bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of The Relevance of The Early Retirement Plan for Moroccan Civil Servants via Discrete Simulation
Authors: Ouazzani-Touhami Khadija , El Arass Mohammed , Souissi Nissrine
Published: March 2022

The supervision of a complex system involves the study and analysis of its operation as well as a continuous search for its improvement and optimization. Simulation in general, and discrete simulation in particular, is an appropriate tool to support different management policies and strategies. In order to carry out a simulation project, special importance must be given to the simulation process, which has led us in this paper to ask the question: is there a standard life cycle of a simulation project? or a repository of the steps to follow? In this paper, we have used the most frequently cited simulation steps in the literature to develop a simulation project life cycle called SPLC (Simulation Project Life Cycle) grouping together the main steps. Then, we were interested in the analysis of the level of use of each of the steps retained by the simulation processes described in the simulation studies considered in the literature review. Secondly, we tried to put the elaborated SPLC cycle into action through a simulation case study, this is the voluntary departure operation launched in Morocco in 2005. Thus, we carried out a simulation allowing to analyze the success rate of this operation, and also its impact on the state of the Moroccan pension fund, and this for the period going from 2005 to 2025. The study was carried out on a set of generated data randomly according to statistical distributions.
Whale Inspired Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Design of Low Voltage Amplifier
Authors: Lberni Abdelaziz , Marktani Malika Alami , Ahaitouf Abdelaziz , Ahaitouf Ali
Published: March 2022

This paper discusses the application of a new nature-inspired optimization algorithm, called Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), to the resolution and optimization of single- and multi-objective problems in microelectronic design field. The performances of WOA are tested on one of the more interesting analog integrated circuits (ICs), for low supply voltage applications, the low-voltage amplifier (LVA). After identifying and determining the constraints of the LVA circuit, WOA is used to optimize MOS transistors sizes. This allows the best gain, the largest bandwidth and the highest slew rate. These main characteristics are optimized in two ways. In the first step, each function is optimized on its own, keeping the others fixed. In the second, the three characteristics are combined, with equal weights, to form a single main objective function.  WOA is coded in MATLAB and the obtained results are confifirmed by Cadence Virtuoso simulations in CMOS 0.18µm technology. The simulation results are 88.8dB (88.73dB), 23.92V/µs (20.52V/µs) and 24.6MHz (25.5MHz) for DC gain, slew rate and gain bandwidth in the single (multi)-objective experiment, respectively, justifying that WOA is an effective method for the design of the above mentioned circuit.
An Adaptive Approach to Optimize Probabilistic Distributed Testing
Authors: Tajioue Mohammed Amine , Maakoul Oussama , Moutai Fatima Zahra , Hsaini Sara , Azzouzi Salma , Charaf My El Hassan
Published: March 2022

Typically, conformance testing consists of placing a set of parallel testers at each port of an implementation to ensure its conformance to the specifification. However, a number of common fault detections occur if no coordination is made between these parallel testers and the implementation under test (IUT). Therefore, the test process must support mechanisms of coordination between these distributed components, particularly for implementation with stochastic behaviour. To this end, as well as to analyse the stochastic behaviour of the implementation under test, we propose in this paper an algorithm to generate for each tester a probabilistic local test sequence (PLTS) aiming to avoid both synchronization and observation issues. Finally, we suggest a new architecture based on Markov decision processes with an adaptive controller to control and optimize the whole testing process.
MCDM Filter with Pareto Parallel Implementation in Shared Memory Environment
Authors: Lamrini Loubna , Abounaima Mohammed Chaouki , Fatima Zahra El Mazouri  , Mohammed Ouzarf  , Mohammed TALIBI ALAOUI
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are often used to solve problems involving large data sets, especially with the advent of the big data age. In such a context, the multi-criteria decision-making methods theoretically can be used but technically are not effificient in terms of the treatment time. Indeed, the majority of commercial or even experimental multi-criteria decision support tools always have limits in terms of the number of alternatives and the number of criteria to be retained in the decision-making process, which presents a computational challenge to relieve. This present paper discusses the application of parallel computation to meet this challenge and make the application of MCDM methods possible in the presence of a big number of alternatives and criteria. More precisely, the main objective of this work is to provide a parallel fifiltering mechanism that can be executed even on accessible personal computers and offering a short and reasonable response time. The introduction of a fifilter as a fifirst step in the decision-making process consists in retaining, as alternatives to be treated by the MCDM method, and by parallel processing only the Pareto solutions. To achieve this objective, we propose a parallel computing approach deploying the Open MP (Open Multi-Processing) paradigm on a shared memory environment to fifind Pareto solutions. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach for problems with large dimensionality, several numerical examples with different dimensions will be examined.
Preface for the Special Issue of International Conference on Electronics, Control, Optimization and Computer Science ICECOCS’20
Authors: Azzouzi Salma , Cheikhrouhou Saoussen , Ait Madi Abdessalam , Talibi Alaoui Mohammed
Published: March 2022

The main contributions of [Stat. Optim. Inf. Comput. Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)], consisting of nineteen papers selected and revised from the international conference ICECOCS’2020, are highlighted.
William H. Stewart: Quem Persiste na Citação Acrescenta Desinformação
Authors: Guerra Diogo , Santos Fábio Videira
Published: March 2022

N/d.
Impact of E-Learning on INTTIC Students during the COVID-19
Authors: Zigh Ehlem , Abdalli Rime Hanane , Kouninef Belkacem
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown. For that reason, INTTIC switched from blended learning to total e-learning. In this paper, we explore the impact of e-learning on INTTIC students during the COVID-19 lockdown. To this end, we focus on four main variables: the effectiveness, the cost, the flexibility, and the independent work involved in e-learning. Our results show that e-learning cannot be entirely effective without the teacher’s online interaction. It is budget-friendly because students can save on transportation, food and daily school expenses, and it offers students a large degree of flexibility. Nevertheless, almost all students struggle to complete their homework on a deadline. The main causes could include the psychological aspects of lockdown, the lack of prior experience with total e-learning, and a need for teachers' supervision. Future research should study the impact of e-learning on teachers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Atık Kayaçların Katı Çiftlik Gübresinin Gübre Özelliğine Etkisi
Authors: Öner Nureddin
Published: March 2022

Laboratuvar koşullarında saksılarda üç tekerrürlü olarak yürütülen bu çalışmada fermente olmamış katı
çiftlik gübresine farklı özelliklere sahip üç kayacın kontrol % 1, % 5 ve % 10 dozu uygulanmıştır. Homojen
uygulama için kayaçlar öğütülmüştür. Orijinal nemiyle katı çiftlik gübresine ilave edilen kayaçlar, iyice
karıştırıldıktan sonra ilk hafta günde iki defa daha sonraki günlerde 2 günde bir defa olacak şekilde karıştırılarak oksijenli fermantasyona tabi tutulmuştur. Fermantasyona tabi tutulan katı çiftlik gübresinden ikinci ve altmışıncı günlerde örnekler alınarak kayaçların suda çözünebilir kalsiyum (Ca), magnezyum (Mg), potasyum (K), sodyum (Na), fosfor (P), demir (Fe), ve mangan (Mn) elementleri içeriğine etkisi belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre fermente olmamış katı taze çiftlik gübresine % 1, % 5 ve % 10 oranında ilave edilen farklı üç kayacın katı çiftlik gübresinde suda çözünebilir kalsiyum, fosfor ve mangan elementleri miktarı üzerine etkisi; zaman, kayaç dozu ve zaman x kayaç dozu interaksiyonu p
Tanggung Gugat Pemegang Hak Cipta Terhadap Perbuatan Melawan Hukum Pelanggaran Hak Cipta
Authors:   Universitas Islam Indonesia, Nugroho Eko Rial , Priyanka NP Wahyu ,   Universitas Islam Indonesia
Published: March 2022

PT. ISM and FIFA have made and signed License Agreement in May 5th, 2011. The License Agreement related to delegation of certain rights of broadcasting which related on XX edition from football tournaments and other FIFA events. Based on this exclusivity, there are no other parties (Include but not limited to the broadcaster), who have right to (but not limited to) do socialization, marketing, and supervision of permission to use the 2014 Brazil World Cup broadcast commercially in commercial places. However, a party namely PT. SSM alleged to do act against the right to broadcast or airing or hold a Nonton Bareng event of 2014 Brazil World Cup commercially without having permission from PT. ISM. As a result of broadcasting the 2014 Brazil World Cup by PT. SSM, PT. ISM felt material and immaterial losses. The purpose of this study is to figure out whether Copyright infringement can be categorized as an unlawful act and to know how the legal protection for the Copyright license holder of unlawful act in the form of Copyright infringement.This Study is a normative legal study with qualitative analysis. This study concluded that PT. SSM has committed an unlawful act in the form of a Copyright infringement and the legal protection has given to copyrights license holder by taking legal action in the form of a lawsuit to the Commercial Court and requesting for compensation of unlawful act committed by PT. SSM.
Formulasi Hukum Hak Terkait Untuk Pelaku Seni Pertunjukan Teater Di Yogyakarta
Authors:   Universitas Islam Indonesia, Muhsin Ahmad
Published: March 2022

The main problem in this research is to examine the related rights for actors in theater performances as regulated in Law No. 28 of 2014 concerning copyright, as for the formulations of the problems presented, namely: First, is the formulation of Related Rights in the Copyright Law No. 28 of 2014 in accordance with the views of theater actors in Yogyakarta? Second, How is the formulation of Related Rights in the Copyright Law No. 28 of 2014 according to the future view of theater actors in Yogyakarta? This study uses the normative-empirical method, while the conclusions of this research are: First, that the related rights law rules in the Copyright Law No. 28 of 2014 is complete, Second. The views of theater performers regarding the formulation of rights law related to the future need to be regulated in more detail regarding the standardization of forms of cooperation in the creative process and forming a collective management institution that focuses on protecting theater arts.
Perlindungan Hukum dan Implementasi Doktrin Fair Use Terhadap Costume Play (Cosplay) dalam Hak Cipta dan Desain Industri
Authors:   Fakultas Hukum Universitas Islam Indonesia, Ramadhan Galih Dwi
Published: March 2022

Cosplay 'Costume & Play' is a term that describes a pop-culture phenomenon about a person's creativity by creating and using a costume and its accessories to play a role based on references to fictional characters from comic books, animated films, and video games. Costumes and accessories used for cosplay are the work of human intellectuals which should be protected by intellectual property rights because in practice many parties get financial benefits from cosplay activities. There is no explicit regulation on the protection of intellectual works, especially Copyright and Industrial Design Rights for cosplay costumes and accessories. A normative juridical study is needed in understanding the legal provisions on cosplay using the Copyright Law and the Industrial Design Law.
Analisis Persamaan Merek Terkenal Tidak Sejenis Ditinjau Dari Hukum Merek (Studi Putusan Mahkamah Agung Nomor 29 PK/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2016)
Authors:   Fakultas Hukum Universitas Islam Indonesia, Rohman Arif
Published: March 2022

Putusan Mahkamah Agung Nomor 29 PK/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2016 mengenai gugatan BMW (BAYERISCHE MOTOREEN WERKE AKTIENGESELOLSCHAFFT) terhadap BMW (BODY MAN WEAR) kurang tepat. Dengan dikeluarkanya Surat Edaran Mahkamah Agung Nomor 03/BUA.6/H.S/SP/XII/2015, mengakibatkan amar putusan untuk gugatan persamaan pada pokoknya dan/atau keseluruhan merek terkenal tidak sejenis, harus diputus dengan amar tidak dapat diterima. Majelis hakim berpendapat bahwa belum ada aturan yang mengatur untuk kasus persamaan merek beda jenis, sehingga dianggap belum ada pelanggaran hukum. Menurut penulis dengan amar putusan tersebut dapat menimbulakan ketidakpastian hukum untuk pemegang merek terkenal dalam hali ini BMW milik Penguggat yang sudah terbukti terkenal di dunia.
Opportunities and Limitations in the Analysis of Autistic Phenotypes - A Conceptual Review
Authors: Mariczáné Csanádi Éva , Fóthi Ábel , Pollner Péter , Lőrincz András , Kovács Bálint
Published: March 2022

The goal of this paper is to review the relevant literature on autism questionnaires, models, analytic tools, and subgrouping, focusing on the opportunities and limitations. We examined how the size and nature of the database and the number and type of parameters measured determine the use of analytic tools and the expected type of results. To support our position about the examined aspects, we rely on various parts of the reviewed articles. We emphasize that the individual results in each article can only be interpreted in the light of the methods that brought about the conclusions. The reviewed literature suggests a heterogeneous palette in autism subtypes instead of distinct, well-characterized subgroups, or a single-dimensional continuous spectrum.
Higher education in the post-pandemic world: prospects for revival and risks for oblivion
Authors:   Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs, Tishchenkova Svitlana , Martseniuk Larysa ,   Dnipro National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan, Cherniak Nataliia ,   Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs, Hruzdiev Oleksii ,   Dnipro National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan
Published: March 2022

Contemporary educational discourse is marked by versatility and inconsistency of viewpoints on the post-pandemic future of the higher school. The most widespread are the two approaches to the comprehension of the prospects of its development tentatively outlined in the presented article as radically pessimistic and unjustifiably optimistic. The proponents of the first approach speak of the «demise» of the neoclassical model of university and emergence of the new digital format of lifelong learning based upon mastering the utilitarian knowledge by means of local educational courses; the proponents of the second approach are confident in the utility of the «natural selection» among the universities and further existence of the institution of higher education as a small number of technologically well-equipped and innovation-oriented educational establishments. «Veritas in medio est», - state those who criticize both approaches, implying a post-digital hybrid model of the higher school which would preserve a culture-generating Concept of the university and simultaneously would have fundamentally new institutional characteristics and funding schemes. Fragmentation of society and culture, revolutionary changes in the methods of production and information transfer, acquisition by social networks of a leading role in the formation of the social consciousness - all this combined with the diktat of the developed consumer society and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved to be destructive to the world economy, demands a new educational paradigm free of illusions and unreasonable expectations. Whether the institution of the higher education would become an archaism and would depart into oblivion or it will be reborn in a variety of novel forms, including the hybrid ones, of a university «without walls» and time restrictions? The search for an answer to this question has become determinative for the authors of the presented research.
Model of financial management conceptualization in Romanian agriculture
Authors:   Stefan cel Mare University, Grosu Veronica , Kholiavko Nataliia ,   Chernihiv National University of Technology, Zhavoronok Artur ,   Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Zlati Monica Laura ,   Stefan cel Mare University, Cosmulese Cristina Gabriela ,   Stefan cel Mare University
Published: March 2022

Agriculture is one of the important sectors in Romania in terms of expanding the cultivated agricultural areas, the number of people working in this field and contribution of the branch to the national economy. Considering the socio-economic dimension of the branch, agriculture represents a viable opportunity in Romania given the qualitative land fund and the pedoclimate’s characteristic still favorable for obtaining financial performance in agriculture. Financial management is a challenge for economic operators in the agriculture. Due to the seasonal character of it, the managerial act of managing cash flow tables is difficult, and managers reach a high rate of indebtedness of the company. The seasonal stage of storage and trading of stocks represents for managers another challenge of financial management and brings with it randomized elements regarding the efficiency of the managerial act in the agricultural sector. The aim of the paper is to conceptualize a modern financial management model timed in agriculture to reduce financial pressure and allow managers to gain more efficiency in managing cash flow charts. The research uses empirical and analytical study methods including literature review, analysis of economic efficiency indicators obtained by agricultural companies in Romania, study of financial projections to identify significant vulnerabilities in cash flows and conceptualization of modern financial agriculture’s management model. The results of the study will be useful to managers of agricultural entities in their approach to efficiency and performance within the development of financial strategies.
Regional distribution networks: evaluation of the functioning and development efficiency
Authors:   L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Raimbekov Zhanarys , Syzdykbayeva Bakyt ,   L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Zhenskhan Darima ,   Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Mukanov Aydar ,   L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Published: March 2022

The efficiency of the regional distribution network (DN) has the greatest impact on the timing, cost of goods delivery and quality of customer service. On the basis of the analysis the main social, economic and environmental indicators characterizing the activities of distribution networks were identified. The authors evaluate the effectiveness of distribution networks of the regions of Kazakhstan on the basis of the selected indicators and develop recommendations for their improvement. Research methods include correlation and regression analysis; factor analysis of data with reduction and allocation of the most important factors and the method of data analysis (DEA-analysis) to assess performance. Statistical data from 17 regions of Kazakhstan for 2000-2020 were used for the analysis. The results regarding regional distribution network effectiveness show the uneven development of distribution systems in the regions of Kazakhstan - from high- to low-efficient, which is the reason for the growth of the return effect in the most prosperous regions and reduction of the return effect in the regions with inefficient distribution networks. The most important factors affecting the efficiency of DN are investments in infrastructure, goods turnover and cargo turnover, the value of inventory and retail space, the number of Internet and mobile app users, the length of roads, employment, the share of recycling and waste disposal. It is concluded that the reason for such a high differentiation of the regional DN is associated with weak government support for the trade infrastructure environment, uneven efficiency of the distribution network in the regions and their unequal development. The regions have been ranked according to the level of efficiency of DN functioning. The results allow us to conduct differentiated policy on measures to support and stimulate the development and management of distribution networks in the regions, based on their level of efficiency. The practical implementation of the recommendations will reduce the gap in the level of development of regional DN.
Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan and DOPO with Different Mass Ratios in Epoxy Resin
Authors: Zhou Hong , Wang Junjie , Wang Xinyu , Zhou Chenyu , Pan Zhiquan , Cheng Qingrong
Published: March 2022

This work focused on the effects of chitosan (CS) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxo-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) on the flammable properties of epoxy resin matrix. The EP composites were fabricated by direct mixing method following a general curing method. The influence of CS, DOPO and CS / DOPO on the resin was investigated through cone calorimetry tests (CC), UL-94 vertical burning, limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer-Fourier infrared combined system (TG-FTIR). The char residues of the modified EPs after CC tests were investigated by FTIR, EDX and XPS. Under the 10% addition of CS/DOPO with the mass ratio of CS and DOPO of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 3, 2 : 1 and 3 : 1 in EP, the flame retardancy of the all EPs increased, but only EP/10% CS1/DOPO2 and EP/10% CS2/DOPO1 achieved a V-0 rating and their values of LOI were 33.7% and 32.5%, respectively. Compared with EP, the peak heat release rate, peak smoke produce rate and total heat release of EP/10% CS1/DOPO2 and EP/10% CS2/DOPO1 decreased, especially, total smoke release decreased by 61.9% and 71.0%, the char residuals amount increased by 84.3% and 41.6%, and the average CO2 yield decreased by 55.4% and 55.0%, respectively. It is worth nothing that the mechanical properties were improved, especially the flexural strength increased by 36.0% and 38.4%, respectively. The results indicated that DOPO and CS had important synergistic effects for simultaneous increase both the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of EP composites.
Age-specific Contribution of Contacts to Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany
Authors: Rodiah Isti , Vanella Patrizio , Kuhlmann Alexander , Jaeger Veronika , Harries Manuela , Krause Gerard , Bock Wolfgang , Lange Berit
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Current estimates of pandemic spread using infectious disease models in Germany for SARS-CoV-2 often do not use age-specific infection parameters and are not always based on known contact matrices of the population. They also do not usually include setting-based information of reported cases and do not account for age-specific underdetection of reported cases. Here, we report likely pandemic spread using an age-structured model to understand the age- and setting-specific contribution of contacts to transmission during all phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.Methods: We developed a deterministic SEIRS model using a pre-pandemic contact matrix. The model is optimized to fit reported age-specific SARS-CoV-2 incidences from the Robert Koch Institute, includes information on setting-specific reported cases in schools and integrates age and pandemic period-specific parameters for underdetection of reported cases deduced from a large population-based seroprevalence study. Results: We showed that taking underreporting into account, younger adults and teenagers are the main contributors to infections during the first three pandemic waves in Germany. Overall, the contribution of contacts in schools to the total cases in the population was below 10% during the third wave. Discussion: Accounting for the pandemic phase and age-specific underreporting seems important to correctly identify those parts of the population where quarantine, testing, vaccination, and contact-reduction measures are likely to be most effective and efficient. In the future, we will aim to compare current model estimates with currently emerging during-pandemic age-specific contact survey data.
Tromethamine and Dodecanol-Like Compounds Appear to be the Major Secondary Metabolites of Streptomyces Decoyicus (M*)
Authors: Çelik Muhammed Safa , Aksu Aysun , Yenidünya Ali Fazıl , Çetinkaya Serap
Published: March 2022

An isolate of Streptomyces decoyicus was identified by the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. It was grown on solid media (250 ml) and secondary metabolites were extracted with n-butanol (100 ml). The extract was dried and run in a sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE, 10%). Two main bands obtained were sliced and the metabolites were regained in n-butanol (100µl). These two samples were then identified by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results demonstrated that tromethamine- and 1-dodecanol were the main constituents (band 1: 61% and 17.7%; band 2: 41% and 54%, respectively). This finding maintained that the isolate of Streptomyces decoyicus produced high amounts tromethamine- and 1-dodecanol-like compounds under the conditions investigated.
Generalized Chemical Block Systems on Chern-Simons φ∘ D∘ r2∘ S∘ r1 Topologies for the generation of the Roccustyrna Holomorphic Ligand.
Authors: Grigoriadis Ioannis
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 variants with spike (S)-protein D614G mutations now predominate globally and increase infectivity by assembling more functional S protein into the virion. In this paper, I combine topology geometric methods for the generation of novel drug designs by using generalized k - nearest neighbors as a Tipping–Ogilvie and Machine Learning application within a quantum computing chemical context targeting in a atomistic level the S proteins with aspartic acid (SD614) and glycine (SG614) at residue 614 protein apparatus. In this effort, I propose powerful enough computer - aided rational drug design strategies in computing docking usage to achieve very high accuracy levels for the generation of AI - Quantum designed molecules of GisitorviffirnaTM, Roccustyrna_ gs1_TM, and Roccustyrna_fr1_TM ligands targeting the COVID - 19 - SARS - COV - 2 SPIKE D614G mutation by unifying Eigenvalue Statements into Shannon entropy quantities as composed on Tipping–Ogilvie driven Machine Learning potentials for nonzero Christoffel symbols. I also arrived at a new Zmatter derived finite ‐ dimensional state integral and a Schwarzschild (DFT) ℓneuron (ι): == == φ∘D∘r2∘S∘r1𝑐0𝜁2 (1+∑𝑖) == == (A∧A’ (p)) • ⋱⋯⊗⋱⋯ •e− ρ (rr) −−¯σ − ¯σσ¯ǫ −i_+𝑐0𝑎2 (1− 𝑦𝑦) 2}𝜓 (𝑦) 𝑣) improver for a Chern - Simons Topology and Euclidean symplectic ω == == (i~)−1 (dx/x) ∧ (dy/y) model by computing the analytically continued “holomorphic blocks” on an appropriate quantum Hilbert space H to put pharmacophoric elements back together.
Prevalence of Visual Impairment in Older People with Dementia and Its Impact: A Scoping Review
Authors: Zhang Wanyu , Roberts Timothy V. , Poulos Christopher J. , Stanaway Fiona F.
Published: March 2022

Background and objectivesVisual impairment and dementia both increase with age, and it is likely that many older people will suffer from both conditions. This scoping review aims to investigate the prevalence and types of visual impairment among older people with dementia, and the impact of visual impairment on older people with dementia and their carers. MethodsThis scoping review used Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. Studies in any setting involving people with dementia and some assessment of either visual impairment, eye diseases causing visual impairment or the impact of visual impairment were included.Results Thirty-one studies investigating the prevalence of visual impairment among older people with dementia were included with estimates ranging from 19.7% to 51.6%. Only ten studies reported on impacts of visual impairment on older people with dementia, including increased use of hospital services, increased disability and dependency, reduced social engagement, negative emotions, increased abnormal behaviours, loss of hobbies, difficulty in using visual aids or memory aids, and greater Neuropsychiatric Inventory symptoms. Only one study reported on impacts on carers and found increased conflict and physical exhaustion.Conclusion Visual impairment is common in older people with dementia and is associated with negative impacts on those with dementia and their carers. However, heterogeneity between studies in terms of setting and method for assessing VI make it difficult to compare findings between studies and further research is needed, particularly assessing the impact on carers.
COVID-19 First and Delta Waves in Relation to ACEI, ARB, Influenza Vaccination, and Comorbidity in a North Metropolitan Barcelona Health Consortium
Authors: Juanes-González Marta , Calderón-Valdiviezo Ana , Losa-Puig Helena , González-Salvador Marta , Valls-Foix Roger , León-Pérez Marc , Pueyo-Antón Luís , Lozano-Paz Celia , Franco-Romero Maite , Vidal-Alaball Josep , Puigdellívol-Sánchez Anna
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND
Some authors have reported that angiotensin converter enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) improve clinical outcomes in hypertensive COVID-19 patients, and others have proposed cross-protection for influenza vaccination. The impact of these variables on the evolution of hospitalized patients, focusing in the first wave and the Delta wave, is explored.
METHODS
COVID-19 hospitalizations (n = 1888) of the assigned population, from March 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021, in the Hospital of Terrassa, the referral center for the free access Terrassa Health Consortium in the North Metropolitan Barcelona Health Region (population = 167,386) were studied. The number of chronic treatments and conditions in a sample of patients from the first (n = 184) and Delta outbreak (n = 158) were recorded.
RESULTS
Of the non-survivors, 96.3% were aged > 60 years in the first wave and 100% were aged > 70 years in the Delta wave. In non-survival hospitalized patients aged > 60 years, the percentage treated with ACEI was similar to general population but was significantly different for ARB treatments or influenza vaccination, although associated to a higher comorbidity and age. In July 2021, the number of hospitalizations for patients aged < 50 years was higher than March 2020 and 22% of hospitalized patients without chronic treatments and conditions needed admission to the intensive care unit. Mortality was reduced in the groups with most comorbidities who received influenza and SARS-CoV2 vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS
In COVID-19 infection, age and comorbidity are related to survival, ACEI use is safe. A high proportion of patients without comorbidity require hospitalization and intensive care.
The Life Buried in the Sediment of an Invasive Red Macroalga Colonizing Saltmarshes
Authors: Surget Gwladys , Lann Klervi Le , Kervarec Nelly , Semery Maëla , Connan Solène , Delebecq Gaspard , Poullaouec Marie-Aude , Bihannic Isabelle , Davoult Dominique , Poupart Nathalie , STIGER-POUVREAU Valérie
Published: March 2022

Originating from Japan, the red macroalga Agarophyton vermiculophyllum colonizes saltmarshes from Europe and is invasive in mudflats from Brittany (France) where it creates a novel habitat with a high associated animal diversity. In Brittany, its particularity to bury in the mud, led us to wonder whether the buried fragments were still alive or just detritus. The seasonal phenology of buried fragments was monitored, together with the physiological state of fragments using Imaging-PAM fluorometry and respiration measurements. In parallel, metabolomic analyses allowed the analyses of the major intracellular metabolites. At depth in the mud, siltation is responsible for a fragmentation of the thallus and biochemical variations. A strong increase of antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin, chlorophyll-a and β-carotene was noticed while the R-Phycorythrine decreased. For osmolytes, we noted an alanine increase with siltation while floridoside decreased. No variation was noticed for isethionic acid and taurine. The C/N ratio was higher at the silt surface and decreased with siltation. Finally, The fragments are physiologically active; they present functional photosystems II and therefore do not consist of detrital material. Our study shows the ability of thalli to live in the mud to a depth of 12 cm. Fragmentation of the thallus is probably due to grazing intensity and bioturbation activity. Finally, the existence of small viable fragments deep in the mud, may represent a reserve biomass and considerably favors the propagation of Agarophyton vermiculophyllum, on the same site but may also allow a migration of the species through sediment transport.
The Effect of Green Percieved Quality & Risk, Green Trust on Consumer’S and Green Purchased Intention with a Moderation of Environmental Awareness
Authors: Tang Honglei , Rasool Zeeshan , Khan Mohsin Ali , Khan Ahmad Imran
Published: March 2022

Recent work looks at the role of green faith in shifting green buying strategies, green perceived risk and green perceived efficiency. The role of moderator in the study is environmental awareness. The goal of the study is to detect how green trust, green perceived risk and green quality affect green buying intent. Interesting results have been reported through analyses of a sample of 306 consumers from many energy saver markets in Pakistan. Preacher and Hayes analysis of the study performed an experiment of analysis. The prediction of the green purchasing intention showed substantial green confidence, green perceived danger and green perceived price. In addition, environmental understanding greatly mitigated predictor-dependent variable relations. Product wise examination of current model adds new directions and findings to the future. Former studies on green purchase intentions have predominantly fixated on simple models at any given time. However, researchers increasingly claim that a complex demonstration may give better understanding of customers’ green purchase intention. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies to discourse a complex structure of proposed variables.
Pathologic Responses to Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Primary Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Lu Meng , Zhang Ran , Qi Lisha , Wang Yalei , Sun Xiaoxuan , You Jian
Published: March 2022

Background
Immunotherapy has been proved its gigiantic influence in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), however, the role of immunotherapy in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) is still unkonwn.
Methods
A retrospective study of 6 patients with LS-SCLC who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (durvalumab plus etoposide combined with cisplatin) was performed. Patients were evaluated by the safety, feasibility and pathologic responses of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.
Results
Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy was associated with few immediate adverse events and did not delay planned surgery. All patients achieved partial pathologic response (pPR) instead of major pathologic response (mPR) or pathologic complete response (PCR). No association was observed between programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor specimens and the pathologic response. However, tumors with high expression of FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) had a better pathologic response than tumors with low expression of FoxP3 + Tregs (Pearson’s r = 0.7280; P = 0.04).
Conclusions
Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy achieved pPR with few side effects in all resected tumors with LS-SCLC. The FoxP3 + Tregs in tumor microenvironment might play an important role in the chemoimmunotherapy in LS-SCLC.
Performance Evaluation of single slope solar still by the inclusion of Palm Flower powder and micro Phase Change Material (mPCM) for the enhancement of productivity
Authors: Sampathkumar Arivazhagan , NATARAJAN SENDHIL KUMAR
Published: March 2022

The objective of the work is to investigate the single slope solar still for the enhancement in productivity by the inclusion of optimum weight of palm flower powder of micro-sized in the absorber basin and optimum weight% of micro-Phase Change Material (mPCM) under the absorber basin. In this regard, the effect of different weights of palm flower powder such as 10, 30, 45, 50, 55, 70, 100, 120 and 150 g in the absorber was analysed. The solar still with 50 g of palm flower powder in the absorber increased the productivity by 37.25% whereas, for 10, 30, 45, 55, 70, 100, 120 and 150 g were 11.85, 24.78, 36.1, 36.8, 34.35, 33.05, 10.25 and -20.22% respectively. The effect of different weight% of micro-sized palm flower powder such as 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%, in paraffin wax, was investigated. The paraffin wax with 20 wt% of micro-sized palm flower powder has a better thermal conductivity of 0.33 W/mK. The experimentation was carried out with 50 g of micro-sized palm flower powder in the absorber basin and 20 wt% mPCM under the absorber basin solar still (PCMPFP-SS) and Conventional Solar Still (CSS). The overall yield of PCMPFP-SS was 4670 ml/m2-day on day 1 and 4250 ml/m2-day on day 2, for CSS it was 3030 ml/m2-day on day 1 and 2800 ml/m2-day on day 2. It was evaluated that the Cost per Litre of PCMPFP-SS was $ 0.025 and $ 0.032 for CSS.
Cellulose Nanostructure-Based Membranes: Structure, Synthesis, and Applications
Authors: Kollannoor Amy Jose , John Varsha Lisa , Jose Joshua , X. Rinu Thresia P. , P. Vinod T.
Published: March 2022

Cellulose nanostructures and composite membranes incorporating nanoscale cellulose have gained attention due to their promising utility in various applications. Cellulose nanocomposites in the forms of aerogels, thin films, and nanopapers have been studied extensively. This review focuses on nanocomposite membranes of cellulose which find uses in desalination, sensing, electrical, and biomedical applications. The presence of abundant hydrogen bonds and easily functionalizable surfaces makes cellulose an appropriate material for the fabrication of membranes that can be leveraged for their adsorptive capabilities applicable to water treatment. Membranes of nanocellulose, their modifications by various reinforcements, augmentation of thermal stabilities, selectivity as sensors etc., are discussed in detail here along with pertinent physicochemical aspects. Regenerated cellulose which has different characteristics compared to natural cellulose, is also being discussed.
Drying and Rehydration Kinetics of Peeled and Unpeeled Green Apple Slices (Granny Smith CV)
Authors: Riveros-Gomez Mathías , Baldán Yanina , Román Celia , Fabani Paula , Mazza Germán , Ana Rodriguez Rosa
Published: March 2022

Dried fruit consumption is increasing due to its nutritional and healthy properties. Apples are an important source of essential nutritional compounds such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibers. In this work, the kinetics of drying and rehydration of green apple slices peeled and unpeeled (Granny Smith cv) were studied. The apple slices were dried at 50, 60, and 70 ºC, and after that, rehydrated at ambient (Ta) and boiling temperature (Tb). The drying kinetics were adjusted with the Dincer and Dost model, giving a good fit (R2 > 0.98). Effective diffusivity (Deff) and the convective mass transfer coefficient (hm) were also determined, both coefficients increase with drying temperature, being 1.25×10-9 m2.s-1 and 9.53×10-7 m2.s-1 the highest values obtained for the peeled apple slices respectively. Subsequently, Peleg and Weibull models were adjusted to the rehydration experimental data obtaining a good fit (R2 > 0.99). Deff values increase significantly with rehydration temperature but take similar values between peeled and unpeeled samples. Equivalent diameter, pH, acidity, soluble solids, and moisture content were determined to compare the fresh apple slices with those after dehydration and post rehydration process. The apple slices rehydrated at boiling temperature better preserved the characteristics of fresh samples due to the short immersion times in water, no significant differences were observed between peeled and unpeeled apples. According to the obtained results, it is convenient to dry the apple slices unpeeled at 70 °C and rehydrate them at Tb.
Analyze The Factors Of Clean Energy Consumption In China: Do Environmental Stringency Policies, Environmental Law, And Human Capital Matter?
Authors: Wu Feng , Ji Yanting , Maqbool Adnan , Andlib Zubaria
Published: March 2022

Environmental stringency policies and education are becoming fundamental policy instruments for clean energy consumption but no study has been done to explore their impacts on clean energy consumption especially in China. The study addresses this gap by assessing the asymmetries of these two instruments in clean energy consumption for the period 1993 to 2019 by applying the NARDL approach. Further, we also explore the role of environmental law and education in clean energy consumption. Electric power consumption is used to measure the clean energy consumption effect, however, nuclear and renewables consumption is also used for checking the robustness of the findings. We found that positive change in environmental policy stringency leads to an upsurge in electric power consumption and nuclear and renewable energy consumption, while, negative change in environmental policy stringency has also a positive impact on electric power consumption and nuclear and renewable energy consumption in the long-run. Education and environmental law have a positive impact on electric power consumption; however, it does not affect nuclear and renewable energy consumption in the long-run. The findings suggest that environmental policy stringency, environmental law, education are effective policy measures for clean energy consumption in China.
Optimal Synthesis of Organic@Inorganic (Algea@Cu) Hybrid Nanoflowers and Their Fenton-like Catalysis and Antioxidant Properties
Authors: KOCA Fatih Doğan , MUHY Haydar Matz , HALICI Mehmet Gökhan , GOZCELIOGLU Bülent , KONUKLUGİL BELMA
Published: March 2022

Organic@inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs), which are widely used in enzyme purification and catalytic activity applications, consist of organic and inorganic components. Herein, hNFs was synthesized by the coordination of Ascoseria mirabilis extract and Cu in PBS, depending on concentration and medium pH, instead of expensive and difficult to obtain molecules (enzymes, DNA etc). According to the FE-SEM images, the morphology of hNFs depend to the pH of the PBS (synthesis did not occur at pH 5) and the volume of extract. The presence of Cu and other components was detailed with EDX mapping. The presence of functional groups playing key role in the synthesis was discussed with FT-IR peaks. Cu hNFs exhibited peroxidase like catalytic activity against guaiacol, and antioxidant activity. It is thought that this study will shed light on hNFs synthesis and catalytic activity application studies with bioextracts instead of biomolecules obtained by expensive and complex processes.
CO2, N2O and CH4 Emissions and C Storage in Eucalyptus Forests with Different Managements of Harvest Residues
Authors: de Melo Raphael Oliveira , de Barros Nairam Felix , Teixeira Rafael Silva , Fonseca Aymbire Angeleti , Valadares Samuel Vasconcelos , Martins Ricardo Previdente , Melo Iago Nery
Published: March 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes and C fixation in the soil-plant system, in an area with different managements of eucalyptus harvest residues. Before the experiment was set up, a plot was selected at the end of the third rotation (5 years) and harvested using the Harvester + Forwarder system. After harvest, the coppicing system was adopted and three types of residue management were established: 1. Maintenance of all harvest residues and litter from the previous rotation (HR+L), 2. Maintenance of litter from the previous rotation (L), 3. Removal of harvest residues and litter from the previous rotation (WR). Soil gas flux was sampled 5 days before harvest and at 4 times (distributed along the dry and rainy seasons) over 22.3 months. To collect the gases, PVC chambers were introduced into the soil to a depth of 5 cm in the planting rows and inter-rows. Subsequently, the gas samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. To evaluate C inputs in the system, the quantity of C in the plants and organic matter content in the first ten centimeters of soil were quantified at the end of the experiment (22.3 months). There was higher CO2 equivalent flux in the soil in the area with HR+L at 0.3 and 9.3 months after harvest, with no differences between the treatments WR and L. CO2 equivalent fluxes were similar among all treatments in the samplings performed at 15.8 and 22.3 months after harvest. No differences were observed in the treatments regarding organic matter content in the soil and C fixation in plant biomass.
The Many Dimensions of Mental Health and Personality: N=13, 626
Authors: Kang Weixi , Steffen Francois , Pineda Sònia , Widuch Kaya
Published: March 2022

Individuals are different in a relatively constant pattern of thoughts, feeling, behaviors, which are called personality traits. Mental health is a condition of well-being in which people may reach their full potential and deal effectively with stress, work efficiently, and contribute to their communities. Indeed, the link between personality and mental health as indicated by general health questionnaires (GHQ) has been well-established according to evidence found by decades of research. However, GHQ comprises many questions asking about different dimensions of mental health. It is unclear whether or not these components are associated with dimensions of personality. In this paper, we try to address this question. We replicated the factor structure of GHQ-12 and found that not all components of GHQ-12 are significant predictors of personality. Our study is the first study that used mental health to predict personality and argue against the notion that all subcomponents of mental health are associated with all dimensions of personality.