bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food Consumption Pattern and the Intake of Sugar, Salt, and Fat in the South Jakarta City—Indonesia
Authors: Andarwulan Nuri , Madanijah Siti , Briawan Dodik , Anwar Khoirul , Bararah Atikah , Saraswati  , Średnicka-Tober Dominika
Published: April 2021

The excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat is associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, a study on estimating the added sugar, salt, and fat intake in certain populations is important for establishing specific recommendations aiming at improving diet quality, and thus public health. This study aimed to determine the food consumption pattern and the intakes of added sugar, salt, and fat from different food groups and food sources among the residents of South Jakarta, Indonesia. The study was conducted with a cross-sectional design, involving 323 respondents. Data on socio-economic conditions, health and nutritional status, and food consumption were collected. Food consumption data were acquired through the 2-day weighed food record. Results showed that the daily food consumption in the observed population reached 1868–2334 g/capita/day. The total added sugar intake in different groups of respondents ranged between 34.9 and 45.9 g/capita/day, with the highest values observed in school-age boys. Beverages and snacks were identified as the main added sugar sources in the respondents’ diet. The total salt intake ranged from 5.46 to 7.43 g/capita/day, while the observed fat intake reached 49.0–65.1 g/capita/day. The major food source contributing to the salt and fat intake included street/restaurant/fast food. Male subjects tended to consume a higher amount of salt and fat than female subjects. These findings can be used as baseline information for providing a strategy for reducing sugar, salt, and fat intakes, with strong implications for improving public health.
Regional Differences in the Prevalence of Anaemia and Associated Risk Factors among Infants Aged 0–23 Months in China: China Nutrition and Health Surveillance
Authors: Li Shujuan , Bo Yacong , Ren Hongyan , Zhou Chen , Lao Xiangqian , Zhao Liyun , Yu Dongmei
Published: April 2021

Infantile anaemia has been a severe public health problem in China for decades. However, it is unclear whether there are regional differences in the prevalence of anaemia. In this study, we used data from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNHS) to assess the prevalence of anaemia and the risk factors associated with its prevalence in different regions. We included 9596 infants aged 0–23 months from the CNHS 2013 database. An infant was diagnosed with anaemia if he/she had a haemoglobin concentration of <110 g/L. We used multivariate logistic regression to investigate the potential risk factors associated with the development of anaemia. We found that anaemia was present in 2126 (22.15%) of the infants assessed. Approximately 95% of these cases were classified as mild anaemia. Based on the guidelines laid out by the World Health Organization, 5.5% and 43.6% of the surveillance sites were categorized as having severe and moderate epidemic levels of anaemia, respectively. The prevalence of infantile anaemia in Eastern, Central and Western China was 16.67%, 22.25% and 27.44%, respectively. Premature birth, low birth weight, breastfeeding and residence in Western China were significantly associated with higher odds of developing anaemia. Female sex and having mothers with high levels of education and maternal birth age >25 years were associated with lower odds of developing anaemia. In conclusion, we observed significant regional disparities in the prevalence of infantile anaemia in China. Western China had the highest prevalence of infantile anaemia, and rural regions showed a higher prevalence of anaemia than urban regions.
Challenges in the Physical Characterization of Lipid Nanoparticles
Authors: Hallan Supandeep Singh , Sguizzato Maddalena , Esposito Elisabetta , Cortesi Rita
Published: April 2021

Nano-sized drug transporters have become an efficient approach with considerable commercial values. Nanomedicine is not only limited to drug delivery by means of different administration routes, such as intravenous, oral, transdermal, nasal, pulmonary, and more, but also has applications in a multitude of areas, such as a vaccine, antibacterial, diagnostics and imaging, and gene delivery. This review will focus on lipid nanosystems with a wide range of applications, taking into consideration their composition, properties, and physical parameters. However, designing suitable protocol for the physical evaluation of nanoparticles is still conflicting. The main obstacle is concerning the sensitivity, reproducibility, and reliability of the adopted methodology. Some important techniques are compared and discussed in this report. Particularly, a comparison between different techniques involved in (a) the morphologic characterization, such as Cryo-TEM, SEM, and X-ray; (b) the size measurement, such as dynamic light scattering, sedimentation field flow fractionation, and optical microscopy; and (c) surface properties, namely zeta potential measurement, is described. In addition, an amperometric tool in order to investigate antioxidant activity and the response of nanomaterials towards the skin membrane has been presented.
Synthesis of Poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Copolymer: Structure, Toughness, and Elasticity
Authors: Zhang Mengyuan , Chang Zhonghua , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Qian
Published: April 2021

Biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymers have drawn considerable attention because of their mechanical properties that mimic human soft tissue. Poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL), the copolymer of L-lactic (LA) and ε-caprolactone (CL), has been applied in many tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields. However, both the synthesis of PLCL and the structure-activity relationship of the copolymer need to be further investigated to allow tuning of different mechanical properties. The synthesis conditions of PLCL were optimized to increase the yield and improve the copolymer properties. The synthetic process was evaluated by while varying the molar ratio of the monomers and polymerization time. The mechanical properties of the copolymer were investigated from the macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Changes in the polymerization time and feed ratio resulted in the difference in the LA and CL content, which, in turn, caused the PLCL to exhibit different properties. The PLCL obtained with a feed ratio of 1:1 (LA:CL) and a polymerization time of 30 h has the best toughness and elasticity. The developed PLCL may have applications in dynamic mechanical environment, such as vascular tissue engineering.
Is Micro X-ray Computer Tomography a Suitable Non-Destructive Method for the Characterisation of Dental Materials?
Authors: Koenig Andreas , Schmohl Leonie , Scheffler Johannes , Fuchs Florian , Schulz-Siegmund Michaela , Doerfler Hans-Martin , Jankuhn Steffen , Hahnel Sebastian
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of X-rays used in micro X-ray computer tomography (µXCT) on the mechanical performance and microstructure of a variety of dental materials. Standardised bending beams (2 × 2 × 25 mm3) were forwarded to irradiation with an industrial tomograph. Using three-dimensional datasets, the porosity of the materials was quantified and flexural strength was investigated prior to and after irradiation. The thermal properties of irradiated and unirradiated materials were analysed and compared by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Single µXCT measurements led to a significant decrease in flexural strength of polycarbonate with acrylnitril-butadien-styrol (PC-ABS). No significant influence in flexural strength was identified for resin-based composites (RBCs), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and zinc phosphate cement (HAR) after a single irradiation by measurement. However, DSC results suggest that changes in the microstructure of PMMA are possible with increasing radiation doses (multiple measurements, longer measurements, higher output power from the X-ray tube). In summary, it must be assumed that X-ray radiation during µXCT measurement at high doses can lead to changes in the structure and properties of certain polymers.
Degradation Behavior of Polymers Used as Coating Materials for Drug Delivery—A Basic Review
Authors: Visan Anita Ioana , Popescu-Pelin Gianina , Socol Gabriel
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the work was to emphasize the main differences and similarities in the degradation mechanisms in the case of polymeric coatings compared with the bulk ones. Combined with the current background, this work reviews the properties of commonly utilized degradable polymers in drug delivery, the factors affecting degradation mechanism, testing methods while offering a retrospective on the evolution of the controlled release of biodegradable polymeric coatings. A literature survey on stability and degradation of different polymeric coatings, which were thoroughly evaluated by different techniques, e.g., polymer mass loss measurements, surface, structural and chemical analysis, was completed. Moreover, we analyzed some shortcomings of the degradation behavior of biopolymers in form of coatings and briefly proposed some solving directions to the main existing problems (e.g., improving measuring techniques resolution, elucidation of complete mathematical analysis of the different degradation mechanisms). Deep studies are still necessary on the dynamic changes which occur to biodegradable polymeric coatings which can help to envisage the future performance of synthesized films designed to be used as medical devices with application in drug delivery.
Pressure Orientation-Dependent Recovery of 3D-Printed PLA Objects with Varying Infill Degree
Authors: Ehrmann Guido , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: April 2021

Poly(lactic acid) is not only one of the most often used materials for 3D printing via fused deposition modeling (FDM), but also a shape-memory polymer. This means that objects printed from PLA can, to a certain extent, be deformed and regenerate their original shape automatically when they are heated to a moderate temperature of about 60–100 °C. It is important to note that pure PLA cannot restore broken bonds, so that it is necessary to find structures which can take up large forces by deformation without full breaks. Here we report on the continuation of previous tests on 3D-printed cubes with different infill patterns and degrees, now investigating the influence of the orientation of the applied pressure on the recovery properties. We find that for the applied gyroid pattern, indentation on the front parallel to the layers gives the worst recovery due to nearly full layer separation, while indentation on the front perpendicular to the layers or diagonal gives significantly better results. Pressing from the top, either diagonal or parallel to an edge, interestingly leads to a different residual strain than pressing from front, with indentation on top always firstly leading to an expansion towards the indenter after the first few quasi-static load tests. To quantitatively evaluate these results, new measures are suggested which could be adopted by other groups working on shape-memory polymers.
Kinetic Analysis of the Curing Process of Biobased Epoxy Resin from Epoxidized Linseed Oil by Dynamic Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Lascano Diego , Lerma-Canto Alejandro , Fombuena Vicent , Balart Rafael , Montanes Nestor , Quiles-Carrillo Luis
Published: April 2021

The curing process of epoxy resin based on epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) is studied using dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in order to determine the kinetic triplet (Ea, f(α) and A) at different heating rates. The apparent activation energy, Ea, has been calculated by several differential and integral isoconversional methods, namely Kissinger, Friedman, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Starink. All methods provide similar values of Ea (between 66 and 69 kJ/mol), and this shows independence versus the heating rate used. The epoxy resins crosslinking is characterized by a multi-step process. However, for the sake of the simplicity and to facilitate the understanding of the influence of the oxirane location on the curing kinetic, this can be assimilated to a single-step process. The reaction model has a high proportion of autocatalytic process, fulfilling that αM is between 0 and αp and αM < αp∞. Using as reference the model proposed by Šesták–Berggren, by obtaining two parameters (n and m) it is possible to obtain, on the one hand, the kinetic parameters and, on the other hand, a graphical comparison of the degree of conversion, α, versus temperature (T) at different heating rates with the average n and m values of this model. The good accuracy of the proposed model with regard to the actual values obtained by DSC gives consistency to the obtained parameters, thus suggesting the crosslinking of the ELO-based epoxy has apparent activation energies similar to other petroleum-derived epoxy resins.
Understanding the Opportunities, Barriers, and Enablers for the Commercialization and Transfer of Technologies for Mine Waste Valorization: A Case Study of Coal Processing Wastes in South Africa
Authors: Stander Helene-Marie , Broadhurst Jennifer L.
Published: April 2021

The mining and minerals beneficiation industries produce large volumes of waste, the land disposal of which can lead to harmful environmental emissions and a loss of valuable resources. Globally, researchers are developing technologies for recovering valuable minerals and converting mine waste into a resource with market value. However, university-developed technological innovations to long-term environmental problems can be difficult to transfer to the mining industry. This paper focuses on the barriers and enablers to technology transfer in the South African mining industry using the valorization of coal processing waste as a case study. Data and information derived from interviews with relevant experts and published literature were used to gain a better understanding of the landscape of waste valorization technology implementation. Results indicated that financial considerations and demonstration of technical feasibility will be vital in determining the success of technology transfer, as will a changing perception of waste and its value within the sector. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and boutique waste processors were identified as potential commercial partners for further development and commercial implementation of university-developed waste valorization technologies within the mining sector.
Assessing CALIOP-Derived Planetary Boundary Layer Height Using Ground-Based Lidar
Authors: Kim Man-Hae , Yeo Huidong , Park Soojin , Park Do-Hyeon , Omar Ali , Nishizawa Tomoaki , Shimizu Atsushi , Kim Sang-Woo
Published: April 2021

Coincident profiles from the space-borne and ground-based lidar measurements provide a unique opportunity to estimate the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH). In this study, PBLHs derived from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) were assessed by comparing them with those obtained from the ground-based lidar at Seoul National University (SNU) in Korea for both day and night from 2006 to 2019, and sounding data. CALIOP-derived PBLHs using wavelet covariance transform (WCT) are generally higher than those derived from the SNU lidar for both day and night. The difference in PBLH tends to increase as the signal-to-noise ratio for CALIOP decreases. The difference also increases as aerosol optical depth increases, implying that the PBLH estimated from CALIOP could be higher than that determined from the SNU lidar because of the signal attenuation within the aerosol layer under optically thick aerosol layer conditions. The higher PBLH for CALIOP in this study is mainly attributed to multiple aerosol layers. After eliminating multilayer cases, the PBLHs estimated from both the lidars showed significantly improved agreement: a mean difference of 0.09 km (R = 0.81) for daytime and 0.25 km (R = 0.51) for nighttime. The results from this study suggest that PBL detection using CALIOP is reliable for daytime if multilayer cases are removed. For nighttime, PBLHs derived from the SNU lidar and CALIOP showed a relatively large difference in frequency distribution compared with sounding data. It suggests that further investigations are needed for nighttime PBLHs, such as investigations about discriminating the residual layer and the difference between lidar-derived PBLH based on the aerosol layer and thermally derived PBLH from radiosonde data for the stable boundary layer during the nighttime.
Quantification of the Mechanized Ballast Cleaning Process Efficiency Using GPR Technology
Authors: Borkovcová Anna , Borecký Vladislav , Artagan Salih Serkan , Ševčík Filip
Published: April 2021

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been used recently for diagnostics of the railway infrastructure, particularly the ballast layer. To overcome ballast fouling, mechanized ballast cleaning process, which increases track occupancy time and cost, is usually used. Hence it is of crucial significance to identify at which stage of track ballast life cycle, and level of fouling, ballast cleaning should be initiated. In the present study, a series of in situ GPR surveys on selected railway track sections in Czechia was performed to obtain railway granite ballast relative dielectric permittivity (RDP) values in several phases of railway track lifecycle. GPR data were collected in the form of B-scan, and time-domain analysis was used for post-processing. The results indicate (i) change of railway ballast RDP in time (long term); (ii) a dependency of ballast fouling level on RDP; and (iii) the RDP change during the ballast cleaning process, thus its efficiency. This research aimed to provide new perspectives into the decision-making process in initiating the mechanized ballast cleaning intervention based on the GPR-measured data.
Quantifying Understory Complexity in Unmanaged Forests Using TLS and Identifying Some of Its Major Drivers
Authors: Seidel Dominik , Annighöfer Peter , Ammer Christian , Ehbrecht Martin , Willim Katharina , Bannister Jan , Soto Daniel P.
Published: April 2021

The structural complexity of the understory layer of forests or shrub layer vegetation in open shrublands affects many ecosystem functions and services provided by these ecosystems. We investigated how the basal area of the overstory layer, annual and seasonal precipitation, annual mean temperature, as well as light availability affect the structural complexity of the understory layer along a gradient from closed forests to open shrubland with only scattered trees. Using terrestrial laser scanning data and the understory complexity index (UCI), we measured the structural complexity of sites across a wide range of precipitation and temperature, also covering a gradient in light availability and basal area. We found significant relationships between the UCI and tree basal area as well as canopy openness. Structural equation models (SEMs) confirmed significant direct effects of seasonal precipitation on the UCI without mediation through basal area or canopy openness. However, annual precipitation and temperature effects on the UCI are mediated through canopy openness and basal area, respectively. Understory complexity is, despite clear dependencies on the available light and overall stand density, significantly and directly driven by climatic parameters, particularly the amount of precipitation during the driest month.
Single-Trial Kernel-Based Functional Connectivity for Enhanced Feature Extraction in Motor-Related Tasks
Authors: García-Murillo Daniel Guillermo , Alvarez-Meza Andres , Castellanos-Dominguez German
Published: April 2021

Motor learning is associated with functional brain plasticity, involving specific functional connectivity changes in the neural networks. However, the degree of learning new motor skills varies among individuals, which is mainly due to the between-subject variability in brain structure and function captured by electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Here, we propose a kernel-based functional connectivity measure to deal with inter/intra-subject variability in motor-related tasks. To this end, from spatio-temporal-frequency patterns, we extract the functional connectivity between EEG channels through their Gaussian kernel cross-spectral distribution. Further, we optimize the spectral combination weights within a sparse-based ℓ2-norm feature selection framework matching the motor-related labels that perform the dimensionality reduction of the extracted connectivity features. From the validation results in three databases with motor imagery and motor execution tasks, we conclude that the single-trial Gaussian functional connectivity measure provides very competitive classifier performance values, being less affected by feature extraction parameters, like the sliding time window, and avoiding the use of prior linear spatial filtering. We also provide interpretability for the clustered functional connectivity patterns and hypothesize that the proposed kernel-based metric is promising for evaluating motor skills.
Sensors Data Analysis in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems to Foresee Failures with an Undetermined Origin
Authors: Maseda F. Javier , López Iker , Martija Itziar , Alkorta Patxi , Garrido Aitor J. , Garrido Izaskun
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the design and implementation of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for automatic fault detection. The proposed system offers advantages in three areas: the prognostic capacity for preventive and predictive maintenance, improvement in the quality of the machined product and a reduction in breakdown times. The complementary technologies, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and various machine learning (ML) techniques, are employed with SCADA systems to obtain the objectives. The analysis of different data sources and the replacement of specific digital sensors with analog sensors improve the prognostic capacity for the detection of faults with an undetermined origin. Also presented is an anomaly detection algorithm to foresee failures and to recognize their occurrence even when they do not register as alarms or events. The improvement in machine availability after the implementation of the novel system guarantees the accomplishment of the proposed objectives.
Visual Diagnosis of the Varroa Destructor Parasitic Mite in Honeybees Using Object Detector Techniques
Authors: Bilik Simon , Kratochvila Lukas , Ligocki Adam , Bostik Ondrej , Zemcik Tomas , Hybl Matous , Horak Karel , Zalud Ludek
Published: April 2021

The Varroa destructor mite is one of the most dangerous Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) parasites worldwide and the bee colonies have to be regularly monitored in order to control its spread. In this paper we present an object detector based method for health state monitoring of bee colonies. This method has the potential for online measurement and processing. In our experiment, we compare the YOLO and SSD object detectors along with the Deep SVDD anomaly detector. Based on the custom dataset with 600 ground-truth images of healthy and infected bees in various scenes, the detectors reached the highest F1 score up to 0.874 in the infected bee detection and up to 0.714 in the detection of the Varroa destructor mite itself. The results demonstrate the potential of this approach, which will be later used in the real-time computer vision based honey bee inspection system. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one using object detectors for the Varroa destructor mite detection on a honey bee. We expect that performance of those object detectors will enable us to inspect the health status of the honey bee colonies in real time.
Anti-Racism in Europe: An Intersectional Approach to the Discourse on Empowerment through the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020–2025
Authors: Müller Carolin
Published: April 2021

Anti-racism in Europe operates in political, policy, and civic spaces, in which organizations try to counter racial discrimination and violence. This paper applies a textual analysis to the European discourse of the transnationally connected anti-racism movement that shaped the European Union (henceforth EU) anti-racism action plan 2020–2025. The plan seeks to address structural racism in the EU through an intersectional lens. Alana Lentin, however, cautions that the structuring principles of anti-racism approaches can obscure “irrefutable reciprocity between racism and the modern nation-state”. Against the backdrop of a critique intersectionality mainstreaming in global anti-racist movements, this paper draws on Kimberly Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality to critically examine the practices outlined in the EU anti-racism action plan to understand (1) the extent to which the EU anti-racism action addresses the historical baggage of European imperialism, (2) the influence of transnational anti-racism organizations such as the European Network Against Racism (henceforth ENAR) in reinforcing universalisms about notions of humanity in anti-racism activism through language and (3) the limitations that the EU anti-racism action plan poses for the empowerment of racially marginalized groups of people.
The Circular Benefits of Participation in Nature-Based Solutions
Authors: Cárdenas Macarena L. , Wilde Vanessa , Hagen-Zanker Alex , Seifert-Dähnn Isabel , Hutchins Michael G. , Loiselle Steven
Published: April 2021

Nature-based solutions (NbS) provide direct benefits to people who live in areas where these approaches are present. The degree of direct benefits (thermal comfort, reduced flood risk, and mental health) varies across temporal and spatial scales, and it can be modelled and quantified. Less clear are the indirect benefits related to opportunities to learn about the environment and its influence on personal behaviour and action. The present study, based on survey data from 1955 participants across 17 cities worldwide, addressed whether participation in NbS through two types of interactions (a passive learning experience about NbS and a more active experience based on Citizen Science) stimulates motivation and willingness to be more environmentally sustainable. Over 75% of participants improved their understanding of environmental sustainability and were highly motivated and more confident in their ability to improve sustainability in their local environment/nature. Similar percentage improvements arose from both types of activity across all cities. Those NbS that had elements of both blue and green infrastructure rated higher than those that had predominantly green NbS. Interestingly, a large percentage of the participants did not live near the NbS that were the focus of these activities. This indicated that expected spatial limitations between benefit and recipient may be overcome when dedicated programmes involve people in learning or monitoring NbS. Therefore, opportunities have arisen to expand inclusion from the immediately local to the larger community through participation and Citizen Science, with potential benefits to social cohesion and urban sustainability.
Priming Effects of Cover Cropping on Bacterial Community in a Tea Plantation
Authors: Shen Fo-Ting , Lin Shih-Han
Published: April 2021

The acidic nature of red soil commonly found in tea plantations provides unique niches for bacterial growth. These bacteria as well as soil properties are dynamic and vary with agricultural management practices. However, less is known about the influence of manipulation such as cover cropping on bacterial communities in tea plantations. In this study a field trial was conducted to address the short-term effects of soybean intercropping on a bacterial community. Diversity, metabolic potential and structure of the bacterial community were determined through community level physiological profiling and amplicon sequencing approaches. Cover cropping was observed to increase soil EC, available P, K, and microelements Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn after three months of cultivation. Bacterial functional diversity and metabolic potential toward six carbon source categories also increased in response to cover cropping. Distinct bacterial communities among treatments were revealed, and the most effective biomarkers, such as Acidobacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Rhodanobacteraceae, and Sphingomonadaceae, were identified in cover cropping. Members belonging to these families are considered as organic matter decomposers and/or plant growth promoting bacteria. We provided the first evidence that cover cropping boosted both copiotrophs (Proteobacteria) and oligotrophs (Acidobacteria), with potentially increased functional stability, facilitated nutrient cycling, and prospective benefits to plants in the tea plantation.
Exploring the Roles of Self-Efficacy and Technical Support in the Relationship between Techno-Stress and Counter-Productivity
Authors: Kim Dae Geun , Lee Chang Won
Published: April 2021

Organizational reliance on information and communication technology (ICT) is more likely to induce techno-stress as a detrimental effect, which has a negative impact on productivity. Businesses should make organizational efforts to decrease counter-productivity, a negative effect of techno-stress, to create sustainable productivity by taking advantage of information and communication technology. The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of self-efficacy and technical support as moderating variables in the relationship between techno-stress and counter-productivity. This study selected techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, and techno-uncertainty as the techno-stress measurement variables, as well as counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and innovation resistance as counter-productive measurement variables. In this study, we surveyed 700 people in the IT sector, manufacturing, services, public agencies, and other industries and used regression analysis to analyze the effects of self-efficacy and technical support. As a result of the analysis, techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-insecurity, and techno-uncertainty have positive effects on CWB and innovation resistance whereas self-efficacy and technical support have moderating effects on techno-stress and counter-productivity by interacting with techno-overload, techno-insecurity, and techno-uncertainty. We suggest measures to strengthen self-efficacy and technical support for mitigating counterproductive work behavior and innovation resistance.
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Pinus densiflora Seedlings under Flooding Stress
Authors: Cho Yoonhee , Yoo Shinnam , Park Myung Soo , Kim Ji Seon , Kim Chang Sun , Lim Young Woon
Published: April 2021

Flooding is an environmental stress for plants that not only limits aeration and nutrient acquisition, but also disturbs underground plant-associated fungal communities. Despite frequent flooding, red pine (Pinus densiflora) seedlings thrive in streamside environments. However, whether the compatible ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) of red pine are affected by natural flooding is unclear. As EMF are vital symbionts for the development of many trees and allow them to overcome various environmental stresses, in this study, the EMF species associated with red pine seedlings in a streamside environment in Korea were investigated after flooding. The EMF species in 47 seedlings collected from the streamside site were identified by observing their different morphotypes using internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, and a total of 10 EMF species were identified. The EMF species diversity was lower than that in samples collected from a nearby forest analyzed as a control. The dominant EMF species of streamside seedlings included Amphinema spp., Rhizopogon luteolus, Suillus luteus, and Thelephora terrestris. This study could serve as a basis for investigating the mechanisms by which advantageous EMF aid plant development under flooding stress.
I Want to Participate—Communities of Practice in Foraging and Gardening Projects as a Contribution to Social and Cultural Sustainability in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Bergan Veronica , Krempig Inger Wallem , Utsi Tove Aagnes , Bøe Kari Wallem
Published: April 2021

Learning and development in early childhood is highly dependent on social interaction and exploration through continuous encounters with the real world. Foraging and gardening are outdoor pedagogical practices that have relevance to education for sustainability. Previous work suggests that engagement in such activities can be characterized by the concept “community of practice” (CoP). In this paper, we explore how characteristics of the CoP can be recognized in foraging and gardening projects performed in the Arctic region of Norway, and we discuss how these activities can contribute to social and cultural aspects of sustainability. Data collection included focus group interviews with kindergarten staff (teachers and assistants) and videos taken of foraging and gardening activities with the children. Our data indicate that the hallmarks of CoP, domain, community, and practice, are strongly recognized in these projects through increased interest, social interaction, and agency for learning. This mutual engagement and participation in the CoPs for foraging and gardening connect both staff and children to local food heritage and culture for a sustainable future.
Chiral Liquid Crystalline Electronic Systems
Authors: Funahashi Masahiro
Published: April 2021

Liquid crystals bearing extended π-conjugated units function as organic semiconductors and liquid crystalline semiconductors have been studied for their applications in light-emitting diodes, field-effect transistors, and solar cells. However, studies on electronic functionalities in chiral liquid crystal phases have been limited so far. Electronic charge carrier transport has been confirmed in chiral nematic and chiral smectic C phases. In the chiral nematic phase, consisting of molecules bearing extended π-conjugated units, circularly polarized photoluminescence has been observed within the wavelength range of reflection band. Recently, circularly polarized electroluminescence has been confirmed from devices based on active layers of chiral conjugated polymers with twisted structures induced by the molecular chirality. The chiral smectic C phase of oligothiophene derivatives is ferroelectric and indicates a bulk photovoltaic effect, which is driven by spontaneous polarization. This bulk photovoltaic effect has also been observed in achiral polar liquid crystal phases in which extended π-conjugated units are properly assembled. In this manuscript, optical and electronic functions of these chiral π-conjugated liquid crystalline semiconductors are reviewed.
SARS-COV-2: SIR Model Limitations and Predictive Constraints
Authors: Roberto Telles Charles , Lopes Henrique , Franco Diogo
Published: April 2021

Background: The main purpose of this research is to describe the mathematical asymmetric patterns of susceptible, infectious, or recovered (SIR) model equation application in the light of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) skewness patterns worldwide. Methods: The research modeled severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) spreading and dissemination patterns sensitivity by redesigning time series data extraction of daily new cases in terms of deviation consistency concerning variables that sustain COVID-19 transmission. The approach opened a new scenario where seasonality forcing behavior was introduced to understand SARS-COV-2 non-linear dynamics due to heterogeneity and confounding epidemics scenarios. Results: The main research results are the elucidation of three birth- and death-forced seasonality persistence phases that can explain COVID-19 skew patterns worldwide. They are presented in the following order: (1) the environmental variables (Earth seasons and atmospheric conditions); (2) health policies and adult learning education (HPALE) interventions; (3) urban spaces (local indoor and outdoor spaces for transit and social-cultural interactions, public or private, with natural physical features (river, lake, terrain). Conclusions: Three forced seasonality phases (positive to negative skew) phases were pointed out as a theoretical framework to explain uncertainty found in the predictive SIR model equations that might diverge in outcomes expected to express the disease’s behaviour.
Numerical Study of Three-Dimensional Surface Jets Emerging from a Fishway Entrance Slot
Authors: Mahl Lena , Heneka Patrick , Henning Martin , Weichert Roman B.
Published: April 2021

The efficiency of a fishway is determined by the ability of immigrating fish to follow its attraction flow (i.e., its jet) to locate and enter the fishway entrance. The hydraulic characteristics of fishway entrance jets can be simplified using findings from widely investigated surface jets produced by shaped nozzles. However, the effect of the different boundary conditions of fishway entrance jets (characterized by vertical entrance slots) compared to nozzle jets must be considered. We investigate the downstream propagation of attraction jets from the vertical slot of a fishway entrance into a quiescent tailrace, considering the following boundary conditions not considered for nozzle jets: (1) slot geometry, (2) turbulence characteristics of the approach flow to the slot, and (3) presence of a lateral wall downstream of the slot. We quantify the effect of these boundary conditions using three-dimensional hydrodynamic-numeric flow simulations with DES and RANS turbulence models and a volume-of-fluid method (VoF) to simulate the free water surface. In addition, we compare jet propagation with existing analytical methods for describing jet propagations from nozzles. We show that a turbulent and inhomogeneous approach flow towards a vertical slot reduces the propagation length of the slot jet in the tailrace due to increased lateral spreading compared to that of a jet produced by a shaped nozzle. An additional lateral wall in the tailrace reduces lateral spreading and significantly increases the propagation length. For highly turbulent flows at fishway entrances, the RANS model tends to overestimate the jet propagation compared to the transient DES model.
Frame analysis as one of the effective methods of newspaper discourse studying
Authors: Diachuk Nataliia , Svyrydiuk Tetiana , Kryvoruchko Tetiana , Biliuk Inna , Levchenko Olha
Published: April 2021

This paper outlines the study of the USA newspaper discourse from psycholinguistic perspectives. The research aims to thoroughly investigate the profound priorities, inconspicuous intentions of leading American mass media. The frame analysis has been used in our research. It is based on the cognitive theories of the representation of the speaker’s knowledge, which retain verbal representation in speech, that is, frames. The main task of this analysis is to determine the leading categories, expressed by frame structures, which include slots containing the main ideas that the author wants to present to his audience. The research went through some stages which aimed at working on the most essential categories in the three articles and filling all the categories with the appropriate slots. The study revealed that most of the articles had three substantial categories which made it possible to fully analyze the authors’ intentions. The slot surveillance that makes the category vigilance very prominent is the paramount idea found in all the articles under discussion. It is realized via facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence. Among other vital categories are technological advances, protection, confidentiality, social interaction, credit system, personal data. All these categories have one thing in common as they are used as means for China people surveillance.
The concept of soft law the role and legal technologies of influence on the legislation of states
Authors: Manko Denys , Panova Liydmyla , Holovach Hanna , Kobko-Odarii Viktoriia , Radchenko Liliya
Published: April 2021

The study aims to establish the role of "soft law" as a tool of legal technology, its importance for the formation of the legal system within the regulation of various types of legal relations. The current pace of development of society requires a rapid response from the authorities to certain situations. Sometimes the settlement of certain legal relations by customary law is insufficient, as the range of such legal relations cannot be covered by national or international acts. In this case, it is advisable to follow the prescriptions of "soft law", which contain general ideas and principles that determine the main vectors of the settlement of legal relations. Besides, "soft law" serves the purpose of harmonization of the legal framework of different states, which results in the creation of related mechanisms of interaction. In the context of the desire for global cohesion, in particular, European integration, the definition of the impact and role of "soft law" on rule-making processes becomes especially important. The result of this work is to identify the importance of acts of "soft law" for the settlement of various legal relations at both national and international levels; the role of such acts in the implemented European integration policy; features of legal technologies within the application of "soft law" acts.
The main directions of State policy in the area of arms trafficking in Ukraine
Authors: Shumeiko Tetiana , Kovalenko Valentyn , Hurkovskyy Maryan , Legenkyi Mykola , Komirchyi Pavlo
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to provide general description of the draft laws, which define the main directions of the State policy in the area of arms trafficking in Ukraine. Methodology: dialectical method, method of analysis and synthesis, logical and semantic method, system method, method of classification and grouping, inductive method were used in the course of the research. Research results: The scope of the draft laws in the area of arms trafficking in Ukraine is analyzed, their shortcomings, gaps and contradictions are identified. Practical consequences: Based on the study, it is concluded that it is necessary to develop and legislative implementation of the general concept of arms trafficking in Ukraine, which should define the main directions of public policy in this area. Value / originality: The author's view on the expediency of distinguishing certain areas of State policy in the area of arms trafficking in Ukraine is substantiated.
Role of social media in academic achievement among Northern Border University sudents
Authors: Al Sawy Yaser Mohammad , Al-Madani Feras Mohammed
Published: April 2021

The study aimed to measure the impact of social media on academic achievement among a sample of Northern Border University students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study seeks to reach a cognitive perception to recognize the effect of using social media on academic achievement in university students. It relied upon the quantitative and qualitative distribution of each type of social media application among students to determine the importance of social media informing study groups amongst themselves and with faculty members. This helped to identify the negative and positive effects of using social media applications on the process of academic achievement among Northern Border University students. To achieve those objectives, the researchers used the descriptive survey methodology, with the questionnaire used as a study tool. The most prominent results showed that a wide range of students at the University is highly interested in using social media in academic achievement and in communicating with the Faculty members. The study also concluded with a proposal to increase the activation of social media as an important tool for increasing the rate of academic achievement among Northern Border University students.
Implementation of manipulative speech tactics in translation (based on English and Spanish journalistic texts)
Authors: Kabakov Vitaly V. , Aguilar-Cruz Paola Julie
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the use of manipulative speech tactics, which are actively used in journalistic texts to form a certain impact on the target audience. The article explores the tactics on the example of English and Spanish speech techniques. The purpose is to study the influence of manipulative tactics on journalistic discourse. The research methodology includes an analysis of newspaper and journalistic texts popular in the United Kingdom and Spain. The article explores the strategies of manipulative speech techniques in political discourse. In journalistic texts, speech techniques have a peculiarity in manifestation in the multilevel perception by the reader. For political discourse, a special role is to use metaphors. Tactics based on speech techniques, including visual and expressive means (metaphorical models), are in every language culture. Manipulation here will be considered as a means used for the implicit implementation at the mental level of specific goals, intentions, and attitudes that do not coincide with those that the target audience currently has. Communication in political discourse has the only goal: to influence the object of influence. Therefore, the basis for using manipulative speech techniques is to use a strategy of influence and control by public consciousness.
The mediating role of ethical climate between organizational justice and stress: A CB-SEM analysis
Authors: Albejaidi Fahad
Published: April 2021

The aim of the current study was to investigate the mediating effect of an ethical climate on the relationship between organizational justice (OJ) and workplace stress. The quantitative survey research design was used and cross sectional data was collected. A structured questionnaire was distributed among the nurses working in different healthcare organizations in the Qassim region. There were total 5542 nurses working in different public and private healthcare organizations. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used for selecting sample size. Total 510 completed questionnaires were collected back and used in the study for data analysis. For data analysis AMOS-SEM was used. Measurement and structural models were developed and tested in the current study. Reliability and validity were investigated through measurement model, while for hypotheses testing structural model was developed. Findings of the study indicated that scale used in the study was found reliable and valid. Factor loadings, average variance extracted and construct reliability met the threshold level/standard criteria. Structural model also revealed that ethical climate mediated the relationship between organizational justice (OJ) and stress. This is an original work and contribution to the body of knowledge by extending literature on justice, stress and ethical climate. Presence of justice and ethical climate made it possible for employees to better manage their stress.