bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface and subsurface damage caused by bullet impacts into sandstone
Authors: Campbell Oliver , Blenkinsop Tom , Gilbert Oscar , Mol Lisa
Published: August 2021

The shift of armed conflicts to more urbanised environments has increased risk to cultural her-itage sites. Small arms impacts are ubiquitous in these circumstances, yet the effects and mecha-nisms of damage caused are not well known. A sandstone target was shot under controlled con-ditions to investigate surface and subsurface damage. A 3D model of the damaged block, created by structure from motion photogrammetry, shows that internal fracturing was at least as exten-sive as the visible surface fractures. Back scatter electron imaging of the damaged surface shows a shift from intragranular fracturing and grain size reduction at <5 mm from the impact point, to primarily circumgranular fracturing and grain ‘plucking’ at 20 mm from the impact point. In-ternal fracture intensity decreased with distance from the centre of the crater. Volumes around the impact point are therefore at greater risk of subsequent weathering deterioration, but signif-icant damage extends to the periphery of the target, rendering whole blocks vulnerable. The surface crater, despite being one of the most conspicuous aspects of conflict damage, has many times less area than internal and surface fractures.
Does a Single Dose of Testosterone Increase Competitiveness, Confidence and Financial Risk-taking in Men?
Authors: Nadler Amos , Wibral Matthias , Dohmen Thomas , Falk Armin , Previtero Alessandro , Weber Brend , Camerer Colin , Dreber Anna , Nave Gideon
Published: August 2021

The sex steroid hormone testosterone regulates behaviors such as aggression and displays of dominance in male non-human animals. According to the Challenge Hypothesis, these effects arise from context-sensitive testosterone increases that facilitate inter-male competitions over resources, status, and mates. A growing literature documents similar effects of testosterone on behaviors related to competition and risk-taking in humans, though findings to date have been mixed. Here, we report two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled testosterone administration experiments (N1 = 91, N2 = 242). The experiments were designed independently by research groups in Europe and the US, and both investigated the effect of a single dose of testosterone on men’s willingness to compete, confidence, and risk-taking—dimensions of behavior that are theoretically linked to the Challenge Hypothesis and predict important real-life outcomes such as career choice. We estimate weak effects of a single dose of testosterone which cannot be statistically distinguished from zero for any of the behavioral tasks studied across the two experiments. Our findings cast doubt on the proposition that there is an overall effect of a single dose of testosterone on the dimensions of behavior studied, and suggest that even if true effects existed, detecting them experimentally via pharmacological studies would require very large samples. We discuss different explanations for our results, in particular, the possibility that the effect of testosterone on these behaviors may depend on context and individual difference factors.
Computational annealing as mechanism in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Authors: Stwertka Steven A.
Published: August 2021

The computational annealing model offers a plausible neurophysiological mechanism to account for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing’s (EMDR) psychotherapeutic effectiveness. The model is informed by analogy to the physical annealing of metals and the related computational method of simulated annealing. It proposes that observed instances of chaotic activity and criticality within the nervous system serve to loosen constraints within memory networks, allowing them to reorganize in a direction of optimal internal coherence and harmony. The role of eye movements is to generate corollary discharge within relevant brain areas, inducing transient increases in criticality within working memory; effectively raising the computational temperature and facilitating informational and energetic flow towards optimal resolution of trauma related memories. Raising the computational temperature overcomes constraints maintaining fragmented and discordant cognitive schemas, enabling fuller integration with the broader sense of self. Computational annealing provides an outline of a conceptual bridge between observations made at the microscopic neurophysiological level, and those made at the macroscopic, behavioral level of description.
Theorizing Social Media Usage Behaviour
Authors: Rajesh Thipparapu
Published: August 2021

The lack of an integrative theoretical framework pushed most of the research on social media into cyclical form. This paper reviewed theories such as uses and gratifications theory, social skills hypothesis and social capital hypothesis, as these theories previously guided social media research. In addition, this paper examined theories such as IPACE model, supernormal stimuli, behavioural economics, social brain hypothesis and psychological persuasion, which can provide new perspective in understanding social media behaviour. Finally, this paper discussed the impetus for empirical research to test the validity of these theories.
A formal model accounting for measurement reliability shows attenuated effect of higher education on intelligence in longitudinal data
Authors: Eriksson Kimmo , Sorjonen Kimmo , Falkstedt Daniel , Melin Bo , Nilsonne Gustav
Published: August 2021

The effect of higher education on intelligence has been examined through analyses of longitudinal data. Such studies typically have found a positive effect on the order of 1 IQ point per year of higher education in analyses where pre-education intelligence was included as a covariate. Unfortunately, this statistical technique is known to yield positively biased results if the covariate has measurement errors and is correlated with the predictor. At the same time, a negative bias arises if the intelligence measure after higher education has a ceiling effect, as in data from the 1970 British Cohort Study that were used in a recent study on the effect of higher education. Here, we develop a method that combines mathematical analysis and simulations to account for both aspects of limited reliability of intelligence measures. When we apply this method in a reanalysis of the data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, we find that the estimated effect of higher education is reduced to 0.4 IQ points per year. We also find that the effect of higher education appears to be somewhat larger in the first two years of higher education, consistent with diminishing marginal cognitive benefits of education.
Saudi EFL Students’ Use and Perceptions of Blackboard before and during Online Learning Amid COVID-19
Authors: Alsuhaibani Zainab
Published: August 2021

Online learning becomes the means of education during COVID-19. Blackboard is one of the learning management systems that has been widely used before and during the pandemic. This study focuses on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ use and perceptions of Blackboard. It explores and compares EFL students’ use and perceptions of Blackboard considering three phases: before COVID-19 in 2019, during online learning in 2020, and during online learning in 2021. A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. A total of 381 Saudi EFL students participated in the study. The results show that there are statistically significant differences in EFL students’ use of Blackboard between the three phases. EFL students’ use of Blackboard increased during online learning in 2020 compared to 2019, especially concerning the frequency of visiting Blackboard and the time students spent using it. Further, EFL students’ use of Blackboard increased significantly during online learning in 2021 compared to 2019 with regard to visit frequencies, time spent, and Blackboard tools used. Considering perceptions, the results indicate that there are statistically significant differences in students’ perceptions of Blackboard in terms of easiness and usefulness between the three phases. Interestingly, students had more positive perceptions of Blackboard before COVID-19 in 2019 and during online learning in 2021. The technical problems that students faced while using Blackboard during 2020 might have affected their perceptions. The study results of students’ use and perceptions of Blackboard are discussed in light of institutional policies and support.
Investigating $f(R)$ gravity and cosmologies
Authors: Kalvakota Vaibhav
Published: August 2021

The f (R) theory of gravity is an extended theory of gravity that is based on general relativity in the simplest case of $f(R) = R$. This theory extends such a function of the Ricci scalar into arbitrary functions that are not necessarily linear, i.e. could be of the form $f(R) = \alpha R^{2}$. The action for such a theory would be $S_{EH} = \frac{1}{2k} \int f(R) + L^{m}\; d^{4}x\sqrt{−g}$, where $S_{EH}$ is the Einstein-Hilbert action for our theory, $g$ is the determinant of the metric tensor $g_{\mu \nu}$ and $L^{m}$ is the Lagrangian density for matter. In this paper, we will look at some of the physical implications of such a theory, and the importance of such a theory in cosmology and in understanding the geometric nature of such f (R) theories of gravity.
Discourse on the Method: a philosopher’s Bildungsroman
Authors: Fokin S. L.
Published: August 2021

The problem raised by the article is defined by a paradox: according to Descartes, education is associated with the darkness of preconceptions, truisms, and instilled prejudices that rely exclusively on the authority of tradition as opposed to light, which is the medium of natural intelligence, free of dogmatism and skepticism alike. The article sets out to solve a dual task: on the one hand, to describe the philosopher’s years of learning and the fruits of his enlightenment, and, on the other, to read Discourse on the Method as a prototypical Bildungsroman that challenges the program of humanistic education adopted during the Renaissance and exposes the novelistic imagination of the author’s contemporaries. Following the method of intellectual history, we discover that the autobiographical setting of Discourse on the Method, combined with the figure of the new conceptual character and the self-reflexive element that reproduces the negative genre-specific model of narration, transform one of the most renowned works of world philosophy into a mature Bildungsroman with a main theme best expressed by the question ‘How to become a philosopher?’
‘The sacred gang’. The discourse of the ‘metaphysical macho guy culture (patsanstvo)’ in Russian song lyrics
Authors: Azarenkov A. A.
Published: August 2021

The article considers one of the methods of identity creation in a song used by lyricists in the early 21st c.: it involves a combination of profane language typical of an urban outcast (patsan, gopnik) and metaphysical, i. e. sacred, themes. Enjoying numerous representations in contemporary Russian visual arts, the discourse of the ‘metaphysical macho guy culture (patsanstvo)’ is also inseparable from the country’s literary tradition, which, however, is trying to marginalise it yet again and confine it to a song format. Analysing the poetic output of several Russian-speaking musicians (E. Limonov, P. Korolenko, Branimir, M. Elizarov, etc.), the author identifies the key features of the discourse: its faux-playfulness, emblematic quality, and adherence to low culture. The article also proposes a genre typology of the discourse in question, noting its critical, humoristic and paradoxographical varieties. In the end, the author discovers that the image of a macho guy / urban outcast (patsan) confronted with a supernatural experience is heavily influenced by the sacral archetype, which absorbs the most extreme — the lowest and the loftiest — aspects of human experience.
Intestinal Obstruction Due to Titanium Tack after TAPP Inguinal Hernia Repair
Authors: E. Sadava Emmanuel , Angeramo Cristian A. , E. Sadava Emmanuel
Published: August 2021

Background: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) after transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a rare complication. It is generally associated to a failure of the peritoneal gap closure with intestinal loops passing through the gap.
Case Presentation: We report a case of SBO secondary to titanium tack after 2 weeks of laparoscopic TAPP repair managed by laparoscopic approach, and we update some considerations about this unfortunate complication.
Conclusion: SBO due to mechanical fixation devices utilized in laparoscopic TAPP repairs is infrequent. In case of closing of peritoneal gap with tacks, those with low exposition profile and absorbable should be preferred.
An Analysis of Non-Governmental Organizations: Health Nutrition Measures and Peoples Satisfaction
Authors: Ahmad Shakeel , Shah Naqeeb Hussain , Ali Ashraf
Published: August 2021

This study was carried out to measure the Non-Governmental Organizations intervention in health nutrition and people's level of satisfaction. A sample size of 230 out of 450 populations was selected through a simple random sampling procedure. The study revealed the children and women (lactating) benefitted through nutrition food, provision of purification tablets for safe drinking water, provision of food baskets to people. Children were benefited through the provision of vitamin, and de-warming medication, treatment of pregnant and lactating women and children suffering from malnutrition were significantly associated with people's level of satisfaction. This study recommended that government, along with NGOs, must take measures for healthy nutrition irrespective of class, caste, and occupation, etc.
Compulsion Versus Volition in A Farewell to Arms
Authors: Khan Falak Naz , Khan Hashim , Khan Khalid Azim
Published: August 2021

Ernest Miller Hemingway (July 21, 1899 - July 2, 1961) is one of the most widely read American novelist of the 19th century, whose works have been variously interpreted. His fiction was influenced by different sociological, political and psychological trends of the time. The adventures of his personal life inspired some of the fascinating stories in his fiction. A Farewell to Arms projects the concept of individual struggle in the face of stiff resistance. His protagonist helplessly strives to define his existence; he, however, miserably fails in his struggle for actualizing his existence. But ultimately, he learns the secret of a meaningful existence. This study traces these elements of existentialist philosophy and examines its influence on the art of Hemingway. Although his views are also influenced and modified by the trends of the time, the influence of existentialist philosophy is vividly visible in all his writings. The paper analyzes the major works of Hemingway, particularly his famous novel A Farewell to Arms, in the light of existentialism. It specifically focuses on the rise and fall of the hero and heroine in the novel when they try to define their existence in this free and void world.
Venezuela through the Prism of Pan-Germanism: Towards Understanding the Venezuelan Crisis (1902-1903) in German Society
Authors: Turygin Alexander
Published: August 2021

The article deals with the formation of German colonial ideology in South America. The example of Venezuela is used to study the "discovery" of South America by German society in the late 19th — early 20th centuries, as well as the controversial policy of establishing Germany on the other side of the Atlantic. Germany's participation in the Venezuelan crisis (1902-1903) demonstrates the split in German society between the government and the nationalist-minded part of society, the manipulation of whose consciousness becomes a means of non-political influence for the Pan-German league (Alldeutscher Verband). The Venezuelan crisis, as part of the local diplomatic crises on the eve of the First World War, demonstrates the interest of the German government in the new status of a "world power", although national identity is now formed by German nationalists. Since there is no unity between official Berlin and the public in understanding the essence of colonialism, a paradox arises, which has become the subject of scientific study relatively recently. The article also problematizes one of the classic theses of imperialist theory the economic expansion is followed by territorial claims.
EU regional policy as a factor for decentralization in Spain. Basque Country case
Authors: Belous Yulia
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the factors of decentralization in Spain on the example of the Basque Country. Particular attention is paid to the factor of European integration and the EU regional policy in the political development of Spain. The purpose of this article is to consider the resources for decentralization in Spain with a focus on European integration (in particular, the EU regional policy). The first part of the article proposes a research methodology. The second examines some of the factors of decentralization offered by the scientific literature. The third part of the article reveals the features of the «three-tier» model of regional policy in Spain and the indicators of the EU regional policy effectiveness. The fourth part examines the experience of the Basque Country in the European integration, in particular, the EU's regional policy. Referring to the database of the «Manifesto» project, the author comes to the conclusion that connection between the processes of decentralization in the Basque Country and European integration can be manifested in the texts of the electoral programs of the Basque Nationalist Party. The scientific significance of the article is to analyze the impact of European integration on the processes of decentralization in Spain via the data of the «Manifesto» project.
A new book on China's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Sitenko Alexandra V.
Published: August 2021

The author reviews a collective monograph on the pages of which international experts analyze the main aspects and principles of China's relationship with Latin and Caribbean America today, right up to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The chapters of the book cover most of the countries in the region, and the subject of the study is both bilateral and multilateral interaction.
Forms of Representation of the Monarch in Irish Court Odes During the Reign of Queen Anne Stuart
Authors: Kirilov Denis
Published: August 2021

The article aims to explore forms of representation of a monarch in Irish court odes between 1702 and 1714. By 1702, Protestant Ireland to a large extent adopted the political structure of its mother country. The Irish parliament was turning into a regular institution, and the development of the party system was also underway. This posed a threat to the status quo, which the Irish government sought to maintain. To protect the rights of the Crown in England Queen Anne used a theatre of power and heavily relied on self-representation. However, in Ireland, the Queen's representation was limited to the odes for the Queen’s birthdays. Control over the writing of odes was given into the hands of Irish lords-justices, who were heavily involved in party politics. This led to the appropriation of the Queen’s second body by a dominant party in the Irish government: the image of Queen Anne was frequently used to support party politics. The image of the Queen was fairly passive due to her gender and physical disabilities: with the lack of the Queen’s personal control, it was not difficult for the parties to use the monarch’s second body for their purposes. In odes of 1709–1710, the image of Queen Anne was used to support Whig war policies; in 1711–1714 it was transformed to support the new moderate cabinet. As a result, instead of being an important weapon against partisanship, the representation of Queen Anne in Ireland was occasionally used as party propaganda.
German Question, 1945–1990, in Anglo-American Historiography: Key Aspects of the Problem Study
Authors: Kaviaka Iryna
Published: August 2021

Understanding and, after the unification of Germany in 1990, rethinking the process of evolution of the German Question, in particular its main components, is an important scholarly task. The origins of the modern power of Germany, its desire to establish itself as a world power, were formed in 1945–1990 with the active participation of the United States and Great Britain. Therefore, the assessment of the development of the German Question by researchers from these countries is important for its understanding. The study of the problem contributes to a comprehensive analysis of the post-war international policy of Great Britain and the United States as well as their modern relations with the FRG.
Special attention to the German Question in the publications of the United Kingdom and the United States was shown at the stages of its qualitative transformation: the creation of the FRG, its rearmament, the implementation of a new Eastern policy, as well as the unification of Germany. Each of these events required a prompt response from the academic and expert community and the development of a balanced model of foreign policy response.
Anglo-American historiography of the German question has not previously been the object of a special study by Russian historians. The purpose of this article is to analyze the main aspects of the German problem study in the works of British and American researchers.
The article identifies four key aspects of the German question, around which the study of the problem in Great Britain and the United States was concentrated. The historiographic core consists of the works devoted to the issues of denazification, West Germany rearmament, Ostpolitik, as well as the unification of Germany and its consequences. Each aspect study was of particular importance and relevance for determining the further foreign policy strategy of the Western countries in Europe, mainly in relation to the FRG and USSR. Changes in approaches to evaluation of the aspects during the post-war period are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to identifying and studying stable geopolitical models that accompanied the perception of the German question by academic and expert communities of Great Britain and the United States: the concepts of “Finlandization” and “Mitteleuropa”, as well as the “Rapallo complex”.
Foreign Policy Aspects of the Soviet Famine of 1932–1933
Authors: Bondarev Vitaly
Published: August 2021

The article examines one of the least studied aspects of the Soviet famine of 1932–33, namely the reaction of the international community and foreign governments to this tragedy. Facts are presented that prove that the Stalinist regime failed to conceal information about the famine in the collectivized village and prevent the outrage that broke out in the West over the mass death of Soviet citizens. The authors note that the negative reaction from the international community came in the form of both coverage of the plight of farmers in the press, and the organization of material assistance to those of them who were “blood brothers” and had relatives abroad. It was found that one of the results of the tragic events of 1932–1933 was the deterioration of the foreign policy positions of the USSR and the complication of its relations with Nazi Germany. The article’s main focus is on the characteristics of the situation and attitudes of the Soviet Germans, who were the largest Diaspora in the territory of the RSFSR. They were a kind of hostage to the complex dynamics of Soviet-German relations in 1933. The study is based on archival materials not previously introduced into scholarly circulation, in particular, letters from German citizens about food and monetary assistance addressed to their compatriots abroad. An important result of the research is the disclosure of the propaganda campaign “Response to fascist slanderers”, which not only created a favourable information background for the Stalinist leadership but also allowed to appeal to the opinion of Soviet Germans in the confrontation with the foreign public. The authors believe that the direct consequence of foreign policy complications caused by the famine of 1932–1933 was the strengthening of the Soviet government's distrust of the Soviet Germans, which affected their fate in the future.
“A Fatal Compromise”: South African Writers and “the Literature Police” in South Africa (1940–1960)
Authors: Kurbak Maria
Published: August 2021

After the victory of the National Party (NP) in the 1948 elections and the establishment of the apartheid regime in South Africa, politics and culture were subordinated to one main goal – the preservation and protection of Afrikaners as an ethnic minority. Since 1954, the government headed by Prime Minister D. F. Malan had begun implementing measures restricting freedom of speech and creating “literary police”. In 1956 the Commission of Inquiry into “Undesirable Publications” headed by Geoffrey Cronje was created. In his works, Cronje justified the concept of the Afrikaners’ existence as a separate nation, with its own language, culture, and mores. Cronje considered the protection of “blood purity” and prohibition of mixing, both physically and culturally, with “non-whites” as the highest value for Afrikaners. The proposals of the “Cronje Commission” were met with hostility not only by political opponents but also by Afrikaner intellectuals One of Cronje's most ardent opponents was the famous poet N.P. Van Wyk Louw. Yet, the creation of a full-fledged censorship system began with the coming into power of the government headed by Prime Minister H. Verwoerd, who took a course to tighten racial laws and control over publications. 1960 became the turning point in the relationship between the government and the South African intelligentsia. After the shooting of the peaceful demonstrations in Sharpeville and Langa, the NP declared a state of emergency, banned the activity of the Communist Party and the African National Congress (ANC), and apartheid opponents turned to a military struggle. The political struggle against censorship became more difficult during the armed stand-off between the apartheid loyalists and the NP deposition supporters. The transition to the military struggle was an important force for the radicalization of the intellectuals and the appearance of the “literary protest” and “black voices”. The time for negotiations and searching for compromises was over.
RECITE: A framework for user trajectory analysis in cultural sites
Authors: Orenes-Vera Marcelo , Terroso-Saenz Fernando , Valdes-Vela Mercedes
Published: August 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) has recently been applied in the domain of cultural exhibition enabling the cultural sites to provide more personal and proactive experiences to their visitors. To come up with valuable services, several solutions to analyze the spatio-temporal trajectories of visitors have been put forward. However, they neither consider the inherent uncertainty of the underlying indoor positioning technologies – Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), RFID, etc. – nor other visitors’ features apart from the spatio-temporal ones (e.g. the level of interaction with the museum displays). For that reason, the present work introduces RECITE, a framework to classify trajectories representing visitors’ actions that copes with the aforementioned limitations of existing solutions. Firstly, RECITE states a novel mapping process for a BLE-based indoor positioning system to accurately detect the visitors’ locations. On top of this mechanism, RECITE includes an ensemble of fuzzy rule classifiers able to tag the visitors’ ongoing trajectories in real time considering both spatio-temporal and other behavioural factors. Finally, the framework has been evaluated in a case of use scenario showing quite promising results.
A new approach to solve fully intuitionistic fuzzy linear programming problem with unrestricted decision variables
Authors: Malik Manisha , Gupta S. K. , Ahmad I.
Published: August 2021

In many real-world problems, one may encounter uncertainty in the input data. The fuzzy set theory fits well to handle such situations. However, it is not always possible to determine with full satisfaction the membership and non-membership degrees associated with an element of the fuzzy set. The intuitionistic fuzzy sets play a key role in dealing with the hesitation factor along-with the uncertainty involved in the problem and hence, provides more flexibility in the decision-making process. In this article, we introduce a new ordering on the set of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and propose a simple approach for solving the fully intuitionistic fuzzy linear programming problems with mixed constraints and unrestricted variables where the parameters and decision variables of the problem are represented by intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. The proposed method converts the problem into a crisp non-linear programming problem and further finds the intuitionistic fuzzy optimal solution to the problem. Some of the key significance of the proposed study are also pointed out along-with the limitations of the existing studies. The approach is illustrated step-by-step with the help of a numerical example and further, a production planning problem is also demonstrated to show the applicability of the study in practical situations. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed algorithm is analyzed with the existing studies based on various computational parameters.
Interval-valued intuitionistic pure linguistic entropy weight method and its application to group decision-making
Authors: Yan Mian , Feng Jianghong , Xu Su Xiu
Published: August 2021

In recent years, the problem of complex multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) in uncertain environments has received increasing attention. In evaluating MAGDM problems, obtaining the objective attribute weights is very important. Considering the excellent performance of intuitive fuzzy linguistic sets in dealing with uncertain information, this paper introduces a new interval-valued intuitionistic pure linguistic entropy weight (IVIPLEW) method for determining attribute weights and evaluating MAGDM problems. The IVIPLEW method considers the cases of missing values, and uses the conventional interval-valued intuitionistic pure linguistic (IVIPL) expectations to supplement the missing values. This method of dealing with missing values not only considers the expectations of experts, but also prevents fluctuations in linguistic variables from impacting the decision results. This paper establishes an analysis framework that allows the IVIPLEW method to be applied to MAGDM problems, and presents a practical case study that illustrates the practicality and effectiveness of IVIPLEW. The results are quite satisfactory. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a comparison with the IVIPL information aggregation method. Furthermore, the robustness of the IVIPLEW method is verified through a sensitivity analysis. The results presented in this paper show that the IVIPLEW method is applicable to a wide range of MAGDM problems.
Non-motor impairments affect walking kinematics in Parkinson disease patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Liguori Sara , Moretti Antimo , Palomba Angela , Paoletta Marco , Gimigliano Francesca , De Micco Rosa , Siciliano Mattia , Tessitore Alessandro , Iolascon Giovanni
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND: In patients with Parkinson disease (PD), severe postural and gait impairments are rarely observed in early stage of disease and non-motor symptoms (NMS) are often overlooked. OBJECTIVE: This observational study aimed to characterize the impact of non-motor impairments on walking kinematics in early stages PD patients, and to assess the differences of gait parameters and NMS between PD patients with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale score≤2 were evaluated for NMS using Kings Parkinson’s Pain Scale, Parkinson Fatigue Severity scale, Parkinson Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, kinematic parameters through an inertial sensor and cognitive performance by a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: Fatigue had a moderate negative correlation with step cadence, and a moderate to strong positive correlation with gait duration, Timed Up and Go (TUG) and TUG Dual Task (p < 0.01). Pain showed positive moderate correlation with gait duration (p < 0.01). Twelve patients resulted affected by MCI and reported significantly worse scores in gait duration, pain and fatigue (p < 0.05). According to cognitive z scores, PD-MCI group showed a moderate negative correlation between visuospatial abilities and fatigue (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NMS significantly affect walking kinematics whereas a limited role of cognitive status on motor performance occur in the early PD stages.
University professors’ mental and physical well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and distance teaching
Authors: Almhdawi Khader A. , Obeidat Donia , Kanaan Saddam F. , Hajela Nupur , Bsoul Mohammad , Arabiat Alaa , Alazrai Alza , Jaber Hanan , Alrabbaie Hassan
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND: Strict strategies including lockdowns and working from home were adopted worldwide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. University professors suddenly shifted to work from home adopting distance teaching. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and its associated occupational and health factors during COVID-19 among university professors. METHODS: A cross-sectional design targeted university professors of all majors in Jordan. The study self-administered survey included demographics and lifestyle data, 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), professor’ evaluation of distance teaching, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive analyses were conducted to demonstrate primary outcome measures data. Factors associated with HRQoL were determined using a multiple variable linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 299 university professors successfully completed the study. Participants’ SF-12 physical health component score was 74.08 (±18.5) and 65.74 (±21.4) for mental health component. Higher depression, stress, neck disability, and weight change were significantly associated with lower HRQoL level. While higher satisfaction with distance teaching, health self-evaluation, and work load change were significantly associated with higher HRQoL level. The regression model explained 66.7%of the variance in professors’ HRQoL (r2 = 0.667, F = 82.83, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Jordanian university professors demonstrated good HRQoL and mental health levels during COVID-19 lockdown. Factors associated with professors’ HRQoL should be considered by academic institutions in determining the best occupational setup of teaching activities in future pandemics.
Influence of the sequence of erection of build-ings on the formation of the stress-strain state of the system «base-foundation-overhead structures»
Authors: Skochko Liudmyla , Shabaltun Artem
Published: August 2021

The influence of the order of construction of houses on the formation of the stress-strain state of the system "foundation-foundation-above-ground structures" is investigated

For this purpose, several options for setting tasks for the phased construction of multi-section building sections are considered.

With this in mind, it should be noted that the construction of each subsequent section has an impact on the built entirely or partially adjacent section. That is why this effect should be investigated to predict how serious this impact may be, and to draw appropriate constructive decisions.

Thus, the main objectives of the study are:

Creation of SEM without taking into account the stages of construction of the house;

Calculation of a house with a phased loading of 5 floors. Taking into account changes in the order of construction of sections;

Formation of SEM taking into account the sequence of erection of sections without including the sequence of erection of floors within the boundaries of the current section;

Research of the impact of the calculation of sections of a multi-section building without and taking into account the summary of subsequent sections.

The research of the impact of the sequence of construction and installation of the object will allow us to assess the stress-strain scheme at all stages of construction, so changes in the behavior of the scheme will be recorded at all stages of construction specified by the designers. To do this, the change in the stress-strain state (VAT) of the system "foundation - foundations - above-ground structures" must be modeled with different options for stages of construction, taking into account the real parameters of the soil base and so on.

The interaction of piles in different zones of sections, the work of grids in the foundations of high-rise buildings are considered. The research was carried out with the help of numerical modeling of the system "foundation - foundations - aboveground constructions". The redistribution of forces in the piles depending on the formulation of problems on the stages of construction of sections and design parameters (location of piles in characteristic zones, the influence of the stiffness of the aboveground part on the redistribution of forces). Characteristic zones in the foundation are distinguished: they are central, lateral, angular and especially at the joints of adjacent sections. The redistribution of efforts between piles and a grid is revealed.
Influence of the choice of the base model on the stress-strain state of the vertical load-bearing elements of a monolithic-frame house
Authors: Nosenko Viktor , Kashoida Ostap
Published: August 2021

Comparison of the stress-strain state of vertical elements of the frame of a monolithic house (basement, first and fourth floors), depending on the method of modeling the soil environment and piles, is carried out.

The use of pile foundations is due to the fact that they provide the transfer of loads to deeper soil layers and, as a rule, a greater bearing capacity compared to shallow foundations. In the design of foundations, engineers face the question of how to model the soil environment and piles?

This paper presents the influence of the decision taken (the selected soil model and the method of modeling piles) on the stress-strain state of the vertical load-bearing elements of the house frame.

Comparison of the stress-strain state of vertical elements of the frame (basement, first and fourth floors), which were obtained using the following models of the system «base - pile foundation - overhead supporting structures»:

1) the piles are modeled by single-node finite elements, have only vertical stiffness according to the results of testing the piles for vertical static pressing loads, the mutual influence of piles and soil characteristics are not taken into account (FE-56 hereinafter, this is the number of the finite element in the library of elements of the PС «Lira -SAPR»)

2) the piles are modeled by single-node finite elements, are located with a given step along the length of the pile and have rigidity in different directions and approximately take into account the surrounding soil around the pile and under its tip (FE-57);

3) the soil environment is modeled by volumetric elastic finite elements; piles - rod finite elements.

It is shown that the choice of the foundation model carries stress-strain state not only for the foundation structures, but also for the vertical bearing elements of the house. When using various options for modeling the base: using a single-node finite element that simulates a smoke like elastic ligature (FE-56), using a chain of single-node skinned elements (FE-57), or a volumetric soil massif, it is possible to obtain quantitative differences in stresses from 2 to 20%, and a qualitative change, which is observed in a change in the sign of bending moments.
ARCHITECTURE OF CULTURALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE SPIRITUAL EDUCATIONAL COMPLEXES
Authors: Zhovkva Olga
Published: August 2021

The issue of finding the mechanisms for interaction between different cultures and religions is relevant today for many countries of the world. In the context of globalization, the establishment of intercultural ties is an extremely important process. Despite this, the issue of creating a comfortable multicultural environment for training tolerant, highly educated public and religious figures is still insufficiently researched. The objective of this study is to develop conceptual foundations for the formation of multicultural and polyreligious spiritual educational complexes as a new “universal” enlarged type of spiritual educational institution for representatives of various religions and confessions (Christian, Muslim, Jewish), as well as recommendations regarding their design, taking into account religious and confessional features. During the study, we used theoretical and empirical research methods. Based on that, the principles of the architectural and planning organization of a multicultural polyreligious spiritual educational complex are formulated, where all levels of spiritual education (primary, secondary, higher) and all functions necessary for comprehensive education, as well as intellectual and spiritual development, are presented in a holistic manner. It is concluded that the use of the developed and proposed scientific principles in the design of these objects will contribute to the formation of a harmonious multicultural and polyreligious educational environment.
METHODS AND MEANS OF ENSURING THE INTEROPERABILITY OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE
Authors: Lyashchenko Anatoliy , Karpinskyi Yuriy , Havryliuk Yevheniy , Cherin Andriy
Published: August 2021

Interoperability is one of the key characteristics of the national geospatial data infrastructure (NSDI), on which depends the effectiveness of the interaction of holders, producers and users of geospatial data in the network of geoportals. The article substantiates the methods and means of achieving a high level of interoperability of the components of the Ukraine NSDI on the basis of ensuring the consistency of geospatial data supplied by different data producers, standardization of metadata and interfaces of geoinformation services. It is established that the bases of the legislative and organizational level of interoperability are defined in the Law of Ukraine "On the national geospatial data infrastructure " and in the "Procedure for the operation of NSDI".

To ensure the interoperability of the components of the Ukraine NSDI at the semantic and technical levels, it is necessary to develop a set of technical regulations that define common requirements for: composition and structure of metadata, interfaces and functions of geographic information services, compatibility of geospatial data sets, classification systems, coding and unique identification of geospatial objects, open data exchange formats. These technical regulations should be based on the consistent and comprehensive implementation of the methodology of the basic international standards of the ISO 19100 Geographic Information / Geomatics series, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed by the successful implementation of NSDI in many countries of the world.
DIRECTIONS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL TERRITORIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF LVIV)
Authors: Mazur Tamara , Korol Yevheniia
Published: August 2021

The introduction of urban policy aimed at attracting innovative technologies to stimulate socio-economic development of territories, intensification of investment activities in the regions and rational use of land resources, has necessitated scientifically sound changes in urban planning - the formation of technology parks and technopolises.

In the Lviv region, as in Ukraine as a whole, the process of forming the infrastructure of innovative entrepreneurship (business centers, business incubators, technology parks) has only just begun and has not yet received proper development. It should be noted that the significant scientific and educational potential of the Western region and in particular the city of Lviv can be used much more effectively.

In 2025, the current master plan for the development of Lviv will end. On the eve of elaboration of the new master plan of Lviv it is necessary to define and reserve within its suburban zone the territory for construction of objects of industrial sector, including sites of innovative development (technology parks, industrial parks, transport and logistics centers).

This choice should be associated with the planning organization and development of transport infrastructure in the region. The most promising of these positions are areas close to road junctions of international and national importance.

Urban planning proposals for the formation of innovative production areas should be reflected in the development of investment passports of local communities in the region as a key marketing tool for informing the domestic and international business environment and promoting them to the external level to potential investors.
INVESTIGATION OF THE LATEST COATINGS WITH SHIELDING PROPERTIES OF ITS OWN PRODUCTION
Authors: Panova Olena , Biruk Yana , Besarab Oleg , Kormilitsyn Yan
Published: August 2021

In the modern world, protection against the influence of man-made electromagnetic fields shielding will be increasingly used. In the transition to international standards (in various industries) in the manufacture of the latest facing and finishing materials, the most promising and demanded building materials with shielding properties. Reducing weight due to the thickness of the shielding coating of building material is not always expedient and is not always allowed by the relevant state and international sanitary norms. Theoretical calculations on this issue or mathematical forecasting minimize the cost of manufacturing the substance of the shielding material, and in general, reduce the total number of measurements to their confirmation. The presented methodology enables to predict protective properties, depending on the parameters of fields that need shielding. The purpose of the study is – the manufacture of the latest coatings of composite structures to predict the protective properties of building materials in a wide frequency range. Methods and methods of research – improvement of the development of a new shielding material by producing metal-polymer material for shielding physical fields and developing a technology for increasing the distribution of shielding particles in the body of a polymeric material (matrix), preventing particle adhesion and increase their dispersion.