bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Association between Vascular Dysfunction and Skeletal Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dvoretskiy Svyatoslav , Lieblein-Boff Jacqueline C. , Jonnalagadda Satya , Atherton Philip J. , Phillips Bethan E. , Pereira Suzette L.
Published: March 2020

Background: The prevalence of vascular dysfunction increases with advancing age, as does the loss of muscle mass, strength and function. This systematic review explores the association between vascular dysfunction and skeletal muscle health in healthy adults. Methods: EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for cross-sectional and randomized controlled studies between January 2009 and April 2019, with 33 out of 1246 studies included based on predefined criteria. Assessments of muscular health included muscle mass, strength and function. Macrovascular function assessment included arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity or augmentation index), carotid intima-media thickness, and flow-mediated dilation. Microvascular health assessment included capillary density or microvascular flow (contrast enhanced ultrasound). Results: All 33 studies demonstrated a significant association between vascular function and skeletal muscle health. Significant negative associations were reported between vascular dysfunction and -muscle strength (10 studies); -mass (9 studies); and -function (5 studies). Nine studies reported positive correlations between muscle mass and microvascular health. Conclusions: Multiple studies have revealed an association between vascular status and skeletal muscle health in healthy adults. This review points to the importance of screening for muscle health in adults with vascular dysfunction with a view to initiating early nutrition and exercise interventions to ameliorate functional decline over time.
A Novel Bivalent Mannosylated Targeting Ligand Displayed on Nanoparticles Selectively Targets Anti-Inflammatory M2 Macrophages
Authors: Chen Peiming , Zhang Xiaoping , Venosa Alessandro , Lee In Heon , Myers Daniel , Holloway Jennifer A. , Prud’homme Robert K. , Gao Dayuan , Szekely Zoltan , Laskin Jeffery D. , Laskin Debra L. , Sinko Patrick J.
Published: March 2020

Persistent activation of macrophages (MP)s into a proinflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype plays a role in several pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases, fibrosis, infections, atherosclerosis and tumor development. The mannose receptor (MR, CD206), expressed at low levels on resting MPs and absent on M1 MPs, is highly expressed on M2 MPs, making it a potential target and drug delivery portal. Recently, we developed a novel, highly selective MR targeting ligand (MRTL), consisting of two mannose molecules separated by a monodisperse 12 unit poly(ethylene glycol) linker, to enhance the cellular uptake of polymeric nanocarriers. The feasibility of using the MRTL ligand for selectively targeting M2 MPs for intracellular delivery of nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated. Rat peritoneal MPs were differentiated into an M1 or M2 phenotype using IFN-γ and IL-4/IL-13, respectively. Expression of the M1 marker, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the M2 markers arginase (Arg)-1 and MR (at both the mRNA and protein levels) confirmed MP phenotypic activation. Resting, M1 and M2 MPs were treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled MRTL or NPs displaying FITC-labeled MRTL at two surface densities (1 and 10%) and examined by confocal microscopy. Intracellular fluorescence was also quantified. Uptake of the MRTL was 2.4- and 11.8-fold higher in M2 MPs when compared to resting or M1 MPs, respectively, consistent with marker expression levels. Mannan, a competitive inhibitor of the MR, abrogated MRTL uptake. MRTL also co-localized with a fluid-phase endocytosis marker, further suggesting that uptake was mediated by MR-mediated endocytosis. Intracellular NP fluorescence was confirmed by flow cytometry and by confocal microscopy. MRTL-NPs accumulated intracellularly with no significant cell surface binding, suggesting efficient translocation. NPs displaying a low surface density (1%) of the MRTL exhibited significantly higher (2.3-fold) uptake into M2 MPs, relative to resting and M1 MPs. The 10% MRTL-NPs displayed greater uptake by M2 MPs when compared to resting and M1 MPs, but less uptake than 1% MRTL-NPs into M2 MPs. Control FITC-labeled plain NPs did not exhibit selective MP uptake. These studies demonstrate that M2 MPs are selectively targeted by NPs displaying a novel bivalent ligand that utilizes the MR as a target/portal for cell entry. This study also establishes the feasibility of the approach allowing for further investigation in vivo.
Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Selective Extraction of Polymyxins from Environmental Water Samples
Authors: Song Xuqin , Turiel Esther , He Limin , Martín-Esteban Antonio
Published: March 2020

The authors wish to make a change to the published paper [...]
Compatibilization of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) and Bio-Based Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Rubber (EPDM) via Reactive Extrusion with Different Coagents
Authors: Piontek Alexander , Vernaez Oscar , Kabasci Stephan
Published: March 2020

Much effort has been made to enhance the toughness of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) to broaden its possible range of usage in technical applications. In this work, the compatibility of PLA with a partly bio-based ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber (EPDM) through reactive extrusion was investigated. The concentration of EPDM in the PLA matrix was in the range of up to 20%. The reactive extrusion was carried out in a conventional twin-screw extruder. Contact angle measurements were performed to calculate the interfacial tension and thus the compatibility between the phases. The thermal and mechanical properties as well as the phase morphology of the blends were characterized. A copolymer of poly (ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (EMAGMA) was used as compatibilizer, which leads to a significant reduction in the particle size of the dispersed rubber phase when compared with the blends without this copolymer. The use of EMAGMA combined with soybean oil (SBO) and a radical initiator enhances the elongation at break of the compound. The results indicate that the reduction of the particle size of the dispersed phase obtained with the compatibilizer alone is not sufficient to improve the mechanical properties of the blend system. The induced radical reactions also influenced the mechanical properties of the blend significantly.
Development of a Lidocaine-Loaded Alginate/CMC/PEO Electrospun Nanofiber Film and Application as an Anti-Adhesion Barrier
Authors: Baek Seungho , Park Heekyung , Park Youngah , Kang Hyun , Lee Donghyun
Published: March 2020

Surgery, particularly open surgery, is known to cause tissue/organ adhesion during healing. These adhesions occur through contact between the surgical treatment site and other organ, bone, or abdominal sites. Fibrous bands can form in unnecessary contact areas and cause various complications. Consequently, film- and gel-type anti-adhesion agents have been developed. The development of sustained drug delivery systems is very important for disease treatment and prevention. In this study, the drug release behavior was controlled by crosslinking lidocaine-loaded alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofiber films prepared by electrospinning. Lidocaine is mainly used as an anesthetic and is known to have anti-adhesion effects. Our results show that drug release is regulated by the crosslinking degree of the lidocaine-loaded alginate/CMC/PEO film. The drug release behavior was confirmed by HPLC, and, as a result, an excellent anti-adhesion barrier was developed that can be applied to treat patients in the medical field.
Micrometer Copper-Zinc Alloy Particles-Reinforced Wood Plastic Composites with High Gloss and Antibacterial Properties for 3D Printing
Authors: Yang Feiwen , Zeng Jianhui , Long Haibo , Xiao Jialin , Luo Ying , Gu Jin , Zhou Wuyi , Wei Yen , Dong Xianming
Published: March 2020

In this work, micrometer copper-zinc alloy particles-reinforced particleboard wood flour/poly (lactic acid) (mCu-Zn/PWF/PLA) wood plastic composites with high gloss and antibacterial properties for 3D printing were prepared by a melt blending process. The structure and properties of the composites with different contents of mCu-Zn were analyzed by means of mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and antibacterial testing. The results showed that the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and antibacterial performance of the composites were significantly improved, as mCu-Zn was added into the wood plastic composites. When adding 2 wt.% mCu-Zn, the flexural strength of mCu-Zn/PWF/PLA composites (with 5 wt.% of particleboard wood flour) (PWF) increased by 47.1% compared with pure poly (lactic acid) (PLA), and 18.9% compared with PWF/PLA wood plastic composites. The surface gloss was increased by 1142.6% compared with PWF/PLA wood plastic composites. Furthermore, the inhibition rates of mCu-Zn/PWF/PLA composites against Escherichia coli reached 90.43%. Therefore, this novel high gloss and antibacterial wood plastic composites for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing have potential applications in personalized and classic furniture, art, toys, etc.
Historical Trends in New Mexico Forage Crop Production in Relation to Climate, Energy, and Rangelands
Authors: Zaied Ashraf J. , Geli Hatim M. E. , Sawalhah Mohammed N. , Holechek Jerry L. , Cibils Andres F. , Gard Charlotte C.
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted within the context of providing an improved understanding of New Mexico’s food, energy, water systems (FEWS) and their behavior under variable climate and socioeconomic conditions. The goal of this paper was to characterize the relationships between production and prices of some forage crops (hay, grain sorghum, and corn) that can be used as feed supplements for beef cattle production and the potential impacts from a changing climate (precipitation, temperature) and energy inputs (crude oil production and prices). The analysis was based on 60 years of data (1958–2017) using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity models. Hay production showed a declining trend since 2000 and in 2017, it dropped by ~33% compared to that of 2000. Crude oil production (R2 = 0.83) and beef cattle population (R2 = 0.85) were negatively correlated with hay production. A moderate declining trend in mean annual hay prices was also observed. Mean annual range conditions (R2 = 0.60) was negatively correlated with mean annual hay prices, whereas mean annual crude oil prices (R2 = 0.48) showed a positive relationship. Grain sorghum production showed a consistent declining trend since 1971 and in 2017, it dropped by ~91% compared to that of 1971. Mean annual temperature (R2 = 0.58) was negatively correlated with grain sorghum production, while beef cattle population (R2 = 0.61) and range conditions (R2 = 0.51) showed positive linear relationships. Mean annual grain sorghum prices decreased since the peak of 1974 and in 2017, they dropped by ~77% compared to those of 1974. Crude oil prices (R2 = 0.72) and beef cattle population (R2 = 0.73) were positively correlated with mean annual grain sorghum prices. Corn production in 2017 dropped by ~61% compared to the peak that occurred in 1999. Crude oil production (R2 = 0.85) and beef cattle population (R2 = 0.86) were negatively correlated with corn production. Mean annual corn prices showed a declining trend since 1974 and in 2017, they dropped by ~75% compared to those of 1974. Mean annual corn prices were positively correlated with mean annual precipitation (R2 = 0.83) and negatively correlated with crude oil production (R2 = 0.84). These finding can particularly help in developing a more holistic model that integrates FEWS components to explain their response to internal (i.e., management practices) and external (i.e., environmental) stressors. Such holistic modeling can further inform the development and adoption of more sustainable production and resource use practices.
The Role of Public Policy in the Enforcement of Foreign Custody Judgments: An Example of Joint Custody in Turkish Law
Authors: Alibaba Arzu , Kocano Rodoslu Emine
Published: March 2020

Societies transfer their basic values to new generations through child custody within the family. Therefore, bringing up children in healthy families is beneficial to society. Despite the importance of maintaining the sustainability of the family, which is the basic unit of society, when family sustainability is not possible, a basic duty of the courts must be to provide the best custody model for the welfare of the child after the dissolution of a marriage. Studies have shown that children have a better psychological state and can more easily overcome the trauma of divorce when the courts rule for joint custody than when the courts rule for sole custody. Joint custody, provided for in many legal systems, is not regulated in Turkish law. Thus, requests for the enforcement of foreign joint custody judgments are rejected by Turkish courts for violating public policy. Turkish courts incorrectly consider foreign law, which provides different rules, as grounds for public policy intervention. In this study, it is found that Turkish courts can rule for joint custody by depending on international conventions. Within this framework, it is not possible to reject the enforcement of foreign joint custody judgments by depending on the public policy exception.
No One Left Behind? Comparing Poverty and Deprivation between People with and without Disabilities in the Maldives
Authors: Banks Lena Morgon , Hameed Shaffa , Kawsar Usman Sofoora , Kuper Hannah
Published: March 2020

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals call for the disaggregation of all indicators by disability and other characteristics so as to “leave no one behind” from development progress. Data on disability, however, is acknowledged to be lacking, which is essential for informing policy and planning. Consequently, this study estimates the prevalence of disability in the Maldives and compares indicators of poverty and living conditions between people with and without disabilities, using nationally-representative, population-based data (n = 5363). The prevalence of disability was estimated at 6.8%. Overall, this research finds that people with disabilities are at risk of being left behind from progress across multiple Sustainable Development Goal domains, including in combatting income poverty, food insecurity and exclusion from health, education, work and social participation, and vulnerability to violence. Further, amongst people with disabilities, people with cognitive and mental health impairments, people living outside the capital, Male’, and children and working-age adults tend to face the highest levels of deprivation.
Characterization on Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Indian Wheat Crop
Authors: Kumar Anil , Antil Sundeep Kumar , Rani Vijaya , Antil Parvesh , Jangra Dharmender , Kumar Rakesh , Pruncu Catalin I
Published: March 2020

The absence of scalable and economically viable alternatives for managing residues coupled with shorter planting window and growing labour shortages and energy prices requires a sustainable solution for the crop residue management in northern India. As per “Need of the Hour”, the present research work focused on physical, mechanical, and morphological characterizations of wheat, which will help in further design of the low-cost straw combine. For this purpose, two varieties of wheat (HD-2967 and WH-1105) were used for the present study, as these are the prevalent varieties of Haryana state. The straw specimens were collected at harvesting period from a farmer’s field, which is located at a longitude of 75.64 and latitude of 29.15. The physical characterization of the crops was conducted on the basis of diameter, length, and thickness of nodes of straws. In contrast, the mechanical characterizations was performed by calculating the tensile and shear strength of the straws. The morphological analysis was performed by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The energy dispersive spectroscopy was performed to analyse the presence of constituting elements of straw. The statistical analysis showed that moisture content in the straw had a significant effect on tensile strength and shear strength.
Developing Sustainable Decision Performance for Science and Technology Industries in China
Authors: Meng Chenli , Ge Yuhui , Abrokwah Eugene
Published: March 2020

This study considers the mediating role of top management teams’ (TMTs) behavioral integration in exploring the relationship between the strategic decision-making process (SDMP; procedural rationality and constructive political behavior) and sustainable decision performance (decision quality and decision satisfaction). Survey data totaling 580 from the TMTs of the science and technology enterprises from first-tier cities in China were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results indicate a positive influence of procedural rationality and constructive political behavior on sustainable decision quality and satisfaction. Behavioral integration appeared to mediate the nexus between the sustainable decision-making process and strategic decision performance. By categorizing the SDMP into two dimensions, a complete and explicit concept of the SDMP is reached, which permits practitioners to aim investments of a critical resource in realizing the full potential of decision performance in the sustainable decision performance.
MIMR Criterion Application: Entropy Approach to Select the Optimal Quality Parameter Set Responsible for River Pollution
Authors: Mirauda Domenica , Ostoich Marco
Published: March 2020

Surface water quality has a vital role when defining the sustainability of the ecological environment, public health, and the social and economic development of whole countries. Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the worldwide population together with the current climate change have mostly determined fluvial pollution. Therefore, the employment of effective methodologies, able to rapidly and easily obtain reliable information on the quality of rivers, is becoming fundamental for an efficient use of the resource and for the implementation of mitigation measures and actions. The Water Quality Index (WQI) is among the most widely used methods to provide a clear and complete picture of the contamination status of a river stressed by point and diffuse sources of natural and anthropic origin, leading the policy makers and end-users towards a more and more correct and sustainable management of the water resource. The parameter choice is one of the most important and complex phases and recent statistical techniques do not seem to show great objectivity and accuracy in the identification of the real water quality status. The present paper offers a new approach, based on entropy theory and known as the Maximum Information Minimum Redundancy (MIMR) criterion, to define the optimal subset of chemical, physical, and biological parameters, describing the variation of the river quality level in space and time and thus identifying its pollution sources. An algorithm was implemented for the MIMR criterion and applied to a sample basin of Northeast Italy in order to verify its reliability and accuracy. A comparison with the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed how the MIMR is more suitable and objective to obtain the optimal quality parameters set, especially when the amount of investigated variables is small, and can thus be a useful tool for fast and low-cost water quality assessment in rivers.
French Media Representations towards Sustainability: Education and Information through Mythical-Religious References
Authors: Mihaela Alexandra Tudor , Stefan Bratosin
Published: March 2020

The present article aims to analyze the representations and the role of symbolic forms of mythical-religious thought in the mediatization of sustainability. A main corpus of items, composed of the media information and news offer covered by the mainstream French media, and a secondary corpus, as important, related to Francophone scientific articles, was considered. The study, conducted on French media news referenced by the Google search engine between 2009 and 2018, highlights a production of secular meaning of sustainability through mythical-religious references, a growth in the spiritualization of media content of the journalistic offer on sustainability, and the hegemony of the media, the omnipotence of the mediatized thing producing “an effect of Church” by legitimizing a certain “truth” of the information.
The Impact of Selecting a Validation Method in Machine Learning on Predicting Basketball Game Outcomes
Authors: Horvat Tomislav , Havaš Ladislav , Srpak Dunja
Published: March 2020

Interest in sports predictions as well as the public availability of large amounts of structured and unstructured data are increasing every day. As sporting events are not completely independent events, but characterized by the influence of the human factor, the adequate selection of the analysis process is very important. In this paper, seven different classification machine learning algorithms are used and validated with two validation methods: Train&Test and cross-validation. Validation methods were analyzed and critically reviewed. The obtained results are analyzed and compared. Analyzing the results of the used machine learning algorithms, the best average prediction results were obtained by using the nearest neighbors algorithm and the worst prediction results were obtained by using decision trees. The cross-validation method obtained better results than the Train&Test validation method. The prediction results of the Train&Test validation method by using disjoint datasets and up-to-date data were also compared. Better results were obtained by using up-to-date data. In addition, directions for future research are also explained.
Polyimide Asymmetric Membrane vs. Dense Film for Purification of MTBE Oxygenate by Pervaporation
Authors: Pulyalina Alexandra , Tataurov Maksim , Faykov Ilya , Rostovtseva Valeriia , Polotskaya Galina
Published: March 2020

Membrane properties are determined by their morphology, which may be symmetric (dense) or asymmetric (dense/porous). Two membrane types based on the poly[(4,4′-oxydiphenylene)pyromelliteimide] (symmetric dense and asymmetric dense/porous) were prepared for a comparative study of morphology, physical properties, and transport characteristics in the pervaporation of methanol/MTBE mixture over a wide range of concentrations including the azeotropic composition. The asymmetric membrane is a good example of improving the transport properties of the polyimide by creating structure composed of a thin dense top layer on the surface of sponge-like microporous substrate. It was found that the use of the asymmetric membrane allows increasing the total flux in separation of azeotropic mixture by 15 times as compared with the dense membrane.
A Kayvirus Distant Homolog of Staphylococcal Virulence Determinants and VISA Biomarker Is a Phage Lytic Enzyme
Authors: Głowacka-Rutkowska Aleksandra , Ulatowska Magdalena , Empel Joanna , Kowalczyk Magdalena , Boreczek Jakub , Łobocka Małgorzata
Published: March 2020

Staphylococcal bacteriophages of the Kayvirus genus are candidates for therapeutic applications. One of their proteins, Tgl, is slightly similar to two staphylococcal virulence factors, secreted autolysins of lytic transglycosylase motifs IsaA and SceD. We show that Tgl is a lytic enzyme secreted by the bacterial transport system and localizes to cell peripheries like IsaA and SceD. It causes lysis of E. coli cells expressing the cloned tgl gene, but could be overproduced when depleted of signal peptide. S. aureus cells producing Tgl lysed in the presence of nisin, which mimics the action of phage holin. In vitro, Tgl protein was able to destroy S. aureus cell walls. The production of Tgl decreased S. aureus tolerance to vancomycin, unlike the production of SceD, which is associated with decreased sensitivity to vancomycin. In the genomes of kayviruses, the tgl gene is located a few genes away from the lysK gene, encoding the major endolysin. While lysK is a late phage gene, tgl can be transcribed by a host RNA polymerase, like phage early genes. Taken together, our data indicate that tgl belongs to the kayvirus lytic module and encodes an additional endolysin that can act in concert with LysK in cell lysis.
A Combination Model for Quantifying Non-Point Source Pollution Based on Land Use Type in a Typical Urbanized Area
Authors: Wang Siru , Rao Pinzeng , Yang Dawen , Tang Lihua
Published: March 2020

Water pollution poses threats to urban environments and subsequently impacts the ecological health and sustainable development of urban areas. Identifying the spatiotemporal variation in non-point sources (NPS) pollution is a prerequisite for improving water quality. This paper aimed to assess the NPS pollution load and then recognized the spatiotemporal characteristics of the pollution sources in a typical urbanized area. A combination model based on land use type was used to simulate the NPS pollution load. The results showed the following: (1) ponds and farmlands had higher pollution production intensities than other land use types, but the intensity and magnitude of pollution emissions were generally greater in urban areas; (2) monthly and annual total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) emissions had the same pattern as rainfall, and TN and TP emissions accounted for 56.2% and 58.0%, respectively, of the total in summer; (3) TN pollution was more serious than TP pollution in the study area, especially in farmlands; (4) urban runoff (UR) and livestock and poultry breeding (LPB) were the main sources of NPS, TN and TP emissions in the study area. If these NPS pollutants cannot be removed from this area, a large amount of freshwater is needed to dilute the current rivers to meet the requirement of the fourth category of China national environmental quality standards for surface water. This problem is serious in the control of polluted rivers in many cities throughout China.
A New Approach to Permeability Inversion of Fractured Rock Masses and Its Engineering Application
Authors: Gan Lei , Chen Guanyun , Shen Zhenzhong
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a new seepage inversion technique to predict the permeability coefficient of the rock mass with developed fracture or fault. With the measured data of flow and water head of boreholes, the permeability coefficient of the rock masses near the boreholes are obtained by inverse calculation on the basis of unsteady seepage tests. Then, a flexible tolerance method is proposed to invert the permeability coefficient of rock masses in different zones of the reservoir area. This comprehensive inversion analysis method is applied in one actual project of the water supply reservoir. The equivalent permeability coefficient of the rock masses in the range of 0 m to 16.0 m below the road surface near the dam axis on the left bank of the mountain is 1.12 × 10−3 cm/s. The root mean squared error and coefficient of determination of the measured and calculated values are 1.33 × 10−4 m3/s and 0.9976 m3/s, respectively. The rock masses in the reservoir site area have high permeability. The groundwater level in the junction area and the mountains on both sides of Shangmo reservoir is low, and the hydraulic gradient is small. The maximum error between the calculated value of the groundwater level and the measured values is −0.41 m, and the relative error is −4.36%. The recommended anti-seepage scheme can effectively solve the problem of large leakage in the reservoir area. The results show that the innovative approach is appropriate for the seepage analysis of the field with the fractured rock masses and more meaningful from an engineering point of view.
Evaluation of Water Quality in Ialomita River Basin in Relationship with Land Cover Patterns
Authors: Dunea Daniel , Bretcan Petre , Tanislav Danut , Serban Gheorghe , Teodorescu Razvan , Iordache Stefania , Petrescu Nicolae , Tuchiu Elena
Published: March 2020

The paper reviews the state of water quality in Ialomita River Basin (IRB), Romania, between 2007 and 2018 using the land use/land cover and basin-specific conditions effects on sediments and nutrients load. On-site monitoring was performed in two control sections of the Ialomita River, one in the upper part of the basin (near Targoviste city) and the second near the discharge into the Danube (downstream of Tandarei town). The statistical averages of water parameters for 10 years’ monitoring in the control section that is close to the Ialomita River discharge in Danube were pH = 7.60 (range: 6.41–8.40), NH4-N = 1.20 mg/L (0.02–14.87), alkalinity = 4.12 mmol/L (1.34–6.27), NO3-N = 2.60 mg/L (0.08–17.30), PO4-P = 0.09 mg/L (0–0,31), dissolved oxygen (DO) = 8.87 mg/L (2.72–15.96), BOD5 = 5.50 mg/L (0.01–74.71), suspended solids (TSS) = 508.32 mg/L (15.2–4457), total dissolved salts (TDS) = 733.69 mg/L (455.2–1053), and river discharge = 38.60 m3/s (8.22–165). Expected mean concentration and soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) modeling have been employed in the GIS environment to extend the approach to large spatial patterns within the basin. The estimated average specific emission on the total area for nitrogen was 3.2 kg N/ha, and 0.3 kg P/ha for phosphorus highly influenced by the agricultural activities. The results are useful to raise awareness regarding water-quality degradation and the need to stop and even reverse such trends for local and national sustainable development.
Use of Global Sensitivity and Data-Worth Analysis for an Efficient Estimation of Soil Hydraulic Properties
Authors: Younes Anis , Shao Qian , Mara Thierry Alex , Baalousha Husam Musa , Fahs Marwan
Published: March 2020

Accurate simulation of flow and contaminant transport processes through unsaturated soils requires adequate knowledge of the soil parameters. This study deals with the hydraulic characterization of soils using laboratory experiments. A new strategy is developed by combining global sensitivity analysis (GSA) and Bayesian data-worth analysis (DWA) to obtain efficient data that ensure a good estimation of the soil properties. The strategy is applied for the estimation of soil properties from a laboratory infiltration experiment. Results of this study show that GSA allows identification of regions and periods of high sensitivity of each parameter and thereby, the observations prone to contain information for a successful calibration. Further, the sensitivity depicts a nonlinear behavior with regions of high influence and regions of weak influence inside the parameter space. Bayesian DWA, performed a priori, allows to quantify the improvement of the posterior uncertainty of the estimated parameters when adding a type of measurement. The results reveal that an accurate estimation of the soil properties can be obtained if the target parameter values are located in the regions of high influence in the parameter space.
Impact of Smart Charging for Consumers in a Real World Pilot
Authors: Bons Pieter C. , Buatois Aymeric , Ligthart Guido , Geerts Frank , Piersma Nanda , van den Hoed Robert
Published: March 2020

A smart charging profile was implemented on 39 public charging stations in Amsterdam on which the current level available for electric vehicle (EV) charging was limited during peak hours on the electricity grid (07:00–08:30 and 17:00–20:00) and was increased during the rest of the day. The impact of this profile was measured on three indicators: average charging power, amount of transferred energy and share of positively and negatively affected sessions. The results are distinguished for different categories of electric vehicles with different charging characteristics (number of phases and maximum current). The results depend heavily on this categorisation and are a realistic measurement of the impact of smart charging under real world conditions. The average charging power increased as a result of the new profile and a reduction in the amount of transferred energy was detected during the evening hours, causing outstanding demand which was solved at an accelerated rate after limitations were lifted. For the whole population, 4% of the sessions were positively affected (charged a larger volume of energy) and 5% were negatively affected. These numbers are dominated by the large share of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in Amsterdam which are technically not able to profit from the higher current levels. For new generation electric vehicles, 14% of the sessions were positively affected and the percentage of negatively affected sessions was 5%.
THE SUBJECT FIELD OF INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION: THE SENSE AND PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE
Authors: Mordous Irina
Published: March 2020

The development of modern civilization attests to its decisive role in the progressive development of institutions. They identified the difference between Western civilization and the rest of the world. Confirmation of the institutional advantages of the West was its early industrialization. The genesis and formation of institutionalism in its ideological and conceptualmethodological orientation occurs as a process alternative to neoclassic in the context of world heterodoxia, which quickly spread in social science. Highlighting institutional education as a separate area of sociocultural activity is determined by the factor of differentiation of institutional theory as a whole. A feature of institutional education is its orientation toward the individual and his/her transformation into a personality. The content of institutional education is revealed through the analysis of the institution, which includes a set of established customs, traditions, ways of thinking, behavioral stereotypes of individuals and social groups. The dynamics of socio-political, economic transformations in Ukraine requires a review of the foundations of national education and determination of the prospects for its development in the 21st century in the context of institutionalism.
SKIN IRRITATION OF MECAMIX HERBAL CREAM ON EXPERIMENTAL RABBIT
Authors: Tran Van Hoa , Nguyen Le Hong Van , Le Phuoc Duong
Published: March 2020

Background: To examinate the property of skin irritation of MECAMIX herbal cream on experimental rabbit, thenceforward, evaluating the test steps to commercialize research product for the community.
Materials and method: MECAMIX herbal cream is manufactured and supplied by Vietnam Medical Sciences Application Company (VMSA). Laboratory research, cross-sectional and experimental design in controlled animals.
Results: About skin irritation, the irritant point of Mecamix K < 0.07; qualified within the point limit of [0 - 0.5], corresponding to negligible skin irritation.
Conclusion: MECAMIX herbal cream is perfectly satisfactory in terms of skin irritation standards as stipulated by the Ministry of Health in Decision 3113/1999 /QĐ-BYT dated on October 11th, 1999 of the Minister of Health.

Key words: Mecamix, herbal cream, skin irritation
EFFICACY OF MODIFIED BISMUTH QUADRUPLE THERAPY (RBMA) AS FIRST-LINE THERAPY FOR ERADICATION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC GASTRITIS
Authors: Tran Van Huy
Published: March 2020

Background and aims: Efficacy with substitution of tetracycline with amoxicillin, an antibiotics having a very low resistance rate and a high tolerability, in bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) have not been studied in Vietnam. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of modified BQT vs. standard BQT for first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication.
Patients and methods: This is a randomized, prospective study. 120 patients with H.pylori positive-chronic gastritis were randomly divided into two groups. The RBMA group containing rabeprazole 20 mg, bismuth subsalicylic 524mg, metronidazole 500mg, amoxicillin 1000mg, all 2 times a day, for 14 days. The RBMT group received rabeprazole, bismuth subsalicylic, metronidazole and tetracycline. Evaluation for compliance and drug-related side effects were evaluated at the end of two weeks. 4-6 weeks after the end of treatment, the H.pylori eradication rate was determined by the C13urease breath test.
Results: Eradication rate was not statistically significative different between the RBMA and the RBMT: 91.2%; 95% confidence interval, 78.2% - 96.7%) vs. 90%; 95% CI, 81.6% - 96.3%) by per-protocol analysis (p = 0.42) and 86.7% (95%CI, 75.84% - 93.09%) vs. 75% (95%CI, 62.1% - 85.3%) by intention-to-treat analysis (ITT, p = 0.06). Adverse effects were significant higher in the RBMT group than in the RBMA group (48.3% vs. 26.7%; p = 0.071) and rate of good compliance was significantly higher in RBMA group than in RBMT group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The modified BQT including rabeprazole, bismuth, metronidazole and amoxicillin achieved a fairly high rate of H.pylori infection eradication with a higher compliance and lower rate of adverse effects compared to the BQT in patients with chronic gastritis. Further studies need to conduct to confirm this new regimens as a first-line therapy in our country.

Key words: Modified bismuth quadruple therapy, BQT, Helicobacter pylori eradication
Cybercrimes: Threats, Challenges, Awareness, and Solutions in Sierra Leone
Authors: Sawaneh Ibrahim Abdulai
Published: March 2020

The internet hosts all online activities either for public or private usage. It is a powerful online podium where people socialize, make new friends, conduct academic research, perform online business transactions, share sensitive data, communication over the internet, surveillance purpose by security agencies, monitor climatic condition, used in e-healthcare system, online banking, online pay, e-commerce, defense system, and host of others critical infrastructures are the new order of the day. This has attracted online criminals to diverse numerous malicious techniques to invade people’s privacy and also exploit those data. A new game has resulted in these online malicious activities are known as “cybercrime or internet crime” which is a rewarding business as of today. Therefore, it has become difficult to protect those online activities as cybercrimes are growing daily, which suggests that effective and appropriate countermeasures are needed to combat those threats and make online activities more secure. The research paper presents the various types of cybercrime activities, countermeasures, and suggestions for online users.
The Effect Of Word Of Mouth On Brand Image Of A Popular Indonesian Donut Brand
Authors: Pradana Mahir
Published: March 2020

A Brand must innovate to create a positive impression of consumers. When a consumer feels happy and satisfied with a product, the emotional impact will encourage loyalty and positive word of mouth will increase. The purpose of this research is to know how big influence of word of mouth to brand image of J.CO Donuts & Coffee. The independent variable (X) in this research is word of mouth and the dependent variable (Y) is brand image. This research uses quantitative method with descriptive and causal research type. This research was conducted on 75 respondents and used simple linear regression analysis and data processing using SPSS version 21. Based on the results of hypothesis testing, word of mouth has an influence on brand image J.CO. The results of determination coefficient word of mouth influence to brand image by 46,7%.     

Keywords: brand image, word of mouth, marketing, business administration
Geopolítica por todas partes – ¿Para qué nos sirve el enfoque geopolítico?
Authors: Johan Blydal Carl
Published: March 2020

Vivimos en una época donde el concepto de “geopolítica” se encuentra en todas partes de la Política Internacional. Posiblemente la oscilación de lapolítica mundial de los últimos 30 años, ha causado una búsqueda por un marco teórico que parece adecuado para explicar la complejidad de las relacionesinternacionales contemporáneas. Específicamente las políticas exteriores de Rusia y China parecen requerir una explicación geográfica. Por otro lado, existeun rechazo continuo del enfoque geopolítico. Así, después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, en muchas partes del mundo se rechazó el uso del término “geopolítica” debido a su uso por los nazis alemanes. Sin embargo, se puede considerar que la geopolítica es una forma particular de mirar la política, la geografía y los Estados. Este artículo quiere responder al interrogante ¿Qué perspectivas puede aportar un enfoque explícitamente “geopolítico”, que ya no son incluidos en conceptos de ciencia política o en la geografía? Como resultado de este artículo, se encuentra que se puede usar un modelo geopolítico para identificar, analizar y explicar tensiones entre Estados relacionado a intereses en el espacio terrestre, por ejemplo, en el espacio marítimo.
Retos para lograr la interacción de la fuerza aérea con DICAPI en acciones de búsqueda y rescate de accidentes aéreos en el mar
Authors: Velásquez Portella David Fernando
Published: March 2020

El siguiente artículo estudia la conveniencia de integrar los esfuerzos operativos y logísticos de dos Instituciones del Estado con la finalidad de optimizar la eficiencia durante las misiones de búsqueda y rescate cuando se produzca el accidente de una aeronave en el área marítima de responsabilidad del estado peruano. Tomando en cuenta que esta área abarca aproximadamente 3,000 millas náuticas desde su costa, la articulación de estrategias para la cooperación interinstitucional y la integración de capacidades operacionalespara el traslado oportuno de aeronaves, buques y personal al lugar del siniestro, resulta un factor clave. A pesar de la baja probabilidad que una aeronave se accidente frente a la costa peruana, representa un gran impacto para la sociedad y la imagen internacional del país. Para el análisis del tema se empleó un diseño metodológico cualitativo, basado en un modelo inductivo. Se analizaron tres dimensiones: doctrina, interoperabilidad y normatividad. Para la medición de los resultados: Entrevista, realizada a un total de seis personas expertas en un formato de preguntas abiertas. Análisis documental, efectuado a leyes, normas, planes, manuales, procedimientos y otros documentos relacionados. Observación indirecta, verificada en las instalaciones de la FAP y DICAPI, con la finalidad de conocer los diferentes mecanismos de respuesta que manejan ambas instituciones ante la activación de una radiobaliza, sea esta marítima o aérea. Los resultados encontrados fueron evaluados en una matriz de análisis transversal cualitativo, concluyéndose que existe un inadecuado nivel de coordinación entre las organizaciones responsables, situación que dificulta la integración de los esfuerzos operativos y logísticos. Asimismo, no se han registrado experiencias compartidas de ambas organizaciones, por lo que no se podido realizar un correcto estudio práctico de la efectividad de ambos sistemas por la carencia de lecciones aprendidas. Estas carencias evidenciaron la necesidad de desarrollar y formular una Estrategia Nacional de Búsqueda y Salvamento.
Band Pass Semi Adaptive Digital Filters for Radar Applications
Authors:   EC Department, RNTU, Bhopal,, Pramil  , Prateek  ,   EC Department, RNTU, Bhopal,, Parashuram  ,   EC Department, RNTU, Bhopal,
Published: March 2020

This paper demonstrates the Digital semi Adaptive Filter which is applied to Radar signals to reduce the blast. Semi Adaptive filter has the strong anti-noise ability; it can also achieve accurate Radar Signal in a very noisy situation. The clatter removing application of the semi Adaptive Filter has been used in spectrum cleaning of the atmospheric radar signals. The object of this work is to plan and recital assessment of band pass Bartlett and chebyshev semi adaptive filters. This design used MATLAB and XILINX software’s. FPGA hardware SPARTAN kit use for translates realistic research design. The simulation results indicate that Adaptive Filter has strong anti-noise ability for Radar. These works keeping the sampling frequency at 5 MHz were compared and analyzed, optimized evaluated for 64 orders.
Conceptual Model for Urban Interventions in Historic Cities based on Space Syntax
Authors:   Professor, School of Architecture, Government Engineering College, Thrissur, Kerala, India,, P. Josna Raphael.
Published: March 2020

Urbanism today is a synthesis of inheritance, prevalence and futurism. As our inheritance struggles with the rapid transformations and anxiously waits for the future, their conservation becomes an issue related to our cognizance of the genuine relations between tangible and intangible properties. While urban development strategies enormously emphasis the issues on sustainability, social balance, public realm, environment and heritage, the space proxemics of cities are very often ignored. This model is designed in a way that combines analytical techniques of space syntax and cultural context for an objective enquiry into user precise space proxemics of the city and scientifically states the spatial configuration as visible spatial rules or principles of urbanism in the traditional urban cores, thereby evolving a rational approach towards urban interventions. This model caters both for conservation studies and as well for rejuvenation of existing built environments or to design new urban centers for developing traditional urban cores of any city. The model has its application for urban interventions in the chosen area with quantified syntactic parameters for their spatial configuration. This resulted in both cases improving and depriving the culture-precise-human-predilections about space proxemics affecting cultural integration values.
Design and Implementation of Air Selection based Augmented Reality Serious Game for Learning Capability Analysis
Authors:   Student, Bachelor of Engineering degree, Computer Science and Engineering, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Anna University., M Harini. , T Harini. ,   Student, Bachelor of Engineering degree, Computer Science and Engineering., Samuel Roxanna ,   Assistant Professor (SG), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai.
Published: March 2020

Rising advancements and ICT have changed the way of life of society, every single logical zone are exploiting innovation to get a genuine improvement. Specialists understand the advantages of utilizing genuine games as a dependable device in psychoanalyst. Hence, the exploration looks at important issues in regards to Dyspraxia issue in youngsters and presents a similar report in the treatments strategies by utilizing a non autonomous riddle and by utilizing the game, a Serious Game created in the intension of helping kids suffering from Dyspraxia to enhance their engine aptitudes and deftness through innovation. The investigation of information results indicated that exist a critical distinction among the two strategies, demonstrating that youngsters spending time with Serious Game got little schedule in the movement running and furthermore enhanced execution.
Design and Fabrication of Steam Sanitiser
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India., N Ramachandran , J Ajay aravind ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India., M Ajith Kumar ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India,, M Dhivakar ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India,, M Dinesh krishna ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India,
Published: March 2020

We use water from taps to wash our hands and subsequently hand blowers to dry them. As we think our hands are clean, still the possibility of germs, bacteria, microbes and mites remain in hands which may have come from the water or the air is used in this cleaning process. The steam sanitizer project is to design and manufacture an equipment to help people sanities their hands instead of washing. In this equipment steam is used instead of water and so the problem of water wastage does not exist..