was used. Three algorithms—including Levenberg–Marquardt (LM), Bayesian Regularization (BR), and a Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG)—were selected for the simulation. LM converged easily with the Mean Squared Error (MSE) (2.675 × 10−3) and regression coefficient (R) (1.0) for the city of Lagos. Furthermore, the LM algorithm provided a better fit for the model training and for the overall validation of the Kano network analysis with MSE (4.424 × 10−1) and R (1.0). The model offers a modern method for the simulation of urban traffic and discrete congestion prediction.
Design Evaluation and Performance Analysis of a Double-Row Pneumatic Precision Metering Device for Brassica chinensis
Authors: Li Bohong , Ahmad Riaz , Qi Xindan , Li Hua , Nyambura Samuel Mbugua , Wang Jufei , Chen Xi , Li Shengbing
Published: January 2021

In view of the low seeding efficiency and precision of seeders used for Brassica chinensis in China, a new double-row pneumatic precision metering device for Brassica chinensis was designed, fabricated, and evaluated. With the characteristics of small size and high sphericity of Brassica chinensis seeds in mind, the structure and key dimensions of the metering plate were determined, and a force analysis of the seed-filling process was carried out. The negative pressure (NP), angular velocity (AV) of the metering plate, and cone angle (CA) of the suction hole were selected as the main influencing factors of the experiment. In order to explore the influence of each single factor and the interaction between factors on the seeding performance, a single factor experiment and a central composite design (CCD) experiment were designed, respectively, and the experimental results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). After optimizing the main influencing factors such that the target of the qualified index (QI) was greater than 94% and the miss index (MI) was less than 2.5%, it was found that when CA was 60°, NP was 1.55–1.72 kPa, and AV was 1.1–1.9 rad/s, the seeding performance was excellent. The bench verification results of seeding performance (94% ≤ Q ≤ 100%, 0 ≤ M ≤ 2.5%) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of seed mass (CV of seed mass in outer and inner circle: 5.15%; CV of total seed mass: 8.60%) under the condition of parameter optimization were analyzed; as a result, the accuracy of the parameter optimization was confirmed.
A Pragmatic Controlled Trial of Forest Bathing Compared with Compassionate Mind Training in the UK: Impacts on Self-Reported Wellbeing and Heart Rate Variability
Authors: McEwan Kirsten , Giles David , Clarke Fiona J. , Kotera Yasu , Evans Gary , Terebenina Olga , Minou Lina , Teeling Claire , Basran Jaskaran , Wood Wendy , Weil Dominic
Published: January 2021

Forest Bathing, where individuals use mindfulness to engage with nature, has been reported to increase heart rate variability and benefit wellbeing. To date, most Forest Bathing studies have been conducted in Asia. Accordingly, this paper reports the first pragmatic controlled trial of Forest Bathing in the United Kingdom, comparing Forest Bathing with a control comprising an established wellbeing intervention also known to increase heart rate variability called Compassionate Mind Training. Sixty-one university staff and students (50 females, 11 males) were allocated to (i) Forest Bathing, (ii) Compassionate Mind Training or (iii) Forest Bathing combined with Compassionate Mind Training. Wellbeing and heart rate variability were measured at baseline, post-intervention and three-months follow-up. There were improvements in positive emotions, mood disturbance, rumination, nature connection and compassion and 57% of participants showed an increase in heart rate variability. There were no significant differences between conditions, showing that Forest Bathing had equivalence with an established wellbeing intervention. The findings will help healthcare providers and policy makers to understand the effects of Forest Bathing and implement it as a feasible social prescription to improve wellbeing. Future research needs to involve clinical populations and to assess the effects of Forest Bathing in a fully powered randomised controlled trial.
Effects of the Use of CDIO Engineering Design in a Flipped Programming Course on Flow Experience, Cognitive Load
Authors: Zhong Hua-Xu , Chiu Po-Sheng , Lai Chin-Feng
Published: January 2021

The flipped teaching method has become increasingly mature and critical. Previous flow experience studies have concentrated on game-based learning, and cognitive load studies have concentrated on different types of teaching materials (e.g., video). Due to the characteristic differences between problem-based learning and the Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) engineering design, the authors were interested in applying the CDIO engineering design to the flipped programming course. This study was proposed to measure students’ cognitive load and flow experience by using CDIO engineering design in the flipped programming course, which used a one-group pretest–post-test nonequivalent-groups design method for 16 weeks. This study recruited 40 college students (males = 14, females = 26) who were first-year freshmen attending a university as its subjects. The results indicate that the students showed no significant improvement between cognitive load and gender difference in cognitive load and flow experience, but that they significantly improved some dimensions of flow experience. This study provides implications and evidence related to applying the CDIO engineering design in flipped programming courses.
Image Semantic Segmentation Use Multiple-Threshold Probabilistic R-CNN with Feature Fusion
Authors: Liu Jianxin , Geng Yushui , Zhao Jing , Zhang Kang , Li Wenxiao
Published: January 2021

With continuous developments in deep learning, image semantic segmentation technology has also undergone great advancements and been widely used in many fields with higher segmentation accuracy. This paper proposes an image semantic segmentation algorithm based on a deep neural network. Based on the Mask Scoring R-CNN, this algorithm uses a symmetrical feature pyramid network and adds a multiple-threshold architecture to improve the sample screening precision. We employ a probability model to optimize the mask branch of the model further to improve the algorithm accuracy for the segmentation of image edges. In addition, we adjust the loss function so that the experimental effect can be optimized. The experiments reveal that the algorithm improves the results.
Energy and Spectral Efficiency Balancing Algorithm for Energy Saving in LTE Downlinks
Authors: Maharazu Mamman , Hanapi Zurina Mohd , Alrashah Mohamed A.
Published: January 2021

In wireless network communication environments, Spectral Efficiency (SE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) are among the major indicators used for evaluating network performance. However, given the high demand for data rate services and the exponential growth of energy consumption, SE and EE continue to elicit increasing attention in academia and industries. Consequently, a study of the trade-off between these metrics is imperative. In contrast with existing works, this study proposes an efficient SE and EE trade-off algorithm for saving energy in downlink Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks to concurrently optimize SE and EE while considering battery life at the Base Station (BS). The scheme is formulated as a Multi-objective Optimization Problem (MOP) and its Pareto optimal solution is examined. In contrast with other algorithms that prolong battery life by considering the idle state of a BS, thereby increasing average delay and energy consumption, the proposed algorithm prolongs battery life by adjusting the initial and final states of a BS to minimize the average delay and the energy consumption. Similarly, the use of an omni-directional antenna to spread radio signals to the user equipment in all directions causes high interference and low spatial reuse. We propose using a directional antenna instead of an omni-directional antenna by transmitting signals in one direction which results in no or low interference and high spatial reuse. The proposed scheme has been extensively evaluated through simulation, where simulation results prove that the proposed scheme is efficiently able to decrease the average response delay, improve SE, and minimize energy consumption.
A Parallel Hybrid Bregman Subgradient Extragradient Method for a System of Pseudomonotone Equilibrium and Fixed Point Problems
Authors: Bokodisa Annel Thembinkosi , Jolaoso Lateef Olakunle , Aphane Maggie
Published: January 2021

We introduce a new parallel hybrid subgradient extragradient method for solving the system of the pseudomonotone equilibrium problem and common fixed point problem in real reflexive Banach spaces. The algorithm is designed such that its convergence does not require prior estimation of the Lipschitz-like constants of the finite bifunctions underlying the equilibrium problems. Moreover, a strong convergence result is proven without imposing strong conditions on the control sequences. We further provide some numerical experiments to illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm and compare with some existing methods.
Cognitive Impairment Induced by Lead Exposure during Lifespan: Mechanisms of Lead Neurotoxicity
Authors: Ramírez Ortega Daniela , González Esquivel Dinora F. , Blanco Ayala Tonali , Pineda Benjamín , Gómez Manzo Saul , Marcial Quino Jaime , Carrillo Mora Paul , Pérez de la Cruz Verónica
Published: January 2021

Lead (Pb) is considered a strong environmental toxin with human health repercussions. Due to its widespread use and the number of people potentially exposed to different sources of this heavy metal, Pb intoxication is recognized as a public health problem in many countries. Exposure to Pb can occur through ingestion, inhalation, dermal, and transplacental routes. The magnitude of its effects depends on several toxicity conditions: lead speciation, doses, time, and age of exposure, among others. It has been demonstrated that Pb exposure induces stronger effects during early life. The central nervous system is especially vulnerable to Pb toxicity; Pb exposure is linked to cognitive impairment, executive function alterations, abnormal social behavior, and fine motor control perturbations. This review aims to provide a general view of the cognitive consequences associated with Pb exposure during early life as well as during adulthood. Additionally, it describes the neurotoxic mechanisms associated with cognitive impairment induced by Pb, which include neurochemical, molecular, and morphological changes that jointly could have a synergic effect on the cognitive performance.
A Transcriptomic Approach to the Recruitment of Venom Proteins in a Marine Annelid
Authors: Rodrigo Ana P. , Grosso Ana R. , Baptista Pedro V. , Fernandes Alexandra R. , Costa Pedro M.
Published: January 2021

The growing number of known venomous marine invertebrates indicates that chemical warfare plays an important role in adapting to diversified ecological niches, even though it remains unclear how toxins fit into the evolutionary history of these animals. Our case study, the Polychaeta Eulalia sp., is an intertidal predator that secretes toxins. Whole-transcriptome sequencing revealed proteinaceous toxins secreted by cells in the proboscis and delivered by mucus. Toxins and accompanying enzymes promote permeabilization, coagulation impairment and the blocking of the neuromuscular activity of prey upon which the worm feeds by sucking pieces of live flesh. The main neurotoxins (“phyllotoxins”) were found to be cysteine-rich proteins, a class of substances ubiquitous among venomous animals. Some toxins were phylogenetically related to Polychaeta, Mollusca or more ancient groups, such as Cnidaria. Some toxins may have evolved from non-toxin homologs that were recruited without the reduction in molecular mass and increased specificity of other invertebrate toxins. By analyzing the phylogeny of toxin mixtures, we show that Polychaeta is uniquely positioned in the evolution of animal venoms. Indeed, the phylogenetic models of mixed or individual toxins do not follow the expected eumetazoan tree-of-life and highlight that the recruitment of gene products for a role in venom systems is complex.
Genomic Characterisation of a Novel Avipoxvirus Isolated from an Endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes)
Authors: Sarker Subir , Athukorala Ajani , Bowden Timothy R. , Boyle David B.
Published: January 2021

Emerging viral diseases have become a significant concern due to their potential consequences for animal and environmental health. Over the past few decades, it has become clear that viruses emerging in wildlife may pose a major threat to vulnerable or endangered species. Diphtheritic stomatitis, likely to be caused by an avipoxvirus, has been recognised as a significant cause of mortality for the endangered yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) in New Zealand. However, the avipoxvirus that infects yellow-eyed penguins has remained uncharacterised. Here, we report the complete genome of a novel avipoxvirus, penguinpox virus 2 (PEPV2), which was derived from a virus isolate obtained from a skin lesion of a yellow-eyed penguin. The PEPV2 genome is 349.8 kbp in length and contains 327 predicted genes; five of these genes were found to be unique, while a further two genes were absent compared to shearwaterpox virus 2 (SWPV2). In comparison with penguinpox virus (PEPV) isolated from an African penguin, there was a lack of conservation within the central region of the genome. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses of the PEPV2 genome positioned it within a distinct subclade comprising the recently isolated avipoxvirus genome sequences from shearwater, canary, and magpie bird species, and demonstrated a high degree of sequence similarity with SWPV2 (96.27%). This is the first reported genome sequence of PEPV2 from a yellow-eyed penguin and will help to track the evolution of avipoxvirus infections in this rare and endangered species.
Pathogen-Reservoir Interactions: What We Do Not Know Likely Will Hurt Us
Authors: Calisher Charles H.
Published: January 2021

The establishment of selective colonies of potential vertebrate hosts for viruses would provide experimental models for the understanding of pathogen-host interactions. This paper briefly surveys the reasons to conduct such studies and how the results might provide information that could be applied to disease prevention activities.
Phylodynamics and Codon Usage Pattern Analysis of Broad Bean Wilt Virus 2
Authors: He Zhen , Dong Zhuozhuo , Qin Lang , Gan Haifeng
Published: January 2021

Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV-2), which belongs to the genus Fabavirus of the family Secoviridae, is an important pathogen that causes damage to broad bean, pepper, yam, spinach and other economically important ornamental and horticultural crops worldwide. Previously, only limited reports have shown the genetic variation of BBWV2. Meanwhile, the detailed evolutionary changes, synonymous codon usage bias and host adaptation of this virus are largely unclear. Here, we performed comprehensive analyses of the phylodynamics, reassortment, composition bias and codon usage pattern of BBWV2 using forty-two complete genome sequences of BBWV-2 isolates together with two other full-length RNA1 sequences and six full-length RNA2 sequences. Both recombination and reassortment had a significant influence on the genomic evolution of BBWV2. Through phylogenetic analysis we detected three and four lineages based on the ORF1 and ORF2 nonrecombinant sequences, respectively. The evolutionary rates of the two BBWV2 ORF coding sequences were 8.895 × 10−4 and 4.560 × 10−4 subs/site/year, respectively. We found a relatively conserved and stable genomic composition with a lower codon usage choice in the two BBWV2 protein coding sequences. ENC-plot and neutrality plot analyses showed that natural selection is the key factor shaping the codon usage pattern of BBWV2. Strong correlations between BBWV2 and broad bean and pepper were observed from similarity index (SiD), codon adaptation index (CAI) and relative codon deoptimization index (RCDI) analyses. Our study is the first to evaluate the phylodynamics, codon usage patterns and adaptive evolution of a fabavirus, and our results may be useful for the understanding of the origin of this virus.
Reovirus and the Host Integrated Stress Response: On the Frontlines of the Battle to Survive
Authors: Bussiere Luke D. , Miller Cathy L.
Published: January 2021

Cells are continually exposed to stressful events, which are overcome by the activation of a number of genetic pathways. The integrated stress response (ISR) is a large component of the overall cellular response to stress, which ultimately functions through the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF2α) to inhibit the energy-taxing process of translation. This response is instrumental in the inhibition of viral infection and contributes to evolution in viruses. Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV), an oncolytic virus that has shown promise in over 30 phase I–III clinical trials, has been shown to induce multiple arms within the ISR pathway, but it successfully evades, modulates, or subverts each cellular attempt to inhibit viral translation. MRV has not yet received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for general use in the clinic; therefore, researchers continue to study virus interactions with host cells to identify circumstances where MRV effectiveness in tumor killing can be improved. In this review, we will discuss the ISR, MRV modulation of the ISR, and discuss ways in which MRV interaction with the ISR may increase the effectiveness of cancer therapeutics whose modes of action are altered by the ISR.
Assessment of Streamflow Simulation for a Tropical Forested Catchment Using Dynamic TOPMODEL—Dynamic fluxEs and ConnectIvity for Predictions of HydRology (DECIPHeR) Framework and Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE)
Authors: Fadhliani  , Zulkafli Zed , Yusuf Badronnisa , Nurhidayu Siti
Published: January 2021

Rainfall runoff modeling has been a subject of interest for decades due to a need to understand a catchment system for management, for example regarding extreme event occurrences such as flooding. Tropical catchments are particularly prone to the hazards of extreme precipitation and the internal drivers of change in the system, such as deforestation and land use change. A model framework of dynamic TOPMODEL, DECIPHeR v1—considering the flexibility, modularity, and portability—and Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method are both used in this study. They reveal model performance for the streamflow simulation in a tropical catchment, i.e., the Kelantan River in Malaysia, that is prone to flooding and experiences high rates of land use change. Thirty-two years’ continuous simulation at a daily time scale simulation along with uncertainty analysis resulted in a Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) score of 0.42 from the highest ranked parameter set, while 25.35% of the measurement falls within the uncertainty boundary based on a behavioral threshold NSE 0.3. The performance and behavior of the model in the continuous simulation suggests a limited ability of the model to represent the system, particularly along the low flow regime. In contrast, the simulation of eight peak flow events achieves moderate to good fit, with the four peak flow events simulation returning an NSE > 0.5. Nonetheless, the parameter scatter plot from both the continuous simulation and analyses of peak flow events indicate unidentifiability of all model parameters. This may be attributable to the catchment modeling scale. The results demand further investigation regarding the heterogeneity of parameters and calibration at multiple scales.
Study of the Influence of Temperature on Boron Concentration Estimation in Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation
Authors: Escarabajal-Henarejos David , Parras-Burgos Dolores , Ávila-Dávila Laura , Cánovas-Rodríguez Francisco Javier , Molina-Martínez José Miguel
Published: January 2021

After several decades, the incorporation of desalinated seawater into agricultural areas with scarce water resources has become one of the main water supply strategies. Compared to the several currently available desalination techniques, reverse osmosis (RO) is now the reference technology because it lowers energy uses and production costs. Nevertheless, its main limiting factor lies in the membranes used for this system not efficiently retaining boron, which is a problem because the concentration of this element in seawater is high. For 3 years, the present work analysed the impact of seawater temperature on the kinetic parameters of boron rejection in an RO system to establish their annual behaviour and the existing correlation between both parameters. A comparison was made using the values simulated in the projection software provided by the manufacturer of the membranes. The obtained results indicated a high correlation, and the R2 correlation coefficients came very close to the unity. Nonetheless, this correlation lowered with time due to typical membrane ageing and compaction because of the system’s continuous operation. Under the tested working conditions and by applying analysed temperature intervals, it was impossible to reach the 0.3 mg·L−1 boron concentration value that ensures lack of crop toxicity. Thus, incorporating other boron reduction techniques is necessary.
El objeto directo anafórico de tercera persona en Oberá-Misiones: una mirada sociolingüística
Authors: Ramos Patricia de , Lennertz Marcotulio Leonardo
Published: January 2021

Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar la distribución de las estrategias de realización del objeto directo anafórico de tercera persona del español en términos de frecuencia de uso. La muestra de habla está compuesta por 19 entrevistas semidirigidas grabadas en 2015 en Oberá-Misiones (Argentina). El análisis cuantitativo demuestra que el marco de estrategias incluye los pronombres clíticos lo(s)/la(s), además del pronombre le(s) y del cero morfológico. La selección de las estrategias en variación es determinada, sobre todo, por la animacidad del referente y la escolaridad del hablante. La investigación nos permite concluir que el cuadro de estrategias observado indica un panorama de variación estable, ya que le(s) y cero se distribuyen obedeciendo a factores internos y, por lo tanto, no son sensibles al factor edad.
Microscopic Understanding of the Ionic Networks of “Water-in-Salt” Electrolytes
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Yu Zhou , Sarnello Erik , Qian Kun , Seifert Soenke , Winans Randall E. , Cheng Lei , Li Tao
Published: January 2021

“Water-in-salt” electrolytes with excellent electrochemical and physical properties have been extensively investigated. However, the structural understanding of the lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in water is still lacking. Here, we perform synchrotron X-ray scattering to systemically study the structural variation of TFSI anions in an aqueous solution under a variety of concentrations and temperatures. There are two different solvation structures in the solution: TFSI
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solvated structure and TFSI
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network. As the concentration increases, the TFSI
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solvated structure gradually disappears while the TFSI
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network gradually forms. Even at relatively low concentrations, the TFSI
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network can be observed. Our experimental results show that these two structures can coexist at a particular concentration, and temperature changes will lead to one structure’s formation or disappearance. Also, the TFSI
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network is the key to obtain a stable electrochemical window under relatively high temperatures.
MECHANICAL FACULTY OF VSUFT NAMED AFTER G.F. MOROZOV: THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
Authors: Aksenov Aleksey , Bryndina Larisa , Bartenev Ivan , Popikov P. , Zolnikov Vladimir , Evsikova Natal'ya , Kumitskiy B. , Gribanov A.
Published: January 2021

The article discusses the formation and development of the Faculty of Mechanics from the moment of its creation to the present. The material on the creation of departments of the faculty is presented. The main historical moments of their formation are reflected. The biography of the staff of the departments, who have made a significant contribution to the development of the departments of the faculty, is presented. The department of forestry mechanization was organized in 1937. The scientists of the department take an active part in solving many problems in the forestry industry, forestry and protective afforestation, in the development of machines and tools. The department gave a start in science to many scientists working in research institutions, design organizations, industrial enterprises and universities of the forest profile. The Department of Automation of Industrial Processes has existed since 1975. The staff of the department is actively introducing their scientific developments into the practice of forestry complex: systems for automatic regulation of the processes of forest seed drying, growing forest planting material in closed ground, pneumatic transport of technological chips, systems for automatic control and management of the production of round timber, plywood and other developments. The Department of Computer Engineering and Information Systems spun off from the Department of Automation of Industrial Processes in 1992, as the Department of Computer Engineering, since 2008 it bears its current name. The main scientific activity is work in the field of creating a highly reliable radiation-resistant electronic component base and the development of methods of system analysis and information technologies for their support. The Department of General and Applied Physics was founded in 1949. The lecturers of the department studied the electrical conductivity of wood materials, the properties of thin layers of liquids during impregnation and filtration, molecular acoustics, and forest biogeophysics. In the current period, the main direction of work is related to the study of the response of high-molecular, biopolymer composite and other materials to the effect of physical fields of various natures. The Department of Life Safety and Legal Relations was founded in 1973. The research work of the department was aimed at finding ways and means to improve labor safety, environmental protection and protection of the population in the event of emergencies. Currently, the research work of the department is aimed at solving labor safety problems in the forest and woodprocessing complex
EVALUATION OF SUCCESS OF PINE SELF-RENEWAL FORESTS ON BURNT-OUT AREAS
Authors: Gavrilova Olga , Kolganov Egor , Pak Karina
Published: January 2021

It is reported about the state of natural regeneration of pine in a burnt-out area in a lingonberry pine forest. After the fire, rocky outcrops were exposed on the hills. Organic layer was completely burned out with spots and it has not recovered in 10 years. Pine undergrowth appeared in the first or second years after the fire. The number of self-seeding pine reaches 4-6 thousand/ha. The maximum number of pines is observed on rocky heights, where other forest-forming species are represented by single trees. Birch dominates in the relief depressions. The undergrowth is represented by mountain ash, willow, and wild rose. Heather, lingonberry, thin-bladed grass, reed grass, green mosses and lichens grow in the composition of the living ground cover
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORWARDER ARTICULATION JOINT
Authors: Klubnichkin Vladislav , Klubnichkin Evgeniy , Gorbunov Aleksey , Druchinin Denis
Published: January 2021

The article presents a structural hydraulic diagram of the steering system of the developed forwarder. The main components that make up the steering of the machine are described. The scheme of the articulated joint was selected and the radius and the corridor of the forwarder's turn were determined. In the work, a kinematic analysis of the articulated joint of the forwarder was carried out, which is the determination of the limiting angles of folding of the articulation unit and the stroke of the hydraulic power cylinders according to the developed electronic solid models. The moment of resistance required to fold the car of full weight in place on a solid supporting surface with a high coefficient of adhesion, taking into account the interaction of tires with the supporting surface, was determined using the semi-empirical model of Packa MF-Tire 6.1. Model parameters for tire 750/55-26.5. A dynamic model of a forwarder has been created with the following features: all links of the dynamic system are absolutely rigid; all wheels are not braked and rotate; there is no friction in the hinges; the load (assortments) is modeled absolutely rigid by a single body; the simulation was done for a fully laden forwarder; axle differentials are not locked (free). The vertical loads in the contact patch of the front and rear axles, as well as lateral reactions in the contact patch of the front and rear axles are presented
PIONEERS OF FOREST BREEDING IN THE CENTRAL BLACK EARTH REGION
Authors: Tsarev Anatoliy
Published: January 2021

The article contains brief information from the life and scientific work of the founders of forest breeding, who worked in Voronezh. On the initiative of N.P. Kobranov in 1919, on the basis of Voronezh Agricultural Institute, a forestry department was opened, which was later transformed into the forestry faculty, and since 1930 Voronezh Forestry Institute (now VSUFT) was organized. The main scientific work of N.P. Kobranov is the country's first publication on forest selection - the monograph “Oak selection” (1925), which also outlined possible ways of selection development of forest woody plants in general. Further, his associates and colleagues were engaged in the introduction and selection of forest tree species in the pre-war period: O.G. Kapper ("Study of ecotypes of tree species", 1946; "Conifers", 1954, etc.) and S.A. Samofal (manuscript of his doctoral dissertation "Heredity and variability of forest species and their importance for forest growing", 1938, etc.). Then a huge contribution to the development of forest breeding in the country was made by M.M. Veresin ("Forest seed production", 1963; "Centennial experience of afforestation in the Savalsky forestry", 1963; "Forests of Voronezh", 1971; a new program for forest selection for universities, 1966, etc.). He is the author of grandiose experiments on the geographical planting of Scots pine on an area of about 40 hectares, including more than 350 origins. In addition, he created oak, nut, Karelian birch, seed plantations and collections of hybrids of different tree species. He developed a number of new highly productive poplar hybrids. The director of the Voronezh Forestry Institute V.I. Rubtsov, who himself laid large-scale experimental field facilities for Scots pine forest plantations. Vasily Ivanovich played an important role in the creation of Central Institute of Forest Genetics and Breeding in Voronezh. Among the well-known successors of forest selection work in the country is the director of All-Union Scientific Production Association "Soyuzlesselektsiya" A.I. Iroshnikov. Under him (together with Voronezh Forestry Institute and the Central Research Institute of Forest Genetics and Breeding), a department of forest selection was organized. All these scientists have shown an example of selfless service to the chosen cause
Hospital social workers and their understanding of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma
Authors: Fox Mim , Hopkins Dominique , Graves Jenni , Crehan Scott , Cull Philippa , Birrell Benjamin , Dunn Patrick , Murphy Elisabeth , Harrison Anna , Hayes Madeleine , Yeomans Peggy
Published: January 2021

Compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma can be a consequence of social work practice in all contexts, including the fast-paced, crisis driven hospital environment. Four metropolitan hospitals collaborated with an academic partner to explore the understanding and awareness that hospital-based social workers have in this area, and to investigate both individual and organisational responsibility. The research utilised a Participatory Action Research methodology with Stage One being a collaboratively developed survey. The results of the survey showed that social workers’ understanding is impacted by their knowledge of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, the nature of everyday hospital practice, and the identification, provision of, and engagement in personal self-care and workplace support strategies. The findings highlighted the dual responsibility that employing hospitals and individuals have to care for themselves and each other, including the capacity for social workers to use supervision and collegial relationships to support their coping and resilience.
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING APPROPRIATE FRANCHISE LOCATIONS USING THE PROFILE MATCHING METHOD
Authors: Mardiana Tati , Malau Yesni
Published: January 2021

Finding the appropriate location is crucial when starting a franchise. The appropriate location will affect the overall business risk and profitability of the franchise. Nevertheless, some franchises have a bankruptcy in running their business. One of the factors that contribute to the bankruptcy of a franchise business is a location that does not meet several criteria that support business success. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose a decision support system model to determine the location of the franchise based on matching profiles between the actual data value of a location and the value of the location profile expected by the franchisor. The profile matching method has a better level of objectivity because it measures the value of each indicator variable. The criteria for determining the location of a franchise are potential customers, access to location, competition, and costs. The test results show that the decision support system to determine the location of the franchise using the profile matching method meets the functional requirements. This decision support system helps Franchisees to determine the appropriate when starting a franchise