bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diamond-Coated Silicon ATR Elements for Process Analytics
Authors: Arndt Nicolai , Bolwien Carsten , Sulz Gerd , Kühnemann Frank , Lambrecht Armin
Published: September 2021

Infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy is a common laboratory technique for the analysis of highly absorbing liquids or solid samples. However, ATR spectroscopy is rarely found in industrial processes, where inline measurement, continuous operation, and minimal maintenance are important issues. Most materials for mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy and specifically for ATR elements do not have either high enough infrared transmission or sufficient mechanical and chemical stability to be exposed to process fluids, abrasive components, and aggressive cleaning agents. Sapphire is the usual choice for infrared wavelengths below 5 µm, and beyond that, only diamond is an established material. The use of diamond coatings on other ATR materials such as silicon will increase the stability of the sensor and will enable the use of larger ATR elements with increased sensitivity at lower cost for wavelengths above 5 µm. Theoretical and experimental investigations of the dependence of ATR absorbances on the incidence angle and thickness of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) coatings on silicon were performed. By optimizing the coating thickness, a substantial amplification of the ATR absorbance can be achieved compared to an uncoated silicon element. Using a compact FTIR instrument, ATR spectra of water, acetonitrile, and propylene carbonate were measured with planar ATR elements made of coated and uncoated silicon. Compared to sapphire, the long wavelength extreme of the spectral range is extended to approximately 8 μm. With effectively nine ATR reflections, the sensitivity is expected to exceed the performance of typical diamond tip probes.
FPGA Implementation of an Efficient FFT Processor for FMCW Radar Signal Processing
Authors: Heo Jinmoo , Jung Yongchul , Lee Seongjoo , Jung Yunho
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the design and implementation results of an efficient fast Fourier transform (FFT) processor for frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar signal processing. The proposed FFT processor is designed with a memory-based FFT architecture and supports variable lengths from 64 to 4096. Moreover, it is designed with a floating-point operator to prevent the performance degradation of fixed-point operators. FMCW radar signal processing requires windowing operations to increase the target detection rate by reducing clutter side lobes, magnitude calculation operations based on the FFT results to detect the target, and accumulation operations to improve the detection performance of the target. In addition, in some applications such as the measurement of vital signs, the phase of the FFT result has to be calculated. In general, only the FFT is implemented in the hardware, and the other FMCW radar signal processing is performed in the software. The proposed FFT processor implements not only the FFT, but also windowing, accumulation, and magnitude/phase calculations in the hardware. Therefore, compared with a processor implementing only the FFT, the proposed FFT processor uses 1.69 times the hardware resources but achieves an execution time 7.32 times shorter.
A Topology-Based Stereo Matching Method for One Shot 3D Measurement Using Coded Spot-Array Structured Light
Authors: Mei Junhui , Yang Xiao , Wang Zhenxin , Chen Xiaobo , Xi Juntong
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a topology-based stereo matching method for 3D measurement using a single pattern of coded spot-array structured light is proposed. The pattern of spot array is designed with a central reference ring spot, and each spot in the pattern can be uniquely coded with the row and column indexes according to the predefined topological search path. A method using rectangle templates to find the encoded spots in the captured images is proposed in the case where coding spots are missing, and an interpolation method is also proposed for rebuilding the missing spots. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed technique could exactly and uniquely decode each spot and establish the stereo matching relation successfully, which can be used to obtain three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction with a single-shot method.
Evaluation of a Fatigue Detector Using Eye Closure-Associated Indicators Acquired from Truck Drivers in a Simulator Study
Authors: Dziuda Łukasz , Baran Paulina , Zieliński Piotr , Murawski Krzysztof , Dziwosz Mariusz , Krej Mariusz , Piotrowski Marcin , Stablewski Roman , Wojdas Andrzej , Strus Włodzimierz , Gasiul Henryk , Kosobudzki Marcin , Bortkiewicz Alicja
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a camera-based prototype sensor for detecting fatigue and drowsiness in drivers, which are common causes of road accidents. The evaluation of the detector operation involved eight professional truck drivers, who drove the truck simulator twice—i.e., when they were rested and drowsy. The Fatigue Symptoms Scales (FSS) questionnaire was used to assess subjectively perceived levels of fatigue, whereas the percentage of eye closure time (PERCLOS), eye closure duration (ECD), and frequency of eye closure (FEC) were selected as eye closure-associated fatigue indicators, determined from the images of drivers’ faces captured by the sensor. Three alternative models for subjective fatigue were used to analyse the relationship between the raw score of the FSS questionnaire, and the eye closure-associated indicators were estimated. The results revealed that, in relation to the subjective assessment of fatigue, PERCLOS is a significant predictor of the changes observed in individual subjects during the performance of tasks, while ECD reflects the individual differences in subjective fatigue occurred both between drivers and in individual drivers between the ‘rested’ and ‘drowsy’ experimental conditions well. No relationship between the FEC index and the FSS state scale was found.
Estimation and Control of Cooperative Aerial Manipulators for a Payload with an Arbitrary Center-of-Mass
Authors: Lee Hyeonbeom , Kim Uikyum
Published: September 2021

This paper presents an integrated framework that integrates the kinematic and dynamic parameter estimation of an irregular object with non-uniform mass distribution for cooperative aerial manipulators. Unlike existing approaches, including impedance-based control which requires expensive force/torque sensors or the first-order-momentum-based estimator which is weak to noise, this paper suggests a method without such sensor and strong to noise by exploiting the decentralized dynamics and sliding-mode-momentum observer. First, the kinematic estimator estimates the relative distances of multiple aerial manipulators by using translational and angular velocities between aerial robots. By exploiting the distance estimation, the desired trajectories for each aerial manipulator are set. Second, the dynamic parameter estimation is performed for the mass of the common object and the vector between the end-effector frame and the center of mass of the object. Finally, the proposed framework is validated with simulations using aerial manipulators combined with two degrees-of-freedom robotic arms using a noisy measurement. Throughout the simulation, we can decrease the mass estimation error by 60% compared to the existing first-order momentum-based method. In addition, a comparison study shows that the proposed method satisfactorily estimates an arbitrary center-of-mass of an unknown payload in noisy environments.
Identification of Distributed Denial of Services Anomalies by Using Combination of Entropy and Sequential Probabilities Ratio Test Methods
Authors: Ali Basheer Husham , Sulaiman Nasri , Al-Haddad Syed Abdul Rahman , Atan Rodziah , Hassan Siti Lailatul Mohd , Alghrairi Mokhalad
Published: September 2021

One of the most dangerous kinds of attacks affecting computers is a distributed denial of services (DDoS) attack. The main goal of this attack is to bring the targeted machine down and make their services unavailable to legal users. This can be accomplished mainly by directing many machines to send a very large number of packets toward the specified machine to consume its resources and stop it from working. We implemented a method using Java based on entropy and sequential probabilities ratio test (ESPRT) methods to identify malicious flows and their switch interfaces that aid them in passing through. Entropy (E) is the first technique, and the sequential probabilities ratio test (SPRT) is the second technique. The entropy method alone compares its results with a certain threshold in order to make a decision. The accuracy and F-scores for entropy results thus changed when the threshold values changed. Using both entropy and SPRT removed the uncertainty associated with the entropy threshold. The false positive rate was also reduced when combining both techniques. Entropy-based detection methods divide incoming traffic into groups of traffic that have the same size. The size of these groups is determined by a parameter called window size. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 1998, DARPA2000, and Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC-DDoS2019) databases were used to evaluate the implementation of this method. The metric of a confusion matrix was used to compare the ESPRT results with the results of other methods. The accuracy and f-scores for the DARPA 1998 dataset were 0.995 and 0.997, respectively, for the ESPRT method when the window size was set at 50 and 75 packets. The detection rate of ESPRT for the same dataset was 0.995 when the window size was set to 10 packets. The average accuracy for the DARPA 2000 dataset for ESPRT was 0.905, and the detection rate was 0.929. Finally, ESPRT was scalable to a multiple domain topology application.
Effect of Ag Addition on the Gas-Sensing Properties of Nanostructured Resistive-Based Gas Sensors: An Overview
Authors: Navale Sachin , Shahbaz Mehrdad , Mirzaei Ali , Kim Sang Sub , Kim Hyoun Woo
Published: September 2021

Nanostructured semiconducting metal oxides (SMOs) are among the most popular sensing materials for integration into resistive-type gas sensors owing to their low costs and high sensing performances. SMOs can be decorated or doped with noble metals to further enhance their gas sensing properties. Ag is one of the cheapest noble metals, and it is extensively used in the decoration or doping of SMOs to boost the overall gas-sensing performances of SMOs. In this review, we discussed the impact of Ag addition on the gas-sensing properties of nanostructured resistive-based gas sensors. Ag-decorated or -doped SMOs often exhibit better responsivities/selectivities at low sensing temperatures and shorter response times than those of their pristine counterparts. Herein, the focus was on the detection mechanism of SMO-based gas sensors in the presence of Ag. This review can provide insights for research on SMO-based gas sensors.
A Low-Power Opamp-Less Second-Order Delta-Sigma Modulator for Bioelectrical Signals in 0.18 µm CMOS
Authors: Cardes Fernando , Baladari Nikhita , Lee Jihyun , Hierlemann Andreas
Published: September 2021

This article reports on a compact and low-power CMOS readout circuit for bioelectrical signals based on a second-order delta-sigma modulator. The converter uses a voltage-controlled, oscillator-based quantizer, achieving second-order noise shaping with a single opamp-less integrator and minimal analog circuitry. A prototype has been implemented using 0.18 μm CMOS technology and includes two different variants of the same modulator topology. The main modulator has been optimized for low-noise, neural-action-potential detection in the 300 Hz–6 kHz band, with an input-referred noise of 5.0 μVrms, and occupies an area of 0.0045 mm2. An alternative configuration features a larger input stage to reduce low-frequency noise, achieving 8.7 μVrms in the 1 Hz–10 kHz band, and occupies an area of 0.006 mm2. The modulator is powered at 1.8 V with an estimated power consumption of 3.5 μW.
Optimising Speaker-Dependent Feature Extraction Parameters to Improve Automatic Speech Recognition Performance for People with Dysarthria
Authors: Marini Marco , Vanello Nicola , Fanucci Luca
Published: September 2021

Within the field of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems, facing impaired speech is a big challenge because standard approaches are ineffective in the presence of dysarthria. The first aim of our work is to confirm the effectiveness of a new speech analysis technique for speakers with dysarthria. This new approach exploits the fine-tuning of the size and shift parameters of the spectral analysis window used to compute the initial short-time Fourier transform, to improve the performance of a speaker-dependent ASR system. The second aim is to define if there exists a correlation among the speaker’s voice features and the optimal window and shift parameters that minimises the error of an ASR system, for that specific speaker. For our experiments, we used both impaired and unimpaired Italian speech. Specifically, we used 30 speakers with dysarthria from the IDEA database and 10 professional speakers from the CLIPS database. Both databases are freely available. The results confirm that, if a standard ASR system performs poorly with a speaker with dysarthria, it can be improved by using the new speech analysis. Otherwise, the new approach is ineffective in cases of unimpaired and low impaired speech. Furthermore, there exists a correlation between some speaker’s voice features and their optimal parameters.
On the Other Side of the Looking Glass: COVID-19 Care in Immigration Detention
Authors: Schriro Dora
Published: September 2021

Immigration Detention is a patchwork of public and private correctional facilities overseen by ICE, a federal enforcement agency. In June 2021, ICE detained 16,460 adults in 121 facilities in 38 states, frequently alongside pretrial and sentenced inmates and U.S. Marshals Service prisoners, under varying conditions ICE established with five different sets of detention standards, all of them based on corrections case law and in effect today. Detainees have not fared well in ICE’s custody, especially during the pandemic. In CY2020, ICE processed 137,749 detainees, tested only 80,200 for COVID-19 (58%), and recorded 8622 positive cases (11%) at over 100 facilities. Most testing positive for COVID-19—7687 (89%)—contracted the virus in ICE custody, including eight detainees who died. An additional 14,728 detainees (18%) had one or more conditions placing them at high risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 of which ICE only released 5801 (39%). This paper utilizes ICE data and documents on government websites to evaluate ICE’s approach to detention management and explore its impact on conditions of detention and how it impeded its readiness and response to the pandemic. It concludes with recommendations that ICE decrease reliance on detention and decriminalize its policies and practices.
Long-Term Effects of Forest Plantation Species on Chemical Soil Properties in Southern Rwanda
Authors: Rwibasira Peter , Naramabuye Francois Xavier , Nsabimana Donat , Carnol Monique
Published: September 2021

Understanding the long-term effects of tree species on soil properties is crucial for the development of forest restoration policies in relation to the choice of species that meet both environmental and local livelihood needs. This study was performed in the Arboretum of Ruhande, Southern Rwanda, where monocultures of 148 deciduous and 56 conifer species have been established in 0.25 ha replicated plots from 1933 onwards. We investigated the effects of six exotic and two native tree species planted in monoculture plots and native species mixed within one self-regenerated plot on soil properties in two layers (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm depth). We measured general soil properties (pH, SOM, exchangeable base cations) and water-soluble C and N as a proxy for soil functioning. Changes in soil properties were observed in the upper soil layer for all tree species. Planting Eucalyptus species caused soil acidification, whereas soil exchangeable cations and pH were higher under native species (Entandrophragma excelsum and Polyschias fulva) and mixed native species. The effects of tree species were more pronounced for hot water-extractable C and N than for other soil properties. Their analyses could be used for detecting changes in soil functioning linked to vegetation types.
Assessment of Livestock Feed Resources and Coping Strategies with Dry Season Feed Scarcity in Mixed Crop–Livestock Farming Systems around the Gilgel Gibe Catchment, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Duguma Belay , Janssens Geert P. J.
Published: September 2021

In the current study area, livestock are an integral part of the mixed farming system, and play very important roles as sources of draught power, nutrition, cash income, employment and poverty alleviation. However, feed shortage, especially during the dry season, is the most important constraint to optimal productivity. This study aimed to investigate livestock feed resources and feeding practices, coping strategies with seasonal scarcity, and to identify major constraints to livestock production in a mixed farming system around the Gilgel Gibe catchment, southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from 342 households using a structured questionnaire. The results showed natural pasture, crop residues, stubble grazing, and roadside grasses were the main feed resources, in that order. None of the respondents practiced improved forage cultivation due to insufficient land and lack of knowledge on forage production and utilization. Free grazing was the most predominant feeding system. Almost all respondents experienced dry season feed scarcity. Conserving crop residues and hay, purchasing roughages, reducing herd size and renting grazing land were the major coping strategies to feed scarcity. The farmers’ perceived major constraints to livestock production were feed shortage, animal diseases, and low productivity of local breeds. Institutional, technical and technological interventions are suggested to alleviate the constraints to livestock production in mixed crop-livestock systems in the study area and outside with similar settings.
Overlap Functions Based (Multi-Granulation) Fuzzy Rough Sets and Their Applications in MCDM
Authors: Wen Xiaofeng , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: September 2021

Through a combination of overlap functions (which have symmetry and continuity) and a fuzzy β-covering fuzzy rough set (FCFRS), a new class of FCFRS models is established, and the basic properties of the new fuzzy β-neighborhood lower and upper approximate operators are analyzed and studied. Then the model is extended to the case of multi-granulation, and the properties of a multi-granulation optimistic fuzzy rough set are mainly investigated. By theoretical analysis for the fuzzy covering (multi-granulation) fuzzy rough sets, the solutions to problems in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problem methods are built, respectively. To fully illustrate these methodologies, effective examples are developed. By comparing the method proposed in this paper with the existing methods, we find that the method proposed is more suitable for solving decision making problems than the traditional methods, while the results obtained are more helpful to decision makers.
Advanced Resources Reservation in Mobile Cellular Networks: Static vs. Dynamic Approaches under Vehicular Mobility Model
Authors: Fazio Peppino , Tropea Mauro
Published: September 2021

Many studies in literature have shown that the bandwidth of an ongoing flow can dynamically change during multimedia sessions and an efficient bandwidth allocation scheme must be employed. This paper focuses its attention on the management of predictive services in Wireless Infrastructure Dynamic Networks. In particular, two classes of service are considered: NSIS-Mobility Independent Predictive and NSIS-Mobility Dependent Predictive, where NSIS is the Next Steps in Signaling protocol, employed for resources reservation in Integrated Services architectures. A general prediction technique is proposed, based both on the analysis of time spent into a cell by mobile nodes and on the probabilities of hand-in and hand-out events of mobile nodes from wireless cells. User mobility needs to be firstly analyzed and a novel realistic mobility model has been considered, differently from some existing works in which synthetic mobility is generated. The analysis of user mobility is mandatory when the reduction of passive resource reservations for NSIS-MIP users is desired, with a good enhancement in system utilization. Moreover, predictive reservation and admission control schemes have been integrated. The performance of the 2D wireless system is evaluated in terms of average system utilization, system outage probability, number of admitted flows and reservation prediction errors. We provided to carry out an extensive simulation campaign, in order to assess the goodness of the proposed idea: we verified that good results (in terms of perceived utility, bandwidth and admitted flows) can be obtained, outperforming also some existing works.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Coronary Artery Occlusion and Myocardial Perfusion Defect on Non-Gated Enhanced Chest CT in Predicting Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Son Min Ji , Lee Dongjun , Yoo Seung Min , White Charles S.
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of coronary artery occlusion (CAO) and myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) identified on non-gated enhanced chest CT in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We retrospectively assessed 99 patients with AMI (group 1, n = 33) and without AMI (group 2, n = 66) who underwent non-gated chest CT. We analyzed the presence of MPD and CAO on non-gated chest CT. MPD on the CT was categorized using a three-point scale (0 = no definite MPD; 1 = probable artifact or questionable MPD; 2 = probable MPD). Presence of CAO was defined as an abrupt change of contrast enhancement in a coronary artery segment with no or minimal coronary motion on the CT. There were 42.4% and 12.1% patients with probable MPD (p = 0.002), and 18.2% and 0% patients with CAO (p = 0.001) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Probable MPD alone and simultaneous presence of CAO and probable MPD to predict AMI resulted in sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive valve of 42.4%, 87.9%, 75.3%, and 63.6%, respectively, and 12.1%, 100%, 69.5%, and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, probable MPD alone on non-gated chest CT demonstrated a relatively low sensitivity, high specificity, and modest positive predictive value for the prediction of AMI on non-gated enhanced chest CT. Although it is rare, simultaneous presence of CAO and probable MPD had a high positive predictive value to predict AMI on non-gated enhanced chest CT.
Analysis of Households’ E-Waste Awareness, Disposal Behavior, and Estimation of Potential Waste Mobile Phones towards an Effective E-Waste Management System in Dubai
Authors: Attia Yousra , Soori Prashant Kumar , Ghaith Fadi
Published: September 2021

During the recent decades, the world has seen ongoing economic and technological development which resulted in the generation of huge volumes of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste). In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks among countries with large e-waste generation due to its consumers’ high spending on electronic devices thereby resulting in a high obsolescence rate in the country. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze the e-waste management and recycling practices in the UAE. It takes Dubai as a case study and conducts a structured questionnaire to analyze households’ awareness, consumption of electronic devices in general and mobile phones in particular, and the disposal behavior of e-waste. Waste mobile phones is taken as a key representative in this study, in which potential waste mobile phones is estimated using the Approximation 1 method in the period 2021–2030. Results from the survey illustrated gaps among households’ awareness and disposal behavior of e-waste, where e-waste recycling rates were noticed to be low. Based on these gaps, strategies were proposed for an effective e-waste management system in the context of Dubai, and were supported by the proposal of an e-waste legislation framework in the UAE.
Mediterranean Spotted Fever: Current Knowledge and Recent Advances
Authors: Spernovasilis Nikolaos , Markaki Ioulia , Papadakis Michail , Mazonakis Nikolaos , Ierodiakonou Despo
Published: September 2021

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is an emerging tick-borne rickettsiosis of the spotted fever group (SFG), endemic in the Mediterranean basin. By virtue of technological innovations in molecular genetics, it has been determined that the causative agent of MSF is Rickettsia conorii subspecies conorii. The arthropod vector of this bacterium is the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The true nature of the reservoir of R. conorii conorii has not been completely deciphered yet, although many authors theorize that the canine population, other mammals, and the ticks themselves could potentially contribute as reservoirs. Typical symptoms of MSF include fever, maculopapular rash, and a characteristic eschar (“tache noire”). Atypical clinical features and severe multi-organ complications may also be present. All of these manifestations arise from the disseminated infection of the endothelium by R. conorii conorii. Several methods exist for the diagnosis of MSF. Serological tests are widely used and molecular techniques have become increasingly available. Doxycycline remains the treatment of choice, while preventive measures are focused on modification of human behavior and vector control strategies. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of MSF.
Urban Geographies in Transition. A Vision from Spain
Authors: Parreño-Castellano Juan Manuel , Piñeira-Mantiñán María José , González-Pérez Jesús M.
Published: September 2021

Habitual statements in academic and journalistic fields on the growing inequality of our cities call for multiple reflections [...]
Hepatitis D Review: Challenges for the Resource-Poor Setting
Authors: Lee Alice U. , Lee Caroline
Published: September 2021

Hepatitis D is the smallest virus known to infect humans, the most aggressive, causing the most severe disease. It is considered a satellite or defective virus requiring the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for its replication with approximately 10–70 million persons infected. Elimination of hepatitis D is, therefore, closely tied to hepatitis B elimination. There is a paucity of quality data in many resource-poor areas. Despite its aggressive natural history, treatment options for hepatitis D to date have been limited and, in many places, inaccessible. For decades, Pegylated interferon alpha (Peg IFN α) offered limited response rates (20%) where available. Developments in understanding viral replication pathways has meant that, for the first time in over three decades, specific therapy has been licensed for use in Europe. Bulevirtide (Hepcludex®) is an entry inhibitor approved for use in patients with confirmed viraemia and compensated disease. It can be combined with Peg IFN α and/or nucleos(t)ide analogue for hepatitis B. Early reports suggest response rates of over 50% with good tolerability profile. Additional agents showing promise include the prenylation inhibitor lonafarnib, inhibitors of viral release (nucleic acid polymers) and better tolerated Peg IFN lambda (λ). These agents remain out of reach for most resource limited areas where access to new therapies are delayed by decades. strategies to facilitate access to care for the most vulnerable should be actively sought by all stakeholders.
The Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Fatigue in Vertical Jump Performance and Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Measures
Authors: Dabbs Nicole C. , Espericueta Sergio , Bonilla Sean , Jones Margaret T.
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of coupling WBV and acute muscular fatigue to determine its effects on countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) performance and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Twenty-eight healthy active adults volunteered for five-day study. Testing sessions 2–5 included one of four conditions: No WBV and no fatigue (CON), WBV and fatigue (WBV + FAT), WBV and no fatigue (WBV), and no WBV and fatigue (FAT). WBV was performed using a frequency of 50 Hz and a low amplitude while performing quarter squats for a total of 4 min with a 30 s rest or work ratio. Lower-body fatigue induced using Bosco fatigue protocol. CMVJ and IMTP were performed on force plates. SPSS was used to perform a 2 × 2 Repeated Measures ANOVA. Significant main effects were found for fatigue in CMVJ-height and CMVJ-peak ground reaction force, no significant main effect for WBV, and no significant interactions. Lower-body fatigue decreases vertical jump performance, and WBV did not attenuate the detrimental effects of lower-body fatigue.
Real Driving Range in Electric Vehicles: Influence on Fuel Consumption and Carbon Emissions
Authors: Armenta-Déu Carlos , Cattin Erwan
Published: September 2021

This paper is focused on the determination of real driving ranges for electric vehicles (EV’s) and how it influences fuel consumption and carbon emissions. A precise method to evaluate the driving range of an EV can establish the correct reduction in GEI amount, mainly CO and CO2, ejected to the environment. The comparison of the daily driving range between an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle and an EV provides a useful tool for determining actual fuel saved during a daily trip and a method to compute carbon emissions saved depending on the type of ICE vehicle. Real driving range has been estimated on the basis of a daily trip consisting of five different segments, acceleration, deceleration, constant speed, ascent and descent, which reproduce the different types of driving. The modelling has been developed for urban routes since they are the most common and the most polluted environment where the use of electric vehicles is applied. The effects of types of driving have been taken into account for the calculation of the driving range by considering three main types of driving: aggressive, normal and moderate. The types of vehicle in terms of shape and size as well as dynamic conditions and the types of roads have also been considered for the determination of the driving range. Specific software has been developed to predict electric vehicle range under real driving conditions as a function of the characteristic parameters of a daily trip.
Turkish northern Caucasus foreign policy impact Russian national security
Authors: Shangaraev Ruslan , Valiev Aidamir
Published: September 2021

Turkey offers itself to be a regional leader for the Middle East, North Africa, partly for the Balkans and the Caucasus, while pursuing its own interests, not least economic ones. Turkey's foreign policy activation, and not only in the South, but also in the North Caucasus, is probably intended to create an additional platform for foreign policy bargaining with Moscow on issues of interest to Ankara. When analyzing the foreign policy of Turkey during the rule of the ruling Justice and Development Party, of course, you need to pay special attention to the foreign policy concept of neo-Ottomanism, the architect of which is Ahmet Davutoglu. The developed new approach "strategic depth" means that for Turkish diplomacy, Turkey's deep historical and cultural roots in the Balkans, the Middle East, the Greater Caucasus and Central Asia (former territories of the Ottoman Empire) are more important than the existing state borders. The pragmatism of Ankara's foreign policy is also manifested in a sober assessment of the popularity in the Caucasus of such ideas as Great Turan (a pan-Turkic project of a single state for all ethnic Turks) and neo-Ottomanism. For Caucasians, the times of the rule of the Ottoman Empire are the golden age of prosperity. Turanism is more aimed at awakening "kindred feelings" based on the common Turkic heritage. "They are implementing practical humanitarian projects, identifying leaders of public opinion who are ready to cooperate. Ankara is pursuing a policy of small steps in order to change the social and cultural image of the region in the long term. In general, Turkish leader is confident that due to historical reasons and the realities of modern politics The Caucasus is a zone of direct strategic interests of Turkey. Ankara, relying on the support of the United States and NATO, takes an active part in most regional political and economic projects, actively intervenes in the affairs of the Middle East, South Caucasus, Central Asian and North African regions, tries to strengthen its role beyond their borders, which often overlaps with the national interests of Russia.
All-Russian fleet support movement and public diplomacy
Authors: Vinokurov Vladimir I.
Published: September 2021

The article is devoted to the activities of one of the most famous public organizations in Russia-the All — Russian Movement for the Support of Flot (DPF), which celebrated its 30th anniversary on September 10, 2021. Created in the difficult conditions of the beginning of the actual collapse of the Soviet Union, the Movement immediately declared its patriotic goals, the main one of which was the systematic preparation and worthy meeting of the upcoming 300th anniversary of the Russian Fleet. The ideas and plans of the DPF leadership have found wide support among military sailors and representatives of the civil fleet. Today, the Fleet Support Movement unites in its ranks more than 50 thousand individual and collective members-veterans and active military sailors, representatives of the Marine Transport and River Fleet, Shipbuilding and ship repair industry, Fishing Fleet, marine science, People's fleet-yachting, etc. All of them are part of 63 regional branches and representative offices operating in many regions and large cities of our country. Thus, it has become a powerful public organization that can solve any task in its field, starting from the development of the Russian Maritime Strategy and ending with taking care of the daily life of members of the maritime community. The organization also actively participates in international activities, which makes it a strong representative of Russian public (people's) diplomacy abroad.
"Polydiplomacy" as a confrontational model of modern relations of the Collective West with Russia
Authors: Razzhivin Yuri A.
Published: September 2021

Multyaceted Diplomacy as the modern Confrontation Model of "Collective West" against Russian Federation. This article is dedicated to the exceptionally complex relationship between Russia and "Collective West" (Western European countries) instigated by the USA where US is provoking anti-Russian sanctions and acts as a catalyst of large–scale confrontations against Russian Federation. The author pays special attention to the systematic confrontation launched against the leadership of Russia since 2014. The forms and methods of anti — Russian policy and diplomacy are analyzed through the model of multifaceted "polidiplomacy" (the pressure diplomacy, sanction diplomacy, informational (media) diplomacy, as well as "diplomacy" of challenges, threats, and blackmail, and the newest type of diplomacy — the "pandemic diplomacy". Despite the difference of forms and specific realization methods for each particular sub-model, their main purpose of it is to inflict the maximum damage/destruction to the very existence of Russia using sanctions as its principal practice. The article analyzes the peculiarities of political pressure and enforcements of anti-Russian policy launched during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joseph Biden who were actively supported by the UK leadership and a number of European Union members.
Economic diplomacy instruments in the field of foreign economic activity of Russia
Authors: Naryshkin Andrey Aleksandrovich
Published: September 2021

Russia has a developed system of various institutions aimed to provide economic interests abroad. Intergovernmental Commissions on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation covering bilateral level of cooperation. They provide a regular platform for dialogue with 104 countries. The actual issues concerning investment and trade cooperation are discussed in this bilateral level. International economic organizations providing the opportunity to work on multilateral level. There are organizations where our country is a member state (for example United Nations, World Trade Organization, etc.) and organizations where Russia acts as observer or as a participant of individual negotiation tracks and working groups (for example, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — OECD). Activities within the framework of the World Trade Organization have a priority character for Russian economic diplomacy. The WTO is the largest international organization that sets itself the task of creating proper conditions for international trade. It is also a unique mechanism for the settlement of various trade and economic disputes. WTO is aimed to flow trade smoothly and provide countries with a constructive and fair outlet for dealing with disputes over trade issue. This article considers two institutions named above from the point of view of Russian economic diplomacy and its foreign economic activity.
Azerbaijani-Russian relations as a factor of regional stability in the Caspian-Caucasus region
Authors: Shukurov Mekhman Fakhraddin ogly
Published: September 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of Azerbaijani-Russian relations and regional policy of Russia. The article analyzes the historical ties between Azerbaijan and Russia, which for several centuries formed the defining link in the chain of historical events that took place in Azerbaijan. XVIII-beginning. The XIX century was the culmination, because at that time the foundation of Azerbaijani-Russian relations was laid, which were fully developed in a later period. The events that took place during this period largely predetermined the future fate of the Azerbaijani people, having influenced the course of its socio-political and cultural development. The author analyzes the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the period of the rule of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (NFA). A special place is given to the transformation of relations between the countries, after the coming to power of Heydar Aliyev and Vladimir Putin. The historic visit of the Russian president to the Republic, which became the first such visit of a Russian leader to sovereign Azerbaijan, played a positive role in bringing both sides closer together and beginning the modern stage of relations. The article also examines the economic and humanitarian relations between the two countries. Both countries have established themselves as leaders in the oil and gas industry, their relations have recently significantly intensified, relying on international legal documents of a systemic nature. In the humanitarian sphere, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are developing at a high level. The Russian Information and Cultural Center (RICС), a representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo, operates in Azerbaijan. Numerous public associations of Azerbaijanis operate in Russia, among which the most significant are the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy of Azerbaijanis of Russia (FNKA AzerRos) and the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AMOR). Special attention is paid to the role of Russia in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the decree of V. Putin «On measures to maintain peace in Nagorno-Karabakh» dated November 10, 2020. Generalizing conclusions concerning the prospects of bilateral relations in regional politics are made.
OPORTUNIDADES PARA LA UNIVERSIDAD EN EL SIGLO XXI
Authors: Pérez-Toro José Alberto , Botero-Villa Juan José
Published: September 2021

El presente documento revisa los retos actuales que tiene la Universidad en el marco del mundo empresarial y en especial frente al reto de la innovación en un mundo cada vez más globalizado y altamente competitivo. El primer aspecto del texto trata sobre el nuevo papel que tiene la Universidad y los desafíos que representa para una universidad tradicional, enfrentar los retos del mundo global, al pasar de ser una fuente generadora de conocimiento científico, y transformar lo en una fuente de innovación tecnológico.
Oficinas educativas como metodologia no processo ensino-aprendizagem
Authors: Aguiar Marcia de Medeiros , Silva Arthur Pedro Morais da
Published: September 2021

Este trabalho teve como objeto de estudo a educação popular e as oficinas educativas como metodologia de ensino-aprendizagem, descrevendo-as desde a sua construção até a prática, objetivando, assim, apresentar o modelo metodológico das oficinas pautado em perspectivas freireanas e analisado a partir do ponto de vista histórico-ideológico da trajetória da educação popular no Brasil. A análise sobre o relato de experiência do autor em conjunto com o Coletivo Raiz Popular é a ferramenta de discussão do tema em conjunto com os saberes levantados por autores de grande relevância acadêmica, como Paulo Freire, Vygotsky, entre outros. A conclusão aponta para a metodologia como ferramenta de educação libertadora, proponente do diálogo como dispositivo fundamental da metodologia, relações horizontais e busca da consciência crítica dos ativos envolvidos.
Ecotoxicological effects of glyphosate, 2,4 D and atrazine on freshwater systems: concentrations, risk assessment and establishment conditions of a tropical specie
Authors:   , Brovini Emília Marques
Published: September 2021

Pesticides are agents of global change, since they can be transported to environmental compartments, cause adverse effects on non-target species. The most worldwide used pesticide is glyphosate. Some studies have already shown adverse effects on aquatic species caused by glyphosate, which is triggering global discussions about its legislation and use. Brazil has up to date no prospect of reducing or banning the use of the three most used pesticides in the country, glyphosate, 2,4 D and atrazine. The knowledge on adverse effects of pesticides and other chemical contaminants in tropical species is still scarce, maybe because many do not have defined protocols for ecotoxicological test conditions. The purposes of the each chapter of this study were: (1) to investigate the global glyphosate concentrations in surface freshwaters, to compare the countries laws and to carry out environmental risk assessments; (2) to investigate the Brazilian concentrations of glyphosate, 2,4D and atrazine in surface freshwater, and to assess the potential environmental risks they represent; (3) to describe the steps and the challenges for culturing the tropical test species Chironomus xanthus as well as to discuss its current use in ecotoxicology. Information on glyphosate concentrations in surface freshwater is scarce and known values very irregular among the countries investigated, with 95% of the studied systems showing concentrations that represent a risk to aquatic species. Most countries evaluated did not have restrictive legislation for the glyphosate presence in water resources, resulting in the non-protection of aquatic organisms. There was an increase in the annual sales of 2,4D, atrazine and glyphosate between 2009 and 2018 in Brazil. Although most environment concentrations were below the limit allowed by Brazilian legislation, the observed concentrations represented a medium to high risk for ecosystems in 65%, 72% and 94% of the Brazilian states for 2,4 D, atrazine and glyphosate, respectively. The ecotoxicological effect of pesticides, as well as of other contaminants in freshwater sediments are very often performed with benthic macroinvertebrates. Chironomus xanthus has been increasingly used for the past of years. Therefore, conditions for Chironomus xanthus establishment, maintenance and operation in the laboratory are necessary, due to the absence of protocols for this species.
Clinical Validation of an Immune Quiescence Gene Expression Signature in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Akalin Enver , Weir Matthew R. , Bunnapradist Suphamai , Brennan Daniel C. , Delos Santos Rowena , Langone Anthony , Djamali Arjang , Xu Hua , Jin Xia , Dholakia Sham , Woodward Robert N. , Bromberg Jonathan S.
Published: September 2021

Key Points

AlloMap Kidney is a gene expression profile developed using candidate genes from the AlloMap assay broadly used in heart transplantation.

AlloMap Kidney was validated to differentiate quiescence from rejection in two independent sample sets using a quantitative scale.

Blood cell gene expression and donor-derived cell-free DNA contribute independent signals and inform on different aspects of allograft rejection.

Background

Despite advances in immune suppression, kidney allograft rejection and other injuries remain a significant clinical concern, particularly with regards to long-term allograft survival. Evaluation of immune activity can provide information about rejection status and help guide interventions to extend allograft life. Here, we describe the validation of a blood gene expression classifier developed to differentiate immune quiescence from both T cell–mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR).

Methods

A five-gene classifier (DCAF12, MARCH8, FLT3, IL1R2, and PDCD1) was developed on 56 peripheral blood samples and validated on two sample sets independent of the training cohort. The primary validation set comprised 98 quiescence samples and 18 rejection samples: seven TCMR, ten ABMR, and one mixed rejection. The second validation set included eight quiescence and 11 rejection samples: seven TCMR, two ABMR, and two mixed rejection. AlloSure donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) was also evaluated.

Results

AlloMap Kidney classifier scores in the primary validation set differed significantly between quiescence (median, 9.49; IQR, 7.68–11.53) and rejection (median, 13.09; IQR, 11.25–15.28), with P<0.001. In the second validation set, the cohorts were statistically different (P=0.03) and the medians were similar to the primary validation set. The AUC for discriminating rejection from quiescence was 0.786 for the primary validation and 0.800 for the second validation. AlloMap Kidney results were not significantly correlated with AlloSure, although both were elevated in rejection. The ability to discriminate rejection from quiescence was improved when AlloSure and AlloMap Kidney were used together (AUC, 0.894).

Conclusion

Validation of AlloMap Kidney demonstrated the ability to differentiate between rejection and immune quiescence using a range of scores. The diagnostic performance suggests that assessment of the mechanisms of immunologic activity is complementary to allograft injury information derived from AlloSure dd-cfDNA. Together, these biomarkers offer a more comprehensive assessment of allograft health and immune quiescence.
DOMÍNIO POLÍTICO DA EDUCAÇÃO E DA SEXUALIDADE
Authors: Sartori Thiago Luiz
Published: September 2021

Este artigo está alicerçado em um estudo realizado em um Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação, com objetivo de identificar e analisar eventuais situações de violência homofóbica no ambiente escolar, na perspectiva dos Direitos Humanos. Para entender a trajetória das políticas educacionais voltadas para promover o respeito à diversidade sexual e reduzir a homofobia, no contexto da pesquisa qualitativa utilizou-se de entrevistas para a compreensão do fenômeno investigado, utilizando-se de um roteiro semiestruturado. Foram entrevistados sete gestores de seis escolas da Rede Estadual de São Paulo. As materialidades empíricas foram examinadas por meio da Análise do Conteúdo (BARDIN, 2016). Buscamos compreender a percepção dos gestores com base na seguinte indagação: a união homoafetiva na perspectiva do gestor (a) escolar.