bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-Machining of Diamond, Sapphire and Fused Silica Glass Using a Pulsed Nano-Second Nd:YVO4 Laser
Authors: Waugh David G. , Walton Chris D.
Published: August 2021

Optically transparent materials are being found in an ever-increasing array of technological applications within industries, such as automotive and communications. These industries are beginning to realize the importance of implementing surface engineering techniques to enhance the surface properties of materials. On account of the importance of surface engineering, this paper details the use of a relatively inexpensive diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) Nd:YVO4 laser to modify the surfaces of fused silica glass, diamond, and sapphire on a micrometre scale. Using threshold fluence analysis, it was identified that, for this particular laser system, the threshold fluence for diamond and sapphire ranged between 10 Jcm−2 and 35 Jcm−2 for a laser wavelength of 355 nm, dependent on the cumulative effects arising from the number of incident pulses. Through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the quality of processing resulting from the Nd:YVO4 laser varied with each of the materials. For fused silica glass, considerable cracking and deformation occurred. For sapphire, good quality features were produced, albeit with the formation of debris, indicating the requirement for post-processing to remove the observed debris. The diamond material gave rise to the best quality results, with extremely well defined micrometre features and minimal debris formation, comparative to alternative techniques such as femtosecond laser surface engineering.
Stimuli-Responsive Nanofibers Containing Gold Nanorods for On-Demand Drug Delivery Platforms
Authors: Singh Baljinder , Shukla Nutan , Kim Junkee , Kim Kibeom , Park Myoung-Hwan
Published: August 2021

On-demand drug delivery systems using nanofibers have attracted significant attention owing to their controllable properties for drug release through external stimuli. Near-infrared (NIR)-responsive nanofibers provide a platform where the drug release profile can be achieved by the on-demand supply of drugs at a desired dose for cancer therapy. Nanomaterials such as gold nanorods (GNRs) exhibit absorbance in the NIR range, and in response to NIR irradiation, they generate heat as a result of a plasmon resonance effect. In this study, we designed poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) composite nanofibers containing GNRs. PNIPAM is a heat-reactive polymer that provides a swelling and deswelling property to the nanofibers. Electrospun nanofibers have a large surface-area-to-volume ratio, which is used to effectively deliver large quantities of drugs. In this platform, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs can be introduced and manipulated. On-demand drug delivery systems were obtained through stimuli-responsive nanofibers containing GNRs and PNIPAM. Upon NIR irradiation, the heat generated by the GNRs ensures shrinking of the nanofibers owing to the thermal response of PNIPAM, thereby resulting in a controlled drug release. The versatility of the light-responsive nanofibers as a drug delivery platform was confirmed in cell studies, indicating the advantages of the swelling and deswelling property of the nanofibers and on–off drug release behavior with good biocompatibility. In addition, the system has potential for the combination of chemotherapy with multiple drugs to enhance the effectiveness of complex cancer treatments.
Light Spectral Composition Influences Structural and Eco-Physiological Traits of Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Microtom’ in Response to High-LET Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Vitale Ermenegilda , Vitale Luca , Costanzo Giulia , Velikova Violeta , Tsonev Tsonko , Simoniello Palma , De Micco Veronica , Arena Carmen
Published: August 2021

This study evaluated if specific light quality (LQ) regimes (white fluorescent, FL; full-spectrum, FS; red-blue, RB) during plant growth modified morphological and photosynthetic traits of Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Microtom’ plants irradiated at the dry seed stage with 25 Gy 48Ca ions (IR). The irradiation reduced plant size while it increased leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and relative water content (RWC) compared to the control. FS and RB light regimes determined a decrease of plant height and a rise of RWC compared to FL plants. The irradiation under FS and RB regimes favoured the development of dwarf plants and improved the leaf water status. Under the FL regime, irradiated plants showed reduced photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. The opposite behavior was observed in RB irradiated plants in which gas exchanges were significantly stimulated. RB regime enhanced Rubisco expression in irradiated plants also inducing anatomical and functional adjustments (i.e., increase of leaf thickness and incidence of intercellular spaces). Finally, 48Ca ions did not prevent fruit ripening and the achievement of the ‘seed-to seed’ cycle, irrespective of the LQ regime. Overall, the present study evidenced that RB light regime was the most effective in optimising growth and photosynthetic efficiency of ‘Microtom’ irradiated plants. These outcomes may help to develop proper cultivation protocols for the growth of dwarf tomato in Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS).
Hybrid Spatial–Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks for On-Street Parking Availability Prediction
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Jin Zhiling , Hui Yilong , Xu Yueshen , Shao Wei
Published: August 2021

With the development of sensors and of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities can provide people with a variety of information for a more convenient life. Effective on-street parking availability prediction can improve parking efficiency and, at times, alleviate city congestion. Conventional methods of parking availability prediction often do not consider the spatial–temporal features of parking duration distributions. To this end, we propose a parking space prediction scheme called the hybrid spatial–temporal graph convolution networks (HST-GCNs). We use graph convolutional networks and gated linear units (GLUs) with a 1D convolutional neural network to obtain the spatial features and the temporal features, respectively. Then, we construct a spatial–temporal convolutional block to obtain the instantaneous spatial–temporal correlations. Based on the similarity of the parking duration distributions, we propose an attention mechanism called distAtt to measure the similarity of parking duration distributions. Through the distAtt mechanism, we add the long-term spatial–temporal correlations to our spatial–temporal convolutional block, and thus, we can capture complex hybrid spatial–temporal correlations to achieve a higher accuracy of parking availability prediction. Based on real-world datasets, we compare the proposed scheme with the benchmark models. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme has the best performance in predicting the parking occupancy rate.
Guided Facial Skin Color Correction
Authors: Shirai Keiichiro , Baba Tatsuya , Ono Shunsuke , Okuda Masahiro , Tatesumi Yusuke , Perrotin Paul
Published: August 2021

This paper proposes an automatic image correction method for portrait photographs, which promotes consistency of facial skin color by suppressing skin color changes due to background colors. In portrait photographs, skin color is often distorted due to the lighting environment (e.g., light reflected from a colored background wall and over-exposure by a camera strobe). This color distortion is emphasized when artificially synthesized with another background color, and the appearance becomes unnatural. In our framework, we, first, roughly extract the face region and rectify the skin color distribution in a color space. Then, we perform color and brightness correction around the face in the original image to achieve a proper color balance of the facial image, which is not affected by luminance and background colors. Our color correction process attains natural results by using a guide image, unlike conventional algorithms. In particular, our guided image filtering for the color correction does not require a perfectly-aligned guide image required in the original guide image filtering method proposed by He et al. Experimental results show that our method generates more natural results than conventional methods on not only headshot photographs but also natural scene photographs. We also show automatic yearbook style photo generation as another application.
New Insights into Ion Adsorption Type Rare-Earths Mining—Bacterial Adsorption of Yttrium Integrated with Ammonia Nitrogen Removal by a Fungus
Authors: Wang Weiying , Xu Yanqiong , Yan Riming , Zhang Zhibin
Published: August 2021

Ion adsorption-type heavy rare earths found in southern China are important ore resources, whose yttrium(Y)-group rare-earth elements account for 90% of the total mass of rare earths known on the planet. At present, ammonia-nitrogen wastewater from extraction of rare earths pose threats to the environment. A bacterial strain (Bacillus sp. ZD 1) isolated from the “Foot Cave” mining area was used for adsorption of Y3+. Its adsorption capacity reached 428 μmol/g when the initial concentration of Y3+ was 1.13 mM. Moreover, 50 mg of Bacillus sp. ZD 1 (converted to dry mass) could completely adsorb Y3+ in the mother solution of mixed rare earths from the rare-earth mining area. Ammonia nitrogen in the remaining solution after adsorption was removed through denitrification using a fungus named Galactomyces sp. ZD 27. The final concentration of ammonia nitrogen in wastewater was lower than Indirect Emission Standard of Pollutants for Rare-earth Industry (GB 26451-2011). Furthermore, the resulting fungal cells of Galactomyces sp. ZD 27 could be used to produce single cell proteins, whose content accounted for 70.75% of the dry mass of cells. This study offers a new idea for integrated environmentally-friendly extraction and ecological restoration of the mining area in southern China.
Relieving Bottlenecks during Evacuations Using IoT Devices and Agent-Based Simulation
Authors: Choi Moongi , Cho Sung-Jin , Hwang Chul Sue
Published: August 2021

Most of the existing studies on relieving bottlenecks have aimed to develop route-finding algorithms that consider structural factors such as passages and stairs, as well as human factors such as density and speed. However, the methods in providing evacuation routes are as important as the route-making algorithms because a secondary bottleneck could occur continuously during evacuations. Even if an evacuation system provides the same routes to all evacuees regardless of their locations, secondary bottlenecks could happen following the initial bottlenecks due to people rushing toward uncrowded exits all together. To address this issue, we developed a location-based service (LBS) evacuation system prototype that provides optimized-alternative routes to evacuees in real time considering their locations in indoor space. The system was designed to relieve continuous bottlenecks, which relies on installed IoT sensors and beacon machines which detect bottlenecks and provide updated routes, separately. Next, we conducted agent-based simulations to measure the system’s effectiveness (evacuation time reduction and dispersion of evacuees) by changing the system parameters. Simulation results show the evacuation time decreased from 100 to 65 s, and the number of people who took a detour to avoid bottlenecks increased by 28.66% out of the total evacuees with this system. Since this system provides the theoretical solution for distributing evacuees, it can be flexibly employed to a disaster situation in a large and complex indoor environment by applying to other evacuation systems. Moreover, by adjusting parameters, we can derive maximum evacuation effectiveness in other indoor spaces. Future work will consider demographic features of population and multilayer building structure to draw a more accurate pedestrian flow.
Assessment of Technological Developments in Data Analytics for Sensor-Based and Robot Sorting Plants Based on Maturity Levels to Improve Austrian Waste Sorting Plants
Authors: Friedrich Karl , Fritz Theresa , Koinig Gerald , Pomberger Roland , Vollprecht Daniel
Published: August 2021

Sensor-based and robot sorting are key technologies in the extended value chain of many products such as packaging waste (glass, plastics) or building materials since these processes are significant contributors in reaching the EU recycling goals. Hence, technological developments and possibilities to improve these processes concerning data analytics are evaluated with an interview-based survey. The requirements to apply data analytics in sensor-based sorting are separated into different sections, i.e., data scope or consistency. The interviewed companies are divided into four categories: sorting machine manufacturers, sorting robot manufacturers, recycling plant operators, and sensor technology companies. This paper aims to give novel insights into the degree of implementation of data analytics in the Austrian waste management sector. As a result, maturity models are set up for these sections and evaluated for each of the interview partner categories. Interviewees expressed concerns regarding the implementation such as a perceived loss of control and, subsequently, a supposed inability to intervene. Nevertheless, further comments by the interviewees on the state of the waste management sector conveyed that data analytics in their processes would also be a significant step forward to achieve the European recycling goals.
Implications of Social Isolation in Combating COVID-19 Outbreak in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Its Consequences on the Carbon Emissions Reduction
Authors: Agboola Mary Oluwatoyin , Bekun Festus Victor , Balsalobre-Lorente Daniel
Published: August 2021

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has two striking impacts on the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. First, the economic contraction of business and economic activities. Second, the effect of oil prices dropping as energy demand decreases in the international market. This study seeks to underpin the linkage between GDP growth, oil price, foreign direct investment (FDI), air transport, social globalization and carbon dioxide emission by applying time-series econometrics techniques of the following: fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares and canonical tests. The results of the Johansen cointegration test and empirical analysis trace a long-run equilibrium relationship between the highlighted variables. Our study shows that a 1% increase in FDI attraction increases economic growth by 0.004%; similarly, air transport and oil rent from KSA increased economic growth by 0.547% and 0.005%, respectively. These outcomes are indicative of the GDP growth ambition of the KSA economy in order to intensify FDI attraction and the air transportation sector. However, we also observe that increases in CO2 emission increase GDP growth. Thus, this suggests that the economic growth in KSA is not green, indicating the need for green economic growth pursuit targets.
Sustainability and Resilience of Emerging Cities in Times of COVID-19
Authors: Grijalba Castro Angela Ivette , Ramírez López Leonardo Juan
Published: August 2021

The organization of a territory relies on a group of transformations produced by economic, environmental, and social emergencies, generating disruptions along with history. Furthermore, every new scenario generates a considerable impact, which makes it more difficult to recover from increasing urban ecological footprints. COVID-19-emergence-aware cities face new challenges that will test their resilience. This new outline constitutes a study regarding urban planning from an environmental and resilience perspective within this new pandemic state of emergency. It contains four main topics: emergent cities, natural resources, sustainability, and resilience. The document shows a case study carried out in a Colombian town named Cajicá, where a bibliometric inquiry conducted with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) adjustments was managed, tested on forty-one scientific papers; all the above were verified by VOSviewer software tools. The study reveals the creation and visualization of several keyword networks and relations retrieved from all the selected articles, along with the use of eight additional documents for all relation analyses. Sustainability and resilience are the main findings, supported as a process of functionality within urban planning. Sustainability findings’ results are prioritized, along with resilience analysis processes, which are both frameworks used during the COVID-19 pandemic; they constitute the main argument within this set of changes, building on alterations of lifestyle and behavioral situations within the main cities.
Effects of Personal Hygiene Habits on Self-Efficacy for Preventing Infection, Infection-Preventing Hygiene Behaviors, and Product-Purchasing Behaviors
Authors: Yoo Hyun Jung , Song Eugene
Published: August 2021

Since there is no cure for the COVID-19 pandemic yet, personal hygiene management is important for protecting oneself from the deadly virus. Personal hygiene management comes from personal hygiene habits. Thus, this study investigated the association between personal hygiene habits, consumers’ infection-prevention behaviors, and the effects of social support on the latter. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey of 620 Korean adults. An online survey agency was used to conduct the questionnaire over eight days, from 18 May to 25 May 2020. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results were as follows. First, personal hygiene habits positively affected self-efficacy for infection prevention (β = 0.123, p < 0.01). Moreover, personal hygiene habits indirectly affected virus spread-prevention behaviors (β = 0.457, p < 0.000) and product-purchasing behaviors for infection prevention (β = 0.146, p < 0.01) through self-efficacy for infection prevention. Second, informational support for infection prevention increased self-efficacy influence for infection prevention on the virus spread prevention behaviors among the public (composite reliability: −2.627). Thus, continued education of the public is imperative to ensuring compliance with personal hygiene practices. Furthermore, timely dissemination of relevant information on infection-prevention practices through various media during an infection outbreak is critical.
Success or Failure of the Thai Higher Education Development—Critical Factors in the Policy Process of Quality Assurance
Authors: Chaiya Chitralada , Ahmad Mokbul Morshed
Published: August 2021

Understanding the factors affecting the policy process of quality assurance is important for assessing the development of higher education. Here, we used a qualitative research approach, along with an analysis of policies and a literature review, to investigate the national policy process. The factors of quality assurance relating to improving the quality of higher education and SDGs in Thailand since the introduction and implementation of a national policy on quality assurance between 1999 and 2019 were also analyzed. Content area experts in Thailand were directly interviewed, and the obtained data were analyzed in terms of the Act. Through the analysis, we identified three main processes affecting education quality assurance between 1999 and 2019; namely, policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. Our findings reveal that, although the policy was defined as an act during the policy formulation process, its implementation and evaluation have been limited by critical factors, such as the achievement of graduates, university ranking, and the country’s competitiveness. We conclude that prioritizing the quality assurance policy and facilitating relevant factors are essential to improving the development of higher education in Thailand.
Environmental Accountability Practices of Environmentally Sensitive Firms in Ghana: Does Institutional Isomorphism Matter?
Authors: Amoako Gilbert K. , Adam Anokye M. , Tackie George , Arthur Clement Lamboi
Published: August 2021

Operational activities of firms accumulate over time and adversely impact the environment, which, in turn, threaten the earth’s ecosystem and sustainable development agendas. Both internal- and external-specific pressures may play a crucial part in a firm’s decision to conform to environmental accountability practices (EAP). This paper examines the associations between institutional isomorphic forces and EAP among environmentally sensitive firms in Ghana. A representative sample of 166 environmentally sensitive firms were randomly selected and included in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data for the analysis. Multiple regression models estimated the hypothesized crude and adjusted associations between EAP and isomorphic factors (mimetic, normative and coercive pressures). Initial adjustment with the isomorphic factors revealed significant associations of mimetic pressure which arises when companies engage in competition seeking superior performance and normative force with EAP but not coercive. A further control for the firm’s characteristics found a strong association of normative pressure with EAP. The findings suggest that mimetic and normative pressures may be essential in an attempt to stimulate EAP among environmentally sensitive firms in Ghana. Our results are broadly consistent with the predictions of institutional theory as it applies to EAP. Efforts to ensure environmental reporting among firms should strengthen normative and mimetic forces, particularly in the low- and middle-income settings.
Evaluation of Inner Exposure of Horses to Zearalenone (ZEN), Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Their Metabolites in Relation to Colic and Health-Related Clinical-Chemical Traits
Authors: Dänicke Sven , Saltzmann Janine , Liermann Wendy , Glatter Maren , Hüther Liane , Kersten Susanne , Zeyner Annette , Feige Karsten , Warnken Tobias
Published: August 2021

Mycotoxin contaminated feed has been associated with colic of horses caused by intestinal disorders. Whether such disease conditions alter the intestinal toxin metabolism and transfer across a compromised mucosal barrier is unknown. A screening approach was used to relate blood residue levels of DON, ZEN and their metabolites to the status of the horses (sick vs. healthy). A total of 55 clinically healthy horses from 6 different farms with varying feeding background served as control for sick horses (N = 102) hospitalized due to colic. ZEN, alpha-zearalenol (ZEL), beta-ZEL and DON were detectable in peripheral blood as indicators for the inner exposure with significant farm effects for alpha- and beta-ZEL. However, the levels in sick horses were similar to all farms. Moreover, the proportion of beta-ZEL of all detected ZEN metabolites as an indicator for the degree of metabolism of ZEN was not different for sick horses but differed amongst the control farms. Although the incidence of DON in blood was generally low and not significantly different amongst healthy and sick horses, the positive samples were nearly exclusively found in sick horses suggesting either a higher toxin transfer, an association of DON with the development of colic or a different feeding background.
The Effects of 6-Chromanol SUL-138 during Hypothermic Machine Perfusion on Porcine Deceased Donor Kidneys
Authors: van Furth L. Annick , Venema Leonie H. , Hendriks Koen D. W. , Vogelaar Pieter C. , Krenning Guido , Leuvenink Henri G. D.
Published: August 2021

Diminishing ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by improving kidney preservation techniques offers great beneficial value for kidney transplant recipients. Mitochondria play an important role in the pathogenesis of IRI and are therefore interesting targets for pharmacological interventions. Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP), as a preservation strategy, offers the possibility to provide mitochondrial–targeted therapies. This study focuses on the addition of a mitochondrial protective agent SUL—138 during HMP and assesses its effect on kidney function and injury during normothermic reperfusion. In this case, 30 min of warm ischemia was applied to porcine slaughterhouse kidneys before 24 h of non–oxygenated HMP with or without the addition of SUL—138. Functional assessment was performed by 4 h normothermic autologous blood reperfusion. No differences in renal function or perfusion parameters were found between both groups. ATP levels were lower after 30 min of warm ischemia in the SUL–138 group (n.s, p = 0.067) but restored significantly during 24 h of HMP in combination with SUL—138. Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) levels were significantly lower for the SUL—138 group. SUL—138 does not influence renal function in this model. Restoration of ATP levels during 24 h of HMP with the addition of SUL in combination with lower ASAT levels could be an indication of improved mitochondrial function.
Peptide Platform as a Powerful Tool in the Fight against COVID-19
Authors: Murdocca Michela , Citro Gennaro , Romeo Isabella , Lupia Antonio , Miersch Shane , Amadio Bruno , Bonomo Alessia , Rossi Antonio , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Pandolfi Pier Paolo , Alcaro Stefano , Sangiuolo Federica Carla , Novelli Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a global pandemic causing over 195 million infections and more than 4 million fatalities as of July 2021.To date, it has been demonstrated that a number of mutations in the spike glycoprotein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern abrogate or reduce the neutralization potency of several therapeutic antibodies and vaccine-elicited antibodies. Therefore, the development of additional vaccine platforms with improved supply and logistic profile remains a pressing need. In this work, we have validated the applicability of a peptide-based strategy focused on a preventive as well as a therapeutic purpose. On the basis of the involvement of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), in addition to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in the mechanism of virus entry, we analyzed peptides bearing DPP4 sequences by protein–protein docking and assessed their ability to block pseudovirus infection in vitro. In parallel, we have selected and synthetized peptide sequences located within the highly conserved receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein, and we found that RBD-based vaccines could better promote elicitation of high titers of neutralizing antibodies specific against the regions of interest, as confirmed by immunoinformatic methodologies and in vivo studies. These findings unveil a key antigenic site targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies and pave the way to the design of pan-coronavirus vaccines.
Unique Severe COVID-19 Placental Signature Independent of Severity of Clinical Maternal Symptoms
Authors: Husen Marjolein F. , van der Meeren Lotte E. , Verdijk Robert M. , Fraaij Pieter L. A. , van der Eijk Annemiek A. , Koopmans Marion P. G. , Freeman Liv , Bogers Hein , Trietsch Marjolijn D. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , DeKoninck Philip L. J. , Schoenmakers Sam
Published: August 2021

Background: Although the risk for transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is rare, placental infections with adverse functional consequences have been reported. This study aims to analyse histological placental findings in pregnancies complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and investigate its correlation with clinical symptoms and perinatal outcomes. We want to determine which pregnancies are at-risk to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes related to COVID-19 in the future. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, multicentre, cohort study. All pregnant women presenting between April 2020 and March 2021 with a nasopharyngeal RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Around delivery, maternal, foetal and placental PCR samples were collected. Placental pathology was correlated with clinical maternal characteristics of COVID-19. Results: Thirty-six patients were included, 33 singleton pregnancies (n = 33, 92%) and three twin pregnancies (n = 3, 8%). Twenty-four (62%) placentas showed at least one abnormality. Four placentas (4/39, 10%) showed placental staining positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 accompanied by a unique combination of diffuse, severe inflammatory placental changes with massive perivillous fibrin depositions, necrosis of syncytiotrophoblast, diffuse chronic intervillositis, and a specific, unprecedented CD20+ B-cell infiltration. This SARS-CoV-2 placental signature seems to correlate with foetal distress (75% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.007) but not with the severity of maternal COVID-19 disease. Conclusion: We describe a unique placental signature in pregnant patients with COVID-19, which has not been reported in a historical cohort. We show that the foetal environment can be seriously compromised by disruption of placental function due to local, devastating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Maternal clinical symptoms did not predict the severity of the SARS-CoV-2-related placental signature, resulting in a lack of adequate identification of maternal criteria for pregnancies at risk. Close foetal monitoring and pregnancy termination in case of foetal distress can prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes due to COVID-19 related placental disease.
Characteristics of Classical Swine Fever Virus Variants Derived from Live Attenuated GPE− Vaccine Seed
Authors: Kim Taksoo , Huynh Loc Tan , Hirose Shizuka , Igarashi Manabu , Hiono Takahiro , Isoda Norikazu , Sakoda Yoshihiro
Published: August 2021

The GPE− strain is a live attenuated vaccine for classical swine fever (CSF) developed in Japan. In the context of increasing attention for the differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) concept, the achievement of CSF eradication with the GPE− proposes it as a preferable backbone for a recombinant CSF marker vaccine. While its infectious cDNA clone, vGPE−, is well characterized, 10 amino acid substitutions were recognized in the genome, compared to the original GPE− vaccine seed. To clarify the GPE− seed availability, this study aimed to generate and characterize a clone possessing the identical amino acid sequence to the GPE− seed. The attempt resulted in the loss of the infectious GPE− seed clone production due to the impaired replication by an amino acid substitution in the viral polymerase NS5B. Accordingly, replication-competent GPE− seed variant clones were produced. Although they were mostly restricted to propagate in the tonsils of pigs, similarly to vGPE−, their type I interferon-inducing capacity was significantly lower than that of vGPE−. Taken together, vGPE− mainly retains ideal properties for the CSF vaccine, compared with the seed variants, and is probably useful in the development of a CSF marker vaccine.
Automatic Calibration for CE-QUAL-W2 Model Using Improved Global-Best Harmony Search Algorithm
Authors: Shabani Afshin , Zhang Xiaodong , Chu Xuefeng , Zheng Haochi
Published: August 2021

CE-QUAL-W2 is widely used for simulating hydrodynamics and water quality of the aquatic environments. Currently, the model calibration is mainly based on trial and error, and therefore it is subject to the knowledge and experience of users. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been tested for automatic calibration of CE-QUAL-W2, but it has an issue of prematurely converging to a local optimum. In this study, we proposed an Improved Global-Best Harmony Search (IGHS) algorithm to automatically calibrate the CE-QUAL-W2 model to overcome these shortcomings. We tested the performance of the IGHS calibration method by simulating water temperature of Devils Lake, North Dakota, which agreed with field observations with R2 = 0.98, and RMSE = 1.23 and 0.77 °C for calibration (2008–2011) and validation (2011–2016) periods, respectively. The same comparison, but with the PSO-calibrated CE-QUAL-W2 model, produced R2 = 0.98 and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) = 1.33 and 0.91 °C. Between the two calibration methods, the CE-QUAL-W2 model calibrated by the IGHS method could lower the RMSE in water temperature simulation by approximately 7–15%.
Cultural experiences with narratives
Authors: Virapyan Ed.G.
Published: August 2021

The era of nationalism is characterized by the emergence of sociocultural myths, the main function of which is to adapt myth consumers to the new reality. A study of the diortic projects of China in the 19th century, which have become transitional elements of the main national myth “China is a great state and a family of peoples, each of which has its own specifics and identities”, is relevant at the present stage when the PRC is actively building a powerful national state. The novelty of the study is to highlight the sociocultural myth as an ontological modular system in the corps of the Chinese national myth.
Theory and history of traditional applied art. Didactic materials for self-extracurricular work of students
Authors: Kurakina I.I.
Published: August 2021

Reference book is addressed to students studying the theory and history of traditional applied art. It is a set of materials for self-extracurricular work. There are of the questions and tasks for research, artistic and creative activities, information and reference materials, dictionaries and references. The presented theoretical and practical material reveals the main aspects of the existence of traditional applied art in Russia, the logic of development, successive artistic and stylistic features of the language of its specific types.
Art as world and body transformation in philosophical and artistic cosmism. Article 1
Authors: Gacheva A.G.
Published: August 2021

The paper describes the aesthetic system of Russian cosmism through the prism of the theme of world transformation. It is shown that the idea of the antientropic essence of life and culture forms the idea of art as an instrument of world cosmization. The paper proves that in the aesthetics of cosmism, beauty acts as an ontological category, expressing the measure of creating perfection. The connection of the concept of art as world transformation with the anthropology of cosmism, where a person acts as a being who creatively acts in the world, is also analyzed in given article.
Museums and the older generation
Authors: Yakovlev A.A.
Published: August 2021

The “Museum StarTrack” project was launched in Moscow, which aims to unite the efforts of museum workers and employees of social service centers in working with the older generation. One of the first stages of the project was the holding of a practical conference “Museums and the Older Generation: The Practice of Participation in the Age of Social Challenges”, the main theses of which are set out in this article.
Human and society. Didactic materials for independent work of 10th grade students of educational institutions
Authors: Dokuchaev I.I.
Published: August 2021

The series of publications was prepared on the basis of a teaching manual addressed to 10th grade schoolchildren of schools studying the integrative course “Social Studies” (section “Man and Society”), and is a set of materials for independent work. The content of the manual fully meets the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standards of Basic General Education and work programs for secondary (complete) education in social studies. The presented theoretical and practical material reveals the main aspects of social life: the essence and functional characteristics of consciousness and activity, ideas about society and social institutions as a system, types of societies, views on culture as a cumulative spiritual experience and “collective memory”, its main institutions — science, religion, morality, education, art. Particular attention is paid to the definition of social progress and global problems of mankind.
Choosing a religion in the context of specificity of a religious experience
Authors: Lebedev V.Yu. , Bezrukov A.L.
Published: August 2021

The paper considers the process of choosing religion in a modern society. Factors that affect the behavior of an individual in the process of choosing religion are considered in the light of religious, psychological and social sciences. The classification of religions is divided into two types: personal experience religions and dogmatic religions. A modern man's motivation to be a follower of new religious movements is considered using the examples of neoprotestant, neohindu and neopagan religious groups.
Educational reforms and quality assurance of higher education in the context of globalization
Authors: Pak Yuriy Nikolaevich , Pak Dmitriy Yurievich
Published: August 2021

The main final results of educational reforms in Kazakhstan in the context of ongoing globalization processes are considered in the conceptual plan. Along with the positive changes in the spirit of the Bologna process, there are many problematic issues, the main one being ensuring the proper quality of education. A variety of academic approaches to the concept of "quality" is noted. The mass nature of higher education, its accessibility and the development of the paid sector exacerbate the problem of quality assurance. The article discusses the competence approach as the main component of student-centered educational programs and the reasons that hinder its implementation. The importance of developing social partnership between the higher educational institution and the employer and improving the quality of motivated work of teachers is highlighted.
Moiseev on national goals in the context of modern socio-cultural development
Authors: Khorina Galina Petrovna
Published: August 2021

The article defines national goals and analyzes their role in the life of the state and society. It is noted that N.N. Moiseev did not create an integral system that would describe in detail the national goals, but the ones that he formulated could signifi cantly enrich and warn perestroika and post-perestroika Russia; their relevance is indisputable to this day. The author reveals the close connection of national goals not only with the economy and with the positive processes that will occur in the future, but, first of all, with the moral atmosphere that exists in the society. The "Russian TEACHER system" is considered.
Philosophical and pedagogical understanding of the role and subject purpose of the Russian language as the fundamental basis of education
Authors: Turbovskoy Yakov Semenovich
Published: August 2021

The author shows that pedagogy as a science originated as an applied philosophy, and education was originally inherent in the human race as any living organism. At the same time, the science called Cultural Studies is fundamentally different. The article demonstrates that Cultural Studies actualize the knowledge about culture, which arose when the natural in man ceased to prevail and when it took awareness of all processes. That is when culture came into being. As soon as awareness passed through language and scientific awareness, it became necessary to monitor the transition from natural to social needs. This became the basis of Cultural Studies. The author shows the significance of language as a means of socialization and the role of language in religion, ideology, and culture.
The USA strategy and tactics in the Middle East region from the end of the World War II to the "Arab spring"
Authors: Filimonova Anna Igorevna , Ivanov Sergey Dmitrievich
Published: August 2021

Currently, as the most powerful state in the world, the United States has a key influence on the processes taking place in the Middle East. In this regard, the analysis of the strategic paradigm of the American policy in the Middle East and the tactics of its implementation from the beginning of its formation is important both for understanding the specifics of the processes taking place in the region and for assessing their impact on the world political process. The material of the article is of scientific and methodological significance in the field of International Relations
The art of mass communication: image management as the main competence of a public relations specialist
Authors: Makarevich Eduard Fedorovich , Karpukhin Oleg Ivanovich
Published: August 2021

Mass communications influence people's opinions, assessments, and behavior by using certain images. The ability to create images is an indicator of mass communication culture. The world around is presented by images of space organization, images of the life and history of the nation, images of the nation itself, embodied in its character and archetype, images of people, images of economic and social life, the socio-political structure of society, the economic and political development, and images of globalization, involving countries and peoples. The article shows what technologies are used in mass communications for public relations. The material of the article may be of interest in the framework of the program track "Advertising and Public Relations".
Case study: Correlation between boundary and finite element determination of large silencer transmission loss
Authors: Ruan Kangping , Wu T.W. , Herrin D.W.
Published: August 2021

Silencers used in the power generation industry generally have large ducts entering and leaving the silencer. With large cross-sectional dimensions, the plane wave cutoff frequency will be exceeded at a low frequency so that transmission loss can no longer be evaluated by assuming constant
sound pressure over a cross-section. More sophisticated calculation and processing approaches are necessary. In this research, the boundary element method is used in conjunction with a reciprocal identity method to determine the transmission loss for rectangular and circular cross-sections:
the two configurations that cover most real-world designs. The boundary element method is compared to a finite element method strategy where the transmission loss is determined using an automatically matched layer boundary condition at the inlet and outlet. This approach can be used in most
commercial software. Although these two approaches have little in common, transmission loss results compare well with one other. Validation by comparison is helpful because analytical solutions are only available for simple axisymmetric cases. Methods are compared for practical configurations
like parallel-baffle silencers and reactive silencers.
Case study: Purdue University's "Clapping Circle": An acoustical investigation
Authors: Wing Elspeth , Herr Steven , Petty Alexander , Dufour Alexander , Hoham Frederick , Merrill Morgan , Samphier Donovan , Thor Weimin , Singh Kushagra , Xue Yutong , Huston Davin , Bolton J. Stuart
Published: August 2021

The perplexing acoustical properties of a landscape architecture feature of Academy Park on the Purdue University campus have long been the subject of speculation. The feature, known informally as the "Clapping Circle", consists of sixty-six concentric rings of stone tiles.
When someone claps while at the middle of the circle, they hear a high-pitched squeak immediately afterwards. Experiments were conducted by the Purdue student chapter of the Acoustical Society of America to characterize this effect. The response to a clap played from an omnidirectional speaker
placed at the center of the circle was recorded using a microphone positioned above the loudspeaker. Spectrograms of the recorded responses revealed the squeak to consist of a descending tone and its harmonics. This tone disappeared from the spectrogram when the tiles were covered with absorbing
blankets. A model based on scattering from the bevels between the tile rings reproduced the descending frequency of the squeak. Similarly to famous stepped structures with notable acoustics, the tiles were found to scatter sound best when the wavelength was not larger than the tiles' spatial
period. Thus, it was concluded that the squeak is an example of an acoustical diffraction grating which creates a repetition pitch caused by scattering from the tile formation.
El Ámbito Competencial de la Jurisdicción Indígena Originaria Campesina en materia penal
Authors: Miranda Hayes Sergio
Published: August 2021

El presente artículo expone la contradicción existente entre los derechos indígenas originarios campesinos, el carácter plurinacional del Estado Boliviano y lo dispuesto en la Ley de Deslinde Jurisdiccional en lo pertinente a las disposiciones que restringen las competencias de la justicia indígena en lo relativo al ámbito penal, de forma que, sobre la base del antedicho análisis se propone una compatibilización normativa a nivel legal. Se realizó una investigación documental, en donde fueron analizadas las normas establecidas en la Ley de Deslinde Jurisdiccional en la esfera competencial material en el ámbito penal, partiendo de la concepción del Estado Plurinacional y el pluralismo jurídico. Por lo que se comprendió que, por regla general, los delitos señalados en el art. 10.II inc. a) de la Ley de Deslinde Jurisdiccional, los cuales son apuntados como ilícitos que no puede conocer la jurisdicción indígena originaria campesina, guardan su razón de ubicarse en esa disposición en mérito a una imperiosa necesidad pública.
Gestión de tesorería en las empresas contratistas para puertos
Authors: Castellano Osnely
Published: August 2021

El objetivo se centró en analizar la gestión de tesorería utilizada por las empresas contratistas del Puerto de Maracaibo, Venezuela. La metodología fue descriptiva, con diseño no experimental, de campo y transeccional. La población quedó conformada por las siete (7) empresas con más cantidad de contratos al momento de la investigación. La información se recolecto a través de un cuestionario de 10 ítems, con escala de frecuencias. El mismo fue validado por el juicio de expertos y la confiabilidad fue calculada por la formula Alfa de Cronbach, obteniéndose 0,98. Para procesar los resultados se empleó la media aritmética (X ?) y la frecuencia relativa. Se evidencio una moderada utilización de la gestión de tesorería como unidad estratégica que debe manejar en forma efectiva y eficiente los recursos financ
Modelo de Markowitz aplicado a fondos de inversión en Bolivia
Authors: Coria Villca Diego
Published: August 2021

En Bolivia se invierte en la bolsa de valores a través de las sociedades administradoras de fondos de inversión (SAFIs) quienes ofrecen 52 fondos de inversión, como en todo mercado financiero la decisión de dónde invertir es complicada. En este sentido, el estudio se propuso elaborar un portafolio óptimo de inversión en SAFIs que ofrezca el mayor rendimiento con un nivel de riesgo controlado. Con corte transversal, aplicando el modelo de Markowitz y la teoría de portafolios, se analizó el comportamiento diario de los instrumentos durante el periodo de julio-octubre de 2014. Como resultado se obtuvo el portafolio de mínima varianza con rendimiento de 1,87% y riesgo de 0,57% y el portafolio óptimo con rendimiento del 4,10% y riesgo del 3,65%. Como conclusión se sabe que posible optimizar el rendimiento de inversión en SAFIs utilizando este modelo, asimismo, es factible aplicar el mismo tratamiento estadístico para otros periodos de tiempo
Cumplimiento de las obligaciones tributarias del impuesto al valor agregado en la empresa SERVI PETROL, C.A.
Authors: Guerrero Noremilia
Published: August 2021

propósito describir el cumplimiento de las obligaciones tributarias del impuesto al valor agregado en la empresa Servi Petrol, C.A., la metodología fue de tipo descriptiva, con un diseño documental, transeccional. La población objeto del estudio fueron los documentos contentivos de la información sobre los deberes formales y materiales de la empresa. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizó la técnica de la observación documental. El análisis de los datos, se realizó mediante el análisis de contenido. Los resultados reflejaron que la empresa mantiene un mediano cumplimiento de las obligaciones tributarias del IVA. Como conclusión se afirma que la empresa no cumple en forma correcta con sus obligaciones tributarias, razón por la cual está expuesta a sanciones tipificadas en el Código Orgánico Tributario (2008), en sus artículos 101, 102, 103 y 104.