bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Perceptions about COVID-19 among Health Care Workers: Evidence from COVID-19 Hospitals during the Second Pandemic Wave
Authors: Ioannou Petros , Karakonstantis Stamatis , Mathioudaki Anna , Sourris Angelos , Papakosta Vasiliki , Panagopoulos Periklis , Petrakis Vasilis , Papazoglou Dimitrios , Arvaniti Kostoula , Trakatelli Christina Maria , Christodoulou Evgenia , Poulakou Garyfallia , Syrigos Konstantinos N. , Rapti Vasiliki , Leontis Konstantinos , Karapiperis Dimitrios , Kofteridis Diamantis P.
Published: July 2021

Health care workers (HCWs) face a higher risk of infection, since they work at the front line of COVID-19 patients’ management. Misinterpretations of current scientific evidence among HCWs may impact the delivery of appropriate care to COVID-19 patients and increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the hospital setting. Moreover, knowledge may affect HCWs perceptions depending on their broad beliefs and past experiences. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and perceptions of HCWs regarding COVID-19 issues during the second wave of the pandemic. A cross-sectional survey, involving a printed questionnaire, was conducted from 21 October 2020 to 31 January 2021 in four tertiary care hospitals located at four distant geographical regions in Greece. In total, 294 HCWs participated in this study. The majority of HCWs provided precise responses regarding general knowledge, perceptions, and practices concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. However, responses on hand hygiene and antimicrobial use in HCWs with COVID-19 were mistaken. This study reveals a certain degree of misconceptions and knowledge gaps in HCWs everyday practice, especially regarding hand hygiene and antimicrobial use in COVID-19 patients.
Identification of Fractal Properties in Geomagnetic Data of Southeast Asian Region during Various Solar Activity Levels
Authors: Rifqi Farhan Naufal , Hamid Nurul Shazana Abdul , Rabiu A. Babatunde , Yoshikawa Akimasa
Published: July 2021

The fractal properties of geomagnetic northward component data (H-component) in the equatorial region during various phases of solar activity over Southeast Asia were investigated and then quantified using the parameter of the Hurst exponent (H). This study began with the identification of existence of spectral peaks and scaling properties in international quiet day H-component data which were measured during three levels of solar activity: low, intermediate, and high. Then, various cases of quiet and disturbed days during different solar activity levels were analyzed using the method that performed the best in the preceding part. In all the years analyzed, multifractal scaling and spectral peaks exist, signifying that the data have fractal properties and that there are external factors driving the fluctuations of geomagnetic activity other than solar activity. The analysis of various cases of quiet and disturbed days generally showed that quiet days had anti-persistence tendencies (H < 0.5) while disturbed days had persistence tendencies (H > 0.5)—generally a higher level of Hurst exponent compared to quiet days. As for long-term quiet day H-component data, it had a Hurst exponent value that was near H ≃ 0.50, while the long-term disturbed day H-component data showed higher values than that of the quiet day.
Urban Connectivity: Elements for an Identification of Bir El Bey’s Preferential Landscapes
Authors: Rejeb Bouzgarrou Asma , Attia Ben Cherifa Yasmine , Claramunt Christophe , Rejeb Hichem
Published: July 2021

An urban landscape can be considered as a background environment that influences humans’ movements at various scales in the city. This research is oriented to the study of the interactions between urban forest patches and their degree of influence and attractions on humans’ behaviors and interactions. The objective is to evaluate the relations between individuals’ movements and the city space nearby natural landscapes, and also to question spatial practices in the city. Forest patches are modelled according to a structural approach at the city level, while Space syntax principles have been applied and compared to in situ movements as experimentally observed. A statistical analysis complements the configurational analysis by highlighting correlations between structural properties and human movements. The whole approach is applied to the Bir El Bey Forest of the Tunisian city of Hammam Chatt in order to explore the interaction between the built and natural landscapes at different levels of scale. The findings exhibit the respective effects of the urban network and natural landscape on the urban space, and how such spaces are appropriated by Hammam Chatt inhabitants and users. Finally, the results propose a generic framework analysis for the study of the relations between humans and urban structure and landscape preferences and that offers novel perspectives for urban planning.
Antiviral Active Compounds Derived from Natural Sources against Herpes Simplex Viruses
Authors: van de Sand Lukas , Bormann Maren , Schmitz Yasmin , Heilingloh Christiane Silke , Witzke Oliver , Krawczyk Adalbert
Published: July 2021

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are ubiquitously distributed with a seroprevalence ranging up to 95% in the adult population. Refractory viral infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) represent a major global health issue. In particular, the increasing occurrence of resistance to conventional antiviral drugs make the therapy of such infections even more challenging. For instance, the frequent and long-term use of acyclovir and other nucleoside analogues targeting the viral DNA-polymerase enhance the development of resistant viruses. Particularly, the incidental increase of those strains in immunocompromised patients is alarming and represent a major health concern. Alternative treatment concepts are clearly needed. Natural products such as herbal medicines showed antiherpetic activity in vitro and in vivo and proved to be an excellent source for the discovery and isolation of novel antivirals. By this means, numerous plant-derived compounds with antiviral or antimicrobial activity could be isolated. Natural medicines and their ingredients are well-tolerated and could be a good alternative for treating herpes simplex virus infections. This review provides an overview of the recent status of natural sources such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and their ingredients with antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses. Furthermore, we highlight the most potent herbal medicines and ingredients as promising candidates for clinical investigation and give an overview about the most important drug classes along with their potential antiviral mechanisms. The content of this review is based on articles that were published between 1996 and 2021.
Deletion of Kif5c Does Not Alter Prion Disease Tempo or Spread in Mouse Brain
Authors: Race Brent , Williams Katie , Baune Chase , Striebel James F. , Winkler Clayton W. , Carroll James A. , Encalada Sandra E. , Chesebro Bruce
Published: July 2021

In prion diseases, the spread of infectious prions (PrPSc) is thought to occur within nerves and across synapses of the central nervous system (CNS). However, the mechanisms by which PrPSc moves within axons and across nerve synapses remain undetermined. Molecular motors, including kinesins and dyneins, transport many types of intracellular cargo. Kinesin-1C (KIF5C) has been shown to transport vesicles carrying the normal prion protein (PrPC) within axons, but whether KIF5C is involved in PrPSc axonal transport is unknown. The current study tested whether stereotactic inoculation in the striatum of KIF5C knock-out mice (Kif5c−/−) with 0.5 µL volumes of mouse-adapted scrapie strains 22 L or ME7 would result in an altered rate of prion spreading and/or disease timing. Groups of mice injected with each strain were euthanized at either pre-clinical time points or following the development of prion disease. Immunohistochemistry for PrP was performed on brain sections and PrPSc distribution and tempo of spread were compared between mouse strains. In these experiments, no differences in PrPSc spread, distribution or survival times were observed between C57BL/6 and Kif5c−/− mice.
Understanding Antibody Responses in Early Life: Baby Steps towards Developing an Effective Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Clemens Elene A. , Alexander-Miller Martha A.
Published: July 2021

The immune system of young infants is both quantitatively and qualitatively distinct from that of adults, with diminished responsiveness leaving these individuals vulnerable to infection. Because of this, young infants suffer increased morbidity and mortality from respiratory pathogens such as influenza viruses. The impaired generation of robust and persistent antibody responses in these individuals makes overcoming this increased vulnerability through vaccination challenging. Because of this, an effective vaccine against influenza viruses in infants under 6 months is not available. Furthermore, vaccination against influenza viruses is challenging even in adults due to the high antigenic variability across viral strains, allowing immune evasion even after induction of robust immune responses. This has led to substantial interest in understanding how specific antibody responses are formed to variable and conserved components of influenza viruses, as immune responses tend to strongly favor recognition of variable epitopes. Elicitation of broadly protective antibody in young infants, therefore, requires that both the unique characteristics of young infant immunity as well as the antibody immunodominance present among epitopes be effectively addressed. Here, we review our current understanding of the antibody response in newborns and young infants and discuss recent developments in vaccination strategies that can modulate both magnitude and epitope specificity of IAV-specific antibody.
Viral RNA Metagenomics of Hyalomma Ticks Collected from Dromedary Camels in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Zakham Fathiah , Albalawi Aishah E. , Alanazi Abdullah D. , Truong Nguyen Phuoc , Alouffi Abdulaziz S. , Alaoui Altaf , Sironen Tarja , Smura Teemu , Vapalahti Olli
Published: July 2021

Arthropod-borne infections are a medical and economic threat to humans and livestock. Over the last three decades, several unprecedented viral outbreaks have been recorded in the Western part of the Arabian Peninsula. However, little is known about the circulation and diversity of arthropod-borne viruses in this region. To prepare for new outbreaks of vector-borne diseases, it is important to detect which viruses circulate in each vector population. In this study, we used a metagenomics approach to characterize the RNA virome of ticks infesting dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Makkah province, Saudi Arabia. Two hundred ticks of species Hyalomma dromedarii (n = 196) and Hyalomma impeltatum (n = 4) were collected from the Alkhurma district in Jeddah and Al-Taif city. Virome analysis showed the presence of several tick-specific viruses and tick-borne viruses associated with severe illness in humans. Some were identified for the first time in the Arabian Peninsula. The human disease-associated viruses detected included Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus and Tamdy virus (family Nairoviridae), Guertu virus (family Phenuiviridae), and a novel coltivirus that shares similarities with Tarumizu virus, Tai forest reovirus and Kundal virus (family Reoviridae). Furthermore, Alkhurma hemorrhagic virus (Flaviviridae) was detected in two tick pools by specific qPCR. In addition, tick-specific viruses in families Phenuiviridae (phleboviruses), Iflaviridae, Chuviridae, Totiviridae and Flaviviridae (Pestivirus) were detected. The presence of human pathogenetic viruses warrants further efforts in tick surveillance, xenosurveillence, vector control, and sero-epidemiological investigations in human and animal populations to predict, contain and mitigate future outbreaks in the region.
Cross-Reaction or Co-Infection? Serological Discrimination of Antibodies Directed against Dugbe and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Orthonairovirus in Nigerian Cattle
Authors: Hartlaub Julia , Daodu Oluwafemi B. , Sadeghi Balal , Keller Markus , Olopade James , Oluwayelu Daniel , Groschup Martin H.
Published: July 2021

Dugbe orthonairovirus (DUGV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus (CCHFV) are tick-borne arboviruses within the order Bunyavirales. Both viruses are endemic in several African countries and can induce mild (DUGV, BSL 3) or fatal (CCHFV, BSL 4) disease in humans. Ruminants play a major role in their natural transmission cycle. Therefore, they are considered as suitable indicator animals for serological monitoring studies to assess the risk for human infections. Although both viruses do not actually belong to the same serogroup, cross-reactivities have already been reported earlier—hence, the correct serological discrimination of DUGV and CCHFV antibodies is crucial. In this study, 300 Nigerian cattle sera (150 CCHFV seropositive and seronegative samples, respectively) were screened for DUGV antibodies via N protein-based ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence (iIFA) and neutralization assays. Whereas no correlation between the CCHFV antibody status and DUGV seroprevalence data could be demonstrated with a newly established DUGV ELISA, significant cross-reactivities were observed in an immunofluorescence assay. Moreover, DUGV seropositive samples did also cross-react in a species-adapted commercial CCHFV iIFA. Therefore, ELISAs seem to be able to reliably differentiate between DUGV and CCHFV antibodies and should preferentially be used for monitoring studies. Positive iIFA results should always be confirmed by ELISAs.
Using Household Surveys to Assess Missed Opportunities for Simultaneous Vaccination: Longitudinal Examples from Colombia and Nigeria
Authors: Rhoda Dale A. , Prier Mary L. , Clary Caitlin B. , Trimner Mary Kay , Velandia-Gonzalez Martha , Danovaro-Holliday M. Carolina , Cutts Felicity T.
Published: July 2021

One important strategy to increase vaccination coverage is to minimize missed opportunities for vaccination. Missed opportunities for simultaneous vaccination (MOSV) occur when a child receives one or more vaccines but not all those for which they are eligible at a given visit. Household surveys that record children’s vaccination dates can be used to quantify occurrence of MOSVs and their impact on achievable vaccination coverage. We recently automated some MOSV analyses in the World Health Organization’s freely available software: Vaccination Coverage Quality Indicators (VCQI) making it straightforward to study MOSVs for any Demographic & Health Survey (DHS), Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), or Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) survey. This paper uses VCQI to analyze MOSVs for basic vaccine doses among children aged 12–23 months in four rounds of DHS in Colombia (1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010) and five rounds of DHS in Nigeria (1999, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018). Outcomes include percent of vaccination visits MOSVs occurred, percent of children who experienced MOSVs, percent of MOSVs that remained uncorrected (that is, the missed vaccine had still not been received at the time of the survey), and the distribution of time-to-correction for children who received the MOSV dose at a later visit.
Timely Birth Dose Vaccine to Prevent Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B: A Single Center Experience on the Road to the WHO Elimination Goals in Italy
Authors: Pinon Michele , Giugliano Laura , Nicastro Emanuele , Kakaa Omar , Coscia Alessandra , Carbonara Caterina , D’Antiga Lorenzo , Calvo Pier Luigi
Published: July 2021

Italy was one of the first industrialized countries to implement a program of routine vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, currently, no HBV vaccine is administered at birth if the screened mother is HBsAg negative, whilst babies born to HBsAg positive mothers are given vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin, within 12–24 post-delivery hours. A single center retrospective analysis of policies and practices to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV was carried out, to evaluate their adherence to HBV care guidelines. Paired maternal-infant medical records for consecutive live births, between January 2015 and December 2019, were reviewed at the AOU Città della Salute e Scienza di Torino, where a total of 235/35,506 babies (0.7%) were born to HBsAg positive mothers. Markers of active viral replication, i.e., HBV DNA level and/or HBeAg, were reported in only 66/235 (28%) of the mothers’ medical records. All newborns had immunoprophylaxis at birth: 61% at <12 h, 31% between 12 and 24 h, 7% between 24 and 36 h and 1% at >36 h. In 2019, two cases of vertical HBV transmission occurred, despite timely immunoprophylaxis, as their mothers’ viral load was detected too late for antiviral prophylaxis. Missed early identification of pregnant women with high viremia levels or late vaccinations may contribute to perinatal HBV infection. Immunoprophylaxis should be given to babies born to HBsAg positive mothers at the latest within 12 h. In Italy, policies aimed at achieving the WHO 2030 goal of eliminating viral hepatitis should be further implemented.
Vibration of Periodic Drill-Strings with Local Sources of Resonance
Authors: Akl Wael , Alsupie Hajid , Sassi Sadok , Baz Amr M.
Published: July 2021

A new class of drill-strings is proposed for attenuating undesirable vibrations to ensure effective operation. The drill-string is provided with passive periodic inserts, which are integrated with sources of local resonance (LR). The inserts make the drill-string act as a low frequency pass mechanical filter for the transmission of vibration along the drill-string. Proper design of the periodic inserts with sources of LR tend to shift these stop bands towards zones of lower frequencies to enable confining the dominant modes of vibration of the drill-string within these bands. In this manner, propagation of the vibration along the drill-string can be completely blocked. A finite element model (FEM) is developed using ANSYS to investigate the bandgap characteristics of the proposed drill-string with sources of LR. The developed FEM accounts for bending, torsional, and axial vibrations of the drill-string in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the periodic inserts with LR in simultaneous control of these combined modes as compared to conventional solid periodic inserts, which are only limited to controlling bending vibrations. The effect of the design parameters of the periodic inserts with LR on the bandgap characteristics of the drill-string is investigated to establish guidelines of this class of drill-strings.
Investigating Groundwater Condition and Seawater Intrusion Status in Coastal Aquifer Systems of Eastern India
Authors: Halder Subrata , Dhal Lingaraj , Jha Madan
Published: July 2021

Providing sustainable water supply for domestic needs and irrigated agriculture is one of the most significant challenges for the current century. This challenge is more daunting in coastal regions. Groundwater plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge and hence, it is under growing stress in several parts of the world. To address this challenge, a proper understanding of groundwater characteristics in an area is essential. In this study, spatio-temporal analyses of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon groundwater levels of two coastal aquifer systems (upper leaky confined and underlying confined) were carried out in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India. Trend analysis of seasonal groundwater levels of the two aquifers systems was also performed using Mann-Kendall test, Linear Regression test, and Innovative Trend test. Finally, the status of seawater intrusion in the two aquifers was evaluated using available groundwater-quality data of Chloride (Cl−) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Considerable spatial and temporal variability was found in the seasonal groundwater levels of the two aquifers. Further, decreasing trends were spotted in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon groundwater-level time series of the leaky confined and confined aquifers, except pre-monsoon groundwater levels in Contai-I and Deshpran blocks, and the post-monsoon groundwater level in Ramnagar-I block for the leaky confined aquifer. The leaky confined aquifer in Contai-I, Contai-III, and Deshpran blocks and the confined aquifer in Nandigram-I and Nandigram-II blocks are vulnerable to seawater intrusion. There is an urgent need for the real-time monitoring of groundwater levels and groundwater quality in both the aquifer systems, which can ensure efficient management of coastal groundwater reserves.
Advances in Mountain and Mediterranean Wetlands Conservation
Authors: Guerrero Francisco
Published: July 2021

It is well known that wetlands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, being also considered as environments with great natural, economic, and socio-cultural values [...]
LCA-Based Environmental Performance of Olive Cultivation in Northwestern Greece: From Rainfed to Irrigated through Conventional and Smart Crop Management Practices
Authors: Fotia Konstantina , Mehmeti Andi , Tsirogiannis Ioannis , Nanos George , Mamolos Andreas P. , Malamos Nikolaos , Barouchas Pantelis , Todorovic Mladen
Published: July 2021

Olive cultivation is expanding rapidly in the northwestern part of Greece, under both rainfed and irrigated practices. Irrigation can result in larger yields and economic returns, but trade-offs in the water–energy–pollution nexus remain a controversial and challenging issue. This study presents an environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Greek olive orchard systems in the plain of Arta (Epirus), comparing rainfed (baseline), Decision Support System (DSS)-based (smart) irrigation practices and farmer experience-based (conventional) irrigation practices. The contributions in this paper are, first, to provide a first quantitative indication of the environmental performance of Greek olive growing systems under different management strategies, and second, to detail the advantages that can be achieved using smart irrigation in olive cultivation in the Greek and Mediterranean contexts. Eighteen midpoints (e.g., climate change, water scarcity, acidification, freshwater eutrophication, etc.), two endpoints (damages on human health and ecosystem quality), and a single score (overall environmental impact) were quantified using the IMPACT World+ life cycle impact assessment method. The LCA model was set up using the OpenLCA software v1.10.3. The functional units were 1 ton of product (mass-based) and 1 ha of cultivated area (area-based) on a cradle-to-farm gate perspective. Irrigated systems had the lowest impacts per mass unit due to higher yields, but showed the highest impacts per cultivated area. The DSS-based irrigation management could reduce water and energy use by 42.1% compared to conventional practices. This is translated into a reduction of 5.3% per 1 ton and 10.4% per 1 ha of the total environmental impact. A sensitivity analysis of impact assessment models demonstrated that the benefits could be up to 18% for 1 ton of product or 22.6% for 1 ha of cultivated land. These results outline that DSS-based irrigation is a promising option to support less resource-intensive and sustainable intensification of irrigated agriculture systems in the plain of Arta.
Contrasting Evolution Patterns of Endorheic and Exorheic Lakes on the Central Tibetan Plateau and Climate Cause Analysis during 1988–2017
Authors: Zhao Zhilong , Zhang Yue , Hu Zengzeng , Nie Xuanhua
Published: July 2021

The alpine lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are indicators of climate change. The assessment of lake dynamics on the TP is an important component of global climate change research. With a focus on lakes in the 33° N zone of the central TP, this study investigates the temporal evolution patterns of the lake areas of different types of lakes, i.e., non-glacier-fed endorheic lakes and non-glacier-fed exorheic lakes, during 1988–2017, and examines their relationship with changes in climatic factors. From 1988 to 2017, two endorheic lakes (Lake Yagenco and Lake Zhamcomaqiong) in the study area expanded significantly, i.e., by more than 50%. Over the same period, two exorheic lakes within the study area also exhibited spatio-temporal variability: Lake Gaeencuonama increased by 5.48%, and the change in Lake Zhamuco was not significant. The 2000s was a period of rapid expansion of both the closed lakes (endorheic lakes) and open lakes (exorheic lakes) in the study area. However, the endorheic lakes maintained the increase in lake area after the period of rapid expansion, while the exorheic lakes decreased after significant expansion. During 1988–2017, the annual mean temperature significantly increased at a rate of 0.04 °C/a, while the annual precipitation slightly increased at a rate of 2.23 mm/a. Furthermore, the annual precipitation significantly increased at a rate of 14.28 mm/a during 1995–2008. The results of this study demonstrate that the change in precipitation was responsible for the observed changes in the lake areas of the two exorheic lakes within the study area, while the changes in the lake areas of the two endorheic lakes were more sensitive to the annual mean temperature between 1988 and 2017. Given the importance of lakes to the TP, these are not trivial issues, and we now need accelerated research based on long-term and continuous remote sensing data.
Oxygen Transfer in Two-Stage Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Schwarz Maximilian , Behnisch Justus , Trippel Jana , Engelhart Markus , Wagner Martin
Published: July 2021

Aeration is an energy-intensive process of aerobic biological treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Two-stage processes enable energy-efficient operation, but oxygen transfer has not been studied in depth before. In this study, α-factors were determined with long-term ex situ steady-state off-gas measurements in pilot-scale test reactors (5.8 m height, 8.3 m3) coupled to full-scale activated sludge basins. A two-stage WWTP with more than 1 Mio population equivalent was studied over 13 months including rain and dry weather conditions. Operating data, surfactant concentrations throughout the two-stage process, and the effect of reverse flexing on pressure loss of diffusers were examined. The values of αmean, αmin, and αmax for design load cases of aeration systems were determined as 0.45, 0.33, and 0.54 in the first high-rate carbon removal stage and as 0.80, 0.69, and 0.91 in the second nitrification stage, respectively. The first stage is characterized by a distinct diurnal variation and decrease in α-factor during stormwater treatment. Surfactants and the majority of the total organic carbon (TOC) load are effectively removed in the first stage; hence, α-factors in the second stage are higher and have a more consistent diurnal pattern. Proposed α-factors enable more accurate aeration system design of two-stage WWTPs. Fouling-induced diffuser pressure loss can be restored effectively with reverse flexing in both treatment stages.
Quantitative Response of Maize Vcmax25 to Persistent Drought Stress at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Song Xingyang , Zhou Guangsheng , He Qijin , Zhou Huailin
Published: July 2021

Drought stress has adverse effects on crop growth and yield, and its identification and monitoring play vital roles in precision crop water management. Accurately evaluating the effect of drought stress on crop photosynthetic capacity can provide a basis for decisions related to crop drought stress identification and monitoring as well as drought stress resistance and avoidance. In this study, the effects of different degrees of persistent drought in different growth stages (3rd leaf stage, 7th leaf stage and jointing stage) on the maximum carboxylation rate at a reference temperature of 25 °C (Vcmax25) of the first fully expanded leaf and its relationship to the leaf water content (LWC) were studied in a field experiment from 2013 to 2015. The results indicated that the LWC decreased continuously as drought stress continued and that the LWC decreased faster in the treatment with more irrigation. Vcmax25 showed a decreasing trend as the drought progressed but had no clear relationship to the growth stage in which the persistent drought occurred. Vcmax25 showed a significantly parabolic relationship (R2 = 0.701, p < 0.001) with the LWC, but the different degrees of persistent drought stress occurring in different growth stages had no distinct effect on the LWC values when Vcmax25 reached its maximum value or zero. The findings of this study also suggested that the LWC was 82.5 ± 0.5% when Vcmax25 reached its maximum value (42.6 ± 3.6 μmol m−2 s−1) and 67.6 ± 1.2% (extreme drought) when Vcmax25 reached zero. These findings will help to improve crop drought management and will be an important reference for crop drought identification, classification and monitoring as well as for the development of drought monitoring and early warning systems for other crops or maize varieties.
Perencanaan Strategi Sistem Informasi untuk Mendukung Proses Bisnis Hotel XYZ
Authors: Nastiti Putri , Kesuma Alwi , Johannes Marvin Ariel , Immanuel Christian
Published: July 2021

Hotel merupakan salah satu contoh infrastruktur yang dapat mendukung pariwisata di suatu daerah. Di era digital seperti saat ini, banyak hotel yang melakukan pemasaran digital supaya dapat menjangkau lebih banyak wisatawan. Hal ini menjadi bentuk nyata bahwa sistem informasi menjadi landasan bagi pengembangan sebuah organisasi modern, salah satunya adalah industri perhotelan. Oleh karenanya setiap organisasi perlu didukung oleh rancangan arsitektur sistem informasi untuk pengembangan bisnis organisasinya. Arsitektur perusahaan akan  mendukung model bisnis fungsional yang dapat disesuaikan dengan berbagai macam kegiatan pelayanan publik. Penelitian ini mengambil objek Hotel XYZ yang terletak di kota Yogyakarta. Arsitektur perusahaan pada penelitian ini akan dilakukan berdasarkan langkah-langkah dalam kerangka kerja The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). Tahapan yang dilakukan meliputi arsitektur visi, arsitektur bisnis, arsitektur data, arsitektur aplikasi, dan arsitektur teknologi. Alat analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini diantaranya adalah analisis rantai nilai, analisis SWOT, dan business model canvas. Selain itu penelitian ini juga menghasilkan usulan aplikasi sistem informasi dan rencana arsitektur teknologi, yaitu sebuah sistem perbaikan untuk unit front office, dimana sistem all in one control yang saat ini dimiliki oleh Hotel XYZ dengan basis data terpusat dapat terintegrasi dengan platform afiliasi sistem tiket lainnya menggunakan API. Usulan strategi SI untuk unit front office ini juga didukung dengan usulan arsitektur teknologinya. Implementasi perencanaan SI/TI ini akan mendukung proses bisnis Hotel XYZ menjadi lebih efektif dan efisien.
Perancangan Enterprise Architecture Sistem Informasi Terminal Menggunakan Model TOGAF ADM (Studi Kasus: Terminal Tipe B Palabuhanratu)
Authors: Marlianti Risa Sri , Saepudin Sudin
Published: July 2021

Terminal Palabuhanratu merupakan terminal penumpang tipe B yang merupakan terminal utama terbesar di kawasan Sukabumi bagian selatan. Terminal ini terletak di Jalan Pasar Palabuhanratu, Desa Palabuhanratu, Kecamatan Palabuhanratu, Kabupaten Sukabumi. Terminal yang dikelola oleh Dinas Perhubungan Provinsi Jawa Barat ini menyediakan pelayanan angkutan Mobil Penumpang Umum (MPU), angkutan perintis, dan angkutan antar kota. Pengelola Terminal Tipe B Palabuhanratu belum mengimplementasikan Enterprise Architecture (EA) untuk menyelaraskan strategi SI/TI dengan strategi bisnisnya. Dalam implementasinya, pihak pengelola Terminal Tipe B Palabuhanratu memberikan pelayanan informasi dengan baik kepada calon penumpang, walaupun belum terstruktur secara sistematis dalam penerapan perancangan SI/TI sehingga proses pelayanan untuk kegiatan bisnis belum berjalan secara maksimal. Umumnya dalam  memberikan informasi layanan transportasi mengenai waktu pemberangkatan, rute tujuan, tarif, dan pengaduan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuat sebuah Perancangan Enterprise Architecture untuk pengelolaan layanan transportasi dan pelayanan pengaduan di Terminal Tipe B Palabuhanratu dengan menggunakan model TOGAF ADM dan akan menghasilkan sebuah blue print yang nantinya dapat digunakan sebagai acuan dalam mengimplementasikan pembuatan sistem, sehingga pengelola terminal dapat dengan mudah memberikan informasi dan dapat meningkatkan pelayanan di Terminal Tipe B Palabuhanratu. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan model TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM) untuk mendukung Perancangan Enterprise Architecture Sistem Terminal Tipe B Palabuhanratu.
Design of compositions and types of structures of injection molded dispersed filled thermoplastics with good processability and high strength
Authors: Simonov-Emelianov I. D. , Krechetov D. D. , Kharlamova K. I.
Published: July 2021

The issues on the assessment of rheological properties of dispersed filled polymer composite materials (DFPCM) in terms of generalized parameters of disperse structure are considered. The dependences of pressure loss during injection molding of thin-walled DFPСM products with different types of disperse structure: dilute, low-filled, medium-filled and high-filled systems are given for the first time. It has been established that to obtain DFPCM based on thermoplastics with good processing properties and products with high strength, it is necessary to create materials having medium-filled type of structure and the generalized parameter Θ ≈ 0.5-0.6 vol/vol. The algorithm for calculating the dispersed filler content with known basic properties to provide a given type of DFPCM structure is proposed.
Hardening condition of unsaturated polyether from alcoholysis products of secondary polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Juraev A. B. , Magrupov F. A. , Alimukhamedov M. G.
Published: July 2021

The technological parameters of the curing of unsaturated polyesters synthesized on the basis of alcoholysis products of secondary polyethylene terephthalate and used in the production of fiberglass pipes have been studied. It is shown that unsaturated polyesters synthesized on the basis of alcoholysis products can completely substitute imported resins of 196 and 196A grades in the production of fi berglass pipes.
Benefits of zeolite catalysts implementation at a cumene production plants
Authors: Safin D. Kh. , Zaripov R. T. , Khayrullin M. G. , Smolko V. A. , Gaynullin V. I.
Published: July 2021

The main stages of revamping of the cumene production plant of Kazanorgsintez PJSC for the implementation of technology based on zeolite catalysts are described. The changes in the main technical and economic indicators of production process are described. Also, a brief description of existing cumene production technologies is presented.
Experiencia de la enfermera ante la muerte del paciente pediátrico, una construcción desde la fenomenología
Authors: Vázquez Sánchez Deysi , Hernández Rodríguez Verónica Margarita , Castruita Sánchez María del Carmen , Álvarez Aguirre Alicia
Published: July 2021

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia de la enfermera ante la muerte del paciente pediátrico. Método: Investigación cualitativa, fenomenológica. La recolección de información se efectúo a través de entrevista fenomenológica con pregunta orientadora formulada en grupo focal, se recogió la experiencia de 19 enfermeras del Hospital de Especialidades del Niño y la Mujer. El análisis se realizó con técnica de análisis de contenido, de forma tradicional, por lo que no se empleó ningún software para el mismo. En lo respectivo a la ética en el estudio, se otorgó consentimiento informado y respetó la voluntad, así como la libertad en la participación. Resultados principales: Los testimonios narrados develaron cuatro categorías temáticas, las cuales se ubican según el orden de aparición en las hablas, a la primera se le denominó “factores determinantes”, a la segunda “experiencias negativas”, seguidas de la denominada “experiencias positivas” y “aprendizajes”. Se observa un mayor desglose de experiencias negativas, pero se constata que las experiencias positivas, permiten al profesional de enfermería darle un sentido a su práctica disciplinar y a su vida personal. Conclusión general: Los resultados permiten afirmar que las enfermeras que atraviesan por el proceso de duelo ante la muerte de un paciente, son muy diversas entre sí, sin embargo, se observa que el vivir de forma cerca y constante la pérdida de personas significativas, les permite afrontar la vida con una actitud reconstruida de sí mismas.

Descriptores (indicando identificador único): experiencia, muerte del paciente pediátrico, personal de Enfermería, fenomenología.
Nivel de conocimiento y práctica preventiva en la población afectada con dengue, Ferreñafe, 2019
Authors: Bravo Rodriguez Pamela del Carmen , Zapata Rueda Aurora Violeta
Published: July 2021

Objetivo: Identificar la relación que existe entre el nivel de conocimiento y la práctica preventiva en personas afectadas con dengue, Ferreñafe 2019. Método: Estudio cuantitativo con diseño descriptivo correlacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 252 personas afectadas con el virus del dengue, el muestreo fue por conveniencia teniendo en cuenta los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Se utilizó como técnica la encuesta y como instrumento un cuestionario para medir el nivel de conocimiento y una lista de chequeo para la práctica preventiva elaborado por García, Torres y Tangoa, se validaron los instrumentos a nivel local con el método de Kuder de Richardson teniendo 0.890 y 0.820 de confiabilidad respectivamente. Resultados principales: Sí existe una relación positiva perfecta y directamente proporcional relación con significancia bilateral (rs = 0.858, p = 0.000) entre nivel de conocimiento y práctica preventiva en la población afectada con dengue. Por lo que se rechaza la hipótesis nula

Conclusión general: A mayor rango de nivel de conocimiento que presente la persona afectada con dengue, la práctica preventiva que desarrolle es muy buena o viceversa.

 Descriptores: Dengue (D003715), Conocimiento (D019359), Prevención de enfermedades (50219)
Cuidados paliativos durante la pandemia por la COVID-19
Authors: Rodriguez Cruz Lisseth
Published: July 2021

Para el año 2060 calculan que la necesidad de los cuidados paliativos en el mundo aumentará un 85%1. Durante la pandemia por la COVID-19, los cuidados paliativos (CP) han cobrado una necesidad imperante para cuidar y acompañar a las personas infectados por SARS-CoV-2 en situación de últimos días y a su familia o cuidadores. Sin embargo, muchos pacientes en esta situación han muerto solos2, puesto que en las instituciones de salud no han contado con el acompañamiento de un familiar por prevención al contagio3. Estas pautas de actuación conllevan una serie de condiciones que atentan los derechos del paciente, con especial relevancia al final de vida, como el derecho a una muerte digna y al acompañamiento, y que contribuyen a un elevado número de muertes en soledad2.

En este contexto, varios profesionales de la salud intentaron reconfortar a los pacientes mediante el mantenimiento de la comunicación de la familia con su paciente por vía telefónica, videollamadas, cartas -hechos aparentemente tan sencillos- pero muy gratificantes en esos momentos. Para ello, si el paciente estaba consciente se aprovechaba cuando se informaba de la evolución para hacer contacto con el familiar. 

Ciertamente, la situación se complicaba cuando a los pacientes COVID-19 en fase terminal se sumaban los pacientes oncológicos en la misma situación debido a que los servicios de salud no estaban preparados para proporcionar cuidados paliativos por la falta de infraestructura, financiamiento, y formación profesional. Desde luego, se añadía el impacto emocional sobre el profesional sanitario por el miedo inherente al contagio del virus3, pues a pesar de usar equipos de protección profesional (EPP) la mayoría se contagió y algunos fallecieron. También porque todos los pacientes permanecían en el mismo ambiente; situación que generaba mucha angustia por no poder brindar la atención cercana, individualizada y compasiva, atendiendo a todos los niveles de sufrimiento que por desgracia afloran en estos casos4. Así mismo, porque en algunos casos han presenciado o escuchado el llanto desgarrador por no poder despedirse de las personas próximas al fallecido.  Estas circunstancias invitan a reflexionar acerca de la muerte digna como un éxito terapéutico y un derecho fundamental que merece ser protegido en condiciones normales y también en situación de crisis5. 

En ese sentido, se recomienda reconsiderar aspectos del cuidado humano tan sencillos como la caricia, la empatía, el toque terapéutico, la conversación, la escucha, las medidas de confort, el cuidado personalizado, reflexionar sobre la vulneración de los derechos del paciente al final de vida, la demanda del cuidado espiritual. Precisamente porque estas circunstancias reclaman la presencia de otro acompañando, ofreciendo unas palabras de consuelo o buscando algún remedio que alivie.
EFFECTS OF WEB OPENINGS ON SHEAR BEHAVIOUR OF NORMAL AND INTERNALLY STRENGTHENED CONCRETE BEAMS
Authors: Ahmad Burhan , Yousaf Muhammad , Irfan-ul-Hassan Muhammad , Sharif Muhammad Burhan , Siddiqi Zahid Ahmed , Ansari Ali Hassan
Published: July 2021

Web openings in reinforced concrete (RC) beams are provided to pass utility pipes and ducts through them. This causes high stresses (with local cracking) around the transverse web openings, which may lead to reduction in ultimate strength and stiffness of RC beams. Internal strengthening with shear reinforcement can increase ultimate strength of the beam with web openings. This paper presents an experimental study which was conducted to investigate load carrying capacity, mid-span deflection and failure modes of beams with web openings. A total of eighteen RC beams were included in the testing programme, which were tested under two-point loading. The beams contained both pre-planned and post-planned web openings. Experimental results showed that ultimate load of the beams decreased from forty-two to sixty-seven percent due to the presence of web openings in the shear zones. Shear strength of the beams with pre-planned web openings increased by thirty-six percent and one-hundred two percent as compared to the reference beam due to the increase of shear reinforcement by one-hundred twenty-two percent and three-hundred three percent, respectively. Similarly, increase in shear capacity up to six percent and fourteen percent was found for the beams with post-planned web openings due to the aforementioned increase in the area of shear reinforcement, respectively. The ultimate load carrying capacity was also compared with the theoretical models. Internal strengthening and pre planned opening were found effective for providing web openings in the beams.
MODEL AUTOREGRESSIVE INTEGRATED MOVING AVERAGE (ARIMA) DALAM PERAMALAN NILAI HARGA SAHAM PENUTUP INDEKS LQ45
Authors: Priyadi Devita , Mardhiyah Iffatul
Published: July 2021

Data indeks LQ45 dapat digunakan membantu manajer investasi, investor ataupun calon investor terkait dalam proses perencanaan dan proses pengambilan keputusan dalam membeli ataupun menjual saham. Oleh karena itu data LQ45 memiliki peran penting dalam melakukan peramalan untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut. Peramalan deret waktu (time series) menggunakan penerapan model Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) untuk meramalkan nilai harga saham penutup dalam Indeks LQ45 pada data mingguan. Data yang digunakan merupakan data dari 25 November 2019 sampai dengan 30 November 2020. Hasil pengujian model terbaik adalah ARIMA(1,1,1). Model ARIMA(1,1,1) terpilih karena memenuhi asumsi dan didukung oleh nilai Adjusted R-squared, nilai S.E. of regression, Akaike Info Criterion dan Schwarz Criterion. Hasil peramalan jangka pendek selama 2 bulan ke depan (7 Desember 2020 sampai 25 Januari 2021) yang didapat dari model ARIMA(1,1,1) mendekati data aktual dengan nilai Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) yang paling kecil yaitu 18.41269.
UJI FITOTOKSISITAS SEDIAAN SEDERHANA BUAH CABE JAWA (Piper retrofractum Vahl.) TERHADAP TANAMAN HIDROPONIK
Authors: Wati Siti Setya , Aisyah  , Risnawati
Published: July 2021

Serangan serangga hama dapat menimbulkan kerugian bagi petani dan menurunkan hasil panen. Salah satu teknik pengendalian yang dapat dilakukan yaitu dengan meggunakan insektisida nabati dari ekstrak buah Cabe Jawa (Piper retrofractum). Fitotoksisitas merupakan salah satu parameter uji kandidat tanaman sebagai insektisida botani. Tingkat fitotoksisitas tanaman buah cabe Jawa terhadap beberapa tanaman hidroponik belum pernah dilakukan pengujian. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengevaluasi fitotoksisitas sediaan sederhana buah P. retrofractum terhadap beberapa tanaman hidroponik. Rancangan dalam penelitian ini adalah Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dua faktor dengan 2 taraf konsentrasi yaitu kosentrasi 5 dan 10%, terdiri dari 4 perlakuan (kontrol, konsentrasi 5%, konsentrasi 10% dan pestisida kimia 0.5%) dan 3 ulangan. Pengujian fitotosisitas sediaan P. retrofractum digunakan konsentrasi 5 dan 10%. Metode pengujian menggunakan metode penyemprotan yang dilakukan pada tanaman sawi, pakcoy, kangkung dan tomat dan analisis data pertumbuhan tanaman menggunakan program SPSS. Sediaan sederhana serbuk P. retrofractum tidak menyebabkan gejala fitotoksisitas pada tanaman sawi, pakcoy, kangkung dan tomat sehingga sediaan sederhana serbuk P. retrofractum aman untuk diaplikasikan dan memilik peluang sebagai pengendali serangga hama untuk tanaman sawi, pakcoy, kangkung dan tomat yang ditanam secara hidroponik.
Remote Blood Oxygen Estimation From Videos Using Neural Networks
Authors: Mathew Joshua , Tian Xin , Wu Min , Wong Chau-Wai
Published: July 2021

Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is an essential indicator of respiratory functionality and is receiving increasing attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical findings show that it is possible for COVID-19 patients to have significantly low SpO2 before any obvious symptoms. The prevalence of cameras has motivated researchers to investigate methods for monitoring SpO2 using videos. Most prior schemes involving smartphones are contact-based: They require a fingertip to cover the phone's camera and the nearby light source to capture re-emitted light from the illuminated tissue. In this paper, we propose the first convolutional neural network based noncontact SpO2 estimation scheme using smartphone cameras. The scheme analyzes the videos of a participant's hand for physiological sensing, which is convenient and comfortable, and can protect their privacy and allow for keeping face masks on.

We design our neural network architectures inspired by the optophysiological models for SpO2 measurement and demonstrate the explainability by visualizing the weights for channel combination. Our proposed models outperform the state-of-the-art model that is designed for contact-based SpO2 measurement, showing the potential of our proposed method to contribute to public health. We also analyze the impact of skin type and the side of a hand on SpO2 estimation performance.