bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusive Economic Sustainability: SDGs and Global Inequality
Authors: van Niekerk Arno
Published: July 2020

In view of the 2020 global health crisis and its repercussions on the global economy, the need to redirect conventional economic thinking towards securing global economic sustainability is most critical. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a significant move in this direction. However, in the past few years, a clearer understanding of inclusive economics and sustainability indicators have progressed our ability to reduce economic exclusion, chiefly represented by global inequality. Collective wellbeing within the “global village” is shaped largely by these avenues/directions, thus presenting the question: can an improved combination of sustainability priorities be identified that would substantially enhance countries’ adoption of the SDGs? New, inclusive paths to economic progress are essential to a world economy in crisis recovery mode. The aim of the paper is to qualitatively identify key indicators from these different directions to, collectively, address some of the most significant drivers of global inequality, thus improving the adoption rate of the SDGs. As its main contribution, the study found that for economic inclusivity to realistically reduce global inequality its full integration into three areas is necessary: business models, public policy and community development. This should also be supported by “social covenants” to facilitate improved SDG adoption by countries.
A Stochastic User Equilibrium Model Under Traffic Rationing Based on Mode Shifting Rate
Authors: Wei Xueyan , Wang Wei , Yu Weijie , Hua Xuedong , Xiang Yun
Published: July 2020

As a countermeasure to urban exhaust pollution and traffic congestion, traffic restriction based on the last digit of license plate numbers has been widely introduced throughout the world. However, the effect of traffic restriction is weakened as it causes the long-distance detour of restricted travel modes and induces travel demand to shift to unrestricted travel modes. To consider detour and shift of traffic demand caused by traffic restriction, we propose a stochastic user equilibrium model under traffic rationing based on mode shifting rate and the corresponding solution algorithm. A case study is conducted to verify the effectiveness of proposed model and algorithm. Main findings of numerical experiments include: (1) Compared with traditional stochastic user equilibrium model, the temporary traffic demand shift caused by long-distance detour are well considered in proposed model. (2) Sensitivity analysis of the consumption parameters used in the proposed model shows that, the involved cost parameters have different effectiveness on the mode shifting rate. This study provides a reasonable relaxation of the intensively used assumption, that all restricted vehicles outside the restricted district will detour in traffic rationing research, and provides a reasonable approach to evaluate the change of link flow and the beneficial effectiveness on the sustainability of traffic environment after implementation of traffic restriction policy.
Co-Occurrence of Tetrodotoxin and Saxitoxins and Their Intra-Body Distribution in the Pufferfish Canthigaster valentini
Authors: Zhu Hongchen , Sonoyama Takayuki , Yamada Misako , Gao Wei , Tatsuno Ryohei , Takatani Tomohiro , Arakawa Osamu
Published: July 2020

Pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae possess tetrodotoxin (TTX) and/or saxitoxins (STXs), but the toxin ratio differs, depending on the genus or species. In the present study, to clarify the distribution profile of TTX and STXs in Tetraodontidae, we investigated the composition and intra-body distribution of the toxins in Canthigaster valentini. C. valentini specimens (four male and six female) were collected from Amami-Oshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and the toxins were extracted from the muscle, liver, intestine, gallbladder, gonads, and skin. Analysis of the extracts for TTX by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and of STXs by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column fluorescence derivatization revealed TTX, as well as a large amount of STXs, with neoSTX as the main component and dicarbamoylSTX and STX itself as minor components, in the skin and ovary. The toxins were also detected in the other tissues, but in much lower amounts than in the skin and ovary. The TTX/STX ratio varied greatly, depending on the tissue, but TTX was the major toxin component in the whole body, and STXs accounted for 25% and 13% of the total toxin amount in males and females, respectively. Like the marine pufferfish of the genus Arothron, C. valentini should be considered a pufferfish with considerable amounts of both TTX and STXs present simultaneously.
Quantitative Measurement of Melittin in Asian Honeybee Venom Using a New Method Including UPLC-QqTOF-MS
Authors: Huang Sheng , Wang Jianhua , Guo Zeqin , Wang Yan , Liu Chundong
Published: July 2020

Asian honeybee venom is widely used in traditional oriental medicine. Melittin is the main component of Asian honeybee venom. In the present study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqTOF-MS) method was used for accurate qualitative and quantitative analyses of melittin in Asian honeybee venom. The results showed that the dynamic linear range of melittin was from 0.094 to 20 μg/mL, and the limit of quantification was 0.3125 μg/mL. The spiking recovery of melittin in honeybee venom ranged from 84.88% to 93.05%. Eighteen Asian honeybee venom samples in eighteen batches were collected from two different zones of China, and their melittin contents were measured. The contents of melittin in Asian honeybee venom samples was 33.9–46.23% of dry weight. This method proved a useful tool for the rapid evaluation of the authenticity and quality of Asian honeybee venom in terms of the melittin contents, and will contribute to a broader understanding of Asian honeybee venom.
Gravitational Fluctuations as an Alternative to Inflation III. Numerical Results
Authors: Hamber Herbert W. , Yu Lu Heng Sunny , Kankanamge Hasitha E. Pituwala
Published: July 2020

Power spectra play an important role in the theory of inflation, and their ability to reproduce current observational data to high accuracy is often considered a triumph of inflation, largely because of a lack of credible alternatives. In previous work we introduced an alternative picture for the cosmological power spectra based on the nonperturbative features of the quantum version of Einstein’s gravity, instead of currently popular inflation models based on scalar fields. The key ingredients in this new picture are the appearance of a nontrivial gravitational vacuum condensate (directly related to the observed cosmological constant), and a calculable renormalization group running of Newton’s G on cosmological scales. More importantly, one notes the absence of any fundamental scalar fields in this approach. Results obtained previously were largely based on a semi-analytical treatment, and thus, while generally transparent in their implementation, often suffered from the limitations of various approximations and simplifying assumptions. In this work, we extend and refine our previous calculations by laying out an updated and extended analysis, which now utilizes a set of suitably modified state-of-the-art numerical programs (ISiTGR, MGCAMB and MGCLASS) developed for observational cosmology. As a result, we are able to remove some of the approximations employed in our previous studies, leading to a number of novel and detailed physical predictions. These should help in potentially distinguishing the vacuum condensate picture of quantum gravity from that of other models such as scalar field inflation. Here, besides the matter power spectrum P m ( k ) , we work out, in detail, predictions for what are referred to as the TT, TE, EE, BB angular spectra, as well as their closely related lensing spectra. However, the current limited precision of observational data today (especially on large angular scales) does not allow us yet to clearly prove or disprove either set of ideas. Nevertheless, by exploring in more details the relationship between gravity and cosmological matter and radiation both analytically and numerically, together with an expected future influx of increasingly accurate observational data, one can hope that the new quantum gravitational picture can be subjected to further stringent tests in the near future.
STAT2 Limits Host Species Specificity of Human Metapneumovirus
Authors: Rogers Meredith C. , Miranda-Katz Margot , Zhang Yu , Oury Tim D. , Uccellini Melissa B. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Williams John V.
Published: July 2020

The host tropism of viral infection is determined by a variety of factors, from cell surface receptors to innate immune signaling. Many viruses encode proteins that interfere with host innate immune recognition in order to promote infection. STAT2 is divergent between species and therefore has a role in species restriction of some viruses. To understand the role of STAT2 in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection of human and murine tissues, we first infected STAT2−/− mice and found that HMPV could be serially passaged in STAT2−/−, but not WT, mice. We then used in vitro methods to show that HMPV inhibits expression of both STAT1 and STAT2 in human and primate cells, but not in mouse cells. Transfection of the murine form of STAT2 into STAT2-deficient human cells conferred resistance to STAT2 inhibition. Finally, we sought to understand the in vivo role of STAT2 by infecting hSTAT2 knock-in mice with HMPV, and found that mice had increased weight loss, inhibition of type I interferon signaling, and a Th2-polarized cytokine profile compared to WT mice. These results indicate that STAT2 is a target of HMPV in human infection, while the murine version of STAT2 restricts tropism of HMPV for murine cells and tissue.
Human Endogenous Retrovirus K in Cancer: A Potential Biomarker and Immunotherapeutic Target
Authors: Curty Gislaine , Marston Jez L. , de Mulder Rougvie Miguel , Leal Fabio E. , Nixon Douglas F. , Soares Marcelo A.
Published: July 2020

In diseases where epigenetic mechanisms are changed, such as cancer, many genes show altered gene expression and inhibited genes become activated. Human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV-K) expression is usually inhibited in normal cells from healthy adults. In tumor cells, however, HERV-K mRNA expression has been frequently documented to increase. Importantly, HERV-K-derived proteins can act as tumor-specific antigens, a class of neoantigens, and induce immune responses in different types of cancer. In this review, we describe the function of the HERV-K HML-2 subtype in carcinogenesis as biomarkers, and their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Multifaceted Functions of CH25H and 25HC to Modulate the Lipid Metabolism, Immune Responses, and Broadly Antiviral Activities
Authors: Zhao Jin , Chen Jiaoshan , Li Minchao , Chen Musha , Sun Caijun
Published: July 2020

With the frequent outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases in recent years, an effective broad-spectrum antiviral drug is becoming an urgent need for global public health. Cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (CH25H) and its enzymatic products 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), a well-known oxysterol that regulates lipid metabolism, have been reported to play multiple functions in modulating cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation, and immune responses. CH25H and 25HC were recently identified as exerting broadly antiviral activities, including upon a variety of highly pathogenic viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola virus (EBOV), Nipah virus (NiV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). The underlying mechanisms for its antiviral activities are being extensively investigated but have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we summarized the current findings on how CH25H and 25HC play multiple roles to modulate cholesterol metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and antiviral infections. Overall, 25HC should be further studied as a potential therapeutic agent to control emerging infectious diseases in the future.
Strategies to Improve Vaccination among At-Risk Adults and the Elderly in Italy
Authors: Calabrò Giovanna Elisa , Tognetto Alessia , Carini Elettra , Mancinelli Silvia , Sarnari Laura , Colamesta Vittoria , Ricciardi Walter , de Waure Chiara
Published: July 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC), and the immunization guidelines of many countries issue vaccination recommendations for adults and the elderly. However, the uptake of vaccination in these groups is generally low due to several reasons. The present study aimed to identify strategies implemented in Italy in unconventional settings to promote vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster virus (HZV) infections among these subjects, i.e., the at-risk adult population and the elderly. We conducted a literature review and a survey of experts. The literature search yielded seven strategies; all of these concerned influenza vaccination, while three also addressed pneumococcal and HZV vaccination. The survey of experts identified 15 strategies; 10 regarded influenza vaccination, while four regarded pneumococcal vaccination and one regarded HZV vaccination. Most of the strategies were implemented in hospital clinics and rest homes. Regarding influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, the target population mainly comprised at-risk adults, while the elderly represented the main target population for HZV vaccination. Our results show that, in Italy, there are initiatives aimed at promoting vaccination in unconventional settings, but further efforts are required to assess their effectiveness and to further extend them.
Tetravalent Immunogen Assembled from Conserved Regions of HIV-1 and Delivered as mRNA Demonstrates Potent Preclinical T-Cell Immunogenicity and Breadth
Authors: Moyo Nathifa , Wee Edmund , Korber Bette , Bahl Kapil , Falcone Samantha , Himansu Sunny , Wong Adrianne , Dey Antu , Feinberg Mark , Hanke Tomáš
Published: July 2020

A vaccine will likely be one of the key tools for ending the HIV-1/AIDS epidemic by preventing HIV-1 spread within uninfected populations and achieving a cure for people living with HIV-1. The currently prevailing view of the vaccine field is to introduce protective antibodies, nevertheless, a vaccine to be effective may need to harness protective T cells. We postulated that focusing a T-cell response on the most vulnerable regions of the HIV-1 proteome while maximizing a perfect match between the vaccine and circulating viruses will control HIV-1 replication. We currently use a combination of replication-deficient simian (chimpanzee) adenovirus and poxvirus modified vaccinia virus Ankara to deliver bivalent conserved-mosaic immunogens to human volunteers. Here, we exploit the mRNA platform by designing tetravalent immunogens designated as HIVconsvM, and demonstrate that mRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles induces potent, broad and polyfunctional T-cell responses in a pre-clinical model. These results support optimization and further development of this vaccine strategy in experimental medicine trials in humans.
Japan’s Ongoing Crisis on HPV Vaccination
Authors: Sekine Masayuki , Kudo Risa , Yamaguchi Manako , J. B. Hanley Sharon , Hara Megumi , Adachi Sosuke , Ueda Yutaka , Miyagi Etsuko , Ikeda Sayaka , Yagi Asami , Enomoto Takayuki
Published: July 2020

The Japanese government suspended proactive recommendations for the HPV vaccine in June 2013. The suspension is now in its seventh year, despite all the data pointing to the safety of the HPV vaccine. We reported a high vaccine effectiveness in the group of women vaccinated before their first intercourse (93.9%). The prevalence of cross-protected types of HPV 31/45/52 was also lower in the vaccinated group, and the vaccine effectiveness was 67.7%. Furthermore, prevalence of HPV16, 31 and 52 infection rates in the vaccinated group were obviously lower than that in the unvaccinated group, and no one had HPV18 or 45 infection in the vaccinated group. The addition of a cross-protective effect toward HPV types 31/45/52 to HPV types 16/18, which is the direct target of the bivalent HPV vaccine, may possibly prevent around 82% of invasive cervical cancer cases in Japan. With regard to the preventive effect of histological abnormalities, we also reported significant reduction in incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)3 or worse. Thus, the efficacy of the vaccine has been demonstrated for precancerous disease, and the diverse symptoms after HPV vaccination are likely functional somatic. For the future of Japanese girls, there is a need to resume the proactive recommendation of HPV vaccination and for immediate action to be taken by the Japanese government.
Prevalence of Disease and Age-Related Behavioural Changes in Cats: Past and Present
Authors: Sordo Lorena , Breheny Craig , Halls Vicky , Cotter Amy , Tørnqvist-Johnsen Camilla , Caney Sarah M. A. , Gunn-Moore Danièlle A.
Published: July 2020

(1) Background: age-related changes in behaviour and health may be thought of as “normal” ageing; however, they can reflect under-diagnosed, potentially treatable, conditions. This paper describes the prevalence of age-related behavioural changes and disease in two UK cat populations at separate time-points. (2) Methods: owners of cats aged ≥11 years completed questionnaires in 1995 (cohort 1: n = 1236), and from 2010–2015 (cohort 2: n = 883). (3) Results: the most important behavioural changes in these cats were increased affection towards their owners (reported by 51.9% in 1995; 35.8% in 2010–2015), increased vocalisation (63.5%; 58.9%, respectively), particularly at night (32%; 43.6%), and house-soiling (29.3%; 55.8%). Most (79.4%; 81%) of the cats had visited a veterinary surgeon since becoming 11 years old. The main reasons, aside from vaccinations, were dental disease, renal disease and lower urinary tract disorders in 1995, and dental disease, renal disease and hyperthyroidism in 2010–2015. All major diagnoses were reported significantly more frequently in 2010–2015 than in 1995; behavioural changes were variably associated with these diseases. (4) Conclusion: elderly cats display age-related behavioural changes and develop diseases that may be under-diagnosed. Veterinarians need to ask owners about these behavioural changes, as they may signify manageable conditions rather than reflect “normal” ageing.
A Regional Difference Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Global Freshwater Bodies Based on a Regression Model
Authors: Chen Hanwen , Qin Yinghuan , Huang Hao , Xu Weiyi
Published: July 2020

Based on statistical data of the average abundance of microplastics from 37 global freshwater locations up to November 2019, we classified the freshwater bodies according to developments in their local countries and geographic positions. We highlighted the differences and causes of microplastic pollution in the waters of both developed and developing countries and urban and rural areas. The results showed that microplastic pollution was highest in Asia. The pollution in developed countries was significantly lower than in developing countries. The differences in freshwater pollution between urban and rural areas mainly depended on the extent of human activity. The present study found the following phenomena by comprehensively using simple and multiple regression models and a Pearson correlation analysis to solve the impacts of the features, natural factors, and social and economic factors on the distribution of microplastic pollution. The density of microplastics was higher, which promoted the aggregation of microplastics in sediments. Pursuant to that, microplastic pollution was also influenced by the space-time pollution of movable surface sources, such as the soil and air. A population increase and the average gross domestic product (GDP) could also worsen microplastic pollution.
Meta-Evaluation of Water Quality Indices. Application into Groundwater Resources
Authors: Alexakis Dimitrios E.
Published: July 2020

Until now, there was no simple procedure to test the performance of water quality indices (WQIs) or, in other words, to perform their meta-evaluation. The purpose of this study is to provide a meta-evaluation approach of two widely used WQIs and suggestions for selecting one or both of them for application in groundwater quality assessment as proposed by the European Union. The meta-evaluation concept is based on testing the performance of two widely known WQIs by applying classification of Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC) and Groundwater Directive (GWD; 2006/118/EC) which was used as a reference. The Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF-WQI) have been selected for evaluation. These WQIs were applied in an agricultural area of the Mediterranean region where six sub-datasets for an entire hydrological year were available. This study uses all the available water quality data (52 monitoring stations × 2 sampling periods × 15 parameters) which is systematically collected at the area studied. The CCME-WQI is a rather strict index since it estimates statistically significantly lower values than the NSF-WQI. Based on the performance of the examined indices, it is shown that, mostly, the CCME-WQI classification findings are close to those of the GWD.
Water–Energy–Food Nexus Framework for Promoting Regional Integration in Central Asia
Authors: Saidmamatov Olimjon , Rudenko Inna , Pfister Stephan , Koziel Jacek
Published: July 2020

This paper focuses on regional integration through the lenses of the Water–Food–Energy (WEF) nexus, a concept putting strong emphasis on cross-sectoral and multi-level interactions as well as on resource interdependencies. There is an extensive amount of published research focusing on the Aral Sea basin. In this paper, the authors build upon these different contributions and provide a meta-analysis of the literature of WEF nexus opportunities in Central Asia (CA) countries. This paper contributes to ongoing discussions regarding how the WEF Nexus can represent an opportunity for reinforced collaboration regarding resources management. To do so, focusing on existing literature, this paper first (1) explores how the nexus can be a relevant instrument for regional integration. Second (2), it provides an overview of water, food, energy conditions and challenges in the Aral Sea basin in particular. Third (3), synthesizing existing research, the authors identify critical variables to be considered as hurdles or leverage points for WEF nexus implementation in the Aral Sea basin. Finally (4), we go back to our initial set of questions and identify some possible avenues for future research.
Rapid Sampling of Suspended and Floating Microplastics in Challenging Riverine and Coastal Water Environments in Japan
Authors: Abeynayaka Amila , Kojima Fujio , Miwa Yoshikazu , Ito Nobuhiro , Nihei Yasuo , Fukunaga Yu , Yashima Yuga , Itsubo Norihiro
Published: July 2020

Environmental sampling plays an important role in quantitative and qualitative investigation of plastic pollution. Rivers are a major source, carrying plastic litter into the oceans. Microplastic sampling in riverine and coastal environments is often a challenging task due to limited access, time taken, costs, human resources, etc. Our present study evaluated the performance of newly developed sampling devices (Albatross Mark 5 and 6 (AM-5 and AM-6)) that were suitable to collect floating and suspended microplastic samples in challenging freshwater and coastal environments (95 locations). Our observations indicated a similar magnitude of microplastic concentrations with AM-5 and AM-6 sampling compared to conventional plankton nets. The sampling duration, originally 10–60 min (by plankton net), was reduced to 3 min (AM-5 and AM-6) for sampling water volumes of approximately 10 m3. The developed AM-6 device was used to collect samples from riverine and coastal environments in Japan. The microplastic particle polymer composition (using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR)), size, and shape (microscopic images) were investigated. The observations showed a statistically significant particle size reduction from the riverine to coastal areas. The dominant polymer types detected were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The observations were complied with the coastal microplastic observations that were reported for previous studies in Japanese water environments.
Identification of the Optimum Rain Gauge Network Density for Hydrological Modelling Based on Radar Rainfall Analysis
Authors: Gyasi-Agyei Yeboah
Published: July 2020

Rain gauges continue to be sources of rainfall data despite progress made in precipitation measurements using radar and satellite technology. There has been some work done on assessing the optimum rain gauge network density required for hydrological modelling, but without consensus. This paper contributes to the identification of the optimum rain gauge network density, using scaling laws and bias-corrected 1 km × 1 km grid radar rainfall records, covering an area of 28,371 km2 that hosts 315 rain gauges in south-east Queensland, Australia. Varying numbers of radar pixels (rain gauges) were repeatedly sampled using a unique stratified sampling technique. For each set of rainfall sampled data, a two-dimensional correlogram was developed from the normal scores obtained through quantile-quantile transformation for ordinary kriging which is a stochastic interpolation. Leave-one-out cross validation was carried out, and the simulated quantiles were evaluated using the performance statistics of root-mean-square-error and mean-absolute-bias, as well as their rates of change. A break in the scaling of the plots of these performance statistics against the number of rain gauges was used to infer the optimum rain gauge network density. The optimum rain gauge network density varied from 14 km2/gauge to 38 km2/gauge, with an average of 25 km2/gauge.
Key Determinants of Freshwater Gastropod Diversity and Distribution: The Implications for Conservation and Management
Authors: Bae Mi-Jung , Park Young-Seuk
Published: July 2020

Freshwater organisms are facing threats from various natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Using data sampled on a nationwide scale from streams in South Korea, we identified the crucial environmental factors influencing the distribution and abundance of freshwater gastropods. We used nonmetric multidimensional scaling and the random forest model to evaluate the relationships between environmental factors and gastropod assemblages. Among the 30 recorded species, two invasive gastropod species (Pomacea canaliculata and Physa acuta) have enlarged their distribution (10.4% and 57.3% frequency of occurrence, respectively), and were found to be widespread in streams and rivers. Our results revealed that the most influential factor in the distribution of gastropod assemblages was the ratio of cobble (%) in the substrate composition, although meteorological and physiographical factors were also important. However, the main environmental factors influencing species distribution varied among species according to habitat preference and environmental tolerance. Additionally, anthropogenic disturbance caused a decrease in the distribution of endemic species and an increase in the spatial distribution of invasive species. Finally, the results of the present study provide baseline information for planning successful strategies to maintain and conserve gastropod diversity when facing anthropogenic disturbance, as well as understanding the factors associated with the establishment of invasive species.
Monthly Precipitation Forecasts Using Wavelet Neural Networks Models in a Semiarid Environment
Authors: Estévez Javier , Bellido-Jiménez Juan Antonio , Liu Xiaodong , García-Marín Amanda Penélope
Published: July 2020

Accurate forecast of hydrological data such as precipitation is critical in order to provide useful information for water resources management, playing a key role in different sectors. Traditional forecasting methods present many limitations due to the high-stochastic property of precipitation and its strong variability in time and space: not identifying non-linear dynamics or not solving the instability of local weather situations. In this work, several alternative models based on the combination of wavelet analysis (multiscalar decomposition) with artificial neural networks have been developed and evaluated at sixteen locations in Southern Spain (semiarid region of Andalusia), representative of different climatic and geographical conditions. Based on the capability of wavelets to describe non-linear signals, ten wavelet neural network models (WNN) have been applied to predict monthly precipitation by using short-term thermo-pluviometric time series. Overall, the forecasting results show differences between the ten models, although an effective performance (i.e., correlation coefficients ranged from 0.76 to 0.90 and Root Mean Square Error values ranged from 6.79 to 29.82 mm) was obtained at each of the locations assessed. The most appropriate input variables to obtain the best forecasts are analyzed, according to the geo-climatic characteristics of the sixteen sites studied.
Identifying Optimal Sites for a Rainwater-Harvesting Agricultural Scheme in Iran Using the Best-Worst Method and Fuzzy Logic in a GIS-Based Decision Support System
Authors: Aghaloo Kamaleddin , Chiu Yie-Ru
Published: July 2020

Rainwater-harvesting (RWH) agriculture has been accepted as an effective approach to easing the overexploitation of groundwater and the associated socioeconomic impacts in arid and semiarid areas. However, the stability and reliability of the traditional methods for selecting optimal sites for RWH agriculture need to be further enhanced. Based on a case study in Tehran Province, Iran, this study proposed a new decision support system (DSS) that incorporates the Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Fuzzy logic into a geographic information system (GIS) environment. The probabilistic analysis of the rainfall pattern using Monte Carlo simulation was conducted and adopted in the DSS. The results have been demonstrated using suitability maps based on three types of RWH systems, i.e., pans and ponds, percolation tanks, and check dams. Compared with traditional methods, the sensitivity analysis has verified that the proposed DSS is more stable and reliable than the traditional methods. Based on the results, a phase-wise strategy that shifts the current unsustainable agriculture to a new paradigm based on RWH agriculture has been discussed. Therefore, this DSS has enhanced the information value and thus can be accepted as a useful tool to ease the dilemma resulting from unsustainable agriculture in arid and semiarid areas.
Man-Induced Discrete Freshwater Discharge and Changes in Flow Structure and Bottom Turbulence in Altered Yeongsan Estuary, Korea
Authors: Kang KiRyong , Lee Guan-hong
Published: July 2020

Flow measurements were performed in the altered Yeongsan estuary, Korea, in August 2011, to investigate changes in flow structure in the water column and turbulence characteristics very close to the bed. Comparison between the bottom turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) was conducted to examine how discrete freshwater discharge affects the bottom sediment concentration. The discrete freshwater discharge due to the gate opening of the Yeongsan estuarine dam induced a strong two-layer circulation: an offshore-flowing surface layer and a landward-flowing bottom layer. The fine flow structure from the bed to 0.35 m above the bottom (mab hereafter) exhibited an upside-down-bell-shaped profile for which current speed was nearly uniform above 0.1 mab, with the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical flow speeds reaching 0.1 and 0.01 m/s, respectively. The bottom turbulence responded to the freshwater discharge at the surface layer and the maximum magnitude of the Reynolds stress reached up to 2 × 10−4 m2/s2 during the discharged period, which coincided with increased SSC in the bottom boundary layer. These results indicate that the surface freshwater discharge due to opening of the estuarine dam gate increases the SSC by the discharge-induced intensification of the turbulent flow in the bottom boundary layer.
Impacts of Regional Groundwater Flow and River Fluctuation on Floodplain Wetlands in the Middle Reach of the Yellow River
Authors: Fu Yunmei , Dong Yanhui , Xie Yueqing , Xu Zhifang , Wang Liheng
Published: July 2020

Floodplain wetlands are of great importance in the entire river and floodplain ecosystems. Understanding the hydrological processes of floodplain wetlands is fundamental to study the changes in wetlands caused by climate change and human activities. In this study, floodplain wetlands along the middle reach of the Yellow River were selected as a study area. The hydrological processes and the interactions between the river and the underlying aquifer were investigated by combining remote sensing, hydraulic monitoring, and numerical modeling. Wetland areas from 2014 to 2019 were extracted from Landsat 8 remote sensing images, and their correlation with the river runoff was analyzed. The results indicate that the river flow had a limited impact on the wetland size and so did groundwater levels, due to the strong reliance of wetland vegetation on water levels. Based on hydrological and hydrogeological conditions, a surface water–groundwater coupled numerical model was established. The comparison and correlation analysis between the monitored groundwater head and the simulated river stage also show that river flow did not play a first-order role in controlling the groundwater levels of wetlands in the study area. The simulation results also suggest that it is the regional groundwater flow that mainly sustains shallow groundwater of floodplain wetlands in the study area. The floodplain wetland of the study area was dynamic zones between the regional groundwater and river, the contrasting pattern of hydrological regimes on both banks of the Yellow River was due to a combination of regional groundwater flow and topography.
PENGETAHUAN IBU HAMIL TENTANG BAHAYA MEROKOK TERHADAP KEHAMILAN DAN JANIN
Authors: Manurung Melva
Published: July 2020

Smoking during pregnancy can endanger pregnancy and the fetus, especially the health of pregnant women and fetal development in the womb. One of the complications of pregnancy that causes fetal death is due to oxygenation disorders. In Indonesia, more than half of households have at least one smoker, and almost all smokers’ smokes at home. The cause of neonatal death is fetal death in utero, asphyxia or respiratory problems due to smoking and premature. This study aims to determine the knowledge of pregnant women about the dangers of smoking to pregnancy and the fetus in Gasaribu Village, Laguboti, Toba Samosir Regency. This research was conducted in September-October 2019 using adescriptive research design. The number of samples was in this study were 40 pregnant women. Sampling is done by using saturated sampling. The results showed that good knowledge of 16 people (40%) was enough 22 people (55%) and less 2 people (5%).  The results of this study are expected to be used as additional material in adding knowledge and information to increase real health education (real) to the public about the dangers of smoking to pregnancy and the fetus.
PENGETAHUAN SISWI KELAS XI TENTANG DAMPAK ANEMIA TERHADAP KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI
Authors: Angelina Clarita , Siregar Debi Novita , Siregar Patimah Sari , Anggeria Elis
Published: July 2020

Anemia is a clinical condition of reducing the quality of red blood cells. In circulation that is marked by low hemoglobin levels in the blood. The impact of anemia on iron nutrition results in a pale, weak, tired, dizzy, and decreased concentration of learning. Other causes: the level of knowledge of adolescent girls and the length of menstruation. The purpose of this study was to determine the description of class XI knowledge about the effects of anemia on reproductive health in SMA 6 Medan 2019. This research is descriptive using primary and secondary data. The populations in this study were 30 teenage girls in SMA 6 Medan as many as in-class XI IPA I. The sampling technique of this study was using purposive sampling technique. The sample of this study was 30 students. The results of this study indicate that the majority of people who lack knowledge are 16 people (54%) and the minority of people who have good knowledge is 4 people (13%). The study conclusion is that the majority of female student’s knowledge about the effects of anemia on reproductive health is lacking. For the school and adolescents, it is hoped that they will increase their knowledge by came and working with health workers to promote health about the effect of anemia on reproductive health.
HUBUNGAN KECERDASAN EMOSIONAL DENGAN PRESTASI BELAJAR MAHASISWI SEMESTER II AKADEMI KEBIDANAN SEHAT MEDAN TAHUN 2017
Authors: Sumardha Herlia
Published: July 2020

Emotional Intelligence is one of the factors that influence a person's success, because IQ contributes 20% to one's success, while 80% contributes from other factors, one of which is emotional intelligence. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of emotional intelligence with second semester student achievement  Akademi Kebidanan Sehat Medan tahun 2017. This study uses a quantitative type of study through a cross sectional approach. The sample in this study was mahasisiwi second semester of the Academy of Health Midwifery with 43 respondents with total sampling technique. Data analysis techniques are done using Chi Square. The results showed that emotional intelligence was in the moderate category, and learning achievement in the category was very satisfying. There is a Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Student Achievement in Semester II in Akademi Kebidanan Sehat Medan Tahun 2017 with p value 0,004. The conclusion of the study shows that there is an emotional intelligence relationship with the learning achievement of the second semester students of the Medan Healthy Midwifery Academy and for the place it is hoped that they can provide input material to provide students with regular emotional intelligence tests.
Agroeconomic Evaluation of Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals for Improvement of Regional Governance
Authors: Mikhailenko A. V. , Ruban D. A.
Published: July 2020

Implication of scientific approach increases efficiency of regional governance. A method of agroeconomic evaluation of soil pollution by heavy metals is proposed and tested by example of the Rostov region – an important agrarian region of the Russian South. Conceptually, this method is linked to the ideas of risk and ecosystem services, and its result is cost equivalent of pollution taking into account actual content of heavy metals in soil. It is established that among four considered metals (nickel, copper, zinc, and lead), the cost equivalent is the biggest in the case of nickel, its sum for the region’s districts is 62,5 bln RUR. The results can be used to orient regional programs, strategies, and initiatives linked to agricultural and ecological activities, planning and establishing volumes of financial support of the latter. Moreover, these results permit to reveal complexity of soil resources governance within the study region.
Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Business on Example of the Tula Region
Authors: Antonenko N. A. , Ekaterinichev A. L. , Natashkina E. A.
Published: July 2020

This article addresses issue of readiness of sphere of small and medium business for digital transformation and for functioning in the digital economy. The main problems are highlighted in development of considered sphere in field of digitalization. The directions of digital transformation of small and medium business were presented in the article. The relevance of considering problem of integrating digital technologies and services in small and medium businesses is explained. The article discusses digital transformation in context of regional development, using example of the Tula region.
Percepção de Genitoras sobre a Intervenção Neuropsicomotora em Crianças com Microcefalia
Authors: Portela Thiciane Felix , Almeida Lícia Maria Belchior , Belchior Luciana Dias
Published: July 2020

Introdução. A microcefalia é uma malformação congênita, em que a medida do perímetro cefálico ao nascimento encontra-se menor que a definida pela OMS. Objetivo. Descrever a percepção de genitoras acerca da intervenção neuropsicomotora em crianças com microcefalia. Método. Estudo qualitativo, caráter descritivo, com mães de crianças com diagnóstico clínico de microcefalia atendidas de março a abril de 2017. Foi realizada uma entrevista com as mães, seguindo um roteiro semiestruturado. A pesquisa obedeceu à resolução 466/12 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde e teve início após aprovação do Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da UNIFOR. Resultados. Foi possível evidenciar a dificuldade de debate acerca da doença, que se deve, em parte, à frustração das mães quanto às perspectivas que idealizam para os filhos, como frequentar a escola, condição limitada pela microcefalia. Ainda mais quando as mães não têm conhecimento da doença e das possibilidades terapêuticas deste processo. A intervenção neuropsicomotora, em contrapartida, vem a ser uma das possibilidades terapêuticas com mais relevância, devido ao potencial de melhora da qualidade de vida. Conclusão. A intervenção neuropsicomotora estimula, precocemente, traços cognitivos, motores e sensitivos, para trazer qualidade de vida para a criança e suporte para a família.
Which Metabolic Index is Appropriate for Predicting Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis?
Authors: Jamali Raika , Ebrahimi Mehdi , Faryabi Ali , Ashraf Haleh
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND There are controversial ideas about the application of metabolic indices for the prediction of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, we evaluated some novel metabolic indices for the screening of NASH. METHODS This prospective case-control study was performed in a gastroenterology outpatient clinic. Consecutively selected patients with persistently elevated aminotransferase levels and evidence of fatty liver in ultrasonography were enrolled. Those with other etiologies of aminotransferase elevation were excluded. The remaining was presumed to have NASH. The control group consisted of age and sex-matched subjects with normal liver function tests and liver ultrasound examinations. RESULTS Finally, 94 patients with steatohepatitis and 106 controls were included in the project. The mean liver fat content (LFC), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the control group than in the NASH group. LFC was independently associated with the presence of NASH in logistic regression analysis. LFC had a good area under the curve for the prediction of NASH in ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve) analysis. CONCLUSION LFC seems to be a reliable metabolic index for the detection of patients with NASH.
Impact of Nutrition Support Team on Postoperative Nutritional Status and Outcome of Patients with Congenital Gastrointestinal Anomalies
Authors: Zarei-shargh Parisa , Yuzbashian Emad , Mehdizadeh-Hakkak Atieh , Khorasanchi Zahra , Norouzy Abdolreza , Khademi Gholamreza , Imani Bahareh
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative nutritional status in patients who underwent operations due to congenital gastrointestinal anomalies in surgical neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and to investigate the role of nutrition support teams (NSTs) on the outcome. METHODS A retrospective clinical study was carried out at two NICUs in Dr. Sheikh Pediatric Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. One of the NICUs was supported by NST and the other was not. A total of 120 patients were included through a non-random simple sampling. Different variables such as age, sex, prematurity, type of anomaly, birth weight, use of vasoactive drugs, weight gain in NICU, length of NICU stay, postoperative enteral nutrition initiation, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality rate, maximum of blood sugar, the amount of calorie delivered to the calorie requirement ratio, and distribution of energy from enteral or parenteral roots were compared between the patients of two NICUs. RESULTS Median weight gain and the amount of calorie delivered during NICU stay in subjects of NSTsupported NICU was significantly more than other NICU. There was no significant difference in the length of NICU stay, enteral nutrition initiation after the operation, ventilation days, and percent of mortality between the two groups. The percentage of enteral feeding was also increased by about 2.8%, which was not significant. CONCLUSION NST could increase post-operative weight gain and calorie delivery in patients as well as providing an increase in enteral feeding rather than parenteral.
Influence of Flipped Classroom in enhancing Achievement in Chemistry of the students of XI Standard
Authors: Manoharan C , Birundha S
Published: July 2020

Technology is the systematic application of scientific knowledge about teaching and learning and conditions of learning to improve the efficiency of teaching and training. The flipped classroom as “a teaching method that delivers lecture content to students at home through electronic means and uses class time for practical application activities may be useful for information literacy instruction.” That means that there is much more use of technology for the Flipped Learning Studies on flipped classrooms were based on Bloom’s revised taxonomy of the cognitive domain, which provides six levels of learning. The study was conducted on 180 students of xi standard for enhancing achievement in organic chemistry. The findings indicated that there were significant gains in the mean scores of the experimental group
Essentials of Organizational Leadership for Quality Enhancement in Educational Institutions
Authors: Nayak Sushant Kumar
Published: July 2020

Striving excellence in all spheres and managing with a proper strategic plan is the articulated vision of a true leader. Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of United States, quoted, ‘Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want to be done because he wants to do it.’ The supervision, foresight, executives, managerial skill, communication, and positive approach of the organizational leader multiplies the quality and ensures the development of an educational institute. The work culture, behavior, commitment, dedication, and honesty of the leader reflect in the whole system. In educational institutions, effective leadership is a key factor in switching the prospects more towards the building of healthy organizations in terms of human resource development and growth. The democratic value and professional ethics must be upheld by the leader to maintain the internal environment of the organization and the achievement of quality objectives. With the help of secondary resources and literature, this paper seeks to highlight the role of organizational leader and importance of Organizational leadership for quality up-gradation of human resources in the context of educational institutions.