bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Covid-19 on Tourism Sector in Nepal.
Authors: Panthhe Kamal P. , Kokate Chandrakant. N. 
Published: June 2021

Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange earnings for the government and contributes to the livelihood of millions in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore and illuminate the preliminary impacts of COVID-19 in tourism sector in Nepal and further the paper puts forward policy recommendations for government to avert the worst effects and facilitate recovery. In Nepal, the travel and tourism sector contributes to 8 percent of GDP, 6.7 percent of total employment, and it generates 6 percent of the total foreign exchange earnings. Nepal Tourism Board estimates that loss of 85.2 billion USD monthly from tourism sector only and three in five employees lost their jobs due to COVID-19 in Nepal. The “Visit Nepal 2020” campaign had cancelled which aimed to attract 2 million tourists in the country this year. Tourism sector has already suffered a huge loss, and it is going to take quite to restore. The government should form special task force to create economic response package that will support Nepalese, their job, their businesses from the global impact of COVID-19, and to ready the economy to recover.
Keywords: Covid-19, Tourism, Economy, Nepal
Awareness and Knowledge of HIV Transmission and Prevention among Military Personnel in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Adekunle Olajide A. , Adeyemi David A. 
Published: June 2021

Aims: To assess the level of knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention and identify factors influencing the awareness of HIV transmission and prevention among military personnel in Nigeria.
Study design: A cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: The Nigerian Defense Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.
Methodology: Using the stratified probability sampling technique, military personnel between the age of 18 and 55 years, were recruited based on arm of service with a percentage distribution of 60:20:20 (Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively). The sample size(n) was 384 and the adjusted sample size was 427 respondents. The tool for data collection was a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. This instrument, divided into 3 sections, was designed to obtain information on socio-demographics (sex, age, ethnic background, education level as the highest level of education attainment, experience in the military; the arm of service, rank, length of service, gender and number of sexual partners, knowledge of HIV prevention, and perception of risk of HIV transmission. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression at p<0.05.
Results: While 98.5% of respondents have ever heard of HIV, 80.3% claimed to have seen or heard information about HIV, with media (85.9%) been the major source of this information. Out of the 391 respondents, 174 (44.5%) and 217 (55.5%) military personnel had inadequate and adequate knowledge of HIV transmission respectively while 80.8% and 19.2% of these respondents had inadequate and adequate knowledge of HIV prevention, respectively.
Conclusions: While there was no significant difference in the proportion of those military men that had adequate and inadequate knowledge of HIV transmission, there was a clear and significant difference in the proportion of military men with adequate and inadequate prevention knowledge. Age, education, marital status, and service arm are predictive factors that could influence knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention.
Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Dearomative [3+2] Annulation of Electron‐Deficient 2‐Nitrobenzo Heteroarenes with 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindoles
Authors: Dou Pei‐Hao , Chen Yan , You Yong , Wang Zhen‐Hua , Zhao Jian‐Qiang , Zhou Ming‐Qiang , Yuan Wei‐Cheng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAn organocatalyzed asymmetric dearomative [3+2] annulation reaction of electron‐deficient 2‐nitrobenzo heteroarenes including 2‐nitrobenzofurans, 2‐nitrobenzothiophenes and 2‐nitroindoles with 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles was developed. With a multiple hydrogen‐bonding bifunctional thiourea as the catalyst, the reaction displays broad substrate scope and provides an access to structurally diverse polycyclic spirooxindoles containing three contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields with good diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 94:6 dr, and 97% ee). This organocatalysis protocol is able to afford the products with complementarily diastereoselectivity versus the previous work with transition metal catalysis.magnified image
Per oral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia: A Taiwanese single‐center experience
Authors: Lee Yu‐Chi , Tai Wei‐Chen , Wu Keng‐Liang , Yao Chih‐Chien , Chuah Seng‐Kee 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEndoscopic treatment of achalasia includes endoscopic botulinum toxin injection, endoscopic pneumatic dilations (PD) but surgery owns longer durability. Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) carries high expectations with good short and mid‐term report and only minor morbidity in Western and Eastern countries outside Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to report a 2‐year clinical outcome and safety of POEM among a prospective registered achalasia cohort in southern Taiwan. We, retrospectively, analyzed 22 prospective registered patients who received POEM for achalasia, adhered and completed 2‐year regular follow‐up studies between July 2015 and December 2020 from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Then, 22 of achalasia patients (8 males: 14 females) were enrolled into this study (male/female: 8/14, mean age: 45.0 years). All 22 patients had received high‐resolution manometry to diagnose and classify the phenotype. Fifteen patients were diagnosed as type I achalasia and seven as type II by Chicago classification. Clinical remission rates were 100% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 95.5% at 2 years. Four patients who recurred after previous PD were successfully treated with POEM with clinical remission. Three patients had fever after POEM. Two patients (9.1%) had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after POEM procedure. POEM is an effective and safe treatment of choice for achalasia with 95.5% of 2‐year clinical remission in this Taiwanese study. Post‐POEM GERD is low in the current study but the concern for potential GERD needs long‐term follow‐up reports to further clarify especially with larger scale quality studies.
Expedition to Phenanthrene Nucleus: A Two‐decade Research on Bench
Authors: John Stephy Elza , Tokala Ramya , Kaki Venkata Rao , Shankaraiah Nagula 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe phenanthrene nucleus is extensively found in diverse natural products and its versatility is not just limited to pharmaceutically beneficial molecules but has proved efficient in the development and synthesis of dyes, plastics, pesticides and explosives. Such a relevant nucleus has attracted researchers to probe into the construction of phenanthrene nucleus. The past two decades have witnessed continuous efforts in this direction with the exploration of various synthetic strategies enabling access to the privileged core. The review focuses on bringing the advances made in 20 years in these synthetic protocols and the mechanism involved in the generation of phenanthrene and its derivatives under one roof. In addition, it also provides a comparative study of the diverse approaches and vivid reactions employed for phenanthrene synthesis providing a better understanding and creating newer ideas towards the development of new chemical entities (NCEs).
Green Conversion of CO2 and Propargylamines Triggered by Triply Synergistic Catalytic Effects in Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Jiang Xiao‐Lei , Jiao Yue‐E , Hou Sheng‐Li , Geng Liang‐Chen , Wang Hao‐Zhe , Zhao Bin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCyclization of propargylamines with CO2 to obtain 2‐oxazolidone heterocyclic compounds is an essential reaction in industry but it is usually catalyzed by noble‐metal catalysts with organic bases as co‐catalysts under harsh conditions. We have synthesized a unique CuI/CuII mixed valence copper‐based framework {[(CuI6I5)Cu3IIL6(DMA)3](NO3)⋅9DMA}n (1) with good solvent and thermal stability, as well as a high density of uncoordinated amino groups evenly distributed in the large nanoscopic channels. Catalytic experiments show that 1 can effectively catalyze the reaction of propargylamines with CO2, and the yield can reach 99 %. The turnover frequency (TOF) reaches a record value of 230 h−1, which is much higher than that of reported noble‐metal catalysts. Importantly, this is the first report of heterogeneously catalyzed green conversion of propargylamines with CO2 without solvents and co‐catalysts under low temperature and atmospheric pressure. A mechanistic study reveals that a triply synergistic catalytic effect between CuI/CuII and uncoordinated amino groups promotes highly efficient and green conversion of CO2. Furthermore, 1 directly catalyzes this reaction with high efficiency when using simulated flue gas as a CO2 source.
Chemoresponsive Supramolecular Polypseudorotaxanes with Infinite Switching Capability
Authors: Wu Yitao , Shangguan Liqing , Li Qi , Cao Jiajun , Liu Yang , Wang Zeju , Zhu Huangtianzhi , Wang Feng , Huang Feihe 
Published: June 2021

AbstractChemoresponsive supramolecular systems with infinite switching capability are important for applications in recycled materials and intelligent devices. To attain this objective, here a chemoresponsive polypseudorotaxane is reported on the basis of a bis(p‐phenylene)‐34‐crown‐10 macrocycle (H) and a cyano‐substituted viologen guest (G). H and G form a [2]pseudorotaxane (H⊃G) both in solution and in the solid state. Upon addition of AgSF6, a polypseudorotaxane (denoted as [H⋅G⋅Ag]n) forms as synergistically driven by host–guest complexation and metal‐coordination interactions. [H⋅G⋅Ag]n depolymerizes into a [3]pseudorotaxane (denoted as H2⋅G⋅Ag2⋅acetone2) upon addition of H and AgSF6, while it reforms with successive addition of G. The transformations between [H⋅G⋅Ag]n and H2⋅G⋅Ag2⋅acetone2 can be switched for infinite cycles, superior to the conventional chemoresponsive supramolecular polymeric systems with limited switching capability.
Recent Advances in Photo‐mediated Radiofluorination
Authors: Bui Tien Tan , Kim Hee‐Kwon 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCarbon‐fluorine bond formations have received a lot of attention because organofluorine compounds are widely used in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and materials science applications. In particular, the incorporation of fluorine‐18, which is a commonly used radioisotope for radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET), a molecular imaging tool for the visualization of biochemical events, human metabolism processes, and the measurement and diagnosis of diseases in humans, plays a crucial role in clinical and preclinical studies. Several synthetic methodologies for carbon‐fluorine‐18 bond formation have been developed. However, conventional fluorination methods have some remaining drawbacks such as the high temperature and basic environment. Photo‐induced catalysis is an emerging technique that allow chemists to achieve the synthesis of target molecular architectures under mild conditions. Moreover, several radiofluorination strategies have been developed via photocatalysis. In this review, we focused on describing recent advances in the field of light‐mediated radiofluorination.
Prenatal and pubertal exposure to 17α‐ethinylestradiol cause morphological changes in the prostate of old gerbils
Authors: Fleury Fernanda G. , Guimarães Luísa R. F. , Rezende Elisa B. , Martins Tracy M. M. , Caires Cássia R. S. , dos Santos Fernanda C. A. , Taboga Sebastião R. , Perez Ana P. da S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study evaluated such as exposure to ethinylestradiol during the prenatal (18th–22nd day) and pubertal (42nd–49th day) periods acts on the male ventral prostate and female prostate of 12‐month old gerbils. We performed the analysis to serum hormone levels for estradiol and testosterone. The prostates were submitted to morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Exposure to ethinylestradiol during these developmental periods decreased the testosterone serum levels in males and increased the estradiol serum levels in females. Morphologically, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia and disorders in the arrangement of the fibrous components were observed in the prostate glands of both sexes of gerbil exposed to ethinylestradiol during development periods. In the male prostate, the ethinylestradiol promoted decreased in the frequency of positive epithelial cell for androgen receptor (AR) and increased the frequency of positive stromal cell for estrogen receptor α. However, in the female prostate, this synthetic estrogen caused AR upregulation and increased cell proliferation. This study shows that the exposure to ethinylestradiol during development phases alters the morphology and the hormonal signaling in the male and female prostates of old gerbils, confirming the action of ethinylestradiol as endocrine disruptor.
Physical modelling of large wood (LW) processes relevant for river management: Perspectives from New Zealand and Switzerland
Authors: Friedrich Heide , Ravazzolo Diego , Ruiz‐Villanueva Virginia , Schalko Isabella , Spreitzer Gabriel , Tunnicliffe Jon , Weitbrecht Volker 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the last 30 years, work on large wood (LW) has expanded and matured considerably, and river scientists, managers and practitioners now have a better appreciation of the role of LW in maintaining ecosystems, forming or stabilizing riverine landforms, and interacting with river morphodynamics. We have gained a better understanding of the hazards posed by the recruitment and transport of LW in the river channel and associated infrastructure. While LW dynamics have traditionally been studied in the natural river environment, innovations in laboratory techniques have enabled important advances in understanding LW process dynamics, using physical scale models, new sensors, scanners and sophisticated model boundary conditions. Current trends in LW laboratory research focus on (1) mobilization and transport of logs, (2) trapping and deposition of sediment in the presence of LW and (3) LW contribution to hydraulic flow resistance. Ultimately, a combined process understanding is needed to assess impacts upon infrastructure with erodible boundaries, such as bridge piers and LW retention racks. In this review, we present a critical analysis of emerging experimental work on LW obtained through physical modelling studies. We put recent experimental work in context with global LW management challenges. In particular, we set our work in context with the present environmental and engineering issues that confront catchment and natural resource managers in Switzerland and New Zealand. We show how improved physical models incorporating LW transport, accumulation and scouring processes are needed to contribute to more reliable hazard and risk assessment and improved river management in LW‐prone systems.
Learning how to avoid obstacles: A numerical investigation for maneuvering of self‐propelled fish based on deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Yan Lang , Chang Xinghua , Wang Nianhua , Tian Runyu , Zhang Laiping , Liu Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe self‐propelled fish maneuvering for avoiding obstacles under intelligent control is investigated by numerical simulation. The NACA0012 airfoil is adopted as the two‐dimensional fish model. To achieve autonomous cruising of the fish model in a complex environment with obstacles, a hydrodynamics/kinematics coupling simulation method is developed with artificial intelligence (AI) control based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The Navier–Stokes (NS) equations in the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) framework are solved by the dual‐time stepping approach, which is coupled with the kinematics equations in an implicit strong coupling way. Moreover, the moving mesh based on radial basis function and overset grid technology is taken to achieve a wide range of maneuvering. DRL is introduced into the coupling simulation platform for intelligent control of obstacle avoidance when the self‐propelled fish swimming. Three cases are tested to validate the novel approach, including the fish model maneuvering to avoid a single obstacle and double or multiple obstacles. The results indicate that the fish model can avoid obstacles in a complex environment under intelligent control. This work illustrates the possibility of producing navigation algorithms by DRL and brings potential applications of bionic robotic swarms in engineering.
Flexural behavior of slender long‐span precast prestressed high‐strength concrete girders
Authors: Fernandes Paulo , Cavaco Eduardo , Maranha Paulo , Júlio Eduardo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe flexural behavior of slender (1/40) long‐span precast high‐strength concrete girders was experimentally investigated as a competing solution to steel alternatives for highway overpasses. Half‐scale specimens were produced using an economical and high‐strength (120 MPa) concrete mixture, non‐fiber reinforced, designed only with conventional raw materials, currently available at Portuguese precast companies. Two girder specimens were subjected to quasi‐static short‐term loading up to structural failure in bending. Results have shown the typical behavior of conventional reinforced concrete members in bending, despite the brittle behavior of non‐fiber‐reinforced high strength concretes. Results also showed acceptable ductility (2.6) and the ability of the girder specimens to experience large deformation without significant softening. An analytical approach, based on plane sections and short‐term stress–strain constitutive model recommended by the Eurocode 2 for concrete up to the C90/105 strength class, showed to predict accurately the behavior of girders in bending, both to ultimate and serviceability limit states, including cracking, yielding, maximum loads, and ultimate deflections.
The Role of Data Regulation in Shaping AI: An Overview of Challenges and Recommendations for SMEs
Authors: Timan Tjerk , van Oirsouw Charlotte , Hoekstra Marissa 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn recent debates around the regulation of artificial intelligence, its foundations, being data, are often overlooked. In order for AI to have any success but also for it to become transparent, explainable and auditable where needed, we need to make sure the data regulation and data governance around it is of the highest quality standards in relation to the application domain. One of the challenges is that AI regulation might – and needs to – rely heavily on data regulation, yet data regulation is highly complex. This is both a strategic problem for Europe and a practical problematic: people, institutions, governments and companies might increasingly need and want data for AI, and both will affect each other technically, socially but also regulatory. At the moment, there is an enormous disconnect between regulating AI, because this happens mainly through ethical frameworks, and concrete data regulation. The role of data regulation seems to be largely ignored in the AI ethics debate, Article 22 GDPR being perhaps the only exception. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of current data regulations that serve as inroads to fill this gap.
Data Economy 2.0: From Big Data Value to AI Value and a European Data Space
Authors: Zillner Sonja , Gomez Jon Ander , García Robles Ana , Hahn Thomas , Le Bars Laure , Petkovic Milan , Curry Edward 
Published: June 2021

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has a tremendous potential to benefit European citizens, economy, environment and society and already demonstrated its potential to generate value in various applications and domains. From a data economy point of view, AI means algorithm-based and data-driven systems that enable machines with digital capabilities such as perception, reasoning, learning and even autonomous decision making to support people in real scenarios. Data ecosystems are an important driver for AI opportunities as they benefit from the significant growth of data volume and the rates at which it is generated. This chapter explores the opportunities and challenges of big data and AI in exploiting data ecosystems and creating AI value. The chapter describes the European AI framework as a foundation for deploying AI successfully and the critical need for a common European data space to power this vision.
Stakeholder Analysis of Data Ecosystems
Authors: ul Hassan Umair , Curry Edward 
Published: June 2021

AbstractStakeholder analysis and management have received significant attention in management literature primarily due to the role played by key stakeholders in the success or failure of projects and programmes. Consequently, it becomes important to collect and analyse information on relevant stakeholders to develop an understanding of their interest and influence. This chapter provides an analysis of stakeholders within the European data ecosystem. The analysis identifies the needs and drivers of stakeholders concerning big data in Europe; furthermore, it examines stakeholder relationships within and between different sectors. For this purpose, a two-stage methodology was followed for stakeholder analysis, which included sector-specific case studies and a cross-case analysis of stakeholders. The results of the analysis provide a basis for understanding the role of actors as stakeholders who make consequential decisions about data technologies and the rationale behind the incentives targeted at stakeholder engagement for active participation in a data ecosystem.
A Roadmap to Drive Adoption of Data Ecosystems
Authors: Zillner Sonja , Le Bars Laure , de Lama Nuria , Scerri Simon , García Robles Ana , Tonna Marie Claire , Kenneally Jim , Mayer Dirk , Hahn Thomas , Caj Södergård , Seidl Robert , Carbonare Davide Dalle , Curry Edward 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo support the adoption of big data value, it is essential to foster, strengthen, and support the development of big data value technologies, successful use cases and data-driven business models. At the same time, it is necessary to deal with many different aspects of an increasingly complex data ecosystem. Creating a productive ecosystem for big data and driving accelerated adoption requires an interdisciplinary approach addressing a wide range of challenges from access to data and infrastructure, to technical barriers, skills, and policy and regulation. In order to overcome the adoption challenges, collective action from all stakeholders in an effective, holistic and coherent manner is required. To this end, the Big Data Value Public-Private Partnership (BDV PPP) was established to develop the European data ecosystem and enable data-driven digital transformation, delivering maximum economic and societal benefit, and achieving and sustaining Europe’s leadership in the fields of big data value creation and Artificial Intelligence. This chapter describes the different steps that have been taken to address the big data value adoption challenges: first, the establishment of the BDV PPP to mobilise and create coherence with all stakeholders in the European data ecosystem; second, the introduction of five strategic mechanisms to encourage cooperation and coordination in the data ecosystem; third, a three-phase roadmap to guide the development of a healthy European data ecosystem; and fourth, a systematic and strategic approach towards actively engaging the key communities in the European Data Value Ecosystem.