bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulating SARS-CoV-2 epidemics by region-specific variables and modeling contact tracing app containment
Authors: Ferrari Alberto , Santus Enrico , Cirillo Davide , Ponce-de-Leon Miguel , Marino Nicola , Ferretti Maria Teresa , Santuccione Chadha Antonella , Mavridis Nikolaos , Valencia Alfonso
Published: January 2021

Targeted contact-tracing through mobile phone apps has been proposed as an instrument to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and manage the lifting of nation-wide lock-downs currently in place in USA and Europe. However, there is an ongoing debate on its potential efficacy, especially in light of region-specific demographics. We built an expanded SIR model of COVID-19 epidemics that accounts for region-specific population densities, and we used it to test the impact of a contact-tracing app in a number of scenarios. Using demographic and mobility data from Italy and Spain, we used the model to simulate scenarios that vary in baseline contact rates, population densities, and fraction of app users in the population. Our results show that, in support of efficient isolation of symptomatic cases, app-mediated contact-tracing can successfully mitigate the epidemic even with a relatively small fraction of users, and even suppress altogether with a larger fraction of users. However, when regional differences in population density are taken into consideration, the epidemic can be significantly harder to contain in higher density areas, highlighting potential limitations of this intervention in specific contexts. This work corroborates previous results in favor of app-mediated contact-tracing as mitigation measure for COVID-19, and draws attention on the importance of region-specific demographic and mobility factors to achieve maximum efficacy in containment policies.
Burst-and-coast swimmers optimize gait by adapting unique intrinsic cycle
Authors: Li Gen , Ashraf Intesaaf , François Bill , Kolomenskiy Dmitry , Lechenault Frédéric , Godoy-Diana Ramiro , Thiria Benjamin
Published: January 2021

This paper addresses the physical mechanism of intermittent swimming by considering the burst-and-coast regime of fish swimming at different speeds. The burst-and-coast regime consists of a cycle with two successive phases, i.e., a phase of active undulation powered by the fish muscles followed by a passive gliding phase. Observations of real fish whose swimming gait is forced in a water flume from low to high speed regimes are performed, using a full description of the fish kinematics and mechanics. We first show that fish modulate a unique intrinsic cycle to sustain the demanded speed by modifying the bursting to coasting ratio while maintaining the duration of the cycle nearly constant. Secondly, we show using numerical simulations that the chosen kinematics by correspond to optimized gaits for swimming speeds larger than 1 body length per second.
R–R–T (resistance–resilience–transformation) typology reveals differential conservation approaches across ecosystems and time
Authors: Peterson St-Laurent Guillaume , Oakes Lauren E. , Cross Molly , Hagerman Shannon
Published: January 2021

Conservation practices during the first decade of the millennium predominantly focused on resisting changes and maintaining historical or current conditions, but ever-increasing impacts from climate change have highlighted the need for transformative action. However, little empirical evidence exists on what kinds of conservation actions aimed specifically at climate change adaptation are being implemented in practice, let alone how transformative these actions are. In response, we propose and trial a novel typology—the R–R–T scale, which improves on existing concepts of Resistance, Resilience, and Transformation—that enables the practical application of contested terms and the empirical assessment of whether and to what extent a shift toward transformative action is occurring. When applying the R–R–T scale to a case study of 104 adaptation projects funded since 2011, we find a trend towards transformation that varies across ecosystems. Our results reveal that perceptions about the acceptance of novel interventions in principle are beginning to be expressed in practice.
Biomedical applications of methionine-based systems
Authors: Liu Jie , Huang Jun , Xin Peikun , Liu Guiting , Wu Jun
Published: January 2021

Spurred by the structure, metabolism, and derivatives of methionine, this review systematically summarizes its recent progress in functional modification, cancer treatment, liver disease therapy.
Transfer hydrogenations catalyzed by streptavidin-hosted secondary amine organocatalysts
Authors: Santi Nicolò , Morrill Louis C. , Świderek Katarzyna , Moliner Vicent , Luk Louis Y. P.
Published: January 2021

Streptavidin-based secondary amine enables organocatalytic hydride reduction.
Conductive interface promoted bifunctional oxygen reduction/evolution activity in an ultra-low precious metal based hybrid catalyst
Authors: Sarkar Shreya , Varghese Merin , Vinod C. P. , Peter Sebastian C.
Published: January 2021

An ultra-low precious metal based hybrid catalyst promotes bifunctional oxygen reduction/evolution activity through charge transfer at the interface.
Ligand-mediated strategy for the fabrication of hollow Fe-MOFs and their derived Fe/NC nanostructures with an enhanced oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Liu Yan , Zheng Yamin , Dong Panpan , Lu Ning , Zhang Ruirui , Mao Junjie
Published: January 2021

A facile ligand-mediated strategy was developed for preparing novel octahedron-shaped Fe-MOF particles with a hollow structure.
Conformational H-bonding modulation of the iron active site cysteine ligand of superoxide reductase: absorption and resonance Raman studies
Authors: Desbois Alain , Valton Julien , Moreau Yohann , Torelli Stéphane , Nivière Vincent
Published: January 2021

Superoxide reductase Asn117 residue, by making hydrogen bonds with neighboring residues, enables fine-tuning of the Fe–S(Cys116) bond strength.
A first-principles study of rare earth quaternary Heusler compounds: RXVZ (R = Yb, Lu; X = Fe, Co, Ni; Z = Al, Si)
Authors: Huang Hung-Lung , Tung Jen-Chuan , Jeng Horng-Tay
Published: January 2021

Rare earth quaternary Heusler (EQH) compounds with chemical formula RXVZ (R = Yb, Lu; X = Fe, Co, Ni; Z = Al, Si) have attracted much attention since they are easily prepared and can provide interesting properties for future spintronic applications.
Oxidative depolymerization of Kraft lignin to high-value aromatics using a homogeneous vanadium–copper catalyst
Authors: Walch Florian , Abdelaziz Omar Y. , Meier Sebastian , Bjelić Saša , Hulteberg Christian P. , Riisager Anders
Published: January 2021

Kraft lignin is efficiently depolymerized under benign conditions into value-added aromatics and high-quality bio-oil using a facile vanadium–copper catalyst system.
Synthesis and photodynamic activities of novel silicon(iv) phthalocyanines axially substituted with water soluble groups against HeLa cancer cell line
Authors: Göksel Meltem , Durmuş Mahmut , Biyiklioglu Zekeriya
Published: January 2021

In this study, compounds 1 and 2 and their silicon(iv) phthalocyanine (SiPc) derivatives 3 and 4, which bear these ligands as substituents on the axial positions, were synthesized.
Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of a P-stereogenic ortho-(4-amino-tempo)phosphinic amide radical and its CuII complex
Authors: Navarro Yolanda , Guedes Guilherme P. , del Águila-Sánchez Miguel A. , Iglesias María José , Lloret Francisco , López-Ortiz Fernando
Published: January 2021

The synthesis, structures and magnetic properties of an unprecedented P-stereogenic phosphinic amide-4-amino-TEMPO radical and its Cu(hfac)2 complex are reported.
Application of ICP-MS to the development of metal-based drugs and diagnostic agents: where do we stand?
Authors: Timerbaev Andrei R.
Published: January 2021

Recent advances of ICP-MS in the field of metallodrug research are codified and critically assessed.
Quantification of boron in cells for evaluation of drug agents used in boron neutron capture therapy
Authors: Verlinden B. , Van Hoecke K. , Aerts A. , Daems N. , Dobney A. , Janssens K. , Cardinaels T.
Published: January 2021

The combination of UV digestion and nitric acid digestion is an effective sample preparation method for the quantification of boron in cell cultures by ICP-MS in the context of screening BNCT drug candidates for cancer treatment.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A and Materials Advances Editor's choice web collection: “Machine learning for materials innovation”
Authors: Zhou Zhen
Published: January 2021

Zhen Zhou introduces a Journal of Materials Chemistry/Materials Advances Editor's choice web collection on machine learning for materials innovation (https://rsc.li/MachineLearning).
Unified mechanistic interpretation of amine-assisted silica synthesis methods to enable design of more complex materials
Authors: Manning Joseph R. H. , Brambila Carlos , Patwardhan Siddharth V.
Published: January 2021

We present ‘joined-up’ thinking for several families of porous silicas; the mechanistic insights gained can help design structurally complex materials.
Diazadiborinine as an ambiphilic catalyst for metal-free hydrogenation: a computational study on the structural design and reaction mechanism
Authors: Shao Youxiang , Huang Ming , Gu Fenglong , Zhao Cunyuan , Qu Ling-Bo , Ke Zhuofeng
Published: January 2021

The reactivity and mechanism of hydrogenation by a metal-free ambiphilic catalyst.
Xanthones and anthraquinones from the soil fungus Penicillium sp. DWS10-P-6
Authors: Wang Ya-jing , Ma Nan , Liu Chun-yue , Feng Yi-xuan , Zhang Feng-xiang , Li Chang , Pei Yue-hu
Published: January 2021

Two new xanthones, oxisterigmatocystins J and K, and two new anthraquinones, versicolorins D and E, were characterized from the fungus Penicillium sp. Compounds 4 and 5 showed significant cytotoxic activities against HL-60 cell line.
Recent advances in nanosized metal organic frameworks for drug delivery and tumor therapy
Authors: Yang Junlei , Wang Hui , Liu Jinyao , Ding Mengkui , Xie Xianjin , Yang Xiaoyu , Peng Yaru , Zhou Shuang , Ouyang Ruizhuo , Miao Yuqing
Published: January 2021

This review provides an overview of the recent advances in nano-MOFs for drug delivery and tumor therapy and some insight into present challenges and prospects.
Structure and electrochemical activity of nickel aluminium fluoride nanosheets during urea electro-oxidation in an alkaline solution
Authors: Aladeemy Saba A. , Al-Mayouf Abdullah M. , Amer Mabrook S. , Alotaibi Nouf H. , Weller Mark T. , Ghanem Mohamed A.
Published: January 2021

An electrocatalyst of potassium nickel aluminium hexafluoride (KNiAlF6) nanosheets for enhanced urea oxidation reaction.
Crowded solutions of single-chain nanoparticles under shear flow
Authors: Formanek Maud , Moreno Angel J.
Published: January 2021

Increasing the concentration has an unconventional effect on the response of solutions of single-chain nanoparticles to shear.
Spatial inhomogeneity, interfaces and complex vitrification kinetics in a network forming nanocomposite
Authors: Szymoniak Paulina , Qu Xintong , Abbasi Mozhdeh , Pauw Brian R. , Henning Sven , Li Zhi , Wang De-Yi , Schick Christoph , Saalwächter Kay , Schönhals Andreas
Published: January 2021

A detailed calorimetric study on an epoxy-based nanocomposite system was performed employing bisphenol A diglycidyl ether cured with diethylenetriamine as the polymer matrix and a taurine-modified MgAL layered double hydroxide as the nanofiller.
MOF/PEDOT/HPMo-based polycomponent hierarchical hollow micro-vesicles for high performance flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Bing , Liu Shuo , Liu Lin , Song Wen-Wei , Zhang Yue , Wang Shi-Ming , Han Zheng-Bo
Published: January 2021

The three-component PCN-224/PEDOT/PMo12 supercapacitor electrode material is designed to offer high area capacitance, good cycle stability and mechanical flexibility.
Poly(n-vinylpyrrolidone-co-acrylonitrile-co-methacrylic acid)–graphene quantum dot conjugate: synthesis and characterization for sensing ammonia vapour
Authors: Upadhyaya Samiran , Gogoi Bedanta , Sen Sarma Neelotpal
Published: January 2021

We report the biosynthesis of Graphene QDs and their composite with poly(n-vinylpyrrolidone-co-acrylonitrile-co-methacrylic acid) for efficient detection of ammonia with a detection limit of 0.232 ppm using a fabricated portable electronic device.
Glycosome heterogeneity in kinetoplastids
Authors: Crowe Logan P. , Morris Meredith T.
Published: January 2021

Kinetoplastid parasites have essential organelles called glycosomes that are analogous to peroxisomes present in other eukaryotes. While many of the processes that regulate glycosomes are conserved, there are several unique aspects of their biology that are divergent from other systems and may be leveraged as therapeutic targets for the treatment of kinetoplastid diseases. Glycosomes are heterogeneous organelles that likely exist as sub-populations with different protein composition and function in a given cell, between individual cells, and between species. However, the limitations posed by the small size of these organelles makes the study of this heterogeneity difficult. Recent advances in the analysis of small vesicles by flow-cytometry provide an opportunity to overcome these limitations. In this review, we describe studies that document the diverse nature of glycosomes and propose an approach to using flow cytometry and organelle sorting to study the diverse composition and function of these organelles. Because the cellular machinery that regulates glycosome protein import and biogenesis is likely to contribute, at least in part, to glycosome heterogeneity we highlight some ways in which the glycosome protein import machinery differs from that of peroxisomes in other eukaryotes.
Antivirals that target the host IMPα/β1-virus interface
Authors: Martin Alexander J. , Jans David A.
Published: January 2021

Although transport into the nucleus mediated by the importin (IMP) α/β1-heterodimer is central to viral infection, small molecule inhibitors of IMPα/β1-dependent nuclear import have only been described and shown to have antiviral activity in the last decade. Their robust antiviral activity is due to the strong reliance of many different viruses, including RNA viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), dengue (DENV), and Zika (ZIKV), on the IMPα/β1-virus interface. High-throughput compound screens have identified many agents that specifically target this interface. Of these, agents targeting IMPα/β1 directly include the FDA-approved macrocyclic lactone ivermectin, which has documented broad-spectrum activity against a whole range of viruses, including HIV-1, DENV1–4, ZIKV, West Nile virus (WNV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, chikungunya, and most recently, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Ivermectin has thus far been tested in Phase III human clinical trials for DENV, while there are currently close to 80 trials in progress worldwide for SARS-CoV-2; preliminary results for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) as well as observational/retrospective studies are consistent with ivermectin affording clinical benefit. Agents that target the viral component of the IMPα/β1-virus interface include N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR), which specifically targets DENV/ZIKV/WNV non-structural protein 5 (NS5). 4-HPR has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of infection by DENV1–4, including in an antibody-dependent enhanced animal challenge model, as well as ZIKV, with Phase II clinical challenge trials planned. The results from rigorous RCTs will help determine the therapeutic potential of the IMPα/β1-virus interface as a target for antiviral development.
The GCN5: its biological functions and therapeutic potentials
Authors: Haque Md. Ezazul , Jakaria Md. , Akther Mahbuba , Cho Duk-Yeon , Kim In-Su , Choi Dong-Kug
Published: January 2021

General control non-depressible 5 (GCN5) or lysine acetyltransferase 2A (KAT2A) is one of the most highly studied histone acetyltransferases. It acts as both histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and lysine acetyltransferase (KAT). As an HAT it plays a pivotal role in the epigenetic landscape and chromatin modification. Besides, GCN5 regulates a wide range of biological events such as gene regulation, cellular proliferation, metabolism and inflammation. Imbalance in the GCN5 activity has been reported in many disorders such as cancer, metabolic disorders, autoimmune disorders and neurological disorders. Therefore, unravelling the role of GCN5 in different diseases progression is a prerequisite for both understanding and developing novel therapeutic agents of these diseases. In this review, we have discussed the structural features, the biological function of GCN5 and the mechanical link with the diseases associated with its imbalance. Moreover, the present GCN5 modulators and their limitations will be presented in a medicinal chemistry perspective.
Super-Eddington accretion in the Q2237+0305 quasar?
Authors: Berdina L. A. , Tsvetkova V. S. , Shulga V. M.
Published: January 2021

The interband time lags between the flux variations of the Q2237+0305 quasar have been determined from light curves in the Johnson-Cousins V, R, and I spectral bands. The values of the time lags for filter pairs R − V, I − R, and I − V are significantly higher than those predicted by the standard accretion disk model by Shakura and Sunyaev. To explain the discrepancy, the idea of a supercritical accretion regime in quasars considered in 1973 by Shakura and Sunyaev is applied. This regime has been shown by them to cause an extended scattering envelope around the accretion disk. The envelope efficiently scatters and re-emits the radiation from the accretion disk and thus increases the apparent disk size. We made use of analytical expressions for the envelope radius and temperature derived by Shakura and Sunyaev in their analysis of super-Eddington accretion and show that our results are consistent with the existence of such an envelope. The corresponding parameters of the accretion regime were calculated. They provide the radii of the envelope in the V, R, and I spectral bands consistent with the inter-band time lags determined in our work.
3D kinematics and age distribution of the open cluster population
Authors: Tarricq Y. , Soubiran C. , Casamiquela L. , Cantat-Gaudin T. , Chemin L. , Anders F. , Antoja T. , Romero-Gómez M. , Figueras F. , Jordi C. , Bragaglia A. , Balaguer-Núñez L. , Carrera R. , Castro-Ginard A. , Moitinho A. , Ramos P. , Bossini D.
Published: January 2021

Context. Open clusters (OCs) trace the evolution of the Galactic disc with great accuracy. Gaia and large ground-based spectroscopic surveys make it possible to determine their properties and study their kinematics with unprecedented precision.

Aims. We study the kinematical behaviour of the OC population over time. We take advantage of the latest age determinations of OCs to investigate the correlations of the 6D phase-space coordinates and orbital properties with age. The phase-space distribution, age-velocity relation, and action distribution are compared to those of field stars. We also investigate the rotation curve of the Milky Way traced by OCs, and we compare it to that of other observational or theoretical studies.

Methods. We gathered nearly 30 000 radial velocity (RV) measurements of OC members from both Gaia-RVS data and ground-based surveys and catalogues. We computed the weighted mean RV, Galactic velocities, and orbital parameters of 1382 OCs. We investigated their distributions as a function of age and by comparison to field stars.

Results. We provide the largest RV catalogue available for OCs, half of it based on at least three members. Compared to field stars, we note that OCs are not on exactly the same arches in the radial-azimuthal velocity plane, while they seem to follow the same diagonal ridges in the Galactic radial distribution of azimuthal velocities. Velocity ellipsoids in different age bins all show a clear anisotropy. The heating rate of the OC population is similar to that of field stars for the radial and azimuthal components, but it is significantly lower for the vertical component. The rotation curve drawn by our sample of clusters shows several dips that match the wiggles derived from nonaxisymmetric models of the Galaxy. From the computation of orbits, we obtain a clear dependence of the maximum height and eccentricity on age. Finally, the orbital characteristics of the sample of clusters as shown by the action variables follow the distribution of field stars. The additional age information of the clusters indicates some (weak) age dependence of the known moving groups.
Alfvénic versus non-Alfvénic turbulence in the inner heliosphere as observed by Parker Solar Probe
Authors: Shi C. , Velli M. , Panasenco O. , Tenerani A. , Réville V. , Bale S. D. , Kasper J. , Korreck K. , Bonnell J. W. , Dudok de Wit T. , Malaspina D. M. , Goetz K. , Harvey P. R. , MacDowall R. J. , Pulupa M. , Case A. W. , Larson D. , Verniero J. L. , Livi R. , Stevens M. , Whittlesey P. , Maksimovic M. , Moncuquet M.
Published: January 2021

Context. Parker Solar Probe (PSP) measures the magnetic field and plasma parameters of the solar wind at unprecedentedly close distances to the Sun. These data provide great opportunities to study the early-stage evolution of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in the solar wind.

Aims. In this study, we make use of the PSP data to explore the nature of solar wind turbulence focusing on the Alfvénic character and power spectra of the fluctuations and their dependence on the distance and context (i.e., large-scale solar wind properties), aiming to understand the role that different effects such as source properties, solar wind expansion, and stream interaction might play in determining the turbulent state.

Methods. We carried out a statistical survey of the data from the first five orbits of PSP with a focus on how the fluctuation properties at the large MHD scales vary with different solar wind streams and the distance from the Sun. A more in-depth analysis from several selected periods is also presented.

Results. Our results show that as fluctuations are transported outward by the solar wind, the magnetic field spectrum steepens while the shape of the velocity spectrum remains unchanged. The steepening process is controlled by the “age” of the turbulence, which is determined by the wind speed together with the radial distance. Statistically, faster solar wind has higher “Alfvénicity,” with a more dominant outward propagating wave component and more balanced magnetic and kinetic energies. The outward wave dominance gradually weakens with radial distance, while the excess of magnetic energy is found to be stronger as we move closer toward the Sun. We show that the turbulence properties can significantly vary from stream to stream even if these streams are of a similar speed, indicating very different origins of these streams. Especially, the slow wind that originates near the polar coronal holes has much lower Alfvénicity compared with the slow wind that originates from the active regions and pseudostreamers. We show that structures such as heliospheric current sheets and velocity shears can play an important role in modifying the properties of the turbulence.
The near-Sun streamer belt solar wind: turbulence and solar wind acceleration
Authors: Chen C. H. K. , Chandran B. D. G. , Woodham L. D. , Jones S. I. , Perez J. C. , Bourouaine S. , Bowen T. A. , Klein K. G. , Moncuquet M. , Kasper J. C. , Bale S. D.
Published: January 2021

The fourth orbit of Parker Solar Probe (PSP) reached heliocentric distances down to 27.9R⊙, allowing solar wind turbulence and acceleration mechanisms to be studied in situ closer to the Sun than previously possible. The turbulence properties were found to be significantly different in the inbound and outbound portions of PSP’s fourth solar encounter, which was likely due to the proximity to the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) in the outbound period. Near the HCS, in the streamer belt wind, the turbulence was found to have lower amplitudes, higher magnetic compressibility, a steeper magnetic field spectrum (with a spectral index close to –5/3 rather than –3/2), a lower Alfvénicity, and a ‘1∕f’ break at much lower frequencies. These are also features of slow wind at 1 au, suggesting the near-Sun streamer belt wind to be the prototypical slow solar wind. The transition in properties occurs at a predicted angular distance of ≈4° from the HCS, suggesting ≈8° as the full-width of the streamer belt wind at these distances. While the majority of the Alfvénic turbulence energy fluxes measured by PSP are consistent with those required for reflection-driven turbulence models of solar wind acceleration, the fluxes in the streamer belt are significantly lower than the model predictions, suggesting that additional mechanisms are necessary to explain the acceleration of the streamer belt solar wind.
Space and laboratory observation of the deuterated cyanomethyl radical HDCCN
Authors: Cabezas C. , Endo Y. , Roueff E. , Marcelino N. , Agúndez M. , Tercero B. , Cernicharo J.
Published: January 2021

Our observations of TMC-1 with the Yebes 40 m radio telescope in the 31.0–50.3 GHz range allowed us to detect a group of unidentified lines, showing a complex line pattern indicative of an open-shell species. The observed frequencies of these lines and the similarity of the spectral pattern with that of the 20, 2–10, 1 rotational transition of H2CCN indicate that the lines arise from the deuterated cyanomethyl radical, HDCCN. Using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy experiments combined with electric discharges, we succeeded in producing the radical HDCCN in the laboratory and observed its 10, 1–00, 0 and 20, 2–10, 1 rotational transitions. From our observations and assuming a rotational temperature of 5 K, we derive an abundance ratio H2CCN/HDCCN = 20 ± 4. The high abundance of the deuterated form of H2CCN is well accounted for by a standard gas-phase model, in which deuteration is driven by deuteron transfer from the H2D+ molecular ion.
A bi-objective production-distribution problem in a supply chain network under grey flexible conditions
Authors: Goodarzian Fariba , Shishebori Davood , Nasseri Hadi , Dadvar Faridreza
Published: January 2021

One of the main topics discussed in a supply chain is the production-distribution problem. Producing and distributing the products plays a key role in reducing the costs of the chain. To design a supply chain, a network of efficient management and production-distribution decisions is essential. Accordingly, providing an appropriate mathematical model for such problems can be helpful in designing and managing supply chain networks. Mathematical formulations must be drawn close to the real world due to the importance of supply chain networks. This makes those formulations more complicated. In this study, a novel multi-objective formulation is devised for the production-distribution problem of a supply chain that consists of several suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and different customers. Also, a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) mathematical model is proposed for designing a multi-objective and multi-period supply chain network. In addition, grey flexible linear programming (GFLP) is done for a multi-objective production-distribution problem in a supply chain network. The network is designed for the first time to cope with the uncertain nature of costs, demands, and capacity parameters. In this regard, due to the NP-hardness and complexity of problems and the necessity of using meta-heuristic algorithms, NSGA-II and Fast PGA algorithm are applied and compared in terms of several criteria that emphasize the quality and diversity of the solutions.
Jones' Model and Its Modifications in the Conditions of the Slovak Republic
Authors: Strakova Lenka , Svabova Lucia
Published: January 2021

One of the key tasks of financial accounting from its beginnings to the present day is to determine the performance of the company. The financial statements should provide users with a true and fair view of the financial position and financial performance of the entity during the period. At present, profit represents the most frequently accepted measure of a company’s financial performance. An important prerequisite for profit as a reliable measure of performance is its quality, which can be influenced by various factors or techniques resulting from earnings management. This paper aims to compare the detection capability of the Jones model and its modifications for assessing the occurrence of earnings management in the conditions of the Slovak Republic. We use the regression analysis and comparison method, based on which we compare the detection capability of the Jones model and its modifications for assessing the occurrence of earnings management in the conditions of the Slovak Republic. The contribution of the paper lies in the observation of the Jones model and its modifications to determine a suitable model for assessing the existence of earnings management in companies in Slovakia, which will be the subject of future research.
An Empirical View on the Determinants of Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from EU(28) Member States
Authors: Sofrankova Beata , Kiselakova Dana , Onuferova Erika
Published: January 2021

Sustainable development represents a comprehensive approach that focuses on economic, social and environmental aspects in order to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations. The main aim of the paper is to reveal the impact of selected global multicriteria indices (through Global Innovation Index, Doing Business Index, Economic Freedom Index, Corruption Perception Index and Human Development Index) on sustainable development (expressed by Sustainable Economic Development Assessment) within EU(28) countries for the period of 2011 to 2018. Secondary data were processed using panel data regression analysis. Results of average score in the field of sustainable economic development showed that Finland (84.5) achieved the best-performed, while the worst position was recorded by Romania (56.5). Looking at the selected indices average scores, the leading position was indicated in the case of Denmark (80.5) and the worst results was obtained by Greece (57.6). Based on the results of the panel regression analysis, to the key determinants influencing the sustainable economic growth of the EU(28) countries belong such variables as innovation activity, business environment, corruption issues and human resources. The presented findings provide valuable insight toward to strategic priorities review, as well as, it can also help governments move from plans to action.
The Importance of Probabilistic Analysis in the Application of the Marketing Strategy of the Selected Brand
Authors: Vrtana David , Krizanova Anna
Published: January 2021

Entering foreign markets can be an opportunity for some brands. Expansion contributes to developing competitiveness, building a brand and increasing profits, which will be reflected in overall business performance in a market environment. In this article, we elaborate on the identification data of the Starbucks brand. We identify the international environment and the current marketing strategy of the brand. We also focus on defining its marketing performance with regard to the application of the current strategy in the international environment when entering the target foreign market. Based on the analyzed data on the brand and performance, we approach the probabilistic analysis in order to identify the right foreign market. The performed analysis consists of two basic stages. The first step is a rough selection analysis and a fine selection analysis. In the discussion part, we define the advantages and limitations of the brand’s entry into a new foreign market. We support the individual statements with the results of a coarse and fine selection analysis. We also describe the use and limitations of the brand’s cooperation strategy in the future. In the final part of the article, we identify the identified statements with the current marketing strategy and suggest the direction of its development when entering a new foreign market.
Decent Work During the Pandemic: Indication and Profiling Matters
Authors: Simonova M.V. , Sankova L.V. , Mirzabalaeva F.I.
Published: January 2021

The article is devoted to the study of theoretical and applied aspects of decent work during the period of unstable economy development associated with the pandemic. The aim of research is to identify key labor trends, determine valid indicators and analyze decent work profiles at the level of the world community, Russia and its regions. The authors analyzed the decent work profiles at the beginning and during the downturn of the pandemic; studied the components of decent work in the economy as a whole and at the regional level. Special attention is paid to the criteria of profiling, which determine the necessary investment directions and formats in ensuring decent work conditions in the country context. Indicators and an integral indicator of decent work, taking into account the conditions of the pandemic, including unemployment; expenditure in GDP and payments against the subsistence minimum; loss of working time due to restrictive measures; the proportion of workers transferred to remote employment; Wage change rate; occupational safety index and others are proposed. The materials can be of practical value for the employment policy directions development at the regional and Federal levels of Russia, taking into account the current epidemiological situation and employment digitalization strategic priorities.
The state’s responsibility towards entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic for the measures adopted in relation to the epidemic of coronavirus
Authors: Bílek Stanislav , Caha Zdeněk , Velková Vendula
Published: January 2021

This paper briefly analyses the legislation of the state’s liability for the measures adopted in relation to the epidemic of coronavirus in the period of the state of emergency, it especially deals with the state’s liability for damage accrued upon entrepreneurs in a casual relation to the restriction of the right to engage in enterprise. The aim of the paper is to carry out a legal analysis of liability for damage according to the Crisis Act on one hand, and of liability for damage caused by the terminated measures of the state according to the Act referring to the protection of public health, on the other hand. The paper provides a practical guideline for claiming damages and draws attention to the limits of such claims.
A Basic Technical Analysis of Shares on the Example of a Specific Company
Authors: Horak Jakub , Sulek Jiri
Published: January 2021

This paper deals with the technical analysis of The Coca-Cola Company (KO) shares. The first signal for the stock price movement was created on the basis of the intersections of moving averages, namely after intersecting the shorter average through the longer average. This signal signifies a drop in the share price. The same signal was generated after comparing the trend of the share price and the trend of the trading volumes. It is these particular trends that have a different direction. Consequently, this is an indicator for a decline in the share price. The last signal created a graphical pattern called symmetric bear triangle which also predicts a drop in the stock price. Only one indicator did not generate a signal for price increase or decrease, namely the RSI with a 14-day period. The examined data collection contains data from 2.1.2015 to 29.4.2020. At the same time, all presented results and predictions are based on the date of April 29, 2020. Finally, the use of the given indicators for different titles, assets or for different types of trade with different lengths is evaluated and proposed. The paper provides suggestions of measures for investors and speculators which should be applied before the start of the analysis.
Analysis of government bonds and prediction of their development after the pandemic caused by COVID-19
Authors: Suler Petr , Polan Vaclav
Published: January 2021

This paper describes the current state of the government bond market and predicts the future development of government bond yields using the yield curve to bond maturity, spot yield curve, credit rating and simple prediction. The ongoing economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the lives of many people. In order for each individual country to help its households, prevent mass job lay-offs and high mortality, their fiscal budget deficits are growing to unexpected heights. The aim of this paper is to analyse government bonds as one of the tools that can help both the state and individual households at this time. Government bond yields are analysed and compared with other countries based on the development of government bonds using credit ratings, yield curves to maturity, spot yield curves and simple historical development of government bonds from the previous economic crisis in 2008. Based on the results, we conclude that countries severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mortality, such as Italy, have a relatively stable yield. In contrast, for countries such as the Czech Republic and South Korea, yields to maturity at both ends are relatively declining.
Factors Affecting Compliance to a Gluten-Free Diet in Pediatric Populations with Celiac Disease
Authors: Macedo-Campos Vítor , Macedo-Campos Rui , Pinto-Ribeiro Filipa , Antunes Henedina
Published: January 2021

Celiac disease (CD) is a multisystemic autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, and the only known remedy available for this malady is a gluten-free diet (GFD). Therefore, we performed a systematic review to correlate the influence of different factors in compliance to a GFD. We searched PubMed database, from inception to April 2019. As inclusion criteria we considered population under 18 years, confirmed diagnosis of CD without related comorbidities and the study objective being the factors affecting compliance to a GFD. The variables compared were age, parent's education level, parental knowledge about CD, family type, celiac association membership, quality of life, and perception of difficulties in maintaining a GFD. We identified 1,414 articles, 35 articles were eligible for full text assessment and 12 were included in the study since they studied similar variables. Our work has found some limitations namely a variety of methods to assess GFD compliance, a limiting definition of compliance, a parental bias in data, an absence of standardization in age categories, and a majority of studies being observational in their nature. Age as well as parental knowledge of CD and family type are key factors in pediatric GFD compliance. Nevertheless environmental, social, and family factors were also related with compliance. Further studies are needed to fully disclose the causality relation between these factors and compliance.
Recent advances in small angle x-ray scattering for superlattice study
Authors: Jiang Zhang , Lee Byeongdu
Published: January 2021

Small-angle x-ray scattering is used for the structure determination of superlattice for its superior resolution, nondestructive nature, and high penetration power of x rays. With the advent of high brilliance x-ray sources and innovative computing algorithms, there have been notable advances in small angle x-ray scattering analysis of superlattices. High brilliance x-ray beams have made data analyses less model-dependent. Additionally, novel data acquisition systems are faster and more competitive than ever before, enabling a more accurate mapping of the superlattices' reciprocal space. Fast and high-throughput computing systems and algorithms also make possible advanced analysis methods, including iterative phasing algorithms, non-parameterized fitting of scattering data with molecular dynamics simulations, and the use of machine learning algorithms. As a result, solving nanoscale structures with high resolutions has become an attainable task. In this review, we highlight new developments in the field and introduce their applications for the analysis of nanoscale ordered structures, including nanoparticle supercrystals, nanoscale lithography patterns, and supramolecular self-assemblies. Particularly, we highlight the reciprocal space mapping techniques and the use of iterative phase retrieval algorithms. We also cover coherent-beam-based small angle x-ray scattering techniques such as ptychography and ptycho-tomography in view of the traditional small angle x-ray scattering perspective.
Transfer learning of chaotic systems
Authors: Guo Yali , Zhang Han , Wang Liang , Fan Huawei , Xiao Jinghua , Wang Xingang
Published: January 2021

Can a neural network trained by the time series of system A be used to predict the evolution of system B? This problem, knowing as transfer learning in a broad sense, is of great importance in machine learning and data mining yet has not been addressed for chaotic systems. Here, we investigate transfer learning of chaotic systems from the perspective of synchronization-based state inference, in which a reservoir computer trained by chaotic system A is used to infer the unmeasured variables of chaotic system B, while A is different from B in either parameter or dynamics. It is found that if systems A and B are different in parameter, the reservoir computer can be well synchronized to system B. However, if systems A and B are different in dynamics, the reservoir computer fails to synchronize with system B in general. Knowledge transfer along a chain of coupled reservoir computers is also studied, and it is found that, although the reservoir computers are trained by different systems, the unmeasured variables of the driving system can be successfully inferred by the remote reservoir computer. Finally, by an experiment of chaotic pendulum, we demonstrate that the knowledge learned from the modeling system can be transferred and used to predict the evolution of the experimental system.
Efficient target acceleration using underwater electrical explosion of wire array
Authors: Maler D. , Rososhek A. , Efimov S. , Virozub A. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: January 2021

The results of experimental studies together with numerical and analytical modeling showed that the acceleration of a target by employing the shock compression and water flow generated by the underwater electrical explosion of a wire array can be considered an efficient (up to ∼20%) approach. In experiments, a pulse generator with stored energy of ∼6.5 kJ, current amplitude of ∼380 kA, and rise time of ∼1.2 μs was used for underwater electrical explosion of a copper wire planar array. Streak shadow imaging and photonic Doppler velocimetry were applied to study the time-resolved velocity of the shock in water and an aluminum target in air, respectively. The targets, having different thicknesses and designs, were positioned at variable distances from the array. Experimental results showed that the target velocity evolution is characterized by an ns-timescale rise time peak with a subsequent decrease, which transfers to a μs-timescale increase up to its saturated value. Target velocities of up to 1360m/s were measured. The experimental, numerical, and analytical modeling results showed that a temporally unmovable barrier, located between the exploding array and the target, allows one to increase the pressure in that location, which leads to higher shock velocity in the target.
Metamaterial-based wearable flexible elliptical UWB antenna for WBAN and breast imaging applications
Authors: Alhawari Adam R. H. , Almawgani A. H. M. , Hindi Ayman Taher , Alghamdi Hisham , Saeidi Tale
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a metamaterial-based flexible wearable ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna for breast imaging and wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. The wearable antenna is required to be a planar and low-profile structure using flexible materials. The proposed antenna comprises two layers of denim (10 × 10 mm2) and felt (10 × 15 mm2). The antenna was integrated with six metamaterial unit cells using a modified grain rice shape within a split ring resonator to enhance the bandwidth, gain, and directivity and reduce the specific absorption rate value to less than 2 W/kg. The proposed antenna operates within a broad bandwidth range (6.5 GHz–35 GHz) with the maximum gain and directivity of 8.85 dBi and 10 dBi, respectively, and a radiation efficiency of more than 70% over its operating frequency band. The results verified good agreement between the simulation and measurement of the proposed technique in detecting an existing tumor with a diameter of 4 mm from any location inside the breast. The results convincingly proved the capability of the proposed wearable UWB antenna system for both WBAN and breast imaging applications.
Self-representation of people with disabilities
Authors: Kohn Ayelet
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the contribution of multimodal strategies in challenging aspects of public discourse about
people with disabilities. It looks into media texts that were created by people with disabilities, in which the topic of
disability is not a metaphor or a narrative prosthesis, but a demand for recognition and a call for a sincere dialogue, using
three complementary strategies: disabling the viewers, challenging dominant aesthetic norms, and ironic echoing. The paper focuses
on two autobiographical videos, a promotional video, a small corpus of paintings and a photograph, in which ironic echoing is the
dominant strategy.
Dialogical approach to a highly controlled discourse
Authors: Carcassonne Marie
Published: January 2021

This paper sets out the results of an analysis of a corpus of interviews with certified accountants who work or have worked for a major international audit group (one of the Big 4). It uses a dialogical and enunciative approach to show how highly controlled discourses are employed to criticize the “affective temporality” in these large firms. The interviewees all mention the difficulty of living with certain emotions within these Big 4 firms (in particular with the following “temporal emotions”: boredom with repetitive tasks, cold relationships, stress and pressure). We use the pedagogical context of data collection and the professional context of the interviewees to interpret these controlled discourses, while strongly mobilizing the responsive dimension of dialogism.
Some challenges of interdisciplinarity
Authors: Létourneau Alain
Published: January 2021

This piece explores dialogue analysis inside a particular ongoing collective work, a regional adaptation to climate change
research-action project in the southern part of Québec province, the Memphrémagog MRC. First, some precision is given to better understand
what it means to work in interdisciplinary contexts such as this one, continuing the development of a terminology to be able to better
identify collaboration between and with different professionals. These problems are then expressed in two case studies of dialogues as they
have been documented in the research project.