bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Landmark and Contour-Matching Image Registration Model
Authors: Mojica Mia , Ebrahimi Mehran
Published: February 2021

In this manuscript, we propose a novel hybrid Landmark and Contour-Matching (LCM) image registration model to align image pairs. The proposed model uses image contour information to supplement missing edge information in between exact landmarks. We demonstrate that the model circumvent the drawbacks associated with an straightforward application of the Thin Plate Spline (TPS) registration technique.The proposed model provides higher post-registration Dice similarity between the reference and registered template images by improving the image overlap away from major landmarks and visually reduces the appearance of the ''unnatural bending'' typically present in TPS-registered images. We also show that naively increasing the number of landmarks in a TPS model does not always guarantee an accurate registration result. We indicate how the proposed model using even less number of exact landmarks along with additional approximate contour information provided suitable results, as opposed to the TPS model. Lastly, the proposed model produces physically relevant registration results with improved Dice similarity indices even when landmark localization errors are present in data.Overall, the proposed Landmark and Contour-Matching (LCM) model increases the flexibility of the TPS approach especially when only a few landmarks can be defined, when defining too many landmarks leads to high oscillations in the registration transformations, or when the identification of exact landmarks is susceptible to human error.
COVIDNet-CT: Detection of COVID-19 from Chest CT Images using a Tailored Deep Convolutional Neural Network Architecture
Authors: Gunraj Hayden , Wang Linda , Wong Alexander
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a tremendous impact on patients and healthcare systems around the world. To combat this disease, there is a need for effective screening tools to identify patients infected with COVID-19, and to this end CT imaging has been proposed as a key screening method to complement RT-PCR testing. Early studies have reported abnormalities in chest CT images which are characteristic of COVID-19 infection, but these abnormalities may be difficult to distinguish from abnormalities caused by other lung conditions. Motivated by this, we introduce COVIDNet-CT, a deep convolutional neural network architecture tailored for detection of COVID-19 cases from chest CT images. We also introduce COVIDx-CT, a CT image dataset comprising 104,009 images across 1,489 patient cases. Finally, we leverage explainability to investigate the decision-making behaviour of COVIDNet-CT and ensure that COVIDNet-CT makes predictions based on relevant indicators in CT images.
Improved Deep Convolutional Neural Network with Age Augmentation for Facial Emotion Recognition in Social Companion Robotics
Authors: Lawrence Steven , Anjum Taif , Shabani Amir
Published: February 2021

Facial emotion recognition (FER) is a critical component for affective computing in social companion robotics. Current FER datasets are not sufficiently age-diversified as they are predominantly adults excluding seniors above fifty years of age which is the target group in long-term care facilities. Data collection from this age group is more challenging due to their privacy concerns and also restrictions under pandemic situations such as COVID-19. We address this issue by using age augmentation which could act as a regularizer and reduce the overfitting of the classifier as well. Our comprehensive experiments show that improving a typical Deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture with facial age augmentation improves both the accuracy and standard deviation of the classifier when predicting emotions of diverse age groups including seniors. The proposed framework is a promising step towards improving a participant’s experience and interactions with social companion robots with affective computing.
InnovFaceNet: Deep Face Recognition for Industrial Environments
Authors: Gururaj Nagarjun , Batra Kanika
Published: February 2021

In recent times the usage of intelligent systems have paved way formany applications to be robust and self-reliant. One such popularand vast growing technology is face recognition. Facial Recognitiontechnology is used in security, surveillance, criminal justice systemsand many other multimedia platforms. This work proposes a realtime facial recognition technology which can be used in any industrialsetup eliminating manual supervision, ensuring authorized accessto the personnel in the plant. Due to the recent development ofCOVID-19 pandemic around the world, wearing masks has becomea necessity. Our proposed facial recognition technology identifies aperson’s face with mask or no mask in real time with a speed of20 FPS on a CPU and an F1-score of 95.07%. This makes ouralgorithm fast, secure, robust and deployable on a simple personalcomputer or any edge device at any industrial plant or organization.
Methods of Evaluating 3D Perception Systems for Unstructured Autonomous Logistics
Authors: Do Couto Dylan , Butterfield Joseph , Murphy Adrian , Coleman Joseph
Published: February 2021

This study introduces methods of evaluating 3D perception systems, such as Time of Flight (ToF) systems, for automated logistics applications in unstructured environments. Here perception is defined as a system’s understanding of its environment and the Objects Of Interest (OOI) within that environment, through hardware consisting of cameras or depth sensors. Current computer guided machinery that rely on perception systems, such as an Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV), require structured environments that are specifically designed for such a machine. Unstructured environments include warehouses or manufacturing facilities that have not been tailor designed or structured specifically for the purpose of using a computer guided machine. In this study, two methods are proposed to assess 3D systems proposed for autonomous logistics in unstructured environments. The results of this study indicate that the methods presented here are suitable for future and comparative 3D perception and evaluation in this space.
The Coverage of Events After Maidan Protests and the Annexation of Crimea in Local Russian-Language Newspapers in Lithuania (March, 2014)
Authors: Denisenko Viktor
Published: February 2021

In 2014, some significant geopolitical changes in the region of Central and Eastern Europe took place. After the so-called Euromaidan events in Ukraine, Moscow took advantage of the situation and annexed the Crimean peninsula. The global agenda was dominated by the discussions about “hybrid war”, “information warfare,” etc. It was obvious that the Kremlin used propaganda in its operation in Crimea in order to manipulate the public opinion and to include ethnic minorities (Russian-speaking inhabitants of Crimea) into its games.In the above context of Kremlin’s practice of involving compatriots from near abroad (including Lithuania) into geopolitical processes, as well as facing the challenge of propaganda, it is important to look how the events in Ukraine were covered in the Russian-language newspapers in Lithuania. The materials of research become publications in the weeklies “Litovskij kurjer”, “Obzor”, and “Ekspress-nedelia”. The question of the research was: did these newspapers use narratives of the Kremlin propaganda, and if so, how strong was the representation of these narratives?
Possibilities to Support Heterogeneous Mobile Services in Vehicle Communication Networks
Authors: Dzemydienė Dalė , Kurmis Mindaugas , Baikštienė Vilija
Published: February 2021

Research on the provision of heterogeneous services in the field of intelligent transport is of great interest in the rapidly changing infrastructure of road transport. In particular, the availability of such services has increased through the use of wireless technologies and communication tools. The current development of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and the integration of intelligent transport platforms and service systems make it possible to significantly improve road safety and reduce the likelihood of road accidents. However, the delivery of mobile-smart services requires the development of a rather sophisticated infrastructure to support multicast services. The purpose of this scientific article is to analyze the data transmission capabilities for heterogeneous services while ensuring road safety. The paper deals with the tasks of evaluating the possibilities of integrating such mobile services into the infrastructure of motor vehicles. Measuring bandwidth by enabling multicast services on the base of Ad-hoc wireless networks becomes an important task. The demonstrated results illustrate the capabilities of wireless networks by simulating these services in a transport service generating environment. The paper demonstrates that high-quality heterogeneous services require new wireless network interaction protocols, such as a session initiation protocol (SIP), GPRS functionality, routing protocols, and channel access to provide a large number of supportive service components.
National Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program: 2009–2017
Authors: Koneru Alaya , Fenlon Nancy , Schillie Sarah , Williams Charnetta , Weng Mark K. , Nelson Noele
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES:

To assess trends and programmatic outcomes among infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)–positive women from 2009 to 2017 and case-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP).

METHODS:

We analyzed 2009–2017 annual programmatic reports submitted by 56 US jurisdictions funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s PHBPP to assess characteristics of maternal-infant pairs and achievement of objectives of infant hepatitis B postexposure prophylaxis, vaccine series completion, and postvaccination serologic testing (PVST). We compared the number of maternal-infant pairs identified by the program with the number estimated born to HBsAg-positive women from 2009 to 2014 and 2015 to 2017 by using a race and/or ethnicity and maternal country of birth methodology, respectively.

RESULTS:

The PHBPP identified 103 825 infants born to HBsAg-positive women from 2009 to 2017, with a range of 10 956 to 12 103 infants annually. Births estimated annually to HBsAg-positive women increased nonsignificantly from 24 804 in 2009 to 26 444 in 2014 (P = .0540) and 20 678 in 2015 to 20 832 in 2017 (P = .8509). The proportion of infants identified annually increased overall from 48.1% to 52.6% (P = .0983). The proportion of case-managed infants receiving postexposure prophylaxis, at least 3 vaccine doses, and PVST increased overall from 94.7% to 97.0% (P = .0952), 83.1% to 84.7% (P = .5377) and 58.8% to 66.8% (P = .0002), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The PHBPP has achieved success in managing infants born to HBsAg-positive women and ensuring their immunity to hepatitis B. Nonetheless, strategies are needed to close gaps between the number of infants estimated and identified, increase vaccine series completion, and increase ordering of recommended PVST for all case-managed infants.
Two-dimensional taxonomy of internet addiction and assessment of smartphone addiction with diagnostic criteria and mobile apps
Authors: Wu Yi-Lun , Lin Sheng-Hsuan , Lin Yu-Hsuan
Published: February 2021

A recent review by Montag et al. raised a taxonomical argument about internet addiction. We propose a two-dimensional taxonomy of internet addiction by both the device and the content as the solution. For the assessment of smartphone addiction, measurements should be based on functional impairment and validated by diagnostic criteria rather than solely on self-reported questionnaires. We detail the potential of mobile applications (apps) to improve the assessment of smartphone addiction. App-generated indicators could fulfill the unmet need of assessment of smartphone addiction and facilitate future assessment and treatment planning of smartphone addiction.
PENGARUH LITERASI HALAL DAN RELIGIOSITAS TERHADAP KONSUMSI PRODUK HALAL PADA MAHASISWA MKS UIN SUNAN GUNUNG DJATI BANDUNG
Authors: Pratama Dinar Bagja , Hartati Neneng
Published: February 2021

Various factors are considered against the background of a Muslim in buying halal products, some of which is the level of student literacy and religiosity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Halal Literacy and Religiosity on the consumption of halal products for UIN Bandung students. The method used in this research is the survey method and a quantitative approach. The population used is students of MKS UIN Bandung class of 2017 and a sample of 100 respondents was obtained. The research data uses primary data obtained from the research questionnaire. With multiple regression data analysis, the results showed that partially and simultaneously halal literacy and religiosity have a significant influence on the consumption of halal products in MKS UIN Bandung students. Halal literacy and religiosity have a very strong correlation with the consumption of halal products and are able to contribute an impact of 80,7% on the consumption of halal products.
The first radiocarbon dates for the Globular Amphora culture cemetery in Sadowie in the Sandomierz Upland
Authors:   Institute of Archaeology, Rzeszów University, Poland, Pasterkiewicz Wojciech
Published: February 2021

The article presents new results of radiocarbon dating for the settlement of the Globular Amphora culture from the Sandomierz Upland area. These are three determinations obtained for animal graves (No. 4, 7 and 11) coming from the site 23 in Sadowie near Opatow, where traces of a vast cemetery were discovered. 14C dating was established in the Poznań Radiocarbon Laboratory. The received values were verified by indicating diagnostic features in the composition of artefacts that are referenced in groups of other features of the Globular Amphora culture.
Presentación
Authors: Santos João Batista Ribeiro
Published: February 2021

En un año en el que las innumerables dificultades diarias de la mayoría de la población brasileña se convirtieron abruptamente en sufrimientos extremos en un sistema pandémico mundial, el trabajo intelectual científico, en todos sus dominios, estuvo presente en campos extremos de debate – varios campos a favor y varios campos contrarios a sus producciones. Al publicar 3 (tres) números en un mismo año – la primera vez y en un esfuerzo conjunto –, el periódico Caminhando desea transmitir un saludo de salud y esperanza para que la producción académica continúe como una práctica innegable e importante.
O chamado à decisão entre o conhecimento da vontade de Deus e o arrependimento na teologia escatológico-existencial de Bultmann
Authors: Mariano da Rosa Luiz Carlos
Published: February 2021

Se a pregação de Jesus consiste no pressuposto da teologia neotestamentária, segundo o pensamento de Bultmann, a análise do seu conteúdo emerge como fundamental para a compreensão do querigma cristão e da construção literário-teológica da comunidade primitiva. Dessa forma, o artigo se detém na pregação ético-escatológica de Jesus, que anuncia o reino de Deus e o tempo da decisão e o chamado à decisão, que converge para a radicalidade e exige a obediência escatológica enquanto realização da vontade de Deus. Assim, escapando à condição de um dever que converge para a formação do caráter e ao princípio de determinação da comunhão humana, o artigo assinala que é a exigência do amor que se impõe à pregação escatológica de Jesus e a sua pregação ética e ao conhecimento da vontade de Deus, que implica o dever-ser e o poder-fazer envolvendo o bem incondicional em uma construção teórico-conceitual e subjetivo-existencial que envolve a consciência da situação-limite da existência e a necessidade de uma decisão existencial.
Apresentação
Authors: Santos João Batista Ribeiro
Published: February 2021

Em um ano no qual as inumeráveis dificuldades cotidianas da maioria da população brasileira se tornaram abruptamente em sofrimentos extremos num sistema pandêmico mundial, o trabalho intelectual científico, em todos os seus domínios, esteve presente em campos extremos de debates – vários campos a favor e vários campos contrários às suas produções. Ao publicar três números num mesmo ano – vez primeira e em mutirão – o periódico Caminhando deseja transmitir uma saudação de saúde e esperança em que a produção acadêmica segue como prática indesatável e importante.
Presentation
Authors: Santos João Batista Ribeiro
Published: February 2021

In a year in which the countless daily difficulties of the majority of the Brazilian population abruptly became extreme sufferings in a worldwide pandemic system, scientific intellectual work, in all its domains, was present in extreme fields of debate – several fields in favor and several fields contrary to their productions. By publishing 3 (three) issues in the same year – the first time and in a joint effort –, the journal Caminhando wishes to convey a greeting of health and hope that academic production continues as an undeniable and important practice.
Avidyā e Idolatria: Diálogo necessário frente ao mal de nosso tempo
Authors: Sung Jung Mo , Tsai Patricia Guernelli Palazzo
Published: February 2021

O presente artigo visa trabalhar o diálogo entre dois conceitos de duas tradições religiosas distintas, mas que dividem um problema comum: o mundo em que vivemos de opressão, desigualdade e exclusão. De um lado será visto o conceito de avidyā da tradição budista, como trabalhado pelo XIV Dalai Lama, e de outro o conceito de idolatria usado pelo Papa Francisco, e como esses conceitos em diálogo servem de crítica à cultura de consumo e de exclusão.
RECURSOS INFORMACIONAIS ABERTOS NA ÁREA DE QUÍMICA PARA ESTUDANTES DO CURSO TÉCNICO DE NÍVEL MÉDIO
Authors: Souza Rita Rodrigues , Souza Maria Aparecida Rodrigues de
Published: February 2021

Na sociedade da informação e do conhecimento, um número cada vez maior de dados é disponibilizado na internet.  Saber tratá-los, com fins profissionais e acadêmicos/escolares, é uma das habilidades básicas a ser desenvolvida no âmbito educacional. Nesse sentido, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi desenvolver uma ferramenta que facilitasse aos/às estudantes de cursos técnicos de nível médio a localização de recursos informacionais abertos para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas escolares. O estudo foi desenvolvido por meio de revisão bibliográfica e mapeamento de recursos informacionais abertos disponíveis na internet, na área de química. Após busca, recuperação e seleção das fontes informacionais, criamos um blog para armazenar e divulgar aos(às) estudantes o material selecionado. O uso do blog, como repositório, bem como o acesso dele constituem o resultado da pesquisa.
Linear methods of approximation in weighted Lebesgue spaces with variable exponent
Authors: TESTİCİ Ahmet , M. İSRAFİLZADE Daniyal
Published: February 2021

Some estimations in below for the deviations conducted by the Zygmund means and by the Abel-Poisson sums in the weighted Lebesgue spaces with variable exponent are obtained. In the classical Lebesgue spaces these estimations were proved by M. F. Timan. The considered weight functions satisfy the well known Muckenhout condition. For the proofs of main results some estimations obtained in the classical weighted Lebesgue spaces and also an extrapolation theorem proved in the weighted variable exponent Lebesgue spaces are used. Main results are new even in the nonweighted variable exponent Lebesgue spaces.
Ecological debt as a form of nature-dwindling social reproduction
Authors: Sausheva Oksana , Gorin Vladimir
Published: February 2021

Since 1970, humanity has been spending more resources than our planet is able to restore, in fact, we live in debt. Examining trends in the indicator of environmental debt in different countries, the authors of the article show that the modern economic system, a prerequisite for the existence of which is a high rate of economic growth, does not solve the constantly accumulating global problems (inequality, poverty, hunger, waste growth, environmental pollution), but constantly enhances their severity. The study presents methods for calculating the ecological footprint and ecological debt, and also found that the ecological debt burden in the economy of modern Russia is significantly higher than the average in the world. The comparison of the Human Development Index and environmental debt carried out in the article, made it possible to assess whether the current situation corresponds to the material conditions of life within the ecological means of the Earth, and the socio-economic conditions of well-being. It was found that for the most part of the countries is outside the one planet prosperity quadrant, since the environmental debt in more developed countries is higher, and a low debt value is characteristic only of countries with a low Human Development Index. In the course of the study of green (“ecological”) investments, the authors revealed a discrepancy between their value in the Russian economy and the requirements of economic security (threshold value of 5 % of GDP). We suppose that partial neutralization of threats in this area is possible due to the state policy of «green loans», proposed for implementation in the Russian economy. The authors argue the conclusion about the need to modify the system of social reproduction towards its environmental friendliness and inclusiveness.
Using mesh topology in building a wireless home automation network
Authors: Zainetdinov Artem , Nedyak Anton , Rudzeyt Oleg , Ragulin Petr
Published: February 2021

Currently, with the advent of smart devices, our life has become more convenient – it is now easier to do household chores, track the movement of goods, etc. The development of smart devices with the advent of new wireless communication standards helped to give impulse to the unification of smart gadgets into a network, which is often used in smart homes. With this approach, there are some security problems, such as unauthorized access to devices by third parties, interference with the operation of devices, failure of routers, limiting the radius of data transfer between devices, reducing the bandwidth of devices with increasing distance between the gadget and the router, etc. This article talks about IoT technology and how I use it for home automation. The modern view of building wireless home automation networks, which allows you to solve some of these problems, involves a decentralized approach, for example, the usage of mesh-network. This article describes how mesh networking works, and lists the benefits of using it in home automation. When using mesh networking technologies such as Z-Wave or Zigbee, it is possible to link multiple devices into a «seamless» network using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The authors reviewed the most popular technologies that use mesh network topology for home automation. These technologies increase the throughput of devices several times. It also allows you to protect devices from third-party intrusion into the system by assigning unique private keys to each device of the network, which decrypts only those packets that are intended for this device.
Neoseiulus californicus preying on Tenuipalpus heveae
Authors: Silva Eliamara Marques da , Toscano Luciana Cláudia , Alves-Eigenheer Milene , Maruyama Wilson Itamar , Silva Abimael Gomes da
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT The spread of Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) can be controlled by managing predatory species such as Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). This study aimed to evaluate the predation of N. californicus at different biological phases on T. heveae at different development stages. The experiments were carried out under laboratory-controlled conditions, counting the number of predated individuals by development stage after 24, 48 and 72 h. N. californicus, in all phases, consumed T. heveae, with a higher consumption of nymphs and larvae by adult predators. Both sexes of adult predators exhibited predation efficiency, but females showed a greater acceptance of adult preys than males. The daily rate of adult predation decreased over time; however, the highest consumption took place in the first 24 h.
Intercropping maize and succession crops alters the weed community in common bean under no-tillage
Authors: D'Amico-Damião Victor , Barroso Arthur Arrobas Martins , Alves Pedro Luis da Costa Aguiar , Lemos Leandro Borges
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Crop rotation is critical in the management of herbicide-resistant weed species. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intercropping systems of maize with brachiaria or crotalaria on qualitative and quantitative parameters of the weed seedbank, along the succession of pearl millet, maize and common bean. Moreover, the effect of these crop rotation systems on the selection of specific weed species of the seedbank was also evaluated. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications. The treatments were represented by three cropping systems in succession: pearl millet, single maize, common bean; pearl millet, maize intercropped with brachiaria, common bean; pearl millet, maize intercropped with crotalaria, common bean. The following phytosociological indexes were calculated: density, frequency and relative importance, diversity and equitability. The grain yield of maize and common bean were also quantified. Twenty-three weed species were identified, divided into 12 families, highlighting the Poaceae one, with the most important being Alternanthera tenella, Commelina benghalensis, Eleusine indica and Phyllanthus tenellus. The cropping system with single maize presented a lower density and diversity of weeds, but with a high selection of E. indica. The intercropping systems in the previous crop, as a guarantee of a higher weed diversity, could be use as alternative tools, different from the herbicides, to control weeds and improve the common bean yield. Regarding the weed control in the common bean, Crotalaria spectabilis presented better results in the previous maize-intercropping system than Urochloa ruziziensis.
Emergence and growth of maize submitted to inoculant doses associated with saline water irrigation
Authors: Oliveira Hallyson , Nascimento Ronaldo do , Nascimento Elka Costa Santos , Lima Robson Felipe de , Bezerra Carlos Vailan de Castro
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Salinity, in general, affects the plant growth and development, making it a limiting problem for the agricultural production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculant doses of Azospirillum brasilense on the emergence and growth of maize submitted to salinity concentrations of the irrigation water. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with a randomized blocks design, in a 3 x 5 factorial [A. brasilense doses (0.0, 0.32 and 0.48 mL/100 seeds) and levels of electrical conductivity of the water (0.3, 0.6, 1.1, 1.7 and 2.3 dS m-1)], in 4 blocks, totaling 60 experimental units. The emergence percentage, emergence speed index, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf dry mass, stem dry mass, tassel dry mass and root dry mass were evaluated. The treatments between salinity and inoculation had no effect on seedling emergence. The salinity significantly affected growth; however, the number of leaves increased in 12.8 % (V8) and 18.8 % (V10), when comparing the difference between the lowest and highest studied salinity. As for the plant height, there was an increase of 3.7 % up to the threshold salinity of the crop (1.1 dS m-1). There was an increase in the root dry mass with the application of inoculant doses at each studied salt level.
Fatores relacionados ao planejamento familiar em região de fronteira
Authors: Pedro Camilla Barbosa , Casacio Gabriela Dominicci de Melo , Zilly Adriana , Ferreira Helder , Ferrari Rosângela Aparecida Pimenta , Silva Rosane Meire Munhak da
Published: February 2021

RESUMO Objetivo identificar fatores que potencializam ou interferem no planejamento familiar em região de fronteira. Método pesquisa descritiva, de coorte, transversal e quantitativa, realizada com 280 puérperas, Paraná, Brasil. Para a coleta de dados, aplicou-se um instrumento estruturado com variáveis socioeconômicas, antecedentes obstétricos e planejamento familiar. Para análise, utilizou-se o teste de associação Qui-Quadrado ou o teste G complementado pela análise de resíduos ajustados, com nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Resultados idade inferior a 19 anos (66%), baixa renda (65,3%), escolaridade (62,6%), ausência de companheiro (95,6%) e multiparidade (74,4%) foram as características que interferiram no planejamento familiar. Maior escolaridade e acesso a métodos contraceptivos apresentaram-se favoráveis ao planejamento familiar. Mulheres que não planejaram a gravidez aderiram mais aos métodos contraceptivos após seis meses do nascimento do filho. Conclusão e implicações para a prática as baixas condições sociodemográficas interferem na adesão ao planejamento familiar em região de fronteira, o que remete para ajustes no serviço de atenção primária.
Experimental study of pressure flushing of non-cohesive sediment through slotted pipe bottom outlet
Authors: Paulo Felipe Azevedo , Abreu Aline Saupe , Prá Maurício Dai , Endres Luiz Augusto Magalhães , Ferla Rute , Teixeira Eder Daniel
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Among several techniques for prevention and mitigation of reservoir sedimentation, bottom outlets arise as a means of removing sediment deposited close to the dam. Given the reduced sediment removal provided by traditional bottom outlets under pressure flushing conditions, this article proposes a new type of structure that aims to increase sediment removal in the direction parallel to the dam axis. An experimental installation was employed to evaluate its operation as a function of the variation of its diameter and flow and sediment characteristics. Through analysis of the bathymetry generated by the structure, a dimensionless relation for predicting the scour pit length was obtained, presenting good fitness to the experimental data.
Antibacterial cotton from novel phytic acid-based multilayer nanocoating
Authors: Magovac Eva , Budimir Ana , Jordanov Igor , Bischof Sandra , Grunlan Jaime C
Published: February 2021

In an effort to impart antimicrobial behavior to cotton using renewable and environmentally benign components, fabric was treated using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Alternating layers of phytic acid (PA) and chitosan (CH) were deposited from water. Cotton coated with four and eight bilayers (BLs) of anionic PA and cationic CH, with and without adding copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4) into the CH solution, was evaluated in accordance with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM 100-2019 test method. Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae were used to determine whether the addition of copper salt into a CH network improves antibacterial efficacy. The copper ions were successfully incorporated into the CH network formed using LbL assembly onto cotton fibers. The location of deposited copper ions was determined with electron microscopy. Just four BLs of PA/CH–copper (II) sulfate kill 100% of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and add only 5.2 wt% to the fabric. This nanocoating provides a unique opportunity to impart antibacterial behavior to textiles without harming the environment.
Effect of polymineral systems and disperse reinforcement on self-compacting fibre concrete
Authors: Fediuk Roman , Lesovik Valery , Asaad Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2021

In this study, composite binders were prepared as novel, eco-friendly polymineral binders by using rice husks to produce active silica-containing additive, based on which self-compacting fibre concretes (SCFCs) with high impact strength and impermeability characteristics were created. Two types of fibre were used as disperse reinforcement – namely, steel brass-plated fibre and basalt fibre. Ten different mixes of SCFC were investigated. The rheological characteristics of concrete mixes were determined by a series of tests including slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, U-box and segregation resistance tests. In addition, the impact endurance was determined using standard techniques, such as the impact of hammer blows on both panels and cylinders, and this confirmed the creation of dynamically durable composites with high workability. In addition, the microstructural, morphological and thermal properties of such concrete at 28 days of curing were determined. The results indicated that the incorporation of a composite binder in SCFCs significantly improved the mechanical properties and microstructure of the cement matrix by clogging the capillary pores of the cement paste and reducing the growth of portlandite crystals, thereby increasing the compressive strength of fibre concretes by about 31%, the impact endurance by up to six times, and the crack resistance by up to nine times.
Caracterização experimental de carboidratos
Authors: Bernardes CELENE Fernandes , Gáspari Paula Fernandes
Published: February 2021

O estudo da caracterização molecular e propriedades químicas de carboidratos é tema constituinte dos planos de ensino das disciplinas de Bioquímica, nos cursos de Química, Biologia e Medicina. As aulas práticas foram realizadas de forma remota e com adaptações dos experimentos previstos para serem desenvolvidos em laboratório. As reações de Molisch, Fehling e Lugol, utilizadas para identificação e caracterização de carboidratos, foram realizadas de forma demonstrativa, com simulação das técnicas e dos resultados dos experimentos, após a explicação dos fundamentos teóricos. Foram utilizados os programas Paint e PowerPoint para desenhar os instrumentos e as etapas dos experimentos. A aula foi apresentada utilizando a ferramenta de animação do PowerPoint e gravada em vídeo. A aceitação dos alunos foi positiva embora tenham demonstrado a vontade de vivenciar as aulas no laboratório, principalmente para o desenvolvimento de habilidades no manuseio dos instrumentos.
Urochloa brizantha cultivated in aluminum-toxic soil: Changes in plant growth and ultrastructure of root and leaf tissues
Authors: Lisboa Lucas Aparecido Manzani , Dias Gustavo Henrique de Oliveira , Sacco Hiago Augusto Amaral , Padovan João Vitor Rodrigues , Rodrigues Gabriel Banos , Ribeiro Kauê Barbarotto , Da Silva Gabriel Geminiano , Cardoso Alan Dos Santos , Pereira Leandro Barradas , De Figueiredo Paulo Alexandre Monteiro
Published: February 2021

Brazilian soils destined for fodder production are infertile and acidic and contain toxic levels of aluminum (Al), which cause a reduction in growth of the root system and aerial plant parts. The main aim of the present pot trial was to determine ultrastructural and developmental changes in root and leaf tissues of Urochloa brizantha, when grown in an acid Oxisol containing varying levels of Al. The experimental design was a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, involving 3 cultivars of U. brizantha (Marandu, Paiaguás and Piatã) and 5 concentrations of Al in the soil (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 cmol/dm3), with 4 replications; a total of 60 pots. All cultivars responded negatively to increasing Al concentration in the soil, even in small amounts. Root ultrastructures were damaged even at concentrations of 0.4 cmol Al/dm3, primarily in the conducting tissues (xylem and phloem) and epidermal cells. Shoot development and leaf tissues were also negatively affected. In general, plant development and ultrastructure of root and leaf tissues in all 3 cultivars of U. brizantha were impaired when grown in the presence of Al at doses >0.2 cmol/dm3 in the soil.
Dry matter yields and quality parameters of ten Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) genotypes at three locations in western Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Tulu Abuye , Diribsa Mekonnen , Temesgen Worku
Published: February 2021

Ten Napier grass genotypes (accessions) were assessed across 3 locations, Bako, Boneya Boshe and Gute, for forage dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) concentration, leaf:stem ratio, nutrient composition and digestibility characteristics during 2016 and 2017. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Mean DM yield was higher for accession ILRI 16804 across all locations followed by ILRI 16801 and ILRI 16800. Leaf:stem ratio, CP concentration and CP and digestible organic matter (OM) yields also varied significantly among genotypes with the highest values obtained for accession ILRI 16804 across all locations, followed by ILRI 16800 and ILRI 16801. Yields of DM, CP and digestible OM and leaf:stem ratio were higher at Boneya Boshe and Gute than at Bako and higher during 2017 than during 2016. The consistently superior performance of ILRI 16804, ILRI 16801 and ILRI 16800 in both years across the 3 sites suggests that these genotypes should be studied further on farms and in differing environments before being recommended for general cultivation in this area. Examining performance with more frequent harvests and feeding studies with livestock would confirm the benefits to be obtained from planting these new accessions.
Effects of a nitrogen-based supplement on intake, live weight and body energy reserves in breeding Bos indicus cross cows
Authors: Dixon Rob M. , Mayer Robert J.
Published: February 2021

Breeding cows grazing seasonally dry rangelands usually lose substantial live weight (LW) during the dry season, when in late pregnancy. An experiment investigated the effects of feeding a N-based supplement to cows in late pregnancy on voluntary intake, total live weight (T-LW), body condition score (CS) and estimated body net energy content (Body-NE), as well as carry-over effects during lactation. In Phase A for 139 days from mid-pregnancy, mature Bos indicus cross breeders [initially 438 kg T-LW and 5.7 CS units (9-point scale)] were fed in pens on low quality tropical grass hay alone (Control) or with a N supplement (Supplemented). Most (17/22) of the cows calved during this interval. Voluntary hay intake averaged 6.74 g DM/kg T-LW/d in Control cows, and was increased by 35% (P<0.001) when supplement was fed. As a result, feeding supplement reduced loss in conceptus-free live weight (CF-LW) by 30% (from 1.11 kg/d to 0.78 kg/d; P<0.001) and in Body-NE by 20% (from 26.6 to 21.2 MJ NE/d; P = 0.007). Control cows mobilized 24% of maternal LW and 32% of body energy when fed low quality hay during late pregnancy, and these losses were substantially reduced when a N-based supplement was fed. During Phase B, when the lactating cows with their calves grazed a high quality rainy season grass-Stylosanthes pasture, the previously supplemented cows produced more milk (P = 0.065) and their calves grew faster (P = 0.077) in early lactation than Control cows. In addition, during early lactation Control cows exhibited compensatory LW gain relative to the Supplemented cows (0.80 vs. 0.43 kg/d, respectively; P<0.001) and there was no discernable weight difference between the groups by 205 days of lactation. In conclusion the losses in LW and body energy reserves by late pregnant cows fed low quality tropical grass hay were substantially reduced by a N supplement, but the differences were not maintained when the cows subsequently grazed high quality pasture.
Konfigurasi Batuan Dasar Daerah Sekitar Rencana Pembangunan Reaktor Daya Eksperimental Serpong
Authors: Suntoko Hadi , Marjiyono Marjiyono - , Setiadi Imam , Susiati Heni , Indrawati Yuni , Ryanto Theo Alvin
Published: February 2021

Proses pemilihan tapak diperlukan informasi geologi bawah permukaan yang merupakan aspek penting terutama berkaitan dengan daya dukung lapisan/tanah. Informasi kondisi batuan dasar yang ditunjukkan oleh nilai kecepatan gelombang geser diperlukan untuk penempatan pondasi bangunan. Penerapan kombinasi metode mikrotremor array dan single station adalah untuk mengetahui kedalaman batuan dasar lebih rinci secara lateral berdasarkan nilai frekuensi resonan yang dilakukan untuk memodelkan kondisi bawah permukaan daerah Puspiptek Serpong. Tujuan penelitian adalah memodelkan batuan bawah permukaan di tapak RDE berdasarkan profil kecepatan gelombang geser secara vertikal dengan 10 titik ukur. Pengolahan data menggunakan perangkat lunak Geopsy dan validasi data mikrotremor array menggunakan data N-SPT di tapak. Hasil perhitungan menunjukkan hingga kedalaman 64 m diperoleh model dua lapis batuan dengan nilai kecepatan bervariasi secara lateral maupun vertikal. Lapisan permukaan mempunyai kisaran nilai kecepatan gelombang geser antara 150 m/detik hingga 360 m/detik pada kedalaman sekitar 19 m, sedangkan lapis kedua yang dianggap sebagai batuan dasar di daerah ini mempunyai kecepatan gelombang geser berkisar antara 365 m/detik hingga 900 m/detik pada kedalaman sekitar 60 m.
ANALISIS DEPLESI PERANGKAT BAHAN BAKAR REAKTOR CANDU
Authors: Suparlina Lily , Surbakti Tukiran
Published: February 2021

Analisis deplesi perangkat bahan bakar CANDU dengan pellet UO2 alam telah dilakukan menggunakan paket program komputer sebelum dilakukan iradiasi di dalam teras. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah optimasi uji iradiasi perangkat bahan bakar UO2 alam sebagai fungsi waktu iradiasi berdasarkan burn-up, daya linier dan fluks neutron. Perhitungan deplesi dilakukan  dengan paket program WIMSD-5B dalam bentuk geometri 1 dimensi. Dari hasil perhitungan diperoleh bahwa semakin lama waktu iradiasi akan menghasilkan deplesi semakin besar dengan daya termal yang tetap. Semakin tinggi deplesi bahan bakar maka fluks neutron di dalam teras meningkat pada daya tetap. Batas maksimal waktu iradiasi perangkat  bahan bakar UO2 alam dengan moderator D2O bertekanan adalah sekitar 834,6 hari dengan daya 12,94 MW/Te. Selama iradiasi, nilai komposisi isotop hasil fisi meningkat sehingga dibatasi hingga 10.800 MWD/Te.Kata kunci: CANDU, fluks neutron, daya termal,  bahan bakar, deplesi
"Wat staan in die Grieks?" - Kollig op vertaal-probleme wat die Nuwe Testament oplewer
Authors: Barkhuizen J
Published: February 2021

In hierdie artikel word die grammatikale aspek van die vertaalproses van die 2020-Bybel as direkte vertaling ondersoek. Naas die teologiese, sosiopolitieke en tekskritiese faktore wat in ag geneem moet word in so 'n vertaalproses, neem die grammatikale aspek vanselfsprekend die belangrikste plek in. Uit die aard van die saak kon net 'n seleksie van tekste waarin verstaan- en vertaalprobleme ondervind is, bespreek word. Hierdie tekste is gerieflikheidshalwe in drie kategorieë ingedeel wat verteenwoordigend is van die soort probleme wat teëgekom is. (a) Eerstens is daar dié tekste waarvan die vertaling berus op 'n verkeerde interpretasie van die Grieks of wat berus op foutiewe vertaallogika. (b) Tweedens word tekste bespreek wat volgens Griekse grammatikale reëls op meer as een manier vertaal kan word. (c) Derdens is daar tekste wat nie noodwendig verkeerd vertaal is nie, maar waarvan die vertaling nie die fynere nuanses van die brontaal reflekteer nie.
Keeping advanced seating services appointments in a Western Cape setting: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of carers of persons with cerebral palsy
Authors: North Gwen-Lynn , Visagie Surona
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Carers of persons with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience challenges with keeping health care appointments. The challenges might be aggravated when the person with CP is using a posture support wheelchair or buggy for mobility.Objective: This study aims to explore and describe the experiences of carers of persons with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) IV/V), around keeping advanced seating services appointments at a tertiary healthcare facility in the Western Cape Province.Methods: This study implemented an exploratory, qualitative design. Seven carers of persons with CP (GMFCS IV/V) were purposively sampled and interviewed. Themes were generated through thematic analysis with an inductive reasoning process.Findings: Carers experienced a great deal of stress around accessing the tertiary healthcare facility for the seating appointment.They did not wish to spread appointments over different days as it would increase cost. Transport barriers were compounded by the impairments of the person and the cumbersome posture support device. Three themes were generated: (1) A strenuous experience, (2) A Family Affair and (3) Transport Dilemmas.Conclusion: The size and impairments of the person and the cumbersomeness of the buggy fed into and compounded by transport challenges, while spousal and wider family support alleviated challenges.
Key words: Cerebral palsy, Access to services, Advanced seating, Public transport
Geodynamic safety management toward sustainable development of Severouralsk Bauxite Mine
Authors:   Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Sidorov D. V. , Ponomarenko T. V. ,   Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Kosukhin N. I. ,   Hexagon Geosystems RUS, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Published: February 2021

The key trend in the aluminum sector sustainability is efficient replenishment of mineral resources and reserves at preservation of mining safety and environmental standards. The production framework for the sustainable development is mineral processing feedstock and effective and balanced processing. The economic condition for the sustainable development of mining-and-metallurgical holdings is efficient technical-and-economic Value Added Chains. The social factors of the sustainable development are safety of operation and competitive salary, as well as favorable effect on social modernization in the mining business territory. The ecological factors of the aluminum sector sustainability are minimized air emissions and efficient mining waste management. Complex geological, geomechanical and geodynamic conditions in Severouralsk bauxite fields govern the engineering decision-making difficulty, including production safety. The methods to determine parameters of hazardous zone are justified, and the results of destressing drilling toward rockburst hazard reduction at different depths of mining are presented. It is shown that material expenses connected with production safety increase, and inclusion of these expenses in tax deduction from the mineral tax is validated. This approach converts fiscal policy of the mineral taxation into renting, and represents a component of the sustainable development of a mining-and-metallurgical holding, the sector and the national economy. The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia, Project No. 19-510-44013\19.
Justification of rockfall-and-rockslide protection screen design for open pit mines
Authors:   GEOBRUGG, Moscow, Russia, Barinov A. Yu.
Published: February 2021

The article discusses the general operation principle and design features of structural elements of a standard rockfill-and-rockslide protection screen. The main problems connected with operation of such structure and their causes are described. The recommendations on aspects to focus on during the analysis of a situation and selection of a proper solution are given. The list of initial data required for calculating the screen design variables and approximate cost at the project design stage is presented. By way of illustration, it is proposed to analyze the engineering protection systems manufactured by Geobrugg AG, Switzerland. The main advantages of these products include: – strength higher than the conventional analogs have; – design capable to uniformly distribute load; – approval by large-scale trials in association with independent institutions. Rockfall-and-rockslide protection screens are widely applied, including protection of benches and pit walls. The screens can be constructed and installed on the fly, need no constant attendance, are inexpensive and, above all, ensure safety and efficiency of mining. Adherence to the recommendations during planning of screen construction activities, namely, acquisition of specific information and engineering approach to the screen design and material can greatly enhance reliability of the structure and to extend its operating life.