bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking of Clinical Documentation Based on the Blockchain Technology—A Polish Case Study
Authors: Wyciślik Łukasz , Marcinkowska Elżbieta
Published: November 2020

The article presents the concept of application DLT (distributed ledger technologies) for building the electronic clinical documentation tracking system. After a short introduction to block chain issues, and discussion about the attempts of its application on various fields of everyday human life, including healthcare, basic requirements for tracking of clinical documentation system are presented, followed by the proposition of its architecture leveraging the distributed ledger technologies. The paper is concluded with a discussion about the possibilities of running such a system, regarding constraints coming from local legal regulations and general data protection regulation (GDPR), but also economic and social conditions, including ecological ones, which are part of the sustainable development trend.
Humic Acid Mitigates the Negative Effects of High Rates of Biochar Application on Microbial Activity
Authors: Holatko Jiri , Hammerschmiedt Tereza , Datta Rahul , Baltazar Tivadar , Kintl Antonin , Latal Oldrich , Pecina Vaclav , Sarec Petr , Novak Petr , Balakova Ludmila , Danish Subhan , Zafar-ul-Hye Muhammad , Fahad Shah , Brtnicky Martin
Published: November 2020

Objective: Biochar and a commercial humic acid-rich product, Humac (modified leonardite), represent soil amendments with the broad and beneficial effects on various soil properties. Their combination has been scarcely tested so far, although the positive impact of their interaction might be desirable. Materials and Methods: The dehydrogenase activity (DHA), microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), soil respiration (basal and substrate-induced), enzyme activities, total carbon (Ctot), and both shoot and root biomass yield were measured and compared in the short-term pot experiment with the lettuce seedlings. The following treatments were tested: the unamended soil (control), the Humac-amended soil (0.8 g·kg−1), the biochar-amended soil (low biochar 32 g·kg−1, high biochar 80 g·kg−1), and the soil-amended with biochar + Humac. Results: The effect of both amendments on the soil pH was insignificant. The highest average values of Ctot and Cmic were detected in high biochar treatment and the highest average values of basal and substrate-induced respiration (glucose, glucosamine, alanine) were detected in the low biochar treatment. The phosphatase activity and fresh and dry lettuce aboveground biomass were the highest in the low biochar + Humac treatment. Conclusions: Even though the combination of both biochar + Humac decreased the microbial activities in the amended soil (Cmic, DHA, enzymes, substrate-induced respiration) at the low biochar dose, they mitigated the detrimental effect of the high biochar dose on respiration (all the types) and the enzyme (phosphatase, arylsulphatase) activities. In contrast to the previously published research in this issue, the effects could not be attributed to the change of the soil pH.
The Influence of Quality and Variety of New Imports on Enterprise Innovation: Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Guifu , Zhan Shan , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: November 2020

In this study, we introduce the concept of differentiated quality inputs with knowledge-driven specifications for research and development (R&D) under an open economy to the endogenous growth model of knowledge spillover. Using matching industry enterprise and customs data from 2001 to 2007, which is representative of micro data at the Chinese industry level, we theoretically analyze the influence of the quality and variety of imported products on Chinese enterprises’ innovation and economic growth. We find that, first, the improvement of the quality and variety of new imported products can promote enterprise innovation. Second, new imported intermediate inputs and capital goods, new imported high-technology products, and products imported from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries have stronger promoting effects on enterprise innovation. We conclude that imported products stimulate the growth of the economy through two channels: expanding the variety and increasing the quality of inputs. To verify the stability of our model, we conducted robustness tests by defining new imported products based on a base year, measuring enterprise innovation by the number of patent applications, and measuring the quality of new imported products in a new way.
Microplastic Contamination of Three Commonly Consumed Seafood Species from Taiwan: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chen Jennifer Yee-Shian , Lee Yao-Chang , Walther Bruno A.
Published: November 2020

Microplastics have already been detected in various human foods, especially seafood. This problem should be especially pertinent to the Taiwanese public because a relatively high proportion of people’s diet comes from seafood. Therefore, a pilot study of microplastic contamination of seafood products commonly consumed by Taiwanese people is presented. Six batches of three seafood species were examined for the presence of microplastics using FTIR spectroscopy. A total of 107 seafood individuals from three species (hard clam Meretrix lusoria, oyster Crassostrea gigas, Loligo squid Loliginidae spp.) weighing a total of 994 g yielded a total of 100 microplastic particles consisting of nine different polymer types. The most common polymer types were polypropylene, poly(ethylene:propylene:diene), and polyethylene terephthalate; we also detected six additional, but less common polymer types. A total of 91% of microplastic particles were fragments that likely originated from fragmented plastic debris which was then consumed by the seafood species; the remaining particles were fibers and a pellet. The mean number of microplastics kg−1 was 87.9 microplastics kg−1 across the three examined species. Given that the Taiwanese public average about 10 kg of seafood consumption per year, a few thousand microplastic particles are estimated to be annually consumed on average. The methodology of this pilot study can now be used to conduct examinations of more seafood species and samples.
Can Leadership Transform Educational Policy? Leadership Style, New Localism and Local Involvement in Education
Authors: Gal-Arieli Nivi , Beeri Itai , Vigoda-Gadot Eran , Reichman Amnon
Published: November 2020

In the realm of new localism and collaboration, local educational policymakers are called upon for responsible community leadership. Given the conceptual continuum between new localism and transformational leadership, this study examines the relationship between the leadership style of local educational policymakers and the involvement of local authorities in education. Data were obtained from 107 questionnaires submitted by mayors and directors of education affiliated with 100 local authorities in Israel. As predicted, there was a positive relationship between transformational leadership and the local authorities’ involvement in education, measured using four factors, but only for sound local authorities. We used five criteria to determine the soundness of the local authorities. In contrast, among less sound local authorities, there was an inverse relationship between transformational leadership and involvement in education. In general, in such communities, leaders seemed to prefer to leave educational issues to the central government. Thus, we present evidence for the boundaries of educational transformational leadership in the educational governance arena. Education-related policies are on the agenda of leaders even in weaker local authorities, but only to the extent that these policies can serve as an instrument to meet specific needs of the local community. All in all, there is no “one size fits all” for all aspects of new localism—i.e., central regulation towards local government, local policy, local leadership, and civic participation. Accordingly, policymakers, local leaders and residents must fit themselves to the blurred boundaries of new localism and collaborate towards better education. Implications of the findings are discussed.
A Framework of Global Competence for Engineers: The Need for a Sustainable World
Authors: Ortiz-Marcos Isabel , Breuker Valeria , Rodríguez-Rivero Rocío , Kjellgren Björn , Dorel Frédéric , Toffolon Marco , Uribe Diego , Eccli Virna
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the results of the first part of the Tools for Enhancing and Assessing the Value of International Experience for Engineers (TA VIE) project, launched in 2018, and outlines a contemporary understanding of global competence for engineers, as understood by European engineering companies. Striving to make engineering education more comprehensively aligned to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and thereby meeting demands from industry and society, the notion of “global competence” has attracted more and more attention from engineering schools. While there is no universally agreed on definition of global competence, the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) definition, which explicitly combines global awareness and intercultural communication competence with sustainability efforts, seems potentially well positioned to inform higher education institutions’ (HEI) global competence education. This is perhaps especially so when it comes to international student mobility, an area which is regularly seen as an important means to enhance global competence while all too often being assessed not in terms of qualitative student development, but in terms of structural indicators. However, in order to assess and improve curricula and mobility programs, the desired learning outcomes must first be specified. Based on research in five European countries (Spain, Italy, Sweden, France and Hungary), this paper details the understanding, requirements and perceived skill gaps of companies hiring engineering graduates, a first step towards improved and assessable global competence education for engineering students.
Sustainable Education Starts in the Classroom
Authors: Pilotti Maura A. E. , Al Ghazo Runna
Published: November 2020

Definitions of a sustainable higher education focus on the different factors that are critical to the continued existence of the institution, the people it serves, and the surrounding society. If higher education is assumed to be a conduit for the acquisition of knowledge and skills that can contribute to a healthy, ethical, and sustainable society, then it has to be able to induce lasting behavioral change in its primary beneficiaries (i.e., students). In the age of fake news, misrepresentation, and rejection of scientific principles and facts, we identified cognitive operations that are key to scientific reasoning (i.e., apply, analyze and evaluate), and offered sustainable practice to students enrolled in a course devoted to scientific writing. Students were classified as possessing an inclination towards a reproductive mode of learning, which could increase their vulnerability to absorb fabrications and distortions of information. The research first asked whether practice in applying, evaluating, and analyzing induces an information processing change (as measured by the content of scientific writing). Then, it asked whether environmental disruptions (e.g., shifting from face-to-face instruction, a mode familiar to students, to online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic) would affect the likelihood of change. We found that this type of practice was an effective propeller of change in students’ scientific reasoning. A disposition towards reproductive learning did not impair scientific reasoning, whereas engagement and practice made a positive contribution. We concluded that behavioral change is blocked by neither the availability of technology, nor the learner’s use, but rather by one’s motivation to make use of opportunities for change. A sudden alteration in the learning environment may create uncertainty but does not substantially alter this motivation. The findings of the present study can be useful to the development of a sustainable education in the Middle East and beyond.
Black Soldier Fly School Workshops as Means to Promote Circular Economy and Environmental Awareness
Authors: Walter Andreas , Klammsteiner Thomas , Gassner Magdalena , Heussler Carina Desirée , Kapelari Suzanne , Schermer Markus , Insam Heribert
Published: November 2020

Today, insect applications for food and feed are of strong economic, ecological and social interest. Despite their tremendous potential, insects still elicit negative associations in the mindset of Western consumers, which is attributed to a lack of knowledge and scarce opportunities for engagement in this topic. The citizen science project ‘six-legged livestock’ aims to increase the potential of the insect Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), merging the topics ‘waste re-valorisation’ and ‘protein production’ as a cross-link to circular economy. Workshops were held in four school classes, involving 89 pupils, aged 15 to 18 years old. Making use of organic wastes, participating school classes ran eight rearing systems containing a total of 1800 H. illucens larvae. In the four-week experiments, the pupils monitored larval growth and development. Evidently, the pupils were highly motivated to run their rearing systems and fulfil their working tasks. Furthermore, negative associations with insects, including phobia and scepticism decreased, while excitement for the topic increased after hands-on work with the insects. The presented project may be considered an innovative approach paving the way for the establishment of insects as an important educational tool, since they are still underrepresented in scholarly curricula, despite the public outrage over insect decline.
Research into the Mechanism for the Impact of Climate Change on Systemic Risk—A Case Study of China’s Small- and Medium-sized Commercial Banks
Authors: Liu Yongping , Huang Chunzhong , Zou Zongbao , Chen Qiao , Chu Xuan
Published: November 2020

Climate change is one of the gravest threats facing human society today, as well as an important factor for financial stability. This study takes 11 small- and medium-sized listed banks as subjects, measures the banks’ systemic risk using the CoVaR model and climate change using daily average temperature, and explores the mechanism between these two factors. Additionally, it investigates the influence of climate change on systemic risk in commercial banks through intermediary variables (e.g., commercial banks’ loan-deposit ratio, NPL ratio, and net interest margin). The results are as follows: (1) There is a positive correlation between climate change and systemic risk in banks within the confidence interval. (2)The indirect effect of climate change on systemic risk in banks through the NPL ratio is significantly positive, meaning that climate warming increases the NPL ratio and therefore increases the banks’ systemic risk.
Sustainable City and Community Empowerment through the Implementation of Community-Based Monitoring: A Conceptual Approach
Authors: Muhamad Khair Nur Khairlida , Lee Khai Ern , Mokhtar Mazlin
Published: November 2020

A sustainable city should promote the active participation of its civil society in urban planning and development of cities as the means to satisfy their needs. However, the absence of an appropriate platform has caused the public to lose interest and neglect the process of planning and development. This article attempts to develop a conceptual framework for sustainable cities and communities’ empowerment through the introduction of community-based monitoring as a means to increase community resilience and well-being. Community-based monitoring is designed to be instrumental in addressing environmental sustainability issues with public participation, where the community champions the environmental monitoring process for the decision making of planning and development of cities. The conceptual framework is expected to serve as an approach in driving the urban community towards attaining a more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable environment.
A Method to Develop Accessible Online Serious Games for People with Disabilities: A Case Study
Authors: Jaramillo-Alcázar Angel , Cortez-Silva Paz , Galarza-Castillo Marco , Luján-Mora Sergio
Published: November 2020

Video games that are used as teaching tools are called serious games. However, there is an important factor that is not usually considered in the design of serious games— the inclusion of people with disabilities. Inclusion can be reached only if accessibility takes on an important role for all. On the other hand, new trends have resulted in different smart devices being used in classrooms. These devices also allow for applications, such as serious games, to be used to support people’s learning process. Despite this, these applications are generally not multi-platform and do not usually consider accessibility features for people with disabilities. This paper proposes a method to develop accessible online serious games that consider people with disabilities as potential users. The method is applied in the case study of an online serious game that teaches about the architecture of a computer in a fun and entertaining way. The method also presents and describes several guidelines to improve online serious game accessibility for people with disabilities. Finally, tests are conducted with some users to gather information about the online serious game and the accessibility features included. This study has important implications for the development of learning tools that consider people with disabilities.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from Saliva as Compared to Nasopharyngeal Swabs in Outpatients
Authors: Kandel Christopher , Zheng Jennifer , McCready Janine , Serbanescu Mihaela , Racher Hilary , Desaulnier Melissa , Powis Jeff , Vojdani Kyle , Finlay Laura , Sheldrake Elena , Vermeiren Christie , Katz Kevin , McGeer Allison , Kozak Robert , Goneau Lee
Published: November 2020

Widely available and easily accessible testing for COVID-19 is a cornerstone of pandemic containment strategies. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) are the currently accepted standard for sample collection but are limited by their need for collection devices and sampling by trained healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of saliva to NPS in an outpatient setting. This was a prospective study conducted at three centers, which compared the performance of saliva and NPS samples collected at the time of assessment center visit. Samples were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and sensitivity and overall agreement determined between saliva and NPS. Clinical data was abstracted by chart review for select study participants. Of the 432 paired samples, 46 were positive for SARS-CoV-2, with seven discordant observed between the two sample types (four individuals testing positive only by NPS and three by saliva only). The observed agreement was 98.4% (kappa coefficient 0.91) and a composite reference standard demonstrated sensitivity of 0.91 and 0.93 for saliva and NPS samples, respectively. On average, the Ct values obtained from saliva as compared to NPS were higher by 2.76. This study demonstrates that saliva performs comparably to NPS for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Saliva was simple to collect, did not require transport media, and could be tested with equipment readily available at most laboratories. The use of saliva as an acceptable alternative to NPS could support the use of widespread surveillance testing for SARS-CoV-2.
The Present Status of Immuno-Oncolytic Viruses in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Haller Scott D. , Monaco Michael L. , Essani Karim
Published: November 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries. The incidence of PDAC has increased over the last 40 years and is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030. Despite aggressive treatment regimens, prognosis for patients diagnosed with PDAC is very poor; PDAC has the lowest 5-year survival rate for any form of cancer in the United States (US). PDAC is very rarely detected in early stages when surgical resection can be performed. Only 20% of cases are suitable for surgical resection; this remains the only curative treatment when combined with adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment regimens excluding surgical intervention such as chemotherapeutic treatments are associated with adverse effects and genetherapy strategies also struggle with lack of specificity and/or efficacy. The lack of effective treatments for this disease highlights the necessity for innovation in treatment options for patients diagnosed with early- to late-phase PDAC and immuno-oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been of particular interest since 2006 when the first oncolytic virus was approved as a therapy for nasopharyngeal cancers in China. Interest resurged in 2015 when T-Vec, an oncolytic herpes simplex virus, was approved in the United States for treatment of advanced melanoma. While many vectors have been explored, few show promise as treatment for pancreatic cancer, and fewer still have progressed to clinical trial evaluation. This review outlines recent strategies in the development of OVs targeting treatment of PDAC, current state of preclinical and clinical investigation and application.
A Novel Sub-Lineage of Chikungunya Virus East/Central/South African Genotype Indian Ocean Lineage Caused Sequential Outbreaks in Bangladesh and Thailand
Authors: Phadungsombat Juthamas , Imad Hisham , Rahman Mizanur , Nakayama Emi E. , Kludkleeb Sajikapon , Ponam Thitiya , Rahim Rummana , Hasan Abu , Poltep Kanaporn , Yamanaka Atsushi , Matsee Wasin , Piyaphanee Watcharapong , Phumratanaprapin Weerapong , Shioda Tatsuo
Published: November 2020

In recent decades, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has become geographically widespread. In 2004, the CHIKV East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype moved from Africa to Indian ocean islands and India followed by a large epidemic in Southeast Asia. In 2013, the CHIKV Asian genotype drove an outbreak in the Americas. Since 2016, CHIKV has re-emerged in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. In the present study, CHIKVs were obtained from Bangladesh in 2017 and Thailand in 2019, and their nearly full genomes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the recent CHIKVs were of Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL) of genotype ECSA, similar to the previous outbreak. However, these CHIKVs were all clustered into a new distinct sub-lineage apart from the past IOL CHIKVs, and they lacked an alanine-to-valine substitution at position 226 of the E1 envelope glycoprotein, which enhances CHIKV replication in Aedes albopictus. Instead, all the re-emerged CHIKVs possessed mutations of lysine-to-glutamic acid at position 211 of E1 and valine-to-alanine at position 264 of E2. Molecular clock analysis suggested that the new sub-lineage CHIKV was introduced to Bangladesh around late 2015 and Thailand in early 2017. These results suggest that re-emerged CHIKVs have acquired different adaptations than the previous CHIKVs.
Transcriptional Landscape of Staphylococcus aureus Kayvirus Bacteriophage vB_SauM-515A1
Authors: Kornienko Maria , Fisunov Gleb , Bespiatykh Dmitry , Kuptsov Nikita , Gorodnichev Roman , Klimina Ksenia , Kulikov Eugene , Ilina Elena , Letarov Andrey , Shitikov Egor
Published: November 2020

The Twort-like myoviruses (Kayvirus genus) of S. aureus are promising agents for bacteriophage therapy due to a broad host range and high killing activity against clinical isolates. This work improves the current understanding of the phage infection physiology by transcriptome analysis. The expression profiles of a typical member of the Kayvirus genus (vB_SauM-515A1) were obtained at three time-points post-infection using RNA sequencing. A total of 35 transcription units comprising 238 ORFs were established. The sequences for 58 early and 12 late promoters were identified in the phage genome. The early promoters represent the strong sigma-70 promoters consensus sequence and control the host-dependent expression of 26 transcription units (81% of genes). The late promoters exclusively controlled the expression of four transcription units, while the transcription of the other five units was directed by both types of promoters. The characteristic features of late promoters were long -10 box of TGTTATATTA consensus sequence and the absence of -35 boxes. The data obtained are also of general interest, demonstrating a strategy of the phage genome expression with a broad overlap of the early and late transcription phases without any middle transcription, which is unusual for the large phage genomes (>100 kbp).
Characterizing News Report of the Substandard Vaccine Case of Changchun Changsheng in China: A Text Mining Approach
Authors: Zhou Ping , He Yao , Lyu Chao , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: November 2020

Background: The substandard vaccine case of that broke out in July 2018 in China triggered an outburst of news reports both domestically and aboard. Distilling the abundant textual information is helpful for a better understanding of the character during this public event. Methods: We collected the texts of 2211 news reports from 83 mainstream media outlets in China between 15 July and 25 August 2018, and used a structural topic model (STM) to identify the major topics and features that emerged. We also used dictionary-based sentiment analysis to uncover the sentiments expressed by the topics as well as their temporal variations. Results: The main topics of the news report fell into six major categories, including: (1) Media Investigation, (2) Response from the Top Authority, (3) Government Action, (4) Knowledge Dissemination, (5) Finance Related and (6) Commentary. The topic prevalence shifted during different stages of the events, illustrating the actions by the government. Sentiments generally spanned from negative to positive, but varied according to different topics. Conclusion: The characteristics of news reports on vaccines are shaped by various topics at different stages. The inner dynamics of the topic and its alterations are driven by the interaction between social sentiment and governmental intervention.
Nitrate Removal and Dynamics of Microbial Community of A Hydrogen-Based Membrane Biofilm Reactor at Diverse Nitrate Loadings and Distances from Hydrogen Supply End
Authors: Jiang Minmin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Yuan Yuhang , Chen Yuchao , Lin Hua , Zheng Junjian , Li Haixiang , Zhang Xuehong
Published: November 2020

The back-diffusion of inactive gases severely inhibits the hydrogen (H2) delivery rate of the close-end operated hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-based MBfR). Nevertheless, less is known about the response of microbial communities in H2-based MBfR to the impact of the gases’ back-diffusion. In this research, the denitrification performance and microbial dynamics were studied in a H2-based MBfR operated at close-end mode with a fixed H2 pressure of 0.04 MPa and fed with nitrate (NO3−) containing influent. Results of single-factor and microsensor measurement experiments indicate that the H2 availability was the decisive factor that limits NO3− removal at the influent NO3− concentration of 30 mg N/L. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that (1) the increase of NO3− loading from 10 to 20–30 mg N/L resulted in the shift of dominant functional bacteria from Dechloromonas to Hydrogenophaga in the biofilm; (2) excessive NO3− loading led to the declined relative abundance of Hydrogenophaga and basic metabolic pathways as well as counts of most denitrifying enzyme genes; and (3) in most cases, the decreased quantity of N metabolism-related functional bacteria and genes with increasing distance from the H2 supply end corroborates that the microbial community structure in H2-based MBfR was significantly impacted by the gases’ back-diffusion.
Groundwater Quality Characterization in an Overallocated Semi-Arid Coastal Area Using an Integrated Approach: Case of the Essaouira Basin, Morocco
Authors: Ouarani Mohamed , Bahir Mohammed , Mulla David J. , Ouazar Driss , Chehbouni Abdelghani , Dhiba Driss , Ouhamdouch Salah , El Mountassir Otman
Published: November 2020

In this study, hydrogeochemical analyses were combined with geographic information system (GIS) tools to investigate salinization sources of groundwater in the downstream part of the Essaouira basin, and to analyze the spatiotemporal trends in groundwater quality. To assess groundwater suitability for drinking purposes, the quality of sampled water was compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Moroccan guidelines. Wilcox and US salinity laboratory (USSL) diagrams were used to evaluate groundwater suitability for irrigation. Hydrogeochemical analyses revealed that groundwater is of Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl types. The analyses of the correlation between the chemical elements showed that the water–rock interaction and the reverse ion exchange are the major processes impacting groundwater degradation in the study area. The study of groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes shows that groundwater quality in the study area is permissible, but not desirable for human consumption. Additionally, groundwater is permissible for agricultural use but with high-salinity hazards. The spatial distribution of the physicochemical elements shows a general upward gradient from the north to the south and from the east to the west. The trend in groundwater quality during the last five years shows a shifting in the quality from the mixed Ca-Mg-Cl to the Na-Cl type.
The Use of Water Vapor Isotopes to Determine Evapotranspiration Source Contributions in the Natural Environment
Authors: Bernier Troy P.
Published: November 2020

Water balance measurements are the simplest and most direct means of estimating evapotranspiration (ET). However, numerous factors relating to climate and terrain characteristics contribute to the variability that makes the assessment of evapotranspiration challenging at the ecosystem or even the plot scale. Alternative methods, such as an isotope mass balance (IMB), can provide evapotranspiration estimates. This paper illustrates two IMB examples of partitioning evaporation and transpiration. The first example demonstrates at the laboratory scale how accurate mass-balance measurements provide a complete validation and refinement of the isotope mass balance methods. The second IMB case uses similar data processing methods for an experimental field design. These methods are further validated by comparison with previous laboratory and field studies. Finally, this paper presents a comparison between partitioned ET ratios from a nearby U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) microclimate site produced using the Flux Variance Similarity (FVS) method. The results suggest the potential of employing these methods to estimate evaporation and transpiration source contributions at various scales. This technique and its further development show IMB methods are an appropriate tool for partitioning evapotranspiration.
Experimental Study on the Influence of the Transition Section in the Middle of a Continuous Bend on the Correlation of Flow Movement in the Front and Back Bends
Authors: Zhang Kanghe , Chen Li , Li Yuchen , Yu Bowen , Wang Yule
Published: November 2020

There exists a correlation in the flow movement between the front and back bends of a continuous bend, and the change in the transition section configuration influences this correlation. In this paper, laboratory experiments were conducted to systematically measure the three-dimensional velocity in a continuous bend with different width/depth ratios of the transition section. Based on this work, the flow movement characteristics of a continuous bend were analysed, including the circulation structure, circulation intensity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE). The flow movement correlation between the front and back bends of the continuous bend was also analysed. The influence of the width/depth ratio of the transition section on the correlation of the flow movement of the front and back bends and their relationship with discharge were explored. This research could help to elucidate the development and evolution laws of the continuous bend and provide theoretical support for flow movement, flood routing, sediment transport and riverbed evolution. It is found that in addition to the circulation structure and intensity, the TKE of the front and back bends of the continuous bend also shows a strong correlation. With increasing discharge, the correlation between the front and back bends increases, and the larger the discharge is, the greater the influence of the same amplitude of variation in the discharge on the correlation. At the same time, the larger the discharge is, the greater the influence of the same amplitude of variation in the width/depth ratio of the transition section on the correlation of the front and back bends. When the discharge is constant, the correlation between the front and back bends decreases with the decrease in the width/depth ratio of the transition section, and the smaller the width/depth ratio, the greater the influence of the same amplitude of variation in the width/depth ratio on the correlation. There is no linear relationship between the amplitudes of variation in both the discharge and width/depth ratio and the corresponding amplitude of variation in the correlation. With increasing discharge, the amplitude of variation in the correlation caused by the same amplitude of the variation in discharge slightly increases. However, there is an exponential relationship between the amplitude of variation in the width/depth ratio and the corresponding correlation. The influence of the width/depth ratio on the correlation is clearly greater than that of the discharge.
Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Droughts in Spain
Authors: Jiménez-Donaire María del Pilar , Giráldez Juan Vicente , Vanwalleghem Tom
Published: November 2020

Drought is an important natural hazard that is expected to increase in frequency and intensity as a consequence of climate change. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of future changes in the temperature and precipitation regime of Spain on agricultural droughts, using novel static and dynamic drought indices. Statistically downscaled climate change scenarios from the model HadGEM2-CC, under the scenario representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5), were used at a total of 374 sites for the period 2006 to 2100. The evolution of static and dynamic drought stress indices over time show clearly how drought frequency, duration and intensity increase over time. Values of static and dynamic drought indices increase over time, with more frequent occurrences of maximum index values equal to 1, especially towards the end of the century (2071–2100). Spatially, the increase occurs over almost the entire area, except in the more humid northern Spain, and in areas that are already dry at present, which are located in southeast Spain and in the Ebro valley. This study confirms the potential of static and dynamic indices for monitoring and prediction of drought stress.
Steady-State Methodology for Activated Sludge Model 1 (ASM1) State Variable Calculation in MBR
Authors: Lahdhiri Ameni , Lesage Geoffroy , Hannachi Ahmed , Heran Marc
Published: November 2020

The complexity of Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) is one of the main obstacles slowing its widespread use, particularly among wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) professionals. In this paper, a simplification procedure based on steady-state mass balances is proposed for the conventional activated sludge process (ASP) configuration, consisting of an aerated bioreactor and a perfect settler (without particular compounds in the outlet). The results do, in fact, show perfect suitability to a membrane bioreactor process (MBR). Both organic carbon and nitrogen removal were investigated. The proposed approach was applied to ASM1, and simple analytical expressions of the state variables were obtained. These analytical expressions were then validated by comparison to simulations given by the original ASM1 (implemented in GPS-X software). A strong match (less than 4% of error overall) was obtained between both results in the steady-state; consequently, these analytical expressions may be useful as tools for quickly estimating the main state variables, feeding the filtration models, or identifying the interaction between operating parameters. Moreover, this enables a sensitivity analysis, covering relevant factors such as kinetics or operating parameters. For instance, the sludge retention time (SRT) effect is lower on XBH and XS at high SRT (˃20 days), while it is more pronounced on XP and XI as their variations with SRT are linear.
Two New Species and a New Record of Astragalus sect. Ammodendron (Fabaceae) from Northeastern Iran
Authors: Nasseh Yasamin , Joharchi Mohammad Reza , Ghahremaninejad Farrokh
Published: November 2020

Following study of specimens belonging to Astragalus L. sect. Ammodendron Bunge collected from northeastern Iran, two new species and a new record for Iran are described and reported. Astragalus ayatollahii Nasseh, Joharchi & F. Ghahrem. differs from A. biarjmandicus Podlech & Zarre and A. inchebroonensis Maassoumi in having longer racemes with more flowers, only white trichomes on the calyx, and one pair of leaflets in the lower leaves and two pairs in the upper leaves. Astragalus gonabadensis Nasseh, Joharchi & F. Ghahrem. differs from A. baharensis F. Ghahrem. and A. macrobotrys Bunge in characters of the calyx and legume trichomes. Descriptions, distribution maps, and comparative tables of morphological characteristics for these taxa are presented. In addition, the first record of A. excedens Popov & Kult. in the flora of Iran is reported.
The Defense of Brazilian Civilization from the Criticism to the use of Perfumes: Doctors in Medicine in Bahia of the XIX Century
Authors: Salete Maria
Published: November 2020

In academic theses written by doctors in the 19th century state of Bahia (Brazil), we are confronted with the statement that perfumes are an evil to be avoided. Concerned with promoting the health of the population and establishing themselves in a country strongly marked by the dispute between different agents dedicated to healing, doctors trained at the Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, inaugurated in 1832, will insist on the pathological character of the aromatics and, with that, will place themselves against certain customs of colonial Brazil, as well as practices brought at the beginning of the century by the Portuguese Crown. The arguments simultaneously articulate body and morality in the construction of a discourse of truth that would constitute the scientific and aims at the same time to discuss and institute civilization in Brazil. Our goal is, based on the theses, to identify and understand some of the tensions that involve the different ways in which smells and perfumes were thought in the period.
“Is Women’s Freedom a Myth or Reality”? The Context of Working Class Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Tahsin Maria , Akter Hiramony
Published: November 2020

Lately, women’s freedom is the most uttered concept in Bangladesh. Civil society has given the statement that women are onward to freedom. Women are now taking part in the various outside world. They are crushing their boundary of the household. But It was confusing after hearing those words. Is there any word called women’s freedom? Civil society has given its arguments based on women’s economic freedom to earn money. The question has arisen on that issue. If it is so, women are getting freedom as they are working outside and attaining economic solvency. Then what about working-class women who are working in the garments factory. Why are they deprived of equal wages in their workplace? Why are they harassed by the office staff and the male counterparts? Why are they being exploited in the household? Why are their voices not heard? Are there any answers to these questions? Working class women are being exploited in their households as they belong to the patriarchal society. Capitalism is using them as they are cheap labor.
PERLINDUNGAN HAK TERSANGKA DALAM PENYIARAN BERITA KRIMINAL DIKAITKAN DENGAN ASAS PRADUGA TAK BERSALAH BERDASARKAN UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 32 TAHUN 2002 TENTANG PENYIARAN
Authors: Hermawan Azmyl Kamala , Idjuddin Solihin Uu , Hadi Pura Margo
Published: November 2020

Perkembangan teknologi komunikasi dan informasi telah membawa pengaruh bagi dunia penyiaran Indonesia. Penyiaran berita pada umumnya bertujuan sebagai penyalur informasi bagi seluruh masyarakat Indonesia guna mewujudkan salah satu jenis HAM yakni memperoleh informasi. Namun pada kenyataannya, penyiaran yang dilakukan masih belum sesuai dengan pedoman perilaku penyiaran dan standar program siaran yang sudah ditetapkan oleh KPI bahkan tidak menghormati hak dari seseorang yang disiarkan, khususnya pada penyiaran berita kriminal yang tidak menghormati hak tersangka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membahas peran KPID Jawa Barat dalam memberikan perlindungan hak tersangka serta tindakan hukum bagi pelaku penyiaran yang melanggar hak tersangka. Penelitian ini menguraikan atau mendeskripsikan data yang diperoleh secara normatif lalu diuraikan untuk mendeskripsikan data yang dikumpulkan secara sistematis. Data yang digunakan sebagai sumber data utama adalah sumber data sekunder, yakni data yang diperoleh lewat studi kepustakaan yang terdiri dari bahan hukum primer dan sekunder. KPID Jawa Barat memberikan perlindungan hak bagi tersangka berkaitan dengan wewenangnya melakukan pengawasan terhadap lembaga penyiaran secara langsung dan tidak langsung. Karena KPID Jawa Barat tidak hanya bertindak hanya dengan adanya aduan saja, melainkan dapat bertindak secara langsung. Dalam memberikan tindakan hukum bagi pelaku penyiaran berita kriminal yang melanggar hak tersangka dikenai sanksi rekomendasi teguran dan/atau teguran.Perlu ditingkatkan lagi sosialisasi terhadap lembaga penyiaran terkait P3SP3 agar perlindungan bagi hak tersangka bisa ditegakkan, serta perlu adanya perbaikan pada kewenangan yang dimiliki KPID agar bisa mencabut izin program/siaran yang melanggar hak tersangka untuk memberikan efek jera.

Kata Kunci  : Penyiaran, Perlindungan, Hak Tersangka
PARIWISATA DALAM PERTANGGUNG JAWABAN PENGUSAHA DAN SANKSI HUKUMNYA
Authors: Gartini Puspa Afika Fahimah , Marta Suryana , Satya Putra Pamungkas
Published: November 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menelaah pentingnya perlindungan hukum terhadap wisatawan karena pelanggaran atau kelalaian dari pengusaha pariwisata terhadap wisatawan yang kemudian diatur dalam perlindungan hukum agar wisatawan perlu pemberdayaan agar tidak selalu ada di pihak yang lemah dan dibebankan serta dirugikan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan penelitian yuridis normatif, yang di mana yuridis normatif merupakan penelitian hukum yang mengkaji hukum tertulis dari berbagai aspek. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa tanggung jawab hukum dari pengusaha pariwisata ialah dengan memberikan perlindungan asuransi terhadap wisatawan sebagaimana telah diatur dalam Pasal 26 huruf e Undang-Undang Nomor 10 Tahun 2009 tentang Kepariwisataan. Kemudian apabila pengusaha pariwisata lalai maka akan mendapatkat sanksi hukum berupa sanksi administrasi dan selain mendapatkan sanksi adminitrasi juga adanya sanksi pidana berupa pidana kurungan paling lama 6 (enam) bulan atau denda setinggi-tingginya Rp 50.000.000,- (Lima Puluh Juta Rupiah).
Efektivitas Pengadaan Barang dan Jasa Oleh BUMDes dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan Asli Desa
Authors: Garis Regi Refian , Sihab Aan Anwar , Tiarani Windi Ayu
Published: November 2020

Based on the results of observations, it is known that there are several problems in the effectiveness of the procurement of goods and services by Hegardanadyaksa Village-Owned Enterprises in increasing the Original Income of Hegarmanah Village, Cidolog District, Ciamis Regency. This research uses descriptive qualitative research method, the length of this research is 10 months with the technique of collecting data through library research, field studies, observation, and interviews. The primary data sources in this study were 14 people. Data processing techniques / data analysis through data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that: 1) The effectiveness of the procurement of goods and services by Hegardanadyaksa Village- Owned Enterprises in increasing the Original Income of Hegarmanah Village, Cidolog District, Ciamis Regency has not been carried out properly because there are still obstacles to be faced, this is due to lack of direction to the management, low compliance and obedience of the board in carrying out their duties. 2) The obstacles faced are low human resources, low compliance and obedience of administrators in carrying out their duties, lack of direction to the management, price competition and business competition and there is still a tug of interest. 3) The efforts made are including the board in educational activities and training seminars and workshops and providing regular guidance to the board, adding venture capital and improving the quality of goods and service quality, inviting all administrators to be willing to be placed in any position and inviting all administrators to more appreciating and respecting the determination of positions, recruiting managers as needed, providing guidance to administrators.
Efektivitas dan Efisiensi Pengelolaan Keuangan Daerah
Authors: Meiriki Andri , Musharianto Adi , NS Novitri Landong
Published: November 2020

The present study was aimed at examining the effectiveness and efficiency of the financial management of South Tangerang City, Banten Province. The present study was categorized as a descriptive study. This study emphasized more on secondary data analysis. The data used in the present study were institutional administrative data (i.e., the data from South Tangerang City Government) comprising the Regional Budget of South Tangerang and the 2014-2018 Report on the Regional Government Administration (LPPD), as well as the regional financial budget stated in the report issued by South Tangerang Statistics. The instruments of analysis used in the study were effectiveness ratio and efficiency ratio. The study found that the financial management of South Tangerang City was categorized as highly effective. Further, the study also found that the financial management of South Tangerang City was categorized as fairly efficient.
IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF STATISTICAL CONTROL OF HYDRO-UNIT VIBRATIONS
Authors:   Ulyanovsk State Technical University, Alekseeva Anastasiia V.
Published: November 2020

Some techniques of statistical process control can be applied in investigating an object for likely defects. In this regard, the multidimensional scattering is monitored with the use of a generalized variance algorithm. At fixed time intervals samples of observations are recorded, according to which the values of the determinant of covariance matrix (the generalized variance) are calculated. The corresponding point, falling outside the borders of control chart, indicates the process failure. The test results based on vibration data obtained from the hydraulic unit at the Krasnopolianskaia Hydroelectric Power Station showed that the algorithm of the generalized variance has an insufficient quick response relating to both gradual and spasmodic changes in the scattering level. To make the monitoring process more efficient, the following techniques have been suggested. The first one detects defects by analyzing special kind structures on the generalized variance chart. The second technique applies the warning borders on the chart and the third one implies an algorithm of exponentially weighted moving averages for generalized variance. All the tests revealed that the search for nonrandom structures on the generalized variance chart is most effective for the early detection of changes in the scattering process.