bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Comparative Analysis of Genomic Diversity and Genes Involved in Carbohydrate Metabolism of Eighty-Eight Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum Isolates from Different Niches of China
Authors: Lin Guopeng , Liu Qian , Wang Luyao , Li Haitao , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Wang Gang , Chen Wei
Published: June 2022

Eighty-eight Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strains, which were isolated from human, chicken and cow fecal samples from different niches of China, were compared genomically in this study to evaluate their diversity. It was found that B. pseudocatenulatum displayed a closed pan-genome, including abundant glycoside hydrolase families of the carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZy). A total of 30 kinds of glycoside hydrolases (GHs), 14 kinds of glycosyl transferases (GTs), 13 kinds of carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), 6 kinds of carbohydrate-esterases (CEs), and 2 kinds of auxiliary activities (AAs) gene families were identified across the genomes of the 88 B. pseudocatenulatum strains. Specifically, this showed that significant differences were also present in the number of 10 carbohydrate-active enzyme gene families (GT51, GH13_32, GH26, GH42, GH121, GH3, AA3, CBM46, CE2, and CE6) among the strains derived from the hosts of different age groups, particularly between strains from infants and those from other human age groups. Twelve different individuals of B. pseudocatenulatum from four main clusters were selected for further study to reveal the genetic diversity of carbohydrate metabolism-related genes within the same phylogenetics. The animal experiment showed that 3 weeks of oral administration and 1 week after cessation of administration of these strains did not markedly alter the serum routine inflammatory indicators in mice. Furthermore, the administration of these strains did not significantly cause adverse changes in the gut microbiota, as indicated by the α- and β-diversity indexes, relative to the control group (normal diet). Beyond that, FAHBZ9L5 significantly increased the abundance of B. pseudocatenulatum after 3 weeks and significantly increased the abundance of acetic acid and butyric acid in the host’s intestinal tract 3 and 4 weeks after the first administration, respectively, compared with the control group. Corresponding to this, comparative genomic analyses of 12 B. pseudocatenulatum suggest that FAHBZ9L5-specific genes were rich in ABC transporters and carbohydrate esterase. Combining the results of comparative genomics analyses and animal experiment, it is suggested that the strains containing certain gene clusters contribute to another competitive growth advantage of B. pseudocatenulatum, which facilitates its intestinal carbohydrate metabolism in a host.
Experimental Evidence of the Long-Term Survival of Infective African Swine Fever Virus Strain Ba71V in Soil under Different Conditions
Authors: Prodelalova Jana , Kavanova Lenka , Salat Jiri , Moutelikova Romana , Kobzova Sarka , Krasna Magdalena , Vasickova Petra , Simek Bronislav , Vaclavek Petr
Published: June 2022

The survival of African swine fever virus (ASFV) on different matrices and its infectivity in wild as well as domestic swine is still a matter of interest. ASFV is resistant to environmental effects; this fact is enhanced by the presence of organic material. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the ability of laboratory ASFV to survive in soil at different temperatures (4 and 22 °C) and with and without the presence of blood using culture procedures. The suitability of the procedure for determining the viability and titre of the ASFV field strain by the hemadsorption method was also verified, when a higher decrease in virus infectivity in the case of clay compared with peat was demonstrated. The stability of the virus was clearly temperature-dependent, the infectious virus was detected after 112 days, and the viral DNA was still detected in the matrix 210 days after inoculation in a relatively high and stable concentration (between 106 and 107 genome equivalents/mL). Based on this knowledge, soil and other environmental samples could provide rapid and reliable information on the disease outbreak and serve as indicators of the risk posed by the affected locality.
Biosynthetic Gas Vesicles from Halobacteria NRC-1: A Potential Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Tumor Imaging
Authors: Wei Mingjie , Lai Manlin , Zhang Jiaqi , Pei Xiaoqing , Yan Fei
Published: June 2022

Ultrasound contrast agents are valuable for diagnostic imaging and drug delivery. Generally, chemically synthesized microbubbles (MBs) are micro-sized particles. Particle size is a limiting factor for the diagnosis and treatment of many extravascular diseases. Recently, gas vesicles (GVs) from some marine bacteria and archaea have been reported as novel nanoscale contrast agents, showing great potential for biomedical applications. However, most of the GVs reported in the literature show poor contrast imaging capabilities due to their small size, especially for the in vivo condition. In this study, we isolated the rugby-ball-shaped GVs from Halobacteria NRC-1 and characterized their contrast imaging properties in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that GVs could produce stable and strong ultrasound contrast signals in murine liver tumors using clinical diagnostic ultrasound equipment at the optimized parameters. Interestingly, we found these GVs, after systemic administration, were able to perfuse the ischemic region of a tumor where conventional lipid MBs failed, producing a 6.84-fold stronger contrast signal intensity than MBs. Immunohistochemistry staining assays revealed that the nanoscale GVs, in contrast to the microscale MBs, could penetrate through blood vessels. Thus, our study proved these biosynthesized GVs from Halobacterium NRC-1 are useful for future molecular imaging and image-guided drug delivery.
How Leaf Vein and Stomata Traits Are Related with Photosynthetic Efficiency in Falanghina Grapevine in Different Pedoclimatic Conditions
Authors: Damiano Nicola , Arena Carmen , Bonfante Antonello , Caputo Rosanna , Erbaggio Arturo , Cirillo Chiara , De Micco Veronica
Published: June 2022

The increase in severe drought events due to climate change in the areas traditionally suitable for viticulture is enhancing the need to understand how grapevines regulate their photosynthetic metabolism in order to forecast specific cultivar adaptive responses to the changing environment. This study aims at evaluating the association between leaf anatomical traits and eco-physiological adjustments of the ‘Falanghina’ grapevine under different microclimatic conditions at four sites in southern Italy. Sites were characterized by different pedoclimatic conditions but, as much as possible, were similar for plant material and cultivation management. Microscopy analyses on leaves were performed to quantify stomata and vein traits, while eco-physiological analyses were conducted on vines to assess plant physiological adaptation capability. At the two sites with relatively low moisture, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, photosystem electron transfer rate, and quantum yield of PSII, linear electron transport was lower compared to the other two sites. Stomata size was higher at the site characterized by the highest precipitation. However, stomatal density and most vein traits tended to be relatively stable among sites. The number of free vein endings per unit leaf area was lower in the two vineyards with low precipitation. We suggest that site-specific stomata and vein traits modulation in Falanghina grapevine are an acclimation strategy that may influence photosynthetic performance. Overall in-depth knowledge of the structure/function relations in Falanghina vines might be useful to evaluate the plasticity of this cultivar towards site-specific management of vineyards in the direction of precision viticulture.
Chemical Investigation and Dose-Response Phytotoxic Effect of Essential Oils from Two Gymnosperm Species (Juniperus communis var. saxatilis Pall. and Larix decidua Mill.)
Authors: Vitalini Sara , Iriti Marcello , Vaglia Valentina , Garzoli Stefania
Published: June 2022

The chemical composition of the liquid and vapor phases of leaf essential oils (EOs) obtained from two species of Gymnosperms (Juniperus communis var. saxatilis Willd. and Larix decidua Mill.) was investigated using the SPME-GC-MS technique. The results highlighted a composition characterized by 51 identified volatile compounds (34 in J. communis and 39 in L. decidua). In both bloils, monoterpenes prevailed over the sesquiterpenes, albeit with qualitative and quantitative differences. Sabinene (37.5% and 34.5%, respectively) represented the two most abundant components in the liquid and vapor phases of J. communis, and α-pinene (51.0% and 63.3%) was the main constituent in L. decidua. The phytotoxic activity of the two EOs was assessed in pre-emergence conditions using three concentrations in contact (2, 5, 10 µL/mL) and non-contact (2, 20, 50 µL) tests against Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Poaceae) and Sinapis alba L. (Brassicaceae). Treatments were effective in a dose-dependent manner by significantly reducing the germination (up to 100% and 45–60%, respectively, with filter paper and soil as a substrate) and the seedling development (1.3 to 8 times) of both target species. Moreover, an exploratory survey on the residual presence of volatile compounds in the soil at the end of the tests was carried out.
Removal of Copper Corrosion Products by Using Green Deep Eutectic Solvent and Bio-Derivative Cellulose Membrane
Authors: Tsurumaki Akiko , Chiarucci Cristina , Khaire Shraddha , Dal Bosco Chiara , Gentili Alessandra , Navarra Maria Assunta
Published: June 2022

A safe and environmentally friendly material for corrosion removal from metals is proposed in this article. Electrochemically corroded copper was selected as a target material, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of choline chloride and ascorbic acid, in a molar ratio of 2:1, was developed to this end. Aqueous solutions of the DES with a concentration above 70 wt% were found to be effective in the dissolution of patina and less aggressive towards other materials such as CaCO3, which is the main component of limestone. These concentrated DES solutions were integrated with either cotton swabs or cellulose-based membranes and used for the cleaning of electrochemically corroded copper. The membrane containing 80 wt% DES aqueous solution exhibited the most desirable cleaning ability in terms of speed and area selectivity. X-ray diffraction analysis of the corroded copper before and after the application of the membrane was performed to demonstrate the successful corrosion removal.
Construction of Three-Dimensional Network Structure in Polyethylene-EPDM-Based Phase Change Materials by Carbon Nanotube with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity, Mechanical Property and Photo-Thermal Conversion Performance
Authors: He Yunbing , Chen Yanfeng , Liu Cuiyin , Huang Lisha , Huang Chuyu , Lu Junhua , Huang Hong
Published: June 2022

High thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties are significant for photo-thermal conversion in solar energy utilization. In this work, we constructed a three-dimensional network structure in polyethylene (PE) and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)-based phase change composites by mixing with a carbon nanotube (CNT). Two-dimensional flake expanded graphite in PE-EPDM-based phase change materials and one-dimensional CNT were well mixed to build dense three-dimensional thermal pathways. We show that CNT (5.40%wt)-PE-EPDM phase change composites deliver excellent thermal conductivity (3.11 W m−1 K−1) and mechanical properties, with tensile and bending strength of 10.19 and 21.48 MPa. The melting and freezing temperature of the optimized phase change composites are measured to be 64.5 and 64.2 °C and the melting and freezing latent enthalpy are measured to be 130.3 and 130.5 J g−1. It is found that the composite phase change material with high thermal conductivity is conducive to the rapid storage of solar energy, so as to improve the efficiency of heat collection.
Wetland Resources in South Africa: Threats and Metadata Study
Authors: Adeeyo Adeyemi O. , Ndlovu Stanley S. , Ngwagwe Linda M. , Mudau Mulalo , Alabi Mercy A. , Edokpayi Joshua N.
Published: June 2022

Wetlands are important ecosystems with physical and economic benefits. However, many reports confirm the drastic loss of wetlands due to urbanisation and anthropogenic activities in many parts of the world. This study focused on the present-day state of wetlands in the Republic of South Africa. A meta-analysis was performed to elucidate the distribution and level of protection of selected wetlands. The classification of existing wetlands and the threat against wetlands were reported. Wetlands in South Africa are grossly endangered by human pollution, developmental activities, and invasive plants. From data obtained, about 47.89% of reported wetlands have a low level of protection and are thus susceptible to threats. The South African Department of Environmental Affairs protects most of the wetlands (28.17%) in the country. Major weaknesses identified for wetland degradation are the ignorance of people about the benefits of wetlands and the weak implementation of frameworks and policies that currently exist. The impact of legislations and policies on the preservation of wetlands is presented as well as the need for community education on environmental degradation. Therefore, the current state of several wetlands calls for urgent attention, and there is need for a strengthening of existing laws and policies in order to prevent wetland damage and extinction.
Real-Time Integration of Segmentation Techniques for Reduction of False Positive Rates in Fire Plume Detection Systems during Forest Fires
Authors: Martins Leonardo , Guede-Fernández Federico , Valente de Almeida Rui , Gamboa Hugo , Vieira Pedro
Published: June 2022

Governmental offices are still highly concerned with controlling the escalation of forest fires due to their social, environmental and economic consequences. This paper presents new developments to a previously implemented system for the classification of smoke columns with object detection and a deep learning-based approach. The study focuses on identifying and correcting several False Positive cases while only obtaining a small reduction of the True Positives. Our approach was based on using an instance segmentation algorithm to obtain the shape, color and spectral features of the object. An ensemble of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms was then used to further identify smoke objects, obtaining a removal of around 95% of the False Positives, with a reduction to 88.7% (from 93.0%) of the detection rate on 29 newly acquired daily sequences. This model was also compared with 32 smoke sequences of the public HPWREN dataset and a dataset of 75 sequences attaining 9.6 and 6.5 min, respectively, for the average time elapsed from the fire ignition and the first smoke detection.
Pixel-Reasoning-Based Robotics Fine Grasping for Novel Objects with Deep EDINet Structure
Authors: Shi Chaoquan , Miao Chunxiao , Zhong Xungao , Zhong Xunyu , Hu Huosheng , Liu Qiang
Published: June 2022

Robotics grasp detection has mostly used the extraction of candidate grasping rectangles; those discrete sampling methods are time-consuming and may ignore the potential best grasp synthesis. This paper proposes a new pixel-level grasping detection method on RGB-D images. Firstly, a fine grasping representation is introduced to generate the gripper configurations of parallel-jaw, which can effectively resolve the gripper approaching conflicts and improve the applicability to unknown objects in cluttered scenarios. Besides, the adaptive grasping width is used to adaptively represent the grasping attribute, which is fine for objects. Then, the encoder–decoder–inception convolution neural network (EDINet) is proposed to predict the fine grasping configuration. In our findings, EDINet uses encoder, decoder, and inception modules to improve the speed and robustness of pixel-level grasping detection. The proposed EDINet structure was evaluated on the Cornell and Jacquard dataset; our method achieves 98.9% and 96.1% test accuracy, respectively. Finally, we carried out the grasping experiment on the unknown objects, and the results show that the average success rate of our network model is 97.2% in a single object scene and 93.7% in a cluttered scene, which out-performs the state-of-the-art algorithms. In addition, EDINet completes a grasp detection pipeline within only 25 ms.
Pseudo-Static Gain Cell of Embedded DRAM for Processing-in-Memory in Intelligent IoT Sensor Nodes
Authors: Kim Subin , Park Jun-Eun
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a pseudo-static gain cell (PS-GC) with extended retention time for an embedded dynamic random-access memory (eDRAM) macro for analog processing-in-memory (PIM). The proposed eDRAM cell consists of a two-transistor (2T) gain cell with a pseudo-static leakage compensation that maintains stored data without charge loss issue. Hence, the PS-GC can offer unlimited retention time in the same manner as static RAM (SRAM). Due to the extended retention time, bulky capacitors in conventional eDRAM are no longer needed, thereby, improving the area efficiency of eDRAM-based analog PIMs. The active leakage compensation of the PS-GC can effectively hold stored data even in a deep-submicron process that show significant leakage current. Therefore, the PS-GC can accelerate write-access time and read-access time without concern of increased leakage current. The proposed gain cell and its 64 × 64 eDRAM macro were implemented in a 28 nm CMOS process. The bitcell of the proposed gain cell has 0.79- and 0.58-times the area of those of 6T SRAM and 8T STAM, respectively. The post-layout simulation results demonstrate that the eDRAM maintains the pseudo-static operation with unlimited retention time successfully under wide range variations of process, voltage and temperature. At the operating frequency of 667 MHz, the eDRAM macro achieved an operating voltage range from 0.9 to 1.2 V and operating temperature range from −25 to 85 °C regardless of the process variation. The post-layout simulated write-access time and read-access time were below 0.3 ns at an operating temperature of 85 °C. The PS-GC consumes a static power of 2.2 nW/bit at an operating temperature of 25 °C.
Chromism-Integrated Sensors and Devices for Visual Indicators
Authors: Seok Hyunho , Son Sihoon , Cho Jinill , Choi Sanghwan , Park Kihong , Kim Changmin , Jeon Nari , Kim Taesung , Kim Hyeong-U
Published: June 2022

The bifunctionality of chromism-integrated sensors and devices has been highlighted because of their reversibility, fast response, and visual indication. For example, one of the representative chromism electrochromic materials exhibits optical modulation under ion insertion/extraction by applying a potential. This operation mechanism can be integrated with various sensors (pressure, strain, biomolecules, gas, etc.) and devices (energy conversion/storage systems) as visual indicators for user-friendly operation. In this review, recent advances in the field of chromism-integrated systems for visual indicators are categorized for various chromism-integrated sensors and devices. This review can provide insights for researchers working on chromism, sensors, or devices. The integrated chromic devices are evaluated in terms of coloration-bleach operation, cycling stability, and coloration efficiency. In addition, the existing challenges and prospects for chromism-integrated sensors and devices are summarized for further research.
Multi-Scenario Dynamic Simulation of Urban Agglomeration Development on the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China, with the Goal of High-Quality Urban Construction
Authors: Li Dongbing , Chang Yao , Simayi Zibibula , Yang Shengtian
Published: June 2022

The construction of high-quality urban agglomeration has become a guiding strategy for future urban development. Based on the current development status of urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, the concepts of environmental protection, harmonious coexistence, and sustainable development were combined in the present study. Land cover data for 2010 and 2020 as well as data on various driving factors and limiting factors were selected to simulate and forecast the land change of the urban agglomeration under environmental constraints. At the same time, to simulate the natural development scenario, farmland protection scenario, and ecological protection scenario for the land development of urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in 2030, the future land use simulation and Markov (FLUS-Markov) model and the urban growth boundary (UGB) model were combined. The following conclusions may be drawn from the results. (1) Using the land cover in 2010 to simulate the land cover in 2020, the kappa value was 0.724, the overall accuracy was 82.9%, and the FOM value was 0.245, exhibiting a high accuracy. (2) Under the three scenarios, the degree of expansion varied significantly from 2020 to 2030, but the proportion of construction area remained stable at 3%. Under the natural development scenario, urban land expansion was the most obvious, followed by the farmland protection scenario, while under the ecological protection scenario, construction land expansion was the least obvious. (3) Under the three scenarios, the expansion of construction land was mainly dominated by the encroachment of grassland, and the edge expansion mode was characterized by concentrated contiguous land. (4) The kernel density results show that the urban area exhibited a year-by-year expansion, and the best suitable development area was the surrounding farmland. (5) Under the three scenarios, the delineation of UGB in urban agglomeration at the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains was reasonable and effective, and it can provide a relevant reference for the government’s future urban development and layout planning.
Application of Mixed Methods in Transdisciplinary Research Projects on Sustainable Mobility
Authors: Stinder Ann Kathrin , Schelte Nora , Severengiz Semih
Published: June 2022

Urban mobility systems are facing far-reaching structural transformations: There is the challenge of managing the growing volume of traffic and the associated environmental and social problems. On the one hand, novel micro-mobility services such as light electric vehicles (LEVs) show high potential for reducing emissions, e.g., through increased energy efficiency. On the other hand, they require change of urban mobility systems, e.g., through increasing shared concepts. The mixed methods approach is considered a good methodology for exploring the transformation of urban mobility systems since it can help to answer both technical and societal questions. Two transdisciplinary projects using the mixed method design were evaluated to improve the research for future mobility. To provide a critical reflection of the projects, a catalog of quality criteria was used to evaluate the research. This catalog was evaluated using structured interviews with project participants from research, practice and civil society. The results show that the combination of applied methods enables a comprehensive multi-perspective sustainability evaluation of urban micro-mobility concepts. The need for an early participatory research design was also evaluated. The result is an exemplary research design and a methodological guideline for the successful application of mixed methods for transformation research in the field of urban mobility systems.
Overview of Environmental and Health Effects Related to Glyphosate Usage
Authors: Rivas-Garcia Tomas , Espinosa-Calderón Alejandro , Hernández-Vázquez Benjamin , Schwentesius-Rindermann Rita
Published: June 2022

Since the introduction of glyphosate (N-(phosphomethyl) glycine) in 1974, it has been the most used nonselective and broad-spectrum herbicide around the world. The widespread use of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides is due to their low-cost efficiency in killing weeds, their rapid absorption by plants, and the general mistaken perception of their low toxicity to the environment and living organisms. As a consequence of the intensive use and accumulation of glyphosate and its derivatives on environmental sources, major concerns about the harmful side effects of glyphosate and its metabolites on human, plant, and animal health, and for water and soil quality, are emerging. Glyphosate can reach water bodies by soil leaching, runoff, and sometimes by the direct application of some approved formulations. Moreover, glyphosate can reach nontarget plants by different mechanisms, such as spray application, release through the tissue of treated plants, and dead tissue from weeds. As a consequence of this nontarget exposure, glyphosate residues are being detected in the food chains of diverse products, such as bread, cereal products, wheat, vegetable oil, fruit juice, beer, wine, honey, eggs, and others. The World Health Organization reclassified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans in 2015 by the IARC. Thus, many review articles concerning different glyphosate-related aspects have been published recently. The risks, disagreements, and concerns regarding glyphosate usage have led to a general controversy about whether glyphosate should be banned, restricted, or promoted. Thus, this review article makes an overview of the basis for scientists, regulatory agencies, and the public in general, with consideration to the facts on and recommendations for the future of glyphosate usage.
Sustainable Development Goals and Islamic Social Finance: From Policy Divide to Policy Coherence and Convergence
Authors: Tok Evren , Yesuf Abdurahman J. , Mohamed Abdulfatah
Published: June 2022

This study aims to show how Islamic social finance (ISF) instruments can contribute to achieving SDGs and to filling the gaps in pressing humanitarian crises, such as refugee protection. ISF institutions enjoy sufficient financial capacity to bridge the gaps and realize the most relevant and urgent SDGs. However, due to policies and other constraints, their participation in international development aid programs is limited. Accordingly, this study explores the existing policy divide between Western and Islamic countries regarding the use of Faith-Based funds in international humanitarian and development aid programs. Through case studies, this study demonstrates that ISF instruments have the potential at national and international levels to mobilize resources to support marginalized groups in society in various countries. The analysis indicates the need to develop a framework that helps to build cooperation among local and international actors to mobilize ISF funds for cross-country development and humanitarian aid, which accelerates the achievement of the SDGs. This paper studies ongoing dialogues among various stakeholders to create policy convergence and to use ISF instruments towards SDGs. This study suggests that the dialogue should be more inclusive by including all potential stakeholders, including Muslim leaders, policymakers and Shariah Scholars, to narrow policy gaps and to draw policy coherence for using ISF tools in the duality aid programs and for creating synergies towards achieving the SDGs.
Priority of Water Allocation during Drought Periods: The Case of Jaguaribe Metropolitan Inter-Basin Water Transfer in Semiarid Brazil
Authors: Sousa Estácio Ályson Brayner , Melo Rocha Maria Aparecida , Caetano de Oliveira Marcílio , Oliveira da Silva Samiria Maria , de Souza Filho Francisco de Assis , Marinho de Carvalho Studart Ticiana
Published: June 2022

Inter-basin water transfers are the root of many conflicts, and water scarcity accentuates them. Those conflicts involve the priority of water use between regions. The Jaguaribe Metropolitan system, located in the Brazilian semiarid region, presents conflicts amongst different water users: irrigated perimeters, industry, and households. This paper analyzed the Jaguaribe Metropolitan water transfer during the 2012–2018 drought by considering environmental and societal aspects. Changes in consumption and users’ drought perception were assessed. The results showed that the drought was longer and more severe in the region that provided water (i.e., Jaguaribe) than in the region that received it (i.e., FMR). Jaguaribe irrigators were aware of the beginning of the drought, but it did not result in immediate consumption control. On the other hand, drought perception was delayed in the FMR. The results of this study suggested that the water allocation decision-making process should include not only the water demands but also the characteristics of the drought and how people perceive it. The main strategy for improving water governance seems to be promoting integrated regional planning and the empowerment of participatory management.
An Efficient Method for Split Quaternion Matrix Equation X − Af(X)B = C
Authors: Yue Shufang , Li Ying , Wei Anli , Zhao Jianli
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we consider the split quaternion matrix equation X−Af(X)B=C, f(X)∈{X,XH,XiH,XjHXkH}. The H representation method has the characteristics of transforming a matrix with a special structure into a column vector with independent elements. By using the real representation of split quaternion matrices, H representation method, the Kronecker product of matrices and the Moore-Penrose generalized inverse, we convert the split quaternion matrix equation into the real matrix equation, and derive the sufficient and necessary conditions and the general solution expressions for the (skew) bisymmetric solution of the original equation. Moreover, we provide numerical algorithms and illustrate the efficiency of our method by two numerical examples.
Strategic Encounters in Innovation and Regulation: Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Digital Connectivity Comment on "What Managers Find Important for Implementation of Innovations in the Healthcare Sector – Practice Through Six Management Perspectives"
Authors: Mendonça Sandro , Damásio Bruno , Santiago Fernando , Chen Martin , Santos António Bob , Cunha Miguel Pina e , Nicita Antonio
Published: June 2022

Healthcare innovations emerge and develop in institutionally dense selective environments. New projects and propositions in healthcare sectoral ecosystems can be understood as product-service compacts, that is, complex solutions that dynamically integrate tangible and intangible elements in close interaction with users’ needs and the evolving regulatory context under uncertainty and ambiguity. We advance the concept of "strategic encounters" to encapsulate, capitalise and extend the contribution by Palm and Fischier’s on the key enabling managerial factors for healthcare innovation implementation under conditions of imperfect foresight. We intertwine creative assemblages that shape the formation of knowledge-intensive activities at the operators’ level with scope of sectoral level interventions to underscore how the opportunities and constraints can enhance innovation for the common good. We use the case of digital data health regulatory agendas as illustration. We argue that this broader perspective on healthcare transformation is theoretically pertinent and practically useful, for management and policy.
A luz de Tereza de Benguela não apagará:
Authors: RODRIGUES Bruno
Published: June 2022

Este estudo visa analisar a abordagem da líder quilombola Tereza de Benguela em fontes oficiais, a saber, as memórias do provedor da Fazenda Filipe Coelho e a narrativa dos Anais de Vila Bela de Santíssima Trindade, ambas escritas na década de 1770. Nelas, é possível observar uma abordagem depreciativa marcada por inconsistências. A fim de entender tal tratamento, inicialmente, delinearemos um panorama da escravidão no oeste luso-brasileiro. Posteriormente, apreciaremos as fontes comparando-as com outros documentos e pesquisas.
Ácidos grasos libres en carne y grasa bovina: determinación cuali-cuantitativa y factores que influyen en su producción
Authors:   , Margaría Carlos Alberto
Published: June 2022

La finalidad del presente trabajo de tesis es contribuir al esclarecimiento de los procesos de producción de AGL en tejidos adiposos de bovinos para carne, tanto en sus aspectos cuantitativos como cualitativos, mediante la provisión de metodologías de laboratorio adecuadas y el estudio de los factores más importantes que inciden sobre dicha producción, para contribuir al mejoramiento de la calidad de un producto de alto precio como lo es la carne bovina.
İstanbul’un Kuzeybatı Yönündeki Büyüme Sürecinin Sürdürülebilirlik Performansına İlişkin Algı Analizi
Authors: SÜRÜCÜ Ruşena , ÇAKIR KIASIF Gözde
Published: June 2022

Sanayi Devrimi ile gelişen teknoloji; üretim faaliyetlerinde insan gücünden makine gücüne geçişi sağlamıştır. Üretimde yaşanan bu köklü dönüşüm kısa zaman içerisinde tüm dünyaya yayılarak, ülkelerin ekonomik ve toplumsal yapısını büyük ölçüde etkilemiştir. Kentlerde hızla gelişmeye başlayan sanayi faaliyetleri, kırsalda yaşayan işsiz kesim için istihdam sağlamış ve kırdan kente göçü beraberinde getirmiştir. Ülkemizde bu sürecin en net gözlendiği kent İstanbul olmakla birlikte, 1950’li yıllardan sonra İstanbul nüfusunda göç nedeniyle hızlı bir artış yaşanmıştır. Hızlı nüfus artışıyla ortaya çıkan gereksinimlerin planlı bir şekilde karşılanamaması, kentin mekânsal gelişimini olumsuz yönde etkilemiştir. 1950’lerden sonra İstanbul’da planlama sürecine girilmiş ve büyümenin kontrollü bir şekilde sağlanması hedeflenmiştir. Planlarda belirtilen en önemli konu; İstanbul’un, güney yönünde doğu-batı ekseninde gelişmesi gerektiğidir. Kuzey yöndeki orman alanları, tarım alanları ve su havzaları imardan kaçınılması gereken bölgeler olarak belirlenmiş ancak özel girişimler, devlet desteği ve yerel yönetim kararları ile yapılan projeler kentin kuzey yönünde büyümesine zemin hazırlamıştır. Bu büyüme ise kent genelinde bir takım çevresel, sosyal ve ekonomik etkilere sebep olmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı; kentin kuzeybatı yönündeki büyüme sürecinde hayata geçirilen 12 projenin sürdürülebilirlik performansına ilişkin algı analizini gerçekleştirmektir. Çalışma yönteminde, konu ile ilgili önemli indekslere sahip yayınlar incelenerek alanyazın taraması yapılmış, tarama sonucunda ele alınacak projeler ve sürdürülebilir kalkınma kriterleri belirlenmiştir. Belirlenen çevresel, sosyal ve ekonomik kriterler doğrultusunda, büyümenin sürdürülebilirlik performansı konu ile ilgili gerekli donanıma sahip kişilerle gerçekleştirilen görüşmeler sonucunda analiz edilmiştir. Analiz neticesinde bu büyümede %60,60 başarı ile en çok ekonomik kalkınmanın sağlandığı; sosyal kalkınmanın %57,72’lük bir performans oranı ile ortalamaya yakın bir değerde; çevresel kalkınmanın ise doğal çevreye verilen tahribattan dolayı %36,27 performans oranı ile ortalama değerin altında kaldığı görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak sürdürülebilir kentsel büyüme adına büyümenin kontrol altında tutulmasının, doğru ve akılcı planlanmasının önemi ortaya konulmuştur.
Structural and piezoelectric properties of AlN thin films grown by pressure gradient sputtering
Authors: Terai Yoshikazu , Haraguchi Kengo , Ichinose Ryo , Oota Hiroki , Yonezawa Ken
Published: June 2022

Aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films were grown by pressure gradient sputtering (PGS) and conventional sputtering methods. A pressure gradient with low pressure at a substrate position was measured only in the PGS method. AlN films highly oriented along the c-axis were grown by both methods, but there were remarkable differences in the surface roughness and the piezoelectric properties. The average surface roughness (Ra) obtained by atomic force microscopy images was much smaller in the AlN grown by the PGS method. The piezoelectric constant (d
33) of the AlN grown by the PGS method was higher than that of the conventional method. These results revealed that the PGS technique has an advantage in the growth of AlN films that are highly c-axis oriented with a single dielectric domain.
Impact of Pandemic COVID19 on Air and Water Quality in India: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, India., Gagan Matta , D.P. Uniyal ,   Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology, Dehradun, India., S. K. Chadha ,   Department of Law, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India., Sunil Dr. Kumar ,   Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, India., Gaurav Pant ,   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, India., Avinash Kumar ,   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, India., Anjali Nayak ,   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, India., Pawan Kumar ,   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, India.
Published: June 2022

The Pandemic COVID-19 outbreak has significantly affected all sections of life, including a substantial reduction in economic development and production, from industrial activities to tourism and automobile congestion. During this phase, the maximum human activities were restricted, but COVID-19 came out as a blessing for the environment. Globally reported that all the environmental variables have improved since the pandemic outbreak, including water and air quality and water quality while minimizing the restrictions for wildlife even in urban areas. India has always been a hotspot of pollution, with rising air quality index (AQI) readings in all large cities due to its vast population, traffic congestion, and polluting industries. However, after the lockdown announced during the pandemic, air quality started improving, and Other environmental factors, such as the water quality of rivers, started to improve. This paper reviewed the studies conducted to define the improvement in India's air and water quality during the lockdown period. Different tools such as remote sensing technologies and onsite real-time monitoring are used in many studies to monitor India's air and water quality during this period.
ПРОТИПОВІТРЯНА ОБОРОНА В ХОДІ ВСЕОХОПЛЮЮЧОЇ ОБОРОНИ УКРАЇНИ: ПРОБЛЕМНІ ПИТАННЯ ТА ШЛЯХИ ЇХ ВИРІШЕННЯ
Authors: Скородід Сергій , Скляр Олександр
Published: June 2022

У статті визначені проблемні питання, які впливають на виконання поставлених завдань військами (підрозділами) протиповітряної оборони в ході всеохоплюючої оборони України проти російської федерації. Пропонуються зміни до організаційно-штатних структур підрозділів протиповітряної оборони, що забезпечать підвищення спроможностей по боротьбі із засобами повітряного нападу (безпілотними літальними апаратами, крилатими ракетами, літаками і бойовими гелікоптерами), які діють на всіх діапазонах висотах.
BLENDED LEARNING TECHNOLOGY AS ONE OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODS IN THE CONDITIONS OF EDUCATION DURING WARTIME
Authors: Sarnovska Nataliia
Published: June 2022

The day after the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine recommended stopping the educational process in educational institutions at all levels and sending students and educators on a two-week vacation. On March 14, the educational process in the areas where the security situation allowed it began to resume. Teachers have a task to ensure the learning process so that as many students as possible can gain knowledge, acquire skills and experience psychological renewal. The purpose of the article is to study some methods and technologies of teaching foreign languages in wartime conditions. Distance learning systems have been known to university teachers for a long time. The article pays special attention to Moodle and Zoom electronic platforms. Of particular importance is the use of the method of Blended Learning, as the most relevant in our opinion in conditions of wartime.
ADAPTATION PROCESSES IN A SINGLE KIDNEY AT THE ORGANIC, TISSUE, CELLULAR AND SUBCELLULAR LEVELS
Authors: Pivtorak Volodymyr , Monastyrskiy Volodymyr , Pivtorak Kateryna , Bulko Mykola
Published: June 2022

Adaptive processes in a single kidney after nephrectomy are manifested in the early stages of compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney. Changes in kidney size (length, width, thickness) were determined. The results of studies have shown that the width of the kidney, not length, is a predictor of renal failure. Renal volume has been shown to be the optimal parameter for predicting renal function. Microscopic and submicroscopic changes of structural components of nephrons at different times after nephrectomy are described.
Model Order Reduction for Lumped RC Transmission Lines
Authors: Najm Farid N.
Published: June 2022

We start with a detailed review of the PACT approach for model order reduction of RC networks. We then develop a method that uses PACT as a preprocessing step to transform a generic lumped RC transmission line of some nominal order, based on a nominal (r,c) setting, into a parameterized circuit captured in a SPICE sub-circuit description. Then, given any other lumped RC line of the same order, we pass its (r,c) setting as parameters to this sub-circuit so as to automatically transform and reduce the line into a reduced order model without having to rerun PACT. In this way, we effectively characterize lumped RC transmission lines in a way that allows them to be reduced on-the-fly without any expensive processing.
Securing Cross-Chain Asset Transfers on Permissioned Blockchains
Authors: Pedreira Catarina , Belchior Rafael , Matos Miguel , Vasconcelos André
Published: June 2022

Blockchains currently exist in silos, competing when they could be cooperating. Interoperability is essential to allow for communication between them and motivate mass adoption. In permissioned blockchains, interoperability is harder given their opaqueness. The solutions proposed so far to address interoperability require a trusted private third party, which may be insecure and is not ideal. We propose T-ODAP, a secure multi-layered protocol that enables a trustless solution for permissioned blockchain interoperability, eliminating the need for trust in the protocol's participants. It provides a Decentralized View Storage, a connector that connects permissioned blockchains to the latter, and a trustless version of the ODAP protocol. T-ODAP models the participants as rational agents using game theory techniques and is implemented using \textit{Polkadot} and \textit{Hyperledger Cactus}. We tested the implemented solution, evaluated the system's robustness in face of attacks, and concluded that the system is \textit{(k,t)-weak-robust}.
Activity Analytics from Fixed Cameras for Robot Path Planning
Authors: O'Gorman Lawrence
Published: June 2022

 Abstract— Although mobile robots have on-board sensors to  perform navigation, path planning can benefit from fixed, or  infrastructure, cameras that capture activity analytics  continuously and from non-robot perspectives. We describe an approach that collects statistics of motion that repeat at some  period (usually a day) and perform path planning to avoid  expected activity in time and space The same statistics are used to learn preferred human paths and plan robot paths on these at  times of low human activity. Temporal filtering is performed in  cascade to efficiently extract long- and short-term activity in two time dimensions (isochronal and chronological) for use in global  and local path planning. We compare our lightweight activity  detection approach to neural network object detection methods  and propose an activity-gated approach that combines activity and  object detection efficiently. We deployed our approach in the ROS  robot software development framework by augmenting the cost  map of static objects with dynamic regions determined from  activity. We describe benefits and constraints of this combination. 
A Quick Tutorial on Time-Sensitive Networks
Authors: Walrand Jean
Published: June 2022

This paper is a brief tutorial on IEEE Time-Sensitive Networks. These networks are designed for applications where latency is critical, such as process control, automotive and aerospace, and augmented or virtual reality.
The finance of the political parties, movements and campaigns in Colombia: its evolution and deficiencies
Authors: Álvarez Álvarez Juan Carlos , Escobar Osorio Ricardo
Published: June 2022

The paper studies how the political finance system in Colombia has been legally transformed, as it analyzes its deficiencies, and some recommendations are proposed. This work makes part of a larger academic project that explores the problems related with the illegal, irregular and corrupted finance activities of political campaigns and parties in Colombia. The main idea is that the political democratic system will work correctly only if it is sustained by a strong and transparent finance political model, equipped with mechanisms that allow it to prevent, correct, and penalize those practices that may endanger the system.
La filosofía del derecho ante las demandas de reconocimiento de la diferencia cultural
Authors: Latorre Rodríguez Pablo
Published: June 2022

Las sociedades del s. XXI, fruto de fenómenos como la globalización y mundialización, se caracterizan por su diversidad cultural (diferentes lenguas, religiones, procedencias, etnias). El Estado liberal, forjado en el s. XIX, se basaba en identificar demos (comunidad política) con etnos (comunidad cultural), hoy esto ya no resulta posible debido a la pluralidad cultural que alberga el demos: diferentes comunidades culturales forman parte, o aspiran a ello, de la misma comunidad política, y claman por un reconocimiento y representatividad justos. En este artículo se analizan distintas posturas y teorías que, desde la Filosofía del Derecho, han tratado de dar acomodo a las múltiples demandas que existen en este ámbito, conjugándolas con una teoría de la justicia respetuosa con los derechos humanos.
Plebiscito, Referéndum y Revocación del Mandato en México: análisis desde la perspectiva del “cambio democrático”
Authors: Téllez Cuevas Rodolfo
Published: June 2022

La postura democrática del presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador es parte de una cuestión política y jurídica del México actual y de una nueva perspectiva de orden político. La Revocación del Mandato ha pasado del discurso político a la posibilidad práctica -como figura constitucional-, legitimando así su hegemonía de poder para pontificar la posibilidad de la reelección presidencial: esta es la perspectiva del cambio democrático en el siglo XXI.
Análisis de la participación ciudadana en México
Authors: Aguilera Izaguirre Gustavo , Blancarte Galván Roberto
Published: June 2022

El presente artículo resume la solución a una necesidad de los mexiquenses de mayor participación en las decisiones de las autoridades de gobierno, lo anterior logrará una mayor confianza hacia las instituciones de nuestro Estado, ya que el presente en conjunto con las acciones e iniciativas pretende impulsar una democracia más participativa, logrando la integración de la población de nuestro Estado en el ejercicio de gobierno. Buscamos que la población tenga acceso a las decisiones de Gobierno sin necesidad de formar parte de una administración pública o de algún partido político logrando la autonomía del ciudadano en la toma de decisiones. Necesitamos escuchar a todos los sectores de la población y que la ciudadanía sea verdaderamente representada.