bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desafios metodológicos da pesquisa “jovem e consumo midiático em tempos de convergência” no “Brasil profundo”
Authors: Felizola Matheus Pereira Mattos , Gomes Vitor José Braga Mota , Marques Jane Aparecida
Published: May 2020

Resumo: O objetivo é apresentar os caminhos metodológicos do projeto “Jovem e Consumo Midiático em Tempos de Convergência” durante os anos de 2015 a 2020. As experiências científicas perpassaram um processo evolutivo que foi iniciado com pesquisas anteriores até o momento desta, e envolveu pesquisadores (docentes e discentes de pós-graduação e graduação) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) e da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA). A pesquisa teve inspiração etnográfica, seguindo a proposição de Angrosino (2009) e Flick (2009). Dentre os resultados, percebemos como esses jovens são bastante ativos nas mídias sociais, especialmente através dos dispositivos móveis, apesar da pequena cobertura dos serviços de telefonia; além da centralidade do Facebook e do WhatsApp para esse público ao consumir conteúdos imagéticos, audiovisuais e textuais, e fazer a interlocução nas suas redes sociais para troca de mensagens, e pelas performances adotadas em seus perfis.Palavras-chave: Metodologia; Etnografia; Pesquisa Qualitativa; Pesquisa Quantitativa. Methodological challenges of the research “youth and media consumption in times of convergence in “deep Brazil”Abstract: The purpose of the article is to present the methodological paths of the project “Youth and Media Consumption in Times of Convergence”, during the years 2015 to 2020. The scientific experiences have passed through an evolutionary process that started with previous research until the moment of this one, which involves researchers (teachers, graduate and undergraduate students) at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The research had ethnographic inspiration, following the proposition of Angrosino (2009) and Flick (2009). Among the results, we see how these young people are very active on social media, especially through mobile devices, despite the small coverage of telephone services; in addition to the centrality of Facebook and WhatsApp for this audience by consuming imagery, audiovisual and textual content and making interlocution with their networks through messages and in the performances adopted in their created profiles.Keywords: Methodology; Ethnography; Qualitative Research; Quantitative Research.
A imagem como ferramenta na pesquisa qualitativa em saúde: relato de experiência
Authors: Fonseca Elaine De Oliveira Souza , Pedreira Larissa Chaves , Rodrigues Ana Isabel , Pereira Roberta Góes , Gomes Nildete Pereira
Published: May 2020

Resumo: A imagem é uma relevante ferramenta em pesquisas qualitativas. Este trabalho objetivou descrever a experiência do uso da imagem como método de coleta de dados por meio da Técnica de Associação Livre de Palavras, em um estudo sobre cuidados em saúde bucal de idosos hospitalizados. A pesquisa ocorreu em um hospital universitário situado em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, tendo a equipe de enfermagem como colaboradora do estudo. Por se tratar de pesquisa com seres humanos, todos os cuidados éticos foram respeitados. O relato reflete sobre a utilização de uma imagem fixa na coleta de dados, que não foi idealmente representativa aos colaboradores, necessitando de adaptação na metodologia do trabalho. Conclui-se que a utilização da imagem como recurso em pesquisas na saúde permite maior aproximação aos sujeitos da pesquisa, alcançando mais profundamente os seus pensamentos e manifestações.Palavras-chave: Pesquisa qualitativa; Imagem; Saúde bucal; Enfermagem. Image as a tool in qualitative research in health: experience reportAbstract: Image is an relevant tool in qualitative research. This study aims to describe the experience of using the image as a method of data collection through the Free Word Association Technique in a research on oral health care of hospitalized elderly patients. The research took place in a university hospital located in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, with the nursing team as collaborator of the study. Due to this research is related to human beings, all ethical caution was respected. The report reflects on the use of a fixed image in the data collection, which was not ideally representative of the researched population, necessitating adaptation in the work methodology. It is concluded that the use of the image as a resource in health research allows a closer approximation to the subjects of the research, reaching deeper their thoughts and manifestation.Keywords: Qualitative research; Image; Oral health; Nursing.
Preceptoria na residência médica em hospital público de emergência além das atividades prescritas: relato por meio de incidentes críticos
Authors: Wanderley Camille Lemos Cavalcanti , Vieira Maria De Lourdes Fonseca , Vasconcelos Maria Viviane Lisboa de
Published: May 2020

Resumo: As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais da Medicina enfatizam a lacuna existente no ensino de emergência e a especificidade da preceptoria nesse cenário. Este estudo analisa a influência dos fatores psicossociais do trabalho no fazer pedagógico do preceptor, numa abordagem qualitativa, na modalidade estudo de caso. Foi desenvolvido em hospital público de emergência do nordeste do Brasil. Participaram cinco preceptores de Residência Médica, submetidos à entrevista individual através da técnica do incidente crítico. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo, a partir da qual foram identificados os fatores psicossociais inerentes ao trabalhador e internos ao trabalho que influenciam a preceptoria. As evidências destacam ainda a reduzida formação pedagógica e a imobilização do poder de agir em competência dos preceptores, sendo necessário o fortalecimento da formação pedagógica e da identidade profissional. Ressalta-se a necessidade de problematizar o cotidiano do processo de trabalho em saúde para transformar a formação de quem forma.Palavras-chave: Preceptoria; Residência médica; Análise e Desempenho de Tarefa; Hospital de emergência; Clínica da Atividade. Medical residency preceptorship at a public emergency hospital beyond prescribed activities: report of critical incidentesAbstract: The National Curricular Guidelines of Medicine emphasize the gap in emergency teaching and the specificity of the role of preceptor in this setting. The present study analyzes the influence of the psychosocial factors of work on the pedagogic performance of preceptors, using a qualitative approach and a case study. The research was conducted at a public emergency hospital in Northeastern Brazil. The five preceptors from the medical residency that participated were interviewed individually using the critical incident technique. The data were submitted to content analysis and the psychosocial factors inherent to the worker and specifically to the work that influences preceptors were identified. The evidence highlights insufficient pedagogic training and the lack of action on behalf of preceptors, demonstrating the need for strengthening pedagogical training and professional identity. It is important to investigate the daily work process in health, in order to transform training procedures.Keywords: Preceptorship; Medical residency; Task and performance analysis; Emergency hospital; Activity clinic.
Perilaku Berbasis Teknologi di Sosial Media pada Digital Nattive
Authors: Syifa Sari Agustina Laelatus
Published: May 2020

Social media has become a new way for people to communicate with others. Social media is media on the internet that allows users to present themselves, work together, share, communicate with other users form social bonds virtually, and express themselves. Their identity is built by offline and online interaction. This condition makes its uniqueness when someone behaves in communicating and expressing themselves on social media. This study aims to describe internet-based behavior on digital natives, especially in posting content on social media. This research used a descriptive qualitative method, through structured interviews with 84 students aged 18-23 years, male and female gender. The data obtained analyzed by coding. The results show that the media gives satisfaction and makes them survive to use it actively and provides the availability of information, entertainment, and connection with their social life. Feelings of insecurity in using social media are closely related to the social consequences that will get and manifested through restrictions on access is allowed to view account content. The purpose of posting is different, but many illustrate needed for self-expression and desire to provide social influence in the form of direct feedback or the delivery of their thoughts to fellow users.
Gegar Budaya Ditinjau dari Dukungan Sosial pada Mahasiswa Thailand Selatan (Patani)
Authors: Rizal Irfani , Herawati Icha
Published: May 2020

Cultural differences experienced by Thailand Selatan (Patani) students with Indonesian culture can cause cultural shock to Patani students. Culture shock is a reaction of individual discomfort when entering a new environment. One of the strategies in reducing culture shock is to get social support. This research examines whether there is a correlation between social support and culture shock in Patani students at the Islamic University of Riau. The research method used is quantitative research. Data collection was carried out using a scale of culture shock and social support scale. Pearson product-moment analysis was used to test the proposed hypothesis. Participants numbered 52 people using saturated sample techniques. The results showed that a negative and significant relationship between social support and culture shock in Patani students at the Islamic University of Riau with the r = -0,276 with p 0,024 (p< 0,05). The conclusion from this study shows that the higher the social support, the lower the culture shock. The culture shock was predicted by social support of 7.6%.
Religiusitas dan Intensi Anti Korupsi: Peran Moderasi Kebersyukuran
Authors: Mumtazah Humaira , Abdul Rahman Agus , Sarbini Sarbini
Published: May 2020

Corruption is a behavior that cannot be socially or religiously justified. Interestingly, despite the corruption is prohibited in all religions in Indonesia, the index of corruption remains high as reported by the results of surveys of national and international institutions. Besides, research on this matter showed inconsistency in the relationships between religiosity and corrupt behavior. This research re-examined the relationship between religiosity and anti-corruption intentions and determined the moderating effect of gratitude as an intervening variable. Gratitude is one of the strongest religious values which is expected to reduce ones’ intention to do corruptions. The research was conducted using a correlational research design, involving 92 population in an educational foundation in Garut regency, West Java. Data were collected using the GRAT short form to measure gratitude and the Muslim Religiosity Scale (MRC) was employed to measure religiosity. Whereas, Anti-Corruption Intention Scale was used to measure the anti-corruption intention. The results of data analysis showed that religiosity and anti-corruption intentions were positively correlated (F= 154.1, p = .001, R2= .631), and gratitude moderated the increase in the relationship (R2= .668). Therefore, gratitude was regarded as an intervening variable that strengthened the correlation between religiosity and anti-corruption behavior by 3.7%.
Tinjauan Sistematis: Faktor-Faktor Gaya Atribusi Prestasi Akademik
Authors: Kusumo Yondrian Alto
Published: May 2020

Attribution style is one of the most relevant concepts in predicting academic achievement. Various researches have tried to study the factors that influence the attribution style. Several factors such as gender, ethnicity, and social class have been widely discussed in scientific publications. However, since Bernard Weiner first developed attribution theory more than 40 years ago, there have been changes in a social condition that might have affected various attribution factors. This review aims to see the latest developments in the factors that influence the attribution of academic achievement. A systematic search of articles published in 3 English-language international publishers since 2010 identified a total of 6 studies, which included 132.293 students from various nations. An assessment that measured qualities of a research in 4 areas: research design, sampling, measurement, and analysis identified 3 high-quality research and 3 moderate-quality research. The result shows that ethnic factors confirm the findings from previous studies. Researches on gender factors provide new insights regarding the attribution style of female students. Besides, new factors emerge, such as school stratification and the attribution style of parents over their life events.
The botanical illustrations of Franz Scheidl (fl. 1770–1795)
Authors: Lack H. Walter
Published: May 2020

Franz Scheidl created approximately 800 botanical illustrations published in Vienna as coloured copperplate engravings in Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin's Hortus botanicus Vindobonensis and Florae Austriacae icones between 1770 and 1778. Johann Jacob von Well's unpublished “Phytanthologia eikonike”, an illustrated manuscript intended as a kind of florilegium and produced between 1768 and 1780, consists in part of plant illustrations based on living specimens, in part of incomplete copies of pre-existing images; these are also by Scheidl's hand. Another manuscript, “Pflanzen Blumen und Früchte”, held by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation Library in Upperville, Virginia, to date incompletely known and possessing similar characteristics, has also been ascribed to Scheidl; its contents are analysed here. These materials help to understand the work of a botanical illustrator and copyist working in the late eighteenth century.
EFEKTIVITAS PENDIDIKAN DAN PELATIHAN DALAM MENINGKATAN KINERJAAUDITOR DI INSPEKTORAT KABUPATEN LAMONGAN PROVINSI JAWA TIMUR
Authors: Sukmana Ely
Published: May 2020

Effectiveness of Education and Training in Increasing Auditor Performance at the Lamongan Regency Inspectorate of East Java Province. This study aims to find out and analyze education and training to be the driving factors for improving the performance of auditors at the Inspectorate of Lamongan Regency, East Java Province. The researcher used a qualitative descriptive method with an inductive approach. The conclusion of this study is the effectiveness of education and training carried out through technical training programs held by the Lamongan District Inspectorate and the implementation of functional training and technical training outside which aims to improve the performance of the Lamongan District Inspectorate auditors, including being effective. This can be understood from the results of the overall study through interviewing the author with sources and direct observations. The indicators of effectiveness of auditor participation to carry out technical training carried out by the Inspectorate and functional training and technical training held outside of stating that, every implementation. Education and training can have a positive impact on the auditor of the Lamongan District Inspectorate in improving performance to carry out their duties and functions as internal government supervisors.
Living Precarious Lives? Time and Temporality in Visual Arts Careers
Authors: Serafini Paula , Banks Mark
Published: May 2020

Although precarity has always been a characteristic feature of artistic labour, many critics now claim it is becoming more widespread and engrained. However, while the idea of precarity offers a good descriptor of the conditions of artistic labour, it also has its limits. Firstly, it tends to gloss over social differences in the distribution of precariousness. And secondly, precarity tends to imply a universal condition of ‘temporal poverty’ where all social experience appears dominated by the frenetic demands of a speeded-up, unstable and fragmented social world. In this article, we show how these two omissions are interlinked and prevent a more nuanced understanding of time in artistic labour. Drawing from findings from empirical research with working visual artists in the Midlands of the UK, we propose three schematic ways of thinking about the organisation of time and temporality in routine artistic practice. We name these three temporal contexts ‘the artistic career’; ‘the time of making art’ and ‘the temporality of the work’. By researching how artists might be differently positioned in relation to time, we suggest, we not only obtain a more precise understanding of how professional artists’ lives are organised, managed and lived, but also a more distinct understanding of precarity itself.
The Effect of Soil Volume Availability on Opuntia ficus-indica Canopy and Root Growth
Authors: Hassan Sawsan , Liguori Giorgia , Inglese Paolo , Louhaichi Mounir , Sortino Giuseppe
Published: May 2020

The study investigated the effect of soil volume restriction on the below- and above-ground growth of Opuntia ficus-indica through understanding the limit imposed by root confinement via different soil volumes on root and canopy architecture and growth. In 2014, one-year-old O. ficus-indica cladodes were planted in five different soil volumes (50, 33, 18, 9 and 5 L). The cladode and roots of each sampled plants were measured and weighed every six months; a starch content estimation was performed using the perchloric acid method. The restricted soil volume had limiting effects on overall plant growth and influenced plant development. The largest canopy surface area and dry mass were measured in 50 L potted plants. Root system growth was inhibited by soil volume restriction: the total root length, surface area, dry mass and volume decreased due to this restriction. During the whole period, the starch content in cladodes and in roots grown on a 5 L soil volume was twice as much as in the largest, 50 L soil volume. Our results confirmed the importance of O. ficus-indica as a potential plant that can survive under low soil volume conditions. This plant has the ability to balance its growth and stay alive under harsh environments.
Antimicrobial Activity of Nitrogen-Containing 5-α-Androstane Derivatives: In Silico and Experimental Studies
Authors: Amiranashvili Lela , Nadaraia Nanuli , Merlani Maia , Kamoutsis Charalampos , Petrou Anthi , Geronikaki Athina , Pogodin Pavel , Druzhilovskiy Dmitry , Poroikov Vladimir , Ciric Ana , Glamočlija Jasmina , Sokovic Marina
Published: May 2020

We evaluated the antimicrobial activity of thirty-one nitrogen-containing 5-α-androstane derivatives in silico using computer program PASS (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) and freely available PASS-based web applications (such as Way2Drug). Antibacterial activity was predicted for 27 out of 31 molecules; antifungal activity was predicted for 25 out of 31 compounds. The results of experiments, which we conducted to study the antimicrobial activity, are in agreement with the predictions. All compounds were found to be active with MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) values in the range of 0.0005–0.6 mg/mL. The activity of all studied 5-α-androstane derivatives exceeded or was equal to those of Streptomycin and, except for the 3β-hydroxy-17α-aza-d-homo-5α-androstane-17-one, all molecules were more active than Ampicillin. Activity against the resistant strains of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was also shown in experiments. Antifungal activity was determined with MIC and MFC (Minimum Fungicidal Concentration) values varying from 0.007 to 0.6 mg/mL. Most of the compounds were found to be more potent than the reference drugs Bifonazole and Ketoconazole. According to the results of docking studies, the putative targets for antibacterial and antifungal activity are UDP-N-acetylenolpyruvoylglucosamine reductase and 14-α-demethylase, respectively. In silico assessments of the acute rodent toxicity and cytotoxicity obtained using GUSAR (General Unrestricted Structure-Activity Relationships) and CLC-Pred (Cell Line Cytotoxicity Predictor) web-services were low for the majority of compounds under study, which contributes to the chances for those compounds to advance in the development.
Review on Current Status of Echinocandins Use
Authors: Mroczyńska Martyna , Brillowska-Dąbrowska Anna
Published: May 2020

Fungal infections are rising all over the world every year. There are only five medical compound classes for treatment: triazoles, echinocandins, polyenes, flucytosine and allylamine. Currently, echinocandins are the most important compounds, because of their wide activity spectrum and much lower sides effects that may occur during therapy with other drugs. Echinocandins are secondary metabolites of fungi, which can inhibit the biosynthesis of β-(1,3)-D-glucan. These compounds have fungicidal and fungistatic activity depending on different genera of fungi, against which they are used. Echinocandin resistance is rare—the major cause of resistance is mutations in the gene encoding the β-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase enzyme. In this review of the literature we have summarized the characteristics of echinocandins, the mechanism of their antifungal activity with pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the resistance issue.
Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera Protect Cardiomyocytes from Doxorubicin-Induced Oxidative Stress: Evaluation of Onconutraceutical Potential of Vegetable Smoothies
Authors: Pepe Giacomo , Salviati Emanuela , Rapa Shara Francesca , Ostacolo Carmine , Cascioferro Stella , Manfra Michele , Autore Giuseppina , Marzocco Stefania , Campiglia Pietro
Published: May 2020

The interest towards nutraceuticals able to counteract drug side effects is continuously growing in current chemotherapeutic protocols. In the present study, we demonstrated that smoothies containing mixtures of Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera L. cv. Aglianico N, two typical fruits of the Mediterranean diet, possess bioactive polyphenols that protect cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress. The polyphenolic extracts isolated from Citrus sinensis- and Vitis vinifera-based functional smoothies were deeply characterized by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry methods. Subsequently, the functional smoothies and relative mixtures were tested to verify their ability to affect cellular viability and oxidative stress parameters in embryonic cardiomyocyte cells (H9c2), and human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) exposed to doxorubicin. Interestingly, we found that the mix resulting from Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera association in ratio 1:1 was able to reduce cardiomyocytes damage induced by anthracyclines, without significantly interfering with the pro-apoptotic activity of the drug on breast cancer cells. These results point out the potential use of vegetable smoothies as adjuvants functional foods for chemotherapeutic anticancer protocols.
Large-Scale Complex Network Community Detection Combined with Local Search and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Lyu Desheng , Wang Bei , Zhang Weizhe
Published: May 2020

With the development of network technology and the continuous advancement of society, the combination of various industries and the Internet has produced many large-scale complex networks. A common feature of complex networks is the community structure, which divides the network into clusters with tight internal connections and loose external connections. The community structure reveals the important structure and topological characteristics of the network. The detection of the community structure plays an important role in social network analysis and information recommendation. Therefore, based on the relevant theory of complex networks, this paper introduces several common community detection algorithms, analyzes the principles of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm and proposes a particle swarm-genetic algorithm based on the hybrid algorithm strategy. According to the test function, the single and the proposed algorithm are tested, respectively. The results show that the algorithm can maintain the good local search performance of the particle swarm optimization algorithm and also utilizes the good global search ability of the genetic algorithm (GA) and has good algorithm performance. Experiments on each community detection algorithm on real network and artificially generated network data sets show that the particle swarm-genetic algorithm has better efficiency in large-scale complex real networks or artificially generated networks.
A Comparative Study of the Data-Driven Stochastic Subspace Methods for Health Monitoring of Structures: A Bridge Case Study
Authors: Shokravi Hoofar , Shokravi Hooman , Bakhary Norhisham , Rahimian Koloor Seyed Saeid , Petrů Michal
Published: May 2020

Subspace system identification is a class of methods to estimate state-space model based on low rank characteristic of a system. State-space-based subspace system identification is the dominant subspace method for system identification in health monitoring of the civil structures. The weight matrices of canonical variate analysis (CVA), principle component (PC), and unweighted principle component (UPC), are used in stochastic subspace identification (SSI) to reduce the complexity and optimize the prediction in identification process. However, researches on evaluation and comparison of weight matrices’ performance are very limited. This study provides a detailed analysis on the effect of different weight matrices on robustness, accuracy, and computation efficiency. Two case studies including a lumped mass system and the response dataset of the Alamosa Canyon Bridge are used in this study. The results demonstrated that UPC algorithm had better performance compared to two other algorithms. It can be concluded that though dimensionality reduction in PC and CVA lingered the computation time, it has yielded an improved modal identification in PC.
Prediction of Health Care Costs by Dental Health Care Costs and Periodontal Status
Authors: Nomura Yoshiaki , Sato Tetsuro , Kamoshida Yoshinori , Suzuki Syunsuke , Okada Ayako , Otsuka Ryoko , Kakuta Erika , Hanada Nobuhiro
Published: May 2020

Reducing heath care costs is an important issue in Japan. The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of oral health to health care costs and to predict health care costs by statistical modeling. Data from 46 individuals (29 men and 17 women; mean age of 44.6 ± 1.7 years) on health care costs, dental health care costs, and the results of the salivary levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) over two years were provided by the association. Multilayer perceptron neural networks were applied to predict the health care costs from data from the previous year and included health care costs, dental health care costs, and salivary levels of LD. Nonlinear relationships were observed between medical health care costs, dental health care costs, and periodontal conditions. The health care costs from the previous year were the most important predictor of health care costs. The simulation results showed that health care costs decreased with the increase in dental health care costs from the previous year. Health care costs increased with increasing salivary levels of LD from the previous year. Improvements in periodontal conditions and dental health care may play some roles in reducing health care costs.
Trichoderma: Evaluation of Its Degrading Abilities for the Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Complex Mixtures
Authors: Daccò Chiara , Nicola Lidia , Temporiti Marta Elisabetta Eleonora , Mannucci Barbara , Corana Federica , Carpani Giovanna , Tosi Solveig
Published: May 2020

Hydrocarbons can have very harmful effects on organisms and the environment, and conventional techniques for their removal are expensive and require the use of chemicals and long-term actions. Trichoderma is an ascomycete genus known to be active on different recalcitrant substrates, since it can produce a set of nonspecific extracellular enzymes generally involved in the degradation of lignin. However, the literature concerning the use of Trichoderma to degrade hydrocarbons is still limited. In this work we aimed to investigate the ability of Trichoderma to exploit used engine oil as its sole carbon source for prospective bioremediation of contaminated substrates. Four different strains belonging to Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum species were tested. The fungi were inoculated in direct contact with used engine oil, and after 45 days the samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that all strains (except Trichoderma asperellum F1020) significantly changed the oil composition, decreasing the aromatic fraction in favor of the aliphatic one. T. harzianum F26, especially, showed a significant reduction of the BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the three xylene isomers) and alkylbenzenes fraction and an increase in short-chain aliphatics C1–C20. Enzymatic tests for laccase and peroxidase were also carried out, demonstrating that every strain seems to express a different mode of action.
Impact Resisting Mechanisms of Shear-Critical Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with High-Performance FRC
Authors: Zanuy Carlos , Ulzurrun Gonzalo S.D.
Published: May 2020

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures typically present brittle failures by shear or punching under impact loading. High-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPFRC) has great potential due to its superior strength and energy absorption. The higher price and environmental cost of HPFRC compared to conventional RC can be effectively overcome by partially strengthening impact-sensitive RC members with HPFRC. To study the feasibility of this technique, HPFRC was applied as a tensile layer at the bottom of RC beams. Drop weight impact tests were carried out on beams with two values (35 and 55 mm) of HPFRC thickness, in addition to companion RC beams. Results show that the impact response can be divided into two stages: a first stage governed by local effects and shear plug formation at midspan, and a second stage governed by global beam behavior with formation of shear web cracks. A new resisting mechanism was observed for beams strengthened with HPFRC, as the strengthening layer worked similarly to a stress ribbon retaining the damaged RC and reducing fragmentation-induced debris. Such mechanism was fully achieved by the specimens with 35 mm HPFRC layer but was limited for the specimens with 55 mm HPFRC layer due to impact-induced interface debonding.
Characterization and Modelling of Various Sized Mountain Bike Tires and the Effects of Tire Tread Knobs and Inflation Pressure
Authors: Dressel Andrew , Sadauckas James
Published: May 2020

Mountain bikes continue to be the largest segment of U.S. bicycle sales, totaling some USD 577.5 million in 2017 alone. One of the distinguishing features of the mountain bike is relatively wide tires with thick, knobby treads. Although some work has been done on characterizing street and commuter bicycle tires, little or no data have been published on off-road bicycle tires. This work presents laboratory measurements of inflated tire profiles, tire contact patch footprints, and force and moment data, as well as static lateral and radial stiffness for various modern mountain bike tire sizes including plus size and fat bike tires. Pacejka’s Motorcycle Magic Formula tire model was applied and used to compare results. A basic model of tire lateral stiffness incorporating individual tread knobs as springs in parallel with the overall tread and the inflated carcass as springs in series was derived. Finally, the influence of inflation pressure was also examined. Results demonstrated appreciable differences in tire performance between 29 × 2.3”, 27.5 × 2.8”, 29 × 3”, and 26 × 4” knobby tires. The proposed simple model to combine tread knob and carcass stiffness offered a good approximation, whereas inflation pressure had a strong effect on mountain bike tire behavior.
The Predictive Model of Surface Texture Generated by Abrasive Water Jet for Austenitic Steels
Authors: Kmec Ján , Gombár Miroslav , Harničárová Marta , Valíček Jan , Kušnerová Milena , Kříž Jiří , Kadnár Milan , Karková Monika , Vagaská Alena
Published: May 2020

Austenitic stainless steel belongs to the best oxidation-resistant alloys, which must function effectively and reliably when used in a corrosion environment. Their attractive combination of properties ensures their stable position in the steel industry. They belong to a group of difficult-to-cut materials, and the abrasive water jet cutting technology is often used for their processing. Samples made of stainless steel AISI 304 has been used as the experimental material. Data generated during experiments were used to study the effects of AWJ process parameters (high-pressure water volume flow rate, the diameter of the abrasive nozzle, the distance of the nozzle from the material surface, cutting head feed rate, abrasive mass flow, and material thickness) on surface roughness. Based on the analysis and interpretation of all data, a prediction model was created. The main goal of the long-term research was to create the simplest and most usable prediction model for the group of austenitic steels, based on the evaluation of the practical results obtained in the company Watting Ltd. (Budovateľská 3598/38, Prešov, Slovakia) during 20 years of operation and cooperation with customers from industrial practice. Based on specific customer requirements from practice, the publication also contains specific recommendations for practice and a proposal for the classification of the predicted cut quality.
Evaluation of the Slip Sinkage and its Effect on the Compaction Resistance of an Off-Road Tracked Vehicle
Authors: Baek Sung-Ha , Shin Gyu-Beom , Lee Seung-Hwan , Yoo Mintaek , Chung Choong-Ki
Published: May 2020

When an off-road tracked vehicle travels, shearing action and ground sinkage occur on the soil–track interface, severely affecting the tractive performance of the vehicle. Notably, ground sinkage, which is induced by the vehicle’s weight (static sinkage) and longitudinal forces in the direction of travel producing slip (slip sinkage), develops motion resistance, directly restricting the tracked vehicle’s performance. Thus, it is critical to consider both static sinkage and slip sinkage to assess the tractive performance of a tracked vehicle. In this research, model track experiments were conducted to investigate slip sinkage. The experimental results showed that the slip sinkage increased as the slip ratio increased, but the rate of increase decreased. The slip sinkage was found to increase as the density of the ground decreased and imposed vertical load increased. The experimental results were used to calculate normalized slip sinkage, and an empirical equation for slip sinkage in terms of slip ratio was developed. This equation will allow vehicle operators to predict the slip sinkage and associated motion resistance for given soil and vehicle conditions.
Directional Elastic Pseudospin and Nonseparability of Directional and Spatial Degrees of Freedom in Parallel Arrays of Coupled Waveguides
Authors: Hasan M. Arif , Calderin Lazaro , Lata Trevor , Lucas Pierre , Runge Keith , Deymier Pierre A.
Published: May 2020

We experimentally and numerically investigated elastic waves in parallel arrays of elastically coupled one-dimensional acoustic waveguides composed of aluminum rods coupled along their length with epoxy. The elastic waves in each waveguide take the form of superpositions of states in the space of direction of propagation. The direction of propagation degrees of freedom is analogous to the polarization of a quantum spin; hence, these elastic waves behave as pseudospins. The amplitude in the different rods of a coupled array of waveguides (i.e., the spatial mode of the waveguide array) refer to the spatial degrees of freedom. The elastic waves in a parallel array of coupled waveguides are subsequently represented as tensor products of the elastic pseudospin and spatial degrees of freedom. We demonstrate the existence of elastic waves that are nonseparable linear combinations of tensor products states of pseudospin/ spatial degrees of freedom. These elastic waves are analogous to the so-called Bell states of quantum mechanics. The amplitude coefficients of the nonseparable linear combination of states are complex due to the Lorentzian character of the elastic resonances associated with these waves. By tuning through the amplitudes, we are able to navigate both experimentally and numerically a portion of the Bell state Hilbert space.
F-Gases: Trends, Applications and Newly Applied Gases in the Czech Republic
Authors: Müllerová Markéta , Krtková Eva , Rošková Zuzana
Published: May 2020

Emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), which are used as replacements for ozone-depleting substances, have risen sharply since 1995. The rapid increase in F-gas emissions coupled with their global warming potential (GWP) has led to increased worldwide attention to monitoring emission levels and subsequently regulating the use of F-gases. These restrictions apply in particular to applications for which alternative technologies are available that are more economically efficient and have minor or no impact on the Earth’s climate system. This paper brings new information about changes in composition of consumed F-gases in the Czech Republic. Since no F-gases are produced in the country, data about F-gas consumption are obtained from three resources which give information about import and export. The paper also describes implementation of newly used F-gases, which are used as replacements for specific F-gases, into emission calculation models. Emissions are estimated according to the methodology developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Although consumption of F-gases with high GWP has already started decreasing, it will have no effect on F-gas emissions for several years.
Evaluation of Noah-MP Land-Model Uncertainties over Sparsely Vegetated Sites on the Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Guo , Chen Fei , Chen Yueli , Li Jianduo , Peng Xindong
Published: May 2020

The water budget and energy exchange over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) region play an important role on the Asian monsoon. However, it is not well presented in the current land surface models (LSMs). In this study, uncertainties in the Noah with multiparameterization (Noah-MP) LSM are assessed through physics ensemble simulations in three sparsely vegetated sites located in the central TP. The impact of soil organic matter on energy flux and water cycles, along with the influence of uncertainties in precipitation are explored using observations at those sites during the third Tibetan Plateau Experiment from 1August2014 to31July2015. The greatest uncertainties are in the subprocesses of the canopy resistance, soil moisture limiting factors for evaporation, runoff (RNF) and ground water, and surface-layer parameterization. These uncertain subprocesses do not change across the different precipitation datasets. More precipitation can increase the annual total net radiation (Rn), latent heat flux (LH) and RNF, but decrease sensible heat flux (SH). Soil organic matter enlarges the annual total LH by ~26% but lessens the annual total Rn, SH, and RNF by ~7%, 7%, and 39%, respectively. Its effect on the LH and RNF at the Nagqu site, which has a sand soil texture type, is greater than that at the other two sites with sandy loam. This study highlights the importance of precipitation uncertainties and the effect of soil organic matter on the Noah-MP land-model simulations. It provides a guidance to improve the Noah-MP LSM further and hence the land-atmosphere interactions simulated by weather and climate models over the TP region.
Retrieval of Cloud Liquid Water Using Microwave Signals from LEO Satellites: A Feasibility Study through Simulations
Authors: Shen Xi , Huang Defeng David , Wang Wenxiao , Prein Andreas F. , Togneri Roberto
Published: May 2020

A novel approach, using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite microwave communication links for cloud liquid water measurements, is proposed in this paper. The feasibility of this approach is studied through simulations of the retrieval system including a LEO satellite communicating with a group of ground receivers equipped with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimators, a synthetic cloud attenuation field and a tomographic retrieval algorithm. Rectangular and Gaussian basis functions are considered to define the targeted field. Simulation results suggest that the proposed least-squares based retrieval algorithm produces satisfactory outcomes for both types of basis functions. The root-mean-square error of the retrieved field is around 0.2 dB/km, with the range of the reference field as 0 to 2.35 dB/km. It is also confirmed that the partial retrieval of the cloud field is achievable when a limited number of receivers with restricted locations are available. The retrieval outcomes exhibit properties of high resolution and low error, indicating that the proposed approach has great potential for cloud observations.
Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) with Oxaliplatin, Cisplatin, and Doxorubicin in Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: De Simone Michele , Vaira Marco , Argenziano Monica , Berchialla Paola , Pisacane Alberto , Cinquegrana Armando , Cavalli Roberta , Borsano Alice , Robella Manuela
Published: May 2020

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is an innovative approach for treating peritoneal carcinomatosis that applies chemotherapeutic drugs into the peritoneal cavity as an under-pressure airflow. It improves local bioavailability of cytostatic drugs as compared to conventional intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to prove feasibility, efficacy and safety of this new treatment. Patients included in the analysis underwent at least two single port PIPAC procedures; drugs used were Oxaliplatin for colorectal cancers and Cisplatin + Doxorubicin for ovarian, gastric, and primary peritoneal cancers. The primary endpoint was the Disease Control Rate according to the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria. Secondary significant endpoints were overall and progression free survival, tumor regression on histology, and quality of life. Safety and tolerability were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4. Sixty-three patients were enrolled in this trial. Forty patients (100 PIPAC) were eligible for analysis. Twenty patients were undergoing systemic chemotherapy. Fourteen patients reported an objective response (35%). Median overall survival was 18.1 months; median progression-free survival was 7.4 months. Minor morbidity was observed in seven procedures. Grade 3 complications occurred in two patients, and grade 4 in one patient submitted to reoperation. Single-port PIPAC is feasible, safe, and easy to perform. The combined treatment based on systemic chemotherapy and PIPAC does not induce significant hepatic and renal toxicity and can be considered a valid therapeutic option in patients with advanced peritoneal disease. Further studies on the use of PIPAC alone, possibly with different drug dosages, may define the real effectiveness of the procedure.
Can the Molar Insulin: C-Peptide Ratio Be Used to Predict Hyperinsulinaemia?
Authors: Guildford Lynda , Crofts Catherine , Lu Jun
Published: May 2020

Hyperinsulinaemia is the precursor to numerous metabolic disorders. Early diagnosis and intervention could improve population health. Diagnosing hyperinsulinaemia is problematic because insulin has a very short half-life (2–5 min). It is theorised that c-peptide levels (half-life 20–30 min) would be a better proxy for insulin due to both hormones being released in equimolar amounts. However, the correlation between c-peptide and insulin levels is unknown. We aim to identify their correlation following a four-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Data were obtained from records of routine medical care at St Joseph’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA, during 1977. Two hundred and fifty-five male and female participants aged over 20 years undertook a four-hour OGTT with plasma glucose, insulin and c-peptide levels recorded. Correlation was assessed with Pearson’s correlation. There was a weak correlation between insulin and c-peptide, which increased to moderate across the four-hour OGTT (r = 0.482–0.680). There was no significant change in this relationship when data was subdivided according to either the WHO glucose status or Kraft insulin response. Although there was a correlation between insulin and c-peptide, it was too weak to recommend the use of c-peptide as an alternative biomarker for the diagnosis of hyperinsulinaemia.
Anxiety and Risk of Vascular Dementia in an Elderly Community Sample: The Role of Sex
Authors: Santabárbara Javier , Villagrasa Beatriz , Lopez-Anton Raúl , Cámara Concepción De la , Gracia-García Patricia , Lobo Antonio
Published: May 2020

Background: To assess the association between anxiety and risk of vascular dementia (VaD), as well as potential sex differences, in a community-based cohort. Methods: A random sample of 4057 dementia-free community participants aged 55 or older, from the longitudinal, community-based Zaragoza Dementia and Depression Project (ZARADEMP) study were followed for 4.5 years. Geriatric Mental State B (GMS)-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (AGECAT) was used for the assessment and diagnosis of anxiety, and a panel of research psychiatrists diagnosed the incident cases of VaD according to DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disordes). Multivariate survival analysis with competing risk regression model was performed. Results: In men, the incidence rate of VaD was significantly higher among anxiety subjects compared with non-anxiety subjects (incidence rate ratio (IRR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 3.24 (1.13–9.35); p = 0.029), and no difference was observed in women (IRR (95%CI): 0.68 (0.19–2.23); p = 0.168). In the multivariate model, for men, cases of anxiety had 2.6-fold higher risk of VaD (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR): 2.61; 95%CI: 0.88–7.74) when all potential confounding factors were controlled, with no statistical significance (p = 0.084), but a clinically relevant effect (Cohen’s d: 0.74). No association was found in women. Conclusions: In men, but not in women, risk of VaD was higher among individuals with anxiety, with a clinically relevant effect. Potential anxiety-related preventive interventions for VaD might be tailored to men and women separately.