bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mission matters: Association between a medical school’s mission and minority student representation
Authors: Campbell Kendall M. , Tumin Dmitry
Published: February 2021

Increasing enrollment of students who are underrepresented in medicine has been a priority of United States (US) medical schools. The authors sought to compare how increasing minority student representation factors into mission statements, statements of values, and strategic action plans at top research-oriented US medical schools and US medical schools with a social mission. A Web search was performed to locate three documents for each medical school: the mission statement; a statement of values; and a strategic plan. Data were retrieved on the number of underrepresented minority graduates and total graduates from each school in the graduating classes of 2015–2019. The number and percentage of graduates during this period were compared according to schools’ mission statements using rank-sum tests. Other quantitative study data were compared by school mission using Fisher’s exact tests. Five of the schools with a social mission (25%) and none of the schools with a research mission had a mission statement that addressed increasing representation of underrepresented minority students in the medical school (p = 0.047). Schools with a mission statement that addressed this group had a higher proportion of those graduates during 2015–2019 (median 66%; IQR 28%, 68%) compared to schools that did not address this in their mission statement (median 10%; IQR 6%, 13%; p = 0.003). More research is needed to explore the association between US medical school mission statements and the representation of underrepresented students in medical education, especially at research-oriented medical schools.
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among health professionals in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lake Eyasu Alem , Demissie Birhanu Wondimeneh , Gebeyehu Natneal Atnafu , Wassie Addisu Yeshambel , Gelaw Kelemu Abebe , Azeze Gedion Asnake
Published: February 2021

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic on 11th March, 2020. In Ethiopia, more than 90,490 and 1,300 confirmed cases and deaths were reported by the Federal Ministry of Health at the time of writing up this project. As health care providers are frontline workers managing the COVID-19 pandemic, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among health professionals in Ethiopia.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and African Journal of Online (AJOL) were searched. The data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA version 14. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot and more objectively through Egger’s regression test, with P < 0.05 considered to indicate potential publication bias. The heterogeneity of studies was checked using I2 statistics. Pooled analysis was conducted using a weighted inverse variance random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was done related to geographic region and time. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was also employed.

Result

A total of 11 studies with 3,843 study participants for knowledge, eight studies with 2,842 study participants for attitude and 10 studies with 3, 435 study participants for practice were used to estimate the pooled level of good knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice among health professionals. The overall estimated good level of knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice towards COVID-19 was found to be 79.4% (95% CI: 73.5%-85.2%; I2 = 96%), 73.7% (95%CI: 63.09%-84.4%; I2 = 98.3%) and 40.3% (95%CI: 31.1%-49.6%; I2 = 97.1%) respectively.

Conclusion

Study findings showed that there were significant gaps in COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practice with respect to World Health Organization recommendations on COVID-19 management and personal protection practices. This study therefore recommends that institutions provide with immediate effect accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 and training that encourages improved knowledge, attitude and practice to mitigate this pandemic.
Associations of socio-demographic characteristics, well-being, school absenteeism, and substance use with recreational nitrous oxide use among adolescents: A cross-sectional study
Authors: van den Toren Suzanne J. , van Grieken Amy , Raat Hein
Published: February 2021

Purpose

A rapid increase of recreational nitrous oxide use (i.e. laughing gas, N2O) has been reported in several countries, while it has received limited attention in scientific research. We aimed to study the association of socio-demographic characteristics, mental well-being, sickness absence, truancy, and substance use with the frequency of lifetime nitrous oxide use among adolescents.

Methods

We used self-reported questionnaire data of adolescents (N = 555) attending secondary schools to cross-sectionally assess the frequency of nitrous oxide use and potential factors associated with nitrous oxide use, such as gender, mental well-being, and binge drinking. Ordinal logistic regression models were applied with lifetime nitrous oxide use (never, once, ≥ two times) as the outcome variable.

Results

Adolescents were on average 15.6 years old (SD = 0.83, range 14–18), 47.0% were female. In total, 86 (15.6%) adolescents had used nitrous oxide at least once in their life.

In the multivariable ordinal regression model, the risk of having a higher category of lifetime nitrous oxide use was associated with a non-Dutch ethnic background (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.22; 3.61), attending pre-vocational education (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.06; 3.34), a higher score on the scale of externalizing problems (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.01; 1.20), binge drinking twice or more in the past four weeks (OR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.25; 4.94), and cannabis use (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.03; 3.79).

Conclusions

Youth Health Care professionals should be aware of nitrous oxide use in adolescents, especially among adolescents with a non-Dutch ethnic background, lower education levels, externalizing problems, frequent binge drinking, and cannabis use.
Comparative analysis of heparin affecting the biochemical properties of chicken and murine prion proteins
Authors: Wang Li-Juan , Gu Xiao-Dan , Li Xiao-Xiao , Shen Liang , Ji Hong-Fang
Published: February 2021

The conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) to disease-provoking conformer (PrPSc) is crucial in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Heparin has been shown to enhance mammalian prion protein misfolding. As spontaneous prion disease has not been reported in non-mammalian species, such as chicken, it is interesting to explore the influence of heparin on the conversion of chicken prion protein (ChPrP). Herein, we investigated the influences of heparin on biochemical properties of full-length recombinant ChPrP, with murine prion protein (MoPrP) as control. The results showed that at low heparin concentration (10 μg/mL), a great loss of solubility was observed for both MoPrP and ChPrP using solubility assays. In contrast, when the concentration of heparin was high (30 μg/mL), the solubility of MoPrP and ChPrP both decreased slightly. Using circular dichroism, PK digestion and transmission electron microscopy, significantly increased β-sheet content, PK resistance and size of aggregates were observed for MoPrP interacted with 30 μg/mL heparin, whereas 30 μg/mL heparin-treated ChPrP showed less PK resistance and slight increase of β-sheet structure. Therefore, heparin can induce conformational changes in both MoPrP and ChPrP and the biochemical properties of the aggregates induced by heparin could be modified by heparin concentration. These results highlight the importance of concentration of cofactors affecting PrP misfolding.
Changes in ethnic spatial segregation across English housing market areas (2001-2011): identifying ethnic and context configurations
Authors: Zuccotti Carolina V.
Published: February 2021

Using a combination of segregation indices – calculated with aggregated census data obtained for small geographies (lower layer super output areas, LSOAs) – the paper shows levels and changes in spatial segregation in eight housing market areas (HMAs) in England between 2001 and 2011, for the six most numerous non-white ethnic minority groups (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Caribbean, and African). The double comparison between HMAs and between groups, together with the use of different measures of segregation, enables identifying different patterns of segregation, as well as ‘ethnic’ and ‘context’ configurations. Specifically, while some segregation patterns are distinctive to certain ethnic minority groups independently of their location, others are specific to some or most groups residing in certain contexts. As examples of the first, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis’ segregation levels are often the highest, independently of their HMA of residence; and also seem to be following specific (and contrasting) patterns of change over time. As regards context configurations, Birmingham appears as a favourable context for changes in spatial segregation, while the opposite is observed for Leicester and Bradford.
Multilingualism and plurilingualism: Language use and education, teaching and proficiency as social and cultural assets in the Dutch golden age
Authors: Frijhoff Willem
Published: February 2021

Plurilingualism and multilingualism are terms that are often indifferently used. Yet they reflect two distinct practices and dimensions of social and cultural life, i.e.: the individual ability to master and use several languages at the same time, and the coexistence of different languages at a variety of levels and in various settings in a given society. Both reflect different forms of elasticity of the social fabric, and flourish in times of economic  prosperity, mass migration and global cultural contacts, whereas they decline in times of contraction and nationalism. As a period of growth, mass migration and cultural flourishing, and of expansion of the educational institutions and opportunities, the Dutch Golden Age (c. 1580-1750) is an excellent observatory for these phenomena, of which I shall sketch a picture, insisting in particular on the cultural aspects of language, such as language acquisition and teaching, language use, and the social meanings of language.
The Role of Local Community Associations as Intermediaries: A Multiple Case Study in A Rural Area
Authors: Pratiwi Pratiwi
Published: February 2021

Intermediary actors in rural areas are expected to stimulate not only economic growth but also social inclusion. The studies of innovation intermediaries in rural areas are under-researched. This study investigates the role, capabilities, and the outcome of the engagement of local community associations as intermediaries in different sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and tourism product. This study describes the way innovation promotes rural development. This research employs a multiple case study method and analyzes data triangulation. The interviews have indicated that intermediaries in different sectors need to play different roles due to their sector drivers, stakeholders, and challenges. This study also describes the outcome of the engagement of the intermediaries in increasing well-being, trust among stakeholders, and local people capability to innovate. Further, the study draws policy recommendations for the governments to enhance the skills and impact of the intermediaries, including collaborations, proposal competition, annual awards, organizational learning, training, and benchmarking.
Plastiques Techniques: Analyse de Marché et Méthodes de Recyclage
Authors: Yildizhan Fatih Selim
Published: February 2021

Les plastiques techniques sont une catégorie de plastiques, principalement utilisés pour des applications haute performance. Contrairement aux plastiques techniques, les plastiques de base sont relativement bon marché et ont des propriétés mécaniques plus faibles.

Cet article compare les plastiques techniques aux plastiques de base et fait une évaluation sur une analyse du marché mondial des plastiques techniques. Les méthodes de recyclage des plastiques techniques ont également été examinées.
(This is the French version of the article
Engineering Plastics: Market Analysis and Recycling Methods ScienceOpen.)
Enthesitis is a clue to the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis, focus on psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Yehudina Ye. D. , Trypolka S. A.
Published: February 2021

Enthesitis is a common clinical feature of spondyloarthritis (SpA), characterized by inflammation of the tendon or ligament attachment site to a bone or joint capsule. The importance of detecting enthesitis for the diagnosis of SpA is confirmed by its inclusion in the classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – CASPAR – and in the classification criteria for SpA of the international group for the study of spondyloarthritis – ASAS. Enthesitis may be the first clinical sign of SpA, as well as the leading symptom that significantly influences the therapeutic choice. Enthesitis occurs in 30–50% of patients with SpA and is associated with high disease activity, more severe pain and worse quality of life. The frequency of enthesitis detected by ultrasound in patients with PsA is approximately 4 times higher than in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and is associated with the severity of the disease. The review presents current data on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of enthesitis. Recent studies emphasize the role of imaging methods for the diagnosis of enthesitis due to their higher sensitivity and specificity compared to clinical examination. There is very limited information on the effect of synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on enthesitis, while targeted drugs and biologic therapy have shown high efficacy in its treatment compared to placebo. Preliminary evidence suggests that targeting interleukin (IL) 17 or IL12/23 may be more effective in enthesises inflammation suppression than tumor necrosis factor α inhibition.
Cost-effectiveness study of treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Dreval R. O.
Published: February 2021

Objective: to conduct a cost-effectiveness study of major biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) used for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Russian health care system with the focus on the new effective drug netakimab (NTK).

Patients and methods. Based on the available meta-analysis, a Markov model for therapy was constructed using reference drugs. Then, based on the simulation results, a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) and a Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) were carried out. The robustness of the result has been confirmed by several sensitivity analyzes.

Results and discussion. NTK showed an advantage in CEA, including the cases when the direct costs of therapy were lower for the reference drug (which shows the greater efficacy of NTK). According to the BIA, the extension of NTK administration in naive patients was consistently associated with a decrease in the budgetary burden. Sensitivity analyzes confirmed the robustness of the result.

Conclusion. NTK has clinical and economic advantage in the treatment of AS, it is attractive in terms of both patient's and health care benefit in general. More extensive use of NTK can save more than 5 billion RUB.
The risk of fractures and the need for anti-osteoporotic treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Efremova A. О. , Toroptsova N. V. , Dobrovolskaya O. V. , Demin N. V. , Nikitinskaya O. A.
Published: February 2021

Objective: to estimate the high and very high Frax® 10-year probabilities of fractures in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to assess the need for anti-osteoporotic treatment.

Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 136 SSc patients (110 women and 26 men; mean age, 59.3±7.5 years). The patients underwent a questionnaire survey, by calculating the risk of major fractures with the FRAX® algorithm and dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine and proximal femur.

Results and discussion. There was a very high risk of fractures in 41.2% of the examinees, a high risk in 10.3%, and a low risk in 48.5%. Osteoporosis (OP) in at least one area was detected in 41.2% of the patients. Among the persons with a low risk of fractures, OP was diagnosed in 18.2%, whereas 10.6% had a history of fractures. A total of 65.4% of SSc patients needed anti-osteoporotic treatment.

Conclusion. According to the comprehensive assessment, OP treatment and fracture prevention were indicated for 65.4% of SSc patients. The FRAX® algorithm is less informative in males who need therapy than in females.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Part 2. Safety and complications
Authors: Ovsyannikova O. B. , Ananyeva L. P. , Koneva O. A. , Garzanova L. A. , Desinova O. V. , Shayakhmetova R. U. , Starovoitova M. N. , Lila A. M.
Published: February 2021

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) is presently the only disease-modifying strategy for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSs) that has Level A evidence, the effectiveness of which has been proven in three controlled clinical trials: ASSIST, ASTIS, and SCOT. Despite the positive results obtained with the use of this treatment option, the issues related to its tolerability and safety remain unresolved. The complications caused by obvious immunosuppression and higher frequency of infections are the main causes of death after autoHSCT for autoimmune diseases and occur mainly in the first month after treatment. Overall, the studies performed confirm the overall assessment of auto-HSCT as an effective and relatively safe treatment for severe SSs.
The 2019 updated EULAR/ERA-EDTA guidelines for the management of lupus nephritis. Expert comments. Part II
Authors: Kozlovskaya N. L. , Solovyev S. K. , Aseeva E. A. , Popkova T. V. , Panafidina T. A. , Nasonov E. L. , Lila A. M. , Mesnyankina A. A. , Nikishina N. Yu.
Published: February 2021

The paper presents the main provisions of the updated 2019 EULAR/ERA-EDTA guidelines for the lupus nephritis (LN) therapy, which have been prepared by an international group of rheumatologists, nephrologists, morphologists, and pediatricians. Part 2 of the article discusses additional therapy, monitoring, and prognosis for LN, and the management of patients with end-stage renal failure and antiphospholipid syndrome. Attention is paid to the problem of LN and pregnancy, as well as to the management of pediatric patients with kidney damage.
A criterion to justify a holomorphic function
Authors: Qi Feng , Guo Bai Ni
Published: February 2021

In the paper, the authors present a criterion, free of considering differentiability and any partial derivative, to justify a holomorphic function and illustrate the criterion by several examples.
Completeness of the set \(\{e^{ik\beta \cdot s}\}|_{\forall \beta \in S^2}\)
Authors: Ramm Alexander G.
Published: February 2021

Let Â \(S^2\) be the unit sphere in \(\mathbb{R}^3\), Â \(k>0\) be a fixed constant, \(s\in S\), and \(S\) is a smooth, closed, connected surface, the boundary of a bounded domain \(D\) in \(\mathbb{R}^3\). It is proved that the set \(\{e^{ik\beta \cdot s}\}|_{\forall \beta \in S^2}\) is total in \(L^2(S)\) if and only if \(k^2\) is not a Dirichlet eigenvalue of the Laplacian in \(D\).
Simple forms for coefficients in two families of ordinary differential equations
Authors: Qi Feng
Published: February 2021

In the paper, by virtue of the FaÃ¡ di Bruno formula, properties of the Bell polynomials of the second kind, and the inversion formula for the Stirling numbers of the first and second kinds, the author finds simple, meaningful, and significant forms for coefficients in two families of ordinary differential equations.
Assessment of water quality in parts of industrial area of Nnewi north local government area, southeast, Nigeria
Authors: A. Agbonma Ifeanyichukwu , Okeyeh Elizabeth , Emeh Chukwuebuka
Published: February 2021

Industrial pollution in Nnewi-North local Government Area, Anambra state, South Eastern Nigeria has become a major environmental concern due to unregulated discharge of industrial emissions and effluents into the environment. However, the paucity of environmental data and research from this area makes it difficult to ascertain the effect of the industrial activities on the surrounding environment. For this reason, it became imperative to assess the impact of the industrial activities on the quality of the surrounding surface and groundwater for agricultural and domestic purposes. To this end, an integration of geological, and geochemical method of analyses was adopted. The geology of the study area was determined through surface geological mapping, 22 groundwater water samples, and 3 surface water samples were collected within the study area following American Public Health Association (APHA) procedures. The sample collections were done in such a way that consider lateral and during the dry season. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), titrimetric and gravimetric, analytical method was used to ascertain the chemical composition of the water. The laboratory and field results were analyzed by employing several geochemical indices calculations, and inferential and summary statistics. Results from groundwater indices such as GWQI, HPI, HEI and Cd calculated with respect to WHO, 2011 and NSDWQ for both dry seasons revealed that the groundwater was contaminated, and unfit for drinking. Then from the surface water samples result of irrigation quality indices such as TH, MH, SAR, RSBC, Na% and PI calculated for dry season, indicated that the surface water is fit for irrigation for all irrigation indices expect RSBC and MH. From the statistics of PCA and T-test it was statistical proven that the source of contamination of surface and groundwater was anthropogenic (that is from industrial waste) and geogenic. Since the groundwater is contaminated, it is therefore recommended that the water should be treated before consumption.Â
Electricity theft mitigation in the Nigerian power sector
Authors: O. Shokoya N. , K. Raji A.
Published: February 2021

Electricity theft is a pervasive problem all over the world. With electricity generation in Nigeria falling short of the required generation ca-pacity, it is disturbing that the little power generated is also being stolen by some unscrupulous consumers. Electricity distribution compa-nies in Nigeria (DisCos) lose about ₦30 billion every month owing to electricity theft. This amount is whopping, and if significantly re-duced and spent on the power infrastructure and management, it would improve the power situation in the country. This paper proffers the deployment of Smart Grid (SG) with its inherent smart metering as a solution to the electricity theft situation in Nigeria, as a result of its improved flexibility, security and reliability. Smart Grid also supports energy diversification, by allowing the integration of various renewa-ble energy sources into the conventional power grid. This will tend to help in improving the epileptic power situation in the country.
Moment method approach to analyze waveguide array radiator with crossed dipole as a near field sensor
Authors: M. Suma , M.A Goutham. , . Paramesha
Published: February 2021

Moment method approach is used to estimate the error encountered by the sensor in the near field and probe measures co-pole and cross-pole voltages at the same time. Conversely, due to several reflections between the waveguide and dipole sensor, near field values are changed. Calculations are done to analyze the absolute sampled co-pole voltage pattern and relative sampled electric field (without probe) pattern in the scan plane, and inaccuracy induced by the sensor is determined. The waveguide reflection coefficient, radiation admittance and susceptance with measuring sensor are reformed with respect to the equivalent values in the absence of the sensor in the near field.Â
Recursive Model: Cognitive Learning Behavior in Online Consumers
Authors: Christanto Edy Irwan , - Riyanto
Published: February 2021

Online purchasing decisions are online consumer behavior and are an interesting phenomenon in research. This study aims to prove the concept that online consumer purchasing decisions are influenced by cognitive learning behavior. The main theory underlying this research is consumer behavior and learning. Learning theory is used to analyze consumer learning behavior online with a mix of (crossing) learning theories of behavior and cognitive learning theory. Combination (crossing) between behavioral learning theory, cognitive is called cognitive learning behavior (cognitive learning behavior). This research is a survey. The data used are primary data, with the research instrument in the form of a questionnaire. The subjects of this study are individuals namely online consumers. Online consumers in this study are millennial generation who have made online purchases on one of the e-commerce sites in Indonesia (Matahari.mall, bukalapak, tokopedia, shopee, Zilingo) with this type of product is fashion. In this study 200 respondents were selected. The study consisted of organic stimulation of marketing on the website, online purchasing decisions, cognitive learning, experience preferences. Convenience sampling sampling technique is a sampling method where sampling is based on the availability of elements and the ease of obtaining them. Collecting data with online questionnaires and distributing questionnaires through whatsapp to respondents who are easily contacted by researchers. Data analysis methods with 1) test data quality instruments (validity and reliability), 2) Analysis of Descriptive Statistics and 3) Model Analysis with SEM. The results showed that 1) Organic stimulation of marketing on the website had a positive and significant effect on cognitive learning, 2)experience preference had a positive and significant effect on cognitive learning, 3)cognitive learning had a positive and not significant effect on online purchasing decisions, 4) experience preference had a positive and not significant effect on online purchasing decisions, 5) Organic stimulation of marketing on the website had a positive and significant effect on online purchasing decisions.Â Â
Architecture of African satellite augmentation system (ASAS) for Africa and middle east
Authors: Stojce Ilcev Dimov
Published: February 2021

This paper introduces architecture of African Satellite Augmentation System (ASAS) project designed by African for Africa, with coverage of entire African Continent and Middle East for maritime, land (road and rail) and aeronautical applications. The ASAS network is de facto Regional Satellite Augmentation System (RSAS) as integration component of the Global Satellite Augmentation System (GSAS) employing current and new Satellite Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) for improved traffic control and management at sea, on land and in the air. This Network also enhances safety and emergency systems, transport security and control of transportation freight, logistics and the security of the crew and passengers onboard transport systems. The current infrastructures of the first generation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS-1) applications are represented by old fundamental solutions for Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) of the satellite navigation and determination systems such as the US GPS and Russian (former-USSR) GLONASS military requirements, respectively. The establishment of Local Satellite Augmentation System (LSAS) and mobile movement guidance and control are also discussed as special infrastructures in seaports, land and airports environments.Â Â
IoT health monitoring system for preventing and controlling risk in confined space using microcontrollers
Authors: A. Saeed H. , H. Mazlan M. , H. Ibrahim A. , E. Hamzah H. , H. Qasim H. , A. Gore A. , I. Hamza M.
Published: February 2021

Healthcare monitoring is a field that caught many researchers from the computer science community in the last decade. In the literature, various levels of people have been considered when proposing a health monitoring system. However, some aspects are still not adequately tackled such as monitoring workersâ€™ health status within confined space where workers would be located in underground environment with less oxygen and a lot of dust. This paper proposes an IoT health monitor system for worker in confined places. The proposed system utilizes four types of microcontroller sensors including LM35 for measuring body temperature, heart beat rate sensor, blood pressure sensor and LPG gas sensor. All the aforementioned sensors are being connected via a GPS module in order to transmit the readings into a smartphone application. A simulation has been conducted to test the proposed sensors where competitive commercial measures have been used as a benchmark. Result of simulation showed that the sensors have fair accuracy that is near-identical to the benchmark.Â
Identification the appearance quality of rice kernels by vision technology and neural network classifier
Authors: Dabaghi Ali , Hadi Khoshtaghaza Mohammad , Reza Alizadeh Mohamad , Zareiforoush Hemad
Published: February 2021

In this study, the appearance quality of Hashemi variety of rice grains was evaluated using image processing and artificial neural network (ANN) classifier. Non-touching kernel images of different classes in a Hashemi rice sample were acquired using a flatbed scanner. Then preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction and effective feature selection process were done on each objects of image. To categorized grains, various structures of ANN consisting network with one and two hidden layer with different hidden nodes, different training and transfer functions were considered. Results of validation stage showed ANN with 13-18-18-5 topology and LM training and tansig transfer functions had highest mean of classification accuracy (97.33%) and the lowest value of RMSE (0.08361). Itâ€™s concluded that the suggested method uses low cost equipment to identify quality of rice with acceptable accuracy. Results of this research can be used for fast and accurate grading and developing an efficient rice sorting system.Â Â
Numerical simulation of mathematical heart model in COMSOL
Authors: Ara Iffat
Published: February 2021

Electrical activity is essential for the cardiac cell to perform its function. Mathematical modeling of cardiac electrical activity is performed from the cell, tissue and organ levels through to the body surface level. The electrical activity of the cardiac as a whole is thus characterized by a complex multiscale structure. The most complete model of such a complex setting is the anisotropic bidomain model that consists of a system of two degenerate parabolic reaction diffusion equations describing the intra and extracellular potentials in the cardiac muscle, coupled with a system of ordinary deferential equations describing the ionic currents flowing through the cellular membrane. This study describes an anatomically realistic 3D Bidomain model of whole-heart electrical activity. The heart was embedded in a human torso, incorporating spontaneous activation with heterogeneous action potential (AP) morphologies throughout the heart. The aim of this study is the development of a geometrically simple and computationally efficient 3D model of heart. In this paper a finite element formulation, model and simulation of Bidomain equation has been conducted. The FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) equations were incorporated into Bidomain model of cardiac electrical activity, which was comprised of a simplified geometry of the whole heart with the torso as an extracellular volume conductor. Laplace equation for the torso also considered. Simplified 3D cardiac model was implemented using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0 finite element software. Electrical potential at different point on torso is measured. Propagation of electrical excitation on heart surface is also observed. This study represents the first stage toward the development of an accurate computer model of heart activation.Â Â Â
Effect of gypsum content on unsaturated engineering properties of clayey soil
Authors: N J  Alzaidy Mohammed
Published: February 2021

Many of gypsum soils have existed in arid and semi-arid lands. It is considered one of the most problematic soils because of its complicated and unpredicted behavior when exposure to moisture. Extensive researches have been conducted in Iraq to observe the behavior of such soil and to suggest safety restrictions for the collapse and set practical precautions for the structures. This study investigated the effect of gypsum content on some unsaturated engineering properties of a clayey soil. Three different proportions of gypsum (0%, 5% and 20% by weight of the parent soil) were added and tested. The samples have been subjected to swelling potential test, soil water retention curve (SWRC), vapour diffusion and shear strength parameters. It is observed that gypsum content has a significant influence on SWRC, whereas, soil that has high gypsum content made SWRC with higher variables represented by air entry values and residual state. On the other hand, an increase in gypsum content led to a reduction of swelling potential and shear strength parameters. The results of vapour diffusion indicate that gypsum content could modify the microstructure in an unsaturated state and reduce the vapour diffusion through the soil.Â Â
Effect of passive and forced aeration on composting of market solid waste
Authors: Atauzzaman M. , H. Bari Q.
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to determine the effect of passive and forced aeration on composting of market wastes. Suitable vegetable waste, waste paper and sawdust as bulking agent were mixed with the proportion 75:10:15. Temperature inside composting reactors was measured daily time to time. Total sample and volatile solids were determined before and after composting of waste mixture with both passive and forced aeration. Temperature increased to maximum 52 ÂºC for passive aeration and 54 ÂºC for forced aeration. The percentage reduction in total sample was found to be greater for forced aeration than passive aeration. The volatile solids decreased with time at the end of both processes. The extent of volatile solids degradation of waste mixture with time was determined through forced aeration for a series of composting process. Total sample and volatile solids were determined at 2, 3 or 4 days interval. The percentage reductions in total Â Â Â sample and volatile solids were found to be varied from 3 to 68 % and 4 to 55% respectively. The percentage reduction in volatile solids increased with time. There is a possibility of recycling the waste mixture in the form of composting.Â Â
Performance analysis of static wireless body area network for different routing protocols
Authors: Vikas Shinde Shilpa , Santosh S. Sonavane Dr.
Published: February 2021

Wireless body area network (WBAN) is a special type of wireless sensor network. It consists of sensors mounted on a human body to measure important body parameters. WBAN network uses different technologies such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.15.6. In this paper, research outcomes focused on WBAN architecture design and performance analysis in a simulation environment for different routing protocols are done for IEEE 802.15.6. A comparative report is prepared for WBAN technology. Routing protocols are compared with each other based on energy consumption, throughput, and delay. For simulation purposes, a sensor network is designed by placing three sensors in a single hop star topology with a single central hub. The test run was successfully carried out to check the network configuration. A performance of three routing protocols for WBAN wireless technologies is investigated. These three routing protocols include AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector routing), DSDV (Destination Sequenced â€“Distance Vector routing) and DSR (Dynamic Source Routing). In three sets of simulation, the effect of various routing protocols on throughput, delay, and the energy consumption is calculated by increasing packet rate up to 2000 Kbps with an increment of 250 Kbps. Simulation results have shown that WBAN with AODV routing protocol is the most suitable to reduce power consumption and delay, and to increase throughput. Detailed analysis is discussed in the paper.Â Â
Evaluation of multiplex SYBR green real-time PCR assay for detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Komalasari Ema , P. Rahayu Winiati , Nurjanah Siti
Published: February 2021

Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been implicated in a wide range of disease causing infections. It is essential to generate a method for detecting and differentiating each pathotype of E. coli which is more quickly and efficiently by using less reagent. This study aimed to evaluate a SYBR Green multiplex real-time PCR method for detecting four types of pathogenic E. coli. Two of multiplex real-time PCR system, 6-plex and 3-plex, were set to detect six different virulence factors from ETEC, EPEC, EHEC, and EIEC and evaluate the melting curves and specificity compared to simplex method. The results showed that 3-plex rt-PCR method gave more reliable melting curves than 6-plex. The 3-plex rt-PCR also provided similar melting value (Tm) to simplex system. The results of this specificity assay supported the selection of 3-plex rt-PCR conditions for detection of pathogenic E. coli.
Development of new polymer composite materials for the flooring of rail carriage
Authors: Olmos Irikovich Zaynitdinova , Rustam Vyacheslavovich Rahimov , Mahmod  Lafta Waail , Yadgor Ozodovich Ruzmetov
Published: February 2021

The subject of improving the competitiveness and efficiency of railway rolling stock is highly demanded as the railway transport consider the nerve of the goods transport in the hole word. One of the requirements to develop the railway transport related to the continuous improvement of existing materials and find a new material which would satisfy such conflicting requirements as relia-bility, sustainability, producibility and the manufacturing process automation possibility. The researches show that use of polymer composite materials (PCM) in the production of both passenger and freight railway rolling stock, provides lightweight, improves its performance, increases durability and reduces operating costs.Â
Factors affecting the continuation of contractor participation in the tender process for the construction services project at the center for policy research and development and application of technology â€“ research and development agency ministry of pub
Authors: Arteti Novi , . Syafwandi , Susetyo Budi
Published: February 2021

The application of new technology as a result of research and development carried out by the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing is one of the efforts for technological needs in infrastructure development. The implementation of technology implementation activities still faces many obstacles, one of which is the tender process. Project Characteristics Factors, Capability of Contractors and Application of New Technology can influence whether the contractor will continue or stop the tender process. This research is based on a sample of respondents from related parties including goods / service providers (contractors), work owners and groups of goods / services procurement units. The results of the data obtained were analyzed with the partial least-squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The analysis shows that the ability of the Contractor has the greatest influence on the Tender Process. This means that the contractor's resources are the main force to carry out the project so that it is not too dependent on other parties. Thus, it can be concluded that the consideration of ownership of the contractor's resources becomes a factor for the contractor to continue the tender process that he follows by making an offer. Because with its capital and equipment, the contractor will be able to offer more efficiently.Â
Enhancement of bio-methane production yield from rumen digesta with biodegradable kitchen wastes by co-digestion process
Authors: Rashed Al Mamun Muhammad , Muhammed Mahdi , Sultana Urme Nadira , Janibul Alam Soeb Md.
Published: February 2021

The study was investigated to enhance biogas production from rumen digesta by anaerobic co-digestion process. The experiment was carried out in 3300 mL digester. The mixing ratio of rumen digesta and water used was 1:1 in 40 days Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT). Produced gas was measured by volumetric water replacement method. In phase-1, the maximum biogas generation from digesta of chicken and goat, cow and chicken, cow and goat, and co-digestion of four substrates (C:CH:G:V) were 65, 1230, 37 and 375 mL/d at 17th, 14th, 26th and 13th day respectively. The average biogas production was found from these samples were 20, 340, 16 and 113 mL. In phase-2, the maximum biogas generation from cow, goat and chicken, cow, chicken and vegetable waste and cow, goat and vegetable waste were respectively 66, 80 and 64 ml/d at 19th, 23rd and 27th day. The average biogas generation were found from these samples 22, 32 and 19 mL. The comparative data shows, biogas production is higher with cow and chicken wastes in both the phases mixed with vegetable waste. Thus, it is suggested that the study which gave maximum yield of biogas production from co-digestion process might be met the future energy demand.Â Â
Magnetohydrodynamic slip flow and heat transfer over a nonlinear shrinking surface in a heat generating fluid
Authors: Deswita Leli , Mustaqim Junoh Mohamad , Md Ali Fadzilah , Nazar Roslinda , Pop Ioan
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the problem of steady slip magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow and heat transfer over a nonlinear permeable shrinking surface in a heat generating fluid is studied. The transformed boundary layer equations are then solved numerically using the bvp4c function in MATLAB solver. Numerical results are obtained for various values of the magnetic parameter, the slip parameter and the suction parameter. The skin friction coefficients, the heat transfer coefficients, as well as the velocity and temperature profiles for various values of parameters are also obtained and discussed.Â
Risk analysis of construction planning that affecting quality and time control in the apartment development performance using PLS - SEM method (case study in apartments in Tangerang)
Authors: Sumantri Angga , . Nunungwidyaningsih , P. K. Bintoro Bambang
Published: February 2021

Large-scale projects, especially construction projects, have a large degree of difficulty in planning and controlling. For the project to work, a rigorous project planning and control analysis is required. This study aims to identifythe relationship between construction planning risk, quality control, time control, and management performance. Three apartment development projects in the Tangerang area were researched and 58 respondents were selected as the research sample. Based on the results of PLS SEM analysis, it was found that the risk of construction planning has a positive and significant effect on quality control and also on time control. Project control in terms of quality and time has a positive influence on management performance in apartment construction. If the company can carry out quality control and time correctly, then management performance will increase, but the performance improvement is not significant.Â Â
Geotechnical sustainability in the United Arab Emirates - Current status and opportunities
Authors: Sochanik Ryan
Published: February 2021

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has aligned its development polices and agendas with the United Nationâ€™s Sustainable Development Goals, a driver provided by the UN to contribute towards sustainability. As part of this commitment, sustainability in the construction industry is continually evolving. The movement towards sustainability in construction is challenging in the UAE due to the climate, geographical location, economy and availability of natural resources. The UAE has therefore developed specific legislation requiring â€œgreen constructionâ€. Over and above the legislation, developers in the UAE recognise the value in achieving certified â€œgreenâ€ credentials through the adoption of optional sustainability assessments in their projects. Geotechnical engineering is a specific branch of civil engineering focussing on soil-structure interaction and geotechnical input is required for the design and construction of almost every civil engineering project. This study reviews the current mandatory regulations and practices, with respect to the input from geotechnical engineering. It highlights that as a discipline there is little contribution towards sustainability and concludes that geotechnical engineering can and needs to contribute more. Practical solutions to improve geotechnical engineering sustainability are proposed, as are opportunities for further research and development of geotechnical engineering sustainability.Â Â
Geotechnical sustainability in the United Arab Emirates - Sustainability rating tools
Authors: Sochanik Ryan
Published: February 2021

Sustainability and the concept of sustainable development now forms part of governmental policy around the world. The United Arab Emirates is no different, recognising that its ecological footprint and continued growth require management of resources and waste streams. A fundamental part of this is sustainable construction and operation of civil engineering projects such as buildings, roads and airports. Geotechnical engineering is required on practically all civil engineering projects yet is often overlooked when design and construction decisions are being made regarding civil engineering sustainability. One of the most common ways to measure sustainability in civil engineering projects is through rating tools. Rating tools have grown and developed internationally for decades and are used across the world for various different projects (buildings, roads, infrastructure etc.). The United Arab Emirates have developed their own local ratings tools (and sustainability frameworks) and have mandated their use in certain projects. There is significant scope for geotechnical engineering to contribute to improving sustainability and rating tools are one element that can be developed. A detailed review of local and international ratings tools is carried out to understand where geotechnical engineering can currently contribute and the possibilities to improve geotechnical sustainability in the United Arab Emirates are discussed.Â Â
Perceptions of female students toward hologram video conferencing technology at AOU
Authors: M. Aman Abdulrazak , Shiratuddin Norshuhada
Published: February 2021

The research paper primarily aims at understanding women's discernment in the field of education if it is governed by technology such as hologram video conferencing. The paper is expounded in the context of Saudi Arabâ€™s education system as the country of Saudi Arab is fringed by many rules and regulations for females pursuing higher education. The research paper will extrapolate the change in conventional learning and the ways in which it can benefit womenâ€™s perception and society at large. Arab Open University (AOU) has been a pioneer in distance and e-learning in SA and hence the study is directly directed towards implementing Hologram Video Conferencing and viewing the change in gender biases when it comes to acquiring scientific learning. The paper will also delve into the challenges that can be faced in adoption of holographic based learning and how it can be overcome by changing awareness and deploying more stringent rules by the government.Â