bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Geometric Formulation of Multirotor Aerial Vehicle Dynamics
Authors: Hong Youngsuk , Rashad Ramy , Noh Soocheol , Lee Taeyoon , Stramigioli Stefano , Park Frank Chongwoo
Published: April 2021

A geometric dynamic modeling framework for generic multirotor aerial vehicles (MAV), based on a modern Lie group formulation of classical screw theory, is presented. Our framework allows for a broad range of rotor-wing con gurations: any number of rotors can be attached in arbitrary con gurations to either the body or wings, with the rotors and wings also tiltable. Our framework takes into account all masses and inertias of the MAV body and rotors, and accounts for both rotor thrust forces and moments as well as external aerodynamic and other forces. Compared to existing methods, our Lie group framework possesses several practical advantages useful for applications ranging from design optimization to model identi cation and trajectory optimization: (i) the dynamic equations can be easily transformed to coordinates of any reference frame; (ii) kinematic and mass-inertial parameters can be easily factored from the dynamic equations; (iii) exact, closedform analytic derivatives of the dynamics with respect to the con guration variables are easily derived. We demonstrate our systematic modeling procedure on examples of xed-tilt, variable-tilt, and hybrid MAVs with wings.
New insights into the proteins interacting with the promoters of silkworm fibroin genes
Authors: Ma Yan , Luo Qin , Ou Yao , Tang Yiyun , Zeng Wenhui , Wang Haomiao , Hu Jie , Xu Hanfu
Published: April 2021

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a silk-producing insect that has contributed greatly to human society. The silk gland of B. mori is a specialized organ responsible for synthesizing silk fibroin and sericin proteins under control of numerous factors. However, which factors are involved in direct silk protein synthesis regulation remains largely unknown. We report the identification of promoter-interacting proteins (PIPs) necessary for the direct regulation of genes encoding fibroin proteins, including the fibroin heavy chain (fibH), fibroin light chain (fibL), and a 25-kD polypeptide protein (P25). In the fourth larval molting stage (M4) or day 5 fifth-instar larvae (L5D5), a total of 198, 292, and 247 or 330, 305, and 460 proteins binding to fibH, fibL and P25, respectively, were identified from the posterior silk gland by DNA pull-down combined with mass spectrometry. Many PIPs were particularly involved in ribosome-, metabolism- and disease-related pathways. Additionally, 135 and 212 proteins were identified as common PIPs of fibH, fibL and P25 in M4 and L5D5, respectively. Among all PIPs, we identified 31 potential transcription factors, such as Y-box and poly A-binding proteins, which play roles in nucleotide binding, ATP binding, or protein folding. This study provides the first in-depth profile of proteins interacting with fibroin gene promoters and contributes to a better understanding of silk protein synthesis regulation.
Dissecting drug-induced in vitro cytotoxicity and metabolic dysfunction in conditionally immortalized human proximal tubule cells
Authors: Hoogstraten Charlotte A. , Smeitink Jan A.M. , Russel Frans G.M. , Schirris Tom J.J.
Published: April 2021

Acute kidney injury accounts for 20% of all hospitalized adults, and 14 to 26% is drug-induced, emphasizing the importance of proper nephrotoxicity assessment. The ‘gold standard’ MTT assay is widely used to measure cell viability, but depends on cellular metabolic activity. Consequently, MTT may not be most optimal to assess cytotoxicity, as nephrotoxicity often involves mitochondrial dysfunction. We compared MTT with a direct cell death assay based on a compromised plasma membrane permeability. Mature conditionally immortalized proximal tubule epithelial cells were dose- (0.1-1,000 µM) and time- (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours) dependently exposed to a selection of prototypic nephrotoxicants. Dose-dependent reductions in cellular metabolic activity were stronger compared to declines in fluorescence-based cell death, most prominently for cisplatin (1.6 ± 2.0% and 68 ± 4% (mean ± SEM), respectively) and chloroacetaldehyde (2.13 ± 0.05% and 61.0 ± 0.8%). Similar, but more pronounced time-dependent effects were observed, particularly for sanguinarine. We show that assessing cellular metabolic activity by MTT provides a composite readout of cellular metabolic activity and cell death. A nuclear staining approach is preferable when assessing nephrotoxicity of metabolically active compounds. We recommend both assays during drug development to discriminate between metabolically active versus non-active compounds.
Knowledge Sharing Practice and Its Associated Factors Among Healthcare Providers at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopian: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Demsash Addisalem Workie , Chakilu Biniyam , Mazengia Atsede
Published: April 2021

Background
In healthcare, information and knowledge needs of health care providers arise in the patient care process. However, the right information and knowledge at the right time and place to the right person is not reached so far yet. Thus, leads limited knowledge sharing practice among health providers in Ethiopia.
Objectives
The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge sharing practice and associated factors among healthcare providers at University of Gondar hospital.
Methods
Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted through stratified simple random sampling technique among 423 samples from February 24 up to March 27, 2020. Pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used. Epi info version 7 and stata version 15 software were used for data entry, processing and analysis respectively. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression model were applied to describe the study objects and to assess knowledge sharing practice and its associated factors by considering P value ≤ 0.05.
Results
423 respondents were participated with 100% response rate. From the total respondents, 222 of 423 (52.48%) of respondents were male. More than two third (66.90%) of respondents were degree and diploma holders. Nearly three fourth of 423 (74.70%) healthcare providers were under the age group of 21–30 years. The level of knowledge sharing practice among the respondents was 65.01% (95% CI: 60.46–69.56). In multivariable logistic regression model awareness AOR = 2.44, 95% CI= [1.32–4.50], willingness AOR = 1.96, 95% CI= [1.10–3.53], loss of knowledge power AOR = 0.192, 95% CI= [.12-.32], availability of health information resource AOR = 2.00, 95% CI= [1.56–5.38] and opportunity AOR = 2.91, 95% CI= [1.71–4.95] were significantly associated with knowledge sharing practice.
Conclusions
Knowledge sharing practice of healthcare providers is higher as compared with most studies conducted in Ethiopia. However, it needs further opportunity, resource allocation and supportive leadership.
Value and Methods of Measuring Combat Effectiveness: A New Approach
Authors: Jiesheng Wang , Weipu Sun
Published: April 2021

The lack of effective methods to measure the combat effectiveness of an army deters military mathematical models and military simulation software from realizing their full potential. In this paper, we use Galilean idealization and domain theory to suggest solutions and propose an appropriate mathematical method to reach universally applicable results. We introduce the International System of Units (SI) to measure combat effectiveness without relying on subjective assumptions regarding parameters. Our method requires only spatial and temporal data to calculate combat effectiveness by evaluating the extent of territorial changes (outcome) within a given time period (time). Moreover, we measure influencing factors of combat effectiveness, based on the ratio of combat effectiveness. We discuss the practical value and applicability of this method in the development of the analysis-simulation software of combat effectiveness.
Factors associated with knowledge on risk factors of sexual abuse among house girls and house boys in Singida Municipality, Central zone Tanzania: A cross-sectional study
Authors: EMILY FILMON , Peter Dedius E. , Milanzi Walter C. , Joho Angelina A. , Moshi Fabiola
Published: April 2021

Background: Sexual abuse is a situation whereby any people or individual entered in any sexual malpractice or sexual contact without his/her will. Sexual abuse among house girls and house boys is among of general medical issue in our nation particularly in the urban areas and towns. The aim of the study was to examine predicators associated with knowledge on risk factors of sexual abuse among house girls and house boys in Singida Municipality.Methods: The cross section study involved a total of 252 participants from the selected house hold in Singida Municipality. A multistage sampling technique was used to obtain sample and data was collected by using self-administered structured questionnaire. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the association between knowledge on risk factors and sexual abuse among house girls and house boys.Results: The large numbers of respondents with mean age of 22years old were single. Only 53.1% of house girls were knowledgeable on risk factors associated with sexual abuse compared to house boys. After control of the confounders the predictors of knowledge about risk factors on sexual abuse were educational level (AOR = 0.332, p = 0.002, 95%CI:0.167; 0.659), how did you find a job(AOR=2.412, p=0.001, 95%CI:1.433; 2.523), and type of family he/she living(AOR=4.672, p=0.002, 95%CI:0.0709; 0.719, nuclear family (AOR=4.023, p=0.023, 95%CI:0.101;0902). Conclusion: The findings depicted that the study participants have inadequate knowledge on risk factors associated with sexual abuse and it discovered that the influencing factors were education level, means of getting a job and type of family.
Trend analysis method on vertical axis and comparison with Şen’s ITA approach
Authors: Güçlü Yavuz Selim
Published: April 2021

The classical trend tests are applied frequently in meteorological and hydrological data. Recently, Şen-innovative trend analysis (ITA) method provides the ability to visualize inspection and identification of trend conditions. The main objective of this paper is to attempt determination and visualization of trends by means of a special graphical representation based on alternative illustration of Şen-ITA method. The suggested methodology shows different trend information than classical Şen-ITA test on the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and continental climate regions in Turkey. This research comprises 50-year rainfall station records in Çanakkale, Edirne, Kocaeli, and Zonguldak stations located in North-West part of Turkey.
A1 astrocytes activated by 2-Chloroethanol via the ROS-induced p38 MAPK/NF-κB and AP-1 pathways modulate microglia polarization
Authors: Wang Tong , Sun Qi , Tang Hongge , Wang Gaoyang , Zhao Fenghong , Chen Yuhua , Jin Yaping
Published: April 2021

Background1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) is a synthetic organic chemical that causes brain edema under subacute poisoning. Our previous studies indicated that the neuroinflammation could be induced due to activation of both astrocytes and microglia during the course of brain edema in 1,2-DCE intoxicated mice. However, the crosstalk between the two glial cells in 1,2-DCE-induced neuroinflammation is unclear. In the current studies, we hypothesized that astrocytes are the first responder to the effects of 1,2-DCE in the brain, as they adhere to the cerebral capillaries, and they are an essential component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).MethodsWe used primary cultured rat astrocytes and microglia, as well as a highly aggressively proliferating immortalized (HAPI) microglia cell line to study the effects of astrocytes on microglia polarization following exposure to 2-CE.ResultsFindings from the present studies demonstrated that treatment of primary rat astrocytes with 2-chloroethanol (2-CE), the intermediate metabolite of 1,2-DCE in vivo, can stimulate the activation of A1 reactive astrocytes (A1s) through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/ nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathways by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during 2-CE metabolism. A1s activated by 2-CE can upregulate the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and stimulate the M1 polarization of microglia through IL-1β and TNF-α released by 2-CE activated A1s. Microglia are less sensitive to 2-CE than astrocytes, since treatment of primary rat microglia with 30 mM 2-CE alone failed to activate them, though this dose of 2-CE can activate A1s and in turn stimulate M1 polarization of microglia through the factors released by A1s.ConclusionThe neuroinflammation induced by 1,2-DCE in the brain of mice is most probably triggered by the activation of astrocytes. The understanding of the multidimensional roles of reactive astrocytes may further the development of new treatment strategies in reducing neuroinflammation and brain edema following 1,2-DCE-induced toxic encephalopathy.
The Heterogeneous Tethyan Oceanic Lithosphere of the Alpine Ophiolites
Authors: Rampone Elisabetta , Sanfilippo Alessio
Published: April 2021

The Alpine–Apennine ophiolites are lithospheric remnants of the Jurassic Alpine Tethys Ocean. They predominantly consist of exhumed mantle peridotites with lesser gabbroic and basaltic crust and are locally associated with continental crustal material, indicating formation in an environment transitional from an ultra-slow-spreading seafloor to a hyperextended passive margin. These ophiolites represent a unique window into mantle dynamics and crustal accretion in an ultra-slow-spreading extensional environment. Old, pre-Alpine, lithosphere is locally preserved within the mantle sequences: these have been largely modified by reaction with migrating asthenospheric melts. These reactions were active in both the mantle and the crust and have played a key role in creating the heterogeneous oceanic lithosphere in this branch of the Mesozoic Western Tethys.
Formation of the Alpine Orogen by Amagmatic Convergence and Assembly of Previously Rifted Lithosphere
Authors: McCarthy Anders , Tugend Julie , Mohn Geoffroy
Published: April 2021

The tectonic and magmatic characteristics of the Alps and Pyrenees during convergence are quite distinct from characteristics associated with classic Benioff-type oceanic subduction. From the initiation of subduction at passive margins until the onset of continental collision, the closure of the Western Tethys never produced a long-lived magmatic arc. This is a consequence of the 3-D architecture of the Western Tethys (a series of hyper-thinned basins and continental blocks) and its narrow width (<500–700 km) prior to convergence. Subduction primarily involved the slow and amagmatic subduction of a narrow domain of dry lithospheric mantle. This type of congested Ampferer subduction led to the sequential and coherent accretion of inherited rifted domains which today form the Alpine and Pyrenean orogens.
Ocean Subduction Dynamics in the Alps
Authors: Agard Philippe , Handy Mark R.
Published: April 2021

The Alps preserve abundant oceanic blueschists and eclogites that exemplify the selective preservation of fragments of relatively short-lived, small, slow-spreading North Atlantic–type ocean basins whose subducting slabs reach down to the Mantle Transition Zone at most. Whereas no subducted fragments were returned during the first half of the subduction history, those exhumed afterwards experienced conditions typical of mature subduction zones worldwide. Sedimentary-dominated units were under-plated intermittently, mostly at ~30–40 km depth. Some mafic–ultramafic-dominated units formed close to the continent were subducted to ~80 km and offscraped from the slab only a few million years before continental subduction. Spatiotemporal contrasts in burial and preservation of the fragments reveal how along-strike segmentation of the continental margin affects ocean subduction dynamics.
PHYSICAL PRETREATMENT OF ULVA FASCIATA FOR ENHANCINGBIODIESEL PRODUCTION AND QUALITY
Authors:   Marine Hydrobiology Dep., National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt., Galal Shams El-Din Nihal , A. Shaltout Nayrah ,   Marine Chemistry Dep., National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt., A. Ghazal Mustafa ,   Marine Hydrobiology Dep., National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt., E. Ali Alaa ,   Chemistry Dep. Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt., M. Beltagy Doha ,   Chemistry Dep. Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
Published: April 2021

The green algae Ulva faciata was subjected to different physical pretreatments comprising thermal and mechanical techniques at different experimental conditions to state the most appropriate method of cell disruption for increasing the quantity of the extracted lipid and hence improve the quality of the produced biodiesel with low cost. Thermal pretreatment was autoclaving of either wet or dry algal biomass, while mechanical pretreatments include microwave and ultrasonication at different time intervals. The control was the alga without pretreatment extracted at optimum conditions: 60 min, 55oC, shaking speed at 250 rpm, < 0.16 mm particle size with 25:1 v/w solvent to solid ratio. The results showed that the quantity of extracted lipids in case of using all physical pretreatments increased the Total fatty acids yield significantly by about 2-folds of the control for wet algae in hydrothermal treatment with optimum time of treatment 40 minutes, and 1.4 folds for dry algae in thermal pretreatment of the dried alga for 60minutes autoclaving period. The sharp increase by 2.2 folds of extracted lipids was recorded by microwave pretreatment for radiation period (5 min), while ultrasonication showed 2.1-fold increase in lipid yield at 15minutes ultrasound exposure time. Concerning the physical properties of the produced biodiesel after all physical pretreatments, the results indicated that the produced biodiesel had very high quality as all its properties are almost complied with the ASTM D6751 and EN14214 standards. These results were confirmed statistically where all physical pretreatments had high significant effect on fatty acids yield and Biodiesel properties.
DETERMINATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN PORTUNUS PELAGICUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) COLLECTED FROM GULF OF MANNAR
Authors:   PG and Research Department of Zoology,St.Marys College (Autonomous), Thoothukudi Affiliated to ManonmaniamSundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India., Shibana C. , Subavathy P. ,   PG and Research Department of Zoology,St.Marys College (Autonomous), Thoothukudi Affiliated to ManonmaniamSundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published: April 2021

In the present study, the marine crab Portunuspelagicus was screened with 17 primers and made to score polymorphism. The main emphasis of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity at intra specific level among the 3 accessions of P. pelagicus species of Gulf of Mannarusing RAPD markers. RAPD analysis shows that there is a high level of polymorphism among different accessions. From this study, it was understood that each location varied with respect to environmental factors and genetic parameters. The OPB-18, OPB-19, OPC-07 and OPN-06 primers produced distinct, highly reproducible amplification profile for all the screened samples. In the present study, amplification bands ranged between 250 and 663 bp. Maximum numbers of bands were produced by OPN-06 and least by OPB-19. Moderate to high genetic diversity was observed in all geographic samples of P. pelagicus from RAPD analysis. RAPD analysis from three different geographical regions shows clear polymorphic patterns. Thoothukudi and Rameshwaram populations appear in one cluster, while the Kanyakumari populations formed the other cluster indicating a genetic variability and diversity in samples collected from different places.
Impact of the religious festivity on the Tunis Stock Exchange
Authors: Chaouachi Olfa
Published: April 2021

The month of Ramadan is anticipated to influence the behavior of the stock market, where the environment in Ramadan is different from other months. During the Ramadan month, transformations in the social life of people are quite apparent and significant, and the overall economic activity tends to decelerate as the number of working hours decreases. This paper aims to explore the impact of the Ramadan month on the stock market returns, volatility, and trading volume on the Tunis Stock Exchange (TSE) between September 2009 and July 2019. To achieve these objectives, the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) technique and the ordinary least squares regression are used. The results show that the impact of the Ramadan month on the daily returns is positive and statistically significant at a 1% level. It is also found that the impact of the Ramadan month on the volatility and trading volume is negative and statistically significant. The findings can help domestic and foreign investors and regulators to better comprehend the Tunisian stock exchange and investor behavior. Moreover, this research can help investors to develop their trading strategies.
Problematic issues of bringing disciplinary and criminal liability of medical workers
Authors: Kononenko V. , Demura M.
Published: April 2021

Despite numerous in-depth scientific works, we believe that the issue of disciplinary and criminal prosecution of medical workers needs further study in the light of legislative changes and law-making activities of the European Court of Human Rights. The purpose of the article is to characterize the national legislation governing the disciplinary and criminal prosecution of medical workers. The article analyzes the national legislation governing criminal and disciplinary proceedings for medical offenses. It is established that the criminal legislation in the field of regulation of criminal liability for medical crimes needs to be improved, in particular Art. 140 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Based on the generalization of case law, it was concluded that there is no single approach to determining the objective side of this type of crime. This requirement is related to the need to avoid cases of unjustified criminal prosecution of medical workers, when criminal prosecution is carried out and only in court the truth in the case is established and an acquittal is passed. The study provided an opportunity to conclude that a disciplinary misdemeanor is an illegal culpable act or omission, which is expressed in non-performance or improper performance by the employee of duties and other requirements imposed on him under labor law, other special regulations, for which may be subject to disciplinary action. Like any offense, a disciplinary offense is characterized by a set of objective and subjective features, called the composition of the offense: the subject, the subjective side, the object, the objective side. Disciplinary liability of a medical worker is a separate type of legal liability that arises in the event of a disciplinary misconduct by a medical worker. Disciplinary liability of medical workers occurs not only for disciplinary misconduct, but also for violation of moral and ethical norms, as workers in this category must comply with the requirements of professional ethics, respect for honor and dignity of citizens (patients).
EFFECT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE ON ITALIAN ZUCCHINI PLANTATION
Authors: Lopes José Carlos , Fávaris Nathália Aparecida Bragança , Freitas Allan Rocha de , Alexandre Rodrigo Sobreira , Lopes Simone De Oliveira
Published: April 2021

Italian zucchini is a very important crop due to its short cycle, high productivity and great market acceptance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the emergence and growth of Italian zucchini plants in substrates enriched with sewage sludge. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using Italian zucchini seeds purchased at a local commerce. The substrates were composed of dystrophic Yellow Red Latosol; sand and sewage sludge in the proportions of 0; 40; 80; 120 and 240 t ha-1, in a randomized block design. Each experimental plot was composed of twenty replicates. The following variables were analyzed: emergence, emergence velocity index, first leaf length, stem length, number of leaves, fresh and dry aerial plant part, volume and root dry mass. It was verified that the post-seminal growth of Italian zucchini is viable in maximum concentration of up to 398.56 t ha-1 of sewage sludge.
An evaluation of microplastics fate in the wastewater treatment plants: frequency and removal of microplastics by microfiltration membrane
Authors: Yahyanezhad Neda , Bardi Mohammad Javad , Aminirad Hassan
Published: April 2021

In this research, the fate and removal of microplastics (MPs) entering and leaving a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was investigated. Additionally, application of the microfiltration membrane technique for MPs removal was evaluated. In the first phase, the quantity, type and size of the MPs were studied from three different points of the WWTP. The results showed that the average amount of MPs entering into the WWTP, accumulated in the sludge matrix and discharged from the effluent were 206, 183 and 94 MP/L, respectively. The MPs were observed mainly in the forms of fibers, pellets, and fragments, with a proportion of 35%, 39%, 22%, and 34%, 22%, 38%, and 31%, 39%, 37.7% in the influent, effluent and sludge of the WWTP, respectively. It should be noted, a minor amount of foam (2%) and film (0.3%) was also observed. The particle size distribution of the MPs in the effluent of the system was almost identical (6–14% for 1–5,000 μm), while the influent mostly contained particles within 1–100 μm (above 26%) with other particle sizes within 100–5,000 μm (8–17%). Particle size within a range of 500–5,000 μm was abundant in the sludge. In the second phase, a micro-filtration (MF) membrane with a pore size of 0.1 μm was applied to eliminate the MPs from the WWTP effluent. It was observed the application of the MF membrane technique could achieve MPs removal efficiency up to 98% in the effluent of the system.
Toward enhancing the chlorine resistance of forward osmosis membranes: an effective strategy via grafting cyclohexylamine
Authors: Li Yinghua , Deng Wenhe , Li Haibo , Su Fei , Huang Xin , Mo Fan , Zhang Ran , Ren Xiaoyu
Published: April 2021

The forward osmosis (FO) membrane exhibits great performance degradation when contacting with chlorine solutions. The damage of chlorine to membrane material will seriously reduce the lifetime of the membrane and increase the cost of membrane treatment technology. Here, we prepared chlorine-stable membranes by a covalent modification method with cyclohexylamine. The cyclohexylamine observably changed the surface morphology, the roughness (arithmetic average) of the membrane decreased from 22 to 17.2 nm. The addition of cyclohexylamine produced a denser sacrificial layer of short chain polyamide, which made modified membranes possess significantly better chlorine resistance with slightly declined water flux. The water flux of the optimal modified membrane was 10.78 Lm−2 h−1, only 13% less than that of the pristine membrane. Importantly, after 20,000 ppm·h chlorine exposure, the membrane with 1.5 wt% cyclohexylamine had a salt rejection of 77.2% and showed 26.0% lower water flux than pristine TFC (thin film composite) membrane in FO mode. Notably, the grafting membranes could maintain a high performance under acidic chlorination conditions. The membrane with best performance had a salt rejection of 81.6%, exhibiting 24.4% higher salt rejection than pristine membrane with 20,000 ppm·h chlorine exposure at a pH of 4. The cyclohexylamine endowed the FO membrane with better chlorine resistance, making it attractive for the development of chlorine-resistant membrane for environmental and desalination processes.
Rainfed cultivation with supplemental irrigation modelling on seed yield and oil of Coriandrum sativum L. using precision agriculture and GIS moisture mapping
Authors: Filintas Agathos , Wogiatzi Eleni , Gougoulias Nikolaos
Published: April 2021

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of rainfed and supplemental irrigation, and sowing period (SP) treatments on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) yield, essential oil content and umbel heights by applying new agro-technologies (TDR-sensors for soil moisture (SM), geographical information system (GIS), precision agriculture, soil-hydraulic analyses and geostatistical models) for yield and SM root zone geospatial modelling and two-dimensional GIS mapping. Results of laboratory analysis indicated a suitable soil for coriander's growth and revealed that field's soil was characterized sandy clay loam (SCL) with mean values: soil organic matter (SOM) = 1.70%, bulk specific gravity = 1.42 g·cm−3, plant available water = 0.129 cm·cm−1, pH = 7.10 and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) = 19.3 cmol·kg−1. The two-way ANOVA statistical analysis (P = 0.05) results revealed that the irrigation treatments (IR1: rainfed, IR2: rainfed plus supplemental irrigation [best]), and the SP treatments (SP1: October's last week, SP2: November's first week [best]) significantly affects coriander's seed yield and essential oil content, but the SP have no significant effect on plant's umbel height (P = 0.873). Supplemental irrigation, using a limited amount of water, if applied during the critical crop growth stages, can result in substantial improvement on seed yield (+284.934%), essential oil content (+125.396%) and plant's umbel height (+117.929%).
Water leak detection based on convolutional neural network using actual leak sounds and the hold-out method
Authors: Nam Y. W. , Arai Y. , Kunizane T. , Koizumi A.
Published: April 2021

The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether machine learning can be used to detect leak sounds in the field. A method for detecting water leaks was developed using a convolutional neural network (CNN), after taking recurrence plots and visualising the time series as input data. In collaboration with a pipeline restoration company, 20 acoustic datasets of leak sounds were recorded by sensors at 10 leak sites. The detection ability of the constructed CNN model was tested using the hold-out method for the 20 cases: 19 showed more than 70% accuracy, of which 15 showed more than 80%.
Performance of polycaprolactone/TiO2 composite membrane for the effective treatment of dairy effluents
Authors: Nivedita Sankar , Joseph Shiny
Published: April 2021

This work is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to use polycaprolactone (PCL)-based membrane for the treatment of dairy wastewater. PCL is a biodegradable polymer with high biocompatibility and good oil resistance. The chlorine tolerance analysis of PCL-based membranes exhibited a good tolerance against chlorine. The PCL/TiO2 nanocomposite membrane with the addition of polyethylene glycol was prepared and tested for protein separation. The dependency of contact angle with time was analysed for the membrane, and the contact angle value reduced from 74.5 ± 2° to a steady value of 65 ± 2° in 120 s. The proteins were removed using a cross-flow filtration unit at an operating pressure of 0.4 MPa at room temperature with permeate flux of 10 L/m2 h and a relative permeate flux of about 0.10. The removal of proteins was measured qualitatively using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and quantitatively using Lowry's test. A percentage rejection of 97.6 was obtained and the native PAGE showed the complete removal of all the major proteins present in the milk sample.
Effect of internal and external resistances on desalination in microbial desalination cell
Authors: Rahman Sadik , Al-Mamun Abdullah , Jafary Tahereh , Alhimali Halima , Baawain Mahad Said
Published: April 2021

The green and cost-effective nature of the microbial desalination cell (MDC) make it a promising alternative for future sustainable desalination. However, MDC suffers from a low desalination rate that inhibits it being commercialized. External resistance (Rext) is one of the factors that significantly affect the desalination rate in MDCs, which is still under debate. This research, for the first time, investigated the impact of Rext on MDCs with different internal resistance (Rint) of the system to discover the optimal range of Rext for efficient MDC performance. The results showed that the effect of Rext on desalination rate (2.52 mg/h) was quite low when the Rint of MDC was high (200 Ω). However, operating the MDC with a low Rint (67 Ω) significantly improved the desalination rate (9.85 mg/h) and current generation. When MDC was operated with a low Rint the effect of variable Rext on desalination and current generation was noticeable. Therefore, low Rint (67 Ω) MDC was used to select the optimum Rext when the optimal range was found to be Rext ≪ Rint, Rext < Rint, Rext ≈ Rint (ranging from 1–69 Ω) to achieve the highest desalination rates (10.41–8.59 mg/h). The results showed the superior effect of Rint on desalination rate before selecting the optimal range of Rext in the outer circuit.
EDUCAÇÃO PROBLEMATIZADORA NAS AÇÕES DE INTEGRAÇÃO ENSINO-SERVIÇO E PROMOÇÃO À SAÚDE NOS TERRITÓRIOS
Authors: Christiane de Azevedo Machado Flávia , Da Silva Maria Eloiza , Bezerra Teles Mariana
Published: April 2021

Introdução: A disciplina de Saúde e Cidadania (SACI) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) preconiza, pelo Arco de Marguerez, a aprendizagem vivencial para oportunizar intervenções nos territórios onde a disciplina ocorre. Objetivo: Relatar experiências de ações de promoção à saúde realizadas em equipamentos sociais de um território adscrito a uma Unidade de Saúde da Família (USF) do Distrito Oeste do Município de Natal/RN entre Maio a Junho de 2018. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo sobre intervenções realizadas e planejadas por dinâmicas da SACI voltadas às demandas de sensibilizar crianças em idade pré-escolar sobre a importância da higiene; viabilizar recursos financeiros e alimentícios para uma associação beneficente; estimular o autoconhecimento e a autovalorização dos idosos para reduzir abusos intrafamiliares e depressão, e apreender o contexto familiar de crianças de 2 a 5 anos. Comtemplou-se essas demandas, respectivamente, com a realização de uma peça teatral e um bazar, ambos em Associação beneficente; exposição de filme e dinâmica “para quem você tira o chapéu?” na Associação de Idosos e realização de um sandplay (jogo de areia) em um Centro Municipal de Educação Infantil (CMEI). Resultados: O bazar arrecadou alimentos e produtos doados e o teatro de fantoches sensibilizou as crianças sobre o cuidado com higiene bucal e corporal. A atividade com idosos enalteceu importância da escuta, do incentivo às relações inter geracionais saudáveis para o crescimento mútuo dos envolvidos e o sandplay apresentou densa participação das crianças. Conclusões: As intervenções obtiveram resultado positivo, possibilitando sensibilização dos discentes para o cuidado à comunidade e estimulando habilidades de comunicação oral, corporal e empatia.

Palavras-Chave: Promoção da Saúde, Educação em Saúde, Atenção Primária à Saúde, Serviços de integração docente-assistencial.
The Impact of Globalisation on the Constitutional Regulation of Human Rights
Authors: Balayan E.
Published: April 2021

The objective of this research paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the essence of the constitutional and legal regulation of personal status, which is the primary obligation of present-day national governments with respect to preserving and protecting major human values when globalisation processes are underway. Consistent and comprehensive human development, politicisation of the law, the elimination of poverty, the fight for equality, global economic injustice, the search for a new ideal constitutional model and other issues are relevant and are on the agenda for the entire global society. Countries with different economic levels of development, historical traditions, cultural origins, and legal systems have varying concepts of human rights, freedoms and duties, which they implement in practice in various ways. These issues are of paramount importance for Russia, which has equal participation rights in matters of international relations and in the system for global governance and international law making. Solving the problem of satisfying the national interest and preserving prestige and the standard of living of every person depends on the primary social responsibility of each person and on the active role of the modern state. Most of all, it is necessary to solve functional problems that are simultaneously political, scientific, organisational, and legal. The most important task here is to enhance the effectiveness of the activity of the state system and the local self-government authorities. To achieve its objective, the paper utilises general scientific-scholarly methods, and specific scientificscholarly research methods including those denominated concrete-historical, logically historical, system-based, comparative legal (law), among others.
Condition optimization for organizing the operation of connected trains on an ongoing basis on the Trans-Siberian Railway of the Eastern operational range of the railway network
Authors: MEKHEDOV Mikhail I. , SOTNIKOV Evgeniy A. , KHOLODNYAK Pavel S. , KURSIN Dmitriy A. , KORNIENKO Natal’ya V.
Published: April 2021

A target function has been developed for solving the problem of increasing the carrying capacity of loaded lines by organizing the motion of connected (double) trains on an ongoing basis, providing for the minimization of investment and operating costs. Conditions of constant circulation of connected trains on the Skovorodino—Smolyaninovo line section of the Trans-Siberian Railway, where the prospective freight flows exceed the available carrying capacity, are considered. All solutions are designed especially for this section. It is taken into account that the main investments for the implementation of the new method are related to the development of stations for working with connected trains, as well as to strengthening the power supply system for driving connected trains of double mass. Additional operating costs are determined by the need to perform various technological operations with connected trains. Estimated number of connected trains Nрасч has been established to ensure the required long-term carrying capacity. In order to save costs, the value of N расч is minimized on the basis of comparing the values of the maximum possible number of connected as well as single trains with the required carrying capacity on different sections of the line. The article considers methodology for the placement of stations for connecting/disconnecting trains, maximally combined with stations for changing locomotive crews, which provides savings in investment and operating costs. The optimal one was chosen from three possible options of such stations placement. Two schematic diagrams of stations for connecting/disconnecting trains are considered — with sequential and parallel execution of operations. It is shown that the minimization of costs is ensured by the sequential (flow) execution of these operations. In order to save investments, the development of a technical design for the implementation of a new method should provide the possibility of using auxiliary stations for connecting/disconnecting trains and changing locomotive crews of auxiliary stations with more favorable topographic conditions and the location of the station buildings for its development. Specific proposals on this issue are given for the considered line section of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Taking into account the current provisions, a method has been developed for calculating the operating fleet of locomotives handling connected trains, the size of which is minimized. Organization of the driving of connected trains on an ongoing basis ensures the effective development of the prospective freight traffic.
Kolej w miejscowym planie zagospodarowania przestrzennego
Authors: Wieczorek Anna
Published: April 2021

Chaos, w przepisach prawa i sposobie ich interpretacji, utrudnia sporządzanie miejscowych planów zagospodarowania przestrzennego, które dotyczą: przekształcania na inne cele gruntów będących w dyspozycji kolei, a zbędnych dla jej funkcjonowania, przy jednoczesnym zachowaniu istniejących linii kolejowych; terenów sąsiadujących z koleją. Na przykładzie wybranego miejscowego planu zagospodarowania przestrzennego i wyroku Wojewódzkiego Sądu Administracyjnego wykazano do jakich absurdów prowadzi istniejący system prawny. Jednym z podstawowych problemów jest używanie trzech pojęć, dotyczących gruntów związanych z koleją. Są to: tereny kolejowe, w rozumieniu rozporządzenia w sprawie ewidencji gruntów i budynków; tereny zamknięte ustalone przez ministra właściwego do spraw transportu, o których mowa w ustawie o planowaniu i zagospodarowaniu przestrzennym; obszar kolejowy, w rozumieniu ustawy o transporcie kolejowym. Zasugerowano zmiany przepisów, w tym eliminację przynajmniej jednego w ww. pojęć. Postulowane zmiany prawa powinny ułatwić sporządzanie planów miejscowych, co umożliwi kształtowanie przestrzeni miast i wsi na styku z koleją w sposób, który nie generuje konfliktów.
Development dilemmas of water transport of Mazovia
Authors: Wójcicki Tadeusz
Published: April 2021

The Polish government conducts program works on the development of the E40 waterway along the Vistula and the Bug in accordance with the European Agreement on the main inland waterways of international importance (AGN). In light of the current investment practice, there is still a long way to go for the implementation of the E40 waterway in Mazovia, while the current findings of these programs and related study plans are at many points controversial. In this situation, this article aims to identify the weaknesses of these findings, indicate other ways to solve the already embarrassing decision-making situations (dilemmas), analyze and evaluate basic decision-making alternatives, and choose optimal solutions for Mazovia. The author has identified the following basic decision dilemmas: (0) Does a waterway network in Mazovia exist or not? (1) Whether to build this network or not? (2) Whether to reject the AGN Agreement or not? (3) Whether to build a network in full or limited spatial extent? (4) Whether to build following AGN or lower waterwaytechnical classes? (5) Whether to build against ecologists or in harmony with them? As a result of detailed analyzes and assessments, the author chose to solve these dilemmas, assuming (0) the lack of the waterway network in its current state, (1) undertaking the investment program for the construction of this network as satisfying the potential undisclosed demand in the field of water transport, (2) not rejecting the AGN Agreement as consistent with the long-term EU transport policy, (3) building the waterway network in the full spatial scope, (4) constructing a complete network in one step, i.e. at least Vb (2,80 m) class, as well as (5) creatingthis waterway network in agreement with ecologists. When adopting such design assumptions, a positive plan is outlined, which would involve, first of all, resigning from the existing plans to build the Vistula, Narew and Bug cascades as leading to the obtaining the waterways of undervalued classes IV and Va and to the right protests of ecologists, and secondly replacing the cascade with the construction of side shipping canalsof Vb (2,80 m) class or higher located within the broad valleys of the Vistula and the Narew but outside the most valuable natural areas of these valleys. In relation to the Bug waterway, the author prefers the course of the canal beyond the river valley through Wilga and Garwolin.
Caracterización de las unidades productivas del cultivo de kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) en las provincias de Yungay, Huaylas y Carhuaz, en el departamento de Áncash, Perú
Authors: Mejía-Valvas Rhodes Leopoldo , Gómez-Pando Luz , Pinedo-Taco Rember
Published: April 2021

El presente trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de caracterizar las unidades productivas de sistemas agrícolas en pequeña escala de kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) en cinco comunidades de las provincias de Yungay, Huaylas y Carhuaz, región Áncash, Perú. La población muestra de las unidades de producción en estudio se determinó mediante un muestreo irrestricto aleatorio proporcional y estratificado. La información obtenida de fuentes primarias (encuestas y entrevistas) y secundarias se analizó agrupando variables cualitativas y cuantitativas, y utilizando técnicas estadísticas de análisis multidimensional. Se identificaron tres tipologías de productores que se asemejan al interior de cada grupo y, al mismo tiempo, presentan diferencias frente a otros grupos por la posesión de tierras, área sembrada de kiwicha, área sembrada de cultivo secundario e ingreso neto mensual. El primer grupo, compuesto por productores de minifundio con 0,42 ha de tierras cultivables, posee en promedio 0,14 ha de cultivo de kiwicha y 0,17 ha de un cultivo secundario; el segundo grupo, compuesto por pequeños productores con 0,53 ha de tierras disponibles para sus cultivos, cuentan con 0,30 ha de kiwicha y 0,43 ha de un cultivo secundario; el tercer grupo, compuesto por medianos productores, en promedio dispone de 6,13 ha de tierras, de los cuales 1,87 ha son de kiwicha y 0,63 ha son de cultivos secundarios. Los ingresos netos mensuales de los medianos productores con PEN 493,50 resultan mayores a los de los pequeños y los de minifundio en 176,52 % y 279,03 %, respectivamente.
Exploring Canadian Children’s Social Media Use, Digital Literacy, and Quality of Life: Pilot Cross-sectional Survey Study
Authors: Donelle Lorie , Facca Danica , Burke Shauna , Hiebert Bradley , Bender Emma , Ling Stephen
Published: April 2021

Background

Understanding social media use and digital literacy among young Canadian children is an increasing area of concern, given the importance of digital inclusion for full and informed participation in evolving educational, civic, corporate, social, and economic spaces.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore internet and social media knowledge as well as social media use among Canadian children aged between 6 and 10 years.

Methods

We conducted interview surveys with 42 children aged between 6 and 10 years who participated in an after-school health promotion program in an urban community in Southwestern Ontario to understand their digital literacy skills and social media use. The data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Results

Of the 42 children who participated in this study, 24 (57%) reported that they used social media, specifically YouTube (19/24, 79% reported use), Snapchat (16/24, 67% reported use), and Facebook (8/24, 33% reported use). While using social media, children reported sharing personal information, including videos or pictures of themselves (12/24, 50%), videos or pictures of others (8/24, 33%), and their birthday (12/24, 50%), whereas only one-third (9/24, 38%) of the children believed that only close family and friends had access to the content they shared. When reporting on the quality of life in the context of using social media, most (17/24, 71%) children never felt sad, half (12/24, 50%) never had difficulty making new friends, and nearly one-third (7/24, 30%) indicated that they never had difficulty wanting to play outside.

Conclusions

Owing to the rapidly evolving uptake and use of social media among young Canadians, the implementation of childhood digital health literacy education is vital to best support digital inclusion and well-being in Canada. The findings of our study highlight the need for future research to understand where children receive their digital literacy knowledge from and whether this knowledge is gained through self-directed social media use or observation from other actors, such as parents, siblings, or friends.