bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A biomedically oriented automatically annotated Twitter COVID-19 dataset
Authors: Hernandez Luis Alberto Robles , Callahan Tiffany J. , Banda Juan M.
Published: September 2021

The use of social media data, like Twitter, for biomedical research has been gradually increasing over the years. With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, researchers have turned to more non-traditional sources of clinical data to characterize the disease in near-real time, study the societal implications of interventions, as well as the sequelae that recovered COVID-19 cases present (Long-). However, manually curated social media datasets are difficult to come by due to the expensive costs of manual annotation and the efforts needed to identify the correct texts. When datasets are available, they are usually very small and their annotations don’t generalize well over time or to larger sets of documents. As part of the 2021 Biomedical Linked Annotation Hackathon, we release our dataset of over 120 million automatically annotated tweets for biomedical research purposes. Incorporating best-practices, we identify tweets with potentially high clinical relevance. We evaluated our work by comparing several SpaCy-based annotation frameworks against a manually annotated gold-standard dataset. Selecting the best method to use for automatic annotation, we then annotated 120 million tweets and released them publicly for future downstream usage within the biomedical domain.
Constructing Japanese MeSH term dictionaries related to the COVID-19 literature
Authors: Yamaguchi Atsuko , Takatsuki Terue , Tateisi Yuka , Soares Felipe
Published: September 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a flood of research papers and the information has been updated with considerable frequency. For society to derive benefits from this research, it is necessary to promote sharing up-to-date knowledge from these papers. However, because most research papers are written in English, it is difficult for people who are not familiar with English medical terms to obtain knowledge from them. To facilitate sharing knowledge from COVID-19 papers written in English for Japanese speakers, we tried to construct a dictionary with an open license by assigning Japanese terms to MeSH unique identifiers (UIDs) annotated to words in the texts of COVID-19 papers. Using this dictionary, 98.99% of all occurrences of MeSH terms in COVID-19 papers were covered. We also created a curated version of the dictionary and uploaded it to PubDictionary for wider use in the PubAnnotation system.
OryzaGP 2021 update: a rice gene and protein dataset for named-entity recognition
Authors: Larmande Pierre , Liu Yusha , Yao Xinzhi , Xia Jingbo
Published: September 2021

Due to the rapid evolution of high-throughput technologies, a tremendous amount of data is being produced in the biological domain, which poses a challenging task for information extraction and natural language understanding. Biological named entity recognition (NER) and named entity normalisation (NEN) are two common tasks aiming at identifying and linking biologically important entities such as genes or gene products mentioned in the literature to biological databases. In this paper, we present an updated version of OryzaGP, a gene and protein dataset for rice species created to help natural language processing (NLP) tools in processing NER and NEN tasks. To create the dataset, we selected more than 15,000 abstracts associated with articles previously curated for rice genes. We developed four dictionaries of gene and protein names associated with database identifiers. We used these dictionaries to annotate the dataset. We also annotated the dataset using pre-trained NLP models. Finally, we analysed the annotation results and discussed how to improve OryzaGP.
Comparative genome characterization of Leptospira interrogans from mild and severe leptospirosis patients
Authors: Anuntakarun Songtham , Sawaswong Vorthon , Jitvaropas Rungrat , Praianantathavorn Kesmanee , Poomipak Witthaya , Suputtamongkol Yupin , Chirathaworn Chintana , Payungporn Sunchai
Published: September 2021

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes from the genus Leptospira. In Thailand, Leptospira interrogans is a major cause of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis patients present with a wide range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic, mild infections to severe illness involving organ failure. For better understanding the difference between Leptospira isolates causing mild and severe leptospirosis, illumina sequencing was used to sequence genomic DNA in both serotypes. DNA of Leptospira isolated from two patients, one with mild and another with severe symptoms, were included in this study. The paired-end reads were removed adapters and trimmed with Q30 score using Trimmomatic. Trimmed reads were constructed to contigs and scaffolds using SPAdes. Cross-contamination of scaffolds was evaluated by ContEst16s. Prokka tool for bacterial annotation was used to annotate sequences from both Leptospira isolates. Predicted amino acid sequences from Prokka were searched in EggNOG and David gene ontology database to characterize gene ontology. In addition, Leptospira from mild and severe patients, that passed the criteria e-value < 10e-5 from blastP against virulence factor database, were used to analyze with Venn diagram. From this study, we found 13 and 12 genes that were unique in the isolates from mild and severe patients, respectively. The 12 genes in the severe isolate might be virulence factor genes that affect disease severity. However, these genes should be validated in further study.
Simulium (Trichodagmia) (Diptera, Simuliidae) phylogeny revisited: the Neotropical and Afrotropical connection
Authors: Molina Óscar S. , Gil-Azevedo Leonardo H.
Published: September 2021

Simulium (Trichodagmia) Enderlein, 1934 has an unstable classification system. The broader concept of the subgenus includes five species-groups resulting from an extensive history of synonymisations, often outside of a phylogenetic framework. This concept also ignores relationship hypotheses with the Afrotropical subgenera S. (Anasolen) Enderlein, 1930, S. (Freemanellum) Crosskey, 1969, S. (Xenosimulium) Crosskey, 1969, and the Oviedoi species-group, with several Neotropical species of S. (Trichodagmia). We performed a morphological phylogenetic analysis to test the monophyly of S. (Trichodagmia), its species-groups, and their relationship with the above-mentioned subgenera and Oviedoi species-group. We analysed a data matrix with 69 terminal taxa and 62 characters under parsimony implied weights, with a range of concavities (k1–100), finding three categories of k. Our analysis concludes that S. (Trichodagmia) is not monophyletic, since Oviedoi and the Afrotropical subgenera group with its species-groups Tarsatum and Orbitale. Therefore, we propose a new classification for S. (Trichodagmia) by restricting it to the Orbitale species-group, revalidating S. (Hearlea) Vargas et al., 1946, S. (Hemicnetha) Enderlein, 1934, S. (Obuchovia) Rubtsov, 1947 and S. (Shewellomyia) Peterson, 1975, synonymysing S. (Xenosimulium) with S. (Anasolen), and erecting a new subgenus, S. (Disculter) subgen. nov. for Oviedoi. The geographical distribution of the groups involved is discussed.
Time-Varying Integration of Ukrainian Sunflower Oil Market with the EU Market
Authors:   Department  of  International  Economics  and Agribusiness, Warsaw  University  of  Life  Sciences  –  SGGW  (Poland), Hamulczuk Mariusz , Makarchuk Oksana ,   Department  of  Statistics  and  Economic  Analysis,  Faculty  of  Economics,  National  University  of  Life   and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine – NULES of Ukraine, Kuts Tetyana ,   Department  of  Statistics  and  Economic  Analysis,  Faculty  of  Economics,  National  University  of  Life   and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine – NULES of Ukraine
Published: September 2021

Ukraine (UA) is one of the world-leading countries in sunflower oil production and sunflower oil exports. Due to the increasing demand caused by biofuel regulations, the European Union (EU) remains the key importer of Ukrainian sunflower oil. Therefore, the aim of the proposed research is to provide an evaluation of the time-varying integration of the UA sunflower oil market with the EU market. To fulfill this goal, first, the trends in sunflower oil production and exports in Ukraine as well as trade regulations are presented. The market integration was assessed using the ARDL-ECM approach that was applied to weekly sunflower oil prices in the period from 2000 to 2020. The analytical study was supplemented with the Toda-Yamamoto (T-Y) Granger causality test, the Bai-Perron multiple structural breakpoint test (B-P) as well as impulse response functions (IRF). This study and the obtained results for the whole sample confirm the presence of a long-run relationship between EU and UA prices. The EU prices are the Granger cause for UA prices, as it is shown in the T-Y test. The Bai-Perron test indicates the existence of multiple structural breaks that can be justified by the market condition and policy modifications. Both the long- and the short-run response of UA prices to changes in EU prices vary significantly in different sub-periods.
Influence of Key Performance Indicators in Marketing on the Financial Situation of Wine Producers Using ICT
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic, Hennyeyová Klára , Janšto Erik ,   Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic, Šilerová Edita ,   Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic, Stuchlý Peter ,   Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic
Published: September 2021

Marketing is one of the key elements of the success of all companies, including the wine sector. Given the importance of wine producers for agriculture, it is important to define and monitor key performance indicators in marketing (KPIs) for a successful stay in the market and a competitive position at home and abroad. Today, the increase in competitive advantage includes mainly marketing, innovation and information and communication technologies. New digital tools and innovations have changed the way we approached data and decisions. A modernly adapted and effective strategic marketing strategy represents for wine companies an understanding mainly of their possibilities as well as the possibilities to influence the customer. This article evaluates the key performance indicators in marketing (KPI) and its relationship and impact on the financial situation of wine producers in Slovakia. The research sample includes 80 respondents. We obtained the primary data through a questionnaire, which was filled in by the leaders of wine companies. We verified the accuracy by means of descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression and Kruskall-Wallis test. We have verified the reliability of the data with the Cronbach alpha test. We have formulated scientific assumptions for in-depth analysis: hypothesis 1 – assumes that key performance indicators have a significant influence on financial situation of selected companies, hypothesis 2 – the use of ICT in marketing is statistically related to the key performance indicators. The results showed a statistically significant impact of KPIs on the financial situation of companies. We have identified significance in customer satisfaction and loyalty, brand awareness and return of investment. However, we were unable to statistically confirm the impact of other indicators (sales growth, market share, gaining new customers). We also identified significant differences in the use of ICT in marketing with key performance indicators in hiring new customers and return on investment. This research contributes positively to the importance of brand building in the eyes of customers as well as customer service, building loyalty and satisfaction, which returns to the loyal approach of customers to the repurchase of wine products and provides advice for professionals. Return on investment helps in more accurate business decisions that can be used when purchasing new equipment (technology), hiring employees, or properly assessing the profitability of marketing strategies.
Asymmetry in Price Transmission: Evidence from the Wheat-Flour Supply Chain in Russia
Authors:   Faculty of Economics, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, Voronezh, Russia, Kharin Sergei
Published: September 2021

Price volatility has serious implications for economic welfare of various agents in the grain supply chain. The paper examines asymmetric price transmission along the wheat producer-processor supply chain in Russia using log-transformed monthly prices during the period of 2000-2019. Having specified linear asymmetric vector error correction model, we exposed the long-term cumulative asymmetry in price transmission, however, the hypothesis of short-term symmetry presence failed to reject. The analysis revealed dominant position for wheat producers and wholesalers over the wheat processors. Imperfect competition and their resulting market power, as well as the existence of a huge number of illegal processors are the main causes for asymmetric price transmission on the Russian wheat market.
Toppled Monuments and Black Lives Matter: Race, Gender, and Decolonization in the Public Space. An Interview with Charmaine A. Nelson
Authors: Abraham Christiana
Published: September 2021

This paper discusses the recent backlash against public monuments spurred by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in North America and elsewhere following the killing by police of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man in the United States. Since this event, protestors have taken to the streets to bring attention to police brutality, systemic racism, and racial injustice faced by Black and Indigenous people and people of colour in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and some European countries. In many of these protests, outraged citizens have torn down, toppled, or defaced monuments of well-known historic figures associated with colonialism, slavery, racism, and imperialism. Protestors have been demanding the removal of statues and monuments that symbolize slavery, colonial power, and systemic and historical racism. What makes these monuments problematic and what drives these deliberate and spectacular acts of defiance against these omnipresent monuments? Featuring an interview with art historian Charmaine A. Nelson, this article explores the meanings of these forceful, decolonial articulations at this moment. The interview addresses some complex questions related to monumentalization and the public sphere, symbolism and racial in/justice. In so doing, it suggests that monuments of the future need to be reimagined and redefined contemporaneously with shifting social knowledge and generational change.
“It feels a bit like drowning”: Expectations and Experiences of Motherhood during COVID-19
Authors: Friedman May , Kostka Lichtfuss Kori , Martignetti Lucas , Gingras Jacqui
Published: September 2021

What is the result of bringing unrealistic and overwhelming conditions of motherhood into the context of a global pandemic? This article aims to explore the impacts of maternal expectations and experiences in the context of COVID-19. Through first-person accounts of eighty self-identified mothers parenting through COVID, we aim to explore “good” mother myths, feelings of failure, and the paradoxical freedoms that occur under pandemic time.
Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina With Particular Emphasis to the Enjoyment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Authors: Mitrović Ljubinko
Published: September 2021

Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the inherent rights of every human being on the planet, they are, as a rule, universal, indivisible and inalienable. Human rights are there, around and between us, every day and every moment of that day. In addition to the state territory, the inhabitants populating that territory and the public authorities, human rights are nowadays an indispensable, fourth element of the state. It is the duty of every democratic state to protect the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of every human being, without discrimination on any grounds: sex, race, color, property, origin, political or other opinion. In addition to civil and political rights, which are somehow always in the focus of observation of all of us (certainly because of their importance), human rights and freedoms of the second generation, i.e. economic, social and cultural rights, must not be neglected. These rights will be mostly in focus of this paper, and especially their status and implementation from the perspective of a special institution that deals with the promotion and protection of human rights - the Institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Child as a Crime in Domestic Legislation
Authors: Ikanović Veljko , Vasić Milijan
Published: September 2021

The authors deal with a new group of crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation of a child in the new Criminal Code of the Republic of Srpska 2017. Starting from the regulation of this matter in the previous legislation, pointing to solutions in the comparative legislation, the analysis of newly created incriminations explains the justification of such normalization of this sensitive matter. Attention is drawn to peer crimes of this kind and normative compliance with international legal acts, especially those adopted by the Council of Europe. All of this fits into one general framework and points to certain good and bad sides of parallel regulation of previously qualified forms of these offenses as separate offenses. In this regard, the legislator is suggested to amend certain amendments in order to eliminate the illogical nature of the legislative penalties.
New Standards in the Application of the Law on Protection Against Violence in the Family in the Republic of Srpska
Authors: Marić Tamara
Published: September 2021

Criminal protection against domestic violence in the Republika Srpska was established by the enactment of the Criminal Code in 2000, when domestic violence was, for the first time, legally defined as socially unacceptable behavior with a criminal sanction. A few years later, in 2005 to be precise, the first Law on Protection from Domestic Violence was adopted, the provisions of which took the basic form of the criminal offense of domestic or family violence from the Criminal Code and defined it as a misdemeanor. In order to prosecute perpetrators of violence faster and more efficiently, as well as faster and better protection of victims of domestic violence, a new Law on Protection from Domestic Violence was passed in 2012, which is also the most important legal regulation in this area in Republika Srpska. The said law underwent several amendments, and as such was in force until May 1 of the current year, when the Law on Amendments to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, which was adopted by the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska on The sixth regular session held in September 2019, which prescribes new legal solutions, which will be discussed in the continuation of the paper.
Naučna istraživanja kriminaliteta u Republici Srpskoj - problemi i pravci razvoja
Authors: Simović Vladimir M.
Published: September 2021

U Banjoj Luci je u martu 2020. godine izašla iz štampe monografi ja “Naučna istraživanja kriminaliteta u Republici Srpskoj - problemi i pravci razvoja”, docenta na Fakultetu za bezbjednost i zaštitu Nezavisnog uni-verziteta u Banjoj Luci na predmetima iz uže naučne oblasti Ostale druš-tvene nauke. Recenzenti knjige su akademik prof. dr Miodrag Simović, redovni profesor Pravnog fakulteta u Banjoj Luci i sudija Ustavnog suda Bosne i Hercegovine i dr Zdravko Skakavac, redovni profesor Pravnog fakulteta Univerziteta Union u Beogradu. Iako je ponajprije riječ o mo-nografi ji namijenjenoj studentima upisanim na istoimeni fakultet (Kri-minologija), djelo doc. Ljiljane Komlenović ima izraženu pravno-naučnu vrijednost, na što ukazuje i opseg bibliografi je i korištenih pravnih izvora.
Praksa vrhovnog suda Republike Srpske
Authors: Jovašević Dragan
Published: September 2021

’’Olakšavajuće okolnosti, koje se naglašavaju u žalbi branioca optuženog, a odnose se na lične i porodične prilike optuženog, da se radi o licu starije životne dobi (rođen 1944. godine) i da je neosuđivan, te njegov stav prema djelu, iskazan u priznanje krivice i kajanju za po-činjeno djelo, su pravilno utvrđene i, sa aspekta sadržaja, obrazložene u pobijanoj presudi. Međutim, u okviru opštih pravila o odmjerava-nju kazne, ovim okolnostima, po ocjeni ovog suda, nije dat pravilan značaj. Naime, priznanje krivice uslijedilo je nakon izvođenja dokaza tužilaštva (saslušanja svjedoka), a verbalno iskazano kajanje na glav-nom pretresu za počinjeno krivično djelo i nastupjele poslјedice, bez realnih pokazatelјa upućenih porodici oštećenih, neposredno nakon predmetne saobraćajne nezgode i sve do početka suđenja (kako to po-tvrđuje svjedok Č.B., otac oštećenog B.B.), nema onaj značaj koji mu, u okviru olakšavajućih okolnosti, daje pobijana presuda.
La typologie des modalité de l’intégration différenciée dans l’Union européenne
Authors: Ćeranić Perišić Jelena
Published: September 2021

Malgré le fait que la construction communautaire est fondée sur le principe d’unité d’application de droit communautaire, dès le début de processus de l’intégration européenne le principe de différentiation a été appliqué. L’idée principale était de préparer le terrain pour pouvoir poursuivre les objectifs communs. Déjà, lors des premiers élargissements de la Communauté européenne, les périodes de transition de certains États ont été prévues. La prise de conscience de l’impossibilité pour l’ensemble des États d’avancer de la même vitesse a conduit à la constitutionalisation du concept de différentiation/ flexibilité. L’intégration différenciée a été institutionnalisée par le traité d’Amsterdam (1997) sous la forme du mécanisme de coopération renforcée. Les modalités d’intégration différenciée sont assez nombreuses et diversifiées. On peut les trouver dans des matières différentes. Presque tous les domaines d’actions de l’Union sont potentiellement ou effectivement concernées par la différenciation. L’hétérogénéité de l’intégration différenciée se manifeste aussi à travers la multitude d’expressions désignant cette notion. Une gamme des notions diverses est développée. Ainsi, cet article présente un essai de faire une typologie des modalités de l’intégration différenciée. La difficulté ne consiste pas dans la découverte d’un classement de la flexibilité, mais plutôt dans le choix de typologies décisives. Une classification est la plus courante en doctrine. On peut donc la qualifier de classique et elle est examinée dans la première partie de cet article. Étant donné que cette classification s’avère plutôt politique que juridique et qu’elle ne reflète pas suffisamment le droit positif, les nouvelles typologies sont analysées dans la deuxième partie.
Tax Ofences in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Mitrović Ljubinko , Rendić Saša
Published: September 2021

There are two categories of tax offenses in the so-called tax legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and these are criminal offenses and misdemeanors. Unlike tax crimes prescribed exclusively in criminal law (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina), tax offenses are prescribed by dozens of laws and bylaws in force at all levels of government. : at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, then the entities - Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, cantons, Brcko District and finally cities and municipalities. The taxation system in Bosnia and Herzegovina is conceived and constituted in accordance with its constitutional system and it can be characterized as a hybrid system, but also a very complex system with a complex fiscal structure and divided responsibilities for taxation with direct taxes under the jurisdiction of the entity tax administrations. that is, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republika Srpska and the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The competent institutions at the entity level are the Ministries of Finance (Ministry of Finance of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Finance of the Republika Srpska), ie the Finance Directorate of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the other hand, indirect taxes are the responsibility of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Finance has been established within the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Importance of the Jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union for the Consistent Application of the Service Directive
Authors: Dragišić Radmila
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we explore the implementation of the Directive on services in the internal market in the Member States of the European Union, with the focus on assessing the clarity of the norms of this acquis. We perform analysis of selected cases from the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice. The source of law in question, among other things, we consider with regard to its implementation in the areas of public health, certification and technical supervision, and in the field of veterinary services. The topic of our work is useful for the professional and scientific community due to the further clarification of the importance of the development of the case law of the Court of Justice for the uniform application of the Directive governing a very important segment of the internal market.
Solidariedade e organizações: pensar uma outra organização
Authors: França Filho Genauto Carvalho de , Eynaud Philippe
Published: September 2021

Este livro parte de um diagnóstico crítico sobre a dupla insustentabilidade que tem caracterizado a dinâmica do desenvolvimento das sociedades contemporâneas: a crise ambiental e o aumento das desigualdades. Tais condições têm revelado um déficit de solidariedade tanto na relação dos seres humanos com a natureza, quanto na relação das pessoas entre si. É assim que o livro funda sua reflexão num paradoxo importante relativo ao lugar da solidariedade nas sociedades atuais: nunca antes houve tanta necessidade de fortalecê-la, tanto no plano nacional quanto internacional, e a reflexão a seu propósito jamais foi tão eludida, tão desconhecida, para não dizer tão desacreditada. Após salientar como a solidariedade foi invisibilizada na construção do conhecimento sobre as organizações e a gestão, o livro explora a emergência de práticas organizacionais inovadoras visando responder aos dilemas dessa dupla insustentabilidade. São os desafios e potencialidades contidos numa outra economia que nos convida a refletir sobre uma outra gestão.
As Pestes do século XX: tuberculose e Aids no Brasil, uma história comparada
Authors: Nascimento Dilene Raimundo do
Published: September 2021

O livro traz um estudo, em perspectiva comparada, da tuberculose e da Aids no Brasil, nas primeiras e últimas décadas do século XX. Resgatando a análise de ensaios anteriores sobre a tuberculose na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, a autora constata a existência de analogias evidentes em relação à Aids tanto do ponto de vista do conhecimento científico e das ações institucionais quanto das construções sociais.
Population Diversity in Ant-inspired Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Byrski Aleksander , Węgrzyński Krzysztof , Radwański Wojciech , Starzec Grażyna , Starzec Mateusz , Bargieł Monika , Urbańczyk Aleksandra , Kisiel-Dorohinicki Marek
Published: September 2021

Finding a balance between exploration and exploitation is very important in the case of metaheuristics optimization, especially in the systems leveraging population of individuals expressing (as in Evolutionary Algorithms, etc.) or constructing (as in Ant Colony Optimization) solutions. Premature convergence is a real problem and finding means of its automatic detection and counteracting are of great importance. Measuring diversity in Evolutionary Algorithms working in real-value search space is often computationally complex, but feasible while measuring diversity in combinatorial domain is practically impossible (cf. Closest String Problem). Nevertheless, we propose several practical and feasible diversity measurement techniques dedicated to Ant Colony Optimization algorithms, leveraging the fact that even though analysis of the search space is at least an NP problem, we can focus on the pheromone table, where the direct outcomes of the search are expressed and can be analyzed. Besides proposing the measurement techniques, we apply them to assess the diversity of several variants of ACO, and closely analyze their features for the classic ACO. The discussion of the results is the first step towards applying the proposed measurement techniques in auto-adaptation of the parameters affecting directly the exploitation and exploration features in ACO in the future.
Effect of contact angle hysteresis and sensitivity of gas-liquid interfacial tension to temperature of a sessile-drop on evaporation dynamics
Authors: Li Chun-Xi , Cheng Ran , Ye Xue-Min ,   Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China
Published: September 2021

The evaporation process of drops on a solid surface is widely applied to daily life and industrial fields. Both contact angle hysteresis and the sensitivity of gas-liquid interfacial tension to temperature are important factors affecting the drop evaporation reflected in the contact line and contact angle. To investigate the internal mechanism, according to the lubrication theory and slip boundary conditions, we establish a mathematical model of the drop evaporation on a uniformly heated solid wall with considering the effect of contact angle hysteresis. This model is numerically solved by using a coordinate transformation method and Freefem++14.3, a highly efficient solver. The accuracy of the numerical calculation method is verified by comparing the numerical results with experimental results, and the grid independence is validated. The effect of contact angle hysteresis on the dynamics of evaporating drops is discussed, and the evaporation characteristics of drops with different tension sensitivities of the air-liquid interface to temperature are further investigated. The results show that the contact angle hysteresis has an apparent influence on the drop evaporation process which includes drop spreading stage, contact line pinning stage, and depinning stage. In the drop spreading stage, the increase in the hysteresis angle shortens the spreading time, and reduces the spreading velocity and radius, while in the contact line pinning stage, the pinning time is prolonged and the reduction of drop mass is significantly increased with hysteresis angle increasing. In the contact line depinning stage, the contact angle hysteresis reduces the contact angle, and a flatter shape emerges, thereby enhancing the ability to transfer heat and accelerating evaporation as well as shortening the depinning time. In addition, the large hysteresis angle leads to a large advancing contact angle and a small receding contact angle. The reduction in receding contact angle is more notable than the increment of advancing contact angle. The temperature sensitivity coefficient of the gas-liquid interfacial tension can be increased by reducing the receding contact angle, thereby improving the wettability of the drops on the wall enhancing the heat transfer and accelerating the evaporation. Regulating the contact angle hysteresis and the sensitivity of the interfacial tension to temperature can realize the manipulation of the drop movement, thus controlling the evaporation process.
Numerical Investigation of Interaction between Saccular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Arterial Bifurcations
Authors:   Department of Machines and Equipment, Institute of Technology, Middle Technical University, Muasker Al Rashid Street, Baghdad, Iraq, Audaa Jehhef Kadhum , Jalal Ali Ali ,   2Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad 10066, Iraq
Published: September 2021

In order to fully understand the interaction between the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) and the arterial bifurcations interface it is important to attain more detailed information on blood hemodynamics stresses by using an accurate and real model of the vascular system of the human. In this study, a computer simulation, which integrates dinically acquired of 73-year-old male patient with saccular AAA MR angiograms image is considered. The numerical predictions for 2D of two models (with and without saccular AAA) – axisymmetric, rigid wall Newtonian and non-Newtonian Carreau blood model are presented. The finite volume method performed by ANSYS-Fluent Package was used to model this problem. The blood hemodynamics is considered as steady state condition in two values of Reynolds numbers of laminar flow condition. Blood hemodynamics is calculated for an improved set of dimensionless values pointer parameters include the pressure dimensionless, dimensionless Wall Shear Stress (WSS) and flow velocity. The results show that at the turbulent flow, velocity is with highest fluctuation profile and generate some vortices near the inner wall of AAA. The highest WSS levels are obtained downstream of AAA and at bifurcation apex. The presence of AAA in flow path will increase blood velocity of the distal by 35% for laminar and about 42% for turbulent. Finally, the velocity profile was compared with previous literature and give good agreement at the same computational condition.
Parallel Distributed Framework for State Space Adaptive Filter for Removal of PLI from Cardiac Signals
Authors:   Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan, ur Rehman Inam , Raza Hasan ,   Department of Electrical Engineering, Hamdard Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hamdard University Islamabad Campus (HUIC), Islamabad, Pakistan, Razzaq Nauman ,   Department of Electrical Engineering, National University of Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Published: September 2021

Cardiac signals are often corrupted by artefacts like power line interference (PLI) which may mislead the cardiologists to correctly diagnose the critical cardiac diseases. The cardiac signals like high resolution electrocardiogram (HRECG), ultra-high frequency ECG (UHF-ECG) and intracardiac electrograms are the specialized techniques in which higher frequency component of interest up to 1 KHz are observed. Therefore, a state space recursive least square (SSRLS) adaptive algorithm is applied for the removal of PLI and its harmonics. The SSRLS algorithm is an effective approach which extracts the desired cardiac signals from the observed signal without any need of reference signal. However, SSRLS is inherited computational heavy algorithm; therefore, filtration of increased number of PLI harmonics bestow an adverse impact on the execution time of the algorithm. In this paper, a parallel distributed SSRLS (PD-SSRLS) algorithm is introduced which runs the computationally expensive SSRLS adaptive algorithm parallely. The proposed architecture efficiently removes the PLI along with its harmonics even the time alignment among the contributing nodes is not the same. Furthermore, the proposed PD-SSRLS scheme provides less computational cost as compared to sequentially operated SSRLS algorithm. A comparison has been drawn between the proposed PD-SSRLS algorithm and sequentially operated SSRLS algorithm in term of qualitative and quantitative performances. The simulation results show that the proposed PD-SSRLS architecture provides almost same qualitative and quantitative performances than that of sequentially operated SSRLS algorithm with less computational cost.
Immunomodulatory Effect of Pinus Armandi Franch Seed Oil
Authors:   College of Biological Science and Technology, Jinzhong University, Jinzhong 030619, China, Guo Jianxia , Chen Fang ,   School of Pharmaceutical, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China, Wen Xue ,   College of Biological Science and Technology, Jinzhong University, Jinzhong 030619, China
Published: September 2021

Pinus armandi franch is a special local plant in China and its seed oil is a nice resource of linoleic acid (LA) and linolenic acid. This study investigated the effects of enriching the mouse diet with the ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), LA (18:2 ω-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3 ω-3) different ratios (ω-6/ω-3) on total lipids in Pinus armandi franch seed oil (PAFO), and immune evaluation indexes in plasma, lymph nodes, and spleen from isolated immune cells. Kunming mice were fed a commercial chow. PAFO with a certain ratio (ω-6/ω-3) could promote the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes induced by ConA in mice and the optimal ratio was 4 or 6. PAFO with different ratios (ω-6/ω-3) could increase the spleen index and thymus index and there were significant differences between PAFO group and control group (p < 0.01). The results indicate that the ratio of ω-6 PUFA: ω-3 PUFA is 4 or 6 improve some of the indices of the mice immune status and that a moderate increase in the level of ω-6 PUFA in the mice diet does not suppress the immune system.
Adult stem cells and niche cells segregate gradually from common precursors that build the adult Drosophila ovary during pupal development
Authors: Reilein Amy , Kogan Helen V , Misner Rachel , Park Karen Sophia , Kalderon Daniel
Published: September 2021

Production of proliferative follicle cells (FCs) and quiescent escort cells (ECs) by follicle stem cells (FSCs) in adult Drosophila ovaries is regulated by niche signals from anterior (cap cells, ECs) and posterior (polar FCs) sources. Here we show that ECs, FSCs, and FCs develop from common pupal precursors, with different fates acquired by progressive separation of cells along the AP axis and a graded decline in anterior cell proliferation. ECs, FSCs, and most FCs derive from intermingled cell (IC) precursors interspersed with germline cells. Precursors also accumulate posterior to ICs before engulfing a naked germline cyst projected out of the germarium to form the first egg chamber and posterior polar FC signaling center. Thus, stem and niche cells develop in appropriate numbers and spatial organization through regulated proliferative expansion together with progressive establishment of spatial signaling cues that guide adult cell behavior, rather than through rigid early specification events.
Identifying optimal bioinformatics protocols for aerosol microbial community data
Authors: Miaow Katie , Lacap-Bugler Donnabella , Buckley Hannah L.
Published: September 2021

Microbes are fundamental to Earth’s ecosystems, thus understanding ecosystem connectivity through microbial dispersal is key to predicting future ecosystem changes in a warming world. However, aerial microbial dispersal remains poorly understood. Few studies have been performed on bioaerosols (microorganisms and biological fragments suspended in the atmosphere), despite them harboring pathogens and allergens. Most environmental microbes grow poorly in culture, therefore molecular approaches are required to characterize aerial diversity. Bioinformatic tools are needed for processing the next generation sequencing (NGS) data generated from these molecular approaches; however, there are numerous options and choices in the process. These choices can markedly affect key aspects of the data output including relative abundances, diversity, and taxonomy. Bioaerosol samples have relatively little DNA, and often contain novel and proportionally high levels of contaminant organisms, that are difficult to identify. Therefore, bioinformatics choices are of crucial importance. A bioaerosol dataset for bacteria and fungi based on the 16S rRNA gene (16S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA sequencing from parks in the metropolitan area of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand was used to develop a process for determining the bioinformatics pipeline that would maximize the data amount and quality generated. Two popular tools (Dada2 and USEARCH) were compared for amplicon sequence variant (ASV) inference and generation of an ASV table. A scorecard was created and used to assess multiple outputs and make systematic choices about the most suitable option. The read number and ASVs were assessed, alpha diversity was calculated (Hill numbers), beta diversity (Bray–Curtis distances), differential abundance by site and consistency of ASVs were considered. USEARCH was selected, due to higher consistency in ASVs identified and greater read counts. Taxonomic assignment is highly dependent on the taxonomic database used. Two popular taxonomy databases were compared in terms of number and confidence of assignments, and a combined approach developed that uses information in both databases to maximize the number and confidence of taxonomic assignments. This approach increased the assignment rate by 12–15%, depending on amplicon and the overall assignment was 77% for bacteria and 47% for fungi. Assessment of decontamination using “decontam” and “microDecon” was performed, based on review of ASVs identified as contaminants by each and consideration of the probability of them being legitimate members of the bioaerosol community. For this example, “microDecon’s” subtraction approach for removing background contamination was selected. This study demonstrates a systematic approach to determining the optimal bioinformatics pipeline using a multi-criteria scorecard for microbial bioaerosol data. Example code in the R environment for this data processing pipeline is provided.
THE INFLUENCE OF CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY: A STATE OF THE ART REVIEW
Authors:   Departamento de Obras Civilies, Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, Araya Felipe
Published: September 2021

Multiple studies have found that productivity in Chilean construction has been stagnated during recent decades; thus, creating the need to understand better what factors have led to these results in the construction sector. In the international literature, studies have found that changes are the leading cause of productivity losses in construction projects; however, limited studies have been done in Chile in this regard. This context is understood as an opportunity to learn from the existing literature about the impact of changes in construction productivity, more importantly, such learning can contribute to the discussion of productivity improvement in the Chilean construction sector. This study recommends that more studies are necessary to be done in Chile regarding the impact of changes in construction projects. Namely, future studies should be based on an extensive database of projects so that generalization can be drawn for the construction industry. Additionally, the data collection process of changes in construction should be improved, paying specific attention to the size of changes, the timing of changes, and the scale of assessment—namely activity, project, and industry levels. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to the discussion about productivity improvement in Chilean construction as this remains one of the main challenges in the industry
Heavy metals in Venezuelan marine sediments: concentrations, degree of contamination, and distribution
Authors: Ramos Ruth , Verde Alejandra , García Elia M
Published: September 2021

Venezuelan oil exploration and exploitation activities have been taking place since the 18th century. These long-term activities are closely related to heavy metal contamination because of the increasing input of toxic pollutants. Variations in heavy metal concentrations can cause, among other things, changes in metal distribution patterns, alterations in biogeochemical cycles, and increments in environmental and biological risks. The need for a complete baseline on heavy metal concentrations along the Venezuelan coast is critical. For this reason, we present the concentrations, distribution, and degree of contamination of 9 heavy metals (barium, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, cadmium, zinc, lead, and vanadium) in marine sediments along the Venezuelan coast. We used the enrichment factor, the geoaccumulation index, and the mean effects range median quotients to evaluate the degree of contamination, comparing areas with and without intervention. Our results indicate that higher concentrations of these heavy metals are associated with places with greater anthropic activity, especially on the central and eastern coasts of Venezuela. Only cadmium showed extremely severe enrichment and a high degree of contamination. The biohazard potential was between 12% and 30% and was primarily associated with locations having high oil activity, which suggests that these places must be monitored, given the potential hazard they represent. This work encompasses the distribution and concentration of 9 heavy metals along the Venezuelan coast and takes relevance as a baseline for heavy metal concentrations and pollution indicators in marine sediments for Venezuela and the Caribbean.
Molecular identification of the first Galapagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) reported on the central coast of Oaxaca
Authors: Tamayo-Millán Carlos Javier , Ahumada-Sempoal Miguel Ángel , Cortés-Gómez Adriana , Chacón-Romo Leroux Ivon Marcela , Bermúdez-Díaz Dennis , Islas-Villanueva Valentina
Published: September 2021

Several sightings of different pinniped species have been recorded outside their typical areas of distribution. In May 2019, pinniped yearlings were sighted on 4 occasions on the central coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. One of them was found injured in La Escobilla (Oaxaca, Mexico) and was transported immediately to the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga for rehabilitation. Visual identification of the species was inconclusive, as young individuals of several fur seal species can be very similar. A molecular analysis was thus performed to confirm the species. DNA was extracted from the individual, and a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region was sequenced and aligned with several sequences of other fur seal species. A parsimony analysis was performed, and the tree revealed that the individual was a Galapagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis. This is the first record of this species on the central coast of Oaxaca. The atypical presence of this species in the country could be related to high sea surface temperatures associated with events such as El Niño.