The Impact of Mass Exodus on the Resurgence of COVID19 Cases: Study Case of Regions in Indonesia

The inclusion of the human mobility aspect is essential for understanding the behavior of COVID-19 spread, especially when millions of people travel across borders near Eid Al-Fitr. This study aims at grasping the effect of mass exodus among regions on the active cases of COVID-19 in a mathematical perspective. We construct a multi-region SIQRD (Susceptible-Infected-Quarantined-Recovered-Death) model that accommodates the direct transfer of people from one region to others. The mobility rate is estimated using the proposed Dawson-like function, which requires the Origin-Destination Matrix data. Assuming only susceptible, unapparent infected, and recovered individuals travel near Eid Al-Fitr, the rendered model is well-depicting the actual data at that time, giving either a significant spike or decline in the number of active cases due to the mass exodus. Most agglomerated regions like Jakarta and Depok City experienced the fall of active cases number, both in actual data and the simulated model. However, most rural areas experienced the opposite, like Bandung District and Cimahi City. This study should confirm that most travelers originated from big cities to the rural regions and scientifically justifies that massive mobility affects the COVID-19 transmission among areas.

Two Novel, Simple-Structured and Easy-Synthesized Acceptors Based on Fluorene or Carbazole for Non-Fullerene Organic Solar Cells

Two novel D-π-A-π-D type non-fullerene acceptors (FPTC and CPTC) composed of fluorene or carbazole as acceptor unit, benzene as intermediates and 2-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-cyclopenta[c] thiophen-4-ylidene) malononitrile (TC) as terminal groups are synthesized through only two procedures. Also, their electrochemical behavior, photophysical properties and photovoltaic performance are systematically characterized and thoroughly studied. In consequence, the FPTC has better performance than C PTC, and the PCE of this device based on FPTC: PTB7-Th is nearly 1% higher than that of CPTC: PTB7-Th device, reaching up to 1.09% with a V OC of 0.71 V, a J SC of 3.42 mA cm − 2 . The higher PCE of the device based on FPTC is attributed to the fact that this molecular has a wider absorption spectrum and a higher molar extinction coefficient nearly four times than that of CPTC, a higher initial oxidation potential, and a lower onset reduction potential. Also, the higher electron mobility rate and hole mobility rate contribute to the device based on FPTC better performances. Compared with carbazole, the fluorene as the acceptor unit provides potential possibilities for the construction of high-performance organic solar cells.

The Built Environment and its Impact on Transit based Transportation Users Walking Activity in Semarang, Indonesia

The increase in mobility rate due to the current rise in population has become a challenge in urban development. This led to the development of pedestrian walkways, which are integrated with transit-based transportation, to minimize problems due to the high level of mobility of the urban population. According to some experts, environmental conditions are one of the main factors capable of affecting pedestrians' frequency. Therefore, this study explores the effect of the built environment, such as density, diversity, and design, on the pedestrian frequency of the Bus Trans Semarang passengers. Data were collected from 9 corridors, consisting of 447 bus stops, directly connected to the pedestrian walkways, as one of the feeders for transit-based transportation facilities. The analysis method used for each variable was the formulation technique, with data simulated using various applications, such as ArcGIS. The linear regression partial t-test model was also analyzed using SPSS, with the effect of pedestrian frequency on dependent variables determined, using the built environment elements (independent variable). The results showed a positive significance between the diversity variable and pedestrians' frequency along the Bus Trans Semarang corridors. Furthermore, the land that varies with the dominance of commercial and educational area has the highest attraction features that affects a person's frequency to walk.

Relatório de Avaliação das Parcerias Erasmus 2014-2019

A avaliação da qualidade das parcerias Erasmus da Universidade de Coimbra emergiu como uma necessidade para se avançar para o novo ciclo do programa Erasmus, de modo mais sustentado, baseado em informações fidedignas e quantitativas, para uma internacionalização assente na qualidade. Deste modo, foi constituída como uma ação do plano estratégico da Universidade de Coimbra, correspondendo igualmente a um dos desígnios da European Charter for Higher Education. Este relatório resulta da utilização da plataforma Equatic, projeto financiado pela comissão europeia, “assessing quality of partnerships amongst higher education institutions”, coordenado pela EUF - European universities foundation, que a Universidade de Coimbra integra, desde dezembro de 2019, cujo objetivo é dotar as instituições de ensino superior de suportes que facilitem a avaliação das parcerias de mobilidade com base num conjunto de parâmetros designados por “indicators”, tais como: performance of incoming students; performance of outgoing students; support and facilities; academic quality; rankings; course catalogue information; exchange of mobility documents; mobility rate; involvement; education cooperation. Assim, abrangem-se diferentes dimensões da cooperação académica internacional.

A longitudinal study of the impact of human mobility on the incidence of COVID-19 in India

Human mobility plays a crucial role in determining how fast and where infectious diseases can spread. This study aims to investigate visit to which category of places among grocery, retail, parks, workplaces, residential, and transit stations is more associated with the incidence of COVID-19 in India. A longitudinal analysis of generalized estimating equation (GEE) with a Poisson log-linear model is employed to analyze the daily mobility rate and reported new cases of COVID-19 between March 14 and September 11, 2020. This study finds that mobility to places of grocery (food and vegetable markets, drug stores etc.) and retail (restaurants, cafes, shopping centres etc.) is significantly associated (at p<0.01) with the incidence of COVID-19. In contrast, visits to parks, transit stations and mobility within residential neighbourhoods are not statistically significant (p>0.05) in changing COVID-19 cases over time. These findings highlight that instead of blanket lockdown restrictions, authorities should adopt a place-based approach focusing on vulnerable hotspot locations to contain the COVID-19 and any future infectious disease.

Job Mobility and Wealth Inequality

The extent to which employees change jobs, known as the job mobility rate, has been steadily declining in the US for decades. This decline is understood to have a negative impact on both productivity and wages, and econometric studies fail to support any single cause brought forward. This decline coincides with decreases in household savings, increases in household debt and wage stagnation. We propose that the decline could be the consequence of a complex interaction between mobility, savings, wages and debt, such that if changing jobs incurs costs which are paid out of savings, or incurs debt in the absence of sufficient savings, a negative feedback loop is generated. People are further restricted in making moves by their debt obligations and inability to save, which in turn depresses wages further. To explore this hypothesis, we developed a stylized model in which agents chose their employment situation based on their opportunities and preferences for work and where there are costs to changing jobs and the possibility of borrowing to meet those costs. We indeed found evidence of a negative feedback loop involving changes, wages, savings and debt, as well as evidence that this dynamic results in a level of wealth inequality on the same scale as we see today in the US.

Exploring the Epidemic Spreading in a Multilayer Metapopulation Network by considering Individuals’ Periodic Travelling

The convenience of transportation brings the diversity of individuals’ travelling modes; in this paper, we present an improved epidemic diffusion model in a multilayer metapopulation network. Firstly, we construct the metapopulation network with different travelling ways, and then, the epidemic spreading threshold is calculated by means of the mean-field method. Taking the periodicity of individuals’ travelling into account, we further explore the epidemic diffusion model with individuals’ periodic travelling and deduce the epidemic spreading threshold using the Perron–Frobenius theorem. Our results show that if all individuals in each area decide to move, the epidemic threshold can be effectively raised while each individual chooses an unbiased region to arrive. In addition, with the increase of individuals’ mobility rate or regional heterogeneous infection coefficient, the fluctuation range of the density of infected becomes larger, while the fluctuation period is almost unchanged. However, the change of individuals’ periodic motion could cause the change of the fluctuation period of infected density. We try to provide a new perspective for the research of metapopulation.

DBD EVENT MAPPING, STRONG RELATION OF CLIMATE CONDITIONS AND POPULATION MOBILITY NUMBER WITH DBD INCIDENCE

ABSTRACTDengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is influenced by the environmental factors; climate and population mobility. The DHF incident mapping is conducted to know its distribution and the areas belong to high-risk of DHF. This study aims to know the DHF incident mapping, climate conditions, and population mobility at Putat Jaya in 2015-2017.This study is an observation analysis by using the ecology time series study. There were 110 samples population. This study used a correlation test to know the strength and weakness of climate variable, population mobility number towards the DHF incident. The data used a primary and secondary data. Most cases of DHF incident are found in community areas (RW) where the distance between citizen’s house is narrow. The mapping showed the distribution pattern of DHF in each RW was grouping and spreading. Based on the correlation test, if the rainfall is higher, the DHF incident increases (r = 0,278). If the air temperature is higher, the DHF incident decreases (r = -0.480). If the humidity is higher, the DHF incident increases (r = 0.282). If the duration of solar radiation is higher, the DHF incident decreases (r = -0,150). If the population mobility rate is higher, the DHF incident increases (r = 0,413). There was an environmental factor that support the DHF incident at Putat Jaya. It causes a high-risk exposure to DHF, thus the case was grouping and spreading. In addition, it still need a cooperation between the Health Center and the society to control the DHF incident. Keywords: Mobility Rate, Climate, Larva Density, Mapping

Analysis of Heavy Metals in Soil and Sediments Along the Bank and Bed of River Benue in Taraba State Nigeria

Background: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was applied to study the impact of human activities on the bed of River Benue, the second largest river in NigeriAtomic Absorption Spectroscopic (AAS) method is most commonly being used due to its reproducibility of results, short analysis time, cost effective, lower level detection and hyphenated in nature.a. Sediments were collected at four distinct stations designated ST1 – ST4 representing areas impacted by various contaminants to different degrees. The sediments are generally slightly alkaline with pH value ranging from 7.98 - 8.53. The concentrations (mg/kg) of 7 metallic elements of environmental implications which includes Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe Mn, and Zn were determined. Mean level of metal pollutants of toxicological concern Cd and Pb were 0.05 and 1.26 mg/kg. The decrease in concentrations of the metals across sampling stations followed this sequence Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. Levels of all under studied metallic contaminant were significantly higher in samples from station S4 followed by S1 compared to S2 and S3 with lower degree of human activities. Levels of metals associated with the exchangeable, reducible, oxidisable and residual fractions ranged from 0.083 to 199.959; 0.037 to 219.118; 0.040 to 168.850 and 0.037 to 116.409 respectively. The mobility factor of cadmium in all the sample stations ranges from 28.06 – 69.27 mg/kg. The high value of Cd and Zn in the exchangeable fraction could indicate high mobility rate and readily availability of these metals for uptake by aquatic organisms. The aim of the study was therefore to assess the impact of metallic contaminants on the sediment, evaluate the pollution status of the sediments by the application of geoaccumulation index and their mobility rate. Aim: The concentrations in mg/kg of six heavy metals of environmental implications which includes Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer PG Instrument Model AA090M046. Methods: Soil and sediments samples were collected at four distinct stations, designated ST1-ST4 which represents areas impacted by human activities on the bank and bed of River Benue, the second largest river in Nigeria. The mean concentrations of Cd and Pb (0.05 mg/kg and 1.26 mg/kg) were of toxicological concern. The decrease in concentrations of the metals across sampling stations followed this sequence Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. The concentration of all heavy metals studied were significantly high in samples from station S4 and S1 compared to S2 and S3. Levels of metals associated with the exchangeable, reducible, oxidisable and residual fractions ranged from 0.083 mg/kg to 199.959 mg/kg; 0.037 mg/kg to 219.118 mg/kg; 0.040 mg/kg to 168.850 mg/kg and 0.037 mg/kg to 116.409 mg/kg respectively. Results: The soil and sediments were slightly alkaline with pH values ranging from 7.98 - 8.53. The mobility factor of cadmium in all the sample stations ranges from 28.06 – 69.27 mg/kg. The high value of Cd and Zn in the exchangeable fraction could indicate high mobility rate and readily availability of these metals for uptake by aquatic organisms. Conclusion: The aim of the study was therefore to assess the impact of metallic contaminants on the sediment, evaluate the pollution status of the sediments by the application of geoaccumulation index and their mobility rate.