bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulfur, lead, and mercury in South Africa coals: existential form of the elements, isotope, and emissions from the coal fired-power plants
Authors: Tekleab Teklit Zerizghi , Guo Qingjun , Zhao Changqiu , Okoli Chukwunonso Peter 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) are the dominant source of electricity in South Africa due to natural abundance of coal in the country. However, emission of SO2, Pb, and Hg has raised serious environmental and public health concerns. Hence, to reduce emissions and utilize coal efficiently, estimating emission trend, understanding the forms of elemental occurrence in coals, and affinities to minerals, organic matter, and pyrite, are essential. Therefore, this paper aimed to assess the forms of elemental occurrence of sulfur, and Pb and Hg affinities to ash and sulfur, in the coals via statistical correlation and their isotopic compositions. This study also estimated SO2, Pb, and Hg emissions from 1971 to 2018 from the CFPPs on levels of activity and emission factors. Based on the results, South Africa coals mostly comprise equivalent fractions of organic and pyritic sulfur. The Pb were correlated with ash (R2 = 0.393), which is an indication of the presence of bound clay mineral. However, the highest Pb208/Pb206 and the lowest Pb208/Pb206 in South Africa coals which contain high inertinite (organic matter) and low sulfur, reveal organically associated Pb. Similarly, clay minerals associated Hg appeared based on its relationship with ash (R2 = 0.450), and the remaining could be an organic matter related. As an organic matter associated element least cleanability and readily oxidizing nature, burning South Africa coals containing a substantial quantity of organic sulfur and organically bound Pb and Hg without washing will obviously result to higher emissions. The estimated for SO2, Pb, and Hg emissions were 355.84 Gg, 168.91 tons, and 4.84 tons in 1971, and increased to 1468.13 Gg, 696.89 tons, and 19.95 tons in 2018, respectively. The values approximately increased by a factor of 4.
Heterogeneous environmental regulation and industrial structure transformation and upgrading: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Lianghu , Wang Zhao , Ma Yatian 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
There are obvious differences between different types of environmental regulations, which are manifested in different environmental protection tendencies and goals, and there are also significant differences in policy implementation. Therefore, it is an urgent empirical problem to quantitatively evaluate the impact of heterogeneous environmental regulations on the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure. Based on this, this paper empirically tests the impact of heterogeneous environmental regulations on the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure on the basis of measuring the level of industrial structure transformation and upgrading. The results show that the transformation and upgrading level of China's industrial structure increased year by year from 2000 to 2017. The three types of environmental regulatory measures have effectively promoted the transformation and upgrading of the industrial structure, and the market incentive environmental regulation (MER) has a significantly higher role in the advancement of the industrial structure than the command-controlled environmental regulation (CER) and the voluntary public participation environmental regulation (VER). The three types of environmental regulations have gradually highlighted the role of environmental regulations in promoting the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure with the improvement of the level of regional economic development. In the mechanism test, it is found that technological innovation has partial mediating effect in the process of CER affecting the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure, MER and public VER have complete mediating effect, while FDI has only partial mediating effect in the process of three types of environmental regulation affecting the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure.
Study on the Mechanism of the Effect of Temperature on the Decomposition Reaction of SFn (n=1-6) under Discharge Conditions
Authors: Yang Minghao , Yan Jing , Xu Mengyuan , Geng Yingsan , Liu Zhiyuan , Wang Jianhua 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The study on the mechanism of the effect of temperature on the decomposition reaction of SFn (n = 1–6) under discharge conditions is very important in studying the potential fault of SF6 high voltage switch equipment and perfecting the chemical kinetic model of SFn discharge. In this paper, structural optimizations, vibrational frequency calculations, and zero-point energy calculations for the reactants and products were performed at the B3LYP/6-311 + + G(d,p) theory level. The single-point energies of all species were collected at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-PVTZ level. The electric and thermal decomposition mechanism of SFn under discharge conditions of 298K–10000K were studied, respectively. The conclusion drawn was that in the temperature range of 298–10000K, the thermal decomposition homopolytic reaction △G began to decline from 200 kJ/mol, while the △G of the other two heterogenous reactions began to decrease from 1000 kJ/mol and 2000 kJ/mol, showing a downward trend of an almost similar slope. The electrolysis of SFn is related to the electron energy. When the electron energy is low, SFn + e→SFn− series reactions occur, and △G of R12, R20, R28, R36, R44 increases with temperature rise, while △G of R4 decreases with temperature. When the electron energy is high, one of SFn−→SFn−1− + F、SFn−→SFn−1 + F− and SFn−→SFn−1 + F + e will occur, and the reactions that occur at various temperature ranges as the temperature rises vary. When the second electron hits the SFn−, the SFn− + e→SFn−1− + F reaction will occur. The △G of this reaction slowly decreases with an increase in temperature. This study in clearer terms explains the decomposition process and mechanism of SFn at different temperatures.
Fitting health care to people: understanding and adapting to the epidemiology and health literacy of people affected by viral hepatitis from culturally and linguistically diverse migrant backgrounds
Authors: Taye Belaynew W , Valery Patricia C , Liddle Burglind , Woodward Aidan J , Sackey Donata , Williams Suzanne , Chang Gary KF , Clark Paul J 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background This study explored the epidemiology and health literacy of people affected by viral hepatitis (VH) from migrant culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds attending a community-based general practitioner and specialty hepatology shared-care (HEPREACH) clinic in Brisbane, Australia.Methods Self-reported data on health literacy and clinical information from adult patients (n=66) of CALD background recruited from the liver clinic were analyzed. Health literacy was assessed using a 5-question, 12-point scale. Variance weighted multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with knowledge about VH.Results About three-quarters of patients (74.2%) were diagnosed with hepatitis B. The median knowledge score was 7.8 (interquartile range(IQR) 6‒9). One in five patients did not understand the infective nature of VH, 30.3% did not understand mother-to-child transmission risk, and 30%‒40% of patients thought activities such as kissing, sharing food or mosquito bites could spread VH. Only 6% of patients understood the risk of liver cancer and the need for regular screening. Higher educational level (secondary, β=4.8, p<0.0001 or tertiary, β=8.1, p<0.0001 vs. primary) was associated with better knowledge, and transition through a refugee camp (vs. not, β= -1.2, p=0.028) and country of diagnosis (overseas vs. Australia, β=-1.9, p=0.016) were associated with poorer knowledge. Discussion Country of origin, refugee status and opportunities for tertiary education impact patients’ understanding of VH. Ensuring delivery of culturally appropriate care and education is critical to improve knowledge, reduce misconceptions to improve care and outcomes for viral hepatitis in CALD migrant communities.
Modelling the Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Effects of Global Oil Prices on Local Food Prices: A MENA Region Application
Authors: Houda Hadj Cherif , Chen Zhenling , Ni Guohua 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper explores the complex nexus between the global oil prices and the food prices of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the period 2000–2020. Both linear and nonlinear models of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach are adapted into panel data form to investigate the symmetrical and asymmetrical influence of oil prices on food prices. The key results are summarized: i) The effect of oil prices on food prices is significantly positive including both oil-exporting and oil-importing nations are verified in the long-term. The positive impact on oil-exporters—due to higher oil revenues—is greater than importing nations, leading to an increased demand for food. Additionally, the effect on oil-exporters is negative and significant in the short-term but not significant for importers. ii) The panel analysis for the MENA sample confirms the presence of negative short-term asymmetric behaviour, while in the long-term, the asymmetric effect is positive, indicating that food prices increase regardless of fluctuations in oil prices. iii) Wald test results support asymmetric co-integration for the whole sample of the MENA due to the heterogeneous response within the oil-importing and exporting samples. Specifically, the non-linear ARDL test results affirm the absence of an asymmetric nexus among oil and food prices for oil-exporting group (including Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) and Tunisia within the oil-importing group. Although there are differences in the direction and degree, the food prices of other countries are asymmetric to the oil price. This study provides recommendations that are useful to MENA countries to establish a stable mechanism for oil and food prices to ensure food security in the region.
Event-Based Secure Consensus of Multiple AUVs Under DoS Attacks
Authors: Wen Lizuo , Yu Shuanghe , Zhao Ying , Yan Yan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, the event-based triggering method is adopted to investigate the secure consensus issue of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) under denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. DoS attack is a form of time-sequence-based cyber attack, which can destroy the normal service of the control target or network. First, based on an event-triggered mechanism, a novel secure control protocol is proposed. Second, the upper bounds of attack duration and attack frequency are given to ensure that multiple AUVs under DoS attacks can reach consensus. Third, an event-triggered mechanism with exponential variables is developed to avoid the continuous update of the controller, thereby reducing the burdens of communication and calculation. Zeno behavior can be strictly ruled out for each AUV under this triggering mechanism. Finally, the simulation results illustrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Complex Dynamical Behaviors in a Bertrand Game with Service Factor and Differentiated Products
Authors: Zhou Wei , Li Hui 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, taking the factor of service level provided by the manufacturers into consideration, a static duopolistic Bertrand game with service factor is studied first, in which these two oligarchs produce differentiated products. A dynamic game model of duopoly Bertrand with boundedly rational is established with using the gradient mechanism. By using numerical simulation tools, there are two paths for the system to drop into chaos, that is, flip bifurcation and Neimark-Sacker bifurcation. The symmetric structures can be found from two-parameter bifurcation diagrams. Saddle-homoclinic bifurcation also can be observed from the evolution process of phase portraits. In addition, the emergence of intermittent chaos implies that the established system has the capability of self-regulating, where PM-I intermittency, PM-III intermittency and crisis-induced intermittency have been studied. With the help of the critical curves, the qualitative changes on the basin of attraction are investigated. At last, it can be found that the values of product differentiation degree and service spillover effect are not the bigger the better. Keeping these two parameters in a relatively small range will be conducive to the long-term stable operation of the two manufacturers.
Molecular Evidence for the Homologous Strains of Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) Genotype I Infecting the Inland Freshwater Cultured Asian Sea Bass (Lates Calcarifer) in Thailand
Authors: Kerddee Pattarawit , Dinh‐Hung Nguyen , Dong Ha Thanh , Hirono Ikuo , Soontara Chayanit , Areechon Nontawith , Srisapo Prapansak , Kayansamruaj Pattanapon 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) is the fish pathogenic virus belonging to the genus Megalocytivirus of the family Iridoviridae. In 2018, disease occurrences (40–50% cumulative mortality) associated with ISKNV infection have been reported in grown-out Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) cultured in the inland freshwater system in Thailand. Clinical samples were collected from seven distinct farms located in the eastern and central regions of Thailand. The moribund fish showed various abnormal signs including lethargy, pale gill, darkened body, and skin hemorrhage, while the basophilic hypertrophied cell in gill, liver, and kidney tissue was observed microscopically. ISKNV infection was confirmed in 6 out of 7 farms using virus-specific semi-nested PCR. MCP and ATPase genes showed 100% identity among virus isolates which also classified the virus into ISKNV genotype I clade. Koch’s postulates were later confirmed by challenge assay and the mortality of the experimentally infected fish at 21 days post-challenge was 50–90% depending on the challenge dose. The complete genome of two ISKNV isolates, namely KU1 and KU2, was recovered directly from the infected specimens using the shotgun metagenomics approach. The genome length of ISKNV KU1 and KU2 were 111,487 and 111,610 bp, respectively. In comparison to the closely related ISKNV strains, the ISKNV KU1 and KU2 harbored nine unique genes, including caspase recruitment domain-containing protein potentially involved in apoptosis inhibition. Collectively, this study indicated the homologous ISKNV strains affecting the inland cultured Asian sea bass which emphasized that the ISKNV genotype I should be prioritized for future vaccine research.
A Provably Secure ID-Based Signcryption Protocol for Secure and Authentic Energy Efficient Communication
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Gupta Pratik , Dharminder Dharminder 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Singcryption was first proposed by Yuliang Zheng [1] in 1997, based on the construction of a shortened ElGamal-based signature scheme in parallel to authenticated encryption in a symmetric environment. Signcryption is a cryptographic primitive that enables the conventional two-step method of secure and authenticated message transmission or storage (sign-then-encrypt or encrypt-then-sign) to be done in a single step at a much lower computational cost than the traditional two-step approach. This article concentrates on designing a provably secure identity-based signcryption (IBSC) scheme. The user performs pairing-free computation during encryption in the proposed scheme, making it user-side effective. In addition, the IBSC structure is shown to be secure when dealing with modified bilinear Diffie-Hellman inversion (MBDHI) and modified bilinear strong Diffie-Hellman (MBSDH) problems. The proposed framework supports efficient communication, protection against chosen cipher attack, and existential unforgeability against chosen message attack, according to the performance review of IBSC with related schemes.
PolyI:C Suppresses TGF-β1-Induced Akt Phosphorylation and Reduces the Motility of A549 Lung Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Takahiro , Yoshimura Teizo , Ohara Toshiaki , Fujisawa Masayoshi , Tong Gao , Matsukawa Akihiro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is shown to play a critical role in cancer progression by inducing epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C), a synthetic agonist for toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, has been successfully used to treat some cancer patients as a vaccine adjuvant, but its direct action on the proliferation or migration of cancer cells, such as lung cancer cells, undergoing EMT remains unknown. Methods and results: By an in vitro cell proliferation assay, polyI:C showed no effect on the growth of TGF-β1-treated A549 human lung cancer cells at the concentration range up to 10 mg/ml; however, it markedly suppressed the motility in a cell scratch and a cell invasion assay. By Western blotting, polyI:C dramatically decreased TGF-β1-induced Ak strain transforming (Akt) phosphorylation and increased phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) expression without affecting the Son of mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) 3 phosphorylation or the expression level of E-cadherin, N-cadherin or Snail, indicating that polyI:C suppressed cell motility independently of the ‘cadherin switching’. The Akt inhibitor perifosine inhibited TGF-β1-induced cell invasion, and the PTEN-specific inhibitor VO-OHpic appeared to reverse the inhibitory effect of polyI:C. Conclusion: Our results indicate that polyI:C has the capacity to suppress the motility of TGF-β1-treated A549 cells by targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase /Akt pathway partly via PTEN and suggest that polyI:C may be used to prevent or reduce the metastasis of lung cancer cells.
A Large-scale Static-dynamic Model Test System for Stability Study of Tunnel under Static-dynamic Load
Authors: Li Shucai , Zhang Bing , Wang Hanpeng , Wang Wei , Xu Fei , Li Qingchuan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In order to study the stability of tunnels under static-dynamic load, a new large-scale static-dynamic model test system was developed. The system is composed of a static loading unit, a dynamic loading unit, a data acquisition unit and a test bench, which are specially designed to overcome the technical problems of large-scale static-dynamic model test, such as dynamic loading and control, high-rate strain measurement and easy operation. The system uses a model of 3600 × 3600 × 2500 mm in size to study a larger load disturbance area than static tests. It can accurately apply three-dimensional gradient static stress and dynamic load with adjustable amplitude (or magnitude), frequency and waveform to simulate the true geo-stress field and disturbance field, and accurately and rapidly collect displacement, stress, strain, velocity, acceleration and other important parameters of the model. In addition, it is convenient to adjust the scale of the model, remove and retain the test model. The system was used to carry out a static load model test and a static-dynamic load model test with a tunnel as a prototype, and its reliability and accuracy were verified.
Sand Supplementation to Eutrophic Sediments Improves the Growth and Survival of Seagrass Thalassia Hemprichii: Implication for Seagrass Restoration and Management
Authors: Jiang Zhijian , Liu Songlin , Cui Lijun , He Jialu , Fang Yang , Premarathne Chanaka , Li Linglan , Wu Yunchao , Huang Xiaoping , Kumar Manoj 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Aims Sediment composition is highly crucial for seagrass growth and survival. Eutrophication has been suggested a major cause of seagrass decline globally. We investigated the effects of beach sand supplementation to natural sediments under eutrophic condition on the growth and survival of tropical dominant seagrass Thalassia hemprichii. Methods We cultured seagrass T. hemprichii under the controlled laboratory conditions in three sediment types by combining different ratio of in-situ eutrophic sediment and coarse beach sand. We examined the effect of beach sand mixing to natural eutrophic sediments on the growth of seagrass using photobiology, metabolomics and isotope labeling approaches. Results Seagrass grown in eutrophic sediments mixed with sand exhibited significantly higher photosynthetic activity with high relative maximum electron transport rate and minimum saturating irradiance. Simultaneously, considerably greater belowground amino acid and flavonoid concentrations were observed to counteract anoxic stress in eutrophic sediment without mixing sand. This led to more positive belowground stable sulfur isotope in the eutrophic sediment with lower Eh. Conclusions These results indicated coarse beach sand indirectly enhanced photosynthesis and growth for T. hemprichii by reducing sulfide intrusion with lower concentrations of amino acid and flavonoid. This could possibly explain why T. hemprichii often grow better in the coarse sand substrate. Therefore, it is imperative to consider adding sand soil in the sediments to improve the growth condition for seagrass and restoring the seagrass shoots during transplantation in eutrophicated ecosystem.
Healthcare Professionals’ Views on the Most Important Outcomes for Non- Infectious Uveitis of the Posterior Segment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Tallouzi Mohammad O. , Moore David J. , Bucknall Nicholas , Murray Philip. I , Calvert Melanie J. , Denniston Alastair K. , Mathers Jonathan M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundUveitis refers to a range of conditions that result in intraocular inflammation. Non-infectious Intermediate, posterior and panuveitis are the most serious forms of uveitis grouped as Non-Infectious Uveitis affecting the Posterior Segment (NIU-PS). To evaluate new and existing treatments trialists and clinicians aim to report certain measurements known as outcomes. The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of healthcare professionals on what outcomes they thought important for adult patients with NIU-PS and their carers.MethodsTwelve semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken to understand the perspectives of healthcare professionals - ophthalmologists (n=5), nurse practitioners (n=3) and health policy-makers/commissioners (n=4) on outcomes for NIU-PS. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed and a domain framework developed with focus group data from patients and carers applied to the data. Findings were compared with the views of patients and carers and outcomes abstracted from a previously published systematic review.ResultsEleven core domains were identified as important to healthcare professionals, which is broadly comparable to those previously identified by patients and carers: (1) visual function, (2) symptoms, (3) functional ability, (4) impact on relationships, (5) financial impact, (6) psychological morbidity and emotional well-being (7) psychosocial adjustment to uveitis, (8) doctor / patient / interprofessional relationships and access to health care, (9) treatment burden, (10) treatment side effects, (11) disease control. Healthcare professionals placed more emphasis on some items and identified additional outcomes, particularly in the disease control domain.ConclusionAlthough healthcare professionals recognise all of the same domains as patients/carers these findings are not yet implemented in practice or clinical research. These findings provide the basis to reflect on the nature of those outcomes at present used in uveitis clinical practice and clinical trials with those utilised in the development process of a core outcome set for NIU-PS.