bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rocking isolation of bridge pier using shape memory alloy
Authors: Rele Rajesh R. , Balmukund Ranjan , Mitoulis Stergios A. , Bhattacharya Subhamoy
Published: January 2021

The conventional design philosophy of bridges allows damage in the pier through yielding. A fuse-like action is achieved if the bridge piers are designed to develop substantial inelastic deformations when subjected to earthquake excitations. Such a design can avoid collapse of the bridge but not damage. The damage is the plastic hinge formation formed at location of maximum moments and stresses that can lead to permanent lateral displacement which can impair traffic flow and cause time consuming repairs. Rocking can act as a form of isolation by means of foundation uplifting which act as a mechanical fuse, limiting the forces transferred to the base of the structure. In this context, this paper proposes a novel resilient controlled rocking bridge pier foundation, which uses elastomeric pads incorporated beneath the footing of the bridge piers and external restrainer in the form of shape memory alloy bar (SMA). The rocking mechanism is achieved by restricting the horizontal movement of footing by providing stoppers at all sides of footing. The pads are designed to remain elastic without allowing their shearing. The pier, the footing and the elastomeric pads are assumed to be supported on firm rigid concrete sub base resting on hard rock. By performing nonlinear dynamic time history analysis in the traffic direction of the bridge, the proposed pier with the novel resilient foundation is compared against a fixed-based pier and classical rocking pier (CC). The proposed pier rocking on elastomeric pads and external restrainer (CP+SMA) has good re-centering capability during earthquakes with negligible residual drift and footing uplift. In this new rocking isolation technique, the forces in the piers are also reduced and thus leading to reduced construction cost with enhanced post-earthquake serviceability.
Effect of moisture on mechanical characteristic of soil and interaction of soil-pile in integral abutment bridges
Authors: Razmi Jafar
Published: January 2021

Mechanical properties of soil are function of many parameters. Moisture content is one of the key factors that impact the soil’s mechanical properties. Soil-pile interaction and pile displacement in bridges can, therefore, be impacted by the moisture content. In particular, pile displacement in Integral Abutment Bridges (IABs) due to daily and seasonal temperature variations is a problem that has been under investigation. IABs don’t have joint and as a result all the load and deformation in the slab is transferred to piles. If piles are deformed beyond their yield point, plastic deformation can occur. The objective of this study is to evaluate the moisture content effect on the interaction of pile and soil and the resulting pile displacement through computational modeling. An ANSYS Finite Element Model (FEM) is used to repeatedly change the moisture content of the soil and adjust the properties and compute the displacement in the piles. It is shown that increasing the moisture content decreases several key parameters such as bulk density, young’s modulus, cohesion and Poisson’s ratio. The simulation results indicate higher displacements of the piles as the moisture content increases. This behavior can be explained by decreased elastic modulus. As a result, soil behaves more flexible and allows more displacement of the pile.
Accelerated testing of super lightweight UHPC waffle deck under heavy vehicle simulator
Authors: Ghasemi Sahar , Mirmiran Amir , Xiao Yulin , Mackie Kevin
Published: January 2021

A super lightweight deck can enhance load rating and functionality of a bridge, especially those identified as structurally deficient. This study was aimed to develop and experimentally validate a novel bridge deck as an ultra-lightweight low-profile waffle slab of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) with either carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) or high strength steel (HSS) reinforcement. The proposed system lends itself to accelerated bridge construction, rapid deck replacement in bridges with load restrictions, and bridge widening applications without the need to replace girders. Performance and failure modes of the proposed deck were initially assessed through extensive lab experiments and finite element analysis, which together confirmed that the proposed deck panel meets the AASHTO LRFD requirements. The proposed deck system is not susceptible to punching shear of its thin slab and fails in a rather ductile manner. To evaluate its long-term performance, the system was further tested under the dynamic impact of wheel load at the Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) facility of the Florida Department of Transportation using a Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS).
A complementary webometric ranking system based on the website quality and traffic measures: A study focusing on top-ranked world universities
Authors: Farashi Sajjad , Bashirian Saeed
Published: January 2021

Ranking of universities regarding their web-based activities plays a pivotal role in promoting scientific advancement since it motivates the open access accessibility to scientific results. In this study, a new ranking system based on the website quality factors and traffic evaluation was proposed. Since top-ranked universities are usually considered as the standard models for lower ranked ones, the focus of this study was on top-ranked universities. The proposed ranking was compared with well-known Webometrics ranking system. The website traffic and quality assessment were acquired for websites of top-ranked world universities and the correlation between these indices and the Webometrics ranking was evaluated. The summation of the weighted value of obtained measures according to an optimal weight vector obtained by a genetic algorithm framework was used for ranking purposes. The results showed that the website total traffic size was correlated with Webometrics rank (R≈-0.6, p< 0.01). Also, using the weighted value of website quality and traffic measures, the proposed ranking system could predict Webometrics ranking by the accuracy of up to 69%. Even though the method was proposed for universities, it could be applied for ranking other types of centers or companies, provided that the suitable cost function for the genetics algorithm framework was defined.
Comparison of single and multiple joint muscle functions and neural drive of trained athletes and untrained individuals
Authors: Mehmet Kale
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND:

There is insufficient knowledge about the rate of force development (RFD) characteristics over both single and multiple joint movements and the electromechanical delay (EMD) values obtained in athletes and untrained individuals.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare single and multiple joint functions and the neural drive of trained athletes and untrained individuals.

METHODS:

Eight trained athletes and 10 untrained individuals voluntarily participated to the study. The neuromuscular performance was assessed during explosive and maximum voluntary isometric contractions during leg press and knee extension related to single and multiple joint. Explosive force and surface electromyography of eight superficial lower limb muscles were measured in five 50-ms time windows from their onset, and normalized to peak force and electromyography activity at maximum voluntary force, respectively. The EMD was determined from explosive voluntary contractions (EVC’s).

RESULTS:

The results showed that there were significant differences in absolute forces during knee extension maximum voluntary force and EVC’s ([Formula: see text] 0.01) while trained athletes achieved greater relative forces than untrained individuals of EVC at all five time points ([Formula: see text] 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The differences in explosive performance between trained athletes and untrained individuals in both movements may be explained by different levels of muscle activation within groups, attributed to variation in biarticular muscle function over both activities.
Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Cognitive Function Among Hispanic/Latino Adults in San Diego, California
Authors: Ilango Sindana D. , Gonzalez Kevin , Gallo Linda , Allison Matthew A. , Cai Jianwen , Isasi Carmen R. , Hosgood Dean H. , Vasquez Priscilla M. , Zeng Donglin , Mortamais Marion , Gonzalez Hector , Benmarhnia Tarik
Published: January 2021

Background:

Hispanics/Latinos in the United States are more likely to live in neighborhoods with greater exposure to air pollution and are projected to have the largest increase in dementia among race/ethnic minority groups.

Objective:

We examined the associations of air pollution with performance on cognitive function tests in Hispanic/Latino adults.

Methods:

We used data from the San Diego site of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an ongoing cohort of Hispanics/Latinos. This analysis focused on individuals ≥45 years of age who completed a neurocognitive battery examining overall mental status, verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and executive function ( n = 2,089). Air pollution (PM2.5 and O3) before study baseline was assigned to participants’ zip code. Logistic and linear regression were used to estimate the associations of air pollution on overall mental status and domain-specific standardized test scores. Models accounted for complex survey design, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Results:

We found that for every 10μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, verbal fluency worsened (β: –0.21 [95%CI: –0.68, 0.25]). For every 10 ppb increase in O3, verbal fluency and executive function worsened (β: –0.19 [95%CI: –0.34, –0.03]; β: –0.01 [95%CI: –0.01, 0.09], respectively). We did not identify any detrimental effect of pollutants on other domains.

Conclusion:

Although we found suggestions that air pollution may impact verbal fluency and executive function, we observed no consistent or precise evidence to suggest an adverse impact of air pollution on cognitive level among this cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults.
Recursive Support Vector Machine Biomarker Selection for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Fan , Petersen Melissa , Johnson Leigh , Hall James , O’Bryant Sid E.
Published: January 2021

Background:

There is a need for more reliable diagnostic tools for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This can be a challenge due to a number of factors and logistics making machine learning a viable option.

Objective:

In this paper, we present on a Support Vector Machine Leave-One-Out Recursive Feature Elimination and Cross Validation (SVM-RFE-LOO) algorithm for use in the early detection of AD and show how the SVM-RFE-LOO method can be used for both classification and prediction of AD.

Methods:

Data were analyzed on n = 300 participants ( n = 150 AD; n = 150 cognitively normal controls). Serum samples were assayed via a multi-plex biomarker assay platform using electrochemiluminescence (ECL).

Results:

The SVM-RFE-LOO method reduced the number of features in the model from 21 to 16 biomarkers and achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.980 with a sensitivity of 94.0% and a specificity of 93.3%. When the classification and prediction performance of SVM-RFE-LOO was compared to that of SVM and SVM-RFE, we found similar performance across the models; however, the SVM-RFE-LOO method utilized fewer markers.

Conclusion:

We found that 1) the SVM-RFE-LOO is suitable for analyzing noisy high-throughput proteomic data, 2) it outperforms SVM-RFE in the robustness to noise and in the ability to recover informative features, and 3) it can improve the prediction performance. Our recursive feature elimination model can serve as a general model for biomarker discovery in other diseases.
Mining serial positioning episode rules by natural exponent inertia weight based swallow swarm optimization algorithm with constraint based event sequences
Authors: Poongodi K. , Kumar Dhananjay
Published: January 2021

The Frequent Episode Mining (FEM) is a challenging framework to identify frequent episodes from a sequence database. In a sequence, an ordered collection of events defines an episode, and frequent episodes are only considered by the earlier studies. Also, it doesn’t support for the serial based episode rule mining. In this work, the episode rules are mined with precise and serial based rule mining considering the temporal factor, so that, the occurrence time of the consequent is specified in contrast to the traditional episode rule mining. The proposed work has a larger number of candidates and specific time constraints to generate the fixed-gap episodes, and mining such episodes from whole sequence where the time span between any two events is a constant which is utilized to improve the proposed framework’s performance. In order to improve the efficiency, an Optimal Fixed-gap Episode Occurrence (OFEO) is performed using the Natural Exponent Inertia Weight based Swallow Swarm Optimization (NEIWSSO) algorithm. The temporal constraints significantly evaluate the effectiveness of episode mining, and a noticeable advantage of the present work is to generate optimal fixed-gap episodes for better prediction. The effective use of memory consumption and performance enhancement is achieved by developing new trie-based data structure for Mining Serial Positioning Episode Rules (MSPER) using a pruning method. The position of frequent events is updated in the precise-positioning episode rule trie instead of frequent events to reduce the memory space. The benchmark datasets Retail, Kosarak, and MSNBC is used to evaluate the proposed algorithm’s efficiency. Eventually, it is found that it outperforms the existing techniques with respect to memory consumption and execution time. On an average, the proposed algorithm achieves 28 times lesser execution time and consumes 45.5% less memory space for the highest minimum support value on the Retail dataset compared to existing methods.
How can traditional statistical relationships be redefined through citizen to government partnerships?
Authors: Carranza-Torres Javier Andrés
Published: January 2021

The post-2015 Development Agenda proposes to produce much more statistics and data than currently available in the official arena through advanced methods and innovative partnerships. By associating governments and data producers of all kinds it aims to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of this paper is to explore and analyse one of the 2030 Agenda greatest challenges, i.e. to redefine traditional statistical relationships and processes to associate citizenry as an active stakeholder in the monitoring of SDGs. It proposes innovative ideas linking citizen-to-government and government-to-citizen data partnerships (C2G dp and G2C dp) to the SDG requirements. The paper portrays and analyses the benefits for parties of alternative projects from Uganda, Canada and Uruguay. The C2G dp Stats Up program is featured as an additional case study, describing its achievements and shortcomings. This contribution constitutes a valuable co-creation case to fill the gap of lack of partnering skills. In sum, the paper presents the added value of a constructive socio-technical approach to SDG 17. Final conclusions propose a roadmap to support the work of National Statistical Offices to address complex challenges to walk the talk of the 2030 Agenda harnessing the crucial role of civil society in their plans.
The manipulation of official statistics as corruption and ways of understanding it
Authors: Georgiou Andreas V
Published: January 2021

We argue that the manipulation of official statistics is corruption and indeed it is grand corruption and political corruption. We note the steps that have been taken in recent decades, which inter alia help make corruption in official statistics more difficult, but argue that instances of corruption persist. To decisively address the problem, it is important to have an analytical tool for understanding it. In this context, we provide a typology of the various broad manifestations or phenomena of corruption in official statistics. We then proceed to identify the process or mechanism that gives rise to these manifestations/phenomena, the elements/component parts of this process/mechanism and the ways these parts interact. This constitutes the schematic model that we propose for understanding corruption in official statistics. In this context, we provide a discussion of the nature of the individual elements/component parts of the process of corruption of official statistics, i.e., we discuss the drivers of the phenomena, the enabling conditions of the phenomena, the modalities and methods used to arrive at the phenomena, and the vectors or agents that execute/propagate the phenomena. We believe all cases of corruption in official statistics can be analyzed using this schematic model. The benefit of having such a model is that it enables one to identify what institutional or legal setting, action, institution or person presents a problem, vulnerability or source of risk in a given system of production of a specific official statistical product in a given country, and address it. The model can also inform a discussion about what needs to be changed at the level of international/supranational arrangements, whether concerning institutional settings, processes, or legal and ethical frameworks, affecting the production of official statistics.
No functional differences in anatomic reconstruction using a one- versus a two-point fixation for distal biceps tendon rupture through a single-incision anterior approach: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Weißenberger Manuel , Klug Alexander , Heinz Tizian , Rueckl Kilian , Kollenda Hans , Rudert Maximilian , Hoffmann Reinhard , Schmidt-Horlohé Kay
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND: The distal biceps brachii tendon rupture is a rare injury of the musculoskeletal system. Multiple surgical techniques have been described for distal biceps brachii tendon repairs including suture anchors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of anatomical distal biceps tendon refixation using either one or two suture anchors for reattachment and to determine whether there are significant clinically important differences on the number of anchors used for refixation. METHODS: A monocentric, randomized controlled trial was conducted, including 16 male patients with a mean age of 47.4 years (range, 31.0 to 58.0) in Group 1 (two suture anchors for refixation) and 15 male patients with a mean age of 47.4 (range, 35.0 to 59.0) in Group 2 (one suture anchor for refixation). All surgeries were performed through an anterior approach. The outcome was assessed using the Oxford Elbow Score (OES), the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, the Andrews Carson Score (ACS) and by isokinetic strength measurement for the elbow flexion after six, twelve, 24 and 48 weeks. Radiographic controls were performed after 24 and 48 weeks. RESULTS: No significant differences between both groups were evident at any point during the follow-up period. A continuous improvement in outcome for both groups could be detected, reaching an OES: 46.3 (39.0 to 48.0) vs. 45.5 (30.0 to 48.0), MEPS: 98.0 (85.0 to 100.0) vs. 99.0 (85.0 to 100.0), DASH: 3.1 (0.0 to 16.7) vs. 2.9 (0.0 to 26.7), ACS: 197.0 (175.0 to 200.0) vs. 197.7
Computer aid screening of COVID-19 using X-ray and CT scan images: An inner comparison
Authors: Sethy Prabira Kumar , Behera Santi Kumari , Anitha Komma , Pandey Chanki , Khan M.R.
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study is to conduct a critical analysis to investigate and compare a group of computer aid screening methods of COVID-19 using chest X-ray images and computed tomography (CT) images. The computer aid screening method includes deep feature extraction, transfer learning, and machine learning image classification approach. The deep feature extraction and transfer learning method considered 13 pre-trained CNN models. The machine learning approach includes three sets of handcrafted features and three classifiers. The pre-trained CNN models include AlexNet, GoogleNet, VGG16, VGG19, Densenet201, Resnet18, Resnet50, Resnet101, Inceptionv3, Inceptionresnetv2, Xception, MobileNetv2 and ShuffleNet. The handcrafted features are GLCM, LBP & HOG, and machine learning based classifiers are KNN, SVM & Naive Bayes. In addition, the different paradigms of classifiers are also analyzed. Overall, the comparative analysis is carried out in 65 classification models, i.e., 13 in deep feature extraction, 13 in transfer learning, and 39 in the machine learning approaches. Finally, all classification models perform better when applying to the chest X-ray image set as comparing to the use of CT scan image set. Among 65 classification models, the VGG19 with SVM achieved the highest accuracy of 99.81%when applying to the chest X-ray images. In conclusion, the findings of this analysis study are beneficial for the researchers who are working towards designing computer aid tools for screening COVID-19 infection diseases.
Методика оцінки інвестиційної привабливості країни для розвитку сфери культури
Authors:   Alfred Nobel University, Копил О.В.
Published: January 2021

Результати проведеного дослідження надали змогу розробити власну методику оцінки інвестиційної привабливості країни для розвитку сфери культури. У ході розробки методики було вирішено, що необхідною умовою для оцінки інвестиційної привабливості України для розвитку сфери культури є врахування регіонального аспекту розвитку. Визначено сім основних факторів, які слід враховувати при виборі індикаторів інвестиційної привабливості країни для розвитку сфери культури. Запропонована методика надає можливість оцінити інвестиційну привабливість регіонів для розвитку сфери культури за такими групами показників: 1) економічний потенціал регіону; 2) рівень розвитку людського капіталу; 3) рівень якості життя; 4) розвиток підприємницької діяльності та інновацій; 5) інвестиційні ризики. Дана методика є простою у використанні, враховує різні аспекти розвитку регіону, оцінка яких створює можливість для інвестора зменшити ризики при інвестуванні у сферу культури, ґрунтується на використанні методу ранжування з розрахунком інтегральних показників через використання середніх багатовимірних. Методика враховує сукупність аспектів та факторів, які впливають на розвиток та функціонування сфери культури в Україні, а також на попит та пропозицію культурних послуг.
Використання цінової еластичності попиту для визначення обсягу ринку в антимонопольному законодавстві
Authors:   Alfred Nobel University, Кузьмінов С.В. , Лимонова Е.М.
Published: January 2021

У статті досліджено проблему встановлення дійсних кордонів ринку для антимонопольного регулювання. На основі аналізу антимонопольного законодавства України та діяльності антимонопольного комітету України автори стверджують, що наразі методика встановлення реальних кордонів ринку та наявності монопольної влади у продавця не мають теоретичного обґрунтування. Встановлено частки ринку для визначення продавця як такого, що займає монопольне становище, є довільними і не враховують специфіку попиту на ринках різних товарів. Автори стверджують, що для теоретично обґрунтованого застосування санкцій проти фірм, підозрюваних у зловживанні монопольним становищем слід використовувати концепцію цінової еластичності попиту. На думку авторів, висока еластичність попиту перешкоджає реалізації ринкової влади фірмою, навіть якщо вона має значну частку ринку. У той же час низька еластичність попиту дає можливість зловживати ринковою владою навіть фірмі, чия частка на ринку не така велика. У статті аналізується проблема встановлення адекватних кордонів ринку, що досліджується. У випадку, коли фірма утримує велику частку ринку певного товару, вона може уникнути санкцій, заявляючи у суді, що ринок, на якому вона оперує, насправді більший, ніж було визначено Антимонопольним комітетом. Часто Антимонопольному комітету не вдається у суді спростувати таке твердження, і санкції скасовуються у судовому порядку.
Фінансова стійкість пенсійного забезпечення під час пандемії Ковід-19
Authors:   Alfred Nobel University, Швець В.Я.
Published: January 2021

Стаття присвячена дослідженню показників фінансової стійкості пенсійного забезпечення країн світу під час Ковід-19. Запропоновано рекомендації з метою покращання стану пенсійного забезпечення на найближчі роки. На підставі аналізу літературних джерел виявлено, що головною причиною зменшення споживання та зростання безробіття є не Ковід-19, а рішення урядів про його блокування. Визначено три головних канали передавання економічних шоків: зменшення споживання товарів і послуг; непрямий вплив через фінансові ринки, їх вплив на реальну економіку та доставка. Для десяти країн світу наведено показники стійкості пенсійного забезпечення: поточні пенсійні витрати у відсотках до ВВП, рівень зайнятості населення у віковій групі 55‒64 років та кількість робочого стажу, а також пораховані та порівняні синтетичні показники стійкості пенсійного забезпечення за 2010, 2015 та 2020 рр. Можна побачити, що показники стійкості пенсійного забезпечення аналізованих країн у цьому дослідженні зменшуються, що говорить про погіршення рівня фінансової стійкості пенсійного забезпечення.
CARTOGRAFIAS INDISCIPLINARES
Authors: Freitas Daniel Medeiros de , Lopes Marcela Silviano Brandão , Rena Natacha Araújo
Published: January 2021

O artigo, por meio de pressupostos teóricos-metodológicos adotados pelo grupo de pesquisa Indisciplinar, apresenta algumas das experiências extensionistas do grupo junto às lutas urbanas. Procura-se demonstrar o modo como os processos destituintes – aqueles contra o urbanismo neoliberal em suas múltiplas dimensões expropriadoras do patrimônio público, neoliberalização e produção biopolítica do espaço urbano – e os processos constituintes – aqueles engendrados pela coletividade e autonomia cidadã em defesa do comum – atuam no ponto cego das lutas urbanas, imbricando as resistências locais e de ocorrência pontual às múltiplas determinações de ordem econômica, política, cultural relacionadas à produção do espaço; as estratégias de militância e de ativismo; e os potenciais da tecnologia e das artesanias. Apresenta-se no centro da discussão as possibilidades de aplicação do método cartográfico nos processos de luta e resistência aos projetos urbanos neoliberais.
GENOCÍDIO INDÍGENA
Authors: Santos Júnior Cristóvão José dos
Published: January 2021

Soneto de denúncia.
AEDES AEGYPTI SURVIVORSHIP ON SALT TOLERANT CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE PLANTS
Authors: Bibbs Christopher S.
Published: January 2021

Aedes aegypti has expanded its range in the United States to include various arid and desert geographies, with notable introduction into various parts of California. Because resources are limited in arid environments, it is currently an important topic to understand how Ae. aegypti interacts with its surrounding environment for survival and proliferation. Three common plant species in peridomestic landscape, i.e., salt cedar (Tamarix aphylla), arrow weed (Pluchea sericea) and four wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), were collected for survival bioassays to understand how Ae. aegypti is persisting in arid, chaparral landscapes in California, USA. These three plant-species along with a 10% sucrose solution (positive control) and reverse osmosis water solution (negative control-) were added to cages of Ae. aegypti to assess their survival at 24h, 48h, and 96h. It was found, in comparison with the negative control and four wing salt bush, that arrow weed and to a lesser extent salt cedar, promoted survival of Ae. aegypti in the first 24h. After the first day, only arrow weed significantly supported mosquito survival out to 96h as compared to the controls. Arrow weed and salt cedar are both riparian plants producing some nectaries which could be energy resources provided through stem sap or nectar to Ae. aegypti amidst peridomestic chaparral in California.
EVALUATION OF PYRETHROID AND BOTANICAL BARRIER INSECTICIDES AGAINST AEDES ALBOPICTUS IN THE LABORATORY AND FIELD
Authors: Smoleroff Steven T.
Published: January 2021

Outdoor residual insecticide applications are useful for preventing or reducing mosquito populations at focal areas. Until recently, pyrethroids have been the only option for barrier sprays in mosquito control. In this study, three pyrethroid (Onslaught, Cyzmic CS, DeltaGard) and two botanical (Nature-Cide, Essentria IC3 ) outdoor residual insecticides were comparatively tested at low, mid, and high label rates against adult Aedes albopictus in both laboratory bioassays and field trials in St. Augustine, FL, from May-August 2017. Bioassays indicated NatureCide and Cyzmic CS were the most toxic across all three dilution ratios followed by DeltaGard, Onslaught, and Essentria IC3 , respectively. In field trials Nature-Cide and Onslaught were the only products that reduced mosquito abundance at the low rate. However, at the mid rate NatureCide and Onslaught caused ~90% percent reduction of adult female Ae. albopictus in the field, the highest of all tested products. The performance of DeltaGard (79% reduction in field counts), Essentria IC 3 (64%), and Cyzmic CS (36%) in the field were not similar to the laboratory results. The universally high performance of Nature-Cide indicates that mosquito control operations should expand consideration to botanical based insecticides for field operations.
UPDATED COUNTY MOSQUITO SPECIES RECORDS FOR NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Authors: Smith John P.
Published: January 2021

This report updates the mosquito species composition for Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor Counties, through collections made in a centralized surveillance program operated from 2002-2020 in northwest Florida. 91 county species records were documented. The most notable discoveries included finding Mansonia titillans (Walker) in eleven of the fourteen surveyed counties, Psorophora horrida (Dyar and Knab) in nine, Anopheles perplexens Ludlow in eight and Culex erraticus (Dyar and Knab) and Uranotaenia lowii Theobald in seven. Psorophora mathesoni Belkin and Heinemann and Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) were found in six new counties. Culex pilosus (Dyar and Knab) was found solely in Calhoun and Liberty Cos., while Culex peccator Dyar and Knab and Culex tarsalis Coquillett were recovered in Calhoun Co. and Santa Rosa Co., respectively. Mansonia titillans, Cx. erraticus, Cx. tarsalis and Ae. j. japonicus are known arbovirus vectors, thus increasing the disease risk in this region.
SURVEILLANCE OF AEDES AEGYPTI AFTER RESURGENCE IN DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE, NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA
Authors: Dixon Daniel
Published: January 2021

Aedes aegypti is an anthropophilic vector of several arboviruses, including yellow fever, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, and the infamous Zika virus. In 2016, Zika virus was spreading rapidly throughout Brazil and mosquito control districts expected Zika virus would be imported to Florida and vectored by endemic Aedes aegypti. Aedes aegypti often takes advantage of cryptic oviposition sites and therefore circumvents conventional control and surveillance strategies used by mosquito control practitioners. The objective of this study was to find Ae. aegypti breeding sites in the tourist district of Saint Augustine, FL, using a door-to-door on-foot approach. Mosquito control technicians, biologists and interns worked to inspect and treat each property for Ae. aegypti. Additionally, residents were informed about Ae. aegypti and its public health risk factors. In total, Anastasia Mosquito Control District inspected 1199 of the 1995 parcels in downtown Saint Augustine (60% coverage) in three months. Artificial containers were found at 1,099 of the homes inspected, and Ae. aegypti were found at 120 homes in the area. Each property where mosquito larvae and/or adults were detected was treated using source reduction, larvicides and adulticides. Residents were educated about this project and Ae. aegypti via small flyers, door hangers, pamphlets and/or verbal communication. This study provided insight into the location of Ae. aegypti breeding sites in the tourist district of Saint Augustine, FL, which will facilitate future control efforts.
FIELD EVALUATIONS OF ATTRACTIVE TOXIC SUGAR BAIT STATION AND VEGETATION SPRAY APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROL OF AEDES AEGYPTI IN KEY LARGO, FLORIDA
Authors: Naranjo Diana P.
Published: January 2021

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, vectors of many arboviruses including Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, are difficult to control with traditional methods. We tested two novel approaches utilizing attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) against Ae. aegypti in the upper Florida Keys. Residential sites on the island of Key Largo were systematically selected using Google maps. Sites received either bait stations or vegetation spray application with ATSB. An untreated control site was selected to monitor mosquito populations. Adult and egg counts were monitored through baited BiogentsSentinel and oviposition traps. The treatment evaluation lasted 28 days following a 14-day pre-treatment evaluation. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using regression models to estimate the percent reduction of mosquitoes over time. Post-treatment, Ae. aegypti mosquito populations were reduced by 81% and 74% at days 7 and 28 (p<0.05) at the bait station site, while mosquito populations at the spray treatment site for the same period (7 to 28 days) were reduced by 66% and 82% (p<0.05), respectively. Treatment and time had no significant effect on the proportion of eggs collected after the application of the ATSB treatments. This is the first residential field trial against the Zika vector, Ae. aegypti, in South Florida that demonstrated successful reduction of female and males using both ATSB stations and vegetation spray treatments. The findings suggest that 1) ATSB stations and vegetation spray applications can reduce populations of Ae. aegypti in residential and semi-tropical areas at least up to 28 days and 2) Ae. aegypti female mosquitoes in South Florida feed on sugar, and their sugar-feeding behavior can be exploited to enhance control strategies.
The Correlation Between Reach and Grasp Kinematic Measures and Clinical Measures of Manual Dexterity in Patients With Parkinson Disease
Authors:   Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Nodehi Zahra , Behzadipour Saeed ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, Azad Akram ,   Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Soltanzadeh Akbar ,   Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Taghizadeh Ghorban ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives: To investigate the correlation between reach and grasp kinematic measures and clinical measures of gross and fine manual dexterity in patients with idiopathic Parkinson Disease (PD). Methods: Sixty patients (44 men, 16 women) with idiopathic PD (Mean±SD of age: 59.85±11.89 years) were recruited in this non-experimental cross-sectional study using a non-probability sampling method. Their gross and fine manual dexterity were assessed using the Box and Block Test (BBT) and Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), respectively. Also, reach and grasp kinematic measures (including normalized movement time, peak velocity, Maximum Grip Aperture [MGA], and percentage of movement time in which MGA occurred [PMGA]) were measured in the more affected hand. Results: The results showed a significant and moderate correlation between reach kinematic measures (i.e. normalized movement time and peak velocity) and both gross and fine manual dexterity assessed by BBT (P=0.000) and NHPT (P=0.000), respectively. However, there was not a significant correlation between grasp kinematic measures (i.e. MGA and PMGA) and gross manual dexterity measured by BBT (P>0.05) as well as fine manual dexterity assessed by NHPT (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed no to moderate correlation between reach and grasp kinematic measures and clinical measures of gross and fine manual dexterity in patients with PD, supporting the significance of multi-level evaluation using both clinical and kinematic measures in the evaluation of upper limb function in patients with PD.
Estimation of final cylindrical spectacle correction by Pentacam
Authors:   Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Dayyani Raziye , Jafarzadehpur Ebrahim ,   Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Salouti Ramin ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, Mirzajani Ali ,   Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives: Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory asymmetric corneal degenerative disease characterized by the steepening and distortion of the cornea. In this disease, irregular astigmatism makes the subjective refraction difficult. Using the Pentacam, we aimed to determine the corrective astigmatism of the spectacle. Methods: The subjective refraction and Pentacam imaging were performed for 317 keratoconic patients who referred to the Salouti Eye Clinic, Shiraz, Iran. Then, the astigmatism values obtained with subjective refraction were compared with the values of anterior and posterior corneal surface astigmatism obtained with the Pentacam imaging. Results: The mean age of 317 keratoconic patients was 29.81 years (range: 15 to 45 years). The minimum, maximum, and average astigmatism of the corneal front surface were 0.3, 16.8, and 3.21 diopters, respectively. Also, the minimum, maximum, and average astigmatism of the corneal back surface were 0, 2.8, and 0.67 diopters, respectively. Moreover, the P value was lower than 0.001 in the regression analysis of the subjective refraction for both the power and axis of the cylinder. Conclusion: The regression formulas obtained in this study can accurately (with a probability of 99%) predict refractive astigmatism, using corneal astigmatism.
Caracterização do Perfil Epidemiológico do Câncer em uma Cidade do Interior Paulista: Conhecer para Intervir
Authors: Rodrigues Juliana Stoppa Menezes , Ferreira Noeli Marchioro Liston Andrade
Published: January 2021

O câncer e atualmente um problema de saúde publica e a assistência oncológica esta entre as mais dispendiosas no âmbito social. Para mudar esse panorama, e imprescindível um estimulo a busca de informações precisas sobre a incidência na população, propiciando a implantação de politicas publicas visando a redução de danos, dos gastos e das taxas de mortalidade. Este e um estudo transversal descritivo com o objetivo de caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico dos doentes com câncer, assistidos pelo sistema publico de uma cidade do interior paulista. Para a coleta de dados, foram consultadas 105 fichas cadastrais de doentes residentes no município, com diagnostico de neoplasia maligna, maiores de 25 anos, e atendidos no período de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2008, durante o período de tratamento da doença. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino (60,2%) e o câncer de mama foi o mais prevalente nessa população, indicando a necessidade de investimentos na detecção precoce e adoção de medidas educativas. O câncer de próstata foi o mais prevalente no sexo masculino, semelhantes aos dados encontrados no Brasil no ano de 2009, sendo 66,7% em homens com idade superior aos 65 anos e 33,3% entre 61 e 63 anos. Chamou atenção a prevalência de câncer entre 45 e 64 anos (57,7%), faixa etária ainda produtiva. Tais dados permitiram caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico do câncer na região estudada, oferecendo subsídios para a implantação de politicas publicas direcionadas a melhoria da assistência a clientela assistida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde.
Metilação de DNA e Câncer
Authors: Oliveira Naila Francis Paulo de , Planello Aline Cristiane , Andia Denise Carleto , Pardo Ana Paula de Souza
Published: January 2021

Introdução: A epigenética é definida como o estudo das modificações do DNA e histonas que são herdáveis e não alteram a sequência de bases do DNA . Entre as modificações que as histonas podem sofrer, estão: metilação, fosforilação e acetilação. Entretanto, na molécula de DNA, ocorre apenas metilação. Esta consiste na adição de um grupamento metil na citosina que geralmente precede a uma guanina (dinucleotídeo CpG), e está presente principalmente em regiões promotoras dos genes. A metilação de DNA participa da transcrição gênica, entre outras funções. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre o câncer e sua associação com o padrão alterado de metilação, bem como associação com prognóstico da doença e resultados terapêuticos. Método: Foi realizada revisão integrativa da literatura através de busca eletrônica na base de dados PubMed. O período temporal considerado no estudo foi de 2000 a 2010. Os artigos foram selecionados considerando-se a acessibilidade e excluindo-se revisões e pesquisas com linhagens celulares e animais. Resultados: Os artigos selecionados revelaram que diversos tipos de câncer estão associados a padrões aberrantes de metilação. Em adição, o padrão de metilação pode auxiliar no prognóstico da doença. Outros trabalhos mostram que a metilação pode ser modulada por fatores ambientais, tais como: dieta, hábito de fumar e medicamentos. Conclusão: Com base no fato de que alterações epigenéticas são potencialmente reversíveis, a importância dos estudos epigenéticos não só reside no melhor entendimento do câncer, como também na descoberta de possíveis marcadores de tumores, bem como no desenvolvimento de terapias medicamentosas.
Vigilância do Câncer Relacionado ao Trabalho e ao Ambiente
Authors: Facina Taís
Published: January 2021

Este livro de autoria do Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) teve a sua 2ª edição, revista e atualizada, lançada em 2010. Está divido em seis capítulos apresentados em 63 páginas. Elaborado pela equipe de Vigilância do Câncer Relacionado ao Trabalho e ao Ambiente, da Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância (Conprev) do INCA, tendo como coordenadora de elaboração Ubirani Barros Otero, este livro apresenta informações sobre os principais agentes cancerígenos encontrados nos ambientes de trabalho no Brasil, tais como: amianto; sílica; solventes aromáticos como o benzeno, o tolueno e o xileno; metais pesados como o níquel e o cromo; radiação ionizante; radiação solar; e alguns agrotóxicos.
EVALUATION OF DYNAMIC QUALITIES OF MOVEMENT OF RE-EQUIPPED HOPPER CARS OF PILS OF LONG-TERM OPERATION
Authors: Fomin O. , Kara S. , Prokopenko P. , Gorbunov M. , Fomin V.
Published: January 2021

As part of the work, a theoretical and experimental study (based on running dynamic tests) of the running qualities of empty hopper cars, converted from cement trucks and mineral trucks, was conducted. Computer simulation of the dynamics of empty hopper wagons converted from cement and mineral wagons depending on the condition of the track, the technical condition of the wagons and the weight of the container, the repeated presence of maximum vertical deviations and horizontal deviations of the track. A significant disadvantage of the railway transport of Ukraine is the limitation of the speed of trains with individual freight cars in an empty state, which are equipped with carts model 18-100. Among the reasons for the descent of the wheels of cars from the rails are: malfunctions of the running gear of the cars (fracture of the side frames and spring beams of the carts, malfunctions of the roller bearings of the axle box), wear of friction damper elements, unacceptable deviations and upgrades. As part of the work, a theoretical and experimental study (based on running dynamic tests) of the running qualities of empty hopper cars, converted from cement trucks and mineral trucks, was conducted. Computer modeling of the dynamics of empty hopper wagons, converted from cement and mineral wagons depending on the condition of the track, the technical condition of the wagons and the weight of the container and studies of the dependence of the wheel stability on the east.
АНАЛІЗ ПОТЕНЦІЙНИХ ЗАГРОЗ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ СУБ’ЄКТІВ ГОСПОДАРЮВАННЯ
Authors: Сисоєва Інна
Published: January 2021

У статті розглянуто різні підходи до визначення поняття «фінансова безпека підприємства» та запропоновано узагальнюючий підхід до питання безпеки підприємства, згідно з яким, сутність фінансової безпеки підприємства може бути охарактеризовано як такий стан фінансів підприємства, який дозволяє протистояти ідентифікованим і потенційним загрозам шляхом ефективного управління ризиками в процесі своєї діяльності. Проаналізовано сукупність класифікаційних ознак екзогенних та ендогенних потенційних загроз економічній безпеці підприємства. Метою статті є дослідження потенційних загроз для успішної діяльності підприємств в сучасних умовах господарювання. Визначено, що в залежності від різних економічних факторів, ризики та загрози які впливають на економічну безпеку, можуть змінюватись, тому єдиного підходу до класифікації та визначення загроз та ризиків, не існує. Доведено, що актуальність упровадження комплексної системи заходів з організації бухгалтерського обліку зумовлена необхідністю правильної організації облікового процесу, що здійснюється з метою збереження облікових даних для забезпечення економічної безпеки підприємства. Розглянуто вплив пандемії коронавірусу на економічну активність підприємств в сучасних умовах кризи.
Pengaruh Kinerja Keuangan Terhadap Nilai Perusahaan Dan Free Cash Flow Sebagai Variabel Moderating Pada Perusahaan Freeport Indonesia, Tbk
Authors: Ramadhani Yesa Cahayaning
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study is to test and analyze the Effect of Capital Structure, Liquidity, Profitability And Value Of Companies And Free Cash Flow As Moderating Variables.

The population in this study is a Freeport company registered with FCX. The technique of determining the sample is done by using purposive sampling technique, based on certain criteria that is to publish the financial statement as per December 31 which is complete in succession especially in 2004 - 2016 Company which always distributes its dividend in succession during 2004 - 2016. The data source used is secondary data obtained from Annual Report in FCX Global America (Online). Hypothesis testing of research using multiple linear regression analysis technique and MRA Residual.

The results showed that: 1). Capital Structure has no significant effect on Corporate Value, 2). Liquidity significantly affects Corporate Value, 3). Profitability has no significant effect on Corporate Value, 4). Free Cash Flow is not able to significantly moderate the Influence of Capital Structure, Liquidity and Profitability to Corporate Value