bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
METHODOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA WITH REGARD TO INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Authors: Kuzhanova Natalya , Klets Tatyana
Published: June 2017

In 2004 the European Economic Commission developed the Strategy of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The aim of the strategy is the promotion of education for sustainable development and its inclusion in the system of formal and informal education. The authors propose the measures for the acceleration of ESD distribution at the international level because international cooperation in education can be considered as a contribution of countries to the implementation of global transition to sustainable development. The authors’ concept of the phenomenon of ecological consciousness and the conditions of its formation are considered. The main problems of ESD efficiency are defined and criteria for its evaluation are offered. Integral features of the personality as an indispensable component of ESD are described.
REGIONAL COOPERATION IN DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. E-GOVERNMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ANDEAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Aniscenko Zanna , Robalino-López Andrés , Escobar Rodrígue Tomás , Escobar Pérez Bernabé
Published: June 2017

E-government for Sustainable Development is one of international cooperation strategy in dealing with environmental protection and ecological problems through enhanced citizen participation, better access and quality of services in order to achieve Green Governments. In this context, some countries are supported by international assistance to achieve this goal with benchmarking and benchlearning approaches. This research contributes to explain the relationship between improvements in governance influences in economic, social and environmental development and how such regional cooperation on the development of national information and communication technology (ICT) strategies and programs is related to E-government and Sustainable Development. This comparative study of Andean countries takes a Rational Neo-institutionalist perspective to look at longitudinal changes in these developing countries. Quantitative data such as E-government index is combined with qualitative information from reports and documents in order to empirically examine effects of e-government on sustainable development in these countries. The findings show that the strategies adopted by Ecuador have significantly contributed to its location within the references in progress of E-government and Sustainable Development in the region. The research suggests that E-government development has positive effects on better governance and sustainable development of Andeans countries. Advancement on E-government is not only a trait of developed countries but also serves as an enabler for sustainable development of developing countries.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION IN LATVIAN MUNICIPAL NEWSLETTERS
Authors: Bucholtz Ianis
Published: June 2017

The present study reviews environment-related articles in official newsletters issued by municipalities in Latvia. It evaluates the themes and contents associated with environment in order to evaluate the performance of newsletters as providers of relevant information to the population. Official publications of four Latvian municipalities—Mazsalaca, Jūrmala, Krāslava, and Kandava—were analyzed. Common themes included nature and its protection, history of the place, social and cultural events, quality of life and performance of the municipality. A widespread approach of engaging the local population is to hold contests and competitions. However, it is uncertain if the response rate help raising the civic participation level significantly. The official newsletters are willing to publish environment-related public relations materials prepared by other institutions of companies, without exhibiting consistent editorial policy of their own. The implications of the continued publication of these newsletters as competitors to the regional independent newspapers are also discussed.
NATURE PARK AS A RESOURCE FOR NATURE BASED TOURISM
Authors: Livina Agita , Reddy Mahender
Published: June 2017

The aim of this comparative article is to show the differences between the visitors' purposes and habits in two national parks: Gauja National Park (GNP) in Latvia and Kasu Bramhananda Reddy National Park (KBR) in Hyderabad, Telangana in India. As well as that, the article aims at highlighting differences in the functional use of the national parks and their locations in the urban and rural context. The study has used the secondary data analysis, such as the analysis and overview of the literature, previously conducted studies and information sources, visitors’ surveys in the national parks, and the exploration of the park areas for the evaluation of tourism infrastructure. The results of the study show distinct differences in the national park functions, target groups and their needs. The main target group in KBR is local inhabitants of the million city, and the national park basically fulfils the function of a city park –it is a green area for passive and active (jogging) leisure rather than a nature tourism offer. GNP has three target groups: the local population for a healthy leisure time, domestic visitors and foreign visitors for nature and cultural purposes. Thus, KBR status as a national park is misleading for the international traveller. In the future research it is planned to compare GNP with a national park in India which is located outside the urban environment, carrying out an in-depth study of visitors’ opinion on the purpose and elements of infrastructure.
STUDY ON THE ADSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF CONGO RED BY SYCAMORE BARK ACTIVATED CARBON
Authors: Cong Li , Feng Lingling , Wei Xinlai , Jin Jie , Wu Ke
Published: June 2017

The activated carbon was prepared from sycamore bark by activation of zinc chloride. The absorbing effect of activated carbon on Congo red wastewater is studied. The characteristics of sycamore bark activated carbon were characterized by SEM and BET. The effects of adsorbent dosage, time, and shaking speed on the adsorption properties of Congo red by sycamore bark activated carbon were studied. The isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamics of adsorption were explored. The results revealed that the activated carbon contain a large apparent mesopores. Adsorption efficiency was increased with enhancing the adsorption dosage and time. The removal rate of Conge red reached to 98.2% under room temperature with adsorbent dosage of 3.0 g/L, adsorption time of 120 min, shaking speed of 60r/min. The adsorption of Congo red on sycamore bark activated carbon was followed Langmuir isotherm model and Lagergren pseudo-second order kinetics model. The adsorption was spontaneous, endothermic, and the entropy was increasing in the adsorption process.
SNOW MICROWAVE REFLECTION AT MOBILE PHONE FREQUENCY BANDS
Authors: Koppel Tarmo , Vilcane Inese , Tint Piia , Shiskin Andrei
Published: June 2017

Snow should be accounted in electromagnetic fields' risk assessment, especially in Nordic countries where in winter months snow precipitation and coverage may significantly affect the propagation of microwaves. The risk assessment should be always carried out under worst case scenario conditions, including the reflective properties of the surfaces surrounding the antenna. In this study fresh snow microwave reflectance properties were investigated at the mobile communication bands from 1700 to 2700 MHz.The investigation revealed that reflection loss from snow is more dependent from the frequency than from the thickness of snow coverage. Amongst mobile communication bands, the strongest microwave reflection (reflection loss only 3.2dB) was registered at WiFi2G band. Averaging all the snow thicknesses, the highest reflection loss occurs at GSM1800UL (1710-1785 MHz) and UMTS2100DL (2110-2170 MHz) bands. The least attenuation of reflection occurs in adjacent DECT band.
MELTING TEMPERATURE BEHAVIOR OF DIFFERENT ENERGY CROP ASHES
Authors: Būmane Skaidrīte , Poiša Liena , Adamovičs Aleksandrs , Platače Rasma , Čubars Edgars
Published: June 2017

For solid fuels ash melting temperature is recommended to be higher than 1000°C, so that it can be used in automated furnaces; therefore-promising energy crops are investigated as renewable energy source. This paper presents the results of tests on melting temperature of different energy crop ashes.The field trial was carried out in the study farm of the Latvia University of Agriculture "Pēterlauki" (56°53'N, 23°71'E) in the sod calcareous soils characterized by pH KCl 6.7, P 52 mg kg-1, K 128 mg kg-1, organic matter content from 21 to 25 g kg-1 in the soil. Energy crops analysed: reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), birch (Betula pendula Roth.), osier (Salix spp.), grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench), poplar (Populus tremula L.), hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloides x Populus tremula). Results indicate that the ash melting temperature (D, St, Ht, Ft) for the wood energy crops were higher than for the studied grass energy crops and their mixture. Ash melting temperature in all phases over 1200°C was observed for such poplar and hybrid aspen mixture proportions: 3 parts of wood and 1 part of reed canary grass, or 1 part of wood and 1 part of reed canary grass.
ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT. DECOMPOSITION ANALYSIS OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION RELATED TO CO2 EMISSIONS IN ECUADOR
Authors: Robalino-López Andrés , Aniscenko Zanna
Published: June 2017

Decomposition Analysis (DA) is widely applied in understanding changes of economical, technological, environmental, and different indicators as energy consumption, employment and other socio-economic indicators. This work discusses the DA methodology and is applied within Ecuadorian case. We present the used technique, the applied mathematical methodology and the construction of an appropriate identity to measure the change of CO2 emission in Ecuador during the period of 1980-2025. Change is measured in both macro and disaggregated sectorial level. Specific aspects related to the application of DA to both the historical period (1980-2010) and in medium term prevision (2011-2025) for four proposed macro scenarios are discussed. The findings show that the evolution of the BS scenario, which implies a trend-growth GDP scenario, is almost a flat curve, however the CO2 emission increases steadily because of the absence of attenuation measurements. A similar behavior, although slightly sloping down, is observed for SC-2 scenario, where a rapid growth of the GDP is assumed without any attenuation action regarding to CO2 emissions. The other two scenarios, SC-3 and SC-4 show a steady reduction of the Dtot = Dact ratio due to the changes in the sectorial structure and in the energy mix, which allows compensation of rapid GDP growth. This analysis suggests that, with the appropriate changes in the energy mix, the sectorial structure, and the share of renewable energies, Ecuador can move into a more environmentally sustainable state.
PROMOTING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRODUCT
Authors: Zhivitere Marga , Riashchenko Viktoriia
Published: June 2017

The object of the research are the social entrepreneurs and its business development. The aim of the research is to discuss existing marketing strategies applied to social entrepreneurship and to offer possible ways of their improvement. The research is relevant and consistent with the increasing role of social entrepreneurship taking the full power throe the fast changing political, economic, socio cultural and technological circumstances of the 21st century. While marketing the social entrepreneurship, the focus on marketing strategies must be revised. The research methodology includes both traditional and modern elements of marketing, such as marketing mix, strategies, customer segmentation and targeting, pricing altogether with the main elements of social entrepreneurship, such as social and economic aspects.

The results present thet in standard marketing strategies, the strategy for social entrepreneurs should include segmentation of the customers and consumers by taking into consideration standard criteria (such as geographical, demographical, psychographic and behavior segmentation) but also implementing own criteria most adequate for the products they are currently interested to produce. It is important which factors are significant enough to take decisions of expansion, harvest or liquidation of products.
ASSESSMENT OF ECOLOGICAL STATE OF THE VELIKAYA RIVER DELTA BASED ON HYDROCHEMICAL INDICATORS AND STRUCTURE OF PHYTOPLANKTON
Authors: Drozdenko Tatiana , Mikhalap Sergei , Nikolskaya Larisa , Chernova Anna
Published: June 2017

The basis of the existence of freshwater ecosystems is phytoplankton, which produces most of the primary biological production, participates in repair processes and provides a wide range of ecosystem services. The short life cycle and high speed metabolism of microalgae make them ideal objects for ecological monitoring.

The aim of the present study is to research the ecological state of the Velikaya river delta based on the species composition of phytoplankton community and some hydrochemical parameters.

The sample collection for phytoplankton study and physicochemical measurements was carried out in summer 2016 at five stations representing different ecological locations of the Velikaya river delta.

One hundred sixty five species taxa of microalgae belonging to 8 phylums were identified during the research: Bacillariophyta (37%), Chlorophyta (33.9%), Cyanophyta/Cyanobacteria (9.7%), Chrysophyta (6.1%), Euglenophyta (6.1%), Cryptophyta (3%), Dinophyta (3%), Xanthophyta (1.2%).

The values of Shannon index indicate the average complexity of the microalgae communities structure. Values of Margalef index characterize the Velikaya river delta as an area of high species richness. Compared to the previous studies, a significant increase in the level of information diversity is observed, indicating an increase in the number of possible flows of substance and energy in the ecosystem. Dynamics of biogen substances in the water shows a slight increase of their concentrations.

Ecological and geographical analysis proves that absolute dominance of cosmopolitan freshwater forms is typical for the algoflora of the Velikaya river delta. In relation to the pH-reaction inhabitants of neutral and slightly alkaline water dominate. Pantle–Buck saprobity index is applied for water quality assessment, which shows beta-mesosaprobic water quality in the ecosystem. Thus, the water of the Velikaya river delta could be referred to the category of moderately polluted water (class II of water quality). This is confirmed by the data of hydrochemical analysis.
ON THE FORMATION OF STUDENT’S E-PORTFOLIO
Authors: Medvedeva Irina , Martynyuk Oxana , Pan’kova Svetlana , Solovyova Irina
Published: June 2017

Student-oriented approach in education has received a comprehensive description in numerous works of Russian and foreign researchers and continues to evolve rapidly. The implementation of student-oriented approach, the information and methodological support of students throughout the training period are the most effective when used of electronic information-educational environment of high school. The purpose of this article is to analyze the possibilities of using electronic information-educational university environment of university for the formation of an e-portfolio of achievements. The following methods were used during the research: analysis of the scientific literature on the issue of research, experimental teaching, questioning. Long-term researches in the field of quality and competence-oriented approach to education, which are conducted by the authors, allowed to develop and test two approaches to the formation of a student’s e-portfolio: by learning outcomes or by type of activity. This paper will present the structure of student’s e-portfolio, a brief description of its elements, as well as experience of creating e-portfolios by students of the Pskov State University. We share the view that the e-portfolio is an expression of qualitative and multi-level assessment of competencies, measuring individual progress of students, self-presentation for employers. The formation of an e-portfolio contributes to the implementation of student-oriented approach, it’s an important element of the competence-oriented approach to education. Electronic information-educational university environment of university allows to realize all this.
IT RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
Authors: Podziņš Oskars , Romānovs Andrejs
Published: June 2017

There are numerous methods for risk identification and risk assessment phases. Which for risk identification includes historical and systematic approach and inductive or theoretical analysis. One of the main reasons why risk identification is very helpful is that it provides justification in many cases for any large IT investment and other large undertakings. Without it organization probably wouldn’t be able to come to conclusion. Also in this phase business recognize the threats, vulnerabilities, and assets associated with its IT systems. Together with risk assessment phase risk management specialist is responsible for determining asset value, what's the value of the asset business is protecting, and risk acceptance level.

Risk assessment on the other hand examines impact or consequence, as well as examines and evaluates the likelihood or probability of that adverse event happening. Risk assessment includes methods like Bayesian analysis, Bow Tie Analysis, brainstorming or structured interviews, business impact analysis, cause and consequence, cause-and-effect analysis, Delphi method, event tree analysis, fault tree analysis, hazard analysis, hazard and operational studies, and finally structured what if technique or SWIFT process. Risk assessment has two distinctive assessment types- quantitative and qualitative assessment. Quantitative assessment tries to put a monetary value on all risks. Qualitative assessment on the other hand rather look at it from a range of values like low, medium, high. The results of these phases are going to be documented in the risk assessment report and reported to senior management.
ANALYSIS AND SELECTION OF WEB SERVICE TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Boltunova Viktorija , Prokofyeva Natalya
Published: June 2017

The main objective of this article is to provide insights on how applications can interact with each other on the Web using Web services. The article is devoted to Web services and their basics, as well as to technologies such as REST-compliant (RESTful) and arbitrary (XML, SOAP, WSDL, UDDI, XML-RPC) that are used to implement them.
RESEARCH OF GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING E-STUDY MATERIALS
Authors: Mackare Kristīne , Jansone Anita
Published: June 2017

E-study use is increasing; its main content is information for self-education and it is delivered to the user through modern technologies that provide greater opportunities. In order to reach the user, information must be presented in a comprehensible and easy to remember way. The article focuses on the recommended ways of information presentation in e-studies, so that it would be possible to perceive and memorize information more efficiently, it also focuses on technologies that could help in building and analysing ways of presentation. There are analysed several technology products and presented various examples. The authors offer recommendation Guidelines for development and presentation of e-study materials, their assessment and presentation considering user needs and requirements of research, as well as literature study research, and, also, based on the foundations of visual science. The focus for the development of Guidelines was particularly on the visual function importance in the reading and learning process, as clear and stable text perception primarily is provided by near visual functions. In a structured manner, there are recommendations presented for a user-friendly e-study material design - style, size, spacing, position, colour - which should be applied for easy perception with visual processes, thus helping the learning process and facilitating memorization.

As nowadays there is a growing need for teaching methods and learning environment that is user-oriented, guidance specifics may be different for each of the e-study targeting groups that are divided primarily into three groups: children, adults, and seniors because each group has a different needs, requirements, and visual perception, as well as it is necessary to consider other features of the user which may differ from the standard and affect efficiency of recommendations. This work deals with part of the target group – adults (16-38).
CUSTOMER BEHAVIOUR DOING ONLINE SHOPPING: LATVIA’S CASE
Authors: Litavniece Lienīte , Znotiņa Daina
Published: June 2017

E-commerce is important branch in economics and it is the fastest growing retail market, expected to reach more than 250 billion EUR in 2017. Sucessfull online business make impact on customer behaviour.  The aim of the article is to research customer behaviour doing online shopping. This article contain the analyse of theoretical approaches to consumer behaviour and analyse of customer survey results  to find out  the  Latvia’s customer behaviour doing online shopping .
GOLD - SECTION IN INTERACTIVE USER INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Žaimis Uldis , Magazeina Ilva , Jansone Anita
Published: June 2017

The days when only specialists worked with programs and the functionality was the most important have long passed. In today's competitive environment, an important marketing component is reliability in which the only tangible part of the program, the interface, plays a large role. Purely psychological, it is important for the users' visibility, correctness and can even be argued, friendliness. This is determined by the elements of visibility and components' location in intuitively expected places, design integrity, tone and choice of characteristic elements which, together, create a feeling of sympathy or antipathy from the software user. Regularities, which ultimately determine the user's subconscious reactions, are found in natural formations - from the most basic proportions of plants to more sophisticated self-arranged compositions.

The harmony of the structures of natural systems, that is, their internal organization, is subject to certain mathematical laws. Objective world stable stationary states corresponding to particular figures, called generalized Golen Ratios. These figures are all the structure of the invariant, which are embodied by the dialectic structure of the world and the different variations that can be observed at every step of nature. It is important to note that with the generalized Golden Ratio, not only is the well-known ratio of 1:1,618 understood, but a whole line of relationships, where like in music, a single major or minor note can be played, and another can stand out from the whole ensemble.

The main applications of the Goden Ratio in interface design are space division, caption-font size ratios, restrictive areas (buttons), title queue length, color tone saturation ratio, and cell location coordinates.

In this paper, we propose certain recomendations for the development of a user - friendly interface. These recommendations suggest uses in the software developer training process for non-design specialty students; target group - programmers, computer specialists, and IT project managers. The article does not address the development of graphic design tools and their functionality.
DYNAMIC SIMULATION MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPALITY DEVELOPMENT IN VIDZEME REGION, LATVIA
Authors: Andersons Aigars , Rozentale Sarmite
Published: June 2017

Authors in this research paper publish the results of system dynamic simulation modelling in the field of sustainable development planning, monitoring and evaluation for all 26 Latvia Vidzeme region municipalities. As the most notable research outcome, authors created original socio-technical system dynamic simulation model in STELLA modelling environment valid for sustainable development evaluation purposes. After successful verification and validation process of this model authors reached the significant results for improved methodology of dynamic systems evaluation process reliability of sustainable development in Vidzeme region municipalities. Methodology, proposed by authors roots into the quantitative statistical data analysis and system dynamic process simulation modelling.
INTELLIGENT METHODS FOR ATTESTATION OF SCIENTIFIC AND TEACHING STAFF. RASCH MODEL
Authors: Vasileva Margarita , Lambeva Milena
Published: June 2017

Introduced in many universities quality management systems suggest the development of appropriate technologies for the assessment of learning results. Unfortunately, some of the real tasks remain outside the scope of the systems due to complexity, non-formalization, unawareness or lack of adequate mathematical models, software and more. Such is the task of attestation of the research and teaching staff, which is being periodically solved in universities. The work proposed model for the formalization of the problem of attestation of scientific and pedagogical staff, based on an adapted version of the one-parameter Rasch model for dichotomic data. The model allows software implementation and help to reduce the subjectivism in evaluating the performance of teachers in universities.
COMPETENCE AS A FACTOR OF EMOTIONAL CAPITAL
Authors: Ivanova Irina , Sceulovs Deniss
Published: June 2017

Use of modern knowledge and technologies determines market development which grows with high rates. Today's business environment cause changes that affect the formation of the modern technologies, including business models, which generates changes not only the competencies, but I soft skills, including emotional capital, as a factor influencing the development of modern companies. Article investigates configuration during company growth process. Researching relevance and justification, the purpose of work is conception of factors, which positively influenced development of the entity, organization developments influencing on the productive direction.

The aim of the article is to provide the competence concept and its components to identify interrelationship with knowledge and skills which is related to emotional intelligence as a part of emotional capital . And as the result, the emotional equity as element of competence, acting as the regulator, carries out a role of positive feedback within strategic management.
INVESTIGATIONS OF ELECTRIC POWER QUALITY IN AUTONOMOUS LOW POWER PLANT
Authors: Khitrov Andrei , Khitrov Alexander , Veselkov Evgeny , Tikhonov Vyacheslav
Published: June 2017

Autonomous low power electric power plants working with variable speed energy sources or electric subsystems of cogeneration plants of some type need to increase the low speed or the low voltage of the system. In this paper the investigations and the results of the experiments conducted using different structures are given.
OPTIMIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM IN HEFEI CITY OF CHINA
Authors: Hu Shouchuang , Chen Jun , Wu Ke , Zhou Zhongkai , Cheng Tingting , Wu Dongbiao
Published: June 2017

The refuse collection spot is the central part in the municipal solid waste collecting system. The wrong collecting way would lead to environmental problem and disturb the life of citizens. With the demand of source separation in China, the waste collecting sites need to be improved. Nowadays there have three different types of wastes collecting in Hefei, capital city in Anhui province, China. The advantages and disadvantages of such waste collection system were compared and discussed. The suggestions were put forward. Concerning about special example for agricultural market waste collection, taking Hefei Wanguo market as a sample, the research was made to optimize the present collection system. Compared with traditional waste collecting sites, the results showed the agricultural market waste collecting sites were better in both environmental and social efficiency.
CASE STUDY OF STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY OF EXISTING BUILDING
Authors: Drukis Peteris , Gaile Līga , Goremikins Vadims
Published: June 2017

– Structural reliability of buildings has become an important issue after the collapse of a shopping centre in Riga 21.11.2013, caused the death of 54 people. The reliability of a building is the practice of designing, constructing, operating, maintaining and removing buildings in ways that ensure maintained health, ward suffered injuries or death due to use of the building. Evaluation and improvement of existing buildings is becoming more and more important.

For a large part of existing buildings, the design life has been reached or will be reached in the near future. The structures of these buildings need to be reassessed in order to find out whether the safety requirements are met. The safety requirements provided by the Eurocodes are a starting point for the assessment of safety. However, it would be uneconomical to require all existing buildings and structures to comply fully with these new codes and corresponding safety levels, therefore the assessment of existing buildings differs with each design situation. This case study describes the simple and practical procedure of determination of minimal reliability index β of existing steel structures designed by different codes than Eurocodes and allows to reassess the actual safety level of different structural elements of existing buildings under design load.
USING DYNAMIC PRE-ACTIVATION OF STEEL SURFACES FOR NITRIDING INTENSIFICATION
Authors: Usherenko Yulia , Usherenko Sergei , Dashkevich Vladimir , Yazdani Javad
Published: June 2017

The article considers the possibility of pre-activation of the steel surface before nitriding. A complex dynamic method of material activation with a high-speed flow of powder particles (super deep penetration) was used. To exclude the influence of alloying elements, low-carbon steel (2% wt. C) was chosen as the initial material. Powders of NaF (> 250 μm) and Pb (
AERATED CONCRETE MICROWAVE REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION PROPERTIES IN A WET ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Koppel Tarmo , Vilcane Inese , Mironov Viktor , Shiskin Andrei , Rubene Sanita , Tint Piia
Published: June 2017

Excess water content within the building material could greatly alter the interaction of the microwave with the material. In this study aerated concrete (AEROC) block walls (60x60cm) were investigated for their microwave (2.4 GHz) properties under wetting conditions. The spray wetting of the wall was conducted to simulate the environmental processes such as raining or water damage. 50ml/m² water dosage was applied on the surface of the concrete 21 times in 1 min intervals. The results show a noticeable decrease in microwave penetration power through the material after the sample gets enriched with water. As the water content on the surface of the material rises, so does the transmission loss. During the different water content of the aerated concrete, the reflection loss varied from -15.04 dB (dry wall) to -5.03 dB (wet wall’s surface). The transmission loss continues to rise during the entire length of the experiment, from -4.5 dB as a dry sample to -8.3 dB after 441 ml (1035 ml/m² during 23 min) of sprayed water. The variation of reflected microwave power was approximately ten times, which is quite a significant indicator of alteration of microwave propagation. The results demonstrate wetting process as an considerable factor in assessing microwave propagation in near the sources, such as mobile phone base station antennas, industrial microwave heaters and ovens etc.
CAPACITANCE REDUCTION USING RIPPLE SUPPRESSION CONTROL OF SINGLE PHASE ENERGY STORED QUASI-Z-SOURCE INVERTER
Authors: Kroics Kaspars , Zakis Janis , Husev Oleksander
Published: June 2017

The energy stored Quasi-Z-source Inverter (qZSI) allows integrate energy storage in addition to the other energy source mainly for output power smoothening. Single phase inverter suffers from double-frequency power ripple in the input side and also in the energy storage that is transferred there from the ac-side. In qZSI must be used large electrolytic dc capacitors in the impedance network to suppress this 100 Hz ripple. Also to suppress this ripple can be applied two types of power decoupling: passive power decoupling and active power decoupling. In this paper is analyzed passive power decoupling that is realized by means of the modified control strategy that produces the time-varying shoot-though duty cycle to mitigate power ripple without deteriorating of the output power quality. The validity of proposed control strategy was confirmed by simulation results that were obtained in PSIM software.
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND FROST RESISTANCE OF FOAMED CONCRETE WITH POROUS AGGREGATE
Authors: Namsone Eva , Sahmenko Genadijs , Namsone Elvija , Korjakins Aleksandrs
Published: June 2017

The paper reports a study, which was carried out to examine thermal and frost resistance properties of foamed concrete (FC) with porous aggregate (expanded glass (EG) granules and cenospheres). By adding lightweight and porous aggregate to the FC mixture, it is possible to improve important physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the prepared FC specimens. In the framework of this study the coefficient of thermal conductivity and frost resistance of hardened FC samples were determined. The structure of FC matrix and used aggregates were characterised by using a method of optical microscopy.
Nonlinear numerical modelling of basalt rebar reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Šliseris Janis , Gaile Līga , Pakrastiņš Leonids , Rocēns Kārlis
Published: June 2017

The ever increasing tendency of more complex architecture and increasing use of basalt fibers in concrete, mainly due to corrosion resistance, requires a suitable, accurate and computationally efficient numerical method for modelling of mechanical behavior. A novel numerical modelling methodology for basalt fiber reinforced concrete structures is proposed. In this paper, the main focus is on modelling concrete beams with basalt longitudinal rebars and steel shear rebars. The proposed method is based on two step simulation method. On the first step a database of flexural stiffness depending on stress-strain state is created using non-linear simulations with continuum finite elements. The database of flexural stiffness is used in second step by performing nonlinear beam finite element simulation of frame structures. The numerical method showed good agreement with experimental results. The use of pre-computed database of flexural stiffness significantly accelerate non-linear simulations and whole building can analyzed by taking into account material non-linearity.
INFLUENCE OF DEFOCUS POSITION ON LASER CUTTING PROCESS IN SHEET STEEL
Authors: Lazov Lyubomir , Deneva Hristina , Teirumnieka Erika
Published: June 2017

Some researches about influence of defocus position to carry out laser cutting technological process through melting when producing lamellae for electric motors are presented here. Experimental series at defocus position Δf in the range – 3, 5 mm to + 3, 5 mm with two grade electrical steels M250-35A and M530-50A are described, too. The experiments are performed with a technological laser system TruLaser 1030. Functional dependencies of cutting width from defocus position b = b (Δf) have been shown. Theoretical relationships connected to the change of impact on a unit of area working spot over power density qs of the laser radiation and interaction time tproz (respectively cutting speed v), are examined too
STRUCTURE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF HYBRID METAL-DIELECTRIC COLLOIDAL PHOTONIC CRYSTALS
Authors: Cvetkov A. V. , Gerbreders V. I. , Khanin S. D. , Lukin A. E. , Ogurcovs A. S. , Romanov S. G. , Solovyev V. G. , Vanin A. I. , Yanikov M. V.
Published: June 2017

Metal-dielectric nanocomposite optical materials based on colloidal crystals have been prepared by electro-thermo-diffusion or magnetron sputtering of silver. Optical properties of these photonic crystals have been studied by angle-resolved reflectance and transmission spectroscopy. The interpretation of observed spectra has been made taking into account the Bragg diffraction, Fano resonance, Fabry-Perot resonance and surface plasmon-polaritons, which excitations contribute to the optical properties of plasmonic-photonic crystals.
The gene polymorphisms of COL1A1 and VDR in children with scoliosis
Authors: Vissarionov Sergey V. , Larionova Valentina I. , Kazarian Irina V. , Filippova Alexandra N. , Kostik Mikhail M. , Voitovich Anna N. , Rotchev Elena V.
Published: June 2017

Background. Identification of the genetic prerequisites for development of spinal deformity.

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of distribution of alleles and genotypes for polymorphisms -3731A/G (Cdx2) and +61968T/C (TaqI) of the VDR gene and -1997G/T and +1245G/T (Sp1) of the COL1A1 gene in children with scoliosis of various etiologies and in healthy children.

Materials and methods. Clinical genetic testing was performed in 154 children with congenital scoliosis, 145 children with idiopathic scoliosis, and 278 children without an orthopedic pathology. The molecular genetic testing was performed by PCR.

Results. Genotype tt/GG VDR gene incidence is twice as high in children with congenital scoliosis than in children who do not have scoliosis (11% and 5.2% of cases, respectively; χ² = 4.17; df = 1; p = 0.04).

Conclusion. We have found that children with the allele carriers t(C) and genotype tt(CC) in patients with congenital scoliosis were significantly more likely than children without scoliosis spinal deformity.
Dubrovnik u romanu Matijaš Sandorf (1885.) francuskog pisca Julesa Vernea (1828. – 1905.)
Authors:   Dubrovački muzeji, Pomorski muzej, Bašić Đivo
Published: June 2017

Francuski pisac Jules Verne u svom romanu Matijaš Sandorf (1885.) spominje i Dubrovnik. Opis je živopisan i zanimljiv, a za Verneovo poznavanje brodova i pomorske tematike zaslužna je i Gradska knjižnica u Amiensu u Francuskoj te pedesetak dnevnih novina i časopisa kojima se dnevno služio. Posjedovao je ukupno tri jahte kojima je obišao dosta mediteranskih krajeva, što je rezultiralo i nadahnućem za ovaj roman (po vlastitom priznanju) tijekom dvaju obiteljskih mediteranskih putovanja. Susljedno je nakon Berlinskog kongresa (1878.) mogao znati za flotu stranih država okupljenu u Gružu (1880.) ili prethodno pristigle ratne brodove, kako prije tako i nakon bosansko-hercegovačkog ustanka (1875. – 1878.) i dr.
Algunos problemas de los sufijos con lectura de contacto brusco
Authors: Fábregas Antonio
Published: June 2017

Este trabajo explora tres aspectos de la gramática de los sufijos asociados a lecturas de golpe –más propiamente, contacto brusco– en español: -azo, -ada y -ón. Se propone que estos sufijos pueden formar sustantivos de contacto brusco porque, por distintos motivos en cada caso, están asociados en su entrada a un núcleo que denota un límite final (]) subespecificado acerca de la dimensión sobre la que opera; la presencia de este límite relaciona sus lecturas de resultado y aumentativas con la de contacto brusco. Asimismo, este núcleo explica la interpretación de acción que reciben en ausencia de propiedades verbales, así como las lecturas que produce con ciertos adjetivos. Por último, se propone que el hecho de que la base nominal a veces se interprete como un instrumento (cabezazo ‘golpe dado con la cabeza’) y a veces como un locativo (morrón ‘golpe dado en los morros’) puede derivarse de la distinta preposición que cada afijo codifica en su entrada léxica.
Análise histórica da lógica e da retórica: problematização sobre o uso processual de entimemas
Authors: Pimentel Alexandre Freire
Published: June 2017

Através do método histórico e bibliográfico este artigo objetiva construir um diagnóstico crítico sobre a evolução da lógica e da retórica, e, em especial, como os entimemas são utilizados, atualmente, para fundamentar decisões judiciais. Pretende-se comprovar que a decisão judicial precede sua respectiva escritura e que não é, necessariamente, orientada por um raciocínio lógico-formal, mas, sobretudo, através de uma motivação ideológica, bem como que a construção gramatical da decisão pode efetivar-se com base em entimemas.
Força da lei e o projeto de declínio da ordem simbólica
Authors: Coutinho Aldacy Rachid
Published: June 2017

Este artigo trata do registro simbólico da força da lei, independentemente da verificação da sua efetividade. O direito do trabalho revela nos marcos regulatórios a correlação de forças na sociedade de capital e trabalho e desta forma é exemplar para a constatação da existência de leis que não têm nenhum efeito na mudança da realidade. O reconhecimento de que o Estado cria leis que não são observadas e que não se pretende sejam cumpridas, não afasta da presença pela violência da autoridade que institui uma ordem simbólica.
A perícia multidisciplinar no processo de curatela e o aparente conflito entre o Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência e o código de processo civil: reflexões metodológicas à luz da teoria geral do direito
Authors: Araujo Luiz Alberto David , Pianovski Ruzyk Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2017

O presente artigo analisa a questão sobre a manutenção ou não da vigência do artigo 1771 do Código Civil, na redação instituída pelo Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência, diante do advento do Código de Processo Civil de 2015. A doutrina majoritária tem sustentado a revogação da norma do Código Civil, ante a vigência posterior do CPC em relação ao EPD. O que se sustenta no artigo é que, diversamente da compreensão majoritária, uma interpretação teleológica e centrada no status constitucional da Convenção da ONU sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência deve conduzir a conclusão de que a redação do artigo 1771 instituída pelo EPD se mantém vigente, mesmo após o advento do CPC 2015.
Adam Smith e o uso objetivo da economia como forma para a obtenção do direito fundamental a liberdade
Authors: Borba Luiz Edmundo Celso
Published: June 2017

A contribuição de Adam Smith para o liberalismo foi grandiosa, mas ela não se circunscreve a trazer uma busca ensandecida e desarrazoada por liberdade, como se todos os custos fossem possíveis para tal intento. Adam Smith traz o nascedouro para os direitos fundamentais, ao clamar pela necessidade de reconhecimento das liberdades individuais, embora antevisse problemas para o exercício sem limites de tais faculdades. A ideia do texto está em trazer a perspectiva inicial para a construção dos direitos fundamentais, em um prisma individual e após a sua ponderação em um espectro coletivo, assim como a discussão posterior de quais deverão prevalecer.
A linguagem da imaginação no pensamento da educação
Authors: Araújo Alberto Filipe , Almeida Rogério de
Published: June 2017

O objetivo deste artigo é estudar a linguagem da imaginação a partir da investigação da metáfora e do símbolo e de seus usos no pensamento da educação, com suas metáforas hortícolas devedoras do simbolismo vegetal. A atuação do poder imaginante das metáforas vivas (Paul Ricoeur) nos conduz ao passo seguinte, que busca compreender a dinâmica da imaginação simbólica no psiquismo imaginante (Gaston Bachelard, Gilbert Durand e Wunenburger). Conclui o artigo a articulação dos conceitos estudados a uma pedagogia da imaginação e à formação imaginante do sujeito, de modo que a linguagem da imaginação possa efetivamente contribuir com o pensamento da educação.Palavras-chave: Antropologia do Imaginário. Metáfora e símbolo. Imaginação simbólica. Pedagogia da imaginação.The language of imagination in education thoughtABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to study the language of imagination with the research of the metaphor and symbol and its uses in education thought, and its horticultural metaphors connected to vegetable symbolism. The acting of imaginative power of the living metaphors (Paul Ricoeur) leads us to the next step, which aims to understand the dynamics of symbolic imagination in imaginative psyche (Gaston Bachelard, Gilbert Durand and Wunenburger). Concludes the paper the articulation of concepts defi ned to a pedagogy of imagination and the imaginative formation of the subject, so that the language of imagination can eff ectively contribute to education thought.Keywords: Anthropology of the Imaginary. Metaphor and symbol. Symbolic imagination. Pedagogy of imagination.El lenguaje de la imaginación en el pensamiento de la educaciónRESUMENEl objetivo de este artículo es estudiar el lenguaje de la imaginación a partir de la investigación de la metáfora y del símbolo y de sus usos en el pensamiento de la educación, con sus metáforas hortícolas deudoras del simbolismo vegetal. La actuación del poder imaginante de las metáforas vivas (Paul Ricoeur) nos conduce al paso siguiente, que busca comprender la dinámica de la imaginación simbólica en el psiquismo imaginante (Gastón Bachelard, Gilbert Durand y Wunenburger). Concluye el artículo la articulación de los conceptos estudiados a una pedagogía de la imaginación ya la formación imaginante del sujeto, de modo que el lenguaje de la imaginación pueda efectivamente contribuir con el pensamiento de la educación.Palabras clave: Antropología del Imaginario. Metáfora y símbolo. Imaginación simbólica. Pedagogía de la imaginación.
A Quality Improvement Project to Identify Patients With Advanced Heart Failure for Potential Palliative Care Referral in Telemetry and Cardiac Intensive Care Units
Authors: Camal-Sanchez Carlos A. , Simpson Terri , Curtis J. Randall , Owens Darrell , Burr Robert L. , Shannon Sarah E.
Published: June 2017

Background: Although national guidelines recommend timely initiation of palliative care for hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure (AHF), providers may not recognize which patients who have heart failure are most in need of consultation. Measures: A tool was developed and pilot-tested to screen patients admitted to a cardiology inpatient service with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% or less for potential triggers signifying palliative care needs in the telemetry or cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Intervention: The tool was completed during cardiology rounds. Outcomes: Of the 21 patients evaluated, the median LVEF was lower in the telemetry group (22%) than in the CICU group (28%). Trigger patients in the telemetry unit were less adherent to medical management (χ2 = 6.034, p = .014) and had greater psychosocial and spiritual needs (χ2 = 3.956, p = .047) than those in the CICU. Conclusion: We describe a feasible palliative care screening tool for patients with AHF hospitalized in a telemetry unit or CICU that may identify opportunities for early palliative care referrals. Additional study is needed to determine whether this tool can be used to improve patient care or patient outcomes.
Lipid Management in a Diabetes Specialty Clinic: The Process of Increasing Lipid Collection
Authors: Saathoff Angela D. , Holloway Brenda , Marti Sharon
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to decrease the study population’s overall low-density lipoprotein by implementing multiple interventions targeted to increase the collection rate of yearly lipid profiles at a specific clinic. These interventions were performed in accordance with the American Diabetes Association’s practice recommendations for dyslipidemia, which include providing patients with lipid education, yearly screening, and medical management. The barriers to obtaining a fasting lipid panel at least every 12 months include patients’ missing appointments, patients’ rescheduling appointments, patients not fasting, or outside providers not responding to requests for lab results. Using interventions such as reviewing a patient’s chart, ordering or requesting a lipid panel, and calling a patient prior to the scheduled appointment, the number of days past 12 months decreased from 176.9 days to 68.37 days. This article describes the development of the quality improvement protocol, the intervention implementation, the project results, and finally, a discussion of findings.