bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yoga and Mindfulness as a Tool for Influencing Affectivity, Anxiety, Mental Health, and Stress among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial
Authors: La Torre Giuseppe , Raffone Antonino , Peruzzo Margherita , Calabrese Lucia , Cocchiara Rosario Andrea , D’Egidio Valeria , Leggieri Pasquale Fabio , Dorelli Barbara , Zaffina Salvatore , Mannocci Alice ,   YOMIN Collaborative Group
Published: April 2020

Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as unique approaches for addressing a range of clinical and subclinical difficulties such as stress, chronic pain, anxiety, or recurrent depression. Moreover, there is strong evidence about the positive effects of yoga practice on stress management and prevention of burnout among healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to conduct a single-arm clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of an intervention based on mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga in improving healthcare workers’ quality of life. Healthcare workers of two hospitals in Rome were enrolled in a 4-week yoga and mindfulness course. Four questionnaires were administered at different times (Short Form-12 (SF-12), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Y1 and Y2, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)) to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Forty participants took part to the study (83.3 %). The Mental Composite Score-12, that is part of the quality of life assessment, passed from a median of 43.5 preintervention to 48.1 postintervention (p = 0.041), and the negative affect passed from a score of 16 in the preintervention to 10 in the postintervention (p < 0.001). Both the forms of the STAI questionnaires showed a decrease after the intervention. Yoga and mindfulness administered together seem to be effective to reduce stress and anxiety in healthcare workers, providing them with more consciousness and ability to manage work stressful demands.
Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to Improve Risk Prediction following Acute ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Reindl Martin , Eitel Ingo , Reinstadler Sebastian Johannes
Published: April 2020

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allows comprehensive assessment of myocardial function and tissue characterization in a single examination after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Markers of myocardial infarct severity determined by CMR imaging, especially infarct size and microvascular obstruction, strongly predict recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality. The prognostic information provided by a comprehensive CMR analysis is incremental to conventional risk factors including left ventricular ejection fraction. As such, CMR parameters of myocardial tissue damage are increasingly recognized for optimized risk stratification to further ameliorate the burden of recurrent cardiovascular events in this population. In this review, we provide an overview of the current impact of CMR imaging on optimized risk assessment soon after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Intracoronary Injection of Autologous CD34+ Cells Improves One-Year Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease and Preserved Cardiac Performance—A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: Sung Pei-Hsun , Li Yi-Chen , Lee Mel S. , Hsiao Hao-Yi , Ma Ming-Chun , Pei Sung-Nan , Chiang Hsin-Ju , Lee Fan-Yen , Yip Hon-Kan
Published: April 2020

This phase II randomized controlled trial tested whether intracoronary autologous CD34+ cell therapy could further improve left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD) with relatively preserved LV ejection fraction (defined as LVEF >40%) unsuitable for coronary intervention. Between December 2013 and November 2017, 60 consecutive patients were randomly allocated into group 1 (CD34+ cells, 3.0 × 107/vessel/n = 30) and group 2 (optimal medical therapy; n = 30). All patients were followed for one year, and preclinical and clinical parameters were compared between two groups. Three-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated no significant difference in LVEF between groups 1 and 2 (54.9% vs. 51.0%, respectively, p = 0.295) at 12 months. However, compared with baseline, 12-month LVEF was significantly increased in group 1 (p < 0.001) but not in group 2 (p = 0.297). From baseline, there were gradual increases in LVEF in group 1 compared to those in group 2 at 1-month, 3-months, 6-months and 12 months (+1.6%, +2.2%, +2.9% and +4.6% in the group 1 vs. −1.6%, −1.5%, −1.4% and −0.9% in the group 2; all p < 0.05). Additionally, one-year angiogenesis (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1), angina (0.4 ± 0.8 vs. 1.8 ± 0.9) and HF (0.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1.8 ± 0.6) scores were significantly improved in group 1 compared to those in group 2 (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, autologous CD34+ cell therapy gradually and effectively improved LV systolic function in patients with diffuse CAD and preserved LVEF who were non-candidates for coronary intervention (Trial registration: ISRCTN26002902 on the website of ISRCTN registry).
Wind–Wave Modeling: Where We Are, Where to Go
Authors: Cavaleri Luigi , Barbariol Francesco , Benetazzo Alvise
Published: April 2020

We perform a critical analysis of the present approach in wave modeling and of the related results. While acknowledging the good quality of the best present forecasts, we point out the limitations that appear when we focus on the corresponding spectra. Apart from the meteorological input, these are traced back to the spectral approach at the base of the present operational models, and the consequent approximations involved in properly modeling the various physical processes at work. Future alternatives are discussed. We then focus our attention on how, given the situation, to deal today with the estimate of the maximum wave heights, both in the long term and for a specific situation. For this, and within the above limits, a more precise evaluation of the wave spectrum is shown to be a mandatory condition.
Design and Analysis of a Variable Buoyancy System for Efficient Hovering Control of Underwater Vehicles with State Feedback Controller
Authors: Tiwari Brij Kishor , Sharma Rajiv
Published: April 2020

The design process for Variable Buoyancy System (VBS) is not known in full, and existing approaches are not scalable. Furthermore, almost all the small size Autonomous Underwater Vehicles/Gliders (AUVs/G’s) use very low capacity of buoyancy change (in the range of few milliliters) and the large size AUVs require large buoyancy change. Especially for adverse weather conditions, emergency recovery or defense-related applications, higher rate of rising/sinking (heave velocity) is needed along with an ability to hover at certain depth of operation. Depth of UVs can be controlled either by changing the displaced volume or by changing the overall weight and, herein, our focus is on the later. This article presents the problem of design and analysis of VBS for efficient hovering control of underwater vehicles at desired depth using the state feedback controller. We formulate and analyze the design and analysis approach of VBS using the fundamental of mechanics, system dynamics integration and control theory. Buoyancy is controlled by changing the overall weight of the vehicle using the ballasting/de-ballasting of water in ballast tanks through the use of Positive Displacement Pump (PDP) for control in heave velocity and hovering depth. Furthermore, detailed mass metric analysis of scalable design of VBS for different buoyancy capacities is performed to analyze the overall performance of the VBS. Also, the performances of AUVs integrated with VBS of different buoyancy capacities are investigated in both the open loop and closed loop with the LQR state feedback controller. Hovering performance results are presented for three Design Examples (DEs) of AUVs with 2.8 m, 4.0 m and 5.0 m length and they are integrated with various buoyancy capacities at 9 kg/min rate of change of buoyancy. Results indicate that the AUVs achieve the desired depth with almost negligible steady state error and when they reach the desired hovering depth of 400 m the maximum pitch angle achieved of 16.5 degree for all the Des is observed. Maximum heave velocity achieved during sinking is 0.44 m/s and it reduces to zero when the vehicle reaches the desired depth of hovering. The presented computer simulation results indicate good performance and demonstrate that the designed VBS is effective and efficient in changing the buoyancy, controlling and maintaining the depth, controlling the heave velocity and can be used in rescue/attack operations of both the civil and defense UVs.
Gene Expression Profile of Mexican Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Trees in Response to Huanglongbing Disease caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
Authors: Arce-Leal Ángela Paulina , Bautista Rocío , Rodríguez-Negrete Edgar Antonio , Manzanilla-Ramírez Miguel Ángel , Velázquez-Monreal José Joaquín , Santos-Cervantes María Elena , Méndez-Lozano Jesús , Beuzón Carmen R. , Bejarano Eduardo R. , Castillo Araceli G. , Claros M. Gonzalo , Leyva-López Norma Elena
Published: April 2020

Nowadays, Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), seriously affects citriculture worldwide, and no cure is currently available. Transcriptomic analysis of host–pathogen interaction is the first step to understand the molecular landscape of a disease. Previous works have reported the transcriptome profiling in response to HLB in different susceptible citrus species; however, similar studies in tolerant citrus species, including Mexican lime, are limited. In this work, we have obtained an RNA-seq-based differential expression profile of Mexican lime plants challenged against CLas infection, at both asymptomatic and symptomatic stages. Typical HLB-responsive differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are involved in photosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and phytohormone homeostasis. Enrichment of DEGs associated with biotic response showed that genes related to cell wall, secondary metabolism, transcription factors, signaling, and redox reactions could play a role in the tolerance of Mexican lime against CLas infection. Interestingly, despite some concordance observed between transcriptional responses of different tolerant citrus species, a subset of DEGs appeared to be species-specific. Our data highlights the importance of studying the host response during HLB disease using as model tolerant citrus species, in order to design new and opportune diagnostic and management methods.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Uncovers Genes Responsible for the DHA Enhancement in the Mutant Aurantiochytrium sp.
Authors: Liu Liangxu , Hu Zhangli , Li Shuangfei , Yang Hao , Li Siting , Lv Chuhan , Zaynab Madiha , Cheng Christopher H. K. , Chen Huapu , Yang Xuewei
Published: April 2020

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, is critical for physiological activities of the human body. Marine eukaryote Aurantiochytrium sp. is considered a promising source for DHA production. Mutational studies have shown that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (50 W, 30 s) could be utilized as a breeding strategy for obtaining high-yield DHA-producing Aurantiochytrium sp. After UV irradiation (50 W, 30 s), the mutant strain X2 which shows enhanced lipid (1.79-fold, 1417.37 mg/L) and DHA (1.90-fold, 624.93 mg/L) production, was selected from the wild Aurantiochytrium sp. Instead of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 9.07% of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) was observed in the mutant strain X2. The comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that in both wild type and mutant strain, the fatty acid synthesis (FAS) pathway was incomplete with key desaturases, but genes related to the polyketide synthase (PKS) pathway were observed. Results presented that mRNA expression levels of CoAT, AT, ER, DH, and MT down-regulated in wild type but up-regulated in mutant strain X2, corresponding to the increased intercellular DHA accumulation. These findings indicated that CoAT, AT, ER, DH, and MT can be exploited for high DHA yields in Aurantiochytrium.
Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma
Authors: Negro Carmine , Sabella Erika , Nicolì Francesca , Pierro Roberto , Materazzi Alberto , Panattoni Alessandra , Aprile Alessio , Nutricati Eliana , Vergine Marzia , Miceli Antonio , De Bellis Luigi , Luvisi Andrea
Published: April 2020

Bois noir is a disease associated with the presence of phytoplasma ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ belonging to the Stolbur group (subgroup 16SrXII-A), which has a heavy economic impact on grapevines. This study focused on the changes induced by phytoplasma in terms of the profile and amount of secondary metabolites synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway in leaves of Vitis vinifera L. red-berried cultivar Sangiovese. Metabolic alterations were assessed according to the disease progression through measurements of soluble sugars, chlorophyll, and phenolic compounds produced by plant hosts, in response to disease on symptomatic and asymptomatic Bois noir-positive plants. Significant differences were revealed in the amount of soluble sugars, chlorophyll, and accumulation/reduction of some compounds synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway of Bois noir-positive and negative grapevine leaves. Our results showed a marked increase in phenolic and flavonoid production and a parallel decrease in lignin content in Bois noir-positive compared to negative leaves. Interestingly, some parameters (chlorophyll a, soluble sugars, total phenolic or flavonoids content, proanthocyanidins, quercetin) differed between Bois noir-positive and negative leaves regardless of symptoms, indicating measurable biochemical changes in asymptomatic leaves. Our grapevine cultivar Sangiovese results highlighted an extensive modulation of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway as a defense mechanism activated by the host plant in response to Bois noir disease.
The First Glimpse of Streptocarpus ionanthus (Gesneriaceae) Phylogenomics: Analysis of Five Subspecies’ Chloroplast Genomes
Authors: Kyalo Cornelius M. , Li Zhi-Zhong , Mkala Elijah M. , Malombe Itambo , Hu Guang-Wan , Wang Qing-Feng
Published: April 2020

Streptocarpus ionanthus (Gesneriaceae) comprise nine herbaceous subspecies, endemic to Kenya and Tanzania. The evolution of Str. ionanthus is perceived as complex due to morphological heterogeneity and unresolved phylogenetic relationships. Our study seeks to understand the molecular variation within Str. ionanthus using a phylogenomic approach. We sequence the chloroplast genomes of five subspecies of Str. ionanthus, compare their structural features and identify divergent regions. The five genomes are identical, with a conserved structure, a narrow size range (170 base pairs (bp)) and 115 unique genes (80 protein-coding, 31 tRNAs and 4 rRNAs). Genome alignment exhibits high synteny while the number of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) are observed to be low (varying from 37 to 41), indicating high similarity. We identify ten divergent regions, including five variable regions (psbM, rps3, atpF-atpH, psbC-psbZ and psaA-ycf3) and five genes with a high number of polymorphic sites (rps16, rpoC2, rpoB, ycf1 and ndhA) which could be investigated further for phylogenetic utility in Str. ionanthus. Phylogenomic analyses here exhibit low polymorphism within Str. ionanthus and poor phylogenetic separation, which might be attributed to recent divergence. The complete chloroplast genome sequence data concerning the five subspecies provides genomic resources which can be expanded for future elucidation of Str. ionanthus phylogenetic relationships.
Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Principles and Applications in Plant Virology
Authors: Panno Stefano , Matić Slavica , Tiberini Antonio , Caruso Andrea Giovanni , Bella Patrizia , Torta Livio , Stassi Raffaele , Davino Salvatore
Published: April 2020

In the last decades, the evolution of molecular diagnosis methods has generated different advanced tools, like loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Currently, it is a well-established technique, applied in different fields, such as the medicine, agriculture, and food industries, owing to its simplicity, specificity, rapidity, and low-cost efforts. LAMP is a nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions, which is highly compatible with point-of-care (POC) analysis and has the potential to improve the diagnosis in plant protection. The great advantages of LAMP have led to several upgrades in order to implement the technique. In this review, the authors provide an overview reporting in detail the different LAMP steps, focusing on designing and main characteristics of the primer set, different methods of result visualization, evolution and different application fields, reporting in detail LAMP application in plant virology, and the main advantages of the use of this technique.
Static Balancing of Wheeled-legged Hexapod Robots
Authors: Orozco-Magdaleno Ernesto Christian , Cafolla Daniele , Castillo-Castaneda Eduardo , Carbone Giuseppe
Published: April 2020

Locomotion over different terrain types, whether flat or uneven, is very important for a wide range of service operations in robotics. Potential applications range from surveillance, rescue, or hospital assistance. Wheeled-legged hexapod robots have been designed to solve these locomotion tasks. Given the wide range of feasible operations, one of the key operation planning issues is related to the robot balancing during motion tasks. Usually this problem is related with the pose of the robot’s center of mass, which can be addressed using different mathematical techniques. This paper proposes a new practical technique for balancing wheeled-legged hexapod robots, where a Biodex Balance System model SD (for static & dynamic) is used to obtain the effective position of the center of mass, thus it can be recalculated to its optimal position. Experimental tests are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique and modify and improve the position of hexapod robots’ center of mass.
Precise Orbit Determination for Climate Applications of GNSS Radio Occultation including Uncertainty Estimation
Authors: Innerkofler Josef , Kirchengast Gottfried , Schwärz Marc , Pock Christian , Jäggi Adrian , Andres Yago , Marquardt Christian
Published: April 2020

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) is a highly valuable remote sensing technique for probing the Earth’s atmosphere, due to its global coverage, high accuracy, long-term stability, and essentially all-weather capability. In order to ensure the highest quality of essential climate variables (ECVs), derived from GNSS signal tracking by RO satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), the orbit positions and velocities of the GNSS transmitter and LEO receiver satellites need to be determined with high and proven accuracy and reliability. Wegener Center’s new Reference Occultation Processing System (rOPS) hence aims to integrate uncertainty estimation at all stages of the processing. Here we present a novel setup for precise orbit determination (POD) within the rOPS, which routinely and in parallel performs the LEO POD with the two independent software packages Bernese GNSS software (v5.2) and NAPEOS (v3.3.1), employing two different GNSS orbit data products. This POD setup enables mutual consistency checks of the calculated orbit solutions and is used for position and velocity uncertainty estimation, including estimated systematic and random uncertainties. For LEOs enabling laser tracking we involve position uncertainty estimates from satellite laser ranging. Furthermore, we intercompare the LEO orbit solutions with solutions from other leading orbit processing centers for cross-validation. We carefully analyze multi-month, multi-satellite POD result statistics and find a strong overall consistency of estimates within LEO orbit uncertainty target specifications of 5 cm in position and 0.05 mm/s in velocity for the CHAMP, GRACE-A, and Metop-A/B missions. In 92% of the days investigated over two representative 3-month periods (July to September in 2008 and 2013) these POD uncertainty targets, which enable highly accurate climate-quality RO processing, are satisfied. The moderately higher uncertainty estimates found for the remaining 8% of days (∼5–15 cm) result in increased uncertainties of RO-retrieved ECVs. This allows identification of RO profiles of somewhat reduced quality, a potential benefit for adequate further use in climate monitoring and research.
Tropical Wetland (TropWet) Mapping Tool: The Automatic Detection of Open and Vegetated Waterbodies in Google Earth Engine for Tropical Wetlands
Authors: Hardy Andy , Oakes Gregory , Ettritch Georgina
Published: April 2020

Knowledge of the location and extent of surface water and inundated vegetation is vital for a range of applications including flood risk management, biodiversity monitoring, quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, and mapping water-borne disease risk. Here, we present a new tool, TropWet, which enables users of all abilities to map wetlands in herbaceous dominated regions based on simple unmixing of optical Landsat satellite imagery in the Google Earth Engine. The results demonstrate transferability throughout the African continent with a high degree of accuracy (mean 91% accuracy, st. dev 2.6%, n = 10,800). TropWet demonstrated considerable improvements over existing globally available surface water datasets for mapping the extent of important wetlands like the Okavango, Botswana. TropWet was able to provide frequency inundation maps as an indicator of malarial mosquito aquatic habitat extent and persistence in Barotseland, Zambia. TropWet was able to map flood extent comparable to operational flood risk mapping products in the Zambezi Region, Namibia. Finally, TropWet was able to quantify the effects of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on the extent of photosynthetic vegetation and wetland extent across Southern Africa. These examples demonstrate the potential for TropWet to provide policy makers with crucial information to help make national, regional, or continental scale decisions regarding wetland conservation, flood/disease hazard mapping, or mitigation against the impacts of ENSO.
Counting Mixed Breeding Aggregations of Animal Species Using Drones: Lessons from Waterbirds on Semi-Automation
Authors: Francis Roxane J. , Lyons Mitchell B. , Kingsford Richard T. , Brandis Kate J.
Published: April 2020

Using drones to count wildlife saves time and resources and allows access to difficult or dangerous areas. We collected drone imagery of breeding waterbirds at colonies in the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and Lowbidgee floodplain (Australia). We developed a semi-automated counting method, using machine learning, and compared effectiveness of freeware and payware in identifying and counting waterbird species (targets) in the Okavango Delta. We tested transferability to the Australian breeding colony. Our detection accuracy (targets), between the training and test data, was 91% for the Okavango Delta colony and 98% for the Lowbidgee floodplain colony. These estimates were within 1–5%, whether using freeware or payware for the different colonies. Our semi-automated method was 26% quicker, including development, and 500% quicker without development, than manual counting. Drone data of waterbird colonies can be collected quickly, allowing later counting with minimal disturbance. Our semi-automated methods efficiently provided accurate estimates of nesting species of waterbirds, even with complex backgrounds. This could be used to track breeding waterbird populations around the world, indicators of river and wetland health, with general applicability for monitoring other taxa.
Transformer Winding Deformation Detection Based on BOTDR and ROTDR
Authors: Gao Shuguo , Liu Yunpeng , Li Huan , Sun Lu , Liu Hongliang , Rao Qun , Fan Xiaozhou
Published: April 2020

In order to realize distributed measurement of transformer winding temperature and deformation, a transformer winding modification scheme with a built-in distributed optical fiber was designed. By laying a single-mode fiber and a multi-mode fiber on the transformer winding, the Brillouin optical time domain reflection technique (BOTDR) and the Raman optical time domain reflection technique (ROTDR) are used to measure the strain and temperature of the winding to complete the more accurate winding deformation detection. The accuracy of strain and temperature sensing of this scheme was verified by simulation. Then, according to the scheme, a winding model was actually wound, and the deformation and temperature rise tests were carried out. The test results show that this scheme can not only realize the deformation detection and positioning of the winding, but can also realize the measurement of the winding temperature; the temperature measurement accuracy reached ±0.5 °C, the strain measurement accuracy was 200 με, and spatial resolution was up to 5 m. In this experiment, the deformation location with the precision of 2 turns was realized on the experimental winding.
OmniSCV: An Omnidirectional Synthetic Image Generator for Computer Vision
Authors: Berenguel-Baeta Bruno , Bermudez-Cameo Jesus , Guerrero Jose J.
Published: April 2020

Omnidirectional and 360° images are becoming widespread in industry and in consumer society, causing omnidirectional computer vision to gain attention. Their wide field of view allows the gathering of a great amount of information about the environment from only an image. However, the distortion of these images requires the development of specific algorithms for their treatment and interpretation. Moreover, a high number of images is essential for the correct training of computer vision algorithms based on learning. In this paper, we present a tool for generating datasets of omnidirectional images with semantic and depth information. These images are synthesized from a set of captures that are acquired in a realistic virtual environment for Unreal Engine 4 through an interface plugin. We gather a variety of well-known projection models such as equirectangular and cylindrical panoramas, different fish-eye lenses, catadioptric systems, and empiric models. Furthermore, we include in our tool photorealistic non-central-projection systems as non-central panoramas and non-central catadioptric systems. As far as we know, this is the first reported tool for generating photorealistic non-central images in the literature. Moreover, since the omnidirectional images are made virtually, we provide pixel-wise information about semantics and depth as well as perfect knowledge of the calibration parameters of the cameras. This allows the creation of ground-truth information with pixel precision for training learning algorithms and testing 3D vision approaches. To validate the proposed tool, different computer vision algorithms are tested as line extractions from dioptric and catadioptric central images, 3D Layout recovery and SLAM using equirectangular panoramas, and 3D reconstruction from non-central panoramas.
Living under a Fluctuating Climate and a Drying Congo Basin
Authors: Sonwa Denis Jean , Oumarou Farikou Mfochivé , Martial Gapia , Félix Fiyo Losembe
Published: April 2020

Humid conditions and equatorial forest in the Congo Basin have allowed for the maintenance of significant biodiversity and carbon stock. The ecological services and products of this forest are of high importance, particularly for smallholders living in forest landscapes and watersheds. Unfortunately, in addition to deforestation and forest degradation, climate change/variability are impacting this region, including both forests and populations. We developed three case studies based on field observations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as information from the literature. Our key findings are: (1) the forest-related water cycle of the Congo Basin is not stable, and is gradually changing; (2) climate change is impacting the water cycle of the basin; and, (3) the slow modification of the water cycle is affecting livelihoods in the Congo Basin. Developmental and environmental actions in the Congo Basin need to properly consider the slight modification of this water cycle in watersheds that affect products and services from the forest.
Effects of Sustainable Brand Equity and Marketing Innovation on Market Performance in Hospitality Industry: Mediating Effects of Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Authors: Hussain Ijaz , Mu Shaohong , Mohiuddin Muhammad , Danish Rizwan Qaiser , Sair Shrafat Ali
Published: April 2020

This study examines the effects of sustainable marketing assets, such as brand equity and marketing innovation, on market performance in the presence of sustainable competitive advantage as a mediator in the hospitality industry. Data were collected from hotel/restaurant customers (N = 360) on a Likert scale from 1= strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree and analysis was conducted using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. The objective of this study is to understand the relationship among brand equity, marketing innovation, sustainable competitive advantage, and market performance in the hotel/restaurant industry. The results show that sustainable marketing assets have positive and significant effects on market performance. This study also demonstrates that sustainable competitive advantage fully mediates the relationship between brand equity and market performance while partially mediating the relationship between marketing innovation and market performance. The findings of this research can contribute to formulating effective marketing strategies for attracting customers, emphasizing sustainable issues in the hospitality sector, such as hotels/restaurants. This research adds practical value to the literature on brand equity, marketing innovation, sustainable competitive advantage, and market performance in the service industry.
Validation of the Resilience Scale for Adolescents in High School in a Spanish Population
Authors: Pérez-Fuentes María del Carmen , Molero Jurado María del Mar , Barragán Martín Ana Belén , Mercader Rubio Isabel , Gázquez Linares José Jesús
Published: April 2020

Resilience is a personal competence that facilitates coping with adversity and forms part of an individual’s psychosocial adjustment. Therefore, this construct has an important role in adolescent development. Youths with high levels of resilience usually show less risk of behavioral disorders, low academic performance or interpersonal conflicts. The objective of this study was to validate the Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ) in a Spanish population, and test whether this questionnaire is valid for different cultures and societies. The sample comprised 317 high school students aged 13 to 18 years old with an average age of 14.93, in the province of Almería (Spain). The Resilience Scale for Adolescents was administered for this. Based on exploratory factor analysis and the various previous studies undertaken on validation of this instrument, four models were proposed, of which the original READ model showed the best fit. Validation of this scale showed good internal consistency and high reliability on five factors: Family Cohesion, Personal Competence, Social Competence, Social Resources and Orientation toward Goals. It is considered a valid instrument for evaluating the various factors of resilience and can help determine the education factors contributing to the process of positive adaptation in adolescence.
Impact of Adding Comfort Cooling Systems on the Energy Consumption and EPC Rating of an Existing UK Hotel
Authors: Amirkhani Shiva , Bahadori-Jahromi Ali , Mylona Anastasia , Godfrey Paulina , Cook Darren
Published: April 2020

In light of the recent launch of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard and its expected impact on the commercial buildings sector, this study investigated the impact of adding cooling systems on the annual energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of an existing UK hotel. Thermal Analysis Software (TAS) was used to conduct the study, and the baseline model was validated against the actual data. As is the current accepted procedure in EPC generating in the UK, the cooling set points of the guest rooms were set to 25 °C, resulting in a small increase in the annual energy consumption and emission rates, but not enough to change the energy performance certificate rating. Also, it was found that an improvement in energy consumption and energy performance certificate rating of the hotel would be achieved if the new systems replaced the existing heating systems in the guest rooms. Further simulations investigated more realistic situations, in which occupants may decide to keep their rooms at cooler temperatures. The results from this round of simulations showed considerable increase in the energy consumption and emissions of the building; however, these results would not be considered in the current approved procedure for EPC generating.
The Effect of Labor Migration on Farmers’ Cultivated Land Quality Protection
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Yumeng , Wu Shuang , Cai Rong
Published: April 2020

Since the reform and opening up, a large proportion of the Chinese rural labor force has transferred to urban and non-agricultural industries. Rural labor transfer not only changes the allocation of household labor in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors but also affects the utilization of other agricultural production factors. Based on data from 818 households in three counties in northern Jiangsu province, this paper analyzed the impact of labor migration on farmers’ adoption of cultivated land quality protection (CLQP) behaviors. The survey results showed that farmers’ awareness of CLQP was still very weak, and the proportion of farmers adopting measures such as subsoiling, straw application, cover crops and green manures and the complementary use of organic fertilizers was still relatively low. The empirical results showed that perennial out-migration for work can constrain households’ protective inputs into soil conservation, but part-time farming locally can promote households’ inputs. The results also showed that farmer characteristics, farming conditions and external environment also significantly affected the farmers’ adoption of soil conservation practices. According to these conclusions, this paper puts forward the corresponding policy implications.
A Scientometrics Review on Land Ecosystem Service Research
Authors: Xie Hualin , Zhang Yanwei , Choi Yongrok , Li Fengqin
Published: April 2020

Humans can derive the benefits from the ecosystem to satisfy human needs as well-being. Therefore, good ecosystem management is the intermediary between ecosystems and human well-being. The ecosystem services depend on the supply of nature, and also reflect the value orientation of human beings, as the basis for the realization of human survival and cultural development. Land ecosystem services are the core and hot topic of ecological research. Under the current severe depletion of land use, this research evaluates the sustainable governance on the natural resource shortage, serious environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation. Based on the Web of Science database, this paper analyzes the development characteristics and trends of global land ecosystem services research using the Bibliometrix software package. The results show that (1) the amount of literature on land ecosystem services research between 2000 and 2019 has generally increased significantly, and entered a stage of rapid development from 2015. (2) Developed countries are the main research force in the field of land ecosystem services, and the United States has the absolute leading position. Developing countries are dominated by China, Argentina, and Brazil. (3) The high-frequency keywords for land ecosystem services are land use change, land use, climate change, urbanization, carbon and water quality. This can be regarded as a research hotspot in the field of land ecosystem services to a certain extent. (4) Through cluster analysis on the big data, the research found the direction for the future land ecosystem services, mainly: (I) the restoration of degraded land and its impact on ecosystem services; (II) the environmental impact assessment of land use planning based on the ecosystem services value; (III) the tradeoff analysis of ecosystem services in sustainable land management; (IV) the impact of land cover change on ecosystem services; (V) through the historical analysis of citied papers, the research history and evolution path of land ecosystem services are explored. Based on all these arguments, a comprehensive study on the diverse facets of land ecosystem services and the practical application of land ecosystem services areas is proposed.
The Application of Impedance Spectroscopy for Pseudomonas Biofilm Monitoring during Phage Infection
Authors: Guła Grzegorz , Szymanowska Paulina , Piasecki Tomasz , Góras Sylwia , Gotszalk Teodor , Drulis-Kawa Zuzanna
Published: April 2020

Bacterial biofilm prevention and eradication are common treatment problems, hence there is a need for advanced and precise experimental methods for its monitoring. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has resulted in an interest in using a natural bacterial enemy—bacteriophages. In this study, we present the application of quartz tuning forks (QTF) as impedance sensors to determine in real-time the direct changes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm growth dynamics during Pseudomonas phage LUZ 19 treatment at different multiplicities of infection (MOI). The impedance of the electric equivalent circuit (EEC) allowed us to measure the series resistance (Rs) corresponding to the growth-medium resistance (planktonic culture changes) and the conductance (G) corresponding to the level of QTF sensor surface coverage by bacterial cells and the extracellular polymer structure (EPS) matrix. It was shown that phage impacts on sessile cells (G dynamics) was very similar in the 10-day biofilm development regardless of applied MOI (0.1, 1 or 10). The application of phages at an early stage (at the sixth h) and on three-day biofilm caused a significant slowdown in biofilm dynamics, whereas the two-day biofilm turned out to be insensitive to phage infection. We observed an inhibitory effect of phage infection on the planktonic culture (Rs dynamics) regardless of the MOI applied and the time point of infection. Moreover, the Rs parameter made it possible to detect PAO1 population regrowth at the latest time points of incubation. The number of phage-insensitive forms reached the level of untreated culture at around the sixth day of infection. We conclude that the proposed impedance spectroscopy technique can be used to measure the physiological changes in the biofilm matrix composition, as well as the condition of planktonic cultures in order to evaluate the activity of anti-biofilm compounds.
Development of a Reverse Genetics System for Toscana Virus (Lineage A)
Authors: Alexander Akira J. T. , Confort Marie-Pierre , Desloire Sophie , Dunlop James I. , Kuchi Srikeerthana , Sreenu Vattipally B. , Mair Daniel , Wilkie Gavin S. , Da Silva Filipe Ana , Brennan Benjamin , Ratinier Maxime , Arnaud Frédérick , Kohl Alain
Published: April 2020

Toscana virus (TOSV) is a Phlebovirus in the Phenuiviridae family, order Bunyavirales, found in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. TOSV is an important cause of seasonal acute meningitis and encephalitis within its range. Here, we determined the full sequence of the TOSV strain 1500590, a lineage A virus obtained from an infected patient (Marseille, 2007) and used this in combination with other sequence information to construct functional cDNA plasmids encoding the viral L, M, and S antigenomic sequences under the control of the T7 RNA promoter to recover recombinant viruses. Importantly, resequencing identified two single nucleotide changes to a TOSV reference genome, which, when corrected, restored functionality to the polymerase L and made it possible to recover infectious recombinant TOSV (rTOSV) from cDNA, as well as establish a minigenome system. Using reverse genetics, we produced an NSs-deletant rTOSV and also obtained viruses expressing reporter genes instead of NSs. The availability of such a system assists investigating questions that require genetic manipulation of the viral genome, such as investigations into replication and tropism, and beyond these fundamental aspects, also the development of novel vaccine design strategies.
Technologization of process attributes in economic systems of the «organization» type
Authors: Gerasimov B.N.
Published: April 2020

Management technologies are beginning to be actively used at all levels of modern economic systems. The structure and content of technologies at the level of the organization's management sub-processes are developed. The paper presents a model for designing subprocess management technologies in an organization. The content of the most important stages of the presented model is considered. An example of the technology for implementing evaluation management of the organization's specialists at the level of operations is given.
The principle of «mutual functional supplementation» as a guarantee of successful joint ventures
Authors: Zykova Yu.S.
Published: April 2020

The article disclosed the experience of companies in the sphere of strategic cooperation and establishment of joint ventures. To cultivate as the basic activities of joint ventures the author introduced the concept and proposed the corresponding principle of «mutual functional supplementation». The use of this principle within the value chain allows partners to gain a competitive advantage and in most cases predict the success of joint activities. Special attention is paid to establishing boundaries of partnership relations, including formation of responsibility zones for the partners for the mutual functional supplementation.
The Upper Jurassic of Europe: its subdivision and correlation
Authors: Zeiss Arnold
Published: April 2020

In the last 40 years, the stratigraphy of the Upper Jurassic of Europe has received much attention and considerable revision; much of the impetus behind this endeavour has stemmed from the work of the International Subcommission on Jurassic Stratigraphy. The Upper Jurassic Series consists of three stages, the Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian and Tithonian which are further subdivided into substages, zones and subzones, primarily on the basis of ammonites. Regional variations between the Mediterranean, Submediterranean and Subboreal provinces are discussed and correlation possibilities indicated. The durations of the Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian and Tithonian Stages are reported to have been 5.3, 3.4 and 6.5 Ma, respectively. This review of the present status of Upper Jurassic stratigraphy aids identification of a number of problems of subdivision and definition of Upper Jurassic stages; in particular these include correlation of the base of the Kimmeridgian and the top of the Tithonian between Submediterranean and Subboreal Europe. Although still primarily based on ammonite stratigraphy, subdivision of the Upper Jurassic is increasingly being refined by the incorporation of other fossil groups; these include both megafossils, such as aptychi, belemnites, bivalves, gastropods, brachiopods, echinoderms, corals, sponges and vertebrates, and microfossils such as foraminifera, radiolaria, ciliata, ostracodes, dinoflagellates, calcareous nannofossils, charophyaceae, dasycladaceae, spores and pollen. Important future developments will depend on the detailed integration of these disparate biostratigraphic data and their precise combination with the abundant new data from sequence stratigraphy, utilising the high degree of stratigraphic resolution offered by certain groups of fossils. This article also contains some notes on the recent results of magnetostratigraphy and sequence chronostratigraphy.
Borehole logs from the Precambrian basement on Bornholm, eastern Denmark: geology and groundwater flow
Authors: Gravesen Peter , Nilsson Bertel , Rasmussen Per , Schack Pedersen Stig A.
Published: April 2020

Bornholm is situated in the Sorgenfrei–Tornquist Zone that separates the North-West European Craton from the Baltic Shield and the East European Platform (Fig.1). The Precambrian basement of northern and eastern Bornholm consists of different granitic and gneissic Mesoproterozoic rocks that are dated to c. 1455 Ma (Waight et al. 2012). It appears from the age data that granitic magmatism, deformation and metamorphism occurred over a relatively short time period. The rocks contain abundant pegmatite and aplite bodies. More than 250 mafic dykes occur. The dykes were intruded during three Precambrian events at c. 1326 Ma, 1220 Ma, 950 Ma and during a Permian event at c. 300 Ma (Holm et al. 2010).
Estimating thermal conductivity from lithological descriptions – a new web-based tool for planning of ground-source heating and cooling
Authors: Ditlefsen Claus , Sørensen Inga , Slott Morten , Hansen Martin
Published: April 2020

It is the overall policy of the Danish Government that by 2050 electricity, heating and transport will be 100% based on renewable energy. In order to reach this goal a number of different green technologies will have to interact. In areas with no district heating, ground-source heating by heat pump technology (Sanner 2011) could well be one of the solutions.
Aeromagnetic survey in south-eastern Greenland: project Aeromag 2013
Authors: Riisager Peter , Rasmussen Thorkild M.
Published: April 2020

Aeromagnetic surveys are nowadays used at a wide range of scales and purposes. In frontier and under-explored areas, where data are otherwise sparse or non-existent, aeromagnetic acquisition remains the cheapest and easiest way to obtain or refine a picture of the structural setting. Aeromagnetic data are also useful for strategic planning of geological mapping campaigns and detailed geophysical data acquisition. Moreover, aeromagnetic data are of importance for prospecting, helping to define prospects. Large aeromagnetic surveys can be carried out efficiently and safely almost everywhere, in a short period of time and at reasonable cost.
Mass loss from an ice-sheet drainage basin in West Greenland
Authors: Andersen Morten L. , Andersen Signe B. , Stenseng Lars , Skourup Henriette , Colgan William , Kristensen Steen S. , Merryman Boncori John P. , Ahlstrøm Andreas P. , Fettweis Xavier , Forsberg René , Citterio Michele , Box Jason E. , Van As Dirk , Fausto Robert S.
Published: April 2020

The Greenland ice sheet is losing mass to the ocean at an increasing rate (Thomas et al. 2006). During the 1980s the ice sheet was believed to be in near-equilibrium (van den Broeke et al. 2009). Within the first decade of the 21st century, however, a net negative balance was observed. Greenland’s present rate of ice loss is c. 250 Gt yr–1, equivalent to a sea-level rise contribution of c. 0.69 mm yr–1. The rate of ice loss has increased over the post 1992 observation period (Shepherd et al. 2012).