bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APPROPRIACY OF PROCESS APPROACH IN THE TEACHING OF COMPOSITION WRITING IN UPPER PRIMARY CLASSES IN KENYA
Authors: Sophie Ahono Maninji
Published: April 2021

Imaginative composition writing skills (IMW) in Kenyan primary schools strengthen learners’ learning, thinking and reflect on their overall academic performance. However, achieving good composition writing is challenging especially to non-native learners of English because of its complexity and nature. Some factors attributed to learners’ writing difficulties are: the curriculum, the pedagogic approach used and teachers’ lack of ability in writing instruction. These factors are in tandem with the ICW status in Vihiga County where over (70%) of Class 8 learners’ composition score are unsatisfactory, 60 % of teachers are uncomfortable to teach ICW while 75% of learners find it boring. To address these ICW difficulties, this study assessed the process approach out of the three principal writing approaches because it’s seen as the best alternative to product approach and that genre approach is considered a newcomer. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of process approach in developing composition writing. Archer’s theory of reflexivity guided the study which used qualitative exploratory research design and was conducted in Vihiga County. Data collection tools were Lesson Observation and Interview Schedules. Validity and reliability were tested through triangulation and thick description. From Class 6-8, 30 lessons in 10 purposively selected schools were observed and 30 teachers interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically through transcription, coding and identification of themes. The key finding was: ineffective utilisation of the process approach due to teachers’ knowledge gaps on the approach. The study recommended teachers to use process approach effectively in ICW and the Ministry of Education to in-service teachers on writing approaches.
KEY WORDS: Process Approaches, Composition Writing, Pedagogy, in-service, and Upper Primary Learners
DIGITALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN RUSSIA
Authors:   Candidate of Veterinary Sciences, Associate Professor, Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after N. E. Bauman, Kazan, Russia, KARPOVA N. V. , MUSTASHKINA D. A. ,   Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Kazan Cooperative Institute (branch) Russian University of Cooperation, Kazan, Russia, KHANNANOV M. M. ,   Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Kazan State Agrarian University, Kazan, Russia
Published: April 2021

The article discusses the need for digitalization of agricultural production. This will significantly increase the productivity and competitiveness of the Russian agricultural sector. The use of information systems based on geoinformation technologies to achieve effective management of agricultural production allows you to reduce or completely eliminate downtime in the event of a shortage of personnel or equipment, reduce operating costs per unit of arable land and increase planned yield indicators.
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMUNERATION SYSTEM AT THE ENTERPRISE
Authors:   Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor in the Departments of Finance and Credit, Economics and Management, Leninogorsk branch of Kazan National Research Technical University n.a. A. N. Tupolev – KAI, Leninogorsk, Russia, POLYUSHKO Yu. N.
Published: April 2021

The article substantiates the significance of the analysis of labor resources, considers their detailed analysis at the enterprise. The efficiency of the applied system of remuneration of labor is evaluated, labor indicators and the salary fund of the enterprise are analyzed. This allowed us to identify the main problems that arise during the analysis of labor resources. The main conclusions and recommendations related to improving the efficiency of the use of the company's labor resources are presented.
ANALYSIS AND SURVEY OF BUSINESS PROCESSES OF THE FINANCIAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT OF THE ENERGY COMPLEX TO JUSTIFY THE NEED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1C MODULE: MANAGEMENT OF THE 1C SYSTEMS HOLDING: ERP
Authors:   Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Faculty of Technology Management and Innovation, Saint Petersburg National Research University ITMO (University of Information Technology, Mechanics and Optics), Saint Petersburg, Russia, SAZHNEVA L. P. , PEREVERZEVA A. I. ,   Student, Faculty of Technology Management and Innovation, Saint Petersburg National Research University ITMO (University of Information Technology, Mechanics and Optics), Saint Petersburg, Russia
Published: April 2021

The article deals with the main issues of the organization of financial planning at the energy complex enterprise, in particular, the functions of the financial planning department. The main priorities of the company's activities of “Rosseti Lenenergo” are formulated, the business process “Financial Planning” is analyzed, and the problem areas that complicate some aspects of the work of the energy enterprise are identified. As an improvement of the financial planning system, it was proposed to use the functionality of the 1C module: Management of the holding company 1C: ERP Systems.
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR APPLICATION IN THE ECONOMY AND MODELING OF THE ORGANIZATION’S ACTIVITIES
Authors:   Student, Financial Faculty, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Rus, CHUDINOVA E. V.
Published: April 2021

Recently, in many industries, more and more attention has been paid to the possibilities of using blockchain technology. Blockchain takes on the role of important regulatory bodies, such as notary services, central banks, and other centralized intermediaries that are trusted with identity data. The article discusses the possibilities of using blockchain in the economy.
CONTROL SYSTEM IN MODERN JAPAN (NIHONTEKI KEYKEY): THE KEY TO INNOVATIVE DEVEL
Authors:   Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor at Department of History and Philosophy, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia, SAMSIN A. I. , PONOMAREV M. A. ,   Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Associate Professor of the Department of Organizational and Management Innovations, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia, VELIKOROSSOV V. V. ,   Doctor of Economics, Professor, Department of Organizational and Administrative Innovations, Plekhanov Russian Economic University, Russia, Moscow
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the main trends and problems of the management system in modern Japan, which is the key to the country's innovative economic development. Shows the social orientation of the state authorities to protect the rights, freedoms and well-being of citizens. Today, the country is actively fighting against the coronavirus pandemic. The decisive role belongs to government bodies, it is they who develop and implement a system of measures to overcome this serious danger.
Propaganda, obviously: How propaganda analysis fixates on the hidden and misses the conspicuous
Authors: Wood Tim
Published: April 2021

Propaganda analysis has long focused on revealing the rhetorical tricks and hidden special interests behind persuasion campaigns. But what are critics to do when propaganda is obvious? In the late 1930s the Institute for Propaganda Analysis faced this question while investigating the public poli-ticking of A&P, then the largest retailer in the United States. While contemporary critics lambasted A&P for their secretive campaign, particularly their use of front groups, A&P used many relatively overt methods of propaganda to win political victories. Propaganda analysis then, as now, fixated on the concealed, failing to adequately critique conspicuous communicative power.
Refractive index and salinity sensors by gallium-doped zinc oxide thin film coated on side-polished fibers
Authors: Chuen-Lin Tien  , Hao-Sheng Mao  , Tzu-Chi Mao
Published: April 2021

This work presents a high-sensitivity refractive index and salinity sensor by using fiber-optic side-polishing and electron-beam evaporation techniques. Thin film coated on the flat surface of side-polished fibers can generate a lossy mode resonance (LMR) effect. A gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO) thin film was prepared by an electron-beam evaporation with the ion assisted deposition method. The residual thickness of the side-polished fiber was 76.5 μm, and GZO film thickness of 69 nm was deposited on the flat surface of the side-polished fiber to fabricate LMR-based fiber sensors. The variation in the optical spectrum of LMR-based fiber sensors was measured by different refractive index saline solutions. The LMR wavelength shift is caused by the refractive index change, which is nearly proportional to the salinity. The corresponding sensitivity of the proposed fiber-optic sensor was 3059 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) for the refractive index range of 1.333 to 1.398. To evaluate the sensitivity of LMR salinity sensors, the saline solution salinities of 3.6%, 7.3%, 10.9%, 14.6%, 18.2% and 21.9% were measured in this work. The experimental result shows that the sensitivity of the proposed salinity sensor is 9.94 nm/%.
Investigation of optical short pulse generation using intensity modulation for LiDAR and free-space communications
Authors: Fei Wang  , Wen Kang
Published: April 2021

A simple optical pulse generation scheme for pulsed light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and free-space communications is proposed and experimentally and numerically demonstrated, in which continuous-wave light emitted by a distributed feedback-laser diode (DFB-LD) is modulated by a lithium-niobate Mach–Zehnder intensity modulator to generate optical short pulses, and an Er-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is used to boost transmitting light power. Possibilities of intensity modulators for high speed communications being used to generate optical short pulses for low speed pulsed LiDAR are investigated. The influences of bias voltage of intensity modulator and bit rate of modulation signal on the generated optical pulses are discussed. The pulse width obtained by using the return to zero signal with 33% duty cycle on bit rate of 2.5 and 5 Gbit/s is respectively 128.0 and 63.2 ps, and the corresponding nominal accuracy of pulsed LiDAR is respectively 19.2 and 9.5 mm, and low repetition frequency required by pulsed LiDAR is achieved by coding to high-speed modulation signal. The system performance for free-space communications and pulsed LiDAR is evaluated, respectively. We believe that the proposed scheme is suitable for the integrated system of pulsed LiDAR and free-space communications.
Tocilizumab reduces the risk of ICU admission and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Moreno-García Estela , Rico Verónica , Albiach Laia , Agüero Daiana , Ambrosioni Juan , Bodro Marta , Cardozo Celia , Chumbita Mariana , De la Mora Lorena , García-Pouton Nicole , Garcia-Vidal Carolina , González-Cordón Ana , Hernández-Meneses Marta , Inciarte Alexy , Laguno Montse , Leal Lorna , Linares Laura , Macaya Irene , Meira Fernanda , Mensa Josep , Moreno Antonio , Morata Laura , Puerta-Alcalde Pedro , Rojas Jhon , Solá Montse , Torres Berta , Torres Manuel , Tomé Adrià , Tuset Montse , Castro Pedro , Fernández Sara , Nicolás Josep Maria , Almuedo-Riera Alex , Muñoz Jose , Fernandez-Pittol Mariana , Marcos Maria Angeles , Soy Dolors , Martínez José Antonio , García Felipe , Soriano Alex ,   Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
Published: April 2021

Objectives. In some patients the immune response triggered by SARS-CoV-2 is unbalanced, presenting an acute respiratory distress syndrome which in many cases requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The limitation of ICU beds has been one of the major burdens in the management around the world; therefore, clinical strategies to avoid ICU admission are needed. We aimed to describe the influence of tocilizumab on the need of transfer to ICU or death in non-critically ill patients. Material and methods. A retrospective study of 171 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that did not qualify as requiring transfer to ICU during the first 24h after admission to a conventional ward, were included. The criteria to receive tocilizumab was radiological impairment, oxygen demand or an increasing of inflammatory parameters, however, the ultimate decision was left to the attending physician judgement. The primary outcome was the need of ICU admission or death whichever came first. Results. A total of 77 patients received tocilizumab and 94 did not. The tocilizumab group had less ICU admissions (10.3% vs. 27.6%, P=0.005) and need of invasive ventilation (0 vs 13.8%, P=0.001). In the multivariable analysis, tocilizumab remained as a protective variable (OR: 0.03, CI 95%: 0.007-0.1, P=0.0001) of ICU admission or death. Conclusions. Tocilizumab in early stages of the inflammatory flare could reduce an important number of ICU admissions and mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate of 10.3% among patients receiving tocilizumab appears to be lower than other reports. This is a non-randomized study and the results should be interpreted with caution.
Evolution of adherence to hand hygiene in health care professionals in a third level hospital in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: de Arriba-Fernández Alejandro , Molina-Cabrillana Manuel Jesús , Serra Majem Lluís ,   Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Proper hand hygiene is the main measure in the prevention and control of infection associated with healthcare. It describes how the pandemic period of 2020 has influenced the evolution of the degree of compliance with hand hygiene practices in health professionals at the Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria with respect to previous years. Methods. Descriptive cross-sectional study of direct observation on compliance with the five moments of hand hygiene in the 2018-2020 period. Adherence is described with the frequency distribution of the different moments in which it was indicated. Results. Total adherence has increased from 42.5% in 2018, to 47.6% in 2019, and 59.2% in 2020 (p <0.05). Total adherence was greater in the moments after contact with the patient (67%) than in the moments before contact (48%). The area with the highest adherence was dialysis (83%). There is a greater adherence in open areas than in hospitalization areas (65% vs 56%). Higher adherence was determined in physicians (73%) and nurses (74%), than in nursing assistants (50%) (p<0.05). Conclusions. In 2020 there was an increase in adherence to hand hygiene compared to previous years. A higher percentage of adherence was determined in physicians and nurses than in nursing assistants. We consider that the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has played a relevant role in this increase in adherence.
Algorithm and Measurement of Forest Cover Area Change in the Khachmaz Region of Azerbaijan by Satellite Monitoring
Authors:   Institute of Ecology, Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency, Mamedaliyeva Valida
Published: April 2021

The article presents the results of long-term observations of the forest cover state in the Khachmaz region of Azerbaijan. Both the results of Earth’s remote sensing and the data of earlier observations carried out by field monitoring were used in the study. The earlier data was stored in the form of thematic maps on paper. The results of remote sensing contained multispectral satellite images obtained over several years. Image processing was performed using the QGIS program and the Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin. The processing included radiometric and atmospheric correction, as well as classification of the study area by the type of land surface coverage. Classification was performed on the basis of the spectral curves analysis in various sections of the region. The areas occupied by forests were determined based on the classification. The set of observations included data from the available archival materials – thematic maps of the Khachmaz region. A software in MATLAB was developed for processing the maps and calculating the area of forests. The program operation algorithm includes histogram analysis of the image as a whole and separately of the legend. The histogram of the legend determines the number of thematic layers of the map. They do not include layers containing unused colors, such as the colors of neighboring areas, sections of the sea, etc. Then color correction of image pixels is performed, namely, quantization of colors according to the number of specific thematic layers. Later on, morphological processing of each layer is carried out. Areas containing less than the specified number of pixels are assigned the color of the surrounding layer. The number of pixels of each layer and all layers are calculated. Finally, the obtained ratios are used to calculate the area of each layer. The data of processing of archival materials together with the results of remote sensing are summarized in a joint table. According to the table, a diagram of changes in the forest area is constructed, as well as a model in the form of a polynomial showing this dynamics. The diagram analysis revealed a tendency to a decrease in the area of forests. The forest area has decreased by 21 % for 7 years. The developed algorithm splits thematic maps into separate layers in accordance with the colors of the legend.
Power Characteristics of Mulcher Joints When Removing Tree and Shrub Vegetation
Authors:   Belarusian State Technological University, Ariko Sergey , Voinash Sergey ,   Novosibirsk State Agrarian University, Kononovich Denis ,   Belarusian State Technological University, Sokolova Viktoria ,   St. Petersburg State Forest Engineering University named after S.M. Kirov
Published: April 2021

In recent years, the enterprises of forestry and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Belarus and other countries widely implemented advanced milling tools designed to chop wood, stumps and roots without immersing the cutter in the soil (mulchers) and with immersion (rotovators), which allows you to prepare the ground for planting forest crops. They can be mounted on multi-purpose tractors, loaders and excavators. At the same time, there are no methods that allow carrying out a reasonable choice of technological equipment for a particular basic machine, since a significant number of production, technological and technical factors have an impact on the emerging power and capacity parameters. The proposed method allows taking into account a significant number of variable values (working methods, speeds of various operations, parameters of the working body, its drive and base chassis, soil conditions, etc.) and simulate the interaction of milling tools under various operating conditions. It was found that the greatest loads on the mulcher rotor occur during the felling of tree and shrub vegetation, which is associated with an increase in the area of interaction between the cutters and the wood up to 2 times compared with the chopping of similar lying stands. This value can be reduced by 15–30 % depending on the diameter of the trunks being processed. In the case of a significant amount (cluster) of forest stands with a diameter of more than 10 cm, it is preferable to carry out work at a speed of about 0.2 m/s or advanced felling of these trees. The use of hydraulic travel (speed) reducers or hydrostatic transmission is promising in order to reduce dynamic loads and get better adaptability of the working equipment to natural-production conditions (the ability to work at a speed from 0 to 5 km/h). It should be noted that the installed required engine power for the milling equipment drive should be increased by 10–15 % due to the needs of the drive of various equipment located on the base chassis. Also, in the case of the integrated use of tree and shrub vegetation, it is possible to use mulchers that collect biomass; however, this will require additional energy costs. In this regard, the method can be applied when choosing the parameters of technological equipment for the existing base chassis, to solve the inverse problem, and also to select the operating mode of the milling equipment depending on the natural and production conditions with the possibility of subsequent prediction of the effectiveness of the work performed.
FEATURES OF ADAPTATION OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF SCOTS PINE UNDER CONDITIONS OF PROLONGED EXCESSIVE SOIL MOISTENING
Authors:   N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tarkhanov Sergei , Pinaevskaya Ekaterina ,   N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Aganina Yuliya ,   N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: April 2021

Intrapopulation variability of biochemical traits and cambial growth shows the adaptive ability of pine trees in different growth conditions. There is a genetically determined process of activation of defense systems in pine trees under unfavorable environmental conditions. Structural and functional rearrangement of the assimilating apparatus due to seasonal development ensures increased tree resilience and the passage of ontogenesis under the influence of stress factors within the reaction norm. This work aims at the study of adaptive ability of Pinus sylvestris L., which differs in the apophysis form of seed scales under conditions of prolonged excessive soil moistening in northern taiga. Studies were carried out in shrubby-sphagnum pine forests on boggy upland peat soils in the mouth of the Northern Dvina River. Trees with primary apophysis variations (forms) of seed scales were identified on the sample plots. Samples of 1, 2 and 3-year-old needles were taken in order to determine biochemical traits in 10 trees of each pine form isolated by type of apophysis, in different calendar periods (from May to December, 2016). The content of free proline, water-soluble proteins, and ascorbic acid was determined in the needles by the spectrophotometric method. Wood cores were sampled from 52 trees at a height of 1.3 m and width of the annual layer was determined in each selected form. Relative dendrochronological parameters were calculated along with the absolute value of radial growth. Meteorological parameters at the study sites (air temperature and precipitation) were determined from data of the Arkhangelsk Weather Station. The studies show the similarities and differences of trees of various forms in the seasonal dynamics of stress metabolites content in needles of different ages in relation to meteorological factors and phenological phases of pine vegetative organs in the Northern Dvina mouth. Trees with flat form of apophysis inherent more intensive accumulation of ascorbic acid and proline in 2-year-old needles in late October. This indicates increased activation of their protective reactions before overwintering compared to trees with convex form of apophysis. Patterns of variability in cambial growth of trees of different forms in time series were found. It was observed that trees with flat form of apophysis are more strongly affected by maladaptive (stressful) environmental factors.
Evaluation of Thinning Efficiency in Pineries of Dry Forest Sites of the Kazakh Uplands
Authors:   Northern Trans-Ural State Agricultural University, Dancheva Anastasiya , Pankratov Vladislav ,   Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry named after A.N. Bukeikhan
Published: April 2021

According to the current Forest Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the forest plantations of specially protected natural areas, the main forestry measures aimed at the conservation and enhancement of the protective functions of forests are intermediate felling, that is, thinning. Pinus sylvestris L. is one of the main forest-forming species in Kazakhstan. Increasing the stability of forest plantations and the possibility of forming recreationally attractive landscapes through thinning is an urgent problem for plantations growing in arid conditions. The research purpose is to analyze the effectiveness of thinning of high intensity in dry pine forests of the Kazakh Uplands for a 70-year period, using dendrochronological methods. It was proved that in dense pine forests growing in dry conditions, there is an increase in radial growth in each subsequent 10-year period after thinning. It was found with statistical certainty that the greatest response to changes caused by thinning of high intensity was observed between 1949 and 1960. Analysis of indexed tree-ring chronologies using regional curves (indexed average tree-ring chronologies of pine) using a cubic spline function revealed differences in pine radial growth indices from the site where thinning of high intensity were carried out and from the control site (time periods: 1947–1955, 1961–1970, 1981–1990, and 1995–2015). The data obtained show a positive effect of thinning of high intensity on the radial growth of trees in the considered pine forests. In dense pine forests of dry growing conditions of the Kazakh Uplands it is recommended to make 1 or 2 cuttings with thinning intensity of 25–35 % at the age of 20–25 and 40–50, respectively, with subsequent increment thinning.
Weather Conditionality of Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) Seeding
Authors:   Institute of Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological Systems, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Goroshkevich Sergei
Published: April 2021

The dynamics of Siberian stone pine sexual reproduction in the South-Eastern part of the West Siberian Plain was studied by 13-year stationary observations. The stand age was 160–180 years, the average tree height was 22 m, and the average diameter of the trunk at breast height was 53 cm. On average, 50–60 trees were analyzed annually (in different years from 25 to 100). Cones were counted and samples were collected annually from August 10 to August 20. The resercher (usually the author of this paper) climbed each tree, knocked down the cones with operating tools (a bat and a rod), and then their number was counted on the ground. A sample of 10–15 cones was taken from each tree. Afterwards, a complete morphological analysis was performed: the number of sterile and fertile scales, and underdeveloped and developed seeds were counted. Developed seeds were analyzed by the X-ray method. To determine the weight, only perfectly full seeds selected by the X-ray pattern were used. Information on weather conditions was used according to data from the Tomsk station of Roshydromet. The main factor in the cone initiation was the amount of precipitation during 2 years before the start of this process: with an increase in the amount of precipitation, the number of cones increases. However, the final seed productivity depends to a greater extent not on the number of initiated cones, but on the success of their further development. The most important stage in the cone development was spring in the year of pollination and the main negative factor was late frosts. The degree of their negative impact is determined by the sum of the effective (above 5 °C) mean daily temperatures at which the return of frost with temperature from –3 to –4 °C occurred. Complete abortion of cones occurred only when the sum of effective temperatures was 150–180 °C. The same frost at the accumulated temperature sum of 100–150 °C killed a significant part of the cones, and the rest strongly disrupted the development. When the sum of accumulated temperature was about 50 °C, a strong frost significantly increased the loss of seedbuds at all stages of their development, thereby reducing the number of full seeds. The average temperature of September in the pollination year was an important factor in seed production. The loss of seedbuds increased significantly with its increase. The only important trait that is formed in the year of cone maturity is the weight of full seeds: it increases with the amount of precipitation from April to June of the current year.
PHENOTYPIC STRUCTURE OF SPRUCE POPULATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN NORTH OF RUSSIA
Authors:   Institute of the Problems of Northern Development, Popov Petr , Kazantseva Mariya , Arefyev Stanislav ,   Institute of the Problems of Northern Development,   Institute of the Problems of Northern Development
Published: April 2021

Spruce populations in the north of the European part of Russia have formed with traits, the population-geographic variability of which has not been sufficiently studied. The research purpose is to study on the basis of biometric parameters the phenotypic structure and geographic differentiation of spruce populations located north of the 60th parallel, as well as their relative position to European and Siberian spruces. Spruce is characterized here by a significant population-geographical diversity. The average length of cones in populations is within 44–85 mm, the coefficient of narrowing of the upper part of seed scales (Cn) is 36‒68, elongation coefficient (Cp) is 40‒60 %, and their difference (Cn‒Cp) is from ‒23 to +28 %. The coefficients of geographical variation are 15, 18, 12, and 61 %, respectively. By the value of the Cn‒Cp index, 6 groups of populations out of 9 (I‒IX) existing throughout the east of Europe and Siberia are distinguished, excluding the first three groups. There are intermediate phenotypes of individuals (f.emm., f.m., f.mms.) in groups IV, V and VI with the highest frequency (61, 72, 55 %), in groups VII, VIII and IX the highest frequency (71, 86, 98 %) is among Siberian spruce phenotypes (f.ms., f.mss., f.s.). The length of the cones varies significantly in the population groups: 70–80 mm on average in the first; 50–60 mm on average in the second. Population groups IV, V and VI represent an intermediate form of European and Siberian spruces and are distributed southwest of the conditional line between the rivers Pinega and Mezen to Syktyvkar. Groups VII, VIII and IX represent Siberian spruce and occupy the territory northeast of the specified line: the Arkhangelsk region, the territory of the Komi Republic, the Murmansk region and the northernmost part of Karelia. There are no populations representing European spruce in the region according to the studied characteristics. The results obtained can be used in the development of differentiated methods of forestry in the European North of Russia.
Directions for Improving the Mechanisms of Public Administration in the Field of Ensuring Biosafety of Ukraine
Authors: MARTYNENKO Oleksandr
Published: April 2021

The directions for improving the organizational and legal instruments to ensure public administration in the field of biosafety of Ukraine are considered. It is proposed to create a permanent National Monitoring Centre for Biological Threats taking into consideration that there is no single authorized body in the field of biosafety in Ukraine, and the functions of monitoring epidemic and epidemiological information are assigned to various institutions. The activities of the monitoring centre are designed to support organizationally and functionally the existing system for responding to emergencies of a medical and biological nature and to increase its efficiency by significantly reducing the response time to emergency situations. It is proven that the integration of the existing sources of information on current biological risks in a dynamic mode within a single centre will significantly speed up the response time to the emergence of biological threats. It provides a transition from retrospective analysis to monitoring risks and their prevention. Taking into account that the effectiveness of the mechanism of public administration in the field of biosafety depends on the efficiency of public authorities, the directions for improving the organizational and legal support of public administration in the field of biosafety of Ukraine is presented. It is substantiated that it is expedient to improve the information support of public administration in the field of biological safety, in particular, through the formation of relevant databases covering the field of professional training, human resources, and research activities in the field of biological safety. The need to form the centralized registers is confirmed by foreign experience. The formation of information databases allows creating not only conditions for the controllability of the biological safety system within Ukraine, but also contributes to the formation of an effective mechanism of international cooperation (international mediation in this area).
ANALISIS HUBUNGAN PERPUTARAN PIUTANG TERHADAP LIKUIDITAS PADA PT. INDOFOOD SUKSES MAKMUR. TBK
Authors: Suparno
Published: April 2021

Credit sales can affect the level of liquidity of a company, because the results of credit sales will produce trade accounts receivable which are part of current assets and changes in current assets can affect the level of company liquidity due to the repayment of trade accounts, it will increase cash so the company can pay its short-term obligations. This study aims to find out how the relationship Accounts Receivable Turnover on Liquidity is measured by the current ratio. The object of the research is PT. Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk taken from the financial statements for the period 2013-2017. This study uses a qualitatif method consisting of two variables, namely accounts receivable turnover as independent and liquidity as the dependent variable. The data analysis method used in this study is simple regression analysis and tested by t-test. The test results show that accounts receivable turnover has a significant relationship to liquidity. The results can be seen in R of 0.88, which means that the relationship between accounts receivable turnover and liquidity has a very strong relationship. This result is reinforced by the results of hypothesis testing through the t-test which shows that accounts receivable turnover has a significant relationship to liquidity of 77.44% while the remaining 22.56% is influenced by other factors not examined by the author.
A Review of two Middle Jurassic Theropod Tracksites Discovered in the 1980s from Sichuan Basin
Authors: Xing Lida , G. Lockley Martin , Peng Guangzhao , Ye Yong , Jiang Shan , Romilio Anthony , Persons IV W. Scott , Wang Miaoyan
Published: April 2021

Tracks from two sites in the Middle Jurassic Xintiangou Formation in the Wuma Village area, Wuhuang Township, Zizhong have been known and intermittently studied and excavated since the 1980s. The track-bearing surfaces were exposed by a combination of natural weathering and deliberate excavation by residents in a rural agricultural area. The surfaces were used as “threshing floors” for the processing of agricultural crops in an area subject to weathering under a humid sub-tropical climatic regime. Despite the negative effects of weathering on the quality of track preservation, the sites are historically significant in Chinese ichnology as the type areas for many controversially named theropod ichnotaxa. Subsequent researchers challenged the ichnotaxonomy as provincial and over-split, suggesting that many of the tracks, belong to well-known Lower Jurassic ichnogenera. The present study reviews these two sites, providing new information, and confirming that the tracks belong to the ichnogenera Grallator, Eubrontes and Kayentpus which are typical of the globally widespread Lower Jurassic tetrapod biochron. This suggests the Middle Jurassic ichnofauna in Sichuan is like Lower Jurassic ichnofaunas elsewhere. Previous efforts to transfer the ichnospecies to globally, better-known ichnogenera were important in reducing ichnogenus diversity, but did not reduce ichnosepcies diversity. Herein the ichnotaxa are reviewed and it is shown that the ichnospecies names have no utility for comparative study or in assessing assemblage diversity, or biochron composition. It is therefore proposed that the multiple ichnospecies names proposed based on tracks from these two localities can mostly be accommodated under the labels Grallator isp. indet., and Eubrontes isp. indet.
Active Obstacle Detection System Based on Video Recognition and Lidar Information Fusion
Authors: Yaodong Jiang
Published: April 2021

In terms of the requirements for obstacle detection in the rail transit application field, an architecture and implementation method for active obstacle detection system based on the fusion of video recognition and lidar information is proposed. The studies on the video recognition algorithms based on deep learning neural network and lidar for orbit area recognition, pedestrian vehicle recognition, and small foreign object recognition are analyzed, and the necessity of the fusion of video recognition and lidar data and the related key technical points are discussed. Through the tests on domestic metro and tram lines, the feasibility of the scheme is verified, and the technical parameters are optimized, which can effectively reduce the probability of accidents caused by foreign object intrusion.
ANXIETY LEVEL OF UNDER GRADUATE AND POST GRADUATE STUDENTS LIVING IN WEST BENGAL DURING COVID-19 INDUCED LOCK DOWN IN INDIA: A CASE STUDY
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Kaliyaganj College, Kaliyaganj, Uttar Dinajpur, WB, INDIA, Baidya Manish , Purkait Sanghamitra ,   Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Diamond Harbour Womens’ University, Sarisha, Diamond Harbour, INDIA, Gupta Prakash Chand ,   UG Student, Department of Commerce, Kaliyaganj College, Kaliyaganj, Uttar Dinajpur, WB, INDIA, Barma Sony ,   UG Student, Department of Commerce, Kaliyaganj College, Kaliyaganj, Uttar Dinajpur, WB, INDIA, Debsharma Ujjal ,   UG Student, Department of Commerce, Kaliyaganj College, Kaliyaganj, Uttar Dinajpur, WB, INDIA
Published: April 2021

With other countries of the world, India has passed through unrivalled difficult times due to the pandemic of COVID-19. The national lockdown was started on 25 March, 2020. In fact, the economy of India has largely been disordered due to that lockdown. All Higher Educational Institutions had also been completely closed from 16 March, to 10 June, 2020, without taking any bold strategy for immediate future education. Hence, the teaching-learning process, including research activities of all higher educational institutions, had been hampered with uncertainty at that time. Under that situation, students had also compelled to stay at home and had continued their academic works from/at home with or without digital accessibilities. Co-curricular activities, direct face-to-face interactions with teachers and friends had been stopped totally due to sudden lockdown. In reality, they had anxieties about their syllabus, examinations, results, and future. Under that sudden lockdown situation due to pandemic, the study wanted to address students’ opinion to run their college/university, to measure the anxiety level regarding their syllabus, examinations & results, and placements, and finally to find out a suitable way to run the academic activities under the situation.
LONG-TERM VISION OF DEVELOPMENT IN POST COVID-19 ERA: A NORMATIVE THEOREM IN WORLD PERSPECTIVE.
Authors:   Dept. of Geography, Kaliachak College, Sultanjang, Malda, West Bengal, INDIA, Halder Somenath , Paul Sourav ,   Dept. of English, Kaliachak College, Sultanjang, Malda, West Bengal, INDIA
Published: April 2021

The present study seeks to find a reliant philosophy of development in the post COVID-19 times to come. Since being contiguous, the Novelcoronavirus has switched almost every human activity uncertain all over the world. Rather the health emergency in this pandemic has strangled human existence on this planet which every country and government are fighting against. Like many others, global economy and development are under severe threat that tend us to chalk out a theorem to be mechanized for bringing the global village back into normalcy. The paper delves deeper to establish a connection of development with wellbeing, keeping human resource at the center of significance. It also measures the interrelation of wealth, economy and development with human resource and suggests a balanced prioritization of the same in terms of accelerating Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As the future after COVID 19 will not be the same like before, even after the pandemic being over, the proposed theorem tries to contemplate the global economy with a new outlook of long-term development.
Gender-Dependent Reference Range of Serum Calcitonin Levels in Healthy Korean Adults
Authors: Song Eyun , Jeon Min Ji , Yoo Hye Jin , Bae Sung Jin , Kim Tae Yong , Kim Won Bae , Shong Young Kee , Kim Hong-Kyu , Kim Won Gu
Published: April 2021

Background: Serum calcitonin measurement contains various clinical and methodological aspects. Its reference level is wide and unclear despite sensitive calcitonin kits are available. This study aimed to identify the specific reference range in the healthy Korean adults.Methods: Subjects were ≥20 years with available calcitonin (measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay) data by a routine health checkup. Three groups were defined as all eligible subjects (group 1, n=10,566); subjects without self or family history of thyroid disease (group 2, n=5,152); and subjects without chronic kidney disease, autoimmune thyroid disease, medication of proton pump inhibitor/H2 blocker/steroid, or other malignancies (group 3, n=4,638).Results: This study included 6,341 male and 4,225 female subjects. Males had higher mean calcitonin than females (2.3 pg/mL vs. 1.9 pg/mL, P<0.001) in group 1. This gender difference remained similar in groups 2 and 3. Calcitonin according to age or body mass index was not significant in both genders. Higher calcitonin in smoking than nonsmoking men was observed but not in women. Sixty-nine subjects had calcitonin higher than the upper reference limit (10 pg/mL) and 64 of them had factors associated with hypercalcitoninemia besides medullary thyroid cancer. Our study suggests the reference intervals for men who were non, ex-, current smokers, and women (irrespective of smoking status) as <5.7, <7.1, <7.9, and <3.6 pg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: Specific calcitonin reference range should be provided considering for sex and smoking status. Taking account for several factors known to induce hypercalcitoninemia can help interpret the gray zone of moderately elevated calcitonin.
GROUND BASED VARIABLE STABILITY FLIGHT SIMULATOR
Authors: Chandrasekaran Kamali , Theningaledathil Vijeesh , Hebbar Archana
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses the development of a ground based variable stability flight simulator. The simulator is designed to meet the pilot training requirements on flying qualities. Such a requirement arose from a premier Flight-Testing School of the Indian Air Force. The simulator also provides a platform for researchers and aerospace students to understand aircraft dynamics, conduct studies on aircraft configuration design, flight mechanics, guidance & control and to evaluate autonomous navigation algorithms. The aircraft model is built using open source data. The simulator is strengthened with optimization techniques to configure variable aircraft stability and control characteristics to fly and evaluate the various aspects of flying qualities. The methodology is evaluated through a series of engineer and pilot-in-the-loop simulations for varying aircraft stability conditions. The tasks chosen are the proven CAT A HUD tracking tasks. The simulator is also reconfigurable to host an augmented fighter aircraft that can be evaluated by the test pilot team for the functional integrity as a fly-through model.
Deep Contrast and Companion Detection Using the EvWaCo Test Bed Equipped with an Achromatic Focal Plane Mask and an Adjustable Inner Working Angle
Authors: Alagao Mary Angelie , Kawinkij Adithep , Buisset Christophe , Prasit Apirat , Lépine Thierry , Rabbia Yves , Berdeu Anthony , Thiébaut Éric , Langlois Maud , Tallon Michel , Awiphan Supachai , Semenko Eugene , Rittipruk Pakakaew , Mkrtichian David , Leckngam Apichat , Thuammasorn Griangsak , Kaewsamoeta Pimol , Inpan Anuphong , Kuha Teerawat , Laoyang Auychai , Somboonchai Worawat , Kanthum Suchinno , Poshyachinda Saran , Soonthornthum Boonrucksar
Published: April 2021

The evanescent wave coronagraph uses the principle of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) to suppress the light coming from the star and study its close environment. Its focal plane mask is composed of a lens and a prism placed in contact with each other to produce the coronagraphic effect. In this paper, we present the experimental results obtained using an upgraded focal plane mask of the Evanescent Wave Coronagraph (EvWaCo). These experimental results are also compared to the theoretical performance of the coronagraph obtained through simulations. Experimentally, we reach a raw contrast equal to a few 10−4 at a distance equal to 3 λ/D over the full I band (λ

c
= 800 nm, Δλ/λ ≈ 20%) and equal to 4 λ/D over the full R band (λ

c
= 650 nm, Δλ/λ ≈ 23%) in unpolarized light. However, our simulations show a raw contrast close to 10−4 over the full I band and R band at the same distance, thus confirming the theoretical achromatic advantage of the coronagraph. We also verify the stability of the mask through a series of contrast measurements over a period of 8 months. Furthermore, we measure the sensitivity of the coronagraph to the lateral and longitudinal misalignment of the focal plane mask and to the lateral misalignment of the Lyot stop.
Linear Stability Analysis of a Magnetic Rotating Disk with Ohmic Dissipation and Ambipolar Diffusion
Authors: Das Indrani , Basu Shantanu
Published: April 2021

We perform a linear analysis of the stability of isothermal, rotating, magnetic, self-gravitating sheets that are weakly ionized. The magnetic field and rotation axis are perpendicular to the sheet. We include a self-consistent treatment of thermal pressure, gravitational, rotational, and magnetic (pressure and tension) forces together with two nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects (ohmic dissipation and ambipolar diffusion) that are treated together for their influence on the properties of gravitational instability for a rotating sheetlike cloud or disk. Our results show that there is always a preferred length scale and associated minimum timescale for gravitational instability. We investigate their dependence on important dimensionless free parameters of the problem: the initial normalized mass-to-flux ratio μ
0, the rotational Toomre parameter Q, the dimensionless ohmic diffusivity

η

˜

OD
,
0

, and the dimensionless neutral–ion collision time

τ

˜

ni
,
0

, which is a measure of the ambipolar diffusivity. One consequence of

η

˜

OD
,
0

is that there is a maximum preferred length scale of instability that occurs in the transcritical (μ
0 ≳ 1) regime, qualitatively similar to the effect of

τ

˜

ni
,
0

, but with quantitative differences. The addition of rotation leads to a generalized Toomre criterion (that includes a magnetic dependence) and modified length scales and timescales for collapse. When nonideal MHD effects are also included, the Toomre criterion reverts back to the hydrodynamic value. We apply our results to protostellar disk properties in the early embedded phase and find that the preferred scale of instability can significantly exceed the thermal (Jeans) scale and the peak preferred fragmentation mass is likely to be ∼10–90 M
Jup.