bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Total Hydrocarbon Concentration in the Qua Iboe River Estuary, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Eni D. Imoke , Arikpo I. Abam , Oko Peter Ereh
Published: March 2021

The research assessed the concentration level of heavy metals and total hydrocarbon in Qua Iboe River Estuary of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria during the months of April, May and June. The experimental research design was adopted and a total of 72 water samples were collected on weekly basis from ST1, ST2 and ST3 during high and low tides in thoroughly-rinsed 1-litre plastic containers to avoid adulteration of the samples. Samples were analyzed in-situ and in the laboratory using standard methods. The results of the concentrations of the sampled parameters during high tide included: Cr (0.003-0.21mgl-1), Fe (0.123-0.511mgl-1); Mn (0.018-0.66mgl-1), Pb (0.105-0.603mgl-1), Mg (0.42-0.623mgl-1), Cu (0.00-0.32mgl-1) and THC (0.12-0.88mgl-1)while the low tide concentrations showed: Cr (0.001-0.061mgl-1), Fe (0.56-4.11mgl-1), Mn (0.002-0.13mgl-1), Pb (0.011-0.211mgl-1), Mg (0.108-1.342mgl-1), Cu (0.011-0.076mgl-1) and THC (0.23-0.80mgl-1). The concentrations of Hg and As were negligible throughout the study. Analysis revealed that THC varied significantly across the sampled stations (ANOVA, P <0.001). Pollution Index, PI <1 for Ni, Mn, Na, Hg, As, Mg and Cu, implied that there was no pollution in the estuary. Fe showed that the estuary was slightly polluted with PI 1-2; Cr, V and THC recorded PI 2-3 signifying that the water was moderately polluted; PI >5 for Pb revealed that the estuary was seriously polluted with lead. The oil spills by ExxonMobil’s offshore platforms in the area, the heinous practices of waste dumping along the coast have resulted in the high THC and heavy metals concentrations found in the water samples. Hence, the water in Qua Iboe River Estuary is polluted and not safe for personal or domestic uses. The study recommended that Exxon Mobil and other oil companies in Nigeria should adhere strictly to international best practices in oil exploration/exploitation, environmental conservation, maintenance of equipment and safety of their infrastructure should be their priority. Prompt actions should be taken towards clean-up exercises in case of oil spill incidents in the area and proper, modern sewage and solid wastes disposal mechanism should be put in place by the host communities.

 

Received: 31 January 2021 / Accepted: 27 February 2021 / Published: 7 March 2021
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF DIABETES-RELATED OSTEOMETABOLIC DISORDERS
Authors: Sain Safarova Sain Safarova
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) are of great medical and social importance, as they cause severe disability and premature death of patients with diabetes mellitus. Bone remodeling disorders occurring in diabetes increase the risk of fractures and move the problem of diabetic osteopathy beyond the narrow specialty, making it the subject of extensive scientific research [1-3]. However, osteopathy remains an underestimated complication and is not considered in most diabetes guidelines. The fact that diabetic osteopathy is often asymptomatic leads to the fact that diabetic patients turn their attention to this pathology late and turn to a specialist, as a rule, already having a high degree of progression of this complication. One of the important issues is the timely detection and prediction of bone changes in diabetes mellitus.
The introduction of artificial intelligence technologies (AIT) into clinical practice is one of the main trends in world medicine [4]. AIT and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) can fundamentally change the criteria for diagnosis and prognosis, which will contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches, improve the efficiency of medical care and reduce costs [5]. The prospects for using ANN can potentially provide almost limitless technical possibilities. Considering the possibilities of using these technologies in clinical practice, we came to the conclusion that the development and implementation of forecasting systems based on the construction of a model of an intelligent decision support system based on the apparatus of artificial neural networks is able to analyze clinical and laboratory indicators of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in order to predict the values of qualitative and quantitative indicators assessing the state of bone tissue.
THE ANTHROPOGENIC ADAPTATION INDEX OF REPTILES IN URBANIZED AREAS OF THE ASHBERON PENINSULA
Authors: Aysel Hashimova Aysel Hashimova
Published: March 2021

The strong urbanization of Absheron peninsula highlights the urgency of studying the level of adaptation of reptiles that characterize these areas. Therefore, we have aimed to study the degree of anthropogenic adaptation of each reptile species inhabiting the peninsula. The anthropogenic adaptation index of separate reptiles in the Absheron Peninsula is different in terms of reproductive strategy. Thus, relatively high adaptive anthropogenic intensity is observed in the Caspian bent-toed geckoes (24.5) which are habitats of single-storey buildings, moderately adapted water snakes (17.2), and poorly adapted Mediterranean turtles (10.4). In the mixed-storey residential area, the anthropogenic adaptation were 21.4, 12.8 and 3.7 respectively in geckoes, water snakes and turtles. The anthropogenic adaptation was 0 due to the absence of water snakes and Mediterranean turtles in the residential area with multi-storey buildings, but the Caspian bent-toed gecko was rarely found (1,3). In the area of industrial facilities, the Caspian bent-toed gecko predominates over the reptile species studied, but the level of anthropogenic adaptation in woodlands and control area was much lower.
DOUBLE BREAKING OF DNA THREADS AND GASTRIC CANCER
Authors: Anar Tulyaeva Anar Tulyaeva , Gulmira Zhurabekova Gulmira Zhurabekova , Erbol Bekmukhambetov Erbol Bekmukhambetov , Erbolat Iztleuov Erbolat Iztleuov , Aidana Tautanova Aidana Tautanova
Published: March 2021

Relevance: Gastric cancer all over the world is ranked 4th in morbidity and 2nd in mortality [1], which is one of the most important social problems of society.
GC is a complex disease that causes factors of environmental and host factors, causing factors that contribute to high mortality of gastric cancer, including its silent course, late clinical manifestations and underlying biological and genetic heterogeneity.
Given the tacit and aggressive nature of gastric cancer, patients seek medical help in advanced stages. Modern science, having the opportunity to study methods for the study of oncological pathology, requires the search for diagnostic methods and the introduction of new personalized methods and monitoring in the treatment of oncological diseases.
Phosphorylation of histone H2AX on Serine IY residues with the endpoint Carboxyl (which produces yH2AX) is a sensitive marker for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Double-strand DNA breaks cause severe damage that can cause genomic instability, resulting in cancer [2,3]
[4] Diseases of a person with defects in these processes often exhibit a predisposition to cancer [5]. A key component in DNA repair is the histone H2AX protein, which rapidly becomes phosphorylated at Serine IY residues from the carboxyl endpoint (Carboxyl endpoint) (Serina c-IY) in order to form yH2AX at the appropriate sites of the DB. Within 30 minutes after DB formation, a large number of yH2AX molecules form in chromatin around the site of decomposition, forming a focus where proteins involved in DNA repair and accumulation of chromatin remodeling are accumulated [6] This Amplification enables to detect individual DB with an anti-yH2AX antibody.
HYPERPHENYLALANINEMIA: CASE REPORT
Authors: Gulmira Zharmakhanova Gulmira Zharmakhanova , Victoria Kononetc Victoria Kononetc , Lyazzat Syrlybayeva Lyazzat Syrlybayeva , Eleonora  Nurbaulina Eleonora  Nurbaulina , Lyazzat Baikadamova Lyazzat Baikadamova
Published: March 2021

Background: Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is a group of autosomal recessive diseases caused by impaired metabolism of the essential amino acid phenylalanine (Phe), which enters the human body with protein food [1]. HFA combines several genetically heterogeneous forms of phenylalanine metabolism disorders similar in clinical features: classical phenylketonuria (PKU), caused by phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), associated with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) metabolic disorders [2]. The pterin-dependent form of hyperphenylalaninemia accounts for about 2% of all cases of HPA. These conditions are caused by a deficiency of enzymes involved in the synthesis or reduction of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is a PAH cofactor, as well as tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase [3, 4]. Currently, several genetically heterogeneous forms of BH4-deficient HPA are known: type A, 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterine synthase (PTPS) deficiency, type B, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH) deficiency, type C, dihydropterine reductase (DHPR) deficiency, type D, pterin-4a-α-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCBD) deficiency, DOPA-dependent dystonia caused by sepiapterin reductase (SPR) deficiency and HPA without tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency, caused by mutations in the DNAJC12 gene encoding the JDP1 protein [5, 6]. Pterin-dependent forms of HPA have clinical manifestations similar to classical PKU. In these forms, the main role in the pathogenesis is played by a severe deficiency in the neurotransmitters of the catecholamine and serotonin series, which makes isolated diet therapy meaningless and requires different approaches to treatment. The complex of treatment for such patients includes BH4 or its synthetic analogs [3-5].
TREATMENT OF BACK PAIN AFTER HIP ARTHROPLASTY, USING DEEP OSCILLATION
Authors: Mikhael Gorshkov Mikhael Gorshkov , Nugzar Elizbarashvili Nugzar Elizbarashvili , Lukhum Chanturia Lukhum Chanturia , Otari Gaphrindashvili Otari Gaphrindashvili , Iamze Taboridze Iamze Taboridze
Published: March 2021

Objective: Deep Oscillation® is an electromechanical procedure with deep therapy that allow to create a pulsed electrostatic field between the hand applicator and the processing better tissue nutrition, enhanced cellular metabolism, faster healing.
The purpose of this work is to assessment of the outcome of the treatment of spinal pain after hip arthroplasty using Deep osсillation
Methods: The study included 85 patients between the ages of 40 and 75 who were referred to the Arena 2 Rehabilitation Center for post hip joint arthroplasty spine pain, including 57 women and 28 men.
Patients physical modalities: complex rehabilitation programme including deep oscillation (DO - fibromyalgia programme) and kinesitherapy - active analytic exercises (including isometric exercises) and soft tissue techniques (post-isometric relaxation, stretching of the lumbar fascia, manual massage). Spinal condition was assessed before treatment after treatment using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Results: Mean value of points before treatment - 3.35+1.1, after treatment - 1.36+0.79. p<0.001
Oswestry Disability Index –67% and 27.2% respectively.
Conclusion: After total endoprosthesis, there is a change in biomechanics and a shift in the center of gravity, which causes a change in the position of the spine and pain, so we definitely consider the spine examination and adequate rehabilitation and treatment in the post hip joint arthroplasty period.
Involvement in the deep spine's treatment method reduces pain and improves the patient's quality of life, improve function and return-to-work status.
Keywords: deep oscillation, hip arthroplasty, back pain.
О СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИИ МЕХАНИЗМА ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ АЛЬТЕРНАТИВНЫХ И ВОЗОБНОВЛЯЕМЫХ ИСТОЧНИКОВ ЭНЕРГИИ В АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНЕ
Authors: Арзу Миргейдарова Арзу Миргейдарова
Published: March 2021

В данной статье приведены аспекты внедрения альтернативных и возобновляемых источников энергии в Азербайджане. Рассмотрена перспектива внедрения нетрадиционных запасов страны в энергосекторе. Указана необходимость скорейшего перехода к новой - неуглеродной энергетики будущего, независимой от конечных ресурсов природы.
Ключевые слова : традиционные и нетрадиционные запасы, энергосбережения,
альтернативные и возобновляемые источники энергии, перспективы применения АВИЭ.
CТРАТЕГИЧЕСКОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ БРЕНДОМ В ГЛОБАЛЬНОЙ СРЕДЕ
Authors: Халиг Гурбанов Халиг Гурбанов
Published: March 2021

В современных условиях ведения бизнеса бренд играет важную роль в успехе бизнес-стратегии. Клиенты все чаще покупают товары на основе бренда, репутации и других нематериальных атрибутов и в меньшей степени на основе их физических характеристик. Сильный бренд повышает уровень удовлетворенности и лояльности клиентов, а также эффективность бизнес-стратегии. Бренд, имеющий большую ценность на рынке, является важным активом фирмы. В статье автор анализируют важность стратегического управления брендом в условиях глобальной среды.
Ключевые слова: бренд, клиент, капитал, стратегия, управление, эффективность.
General recommendations for improving efficiency in the development of WEB sites and applications
Authors: Gutovskiy Dmitriy , Dobrinin Vladimir
Published: March 2021

This article analyzes the various technologies used in WEB-development and provides recommendations and justification for the effective selection of the desired.
Models of quantum search algorithms. Introduction for IT students – pedagogical examples
Authors: Ivancova Olga , Ryabov Nikita , Korenkov Vladimir , Ulyanov Sergey
Published: March 2021

This article is one of a series of articles on quantum algorithms. The article discusses quantum oracle models and Grover's computational algorithm for search problems in an unstructured database.
Quantum supremacy in end-to-end intelligent IT. Pt. 2: State -of -art of quantum SW/HW computational gate-model toolkit
Authors: Ivancova Olga , Korenkov Vladimir , Tyatyushkina Olga , Ulyanov Sergey , Fukuda Toshio
Published: March 2021

Several paradigms of quantum computing are considered. Quantum computer simulators are de-scribed. Models of learning quantum systems from experiments are considered. Quantum speed-up limitation in two-level systems (qubit) is discussed. The approaches to the formation of a quantum variational intrinsic solver are considered.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY USED IN THE INTERACTION BETWEEN LOCAL GUIDES AND FOREIGN TOURISTS WHEN GUIDING IN MUSEUM KESEJARAHAN JAKARTA
Authors: Arfani Sri , Martiwi Rini , Andes Hepi
Published: March 2021

This research was conducted to determine the communication strategy used by the local guide when guiding foreigners in museum kesejarahan Jakarta, especially the types of strategy in communication and the function of each strategy for the local guide to solving their problem in the museum. Communication strategy is the important thing that the guide needed to build a good conversation with the foreigners' visitor there. The objective of this study is to find out the most dominant type of strategy in communication and the functions of each strategy when the guide faced the problem when guiding, the writer used the descriptive qualitative method. The data collection was done by collecting the data from observation and the conversation problem with each foreign tourist. Primary data collected from direct field observations and interviews. The writer analyzes some conversations that can be shown as the problem faced by the tour guide. This research used theory by Celce-Murcia et al’s (1995) model of communication strategies is considered as the most complete and detailed. The writer divided communication strategies into five main categories. They are avoidance, achievement, stalling, self-monitoring strategies, and interactional strategies.  Results showed that there were 5 types of communication strategy and The dominant of those theories was an interaction strategy. Problems that faced by the local guide are different culture, limited vocabulary, shyness, difficult accent, too attached to the modules being thought
SKIMMING READING TECHNIQUES ON THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY INTRINSIC DRAMA TEXT ELEMENTS
Authors: Sulaeman Agus , Enawar Enawar , Sori Supyan
Published: March 2021

This study aims to determine the use of reading techniques that are effective and efficient, and to determine whether there is an effect of skimming reading techniques on students' reading comprehension skills to identify the intrinsic elements present in drama texts read by grade VIII students of SMP Muhammadiyah Tangerang City. This research is a quantitative research. Data collection techniques using tests, namely pretest and posttest. The results of this study indicate the influence of the ability to identify the intrinsic elements of drama text on students who use skimming reading techniques. This effect has been carried out with the results of the t-test. Then it shows the results of t count 0.233 <t table 1.977, t count is smaller than t table, this shows that there is no significant difference between the experiment class students and the control class students on the ability to identify the intrinsic elements of drama text. After the pretest is done posttest to find out, it shows the results of t count 1.982> t table 1,800, t count is greater than t table shows that there is a difference in the ability to identify the intrinsic elements of drama text between students who receive learning about the use of skimming reading techniques and students who get conventional learning. From the data obtained like what is listed above, it can be concluded that there is an effect of using skimming reading techniques on the ability to identify the intrinsic elements of drama text in class VIII students of SMP Muhammadiyah Tangerang City
ENGLISH CODE MIXING USED IN THE MAGIC HOUR NOVEL
Authors: Ivan Chandra
Published: March 2021

The objectives of this study are (1). To find the types of code mixing used in the novel Magic Hour. (2). To know the Indonesian meaning of code mixing used in the novel Magic Hour. (3). To know the most typical type code mixing used in the novel Magic Hour. This research uses descriptive qualitative method to collect the data. The data are the English words. The writer collects data by finding the types of Indonesian English code mixing, selecting sentence that consist of Indonesian-English code mixing. The analysis shows that there are some types that use, such as: Intra sentential mixing, intra lexical code mixing, involving a change of pronunciation. The types of code mixing which found in the novel are selected into the most typical forms. The writer looked for Indonesian meaning of code mixing. The achievements of this research are expected to be additional source of code mixing study and it is meant to conduct and to develop in the code mixing field.
MORAL VALUE FROM THE CHARACTER OF ALAN TURING IN “THE IMITATION GAME” MOVIE
Authors: Imaniar Imaniar , Budiarto Budiarto , Suhendar Suhendar
Published: March 2021

The objectives of this research are to describe to discover facts about Alan Turing and the impacts of the characters on his life in order to obtain the moral value of the movie. By using qualitative method, the author describes hidden facts about Alan Turing, especially when he was given a secret mission by the British Empire during World War II to decode from Germany’s Enigma message’s machine. In this movies, his personal life and sexual deviation influence his career. In order to keep his mission going, Turing, the professor pretends to be a normal person by trying love his partner, Ms Clark. He doesn’t get any respects and losses his dignity due to his own deviant behaviors. He is sentenced and has to receive hormone therapy to make him normal and continue his mission. His struggles continue although the government ignores his invention and dedication to his country.
THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF TEACHERS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING (ELT)
Authors: Umar Umar
Published: March 2021

the aim of this reseach is to find elaborate the roles of teachers in English language teaching (ELT. Starting from free trade, the increasing number of foreign companies established in Indonesia, so that the use of international languages such as English is very widespread. Of course, aspiring entrepreneurs and job seekers have to master English so they can keep up with the times in this globalization era. If you are still in school or college, then you have the opportunity to learn and master English. If you have graduated from school or college, you should be ready to enter the world of work with the English skills needed by your place of work. To acquire good communication skills or to excel in communication skills, one has to acquire expertise in all the four skills. They are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Before students are able to master these 4 skills, students have to develop interest towards the subject or language. This is where the important role of the teacher will appear.
An Information Based Routing Model for Hazardous Material Route Selection Problem
Authors: Desai Sumeet S. , Lim Gino J.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we address some key research questions concerning the alternative routing policy of hazardous materials in real time using stochastic dynamic networks based on real life situations. The scenario that we address in this paper involves the use of sophisticated communication tools to provide information on the current condition of the optimal path and incorporate them in our optimization model to generate alternative routes for hazmat vehicles. We address the issues of designing a framework and requirements for an adaptive routing system. To overcome system instability and information overloading, a feeback based routing policy within the framework has been developed. We show the implementation of the framework and disucss the potential benefits of our approach with the help of numerical experiments based on a real hazmat transportation network.
Evaluation of Dental Scalers
Authors: Ahern Stacey , Rys Margaret J.
Published: March 2021

The current state of the dental industry shows an increasing number of dentists and dental hygienists who are reducing hours and retiring early due to the injuries sustained while working. These injuries, or cumulative trauma disorders, can be reduced by applying ergonomics in dental tool design. An experiment was designed to test a new dental scaler (A) made of a titanium rod with added compressibility in the precision grip area. The experiment utilized a Hu-Friedy sickle scaler (B) and a Practicon Montana Jack scaler (C) as controls to show two design spectrums, weight and material. The subjects (n=23) were taught the basics of scaling and required to scale using a typodont. The change in grip strength (Δ GS), pinch strength (Δ PS), and steadiness of the subject’s hand were tested. An absolute and relative rating technique was utilized pinpointing that the new dental scaler was preferred with the eigenvector (A=0.8615, B=0.1279, C=0.0106). Statistical analysis confirmed this tool preference while also finding the interaction of gender and tool and Δ GS Tool A versus Tool B for males to be significant.
Approaches for the Simulation of Deformable Objects in Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Reinhart Gunther , Stich Peter
Published: March 2021

The validation of control software using methods of Virtual Commissioning (VC), with its origin in the field of machine tools, gains more and more importance in other application areas like process engineering or material-flow-intensive production systems. Especially because of the increasing complexity of technical systems the validation of the control software quality is a major challenge in production technology. To reduce the efforts of modeling and to increase the value of simulation results, a so-called physically model is integrated in the VC. Currently the physically based Virtual Commissioning is restricted to rigid body simulation objects. In this publication new methods for the simulation of deformable objects are shown and validated in an industrial context. Therefore the hybridization of existing simulation methods from computer science using so called physic engines is introduced as a method that simplifies the description of complex simulation objects by adapting well known simulation models. The new approach is comparable to a mixture of a multi body simulation and a real-time finite element simulation.
A Discrete Optimization Model to Minimize Organ Recovery Time Using Heuristic Algorithms
Authors: Saha Chanchal , Yoon Sang Won
Published: March 2021

This study proposes a discrete optimization model to minimize the organ recovery time in an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) by grouping its associated hospitals and transplant centers into several clusters, based on their available organ recovery groups. Typically, the OPO covers a relatively large geographical area to recover organs from donors and deliver them to the recipients. Organs and/or tissues need to be transplanted within their viable time. Therefore, a discrete optimization model is proposed, based on the -median approach to identify optimal locations of the organ recovery groups to recover the organs within a desired time interval. Three heuristic solution approaches, such as Multi-start Fast Interchange (MFI), Simulated Annealing (SA), and Lagrangian Relaxation Algorithm (LRA), are applied to solve the -median clustering problems. Numerical examples are tested to identify a better solution approach in terms of a set of key performance indicators, such as elapse time, Silhouette index, and objective function value. The experimental results indicate that the MFI approach is effective finding an initial solution in the shortest possible time. To find a non-dominant optimal solution, the LRA outperformed the initial solution. In the future, the experimental results will be compared with real data to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Health and Safety Issues of Older Workers Surveyed in the Construction Industry
Authors: Choi Sang D , Rosenthal Douglas , Hauser Sampson
Published: March 2021

The study aimed to gain a better understanding of age-related construction worker’s health and safety issues and discuss practical solutions to improve safety and health of the older workers in the construction industry. A two-page survey questionnaire was developed and sent out to the safety managers, directors, or coordinators in the construction firms. The participants were employed in 27 companies that employed 12,452 employees and have been in business for an average of 75 years. All of the companies had a written safety program, but only 50% of the companies represented in the survey had the Health and Wellness programs. The findings suggested that the construction industry was in fact well aware of the worker health concerns that the aging construction workforce has been facing. The survey also revealed that there was an overwhelming agreement that older workers were still very valuable to the industry. The occupational ergonomic, health and safety professionals should pay more attend to develop creative and effective health/wellness programs that any size organization can use, with the ultimate goal being to have a sustainable and healthier aging workforce in the industry. The results of other findings are also discussed in detail.
Benefits of Implementing Automated Costing in a Small Machine Shop: A Case Study
Authors: Gonzalez Benito A , Butler Alley C
Published: March 2021

Knowledge based cost estimating systems are available, but is there a lower limit to their applicability in an industrial environment?  This paper answers this question by examining a knowledge based cost estimating expert system application in a small machine shop.  Differences between the traditional experienced-based system currently employed and the automated system are studied.  Data is gathered to analyze time effectiveness, accuracy, and payback of the software.  Data from seventy part models is recorded to study the time experiment and data from fifty part models is used to study accuracy and consistency.The results indicate that the software is faster than traditional quoting systems; however, the payback point is high. Also, results show that the software has a smaller average time to manufacture percent difference between the automated system and the actual time to manufacture (TTM) compared to the percentage difference between the traditional TTM and actual TTM. Standard deviation for the automation is also less, implying better consistency.  As a result, the attractiveness of the automated system in the limiting case of a small machine shop rests with significantly improved accuracy and consistency rather than payback.
An Efficiency Improvement Approach to Reduce Transportation Costs: An Application
Authors: Villarreal Bernardo , Macías-Sauza Santiago , Garza-Varela Elsa
Published: March 2021

The reduction of transportation costs is an important issue for many companies that need to stay competitive. This work describes the application of a scheme for increasing transportation efficiency to achieve this purpose. This scheme is developed around a modified version of the Operational Equipment Effectiveness index used in TPM. This is adapted to be used as the main performance measure in transport operations. Availability, performance and quality wastes are identified using Value Stream Mapping of the operation. The implementation is carried out in the routing operation of a Mexican firm. The improvement initiatives are still in progress but the projected and available results are provided.
A Network Flow Model of the Complex Illicit Trafficking Network Operating in the El Paso-Juarez Area
Authors: Pena Armando , Schott Elizabeth
Published: March 2021

In 2013, El Paso, TX, was selected for the third time in a row by the Congressional Quarterly Press as the number one safest city with a population over 500,000 people (Borunda, 2013).  Just across its border though, sits Ciudad Juarez, considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. There is a unique social ecosystem between the two cities, a product of many years of shared history and traditions. The El Paso-Juarez area also happens to be one of the most valuable plazas for the Mexican Drug Cartels. According to BBC Mundo, the Sinaloa Cartel has won the El Paso-Juarez territory over the Juarez Cartel and the Zetas (Najar, 2012). Consequently, now that the territory is dominated by one cartel, drug trafficking through the area will likely increase and smuggling through border crossing check points will continue to be more prevalent. The purpose of this research effort is to assist the Border Patrol in allocating its resources towards improved interdiction of illicit trafficking. Whether it is manpower, money, technology, or any other resource, the Border Patrol desires to efficiently allocate to maximize interdiction. This analysis is intended to suggest a tool that will assist in allocating resources and aid the extremely important effort to maintain El Paso, TX, as the safest city in the U.S. by keeping drugs away from the streets. This research presents a network flow model of the complex illicit trafficking network operating in the El Paso-Juarez area, and provides insight that will aid such agencies as the Border Patrol in allocating its resources.
Military Resource Allocation as a Set Covering Problem
Authors: Bates Alexander , Bell Zach , Mountford Alexander , Evangelista Paul
Published: March 2021

Fixed location resource allocation modeled as a set covering problem is a classic integer program.  This framework has been widely applied to emergency service resource allocation, and this paper extends this approach to military resource allocation.  Using military air medical evacuation resource allocation in Afghanistan as a proof of concept, a methodology is presented that could easily extend to other operational environments and other military resource allocation problems.  Unique contributions include clustering of enemy activity reports to support demand signal analysis and consideration of set covering requirements for varying demand signal density.
Energy-Efficient Location-Routing Problem with Time Windows with Dynamic Demand
Authors: Mirzaei Shokoufeh , Krishnan Krishna , Yildrim Bayram
Published: March 2021

Sustainability and energy savings have attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, in the traditional location-routing problem (LRP), the objective function has yet to minimize the distance traveled regardless of the amount of energy consumed. Although, distance is one of the major factors determining the energy consumption of a distribution network, it is not the only factor. Therefore, this paper explains the development of a novel formulation of the LRP that considers energy minimization, which is called the energy-efficient location-routing problem (EELRP). The energy consumed by a vehicle to travel between two nodes in a system depends on many forces. Among those, rolling resistance (RR) and aerodynamic drag are considered in this paper to be the major contributing forces. The presented mixed-integer non-linear program (MINLP) finds the best location-allocation routing plan with the objective function of minimizing total costs, including energy, emissions, and depot establishment. The proposed model can also handle the vehicle-selection problem with respect to a vehicles’ capacity, source of energy, and aerodynamic characteristics. The formulation proposed can also solve the problems with hard and soft time window constraints. Also, the model is enhanced to handle the EELRP with dynamic customers’ demands. Some examples are presented to illustrate the formulations presented in this paper.
Evaluation of Shoulder Stability During Forceful Arm Exertions
Authors: Cutlip Kasey , Nimbarte Ashish D , Chowdhury Suman Kanti , Jaridi Majid
Published: March 2021

Shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of morbidity and pain in the modern working population. Epidemiological literature suggests that forceful arm exertions pose an increased risk for shoulder MSD development. The majority of shoulder MSDs involve the glenohumeral joint. The glenohumeral joint is characteristically unstable and stabilized by concavity compression mechanism. In this study a biomechanical model of shoulder complex was used to examine the concavity compression mechanism. Mechanical loading of the glenohumeral joint during forceful arm exertions was analyzed to quantify the angular position of the resultant muscle force vector in 3D space. The resultant muscle force vectors were almost always directed anteriorly, medially, and inferiorly, independent of the magnitude and the direction of the external force application. The knowledge gained in this study could possibly be used to quantify strain imposed on the shoulder muscles during forceful arm exertions.
Consequence Management Assessment Method Synthesis for Combatant Commands
Authors: McDonald Kenneth , Malone Marshall , Fumerelle Alex , Oliver Madison , Ohlinger Mack
Published: March 2021

One of the most important roles that the US fulfills in the global war on terror and their integration with Partner Nations (PNs) is minimizing the threats and effects  of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as well as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) attacks by enemy nations, rogue elements, or terrorist groups around the world. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) currently implements an assessment framework for determining a PN’s state of CBRNE readiness, but it is unable to conceptualize that assessment at a regional or Combatant Command (CCMD) level. This research uses the Systems Decision Process (SDP) to create an assessment metric that is capable of synchronizing PN CBRNE readiness across a CCMD into a single assessment. This research is focused on developing an effective and flexible Microsoft Access database, which evaluates all global PNs across a wide array of metrics and then synthesizes them through multi-purpose objectives in order to develop an encompassing assessment framework at the CCMD level.
Developing Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Techniques for Consequence Analysis of Second and Third Order Effects
Authors: McDonald Kenneth , Sanchez Derek , Voet Kenneth , Powis Ryan , Norris Joshua , Prins Rob
Published: March 2021

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is the Department of Defense’s (DOD) official Combat Support Agency for countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). DTRA focuses on WMD and mitigating the consequences of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive threat (CBRNE). The initial direct effects of a CBRNE incident are well defined and documented; however, the second and third order effect’s are complex and not thoroughly understood or documented.  Consequence analysis is the practice of analyzing the effects of major events such as a CBRNE event and can assist in predicting the second and third order effects.  Currently there is no method to predict or analyze the second and third order effects of CBRNE events. This research focused on identifying the entities associated with a CBRNE event initially.  The use of experts and surveys developed an exhaustive list of entities and associated realtionships.  The follow-on research focused on the type and strength of the entity relationships.  Next, Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) techniques identify and evaluate the complex relationships of the second and third order effects.   Using a mind mapping computer program, FCM techniques produced second and third order effect relationships.  The final product provided a solid first attempt at analyzing a CBRNE event and the associated second and third order effects.  Subsequent research will require greater effort to employ system dynamics techniques to enhance the product and develop a more thorough model.
Soldier Power Operational Benefit Analysis
Authors: Aten Coree , Michalowski Andrew , Williams Maurice , Stamm Cody , Evangelista Paul
Published: March 2021

An operational benefit analysis of military small unit power (SUP) equipment is presented in detail.  SUP equipment is designed to improve power generation, conservation, and overall power management strategies for dismounted military units.  The operational benefit analysis examines four tactical scenarios and considers a naïve power management strategy and a SUP enabled power management strategy.  The major findings and conclusions discussed in this paper include: specific conservation and generation strategies for select dismounted tactical scenarios; the importance of proper solar blanket employment; identification of a capability gap between 100W and 1000W in the power generation spectrum; the benefits of using conformal batteries; and the impact of inefficient PRC 154 battery swaps in the naïve case.
Processing Updated Imagery for Use in Dismounted Mission Planning on NETT Warrior
Authors: Fogh Gene , Gramling Chris , Hansen Mitch , Mason Ella , Chennault Davie , Bew Gregory
Published: March 2021

Small unit leaders need real time images to aid in planning missions and making decisions. Currently, this ability partially exists through the use of short range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) like Raven and Shadow, which provide unprocessed imagery. There is a limited capability to gather imagery for a large area, process it into a useable format, and deliver the product to the small unit leader. Android-based platforms like Nett Warrior currently use older, primarily satellite, imagery to depict the battle space. We are creating a process that takes up to date satellite and UAV imagery in a format that is available as an offline map and use the Nett Warrior platform to deliver this imagery to small unit leaders. This enhanced imagery will allow leaders to plan missions in a more effective manner due to the updated imagery and the benefits mobile maps provide.
Optimizing Humanitarian Relief Operations with Transloads
Authors: Guadagno Kevin , Saval Kevin , Van Drew Quinn , Vasiliadis Sophia , Cho Philip , Pietz Jesse
Published: March 2021

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti caused nearly 112,000 fatalities making it one of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded in the western hemisphere.  In the weeks following the disaster, the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command moved over 29,000 passengers and 18,000 tons of relief aid in support of the relief effort, Operation Unified Response.  During the first 96 hours of the operation 59% of aircraft transporting relief aid to Haiti arrived late.  In order to assist planners in responding to future disaster relief efforts, we introduce a mixed integer programming (MIP) model that reduces the time required to deliver available relief aid into Haiti.  The aircraft routing schedule outputted by the model demonstrates that our optimized airlift network increases the amount of relief aid delivered in the first 96 hours of the operation.  Due to issues with the tractability of the MIP, we introduce an aircraft routing heuristic for use in real-world humanitarian relief operations.  We show that our heuristic is able to produce similar results to the optimization, provides greater flexibility to account for realistic planning considerations, and solves within seconds.
Systematic Pedagogy to Line Balancing with EXCEL
Authors: Lovejoy-Henkel Thomas , Lee Jimin , Parsons Donna , Yearout Robert DeWitt
Published: March 2021

Over the past ten years, simple and inexpensive operations research software that is user friendly to the mentor, student, and instructor has become difficult to obtain.  This is especially true since Emmons, Flowers, Khot, and Mathur’s STORM 4.0 for Windows is obsolete for current 32 and 64 bit operating systems and no longer in print.  After a diligent product and literature search, it appears there is no adequate inexpensive software that is easily available.  Assembly line balancing algorithms are heuristic methods used for balancing operations or production lines.  However, most methods employ complex calculations that are challenging to the mentor and mentee.  This paper presents a pedagogy from a systems approach using Microsoft EXCEL.  The object is to prepare a spreadsheet file with four separate worksheets that are linked to the first worksheet.  The step-by-step systematic approach allows the entry on the main worksheet of data such as an annual demand, annual time available, and process times. When the user changes these data entry points, the efficiencies of each operating or production line are automatically re-computed for all three shifts.  Worksheets use one of the several available heuristics to compute cycle times (required time between process activities) and transfers it to one, two, or three shifts (worksheets two, three, or four).  Once the spreadsheet and accompanying worksheets were completed, the results were compared to several different heuristic algorithms.  When authors were satisfied that the results were accurate and not significantly different from other examined algorithms, the final step was to develop a working pedagogy to efficiently describe the process.  This allows the user an efficient analytical tool to illustrate and explain interactions within a given process.  A local manufacturing facility used this method as a part of a monthly effort to increase line efficiency for individual workstations. The project’s results were satisfactorily tested in a production operations class.  The major advantage to the practitioner, engineer, instructor, and student is that EXCEL is readily available on all personal computers, easily understood, and is very practical. Students with very little exposure to line balancing were able to master the method within the first hour of exposure.
Implementation of Systems Engineering Approach in Academic Projects: Software Defined Radio Technology Development as a Case Study
Authors: Chen Guangming , Saboonchi Ali
Published: March 2021

Each year, federal and private agencies spend billions of dollars on research projects that academic institutions conduct for them. However, the communication language between these agencies as clients and academia as hosts, is not very efficient and well-established. This has resulted in lack of clarity in clients’ description of what exactly to be expected and in hosts’ description of their capabilities and challenges. In addition, many of these projects are essentially interdisciplinary and demand the involvement of diverse research teams from different university departments. Lack of cohesive collaboration among these diverse teams results in mismatches between different compartments of project output, and consequently, generation of superfluous product prototypes. Finally, for their real-time tracking and later retrieval, the current situation of documentation of academic projects needs to be significantly altered. We suggest that the presence of a systems engineering team should be an indispensable part of a large academic research project, in order to monitor and manage the various aspects and phases from initiation to completion.For this purpose, we proposed a systems engineering model specific for academic research projects, which considers both strengths and challenges of universities as host research institutes. As a case study, we applied this proposed systems engineering approach on a NASA-funded project at Morgan State University (MSU) which was about design and implementation of software defined radio (SDR) for space exploration. Application of this model significantly improved the professional dialogue and technical clarifications between NASA and MSU partners, as well as within MSU teams. Moreover, the sub-system compatibility among different modules of the implemented product was notably enhanced. Overall, application of systems engineering approach in academic projects can result in mutual benefits for the institution and either federal or private client.
Improving the Production Process for a Medical Device Manufacturing Company using Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Furtado Jazmin , Mastey Taiylar , Menke Sara , Gonzalez Gerardo , Pietz Jesse , Wilck Joseph
Published: March 2021

This work studies a medical product development, assembly, and packaging company that uses a paper-based method to track jobs through their assembly process.  The paperwork often has errors, which must be corrected before distribution, causing delays in manufacturing and shipment and resulting in lost time and money.  The project team analyzed the company's production process to identify areas for improvement.  Through statistical analyses of the company’s process data, the team established error categorization, location, and probability of occurrence.  In order to address sources of error, the project team diagrammed the company's manufacturing floor and created a list of issues within each step of the manufacturing process as well as potential solutions to these problems. The team created a simulation of the manufacturing process and used this tool to analyze potential process changes to decrease the number of employee hours wasted in order to fix discrepancies.  The simulation proved to be an invaluable tool that helped the company better understand their process.  It helped to identify which jobs create the most errors, how many errors occur per month, and how much money the company loses on time spent correcting the errors. Eleven potential solutions were considered, but two of them appeared to yield the best results.  Implementing a total quality management (TQM) system would conservatively reduce error counts by 71.3%.  Implementing a start quantity to the company's electronic system would conservatively reduce mean hours wasted from 22.60 to 21.73 hours per month and mean salary lost from $519.82 to $499.80 per month.  Using insights from the simulation, the project team then coordinated with management to decide whether error rates or time and salary spent to correct errors were more important to address. As of this writing, as a result of this study, the company is taking steps to implement a TQM system in order to decrease errors in their job tracking process.