bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic Analysis of Noise Propagation By the High Skew Marine Propeller Working in Non-Uniform Inflow
Authors: Hadipour A. , Abadi K.A.V. , Khanzadi H. , Motahari H.
Published: March 2021

Being able to predict ship and marine propulsion noise is an important issue for naval architectures and the international maritime community. The main objective of this paper is the numerical investigation on the noise propagation by the high skew marine propeller working in a non-uniform inflow via RANS solver in the broadband frequency range. The pressure fluctuations were monitored at three points on the propeller blade, then by using the FFT operator we computed the blade passing frequency (BPF) for different propeller loading conditions. Based on these pressure pulses and adopting the Fowcs Williams-Hawking model we calculated noise radiated at the monitoring points. The results showed the BPF and noise level increased by increasing the load on the blades and we also observed that the noise generated at the leading edge was greater than at other points. Furthermore, the study of pressure fluctuations showed the propeller tip has more pressure variations in one revolution than other regions of the propeller surface.
Slowly Vibrating Axially Symmetric Bodies-Transverse Flow
Authors: Srivastava D.K.
Published: March 2021

Stokes drag on axially symmetric bodies vibrating slowly along the axis of symmetry placed under a uniform transverse flow of the Newtonian fluid is calculated. The axially symmetric bodies of revolution are considered with the condition of continuously turning tangent. The results of drag on sphere, spheroid, deformed sphere, egg-shaped body, cycloidal body, Cassini oval, and hypocycloidal body are found to be new. The numerical values of frictional drag on a slowly vibrating needle shaped body and flat circular disk are calculated as particular cases of deformed sphere.
Male, Female, and Nonbinary Differences in UK Twitter Self-descriptions: A Fine-grained Systematic Exploration
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Thelwall Saheeda , Fairclough Ruth
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Although gender identities influence how people present themselves on social media, previous studies have tested pre-specified dimensions of difference, potentially overlooking other differences and ignoring nonbinary users.

Design/methodology/approach

Word association thematic analysis was used to systematically check for fine-grained statistically significant gender differences in Twitter profile descriptions between 409,487 UK-based female, male, and nonbinary users in 2020. A series of statistical tests systematically identified 1,474 differences at the individual word level, and a follow up thematic analysis grouped these words into themes.

Findings

The results reflect offline variations in interests and in jobs. They also show differences in personal disclosures, as reflected by words, with females mentioning qualifications, relationships, pets, and illnesses much more, nonbinaries discussing sexuality more, and males declaring political and sports affiliations more. Other themes were internally imbalanced, including personal appearance (e.g. male: beardy; female: redhead), self-evaluations (e.g. male: legend; nonbinary: witch; female: feisty), and gender identity (e.g. male: dude; nonbinary: enby; female: queen).

Research limitations

The methods are affected by linguistic styles and probably under-report nonbinary differences.

Practical implications

The gender differences found may inform gender theory, and aid social web communicators and marketers.

Originality/value

The results show a much wider range of gender expression differences than previously acknowledged for any social media site.
Linking soils and streams during events: response of stream water K+ concentration to soil exchangeable K+ concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)
Authors: Siwek Joanna P. , Szymański Wojciech , Siwek Janusz , Żelazny Mirosław , Klimek Mariusz
Published: March 2021

The study aimed to determine the linkage between soil exchangeable potassium (K+) concentration and stream water K+ concentration during rainfall and snowmelt events in small catchments with different land use (Carpathian Foothills, Poland). The complementary geochemical and hydrochemical approach used in the study produced new information on the role of particular soil horizons and contributing areas such as hillslope or riparian areas in K+ delivery to stream channels during events. Horizons lying above the nearly impermeable fragipan (Btx) play the most important role in the process of K+ influx to streams during most event types except snowmelts with frozen soils, in all the studied catchments. In the woodland catchment, rapid flushing of K+ from the topsoil Ah horizon with higher hydraulic conductivity (Ksat
) and higher exchangeable K+ concentrations than in the lying lower E horizon resulted in a clockwise hysteresis of K+ in stream water during most events. In agricultural catchments, changes in stream water K+ concentration during events were determined by distinct differences between soil exchangeable K+ concentrations on hillslopes and in riparian areas.
Dynamical bias correction procedure to improve global gridded daily streamflow data for local application in the Upper Blue Nile basin
Authors: Lakew Haileyesus Belay , Moges Semu Ayalew
Published: March 2021

Recently water resources reanalysis (WRR) global streamflow products are emerging from high- resolution global models as a means to provide long and consistent global streamflow products for assessment of global challenge such as climate change. Like any other products, the newly developed global streamflow products have limitations accurately represent the dynamics of local streamflow hydrographs. There is a need to locally evaluate and apply correction factors for better representation and make use of the data. This research focuses on the evaluation and correction of the bias embedded in the global streamflow product (WRR, 0.25°) developed by WaterGAP3 hydrological model in the upper Blue Nile basin part of Ethiopia. Three spatiotemporal dynamical bias correction schemes (temporal-spatial variable, temporal-spatial constant and spatial variable) tested in twelve watersheds of the basin. The temporal-spatial variable dynamical bias correction scheme significantly improves the streamflow estimation. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NSCE) improves by 30% and bias decreases by 19% for the twelve streamflow gauging stations applying leave one out cross-validation approach in turn. Therefore, the temporal-spatial variable scheme is applicable and can use as one method for the bias correction to use the global data for local applications in the upper Blue Nile basin.
Echinacea purpurea extract (cichoric acid) exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on yak PBMCs and regulates the TLR4 signalling pathway
Authors: Xue Cai-hua , A Shun-xian , Wang Meng-jie , Wu Qiang , Liu Jia-hua , Zhang Long-fei , Wu Yun , Wu Hua , Chai Sha-tuo
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Inflammation is one of the main causes of impaired health in livestock and some of its processes weaken animal productivity and impact human health. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of echinacea extract (cichoric acid – CA) on yak peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), inflammatory-related factors, and the toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signalling pathway induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in these PBMCs.

Material and Methods

Yak PBMCs were co-cultured with LPS and CA in vitro. The proliferative activity of cells was detected using the cell-counting kit-8 method, the optimal stimulation concentration of LPS was selected, the effect of CA on the content of inflammation-related factors was evaluated using an ELISA kit, and the mRNA expression of these factors was detected by RT-PCR.

Results

CA inhibited the inflammatory response of yak PBMCs induced by LPS. CA inhibited gene and protein expression of key nodes of the TLR4 signalling pathway in yak PBMCs.

Conclusion

It is suggested that CA has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on yak PBMCs via the TLR4 pathway.
A virtual laboratory for radiotracer and sealed-source applications in industry
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed Siddig H. , Banoqitah Essam M. , Elmoujarkach Ezzat , Alhawsawi Abdulsalam M. , Djouider Fathi
Published: March 2021

Radioactive sealed sources and radiotracer techniques are used to diagnose industrial process units. This work introduces a workspace to simulate four sealed sources and radiotracer applications, namely, gamma scanning of distillation columns, gamma scanning of pipes, gamma transmission tomography, and radiotracer flow rate measurements. The workspace was created in Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) simulation toolkit and was called Industrial Radioisotope Applications Virtual Laboratory. The flexibility of GATE and the fact that it is an open-source software render it advantageous to radioisotope technology practitioners, educators, and students. The comparison of the simulation results with experimental results that are available in the literature showed the effectiveness of the virtual laboratory.
Examination of relationships between communication satisfaction and organizational identification of sport science students
Authors: Öztürk Özden Tepeköylü , Soytürk Mümine
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study is to examine the predictor relationships between the satisfaction sport science students obtain from communication with lecturers and their organizational identification. Moreover, the study aims to determine whether there is a difference in both dependent variables in terms of gender, grade, whether they like their educational department, desire to change their department, establishment of out-of-class communication with lecturers, and being in active communication with lecturers in class. In this study, quantitative correlational techniques are used. Our sample comprised 252 (x¯ age = 21.39 ± 2.16) sport science students (127 female; 125 male). The “Student Communication Satisfaction Scale” developed by Goodboy, Martin, and Bolkan (2009) and adapted to Turkish by Akın, Yalnız, and Kazaz (2015) was used as a data collection tool, as was the “Organizational Identification Scale” developed by Mael and Ashforth (1992) and adapted to Turkish by Tak and Aydemir (2004). Parametric data was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, simple linear regression analysis, 2 × 2 MANOVA, and two-way ANOVA. Nonparametric data was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H statistical test technique. The results indicate a strong and positively oriented relationship between the communication satisfaction and organizational identification of sport science students. Moreover, it is seen that communication satisfaction is a crucial predictor of organizational identification. According to our data, females’ communication satisfaction and identification levels are much higher than those of males. Students’ like or dislike of the department where they receive an education and the quality and form of communication they have established with lecturers result in significant differences in both dependent variables.
Foreign ownership and local fans: Turkish football fans’ perspective
Authors: Fişne Mücahit , Bardakçı Sait , Hasaan Syed Ali
Published: March 2021

Foreign investors have been very active in football clubs in many different countries. These clubs see significant benefits from foreign investment. However, in Turkey, this practice has not yet been implemented. Furthermore, there has been no general discussion about the applicability of this system in Turkish clubs, despite almost all Turkish football clubs being in a state of financial turmoil. To fill this void, this study aims to research the views of Turkish football fans regarding the possible sale of their club to a foreign investor. A total of 1172 football fans across Turkey completed a questionnaire form for the research. The distributions of fans’ views were analyzed by forming crosstabs and using the chi-square test of independence. A total of 66.8% of Turkish fans who participated in the research are against the possible sale of their club to a foreign investor, while 33.2% of the fans support this situation. Additionally, 55.5% of the fans think they have adequate information about club ownership, whereas 44.5% of them think they do not have adequate information. Also, desire for financial return, sporting success, and corporate management were found as reasons to support foreign ownership while nationalism and a sense of belonging to a club were found as reasons to oppose foreign ownership. The study indicates that fans oppose or support the idea of foreign ownership for various reasons. The study describes these factors in the context of past studies and also presents the path for future research.
Nurse of a specialist team for diagnostics and treatment of syncope – a practical guide
Authors: Kolarczyk Ewelina , Uchmanowicz Izabella , Młynarska Agnieszka , Żółtańska Joanna
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Nowadays, nursing is perceived as a practical discipline, subject to processes of change towards the competence and professional independence of nurses. Propagation of the importance of the role of a specialist nursing team featured in the latest guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) conduces to build the autonomy of this profession. Professional independence carries the increment in responsibility and competence requirements. Therefore, there is a need to collect and summarise the most important rules for dealing with syncope.

Aim. The aim of the paper was to develop a practical guide on the activity and role of the specialist nursing team in the care of a patient with syncope.
Effect of pretreatment of Bacillus subtilis biomass on biosorption and its real time application
Authors: Chintalapudi Vinay Kumar , Kanamarlapudi Ramya Krishna S.L. , Mallu Useni Reddy , Muddada Sudhamani
Published: March 2021

The research study investigated the biosorption behavior of Pb(II) ions by treated and untreated biomass of B. subtilis. At initial biosorption conditions, the biosorption efficiency was found to be 36.75%. At the optimized experimental conditions, control biomass showed maximum biosorption efficiency of 58.04% where the biomass was treated with different chemicals. The biomass treated with formaldehyde showed the highest efficiency of 80.9% which was further optimized and attained maximum efficiency of 89.8% for Pb(II) ions. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and EDX (Energy dispersive X- ray) analysis evaluates the structural and elemental changes that occurred as a result of biosorption. Functional groups that are involved in biosorption were revealed by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy). Kinetic data showed the best fit with the pseudo second-order model. Effective removal of lead ions from industrial contaminated water sources by pretreatment biomass of B. subtilis elucidates its potential use as biosorbent for metal remediation..
Prevalence of KIR2DL2/DS2 and KIR2DL3 and Presence of B19V in Patients with Thyroid Disorders
Authors: Grāvelsiņa Sabīne , Caselli Elisabetta , Nora-Krūkle Zaiga , Svirskis Simons , Vilmane Anda , Di Luca Dario , Murovska Modra
Published: March 2021

The functions of human natural killer cells are controlled by diverse families of antigen receptors. Prominent among these are the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), controlled by a family of genes clustered in one of the most variable regions of the human genome — on chromosome 19q13.4. This study aimed to investigate the possible interplay between KIR allotype, B19 infection, and thyroid disorders. Thyroid gland tissue of 30 patients with autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (AITD), 30 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (non-AITD) and 30 deceased subjects whose histories did not show any of autoimmune or thyroid diseases (control group) were enrolled in the study. The presence of B19V, KIR2DL2/DS2, and KIR2DL3 was detected using PCRs (nPCR, PCR). The results showed that 28% of samples of thyroid tissue from patients with AITD and 67% with non-AITD were positive for the presence of B19V, in contrast only 5% control tissue samples harbored B19V DNA. B19V-positive AITD patients had higher frequency of KIR2DL2/DS2 homozygosity and lower frequency of homozygous KIR2DL3 genotype compared to B19V negative cases (33% vs 21% and 17% vs 46%, respectively). Although our data showed that B19V positive patients with AITD had a higher frequency of homozygosity for KIR2DL2/DS2, further studies with larger groups of patients are necessary to confirm the relationship between KIR, B19V and susceptibility to thyroid disease.
Initiation of Vancomycin Therapy and the First Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Mauliņa Inga , Krūmiņa Angelika , Aitullina Aleksandra , Erts Roberts , Bandere Katrīna , Bandere Dace , Strīķe Eva
Published: March 2021

There have been a limited number of studies in Latvia that were focused on vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), especially during the initiation phase of the therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate details of vancomycin therapy in its initiation phase and to analyse the results of the first therapeutic drug monitoring within a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. A retrospective observational study was performed in a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. Adult patients hospitalised in an intensive care unit and undergoing vancomycin therapy with at least one concentration measurement were included in this study. Data about patients included demographic and clinical data, renal function prior to initiation of vancomycin therapy, data about vancomycin therapy, data about the first TDM, and details about the first measurement of vancomycin concentration according to determined reference range — subtherapeutic, therapeutic and supratherapeutic levels. A total of 60 intensive care unit patients who received vancomycin with at least one concentration measurement were included in this study. Fifty-eight patients received vancomycin as intermittent intravenous infusion. The first measurement of concentration was taken before the 3rd–4th vancomycin dose in 38.3% cases, and in 33.3% cases — before the 2nd dose. Sampling to determine the concentration within 30 minutes before vancomycin administration was performed in zero cases. In 35% cases, sampling was done within 2–5 hours before vancomycin administration and in 23.3% — immediately after or within a few hours after vancomycin infusion. Twelve (20%) patients had a concentration in the subtherapeutic level, and 14 (23.3%) patients had concentrations above the therapeutic level. In 42.8% of patients who had concentrations in supratherapeutic level, sampling had been performed immediately after or within several hours after vancomycin administration. The first concentration measurement was performed more than one hour before an infusion in all cases. Data on concentrations and timing were not adequate to perform appropriate therapy modification. Interpretation of dosing regime and concentration results were not adequate, and therefore correct modification of vancomycin therapy was often not possible. Routines of correct dosing regime and the 1st TDM during the initiation phase of vancomycin therapy can be improved.
The Romanian Infantry Training in 1943
Authors: Halip Ionel
Published: March 2021

This article analyzed, the evolution of the Romanian army training in the year of 1943 under German influence. It presents the main issues the Romanian army had to face starting with the low employment of subunits with recruits up to the commanders and soldiers’ level of training as individual fighters. The troupes, commissioned and non-commissioned officers training were accomplished in three stages having presented the results acquired during the war, the proprieties of the newly introduced weaponry, command exercises, field application or ski courses. On the other hand, this article presents the way in which the necessary weaponry was provided, the level of facilities and also the evolution of costs needed for yearly shootings. At the same time there are presented aspects regarding the mutations suffered by the Romanian military education, that had to rise up to the level of the European one; the way in which new classes of officers and non-commissioned officers are trained, the education in military high schools, the training in regular schools and also aspects regarding low-level military training.
Information-Sharing Challenges and Issues in Multinational Operations, Part 2
Authors: Toth András
Published: March 2021

To share information in a multinational environment is always a big challenge. This statement is especially true when systems with different classification levels need to operate simultaneously, or different national classified systems must work together. In the first part of this article, the author analysed the different international security management procedures, the possible threats, vulnerabilities, and solutions to create the most effective information-sharing environment. The purpose of this article, as in the first part, is to analyse and evaluate the different information sharing methods and procedures that can be applied to the sharing of information between classified and non-classified networks. It also analyses the risks arising from their use and the security measures needed to remedy them. In this paper, the author collected the possible information sharing techniques and solutions and analysed the different methods to find the best result to share information in multinational environments.
Digital Permanences in the Contemporary Educational Space. The Moodle Elearning Platform
Authors: Petrişor Ramona-Mihaela , Petrişor Silviu-Mihai
Published: March 2021

The authors of this paper bring to the fore the connections existing between contemporary educational realities and the technological dynamics, highlighting, not only as an example of good practice, but also as a real support, as a true partner in teaching, the Moodle eLearning platform. The future educational directions do not only revolve around learning content, learning competences, appropriate pedagogical approaches, but also refer to the specific support from the area of information and communications technology, designed to contribute, in a beneficial manner, to shaping the architecture of the man of the future.
The outcome of IVF/ICSI cycles in male cancer patients: retrospective analysis of procedures from 2004 to 2018
Authors: Papler Tanja Burnik , Vrtacnik-Bokal Eda , Drobnic Saso , Stimpfel Martin
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Fertility preservation is an important aspect of quality of life in oncological patients, and in men is achieved by semen cryopreservation prior to treatment. Results of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in healthy infertile couples are comparable, regardless of whether fresh or cryopreserved semen is used, but are scarce in male oncological patients.

Patients and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) procedures in infertile couples where men had been treated for cancer in the past. We additionally compared the results of IVF/ICSI procedures with respect to the type of semen used (fresh, cryopreserved).

Results

We compared the success rates of 214 IVF/ICSI cycles performed in the years 2004–2018. Pregnancy (30.0% vs. 21.4%; p = 0.12) and live-birth rates (22.3% vs. 17.9%; p = 0.43) per oocyte aspiration were similar between the groups in fresh cycles; however embryo utilization (48.9% vs. 40.0%; p = 0.006) and embryo cryopreservation rates (17.3% vs. 12.7%; p = 0.048) were significantly higher in the cryopreserved semen group. The cumulative pregnancy rate (60.6% vs. 37.7%; p = 0.012) was significantly higher, and the live-birth rate (45.1% vs. 34.0%; p = 0.21) non-significantly higher, in the cryopreserved semen group.

Conclusions

The success of IVF/ICSI procedures in couples where the male partner was treated for cancer in the past are the same in terms of pregnancies and live-births in fresh cycles regardless of the type of semen used. However, embryo utilization and embryo cryopreservation rates are significantly higher when cryopreserved semen is used, leading to a significantly higher cumulative number of couples who achieved at least one pregnancy.
Unmet needs in the diagnosis and treatment of Romanian patients with bilio-pancreatic tumors: results of a prospective observational multicentric study
Authors: Voiosu Theodor , Voiosu Andrei , Danielescu Cella , Popescu Daniela , Puscasu Claudia , State Monica , Chiricuţă Aurelia , Mardare Mara , Spanu Andrada , Bengus Andreea , Busuioc Bogdan , Zamfir Marius , Ginghina Octav , Barbu Maria , Nitipir Cornelia , Mateescu Bogdan
Published: March 2021

Background. Biliopancreatic tumors (BPT) are among the most aggressive solid malignancies, and their incidence is rising. Good patient outcome relies heavily on a multidisciplinary approach to therapy, including timely access to endoscopy, surgery and chemo/radiotherapy. We aimed to evaluate current practices as reflected in the management and outcome of patients diagnosed with BPT in the setting of a low-resource medical system in order to identify areas suitable for improvement.

Material and methods. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with pancreatic cancers and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas evaluated in 4 referral centers in Romania. We collected data on the pathology of the tumors, staging at diagnosis, ECOG status, surgical interventions, chemo/radiotherapy and endoscopic drainage where applicable. A telephonic follow-up visit at 3 months after the enrollment visit collected additional data regarding evolution, subsequent treatment, performance status and disease-related events and outcomes.

Results and conclusions. One hundred seventy-two patients were included in the study during a one-year period at the four participating centers. 72.1% were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while 27.9% had extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We identified several unmet needs in the current practices of treatment for these malignancies: a lack of pathological confirmation in 25.6% of the cases, a very low percentage of resectable lesions (only 18% of the patients operated with curative intent), and suboptimal choice of drainage in patients who required palliative drainage at their first endoscopic intervention. Significant effort is required to ensure standard-of-care treatment for patient with BPT in low-resource medical systems, including comprehensive auditing and protocol surveillance.
Change in symptomatology score after functional endoscopic sinus surgery in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Rajpurohit Pragya , Singh Ishwar , Meher Ravi
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common health problems in adults, which not only causes physical symptoms, but also results in functional and emotional impairment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on SNOT-22 in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. A total of 50 patients, between 18-60 years of age, who had taken treatment for CRS but found no improvement, were enrolled in the study. Before surgery, all patients were asked to fill the SNOT-22 form, the CT score was evaluated, and FESS was performed. A reevaluation with SNOT-22 questionnaire was performed 10 days, 1 and 3 months after surgery. The preoperative and postoperative scores and change score were calculated.

RESULTS. The initial preoperative mean score was 39.96±13.41. The percentage decrease in symptom score on the 10th day, the first and third month postoperatively was 42%, 74% and 91% respectively. Males had scored higher as compared to females. There was no correlation between the CT score and SNOT-22 score. Rhinological symptoms scored more than 74% in chronic rhinosinusitis cases.

CONCLUSION. SNOT-22 can be used in routine clinical practice to inform clinicians about a full range of problems associated with chronic rhinosinusitis. Responses on the instrument can help focus the clinical encounter. It can also aid researchers in assessing the degree and effect of rhinosinusitis on health status, QoL and to measure treatment response.
Theology in Times of Pandemic
Authors: Oviedo Lluis
Published: March 2021

A question arises regarding theology and its functions when trying to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Surely Christian faith – along with other religions – can play a role in helping to deal with this crisis, both for individuals and collectively. Theology connects with the effort religious faith and Churches perform and provides models and ideas to highlight the Christian sense of what is happening, that is, in reference to a saving God. Four keys, rooted in the Christian tradition, are proposed that allow us to understand these difficult times in a meaningful way, that is, as revealing “signs of the times” for believers, assisting them in their struggle to cope with these challenging circumstances.
Analysis of the Impact of Non-Oil Taxation on Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Services in Nigeria
Authors: Adejare Adegbite Tajudeen , Olatunji Olaoye Clement
Published: March 2021

This study assessed the nonoil taxation effect on foreign direct investment and economic services from 1994 to 2019 in Nigeria. This study further evaluated the causality bearing amid foreign direct investment, economic services, value-added tax, company income tax, capital gain tax, custom and excise duties, and education tax, devotedly hiring Units root, VECM, Johansen co-integration, and Granger causality tests. Outcomes uncovered that value-added tax has a positive significant effect on economic services but a negative influence on foreign direct investment. Furthermore, value-added tax granger- cause foreign direct investment and economic services. It is also exposed that company income tax and capital gain tax possessed short-run and long-run negative significant influence on foreign direct investment but positive influence on economic services. More so, custom and excise duties upsurge economic services and foreign direct investment positively and significantly. Conclusively, taxation has negative significant impacts on foreign direct investment but upsurge economic services positively in Nigeria. It is recommended that since company income tax impacted foreign direct investment negatively both in the long run and short run, the government should lessen company income tax and upsurge capital allowance bestow on foreign direct investment in order to improve and attract foreign direct investment which will perpetually decrease poverty rate in Nigeria. Also, the government should employ taxation to realize more improvement in economic services and minimize all barriers to foreign direct investment attraction such as import duties and other levies to inspire investors.
Major Trends and New Business Models in Supply Chain and Entrepreneurship After the Covid-19 Crisis
Authors: Negrutiu Cristian
Published: March 2021

The paper investigates the major trends and business models of the new reality after the Covid-19 crisis. Due to the vastness of the theme, the research will be focused on the areas of supply chain and entrepreneurship. These sectors are probably the most affected today, but, also, the ones that will experience a major change in the future. Building on insights and data from top management consultants, the findings revealed some commons trends, like digitization, transparency, localization, the rising of e-commerce and the contact-less economy. In conclusion, the author proposes a model based on a virtuous cycle of elements that will shape the business models of the future as a contribution to the research in the selected sectors.
Achieving Carbon Neutral Airport Operations By 2025: The Case of Sydney Airport, Australia
Authors: Baxter Glenn
Published: March 2021

Using a qualitative instrumental case study research design, this study examines the strategies and carbon reduction measures implemented by Sydney Airport to achieve their goal of being a carbon neutral airport by 2025. The study period was from 2013 to 2019. The qualitative data was analyzed using document analysis. Sydney Airport has implemented a wide range of carbon reduction measures that underpin its strategy to become a carbon neutral airport. Sydney Airport’s annual emissions intensity per passenger declined in each year examined in study. Sydney Airport has participated in the Airports Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation Program since 2014 and currently holds Accreditation Level 3: Optimization. Sydney Airport’s goal is to be awarded Accreditation Level 3+: Carbon Neutrality by 2025. Sydney Airport has a carbon offsets agreement in place with a not-for-profit organization.
Robust Optimization of Bus Stop Placement Based on Dynamic Demand Using Meta Heuristic Approaches: A Case Study in a Developing Country
Authors: Ghasedi Meisam , Ghorbanzadeh Mahyar , Bargegol Iraj
Published: March 2021

The operating condition of bus transit system has not been efficient in most cities of Iran, and many management methods such as regular bus scheduling, assigning exclusive bus lanes, etc., which are necessary for increasing the efficiency of this system, were not regarded enough. Thus, achieving a method for locating the bus stops and optimizing the number of such stops based on a non-homogeneous spatial and temporal distribution of passengers as well as the local traffic patterns are important to be investigated. As such, the present study aims to investigate the modeling of a bus transit system corridor according to the non-homogeneous spatial and temporal distribution of passengers throughout the route aiming at optimization of the number of attracted passengers to the bus. For this purpose, the 8-km route from Vali-e-asr roundabout to Gas roundabout in the city of Rasht in the north of Iran is selected for modeling. Hammersley sampling method, as well as two heuristic optimization techniques, including a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, are used for generating a non-uniform population and solving the optimization model. Therefore, the results of this analysis are compared to the optimization results by using the probabilistic analysis without considering the reference uncertainty. Finally, the PSO is selected as the superior algorithm for modeling and locating the bus stops due to its results in less travel time, and the validity of robust optimization model is shown due to its higher accuracy and adaptation to the real-world environment. Overall, although the optimization results based on indeterminate analysis in comparison to determinate analysis brought about more average travel time, more population sets were covered by the new introduced stops during 18 active hours of the bus transit system.
Mas allá de los nudges: Políticas públicas efectivas basadas en la evidencia de las ciencias del comportamiento
Authors: Cabrales Goitia Antonio , Rey Biel Pedro
Published: March 2021

Los nudges son un mecanismo psicológico que puede inducir cambios de comportamiento en los individuos a bajo coste y, por ello, se han convertido en un instrumento de política pública que ha demostrado tener éxito en algunos contextos y que cada vez es más aceptado. Sin embargo, para dirigir la modernización de la administración pública hacia el uso de políticas públicas basadas en la evidencia se debe abrazar de forma más ambiciosa el enfoque de la Economía del Comportamiento y no limitarse al uso de nudges, sino incluir otros instrumentos complementarios y sustitutivos, como los incentivos, que tengan en cuenta la diversidad en los procesos de toma de decisiones de los individuos y el amplio espectro de motivaciones que las generan. La experimentación, la disponibilidad de datos públicos, y la evaluación de las políticas públicas son pasos que deben acompañar a la adopción de la economía del comportamiento por parte de la administración pública en España.
Cómo cambiar comportamientos durante una pandemia: El uso de nudges para enfrentar la COVID-19
Authors: Cuello Hugo
Published: March 2021

El presente estudio analiza la situación actual del uso de nudges para enfrentar la pandemia de la COVID-19. Se presentan las justificaciones teóricas y prácticas para el uso de los nudges durante una pandemia, así como ejemplos concretos, estudio de patrones y limitaciones del enfoque. Los nudges pueden considerarse como una herramienta complementaria a las restricciones de comportamiento que se han presentado en la mayoría de los países. Su enfoque puede ser efectivo a la hora de lograr los cambios de comportamiento necesarios para reducir el número de contagios, como incentivar a la gente a quedare en casa o lavarse las manos de forma regular.
Introducción de los editores
Authors: Barragué Borja , Noguera José A.
Published: March 2021

Este número especial de la revista se dedica al análisis y crítica de los nudges, entendidos como intervenciones de política pública orientadas a alterar el comportamiento de los individuos sin eliminar ninguna de las opciones a su alcance ni alterar sus incentivos económicos (Thaler y Sunstein, 2009: 6). Un nudge, para poder ser calificado como tal, no puede consistir en un mandato —que lleve aparejada una sanción, típicamente jurídica— y tiene que ser además fácil de esquivar. Por poner dos ejemplos: colocar la comida más sana a la vista en un supermercado es un nudge, mientras que prohibir la venta de alcohol no lo sería.
The Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Water Spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir)
Authors: Pohan Selvia Dewi
Published: March 2021

Water spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir) had been identified as a nutritious vegetable with high demand in Indonesia. Besides, this plant also has been evidenced to play an important role in environmental cleaning as phytoremediator. The study about the effect of organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of water spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir) has been conducted in the Green House of Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan. The study aims to investigate the most effective type of fertilizers and the dose for water spinach’s (Ipomoea reptans Poir) growth and yield. A Completely Randomized Factorial Design was designed for the experiment with two factors and three repetitions. The first factor is the type of fertilizer (chicken manure, cow manure, and compost), and the second factor is the dose of the fertilizer (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1). The parameters such as plant height, number of shoots, number of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf’s total chlorophyll content, and water content were measured to evaluate plant growth and yield. The General Linear Model used SPSS 21 programs was applied to analyze the collected data. Study results revealed that cow manure increased plant growth and yield significantly with dose 2:1 as the finest treatment, followed by dose 3:1. Cow manure also increased total chlorophyll content (8.0574c mg. L-1), with the most suitable dose was 2:1 (8.2807 mg. L-1). The plant’s water content tended to be high in chicken manure (93%), and the lower water content was in cow manure with dose 3:1 (87.5%).
The Exploration And Identification Morphological Character Of Torch Ginger In Solok District West Sumatra Province
Authors: Martinsyah Rachmad Hersi
Published: March 2021

Torch ginger is one of the spices used as food and traditional medicine which is rich in antioxidants. However, the existence of this plant is decreasing every year, especially in Solok district, West Sumatra province. So it is necessary to explore and identify the morphology of kecombrang plants in Solok district, West Sumatra province. The research was conducted by exploring and analyzing the similarity clusters with the Minitab 16 application. The purpose of this study was to collect germplasm and study the morphological characters and similarities of tourch ginger plants in Solok district, West Sumatra province. The exploration results obtained 20 kecombrang plant accessions from 8 locations in Solok district. Kinship or similarity level obtained 2 clusters. The differences between the two plant clusters were indicated by the similarities and differences in morphological characters in the stem color, leaf edge color and flower stem color. The similarity value obtained is 0.22-1.00, which means the highest similarity is 100% and the lowest is 22%
Special Issue on "International Growth and Development Conference"
Authors: 2021 Virtual IGDC
Published: March 2021

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Дипломатичний протокол та етикет
Authors: Подворна Олена
Published: March 2021

У навчальному посібнику висвітлені основи та принципи здійснення протокольного виміру дипломатичної діяльності центральних і закордонних органів зовнішніх зносин. Подана інформація про загальні вимоги щодо здійснення дипломатичних відносин, дипломатичного листування, організації і проведення візитів, бесід та дипломатичних прийомів, міжнародної ввічливості, наводяться рекомендації щодо зовнішнього вигляду дипломатичних працівників, показана специфіка роботи протокольної служби у відомстві зовнішніх зносин та в дипломатичному представництві за кордоном. Посібник може бути використаний для підготовки до практичних занять із курсу «Дипломатичний протокол та етикет».
Uczymy się pisać poprawnie
Authors: Łazarowycz Olga , Krajczyńska Halina
Published: March 2021

Навчально-методичний посібник з польської орфографії «Uczymy się pisać poprawnie» призначений для студентів філологічних та нефілологічних спеціальностей, а також всім, хто прагне вивчити орфографію польської мови.
A quantum circuit for Shor's factoring algorithm using 2n+2 qubits
Authors: Takahashi Y. , Kunihiro N.
Published: March 2021

We construct a quantum circuit for Shor's factoring algorithm that uses 2n+2 qubits, where n is the length of the number to be factored. The depth and size of the circuit are O(n^3) and O(n^3\log n), respectively. The number of qubits used in the circuit is less than that in any other quantum circuit ever constructed for Shor's factoring algorithm. Moreover, the size of the circuit is about half the size of Beauregard's quantum circuit for Shor's factoring algorithm, which uses 2n+3 qubits.
On independent permutation separability criteria
Authors: Clarisse L. , Wocjan P.
Published: March 2021

Recently, P.\ Wocjan and M.\ Horodecki [Open Syst.\ Inf.\ Dyn.\ 12, 331 (2005)] gave a characterization of combinatorially independent permutation separability criteria. Combinatorial independence is a necessary condition for permutations to yield truly independent criteria meaning that no criterion is strictly stronger that any other. In this paper we observe that some of these criteria are still dependent and analyze why these dependencies occur. To remove them we introduce an improved necessary condition and give a complete classification of the remaining permutations. We conjecture that the remaining class of criteria only contains truly independent permutation separability criteria. Our conjecture is based on the proof that for two, three and four parties all these criteria are truly independent and on numerical verification of their independence for up to 8 parties. It was commonly believed that for three parties there were 9 independent criteria, here we prove that there are exactly 6 independent criteria for three parties and 22 for four parties.
The geometry and topology of entanglement: Conifold, Segre variety, and Hopf fibration
Authors: Heydari H.
Published: March 2021

We establish relations between conifold, Segre variety, Hopf fibration, and separable sets of pure two-qubit states. Moreover, we investigate the geometry and topology of separable sets of pure multi-qubit states based on the complex multi-projective Segre variety and higher order Hopf fibration. We show that the Segre variety and Hopf fibration give a unified geometrical and topological picture of multi-qubit states. We also construct entanglement monotones for multi-qubit states.
Synthesis and styrene copolymerization of novel trisubstituted ethylenes: 1. Alkyl ring-substituted octyl phenylcyanoacrylates
Authors: Wasilewski Martin S. , Abosy Jude Al , Albareedi Ahmad , Albrecht Alexis , Angus Cheyenne L. , Brahmbhatt Shrustiben B. , Buenaventura Kyra J. , Debruzzi Kristi A. , Farah Asha E. , Rocus Sara M. , Schjerven William S. , Kharas Gregory
Published: March 2021

Novel trisubstituted ethylenes, , alkyl ring-substituted octyl phenylcyanoacrylates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO2CH2(CH2)6CH3 (where R is H, 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 4-ethyl, 4-propyl, 4-i-propyl, 4-butyl, 4-t-butyl, 4-i-butyl) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The ethylenes were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and octyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis.
Electronic Structure of Ytterbium(III) Solvates – A Combined Spectro-scopic and Theoretical Study
Authors: Kofod Nicolaj , Nawrocki Patrick , Platas-Iglesias Carlos , Sørensen Thomas Just
Published: March 2021

The wide range of optical and magnetic properties of the lanthanide(III) ions is associated to their intricate electronic structures, which in contrast to lighter elements is characterized by strong relativistic effects and spin-orbit coupling. Nevertheless, computational methods are now capable of describing the ladder of electronic energy levels of the simpler trivalent lanthanide ions, as well as the lowest energy term of most of the series. The electronic energy levels result from electron configurations that are first split by spin-orbit coupling into groups of energy levels denoted by the corresponding Russel-Saunders terms. Each of these groups are then split by the ligand field into the actual electronic energy levels known as microstates or sometimes mJ levels. The ligand field splitting directly informs on coordination geometry, and is a valuable tool for determining structure and thus correlating the structure and properties of metal complexes in solution. The issue with lanthanide complexes is that the determination of complex structures from ligand field splitting remains a very challenging task. In this manuscript, the optical spectra – absorption, luminescence excitation and luminescence emission – of ytterbium(III) solvates were rec-orded in water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide and N,N-dimethylformamide. The electronic energy levels, that is the microstates, were resolved experimentally. Subsequently, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to model the structures of the solvates and ab initio relativistic complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were employed to obtain the microstates of the possible structures of each solvate. By comparing experimental and theoretical data, it was possible to determine both the coordination number and solution structure of each solvate. In water, methanol and N,N-dimethylformamide the solvates were found to be eight-coordinated and to have a square anti-prismatic coordination geometry. In DMSO the speciation was found to be more complicated. The robust methodology developed for comparing experimental spectra and computational results allows the solution structures of lanthanide complexes to be determined, paving the way for the design of complexes with predetermined properties.