bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of regional markets for heavy industry and machine building products (in the example of Azerbaijan economy)
Authors: Suleymanov Arzu , Mehdiyev Malik , Musayev Rauf , Orujova Mehpara , Huseynov Vusal
Published: March 2021

The presented article analyzes regional markets, for heavy industry and machine building products for the Azerbaijani economy. In terms of trade relations and territory, the markets of Turkey, the Russian Federation, Georgia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Armenia were selected and evaluated. The database of the study consists of mutual import and export data for the mentioned countries in 2014–2018. Based on the import-export data collected covering the years 2014–2018 on six-digit codes of regional markets, the revealed comparative advantage and localization coefficients on import and export were calculated. As a result, importing and exporting countries have been identified in the regional markets through the calculated coefficients for each of the 5 years of heavy industry and machine building products considered. Thus, in terms of imports and exports, the countries with the highest coefficients were selected.
Early Adopters’ Philosophies, Practices and Perspectives on Eco-Tourism and Eco-Certification: The Case of Ecotourism in Jamaica
Authors: Brown Natalya R. , Armenakyan Anahit , Piper Linda A.
Published: March 2021

This paper examines business philosophies, sustainable practices, and attitudes towards eco-certification of pio-neering tourism operators engaged in ecotourism in the mature ‘sun and beach’ destination of Jamaica. We conducted a thematic analysis of the data collected from semi-structured interviews with managers and owners, and observations from on-site visits with establishments identified as ecotourism operators in Jamaica. We identified five distinct busi-ness philosophies that guided our participants' operations: presenting Jamaica in a holistic way, preserving the natural and cultural environment, community support, economic sustainability and incentivized preservation, and operational independence. The tourism operations in our study primarily engage in sustainable practices as a means of attaining operational independence. Meanwhile, participants held mixed attitudes towards eco-certification. There was signifi-cant overlap between our findings and the existing conceptual UNWTO framework for ecotourism. We found strong evidence for the role of education as the defining characteristic of ecotourism. Varying attitudes towards and awareness of sustainability and conservation of the country’s cultural and natural assets limit the amount of community consulta-tion in planning and development of these enterprises.
The Role of Pain Catastrophizing and Depression
in the Outcomes of Physical Therapy in a
Prospective Osteoarthritis Cohort
Authors: Uçkun Aslı Çalıskan
Published: March 2021

Background: Physical modalities have been safely used for decades for pain relief and for
reducing physical disability in the conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However,
patients’ response to treatment is highly variable, which may be related to certain patient-related
factors such as pain catastrophizing and depression.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pain catastrophizing and depression on
physical therapy outcomes and to identify the baseline factors predictive of poor outcomes in
patients with knee OA.
Study Design: This research used a prospective, cohort, observational study design.
Setting: The research took place in an outpatient physical therapy unit within a tertiary hospital
in Ankara, Turkey.
Methods: Eighty-nine patients with knee OA underwent 10 sessions of physical therapy. At
baseline, depression and pain catastrophizing were evaluated using the Beck Depression InventoryII (BDI-II) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). The therapeutic efficacy of physical therapy
was assessed based on the level of pain and disability using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Changes in the VAS
score and WOMAC were evaluated at 2 and 6 weeks following physical therapy. A multivariate
logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of poor outcomes.
Results: Patients with low pain-catastrophizing and low depression scores tended to demonstrate
better improvement at weeks 2 and 6. The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis
showed that the significant outcome predictor for both pain and function at week 6 was the
baseline PCS score. The baseline depression score was not an independent predictor of a clinically
poor outcome.
Limitations: This study is limited owing to the combined use of several physical therapy
modalities and short follow-up.
Conclusions: This study suggests that the baseline PCS score is a predictive factor of poor
response to physical therapy in patients with knee OA. Considering this factor before therapy and
taking the necessary precautions may improve the outcomes of physical therapy.
Key Words: Catastrophization, central nervous system sensitization, depression, disability
evaluation, knee osteoarthritis, pain, physical therapy modalities, transcutaneous electric nerve
stimulation.
Oral Versus Intravenous Acetaminophen within
an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol in
Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Marcotte Joseph H.
Published: March 2021

Background: Multimodal pain management within enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
protocols is designed to decrease opioid use, promote mobilization, and decrease postoperative
complications.
Objectives: To evaluate the role of intravenous (IV) versus oral (PO) acetaminophen within an
established ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery.
Study Design: This was a retrospective observational study.
Setting: This research took place within an established perioperative colorectal surgery protocol.
Methods: A total of 91 consecutive elective colorectal resections performed according to an ERAS
protocol using only IV acetaminophen (IV group) were compared with 84 consecutive resections
performed using one dose of IV acetaminophen followed by subsequent administration of oral
acetaminophen (PO group). Our multimodal pain management strategy also included transverse
abdominis plane blocks, celecoxib, and ketorolac medications for both groups. Opioid requirements,
maximum and average daily pain scores by the Visual Analog Scale, and postoperative outcomes
were compared between groups.
Results: There were no differences in maximum or average pain scores on postoperative days
0-3 or at time of discharge between IV and PO groups. Compared with the IV acetaminophen
only group, the PO group received significantly more perioperative opioids through 72 hours
postoperatively (68.8 oral morphine equivalents [OME] IV group vs. 93.7 OME PO group; P <
0.0001), were more likely to require opioid patient-controlled analgesia (8.9% IV group vs. 46.4%
PO group; P < 0.0001), and were more likely to experience postoperative nausea and vomiting
(33.0% IV group vs. 48.8% PO group; P = 0.0449).
Limitations: Significant limitations include the studies’ retrospective nature and that it was
performed at a single institution.
Conclusions: Restriction of IV acetaminophen within an ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery was
associated with increased opioid use, greater need for opioid patient-controlled analgesia, and
increased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. IV acetaminophen may be superior to
oral acetaminophen in the early postoperative setting.
Key words: Perioperative pain management, enhanced recovery after surgery, acetaminophen,
multimodal pain control, nonopioid
Update of Utilization Patterns of Facet Joint
Interventions in Managing Spinal Pain from
2000 to 2018 in the US Fee-for-Service Medicare
Population
Authors: Manchikanti Laxmaiah
Published: March 2021

Background: Interventional techniques for managing spinal pain, from conservative modalities
to surgical interventions, are thought to have been growing rapidly. Interventional techniques take
center stage in managing chronic spinal pain. Specifically, facet joint interventions experienced
explosive growth rates from 2000 to 2009, with a reversal of these growth patterns and in some
settings, a trend of decline after 2009.
Objectives: The objectives of this assessment of utilization patterns include providing an update
of facet joint interventions in managing chronic spinal pain in the fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare
population of the United States from 2000 to 2018.
Study Design: The study was designed to assess utilization patterns and variables of facet joint
interventions in managing chronic spinal pain from 2000 to 2018 in the FFS Medicare population in
the United States.
Methods: Data for the analysis were obtained from the master database from the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) physician/supplier procedure summary from 2000 to 2018.
Results: Facet joint interventions increased 1.9% annually and 18.8% total from 2009 to 2018 per
100,000 FFS Medicare population compared with an annual increase of 17% and overall increase of
309.9% from 2000 to 2009.
Lumbosacral facet joint nerve block sessions or visits decreased at an annual rate of 0.2% from 2009
to 2018, with an increase of 15.2% from 2000 to 2009. In contrast, lumbosacral facet joint neurolysis
sessions increased at an annual rate of 7.4% from 2009 to 2018, and the utilization rate also increased
at an annual rate of 23.0% from 2000 to 2009. The proportion of lumbar facet joint blocks sessions
to lumbosacral facet joint neurolysis sessions changed from 6.7 in 2000 to 1.9 in 2018. Cervical and
thoracic facet joint injections increased at an annual rate of 0.5% compared with cervicothoracic facet
neurolysis sessions of 8.7% from 2009 to 2018. Cervical facet joint injections increased to 4.9% from
2009 to 2018 compared with neurolysis procedures of 112%. The proportion of cervical facet joint
injection sessions to neurolysis sessions changed from 8.9 in 2000 to 2.4 in 2018.
Limitations: This analysis is limited by inclusion of only the FFS Medicare population, without
adding utilization patterns of Medicare Advantage plans, which constitutes almost 30% of the
Medicare population.
The utilization data for individual states also continues to be sparse and may not be accurate.
Conclusions: Utilization patterns of facet joint interventions increased 1.9% per 100,000 Medicare
population from 2009 to 2018. This results from an annual decline of - 0.2% lumbar facet joint
injection sessions but with an increase of facet joint radiofrequency sessions of 7.4%.
Key words: Interventional techniques, facet joint interventions, facet joint nerve blocks, facet joint
neurolysis
hole-Course Application of Dexmedetomidine Combined with Ketorolac in Nonnarcotic Postoperative Analgesia for Patients with Lung Cancer Undergoing Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Wen Qing-ping
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: Opioid-based postoperative analgesia provides adequate analgesia with much adverse effects and immunosuppression. Dexmedetomidine and ketorolac have properties of opioid-sparing, antiinflammation, and immune protection.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of whole-course application of dexmedetomidine combined with ketorolac in nonnarcotic postoperative analgesia and its effect on inflammatory response and immune function in thoracoscopic surgery of lung cancer.

STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized control trial.

SETTING: The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.

METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for thoracoscopic surgery were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups to receive a combination of intraoperative usage of dexmedetomidine and postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia of dexmedetomidine 0.1 µg/kg/h and ketorolac 3 mg/kg (DEX group) or only postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia of sufentanil 1.5 µg/kg and ketorolac 3 mg/kg (SUF group) for 48 hours. Vital signs, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Ramsay sedation score, patient-controlled analgesia pressing times, consumption of sufentanil and rescue drug, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. The levels of inflammatory factors and immune function were also compared.

RESULTS: A significant reduction in median blood pressures and heart rates within 48 hours after surgery and perioperative consumption of sufentanil were observed in the DEX group compared with the SUF group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in VAS scores, patient-controlled analgesia pressing times, and rescue drug consumption between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of nausea was significantly lower in the DEX group compared with the SUF group (P < 0.05). A significant decrease of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and increased CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were observed in the DEX group compared with the SUF group at 24 and 48 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the levels of CD8+ and natural killer cells between the 2 groups (P > 0.05).

LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its sample size.

CONCLUSIONS: Whole-course application of dexmedetomidine combined with ketorolac in nonnarcotic postoperative analgesia provided adequate and safe postoperative analgesia, reduced sufentanil consumption, analgesia-related complications, alleviated inflammatory response, and immunosuppression compared with sufentanil-based analgesia in thoracoscopic surgery.

KEY WORDS: Dexmedetomidine, ketorolac, sufentanil, thoracoscopic surgery, postoperative analgesic, patient-controlled analgesia, inflammatory response, immune function
Early Treatment with Temporary Spinal Cord
Stimulation Effectively Prevents Development
of Postherpetic Neuralgia
Authors: Xiao Lizu
Published: March 2021

Background: Some 7.7% of the Chinese population suffer from herpes zoster each year, with
29.8% proceeding on to develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This amounts to over 32 million
people per year. PHN is preceded by 2 phases of pain: acute herpetic neuralgia (AHN), and subacute
herpetic neuralgia (SHN). Considering the large individual and economic burden, preventing the
transition of AHN/SHN to PHN is crucial. However, to date this has been difficult.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of temporary spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) treatment and
prevention of PHN.
Study Design: A retrospective, observational study.
Setting: Department of Pain Medicine.
Methods: From 2013 to 2017, 99 patients with AHN (n = 42), SHN (n = 34), and PHN (n = 23)
underwent tSCS treatment (7-14 days) after failed pharmacologic and interventional therapies.
Visual analog scale (VAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and analgesic consumption were
recorded at baseline, post-tSCS, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after tSCS treatment.
Results: Pooled results demonstrated statistically significant decreases in VAS scores and PSQI
post-tSCS and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up (P < 0.001). When compared with the PHN
group, both AHN and SHN groups were clinically and statistically improved in VAS scores and PSQI
(P < 0.001). Analgesic consumption decreased in all 3 groups after tSCS treatment, and downward
linear gradient of medication in the AHN group was more significant than that in the SHN and
PHN groups. At 12 months follow-up, 2.5% (1/40) patients in the AHN group, 16.0% (4/25) in the
SHN group, and 62.5% (10/16) in the PHN group had ongoing pain ≥ 3/10 VAS score requiring
analgesia. Expressed differently, at 12 months, 97.5% of the AHN group and 84% of the SHN
group had pain of 2/10 VAS score or less versus only 37.5% of the PHN group.
Limitations: This was a single-center, retrospective study, which made it difficult to collect
complete data for all variables. The therapeutic effect of tSCS could not be studied independently.
Conclusions: This retrospective analyses of 99 patients treated with tSCS (7-14 days) suggests
that tSCS may be effective for treating and preventing PHN. Early treatment within 4 to 8 weeks
was more likely to result in pain ≤ 2/10 VAS score, improvement in sleep, and no requirement for
analgesia at 12 months. Early tSCS may be a promising prevention strategy against the development
of chronic neuropathic pain following herpes zoster infection. Further research is justified.
Key words: Herpes zoster, zoster-related pain, postherpetic neuralgia, temporary spinal cord
stimulation
Appropriate Management of Vertebral Fragility
Fractures: Development of a Pathway Based on a
Vertebral Compression Fracture Registry
Authors: Yoon Edward S.
Published: March 2021

Background: The BenchMarket Medical (BMM) Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF)
Registry, now known as Talosix, is a collaborative effort between Talosix (the authorized registry
vendor), Noridian Healthcare Solutions, and clinicians to gather outcomes evidence for cement
augmentation treatments in patients with acute painful osteoporotic VCFs. The VCF Registry was
designed to provide outcomes evidence to inform the Medicare payer’s “coverage with evidence
development” decision to authorize reimbursement for cement augmentation treatments.
Objectives: The purpose of this article was to present a pathway for appropriate use of vertebral
augmentation based on the findings of the VCF Registry.
Study Design: Prospective observational data, including patient characteristics, diagnosis,
process of care, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for pain and function, were collected from
patients undergoing cement augmentation treatment. The PROs were collected at baseline, 1, 3,
and 6 months following the procedure.
Setting: The VCF Registry is a national ongoing registry with no specified end time or designated
sample size.
Methods: Primary outcomes were pain improvement measured using the Numeric Rating
Scale and function improvement, measured using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire
(RMDQ). Secondary outcomes included cement leakage, new neurologic deficits, adverse events,
readmissions, and death.
Results: The VCF Registry delivered outcomes data to support Noridian’s “coverage with evidence
development” decision. A total of 732 patients were included in this study. Registry outcomes
confirmed postmarket evidence of highly significant pain relief with mean pain score improvement
of 6.5/10 points at 6 months. Function also improved significantly with mean RMDQ score change
of 11.4/24 points 6 months after surgery. Results also showed the safety and reliability of cement
augmentation.
Limitations: The nature of the registry data is that it contains nonrandomized, nonplacebo
controlled data and should not be perceived as such. The real-world setting and the large number
of patients within the dataset should increase the external validity of the findings.
Conclusions: Cement augmentation treatments of patients with acute painful VCFs reliably
results in highly significant benefits of pain decrease and functional improvement for this Medicare
population.
Key words: Vertebral compression fractures, osteoporosis, kyphoplasty, back pain, registry
10 kHz High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation
for Chronic Thoracic Pain: A Multicenter Case
Series and a Guide for Optimal Anatomic Lead
Placement
Authors: Sayed Dawood
Published: March 2021

Background: Surgical options for thoracic pain are limited and carry significant risk and morbidity.
Spinal cord stimulation has the potential to be used for treatment of thoracic pain, as it has been
useful for treating multiple types of chronic pain. Conventional tonic stimulation is limited in the
treatment of thoracic pain, as it can produce paresthesia that is difficult to localize. Conversely,
high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) does not activate dorsal column Aβ fibers and
does not produce paresthesia, and thus may be more beneficial in treating thoracic back pain not
manageable with tonic stimulation.
Objectives: To evaluate (1) the efficacy of 10 kHz HF-SCS for patients with chronic thoracic pain;
and (2) appropriate paresthesia-free lead placement and programming targets for 10 kHz HF-SCS
for patients with chronic thoracic pain.
Study Design: Retrospective case series.
Setting: Multisite academic medical center or pain clinic.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 19 patients with thoracic back pain who
underwent HF-SCS implantation. These patients had lead placement and stimulation between the
T1-T6 vertebral levels. Outcome measures collected include location of device implant, stimulation
settings, and pain scores at baseline, end of trial, and 1, 6, and 12 months postimplant. Followup phone calls collected information on if the patient reported functional improvement, improved
sleep, or decreased pain medication usage. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared differences in
mean pain scores across time points.
Results: Significantly decreased Visual Analog Scale scores were observed with 17/19 (89.5%)
patients demonstrating response to therapy (> 50% reduction in pain scores). These results were
sustained relative to baseline at 1, 6, and 12 months postimplant, depending on length of followup. Many patients also reported functional improvement (17/19), improved sleep (14/19), and
reduction in use of pain medications after implantation (9/19). A total of 15/19 patients reported
best relief when contacts over T1 or T2 vertebrae were used for stimulation.
Limitations: This study is limited by its retrospective design. Additionally, including documentation
from multiple sites may be prone to selection and abstraction bias. Data were also not available for
all patients at all time points.
Conclusions: HF-SCS may be a viable option for significant, long-lasting pain relief for thoracic
back pain. There may also be evidence for anatomically based lead placement and programming
for thoracic back pain. Randomized, controlled trials with extended follow-up are needed to
further evaluate this therapy.
Key words: Thoracic pain, back pain, spinal cord stimulation, high frequency, 10 kHz
Comparative Study of Chronic Postischemic Pain
Models in Mice: O-Ring Versus Tie Method
Authors: Yoo Sie Hyeon
Published: March 2021

Background: The success rate for the production of animal models of chronic postischemia pain
(CPIP) using an O-ring has yet to be improved in the study of complex regional pain syndrome-type
I (CRPS-I), and producing a CPIP model is challenging, especially for mice.
Objectives: We devised a new CPIP model with a higher success rate that induces ischemia for 3
hours by tying the hind limbs of mice with a rubber band, followed by reperfusion.
Study Design: A randomized, controlled animal trial.
Methods: Twenty-two male C57BL/6 mice were divided into a sham (n = 6), a ring (n = 8), and
a tie group (n = 8). Anesthesia was induced using isoflurane. A precut O-ring was mounted on
the upper left ankle in the sham group. A tight-fitting O-ring and a push-pull gauge manometer
were mounted at the same location in the ring and tie groups, respectively. Reperfusion was
induced 3 hours later. The thickness and circumference of the hind paws were measured before
ischemia induction. Measurements were repeated 10 days after reperfusion. Mechanical allodynia
was measured with a von Frey filament until 12 weeks after reperfusion.
Results: The new tie model required 5 additional days until the onset of allodynia compared with
the existing CPIP O-ring model. However, the successful induction rate of CPIP was higher in the
tie group than in the ring group, and allodynia was maintained for over 30 days in the tie group.
The ring and tie groups exhibited significantly high levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha than those
in the sham group.
Limitations: First, we did not evaluate hyperalgesia, cold or heat allodynia. Second, we did not
measure blood levels of inflammatory or antiinflammatory cytokines, and research on oxidative
stress biomarkers such as isoprostane, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (a marker of DNA oxidative
damage), and malondialdehyde was not performed.
Conclusions: The new CPIP tie model has a higher rate of successful induction than existing
O-ring models for mice, with longer duration of mechanical allodynia. The model may reduce the
number of animals sacrificed in CRPS-I research and could be useful for studying long-term effects
of drugs.
Key words: CPIP, mouse, O-ring, rubber band, reperfusion, allodynia, hyperalgesia
Prospects of application of cement concrete coating on transport buildings
Authors:   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе, Onyshchenko Artur , Garkusha Mykola ,   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе, Fedorenko Oleg ,   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе, Davydenko Oleksandr ,   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе, Tsepelev Sergii ,   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Road bridges are an integral part of the road network of transport infrastructure of Ukraine. The technical condition of the vast majority of road bridges does not meet modern requirements for road safety and structural reliability of structural elements.Problems. There are no recommendations for the design and installation of cement-concrete pavement on the reinforced concrete slab of the carriageway of road bridges, as well as an album of standard solutions of such structures.Goal. Analysis of the causes and types of cracking on cement concrete pavement, technical literature and current regulations on the calculation of crack resistance and durability of cement concrete pavement on the reinforced concrete slab of the carriageway of road bridges.Results. The analysis of application of a cement concrete covering on transport constructions is carried out. The causes and types of crack formation on cement-concrete pavement are established. The analysis of technical literature and current normative documentation on calculation of crack resistance and durability of cement concrete pavement on the reinforced concrete slab of road bridges is carried out.Conclusions. The analysis of prospects of application of a cement concrete covering on transport constructions is carried out in work.Keywords: road bridge, durability, reinforced concrete slab, crack formation, carriageway, crack resistance, cement concrete pavement
Application of processing fiber-plastic composite washing
Authors:   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе, Onyshchenko Artur , Garkusha Mykola ,   National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukrainе, Deli Оlena ,   ARMASTAR LLC, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Innovative, new materials are increasingly used in transport construction, among which composite materials are becoming widespread.Small bridges and elements of large bridges, such as roadway slabs, pavements, railings, composite reinforcement, reinforcement elements, are made of composite materials.Recently, the use of polymer composite materials for the manufacture of lightly loaded structural elements of transport structures, such as lighting poles, drainage trays, railings.Much attention should be paid to the fiberglass composite railing, which has a number of advantages over traditional metal fencing. Unfortunately, at present there are no clearly defined in Ukraine regulations on fiberglass composite fencing, so this topic is relevant and necessary for the transport industry.Problem Statement. From the literature analysis it is established that the railings of highways and sidewalks are in difficult operating conditions, are constantly exposed to aggressive environments - water, chemicals, salts.Goal. Increasing the durability of the railing by using new materials.Results. The analysis of production of a fiberglass profile is carried out. On the basis of the conducted researches the general requirements to a protection of fiberglass composite washing machine are established. On the basis of the current normative documents the classification of a protection on a place of installation, type of filling of a skeleton, a method of fastening of risers is developed. The paper presents the main parameters and dimensions of the fence. Material requirements are set. Methods of control of a protection with establishment of a technique of test of a protection on resistance to action of horizontal and vertical loadings are developed. Recommendations on installation and installation of a protection of fiberglass composite washing machine are offered.Conclusions. The research results were used in the development of technical conditions for the protection of fiberglass composite washing machine.Keywords: road, composite, bridge, fencing, profile, fiberglass, artificial construction
Federated Learning using Peer-to-peer Network for Decentralized Orchestration of Model Weights
Authors: Behera Monik Raj , upadhyay sudhir , Shetty Suresh , Otter Robert
Published: March 2021

In recent times, Machine learning and Artificial intelligence have become one of the key emerging fields of computer science. Many researchers and businesses are benefited by machine learning models that are trained by data processing at scale. However, machine learning, and particularly Deep Learning requires large amounts of data, that in several instances are proprietary and confidential to many businesses. In order to respect individual organization’s privacy in collaborative machine learning, federated learning could play a crucial role. Such implementations of privacy preserving federated learning find applicability in various ecosystems like finance, health care, legal, research and other fields that require preservation of privacy. However, many such implementations are driven by a centralized architecture in the network, where the aggregator node becomes the single point of failure, and is also expected with lots of computing resources at its disposal. In this paper, we propose an approach of implementing a decentralized, peer-topeer federated learning framework, that leverages RAFT based aggregator selection. The proposal hinges on that fact that there is no one permanent aggregator, but instead a transient, time based elected leader, which will aggregate the models from all the peers in the network. The leader ( aggregator) publishes the aggregated model on the network, for everyone to consume. Along with peer-to-peer network and RAFT based aggregator selection, the framework uses dynamic generation of cryptographic keys, to create a more secure mechanism for delivery of models within the network. The key rotation also ensures anonymity of the sender on the network too. Experiments conducted in the paper, verifies the usage of peer-to-peer network for creating a resilient federated learning network. Although the proposed solution uses an artificial neural network in it’s reference implementation, the generic design of the framework can accommodate any federated learning model within the network.
Competitiveness of a low specific power, low cut-out wind speed wind turbine in North and Central Europe towards 2050
Authors: Swisher Philip , Murcia Leon Juan Pablo , Gea Bermúdez Juan , Koivisto Matti Juhani , Aagaard Madsen Helge , Münster Marie
Published: March 2021

This work is part of an ongoing study, creatively named the "LowWind Project", which is a collaborative effort between DTU and industry to design and eventually implement a 3.4 MW 100 W/m^2 low wind (LW) turbine with a hub height of 127.5 m, a rotor diameter of 208 m, and a cut-out wind speed of 13 m/s. This paper investigates at what price point this LW turbine becomes competitive in Northern and Central Europe's energy system, as well as what impact the introduction of this technology has on the system. Similarly, the impact system flexibility has on LW investment is also analysed by limiting future transmission investment. Furthermore, this paper also analyses the amount of revenue this LW technology could generate compared to conventional turbines to further investigate the business case for this technology. The main finding here is that this LW technology begins to see investment at a 45% price increase over a conventional onshore wind turbine with an equal hub height (127.5 m) and a smaller rotor diameter (142 m vs 208 m). The addition of LW technology also leads to a reduction in transmission investment, and similarly, reductions in transmission capacity lead to further investment in LW technology. Lastly, it is shown that in the future Northern and Central European energy system, in wind dominated areas such as Denmark, this LW technology could generate revenues that are more than 120% higher than conventional turbines (per MW), making the case that this technology could be a worthy endeavor.
DeePay: Deep Learning Decodes EEG to Predict Consumer’s Willingness to Pay for Neuromarketing
Authors: Hakim Adam , Golan Itamar , Yefet Sharon , Levy Dino J.
Published: March 2021

There is an increasing
demand within consumer-neuroscience (or neuromarketing) for objective neural
measures to quantify consumers’ preferences and predict responses to marketing
campaigns. However, the properties of EEG datasets raise various difficulties
when performing predictions on them, such as the small size of data sets, high
dimensionality, the need for elaborate feature extraction, intrinsic noise, and
unpredictable between-subject variations. We aimed to overcome these
limitations by combining unique techniques within a Deep Learning (DL) framework,
while providing interpretable results for neuroscientific and decision-making
insight. In this study, we developed a DL model to predict subject-specific
preferences based on their EEG data. In each trial, 213 subjects observed a
product’s image, out of 72 possible products, and then reported how much they
were willing to pay (WTP) for the product. The DL employed EEG recordings from
product observation to predict the corresponding reported WTP values. Our
results showed 75.09% accuracy in
predicting high vs. low WTP, surpassing other models and a manual feature
extraction approach. Meanwhile, network visualizations provided the predictive
frequencies of neural activity and their scalp distributions, shedding light on
the neural mechanism involved with evaluation. In conclusion, we show that DLNs
may be the superior method to perform EEG-based predictions, to the benefit of
decision-making researchers and marketing practitioners alike.
A Robust Region Control Approach for Simultaneous Trajectory Tracking and Compliant Physical Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Li Xiangyun , LU QI , Chen Jiali , Jiang Ning , Li Kang
Published: March 2021

The robot manipulator is widely used in healthcare tasks owning to its advantages of the virus immunity, the intensive service capability, etc. For the safe and smooth robot-assisted healthcare task execution, real-time motion tracking controls and compliant physical human-robot interactions are concurrently important control objectives. In this work, the uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE)-based robust region tracking controller for a robot manipulator is developed. The regional feedback error is derived from the potential function to drive the robot manipulator end-effector converging into the target region, where the safe and compliant physical human-robot interaction can be achieved. Utilizing the back-stepping control approach, the regional feedback error is seamlessly integrated into the UDE-based control framework, where the UDE is employed to estimate and compensate unknown payloads, unmodeled dynamics and frictions. Due to the simple structure and strong robustness of the proposed method, only the minimum model information, i.e., a constant inertia matrix, is needed for implementation on multi-degrees of freedom robot manipulators without additional force/torque sensors. The Lyapunov method is used to analyze the stability of the closed-loop control system. With two 7 degrees of freedom(DoFs) redundant manipulators and one 6 DoFs nonredundant manipulator, experimental studies including 3D lemniscate trajectory tracking, human–robot interaction for bilateral rehabilitation and temperature measurement are carried out for controller effectiveness validation. Compared to benchmark adaptive region control method, the proposed approach achieves better robustness with 0.022 m less mean absolute errors and 0.022 m less root mean squared errors in the presence of model uncertainties.

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Paper, Commerce, and the Circulation of News: A Case-Study from Early Modern Malta
Authors: Zammit William
Published: March 2021

This contribution discusses the vital role of paper in the context of an early modern Mediterranean island-state. From a commerical, but also from a political perspective, the increased amount of seaborne communication not only characterised statehood but indeed made it possible. Paper-based communication was the main channel of formal but also of informal communication, with the latter comprising the exchange of news, rumours, and hearsay between the geographically isolated community and the rest of the Mediterranean and beyond. Such paper transactions comprised manuscript but also increasingly printed genres. The role of these and of other typologies of printed commercial literature went beyond a purely utilitarian one, as very often such forms included decorative iconographical representations asserting either political sovreignity or religious power. Paper-based communication enabled such an island community not simply to receive news but also to be a net distributer of it.
Introduction: Approaches to the Paper Revolution: The Registration and Communication of Knowledge, Value and Information
Authors: Pérez Fernández José María
Published: March 2021

Invented in China and brought to Europe by Muslim merchants across the Silk Road, the use of paper in the West took off in the Mediterranean towards the end of the Middle Ages. Overshadowed in cultural and media history by the invention of print, paper has played a fundamental role as the media infrastructure for innumerable processes involving the registration and communication of knowledge and value in communities and institutions, from religious orders, mercantile societies, to global empires.

This thematic section of Cromohs features four essays. Three essays examine particular cases of paper as a medium for the codification and exchange of knowledge, information and value, whereas the fourth outlines the state of the art on the history of the so-called paper revolution and methodological issues illustrated with relevant case studies. These essays exemplify the research conducted by the Paper in Motion workgroup within the People in Motion COST action.
From Exploitation Through Justice Towards Exploiting Justice
Authors: Jivegård David
Published: March 2021

This article argues that current iterations of solutions for preventing school segregation are constrained by an overreliance on particular representations of justice, in which the other is perceived as the responsible other. Studying the grounds for a decision to close a suburb school in Sweden, this article engages partly in an analysis on what implicit conception of justice that manifests itself, partly in exploring a conception of justice open towards a multiple and open-ended spatiality. It is argued that in order to imagine and construct such a spatiality, a majoritarian approach to justice must be abandoned in favour of a minoritarian one. Doing so, justice further needs to abandon a distribution of blame and responsibility and instead seek to pluralize forces flowing through different spatialities. A minoritarian approach to justice, I argue, can be envisioned by applying the concept of segmentarity as developed by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari.
Perlindungan Bagi Debitur Penerima Fasilitas Kredit Dimasa Pandemi Covid 19
Authors: Widi Nugrahaningsih  , Indah Wahyu Utami
Published: March 2021

Pandemi Covid-19 yang melanda Indonesia saat ini sangat mempengaruhi berbagai aspek kehidupan masyarakat khususnya ekonomi, yang berdampak pada kemampuan debitur penerima fasilitas kredit untuk melakukan kewajiban pembayaran. tujuan dari penelitian ini, untuk Mengetahui mengenai perlindungan hukum bagi Debitur penerima fasilitas kredit di masa pandemic covid 19. Jenis Penelitian, yaitu Penelitian hukum Sosiologis atau empiris. Lokasi penelitian, yaitu di Bank Sinarmas dan dirjen perundingan perdagangan. Teknik Pengumpulan data, yaitu wawancara, dan Studi Pustaka. Pendekatan yang digunakan yaitu pendekatan Kualitatif. Teknik analisa data yang digunakan yaitu, Reduksi Data (Data Reduction), Penyajian Data (Data Display), Penarikan Kesimpulan (Verifikasi). Hasil penelitian yaitu bahwa untuk melindungi debitur penerima fasilitas kredit dimasa pandemic covid-19 ini, pemerintah mengeluarkan kebijakan baik berupa kepres maupun keputusan OJK, sedangkan dari pihak lembaga perbankan, mereka sebagi pihak pelaksana dari kebijakan yang dibut oleh pemerintah. Kesimpulan, pemerintah telah memberikan perlindungan hukum bagi debitur penerima fasilitas kredit, berupa Keputusan Presiden Nomor 12 Tahun 2020 tentang Penetapan Bencana Non-Alam Penyebaran Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Sebagai Bencana Nasional. Dan Peraturan Otoritas Jasa Keuangan Republik Indonesia Nomor 11 /POJK.03/2020 Tentang Stimulus Perekonomian Nasional Sebagai Kebijakan Countercyclical Dampak Penyebaran Coronavirus Di Sease 2019.selanjutnya pihak bank melaksanakan kebijakan tersebut dengan memberikan stimulus bagi debitur.
Manajemen Program Peningkatan Kompetensi Keahlian Guru Mata Diklat Produktif di SMK Negeri 1 Adiwerna Kabupaten Tegal
Authors: Suyitno
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh informasi tentang Manajemen Peningkatan Kompetensi Keahlian guru mata diklat produktif, dari fungsi-fungsi manajemen yang meliputi perencanaan, pengorganisasian, pelaksanaan dan pengawasan yang ada di SMK Negeri Adiwerna Kabupaten Tegal. Penelitian ini mengguanakan pendekatan kualitatif yang dilakukan di SMK Negeri 1 Adiwerna Kabupaten Tegal. Sumber informasi yang digunakan sesuai dengan fokus penelitian ini yaituyang terdiri dari kepala Sekolah, Wakil Kepala Sekolah, Kepala Program Keahlian, guru mata diklat produktif dan siswa. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian iniadalah wawancara, observasi dan pencatatan isi. Teknik triangulasi dilakukan melalui wawancara, observasi langsung dan observasi tidak langsung. Analisis data dilakukan dengan teknik kualitataif model interaktif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa manajemen peningkatan kompetensi keahlian guru mata diklat produktif dilakukan dengan menggunakan fungsi-fungsi manajemen melalui perencanaan yang memperhatikan analisis kebutuhan, anggaran yang memadai dan waktu pelaksanaan dengan dasar pengajuan dari kepala program keahlian serta kesesuaian dengan materi pelajaran yang disampaikan ke siswa, alokasi anggaran sekolah yang harus mempertimbangkan kebutuhan anggota program sekolah lainnya, pengorganisasian dilakukan dengan pembagian kerja yang sesuai dengan tugas pokok dengan melalui pendelegasian wewenang yang jelas serta pengambilan keputusan berdasarkan mufakat
Pengaruh Pergerakan Makroekonomi Terhadap Pembiayaan Konstruksi Perbankan Syariah
Authors: Ahmad Sonjaya
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat dampak dari guncangan makroekonomi terhadap pembiayaan sektor konstruksi perbankan syariah dengan menggunakan vector error correction model menggunakan data bulanan dari januari 2010 sampai dengan desember 2018. Hasil menunjukkan pembiayaan sektor kontruksi lebih lambat mencapai kestabilan. Pada jangka pendek tidak satu pun yang memiliki pengaruh signifikan. Sedangkan pada jangka panjang variabel inflasi, indeks saham, dan krisis memiliki pengaruh signifikan. Pembiayaan perbankan syariah rata-rata mencapai kestabilan ketika memasuki periode kelima belas. Suku bunga mulai stabil ketika memasuki periode kelima belas. Nilai tukar mulai stabil ketika memasuki periode keempat belas. Inflasi mulai stabil ketika memasuki periode keenam belas. Indeks saham mulai stabil ketika memasuki periode kelima belas dan krisis mulai stabil ketika memasuki periode keenam belas. Secara umum yang memiliki kontribusi paling besar dalam membentuk keragaman adalah variabel pembiayaan perbankan syariah, kemudian inflasi, indeks saham, nilai tukar krisis dan yang paling kecil suku bunga.
Pemenuhan Hak Tahanan dalam Pelayanan Pendidikan dan Pengajaran Melalui Program Pemberantasan Buta Aksara di Rutan Kelas Iib Pemalang
Authors: Tenisia Agustin
Published: March 2021

Tulisan ini membahas tentang isu terpenuhinya hak dan Kewajiban Tahanan dalam rangka mewujudkan tujuan bangsa Indonesia ke-3 pada alinea ke-IV Pembukaan UUD 1945 yaitu “Mencerdaskan kehidupan bangsa” yang dilakukan pemerintah khususnya di lingkungan Rutan Kelas IIB Pemalang. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mempersiapkan Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan menjadi bangsa yang cerdas sesuai dengan tujuan bangsa Indonesia yang terdapat pada alinea ke-IV UUD 1945. Teknik pengumpulan data pada penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dengan sumber informan yaitu tahanan di Rutan Kelas IIB Pemalang. Metode yang digunakan yaitu metode Kualitatif dengan studi kasus dan jenis penelitian hukum ini bersifat empiris. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian perlu dilaksanakan suatu kegiatan pelatihan yang mampu mengatasi ketidakmampuan dalam membaca dan menulis yang dialami oleh tahanan maupun narapidana diharapkan dapat mempermudah proses komunikasi, dan mewujudkan tujuan bangsa Indonesia ke-3 pada alinea ke-IV UUD 1945.
Intertextuality in the News Articles on the Security Situation in Iraq
Authors: Khalil Instructor Huda Hadi
Published: March 2021

Intertextuality refers to the relationship with which texts are interwoven with each other. It is used to describe the range of ways in which texts make reference to other texts. Recently, mass media and modern technology has become a global issue and started influencing every individual. The information presented in the mass media affects the way people think. Thus, both form and content of mass media are of major importance. News article reporters need to be creative in their language and, at the same time, refer to facts and use common forms of language. Intertextuality is very common among mass media reporters because it is a powerful tool that serves their purposes. The present paper aims at analyzing the reasons which motivates reporters of the news articles on the security situation in Iraq to resort to intertextuality. The period between April and July 1214 is one in which the security situation in Iraq has been in turmoil. Therefore, twelve news articles belonging to the period above have been downloaded from the internet and analyzed carefully. The model adopted in the analysis is that of Bazerman (2004:5) for being a unified comprehensive scheme which covers all the types of techniques presented by other linguists. The analysis has revealed a heavy use of intertextuality in these news articles with particular focus on particular techniques rather than the others for certain reasons that serve the reporters’ purposes.
Figuring Out the Intended Meaning of Intonation in Some English Conversational Utterances
Authors: Farhan Mahmood Atiya , Hattab Huda Abed Ali
Published: March 2021

The study aims at figuring out the intended meaning of intonation in some English conversational utterances together with identifying pitch variations that are determined by various syntactic constructions that impart the same illocutionary force of utterances. However, intonation is needed to delimit the communicative forces of utterances by virtue of its structure which the speakers intend to convey .This paper consists of  four sections .Section one deals with phonology and its types .Section two discusses intonation in relation to style , forms and functions. Section three sheds some light on pragmatics. Section four deals in details with the intended meaning of intonation in some English conversational utterances. This paper comes up with meanings that are changed by virtue of ranges of intonation and pragmatics changes emotions from one person to another by rising or falling the voice of the speakers. In addition, the intended meaning function of intonation plays a role in determining the emotions of the speaker by ranges of intonation.