bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pintar la mar (1984) de Manuel Boix: evaluación de riesgos y viabilidad de la compleja eliminación del barniz envejecido
Authors: Pastor Valls Mª Teresa , Ferrazza Livio , Ciganda Azcárate Maite
Published: December 2020

l presente artículo aborda los estudios realizados a fin de evaluar los riesgos y la viabilidad de la compleja intervención de limpieza de la obra Pintar la mar de Manuel Boix, la cual se centra en la retirada del barniz superficial. El envejecimiento de esta capa de tipo alquídico directamente aplicada a compresor sobre el soporte textil y las zonas de dibujo producía un impacto cromático negativo en opinión del artista debido a su tono amarillo-anaranjado. Su retirada, sin producir cercos en el tejido y dañar las áreas de color planteaba un verdadero reto. Además de la realización de entrevistas y la caracterización previa de los materiales constitutivos de la obra mediante técnicas microscópicas, espectroscópicas y cromatográficas, fue necesario desarrollar un sistema de testado con pruebas in vitro e in vivo. Entre los sistemas evaluados destaca el uso de medios abrasivos físico-mecánicos, solvent surfactant gels, geles siliconados de solventes, así como nanogeles químicos, siendo estos dos últimos los que aportaron mejores resultados. La estimación del riesgo y efectividad de las pruebas tuvo en cuenta los cambios morfológicos, de color y brillo, así como la eficacia de la retirada del barniz, la conservación del color y la presencia de residuos. De ahí que se trazara un protocolo de evaluación mediante el uso de distintas técnicas de análisis morfológico (video-microscopio y SEM) y espectroscópico (EDX y FTIR-ATR), colorimetría y medición del brillo especular.
The use of a virtual image as a step to the aesthetic presentation of an overpainted baroque painting
Authors: Sterle Ana , Močnik Ramovš Lucija
Published: December 2020

Technology has become an important part of the conservator’s work, and we are still learning how to fully embrace it for a better practice. The main problem is lack of time for the treatment of cultural heritage and not enough knowledge in the field of technology. In this article we introduce the use of a virtual image to assist with the restoration of the painting Mater Dolorosa by a famous Slovene baroque painter Marko Layer. The painting’s complex conservation state indicated a need for a different approach when implementing procedures. Graphical documentation of the areas that needed to be removed and reintegrated was made for a transparent view of the upcoming work. To help with the removal and the reintegration process, a virtual image of the reintegrated painting and its options was made. The purpose was to get to know the painting’s specifications better. During the making of the virtual image, the painting was researched in detail in order to correctly apply the theory to practice.
Image analysis applied to the planning of a canvas painting restoration intervention
Authors: Amura Annamaria , Luisa Landi , Pisani Luigi , Soro Maria Veronica , Zantedeschi Giorgia , Pagnotta Stefano
Published: December 2020

This work proposes a methodology of digital analysis of the state of conservation of a canvas painting to solve difficulties related to the pictorial reintegration of paintings that present an excessive number of different lacunae in terms of size and extent. The case study is related to the small-size oil on canvas painting executed by an unknown artist, where the lacunae were challenging to analyze and localize graphically. Therefore, it required a careful evaluation of the approach to be used during the pictorial reintegration intervention. Using an image analysis method, based on the semi-automatic extraction approach, the state of conservation’s graphic relief outlining different virtual operating proposals was obtained.
The transformation of Adriaen Thomasz. Key’s Portrait of William of Orange
Authors: Pottasch Carol
Published: December 2020

When the iconic portrait of William of Orange by Adriaen Thomasz Key was brought to the conservation studio of the Mauritshuis, examination of the radiograph showed that part of the painting was not original. Prior to the painting’s arrival in the Mauritshuis, the left plank of the original oak support had been lost or removed, and replaced by another plank. Also, the whole painted surface, except for the face, was broadly overpainted. During the recent treatment, the conservators made the decision to remove most of the overpaint, and retouch the painting in an illusionistic way. Different options were considered for re-integrating the addition. This paper discusses the ethical and historical aspects that played an important role in the decisions to restore this painting.
Gilding on a 15th century stone relief from Dubrovnik: technical study vs. Cennini’s recipe
Authors: Sustic Sandra , Marinkovic Vinka , Balic Jure , Zohil Martin , Bonomi Vinko
Published: December 2020

During 2016, the Croatian Conservation Institute carried out a demanding conservation and technical research on a 15th century gilded polychrome stone relief from Dubrovnik, attributed to Pietro di Martino da Milano (c.1410-1473). The process proved to be a valuable opportunity to better understand the materials degradation and the techniques used by the Master. Due to the difficulty of determining the existence of impregnation and ground layers, two experimental reconstructions were created as part of a student project – one based on the interpretation of research results obtained during the conservation treatment, and the other based on art technological source research, namely the Cennino Cennini’s recipe, CLXXIV. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of these layers on the final gilding and to get an insight into the Master’s experience via the “learning-by-doing” method. The experimental results indicate that the cause of the damages and the consequent fragility of the original relief, might have its origin in the absence of impregnation and ground layers.
A new aesthetic proposal for “Men at arms” by Donato Bramante
Authors: Canepa Marie-Claire , Cardinali Michela , Ferrero Marianna , Gatti Alessandro , Quattrini Cristina
Published: December 2020

During the refurbishing of the “Lombard Art of the XV-XVI century” department at the Pinacoteca di Brera (Milan), concluded in 2018, the Conservation and Restoration Center “La Venaria Reale” had the opportunity to study and restore the famous pictorial cycle of Men at Arms by Donato Bramante (1488-89). The paper aims to present the methodological approach and the results obtained with the last conservation treatment, aimed at a new and updated aesthetic proposal for the pictorial cycle. The main objective was to re-establish the unity of the images, compromised by the numerous lacunae left visible by previous treatments, respecting at the same time the material features of the paintings and the evidence of their particular conservative history.The interdisciplinary work group* has reconstructed the complex conservative history of the detached wall paintings, thanks to the technical observation of the surfaces and the scientific characterization of the constituent materials. The results were compared with the available historical documentation, in particular with historical photographs. The project allowed us to retrace the profound changes that the concept of pictorial integration has encountered over time, from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day. The conservation treatment also originated from the need of the Pinacoteca di Brera to update the aesthetic presentation of the works, facilitating the reading of the fragmented images due to numerous lacunae. d images due to numerous lacunae.
Reseña: Studies in Archaeological Conservation
Authors: López-Polín Lucía
Published: December 2020

Libro: Studies in Archaeological Conservation”

Autor/es: Chris Caple y Vicky Garlick (editores)

Editorial: Routletge, Londres, 2020.

Ebook ISBN: 9780429342257

290 páginas
Scanning transmission imaging in the helium ion microscope using a microchannel plate with a delay line detector
Authors: Serralta Eduardo , Klingner Nico , De Castro Olivier , Mousley Michael , Eswara Santhana , Duarte Pinto Serge , Wirtz Tom , Hlawacek Gregor
Published: December 2020

A detection system based on a microchannel plate with a delay line readout structure has been developed to perform scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) in the helium ion microscope (HIM). This system is an improvement over other existing approaches since it combines the information of the scanning beam position on the sample with the position (scattering angle) and time of the transmission events. Various imaging modes, such as bright field and dark field or the direct image of the transmitted signal, can be created by post-processing the collected STIM data. Furthermore, the detector has high spatial and temporal resolution, is sensitive to both ions and neutral particles over a wide energy range, and shows robustness against ion beam-induced damage. A special in-vacuum movable support gives the possibility of moving the detector vertically, placing the detector closer to the sample for the detection of high-angle scattering events, or moving it down to increase the angular resolution and distance for time-of-flight measurements. With this new system, we show composition-dependent contrast for amorphous materials and the contrast difference between small-angle and high-angle scattering signals. We also detect channeling-related contrast on polycrystalline silicon, thallium chloride nanocrystals, and single-crystalline silicon by comparing the signal transmitted at different directions for the same data set.
Art-Dominanta International Folk Instruments Performers Competition as a factor in maintaining the spiritual security of the Ukrainian society and promoting the traditions of folk instrumental art of Ukraine in the world
Authors: Danyliuk Yana
Published: December 2020

The issue of preserving national culture in such traditional forms of musical art development as contests of folk instruments performers is an important research area considering the existing exacerbation of socio-economic and spiritual crisis of Ukrainian society against the background of the world processes of globalization and digitalization of cultural and educational space.
Therefore, the study aims to comprehensively explore the experience of conducting the Art-Dominanta International Folk Instruments Performers Competition as an important promotion factor of folk instrumental art among young people, to highlight its importance for maintaining the spiritual security of society at the regional and country levels, to consider the contest as a significant stimulus for promoting the Ukrainian culture in the world.
The author has proved that the musical performing contests are a significant factor in the development of folk instrumental art as a part of the national musical culture. It has been established that conducting the contest is an important cultural resource for strengthening the image of Kharkiv as a center for the development of folk and instrumental art, a source of cultural and creative growth for the city and its citizens. Many years of experience in conducting the contest creates fertile ground for the integration of its best achievements into the educational process of numerous regional educational institutions raising the cultural level of the city.
A survey on feature weighting based K-Means algorithms
Authors: Cordeiro de Amorim Renato
Published: December 2020

In a real-world data set there is always the possibility, rather high in our opinion, that different features may have different degrees of relevance. Most machine learning algorithms deal with this fact by either selecting or deselecting features in the data preprocessing phase. However, we maintain that even among relevant features there may be different degrees of relevance, and this should be taken into account during the clustering process. With over 50 years of history, K-Means is arguably the most popular partitional clustering algorithm there is. The first K-Means based clustering algorithm to compute feature weights was designed just over 30 years ago. Various such algorithms have been designed since but there has not been, to our knowledge, a survey integrating empirical evidence of cluster recovery ability, common flaws, and possible directions for future research. This paper elaborates on the concept of feature weighting and addresses these issues by critically analysing some of the most popular, or innovative, feature weighting mechanisms based in K-Means
A commentary on Hamilton Naki: From Gardening to Greatness
Authors: Cassimjee Ismail
Published: December 2020

A commentary on Hamilton Naki: From gardening to greatness by Hamilton Naki scholar Mr Ismail Cassimjee.
The Prevalence of Sports Betting in Tanzania Secondary School Students
Authors: Habibu Nuriath A. , Iramba Iramba F. , Kambuga Yusuph
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper was to determine the prevalence of sports betting among secondary school students in Tanzania. The study was conducted in the Dodoma region and covered four secondary schools in Dodoma City. The probability sampling procedure was used to select students randomly for everyone to have the chance of being involved. The judgmental sampling technique were used to collect information from the head of discipline units and class teachers, and simple random sampling was used to select both public and private secondary schools. The study administered questionnaires and interview questions to students, classes, head of discipline units, and class teachers. The questionnaires and interview questions targeted at picturing out the rate at which sports betting was intruding students. The finding shows that students aged between 10-17 years were reported to have high interest and feelings to take the risks of betting. The findings also show that females students are less involved in betting activities compared to male students. Besides, it was found that male students spend more of their precious time 6-10 hours a day in betting compared to female students. Furthermore, it was revealed that majority of students had taken part in more than one bet among the identified games including bet-way, premier bet, sport pesa, and tatu Mzuka.s
Proposed Convict Enfranchisement in the Gambia: Lessons from America
Authors: OMASANJUWA Akpojevbe
Published: December 2020

Convict enfranchisement is among the themes The Gambia Constitution Review Commission is addressing in its appraisal and updating of the 1997 constitution. The dawn of a new political dispensation necessitated the assignment to usher in a third republic. By means of the United States case law, a country where most felonies lead to disenfranchisement, this article examine the likely consequences of enfranchising convicts in The Gambia. Blalock’s Group Threat hypothesis explained the ulterior motives fuelling the enfranchisement call as the social dynamics of the country contrasts those of other nations like the United States which The Gambia seems to be keeping up with. Rather than addressing the issue of enfranchising an insignificant number of convicts, the conclusion shows that tackling constitutional irrationalities undermining the principles propping the separation of powers will be more beneficial.
The lexical-thematic classification of words with the ending –ant in modern Russian language
Authors: Parshina A. S. , Mageramova Y. Y
Published: December 2020

The article discusses lexeme with the ending –ant from the point of view of their use in speech and semantics. This group of words is divided into lexical-thematic groups (LTG). Based on the analysis of the functioning of words that include the –ant element in modern Russian, a conclusion is drawn about the ability to replenish LTG with new vocabulary units. Both the most closed and the most open for expanding the composition of lexical-thematic groups are established.
Grafon as a means of creating a stylistic effect (based on C. Dickens`s novels)
Authors: Burdina A. G. , Gerasimenko I. V.
Published: December 2020

The article explores ways to convey the linguistic features of various social groups in the works of the English novelist C. Dickens by means of a grafon and the influence of this expressive means on the style of the work. The authors analyzed and systematized the data obtained in the course of comparing the speech of people with different social status.
World Monetary System Transformation: the Future for Crypto Currency?
Authors: Shchegoleva Natalia , Terenteva Olga
Published: December 2020

Rapid spread of cryptocurrencies and the underlying technologies (blockchain) can transform the global financial system, as cryptocurrency has the potential to become a universal global currency. The article makes the conclusion concerning the timeliness and importance of cryptocurrency legitimization in Russia, which alongside the identified shortcomings contains significant competitive preferences for the banking industry, financial services market as well as for the state, drawing on quality blockchain technology mastering. The paper recommends to clarify the definition of electronic money in the Federal law «On National Payment System» under which a transaction with the cryptocurrency eliminates a third party intermediation. According to the authors, the spread of cryptocurrencies and the use of the blockchain technology will with a high degree of probability result in the transformation of the world monetary system due to the development of cryptoeconomy.
Speciﬁc Features of Ecological Tourism Development in Russia
Authors: Voskolovitch Nina
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to problems of development of ecological tourism in especially protected natural territories and areas of the cultivated landscape. Summarized foreign experience in the organization of ecological tourism. The possibilities of management of ecological tourism in the special economic zones of tourist-recreational type of tourism clusters. The necessity to promote Russian sphere of eco-tourism for domestic and foreign consumers, the increased attention to the promotion of ecotourism product. The study used comparative and cross-cultural analysis, materials sampling, expert assessment. The results can find application in the clarification of strategy of development of ecological tourism in Russia as a whole and in its separate regions, the rationale for targeted programs, special economic zones and clusters.
Efecto de un cultivo de pre-maduración con roscovitina sobre la tasa de maduración in vitro de ovocitos porcinos
Authors:   Facultad de Ingeniería Zootecnista, Agronegocios y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, Llaja Alex , Segura Gleni ,   Instituto de investigación en Ganadería y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, Cortez Jenín ,   Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, Murga Valderrama Nilton Luis ,   Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza
Published: December 2020

La roscovitina es una purina conocida por ser un inhibidor farmacológico que inhibe de manera específica la actividad del factor promotor de la maduración en numerosos sistemas celulares incluyendo a los ovocitos. El objetivo en este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un cultivo de pre-maduración con roscovitina sobre la tasa de maduración in vitro de ovocitos porcinos. Se aspiraron ovocitos de ovarios obtenidos de un centro de beneficio los cuales fueron transportados en NaCl 0,9% atemperado, los ovocitos extraídos fueron separados en dos grupos uno para maduración directa por 24h y otra para una pre-maduración con roscovitina (5 µM) por 24h y una maduración posterior de 24h. Se evaluó tasa de maduración (%) en los dos grupos evaluados, determinándose mediante la prueba T de Student que existe diferencia significativa (0,01) con 51.20% para el grupo experimental y 46% para el grupo control. Se concluye que realizar un cultivo de pre-maduración con roscovitina aumenta los porcentajes de maduración in vitro de ovocitos en porcinos.
Gestión de la tecnología en agronegocios lecheros
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Barrios Dursun
Published: December 2020

Analizar la gestión de la tecnología en los agronegocios lecheros, es el objetivo de la presenta investigación, que se desarrolla buscando mostrar las bondades y beneficios de las tecnologías en los agronegocios lecheros. Los resultados indican que existen tecnologías básicas, claves y otras emergentes en el sector lechero colombiano, estas se despliegan en las diferentes fases de los procesos de producción lechera. Se concluye la coexistencia de las tecnologías duras y blandas como elementos que generan una estructura cíclica con acciones que se ejecutan y concatenan en pro de la optimización de los procesos.
Determinantal Expressions in Multi-Species TASEP
Authors:   Texas A&, Kuan Jeffrey ,   M University, USA
Published: December 2020

Consider an inhomogeneous multi-species TASEP with drift to the left, and define a height function which equals the maximum species number to the left of a lattice site. For each fixed time, the multi-point distributions of these height functions have a determinantal structure. In the homogeneous case and for certain initial conditions, the fluctuations of the height function converge to Gaussian random variables in the large-time limit. The proof utilizes a coupling between the multi-species TASEP and a coalescing random walk, and previously known results for coalescing random walks.
First Detection of Orbital Motion for HD 106906 b: A Wide-separation Exoplanet on a Planet Nine–like Orbit
Authors: Nguyen Meiji M. , De Rosa Robert J. , Kalas Paul
Published: December 2020

HD 106906 is a 15 Myr old short-period (49 days) spectroscopic binary that hosts a wide-separation (737 au) planetary-mass (

) common proper motion companion, HD 106906 b. Additionally, a circumbinary debris disk is resolved at optical and near-infrared wavelengths that exhibits a significant asymmetry at wide separations that may be driven by gravitational perturbations from the planet. In this study we present the first detection of orbital motion of HD 106906 b using Hubble Space Telescope images spanning a 14 yr period. We achieve high astrometric precision by cross-registering the locations of background stars with the Gaia astrometric catalog, providing the subpixel location of HD 106906 that is either saturated or obscured by coronagraphic optical elements. We measure a statistically significant 31.8 ± 7.0 mas eastward motion of the planet between the two most constraining measurements taken in 2004 and 2017. This motion enables a measurement of the inclination between the orbit of the planet and the inner debris disk of either

deg or

deg, depending on the true orientation of the orbit of the planet. There is a strong negative correlation between periastron and mutual inclination; orbits with smaller periastra are more misaligned with the disk plane. With a periastron of

au, HD 106906 b is likely detached from the planetary region within 100 au radius, showing that a Planet Nine–like architecture can be established very early in the evolution of a planetary system.
Subsecond Time Evolution of Type III Solar Radio Burst Sources at Fundamental and Harmonic Frequencies
Authors: Chen Xingyao , Kontar Eduard P. , Chrysaphi Nicolina , Jeffrey Natasha L. S. , Gordovskyy Mykola , Yan Yihua , Tan Baolin
Published: December 2020

Recent developments in astronomical radio telescopes opened new opportunities in imaging and spectroscopy of solar radio bursts at subsecond timescales. Imaging in narrow frequency bands has revealed temporal variations in the positions and source sizes that do not fit into the standard picture of type III solar radio bursts, and require a better understanding of radio-wave transport. In this paper, we utilize 3D Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulations that account for the anisotropic density turbulence in the inhomogeneous solar corona to quantitatively explain the image dynamics at the fundamental (near plasma frequency) and harmonic (double) plasma emissions observed at ∼32 MHz. Comparing the simulations with observations, we find that anisotropic scattering from an instantaneous emission point source can account for the observed time profiles, centroid locations, and source sizes of the fundamental component of type III radio bursts (generated where f
pe ≈ 32 MHz). The best agreement with observations is achieved when the ratio of the perpendicular to the parallel component of the wavevector of anisotropic density turbulence is around 0.25. Harmonic emission sources observed at the same frequency (∼32 MHz, but generated where f
pe ≈ 16 MHz) have apparent sizes comparable to those produced by the fundamental emission, but demonstrate a much slower temporal evolution. The simulations of radio-wave propagation make it possible to quantitatively explain the variations of apparent source sizes and positions at subsecond timescales both for the fundamental and harmonic emissions, and can be used as a diagnostic tool for the plasma turbulence in the upper corona.
Pedicelliops gen. nov., a new genus from West Africa with striking antennae (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)
Authors: Kaltenbach Thomas , Gattolliat Jean-Luc
Published: December 2020

A new genus of Baetidae, Pedicelliopsgen. nov., and a new species, P. capillifersp. nov., are described from Guinea (West Africa) based on larvae. The new genus is characterized by having strongly enlarged pedicelli and very short flagella, a brush of dense, short setae between prostheca and mola of both mandibles, a small rectangular labrum, an apicolaterally pointed maxillary palp, a labial palp with a small distolateral protuberance and long setae ventrally on glossae and paraglossae. The femora of all legs are covered with numerous long, fine setae. The patellotibial suture is absent on the fore tibia and present on middle and hind tibiae. The claw is pointed with two rows of denticles. No spines are present on the posterior margins of the abdominal tergites. The imago remains unknown and the relationships with other African genera of Baetidae remains tentative. Despite being easily identifiable and of a fairly large size (body length ca. 5 mm), only two larvae were found in two highly sampled localities in West Africa.
Corrigendum: Using DNA metabarcoding for assessing chironomid diversity and community change in mosquito controlled temporary wetlands. MBMG 2: e21060. https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.2.21060
Authors: Theissinger Kathrin , Kästel Anna , Elbrecht Vasco , Makkonen Jenny , Michiels Susanne , Schmidt Susanne I. , Allgeier Stefanie , Leese Florian , Brühl Carsten A.
Published: December 2020

Chironomids have been proposed as important indicators for monitoring freshwater ecosystems, however, morphological determination is very challenging. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of metabarcoding for chironomid diversity assessment and tested the retrieved chironomid operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for possible changes in relative abundance and species diversity in relation to mosquito control actions in four temporary wetlands. The biocide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) is widely applied for mosquito control in temporary wetlands of the German Upper Rhine Valley. Even though Bti is considered environmentally friendly, several studies have shown non-target effects on chironomids, a key food resource in wetland ecosystems Three of the studied wetlands were, for the first year after 20 years of Bti treatment, partly left Bti-untreated in a split field design, and one wetland has never been treated with Bti. Our metabarcoding approach detected 54 chironomid OTUs across all study sites, of which 70% could be identified to species level comparisons against the BOLD database. We showed that metabarcoding increased chironomid species determination by 70%. However, we found only minor significant effects of Bti on the chironomid community composition. Subsequent studies will have to address if and how the chironomid community composition might change in the now Bti-untreated temporary wetlands to assess effects of Bti.
Opinions of Future Prospective Teachers on Coding Technique
Authors: Sekyere-Asiedu Daniel , Kosarenko Nikolay , Yergazina Aliya A. , Petunina Nina A. , Yarullina Alfiya Sh. , Sidorenko Grigoriy G.
Published: December 2020

The use of technology in education has increased rapidly in recent years, and one of these is coding training. Rapid changes have been observed in coding education in recent years. Many countries have added coding-related lessons to their curricula. There are studies about coding education that realise the learning of individuals at a very young age. This rapid change raises many questions for researchers. In this rapidly developing age, the views of prospective teacher candidates on coding are very important. With this study, it is aimed to discover the thoughts of prospective teachers of the Computer and Instructional Technologies Education department on coding education. For this purpose, qualitative data were obtained from 25 pre-service Computer and Instructional Technologies Education teacher candidates with case study method in Northern Cypriot, Russian and Kazakhstani universities. Selections were made based on volunteering among the pre-service teachers who took coding lessons. In this study, the data were collected with the semi-structured interview technique, which was developed considering the purpose of the research. Qualitative content analysis was used in the analysis of the data obtained. The results obtained in the research process revealed that the needs of pre-service teachers regarding the coding education were lacking and the number of coding courses should be increased.
An Android Mobile-based Measurement Application – Object and Interior Room Measurement App
Authors: Tsen Yi Ching Elcy , Kim on Chin , Alfred Rayner , Ahmad Hijazi Mohd Hanafi , Tse Guan Tan
Published: December 2020

The conventional and most common way to measure the interior of a room is using a measuring tape and other similar tools. However, it is not productive and often more than one worker is required to assist the measurement process. The goal of this study is to discuss the acceptability and usability of Android-based measurement mobile app designed for interior designers, civil engineer designers and water pipe workers. The user can take the measurement of the traditional form of the interior room from the image captured and to give the result of the area of space from the measurement taken from the image. The developed mobile app includes a virtual screen ruler to measure the approximate length and width of the room. This can be achieved by having a reference scale from the user and the camera lens must be focused at the study points. The result is then calculated from the video stream through the camera. The data obtained is then formulated in the area in order to obtain the result of the space area. The user will receive the results on the display screen as soon as the calculation is carried out. Later, the results revealed that, while not part of the original research goal, the applications can also be used to calculate the height and length of an object. Finally, an extended review of the mobile app is provided, which shows its high applicability and user acceptability.
Flood Disaster Identification and Decision Support System using Crowdsource Data Based on Convolutional Neural Network and 3S Technology
Authors: Puttinaovarat Supattra , Sriklin Teerawad , Dangtia Sompop , Khaimook Kanit
Published: December 2020

Every flood causes damages to many lives and properties. Moreover, it affects the economy and lifestyle of people in the society in a short period and a long period. In consequence, this research would demonstrate techniques and flood detection analyzed through digital images and web application development for receiving reports and inspection of flood situation in every area. The process requires crowdsource data and uses 3S technology so it will receive the accurate and real-time data for making a decision in the flood management and aids to the people in the disastrous area. In this research, Convolutional neural network was applied for flood detection and classification using digital images and data from people or the victims. According to the study, it was found that convolutional neural network for flood classification has accuracy of data at the high level or 95.50%, 93.00%, 97.89%, and 0.91 which are the results of accuracy, producer accuracy, user accuracy, and kappa statistics, respectively. Besides, the use of this technique saves cost, time, and labors. Furthermore, the method could be applied to other disasters such as landslide, earthquake, and fire. It is able to monitor the incident in each type of disasters and also examines the damaged site after the incident.
Training in Digital Skills in Early Childhood Education Teachers: The Case of the University of La Laguna
Authors: Pérez-Jorge David , Rodríguez-Jiménez María del Carmen , Gutiérrez-Barroso Josué , Castro-León Fátima
Published: December 2020

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become essential tools for the development of quality educational practices. The special situation of COVID-19 has evidenced the problem of the teacher training. This work investigates the perception of the future teachers of Early Childhood Education about the use of ICT and the policies developed by the Government of the Canary Islands regarding the provision of resources, materials and training. The study had a sample of 110 teachers in training from the University of La Laguna, the results showed agreement regarding the quality and quantity of training received, however, despite not showing interest in continuous training in ICT, they consider fundamentally mastering this competence to improve the quality of the educational response in the Canary Islands.
Nanomedicine in Human Health Therapeutics and Drug Delivery
Authors: Mir Manzoor A. , Bhat Basharat A. , Sheikh Bashir A. , Rather Gulzar Ahmed , Mehraj Safiya , Mir Wajahat R.
Published: December 2020

The 21st century has seen a massive spring up in the applications of nanobiotechnology. Incorporation of functionalized and modified nanostructures in various biomedical applications has generated significant research interests such as implant and tissue engineering, diagnosis, and therapy, thereby aiding in improvement of human health. The unique properties of nanoparticles including non-toxicity and biocompatibility with a large surface area make it possible to modify their surface with different chemicals including different polymers, antibodies, and drug molecules. Therefore, they are utilized for targeted drug delivery in order to carry drugs and selectively release them in desired tissues which reduces destructive effects on healthy cells. This chapter mainly covers the basic properties of nanoparticles including nanomedicine, their preparation and focuses on their diagnosis, and therapeutic applications in disease including cancer and other challenging ailments.
Applications of Nano Materials in Cold Storage
Authors: N. Kapilan , P. Vidhya
Published: December 2020

Nano particles (NPs) have superior properties and hence can be used for various applications. The cold storage is most widely used in the preservation of agricultural and horticultural products. The cold storage maybe operated by vapour compression or vapour absorption cooling system. The operating cost of this system can be reduced by using renewable energy systems and thermal energy storage systems. The NPs are used to increase the performance of renewable energy and thermal storage systems. In recent years, phase change materials are used to increase heat transfer rate in solar cold storage units. The NPs can be used to absorb the ethylene gas produced during storage of fruits, so that the shelf life, freshness, firmness, and texture of the fruits can be maintained for longer storage duration. The NPs coatings also increases the shelf life and freshness of the fruits. This chapter discusses NPs, types of NPs, basics of cold storage systems, use of NPs in solar integrated cold storage, and effect of NPs coatings on fruits stored in cold storage.
Role of Nanostructured Materials in Health and Medicine
Authors: Bashir Rafia , Chisti Hamida Tun-Nisa , Rangreez Tauseef Ahmad , Mobin Rizwana
Published: December 2020

In the recent times, nanotechnology has been the most explored and extensively studied area. With the application of nanotechnology, many devices were devised at a lightning speed, which were earlier impossible to imagine. Nanotechnology offers multiple benefits in treating chronic human diseases by site-specific and target-oriented delivery of precise medicines. This chapter describes the importance of nanoparticle-based devices like nanotubes, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, etc. and their applications for the treatment of several diseases. Applications of nanoparticles in drug delivery, tuberculosis treatment, and cancer therapy are also explained in this chapter. Nanomedicines can also be used to detect diseases at much earlier stages.
Mass Cytometry Defines Virus-Specific CD4+ T Cells in Influenza Vaccination
Authors: Subrahmanyam Priyanka B , Holmes Tyson H , Lin Dongxia , Su Laura F , Obermoser Gerlinde , Banchereau Jacques , Pascual Virginia , García-Sastre Adolfo , Albrecht Randy A , Palucka Karolina , Davis Mark M , Maecker Holden T
Published: December 2020

The antiviral response to influenza virus is complex and multifaceted, involving many immune cell subsets. There is an urgent need to understand the role of CD4+ T cells, which orchestrate an effective antiviral response, to improve vaccine design strategies. In this study, we analyzed PBMCs from human participants immunized with influenza vaccine, using high-dimensional single-cell proteomic immune profiling by mass cytometry. Data were analyzed using a novel clustering algorithm, denoised ragged pruning, to define possible influenza virus–specific clusters of CD4+ T cells. Denoised ragged pruning identified six clusters of cells. Among these, one cluster (Cluster 3) was found to increase in abundance following stimulation with influenza virus peptide ex vivo. A separate cluster (Cluster 4) was found to expand in abundance between days 0 and 7 postvaccination, indicating that it is vaccine responsive. We examined the expression profiles of all six clusters to characterize their lineage, functionality, and possible role in the response to influenza vaccine. Clusters 3 and 4 consisted of effector memory cells, with high CD154 expression. Cluster 3 expressed cytokines like IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, whereas Cluster 4 expressed IL-17. Interestingly, some participants had low abundance of Clusters 3 and 4, whereas others had higher abundance of one of these clusters compared with the other. Taken together, we present an approach for identifying novel influenza virus–reactive CD4+ T cell subsets, a method that could help advance understanding of the immune response to influenza, predict responsiveness to vaccines, and aid in better vaccine design.
RIPK1 Distinctly Regulates Yersinia-Induced Inflammatory Cell Death, PANoptosis
Authors: Malireddi R K Subbarao , Kesavardhana Sannula , Karki Rajendra , Kancharana Balabhaskararao , Burton Amanda R , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi
Published: December 2020

Bacterial pathogens from the genus Yersinia cause fatal sepsis and gastritis in humans. Innate immune signaling and inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis [PANoptosis]) serve as a first line of antimicrobial host defense. The receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is essential for Yersinia-induced pyroptosis and apoptosis and an effective host response. However, it is not clear whether RIPK1 assembles a multifaceted cell death complex capable of regulating caspase-dependent pyroptosis and apoptosis or whether there is cross-talk with necroptosis under these conditions. In this study, we report that Yersinia activates PANoptosis, as evidenced by the concerted activation of proteins involved in PANoptosis. Genetic deletion of RIPK1 abrogated the Yersinia-induced activation of the inflammasome/pyroptosis and apoptosis but enhanced necroptosis. We also found that Yersinia induced assembly of a RIPK1 PANoptosome complex capable of regulating all three branches of PANoptosis. Overall, our results demonstrate a role for the RIPK1 PANoptosome in Yersinia-induced inflammatory cell death and host defense.
Modelling the domestic poultry population in the United States: A novel approach leveraging remote sensing and synthetic data methods
Authors: Patyk Kelly A. , McCool-Eye Mary J. , South David D. , Burdett Christopher L. , Maroney Susan A. , Fox Andrew , Kuiper Grace , Magzamen Sheryl
Published: December 2020

Comprehensive and spatially accurate poultry population demographic data do not currently exist in the United States; however, these data are critically needed to adequately prepare for, and efficiently respond to and manage disease outbreaks. In response to absence of these data, this study developed a national-level poultry population dataset by using a novel combination of remote sensing and probabilistic modelling methodologies. The Farm Location and Agricultural Production Simulator (FLAPS) (Burdett et al., 2015) was used to provide baseline national-scale data depicting the simulated locations and populations of individual poultry operations. Remote sensing methods (identification using aerial imagery) were used to identify actual locations of buildings having the characteristic size and shape of commercial poultry barns. This approach was applied to 594 U.S. counties with > 100,000 birds in 34 states based on the 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Census of Agriculture (CoA). The two methods were integrated in a hybrid approach to develop an automated machine learning process to locate commercial poultry operations and predict the number and type of poultry for each operation across the coterminous United States. Validation illustrated that the hybrid model had higher locational accuracy and more realistic distribution and density patterns when compared to purely simulated data. The resulting national poultry population dataset has significant potential for application in animal disease spread modelling, surveillance, emergency planning and response, economics, and other fields, providing a versatile asset for further agricultural research.
Pod Prešernovo glavo: Slovenska literatura in družbene spremembe: nacionalna država, demokratizacija in tranzicijska navzkrižja Avtorji Tomo Virk
Authors: Virk Tomo
Published: December 2020

The aim of Virk’s monograph Under Prešeren’s Head. Slovene Literature and Social Changes: National State, Democracy and Transitional Discrepancies is to analyse the structural changes in the Slovene literary system since its beginning, particularly the shift in the social role of the Slovene literature since the Slovene independence, gained in 1991. For this purpose, the study departs from broadly developed hypotheses about the nature of the relation between Slovene literature and Slovene society. In the conclusion, Virk states that after 1990, the traditional role of Slovene literature has significantly changed. While in the period before 1945, it had been extremely socially important due to its national-constitutive and compensatory role, and in the period between 1945 and 1990 due to its political role as a compensation of the absent institutions and culture of political democracy, it has been severely marginalized and devoid of any such substantial social role after 1990. Today, literature seeks its new identity and needs to re-conceptualize and actualize its social role. In the final chapter, Virk indicates that such indispensable role could perhaps be found in the ethical dimension and potential of literature.
Data Compression and Protection Through Representation With Combinations and Spiral Path
Authors: Cina Elda , Tabbara Hiba , Aliaj Esmerald
Published: December 2020

We are living in Industry 4.0 era where enormous data need to be stored and processed. Though hardware is also becoming more abundant, its limitation in medium transmission speed and memory storage still beats this need. Therefore, data compression seems always an emerging necessity. Another big threat to data is also the unauthorized access especially while dealing with sensitive data. In this paper, we introduce an enhancement of a 2D signals compression with security tools through cryptography. Spiral path compression technique uses data representation through combinations to achieve satisfactory lossless compression rate but it also offers intrinsic encryption of data. Instead of representing an image as a matrix of pixels, we represent it through a group of index numbers, each belonging to a part of the image called mini-images. Every index is performed through a spiral path inside the mini-image starting from the most repeated pixel value. The histogram not only helps on defining these starting points of spirals but also decreases the number of bits needed to represent the index. Since there are many starting points possible for each mini-image, we use a random distribution to decide which of them to be selected. We also use a matrix of private keys to make possible the protection of the image from unauthorized use. We conclude that using this technique, we can achieve satisfactory compression rates compared to actual compression rates used nowadays and many other cryptographic possibilities are available for future studies.
How Varying the Dipole Lengths of a Uniform Linear Array Affects the Performance of an ESPRIT based Direction Finding Algorithm
Authors: Arada Gerald Pacaba
Published: December 2020

Popularly used to collect data for the direction-of-arrival estimation of an incident source. Since the dipole elements of the uniform linear array are electromagnetically and mutually coupled, the presence of mutual coupling may degrade the performance of any direction finding algorithms. In order to mitigate mutual coupling, several references introduced modifications of the well-known ESPRIT algorithm. These modifications involve discarding the data collected by linear array at the two ends. However, the assumption of several literature that the mutual coupling matrix to be both Toeplitz and banded are invalid. This is pointed out by the “method of moments” based computer simulation tool used in this paper. The Toeplitz-and-banded coupling-matrix assumption leads to the mutual coupling being mis-modeled. Furthermore, previous studies failed to consider how varying the dipoles’ electrical length affect the performance of the direction-of-arrival estimation under mutual coupling.