bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Frequency and Healthfulness of Food and Beverage Advertising in Movie Theatres: A Pilot Study Conducted in the United States and Canada
Authors: Wong Stanley , Pauzé Elise , Hatoum Farah , Potvin Kent Monique
Published: April 2020

The marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages contributes to childhood obesity. In Canada and the United States, these promotions are self-regulated by industry. However, these regulations do not apply to movie theatres, which are frequently visited by children. This pilot study examined the frequency and healthfulness of food advertising in movie theatres in the United States and Canada. A convenience sample of seven movie theatres in both Virginia (US) and Ontario (Canada) were visited once per month for a four-month period. Each month, ads in the movie theatre environment and before the screening of children’s movies were assessed. Food ads were categorized as permissible or not permissible for marketing to children using the World Health Organization’s European Nutrient Profile Model. There were 1999 food ads in the movie theatre environment in Ontario and 43 food ads identified in the movie theatre environment in Virginia. On average, 8.6 (SD = 3.3) and 2.2 (SD = 0.9) food ads were displayed before children’s movies in Ontario and Virginia, respectively. Most or all (97–100%) food ads identified in Virginia and Ontario were considered not permissible for marketing to children. The results suggest that movie theatre environments should be considered for inclusion in statutory food marketing restrictions in order to protect children’s health.
Sustainable and Ecofriendly Approach of Managing Soil Born Bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Using Dried Powder of Conyza canadensis
Authors: Chen Ke , Khan Raja Asad Ali , Cao Wen , Ling Meng
Published: April 2020

Bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating plant disease that inflicts heavy losses to the large number of economic host plants it infects. The potential of dried powder of the Conyza canadensis to control bacterial wilt (BW) of tomato was explored in vitro and in planta. Three application times (16 days before transplanting (DBT), 8 DBT and 0 DBT), three plastic-mulch durations (10 days plastic mulching (DPM), 5DPM and 0DPM) and four doses viz. 0 g, 8 g, 16 g and 24 g of the plant powder were evaluated. SEM analysis was also conducted to observe the change in bacterial cell morphology. Ethanol extract of dried C. canadensis in different concentrations inhibited the in vitro growth of R. solanacearum by as much as 98% of that produced by ampicillin. As evident from the scanning electron micrograph, the highest concentration produced severe morphologic changes, such as rupture of the bacterial cell walls and cell contents leaked out. Results from application time and dose experiment demonstrated that the highest powder dose viz. 24 g kg−1 mixed with infested soil 16 DBT gave maximum root length (34.0 ± 2.5 cm), plant height (74.3 ± 4.7 cm), fresh biomass (58.3 ± 4.3 g), reduction in bacterial population (1.52 log10) and resulted in lowest AUDPC value (1156.6). In case of mulching duration and dose experiment the maximum root length (39.6 ± 3.2 cm), plant height (78.3 ± 5.8 cm), fresh biomass (65.6 ± 4.9 g) reduction in bacterial population (1.59 log10) and lowest AUDPC value (1251.6) was achieved through the application of highest powder dose viz. 24 g kg−1 and longest plastic mulching duration of 10 DPM. The better results of highest dose and longer application time can be explained on the basis of higher amounts of anti-microbial plant bio-active compounds in highest dose and the longer exposure time of the pathogen to these chemicals. The better results of longer mulching duration are due to faster and more complete decomposition (because of 10-days-long plastic-mulch-provided increased solar heat) of the dried powder which produced more amounts of volatile and non-volatile bactericidal compounds. Our results clearly suggest that the use of 24 g kg−1 dried plant powder of C. canadensis plastic-mulched for two weeks could be used as a reliable component of the integrated disease management program against BW.
Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization among Children with Sickle Cell Disease at the Children’s Hospital, Accra: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Appiah Vera A. , Pesewu George A. , Kotey Fleischer C. N. , Boakye Alahaman Nana , Duodu Samuel , Tette Edem M. A. , Nyarko Mame Y. , Donkor Eric S.
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate S. aureus carriage among children with sickle cell disease (SCD), including the prevalence, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance. The study was cross-sectional, and involved 120 children with SCD recruited at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital (PML) in Accra and 100 apparently healthy children from environs of the hospital. Nasal swab samples were collected from the study participants and cultured for bacteria. Confirmation of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were done using the tube coagulase test and mecA polymerase chain reaction, respectively. All the S. aureus isolates were tested against standard antimicrobial agents using the Kirby-Bauer method. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic and clinical data of the study participants. Binary logistic regression was used to identify determinants of S. aureus and MRSA carriage among the study participants. The nasal carriage prevalence of S. aureus was 33.3% (n = 40) and 10% (n = 10) among the participants of the SCD and control groups, respectively. As regards MRSA nasal carriage prevalence, the respective values were 3.33% (n = 4) and 0.00% (n = 0). SCD was significantly associated with S. aureus colonization (p < 0.0001, OR = 4.045), but not MRSA colonization (p = 0.128). In the SCD group, the significant predictors of S. aureus carriage were increasing age (p = 0.003; OR = 1.275) and living in self-contained apartments (p = 0.033; OR = 3.632), whereas male gender (p = 0.018; OR = 0.344) and the practice of self-medication (p = 0.039; OR = 0.233) were protective of S. aureus carriage. In the control group, a history of hospitalization in the past year was a risk factor for the carriage of S. aureus (p = 0.048; OR = 14.333). Among the participants of the SCD and control groups, respectively, the resistance prevalence recorded by S. aureus against the various antibiotics investigated were penicillin (100% each), cotrimoxazole (27.5% vs. 20%), tetracycline (25% vs. 50%), rifampicin (82.5% vs. 50%), erythromycin (30% vs. 20%), clindamycin (32.5% vs. 50%), gentamicin (7.5% vs. 20%), cefoxitin (27.5% vs. 20%), linezolid (30% vs. 40%), and fusidic acid (95% vs. 80%). The proportion of S. aureus isolates that were multidrug resistant (MDR) was 92.5% (37/40) in the SCD group and 100% (10/10) in the control group.
A Qualitative Exploration to Understand Access to Pharmacy Medication Reviews: Views from Marginalized Patient Groups
Authors: Latif Asam , Mandane Baguiasri , Ali Abid , Ghumra Sabina , Gulzar Nargis
Published: April 2020

Background: Vulnerable patients from marginalized groups (e.g., people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, black and minority ethnic communities) experience higher rates of ill-health, inequitable access to healthcare and low engagement with screening services. Addressing these disparities and ensuring healthcare provision is impartial and fair is a priority for the United Kingdom (UK) healthcare system. Aim: Using Levesque’s access conceptual framework, this study explored the views of patients from marginalized groups, specifically on how access to pharmacy services could be improved and their experiences of receiving a medication review service. Method: Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews on patient experiences of pharmacy services and how access to these could be improved (n = 10). Interviews of patients who had received a medication review from their pharmacist were also conducted (n = 10). Using an interpretivist approach, five ‘demand-side’ dimensions of Levesque’s access conceptual framework were explored (ability to perceive a need for medication support, their ability to seek this support, ability to reach the pharmacy, ability to pay and engage). Results: The findings exposed the medicine, health and social care challenges of vulnerable people and how these are often not being adequately managed or met. Using the access formwork, we unpack and demonstrate the significant challenges patients face accessing pharmacy support. Discussion: Pharmacy organizations need to pay attention to how patients perceive the need for pharmacy support and their ability to seek, reach and engage with this. Further training may be needed for community pharmacy staff to ensure services are made accessible, inclusive and culturally sensitive. Effective engagement strategies are needed to enable the provision of a flexible and adaptable service that delivers patient-centred care. Policy makers should seek to find ways to reconfigure services to ensure people from diverse backgrounds can access such services.
Clericalism Contributes to Religious, Spiritual, and Behavioral Struggles among Catholic Priests
Authors: Plante Thomas G.
Published: April 2020

The Roman Catholic Church has received a remarkable amount of press attention regarding clerical perpetrated sexual abuse with child victims as well as other clerical behavioral scandals in recent years. Much has been reported in both the popular and professional press about the various aspects and elements of priestly formation and ministry that might contribute to behavioral problems among clerics. Additionally, much has also been written and discussed about the challenging religious, spiritual, and behavioral struggles among clerics when clerical misbehavior significantly contradicts expected behavior in terms of sexual, behavioral, and relational ethics. Since Catholic priests are dedicated to chastity, obedience, and, among religious order clerics, poverty, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike expect and demand highly virtuous behavior from these men that they believe should be beyond reproach. Clericalism contributes to the gap between expected and actual behavior and creates an environment and culture where problem behavior and struggles are too often ignored. This article seeks to unpack some of the challenging dynamics of clericalism and demonstrate how it negatively contributes to religious, spiritual, moral, and behavioral struggles among Catholic clerics.
Geotourism in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni UNESCO Global Geopark (Southern Italy): The Middle Bussento Karst System
Authors: Valente Ettore , Santo Antonio , Guida Domenico , Santangelo Nicoletta
Published: April 2020

In this paper we want to stress the role of geotourism as a means to promote environmental education and, on occasion, as a way to increase the touristic interest of an area. Geoparks are certainly the territory where geotourism can be best exploited. We propose a geoitinerary to discover the amazing, but poorly known, Middle Bussento Karst System, with the blind valley of the Bussento River, in the southeast of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark. This is the only example, in Southern Italy, of a stream sinking underground and it is the second longest subsurface river path in Italy, making this a core area of the Geopark. We combined field surveys and literature data to create a geoitinerary that can be useful in helping to promote this site. This geoitinerary is applicable to both simple generic visitors and geo-tourists and has an educational purpose, especially in explaining the significance and the fragility of karst areas in terms of environmental protection. Moreover, it may represent a sort of stimulus for the growth of touristic activity in this inner area of the Geopark.
Estimating Frost during Growing Season and Its Impact on the Velocity of Vegetation Greenup and Withering in Northeast China
Authors: Deng Guorong , Zhang Hongyan , Yang Lingbin , Zhao Jianjun , Guo Xiaoyi , Ying Hong , Rihan Wu , Guo Dan
Published: April 2020

Vegetation phenology and photosynthetic primary production have changed simultaneously over the past three decades, thus impacting the velocity of vegetation greenup (Vgreenup) and withering (Vwithering). Although climate warming reduces the frequency of frost events, vegetation is exposed more frequently to frost due to the extension of the growing season. Currently, little is known about the effect of frost during the growing season on Vgreenup and Vwithering. This study analyzed spatiotemporal variations in Vgreenup and Vwithering in Northeast China between 1982 to 2015 using Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GIMMS 3g NDVI) data. Frost days and frost intensity were selected as indicators to investigate the influence of frost during the growing season on Vgreenup and Vwithering, respectively. Increased frost days during the growing season slowed Vgreenup and Vwithering. The number of frost days had a greater impact on Vwithering compared to Vgreenup. In addition, Vgreenup and Vwithering of forests were more vulnerable to frost days, while frost days had a lesser effect on grasslands. In contrast to frost days, frost intensity, which generally decreased during the growing season, accelerated Vgreenup and Vwithering for all land cover types. Changes in frost intensity had less of an impact on forests, whereas the leaf structure of grasslands is relatively simple and thus more vulnerable to frost intensity. The effects of frost during the growing season on Vgreenup and Vwithering in Northeast China were highlighted in this study, and the results provide a useful reference for understanding local vegetation responses to global climate change.
Radar Interferometry: 20 Years of Development in Time Series Techniques and Future Perspectives
Authors: HO TONG MINH Dinh , Hanssen Ramon , Rocca Fabio
Published: April 2020

The research and improvement of methods to be used for deformation measurements from space is a challenge. From the previous 20 years, time series Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry techniques have proved for their ability to provide millimeter-scale deformation measurements over time. This paper aims to provide a review of such techniques developed in the last twenty years. We first recall the background of interferometric SAR (InSAR). We then provide an overview of the InSAR time series methods developed in the literature, describing their principles and advancements. Finally, we highlight challenges and future perspectives of the InSAR in the Big Data era.
Probabilistic River Water Mapping from Landsat-8 Using the Support Vector Machine Method
Authors: Liu Qihang , Huang Chang , Shi Zhuolin , Zhang Shiqiang
Published: April 2020

River water extent is essential for river hydrological surveys. Traditional methods for river water mapping often result in significant uncertainties. This paper proposes a support vector machine (SVM)-based river water mapping method that can quantify the extraction uncertainties simultaneously. Five specific bands of Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) data were selected to construct the feature set. Considering the effect of terrain, a widely used terrain index called height above nearest drainage, calculated from the 1 arc-second Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM), was also added into the feature set. With this feature set, a posterior probability SVM model was established to extract river water bodies and quantify the uncertainty with posterior probabilities. Three river sections in Northwestern China were selected as the case study areas, considering their different river characteristics and geographical environment. Then, the reliability and stability of the proposed method were evaluated through comparisons with the traditional Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and modified NDWI (mNDWI) methods and validated with higher-resolution Sentinel-2 images. It was found that resultant probability maps obtained by the proposed SVM method achieved generally high accuracy with a weighted root mean square difference of less than 0.1. Other accuracy indices including the Kappa coefficient and critical success index also suggest that the proposed method outperformed the traditional water index methods in terms of river mapping accuracy and thresholding stability. Finally, the proposed method resulted in the ability to separate water bodies from hill shades more easily, ensuring more reliable river water mapping in mountainous regions.
Remote Sensing-Based Mapping of Senescent Leaf C:N Ratio in the Sundarbans Reserved Forest Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Rahman Md Mizanur , Zhang Xunhe , Ahmed Imran , Iqbal Zaheer , Zeraatpisheh Mojtaba , Kanzaki Mamoru , Xu Ming
Published: April 2020

Carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) of senescent leaf is a crucial functional trait and indicator of litter quality that affects belowground carbon and nitrogen cycles, especially soil decomposition. Although mapping the C:N ratio of fresh mature canopies has been attempted, few studies have attempted to map the C:N ratio of senescent leaves, particularly in mangroves. In this study, four machine learning models (Stochastic Gradient Boosting, SGB; Random Forest, RF; Support Vector Machine, SVM; and Partial Least Square Regression, PLSR) were compared for testing the predictability of using the Landsat TM 5 (LTM5) and Landsat 8 to map spatial and temporal distribution of C:N ratio of senescent leaves in Sundarbans Reserved Forest (SRF), Bangladesh. Surface reflectance of bands, texture metrics of bands and vegetation indices of LTM5 and Landsat 8 yearly composite images were extracted using Google Earth Engine for 2009–2010 and 2019. We found SGB, RF and SVM were significant different from PLSR based on MAE, RMSE, and R2 (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that remote sensing data, such as Landsat TM data, can be used to map the C:N ratio of senescent leaves in mangroves with reasonable accuracy. We also found that the mangroves had a high spatial variation of C:N ratio and the C:N ratio map developed in the current study can be used for improving the biogeochemical and ecosystem models in the mangroves.
Real-Time Automatic Cloud Detection Using a Low-Cost Sky Camera
Authors: Alonso-Montesinos Joaquín
Published: April 2020

Characterizing the atmosphere is one of the most complex studies one can undertake due to the non-linearity and phenomenological variability. Clouds are also among the most variable atmospheric constituents, changing their size and shape over a short period of time. There are several sectors in which the study of cloudiness is of vital importance. In the renewable field, the increasing development of solar technology and the emerging trend for constructing and operating solar plants across the earth’s surface requires very precise control systems that provide optimal energy production management. Similarly, airports are hubs where cloud coverage is required to provide high-precision periodic observations that inform airport operators about the state of the atmosphere. This work presents an autonomous cloud detection system, in real time, based on the digital image processing of a low-cost sky camera. An algorithm was developed to identify the clouds in the whole image using the relationships established between the channels of the RGB and Hue, Saturation, Value (HSV) color spaces. The system’s overall success rate is approximately 94% for all types of sky conditions; this is a novel development which makes it possible to identify clouds from a ground perspective without the use of radiometric parameters.
Flood Proxy Mapping with Normalized Difference Sigma-Naught Index and Shannon’s Entropy
Authors: Ivan Ulloa Noel , Chiang Shou-Hao , Yun Sang-Ho
Published: April 2020

Rainfall-induced floods often cause significant loss of life as well as damage to infrastructure and crops. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth Observation Satellites (EOS) can be used to determine the extent of flooding over large geographical areas. Unlike optical sensors, SAR instruments are suitable for cloudy weather conditions, making them suitable for flood detection and mapping during extreme weather events. In this study, we explore the application of the Normalized Difference Sigma-Naught Index (NDSI) and Shannon’s entropy of NDSI (SNDSI) of Sentinel-1 data for open water flooding detection, based on automatic thresholding and Bayesian probability. The proposed methodology was tested using the floods in Sofala province, Mozambique, caused by cyclone Idai on March 14–19 of 2019. Results show that thresholding of the NDSI Vertical Transmit-Horizontal Receive (VH) can produce results with Overall Accuracy above 90%, and Kappa higher than 0.6. Considerable performance improvements were obtained by our thresholding method over the entropy of NDSI, yielding results with Kappa of 0.70–0.77. Additionally, it was found that Weibull distribution can properly describe the properties of flooded pixels within the histogram of SNDSI, which allows us to generate a flood probability raster using a Bayesian approach. The final per-pixel flooding probability is useful to indicate certainty in the classification results. The SNDSI Bayesian model produced an AUC (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve) of 0.93–0.97, with cross-polarized data yielding the most accurate results.
High Quality Zenith Tropospheric Delay Estimation Using a Low-Cost Dual-Frequency Receiver and Relative Antenna Calibration
Authors: Krietemeyer Andreas , van der Marel Hans , van de Giesen Nick , ten Veldhuis Marie-Claire
Published: April 2020

The recent release of consumer-grade dual-frequency receivers sparked scientific interest into use of these cost-efficient devices for high precision positioning and tropospheric delay estimations. Previous analyses with low-cost single-frequency receivers showed promising results for the estimation of Zenith Tropospheric Delays (ZTDs). However, their application is limited by the need to account for the ionospheric delay. In this paper we investigate the potential of a low-cost dual-frequency receiver (U-blox ZED-F9P) in combination with a range of different quality antennas. We show that the receiver itself is very well capable of achieving high-quality ZTD estimations. The limiting factor is the quality of the receiving antenna. To improve the applicability of mass-market antennas, a relative antenna calibration is performed, and new absolute Antenna Exchange Format (ANTEX) entries are created using a geodetic antenna as base. The performance of ZTD estimation with the tested antennas is evaluated, with and without antenna Phase Center Variation (PCV) corrections, using Precise Point Positioning (PPP). Without applying PCVs for the low-cost antennas, the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of the estimated ZTDs are between 15 mm and 24 mm. Using the newly generated PCVs, the RMSE is reduced significantly to about 4 mm, a level that is excellent for meteorological applications. The standard U-blox ANN-MB-00 patch antenna, with a circular ground plane, after correcting the phase pattern yields comparable results (0.47 mm bias and 4.02 mm RMSE) to those from geodetic quality antennas, providing an all-round low-cost solution. The relative antenna calibration method presented in this paper opens the way for wide-spread application of low-cost receiver and antennas.
Optimization of SAW Devices with LGS/Pt Structure for Sensing Temperature
Authors: Li Xueling , Wang Wen , Fan Shuyao , Yin Yining , Jia Yana , Liang Yong , Liu Mengwei
Published: April 2020

Research has shown that SAW (surface acoustic wave) devices with an LGS/Pt (langasite La3Ga5SiO14/platinum) structure are useful in high-temperature sensor applications. Extreme high temperature brings great acoustic attenuation because of the thermal radiation loss, which requires that the sensing device offer a sufficiently high quality factor (Q) and a low loss. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the performance of the quality factor as much as possible so as to better meet the application of high-temperature sensors. Based on these reasons, the main work of this paper was to extract accurate simulation parameters to optimize the Pt/LGS device and obtain Q-value device parameters. Optimization of SAW devices with LGS/Pt structure for sensing extreme high temperature was addressed by employing a typical coupling of modes (COM) model in this work. Using the short pulse method, the reflection coefficient of Pt electrodes on LGS substrate was extracted accurately by characterizing the prepared SAW device with strategic design. Other relevant parameters for COM simulation were determined by finite element analysis. To determine the optimal design parameters, the COM simulation was conducted on the SAW sensing device with a one-port resonator pattern for sensing extreme temperature, which allows for a larger Q-value and low insertion loss. Experimental results validate the theoretical simulation. In addition, the corresponding high-temperature characteristics of the prepared sensing device were investigated.
Unobtrusive Health Monitoring in Private Spaces: The Smart Vehicle
Authors: Wang Ju , Warnecke Joana , Haghi Mostafa , Deserno Thomas
Published: April 2020

Unobtrusive in-vehicle health monitoring has the potential to use the driving time to perform regular medical check-ups. This work intends to provide a guide to currently proposed sensor systems for in-vehicle monitoring and to answer, in particular, the questions: (1) Which sensors are suitable for in-vehicle data collection? (2) Where should the sensors be placed? (3) Which biosignals or vital signs can be monitored in the vehicle? (4) Which purposes can be supported with the health data? We reviewed retrospective literature systematically and summarized the up-to-date research on leveraging sensor technology for unobtrusive in-vehicle health monitoring. PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus delivered 959 articles. We firstly screened titles and abstracts for relevance. Thereafter, we assessed the entire articles. Finally, 46 papers were included and analyzed. A guide is provided to the currently proposed sensor systems. Through this guide, potential sensor information can be derived from the biomedical data needed for respective purposes. The suggested locations for the corresponding sensors are also linked. Fifteen types of sensors were found. Driver-centered locations, such as steering wheel, car seat, and windscreen, are frequently used for mounting unobtrusive sensors, through which some typical biosignals like heart rate and respiration rate are measured. To date, most research focuses on sensor technology development, and most application-driven research aims at driving safety. Health-oriented research on the medical use of sensor-derived physiological parameters is still of interest.
Training Teachers for and through Citizenship: Learning from Citizenship Experiences
Authors: Bhargava Marcus , Jerome Lee
Published: April 2020

This article illustrates how one university-based initial teacher education (ITE) course sought to develop links with civil society organisations to develop meaningful active citizenship education. The purpose of the project was to enhance citizenship education for ITE students preparing to become secondary school teachers. The article discusses recent developments in theorising teacher education 3.0 to ensure teachers are empowered to engage with a wide range of social and political challenges affecting young people and their communities. It then describes a small project that involved university staff and students in a local community organising project, bringing together a range of local community groups to work together for social justice. The article explores how student teachers working within that community organising group developed an increasingly politicised view of their role—as public sector workers in a politicised policy landscape; as potential agents for the promotion of democracy; and as political actors in their own right. The article concludes that these insights into practice illustrate the potential for a broader conception of teacher education, involving civil society partners beyond schools and universities.
The Migration of Career-Starter Hungarian Graduate Women to the Countries of the European Union
Authors: Czibere Ibolya , Schranz Edit
Published: April 2020

In our paper, we present the reasons for and characteristics of the increasing migration of graduate women, mostly undertaken alone. In Hungary, in the context of the acceleration of migration experienced after 2010, two phenomena can be observed: (1) Due to positive selection a high proportion of well-trained young graduates have moved to live abroad; (2) over the past few years, a higher proportion of those migrating for work have been female graduates in their maternity age. Thus, not only is the process of weakening of the male dominance among the emigrants clearly perceptible, but a Hungary-related version of the feminization of the brain drain phenomenon due to the labor market demand of the host countries is also evolving. In this study, we examine the motivations of graduate women to work abroad and the success of their integration. Our qualitative study examines motivations for migration among college graduate females, who are just starting their career. We have explored social forces that influence emigration among the highest educated. We have also studied integration and assimilation strategies among Hungarian women working in the European Union. Our findings contribute to and extend research that focuses on push and pull factors in migration, as well as the interpretation of gender differences in migration, especially among the highest educated.
Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Therapy with SMS in Immigrant Women with Different Degrees of Depression
Authors: García Yolanda , Ferrás Carlos , Ginzo María José
Published: April 2020

Immigrant women who are forced to adapt to a new cultural context often live in low income situations, have informal jobs, and experience social inclusion difficulties; these women frequently have mental health and social relationship problems. We conducted an experimental investigation with a group of vulnerable immigrant women who were receiving support from public social services. Our goal was to analyze the effectiveness of a bio-psychosocial therapy system with text messages to personal mobile phones. We grouped women by different degrees of depression. We studied psychosocial characteristics from personalized interviews and developed message banks to advise healthy habits and accompany moods. We programmed a remote delivery system, and for 26 days, each woman (n = 44) received four of our messages. We analyzed changes in mood and depression at the beginning and at the end of therapy and observed positive changes. The analysis of the initial and final (Personal Health Questionnaire) PHQ−9 quartile intervals shows that text messages significantly improve the mood and depression symptoms of immigrant women when the initial PHQ−9 value is greater than 5 (moderate depression).
The Impact of Pressures to Produce on Knowledge Production and Evaluation in the Modern Academy
Authors: Simula Brandy , Scott Tracy
Published: April 2020

Combining work from the related but distinct fields of sociology of knowledge and sociology of education, we explore the effects of the changing landscape of higher education on the academic knowledge production system. Drawing on 100 interviews with faculty members from 34 disciplines at an elite private research university, we show that faculty members perceive exponentially increasing pressures to produce, and identify the ways that those pressures can negatively impact the knowledge creation process. We then examine the ways those pressures to produce influence how faculty evaluate their colleagues’ work, leading faculty to extend the benefit of the doubt, rely on reputation, and emphasize the peer review process, even as they simultaneously critique its weaknesses. Finally, we show that faculty members ultimately reconcile their perceptions of weaknesses in the current knowledge production system with their belief in that system by emphasizing their own and their colleagues’ commitment to resisting structural pressures to produce. While much of the existing body of scholarship on the changing higher education landscape has focused on teaching and learning outcomes, this study contributes to our understanding of how those changes impact the research process, underscoring the relationship between institutional structures and evaluative processes.
Sustainability of the Jeju Haenyeo Fisheries System in the Context of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)
Authors: Song Wonseob
Published: April 2020

According to the Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), the concept of sustainability emerges from the expectation of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This notion of sustainability is highly related to the implication of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The haenyeo (women divers) fisheries system of Jeju Island, South Korea, serves as an empirical case that illustrates that the core meaning of GIAHS is placed on the concept of sustainability. The most important objective of this case study is to explore how the five main values of GIAHS—(i) food and livelihood security, (ii) agro-biodiversity, (iii) local and traditional knowledge systems, (iv) cultures, value systems, and social organizations, and (v) landscape and seascape features—can be interlocked, and how the concept of sustainability can emerge through this interlocked relationship. In doing this, the value of both GIAHS and the Jeju haenyeo fisheries system is illuminated.
Effect of Decarbonisation Policies and Climate Change on Environmental Impacts due to Heating and Cooling in a Single-Family House
Authors: González-Prieto Daniel , Fernández-Nava Yolanda , Marañón Elena , Prieto Maria Manuela
Published: April 2020

Climate change is associated with global warming. This paper discusses the environmental impacts of the decarbonisation plan proposed by the Spanish Government, comparing the current situation with those foreseen for 2020 and 2030. Furthermore, climate change will vary the thermal demands of buildings. The paper thus investigates the heating and cooling demands of a type of single-family house located in eight Spanish cities with very different climates and altitude. The combined effects of the decarbonisation plan and climate change are analysed based on the environmental impacts caused by the electricity required to meet thermal demands. Both effects led to a reduction of the damage in the categories Human Health (59–68%), Climate Change (57–67%) and Resources (54–65%). However, the damage to Ecosystem Quality will increase (5–28%) as a result of the greater impact on this damage category from the energy production scenario for 2030, although thermal requirements in households will decrease.
The Influence of IFRS Adoption on Banks’ Cost of Equity: Evidence from European Banks
Authors: Yim Sang-Giun
Published: April 2020

This study examines how mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in European countries affects banks’ cost of equity. Supporters of IFRS argue that its adoption improves the quality of accounting information, which in turn decreases the cost of equity. However, banking regulators could intervene in the implementation of new accounting standards to protect the stability of the banking system, which would deteriorate banks’ information environment and thereby increase the cost of equity. Using a regression analysis of European listed bank data, I find that banks’ cost of equity increases after the adoption of IFRS in countries with strong bank supervisory offices. I also find that strong legal enforcement and additional disclosure requirements jointly reduce banks’ cost of equity, but pre-IFRS inconsistencies between local accounting standards and regulatory standards jointly increase banks’ cost of equity. This study contributes to the literature on market discipline in banking and has policy implications: The findings suggest that, when implementing new accounting standards, potential conflicts between financial reporting and banking regulations should be considered.
Comparison of Different Hydrotalcite Solid Adsorbents on Adsorptive Desulfurization of Liquid Fuel Oil
Authors: Mazumder Mozammel , Das Rajib , Sajib Md Symon Jahan , Gomes Andrew Jewel , Islam Mohammad , Selvaratnam Thinesh , Rahman Ashiqur
Published: April 2020

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, desulfurization for gasoline oil production has become an important issue. Nowadays, desulfurization technologies have become an integral part of environmental catalysis studies. It is also important for processing of fuel for fuel-cells, which has a strict requirement for sulfur content for internal combustion engines. In this study, we focused on the preparation and characterization of magnesium hydroxide/aluminum supported NiO, ZnO, ZrO2, NiO-ZnO, NiO-ZrO2, adsorbents for the adsorptive desulfurization of liquid fuels. These hydrotalcite adsorbents were prepared by co-precipitation method and used for adsorption of thiophene (in n-pentane, as model fuel) and dibenzothiophene at ambient temperature and pressure. The physicochemical behaviors of the fresh adsorbents such as structure, composition, and bonding modes were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The sulfur concentration in the mixture (thiophene and n-pentane) was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The percentages of thiophene removal and the adsorption capacity (mg of sulfur per g of adsorbent) of the five adsorbents were compared. The adsorption performance confirmed that NiO-ZrO2 and NiO-ZnO adsorbents are more efficient in removing thiophene/dibenzothiophene than that of three other adsorbents. The qualitative studies using XPS confirmed the efficient adsorption nature of modified hydrotalcite adsorbents on dibenzothiophene.
Virus-Like Particles as an Immunogenic Platform for Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Caldeira Jerri C. , Perrine Michael , Pericle Federica , Cavallo Federica
Published: April 2020

Virus-like particles (VLP) spontaneously assemble from viral structural proteins. They are naturally biocompatible and non-infectious. VLP can serve as a platform for many potential vaccine epitopes, display them in a dense repeating array, and elicit antibodies against non-immunogenic substances, including tumor-associated self-antigens. Genetic or chemical conjugation facilitates the multivalent display of a homologous or heterologous epitope. Most VLP range in diameter from 25 to 100 nm and, in most cases, drain freely into the lymphatic vessels and induce antibodies with high titers and affinity without the need for additional adjuvants. VLP administration can be performed using different strategies, regimens, and doses to improve the immunogenicity of the antigen they expose on their surface. This article summarizes the features of VLP and presents them as a relevant platform technology to address not only infectious diseases but also chronic diseases and cancer.
A Durable Relationship: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis and Asthma past Their Golden Anniversary
Authors: Esteban Ignacio , Stein Renato T. , Polack Fernando P.
Published: April 2020

Numerous preventive strategies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are undergoing late stage evaluation in humans and, in addition to their intended benefit for acute illness, may impact long term consequences of infection in infants. Severe RSV infection has been repeatedly associated in the literature with long term complications, including impaired lung function, recurrent wheezing, and asthma. However, whether RSV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) causally affects the odds for developing wheezing and/or asthma during childhood requires further study, and the biological mechanisms underlying this hypothetical progression from viral illness to chronic lung disease are poorly characterized. In this review, we summarize the literature exploring the association between RSV LRTI in infancy and subsequent recurrent wheezing and pediatric asthma.
EDUCATION OF TOLERANCE IN SCHOOLCHILDREN IN THE CONTEXT OF A POLYCULTURAL SOCIETY
Authors: Dovbenko Svitlana
Published: April 2020

Polycultural education is considered as a process of creating conditions forschoolchildren to develop a worldview setting for constructive cooperation by engaging in ethnic, native and world cultures, developing planetary consciousness on this basis, forming readiness and ability to live in a multinational society. The process of education of tolerance in schoolchildren a multicultural educational environment is considered in three aspects: acquiring a particular philosophy of tolerance as a value; culture of tolerant consciousness; attitude to the appropriate reality that is embodied in real behaviour. The conditions for the efficiency of education of tolerance in schoolchildren in the context of a multicultural society are: multicultural content of the educational process; organization of a tolerant environment that ensures tolerant interaction between the subjects of the educational process; the use of interactive, personalityoriented, reflexive and dialogic technologies, which are aimed to develop the tolerant qualities of schoolchildren; developed tolerant qualities of the teacher’s personality and his/her competence in the issue of education of tolerance.
PLACE AND ROLE OF NON-ACADEMIC EDUCATION IN THE SUBJECT FIELD OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Authors: Zhukova Galyna
Published: April 2020

Growing problem of inconsistency of the academic system of education with the new needs of society and individual, lack of existing structures of education contribute to the emergence of a different approach for the organization of educational activities, which is non-academic. As a philosophical phenomenon, it fully complies with the students' diverse interests and possibilities. Nonacademic education functions outside the academic education, free from strict rules and regulations, it focuses on specific educational requests of different social, professional, demographic groups.
The Essence of Quantum Computing
Authors: Bera Rajendra K.
Published: April 2020

It now appears that quantum computers are poised to enter the world of computing and establish its dominance, especially, in the cloud. Turing machines (classical computers) tied to the laws of classical physics will not vanish from our lives but begin to play a subordinate role to quantum computers tied to the enigmatic laws of quantum physics that deal with such non-intuitive phenomena as superposition, entanglement, collapse of the wave function, and teleportation, all occurring in Hilbert space. The aim of this 3-part paper is to introduce the readers to a core set of quantum algorithms based on the postulates of quantum mechanics, and reveal the amazing power of quantum computing.
Experiential Learning of Networking Technologies: Understanding Web Security
Authors: Rustagi Ram P. , Kumar Viraj
Published: April 2020

With the rapid increase in the volume of e-commerce, the security of web-based transactions is of increasing concern. A widespread but dangerously incorrect belief among web users is that all security issues are taken care of when a website uses HTTPS (secure HTTP). While HTTPS does provide security, websites are often developed and deployed in ways that make them and their users vulnerable to hackers. In this article we explore some of these vulnerabilities. We first introduce the key ideas and then provide several experiential learning exercises so that readers can understand the challenges and possible solutions to them in a hands-on manner.
An overview of the 5G mobile network architecture
Authors: Palagummi Phanidra , Somani Vedant , Sivalingam Krishna M. , Venkat Balaji
Published: April 2020

Networking connectivity is increasingly based on wireless network technologies, especially in developing nations where the wired network infrastructure is not accessible to a large segment of the population. Wireless data network technologies based on 2G and 3G are quite common globally; 4G-based deployments are on the rise during the past few years. At the same time, the increasing high-bandwidth and low-latency requirements of mobile applications has propelled the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards organization to develop standards for the next generation of mobile networks, based on recent advances in wireless communication technologies. This standard is called the Fifth Generation (5G) wireless network standard. This paper presents a high-level overview of the important architectural components, of the advanced communication technologies, of the advanced networking technologies such as Network Function Virtualization and other important aspects that are part of the 5G network standards. The paper also describes some of the common future generation applications that require low-latency and high-bandwidth communications.
Experiential Learning of Networking Technologies: Understanding TCP States – Part 2
Authors: Rustagi Ram P , Kumar Viraj
Published: April 2020

This article focuses on the states of a TCP connection once one of the endpoints decides to terminate the connection. This so-called teardown phase involves the exchange of numerous messages (for reasons we will explore), and the TCP connection itself transitions through several states. Web developers often have only an overly simplistic understanding of these states, which may suffice when the network behaves reliably. However, a deeper understanding of TCP states is essential to design web applications that robustly manage TCP connections even in the presence of network faults during the teardown phase, and debug poorly design applications that exhibit poor resource utilization and poor performance in such situations. As always, we will explore these issues through a series of experiential learning exercises.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OF NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES: Understanding TCP Flow Control and Congestion Control
Authors: RUSTAGI RAM P. , KUMAR VIRAJ
Published: April 2020

In a TCP connection, the underlying network drops
packets when it lacks the capacity to deliver all the packets
sent by the sender to the receiver. This phenomenon
is called congestion. TCP at the sender’s side will not
receive acks for these dropped packets. Since TCP is a
reliable protocol, the sender must retransmit all these
packets. The mechanism used by TCP to deal with such
situations is called TCP Congestion Control. In this article,
we explain the basics of congestion control and provide
experiential exercises to help understand its impact
on TCP performance.