bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomous Systems in a Military Context (Part 1)
Authors: McFarland Tim , Galliott Jai
Published: April 2019

While some are reluctant to admit it, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the way that advanced militaries conduct their core business of fighting. Increasingly autonomous ‘unmanned' systems are taking on the ‘dull, dirty and dangerous' roles in the military, leaving human war fighters to assume an oversight role or focus on what are often more cognitively demanding tasks. To this end, many military forces already hold unmanned systems that crawl, swim and fly, performing mine disposal, surveillance and more direct combat roles. Having found their way into the military force structure quite rapidly, especially in the United States, there has been extensive debate concerning the legality and ethicality of their use. These topics often converge, but what is legal will not necessarily be moral, and vice versa. The authors' contribution comes in clearly separating the two parts. In this paper, they provide a detailed survey of the legality of employing autonomous weapons systems in a military context.
The Belt and Road Strategy in International Business and Administration
Authors: Chen Jianyu , Liu Wei
Published: April 2019

Along with the acceleration of “One Belt and One Road” CSR progress, more Chinese companies possess adequate CSR performance capacity and conditions. In this chapter, first, the basic concept of CSR has been briefly introduced and the overviews are mainly stated including the concept, development, and current situation under the Chinese backdrop. Second, the current development of CSR, risk of the CSR, and CSR strategies of Chinese enterprises under the backdrop of Belt and Road Initiative will be introduced. Third, the responsibility of CSR of state-owned enterprises under the backdrop of Belt and Road Initiatives will be mentioned with main reference of the social responsibility reports of state-owned enterprises as well as news reports. Fourth, classic case (China Communications Construction) will be used to analyze the CSR of Chinese enterprises under the backdrop of Belt and Road Initiatives.
Optimization of Compressive Strength of Reactive Powder Concrete for an Energy Storage Pile Application Using Response Surface Method
Authors: Bektimirova Umut , Sharafutdinov Eldar , Tleuken Aidana , Shon Chang Seon , Zhang Di Chuan , Kim Jong
Published: April 2019

The main goal of this study was to optimize the compressive strength of reactive powder concrete (RPC) for an energy storage pile application using response surface method (RSM). The compressive strength of 9 different RPC mixtures along with 3 plain concrete mixtures was determined. Silica fume (SF) content and the water-to-binder ratio (w/b) were selected as parameters to influence the compressive strength of the concrete mixture. RSM regression analysis was used to develop a prediction model of compressive strength. Based on test results and linear interpolation, the combination of 20.46% SF and w/b=0.20 was determined to achieve the highest compressive strength.
Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Properties of 2.5D Woven Composites
Authors: Lin Fang Bin , Wang Gen Wei
Published: April 2019

It is calculated the effective anisotropic stiffness tensor of the representative volume element in 2.5D woven composites by energy method. The Multi-point constraints are applied to periodic boundary conditions. Compared with the static tensile tests, the validity of present method is verified.
Studying the Effect of Manganese Content on TRIP Advanced High Strength Steel
Authors: El-Sherbiny Ahmed , Shash Ahmed Y. , El-Fawkhry Mohamed Kamal , El-Hossainy Tarek M. , Mattar Taha
Published: April 2019

TRIP effect containing steel was well reputed by its high mechanical properties among the 1st generation of Advanced High Strength Steel. High Silicon content was well established as an inhibitor for cementite precipitation at para-equilibrium condition. However, the effect of manganese as a powerful stabilizer for retained austenite was not much studied in TRIP-Steel. Thereby, the effect of high manganese content on the TRIP containing steel is studied in this research. As been observed from OM, and XRD results, it was found that as long as increasing Manganese content, the fraction of retained austenite increases. No doubt that enrichment of retained austenite throughout the matrix, beers a great impact on the plastic deformation character of the investigated steels, which was proved by using a uniaxial tensile test and determining the strain hardening exponent.
Recent Advances on the Deformation Behavior of Two-Phase α+β Titanium Alloys
Authors: Ankem Sreeramamurthy , Joost William J. , Schwarm Samuel C.
Published: April 2019

Two-phase materials, such as α+β Titanium (Ti) alloys, are technologically important. A number of factors can affect deformation behavior, including the interaction stresses between phases, the crystallographic relationships between phases, and the morphology. As a result, the deformation mechanisms of two-phase alloys may be different from the individual single-phase materials. For example, twinning may not occur in a single phase material if the grain size is very small but twinning can occur in a very fine grained alloy if the second phase contributes to the interfacial stresses due to elastic interactions. Interaction stresses can result from the difference in the elastic properties of the two phases. In particular, these elastic interaction stresses can be quantified by the finite element method (FEM). In this paper recent developments regarding two-phase deformation mechanisms will be reviewed and the ramifications on mechanical behavior in regard to two-phase Ti alloys in particular and on two-phase metallic materials in general will be outlined.
Nanoparticles Bearing TSH Receptor Protein and a Tolerogenic Molecule Do Not Induce Immune Tolerance but Exacerbate Thyroid Autoimmunity in hTSHR/NOD.H2h4 Mice
Authors: McLachlan Sandra M. , Aliesky Holly A. , Rapoport Basil
Published: April 2019

Transgenic NOD.H2h4 mice that express the human (h) TSHR A-subunit in the thyroid gland spontaneously develop pathogenic TSHR autoantibodies resembling those in patients with Graves disease. Nanoparticles coupled to recombinant hTSHR A-subunit protein and a tolerogenic molecule (ligand for the endogenous aryl-hydrocarbon receptor; ITE) were injected i.p. four times at weekly intervals into hTSHR/NOD.H2h4 mice with the goal of blocking TSHR Ab development. Unexpectedly, in transgenic mice, injecting TSHR A-subunit–ITE nanoparticles (not ITE-nanoparticles or buffer) accelerated and enhanced the development of pathogenic TSHR Abs measured by inhibition of TSH binding to the TSHR. Nonpathogenic TSHR Abs (ELISA) were enhanced in transgenics and induced in wild-type littermates. Serendipitously, these findings have important implications for disease pathogenesis: development of Graves TSHR Abs is limited by the availability of A-subunit protein, which is shed from membrane bound TSHR, expressed at low levels in the thyroid. The enhanced TSHR Ab response following injected TSHR A-subunit protein-nanoparticles is reminiscent of the transient increase in pathogenic TSHR Abs following the release of thyroid autoantigens after radio-iodine therapy in Graves patients. However, in the hTSHR/NOD.H2h4 model, enhancement is specific for TSHR Abs, with Abs to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase remaining unchanged. In conclusion, despite the inclusion of a tolerogenic molecule, injected nanoparticles coated with TSHR A-subunit protein enhanced and accelerated development of pathogenic TSHR Abs in hTSHR/NOD. NOD.H2h4. These findings emphasize the need for sufficient TSHR A-subunit protein to activate the immune system and the generation of stimulatory TSHR Abs in genetically predisposed individuals.
Properties of the maximal entropy measure and geometry of Hénon attractors
Authors: Berger Pierre
Published: April 2019

We consider an abundant class of non-uniformly hyperbolic

C^2

-Hénon like diffeomorphisms called strongly regular and which corresponds to Benedicks–Carleson parameters. We prove the existence of

m > 0

such that for any such diffeomorphism

f

, every invariant probability measure of

f

has a Lyapunov exponent greater than

m

, answering a question of L. Carleson. Moreover, we show the existence and uniqueness of a measure of maximal entropy, which answers a question of M. Lyubich and Y. Pesin. We also prove that the maximal entropy measure is equidistributed on the periodic points and is finitarily Bernoulli, which gives an answer to a question of J.-P. Thouvenot. Finally, we show that the maximal entropy measure is exponentially mixing and satisfies the central limit theorem. The proof is based on a new construction of a Young tower for which the first return time coincides with the symbolic return time, and whose orbit is conjugate to a strongly positive recurrent Markov shift.
Generic theorems in the theory of cardinal invariants of topological spaces
Authors: Ramírez-Páramo Alejandro , Tenorio Jesús F.
Published: April 2019

The main aim of this paper is to present a technical result, which provides an algorithm to prove several cardinal inequalities and relative versions of cardinal inequalities related. Moreover, we use this result and the weak Hausdorff number, H∗, introduced by Bonanzinga in [Houston J. Math. 39 (3) (2013), 1013–1030], to generalize some upper bounds on the cardinality of topological spaces.
On rings of Baire one functions
Authors: Deb Ray A. , Mondal Atanu
Published: April 2019

This paper introduces the ring of all real valued Baire one functions, denoted by B1(X) and also the ring of all real valued bounded Baire one functions, denoted by B∗1(X). Though the resemblance between C(X) and B1(X) is the focal theme of this paper, it is observed that unlike C(X) and C∗(X) (real valued bounded continuous functions), B∗1 (X) is a proper subclass of B1(X) in almost every non-trivial situation. Introducing B1-embedding and B∗1-embedding, several analogous results, especially, an analogue of Urysohn’s extension theorem is established.
A note on measure and expansiveness on uniform spaces
Authors: Das Pramod , Das Tarun
Published: April 2019

We prove that the set of points doubly asymptotic to a point has measure zero with respect to any expansive outer regular measure for a bi-measurable map on a separable uniform space.  Consequently, we give a class of measures which cannot be expansive for Denjoy home-omorphisms on S1.  We then investigate the existence of expansive measures for maps with various dynamical notions. We further show that measure expansive (strong measure expansive) homeomorphisms with shadowing have periodic (strong periodic) shadowing. We relate local weak specification and periodic shadowing for strong measure expansive systems.
Infinite games and quasi-uniform box products
Authors: Sabao Hope , Olela Otafudu Olivier
Published: April 2019

We introduce new infinite games, played in a quasi-uniform space, that generalise the proximal game to the framework of quasi-uniform spaces.  We then introduce bi-proximal spaces, a concept that generalises proximal spaces to the quasi-uniform setting. We show that every bi-proximal space is a W-space and as consequence of this, the bi-proximal property is preserved under Σ-products and closed subsets. It is known that the Sorgenfrey line is almost proximal but not proximal. However, in this paper we show that the Sorgenfrey line is bi-proximal, which shows that our concept of bi-proximal spaces is more general than that of proximal spaces. We then present separation properties of certain bi-proximal spaces and apply them to quasi-uniform box products.
Estimating vehicle carbon dioxide emissions from Boulder, Colorado, using horizontal path-integrated column measurements
Authors: Waxman Eleanor M. , Cossel Kevin C. , Giorgetta Fabrizio , Truong Gar-Wing , Swann William C. , Coddington Ian , Newbury Nathan R.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. We performed 7.5 weeks of path-integrated concentration
measurements of CO2, CH4, H2O, and HDO over the city
of Boulder, Colorado. An open-path dual-comb spectrometer simultaneously
measured time-resolved data across a reference path, located near the
mountains to the west of the city, and across an over-city path that
intersected two-thirds of the city, including two major commuter arteries. By
comparing the measured concentrations over the two paths when the wind is
primarily out of the west, we observe daytime CO2 enhancements over
the city. Given the warm weather and the measurement footprint, the dominant
contribution to the CO2 enhancement is from city vehicle traffic. We
use a Gaussian plume model combined with reported city traffic patterns to
estimate city emissions of on-road CO2 as (6.2±2.2)×105 metric tons (t) CO2 yr−1
after correcting for non-traffic sources. Within the uncertainty, this value
agrees with the city's bottom-up greenhouse gas inventory for the on-road
vehicle sector of 4.5×105 t CO2 yr−1. Finally, we
discuss experimental modifications that could lead to improved estimates from
our path-integrated measurements.
Fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning sources of global black
carbon
Authors: Qi Ling , Wang Shuxiao
Published: April 2019

Abstract. We identify sources (fossil fuel versus biomass burning) of black carbon (BC) in the atmosphere and in deposition using a global 3D chemical transport model GEOS-Chem. We validate the simulated sources against carbon isotope measurements of BC around the globe and find that the model reproduces biomass burning contribution (fbb, %) in various regions within a factor of 2. GEOS-Chem shows that contribution from biomass burning in the Northern Hemisphere (fbb: 34 %) is much less than that in the Southern Hemisphere (52 %). Specifically, we find comparable contribution from biomass burning and fossil fuel in South Asia, S. America, S. Pacific, Australia and the Antarctic. fbb is the largest in Africa (64 %), followed by that in East Asia (40 %), Siberia (35 %), the Arctic (33 %), Canada (31 %), the US (25 %), and Europe (19 %). fbb is higher in summer (59–78 %) than in winter (28–32 %) in the Arctic, while it is higher in winter (42–58 %) and lower in summer (16–42 %) over the Himalayan–Tibetan plateau. The seasonal variations of fbb are relatively flat in North America, Europe, and Asia. We find that double biofuel emissions for domestic heating during cold seasons northern than 45° N increases fbb values in the Arctic and Europe in winter by ~ 30 %, resulting in a ~ 20 % reduction of discrepancies of fbb in the two regions. The remaining large negative discrepancies (Europe: 41 %; Arctic: 46 %) suggest that the biofuel emissions are probably still underestimated at high latitudes. Increasing fraction of thickly coated hydrophilic BC from 20 % to 70 % in fresh biomass burning plumes increases the fraction of hydrophilic BC in biomass burning plumes by 0–20 % (vary with seasons and regions), and thereby reduces atmospheric fbb by up to 11 %. Faster aging (4 hour e-folding time versus 1.15 days of e-folding time) of BC in biomass burning plumes reduces atmospheric fbb by 7 % (1–14 %), with the largest reduction in remote regions, such as the Arctic, the Antarctic and S. Pacific. Using size resolved scavenging accelerates scavenging of BC particles in both fossil fuel and biomass burning plumes, with a larger increase of the former. Thus, atmospheric fbb increases in most regions by 1–14 %. Overall, atmospheric fbb is determined by fbb in emissions mainly and by atmospheric processes, such as aging and scavenging, to a less extent.
A crop yield change emulator for use in GCAM and similar models: Persephone v1.0
Authors: Snyder Abigail , Calvin Katherine V. , Phillips Meridel , Ruane Alex C.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Future changes in Earth system state will impact agricultural yields and, through these changed yields, can have profound impacts on the global economy. Global gridded crop models estimate the influence of these Earth system changes on future crop yields but are often too computationally intensive to dynamically couple into global multi-sector economic models, such as the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM) and other similar-in-scale models. Yet, generalizing a faster site-specific crop model's results to be used globally will introduce inaccuracies, and the question of which model to use is unclear given the wide variation in yield response across crop models. To examine the feedback loop among socioeconomics, Earth system changes, and crop yield changes, rapidly generated yield responses with some quantification of crop response uncertainty are desirable. The Persephone v1.0 response functions presented in this work are based on the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) Coordinated Climate-Crop Modeling Project (C3MP) sensitivity test data set and are focused on providing GCAM and similar models with a tractable number of rapid to evaluate dynamic yield response functions corresponding to a range of the yield response sensitivities seen in the C3MP data set. With the Persephone response functions, a new variety of agricultural impact experiments will be open to GCAM and other economic models: for example, examining the economic impacts of a multi-year drought in a key agricultural region and how economic changes in response to the drought can, in turn, impact the drought.
Multi-parameter sensing using thickness shear mode (TSM) resonators – a feasibility analysis
Authors: Weihnacht Manfred
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Multi-parameter sensing is examined for thickness shear mode (TSM)
resonators that are in mechanical contact with thin films and half-spaces on
both sides. An expression for the frequency-dependent electrical admittance
of such a system is derived which delivers insight into the set of material
and geometry parameters accessible by measurement. Further analysis
addresses to the problem of accuracy of extracted parameters at a given
uncertainty of experiment. Crucial quantities are the sensitivities of
measurement quantities with respect to the searched parameters determined as
the first derivatives by using tentative material and geometry parameters.
These sensitivities form a Jacobian matrix which is used for the exemplary
study of a system consisting of a TSM resonator of AT-cut quartz coated by a
copper layer and a glycerol half-space on top. Resonant and anti-resonant
frequencies and bandwidths up to the 16th overtone are evaluated in
order to extract the full set of six material–geometry
parameters of this system as accurately as possible. One further outcome is that the number of
employed measurement values can be extremely reduced when making use of the
knowledge of the Jacobian matrix calculated before.
Calving cycle of the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica, driven by changes in
ice-shelf geometry
Authors: De Rydt Jan , Gudmundsson G. Hilmar , Nagler Thomas , Wuite Jan
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Despite the potentially detrimental impact of large-scale calving events on the geometry and ice flow of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, little is known about the processes that drive rift formation prior to calving, or what controls the timing of these events. The Brunt Ice Shelf in East Antarctica presents a rare natural laboratory to study these processes, following the recent formation of two rifts, each now exceeding 50 km in length. Here we use a unique 50-years' time series of in-situ and remote sensing observations, together with numerical modelling, to reveal how slow changes in ice shelf geometry over time caused build-up of mechanical tension far upstream of the ice front, and culminated in rift formation and a significant speed-up of the ice shelf. These internal feedbacks, whereby ice shelves generate the very conditions that lead to their own (partial) disintegration are currently missing from ice flow models, which severely limits their ability to accurately predict future sea level rise.
Boundedness and convergence analysis of stochastic differential equations with Hurst Brownian motion
Authors: Ahmadian Davood , Rouz Omid Farkhondeh
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we discuss about the boundedness and convergence analysis of the fractional Brownian motion (FBM) with Hurst parameter H. By the simple analysis and using the mean value theorem for stochastic integrals we conclude that in case of decreasing diffusion function, the solution of FBM is bounded for any H ∈ (0,1). Also, we derive the convergence rate which shows efficiency and accuracy of the computed solutions.
Gravity as the Sole Fundamental Force
Authors: Light Gregory L.
Published: April 2019

We had explained electromagnetism by gravity before a recent publication in this Journal, in which we further incorporated the nuclear strong force in the framework of gravity. This paper, summarizing our cumulative results, continues to integrate the nuclear weak force with gravity, where we go by the following line of logic: Planck’s formula shows energy E = frequency = probability = wave; hence quantum waves have energies and the Universe is a diagonal spacetime manifold containing {(particle pi, electromagnetic wave λ (pi))}. By Feynman’s analysis on electromagnetic mass, we assume that the distribution of E over (p, λ (p)) is (3/4 , 1/4)E. Then Newton’s gravitational acceleration formula yields E = 1.6 × the observed energy o f p, so that p exists only for a duration of 5/8 λ/c over the cycle [0, λ/c], such as evidenced in quantum tunneling, opening the possibility for λ (p) to be combined with other waves forming new particle(s) for t > 58/ λ/c. By the time ratios of two frames in General Relativity we deduce neutron’s lifetime, and by the Higgs mechanism we show neutron’s decay products.
Peer Review: A Tool to Enhance the Quality of Academic Written Productions
Authors: Poveda de Brusa Maria Fernanda , Harutyunyan Liliya
Published: April 2019

Higher education focuses on promoting the training of autonomous, critical professionals who adapt to the ever-more demanding labor market. To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to rethink teaching practices in order to allow the student to be the main actor and modeler for their learning process.

Previous studies based on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory have shown that learning should be treated as a socio-cultural activity. Indeed, according to this approach, individual knowledge is firstly constructed at a social level. Peer review, for its part, is a learning tool based on the sociocultural approach. It allows students to achieve higher levels of autonomy and critical thinking.

This research’s aim is, on the one hand, to analyze the effect of peer review on the quality of academic essays and, on the other, to examine the way in which linguistic and communicative competence in academic writing are affected. This experimental study was carried out with 68 level B1 + students (32 men and 36 women) in a private university in Ecuador during one academic year.

After the statistical analysis, it is concluded that peer review has a positive impact on academic writing. However, the impact is higher in the communicative competence than in the linguistic competence. This result is aligned with previous research, which shows that students tend to prioritize message over form.

Future research should investigate peer review’s long-term impact upon students and their ability to transfer skills acquired in English class to other subjects, or even to professional contexts.
Optymalizacja parametrów procesu wytwarzania powłok niklowych metodą selektywną tamponową
Authors: Skroban Katarzyna , Gajewska-Miedziałek Anna , Szmigielska Katarzyna
Published: April 2019

Celem pracy było wytworzenie powłok niklowych metodą selektywną tamponową o właściwościach ochronnych i dekoracyjnych oraz zoptymalizowanie warunków osadzania. Określono wpływ czasu trwania procesu oraz stosowanego napięcia osadzania na grubość wytworzonych powłok. Badano strukturę przekrojów poprzecznych, morfologię powierzchni, chropowatość i mikrotwardość powłok niklowych. Przeprowadzone badania pozwoliły wytypować najbardziej optymalne parametry procesu osadzania. Opracowano skład roztworu do selektywnego tamponowego osadzania powłok niklowych.
Machiavelli Scholarship
Authors: Bookman John T. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

This bibliographic essay identifies and critically analyzes works in English on Machiavelli's political philosophy. Controversy in Machiavelli scholarship, and therefore this essay, is informed by three main questions: 1) how can the authoritarianism of The Prince be squared, if at all, with the republicanism of The Discourses? 2) does Machiavelli approach the study of politics as a scientist or a moralist? and 3) what place is to be accorded Machiavelli in the tradition of political philosophy? To the bibliographic essay is appended a select bibliography which includes 183 entries in the following six categories: "bibliography," "life and times," "works - the primary sources," "collections of secondary works," "books" and "articles".
Fragments by C. I. Lewis on Probablity, Practical Certainty, and Congruence
Authors: Molina Fernando R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

Prepared with the cooperation and assistance of Sara Timby, Stanford University Libraries, this edition contains papers that were still on C. I. Lewis' desk at the time of his death. Especially noteworthy is the fragment entitled "On Probability" in which Lewis directs his attention to the subject of past experiences, which, although now beyond recall, are regarded as having played a role in the fomation of our beliefs. Also included are notes on thought regarded as action, on the Kantian postulate of the existence of God, and Lewis' own notion of conscious life as "repository of value."
Escala de identificação de talentos pelo professor, ITP: evidências de validade e precisão
Authors: Tonete Suárez Janete , Muglia Wechsler Solange
Published: April 2019

Diante da escassez de instrumentos de identificação de estudantes com características de altas habilidades/superdotação, a percepção de professores tem se mostrado um importante recurso. Assim sendo, este estudo investigou evidencias de validade e precisão da escala Identificação de Talentos pelo Professor (ITP). Os participantes foram 4 psicólogos (F3, M=1) 10 professores (F=10)  e 120 estudantes (F=62, M=58),  com idade entre 9 a 11 anos. A escala ITP possui 30 itens e avalia as áreas de compreensão verbal, raciocínio viso-espacial, pensamento lógico, rapidez de raciocínio, memoria e pensamento criativo. A validade pela estrutura interna foi auferida pela concordância entre juízes, pelo coeficiente Kappa de Cohen (K=0,82) A precisão foi auferida pelo Coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach. A validade por critério externo foi avaliada comparando as áreas da escala ITP com o Teste Não Verbal de Raciocínio Infantil (TNVRI). Relações significativas (p≤0,05)  foram encontradas entre os subtestes de Memória visual (r=0,37) e de Criatividade (0,33) e com o Índice Cognitivo Total (0,31)  com o TNVRI. Conclui-se que a Escala ITP possui evidências de validade e precisão para a avaliação de talentos criativos e intelectuais por professores.
Alfabetização dos alunos público alvo da educação especial: dificuldades dos professores no ensino regular
Authors: Dalago Barreto Lucia Cristina , Shimazaki Elsa Midori
Published: April 2019

Este estudo aborda as principais dificuldades relacionadas à Educação Inclusiva, citadas pelos professores alfabetizadores, participantes do programa Pacto Nacional pela Alfabetização na Idade Certa (PNAIC). O objetivo da pesquisa foi o de levantar junto aos professores cursistas, suas principais dificuldades relacionadas às práticas pedagógicas, no que tange a alfabetização dos alunos público alvo da educação especial, no ensino regular. Utilizamos como metodologia a pesquisa de campo, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada para o levantamento dos dados, realizada em 10 municípios formados pela Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 5 com maiores escores e 5 com menores escores, obtidos na Avaliação Nacional de Alfabetização (ANA) e a Perspectiva Histórico Cultural, como referencial teórico, cujos principais representantes são: Vigotski, Luria e Leontiev. Concluímos que o PNAIC contribuiu na formação dos professores alfabetizadores ao promover a reflexão sobre a Educação Inclusiva e o levantamento das principais dificuldades dos professores aponta a necessidade de continuidade de ações voltadas à essa reflexão.
Aprendizagem de posturas em equoterapia por crianças com transtorno do espectro autista (TEA)
Authors: De Oliveira Barbosa Gardenia , Munster Mey de Abreu van
Published: April 2019

O estudo objetivou analisar a efetividade dos níveis de auxílio físico-verbal, visual-verbal e verbal no processo de aprendizagem de posturas em equoterapia por crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA). Quanto ao método, o presente estudo baseou-se em delineamento de sujeito único, do tipo AB; participaram do estudo três crianças com TEA com idades entre quatro e nove anos. Os participantes foram submetidos à intervenção equoterápica com duração de quatro meses, duas vezes por semana, correspondendo a 31 sessões individuais de equoterapia. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados foram empregados: 1. anamnese preenchida junto aos pais ou responsáveis; 2. protocolo de Avaliação de Habilidades Básicas de Aprendizagem ( Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities - ABLA); 3. diário de campo;  4. lista de checagem para registro diário de cada um dos auxílios utilizados em cada sessão de equoterapia. A análise dos dados referente à evolução de cada participante foi descritiva. Com relação aos resultados, observou-se que, ao término da intervenção, todos os participantes foram capazes de realizar as posturas com auxílio exclusivamente verbal, sendo o processo de aprendizagem mediado pelos auxílios visual-verbal e físico-verbal, sendo este último predominante. Concluiu-se que os níveis de auxílio necessários à aprendizagem de posturas em equoterapia devem variar conforme as necessidades individuais das crianças com TEA, não havendo um único método eficiente; todavia observa-se que a associação de estímulos de maneira direcionada pode levar ao sucesso na aprendizagem das crianças. conter o foco temático, objetivo, método, resultados e conclusões do trabalho.
O custeio ABC para formação do preço de venda em um laboratório de análises ambientais
Authors:   Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Souza Renan Rozeng de , Castanha Eduardo Tramontin , Monteiro Januario José ,   Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Milaneze Carolina Citadin , Cittadin Andréia ,   Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense
Published: April 2019

O objetivo geral é apresentar os resultados de um estudo de caso que analisou a utilização do custeio ABC para a formação de preço de venda na prestação de serviços de um laboratório de análises físico-químicas para estudos ambientais. Para tanto, se fez uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem qualitativa, mediante estudo de caso, pesquisa participante e documental com base em demonstrativos de resultado, inventários de imobilizados e estudos das demandas e horas técnicas dos serviços prestados. Os resultados apontaram que: a) a prestação de serviços nesse laboratório apresentou gastos indiretos na razão de 86% dos recursos totais; b) os recursos mais representativos referem-se à mão de obra, que correspondeu a 85% dos gastos totais; c) a atividade que apresentou maiores custos foi planejar as amostragens; e d) o serviço que tem custo mais elevado é o Monitoramento de PTS (Partículas Totais em Suspensão). Os preços de vendas praticados pelo laboratório referente aos serviços da Matriz 1 - análises de emissões atmosféricas em dutos e chaminés, são superiores aos calculados com base no custeio ABC, com exceção para o serviço de análise de determinação de CO (Monóxido de Carbono). Os preços de vendas praticados para os serviços da Matriz 2- monitoramento da qualidade do ar em nível do solo, exceto para a avaliação de ruído, ficaram abaixo dos valores sugeridos no estudo. Conclui-se que esse laboratório tem seus maiores gastos relacionados à mão de obra e que o método de custeio ABC é uma ferramenta adequada para o reconhecimento dos custos nesse segmento e contribui para o estabelecimento do preço de venda.
Estratégias de gestão sustentável e desempenho exportador em uma empresa da terceira geração da cadeia petroquímica
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Marschner Paulo Fernando , Egert Fernando Antonio ,   Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul, Ávila Lucas Veiga ,   Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Sommer Analisa Tiburski ,   Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul
Published: April 2019

A presente pesquisa possui como objetivo identificar as estratégias de gestão sustentável e o desempenho exportador de uma empresa de transformados plásticos. A transformação de material plástico é a terceira geração da cadeia produtiva petroquímica e é responsável por produzir embalagens, peças e utensílios para quase todos os segmentos produtivos da economia. Em termos metodológicos desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa qualitativa de abordagem descritiva. A coleta e análise dos dados referentes às estratégias de gestão sustentável ampararam-se nos modelos de Placet, Anderson, Fowler (2005) e de Lacy et al (2010). Já o desempenho exportador foi analisado a partir dos estudos de Papadopoulos e Martín (2010). Os principais resultados revelaram que a sustentabilidade está totalmente integrada a estratégia da empresa, contudo apresenta um desempenho exportador ainda incipiente.
Saul’yev and Group Explicit Methods
Authors: Østerby Ole
Published: April 2019

The Saul’yev methods for parabolic equations are implicit in form, but can be solved explicitly and are therefore interesting in connection with non-linear problems. Abdullah’s Group Explicit methods are parallel in nature and therefore interesting when using parallel computers. The  main objective of this paper is to study the accuracy of these methods. Using global error estimation we show that for all these methods the time step must be bounded by the square of the space step size to ensure a global error which can be estimated. As a curiosity we show that the two original Saul’yev methods in fact solve two different differential equations.
Combining UAV-based hyperspectral imagery and machine learning algorithms for soil moisture content monitoring
Authors: Ge Xiangyu , Wang Jingzhe , Ding Jianli , Cao Xiaoyi , Zhang Zipeng , Liu Jie , Li Xiaohang
Published: April 2019

Soil moisture content (SMC) is an important factor that affects agricultural development in arid regions. Compared with the spaceborne remote sensing system, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been widely used because of its stronger controllability and higher resolution. It also provides a more convenient method for monitoring SMC than normal measurement methods that includes field sampling and oven-drying techniques. However, research based on UAV hyperspectral data has not yet formed a standard procedure in arid regions. Therefore, a universal processing scheme is required. We hypothesized that combining pretreatments of UAV hyperspectral imagery under optimal indices and a set of field observations within a machine learning framework will yield a highly accurate estimate of SMC. Optimal 2D spectral indices act as indispensable variables and allow us to characterize a model’s SMC performance and spatial distribution. For this purpose, we used hyperspectral imagery and a total of 70 topsoil samples (0–10 cm) from the farmland ( 2.5 ×104 m2) of Fukang City, Xinjiang Uygur AutonomousRegion, China. The random forest (RF) method and extreme learning machine (ELM) were used to estimate the SMC using six methods of pretreatments combined with four optimal spectral indices. The validation accuracy of the estimated method clearly increased compared with that of linear models. The combination of pretreatments and indices by our assessment effectively eliminated the interference and the noises. Comparing two machine learning algorithms showed that the RF models were superior to the ELM models, and the best model was PIR (R2val = 0.907, RMSEP = 1.477 and RPD = 3.396). The SMC map predicted via the best scheme was highly similar to the SMC map measured. We conclude that combining preprocessed spectral indices and machine learning algorithms allows estimation of SMC with high accuracy (R2val = 0.907) via UAV hyperspectral imagery on a regional scale. Ultimately, our program might improve management and conservation strategies for agroecosystem systems in arid regions.
Effect of Different ‘N’ Dosages on the Bio-chemical Indices in Swietenia macrophylla (King.) & Swietenia mahogany (L.) Jacq.
Authors: Duraibabu R. , Manivasakan S. , Sivakumar K. , Radhakrishnan S. , Balasubramanian A. , Tilak M.
Published: April 2019

The research experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of various nitrogen sources combination on biochemical indices in Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia mahogany at Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam. The study consists of ten different types of nitrogen fertiliser combinations (Organic and inorganic sources) includes control (without any fertilisers application) to compare the treatment effect in two tree crops. Research experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Swietenia macrophylla T2 (Urea + sheep manure) combined application shows statistically significant differences in bio chemical indices (Chlorophyll a and b) after the fertiliser application during the research experiment. In Swietenia mahogany T2 (Urea alone) shows the statistically significant difference in biochemical indices (Chlorophyll a and b) during the experimental research period. In both tree, crops did not explain any statistically significant differences in Carotenoids content due to fertiliser application at the time of research experiment.
Effects of Patients’ Perceptions on Hypertension Treatment in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Adong Julius Waamsasiko
Published: April 2019

Background: The rising levels of hypertension related complications in Ghana are perceived to be associated with low anti-hypertensive medication adherence, which is attributable to patient wrong perceptions of hypertension.

Aim: To explore the effects of patients’ perceptions on hypertension treatment in cape coast, Ghana.

Study Design: Cross sectional survey.

Place and Duration of Study: Cape Coast, Ghana. December 2013 to March 2014.

Methodology: Eight out of 350 patients were selected from a baseline quantitative survey conducted at the Cape Coast Metropolis. The purposive sampling technique was used after baseline analysis with the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, to select four adherents and four non-adherents to anti-hypertensive medication. In-depth interviews were conducted for the eight patients, data was processed using content analysis procedure based on three specific themes.

Results: Perceived appearance of symptoms was misinterpreted as sign of rising blood pressure.  Combination of anti-hypertensive and herbal preparations was prevalent among non-adherents. Perceived side effects of anti-hypertensive particularly, sexual weakness was intense among non-adhering patients.

Conclusion: Hypertensive patients in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana, were at a higher risk of medication non-adherence and uncontrolled blood pressure. The findings underscore the need to change patient orientation about hypertension, by addressing misconceptions of symptoms and medication side effects, whiles discouraging the use of herbal preparations.
On the Compatibility of Bézout Coefficients between Pythagorean Pairs under Unimodular Transformations
Authors: Perng Cherng-tiao , Brucal-Hallare Maila
Published: April 2019

In a recent preprint, Gullerud and Walker proved a theorem and made a conjecture about thecorrectness of efficiently generating Bézout trees for Pythagorean pairs. In this note, we give a simple proof of their theorem, conrm that their conjecture is true, and furthermore we give a generalization.
Some Effects of Crude Aqueous Extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa Leaves on the Testes and Sperm Parameters of Adult Male Wistar Rats (Rattus norelegicus)
Authors: Ebenezer A. Ashamu , David A. Oyeniran , Koyinsola T. Awora , Olayemi O. T. , Olutoyi O. Oyewo
Published: April 2019

Hibiscus sabdariffa is a common garden plant native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world, used in traditional medicine. It is mostly cultivated for its flowers. The calyces are used as a refrigerant in form of tea (especially in making the sorrel drink popularly known as ‘zobo’ in Nigeria), jellies and jam.

Aim: This study evaluates the effects of aqueous leaves extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on the body, testis weight, histology of the testes and sperm parameter of adult male Wistar rats.

Methodology: Twenty-five adult male wistar rats of 10-12 weeks and weighing about 120-140g were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) (five rats / group), Group A was kept as control and B, C, D were administered 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg  of Hibiscus sabdarfia leaf extract per Kg body weight for 8 weeks. The rats in each group were fed with rat feed and water ad libitum. Administration was by means of an oral cannula. At the end of each experimental period, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the testes were harvested and immediately fixed in Bouin’s fluid for histological procedure. However, as soon as the animals were sacrificed, the cauda epididymis was removed and semen analysis was carried out immediately.

Results: There was a significant decrease in body weight of all the test groups at (P <0.05) and a significant decrease in the testes of the rats in group D when compared with the control group. Statistical analysis revealed decrease in sperm count, motility and viability with a significance decrease (P <0.05) in group D only as compared to control group. The histoarchitecture revealed significant degenerative changes characterized by vacuolization in the intestitium and seminiferous epithelium when compared with the control group.

Conclusion: The aqueous leaves extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa appears to have adverse effects on the fertility of male rats especially when taken over a long period of time.
Evaluation of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes under Allahabad Agro-climatic Conditions in India
Authors: Vijaykumar Kamidi , Rai Prashant Kumar , Taqui A. , Kumar Nalluri Venkata Pavan
Published: April 2019

The present investigation was carried out to elucidate the information on the performance of groundnut genotypes for quantitative and qualitative traits. The experimental design consisted of 11 groundnut genotypes (including one check) arranged in Randomized complete Block Design with three replications in the Kharif season 2014 at Field Experimentation Centre of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHIATS Allahabad, Analysis of variance revealed the presence of considerable variation among the genotypes for all the characters studied. On the basis of mean performance among 11 genotypes ICG 163 was best genotype in growth like primary branches per plant (7.77), days to maturity(107.33), pod yield per plant  (17.89 g), kernel yield (21.12 q ha-1) and oil yield (997 kg  ha-1). ICG 434 and ICG 513 were the best in protein content (23.68%) and oil content (47.73%).
Ecological Variability Prediction Based on Functional Characteristics of an Urban Rainforest
Authors: Leite Maria J. H. , F. Silva Valdemir , Silva Maria A. M. , Lins e Silva Ana C. B. , Silva Girlânio H. , Aguiar Maria M. B. , Lima André L. A. , Rodal Maria J. N.
Published: April 2019

The relation among basal area, light and functional characteristics variation is still an unexplored issue, especially in rainforests with different disturbance regimes. The following hypotheses were tested: 1) basal area of arboreal plants and light availability is a good predictor of the functional characteristics, once it is believed that in forest environments with a lower basal area and much light, functional characteristics values linked to the fast light resources utilization are found in leaves, stem and roots; 2) environments where there is greater light availability, the standard deviation values of the leaf characteristics will be greater. The functional characteristics values were not influenced by the geographic distance (spatial autocorrelation) neither by the species phylogeny. The prediction that in the areas with the lower basal area, values of characteristics associated with the rapid use of the light resource were confirmed for five characteristics: dry leaf matter (LMDC), stem (SDMC) and root (RDMC), the density of wood stem (WDC) and root (WDR). Significant investment was not found in structural carbon (greater dry matter values of leaf and wood) in environments with the greater basal area. It is considered that in urban fragments the disturbances are frequent, it is possible to suppose that plants with lower values of LDMC, DWC, DWR, SDMC, and RDMC have also "established" in the two areas with a greater basal area. It is concluded that in fragments in urban rainforest studied, perturbations may change the succession path due to population dynamics, especially in the area with more abundant light availability and lesser basal area (A4<AB). the study suggests that this greater light input in the A4<AB environment, due to the greater perturbations, would lead plants with the strategy of using a slow resource, favoring those with fast use of the resource, and as a result, there would be less variability of the leaf characteristics in A4<AB. The basal area and light intensity are not good predictors of variations of functional characteristics in the urban fragments studied.
Antidiabetic, Analgesic, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Fruits and Shoots of Brassica oleracea L. Var. Italic.
Authors: Nipun Tanzina Sharmin , Islam Md. Mohaiminul , Islam Jahidul , Hossain Md Shakhawat , Ahmed Ferdous , Azad A. K. , Taizy Refat Tasnim , Uddin S. M. Naim , Hossen S. M. Moazzem
Published: April 2019

Background: Brassica oleracea L. var. italic conjointly known as “broccoli” is a crucial ayurvedic medication in traditional medicine mostly cultivated in Italy, France, England and USA. The aim of the present research work was to determine the antidiabetic, analgesic, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of fruits and shoots of broccoli.

Methods: In this study, antidiabetic activity was investigated using alloxan induced diabetic model. Analgesic activity was manifested using acetic acid-induced writhing reflex. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH scavenging method while antimicrobial activity screening was carried out by disc diffusion method.

Results: Qualitative phytoanalysis of methanol extracts assured the existence of flavonoids and tannins etc. Moreover, it contains mild antibacterial and antioxidant activity where IC50 of the extract is 1424.30µg/ml. It also contains slightly analgesic and antidiabetic activity.

Conclusion: Our results recommend that presence of flavonoids and tannins renders Brassica oleracea L. var. italic with therapeutic potential for oxidative stress and inflammation associated disorders.