bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact Dual-Band Bandpass Filter Based on SSL-SIR With Sharp Roll-Off
Authors: Yue Juan , Zhang Guanmao , Che Zonge , Lun Yupeng , Li Zhihang , Suo Junhong
Published: March 2022

A compact dual-band bandpass filter (DB-BPF) is studied and implemented by using shorted stub-loaded stepped impedance resonator (SSL-SIR) and 0∘∘feed structure in this paper. The resonance frequencies of SSL-SIR can be analyzed and explained by odd−-even mode analysis method and it is used in the design of BPF I. Then, the BPF II is created using the theory of 0∘∘feed structure. Finally, the two structures are combined together to form a DB-BPF by reasonably adjusting the coupling between them and the position of the feed points. The simulation results suggest that the center frequencies of the two passbands are 3.45 and 5.2 GHz, respectively, which are suitable for modern wireless communication systems like 5G and WLAN. Compact size, strong passband isolation, and large stopband bandwidth are all advantages of the proposed DB-BPF filter. A prototype is created and constructed to validate this. The simulated results are in good agreement with the measured results.
UAV system with trinocular vision for external obstacle detection of
transmission lines
Authors: Ma Yunpeng , Yu Zhihong , Zhou Yaqin , Li Qingwu , Wu Yi
Published: March 2022

External obstacle detection is a significant task in transmission line inspection and
is related to the safe operation of the power transmission grid. In
recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with different
devices have been widely used for transmission line inspection.
However, because of the complex environment of transmission lines and
weak power line textures in the obtained images, most existing methods
and systems cannot meet the requirements for real-time and
high-accuracy external obstacle detection of transmission lines. In
this paper, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, UAV system
integrated trinocular vision technology with remote sensing is
developed to achieve better external obstacle detection of
transmission lines in real time, which is composed of a DJ-Innovations
(DJI) UAV equipped with a global positioning system (GPS), angle
sensors, trinocular vision including three visible cameras with the
same parameters, and a small processor with a pre-implanted software
algorithm. In this paper, a new method for external obstacle detection
of transmission lines is proposed to satisfy the requirements for
real-time and high-accuracy practical inspection applications. First,
the original trinocular images need to be rectified. Then, the
rectified trinocular images are adopted to achieve three-dimensional
reconstruction of power lines. Finally, based on trinocular vision,
bag of feature, and GPS, the clearance distance measurement, obstacle
classification, and obstacle location are realized. Experimental tests
on 220 kV transmission lines reveal that our proposed system can be
applied in practical inspection environments and has good
performance.
Computational inverse design for cascaded systems of metasurface optics: comment
Authors: Zarei Sanaz , Khavasi Amin
Published: March 2022

In a recently published article by Backer [Opt. Express 27(21), 30308 (2019).10.1364/OE.27.030308], a computational inverse design method is developed for designing optical systems composed of multiple metasurfaces. The forward propagation model used in this method was a discretized version of the angular spectrum propagator described by Goodman [Introduction to Fourier Optics, 1996]. However, slight modifications are necessary to increase the accuracy of this inverse design method. This comment examines the accuracy of the results obtained by the above-mentioned method by a full-wave electromagnetic solver and explains the reason of their difference. Thereafter, slight modifications to the method proposed by Backer are suggested, and the accuracy of final formulation is verified by a full-wave electromagnetic solver.
Laser linewidth characterization via self-homodyne measurement under nearly-coherent conditions
Authors: Attia Ido , Wohlgemuth Eyal , Balciano Ohad , Cohen Roi Jacob , Yoffe Yaron , Sadot Dan
Published: March 2022

In this work we propose a novel and efficient characterization scheme for a narrow linewidth laser using a nearly-coherent delayed self-homodyne (NC-DSH) technique. The modulated signal of an analog coherent optics (ACO) transceiver, configured in optical loop-back, and the local oscillator (LO) are mixed after a very short optical path difference (OPD), corresponding to an interferometer operating in its nearly-coherent regime. The phase noise is extracted from a digital signal processing algorithm of carrier phase estimation (CPE), while data is transmitted. The interferometric pattern’s E-field power spectral density (PSD) enables the extraction of the OPD and the linewidth of the transceiver’s laser source in high accuracy. The proposed technique is demonstrated using a commercial integrated coherent transmitter and receiver optical sub-assembly (IC-TROSA).
Modeling and performance analysis of oblique underwater optical communication links considering turbulence effects based on seawater depth layering
Authors: Ji Xiuyang , Yin Hongxi , Jing Lianyou , Liang Yanjun , Wang Jianying
Published: March 2022

Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) has been introduced to support emerging high-speed and low latency underwater communication applications. Most of the current studies on UWOC assume that the water temperature and salinity are constant, which can be justified only for horizontal links. In fact, as the temperature and salinity of seawater change with increasing depth, the seawater at different depths is bound to exhibit different optical properties. This implies that for the same link length, the communication system with the transmitter and receiver at different depths, will exhibit different performances. This paper first proposes an oblique optical link model considering turbulence effects, which is based on the layering of temperature and salinity with depth in realistic ocean water. Subsequently, the performance of the optical communication system with vertical and oblique links is analysed by adopting the oceanic power spectrum and seawater data from different ocean areas measured by the global ocean observation buoy, Argo. Our simulation shows that the performance of the underwater optical communication system is worse when the optical transmitter is located at the mixed layer than at the thermocline. When the transmitter is at the thermocline, the communication quality of the system will be worse at environments that temperature and salinity vary more slowly. When the tilt angle of the optical link in the vertical direction is less than 10°, the oblique link can be treated as a vertical link with the same link length.
Spike propagation in a nanolaser-based optoelectronic neuron
Authors: Ortega-Piwonka Ignacio , Hejda Matěj , Alanis Juan , Lourenço João , Hurtado Antonio , Figueiredo José , Romeira Bruno , Javaloyes Julien
Published: March 2022

With the recent development of artificial intelligence and deep neural networks, alternatives to the Von Neumann architecture are in demand to run these algorithms efficiently in terms of speed, power and component size. In this theoretical study, a neuromorphic, optoelectronic nanopillar metal-cavity consisting of a resonant tunneling diode (RTD) and a nanolaser diode (LD) is demonstrated as an excitable pulse generator. With the proper configuration, the RTD behaves as an excitable system while the LD translates its electronic output into optical pulses, which can be interpreted as bits of information. The optical pulses are characterized in terms of their width, amplitude, response delay, distortion and jitter times. Finally, two RTD-LD units are integrated via a photodetector and their feasibility to generate and propagate optical pulses is demonstrated. Given its low energy consumption per pulse and high spiking rate, this device has potential applications as building blocks in neuromorphic processors and spiking neural networks.
Perception of physicians towards electronic prescription system and associated factors at resource limited setting 2021: Cross sectional study
Authors: Hailiye Teferi Gizaw , Wonde Tewodros Eshete , Tadele Maru Meseret , Assaye Bayou Tilahun , Hordofa Zegeye Regasa , Ahmed Mohammedjud Hassen , Hailegebrael Samuel
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The healthcare industry is increasingly concerned about medical errors, which are the leading cause of death worldwide and also compromise patient safety. This medical error is even more serious in developing countries where healthcare is not supported by technology. Because of the traditional paper-based prescription system, Ethiopia has an overall medication prescribing error rate of 58.07% that could be avoided if an electronic prescription system was in place. Therefore, this study aims to assess physicians’ perceptions towards electronic prescription implementation.

Methods

From February 1 to April 5, 2021, an institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working in public hospitals in the Amhara region. 384 physicians were selected using a simple random sampling method. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS, version 21. To assess factors associated with perception among physicians, a binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. A P.05 value, at a 95% confidence interval, was considered statistically significant. The validity of the questionnaire was determined based on expert opinion, as well as its reliability was determined by calculating the value of Cronbach alpha (α = .78).

Results

In this study, 231 (76.5%) of study participants had a positive perception of electronic prescription. Around 70.8% had more than 5 years of computer usage experience. Nearly 90% of participants claimed that their prescriptions were legible; however, 89% believe that paper-based prescriptions are prone to error. According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, technical skill [AOR] 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] (1.27–17.41), good internet access (AOR 2.82, % CI 1.75–4.54), and perceived usefulness of e-prescription system (AOR 3.31, 95% CI 1.01–12.12) were significantly associated with perception.

Conclusions

The majority of respondents have a positive perception of electronic prescription. The most notable factors associated with physician perception were organizational factors, internet access, perceived usefulness of the system, and technical skill.
Employment status and its associated factors for patients 12 months after intensive care: Secondary analysis of the SMAP-HoPe study
Authors: Unoki Takeshi , Kitayama Mio , Sakuramoto Hideaki , Ouchi Akira , Kuribara Tomoki , Yamaguchi Takako , Uemura Sakura , Fukuda Yuko , Haruna Junpei , Tsujimoto Takahiro , Hino Mayumi , Shiba Yuko , Nagao Takumi , Shirasaka Masako , Satoi Yosuke , Toyoshima Miki , Masuda Yoshiki ,   on behalf of the SMAP-HoPe Study Project
Published: March 2022

Background

Returning to work is a serious issue that affects patients who are discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to clarify the employment status and the perceived household financial status of ICU patients 12 months following ICU discharge. Additionally, we evaluated whether there exists an association between depressive symptoms and subsequent unemployment status.

Methods

This study was a subgroup analysis of the published Survey of Multicenter Assessment with Postal questionnaire for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome for Home Living Patients (the SMAP-HoPe study) in Japan. Eligible patients were those who were employed before ICU admission, stayed in the ICU for at least three nights between October 2019 and July 2020, and lived at home for 12 months after discharge. We assessed the employment status, subjective cognitive functions, household financial status, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and EuroQOL-5 dimensions of physical function at 12 months following intensive care.

Results

This study included 328 patients, with a median age of 64 (interquartile range [IQR], 52–72) years. Of these, 79 (24%) were unemployed 12 months after ICU discharge. The number of patients who reported worsened financial status was significantly higher in the unemployed group (p<0.01) than in the employed group. Multivariable analysis showed that higher age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.08]) and greater severity of depressive symptoms (OR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.05–1.23]) were independent factors for unemployment status at 12 months after ICU discharge.

Conclusions

We found that 24.1% of our patients who had been employed prior to ICU admission were subsequently unemployed following ICU discharge and that depressive symptoms were associated with unemployment status. The government and the local municipalities should provide medical and financial support to such patients. Additionally, community and workplace support for such patients are warranted.
Action Research on Using Participatory Budgeting for Community Construction in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Cheng-Neng , Hsieh Cheng-Hsun , Hsieh Chung-Heng , Chow Genevieve
Published: March 2022

In order to improve the participation from local residents during the decision-making about their public’s life, participatory budgeting is one of the most prevalent system of civic engagement recently. In this project, the site selected in Taiwan is a span space under expressway, is open to use as a park and physical fitness facility for the local residents. The action plan through explanatory presentation, empowerment and proposal workshop, project exhibition and voting, and preferred solution implementation. Using participatory budgeting as a tool of governance allows people to participate in the politics, and the government also wins the trust and obtain a higher satisfaction level from the public.
Gut microbiome as a target organ in diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases (a literature review)
Authors: Minukhin V. V. , Knysh O. V. , Zhdamarova L. A. , Bolshakova H. M. , Voida Yu. V.
Published: March 2022

The aim: analysis of literature data concerning the study on the relationship between changes in the composition, metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases.
Results. Despite the different etiopathogenesis and clinical manifestations, neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases share common pathogenetic links: intestinal dysbiosis with depletion of microbial diversity, an increase in the representation of “pro-inflammatory” taxa and changes in the metabolism of the intestinal microbiota; damage of the mucosal barrier and increased permeability of the intestinal wall; immune response activation with the development of systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation; impairment of the nervous, endocrine and metabolic mechanisms of signal transmission within the gut-brain axis. Specific changes in the composition and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota act as biomarkers or additional diagnostic criteria at some neuropsychiatric diseases. Therapeutic approaches aimed at correcting the composition and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota: fecal transplantation, the use of psychobiotics and neuroactive derivatives of probiotic bacteria demonstrate a positive effect.
Conclusions. The mechanisms of the specific microorganisms and their derivatives for influencing the functional activity of the central nervous system require further study. The gut microbiome should be considered as a target organ in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases. The microbiome-based approach contributes to early diagnosis and prediction of the clinical course severity. Targeting the correction of the intestinal microbiota composition and functional activity is a promising strategy for increasing the effectiveness of the neuropsychiatric pathology treatment.
Determination of the temporary disability duration in patientswith acute myocardial infarction depending on the body mass index
Authors: Koteliukh M. Yu.
Published: March 2022

Prolonged temporary disability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is more common in the presence of concomitant abnormalities. Adipokine C1q/TNF-related protein 3 (CTRP-3) is produced by adipose tissue and exhibits anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. The course and prognosis of AMI depend on the presence of comorbid disorders and hence are objects of scientific interest.
Aim. To identify risk factors affecting the temporary disability duration in AMI patients depending on body mass index (BMI).
Materials and methods. The study involved 189 patients with ST-segment elevation AMI who were divided into 3 groups depending on BMI. The first group included 60 patients with AMI and normal BMI, the second group comprised 68 patients with AMI and excess body weight (EBW) and the third group was composed of 61 AMI patients with obesity. CTRP-3 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical data were processed using the licensed software package IBM SPPS Statistics (version 27.0). Significance of differences between normally distributed mean values of quantitative variables was assessed by ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The logistic regression method was used to determine the period of temporary disability. The difference was considered significant at a P value ˂ 0.05.
Results. In analyzing the studied indicators, a significant decrease in the concentration of CTRP-3 was found in AMI patients with obesity on the first day compared to AMI patients with normal BMI (P < 0.001), which indicated the effect of obesity on the AMI development. The following indicators were determined to construct a model for predicting the duration of temporary disability, namely CTRP-3 on day 1, glucose on day 1, the presence of permanent atrial fibrillation, early complicationsof AMI.
Conclusions. The proposed method helped to determine the duration of temporary disability in patients with AMI depending on BMI, which would improve the provision of high-quality diagnostics and treatment of patients by reducing the economic costs of the length of hospital stay.
Classification of stressful factors associated with COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine among Ukrainian military personnel
Authors: Danilevska N. V.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine have caused psychological distress, which has led to mental and physical health problems and changes in the behavior patterns of many people. It is known that the cause of such stress in the civilian population is not a pandemic or quarantine in general, but only some of their components. However, although COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine can provoke health disorders also in military personnel, stressful factors directly triggering these disorders have not yet been identified.
Aim: to identify the immediate stressors that threaten Ukrainian military personnel health during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Zaporizhzhia Military Hospital and Zaporizhzhia State Medical University between March 2020 and May 2020. A total of 25 military personnel hospitalized during this period were examined. Clinical, psychopathological, psychological examinations was conducted. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was also used.
Results. The stressful factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine, which had provoked health disorders in military personnel, have been identified and systematized into four groups: vital fears, social fears, domestic and organizational stress, abstract experiences. All these groups have been also described here.
Conclusions. Identification of psychogenic factors will help to determine targets for psychotherapy and reduce the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine and prevent a decline in fighting capacity.
Marketing research of the domestic market of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs for use in dermatology
Authors: Zarichna T. P. , Brytanova T. S. , Raikova T. S.
Published: March 2022

The aim of work is marketing research of the domestic market of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs for use in dermatology.
Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, electronic official sources of information and pharmacy websites were used. System-analytical, mathematical-statistical, and comparative methods of analysis were employed.
Results. Analysis of the assortment structure of the domestic market of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs for use in dermatology allowed us to establish that in this segment there are original drugs (30.4 %) and generics (69.6 %), monopreparations (84.1 %) and combined (15.9 %) ones. Drugs of the studied group are represented by various dosage forms, among which soft dosage forms dominate (85.4 %). When studying the corporate structure of this market segment, it was found that 56.6 % of drugs come from abroad from 12 countries of the world and 21 pharmaceutical companies, the leader of which is the United Kingdom (dij = 0.0758). The study of the level of competition showed that the greatest competition is observed among the manufacturers of acyclovir and mupirocin generics (Kvi = 0.89). Calculation of the liquidity ratio, which exceeds 0.5, confirms incomplete availability of these medicines for the population of Ukraine.
Conclusions. A marketing study of the domestic market of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs for use in dermatology was conducted. The assortment and corporate structures of this market segment are defined. The level of competitiveness of the pharmaceutical companies is analyzed, and the most successful ones are identified. The liquidity and solvency ratio was calculated, which allowed us to draw conclusions about the availability of these medicines for the population of Ukraine. In the future, in the healthcare system of Ukraine, an important direction should be outlined to improve the system of providing medical care to patients with dermatological diseases.
Marketing analysis of the pharmaceutical market of antidiabetic drugs in Ukraine
Authors: Savych A. O. , Pavliuk B. V.
Published: March 2022

Diabetes mellitus is an important public health issue. Statistics show a rapid growth in the number of patients each year, which increases the financial burden on the state’s economy. Therefore, systematic marketing monitoring of the pharmaceutical market of drugs for diabetes is appropriate and permanently relevant.
The aim of the research was to study the pharmaceutical market of antidiabetic drugs in Ukraine as of the first quarter of 2022.
Materials and methods. The nomenclature range of drugs was analyzed in accordance with the State Register and the Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical Classification. The objects of research were information on synthetic hypoglycemic drugs registered in Ukraine, as well as herbal medicines belonging to the category A10 “Antidiabetic drugs”. Analytical and comparative methods, as well as marketing analysis and generalization of information were applied.
Results. The structure of the pharmaceutical market of medicines from category A10 “Antidiabetic drugs” is formed by mono-drugs, their share is 84.2 %, while combined drugs make 12.9 %, and only 2.9 % belongs to medicinal plant raw materials and their mixtures. Among mono-drugs, the most numerous by the number of trade names is the group of sulfonylureas and biguanides, the percentage of which is 33.9 %. The pharmaceutical market of antidiabetic drugs in Ukraine is import-dependent, as the share of foreign medicines from 24 importing countries is 59.3 %. Domestic manufacturers of drugs for type 2 diabetes are 10 pharmaceutical companies, among which production output is dominated by JSC “Farmak” – 31.9 %. Preparations based on medicinal plant raw materials are manufactured by PJSC “Liktravy” and PJSC Pharmaceutical Factory “Viola” in the form of mixtures and medicinal raw materials.
Conclusions. The nomenclature ranges of drugs, which according to the ATC classification belong to the category A10 “Antidiabetic drugs”, are analyzed and the structure of the segment is described. The range of herbal antidiabetic drugs has been studied and their share in the structure of the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine has been determined. The prevalence of foreign-made drugs over domestic ones has been established.
Analysis of pharmaceutical market of dietary supplements with green tea leaves extract
Authors: Maslov O. Yu. , Kolisnyk S. V. , Komisarenko M. A. , Poluian S. M. , Holik M. Yu. , Tomarovska T. O.
Published: March 2022

The aim of work is to study the assortment of dietary supplements with green tea leaves extract on the modern pharmaceutical market to further search for ways to improve and optimize pharmaceutical supply.
Materials and methods. The assortment of dietary supplements with green tea leaves extract was studied basing on the search of dietary supplements in pharmacies of Ukraine in the internet resources. For study of assortment of dietary supplements, the following methods were used: marketing, statistical, logic and graphic.
Results. The assortment of dietary supplements with green tea leaves extract has been analyzed. The results showed that the leaders in the number of manufacturers in the analyzed group of dietary supplements are the United States, Ukraine, and Poland, their part is 61 %, 16 % and 8 %, respectively. In terms of assortment, the United States ranks first – 66 %. Dietary supplements are presented in 6 dosage forms, most of them are capsules (60 %). It was determined that monopreparations predominate in the pharmaceutical market and account for 77 %. The price segmentation of the market of dietary supplements with green tea leaves extract has been provided, the results showed that most of these are dietary supplements in the price range of 200–500 UAH. The study of the company structure made it possible to identify leaders among foreign companies; the top three companies included Now Foods (27 %), Swanson (20 %), Puritan’s Pride (14 %).
Conclusions. There are 42 dietary supplements with green tea leaves extract at the beginning of 2022 in Ukraine. On the temporary pharmaceutical market of Ukraine 84 % of dietary supplements with green tea extract are presented by foreign manufacturers, mainly by monopreparations, in the form of capsules and in the price range from 200 to 500 UAH.
Internal Investigations, Whistleblowing and External Monitoring
Authors: Hopt Klaus J.
Published: March 2022

Internal investigations, whistleblowing and external monitoring are three information and enforcement channels that belong to corporate compliance. They are a task of the management and/or the board of directors. The board is legally bound to see that the compliance obligations are met, but it has broad entrepreneurial discretion (business judgment) in terms of deciding how this should be done. These standards have established themselves in large companies in a typical sequence of a stages and steps: (1) Indication of an incident: plausibility assessment, preparation, possible ad hoc measures, investigation; (2) Legal assessment of the interim result based on the facts at hand, data analysis and interviews; (3) Result and reporting: measures, tracking, follow-up and identification of lessons learned. In the case of listed companies, the establishment of a whistleblower organization is considered to be a part of good corporate governance and may now also legally be part of the organizational compliance obligation that is already required for them. The EU Whistleblower Directive of 7 October 2019 only concerns disclosures about violations of European legal provisions, it is not yet sure whether the Member States will introduce a whistleblower system for national legal provisions too. In the case of external monitoring, a distinction must be made between monitors that are used by the supervisory authority itself, usually through an administrative act, for example in accordance with banking law, and those installed by the company itself, albeit often in an international context and under pressure from a foreign supervisory authority. There is broad and detailed body of comparative legal experiences from the USA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland on internal investigations, whistleblowing and external monitoring, which can also be relevant in other countries for legislation, case law and scholarship. Empirical studies on all three information and enforcement channels are available, but they seem to be scarce. Conversely there are now many important findings and experience from national and international corporate law practice that are particularly relevant for external monitoring, which is still less well known in many countries. These findings not only offer suggestions but in some cases already represent good corporate governance standards. In parts and over the long term they can form legal obligations for the corporate board.
Terrain Effects on the 13 April 2018 Mountainburg, Arkansas EF2 Tornado
Authors: Anderson Matthew E. , Schneider Doug G. , Buckles Jeremy L. , Bodine David J. , Reinhart Anthony E. , Satrio Martin A. , Maruyama Takashi
Published: March 2022

Storm-scale interactions with rough terrain are complex. Terrain has been theorized to impact the strength of low-level mesocyclones. Surface roughness and modifications of the surrounding environment also may impact tornadogenesis or tornado intensity. The Mountainburg, Arkansas EF2 tornado on 13 April 2018 traveled along a path with minor variations in intensity and elevation throughout most of the nearly 19-km (11.8 mi) damage path as the storm moved along a river valley. A detailed damage survey showed that the tornado then made an abrupt ascent of more than 200 m (656 ft) in the last 2 km (1.2 mi) before dissipating. By examining model soundings and conducting a detailed terrain analysis, this study examines what role terrain may have had in channeling the momentum surge and enhancing the low-level vorticity to influence tornadogenesis. Other storm-scale factors are investigated to determine their potential impact on the demise of the tornado. The differential reflectivity column is studied to determine if the updraft was weakening. The relative position of the tornado and mesocyclone also are examined as the tornado ascended the terrain and dissipated to determine whether the change in elevation impacted the overall strength of the storm and to evaluate whether the storm was undergoing a traditional occlusion cycle. Finally, a large-eddy simulation model is used to explore physical changes in a tornado encountering terrain similar to the Mountainburg, Arkansas, tornado near its demise.
Development of a Multi-Station Creep Machine for Adhesive Joint Testing
Authors: Bezerra Gonçalo N. , Lopes António M. , da Silva Carlos M. S. Moreira , da Silva Lucas F. M. , Nunes Paulo D. P. , Marques Eduardo A. S. , Carbas Ricardo J. C.
Published: March 2022

Adhesive joints have unique advantages when compared to conventional mechanical joints. Adhesives can undergo creep deformation at room temperature (cold flow) as well as at low stress (well below the yield point of the material), which can lead to considerable reduction in the life expectancy of the bonded structures. Therefore, performing creep tests to determine a material’s expected behavior under certain operational or environmental conditions is of crucial importance. Available commercial creep machines are often designed to test a wide variety of materials and, thus, present suboptimal features for testing specimens with specific characteristics, as is the case of adhesive joints. In this article, a new multi-station creep test machine is proposed and its main subsystems are described, namely the mechanical structure, the pneumatic servo-controlled actuation, the data acquisition, and the command software. The machine is able to run tests at a constant load that can be set from 100 up to 2,800 N, at intervals of 5 N, and a maximum displacement of 250 mm. The three stations can accommodate single lap joints or bulk specimens and allow for totally independent and simultaneous tests, at temperatures ranging from −100°C up to 200°C. The measurement resolution for load and displacement is 0.025 N and 0.025 mm, respectively. Experimental results of creep tests are presented, and the multi-station creep machine behavior is validated by comparison to a reference equipment. The creep machine reveals good performance, with force and displacement repeatability below close to 6 N and 0.25 mm, respectively.
Neoliberalism, the COVID-19 Crisis, and the Quantification of Data
Authors: David Lea
Published: March 2022

This short piece discusses the historical-sociological relationship between neoliberalism and quantification of data during the corona pandemic crisis.
Reassessing the interpretation of oxidation–reduction potential in male infertility
Authors: Joao Fabien , Duval Cyntia , Bélanger Marie-Claire , Lamoureux Julie , Xiao Cheng Wei , Ates Senem , Benkhalifa Moncef , Miron Pierre
Published: March 2022

Male Infertility Oxidative System (MiOXSYS) has been proposed as a rapid and promising technology for the evaluation of sperm oxidative stress. In this case–control study, 134 men with normal sperm parameters (NSP) and 574 men with abnormal sperm parameters (ASP), according to the World Health Organization sperm assessment references values established in 2010, were enrolled. Conventional sperm parameters were evaluated in all patients. Sperm static oxido-reduction potential (sORP) was assessed using the MiOXSYS. Sperm DNA integrity was measured in 604 patients. To ensure that sperm concentration was not a confounding factor in the sORP index ratio, sperm and seminal fluid sORP from 57 randomly selected additional patients were also measured using the MiOXSYS. sORP index (mV/106 sperm/mL) was higher in patients with ASP and seemed to correlate with conventional sperm parameters. Although receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that a sORP index cut-off of 0.79 could differentiate normal from ASP with 57.7% sensitivity and 73.1% specificity, these values are much lower than those found in the literature. These values also need to be higher to be applicable in a clinical setting. Furthermore, absolute sORP (mV) was not different in the presence or absence of spermatozoa. sORP index relationships with sperm parameters seem rather be due to sperm concentration, denominator of the sORP index ratio. The establishment of a reliable method using the absolute sORP value, independent of sperm concentration, needs to be addressed. Other oxidative stress biomarkers could be used to validate this method.

Lay summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that oxidative stress may have a role in male infertility. Oxidative stress happens when there is an imbalance between the production of molecules containing oxygen and the antioxidants, molecules that neutralize the molecules containing oxygen. The molecules containing oxygen can cause damage to sperm DNA. This damage can be measured using a particular index and this study looked at whether the concentration of the sperm sample might have an impact on results and suggests this should be taken into consideration by clinicians and researchers.
The Need for Future Competencies of a Tourism Specialist from the Point of View of Employers
Authors: Bylaitė Andželika , Jonaitienė Ernesta , Kalinovienė Vilma
Published: March 2022

Employee competencies are considered to be the most important factor, which determines competitiveness among job seekers and an essential capital in most sectors of the economy. Today, due to the changing conditions in the labor market, the once acquired knowledge and abilities no longer meet the changed requirements, it is becoming important to develop generic and subject specific competencies. The article analyzes the generic and subject specific competencies of future specialists in the Lithuanian tourism sector, which are needed in the labor market of Lithuania from the point of view of employers. Therefore, using a semi-structured in-depth interview, a pilot professional activity field research was carried out in December 2020 – February 2021 in the economically strongest Lithuanian cities. The results of the research showed that due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic case, which is resonant and indefinite, the tourism market will never be the same again. It is observed that a person with a broader qualification (i.e. more competencies) easier integrates into the labour market. In this context, priority should be given to the ability of future specialists to be proactive and flexible, entrepreneurial and creative (to understand the specificities, future directions and trends of tourism and recreation services), to use information, smart and other technologies effectively. The specialist will not fear the competition of a professional who already has work experience in tourism sector.
The planimeter
Authors: Edwards Bruce H.
Published: March 2022

We show how the planimeter is used for the estimation area. For example, it could be used for measuring the area of trees’ leaves, the size of a city or the area of a planar section of a human’s organ cut.
Algunas consideraciones sobre un Teorema de Benabou de Booleanidad de un topos elemental
Authors: Acuña Ortega Osvaldo
Published: March 2022

En este trabajo probamos que en un topos elemental, todo objeto A tal que A + A tiene una función de elección interna, entonces todo subobjeto de A tiene complemento. También consideramos un concepto débil de función de elección y probamos que cualquier objeto K−finito decidible posee una función de elección de este tipo internamente.
Approximate Kerr-Newman-like metric with quadrupole
Authors: Frutos-Alfaro Francisco , Gómez-Ovares Pedro , Montero-Camacho Paulo
Published: March 2022

The Kerr metric is known to have issues when trying to find a physical interior solution. In this work we continue our efforts to construct a more realistic exterior metric for astrophysical objects. A new approximate metric representing the spacetime of a charged, rotating and slightly-deformed body is obtained by perturbing the Kerr-Newman metric to include the mass-quadrupole and quadrupole-quadrupole orders. It has a simple form because it is Kerr-Newman-like.
Mobile-Mediated Versus Face-to-Face Dynamic Assessment, EFL Learners’ Writing Fluency, and Strategy Awareness
Authors: Kaveh Ardalan , Rassaei Ehsan
Published: March 2022

The current study examined the effects of mobile-mediated versus face-to-face dynamic assessment (DA) on EFL learners’ writing fluency and strategy awareness during four treatment sessions. To fulfill this objective, a total of 45 Iranian EFL learners were randomly selected and assigned into two experimental conditions, which included one mobile-mediated and one face-to-face DA condition, and one control group. Then, the participants of the experimental conditions were engaged in mobile-mediated and face-to-face DA sessions targeting their writing fluency while the control group students were just asked to write. The results of data analysis indicated that both mobile-mediated and face-to-face DA conditions were beneficial for EFL learners’ writing fluency and revealed that mobile-mediated DA was more effective than face-to-face DA. Moreover, the results showed that mobile-mediated DA enhanced learners’ writing strategy awareness.
Interacting with SCOBAs in a Genre-based Approach to Italian as a FL
Authors: Fernández Loretta , Donato Richard
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine how four adult beginners of Italian as a foreign language used the Schema of a Complete Basis of Action (SCOBA) based on Gal’perin’s pedagogical model during a course of six one-hour lessons. The SCOBA for this course was designed using the Systemic Functional Linguistic concepts of genre and register (field, tenor, and mode) for the typified situation of requesting goods and services during a service encounter in a restaurant. The study investigated students’ perceptions regarding the usefulness of SCOBAs for navigating this context of language use. Data from the students’ talk-in-interaction, interviews, and in class use of the SCOBA were analyzed. It was found that during the course of instruction students used the SCOBA according to their own communicative needs. For example, students used the SCOBA to orient themselves to contextual differences and language choices when register variations of the typified situation were introduced during classroom tasks. Finally, students were able to modify the SCOBA based on classroom instruction and their own insights into the typified situation.
A Concept-based Approach to the Instruction of the Chinese ba-construction
Authors: Ai Haiyang
Published: March 2022

This study explores a concept-based instruction approach to promoting second languagedevelopment of the ba-construction, a known difficult area, by six collegelevelEnglish learners of Chinese in a two-month enrichment program. We developedSCOBAs to explain the syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic constraints of the baconstruction, as well as its similarities and differences from the canonical Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) and topicalization Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) word orders. Theparticipants’ productive use of the construction was assessed with two translations(one on paper and one on the computer) and a cartoon description task followinga pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest format. Semi-structured interviews and theparticipants’ verbalization data were also collected. By comparing the participants’gain scores in relation to maximum possible scores, we found that the participants had made large gains throughout the study and retained much of the gain two weeks after the posttest. The microgenetic analyses of the participants’ production data showed improvement in the use of resultative verb compound, perfective marker–le, and the placement of directional particles. Finally, the verbalizations data indicated improvement in conceptual understanding of the ba-construction in terms of its scope, i.e., not just the physical placement of objects, but the accentuation of the results of the verbal action.
Inflammatory Hibernoma of the Renal Hilum Mimicking a Renal Pelvis Tumor
Authors: Kelsey Larkin  , Kevin Chua  , Sai Krishnaraya Doppalapudi  , Colton Smith  , Evita Sadimin  , Valerie A. Fitzhugh  , Eric A. Singer
Published: March 2022

We report on an enhancing, heterogenous renal pelvis mass growing over 2 years which was found to be a benign hibernoma with inflammatory and lipomatous features originating from the renal hilum. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported on a hibernoma compressing on the renal pelvis and second case of a hibernoma with the inflammatory variant.
O PRINCÍPIO DO RESPEITO AOS VALORES ESTÉTICOS, POLÍTICOS E ÉTICOS NA PROPOSTA PEDAGÓGICA DO SENAC/RN
Authors: Rodrigues Joventina Firmina , Nascimento José Mateus do
Published: March 2022

O trabalho tem como objetivo analisar na proposta pedagógica do Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Comercial (SENAC) o princípio do respeito aos valores estéticos, políticos e éticos no desenvolvimento de aptidões para a vida social e produtiva. Esse é um dos princípios das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a Educação Profissional Técnica de Nível Médio, adotadas pelo Ministério da Educação e Cultura (MEC). Numa pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, realizamos uma revisão bibliográfica e documental de leis específicas, de documentos do MEC e do SENAC e dos documentos técnicos e do Projeto Político Pedagógico do SENAC/RN. Averiguamos que as mudanças ocorridas no mundo do trabalho e no modo flexível de produção capitalista influenciaram tais documentos, trazendo exigências para a formação do trabalhador e mobilizando adaptações das ações educativas e o estabelecimento das Marcas Formativas SENAC como um conjunto de atributos que envolvem domínio técnico-científico, visão crítica e atitude colaborativa, sustentável e empreendedora.
Psicología y emprendimiento
Authors: Ospina Marulanda Daniela , Masmela Laura
Published: March 2022

En la siguiente presentación se pretende exponer la conexión que hay entre la psicología y el comportamiento emprendedor. Desde sus orígenes y hasta hace no tanto tiempo atrás, la psicología sólo se centraba en la patología, en la debilidad y en el sufrimiento. Actualmente, el acento se pone sobre el bienestar mental o la calidad de vida para que el ser humano pueda, además de vivir saludablemente, salir fortalecido ante las adversidades o crisis que puedan presentársele. Conceptos propios de la psicología positiva como son resiliencia, motivación o felicidad, son cualidades propias del emprendedor, el cual tiene una sensibilidad especial para detectar oportunidades, movilizar recursos, interconectar información o tener ideas innovadoras.

En definitiva, para hallar oportunidades donde otros no las ven o convertir en hechos lo pensado. Tener espíritu emprendedor es hacer las cosas, levantarse con más fuerza cada vez que se cae y ser capaz de convivir con la incertidumbre manteniéndose optimista. Por consiguiente, el estudio del comportamiento y el éxito emprendedor no puede ser correctamente entendido si no se aborda desde la óptica de la psicología positiva.
Desarrollo teórico de una metodología para la determinación de la presión sonora que recibe un teleoperador durante su jornada de trabajo
Authors: Herrera Arroyo María Celeste
Published: March 2022

Esta investigación presenta una propuesta teórica de una metodología confiable y económica para la medición directa en paralelo para la determinación de la presión sonora que recibe un teleoperador durante su jornada de trabajo, esta metodología se basa en la obtención de un modelo matemático mediante el uso del método de mínimos cuadrados, para la obtención de este modelo matemático lineal se utilizó herramientas tales como el dosímetro, auriculares, bifurcador de audio, software generador de tonos y el medio portátil de insonorización (caja de poliestireno expandido) este último elegido por sus características las que hacen que se aumente el grado de absorción en el interior, lo cual reduce la reverberación. Las mediciones fueron realizadas en paralelo en seis niveles de presión sonora y cinco frecuencias las cuales coinciden con las de una conversación, con un muestreo de quince minutos cada una, estas se realizaron fuera y dentro del medio portátil de insonorización bajo las mismas condiciones ambientales. Los datos de las mediciones guardan una tendencia de comportamiento fácilmente ajustable por lo cual se crea un modelo matemático lineal comprobado con el coeficiente de correlación de los datos de las mediciones tanto fuera como dentro del medio portátil de insonorización lo cual demuestra que el método es totalmente viable utilizando medios paralelos de medición de bajo costo.
Implementación de protección contra incendios en procesos constructivos
Authors: Carbo Andrade Reinaldo Andrés
Published: March 2022

La protección contra incendio es un área fundamental como parte de la seguridad y la prevención de riesgos y emergencias, sin embargo, aún se encuentra en desarrollo en américa latina conforme lo han identificado diversas entidades reconocidas en la materia como la Asociación Nacional de Protección Contra Incendio, NFPA en su Manual de Ingeniería de Protección Contra Incendio 5ta Edición. Si bien es cierto, existe normativa en los distintos países de la región que legisla y regula la protección contra incendio, surgen dudas relacionadas a su implementación durante los procesos constructivos y la integración de las partes interesadas en los proyectos, los roles y las intervenciones del promotor, constructor, diseñadores e instaladores de los sistemas y usuarios de las instalaciones. Por tanto, el presente artículo busca describir el proceso de la conceptualización de la protección contra incendios en base al marco legal aplicable y los pasos en rasgos generales a seguir considerando las experiencias en el área durante la construcción.