bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Facial Features in Scale-Space
Authors: Hosten P. , Asbach M.
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a new approach to the detection of facial features. A scale adapted Harris Corner detector is used to find interest points in scale-space. These points are described by the SIFT descriptor. Thus invariance with respect to image scale, rotation and illumination is obtained. Applying a Karhunen-Loeve transform reduces the dimensionality of the feature space. In the training process these features are clustered by the k-means algorithm, followed by a cluster analysis to find the most distinctive clusters, which represent facial features in feature space. Finally, a classifier based on the nearest neighbor approach is used to decide whether the features obtained from the interest points are facial features or not.
Valuation of Companies
Authors: Lisník J.
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with valuating telecommunications companies. Six groups operating mainly in the European countries are compared. The comparison is based on financial and techno-economic indicators.These indicators are used to value the company by the DCF method. However, many companies have only a very short history. To value these, classical methods like DCF or real options are not suitable. In this case, methods based on market confrontation seem to be efficient. A further exploration of these methods is also the topic of my graduate studies
Wireless and Non-contact ECG Measurement System – the “Aachen SmartChair”
Authors: Aleksandrowicz A. , Leonhardt S.
Published: March 2021

This publication describes a measurement system that obtains an electrocardiogram (ECG) by capacitively coupled electrodes. Fordemonstration purposes, this measurement system was integrated into an off-the-shelf office chair (so-called “Aachen SmartChair”).Whereas in usual clinical applications adhesive, conductively-coupled electrodes have to be attached to the skin, the described system is able to measure an ECG without direct skin contact through the cloth. A wireless communication module was integrated for transmitting theECG data to a PC or to an ICU patient monitor. For system validation, a classical ECG with conductive electrodes and an oxygensaturation signal (SpO2) were obtained simultaneously. Finally, system-specific problems of the presented device are discussed.
Visualization and Simulation in Scheduling
Authors: Čapek R.
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with the representation of scheduling results and it introduces a new tool for visualization and simulation in time scheduling called VISIS. The purpose of this tool is to provide an environment for visualization, e.g. in production line scheduling. The simulation also proposes a way to simulate the influence of a schedule on a user defined system, e.g. for designing filters in digital signal processing. VISIS arises from representing scheduling results using the well-known Gantt chart. The application is implemented in the Matlab programming environment using Simulink and the Virtual Reality toolbox.
Inductive Contactless Distance Measurement Intended for a Gastric Electrical Implant
Authors: Tomek J.
Published: March 2021

For a gastric electrical stimulation project we are developing a system for on-demand switching according to the volume or elongation of the stomach wall. The system is to be implanted into the human abdomen, which limits the utilization of many possible solutions and types of sensors. Magnetic induction has been agreed as the most suitable principle, despite its direction dependency and the need of multi-axial and multiple probes for precision measurements. Possible configurations are discussed as well as the complexity of the necessary electronics and the implantation itself. For detecting food consumption, perfect precision is fortunately not necessary, but a certain compromise will still be necessary for the final system. A simple two-coil system – a transmitter and receiver and a system with a three-axial coil – have already been realized. The first system has already been successfully tested in-vivo on dogs by our US colleagues. However, if the implantation is badly performed, and the coils are completely out of axis, the system cannot sense relative changes in volume properly. The three-axial sensor presented here eliminates these problems. More complex arrangements emerging from magnetic tracking are discussed, because laboratory studies of stomach movements may require them.
The European Electricity Market and Cross-Border Transmission
Authors: Adamec M. , Indráková M. , Karajica M.
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with basic characteristics and features of trading in electricity, especially in cross-border trading. First, the most important features of electricity as a commodity are explained, with the consequences for electricity trading. Then characteristics and changes in the electricity market after liberalization are discussed. This liberalization has taken place throughout Europe, and the consequences of this revolutionary change are still visible. The main features of electricity trading are mentioned in general. Then cross-border trade in Europe is discussed in greater detail. In this context the basic principles of the allocation of cross-border transmission capacities are explained.The next part of the paper considers the characteristics of the European electricity market from the trader’s point of view. Liquidity as a very important index is introduced here.Finally the most visible trends in cross-border trade and the most probable future development in this area are presented.
Speaker Non-speech Event Recognition with Standard Speech Datasets
Authors: Rajnoha J.
Published: March 2021

A non-speech event modelling approach to speech recognition is presented in this paper. A speaker independent spoken Czech digit recogniser is used for this purpose, and speaker generated non-speech events are modelled. Because it is important for the recogniser to be trained on suitable data, the paper shows some factors that influence the occurrence of the modeled non-speech events in the training database. Some results achieved on the analysed training database are then shown. In the experiments on forced alignment the recogniser eliminates almost all the insertion error, which is a promising property for subsequent training. However, experiments with a different basis for the non-speech event models provide almost the same results, so the difference seems to be not so significant for recognition.
PROTECTIVE ASPECTS IN CONTACTLESS INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY FEVER SCREENING
Authors: Bernard Vladan , Staffa Erik , Bourek Aleš , Dostál Marek , Mornstein Vojtěch , Pokorná Jana
Published: March 2021

Main symptoms found in patients with same diseases as for example COVID-19 is febrile. The infrared thermography (IRT) represents a fast measurement in case of screening in public places. One of the limitations of IRT is the resolution of sensor, which has close connection with the distance between camera and ROI. To maximize the effectivity of resolution of the camera is to reduce the distance from the object. The aim of presented study showed the possibility how to protect the camera or medical staff that operates the device against potential infection or contamination from the person with infection. Two protective foils of different thickness (40μm; 9μm) were tested as a barrier between the IRT and the ROI (black body model and human face). Even though the results have shown that the transparent foils decrease linearly the measured value of the temperature, it can be used as a protective barrier between IRT and the object if an appropriate recalculation is done during analysis of IRT images. Results are acceptable in the case of 9μm foil especially. The authors see this possibility as a minor concession from IRT standards but as a great help in health protection. The transparent foil can be used as protective barrier of the infrared camera.
RATIO DECIDENDI PENETAPAN PENGANGKATAN ANAK BERAGAMA ISLAM DI PENGADILAN NEGERI KENDAL: Analisis Pu-tusan Nomor: 27/Pdt.p/2011/PN. Kdl
Authors: Ilyas Futry Rachmadewi
Published: March 2021

This paper’s aim is to analyze the legal consideration of Kendal District court on the stipulation of the adopted child for Muslim after the enactment of Law No. 50 of 2009 concerning the religious courts with the focus on the ratio decidendi of the decision of Kendal District Court  Number: 27/pdt.p/2011/ PN. Kdl. Utilizing juridical normative work, this paper argues that the court stipulated adopted Muslim child after the enactment of Religious Court (PA) act as the judges only took serious consideration to the adoption motives and paid less attention to the religion of the child. The decision, therefore, does not meet to the principle of the best interest of the child where religion is a fundamental.Artikel ini membahas tentang ratio desidendi atau alasan hukum yang digunakan oleh hakim Pengadilan Negeri (PN) Kendal dalam membuat penetapan pengangkatan anak dalam perkara No. 27/pdt.p/2011/PN.kdl. Penetapan ini berkaitan dengan pengajuan penetapan pengangkatan anak yang diajukan oleh pasangan suami isteri Muslim. Dengan menggunakan perspektif yuridis, artikel ini berargumen bahwa dalam membuat penetapan ini, hakim hanya mempertimbangkan motif dan tujuan dibalik pengangkatan anak yang dilakukan, tanpa mempertimbangkan faktor agama sebagai alasan dalam penetapan. Dari perspektif hukum, penetapan ini tidak sesuai dengan prinsip pengangkatan anak yang menekankan pada kepentingan terbaik anak.
BERTAHAN SEBAGAI ISTERI NARAPIDANA DI TANAH MINANG: Rasionalitas dan Tradisionalisme Isteri Narapidana di Kabupaten Tanah Datar Sumatera Barat
Authors: Handayani Yulmitra
Published: March 2021

This paper discusses about women as wives of convicted criminals in Batusangkar, West Sumatra. This study concentrates on the reasons of their attitudes to stay at becoming wives of these convicted criminals.  This study is an empirical research by utilizing the theory of social action of Max Weber. This article argues that the wives of convicted criminals have chosen to keep their household as a fruit of both traditional and rational action choices. The wife loyalty and the stigmatization of widow status are among traditional values which give strong influence to them. At the same time, some consider their age, their nuclear family and financial needs as rational reasons behind their choice.Tulisan ini membahas tentang perempuan yang menjadi isteri narapidana di Batusangkar, Sumatera Barat. Fokus kajian dalam tulisan ini adalah alasan mengapa mereka tetap memilih bertahan menjadi isteri narapidana. Dengan menggunakan teori tindakan sosial Max Weber, artikel ini menyatakan bahwa para perempuan tersebut tetap memilih bertahan untuk menjadi para isteri narapidana dikarenakan alasan tradisi dan alasan rasional. Kesetiaan perempuan dan stigma negatif terhadap status janda menjadi alasan tradisional yang melatari pilihan mereka. Sedangkan alasan rasional mereka dapat dilihat dari pernyataan di antara mereka yang mempertimbangkan usia mereka yang sudah lanjut. Sebagian lagi mempertimbangkan nasib anak-anak mereka. Terdapat pula sebagian isteri yang berargumen karena kebutuhan ekonomi mereka.
TRADISI BUKA PINTU DALAM PERKAWINAN MASYARAKAT BANTEN: Studi terhadap Tradisi Ya Lail di Kampung Pakuncen Ciwedus, Cilegon
Authors: Fithoroini Dayan
Published: March 2021

This article discusses about the tradition of yalil/yalail practiced in Kampung Pakuncen Cilegon Banten in the process of marriage celebration. It is a symbol of the beginning of family life. This tradition is conducted after marriage contract. The discussion concentrate on the meaning of the tradition among the society. Based on empirical research, this paper argues that the tradition of yalil is a symbol of the arrival of the first time the groom goes to the bride's house and the acceptance of the bride’s family to the groom. In Kampung Pakuncen, Ya lail tradition has important meaning for the society, even it was considered as a compulsory in wedding procession and give impact to the validity of marriage. As a fruit of social development, contemporary development shows that ya lail is considered as a good tradition which does not give impact to the validity of marriage.  Tulisan ini membahas tentang tradisi yalil/ya lail, sebuah tradisi yang ada dalam pesta perkawinan, yang dipraktikkan di Kampung Pakuncen, Cilegon, Banten. Tradisi Yalil ini dianggap sebagai simbol dimulainya kehidupan berumah tangga dan biasanya diadakan setelah akad nikah. Tulisan ini berfokus pada makna tradisi ya lail bagi masyarakat kampung Pakuncen. Berdasarkan penelitian empiris, tulisan ini menyimpulkan bahwa tradisi Yalil merupakan tanda kedatangan mempelai laki-laki ke rumah mempelai perempuan untuk pertama kalinya, dan simbol penerimaan keluarga mempelai perempuan terhadap mempelai laki-laki. Bagi masyarakat Pekuncen, tradisi Ya lail mempunyai makna yang penting dalam perkawinan. Tradisi ini pernah dianggap sebagai salah satu syarat yang menentukan sahnya perkawinan. Namun, seiring dengan perkembangan sosial yang terjadi, sekarang masyarakat hanya menganggap ya lail sebagai tradisi baik yang tidak berpengaruh terhadap keabsahan perkawinan.
The Problems of Application of Online Learning in the Affective and Psychomotor Domains During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bali Muhammad Mushfi El Iq , Musrifah Musrifah
Published: March 2021

The outbreak of the Covid-19 virus has had an impact not only on the decline of the people's economy but also on the education system in Indonesia. As a result, the learning process is shifted to online learning. The application of online learning is inseparable from various problems, not only concerning facilities and infrastructure but also regarding the goals of education itself. The purpose of this study was to determine the problems of the application of online learning, especially in the affective and psychomotor domains. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. Sources of data obtained through interviews with research subjects Islamic religious education teachers at Islamic Senior High School Miftahul Ulum Opo-Opo Krejengan, Probolinggo. The results obtained indicate that the problems in the application of online learning in the affective and psychomotor domains concern student learning interests, the value of honesty and a sense of student responsibility, and student discipline. Meanwhile, in the psychomotor realm, the problem found is related to the implementation of teacher practice or assessment of student skills
Privacy Preserving Physical Layer Authentication Scheme for LBS based Wireless Networks
Authors: Lavanya D.L. , Ramaprabha R. , Gunaseelan K.
Published: March 2021

With the fast development in services related to localisation, location-based service (LBS) gains more importance amongst all the mobile wireless services. To avail the service in the LBS system, information about the location and identity of the user has to be provided to the service provider. The service provider authenticates the user based on their identity and location before providing services. In general, sharing location information and preserving the user’s privacy is a highly challenging task in conventional authentication techniques. To resolve these challenges in authenticating the users, retaining users’ privacy, a new SVD (singular value decomposition) based Privacy Preserved Location Authentication Scheme (SPPLAS) has been proposed. In this proposed method, physical layer signatures such as channel state information (CSI) and carrier frequency offset (CFO) are used for generating secret key required for encrypting the user’s location and identity information, and thus encrypted user’s information is sent to service provider for authentication. Secret key is generated by applying SVD on CSI vector. The proposed scheme aids in authenticating the user through location information while protecting the user’s privacy. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated in terms of bit mismatch, leakage and bit error rate performance of receiver and adversary. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves better robustness and security than the existing location-based authentication techniques.
Security Analysis of Bit plane Level Image Encryption Schemes
Authors: Ratan Ram , Yadav Arvind
Published: March 2021

A selective bit-plane encryption scheme was proposed for securing the transmission of image data in mobile environments with a claim that it provides a high security viz. the encryption of the four most significant bit-planes is sufficient for a high image data security. This paper presents the security analysis of the said encryption scheme and reports new important results. We perform the security analysis of the bit-level encryption by considering the normal images and their histogram equalised enhanced images. We consider different bit-plane aspects to analyse the security of the image encryption, and show that the encryption of the four most significant bit-planes is not adequate. The contents of the images can be obtained even when all the bit-planes except one least significant bit-plane are encrypted in the histogram equalised images as shown in the results. The bit-plane level security analysis seems very useful for the analysis of the bit-plane level image encryption schemes.
Comparative Analysis of Aerodynamic Characteristics of F16 and F22 Combat Aircraft using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Malik Lohit , Tevatia Abhishek
Published: March 2021

This paper presents the computational investigation of air flow over an aircraft at realistic speeds while demonstrating the importance of extending the existing analysis to the complete airplane and how pivotal it is in improving its in-flight performance. The study is done for F16 and F22 aircraft using ANSYS Fluent (19.2) to obtain pressure distribution, shear stress distribution and temperature variation on the complete surface of the aircraft. Since the front section of the aircraft is prone to direct initial impact of surrounding environment, this portion is also examined. Here, as the speed is doubled from Mach 1 to Mach 2, a rise in the value of all the three variables is noticed for the F16 aircraft, whereas the pressure distribution for F22 aircraft shows strange behaviour for the highest speed (Mach 2). On comparing the results over the whole surface, it is seen that F16 experiences smaller pressure (29% lower for Mach 1 and 30% for Mach 2), temperature (9.5% lower for Mach 1 and 30% for Mach 2) and shear stress relative to F22 and the stress shows a huge change (90% lower for Mach 1 and 83% for Mach 2). Results of the present study imply that the design of the aircraft highly influences its performance as the parameters discussed touch their limits.
Performance of a Cantilever Energy Harvester under Harmonic and Random Excitations
Authors: Manoj K. , Narayanamurthy V. , Korla S.
Published: March 2021

The technique of harvesting the energy from base structural vibration through a piezoelectric transducer attached at an appropriate location on the vibrating structure is gaining popularity in recent years. Although the amount of energy harvested depends on the type and magnitude of base excitation, the energy harvest under random excitation as compared to equivalent harmonic excitations is not yet well understood and is investigated in this paper through a cantilever energy harvester. Initially, the energy harvested under harmonic excitations is numerically simulated and experimentally validated under increasing base accelerations with different load resistances. Subsequently, the performance of this energy harvester is experimentally studied under random excitations. The results demonstrate that the harvested energy (a) reaches maximum value when the base excitation matches the natural frequency of the harvester, (b) increases with the increase in base accelerations irrespective of the type of excitation, and (c) increases by 2-14 times under random excitations as compared to equivalent harmonic excitations i.e. under same energy input. It is recommended that the energy harvester be used in aerospace structures where random vibration amplitude is higher, to harvest more energy.
Asymmetrical Vortex over Slender Body A Computational Approach
Authors: Karn P. K. , Kumar P. , Das Sudip
Published: March 2021

Computational investigations were carried out on an ogive-cylinder configuration having a slenderness ratio of 7.5. The geometry of the nose tip was generated based on the physical geometry of the nose tip observed under a scanning electron microscope. Time-dependent simulations were performed on the slender body at a diameter Reynolds number of 3.0×104. Results indicated that the onset of vortex asymmetry was mainly due to the micro-tip imperfection existing at the tip. It was also observed that the variation in the roll angle of the model affected the flow physics largely which has been experimentally observed by several researchers in the past. The computed results were in better agreement with the referenced experimental data.
Using head mounted display virtual reality simulations in large engineering classes: Operating vs observing
Authors: Valentine Andrew , Van Der Veen Tom , Kenworthy Patrick , Hassan Ghulam Mubashar , Guzzomi Andrew L , Khan R. Nazim , Male Sally Amanda
Published: March 2021

A barrier to using head mounted display (HMD) virtual reality (VR) in education is access to hardware for large classes. This paper compares students’ learning when engaging with an HMD VR simulation as the operator and as the observer, to evaluate whether benefits of HMD VR can be achieved without requiring all students to operate the equipment. Postgraduate engineering students (N = 117) completed a safety hazard identification exercise in a workshop. The performance of students who operated and observed was compared. Results showed that students performed similarly in the exercise that followed the simulation whether they operated HMD VR (n = 33) or observed (n = 84). The finding suggests that educators may be able to use HMD VR simulations in classes with a large enrolment, by reducing the need for investment and management of a large number of sets of HMD VR equipment.

Implications for practice or policy:

Engineering educators can use HMD VR simulations to teach students about safety in design.

Engineering students are able to identify safety hazards in a HMD VR simulation effectively whether they are operating the equipment or observing another student in their group operating the VR equipment.

One HMD VR set per student group is sufficient.

HMD VR simulations can be used inclusively, even when some students are unable or unwilling to wear the headset.
Hindsight Bias and Electoral Outcomes: Satisfaction Counts More Than Winner-Loser Status
Authors: Bertolotti Mauro , Catellani Patrizia
Published: March 2021

The tendency to perceive outcomes as more foreseeable once they are available is a well-known phenomenon. However, research on the cognitive and motivational factors that induce individuals to overestimate the foreseeability of an electoral outcome has yielded inconsistent findings. In three studies based on large-scale electoral surveys (ITANES, Italian National Election Studies), we argued that the tendency to perceive an electoral outcome as foreseeable is positively and consistently associated with satisfaction with the outcome. Across all studies, satisfaction with the outcome was significantly and positively associated with retrospective foreseeability, above and beyond voters’ preference for a “winning” or “losing” party. In Study 3, a measure of memory distortion of pre-electoral forecasts was included, which was only weakly associated with retrospective foreseeability, but not with satisfaction for the outcome, supporting the notion of different levels of hindsight bias associated with different cognitive and motivational factors.
Flexing the Extremes: Increasing Cognitive Flexibility With a Paradoxical Leading Questions Intervention
Authors: Knab Nadine , Winter Kevin , Steffens Melanie C.
Published: March 2021

Since the increase in numbers of refugees worldwide, the acceptance of refugees in host countries is a highly contested topic. Negative attitudes towards refugees pose a challenge to both integration efforts and social cohesion. So-called paradoxical interventions help mitigating such extreme attitudes, but little is known about the cognitive processes elicited by these interventions. This research investigated whether a paradoxical leading-questions intervention targeting anti-refugee attitudes increases cognitive flexibility, especially among those with anti-refugee attitudes. Results of two preregistered experiments with general-population samples (N= 306) provide evidence that participants with anti-refugee attitudes showed higher cognitive flexibility in the paradoxical condition compared to control conditions. Thereby, this research proposes a cognitive foundation for the benefits of paradoxical interventions in intergroup contexts and suggests novel indications as to why these interventions are effective. We discuss the potential of paradoxical interventions for other important socially contested contexts, such as vaccination and climate change.
Ideological Differences in Race and Gender Stereotyping
Authors: Stern Chadly , Axt Jordan
Published: March 2021

We investigated whether political ideology was associated with the endorsement of race and gender stereotypes, and examined motivational and cognitive factors that could account for any ideological differences. Across five preregistered studies, people who were more politically conservative more strongly supported the use of stereotypes to make social inferences based on race, and endorsed specific stereotypes about racial and gender groups. An internal meta-analysis indicated that a greater desire to uphold group-based hierarchy and lower epistemic motivation to deliberate explained, in part, why conservatives were more likely to endorse the use of stereotypes, while cognitive ability did not have a significant explanatory role. These findings suggest that characteristics of individuals not inherently linked to any particular social group can shape perceptions about whether stereotypes are valid, and highlight how basic psychological motivations lead liberals and conservatives to diverge in their perceptions of groups.
Sleep Spindles Preferentially Consolidate Weakly Encoded Memories
Authors: Denis Dan , Mylonas Dimitrios , Poskanzer Craig , Bursal Verda , Payne Jessica D. , Stickgold Robert
Published: March 2021

Sleep has been shown to be critical for memory consolidation, with some research suggesting that certain memories are prioritized for consolidation. Initial strength of a memory appears to be an important boundary condition in determining which memories are consolidated during sleep. However, the role of consolidation-mediating oscillations, such as sleep spindles and slow oscillations, in this preferential consolidation has not been explored. Here, 54 human participants (76% female) studied pairs of words to three distinct encoding strengths, with recall being tested immediately following learning and again 6 h later. Thirty-six had a 2 h nap opportunity following learning, while the remaining 18 remained awake throughout. Results showed that, across 6 h awake, weakly encoded memories deteriorated the fastest. In the nap group, however, this effect was attenuated, with forgetting rates equivalent across encoding strengths. Within the nap group, consolidation of weakly encoded items was associated with fast sleep spindle density during non-rapid eye movement sleep. Moreover, sleep spindles that were coupled to slow oscillations predicted the consolidation of weak memories independently of uncoupled sleep spindles. These relationships were unique to weakly encoded items, with spindles not correlating with memory for intermediate or strong items. This suggests that sleep spindles facilitate memory consolidation, guided in part by memory strength.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGiven the countless pieces of information we encode each day, how does the brain select which memories to commit to long-term storage? Sleep is known to aid in memory consolidation, and it appears that certain memories are prioritized to receive this benefit. Here, we found that, compared with staying awake, sleep was associated with better memory for weakly encoded information. This suggests that sleep helps attenuate the forgetting of weak memory traces. Fast sleep spindles, a hallmark oscillation of non-rapid eye movement sleep, mediate consolidation processes. We extend this to show that fast spindles were uniquely associated with the consolidation of weakly encoded memories. This provides new evidence for preferential sleep-based consolidation and elucidates a physiological correlate of this benefit.
An integrated approach for cutting fluid selection using multiple attribute decision making methods
Authors: Dhanalakshmi S. , Rameshbabu T.
Published: March 2021

The choice of most appropriate cutting liquid in any machining process should be performed to attain maximum benefit. Selection of cutting fluid needs more than one dimension. For this purpose, many criteria should be deemed in the selection process.  In this study decision making methods such as AHP, TOPSIS and VIKOR are employed to select the suitable cutting fluid. AHP is used to compute the objective weights for the  criteria.The three alternatives considered are Ahonol- 7, Blaser and YBI. A case study of cutting fluid selection for machining LM 25 Aluminium alloy which finds application in automobile industries is presented to explain the applicability and suitability of the anticipated method. Ranking of alternatives in the above methods suggests Ahonol – 7 as the best cutting fluid for CNC turning LM 25 aluminium alloy.
Blast loaded steel-concrete composite slab
Authors: Alias Aizat , Amin A.F.M.
Published: March 2021

This paper presented a numerical investigation of a steel-concrete composite slab subjected to blast loads. The finite element model of the composite slab was developed and validated against experimental results. The validated finite element model of the composite slab then subjected to blast loads using CONWEP function in ABAQUS. A validation investigation was performed on CONWEP function by comparing the blast-pressure profiles from CONWEP against experimental data. Both validation studies showed that the developed finite element model of the composite slab and CONWEP agree reasonably well with test results. The fully restrained composite slab was subjected to four different blast loads with different explosive weights and standoff distances. The transient deformation of the composite slab after subjected to blast loads was investigated where as predicted the deformation of the composite slab was influenced by the blast pressure, which is affected by the weight of explosive and standoff distance. This study also investigated the mode of failure where it was determined flexural failure at the midspan is the main mode of failure accompanied with concrete tensile failure at the supports. The thickness of the profiled deck and the coeffecient of friction influenced the dynamic response of the composite slabs. Increasing the thickness reduces the maximum displacement of the composite slabs. Increasing the coefficient of friction reduces the maximum dislacement but once the coefficient of friction reach its optimum value, no positive benefit is gained.
The annual total artesian water diversion plan of 300billion Square meters in the arid desert area of northwest China
Authors: Huang Zhenqiang
Published: March 2021

The water shortage in the arid desert area of northwest China has seriously restricted the healthy, balanced and sustainable development of the national economy. In the arid desert area of northwest China, the total budget of the full artesian water diversion project of 300billion square meters per year is less than 3trillion yuan, and the construction period is less than 10years. Hope the central government, Ministry of Water Resources, ministry of agriculture, ministry of water and power. And other major national economy and people's livelihood related departments and many experts and scholars, people with lofty ideals to pay high attention in a timely manner.
Impact of Syrian refugee camp on water, air and soil quality at Zaatari refugee camp/Jordan
Authors: Alshirah Mohammad Hussein , Jiries Anwar , Shatnawi Amjad
Published: March 2021

Evaluation of the environmental situation inside Zaatarirefugee camp in terms of water, soil and air was done through classic monitoring as well as by the use of new technique (biofilm) to monitor heavy metal pollution in sewage system at Zaatari camp was done. Major ionic composition was determined for surface runoff, groundwater and wastewater whereas six heavy metals Zn, Mn, Cd, Cr, Cu and Pbwere evaluated for all samples. It was found that salinity of surface runoff decreased with rain events that the highest concentration was found at the beginning of the rainy season where the lowest was found at the end of the season.The salinity of wastewater was related to population density within the camp as it was highest in the oldest part of the camp where high population density exist and the lowest was in the new part of the camp with low population density. Heavy metal concentration in groundwater was low indicating that pollution from the refugee camp did not reach the groundwater resources of the area. All biofilm sampling of the same of wastewater samplingsites was done and it was found to be more efficient in wastewater monitoring as it represent longer period of monitoring than traditional method.For heavy metals concentration in the upper soil showed much higher concentration than lower soil indicating that the source of heavy metals are from the activities within the camp. For air concentration of all heavy metals were very low indicating that there is no source of heavy metals pollution in the area as the camp is located in a desert area and relatively far from major cities.
Infection outbreak for Piscinoodinium pillulare in Piaractus brachypomus from aquaculture farm in Brazilian cerrado
Authors: Ramos Dirceu Guilherme de Souza
Published: March 2021

The Brazilian aquaculture stands out due to the climate and water availability, and grows along with the world fish production, due especially to the human population growth. The Piaractus spp. shows great participation in production due to the high economic value and productive performance, and because species of the genus are native from South America, including Brazil. Fish are susceptible to parasitizing infection by Piscinoodinium pillulare, a protozoa that causes a disease known as “rust disease”, even more at high population densities and stressful circunstances. An outbreak was observed in a semi intensive aquaculture farming property of Piaractus spp. for preservation, and without any commercial interest, in the municipality of Jataí, Goiás, Brazil, where the main characteristics were: dying fish on the water surface; petechiae in the ventral region of the body, especially in the abdomen; ulcers in the cranial portion; inappetence; and high mortality rates. Three specimens of P. brachypomus were captured and a scraped was performed on the body surface and gills and subjected to microscopic analysis. After microscopic analysis, P. pillulare was observed in slides of all samples. The diagnose was based only on the visualization of P. pillulare trophons (protozoa) in the skin and gills of the fish. The populational and climate conditions that P. brachypomus were exposed at Brazilian Cerrado are equivalent with those required to lead fish to stressful conditions and thus, make them susceptible to parasites infections, such as P. pillulare.
Application of multi yield analysis approaches to reservoir system
Authors: Mamman Mohammed Jiya , Matins Otache Y
Published: March 2021

Yield is used to characterise the capacity of a water resource. It is a fundamental water-supply planning concept, and an understanding of its attributes is critical for those who participate in water-supply issues. This study tends to carry out firm yield analysis by employing both the accumulated difference method (ADM) and reverse chronology method (RCM) in order to ascertain the minimum storage capacity required to sustain the required yield of kainji reservoir system without interruption. In applying (ADM), the inflows were accumulated and the difference calculated. The minimum inflow within the year of record was determined to be the firm yield. The yield of 30x109m3 was hypothetically chosen to determine the minimum capacity to sustain it without interruption during the period under record. Similarly the firm yield analysis was also done by employing the method of reverse chronology (RCM) to confirm the result in the accumulated difference method. This method is based on the premise that what is the minimum volume that has to be in storage at the end of the previous year plus the inflow can meet the demand during the current year. This was carried out by starting with the last year of the record and working back to the first year and the difference between the inflow and the required yield was determined. The shortages were then observed form the difference obtained; the maximum shortage was then selected as the required capacity.The firm yield was determined to be 22.7283×109m3. The minimum capacity required to sustain a yield of 30×109m3 per annum (the average annual demand) without interruption during the period under record was determined to be 7.3431×109m3. The interaction between the reservoir elements were significant considering the correlation matrix applied.
An environmental analysis of the acaraú river basin, Brazilian northeastern region
Authors: Claudino-Sales Vanda
Published: March 2021

The rivers and their watersheds are fundamental elements of socioeconomic activities. In this article, we analyze the hydrographic basin of the Acaraú River, situated in the northeast of Brazil, from its geoenvironmental aspects, based on the perspective of the geosystem. In this perspective, a geoenvironmental picture of the hydrographic basin in question is presented, as well as the environmental problems that characterize it, postulating the need to carry out this type of survey to define the basin as a fundamental planning unit. The Acaraú River basin has particular characteristics, since it is located in a poor and extremely populous semi-arid region, which results in socio-environmental stress, whose main consequence is the environmental degradation of the fluvial course. The regional authorities need to be aware of the geoenvironmental elements raised in order to reverse this framework of socio-environmental degradation of water resources and to allow territorial growth based on sustainable development.
The importance of water and conscious use of water
Authors: Kılıç Zeyneb
Published: March 2021

Water is one of the most essential needs for life. About 0.3% of the water resources in the world are usable. Water shortages already exist in many regions, with more than one billion people without adequate drinking water. This situation is one of the most important indicators of why we should be very sensitive and conscious towards our water resources.As the world population increases need water also increases.However, as a result of different effects and especially human activities, water resources are decreasing, polluted and still used unconsciously.Water use has doubled increased between the years 1940-1980 and is faced with the danger of water shortages in many countries such as Turkey.Therefore, it is necessary to take and implement measures as soon as possible and we have to use water resources carefully. The aim of this study is to review the literature on the subject, to better understand the importance of water and to evaluate the issues such as preventing water pollution and waste from a theoretical perspective.
What Brazilian students think and how they act in the face of evidence-based practice
Authors: S da Silva Dias de Andrade Fabiana do , Rose Mascarenhas Lilian , da Costa Teixeira Renato , Dórea Gonzaga de Menezes Pollyanna , Primitivo de Oliveira Camila B dos S , Dias de Sousa Fabianne de Jesus , Rocha Barbosa Thayrine , Carvalho Gresik Karla Rocha , Freitas da SIlva Natália , Alcântara Fernandes Camila , de Oliveira Alesi Andrade , da Silva Almeida Robson
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Physiotherapy through evidence-based practice (EBP) can enrich information about the history of the disease, conduct the examination, aid in therapeutic diagnosis, and guide appropriate intervention. Objectives: To describe the attitudes, knowledge and behaviors of students of the physiotherapy course regarding EBP, as well as the main barriers found for its full implementation. Methods: This is a survey study, carried out among students from the 7th semester of the physiotherapy course from all Brazilian macro-regions and duly enrolled in invited Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Results: About 97% agreed that EBP is important in clinical practice, 31.94% said they did not receive formal training in EBP or received it partially during undergraduate studies, 87.5% said they have the ability for quality clinical research and 69.44% admitted to being able to incorporate practical guides to their learning and/or care. Among the main barriers pointed out for not performing EBP are insufficient time for scientific research, lack of information and lack of articles on the general population to which the patient belongs. Conclusion: The students considered the EBP an important tool in higher level learning and most of them both seek and apply knowledge present in relevant clinical research in their learning and/or care, although a considerable percentage never received formal training or read few articles per month. Among the barriers pointed to the achievement of EBP, the lack of skill for relevant scientific research and the lack of findings in the scientific literature for a certain population of patients, are factors that can be fully assisted by the higher education institution, thus culminating in the formation of a full professional and capable of providing a treatment of excellence.
Pengujian Kebergunaan Sistem Berdasarkan Kepuasan Penggunanya Menggunakan Use Questionnaire
Authors: Nuryasin Nuryasin , Putri Silma Novshienza
Published: March 2021

Penggunaan teknologi informasi (TI) tidak dapat dihindari telah menjadi bagian penting untuk mendukung kesuksesan bisnis sebuah perusahaan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keberhasilan sistem Commuter Vending oleh perusahaan kereta api di Indonesia berdasarkan kegunaan sistem. Tujuan penelitian ini mendapatkan nilai kelayakan dari aplikasi commuter vending dengan menggunakan bantuan use questionnaire. Peneliti menggunakan alat kuesioner untuk mengumpulkan data pengalaman pengguna dari implementasi sistem. Hasil pengukuran menunjukkan kelayakan kegunaan sistem di sekitar 75,92%. Selain itu, ada pengaruh signifikan antara variabel kegunaan, kemudahan penggunaan, dan kemudahan belajar terhadap variabel kepuasan yang dilakukan secara impartial. Terlihat nilai rata-rata terendah adalah dari variabel Ease of Learning sebesar 15,93 dan nilai rata-rata variabel tertinggi terletak pada Ease of Use sebesar 40,45 disebabkan oleh pengalaman responden dalam merasakan kemudahan saat menggunakan aplikasi tersebut
Reflexiones en torno al nacimiento en tiempos de pandemia de coronavirus en Leticia, sur de la Amazonia colombiana
Authors: Martínez Forero Tania Yimara
Published: March 2021

Los cuidados tradicionales y domiciliarios son, a simple vista, el modelo predominante de asistencia al parto en la región amazónica de la triple frontera (Colombia, Brasil, Perú), al cual se han venido sumando mujeres no indígenas que desean ser asistidas por parteras, tanto por la búsqueda de una atención más cercana y empática que tenga en cuenta su estado emocional, como por el miedo al contagio e intervencionismo que hoy caracterizan al espacio hospitalario, dada la emergencia sanitaria suscitada por la pandemia de COVID-19. Lo anterior plantea nuevos retos para una región donde el sistema sanitario se ha visto precarizado por la corrupción y desatención del gobierno nacional y, como tal, resulta difícil la aplicación de protocolos de prevención en el área de salud materno-perinatal. Examinar el parto planificado desde el trabajo intercultural e interdisciplinario en espacios exclusivos para esta atención, puede ayudar a proyectarnos y entender la necesidad de sumar aliados a este trabajo, con el fin de garantizar un acompañamiento respetado y culturalmente pertinente a la maternidad en el sur de la Amazonia colombiana.
Covid-19 e acesso à água na Amazônia brasileira
Authors: Goveia Luis Alberto Miranda
Published: March 2021

O cenário atual de crise sanitária, consequência da pandemia da Covid-19, revela as dificuldades enfrentadas por populações no mundo inteiro quanto às garantias no acesso à água para o combate à doença. O objetivo deste texto é analisar o acesso à água na Amazônia brasileira, de acordo com dados secundários oficiais, e relacioná-los com a difusão da Covid-19, na perspectiva das orientações dos órgãos de saúde que indicam a higienização com água e sabão, e, portanto, o acesso a esse recurso, para a prevenção contra o novo coronavírus. Por meio da revisão bibliográfica e dos dados secundários, evidenciou-se que no Brasil há grande desigualdade no serviço de saneamento básico, com baixos índices de acesso à água na região Norte, formada pelos Estados amazônicos. Nessa mesma região, estão os Estados com maior coeficiente de incidência da Covid-19 até o momento, revelando a grave situação sanitária regional frente a difusão da doença.
Valores de referencia para estatura, peso e índice de masa corporal en niños, niñas y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años. Una revisión sistemática con énfasis en la población colombiana
Authors: López-Laiseca José David , Massuça Luís Miguel
Published: March 2021

Introducción. Las dimensiones corporales básicas (estatura, peso e índice de masa corporal) de niños, niñas y adolescentes son indicadores indispensables tanto en el ámbito de la salud, como en procesos de selección de talentos deportivos.
Objetivos. Identificar y sintetizar los estudios originales de investigación sobre dimensiones corporales básicas en niños, niñas y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años publicados entre 2003 y 2018.
Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en PubMed, Epistemonikos y Google Académico entre mayo de 2017 y junio de 2018. Se buscaron artículos originales de investigación en inglés, español o portugués que abordaran el perfil morfológico, que hubieran utilizado como criterio de referencia las dimensiones corporales básicas o las de la condición física; que en su población de estudio incluyeran niños, niñas y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años, y que hubieran sido publicados entre 2003 y 2018 en revistas con factor de impacto y de libre acceso.
Resultados. Se encontraron 18 artículos que describían el perfil morfológico en niños, niñas y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años, todos de corte transversal. De estos, 5 se realizaron en Colombia y los 13 restantes en países o regiones de América, Europa y Asia.
Conclusión. La presente revisión sistemática permitió establecer un valor de referencia para las variables estatura, peso e IMC, y destacó la variabilidad del perfil morfológico básico asociada con el sexo, la edad y el país de evaluación.