bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation cross section of the (n,2n) reaction on Hf isotopes
Authors: Kalamara A. , Serris M. , Spiliotis A. , Sigalos D. , Patronis N. , Kokkoris M. , Diakaki M. , Axiotis M. , Lagoyannis A. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

Cross sections of the 174Hf(n,2n)173Hf and 176Hf(n,2n)175Hf reactions have been experimentally determined relative to the 27Al(n,α)24Na reference reaction at incident neutron energies of 15.3 and 17.1 MeV by means of the activation technique. The irradiations were carried out at the 5 MV tandem T11/25 Accelerator Laboratory of NCSR "Demokritos" with monoenergetic neutron beams provided via the 3H(d,n)4He reaction, using a new Ti-tritiated target of 373 GBq activity. In the determination of the 176Hf(n,2n)175Hf reaction cross section the contamination of the 174Hf(n,γ)175Hf and 177Hf(n,3n)175Hf reactions has been taken into account. Moreover, the neutron beam energy has been studied by means of Monte Carlo simulation codes and the neutron flux has been determined via the 27Al(n,α)24Na reference reaction.
Prediction of high-K isomeric states in transactinide nuclei close to N=162
Authors: Prassa V. , Lu B.-N. , Niksic T. , Ackermann D. , Vretenar D.
Published: February 2020

Transactinide nuclei around neutron number N=162 display axially deformed equilibrium shapes. In the present study we are particularly interested in the occurrence of high-K isomers in the axially deformed isotopes of Rf (Z=104), Sg (Z=106), Hs (Z=108), and Ds (Z=110), with neutron number N=160-166 and the effect of the N=162 closure on the structure and distribution of two-quasiparticle (2qp) states. The evolution of high-K isomers is analyzed in a self-consistent axially symmetric relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov calculation using the blocking approximation with time-reversal symmetry breaking.
Temporal variation of 137Cs profiles in Lemnos deep basin, North Aegean Sea, Greece
Authors: Pappa F. K. , Kyriakidis G. A. , Tsabaris C. , Patiris D. L. , Androulakaki E. G. , Kaberi H. , Zervakis V. , Kokkoris M. , Vlastou R. , Krasakopoulou E.
Published: February 2020

137Cs activity concentration in seawater is an efficient radio-tracing technique to separate and identify the origin of different water masses along with depth. This technique has been applied for the study of deep basins at the North Aegean Sea [1], a marine region which is continuously enriched with 137Cs originated from the Black Sea, through the Dardanelles Straits. In this work, a second sampling campaign (from 2008 to 2013) was carried out in Lemnos’s deep basin and water quantities were collected from different depths. These quantities were chemically treated at HCMR to pre-concentrate 137Cs by using the AMP precipitation method [2]. The produced samples were measured by means of γ- ray spectroscopy. The 137Cs data profile in combination with other oceanographic data (salinity and temperature), provides significant information for the water masses origin with respect to depth. More specifically, at the surface layer, Black Sea water masses (characterized by enriched concentrations of 137Cs) are observed, with 137Cs concentrations about 4 Bq/m3. At the intermediate layers, Levantine water masses (characterized by low concentrations of 137Cs) appear with 137Cs activity reduced to 2 Bq/m3, while the deep layer dense water masses exhibit intermediate 137Cs concentrations of 3 Bq/m3. The 137Cs concentration results are compared with previous measurements performed in the same basin from 1999 to 2013, where the decline of 137Cs concentrations in the surface layer is observed and similar concentrations about 3 Bq/m3(within uncertainties) in the deep layer are obtained.
Probing electromagnetic neutrino properties within the tensor non-standard neutrino-nucleus interactions
Authors: Papoulias D. K. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

Non-standard coherent neutrino scattering off nuclei is extensively studied through realistic nuclear structure calculations performed within the framework of the quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA). More specifically, we focus on the accurate estimation of the number of events expected to be measured by the COHERENT experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge, as well as by the reactor neutrino experiments TEXONO and GEMMA. To this purpose our study concentrates on the relevant detector materials 20 Ne, 40 Ar, 76 Ge and 132 Xe. In this context, we obtain stringent constraints on the vector and tensor non-standard interaction parameters and examine their impact on various electromagnetic neutrino phenomena such as neutrino magnetic moments and neutrino milli-charges. Our results indicate that the aforementioned experiments offer significant prospects to probe neutrino properties predicted in theories beyond the Standard Model.
Benchmarking the proton elastic scattering cross sections on 19F and natB using ∆E/E silicon telescopes
Authors: Stamatopoulos A. , Axiotis M. , Kokkoris M. , Lagoyannis A. , Paneta V. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

n/a
Opportunities for nuclear reaction studies at future facilities
Authors: Veselsky M. , Klimo J. , Vujisicova N. , Souliotis G. A.
Published: February 2020

Opportunities for investigations of nuclear reactions at the future nuclear physics facilities such as radioactive ion beam facilities and high-power laser facilities are considered. Post-accelerated radioactive ion beams offer possibilities for study of the role of isospin asymmetry in the reaction mechanisms at various beam energies. Fission barrier heights of neutron-deficient nuclei can be directly determined at low energies. Post-accelerated radioactive ion beams, specifically at the future facilities such as HIE-ISOLDE, SPIRAL-2 or RAON-RISP can be also considered as a candidate for production of very neutron-rich nuclei via mechanism of multi-nucleon transfer. High-power laser facilities such as ELI-NP offer possibilities for nuclear reaction studies with beams of unprecedented properties. Specific cases such as ternary reactions or even production of super-heavy elements are considered.
Study of the 10B(p,αγ)7Be and 10B(p,p’γ)10B reactions for PIGE purposes
Authors: Lagoyannis A. , Preketes-Sigalas K. , Axiotis M. , Foteinou V. , Harissopulos S. , Kokkoris M. , Misaelides P. , Paneta V. , Patronis N.
Published: February 2020

N/A
A benchmarking procedure for PIGE related differential cross-sections
Authors: Axiotis M. , Lagoyannis A. , Fazinić S. , Harrisopulos S. , Kokkoris M. , Preketes-Sigalas K. , Provatas G.
Published: February 2020

The application of standard-less PIGE requires the a priori knowledge of the differential cross section of the reaction used for the quantification of each detected light element. Towards this end, a lot of datasets have been published the last few years from several laboratories around the world. The discrepancies found can be resolved by applying a rigorous benchmarking procedure through the measurement of thick target yields. Such a procedure is proposed in the present paper and is applied in the case of the 19F(p,p’γ)19F reaction.
Electron-capture modes with realistic nuclear structure calculations
Authors: Giannaka P. G. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

Nuclear electron capture posses prominent position among other weak interaction processes occuring in explosive nucleosynthesis. In particular, this process plays important role in the core-colapse of massive stars by modifying the electron to baryon ratio Ye. From a nuclear theory point of view, such processes may be studied by using the same nuclear methods (e.g. the quasi-particle random phase approximation, QRPA), employed in the present work with these used for the one-body charge changing nuclear reactions (β-decay modes, charged-current electron-neutrino absorption by nuclei, etc). In this work we calculate e−-capture cross sections on 56Fe using two different approaches. At first, original cross section calculations are perfored by using the pn-QRPA method considering all the accessible transitions of the final nucleus 56Mn. Secondly, we evaluate the Gamow-Teller strength distributions and obtain the cross sections at the limit of zero-momentum transfer. The agreement between the two methods is very good.
Progress in radionuclide characterisation in marine sediments using an underwater gamma-ray spectrometer in 2π geometry
Authors: Androulakaki E. G. , Tsabaris C. , Kokkoris M. , Eleftheriou G. , Patiris D. L. , Pappa F. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

The in-situ gamma-ray spectrometry is a well suited method for seabed mapping applications, since it provides rapid results in a cost effective manner. Moreover, the in-situ method is preferable to the commonly applied laboratory measurements, due to its beneficial characteristics. Therefore, the development of in-situ systems for seabed measurements continuously grows. However, an efficiency calibration of the detection system is necessary for obtaining quantitative results in the full spectral range. In the present work, an approach for calculating the full-energy peak efficiency of an underwater insitu spectrometer for measure- ments on the seabed is presented. The experimental work was performed at the coastal site of Vasilikos (Cyprus). The experimental full-energy peak efficiency of the in-situ was determined in the energy range 1400–2600 keV, by combining the in-situ and laboratory reference measurements. The experimental effi- ciency results were theoretically reproduced by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, using the MCNP5 code.
Nuclear Reactor Neutrino Detection with the Spherical Proportional Counter
Authors: Katsioulas I. , Savvidis I. , Eleftheriadis C.
Published: February 2020

Nuclear Power Reactors are the most powerful neutrino sources as they emit large numbers of antineu- trinos, at energies up to 10 MeV. The reactor neutrino detection is very important for fundamental physics goals, as well as for applications, among them being the possibility to determine the isotopic composition of the reactor’s core. This could lead to application of neutrino spectroscopy for reactor monitoring, either for improving the reliability of operation of power reactors or as a method to accomplish certain safeguard and non-proliferation objectives. We present here the conditions on detecting neutrinos coming from nuclear reactors with the Spherical Proportional Counter (SPC), by exploiting the coherent neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering.
Simulating a Time-Resolved Optical Tomographic Modality
Authors: Rapsomanikis A.-N. , Gombou E. , Eleftheriou A. , Mikeli M. , Zioga M. , Stiliaris E.
Published: February 2020

The Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) using γ-radiotracers has been established as a standard technique in the physiological and functional Nuclear Imaging. However, anatomical in- formation of the surrounding tissue structure is basically limited by this modality. Therefore, additional techniques, possibly non-ionizing, must be utilized in order to gain such knowledge. SPECT can be alter- natively supported by adding a Time-Resolved Optical Tomographic (TROT) modality. The current work focuses on the feasibility of such a free-off ionizing, compact and low cost optical system. The architecture and the functionality of a time resolving optical construction, by means of a Monte-Carlo optical simulation, is presented in this study. An appropriate geometrical phantom is examined and a total of 24 projections covering the full angle region (0o −360o) are obtained with this optical system. The planar information was further analyzed to reconstruct the tomographic images using Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques (ART). Obtained results from the simulation are presented and the system’s efficiency, regarding spatial and time resolution, is discussed.
High-energy neutron facility at the Athens Tandem Accelerator NCSR “Demokritos”
Authors: Vlastou R. , Anastasiou M. , Kalamara A. , Diakaki M. , Kokkoris M. , Paneta V. , Axiotis M. , Lagoyannis A. , Nicolis N. G. , Serris M.
Published: February 2020

In the 5.5 MV tandem T11/25 Accelerator Laboratory of NCSR “Demokritos” monoenergetic neutron beams have been produced in the energy range ∼16–19 MeV using a new Ti-tritiated target of 373 GBq activity, by means of the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. The corresponding beam energies obtained from the accel- erator, were 0.8–3.7 deuterons. The maximum flux has been determined to be of the order of 106 n/s·cm2, implementing reference reactions. An investigation of the energy dependence of the neutron fluence has been carried out with the multiple foil activation technique. The beam has been used for the measurement of (n,2n) reaction cross section on several isotopes at 16.7 and 17 MeV.
Neutron streaming calculations in the JET entrance labyrinth
Authors: Stamatelatos I. E. , Vasilopoulou T. , Obryk P. , Bilski P. , Conroy S. , Popovichev S. , Syme D. B. , Batistoni P. , EDFA JET Contributors And the
Published: February 2020

Neutron streaming along the entrance labyrinth of the Joint European Torus (JET) was evaluated. Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP code were performed to calculate neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent along the length of the labyrinth. The results of this work aim to assist operational radiation protection activities in the JET facility and contribute to the validation of the safety assessment calculations made for ITER.
Neutrons along the labyrinth of high energy medical accelerators: Effect of wall materials
Authors: Fakinou M. , Stamatelatos I. E. , Kalef-Ezra J.
Published: February 2020

Neutron streaming along the labyrinth of a generic bunker of an 18MV medical accelerator was evaluated. Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP code were performed to calculate neutron ambient dose equivalent along the labyrinth. The effect of plain, borated and barites concrete wall material, as well as borated concrete and plywood (Celotex), as neutron absorbing wall liners, was examined. The results of the study suggest that plywood can provide a cost effective material to attenuate neutron streaming along the labyrinth.
Microscopic Calculations of Low-Energy Fission within the Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) Model: Preliminary Results
Authors: Vonta N. , Souliotis G. A. , Fountas P. N. , Bonasera A. , Veselsky M.
Published: February 2020

The investigation of the mechanism of nuclear fission is a topic of current experimental and theoretical interest. In this work, we initiated a systematic study of low and intermediate energy fission calculations using the Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) code. The code implements an effective interaction with a soft isoscalar part and with several forms of the density dependence of the nucleon symmetry potential. In addition, CoMD imposes a constraint in the phase space occupation for each nucleon restoring the Pauli principle at each time step of the evolution of the nuclear system. In this work, we present results for the reactions p (27 MeV) + 232Th and p (63 MeV) + 232Th and compare them with recent experimental data. It appears that the CoMD code is able to describe the complicated many-body dynamics of the fission process especially for the higher-energy fission reaction. Proper adjustment of the parameters of the effective interaction and further improvements of the code are necessary to achieve a satisfactory quantitative description of low-energy fission where shell effects play a definitive role.
INFLUENCE OF SOWING DATES AND SEEDING RATES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER WHEAT VARIETIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Fadeeva Irina , Tagirov Marsel , Gazizov Ilyas , Kurmakaev Fail'
Published: February 2020

In 2018-2019 in the Republic of Tatarstan the studies were carried out to study the effect of sowing dates and seeding rates on productuvuty of new varieties of winter wheat to identify the optimal elements of cultivation technology. The experiment scheme provided for the study of the following options: variety (factor A) - Darina, Universiada, Sultan; sowing time (factor B) - September 1 ... 2 (first, optimal), September 15 ... 17 (second); seeding rate (factor C) - 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; 6.5 million viable seeds per hectare. The predecessor is pure steam. Plot area 25 m2. The formation of the grain yield was mainly influenced by the sowing period (28.6%), the choice of the variety (21.2%) and the interaction of the three factors studied (15.8%). Universiada variety formed a yield of 4.91 t/ha during the first sowing period with a pure fallow and a seeding rate of 5.5 million pcs/ha. Sowing after September 15 resulted in a 33.78% decrease in the productivity of this variety. Darina variety formed the highest stand density among all the studied genotypes, both at the first (551.5 pieces/m2) and at the second (476.0 pieces/ m2) sowing dates. The highest grain yield of this variety was noted with the optimal (first) sowing period for pure fallow and the seeding rate of 6.0 million pcs/ha - 4.70 t/ha. A shift in sowing to a later date reduced its yield by 26.48%. Sultan variety formed the highest grain yield when sowing on September 1 ... 2 on a clean fallow with a seeding rate of 6.0 million pcs/ha. With a delay in sowing, like other varieties, the value of this indicator decreased by 24.65%. The analysis of correlations showed the dependence of the yield at the optimal sowing time in a medium degree on the grain size (r = 0.66), with a late one - on the number of productive stems for harvesting (r = 0.56).

Key words: winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), variety, productivity, yield, grain weight, correlation
RESULTS OF MOTOR TESTS OF EXPERIMENTAL GASOLINE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
Authors: Mar'in Dmitriy , Salahutdinov Il'mas , Molochnikov Denis , Mustyakimov Rail' , Gayaziev Ilnar
Published: February 2020

Current trends in the engine industry are aimed at improving the power and fuel-economic indicators of an internal combustion engine (ICE). This, in turn, is accompanied by an increase in the mechanical and thermal load on the details of the cylinder-piston group (CPG). One of the most loaded parts of the CPG is the piston. Overheating of the piston leads to premature wear of rubbing surfaces, occurrence of piston rings and their breakdowns, jamming of pistons, burnouts of the piston bottom, etc. Modern technology can protect engine parts subject to thermal stresses, especially pistons, by using structural coatings or special insulating materials. The main idea of such a coating is to reflect thermal energy back into the combustion chamber, which should prevent the piston from overheating. Thermal protective coatings are applied by plasma and detonation methods, however, such coatings are destroyed during operation and therefore they are not widely used to reduce the temperature level of the piston. To improve the thermal insulation properties of the piston, it is proposed to form a heat-insulating coating on the working surfaces of the piston head by microarc oxidation (MAO). A distinctive feature of MAO is the participation in the process of covering formation of surface microdischarges that have a very significant and specific effect on the forming covering, as a result of which the composition and structure of the resulting oxidized layers are significantly different, and the properties are significantly increased compared to conventional anode films. Comparative motor tests, the results of which showed that an engine equipped with pistons with a heat-insulating coating on the working surfaces of the head, increase power by 5.3% and reduce fuel consumption by 5.7%, compared with an engine equipped with standard pistons.
DENSITY OF SEEDING, FIELD SIMILARITY AND STRUCTURE OF SPRING WHEAT CROP, DEPENDING ON VARIETY AND PRESEEP TREATMENT OF SEEDS
Authors: Mefod'ev Georgiy , Shashkarov Leonid , Yakovleva Marina , Egorov Leonid
Published: February 2020

The article discusses the formation of planting density and spring wheat crop structure depending on varietal characteristics and seed dressing in the conditions of the Chuvash Republic. Varieties Margarita, Simbirtsit and Prokhorovka were studied. The second factor is seed treatment in three grades: 1. Without treatment (control). 2. Seed treatment with Benlat. 3. Seed treatment with Nano-Gro. The results of the analysis of the formation of field germination of seeds, the safety of plants and elements of the structure of the crop are presented. The effect of Nano-Gro in combination with the seed dresser Benlat was also studied. It has been shown that pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds with Nano-Gro solution increases the formation of planting density, field germination and the structure of the spring wheat crop (Terekhov MB, 2000; Kodanev I.M., 1984; Makarova V.M., 1995; Shashkarov L.G., 2018; Tolstova S.L., 2018; Aleksandrova A.N. 2018). The formation of highly productive crops is influenced by field germination of seeds. At least 400-500 plants per 1 m2 should be considered the optimal density of seedlings of grain crops in the Chuvash Republic with a sowing rate of 6 million germinating grains per 1 ha, and field germination of 70-80% is achieved (Kodanev I.M., 1984). In our studies, the density of seedlings and field germination of seeds depended on both varietal characteristics and meteorological conditions that developed during the sowing - seedlings.
In Pursuit of the American DREAM, or Mirage? Undocumented Youth in YA Fiction
Authors: Gasztold Brygida
Published: February 2020

The problems of undocumented youth in contemporary American immigrant fiction have been given a major focus, as political shifts and competing agendas fuel an ongoing national debate. Especially for young people who are on the brink of adulthood, their status as documented or undocumented results in inclusion in or exclusion from social, economic and political spheres, which affect their daily experiences and influence their plans for the future. This paper will explore the ways in which illegal status informs, impacts, and shapes the protagonists’ identity. The concept of undocumented status is used in my paper as an analytical lens through which the novels are read. My choice of the comingof- age genre reflects the importance of adolescence as a crucial period in the formation of a person’s identity. I argue that young adult fiction with undocumented protagonists on the one hand gives voice to those who are silenced and forced to live on the margins of American society, and on the other hand familiarizes native-born Americans with the social struggles that might be distant from their own experiences but offer alternative ways of looking at the world. The narratives about “Dreamers” are part of a broader political discourse on the U.S. immigration. By exploring the relationship between fiction and the dominant legal system, they signal current social issues and offer a critique of exclusionary practices of American law and society.
Listy z łagru Issaka Antoniego Donigiewicza
Authors: Obrocka Romana
Published: February 2020

Issak Antoni Donigiewicz’s Letters from a Soviet Prison Camp

The article focuses on the story of Issak Antoni Donigiewicz (1891-1943), a Polish Armenian born in Kuty in the region of Pokucie (Pokuttia), who was a banker, restaurateur and social activist. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, he became involved in underground activities against the Soviet Union which at that time occupied the territory of Eastern Poland. In 1940 the NKVD (People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs) arrested Donigiewicz and sent him to a Soviet prison camp in the Urals (Ivdel) where he would spend the rest of his life. The author has included and examined the original correspondence (28 letters) sent by Donigiewicz to his loved ones in the period from 7th February to 8th June 1941. The letters stand as a moving testimony to the emotional bonds within the Polish Armenian family and the struggle of an individual to survive under conditions of extreme persecution during the Soviet totalitarian regime.
Nursing research in kidney care special interest group
Authors: Anderson Nicola
Published: February 2020

A new special interest group, chaired by Nicola Anderson, will promote the voice of renal nursing research within the wider ANN UK strategy, while creating a national network and forum to further the influence of nurses working in kidney care research across the UK. The group hopes to hold a study day later in the year and would be interested in hearing from nurses involved in kidney research about what topics and information would be of most value
Raising the voice of practice nurses in 2020
Authors: Oldman Crystal
Published: February 2020

In a new quarterly column, Crystal Oldman explains how the Queen's Nursing Institute aims to make the voices of practice nurses heard in 2020
Floristic diversity and demographic structure of the Sidi R'Ghies forest, north-eastern of Algeria
Authors: MALIKA RACHED-KANOUNI  , KARIMA KARA  , Khammar Hichem , LABED ABABSA
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Rached-Kanouni M, Kara K, Khammar H, Ababsa L. 2020. Floristic diversity and demographic structure of the Sidi R'Ghies forest, north-eastern of Algeria. Biodiversitas 21: 875-881. In Algeria, the degradation of the ecosystems induces a loss of biodiversity and an increase in the adverse effects of climate change and anthropogenic actions, especially at the level of the ecosystems of semi-arid zones. This study aims to determine the floristic composition and demographic structures of different stands within the Sidi R'Ghies forest, north-east of Algeria. Data were collected using floristic surveys, diameter measurements at 1.30 m and total height for trees in four plots with size for each plot of 1000 m2. The diversity indices have been calculated on the basis of specific frequencies. The analysis revealed a low floristic richness with 6 woody species belonging to 5 families with the most dominant are the Cupressaceae and Fagaceae (29%). The low density of woody trees (97.78 individuals/ha) was found in Plot 1 and the high density of 205.56 individuals/ha was found in Plot 4. The diametric structure adjusts to the Weibull distribution and shows a predominance of young individuals. The distribution of trees in height classes shows a single distribution with an asymmetric curve. This positive distribution reveals a predominance of individuals with a height between 2 and 8 m (sapling to mature stage). This work, which provides an overview of the state of the floristic diversity of the Sidi R’Ghies forest, allows taking appropriate measures to safeguard our plant resources.
SYSTEMATIC BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS ON THE USE OF MILLET AND SORGHUM AS VEGETABLE COVER
Authors: Góes Bruno César , Zanetti Willian Aparecido Leoti , Góes Renato Jaqueto , Cremasco Camila Pires , Putti Fernando Ferrari , Gabriel Filho Luís Roberto Almeida
Published: February 2020

The use of alternative systems seeking unsustainability in agricultural production in Brazil, has developed strongly with the use of No-Tillage System (NTS), therefore remodeling the production system. For the production efficiency, it is necessary to use suitable crops as plant cover, depending on the region where the no-tillage system will be set, in which sorghum and millet crops were very positive. Thus, the objective of the work is to perform a systematic literature review on papers approaching the subject with the use of sorghum and millet as a vegetative cover for subsequent no-tillage. It is possible to verify a concentration of the studies after the 2000 decade, in the Southeastern and Central-Western regions of Brazil.
Fiber optic interferometric immunosensor based on polydimethilsiloxane (PDMS) and bioactive lipids
Authors: Cano-Velázquez Mildred S. , López-Marín Luz M. , Hernández-Cordero Juan
Published: February 2020

We demonstrate a novel and simple means to fabricate optical fiber immunosensors based on Fabry-Perot (F-P) interferometers using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as support for bioactive lipids. The sensors are fabricated following a straightforward dip-coating method producing PDMS end-capped devices. A biosensing platform is realized by subsequent functionalization of the PDMS cap with a previously characterized bioactive lipid antigen cocktail from Mycobacterium fortuitum, used as a surrogate source of antigens for tuberculosis diagnosis. After functionalization of the PDMS, the F-P sensors were immersed in different antibody-containing sera and the registered changes in their spectral features were associated to the interactions between the active lipids and the serum antibodies. Our results show that the proposed PDMS end-capped F-P immunosensors perform well differentiating antibody-containing sera. Furthermore, they offer attractive attributes such as label-free operation, real-time detection capabilities and they are also reusable. The proposed sensors, therefore, serve as an enabling optical immunosensing technique offering excellent potential for developing novel lipidomic analytical tools.
Al-Ḥabasha in Miṣr and the End of the World: Early Islamic Egyptian Apocalypse Narratives Related to Abyssinia
Authors: Bouderbala Sobhi
Published: February 2020

This paper deals with the representation of al-Ḥabasha (Abyssinia) in the apocalyptic texts written in early Islam and the importance of Egyptian scholars in the transmission of this material. The historical background of this literature and the political context of its writing shows a strong Yemeni influence, related to the struggle between the kingdoms of Ḥimyar and Axum in the sixth century CE. One could ask if Muslim sholars from Fustat, the new Islamic capital of Egypt, enacted a “coll ective memory” by borrowing apocalyptic material from Christian literature, as well as fragments from the pre-Islamic history of Yemen.
Abyssinia at al-Azhar: Muslim Students from the Horn of Africa in Late Medieval Cairo
Authors: Loiseau Julien
Published: February 2020

At the end of the fifteenth century, Muslim students from the Horn of Africa would come to Cairo in their search for knowledge and to dwell in the venerable mosque of al-Azhar. They formed a significant community of foreign students in the Egyptian metropolis, to the extent that they enjoyed their own fraternity where they gathered along their fellow countrymen. The article investigates the gradual development in Cairo of a Muslim community originating from the Horn of Africa. It puts their sudden visibility in the context of the establishment of the first student fraternities in al-Azhar’s history. Finally, it questions their role in the growing connections between Egypt and the Horn of Africa in the later Middle Ages.
FIRE SPREADING ANALYSIS OF A GROUP OF WOODEN HOUSES IN TOWNSCAPE FORMATION DISTRICT
Authors: Takatani Tomiya
Published: February 2020

There was a fire spreading disaster for 18 wooden houses in the historical townscape formation district in a famous spa resort area. In this paper, a fire spreading analysis of a group of wooden houses was carried out under some conditions of wind velocity and direction in order to numerically simulate a fire spreading phenomenon in the spa resort area and also investigate some fire spreading countermeasures for a group of wooden houses and also investigate an appropriate countermeasure for the fire spreading disaster of wooden houses using both fireproof wall and quasi-fireproof wall on wooden houses. As a result, it should be noted that the installation of fireproof wooden wall in every third wooden house can economically reduce a fire spreading area in comparison with the installation of quasi-fireproof wooden wall in every other wooden house.
NEAR ZERO ENERGY HOUSE (NZEH) DESIGN VARIABLES FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Latief Yusuf , Berawi Mohammed Ali , Supriadi Leni , Petroceany Jade , Herzanita Ayu , Koesalamwardi Ario Bintang
Published: February 2020

Housing development, as part of the economic development must be supported by energy availability in order to obtain a sustainable growth. One of the approaches to support the renewable energy promotions is designing and building energy efficient housing. However, optimal design of energy efficient buildings is facing two conflicting requirements, namely cost effective consideration and minimum environmental impact. The high costs from energy efficient building such as the Near Zero Energy House (nZEH) is due to high price of materials and equipment used, such as solar panel, insulation and other supporting materials. Indonesia is situated at the equator and received sunlight throughout the year. Nonetheless, this potential has not been fully discovered due to the high cost of the solar generated energy technology for housing. Moreover, this technology is not integrated with the main electricity network. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the design variables for nZEH that suit the tropical climate condition in Indonesia. Experiments and Case Study are used for the study, and the validated design variables for nZEH, which includes building orientation, PV, fenestration, and passive design, will be the basis for optimum nZEH design.
THE NEW TOLL ROAD FINANCING MODEL DETERMINATION
Authors: Rarasati Ayomi , Sihombing Lukas , Wibowo Andreas , Latief Yusuf
Published: February 2020

There are three main problems in Indonesia toll road financing model. First, it is the lack of state budget and delayed funding distribution for land acquisition. The second problem is the lack of financial ability of the winning company which leads to financial closing failure. The third problem is related to the land acquisition process that a special purpose company has to obtain for 100% before it can propose a loan from a bank. Therefore, it is essential to develop a new financial modeling to be implemented in Indonesian toll road development. Seven financial models were identified as having been implemented successfully and effectively. These models are earmarked tax revenue, deep discount bonds, take out financing, tax increment financing, land leases, deferred debt, and private donation. However, these models have never been utilized for toll road projects in Indonesia. Therefore, this research aims to explore those seven financial models and determine the most suitable one to be implemented in Indonesia. Literature review and in-depth interview with the key stakeholders were conducted to collect the data. The results subsequently show that there are four models that have never been implemented in Indonesia. However, the combination of deep discount bond and land leases is the most suitable financing model for Indonesian toll road industry.
RISK ASSESSMENT ON DESIGN AND BUILD PROJECTS – A COMPARISON OF CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS AND OWNERS PERCEPTIONS
Authors: Saaidin Sabihah , Endut Intan Rohani , Abu Samah Siti Akmar , Mohd Rizduan Ahmad Ruslan , Abd Razak Nur Nabihah
Published: February 2020

Design and Build (DB) has been classified as the most risky project due to the complexities and uniqueness of the project itself. Appropriate identification, analyzing, controlling and monitoring for the project risk are required to minimize the risk in DB projects. It is essential that all parties play an important role in minimizing risk inherent in design and build projects. Therefore, this study has been carried out to conduct risk assessment on design and build projects by the comparison of contractors, consultants and owners perceptions. To achieve the objective, the survey questionnaire was distributed among contractor, consultant and owner, that were directly involved in design and build projects. A total of 128 useable questionnaires were received and analyzed using mean ranking, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney Test. The result of these analyses shows that the contractors, consultants and owners have the same insight in risk factors presented namely: “client financial capability” and “inadequate cash flow by contractor”. There are no significant differences in between all parties except “bureaucracy in government agencies” and “inflation”. This study helps to increase understanding of contractors and owners on the importance of implementing risk management process at early stage of the projects.
IS PROJECT BASED LEARNING THE WAY TO GO?
Authors: Patnaikuni Indubhushan , Myadaraboina Himabindu
Published: February 2020

Many educational institutions have moved or are moving to project-based learning (PBL) in Engineering. Project-based learning and problem-based learning have both advantages and also disadvantages. They are suitable for certain courses and may not be that helpful for certain other courses. In case of courses which require mathematical and analytical skills PBL does not seem to be very useful. As a matter of fact, many students do not seem to learn the basics/fundamentals if PBL method is used. Courses like statics, Mechanics, and structural analysis are the type of courses which can produce graduates without a proper fundamental understanding of the subject matter if PBL is used for the entire course.
THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ON RUST GROWTH ON WEATHERING STEEL
Authors: Nagata Ryoya , Tachibana Shusaku , Aso Toshihiko
Published: February 2020

In this study, to develop a growth prediction method of rust on weathering steel, the rust progress characteristics under constant temperature and humidity have been conducted. In order to achieve a long life of weathering steel bridges, determination of several problems are required. Especially, rust evaluation technology, rust prediction method and repair technology of corroded weathering steel are significant. Different concentration (0.3%, 1.0%, 3.0%) of salt water sprayed on steel test pieces and,-were placed in a constant temperature and humidity test vessel, to observe the progress of rust in in-plane direction. Four patterns of exposure environment were tested. Exposure environment were combination of temperature (40°C, 20°C) and relative humidity (50%, 95%). To calculate the increase of rust area, specimen surface was confirmed. Higher salt water concentration (3%) brought rapid rust development. Furthermore, the increase of rust area was highly dependent on temperature than humidity. From time observations, it becomes clear that increase of rust area can be approximated to a logarithmic curve.
THE STABILITY OF SLOPE USING CELL – BASED SMOOTHED FINITE ELEMENT METHOD AND SECOND ORDER CONE PROGRAMMING
Authors: Nguyen Hai Le , Nguyen Hai Than , Minh Thien Vo
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the numerical limit analysis procedure, associating the cell-based smoothed finite element method (CS-FEM) with the (second-order cone) primal-dual interior point algorithm, for cohesive-frictional materials problem is described. The soil is modeled as a cohesionless frictional Mohr-Coulomb material with the associated flow rule. Kinematically admissible velocity fields are established using CS-FEM. The underlying non-smooth optimization problem is formulated as a problem of minimizing a sum of Euclidean norms, ensuring that the resulting optimization problem can be solved by an efficient second order cone programming algorithm. The core purpose of this study is to evaluate collapse loads as well as failure mechanisms of footings on slope which will be obtained directly from solving the optimization problems. In this study, the properties of soil and the width of footing and distance from footing to the edge of the slope are considered. Several numerical examples of slope stability are given to show the performance of the proposed method.
Fuzzy servqual implementation in evaluation of agricultural extention officer service quality
Authors: Suranti Dewi , Yupianti Yupianti
Published: February 2020

This study aims to measure the quality of service of agricultural extension workers at the UPT. BPP Sukaraja uses the fuzzy service quality (servqual) method by grouping question attributes into five service dimensions criteria, namely the dimensions of tangibles (direct evidence), reliability (responsibility), responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The study showed that the value of the gap that requires the priority of improvement and improvement in service quality is the dimension of Tangibles with a negative gap value of -0.45 that means that the expectations of farmers are still not achieved. The customer satisfaction index is 87.93%, which means farmers are satisfied with the services provided. The study can be a motivation to improve the quality of service to farmers for UPT BPP Sukaraja.
Comparative study of four indoor empirical propagation models for campus wireless network
Authors: Mukti Fransiska Sisilia
Published: February 2020

Propagation is one of the important factors to understand in wireless communication systems. Prediction of the value of propagation, especially for closed areas, is very necessary to determine success in building wireless networks. Various kinds of propagation modeling were developed to find the best approach to calculate the value of signal losses. A comparative study of 4 types of empirical propagation modeling was made to provide the most suitable propagation modeling analysis for campus wireless networks. The ITU-R model (P.1238) provides predictive results that are closest to the actual data in the field, with a relative error rate of 16.381%.
Propagowanie totalitaryzmu i nawoływanie do nienawiści (art. 256 Kodeksu karnego)
Authors: Radziejewski Piotr
Published: February 2020

The paper deals with the provision of Article 256 of the Polish Penal Code. The author discusses the offences of public propagation of totalitarian forms of government, and offence of inciting to hatred on national, ethnic, racial or religious grounds and offences connected with objects with such content. The author pays particular attention to the controversial and unclear wording used in the above regulation and identifies possible amendments that could make the article more precise and effective.
Umowny limit świadczeń zdrowotnych finansowanych ze środków publicznych a bezpodstawne wzbogacenie pacjenta
Authors: Glanowski Grzegorz
Published: February 2020

The paper describes the behavior of a patient who in order to obtain medical benefits simulates symptoms which, according to special medical knowledge could be recognised as a threat to life or health. The main problem arises when despite the fact that the limits of medical benefits financed from the public funds have run short, a medical doctor, wishing to fulfil his statutory duty, decides to render medical assistance to such patient. Whether that assistance was really indispensible can only be determined after the patient has been thoroughly examined. It may then be too late, though, and the doctor may face serious difficulty in being reimbursed by the National Health Fund, or, if there was no actual threat to patient’s life or health, such compensation for rendered service becomes out of reach. The author analyses the abovementioned situation from the civil law point of view.
The European Union and Fundamental Rights/Human Rights: Vanguard or Villain?
Authors: Rosas Allan
Published: February 2020

The protection of fundamental rights and human rights in the European Union has witnessed several phases and fluctuations. In the early days of European integration, whilst it would be exaggerated to brand the then Communities a ‘villain,’ there was no explicit recognition of fundamental rights/human rights as being part of Community law. I hope it should have become clear by now that the Union does not fit particularly well into any of these two extremes. But by comparison to the other EU institutions, the Court of Justice has been somewhat of a forerunner, taking the first steps towards a fundamental rights system already in 1969 and contributing in many respects to its further development.
Migrant Domestic Workers in Europe: the Need for a Better Protection
Authors: Tyc Aneta
Published: February 2020

Migrant domestic workers are estimated at approximately 11.5 million persons worldwide. European women are being replaced in their household chores by immigrant women, e.g. from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. The paper focuses on human labour rights of domestic migrant workers, especially from the point of view of the typology which divides international standards concerning labour as a matter of human rights into four groups: rights relating to employment (eg. the prohibition of slavery and forced labour); rights deriving from employment (eg. the right to social security, the right to just and favourable conditions of work); rights concerning equal treatment and nondiscrimination, and instrumental rights (eg. the right to organise, the right to strike). The aim of this paper is to reveal insufficient effectiveness of human labour rights according to the above-mentioned typology. Thus, the author will concentrate on the issues of modern slavery, hyper-precarity and discrimination.
Social Guarantees in the Case of Employees’ Dismissal in Russia Comparative Legal Aspects of Russian and Foreign Labor Law
Authors: Zavgorodniy Alexander
Published: February 2020

The main purpose of the article is to identify the contradictions and problems arising when both international labor standards and Russian labor law are applied and separate guarantees to workers are provided in the case of their dismissal. The object of the research is the employment relationship which arises between the employer and the employee when social guarantees are given to the workers when the employment relations are terminated. This article considers the regulations of Russian and foreign labor law which provide workers with certain guarantees if the employment contract is terminated at the initiative of the employer. For the first time, these guarantees are considered from a comparative legal perspective. Specific recommendations about improvement of the Russian labor law and its enforcement.
The Tax Avoidance Clause: Do We Want it, Do We Need it?
Authors: Nieborak Tomasz
Published: February 2020

The aim of this paper is to outline the institution of the tax avoidance clause which has recently been re-introduced to the Polish legal system. The clause is known in many legal systems worldwide, and always arouses numerous controversies, which arise primarily from the subjectivity as well as, partly, the retroactivity of its application, which is based on extremely general principles, leaving a vast interpretative margin to the tax authorities enforcing the clause. Selected problems arising from the implementation of the tax avoidance clause in the Polish legal system have been analysed. These theoretical problems will be real once the clause has been enforced.
Controversies Concerning the Interpretation of State Resources as a Prerequisite of State Aid: an Illustration Using the Example of Polish Green Certificates and the Auction System
Authors: Bałdowski Michał
Published: February 2020

The process of Europeanisation in the legal field results in various conflicts between the Member States and European authorities. Cases concerning State aid are an example of such a conflict, where on one hand Member States want to preserve control over various supporting schemes and on the other the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union through a set of judgements and decisions increase their supervisory power over the supporting schemes. The European jurisprudence tend to stretch the scope of State aid by expanding the definition of State resources, which is one of its prerequisites. Applying of such a broad definition of State resources to Polish green certificates scheme and the auction scheme shows negative results of this approach that not only decreases the efficiency of the Renewable Energy Sources supporting schemes but that has a negative reflection on the whole State aid system.