bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid Species in the GI Tract are Increased by the Commensal Fungus Candida albicans and Decrease the Virulence of Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Romo Jesus A. , Markey Laura , Kumamoto Carol A.
Published: July 2020

Prior antibiotic treatment is a risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI); the commensal gut microbiota plays a key role in determining host susceptibility to the disease. Previous studies demonstrate that the pre-colonization of mice with a commensal fungus, Candida albicans, protects against a lethal challenge with C. difficile spores. The results reported here demonstrate that the cecum contents of antibiotic-treated mice with C. albicans colonization contained different levels of several lipid species, including non-esterified, unsaturated long-chain fatty acids compared to non-C. albicans-colonized mice. Mice fed olive oil for one week and challenged with C. difficile spores showed enhanced survival compared to PBS-fed mice. The amount of olive oil administered was not sufficient to cause weight gain or to result in significant changes to the bacterial microbiota, in contrast to the effects of a high-fat diet. Furthermore, the direct exposure of C. difficile bacteria in laboratory culture to the unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid, the major fatty acid found in olive oil, reduced the transcription of genes encoding the toxins and reduced the survival of bacteria in the post-exponential phase. Therefore, the effects of C. albicans on the metabolite milieu contributed to the attenuation of C. difficile virulence.
Small Cyclic Peptide for Pyrophosphate Dependent Ligation in Prebiotic Environments
Authors: Piast Radosław W. , Garstka Maciej , Misicka Aleksandra , Wieczorek Rafał M.
Published: July 2020

All life on Earth uses one universal biochemistry stemming from one universal common ancestor of all known living organisms. One of the most striking features of this universal biochemistry is its utter dependence on phosphate group transfer between biochemical molecules. Both nucleic acid and peptide biological synthesis relies heavily on phosphate group transfer. Such dependents strongly indicate very early incorporation of phosphate chemistry in the origin of life. Perhaps as early as prebiotic soup stage. We report here on a short cyclic peptide, c(RPDDHR), designed rationally for pyrophosphate interaction, which is able to create a new amide bond dependent on the presence of pyrophosphate. We believe this result to be a first step in the exploration of Phosphate Transfer Catalysts that must have been present and active in prebiotic soup and must have laid down foundations for the universal bioenergetics.
Transparency as a Driver for Logistical Efficiency in WEEE Collection and Transport
Authors: Bø Eirill , Baxter John
Published: July 2020

Inefficiency in complex reverse-logistical operations, such as the collection and transport of various wastes, can often be traced to two related factors. Adversarial and arms-length relationships between service providers and customers are commonplace, alongside surprisingly limited understanding of the cost base. This study investigated transparency and shared understanding as drivers for higher efficiency and lower costs. Observation and intervention in contractual negotiations was combined with analyses of cost and sensitivity, and a post-contractual transparency exercise with bidders where findings were shared with all parties. The work yielded both immediate efficiency gains and a longer-term infrastructure for cost evaluation and negotiation. Ongoing work is extending the approach into yet more complex and broader areas of municipal waste management.
Matching Score Models for Hyperspectral Range Analysis to Improve Wood Log Traceability by Fingerprint Methods
Authors: Schraml Rudolf , Entacher Karl , Petutschnigg Alexander , Young Timothy , Uhl Andreas
Published: July 2020

Traceability of natural resources, from the cradle to the final product is a crucial issue to secure sustainable material usage as well as to optimize and control processes over the whole supply chain. In the forest products industries the material can be tracked by different technologies, but for the first step of material flow, from the forest to the industry, no systematic and complete technology has been developed. On the way to close this data gap the fingerprint technology for wooden logs looks promising. It uses inherent properties of a wood stem for identification. In this paper hyperspectral cameras are applied to gain images of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) log end faces in different spectral ranges. The images are converted to a biometric template of feature vectors and a matching algorithm is used to evaluate if the biometric templates are similar or not. Based on this, matching scores specific spectral ranges which contain information to distinguish between different log end faces are identified. The method developed in this paper is a necessary and successful step to define scanning system parameters for fingerprint recognition systems for wood log traceability from the forest.
The Newtonian Operator and Global Convergence Balls for Newton’s Method
Authors: Ezquerro José A. , Hernández-Verón Miguel A.
Published: July 2020

We obtain results of restricted global convergence for Newton’s method from ideas based on the Fixed-Point theorem and using the Newtonian operator and auxiliary points. The results are illustrated with a non-linear integral equation of Davis-type and improve the results previously given by the authors.
Construction of Quality Indicators Based on Pre-Established Goals: Application to a Colombian Public University
Authors: Liern Vicente , Parada-Rico Sandra E. , Blasco-Blasco Olga
Published: July 2020

This study creates indicators of adequacy and excellence based on multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods and fuzzy logic. The calculation of indicators presents two main difficulties: The nature of the data (numerical, interval, and linguistic values are mixed) and the objective of each criterion (which does not have to reach either the maximum or the minimum). A method is proposed, based on similarity measures with predetermined ideals, that is capable of overcoming these difficulties to provide easy-to-interpret information about the quality of the alternatives. To illustrate the usefulness of this proposed method, it has been applied to data collected from students across nine semesters at the Bucaramanga campus of the Industrial University of Santander in Colombia. This case study demonstrates that the proposed method can facilitate strategic decisions at an institution and open the way for the establishment of action policies regarding gender inequality and economic disparity, among other things.
Economic Policy Uncertainty and Stock Market Spillovers: Case of Selected CEE Markets
Authors: Škrinjarić Tihana , Orlović Zrinka
Published: July 2020

Rising political and economic uncertainty over the world affects all participants on different markets, including stock markets. Recent research has shown that these effects are significant and should not be ignored. This paper estimates the spillover effects of shocks in the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) index and stock market returns and risks for selected Central and Eastern European markets (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia). Based on rolling estimations of the vector autoregression (VAR) model and the Spillover Indices, detailed insights are obtained on the sources of shock spillovers between the variables in the system. Recommendations are given based on the results both for policymakers and international investors. The contribution of the paper consists of the dynamic estimation approach, alongside allowing for the feedback relationship between the variables of interest, as well as examining the mentioned spillovers for the first time for majority of the observed countries.
Two Iterative Methods with Memory Constructed by the Method of Inverse Interpolation and Their Dynamics
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Zhu Mingming
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we obtain two iterative methods with memory by using inverse interpolation. Firstly, using three function evaluations, we present a two-step iterative method with memory, which has the convergence order 4.5616. Secondly, a three-step iterative method of order 10.1311 is obtained, which requires four function evaluations per iteration. Herzberger’s matrix method is used to prove the convergence order of new methods. Finally, numerical comparisons are made with some known methods by using the basins of attraction and through numerical computations to demonstrate the efficiency and the performance of the presented methods.
Exploring the Influencing Factors of Health Literacy among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Chiu Hsiao-Ting , Tsai Han-Wei , Kuo Ken N. , Leung Angela Y.M. , Chang Yao-Mao , Lee Pi-Hsia , Hou Wen-Hsuan
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives: To investigate the health literacy (HL) among older adults in Taiwan, we referenced an existing integrated model of HL to confirm the influencing factors of HL in older adults. We propose this study to examine the personal, situational, and socioenvironmental factors influencing HL among older adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a district hospital and affiliated community center in northern Taiwan from August 2016 to May 2017. This study used the Mandarin Chinese version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (EU-Q47). We designed three models based on the three domains of HL. Model 1 assesses personal factors. Model 2 incorporates situational factors. Model 3 adds the socioenvironmental factor. Results: We recruited 161 participants aged over 65 years. Most adults in this study had limited overall HL. The final regression model revealed that age >85 years, unknown insurance status, and dominant spoken dialect of Hakka or Taiwanese were significantly associated with higher scores of HL. Conclusions: Our study results may help clinicians with early identification of older adults at high risk for poor HL and help health administrators establish geriatric policies and health education plans.
Sialolithiasis—Do Early Diagnosis and Removal Minimize Post-Operative Morbidity?
Authors: Avishai Gal , Ben-Zvi Yehonatan , Ghanaiem Omar , Chaushu Gavriel , Gilat Hanna
Published: July 2020

Background and objectives: Sialolithiasis is an inflammation of a salivary gland due to obstruction of salivary flow by a sialolith. We aim to assess potential factors that may predict lower morbidity following endoscopically assisted per-oral sialolith removal. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Retrospective review of 100 records of patients with sialolithiasis, following surgical sialolith removal. A single medical center (Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery-Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson & Hasharon–Israel) survey. Data were gleaned from the patient files based on a structured questionnaire. Factors that may predict morbidity were evaluated using linear regression equation. Results: 59 of the subjects were men and 41 were women. The mean age of the patients in the study was 50 ± 17.5 years. Sialolith volume and past antibiotic treatment were positively associated while age was negatively associated with hospitalization duration. Conclusion: Early sialolith diagnosis and removal may lower postoperative morbidity.
Clinical Performance of Short Expandable Dental Implants for Oral Rehabilitation in Highly Atrophic Alveolar Bone: 3-year Results of a Prospective Single-Center Cohort Study
Authors: Reich Waldemar , Schweyen Ramona , Hey Jeremias , Otto Sven , Eckert Alexander
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) is compromised during the post-implant healing period, especially when vertical augmentation is required. A long-term trial sought to evaluate a short dental implant system with an apically expandable macro-design. Materials and Methods: Over 4.5 years, patients with limited vertical alveolar bone were consecutively recruited into this prospective cohort study. Implant success rate, OHRQOL (Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14), implant stability, and crestal bone changes were evaluated. Results: Data from 30 patients (mean age: 64.6 years, range 44–83) were analyzed, which related to 104 implants (53 in the maxilla, 51 in the mandible). Over the mean follow-up (42.6 ± 16.4 months), the implant success rate was 94.7% in the mandible (two implants lost) and 83.6% in the maxilla (four implants lost; p = 0.096), and the prosthetic success rate was 100%. The median OHIP-14 scores improved from 23 (interquartile range (IQR) 9–25.5) to 2 (IQR 0–5; p < 0.001). The mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) was 71.2 ± 10.6 for primary stability and 73.7 ± 13.3 (p = 0.213) for secondary stability, without significant maxilla-versus-mandible differences (p ≥ 0.066). Compared to the baseline, median crestal bone changes after loading were 1.0 mm (IQR 0–1.3) and 1.0 mm (IQR 0.2–1.2) in the maxilla and mandible (p = 0.508), respectively, at the end of the first year, 1.1 mm (IQR 0–1.3) and 1.0 mm (IQR 0.1–1.2) (p = 0.382), respectively, at the end of the second year, and 1.2 mm (IQR 0–1.9) and 1.1 mm (IQR 0.1–1.2) (p = 0.304), respectively, at the end of the third year. Conclusions: In patients with limited vertical bone height, short implants with optimized macro-design constitute a reliable method for functional rehabilitation, avoiding extensive alveolar bone augmentation.
Characteristics of an Iron-Reducing, Moderately Acidophilic Actinobacterium Isolated from Pyritic Mine Waste, and Its Potential Role in Mitigating Mineral Dissolution in Mineral Tailings Deposits
Authors: Nancucheo Ivan , Johnson D. Barrie
Published: July 2020

Reactive pyritic mine tailings can be populated by chemolithotrophic prokaryotes that enhance the solubilities of many metals, though iron-reducing heterotrophic microorganisms can inhibit the environmental risk posed by tailings by promoting processes that are the reverse of those carried out by pyrite-oxidising autotrophic bacteria. A strain (IT2) of Curtobacterium ammoniigenes, a bacterium not previously identified as being associated with acidic mine wastes, was isolated from pyritic mine tailings and partially characterized. Strain IT2 was able to reduce ferric iron under anaerobic conditions, but was not found to catalyse the oxidation of ferrous iron or elemental (zero-valent) sulfur, and was an obligate heterotrophic. It metabolized monosaccharides and required small amounts of yeast extract for growth. Isolate IT2 is a mesophilic bacterium, with a temperature growth optimum of 30 °C and is moderately acidophilic, growing optimally at pH 4.0 and between pH 2.7 and 5.0. The isolate tolerated elevated concentrations of many transition metals, and was able to grow in the cell-free spent medium of the acidophilic autotroph Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, supporting the hypothesis that it can proliferate in acidic mine tailings. Its potential role in mitigating the production of acidic, metal-rich drainage waters from mine wastes is discussed.
Leptin and Nutrition in Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Antonio , Vilariño-García Teresa , Guadix Pilar , Dueñas José L. , Sánchez-Margalet Víctor
Published: July 2020

Leptin is highly expressed in the placenta, mainly by trophoblastic cells, where it has an important autocrine trophic effect. Moreover, increased leptin levels are found in the most frequent pathology of pregnancy: gestational diabetes, where leptin may mediate the increased size of the placenta and the fetus, which becomes macrosomic. In fact, leptin mediates the increased protein synthesis, as observed in trophoblasts from gestational diabetic subjects. In addition, leptin seems to facilitate nutrients transport to the fetus in gestational diabetes by increasing the expression of the glycerol transporter aquaporin-9. The high plasma leptin levels found in gestational diabetes may be potentiated by leptin resistance at a central level, and obesity-associated inflammation plays a role in this leptin resistance. Therefore, the importance of anti-inflammatory nutrients to modify the pathology of pregnancy is clear. In fact, nutritional intervention is the first-line approach for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus. However, more nutritional intervention studies with nutraceuticals, such as polyphenols or polyunsaturated fatty acids, or nutritional supplementation with micronutrients or probiotics in pregnant women, are needed in order to achieve a high level of evidence. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has been recently found to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes in a multicenter randomized trial. This review will focus on the impact of maternal obesity on placental inflammation and nutrients transport, considering the mechanisms by which leptin may influence maternal and fetal health in this setting, as well as its role in pregnancy pathologies.
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01 Supplementation during Endurance Running Training Improves Exercise Performance in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners: A Double-Blind Controlled Trial
Authors: Lin Che-Li , Hsu Yi-Ju , Ho Hsieh-Hsun , Chang Yung-Cheng , Kuo Yi-Wei , Yeh Yao-Tsung , Tsai Shin-Yu , Chen Ching-Wei , Chen Jui-Fen , Huang Chi-Chang , Lee Mon-Chien
Published: July 2020

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Olympic No. 1 (OLP-01) has been shown in previous animal experiments to improve exercise endurance performance, but this effect has not been confirmed in humans, or more particularly, in athletes. Toward this end, the current study combined OLP-01 supplementation with regular exercise training in well-trained middle- and long-distance runners at the National Taiwan Sport University. The study was designed as a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment. Twenty-one subjects (14 males and seven females aged 20–30 years) were evenly distributed according to total distance (meters) traveled in 12 min to one of the following two groups: a placebo group (seven males and three females) and an OLP-01 (1.5 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/day) group (seven males and four females). All the participants received placebo or OLP-01 supplements for five consecutive weeks consisting of three weeks of regular training and two weeks of de-training. Before and after the experiment, the participants were tested for 12-min running/walking distance, and body composition, blood/serum, and fecal samples were analyzed. The results showed that OLP-01 significantly increased the change in the 12-min Cooper’s test running distance and the abundance of gut microbiota. Although no significant change in body composition was found, OLP-01 caused no adverse reactions or harm to the participants’ bodies. In summary, OLP-01 can be used as a sports nutrition supplement, especially for athletes, to improve exercise performance.
The Effectiveness of Probiotics in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)—A Critical Review
Authors: Jakubczyk Dominika , Leszczyńska Katarzyna , Górska Sabina
Published: July 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects millions of people worldwide, includes two separate diseases: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Although the background (chronic inflammatory state) and some of the symptoms of CD and UC are similar, both diseases differ from each other. It is becoming clear that a combination of many factors, in particular genetic background, host immune response and microbial reduced diversity status are associated with IBD. One potential strategy to prevent/treat IBD is gut modulation by probiotics. Over the last twenty years, many publications have focused on the role of probiotics in the course of IBD. The review discusses the utility of different strains of probiotics, especially Bifidobacterium spp., in all factors potentially involved in the etiology of IBD. The probiotic modulatory properties among different study models (cell lines, animal models of colitis, clinical study) are discussed and probiotic usefulness is assessed in relation to the treatment, prevention, and remission of diseases.
Hazardous Waste Management: An African Overview
Authors: Akpan Victor E. , Olukanni David O.
Published: July 2020

Hazardous waste materials and their management are of prime importance to society. This article gives an overview of the current practices that relate to hazardous waste management. It looks at issues concerning the transboundary or international movement of harmful materials from industrialized nations to the developing and emerging world. This study has shown that Africa, most notably Nigeria, has become a dumping ground for hazardous waste materials as a result of the high importation of scrap computers and electronic devices into the country. The public health hazards, such as birth deficiencies, cancers, and even infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B and C, respectively, have been traced to the improper management of these waste materials. The review highlights a few models on hazardous waste management as developed by previous literature, which gives a hierarchy, ranging from source reduction, recycling, and landfill options. Studies reveal that hazardous waste management in Africa must revolve around wealth creation, economic, and environmental sustainability. The study provided evidence that the recycling option has high potentials in the areas of energy recovery. The data collected show South Africa to be the most advanced in the African continent in the field of hazardous waste management. For a sustainable environment, keen attention must be paid to hazardous waste management globally.
A Hierarchical Deep-Learning Approach for Rapid Windthrow Detection on PlanetScope and High-Resolution Aerial Image Data
Authors: Deigele Wolfgang , Brandmeier Melanie , Straub Christoph
Published: July 2020

Forest damage due to storms causes economic loss and requires a fast response to prevent further damage such as bark beetle infestations. By using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) in conjunction with a GIS, we aim at completely streamlining the detection and mapping process for forest agencies. We developed and tested different CNNs for rapid windthrow detection based on PlanetScope satellite data and high-resolution aerial image data. Depending on the meteorological situation after the storm, PlanetScope data might be rapidly available due to its high temporal resolution, while the acquisition of high-resolution airborne data often takes weeks to a month and is, therefore, used in a second step for more detailed mapping. The study area is located in Bavaria, Germany (ca. 165 km2), and labels for damaged areas were provided by the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF). Modifications of a U-Net architecture were compared to other approaches using transfer learning (e.g., VGG19) to find the most efficient architecture for the task on both datasets while keeping the computational time low. A custom implementation of U-Net proved to be more accurate than transfer learning, especially on medium (3 m) resolution PlanetScope imagery (intersection over union score (IoU) 0.55) where transfer learning completely failed. Results for transfer learning based on VGG19 on high-resolution aerial image data are comparable to results from the custom U-Net architecture (IoU 0.76 vs. 0.73). When using both architectures on a dataset from a different area (located in Hesse, Germany), however, we find that the custom implementations have problems generalizing on aerial image data while VGG19 still detects most damage in these images. For PlanetScope data, VGG19 again fails while U-Net achieves reasonable mappings. Results highlight the potential of Deep Learning algorithms to detect damaged areas with an IoU of 0.73 on airborne data and 0.55 on Planet Dove data. The proposed workflow with complete integration into ArcGIS is well-suited for rapid first assessments after a storm event that allows for better planning of the flight campaign followed by detailed mapping in a second stage.
High-Precision Soil Moisture Mapping Based on Multi-Model Coupling and Background Knowledge, Over Vegetated Areas Using Chinese GF-3 and GF-1 Satellite Data
Authors: Han Leran , Wang Chunmei , Yu Tao , Gu Xingfa , Liu Qiyue
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes a combined approach comprising a set of methods for the high-precision mapping of soil moisture in a study area located in Jiangsu Province of China, based on the Chinese C-band synthetic aperture radar data of GF-3 and high spatial-resolution optical data of GF-1, in situ experimental datasets and background knowledge. The study was conducted in three stages: First, in the process of eliminating the effect of vegetation canopy, an empirical vegetation water content model and a water cloud model with localized parameters were developed to obtain the bare soil backscattering coefficient. Second, four commonly used models (advanced integral equation model (AIEM), look-up table (LUT) method, Oh model, and the Dubois model) were coupled to acquire nine soil moisture retrieval maps and algorithms. Finally, a simple and effective optimal solution method was proposed to select and combine the nine algorithms based on classification strategies devised using three types of background knowledge. A comprehensive evaluation was carried out on each soil moisture map in terms of the root-mean-square-error (RMSE), Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean bias (bias). The results show that for the nine individual algorithms, the estimated model constructed using the AIEM (mv1) was significantly more accurate than those constructed using the other models (RMSE = 0.0321 cm³/cm³, MAE = 0.0260 cm³/cm³, and PCC = 0.9115), followed by the Oh model (m_v5) and LUT inversion method under HH polarization (mv2). Compared with the independent algorithms, the optimal solution methods have significant advantages; the soil moisture map obtained using the classification strategy based on the percentage content of clay was the most satisfactory (RMSE = 0.0271 cm³/cm³, MAE = 0.0225 cm³/cm³, and PCC = 0.9364). This combined method could not only effectively integrate the optical and radar satellite data but also couple a variety of commonly used inversion models, and at the same time, background knowledge was introduced into the optimal solution method. Thus, we provide a new method for the high-precision mapping of soil moisture in areas with a complex underlying surface.
Reliable Identification Schemes for Asset and Production Tracking in Industry 4.0
Authors: Frankó Attila , Vida Gergely , Varga Pal
Published: July 2020

Revolutionizing logistics and supply chain management in smart manufacturing is one of the main goals of the Industry 4.0 movement. Emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, Cyber-Physical Systems and digital twins enable highly automated and optimized solutions in these fields to achieve full traceability of individual products. Tracking various assets within shop-floors and the warehouse is a focal point of asset management; its aim is to enhance the efficiency of logistical tasks. Global players implement their own solutions based on the state of the art technologies. Small and medium companies, however, are still skeptic toward identification based tracking methods, because of the lack of low-cost and reliable solutions. This paper presents a novel, working, reliable, low-cost, scalable solution for asset tracking, supporting global asset management for Industry4.0. The solution uses high accuracy indoor positioning—based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio technology—combined with RFID-based tracking features. Identifying assets is one of the most challenging parts of this work, so this paper focuses on how different identification approaches can be combined to facilitate an efficient and reliable identification scheme.
In Vivo Dual-Modal Photoacoustic and Ultrasound Imaging of Sentinel Lymph Nodes Using a Solid-State Dye Laser System
Authors: Han Moongyu , Choi Wonseok , Ahn Joongho , Ryu Hanyoung , Seo Youngseok , Kim Chulhong
Published: July 2020

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is being actively investigated as a non-invasive and non-radioactive imaging technique for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. By taking advantage of optical and ultrasound imaging, PAI probes SLNs non-invasively with methylene blue (MB) in both live animals and breast cancer patients. However, these PAI systems have limitations for widespread use in clinics and commercial marketplaces because the lasers used by the PAI systems, e.g., tunable liquid dye laser systems and optical parametric oscillator (OPO) lasers, are bulky in size, not economical, and use risky flammable and toxic liquid dyes. To overcome these limitations, we are proposing a novel dual-modal photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging system based on a solid-state dye laser (SD-PAUSI), which is compact, convenient, and carries far less risk of flammability and toxicity. Using a solid-state dye handpiece that generates 650-nm wavelength, we successfully imaged the MB tube positioned deeply (~3.9 cm) in chicken breast tissue. The SLNs were also photoacoustically detected in the in vivo rats beneath a 2.2-cm-thick layer of chicken breast, which is deeper than the typical depth of SLNs in humans (1.2 ± 0.5 cm). Furthermore, we showed the multispectral capability of the PAI by switching the dye handpiece, in which the MB-dyed SLN was selectively highlighted from the surrounding vasculature. These results demonstrated the great potential of the SD-PAUSI as an easy but effective modality for SLN detection.
Internet of Things for Smart Spaces: A University Campus Case Study
Authors: Gilman Ekaterina , Tamminen Satu , Yasmin Rumana , Ristimella Eemeli , Peltonen Ella , Harju Markus , Lovén Lauri , Riekki Jukka , Pirttikangas Susanna
Published: July 2020

Advances in technology and data analysis provide rich opportunities for developing intelligent environments assisting their inhabitants, so-called smart environments or smart spaces. Enhanced with technology, sensors, user interfaces, and various applications, such smart spaces are capable of recognizing users and situations they are in, react accordingly, e.g., by providing certain services or changes to the environment itself. Therefore, smart space solutions are gradually coming to different application domains, each with corresponding specific characteristics. In this article, we discuss our experiences and explore the challenges of a long-term real-world Internet of Things (IoT) deployment at a University campus. We demonstrate the technical implementation and data quality issues. We conduct several studies, from data analysis to interaction with space, utilizing the developed infrastructure, and we also share our actions to open the data for education purposes and discuss their outcomes. With this article, we aim to share our experience and provide real-world lessons learned when building an open, multipurpose, publicly used smart space at a University campus.
Statistics and Machine Learning Experiments in Poetry
Authors: Calin Ovidiu
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a quantitative approach to poetry, based on the use of several statistical measures (entropy, information energy, N-gram, etc.) applied to a few characteristic English writings. We found that English language changes its entropy as time passes, and that entropy depends on the language used and on the author. In order to compare two similar texts, we were able to introduce a statistical method to asses the information entropy between two texts. We also introduced a method of computing the average information conveyed by a group of letters about the next letter in the text. We found a formula for computing the Shannon language entropy and we introduced the concept of N-gram informational energy of a poetry. We also constructed a neural network, which is able to generate Byron-type poetry and to analyze the information proximity to the genuine Byron poetry.
Assessment of Sustainable Development in Secondary School Economics Students According to Gender
Authors: Cifuentes-Faura Javier , Faura-Martínez Ursula , Lafuente-Lechuga Matilde
Published: July 2020

Environmental education is one of the most effective means of raising public awareness of the need to preserve the environment, and therefore plays a key role in raising awareness and conserving the environment. Teachers also play an important role in achieving these sustainable objectives. Economic decisions are intimately linked to and affect the sustainable development to a large extent, hence the importance of the subject of economics in achieving sustainability. The minimum contents established by the educational law on these aspects related to sustainability have been revised. Through a survey, the differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainable development are analyzed from a gender perspective. It is detected that, in general, women have a greater knowledge of environmental issues and more sensitivity, with a greater commitment to recycling and changing lifestyles.
Neural Networks Applied to Microsimulation: A Prediction Model for Pedestrian Crossing Time
Authors: Gruden Chiara , Otković Irena Ištoka , Šraml Matjaž
Published: July 2020

Walking is the original form of transportation, and pedestrians have always made up a significant share of transportation system users. In contrast to motorized traffic, which has to move on precisely defined lanes and follow strict rules, pedestrian traffic is not heavily regulated. Moreover, pedestrians have specific characteristics—in terms of size and protection—which make them much more vulnerable than drivers. In addition, the difference in speed between pedestrians and motorized vehicles increases their vulnerability. All these characteristics, together with the large number of pedestrians on the road, lead to many safety problems that professionals have to deal with. One way to tackle them is to model pedestrian behavior using microsimulation tools. Of course, modeling also raises questions of reliability, and this is also the focus of this paper. The aim of the present research is to contribute to improving the reliability of microsimulation models for pedestrians by testing the possibility of applying neural networks in the model calibration process. Pedestrian behavior is culturally conditioned and the adaptation of the model to local specifics in the calibration process is a prerequisite for realistic modeling results. A neural network is formulated, trained and validated in order to link not-directly measurable model parameters to pedestrian crossing time, which is given as output by the microsimulation tool. The crossing time of pedestrians passing the road on a roundabout entry leg has been both simulated and calculated by the network, and the results were compared. A correlation of 94% was achieved after both training and validation steps. Finally, tests were performed to identify the main parameters that influence the estimated crossing time.
Blue-Green Smart Mobility Technologies as Readiness for Facing Tomorrow’s Urban Shock toward the World as a Better Place for Living (Case Studies: Songdo and Copenhagen)
Authors: Doost Mohammadian Hamid , Rezaie Fatemeh
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, we are on the cusp of a future that will face many global challenges and crises, as well as unforeseeable shocks of tomorrow. The rapid growth and development of technology will bring forth exponential change that may challenge and threaten our human psychology. Solutions and policies are needed to deal with today’s challenges, tomorrow’s shocks, and global crises to preserve the world and mankind for the future. In this research, Blue-Green sustainable mobility technologies are introduced as a pathway to create modern sustainable and livable urban areas to tackle these challenges. Clean and inclusive mobility, based on Blue-Green and sustainable infrastructure, low emission greenhouse gases, ubiquitous computing, smartness and digitalization is realized as one of the keys that could make the world a better place for living. This research examines inclusive transportation technology, its indicators and its impacts on creating modern livable urban areas with high a quality of life as a pathway to navigate the cusp of tomorrow. Furthermore, the roles of technology such as Information Technology, Internet of Things, Internet of Business, Internet of Manufacturing, and Internet of Energy as technology tools to develop such mobility is investigated. Literature reviews, surveys, case studies—including Songdo as a ubiquitous city and Copenhagen as a digital and clean city—and revised versions of Kiwi and Kampenhood and BESQoL (built environment sustainability and quality of life) methodologies are the main methods in this study. New concepts of mobility technology and eventuating cultural synergies, as a readiness for facing tomorrow’s world crises with a higher quality of life and well-being by using the 5th wave theory, are discussed.
Cholera and Pancreatic Cholera: Is VIP the Common Pathophysiologic Factor?
Authors: Afroze Farzana , Bloom Steven , Bech Paul , Ahmed Tahmeed , Sarker Shafiqul , Clemens John , Islam Farhana , Nalin David
Published: July 2020

Background: Cholera remains a major global health problem, causing high output diarrhea leading to severe dehydration and shock in developing countries. We aimed to determine whether vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), the mediator of pancreatic cholera syndrome, has a role in the pathophysiology of human cholera. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of cholera cases hospitalized with severe dehydration. Plasma and stool water levels of VIP were measured just after admission, after complete rehydration (3–4 h), at 24 h post-rehydration and at discharge after diarrhea ceased. Results: In total, 23 cholera patients were examined between January and August 2018. The geometric mean of stool VIP (sVIP) and plasma VIP (pVIP) on admission were 207.67 and 8.34 pmol/L, respectively. pVIP values were all within the normal range (</= 30 pcmol/L); however, sVIP levels were very high at all timepoints, though less so just after rehydration. In multivariable GEE models, after adjustment for covariates, sVIP levels were significantly associated with duration of hospitalization (p = 0.026), total stool volume (p = 0.023) as well as stool output in the first 24 h (p = 0.013). Conclusions: The data suggest that VIP, which is released by intestinal nerves, may play an important role in human choleragenesis, and inhibitors of intestinal VIP merit testing for potential therapeutic benefits.
Pseudomonas Phage PaBG—A Jumbo Member of an Old Parasite Family
Authors: Evseev Peter , Sykilinda Nina , Gorshkova Anna , Kurochkina Lidia , Ziganshin Rustam , Drucker Valentin , Miroshnikov Konstantin
Published: July 2020

Bacteriophage PaBG is a jumbo Myoviridae phage isolated from water of Lake Baikal. This phage has limited diffusion ability and thermal stability and infects a narrow range of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Therefore, it is hardly suitable for phage therapy applications. However, the analysis of the genome of PaBG presents a number of insights into the evolutionary history of this phage and jumbo phages in general. We suggest that PaBG represents an ancient group distantly related to all known classified families of phages.
Immunoinformatic Analysis of T- and B-Cell Epitopes for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Design
Authors: Wang Dongliang , Mai Jinhui , Zhou Wenfeng , Yu Wanting , Zhan Yang , Wang Naidong , Epstein Neal D. , Yang Yi
Published: July 2020

Currently, there is limited knowledge about the immunological profiles of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We used computer-based immunoinformatic analysis and the newly resolved 3-dimensional (3D) structures of the SARS-CoV-2 S trimeric protein, together with analyses of the immunogenic profiles of SARS-CoV, to anticipate potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein for vaccine design, particularly for peptide-driven vaccine design and serological diagnosis. Nine conserved linear B-cell epitopes and multiple discontinuous B-cell epitopes composed of 69 residues on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 trimeric S protein were predicted to be highly antigenic. We found that the SARS-CoV-2 S protein has a different antigenic profile than that of the SARS-CoV S protein due to the variations in their primary and 3D structures. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 may exploit an immune evasion mechanism through two point mutations in the critical and conserved linear neutralization epitope (overlap with fusion peptide) around a sparsely glycosylated area. These mutations lead to a significant decrease in the antigenicity of this epitope in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. In addition, 62 T-cell epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein were predicted in our study. The structure-based immunoinformatic analysis for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein in this study may improve vaccine design, diagnosis, and immunotherapy against the pandemic of COVID-19.
On the issue of assessing and Increasing the effect of training foreign citizens in Russian universities on the economic development of Russia and its Arctic regions
Authors: Sinitsa A.L.
Published: July 2020

In an effort to comprehensively cover the issue indicated in the title of the article, the author, first, traces the dynamics of the number of persons in question, including students on a contract basis, and identifies factors that affect this dynamics. Secondly, he comments on the direct and indirect assessments of the effects of training of educational migrants available in the literature. Thirdly, he gives examples of the presence of such effects for the economies of countries leading in the export of educational services. Fourth, it reveals the specifics of the Arctic subsystem of the Russian higher education system in comparison with similar subsystems of other countries that include the territories of the Far North. Fifth, it constructively and critically analyzes measures to stimulate the export of University services. Sixth, it sets out a number of considerations for improving the information and statistical support for solving the problems under consideration.
ANALISIS HUKUM STATUS KEWARGANEGARAAN GANDA MENURUT UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 12 TAHUN 2006 TENTANG KEWARGANEGARAAN
Authors: Muliadi Muliadi
Published: July 2020

Warga negara merupakan salah satu unsur dari negara yang harus dipenuhi untuk bisa disebut sebagai sebuah Negara, Indonesia secara tegas tidak menerapkan status kewarganegaraan ganda di dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 12 tahun 2006 tentang Kewarganegaraan, kecuali pada anak dalam kondisi tertentu atau yang disebut dengan prinsip Kewarganegaraan ganda terbatas. Yang dimaksud dengan terbatas disini adalah bahwa terhadap anak-anak hasil kawin campur diberikan batas waktu terakhir sampai berusia 21 tahun untuk memilih salah satu kewarganegaraan yang dimiliki yaitu memilih antara berkewarganegaraan Indonesia atau berkewarganegaraan asing. (2) Wacana penerapan kewarganegaraan ganda memerlukan kajian, pandangan, dan masukan dari pakar. Kalaupun harus ada revisi terhadap Undang-Undang Nomor 12 tahun 2006 tentang Kewarganegaraan, Indonesia harus tetap menganut sistem kewarganegaraan tunggal, bukan kewarganegaraan ganda, karna kewarganegaraan ganda tidak memberikan kepastian hukum bagi masyarakat, disamping itu kewarganegaraan ganda juga lebih banyak berdampak negatif bagi bangsa dan Negara Indonesia
LEGAL STUDY ABOUT DEMOTION OF THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL ARMY AND POLICE IN THE DIRECTOR OF SEA TRANSPORTATION, THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
Authors: Junaedi Junaedi
Published: July 2020

Government in a country is one element or component in the formation of a good state. The realization of good governance is when there is a synergy between the private sector, the people and the government as a facilitator, which is carried out in a transparent, participatory, accountable and democratic manner. The process of achieving a country with good governance requires tools in bringing components of government policies or regulations to the realization of national objectives. The government apparatus is the government apparatus, namely: Indonesian National Army (TNI), Indonesian National Police (POLRI) and Civil Servants (PNS). The challenge faced by the government in the field of human resources apparatus as the main pillar of the administration of government is the challenge of being able to develop a human resource planning system (HR) of the government apparatus in accordance with the results of structuring institutional structures and devices. The consequence is the formation of discipline, ethics and morale at the executive level, namely: the Indonesian National Army (TNI), the Republic of Indonesia National Police (POLRI), and Civil Servants (PNS) aimed at increasing work productivity and demands on the realization of a corrupt government apparatus. , Collusion, Nepotism (KKN), and more professional. Based on the above background, the problem formulation in this paper is the legal study of the demotion of the TNI and Polri in the ranks of the Director General of Sea Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia. The purpose of the study was to study and analyze the demotion of the TNI and Polri in the ranks of the Director General of Sea Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia.

Keywords. Demotion, Indonesian National Army/Indonesian National Police, Directorate General of Sea Transportation.
Perancangan dan Implementasi Uji Kinerja Thrust vectoring Untuk Roket Elektrik
Authors: Mubarok Asep Miftahul
Published: July 2020

Penelitian pada bidang teknologi roket dapat menjdai indikator kemajuan dari suatu negara. Teknologi roket biasanya digunakan untuk pergi ke luar angkasa dan sebagai alat pertahanan. Dibidang militer jenis roket yang digunakan adalah jenis roket peluru kendali atau biasa disebut rudal. Jenis rudal yang paling terkenal adalah rudal jelajah. Rudal jelajah dapat terbang dengan lintasan horizontal. Rudal jelajah terbang menggunakan sayap sebagai pembangkit gaya aerodinamika untuk mengontrol gerakan sewaktu mengudara. Pada dasarnya rudal jelajah adalah pesawat tanpa awak yang di rancang untuk membawa peluru ledak konvensional dengan jarak jangkau yang jauh. Salah satu dari jenis roket kendali yang sedang dikembangkan di Indonesia adalah roket elektrik yang dapat terbang secara horizontal. Agar roket dapat terbang dengan cepat secara horizontal pada sumbu pitch roket harus memiliki sistem kontrol thrust vectoring yaitu sistem yang dapat merubah arah angin yang terdapat pada bagian pendorong roket. Sistem thrust vectoring adalah kemampuan dari roket untuk memanipulasi arah dari daya dorong (thrust) yang dihasilkan mesin atau motor pengeraknya. Hal ini dilakukan dengan maksud mengendalikan arah atau kecepatan angular roket. Penelitian ini akan membahas sistem thrust vectoring agar roket bisa cepat lepas landas dengan cepat pada sumbu pitch. Dalam melakukan penelitian terdapat beberapa masalah yang dihadapi. Peneliti telah merumuskan beberapa masalah yaitu pembuatan sistem thrust vectoring dan kestabilan roket, yang bertujuan untuk mempercepat proses lepas landas. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode litelatur, metode observasi, pengujian, evaluasi serta simpulan. Berdasarkan hasil pengujian roket bisa terbang cepat pada sumbu pith menggunakan sistem thrust vectoring dengan waktu 4,6 detik untuk mencapai ketinggian 30m.

 

Kata kunci : Rudal, Roket elektrik, Thrust vectoring , Sumbu Pitch , Sistem kestabilan