bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of SHDM in commutative watermarking encryption
Authors: Schmitz Roland
Published: January 2021

SHDM stands for Sphere-Hardening Dither Modulation and is a watermarking algorithm based on quantizing the norm of a vector extracted from the cover work. We show how SHDM can be integrated into a fully commutative watermarking-encryption scheme and investigate implementations in the spatial, DCT, and DWT domain with respect to their fidelity, robustness, capacity, and security of encryption. The watermarking scheme, when applied in the DCT or DWT domain, proves to be very robust against JPEG/JPEG2000 compression. On the other hand, the spatial domain-based approach offers a large capacity. The increased robustness of the watermarking schemes, however, comes at the cost of rather weak encryption primitives, making the proposed CWE scheme suited for low to medium security applications with high robustness requirements.
Heart rate and swimming activity as indicators of post-surgical recovery time of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Føre M. , Svendsen E. , Økland F. , Gräns A. , Alfredsen J. A. , Finstad B. , Hedger R. D. , Uglem I.
Published: January 2021

Background

Fish telemetry using electronic transmitter or data storage tags has become a common method for studying free-swimming fish both in the wild and in aquaculture. However, fish used in telemetry studies must be handled, anaesthetised and often subjected to surgical procedures to be equipped with tags, processes that will shift the fish from their normal physiological and behavioural states. In many projects, information is needed on when the fish has recovered after handling and tagging so that only the data recorded after the fish has fully recovered are used in analyses. We aimed to establish recovery times of adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) after an intraperitoneal tagging procedure featuring handling, anaesthesia and surgery.

Results

Based on ECG and accelerometer data collected with telemetry from nine individual Atlantic salmon during the first period after tagging, we found that heart rate was initially elevated in all fish and that it took an average of ≈ 4 days and a maximum of 6 days for heart rate to return to an assumed baseline level. One activity tag showed no consistent decline in activity, and two others did not show strong evidence of complete recovery by the end of the experiment: baseline levels of the remaining tags were on average reached after ≈ 3.3 days.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that the Atlantic salmon used in this study required an average of ≈ 4 days, with a maximum interval of 6 days, of recovery after tagging before tag data could be considered valid. Moreover, the differences between recovery times for heart rate and activity imply that recovery time recommendations should be developed based on a combination of indicators and not just on e.g. behavioural observations.
Metal–organic framework derived nanomaterials for electrocatalysis: recent developments for CO2 and N2 reduction
Authors: Singh Chanderpratap , Mukhopadhyay Subhabrata , Hod Idan
Published: January 2021

In recent years, we are witnessing a substantially growing scientific interest in MOFs and their derived materials in the field of electrocatalysis. MOFs acting as a self-sacrificing template offer various advantages for the synthesis of carbon-rich materials, metal oxides, and metal nanostructures containing graphitic carbon-based materials benefiting from the high surface area, porous structure, and abundance of metal sites and organic functionalities. Yet, despite recent advancement in the field of MOF-derived materials, there are still several significant challenges that should be overcomed, to obtain better control and understanding on the factors determining their chemical, structural and catalytic nature. In this minireview, we will discuss recently reported advances in the development of promising methods and strategies for the construction of functional MOF-derived materials and their application as highly-active electrocatalysts for two important energy-related reactions: nitrogen reduction to produce ammonia, and CO2 reduction into carbon-based fuels. Moreover, a discussion containing assessments and remarks on the possible future developments of MOF-derived materials toward efficient electrocatalysis is included.
Chitopentaose inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing mitochondrial mediated apoptosis and suppressing protective autophagy
Authors: Zhu Chunfeng , Zhao Mengyao , Fan Liqiang , Cao Xuni , Xia Quanming , Zhou Jiachun , Yin Hao , Zhao Liming
Published: January 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and deadliest cancers. In this study, the anti-tumor effect of singular degree of polymerization (DP) chitooligosaccharides (COS) (DP 2–5) and the underlay molecular mechanisms were investigated on HCC cell line HepG2. MTT assay showed that (GlcN)5 have the best anti-proliferation effect among the different DP of COS (DP2-5). Furthermore, the administration of (GlcN)5 could decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, release cytochrome c into cytoplasm, activate the cleavage of Caspases9/3, thus inducing mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in HepG2 cells (accounting for 24.57 ± 2.25%). In addition, (GlcN)5 treatment could increase the accumulation of autophagosomes. Further investigation showed that (GlcN)5 suppressed protective autophagy at the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. Moreover, the inhibition of protective autophagy flux by (GlcN)5 could further decrease cell viability and increase the apoptosis rate. Our findings suggested that (GlcN)5 suppressed HepG2 proliferation through inducing apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway and impairing cell-protective autophagy. COS might have the potential to be an agent for lowering the risk of HCC.
A new general index of home range overlap and segregation: the Lesser Kestrel in Southern Italy as a case study
Authors: Ferrarini Alessandro , Giglio Giuseppe , Pellegrino Stefania Caterina , Gustin Marco
Published: January 2021

Background

There is increasing interest in evaluating home-range overlap (or, otherwise, segregation) between bird species, and between or within bird populations, to inform spatial planning. So far, studies of home-range overlap typically make use of comparisons between pairs of individuals, populations or species, and return a matrix of pairwise overlaps (e.g., percent overlaps). However, when the number of individuals, populations or species to be compared is elevated, an overlarge overlap matrix is difficult to interpret from an ecological viewpoint.

Methods

We propose here a new, conceptually simple and computationally efficient index (general overlap index;GOI) for the ready computation within GIS of home range overlap of an arbitrarily large number (i.e.,n ≥ 2) of individuals, populations or species. Whatever the number of home ranges to be compared,GOIalways returns a single score between 0 and 100. As a case study, we applied our index to 24,074 GPS points of 10 Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni) in order to estimate within-colony and between-colony overlaps in two neighboring colonies in Southern Italy.

Results

Within-colony overlap was elevated for both colonies (96.41% at Cassano delle Murge,n = 5 individuals; 81.38% at Santeramo in Colle,n = 5 individuals), while between-colony overlap was low (19.12%;n = 2 colonies) and, after a randomization procedure, more spatially-segregated than expected by chance.

Conclusions

Modern biotelemetry offers huge amounts of data describing the space use of animal species. The use of intuitive and straightforward indices, likeGOI, can be useful to promptly extract ecological information from such an amount of data (e.g. detecting change in space use over successive years, evaluating the reliability of various home-range estimators).
Landslide susceptibility mapping using statistical methods in Uatzau catchment area, northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Wubalem Azemeraw
Published: January 2021

Uatzau basin in northwestern Ethiopia is one of the most landslide-prone regions, which characterized by frequent high landslide occurrences causing damages in farmlands, non-cultivated lands, properties, and loss of life. Preparing a Landslide susceptibility mapping is imperative to manage the landslide hazard and reduce damages of properties and loss of lives. GIS-based frequency ratio, information value, and certainty factor methods were applied. The landslide inventory map was prepared from detailed fieldwork and Google Earth imagery interpretation. Thus, 514 landslides were mapped, and out of which 359 (70%) of landslides were randomly selected keeping their spatial distribution to build landslide susceptibility models, while the remaining 155 (30%) of the landslides were used to model validation. In this study, six factors, including lithology, land use/cover, distance to stream, slope gradient, slope aspect, and slope curvature were evaluated. The effects of the landslide factor of slope instability were determined by comparing with landslide inventory raster using the GIS environment. The landslide susceptibility maps of the Uatzau area were categorized into very low, low, moderate, high and very high susceptibility classes. The landslide susceptibility maps of the three models validated by the ROC curve. The results for the area under the curve (AUC) are 88.83% for the frequency ratio model, 87.03% for certainty factor, and 84.83% of information value models, which are indicating very good accuracy in the identification of landslide susceptibility zones of a region. From these resulted maps, it is possible to recommend, the statistical methods (Frequency Ratio, Information Value, and Certainty Factor Methods) are adequate to landslide susceptibility mapping. The landslide susceptibility maps can be used for regional land use planning and landslide hazard mitigation purposes.
The causes of infertility in women presenting to gynaecology clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe; a cross sectional study
Authors: Madziyire Mugove G. , Magwali Thulani L. , Chikwasha Vasco , Mhlanga Tinovimba
Published: January 2021

Background

Infertility affects 48.5 million couples globally. It is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The contribution of various aetiological factors to infertility differs per population. The causes of infertility have not been assessed in Zimbabwe. Our objectives were to determine the reproductive characteristics, causes and outcomes of women presenting for infertility care.

Methods

A retrospective and prospective study of women who had not conceived within a year of having unprotected intercourse presenting in private and public facilities in Harare was done. A diagnosis was made based on the history, examination and results whenever these were deemed sufficient. Data was analysed using STATA SE/15. A total of 216 women were recruited.

Results

Of the 216 women recruited, two thirds (144) of them had primary infertility. The overall period of infertility ranged from 1 to 21 years with an average of 5.6 ± 4.7 years whilst 98 (45.4%) of the couples had experienced 2–4 years of infertility and 94 (43.5%) had experience 5 or more years of infertility. About 1 in 5 of the women had irregular menstrual cycles with 10 of them having experienced amenorrhoea of at least 1 year. Almost half of the participants (49%) were overweight or obese. The most common cause for infertility was ‘unexplained’ in 22% of the women followed by tubal blockage in 20%, male factor in 19% and anovulation in 16%. Of the 49 (22.7%) women who conceived 21(9.7%) had a live birth while 23 (10.7%) had an ongoing pregnancy at the end of follow up. Thirty-seven (17.1%) had Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) in the form of Invitro-fertilisation/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). Assisted Reproduction was significantly associated with conception.

Conclusion

Most women present when chances of natural spontaneous conception are considerably reduced. This study shows an almost equal contribution between tubal blockage, male factor and unexplained infertility. Almost half of the causes are female factors constituted by tubal blockage, anovulation and a mixture of the two. Improved access to ART will result in improved pregnancy rates. Programs should target comprehensive assessment of both partners and offer ART.
Role of host diet on the fitness of the egg parasitoid species, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Pehlivan Serkan
Published: January 2021

Background

Egg parasitoids belonging to the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are important natural enemies that have been successfully used in biological control programs and mostly reared on the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Host quality is a crucial factor that can determine parasitoid fitness.

Main body

Laboratory studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of 3 different larval diets CY diet (95% cornmeal + 5% yeast), CBGY diet (53.3% cornmeal + 26.7% wheat bran + 15% glycerine + 5% yeast), and WBGY diet (53.3% wheat flour + 26.7% wheat bran + 15% glycerine + 5% yeast) on some demographic parameters of E. kuehniella. Moreover, the performance of the species Trichogramma evanescens Westwood reared on the E. kuehniella eggs reared on the 3 artificial diets were determined. For the E. kuehniella rearing, the CY diet had a higher fecundity and greater emergence ratios. Nevertheless, CY diet also provided shorter developmental time, greater fecundity, and relatively higher female ratios of subsequent generations of the parasitoids.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the CY diet could be considered as a standard diet for the multigenerational rearing of T. evanescens.
Electric field stimulation for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Ryan Christina N. M. , Doulgkeroglou Meletios N. , Zeugolis Dimitrios I.
Published: January 2021

Electric fields are involved in numerous physiological processes, including directional embryonic development and wound healing following injury. To study these processes in vitro and/or to harness electric field stimulation as a biophysical environmental cue for organised tissue engineering strategies various electric field stimulation systems have been developed. These systems are overall similar in design and have been shown to influence morphology, orientation, migration and phenotype of several different cell types. This review discusses different electric field stimulation setups and their effect on cell response.
Nonhuman primate model in mammary gland biology and neoplasia research
Authors: Dewi Fitriya N. , Cline J. Mark
Published: January 2021

Research on breast cancer pathogenesis, prevention and drug development remains an important field as this disease is still one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Nonhuman primates, particularly macaque species, may serve as a highly translational animal model in breast cancer studies due to their similarity with humans in genetics, anatomy, reproductive and endocrine physiology including mammary gland development profile. The use of nonhuman primates in biomedical research, however, requires high ethical standards and an increasing expectation to improve strategies to replace, reduce and refine their use. Here, we discuss some key features of nonhuman primate mammary gland biology relevant to their strengths and limitations as models in studies of breast development and cancer risk.
Imaging of COVID-19 simulators
Authors: Motawea Abdelghany Mohammed , Omar Suzan , Yasin Rabab
Published: January 2021

Background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It was highly contagious spreading all over the world, with a rapid increase in the number of deaths. The reported cases have reached more than 14 million with more than 600,000 deaths around the world. So, the pandemic of COVID-19 became a surpassing healthcare crisis with an intensive load on the healthcare resources.

In this study, the aim was to differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from its mimickers as atypical infection, interstitial lung diseases, and eosinophilic lung diseases based on CT, clinical, and laboratory findings.

Results

This retrospective study included 260 patients, of which 220 were confirmed as COVID-19 positive by two repeated RT-PCR test and 40 were classified as non-COVID by two repeated negative RT-PCR test or identification of other pathogens, other relevant histories, or clinical findings.

In this study, 158 patients were male (60.7 %) and 102 patients were female (39.3%). There was 60.9% of the COVID-19 group were male and 39.1% were female. Patients in the non-COVID group were significantly older (the mean age was 46.4) than those in the confirmed COVID-19 group (35.2y). In the COVID-19 group, there was exposure history to positive cases in 84.1% while positive exposure history was 20% in the non-COVID group.

Conclusion

The spectrum of CT imaging findings in COVID-19 pneumonia is wide that could be contributed by many other diseases making the interpretation of chest CTs nowadays challenging to differentiate between different diseases having the same signs and act as deceiving simulators in the era of COVID-19.
Gall bladder carcinoma: the facts and the mimics
Authors: Prasad Niharika , Sen Saugata
Published: January 2021

Background

Gall bladder carcinoma (GBC) is the most common biliary epithelial neoplasm. Its slow progression and late presentation lend it a poor prognosis. The risk factors can be divided into cholelithiasis, inflammatory causes, infection, exposure, and gall bladder pathologies. It usually spreads by hematogenous or lymphatic route or directly invades the liver. There are many controversies related to guidelines for management of gall bladder polyps and treatment options.

Main text

This review article attempts to give definitive guidelines for the same and helps the reader distinguish it from other benign mimickers. The emerging role of newer modalities like contrast ultrasound, elastography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography has also been briefly mentioned. This paper reviews the literature to provide concise background, etiopathogenesis, radiological findings, and management options of GBC.

Conclusions

Out of all the available modalities MDCT, FDG-PET CT, and image-guided biopsies play the most important role in diagnosis and follow-up. Imaging remains elementary in pre-operative planning and management of gall bladder neoplasms.
Diagnostic performance of chest CT in differentiating COVID-19 from other causes of ground-glass opacities
Authors: Elmokadem Ali H. , Bayoumi Dalia , Abo-Hedibah Sherif A. , El-Morsy Ahmed
Published: January 2021

Background

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of chest CT in differentiating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 causes of ground-glass opacities (GGO).

Results

A total of 80 patients (49 males and 31 females, 46.48 ± 16.09 years) confirmed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR and who underwent chest CT scan within 2 weeks of symptoms, and 100 patients (55 males and 45 females, 48.94 ± 18.97 years) presented with GGO on chest CT were enrolled in the study. Three radiologists reviewed all CT chest exams after removal of all identifying data from the images. They expressed the result as positive or negative for COVID-19 and recorded the other pulmonary CT features with mention of laterality, lobar affection, and distribution pattern. The clinical data and laboratory findings were recorded. Chest CT offered diagnostic accuracy ranging from 59 to 77.2% in differentiating COVID-19- from non-COVID-19-associated GGO with sensitivity from 76.25 to 90% and specificity from 45 to 67%. The specificity was lower when differentiating COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 viral pneumonias (30.5–61.1%) and higher (53.1–70.3%) after exclusion of viral pneumonia from the non-COVID-19 group. Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to have lesions in lower lobes (p = 0.005), peripheral distribution (p < 0.001), isolated ground-glass opacity (p = 0.043), subpleural bands (p = 0.048), reverse halo sign (p = 0.005), and vascular thickening (p = 0.013) but less likely to have pulmonary nodules (p < 0.001), traction bronchiectasis (p = 0.005), pleural effusion (p < 0.001), and lymphadenopathy (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Chest CT offered reasonable sensitivity when differentiating COVID-19- from non-COVID-19-associated GGO with low specificity when differentiating COVID-19 from other viral pneumonias and moderate specificity when differentiating COVID-19 from other causes of GGO.
A review on chest CT scanning parameters implemented in COVID-19 patients: bringing low-dose CT protocols into play
Authors: Azadbakht Javid , Khoramian Daryoush , Lajevardi Zahra Sadat , Elikaii Fateme , Aflatoonian Amir Hossein , Farhood Bagher , Najafi Masoud , Bagheri Hamed
Published: January 2021

Background

This study aims to review chest computed tomography (CT) scanning parameters which are utilized to evaluate patients for COVID-19-induced pneumonia. Also, some of radiation dose reduction techniques in CT would be mentioned, because using these techniques or low-dose protocol can decrease the radiation burden on the population.

Main body

Chest CT scan can play a key diagnostic role in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, it can be useful to monitor imaging changes during treatment. However, CT scan overuse during the COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns about radiation-induced adverse effects, both in patients and healthcare workers.

Conclusion

By evaluating the CT scanning parameters used in several studies, one can find the necessity for optimizing these parameters. It has been found that chest CT scan taken using low-dose CT protocol is a reliable diagnostic tool to detect COVID-19 pneumonia in daily practice. Moreover, the low-dose chest CT protocol results in a remarkable reduction (up to 89%) in the radiation dose compared to the standard-dose protocol, not lowering diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19-induced pneumonia in CT images. Therefore, its employment in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly recommended.
Frequency of Elevated Blood Pressure Associated With Physical Activity and Dietary Patterns among School Going Adolescents in Karachi: A Cross Sectional Survey
Authors: PEREIRA Felicianus Anthony , QADIR Jumana Abdul , KAMRAN Sajida
Published: January 2021

Background: Studies have suggested that atherosclerotic changes take place in the body since childhood due to altered dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyle. It is critical to identify gap areas and update current literature to produce effective changes in our lifestyle.
Study design: A cross-sectional survey conducted among school going adolescents in Karachi.
Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in three different schools of Karachi. A sample size of 288 was drawn through non-probability, purposive sampling technique. Students were given a questionnaire comprising of questions regarding their physical activity levels, dietary patterns and knowledge regarding blood pressure. Blood pressure and Body Mass Index data was also recorded.
Results: Mean age of participants was 14.10 ± 1.097. Of the 288 students that participated in this study (122 boys and 166 girls), 227 were normal for hypertension status (93 boys and 134 girls), 27 were pre-hypertensive (7 boys and 20 girls), and 34 were hypertensive (22 boys and 12 girls). Mean systolic blood pressure was 112.73 ± 13.49, and mean diastolic blood pressure was 71.25 ± 13.03. Awareness among participants was high regarding hypertension being linked to the foods they consumed (62.8%).
Conclusion: Our study did not show strong correlation between physical activity and dietary patterns, with status of hypertension. Screening programs should be conducted in schools to monitor blood pressure and body mass index. High risk groups should be approached and advised for lifestyle modification..

Keywords: hypertension, adolescents, life style,
Recursive Cluster Elimination based Rank Function (SVM-RCE-R) implemented in KNIME
Authors: Yousef Malik , Bakir-Gungor Burcu , Jabeer Amhar , Goy Gokhan , Qureshi Rehman , C. Showe Louise
Published: January 2021

In our earlier study, we proposed a novel feature selection approach, Recursive Cluster Elimination with Support Vector Machines (SVM-RCE) and implemented this approach in Matlab. Interest in this approach has grown over time and several researchers have incorporated SVM-RCE into their studies, resulting in a substantial number of scientific publications. This increased interest encouraged us to reconsider how feature selection, particularly in biological datasets, can benefit from considering the relationships of those genes in the selection process, this led to our development of SVM-RCE-R.  SVM-RCE-R, further enhances the capabilities of  SVM-RCE by the addition of  a novel user specified ranking function. This ranking function enables the user to  stipulate the weights of the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, f-measure, area  under the curve and the precision in the ranking function This flexibility allows the user to select for greater sensitivity or greater specificity as needed for a specific project.

The usefulness of SVM-RCE-R is further supported by development of the maTE tool which uses a similar approach to identify microRNA (miRNA) targets. We have also now implemented the SVM-RCE-R algorithm in Knime in order to make it easier to applyThe use of SVM-RCE-R in Knime is simple and intuitive and allows researchers to immediately begin their analysis without having to consult an information technology specialist. The input for the Knime implemented tool is an EXCEL file (or text or CSV) with a simple structure and the output is also an EXCEL file. The Knime version also incorporates new features not available in SVM-RCE.

The results show that the inclusion of the ranking function has a significant impact on the performance of SVM-RCE-R. Some of the clusters that achieve high scores for a specified ranking can also have high scores in other metrics.
Screening instruments to predict adverse outcomes for undifferentiated older adults attending the emergency department: Protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Leahy Aoife , Corey Gillian , O'Neill Aoife , Higginbotham Owen , Devlin Collette , Barry Louise , Cummins Niamh M. , Shanahan Elaine , Shchetkovsky Denys , Ryan Damien , O'Connor Margaret , Galvin Rose
Published: January 2021

Background: The number of older adults with complex medical comorbidities and functional impairment is increasing throughout the world. Frail older adults frequently attend the Emergency Department (ED) and are at increased risk of adverse outcomes following presentation. A number of screening tools exist that aim to screen older adults for frailty and identify those at risk of functional decline, unscheduled readmission, institutionalisation and mortality. We propose to determine the predictive accuracy of four commonly used screening tools, namely the Identification of Seniors at Risk Screening (ISAR), Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Program of Research to Integrate Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy (PRISMA 7) and InterRAI ED, to determine adverse events at 30 days and six months among older adults who present to the ED.

Methods and analysis: This is a prospective cohort study where patients over the age of 65 will have four screening tools (ISAR, CFS, PRISMA 7, interRAI ED) performed by face-to-face interview with a research nurse during their index visit to one Irish ED. Older adults will be included if they are willing and able to provide written informed consent, have a Manchester Triage Category 2-5 and are resident in the hospital catchment area. Demographic information will be collected at the index visit. A telephone follow up will occur at 30 days and six months, completed by a research nurse who is blinded to the initial assessment. Outcome data will include mortality rates, ED re-attendance, hospital readmission, functional decline and institutionalisation. We will analyse the risk of adverse outcomes using multivariable logistic regression and we will report adjusted risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI.

Dissemination: Study findings will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at relevant academic and clinical conferences. National and International gerontology conferences will be targeted.
Passenger Safety in the Warsaw Metro. Research Report
Authors: Piec Robert , Cisek Marcin , Wróbel Rafał , Sowa Michał , Wiechetek Marcin , Gawroński Wiktor , Szykuła-Piec Barbara , Michalak Katarzyna
Published: January 2021

Aim: The article presents the results of research on the evacuation times of passengers of three different trains used by the Warsaw metro. In emergency situations on metro trains, fast and safe evacuation is crucial for saving passengers’ health and lives. Evacuation from the tunnels of the Warsaw metro can only take place properly on underground platforms. The key parameter determining passenger safety is required safe evacuation time. Project and methods: Four evacuation experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, people on the train left the train into the tunnel, walked towards the station and climbed the stairs to the platform level. The experiment ended when all people entered the platform level. In the second experiment, the passengers went to the end of the train. After a fixed sound signal, the persons moved along the train and went out onto the platform. The study ended when all the people entered the platform. Experiment 3 investigated the times when a certain number of people passed through one or more doors of the train. In experiment 4, the aim was to investigate the time of people walking along the platform and up the stairs to the mezzanine level. Results: The longest recorded average time of passage through the whole train is 133.5 s during longitudinal evacuation. The shortest recorded exit time is 9 seconds, evacuees were deployed throughout the car without restrictions. In the train of type 81, for technical reasons, no experiment was carried out consisting of moving along the entire train, and it should be noted that this train has separate, closed carriages and to walk through the whole train it would be necessary to open each door between the train. Conclusions: The data from experiments II and IV were combined and extrapolated taking into account the evacuation time for the maximum number of passengers who can occupy the trains, i.e. 1,500 people on the Inspiro train, 1,454 people on the Alstom train and 1,200 people on Type 81 train. The results of the experiment indicate that the longest passage time in very unfavourable conditions, when passengers have to pass the whole train and then exit the platform registered for type 81 train and is almost 433 seconds. For Inspiro and Alstom trains, the time is almost 25% shorter. Such a large difference in time is related to the way of connecting individual carriages – to move from car to car in type 81 train, it is necessary to open wo doors each time (from the abandoned car and the car to which you are passing), while this activity is not performed on Inspiro and Alstom trains.
The Global World in the Pre-Modern Era: Lessons from the Past for Our Future With a Focus on the Early Modern Novel Fortunatus (1509)
Authors: Classen Albrecht
Published: January 2021

There are many efforts underway today to investigate the true extent to which the notion of globalism already applied to the pre-modern world. This study reviews some of the major scholarly contributions, examines major historical, social, and literary developments and phenomena in the Middle Ages that lend themselves well to support the argument that early forms of globalism certainly existed, and illustrates this specifically through a close reading of the anonymous German novel Fortunatus, first printed in Augsburg in 1509. The conclusions that can be drawn from this highly popular work, republished and translated many times far into the late seventeenth century, find significant confirmation in even much earlier texts and historical networks. Hence, carefully modified and adapted, the concept of globalism finds confirmation already in the pre-modern world.
Transnational Human Trafficking and Stigmatization in the Western Balkans--Bosnia And Herzegovina--Socio-Political and Economic Framework
Authors: Hadžić Faruk
Published: January 2021

The study critically analyzes the root causal and consequential transnational human trafficking factors from the Balkan wars to the present, implying stigmatization discourse, gender-discriminatory climate, the role of masculinity by comprehensive bibliographic review, and insight into the socio-political and economic challenges by the participative observations and the BiH case study's, highlighting harmonization, improvement, and systemic transformation. It is a social phenomenon that requires a comprehensive (legal-social) approach, i.e., applying effective measures in terms of prevention, suppression, and the punishment of perpetrators with mandatory "regional "cooperation. Illegal economy, structural adjustment policies conditioned by international financial funds, systemic corruption, long-term transition, high unemployment, and economic migrations shape the region's economic climate and indirectly affect the state of phenomena. Ethnopolitical structures produce social (in)-stability, affecting the phenomena. Lack of political will and constant internal ethnopolitical conflicts impact the contrary course of initiatives to combat the phenomenon. Considerable attention to victims' social construction in judicial and social capital is critical due to the effects of destructive representation of misogyny elements on perpetuating sexist stereotypes that harm victims and further exploiting. Stigma in social justice significantly affects victimization dynamics, intertwining cultural, legal, conservative patterns, and structural violence continuation. The Western-Balkan states' legal double standards towards prostitution are discriminatory. Implementing adequate programs to reduce stigmatization while increasing institutional and general public exposure to victims who have made successful reintegration could be a productive aspect of the systemic transformation. Western-Balkan gender-discriminatory climate and masculinity's role in establishing an ethnonational political community based on conservative values ​​remain insufficiently explored. Given the challenges of the current migrant crisis, the political level can ensure a coherent and coordinated EU and Western Balkans strategy in harmonizing and improving the existing normative solutions.
Supply Chain Management and the Covid-19 Outbreak: Optimizing its Role for Indonesia
Authors: Amalia Siti , Darma Dio Caisar , Maria Siti
Published: January 2021

At the beginning of the emergence of Covid-19, there was panic buying in Indonesia which caused an unusual situation in supply management. Although the handling of this epidemic has entered a "new normal", the availability of stocks of electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food, and others is running low and out of control, so supply chain management is needed. The purpose of this article is to try to see the extent of the transformation in supply and demand in Indonesia. With this in-depth literature, the supply chain model is likely to transform globally, given that many companies are confused about management being unable to cope with drastic changes in the market. The demand patterns over the past period indicate a shift from offline to online storefronts. Even though it has now entered a transition to a new normal and shopping outlets are slowly opening up, online shopping or demand patterns are predicted to last a long time. Therefore, supply chain actors, especially farmers, logistics entrepreneurs, and shipping services, inevitably have to be able to quickly adapt to changing patterns in Indonesia. There is an imbalance between the demand and supply sides. Food supply chains tend to be unique in comparison to the supply chains of other products and services.
Family and Social Support and the Brazilian Victim of Immigrant Partner Violence Abroad
Authors: Reynolds Mindy
Published: January 2021

In recent months due to Covid-19 and lockdowns across the world, intimate partner violence has drawn increasing attention. In some countries, mandatory lockdowns and quarantines have been accompanied by rising rates of violence, sparking public awareness campaigns. However, intimate partner violence is a phenomenon which persists across time and cultures. This study focuses on the female Brazilian migrants who become victims of intimate partner violence and the role of social support networks, as previous research has indicated a need for research on specific communities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 victims and professionals who work with these victims in Japan, the United States, Germany, and Portugal. The data provided examples of positive and negative social support from family and friends and suggested effective alternatives to informal social support and also how to give more effective assistance to family and friends who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The results show that Brazilian victims of intimate partner violence abroad often seek financial support from family members in Brazil; however, in the lack of such support, income from employment or government assistance may help a victim should she choose to leave an abusive relationship. In addition, the research suggests that professionals and friends can help victims by providing them with information about available social services and accompanying them to apply for these services.
Principal's Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership to Establish a Positive Learning Environment
Authors: Ariyani Dwi , Suyatno* Suyatno* , Muhammad Muhammad
Published: January 2021

A positive learning environment can be achieved if all the school members follow the principal's learning process. The paper aims to study and analyze the principal's implementation of innovation and entrepreneurial leadership in creating a learning environment. The research is conducted qualitatively through a case study. The research subjects were determined using purposive sampling, while the data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation study. The data were then analyzed descriptively qualitatively using the Atlas.ti software. The results show that the principal has implemented the entrepreneurial leadership employing two main principles to create a learning environment. First, the principal regulates organizational growth through optimization, communication, motivation, monitoring, controlling, role model, and empowerment. The principal makes some innovation through several steps: vision building, staff development, and restructuring. This kind of leadership can create a comfortable and fun learning environment. As a result, all school members can follow the learning process and create innovative products, as well as making some progress in academic and non-academic achievements. The research findings imply a recommendation for the school's program in that a principal's entrepreneurial and innovative leadership is one of the critical factors in learning.
A Sample-to-Answer Compact Optical System for On-Site Detection of Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus
Authors: Wu Cui , Wang Zhen , Wu Hui , Lu Zhan , Qian Cheng , Jin Shunru , Wang Rui , Meng Youqing , Wu Jian , Ping Jianfeng , Ying Yibin , Ye Zunzhong
Published: January 2021

Highlights

A portable system based on real-time fluorescence analysis was developed for field detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus within 40 min from sample to answer.

A smartphone-assisted device was designed for easy operation, reliable nucleic acid amplification, and highly sensitive fluorescence detection, with sensitivity comparable to that of a commercial instrument.

A novel homemade 3D printed box was used for in-field reagent storage, and it could maintain low temperature (<4°C) for about 8 hours without power supply.

This fully integrated system is stable, easy to use, inexpensive, and has great application prospects in resource-limited areas.

Abstract. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) is a main causal agent of huanglongbing (HLB), a destructive disease that has greatly reduced citrus yields and quality. Instruments with high sensitivity and portability are urgently required for on-site testing. In this study, a novel sample-to-answer optical system for on-site detection of Las was developed. Three major functions, including DNA extraction, amplification, and detection, are integrated into a portable case. This system mainly consists of (1) a specially designed 3D printed box for on-site reagent storage that can maintain low temperature (below 4°C) for 7.5 h at ambient temperature (35°C); (2) a custom device, called the IF-Device, for DNA amplification and detection of HLB, with an optimized optical structure, a sensitive signal processing circuit, and a precise temperature control algorithm with an accuracy of ±0.1°C; and (3) a battery-based power supply for the whole system. In a typical test using sodium fluorescein as a standard model, the results showed that the sensitivity of this system (1.0 nM) could easily meet the requirements of fluorescence biosensors. The feasibility of this homemade system was evaluated with samples extracted from infected citrus leaves based on the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, and the limit of detection (LOD) was approximately 1.0 × 10-4 ng µL-1. The whole detection process for eight samples could be simultaneously accomplished within 40 min, and the results could be displayed on a smartphone in real-time. Moreover, the portable case is anti-interference, low cost, and only 2 kg in weight. Considering its sensitivity, stability, and portability, this highly integrated system possesses promising prospects for in-field detection. Keywords: Field detection, Fluorescence biosensor, Huanglongbing, Isothermal amplification, Sample-to-answer.
Simulating Hydrologic Effects of Wildfire on a Small Sub-Alpine Watershed in New Mexico, U.S.
Authors: Moeser C. David , Douglas-Mankin Kyle R.
Published: January 2021

Highlights

This study calibrated a hydrologic model for pre- and postfire conditions and simulated postfire hydrologic response.

Postfire rainfall-runoff was more influenced by canopy and soil water factors and less by antecedent soil moisture (ASM).

For moderate to low ASM, postfire streamflow responded linearly to precipitation; prefire showed little response.

Postfire streamflow increased and shifted from baseflow- to runoff-dominated, and runoff occurred across all ASM.

Abstract. Streamflow records available before and after wildfire in a small, mixed conifer, sub-alpine monsoonal dominated watershed in New Mexico provided a unique opportunity to calibrate a watershed model (PRMS) for pre- and postfire conditions. The calibrated model was then used to simulate the hydrologic effects of fire. Simulated postfire surface runoff averaged 14.7 times greater than prefire for the 29-year simulation period. The relationship between precipitation and streamflow changed dramatically after wildfire, largely from a decreased influence of antecedent soil moisture (ASM) and increased influence of canopy factors (less interception) and soil factors (greater hydrophobicity, less infiltration) in controlling surface runoff. For higher ASM, simulated pre- and postfire streamflow was similarly variable. However, for moderate and lower ASM, soil water storage was too low to contribute baseflow for either prefire or postfire conditions, and thus postfire streamflow maintained a linear, surface runoff-dominated response to precipitation, whereas prefire streamflow showed little response. Postfire streamflow efficiency increased with ASM from a mean of 0.02 at the lowest ASM to 0.30 at the highest ASM, whereas prefire conditions showed no sensitivity to ASM at low to moderate ASM. Postfire streamflow increased (2.1 times greater median flow than prefire), particularly from increased surface runoff (14.7 times greater), which occurred across all ASM conditions. As a result, streamflow shifted from baseflow-dominated to surface runoff-dominated after wildfire. This result indicates that substantial increases in runoff efficiency (20% or more of precipitation volume) can occur across a range of ASM postfire, which may have severe consequences for flooding. This result also indicates that monitoring of soil moisture would enhance raingauge networks for early flood warning. Keywords: Landscape change, PRMS, Runoff change, Wildfire.
Determination of Leaf Water Content with a Portable NIRS System Based on Deep Learning and Information Fusion Analysis
Authors: Zhou Lei , Zhang Chu , Taha Mohamed Farag , Qiu Zhengjun , He Yong
Published: January 2021

Highlights

A portable NIRS system with local computing hardware was developed for leaf water content determination.

The proposed convolutional neural network for regression showed a satisfactory performance.

Decision fusion of multiple regression models achieved a higher precision than single models.

All of the devices and machine intelligence algorithms were integrated into the system.

Software was developed for system control and user interface.

Abstract. Spectroscopy has been widely used as a valid non-destructive technique for the determination of crop physiological parameters. In this study, a portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) system was developed for rapid measurement of rape (Brassica campestris) leaf water content. An integrated spectrometer (900 to 1700 nm) was used to collect the spectra. A Wi-Fi module was adopted for driving the spectrometer and realizing data communication. The NVIDIA Jetson Nano developer kit was employed to handle the received spectra and perform computing tasks. Three embedded spectral analysis models, including support vector regression (SVR), partial least square regression (PLSR), and deep convolutional neural network for regression (CNN-R), and decision fusions of these methods were built and compared. The results demonstrated that the separate models produced satisfactory predictions. The proposed system achieved the highest precision based on the fusion of PLSR and CNN-R. The hardware devices and analytical algorithms were all integrated into the proposed portable system, and the tested samples were collected from an actual field environment, which shows great potential of the system for outdoor applications. Keywords: Decision fusion, Deep learning, Leaf water content, Local computing, Portable NIRS system.