bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consignação dos aposentados e pensionistas: rotinas de pagamento e desconto em folha
Authors: Oliveira Célia Freire de , Brasil Maria Eline Santana
Published: August 2020

O modelo econômico atual do país vem incentivando o consumo do Crédito Consignado, que diante suas várias modalidades disponíveis no mercado financeiro, vem apresentando um crescimento contínuo desde sua implantação é impressionante, está regulado pela Lei 10.820/03, regulamentada pelos Decretos 4.840/03 e 5.892/06. O presente estudo pode ser caracterizado como descritivo e bibliográfico e visa entender o que é e os dados pessoais necessários para o Crédito Consignado, também é necessário à atualização cadastral e comprovante de margem consignável do beneficiário; permitindo assim compreender que os beneficiários apresentam uma renda média de salário mínimo, e quem utiliza o Crédito Consignado compromete quase metade da sua renda mensal, pois é uma opção de crédito com parcelas descontadas em folha de pagamento. No entanto é preciso avaliar a utilização do Crédito Consignado, identificando o perfil dos seus usuários, como também, os motivos que os levam a adquirir, isso por que o Crédito Consignado tem uma das linhas de crédito com juros mais baixas do mercado, estando elas pré-fixadas, e por ser de baixo risco, existe um aumento de aposentados solicitando o Crédito Consignado, podendo ser consignado até 30% do valor da aposentadoria. Não é possível estipular exatamente o número de Beneficiários do INSS, pois alguns tipos podem ser acumulados e, portanto, o numero de benefícios emitido não correspondente exatamente ao número de pessoas beneficiadas e, também não se pode afirmar que todos esses clientes possuem renda livre de comprometimento, pois como sabemos existem inúmeras outras opções de crédito que não estão sendo observadas neste estudo.
Une nouvelle perspective sur la densité du courant
Authors: Lucena Lucas Ruas de
Published: August 2020

Cet article traite de propositions alternatives et complémentaires aux lois de J.C.Maxwell de l’électromagnétisme classique, basées sur certaines hypothèses, exemples hypothétiques et calculs, avec des résultats qui peuvent déduire de nouvelles interprétations sur le phénomène physique conduction densité actuelle. Ces nouvelles interprétations apportent une nouvelle compréhension de la dynamique de la Loi de Gauss, et, étant vrai, rendent la loi Ampère-Maxwell totalement symétrique à la loi Faraday-Lenz-Maxwell, sans aucune incohérence mathématique ou physique. Ces compréhensions apportent inévitablement des implications et des points de vue complémentaires à la théorie classique de l’électromagnétisme.
Новый взгляд на движение текущей плотности
Authors: Lucena Lucas Ruas de
Published: August 2020

В этой статье обсуждаются альтернативные и дополнительные предложения к законам J.C.Maxwell классического электромагнетизма, основанные на некоторых гипотезах, гипотетических примерах и вычислениях, с результатами, которые могут сделать вывод о новых интерпретациях плотности тока проводимости физического явления. Эти новые толкования привносят новое понимание в динамику закона Gauss, и, будучи верными, делают Закон Ampère-Maxwell полностью симметричным по закону Faraday-Lenz-Maxwell, без каких-либо математических или физических несоответствий. Эти понимания неизбежно приносят последствия и точки зрения, дополняющие классическую теорию электромагнетизма.
El teorema de Coase puesto a prueba en China
Authors: Schwartz Pedro
Published: August 2020

Generalmente se presenta la doctrina de Coase como un teorema estático que busca explicar la corrección espontánea de defectos del mercado por acuerdos de los afectados. Sin embargo, según el teorema como lo formuló Stigler, esos resultados solo se alcanzan bajo los cuestionables supuestos de que los costes de transacción son nulos, los derechos de propiedad están bien definidos y la distribución del beneficio de los acuerdos no afecta al resultado. Lo irreal de esas condiciones hace que, por desgracia, siga aplicándose la teoría estatista de los defectos del mercado cual la promulgó Pigou. Pero el espectacular progreso de la economía china después de Mao, tal y como la analizan Ronald Coase y Ning Wang (2012), parece haber ocurrido sin ajustarse en nada a lo expresado en ese teorema.
Malas leyes
Authors: Arruñada Benito
Published: August 2020

Este artículo explora la correspondencia entre las preferencias dominantes en la ciudadanía y varios atributos característicos del Derecho español. En relación con países europeos de similar tamaño, los españoles mostramos en promedio unas marcadas preferencias estatistas y contrarias a la competencia, las cuales favorecerían una concepción finalista de las leyes; así como una tendencia a imponer excesivas reglas imperativas sobre la libertad contractual. En la medida en que las disfunciones estructurales de nuestro marco normativo corresponden a las preferencias ciudadanas, estas podrían explicar la proliferación de las reformas y su reiterado fracaso.
COMPARISON THE SUCCESS RATE OF VESICOVAGINAL FISTULA REPAIR SURGICAL WITH TRANSVAGINAL AND TRANSABDOMINAL PROCEDURE : META ANALYSIS
Authors: Pattinama Norma , Hardianto Gatut
Published: August 2020

Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the success rate of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair surgery by transvaginal (TVAG) and transabdominal (TPA) procedure.
Method: Literatures were searched on the online database, PUBMED and Google Scholar. All of the studies should be belonging on to inclusion criteria. The literatures had qualitative analyze by the authors and bias criteria based on Review Manager 5.3 application. It also had quantitative analyzed by the same application.
Results: The literatures have 191 patients (transvaginal-n=107; transabdominal-n=84). The data was homogen (Chi20,05). The forest plot showed that TPA has a higher success rate than TVAG, still not statistically significant (test overall effect P>0,05; 95%CI was 0,59 to 5,30).
Conclusion: Transabdominal procedure has a higher success rate.
Дидактичні основи підготовки військових фахівців з вищою освітою в контексті військових освітніх систем провідних країн НАТО: історична ретроспектива, сучасність, перспективи
Authors: Приходько Ю. І.
Published: August 2020

У статті розглядається проблема наближення дидактичних основ у підготовці військових фахівців з вищою освітою до поглядів у цьому процесі, притаманних військовим освітнім системам провідних країн НАТО. Показується актуальність дослідження даної проблеми, зумовлена політикою держави з реформування сектору безпеки та оборони, зміцнення обороноздатності Збройних Сил України. Аналізуються національні й зарубіжні теоретичні та прикладні аспекти дидактичних систем у підготовці офіцерських кадрів. Обґрунтовуються основні напрями коригування теоретичної та прикладної складових дидактичного процесу в підготовці військових фахівців у вищих військових навчальних закладах України, військових навчальних підрозділах закладів вищої освіти.
Методичний підхід до визначення та оцінювання мобілізаційних спроможностей боєприпасної галузі
Authors: Косарецький Є. І.
Published: August 2020

Якісна мобілізаційна підготовка боєприпасної галузі держави неможлива без знання реального стану цієї галузі, її спроможностей щодо виробництва боєприпасів в умовах мирного часу та в особливий період.Спроможності боєприпасної галузі мають відповідати потребам сил оборони. Формування спроможностей боєприпасної галузі мирного часу та на особливий період здійснюється в мирний час шляхом виконання планів та програм розвитку оборонної промисловості, виходячи з економічних можливостей держави.Метою статті є розробка методичного підходу до визначення та оцінювання мобілізаційних спроможностей боєприпасної галузі, визначення основних показників та критеріїв, які доцільно застосовувати під час проведення мобілізаційного планування цієї галузі.
Northern Steps of EU Enlargement: The Impact of “Cohesion” Policies on Iceland’s Accession Process
Authors: Stefano Adriana Di
Published: August 2020

This paper focuses on the EU accession process of Iceland, reading the latest northern steps of EU enlargement under a “cohesion” perspective, i.e., through the lens of the cohesion “theory”, namely the method resulting from interactions of the general principles of subsidiarity and cooperation or partnership. From the Mediterranean to the Arctic, the territorial dimension of cohesion policies, as grounded in different EU policies, plays different roles and meets a wide range of economic and social needs. By implementing Nordicum-Mediterraneum analogies, a cohesion-minded EU enlargement approach requires the overall reframing of territorial-based policies and a better allocation of shared responsibilities at the more efficient level of governance.
Giambattista Vico – Heimspeki forsjónarinnar
Authors: Arnarson Egill
Published: August 2020

Lán í óláni – þannig mætti lýsa æviferli Vicos. En einnig má halda því fram að sagan af slysinu sem sögumaður varð fyrir sem barn geymi kjarnann í heimspeki hans því inntakinu í Hinum nýju vísindum má lýsa sem nokkuð svipuðu: Í gegnum söguna og öll þau skakkaföll sem hún þekkir er að verki guðleg forsjón sem ljær henni merkingu og – a.m.k. tímabundinn – tilgang. Heimspeki Vicos mætti því lýsa sem heimspeki forsjónarinnar.
Aðferð eða opinberun? Ritdeila Adolfs von Harnack og Karls Barth 1923. Þýðing með inngangi og skýringum
Authors: Hreinsson Haraldur
Published: August 2020

In early 1923, a correspondence between the theologians Adolf von Harnack (1851–1930) and Karl Barth (1886–1968) appeared in the German theological journal Christliche Welt. Respectively, Harnack and Barth represented two of the most prominent post-Enlighten-ment theological currents. At the time, Harnack was widely regarded as the leading voice of theological liberalism while Barth was seen as the champion of neo-orthodoxy or dialectical theology, a theological movement on the rise. The correspondence attracted much attention and still today it is seen amongst the most important theological debates of the 20th century. The present article contains a translation of the original 15 questions posed by Harnack and Barth’s answers to them and a commentary on the debate.
The assessment of psychopathological symptoms and the course of schizophrenia depending on gender, duration of the disease, somatic comorbidity and suicide attempts
Authors: Broniarczyk-Czarniak Marta , Orzechowska Agata , Gałecki Piotr
Published: August 2020

Objectives. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder with periods of exacerbation and remission. The prevalence during life is estimated at 0.5–1%. The study aims to prove that there are differences in the prevalence of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia depending on the gender and duration of the disease, and to confirm that there is a relationship between the factors such as the occurrence of somatic diseases and the risk of suicide attempts, and a specific clinical picture and course of the disease.

Material and methods. The study included 76 patients with schizophrenia treated with standard antipsychotic pharmacotherapy. The severity of psychopathological symptoms was assessed after admission to hospital using the scale of positive and negative symptoms and the sociodemographic survey created for the purposes of this study.

Results. The first episode of schizophrenia in men occurs earlier than in women. There are no statistically significant differences in the psychopathological picture of the disease in men and women. The severity of negative symptoms increases with the duration of the illness for the entire population of the study. Patients with schizo­phrenia without co-occurring somatic diseases have more severe positive symptoms of illness. There are no statistically significant differences in the group of patients who attempted suicide and who did not.

Conclusions. Positive symptoms of the disease are more common in younger patients without somatic diseases while negative symptoms increase with age. Men develop first symptoms of schizophrenia earlier than women. It is not possible to distinguish the dominant group of psychopathological symptoms for women and men in patients who suffer somatic diseases and attempt suicide more often.
Thyroid Nodules: Pathophysiological Insight on Oncogenesis and Novel Diagnostic Techniques
Authors: KRÁTKÝ J. , VÍTKOVÁ H. , BARTÁKOVÁ J. , TELIČKA Z. , ANTOŠOVÁ M. , LÍMANOVÁ Z. , JISKRA J.
Published: August 2020

Thyroid nodules are a very frequent pathology among common population. Despite the vast majority of them are of benign origin, the incidence of thyroid cancer is currently rather rising. Although there are several risk factors of thyroid cancer and several clinical, ultrasound, biochemical and molecular diagnostic markers, the exact mechanisms of thyroid oncogenesis and the linkage between thyroid nodule ultrasound appearance and its biological character remain unclear. While ionizing radiation is the only one well-known risk factor for thyroid cancer, the significance of some others remains unclear. The aim of our review was to discuss some not completely known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in thyroid oncogenesis as hypothyroidism, mutations of genes regulating cell proliferation, thyroid autoimmunity and pregnancy and to describe pathophysiological background of some ultrasound markers of thyroid cancer (size, echogenicity, vascularization, calcifications and stiffness). Better knowledge in this field is crucial for development of novel diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches. For example, the analysis of BRAF, RAS and other mutations in cytological samples may help to distinction between follicular thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid adenoma and may significantly decrease the number of unnecessary surgery among patients with thyroid nodules. Alternatively, the different malign cells growth, angiogenesis, destructions of thyroid follicles, reparative changes, growth retardation, fibrosis and increased interstitial fluid pressure implicate the typical ultrasound appearance of papillary thyroid cancer (hypoechogenicity, irregular vascularization, microcalcifications, stiffness) which is essential to catch the suspicious nodules on the basis of their ultrasound appearance among large amount of benign nodules.
Dependence of microalgae culture specific endogenous loss rate and gross productivity on irradiance
Authors: Avsiyan Anna L. , Lelekov Alexander S.
Published: August 2020

Microalgal growth rate is determined by the difference between gross productivity and endogenous biomass loss rate. Gross productivity is a function of surface irradiance and reaches the maximal value under saturating light intensity. Endogenous biomass consumption of microalgal cells is mainly due to the respiration which can be sub-divided into growth and maintenance respiration. The paper proposes equations for calculating microalgae culture gross productivity and specific loss rate based on production characteristics. Verification of the obtained equations was performed for Arthrospira platensis and Dunaliella salina cultivated under constant illumination with different irradiance. It was demonstrated that gross productivity and specific loss rate increase linearly with increasing irradiance. Specific loss rate varied from 0,01 to 0,58 h-1 in A. platensis and from 0,04 to 0,35 day-1 in D. salina. Specific maintenance respiration rate was determined to be 0,01 h-1 in A. platensis and 0,01–0,04 day-1 in D. salina. The proposed calculation method enables a sufficiently accurate determination of productivity and loss rates based on culture density dynamics measures.
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Penentuan Peminatan Siswa Dengan Menggunakan Metode SAW (Simple Additive Weighting) Pada SMA Negeri Dharma Pendidikan
Authors: Serelia Ervina Bungas , Adin Saf Maksum Ro'is
Published: August 2020

SMAN Dharma Pendidikan merupakan lembaga yang bergerak dalam bidang pendidikan. Setiap tahun rutin melakukan penentuan peminatann siswa SMA sesuai dengan kriteria yang digunakan. Masalah yang dihadapi oleh SMAN Dharma Pendidkan yaitu proses penentuan peminatan belum memiliki panduan baku dan memiliki subjektifitas yang tinggi. Selain diberatkan dengan adanya penentuan peminatan, siswa juga mengalami kebingungan dalam menentukan lintas minat. Dari permasalahan tersebut diperlukan sebuah sistem yang dapat membantu proses penentuan peminatan siswa. Proyek akhir ini menyajikan sebuah Sistem Pendukung Keputusan (SPK) yang dirancang dengan metode Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) yaitu perhitungan yang melibatkan nilai bobot dari setiap kriteria. Kriteria yang digunakan pada penentuan peminatan yaitu nilai rata-rata SKHU, nilai tes peminatan, nilai rapor IPA, nilai rapor IPS, rekomendasi orang tua IPA, rekomendasi orang tua IPS. Sedangkan kriteria yang digunakan untuk penentuan lintas minat yaitu kemampuan siswa, minat siswa, rekomendasi orang tua, rekomendasi guru. Sistem ini dibangun menggunakan Pearl Hypertext Processor (PHP) sebagai bahasa pemrogramannya dan MySQL sebagai basis datanya. Metode yang digunakan dalam pengujian ini adalah blackbox, confusion matrix, user acceptance testing(UAT), dan akurasi perhitungan manual dan sistem metode SAW. Ada 3 teknik black box testing yang diterapkan yaitu equivalence class partitioning, boundary value analysis dan decision table based testing. Berdasarkan pengujian confusion matrix terhadap metode SAW, dapat disimpulkan bahwa ketepatan klasifikasi sebesar 96.92%, ketepatan prediksi sebesar 96.87%, serta tingkat kesalahan sebesar 7.46%. Berdasarkan pengujian UAT dapat disimpulkan bahwa dapat diterima dengan baik. Selain itu, berdasarkna pengujian akurasi perhitungan sistem dan manual dapat dianalisa hasil dari sistem yang telah dibangun sudah sama dengan perhitungan manual dengan tingkat akurasi 100%.
RETRACTED: Roles of Epigenetic Modifications in the Differentiation and Function of Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Xu Fei , Liu Jing , Na Lixin , Chen Linjun
Published: August 2020

Diabetes, a metabolic disease with multiple causes characterized by high blood sugar, has become a public health problem. Hyperglycaemia is caused by deficiencies in insulin secretion, impairment of insulin function, or both. The insulin secreted by pancreatic β cells is the only hormone in the body that lowers blood glucose levels and plays vital roles in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Therefore, investigation of the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic β cell differentiation and function is necessary to elucidate the processes involved in the onset of diabetes. Although numerous studies have shown that transcriptional regulation is essential for the differentiation and function of pancreatic β cells, increasing evidence indicates that epigenetic mechanisms participate in controlling the fate and regulation of these cells. Epigenetics involves heritable alterations in gene expression caused by DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA activity that does not result in DNA nucleotide sequence alterations. Recent research has revealed that a variety of epigenetic modifications play an important role in the development of diabetes. Here, we review the mechanisms by which epigenetic regulation affects β cell differentiation and function.
Combined Allosteric Responses Explain the Bifurcation in Non-Linear Dynamics of 15N Root Fluxes Under Nutritional Steady-State Conditions for Nitrate
Authors: Le Deunff Erwan , Beauclair Patrick , Lecourt Julien , Deleu Carole , Malagoli Philippe
Published: August 2020

With regard to thermodynamics out of equilibrium, seedlings are open systems that dissipate energy towards their environment. Accordingly, under nutritional steady-state conditions, changes in external concentrations of one single ion provokes instability and reorganization in the metabolic and structure/architecture of the seedling that is more favorable to the fluxes of energy and matter. This reorganization is called a bifurcation and is described in mathematics as a non-linear dynamic system. In this study, we investigate the non-linear dynamics of 15N fluxes among cellular compartments of B. napus seedlings in response to a wide range of external NO3−15 concentrations (from 0.05 to 20 mM): this allows to determine whether any stationary states and bifurcations could be found. The biphasic behavior of the root NO3−15 uptake rate (vin) was explained by the combined cooperative properties between the vapp (N uptake, storage and assimilation rate) and vout (N translocation rate) 15N fluxes that revealed a unique and stable stationary state around 0.28 mM nitrate. The disappearance of this stationary state around 0.5 mM external nitrate concentrations provokes a dramatic bifurcation in 15N flux pattern. This bifurcation in the vin and vout15N fluxes fits better with the increase of BnNPF6.3/NRT1.1 expression than BnNRT2.1 nitrate transporter genes, confirming the allosteric property of the BnNPF6/NRT1.1 transporter, as reported in the literature between low and high nitrate concentrations. Moreover, several statistically significant power-law equations were found between variations in the shoots tryptophan concentrations (i.e., IAA precursor) with changes in the vapp and vout15N fluxes as well as a synthetic parameter of plant N status estimated from the root/shoot ratio of total free amino acids concentrations. These relationships designate IAA as one of the major biological parameters related to metabolic and structural-morphological reorganization coupled with the N and water fluxes induced by nitrate. The results seriously challenge the scientific grounds of the concept of high- and low-affinity of nitrate transporters and are therefore discussed in terms of the ecological significance and physiological implications on the basis of recent agronomic, physiological and molecular data of the literature.
A Biomechatronic Device Actuated by Pneumatic Artificial Muscles for the Automatic Evaluation of Nociceptive Thresholds in Rheumatic Patients
Authors: Randazzini Luigi , Capace Alessia , Cosentino Carlo , Grembiale Rosa Daniela , Amato Francesco , Merola Alessio
Published: August 2020

In the current clinical practice, the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) draws on the qualitative evaluation of pain sensitivity thresholds which is affected by several source of uncertainties, due to an operator-dependent diagnostic protocol. Taking our cue from the diagnostic shortcomings, we have explored the possibility of automating the measurement of mechanical nociceptive thresholds through the adoption of soft pneumatic actuators controlled by an embedded control unit. In this work, we want to show that a purpose-made biomechatronic device actuated by soft and pneumatic actuators is potentially a boon both for rheumatologists and biomedical researchers involved in nociception and physicophysical studies. In the full breadth and scope of the objective diagnosis of RA, the first prototype of a novel biomechatronic device for quantitative and automatic measurement of mechanical nociceptive thresholds has been designed and tested through nociception experiments on 10 subjects. The experimental results show that the designed device can reliably generate the controllable and repeatable nociceptive stimuli needed for the objective diagnosis of RA.
Accumulation Dynamics of Starch and Its Granule Size Distribution of Cassava Genotypes at Different Growing Seasons
Authors: Janket Anon , Vorasoot Nimitr , Toomsan Banyong , Kaewpradit Wanwipa , Theerakulpisut Piyada , Holbrook Carl Corley , Kvien Craig K. , Jogloy Sanun , Banterng Poramate
Published: August 2020

This study aims to evaluate seasonal variation on starch production of different cassava genotypes planted under irrigated condition. Three cassava genotypes (Kasetsart 50, Rayong 11 and CMR38-125-77) were evaluated in two different growing seasons, i.e., early rainy seasons (ERS) and post rainy seasons (PRS) for two years. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was employed in each growing season. The starch yield was more strongly associated with growing season (28.3%), whereas starch content, amylose content, amylose-amylopectin ratio were more associated with genotypes (19.9–30.7%). Planting cassava in the ERS had rapid growth rates of starch yield and granule size in early growth stages, whereas planting cassava in the PRS had rapid growth rates of these traits in the middle to late growth stages. Cassava planted in the PRS had higher starch yield than the ERS for most genotypes except for Rayong 11, which had no significant differences between growing seasons. The yield and content of starch and size of starch granule continuously increased from four to twelve months after planting (MAP) for most cassava genotypes. Unlike other genotypes, CMR38-125-77 in the ERS gave the highest starch yield and its granule at 10 MAP; however, at 12 MAP, it was still higher than other genotypes. CMR38-125-77 was a preferable genotype, since it had a faster rate of starch formation and more starch and amylose contents, as well as starch yield in both ERS and PRS.
Effectiveness of Yellow Maize Testers with Varying Resistance Reactions to Striga hermonthica for Evaluating the Combining Ability of Maize Inbred Lines
Authors: Zebire Degife , Menkir Abebe , Adetimirin Victor , Mengesha Wende , Meseka Silvestro , Gedil Melaku
Published: August 2020

The choice of an appropriate tester is important for success in resistance hybrid breeding programs. Limited information is available on the most suitable testers that allow the selection of yellow endosperm maize inbred lines with good combining ability for resistance to witchweed (Striga hermonthica) and superior agronomic performance in hybrids targeted to areas infested with the parasite. Testcrosses of 30 Striga-resistant yellow endosperm maize inbred lines with three testers having varying levels of resistance to S. hermonthica were evaluated at Abuja and Mokwa in Nigeria under Striga-infested and non-infested conditions in 2018 and 2019. The lines × tester interaction was significant for grain yield under Striga infestation, indicating that the performance lines in testcrosses varied with the testers. The respective average general combining ability effect of lines and testers was 1.5 and 32.4 times greater than the corresponding specific combining ability effects under infestation, showing the greater importance of additive gene action controlling the performance of testcrosses under Striga infestation. The different testers exhibited a different capacity to discriminate among the test lines with the susceptible tester being the least effective. Most of the criteria used to determine the best tester favored the selection of the tolerant and resistant testers as promising candidates to identify superior Striga-resistant yellow endosperm inbred lines for the hybridization and development of resistant hybrids. The results of this study demonstrated that testers with a high frequency of desirable alleles were superior to the tester with a low frequency of favorable alleles in hybrid breeding programs for resistance to S. hermonthica.
Increasing Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar in Bulgaria
Authors: Takova Katerina , Koynarski Tsvetoslav , Minkov Ivan , Ivanova Zdravka , Toneva Valentina , Zahmanova Gergana
Published: August 2020

(1) Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis, predominantly transmitted by the fecal–oral route. In developed countries, HEV is considered to be an emerging pathogen since the number of autochthonous cases is rising. Hepatitis E is a viral disease with a proven zoonotic potential for some of its genotypes. The main viral reservoirs are domestic pigs and wild boar. Consumption of undercooked meat, as well as occupational exposure, are key factors for the spread of HEV. In order to evaluate the risks of future viral evolution, a detailed examination of the ecology and distribution of the virus is needed. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG Ab in domestic pigs and wild boar in Bulgaria; (2) Methods: In this study, during the period of three years between 2017 and 2019, 433 serum samples from 19 different pig farms and 1 slaughterhouse were collected and analyzed. In addition, 32 samples from wild boar were also collected and analyzed during the 2018–2019 hunting season. All samples were analyzed by commercial indirect ELISA; (3) Results: Overall, HEV seroprevalence was 60% (95% CI 42.7–77.1) in domestic pigs and 12.5% (4/32) in wild boar. The observed seroprevalence of the slaughter-aged pigs was 73.65% (95% Cl 58.7–87.3). Prevalence in domestic pigs was significantly higher in the samples collected during 2019 (98% (95% Cl 96.1–99.9)) compared to those collected during 2017 (45.33% (95% CI 2.7–87.3)) and 2018 (38.46% (95% CI 29.1–49.7.); (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that domesticated pigs and wild boar might be the reason for the increased HEV transmission across Bulgaria. The genotypic characterization of HEV found in pigs, wild boar and humans will give a more accurate view of the zoonotic transmission of this virus.
Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management
Authors: Read John L. , Dickman Chris R. , Boardman Wayne S. J. , Lepczyk Christopher A.
Published: August 2020

We critique the recent article by Wolf et al. (2019) that claims scientific merit for reducing the number of stray cats in Australia through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and then we provide an inventory of biological, welfare, and economic reasons why TNR is less successful than adoption and euthanasia for managing unowned cats. Like Crawford et al. (2019) and multiple other comprehensive and unbiased Australian and international scientific reviews, we refute the idea that returning neutered unowned cats to stray populations has any valid role in responsible, ethical, affordable, and effective cat management, or in wildlife conservation. The main purported objective of TNR proponents along with animal welfare, human health, and wildlife advocacy stakeholders is to reduce the number of unhomed cats. We contend that cessation of provisioning unowned cats with food is the most effective approach to achieve this objective. We also present evidence from the Brisbane City Council that informed cat management policy, advocacy, and laws, backed up by responsible rehoming or prompt ethical euthanasia, are together effective at reducing the stray cat problem.
Secondary Antibiotic Resistance, Correlation between Genotypic and Phenotypic Methods and Treatment in Helicobacter pylori Infected Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Mascellino Maria Teresa , Oliva Alessandra , Miele Maria Claudia , De Angelis Massimiliano , Bruno Giovanni , Severi Carola
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the secondary resistance in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infected patients who had failed a first-line therapy, and to compare the genotypic tests performed directly on gastric samples with phenotypic tests performed on culture media. The eradication rate of patients treated with bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is also evaluated. A total of 80 positive specimens were retrospectively examined. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of Hp strains was performed by E-test, whereas a molecular commercially available method was used for detecting the mutations involved in clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance. High resistance levels to metronidazole and clarithromycin (61.6% and 35%, respectively) and worrying resistance levels to levofloxacin (15%) were found phenotypically. Multiple resistance to two or three antibiotics was observed as well. The polymorphism A2143G on clarithromycin 23S rRNA gene was found in 34/80 (42.5%) isolates including 10 mixed infections (29%), whereas 28/80 (35%) strains were resistant phenotypically. Levofloxacin resistance corresponded to 30% by PCR and 15% by E-test (statistically significant, p < 0.05). The knowledge of clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance is crucial to establish an appropriate therapy in different geographical areas. The genetic methods were superior to phenotypic techniques in the absence of live bacteria or for identifying mixed infections that may lead to a resistance underestimation. The BQT eradication rate was effective (90%).
Bacteriophage-Induced Lipopolysaccharide Mutations in Escherichia coli Lead to Hypersensitivity to Food Grade Surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Authors: Zhong Zeyan , Emond-Rheault Jean-Guillaume , Bhandare Sudhakar , Lévesque Roger , Goodridge Lawrence
Published: August 2020

Bacteriophages (phages) are considered as one of the most promising antibiotic alternatives in combatting bacterial infectious diseases. However, one concern of employing phage application is the emergence of bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs). Here, we isolated six BIMs from E. coli B in the presence of phage T4 and characterized them using genomic and phenotypic methods. Of all six BIMs, a six-amino acid deletion in glucosyltransferase WaaG likely conferred phage resistance by deactivating the addition of T4 receptor glucose to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This finding was further supported by the impaired phage adsorption to BIMs and glycosyl composition analysis which quantitatively confirmed the absence of glucose in the LPS of BIMs. Since LPSs actively maintain outer membrane (OM) permeability, phage-induced truncations of LPSs destabilized the OM and sensitized BIMs to various substrates, especially to the food-grade surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This hypersensitivity to SDS was exploited to design a T4–SDS combination which successfully prevented the generation of BIMs and eliminated the inoculated bacteria. Collectively, phage-driven modifications of LPSs immunized BIMs from T4 predation but increased their susceptibilities as a fitness cost. The findings of this study suggest a novel strategy to enhance the effectiveness of phage-based food safety interventions.
The Effect of Plant Additives on the Stability of Polyphenols in Cloudy and Clarified Juices from Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
Authors: Sidor Andrzej , Drożdżyńska Agnieszka , Brzozowska Anna , Szwengiel Artur , Gramza-Michałowska Anna
Published: August 2020

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a fruit with increasing popularity in consumption and processing. Recent research has strengthened the position of chokeberry as a source of phenolic compounds, antioxidants with high pro-health values, therefore it is important to investigate other substances protecting biologically active compounds during juice processing. This study was an attempt to reduce the loss of polyphenol in cloudy and clarified chokeberry juice by adding aqueous cinnamon and clove extracts. The results showed that the clarification of juices did not cause significant changes in the concentration of polyphenols. However, the addition of plant extracts prior to pasteurisation process influenced the content of phenolic compounds in the chokeberry juices. The main change in the composition of the chokeberry juices observed during storage was a result of the degradation process of anthocyanins. The research showed that, despite the common view about the beneficial effects of polyphenols and other compounds exhibiting mutual antioxidative potential, it is very difficult to inhibit the degradation process.
A Novel Kinematic Directional Index for Industrial Serial Manipulators
Authors: Boschetti Giovanni
Published: August 2020

In the last forty years, performance evaluations have been conducted to evaluate the behavior of industrial manipulators throughout the workspace. The information gathered from these evaluations describes the performances of robots from different points of view. In this paper, a novel method is proposed for evaluating the maximum speed that a serial robot can reach with respect to both the position of the robot and its direction of motion. This approach, called Kinematic Directional Index (KDI), was applied to a Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) robot and an articulated robot with six degrees of freedom to outline their performances. The results of the experimental tests performed on these manipulators prove the effectiveness of the proposed index.
Classification of Dermoscopy Skin Lesion Color-Images Using Fractal-Deep Learning Features
Authors: Molina-Molina Edgar Omar , Solorza-Calderón Selene , Álvarez-Borrego Josué
Published: August 2020

The detection of skin diseases is becoming one of the priority tasks worldwide due to the increasing amount of skin cancer. Computer-aided diagnosis is a helpful tool to help dermatologists in the detection of these kinds of illnesses. This work proposes a computer-aided diagnosis based on 1D fractal signatures of texture-based features combining with deep-learning features using transferred learning based in Densenet-201. This proposal works with three 1D fractal signatures built per color-image. The energy, variance, and entropy of the fractal signatures are used combined with 100 features extracted from Densenet-201 to construct the features vector. Because commonly, the classes in the dataset of skin lesion images are imbalanced, we use the technique of ensemble of classifiers: K-nearest neighbors and two types of support vector machines. The computer-aided diagnosis output was determined based on the linear plurality vote. In this work, we obtained an average accuracy of 97.35%, an average precision of 91.61%, an average sensitivity of 66.45%, and an average specificity of 97.85% in the eight classes’ classification in the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) archive-2019.
Quantifying the Urban Visual Perception of Chinese Traditional-Style Building with Street View Images
Authors: Zhang Liying , Pei Tao , Wang Xi , Wu Mingbo , Song Ci , Guo Sihui , Chen Yijin
Published: August 2020

As a symbol of Chinese culture, Chinese traditional-style architecture defines the unique characteristics of Chinese cities. The visual qualities and spatial distribution of architecture represent the image of a city, which affects the psychological states of the residents and can induce positive or negative social outcomes. Hence, it is important to study the visual perception of Chinese traditional-style buildings in China. Previous works have been restricted by the lack of data sources and techniques, which were not quantitative and comprehensive. In this paper, we proposed a deep learning model for automatically predicting the presence of Chinese traditional-style buildings and developed two view indicators to quantify the pedestrians’ visual perceptions of buildings. Using this model, Chinese traditional-style buildings were automatically segmented in streetscape images within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing and then the perception of Chinese traditional-style buildings was quantified with two view indictors. This model can also help to automatically predict the perception of Chinese traditional-style buildings for new urban regions in China, and more importantly, the two view indicators provide a new quantitative method for measuring the urban visual perception in street level, which is of great significance for the quantitative research of tourism route and urban planning.
The Application and Improvement of Deep Neural Networks in Environmental Sound Recognition
Authors: Lin Yu-Kai , Su Mu-Chun , Hsieh Yi-Zeng
Published: August 2020

Neural networks have achieved great results in sound recognition, and many different kinds of acoustic features have been tried as the training input for the network. However, there is still doubt about whether a neural network can efficiently extract features from the raw audio signal input. This study improved the raw-signal-input network from other researches using deeper network architectures. The raw signals could be better analyzed in the proposed network. We also presented a discussion of several kinds of network settings, and with the spectrogram-like conversion, our network could reach an accuracy of 73.55% in the open-audio-dataset “Dataset for Environmental Sound Classification 50” (ESC50). This study also proposed a network architecture that could combine different kinds of network feeds with different features. With the help of global pooling, a flexible fusion way was integrated into the network. Our experiment successfully combined two different networks with different audio feature inputs (a raw audio signal and the log-mel spectrum). Using the above settings, the proposed ParallelNet finally reached the accuracy of 81.55% in ESC50, which also reached the recognition level of human beings.
Post-Effect on the Centre of Feet Pressure during Stance by Continuous Asymmetric Mediolateral Translations of a Supporting Platform—A Preliminary Study in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Sozzi Stefania , Nardone Antonio , Corna Stefano , Schieppati Marco
Published: August 2020

Various diseases are associated with the impaired control of the medio-lateral (ML) position of the centre of feet pressure (CoP), and several manoeuvres have been proposed for enhancing the CoP symmetry. Here, we assessed in healthy standing subjects the feasibility and outcome of a novel protocol entailing a reaction to a continuous asymmetric ML displacement (10 cm) of the support base. The periodic perturbation consisted of a fast half-cycle (0.5 Hz) followed by a slow half-cycle (0.18 Hz). One hundred successive horizontal translation cycles were delivered in sequence. Eyes were open or closed. CoP was recorded before, after, and during the stimulation by a dynamometric platform fixed onto the translating platform. We found that the post-stimulation CoP was displaced towards the direction of the fast half-cycles. The displacement lasted several tens of seconds. Vision did not affect the amplitude or duration of the post-stimulation effect. The magnitude of post-stimulation CoP displacement was related to the perturbation-induced ML motion of CoP recorded during the stimulation. Over the successive perturbation cycles, the time-course of this motion revealed an adaptation phenomenon. Vision moderately reduced the adaptation rate. The findings support the feasibility of the administration of a simple asymmetric balance perturbation protocol in clinical settings to help patients recover the symmetry of the CoP. This protocol needs to be further validated in older populations and in patients.
Using Costs and Health Benefits to Estimate the Priority of Air Pollution Control Action Plan: A Case Study in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Hsin-Chih , Hsiao Min-Chuan , Liou Je-Liang , Lai Li-Wei , Wu Pei-Chih , Fu Joshua S.
Published: August 2020

A comparative analysis was conducted between the costs and health benefits of the Air Pollution Control Action Plan (APCAP), which can be implemented in any country to improve air quality and human health. In this study, air quality modeling was used to simulate several scenarios and implement the Kriging method to describe the PM2.5 reduction concentration instantly. Then, health benefits were estimated using the environmental benefit mapping and analysis program (BenMAP) with results from the air quality modeling and Kriging method. To estimate the priority of APCAP, 14 pollution control measures that cover point, mobile, and area sources of air pollution in Taiwan were analyzed. The results indicate that the health benefits of the Taiwan APCAP (TAPCAP) are generally greater than the technical costs. Thus, the implementation of this strategy may result in net benefits. In addition, the benefit-to-control cost ratio for health for the 14 pollution control measures was calculated. The results provide evidence to prioritize the implementation of air quality policies with a higher benefit-cost ratio.
Total Local Dose in Hypothetical 5G Mobile Networks for Varied Topologies and User Scenarios
Authors: Kuehn Sven , Pfeifer Serge , Kuster Niels
Published: August 2020

In this study, the total electromagnetic dose, i.e., the combined dose from fixed antennas and mobile devices, was estimated for a number of hypothetical network topologies for implementation in Switzerland to support the deployment of fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems while maintaining exposure guidelines for public safety. In this study, we consider frequency range 1 (FR1) and various user scenarios. The estimated dose in hypothetical 5G networks was extrapolated from measurements in one of the Swiss 4G networks and by means of Monte Carlo analysis. The results show that the peak dose is always dominated by an individual’s mobile phone and, in the case of non-users, by the bystanders’ mobile phones. The reduction in cell size and the separation of indoor and outdoor coverage can substantially reduce the total dose by >10 dB. The introduction of higher frequencies in 5G mobile networks, e.g., 3.6 GHz, reduces the specific absorption rate (SAR) in the entire brain by an average of −8 dB, while the SAR in the superficial tissues of the brain remains locally constant, i.e., within ±3 dB. Data from real networks with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) were not available; the effect of adaptive beam-forming antennas on the dose will need to be quantitatively revisited when 5G networks are fully established.
Operational Flexibility of a CFB Furnace during Fast Load Change—Experimental Measurements and Dynamic Model
Authors: Peters Jens , Alobaid Falah , Epple Bernd
Published: August 2020

The share of power from fluctuating renewable energies such as wind and solar is increasing due to the ongoing climate change. It is therefore essential to use technologies that can compensate for these fluctuations. Experiments at 1 MWth scale were carried out to evaluate the operational flexibility of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustor during transient operation from 60% to 100% load. A typical load following sequence for fluctuating electricity generation/demand was reproduced experimentally by performing 4 load changes. The hydrodynamic condition after a load change depends on if the load change was in positive or negative direction due to the heat stored in the refractory/bed material at high loads and released when the load decreases. A 1.5D-process simulation model was created in the software APROS (Advanced Process Simulation) with the target of showing the specific characteristics of a CFB furnace during load following operation. The model was tuned with experimental data of a steady-state test point and validated with the load cycling tests. The simulation results show the key characteristics of CFB combustion with reasonable accuracy. Detailed experimental data is presented and a core-annulus approach for the modeling of the CFB furnace is used.