bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IoT-Based Geotechnical Monitoring of Unstable Slopes for Landslide Early Warning in the Darjeeling Himalayas
Authors: Abraham Minu Treesa , Satyam Neelima , Pradhan Biswajeet , Alamri Abdullah M.
Published: May 2020

In hilly areas across the world, landslides have been an increasing menace, causing loss of lives and properties. The damages instigated by landslides in the recent past call for attention from authorities for disaster risk reduction measures. Development of an effective landslide early warning system (LEWS) is an important risk reduction approach by which the authorities and public in general can be presaged about future landslide events. The Indian Himalayas are among the most landslide-prone areas in the world, and attempts have been made to determine the rainfall thresholds for possible occurrence of landslides in the region. The established thresholds proved to be effective in predicting most of the landslide events and the major drawback observed is the increased number of false alarms. For an LEWS to be successfully operational, it is obligatory to reduce the number of false alarms using physical monitoring. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of the LEWS and to make the thresholds serviceable, the slopes are monitored using a sensor network. In this study, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based tilt sensors and volumetric water content sensors were used to monitor the active slopes in Chibo, in the Darjeeling Himalayas. The Internet of Things (IoT)-based network uses wireless modules for communication between individual sensors to the data logger and from the data logger to an internet database. The slopes are on the banks of mountain rivulets (jhoras) known as the sinking zones of Kalimpong. The locality is highly affected by surface displacements in the monsoon season due to incessant rains and improper drainage. Real-time field monitoring for the study area is being conducted for the first time to evaluate the applicability of tilt sensors in the region. The sensors are embedded within the soil to measure the tilting angles and moisture content at shallow depths. The slopes were monitored continuously during three monsoon seasons (2017–2019), and the data from the sensors were compared with the field observations and rainfall data for the evaluation. The relationship between change in tilt rate, volumetric water content, and rainfall are explored in the study, and the records prove the significance of considering long-term rainfall conditions rather than immediate rainfall events in developing rainfall thresholds for the region.
RF-MEMS Monolithic K and Ka Band Multi-State Phase Shifters as Building Blocks for 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) Applications
Authors: Iannacci Jacopo , Resta Giuseppe , Bagolini Alvise , Giacomozzi Flavio , Bochkova Elena , Savin Evgeny , Kirtaev Roman , Tsarkov Alexey , Donelli Massimo
Published: May 2020

RF-MEMS, i.e., Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) for Radio Frequency (RF) passive components, exhibit interesting characteristics for the upcoming 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, in which reconfigurable broadband and frequency-agile devices, like high-order switching units, tunable filters, multi-state attenuators, and phase shifters will be necessary to enable mm-Wave services, small cells, and advanced beamforming. In particular, satellite communication systems providing high-speed Internet connectivity utilize the K and Ka bands, which offer larger bandwidth compared to lower frequencies. This paper focuses on two design concepts of multi-state phase shifter designed and manufactured in RF-MEMS technology. The networks feature 4 switchable stages (16 states) and are developed for the K and Ka bands. The proposed phase shifters are realized in a surface micromachining RF-MEMS technology and the experimentally measured parameters are compared with Finite Element Method (FEM) multi-physical electromechanical and RF simulations. The simulated phase shifts at both the operating bands fit well the measured value, despite the measured losses (S21) are larger than 5–7 dB if compared to simulations. However, such a non-ideality has a technological motivation that is explained in the paper and that will be fixed in the manufacturing of future devices.
A Machine Learning-based Algorithm for Water Network Contamination Source Localization
Authors: Grbčić Luka , Lučin Ivana , Kranjčević Lado , Družeta Siniša
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a novel machine learning based algorithm for water supply pollution source identification is presented built specifically for high performance parallel systems. The algorithm utilizes the combination of Artificial Neural Networks for classification of the pollution source with Random Forests for regression analysis to determine significant variables of a contamination event such as start time, end time and contaminant chemical concentration. The algorithm is based on performing Monte Carlo water quality and hydraulic simulations in parallel, recording data with sensors placed within a water supply network and selecting a most probable pollution source based on a tournament style selection between suspect nodes in a network with mentioned machine learning methods. The novel algorithmic framework is tested on a small (92 nodes) and medium sized (865 nodes) water supply sensor network benchmarks with a set contamination event start time, end time and chemical concentration. Out of the 30 runs, the true source node was the finalist of the algorithm’s tournament style selection for 30/30 runs for the small network, and 29/30 runs for the medium sized network. For all the 30 runs on the small sensor network, the true contamination event scenario start time, end time and chemical concentration was set as 14:20, 20:20 and 813.7 mg/L, respectively. The root mean square errors for all 30 algorithm runs for the three variables were 48 min, 4.38 min and 18.06 mg/L. For the 29 successful medium sized network runs the start time was 06:50, end time 07:40 and chemical concentration of 837 mg/L and the root mean square errors were 6.06 min, 12.36 min and 299.84 mg/L. The algorithmic framework successfully narrows down the potential sources of contamination leading to a pollution source identification, start and ending time of the event and the contaminant chemical concentration.
Design for Sustainability: The Need for a New Agenda
Authors: Wilson Garrath T. , Bhamra Tracy
Published: May 2020

Design for Sustainability is not the panacea we hoped it would be when it was first introduced in the latter part of the 20th century. Today, the health of both our environment and our societies is at a critical state, a breaking point, with piecemeal solutions offered as social-media-friendly rallying points, such as the European Parliament approved ban on single-use plastics, whilst fundamental, and arguably less ‘exciting’, issues such as loss of biodiversity, overpopulation, and climate change are shuffled to the back. It can be argued, however, that the awareness of the concept of sustainability and the need to reduce the negative human impact upon the environment and society has grown significantly and, consequently, has moved up the global agenda; this is evidenced by the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. However, it is also clear that the role of Design for Sustainability within this agenda is not providing the solutions necessary to manifest the level of change required. Traditional approaches are not working. This Special Issue of Sustainability seeks to readdress this with eight papers that push the frontier of what Design for Sustainability could be—and possibly must be—across the broad spectrum of design disciplines.
Golf Tourism and Sustainability: Content Analysis and Directions for Future Research
Authors: López-Bonilla Luis Miguel , Reyes-Rodríguez María del Carmen , López-Bonilla Jesús Manuel
Published: May 2020

Golf tourism is an important sector in the tourism industry, in terms of average daily expenditure per visitor. However, golf tourism also generates social and political controversies, mainly due to its impact on the environment. The main objective of this paper is to observe the progress of research on golf tourism from the perspective of sustainability. For this, the study is based on identifying the scientific production on the subject from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Thus, we have detected 46 articles published in scientific journals in the last 22 years. The findings indicate five lines of research, such as environmental impacts, environmental management, environmental attitudes and behaviors, conflict of interests, and sustainable management and planning. Environmental impact is the most prolific content, while environmental attitudes and behaviors are the least frequent, but the latter is the most current line of research.
Classifying Aged Li-Ion Cells from Notebook Batteries
Authors: Salinas Felipe , Kowal Julia
Published: May 2020

A dataset consisting of 90 lithium-ion cells obtained from old notebook batteries containing their response to 100 charge–discharge cycles is presented. The resulting degradation patterns are assigned to four clusters and related to possible aging mechanisms. The records in the battery management system (BMS) of each battery are analyzed to understand the influence of first life conditions in the measured degradation patterns. The analysis reveals that a cluster of cells which experienced mostly calendar aging in 7–13 years hold ~90% of the rated capacity, and exhibit at 0.4 C discharge a linear capacity degradation throughout cycling comparable to new cells. In contrast, a cluster of cells that experienced extensive calendar and cyclic aging can lose ~50% capacity at 0.4 C discharge in a few cycles after reutilization. A model based on a boosted decision tree is applied to forecast the cluster of each cell, using as features the capacity measured in the first cycle, and the records obtained from the BMS. The highest accuracy (83%) is obtained through capacity, where misclassification arises from two clusters containing highly degraded cells with similar initial capacities, but divergent degradation patterns.
SCIG Based Wind Energy Integrated Multiterminal MMC-HVDC Transmission Network
Authors: Hossain Md Ismail , Abido Mohammad A.
Published: May 2020

Modular multilevel converter (MMC) based HVDC system for renewable energy integration has attracted the researcher’s interest nowadays. This paper proposes a control strategy for MMC based multiterminal HVDC system for grid integration of squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG) based wind energy systems. Unlike the average model, this work models the MMC using the aggregate model and develops multiterminal HVDC transmission network in MATLAB/Simulink. It further develops the MMC multiterminal HVDC transmission network in real time digital simulator (RTDS). Instead of simplified current source, the proposed network considers the complete dynamics of SCIG based wind source from generation to integration. It employs field-oriented control for optimum wind energy tracking and forms isolated AC grids using feed forward controller. The proposed MMC controller performance has been tested under severe balanced and unbalanced disturbances. The results from aggregate model based MMC network in MATLAB/Simulink and those of the experimental MMC network in RTDS are in full agreement. The results confirm optimum wind energy tracking, fulfill grid code requirements, and improve low voltage ride through capability.
Safety and Health Concerns for the Users of a Playground, Built with Reused Rotor Blades from a Dismantled Wind Turbine
Authors: Medici Piero , van den Dobbelsteen Andy , Peck David
Published: May 2020

This paper analyses the user safety of a playground built out of reused blades from a dismantled wind turbine. Located in Rotterdam and designed by the Netherlands architecture firm Superuse Studios, the playground, called “Wikado”, represents an example of the circular economy applied to the built environment. With reused materials, Wikado represents a saving in resources and energy, when compared to a standard playground built with primary materials. Furthermore, the playground creates a unique design experience for its users, who can still recognise the original rotor blades following their transformation into slides, platforms, and tunnels. However, the safety of the playground could be questioned. This paper will analyse the materials and products used in the playground and their condition some years after opening. The analysis focuses on the risks of human health during the use of the playground. It considers the shape and the sharpness of the rotor blades, its components such as glass fibres and epoxy resin. As a result of the analysis, two risk analysis conceptual models help to assess the health concerns regarding the contact with the materials, and some yellow drops leaching from the rotor blades. This analysis informs the contemporary debate concerning the reuse of materials, and more generically, the circular economy applied to the built environment: whether it is recommended and safe to reuse materials for a different function from that which they were originally designed. This paper will explain that in the analysed case study, it can be safe to reuse materials for a different function, but only with the appropriate precautions.
Beware Thy Bias: Scaling Mobile Phone Data to Measure Traffic Intensities
Authors: Meppelink Johan , Van Langen Jens , Siebes Arno , Spruit Marco
Published: May 2020

Mobile phone data are a novel data source to generate mobility information from Call Detail Records (CDRs). Although mobile phone data can provide us with valuable insights in human mobility, they often show a biased picture of the traveling population. This research, therefore, focuses on correcting for these biases and suggests a new method to scale mobile phone data to the true traveling population. Moreover, the scaled mobile phone data will be compared to roadside measurements at 100 different locations on Dutch highways. We infer vehicle trips from the mobile phone data and compare the scaled counts with roadside measurements. The results are evaluated for October 2015. The proposed scaling method shows very promising results with near identical vehicle counts from both data sources in terms of monthly, weekly, and hourly vehicle counts. This indicates the scaling method, in combination with mobile phone data, is able to correctly measure traffic intensities on highways, and thereby able to anticipate calibrated human mobility behaviour. Nevertheless, there are still some discrepancies—for one, during weekends—calling for more research. This paper serves researchers in the field of mobile phone data by providing a proven method to scale the sample to the population, a crucial step in creating unbiased mobility information.
Cause-Related Marketing Influence on Consumer Loyalty in a Medium-Sized City
Authors: Molinillo Sebastian , Mercadé-Melé Pere , De Noronha Teresa
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the performance of a cause-related marketing action on consumer loyalty by a company. In addition, the study explores the moderating effect of the publicizing medium. The proposed theoretical model was tested based on data gathered from a face-to-face questionnaire completed by 421 respondents living in a medium-sized city. The results validated the proposed model and showed that the functional and image fit between social actions and companies are key antecedents of perceived corporate ability (CA) and company credibility. It was shown that CA directly influences customer satisfaction, that credibility indirectly influences customer satisfaction through perceived corporate social responsibility, and that satisfaction directly and positively impacts customer loyalty. Moreover, the influence of functional and image fit in the model were shown to be moderated by the type of publicizing medium. Specifically, the effect of functional fit on corporate ability is greater for traditional media (TM) than for social media (SM). On the other hand, the effect of image fit on corporate ability is greater for SM than for TM. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Assessment of the Agricultural Water Use in Jericho Governorate Using Sefficiency
Authors: Tuqan Nasser , Haie Naim , Ahmad Muhammad Tajuri
Published: May 2020

Addressing water use efficiency in the Middle East is challenging due to the geopolitical complexity, climatic conditions and a variety of managerial issues. Groundwater is the dominant water resource for Palestinians, while aquifers are shared with their neighbours. We assessed in this study the efficiency of the agricultural water use in Jericho, which we defined as the Water Use System (WUS), and its impact on the main source, the Eastern Aquifer Basin (EAB), using the Sustainable Efficiency (Sefficiency) method. The assessment considered the objectives’ difference between the farmers in the region and the water managers. As Sefficiency requires, the analysis also considered in addition to the quantities of the different water path types within our WUS, their quality and beneficial weights. The results highlighted efficiency improvement potentials, a substantial number of unreported abstractions and an impact of the use of chemical substances on the main source. In addition, through hypothesizing four scenarios, we demonstrated that: 1. Improving the quality of returns has a great positive impact. 2. Increasing water abstractions is not beneficial if it is not linked to an increase in yield production. 3. Precipitation rates can influence water use efficiency. 4. More careful treatment of the unwanted plants and a selection of high socio-economic value crops would enhance Sefficiency.
Coordination of Store Brand Product’s Green Supply Chain Based on Negotiation
Authors: Wu Shaobo , Wen Shiping , Zhou Quan , Qin Xinghong
Published: May 2020

The environmental input of a store brand product’s green supply chain plays an important role in improving the product brand image and expanding the product demand. According to the difference of the initial one-off environmental investment of the store brand product, it can be divided into three modes: direct OEM, retailer’s full participation and retailer’s partial participation. The research methods employed in this study include model establishment, numerical analysis and comparison under three entrustment modes based on retailers’ negotiation strength. In addition, sensitivity analysis was used to test the influence of parameter variations on the results. The research results show that: (i) the direct OEM mode is the best choice for retailers when the retailer is in a weak position, but it is not the best choice for the manufacturer. With the increase of the retailers’ negotiation strength, the profits of both sides will decline, causing the problem of double marginal profit decreasing; (ii) the retailer’s full participation mode is the best choice for the manufacturer when the retailer is in a strong position, but not the best choice for the retailer. It is not the best choice for both sides when the retailer is in a weak position; (iii) the greenness and total profit of the supply chain are no relative with the negotiation strength of the retailer under the partial participation mode, and the greenness and total profit of the supply chain are the same as the condition under the integrated control to achieve the best coordination effect.
Exploring the Non-Use Value of Important Agricultural Heritage System: Case of Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System (Zengcheng) in Guangdong, China
Authors: Zhao Fei , Huang Min
Published: May 2020

For the past decade, Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHSs) have become research hotspots because of their rapidly increasing number. The non-use value is an important part of the value of an IAHS, and if ignored, the total value of an IAHS may be underestimated in part. Litchi is native to southern China, and its farming system is an important agricultural heritage with Chinese characteristics and global influence. In this context, the present study attempts to investigate the willingness to pay (WTP) of local residents and assess the non-use value of the Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System (Zengcheng) in Guangdong, China. To this aim, a survey was implemented on four sites in Zengcheng with the application of the contingent valuation method (CVM). Based on the analysis of 458 questionnaires, the WTP rate of residents in the heritage site is 66.6%, and the mean WTP is 62.5 Chinese yuan (CNY) per year. The total non-use value of the Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System (Zengcheng) is 49.9 million CNY. The option, bequest, and existence values in 2018 are estimated to be 20.1, 13.7, and 16.1 million CNY, respectively. Results of the logistic regression analysis indicate that variables of age, education level, financial burden, and heritage value cognition are significant factors of WTP for protecting litchi heritage. Compared with similar studies in China, the mean WTP and positive payment rate in this study are at a medium level. Resource attributes and local cultures may have significant impacts on the composition and estimate of the non-use value of an IAHS. The results of this study can be beneficial to the dynamic conservation and adaptive management of IAHSs.
Comparison of Postural Features and Muscle Strength between Children with Idiopathic Short Stature and Healthy Peers in Relation to Physical Exercise
Authors: Brusa Jessica , Maggio Maria Cristina , Zangla Daniele , Giustino Valerio , Thomas Ewan , Palma Romilda , Messina Giuseppe , Palma Antonio , Corsello Giovanni , Bellafiore Marianna
Published: May 2020

Previous research has reported that children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) showed functional and cognitive impairments. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle strength and body posture between children with ISS treated with growth hormone (GH) and healthy peers (healthy children, HC), and to analyze whether these parameters were affected by physical exercise. Eighteen children for the ISS group (mean age: 10.96 ± 1.68 years) and 26 children for the HC group (mean age: 10.19 ± 1.06 years) were recruited for the study. All participants performed the following assessments: handgrip and Sargent test for the muscle strength evaluation; baropodometric and stabilometric test for the posturographic measures. Data were analyzed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using height and weight as covariate. Groups were then stratified into active and inactive and independent t-tests were used to determine differences between variables. Significance level was set to p < 0.05. Our results showed a significantly lower performance for both hands (p < 0.01) and a greater difference of plantar loading distribution between feet in the ISS compared to the HC groups (p < 0.01). In relation to physical exercise, the HC active group showed the highest handgrip strength values for both hands among the analyzed groups and, moreover, handgrip strength of both ISS active and inactive groups was significantly lower than corresponding CH peers for both hands. Although ISS and HC inactive groups reported an unequal plantar loading distribution between feet (p < 0.05), this asymmetry was not present in both ISS and HC active groups. We assume that GH therapy integrated with physical exercise in young patients with ISS could be suggested to increase muscle strength and body posture improving their quality of life.
Development of ICT-Based Didactic Interventions for Learning Sustainability Content: Cognitive and Affective Analysis
Authors: Martínez-Borreguero Guadalupe , Perera-Villalba Juan José , Mateos-Núñez Milagros , Naranjo-Correa Francisco Luis
Published: May 2020

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been recognized as innovative resources for improving the teaching–learning process. The aim of this study was to design and validate ICT-based learning interventions for sustainability content from a cognitive and affective perspective. Specifically, didactic resources based on a discovery learning model, such as WebQuest and video games, have been used. The research design was of a quasi-experimental type with three groups of students who were given pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The sample was made up of 81 secondary school students, selected by means of non-probability sampling. The cognitive, behavioral, attitudinal, and emotional variables of the students were measured according to the teaching methodologies used. As a measurement instrument, a questionnaire was designed, composed of several blocks in relation to the variables under study. The results obtained reveal that ICT has a positive influence on the academic progress experienced by students, with the students who used video games obtaining better results than those who used WebQuest. The didactic interventions did not modify the attitude or the environmental behavior of the students regardless of the methodology used. Regarding emotions, it was observed that didactic interventions with ICT positively affected the emotions experienced by the students and contributed to fighting boredom.
Promoting Career Counselors’ Sustainable Career Development through the Group-based Life Construction Dialogue Intervention: “Constructing My Future Purposeful Life”
Authors: Argyropoulou Katerina , Mouratoglou Nikolaos , Antoniou Alexandros Stamatios , Mikedaki Katerina , Charokopaki Argyro
Published: May 2020

Continuous professional development refers to maintaining, enhancing, and broadening individuals’ knowledge, skills, and the personal qualities required in their professional lives. The present experimental study attempts to explore the way(s) that the Life Construction intervention: “Constructing my Future Purposeful Life” contributes to career counselors’ sustainable career development. Two groups of career counselors participating in a training program delivered by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens were involved, namely, an experimental group (N = 33) that received the intervention and a control group (N = 27) that did not receive any intervention. The effectiveness of the intervention was verified through qualitative and quantitative analysis, including the calculation of effect sizes, of the data obtained through the Future Career Autobiography, and the Greek version of the Life Project Reflexivity Scale. The results indicate that the Life Construction Intervention improved career counselors’ reflexivity and self-awareness, while, concurrently, the need for practical training in contemporary interventions to support their sustainable career development is highlighted. The main conclusion refers to the fact that the career counselor needs to construct his or her own Self as a sustainable project beforehand, in order to be able to support individuals in their own Self construction and promote their well-being.
Levels of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism in Severe Dengue Cases from New Delhi
Authors: Chakravarti Anita , Bharara Tanisha , Kapoor Neeru , Ashraf Anzar
Published: May 2020

Background: Dengue is the “phoenix” that never went to ashes. First identified in 1943, in Japan, dengue virus has worldwide distribution and is a grave public health concern in developing countries like India; Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among adults suspected of having dengue fever and attending Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism was completed for the detection of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism; Results: Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (vitamin D) levels were found to be 1.6 times elevated in severe dengue cases as compared to healthy controls. Vitamin D levels were significantly higher in secondary infections compared to primary infections as well as secondary severe dengue cases as compared to secondary non-severe cases (p value < 0.05). A significant association of the T allele (rs2228570) was seen in severe dengue cases, while, when comparing the A/A with A/C and C/C genotypes (rs7975232) among dengue cases and healthy controls, the odds ratio was estimated to be 1.24 (0.55–2.75, p > 0.05) and 0.28 (0.08–0.96, p < 0.05) respectively; Conclusions: The present study is an attempt at decoding the role of vitamin D in dengue disease pathogenesis and exploring the role of genetic polymorphism in dengue disease pathogenesis.
Estimation of Electrical Conductivity and Magnetization Parameter of Neutron Star Crusts and Applied to the High-Braking-Index Pulsar PSR J1640-4631
Authors: Wang Hui , Gao Zhi-Fu , Jia Huan-Yu , Wang Na , Li Xiang-Dong
Published: May 2020

Young pulsars are thought to be highly magnetized neutron stars (NSs). The crustal magnetic field of a NS usually decays at different timescales in the forms of Hall drift and Ohmic dissipation. The magnetization parameter ω B τ is defined as the ratio of the Ohmic timescale τ O h m to the Hall drift timescale τ H a l l . During the first several million years, the inner temperature of the newly born neutron star cools from T = 10 9 K to T = 1.0 × 10 8 K, and the crustal conductivity increases by three orders of magnitude. In this work, we adopt a unified equations of state for cold non-accreting neutron stars with the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov method, developed by Pearson et al. (2018), and choose two fiducial dipole magnetic fields of B = 1.0 × 10 13 G and B = 1.0 × 10 14 G, four different temperatures, T, and two different impurity concentration parameters, Q, and then calculate the conductivity of the inner crust of NSs and give a general expression of magnetization parameter for young pulsars: ω B τ ≃ ( 1 − 50 ) B 0 / ( 10 13 G) by using numerical simulations. It was found when B ≤ 10 15 G, due to the quantum effects, the conductivity increases slightly with the increase in the magnetic field, the enhanced magnetic field has a small effect on the matter in the low-density regions of the crust, and almost has no influence the matter in the high-density regions. Then, we apply the general expression of the magnetization parameter to the high braking-index pulsar PSR J1640-4631. By combining the observed arrival time parameters of PSR J1640-4631 with the magnetic induction equation, we estimated the initial rotation period P 0 , the initial dipole magnetic field B 0 , the Ohm dissipation timescale τ O h m and Hall drift timescale τ H a l l . We model the magnetic field evolution and the braking-index evolution of the pulsar and compare the results with its observations. It is expected that the results of this paper can be applied to more young pulsars.
Early-Life Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection, Trained Immunity and Subsequent Pulmonary Diseases
Authors: Malinczak Carrie-Anne , Lukacs Nicholas W. , Fonseca Wendy
Published: May 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is often the first clinically relevant pathogen encountered in life, with nearly all children infected by two years of age. Many studies have also linked early-life severe respiratory viral infection with more pathogenic immune responses later in life that lead to pulmonary diseases like childhood asthma. This phenomenon is thought to occur through long-term immune system alterations following early-life respiratory viral infection and may include local responses such as unresolved inflammation and/or direct structural or developmental modifications within the lung. Furthermore, systemic responses that could impact the bone marrow progenitors may be a significant cause of long-term alterations, through inflammatory mediators and shifts in metabolic profiles. Among these alterations may be changes in transcriptional and epigenetic programs that drive persistent modifications throughout life, leaving the immune system poised toward pathogenic responses upon secondary insult. This review will focus on early-life severe RSV infection and long-term alterations. Understanding these mechanisms will not only lead to better treatment options to limit initial RSV infection severity but also protect against the development of childhood asthma linked to severe respiratory viral infections.
Genomic Analyses of Potential Novel Recombinant Human Adenovirus C in Brazil
Authors: Tahmasebi Roozbeh , da Costa Antonio Charlys , Tardy Kaelan , J. Tinker Rory , de Padua Milagres Flavio Augusto , Brustulin Rafael , Rodrigues Teles Maria da Aparecida , Togisaki das Chagas Rogério , de Deus Alves Soares Cassia Vitória , Sakurada Aranha Watanabe Aripuana , Salete Alencar Cecilia , Villanova Fabiola , Deng Xutao , Delwart Eric , Luchs Adriana , Leal Élcio , Cerdeira Sabino Ester
Published: May 2020

Human Adenovirus species C (HAdV-C) is the most common etiologic agent of respiratory disease. In the present study, we characterized the nearly full-length genome of one potential new HAdV-C recombinant strain constituted by Penton and Fiber proteins belonging to type 89 and a chimeric Hexon protein of types 1 and 89. By using viral metagenomics techniques, we screened out, in the states of Tocantins and Pará, Northern and North regions of Brazil, from 2010 to 2016, 251 fecal samples of children between 0.5 to 2.5 years old. These children were presenting acute diarrhea not associated with common pathogens (i.e., rotavirus, norovirus). We identified two HAdV-C strains in two distinct patients. Phylogenetic analysis performed using all complete genomes available at GenBank database indicated that one strain (HAdV-C BR-245) belonged to type 1. The phylogenetic analysis also indicated that the second strain (HAdV-C BR-211) was located at the base of the clade formed by the newly HAdV-C strains type 89. Recombination analysis revealed that strain HAdV-C BR-211 is a chimera in which the variable regions of Hexon gene combined HAdV-C1 and HAdV-C89 sequences. Therefore, HAdV-C BR-211 strain possesses a genomic backbone of type HAdV-C89 and a unique insertion of HAdV-C1 in the Hexon sequence. Recombination may play an important driving force in HAdV-C diversity and evolution. Studies employing complete genomic sequencing on circulating HAdV-C strains in Brazil are needed to understand the clinical significance of the presented data.
Effects of Joint Lavage with Dimethylsulfoxide on LPS-Induced Synovitis in Horses—Clinical and Laboratorial Aspects
Authors: Sotelo Eric , Vendruscolo Cynthia , Fülber Joice , Seidel Sarah , Jaramillo Fernando , Agreste Fernanda , Silva Luís , Baccarin Raquel
Published: May 2020

Several studies in human and equine medicine have produced controversial results regarding the role of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a therapeutic agent. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of joint lavage with different DMSO concentrations on biomarkers of synovial fluid inflammation and cartilage degradation in joints with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced synovitis. Twenty-six tibiotarsal joints of 13 horses were randomly distributed into four groups (lactated Ringer’s solution; 5% DMSO in lactated Ringer’s; 10% DMSO in lactated Ringer’s; and sham). All animals were evaluated for the presence of lameness, and synovial fluid analyses were performed at 0 h, 1 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h (T0, T1, T8, T24, and T48, respectively). The white blood cell counts (WBC), total protein (TP), urea, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hyaluronic acid (HA), and chondroitin sulfate (CS) concentrations were measured. The WBC counts and PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TP concentrations increased in all groups at T8 compared to baseline values (p < 0.05). At T48, only the 5% DMSO and 10% DMSO groups showed a significant decrease in WBC counts (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the 10% DMSO group had lower concentrations of PGE2 and IL-1β at T48 than at T8 (p < 0.05) and presented lower IL-6 levels than the5% DMSO and lactated Ringer’s groups at T24. All groups showed an increase in CS concentration after LPS-induced synovitis. Joint lavage with 10% DMSO in lactated Ringer’s has anti-inflammatory but not chondroprotective effects.
Politinis korektiškumas: antropologinė „geradarystės“ forma
Authors: Giordano Christian
Published: May 2020

Jonathanas Friedmanas naująja savo knyga Politicamente corretto. Il conformismo
morale come regime (Friedman 2018), pasitelkęs kritinį mąstymą su dažnu
poleminiu intarpu, ir vėl pataikė tiesiai į dešimtuką. Tiesą sakant, jis įtikinamai
apibūdina ideologinei ir politinei praktikai būdingą veidmainystę, kurią aš vadinu
„geradaryste“ ir kuri, kaip netrukus pamatysime, yra ypač išvešėjusi šių
dienų antropologijoje.
J. Friedmanas taikliai ir aiškiai sako, kad „politinis korektiškumas“ tapo
šiandieninio elito ideologiniu instrumentu. Mano nuomone, terminas „elitas“
yra dviprasmiškas, nes semantiškai jis per platus, taigi neapibrėžtas. Šį terminą
dėl jo semantinio neaiškumo kiek anksčiau kritikavo Vilfredo Pareto (Pareto
2006). Kas yra elitas? Ar tai „politinė klasė“, kurią apibrėžė Gaetano Mosca
(Mosca 1958), ar, cituojant Robertą Michelsą (Michels 1989), tai – politinių partijų
aukštesnioji pakopa ar valdžios elitas, kurį mini Charlesas Wrightas Millsas
(Wright Mills 2000), t. y. tie žmonės, kurie valdo ir monopolizuoja parlamento
gyvenimą? O gal tai asmenys, kurie užima dominuojančias pareigas kultūros ir
meno srityse, tie, kurie sėkmingai kuria ar vadovauja kultūrinei veiklai? Norint
išvengti tokio neišsamaus sąrašo tęsimo, šioje vietoje reikėtų nurodyti ir tuos,
kurie pagrįstai ar ne visai pagrįstai yra įvardyti kaip akademinės srities atstovai,
t. y. tie, kurie universitete užima tam tikras pareigas ar dirba panašiose mokslo
ar humanitarinių mokslų tyrimų institucijose.
PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS BASED ON MIXTURES OF EPOXY POLYMERS AND OLIGOSULFONES. PART 4. ADHESION PROPERTIES
Authors: Kochergin Yuriy , Grigorenko Tatyana , Zolotareva V.
Published: May 2020

The influence of oligosulfons with terminal carboxyl and phenolic groups and a molecular weight from 1200 to 44500 on the adhesion properties of epoxy polymers during the shift and separation of adhesive compounds is studied. It is shown that modification leads to the formation of systems characterized by improved adhesion properties, especially at elevated test temperatures. It is established that there is an optimal range of concentrations and molecular weights of oligosulfons (approximately from 2000 to 20000), which provides the maximum effect of modification. It is assumed that the oligosulfon`s particles formed in the epoxy matrix with a small molecular weight have dimensions and volume that are insufficient to be an effective barrier to the propagation of a possible crack in the polymer. At the same time, an oligosulfon with a large molecular weight is able to include a certain part of the epoxy resin in its volume. This leads to a relative decrease in the composition of the share of the epoxy component, which largely determines the adhesion to the material to be bonded. It is shown that the magnitude of the modification effect practically does not depend on the nature of the end groups. The maximum set of properties is realized for oligosulfones with terminal carboxyl groups and a molecular weight in the range from 2500 to 4700, when the concentration of 3 – 10 mass parts on 100 mass parts epoxy oligomer. For oligosulfone with terminal carboxyl groups and a molecular weight of 4700 at a concentration of 10 mass parts manages to increase adhesive strength at a shear of 1.47 and 3.58 times and tensile strength of 1.39 and 5.08 times, respectively, at test temperatures of 293 and 423 K. The research results allow to recommend epoxy-oligosulfone mix to design of structural adhesives, operable in a wide temperature range.
Investigation of Some Qualitative Characteristics of Sludge Produced in Hamadan Wastewater Treatment Plant and Its Application in Agricultural Lands
Authors: Shokoohi Reza , Moradi Samira , Ghavami Zhila , Nadali Azam , Amiri Raheleh
Published: May 2020

In this study, qualitative characteristics of the sludge produced in Hamadan wastewater treatment plant and the feasibility of its application in agricultural lands were investigated. Samples were taken from the primary and secondary sludge and indices such as VS/TS, PH, TKN, COD, TKN, SOUR, Na, Ca, SAR, heavy metals and biological properties (the mean fecal coliform count and the number of parasitic eggs) were measured. The results were compared with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards (40 FCR-503). The results showed that the VS/TS ratio of the raw sludge was 0.8, 0.55, and 0.55 and that of the secondary sludge was 0.65, 0.28, and 0.32 for fall, winter, and summer, respectively. The average concentration of COD, TKN, SOUR, Na, and Ca for the initial sludge was 51283, 107, 0.50, 609, and 952 and for secondary sludge, it was 35595, 81, 4.90, 306, and 493 mg/L, respectively. The MPN for primary and secondary sludge was determined to be 19.83 × 106 and 186 × 106 , respectively and the average number of parasite eggs in primary and secondary sludge was 7.05 and 7.2 in 4 g of dry solids. Entamoeba coli had the highest number of parasite. The results of this study showed that the highest concentration of heavy metals in the sludge was 21396 mg/kg. The values obtained for the above-mentioned indices and heavy metals were in standards range. The results of this study show that none of the primary and secondary sludge samples has been properly stabilized. The values obtained for biological characteristics of sludge were not in the standard range. Therefore, it was revealed that the use of sludge for agriculture needed more stabilization.
Investigation of the Efficiency of Phosphorus Removal Using Anionic Resins From the Continuous Flow in the Waste Stabilization Pond Outlet: A Case Study of Kaboodrahang Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Rahmani  Sarmazdeh Ali Akbar , Leili Mostafa
Published: May 2020

This research mainly aimed to investigate phosphorus removal from stabilization pond effluent by using anionic resins in the continuous flow mode of operation due to high amounts of phosphorus in the wastewater treatment plant effluent of Kaboodrahang, western Iran, as well as the violation from a prescribed effluent standard to discharge receiving the surface waters. For this purpose, the pilot was made of a plexiglass cylinder and other equipment such as pump and other accessories, as well as Purolite A-100 resin. The reactor effects on the desired study parameters were assessed in two warm and cold seasons. The results showed that the phosphorus concentrations reduced from 7-10 mg/L to 4-7 mg/L and the rate of phosphorus removal was higher in the hot season compared to the cold season. Moreover, the optimum temperature and pH were obtained 21ºC and 8.5, respectively. The mean inlet biological oxygen demand (BOD) was 150 mg/L for both warm and cold seasons, where the highest removal rate of 17% was obtained in the cold season. The mean chemical oxygen demand concentration of the pilot was 250 mg/L for both seasons, and the highest removal rate was observed in the cold season with an efficiency of 18%. Regarding the total suspended solids with the mean inlet of 230 mg/L, the highest removal efficiency was obtained 6% in the warm season.
Decreasing Plant Abiotic Stress in the Soil Treated with Sewage Sludge Using Piriformospora indica Fungus and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Baghaie Amir Hossein , Fereydoni Mohammad
Published: May 2020

Today, finding suitable methods to decrease plant abiotic stress such as heavy metals or salinity is very necessary in arid and semi-arid regions. Thus, this research was conducted as a factorial experiment in the layout of a completely randomized block design to evaluate the role of Piriformospora indica fungus and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on decreasing plant abiotic stress in the soil treated with lead (Pb)-polluted sewage sludge. The treatment consisted of applying sewage sludge at the rates of 0, 15, and 30 t/ha, 3 levels of cadmium spiked in to the applied sewage sludge (0, 800 and 1600 mg Pb/kg), as well as 0%, 0.5%, and 1.5% (W/W) MWCNTs in the presence and absence of P. indica. The plant used in this experiment was barely. After 90 days of the experiment, the plant was harvested and its Pb concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Applying 0.5 and 1% (W/W) MWCNTs in the soil treated with 15 t/ha sewage sludge significantly decreased plant Pb concentration by 8.1% and 12.3%, respectively. In addition, the presence of P. indica had significant effects on decreasing plant Pb concentration since the lowest plant Pb concentration was observed in soil amended with 30 t/ha sewage sludge (800 mg Pb/kg) by receiving 1.5% (W/W) MWCNTs in the presence of P. indica. The results of this study showed that applying MWCNTs has significant effects on decreasing soil heavy metals or soil salinity that is a positive point in environmental studies.
The Relevance of Isotherm and Kinetic Models to Chlorophenols Adsorption: A Review
Authors: Garba Zaharaddeen N
Published: May 2020

The derivatives of phenols are among the most widely used chemicals in day-to-day life, which lead to water contamination by chlorophenols (CPs). These compounds belong to a class of those widely used chemicals that increase global concern about environmental protection due to their recalcitrant nature. Adsorption process has been employed for the removal of CPs from contaminated water out of many methods of wastewater treatment. This is due to its insensitivity to toxic substances, effectiveness, universal nature, fast kinetics, as well as the ease of operation and its simplicity in the design and applicability. Thus, this study compared the adsorption isotherm models such as linear and nonlinear and well discussed the fundamental characteristics, modelling, and mathematical derivations. Finally, the study highlighted and addressed the role of different isotherm models that were used in describing the adsorptive removal of CPs using various adsorbents.
Combined Effects of Race and Educational Attainment on Physician Visits Over 24 Years in a National Sample of Middle-Aged and Older Americans
Authors: Assari Shervin
Published: May 2020

Background: The literature on Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) have shown worse than expected health of the members of racial and ethnic minority groups particularly Blacks. Theoretically, this effect can be in part due to weaker effects of educational attainment on preventive care and disease management in highly educated racial and ethnic minorities. Objectives: The current study explored the racial and ethnic differences in the effect of baseline educational attainment on % adherance to the routine physician visits among middle-aged and older adults in the US. Methods: This is a prospective study with 24 years of follow up. The Health and Retirement Study (HRS: 1992-2016) included 10880 middle-aged and older adults who were Hispanic, non-Hispanic, Black or White. The independent variable was educational attainment. The dependent variable was adherance to the routine physician visits (%). Age, gender, marital status, income, health behaviors (smoking and drinking) and health (depression, self-rated health, and chronic diseases) were the covariates. Race and ethnicity were the focal moderators. Linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: Overall, higher educational attainment was associated with higher % of adherance to the routine physician visits over the course of follow-up, net of all confounders. Race showed a significant statistical interaction with educational attainment suggesting of a smaller effect of high education attainment on % adherance to the routine physician visits for Black than White middle-aged and older adults. A similar interaction could not be found for the comparison of Hispanic and non-Hispanic middle-aged and older adults. Conclusion: Educational attainment is associated with a larger increase in preventive and disease management doctor visits for White than Black middle-aged and older adults. This is a missed opportunity to improve the health of highly educated middle-aged and older adults. It is not race/ethnicity or class that shapes health behaviors but race/ethnicity and class that shape people’s prohealth behaviors. At least some of the racial health disparities is not due to low SES but diminished returns of SES.