bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedagogical Triage and Emergent Strategies: A Management Educational Program in Pandemic Times
Authors: Adinolfi Paola , Giancotti Fernando
Published: March 2021

This paper explores the post-pandemic strategic reorientation of a master in leadership and change management, investigating the conditions for its success and the side effects. The Master, which is part of the Defense Education Enhancement Plan recently approved by the Italian Ministry of Defense, led in partnership by the Center for High Defense Studies and the University of Salerno, aims at developing strategic leadership and change management competencies. The virtualization of the project work sessions that was caused by the pandemic emergency produced unexpected consequences that led the master directors to refocus the program as regards its format and method. The case-study, based on direct observation, unstructured interviews, and analysis of written documents and recorded audio, corroborates the literature regarding the emerging innovative, learner-centered approaches in management education, showing the effectiveness of an integrated educational approach based on traditional in-presence lectures, as well as experiential and project-based learning. It shows how the adjustments devised to cope with the consequences of teamwork virtualization proved to be synergistic, delivering positive outcomes in terms of participants’ satisfaction, learning, and impact. Future research avenues and practical implications are also highlighted, with a focus on the internal and external conditions for successful project-based learning in a distance learning environment.
Cognitive Modifiability in 3D-IVR and 2D Computerized Environments: The Effects of Rotation of Information Resources and Shift of Viewing Angles
Authors: Tzuriel David , Eshel Kedmi Ganit , Passig David
Published: March 2021

Research findings indicate that cognitive achievements are significantly improved by practice of cognitive abilities in the 3D Immersive Virtual Reality (3D-IVR) environment. The current study focuses on the effects of two spatial characteristics of the computer environment, Rotation of Information Resources (RIR) and Shift of Viewing Angles (SVA), on cognitive modifiability as measured in a dynamic assessment (DA) procedure. The DA was composed of modified versions of the Analogies Subtest (AN) from the Cognitive Modifiability Battery (CMB) adapted for the computerized environment and includes pre-teaching, teaching, and post-teaching phases. The analogies contain dimensions of color, number, height, and position. In the teaching phase, children mediated various problem-solving strategies. The sample was composed of children in Grades 1 and 2 (n = 73). They were randomly assigned to either 3D-IVR or 2D conditions. Higher frequency of use of SVA contributed significantly to pre- to post-teaching improvement of analogical thinking. Higher improvements were found in dimensions of height and position than in color and number. The dimensions of height and position are specifically connected to spatial perception, hence the higher improvement. The findings are explained in relation to the importance of the use of SVA and RIR as crucial spatial characteristics for developing cognitive maps formation, and cognitive performance.
Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Maritime Connectivity? An Estimation for China and the Polar Silk Road Countries
Authors: Tianming Gao , Erokhin Vasilii , Arskiy Aleksandr , Khudzhatov Mikail
Published: March 2021

In light of about 80% of international freight traffic carried by sea, maritime supply chains’ stability is pivotal to global connectivity. For over a year now, the transboundary mobility of vessels and cargoes has been restricted by diverse forms of the COVID-19 containment measures applied by national governments, while the lockdowns of people, businesses, and economic activities have significantly affected the growth prospects of various maritime connectivity initiatives. This study investigates how the pandemic-related public health, trade, and market factors have shifted the connectivity patterns in the Polar Silk Road (PSR) transport corridor between China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, and four economies of Northern Europe. The causality links between the Shipping Connectivity Index (SCI) and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, trade volumes with China and the rest of the world, and price indexes of minerals, fuels, food, and agricultural products are revealed separately for eight countries and thirty-five ports. The study algorithm is built on the consecutive application of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and the Phillips-Perron (PP) stationarity tests, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, the Fully-Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) robustness checks, and the Toda-Yamamoto causality test. Tight trade-connectivity links are recorded in all locations along the China-PSR transport corridor in 2015–2019, but in 2020, the relationships weakened. Bidirectional influences between the number of COVID-19 cases and connectivity parameters demonstrate the maritime sector’s sensitivity to safety regulations and bring into focus the role of cargo shipping in the transboundary spread of the virus. The authors’ four-stage approach contributes to the establishment of a methodology framework that may equip stakeholders with insights about potential risks to maritime connectivity in the China-PSR maritime trade in the course of the pandemic.
Who Has Benefited? A Socio-Ecological Chronology of Urban Resilience in the Early Reconstruction of Talca after the 27-F Earthquake, Chile 2010–2012
Authors: Inzulza Contardo Jorge , Moran Figueroa Pablo
Published: March 2021

This article engages in the understanding of resilience from the perspective of socio-ecological systems (SES) and the reconstitution of events of recovery and reconstruction in the city of Talca after the 27-F earthquake in Chile, between 2010 and 2012. For such purposes, we have developed a chronological or timeline-analysis model. This methodology, which uses mostly ethnographic and participant-observation techniques to recapitulate these events, observes the interaction of social agents, elements of the built environment, government institutions, and other institutional functions of the urban domain within the socio-ecological panarchy. The results suggest that key events, such as local government institutional actions, the observation of probable property speculation events, and community agency efforts dismissal, among other factors, could alter both human and natural resilience processes. In turn, this could affect the capacity of this city, its inhabitants, and its social institutions to endure future crises, as a product of deteriorated and maladaptive resilience mechanisms, aside from the natural and geographical conditions of Chile, exposed to future earthquake events. Likewise, the partial loss of the civic environment in this historic city and weakened neighborhood networks, contrasting with the redevelopment of real estate in central areas, altogether portray considerable risks with regard to the (un)generated social mechanisms of resilience, affecting future developments. The final section focuses on discussing these findings and their relevance in integrating a coherent understanding of SES resilience in urban planning and governance practice, especially in cities or urban areas that are prone to natural risks or catastrophes.
Factors Affecting Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Postgraduate Students’ Behavioural Intention for Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Md Yunus Melor , Ang Wee Shin , Hashim Harwati
Published: March 2021

Online learning has become essential in education as the spread of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought significant changes to the field. However, education should remain welcoming and supportive to all the learners as it is important to keep the students’ behavioural intention in any form of learning environment. Thus, this study is significant as online learning is leading the trend of education now. Past studies revealed that the factors of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions under the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model affect learners’ behavioural intention to use online learning. This study intended to identify the most significant factors that influence TESL postgraduate students’ behavioural intention towards the use of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined the relationship amongst the four factors and postgraduate students’ behavioural intention to use online learning. The participants consisted of 169 postgraduate students at a public university in Malaysia. To achieve the aim, the study utilized a survey design using a questionnaire. The results from regression analysis revealed that all of the factors have positive effects on postgraduate students’ behavioural intention to use online learning. Meanwhile, performance expectancy has the greatest influence on postgraduate students’ behavioural intention. Hence, this study concludes that the practicality and the usefulness of online learning should be highlighted by the authorities.
Optimal Operation of a Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Coupled Integrated Energy System
Authors: Utomo Oscar , Abeysekera Muditha , Ugalde-Loo Carlos E.
Published: March 2021

Integrated energy systems have become an area of interest as with growing energy demand globally, means of producing sustainable energy from flexible sources is key to meet future energy demands while keeping carbon emissions low. Hydrogen is a potential solution for providing flexibility in the future energy mix as it does not emit harmful gases when used as an energy source. In this paper, an integrated energy system including hydrogen as an energy vector and hydrogen storage is studied. The system is used to assess the behaviour of a hydrogen production and storage system under different renewable energy generation profiles. Two case studies are considered: a high renewable energy generation scenario and a low renewable energy generation scenario. These provide an understanding of how different levels of renewable penetration may affect the operation of an electrolyser and a fuel cell against an electricity import/export pricing regime. The mathematical model of the system under study is represented using the energy hub approach, with system optimisation through linear programming conducted via MATLAB to minimise the total operational cost. The work undertaken showcases the unique interactions the fuel cell has with the hydrogen storage system in terms of minimising grid electricity import and exporting stored hydrogen as electricity back to the grid when export prices are competitive.
Impact of Population Growth in the Central Coastal Zone of Chile: Factors for Estimating Tourism Carrying Capacity Based on the Case Study of One Latin American Seaside Resort
Authors: Moris Roberto , Bergamini Kay , Gilabert Horacio , Culagovski Rodrigo , Zaviezo Daniela , Medina José Ignacio , Alarcón Andrea , Ángel Piroska
Published: March 2021

El Quisco is a district and popular seaside resort on the coast of Chile that has suffered the effects of the growing demand for second homes and tourism activities. The district has the fourth highest influx of a floating population in the region, which has had numerous impacts on the district at several levels. The objective of this article is to examine the issue of carrying capacity in Chile and its public management at the local level. To this end, this research developed an exploratory and instrumental case study. Carrying capacity problems were first identified in the existing literature. This information was subsequently complemented with more local information by means of: analysis of territorial planning instruments (TPIs) relating to the district; participative workshops with municipal government stakeholders; and, lastly, confirmation of the problems identified through correlation analysis of available historical data. The main result of this research was the determination of carrying capacity issues in El Quisco. This broadly coincides with indications from the existing literature and TPIs, while factors identified by local stakeholders are territory-specific, giving rise to new measurement variables. It was possible, in turn, to rule out certain carrying capacity issues perceived by the community.
Technical Economic Analysis of Photovoltaic-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Stations under Different Solar Irradiation Conditions in Vietnam
Authors: Minh Phap Vu , Le Quang Sang , Pham Manh-Hai
Published: March 2021

At present, the electric vehicle (EV) market is developing strongly and widely across many countries around the world. Increasing clean energy infrastructure for EVs is a possible solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help improve air quality in urban areas. Electric vehicles charged by electricity from photovoltaic (PV) systems can produce less emissions than conventional EVs charged by the utility grid. Thus, the combination of solar power and EV charging stations is one of the possible methods to achieve sustainable development in the current EV market. EVs in cities in Vietnam have developed very quickly in recent times, but the charging station infrastructure is still very limited, and most existing charging stations use electricity from the utility grid. In this paper, the optimal configuration of PV-powered EV charging stations is analyzed technically and economically under different solar irradiation conditions in Vietnam. The study results show that the optimal configuration and investment efficiency of PV-powered EV charging stations in each urban area are greatly affected by the solar irradiation value and feed-in tariff (FIT) price of rooftop solar power. In Vietnam, a region with high solar irradiation, such as Ho Chi Minh, is more likely to invest in PV-powered EV charging stations than other areas with lower solar irradiation, such as Hanoi.
Social Tipping Interventions Can Promote the Diffusion or Decay of Sustainable Consumption Norms in the Field. Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study
Authors: Berger Joël
Published: March 2021

The diffusion of environmentally sustainable consumption patterns is crucial for reaching net carbon neutrality. As a promising policy tool for reaching this goal, scholars have put forward social tipping interventions (SOTIs). “Social tipping” refers to the phenomenon that a small initial change in a parameter of a social system can create abrupt, nonlinear change via self-reinforcing feedback. If this reduces the burden on the environment, it is of potential interest for environmental policy. SOTIs are attempts to create social tipping intentionally. SOTIs produce rapid norm changes in laboratory experiments. However, little is known about the potential of SOTIs in the field. This research reports on a field intervention promoting the consumption of hot beverages in reusable mugs instead of one-way cups, conducted at Swiss university cafeterias (N = 162,523 consumption decisions). Two SOTIs involved an appeal promoting sustainable consumption with regular feedback about the current prevalence of sustainable consumption. Two control treatments involved either the same appeal without feedback or no intervention. This research offers three key findings. First, SOTIs involving regular normative feedback can transform sustainable consumption from a minority behavior into a social norm within weeks. Second, tipping points in real-world environmental dilemmas may exceed the values found in recent laboratory experiments (≥50% vs. ≥25%). Third, SOTIs can also promote the decay of sustainable consumption. By implication, the risk-free use of SOTIs requires deeper insights into the boundary conditions of these dynamics.
The Matrix vs. The Fifth Element—Assessing Future Scenarios of Urban Transport from a Sustainability Perspective
Authors: Kunze Oliver , Frommer Fabian
Published: March 2021

The future of urban transport (including passenger transportation and goods logistics) may develop in significantly different directions. Depending on changes in urban behavior, and depending on decisions made by lawmakers and governmental bodies, as well as by commercial players, this future may show a significantly reduced mobility of people and goods (for example, as depicted in the motion picture The Matrix, where people live immobilized in cocoons) or a significantly increased mobility (for example, as depicted in the motion picture The Fifth Element, where multiple layers of air traffic are added to road and rail traffic). We applied a systems thinking method to create a model for political decision makers and researchers. This model can contribute to a better understanding of the interrelations of societal factors (e.g., behavioral changes in the current COVID-19 situation), technological factors (e.g., the role of data traffic or emerging urban air traffic) and environmental factors (e.g., noise or CO2 emissions) in an urban mobility and logistics system. The research also shows that data traffic has the potential to partially substitute physical passenger and goods traffic under certain circumstances. Thus, data networks should conceptually be regarded as a new mode of transport that plays a role in the urban modal split.
B-Learning and Technology: Enablers for University Education Resilience. An Experience Case under COVID-19 in Spain
Authors: Sánchez Ruiz Luis M. , Moll-López Santiago , Moraño-Fernández Jose Antonio , Llobregat-Gómez Nuria
Published: March 2021

Innovative teaching methodologies begat blended learning, which seems to facilitate engineering students’ achievement of competencies required for the 21st century and has proven to be essential to keep quality standards as university education has suffered the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we approach the use of b-learning and digital technologies before the pandemic started, and how it worked like a vaccine, enabling university education resilience and facilitating the sustainability of the students learning process. A questionnaire-based study is presented, in which the data came from Aerospace Engineering students following a Mathematics subject in a Technological University in Spain. ANOVA and ANCOVA analysis provided a significant difference in the appreciation of the adaptation based on the prior application of b-learning methodologies or more traditional methodologies. Results obtained indicated that the use of digital resources and educational platforms caused a noticeable change in the students’ way of learning, improving habits and digital skills.
Development of Material Combination Model Considering Economics and Construction Efficiency for G-SEED Certification
Authors: Jeon Byung-Ju , Kim Byung-Soo
Published: March 2021

The Korean government proposed a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37% compared to business-as-usual levels by 2030 and launched the Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design (G-SEED) certification system. The certification requires meeting the required score and material selection with a secured economy and construction efficiency. However, most buildings only focus on obtaining the certification scores instead of choosing economical materials with high construction efficiency. This research focused on developing a material selection model that considers both the construction efficiency and economy of the materials and the acquisition of material and resource evaluation scores from the G-SEED certification. This research, therefore, analyzed actual data to automate the material selection and compare alternatives to using a genetic algorithm to obtain optimized alternatives. This model proposes an alternative to constructability and economy when the required score and material information is entered. When the model was applied to actual cases, the result revealed a reduction in construction costs of about 37% compared to the cost with the traditional methods. The material selection model from this research can benefit construction project owners in terms of cost reduction, designers in terms of structural design time, and constructors in terms of construction efficiency.
Relaxed Modulus-Based Matrix Splitting Methods for the Linear Complementarity Problem
Authors: Wu Shiliang , Li Cuixia , Agarwal Praveen
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we obtain a new equivalent fixed-point form of the linear complementarity problem by introducing a relaxed matrix and establish a class of relaxed modulus-based matrix splitting iteration methods for solving the linear complementarity problem. Some sufficient conditions for guaranteeing the convergence of relaxed modulus-based matrix splitting iteration methods are presented. Numerical examples are offered to show the efficacy of the proposed methods.
Application of Wind Tunnel Device for Evaluation of Biokinetic Parameters of Running
Authors: Širok Brane , Gostiša Jurij , Sečnik Matej , Mackala Krzysztof , Čoh Milan
Published: March 2021

The aim of the study was the application of high-tech wind tunnel device to identify the changes in the biokinetic parameters of running performed on the specially designed treadmill. The research was carried out in the “Planica Nordic Centre—PNC” in the wind tunnel system, where the AirRunner Assault treadmill, which was equipped with four sensors measuring the vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces, was installed. To obtain biokinetic data, the runners performed the treadmill’s run under conditions of airflow directed at each participant’s back (backwind speeds +3 m/s and +5 m/s) and the chest (headwind speeds −5 m/s and −7 m/s). The runner’s speed was measured via image analysis using a DSLR camera and markers on the belt of the treadmill. Additionally, a high-speed camera synchronised to the force acquisition system was used to analyse the contact phase via comparison of foot placement and time series of the ground reaction forces. The contact phases of the running step were found to be longer than the flight phases, with their duration ranging from 0.15 to 0.20 s and the maximum forces at take-off were found to be greater than when running with the backwind. It should be noted that the application of high-tech devices wind tunnel and treadmill were found to be sufficiently accurate to perform kinetic measurements of running parameters in changing conditions, such as resistance and assistance (facilitating).
Plant Leaf Disease Recognition Using Depth-Wise Separable Convolution-Based Models
Authors: Hossain Syed Mohammad Minhaz , Deb Kaushik , Dhar Pranab Kumar , Koshiba Takeshi
Published: March 2021

Proper plant leaf disease (PLD) detection is challenging in complex backgrounds and under different capture conditions. For this reason, initially, modified adaptive centroid-based segmentation (ACS) is used to trace the proper region of interest (ROI). Automatic initialization of the number of clusters (K) using modified ACS before recognition increases tracing ROI’s scalability even for symmetrical features in various plants. Besides, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based PLD recognition models achieve adequate accuracy to some extent. However, memory requirements (large-scaled parameters) and the high computational cost of CNN-based PLD models are burning issues for the memory restricted mobile and IoT-based devices. Therefore, after tracing ROIs, three proposed depth-wise separable convolutional PLD (DSCPLD) models, such as segmented modified DSCPLD (S-modified MobileNet), segmented reduced DSCPLD (S-reduced MobileNet), and segmented extended DSCPLD (S-extended MobileNet), are utilized to represent the constructive trade-off among accuracy, model size, and computational latency. Moreover, we have compared our proposed DSCPLD recognition models with state-of-the-art models, such as MobileNet, VGG16, VGG19, and AlexNet. Among segmented-based DSCPLD models, S-modified MobileNet achieves the best accuracy of 99.55% and F1-sore of 97.07%. Besides, we have simulated our DSCPLD models using both full plant leaf images and segmented plant leaf images and conclude that, after using modified ACS, all models increase their accuracy and F1-score. Furthermore, a new plant leaf dataset containing 6580 images of eight plants was used to experiment with several depth-wise separable convolution models.
Inverse Scattering and Soliton Solutions of Nonlocal Complex Reverse-Spacetime Modified Korteweg-de Vries Hierarchies
Authors: Ling Liming , Ma Wen-Xiu
Published: March 2021

This paper aims to explore nonlocal complex reverse-spacetime modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) hierarchies via nonlocal symmetry reductions of matrix spectral problems and to construct their soliton solutions by the inverse scattering transforms. The corresponding inverse scattering problems are formulated by building the associated Riemann-Hilbert problems. A formulation of solutions to specific Riemann-Hilbert problems, with the jump matrix being the identity matrix, is established, where eigenvalues could equal adjoint eigenvalues, and thus N-soliton solutions to the nonlocal complex reverse-spacetime mKdV hierarchies are obtained from the reflectionless transforms.
Quark Cluster Expansion Model for Interpreting Finite-T Lattice QCD Thermodynamics
Authors: Blaschke David , Devyatyarov Kirill A. , Kaczmarek Olaf
Published: March 2021

In this work, we present a unified approach to the thermodynamics of hadron–quark–gluon matter at finite temperatures on the basis of a quark cluster expansion in the form of a generalized Beth–Uhlenbeck approach with a generic ansatz for the hadronic phase shifts that fulfills the Levinson theorem. The change in the composition of the system from a hadron resonance gas to a quark–gluon plasma takes place in the narrow temperature interval of 150–190 MeV, where the Mott dissociation of hadrons is triggered by the dropping quark mass as a result of the restoration of chiral symmetry. The deconfinement of quark and gluon degrees of freedom is regulated by the Polyakov loop variable that signals the breaking of the Z(3) center symmetry of the color SU(3) group of QCD. We suggest a Polyakov-loop quark–gluon plasma model with O(αs) virial correction and solve the stationarity condition of the thermodynamic potential (gap equation) for the Polyakov loop. The resulting pressure is in excellent agreement with lattice QCD simulations up to high temperatures.
Salt and Pepper Noise Removal Method Based on a Detail-Aware Filter
Authors: Liang Hu , Li Na , Zhao Shengrong
Published: March 2021

The median-type filter is an effective technique to remove salt and pepper (SAP) noise; however, such a mechanism cannot always effectively remove noise and preserve details due to the local diversity singularity and local non-stationarity. In this paper, a two-step SAP removal method was proposed based on the analysis of the median-type filter errors. In the first step, a median-type filter was used to process the image corrupted by SAP noise. Then, in the second step, a novel-designed adaptive nonlocal bilateral filter is used to weaken the error of the median-type filter. By building histograms of median-type filter errors, we found that the error almost obeys Gaussian–Laplacian mixture distribution statistically. Following this, an improved bilateral filter was proposed to utilize the nonlocal feature and bilateral filter to weaken the median-type filter errors. In the proposed filter, (1) the nonlocal strategy is introduced to improve the bilateral filter, and the intensity similarity is measured between image patches instead pixels; (2) a novel norm based on half-quadratic estimation is used to measure the image patch- spatial proximity and intensity similarity, instead of fixed L1 and L2 norms; (3) besides, the scale parameters, which were used to control the behavior of the half-quadratic norm, were updated based on the local image feature. Experimental results showed that the proposed method performed better compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
The Resonant and Normal Auger Spectra of Ozone
Authors: Taioli Simone , Simonucci Stefano
Published: March 2021

In this work, we outline a general method for calculating Auger spectra in molecules, which accounts for the underlying symmetry of the system. This theory starts from Fano’s formulation of the interaction between discrete and continuum states, and it generalizes this formalism to deal with the simultaneous presence of several intermediate quasi-bound states and several non-interacting decay channels. Our theoretical description is specifically tailored to resonant autoionization and Auger processes, and it explicitly includes the incoming wave boundary conditions for the continuum states and an accurate treatment of the Coulomb repulsion. This approach is implemented and applied to the calculation of the K−LL Auger and autoionization spectra of ozone, which is a C2v symmetric molecule, whose importance in our atmosphere to filter out radiation has been widely confirmed. We also show the effect that the molecular point group and, in particular, the localization of the core-hole in the oxygen atoms related by symmetry operations, has on the electronic structure of the Auger states and on the spectral lineshape by comparing our results with the experimental data.
Optical-Cavity-Induced Current
Authors: Moddel Garret , Weerakkody Ayendra , Doroski David , Bartusiak Dylan
Published: March 2021

The formation of a submicron optical cavity on one side of a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) tunneling device induces a measurable electrical current between the two metal layers with no applied voltage. Reducing the cavity thickness increases the measured current. Eight types of tests were carried out to determine whether the output could be due to experimental artifacts. All gave negative results, supporting the conclusion that the observed electrical output is genuinely produced by the device. We interpret the results as being due to the suppression of vacuum optical modes by the optical cavity on one side of the MIM device, which upsets a balance in the injection of electrons excited by zero-point fluctuations. This interpretation is in accord with observed changes in the electrical output as other device parameters are varied. A feature of the MIM devices is their femtosecond-fast transport and scattering times for hot charge carriers. The fast capture in these devices is consistent with a model in which an energy ∆E may be accessed from zero-point fluctuations for a time ∆t, following a ∆E∆t uncertainty-principle-like relation governing the process.
Energy Efficiency in Short and Wide-Area IoT Technologies—A Survey
Authors: Zanaj Eljona , Caso Giuseppe , De Nardis Luca , Mohammadpour Alireza , Alay Özgü , Di Benedetto Maria-Gabriella
Published: March 2021

In the last years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a key application context in the design and evolution of technologies in the transition toward a 5G ecosystem. More and more IoT technologies have entered the market and represent important enablers in the deployment of networks of interconnected devices. As network and spatial device densities grow, energy efficiency and consumption are becoming an important aspect in analyzing the performance and suitability of different technologies. In this framework, this survey presents an extensive review of IoT technologies, including both Low-Power Short-Area Networks (LPSANs) and Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWANs), from the perspective of energy efficiency and power consumption. Existing consumption models and energy efficiency mechanisms are categorized, analyzed and discussed, in order to highlight the main trends proposed in literature and standards toward achieving energy-efficient IoT networks. Current limitations and open challenges are also discussed, aiming at highlighting new possible research directions.
Assessing the Single and Combined Toxicity of Chlorantraniliprole and Bacillus thuringiensis (GO33A) against Four Selected Strains of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and a Gene Expression Analysis
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Zeeshan , He Ling , Shu Changlong , Yin Fei , Zhang Jie , Li Zhen-Yu
Published: March 2021

Concerns about resistance development to conventional insecticides in diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.), the most destructive pest of Brassica vegetables, have stimulated interest in alternative pest management strategies. The toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (Bt GO33A) combined with chlorantraniliprole (Chl) has not been documented. Here, we examined single and combined toxicity of chlorantraniliprole and Bt to assess the levels of resistance in four DBM strains. Additionally, enzyme activities were tested in field-original highly resistant (FOH-DBM), Bt-resistant (Bt-DBM), chlorantraniliprole-resistant (CL-DBM), and Bt + chlorantraniliprole-resistant (BtC-DBM) strains. The Bt product had the highest toxicity to all four DBM strains followed by the mixture of insecticides (Bt + Chl) and chlorantraniliprole. Synergism between Bt and chlorantraniliprole was observed; the combination of Bt + (Bt + Chl) (1:1, LC50:LC50) was the most toxic, showing a synergistic effect against all four DBM strains with a poison ratio of 1.35, 1.29, 1.27, and 1.25. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and carboxyl-esterase (CarE) activities showed positive correlations with chlorantraniliprole resistance, but no correlation was observed with resistance to Bt and Bt + Chl insecticides. Expression of genes coding for PxGST, CarE, AChE, and MFO using qRT-PCR showed that the PxGST and MFO were significantly overexpressed in Bt-DBM. However, AChE and CarE showed no difference in the four DBM strains. Mixtures of Bt with chlorantraniliprole exhibited synergistic effects and may aid the design of new combinations of pesticides to delay resistance in DBM strains substantially.
Identification and Functional Characterization of Plant Toxins
Authors: Adamski Zbigniew , Bufo Sabino Aurelio , Milella Luigi , Scrano Laura
Published: March 2021

The evolutionary arms race between plants and herbivores has led, over millions of years, to the production of many substances that prevent plants from being over-eaten by plant-feeding animals [...]
The NUMEN Project: Toward New Experiments with High-Intensity Beams
Authors: Agodi Clementina , Russo Antonio D. , Calabretta Luciano , D’Agostino Grazia , Cappuzzello Francesco , Cavallaro Manuela , Carbone Diana , Finocchiaro Paolo , Pandola Luciano , Torresi Domenico , Calvo Daniela , Sartirana Diego , Campajola Luigi , Capirossi Vittoria , Iazzi Felice , Pinna Federico
Published: March 2021

The search for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay is currently a key topic in physics, due to its possible wide implications for nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology. The NUMEN project aims to provide experimental information on the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) that are involved in the expression of 0νββ decay half-life by measuring the cross section of nuclear double-charge exchange (DCE) reactions. NUMEN has already demonstrated the feasibility of measuring these tiny cross sections for some nuclei of interest for the 0νββ using the superconducting cyclotron (CS) and the MAGNEX spectrometer at the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (LNS.) Catania, Italy. However, since the DCE cross sections are very small and need to be measured with high sensitivity, the systematic exploration of all nuclei of interest requires major upgrade of the facility. R&D for technological tools has been completed. The realization of new radiation-tolerant detectors capable of sustaining high rates while preserving the requested resolution and sensitivity is underway, as well as the upgrade of the CS to deliver beams of higher intensity. Strategies to carry out DCE cross-section measurements with high-intensity beams were developed in order to achieve the challenging sensitivity requested to provide experimental constraints to 0νββ NMEs.
The Appropriateness of Invasive Ventilation in COVID-19 Positive Cancer Patients: Proposal of a New Prognostic Score
Authors: Ghidini Michele , Indini Alice , Rijavec Erika , Bareggi Claudia , Cattaneo Monica , Tomasello Gianluca , Galassi Barbara , Gambini Donatella , Grossi Francesco
Published: March 2021

Over the last months, as oncology specialists, we have frequently been contacted for estimating prognosis for cancer patients affected by COVID-19 infection. Until now, there have been no clear markers to guide decision making regarding the appropriateness of invasive ventilation in cancer patients affected by COVID-19 infection. We developed a practical tool encompassing a prognostic score, “The Milano Policlinico ONCOVID-ICU score.” The score is composed of three groups of variables: patient’s characteristics such as sex, age, BMI, and comorbidities; oncological variables (treatment intent, life expectancy, on or off-treatment status); and clinical parameters in association with laboratory values (the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and D-dimer). The SOFA score includes six different clinical parameters and during the first few days of ICU admissions has an important prognostic role. The oncological history should never represent, per se, a contraindication to intensive care and must be considered together with other variables, such as laboratory values, clinical parameters, and patient characteristics, in order to make the hardest but best possible choice. To our knowledge, “The Milano Policlinico ONCOVID-ICU score” is the first prognostic score proposed in this setting of patients and requires further validation. This tool may be useful to assess the prognosis of cancer patients in critical conditions.
Incorporation of CD55 into the Zika Viral Envelope Contributes to Its Stability against Human Complement
Authors: Malekshahi Zahra , Bernklau Sarah , Schiela Britta , Koske Iris , Banki Zoltan , Stiasny Karin , Harris Claire L. , Würzner Reinhard , Stoiber Heribert
Published: March 2021

The rapid spread of the virus in Latin America and the association of the infection with microcephaly in newborns or Guillain–Barré Syndrome in adults prompted the WHO to declare the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic to be an international public health emergency in 2016. As the virus was first discovered in monkeys and is spread not only by mosquitos but also from human to human, we investigated the stability to the human complement of ZIKV derived from mosquito (ZIKVInsect), monkey (ZIKVVero), or human cells (ZIKVA549 and ZIKVFibro), respectively. At a low serum concentration (10%), which refers to complement concentrations found on mucosal surfaces, the virus was relatively stable at 37 °C. At higher complement levels (up to 50% serum concentration), ZIKV titers differed significantly depending on the cell line used for the propagation of the virus. While the viral titer of ZIKVInsect decreased about two orders in magnitude, when incubated with human serum, the virus derived from human cells was more resistant to complement-mediated lysis (CML). By virus-capture assay and Western blots, the complement regulator protein CD55 was identified to be incorporated into the viral envelope. Blocking of CD55 by neutralizing Abs significantly increased the sensitivity to human complement. Taken together, these data indicate that the incorporation of CD55 from human cells contributes to the stability of ZIKV against complement-mediated virolysis.
Comparative Analysis of Within-Host Mutation Patterns and Diversity of Hepatitis C Virus Subtypes 1a, 1b, and 3a
Authors: Tisthammer Kaho H. , Dong Weiyan , Joy Jeffrey B. , Pennings Pleuni S.
Published: March 2021

Understanding within-host evolution is critical for predicting viral evolutionary outcomes, yet such studies are currently lacking due to difficulty involving human subjects. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus with high mutation rates. Its complex evolutionary dynamics and extensive genetic diversity are demonstrated in over 67 known subtypes. In this study, we analyzed within-host mutation frequency patterns of three HCV subtypes, using a large number of samples obtained from treatment-naïve participants by next-generation sequencing. We report that overall mutation frequency patterns are similar among subtypes, yet subtype 3a consistently had lower mutation frequencies and nucleotide diversity, while subtype 1a had the highest. We found that about 50% of genomic sites are highly conserved across subtypes, which are likely under strong purifying selection. We also compared within-host and between-host selective pressures, which revealed that Hyper Variable Region 1 within hosts was under positive selection, but was under slightly negative selection between hosts, which indicates that many mutations created within hosts are removed during the transmission bottleneck. Examining the natural prevalence of known resistance-associated variants showed their consistent existence in the treatment-naïve participants. These results provide insights into the differences and similarities among HCV subtypes that may be used to develop and improve HCV therapies.
Mammalian and Avian Host Cell Influenza A Restriction Factors
Authors: McKellar Joe , Rebendenne Antoine , Wencker Mélanie , Moncorgé Olivier , Goujon Caroline
Published: March 2021

The threat of a new influenza pandemic is real. With past pandemics claiming millions of lives, finding new ways to combat this virus is essential. Host cells have developed a multi-modular system to detect incoming pathogens, a phenomenon called sensing. The signaling cascade triggered by sensing subsequently induces protection for themselves and their surrounding neighbors, termed interferon (IFN) response. This response induces the upregulation of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), including antiviral effectors, establishing an antiviral state. As well as the antiviral proteins induced through the IFN system, cells also possess a so-called intrinsic immunity, constituted of antiviral proteins that are constitutively expressed, creating a first barrier preceding the induction of the interferon system. All these combined antiviral effectors inhibit the virus at various stages of the viral lifecycle, using a wide array of mechanisms. Here, we provide a review of mammalian and avian influenza A restriction factors, detailing their mechanism of action and in vivo relevance, when known. Understanding their mode of action might help pave the way for the development of new influenza treatments, which are absolutely required if we want to be prepared to face a new pandemic.
Integrated Technology for Evaluation and Assessment of Multi-Scale Hydrological Systems in Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution
Authors: Momm Henrique , Bingner Ron , Wells Robert , Moore Katy , Herring Glenn
Published: March 2021

Conservation agencies need information to guide planning activities and allocation of limited mitigation resources at regional scales. Utilization of hydrological modeling tools at sub-watershed scales can adequately represent existing conditions, but information on a few discrete uncoordinated efforts cannot be scaled up to the entire region. Conversely, large scale modeling studies suffer from overgeneralization caused by needed lumping of information. In this study, a multiscale and standardized procedure was sought to characterize water and nonpoint source pollution spatiotemporal dynamics at basin-scale but through detailed field-scale analysis. The AnnAGNPS watershed pollution model was enhanced with new capabilities for simulation of large areas based on an Integrated Technology for Evaluation and Assessment of Multi-scale-hydrological Systems (ITEAMS) approach. Comparisons between the standard and proposed ITEAMS approach indicated no difference in streamflow and small underestimation of suspended sediments during high intensity rainfall events. The ITEAMS approach was applied to a basin with a total area of 3,268,691 ha which was discretized into 469,628 sub-catchments with an average size of 6.8 ha. The resulting 366 linked AnnAGNPS simulations were executed hierarchically generating estimates of water and suspended sediment yield and loads. This pilot study revealed the ITEAMS approach is a viable alternative for modeling and simulating large areas but at high spatiotemporal resolution.
Numerical Study on the Hydrologic Characteristic of Permeable Friction Course Pavement
Authors: Nguyen Tan Hung , Ahn Jaehun
Published: March 2021

The hydrologic characteristic of a permeable friction course (PFC) pavement is dependent on the rainfall intensity, pavement geometric design, and porous asphalt properties. Herein, the hydrologic characteristic of PFC pavements of various lengths and slopes was determined via numerical analysis. A series of analyses was conducted using length values of 10, 15, 20, and 30 m and slope values of 0.5%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% for the equivalent water flow path. The PFC pavements were simulated for various values of rainfall intensity, which ranged from 10 to 120 mm/h, to determine the time taken for water to flow over the PFC pavement surface. The results show that the time for water overflow decreased when the pavement length or rainfall intensity increased, and it increased when the slope increased. Finally, a series of design charts was developed to determine the time taken for water to flow over the PFC pavement surface for given rainfall intensities. Since this study was conducted based on numerical analysis, further studies are recommended to verify experimentally the results presented.
Microbial Action in Wastewater and Sludge
Authors: Mrozik Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

The global upsurge in urbanization and industrialization is inextricably associated with a systematic increase in the amount of municipal and industrial wastewater, and solid waste [...]
Conjunctive Operation of Surface and Subsurface Dams Based on Drought Severity
Authors: Kim Bo Ram , Lee Sang-Il
Published: March 2021

As an effective water management method to respond to the increasing severity of drought, this study proposed a conjunctive operation using a surface reservoir and subsurface dams. The proposed methodology predicts the probable rainfall according to the drought severity and the water demand, and uses these as the basis for water allocation. Sokcho City, located in South Korea, was used as the study case. Sokcho is a tourist city that has suffered from water shortages for many years due to its excessive dependence on a single groundwater dam. Considering conjunctive operation, drought frequency, and drought duration, a total of 80 cases under four scenarios were generated and simulated to determine the water supply capability over the entire year. The results indicate that domestic water can be supplied throughout the year with appropriate water allocation, even when a once-in-50-year drought lasts for 120 days. Furthermore, the water supply potential, which is the additionally available capacity in a reservoir, was used to assess the effects of conjunctive operation. It was estimated that, for a once-in-10-year drought, up to 318% of the annual water demand was available in the reservoir. As the proposed methodology is relatively simple, it offers a useful water resource management tool for sites with similar social and environmental conditions.