bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Security Threats Posed by Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons: Prison Officers’ Perspectives
Authors: Kariuki John Ngugi , Mwangi Wokabi , Murenga Hadija
Published: August 2020

In the recent past, cell phones have emerged to be among the leading outlawed contemporary contrabands in correctional facilities around the globe. Although official statistics on the number of contraband cell phones globally remains elusive, searches by prison officials project a worrisome trend. At Naivasha Maximum Prison, it is estimated that 30% of the inmates possess one cell phone. Existing studies are more inclined to how phones are smuggled, who smuggle them and their impact on rehabilitation of offenders. Limited studies have been carried out to examine the security threats posed by smuggling and use of cell phones into the prisons. One school of thought argues that cell phones are smuggled into prisons and used by inmates for a good course including communicating with their significant others and for leisure. The other school of thought argues that they are used to commit crimes and thus a source of insecurity to officers, inmates and the members of public. This paper is guided by three specific objectives; to examine security threats prison officers are prone to due to smuggling and use of cell phones at the prison; to examine security threats inmates are prone to due to smuggling and use of cell phones at the prison and finally to examine security threats members of public are prone to due to smuggling and use of cell phones at the prison. The study employed descriptive research design. The unit of analysis was an individual prison officer. A sample size of 182 respondents was drawn from a population of 507 junior prison officers using simple random sampling technique. Primary data was collected through questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that prison officers are prone to physical injuries (38.92%), ambushes during escorts (29.94%) and espionage (20.35%). Inmates were prone to physical attacks (46.78%), electronic fraud (26.28%) and exploitation (21.79%). Members of public were prone to electronic fraud (74.40%) and kidnappings (40.47%). This current study concluded that cell phones in prison facilities pose significant security threats to prison officers, inmates and the members of public. These security threats are therefore of national concern. This study will add to existing body of knowledge on prisons and address policy gaps that exists in controlling cell phones in prison facilities.
Analysis of the Capacity of Prison Security Structures on Inmate Escape Prevention in Nakuru Main Prison, Kenya. A Perspective of Junior Prison Officer’s
Authors: Rono Joash Kiprotich , Mwangi Samson Wokabi , Omboto John
Published: August 2020

This study attempts to analyze the capacity of prisons security structures in Nakuru main prison to prevent inmate’s escapes in the perspective of junior officers working in the institution who formed 80 % of the sample respondents in the study. This research adopted descriptive research design which involved the use of observation, case study approach and survey technique.  Data was collected majorly using questionnaires as data collection instruments and was self-administered to 142 junior prison officers who were directly involved in the facilitation of safe custody to prisoners in Nakuru main prisons. The observation checklist was also used to ascertain the state of the physical security infrastructure used to prevent escapes in Nakuru main prison. Data obtained was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and presented using frequencies, pie charts and tables. The findings from the majority of the respondents showed a lack of permanent perimeter fence at 47.4 %, old dilapidated buildings at 28.9%, lack of the use of technology e.g CCTV at 19.7%, inadequate lighting system at14.5%.  The study recommendsconstruction of a modern security wall in the institution as a strategy to effectively prevent escapes, use of new technology e.g CCTV erection of a proper and adequate watchtowers/Sentries and provision of adequate lighting system at Nakuru main prisons. In addition, there is a need to escalate a similar study to all prison institutions in order to enrich the findings and recommendations for Policymakers in the criminal justice system.
The Children City Architecture
Authors: Nooraddin Hoshiar
Published: August 2020

Since the earliest civilizations, the city had been built to fulfil what the adults had considered as society’s needs and by which architectural solutions. This process had continued in history till the 19th century and established the culture of adults’ city architecture. The children had to fit themselves in the adult’s city. It is mainly during the 1960s when new trends in city architecture have introduced new considerations for children by calling for livability in cities. This trend has increased in the 1990s by the sustainable city trends and the present initiatives of Children Friendly City.

But studying contemporary cities can raise an important argument that contemporary cities have not developed children architecture. It requires new ways of understanding children’s needs in the city and how can architecture contain these needs. These two components can establish children architecture as a new reality in our cities
Rethinking three decades of decentralisation in Ghana’s local government administration under the Fourth Republic
Authors: Fobih Nick
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the successes and challenges facing Ghana’s decentralisation programme. Within the thirty years of the implementation of decentralisation in Ghana, there have been some major changes, successes, and challenges that are worth investigating to determine whether successive governments in the Fourth Republic have made significant progress in the three decades or whether there is a need to do more to strengthen the country’s decentralisation programme. The study examined different decentralisation literature to assess the performance of the country’s decentralisation programme. The methodology used is based on the qualitative approach and the descriptive method. Our findings show that regardless of the in-roads made since in the thirty years Ghana’s decentralisation programme, a myriad of challenges make its implementation complex, and its full potential impact on citizens and the local communities not realized. The significance of the study is that the outlined challenges and recommendations will inform national policy makers and the local government administrators to take Ghana’s decentralisation reforms a step further towards realizing the ultimate goals of the programme. This study further contributes toward academic discussions on decentraliaation in Ghana and Africa in general.
According to the sustainability theory, the natural rebalance of resources and wealth may continue in global scenario
Authors: Cossiga Giovanni Antonio
Published: August 2020

According to the profile of the sustainability economy, the scenario of the nineteenth century, characterized by a colonial structure governed by the major powers, and the imbalance in the wealth distribution that is recorded in today's world are both phenomena dependent on the deviation of the economy from the path of sustainability with nature. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that this deviation will eventually be corrected, and the global economy should then return to the path of a constant and balanced growth. So, leaving the instability world, which today starts from the performance decline and from the general convergence towards price deflation. The fall in the instability world, however, is far from irreversible because we should admit that deflation is a message telling us that things are going wrong, and the economic situation is a tool that is starting the recession to correct the economy in order to bring it back to the balance with the nature. In the sub-world, unfortunately, there are the excesses of an incoherent distribution of resources at a global level, together with the trend towards the concentration of wealth and income within the 10% of families at a local level. A double interlocking that slows down the development potential locally and globally and alters the democracy mechanisms due to the influence that owners of wealth and large incomes undoubtedly can have on the process of selecting the leadership for the economy management. A perverse mechanism that essentially exacerbates the differences in income and resources among peoples and families. In the perspective of the sustainability economy, the movement favoring the concentration cannot continue because the natural correction mechanism comes into play, thus operating according to the times of nature which are quite different from those of our daily lives. Therefore, we can now interpret and understand the amazing work that is globally reshaping the distribution of resources and culture, where Asia is becoming protagonist together with the West of a greater equity and participation. At the moment Africa remains out of this process, though trying to reinforce its pace. The reactions to the so-called globalization are obstacles to the development of process, on which is depending not only the emergence of post-colonial Africa. Because even the development of the global economy is now linked to the continuation of the natural process of rebalancing resources and wealth, not only at a global level but also at the level of states and continents.
WhatsApp™ Seminar as Hoax Buster and Health Promotion Medium of COVID-19: A Field Trial
Authors: Fadilah Mariatul , Liberty Iche Andriani , Nadiah Lathifah
Published: August 2020

Accurate information and guidance on protective measures that can reduce the level of exposure to acute respiratory coronavirus 2 syndrome (SARS-CoV2) is the most important component in controlling the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). As one of the largest social media in Indonesia, WhatsAppTM is a messaging service that is very close to the lives of Indonesian people, especially in the countryside.

At the time of this research, no studies were published about using WhatsappTM as an Online Media used for the Seminar. This study aims to meet this information need and test its effectiveness as a health promotion medium, specifically Covid-19. The online seminar was conducted using WhatsAppTM media in the period 20 April 2020 - 30 April 2020. It was conducted 33 times in 33 groups, where each group was attended by an average of 176 participants, for 715 minutes and 724 questions. These groups present competent experts in their fields, and question and answer sessions are held between participants and experts. The results showed that 5,822 people who attended the seminar gave very positive feedback.

The conclusions from the results of this field test show that WhatsAppTM can be an effective medium in health promotion to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in Indonesia.
Lekcja języka obcego z uczniem niepełnosprawnym miejscem badań metodą indywidualnych przypadków
Authors: Burzyńska Małgorzata
Published: August 2020

The article presents preliminary results of research conducted during English language classes, with the case study method, among pupils with intellectual disability attending a primary special needs school. The research was meant to help answer the questions related to the possibility of incorporating foreign language teaching in the comprehensive process of their rehabilitation, and especially the development of individual cognitive skills as well as the mother tongue command. The article emphasizes the advantages of research based on a case study which enables the researcher to apply the principle of individualization and the treatment of every pupil as a subject no matter what the developmental barriers may be.
Zarządzanie uwagą na lekcji języka obcego w fazie percepcji i przetwarzania struktur językowych
Authors: Kubiczek Agnieszka
Published: August 2020

This paper focuses on the connection between cognitive psychology and foreign language pedagogy in the context of perception and processing of language structures. It describes second language acquisition as theprocessing of language information, which is influenced by attention focused on language data. The concept of instructed learning assumes the possibility of manipulating learners’ attention by the teacher. The paperprovides a theoretical background referring to such issues and also examples of how this kind of knowledge can be used in the classroom.
O wybranych aspektach determinujących nauczanie i uczenie się języka rosyjskiego (drugiego obcego) - wnioski z badań
Authors: Karolczuk Marzanna
Published: August 2020

The aim of the present paper is to attempt to analyze selected factors which influence the learning of a second or foreign language. The goal is also to present the results of preliminary studies based on the observations of Russian language lessons. The introduction of a second foreign language into schools makes teaching multilingual. Students’ native language together with the languages they learn in and outside educational institutions all contribute to establishing a unique linguistic and cultural environment. The process of teaching and learning of a second language should refer to students’ knowledge and skills, which they acquired during their previous learning experiences.
Problemy pomiaru wiedzy językowej
Authors: Pawlak Mirosław
Published: August 2020

A key issue in research projects exploring the effectiveness of foreign language learning and teaching is precise measurement of learners’ knowledge of the targeted structure before and after the pedagogic intervention with an eye to determining the value of specific instructional options. Such measurement, however, poses a considerable challenge because traditional tests focusing on grammar or lexis only provide information about explicit, declarative knowledge, which is conscious and can primarily be applied in situations in which learners have sufficient time to plan their responses. For this reason, it is also necessary to measure implicit, procedural knowledge which is subconscious and automatic, thus enabling successful participation in spontaneous communication where limited attentional resources have to be employed in understanding and conveying messages in real time. The aim of this paper is to characterize the two types of linguistic knowledge, present the tools that can be employed in their measurement, and demonstrate how instruments of this kind can be successfully utilized in empirical investigations aiming to verify the effectiveness of techniques and procedures in teaching grammar.
Interdyscyplinarność w badaniach procesu rozumienia tekstu
Authors: Kusiak Monika
Published: August 2020

The paper addresses the emergence of interdisciplinarity in humanities research. In the first section, it looks at various conceptions of interdisciplinarity. Then, it discusses an interdisciplinary nature of reading research,overviewing the concept of reading as explored by different fields of science. Finally, as an example of an interdisciplinary study into reading comprehension, the study conducted by the author of the paper is presented. The process of planning and the initial stages of conducting the study are discussed, along with the advantages of drawing on several disciplines in the study.
Modelowanie procesu czytania na potrzeby glottodydaktyki
Authors: Kulczyńska Agnieszka
Published: August 2020

The author investigates the presence of reading models in L2 teaching theory and research. She observes that such models seem to play a rather „ornamental” role. The author is convinced, however, that effective useof reading models would bring positive results, such as facilitating communication between researchers, and more effective planning of research and teaching. The model that might be taken into consideration is thatdeveloped by the Quebecois pedagogue J. Giasson.
In Vivo Corneal Microstructural Changes in Herpetic Stromal Keratitis: A Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis
Authors: Rodriguez-Garcia Alejandro , Alfaro-Rangel Raul , Bustamante-Arias Andres , C. Hernandez-Camarena Julio
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To describe and analyze the microstructural changes in herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) observed in vivo by spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at different stages of the disease.
Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational, and comparative SD-OCT analysis of corneas with active and inactive keratitis was performed, and the pathologic differences between the necrotizing and non-necrotizing forms of the disease were analyzed.
Results: Fifty-three corneas belonging to 43 (81.1%) women and 10 (18.8%) men with a mean age of 41.0 years were included for analysis. Twenty-four (45.3%) eyes had active keratitis, and 29 (54.7%) had inactive keratitis; the majority (83.0%) had the non-necrotizing form. Most corneas (79.1%) with active keratitis showed stromal edema and inflammatory infiltrates. Almost half of the active lesions affected the visual axis, were found at mid-stromal depth, and had a medium density. By contrast, corneas with inactive keratitis were characterized by stromal scarring (89.6%), epithelial remodeling (72.4%), and stromal thinning (68.9%). In contrast to non-necrotizing corneas, those with necrotizing HSK showed severe stromal scarring, inflammatory infiltration, and thinning. Additionally, most necrotizing lesions (77.7%) affected the visual axis and had a higher density (P = 0.010).
Conclusion: Active HSK is characterized by significant epithelial and stromal thickening and the inactive disease manifests epithelial remodeling at sites of stromal thinning due to scarring. Necrotizing keratitis is characterized by distorted corneal architecture, substantial stromal inflammatory infiltration, and thinning. In vivo SD-OCT analysis permitted a better understanding of the inflammatory and repair mechanisms occurring in this blinding corneal disease.
The Long-term Visual Outcomes of Primary Congenital Glaucoma
Authors: Esfandiari Hamed , Prager Alisa , Hassanpour Kiana , P. Kurup Sudhi , Mets-Halgrimson Rebecca , Yoon Hawke , Lasky Zeid Janice , B. Mets Marilyn , Rahmani Bahram
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes of ab externo trabeculotomy for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) at a single pediatric ophthalmology center.
Methods: In this retrospective single-center case series, data from 63 eyes of 40 patients who underwent ab externo trabeculotomy between September 2006 and June 2018 were included. The data were analyzed for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), stereopsis, and surgical success. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed using the surgical success criteria defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21 mmHg and ≥ 20% below baseline without the need for additional glaucoma surgery.
Results: BCVA at the time of diagnosis was 0.37 ± 0.48 logMAR, which changed to 0.51 ± 0.56 logMAR at the final follow-up (P = 0.08). Twenty-five percent of patients had BCVA equal to or better than 20/40 at the final visit. The mean refraction at baseline was –4.78 ± 5.87 diopters, which changed to less myopic refraction of –2.90 ± 3.83 diopters at the final visit. Optical correction was prescribed in 66% of eyes at the final visit. The average final stereopsis was 395.33 sec of arc. The linear regression model showed a significant association between the surgery success rate and final BCVA as well as stereoacuity (Pvalues: 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased significantly from 29.79 ± 7.67 mmHg at baseline to 16.13 ± 3.41 mmHg at the final follow-up (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Patients with PCG can achieve an acceptable visual acuity and stereoacuity, particularly in cases of timely intervention and close follow-up.
Long-term Outcomes of Treat and Extend Regimen of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Lee Andy , G Garg Pooja , T Lyon Alice , Mirza Rukhsana , K Gill Manjot
Published: August 2020

Purpose: This study describes the long-term visual and anatomic outcomes of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment using a treat and extend dosing regimen.
Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study consisted of 224 treatment-naïve eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) from 202 patients that were treated with anti-VEGF agents bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept using a treat and extend (TAE) regimen by four physician investigators in a large urban referral center from 2008 to 2015. Subjects were evaluated for visual acuity, injection frequency, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Results: Over a seven-year follow-up period (mean 3.4 years), an average 20.2 ± 14.7 injections were administered with 8.4 injections in the first year and 5.5 injections by the seventh year of remaining eyes undergoing treatment. Visual acuity was 0.70 logMAR (20/100 Snellen) at the first visit and 0.67 logMAR (20/93 Snellen) at the final visit, with 74% of eyes maintaining or gaining more than 2 lines of vision. Long-term, 45.1% of eyes achieved 20/50 or better, while 27.1% were 20/200 or worse. Of the treated patients, 61.2% received monotherapy with no difference in visual acuity outcomes or number of injections between the agents used. OCT analysis showed decreased fluid from initial to final follow-up visit: 70.1–15.6% with sub-retinal fluid (SRF) and 47.3–18.8% with intraretinal fluid (IRF) with no difference between the agents were used.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that most patients (74%) improve or maintain visual acuity long-term using a TAE model with a significant portion (45.1%) achieving 20/50 or better visual acuity with sustained treatment.
Choroidal Thickness in Different Types of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies
Authors: Sabbaghi Hamideh , Ahmadieh Hamid , Jalili Jalil , Behnaz Nazanin , Fakhri Maryam , Suri Fatemeh , Rajabpour Mojtaba , Entezari Morteza , Daftarian Narsis
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To compare the choroidal thickness among eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, cone-rod dystrophy, and healthy eyes of sex- and age-matched individuals.
Methods: In this comparative study, 503 eyes with RP (n = 264), cone-rod dystrophy (n = 109), Stargardt disease (n = 76), and Usher syndrome (n = 54) were included. To validate the data, 109 healthy eyes of 56 sex- and age-matched individuals were studied as controls. Choroidal imaging was performed using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness was measured manually using MATLAB software at 13 points in nasal and temporal directions from the foveal center with the interval of 500 μm and the choroidal area encompassing the measured points was calculated automatically.
Results: The mean age was 36.33 ± 13.07 years (range, 5 to 72 years). The mean choroidal thickness at 13 points of the control eyes was statistically significantly higher than that in eyes with RP (P < 0.001) and Usher syndrome (P < 0.05), but not significantly different from that in eyes with Stargardt disease and cone-rod dystrophy. Among different inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs), the choroidal thickness was the lowest in eyes with RP (P < 0.001). Choroidal thickness in the subfoveal area correlated negatively with best-corrected visual acuity (r = −0.264, P < 0.001) and the duration of ocular symptoms (r = −0.341, P < 0.001) in all studied IRDs. No significant correlation was observed between the subfoveal choroidal thickness and central macular thickness (r = −0.24, P = 0.576).
Conclusion: Choroidal thinning in four different types of IRDs does not follow a similar pattern and depends on the type of IRD and the duration of ocular symptoms. A larger cohort is required to verify these findings.
Low-contrast Pattern-reversal Visual Evoked Potential in Different Spatial Frequencies
Authors: Hassankarimi Homa , Jafarzadehpur Ebrahim , Mohammadi Alireza , Mohammad Reza Noori Seyed
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To evaluate the pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (PRVEP) in lowcontrast, spatial frequencies in time, frequency, and time-frequency domains.
Methods: PRVEP was performed in 31 normal eyes, according to the International Society of Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) protocol. Test stimuli had checkerboard of 5% contrast with spatial frequencies of 1, 2, and 4 cycles per degree (cpd). For each VEP waveform, the time domain (TD) analysis, Fast Fourier Transform(FFT), and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) were performed using MATLAB software. The VEP component changes as a function of spatial frequency (SF) were compared among time, frequency, and time–frequency dimensions.
Results: As a consequence of increased SF, a significant attenuation of the P100 amplitude and prolongation of P100 latency were seen, while there was no significant difference in frequency components. In the wavelet domain, an increase in SF at a contrast level of 5% enhanced DWT coefficients. However, this increase had no meaningful effect on the 7P descriptor.
Conclusion: At a low contrast level of 5%, SF-dependent changes in PRVEP parameters can be better identified with the TD and DWT approaches compared to the Fourier approach. However, specific visual processing may be seen with the wavelet transform.
Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: A. Azari Amir , Arabi Amir
Published: August 2020

Conjunctivitis is a commonly encountered condition in ophthalmology clinics throughout the world. In the management of suspected cases of conjunctivitis, alarming signs for more serious intraocular conditions, such as severe pain, decreased vision, and painful pupillary reaction, must be considered. Additionally, a thorough medical and ophthalmic history should be obtained and a thorough physical examination should be done in patients with atypical findings and chronic course. Concurrent physical exam findings with relevant history may reveal the presence of a systemic condition with involvement of the conjunctiva. Viral conjunctivitis remains to be the most common overall cause of conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is encountered less frequently and it is the second most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is encountered in nearly half of the population and the findings include itching, mucoid discharge, chemosis, and eyelid edema. Long-term usage of eye drops with preservatives in a patient with conjunctival irritation and discharge points to the toxic conjunctivitis as the underlying etiology. Effective management of conjunctivitis includes timely diagnosis, appropriate differentiation of the various etiologies, and appropriate treatment.
Ocular Gene Therapy with Adeno-associated Virus Vectors: Current Outlook for Patients and Researchers
Authors: A. Casey Geoffrey , M. Papp Kimberly , M. MacDonald Ian
Published: August 2020

In this “Perspective”, we discuss ocular gene therapy – the patient’s perspective, the various strategies of gene replacement and gene editing, the place of adenoassociated virus vectors, routes of delivery to the eye and the remaining question - “why does immunity continue to limit efficacy?” Through the coordinated efforts of patients, researchers, granting agencies and industry, and after many years of pre-clinical studies, biochemical, cellular, and animal models, we are seeing clinical trials emerge for many previously untreatable heritable ocular disorders. The pathway to therapies has been led by the successful treatment of the RPE65 form of Leber congenital amaurosis with LUXTURNATM. In some cases, immune reactions to the vectors continue to occur, limiting efficacy. The underlying mechanisms of inflammation require further study, and new vectors need to be designed that limit the triggers of immunity. Researchers studying ocular gene therapies and clinicians enrolling patients in clinical trials must recognize the current limitations of these therapies to properly manage expectations and avoid disappointment, but we believe that gene therapies are well on their way to successful, widespread utilization to treat heritable ocular disorders.
Focal Choroidal Excavation in a Case of Choroidal Osteoma Associated with Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Azimizadeh Mahdieh , Maryam Hosseini Seyedeh , Babaei Esmaeil
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To report a case of choroidal osteoma associated with reactivation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and development of focal choroidal excavation (FCE).
Case Report: A 34-year-old woman with choroidal osteoma complicated by CNV in the right eye for two years presented with deterioration of visual acuity in her right eye. A small retinal hemorrhage accompanied by subretinal fluid (SRF) was seen in the macular area of the right eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed that the inner retina was intact, and the outer retinal layers had outward displacement. SRF and a wedge-shaped choroidal depression were also seen. This choroidal excavation was not present on previous OCT images. The integrity of the inner retinal layers was maintained, and an optically clear space was present between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium.
Conclusion: Choroidal osteoma can be complicated by CNV and FCE could occur as a consequence. Again, FCE can lead to CNV development. This cascade can deteriorate vision and sometime lead to permanent visual loss.
Primary Idiopathic Frosted Branch Angiitis
Authors: Jahani Maleki Shahin , Dourandish Maryam , Maryam Hosseini Seyedeh
Published: August 2020

This is a Photo Essay and does not have an abstract.
Suicide and Laser Refractive Surgery
Authors: Salimi Ali , Ing Edsel , Nianiaris Nicholas
Published: August 2020

This is a Letter to the Editor and does not have an abstract.
How Much of Hazardous Blue Light is Transmitted By Spectacle Lenses?
Authors: Rahmani Saeed , Nazari Mohammadreza , Akbarzadeh Baghban Alireza , Ghassemi-Broumand Mohammad
Published: August 2020

This is a Letter to the Editor and does not have an abstract.
Load Capacity of Eccentric Roller Bearings
Authors: Silchenko P.N. , Timofeev G.A. , Mesnyankin M.V. , Novikov E.S.
Published: August 2020

Eccentric roller bearings are commonly used in engineering and serve as actuating links in mechanical drives of various machines. Load capacity is one of the main parameters of such bearings. This paper presents possible kinematic schemes of an eccentric roller bearing and the specifics of the actual radial load distribution when it is applied to the driving ring between the rolling bodies. It is established that the load capacity of the eccentric roller bearing depends on the actual stress occurring when the rolling body of the minimal radius and the inner ring raceway are in contact. Equations are obtained for calculating the permissible radial load that the rolling body of the minimal radius with a raceway can bear. The limiting load is determined that satisfies the conditions of contact strength of the bearing’s assembly units and ensures performance of the bearing in a mechanical drive of a machine. The results of determining the limiting load of the eccentric roller bearing and the results’ analysis are presented using a specific example. To ensure the performance of the bearing, the optimal ratio of the inner ring radius to the minimum rolling body radius is determined.
Simulating Characteristics of Vaneless Diffusers Using Neural Networks
Authors: Galerkin Y.B. , Nikiforov A.G. , Solovyeva O.A. , Popova E.Y.
Published: August 2020

To calculate flow parameters of a vaneless diffuser of the centrifugal compressor stage, it is sufficient to determine the loss coefficient and the flow direction at the outlet. The paper presents the results of modeling the characteristics of these two parameters using neural networks and CFD methods. To obtain mathematical models, ANSYS calculation data was used for vaneless diffusers with a relative width of 0.014–0.1, relative outlet diameter of 1.4–2.0, inlet flow angle of 10–90° and velocity coefficient of 0.39–0.82, with the Reynolds number being in the range of 87 500–1 030 000. A comparison with the theory showed the regularity of gas-dynamic characteristics, and comparison with well-known experiments showed the correspondence of the flow structure. In order to improve the accuracy of simulation using neural networks, various recommendations on the preparation and processing of the initial data were collected and tested: identification of conflict examples and outliers, data normalization, improving the quality of the neural network training under the insufficient amount of sampling, etc. The application of the aforementioned recommendations significantly improved the accuracy of simulation. A simulation experiment based on neural models for studying the influence of dimensions, diffuser shape and similarity criteria on the diffuser gas dynamic characteristics made it possible to verify physical adequacy of the mathematical models, obtain new data on energy conversion processes and produce a set of recommendations on the optimal design of vaneless diffusers.
An Analysis of the Influence of the Properties of Nanodispersed Systems on the Design of Technological Equipment
Authors: Popova A.A. , Shubin I.N.
Published: August 2020

Currently, there is a large number of dispersed and nanodispersed materials used in the manufacturing industry. They have various physicomechanical and physicochemical properties that have to be taken into account when developing and using various technological equipment as well as during technological processes. One of the main technological processes is mixing. Being sometimes auxiliary, this process is widely used in many industries, and, ultimately, determines the quality of the finished product. The influence of the rheological properties of the components to be mixed, both on the process of preparing the mixture and on the design of the equipment, has long been known. However, it is challenging to design mixing processes and mixers without taking into account such characteristics of dispersed materials as density (bulk and intrinsic), particle size and shape, coefficient of internal and external friction, hygroscopicity, adhesiveness as well as others. Usually, when considering technological processes and developing equipment, the issues of productivity, process time, energy consumption are given priority. At the same time, the influence of geometric parameters of the equipment on the mixing process and the dynamics of the movement of dispersed materials in the reaction volume has not been sufficiently studied. To address this issue, the authors examined the mixing process of dispersed materials of various sizes and bulk density using the example of a gravity mixer. The main factors affecting the quality of mixing and design parameters of the equipment for processing dispersed materials were established. Practical recommendations are given for specialists involved in the design of mixing equipment. These recommendations are general in nature, since it is problematic and indeed erroneous to give specific recommendations due to the large variety of dispersed materials and, accordingly, their physical and mechanical characteristics, as well as the equipment features.
Penggunaan Natural Language Processing Pada Chatbot Untuk Media Informasi Pertanian
Authors: Khoirunisa Rifa
Published: August 2020

Pertanian merupakan pemanfaatan sumber daya yang dilakukan oleh manusia untuk menghasilkan bahan baku pangan serta mengelola lingkungan di sekitarnya. Dengan berkembangnya industri 4.0 sekarang ini, banyak bidang yang menggunakan kecerdasan buatan termasuk pertanian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membantu petani mengetahui beberapa informasi penting yang berhubungan dengan pertanian berdasarkan relevansi waktu yang berlaku. Dalam penelitian ini digunakan konsep Natural Language Processing. Natural Language Processing adalah menganalisis teks dengan cara terkomputerasi, pada penelitian ini NLP digunakan untuk mencari kata dasar pada kalimat yang dimasukkan oleh user. Proses menjawab pertanyaan yang dimasukkan oleh user menggunakan metode pharsing kalimat, kemudian metode lemmatization untuk mencari kata dasar, lalu dari kata dasar menggunakan rule based untuk mencari jawaban yang sesuai dengan pertanyaan berdasarkan kata dasar. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah prototype sistem yang dapat digunakan oleh petani untuk mengetahui informasi mengenai pertanian sesuai dengan relevansi waktu yang berlaku, contoh : harga bibit, pemberian pupuk, daerah panen, harga panen. Dari hasil pengujian didapatkan 86,12% aplikasi dapat mempharsing kalimat, 70% aplikasi dapat menjawab relevansi waktu sesuai permintaan user dan 73,33% dapat menampilkan jawaban yang sesuai dengan pertanyaan user.
Penerapan Metode Fuzzy Analitycal Hierarchy Process Pada Penilaian Kinerja Dosen Dalam Aspek Kedisiplinan
Authors: Pamungkas Teguh Sri
Published: August 2020

Upaya untuk meningkatkan kualitas dosen sangat di perlukan sekali, sehingga perlu adanya penilaian kinerja dosen. Hal ini disebabkan dosen sebagai tulang punggung suatu perguruan tinggi diharapkan dapat mentransfer ilmu yang dimilikinya dan mengkondisikan suasana yang kodusif ketika proses perkuliahan.

Sistem pendukung keputusan penilaian kinerja dosen menilai aspek kompetensi. Aspek kompetensi yang dinilai adalah kompetensi kedisiplinan. Kompetensi adalah kombinasi antara pengetahuan, keterampilan dan kepribadian yang dapat meningkatkan kinerja dosen sehingga mampu memberikan kontribusi terhadap kesuksesan universitasnya.

Pengunaan metode Fuzzy Analitycal Hierarchy pada penilaian kinerja dosen telah berhasil menyelesaikan masalah terhadap multikriteria yang belum terstruktur menjadi lebih terstruktur, dimana penilaian kinerja dosen ini dinilai lebih baik daripada perhitungan sistem manual.
Clustering Buku Perpustakaan Program Studi Diluar Domisili UNS Kabupaten Madiun Menggunakan Metode Fuzzy C-Means Clustering
Authors: Khoirunisa Rifa
Published: August 2020

Perpustakaan merupakan salah satu sarana di dalam perguruan tinggi yang digunakan semua civitas akademika untuk mendapatkan pengetahuan, informasi. Di dalam perpustakaan perlu dilakukan penyimpanan dan pemeliharaan yang baik sehingga fungsi perpustakaan dapat dimaksimalkan. Dalam memelihara perpustakaan, diperlukan pembaruan buku yang dapat dilakukan setiap saat maupun secara berkala. Dalam pembaruan buku, tentunya diperlukan data-data pendukung seperti data buku yang banyak di pinjam maupun data buku yang tidak pernah dipinjam. Dalam perpustakaan PDD-UNS saat ini belum ada data yang menunjukkan banyaknya buku yang dipinjam, maka dari itu akan dilakukan penelitian yang akan mengcluster buku berdasarkan data peminjaman di perpustakaan dengan menggunakan metode Fuzzy C-Means Clustering. Jumlah cluster yang digunakan dalah penelitian ini berjumlah 3 dan berhenti pada iterasi ke-3. Hasil dari FCM ini yaitu Cluster ke-1 yaitu jenis buku dengan kategori sistem, teknik komunikasi dan pertanian, kemudian cluster ke-2 yaitu pemrograman komputer dan ilmu teknik dan cluster ke-3 yaitu data dalam sistem komputer, komunikasi komputer, ensiklopedia, matematika dan teknologi kimia.
Hubungan Kausal Antar Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Sistem Informasi Akademik pada Perguruan Tinggi (Studi Kasus pada Perguruan Tinggi Swasta di Jawa Tengah)
Authors: Syujak Ahmad Rois , Rahmadi Ridho , Prayudi Yudi
Published: August 2020

Pemanfaatan teknologi informasi tidak hanya pada pemanfaatan sektor bisnis, tetapi juga sektor publik yang salah satunya adalah lembaga perguruan tinggi melalui Sistem Informasi Akademiknya. Efisiensi dan  efektifitas proses informasi dengan menggunakan sistem informasi hanya akan terjadi apabila teknologi tersebut terjamin kualitas serta keamanannya. Tesis ini merupakan penelitian yang akan membahas tentang hubungan kausal antar faktor–faktor yang merepresentasikan kualitas dan keamanan Sistem Informasi Akademik pada Perguruan Tinggi. Sejumlah 147 responden ikut berpartisipasi dalam penelitian ini. Dalam memodelkan hubungan kausal, penelitian ini menggunakan sebuah metode baru yang bernama Stable Spesification Search for Cross-Sectional Data with Latent Variable (S3C-Latent) (Rahmadi, Groot, & Heskes, 2019). Dari studi ini, peneliti menemukan hubungan asosiasi antara variabel yang arah kausalnya belum dapat ditentukan dari data kuisioner yang telah didapatkan. Sehingga dalam penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa ditemukan adanya hubungan asosiasi yang kuat yang tidak bisa ditentukan arah hubungan kausalnya. Kualitas sistem informasi sebagai variabel inti berhubungan langsung dengan variabel kualitas informasi. Secara tidak langsung variabel kualitas sistem informasi melalui variabel kualitas informasi mempunyai hubungan dengan variabel kepuasan pengguna, yang mana variabel kepuasan pengguna berhubungan langsung dengan dua variabel lainya yaitu variabel keamanan dan variabel penanganan sistem terhadap masalah keamanan. Hubungan-hubungan tersebut secara umum sesuai dengan studi-studi sebelumnya yang relevan.
Uso de sistemas de aeronaves remotamente pilotadas (RPAS) na quantificação de incremento anual em volume de aterro sanitário
Authors: Nascente Jéssika Cristina , Nunes Gustavo Manzon
Published: August 2020

O presente estudo teve por finalidade obter a quantificação do incremento em volume de resíduos sólidos industriais acumulados no período de um ano (entre 2016 e 2017) nas células de deposição do aterro sanitário do Centro de Gerenciamento de Residuais em Cuiabá (CGR Cuiabá). A análise, foi realizada via dados de Sistemas de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (RPAS) multirotores de modelos DJI Phantom 4 e Phantom 4 Pro, que permitiram a realização de missões de voo em agosto de 2016 e agosto de 2017, compatibilizadas com a coleta de pontos de controle e estudo do Relatório de Impacto ao Meio Ambiente (RIMA). Visando à ortorretificação e à obtenção de acurácia planimétrica (x, y) e altimétrica (z), o levantamento de campo utilizou GNSS Geodésico para a aquisição de pontos de controle a partir da instalação de alvos que posteriormente foram corrigidos por sistema pós-processado. A partir dos dados dos RPAS, foram gerados produtos que envolveram a modelagem 3D de alta precisão, onde foi possível realizar a quantificação em volume de cada célula do aterro para cada ano e consequentemente o valor de incremento de resíduos após o período de um ano. Através do processamento da nuvem de pontos densa em 3D e a análise do volume de cada célula para ambos os anos, quantificou-se o incremento de deposição de resíduos no período de um ano sendo igual a 2.727,07 t/mês. Simultaneamente ao processamento dos dados, uma análise documental do histórico do aterro permitiu destacar que os maiores volumes depositados nas células do aterro são referentes aos resíduos de classe II e lodo, e que entre todos os setores industriais que recorrem ao aterro sanitário para deposição final dos seus resíduos, o ramo alimentício é o responsável pelo maior volume depositado. Os resultados deste trabalho sugeriram que mais recursos financeiros poderiam ser investidos para implementar políticas públicas para promover melhores práticas de gestão ambiental proporcionalmente ao surgimento de novas indústrias devido à geração e acúmulo de resíduos, a fim de reduzir e produzir menos impacto ambiental.
Conflitos no uso do solo e sua relação com a conservação ambiental: um estudo de caso
Authors: Lima Camila Aparecida de , Nunes Flávia Peres
Published: August 2020

As intervenções humanas alteram a paisagem natural. Este estudo de caso de uma propriedade rural em uma área de Mata Atlântica em Minas Gerais, Brasil, visa a evidenciar como os conflitos no uso do solo e o uso inadequado dos recursos naturais, não atentando para a legislação ambiental, interferem na conservação. O estudo justifica-se pela importância e necessidade de aliar o desenvolvimento socioeconômico à conservação ambiental. Para tal foi levantada a Legislação aplicável à região e os dados geoespaciais analisados na plataforma IDE-Sisema. Como resultado, foram propostas medidas de recuperação de mata nativa e curso d’água para fins de uso sustentável da propriedade e adequação a legislação ambiental.
Correlação empírica para viscosidade cinemática de biodiesel de fontes diversas e suas misturas com o diesel
Authors: Azevedo Paulo Gabriel Ferreira de , Silva Ivan Costa da , Farias Cláudia Teresa Teles , Cavalcanti Luiz Antonio Pimentel
Published: August 2020

O biodiesel é um combustível oriundo de uma matriz energética renovável e destaca-se como substituto do diesel petrolífero, já que o uso exagerado do último têm gerado consequências ambientais graves. Para o desempenho adequado do motor, o conhecimento das propriedades fluidodinâmicas do combustível é importante, o que torna viável o uso de modelos matemáticos para predição dessas propriedades. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo propor e analisar estatisticamente um modelo para predição da viscosidade cinemática dos biodiesel de algodão (B100-A), soja (B100-S) e sebo bovino (B100-SB), e suas misturas BX nas proporções de 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% e 50% de biodiesel, na faixa de temperatura entre 293,15 K e 363,15 K, com intervalos de 10 K. O modelo foi proposto através da análise dos dados experimentais e os parâmetros do modelo foram obtidos através da aplicação da regressão não linear desses dados, através do aplicativo Curve Fitting, do Matlab. Foram gerados parâmetros distintos para cada tipo de biodiesel, com coeficiente de determinação mínimo de 0,993. Superfícies modeladas que relacionam a viscosidade cinemática em função da temperatura e fração de biodiesel foram plotadas e estudadas. O erro máximo encontrado foi de 1,2338% e se mostrou aceitável frente a resultados de trabalhos semelhantes. As análises de resíduos indicaram que o modelo não se mostrou tendencioso em nenhum caso estudado. O teste de aderência de modelos assegurou a validade estatística do modelo nos três conjuntos de dados avaliados no trabalho. Esses resultados indicam que o modelo proposto mostrou-se satisfatoriamente capaz de predizer os valores da viscosidade cinemática dos biodiesel estudados, no intervalo de temperatura analisado.
Caracterização do perfil de produção e qualidade fisiológica de sementes orgânicas do algodão Gossypium hirsutum L. em Remígio, Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Silva Josenildo Costa , Medeiros Marcos Barros de , Morais Virgínia Maria Magliano , Fernandes Hélder Formiga , Pereira Elizandra Ribeiro de Lima , Silva Edna de Oliveira , Costa Fabiana Xavier , Ferreira Aline Costa
Published: August 2020

A produção agroecológica de culturas de subsistência em comunidades rurais se destaca como a principal fonte de renda das famílias, além de ser uma forma de produção sustentável, não agredindo o meio ambiente. Objetivou-se com essa pesquisa identificar o perfil de produção no Assentamento Queimadas no Município de Remígio, Região Semiárida do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil, através de visitas, palestras e verificar por meio de testes em laboratório a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de algodão branco e marrom oriundas de manejo orgânico de dois lotes distintos. Inicialmente realizou-se uma caracterização do perfil de produção no Assentamento por meio de visitas e palestras com os principais produtores de algodão da Associação comunitária do Assentamento Queimadas. Posteriormente, foram realizadas as análises de qualidade fisiológica das sementes. Para emergência das plântulas foram utilizadas quatro amostras de 50 sementes no substrato areia. Foi realizado o comprimento das plântulas com utilização de régua graduada em milímetro, medindo-se as plântulas inteiras, seguidamente foram colocadas em sacos de papel e levadas para secar em estufa até obtenção de massa constante. O delineamento estatístico empregado foi o DIC (Delineamento inteiramente casualizado) em modelo fatorial 2 x 2 (dois tipos de algodão orgânico, branco e marrom x 2 lotes diferentes). Portanto, o perfil da produção orgânica de algodão em Remígio-PB destaca a agricultura familiar de subsistência, a diversificação de culturas e a sustentabilidade. Com relação à qualidade fisiológica, comprovou-se que as sementes de algodão marrom são menos vigorosas do que as sementes de algodão branco em emergência e vigor, demonstrado em todas as variáveis estudadas: emergência, comprimento e massa seca das plântulas.