bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Useful Features for Computer-Aided Diagnosis Systems for Melanoma Detection Using Dermoscopic Images
Authors: Vocaturo Eugenio , Zumpano Ester
Published: December 2020

The development of performing imaging techniques is favoring the spread of artificial vision systems as support tools for the early diagnosis of skin cancers. Epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) is currently the most adopted technique through which it is possible to obtain very detailed images of skin lesions. Over time, melanoma spreads quickly, invading the body's organs through the blood vessels: an early recognition is essential to ensure decisive intervention. There are many machine learning approaches proposed to implement artificial vision systems operating on datasets made up of dermatoscopic images obtained using ELM technique. These proposals are characterized by the use of various specific features that make understanding difficult: the problem of defining a set of features that can allows good classification performance arises. The aim of this work is to identify reference features that can be used by new researchers as a starting point for new proposals.
Development of Rainfall Prediction Models Using Machine Learning Approaches for Different Agro-Climatic Zones
Authors: Naidu Diwakar , Majhi Babita , Chandniha Surendra Kumar
Published: December 2020

This study focuses on modelling the changes in rainfall patterns in different agro-climatic zones due to climate change through statistical downscaling of large-scale climate variables using machine learning approaches. Potential of three machine learning algorithms, multilayer artificial neural network (MLANN), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and least square support vector machine (LS-SVM) have been investigated. The large-scale climate variable are obtained from National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis product and used as predictors for model development. Proposed machine learning models are applied to generate projected time series of rainfall for the period 2021-2050 using the Hadley Centre coupled model (HadCM3) B2 emission scenario data as predictors. An increasing trend in anticipated rainfall is observed during 2021-2050 in all the ACZs of Chhattisgarh State. Among the machine learning models, RBFNN found as more feasible technique for modeling of monthly rainfall in this region.
Feature Engineering for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
Authors: Elhariri Esraa , El-Bendary Nashwa , Taie Shereen A.
Published: December 2020

Feature engineering is a key component contributing to the performance of the computer vision pipeline. It is fundamental to several computer vision tasks such as object recognition, image retrieval, and image segmentation. On the other hand, the emerging technology of structural health monitoring (SHM) paved the way for spotting continuous tracking of structural damage. Damage detection and severity recognition in the structural buildings and constructions are issues of great importance as the various types of damages represent an essential indicator of building and construction durability. In this chapter, the authors connect the feature engineering with SHM processes through illustrating the concept of SHM from a computational perspective, with a focus on various types of data and feature engineering methods as well as applications and open venues for further research. Challenges to be addressed and future directions of research are presented and an extensive survey of state-of-the-art studies is also included.
Machine Learning and Convolution Neural Network Approaches to Plant Leaf Recognition
Authors: K. V. N. Rajesh , D. Lalitha Bhaskari
Published: December 2020

Plants are very important for the existence of human life. The total number of plant species is nearing 400 thousand as of date. With such a huge number of plant species, there is a need for intelligent systems for plant species recognition. The leaf is one of the most important and prominent parts of a plant and is available throughout the year. Leaf plays a major role in the identification of plants. Plant leaf recognition (PLR) is the process of automatically recognizing the plant species based on the image of the plant leaf. Many researchers have worked in this area of PLR using image processing, feature extraction, machine learning, and convolution neural network techniques. As a part of this chapter, the authors review several such latest methods of PLR and present the work done by various authors in the past five years in this area. The authors propose a generalized architecture for PLR based on this study and describe the major steps in PLR in detail. The authors then present a brief summary of the work that they are doing in this area of PLR for Ayurvedic plants.
Reliability Analysis of Circular Footing by Using GP and MPMR
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Samui Pijush , Kumari Sunita , Dalkilic Yildirim Hüseyin
Published: December 2020

Circular footings are designed to bear a load of super structures. Studies have been done on the influence of soil properties on bearing capacity of shallow foundations. The use of circular foundation is practical in geotechnical engineering. During the design of circular footing, bearing capacity of soil is taken into consideration, and cohesion (c), unit weight (γ), and angle of internal friction (ϕ) are the most variable parameters. Reliability analysis is used frequently for the design of circular footing. Most of the authors have used first order second moment methods (FOSM). However, FOSM is a time-consuming method. Drawbacks of FOSM have been overcome by genetic programming (GP), minimax probability machine regression (MPMR). This article gives a distinct analysis between the developed MPMR based FOSM and GP-based FOSM.
Numerical Study of Optimal Location of Non-Circular Segmented Failure Surface in Soil Slope With Weak Soil Layer
Authors: Himanshu Navneet , Burman Avijit , Kumar Vinay
Published: December 2020

The article addresses stability analysis of complicated slopes having weak soil layer sandwiched between two strong layers. The search for critical failure surface and associated optimum/minimum factor of safety (FOS) among all potential failure surfaces can be posed as an optimization problem. Two different variants of particle swarm optimization (PSO) models, namely inertia weight-based PSO (IW-PSO) and contemporary standard PSO (CS-PSO), are used to obtain optimum global solution. Detailed comparison between the global optimum solutions obtained from two PSO variants and the effect of swarm size is studied. The performance of IW-PSO and CS-PSO are studied by observing the convergence behavior of the respective algorithms with respect to iteration count. The influence of velocity clamping on the optimized solution is investigated and its use is found beneficial as it prevents the solution from overflying the region with global best solution. The studies related to swarm diversity demonstrating the exploitation and exploration behaviors of the algorithms are also presented.
Fuzzy Vikor Application for Learning Management Systems Evaluation in Higher Education
Authors: Ayouni Sarra , Menzli Leila Jamel , Hajjej Fahima , Maddeh Mohamed , Al-Otaibi Shaha
Published: December 2020

Adopting learning management systems (LMS) in higher education has become a major focus of interest to implement e-learning. Evaluating the quality of LMS is important to improve learner outcomes and promote teaching strategy. Many LMSs are emerging and thus assisting higher institutions to choose the adequate LMS becomes crucial especially under fuzzy environment where uncertainties and subjectivities are considered. Because of this, the paper proposes a quality framework inspired from ISOLIEC 9126 to evaluate and rank proprietary, open source and cloud-based LMSs. Then a Fuzzy Vikor (VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) technique is applied for instantiating the proposed framework criteria and selecting alternatives from three LMSs adopted in Saudi Arabia universities. The obtained results show that the most important criteria for decision makers in these institutions are equally understandability and time behavior. In addition, the open source Moodle was set as the appropriate LMS to meet higher institutions standards.
Dependency, Satisfaction, and Psycho-Social Characteristics as Correlates of Cell Phone Use by Library and Information Science Undergraduate Students
Authors: Tella Adeyinka
Published: December 2020

The study examined dependency, satisfaction, and psychosocial characteristics as correlates of cell phone use by library and information science (LIS) undergraduate students. Using survey, 253 undergraduates represent the sample for the study. Five research questions were developed and answered. The results of the psychosocial characteristics' correlation with the cell phone use reveal that self-efficacy had the highest correlation with the cell phones use (r = 0.74), followed by self-esteem (r = 0.69), entertainment (r = 0.37), and social interaction (r = 0.33). Anxiety had the lowest correlation (r = 0.23), but still correlates positively with LIS students' cell phones use. Self-efficacy contributed most to the prediction of LIS students' cell phone use (Beta value =.299), followed in declining order of strength by dependency (Beta = .292), self-esteem (Beta =.182), satisfaction (Beta =.177), social interaction (Beta = .111), and entertainment (Beta = .106).
Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities of Change Through Electronic Collaboration
Authors: Linnes Cathrine
Published: December 2020

Globalization is a key reason why an organization outsources its activities or creates virtual teams to remain competitive in today's international market. Organizations are utilizing new technologies to become more efficient and employees frequently collaborate by using e-tools at work. Today´s workers are faced with a fast-paced work environment with frequently changing requirements and digital innovations. Keeping up with the development can be a challenge. Incorporating e-collaboration into the student learning process is, therefore, crucial to the modern learning environment as it prepares students to work in teams. This has become even more important now after the COVID-19. The pandemic has forced universities to go online at a record speed and the workforce to work from home. This study looks at the e-collaboration success, challenges, perception, and tools and delves into a quantitative study of graduate students who have been working on semester-long corporate projects in the information systems discipline.
Do Pregnant Women Using Smartphones Care About Their Privacy?
Authors: Jacob Rachel , Rani Devika
Published: December 2020

With a gigantic growth in internet and application usage, especially with the use of smartphones, ‘privacy' concerns reverberates and dealing with privacy issues from such an arena is a new task for many researchers. This wide usage of mobile application and internet opens up Pandora's box – ‘privacy concerns'. This paper tries to understand the privacy concern hovering among pregnant women. The study found that education, mHealth literacy, mobile app usage, and employment is a robust predictor of HIPC. However, age, social-economic status, maternity benefit scheme membership, pregnancy apps usage, mobile spending, mobile basic services usage does not play a significant role in HIPC. Overall, the results suggest that as users' awareness level on privacy policies and issues increase, privacy concern decreases.
A Risk Perception Indicator to Evaluate the Migration of Government Legacy Systems to the Cloud
Authors: Costa Breno , Barreto Priscila Solis
Published: December 2020

Cloud computing is a new platform that offers potential cost reduction and reduced infrastructure management effort. Organizations are migrating legacy systems to the cloud to take advantage of its benefits. In this work, the authors propose a risk perception indicator (RPI) to bring objectivity to the decision about which systems could be migrated and about their migration order. The main goal of this article is to validate the RPI in the government domain. Through a case study with three government legacy systems and an experimental analysis based on a survey with 248 IT government employees, the RPI was evaluated and adjusted. The adjustments were made based on survey's results and appear to improve its accuracy and representativeness. The results showed that the use of the reference model and the risk perception indicator is sound and important regarding government legacy systems migration to the cloud.
What Is Social and What Is Mediated in “Social Media”?
Authors: Sonesson Göran
Published: December 2020

Reflecting the multiple ambiguities of its ordinary language use, the current scholarly use of the term(s) “medium”/“media” is fraught with contradictions. Starting out from the insight that the nucleus of any kind of communication is an act, in which an addresser presents an artefact and a task of interpretation to an addressee, which the latter is called upon to fulfil, anything else that accrues to this simple model (including “transport” and “encoding,” which defines the classic communication model) constitutes further levels of mediation and thus involves kinds of factors which come in between the addresser and the addressee. Any semiotically informed media theory needs to account for the different nature of these mediations, which can here only be done summarily. On this basis, the paper will embark on the task of making sense of the popular notion of “social media,” asking in what sense it is a medium (or perhaps several distinct media), and in what sense it is social.
A Perception-Based Model for Mobile Commerce Adoption in Vietnamese Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Chau Ngoc Tuan , Deng Hepu , Tay Richard
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates the critical determinants for the adoption of mobile commerce (m-commerce) in Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the perspective of managers. A perception-based conceptual model is developed with respect to the technology-organization-environment framework. The conceptual model is then tested and validated using structural equation modelling on the data collected from 513 SMEs in Vietnam. The study shows that perceived benefits, perceived compatibility, perceived security, perceived organizational readiness, and perceived customer pressures are critical for the adoption of m-commerce. As the first study on the critical determinants for m-commerce adoption in Vietnam, these findings are useful for SME managers as well as policymakers in designing policies as strategies to promote the wide development and diffusion of m-commerce in SMEs in Vietnam and other developing countries.
The Impact of Customer Relationship Management Systems on Dynamic Capabilities at Firms
Authors: Gallego-Gomez Cristina , De-Pablos-Heredero Carmen , Montes-Botella José Luis
Published: December 2020

The banking industry has been forced to restructure its processes to get adapted to a more technological environment as a consequence of the changes experienced in the market. Academic literature has paid special attention to the most critical relationship at firms, customers. Customer relationship management (CRM) offers good opportunities to increase efficiencies in this relationship. For this reason, this research analyses to what extent the implementation of CRM systems in the banking industry has offered good results in terms of dynamic capabilities. For that, some dynamic capabilities have been identified after CRMs implementation process has taken place. A theoretical model has been built and empirically validated by means of a representative sample of banking firms applying structural equation model analysis (SEM). Results show how firms, by properly implementing CRM systems, can reach dynamic capabilities. As main practical implications for firms, it is interesting to orient CRMs implementation to reach dynamic capabilities.
Blowing Ratio Effect on Film Cooling Performance for a Row Holes Installed in Different Trench Configurations
Authors: Boualem Khadidja , Azzi Abbes
Published: December 2020

In the present study, a numerical analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of cooling hole embedded in different trenched designs (triangular trench, semi-cylindrical trench and corrugated trench) in improving the film cooling efficiency over a flat plate. These concepts are compared to the rectangular trenched and the traditional cylindrical hole. The commercial software ANSYS CFX 18 was used to conduct a series of required numerical calculations. The centerline and laterally averaged film cooling effectiveness and total pressure loss coefficient for the five cases are analyzed at three blowing ratios, M=0.5, M=1.0 and M=1.5. Results show a uniform coverage is obtained by hole installed in trench. The main result obtained in this paper that the cooling hole with corrugated trench enhance the film cooling effectiveness with less total pressure loss. The main result of this study reveals that the jet installed in the trenches yield a better film cooling effectiveness especially at higher blowing ratios (M≥1).
A Case for Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase–Targeted Therapy for Infectious Disease
Authors: Adefemi Folayemi , Fruman David A. , Marshall Aaron J.
Published: December 2020

PI3Ks activate critical signaling cascades and have multifaceted regulatory functions in the immune system. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in the PI3Kδ isoform have revealed that this enzyme can substantially impact immune responses to infectious agents and their products. Moreover, reports garnered from decades of infectious disease studies indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of the PI3K pathway could potentially be effective in limiting the growth of certain microbes via modulation of the immune system. In this review, we briefly highlight the development and applications of PI3K inhibitors and summarize data supporting the concept that PI3Kδ inhibitors initially developed for oncology have immune regulatory potential that could be exploited to improve the control of some infectious diseases. This repurposing of existing kinase inhibitors could lay the foundation for alternative infectious disease therapy using available therapeutic agents.
IncRNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 promotes proliferation and migration of thyroid cancer cell lines by targeting miR-519e-5p/YWHAH
Authors: Zhou Yan , Liu Shanshan , Luo Yan , Zhang Meiying , Jiang Xueling , Xiong Yan
Published: December 2020

Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumour of the endocrine system and ranks ninth in cancer incidence worldwide. An extensive body of evidence has demonstrated that lncRNAs play a critical role in the progression of thyroid cancer. The lncRNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 has been reported to be abnormally expressed and to play a role in the development of various human cancers. However, MAPKAPK5-AS1’s potential role in thyroid cancer progression remains unknown. The objective of our study was to explore the role and mechanism of MAPKAPK5-AS1 in thyroid cancer cells and provide a potential target for its biological diagnosis and treatment. We transfected sh-MAPKAPK5-AS1 and sh-NC into BCPAP and TPC-1 cells for loss-of-function assays. Results of RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that MAPKAPK5-AS1 was more highly expressed in thyroid cancer cells compared to normal cells. Functional assays demonstrated that interfering with the expression of MAPKAPK5-AS1 notably repressed proliferation and invasion and accelerated apoptosis of BCPAP and TPC-1 cells. Mechanistically, we found that miR-519e-5p was negatively regulated by MAPKAPK5-AS1 and that tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein eta (YWHAH) was a target of miR-519e-5p. Additionally, rescue assays demonstrated that downregulation of MAPKAPK5-AS1 expression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis by sponging miR-519e-5p, thereby increasing YWHAH expression. Ultimately, our study revealed that MAPKAPK5-AS1 promotes proliferation and migration of thyroid cancer cells by targeting the miR-519e-5p/YWHAH axis, which provides novel insight into the development and progression of thyroid cancer.
О диагностическом тесте при сдвигах с фиксированным замещающим набором
Authors: Antyufeev Grigoriy Valer'evich
Published: December 2020

Рассматривается источник неисправностей, при действии которого функции неисправности получаются из исходной функции $f({\tilde{x}}^n)\in P_2^n$ сдвигом значений булевых переменных влево на число позиций, не превышающее $n$. На освободившиеся позиции переменных значения выбираются из заранее выбранного замещающего набора $\tilde \gamma = (\gamma_1,\gamma_2,…,\gamma_n) \in E^n_2$, который также надвигается влево на число позиций, соответствующее конкретной функции неисправности. Рассматривается задача диагностики такого рода неисправностей. Доказано, что функция Шеннона $L_{\tilde{\gamma}}^shifts, diagn(n)$, равная минимально необходимой длине тестов для диагностики любой булевой функции от $n$ аргументов относительно описанного источника неисправностей, удовлетворяет следующим неравенствам: $\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil \leq L_{\tilde{\gamma}}^shifts, diagn(n) \leq n$.
Новая нижняя оценка наименьшего числа ребер простого однородного гиперграфа без свойства $B_k$
Authors: Demidovich Yurii Aleksandrovich
Published: December 2020

Гиперграф $H=(V,E)$ обладает свойством $B_k$, если существует такая раскраска множества $V$ в два цвета, что в каждом ребре содержится по крайней мере $k$ вершин каждого цвета. Гиперграф называется простым, если любые два его ребра имеют не более одной общей вершины. В статье получена новая нижняя оценка для наименьшего количества ребер $n$-однородного простого гиперграфа, не обладающего свойством $B_k$.
Система группового обслуживания трех очередей со сбалансированным поступлением заявок
Authors: Savelov M P
Published: December 2020

Рассматривается система группового обслуживания трех очередей. В каждый момент времени $t = 1, 2, \ldots$ с некоторой вероятностью в систему поступает заявка, выбирает две случайные очереди и направляется в более короткую из них. Как только в каждой очереди оказывается не менее одной заявки, мгновенно обслуживается по одной заявке из каждой очереди. С помощью функций Ляпунова установлен критерий эргодичности цепи Маркова, соответствующей этой системе обслуживания. Найдено предельное совместное распределение длин очередей, описана связь с задачей о сбалансированном размещении частиц по ячейкам. В соответствующей задаче о сбалансированном размещении частиц найдено предельное распределение размаха, т.е. разности между максимальным и минимальным заполнениями ячеек.
ITIS Phrase Lists (International Traveler Information Systems)™ SET File
Authors:   V2X Core Technical Committee
Published: December 2020

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Gross Margin Analysis of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Genotypes As Influenced By Sowing Dates
Authors: Görkem ÖRÜK  , Nizamettin TURAN
Published: December 2020

In this study the economic performance of different sowing times of alfalfa cultivars were examined. Plots were established in 2015-2017 period, in the area of Siirt University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops,in Turkey. The randomized split block experimental design with three replications was applied in the study. Main plots were consisted from the genotypes and the subplots were consisted from the sowing times. The experimental material comprised of four alfalfa genotypes, three different planting times.  The gross margin analysis were used to analyse the data for the study. Gross margin, indicator per unit area was used to evaluate of production success level and compare economic efficiency of different dates of planting for alfalfa genotypes. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test used for data normality test and analysis of variance used to analyze the differences between group means. As a result, maximum gross margin was obtanied at Magnum V planted on 5th April (D2) in 2017, while Nimet planted on 30th April (D3) in 2015 have the minimum gross margin (-13.61).
Siirt Ekolojik Koşullarında Ekmeklik ve Makarnalık Buğdayda Uygun Ekim Zamanının Belirlenmesi
Authors: Çağdaş Can TOPRAK  , Fatih ÇIĞ  , Yeşim TOĞAY
Published: December 2020

Bu çalışma Siirt ekolojik koşullarında ekmeklik ve makarnalık buğday çeşitlerinde uygun ekim zamanını belirlemek amacıyla 2015-2016 yetiştirme sezonunda yürütülmüştür. Araştırma materyali olarak bölgede yoğun olarak yetiştiriciliği yapılan ekmeklik buğday (Ceyhan 99) ve makarnalık buğday (Artuklu) çeşitleri kullanılarak, 5 farklı zamanda (1 Ekim, 15 Ekim, 1 Kasım, 15 Kasım ve 25 Kasım) ekim yapılmıştır. Çalışmada bitki boyu, başak Boyu, metrekaredeki başak sayısı, başakta tane Sayısı, bin tane ağırlığı, biyolojik verim, tane verimi,  hasat indeksi, kardeş sayısı,10 başak ağırlığı ve hektolitre ağırlığı incelenmiştir. Elde edilen verilere göre incelenen kriterler arasında bulunan bitki boyu, başak boyu, bardeş bayısı, betrekaredeki başak sayısı, başakçık sayısı, başakta tane sayısı, bin tane ağırlığı ve biyolojik verim değerleri arasinda istatistiksel olarak önemli farklar bulunmuştur. İncelenen karakterler arasında en yüksek tane verimi değeri Artuklu buğday çeşidinde II. ekim zamanında 908.97 kg/da ve Ceyhan 99 buğday çeşidinden III. ekim zamanından 866.00 kg/da olarak elde edilmiştir. Bu araştırma sonucunda Siirt ekolojik koşullarında en uygun ekim zamanının ekmeklik buğdayda 28 Ekim; makarnalık buğdayda ise 14 Ekim tarihinde olduğu ortaya konulmuştur.
Structural, Morphological and Dielectric Studies of Sol Gel Derived Gd Doped SrTiO3-δ
Authors: Kaur Ramanjeet , Tyagi Anand K.
Published: December 2020

Gadolinium doped SrTiO3-δ i.e. Sr1-xGdxTiO3-δ for various values of ‘x’ have been successfully synthesized using sol gel technique in the reported work. XRD patterns of the obtained ceramics are found to be sharp and well defined having no impurity phases for all the compositions. Lattice parameter ‘a’ decreases with increase in the amount of Gadolinium. XRD, FESEM and EDX studies confirm the formation of Sr1-xGdxTiO3-δ ceramics with required cubic structure. FESEM/EDX analysis reveals that ceramics possess high density with marginal inter-granular porosity. The dielectric studies show that the synthesized samples possess high dielectric constants, high ac conductivity and low loss factors which further improve with gadolinium doping
Skyscapes of the Mesolithic/Neolithic Transition in Western England
Authors: Armstrong Pamela
Published: December 2020

This paper explores the skyscapes of central southern England during the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition. It suggests that those who built the structures known as the Cotswold-Severn tombs embedded architectural details within their monuments that linked to celestial horizon events for both navigational and calendrical purposes. The architectural designs found within the tombs are analysed for evidence of a cultural engagement with landscape archaeology and the sky. This period witnessed a transition between two eras, so this research considers the possibility that there may also have been a shift in the type of skywatching practised by those inhabiting this landscape during this time of change.
North as a Sacred Direction? Traces of a Prehistoric North-South Route Across Pembrokeshire
Authors: Pritchard Olwyn
Published: December 2020

The King’s Quoit dolmen perches precariously halfway up a headland in south Wales. Its location has been an enigma since Victorian times. The monument builders chose not the spectacular sea views of the south-facing slope, but the apparently more mundane inland vista of the north side, with a near horizon comprising a low ridge on the far side of a small valley, now a beach. Previous research by the author into the astronomical possibilities at this site have revealed horizon indicators for cardinal north, in the form of earth mounds which appear to have marked the lower culminations of Deneb and Vega, as they dipped down to the horizon and rose again during the third and fourth millennium BCE. This has led to another discovery, namely, that a still traceable route way of roads and footpaths leads north from this monument across Pembrokeshire, passing close by several Neolithic monuments and settlements as it does so, before reaching a sheltered bay and another, south facing, dolmen on the north coast. The southern end of this possible ancient trackway is located on Carmarthen Bay, and the northern end, on Cardigan Bay. Both bays encompass a lengthy stretch of relatively sheltered coastal and estuarine water.
Land, Sea and Skyscape: Two Case Studies of Man-made Structures in the Azores Islands
Authors: Pimenta Fernando , Ribeiro Nuno , Joaquinito Anabela , Rodrigues António Félix , Costa Antonieta , Silva Fabio
Published: December 2020

The exploration of the Mediterranean seascape goes back to the foragers of the early Holocene period around the ninth millennium BCE. Two case studies in the Azores islands show possible integration of elements of landscape, seascape and skyscape in the way two different types of artificial structures were aligned. The major axes of the Maroiço structures from Pico Island may have been aligned on the summit of Pico Mountain and, reciprocally, on the setting sun at the summer solstice over the neighbouring Faial Island. The artificial caves near the sea excavated in Monte Brasil, Terceira Island, may have integrated solar calendrical marks, especially for the Equinox sunset over the distant S. Jorge Island.
Effects of Diagenesis on the Reservoir Quality in the Upper Sands of Lower Goru Formation, Badin Block, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Authors: Agheem Muhammad Hassan , Dars Humaira , Solangi Sarfraz Hussain , Markhand Akhtar Hussain , Sahito Ali Ghulam , Khokhar Qamaruddin , Thebo Ghulam Mustafa , Shaikh Shahid Ali
Published: December 2020

The core samples of B member of upper sand reservoir rocks of the lower Goru Formation from three wellsof the Badin block were studied using thin section, XRD, and SEM techniques to investigate the diagenetic trends andtheir effect on reservoir quality. Microscopic study indicates that the B sand unit is mature with quartz as thepredominant mineral constituent with variable amount of feldspar and lithic minerals. The QFL plot indicates that mostof the samples are plotted in the field of quartz arenite, sub-litharenite and sub-arkose respectively. A few samplesbelong to the category of litharenite and feldspathic litharenite. The feldspars were partially to completely altered tokaolinite and other clay minerals. Coarse-crystalline or micro-crystalline calcite is the predominant cementing material.Bulk rock XRD analysis also confirms that the main mineral constituents of there samples are quartz and calcite invariable proportions. The undulose extinction and fracturing of quartz grains indicate that the area remained understress. Moreover, such fracturing is post-depositional and therefore is the product of late diagenesis. Scanning ElectronMicroscopic (SEM) images at 50 micrometer (μm) size show irregular type of fracturing within the quartz grains. Thislate stage fracturing of quartz has also generated various types of channels which may serve as secondary porosity. Thequartz overgrowth was observed in some samples due to late stage diagenesis. The micro-crystalline cement in the formof calcite is mostly present within the pores in fractured quartz. The results indicate that the diagenesis played asignificant role in improving the reservoir characteristics of B sand by increasing the porosity due to quartz fracturing,feldspar dissolution, alteration and quartz corrosion. Hence, better understanding of reservoir heterogeneities inporosity through diagenetic studies can be helpful in evaluating potential reservoir horizons for hydrocarbonaccumulation on spatial and temporal scales.
Are Neural Network Models Truly Effective at Forecasting? An Evaluation of Forecast Performance of Traditional Models with Neural Network Model for the Macroeconomic Data of G-7 Countries
Authors: Fraz Tayyab Raza , Fatima Samreen
Published: December 2020

Forecasting macroeconomic and financial data are always difficult task to the researchers. Various statisticaland econometrics techniques have been used to forecast these variables more accurately. Furthermore, in the presenceof structural break, linear models are failed to model and forecast. Therefore, this study examines the forecastingperformance of economic variables of G7 countries: France, Italy, Canada, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom andUnited States of America using non-linear autoregressive neural network (ARNN) model, linear auto regressive (AR)and Auto regressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) models. The economic variables are inflation,exchange rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the period from 1970 to 2015. To measure theperformance of the considered model Root, Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Error and Mean Absolute PercentageError are used. The results show that the forecasts from the non-linear neural network model are undoubtedly better ascompared to the AR and the Box–Jenkins ARIMA models.
Enrique Soriano: Una vocación que crece a través de la investigación
Authors: Fajardo Estefanía
Published: December 2020

Estuvo entre Ingeniería y Medicina, poco a poco descubrió lo que quería ser y cuál sería el camino por el que transitaría en su vida profesional. Le gusta hablar de su familia, de deportes y de música, así como de las investigaciones que lidera. Una vocación que creció con el tiempo y que hoy transmite a quienes enseña.
POSSIBILITIES FOR OPTIMAL DESIGN OF A CAR TIRE BASED ON A CRITERION OF SPATIAL STRENGTH BALANCE
Authors:   BELSHINA JSC, KHOTKO Alexander V. , SHIL’KO Sergey V. ,   V.A. Belyi Metal-Polymer Research Institute of the NAS of Belarus, BUHAROV Sergey N. ,   V.A. Belyi Metal-Polymer Research Institute of the NAS of Belarus
Published: December 2020

A procedure is proposed for calculating the internal profile and optimal distribution of materials for a pneumatic car tire in a mold configuration. To adequately describe the elastic-dissipative properties of tire rubbers and rubber-cord composites, nonlinear elastic deformation Mooney–Rivlin model and viscoelastic Prony model as well as experimental data of static and dynamic tests are considered. An algorithm for finite element analysis of the stress-strain state of a passenger car tire is described in the MSC.Marc software package, and results of numerical solution of applied problems are presented on the tire landing on the rim and its loading with working pressure, as well as on the contact interaction of a passenger car tire with the road surface at maximum operating load at rest and during stationary rolling at a speed of 90 km/h. It was found that the contact loading of the tire when interacting with the road surface does not lead to a significant difference in the deformed state in the zone opposite diametrically to the contact zone from that for a tire mounted on a rim and loaded with excess operating pressure. In this case, the nature of the distribution of strains in the radial section near the contact zone of the tire with the road surface is the same under conditions of compression and stationary rolling. Areas of concentration of equivalent stresses and strains in the bead zone of the tire and in the zone of the edges of the breaker are revealed. For a quick comparison of competing tire designs, it is recommended to calculate the average values of the total strain energy density per wheel revolution. The developed calculation methods make it possible to predict the performance characteristics of automobile tires at the design stage and are tested in the manufacturing of these products.
PREDICTION OF FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS FOR A NANOSTRUCTURED POLYMER-CERAMIC COATING ON THE BASIS OF ANODIC OXIDES OF METALS
Authors:   V.A. Belyi Metal-Polymer Research Institute of the NAS of Belarus, SHIL’KO Sergey V. , CHERNOUS Dmitriy A. ,   V.A. Belyi Metal-Polymer Research Institute of the NAS of Belarus, PLIGOVKA Andrey ,   Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics
Published: December 2020

Strength and strain sensitivity of a thin polymer-ceramic coating in the form of a nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide impregnated with a piezoelectric polymer are studied. The coating is considered as a unidirectionally reinforced composite containing cylindrical polymer fibers oriented perpendicular to the coating surface. A three-phase micromechanical model of the specified material is proposed and the stress-strain state of the coating under the influence of uniformly distributed pressure is analyzed. As a result of solving the related problem of electroelasticity, calculated estimates of the specific piezoelectric sensitivity of the coating used as a pressure sensor and the maximum allowable pressure were obtained according to the strength criteria of the ceramic matrix and the plastic flow of the polymer filler. The article shows dependences of the indicated parameters on the volumetric content of the polymer for the coating, adhesively bonded to a non-deformable foundation and freely (without friction) lying on the foundation. At low volume content of polymer, the strength loss of coating is caused by local failure of matrix. At high filler content the transition of polymer into plastic state precedes to the beginning of matrix failure. After increasing the filler content above 80 % the value of maximal pressure according to yield criteria for polymer filler scarcely changes.
THE FIRST DATA ON THE MEIOBENTHOS OF LAKE NERO
Authors: Gusakov V.
Published: December 2020

The paper provides the first results of a study of the qualitative and quantitative structure of the community of bottom meiofauna (meiobenthos) in shallow, hypereutrophic Lake Nero (Volga River basin, Yaroslavl region, Russia). In the samples, collected in early September 2017, 106 representatives from 16 systematic groups of aquatic organisms were found. About half of them had not been previously recorded in the lake's fauna. The species composition of Gastrotricha, Nematoda, Tardigrada, Acari, Harpacticoida, and Ostracoda was analyzed in the water body for the first time. It is established that at the end of the vegetation season, the lake's meiobenthos characterizes by relatively high species richness, diversity, and quantitative parameters. The circle of the main (dominant) community members in the studied period was outlined.
MACROFAUNA OF INVERTEBRATE OF LAKE NERO
Authors: Pryanichnikova E. , Zhgareva N.
Published: December 2020

The taxonomic composition of macrobenthos of Lake Nero and the mouth area of the river Sarah are shown. The main part of the benthos in the summer in the lake is formed by larvae of amphibiotic insects – chironomids, biting midges and mayflies. The macrobenthos of the lake and the mouth of the Sara River can be characterized as chironomid species complex. Relative to the results of previous studies, changes occurred in the dominant complex, a decrease in the total biomass of macroinvertebrates was noted. Together with a decrease in the species diversity, the only one dominant species (Chironomus f.l. plumosus) indicates a decrease in the homogeneity of the structure of benthic communities and its simplification. A decrease in the species richness, occurrence and density of oligochaetes was observed in comparison with the data of other studies. In contrast benthic communities, aquatic plants biotopes can be characterized as more favorable for both benthic and fitophilic invertebrates. The large number of invertebrate species makes it possible to evaluate the thicket as a biotope with very favorable environmental conditions. Rheophilic, limnophilic and obligate benthic species occurring here can coexist, rising from the bottom into thickets with a favorable oxygen regime, which allows them to survive in conditions of oxygen deficiency.
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF VIRECHANA AND VRANABASTI IN TREATING CHRONIC VENOUS ULCER- A CASE REPORT
Authors: Pavitra Hombanna  , Gopikrishna B J  , Sahanasheela K R  , Shyam Warma
Published: December 2020

Sushruta has explained various methods for Vrana Chikitsas. Virechana is vital to remove the vitiated Dosha from the body in turn normalize them and prevent recurrence of the wound. The local application of Vranabasti is one of the best substitutes for of chronic wound healing and Jathyadi Taila has better Shodhana & Ropana effect. Case: A case of 45 year old man, who presented with complaints of two venous ulcers in medial and lateral aspect of right ankle associated with pain, discharge, slough, oedema and discolouration of the skin since 2 years has been taken for the current study. Method: After initial Deepana and Pachana, Snehapana was administered with Mahatiktaka Ghrita. After Abhyantara and Bahya Snehana and Svedana, Virechana was administered with Avipattikara Churna. Vranabasti, was done every day for 30 minutes after the Samsarjana Karma Results: There was significant improvement in the size of the wound and nature of the surrounding tissues. Conclusion: The combination of Virechana and Vranabasti can be used as a line of treatment for the management of Chronic Venous Ulcer.
SUBCUTANEOUS INTRALESIONAL INJECTION OF KSHARODHAKA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF WARTS - A CASE STUDY
Authors: Anupama Devasia  , M.M Abdul Shukkoor
Published: December 2020

Warts are benign epithelial hyperplasia manifesting mostly due to infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). The condition may affect the patient with or without pain, itching etc. Wart can became a stressful cosmetic problem. The references of Charmakeela in Kshudraroga adhikara in the Ayurvedic classics have a very close clinical proximity with warts. Kshara is one among the treatment choice for Charmakeela and used in Pratisaraneeya kshara form. Subcutaneous intralesional injection is one among the upgraded modalities of Pratisaraneeya ksharakarma. Kshara used as Ksharodhaka for this procedure. A 24 years old female patient with a common wart over the thumb visited the Salyatantra OPD, Govt. Ayurveda College Hospital Tripuithura in June 2019. The lesion was painless and without itching and was developed within a period of one month. The patient was undertaken for subcutaneous intralesional injection of Aragwadha ksharodhaka following proper lab investigations. The patient did not developed any adverse reactions or pain during the procedure. It was observed that, the wart shed off within a period of 7 days. There was no visible ulceration over the site of wart and healing happened leaving a minimum scar. Also there was visible healthy skin formation.
MODE OF ACTION OF STHANIK CHIKITSA IN COMMONLY USED IN STREE ROGA
Authors: Priyanka Teva  , Kalpna Sharma  , Hem Prakash
Published: December 2020

Yoni Roga do not occur without vitiation of Apana Vata, thus first of all Vata should be normalized then treatment of other Doshas should be done. Sthanika Chikitsa (local therapies) prescribed by ancient Acharyas as Yoni Prakshalana (cleansing of vagina), Yoni Pichu (medication soaked tampon place in the vagina), Yoni Purana (vaginal packing), Yoni Lepa (semisolid drug applied in vaginal wall), Yoni Varti (vaginal suppository), Yoni Dhoopana (vaginal fumigation) & Uttarbasti (medicated oil/Ghrita pushed in the uterine cavity). For better result of this therapy the appropriate knowledge of mode of action of drug ought to be important. Our Acharyas very well know the mode of action of this Sthanika Chikitsa and describe the specific Sthanika Chikista according to different Yoni- Vyapada or vitiated Doshas. The reason behind for chosen the vaginal route because of the rugae of the vaginal epithelium create a invoulted surface and results in a large surface area provide, this large surface area allows the trans-epithelial absorption of medications via the vaginal route & the posterior fornix have rich blood supply so actively absorption of drug. The main objective of this literature to find out the probable mode of action of special drug in specific Sthanik Chikitsa.
A CASE OF SENSONEURAL HEARING LOSS MANAGED WITH HOMOEOPATHIC SIMILIMUM- AN EVIDENCE BASED CASE REPORT
Authors: Aman Deep Kaushal
Published: December 2020

Sensoneural hearing loss (SNHL) is most common form of hearing loss world-wide. SNHL results from lesions of the cochlea, 8th nerve and central auditory pathways. The causes of SNHL may be congenital, traumatic, infectious, inflammatory, iatrogenic, neoplastic and senile. The development of drugs to treat or prevent SNHL has proven challenging. In modern system of medicine this disease is difficult to treat as treatment is directed towards cause only. Rehabilitation with hearing aids and other devices are also necessary for management of such cases. This article is about a patient of 73 years of age, who was suffering from senile SNHL and improved with homoeopathic medicine, Baryta carb 200, and without need of hearing aid device.
THE EXPLORATION OF NUMEROUS DIMENSIONS OF SNIGDHA AND RUKSHA GUNA – A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Aparna Shanbhag  , Shreevatsa
Published: December 2020

The Srushti, Sthiti and Laya of entire universe is under the control of Snigdha and Ruksha guna. Srushtiutpatthi is because of Ruksha and Snigdha guna together. Sthithi is because of the predominance of Snigdha guna and Laya is because of predominance of Ruksha guna. The entire universe is balanced by their equal participation. Based on Loka Purusha Samya Siddhanta, these Gunas in Dravya as well as in Shareera has to be understood and subsequently utilized. Because, Guna is in inseparable relation with Dravya and Dravya imparts Guna in Shareera. Hence the main Aim of the study is to compile and analyze the physiological pathological and therapeutical aspects of Snigdha and Ruksha guna individually and validate their combined effect based on the concept- Pravruttirubhaysyatu.
A REVIEW ON CONTROVERSIES AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF PARIBHASHA SHARIRY
Authors: Chavan Shravani Prakash  , Sharma Gopal B
Published: December 2020

Sharir Rachana is an integrative branch of Ayurveda that studies the human body in its most minute form to an organized structural form. Sushruta, first carried out a detailed cadaveric study of the human body around 2000 yrs ago and laid the bedrock of Sharir Rachana Vigyan in his Samhita. Cadaveric studies thus helped the ancient seers explore many structures of human body and thus with the passing time this scientific branch evolved with a complex nomenclature of the various body parts. These nomenclatures and definitions of the basic bodily structures are compiled under the heading of Paribhasha Sharir. The knowledge of Paribhasha Sharir holds utmost importance in the field of surgery and medicine as well. However lack of social and technological advancements in the era when Ayurveda was encrypted by the sages, there emerged out various controversies over a particular structure. Acharyas have stated out individual opinions over a single structure that created a big confusion to the forth coming generations. With developments in recent times these confusions were gradually resolved keeping the original texts and definitions unaltered. Thus the present article is a framework that reviews the controversies and applied aspects of Paribhasha Sharir in Rachana Sharir Vigyan.