bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Age, Nutritional Status, and Smoking Habits with Work Fatigue in Dome Installation Workers
Authors: Salsabila Tazkia , Mulyono Mulyono
Published: August 2021

Introduction: All works have the potential to cause work fatigue, one of which is in the dome installation work. Work fatigue leads to decreased work capacity and endurance to work. Factors causing work fatigue are age, sex, nutritional status, smoking habits, history of illness, work environment, workload, work hours, and rest periods. This study aims to find out the correlation between age, nutritional status, and smoking habits with work fatigue in dome installation workers at PT. A. Methods: This type of research was an observational analytic research using a cross-sectional approach. This study had a population of all employees of PT. A in the dome installation section. The samples used were 33 workers, taken using total sampling. This study was conducted in 2020. This study used variables of age, nutritional status, smoking habits, and work fatigue. Instrument for collecting data was a questionnaire. The Industrial Fatigue Research Committee (IFRC) questionnaire was specifically used to collect data on work fatigue. In addition, data on nutritional status were obtained from the calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI). The contingency coefficient was used to analyze the data. Results: Theworkers mostly (81.8%) experienced mild work fatigue and were aged ≤ 35 years, had normal nutritional status, and were mild smokers. Conclusion: There was a weak relationship between age and nutritional status with work fatigue and a veryweak relationship between smoking habits with work fatigue. Keywords: age, nutritional status, smoking habits, work fatigue
Healthy Workplace through Increasing Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Health Skills in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Dwicahyaningtyas Ratna , Rachmayanti Riris Diana , Soedarwanto Soedarwanto
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Creating a healthy workplace is a form of workplace health promotion that enables workers to have control on their health, supports workers to work on their best and increases productivity. The major components of healthy workplace are healthy lifestyle and personal health skills. In an internationally qualified catering service company, workers have to work on a busy schedule. The purpose of this research is to describe the health promotion activities, specifically about healthy lifestyle and personal health skills at a catering service company. Methods: This research was a qualitative study, with a population of 488 workers, and a sample of 5 informants from Human Capital (HC) and Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) Department. Primary data were collected through interviews with employees as informants using an interview guide, and the observation was performed throughout the workplace based on a checklist instrument. Meanwhile, the secondary data were obtained from company’s documents. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively to portray the situation. Results: This company provides various programs and facilities to support employees to adopt healthy lifestyles and improve their health-related personal skills through mandatory and functional training programs that are integrated in the workplace, provision of healthy nutritious foods at the office canteen, a smoking area, physical activities, counseling, and maternity leave for female employees. Conclusion: Programs and facilities provided by the company are sufficient to help workers to carry out healthy lifestyles and work up on their skills to be conducive for their health, and improvement on the smoking area is needed to meet the existing regulation.Keywords: health promotion, lifestyle, personal health skills, workplace
Association Between Lighting Level to Subjective Complaints of Visual Fatigue on Operators in the Auto Welder Section
Authors: Wikurendra Edza Aria , Rabbani Muhammad Shafly , Nurika Globila
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Good intensity of light dramatically affects the eyes. If there is less intensity of light. the eye muscles contract as much as possible to see objects or vice versa. If this happens continuously, it will cause damage to the eyes. Based on the preliminary study, it was found that as the auto welder operators have the task to observe the results of the auto welder engine to determine the quality of the welder, this type of work needs accuracy so that the right lighting intensity is required. This study aimed to determine the association between the lighting level and subjective visual fatigue complaints on operators in the auto welder section. Methods: The research method used was quantitative, with a cross- sectional approach and observational method. The samples in this study were 18 respondents from the total sampling technique. The instrument used was the Visual Fatigue Index (VTI) questionnaire. Moreover, the analysis of the study results used the one sample T-test statistical test to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results: The one sample T-test results showed p-value = 0.012 < α = 0.05. This result showed an association between the lighting leveland subjective visual fatigue complaints on operators in the auto welder section. Conclusion: In this research, it was found that the majority of lighting levels that did not meet the standards had an association with subjective complaints of visual fatigue on the operators in the auto welder section.Keywords: auto welder, lighting, visual fatigue
Literature Review: Heart Rate Variability as a Biomonitoring of Occupational Stress
Authors: Waren Annes , Ilyas Muhammad
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Occupational stress is a modern epidemic. In terms of stress assessment, tools such as questionnaires are believed to be more subjective, especially in the assessment of stress in the workplace, while of course an objective assessment of stress also needs to be carried out. Objective examination for occupationalsstress will be very useful in the occupationalhhealth settings, which can early detect stress at work and prevent the long term effects. Therefore, this literature review aims to investigate the role of HRV in determining occupational stress. Methods: The searching methods used were PubMed and Google Scholar to find related journals about occupational stress and HRV, published in English. The articlessthatmmet the inclusion criteria were analysed basedoonothesstudy design, study population, occupationalsstressaand HRV assessment based on the Centre of Evidence-based Medicine, the University of Oxford for therapy study. Moreover, sample size varied from 8 to 1788. Results: It was found that there are three studies that fit the criteria, which are one systematic review study, one longitudinal study, and one cross-sectional study. The main finding from those articles was that occupational or job stress is found to be associated with lowered HRV value. Conclusion: HRV can be recommended for practicing occupational physicians and company doctors to identify the core areas of work- related stress.Keywords: biomonitoring, heart rate variability, coccupational stress
Recommendations for Improving the ISO 14001 Certification Based on the Company’s Perception Analysis of the Certification Obstacles and Benefits
Authors: Alnavis Noviana Bayu , Martono Dwi Nowo , Hamzah Udi Syahnoedi
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Environmental management systems (EMS) were used commonly by companies to control industrial impacts and support environmental sustainability. In achieving SDG’s indicators to focuses on improving sustainable practices in the company environment, the government faces a tough challenge in increasing ISO 14001 certified companies. This study aimed to analyze the barriers and benefits of ISO 14001 certification in the industrial sector and recommend encouraging companies to carry out ISO 14001 certification. Methods: This study used a descriptive analysis method to identify the perception of ISO 14001 certified company practitioners of the certification barriers and benefits. Through survey questionnaires, data collection was conducted to 83 ISO14001 certified companies with a response rate of 49.4%. Results and Discussion: The main barrier in performing the ISO 14001 was the cost of implementation and certification. The highest benefit of ISO 14001 certification was to improve the company's image. A total of 83% of the companies believed that the benefits of ISO 14001 certification outweighed the costs incurred. Conclusion: The companies did not have significant barriers in conducting the ISO 14001 certification and classified into the medium category. The ISO 14001 certification could provide environmental sustainability, social, market, and economic benefits. The government needs to support the interest of companies in conducting the ISO 14001 implementation by overcoming the obstacles and maximizing the benefits.
The Natural Radionuclide Activity and the Risk of Potential Radiation in Health Effect: A Study on Beach Sand in Madura, Bali, and Lombok
Authors: Priasetyono Yogi , Makmur Murdahayu , Prihatiningsih Wahyu Retno , Yahya Mohamad Nur , Permana Putra Deddy Irawan
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Beach sand is one of the widely used aggregates in construction, especially in coastal areas. However, beach sand contains a hidden risk, namely radioactive hazards. This research will analyze the radioactive activity of nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K on beach sand and calculate the health risk potential in radiation exposure to the household. Methods: Beach sands sampling was carried out on Madura Island, Bali, and Lombok in 2016. All samples were ovensifted and then put into Marinelli to be chopped using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detectors for three days. Results and Discussion: The average of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclide activity on the beach sand in Madura were respectively 31.46 Bq/kg, 40.12 Bq/kg, and 334.04 Bq/ kg; in Bali were 25.10 Bq/kg, 7.71 Bq/kg, and 165.15. Bq/kg; and in Lombok the amount is 25.88 Bq/kg, 8.25 Bq/kg and 171.99 Bq/kg. The calculation of the radium equivalent (Raeq) value on beach sand in Madura, Bali, and Lombok has the highest value of 132.72 Bq/kg, 54.06 Bq/kg, and 55.92 Bq/kg. The gamma index (I) in Madura, Bali, and Lombok was 1.02; 0.39; and 0.40. For the calculation of Hex and Hin in Madura, Bali, and Lombok, the highest were 0.38; 0.15; 0.15; and 0.48; 0.23; 0.24. Conclusion: The activity of the three types of natural radionuclides from the three regions is still below the threshold value. Analysis of potential health risks showed in the gamma index value (I) indicator, which exceeds the safe threshold in the Madura beach sand sample.
The Exposure of Pb to Hair and Nails in Children Around “X” Coal Mines Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) Method
Authors: Mulyati Tri Ana , Pujiono Fery Eko , Indah Indah
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The exposure of Pb from coal mining activity could be accumulated primarily in the hair and nails. It was a presence as a bioindicator of Pb contamination in the community. Children who lived around coal mining were also likely to experience contamination of Pb. The children could absorb up to 50% of Pb metal. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The sample was taken using cluster sampling and classified based on the age group, namely 1-3 years, 4-6 years, and 7-9 years. Exposed respondents lived around 1-10 kilometers from the mining area, and the non-exposed respondents lived outside. Some hair and nails would be taken from all respondents, which were sent to a laboratory directly. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to measure the levels of Pb. Results and Discussion: This study showed that Pb levels in the hair of exposed respondents in all age categories were above the WHO threshold limits value (≤ 12µg/g). In addition, in nails, Pb levels exceed the threshold limits value in the exposed sample groups 4-6 years and 7-9 years. Differences in Pb levels in the hair and nails between exposed dan non-exposed respondents showed significantly by the statistical test. Conclusion: Communities living in coal mining areas are at greater risk of exposure to heavy metals than others. Pb is one type of heavy metal that accumulates in the body, specifically in hair and nails, because it did not release by metabolism. Hence, it becomes a bioindicator to ensure our entire body exposure to hazardous materials.
Gabor Feature Representation and Deep Convolution Neural Network for Marine Vessel Classification
Authors: Long Hoang , Kwon Oh-Heum , Lee Suk-Hwan , Kwon Ki-Ryong
Published: August 2021

The Vessel Surveillance System (VSS), a crucial tool for fisheries monitoring, controlling, and surveillance, has been required to use for the reservation of the current depressed state of the world's fisheries by fisheries management agencies. An important issue in the vessel surveillance system is the classification of vessels. However, several factors, such as lighting, congestion, and sea state, will affect the vessel's appearance, making it more difficult to classify vessels. There are two main methods for conventional classifications of vessels: the traditional-based- characteristics method and the convolutional neural networks-used method. In this paper, we combine Gabor feature representation (GFR) and deep convolution neural network (DCNN) to classify vessels. Gabor filters in different directions and ratios are used to extract vessel characteristics to create a new image of vessels, which is DCNN's input. The visible and infrared spectrums (VAIS) dataset, the world's first publicly available dataset for paired infrared and visible vessel images, was used to validate the proposed method (GFR-DCNN). The numerical results showed that GFR-DCNN is more accurate than other methods.
Evaluation of the Applicability of STIV to Wave Characteristic Measurement in the Swash Zone
Authors: Kim Yeon-Joong , Yoon Jong-Sung , Hasegawa Makoto , Jeong Jae-Hoon
Published: August 2021

The swash zone is an area that causes a change in the shape of a beach by generating sediment transport under the influence of intermittent waves, where wave run-up and run-down are infinitely repeated in the final stage of the shoaling process. However, the ability to predict the sediment transport is extremely poor despite the swash zone being an extremely important area in terms of offshore disaster prevention. In particular, many researchers are conducting studies on the development of various types of observation equipment and analysis techniques because the turbulent flow of active fluid dominates the sediment transport and is an extremely important parameter for the analysis of the transport mechanism. However, in flow velocity measurement, it is difficult to measure a quantitative representative flow velocity over time because the swash zone has a shallow water depth and an active turbulent flow. Expensive equipment and short-time measurement are also limitations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of nonintrusive space-time image velocimetry(STIV) to analyze the flow characteristics of fluid in the swash zone, such as the movement velocity and period of intermittent waves in the shoaling process. The prediction accuracy was improved by removing various noises included in the images with the introduction of artificial intelligence for immediate and accurate calculation of the representative flow velocity using images that can be obtained easily. Consequently, it was discovered that the spatial representative flow velocity occurring in the swash zone, change in the wave period according to the shoaling effect, rip current and surface velocity can be measured.
Efeitos adversos agudos e conforto da interface máscara de mergulho como estratégia de suporte ventilatório durante a ventilação não invasiva
Authors: Nogueira Andréa da Nóbrega Cirino , Sousa Bárbara Galdino de , Sinhorelli Janaina Guia , Vasconcelos Renata dos Santos , Viana Soraya Maria do Nascimento Rebouças , Beltrão Beatriz Amorim , Santos John Edney , Peixoto Júnior Arnaldo Aires , Montenegro Júnior Renan Magalhães , Lobo Filho José Glauco
Published: August 2021

Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos adversos agudos e conforto da interface máscara de mergulho como estratégia de suporte ventilatório durante a ventilação não invasiva. Metodologia: Estudo clínico, experimental e descritivo, realizado no laboratório da Unidade de Pesquisas Clínicas, da Universidade Federal do Ceará, no período de junho e julho de 2020. Foram estudados 12 voluntários saudáveis. Utilizou-se um modelo de suporte ventilatório não invasivo de circuito único, acoplado a máscara de mergulho, cilindro de ar comprimido (fluxo de 15L/min) e válvula de PEEP (5cmH2O), durante o período de 60 minutos. As variáveis avaliadas foram: parâmetros fisiológicos (frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, pressão arterial e saturação periférica de oxigênio), gasometria venosa, escala visual analógica e efeitos adversos relacionados a interface. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 12 mulheres com idade média 25,58 ± 3,47. Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dados gasométricos quando comparado os valores antes e após o uso da interface. O nível de desconforto respiratório foi pontuado como leve durante o uso da interface. Os efeitos adversos com maior grau de problema foram: pressão da máscara, desconforto torácico, peso da máscara e pressão no ouvido. Conclusão: A interface máscara de mergulho parece ser viável, não apresentando graves níveis de efeitos adversos que inviabilize a sua utilização, porém para ampliar a sua aplicabilidade clínica são necessárias implementações de melhorias.
ICT-SUPPORTED STUDENTS’ INDEPENDENT WORK IN THE ESP CONTEXT: THE NEW REALITY IN TERTIARY EDUCATION
Authors: Shumeiko Natalia , Nypadymka Alla
Published: August 2021

The article aims at conducting empirical research of university students’ readiness to handle independent work while studying the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course, subject to the availability of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In order to accomplish the objective of the article, a mixed methods research was applied. According to the research methodology, the questionnaires were conducted during the first semester of the academic year 2019/20 and then in the first semester of the academic year 2020/21 at the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics. The investigation covered the period before the outset of the pandemic when a blended learning approach included instructor-led classroom training and e-learning elements; and then during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine when webucation was in line with the priorities of the training process. The participants of the study were first-year and second-year students of non-linguistic specialities. The scientific research reflected that teaching ESP was focused on enhancing foreign language learning in the particular field of study such as IT, law, trade, marketing, management or economics, to equip students with the oral and written comprehension and speaking skills that they would need to leverage partnerships with international interlocutors in the business community. The obtained results confirmed the high value of the resources available online for studying ESP as an academic discipline in university-level curricula. The analysis of data showed that during the pandemic almost equal percentages of the respondents faced the challenges that accompanied the process of learning English online. Students noted all four proposed options that characterised the disadvantages of completing the assignments independently, namely the communication vacuum, difficulties in choosing supplemental instructional materials, as well as a lack of self-discipline and control. The outcome confirmed the need to assist students’ independent work. To meet that demand, the authors carried out a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) Analysis related to the use of ICTs within the organising framework of students’ independent work while teaching ESP during a pandemic. It has been concluded that the opportunities and threats, as well as the strengths and weaknesses, identified through the SWOT analysis, characterise the advantages, drawbacks and peculiarities that emerge in the process of providing guidance for students’ independent work in the study of ESP, integrating them into a coherent whole.
MASTERING LISTENING COMPREHENSION AT ESP CLASSES USING TED TALKS
Authors: Humeniuk Iryna , Kuntso Oksana , Popel Nadiia , Voloshchuk Yuliia
Published: August 2021

The paper demonstrates the results of the experimental research conducted during the first semester of the academic year 2020/21, including the remote learning period due to the Covid19 pandemic situation, at the lessons of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) (with students of Specialties 208 “Agrarian Engineering” and 141 “Electrical Engineering and Energy”) at the State Agrarian and Engineering University in Podilia, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine. The research basically analyses how TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Talks impact university students’ listening comprehension and speaking skills. Online study support for ESP was personally created by the educators as a four-credit course due to ECTS in the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) with the application of TED Talks, which was used for study purposes on the B1 level. The research sample is represented by 50 students majoring in Agrarian Engineering and 50 students majoring in Electrical Engineering and Energy, all of them enrolled in the mandatory subject of ESP. The subjects (students) were divided into the experimental and control groups. At the beginning of the course, the students wrote the pre-test, for their start level to be evaluated, and at the end of the semester - the post-test was done to check the achievements and probable benefits of TED Talks. The experiment results demonstrated the improvement of both groups while it was proved statistically that the experimental group showed better outcomes both in listening comprehension and speaking skills respectively. The questionnaires, distributed among the students, consisted of 5 questions, where they expressed their personal opinions about the e-learning process, and according to which the TED Talks influence on their listening and speaking skills was evaluated. The feedback of the questionnaires proved that the students mostly had a positive attitude concerning engaging TED Talks into the learning process, especially those who were involved in the experiment.
TEACHING ENGLISH VOCABULARY ONLINE: IS THE SCREEN A BARRIER?
Authors: Zabolotna Oksana , Zagoruiko Liudmyla , Panchenko Ielyzaveta , Plotnikov Yevhen
Published: August 2021

This paper presents mixed-method research on teaching vocabulary online using a combination of quantitative (bibliometric approach) and qualitative (expert evaluation based on Delphi technique) methods to answer three research questions: Which tools in teaching language with technology have been described in research publications? Which tools are frequently addressed in EFL Methodology course in Ukrainian universities for teaching vocabulary online? Which tools and methods require more information for teaching vocabulary online? To answer the first research question, the authors have used a bibliometric approach to analyse the topic-related articles in the eight most relevant journals from the Scopus Database between 2011 and 2020. The authors have encountered few literature review articles tracking the developments in this research area and no articles using bibliometric methods or science maps. After finalising and structuring the bibliometric analysis data, the authors have used the Delphi method with the British Council experts who were involved in the New Generation School Teacher Project. The experts who are EFL Methodology teachers at 7 Ukrainian Universities have shared their experience in using the tools identified by the bibliometric analysis and listed the usability precedency and hurdles with their recommendations. The experts assisted in answering the research questions about the tools addressed in the EFL methodology course and those that require some consideration. As a result, the findings are collated and shared with EFL teachers, and they can gain valuable insights into the current state of the research and practice in this area. In the discussion part, the authors familiarise EFL teachers with the newest resources that provide information about the understudied areas.
A EVOLUÇÃO DA CANOA MONÓXILA EM PERNAMBUCO, BRASIL (SÉCULOS XVI ao XX)
Authors: Souza Carlos Celestino Rios e , Lins Júnior Hamilton Marcelo Morais
Published: August 2021

A canoa monóxila, popularmente conhecida como canoa de um pau só, é uma embarcação utilizada pelos indígenas do Brasil desde antes da chegada dos primeiros navegantes portugueses no século XVI. Apesar do crescente desenvolvimento tecnológico ocorrido em Pernambuco ao longo dos últimos cinco séculos, a canoa foi objeto de uma série de modificações adaptativas. O presente trabalho procura explicar a evolução da tecnologia da canoa monóxila, relacionando as transformações e os acréscimos introduzidos no casco monóxilo e as variáveis ambientais, socioeconômicas e históricas entre os séculos XVI e XX. O presente artigo se mostra relevante diante da inexistência de trabalhos de cunho acadêmico que versem sobre a tecnologia das embarcações tradicionais de Pernambuco, cuja primeira datação de um artefato náutico é anterior ao descobrimento do Brasil. ABSTRACTThe dugout canoe, popularly known as “canoa de um pau só”, is a boat used by the natives of Brazil since before the arrival of the first Portuguese navigators in the 16th century. Despite the growing technological development occurred in Pernambuco over the past five centuries, the canoe was subjected to many adaptive changes. This paper seeks to explain the evolution of the dugout canoe’s technology, relating the changes and additions introduced upon its hull with the environmental, socioeconomic and historical variables from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. This article is relevant, given the lack of academic works about the technology of traditional boats of Pernambuco and for obtaining the first dating from a nautical artifact prior to the discovery of Brazil.Key Words: Maritime Archaeology; Dugout Canoe; Dating
A Phase-Field Perspective on Mereotopology
Authors: Schmitz Georg J.
Published: August 2021

Mereotopology is a concept rooted in analytical philosophy. The phase-field concept is based on mathematical physics and finds applications in materials engineering. The two concepts seem to be disjoint at a first glance. While mereotopology qualitatively describes static relations between things like x isConnected y (topology) or x isPartOf y (mereology) by first order logic and Boolean algebra, the phase-field concept describes the geometric shape of things and its dynamic evolution by drawing on a scalar field. The geometric shape of any thing is defined by its boundaries to one or more neighboring things. The notion and description of boundaries thus provides a bridge between mereotopology and the phase-field concept. The present article aims to relate phase-field expressions describing boundaries and especially triple junctions to their Boolean counterparts in mereotopology and contact algebra. An introductory overview on mereotopology is followed by an introduction to the phase-field concept already indicating first relations to mereo- topology. Mereotopological axioms and definitions are then discussed in detail from a phase-field perspective. A dedicated section introduces and discusses further notions of the isConnected relation emerging from the phase-field perspective like isSpatiallyConnected, isTemporallyConnected, isPhysicallyConnected, isPathConnected and wasConnected. Such relations introduce dynamics and thus physics into mereotopology as transitions from isDisconnected to isPartOf can be described.
Zika Virus Non-Structural Protein 1 Antigen-Capture Immunoassay
Authors: Beddingfield Brandon J. , Hartnett Jessica N. , Wilson Russell B. , Kulakosky Peter C. , Andersen Kristian G. , Aybar Argelia , Robles-Sikisaka Refugio , Grubaugh Nathan D. , Nunez Maria-Zunilla , Fermin Cesar D. , Garry Robert F.
Published: August 2021

Infection with Zika virus (ZIKV), a member of the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family, typically results in mild self-limited illness, but severe neurological disease occurs in a limited subset of patients. In contrast, serious outcomes commonly occur in pregnancy that affect the developing fetus, including microcephaly and other major birth defects. The genetic similarity of ZIKV to other widespread flaviviruses, such as dengue virus (DENV), presents a challenge to the development of specific ZIKV diagnostic assays. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is established for use in immunodiagnostic assays for flaviviruses. To address the cross-reactivity of ZIKV NS1 with proteins from other flaviviruses we used site-directed mutagenesis to modified putative epitopes. Goat polyclonal antibodies to variant ZIKV NS1 were affinity-purified to remove antibodies binding to the closely related NS1 protein of DENV. An antigen-capture ELISA configured with the affinity-purified polyclonal antibody showed a linear dynamic range between approximately 500 to 30 ng/mL, with a limit of detection of between 1.95 and 7.8 ng/mL. NS1 proteins from DENV, yellow fever virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus and West Nile virus showed significantly reduced reactivity in the ZIKV antigen-capture ELISA. Refinement of approaches similar to those employed here could lead to development of ZIKV-specific immunoassays suitable for use in areas where infections with related flaviviruses are common.
Prediction of Shear Strength of Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete Beams without Stirrups
Authors: Setkit Monthian , Leelatanon Satjaphan , Imjai Thanongsak , Limkatanyu Suchart , Garcia Reyes
Published: August 2021

The brittle shear failure of reinforced concrete beams is complexed and unfavorable. For decades, research on the mechanical properties and durability of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) to make recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has been widely investigated. However, test results on the shear strength of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beams are still limited and contradictory. This paper reports the shear strength of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beams without stirrups. Eight RAC beams and two controlled beams with natural coarse aggregate (NCA) were tested under the four-point flexural test with the shear span-to-effective depth ratio (a/d) of 3.10. Parameters in this study were the replacement percentage of RCA (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and longitudinal reinforcement ratio (w) of 1.16% and 1.80%. It was found that the normalized shear stresses of RAC beams with w = 1.80% at all levels of replacement percentage were quite similar to that of the NAC counterparts. Normalized shear stress of the beam with 100% RCA and w = 1.16% was lower than that of the NAC beam by 5%. Database of 128 RAC beams without shear reinforcement from literature was analyzed to evaluate the ability of the most recent ACI 318-19 shear provisions in shear strength prediction. A reduction factor of 0.75 is proposed to the current ACI code provision to account for the physical variations of RCA such as replacement percentage, RCA source and quality, density, amount of residual mortar, and physical irregularity.
Organic Functionalized Carbon Nanostructures for Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Lazzarin Luca , Pasini Mariacecilia , Menna Enzo
Published: August 2021

This review proposes an overview on the use of organic functionalized carbon nanostructures (CNSs) into solar energy conversion schemes. Our attention has focused in particular on the contribution given by organic chemistry to the development of new hybrid materials that find application in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC), organic photovoltaics (OPV), perovskite solar cells (PSC) and also in photocatalytic fuel production, focusing in particular on the most recent literature. The request for new materials able to accompany the green energy transition that are abundant, low cost, with low toxicity, from renewable sources has further increased the interest in CNSs that meet all these requirements. The inclusion of an organic molecule, thanks to both covalent and non-covalent interactions, into a CNS, leads to the development of a completely new hybrid material able of combining and improving the properties of both starting materials. Besides the numerical data, which unequivocally state the positive effect of the new hybrid material, we hope that these examples can be inspiring for further research in the field of photoactive materials from an organic point of view.
A Candidate RNAi Screen Reveals Diverse RNA-Binding Protein Phenotypes in Drosophila Flight Muscle
Authors: Kao Shao-Yen , Nikonova Elena , Chaabane Sabrina , Sabani Albiona , Martitz Alexandra , Wittner Anja , Heemken Jakob , Straub Tobias , Spletter Maria Lynn
Published: August 2021

The proper regulation of RNA processing is critical for muscle development and the fine-tuning of contractile ability between muscle fiber-types. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) regulate the diverse steps in RNA processing including alternative splicing, which generates fiber-type specific isoforms of structural proteins that confer contractile sarcomeres with distinct biomechanical properties. Alternative splicing is disrupted in muscle diseases such as myotonic dystrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy, and is altered after intense exercise as well as with aging. It is therefore important to understand splicing and RBP function, but currently only a small fraction of the hundreds of annotated RBPs expressed in muscle have been characterized. Here we demonstrate the utility of Drosophila as a genetic model system to investigate basic developmental mechanisms of RBP function in myogenesis. We find that RBPs exhibit dynamic temporal and fiber-type specific expression patterns in mRNA-Seq data and display muscle-specific phenotypes. We performed knockdown with 105 RNAi hairpins targeting 35 RBPs and report associated lethality, flight, myofiber and sarcomere defects, including flight muscle phenotypes for Doa, Rm62, mub, mbl, sbr, and clu. Interestingly, knockdown phenotypes of spliceosome components, as highlighted by phenotypes for A-complex components SF1 and Hrb87F (hnRNPA1), revealed level- and temporal-dependent myofibril defects. We further show that splicing mediated by SF1 and Hrb87F is necessary for Z-disc stability and proper myofibril development, and strong knockdown of either gene results in impaired localization of Kettin to the Z-disc. Our results expand the number of RBPs with a described phenotype in muscle and underscore the diversity in myofibril and transcriptomic phenotypes associated with splicing defects. Drosophila is thus a useful model to gain disease-relevant insight into cellular and molecular phenotypes observed when expression levels of splicing factors, spliceosome components and splicing dynamics are altered.
A Computational Method Involving Surface Area to Volume Ratio to Estimate Inorganic Nanoparticle Efficacy
Authors: Williams Wesley A. , Denslow Ashley J. , Radulovic Peter W. , Denmark Daniel J. , Mohapatra Shyam S.
Published: August 2021

Inorganic nanoparticles are utilized for therapeutic, diagnostic, or theranostic purposes and the latter involve simultaneous sensing, imaging, or tracking of drug delivery. Further, these nanoparticles differ in their morphologies, which affect outcomes such as the effectiveness of hyperthermia, induction, drug loading, circulation time by escaping the body's immune system, imaging modality clarity, and biosensing. However, design of these theranostics is limited by the lack of a method to predict their therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report a computational approach involving the surface area (SA) to volume (V) ratios (SA:V), which can help predict the efficacy of the inorganic nanoparticles. The approach comprises a coding platform for the comparator pro-gram and uses a Python 3 on a Windows 10 operating system. Analyses of 22 polyhedral morphologies that inorganic nanoparticles could assume ex silico showed that only particular concave morphologies in this size regime are more productive over the standard sizes. Our results provide a method that can aid in the predicting efficacy of inorganic nanoparticles with certain morphology.
Intelligent Image Classification for Grading Egyptian Cotton Lint
Authors: Fisher Oliver J. , Rady Ahmed , El-Banna Aly A. A. , Watson Nicholas J. , Emaish Haitham H.
Published: August 2021

Egyptian cotton is one of the most important commodities to the Egyptian economy and is renowned globally for its quality, which is currently graded by manual inspection. This has several drawbacks including significant labour requirement, low inspection efficiency, and influence from inspection conditions such as light and human subjectivity. This current work uses a low-cost colour vision system, combined with machine learning to predict the cotton lint grade of the cultivars Giza 86, 97, 90, 94 and 96. Unsupervised and supervised machine learning approaches were explored and compared. Three different supervised learning algorithms were evaluated: linear discriminant analysis, decision trees and ensemble modelling. The highest accuracy models (77.3-98.2%) used an ensemble modelling technique to classify samples within the Egyptian cotton grades: Fully Good, Good, Fully Good Fair, Good Fair and Fully Fair. The unsupervised learning technique k-means showed that human error is more likely to occur when classifying lint belonging to the higher quality grades and underlined the need for an intelligent system to replace manual inspection.
Tomato Leaf Curl Virus of Tomato: Scenarios and Confronts
Authors: Shankar Ariptha
Published: August 2021

Tomato leaf curl disease (TLCD) is the most common viral disease in the tomato plant. It is caused by begomoviruses, which are viruses that cause plant development to be slowed. Many of the traditional disease management methods are still in use. They are, however, ineffective and out of date. Modern biotechnology is being used to detect illness in tomato plants as early as possible, thus reducing damage to the plants. Through genetic engineering, the spread of viruses may be controlled or prevented entirely. Here reviewed many methods for decreasing or eliminating the viral influence on crop growth through biotechnology and genomics. We also investigated the possibility of genetic engineering to reduce or remove the virus TLCD impact on tomato crop development.
A Comprehensive Community-Based Prevalence Study on Nocturia in Hong Kong Male Adults
Authors: Yuen John Wai-Man , Wong Ivy Yuen-Ping , Chiu Peter Ka-Fung , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Chan Chi-Kwok , Yee Chi-Hang , Ng Chi-Fai
Published: August 2021

Background: Most prevalence surveys on nocturia have focused on older populations. This study aimed to measure the nocturia prevalence across the full spectrum of male adults living in Hong Kong, where severity and associated quality-of-life (QoL) were also explored. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted in men aged 18 or above using the ICIQ-NQoL Questionnaire. Results: With 1,239 respondents at age ranged 18-99, the overall nocturia prevalence were found to be 63.0% (ranged 41.6-84.6% at different age groups) and 31.2% (ranged 13.0-56.3% at different age groups), for ≥1 and ≥2 bedtime voiding episodes, respectively. The chance of nocturia was dramatically increased at age 60 or above while both prevalence and voiding frequency were increased with advancing age. About 83% of the nocturia men experienced 1-2 voiding episodes per night, but many of them had self-rated their QoL poor or very poor and indicated moderate-to-high bothersome. Younger men at age 18-39 were found to have high prevalence as 41.6% and almost 30% of them rated poor or very poor QoL. Conclusions: Nocturia was not only affecting the older populations but also caused significant bothersome and negative impacts on QoL in younger males.
HPV DeepSeq: Ultra-Fast Method of NGS Data Analysis and Visualization Using Automated Workflows and a Customized Papillomavirus Database in CLC Genomics Workbench
Authors: Shen-Gunther Jane , Xia Qingqing , Cai Hong , Wang Yufeng
Published: August 2021

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has actualized human papillomavirus (HPV) virome profiling for in-depth investigation of viral evolution and pathogenesis. However, viral computational analysis remains a bottleneck due to semantic discrepancies between computational tools and curated reference genomes. To address this, we developed and tested automated workflows for HPV taxonomic profiling and visualization using a customized Papillomavirus database in CLC Microbial Genomics Module. HPV genomes from Papilloma Virus Episteme were customized and incorporated into CLC “ready-to-use” workflows for stepwise data processing to include: 1) Taxonomic Analysis, 2) Estimate Alpha/Beta Diversities, and 3) Map Reads to Reference. Low-grade (n = 95) and high-grade (n = 60) Pap smears were tested with ensuing collective runtimes: Taxonomic Analysis (36 min); Alpha/Beta Diversities (5 sec); Map Reads (45 min). Tabular output conversion to visualizations entailed 1-2 keystrokes. Biodiversity analysis between low- (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) revealed loss of species richness and gain of dominance by HPV-16 in HSIL. Integrating clinically relevant, taxonomized HPV reference genomes within automated workflows proved to be an ultra-fast method of virome profiling. The entire process named “HPV DeepSeq” provides a simple, accurate and practical means of NGS data analysis for a broad range of applications in viral research.
Seasonal Rainfall Variability over Southern Ghana
Authors: Braimah Mohammed , Asante Vincent Antwi , Ahiataku Maureen , Ansah Samuel Owusu , Otu-Larbi Frederick , Yahaya Bashiru , Ayabila John Bright
Published: August 2021

Rainfall variability has resulted in extreme events like devastating floods and droughts which is the main cause of human vulnerability to precipitation in West Africa. Attempts have been made by previous studies to understand rainfall variability over Ghana but these have mostly focused on the major rainy season of April-July, leaving a gap in our understanding of the variability in the September-November season which is a very important aspect of the Ghanaian climate system. The current study seeks to close this knowledge gap by employing statistical tools to quantify variabilities in rainfall amounts, rain days, and extreme precipitation indices in the minor rainfall season over Ghana. We find extremely high variability in rainfall with a Coefficient of variation (CV) between 25.3% and 70.8%, and moderate to high variability in rain days (CV=14.0% - 48.8%). Rainfall amount was found to be higher over the middle sector (262.7 mm – 400.2 mm) but lowest over the east coast (125.2 mm – 181.8 mm). Analysis of the second rainfall season using the Mankandell Test presents a non-significant trend of rainfall amount and extreme indices (R10, R20, R99p, and R99p) for many places in southern Ghana. Rainfall Anomaly Indices show that the middle sector recorded above normal precipitation which is the opposite for areas in the transition zone. The result of this work provides a good understanding of rainfall in the minor rainfall season and may be used for planning purposes.
A Molecular Dynamics Simulations Study of the Influence of Prestrain on the Pop-in Behavior and Indentation Size Effect in Cu Single Crystals
Authors: Xu Rong-Guang , Song Hengxu , Leng Yongsheng , Papanikolaou Stefanos
Published: August 2021

The pop-in effect in nanoindentation of metals represents a major collective dislocation phenome-non that displays sensitivity in the local surface microstructure and residual stresses. To under-stand the deformation mechanisms behind pop-ins in metals, large scale molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate the pop-in behavior and indentation size effect in unde-formed and deformed Cu single crystals. Tensile loading, unloading and reloading simulations are performed to create a series of samples subjected to a broad range of tensile strains with/without pre-existing dislocations. The subsequent nanoindentation simulations are con-ducted to study the coupled effects of pre-strain, the presence of resulting dislocations and surface morphology, as well as indenter size effects on the mechanical response in indentation processes. Our work provides detailed insights into the deformation mechanisms and microstruc-ture-property relationships of nanoindentation in the presence of residual stresses and strains.
Sharia strategic economic model on digital zakat technology in Indonesia
Authors:   State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN), Hadi Rahmini , Sochimin  ,   State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN), Basit Abdul ,   State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN)
Published: August 2021

This study aims to explain why the economic dimension of sharia is implemented in digital zakat technology at the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) in Indonesia. In Islamic finance, zakat is an obligatory process to donate yearly an excessive share of income (minimum 2.5%) on charity. Research on the implementation of technology in society is fundamental because digital zakat technology has significant potential for the benefit of the people. However, external and internal constraints are the main obstacles to maximizing zakat’s digital potential in its operationalization. Therefore, the strategic contribution of the sharia economy in good corporate governance to accompany the steps of digital zakat development is certainly expected to contribute well to the mustahik empowerment program. The research method used is explanative with the Islamic economic approach. The research’s originality is related to the novelty of digital technology development’s conceptual model in terms of positive law and sharia aspects. The research results reveal that the principle of sharia is one of the strategic factors for digital zakat. The strategic efficiency of the sharia economy towards digital zakat technology at BAZNAS plays an important role in increasing the interest of muzzaki to use digital zakat, therefore in particular digital zakat marketing cannot be separated from sharia law.
Anti-crisis state regulation of business under pandemic conditions: results and challenges
Authors:   MIREA-Russian Technological University (RTU MIREA), Shchukina Nadezhda , Varfalovskaya Victoria ,   MIREA-Russian Technological University (RTU MIREA), Bekaeva Anna ,   MIREA-Russian Technological University (RTU MIREA), Salinas Luis ,   New Jersey Institute of Technology
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the research is to identify the main trends and also a model for businesses during COVID-19 pandemic. We focuse on the study of the results of state regulation of business under pandemic conditions and the related global economic crisis. The impact of a number of anti-crisis measures implemented by the Government to support small and medium businesses is studied. The problems of development and survival of enterprises in a down economy are identified and the solutions are suggested. The measures taken by the government to prevent wave of bankruptcies during the pandemic are analyzed. The scenario problems facing the business in the context of COVID-19 crisis are identified. In addition to examining the effect of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized businesses, this article also suggests operational steps to overcome this critical situation.