bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative assessment of dynamic loading long-base flat wagons
Authors:   LLC “ICPS”, Zagorsky D. I. , Myadelets M. G. ,   LLC “ICPS”
Published: December 2020

Objective: Comparative analysis of dynamic loading of long-base fl atcars on bogies of various types. Methods: Comparison of experimental data of running strength tests of long-base fl atcars obtained by the Engineering Center of the rolling stock in the conditions of a test site on the Belorechensk–Maikop track of the North Caucasian Railway was carried out. The division of platform cars into conditional groups was used depending on the truck. Results: It was found that the use of constant contact side bearers in the bogie design reduces the dynamic loading of the fl atcar on straight track sections by 1,2–1,5 times. The obtained dependences of the coeffi cients of vertical dynamics for the center and side sill showed that for all fl at cars they are identical in nature and differ only in the level of values. The use of modern bogies with nonlinear spring suspension and constant contact side bearers in long-base fl atcars leads to a decrease in the dynamic loading of the frame by an average of 15–25 %, thereby reducing the likelihood of possible damage to the fl atcar in operation. Practical importance: It is shown that it is necessary to clarify the normative dependence of the speed distribution of the vertical dynamics coeffi cients for fl atcars on various types of bogies. Its correction will improve the accuracy of determining the parameters of the stress-strain state of the platform car frame. The comparison results can be recommended for practical use in assessing the strength and fatigue resistance of the fl at car structure
Investigation of the energy characteristics of a reactive power compensating device with adjustable inductance in an electric traction network on an experimental setup
Authors:   Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University, Marikin A. N. , Miroshchenko V. A. ,   Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University
Published: December 2020

Objective: Checking the theoretical provisions of the possibility of controlling the reactive power of an adjustable inductance compensating device. Testing and optimizing the algorithm of the reactive power regulating device. Assessing energy effi ciency of the device. Checking stability of the device in transient modes. Suggesting methods to improve stability of the system. Conducting a harmonic analysis of current and voltage curves obtained as a result of physical modeling, developing ways to suppress higher current and voltage harmonic. Methods: The scheme of the experimental setup was built, the electrical element base was selected, the measuring instruments used were determined, the experimental stand was assembled. Curves of changes in current, voltage, active and reactive power were taken on the physical model for operating modes without a compensating device, with an unregulated and adjustable compensating device. The change in current for critical transients is analyzed. To evaluate the fi ltering of higher harmonics of current and voltage by a compensating device, oscillograms were taken in operating mode with a load and after adding a diode bridge to the electric locomotive circuit, and their harmonic analysis was performed. Results: The adjustable device provides reactive power compensation in the load range of no less than 90 %. Additional measures are required to lower the active resistance of the compensating device reactor. The use of a reactor connected in series with a capacitor reduces the switching current and overvoltage in the device. The compensating device can operate in the mode of a broadband fi lter of higher harmonics. Practical importance: A physical model of an alternating current traction network with a reactive power compensating device and a controlled variable inductance has been created, which makes it possible to analyze both instantaneous and long-term processes in the traction network.
Electromechanical heating system for a passenger car
Authors:   Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University, Kim K. K. , Ivanov S. N. ,   Komsomolsk-on-Amur State University, Khismatulin M. I. ,   Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University
Published: December 2020

Objective: Development of an electromechanical heating system for a passenger car using a heatgenerating electromechanical converter (HGEC). Methods: Methods of mathematical analysis, aspects of the theory of electromechanical energy conversion and control theory were used. Results: An original diagram of the electromechanical heating system of a passenger car was developed, a hydraulic calculation of the power of the heating system of a passenger car was performed. Practical importance: Based on the comparison of the obtained data with the technical and economic indicators of classical heating systems, the expediency of the effective use of HGEC as a source of thermal energy for passenger cars has been proved. As a result, the reliability and effi ciency of the passenger car heating system are increased due to the use of a controlled HGEC as a heat generating unit, which makes it possible to regulate the speed of movement and heating of the coolant depending on the difference between the required temperature of heating the air in the car and its current value
On equilibrium slope of station gradient
Authors:   Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University, Smirnov V. I. , Vidiushenkov S. A. ,   Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University
Published: December 2020

Objective: Defi nition of slope gradient for station track profi le elevation at which self-induced runningoff of loose running stock. Methods: Simulation of rolling stock movement based on analytical solution of differential equation of equilibrium of cut of wagons. Cut of wagons on station track is treated as a solid on a gradient plane with a mass equal to the mass of the cut of wagons. Track profi le elevation is approximated by piecewise-linear right line. Results: The paper shows that hopper wagons have the highest probability of self-induced running-off due to high air resistance coeffi cient. For three-element profi le the hypothetic wind speed at which running-off of wagons is possible remains relatively low, about 14 metres per second, which leaves the problem of effective fastening of wagons at stations still current. Practical importance: The solution obtained permits evaluating the probability of running-off of loose rolling stock under the action of gravity and under the impact of wind loading, as well as refi ne the norms for fastening of wagons at a station. The proposed calculation scheme also permits gauging the strength with which moving wagons would impact the backing thrust in case it is installed at the end of a track section.
IMPLEMENTASI ETIKA BISNIS ISLAM DALAM PERUSAHAAN PENYELENGGARA PERJALANAN IBADAH UMRAH DAN HAJI DI MUBINA TOUR INDONESIA KABUPATEN GRESIK
Authors: Amini Aisyah , Rosyidi Suherman
Published: December 2020

ABSTRAKPelaksanaan ibadah umrah di Indonesia dari tahun ke tahun mengalami peningkatan yang signifikan. Hal ini didorong dengan semakin baiknya kondisi perekonomian di Indonesia. Untuk itu diperlukan perusahaan penyelenggara perjalanan ibadah umrah dan haji yang memfasilitasi para jamaah untuk melakukan ibadah menuju ke tanah suci. Mengenai hal tersebut, sudah seharusnya perusahaan penyelenggara perjalanan ibadah umrah dan haji menerapkan etika bisnis Islam dalam menjalankan aktivitas bisnisnya. Hal ini sangat penting dikarenakan banyak terjadi pelanggaran etika bisnis Islam yang dilakukan oleh beberapa perusahaan, tidak terkecuali oleh perusahaan travel umrah haji, seperti yang banyak diberitakan dibeberapa media yang dibuktikan dengan banyaknya jamaah yang gagal berangkat ke Baitullah. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan penelitian kualitatif deskriptif dengan metode studi kasus. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan peneliti yaitu survei pendahuluan, observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi dan studi literatur. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Mubina Tour Indonesia kabupaten Gresik telah menerapkan etika bisnis Islam dengan cara menyampaikan secara jujur dan benar, senantiasa berusaha untuk selalu menepati apa yang telah dijanjikan, membekali semua karyawan dengan berbagai skill dan mengemas promosi dengan trik-trik yang menarik.Kata Kunci: Etika Bisnis Islam, Perusahaan Penyelenggara Perjalanan Ibadah Umrah dan Haji. ABSTRACTPerforming Umrah in Indonesia year by year has been experiencing a significant increase. It is motivated by a better economic condition in Indonesia. Therefore, Umrah and Hajj Travel Organizer Company is needed to facilitate Muslim pilgrims to pilgrimage to Mecca. According to this, this kind of company shall implement Islamic business ethics to run their business activities. It is very important because there are many Islamic business ethics violations committed by some companies, unexceptionally Hajj and umrah travel companies as widely reported in several media. It was proven by the large number of pilgrims who failed to go to Baitullah. This research used a qualitative-descriptive approach with the case study method. Data collecting techniques used by the researcher are preliminary survey, observation, interview, documentation, and literature review. The result of the research shows that Mubina Tour Indonesia in Gresik Regency has implemented Islamic business ethics by delivering information honestly and truthfully, always trying to fulfill what has been promised, equipping all employments with many various skills, and packaging promotion with interesting techniques.Keywords: Islamic Business Ethics, Umrah and Hajj Travel Company.
IMPLEMENTASI HAD KIFAYAH PADA BAZNAS KABUPATEN GRESIK
Authors: Rohmah Maulidur , Fanani Sunan
Published: December 2020

ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji secara empiris penerapan had kifayah di BAZNAS Kabupaten Gresik dalam menentukan kelayakan keluarga miskin. Fokus penelitian ini adalah menjelaskan pelaksanaan had kifayah dan menganalisis metode yang saat ini digunakan oleh BAZNAS Kabupaten Gresik dalam menentukan kelayakan keluarga miskin. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus studi deskriptif mendalam dan investigasi terhadap suatu fenomena dalam konteks kehidupan nyata. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan had kifayah di BAZNAS Kabupaten Gresik belum sepenuhnya terlaksana karena BAZNAS Kabupaten Gresik masih menerapkan metode Garis Kemiskinan dalam menentukan kelayakan keluarga miskin. Namun esensi had kifayah masih terkandung dalam metode yang digunakan BAZNAS Kabupaten Gresik saat ini.Kata Kunci: Had Kifayah, Distribusi Amal, Garis Kemiskinan ABSTRACTThis study aims to examine empirically the implementation of had kifayah in BAZNAS Gresik Regency in determining poor family properness. The focus of this research is to explain the implementation of had kifayah and analyze the methods currently used by BAZNAS in Gresik Regency in determining poor family properness. The approach used in this study is a qualitative approach with study cases method in-depth descriptive study and investigation of a phenomenon in a real-life context. The results indicate that the implementation of had kifayah at BAZNAS Gresik Regency had not been fully implemented because the BAZNAS of Gresik Regency still applied the Poverty Line method in determining poor family properness. However, the essence of had kifayah is still contained in the method used by BAZNAS Gresik Regency at this time.Keywords: Had Kifayah, Charity Distribution, Poverty Line
Experimental Techniques to Assess Coral Physiology In Situ: Current Approaches and Novel Insights
Authors: Dellisanti Walter , Chung Jeffery T. H. , Chow Cher F. Y. , Wu Jiajun , Wells Mark L. , Chan Leo L.
Published: December 2020

Coral reefs are declining worldwide due to global changes in the marine environment. The increasing frequency of massive bleaching events in the tropics is highlighting the need to better understand the stages of coral physiological responses to extreme conditions. Moreover, like many other coastal regions, coral reef ecosystems are facing additional localized anthropogenic issues such as nutrient loading, increased turbidity, and coastal development. Different strategies have been developed to measure the health status of a damaged reef, ranging from the resolution of individual polyps to an entire coral community, but techniques for measuring coral physiology in situ are not yet widely implemented. For instance, while there are many studies of the coral holobiont response in single or limited-number multiple stressor experiments, they provide only partial insights to metabolic performance under more complex temporally and spatially variable natural conditions. Here, we discuss the current status of coral reefs and their global and local stressors in the context of experimental techniques that measure core processes in coral metabolism (respiration, photosynthesis, and biocalcification) in situ, and their role in indicating the health status of colonies and communities. We highlight the need to improve the capability of in situ studies in order to better understand the resilience and stress response of corals under multiple global and local scale stressors.
Effect of Foreign Direct Investment on Bangladesh Economy: a Time Series Analysis from 1972 to 2013
Authors: Rashid Rumana , Hossen Sk. Sharafat
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth and examines the causality between FDI and economic growth in Bangladesh during 1972-2013. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), export performance (EXP), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) are considered to capture the objective of the study. The study methodology includes some systematic steps. As the data used in the study is time-series in nature, the author employs unit root tests, and in this case, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) tests are used. Then Johansen’s cointegration test, Granger causality test, regression with Newey-West Standard Error and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) are applied. By using the ADF and PP test the study reveals that the variables of four-time series are integrated of I (1) i.e. they are stationary at first difference. Regression analysis result demonstrates that FDI has a positive effect on economic growth. The Granger Causality test discloses that there is a unidirectional relationship between FDI and economic growth. But the VECM estimation finds that in the long run FDI negatively affects economic growth.
Formal Cattle Marketing in Rural Zimbabwe in Light of Covid-19: Implications for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development
Authors: Munyede Paradzai
Published: December 2020

In rural Zimbabwe, selling of cattle has for a long time been one of the most dependable sources of income that has sustained livelihoods for decades. Informal cattle marketing which involves door to door or gate sales has been the most predominant system for the last three decades. However, the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic followed by the imposition of lockdowns has exposed the vulnerability of rural communities that are regressing into poverty due to a lack of alternative sources of income. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to delineate how formal cattle markets could be used as a sustainable source of income for rural communities’ livelihoods during and post the COVID-19 pandemic era. This qualitative research study relied on secondary data from published journal articles, online publications, and reports to understand the COVID-19 pandemic and also understand how it has impacted the livelihoods of people in rural Zimbabwe. The findings show that the current informal cattle marketing system is no longer suitable for rural communities as it exposes them to infections due to the challenges in ensuring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) precautionary measures. It is recommended that formal (public) cattle markets be reintroduced in all rural areas as there is the certainty that WHO health guidelines will be enforced since they are organised by local and central government institutions. Since formal cattle markets offer competitive market-related prices this will then guarantee the flow of regular income thereby reducing the vulnerability of rural communities to poverty and inequalities.
Performance Evaluation of RPL Objective Function: A Case of Contiki Operation System
Authors: Onwuegbuzie Innocent , Ajibade Samuel-Soma , Fele Taiwo , Akinwamide Sunday
Published: December 2020

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is the network of the resource-constrained network which forms the foundation of the Internet of Things (IoT). The Routing Protocol for Low-power and Lossy Networks (RPL) is responsible for generating and managing data routing paths. Nodes implementing RPL uses the mechanics of Objective Function (OF) to select the preferred next-hop node – parent node, and optimal routing path to the destination node. If routing decisions are not efficiently made, this results in increased collision domain, leading to packet losses and packet retransmission which impairs the network operational lifetime. In this study, we present the Contiki Operating System (OS), a state-of-the-art OS for IoTs, ContikiRPL; Contiki variant of RPL. We investigated the performance of RPL with respect to its two OFs; Objective Function Zero (OF0) and the Minimum Rank with Hysteresis Objective Function (MRHOF). The performance of these OFs was evaluated on the following metrics; Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), Power consumption, and network latency. The result shows that MRHOF outperformed OF0 on all metrics with an overall average PDR of 91.5%, a latency of 44ms, and power consumption of 1.72mW across all nodes. This results in optimal network performance with improved network operational lifetime.
Liquidity Synchronization, its Determinants and Outcomes under Economic Growth Volatility: Evidence from Emerging Asian Economies
Authors: Zaidi Syeda Hina , Rupeika-Apoga Ramona
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the country level determinants of liquidity synchronization and degrees of liquidity synchronization during economic growth volatility. As a non-diversifiable risk factor, liquidity co-movement shock spreads market wide and thus disrupts the overall functioning of the financial market. Firms in Asian markets operate in legal and regulatory environments distinct from those of firms analyzed in the previous literature. Comprehensive analyses of liquidity synchronicity in emerging markets are limited. A major knowledge gap pertaining to Asian emerging markets serves as the primary motivation for this study. Seven Asian emerging economies are selected from the MSCI emerging market index: Bangladesh, China, India, Indo-nesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and the Philippines for analysis from 2010 to 2019. The empirical findings show high levels of liquidity synchronicity in weaker economic and financial environments with low GDP growth, high inflation and interest rates and underdeveloped financial systems taking the form of low levels of private credit. Liquidity synchronicity is also affected by poor investor protection, political instability, weak rule of law and government ineffectiveness. Moreover, levels of liquidity synchronicity are higher in period of economic growth volatility.
Amorphous Solid Dispersions and the Confounding Effect of Nanoparticles in in Vitro Dissolution and in Vivo Testing: Niclosamide as a Case Study
Authors: Williams III Robert , Warnken Zachary , Jara Miguel
Published: December 2020

We developed an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of the poorly water-soluble molecule niclosamide that achieved more than a 2-fold increase in bioavailability. Notably, this niclosamide ASD formulation increased the apparent drug solubility about 60-fold relative to the crystalline material due to the generation of nanoparticles. Niclosamide is a weakly acidic drug, BCS class II, and a poor glass former with low bioavailability in vivo. Hot-melt extrusion is a high-throughput manufacturing method commonly used in the development of ASDs for increasing the apparent solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble compounds. We utilized the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone–vinyl acetate (PVP–VA) to manufacture niclosamide ASDs by extrusion. Samples were analyzed based on their microscopic and macroscopic behavior and their intermolecular interactions, using DSC, XRD, NMR, FTIR, and DLS. The niclosamide ASD generated nanoparticles with a mean particle size of about 100 nm in FaSSIF media. In a side-by-side diffusion test, these nanoparticles produced a 4-fold increase in niclosamide diffusion. We successfully manufactured amorphous extrudates of the poor glass former niclosamide that showed remarkable in vitro dissolution and diffusion performance. These in vitro tests were translated to a rat model that also showed an increase in oral bioavailability.
Mitigation of Gaseous Emissions from Stored Swine Manure with Biochar: Effect of Dose and Reapplication on A Pilot-Scale
Authors: Chen Baitong , Koziel Jacek A. , Banik Chumki , Ma Hantian , Lee Myeongseong , O'Brien Samuel C. , Li Peiyang , Andersen Daniel S. , Białowiec Andrzej , Brown Robert C.
Published: December 2020

The rural communities are affected by gaseous emissions from intensive livestock production. Practical mitigation technologies are needed to minimize emissions from stored manure and improve air quality inside barns. In our previous research, the one-time surficial application of biochar to swine manure significantly reduced emissions of NH3 and phenol. We observed that the mitigation effect decreased with time during the 30-day trials. In this research, we hypothe-sized that bi-weekly reapplication of biochar could improve the mitigation effect on a wider range of odorous compounds using larger scale and longer trials. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar dose and reapplication on mitigation of targeted gases (NH3, odor-ous VOCs, odor, GHGs) from stored swine manure on a pilot-scale setup over 8-weeks. The bi-weekly reapplication of the lower biochar dose (2 kg/m2) showed much higher significant percent reductions of emissions for NH3 (33% without & 53% with reapplication) and skatole (42% without & 80% with reapplication), respectively. In addition, the reapplication resulted in the emergence of statistical significance to the mitigation effect for all other targeted VOCs. Spe-cifically, for indole, the % reduction improved from 38% (p=0.47, without reapplication) to 78% (p=0.018, with reapplication). For phenol, the % reduction improved from 28% (p=0.71, without reapplication) to 89% (p=0.005, with reapplication). For p-cresol, the % reduction improved from 31% (p=0.86, without reapplication) to 74% (p=0.028, with reapplication). For 4-ethyl phenol, the percent emissions reduction improved from 66% (p=0.44, without reapplication) to 87% (p=0.007, with reapplication). The one-time 2 kg/m2 and 4 kg/m2 treatments showed similar effectiveness in mitigating all targeted gases, and no statistical difference was found between the dosages. The one-time treatments showed significant % reductions of 33% & 42% and 25% & 48% for NH3 and skatole, respectively. The practical significance is that the higher (one-time) biochar dose may not necessarily result in improved performance over the 8-week manure storage, but the bi-weekly reapplication showed significant improvement in mitigating NH3 and odorous VOCs. The lower dosages and the frequency of reapplication on the larger-scale should be explored to optimize biochar treatment and bring it closer to on-farm trials.
Amoxicillin in Water: Insights Into Relative Reactivity, Byproduct Formation, and Toxicological Interactions During Chlorination
Authors: Siciliano Antonietta , Guida Marco , Libralato Giovanni , Saviano Lorenzo , Luongo Giovanni , Previtera Lucio , Di Fabio Giovanni , Zarrelli Armando
Published: December 2020

In recent years, many studies have highlighted the consistent finding of amoxicillin in waters destined for wastewater treatment plants, in addition to superficial waters of rivers and lakes in both Europe and North America. In this paper, the amoxicillin degradation pathway was investigated by simulating the chlorination process normally used in a wastewater treatment plant to reduce similar emerging pollutants at three different pH values. The structures of 16 isolated degradation byproducts (DPs), one of which was isolated for the first time, were separated on a C-18 column via a gradient HPLC method. Then, combining mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/TOF) and nuclear magnetic resonance, we compared commercial standards and justified a proposed formation mechanism beginning from the parent drug. Microbial growth inhibition bioassays with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were performed to determine the potential loss of antibacterial activity in isolated degradation byproducts. An increase of antibacterial activity in the DPs was observed compared to the parent compound.
Limits on Magnetized Quark-Nugget Dark Matter From Episodic Natural Events
Authors: VanDevender J. Pace , VanDevender Aaron P. , Wilson Peter , Hammel Benjamin F. , McGinley Niall
Published: December 2020

A quark nugget is a hypothetical dark-matter candidate composed of approximately equal numbers of up, down, and strange quarks. Most models of quark nuggets do not include effects of their intrinsic magnetic field. However, Tatsumi used a mathematically tractable approximation of the Standard Model of Particle Physics and found that the cores of magnetar pulsars may be quark-nuggets in a ferromagnetic-liquid state with surface magnetic field Bo = $10^(12±1) T. We have applied that result to quark-nugget dark matter. Previous work addressed the formation and aggregation of magnetized quark nuggets (MQNs) into a broad and magnetically stabilized mass distribution before they could decay and addressed their interaction with normal matter through their magnetopause, losing translational velocity while gaining rotational velocity and radiating electromagnetic energy. The two orders of magnitude uncertainty in Tatsumi’s estimate for Bo precludes the practical design of systematic experiments to detect MQNs through their predicted interaction with matter. In this paper, we examine episodic events consistent with a unique signature of MQNs. If they are indeed caused by MQNs, they constrain the most likely values of Bo = 1.65 × 10^12 T +/- 21% and support the design of definitive tests of the MQN dark-matter hypothesis.
Solid Dispersions of Biologically Active Substances
Authors: Khalikov Salavat
Published: December 2020

Due to the rapid development of nanotechnologies, materials, in particular , solid dispersions (SDs), which are actively introduced into the life of modern man, have been obtained. Special progress in this area is observed in industry and medicine. The use of SDs in agriculture is lagging far behind, despite the growing number of scientific papers on this topic. At the same time, the prospects for the introduction of SDs in the agro-industrial complex are obvious.

The review presents the results of research on the development of innovative preparations based on SD to protect plants from diseases and pests of cultivated plants, as well as parasiticides to protect animal health based on modern achievements of nanotechnology. One of these technologies is the methods of mechanochemistry, which improve the properties of poorly soluble biologically active substances by their joint mechanical treatment with water-soluble polymers and auxiliary substances.
Ladders of Authority, Status, Responsibility and Ideology: Toward a Typology of Hierarchy
Authors: Romme A. Georges L.
Published: December 2020

The notion of hierarchy is widely used in many academic disciplines but is also rather ambiguous, because there are many ways to define it. In this review paper, I explore which notions of hierarchy are being used in the field of management and organization studies. Four distinct types of hierarchy are identified: a ladder of formal decision-making authority, a ladder of achieved status, a self-organized ladder of responsibility, and an ideology-based ladder. A social mechanism-based perspective serves to define and distinguish these four types. Subsequently, the typology is further developed by comparing the four hierarchy types in terms of their tacit/explicitness, (in)transitivity, and behavior- versus cognition-centeredness. This review paper contributes to the literature by dissecting the general metaphor of hierarchy into four different constructs and their social mechanisms, which serves to create a typology of the various ways in which hierarchy is being used in the domain of organization and management. This typology can inform future research drawing on any type of hierarchy, also in other domains.
Physical Activity Levels in Alaska Native Children Participating in the SkiKu/AK Nordic Program
Authors: Taber Kiplin , Campbell Colin , Coker Melynda S. , Flora Lars , Coker Robert H.
Published: December 2020

Background: Physical activity is recommended to mitigate the incidence of obesity, but delivery of community wide initiatives is cumbersome. The challenges met by such programs are magnified when implementation transpires in the remote villages of Alaska. To overcome the difficulty of this challenge in the Arctic, the Skiku/AK Nordic cross-country skiing program was developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether access to Skiku/AK Nordic program would promote physical activity levels that met the daily recommendations for physical activity in Alaska Native children. Methods: Eight children (4 females and 4 males; 10±2 years/age) were recruited from Kaktovik, Alaska for participation in this study. Expert coaches and staff provided one week of cross-country ski instruction and access to ski equipment. Physical activity was monitored using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Data collected from the devices was then downloaded and analyzed using ActiLife software. Results: The participants expended ~586 calories/day devoted to physical activity. Light and moderate physical activity was 68±38 minutes/day and 447±248 minutes/day, respectively. Conclusions: Delivery of the Skiku/AK Nordic program promoted favorable levels of physical activity in Alaska Native children. Further research is needed to assess the longitudinal and seasonal effectiveness of the Skiku/AK Nordic program.
Biofilm Early Stages Growth and Accumulation Theoretical Model
Authors: Carvalho José , Carrondo Manuel , Bonilla Luis
Published: December 2020

A theoretical model to translate the evolution over time, in early stages, of growth and accumulation of biofilm bacterial mass is introduced. The model implies the solution of a system of differential-difference master equations. The application of an algorithm like Miller´s tree term recurrence, already known for Bessel functions of first kind, allows an exact calculation of the solutions of such equations, for a wide range of parameters values and time. For biofilm model a five term recurrence is deduced and applied in a backwards computation. A suitable normalisation condition completes the reach of the solution.
Correlation Analysis of Different Measurement Places of Galvanic Skin Response in Test Groups Facing Valence and Arousal Changes
Authors: Sanchez-Comas Andres , Synnes Kåre , Molina-Estren Diego , Troncoso-Palacio Alexander , Comas-González Zhoe
Published: December 2020

The Galvanic Skin Response (GSR, also widely known as electrodermal activity EDA) is one of the signals related to this emotional reaction. Given the sparsity of studies related to and the variety of devices, we experimented at the Human Health Activity Laboratory with 17 healthy subjects. The goal is to know the variability of detection changes in the electrodermal activity among a test group with heterogeneous respondents in response to valence and arousal stimuli, correlating GSR biosignals measured from different body sites. We experiment with the right and left wrist, left fingers, the right foot's inner side using Shimmer3GSR, and Empatica E4 sensors. Results indicate as the most promising homogeneous GSR measure place the left fingers and right foot. Results suggest that due to a significantly strong correlation among the inner side of the right foot and left fingers and moderate correlations with the right and left wrist, the foot is a good place to measure EDA. This paper also contributes knowledge about some wearable sensor technologies available in the market. Shimmer3GSR sensor may be better reliable to homogenous detecting electrodermal activity changes, as these have fewer anomalies among the respondents. However, we found some anomalies in signals from the Empatica E4 sensor, which we discuss in this work.
EVALUATION OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF TUBERCULOSIS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL
Authors:   Chita State Medical Academy, Chita, Russia, Senizhuk A.I. , Vazhaeva S.S. ,   Chita State Medical Academy, Chita, Russia, Knestikova T.N. ,   Transbaikal Regional Clinical Phthisiopulmonological Center, Chita, Russia
Published: December 2020

Significance. The current epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in Russia has a negative trend. It is influenced not only by medical, but also by demographic, socio-economic, environmental and other factors. Purpose. Identify the most important socio-economic and environmental factors of organization and effectiveness of anti-tuberculosis measures, which influence the main epidemiological indicators of tuberculosis. Material and methods. The study was conducted by processing and analyzing materials of the state statistical reporting of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for the period 2016-2018. The method of Pearson correlation analysis with matrix construction was used. Calculations were performed using Statistica 6.0 package. Significance of differences was determined by Student's criterion. Differences were considered statistically significant at p ˂ 0.05. Results. The epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in the Trans-Baikal Territory has a positive trend. Quality indicators of detection, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in the region are characterized by improvements. The study has identified: a strong direct correlation between the share of areas not equipped with water supply and sewage and such indicators as: incidence of tuberculosis among adults, tuberculosis prevalence, and feedback on coverage of children aged 1-14 with immunodiagnostics; a direct correlation between the share of housing without central heating and prevalence of tuberculosis; an inverse correlation between the number of sports facilities and the level of tuberculosis incidence and tuberculosis prevalence among adults; and a strong direct correlation between air pollution emissions and incidence of tuberculosis among adolescents. Conclusion. The correlations identified confirm that tuberculosis is socially and economically determined, making it possible to identify risk factors for deteriorating epidemiological indicators of tuberculosis and substantiating a system of measures aimed at improving organization of TB care delivery to the population of the Trans-Baikal territory.
MORTALITY FORECAST IN RUSSIA BASED ON MONITORING MAJOR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
Authors:   Federal Research Institute for Health Organization and Informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, Ivanova A.E.
Published: December 2020

The prospect for increasing life expectancy in Russia is far from being disputed by experts, however the growth rate, its sustainability and achievability of the target indicators trigger extensive discussion in the scientific community. The purpose of the study is to develop a Russian mortality forecast until 2050 based on the hypotheses about effective monitoring over its major social determinants. Material and methods. Based on the material analysis of the Comprehensive monitoring over living conditions of the population, the author has assessed relevance of the National project measures in relation to the determinants of public health through self-assessment of living conditions and lifestyle. Two forecast scenarios have been developed. Results. In line with the "based on the current trends" scenario, life expectancy in Russia by 2050 may add up to 85.4 years in males and 87.7 years in females, mainly due to a significant drop in mortality in working ages and a shift of the beginning of the noticeable increase in mortality towards people aged over 70. According to the “taking into account additional policy measures" scenario, the male life expectancy can equal to 91.3 years and 93.9 years in females due to gaining almost a total control over mainly exogenous factors of mortality and reducing mortality to the minimum up to 75-80 years.
COVID-19 – как зоонозная инфекция
Authors: Куличенко Александр , Малецкая Ольга , Саркисян Нушик , Волынкина Анна
Published: December 2020

В статье рассматриваются вопросы отнесения новой коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19 к зоонозам на основании данных о вероятном происхождении вируса SARS-CoV-2, возможном формировании его резервуара в организме животных (летучих мышей) и восприимчивости к нему человека.

Сегодня доминирует точка зрения, что вспышка COVID-19 возникла в результате преодоления коронавирусом SARS-CoV-2 межвидового барьера, приобретения способности инфицировать человека и распространяться в этой популяции. Сравнительный филогенетический анализ на молекулярном уровне показал, что SARS-CoV-2 генетически наиболее близок к коронавирусам летучих мышей, в частности к штаммам RmYN02 и RaTG13, изолированным от подковообразной летучей мыши – вида, считающемуся основным хозяином коронавирусов SARS-CoV и MERS-CoV

Выявлена способность коронавируса SARS-CoV-2 инфицировать различные виды диких животных. SARS-CoV-2 был обнаружен у норок на фермах в Нидерландах, смертность составила от 1,2 до 2,4 %. При инфицировании коронавирусом SARS-CoV-2 макак-резусов у них имела место продуктивная инфекция, обнаружена виремия

Установлено, что кошки являются восприимчивыми хозяевами человеческого вируса SARS-CoV-2. Вероятное объяснение этому кроется в высокой степени сходства между человеческими и кошачьими формами рецептора ACE2. Показано, что собаки могут заразиться, но не передают вирус другим животным. На сегодняшний день Всемирная организация по охране здоровья животных за весь период пандемии не располагает сведениями о случаях заражения человека от домашних питомцев.

Таким образом, нет доказательств того, что животные играют роль в распространении SARS-CoV-2 среди людей в текущий период пандемии. Вспышки среди людей вызваны передачей вируса от человека к человеку, и, исходя из информации, доступной на сегодняшний день, риск распространения COVID-19 от животных считается низким. Необходимы дополнительные исследования, чтобы понять, как может COVID-19 затронуть животных самых разных видов и насколько велики риски передачи инфекции от них людям.
Los pabellones publicitarios de Fortunato Depero
Authors: Mancebo Roca Juan Agustín
Published: December 2020

Los pabellones publicitarios de Fortunato Depero fueron la síntesis de dos líneas de investigación del futurismo italiano. La primera, referida a la arquitectura, partía de la herencia del “Manifesto dell´Architettura Futurista” (1914) de Antonio Sant´Elia así como de sus proyectos y los de Mario Chiattone. Depero replanteó su problemática a partir del concepto de transitoriedad como argumento para la creación de arquitecturas efímeras. La segunda, determinada por la publicidad, la visualizaba como elemento sobre el que articular la construcción del mundo a partir de los medios de difusión de masas. Los pabellones publicitarios fueron una de sus creaciones más reconocibles y establecieron un patrón que se repetiría en el movimiento, en artistas afines al mismo y en modelos posteriores.
Keanekaragaman Spesies Tumbuhan Obat untuk Perawatan Sebelum dan Sesudah Persalinan pada Beberapa Suku di Maluku Utara
Authors: Wijaya Nur Rahmawati , Dewi Tyas Friska
Published: December 2020

Penggunaan bahan alam sebagai obat tradisional telah lama digunakan oleh bangsa Indonesia dan diwariskan secara turun temurun, termasuk penggunaan pada perawatan sebelum dan setelah persalinan. Masyarakat Maluku masih memilih obat tradisional sebagai pilihan alternatif bahkan sebagai pilihan utama dalam penyembuhan saat nifas. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi spesies tanaman obat dan bagian spesifik tanaman yang paling banyak dimanfaatkan untuk perawatan sebelum dan setelah persalinan di Maluku Utara. Penelitian dilakukan bertahap dari tahun 2012 sampai 2017 dengan jumlah total titik pengamatan sebanyak 16 suku di Maluku Utara. Pengambilan data dan sampel dilakukan melalui wawancara kepada penyehat
tradisional (hattra), dengan mengikuti prosedur ethical clearance sebelumnya. Data tumbuhan yang diperoleh selanjutnya dilakukan identifikasi dan literatur review sedangkan variabel yang dianalisis meliputi: komposisi ramuan, nama penyakit, nama lokal, nama ilmiah tumbuhan obat, bagian yang digunakan, cara penyiapan ramuan, asal tumbuhan, dan kearifan lokal. Hasil penelitian diperoleh 68 tumbuhan obat, dari 31 famili yang berasal dari 12 suku di Maluku. Dari seluruh tanaman obat yang diperoleh, diidentifikasi 8 spesies yang digunakan untuk perawatan sebelum persalinan dan 59 spesies untuk perawatan setelah
persalinan. Tujuh spesies tumbuhan yang banyak digunakan masyarakat dalam ramuan perawatan sebelum dan setelah persalinan, yaitu Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br., Morinda citrifolia L., Musa × paradisiaca L., Premna serratifolia L., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers., dan Terminalia catappa L.
Karakterisasi Morfologi dan Fenologi Pembungaan Dua Aksesi Kopsia pauciflora Hook.f. Bunga Putih dan Merah Muda di Kebun Raya Purwodadi, Jawa Timur
Authors: Trimanto Trimanto , Pitaloka Dyah Ayu , Metusala Destario
Published: December 2020

Kopsia pauciflora Hook.f. merupakan tanaman yang berpotensi dikembangkan sebagai tanaman hias karena kemampuannya untuk berbunga sepanjang tahun. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengarakterisasi karakter morfologi dan mempelajari fenologi pembungaan dua aksesi K. pauciflora (bunga putih dan merah muda). Penelitian dilakukan pada tahun 2019 di Kebun Raya Purwodadi, LIPI. Objek pengamatan pada penelitian ini adalah tanaman K. pauciflora yang berbunga putih dan merah muda hasil perbanyakan dari biji yang merupakan koleksi Kebun Raya Purwodadi-LIPI dari Sulawesi Tenggara (lokasi koleksi III G, nomor 33–33a). Karakterisasi dilakukan terhadap karakter morfologi pada organ vegetatif dan generatif, sedangkan pengamatan fenologi pembungaan dilakukan setiap hari selama fase berbunga. Data-data didokumentasi dan dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil karakterisasi morfologi menunjukkan bahwa K. pauciflora memiliki habitus perdu pendek dengan perbedaan karakter pada lobus
mahkota bunga, warna bunga, warna daun, dan warna buah. Aksesi K. pauciflora yang berbunga putih memiliki karakteristik buah berwarna hijau dan daun muda berwarna hijau muda, sedangkan K. pauciflora yang berbunga merah muda memiliki karakteristik buah berwarna merah tua dan daun muda berwarna kemerahan. Hasil pengamatan fenologi pembungaan menunjukkan bahwa
kedua aksesi K. pauciflora dapat berbunga terus sepanjang tahun. Periode fenologi pembungaan K. pauciflora bunga putih memiliki periode fenologi pembungaan 24–26 hari dengan lama mekar 7–9 hari, sedangkan K. pauciflora bunga merah muda sekitar 21–22 hari dengan lama mekar bunga 6 hari. Stadia pembungaan K. pauciflora juga disajikan dalam makalah ini. Kedua aksesi K. pauciflora tersebut sangat berpotensi untuk dikembangkan sebagai tanaman perdu hias dataran rendah.
Comparison of Transperitoneal and Retroperitoneal Laparoendoscopic Single-site Donor Nephrectomy
Authors: Lin Chung-Yu , Li Ching-Chia , Ke Hung-Lung , Wu Wen-Jeng , Chou Yii-Her , Wen Sheng-Chen
Published: December 2020

Background: Laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy is the standard technique at high-volume renal transplant centers. Laparoendoscopic single-site donor nephrectomy (LESS-DN) is a relatively novel minimally invasive surgery, which was differed to transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. We present a retrospective analysis of our single-institution donor nephrectomy series comparing the transperitoneal to retroperitoneal LESS-DN with regards to operative outcomes.Materials and Methods: Ten patients who underwent LESS-DN from 2017–2019 were enrolled at our center. The same surgeon performed all cases. The two approaches were compared retrospectively and evaluated for differences in perioperative outcomes, including operation time, console time, blood loss, graft warm ischemia time, postoperative pain, length of stay (LOS), wound size, postoperative pain, and renal function post LESS-DN at less than one year.Results: Total operating time (315 ± 82.69 vs. 191 ± 24.9 min, p = 0.016), console time (224 ± 74.15 vs. 110 ± 19.84 min, p = 0.016), and LOS (8.4 ± 1.82 vs. 4.8 ± 1.10 days, p = 0.013) were significantly longer in the transperitoneal group. The wound size (44 ± 3.81 vs. 68.2 ± 13.5 mm, p = 0.038) was significantly smaller in the transperitoneal group. There was no significant difference in other parameters, including blood loss, warm ischemia time, and postoperative pain from day one to day three.Conclusions: Retroperitoneal LESS-DN results in similar perioperative outcomes as transperitoneal LESS-DN without compromising donor safety, and while providing a faster operation time, console time, shorter LOS, and a trend toward a shorter warm ischemia time.
A Nurse Home Visiting Program for Pregnant Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fatori Daniel , Zuccolo Pedro , Shephard Elizabeth , Brentani Helena , Ferraro Alexandre , Fracolli Lislaine , Chiesa Anna Maria , Leckman James , Miguel Euripedes , Polanczyk Guilherme , Matijasevich Alicia
Published: December 2020

Objective To test the efficacy of a nurse home visiting program (HVP) on child development, maternal and environmental outcomes in the first years of life.Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of Primeiros Laços, a nurse HVP for adolescent mothers living in a poor urban area of São Paulo, Brazil. Eighty adolescent mothers were included and randomized to receive either Primeiros Laços (intervention group, n = 40) or healthcare as usual (control group, n = 40) groups. Primeiros Laços is a home visiting intervention delivered by trained nurses that starts during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy and continues to the child’s age of 24 months. Participants were assessed by blind interviewers at 8–16 weeks of pregnancy (baseline), 30 weeks of pregnancy, 3, 6, and 12 months of child’s age. Child development was measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Third Edition (BSID-III). Weight and length were measured by trained professionals and anthropometric indexes were calculated. The home environment and maternal interaction with the child was measured by the Home Observation and Measurement of the Environment (HOME). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to examine intervention effects on the trajectories of outcomes. Standardized effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated using marginal means from endpoint assessments of all outcomes. The trial was registered at clinicaltrial.gov: NCT02807818.Results Our analyses showed significant positive effects of the intervention on child expressive language development (coefficient = 0.89, 95% CI [0.18, 1.61], p = 0.014), maternal emotional/verbal responsivity (coefficient = 0.97, 95% CI [0.37, 1.58], p = 0.002), and opportunities for variety in daily stimulation (coefficient = 0.37, 95% CI [0.09, 0.66], p = 0.009). Standardized effect sizes of the intervention were small to moderate.Conclusions Primeiros Laços is a promising intervention to promote child development and to improve the home environment of low-income adolescent mothers.