bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedestrian Walkways for Health in Shiraz, Iran, the Contribution of Attitudes, and Perceived Environmental Attributes
Authors: Paydar Mohammad , Fard Asal , Khaghani Marzieh
Published: September 2020

Walking is important for improving physical activity and public health. The pedestrian walkways called Walkways for Health in Shiraz, Iran, present a high standard of aesthetic and design features which attract many people for the purpose of recreation. In addition, a significant percentage of Iranians suffer from mental disorders. The contribution of aesthetic and design features toward walking for recreation as well as mental health has been demonstrated in previous studies, which have focused on either one or the other of these aspects. This interdisciplinary research study aims to evaluate both of these aspects simultaneously. A quantitative approach including a survey questionnaire and multiple regression analysis was used to examine the objectives. The contributions of walking attitudes and several perceived environmental attributes to the attractiveness for walking and to general/mental health were determined, which suggested the need for new arrangements of the visual sequences and social setting along these walkways. In addition, the observation that younger people suffer are more affected by mental health disorders was one of the most challenging findings. The policy makers of this city could apply the findings of this study to these pedestrian walkways in order to improve the attractiveness for walking as well as general and mental health.
New Market Model with Social and Commercial Tiers for Improved Prosumer Trading in Microgrids
Authors: Neagu Bogdan-Constantin , Ivanov Ovidiu , Grigoras Gheorghe , Gavrilas Mihai , Istrate Dumitru-Marcel
Published: September 2020

In the deregulated electricity markets, trading prices are determined by the offer-demand mechanism, and retail consumers can negotiate tariffs with their supplier of choice. For classic wholesale suppliers, the tariffs are determined by the prices of transactions performed on the wholesale market. In parallel with becoming eligible for participating in the market, the consumers use increasingly local generation sources based mostly on renewable electricity generation equipment such as Photovoltaic (PV) panels, and become prosumers. They want to be able to sell back to the market the generation surplus, in order to obtain the maximum benefits from their initial investment. This paper proposes a two-tier local market model oriented for prosumers and consumers connected in microgrids, based on the blockchain technologies and other technologies and concepts such as smart grids, crowdsourcing and energy poverty. Its goals are to improve the possibilities of local prosumers to sell electricity to local consumers and to increase their profitability, compared to the trading model often used in developing markets, of selling the surplus back to the grid via aggregators. The research aims to contribute to the sustainable development of the electricity sector using new and renewable sources of energy, state-of the art technologies and smart contracts, leading to prosumer proliferation and electricity cost reduction for consumers.
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Consumer Food Safety Perceptions—A Choice-Based Willingness to Pay Study
Authors: Meixner Oliver , Katt Felix
Published: September 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic brings about sudden change in societies across the globe and likely heralds the start of a recession, we examine the pandemic’s impact on consumer food safety perceptions. Due to its origin, COVID-19, likely spurring from an animal-to-human transmission in the context of a wet market, may impact consumer food perceptions in similar ways to the avian flu (H5N1) and the swine flu (H1N1). We examine this effect by studying preferences for beef meat in a consumer survey in the United States (n = 999) using a choice-based experiment. We compare our findings to Lim et al. (2014), who elicited consumer beef willingness to pay (WTP). Additionally, we investigate the impact of the looming recession by analyzing several attributes and their effect on consumer preferences. Our findings suggest that food safety concerns have become more important. As a result, production standards and the country of origin have lost importance. Additionally, we show that the socioeconomic impact for some respondents impacts their shopping preferences. Finally, we outline potential areas for future research as well as managerial implications.
The Contribution of the Flipped Classroom Method to the Development of Information Literacy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gómez-García Gerardo , Hinojo-Lucena Francisco-Javier , Cáceres-Reche María-Pilar , Ramos Navas-Parejo Magdalena
Published: September 2020

With the arrival of the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs), today’s society has driven many changes in which the digital channel is one of the main information consumption channels for young university students. Due to the turbulent landscape full of fake news and confusing information we have entered, there is a need to promote information literacy among quality students. To this end, the use of innovative strategies and methods such as Flipped Classroom can be a novel alternative to receive this content. Based on these ideas, the objective of this work was framed in the methodological design corresponding to the systematic review. Thus, empirical work was compiled to put into practice the Flipped Classroom methodology and to promote informational teaching from different knowledge disciplines at the university level. The results showed that the application of the methodology is multivariate, and that it can be administered to students in various ways (video-tutorials, animated videos, training modules, etc.) depending on the creativity of the teacher. Likewise, the results compiled in the review turn towards the improvement of the students’ informational skills, as well as the increase in diverse personal and academic variables.
Measuring What Is Not Seen—Transparency and Good Governance Nonprofit Indicators to Overcome the Limitations of Accounting Models
Authors: Moreno-Albarracín Antonio Luis , Licerán-Gutierrez Ana , Ortega-Rodríguez Cristina , Labella Álvaro , Rodríguez Rosa M.
Published: September 2020

One of the most complex challenges currently faced by non-profit organizations (NPOs) is demonstrating that they manage resources with the highest levels of efficiency and excellence, and do not deviate from the accomplishment of their mission. Transparency and good governance are highly valuable issues for the survival of these organizations. However, empirical studies and models to measure these concepts are scarce and lack consensus. The objective of this article is to develop a uniform procedure for measuring the levels of transparency and good governance in NPOs, validated by experts, that integrates the most important contributions. The main proposals are supported by lists of indicators whose compliance they try to verify. Finally, we considered the experts’ preferences to obtain the indicator weights by means of the Best–Worst Method and Minimum Cost Consensus model. The result of our work is the development of a list of indicators, which integrates the existing battery of Spanish indicators. We contribute, with this work, to improving the credibility of the third sector from the perspective of donors, users, public administrations, and society. This is an essential issue for the survival of these NPOs.
Lack of Spatial Approach in Urban Density Policies: The Case of the Master Plan of Tehran
Authors: Ghadami Mostafa , Dittmann Andreas , Safarrad Taher
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to investigate the approach of density policies in the Tehran Master Plan and the consequences of ignoring the macro spatial scale in density policymaking. In this study, the floor area ratio (FAR) regulations of the Master Plan of Tehran (which are defined by specific land use zones) are used as one of the main densification tools. Then, employing the Getis–Ord Local G and geographic weighted regression (GWR) statistical tests, Arc GIS 10.3 software, and population and employment variables, the spatial outcomes of the Master Plan density policies were modeled. In this research, both population and employment (job) variables and their relationship were utilized to depict the urban spatial structure of the city. The model will show the resulting spatial structure of Tehran if the densification policies of the plan are realized. The findings of the research are surprising, as they indicate that the Master Plan’s densification policies would worsen the current spatial structure by disrupting the current population and employment spatial structure and neglecting their logical relationships. In fact, the Master Plan would change the current polycentric structure into a highly dispersed structure due to its densification approach, which is mainly based on the neighborhood micro scale.
Fabrication of Efficient and Selective Modified Graphene Paste Sensor for the Determination of Catechol and Hydroquinone
Authors: Manjunatha Jamballi G.
Published: September 2020

An electrochemical sensor, based on a graphene paste electrode (GPE), was modified with a polymerization method, and the electrochemical behavior of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) was investigated using electroanalytical methods like cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The effect of CC at the modified electrode was evidenced by the positive shift of the oxidation peak potential of CC at the poly (rosaniline)-modified graphene paste electrode (PRAMGPE) and the nine-fold enhancement of the peak current, as compared to a bare graphene paste electrode (BGPE). The sensitivity of CC investigated by DPV was more sensitive than CV for the analysis of CC. The DPV method showed the two linear ranges of 2.0 × 10−6–1.0 × 10−5 M and 1.5 × 10−5–5 × 10−5 M. The detection limit and limit of quantification were determined to be 8.2 × 10−7 and 27.6 × 10−7 M, respectively. The obtained results were compared successfully with respect to those obtained using the official method. Moreover, this sensor is applied for the selective determination of CC in the presence of HQ. The high sensitivity, good reproducibility, and wide linear range make the modified electrode suitable for the determination of CC in real samples. The practical application of the sensor was demonstrated by determining the concentration of CC in water samples with acceptable recoveries (97.5–98%).
Breaking Molecular Symmetry through Biocatalytic Reactions to Gain Access to Valuable Chiral Synthons
Authors: Patti Angela , Sanfilippo Claudia
Published: September 2020

In this review the recent reports of biocatalytic reactions applied to the desymmetrization of meso-compounds or symmetric prochiral molecules are summarized. The survey of literature from 2015 up to date reveals that lipases are still the most used enzymes for this goal, due to their large substrate tolerance, stability in different reaction conditions and commercial availability. However, a growing interest is focused on the use of other purified enzymes or microbial whole cells to expand the portfolio of exploitable reactions and the molecular diversity of substrates to be transformed. Biocatalyzed desymmetrization is nowadays recognized as a reliable and efficient approach for the preparation of pharmaceuticals or natural bioactive compounds and many processes have been scaled up for multigram preparative purposes, also in continuous-flow conditions.
A Symmetric FBF Method for Solving Monotone Inclusions
Authors: Gibali Aviv , Shehu Yekini
Published: September 2020

The forward–backward–forward (FBF) splitting method is a popular iterative procedure for finding zeros of the sum of maximal monotone and Lipschitz continuous monotone operators. In this paper, we introduce a forward–backward–forward splitting method with reflection steps (symmetric) in real Hilbert spaces. Weak and strong convergence analyses of the proposed method are established under suitable assumptions. Moreover, a linear convergence rate of an inertial modified forward–backward–forward splitting method is also presented.
Understanding the Improvement in Full Childhood Vaccination Coverage in Ethiopia Using Oaxaca–Blinder Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Wondimu Abrham , Cao Qi , Asuman Derek , Almansa Josué , Postma Maarten J. , van Hulst Marinus
Published: September 2020

In Ethiopia, full vaccination coverage among children aged 12–23 months has improved in recent decades. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the improvement in the vaccination coverage. The Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition technique was applied to identify the drivers using data from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2000 and 2016. The vaccination coverage rose from 14.3% in 2000 to 38.5% in 2016. The decomposition analysis showed that most of the rise in vaccination coverage (73.7%) resulted from the change in the effect of explanatory variables over time and other unmeasured characteristics. Muslim religion had a counteracting effect on the observed increase in vaccination coverage. The remaining 26.3% of the increase was attributed to the change in the composition of the explanatory variables between 2000 and 2016, with maternal educational level and maternal health care utilization as significant contributors. The findings highlight the need for further improvements in maternal health care utilization and educational status to maintain the momentum towards universal coverage of childhood vaccination. Targeted intervention among Muslim-dominated communities is also needed to improve the current situation. Besides which, future studies need to be conducted to identify additional potential modifiable factors.
Towards the Development of an Operational Digital Twin
Authors: Gardner Paul , Dal Borgo Mattia , Ruffini Valentina , Hughes Aidan J. , Zhu Yichen , Wagg David J.
Published: September 2020

A digital twin is a powerful new concept in computational modelling that aims to produce a one-to-one mapping of a physical structure, operating in a specific context, into the digital domain. The development of a digital twin provides clear benefits in improved predictive performance and in aiding robust decision making for operators and asset managers. One key feature of a digital twin is the ability to improve the predictive performance over time, via improvements of the digital twin. An important secondary function is the ability to inform the user when predictive performance will be poor. If regions of poor performance are identified, the digital twin must offer a course of action for improving its predictive capabilities. In this paper three sources of improvement are investigated; (i) better estimates of the model parameters, (ii) adding/updating a data-based component to model unknown physics, and (iii) the addition of more physics-based modelling into the digital twin. These three courses of actions (along with taking no further action) are investigated through a probabilistic modelling approach, where the confidence of the current digital twin is used to inform when an action is required. In addition to addressing how a digital twin targets improvement in predictive performance, this paper also considers the implications of utilising a digital twin in a control context, particularly when the digital twin identifies poor performance of the underlying modelling assumptions. The framework is applied to a three-storey shear structure, where the objective is to construct a digital twin that predicts the acceleration response at each of the three floors given an unknown (and hence, unmodelled) structural state, caused by a contact nonlinearity between the upper two floors. This is intended to represent a realistic challenge for a digital twin, the case where the physical twin will degrade with age and the digital twin will have to make predictions in the presence of unforeseen physics at the time of the original model development phase.
S,S-Tetrazine-Based Hydrogels with Visible Light Cleavable Properties for On-Demand Anticancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Changping , Liu Chongyi , Wei Qiyao , Yang Lei , Yang Peng , Li Yiwen , Cheng Yiyun
Published: September 2020

Photocleavable hydrogels are of great importance in the field of controlled drug delivery, stem cell fate regulation, surface patterning, and intelligent devices. However, the development of novel photocleavable gel systems by visible light is usually met with challenges such as the lack of efficient and tunable photocleavable groups and reactions. Herein, we reported the facile fabrication of a new type of photocleavable hydrogels by the direct gelation of 4-arm thiol-terminated polyethylene glycol with 3,6-dichloro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine
via
the formation of S,S-tetrazine linkages. The prepared hydrogels underwent efficient degradation upon irradiation by ultraviolet or green light, and the degradation kinetics could be significantly promoted by hydrogen peroxide. Correspondingly, the hydrogels loaded with calcium peroxide microparticles or glucose oxidase/catalase enzymes enabled the precise and efficient
in vivo
photocontrol of gel degradation and drug release for cancer treatment. This work offers a promising and facile strategy towards the fabrication of visible light cleavable hydrogels with tunable and on-demand drug release properties.
Caduceus: A Medical Symbol of Deception, or Is There More to That?
Authors: Katsaras George , Chatziravdeli Vasiliki , Katsaras Dimitrios , Papavasileiou Garyfalia
Published: September 2020

The serpent is the most popular representative symbol of medicine. The two main figures commonly used are the rod of Asclepius and the caduceus. Much controversy exists in the literature on whether the caduceus is a false symbol for medicine or not. The history of how these depictions came to be ambassadors of the medical science is elusive to many physicians. Scholars suggest that the origin of this false belief dates back to 1902, when the US Army Medical Corps first incorporated the caduceus as its symbol. This current essay is an attempt to discover and interpret how the snake came to be part of the rod of Asclepius and the caduceus, and constitute the symbol of medicine in our days. It is widely accepted that a doctor’s obligation is not only in healing the ill, but the task that is bestowed upon him is more complex. Therefore, one should be considered more of a physician rather than simply a doctor
Influence of Integration of Psychosomatic Concept on the Mental State of Elderly Patients in Emergency Ward
Authors: Qi Huijun , Shen Zhangshun , Guo Hui , Zhao Qian , Li Jianguo
Published: September 2020

Objective: To explore the influence of the diagnosis and treatment mode based on the psychological concept for the mental state of elderly patients in emergency ward.
Method: From January to March 2019,105 elderly patients in ward were selected as control group and given routine treatment mode; 98 elderly patients as observation group, and the concept of psychosomatic medicine the was integrated intodiagnosis and treatment. The scores of SRQ, SAS, SDS and TCSQ at admission and discharge were compared between the two groups.The questionnaire survey of patients or family members at discharge were compared.
Results: Compared with the control group, at discharge the score of SRQ, SAS, SDS in the observation group were lower(P<0.05); the score of positive coping of TCSQ was higher than that in control group (P<0.01), and the score of negative coping was lower than that in control group (P<0.01). The family questionnaire at discharge showed attitudes, technical level, medication and satisfaction of the whole department in the observation group were higher than those in the control group. P<0.05).
Low Probability of Intercept Frequency Hopping Signal Characterization Comparison using the Spectrogram and the Scalogram
Authors: Stevens Daniel L. , Schuckers Stephanie A.
Published: September 2020

Low probability of intercept radar signals, which are often problematic to detect and characterize, have as their goal ‘to see and not be seen’. Digital intercept receivers are currently moving away from Fourier-based analysis and towards classical time-frequency analysis techniques for the purpose of analyzing these low probability of intercept radar signals. This paper presents the novel approach of characterizing low probability of intercept frequency hopping radar signals through utilization and direct comparison of the Spectrogram versus the Scalogram. Two different frequency hopping low probability of intercept radar signals were analyzed(4-component and 8-component). The following metrics were used for evaluation: percent error of:carrier frequency, modulation bandwidth, modulation period, and time-frequency localization. Also used were: percent detection, lowest signal-to-noise ratio for signal detection, and plot (processing) time. Experimental results demonstrate that overall,theScalogram produced more accurate characterization metrics than the Spectrogram. An improvement in performance may well translate into saved equipment and lives.
Dural arteriovenous fistulas: two case reports and review
Authors: Zhade S. A. , Pershin M. E. , Bely A. I. , Fedorchenko A. N. , Berestov V. V. , Orlov K. Yu. , Tkachev V. V. , Muzlaev G. G.
Published: September 2020

The article discusses the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, principles of diagnosis and tactics of surgical treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas. Two clinical cases of successful treatment of patients with symptomatic dural arteriovenous fistulas are presented.
Prediction of perioperative cardiac complications in patients with proximal femoral fracture
Authors: Ezugbaia B. S. , Sholin I. Yu. , Avetisian V. A. , Koriachkin V. A. , Dzhopua M. A. , Pleten M. P. , Baturin D. A. , Marapov D. I.
Published: September 2020

Background. Prediction of cardiac complications following orthopaedic and trauma surgery is necessary to improve the quality of treating the elderly patients. Objective. To assess the effectiveness of prognostic scores of perioperative cardiac risk in patients with proximal femoral fracture. Material and methods. We retrospectively reviewed 918 hospital patients with proximal hip fracture from January, 1 2018 to December, 31 2019. Perioperative cardiac risks were assessed using the Goldman Risk Index, Revised Cardiac Risk Index (Lee Index) and Gupta Perioperative Cardiac Risk Index. Results. Cardiac complications occurred in 7 (0.76%) of 918 patients, 6 (0.65%) patients developed acute myocardial infarction, 1 (0.11%) suffered from complete atrioventricular block. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the relationship between the time from injury to surgery and cardiovascular complications did not give statistically significant results (AUC (area under a curve) = 0.574, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.352–0.796). When compared the presence of cardiac complications with the Lee Criteria predictions, significant differences were revealed (p = 0.007), and the Goldman Index data were not statistically significant (p = 0.151). The area under the ROC curve of the corresponding relationship between the prognosis of cardiac complications and the Gupta Index was 0.782 with 95% CI: 0.574–0.991 (p = 0.017), the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 83.3% and 70.4%, respectively. Conclusion. The Goldman Index and Lee Index have no significant value for predicting perioperative cardiac complications in patients with proximal femoral fracture. The Gupta Index has an acceptable level of sensitivity and specificity in predicting cardiac complications.
Our first experience of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement
Authors: Pakholkov A. N. , Suslov E. S. , Lashevich K. A. , Karakhalis N. B. , Serova T. V. , Efimochkin G. A. , Fedorchenko A. N. , Boriskov M. V. , Porhanov V. A.
Published: September 2020

The treatment of pulmonary valve disease is one of the urgent problems of modern cardiology and cardiac surgery. In most cases, pulmonary valve abnormalities are congenital. Synthetic conduits (homografts) and bioprosphetic valves are currently used in the surgical treatment of patients with the diseases mentioned above. Pulmonary valve surgical prosthetics allows normalizing the circulatory dynamics and condition of the patient, however, time-dependent degradation results in conduit and valve dysfunction. The abnormal circulatory dynamics caused by valve and conduit dysfunction is linked to exercise intolerance, arrhythmia, right ventricular failure, and sudden death. Starting in childhood, affected patients undergo repeated openheart surgeries to restore valve function and potentially reduce morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous transcatheter treatment of the pulmonary valve stenosis with the Melody® valve (Medtronic Inc.) has been performed in a large number of patients worldwide. Despite minimal invasiveness, this procedure restores pulmonary valve function and reduces repeated open-heart interventions. Recent clinical trials have shown excellent and durable results in terms of both restoring valve function and decreasing right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. In this article, we want to reflect the relevance of the Melody transcatheter valve and present our first experience of its usage.
Value of radiology techniques for diagnosis of obstructive jaundice in admission department
Authors: Katrich A. N. , Polshikov S. V. , Kurilskaya A. M.
Published: September 2020

Obstructive jaundice may be caused by many different diseases associated with bile duct obstruction leadingto severely impaired liver function as well as injuries of other organs and systems. Early identificationof the causes and nature of hyperbilirubinemia is of paramount importance in patient management anddecreases the incidence of serious complications and fatalities.Radiology techniques are extremely helpful for the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. Highawareness of these methods’ possibilities and their rational use allow one to choose the most appropriatetreatment strategy and determine disease outcome. The article describes the feasibility and proper order ofvarious diagnostic methods’ application for examining patients with suspected obstructive jaundice.
Orthostatic hypotension. Part 2: diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Golovina G. A. , Zhadan O. N. , Zargaryan K. A. , Kravchenko O. A. , Tripolskaya N. Ye.
Published: September 2020

Since orthostatic hypotension is largely asymptomatic, performing an orthostatic challenge is considered as the main mean to diagnose it. One should try to define the causes of orthostatic hypotension in every single case as treating illness that lead to orthostatic hypotension will improve patient’s health outcomes. The main target for therapy should be improving patient’s functional status, reducing orthostatic symptoms as well as risk for falls and syncopes, but not maintaining arterial blood pressure within certain limits. The higher the doctors’ awareness of the methods used to diagnose the orthostatic hypotension, the better patient’s quality of life will be. The first part of the systematic review was published in the Innovative Medicine of Kuban, nr. 4, 2018.
PROFESSORIAL CORPORATION AND REFORM OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AT UNIVERSITIES AT THE TURN OF THE XIX-XX CENTURIES
Authors: Zharova E. Yu.
Published: September 2020

In the late XIX - early XX centuries the Ministry of Education could no longer reform education system without relying on the opinion of the professorial corporation. The largest sessions created by the Ministry to find out the point of view of professors on the most problematic issues of university life took place in 1901 and 1906. The purpose of these sessions was to revise the university statute of 1884, but neither in the first nor in the second case did the new statute appear. The materials of the first session were buried in the Ministry, but according to the results of the second session, a subject educational system was proclaimed. Under the conditions of that time (1906), along with other easing of university administration, it was a significant step forward towards university autonomy and the freedom of education expressed in the subject system. This article provides an analysis of the opinions of professors of universities of the Russian Empire which were gathered during those two sessions and reflecting the points of view of the professorial corporation about the reform of the educational system.
SOCIAL PORTRAIT OF THE HEADS OF PARTY AND STATE GOVERNING BODIES OF KOMI AUTONOMIC REGION - KOMI ASSR IN 1920-1930s
Authors: Kirosova N. V.
Published: September 2020

Based on the archival documents analysis, information about the heads of the highest region party-state bodies in the 1920-1930s was researched. To compile a social portrait, questionnaires and registration lists of delegates of Komi regional party conferences, in which political elite was involved, were used. These sources contain personal data on age, nationality, party experience, social status and education of Komi Regional Committee secretaries of the RCP(b)-AUCP(b) and of regional executive committee chairmen, which are accessible for the study. Some common and distinctive features in the senior management social portraits were revealed. Chairmen of the regional executive committee were indigenous nationality representatives, who mostly had a secondary education, but more than half of the regional committee secretaries didn’t have it and were Russian. Despite the fact that the regional party organization was dominated by local peasants, the party and state bodies’ leaders by their social status mainly related to workers and employees, as prescribed by the party directives. Party experience was considered when appointing to a senior position, which was more than ten years for region managers, and complied with the requirements. The absolute majority became communists in the period 1917-1920 at the age of about 24-25 years old, but began to head regional party-state bodies in middle age, having by this time party, life, professional experience.
Valuation of the capillary uptake phenomenon in the wall of the historic building using the surface TDR probe
Authors: Suchorab Zbigniew , Fic Stanisław , Barnat-Hunek Danuta
Published: September 2020

Article discusses measuring potential of the TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) technique for terrain measurement of moisture in the masonries of the historical buildings. For the measurements it was applied modified TDR probe which enables noninvasive moisture detection in building materials, thus enables its application for in-situ measurements, especially in old, historical objects. Terrain measurements were realized on the external masonry made of red ceramic brick, being the part of the historical hospital located on the area of the “Wojewódzki Samodzielny Psychiatryczny Zespół Publicznych Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej im. prof. dr Jana Mazurkiewicza” in Pruszków. The masonry is stricken with capillary rise phenomenon by the water coming from the ground, which is also visible by visual observation. Conducted measurement enabled quantitative estimation of the phenomenon which threatens to the discussed object. Within the research, reflectometric measurements were conducted using the prototype surface TDR probes. Measurements were repeated to verify moisture changes in time. First series of measurement was conducted in summertime, in July 2010. The second one was conducted in November of the same year. Then, with the obtained data there were drawn moisture maps of the masonry, which indicated horizontal and vertical variations of moisture and interpretation of the obtained results enabled to confirm capillary uptake process in the examined masonry.
The use of scanning electron microscopy to the study of the painting from the Church in Radcze
Authors: Klimek Beata
Published: September 2020

One of the main tasks in the study of historic buildings is the need to identify the original materials and extensions, which often have historic character. The next task concerns the determination of the composition and structure of the historical, diagnosis technique to develop original paint. The article presents the preliminary results of paintings. Methods were used with the scanning electron microscope was equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS).
The application of building audit and energetic certificate to the property management
Authors: Życzyńska Anna
Published: September 2020

The paper demonstrates the basic regulations in force concerning the preparation of audits and energetic certificates of buildings whose essential differences were subsequently pointed out. The relevance of the energetic audit performance and its use in gaining the financial support and managing the thermal modernisation investments was examined. Furthermore, the energetic standard currently in force for new and reconstructed buildings was discussed. The role and responsibilities of a property administrator within this scope were presented. Last but not least, the legal acts referring to the realisation of such a research were mentioned.
Fireplaces supporting central heating
Authors: Adamczyk Jerzy
Published: September 2020

Article presents usage of fireplaces with a water jacket and with an air turbine in a single-family detached home. Influence of usage of fireplaces on primary energy demand was also analysed.
Multiple shooting method in stability analysis of non-prismatic multi-segment columns
Authors: Hołubowski Ryszard , Merena Andrzej
Published: September 2020

The application of multiple shooting method in stability analysis of non-prismatic multi-segment columns with pinned ends loaded with a concentrated force applied to the upper node has been presented. Numerical analyses were carried out for an exemplary three-segment column by solving the system of differential equations with variable coefficients and parameter. The results were compared with the solution obtained by using SOFiSTiK software based on the finite element method. The analyses show that considering the stiffness changes along the length can have a significant influence on the values of critical loads and thus change the resistance of the column. The advantage of the proposed method is its high efficiency and easy description of stiffness changes.
The issue of the use of exotic wood in external building partitions
Authors: Sudol Ewa , Sulik Paweł
Published: September 2020

Exotic wood species are more often used in windows, doors, facades and shutters. A multitude of species and unique properties make its use is difficult. The use of exotic wood in outside partitions, exposed to the different climatic conditions, should be preceded by verification of its properties, sometimes specific (glueability, susceptibility to impregnation or finish paint coatings), which determining the reliability and durability of the final product.
The analysis on the correlation parameters of the embankment compaction under in situ conditions
Authors: Kumor Maciej , Kumor Łukasz , Farmas Joanna
Published: September 2020

Geotechnical assessment of the implementation correctness of a road embankment wide range of issues, among which important selection and control of the quality of the earthworks are extremely significant. The article presents results of in situ tests determining correlations between the depending parameters defined by a static plate – VSS test – E1 and E2, and obtained from the study LFG Dynamic Load Plate. Studies indicate that the determination of the correlation between the parameters characterizing the particle size distribution (Cc, Cu, D10, D20, D30, D60), and the compaction parameters obtained by examining the compaction of sand embankment (Evd, E1, E2, I0) is physically complex and hence extremely difficult.
The use of fractal geometry in determination of fracture toughness of metakaolinite modified concrete
Authors: Konkol Janusz
Published: September 2020

The aim of the paper is to present the results of experiments on concretes after 180 days of hardening with metakaolinite addition. Measurements of compressive strength fc, critical stress intensity factor KIcS and fractal dimension Dm were performed. The plan included nine measurement points. Water/binder ratios ranging from 0.35 to 0.54, and the metakaolinite additives in the amount ranging from 2.1 to 14.9 % relative to the mass of binder were used as independent variables. Statistically significant correlations were given. The proposed solutions can be used in designing the concrete with metakaolinite, which enables the prediction of KIcS after 180 days of hardening concrete with no need for destructive tests.
The study of the conformity criterion for compressive strength of concrete based on order statistics
Authors: Szczygielska Elżbieta , Tur Wiktor
Published: September 2020

The test of concrete compressive strength conformity with current regulations PN EN 206-1:2003 is the sampling inspection based on a numerical evaluation. Satisfying the compound criteria, including the adoption of statistical quality control plan, confirms the conformity of the examined batch of concrete defined by the declared class of compressive strength defined by characteristic value of compressive strength. The conformity criteria recommended by EN 206-1 for the initial production are not without flaws and they are critically evaluated by many authors. This paper presents a new criterion of conformity based on order statistics. A preliminary evaluation of the criterion was made for the series with a small number of the test results with the use of probability of acceptance determined by means of the Monte Carlo method with the assumed 5% fraction defective. The analysis of the results showed that the presented criterion does not depend on the dispersion of results whereas the probability of acceptance is maintained at a constant level approached to the appropriate one at the stage of continuous production.
The Historic Root Cellars in Pierzchnica
Authors: Kossakowski Paweł
Published: September 2020

Paper presents a rather unusual object which is historic root cellars in Pierzchnica. It is a complex of 82 cellars located on the Cellar Hill. The grouping of cellars in one place is unique in the country. The article describes the architecture, design and condition of the cellars. The current inventory of the object made in 2013 is presented, comparing it with the results of the work carried out by the author in 1997. It also presents the concept of adaptation of cellars in terms of opportunities of development in the region.
The effect of braking forces on displacement of integral bridges
Authors: Jarosz Jakub
Published: September 2020

The paper presents  the results of numerical analyses of the lateral displacement for reinforced concrete and single span integral bridge with foundations constructed on piles. The lateral displacement due to braking forces was analysed. Then, the results were compared to analogical displacement caused by the temperature increase. The following changeable bridge parameters were assumed: span length, deck height, piles length and piles diameter. The results of the lateral displacements were compared on concerning the fixing of the pile top. In the first case, the piles were fixed by pile cap, and in the second one, the piles were fixed directly to the deck. Moreover, two options of soil were considered. The first option in which soil was composed of sand and sandy silt, and the second one in which soil was composed of sand and clay. In the analysed cases, the displacement caused by braking forces accounts for 10% - 20% of the total lateral displacement of the ,construction. The research presented in this paper shows that the main determinants of the lateral displacement of integral bridges are piles diameters and the type of surrounding ground. Pile length is of small importance.
Human comfort criteria in urban environment
Authors: Klemm Katarzyna
Published: September 2020

This paper presents human comfort criteria based on equivalent temperature and thermal load thresholds. The approximate relationship of the perceived temperature has been proposed taking into account the influence of wind speed and temperature of the ambient air. The above-mentioned index was related to a man dressed in clothes with thermal insulation of 1 clo, carrying out light physical effort (M=70W/m2) and for solar radiation equal to 30W/m2. Thermal loads of the body were estimated by describing individual fluxes and heat balances in relation to air temperature and wind speed. It allowed to compare relatively different environmental conditions without necessity of applying complex test balance models. The proposed criteria consider total effects of mechanical and thermal influence of environment on human body. It can be used by urban planners and engineers in the process of searching for optimal building development.
Verification of computational calculations based on physical tests of plane jet used to separate zones full of smoke
Authors: Krajewski Grzegorz
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to take advantage of CFD application in calculating, optimizing, and designing air barriers used to separate smoke free zones in the case of fire. Properly designed air curtain produces a pressure drop which forbides transversal flow through the opening. It is hard to make a good quality CFD calculation of that kind of air curtain because of high velocity and relatively thin nozzle. Most air curtains are tested on scaled down models which are difficult to extrapolate. The author of this article performed tests in a real scale model. Tests results were used to verify chosen turbulence model. The intention of this paper is to present the comparison between CFD calculations and tests results.
Wind tunnel model tests of Magnus type wind rotors with a horizontal rotation axis
Authors: Matys Piotr , Flaga Andrzej
Published: September 2020

The paper presents results of wind tunnel tests of horizontal axis wind  rotors of Magnus type. Firstly, measurements of aerodynamic side (lift) force and aerodynamic drag on rotating cylinder attached to horizontal aerodynamic balance were performed. Secondly, the model of single-blade rotor with counterbalance was tested.
The lateral buckling of steel I-shape beams with continuous torsional elastic restraints
Authors: Bijak Roman
Published: September 2020

A simple model of the lateral buckling of steel I-shape beams with elastic and continuous torsional restraints was developed. The lateral buckling beams with free warping were formulated as differential equations in terms of torsion angle. The stability equations were approximately solved with the use of the Bubnow-Galerkin orthogonalization method. The proposed approximate formulas provide the estimation of lateral buckling moment with good enough accuracy for designing purposes.
Energy-active expansion segments of halls with structural covers
Authors: Kowal Zbigniew , Piotrowski Rafał
Published: September 2020

The paper presents the results of developing a concept of economical energy-active expansion segments for large-volume halls, in which: 1) structural coverings were used, 2) thermal impacts on forces and displacements were reduced to conventional values stated in the code [1], 3) load bearing capacity and reliability, greater than those recommended for RC2 class structures, were maintained [2], 4) the static scheme was selected in such a way so that failure-causing thermal impacts would not affect the reliability of the hall expansion segments. The effect was obtained by detaching the beam kinematically admissible failure mechanism from the tilt kinematically admissible failure mechanism of separate energy-active expansion segments of the hall.
KONSEP KAWASAN WISATA BERBASIS BUDAYA “RT DOLANAN NUSANTARA”
Authors: Reza Mohammad , Christina Endarwati Maria , Setyawan Arif
Published: September 2020

Pariwisata adalah suatu aktivitas perubahan tempat tinggal sementara dari seseorang, di luar tempat tinggal sehari-hari dengan suatu alasan apapun selain melakukan kegiatan yang bisa menghasilkan upah atau gaji. Selain itu, pariwisata merupakan aktivitas, pelayanan dan produk hasil industri pariwisata yang mampu menciptakan pengalaman perjalanan bagi wisatawan. Tujuan dari Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat yaitu untuk mengetahui penerapan prinsip Landscape dalam perencanaan kawasan wisata berbasis budaya di Kelurahan Tasikmadu. Metode pelaksanaan yang digunakan adalah dengan melakukan pengelolaan destinasi pariwisata berkelanjutan, pemanfaatan ekonomi untuk masyarakat lokal, pelestarian budaya bagi masyarakat dan pengunjung serta pelestarian lingkungan dan membuat skenario pariwisata, yang diwujudkan dalam desain dan perencanaan pariwisata secara spesifik. Perencanaan Landscape dengan memerhatikan keadaan fisik wilayah menjadi modal perencanaan konsep wisata berbasis budaya. Salah satunya  yaitu,  pemilihan arah  hadap  Kawasan Wisata  “RT Dolanan Nusantara” yang juga mempertimbangkan keberadaan Gunung Arjuna yang dapat terlihat  dari lokasi perencanaan, sehingga menambah nilai keindahan bagi “RT Dolanan Nusantara”.
Optimized Activation for Quantum-Inspired Self-supervised Neural Network based Fully Automated Brain MR Image Segmentation
Authors: Konar Debanjan , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Panigrahi Bijaya Ketan
Published: September 2020

The slow-convergence problem degrades the segmentation performance of the recently proposed Quantum-Inspired Self-supervised Neural Network models owing to lack of suitable tailoring of the inter-connection weights. Hence, incorporation of quantum-inspired meta-heuristics in the Quantum-Inspired Self-supervised Neural Network models optimizes their hyper-parameters and inter-connection weights. This paper is aimed at proposing an optimized version of a Quantum-Inspired Self-supervised Neural Network (QIS-Net) model for optimal

segmentation of brain Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging. The suggested Optimized Quantum-Inspired Self-supervised Neural Network (Opti-QISNet) model resembles the architecture of QIS-Net and its operations are leveraged to obtain optimal segmentation outcome. The optimized activation function employed in the presented model is referred to as Quantum-Inspired Optimized Multi-Level Sigmoidal (Opti-QSig) activation. The Opti-QSig activation function is optimized by three quantum-inspired meta-heuristics with fifitness evaluation using Otsu’s multi-level thresholding. Rigorous experiments have been conducted on Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast (DSC) brain MR images from Nature data repository. The experimental outcomes show that the proposed self-supervised Opti-QISNet model offffers a promising alternative to the deeply supervised neural network based architectures (UNet and FCNNs) in medical image segmentation and outperforms our recently developed models QIBDS Net and QIS-Net.
Diprosopia relacionada à administração de progestágenos em felino doméstico neonato: relato de caso
Authors: T. Camassola João Luís , Ança Evaristo Tainá , Persici Maroneze Beatriz , Bonel Josiane , De Bastos Santos Junior Eduardo , Arigony Braga Fabrício , Vives Patrícia
Published: September 2020

A diprosopia é uma anomalia congênita na qual a região da cabeça e as estruturas faciais do animal se mostram duplicadas. Esse defeito congênito é mais comumente relatado em bovinos, mas também ocorre em felinos, caninos, caprinos, ratos e veados. O presente trabalho objetivou relatar um caso de diprosopia associada a fenda palatina bilateral em felino neonato. Uma gata não castrada foi atendida em uma clínica particular situada na cidade de Porto Alegre/RS, manifestando prostração e, segundo o tutor, havia administrado progestágenos anteriormente. Ao exame físico foi vista uma membrana similar a vesícula embrionária ao toque vaginal. A ecografia abdominal constatou gestação e sofrimento fetal, optando-se pela cirurgia. Dos cinco neonatos, um estava morto, três vieram a óbito em torno de 24 horas após o procedimento e um destes apresentava alterações sugestivas de diprosopia associada a fenda palatina bilateral, e foi encaminhado para necropsia. Considerada uma má formação congênita pouco frequente em felinos, a diprosopia pode estar associada ao uso prévio de progestágenos ao período gestacional em gatas.