bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES FOR RELIABILITY MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
Authors:   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russian Federation, KOSTOMAKHIN M.N. , SAYAPIN A.S. ,   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russian Federation, PESTRYAKOV E.V. ,   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russian Federation, PETRISHCHEV N.A. ,   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: April 2024

Reducing the cost of the life cycle of machines and aggregates, optimizing the cost of operation and timely maintenance, carrying out work in the required agrotechnical terms are indicators of the effectiveness of managing the reliability of agricultural machinery. This aspect is significantly influenced by the perfection of approaches to maintenance and diagnostics, taking into account the use of digital monitoring tools for resource-determining units and assemblies. Effective implementation of reliability management minimizes costs from the consequences of failures of II and III complexity groups, reduces the cost of production and corrects the time of service work. Therefore, the improvement of approaches for routine maintenance, including diagnostics, is an urgent issue to improve the efficiency of domestic equipment in operation. (Research Purpose) The research purpose is analyzing previously applied approaches to assessing the technical condition for managing the reliability of agricultural machinery and developing experimental samples of digital diagnostic tools to improve the assessment of the technical condition. (Materials and methods) Reviewed the process of creating experimental digital diagnostic tools for improving approaches to reliability management, taking into account the recommendations of the regulatory and technical documentation of the departmental project «Digital Agriculture» of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. (Results and discussion) It was shown that the use of previously developed methods and means of diagnosing agricultural machinery significantly increased the efficiency of its operation. It was substantiated that now it is necessary to take into account methodological experience, which allows to increase the level of diagnostics of operating equipment on the basis of new multifunctional research tools. We have developed experimental digital means of monitoring the technical condition, which provide control over compliance with the rules of operation of individual systems and units. (Conclusions) It was revealed that digital diagnostic and monitoring tools could reduce the cost of the life cycle of equipment, optimize operating costs, and ensure maintenance.
DIGITAL TWIN OF THE ELECTRIC DRIVE OF A TRUCK TRICYCLE FOR SEED TRANSPORTATION
Authors:   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russian Federation, AKSENOV A.G. , DMITRIEV K.S. ,   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: April 2024

One of the most important directions of the development of the agricultural sector is the renewal of tractor and road transport for agricultural purposes, which is due to the predominance of manual labor on loading and unloading and transport operations, increased labor intensity of processes. The methods of selecting the optimal characteristics of vehicles are focusing on the average power characteristics, as well as the average values of the economic indicators of a particular vehicle. The paper is devoted to the study and optimization of the parameters of an electric cargo vehicle depending on the set conditions of the transport task of an agricultural enterprise by the method of simulation modeling. (Research purpose) The research purpose is to obtain optimal traction-power and energy-economic characteristics of the vehicle through simulation of the performance of the transport task of harvesting breeding grain at an agricultural enterprise. (Materials and methods) Conducted a study of simulation simulation of the transport cycle for harvesting breeding grain by a vehicle to identify the optimal parameters of the electric drive and batteries. It was determined that the simulation model contains the parameters of the transport cycle in the form of the distances of the track segments, the required speed of movement, the characteristics of the road surface, as well as the characteristics of the vehicle chassis and the weight with the load. Traction-speed and energy-economic characteristics of an electric vehicle were chosen as objects of research. (Results and discussion) The result of the simulation simulation was the dependence of the required power of the electric motor, taking into account its overload capacity, on the conditions of external factors of the transport cycle. (Conclusions) The analysis of the battery discharge made it possible to establish a minimum capacity of 80 ampere-hours for the full performance of the entire transport task of harvesting breeding grain. The function of overloading the motor twice for a given time of two seconds is justified in order to reduce the required rated power of the electric motor.
THE RESEARCH OF MACHINERY AND MACHINES SYSTEM FOR LIVESTOCK MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION’S PROCESSES DEVELOPMENT PREDICTION
Authors:   Федеральный научный агроинженерный центр ВИМ, MOROZOV N.M.
Published: April 2024

Russian livestock products occupy a leading place in total agricultural output. Despite of a significant decrease in producing volumes in compared to the prereform period (1990) - total milk from 55,7 mln tons in 1990 till 32,3 mln tons in 2021, livestock and poultry’s live weight from 15,6 mln tons till 14,6 mln tons, eggs from 47,5 mln units to 44.8 mln units and the number of livestock (especially cows, sheep and goats) - the share of the industry in total agricultural output remains at 47-48% level. In the postreform period, main groups of commodity producers’ role and proportion have changed. The Russian livestock products’ main producers before the USSR liquidation were agricultural organizations in the of collective and state farms (collective farms and state farms) form, where 82,7% of cattle in total and 74,5% of cows, 81.5% of pigs, 70,5% of poultry, 72,3% of sheep and goats were concentrated; 75-79% of products there, and only 21,6-24,8% in households were produced. Subsectors of livestock perform important social-and-economical and technological functions. Livestock and feed production facilities are like the rural population permanent employment sphere and on this basis the rural settlements’ stability function performing and rural lifestyle preservation are made. Currently, about 4,0 million people are permanently employed in the livestock’s subsectors. Due to animals and poultry the number of collapse process reforming, there the in Russian agricultural sector more than 38,0 thousand rural settlements were eliminated, and more than 12,5 th settlements remain without a population; rural population’s proportion from 26,4% in 1990 till 25,2% in 2022 (from 38.9 mln people to 36,7 mln people) were decreased.
ZOOROBOT FOR CATTLE BREEDING
Authors:   Федеральный научный агроинженерный центр ВИМ, IVANOV YU.A. , SIDOROVA V.Y. ,   Федеральный научный агроинженерный центр ВИМ
Published: April 2024

A study of the daily time budget on the country's agricultural enterprises showed that the longest production processes are: animal’s rest is 12 hours or 50% of the daily budget; bulls’ sperm collecting - 7 hours or 29,2%; feeding - 3 hours or 12,5%; manure removal - 2 hours or 8,3%. Most of agroindustry processes on enterprises are carried out manually. By means of simulation modeling, this study was conducted on the possibilities of zoorobot using to increase efficiency and reduce the cost of the daily time budget for sire seed’s collecting material. Currently, a nonmechanical or mechanical mannequin with an adjustable tilt angle or a dummy animal is used to sperm collecting. The vagina’s preparation also manually is carried out, but at the several preassembled vaginas use it can be done mechanically. These studies have shown that zoorobots with an automatically adjustable tilt angle as mannequins for sperm collection can be used. Automation of these processes reduces the seed collection process from a bull in 3,8 times. The international practice of cattle breeding enterprises for seed collection material from breeding bulls is such that the main 40 thousand sperm doses from the manufacturer must be obtained in the first 2-2,5 years of its operation. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the equipment preparation for seed’s harvesting of one bull it takes at least for 15-20 minutes of working time, i. e. during 8 hours of working time, 57 bulls can be used, at a doublet cage - 29 bulls, and with a triplet cage - 19 bulls, if there are 140 main bulls at the breeding plant. At a zoo robot using, the queue for bull's sperm collecting will decrease: in one cage - once every 2 days, in a doublet cage - every 3 days, in a triplet cage - every 5 days, or m/2n times, where m is the number of bulls, n is the number of minutes spent on the seed collecting from one bull.
DEVELOPMENT OF FEED MIXTURE PREPARATION TECHNOLOGY BY SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS’ USING
Authors:   Российский государственный университет народного хозяйства им. В.И. Вернадского, GORYUNOV S.V. , FERYABKOV A.V. ,   Российский государственный университет народного хозяйства им. В.И. Вернадского
Published: April 2024

In order to supplying animals with natural vitamins round all year providing and the volume of lowvalue coarse feed without additional energy intensive treatments increasing, feed mixture preparing by the hydroponic method’s technology has been developed. The crushed straw and green fodder grown from cereals or legumes’ components for this mixture are used. The green fodder’s traditional hydroponic cultivation without substrates has root system mass’s large losses, but also does not ensure the plants’ full development. The substrate using in this case by difficulty of root system cleaning is limited. In proposed technology, straw acts not only as a feed mixture’s component, but also as a root habitable base. The rational technological parameters of the affecting green feed highest yield’s production have been determined experimentally. It grain soaking, cultivation, temperature and surrounding air’s humidity, the starting material’s sowing rate and illumination’s duration is included. The straw layer’s waterphysical properties as a root habitable base, its porosity, density and capillary moisture capacity have been studied. An experimental comparison of green feed yield obtained by the proposed technology and the traditional method using has been carried out. The analysis showed that green feed yield increasing is primarily due to root mass’s yield increasing and root habitable base’s water air nutrition has improved. According to the proposed technological scheme, the design of feed mixture preparation’s installation has been developed. This installation’s main structural elements operability has been confirmed experimentally, and the parameters of individual working bodies have been substantiated. Recommendations on the proposed technology using and installation’s design for feed mixture preparation are given. The analysis of the experimental results was carried out, and the corresponding conclusions were done: design solutions using for technological process’s organization at feed mixtures production can significantly reduce final feed products’ cost, and consequently, livestock production’s cost as a whole. The directions of further work on this issue have been determined.
TECHNICAL RE-EQUIPMENT OF MICROCLIMATE SYSTEMS BY THE FUNCTIONAL METHOD ON CATTLE FARMS USING
Authors:   Федеральный научный агроинженерный центр ВИМ, DOVLATOV I.M. , YUROCHKA S.S. ,   Федеральный научный агроинженерный центр ВИМ, KOMKOV I.V. ,   Федеральный научный агроинженерный центр ВИМ
Published: April 2024

The influence of cattle breeding microclimatic indicators is studied, modern producing facilities’ technical re-equipment and modernization necessity is reflected. It has been revealed that microclimate’s recommended parameter noncompliance values can have a detrimental effect on animal’s organism. The farms’ technical re-equipment and modernization necessity has been determined. The functional invention, date collecting, scientific information obtained from best practices and expert assessments’ studying, systematizing and processing, as well as from Internet resources, literary sources, methodological manuals, recommendations methods’ using is shown. A model of farms’ modernization functional-and-structural schemes has been formed. The farms’ main effects necessary for theirs qualitative and effective functioning are identified and described. The farms’ modernization functional-and-structural schemes have been developed, their features and advantages in comparison with standard farm equipment are described. The number of used objects and achieved effects on farms are determined. The enterprises’ recommendations on technical re-equipment and modernization have been formed. It was found that at 2 addition facilities and the same modernization ones used with tethered maintenance, the efficiency in 50% was increased. The expected result is an increase in productivity of 2-5% or 1680-4200 rubles/head. By adding 3 facilities and upgrading 1 used facility with loose automated maintenance, efficiency is increased by 10-15%. The expected result - is production in 6-8% or for 5040-6720 rubles/head increasing. At the 4 objects addition and 1 applied object of them modernization at loose robotic maintenance, it efficiency in 17% was increased. The expected result - is production in 7-9% or 5880-7560 rubles/head increasing. It has been established that the degree of indirect influence is lesser than direct one. Additionally, the indirect influence of 3 objects on a number of effects was revealed - temperature and humidity’s control, exhaust air’s removal and provision’s comfort - that, in turn, are fundamental for animals’ keeping.
Cambios en las prácticas de responsabilidad social empresarial en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Rojas-Molina Leidy Katerine , Franco Yuly Andrea , Flórez-Bolaños Jaime
Published: April 2024

Objetivo: identificar los cambios en las prácticas de responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19 y su relación con el desempeño financiero en las organizaciones colombianas.
Diseño/Metodología: inicialmente se empleó la técnica de análisis de contenido en los informes de las empresas pertenecientes al ranking de responsabilidad social y gobierno corporativo del Monitor Empresarial de Reputación Corporativa (Merco) con el fin de identificar las prácticas de RSE a través de un índice de medición ajustado a las necesidades de este estudio. En la segunda etapa, se estimó un modelo de regresión múltiple considerando el índice construido como variable dependiente a fin de cuantificar dichos cambios.
Resultados: se observó una relación positiva y significativa entre el desempeño financiero de las entidades medido a través del retorno sobre los activos (ROA), el retorno sobre el patrimonio ROE, del margen neto, y de la realización y divulgación de prácticas de RSE para el año 2020. En el año 2019, la relación fue positiva y significativa con la variable ROA; las demás variables estudiadas no fueron significativas.
Conclusiones: el estudio muestra una disminución en el desarrollo de las prácticas de RSE no significativa, y una asociación positiva entre divulgación de RSE y desempeño financiero en el año de la crisis. Por tanto, en términos generales, las entidades con mejores resultados financieros son las que realizaron un mayor número de actividades de RSE durante la crisis dada en la pandemia por COVID-19.
Originalidad: este es el primer documento conocido en estudiar las prácticas de RSE en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19 en Colombia.
EXPLORING TYPE OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES AMONG THE ELDERLY IN COMMUNITY: AN IDEOGRAPHIC STUDY OF MALAYSIA CONTEXT
Authors: Tengku Makhtar Tengku Mohd Asri , Abdul Rahim Mohd Zulkifli , Dahlan Akehsan , Shamsuddin Shaharum , Mohd Nawi Siti Nurbaya
Published: April 2024

Leisure activities provide elderly individuals with opportunities to pursue their interests and engage in enjoyable and fulfilling activities that align with their values and preferences. This qualitative study aimed to explore the participation and engagement of elderly Malaysians in leisure activities and identify the elements of their daily routines. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 Malay elderly individuals residing in Kelantan and Terengganu, and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for data analysis. The study revealed three main themes of leisure activities: active leisure, community-based leisure, and relaxed leisure, influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations is necessary to promote leisure activities for the elderly in Malaysia. By working together, these stakeholders can ensure access to a wide range of leisure activities that enhance health, well-being, and social connections, ultimately improving the quality of life for this significant demographic group.
VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AND COOKING SKILLS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Authors: Khairul Ikram Emmy Hainida , Abd Hamid Siti Nor Aishah , Khairul Ikram Nur Kusaira , Isnaeni Farida Nur
Published: April 2024

A high vegetable diet has proved to offer health benefits that can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower the risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect on blood sugar, which can help control appetite. However, the prevalence of vegetable consumption below the recommended daily intake is worrying. Nearly 95% of Malaysian adults, including university students, have not met the recommended daily amount of vegetables. Sociodemographic factors and a lack of cooking skills may contribute to inadequate vegetable consumption. A study was carried out to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and cooking skills with vegetable consumption among Malaysian university students. By utilizing a random sample, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of vegetable consumption and cooking skill among university students aged 18 and older. The data was obtained via online survey using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the Cooking Skills Questionnaire validated and tested by previous researchers. Vegetable consumption was divided into daily and non-daily consumption and a chi-square test was performed to analyze the association followed by the Bonferroni posthoc test. The association between sociodemographic and five dimensions of cooking skills with daily vegetable consumption was subject to logistic regression and an adjusted odds ratio was applied. Results demonstrated that only 24% of students (20% of males and 52% of females) consumed vegetables regularly, while the rest did not. There is a positive association between cooking skills dimensions (availability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables; produce consumption self-efficacy and knowledge of cooking terms and techniques) with daily vegetable consumption. Students who were 25 years old and older, male, lived alone, with friends, or with children, understand how to cook, ordered outside during lunchtime, and dined at the cafeteria for lunch were significantly associated with daily vegetable consumption.
USABILITY AND VALIDATION OF EYE QUESTIONNAIREBASED VISION SCREENING (EYEQVS)
Authors: Chen Ai-Hong , Azlan Rosli Saiful , Ahmad Azmir , Congdon Nathan , Moore Bruce
Published: April 2024

Eye: Questionnaire-based Vision Screening (EyeQVS) is a 21-item questionnaire designed to screen for reduced vision, visual field defects, binocular disorders, dry eye, postural ergonomic problems and computer vision syndrome. EyeQVS offer an online and equipment-free vision screening option. The purpose of this research is evaluating both usability and validity of EyeQVS. The testability was surveyed using grading scales and the experience was investigated using structured and open-ended questions. Each target ocular condition of EyeQVS was compared to the full eye examination. Method: In the usability investigation of EyeQVS, two modes were employed [selfadministration (fifty-two self-respondents cum patients) and proxy-administration (ten proxy-respondents for sixty-two patients) modes] in screening for vision problems. In the validation investigation, fifty-two subjects were recruited using convenient sampling to check the accuracy of EyeQVS. Each subject was screened with EyeQVS before undergoing a comprehensive eye examination. Results: All respondents indicated high confidence towards EyeQVS with an average of more than 8 points on the Likert scale score. The majority found it easy to use and navigate. Respondents also adored the short duration required to complete the vision screening. The Chi-square of the Independence Test revealed that the designated components of EyeQVS had a good relationship with respective clinical tests (p < 0.05). Conclusion: EyeQVS exhibits workable user satisfaction and operative validation from the full eye examination findings. EyeQVS provides alternative online easy access to preventive eye care. EyeQVS is pragmatic for vision screening implementation in locations where equipment-based screening is not feasible. It is also suitable for vulnerable communities needing special care, support or protection because of age, disability, poverty or accessibility issues.
Post-Digital Angst
Authors: Mong Sum Leung
Published: April 2024

PhD project: Post-digital Angst – An Arts-Based Research on the Manifestations of Angst in the Digital Milieu, Supervisor: Gabriele Rothemann

Envelope is a publication of the PhD in Art programme at the University of Applied Arts Vienna
The Migrating Image
Authors: Jošt Franko
Published: April 2024

PhD project: The Migrating Image, Supervisor: Gerhild Steinbuch

Envelope is a publication of the PhD in Art programme at the University of Applied Arts Vienna
Integrated metabolomic, lipidomic and proteomic analysis define the metabolic changes occurring in curled areas in leaves with leaf peach curl disease
Authors: Lara María , Novello María Angelina , Bustamante Claudia , Svetaz Laura A. , Goldy Camila , Valentini Gabriel , Drincovich Maria , Brotman Yariv , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: April 2024

Peach Leaf Curl Disease, caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans,
is characterized by reddish hypertrophic and hyperplasic leaf areas. To
comprehend the biochemical imbalances caused by the disease an
integrated approach including metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics and
complementary biochemical techniques was undertaken. Symptomatic and
asymptomatic areas were dissected from leaves with increasing extension
of the disease. A differential metabolic behaviour was identified in
symptomatic areas with respect to either asymptomatic areas or healthy
leaves. Symptomatic areas showed an altered chloroplastic functioning
and composition which includes decrease in the photosynthetic machinery,
alteration in plastidic lipids, and decreased starch, carotenoid and
chlorophyll biosynthesis. In symptomatic areas, decreases in chloroplast
redox-homeostasis proteins and in triacylglycerols double bond index
were observed. Proteomic data revealed an up-regulation of
phenylpropanoid and mevalonate pathways and down-regulation of the
plastidic methylerythritol phosphate route. Amino acid pools were
affected, with up-regulation of proteins involved in asparagine
synthesis. Curled areas exhibited a metabolic shift towards functioning
as a sink tissue importing sugars and producing energy through
fermentation and respiration and reductive power via the pentose
phosphate route. As the disease progresses, reduced asymptomatic areas
and healthy leaves diminishes photosynthates production thereby limiting
fruit production and ultimately tree survival.
Diagnostic Performance Evaluation of Three COVID-19 Rapid Immunochromatographic Test Kits on Clinical Samples Tested by rRT-PCR.
Authors: NY Eric Nyarko , B Simon Bani , K Ebenezer Amakye , Akomeah Shanthi , Dodoo Derrick N.D. , Aidoo Clement , Fynn-Buadu Magdalene , Adom Monica , Bani Fathea , Obirikorang Christian
Published: April 2024

Background: COVID-19 has imposed significant burden on
healthcare systems worldwide. The need for simple, rapid, and affordable
diagnostic tests to support the existing costly and demanding polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) assay is very necessary. Methods: This
study evaluated the performance characteristics of three (3) COVID-19
rapid antigen test kits: DG Rapid, SD Rapid and SS Rapid. They were
compared with the gold standard real-time reverse transcriptase- PCR
(rRT-PCR) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen in 75
archived samples. Results: Of the 75 samples tested, 38
(50.7%) were positive and 37 (49.3%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA
by rRT-PCR assay. No false positive was recorded. The DG Rapid kit
detected 30 (78.9%) true positives and 8 (21.1%) false negatives. SD
Rapid kit detected 28 (73.7%) true positives and 10 (26.3%) false
negatives, while the SS Rapid kit detected 19 (50.0%) true positives
and 19 (50.0%) false negatives. Specificity of each test kit was 100%
(CI 95%), but the sensitivity of the DG Rapid, SD Rapid, and SS Rapid
kits was 79%, 74%, and 50% (CI 95%), respectively. Higher
sensitivities among samples with Ct values <29.99 were
recorded for each kit. Also, the DG Rapid kit demonstrated 79%
excellent agreement with rRT-PCR, while the SD Rapid and SS Rapid kits
demonstrated good agreement with rRT-PCR with 73% and 50% Cohen’s
kappa values, respectively. Conclusion: The study suggests that
DG Rapid and SD Rapid kits are reliable alternatives to rRT-PCR for the
detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in resource-limited
settings like Ghana.
Single-cell analysis reveals microbial spore responses to sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Yang Weiming , Yuan Yufeng , He Lin , Fan Haihua
Published: April 2024

Pollution from toxic spores has caused us a lot of problems, because
spores are extremely resistant and can survive most disinfectants.
Therefore, the detection of spore response to disinfectant is of great
significance for the development of effective decontamination
strategies. In this work, we investigated the effect of 0.5% sodium
hypochlorite on the molecular and morphological properties of single
spores of Bacillus subtilis using single-cell techniques. Laser
tweezers Raman spectroscopy showed that sodium hypochlorite resulted in
Ca -dipicolinic acid release and nucleic acid
denaturation. Atomic force microscopy showed that the surface of treated
spores changed from rough to smooth, protein shells were degraded at 10
min, and the permeability barrier was destroyed at 15 min. The spore
volume decreased gradually over time. Live-cell imaging showed that the
germination and growth rates decreased with increasing treatment time.
These results provide new insight into the response of spores to sodium
hypochlorite.
On the asymptotic behavior of the solutions of a class of anisotropic initial-boundary value problems
Authors: Enache Cristian , ÖZTÜRK EYLEM
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we investigate a class of anisotropic initial-boundary
value problems, involving the Finsler-Laplacian. Firstly, by using a
first-order differential inequality technique, we provide some
appropriate conditions on the data which guarantee the blow-up of the
solution at some explicit finite time. Next, under different appropriate
conditions on the data, we will make use of a comparison principle to
prove the global boundedness of the solution. Finally, by using a
maximum principle for an appropriate P-function, in the sense of L.E.
Payne, we derive some explicit exponential time decay bounds for the
solution and its derivatives..
Grazing decreases net ecosystem carbon exchange by decreasing shrub and semi-shrub biomass in a desert steppe
Authors: Ju xin , Wang Bingying , Zhang Xiaojia , Wu Qian , Han Guodong
Published: April 2024

Livestock grazing can strongly determine how grasslands function and
their role in carbon cycle. However, how ecosystem carbon exchange
responds to grazing and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We
measured ecosystem carbon fluxes to explore the changes in carbon
exchange and their driving mechanisms in a 16-year long term experiment
with different grazing intensities in a desert steppe grassland. We
found that grazing intensity influenced above- and belowground biomass
during the peak growing season, primarily by decreasing shrubs and
semi-shrubs and perennial forbs. Furthermore, alter patterns of net
ecosystem exchange primarily via their negative influence on the biomass
of shrub and semi-shrub. In addition, grazing-induced reduction
belowground biomass, as well as in total plant nitrogen and soil
ammonium nitrogen, can strongly influence ecosystem carbon exchange and
soil respiration. When nitrogen is lost from the soil due to grazing,
plants reallocate resources belowground to maintain growth and
development, thus promoting photosynthesis and respiration. Our study
indicates that soil available nitrogen and shrubs and semi-shrubs are
important factors in regulating ecosystem carbon exchange under grazing
disturbance in the desert steppe, which provide a basis for grazing
management.
The comparison between different types of constructed wetlands for biochemical oxygen demand removal efficiency
Authors: Stankovic Nikola
Published: April 2024

This research shows efficiency of constructed wetlands (CWs) to purify waste
water in the case of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). CWs such as surface
flow (SF), subsurface flow (SSF), and hybrid (HYB) systems have been
compared to provide an analysis about which system has better performance
for BOD removal efficiency. Data were collected from different scientific
articles and from all over the world. Meta-analysis technique was employed
to aggregate data from scientific sources, facilitating hypothesis testing,
and comparisons between different types of CWs. All the systems of CWs show
satisfactory removal efficiency. HYB systems are shown to be the most
efficient. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been applied to analyze
differences between respective CWs using R software. It shows that there is
a statistically significant difference between different types of CWs.
Post-hoc Tukey?s Honestly Significant Different (HSD) analysis demonstrates
a statistically significant difference between SF and HYB systems in the
case of BOD removal efficiency. Also, Post-hoc Tukey?s HSD shows
statistically significant difference between SSF and SF CWs. On the other
hand, Post-hoc Tukey?s HSD does not show statistically significant
difference between HYB and SSF CWs. The significant reduction rates for BOD
removal efficiency, demonstrates that CWs can be used to diminish this kind
of pollution.
Survival of endodontically treated teeth in public dental service in Northern Finland: a practise-based register study
Authors: Laajala Anne , Nuutinen Matti , Luttinen Atso , Vähänikkilä Hannu , Tanner Tarja , Laitala Marja-Liisa , Karki Saujanya
Published: April 2024

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with the survival of root canal treated teeth in a practise-based study setting in a 5-year period.
Material and methods: This retrospective study used data from the electronic patient registration system of the public dental services of the City of Oulu, Finland. The inclusion criteria for this study were patients aged ≥ 20 years who had root canal treatment (RCT) that was initiated in 2014. One RCT per patient was included in the study. A total of 713 patients met the inclusion criteria. The outcome variable for this study was the extraction of the RCT tooth during the 5-year period. Explanatory variables included age, diagnosis, tooth type (incisive, canine, premolar, molar), RCT technique (manual, motorized), time from RCT initiation to final restoration and type of final restoration (composite, glass ionomer, fixed dental prosthesis). To evaluate the association between the outcome variable and explanatory variables, Cox regression analyses were performed.
Results: The overall survival rate was 91%. The middle-aged (40–59-years-old) and the oldest (60 and older) patients had a two-fold risk of extraction compared to younger (20–40-years-old) patients. Similarly, a short length of time from RCT initiation to final restoration (0–14 days) resulted in a nearly three times higher risk of extraction compared to a longer period (≥ 90 days).
Conclusions: The 5-year survival rate of RCTs seems high. Extractions were more common among patients over 40 years of age and if the RCT was completed shortly after its initiation.
Sinergia entre las propiedades antioxidantes de Hibiscus sabdariffa y Citrus aurantifolia en la elaboración de un extracto seco
Authors:   Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador., Luna Fox Sting Brayan , Arellano Reinoso Katheryn Gabriela ,   Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador., Guaman Cali Andrea Yessenia ,   Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador., Rodríguez Almeida Nancy Narcisa ,   Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador.
Published: April 2024

El objetivo del presente estudio fue elaborar un extracto seco a partir de las flores de Hibiscus sabdariffa y cáscara de Citrus aurantifolia. Los extractos acuosos se obtuvieron mediante la técnica de extracción asistida por ultrasonido. Se aplicó la metodología de superficie de respuesta para encontrar las condiciones óptimas de extracción. El contenido de polifenoles totales y actividad antioxidante se determinaron mediante las técnicas de Folin-Ciocalteu y FRAP respectivamente. Se planteó un diseño 23 tipo Box-Behnken mediante el software desing expert, para evaluar el impacto de la relación sólido/líquido, tiempo y temperatura de extracción sobre el contenido de polifenoles totales y actividad antioxidante. El extracto seco se obtuvo mediante liofilización. El contenido de humedad y cenizas totales se determinaron mediante la metodología de la AOAC. El pH, solubilidad en agua caliente y fría se determinaron según NTE INEN 1122:2013. Las condiciones óptimas de extracción identificadas por la metodología de superficie de respuesta fueron relación sólido/líquido de 14,98 (m/v), tiempo de extracción de 24,58 minutos y temperatura de 79,99°C logrando valores máximos de 0,82 g EAG/100 g para polifenoles totales y 1,37 g eq. Trolox/100 g para actividad antioxidante. El rendimiento del extracto seco obtenido por liofilización fue de 2,3%. El valor de pH situado en 3,70 no cumplió con los requisitos establecidos por NTE INEN 1122:2013, sin embargo; el contenido de humedad (2,8%), cenizas totales (7,98%), solubilidad en agua caliente (14s) y solubilidad en agua fría (1,06 min) cumplieron estrictamente con la normativa mencionada. El extracto seco, con su elevado contenido de polifenoles y actividad antioxidante, ofrece un valioso aporte, destacándose como un componente prometedor para el desarrollo de productos beneficiosos para la salud.
Sustainable Drainage System Analysis In The Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA)
Authors: Daus Firdaus
Published: April 2024

The Institut Teknologi Sumatera is a new university that still requires planning and infrastructure development, one of the development needed is the construction of a drainage system, namely a sustainable drainage system that adheres to the concept of water conservation. The purpose of this research is to analyze topographic conditions, as well as the performance of the existing drainage system in ITERA and to develop recommendations for a sustainable drainage system. In this study, several stages were carried out, first analyzing the topographical conditions in ITERA. The second is to analyze the existing drainage capacity, which is to compare the existing drainage capacity to the runoff that occurs when it rains. The calculation of runoff discharge is obtained from hydrological analysis of rainfall data using the annual maximum partial series method. Third, synthesizing the connectivity between drainage segments to the reservoirs in ITERA.
 
The results of several analyzes above show that, firstly, the topography in ITERA is relatively flat with the most dominant elevations being 85 - 100 m and 100 - 105 m. Second, the calculation results show that the existing drainage capacity is still able to accommodate the runoff that occurs. So for now it is still safe against inundation and flooding. Third, the results show that there are several existing drainages that have not been connected to other drainage segments and water does not run off to the designated place as a reservoir, namely the reservoir.
A Cross-cultural Validation of Multidimensional Digital Stress Scale in Türkiye
Authors: İnce Aracı Fazilet Gül , Oyar Esra , Tan Şeref
Published: April 2024

Purpose: The Multidimensional Digital Stress Scale, originally developed in English by Hall, Steele, Christofferson, and Mihailova (2021), was aimed to be adapted to Turkish culture in this study. To achieve this goal, the suitability of the Turkish translation, Turkish grammar control, and translation from Turkish to English back were examined by an expert whose mother tongue is English and who is proficient in Turkish.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted with a participant group of 409 young individuals enrolled in the Gazi Faculty of Education during the 2021-2022 Spring Semester, ranging in age from 18 to 30. Within the scope of the adaptation study, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was first performed to provide evidence for validity. Then, the obtained structure was tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Findings: The scale, adapted based on the findings from EFA and CFA, consisted of 5 dimensions and 24 items, consistent with the original scale. Cronbach's alpha, stratified alpha, and McDonald's ω coefficient were sequentially computed to assess the reliability of both the sub-dimensions and the entire scale. The stratified alpha coefficient calculated for the complete scale was .95. Additionally, measurements for each dimension yielded reliable results.
Highlights: According to all findings, the scale maintained the same structure in Turkish culture.
Investigating Syntactic and Morphological Differences in the Written Productions of Turkish Learners Based on the Learning Context
Authors: Sönmez Lebriz , Şeker Meral
Published: April 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential impact of the learning context on learners’ written production. Comparing the syntactic and morphological errors, the study tries to find out whether there are differences between written language productions of learners learning Turkish in Turkey and the ones outside the target community.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Following descriptive research method, the study adopted qualitative design through systematic content analysis to analyse the data gathered from 78 learners of Turkish at A2 proficiency level, in Turkey (N=42) and outside of Turkey (N=36). The statistical analyses were then carried out to identify the ratios and the categorical distributions of errors determined through error analysis.
Findings: The results reveal that learning a language in the target context impacts writing performances significantly at syntactic and morphological level. Based on the findings, instructional implications are provided to enhance effective language input.
Highlights: Writing, an important and functional skill in multiple domains, is one of the most challenging skills to master and requires receive sufficient and meaningful authentic language input. As Turkish possesses distinct characteristics compared to Germanic or Semitic Languages, learners of Turkish have additional challenges at language production level. Learners of Turkish display significant differences in the types of syntactic and morphological errors in their writing depending on their learning contexts. The learning context has impacts on the writing productions of learners. The results suggest that educators and program developers in the field of Turkish Language teaching need to consider the role of the context in learning a foreign language while incorporating the special linguistic characteristics of Turkish in designing their teaching programs, materials and lessons.
A Learner-Centred International Perspective on the Advantages of Distance Thesis
Authors: Uysal Ömer
Published: April 2024

Purpose: The research aims to specify attitude towards DT as well as advantages/strengths/opportunities of DT based on views of international learners in the times of the coronavirus or similar necessary conditions.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Qualitative data and qualitative data analysis techniques were need to reach the purpose of the research. Therefore, the study which was conducted to determine the views of international learners about advantages/strengths/opportunities of DT was designed by the qualitative model. Totally 14 international learners participated the research from different countries. An online form was administered to international learners in Turkey to collect data for the research questions. Qualitative descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data.
Findings: The findings consist of two subjects as the attitude towards distance thesis and the advantages of distance thesis. Attitudes of international learners towards DT are very positive that a great majority of the them confirm idea of DT (%85.70) and most of them (%78.57) want to apply DT in case of necessity like coronavirus. The advantages of DT are determined as follows: Flexibility, time saving, cost saving, access information in digital world, chance for working learners, uninterrupted supervision, communication with online meeting, working with digital information-applications-tools-technologies, learning diversity, getting a degree from university at a distance, collaboration with peers and experts from different institutions, support for modernization of universities, contribution to internationalization, achievement of self-management skill, not to being in the crowd.
Highlights: In the literature, no study was found that addressing advantages of distance thesis for graduate programs. In line with the opinions of international learners, the advantages of distance thesis were determined in the research. It has been revealed that international learners have a positive attitude towards distance thesis and they want to apply for distance thesis in times of pandemic or similar necessary conditions. This article can inspire new researches, new projects on distance thesis and the determination of the distance thesis framework in our country.
Investigation of the Effect of Teaching the Unit "Chemistry is everywhere" by Argumentation on Academic Achievement and Some Variables
Authors: Öksüzer Betül , Pınarbaşı Tacettin
Published: April 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of argumentation-oriented instruction on students’ academic achievement, argumentation skills, attitudes towards chemistry, understanding the nature of scientific knowledge, science process skills and willingness to argumentation in teaching the unit “chemistry is everywhere”, by comparing with the existing teaching method.
Method: The research was conducted via embedded design of mixed research method simultaneously combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample consisted of 66 10th grade highschool students. Data collection tools were ‘Chemistry is everywhere’ Unit Achievement Test (CEAT), Attitudes Scale towards Chemistry (ASTC), Science Process Skills Test (SPST), Nature of Scientific Knowledge Test (NSKT), Argumentativeness Scale (AS), interviews and verbal-written discussion. Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were utilized to analyze the scores of CEAT, ASTC, SPST and NSKT, while Wilcoxon test was used for the analysis of AS. The data of interviews, verbal and written discussion were exposed to content analysis.
Findings: The results of the study found statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups’ mean scores of the CEAT, ASTC, SPST and NSKT in favor of the experimental group. For the experimental group, there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of AS and the students’ argumentation levels mainly remained level 2 containing claim and warrant.
Analisis Kinerja Simpang Tak Bersinyal serta Penataannya pada Simpang Jalan Karya Wisata â€“ Jalan Eka Rasmi menggunakan Program PTV Vissim
Authors: Sembiring Jasman , Batubara Hamidun , Sibuea Dody Taufik , Silitonga Ernesto Maringan Ramot
Published: April 2024

Simpang tidak bersinyal tiga lengan Jalan Karya Wisata â€“ Jalan Eka Rasmi merupakan simpang yang sering terdapat konflik antar kendaraan yang disebabkan tidak adanya penataan yang baik di sekitaran simpang yang membuat kondisi lalu lintas tidak teratur. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kinerja simpang kondisi eksisting dan melakukan evaluasi sehingga dapat diberikan solusi serta penataan untuk meningkatkan kinerja simpang tidak bersinyal tiga lengan Jalan Karya Wisata â€“ Jalan Eka Rasmi menggunakan program PTV-Vissim. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian kuantitatif dengan metode survei langsung untuk mengumpulkan data primer, dan data sekunder. Setelah dilakukan penelitian dan pengolahan data, diketahui bahwa jam puncak tertinggi terjadi pada hari Senin, 21 Maret 2022 pukul 08.00 - 09.00 WIB dengan volume kendaraan kondisi eksisting 4986 kendaraan/jam, panjang antrian rata-rata 125 meter, tingkat pelayanan rata-rata mendapatkan nilai Level of Service E (LOS_E), nilai tundaan kendaraan rata-rata 40 detik, derajat kejenuhan 1,28 (macet). Kondisi setelah dilakukan penataan jalan berupa pelebaran jalan pada pendekat jalan karya wisata dengan lebar 5,4 meter menjadi 10,7 meter diperoleh hasil panjang antrian rata-rata 2 meter, tingkat pelayanan rata-rata menjadi LOS_A, nilai tundaan 5 detik, dan derajat kejenuhan 0,44 (lancar). Prediksi kondisi 5 tahun ke depan diperoleh panjang antrian 19 meter, tingkat pelayanan rata-rata menjadi LOS_C, nilai tundaan 17 detik, derajat kejenuhan 0,56 masuk dalam kategori lancar mendekati ramai lancar. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa pemilihan pelebaran jalan sebagai penataan untuk memperbaiki kinerja simpang berhasil namun tidak dapat bertahan lama seiring dengan pertumbuhan lalu lintas sebesar 4,83% setiap tahunnya sehingga perlu dicari opsi perbaikan lainnya.