Showing papers by "University of Maribor published in 2021"
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Daniel J. Klionsky1, Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz2, Sara Abdelfatah3, Mahmoud Abdellatif4 +2980 more•Institutions (777)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes.
Abstract: In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
1,129 citations
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TL;DR: Empirical support is provided for the proposed multivariate model and the importance of trust in science is underlined in explaining the different levels of compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
Abstract: The coronavirus pandemic is one of the biggest health crises of our time. In response to this global problem, various institutions around the world had soon issued evidence-based prevention guidelines. However, these guidelines, which were designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and contribute to public well-being, are (deliberately) disregarded by some individuals. In the present study, we aimed to develop and test a multivariate model that could help us identify individual characteristics that make a person more/less likely to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. A total of 525 attentive participants completed the online survey. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) show that COVID-19 risk perception and trust in science both independently predict compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines, while the remaining variables in the model (political conservatism, religious orthodoxy, conspiracy ideation and intellectual curiosity) do so via the mediating role of trust in science. The described model exhibited an acceptable fit (χ2(1611) = 2485.84, p < .001, CFI = .91, RMSEA = .032, SRMR = .055). These findings thus provide empirical support for the proposed multivariate model and underline the importance of trust in science in explaining the different levels of compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
329 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors study the evolutionary dynamics of a public goods game in social systems with higher-order interactions and show that the game on uniform hypergraphs corresponds to the replicator dynamics in the well-mixed limit.
Abstract: We live and cooperate in networks. However, links in networks only allow for pairwise interactions, thus making the framework suitable for dyadic games, but not for games that are played in larger groups. Here, we study the evolutionary dynamics of a public goods game in social systems with higher-order interactions. First, we show that the game on uniform hypergraphs corresponds to the replicator dynamics in the well-mixed limit, providing a formal theoretical foundation to study cooperation in networked groups. Second, we unveil how the presence of hubs and the coexistence of interactions in groups of different sizes affects the evolution of cooperation. Finally, we apply the proposed framework to extract the actual dependence of the synergy factor on the size of a group from real-world collaboration data in science and technology. Our work provides a way to implement informed actions to boost cooperation in social groups. Alvarez-Rodriguez et al. examine group interactions by means of higher-order social networks. They propose a theoretical framework for studying real-world interactions and provide a case study of collaboration in science and technology.
154 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors acknowledge support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the Tau-Lepton Physics Research Center of Nagoya University.
Abstract: We acknowledge support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the Tau-Lepton Physics Research Center of Nagoya University; the Australian Research Council including Grants No. DP180102629, No. DP170102389, No. DP170102204, No. DP150103061, No. FT130100303; Austrian Science Fund (FWF); the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Contracts No. 11435013, No. 11475187, No. 11521505, No. 11575017, No. 11675166, No. 11705209; Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Grant No. QYZDJ-SSWSLH011; the CAS Center for Excellence in Particle Physics (CCEPP); the Shanghai Pujiang Program under Grant No. 18PJ1401000; the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic under Contract No. LTT17020; the Carl Zeiss Foundation, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the Excellence Cluster Universe, and the VolkswagenStiftung; the Department of Science and Technology of India; the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare of Italy; National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea Grants No. 2016R1D1A1B01010135, No. 2016R1D1A1B02012900, No. 2018R1A2B3003643, No. 2018R1A6A1A06024970, No. 2018R1D1A1B07047294, No. 2019K1A3A7A09033840, No. 2019R1I1A3A01058933; Radiation Science Research Institute, Foreign Large-size Research Facility Application Supporting project, the Global Science Experimental Data Hub Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, and KREONET/GLORIAD the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the National Science Center; the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Agreement No. 14.W03.31.0026; University of Tabuk research Grants No. S-1440-0321, No. S-0256-1438, and No. S-0280-1439 (Saudi Arabia); the Slovenian Research Agency; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Spain; the Swiss National Science Foundation; the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan; and the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
147 citations
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TL;DR: Alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AAEMFCs) have attracted ever-increasing attention, as they are promising electrochemical devices for energy production, presenting a viable opponent to the more researched proton exchange membrane (PEMFC) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AAEMFC) are attracting ever-increasing attention, as they are promising electrochemical devices for energy production, presenting a viable opponent to the more researched proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Consequently, great progress has been made in the area of designing and developing synthetic or naturally-derived anion exchange membrane (AEM), the properties of which have been discussed in this review, i.e. ionic conductivity, ion exchange capacity, fuel crossover, durability, stability and cell performance. Major groups of natural polymers (e.g. chitosan (CS)) and nanocellulose, together with modification/crosslinking routes, have been mentioned as more ecologically and economically viable raw materials for AEM processing compared to synthetic ones. Performances of fuel cells are also discussed, with different fuels used as anode feeds. Although the AEMFC technology is promising, the longevity challenges remain, originating from the still-limited long-term stability of hydroxide-conducting ionomers, particularly when operating at higher cell temperatures.
117 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a multi-period mixed-integer programming model is developed, with the objective of maximizing sustainability net present value, considering different biomass and waste resources for the production of biofuels, renewable electricity, hydrogen, food and bioproducts, employing different types of technologies.
Abstract: In order to achieve the goal of a carbon neutral EU by 2050 and meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, a sustainable, efficient, competitive and secure energy system needs to be developed. This paper presents the synthesis of sustainable renewable energy supply networks within the EU-27, proposing a stepwise energy transition in the transport and power sectors, achieving a carbon net neutral target by 2050. A multi-period mixed-integer programming model is developed, with the objective of maximizing sustainability net present value, considering different biomass and waste resources for the production of biofuels, renewable electricity, hydrogen, food and bioproducts, employing different types of technologies. The results show that, with further development of existing technologies, the goal of a carbon-neutral EU can be achieved without compromising food production. Wind farms have proven to be the most promising solution at present for the rapid expansion of electricity generation from renewable energy sources, while the importance of solar photovoltaics is increasing over the years, reaching the 43% share of electricity generation from RES in 2050. Moreover, the energy transition within the EU could have a significant positive impact on the economic, environmental and also social aspects of sustainability, with more than 1.5 million new job opportunities created across the EU over the next 30 years.
99 citations
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Max Planck Society1, University of Luxembourg2, Braunschweig University of Technology3, Goethe University Frankfurt4, London School of Economics and Political Science5, University of Trento6, University of London7, University of Alabama at Birmingham8, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research9, Medical University of Vienna10, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich11, University of Maribor12, University of Crete13, University of Vienna14, University of Warsaw15
98 citations
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Utrecht University1, University of Queensland2, Hebrew University of Jerusalem3, University of Cambridge4, University of São Paulo5, Zurich University of Applied Sciences/ZHAW6, National University of Tres de Febrero7, University of Pretoria8, Wellington Management Company9, University College London10, The Catholic University of America11, Malmö University12, University of Helsinki13, University of Maribor14, University of Barcelona15, Erasmus University Rotterdam16, Cardiff University17, University of Zurich18
TL;DR: In this article, the authors collected data on daily counts of crime in 27 cities across 23 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of stay-at-home restrictions on different types of crime.
Abstract: The stay-at-home restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 led to unparalleled sudden change in daily life, but it is unclear how they affected urban crime globally. We collected data on daily counts of crime in 27 cities across 23 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of stay-at-home restrictions on different types of crime in each city. Our findings show that the stay-at-home policies were associated with a considerable drop in urban crime, but with substantial variation across cities and types of crime. Meta-regression results showed that more stringent restrictions over movement in public space were predictive of larger declines in crime.
88 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of very recent enzymatic hydrolysis pathways in bio-ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass is presented, where many different enzyme strategies are implemented in the protocols, such as wood feedstocks, agricultural wastes, and marine algae.
Abstract: As the need for non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels has increased during the last few decades, the search for sustainable and renewable alternative sources has gained growing interest. Enzymatic hydrolysis in bioethanol production presents an important step, where sugars that are fermented are obtained in the final fermentation process. In the process of enzymatic hydrolysis, more and more new effective enzymes are being researched to ensure a more cost-effective process. There are many different enzyme strategies implemented in hydrolysis protocols, where different lignocellulosic biomass, such as wood feedstocks, different agricultural wastes, and marine algae are being used as substrates for an efficient bioethanol production. This review investigates the very recent enzymatic hydrolysis pathways in bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.
83 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of advances in food nanopackaging, including bio-based, improved, active, and smart packaging, is presented, with special emphasis on biobased packaging, including biodegradable packaging and biocompatible packaging.
Abstract: Background: Bionanotechnology, as a tool for incorporation of biological molecules into nanoartifacts, is gaining more and more importance in the field of food packaging. It offers an advanced expectation of food packaging that can ensure longer shelf life of products and safer packaging with improved food quality and traceability. Scope and approach: This review recent focuses on advances in food nanopackaging, including bio-based, improved, active, and smart packaging. Special emphasis is placed on bio-based packaging, including biodegradable packaging and biocompatible packaging, which presents an alternative to most commonly used non-degradable polymer materials. Safety and environmental concerns of (bio)nanotechnology implementation in food packaging were also discussed including new EU directives. Conclusions: The use of nanoparticles and nanocomposites in food packaging increases the mechanical strength and properties of the water and oxygen barrier of packaging and may provide other benefits such as antimicrobial activity and light-blocking properties. Concerns about the migration of nanoparticles from packaging to food have been expressed, but migration tests and risk assessment are unclear. Presumed toxicity, lack of additional data from clinical trials and risk assessment studies limit the use of nanomaterials in the food packaging sector. Therefore, an assessment of benefits and risks must be defined.
73 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a theoretical model has been developed and tested empirically on a sample of 110 micro and small businesses from Serbia, a country with an emerging efficiency-driven economy by means of the structural equation modelling.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the branching fractions for the decays B → Kμ+μ− and B → Ke+e−, and their ratio (RK), using a data sample of 711 fb−1 that contains 772 × 106 $$ B\overline{B} $$ events.
Abstract: We present measurements of the branching fractions for the decays B → Kμ+μ− and B → Ke+e−, and their ratio (RK), using a data sample of 711 fb−1 that contains 772 × 106 $$ B\overline{B} $$
events. The data were collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e− collider. The ratio RK is measured in five bins of dilepton invariant-mass-squared (q2): q2 ∈ (0.1, 4.0), (4.00, 8.12), (1.0, 6.0), (10.2, 12.8) and (> 14.18) GeV2/c4, along with the whole q2 region. The RK value for q2 ∈ (1.0, 6.0) GeV2/c4 is $$ {1.03}_{-0.24}^{+0.28} $$
± 0.01. The first and second uncertainties listed are statistical and systematic, respectively. All results for RK are consistent with Standard Model predictions. We also measure CP-averaged isospin asymmetries in the same q2 bins. The results are consistent with a null asymmetry, with the largest difference of 2.6 standard deviations occurring for the q2 ∈ (1.0, 6.0) GeV2/c4 bin in the mode with muon final states. The measured differential branching fractions, $$ d\mathrm{\mathcal{B}} $$
/dq2, are consistent with theoretical predictions for charged B decays, while the corresponding values are below the expectations for neutral B decays. We have also searched for lepton-flavor-violating B → Kμ±e∓ decays and set 90% confidence-level upper limits on the branching fraction in the range of 10−8 for B+ → K+μ±e∓, and B0 → K0μ±e∓ modes.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that dietary spermidine passes the blood-brain barrier in mice and increases hippocampal eIF5A hypusination and mitochondrial function.
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TL;DR: The external nanochannels with tunable ionizable groups endow the PA membranes with both high low/high-valent co-ion selectivity and chemical cleaning tolerance, while the ion sieving/transport mechanism was analyzed by employing the Donnan steric pore model with dielectric exclusion.
Abstract: Separating low/high-valent ions with sub-nanometer sizes is a crucial yet challenging task in various areas (e.g., within environmental, healthcare, chemical, and energy engineering). Satisfying high separation precision requires membranes with exceptionally high selectivity. One way to realize this is constructing well-designed ion-selective nanochannels in pressure-driven membranes where the separation mechanism relies on combined steric, dielectric exclusion, and Donnan effects. To this aim, charged nanochannels in polyamide (PA) membranes are created by incorporating ionic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers via interfacial polymerization. Both sub-10 nm sizes of the ionic PAMAM dendrimer molecules and their gradient distributions in the PA nanofilms contribute to the successful formation of defect-free PA nanofilms, containing both internal (intramolecular voids) and external (interfacial voids between the ionic PAMAM dendrimers and the PA matrix) nanochannels for fast transport of water molecules. The external nanochannels with tunable ionizable groups endow the PA membranes with both high low/high-valent co-ion selectivity and chemical cleaning tolerance, while the ion sieving/transport mechanism was analyzed by employing the Donnan steric pore model with dielectric exclusion.
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Medical University of Graz1, University of Münster2, Institut Universitaire de France3, Institut Gustave Roussy4, University of Porto5, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares6, University of Cologne7, University of Graz8, Hannover Medical School9, National Institutes of Health10, Innsbruck Medical University11, University of Maribor12
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with a cardiac deficit in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
Abstract: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a highly prevalent and intractable form of cardiac decompensation commonly associated with diastolic dysfunction. Here, we show that diastolic dysfunction in patients with HFpEF is associated with a cardiac deficit in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Elevating NAD+ by oral supplementation of its precursor, nicotinamide, improved diastolic dysfunction induced by aging (in 2-year-old C57BL/6J mice), hypertension (in Dahl salt-sensitive rats), or cardiometabolic syndrome (in ZSF1 obese rats). This effect was mediated partly through alleviated systemic comorbidities and enhanced myocardial bioenergetics. Simultaneously, nicotinamide directly improved cardiomyocyte passive stiffness and calcium-dependent active relaxation through increased deacetylation of titin and the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase 2a, respectively. In a long-term human cohort study, high dietary intake of naturally occurring NAD+ precursors was associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiac mortality. Collectively, these results suggest NAD+ precursors, and especially nicotinamide, as potential therapeutic agents to treat diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF in humans.
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TL;DR: To simulate more realistic cellular systems, the probability of stability/stabilization is not required to be a strict one, and some necessary and sufficient conditions are proposed via the semitensor product of matrices.
Abstract: This article studies the stability in probability of probabilistic Boolean networks and stabilization in the probability of probabilistic Boolean control networks. To simulate more realistic cellular systems, the probability of stability/stabilization is not required to be a strict one. In this situation, the target state is indefinite to have a probability of transferring to itself. Thus, it is a challenging extension of the traditional probability-one problem, in which the self-transfer probability of the target state must be one. Some necessary and sufficient conditions are proposed via the semitensor product of matrices. Illustrative examples are also given to show the effectiveness of the derived results.
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Max Planck Society1, Braunschweig University of Technology2, Goethe University Frankfurt3, University of Malta4, London School of Economics and Political Science5, University of Trento6, Queen Mary University of London7, University of London8, University of Antwerp9, Utrecht University10, French Institute of Health and Medical Research11, Medical University of Vienna12, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich13, University of Maribor14, University of Southern Denmark15, Dublin City University16, University of Warsaw17
TL;DR: To better manage the COVID-19 pandemic, a strategy with three core elements is proposed, calling for pan-European commitment for rapid and sustained reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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TL;DR: The results demonstrate that complex networks and deep learning can effectively implement functional complementarity for better feature extraction and classification, especially in EEG signal analysis, and develop a framework combining recurrence plots and convolutional neural network to achieve fatigue driving recognition.
Abstract: Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals acquired from brain can provide an effective representation of the human's physiological and pathological states. Up to now, much work has been conducted to study and analyze the EEG signals, aiming at spying the current states or the evolution characteristics of the complex brain system. Considering the complex interactions between different structural and functional brain regions, brain network has received a lot of attention and has made great progress in brain mechanism research. In addition, characterized by autonomous, multi-layer and diversified feature extraction, deep learning has provided an effective and feasible solution for solving complex classification problems in many fields, including brain state research. Both of them show strong ability in EEG signal analysis, but the combination of these two theories to solve the difficult classification problems based on EEG signals is still in its infancy. We here review the application of these two theories in EEG signal research, mainly involving brain-computer interface, neurological disorders and cognitive analysis. Furthermore, we also develop a framework combining recurrence plots and convolutional neural network to achieve fatigue driving recognition. The results demonstrate that complex networks and deep learning can effectively implement functional complementarity for better feature extraction and classification, especially in EEG signal analysis.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the quasi-static and dynamic compressive behavior of Triply Periodical Minimal Surface (TPMS) sheet-based cellular structures were evaluated and a mathematically designed lattice was proposed for use in crashworthiness applications and the ability to mathematically control the lattice topology, which can be harnessed in designing functionally graded structures for efficient energy absorption also in modern composite structures.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors believe that there is much to learn from the experiences of low and middle income countries in co-producing knowledge and working with communities to find feasible and acceptable solutions to healthcare concerns.
Abstract: Eva Turk and colleagues believe that there is much to learn from the experiences of low and middle income countries in co-producing knowledge and working with communities to find feasible and acceptable solutions to healthcare concerns
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Max Planck Society1, University of Luxembourg2, University of Antwerp3, RWTH Aachen University4, University of Malta5, London School of Economics and Political Science6, University of Latvia7, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich8, University of London9, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research10, Medical University of Vienna11, Utrecht University12, Wrocław University of Technology13, University of Bergen14, University of Bern15, University of Minho16, University of Porto17, University of Maribor18, University of Crete19, University of Edinburgh20, University of Vienna21, Umeå University22, Dublin City University23, University of Warsaw24, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens25, Innsbruck Medical University26
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined key aspects that are likely to influence the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, including progress of national and global vaccination programs, emergence and spread of variants of concern (VOCs), and public responses to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).
Abstract: How will the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic develop in the coming months and years? Based on an expert survey, we examine key aspects that are likely to influence the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The challenges and developments will strongly depend on the progress of national and global vaccination programs, the emergence and spread of variants of concern (VOCs), and public responses to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). In the short term, many people remain unvaccinated, VOCs continue to emerge and spread, and mobility and population mixing are expected to increase. Therefore, lifting restrictions too much and too early risk another damaging wave. This challenge remains despite the reduced opportunities for transmission given vaccination progress and reduced indoor mixing in summer 2021. In autumn 2021, increased indoor activity might accelerate the spread again, whilst a necessary reintroduction of NPIs might be too slow. The incidence may strongly rise again, possibly filling intensive care units, if vaccination levels are not high enough. A moderate, adaptive level of NPIs will thus remain necessary. These epidemiological aspects combined with economic, social, and health-related consequences provide a more holistic perspective on the future of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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TL;DR: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Slovenia in December 2020 to find out the attitudes of the population regarding COVID-19 vaccination and the factors that affect these attitudes.
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TL;DR: Exhibited ultra thin-film nanocomposite based smart switchable devices are promising candidates for diverse applications in the field of stretchable electronics, energy storage, photodetectors, high contrast displays, and optoelectronics.
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TL;DR: A Two-Layer Genetic Algorithm (TLGA) for solving the capacitated Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows and Electric Vehicles with partial nonlinear recharging times (NL) – E-MDVRPTW-NL, where a novel two-layer genotype with multiple crossover operators is considered.
Abstract: With the rising share of electric vehicles used in the service industry, the optimization of their specific constraints is gaining importance. Lowering energy consumption, time of charging and the strain on the electric grid are just some of the issues that must be tackled, to ensure a cleaner and more efficient industry. This paper presents a Two-Layer Genetic Algorithm (TLGA) for solving the capacitated Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (MDVRPTW) and Electric Vehicles (EV) with partial nonlinear recharging times (NL) – E-MDVRPTW-NL. Here, the optimization goal is to minimize driving times, number of stops at electric charging stations and time of recharging while taking the nonlinear recharging times into account. This routing problem closes the gap between electric vehicle routing problem research on the one hand and its applications to several problems with numerous real-world constraints of electric vehicles on the other. Next to the definition and the formulation of the E-MDVRPTW-NL, this paper presents the evolutionary method for solving this problem using the Genetic Algorithm (GA), where a novel two-layer genotype with multiple crossover operators is considered. This allows the GA to not only solve the order of the routes but also the visits to electric charging stations and the electric battery recharging times. Various settings of the proposed method are presented, tested and compared to competing meta-heuristics using well-known benchmarks with the addition of charging stations.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the unique potentials of nanomaterials and their activities in diesel engines to achieve lower harmful diesel emissions and better engine performance, and discuss technical challenges that will need to be addressed and resolved to assure practical viability of nanOMaterials acting as fuel additives.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed a literature review of the drivers, success factors and barriers to digital transformation in the maritime transport sector and identified a total of 139 sources, mainly related to the drivers and success factors for digitalization and digital transformation.
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TL;DR: Nanographene has emerged as the material of the century in materialize fields of 'Chemical' fields as mentioned in this paper, and has achieved significant authentication and has been used in many applications.
Abstract: Smart electronic materials ‘nanographene’ stated, its significant authentication has undergone massive improvements and has emerged as a ‘material of the century’ in materialize fields of ‘Chemical...
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TL;DR: In this paper, the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation, was tested to reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world.
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TL;DR: In this paper, an epidemiological model on a social network that takes into account heterogeneity of the population and different vaccination strategies is proposed and studied, showing that older people, as well as individuals with comorbidities and poor metabolic health, and people coming from economically depressed areas with lower quality of life in general, are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms, and quicker loss of immunity and are therefore more prone to reinfection.
Abstract: We propose and study an epidemiological model on a social network that takes into account heterogeneity of the population and different vaccination strategies. In particular, we study how the COVID-19 epidemics evolves and how it is contained by different vaccination scenarios by taking into account data showing that older people, as well as individuals with comorbidities and poor metabolic health, and people coming from economically depressed areas with lower quality of life in general, are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms, and quicker loss of immunity and are therefore more prone to reinfection. Our results reveal that the structure and the spatial arrangement of subpopulations are important epidemiological determinants. In a healthier society the disease spreads more rapidly but the consequences are less disastrous as in a society with more prevalent chronic comorbidities. If individuals with poor health are segregated within one community, the epidemic outcome is less favorable. Moreover, we show that, contrary to currently widely adopted vaccination policies, prioritizing elderly and other higher-risk groups is beneficial only if the supply of vaccine is high. If, however, the vaccination availability is limited, and if the demographic distribution across the social network is homogeneous, better epidemic outcomes are achieved if healthy people are vaccinated first. Only when higher-risk groups are segregated, like in elderly homes, their prioritization will lead to lower COVID-19 related deaths. Accordingly, young and healthy individuals should view vaccine uptake as not only protecting them, but perhaps even more so protecting the more vulnerable socio-demographic groups.
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University of Wrocław1, Macquarie University2, University of Tartu3, Gulu University4, Stockholm University5, International University, Cambodia6, University of the Punjab7, University of Texas at Austin8, University of Nigeria, Nsukka9, Istanbul University10, Franklin & Marshall College11, Norwegian University of Science and Technology12, University of Algiers13, Australian National University14, İzmir University of Economics15, University of Social Sciences and Humanities16, Université catholique de Louvain17, Ankara University18, University of California, Santa Barbara19, University of São Paulo20, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru21, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon22, University of Constantine the Philosopher23, University of Zagreb24, The Chinese University of Hong Kong25, University of Malaya26, Central University of Finance and Economics27, Palacký University, Olomouc28, University of Ljubljana29, Max Planck Society30, University of Niš31, University of Pécs32, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart33, VU University Amsterdam34, University of Granada35, University of Delhi36, University of Havana37, University of Maribor38, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro39, University of Vienna40, Dresden University of Technology41, Vilnius University42, University of British Columbia43, Comenius University in Bratislava44, Slovak Academy of Sciences45, University of Karachi46, University of Monterrey47, Aga Khan University Hospital48, DHA Suffa University49, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile50, Kyung Hee University51, Bahria University52
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that affective touch was most prevalent in relationships with partners and children, and its diversity was relatively higher in warmer, less conservative, and religious countries, and among younger, female, and liberal people.
Abstract: Interpersonal touch behavior differs across cultures, yet no study to date has systematically tested for cultural variation in affective touch, nor examined the factors that might account for this variability. Here, over 14,000 individuals from 45 countries were asked whether they embraced, stroked, kissed, or hugged their partner, friends, and youngest child during the week preceding the study. We then examined a range of hypothesized individual-level factors (sex, age, parasitic history, conservatism, religiosity, and preferred interpersonal distance) and cultural-level factors (regional temperature, parasite stress, regional conservatism, collectivism, and religiosity) in predicting these affective-touching behaviors. Our results indicate that affective touch was most prevalent in relationships with partners and children, and its diversity was relatively higher in warmer, less conservative, and religious countries, and among younger, female, and liberal people. This research allows for a broad and integrated view of the bases of cross-cultural variability in affective touch.