bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid Characteristics of Biodiesel Produced from Palm Oil with Various Initial Water Contents
Authors: Lin Cherng-Yuan , Ma Lei
Published: February 2021

Biodiesel is regarded as a significant alternative fuel to petrodiesel due to its excellent combustion features and renewable character. The water content in the reactant mixtures needs to be considered so as to retard the conversion rate and it is suggested to be kept as low as possible. The fluid characteristics of biodiesel might be affected by initial water content; however, the optimum ratio of water content added to raw oil for achieving superior fluid characteristics of biodiesel has not yet been studied. Hence, this study empirically investigated the influences of the initial water content added to raw feedstock oil on the fluid characteristics of biodiesel. The experimental results show that an adequate amount of water content in the reactant mixture was found effective for improving the transesterification reaction and, in turn, the fluid characteristics. The biodiesel made from raw oil with 0.05 wt. % water content added was observed to bear the lowest water content, acid value, and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and, therefore, superior fluidity at low temperatures. The lower CFPP of biodiesel is attributed to its more unsaturated fatty acids and lower iodine value. In addition, the biodiesel produced from feedstock oil with 0.02 wt. % water added was observed to have the lowest iodine value but the highest kinematic viscosity. The optimum content of initial water added to palm oil for superior fluid characteristics of the biodiesel product is thus suggested to be in the range between 0.02 wt. % and 0.05 wt. %.
Potential Improvement in PM-NOX Trade-Off in a Compression Ignition Engine by n-Octanol Addition and Injection Pressure
Authors: Wang Qiwei , Huang Rong , Ni Jimin , Chen Qinqing
Published: February 2021

n-Octanol, as an oxygenated fuel, is considered as one of the most promising alternative fuels, owing to advantages such as its low hygroscopic nature, high cetane number, and high energy content. However, the introduction of n-octanol leads to a higher viscosity and latent heat of evaporation (LHOE), affecting the combustion and emission performances of compression ignition (CI) engines. This study sheds light on the effect of injection pressures (IPs, ranging from 60 to 160 MPa) on the combustion and emission performances of a turbocharged CI engine, in conjunction with n-octanol/diesel blends. According to the proportion of oxygen content, the test fuels contain pure diesel (N0), N2.5 (2.5% oxygen content in the blending fuels), and N5 (5% oxygen content in the blending fuels). The results indicate that the blending fuels have little influence on the in-cylinder pressure, ignition delay (ID), and CA50, but they improve the brake thermal efficiency (BTE). In terms of emissions, with the use of blending fuels, the levels of carbon monoxide (CO), soot, and nitrogen oxides (NOX) decrease, whereas emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) slightly increase. With increasing IP, the ID, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), HC, CO, and soot decrease significantly, and the BTE and NOX increase. In addition, the combination of n-octanol and IP improves the trade-off between NOX and soot and reduces the CO emissions.
Ultrafast Electron/Energy Transfer and Intersystem Crossing Mechanisms in BODIPY-Porphyrin Compounds
Authors: Tutel Yusuf , Sevinç Gökhan , Küçüköz Betül , Akhuseyin Yildiz Elif , Karatay Ahmet , Dumanoğulları Fatih Mehmet , Yılmaz Halil , Hayvali Mustafa , Elmali Ayhan
Published: February 2021

Meso-substituted borondipyrromethene (BODIPY)-porphyrin compounds that include free base porphyrin with two different numbers of BODIPY groups (BDP-TTP and 3BDP-TTP) were designed and synthesized to analyze intramolecular energy transfer mechanisms of meso-substituted BODIPY-porphyrin dyads and the effect of the different numbers of BODIPY groups connected to free-base porphyrin on the energy transfer mechanism. Absorption spectra of BODIPY-porphyrin conjugates showed wide absorption features in the visible region, and that is highly valuable to increase light-harvesting efficiency. Fluorescence spectra of the studied compounds proved that BODIPY emission intensity decreased upon the photoexcitation of the BODIPY core, due to the energy transfer from BODIPY unit to porphyrin. In addition, ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy measurements indicated that the energy transfer of the 3BDP-TTP compound (about 3 ps) is faster than the BDP-TTP compound (about 22 ps). Since the BODIPY core directly binds to the porphyrin unit, rapid energy transfer was seen for both compounds. Thus, the energy transfer rate increased with an increasing number of BODIPY moiety connected to free-base porphyrin.
Ameliorated Electrical-Tree Resistant Characteristics of UV-Initiated Cross-Linked Polyethylene Nanocomposites with Surface-Functionalized Nanosilica
Authors: Zhang Yong-Qi , Yu Ping-Lan , Sun Wei-Feng , Wang Xuan
Published: February 2021

Given the high interest in promoting crosslinking efficiency of ultraviolet-initiated crosslinking technique and ameliorating electrical resistance of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) materials, we have developed the funcionalized-SiO2/XLPE nanocomposites by chemically grafting auxiliary crosslinkers onto nanosilica surfaces. Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as an effective auxiliary crosslinker for polyethylene is grafted successfully on nanosilica surfaces through thiolene-click chemical reactions with coupling agents of sulfur silanes and 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane (MPTMS), as characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles could be dispersively filled into polyethylene matrix even at a high filling content that would generally produce agglomerations of neat SiO2 nanofillers. Ultraviolet-initiated polyethylene crosslinking reactions are efficiently stimulated by TMPTA grafted onto surfaces of SiO2 nanofillers, averting thermal migrations out of polyethylene matrix. Electrical-tree pathways and growth mechanism are specifically investigated by elucidating the microscopic tree-morphology with fractal dimension and simulating electric field distributions with finite-element method. Near nano-interfaces where the shielded-out electric fluxlines concentrate, the highly enhanced electric fields will stimulate partial discharging and thus lead to the electrical-trees being able to propagate along the routes between nanofillers. Surface-modified SiO2 nanofillers evidently elongate the circuitous routes of electrical-tree growth to be restricted from directly developing toward ground electrode, which accounts for the larger fractal dimension and shorter length of electrical-trees in the functionlized-SiO2/XLPE nanocomposite compared with XLPE and neat-SiO2/XLPE nanocomposite. Polar-groups on the modified nanosilica surfaces inhibit electrical-tree growth and simultaneously introduce deep traps impeding charge injections, accounting for the significant improvements of electrical-tree resistance and dielectric breakdown strength. Combining surface functionalization and nanodielectric technology, we propose a strategy to develop XLPE materials with high electrical resistance.
Modelling Cell Metabolism: A Review on Constraint-Based Steady-State and Kinetic Approaches
Authors: Yasemi Mohammadreza , Jolicoeur Mario
Published: February 2021

Studying cell metabolism serves a plethora of objectives such as the enhancement of bioprocess performance, and advancement in the understanding of cell biology, of drug target discovery, and in metabolic therapy. Remarkable successes in these fields emerged from heuristics approaches, for instance, with the introduction of effective strategies for genetic modifications, drug developments and optimization of bioprocess management. However, heuristics approaches have showed significant shortcomings, such as to describe regulation of metabolic pathways and to extrapolate experimental conditions. In the specific case of bioprocess management, such shortcomings limit their capacity to increase product quality, while maintaining desirable productivity and reproducibility levels. For instance, since heuristics approaches are not capable of prediction of the cellular functions under varying experimental conditions, they may lead to sub-optimal processes. Also, such approaches used for bioprocess control often fail in regulating a process under unexpected variations of external conditions. Therefore, methodologies inspired by the systematic mathematical formulation of cell metabolism have been used to address such drawbacks and achieve robust reproducible results. Mathematical modelling approaches are effective for both the characterization of the cell physiology, and the estimation of metabolic pathways utilization, thus allowing to characterize a cell population metabolic behavior. In this article, we present a review on methodology used and promising mathematical modelling approaches, focusing primarily to investigate metabolic events and regulation. Proceeding from a topological representation of the metabolic networks, we first present the metabolic modelling approaches that investigate cell metabolism at steady state, complying to the constraints imposed by mass conservation law and thermodynamics of reactions reversibility. Constraint-based models (CBMs) are reviewed highlighting the set of assumed optimality functions for reaction pathways. We explore models simulating cell growth dynamics, by expanding flux balance models developed at steady state. Then, discussing a change of metabolic modelling paradigm, we describe dynamic kinetic models that are based on the mathematical representation of the mechanistic description of nonlinear enzyme activities. In such approaches metabolic pathway regulations are considered explicitly as a function of the activity of other components of metabolic networks and possibly far from the metabolic steady state. We have also assessed the significance of metabolic model parameterization in kinetic models, summarizing a standard parameter estimation procedure frequently employed in kinetic metabolic modelling literature. Finally, some optimization practices used for the parameter estimation are reviewed.
Machine Learning Techniques for THz Imaging and Time-Domain Spectroscopy
Authors: Park Hochong , Son Joo-Hiuk
Published: February 2021

Terahertz imaging and time-domain spectroscopy have been widely used to characterize the properties of test samples in various biomedical and engineering fields. Many of these tasks require the analysis of acquired terahertz signals to extract embedded information, which can be achieved using machine learning. Recently, machine learning techniques have developed rapidly, and many new learning models and learning algorithms have been investigated. Therefore, combined with state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, terahertz applications can be performed with high performance that cannot be achieved using modeling techniques that precede the machine learning era. In this review, we introduce the concept of machine learning and basic machine learning techniques and examine the methods for performance evaluation. We then summarize representative examples of terahertz imaging and time-domain spectroscopy that are conducted using machine learning.
Rival Bodies: Negotiating Gender and Embodiment in Women’s Bikini and Figure Competitions
Authors: Campbell Favor , Haverda Myra , Bartkowski John
Published: February 2021

Women’s bodybuilding has attracted attention from gender researchers. However, increasingly popular fitness shows that feature different competitive tracks—bikini and figure—have garnered very limited scholarly consideration. This study draws on interview data from twenty bikini and figure competitors as well as ethnographic research conducted at several prominent bodybuilding shows in Texas with fitness competition tracks. Our investigation provides a comparative analysis of women’s participation in bikini versus figure fitness competitions as an embodied gender practice. Participation in this relatively new sport underscores the interconnections between gender and variegated forms of embodiment that we call athletic, aesthetic, erotic, and everyday bodies. Pre-competition regimens pose challenges for women’s management of their bodies due to dietary deprivation, rigorous workouts, and the specter of track-specific judging criteria. Pre-competition strains are often evident in primary relationships as women’s bodies are prepared for aesthetic presentation in a way that, for bikini and especially figure competitors, can undermine physical functionality and social capabilities. Competitions themselves reveal relationships marked by a mix of camaraderie and hierarchy among competitors, with those in the figure track often viewed as more “serious” athletes but less conventionally “feminine” than their bikini counterparts. Post-competition, women often struggle to accept the return of their “normal” everyday body. This study reveals the agency of women and their bodies in the context of a fast-growing sport while considering the broader social implications of fitness competitions given their tracking of women’s bodies.
The Impact of Remanufactured Products’ Similarity on Purchase Intention of New Products
Authors: Lv Jun , Liu Xuan , Cheng Shijie
Published: February 2021

The remanufacturing industry can realize sustainability by saving resources and protecting the environment. The remanufactured products have a high similarity with the new products, and how they affect consumers’ evaluation of the new products is an important issue. This paper discusses the relationship between the similarity of remanufactured products and consumers’ willingness to purchase new products, with a mediating effect of perceived quality and a moderating effect of brand reputation. The empirical analysis based on 498 valid samples shows our conclusions below. First, the similarity of remanufactured products has a significant negative impact on the purchase intention of new products. Second, the perceived quality of new products plays a partial mediating role between similarity and purchase intention. Third, brand reputation negatively moderates the relationship between the similarity of remanufactured products and the perceived quality of new products. Furthermore, brand reputation also moderates the mediating effect of the similarity of remanufactured products on the purchase intention of new products through the perceived quality of new products. This paper suggests a new perspective for the research of remanufactured products and provides an important reference for the healthy and sustainable development of recycling and remanufacturing industry.
The Immunogenicity of Capsid-Like Particle Vaccines in Combination with Different Adjuvants Using Different Routes of Administration
Authors: Janitzek Christoph M. , Carlsen Philip H. R. , Thrane Susan , Khanna Vijansh M. , Jakob Virginie , Barnier-Quer Christophe , Collin Nicolas , Theander Thor G. , Salanti Ali , Nielsen Morten A. , Sander Adam F.
Published: February 2021

Capsid-like particle (CLP) displays can be used to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccine antigens, but a better understanding of how CLP vaccines are best formulated and delivered is needed. This study compared the humoral immune responses in mice elicited against two different vaccine antigens (a bacterial protein and a viral peptide) delivered on an AP205 CLP platform using six different adjuvant formulations. In comparison to antibody responses obtained after immunization with the unadjuvanted CLP vaccine, three of the adjuvant systems (neutral liposomes/monophosphoryl lipid A/quillaja saponaria 21, squalene-in-water emulsion, and monophosphoryl lipid A) caused significantly increased antibody levels, whereas formulation with the three other adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide, cationic liposomes, and cationic microparticles) resulted in similar or even decreased antibody responses. When delivering the soluble bacterial protein in a squalene-in-water emulsion, 4-log lower IgG levels were obtained compared to when the protein was delivered on CLPs without the adjuvant. The AP205 CLP platform promoted induction of both IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses, which could be skewed towards a higher production of IgG1 (aluminum hydroxide). Compared to other routes, intramuscular administration elicited the highest IgG levels. These results indicate that the effect of the external adjuvant does not always synergize with the adjuvant effect of the CLP display, which underscores the need for empirical testing of different extrinsic adjuvants.
Localized and Systemic Immune Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Following Mucosal Immunization
Authors: Chandrasekar Shaswath S. , Phanse Yashdeep , Hildebrand Rachel E. , Hanafy Mostafa , Wu Chia-Wei , Hansen Chungyi H. , Osorio Jorge E. , Suresh M. , Talaat Adel M.
Published: February 2021

The rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the USA and worldwide necessitates the development of multiple vaccines to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic. Previously, we showed that a particulate adjuvant system, quil-A-loaded chitosan (QAC) nanoparticles, can elicit robust immunity combined with plasmid vaccines when used against avian coronavirus. Here, we report on the immune responses elicited by mucosal homologous plasmid and a heterologous immunization strategy using a plasmid vaccine and a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens. Only the heterologous intranasal immunization strategy elicited neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage of mice, suggesting a protective vaccine. The same prime/boost strategy led to the induction of type 1 and type 17 T-cell responses and polyfunctional T-cells expressing multiple type 1 cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-2) in the lungs and spleens of vaccinated mice. In contrast, the plasmid homologous vaccine strategy led to the induction of local mono and polyfunctional T-cells secreting IFN-γ. Outcomes of this study support the potential of QAC-nano vaccines to elicit significant mucosal immune responses against respiratory coronaviruses.
Peptide Vaccination against Cytomegalovirus Induces Specific T Cell Response in Responses in CMV Seronegative End-Stage Renal Disease Patients
Authors: Sommerer Claudia , Schmitt Anita , Hückelhoven-Krauss Angela , Giese Thomas , Bruckner Thomas , Wang Lei , Schnitzler Paul , Meuer Stefan , Zeier Martin , Schmitt Michael
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation occurs in seronegative patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) particularly from seropositive donors and can be lethal. Generation of CMV-specific T cells helps to prevent CMV reactivation. Therefore, we initiated a clinical phase I CMVpp65 peptide vaccination trial for seronegative end-stage renal disease patients waiting for kidney transplantation. Methods: The highly immunogenic nonamer peptide NLVPMVATV derived from CMV phosphoprotein 65(CMVpp65) in a water-in-oil emulsion (Montanide™) plus imiquimod (Aldara™) as an adjuvant was administered subcutaneously four times biweekly. Clinical course as well as immunological responses were monitored using IFN-γ ELISpot assays and flow cytometry for CMV-specific CD8+ T cells. Results: Peptide vaccination was well tolerated, and no drug-related serious adverse events were detected except for Grade I–II local skin reactions. Five of the 10 patients (50%) mounted any immune response (responders) and 40% of the patients presented CMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses elicited by these prophylactic vaccinations. No responders experienced CMV reactivation in the 18 months post-transplantation, while all non-responders reactivated. Conclusion: CMVpp65 peptide vaccination was safe, well tolerated, and clinically encouraging in seronegative end-stage renal disease patients waiting for kidney transplantation. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are planned.
Exploring the Effect of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics in Strengthening Immune Activity in the Elderly
Authors: Akatsu Hiroyasu
Published: February 2021

Vaccination is the easiest way to stimulate the immune system to confer protection from disease. However, the inefficacy of vaccination in the elderly, especially those under nutritional control such as individuals receiving artificial nutrition after cerebral infarction or during dementia, has led to the search for an adjuvant to augment the acquired immune response in this population. The cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the host immune system is gaining attention as a potential adjuvant for vaccines. Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, which are commonly used to modulate gut health, may enhance the immune response and the effectiveness of vaccination in the elderly. This review summarizes the use of these gut modulators as adjuvants to boost both the innate and acquired immune responses in the elderly under nutritional control. Although the clinical evidence on this topic is limited and the initial findings await clarification through future studies with large sample sizes and proper study designs, they highlight the necessity for additional research in this field, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is disproportionately affecting the elderly.
Immunomodulatory Role of NK Cells during Antiviral Antibody Therapy
Authors: Naranjo-Gomez Mar , Cahen Marine , Lambour Jennifer , Boyer-Clavel Myriam , Pelegrin Mireia
Published: February 2021

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are now considered as a therapeutic approach to prevent and treat severe viral infections. Using a mouse retroviral model, we showed that mAbs induce protective immunity (vaccinal effects). Here, we investigated the role of natural killer (NK) cells on this effect. NK cells are effector cells that are crucial to control viral propagation upon mAb treatment. However, their immunomodulatory activity during antiviral mAb immunotherapies has been little studied. Our data reveal that the mAb treatment of infected mice preserves the functional activation of NK cells. Importantly, functional NK cells play an essential role in preventing immune dysfunction and inducing antiviral protective immunity upon mAb therapy. Thus, NK cell depletion in mAb-treated, viral-infected mice leads to the upregulation of molecules involved in immunosuppressive pathways (i.e., PD-1, PD-L1 and CD39) on dendritic cells and T cells. NK cell depletion also abrogates the vaccinal effects induced by mAb therapy. Our data also reveal a role for IFNγ-producing NK cells in the enhancement of the B-cell responses through the potentiation of the B-cell helper properties of neutrophils. These findings suggest that preserved NK cell functions and counts might be required for achieving mAb-induced protective immunity. They open new prospects for improving antiviral immunotherapies.
Immunogenicity Assessment of Different Segments and Domains of Group A Streptococcal C5a Peptidase and Their Application Potential as Carrier Protein for Glycoconjugate Vaccine Development
Authors: Wang Guirong , Zhao Jielin , Zhao Yisheng , Wang Subo , Feng Shaojie , Gu Guofeng
Published: February 2021

Group A streptococcal C5a peptidase (ScpA) is a highly conserved surface virulence factor present on group A streptococcus (GAS) cell surfaces. It has attracted much more attention as a promising antigenic target for GAS vaccine development due to its high antigenicity to stimulate specific and immunoprotective antibodies. In this study, a series of segments of ScpA were rationally designed according to the functional domains described in its crystal structure, efficiently prepared and immunologically evaluated so as to assess their potential as antigens for the development of subunit vaccines. Immunological studies revealed that Fn, Fn2, and rsScpA193 proteins were promising antigen candidates worthy for further exploration. In addition, the potential of Fn and Fn2 as carrier proteins to formulate effective glycoconjugate vaccine was also investigated.
Isolation and Characterization of Feline Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Seo Min-Soo , Kang Kyung-Ku , Oh Se-Kyung , Sung Soo-Eun , Kim Kil-Soo , Kwon Young-Sam , Yun Sungho
Published: February 2021

Wharton’s jelly is a well-known mesenchymal stem cell source in many species, including humans. However, there have been no reports confirming the presence of mesenchymal stem cells in Wharton’s jelly in cats. The purpose of this study was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the Wharton’s jelly of cats and to characterize stem cells. In this study, feline Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (fWJ-MSCs) were isolated and successfully cultured. fWJ-MSCs were maintained and the proliferative potential was measured by cumulative population doubling level (CPDL) test, scratch test, and colony forming unit (CFU) test. Stem cell marker, karyotyping and immunophenotyping analysis by flow cytometry showed that fWJ-MSCs possessed characteristic mesenchymal stem cell markers. To confirm the differentiation potential, we performed osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic induction under each differentiation condition. fWJ-MSCs has the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages, including osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. This study shows that Wharton’s jelly of cat can be a good source of mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, fWJ-MSCs may be useful for stem cell-based therapeutic applications in feline medicine.
DETECCIÓN DE Pseudomonas spp. EN LA BAHÍA DE CARTAGENA
Authors: Rabelo-Florez Roger Alberto , Cuadrado-Cano Bernarda Soraya , Márquez-Gómez Marco Antonio , Quintero-Caviedes Jose Ramiro , De la Rosa-Martínez Darwin
Published: February 2021

Objetivo: El objetivo principal de esta investigación es obtener bacterias del género Pseudomona spp. con capacidad biodegradora de hidrocarburos en muestras de agua superficial de la Bahía de Cartagena de Indias. Material y Método: Diseño observacional, descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo. Se tomaron tres muestras de agua superficial de la Bahía de Cartagena de indias, se sembraron para preadaptacion y adaptación biológica de las bacterias en medio con sales minerales, ACPM 1% v/v y petróleo crudo 1% v/v, como única fuente de carbono y energía. Resultados: Las bacterias que crecieron en los medios con petróleo crudo fueron identificadas en 31 morfotipos de colonias bacterianas, de las cuales solo el 19,4% dio positivo para la presencia de Pseudomona spp., y el 80,6% restante, pertenecientes a otros grupos bacterianos. Discusión: Se evidenció un cambio de color en el agar nutritivo durante el procedimiento de aislamiento de las bacterias de la muestra 2 relacionado con la presencia de especies de Pseudomonas en especial P. aeruginosa. Conclusión: Se reporta la presencia del género de Pseudomona spp. con capacidad biodegradadora de petróleo en una de las muestras de agua recolectadas en la Bahía de Cartagena. Este estudio abre la posibilidad de futuros trabajos de bioprospección e identificación metabólica de las cepas aisladas.
INFORMATION–MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE BEARING UNIT WITH MAGNETOREOLOGICAL FLUID
Authors: BONDARENKO M.E. , FETISOV A.S. , POPOV S.G. , TYURIN V.O.
Published: February 2021

The paper presents a description of the design and principle of operation of the bearing unit with magnetorheological lubrication. A test rig for the study of the dynamic and tribological characteristics of the bearing unit is presented. The information–measuring system for collecting and processing information is described. The control system of the mechatronic bearing assembly is presented.
MODELING OF THE INTERACTION OF POLARIZED LIGHT WITH BIOLOGICAL TISSUES
Authors: DREMIN V.V. , ZHARKIKH E.V.
Published: February 2021

This paper provides a brief overview of approaches for modeling the interaction of polarized light with turbid media. This paper presents several implementations of Monte Carlo programs that track the polarization state of scattered light. Several classes of models based on the Stokes–Muller formalism and the Jones formalism are considered. Their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed.
REVIEW OF APPROACHES TO DESCRIPTION OF LIGHT SCATTERING IN BIOLOGICAL TISSUE
Authors: KOZLOV I.O.
Published: February 2021

The article discusses various approaches to modeling the processes of light scattering in biological tissues. The analytical radiation transfer equation, the Tversky approach, the Bethe–Salpeter equation, and the ladder approximation are considered. For cases of single scattering, the Kubelka–Munk approach, the diffusion approximation, and the small perturbation method are presented. The mathematical principles of the considered methods are disclosed in the paper and the limits of applicability in solving the radiation transfer equation are analyzed.
VERIFICATION OF A LINEAR QUALITY DYNAMIC MODEL IN THE STUDY OF PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY OF AN INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE
Authors: ANIKEEVA O.V. , IVAKHNENKO A.G. , STORUBLEV M.L.
Published: February 2021

An approach is developed to verification of the linear model of quality dynamics of the industrial enterprise quality management system. The approbation results are presented of the developed approach to verification of the linear model of quality dynamics on the example of JSC «Salyut» (St Petersburg). On the basis of the mathematical model created earlier by the authors, stability conditions are obtained depending on the values of the parameters of the enterprise quality management system, which allows solving problems of managing its state as a subsystem of general management. Data Mining methodology and elements of the balanced scorecard system were used for the research. The directions of further research are identified.
APPLICATION OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR RAPID TOOLING IN SHEET METAL FORMING
Authors: SEREZHKIN M.A. , KLIMYUK D.O. , PLOKHIKH A.I.
Published: February 2021

The article presents the study of the application of 3D printing technology for rapid tooling in sheet metal forming for custom or small–lot manufacturing. The main issue of the usage of 3D printing technology for die tooling was discovered. It is proposed to use the method of mathematical modelling to investigate how the printing parameters affect the compressive strength of FDM 3D–printed parts. Using expert research methods, the printing parameters most strongly affecting the strength of products were identified for further experiments. A method for testing the strength of 3D–printed materials has been developed and tested.
OPTIMIZATION OF PARAMETERS OF EQUIPMENT COMPONENTS FOR HYDROABRASIVE CUTTING, PROVIDING INCREASING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY
Authors: BARSUKOV G.V. , STEPANOV Yu.S. , KOZHUS O.G. , ZHURAVLEVA T.A.
Published: February 2021

The article proposes a unified methodological approach to managing the technological system of waterjet cutting as a multi–level system with a hierarchical structure, which allows to increase the efficiency of processing. The authors found that with the same energy costs from the technological system, a number of technological methods can be used to improve the process productivity.
ACTIVE VIBRATION PROTECTION BASED ON THE MECHATRONIC SYSTEM
Authors: POLYAKOV R.N. , GORIN A.V. , ZARETSKIY R.K. , TOKMAKOV N.V.
Published: February 2021

The article examined and analyzed various types of vibration protection systems. Based on the results of the analysis, it was concluded that the known methods for providing vibration protection do not fully satisfy the requirements for them. Therefore, the possibility of using an active vibration protection system based on piezoelectric elements is considered. The design was developed and general ideas about the structure of the active vibration protection system, the principle of its operation were formulated.
JUSTIFICATION APPLICABILITY OF THE DYNAMIC INDENTATION METHOD FOR CONTROL HARDNESS COATING MATERIALS OF ELEMENTS LIQUID ROCKET ENGINES
Authors: KASHAPOVA I.A. , FEDOROV A.V. , EGOROV R.A.
Published: February 2021

The importance of controlling the mechanical characteristics of coatings of critical products is shown. Calculation formulas for determining the dynamic hardness are given and restrictions for the control of coatings are indicated. The article discusses the features of the dynamic identification method and the substantiation of its applicability to assess the hardness of coating materials for elements of a liquid-propellant rocket engine. Based on the analysis of the mechanics of the contact interaction of a rigid sphere with an elastoplastic two-layer half-space, to assess the dynamic hardness of the coating, it is proposed to use a mixture model, in which the measured hardness is a composite hardness that integrates the hardness of the coating material and the base material to different degrees. According to the research results, a regression dependence in the form of a polynomial of the second degree was obtained, which makes it possible to assess the hardness of a galvanic nickel coating. The accuracy of the regression equation is estimated.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF THE INFLUENCE OF THIN-FILM COATINGS ON THE RESISTANCE OF THE TOOL
Authors: BARSUKOV G.V. , KIRICHEK A.V. , SELEMENEV K.F. , SELEMENEVA E.M.
Published: February 2021

The article deals with the problems of increasing the efficiency of centrifugal processing with a rigid contact. It is shown that when materials with different properties interact, it is energetically "advantageous" to have a discontinuous contact between interacting elements of the surfaces of the tool and the part. It has been established that epilating the working surfaces of the tool significantly changes the nature of the resistance to adhesive interaction, the effectiveness of which is significantly increased when using cutting fluids (lubricating and cooling technological media).
MECHATRONIC DYNAMIC STAND FOR RESEARCH OF PLAIN BEARINGS POWER GENERATING UNITS
Authors: POLYAKOV R.N. , TOKMAKOV N.V. , GORIN A.V. , TOKMAKOVA M.A.
Published: February 2021

The article considers and analyzes various types of experimental equipment for power generating machines and aggregates. Based on the results of the analysis, a dynamic stand for the study of plain bearings is presented. An information and measurement system for ensuring the operation of a dynamic stand based on the software and hardware complex of the company "National Instruments"is proposed. The results of experimental studies of plain bearings used in power generating equipment are presented.
Improving team coordination in primary-care settings via multifaceted team-based feedback: a non-randomised controlled trial study
Authors: Hysong Sylvia J , Amspoker Amber B , Hughes Ashley M , Lester Houston F , Svojse Erica K , Khan Kashif , Mehta Praveen , Petersen Laura A
Published: February 2021

Background

Coordination is critical to successful team-based health care. Most clinicians, however, are not trained in effective coordination or teamwork. Audit and feedback (A&F) could improve team coordination, if designed with teams in mind.

Aim

The effectiveness of a multifaceted, A&F-plus-debrief intervention was tested to establish whether it improved coordination in primary care teams compared with controls.

Design & setting

Case-control trial within US Veterans Health Administration medical centres.

Method

Thirty-four primary care teams selected from four geographically distinct hospitals were compared with 34 administratively matched control teams. Intervention-arm teams received monthly A&F reports about key coordination behaviours and structured debriefings over 7 months. Control teams were followed exclusively via their clinical records. Outcome measures included a coordination composite and its component indicators (appointments starting on time, timely recall scheduling, emergency department utilisation, and electronic patient portal enrolment). Predictors included intervention arm, extent of exposure to intervention, and degree of multiple team membership (MTM).

Results

Intervention teams did not significantly improve over control teams, even after adjusting for MTM. Follow-up analyses indicated cross-team variability in intervention fidelity; although all intervention teams received feedback reports, not all teams attended all debriefings. Compared with their respective baselines, teams with high debriefing exposure improved significantly. Teams with high debriefing exposure improved significantly more than teams with low exposure. Low exposure teams significantly increased patient portal enrolment.

Conclusion

Team-based A&F, including adequate reflection time, can improve coordination; however, the effect is dose dependent. Consistency of debriefing appears more critical than proportion of team members attending a debriefing for ensuring implementation fidelity and effectiveness.
PENGGUNAAN RASIO SOLVABILITAS DAN LIKUIDITAS UNTUK MENGUKUR KINERJA KEUANGAN PT. UNILEVER INDONESIA TBK
Authors: Amalia Riska Amalia , Gautama Muhammad Shapiq , Karolina Karolina
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis kinerja keuangan PT. Unilever Indonesia Tbk periode 2017 - 2019 berdasarkan rasio solvabilitas dan rasio profitabilitas. Metode penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah PT. Unilever Indonesia Tbk sedangkan objek dalam penelitian ini yaitu laporan keuangan PT. Unilever Indonesia Tbk tahun 2017-2019. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah dengan menghitung dan menganalisis laporan keuangan PT. Unilever Indonesia Tbk periode 2017-2019 dengan menggunakan rasio solvabilitas dan rasio profitabilitas. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa kinerja laporan keuangan dari PT. Unilever Indonesia pada periode 2017 â€“ 2019 untuk rasio solvabilitas mengalami kenaikan, dan rasio profitabilitas mengalami kenaikan dan penurunan yang dilihat dari standar industri perusahaan. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu perhitungan rasio mengalami kenaikan atau turun berdasarkan standar industri dari laporan keuangan PT. Unilever Indonesia Tbk periode 2017 - 2019.
ANALISIS KESALAHAN BAHASA DALAM PENULISAN LAPORAN TUGAS AKHIR MAHASISWA POLITEKNIK NEGERI TANAH LAUT
Authors: Budiantoro Tekad , Wijayati Titik , Karolina Karolina
Published: February 2021

Fokus utama dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis jenis kesalahan apa saja yang terdapat pada Laporan Tugas Akhir yang ditulis oleh Mahasiswa Politeknik Negeri Tanah Laut. Penelitian tentang analisis kesalahan bahasa ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Subyek penelitian adalah sampel Dokumen Laporan Tugas Akhir Mahasiswa Politeknik Negeri Tanah Laut sebagai korpus dan bahan analisis,  sebanyak 6 (enam) eksemplar, masing-masing 2 dari Program Studi Teknik Informatika, 2 dari  Program Studi Agroindustri; dan 2 dari  Program Studi Teknik Otomotif . Dalam penelitian ini akan digunakan teknik analisis wacana, seluruh data temuan ditabulasi, untuk diinfentarisir, dipilih, dan dipilah atau diklasifikasikan sesuai dengan jenis dan letak kesalahannya, baik yang bersifat fonologis, morfologis, sintaksis ataupun kesalahan yang bersifat semantis atau tata makna dan kesalahan-kesalahan lain yang terjadi.  Simpulan dari hasil penelitian ini adalah menunjukkan bahwa terdapat beberapa jenis kesalahan yang terdapat pada Laporan Tugas Akhir yang ditulis oleh Mahasiswa Politeknik Negeri Tanah Laut, yakni  (1) Kesalahan pada tataran  fonologi; (2)Kesalahan pada tataran  morfologi; (3) Kesalahan pada tataran  sintaksis; (4) Kesalahan pada tataran  makna.  Diperlukan penelutian lebih lanjut untuk menemukan solusi yang tetap dalam mengatasi permasalahan tentang banyaknya kesalahan tata bahasa yang terdapat pada Laporan Tugas Akhir yang ditulis oleh Mahasiswa Politeknik Negeri Tanah Laut.
Artificial Intelligence in Health Policy – A Global Perspective
Authors: Moonesar Immanuel Azaad , Dass Ruchi
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence has become the new frontier for digital transformation. For healthcare, AI brings a paradigm shift, powered by increasing healthcare data availability and the rapid progress of analytics techniques globally.
Objective: Several hypotheses are set forward to design a policy framework for AI technologies was discussed. This review also suggests a framework that we reflect is a better case involving "responsible AI" and "permission less innovation."
Methodology: In this perspective review, AI insights into countries such as the USA, UAE, UK, and the European Union using secondary research.
Results: Policy recommendations would impact multiple stakeholders in the value chain. The efficient and responsible use of AI tools would mean culture, data management, technology shifts in the industry, and required up-grading and training professionals for better coordination
Tectono-Sedimentary Evolution of the Uranium Deposits of the DASA Graben, Northern Niger
Authors: Sani Abdoulwahid , Konaté Moussa , Wollenberg Peter , Christophe A. D.
Published: February 2021

This study presents the structural evolution of the N70° trending Paleozoic-Mesozoic DASA graben, which is considered a sub-basin of the Tim Mersoï basin, and is located in northern Niger. The DASA graben is a uranium-rich trough discovered in recent exploration surveys.
A tectono-sedimentary analysis of the DASA graben was implemented with a combined use of satellite imagery, field observations, borehole data analysis and available literature. This graben was affected from the Carboniferous to the Early Cretaceous by two major tectonic periods. The first period was an uplifting stage, which prevailed during the Carboniferous-Permian times and the second, ranging from the Triassic to the Early Cretaceous, corresponds to a rifting episode. The particularity of the DASA graben is that the sediments contain very high uranium grades. Lithological and tectonic factors controlled the emplacement of the uranium mineralization in the graben. The successive fracturing phases that affected the DASA graben were associated with a greater circulation of hydrothermal fluids and would have favoured higher grades of uranium mineralization.
Cegah COVID-19 Di Era New Normal Pada KP.Sambengan
Authors: Arenawati Arenawati , Listyaningsih Listyaningsih , Anggara Yogi
Published: February 2021

Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat yang akan dilakukan untuk pencegahan masyarakat dalam menghadapi pandemi ini. Data yang ditunjukan oleh website resmi covid19.boyolali.go.id di kabupaten Boyolali tercatat 1330 kasus COVID-19, 55 meninggal dunia,dan 120 dirawat. Untuk di kecamatan Simo tercatat 1280 di konfirmasi positif. Dengan demikian perlu dilakukan upaya peningkatan kesadaran  masyarakat  tentang  pencegahan  penularan  COVID-19 berbasis keluarga untuk membantu kesadaran masyarakat di kp.sambengan.Target  sasaran  pengabdian  adalah  Kelurahan  kel. Gunung, kec. Simo, kab.
Boyolali. Dari  seluruh  rangkaian  kegiatan pelaksanaan pengabdian  masyarakat  ini  telah disebarkan berbagai konten digital yang sangat mudah diakses. Pengabdian  pada  masyarakat terintegrasi  magang  ini  menggunakan  pendekatan  dengan  sebagai  berikut:  1) tahap  perencanaan;  2)  tahap  persiapan;  3)  tahap  pelaksanaan;  4)  tahap  evaluasi. Dari  seluruh  rangkaian  kegiatan pelaksanaan magang pengabdian  masyarakat  ini  telah disosialisasikan berbagai konten  meliputi  digital dan non digital. Daerah sasaran yakni  yakni kp.Sambengan, kel. Gunung, kec. Simo, kab. Boyolali sudah disebarluaskan poster melalui media sosial berisikan  perlunya pencegahan  masyarakat  mengenai  virus  COVID-19.  Kemudian  siap  untuk  menghadapi New  Normal untuk  masyarakat serta kelurahan agar tetap waspada. Serta pemanfaatan poster untuk Instagram oleh para anggota pengabdi dilakukan untuk meningkatkan pencegahan dan angka kasus positif di masyarakat secara konkrit terkait COVID-19
Influencia del gobierno corporativo en las empresas del Ecuador, y su aporte a la competitividad internacional
Authors: Pérez Sisa Fernando Gustavo
Published: February 2021

El gobierno corporativo es un tema amplio e interesante, la investigación académica ha entregado varios hallazgos importantes, mismos que han sido acogidos por varias corporaciones a nivel mundial, de manera que en el Ecuador existen empresas grandes que podrían adoptar estas prácticas para ser competitivos internacionalmente. En el presente estudio se analiza la influencia del gobierno corporativo en las grandes empresas del Ecuador y su aporte en la competitividad internacional, tomando en cuenta los diferentes elementos que están cambiando el mundo globalizado, determinando así, el impacto que este posee dentro de la captación de inversiones, fusiones corporativas, flujos de información y procesos jerárquicos, permitiendo alcanzar una eficiencia y posicionamiento en mercados mundiales. Mediante la aplicación de encuestas y un modelo teórico documental se determinó la influencia de este en el desarrollo nacional e internacional de las organizaciones ecuatorianas, mismas que al manejar buenas prácticas empresariales tienden a ser más competitivas en el mercado.
Riesgos psicosociales y desempeño laboral de los funcionarios del Hospital Básico Píllaro y su dirección distrital
Authors: Galarza Torresano Iván Danilo , Tocto Villarreal Blanca Trinidad , Peñaloza Montenegro Byron Calixto
Published: February 2021

Los cambios acelerados en el mundo actualmente han generado un impacto directo en el ámbito laboral, la falta de preparación a esos cambios inesperados impacta también en el comportamiento y salud mental de los trabajadores; por tal motivo, el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la influencia de los riesgos psicosociales en el desempeño laboral de los funcionarios del Hospital Básico del Cantón Píllaro y su Distrito 18D05. El resultado del análisis, una vez aplicados los instrumentos de medición, identifica que el principal problema fue el inadecuado manejo de los riesgos psicosociales en los funcionarios a causa de los altos niveles de carga laboral y las exigencias por parte de los niveles superiores, la asignación de obligaciones laborales en horarios fuera de trabajo, el desconocimiento de herramientas metodológicas en el manejo de riesgos psicosociales, el apoyo reducido de los niveles superiores y compañeros, además de la inseguridad en el empleo. La investigación tiene un enfoque mixto cuali-cuantitativo, con carácter de tipo descriptivo y correlacional; la toma de datos se realizó mediante un cuestionario estructurado en dos partes: riesgos psicosociales y desempeño, a su vez se aplicó el método estadístico Alpha de Cronbach para analizar la correlación de las variables, y para tabular y procesar los datos se utilizó la herramienta SPSS.
Estimación de la postura corporal en un sistema embebido Raspberry Pi empleando técnicas de visión artificial
Authors: Vargas Guevara Carlos Luis , Guevara Aulestia David Omar , Ciaccia Marco A , San Antonio Thalia
Published: February 2021

Los sistemas que se emplean para la captura de movimiento o conocidos como análisis de marcha, generalmente emplean dispositivos dedicados que en el mercado se comercializan a elevados precios. En los últimos años, las empresas enfocadas en la fabricación e implementación de laboratorios de marcha han centrado sus esfuerzos en crear dispositivos de medición y emisión de reportes que sean portables y ocupen un mínimo de espacio; sin embargo, las innovaciones tecnológicas planteadas por empresas dedicadas al campo de la biomedicina resultan ser cerradas y con limitaciones de compatibilidad. Es decir, que en casos en los que se requiera la expansión del laboratorio, resulta necesario la adquisición de equipos de la misma marca, lo que implica costos elevados. Ante esta problemática, se plantea el uso de sistemas embebidos Raspberry Pi, que, a través de técnicas y librerías de visión artificial, establecen un análisis de marcha con precisión y mayores prestaciones al ser un sistema de código abierto. Asimismo, a través de técnicas de visión artificial se pueda capturar y procesar una imagen binarizada. El empleo de librearías OpenCV para ubicar marcadores y delimitar una región de interés consolidan un sistema compacto y portable para capturar el movimiento corporal en tiempo real, y en espacios no restringidos.