bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multilevel and Multiscale Deep Neural Network for Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation
Authors: Samuel Pearl Mary , Veeramalai Thanikaiselvan
Published: July 2019

Retinal blood vessel segmentation influences a lot of blood vessel-related disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, etc. It is found that vessel segmentation using a convolutional neural network (CNN) showed increased accuracy in feature extraction and vessel segmentation compared to the classical segmentation algorithms. CNN does not need any artificial handcrafted features to train the network. In the proposed deep neural network (DNN), a better pre-processing technique and multilevel/multiscale deep supervision (DS) layers are being incorporated for proper segmentation of retinal blood vessels. From the first four layers of the VGG-16 model, multilevel/multiscale deep supervision layers are formed by convolving vessel-specific Gaussian convolutions with two different scale initializations. These layers output the activation maps that are capable to learn vessel-specific features at multiple scales, levels, and depth. Furthermore, the receptive field of these maps is increased to obtain the symmetric feature maps that provide the refined blood vessel probability map. This map is completely free from the optic disc, boundaries, and non-vessel background. The segmented results are tested on Digital Retinal Images for Vessel Extraction (DRIVE), STructured Analysis of the Retina (STARE), High-Resolution Fundus (HRF), and real-world retinal datasets to evaluate its performance. This proposed model achieves better sensitivity values of 0.8282, 0.8979 and 0.8655 in DRIVE, STARE and HRF datasets with acceptable specificity and accuracy performance metrics.
Introduction to the Special Issue “Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Representation”
Authors: Di Maio Paola , Suárez-Figueroa Mari Carmen
Published: July 2019

A guest editorial could have been written when this Special Issue was first announced, to stimulate submissions and guide prospect authors, yet writing it closer to the deadline (together with the deadline extension announcement) makes it possible to highlight recent developments which have happened since [...]
Theory in Emancipative Action: Aligning Action Research in Information Systems Education with Critical Social Research in Information Systems
Authors: Goede Roelien , Taylor Estelle
Published: July 2019

As educators, we want to guide our students so that they develop to the best of their ability and are emancipated. As researchers in education, we often use action research. We use proven theories to guide our intervention to emancipate our students. Or do we? Recently, prominent information systems journals have published few papers in the field of information systems education. We demonstrate that the guidelines for action research from a critical social research perspective in information systems are not evident in action research studies in information systems education. The emancipative goals of pure critical social research and reliance on critical social theory to guide our intervention are lacking in these educational studies. Our aim is to provide alignment between educational action research in information systems and information systems research conducted from a critical social theory perspective. Our methodology is to explicitly propose phases of action research from a critical social research perspective, grounded both in information systems and education literature. Then, we demonstrate the value of this approach in a study on the improvement of a data warehousing module. We conclude that by using proven theories and reflecting on the presuppositions in a problem environment, the researcher is able to guide the development of students and the community.
Venomous Landmines: Clinical Implications of Extreme Coagulotoxic Diversification and Differential Neutralization by Antivenom of Venoms within the Viperid Snake Genus Bitis
Authors: Youngman Nicholas J. , Debono Jordan , Dobson James S. , Zdenek Christina N. , Harris Richard J. , Brouw Bianca op den , Coimbra Francisco C. P. , Naude Arno , Coster Kristian , Sundman Eric , Braun Ralph , Hendrikx Iwan , Fry Bryan G.
Published: July 2019

The genus Bitis comprises 18 species that inhabit Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are responsible for a significant proportion of snakebites in the region. The venoms of the two independent lineages of giant Bitis (B. arietans and again in the common ancestor of the clade consisting of B. gabonica, B. nasicornis, B. parviocula and B. rhinoceros) induce an array of debilitating effects including anticoagulation, hemorrhagic shock and cytotoxicity, whilst the dwarf species B. atropos is known to have strong neurotoxic effects. However, the venom effects of the other species within the genus have not been explored in detail. A series of coagulation assays were implemented to assess the coagulotoxic venom effects of fourteen species within the genus. This study identified procoagulant venom as the ancestral condition, retained only by the basal dwarf species B. worthingtoni, suggesting anticoagulant venom is a derived trait within the Bitis genus and has been secondarily amplified on at least four occasions. A wide range of anticoagulant mechanisms were identified, such as pseudo-procoagulant and destructive activities upon fibrinogen in both giant and dwarf Bitis and the action of inhibiting the prothrombinase complex, which is present in a clade of dwarf Bitis. Antivenom studies revealed that while the procoagulant effects of B. worthingtoni were poorly neutralized, and thus a cause for concern, the differential mechanisms of anticoagulation in other species were all well neutralized. Thus, this study concludes there is a wide range of coagulotoxic mechanisms which have evolved within the Bitis genus and that clinical management strategies are limited for the procoagulant effects of B. worthingtoni, but that anticoagulant effects of other species are readily treated by the South African polyvalent antivenom. These results therefore have direct, real-work implications for the treatment of envenomed patients.
Virulence Characteristics and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Humans in South Africa: 2006–2013
Authors: Karama Musafiri , Cenci-Goga Beniamino T. , Malahlela Mogaugedi , Smith Anthony M. , Keddy Karen H. , El-Ashram Saeed , Kabiru Lawan M. , Kalake Alan
Published: July 2019

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates (N = 38) that were incriminated in human disease from 2006 to 2013 in South Africa were characterized by serotype, virulence-associated genes, antimicrobial resistance and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The isolates belonged to 11 O:H serotypes. STEC O26:H11 (24%) was the most frequent serotype associated with human disease, followed by O111:H8 (16%), O157:H7 (13%) and O117:H7 (13%). The majority of isolates were positive for key virulence-associated genes including stx1 (84%), eaeA (61%), ehxA (68.4%) and espP (55%), but lacked stx2 (29%), katP (42%), etpD (16%), saa (16%) and subA (3%). stx2 positive isolates carried stx2c (26%) and/or stx2d (26%) subtypes. All pathogenicity island encoded virulence marker genes were detected in all (100%) isolates except nleA (47%), nleC (84%) and nleD (76%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 89% of isolates. PFGE revealed 34 profiles with eight distinct clusters that shared ≥80% intra-serotype similarity, regardless of the year of isolation. In conclusion, STEC isolates that were implicated in human disease between 2006 and 2013 in South Africa were mainly non-O157 strains which possessed virulence genes and markers commonly associated with STEC strains that have been incriminated in mild to severe human disease worldwide. Improved STEC monitoring and surveillance programs are needed in South Africa to control and prevent STEC disease in humans.
Reverse Genetics of RNA Viruses: ISA-Based Approach to Control Viral Population Diversity without Modifying Virus Phenotype
Authors: Driouich Jean-Sélim , Moureau Gregory , de Lamballerie Xavier , Nougairède Antoine
Published: July 2019

Reverse genetic systems are essential for the study of RNA viruses. Infectious clones remain the most widely used systems to manipulate viral genomes. Recently, a new PCR-based method called ISA (infectious subgenomic amplicons) has been developed. This approach has resulted in greater genetic diversity of the viral populations than that observed using infectious clone technology. However, for some studies, generation of clonal viral populations is necessary. In this study, we used the tick-borne encephalitis virus as model to demonstrate that utilization of a very high-fidelity, DNA-dependent DNA polymerase during the PCR step of the ISA procedure gives the possibility to reduce the genetic diversity of viral populations. We also concluded that the fidelity of the polymerase is not the only factor influencing this diversity. Studying the impact of genotype modification on virus phenotype is a crucial step for the development of reverse genetic methods. Here, we also demonstrated that the utilization of different PCR polymerases did not affect the phenotype (replicative fitness in cellulo and virulence in vivo) compared to the initial ISA procedure and the use of an infectious clone. In conclusion, we provide here an approach to control the genetic diversity of RNA viruses without modifying their phenotype.
A Protocol for Extraction of Infective Viromes Suitable for Metagenomics Sequencing from Low Volume Fecal Samples
Authors: Deng Ling , Silins Ronalds , Castro-Mejía Josué L. , Kot Witold , Jessen Leon , Thorsen Jonathan , Shah Shiraz , Stokholm Jakob , Bisgaard Hans , Moineau Sylvain , Nielsen Dennis Sandris
Published: July 2019

The human gut microbiome (GM) plays an important role in human health and diseases. However, while substantial progress has been made in understanding the role of bacterial inhabitants of the gut, much less is known regarding the viral component of the GM. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses attacking specific host bacteria and likely play important roles in shaping the GM. Although metagenomic approaches have led to the discoveries of many new viruses, they remain largely uncultured as their hosts have not been identified, which hampers our understanding of their biological roles. Existing protocols for isolation of viromes generally require relatively high input volumes and are generally more focused on extracting nucleic acids of good quality and purity for down-stream analysis, and less on purifying viruses with infective capacity. In this study, we report the development of an efficient protocol requiring low sample input yielding purified viromes containing phages that are still infective, which also are of sufficient purity for genome sequencing. We validated the method through spiking known phages followed by plaque assays, qPCR, and metagenomic sequencing. The protocol should facilitate the process of culturing novel viruses from the gut as well as large scale studies on gut viromes.
Transport via Macropinocytic Vesicles Is Crucial for Productive Infection with Bombyx Mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Huang Jinshan , Li Chenya , Tang Xudong , Liu Lin , Nan Wenbin , Shen Xingjia , Hao Bifang
Published: July 2019

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a serious viral pathogen in the sericulture industry and enters host cells via macropinocytic endocytosis; however, the current understanding of the BmNPV entry mechanism remains limited. To confirm whether direct membrane fusion (DMF) results in productive BmNPV infection, DMF infectivity induced by low pH during BmNPV infection was investigated, and the infectious viral particle was traced using an eGFP-labeled virion. We found that BmNPV infection efficiently induced fluid uptake, which allowed BmNPV to bypass the cell membrane barrier via macropinocytosis. However, DMF induced by a low pH abolished the infection. While low pH is an essential condition for membrane fusion triggering, it is not sufficient for productive BmNPV infection, and DMF results in failure to transport the nucleocapsid into the nucleus. These results indicate that transport via macropinocytic vesicles facilitates BmNPV entry into the nucleus and contribute to our understanding of the BmNPV entry mechanism.
Exploring the Reservoir Hosts of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Michelitsch Anna , Wernike Kerstin , Klaus Christine , Dobler Gerhard , Beer Martin
Published: July 2019

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important arbovirus, which is found across large parts of Eurasia and is considered to be a major health risk for humans. Like any other arbovirus, TBEV relies on complex interactions between vectors, reservoir hosts, and the environment for successful virus circulation. Hard ticks are the vectors for TBEV, transmitting the virus to a variety of animals. The importance of these animals in the lifecycle of TBEV is still up for debate. Large woodland animals seem to have a positive influence on virus circulation by providing a food source for adult ticks; birds are suspected to play a role in virus distribution. Bank voles and yellow-necked mice are often referred to as classical virus reservoirs, but this statement lacks strong evidence supporting their highlighted role. Other small mammals (e.g., insectivores) may also play a crucial role in virus transmission, not to mention the absence of any suspected reservoir host for non-European endemic regions. Theories highlighting the importance of the co-feeding transmission route go as far as naming ticks themselves as the true reservoir for TBEV, and mammalian hosts as a mere bridge for transmission. A deeper insight into the virus reservoir could lead to a better understanding of the development of endemic regions. The spatial distribution of TBEV is constricted to certain areas, forming natural foci that can be restricted to sizes of merely 500 square meters. The limiting factors for their occurrence are largely unknown, but a possible influence of reservoir hosts on the distribution pattern of TBE is discussed. This review aims to give an overview of the multiple factors influencing the TBEV transmission cycle, focusing on the role of virus reservoirs, and highlights the questions that are waiting to be further explored.
A Multi-Hemagglutinin-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay to Serologically Detect Influenza A Virus Infection in Animals
Authors: Okumura Miki , Takenaka-Uema Akiko , Murakami Shin , Horimoto Taisuke
Published: July 2019

Mammals can play a role as an intermediate host in the emergence of mammalian-adapted reassortants or mutants of avian influenza A viruses, with pandemic potential. Therefore, detecting viral infection in animals followed by assessment of the hemagglutinin (HA) subtype of the agent is an indispensable process for risk assessment in pandemic preparedness. In this study, we tested the potential of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a rapid diagnosis method, using a panel of HA subtype antigens. By analyzing reference immune sera, we found that this novel assay could detect HA subtype-specific antibodies without considerable inter-subtypic cross-reactivities, contributing to diagnosis of influenza virus infection.
Pluvial Flooding in Utrecht: On Its Way to a Flood-Proof City
Authors: Brockhoff Romy C. , Koop Steven H. A. , Snel Karin A. W.
Published: July 2019

Downpours are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change. Cities are particularly susceptible to flooding from downpours because of their large share of impervious surfaces. Minimising pluvial flood risk requires all involved stakeholders to collaborate and overcome various barriers. Although an increase in citizen engagement in climate adaptation is generally preferred, experiences with inclusive decision-making are often limited. The aim of this paper is to obtain a deeper understanding of how the capacity to govern pluvial flood risk can be developed through citizen engagement. We scrutinised the capacity of local actors to govern pluvial flood risk in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands. For the analysis of Utrecht’s problem-solving capacity, the Governance Capacity Framework provided a consistent assessment of the key governance components. The results indicate that Utrecht’s capacity to govern pluvial flooding is relatively well-developed. Collaboration between public authorities is advanced, sufficient financial resources are available, and smart monitoring enables high levels of evaluation and learning. However, citizen awareness and engagement in policy making is rather low. Accordingly, citizens’ willingness to pay for flood adaptation is limited. Stimulating flood risk awareness by combining financial incentives with more advanced arrangements for active citizen engagement is key for Utrecht and other cities.
Development of a Contaminant Distribution Model for Water Supply Systems
Authors: Adedoja Oluwaseye S. , Hamam Yskandar , Khalaf Baset , Sadiku Rotimi
Published: July 2019

Water contamination can result in serious health complications and gross socioeconomic implications. Therefore, identifying the source of contamination is of great concern to researchers and water operators, particularly, to avert the unfavorable consequences that can ensue from consuming contaminated water. As part of the effort to address this challenge, this present study proposes a novel contaminant distribution model for water supply systems. The concept of superimposing the contaminant over the hydraulic analysis was used to develop the proposed model. Four water sample networks were used to test the performance of the proposed model. The results obtained displayed the contaminant distributions across the water network at a limited computational time. Apart from being the first in this domain, the significant reduction of computational time achieved by the proposed model is a major contribution to the field.
Effects of Artificial LED Light on the Growth of Three Submerged Macrophyte Species during the Low-Growth Winter Season: Implications for Macrophyte Restoration in Small Eutrophic Lakes
Authors: Xu Chao , Wang Hai-Jun , Yu Qing , Wang Hong-Zhu , Liang Xiao-Min , Liu Miao , Jeppesen Erik
Published: July 2019

Eutrophication of lakes is becoming a global environmental problem, leading to, among other things, rapid reproduction of phytoplankton, increased turbidity, loss of submerged macrophytes, and the recovery of these plants following nutrient loading reduction is often delayed. Artificial light supplement could potentially be a useful method to help speeding up recovery. In this study, three common species of submerged macrophytes, Vallisneria natans, Myriophyllum spicatum and Ceratophyllum demersum, were exposed to three LED light treatments (blue, red and white) and shaded (control) for 100 days (from 10 November 2016 to 18 January 2017) in 12 tanks holding 800 L of water. All the three LED light treatments promoted growth of the three macrophyte species in terms of shoot number, length and dry mass. The three light treatments differed in their effects on the growth of the plants; generally, the red light had the strongest promoting effects, followed by blue and white. The differences in light effects may be caused by the different photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of the lights, as indicated by an observed relationship of PPFD with the growth variables. The three species also responded differently to the light treatments, V. natans and C. demersum showing higher growth than M. spicatum. Our findings demonstrate that artificial light supplement in the low-growth winter season can promote growth and recovery of submerged macrophytes and hence potentially enhance their competitiveness against phytoplankton in the following spring. More studies, however, are needed to elucidate if LED light treatment is a potential restoration method in small lakes, when the growth of submerged macrophytes are delayed following a sufficiently large external nutrient loading reduction for a shift to a clear macrophyte state to have a potential to occur. Our results may also be of relevance when elucidating the role of artificial light from cities on the ecosystem functioning of lakes in urban areas.
The Elusive Quest for Valuation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Services
Authors: Milon J. Walter , Alvarez Sergio
Published: July 2019

Coastal and marine ecosystem (CME) services provide benefits to people through direct goods and services that may be harvested or enjoyed in situ and indirect services that regulate and support biological and geophysical processes now and in the future. In the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of studies and journal articles designed to measure the economic value of the world’s CME services, although there is significantly less published research than for terrestrial ecosystems. This article provides a review of the literature on valuation of CME services along with a discussion of the theoretical and practical challenges that must be overcome to utilize valuation results in CME policy and planning at local, regional, and global scales. The review reveals that significant gaps exist in research and understanding of the broad range of CME services and their economic values. It also raises questions about the validity of aggregating ecosystem services as independent components to determine the value of a biome when there is little understanding of the relationships and feedbacks between ecosystems and the services they produce. Finally, the review indicates that economic valuation of CME services has had a negligible impact on the policy process in four main regions around the world. An alternative direction for CME services research would focus on valuing the world’s CME services in a wealth accounting framework.
Parameters Estimation and Prediction of Water Movement and Solute Transport in Layered, Variably Saturated Soils Using the Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Jiang Zheng , Huang Quanzhong , Li Gendong , Li Guangyong
Published: July 2019

The parameters of water movement and solute transport models are essential for the accurate simulation of soil moisture and salinity, particularly for layered soils in field conditions. Parameter estimation can be achieved using the inverse modeling method. However, this type of method cannot fully consider the uncertainties of measurements, boundary conditions, and parameters, resulting in inaccurate estimations of parameters and predictions of state variables. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is well-suited to data assimilation and parameter prediction in Situations with large numbers of variables and uncertainties. Thus, in this study, the EnKF was used to estimate the parameters of water movement and solute transport in layered, variably saturated soils. Our results indicate that when used in conjunction with the HYDRUS-1D software (University of California Riverside, California, CA, USA) the EnKF effectively estimates parameters and predicts state variables for layered, variably saturated soils. The assimilation of factors such as the initial perturbation and ensemble size significantly affected in the simulated results. A proposed ensemble size range of 50–100 was used when applying the EnKF to the highly nonlinear hydrological models of the present study. Although the simulation results for moisture did not exhibit substantial improvement with the assimilation, the simulation of the salinity was significantly improved through the assimilation of the salinity and relative solutetransport parameters. Reducing the uncertainties in measured data can improve the goodness-of-fit in the application of the EnKF method. Sparse field condition observation data also benefited from the accurate measurement of state variables in the case of EnKF assimilation. However, the application of the EnKF algorithm for layered, variably saturated soils with hydrological models requires further study, because it is a challenging and highly nonlinear problem.
STUDY OF THE SYNERGETIC EFFECT OF ADDITIVE BASED ON CALCIUM HYDROSILICATES AND HYDROALUMINOSILICATES
Authors: Логанина В. , Loganina Valentina , Фролов М. , Frolov Mihail
Published: July 2019

Dry mixes of various functional purposes are widely used in construction works. Modifying additives are introduced into the composition of dry building mixtures to improve various characteristics of finishing compositions and coatings. Foreign companies supply most modifying additives, this significantly increases the cost of production of dry building mixtures. Therefore, the urgent task is to develop domestic modifying additives. The paper proposes the use of modifying additive for the finishing of aerated concrete in calcareous heat-insulating finishing compositions, the mineralogical composition of which is consisted of hydrosilicates and calcium hydroaluminosilicates. The expediency of the adopted two-stage technology for the synthesis of the modifying additive is proved. The synergistic effect of the modifying additive influence based on a mixture of hydrosilicates and calcium hydroaluminosilicates on the structure formation of lime composites is established. It is revealed that the use of modifying additive increases the compressive strength, the water resistance of lime composites and the speed of the set of flexible strength of the lime composition. The modifying additive, the mineralogical composition of which is represented by hydrosilicates and calcium hydroaluminosilicates, is used in the formulation of thermal insulation of dry mixes designed for interior and exterior walls of aerated concrete.
DYNAMICS OF FIVE-AXIS END MILLING PROCESS
Authors: Пономарев Б. , Ponomarev Boris , Нгуен Хьен , Nguyen Hien
Published: July 2019

The article presents the experimental results of the influences of machining conditions and tool orientation on cutting forces during the end milling of free-form surfaces. A series of experiments are carried out on the machining of steel 3 blanks on a five-axis milling machine model HSC 75 linear using 2-flute and 4-flute ball end mills from MITSUBISHI with diameters from 5 mm to 10 mm. The dependency diagrams and graphs of cutting forces and their projections on cutting time are given at different spindle speeds, feeds per tooth, depths of cut, tilt angles and lead angle when using different ball end mills. Based on the results of the analysis of experimental data, the theoretical conclusion about the increase in cutting forces with increasing feed per tooth, cutting depth and spindle speed in relation to the ball end milling process is confirmed. The critical tool positions with respect to the surface, at which cutting forces have maximum values, are revealed. The obtained results allow developing recommendations for the choice of the tool position during end milling of free-form surfaces to reduce loads on the tool
IMPROVEMENT OF METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF LEGAL BASES CONSTRUCTION OF TECHNICAL REGULATION IN THE FIELD OF CONSTRUCTIVE AND SPACE - PLANNING DECISIONS OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Authors: Чечель И. , Chechel' Ivan , Наумов А.Е. , Naumov A.E.
Published: July 2019

The issue of technical regulation in the development of constructive and space-planning decisions for public buildings is considered. The paper’s aim is to analyze the current system of technical regulation in the Russian Federation, to highlight it in the structure of regulatory documents relating to the development of project documentation "constructive and space-planning decisions" of public buildings. The need for such an analysis is determined by the absence of a unified information base of standards, the inconsistency of requirements in the documents of various departments and the lack of rapid updating of databases. Development of constructive and space-planning decisions of the designed public building is a fundamental component of the initial stage of an investment process. Therefore, the regulatory framework is necessary to provide the designer with operational information for the preparation of high-quality project documentation, reducing the number of expert comments to the adopted design decisions, the time frame for updating the design decisions and the investor's subsequent costs of operating the capital construction object. The analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of the system present the authors’ point of view on its further improvement by creating a new model for organizing the structure of the regulatory framework for technical regulation documents of public building, which should include blocks of standards for each type of public buildings
AXIOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL SEARCH
Authors: Горожанкин В. , Gorozhankin Valentin , Семенцов С. , Semencov Sergey
Published: July 2019

The article compares the double coding scheme developed in the theory of postmodernism with the scheme of spectacular communication, borrowed from the field of theater studies. The idea of “critical architecture” has become a prerequisite for the analysis of communicative schemes. The authors interpret it as an interactive movement organized by axiological programs that combine the positions of consciousness, thinking and reflexive control in the genre self-determination, the prescription of theme and style of the architectural work for the purpose of value management of the project search. The authors identify the subject of role disposition, in which the architect emphasizes the dramatic role of the compiler or stylist of the literary text. The method and organizational forms of dispositional thinking, one of which is a critical architecture, rationalizing the design of declarations of artistic directions are considered
INFLUENCE OF CROSS SECTION HEIGHT AND NATURE OF REINFORCING GLUED WOODEN BEAMS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF INTERNAL EFFORT
Authors: Прохоров С. , Prokhorov Sergey
Published: July 2019

The main trends of modern construction is the production and use of light construction structures, which can significantly accelerate the construction of building objects. At the same time, the use of structural and finishing materials that meet modern environmental requirements is important. Structural elements of buildings have dominated for many centuries and have broad prospects for use in modern capital construction: they have high strength and rigidity; they are reliable and durable and have a low installation weight. In particular, in a number of Western countries, high-rise buildings are already being built using a frame made of glued wooden structures. Despite the natural symmetry of coniferous woods structure, its non-standard tracheids are the main reason for the variability of its mechanical properties. In addition, when calculating glued reinforced structures, it is necessary to take into account the so-called "scale effect" when calculating the bent glued wooden elements. The applied methods for the calculation of "low" reinforced beams sometimes give an error in the calculation of "high" beams. In this paper, the definition of a more rational method of calculating the "high" beams with symmetrical reinforcement and comparison of options for reinforcing such beams are performed
A) En droit allemand : « from command and control to flexible steering and return? »
Authors: Reese Moritz
Published: July 2019

This presentation provides a very brief overview of the essential strategies and instruments of German environmental law. In particular, it points out that German law has been very successful in mitigating environmental grievances by a standard oriented command-and-control approach, and also that the effects of more flexible instruments introduced in a later development phase often remained doubtful.
La politique de réutilisation des friches industrielles stimulée par la loi ALUR. Un nouvel encadrement des rapports contractuels portant sur les friches industrielles
Authors: Lafeuille Christine , Steichen Pascale
Published: July 2019

Reuse of contaminated land stimulated by ALUR law.

A new framework of contractual relationships on brownfields. The purpose pursued by the ALUR law legislator is to try to remove the main obstacles to the reuse of contaminated brownfield, clarifying responsibilities, linking the cessation of activity and redeployment of new projects, introducing information on pollution of soils in the local development plan. In doing so, it indirectly confirms the practice by offering so far unprecedented opportunities. The new system tries to revitalize the land market of potentially contaminated lands, offering new opportunities for property developers. It secures the successive transactions by strengthening information on the property and in the same time, it makes their use the heart of the system.
Bien-être animal et commerce international : l’affaire des produits dérivés du phoque devant l’OMC
Authors: Morin Michel
Published: July 2019

L’Union européenne a adopté en 2009 des règles ayant pour effet d’interdire l’importation ou la mise sur le marché des produits dérivés du phoque, à l’exception de ceux provenant de la chasse pratiquée par les Inuits ou en vue de la gestion durable des ressources marines ou encore ceux rapportés par les voyageurs. Le Canada et la Norvège ont introduit à l’OMC une procédure de règlement des différends contre ces règles. Selon le rapport de l’Organe d’appel, adopté par l’Organe de règlement des différends, ces règles ne sont pas compatibles avec les principes de base du GATT. Elles entrent cependant dans l’une des exceptions à ces principes, exceptions permettant à un État de prendre des mesures restrictives au commerce, dans le cas présent celle permettant de prendre des mesures nécessaires à la protection de la moralité publique. Ces règles doivent toutefois être amendées parce que, telles que conçues actuellement, elles constituent un moyen de discrimination arbitraire.
Le 7e programme d’action pour l’environnement de l’Union européenne « Bien vivre, dans les limites de notre planète » : un modèle européen en quête de légitimité
Authors: Chevalier Emilie
Published: July 2019

L’adoption du 7e Programme d’action pour l’environnement intitulé «Bien vivre, dans les limites de notre planète » , marque la volonté de l’Union européenne de contribuer à la mise en place d’une société innovante, durable et résiliente d’ici à 2050. S’inscrivant dans la lignée de la Déclaration Rio + 20, il énonce 9 objectifs prioritaires qui devront guider l’action de l’Union pour la période 2014-2020 et lui permettre de respecter ses engagements internationaux. Or, si l’apport de la législation environnementale de l’Union tant par sa richesse que sa diversité est soulignée, le 7e Programme d’action constate, une fois de plus, son manque d’effectivité, écueil majeur de l’action de l’Union qui invite à approfondir les modalités de sa mise en oeuvre, spécialement au sein des États membres.
Laudato si : l’encyclique du Pape François sur la sauvegarde de la maison commune
Authors: Mesnard André-Hubert
Published: July 2019

Laudato si : The Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home. In the encyclical “ Laudato si” (“ Praise be to you”), the pope “ proposes specially to engage in dialogue with everyone about our common home”. His sources are various and rich. There are firstly predecessors’ interventions since 60’ s. But the Pope Francis’ encyclical is the first which is completely dedicate to ecology, defined as an integral human ecology, in the three relations constituent of each human : relationship to each other, to the earth and God. The principle of common good is inseparable of ecology. It’s an invitation to a transparent and automatic dialogue as well as an invitation to a widespread ecological conversion. We can note important elements for the current negotiations about the Climate Change Conference in Paris.
Критичні технології в оборонній сфері. Новий погляд
Authors: Kupchyn A. V. , Sotnyk V. V.
Published: July 2019

Основну увагу в цій роботі автори акцентують на вирішення суттєвих проблем у сфері розвитку критичних технологій. В статті наведений порівняльний аналіз структурування критичних технологій України, США, Франції, Німеччини та Росії. Пропонується нова структура поділу критичних технологій на три групи: існуючі, новітні та перспективні, що дає можливість зосередити увагу не тільки на перспективних зразках озброєння, а й на критичних проблемах існуючих. Запропоноване також нове трактування терміну «критичні технології», що дає можливість уніфікації поняття. Описаний інший підхід щодо відповідальності за розвиток критичних технологій.
Методика оценки информативности параметров излучения бортовых РЛС летательных аппаратов методом имитационного статистического моделирования
Authors: Nikolaiev I. M. , Kalyuzhnyi N. M. , Khryapkin А. , Kolesnyk V. I.
Published: July 2019

В статье приведена методика оценки информативности параметров излучения бортовых радиолокационных станций (БРЛС) при использовании их в качестве сигнальных признаков для распознавания летательных аппаратов (ЛА) средствами радиоэлектронного наблюдения. Методика основана на методе имитационного статистического моделирования и оценить информативность параметров излучения БРЛС по величине прироста вероятности правильного распознавания ЛА при последовательном добавлении признаков, входящих в априорный словарь. Приведенный априорный словарь сигнальных признаков ЛА, в состав которого входят 12 частотно-временных параметров, обусловленных режимами работы передающих устройств и способами обзора пространства антенной системами БРЛС. Приведенные результаты оценки информативности сигнальных признаков, входящих в состав априорного словаря, в зависимости от ошибок их измерения и вида используемого алгоритма распознавания.
Напрямки підвищення розвідувального потенціалу літаків-розвідників шляхом їх модернізації
Authors: Медведєв Г. , Пономаренко С.
Published: July 2019

В статті розглянуто основні технічні недоліки застарілих літаків-розвідників, проблемні питання їх модернізації, запропоновано типовий склад бортового та наземного цифрового обладнання, використання якого дозволить суттєво підвищити розвідувальний потенціал модернізованих літаків-розвідників.
Some New Kulli-Basava Topological Indices
Authors: Kulli V. R.
Published: July 2019

Recently, Kulli-Basava indices were introduced and studied their mathematical and chemical properties which have good response with mean isomer degeneracy. In this paper, we introduce the modified first and second Kulli-Basava indices, F1-Kulli-Basava index, square Kulli-Basava index of a graph, and compute exact formulas for regular graphs, wheels, gear graphs and helm graphs.
ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF INTENSIVE AND SEMI-INTENSIVE GOAT FARMING SYSTEMS IN DUYENHAI DISTRICT, TRAVINH PROVINCE
Authors: Nguyen Linh Thi Yen , Danh Ut , Nguyen Tien Thi My , Duong Thanh Ngoc
Published: July 2019

This research is conducted to assess the economic efficiency of two farming operations of goats called intensive and semi-intensive in Duyen Hai District, TraVinh Province, thereby finding out the drawbacks of each system and potential solutions towards the sustainability of goat farming in the area. An in-depth interview method was applied (KIP) to inteview two different groups of participants. The first group was leaders of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of TraVinh Province and the second group consisted of 120 household farmers in four communes of Duyen Hai District. Beside, multivariate regression model is also applied in this study. The findings show that both systems offer a great deal of productivity (VND 113.27mil/year/household for semi-intensive farming system and VND 136.11 mil/year/household for intensive farming system). However, in response to climate change, the intensive goat farming operation brings higher level of profits and has a lower environmental impact, especially goat manure is beneficial for crops.
INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL AMONG STUDENTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: A REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Gatawa Mudassir Ibrahim , Yusuf Ibrahim
Published: July 2019

This paper examined issues related to the search for means of improving performance among learners through explaining one of the psychological basis of academic achievement, that is, Locus of Control (LOC) which is a personality variable. The concept and different orientations of LOC were discussed. The issue of age, familial origins and gender with relevance to LOC were discussed. The desirability or otherwise of the internal and external LOC was also discussed. The paper concluded that higher external orientation and higher internal orientation could lead to anxiety and frustration in some instances. Implications for Educational Psychology were raised, which included counselling students to realize their mistakes, so that they don’t attribute their expected failures to the teacher or something else. They should also be counselled not to set unachievable goals that when effort put in place failed, the situation would not result into anxiety and frustration.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESTRUCTURING
Authors: Ibrahim Fati Jalo , Farauta K. G.
Published: July 2019

Increasing awareness of the important of vocational agricultural education has drive various regimes in government and education to embark on several review of agricultural curriculum at both secondary and tertiary institutions and as well as a good and profitable way of life when properly practiced. Unfortunately, in spite of the various efforts by government and other stake holders, it had been widely reported that agriculture in schools had been a failure. Agricultural education and restructuring are the focus of this study and the components for restructuring agricultural education programs are general agricultural education, linkage of agricultural education to the society and small agricultural business management and entrepreneurial training. The study also discussed the need for restructuring agricultural education, objectives of agricultural education, agricultural education/learning, shortfalls in current secondary and tertiary agricultural education, recommendations and suggestions were made in achieving sustainable development through vocational agricultural education.
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ WELFARE: A PREREQUISITE FOR QUALITATIVE PRIMARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
Authors: El-Yakub Shehu Uthman
Published: July 2019

Education is the most important vehicle for progress and overall development of individual in particular and society in general. Yearning for positive development and progress cannot come by without sound primary education background, teacher is the prime mover of education in general without whom, education can hardly be acquired. No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers, this gives important support for teacher on their role in the first place, as educators, implementers of the curriculum content and determinant factors that influence the needed learning outcomes of instruction. Primary school teachers in Nigeria suffer serious neglect in terms of their social welfare especially in the areas of salaries and allowances, in-service training, office accommodation as well as inadequate funding of primary education. The paper also brought the issues on child’s needs for education, universal basic education and suggestions were proffered.
A literatura portuguesa (1890-1910) e a crise finissecular
Authors: Viçoso Vitor
Published: July 2019

O imaginário crepuscular, que afetou sobretudo certas elites culturais europeias no que concerne à civilização ocidental no período designado como “fim-de-século”, teve Paris como o seu principal centro de irradiação e revelou-se na literatura decadentista-simbolista não tendo sido, porém, alheio ao domínio das artes plásticas (tais os casos de Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, Edvard Munch, Puvis de Chavannes, JamesEnsor, entre outros), ou mesmo ao da música (Claude Debussy, Erik Satie ou Richard Strauss, por exemplo).
Literatura marginal/periférica e hip-hop: um olhar sobre a voz poética de Zinho Trindade
Authors: Eble Laeticia Jensen
Published: July 2019

Em um texto intitulado O herói anti-herói e o anti-herói anônimo, que escreveu em 1968, Hélio Oiticica justifica a criação de uma série dos bólides-caixa, que produziu entre 1965 e 1966, inspirado pela famosa história de perseguição ao bandido Cara de Cavalo. Entre outras atividades, Cara de Cavalo gerenciava o jogo do bicho no Rio de Janeiro. Em uma emboscada da polícia, em meio a um tiroteio, conseguiu escapar, mas matou o detetive Le Cocq, que integrava o Esquadrão da Morte. Após esseevento, toda a polícia e a imprensa do Rio de Janeiro mobilizaram-se em perseguição a Cara de Cavalo, que virou inimigo no 1 da cidade. Após cerca de um mês, e depois de inocentes terem sido mortos ao serem confundidos com o bandido, Cara de Cavalo foi encontrado em 3 de outubro de 1964, e morto com mais de 120 tiros.
Grogotó!, de Evandro Affonso Ferreira: como narrar a cidade com palavras sonoras?
Authors: De Sá André Corrêa
Published: July 2019

Até aos quarenta e cinco anos, Evandro Affonso Ferreira (1945) não lia livros, não escrevia, não pensava em ler livros, nem pensava sequer em escrevê-los. Quando sofreu um enfarte do miocárdio e passou um mês internado a escutar os passos das parcas nos corredores, deu-se conta tanto do vazio sem ambições em que perdera a vida, como da reperfusão anímica que viria a ser indispensável para sobreviver às trêssafenas obstruídas. Grogotó! quer dizer «agora é tarde, acabou-se!» e esse urro ininteligível é o sulco por onde o oxigénio vai novamente fluir.
Correspondência (1943-1977) - Jorge de Sena e João Gaspar Simões
Authors: Teixeira Ramiro
Published: July 2019

Confesso que a publicação desta correspondência, com um estudo introdutório, organização e notas de Filipe Delfim Santos, me motivou particularmente dado que tive Simões por meu mestre iniciático na crítica literária. Podemos hoje discutir a valia dos seus romances, que muitos foram, do seu teatro,porventura o teor das suas resenhas críticas, que era uma atividade de todo inconsistente até ele a assumir de corpo inteiro. Mas não podemos desconhecer que foi alguém na literatura.
Literatura: uma forma superior de conhecimento
Authors: De Faria Maria Lucia Guimarães
Published: July 2019

A literatura é uma forma superior de conhecimento. Muito mais do que imitação da vida ou da natureza, muito mais do que representação de acontecimentos ou fatos, a literatura é criação de realidade, abertura incessante de novos caminhos civilizatórios, de modos de vida, de sendas de acesso ao real. A literatura é o espaço privilegiado da multidisciplinaridade. Aqui, a multidisciplinaridade não é uma sobredeterminação, que vem ter a ela posteriormente, mas uma condição inerente e essencial. A literatura nasce de um impulso de multiplicidade, intrinsicamente aberta à potência metamórfica da criação. As correlações interdisciplinares que normalmente se estabelecem e as interações com outras artes -- Literatura e Música, Literatura e Cinema, Literatura e Pintura etc. -- já são produto desta pujança inata da literatura, que é o seu dom de diálogo e a sua dotação como centro de coalescência de forças originais.
Nota Editorial
Authors: Ruas Luci
Published: July 2019

Mantendo a proposta que a definiu desde a publicação de seu primeiro número, a revista Metamorfoses 14.1 dedica suas páginas a estudos das literaturas de língua portuguesa. Sempre foi seu propósito divulgar estudos críticos de pesquisadores brasileiros e estrangeiros que se dedicam à pesquisa nas Literaturas Portuguesa, Brasileira e Africanas de Língua Portuguesa, cumprindo, de forma bem-sucedida, os objetivos da Cátedra Jorge de Sena para estudos luso-afro-brasileiros.